Hello Blue Devils!
August 30, 2022
It was wonderful welcoming our students back to campus these last two weeks!
Many of our students are getting acclimated to the new building, schedule and routine of a new school year. As always, if you need any assistance, please contact your teacher or any of us in Student Services to assist.
Click HERE to access a list of the members of Student Services.
This time of year, there is a lot of information that we need to get to you. I will try to include the details in these bimonthly newsletters, but occasionally will send separate emails for information too complex to put in one newsletter.
With that said, there are many events coming up soon, so happy reading!
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. McGahan, Post-Secondary Counselor
SENIORS: Thinking of retaking the SAT?
JUNIORS: Plan to take the PSAT-NMSQT on 10/12!
WTHS Common App Guide for Students
Step 1: Is your college even on the Common App?
Step 2: Do you have a school that requires it?
Step 3: Do you have at least 3 schools that will allow you to apply via Common App?
Step 4: Proceed to complete the Common App.
Need to meet with a Counselor?
College Information and Upcoming Events
College Application Kickoff Presentation for Seniors
On Tuesday, August 30th, the College & Career Counselors will discuss the nuts and bolts of applying to college at our annual College Application Kickoff Presentation for Seniors. We are offering a mini-version of this presentation for students during periods 3-6. This is a full period presentation and you are welcome to bring your lunch! Families are welcome to attend either at 3 p.m. in room 211 at the Almond Campus or 7 p.m. in the O'Plaine Auditorium. We hope to see many of our senior students and their families at one of our events!
Penwasciz Health Careers Program
- Students will receive shadowing rotations, direct patient interactions, and multiple health care speakers in order to help reinforce a student’s desire to pursue a career in the medical field.
- Sessions run on Monday evenings from October-April from 5-7 pm or 7-9 pm.
- Application opens on September 6th and is only open for 2 hours starting at 3:30 p.m. An essay is required while the application is open.
- Space is limited to 32 total students.
- Click HERE for additional information or their FLYER.
Attention College-Bound Athletes!
Virtual Columbia Engineering Experience
Virtual Columbia Engineering Experience (CE2) is a free program created to encourage high-achieving high school seniors from historically underrepresented backgrounds to explore an engineering education at Columbia. This year CE2 is taking place from October 8 - October 9, 2022.
Program Highlights Include:
- World-class faculty and research: Learn and ask questions with members of Columbia’s renowned faculty.
- Inside look at life as a Columbia student: Work with an undergraduate student mentor, learn about campus life and hear from current students, including leaders from a variety of student organizations.
- The NYC advantage: Learn about the cultural, professional, research and intellectual resources at our doorstep including exclusive career and entrepreneurship opportunities.
- Admissions 101: Participate in comprehensive college admissions and financial aid workshops and office hours conducted by members of the Columbia Admissions Committee.
Please visit their website for the online application and instructions. Registration deadline is September 9th.
Lake Forest Academy College Fair, September 13th
LFA will welcome over 100 colleges and universities onto campus on Tuesday, September 13th, between 6:30 and 8:00 pm.
A couple of important things to note:
- Strive Scan. This application is where students register and receive a personal QR code that colleges will then scan to get students' personal information at the fair (most Illinois regional fairs use this software). Please register in advance at: http://www.strivefair.com/
- Parking. On-campus parking will be reserved for the college representatives in attendance, and there will be campus safety officers monitoring this traffic. Students and parents park at either the Townline Road lot (Route 60 across the street from the LFA entrance) or Christ Church (located at the corner of Route 60 and Waukegan Road). Multiple shuttle buses will be back and forth between campus and these lots throughout the event.
Click for a list of colleges in attendance: https://www.lfanet.org/college-counseling/college-night
Engaging Distinctive Universities Webinar, 9/13
Emory University, Rice University, the University of Michigan and the University of Washington are set to host a virtual event, Engaging Distinctive Universities on Tuesday, September 13 at 2 p.m. CDT. They will present a variety of perspectives on academic programs, philosophies and traditions that make their universities distinctive. To RSVP: https://riceadmission.rice.edu/register/?id=7d387f93-eae9-45de-bbe7-ada7fe0a73f5.
