O'Plaine College & Career News

Hello Blue Devils!

I enjoyed visiting the lunch study halls this week and last, and I look forward to working with each of you more on your post high school planning (click here for Power Point). The sooner you get started in exploring your post-secondary options, the better...just ask any senior! Students, you can pop in to see me in the College & Career Center (Rm 258) beginning next week during your lunch study hall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, or you can email me at thartley@wths.net to set up an individual appointment.

Fall is busy with many college and career opportunities for students and their families. Some of which I've listed below. Be proactive, take the initiative and pursue the opportunities that interest you! Parents and guardians, I look forward to meeting you at Open House on Thursday, 9/7 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. I will be located in the College & Career Center by the Library in Room 258 - I'd love for you to stop by and say hello!

Enjoy the long weekend!

Ms. Hartley
O'Plaine Post-Secondary Counselor
Warren Township High School

If you're a college-bound athlete, you and your family are encouraged to attend the North Suburban Conference NCAA Night on Wednesday, September 6 at 7 p.m. at Waukegan High School. Families can expect to learn more about the recruitment process and eligibility requirements from the experts. Understanding the requirements and planning early in the eligibility process is essential - all high schools students considering playing competitively in college are highly encouraged to attend with their families.

Are you interested in military academy service? Brad Schneider invites families to join him on Wednesday, September 6 from 6 - 7:30 pm for Service Academy Night. Service Academies include:

• U.S. Air Force Academy
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
• U.S. Naval Academy

By attending you will hear how to apply for military academies and what you need to know throughout the nomination process. Register here to attend. The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please review the page of Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination.

Hear from admission officers from these prestigious schools about their academics, campus life, financial aid, the admission process and more! Click links below for more info and to register.

Harvard, Princeton, University of Virginia, Wellesley, & Yale: 9/10, 10/1 & 10/15

Columbia, University of Chicago, Univ. of Texas - Austin, University of Michigan & Yale: 7 pm on 9/7, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 10/24

Claremont McKenna College, Colorado College, Connecticut College, Grinnell College, Haverford College, Kenyon College, Macalester College & Sarah Lawrence College: 9/10 & 9/17

QuestBridge is a powerful platform that connects the nation's brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities. Join admissions representatives from Colorado College, University of Chicago, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, and Yale University to learn about making a college list, applying for admission and financial aid, and keeping your search in perspective. Representatives will discuss benefits of QuestBridge, which allows high-achieving, low-income students from U.S. high schools to match with the top colleges around the country. This virtual info session is on September 12 from 7 - 8 pm. Click here to register.

Starting next week, students are welcome to visit the College & Career Center during their lunch study hall or lunch period (3-6) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The CCC is located in Room 258 by the Library. Drop in with any and all your college/career questions or to get more info! Come on time at the beginning or half period bell of your lunch or lunch study hall period, and your attendance will be excused.

College representatives are visiting Warren! Come hear from college reps about their majors, admission requirements, campus life, housing, tuition, financial aid and more! Attending also gives you the opportunity to make a first impression and demonstrate interest to the college rep who will likely be the first person reading your future college application! Visits are in panel format and live streamed from Almond (2nd semester they'll be in-person at O'Plaine). Students considering college are highly encouraged to attend. Continually check the list of scheduled schools and register by the end of the school day prior to the visit in MaiaLearning under "Events". This month we welcome Arizona State, Hofstra, U of Minnesota, Northwestern, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, U of Michigan, Michigan State, Augustana, Carroll Univ, Marquette, Loyola, DePaul and many more!

• College visits are open to both freshmen and sophomores
• Limit 30 students per visit and first come, first served
• Students can miss class to attend (limit 3 visits per semester)
• You must be passing the class in which the visit conflicts
• The absence will be excused
• Students are expected to talk to their teacher prior to the visit for make-up work
• If students have an assessment, presentation or project due that period, they should plan to attend class and can email me for the info
• Visits are a full-period and students are expected to arrive on time and stay for the duration
• If the visit is during your lunch period, you can eat lunch during the visit
• Visits are in the College & Career Center in room 258

The Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), the sole Latino business organization in the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, is inviting Latino high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in pursing business at UIUC to apply for their 2023 Fall High School Outreach Program from Thursday, October 5 - Sunday, October 8.Transportation (to and from Chicago), lodging and food will be provided. ALPFA's goal is to encourage and empower Latino students to pursue higher education and expand Latino Leadership in the global workforce

Participants will learn more about life as a college student, possible career paths, the college application process and concerns, a case study, professional networking and so much more! They will also have the opportunity to interact with ALPFA members and participate in leadership panels and tour campus. Click here for more info and here to apply. Deadline to apply is Sunday, September 17th at Midnight.

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. Nationwide, about half of all college students are first-gen.

All first-gen O'Plaine students are invited to attend the O'Plaine First-Gen, College & Career Prep Workshops, starting September 15, 3rd period in the O'Plaine Library. Click below link if you are first-gen and would like more college/career info, including our workshops!

While visiting college campuses is an important part of the college search process, college fairs are free and a great way for students and their families to visit with many colleges at once. See list below for some upcoming fairs in our area, including the college fair at CLC on October 12! Click links below for more info and to register (registration is required).

