Mission Statement:

The CCSC College Counseling Program is designed to make higher education accessible to our students and families by helping them to understand and navigate the college admission and financial aid processes. Students and their families receive extensive support and guidance through each phase of the college admissions process. The guiding principle is that college entrance is only half of the equation. In addition to ensuring that students complete the college application process, the overarching goal is to raise awareness about the skills and competencies students need to achieve success in college and to assist in cultivating these skills in our students.

 

The College Counseling Program:

 

Grades 9-10

Freshman and sophomore students will receive College Counseling Services including a series of early college awareness workshops aimed at helping our younger students to understand the importance of getting a college education and what they need to do in high school to prepare for success in college. In addition, they will engage in individual college planning sessions, attend college tours and be encouraged to participate in pre-college enrichment programs and activities.

 

Grades 11-12

CCSC students enter the College Counseling Program in the beginning of their junior year. Upperclassmen participate in campus visits, on-campus activities, college entrance test preparation, evening programs and events at CCSC, college information sessions, college fairs, individual counseling sessions, and access to informational brochures, catalogs, and guide books about college, financial aid and testing in the College Counseling Office. In addition, juniors and seniors receive comprehensive education about the college admissions process through junior and senior college seminars.

 

During junior year students are introduced to the different phases of the college admissions process. The focus is college and scholarship research. Juniors build a college portfolio including: a college application essay, an activity resume, a completed sample college application, a preliminary college list, and a list of 10 scholarships.

 

During senior year the focus is primarily on completing and organizing college applications and supplements, as well as college transition and survival issues. In addition seniors and their parents will receive intensive individual counseling throughout the college and financial aid application process.

 

The College Selection Process:

All students will apply to a maximum of TEN colleges or universities. The final college list will include a balanced list of schools that fall into three categories: reach, likely and very likely. Utilizing a variety of resources including, internet, catalogs, campus visits, etc. students in partnership with the college counselor will determine which schools are a good fit for their personalities, interests and capabilities.

 

The College Application Process:

The college application process, occurring primarily in the fall of senior year, involves the timely completion and submission of applications for admission and financial aid. To reach the college application website, Naviance, please follow the link.