Presbyterian Christian School

GUIDANCE

 

Welcome to the PCS Guidance and Counseling web page!  We hope that you will find this page helpful and informative.

High School Counselors help students develop academic goals, construct course schedules, narrow career choices, plan for post secondary education, and apply for scholarships, as well as deal with any problems that are interfering with academic success.  When referred by teacher, parent or self, we assist students with interpersonal growth and relationship issues.
                

Carol Dixon, M.Ed.
Telephone:  601.582.4956
Email: cdixon@pcsk12.org

 

 

"How much better to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather... than silver!"
 Proverbs 16:16

 
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
 -Henry David Thoreau

 

SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Oh! The Places You Will Go  art scholarship application is available now. Go to www.seussville.com/OTPScholarship/  This will take you to a Facebook page; once on Facebook, look at the menu on the left hand side of the page for the $10,000 scholarship contest.

The Dr. Pepper $1,000,000 tuition giveaway is underway.  Go to www.drpepper.com for more info and to apply.

Burger King is once again offering scholarships for high school seniors in amounts up to $50,000.  Academic achievement, extracurricular activities and work experience are considered.  Burger King employees or the children thereof are also eligible to apply for these scholarships.  Go to www.haveityourwayfoundation.org  for more information and to apply.

 

Washington University in St. Louis is offering PCS students the opportunity to participate in their 2012 Summer Experiences for High School Students.  There are two programs available, one offering 6 hours of college credit, transferable to most accredited universities, which lasts five weeks, and a three week non-credit program. This is a great chance to spend time on the campus of one of the most highly regarded universities in the country.  For more information visit www.summerexperiences.usstl.edu or call 866-209-0691 (toll free). 

The AXA Foundation is offering a number of scholarships ranging in value from 10K to 25K.  One category is academic achievement and the other is community service, so seniors have two ways to be winners.  Go to www.axa-achievement.com for full information and to apply.

 

NFIB is offering scholarships for seniors who have started and operated a small business during high school. Lawn service,  after hours child care, etc. might qualify.  Go to www.NIFB.com/YEA to apply on line and to get more information.

 

The American Quarter Horse Association is offering scholarships to AQHA members or the children thereof.  Many of these awards are significant.  Go to www.aqha.com , choose "Foundation" from the menu across the top of the page, then choose scholarships. If you own an AQHA registered horse, you need to check on this one.

The Race for Education scholarship application is now available.  The Thoroughbred Scholarship, valued at $6000 per year, is offered to a senior who will major in an equine related field, e.g., veterinary medicine. The Ashado Scholarship offers the same $6000 to a highly qualified female applicant.  If you are the child of an equine-industry family, apply for the Horseman's Scholarship, which is less competitive.  Go to www.raceforeducation.org now for more info and an application.

 

The Ayn Rand Essay Competition is underway. Students who have an interest in the writings of Ayn Rand should go to www.aynrandeducation.com/contests to enter. The Ayn Rand Institute offers 680 scholarships worth over $100,000, so it is worthwhile to apply. The contest is open to students in grades 10-12 with different deadlines depending on age category.

 

The Art Institute is offering scholarship awards worth up to $20,000 for students who belong to the National Art Honor Society.  I also have information on scholarships for the Columbus College of Art and the Maryland Institute of Art if anyone is interested in attending one of these schools.  Come by my office for more information on any of these.

 

Military Scholarships:  If you are the child of a military parent, you should go to www.militaryscholar.org to search for military sponsored awards for which you might qualify.

 

The American Legion has also given us the CD "Need a Lift?" which is a financial aid reference for veterans' dependents and members of the American Legion. Junior or senior students are welcome to borrow this for an evening or you may also get this information from www.needalift.org

 

Mississippi State Rural Medical Scholars: Eligible students are current juniors with an ACT composite of 25 or higher and an ACT math score of 24 or higher. If you plan to be a physician,this is an excellent opportunity to earn 7 college credits during the summer as well as participating in a career orientation program. The dates of the program are May 30-July 2, and you will take two pre-med courses and observe doctors at practice. If you are accepted, there is a $60 registration fee, and you will have to buy food during the five weeks, but books, tuition and room are provided by MSU, which is a $2400 value. For more information, please call Dr. Carew at 662-325-1321or email at bcarew@ext.msstate.edu .  Applications are available at www.RMS.msucares.com .

 

The University of Mississippi Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME) is accepting applications for the Fall 2012 term. Students planning to major in accounting, some field of business or mechanical/general engineering should definitely consider this offer. CME awards some 20 scholarships each year ranging up to $7500 per year. Call Ryan Miller at 662-915-2632 for more information.You must be admitted to Ole Miss and have completed the freshman scholarship application and the CME supplement to be considered for admission to CME or for the scholarships.  You should have an excellent GPA and a solid ACT score.

