remove_red_eye 2.2K
page background

Scout Destinations Winter 2025 ☃️

Scout Destinations Winter 2025 ☃️
Scout DestinationsWinter 2025 ☃️

Winter 2025 Winter 2025

The Lake Forest High School Educational Services team is proud to share the Winter 2025 edition of Scout Destinations. This edition has numerous articles with current information and advice for families navigating the college admissions landscape and post-secondary planning. Our counselors highlight some schools worth a look, and important upcoming events. Additionally, this edition introduces the See It To Be It career exploration opportunities we have offered this year.


We always welcome reader feedback. You can share comments with Dr. Patrick Sassen, Associate Principal of Educational Services (psassen@lfschools.net).

In this Issue

  • In the News
  • Schools Worth a Look
    • Florida Institute of Technology

    • Creighton University

    • Ohio University

  • Upcoming Dates
  • Nuts and Bolts
  • See It To Be It Career Clusters Field Trips

In the News In the News

Latest Common App Trends Show The Future Of Selective College Admissions

Latest Common App Trends Show The Future Of Selective College Admissions

For students and families navigating this process, understanding these trends is critical.

launch forbes.com
How to Build a Strong Student Profile for College Admissions

How to Build a Strong Student Profile for College Admissions

In today's college admissions landscape, you need more than just good grades to set yourself apart - you need a strong student profile.

launch ivywise.com
6 Things Students Need Before They Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

6 Things Students Need Before They Fill Out the FAFSA® Form

Ready to complete your FAFSA form? Make sure you have a StudentAid.gov account, tax and assets information, and a list of the schools you might attend.

launch studentaid.gov
Why You Should Fill Out the FAFSA Even if You Think You Won't Qualify

Why You Should Fill Out the FAFSA Even if You Think You Won't Qualify

Don't pay full sticker price for college. Fill out the FAFSA even if you think you won't qualify for aid. Click here to see why!

launch collegeraptor.com
10 College Application Mistakes to Avoid

10 College Application Mistakes to Avoid

College application mistakes can hurt your admissions chances. Here are 10 college application mistakes students need to avoid.

launch ivywise.com
Deferred? 5 Things You Need to Know This Year

Deferred? 5 Things You Need to Know This Year

While being deferred can feel like a setback in the moment, it can be a catalyst for ultimate success in the college application process if you take strategic action quickly.

launch toptieradmissions.com
How to Write a Great Letter of Continued Interest

How to Write a Great Letter of Continued Interest

Being waitlisted or deferred isn't the end of the world. In this step-by-step guide, learn how to write a letter of continued interest with examples.

launch collegeessayguy.com
Class of 2027 Early Admission Rates

Class of 2027 Early Admission Rates

The first members of the college Class of 2027 are in! Here's our breakdown of the early admission numbers for the Class of 2027.

launch ivywise.com
Skilled Trade Jobs Expected to Rise and Fall in 2025: What Job Seekers Should Know

Skilled Trade Jobs Expected to Rise and Fall in 2025: What Job Seekers Should Know

As we look ahead to 2025, the skilled trades job market continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, infrastructure development, and shifts in energy production.

launch gillmannservices.com

Schools Worth a Look Schools Worth a Look

Florida Institute of Technology

Location: Melbourne, Florida

Size: Small (3,000 undergraduate students)

School Type: Private

Acceptance Rate: 64%

Average Accepted ACT Range: 22 to 28 or (Test-Optional)

Popular Majors: Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautics/Aviation Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Air Transportation, Astronomy/Astrophysics

Net Price: Approximately $31,000

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 98%
Florida Tech | The College Tour | Season 10

Creighton University

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Size: Medium (4,200 undergraduate students)

School Type: Private

Acceptance Rate: 76%

Average Accepted ACT Range: 27 to 32 or (Test-Optional)

Popular Majors: Nursing, Finance, Biology, Management Sciences/Information Systems, Marketing, Research/Experimental Psychology, Exercise Physiology, Business

Net Price: Approximately $33,000

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%
Choosing a college? Why you should consider Creighton.

Ohio University

Location: Athens, OH

Size: Medium/Large (15,000 undergraduate students)

School Type: Public

Acceptance Rate: 87%

Average Accepted ACT Range: 22 to 27 or (Test-Optional)

Popular Majors: Nursing, Communications, Liberal Arts/Humanities, Business, Psychology, Business Analytics, Marketing, Zoology

Net Price: Approximately $20,000

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 98%
The College Tour ~ Ohio University Athens Campus

Upcoming Dates Upcoming Dates

  • Course Registration: January 21- February 28


  • Gap Year Fair: January 25 at New Trier High School. See below for more information.


