Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Guidance Department offers tips to help with the college decision process and shares summer educational opportunities
As May 1 nears, many senior students are deciding which college or university they will attend in the fall.
May 1 is the National Candidates Reply Date for students to inform a college/university of their intent to enroll. No college can require students to commit to the school before that date, unless they were admitted through Early Decision or are receiving NCAA athletic scholarships.
To assist students with the process of making their final decision, the Willowbrook Guidance Department offers several helpful tips:
- Review all financial-aid award letters and offers. Compare them carefully, and determine what your out-of-pocket costs will be to attend each school. If you need assistance, be sure to see your counselor.
- Attend student events at the college(s) you are considering. Visiting the college to which you have been accepted one last time before making a final decision can help solidify whether it is the right college for you.
- Discuss your decision with your family. Your counselor and teachers also are available to assist with weighing your options.
- Send your intent to enroll to one school only. Remember, it is unethical to submit an enrollment deposit to multiple colleges.
- After you make your decision, notify the other schools you won’t be attending their institution.
- Be sure you have a school to attend in the fall. If you are waitlisted at your school of choice, speak with the college to monitor your status. In the meantime, choose a school to which you have been admitted that meets your requirements, and create a plan with your counselor to monitor your spot on the waitlist.
Also right around the corner is summer break, and many academic programs and classes are available to help students get ahead or catch up on credits. Below is information about several of those educational opportunities.
- Summer educational programs and camps directory – www.studenteducationprograms.com: This website provides a directory of summer educational programs and camps such as pre-college programs, enrichment programs, academic camps, internship programs and more. Participating in those programs has many benefits, including an opportunity to learn about a topic of interest at an in-depth level, preparing for the transition from high school to college and exploring career fields of interest. Many summer educational programs and camps take place on college campuses, which enables high school students to gain experiences in a college environment.
- Credit recovery: For students who need to recover a credit/class that is required for graduation, Willowbrook offers online, self-paced classes. Classes will begin on June 15, and there will be two sessions – 8 to 11:20 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Transportation will be provided for the first session only. The cost is $100 a class. Registration forms will be available in May in the Counseling Department Office. Space is limited for each session, and priority is given to upperclassmen.
- Classroom courses: Students also can sign up for classes in speech, consumer education, economics, driver’s education and accelerated geometry. Those classes will take place from 8 to 11:20 a.m. from June 15 to July 17. The cost is $160 a class ($320 for accelerated geometry). The driver’s education class also will have a Behind-the-Wheel fee. Registration forms are available in the Counseling Department Office, and the deadline is April 27.
- College of DuPage high school courses: These courses can be used to recover credits, to move ahead in requirements or for enrichment. A variety of courses are available at different costs. For a list of courses and information on how to register, go to www.cod.edu/youth.
For more information about the college decision process or summer educational programs, call the Guidance Department at 630-530-3417.