Post-secondary Center
The Counseling Department's Post-secondary Center is a dedicated space where students can receive guidance and support as they plan for life after graduation. The center is an essential resource in helping students explore various post-secondary options, such as college or vocational training. Key functions of the Post-secondary Center are to support students within the following areas:
- College Guidance
- Career Exploration
- College Visits
- College Athletics
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- College Readiness
- Resource Center
Resources
- College Admission Testing
- College Athletics
- College Visits
- Financial Aid
- Instant Decision Week
- Planning for College During Your EAHS Years
- Scholarship Center
College Admission Testing
Use this link to find many resources to prepare for College Admissions testing: SAT Practice Resources
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying)
Test Duration - Approximately 2 1/2 hours; given on Wednesday in mid-October
Taken by - High school juniors (available to interested sophomores)
Given by - College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Frequency - One time per year (October)
Purpose - Practice for SAT and qualify for National Merit Scholarship
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
Duration - Approximately 3 1/2 hours
Taken by - Juniors and Seniors
Given by - College Board
Frequency - Seven times per year (Saturday – usually offered in October, November, December, January, March, May, June)
Purpose - College Admissions for dates
Website - www.collegeboard.org
SAT II– SAT II – Subject Test
Duration - One hour per test (maximum of three per testing date)
Taken by - Juniors and Seniors
Given by - College Board
Frequency - Six times per year (Saturday – usually offered in October, November, December, January, May, June)
Purpose - College Admissions
Website - www.collegeboard.org
ACT (The American College Testing Program)
Duration - Three hours
Taken by - Juniors and Seniors
Given by - ACT
Frequency - Six times per year (Saturdays – usually offered in September, October, December, February, April, June)
Purpose - College Admissions
Website - www.act.org
Advanced Placement Tests – Subject area tests
Duration - Two to three hours
Taken by - Students enrolled in AP courses
Given by - College Board
Frequency - One time per year, in May
Purpose - May fulfill college credit requirement
Website - apstudent.collegeboard.org
College Athletics
Make sure you are eligible to participate in college sports.
Your Responsibility as a Prospective Student Athlete: It is your responsibility to make sure the Clearinghouse has the documents it needs to certify you.
These documents are:
-
Your completed and signed Student Release Form and fee. This can be obtained online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
-
Your official transcript mailed directly from every high school you have attended
-
Your eligibility is based on college-prep courses as defined by NCAA definitions of core courses
-
Your SAT or ACT scores
It is important to note that you may start this process after your junior year.
For information see the Athletic Director or your school counselor.
DIVISION I
16 CORE–COURSE RULE
2008 and after
- 16 Core Courses:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
- 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
- 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy)
DIVISION II
2005 and after
14 Core Courses:
- 3 years of English
- 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
- 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
- 2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural physical science
- 2 years of social science
- 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or non-doctrinal religion/philosophy)
PLEASE NOTE: For students entering college on or after August 1, 2006, computer -science courses may only be used for initial-eligibility purposes if the course receives graduation credit in mathematics or natural/physical science and is listed as such on the high school’s list of NCAA – approved core courses.
College Visits
Elizabethtown Area High School hosts college visits to provide students with opportunities to learn more about different colleges, universities, and trade schools. These visits can be valuable for high school students as they begin to explore their post-secondary education options.
As part of the initiative, the high school counseling office invites representatives from colleges, universities, and trade/technical schools to visit the school to speak with students in eleventh and twelfth grades. The visits are scheduled during the school day. When the college representatives visit, they typically provide details about academic programs, admissions requirements, campus life, and other relevant topics.
Hosting college visits during the school day is a convenient and informative way for our high school students to explore their college options and gather valuable information. A listing of upcoming college visits can be found below. Check back often as new visits are added regularly throughout the school year.
