Beginning with the class of 2022 and beyond, to receive a Donegal High School diploma, a student must successfully complete a minimum number of courses during grades 9,10,11,12 as outlined below:

SUBJECT AREAS CREDITS

English* 4.0 Mathematics* 4.0 Science* 3.0 Social Studies* 4.0 Fitness 1.5 Wellness 10 & 11 1.0 Freshman Writing Seminar** 0.5 Personal Finance ** 1.0 Arts & Humanities and Electives*** 5.0

TOTAL 24

Graduation requirements are modified for students attending full year CTC programs during their 12th grade year.

* Must include required courses per items above and check department course descriptions. ** Freshman Writing Seminar is required in 9th grade and Personal Finance is required in 11th grade ***Courses that satisfy the Arts and Humanities 2 credit requirements may be selected from the following areas: English (beyond the four required units) Social Studies (beyond the four required units) Art Music World Language

*** All courses beyond the required courses are considered electives.

The Donegal High School Counseling Office has many informative resources to help students with their career preparation and planning. If students would like one-on-one assistance in developing career goals, they should make an appointment to see their counselor through their Clever Portal. The Xello Tile on the student Clever Portal https://xello.world/en/ is an online assessment and exploration tool which will assist students in determining which careers match up with their interests, skills, and values. The site provides students with information about almost every career available to them! Job descriptions, working conditions, earnings, and job outlook are among some of the information given. There are also interviews with professionals who describe what it's like to work in their particular career. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is another excellent resources which can be found online at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/. Students are encouraged to explore career fairs, Job Shadow, and Internship experiences.

Where do I get an application?

Colleges and universities websites allow users to request, download, or print information and submit applications. Most institutions accept applications directly through the website, with application fees charged to major credit cards. Many colleges partner with the Common App.

Do I need to send my transcript?

Official transcripts and other supporting documents, as described in the Submitting Applications section below, are required and usually must be forwarded to the college or university from our counseling office. Because we do not know when you apply online, please make sure to subimt your Transcript Request through your Student Clever Portal.

How can I get more information from a college?

Admissions offices accept email and telephone requests for information and materials, and many provide toll-free numbers.

What are College Fairs?

College fairs provide good opportunities to obtain applications and other information directly from representatives. Please contact the DHS Counseling Office for information about any local college fairs.

Submitting Applications

Who should complete the college application? Students should complete applications and double-check the accuracy of all application information with parents before submitting applications online.

What is the Common Application?

This term refers to a universal, or "Common Application", used by many colleges and universities across the country. This application only needs to be completed once and can then be submitted to multiple colleges/universities. Not all colleges and universities participate in the "Common Application", so confirm a school's acceptance of the "Common Application" before submitting it. Visit http://www.commonapp.org for a list of schools that accept this application.

What is on my transcript?

Transcripts sent with applications are official and include: SAT scores received by DHS to date, the most recent class rank and grade point average, final course grades and credits earned since entering ninth grade, and high school activities reported by the student in previous years. Official transcripts cannot be hand-carried or hand-delivered by students or parents to intended recipients.

What about letters of recommendation? Do I need them?

Letters of recommendation can be sent directly to the Common App or can be brought to the Counseling Office if you want them to be emailed to colleges with transcripts. If you are seeking recommendations from teachers, advisors, coaches, counselors, or administrators, be sure to give them plenty of advance notice (2 weeks) when asking for the letters. Use the Brag Sheet (linked in Schoology and in the Transcript Request Form) Some colleges require letters of recommendation and some only recommend them, so be sure to read the application carefully.

Do I have to write an essay?

Personal essays or autobiographical statements are required on some college applications and are optional on others. Even when optional, they represent important opportunities to favorably impress an admissions committee, especially if an interview has not been possible.

Can I submit my application late?

Adhere to application deadlines and submit materials early ! Applications should never be brought to the Counseling Office on the day they are due. Submit all materials well in advance of postmark deadlines and inform the counselor or secretary of deadline dates at submission!

