Almond College & Career Center News

It is crazy to think the end of our fall semester is approaching!

I know many students have their final assessments, projects or papers due soon, so students remember, you got this!

You have worked hard and persevered this semester, so let that drive shine through by finishing strong on the home stretch! Click here for a copy of the cumulative assessment schedule.

The halfway point of the school year for upperclassmen is a refreshing break from classes, but also a reminder that seniors are closer to making their final decisions about their after high school plans and juniors are amping up their research and explorations about their options.

I encourage all of our students to use the break to reset, but also to explore all possible paths. Many colleges and institutions have virtual tours, accessibility to information online and connections to campus, so explore their website if you have time.

JUNIORS:

Taking an ACT Test

• Juniors thinking about taking an ACT before the state test at Warren in April are encouraged to register for the February 8th ACT. Registration deadline is January 3rd. Many local high schools are a test center; WTHS is not a center though. It is a great first ACT to take because will have completed one semester of junior year. Regular registration for this test is through January 5th and you can register at act.org.

SENIORS:

Admission Decisions

• December brings the time many of our students begin to receive admission decisions. Please know for many schools, they receive thousands of applications and several application go through an in-depth holistic review. Reference this article from Georgia Tech that highlights the review process for the highly selective institutions.

Financial Aid to help pay for college

• The '25-'26 FAFSA opened 11/18/24. Click HERE to sign-up for one of our January FAFSA workshops at the Almond Campus CCC.
• If you are planning to apply for financial aid, it is HIGHLY recommended to apply for the FAFSA or Illinois Alternative Application by January 15th.
• Click HERE to review the presentation materials from our Senior Paying for College Presentation on 9/12.
• As a reminder, per the Illinois State Board of Education, as a graduation requirement, all HS seniors must file one of these financial aid applications or complete a waiver and upload to SchooLinks. Instructions HERE. Click HERE to reference the latest reminders or click HERE for a helpful FAQ document of the financial aid application process.
  

Western Illinois University Application Fee Waiver

• Looking to apply to WIU? You can do so on their website. When checking out enter COUNSELOR25 in the promotions code section on the same page that would require payment and it will waive the $30 application fee.

For BOTH Juniors and Seniors:

We are here to help answer your questions, so students, please check your email often, follow us on Instagram or Facebook (@wthsccc), watch for text reminders or reach out to your counselor, Mrs. Hartley or myself if you have any questions. We are glad to help!

Here is the contact information for Student Services.

From all of us in Student Services, we hope you have a restful, relaxing, safe and fun winter break and holiday season with your loved ones!

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025 to start a New Year and new semester!

Mrs. McGahan, Post-Secondary Counselor

If you would like to make an appointment to meet with your Almond Campus Counselor please email them or stop down to Student Services in the main office to submit a request form. If you would like to meet with Mrs. McGahan, please scan the QR code to the right or click HERE. Book an appointment during your free period.

Seniors! The FAFSA is open! If you need help completing your FAFSA or the Illinois Alternative Application to find funds for college, attend an evening family financial aid workshop in the Almond College and Career Center. Our next workshops are on Thursday, January 9th and Thursday, January 16th from 6-8pm. Click HERE to register. Remember completing a FAFSA or submitting a non-participation waiver is required for graduation.

Most of us were never taught how to study properly. Often, it's because we don't know the first place to start. Most students approach studying by "cramming" the day or night before. The good news is these skills can be learned at any time. Learning a variety of study strategies can help students prepare for any class, project, job, and lifelong learning. With active study and test preparation, and enhancing planning skills, a student's test preparation process will be more effective and efficient. Students will learn various techniques that they will be able to apply independently in multiple settings.

Date: January 27, 2025 Grades: 6-8 (5-6 pm) & 9-12 (6-7 pm)

Location: Youth Services (100 S. Greenleaf St. Gurnee, IL 60031)

*This FREE workshop is limited to Warren Township Residents or those currently attending Districts 50, 56, or 121.

To register: REGISTRATION

Questions: 847-244-110 ext. *401 or youthservices@warrentownship.net

For students interested in learning more about the U.S. Military, representatives from the following branches will be located at the front of the Almond Cafeteria. Stop by their table to receive additional information!

Air Force -- 4th Thursday of the month

Army Reserve – 3rd Tuesday of the month

Army National Guard -- 1st Tuesday of the month

Army – 2nd Tuesday of the month

Navy – 4th Tuesday of the month

Marines – 3rd Thursday of the month

Vanderbilt University's PTY has just announced courses for the Spring 2025 cohort of Mentor Immersion: A Virtual Research Experience, a virtual program for 10th-12th grade students.

• This is a five-month program in which students participate in an application process for a placement in a mentorship focused on a specific academic area of interest.

• Information about application components and placement process, including the test score or educator recommendation option, can be found here.

• Participating students will be paired with a mentor in an academic field and participate in weekly live meetings for 2.5 hours with their mentor and 2-9 other students with similar interests who are working with the same mentor. An office hour is available for student support.

• The mentorship experience culminates with a final project that reflects work in the field of the mentorship.

Beginning October 1, through February 28, the Lake County Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee will begin accepting applications for both the five-year electrical construction and the four-year telecommunication apprenticeship programs.

· Students must be 18 by June 30, 2025

· High school graduate

· One full-year HS algebra

· Valid driver's license by 1/31/2025

· Minimum score of 4 on NJATC Aptitude Test

· Pass physical exam, background check & drug screen (hair follicle)

https://lakecountyjatc.org/howtoapply/

Electrical Construction Apprenticeship Program - Inside Wireman

· Five-year program

· $17.72+ per hour to start

o Raises at specified times throughout 5-year program

· Journeyman pay rate upon graduation approximately $44.30+ per hour

Telecommunication & Data Apprenticeship Program

· Four-year program

· $18.54+ per hour to start

o Raises at specified times throughout 4-year program

· Journeyman pay rate is approximately $41.20+ per hour

The Golden Apple Scholarship Application is now open! High school students graduating in 2025 or first- and second-year college students can apply to become a Scholar by clicking here. Final deadline is April 1, 2025. See flier for more information.

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.

Click HERE to access and explore 170+ careers with videos and information. By participating, you will gain a better understanding of the variety of industries and positions. Some employers may also have possible internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing and/or employment opportunities for our students! For those of you who may not know what you want to do, there’s a career assessment included that will help you narrow down a career cluster to further research. At the end, please complete the exit survey to reflect and provide feedback so we can continue to assist you with your post-high school plans.

WTHS has in-person Study Tables on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:20-3:00 p.m. in the Almond Campus Library for English, Math, Science and Social Studies. Students who need bus transportation home are able to take the shuttle from Almond to O'Plaine and take the O'Plaine busses home.

To date, www.fairtest.org as published over 1,800 colleges and universities which are allowing Fall 2025 applicants to apply test-optional. Many institutions are stating students are at no disadvantage of applying test-optional. But it is good diligence on your part to verify the institution will still distribute merit, academic scholarships, be considered for direct-entry, competitive majors and Honors College consideration.

Almond Post-Secondary Counselor

Instagram @wthsccc

(847) 548-6709

Email: cmcgahan@wths.net
Website: https://www.d121.org/Page/313
Phone: (847) 548-6709
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wthsccc