Sign up for in-person college visits
2024-2025 Schedule of Visits
Date | Institution | Time |
September 11 | Susquehanna University | 9:30 a.m. |
September 16 | PA College of Technology | 10:00 a.m. |
September 18 | University of Scranton | 9:30 a.m. |
September 20 | Towson University | 1:00 p.m. |
October 11 | UPMC Health and Sciences | 10:00 a.m. |
October 22 | Delaware Valley University | 1:30 p.m. |
October 23 | Find your Christian College College Fair | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m |
October 24 | Marywood University | 9:00 a.m. |
October 28 | Houghton University | 1:00 p.m. |
October 29 | University of Delaware | 10:00 a.m. |
October 29 | Cedar Crest College | 1:00 p.m. |
October 30 |
Gettysburg College |
9:15 a.m. |
October 30 | Immaculata University | 10:30 a.m. |
November 1 |
University of Pittsburgh @ Bradford |
10:00 a.m. |
November 4 | Lancaster County College Night | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m |
November 7 | Eastern Mennonite Aviation Program University Open House | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. |
Financial Aid
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Federal Student Aid
Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning
- Lancaster Dollars for Higher Learning - Interest Free College Loans
- Lancaster Dollars- information video
Presentation
- What You Need to Know About Financial Aid
- presented by Kendra Feigert, Director of Financial Aid: Lebanon Valley College
Instant Decision Week
Instant Decision Week is an exclusive event where high school seniors can meet with college representatives and receive on-the-spot admission decisions. It's a chance to fast-track the college application process. There will also be military representation for question and answer sessions.
Whether you've already narrowed down your choices or are just beginning your college search, this event can help you make important decisions about your future. There is no commitment to the institutions. The high school counseling office encourages interested students to research the participating colleges and universities beforehand and complete the pre-event requirements.
Deadline to Register for the 2024 Instant Decision Week Event is Thursday, September 26.
Planning for College During Your EAHS Years
Freshman Year
Setting the stage for success
- Meet with your counselor to develop a four-year plan.
- Practice good time management and study skills in high school.
- Work hard in challenging courses.
- Become involved in activities in and out of school.
- Assess your interests and abilities.
- Use summer months to broaden your experiences (i.e., take a college course, work, travel, volunteer).
Sophomore Year
Getting Started
www.collegeboard.com
- September - June: Continue to practice time management and study skills in high school.
- October: Take the PSAT for practice.
- November: Go to Conestoga Valley College Fair.
- December: Attend PSAT/College Night, Analyze your PSAT results, Develop strategies for improving your scores, Set up a simple system for organizing college information.
- January: Attend Financial Aid Night at EAHS.
- February - June: Begin to explore college choices and possible majors. Plan for summer activities.
Junior Year
Exploring The Possibilities:
- September - June: Continue to strengthen your skills as a student. Speak to college representatives that visit the High School. Write resume´.
- October: Take the PSAT.
- November: Attend College Fair at Conestoga Valley. Continue to research and begin to visit colleges. Make contact with college coaches if you play a sport.
- December: Attend PSAT/College Night at EAHS. Analyze PSAT results. Develop plan for SAT and ACT preparation.
- January: Attend Financial Aid Night at EAHS. Begin to narrow the college possibilities. Find out which tests colleges require. Register for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (www.collegeboard.com) if necessary. Register for ACT (www.act.org) if necessary.
- March - June: Take SAT and SAT Subject Tests if necessary. Take ACT if necessary. Continue to research & visit colleges (admissions and financial aid offices.
- May: Take AP tests. Plan summer activities.
- July - August: Narrow list of colleges, including "reach" and "safety" schools. Begin work on college applications (essay, letters of recommendation, resume´) Participate in summer experiences.
Senior Year
Pursuing Your Future:
- September - October: Plan overnight visits to colleges. Prepare for scheduled interviews. Be aware of deadlines (Early decision often Nov. 1). Take SAT and SAT Subject Tests if necessary. Take ACT if necessary. Ask for letters of recommendation (Allow at least 2 weeks). Submit applications. Request transcripts to be sent (Allow at least 2 weeks).
- November: Take SAT and SAT Subject Tests if necessary. Take ACT if necessary.
- December: Gather information for financial aid forms. Research national and local scholarships.
- January: Attend Financial Aid Night. File FAFSA and Profile Financial Aid Forms.
- January - March: Continue to check with Counseling Office for scholarship information. Reply to acceptances and meet deadline for deposits. Finalize financial aid package. Request final transcripts to be sent to school.
Scholarship Center
The Elizabethtown Scholarship Website is designed to empower students in their pursuit of higher education and serves as a centralized hub for information, resources, and assistance related to scholarship opportunities. This web space aims to provide guidance to juniors and seniors as they navigate the scholarship application process, helping them access financial aid for their college and career ambitions.