1. 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?

2. Life –Well Being

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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? ☺

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

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

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

15. 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.

16. Scholarship information can be found on Naviance!

17. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to plan ahead and meet these deadlines!
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 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.

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

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

20. 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 AP Exams

21. rmd.at/8geg8 If you have a smartphone:
Sign up for important post secondary planning notifications through… remind
If you have a smartphone:
On your iPhone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link:
Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You’ll be prompted to download the mobile app.
If you DON’T have a smartphone, text:
To: 81010
If you’re having trouble with try to
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rmd.at/8geg8
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Go to rmd.at/8geg8 on a computer to sign up for notifications