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Postsecondary Planning Guide Home
Postsecondary Planning Guide
This resource intended for ALL LPHS students grades 9-12 and is your place for all things researching your postsecondary options: college (2 year, 4 year), the military, trades, workforce. There also is information on career exploration (assessments, interviews, etc.)
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Lake Park students will be supported to discover their own unique interests and strengths with regards to pursuing a career and corresponding preparation path. In conjunction with the counseling department, the Career and College Center will work with students to expose them to opportunities and information for their individual path.
SchooLinks is a tool students can use to discover their interests and strengths, explore colleges and careers, and create a personal graduation plan that best reflects their post-secondary goals. SchooLinks is accessible to all Lake Park High School students and their parents.If a student is unsure what career path to choose, here are some additional career resources.
U.S. Department of Labor Resources
WorkNet Resources
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Prospective College Athletes College Planning Request Forms
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SchooLinks
SchooLinks is Lake Park's college and career planning platform. As part of the PaCE Framework, students will use SchooLinks each year to explore interests, research career pathways, and take the next steps in their post-secondary planning journey. Each student has individual access to SchooLinks. Click here to login into SchooLinks. Students at each grade level will complete assessments and log experiences through SchooLinks. Parents also have access to SchooLinks to view their student's progress. This should be all students' first stop in their college and career planning!
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College Planning Timelines:
Below are links to sample timelines from the College Board to help guide you in your college planning:
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College Planning for Freshmen and Sophomores:
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Click here to see a presentation about factors in choosing a college to apply to. It is a great starting point for our underclassmen!
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Local College and University Information
Information about the twelve public universities in Illinois:
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College Search Information
The following are websites that provide information and resources for the college search process. This is not an exhaustive list, but can help get you started:-
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Lake Park's post-secondary planning tool. ALL students will use SchooLinks, and counselors will meet with each grade level for post-secondary planning lessons each year.
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A lot of great resources for college and financial aid
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This link is a list of colleges that are "need-blind" in the admission process.
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Discover schools, understand your chances for admission, and get personalized guidance for every step of the admissions process.
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The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has a wide variety of college research and financial aid resources.
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Lake Park has our own ISAC representative who comes to the College & Career Center to assist students with their post-secondary planning.
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Chicago Area Regional Representatives (CARR)
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CARR has many useful videos for both juniors and seniors regarding the college search process.
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With numerous lucrative and growing careers in the trades, many students are choosing to pursue this post-secondary route. Below are some links that provide resources for further exploration.
Descriptions of different Trades Here:
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Apprenticeships
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CISCO Apprenticeship Guide Find the apprenticeship and locale of your interest. Call to discuss what the work entails, what are the wages and to set up a tour. This is a good way to start the networking process!
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Apprenticeship Website- A one-stop source to connect career seekers, employers, and education partners with apprenticeship resources.
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Project Hire-Ed
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Trades
Lake Park High School supports all students in their pursuit of the career that is the best fit for them. Each year, Lake Park West Campus hosts Trade Careers Convention. This event hosts numerous representatives from various trades as they come to speak to our junior and senior students about requirements for these careers, job outlook, and provides students the opportunity to connect with employers. Check the school calendar and SchooLinks events page for more details!
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Interested in the military? LP will be administering the ASVAB in the Spring of 2026. Check your email for details!
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the self-paced entry exam students need to complete and pass in order to be considered for the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, or the Reserves.
The military has many different options for students after high school to serve their country. See the resources below for more informationMilitary Contact Information and Visit Schedule
U.S. Department of Defense
Today’s Military
This website has an extensive amount of information on all of the military branches. Some popular links are below:Interested in the ROTC Program?
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For students looking to enter the workforce directly after graduating from Lake Park, below are some resources to assist in finding opportunities and direction.
U.S. Department of Labor Resources
WorkNet Resources
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Resources
Choices Fair
The Choices website is a wealth of information on post-secondary planning for students with disabilities and their families. Each fall, a regional post-secondary planning night is held for students with learning differences/disabilities/special needs who are college bound.-
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The 2024 Choices Fair will be held on October 8, 2024 at Niles North High School.
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Options Fair
The Options Fair was established to offer students with special needs and their families an opportunity to meet with colleges and universities as well as agencies that can provide services after high school.-
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The 2024 Options Fair will be held on October 16, 2024 at Glenbard North High School.
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llinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Support
Any person, at any age, with a disability or suspected disability, can contact IDHS for educational and/or career support. Eligible high school students may be able to receive funding assistance for post-secondary education at technical/trade schools and 2 year and 4 year colleges/universities. The forms below provide additional information regarding this process and it is recommended that all inquiries be directed to:
Ms. Michele L. Cave, M.S.
Senior Rehabilitation Counselor
VR Transition, District 620
2901 Finley Rd., Suite #109
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Michele.Cave@illinois.gov
(630) 495-0500 main
(630) 495-0719 direct
(630) 495-4841 fax
IDHS: Office Locator
Accessing Illinois Department of Human Services Support
IDHS Consent for Services Form
IDHS Release of Information -
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Illinois Association For College Admission Counseling (IACAC)
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BigFuture
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Other Resources
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The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
The ISAC provides free assistance to students and families regarding college admissions/applications, financial aid (including individualized assistance for the FAFSA and Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid), scholarships, and other related processes. See the ISAC page on this website for more details.
ISAC provides assistance in Spanish in several ways:-
Spanish speaking ISACorps
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Text message
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Text your first and last name to 630-216-4910 or 773-823-0570
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Message and data fees/rates may be applicable.
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Users of the text messaging assistance service will also receive important information and reminders about the college planning and financial aid processes
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Call Center (800) 899-ISAC (4722).
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Lake Park's CCC in conjunction with the counseling department is committed to providing our first-generation students with the highest level of support.
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First-Generation students are identified each year and invited to join Lancers First. Lancers First is a monthly group run by grade level counselors and the College and Career Counselor at each campus. The focus of the group is to provide tier two college and career services to students who would be the first in their families to graduate from college.
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For additional first-generation resources please visit the I'm First website I'm First provides students who lack a family history of higher education with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college.
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