It is no secret that McHenry County College is taking over as an ideal option for a next educational step for high school students in the area.

For a variety of reasons, many graduating high school seniors in and beyond McHenry County are committing to MCC as their next step. Even after applying to multiple universities and stressing over application deadlines, a great number of students are taking a step back to reconsider all that a community college has to offer.

Curtis Menke, the College and Career Counselor at McHenry High School, hits a breakthrough with his high school seniors and their families.

“I think we are finally getting to a point where our students and families don’t consider community colleges as ‘less than.’ Forty-two percent of last year’s senior class at McHenry High School matriculated to MCC.”

With this growing rate of MCC commitment, Menke expressed hope of reaching about 50% of his seniors continuing their academics at MCC in the fall. With a multitude of program options at MCC, students can pursue any of the six associate degrees or any of the seventy different certificate programs offered. For a better look at these options visit www.mchenry.edu/programs.

As the graduation season is quickly approaching, high school counselors strongly advise students to decide about their postsecondary opportunities as late as mid-April. Many high schools begin early, preparing even freshmen for the big decision to be made their senior year, MCC is branded as a safe option for those who are unsure of where — or what — they want to pursue in the long run.

Whether a student is seeking technical or transfer programming, MCC is an exceptional option for any high school student. For anyone hesitant to commit to a university because of life modifications, one of the biggest perks following community college is not having to have as many non-academic changes as a university, such as dorm life.

Menke helps consider every student’s wants and needs, making sure every available option is on the table. This way students can make the decision that best caters to them and their family.

“Students need to know that while a high school diploma is necessary, the MCC application does not require essays, text scores, or a certain GPA, which are all factors that can trigger students’ insecurities and potentially deter students from considering certain types of institutions.”

While high school administrators may get the majority of credit for motivating their students, a lot is done behind the scenes by MCC’s administrators. Director of Admissions & Recruitment, Kristen Mueller, works with the high schools in the area to give the best outlook and experiences as possible to students and their families.

“High school counselors are key in connecting McHenry County College to high school students as they explore their college options, apply to college, and ultimately make their decision about where they are attending after graduation,” Mueller said.“I am in touch with high school counselors almost every day, planning visits and events at both McHenry County College and at the 14 high schools in our college district.”

The administration and New Student Orientation Team at MCC prepare for the incoming students by getting them excited to begin their career at the college. MCC hosts an annual fall event the week before classes begin with a variety of activities and a chance to get to know someone new. Mueller and the team put in the work for a good first impression.

“During Opening Day, new students can come to the MCC campus to meet faculty, attend workshops to know what to expect as a student, and walk the college campus to find their classes,” she said. “Students will hear about this when they attend New Student Orientation, but now that you know the secret, make a note and make sure to attend.”

As the Fall 2025 semester looms, MCC New Student Orientation dates begin to open up for the incoming students. The NSO is a two-part process to ensure comfort and ease as students adjust to the new environment. The first part of NSO is an online orientation, which provides an overview of the college. The second part is the in-person, scheduled orientation.

In-person orientation is an important part of starting off at MCC, students will complete multiple stations to set them up for success. These stations include getting their student ID, meeting faculty, learning about resources, and scheduling their fall classes. This orientation is also a great way for parents to become educated about their child’s upcoming experience at MCC.

The next in-person orientation is Wednesday, May 21, 2025, but there are many dates ranging all the way into August. Make sure to sign up for an in-person orientation date that works for you. The fall semester will be here before you know it and it is never too early to be prepared. When signing up, keep in mind that in-person orientation does have some requirements. For orientation dates and more information, go to MCC NSO. Students can also reach out to the New Student Orientation Team with questions about NSO.