Now that I've applied, I can relax and take it easy for the rest of my senior year, right?

No, keep those grades up! Many colleges request mid-year grades. After the final grades are posted for the Fall Semester, the cumulative GPA and Class Rank are re-calculated for each grade level. As soon as the revised mid-year GPA and Class Rank are available, they are recorded as the official rank and average on student applications, transcripts, and supporting documents.

College Visits

The Office should be informed of all college visitations (tours and/or interviews) prior to each college visit. This is the procedure that should be followed :

1. Prior to a scheduled visitation , you must complete a "Request For College Visitation" form. Copies can be obtained from the Main Office, the Attendance Secretary or the Counseling Office. This form must be completed, signed by a parent, and returned to the office to be approved by the principal or assistant principal.
2. You must have a parent accompany you on the college visitation.
3. While on the visit, you will have a college representative sign a form indicating that you visited on that particular day.
4. When you return to school, the form signed by the college representative must be returned to the Attendance Secretary so that the absence is considered "excused".
5. Students are permitted to be excused up to three (3) days during their junior year and three (3) days during their senior year for college visitations.

College Admissions Testing

How do I know which tests I need to take?

As you consider potential colleges, you should determine which admissions tests are required by those schools. Tests should be taken at least six weeks prior to the application deadline of a school requiring the score.

Do I need to take both the SAT and the ACT?

Most schools are test optional but there may be benefits to taking an SAT or ACT test. On-line registration for these tests may be accessed through each testing organization's web address: SAT: http://www.collegeboard.org ACT: http://www.act.org

What is Donegal's CEEB code?

Students must include Donegal High School 's CEEB Code Number (392795) when they register for the SAT in order for their scores to be reported to us and posted on their transcripts.
Acceptances

What should I do when I have been accepted by a college?

Students should notify the Counseling Office when they have been informed of admissions decisions by the colleges to which they have applied. We share your excitement about acceptances, want to lobby for you when your application is put on hold or if a decision is deferred, and certainly want to support you if you are not admitted. When you decide which offer of admission to accept, your commitment to that college should be reported to the Counseling Office through the required senior survey so your final transcript can be mailed in June.

Should I notify all of the colleges I applied to if I have accepted admission somewhere else?

As a courtesy to the other colleges where applications have been sent (and to the candidates who may be on waiting lists for those colleges!), you should notify each school of your intentions when a commitment has been made to another school.

Financial Aid

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. There are 3 types of aid available; free money (Grants), borrowed money(Student Loans), and earned money (Work Study). Free money is based on need and does not need to be paid back. Borrowed money must be repaid with interest. Earned money is aid that is obtained through working a job which is coordinated by the college or university.

Am I eligible for financial aid?

To be eligible for financial aid students must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen, must have a high school diploma or equivalent, must not be in default on any other education loans, and males between the ages of 18-25 applying for FAFSA must register for selective service.

When is the deadline for financial aid applications?

Students can begin to apply for financial aid for the upcoming award year on October 1st during their senior year of high school. Colleges and universities have varying deadlines to apply by. Check the financial aid website of your prospective schools for those deadlines.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to begin your application.

What documents do I need to apply for financial aid?

If students are not filing as independent, they will need the following information from their parents as well.

1. Social Security Number

2. Driver’s License (student only and optional)

3. Alien Registration Number or Permanent Resident Card (for non-U.S. citizens)

4. Federal Income Tax Returns and schedules, W-2 Forms from all employers

5. Current Bank Statements (checking and savings)

6. Current Business and Farm Records (if applicable)

7. Records of Any Stocks, Bonds, or Other Investments Including 529 Accounts for All Students

8. Additional Untaxed Income Records

9. Federal Student Aid Account

The NCAA Eligibility Center is the organization that certifies college-bound student-athletes for initial eligibility to compete in NCAA Division I or II sports. It reviews a student's academic record (including core courses and GPA), test scores, and amateurism status to ensure they meet the NCAA's requirements. For Division III athletes, registration is required to certify amateurism, but not initial academic eligibility.

