On Thursday, February 12, Schaumburg High School hosted College Planning Night for the Class of 2027 as part of the SHS Parent Academy series. The event helped juniors and their families understand what steps to take at this point in the school year to prepare for postsecondary plans.
The session focused on both two-year and four-year college options, offering guidance on the admissions process, academic planning, and other important considerations. College admissions representatives from the University of Illinois Chicago, DePaul University, and Harper College presented alongside SHS Postsecondary Counselor Ms. Akiyoshi, sharing insights and answering questions from attendees.
The event, which did not require registration, provided a convenient and informative opportunity for students and families to get ahead in the college planning process. Juniors left the session with a clearer understanding of next steps for exploring higher education and preparing for the future.
Throughout the school year, counselors provide large-group lessons covering topics related to postsecondary planning. Currently, counselors are visiting U.S. History classrooms to present information to juniors from a financial planning perspective.
In addition to counselor-led lessons, students are guided in exploring personal, academic, and financial fit to help them develop a well-rounded list of colleges they may wish to apply to. Finding the right match can involve many nuances, as each student’s goals, interests, and life experiences are unique.
With more than 4,000 colleges and universities across the United States, individualized meetings with counselors play an important role in helping students navigate the process. These conversations, combined with college search tools available through MaiaLearning, support students in making informed and personalized postsecondary decisions.
At this stage, there are limited financial aid actions students and families need to complete beyond having open conversations about financial fit and affordability. Scholarship opportunities for juniors are also relatively limited. The formal financial aid process begins during senior year, when students complete the FAFSA or the Alternative Application, both of which are graduation requirements in the state of Illinois.
“We really encourage students to attend any postsecondary events held at SHS or by the district, and we encourage them to meet with their counselor to begin those conversations if they haven’t already,” said Ms. Akiyoshi.
At this point in the school year, juniors are encouraged to begin actively researching their postsecondary plans so they can finalize decisions before summer break. Students considering a two-year or four-year college pathway should focus on identifying schools that align with their personal, academic, and financial goals.
Recommended steps include building a “Considering List” through MaiaLearning, visiting college campuses when possible, and attending College Night on March 5 at PHS to learn more about admissions and planning for life after high school.
All postsecondary planning resources are available through MaiaLearning, a college and career platform accessible to every student. Through MaiaLearning, students can explore potential careers, complete character assessments to better understand how their interests and personalities connect to future pathways, research colleges and universities in the United States and internationally, and search for scholarship opportunities.
The platform’s Resources tab also includes many of the tools counselors use when working with students, making it a valuable place for students to explore additional guidance and support independently.