• Road To College

    FRESHMAN YEAR
    1. Freshmen pursue an appropriately challenging academic program and maintain solid grades while balancing the transition from middle school to high school. Ninth-graders are invited to get involved in CHS community life through a variety of extracurricular activities including athletics, arts, music, speech/debate, etc.
    2. The college counselors host a meeting for parents of freshmen to introduce the services of the department and to answer questions that may be on their minds at this early stage of the college planning process.
    3. The college counselors meet with all ninth-graders to administer the “Learning Styles” survey, while discussing the importance of the academic transcript (including ninth grade) in the college admission process. Students participate in an activity that analyzes three different “mock” CHS high school transcripts while reviewing available college options. This discussion includes each ninth-grader receiving their own first semester transcript, while learning about support and strategies that are offered at CHS. Throughout the activity, the college counselors emphasize the steps that lead to academic success and options for the future.

    SOPHOMORE YEAR
    1. Students continue to pursue a challenging academic program, maintain solid grades and get involved in extracurricular activities.
    2. The college counselors host a meeting for parents of sophomores to answer questions that may be on their minds at this early stage of the college planning process.
    3. In October, the counseling office oversees the administration of the PSAT for all sophomores.
    4. The college counselors meet with all sophomores through their chemistry classes to complete the “Do What You Are” survey. This “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator” (MBTI) personality inventory will help sophomores learn more about themselves, while beginning to explore careers and possible college recommendations that may match their personalities and passions.

    JUNIOR YEAR
    1. Students continue to pursue a challenging academic program, maintain solid grades and get involved in extracurricular activities.
    2. Juniors meet with the college representatives who visit during the fall to learn about various colleges that may interest them.
    3. College counselors oversee the administration of the PSAT for all juniors.
    4. The college counselors meet with all juniors through their English classes to discuss the college admission process.
    5. The Junior College Kick-Off Meeting is a college planning evening for students and their parents, held in early January, introducing all aspects of the college search, application and admission process.
    6. Starting in early January, and continuing throughout the spring of junior year, students and parents meet individually with their college counselor to get to know each other better, discuss interests and goals, and to define a list of possible colleges to consider for visits and applications.
    7. The college counseling office works with students to design a plan for standardized testing and provides prompts and assistance with registration and special accommodations for SAT, ACT and SAT subject tests.
    8. During the spring semester, discussion of college admission topics will include exercise in personal analysis, overview of types of colleges, selectivity in the college process, campus visit strategies, building a resume, college interview techniques, writing application essays and preparing for standardized testing.
    9. When possible, juniors meet before and after spring break with their college counselor to further develop their college search and campus visit plans.
    10. Juniors are invited to attend the Four-School College Fair in April to meet with college representatives from over 200 institutions.
    11. College counselors provide guidance regarding the academic course selection for senior year.
    12. Juniors are invited to attend an application essay-writing workshop held in early June and begin two drafts of their college essay.
    13. The college counselors work with students and faculty to plan for recommendation letters from teachers.
    14. The college counselors support student-athletes with their needs related to NCAA recruitment requirements.
    15. In May, the college counselors oversee the administration of AP exams.
    16. Over the summer between junior and senior year, students are assigned several tasks to keep their application process on track, such as refining drafts of college essays, updating resumes, etc.

    SENIOR YEAR
    1. Students continue to pursue a challenging academic program, maintain solid grades and get involved in extracurricular activities.
    2. In late August, all seniors attend a half-day college application workshop to learn and review all processes related to completing and submitting college applications.
    3. Senior College Kick-Off Meeting: all seniors and parents are invited to a college application process meeting in early September.
    4. National Merit Semi-Finalists: applications and counselor recommendation are managed through college counseling.
    5. Each senior meets with his/her college counselor individually throughout the fall to continue to manage the college search and application process.
    6. Seniors are encouraged to meet with college representatives from the colleges where they are planning to apply when they visit CHS during the fall.
    7. Mock interview opportunities are offered as practice prior to college interviews.
    8. The college counselors support student-athletes with their needs related to NCAA recruitment requirements.
    9. College counselors write a personalized, individual counselor recommendation for each student.
    10. During the fall semester, seniors meet to discuss issues related to filing their applications and topics related to making the transition from CHS to college.
    11. The college counseling office facilitates small group meetings to discuss college transition issues such as living in the community, time management, healthy living and the many social transitions associated with life in college.
    12. The college counseling office hosts a financial aid workshop for senior parents in early November and in early January.
    13. The college counseling office oversees the college enrollment process and keeps in touch with admission officers responsible for reading CHS student files.
    14. Counseling services continue as students learn of their college decisions and make their final college choice.   
    15. All students make a commitment, with a paid deposit by May 1.
    16. In early May, the counseling office oversees the administration of AP exams.
    17. All final transcripts are sent to complete the college enrollment process.