Counselor's Corner
Melissa Feroli - High School Counselor
Home of the Dragons!
Counseling Information
Dear Parents and Students:
This resource is updated monthly and linked to our school website and included in the Principal's Newsletter which is sent every two weeks. This includes updates on scholarships, upcoming testing dates, concurrent info, and information specific to individual classes. Please feel free to contact me via email: ferolim@purcellps.org if you need direct help.
Thank you,
Melissa Feroli
Purcell High School Counselor
ACT INFO
All Students:
The ACT is a college admissions exam covering the subjects of math, science, English and reading. While many colleges have gone to a test-optional model, wherein it isn’t required to take an ACT score to college, it is still necessary for many scholarships, course placement options freshman year, and as an avenue for admittance in case GPA is not strong. Any student can sign up to take this test by going to act.org and registering.
UPCOMING NATIONAL ACT DATES
All Students:
- The ACT is a college admissions exam covering the subjects of math, science, English and reading. While many colleges have gone to a test-optional model, wherein it isn’t required to take an ACT score to college, it is still necessary for many scholarships, course placement options freshman year, and as an avenue for admittance in case GPA is not strong. Any student can sign up to take this test by going to act.org and registering.
The Voice of Democracy scholarship essay is open to students in 9-12 grade, with a deadline of 10/31.You write and record an essay that is submitted to our local VFW post. Winners at the local level advance. The grand prize is $35,000. For more information, see Feroli.
OCCC has ACT prep courses available and options to do all subjects or to take courses in just one subject. For more information, check here.
FRESHMEN
Reminder: Oklahoma’s Promise applications must be made before the end of junior year, but the sooner the better. In order to access requirements for this scholarship opportunity and determine eligibility, please visit the following link. If you qualify, please register with them! I’m happy to help or answer questions anytime!
SOPHOMORES
- Reminder: Oklahoma’s Promise applications must be made before the end of junior year, but the sooner the better. In order to access requirements for this scholarship opportunity and determine eligibility, please visit the following link. If you qualify, please register with them! I’m happy to help or answer questions anytime!
Sophomores will have an opportunity to tour MATC the morning of October 30th and at that time will indicate interest in applying. Those who want to apply will then be interviewed by the MATC recruiters and will usually know by March of Sophomore year if they have been accepted. To learn more about what MATC has to offer and how it works in a high school schedule, visit matech.edu and/or email ferolim@purcellps.org.
Sophomores will take the pre-ACT on November 6th. This is a practice ACT that not only gives a good prediction of how students will do on the ACT, but also leads to discussions about college and career plans, strengths and weaknesses, etc. Students will have their results in their possession, as well as their test booklet in January. This is a great tool for studying for the ACT.
Hugh O’Brien Youth camp is a seminar held on SWOSU’s campus 5/29-6/1. HOBY empowers individuals to embrace leadership through personal, group, and service leadership. By engaging with speakers, panels, and diverse ambassadors from across Oklahoma, the goal is to foster personal growth and connections, embodying the core values of volunteerism, integrity, and excellence. PHS is able to nominate up to 3 interested sophomores for this opportunity. Please see Feroli if you are interested. Cost is $400, but sometimes scholarships are available. For more information, go here.
JUNIORS
Reminder: Oklahoma’s Promise applications must be made before the end of junior year, but the sooner the better. In order to access requirements for this scholarship opportunity and determine eligibility, please visit the following link. If you qualify, please register with them! I’m happy to help or answer questions anytime!
Horatio Alger Scholarship opportunity. One of the few for junior year. Find out if you qualify! https://horatioalger.org/scholarships/
College Days: You may want to visit college campuses as you choose what step is next. You can do that in one full day or take two half days to go to two separate places. You do get a “free” absence to do this, but need to let me know two days prior to your day AND get a form to take with you.
Students wishing to concurrently enroll for next semester through OCCC MUST have paperwork turned into Feroli no later than 10/25/24.
Youth Leadership Oklahoma applications are open. This is a very prestigious camp of student leaders who travel the state to learn about Oklahoma and to network with key people helping to lead us. For more information, go here. To apply, go here. Deadline is 12/7/2024.
The juniors who signed up for the PSAT will take it the morning of 10/29.
SENIORS
Seniors:
- College Days: You may want to visit college campuses as you choose what step is next. You have two days this year that will be exempted absences if you choose to use them, but you need to let Feroli know two days prior to your day AND get a form to take with you to the college.
Students wishing to concurrently enroll for next semester through OCCC MUST have paperwork turned into Feroli no later than 10/25/24.
It’s scholarship year, though things are slow here at the beginning. Pay attention to announcements, the scholarship page, and the paperwork outside Feroli’s office. It changes often!
Attached is a slide show that we went over in English class, but that probably needs reference throughout the year and parents will want it too! Check it out here: Seniors 2025
Please remember to visit the PHS Scholarship Info.for the most up-to-date information concerning scholarships that come through my office and to utilize okcareerguide and okcollegestart to search for and apply for hundreds of available scholarships to you. Here is a link to the original information given to you and to parents who came to college night in September: Senior year information . If there are questions, I would love to help.
Kirk Rushing will be here to help fill out FAFSA for families on 12/12 and 12/13. If you’d like to make an appointment with him, please stop by Feroli’s office or email her. Before that appointment, students and one parent need to create an FSA ID.
Seniors who signed up will take a FREE ACT on Tuesday, 10/8 at 8am. Room assignments are posted on the English Googleclassroom.
As a special incentive, we are offering a $500 scholarship to any student who attends Senior Day.
For more information or to register, please visit our website at https://admissions.usao.edu/register/seniorday.
USAO's Senior Day 2024 on November 15th from 9 AM to 1 PM on our campus.
Academic Advisement
Purcell High School
Email: ferolim@purcellps.org
Website: https://www.purcellps.org/o/phs
Location: 2020 North Green Avenue, Purcell, OK, USA
Phone: 405-527-4400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purcellhs
Twitter: @purcellhsdrgns