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Port Chester High School Guidance

The Port Chester High School Guidance Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Contact information is available below.

Please visit our full Staff Directory for staff email addresses.

Contact Information
Name Phone
Guidance Office (914) 934‑7964 or (914) 934‑7965
Mr. Santos Avila (914) 934‑7961
Ms. Denise Bonilla (914) 934‑7963
Ms. Stacey Cafaldo (914) 934‑7960
Ms. Vanessa Clay-Williams (914) 934‑2948
Mr. Darwin Gramajo (914) 934‑8018
Ms. Yudelca Martinez (914) 934‑8040
Ms. Chelsea Paulino (914) 934-7912
Ms. Marta Sandoval (914) 934‑7959

 

Student Timelines

Freshman Year Timeline

  • Review your schedule.
  • Study, complete all homework and earn good grades.
  • Read, read, and read to strengthen your vocabulary.
  • Become involved in extra curricular activities and keep a record of them.
  • Get to know your Guidance Counselor.
  • SDD student registration application for testing accommodations.
  • Explore the web and begin to think about college.
  • Become familiar with the PCHS program of studies.
  • Review PCHS graduation requirements.
  • Know the NCAA requirements if you are thinking about playing sports in college.
  • Save money for college.
  • Review your transcript; Review your credits.
  • Take challenging courses.

 

Sophomore Year Timeline

  • Develop time management skills.
  • Become involved in extracurricular activities (level of commitment is more important than the number of activities).
  • Discuss the PSAT's with your Guidance Counselor.
  • Explore possible careers - Career Day at BOCES.
  • Make sure that you get good grades.
  • Meet with your teachers for extra help.
  • Keep studying.
  • Meet with your counselor to select courses and plan for the next 2 years.
  • Volunteer.
  • Explore Naviance; Complete Career Inventories.
  • Talk to your teachers and counselor about SAT Subject Tests.
  • Plan for a meaningful summer.
  • Complete summer reading if required. If not, ask teachers to recommend books.
  • Review your transcript; review your credits.
  • If you are planning to participate in Division I or II Athletics in college, discuss your intentions with your Guidance Counselor.

 

Junior Year Timeline

Fall

  • Take PSAT.

 

Spring

  • Register and prepare for spring SAT.
  • Consider taking the ACT.
  • Consider taking the SAT Subject tests.
  • Participate in College Clinics offered by the Guidance Department.
  • Complete "Senior Questionnaire" and "Transcript Request" form and submit to your counselor before summer vacation.
  • Get good grades.
  • Volunteer.
  • Participate in extra curricular activities and take on leadership roles.
  • Explore Naviance.
  • Research colleges and explore their websites.
  • Visit colleges (sign up for an "official tour" through college Admissions Offices).
  • Attend local college fairs.
  • Contact colleges for information on special programs.
  • Consider which teachers you would like to ask for recommendations.
  • Review your transcript; Review your credits.

 

Summer

  • Draft your college essay.
  • Draft a resume of activities.
  • Review the Common Application and complete a draft, including essay and short questions.

 

Senior Year Timeline

September/October

  • Submit your Senior Questionnaire, Activity Log and Transcript Release form to Guidance.
  • Attend Senior Parent Night.
  • Schedule an appointment with your counselor to update activities, review colleges, address questions.
  • Sign up for fall SAT and/or ACT.
  • Finalize arrangements with teachers for recommendations.
  • Show interest by meeting Admissions Officers.
  • Attend college visits at PCHS.
  • Continue to visit colleges.
  • Attend local College Fairs.
  • Begin completing your applications and finalizing your essays.

 

November/December

  • Check and re-check all deadlines for colleges and for standardized testing.
  • Remember to send your SAT/ACT scores to the colleges you are applying to.
  • All seniors with a January 1 college application deadline must submit their request and all materials to Guidance no later than December 1.
  • Talk with your parents about financial aid. Assemble records and paperwork to complete the FAFSA and other forms.
  • Set a goal to have all of your applications submitted by mid-December.

 

January/February

  • Attend PCHS Financial Aid Night.
  • Complete FAFSA any time after January 1. it's important to file early!
  • Confirm that all application materials have been received by each college.

 

March/April/May

  • Decision letters arrive. Review acceptances and financial offers. Inform your counselor.
  • Contact the financial aid departments of the colleges you were accepted to, if you need assistance.
  • Visit the colleges before making any final decisions.
  • Notify the college of your choice by their deadline.
  • Notify all other colleges that you will be declining their offer.