Step by Step Guide:

STEP 1: Create an online application account and determine the additional requirements (teacher recs, essays, etc) beyond data entry.	Use The Common Application Use the School’s own application Ex: Oakton’s application portal
STEP 2: Link Common App and Schoolinks	Application materials such as the school report, counselor rec, and teacher recs are submitted to the Common App (and other college portals) via Schoolinks. Managing College Apps presentation explains the process of linking your CommonApp and Schoolinks. Video on linking CommonApp and SchooLinks.
STEP 3: Letter of Recommendation Requests: Ask teacher(s)/counselor for letters of rec. Not all colleges require letters of rec, so please verify if these are necessary for your application BEFORE* asking any teachers/counselor.	For procedures on requesting recommendation letters and inviting teachers/counselors, please reference the Managing College Apps presentation and video on inviting teachers for rec letters. Complete the Student Self-Assessment Form and upload to Schoolinks and share with teacher/counselor.
STEP 4: Report Test Scores	Research each institution’s test policy. Decide if you will apply Test-Inclusive (will report test score) or Test-Optional (will not report test score) If Test-Optional, don’t report test scores. If Test-Inclusive, send the test score(s) in the way the institution formally accepts them (unofficial upload by student or official directly from College Board). Decide if you will test again. College Board Test Dates ACT Test Dates See Ms. Gora for a Test Fee Waiver if you qualify for Fee Waiver or Free/Reduced.
STEP 5: Transcript requests	Instructions on submitting transcripts can be viewed in this Managing College Apps presentation. Colleges on Common App – your transcript will be automatically sent by your counselor as part of the School Report. Colleges not on Common App – you have to request an official transcript be sent via SchooLinks. Some colleges ask for Self-Reported grades (UIUC) so it is NOT necessary to request an official transcript. Download an unofficial transcript from SchooLinks to help you fill out self-reports.
STEP 6: Submit applications!	Pay attention to deadlines! Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Scholarship Priority Need help determining what these mean? See this video!

Application FAQ’s

Maine East’s CEEB Code	141595
Maine East Address	2601 W. Dempster St., Park Ridge, IL 60068
Class Size (# of seniors)	451
Graduation Date	May 23rd, 2027
ACT Test Date	April 9th, 2026
Class credit value	0.5 per semester 1.0 per school year *Exception is PE = .25 per semester/.5 for year
How many weeks in the school year?	39
Term applying for	*Fall 2027 (some exceptions may apply)**
GPA Scale/class rank	4.0 (weighted and unweighted)
Class rank	We Do Not Rank
Number of AP, Accelerated, and Dual Credit Courses	Total # of AP Classes: 25 Total # of Accel Classes: 15 Total # of Dual Credit Classes: 21

Student Services Contact Info

Name	Position	Email	Phone Number
Ms. Ozaz Abdalla	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8527
Ms. Keleyssa Block	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8516
Ms. Suzanne Caliendo	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8525
Ms. Angeleki Edsey	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8519
Ms. Mackenzie Gora	Post-Secondary Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8514
Mr. Alen Ibrahimovic	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8522
Ms. Nicole Rinaldi	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8524
Ms. Mieka Yochim	Counselor	[email protected]	847-692-8515
Ms. Reyna Espinoza	Career Coordinator	[email protected]	847-692-8192
Ms. Jenny Colapietro	Registrar	[email protected]	847-692-8532

Checklist for 12th Grade

Managing College Applications

Schoolinks Video Guides

University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign Application Resource Guide

FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

Basics of Financial Aid
1. Presentation
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
1. FAFSA GUIDE (US Citizens and Permanent Residents Financial Aid Application)
2. Federal Student Aid Youtube Channel
Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (DACA and Undocumented Student Financial Aid Application)
1. Alternative Application Help Guide
FAFSA WAIVER FORM – If you will not be filing a FAFSA or Illinois Alt Application
Verifying the FAFSA on Schoolinks for graduation requirement
Scholarships
1. Scholarship Guide for Undocumented/DACA Students
2. SCHOLARSHIP MATCHING THROUGH SCHOOLINKS
  1. Video on Scholarship Searching through Schoolinks
3. Oakton Scholarships
  1. Oakton Scholarship Essay
4. Other Private Scholarship websites

GETTING HELP WITH YOUR CAREER AND COLLEGE INQUIRIES

Ms. Gora – Post-Secondary Counselor: Book an appointment

Ms. Espinoza – Career Coordinator: Book an appointment

Dashboards

Dashboards

Quick Links

College Application Guide

Step by Step Guide:

Use The Common Application

Use the School’s own application

Ex: Oakton’s application portal

Application materials such as the school report, counselor rec, and teacher recs are submitted to the Common App (and other college portals) via Schoolinks.

Managing College Apps presentation explains the process of linking your CommonApp and Schoolinks.

Video on linking CommonApp and SchooLinks.

For procedures on requesting recommendation letters and inviting teachers/counselors, please reference the Managing College Apps presentation and video on inviting teachers for rec letters.

Complete the Student Self-Assessment Form and upload to Schoolinks and share with teacher/counselor.

Research each institution’s test policy. Decide if you will apply Test-Inclusive (will report test score) or Test-Optional (will not report test score)

If Test-Optional, don’t report test scores.

If Test-Inclusive, send the test score(s) in the way the institution formally accepts them (unofficial upload by student or official directly from College Board).

Decide if you will test again.

College Board Test Dates

ACT Test Dates

See Ms. Gora for a Test Fee Waiver if you qualify for Fee Waiver or Free/Reduced.

Instructions on submitting transcripts can be viewed in this Managing College Apps presentation.

Colleges on Common App – your transcript will be automatically sent by your counselor as part of the School Report.

Colleges not on Common App – you have to request an official transcript be sent via SchooLinks.

Some colleges ask for Self-Reported grades (UIUC) so it is NOT necessary to request an official transcript. Download an unofficial transcript from SchooLinks to help you fill out self-reports.

Pay attention to deadlines!

Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Scholarship Priority

Need help determining what these mean? See this video!

Application FAQ’s

Student Services Contact Info