Talking Points WHO IS YOUR STUDENT? WHERE ARE THEY ACADEMICALLY? WHERE DO THEY WANT TO GO? WHO CAN HELP THEM GET THERE? WHAT SHOULD THEY DO RIGHT NOW?

Life –Well Being

The “trick” Finding a college “fit” is all about the student. Starts with a little, or lot of soul searching Be open to the possibilities

A couple of caveats Match versus fit Talk candidly with your child They are not their friends or family members The purpose of a higher education

Who are they? What is your child interested in academically and socially? What “unique” things are they bringing to a college campus What can’t they live without? ☺

Where is your child academically? Grade point average Rigor Trends Standardized test scores

Where do they want to go? Quick Exercise Ask: Imagine yourself on a college campus What does it look like? What are you doing on campus? What are you learning? How are you interacting with students and faculty

Jargon Public versus private College versus university Early decision versus early action Rolling decision versus decision dates

A few asides: Selecting majors Majors do not equal careers Roughly half of all students change their major at least once More than 40% of graduates change careers within 15 years Students need transferable skills Job satisfaction is the key to success

What should your Senior student be doing now! Get organized Find resources and use them(Naviance) Develop effective communication habits; particularly email accounts

Visit college campuses Get a “feel” for types of colleges Discover what you don’t want from colleges or universities Participate in schedule activities Do a self guided tour and talk to currently enrolled students

Resources Naviance College Board’s “Big Future” Cappex www.cappex.com Zinch www.zinch.com College zone www.whatsnextillinois.org

Naviance 1. Go to the DGS home page. 2. Click on “Parents” 3. Then click on “Naviance”

Username = your student’s CSD99 e-mail address Password = your student’s ID#

All important instructions regarding college applications are listed on the top of the left side of the Home Page of Naviance. You can view and print these documents as necessary.

Scholarship information can be found on Naviance!

It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to plan ahead and meet these deadlines! 2015-2016 DGS COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES The following deadlines have been established to ensure that your college materials are submitted on time to meet the application deadlines set by the college or university to which you are applying.  It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to plan ahead and meet these deadlines! FOR APPLICATIONS REQUIRING RECOMMENDATIONS: I. Allow at least THREE WEEKS (15 working days) for processing. If your application has to                 Please complete steps be received by: A, B, & C and request transcript by:   October 15…………………………..…………….September 18 November 1……………………………..………..October 9 November 15…………………………..…………October 16 December 1……………………………..…………November 2 December 15………………………………..…….November 16 December 31/January 1………..……………December 2 January 14……………………………..…………..December 4 February 1…………………………..……………..January 8 February 15……………………..…………….…..January 22 March 1…………………………..……………….…..February 5 March 15………………..………………………....February 19 II. FOR APPLICATIONS NOT REQUIRING RECOMMENDATIONS: Request transcript at least ONE WEEK prior to the application deadline.

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE, MILITARY, AND TRADE SCHOOL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE LINKS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE NAVIANCE HOME PAGE

Welcome Senior Parents Mike Melinder – University of Iowa Mayra Lagunas – University of Illinois

Important Upcoming Dates October 1 - Financial Aid Forms due as soon as possible after this date October 1- NACAC College Fair /McCormick Place 11-3 October 4- FAFSA Q & A Session, 7:00 PM at DGS October 18 - College Fair at COD October 22 - ACT (actstudent.org) October 24 – Conquering College Cost, 7:00 PM/ DGN February 21-March 3 - AP Test Registration May 1 - National Candidate Reply Date for Colleges May 1-12 - AP Exams

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