Monthly Archives: August 2020

Transcript Request Process Reminder AND New Directions for Students Applying with the Common Application

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How to send your transcript to colleges not using the Common Application:

  • Log into Xello
  • Under Goals & Plans on the student dashboard, click on College Applications
  • Click on Manage under College Planning
  • Click on Create Your First Application 
  • Search and select the school that will be receiving the transcript, the click Next
  • From the requirements list, click to Request Transcript 
  • View your sent transcripts by clicking Options and selecting Track My Requests. 

NEW – If you are applying to schools using the Common Application you will need to take the following steps.

Link your Common Application with Xello

Here is a link to a video showing the process Linking Xello Account to Common Application

  1. From your  Student Dashboard, under Goals & Plans, click College Planning.
  2. Click View My Applications to see your full list of colleges you are tracking.
  3. At the top of the page, in the banner with the Common App logo, click Connect.
    • A pop-up may indicate that you may need to redo tasks you’ve previously completed. This could include requesting a transcript or a recommendation letter.
    • The Common App login page opens.
  4. Sign in to the Common App (or create a new account if you haven’t yet).
    • Once you’ve successfully logged into Common App, you’ll be redirected back to the page you left in Xello.
    • The banner at the top of the page now states the accounts are connected.

How to Send Transcripts to Schools You have Applied to using the Common Application 

  1. From your  Student Dashboard, under Goals & Plans, students click College Planning.
  2. Click View My Applications to see the full list of colleges you are tracking.
  3. Click on a college with the Common App logo to open a brief profile of that college.
  4. Next to Transcript,  click Request to open the list of counselors at your school.
  5. Choose your counselor and click Select.
  6. They have the option to deselect and remove that counselor to select another.
  7. Click Next and you will be returned to the college page.
  8. A banner at the top of the page indicates success.

How students request a recommendation letter be sent through XELLO to Colleges Using the Common Application

  1. Navigate to the college you want a recommendation letter sent.
    • For a reminder, follow steps 1 through 3 above.
  2. Next to Recommendation Letters,  click Request to open the list of every educator at your school in Xello.
  3. Choose the referrer you’d like and click Select to begin filling out the recommendation letter request.
    • You are required to type a personal note to the referrer.
    • Prompts are listed on the side to give ideas.
  4. Once finished,  click Send and you will be  returned to the college page. A banner at the top of the page will indicate success

Penn Manor Will Host ACT on September 12th!

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Attention Seniors!

Did you have the opportunity to take the ACT? Here’s your chance! Penn Manor will offer the ACT on Saturday, September 12th. The deadline to register is August 31st.

To register, click here: REGISTER FOR SEPTEMBER 12TH ACT

WHY TEST?

  1. Even though most colleges will be flexible with admission requirements due to the pandemic, your test scores may benefit you and help you stand out in a crowded field of applicants. Think of your college application like a jigsaw puzzle. With each piece of information—GPA, extracurricular activities, volunteer hours, test scores, awards—you are giving colleges a complete picture of who you are. If you don’t include an ACT score, you’re removing part of the picture. Consider testing or retesting, to help you create a colorful record of your academic achievements.
  2. Achieve your best score. Every point matters. Increasing your ACT score by one point could close the gap between your application and an acceptance letter. Improving your score could also help you qualify for more scholarship money. Consider taking the ACT in September or October so you can get your new scores back in time to use on application deadlines. 

**If you are in need of a fee waiver, please contact Mrs. Snyder at Rhoda.Snyder@pennmanor.net

Virtual College Visits Scheduled- sign up now

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Admissions officers from Dartmouth College, Northwestern University, Princeton University, University of California, Berkeley, and Vanderbilt University invite you and your students to learn about our institutions, hear advice about the college search and application process, and get your questions answered.

Meant as a brief introduction to the signature aspects of each institution, we’ll spend the bulk of our time sharing application advice, financial aid insights, and answering questions submitted by students in advance.

We appreciate you sharing this opportunity with your students if at all possible. You and your colleagues are certainly welcome to attend. The Coast to Coast group is planning on holding a set of counselor events this fall.WHEN

Sunday, August 30, 2020
3 p.m. Eastern Time
Webinar link sent upon registration.

OR

Monday, August 31, 2020
5 p.m. Eastern Time
Webinar link sent upon registration.
An RSVP is required.

Update from ACT on Fall Testing

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ACT Adds New Fall 2020 National Test Dates to Address Students’ Need for Scores

ACT has added three new national test dates to its fall 2020 national testing schedule to provide more opportunities for students to earn a full ACT test score for admissions decisions, scholarship opportunities, placement, and college and career insights. These additions will help meet the demand for testing caused by COVID-19-related cancellations and social distancing requirements that limited test centers’ capacities this spring and summer. A total of eight test dates will be available for students for fall 2020 national testing.

The updated fall 2020 ACT national test schedule:

September

  • Saturday, September 12 (existing) * Penn Manor plans to administer the ACT on this test date
  • Sunday, September 13 (non-Saturday, existing)
  • Saturday, September 19 (new)

October

  • Saturday, October 10 (new)
  • Saturday, October 17 (new)
  • Saturday, October 24 (existing)
  • Sunday, October 25 (non-Saturday, existing)

December

  • Saturday, December 12 (existing)

In addition to the new test dates, all students will be able to register for existing non- Saturday test dates in September and October, when registration opens at the end of July. Fall 2020 testing will include the same screening and social distancing requirements for students and test center staff that were successfully implemented for the June national test date, administered in 45 states.

Registrants who are not comfortable adhering to required social distancing guidelines or facing the potential impact of test center changes and cancellations, are encouraged to request a full refund at ACT.org. Students registering for fall 2020 tests will also be eligible for full refunds due to test center changes and cancellations prior to testing.

Beginning in September 2020, ACT will offer the option to report a superscore for students who have taken the ACT test more than once, and will offer four fee waivers to qualifying students (double the number previously offered). However, in light of capacity limitations due to COVID-19, and to provide more opportunities for first-time test-takers in need of full ACT test scores, ACT has postponed its planned rollout of section retesting and online testing until 2021.

“Our top priority is to provide safe access to testing for students who are first-time test- takers,” said Godwin. “While we know the delay in section retesting is disappointing to a number of students, we are also aware that the additional dates will be welcome news to many students looking for opportunities to continue along their college and career- going journey, and we wish them good health and success.”