CRC Connection

Many colleges ask that you submit your mid-year transcript as they continue to evaluate your application. Mid-year transcripts will be sent to colleges starting January 22nd.

Three things to know:

1. Counselors will be completing the mid-year report for all students who submitted applications using the Common App--there is nothing seniors need to do to "ask" that their transcript to Common App schools be sent.
2. If you did NOT use the Common App for a college that has asked for your mid-year transcript, please email your counselor to let them know you need your mid-year transcript sent to that college.
3. Some colleges will ask students to update their self-reported grades with mid-year grades, while others may ask students to upload a copy of their mid-year transcript in their portals. Read over each college's instructions carefully. On January 22nd, your updated transcript will be available for you to download in SchooLinks. Click here for Directions on How to Download Your Transcript.

As always, be sure to check both SchooLinks and your college portals to ensure the college has received your mid-year transcript.

Vernon Hills High School offers 11 different scholarships that will be awarded ONLY to graduating VHHS seniors. Apply to one or all scholarships if you meet the eligibility criteria. To learn more about each scholarship and find information on how to apply, visit our VHHS Scholarship Program Guide.

PART 1: Complete ONCE

PART 1 asks general information about you and your high school career. You will complete Part I only once!

PART 2: Complete for EACH Scholarship

PART 2 allows you to select the specific scholarship to which you want to apply. Locate the ones that apply to you and fill out the specific, supplementary information for that scholarship. You can apply to as many scholarships as you like, but you will need to complete PART 2 for each one.

Most scholarships will be announced at the VHHS Honors Day Assembly on May 16, 2025.

We receive information about local scholarships (that have been awarded to VHHS students in the past) from now through the spring. You can find these scholarships highlighted in our VHHS Scholarship Program Guide under the D128 Scholarship Database overview section. Currently, three local Scholarships are featured that select graduating VHHS seniors for awards: the Sports Lodge B'nai B'rith Scholarship, Mundelein-Vernon Hills Rotary Club Scholarship, and Rotary Club Vocational Scholarship! Please note, these are NOT considered VHHS-specific Scholarships as students from other local high schools can apply, and you will need to submit a separate application linked in our Scholarship Guide, plus any required supplemental materials. For details, please see the VHHS Scholarship Program Guide.

Visit the CRC during your free period on January 9 or February 12 for our Snacks & Scholarships days. We'll provide the snacks while you work on your Scholarship applications!

Juniors, we were very impressed with your attendance at our college rep visits last fall, we hope you find these visits helpful as you start thinking about your plans for "life after VHHS." Here are a few other resources available to you:

• Juniors who would like to meet with Mrs. Bellito to talk about anything regarding their plans post-high school should use her online scheduler to book an appointment. Meetings should be scheduled during a free period (lunch or study hall), and parents/trusted adults are welcome to attend.
• CRC Class of 2026 Google Classroom: Make sure that you have joined our classroom (Class code ps6hwvr). We post a lot of information related to college and career planning throughout the year.
• CRC Remind Group: Be sure you receive Remind messages from the CRC by joining our Remind Group. The code to join is @vhhscrc26. Stop by the CRC if you need any help with this.
• SchooLinks: This is our primary college planning software, and it can be a very helpful tool in researching colleges and looking at historical admission data (scattergrams). Students can access SchooLinks via Classlinks, and log in using your school google account. Parents/Guardians were provided with instructions on how to create Guardian Accounts.

All Juniors will take the ACT at school on Thursday, April 10th. VHHS has already registered all Juniors to take this test. If students would like to register to take any additional tests (SAT or ACT), you must register yourself via College Board/SAT or ACT.

Target Audience: Sophomores, Juniors, and their families

(Please note the change of date from originally published information)

As you plan courses for the remainder of your high school career, we encourage you to think about the types of colleges you may apply to. If you already have a college in mind, check their academic requirements to be considered for admission. For example, google "University of Illinois admission requirements" -- you'll find this list.

The University of California and California State are two systems that have very specific academic requirements. If you have ANY interest in applying to a public university in California, your counselors and CRC highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with their admission requirements, especially as it relates to English and fine arts.

For full detail, read over the University of California requirements here and read over the California State University requirements here.

Here are the highlights:

• Students must complete one year of a Visual and Performing art course from the same discipline.

• AP Seminar counts toward the four years of high school English required at any UC or Cal State campus. However, AP Research does not.

• Argument and Debate, Speech, and Journalistic Writing do not meet the English requirement at any of these campuses.

If you are considering applying to a University of California or California State school, let your counselor know this when registering for classes so they can help you best prepare for the application process.

SAVE THE DATE: Stevenson High School will be hosting their 3rd Annual Career/Trades/Military Expo on Wednesday, March 5th, at Stevenson High School, from 4:00 - 6:30 pm.

Join USA Gap Year Fairs, New Trier High School & Oak Park & River Forest High School in-person for the Chicago USA Gap Year Fairs to get the most up to date information about gap year basics, advice for researching & planning your gap year, navigating the college deferral process, gap year program application tips & deadlines. Seniors can earn a bonus point to our annual $5,000 gap year scholarship for attending an event, so don't miss it!

Register now for the Chicago area gap year fairs:

• Fri, Jan 24, 6-8:30 PM at Oak Park & River Forest High School
• Sat, Jan 25, 12-3 PM at New Trier High School

Not able to attend in-person? Explore a full national event schedule of 30+ upcoming in-person gap year fairs and virtual info sessions to learn everything you need to know about taking a gap year or summer program in 2025 and beyond!

Interested in applying to a United States Service Academy? The application process begins in your JUNIOR YEAR. See the VHHS Guide to the United States Service Academies for more information.

Upcoming Military Visits in the Foyer during all lunch periods: Air Force/Space Force on January 8 and April 3, Army on January 15 and April 25 and Coast Guard, Marines & Navy on January 7 and April 14.

For the most up-to-date programming offered by the CRC, visit our Programming Schedule.

STUDENTS: Students looking for jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities can research, favorite and apply for positions through SchooLinks! See Directions for Students on How to Search, Favorite and Apply for Opportunities in SchooLinks.

LOCAL PARTNERS: If you have an opportunity for VHHS Students, please consider posting it in SchooLinks. See Directions for D128 Partners on How to Sign-up for SchooLinks and Post Opportunities.