 

Grand Bank has opened the 2012 Edward J. Langston scholarship application. Candidates must be Pine Belt area residents and be admitted to a two- or four-year college/university.  The amount of the award is $1000, and the deadline is 4:30 PM on March 2, 2012.  Go to www.grandbankfsb.com to apply.

Buick is offering the Buick Achievers Scholarship to seniors who will major in a field of study that focuses on engineering, technology, business, etc, and who also have an interest in working in the automotive industry.  If you love cars, here's your chance. There are 100 scholarships of $25000 per year, and 1000 one-time awards of $2000.  You must have an excellent academic record. The deadline is February 29, 2012, so hurry to www.buickachievers.com for full details and to apply.

 

Pearl River Community College is offering the Ted J. Alexander Leadership Scholarship, valued at $500 per semester. Candidates should have excellent GPA's and test scores, demonstrated leadership ability and be generally well-rounded. Applications are in the guidance office for those who plan to attend PRCC.

 

MSU Southeast Mississippi Alumni Chapter will award at least two $1000 scholarships to seniors who are residents of Forrest, Lamar, Marion or Perry counties and who have good character and a good academic record.  A resume is requested in lieu of an application form; additional information is in my office. The deadline is February 15, 2012.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available. One uses this application to apply for the Pell Grant program, student work study and other federal grants and loans.  Applicants will need their parents tax information for 2011, so taxes should be filed promptly this year.  Some universities have deadlines as early as March 1 for receiving this data, so apply as quickly as you can. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply.  Also, there has been some scamming related to the FAFSA.  Never pay anyone to file your FAFSA for you and be sure you go to only this website.

Applications are now available for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) at www.mississippi.edu/riseupms . To qualify for the MTAG, one needs a 15 ACT composite and a 2.5 minimum GPA; the amount is $500 per year.  The MESG requires a 29 ACT and a 3.5 GPA, and the amount is $2500 per year. Once you have arrived at the website, choose "Financial Aid" from the upper menu bar, then "Apply for State Aid" and finally "Submit new."  This will bring up the 2012-2013 application.  PCS will electronically submit validating test scores and GPA's at the end of the year after final grades are posted and cannot do so before that time.  Call if you have any questions.

 

The Nissan Scholarship application is also available on the www.mississippi.edu/riseupms. To find it, enter "Nissan application" in their search box which will bring up not only a link to the Nissan scholarship but also will provide links to many other scholarships and educational programs. The Nissan scholarship pays for tuition, required fees and provides a book allowance at an in-state school. Recipients are selected using the following formula: Academic achievement-50%, leadership and community service-15%, quality of essay-15%, and financial need-20%.

 

Outstanding student leaders with excellent academic records should apply for the GE-Reagan Scholarship. This award is in the amount of $10,000 per year up to a total of $40, 000. The deadline is February 17, so hurry to www.reaganfoundation.org/scholars-program.aspx for further eligibility requirements and to apply.

 

The Junior Auxiliary of Hattiesburg is awarding scholarships to deserving area students. Recipients are selected based on qualifications: strong academics, an exemplary record of community service, and financial need. Students with career goals that relate to service-oriented occupations will be given special consideration. I have the applications in my office; April 10th is the postmark deadline.

 

Kohl's is once again offering scholarships to students who have excelled in volunteer work and community service. Students aged 6 to 18 are eligible to for nomination, and students must be nominated by someone who is over 21 and who can attest to their community service activities.  Maximum awards are $10,000, but over 2,000 awards in varying amounts are made. Go to www.kohlskids.com for complete information and nomination forms. Deadline is March 15, 2012.

 

The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association is accepting applications for three endowed scholarships for incoming freshman. The first is the Mary Loraine Peets Buffet Scholarship which is a $5,000  award given to a female resident of Mississippi who demonstrates financial need and has a minimum 3.0 GPA.  An essay is required, as is the FAFSA. This scholarship is possibly renewable.

Next is the Elmo Lang Memorial Scholarship, amount unknown, which is a one-time award to a Mississippi resident with demonstrated financial need. Minimum GPA is 3.0, essay is required and the FAFSA must have been completed.

The final scholarship is the Pierce Legacy Scholarship. Applicants must be eligible for admission to USM in the fall semester, at least one parent or grandparent must hold a degree from USM and and have been an active member of the Alumni Association for the past ten years consecutively or be a life member. Academic achievement, leadership, community service and extracurricular activities are considered.  This is a one-time $1000 award.

Qualifiers should see me for the applications for any of these three scholarships.

