ASPIRE: Resources for Parents & Students
PHS Transcript Request
Colleges and scholarships often request a copy of your high school transcript. To request a copy please fill out the Transcript Request Form.
*** If you are requesting a transcript for your OSAC Scholarship/Oregon Promise application: Do not upload your own transcript! Select the option on the application for your high school to upload your transcript and we will take care of it.
College resources
Oregon Goes to College – a great resource for ALL colleges in Oregon.
Download the App to stay up to date with your checklist!
ASPIRE College Timeline
Choosing & Applying for College Online Resources
20 Questions to find your best college match
College Raptor – online search engine to help match schools to your academic and financial options
Apply 101 – free college application tracking tool
In Search of a Match – A Guide for Helping Students Make Informed College Choices
Online College Search Engines: BigFuture, YouCanGo!, CollegeNavigator
Questbridge Student Resource Center: Hints and videos on what to be doing to get ready or college for each of your four years in high school, selecting the right college for you, college applications, and paying for college.
Kahn Academy – College Admissions: find advice that is relevant for all college applicants in addition to portions tailored for high potential students who are worried about whether they can afford higher education.
Oregon Private College Week: Visitation opportunities with 11 Oregon private colleges.
National College Fairs: Portland, Boise, Seattle Spokane. Check the website for fall and spring dates, registeration details, and participating colleges.
Online tool to Compare Colleges side-by-side.
ASPIRE form to compare Colleges.
Student Athletes
Interested in playing a sport in college? Check out this great article to best prepare yourself.
If you are planning on playing at a Division 1 or Division 2 school, make sure you register with NCAA.
Common Application
The Common Application is an undergraduate college admission application that is accepted at over 500 colleges and universities (mostly private institutions). This means that if all of the schools you’re applying to use the common application then you’ll potentially only need to fill out ONE application (some schools require extra essays – be sure to check your school(s) specific requirements).
AXS Companion from OSU and IECA – Free, open online resource designed by professional consultants to be used side-by-side with Common App as students work through their application. Each section includes explanatory videos, helpful tips, a glossary of application terms, and links to resources mentioned in the videos.
Common App Essay Prompts – juniors, get a head start on senior year and start working on these over the summer!
How to write a successful Common App Activities List 2020
Common App Advice from a College Counselor – NPR article from Aug. 2014
Blue Mountain Community College Application
For students applying to BMCC, click here for the list of steps in the BMCC Application process.
If the student has above a 2.5 GPA, be sure to apply for an Oregon Promise Grant before March 1.
Blue Mountain Community College Dual Credit
How to order transcripts from BMCC
Step 1 to Dual Credit @ BMCC – Apply for Admission
Step 2 to Dual Credit (Students 16yrs +) – Registration for Dual Credit @ BMCC
Step 2 to Dual Credit (Students 15yrs & below)- Registration for Dual Credit @ BMCC
How to change your “other” email on record @ BMCC
How to give permission/share BMCC information with parent/guardian
Placement Tests for Community College
Students planning to start out at a Community College will need to take a placement test to determine which classes to start in. If you have BMCC dual credits from a class you took at while at PHS in either Math or English, those credits will be used instead of taking a placement test.
Most Community Colleges use the Accuplacer Placement Test, some take the Compass Test. If you are going to BMCC it’s free to take. If you are headed to another Community College you can still take the test at BMCC, but it will cost $25. Find more information on the BMCC Testing Center here.
Review first – It is important to give yourself time to review before testing. It could save you money and time!
ACCUPLACER:
See sample questions and test strategies at Accuplacer(link is external) or download the student app. at www.Accuplacer.org(link is external). Down at the bottom of the page click on student.
COMPASS:
www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html
www.testprepreview.com/compass_practice.htm
www.math.com
Trade & Apprenticeship Programs
Build Oregon – Build-Oregon.com was created and developed by the Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia Chapter (AGC). Since 1922, AGC has provided its members a forum for the exchange of ideas and services designed to enhance the professionalism of the construction industry, including workers’ compensation and health insurance, legislative and governmental representation, safety and loss control consulting, professional education, and training and workforce recruitment.
Oregon Apprenticeship – Apprenticeship is occupational training that combines on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Industry and individual employers design and control the training programs, and pay apprentices’ wages. Check out this website for a full list of apprenticeship programs in Oregon.
Full list of Oregon certified apprenticeship programs.
Identify your Interests & Skills
CIS (Oregon Career Information System) – All PHS Students should have a login from the Career Class they take Junior year.
My Next Move
Super-Strong Interest Survey (presented by ECMC)
College Majors 101
Jung Typology Test – This free test is based on Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ typological approach to personality.
“Four Steps to Choosing a College Major“, article from the NY Times
Career Online Resources
U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook – Research various careers including the job description, work environment, training/education needed to get into that career, pay scale, job growth and job outlook.
Job Outlook (PDF) – Concise career information by career area, employment prospects, & entry requirements for more than 95 occupational titles – based on US Dept of Labor Statistics & provided by Rochester Institute of Technology.
State of Oregon Employment Department – find jobs by region, skill sets, demand, etc.
Career Pathways – Explore career options and take the next step on your career pathways at one of Oregon’s 17 community colleges. Check out the program list here.
Military Options
Preparing for the ASVAB test: 4tests.com
For a full practice test, see SFC Gilliland at PHS.
Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance – funding for tuition at Oregon community colleges (up to 90 credits) and public universities (up to 180 credits) for current Oregon National Guard members.
PHS ASPIRE Resources
Parents and/or students may check out these resources by visiting the ASPIRE Room 201 and completing a check-out card.
- Books on Scholarships.
- Books on “Letting Go” of your senior.
- Books on colleges for those interested in careers in the arts, theater, and creative arts majors.
- Books on colleges for students interested in technology careers.
- Books listing best hidden colleges, schools that offer good education; small colleges.
- Books on studying for the SAT and ACT.
- Books on studying for the ASVAB and PSAT.
- Books on jobs not requiring a Bachelor’s (4 year) degree; apprenticeship & training programs.
- Insiders guides to colleges, visits of colleges by students rating colleges.
- Books on colleges for students with learning disabilities or ADD.
- Scholarships for Black, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic Students.