Almond College & Career News

The end of the school year is in sight and our Seniors are getting ready to celebrate such great accomplishments!

If you need any help getting to the finish line of your classes, choices and final processes, please reach out to your counselor, Ms. Hartley or myself. We are happy to help!

JUNIORS:

SAT Test Score

Scores will be electronically accessible in your College Board account on or after May 3rd. If you have not already created a College Board account, click HERE for assistance. For additional information about understanding your score report once available, click HERE.

**Please note, many college and universities are continuing a test optional admissions policy for Fall 2023 admission. To view the updated list, visit www.fairtest.org. Even if you sent your test score to a college and feel your test score does not reflect your academic ability, in most cases, colleges will not review your test score if you elect to apply test-optional in the fall.

College Knowledge Workshop

Would you like to learn about how to apply to college, the timeline, financial aid, scholarships, the college essay, letters of recommendation, Maia Learning, apply to Illinois State University for FREE, and hear from WTHS alumni about the college process? Then register for College Knowledge today! Click HERE for additional information and how to register for this popular FREE summer workshop. Space is filling quickly, so register ASAP to secure your spot! It is listed as an advancement summer school course.

College and Career Planning Summer Appointments

Are you feeling lost with the college and career search process or not sure where to start? Meeting with a Post-Secondary Counselor can give your family a great kick-start to help plan for life after high school. Watch for a separate email coming the first week in May with additional details.

SENIORS:

Home stretch! Finish strong and make good choices as you near Graduation!

Graduation Checklist, Senior Exit Survey & Final Transcript Request

As seniors make their final decisions, here are a few action items to complete:

1. Please review the Graduation Checklist.
2. Complete your Senior Survey. Please note this can only be completed ONCE!
   
3. Update your application statuses in Maia Learning: Final Transcript Instructions.
4. Please complete complete the survey and request your final transcript no later than May 18th. If your family is still deciding after this date, the Senior Survey does provide an additional question to request a second final transcript be sent to a different college.
5. If you have not already, please file your FAFSA or submit a Waiver ASAP. This is required to graduate from WTHS per the State of Illinois. Review this EMAIL for additional information. This must be completed by May 18th as well in order to receive your diploma.
6. Post your intentions @bluedevilseniors on Instagram by sending a DM or emailing Mrs. McGahan (cmcgahan@wths.net). See below for more info.
7. Check the Graduation website often.

Please note: We do not release final transcripts until early June when final semester 2 grades are posted and official. This will not include any SAT scores, so if you applied with a test score for admissions and it is an action item for you, the college needs to have an official ACT or SAT score report on file from either ACT or College Board sent electronically to your college. As always, if students need assistance in making their final plans for after high school, please contact your counselor or Mrs. McGahan.

Thinking of applying for a Gap Year Deferral?

Explore this article to provide you with tools to understand what is a gap year deferral and how to gain an approval for your request.

How to say NO to a College

April is the time when Seniors start to make their final decisions (exciting!!!) and need to say no to the colleges they are not pursuing. This will cease communications and the bombardment of emails/mail to you. Click HERE for a sample email to draft to the general admissions office on page 2 of the document.

Financial Aid Award Letters

Many families have or will soon receive their college financial aid award letters. Click HERE to review a presentation to help understand the terminology to make an education, financial college choice. If your family would like assistance in understanding the letter, feel free to contact the college's financial aid office, your WTHS counselor or Mrs. McGahan.

Still not sure what to do after high school?

Then click HERE for additional tips on how to create a plan. Please contact your counselor or Mrs. McGahan if you need help planning for your next steps. Don't forget to explore our Virtual Career Fair to assist as well!

National Declaration Day

We will plan to celebrate our seniors on Monday, May 1st at the Almond Campus to recognize their post-secondary paths. Don't forget to send a DM to @bluedevilseniors with your first and last name, a photo of yourself, your intended college name, major/minor, any sports/instruments that you will be continuing at college (if applicable) or other non-college plans you have. No Instagram? No problem! Just email that information to Mrs. McGahan (cmcgahan@wths.net). We will post your information to Instagram and you can click HERE to review senior destinations!

For BOTH Juniors and Seniors:

Looking for a Job?

See the Career Opportunities section below for local opportunities for high school students or check our Job Board often! We will continue to add more in the coming weeks!

We are here to help answer your questions, so students, please check your email often, follow us on Instagram or Facebook (@wthsccc), watch for text reminders or reach out to your counselor, Ms. Hartley or myself if you have any questions. We are glad to help! Here is the contact information for Student Services.

Have a great week!

Mrs. McGahan, Post-Secondary Counselor

If you would like to make an appointment to meet with your Almond Campus Counselor please email them or stop down to Student Services in the main office to submit a request form. If you would like to meet with Mrs. McGahan, please scan the QR code to the right or click HERE. Book an appointment during your free period.

