HPHS Postsecondary Counseling News
Junior Update - August 2021
A Note from the Postsecondary Counseling Team
The Postsecondary Counseling Team
Mr. Rob Becker - CRC Coordinator
Dr. Aliza Gilbert - Postsecondary Counselor & Co-Chair of Counseling Department
Dr. William Morrison - Postsecondary Counselor
Mrs. Jen Pendergast - Postsecondary Counselor
Junior Year Calendar and Programming
The official HPHS Postsecondary Program begins in fall of junior year with our Kickoff to Postsecondary Planning Program on November, 18, 2021. This year’s program will be held either virtually or in-person as we continue to navigate what is best for students and staff during these times of changing circumstances. You will receive an invite via email as it draws closer with more details. This program will cover a variety of topics from college visits, to search and selection, to testing, to finding the right fit. Further programming will be offered throughout the year as we go through the winter and spring months, with the majority of our large programs taking place virtually. Invitations to each event with the appropriate details will be sent out throughout the year so please check your email and Giant Life News regularly. For a comprehensive list of program offerings and a wealth of other information check out the “Information for Juniors” page on our Postsecondary Counseling website.
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
Appointments with Postsecondary Counselors
MaiaLearning - A Tool to Help You Learn about Careers and Colleges
MaiaLearning is the online career and college resource tool utilized by Highland Park High School. It contains a wealth of information on the college & career process and includes a number of tools that will help students identify possible career, major, and college matches. We know that many of you may be undecided on your next steps after high school, and that is normal. However, we also encourage you to use the tools in MaiaLearning to help you learn more about your interests for careers as that can then help you determine what the next best step is for you as you move into your second half of high school. All students have accounts in Maia and can simply sign-in using the Google button with their school email address. For a video tutorial and/or a handout with more specifics on this platform, visit the MaiaLearning portion of our Postsecondary Counseling website.
Virtual Programs & Events
Colleges and universities have been adapting to the pandemic by offering a number of different virtual programming options. This is a whole new way of exploring colleges and we wanted to make sure you knew that these are tools and resources available to you as a way to learn more about a campus, possible majors and/or the college admissions process. We also encourage students to register for the mailing lists of each of the schools they are interested in to make sure to receive the most up-to-date information on what these colleges will be offering. You will typically find this information on the college's admissions section of their website. Check the individual college and university sites to see offerings. These virtual programs are a great way for you to "visit" a college and learn more from an admissions representative.
Virtual NACAC College Fairs
Staying in Touch
The Postsecondary Counseling team will stay in touch with you in a number of ways throughout this process. Keep an eye out for these quarterly newsletters, watch for email communications from us, and join our Facebook page. Finally, familiarize yourself with the many resources available on our Postsecondary Counseling website.
PSC Website Tool - Check out The College Planning Handbook!
- Why self assessment is such a big part of this process
- What criteria to consider when selecting a college
- What services are available to you in the CRC
- Information on financial aid and scholarships
- What to expect at a college fair
- What to do on a campus visit
- Nuances to the process for special populations like performing arts
- What roles Essays and Letters of Recommendation play in the process
- Suggested Timelines to consider and handouts to help you as you visit and research schools
Please take a look at this resource as it will empower you with information and knowledge necessary on this journey towards reaching your postsecondary goals.