During this year of new experiences, we encourage students to focus on exploring this newness—academically, socially, and emotionally. During Freshman Retreat, students are introduced to LabSTART—a guideline to making the most of freshman year and in turn, their U-High experience by understanding the importance of their Story, Transcript, Activities, Relationships, and Talents. 

Tenth grade provides a great opportunity to expand on interests and activities that students discovered in ninth grade or try new activities that they find intriguing. College related assessments (PSAT and a practice ACT) are offered to introduce students to standardized tests for college. College counselors partner with the school counselor assigned to the student’s advisory group and are available for inquiries about course selection, testing, and other general concerns. 

The junior year marks the formal beginning of the college process. Students are notified of their assigned college counselor in early fall, and can begin informal meetings after November 1. They are also invited to meet with college representatives visiting U-High during their free periods. The work begins in earnest during second semester with participation in Junior College Workshop, a weekly class that focuses on various aspects of the college search process, including (but not limited to):

• Taking a personal inventory of strengths, achievements, values, and goals
• Various methods for researching colleges
• Reflective writing and communication skills
• Financing college
• Teacher recommendations
• Making the most of the college visit
• Interviewing

The year culminates with a Common Application Workshop that gives students a head start on completing their Common Application and essay writing. 
 

Seniors are fully engaged and are empowered to take the lead in their college application process. The year begins with an intensive College Essay Workshop run by the U-High Writer’s Center. This work continues through regular meetings with their college counselor and attendance in Senior College Workshop, which shifts its focus to the following topics:

• Application details and deadlines
• Interviewing
• Submitting college applications 
• Financial aid applications and processes
• Self-advocacy, receiving college decisions, and next steps

Seniors may meet with college representatives visiting U-High during class with the teachers’ permission. College counselors continue their partnership with students and families in finalizing their college list, proofreading applications and essays, developing application plans, assisting with scholarship searches, and calming anxiety about the process. Our ultimate goal is to assist students in determining the best post-secondary option that fits not only who they are now, but who they wish to become.
 

• Senior Parent Night, fall
• Financial Aid Program, fall
• Senior Parent Coffee Klatch, fall
• Standardized Testing for the Class of 2023, fall
• Sending Your Kid Off to College, spring
   

• Junior Parent College Night, fall 
• PSAT, fall
• Financial Aid Program, fall
• College Entrance Exams for grades 9–11, fall
• Junior Parent/Guardians Coffee Klatches, spring
• An Evening with Deans and Directors, spring

• Grade 10 Parent Night, winter
• College Entrance Exams for grades 9–11, fall
• Financial Aid Program, fall
   

• LabSTART Introduction, fall
• Grade 9 Parent Night, winter
• Financial Aid Night, fall
   

We have curated this group using our Schoology platform to serve as a key resource for the Class of 2023 parents and guardians. Here we share information about the college application process, recordings of virtual programming, information on internships and summer programs and more. Parents and guardians are asked to reach out to our administrative assistant Jeannie Grbavac at jgrbava@ucls.uchicago.edu for access. 

This group will be made available to Class of 2024 parents and guardians after our formal kick-off (College Night for Junior Parents and Guardians in November).

Below you will find links to the more popular application platforms that allow students to apply to multiple colleges and universities with just application. Students are encouraged to check each colleges website to determine if they use a shared application or one of their own. 

• The Common Application
• The University of California Application
• The Coalition for College Access
   

• Big Future (College Board)
• Cappex
• College Majors 101
• College Navigator

• Detailed information about the financial aid process and the forms required can be found at Federal Student Aid and College Board. 
• Scholarship databases
  • Fastweb
  • Finaid
  • Cappex
  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission