Beyond the College Degree

Information provided by Mr. Spence Miller - NPHS Guidance, North Penn High School Guidance Counselor
March 7, 2012

The information below is from the New York Times – courtesy of the North Penn HS College and Career Center What’s so special about a diploma? With the advent of Massive Open Online Courses and other online programs offering informal credentials (badges), the race is on for alternative forms of... Read more »

Unique College Essay Prompts of 2011

Mr. Spence Miller, NPHS Guidance Department
January 26, 2012

Essay Questions of 2011 According to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the importance that colleges place on student essays has been steadily increasing. So here are a few of the more unusual prompts…   The University of Chicago: “What does Play-Doh™ have... Read more »

Common Application Updates from Guidance

Mr. Spence Miller, NPHS Guidance Dept.
January 19, 2012

COMMON APPLICATION UP-DATES:  New Submission Records Set     The Common Application set a record on January 1, 2012, crossing the 2 million application mark earlier   than ever. December 31 was once again the busiest day of the year. Students Should Check Submission Status   The application,... Read more »

The SAT vs the ACT

Mr. Spence Miller, NPHS Guidance
January 3, 2012

 JUNIORS   Which test should I take?    Years ago, colleges in the Midwest and South favored the ACT, while schools on both coasts preferred the SAT. Now, every college will accept either test. While both are used for the same purpose, they are very different tests.    The SAT... Read more »

FAFSA Time and Senior Slump?

Mr. Spence Miller, NPHS Guidance Department
January 2, 2012

SENIORS: It’s FAFSA time!  The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the primary form used by colleges to determine eligibility for need-based aid.  The FAFSA should be filed as soon as possible after January 1st of the student’s senior year and then yearly while attending college. ... Read more »

A Look at Some Numbers from the College Applications

Mr. Spence Miller, NPHS Guidance Counselor
December 21, 2011

From North Penn Transcript Office: As of Dec 15, 2011… our Most Applied to list:              Penn State       (270)               Temple             (258)             Pitt                   (161)            ... Read more »

Mr. Miller’s Facts for November 11

Mr. Spence Miller, NPHS Guidance Counselor
November 11, 2011

COMMON APP (AS OF 11/1/2011): 221,470 APPLICANTS SENDING OUT 571,654 APPLICATIONS (UP NEARLY 25% FROM LAST YEAR)   NORTH PENN SENIORS (AS OF 11/1/2011):   410 APPLICANTS SENDING OUT 1720 APPLICATIONS (UP 21% FROM LAST YEAR)   PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: Announced on Tuesday that 3,547 students had applied... Read more »