Winter 2025
Winter 2025
Embedded Files
The Culinary Arts Studio has been opened!
Greetings from the Director
Greetings from the Director
Hello MHS Students and Families,
As I reflect on this holiday season, I am so grateful for the collaboration, authentic conversation and laughs that are shared here at Morristown High School. As we begin junior conferences next week, we hope students are encouraged by the conversations with counselors focusing on planning for the future. For our Freshman, I hope the engagement with your PGC mentors has provided you with some tools to undergird your experience here at MHS and encourage you to be an agent of change. To the sophomores, the academic transition can be daunting, but remember, you can do it! Seniors, with the majority of applications submitted or moving closer to solidifying plans for the future, I hope you take the time to smell the roses and reflect on your high school journey thus far. Enjoy this time with your peers and be intentional in all you do.
Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Kenny
Upcoming Counseling Night Programs
Upcoming Counseling Night Programs
Mark Your Calendars!
Mark Your Calendars!
Financial Aid Processing Night
Financial Aid Processing Night
January 14, 2025 at 6:30 pm
MHS
Mark Your Calendars!
Mark Your Calendars!
Mock Admissions Night
Mock Admissions Night
March 13, 2025 at 6:30 pm
MHS
Winter Counseling Events
Winter Counseling Events
Instant Decision Day
Instant Decision Day
Still deciding what to do after graduation? There's still time to apply to County College of Morris, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, and Saint Elizabeth University!
Complete the application before the event and you'll receive an instant decision the day of the event. The deadline to register is January 21. Register here:
College Fair
College Fair
MHS offers a winter college fair for sophomores and juniors who want to learn more about post-secondary options.
2025 Date: March 7th
FAFSA Updates
FAFSA Updates
FAFSA 2024-25
FAFSA 2024-25
Is Now Live!
Helpful FAFSA Links
Helpful FAFSA Links
FAFSA® Completion Instructions
Create and Access Your StudentAid.gov Account Video
What is FAFSA®?
Who is a Contributor on the FAFSA® Form?
New Jersey Financial Aid Management System (NJFAMS)
View/Download(PDF)
HESAA Publications
To get more information check out the HESAA website!
Student Congratulations
Student Congratulations
Sanjna Vel, 11th, received the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award at a ceremony at Morristown Beard School. This award "recognizes, celebrates and holds up as role models Americans making a positive impact as engaged and deeply committed volunteers." She was acknowledged for her volunteer work with Kids to Kids where she teaches Taekwondo to special needs kids. K2K serves about 150 families with special needs kids in the area. The award winners were from several schools in Morris County and Sanjna was the recipient from Morristown High School.
Counselor Happenings
Counselor Happenings
VoTech Share - Time Programs Presentation 12/2/24
VoTech Share - Time Programs Presentation 12/2/24
by Karen Wolf
Approximately 35 tenth graders attended the Morris County Vocational Technology Share-Time presentation by Gina DiDomenico on December 2nd. Gina talked about the many Career & Technical Education options available for students after completing 10th grade. Applications for share-time programs open in mid-December and close on March 3rd. In addition to the many programs already being offered, there are four new Pathways, Morris County Career Training Center (MCCTC), being offered in partnership with County College of Morris: Healthcare, Business, Emerging Technology-Information Technology, and Emerging Technology-Electronics Technology. Check the website for more information and talk to your counselor about the application process: Share Time Programs
MHS Visits College Fairs
MHS Visits College Fairs
MHS Counselors took students to various college fairs and tours to learn about opportunities available to them.
2025 Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair
2025 Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair
by Renee Brown
On Friday, November 22nd, a group of MHS students attended the 2024 Malcolm Bernard Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair. The fair was held at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey. Throughout the day, the students attended workshops to enhance their college readiness. One of the workshops offered the students "Admission Tips and Tricks" and presented them with suggestions and strategies to make paying for college more affordable. Another workshop explored the benefits of attending a community college before enrolling in a four-year institution. Finally, the students had an opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from over 40 colleges and universities. Several of the students were offered onsite admissions and scholarships!
Field Trip to County College of Morris (CCM)
Field Trip to County College of Morris (CCM)
by Michael Norton
On December 5th we took a small group of interested seniors on a visit to County College of Morris. Always gracious hosts, we enjoyed a presentation from the admissions office, a tour of campus, and lunch in the cafe. We braved the first snow and high winds on the hill, but were treated to hot chocolate at the yearly student holiday party. The campus is under a large amount of construction, with three new buildings opening over the next couple of years. This includes a Center for Health Professions with new programs like dental hygiene, dental assisting, surgical technology, diagnostic medical sonography, and medical assisting. Also of note is the new Center for Entrepreneurship and Culinary Science that will be home to the Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey. It was a fun and informative day!
New Jersey Institute of Technology Engineering Day
New Jersey Institute of Technology Engineering Day
by Karen Wolf
Ms. Shohen, Ms. Tate, Ms. Weisenseel, and Mrs. Wolf accompanied a group of 15 enthusiastic students to the NJIT Engineering Career Day event on December 13th. The students got an early start before school even started. We learned about the different types of engineering and what engineers do as well as possible career paths, and students had hands-on experience with welding, talked with current students about their projects, and saw demonstrations of chemical engineering, robotics, and other areas of engineering. Our students were quick to volunteer and were given college swag, breakfast, and lunch. It was a well-organized event and we all had fun and learned about different engineering disciplines as well as about NJIT.
College Counselor Tours
College Counselor Tours
MHS School Counselor visit colleges, vocational schools and other post-secondary options throughout the school year to share opportunities with our students. If you have questions about the colleges listed in this section, please reach out to the School Counselor.
Williams College
Williams College
by Karen Wolf
2,285 students, 16% first generation students, 41% students of color, 10% international students, located in Williamstown, MA
Acceptance rate on Early Decision=35%, Acceptance Rate on RD=9%
They follow a 4:1:4 calendar, freshmen have to do a winter study
Many research opportunities are paid, summer-funded research
Three study abroad options, including one year at Oxford College in England
They are need blind, meet 100% demonstrated need, no loans are given and no campus jobs are required
Test optional for 2 more cycles, then reevaluating
Test optional for current juniors, they don't offer interviews, and they don't track demonstrated interest
William Paterson University
William Paterson University
by Kate Weisenseel
The undergraduate nursing program is in the top 37% of BSN programs nationwide
40% of the population are first-generation college students
86% of students are employed or in grad school within 6 months of graduation
Pledge 4 Success Program: Expands upon the Garden State Guarantee and enables qualifying students to attend WPU tuition free or at a greatly reduced cost for all four years
Career Experience Program: All students are required to participate in experiential learning, whether that is through one of their courses, an internship, job shadowing, or another experience that gets them into the community
"Finding Your Best Fit College
"Finding Your Best Fit College
by Dr. Kristina Kenny
At a presentation titled, "Finding Your Best Fit College," Robert Franek, the Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review, discussed the findings of several surveys completed by students and their parents related to the college application process.
The results of a survey about college hopes and worries indicated that 99% of participants view college as a worthy investment and 44% see it as a way to get a better job and higher income. When identifying their worries, participants pointed to the cost of attendance, the amount of student debt, and the possibility of getting into a first choice school, but not being able to pay for it as their primary concerns. Last year's FAFSA complications, which resulted in a 14% decrease in matriculation, compounded their worries.
In his experience working with students, Robert pointed out that many students think about the college admissions process as "a game with winners & losers.” In addition, the "brand" associated with certain selective schools drives the decision making process. He explained that while it has never been harder to get into college, at the same time, it has never been easier, (if/when a student thinks about their college list more broadly).
When assessing "fit," Robert recommended considering four factors. They include academic fit, campus culture, financial assistance, and career services. His broader message was for students and their families to address issues early on, so that they do not have power over them during the search and application process.
Be the First continues strong into it's second year!
Be the First continues strong into it's second year!
October Drop in Sessions to assist students to complete their college applications, essays and self-reported academic record (SRAR).
by Monica Tate-Melendez
Be the First began the school year with ongoing support for Seniors to complete their college applications, self-reported academic records, and fine tune their personal statements.
As well, November launched a series of workshops that empower students to have a better understanding of the process.
Some of the topics we covered this year include:
How to Prepare for the Junior Conference
Cash for College
College Applications 101
Be the First will wrap up the first half of the school year with an Alumni Luncheon. MHS graduates will share their insight and experiences with first generation Juniors and Seniors.
If your child is the first one in the family to attend college, please email Monica.Tate@msdk12.net to be added to the Canvas classroom and receive invites for future activities.
College of the Month
College of the Month
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
New Jersey Public Law 2021, c. 211, enacted on September 16, 2021, requires postsecondary institutions covered by this law to provide a financial aid “shopping sheet” to every student, including prospective and currently enrolled students, as part of the institution’s financial aid offer.
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