9/10 NACAC Virtual College Fair, 12 - 5 pm

9/12 Lake Forest Academy, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

9/21 Virtual College Fair: Professional Certificate Programs (Live), 12 - 2 & 6:30 - 9:30 pm - registration opens 9/6

9/30 NACAC National College Fair in Chicago, 11 am - 3 pm

10/1 NACAC National College Fair in Milwaukee, 3 - 6 pm

10/4 Virtual College Fair: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Live), 12 - 2 & 6:30 - 9:30 pm - registration opens 9/6

10/10 Choices: For College-Bound Students with Learning Differences at Vernon Hills High School, 6 - 8:30 pm

10/12 Regional College Fair at the College of Lake County, 6 - 8 pm

10/12 Christian College Fair in Elmhurst, 6 - 8 pm

10/12 Virtual College Fair: Learning Differences (Live), 12 - 2 & 6:30 - 9:30 pm - registration opens 9/6

10/15 NACAC Virtual College Fair, 12 - 5 pm

10/19 Christian College Fair in Northfield, 6 - 8 pm

10/25 Virtual College Fair: First-Generation (Live), 12 - 2 & 6:30 - 9:30 pm - registration opens 9/6

11/12 NACAC Virtual College Fair, 12 - 5 pm

The award-winning TV series, The College Tour, shares the story of a single college or university through the authentic lens of its current students. Learn from real students about their real experiences on campus, as viewers get an insider’s perspective on college life and college culture. This TV series is a comprehensive guide to aid your college research, helping you answer the ultimate question: ‘Which college is best for me?’ Take the ultimate campus tour now by watching episodes of this informative TV series. Streaming now on Prime Video or check it out here.

The College of Lake County is celebrating Manufacturing Month by inviting Lake County high school students (grades 9 - 12) to learn more about their apprenticeship programs in manufacturing. Interested students can rank which they'd prefer to attend from the options below:

• HVAC: October 17 (CLC Grayslake Campus)
• Industrial Technology: October 18 (Advanced Technology Center - Gurnee)
• Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics: October 19 (CLC Grayslake Campus)
• Precision Machining Technology: October 19 (CLC Grayslake Campus)
• Welding: October 19 (Advanced Technology Center - Gurnee)

There is not cost to attend. In fact, by attending, students will receive a $50 Visa gift card. Students need to provide their own transportation to and from the site and each session will be offered from 4:30 - 5:30 pm. To apply, complete the app and photo release (with guardian signatures), and return to the email indicated on the app. Deadline to apply is October 6 and is first come, first served!

Representatives from the below branches of the U.S. Military will have an informational table in the Cafe during all lunch periods once a month as indicated below. Stop by if you are interested, would like more info or have questions!

Marines: 1st Wednesday of the month
Air Force: 4th Wednesday of the month

Navy & Army TBD

We're celebrating Girls in Aviation and empowering young women to soar high in the sky. Come join us for a fun-filled day at Lake in the Hills Airport (3CK)! This in-person event will take place at Pyott Road, Lake in the Hills, IL, USA. Get ready to explore the exciting world of aviation through interactive activities, inspiring talks, and hands-on experiences. Whether you dream of becoming a pilot, engineer, or air traffic controller, this event is for you! Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded girls and discover the endless possibilities in aviation. Girls ages 11-21 are invited. Attendees will receive a T-shirt, swag bag with fun aviation goodies and lunch. REGISTRATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Parsons Paris offers online courses for high school students taught by experts in Paris fashion. Courses cover everything from business, history and trends to actual design methods and potential careers. Multi-length courses are available year-round. The asynchronous, online format allows you to study anywhere, anytime, at your own pace. You will also receive valuable guidance from Parsons' mentors. Classes include:

• Inside the Business of Fashion and Luxury
• Inside Fashion Design: Becoming a Designer for the 21st Century
• Sustainability: The Future of Fashion
• Build Your Own Fashion Brand
  
  Click here for more info, including costs, and to apply.
  

NW Medicine’s mission is to “create a pathway for the next generation of healthcare leaders”. Through this program, chosen students are exposed to a broad range of healthcare careers through tours, guest speakers, group discussions, and hands-on projects. This is geared toward students at least 15 years old, current sophomore or junior, and highly interested in a career in the healthcare field. This program takes place in Lake Forest and is highly competitive (only 30 students per Chapter). Deadline to apply is September 29, 2023. Click here to register and for additional information.

The STEAM Scholar Program aims to connect highly motivated students interested in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics with hands-on learning experiences. Students selected to participate in the STEAM Scholars program will have the opportunity to visit four STEAM-related businesses and facilities during the 2023-2024 school year. On these visits, students will have the chance to participate in discussions with local employees, business owners and educators, and learn more about the STEAM career opportunities in our backyard. This program is open to all rising Sophomores and Juniors who live in or attend high schools located within Illinois’s Tenth Congressional District. Due to space constraints, only two applicants per high school will be selected for participation in this competitive program. Click here to apply. Applications are due September 30!

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages students to learn science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills by coding their own app for any digital device. This challenge is open to all middle and high school students who live or attend school in the Tenth District. Students can choose to participate individually or as part of a team of up to four students, if two of the team members meet eligibility requirements. To enter, participants must upload a video showcasing their app and an explanation of what they learned throughout the app-making process. Click here to register by November 1 (registration indicates your intent to compete).

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.

Students under the age of 16 are required by the Illinois Department of Labor to have a work permit. If you have been hired, your employer will provide you with a letter of intent to employ at your request. You will need the letter, your social security card, birth certificate and you will also need a current physical on file in order to be issued a work permit. Bring these items to Mrs. Ellis in Student Services in the Main Office. See her with any questions.

Students learned in their study halls this week how to access and sign into Maia Learning, our 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 how students access Maia Learning. Families, you will receive an automated email in the near future with directions to create a shadow account if you choose to view your student's account.

O'Plaine Post-Secondary Counselor
Warren Township High School

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Email: thartley@wths.net
Website: https://www.d121.org/Page/313
Facebook: facebook.com/wthsccc