HPHS Postsecondary Counseling News
Juniors ~ March 2021
A Note from the Postsecondary Counseling Team:
Class of 2022 ~ We want to acknowledge and commend you for all you have done this year to persevere and find new ways to connect and continue to learn and grow. This year is often a challenging one as it truly is the beginning of the bridge to life after high school. As postsecondary counselors we are here to support you and your goals as resources for certificate programs, apprenticeships, military, work, two-year and four year bound college applicants. Although life is not back to the “normal” we knew a year ago, we believe things are headed in the right direction. We encourage you to use the resources outlined in this newsletter and available on our website to begin exploring and reflecting on what you want to do with your life after graduation from Highland Park High School. You are in the driver’s seat and we are here to help you navigate your next steps.
Your PSC team:
Dr. Aliza Gilbert - agilbert@dist113.org
Dr. Bill Morrison - wmorrison@dist113.org
Mrs. Jennifer Pendergast - jpendergast@dist113.org
Mr. Rob Becker - rbecker@dist113.org
Appointments with Postsecondary Counseling (PSC)
All juniors are encouraged to make an appointment with their assigned Postsecondary Counselor to explore your plans for life after high school. You can find your assigned counselor in MaiaLearning and then go to the Contacts section on the home page of the HPHS Postsecondary Counseling website to schedule your appointment.
It is required that you complete the junior self-assessment form prior to the meeting. A link to the form is also found in the tool when you schedule the meeting.
These meetings must take place during a free period. You can choose an in-person meeting or a remote meeting at the time that you schedule it. Please note that in-person meetings are not allowed during the lunch hour and that if parents are joining remotely, they will only view the Postsecondary Counselor on the virtual meeting screen in order to maintain social distance in the counseling office. Both the PSC and the student will wear masks during the whole meeting.
The Role of Postsecondary Counseling
Website: https://www.dist113.org/Page/349
Location: 433 Vine Avenue, Highland Park, IL, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HPHS-Postsecondary-Counseling-520027864823500
Research & Exploration - Ways to do this in 2021
- Covid has impacted the ability to do in-person campus visits, but there are a variety of virtual tours and programs that can serve as a way to learn more about a specific college or program within a university. We highly recommend these programs to students and you should go to the college’s admissions webpage to find out more about these opportunities, ways to register and follow-up.
If you are comfortable with doing so, some colleges are offering in-person tours and visits. Please be sure to check with the office of admissions before going to campus as registration is likely required. For things to do when going on a campus visit, check out that section of the College Planning Handbook found on our PSC website.
Additionally, the National Association for College Admission Counseling has created a resource where you can search for colleges that may be offering in-person visits as well as other criteria to filter your search.
The PSC team has held two Lunch-N-Learns this semester to support your research and exploration process. The topics covered were MaiaLearning and other tools on How to Research Colleges. You can find recordings of these sessions on the Programs page under Information for Juniors. More Lunch-N-Learns are planned for this semester. You can find a complete list under the Calendar of Programs and you will be emailed a link to join the session a week before so make sure you are checking your emails.
Additionally we do our best to update this Virtual Programs flyer on our website, sharing other virtual opportunities for you to learn more about options for life after high school and the college admissions process
Standardized Testing
We continue to monitor and review the state of standardized testing as it relates to college admissions. At this time, we do not know if every college that was test-optional for Fall 2021 will remain test-optional for 2022. For this reason, we do encourage students to do their best on the ISBE SAT scheduled for all juniors in April. We also encourage you to consider registering for an ACT test based on your availability. If you have taken both and ACT and SAT you can compare the two scores using concordance tables, helping you determine which test score is a stronger score.
Because of the changing nature of standardized testing this year, we have collaborated with our colleagues at District 225 to offer our students and families a virtual program on March 15, 2021 at 7pm from our friends at Compass Education Group:
Admission Testing and the Surging Test Optional Movement The speaker will discuss some of the implications, motives, and trends related to the complex and layered test optional movement. Best practices for exam selection (SAT or ACT), preparation, and timing will be reviewed as well.
This program is virtual and does require advanced registration. This information was sent previously in an email, but you can click here to register for this event.
In other standardized testing news, the SAT Subject tests are no longer offered. This article from Compass Prep goes into more detail on this move and decision.
PSAT Scores
If you took the PSAT in January, your scores will be available on March 8. Click here for information on accessing scores through your College Board portal. The PSAT can serve as a predictor for the SAT. If you have taken an ACT and want to see how your scores compare, this information will help. The cutoffs for National Merit Semifinalist and Commended Students will be announced later this spring but if you are curious about cutoff scores from previous years, click here.
Letters of Recommendation - Waiver Forms
As you pursue various opportunities, you may need a letter of recommendation from your counselor or a teacher at Highland Park High School. In order for a teacher or counselor to write a letter of recommendation, you will need to complete the Waiver of Access Form found on this section of the HPHS Postsecondary Counseling website, in the Information for Juniors section. Please be sure to check the box “do” waive your right as it always gives the letter more credibility, knowing the letter is confidential. Completed forms can be submitted to Mr. Becker, rbecker@dist113.org.
Your counselor will require that you complete a student questionnaire that will be updated on that same section of the website soon. Parents have an optional questionnaire to provide the counselor with additional insight as well.
For planning purposes, if applying to a four year university, we encourage you to consider reaching out to a junior year core academic teacher right after spring break to request a letter of recommendation should you need one. Teachers may limit the number of letters they write and/or may have forms that you will need to complete.
Upcoming Programs from HPHS & District 113 PSCs:
In addition to the testing program on March 15th, we also have our Exploring the Admissions Process coming up on March 30th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. More details will be sent out via email but topics include Essays, Interviews, Athletics, Highly Selective Admission and Visual & Performing Arts. Please review all of our programs using this link to our Programs Calendar.