College and Career Counseling Program

General Overview

Photo of a smiling graduate wearing graduation grown and capOur robust four-year college and career counseling program is designed to broaden college access, improve college persistence, and increase exposure to varied career pathways to ensure that each CCSC student -- many of whom are the first in their family to attend college -- graduates prepared to achieve post-secondary success. 

Beginning with our first senior class in 2009, every CCSC graduate has been accepted to college and over 90% have been accepted to at least one 4-year school. Thirteen CCSC graduates have been awarded prestigious Posse Scholarships, including five in the past five years, and two CCSC graduates have been named Fidelity Scholars. Roughly 95% of CCSC graduates matriculate to college the fall after graduation. Once on campus, CCSC graduates’ persistence and completion rates far surpass the national average for the student demographic we serve. 

 

Our Program

9th and 10th Grade

Freshman and sophomore students explore college campuses and trade centers through our Out To College & Career (OTCC) Days. Students have the opportunity to learn about potential career pathways through our Career Spotlights, a program where we invite professionals from different fields to discuss their trajectories and current jobs. In addition, they attend college tours and are encouraged to participate in school-based and/or community-based enrichment programs and activities to develop valuable skills and explore their interests.

11th and 12th Grade

CCSC students more formally enter the College & Career Counseling Program at the beginning of their junior year in Junior Seminar. Upperclassmen participate in campus visits, on-campus activities, evening programs, events at CCSC, college information sessions, college fairs, and individual counseling sessions. Juniors and seniors also receive comprehensive education about the college admissions process and explore other postsecondary options in Junior and Senior Seminars.

During the junior year, students are introduced to the different phases of the college admissions process. The focus is on college and career exploration and building a college/career portfolio including a personal statement, an activity resume, an elevator pitch, a completed sample college application, and a preliminary college/postsecondary pathway list. During senior year the focus is primarily on finalizing plans for the desired postsecondary pathway and helping students and families find affordable options. Whether students are intent on attending college or pursuing an alternative pathway, the College & Career Counseling Team supports them in finalizing their college/program lists, timely completion and submission of essays and applications for admission, interview preparation, financial aid, and scholarships, as well as discussing college/postsecondary transition and persistence issues. All seniors apply to college/postsecondary programs. Using a variety of resources (the Internet, catalogs, meetings with representatives, campus visits, etc.) and in partnership with the college and career counselor, students determine which schools/programs are a good fit for their personalities, interests, and future plans. 

Postsecondary

We are committed to staying in touch with our graduates and providing them with continued support, encouragement, and resources as they matriculate to and persist through college and begin their professional careers through our Alumni Persistence Program. We work to remain in regular contact with students after graduation and we invite CCSC alumni to school and community events.

 

Resources

Resources for Current Students

Resources for Alumni

Recorded Events and Presentations

2024-25 School Year

To learn more about CCSC college and career seminars or to request more information, please email CCSeminar@ccscambridge.org 

Important Links

For Students and Families

For Admission Counselors

List of colleges on a poster with students throwing graduation caps in the backgroundAlumni Highlights and Resources

 

Key Partners

Flare Education: provides high-quality professional training, paid workforce opportunities, and career development for high school students

MIT/Wellesley Upward Bound Program: provides rigorous summer and academic year programming at Wellesley and MIT to help prepare first-generation and low-income students for success in postsecondary education 

Summer Search: provides students with professional mentoring and transformational summer experiences, as well as on-going supports in navigating college life, career coaching, and internship placements

Yleana Leadership Academy: provides students with a summer camp experience at either Colgate University or Mount Holyoke College that combines college access experience, elite SAT prep, and college persistence skills

 

The College and Career Counseling Team

Ms. Rivera, Director of College and Career Counseling
Ms. Waithe, College and Career Counseling Coordinator
Ms. Ennis, Writing Center Facilitator