College-Career Center

A combination of extensive programming and individual appointments with our counselors provides students and families with current information on career exploration, college selection, application, and the financial aid process. School counselors work closely with Warren Township High School’s post-secondary counselors to provide students every advantage in the college application process. Additionally, the academic and personal/social development of all students is addressed through the student services teams.

WTHS utilizes SchooLinks to deliver an in-depth exploratory research tool to plan for their life after high school.  To preview the benefits of SchooLinks, watch this introductory video.  For students to access, click log-in with Google.  To preview the highlights, view this onboarding introduction. 

CEEB Code: 142-175  

Almond Campus Post-Secondary Counselor (Mrs. Carri McGahan)

• Students/Families may make an appointment during their free period or email Mrs. McGahan directly. 
• 847.548.6709

O'Plaine Campus Post-Secondary Counselor (Ms. Trini Hartley)

• Students/Families may email Ms. Hartley directly or fill our a virtual appointment request form.
• 847.599.4532

Applying to College FAQS

Applying to the College of Lake County

Transcripts for College Application for Current WTHS Students

Letters of Recommendation

College Essay Writing

Financial Aid Information

Scholarship Information

Senior College and Financial Aid FAQs

SAT/ACT Information

Senior Financial Aid Application Graduation Requirement

The State of Illinois is now requiring all graduation candidates to submit either a FAFSA, Illinois Alternative Application or a Non-Participation Waiver in order to graduate from an Illinois Public High School. Click HERE for information in English or HERE for information in Spanish. 

At WTHS Visits for Students

On-Campus College Visits for Students

College Reps to Book a Visit with WTHS

What do you want to do after you graduate from high school? What is your intended career goal? These questions can be overwhelming to think about while simultaneously juggling your high school courses. Believe it or not though, you are not alone if you don't know where to begin your career or college search. Take a deep breath, it's going to be ok! Click here for tips to get started with your career exploration. PLUS, we are here to help! 

Local Job Opportunities

Work Permit Info

Local Apprenticeships, Internships and Trade Schools

Career Resources

ASVAB Career Exploration Program
 

SchooLinks

SchooLinks Resource Folder

Post-High School Planning Guide

Here are suggestions of how to make the most of your freshman year: 

1. Be on track to graduate! Pass at least 5 classes per semester. 
2. Meet with your counselor to review your four-year plan.
3. Achieve the GPA necessary to open doors for your future career/post-secondary goals.
4. Get involved! Join a club or sport.
5. Know who is on your Support Team—your counselor, dean, and social worker.
6. Access your account in Schoolinks. Complete the Onboarding process when you first log-in.  Complete the Find Your Path and the other Assessments in Activities to begin exploring career and educational options.
7. Visit the College and Career Center in Room 258 at O’Plaine to meet with Ms. Hartley and get acquainted with resources and think about what appeals to you. 
8. Sign-up to attend a College and Career Center presentation or career workshop. 
9. Sign-up to meet with college admission representatives during their visit to our O’Plaine Campus.  See the complete list of college visits and upcoming workshops in Schoolinks under Events. 
10. Document your accomplishments/activities on Schoolink’s My Profile/Resume in the “Careers” section.
11. Attend Exploring Your Options Night on February 27 and/or Camino a College on February 6.
12. Take the Practice ACT  in April.   Create your ACT account on www.act.org.  Work through additional test prep as needed. 

Here are suggestions of how to make the most of your sophomore year: 

1. Be on track to graduate! Accumulate at least 10 credits by the end of sophomore year.
2. Maintain a GPA in line with your career/post-secondary goals.
3. Get involved! Attend a sporting event, dance, play, or concert.
4. Meet with your counselor to review your four-year plan making adjustments to coincide with your post-high school plans.
5. Attend Navigating College Admissions Test presentation on October 1.
6. Take the FREE Practice, Virtual ACT on November 9.
7. Attend Sophomore College Planning Night on January 23 and/or Camino a College on February 6.
8. Visit the College and Career Center.  Sign-up to meet with college admission representatives during their visit to our O’Plaine Campus.  See the complete list of college visits and upcoming workshops in SchooLinks under Events.
9. Sign-up to attend a presentation or career workshop.   
10. Find a community service or volunteer activity that suits you.
11. Update your Career Goal in SchooLinks to assess which career reflects your interests.
12. Learn about Tech Campus options available during your junior year.
13. Understand what your grades and classes are on your  transcript and how to calculate your GPA.
14. Take the practice ACT with Warren in April.  Make sure your scores align with your future goals and aspirations.
15. Explore summer program opportunities at colleges or universities to enrich your experiences.
16. Take opportunities for early college visits—either formally or informally.