U.S. Military Reps to Visit Almond Cafeteria
Army Reserve – 3rd Tuesday of the month
Army – 2nd Tuesday of the month
Navy – 4th Tuesday of the month
Marines – 3rd Thursday of the month
Paying for College Presentation for Senior Families, September 14th
STEAM Scholars Program
The STEAM Scholar Program aims to connect highly motivated students interested in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics with hands-on learning experiences throughout our district.
Students selected visit four STEAM-related businesses and facilities during the 2022-2023 school year. On these visits, students will have the chance to participate in discussions with local employees, business owners, and educators, and learn more about the STEAM career opportunities in our backyard.
This program is open to all rising Sophomores and Juniors who live in or attend high schools located within Illinois’ Tenth Congressional District. Due to space constraints, we will only be selecting two applicants per high school for participation in this competitive program.
HOW DO I APPLY?
The application is available here.
The deadline to apply is September 16th.
College Visits to the Almond Campus
Students can view the upcoming college visits in Maia Learning --> Events.
Students are expected to sign-up in Maia Learning for the visit by clicking on Actions --> Attend.
**Students are allowed to attend 3 college visits per semester if they are missing an academic class. Students attending during a lunch or study hall period will not count towards the 3 visits. If you are not able to attend, but would like the information from the institution, please email Mrs. McGahan (cmcgahan@wths.net).
Tuesday, September 20th
- Period 4: Grand Canyon University, Arizona State University
- Period 5: UW-Whitewater, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Lacrosse
- Period 6: University of Tennessee
Thursday, September 22nd
- Period 3: UW-Parkside
- Period 4: University of Iowa, Iowa State, University of Northern Iowa
Common Application Workshop for Senior Students, Sept. 27th
Students working on the Common Application or who have questions about the Common App are welcome to pop into our Lunch & Learn Workshop on Tuesday, September 27th during your assigned lunch or study hall period (p. 3-6). You will be glad you did!
Northwestern Medicine Discovery Program
Camino a College Presentation for Junior & Senior Spanish speaking Families, Sept 29th
On Thursday, September 29th, WTHS will host a college representative at 7pm in the O'Plaine Auditorium to meet with our Junior and Senior Spanish speaking families and share helpful tips about navigating college admissions, financial aid, and answer any questions our families may have. The presentation will be entirely in Spanish.
National College Fair-Chicago
At a National College Fair, students learn about programs and find their best college fit. They meet face-to-face with representatives from hundreds of colleges—all in one place—and get their questions answered about majors, degree programs, campus visits, internships, scholarships, financial aid, and much more. Visit the Official NACAC College Fair Site for more info.
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2022
Location: McCormick Place - North Hall - 2301 S King Dr Chicago, IL 60616
Fair Hours: 11 am to 3 pm
The fair is FREE and open to the public.
Career/Job Opportunities
Illinois Tech Virtual Internships
Standout Search
Additional Internship and Volunteer Opportunities
Lake County Sheriff Explorer Post Program
Virtual Career Fair
General Resources
Support Services are Available
For a list of our WTHS academic tutors, please click HERE.
Maia Learning: Our College and Career Planning Tool
Maia Learning is a college and career readiness platform that engages students in planning their futures. It allow students to develop profiles, explore careers that fit those profiles, and build academic, college, and career plans. It helps them manage college applications, and build portfolios that will gain them admission. It helps counselors manage student progress, and keeps families involved in the process.
Click here for a brief tutorial on accessing Maia Learning or click here for a shared folder which houses several helpful video tutorials and resources on the college search and application process.
Sallie Mae Paying for College Resource
The Paying for College Resource delivers free, easy to understand information and resources, so your family is confident you have everything you need to figure out how to pay for school.
Wondering if your interested college has test-optional admissions?
Mrs. McGahan
Instagram @wthsccc
(847) 548-6709
Email: cmcgahan@wths.net
Website: https://www.d121.org/Page/313
Phone: (847) 548-6709
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wthsccc