CRC Connection

The CRC (College & Career Resource Center) Team is excited to welcome everyone back to VHHS for the 2025-2026 school year. The CRC Connection is our monthly newsletter that includes information related to postsecondary planning for all students. A lot of the information shared is geared towards juniors and seniors, but we encourage all students and families to read our newsletters so you don't miss any important college and career programming updates.

Thanks for reading!

Mrs. Bellito and Mrs. Carson

Please look at our CRC Program schedule to learn about upcoming events and college fairs open to VHHS families for the 2025-2026 school year. College fairs are great opportunities for VHHS students and parents to connect with college representatives. One of the first college fairs this fall will be the Lake Forest Academy College Fair on October 7, and VHHS families have been invited to attend. Make sure to look at the individual event pages (linked in the schedule) for details such as time, location, and registration information.

Are you interested in attending a Military Service Academy? Members of Congress may nominate candidates for the U.S. Military Academy (West Point, NY), U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, MD), U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY). The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination.

Rep. Schneider's office is hosting a Service Academy Information Night on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM at New Trier High School in Northfield. This event is for high school students and families interested in applying to a U.S. military service academy. Representatives from each academy will discuss their programs, admissions, and the congressional nomination process. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with academy representatives. Students, parents, guidance counselors, and school officials are welcome.

RSVP Here to attend. Questions? Contact Congressman Schneider's office at (847) 383-4870.

Date: Thursday, September 4

Time: 7:00-8:30 PM

Location: Lake Zurich High School Performing Arts Center

Student-athletes of all grades who aspire to play college sports and their parents are invited to this event, which provides insight into NCAA recruiting and academic requirements. We highly recommend that students considering Division I or II sports attend this program at least once during their high school career. Attendees will learn about the recruiting process and the NCAA eligibility process.

Target Audience: Any VHHS family interested in learning more about paying for college

When: September 9 at 6:00pm

Where: Zoom

Paying for college is a priority and concern for many families. We are once again offering this program for students from LHS, VHHS, and Carmel Catholic High Schools. Our speaker, Jerry Cebrzynski, has worked in financial aid for over 20 years and is one of the best speakers out there on the subject.

Each year the CHOICES Committee presents CHOICES: Postsecondary planning evening for college-bound students with an IEP, 504 plan, Official Accommodations Plan, or history of a disability. For complete details, see the CHOICES website.

Date: Wednesday, September 3

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: VHHS Studio Theater

The CRC will be offering a College Application Info Session on Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:30 p.m. in the VHHS Studio Theater. This presentation will go over the college application process, including information on the logistics of applying to colleges and a general timeline for senior year. All seniors and/or their parents are invited to attend! No registration required.

Counselors will be pushing into senior English classes on Wednesday, August 27th. If you plan to apply to colleges using the Common App, please create your Common App account before August 27. Transcripts will be ready to be sent to colleges starting August 28.

Seniors are able to schedule appointments with Mrs. Bellito and Mrs. Carson by using their online scheduling pages linked below. Be sure to select a meeting time during your lunch or study hall periods--you should not miss class for these meetings. There are different types of appointments you can choose from including 15 minute application question appointments, college essay review appointments, etc. ALSO, remember that the CRC is often open as a drop-in location where seniors are allowed to spend their lunch or study hall periods in the CRC--this is a great chance to work on college apps and ask questions you may have. Essay reviews require an appointment.

Each fall, we host nearly 100 college admission counselors and military reps in the CRC. Juniors and seniors are invited to attend these 45-minute presentations (located in the CRC) when a program of interest is visiting. Meeting with these reps is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about colleges in a small group setting. The admission reps from these schools are often the same people who read applications for admission.

The schedule of rep visits can be found in SchooLinks (use your Google sign-in to log in), in our 2025-26 VHHS College/Military Visit Details, or on the VHHS school calendar (make sure you have the Vernon Hills High School calendar selected on the top left hand side of your screen). Visits start on Wednesday, September 3!

Students must sign up in SchooLinks at least 24 hours ahead of time for each visit they would like to attend (even if it is their lunch/study hall). The process of signing up is pretty simple, but you can find detailed instructions here. Please stop by the CRC with any questions about rep visits and how to sign up in SchooLinks.

**If a rep visit falls during a period you have class, be sure to talk to your teacher ahead of time (at least 24 hours ahead of time) and have them sign a permission slip. Blank permission slips can also be picked up in the CRC.

This Student Volunteer Program provides shadowing and educational opportunities in the healthcare field for Juniors & Seniors (must be 16 or older). The on-line Application is only open on September 2 from 3:30-9:30pm! For more details and to apply, see the Penwasciz Health Careers Program Website.

The Discovery Program is designed for students interested in health care and who may have limited access to opportunities to explore related careers. The program exposes students to a range of healthcare jobs through: tours, guest speakers, group discussion, engaging activities. For more information, eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the NM GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program website. Applications are due by September 29, 2025.

All SENIORS should belong to the CRC VHHS Class of 2026 Remind group and Google Classroom.

• Remind: Be sure you don't miss any messages we send to the class. To join, text @vhhscrc26 to 81010; join in the app with code @vhhscrc26, or click on this link.
• 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.

• All juniors should belong to the CRC VHHS Class of 2027 Remind group to be sure they don't miss any messages we send to the class. To join, text @vhhscrc27 to 81010; join in the app with code @vhhscrc27; or click on this link.
• Every junior should join the CRC Class of 2027 Google Classroom if they haven't already. To join, use code afjcjdp. We use Google Classroom to post announcements and resources related to postsecondary planning.
• Appointments for juniors to meet with Mrs. Bellito will open in January, and instructions for making these appointments will be sent out later in the semester. Juniors are always welcome to stop by the CRC to ask any questions they have, but individual appointments are dedicated to seniors during the busy fall application season.

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.