Here are suggestions of how to make the most of your junior year: 

FALL

1. Be on track to graduate! Accumulate at least 15 credits by the end of your Junior year. 
2. Know who your support team is at Almond--counselor, dean and social worker. 
3. Meet with your counselor to review your four-year plan making adjustments to coincide with your post-high school plans. 
4. Explore dual credit opportunities.
5. Sign-up in SchooLinks under Events to meet with college admission representatives during their visit to WTHS.
6. Attend the College Admissions Tests Presentation on 10/1.
7. Attend the NACAC Chicago College Fair on 10/5 or in Milwaukee on 10/6.   View the  NACAC Virtual College Fairs.
8. Take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test on Tuesday, October 15th. This is strongly encouraged for all college bound juniors and necessary for anyone wishing National Merit recognition.
9. Attend the IACAC Illinois Regional College Fair at College of Lake County on October 17
10. Sign into SchooLinks and add colleges to “Favorites and Lists” in the Colleges section.
11. Visit colleges in person when you are able.
12. Attend Junior College Planning Night on Thursday, November 7.
13. Take the FREE, virtual Practice ACT on November 9.
14. Attend Skilled Trades Fair on November 15. 

WINTER

1. Start your post-high school planning in earnest. A good first step is to meet with your counselor and review your strengths and interests, your academic plan, and your current record. 
2. Register carefully for your senior year courses, making sure that you will have the necessary college admission requirements for colleges you are interested in. 
3. Research colleges using SchooLinks the College and Career Center, talking with college representatives, and asking colleges to send you information.

SPRING

1. Discuss college costs with your family to begin to research financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
2. Take the ACT Test in April. 
3. Consider taking the ACT or possibly SAT again.
4. If you are considering ROTC or a service academy, contact the appropriate persons so that you are doing the preliminary parts of the application.
5. Attend your junior spring seminar about the college search, ACT test and building your holistic application.
6. Utilize SchooLinks to search and build a list of colleges that meet your criteria and pique your interest.  Note their application deadlines and testing requirements.
7. Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center if you plan to participate in a Division I or II sport in college. 
8. Visit colleges you are interested in the spring or summer.

Here are suggestions of how to make the most of your senior year: 

Fall

1. Be on track to graduate! Complete all necessary graduation requirements. 
2. Attend the College Application Kick-Off presentation on August 22 to learn about the application process with your parents, if possible.
3. Re-take the ACT or SAT if necessary.  If required, request test scores to be sent to the colleges you are applying to.
4. Sign-up in SchooLinks under Events to meet with college admission representatives during their visit to WTHS.
5. Make an appointment to see your counselor.  Review your credits, college entrance requirements, and college choices.  Talk about the application process and the counselor and/or teacher recommendations. If needed, complete the "Brag Sheet" in SchooLinks.
6. If needed, contact teachers, coaches, or advisors directly about letters or recommendations.
7. Develop a resume which includes any extracurricular involement, leadership, and/or community service. 
8. Sign-up in SchooLinks under Events to attend helpful, senior specific workshops in the College and Career Center.
9. On Thursday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m., attend the Financing Your College Education at WTHS O’Plaine   Auditorium.
10. Fill out the FAFSA if you plan to apply for need-based financial aid.
11. Attend the FAFSA Completion Evening Workshops for parents & students, if needed on December 5,                   December 12th, January 9th,  January 16th or February 13th.
12. Complete the CSS Profile (financial aid) if your college choices require it.
13. Attend the NACAC Performing Arts College Fair at the UIC Forum with your parents, if possible.
14. Attend the NACAC Chicago National College Fair on 10/5 or the Milwaukee National College Fair on 10/6 with your parents, if possible. 
15. Attend the IACAC Illinois Regional College Fair at College of Lake County on October 17.  Firm up your alternatives.
16. Come to the College & Career Center to get help with your applications, if needed.
17. Check out scholarship opportunities in SchooLinks under the Finances (Scholarships Matching).
18. Complete applications and essays. See your counselor or post-secondary counselor about any questions you have about the application process.
19. Check application deadlines and meet those deadlines.  Remember that most college applications are submitted prior to winter break, and that counselors need requests for recommendations at least two weeks before the application deadline.  The University of Illinois priority deadline is in November 1st.  Many other colleges have early deadlines as well.
20. Add the colleges you are applying to in SchooLinks under College Applications. Click here for directions.

Winter

1. Submit the final applications.
2. Stay focused on your academic work while you wait for acceptance letters.
3. Update your application statuses of all college responses in SchooLinks (accepted, not accepted, wait listed, withdrawn and final decision) and all scholarship offers.
4. Request mid-year reports be sent to the colleges that require them.  Stay in constant communication with your counselor and keep them updated with documents you need.
5. Strive for leadership opportunities within your extracurriculars. 
6. Attend the Local Scholarship Workshop for Seniors on February 7.  Applications are due back by March 7.
7. Pay attention and if qualified, apply for the numerous local, state and national scholarship opportunities through SchooLinks or in the CCC.

Spring

1. Make final campus visits if needed.
2. Send in confirmation and the housing deposit to the college you decide to attend.
3. Notify colleges of your decision to attend or not attend.  Note: the National Candidate Reply date is May 1.
4. Notify your counselor of your plans and complete the graduation survey through SchooLinks.
5. Notate in SchooLinks to the college you plan to enroll at.
6. Submit job/college/military applications and final documents as needed. 
7.  Update your email in SchooLinks to continue using the platform after graduation as an Alumni. 

After graduation

1. If you need an additional transcript to be sent to a transfer college after your high school graduation, you will need to create a Parchment account to request one. For additional information about this process, click here.  Questions? Contact our  Registrar at jsalmi@wths.net or 847-548-6740.
2. Your Schoolinks will be accessible by students after graduation as long as you update your preferred email.