The Junior Conference at MHS
What is the Junior Conference?
by Mrs. Karen Wolf
A junior conference is an in-depth meeting with the student, the student's counselor, and parents or a guardian if available. The meeting will cover a multitude of topics, including the ones on the list on the left.
Juniors conferences start the last week in March and continue into April and May. To prepare for the meeting, students need to complete a "Junior Conference Questionnaire" that asks about potential college preferences (size, location, athletics, cost, and other factors) as well as a career assessment tool. It's also a good idea to talk to your family/guardian about finances as cost is a crucial factor in the college admissions process.
It's important that you think about what's best for you and not to just follow the crowd. The more research and soul-searching you do before you start the college process, the better your fit with potential colleges, vocational schools, workforce, or military options. Students schedule the junior conference meeting with their school counselor.
MHS College Admissions Timeline
How Do Colleges Evaluate Your Application?
College Fairs
MHS offers two college fairs in the fall for juniors and seniors and a third in the spring for juniors and sophomores.
As well, families can attend college fairs at other locations.
College Fair Tips
Here's a great article from NYU about how to prepare for a college fair: NYU Article
Review the list of schools (posted on Canvas a few days before the event)
Ask thoughtful questions about academic programs, clubs, study abroad, research opportunities, ...
Take good notes
Leave time to explore additional colleges
Collect contact information
The College Tour
by Monica Tate-Melendez
The college application process can bring stressful moments into the conversation, however one of the most interactive and fun experiences is the college visit. Walking on the campus of your future academic destination offers you insight into the personality of the school. From the classroom to the student life, each school has a unique blend of what makes them stand out. Yet, not every school is a good fit for you, thus visiting in person when possible is strongly recommended.
Make Arrangements Now
Take advantage of the school breaks to schedule campus tours. Breaks like President’s weekend, Spring Break, or even the Teacher’s Convention allow you the opportunity to visit the college when it is in full session (and you are not missing days from school). However, these are popular times and campus tours can get full so make appointments now!
The Official Tour
The official college tour offers several benefits to a prospective student. The informational session on admissions will give you insight on what is important to the school. The quality of student guides will vary based on the personality of the student however don’t hesitate to ask them questions. Lastly, some colleges do track demonstrated interest and a visit demonstrates interest.
Here are five challenges should you chose to accept them on your next college tour!
Eavesdrop on a Conversation
Park yourself on the campus bench or in the student center and people watch. How do the students look on this campus? Are they happy? Are they engaged? What are they talking about? What is the vibe of this school? With all the information that you are absorbing can you imagine yourself attending this college?
Eat at a Dining Hall
Whether the campus serves Dunkin’ or Starbucks is not the most pressing matter because you will be eating most of your food at the dining hall. If you can eat in the dining hall, you will develop a better understanding of the food options and quality.
Read the News
Still when I visit colleges, I investigate bulletin boards to see what events and activities are taking place. As well, picking up the school paper provides you awareness into the happenings of the college and highlight what is important to the campus community.
Ask Questions
If fitness is important to you, then visit the school gym. If your faith is important to you, then visit the religious facilities. If you need academic support, then ask questions at student support services. Colleges offer a significant number of supports and opportunities to students, however you need to ask about those services and supports.
Send an Email
After your college tour, review photos and the notes you took. If you have questions, email the Admissions Representative who covers Morris County, New Jersey. However, the questions should be authentic and seeking information that is not easily attainable on the college’s website.
Get Ready for Standardized Testing
Morristown High School Triumphs Over Technical Glitch to Successfully Administer Digital PSAT/NMSQT Exams - by Tracy Bisulca and Robert Jordan-Testing Coordinators
Morristown, NJ - October 11, 2023 - Students at Morristown High School faced an unexpected challenge as they took the PSAT/NMSQT exam using the College Board digital platform for the very first time. The exam was offered to sophomores and juniors at no cost to the students. Despite the College Board website experiencing technical difficulties right as students and teachers were preparing to test, Morristown High School's resilient students and dedicated staff managed to persevere and successfully complete the exam. This incident highlights the transition to digital exams and underscores the benefits of embracing new technology in education.
The College Board's decision to offer the PSAT/NMSQT on a digital platform came as part of an ongoing effort to modernize standardized testing and make it more accessible to all students. Digital testing offers various advantages, including quicker score reporting, a reduction in paper usage, and the ability to adapt to students' skill levels. However, the transition is not without its challenges, as was evident during the recent testing day at Morristown High School.
The exam day began with great enthusiasm as students logged into the College Board's platform, ready to showcase their knowledge and skills. However, just as the tests were about to commence, the College Board's website experienced technical difficulties, leaving students and staff in a state of uncertainty.
Director of Guidance Dr. Giordano expressed her gratitude for the students' patience and resilience, saying, "I am incredibly proud of our students and teachers for their ability to stay focused and maintain their composure during this unexpected challenge. They demonstrated true grit and determination."
Around midmorning, the College Board was able to rectify the technical problems, and students at Morristown High School were able to access the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam. Once the exam commenced, the benefits of this new digital format quickly became evident.
One of the significant advantages of digital testing is the quicker turnaround time for score reporting. This allows students to receive their results sooner, giving them more time to make informed decisions about their academic paths.
Furthermore, digital testing offers a more interactive experience, with features such as annotation reading selections, highlighting, and the ability to bookmark and return to skipped items easily. It closely mirrors the environment in which many students will take college admissions tests, making it an invaluable experience in preparing for the future.
The shift to digital testing aligns with the broader trend in education to integrate technology into the classroom. It allows educators to better cater to student's needs and prepare them for college and career readiness in a tech-savvy world.
As the students at Morristown High School completed their digital PSAT/NMSQT, they showed that they could rise above adversity and adapt to a changing world. Their determination to excel despite the initial technical setback proves that education can be a powerful force in overcoming challenges and preparing the next generation for an ever-evolving landscape.
The Morristown High School community's perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to their commitment to education and personal growth. While the transition to a digital format may have had its challenges, it also brought the promise of enhanced learning experiences and better preparation for the future.
Financial Aid
Are you the first in your family?
Attend Be the First
Students who are the first in their family to attend college are most commonly referred to as first generation (or 'First-Gen'). Be The First is a drop-in program for First-Gen students at MHS who are looking for more information and support to prepare for college.
School Counselors have scheduled workshops, speakers, and will be available for individualized assistance throughout the school year.
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.