WelcomeWelcome

Seniors!Seniors!

Planning Your FuturePlanning Your Future

Work ForceWork Force

Armed ForcesArmed Forces

Trade ProgramTrade Program

College/UniversityCollege/University

Job ApplicationsJob ApplicationsObtain a copy of your Obtain a copy of your transcript. Use the Transcript transcript. Use the Transcript Request form. Request form.

Your transcript proves you Your transcript proves you completed the classes to completed the classes to graduate from high school. graduate from high school.

Ask for a job description and Ask for a job description and make sure you qualify. make sure you qualify.

Write a resume and cover Write a resume and cover letter.letter.

Look and apply for jobs that Look and apply for jobs that provide training, benefits, and provide training, benefits, and long term stability.long term stability.

Armed ForcesArmed Forces

Meet a recruiter with Meet a recruiter with your parents.your parents.Let your guidance Let your guidance counselor know the counselor know the name of your recruiter.name of your recruiter.Sign a form, given to Sign a form, given to you by your recruiter, you by your recruiter, that allows the school that allows the school to communicate to communicate information to your information to your recruiter.recruiter.

ScholarshipScholarshipPostings outside the Postings outside the Guidance OfficeGuidance Office

School web page under School web page under GuidanceGuidance

Parents’ employment or Parents’ employment or service organizationsservice organizations

College you plan to College you plan to attend or place of attend or place of business for further business for further education.education.

Scholarships continued…Scholarships continued…

Typed application is recommended/required or Typed application is recommended/required or use black ink.use black ink.

Three recommendations (two from school and Three recommendations (two from school and one from community) one from community)

Ask teachers from junior/senior year core Ask teachers from junior/senior year core classes. Do not ask a family member.classes. Do not ask a family member.

List of activities (Student Information Sheet)List of activities (Student Information Sheet)

Request a transcript for scholarship if required. Request a transcript for scholarship if required.

Notice Scholarship packet and request form in Notice Scholarship packet and request form in folder. Complete and sign log book. folder. Complete and sign log book.

Overview of the College Overview of the College Process:Process:

Prepare, Search, Apply, ChoosePrepare, Search, Apply, Choose

PreparationPreparationSelf-Examination: Purpose, Values, MeritSelf-Examination: Purpose, Values, MeritExplorationExplorationInvestigationInvestigationTaking StockTaking Stock

ApplicationApplicationWaitingWaitingDecisionDecision

Application ProcessApplication ProcessNow is the time to begin your Now is the time to begin your application process.application process.

Apply early, rather than Apply early, rather than waiting. Early application is waiting. Early application is strongly recommended by all strongly recommended by all schools. It is recommended schools. It is recommended to apply by the end of to apply by the end of October.October.

Applying online is Applying online is recommended. recommended.

www.google.com

www.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org

The College Application The College Application ProcessProcess

Get organizedGet organized– Search for applicationSearch for application– Gather information that is required for applicationGather information that is required for application– Entrance requirements differ from college to collegeEntrance requirements differ from college to college– If possible print or save a copy of the applicationIf possible print or save a copy of the application

Create a file folder for each collegeCreate a file folder for each college

Place a date on everythingPlace a date on everything

– Write down passwords, ID #’s, and deadlines and Write down passwords, ID #’s, and deadlines and check oftencheck often

Admission ListAdmission ListEarly action Early action means the school will let you know of your means the school will let you know of your acceptance status earlier than they would for regular applicants.acceptance status earlier than they would for regular applicants.

Early decision Early decision is more limiting. If you’re accepted, you must is more limiting. If you’re accepted, you must agree to attend and not accept any offers from other colleges. agree to attend and not accept any offers from other colleges.

Regular admission Regular admission means you apply by the regular means you apply by the regular deadline.deadline.

Rolling admission Rolling admission is a system whereby a school is willing is a system whereby a school is willing to accept students right up to the time that schools start or to accept students right up to the time that schools start or classes are full. Since slots are filled on a first-come, first-served classes are full. Since slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, be sure to apply early. basis, be sure to apply early.

Doing the WorkDoing the Work

Application FormApplication Form– Read the instructions Read the instructions carefullycarefully and fill in all the and fill in all the

information. Double-check spelling, grammar, the information. Double-check spelling, grammar, the name of the school and any numbers you had to name of the school and any numbers you had to enter.enter.

Doing the WorkDoing the Work

The EssayThe Essay– Not all schools require an essay. But if you do have Not all schools require an essay. But if you do have

to write one, consider it a blessing. An essay offers to write one, consider it a blessing. An essay offers a chance for the real you to shine through to the a chance for the real you to shine through to the admissions board.admissions board.

– Students not meeting the admission requirements in Students not meeting the admission requirements in test scores and GPA must write an essaytest scores and GPA must write an essay

– Contrary to popular belief, schools aren’t looking for Contrary to popular belief, schools aren’t looking for studying machines – They’re looking for bright, well-studying machines – They’re looking for bright, well-rounded people.rounded people.

Doing the WorkDoing the Work

TranscriptsTranscripts– Request in guidance officeRequest in guidance office– Do it early – at least Do it early – at least two weekstwo weeks before the before the

college needs them college needs them (this includes transcripts for (this includes transcripts for the Common App or other electronic transcripts)the Common App or other electronic transcripts)

– LSHS pays for postage, all you have to do is LSHS pays for postage, all you have to do is complete the request at least complete the request at least two weekstwo weeks prior prior to when it is dueto when it is due

– Some schools do not want transcripts sent Some schools do not want transcripts sent until after graduationuntil after graduation

Doing the WorkDoing the Work

SAT/ACT ScoresSAT/ACT Scores– SAT and National ACT scores are SAT and National ACT scores are

automatically placed on your transcript.automatically placed on your transcript.– If college wants scores directly from If college wants scores directly from

SAT/ACT, YOU must request those SAT/ACT, YOU must request those – Want the State ACT score on your transcript?Want the State ACT score on your transcript?

Have a parent sign the official letter and return to Have a parent sign the official letter and return to guidance ASAPguidance ASAP

Should You Test Again?Should You Test Again?Consider retesting if one or more of the following Consider retesting if one or more of the following apply to you:apply to you:– Did you have any problems during the tests, like Did you have any problems during the tests, like

misunderstanding the directions or feeling ill?misunderstanding the directions or feeling ill?– Do you think your scores do not accurately represent Do you think your scores do not accurately represent

your abilities?your abilities?

– Are your ACT scores what you expected based on Are your ACT scores what you expected based on

your high school gradeyour high school grades?s?– Have you taken more coursework or an intensive Have you taken more coursework or an intensive

review in the areas covered?review in the areas covered?

Submitting your ApplicationSubmitting your ApplicationBe sure to print/save copies of all applications before Be sure to print/save copies of all applications before submitting. submitting.

Submit!Submit!

Print any counselor form and take to guidance.Print any counselor form and take to guidance.

While waiting for a response, make sure you keep While waiting for a response, make sure you keep working hard in school. A sudden decline in grades at working hard in school. A sudden decline in grades at the end of the year may mean a closed door where the end of the year may mean a closed door where there could have been a welcome mat. there could have been a welcome mat.

Keep the schools updated on increased test scores Keep the schools updated on increased test scores or awards. or awards.

Doing the WorkDoing the Work

RecommendationsRecommendations– Most schools don’t need letters of recommendation.Most schools don’t need letters of recommendation.– Many will want letters for scholarship applicationsMany will want letters for scholarship applications– Check how many you need (2-3)Check how many you need (2-3)– Approach those that know you well and in core Approach those that know you well and in core

subjectssubjects– Ask early and for a copy to be given to your Ask early and for a copy to be given to your

counselorcounselor– Write a note of thanks to your recommender(s)Write a note of thanks to your recommender(s)

Doing the WorkDoing the Work

The InterviewThe Interview– Not many require an interview, except some Not many require an interview, except some

selective programsselective programs– If an interview is optional, take advantage of If an interview is optional, take advantage of

that opportunity.that opportunity.– Be yourself and do your best.Be yourself and do your best.– Research the school ahead of time. Research the school ahead of time. – Send a thank youSend a thank you

Getting the ReplyGetting the Reply

If you get accepted to your first choice, great!If you get accepted to your first choice, great!

If you’re stuck in the happy dilemma of having If you’re stuck in the happy dilemma of having to choose between two or more schools tryto choose between two or more schools try– (1)making a pros and cons list(1)making a pros and cons list– (2)following your instinct, or(2)following your instinct, or– (3)visiting the schools again(3)visiting the schools again

When your decision is made, be sure to tell the When your decision is made, be sure to tell the other schools that accepted you so they can other schools that accepted you so they can offer your spot to someone elseoffer your spot to someone else

Getting the ReplyGetting the Reply

In the event you were not accepted or waitlisted In the event you were not accepted or waitlisted find out why.find out why.– It could be a minor reason, like something missing It could be a minor reason, like something missing

from your application package or a from your application package or a misunderstanding about your academic information misunderstanding about your academic information that you can correct. that you can correct.

– If it goes beyond that, however, talk to someone at If it goes beyond that, however, talk to someone at the admissions office and see if they will tell you the admissions office and see if they will tell you how to increase your chances of acceptance the how to increase your chances of acceptance the next time aroundnext time around

Common ApplicationCommon Applicationwww.commonapp.org www.commonapp.org

All parts of application are completed All parts of application are completed electronically.electronically.

When entering in teacher/counselor When entering in teacher/counselor information, be sure it is correct (i.e. email information, be sure it is correct (i.e. email address).address).

Check to see if colleges have additional Check to see if colleges have additional supplements. supplements.

NCAA/NAIA Eligibility CenterNCAA/NAIA Eligibility Center

If you plan on playing a sport in college, If you plan on playing a sport in college, you must register with the Eligibility Center you must register with the Eligibility Center of either the NCAA (Division I or II) or the of either the NCAA (Division I or II) or the NAIA.NAIA.

Go to Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org or or www.playnaia.org www.playnaia.org

Illinois Student Assistance CorpIllinois Student Assistance CorpLaura Monteagudo will be in the library 4 Laura Monteagudo will be in the library 4 different Thursdays during September & different Thursdays during September & October to help with applications, college and October to help with applications, college and scholarship searches, and financial aid!scholarship searches, and financial aid!

Dates TBADates TBA

Laura.Monteagudo@isac.illinois.gov

"Like" Laura on Facebook- www.facebook.com/ISACCOD3

(630) 465-1927

TipsTips

Use your unofficial transcript to help complete Use your unofficial transcript to help complete your applications.your applications.Try to work on applications before 10 o’clock at Try to work on applications before 10 o’clock at night. night. Send completed applications even if you plan on Send completed applications even if you plan on retaking the ACT.retaking the ACT.Be aware of time zones!Be aware of time zones!

Send Send at leastat least one application by the end of one application by the end of September.September.

Send the rest of your applications by the end of Send the rest of your applications by the end of October.October.

Maintain or increase your GPA.Maintain or increase your GPA.

ChecklistChecklist1.1. Research and get organizedResearch and get organized2.2. Student Information Sheet preparedStudent Information Sheet prepared3.3. Register for ACT if retakingRegister for ACT if retaking4.4. Apply and submit applicationApply and submit application5.5. Request TranscriptRequest Transcript6.6. Follow UpFollow Up7.7. Visit SchoolsVisit Schools8.8. Make final decision (May 1Make final decision (May 1stst))9. 9. Notify counselors of scholarships earned!Notify counselors of scholarships earned!

Right School, Right Price September 8Right School, Right Price September 8 thth 7-8:30PM7-8:30PMNational College Fair Navy Pier National College Fair Navy Pier September 27September 27thth 11-3:00 Preregister at 11-3:00 Preregister at https://www.gotomyncf.com/ Go to www.nacacnet.org for a list of collegesCollege Fair – College of DuPage October College Fair – College of DuPage October 2121stst 6:30-9:00PM 6:30-9:00PM

Go to Go to www.cod.edu for a list of collegesFAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – January 1, 2014January 1, 2014Get Help On FAFSA – TBA 7-9:00 LSHS LibraryGet Help On FAFSA – TBA 7-9:00 LSHS Library