Depaul University in Chicago gives applicants the option to write an essay rather than submit ACT/SAT scores. However, it is to your advantage to submit your ACT scores if it is a solid score that supports your GPA. If you are not a good test taker, it would be better to write the essay. Counselor report needed for online application. CA requires the Secondary School Report, Mid-Year and Final Report. Recommendations are not required. Test Scores from SVHS are OK. They do not superscore. The writing portion is not required.

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign does not require official school transcripts. High School grades are self-reported on the application. Admission is offered or denied based on self-reported grades. If the final transcript after graduation shows different grades, admission can be withdrawn. MAKE SURE YOUR SELF-REPORTED GRADES ARE ACCURATE. PLEASE COMPLETE A TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM ANYWAY SO WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE APPLIED TO THIS SCHOOL.

This is important - When taking the ACT/SAT tests, you must send your official test scores to Saint Viator High School to avoid possible loss of scholarships and/or awards. SVHS must have official ACT scores for students to be considered as an Illinois State Scholar.

Be sure to investigate the College Campus and Off-Site Visit Web page (link below) for information on Open House and college visit opportunities. The information sessions that are listed will give you a chance to explore a diverse selection of colleges and universities.

Scholarship Searches

Go to www.saintviator.com; Go to Student life and click on Counseling/College info; Click on College and Career; Scroll down to College Scholarship/Financial Aid information; Click on Local and National Scholarships (check every couple of weeks as Mrs. Smith updates them as they come in); Click on FastWeb and Scholarships.com and sign up for these scholarship search sites; Click on FAFSA if you and your parents would like to begin to fill out this application. Remind parents to do their taxes as early as possible this year so you can get this information to colleges ASAP. Come see me if you need any additional information – parents may also call, e-mail or make an appointment.

Choosing a Major

Use Naviance – type in any college and click on Majors and Degrees for a list of what each school offers. You can also go directly to the college website or do a college search and look for colleges that offer a certain major.

Click on Careers and explore Careers and Clusters, Personality Type and/or Career Interest Profiler to get to know yourself better and what career might be a good match for you.

Any questions? As always feel free to come see Mrs. Duggan.

Go to the Career Information link on the Counseling Office Web page (link below) to learn detailed information about specific careers that have been featured by The College Board. Learn what the career entails, what skill set is needed and what classes will be helpful. Career information is changed frequently so visit the site often.

The NCAA Eligibility Center has unveiled a new student-athlete Web site and registration process for college-bound student-athletes planning to enroll in the fall. The revised Web address is www.eligibilitycenter.org. There is a link below. The Eligibility Center feels that this new environment will aid you in easily accessing the vital information needed to assist your student-athletes and parents with the registration and academic and amateurism certification process.

Financial Consultants whose business it is to help with college financial planning. These are services that have various pricing packages.

Jaeger, Daly & Company, Susan H. Daly, Ltd., 6N513 Pine Street, Bensenville, IL 60106-1231, 630.860.1358, www.collegeplanners.com, www.susanhdalyltd.com

AXA Advisors, LLC Carol Dunderdale 1751 Lake Cook Road Deerfield, IL 60015 224.554.8087 carol.dunderdale@axa-advisors.com

Reducing College Costs David Charlow 917.921.1910 dcharlow@reducingcollegecosts.com