PATHWAY to COLLEGE
College counseling at HCSS is a highly individualized process to produce the best possible match between each uniquely talented student and the college or university that best fits that student. Creating that ideal match is a very personal, labor-intensive learning experience like much of everyday life on campus. To help facilitate this – each Junior and Senior receives an individualized, comprehensive “Pathway to College” check-list that their counselor and the College & Career Coordinator have access to.
Each student works closely with their counselor to explore the many talents and interests they have developed, set goals based on those experiences, and research and find the colleges that will help them achieve those goals.
Personal attention is the hallmark of the college search process at HCSS. Students will work with the College & Career Coordinator, as well as their School Counselor to research, explore and apply to top tier colleges and universities.
By visiting college campuses, attending regional and national conferences, and hosting college fairs and individual college representatives at our school, HCSS’s college counselors constantly update and expand their knowledge about programs available at colleges. This personal contact also fosters close relationships with admissions officers at local, regional and top tier colleges.
It is essential that students, especially Juniors and Seniors, take advantage of all the opportunities offered to them at HCSS.
Sample Pathway to College Check-List:
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JUNIOR YEAR – May 2023 |
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Open a Common App acct by using your personal email and save your password |
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Fill out Profile section under Common App tab |
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Fill out Family section under Common App tab |
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Fill out Education section under Common App tab |
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Add your colleges to your Common App acct under College Seach tab |
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Add your non-Common App colleges manually on Naviance under Colleges I’m Applying to |
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Write first draft of your college essay |
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Start planning your college specific and/or supplemental essays |
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Complete Naviance self-assessment questionnaire |
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Request letters of recommendations through NAVIANCE only! |
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Take the May SAT |
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JUNIOR YEAR – JUNE 2023 |
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June 1st Application deadline for HCC Dual Enrollment |
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Continue work on college essay |
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Plan Summer visits to colleges |
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Meet with your counselor one more time before Summer |
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Take the June SAT |
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JUNIOR YEAR – JULY/AUGUST 2023 |
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Proofread/Create final draft of your essays |
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Update your Activities section under Common App tab |
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Continue career research |
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Visit colleges (even just driving through campus!) |
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Make a revised list of colleges that you are intersted in (even if they seem out of reach) |
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Work on your resume |
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Take August SAT (Optional) |
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SENIOR YEAR – SEPTEMBER |
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Review your unofficial copy of your high school transcript with your Counselor |
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Get a copy of your test scores on College Board acct |
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Answer individual college Questions under My Colleges tab |
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Release your FERPA Waiver Authorization under My Colleges |
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Match your Common App and Naviance |
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QuestBridge application deadline – Sept. 27, 2022 |
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Attend college rep visits and other college events at HCSS |
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SENIOR YEAR – OCTOBER |
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Final draft of your college essay is due |
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Start your FAFSA and CSS Profile applications on Oct. 1 |
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Apply to non-commonapp colleges through their website if applying ED |
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Submit your Common App college applications if applying ED |
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SENIOR YEAR – NOVEMBER |
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Add/Apply to colleges Early Action (Non-Binding) or ED if approrpriate |
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Begin to apply to as many scholarships as possible (Free Money!) |
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Attend college rep visits and other college events at HCSS |
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SENIOR YEAR – DECEMBER |
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Apply to scholarships – use our list/your own research |
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Complete your FAFSA and CSS Profile application |
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You may start to receive acceptance letters. Congrats! Consider all options |
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SENIOR YEAR – APRIL |
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Attend accepted students day at colleges you have been accepted to |
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Carefully consider all options including fincial packages/awards |
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SENIOR YEAR – MAY |
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Decision Day! (May 1, 2023) |
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Let your college know you are attending |
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Let your school counselor know which school you are attending |
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Submit your deposit to the school you will be attending |
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SENIOR YEAR – JUNE/SUMMER |
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Consistently check emails after your deposit for extra information |
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Attend college orientation and have a great Summer! |
