College and Career Resource Center

Dear Rising Seniors and Parents:
 
As you embark on your senior year and the college process, we wanted to share a few things that will help you stay organized and feel prepared as we head into the next school year.
 
Senior Assembly and Individual Counselor Meetings: - (assembly canceled/combined with parent night due to construction in the auditorium)

All seniors will attend the Senior Assembly on Wednesday August 25 Block 2 followed by an individual appointment with their counselor starting August 26. Students will be given information to help with their post-high school planning. Some of the topics to be discussed include: college application procedures, procedures to request transcripts and letters of recommendation, and scholarships and financial aid. Students will have the opportunity to review their transcripts for errors before transcripts are sent to colleges. For this reason, we will not accept transcript requests until after August 26. Please know that students will not be disadvantaged in the admission process by waiting until early September to send transcripts to colleges. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has a policy that states that colleges must give equal consideration to all applications received by October 15.
 
Standardized Testing: ACT and SAT:
Many colleges have continued to be test-optional for the Class of 2022.  All colleges promise to exercise good judgment as a matter of equity around using ACT/SAT scores during the upcoming admission cycle.  Please feel free to consult the following links for the most current information regarding testing.  In addition, it is important to remember that there is still plenty of time to take fall standardized tests and meet the earliest admissions deadlines at any college or university.  

• Compass Test Prep Resources: Admissions Testing Policies
• SAT
• ACT

 
Summer To Do List:
College Essays:
Summer is a great time to write your college essays or a draft of your college essay!  To find out whether your colleges require essays, check the websites of the colleges where you will be applying. For Common Application schools, find essay prompts on Commonapp.org.  We will have college essay writing tutors ready to read and help with your essays in the TLC starting in September.
 
Teacher and Counselor Letters of Recommendation:
Some, but not all, colleges require one or more teacher and/or counselor recommendation letters, please check your colleges websites to confirm whether you need a letter.  Think of two of your academic teachers from junior year who you would like to ask to write on your behalf and simply email or talk to your teachers to ask them. DO NOT request these letters through the Common App, we will review this process at the Senior Assembly and in your counselor meetings. See the attached document with requirements for the 25 most popular schools for GBS students.
 
Counselors require that you complete the Counselor Letter of Rec Questionnaire and the Parent Brag Sheet found in your counselor’s google classroom or on the “About Me” tab in Naviance before asking for a counselor letter of recommendation. Complete this in the summer to save time in the fall!
 
College Research
With college campuses being closed, we know it has been difficult to learn a lot about different schools.  We recommend registering for virtual info sessions on college websites, doing virtual tours, and perhaps reaching out to our GBS college ambassadors, which are former GBS students who have volunteered to answer questions you might have about their school.  You can find their contact information on Naviance > (scroll to bottom) Document Resources > GBS College Ambassadors.  
 
College Application Organizer:
Use the attached Application Management Chart to track all that will be required by the colleges where you plan to apply.  You can find a college's application requirements on the Admissions section of their website. Most colleges’ online applications will become available over the summer.
 
College Counselor Appointments:
John Klasen and Annie Lesch will continue to be available for meetings with seniors and parents throughout the fall no matter where you are in the process.  These appointments will be available for booking after the Senior Assembly on August 25.  Please book appointments through the GBS website under the College and Career Center or in Naviance.
 
Mark Your Calendars:

• College Admissions Representative Visits to Glenbrook South: August-November 
• Senior Assembly: Wednesday August 25, Block 2
• Common Application Workshop: Friday September 3, 8:00-9:15 am
• Senior College Night for Parents and Students: Wednesday August 25, Zoom
• Senior College Finance Night: Wednesday September 29, Zoom
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Opens: October 1
• FAFSA Completion Night: TBD 
• FAFSA Friday workshops: Individual Appointments October-November, sign-up online
• Priority Deadline and Early Decision/Action Deadline for many schools: November 1
• Senior Parent Coffee: TBD
• Senior Seminar: TBD

Sincerely,
 
John Klasen                                                     Annie Lesch
Director of College Counseling                  College Counselor

Senior Parent Coffee

The Senior Parent Coffee was held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at 8:00am in the Watson Auditorium. Famed attorney and author, C.L. Lindsay, provided humorous and practical advice to keep new college student on the right side of the law. In addition, John Klasen, Director of College Counseling, discussed the transition to life after high school, including the emotional impact this can have on your family. 

