HEADED TO COLLEGE

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:

	JUNIOR YEAR – May 2023
	Open a Common App acct by using your personal email and save your password
	Fill out Profile section under Common App tab
	Fill out Family section under Common App tab
	Fill out Education section under Common App tab
	Add your colleges to your Common App acct under College Seach tab
	Add your non-Common App colleges manually on Naviance under Colleges I’m Applying to
	Write first draft of your college essay
	Start planning your college specific and/or supplemental essays
	Complete Naviance self-assessment questionnaire
	Request letters of recommendations through NAVIANCE only!
	Take the May SAT
	JUNIOR YEAR – JUNE 2023
	June 1st Application deadline for HCC Dual Enrollment
	Continue work on college essay
	Plan Summer visits to colleges
	Meet with your counselor one more time before Summer
	Take the June SAT
	JUNIOR YEAR – JULY/AUGUST 2023
	Proofread/Create final draft of your essays
	Update your Activities section under Common App tab
	Continue career research
	Visit colleges (even just driving through campus!)
	Make a revised list of colleges that you are intersted in (even if they seem out of reach)
	Work on your resume
	Take August SAT (Optional)
	SENIOR YEAR – SEPTEMBER
	Review your unofficial copy of your high school transcript with your Counselor
	Get a copy of your test scores on College Board acct
	Answer individual college Questions under My Colleges tab
	Release your FERPA Waiver Authorization under My Colleges
	Match your Common App and Naviance
	QuestBridge application deadline – Sept. 27, 2022
	Attend college rep visits and other college events at HCSS
	SENIOR YEAR – OCTOBER
	Final draft of your college essay is due
	Start your FAFSA and CSS Profile applications on Oct. 1
	Apply to non-commonapp colleges through their website if applying ED
	Submit your Common App college applications if applying ED
	SENIOR YEAR – NOVEMBER
	Add/Apply to colleges Early Action (Non-Binding) or ED if approrpriate
	Begin to apply to as many scholarships as possible (Free Money!)
	Attend college rep visits and other college events at HCSS
	SENIOR YEAR – DECEMBER
	Apply to scholarships – use our list/your own research
	Complete your FAFSA and CSS Profile application
	You may start to receive acceptance letters. Congrats! Consider all options
	SENIOR YEAR – APRIL
	Attend accepted students day at colleges you have been accepted to
	Carefully consider all options including fincial packages/awards
	SENIOR YEAR – MAY
	Decision Day! (May 1, 2023)
	Let your college know you are attending
	Let your school counselor know which school you are attending
	Submit your deposit to the school you will be attending
	SENIOR YEAR – JUNE/SUMMER
	Consistently check emails after your deposit for extra information
	Attend college orientation and have a great Summer!

Deadline: Sunday, March 7, 2021

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