A Know-it all guide to

Exploring Your Path

Whether you’re a high school senior diving into college applications or a junior just starting to explore your options, this guide helps demystify topics you may be curious about!

College Application Checklist

Do you have everything you need to apply for college? Here is a quick checklist of things you may need:

  • College Essay
  • Common App
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Completed Volunteer Hours
  • College Entrance Exams
  • FAFSA (Financial Aid)
  • Resume

Be sure to check in with your guidance counselor for more specifics on your individual needs!

*See if you may be eligible for a Common App fee waiver.

Helpful Tools

What is Early Action vs. Early Decision? What is important for a college application? How can you ease application anxiety? Get answers to these questions and more here.

Build your college safety, match, and reach list using this search tool. Browse colleges according to your criteria, such as by location, major, and more. Click here to begin your search.

Click here to access a comprehensive list of colleges, along with their tuition fees, campus settings, available majors, and additional details to help you find your perfect fit!

Navigate college applications, career options, and financial aid easily with MEFA Pathway’s interactive tools and resources. Learn more here.

What should I do in my first year of college? What should I learn, and what do I need to know? Click here for advice on how to begin your college career.

Explore the most affordable online education, program rankings, and financial resources here.

Dual Enrollment

Quincy Public Schools offers a variety of advanced learning opportunities, including the option for dual enrollment classes for high schoolers. A dual enrollment class charges a fee and is taken during high school, in partnership with a college. The coursework is often adjusted accordingly to fit a college-level curriculum, and high schoolers are able to receive college credit for the class.

Click below to learn more, and be sure to ask your guidance counselor for more information!

Did You Complete your volunteer hours?

Quincy Public Schools requires graduating high school students to complete 30 hours of community service. Click below to see a list of non-profit organizations where you can fulfill your required hours from!

QHS Community Service Organizations
NQHS Community Service Organizations

SAT

The SAT is a standardized exam widely used for college admissions in the US. SAT includes a Reading, Writing, and Math section.

Click the icon to discover more about the SAT.

ACT

Did you know there’s another college admissions exam called the ACT? ACT includes a Science section alongside English, Math, and Reading. The Writing section is optional.

Click the icon to discover more about the ACT.

PSAT White logo

PSAT

Take the practice versions of the SAT. Click the icon to learn more.

AP Exam

AP Exams are taken at the end of a high school’s AP class curriculum, and depending on the student’s score, they are able to receive college credit for the exam.

Click the icon to learn more about the AP Exam.

Free Online test Prep

Check out test prep books at the library!

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Request the item from our catalog or ask a librarian!

Find It Here!

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your strengths! ACT includes a science section while SAT does not. Most schools nationwide are now test-optional, so be sure to check the school you’ll be applying to for their requirements. Both exams offers a digital version that you can take from home.

We recommend starting the summer before your junior year begins! Though, choose a timeline for whatever works best for you, depending on your study style.

You’re allowed to take the SAT as many times as you’d like. However, the ACT has a limit of 12 attempts. Don’t fret! Many schools practice “superscoring,” where they combine your highest scores from each section, even if they’re from different test dates, to calculate your overall SAT/ACT score.

There is a registration fee for each exam you take. Check in with your guidance counselor to see if you may be eligible for a fee waiver. In the meantime, you can also review the eligibility requirements online for the SAT and ACT.

*Note, the AP Exam offers a fee reduction for eligible students.

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form is an application that students and families need to complete to apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study funds and loans.

Head over to the FAFSA website to find out more about certain deadlines and how to create an account to get started!

Paying for College

Financial Aid Definitions

Financial aid can be confusing, from loans, to Pell grants, to scholarships, and more. Click below to find definitions to the different types of financial aid for college!

MEFA Financial Aid Definitions

Federal Student Loans

What is the difference between a subsidized and unsubsidized loan? How does a student loan work? Have all of your questions about federal student loans answered on the FSA (Federal Student Aid) website! Click below to learn more.

FSA Student Loans

Federal Student Grants

A grant is typically provided for students attending college, and can be from different institutions. Click below to learn more about federal student grants and eligibility.

FSA Student Grants

Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are granted according to financial need and are accessible throughout each academic year. These include state and federal grants, work-study opportunities, and federal loans. Begin the process by completing the FAFSA form.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships reward students for their exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements, often provided by colleges and universities as recognition of their accomplishments.

Alternative Paths

There are other ways to further your academic studies and career besides the traditional four-year college path! See below for options and resources to look into. Click here for more information from the Massachusetts Educational Financial Authority (MEFA) on college alternatives.

Community College

Community college most commonly offer associate’s degrees through 1-2 year programs as well as certificate programs. Massachusetts now offers free community college

Gap Year

A gap year is usually taken to explore an your personal, academic, and career interests, as well as to learn how to navigate the real world, such as living on your own.

Vocational School

Vocational school (also known as trade or career schools) offers programming and certificates to train students for a specific skill or job.

Career Exploration

Peterson’s Career Prep (Gale Presents) | How-to-Video

Learn how to create resumes, search for jobs, and get advice on how to advance your career.

BigFuture College Board

Guidance in career exploration, college preparation, and financial planning.

O*Net Interest Profiler

Take this quiz to find out what kind of career suits you best!

Occupation Outlook Handbook (OOH) | En Español

Explore and filter through a variety of professions, along with insight on education and/or training requirements, salary information and more.

Quincy Public Schools Career Services

If your prefer a one-on-one approach, reach out to your school’s support liaison at QPS Career Services. You’ll find everything from job opportunities, career assessments, and guidance on resumes, interviews, and financial aid.