CLASS OF 2021 INFORMATION PAGE
CLASS OF 2021 INFORMATION PAGE
As we move into the final part of the school year, I want to introduce you to the midyear transcript request form. Many colleges will ask that you send another transcript now that you have completed half of your senior year. If so, please submit the request HERE
All seniors must apply to 10 colleges: 4 Match, 3 Reach & 3 Safety institutions. In addition, at least 1 application must be submitted to an out-of-state institution. Before applying to colleges, students must complete their College Match activity posted in Google Classroom. Here are some basic instructions:
Students must create their college list. Make sure you meet the academic requirements, the institution has your desired program, and that it fits your overall interests. Maintaining your list of applications will be EXTREMELY important to your success. Use this checklist provided by ISAC to assist you with staying organized: College Applications Checklist
Most of your applications can be submitted via Common App, Coalition App, through the Common Black College App or directly through the institution's website. Here is a recording on the basic setup of those websites: College Applications Recording
Make sure to add ALL colleges you apply to on Naviance. Here's a quick tutorial on how to complete this process: Adding Colleges to Naviance
Additionally, you want to select how you will submit your application and update Naviance after your submission is complete. Watch the following recording to learn how: Selecting Your College Application Type
Lastly, you must submit a transcript request for the colleges you've applied to. Transcripts are sent every Friday. Here's a quick tutorial on How to Submit Transcript Requests
Please make sure to check the submission status for transcripts in Naviance prior to reaching out about your transcripts not being sent to colleges. As a reminder, this is not an overnight process. It can take up to 10 business days for colleges to receive your documents.
Most colleges and some scholarship applications will require students to submit a letter of recommendation from one or more of their teachers. You must reach out to your teachers directly to request a letter. In addition, you must submit the request via Naviance for tracking purposes. For institutions requesting a letter of recommendation from the counselor, please email me directly.
Make sure to include a copy of your brag sheet in the communication you send to teachers/counselors when requesting recommendations. Also, give them a deadline and follow-up weekly to check on the status of their submission. It is the student's responsibility to communicate regularly with their recommenders. All seniors are required to submit at least 2 requests for recommendation letters.
To submit request via Naviance:
Log into Naviance and click "Colleges " at the top right corner. When the drop-down menu appears click, "Home".
Scroll down and on the left side you will be able to click, "Letters of Recommendation".
From the next screen you will be able to select "Add Request". Make sure to complete steps 1, 2, & 3. When completing step 2, you should select "All current and future colleges I add to my Colleges I'm Applying To list"
You must "Submit Request" in order to send the information to your teacher. Make sure to only send requests to teachers who have already agreed to write a letter for you.
All students have a general fee waiver that is submitted when a transcript is sent to the institutions listed on their Naviance account. If the college you are applying to does not accept the general fee waiver, you can request one separately by sending an email to me directly. Students should only request a fee waiver after they have received notification that the institution they are applying to does not accept the general fee waiver.
If you are planning to retake the SAT and need a fee waiver please email me directly. Students retaking the SAT must provide evidence of at least 20 hours of SAT practice prior to receiving a waiver. This evidence must be included in the email, then I will reply to you with a fee waiver code to use. You must use the code to register for the test via your College Board account. Information to get access to your College Board account is listed below.
College Board Access
Students must log into their College Board account to register for test and obtain their PSAT/SAT scores. If you do not remember your Username & Password, you must go to CollegeBoard.org. and try the "forgot username" and "forgot password" options. If that does not work you will need to call the help desk at:
General Customer Service: 866-630-9305 SAT: 866-756-7346 AP: 888-225-5427 or College Board Contact Page
We do not have access to student accounts, usernames or passwords. Students must reach out to College Board if they are unable to gain access to their accounts.
The Gap Year Pathway may be an option for students who want to experience a semester or year of experiential learning, typically taken after high school and prior to a career or postsecondary education in order to deepen their practical, professional, and personal awareness.
Students who choose the Gap Year Pathway must submit an acceptance letter as evidence of their plan to meet the Learn.Plan.Succeed. graduation requirement.
During a gap year, students take time away from formal education to engage in planned activities that can help them decide what they want to do with their future. While students must define a plan for their gap year to meet the Learn.Plan.Succeed. requirement, they can allow flexibility in their plan to pursue new areas of interest that may arise.
Gap year activities vary widely, depending on the student's interests, what he or she wants to accomplish, and other factors. Primary types of gap year activities include:
Volunteer/Service: Experiences that help students understand interdependence and allow them to give back
Career Exploration/Internship: Real-world work experiences that help students decide on a future course of study or career
Social Change: Experiences that enable students to participate in efforts to improve communities
Don’t think of a gap year as a “break.” Consider how taking a gap year will support your efforts to prepare for and to inform the next steps in your life journey. Among the many benefits of taking a gap year are becoming a more well-rounded individual and finding purpose. Experts argue that your purpose, calling, dream job, point of happiness, pathway, or reason for being can be found where these four elements meet: (1) what you’re good at, (2) what you love, (3) what the world needs, and (4) that for which someone will pay you.
To learn more, research Ikigai, a Japanese concept about the meaning of life. Your ikigai—your purpose—lies at the center of the interconnection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession.
What students do during a gap year may depend on budget restrictions and how much structure and support the student desires. Here are some options:
Engage in self-directed activities
Enroll in a formal gap year program
Travel
Students who opt for a gap year should also think about where college fits in their plan. Some colleges offer built-in gap year programs, so students can apply for admission to a gap year program at the same time they are applying for college admission.
If a gap year is a postsecondary option that interests you, consider taking the next steps:
Gather information
Talk to your school counselor and family members early in your gap year planning process to get help identifying core priorities, resources, and learning outcomes.
Define your goals
Consider what you want to achieve, learn, and experience during your gap year.
Define your activities
Decide where you will go and what you will do. If you want to travel, determine where you will live.
Manage college applications
Decide when you will submit college applications and confirm enrollment deferral policies wherever you apply.
Start early
The earlier you start, the more time you have to research program options and submit applications for scholarships and grants.
COLLEGE APPLICATION RESOURCES
Anatomy of a Application: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/quick-guide-the-anatomy-of-the-college-application
Common App Writing Requirements by School: https://appsupport.commonapp.org/s/writing-requirements
ISAC College Matching Tool: https://isacportal.isac.org/en/collegematch
ISAC Student Portal: https://studentportal.isac.org/student
College Greenlight (Scholarship and School Search): https://www.collegegreenlight.com/
College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
College Search: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
Illinois College2Career: https://www.ilcollege2career.com/#/
Illinois Commencement: https://admissions.illinois.edu/commitment
Chicago State Commitment Initiative: https://www.csu.edu/news/Cougar_Commitment.htm
CAREER RELATED RESOURCES
MyNextMove: https://www.mynextmove.org/
U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Career Finder: https://roadtripnation.com/edu/careerfinder
Under Public Act 101-0180, starting in school year 2020-21, to receive a diploma from a public high school a student must complete a financial aid application.
One of the following is required of students who will graduate, exit or age out in SY21:
Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov; OR
Complete an Alternative Application for IL Financial Aid at https://studentportal.isac.org/en/alternativeapp; OR
For more information, please contact your Counselor or Postsecondary College & Career Coach or e-mail LearnPlanSucceed@cps.edu.