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Schools

GBS, GBN Seniors Talk College Choices

Oakton Community College and University of Illinois top the list.

The University of Illinois and Oakton Community College lead the pack as students’ top college choices at and High Schools. 

District 225 statistics show the state’s biggest university in Champaign-Urbana was Glenbrook North’s most popular destination for the Class of 2011. Meanwhile, the closer-to-home two-year college with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie maintained its long-time top ranking for last spring’s Glenbrook South graduates.

For the class of 2012, the trends of the two top destinations aren’t likely to change as student solidify their college choices. 

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“For GBN, there has been little change in our numbers to Oakton,” said David Boyle, college and career counselor at Glenbrook North. “Illinois and Oakton have consistently been No. 1 and No. 2, so I don't think we can attribute any trend or change. It remains the same.”

Oakton ‘one of best in country’

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and Glenbrook North students apply to colleges all over the country, yet one trend stays firm at both schools: down-the-road Oakton College remains a top destination.

The Des Plaines-based community college has been a long-term No. 1 destination for Glenbrook South graduates, ranking ahead of the University of Illinois. At Glenbrook North, the two colleges flip-flop with the U. of I. outranking Oakton by a modest margin.

A total of 83 Glenbrook South students, most bound to any one institution at either school, opted for Oakton, according to statistics provided by District 225.  At Glenbrook North, 55 chose the U. of I., compared to 48 for Oakton. Glenbrook South had 611 graduates, while Glenbrook North had 522, last spring.

While detailing their college strategies for Patch as students try to lock down their post-graduate choices in the new year, a trio of high-school seniors had ready explanations why Oakton remains so popular in District 225. At both high schools, the academic achievement level would enable many graduates to have their pick of four-year schools.

“I think as a community college, it’s one of the best in the country,” said Glenbrook South’s Jonathan Kim, who is mulling over Stanford and Duke. “That school offers great education at a very low price. The tuition is significantly cheaper than only other schools, both public and private. It’s a lot more affordable.

“But it doesn’t cut them out (from attending a good four-year school) in the future, it doesn’t cut you out from a good job. I know kids who have gone to Oakton. Most going there will be transferring to (quality) four-year schools.”

Two Glenbrook North seniors also endorsed Oakton, even though they both will attend a different college next fall.

“Fantastic education for a much cheaper price,” said Brandon Nadig, who is looking at Northwestern, Stanford and Boston University.

“I think a lot of kids need a year to settle in, where it’s not high school, but also (gradually) adapt to a college atmosphere,” said Jason Scholl, catcher on Glenbrook North’s baseball team who has a baseball scholarship to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Small group heads to private schools

In the private school sector, DePaul was the top destination for GBS grads (and the seventh most-popular overall). But at GBN, DePaul has fallen to 14th and Northwestern is now the favored private school, ranking eighth in the overall pool. But, more students at both GBS and GBN opt for out-of-state schools rather than private universities in Illinois, the stats showed. Private schools do not crack the top five college destinations at either high school.

Kim, though, is more fortunate than most. He is committed to majoring in chemical engineering and can test into a pair of academically demanding schools like Stanford and Duke. He also had a family connection to one school.

“Both of my brothers went to Duke, and I always wanted to go there,” Kim said. “I always had been a fan of the Blue Devils, and not only for academics."

In addition to playing baseball via the athletic scholarship, Scholl desired to attend a school where he could study communications, particularly sports broadcasting.

“Some of the other schools I considered were Ohio State, Missouri and Michigan State,” he said.

Nadig will base his final college choice on the best ability to balance two interests – theater and science.

“I have an extremely busy lifestyle as far as school is concerned,” he said. “I’ll take my time and make sure. Admission officers would say you don’t have to be the first to get in, but you also don’t want to be the last.

“At Northwestern, it’s a real easy place to double major in theater and science. They’re really willing to support people with multiple paths and interests. Stanford has outstanding alumni. The location is great. Boston University is a more theater-based school.”

Midwestern schools are top picks

A pair of out-of-state schools were next on the popularity list at Glenbrook North. Indiana University ranked No. 3 while the University of Iowa was No. 4. The University of Illinois-Chicago rounded out the top five.

UIC was No. 3 at Glenbrook South, followed by Illinois State and the University of Missouri.

Northern Illinois University ranked No. 10 at Glenbrook South and No. 17 at Glenbrook North.

Marquette University in Milwaukee made inroads as a private-school choice at Glenbrook South, ranking ninth. Loyola University in Chicago ranked 11th.

Seniors, we want to hear from you! Where are you heading next year and why? Sound off in the comments below or share with us on Facebook!

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