Post-Secondary Planning

• Career Symposium:Each year in the late spring, 9 - 11th grade students will have the opportunity to interact with professionals from a variety of fields. This event takes place during the school day.
• Roadtrip Nation
• Pennsylvania Career Zone
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Pennsylvania Career Link:
• Mapping Your Future
• Naviance Career Searching
  • Login to your Naviance Account
    • Harriton: http://student.naviance.com/harriton
    • Lower Merion: http://student.naviance.com/lowermerion
  • Click on Careers Tab and access assessments and videos to help you explore all different careers and assess how your interests and abilities match up with career areas

View the Year by Year Overview for College Admissions here.

• PSAT – The PSAT is given at both Harriton and Lower Merion High Schools in October during the school day for ALL 10th and 11th grade students. All 10th and 11th grade students are automatically pre-registered and there is no fee  – the LMSD covers the cost for all students. More information about the school day schedule will be shared in late September and early October.
  • Dates for the PSAT – (LMSD will test on the Primary PSAT Date)
  • What’s on the PSAT?
  • How should I prepare?
• SAT – Recommended to take during the Junior Year or the fall of the Senior Year
  • Dates and Registration Deadlines for the SAT (Online Registration is required)
  • What’s on the SAT?
  • How should I prepare?
• ACT – Recommended to take during the Junior Year or the summer or fall of the Senior Year.  (The ACT is equally accepted by all colleges.  It is student preference regarding which test to take.)
  • Dates and Registration Deadlines for the ACT (Online registration is required)
  • What’s on the ACT?
  • How should I prepare?
• TOEFL/DuoLingo, IELTS – Non-native English speakers may need to take one of these tests to assess their English language proficiency.
  • TOEFL General Information and Registration
  • DuoLingo General Information and Registration
  • IELTS General information and Registration
• Test Optional, Test Blind, and Test Flexible – these policies have held strong post-Covid and are still very much available by most colleges and universities.  Testing policies vary, however, and it is important to read each college’s policies carefully.
  • Test Optional, Test Blind, and Test Flexible College Policies – What’s the difference?

Student financial aid in the United States is funding that is available exclusively to students attending a post-secondary educational institution in the United States. This funding is used to assist in covering the many costs incurred in the pursuit of post-secondary education.

Financial Fit: For some families this may feel like the biggest factor when thinking about life after high school. College is expensive! When searching for a college, we recommend that students apply to both expensive and inexpensive schools because sometimes those expensive schools offer the most free money to our students.

Here is a list of financial aid resources:

• Types of Financial Aid Overview – learn more about the different types of financial aid available for college including loans, grants, and scholarships. 
• FSA ID – the first step to filling out the FAFSA is to secure an FSA ID for both student and parent/guardian.
• FAFSA – click this link to access the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
• CSS Profile – certain colleges require this financial aid supplement to determine your financial aid award.  To find out if colleges on your list require the CSS Profile, click here.
• Understanding Award Letters – once accepted and after receiving your financial aid applications, you will begin to receive financial aid award letters from colleges.  This resource will help you understand exactly what those award letters mean.

List of Scholarship Resources:

• www.collegeboard.org
• www.finaid.org
• www.goingmerry.com
• www.pheaa.org
• www.scholarships.com
• www.cappex.com
• www.niche.com
• www.lmtsf.org  (Lower Merion Township Scholarship Fund awards several $1200 scholarships each year, renewable for 4 years of study)
• www.myscholly.com

There are many resources for students with learning differences who are planning to continue their education in postsecondary schools, including vocational and career schools, two- and four- year colleges, and universities. As a student with a learning difference,  students should be well informed about their rights and responsibilities as well as their responsibilities to students. Being well informed will help ensure you have a full opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the postsecondary education experience without confusion or delay.  (US Department of Education)

• Know your rights and responsibilities.  This document will answer many of your questions about this process: 
• View this presentation by Dr. Christine Mecke, Director of Student Disability Services at Saint Joseph’s University for helpful information and additional resources.
• View this presentation by Kathy Johnson, former Director of the Disability Resource Center at Cabrini University for helpful information and additional resources.
• This book provides helpful information for students & families.

• Become familiar with the NCAA Eligibility Center and the 3 NCAA divisions
• Create a profile page and/or an Athletic Resume
• Talk with your coach and counselor about your goals
• Academic eligibility – Division 1, Division 2, Division 3

A gap year is a semester or full year of experiential learning typically taken between high school graduation and college enrollment. Gap years are intended to give students a break from academics to discover themselves and consider what kind of education and career they want to pursue.

• Read this article to see if a gap year might be right for you.
• Please review the following resources for more information about gap year programs and potential options for students:
  • https://www.gooverseas.com/
  • https://www.cisabroad.com/
  • https://www.cityyear.org/
  • https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/high-school-study-abroad/semester
  • https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs
  • https://www.wheretherebedragons.com/
  • https://wwoof.net/
  • https://www.american.edu/provost/ogis/gap-year/
  • https://www.globalcitizenyear.org/
  • https://www.teenlife.com/
  • https://www.volunteerhq.org/gap-year-programs/

Military service has long been a path for social and economic mobility for thousands of young American men and women. Service is both a way to see the world and to learn valuable skills that can be transferred into civilian life.  The responsibility, focus, and discipline taught by a military experience can benefit you for life. However, it’s important to have a thorough understanding of the risks, as well as the benefits, of military service and what the commitment to a career in the U.S. armed forces entails.  You can learn more about career opportunities in the military by clicking here and here.

Which branch should I consider?  Click the links below for more information about each branch of the military:

• Army
• Marines
• Air Force
• Navy
• Coast Guard
• National Guard

How would you like to serve?  Check out the many options available to you below:

• ROTC: Army, Air Force, Navy
• Military Academies: West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Coast Guard Academy
• Reserves: Army Reserve, Marine Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Navy Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, National Guard
• Active Duty: Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard

Don’t forget to take the ASVAB!  More information can be found here.

Trade schools are also known as career, technical or vocational schools. They offer job-focused degree programs and certificate courses for those not attending traditional college. These programs are usually completed within one to two years and can be found all across the United States. Some programs may be offered online. As a result of Trade School courses and programs individuals are prepared to seek immediate employment upon graduation.

Here are some resources/programs for students interested in career, technical, or vocational programs:

• Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
• Williamson College of the Trades
• Montgomery County Community College Trade & Technical Programs
• List of all trade, technical, & vocational programs in Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania College of Technology

• Junior Parent Questionnaire
  • Harriton
  • Lower Merion
• Junior Student Questionnaire
  • Harriton
  • Lower Merion (available electronically in Naviance)
• Transcript Release Form
  • Harriton
  • Lower Merion
• Senior First Quarter Grade Report Request
  • Harriton
  • Lower Merion
• Senior MidYear/1st Semester Grade Request
  • Harriton
  • Lower Merion