Hot Topics in College Admissions

Back by popular demand, and now our keynote session. This year you can enjoy breakfast while listening to our panel of experts discuss the latest trends in the college admissions process. Join Stacey Kostell, Director of Admission at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Tony Bankston, Director of Admission at Illinois Wesleyan University, and Jon Boeckenstedt, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at DePaul University for an up-to-date assessment of this year’s hottest discussions.

Maximum Academic Counseling for Major Success in Engineering, Business and Healthcare

Have you often wondered what a student needs to do in high school to get into that intense Engineering, Business,
or Health Career program? Have you ever asked yourself, “Could I have done something different in my counseling sessions to better prepare that student?” Do you feel overwhelmed because you don’t know what specific fields of study look for in an applicant? If you routinely ask yourself these questions and more, then this presentation is for you! This session will feature admission representatives from institutions offering specific Engineering, Business and Health Career Colleges, who will offer specifics about what they look for in applicants for these respective fields of study.

AVID and AP: What These Programs Can Do for You (and Your Students!)

During the past year, the AVID and AP programs have increased their reach and visibility in Illinois. Participation in the AVID Program has grown to over 15 school districts around the state, and the Chicago Public Schools were recently awarded AP District of the Year by the College Board.

This session will allow both high school counselors and college admission professionals to learn more about these programs, and the benefits they can offer to high school students. Featured presenters; Adrian DeLeon, Collaborative Coordinator of AVID North/Northwest and Marc Geslani, Educational Manager/Higher Education Services at The College Board will review the curriculum and expectations of both programs, as well as examine outcome data demonstrating the impact of these programs on college readiness. Whether you’re a high school counselor advocating for the implementation of AVID or AP, are from a school that’s recently adopted these programs, or are from a college trying to determine how to weigh AVID and AP in the admission process—this session is for you!

The Use of Technology in the College Admission Process

Technology that was in its infancy a mere 10 years ago has matured to the point of now transforming the face of college admissions. Paper applications are almost obsolete; communications are now taking place by e-mail, texting and YouTube; colleges are promoting themselves via student blogs, virtual college fairs and podcasts. Vast social networks have transformed the manner in which people learn about schools and communicate with one another.

To what extent should there be control over these forms of communication? Who is responsible for a college admission office’s facebook account? Do colleges give free reign to their student bloggers with regard to the messages they convey to prospective students or are colleges censoring or controlling their bloggers content? Attend this session to learn about both the innovative ways in which admission offices are communicating with prospective students and the ethical implications of these modes of communication.

Hey Look Me Over: The Performing Arts College Application Process

The application process for Theater, Music and Dance involve so much more than a written application. There are different timelines, auditions, and expected experiences. Come learn how to guide and prepare your students for admission to the performing arts from admission and department representatives in each of these areas. With technology having changed the process, this session is ideal for both new and experienced counselors.