NCAA Eligibility Requirements Video - https://youtu.be/PFOykiw57p4?si=p2U7sLVgvIsJOnOr

NCAA Eligibility Center Registration Website - https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

Donegal High School's student assistance program is called CARES.

CARES is an acronym that stands for Committee to Assist and Refer Students. CARES is a multi-disciplinary team composed of school personnel (teachers, staff, administrators, nurses, and counselors). This team has been trained to understand and identify students who are having problems in school because of chemical use/abuse, depression/anxiety, grief, or other related factors that affect the student's ability to learn or succeed in the classroom. CARES serves as an intervention and referral program to aid students in overcoming these barriers. The team does not diagnose or treat mental health or drug/alcohol disorders.

Students may be referred to CARES by:

1. Self referral

2. Peer referral

3. Faculty/staff referral

4. Parent referral

All referrals are kept confidential. For more information about this committee, please see your school counselor.

SAT

The SAT is the most widely used college admissions test in the United States. If you are a student planning to apply to college, you may want to take the SAT. Most colleges are now test-optional but some may require SAT scores. It is recommended that students take the SAT in their junior year. Some students will take the test again at the beginning of their senior year. There are two options: SAT School Day or the standard SAT administration given on a Saturday. Donegal High School offers the SAT School Day option. Although Donegal High School is not a Saturday testing center, there are several local schools that do offer the test. To find test dates, locations, and test fees, or to register for a Saturday test, visit the The College Board's website. SAT score results are sent directly to students.

PSAT/NMSQT

The PSAT is sometimes known as a "Practice SAT". Students who are in 11th grade and are planning to take the SAT are encouraged to take the PSAT. The test is offered at Donegal High School in October and there is a small fee to take the test. Information about the test, as well as registration forms, are given to students in school (usually at the beginning of September). Registration is done through the Counseling & Career Center (not the College Board website). Students who take the PSAT in 10th grade may take the test again in 11th grade. The National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) is the official route of entry to the National Merit Scholarship program. PSAT score report results are available on the student's College Board Account about a month after the test.

PSAT 10

PSAT 10 is an option offered to all sophomore students at Donegal High School every spring. Students are not required to take this test. Students must register by the deadline, and there is no cost to the student. Students are notified by College Board when their test results are available on their College Board Account (about a month after the test date).

ACT

The ACT is another college admissions test similar to the SAT. Although the test may not be as widely used as the SAT, it is recognized by most college admissions departments. Test dates and locations, as well as registration and fee information, can be found on ACT's website. https://www.act.org/

AP

AP, or Advanced Placement, testing is for students enrolled in any of Donegal High School's AP courses. The AP tests are typically offered in May during the school day. Information about these tests, as well as registration materials, will be given to students at school. The AP tests can possibly offer the opportunity for students to earn college credit or advanced standing in college. This opportunity depends on the score earned by the student and the various colleges' policies for AP credit. Students should check with their intended college to see if/how they will accept AP credit.

**Students who wish to take an AP exam for which DHS does not offer an AP course should see their counselor.

Current students, please request a DHS transcript electronically, from your Chromebook on the Student Portal page.
*** If you graduated from Donegal prior to 2021, we request a $2.00 transcript fee to assist in defraying the postage and handling fee. Please make checks payable to "Donegal High School" and mailed to: "DHS Career Resource Center, 1025 Koser Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552." Upon receipt of your request and/or fee, we will promptly expedite your request.

Donegal High School graduates can request transcripts by phone or fax. For telephone requests, contact Mrs. Alyssa Reginella at 717-492-1205 or email your request to alyssa.reginella@donegalsd.org. ***Please leave your name, year of graduation, date of birth and the school email address that you would like your transcript emailed to. Please email your telephone number where you can be reached (just in case we have any questions).

You may also fax your request to (717) 492-1242.

Please see Donegal High Schools homepage: On the right hand side is a box that reads "Work Permit Information" Please check out on line for more information and Child Labor Law