WTHS has partnered with Glenbard Parent Series through Glenbard Township High School District 87 to provide access to a distinguished speaker series dedicated to presenting relevant, high-profile authors, educators and clinicians for parents and community members.

Topics include mental health, life skills, support for parents and more!

• These high-caliber presenters offer practical research-based knowledge, strategies, and personal experience to support students’ engaged learning, and well-being
• All programs are free and open to the public
• Many events are presented at both noon and 7pm, and offered in multiple languages via Zoom. Access links are available on their website below.
• You can access the schedule for the remainder of the year here:
  • GPS Upcoming Schedule and Website 2022/23 SY

• Upcoming Speakers
• Dr. John Spencer
• Tue, Apr 18 @ 7:00 pm CDT - 8:00 pm CDT
• Empowering Students with the Skills of Tomorrow

• Dr. Ferney Ramirez
• Thu, Apr 20 @ 6:00 pm CDT - 8:00 pm CDT
• Estrategias para ser el padre o la madre que desea ser/Strategies to Be the Parent You Want to Be

• Carl Eric Fisher MD

  Wed, Apr 26 @ 12:00 pm CDT - 1:00 pm CDT and 7:00 pm CDT - 8:00 pm CDT

  The Urge: A Personal Story of Struggle from an Addiction Psychiatrist — ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH EVENT
  

• Anna Lembke MD

  Thu, May 18 @ 12:00 pm CDT - 1:30 pm CDT

  Dopamine Nation: Why We’re Addicted, Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
  

Come to our annual WTHS EDD Trade Show in the Almond Black Box Theatre on Tuesday, April 25th. The show is open to the community.

Open Trade Show to Preview Projects: 5:00-5:30 PM

Group Presentations/Trade Show: 5:30-8:50PM

The student teams will present their chosen project information to a panel of industry professionals.

For additional information, click HERE or visit their website.

• 9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a College – Guiding questions to help students consider key factors as they rank their options.

• 5 Things to Do Before College Decision Day – Help make a confident enrollment choice with these important questions.

• QUIZ: How Do I Know if the College I'm Considering is Right for Me? – This quiz asks students important questions that will steer them into making the best choice for them.

Seniors! We need your help to honor you for our National Declaration Day festivities! When you are ready to commit or finalize your plans for after high school, send a DM @bluedevilseniors or email Mrs. McGahan cmcgahan@wths.net with your first & last name, photo, intended college & major or career plan, or other plans you have after high school. We look forward to celebrating you! Click HERE for the growing list of declarations!

Boys State is a week long government simulation where participants are citizens in a mock 51st state. Throughout the week , attendees learn how the American political system works by participating in their own primaries, elections and assemblies. In addition to participating in the mock government, attendees learn valuable leadership skills and participate in a wide variety of developmental opportunities. The applicants are open to males who have completed their Junior year by 2023 Click below for the information or visit their website.

Informational Flyer

Brochure

FAQ

The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States.

The program epitomizes the ALA’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.

Applicants must currently be in their junior year in high school or the home school equivalent.

To apply and for additional information, visit their website.

If you're planning to attend college and neither of your parents completed a college degree, then YOU are considered “First-Generation” or “First-Gen!” Did you know many of our Warren teachers are first-gen? Other more well-known first-gen college graduates include Michelle Obama, Ben Carson, Sonia Sotomayor, Oprah Winfrey, Elizabeth Warren and Bill Clinton. Over 40% of students entering college are first-gen (National Center for Education Statistics). All first-gen Almond students are invited to join our first-gen club "I'm First". Please email Mrs. McGahan (cmcgahan@wths.net) if you are first-gen and would like college and career info!

Thank you to all of our seniors who submitted applications this year! Mrs. Maggiore will be sending out an email the week of April 24th to notify all students who applied about their application status. Thank you for your patience as our committees finalize their decisions.

We are starting to receive regular scholarship opportunities in our inbox each week. To access the growing list, log onto Maia Learning. Under Financial Plan --> Local Scholarships. The list will continue to grow until spring break, so check often!

If you need to request a transcript for a scholarship, please complete this FORM. You may pick-up transcripts from Mrs. Maggiore in Student Services in the main office.

The Waukegan Police and Fire Memorial Fund Scholarship is awarding 2 $500 scholarships to high school seniors who would like to pursue a career as a first responder. Applicants must reside in the City of Waukegan, plan to major in criminal justice, fire science or EMS and attend an accredited 2 or 4-year college/university. Students must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Deadline to apply is May 15th. Click HERE for the application.

Did you miss our CLC Scholarship Workshop on 3/23?

Click HERE to access Miss Meadowcroft's presentation. CLC Scholarships have a general application that is due by June 1st.

Stop by the CCC if you have additional questions.

There are billions of dollars of scholarship money for students intending to continue their education after high school! All students are encouraged to apply and some scholarships are even open to students as young as middle school! Continue to apply for national scholarships each year you are in college!

