Dundee-Crown Class of 2017

What are your plans? Going straight into the work force? Branch of the Military? Tech/Vocational School? Community College? Four-year University? Unsure?

Going into the workforce? Start researching now Develop a resume Need Help? – visit websites such as http://resume-help.org/ or check out a book at your local library Practice interview skills Find a job Use websites such as Indeed.com or CareerBuilder.com Attend Job Fairs E.C.C. Job Fair Information at http://elgin.edu/business.aspx?id=4364

Going into the workforce? Consider an apprenticeship program common for careers such as Electrician, Carpenter, and Plumber Combines on-the-job training and classroom instruction while being supervised by a craft or trade professional Learn the practical and theoretical aspects of occupation Can last as many as four to five years Average pay is $12-$16 per hour during apprenticeship Often very competitive

Going into the Military? Research different branches and what they have to offer Different branches offer different jobs and locations Also require different levels of commitment from you Money for college after service Take the ASVAB Will be offered by District 300 on October 12 at Dundee-Crown and again in the Spring See counselor for details Talk with recruiters Did you know that there are military recruiters in the counseling office each month?

Dates of Recruiter Visits

Tech/Vocational School Tech schools are generally two-year programs that provide education and training for field specific jobs Examples include Culinary Arts, Welding, Cosmetology, and Office Management Variety of school offering a variety of programs ECC http://elgin.edu/catalogprograms/ctp.aspx ITT Technical Institute https://www.itt-tech.edu/ Universal Technical Institute http://www.uti.edu/ Talk to admissions reps at DCHS College Fair and/or ECC College Night (October 4 http://elgin.edu/aboutus.aspx?id=6742)

Community College This includes schools such as Elgin Community College, Harper College, and McHenry County College Can earn a variety of certificates and two-year degrees/Associate’s Can use credits earned to transfer to a four-year college Much cheaper option than a four-year school Typically live off-campus and commute to school E.C.C. – in-district rate

Interested in Community College? Start researching schools and programs now Different schools offer different programs Visit and learn Contact school to schedule a visit Attend an information night Apply early Will help you get the classes you want as well as days of the week and times of day Apply for Financial Aid

Four-Year University Don’t know where to go?: Start looking NOW: Large or small university? Close to home or far away? What are activities/programs that are important to you? Use www.bigfuture.com or www.careercruising.com for help finding programs and schools Research a wide variety of careers Learn what schools offer programs that will prepare you for the career Take interest and skill inventories that will help match you with a career

Standardized Tests If you are not happy with your ACT score, sign up now to take the test again at www.actstudent.org October 22 ACT testing date Registration deadline is September 16 More tests in December, February, April, and June Takes approximately 3 weeks to receive scores for multiple choice sections, 5 weeks for writing section the SAT Register for the October 1st test date by September 1st without a late fee Can register online until September 20th but will have to pay a late fee On average, will take 3 weeks for SAT to post your scores online

Application Process Start applying now Apply online or print application and mail in Earlier you apply, earlier you get accepted = better chance of getting the classes you want, when you want Early Admission vs. Rolling Admission deadlines Better chances of being accepted during Early Admission Schools can be very selective during Rolling Admission Many schools require essays and/or personal statements that will take time to complete ADMISSION RECRUITERS WILL READ YOUR ESSAYS!!!! This is an opportunity for you to set yourself apart from everyone else

Application Process Recommendation Letters Give teachers, counselors, employers, etc. AT LEAST 2-3 weeks advance notice Make sure to thank recommenders Request transcript and test scores from Registrars in the Counseling Offices Do not expect university to receive this the same day Expect 10-14 days for registrars to complete request and put transcript in the mail Request your ACT &/or SAT test scores The Counseling Department will be hosting a presentation night on September 8th at 6:30pm that will include information on the College Application Process

Request a Letter of Recommendation

Request a transcript NO OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS CAN BE SENT IF YOU HAVE A FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL District 300 using a new system Counselors will have information at individual meetings Transcripts already requested have been processed Test scores are not included on your transcripts (NEW!)

ACT & SAT Test scores ACT: At the time of the test: you can have your scores sent to up to four colleges at no additional charge ACT: After the test: login to your student account at actstudent.org and request your scores be sent $12 per college Allow two weeks minimum Faster turnaround available for $16.50 SAT: You have up to nine days after your test date to select that your scores be sent to four colleges Free reports sent out a few days after your scores appear online SAT: After the test: login to your student account at College Board 2-3 weeks before application deadline

Should I visit the campus before committing? YES!!! This is a huge step in your life and you want to make sure that you are going to enjoy the environment that you will be living in See college classes in session You are allowed to miss up to maximum 6 days across junior and senior years

Need help paying for college? Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Understand that you will have to pay this back along with interest

Completing the FAFSA Now: fill out as early as October 1 Complete as soon as possible Expect to spend about an hour filling out the application What information will I need to complete the FAFSA? Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) Parents Social Security Number Your parents most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned An FSA ID to sign electronically Can get this on the website The presentation on September 8th will also include information on financial aid

Scholarships Scholarships are free money you do not have to pay back Oftentimes, this money goes unclaimed because you do not apply Application process typically includes a personal statement and/or essay Could also include letters of recommendation Links to national scholarship databases and lists of local scholarships on the Dundee-Crown Counseling website http://dchscounselors.weebly.com/index.html Individual schools also have their own scholarships Can find these on the specific school’s website

Still not sure what you want to do after high school? That is okay but need to start thinking about it Graduation will be here before you know it Make a plan! Talk to your counselor about options Always better to apply to schools now and then decide later rather than wait and be disappointed you let options pass by

Need help with any of this? ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) rep here each week Individual appointments to talk about all aspects of college planning and financing Her only reason for being here is to help you go through this process FAFSA expert Sign up to see the ISAC rep in the counseling office Attend monthly presentations that will help you prepare for life after high school

ISAC Schedule for 2016-2017

Appointments with your counselor Each of you will meet with your counselor individually in the month of September Week of 9/5 – Seniors who do not have an ASP or PE Class Week of 9/12 – Seniors who have an ASP or Athletic Strength and Conditioning Week of 9/19 – Seniors who have Sports for Fitness or Group Fitness and Dance Counselors will post appointment schedule on their doors ASP and PE teachers will also have schedules of appointments If you miss your appointment, make-ups will take place the week of 9/26 IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU MISS YOUR SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT

ECC College Night When: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 6pm-8pm Where: ECC Campus Building H They will have representatives from over 100 colleges and universities Will offer presentations that will help you prepare for college Presentations will be in both Spanish and English ECC reps will also be available to discuss ECC programs such as nursing, engineering, automotive, etc. http://elgin.edu/aboutus.aspx?id=6742

Don’t forget Meet all graduation requirements Catch up with night school & credit recovery Meet deadlines Check your counselors schedule for appointments Posted outside of offices by Friday 9/2 Bring with questions you have and a list of schools to which you are applying

Dates to remember September 1 – deadline for registering for October 1 SAT September 5-23 – individual appointments with counselors September 8 – college application and financial aid presentation September 16 – deadline for registering for October 22 ACT September 20 – late registration deadline for October 1 SAT September 30 – late registration deadline for October 22 ACT October 1 – window for completing FAFSA opens October 4 – ECC College Night

Questions?