College Counseling
College Search and Application Steps
I am a Senior. How do I use SchooLinks to support my college application search?
* Complete the tasks on your Dashboard after logging in
* Make sure to check the application requirements and procedures for each school either through SchooLinks or the school's website
I have my Final List of colleges ready in SchooLinks, now how do I apply?
* Online applications are located on college websites - some schools have their own app and others are included in The Common Application or The Coalition Application
* Please use SchooLinks to indicate which schools you apply to. This will help you and your counselor keep track of what needs to be done. You will also need to link your SchooLinks account to your Common Application account if you are using the Common App for multiple schools.
* Important: Follow the specific procedures listed on each college's website
Is there a deadline for submitting college applications?
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 and scholarships 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.
Do I need 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. SchooLinks will also generate an email to your teachers to notify them of your request. It is wise to speak to your teachers ahead of time to make sure they can write one for you and don't miss the email. 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.
What do I need to do after I submit my application?
Request Your Transcripts
After a student completes college application(s), most colleges will ask the student to request a transcript be sent to each college by the high school. Most colleges will want an official transcript directly from the school. By using SchooLinks to keep track of your applications, your counselor will know which schools to submit your official transcript to.
Report Your Test Scores to Colleges That Request Them
Determine whether or not the colleges are "test optional" by visiting: https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
If you decide it is to your advantage to send your scores, it is your responsibility to see that the appropriate SAT and/or ACT 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 $16.00 per test date, per report. Each SAT report will cost $12.00, per test date, per report.
FINANCIAL AID & FAFSA
The FAFSA is available on October 1st 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.
For assistance, contact our Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) representative. Contact information is located on our "Financial Aid (FAFSA)" tab.
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.
Helpful Planning Documents
- BigFuture-College-Planning-9th-10th-Graders
- BigFuture-College-Planning-Calendar-Juniors
- BigFuture-College-Application-Checklist-Seniors
- sophomore & junior parent night pp
- quick tips for parents
- questions for discussion
- College visit questions
- What kind of college
- 25 Strategies to survive college
- College comparison chart
- Admissions essay
- Personal Statement Packet
- college and universities websites
- College Bound Student Checklis2018_
- College Essay tips
- Junior Questions
- Juniors_ Class of 2020.pptm
- 2019- 2020 COLLEGE PLANNING senior presentation.pptm
- Request for letter of recommendation ABS
College Planning Website Links
Illinois Post-Secondary Profiles
https://www.thecollegetour.com/tour-colleges/
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
Campus tours led by students-https://www.campusreel.org
Student athletes hoping to play NCAA collegiate athletics www.ncaa.org
Student athletes hoping to play NAIA collegiate athletics. www.naia.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/ or
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16rPJxXkECN74j1BFqArqzaoEuBy7sK0BiXJWzV_Ee38/edit
Moraine Valley Community College
MVCC Online Application Instructions
Have You Earned Dual Credit?
Illinois Public Universities
Selective Service Requirement
Considering a Gap Year?
GAP YEAR BENEFITS
A Gap year is a "semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to career or postsecondary education, to deepen one's practical, professional and personal awareness."
*Gap year students do return to college
*They gain maturity, confidence, sense of purpose and college and career readiness skills.
*They do well in college
*Once in careers, 86% are satisfied or very satisfied after a gap-year experience.
A good Gap year includes:
Volunteering and/or service
Carer exploration or internship
Paid work
Build your own Gap year-allows space to explore the unknown while learning more about yourself and the world.
Gap Year Association - resource for more Gap Year information
Transferring Credit from One College to Another
Internships