• www.goingmerry.com
• www.cappex.com/isac
• www.chegg.com/scholarships

• Award Letter Comparison Tool – This simple tool compares up to five award letters side-by-side and helps students understand the actual cost of attendance for each school.

• Breaking Down Your Award Letter – In this sample award letter, each section is clearly explained to help students make sense of their financial aid offers.
  
• Negotiating for More Financial Aid – Your students may not know financial aid can be negotiable. Here are six effective phrases they can use when negotiating with a school.

NACAC’s series of Virtual College Fairs wraps up April 23rd. These virtual event are designed to help students connect with college admissions officers and ask important questions about the application process. These sessions support all students, including seniors who have not yet applied. Students can prepare ahead of time by tagging the Zoom sessions they want to attend. Sign up to attend: https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/.

Then plan to register and attend College Knowledge this summer, 2023!

This comprehensive, 2 day, 2 1/2 hour workshop in the Almond Campus College and Career Center will walk you through the entire process and you will leave feel relieved about how simplistic the process is!

• A binder of information will be distributed to each student including information about admissions, financial aid, scholarships, college search, Maia Learning, Common App, Coalition App, and more!
• We will host Illinois State University to complete a live application to see what the applications are all about.
• An English teacher will provide an introduction to the Common App essay prompts and essay writing in general.
• A college-student panel of WTHS alumni will return to share their insight about the process and college life.
• All for FREE!
• Sign-up for one of our 4 sessions today to lock in your spot!
• Session 1: June 5-6...9:45-12:15
• Session 2: June 5-6...12:45-3:15
• Session 3: June 7-8...9:45-12:15
• Session 4: June 7-8...12:45-3:15

For students interested in learning more about the U.S. Military, representatives from the following branches will be located at the front of the Almond Cafeteria. Stop by their table to receive additional information!

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

Air Force - 4th Thursday of the month

• Check out the Learn while Earn jobs to earn anywhere from $15-27/hour starting pay with just a HS diploma!

Are you a hands-on learner who likes to learn as you go? Do you want your college education FULLY PAID for and earn money while doing it? Then an Apprenticeship program through CLC may be the right fit for you! To begin the program, students must be 18 years old, a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, have a high school diploma and may need a Math placement test. Visit their website for additional information or contact Mrs. McGahan. First step is to apply to CLC!

Career Programs for Apprenticeships

• Business - Business Administration
• Education - Early Childhood Education
• Horticulture - Landscape Design, Arboriculture, Production, Construction & Maintenance
• Manufacturing - Precision Machining Technology, Automation, Robotics and Mechatronics (ARM), Industrial Technology and HVAC
• Information Technology - Computer Information Technology & Cybersecurity

The Anti-Cruelty Society, in partnership with The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, offers a unique program for high school students with a serious interest in veterinary medicine or animal science related careers. This academic opportunity introduces students to the many areas of science that they will encounter in veterinary school using a college lecture format. The virtual program explores topics such as veterinary school admissions, challenges and thrills of being a veterinarian, and how clinical science is used to diagnose and treat injury and disease in a variety of animals.

Application deadline is June 4th.

To learn more and to apply: https://anticruelty.org/veterinary-mentoring-program

Click HERE for additional volunteer and virtual opportunities in working with animals.

This program is open to any 14 to 21-year-old interested in learning more about law enforcement careers. Students will help the community as well as learn about careers in law enforcement and learn foundational policing skills. For additional information see their website.

Click HERE to access and explore 170+ careers with videos and information. By participating, you will gain a better understanding of the variety of industries and positions. Some employers may also have possible internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing and/or employment opportunities for our students! For those of you who may not know what you want to do, there’s a career assessment included that will help you narrow down a career cluster to further research. At the end, please complete the exit survey to reflect and provide feedback so we can continue to assist you with your post-high school plans.

WTHS has in-person Study Tables on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-3:00 p.m. in the Almond Campus Library for English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Students who need bus transportation home are able to take the shuttle from Almond to O'Plaine and take the O'Plaine busses home.

For a list of our WTHS academic tutors, please click HERE.

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.

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.

To date, www.fairtest.org as published over 1,800 colleges and universities which are allowing Fall 2022 applicants to apply test-optional. Many institutions are stating students are at no disadvantage of applying test-optional. But it is good diligence on your part to verify the institution will still distribute merit, academic scholarships, be considered for direct-entry, competitive majors and Honors College consideration.

For previous info and opportunities shared, visit newsletters below.

• Click here to reference the March 13, 2023 issue
• Click here to reference the February 26, 2023 issue
• Click here to reference the February 12, 2023 issue
• Click here to reference the January 29, 2023 issue
• Click here to reference the January 15, 2023 issue
• Click here to reference the December 4, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the November 20, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the November 4, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the October 23, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the October 9, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the September 25, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the September 11, 2022 issue
• Click here to reference the August 30, 2022 issue

Almond Post-Secondary Counselor

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