District 211 hosts 1st Generation College Symposium

Township High School District 211 will host its third annual 1st Generation College Symposium at Palatine High School, 1111 N. Rohlwing Road, Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The evening is designed to help families with a student who would be the first to attend college.

The symposium, which is open to all District 211 families, will feature discussions about financial aid, adjusting to campus life and differences between various styles of colleges.

"We're bringing in representatives from small schools, large schools and community colleges," said Dr. Fred Rasmussen, director of student affairs at Palatine High School. "We're also bringing in reps from both public and private schools."

Sessions will be offered based on which grade the student is in. The sessions are intended to help everyone prepare for the main college night, which will be Oct. 11.

Dr. Rasmussen said he was a first generation college student and found the process of preparing for college overwhelming. He hopes this symposium will alleviate some of the stress parents and students unfamiliar with the process face.

Sessions will be conducted in both English and Spanish.

Dr. Rasmussen hopes the night will make families aware of the breadth of opportunities available for the students.

"If we can open up doors the parents never thought they could walk through, that's a success," Dr. Rasmussen said.

For more information, visit d211post.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/First-Generation-Flyer-English.pdf.