Download Supporting Handout - English

Current Programs

Program Archive

Current Programs

Archive Programs

Current Programs

Archive Programs

• Sophomore Parent Night Program - March 19, 2022
• Compass Test Prep - Testing and Test Optional Movement - April 12, 2021

  • Presentation

  • Guide to Admissions Testing

  • Sophomore Exam Planning (not formal test prep)

  • Compass Resource Center

Fall College Visits

• During the fall semester, over 150 colleges and universities visit Glenbrook South High School.  These college visits provide a great opportunity for you to learn more about a particular college within our own building. It is an opportunity for you to learn about a college that you may not have visited, or to ask questions of the admission representative from a college you have already visited. Seniors and Juniors are invited to attend. 
• A comprehensive list of fall college visits is available on Naviance. Students are encouraged to check this site regularly for additions and updates. College visits will also be posted outside the College Resource Center, read during daily announcements and sent home through School Messenger.

College Visit Procedures

• Visits are scheduled during the first half of each block. Allow approximately 45 minutes per visit. Students must return to their scheduled class at the conclusion of the visit.
• Please register for a college visit in Naviance when possible. 
• In order to be excused from a class, it is expected that you obtain a gold pass from the College and Career Center (at least one day in advance of the meeting) and obtain a signature from the teacher of the class you’ll be missing. Please bring that pass to the college visit where a college host will sign off that you attended the visit. 
• A GBS parent volunteer and the college representative will greet you at the visit. You must sign the attendance sheet when you arrive at the college visit. The Attendance Office will receive a copy of this sheet to verify your presence. 
• Please be respectful at the college visit. Students who are not courteous and respectful, will not be allowed to attend future visits.

• College of DuPage
• College of Lake County
• Harper Community College
• Oakton Community College
• Parkland Community College
• Triton College

The following guidelines will help assure that Seniors complete all steps in the college application process.

• Make yourself aware of your college application deadlines and submit early--especially when applying to state universities.
• Every senior will have an individual zoom appointment with their counselor this fall to check in on where they are in the process, and to review the college application process. Your counselor will contact you to schedule these appointments.
• Transcript Request Forms will be available in your counselor’s Google Classroom within the first few weeks of school.
• Go to each college's Admission page to find the online application and/or go to the Common Application website.
• Complete each application online and be sure to proofread it before submitting.
• Test scores do not appear on transcripts.  If you did not already do so, you should send your ACT scores  and SAT scores to your colleges. Scores must be received by each college's deadline in order for your file to be complete.
• Only ask for a letter of recommendation from your Counselor or Teacher if your school requires or suggests it, or if you need to explain an unusual circumstance.
• If requesting a Counselor Recommendation, complete the Recommendation Survey in Naviance and allow 15 school days for completion.
• If you need a Teacher Recommendation, make an appointment with your Teacher and also allow at least 15 school days for completion.
• If your college requires a Midyear Transcript, Midyear Request Forms will be available in your counselor’s Google Classroom after winter break.

Email your Counselor, Mr. Klasen, Mrs. Lesch or Mrs. Swanson in the College & Career Center if you have any questions or need assistance with this process. We’re glad to help!
 
College Application Deadlines
 

College counselors are available for either first time meetings with Seniors or follow up meetings with students and parents for a more in depth discussion about your list of schools and finding the right fit school for your student.  If you are interested in booking a Senior appointment, you can use this link College Counseling - Online scheduling or find the link in Naviance. Appointments will be in person unless otherwise requested.

Juniors will be able to meet with College Counselors late fall.