1. Dundee-Crown Class of 2017

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

3. Going into the workforce?
Start researching now
Develop a resume
Need Help? – visit websites such as 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. Dates of Recruiter Visits

7. 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
ITT Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute
Talk to admissions reps at DCHS College Fair and/or ECC College Night (October 4

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 or 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

11. Standardized Tests
If you are not happy with your ACT score, sign up now to take the test again at
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

12. 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

13. 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 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

14. Request a Letter of Recommendation

15. 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!)

16. 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

17. 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

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

20. 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

22. 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
Individual schools also have their own scholarships
Can find these on the specific school’s website

23. 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

24. 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

25. ISAC Schedule for

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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

30. Questions?