 

Mississippi University for Women is hosting its annual Scholars Day on March 2.  Students must have a minimum 24 ACT composite and a minimum 3.0 GPA to attend.  This is the day that applicants compete for the Centennial Honors, University, and Reneau Scholarships, so if you plan to attend MUW, you don't want to miss this.  Call 877-462-8439 to register or for more information.

The University of Southern Mississippi is accepting applications for the Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth. The program is open to students currently in grades 7-10 who have an ACT score they earned in 7th grade.  I have the applications and the admissions criteria in my office for the interested.  Program dates are July 1-20, 2012, and students live on campus during that time.

Scholarships are available for seniors who have participated in Dixie Youth Baseball.  There are several awards available with differing criteria. I have all the information and applications in the office. There are different deadlines, but the earliest is March 20.

Applications are available online for the 2012 Sammy "Got Milk?" Scholar Athlete Scholarship. Deadline is March 19, 2012.  If you are a good athlete with really good grades and test scores, you should check this out. Apply online at www.sammyapplication.com .

 

The Visine Students With Vision Scholarship applications are now available online.  Deadline to apply is April 16, 2012, and candidates should have a minimum 2.8 GPA  (higher is better), a good record of school involvement and community service, and a demonstrated vision (goal) for the future. Go to aim.applyists.net/Vision for more information or to apply. 

 

Ever wanted to work for the FBI? Be James Bond? Take over for Agent Gibbs?  Here's your chance:  Ole Miss is sponsoring a 5-day clinic this summer "Days of Intrigue" which will be held June 4-8. Students will receive instruction from the staff of  the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies (CISS), a highly respected (and highly competitive) program which prepares students for careers in the world of law enforcement and intelligence.  The week will end with a very realistic exercise in which students will assume the role of intelligence operatives attempting to save the United States from a devastating attack.  I have been informed that this scenario has been highly praised by several intelligence agency personnel for its realism-two agencies have asked CISS to replicate this exercise for their current staff. Wow, huh?  Your mission, should you decide to accept, is to apply online at www.olemiss.edu/ciss/summer . Space is limited to 35 students, high school juniors only, and the deadline to apply is April 30. Good luck, Agent 008!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACT Test Dates:                 Regular Deadline to Register      Late Deadline (Extra fee)

September 7, 2011                       August 12                              August 13-26
October 22, 2011                         September 16                         September 17-30
December 10, 2011                      November 4                             November 5-18
February 11, 2012                        January 13                               January 14-20
April 14, 2012                              March 9                                   March 10-23
June 9, 2012                               May 4                                      May 5-18 


 

The PCS High School Code is 251-181

For more information concerning the ACT, visit www.actstudent.org where you will find detailed information concerning each section of the test, as well as free practice questions. Practice tests are available in the Counselor's Office.

 

Other important test dates:

PLAN (pre-ACT) for sophomores:   September 21st.
Explore for 8th grade:  October 12th.
P-SAT for 9-11 is also to be given on October 12th.
AP exams in early May—days vary by subject.

Check your RenWeb class announcements for information on scholarships and educational opportunities!

 


Free Internet scholarship search sites:

www.studentscholarships.org   This is a really good one!

www.fastweb.com

www.finaid.com

www.collegescholarships.org


Other sites for financial aid/information:


www.fafsa.ed.gov  This is the source for the Pell Grant.

www.ihl.state.ms.us for the MTAG (15 ACT and 2.5 GPA required) and the MESG (29 ACT and 3.5 GPA required)

http://profileonline.collegeboard.com  Many colleges/universities are asking for the CSS/Financial aid profile.  This is the site to fill out the form online.


IHL requirements for admission to Mississippi public universities, from the current IHL Manual:

4 Carnegie units of English

4 Carnegie units of mathematics, which includes Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and any one unit of comparable rigor.

4 Carnegie units of science, which includes Biology I, Chemistry I and any two other units of comparable rigor.

4 Carnegie units of Social Studies, which includes World History, U.S. History, World Geography, U.S. Government, Economics and Mississippi Studies. (Credit earned for a state or local government course in another state may substitute for Mississippi Studies)


1 Carnegie unit of Fine Art, which would include any visual or performing art which meets the graduation requirement.   PCS offers choir, drama and a variety of art classes which will satisfy this requirement.


2 Carnegie units of advanced electives, which would include foreign language (I and II in the same language) or a combination of upper level mathematics, science or language courses of comparable rigor to those required above.

1/2 Carnegie unit in computer science.


Algebra I, Computer Applications, and  first-year  foreign language taken in the 8th grade will be accepted for admission provided the course content is the same as the high school course.

 

PCS Graduation Requirements
Click Here to view PCS graduation requirements on pages 24-25 of our Secondary Handbook.

 

Links to popular colleges and universities: