College Counseling
APPLICATIONS
Applications are submitted online through the college's website or through an online service like the Common Application, https://www.commonapp.org, Coalition Application http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org or your university application. Go to the college's website to learn about its specific procedure. Once you have completed all your portions of the online application, go to the Shepard Counseling Website and click on the Transcript tab to request your transcript be sent to the university via Parchment.
DEADLINES
You are responsible for knowing your selected colleges' deadlines; which can be located on the college’s website. Keep in mind that many schools have a priority deadline (around November 1st) and a regular decision deadline. It is strongly recommended to complete applications by the priority deadline because many colleges issue the majority of their acceptance to those students. In addition, more scholarships are awarded to students who meet the priority deadline. If a school offers Rolling Admissions (no specific deadline), it is still encouraged to submit the application early so to increase acceptance and scholarship opportunities. Upon acceptance, seniors have until May 1st to officially commit to a college. However, they can accept or deny admissions at any time they choose.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Some, but not all, 4-year colleges and universities will require one or more letters of recommendation as part of the application. If a recommendation is required, be sure to complete the blue senior Letter of Recommendation form and give it to your teacher and/or counselor at least 2 weeks prior to the deadline. This will allow ample time for them to write your letters since many are writing multiple letters. The Letter of Recommendation form can be picked up in the Counseling office or you can print the attachment located on the right of this page. It asks for you to report your GPA, Class rank, SAT/ACT scores, potential college major/minor, names of the schools to which you are applying, a list of your activities, community service, employment, awards, and accomplishments. It also asks you to provide some personal qualities, experiences and future goals.
TRANSCRIPTS
After a student completes college application(s), they must then request a transcript be sent to each college by creating an account through the electronic portal Parchment. This is located under the “Transcripts” tab. Simply create an account and identify the College(s) you wish to send your transcripts. There is no limit and no charge to send transcripts until August 1st, 2019. After that there will be a small charge of $3-$5.
Here are links to YouTube videos giving instructions:
- How to sign up for a Parchment account if you don't have one already: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW6GrT913HE
- How to order your transcript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCHdokhyTQA
- How to track your transcript order: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GllNecL94y0
Upon graduating from Shepard High School, colleges will request to see a Final Transcript to verify that the student graduated. Many times, the military, trade schools and employers will request a final transcript as well. The final transcript includes all of the student’s high school grades up through 2nd semester of senior year, the student’s weighted and unweighted GPA, Class Rank, Extracurricular Activities, and SAT scores from the April 10th, 2018 national test date.
REPORTING TEST SCORES TO COLLEGES
It is your responsibility to see that the appropriate ACT and/or SAT scores are sent to colleges. If you did not code your selected colleges at the time you registered for the tests, you must request an additional score report be sent. Most colleges require official test scores that come directly from the testing agency. Visit www.act.org to request ACT scores and www.collegeboard.org to request SAT scores. Allow several weeks for colleges to receive the score reports. Each ACT report will cost $12.00. Each SAT report will cost $11.25.
FINANCIAL AID & FAFSA
The FAFSA is available on October 1st, 2019 and should be completed as soon as possible following that date. Federal and state grants are received on a first come, first served basis. More information and resources under the Financial Aid tab.
Contact our Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) representative, Ariel O'Neal with any specific questions at:
708-613-1299 and/or Ariel.Oneal@ililnois.gov
She will be in the Astro Cafe in on the following dates:
SCHOLARSHIPS
Merit Based Scholarships varies from each college and is typically based on the student’s GPA and/or SAT scores. Students should be sure to meet priority filing period deadlines to qualify for these university-based scholarships. More information can be found under the scholarship tab.
Students are also encouraged to do the following:
- Research and apply for possible supplemental scholarships on college of choice’s website.
- Complete the D218 Universal Scholarship Application available on the Counseling website
- Research local, regional and national scholarships and meet deadlines. More information and resources available under the Scholarships tab. Never pay a fee! Websites can be found within the scholarship tab.
*Keep in mind that volunteer hours are often helpful in qualifying for local, regional and national scholarships.
Junior Year Timeline
Senior Year Timeline
College Planning
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
www.youvisit.com/virtual-reality-and-virtual-tours
Campus tours led by students-https://www.campusreel.org
Historically Black-www.hbcuconnect.com/colleges
Midwest Student Exchange- http://msep.mhec.org/
Associated Colleges of the Midwest-www.acm.edu/index.html
Colleges that Change Lives-www.ctcl.org
Two year Colleges- www.aacc.nche.edu
Trade schools-http://www.cisco.org/apprenticeship/