  • FAFSA Completion Workshops, Virtual or In-Person

    • Virtual Appointments: Schedule an individual appointment with Carlos Morales, our ISAC FAFSA expert.

    • In-Person at LFHS: January 23 from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (Drop in, no appointments needed).


  • Junior Family College Meetings - March & April: Counselors will make appointments to meet with juniors and parents to discuss the college exploration and application process.

  • ACT Test- Freshmen through juniors will take the ACT on April 8. Details will be emailed to parents before that date.

Nuts and Bolts Nuts and Bolts

Deferrals

A deferral means that a college is still considering a student for admission, and the student’s application will be reviewed again in the regular admission pool. Colleges typically request seventh-semester grades as part of their admission decision. Some colleges will take additional information during the deferral period, including new extracurricular involvement or awards. Be aware of any information that your college(s) will accept, and be sure to send it in a timely manner.


Mid-Year Transcripts

Seventh-semester transcripts are automatically sent to the colleges seniors have applied to and previously requested transcripts for. Seniors are reminded to check their email and portals in the event colleges request additional information from them.


Financial Aid

Senior families needing financial assistance to offset the cost of college tuition and room and board need to complete the FAFSA form online. Some colleges also request the CSS Profile, which gathers different financial information than the FAFSA. Check each college’s financial aid page to determine what information is needed. The counseling department is offering some FAFSA completion workshop dates, both virtual and in person. See the “Upcoming Dates” above for more information.


Click HERE For Helpful FAFSA Tips


It is a graduation requirement in the State of Illinois that all senior families either complete the FAFSA or an opt-out form. If your family will NOT be filing the FAFSA form, you must complete the opt-out form.


Registering for ACT/SAT Tests

Juniors will take the ACT on April 8 as part of their school day and are automatically registered for this test. The ACT is a graduation requirement. Students who wish to take additional ACT or SATs on a national Saturday test day must register directly through the ACT or College Board (SAT) website. Test dates are found on the websites as well.


Gap Year Fair

New Trier High School hosts an annual Gap Year Fair. This year’s fair will be held on January 25 from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. More information about the fair and various gap year options can be found here.


Registration for Senior Year

Counselors will meet with current juniors starting January 21 to register them for senior-year classes. Students and parents will receive an email prior to this with class recommendations and other pertinent information. Students are reminded to think about balance with their class schedules as they consider outside activities and postsecondary plans.

See It To Be It Career Clusters Field Trips See It To Be It Career Clusters Field Trips

Law - The Dirksen Federal Building Law - The Dirksen Federal Building

The Law Honors and Law (Dual Credit) classes visited the Dirksen Federal Building to see live court proceedings, meet the Assistant State's Attorney, a Magistrate judge and other legal professionals who work downtown in our Federal system.

zoom_out_map
zoom_out_map

Marketing - SalesForce Inc. Marketing - SalesForce Inc.

One of our Business Incubator mentors hosted students in the Business Accelerator program down at Salesforce Chicago for a day-long experience where they met with VPs of Sales, Marketing, Event Planning and more. The students were able to pitch their business ideas and work through the "pain points" they are facing with professionals. They also learned from sales trainers who shared their pathways as well as insights into how relationships are built through the sales process.

zoom_out_map
zoom_out_map
zoom_out_map
zoom_out_map

Business - Reynolds Consumer Products Business - Reynolds Consumer Products

One of our local Fortune 500 companies, Reynolds Consumer Products, hosted selected juniors that are part of the Business Incubator class to meet the retiring and incoming CEOs as well as VPs of Sales and Marketing. The executives walked the students through the product development cycle and gave insights on how they bring new products to market.

zoom_out_map
zoom_out_map

The 4th Annual Alumni Panel The 4th Annual Alumni Panel

Several recent LFHS graduates returned to share their insights and advice with current seniors on topics such as college life, career satisfaction, and maintaining balance in a fast-paced world.


Special thanks to LFHS Educational Services and the APT for organizing this meaningful opportunity to connect our students with alumni!

College of Lake County Tech Campus Visit College of Lake County Tech Campus Visit

zoom_out_map

LFHS Students Touring Construction Classroom at Tech Campus

zoom_out_map

LFHS Students Touring Welding Classroom at Tech Campus

College and Career Counseling
Lake Forest High School

Visit our Website

Loading indicator

close
Powered by