Resources

General Information Hide

The College Counseling Office has compiled the following resources online to help our students with the college search process:

Specialized College Search Resources:

UC & CSU Information Hide

Helpful links to the University of California & the California State University schools:

Summer Programs Hide

Enrichment Alley It's a free summer and school year
enrichment program search engine that just came on line.
There are descriptions of over 225 summer programs
now listed as well as some reviews by participants,
parents, and counselors. It was created by a practicing
school counselor, is free to users, and does not collect
or sell any information about users.

College Planning Calendar Freshman and Sophomores Hide

Some college advice…

Academics
Students should keep on top of their academic work. Nearly all colleges will evaluate student transcripts based on GPAs established in grades 9 – 12. Students should build strong study skills and read widely to strengthen their vocabulary.

Course Selection
Students should seek intellectual challenges, yet take appropriate courses.

Discovering Student Passions
Students should engage in co-curricular and volunteer activities of personal interest. Remember, the quality of involvement is more important than the number of activities. When students find something they like, whether it's photography, ballet, or tennis, they should stick with it! Students should keep track of everything they do; it will come in handy when it's time to fill out college applications.

PSAT
All CSH sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT in October. This test was designed to measure how well students may perform on the SAT I. There is no need for tutoring for the PSAT as it does not count in college admissions.

FRESHMAN YEAR COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

Fall

Get to know your teachers, academic advisor, and the CSH Community.

Take the NEDT offered in October at CSH.

Study Hard!

Work on study skills, time management, and organizational skills.

Enjoy high school!

Spring

Keep up your grades in all courses.

Continue to work on advice given in the Fall.

SOPHOMORE YEAR COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

Fall

Study hard!

Enjoy high school!

Participate in activities that you enjoy. Remember quality not quantity!

Take the PSAT offered in October at CSH.

Spring

Visit local colleges. If possible, take advantage of vacation or other family travel opportunities to visit colleges and see what they’re like. Even if there is not interest in attending the college you are visiting, it will help your child to learn what to look for in a college.

Attend college fairs and begin gathering information (FYI please visit www.wacac.org and www.nacacnet.org for regional and national college fair information). * This spring the national college fair will take place April 17th from 3:00-7:00pm at the Concourse Exhibition Center.

Stat looking at general college websites such as College Board (www.collegeboard.com), ACT (www.actstudent.org), University of California (www.universityofcalifornia.edu), California State University (www.csumentor.edu), etc.

Consider taking an SAT Subject Test after completing a course (e.g., Honors Math III, Chemistry), if appropriate. Please see Ms. Wandro if you have questions.

Keep up your grades in all courses.

College Planning Calendar for Juniors Hide

CLASS of 2009
COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

August 2007
o Talk with parents about their expectations, your desires, financial
considerations, etc.

o Prepare for the October PSAT/NMSQT (the qualifying exam for
National Merit scholarships)

September 2007
o The College Counselor will meet with the Junior Class almost every
week during the year to discuss the college application process and to
give out information.

o Register for November 3 SAT II, if needed. Some students take the
Language with Listening test at this time, as it is only offered in
November. Registration deadline is October 2.

o Check to see which college representatives will be visiting your school and
plan to attend their orientation sessions. Many times, the
representative who visits CSH is the person who does the initial
reading of applications, so it is a good idea to make personal contact.
Make sure you get your teacher’s permission if you will be missing a
class.

October 2007

o Wednesday, October 17: Take PSAT/NMSQT. Scores are used to
identify students for the National Merit and National Achievement Programs.
PSAT results will not be part of your CSH transcript or be
required for college admission.

o Begin to visit nearby college to try to decide whether you prefer large or small,
public or private colleges.

o Maintain excellent grades. Performance in upper-level and advanced
courses indicate how well you might achieve in college.

o Pursue co-curricular activities about which you are passionate.

November 2007

o November 3: SAT II test administration (Note: this is the only
chance this year for students to take the foreign language with
listening exams)

December 2007

o Keep up your grades; honor your commitment to co-curricular
activities and community service.

o Be familiar with the standardized tests you will take. However, don't
spend so much time preparing for these tests that you’re academic
courses and co-curricular commitments suffer.

January 2008

o Make plans to visit colleges over the spring break and make
appointments for tours.

February 2008

o Sign up for an appointment with the College Counselor to see your
transcript and to receive a list of colleges that you might consider
(based on your preferences as well as GPA and PSAT scores).

o Make sure the colleges you are considering meet your needs and
interests, are ones which you would happily attend, and include two or
more colleges to which you are likely to be admitted.

o Discuss the suggested colleges with your parents.

March 2008

o Request admission, financial aid applications and other information for
all of the colleges that interest you. There is no charge and no
obligation to apply to these colleges, so request all information that
will help you select the colleges which are right for you. You can join most mailing lists on-line.

o Plan for a profitable summer. Consider experiences that might give
direction to your future; e.g., get a summer job, volunteer in the
community, or sign-up for a college or enrichment program.

o Visit colleges over spring vacation. Arrange in advance to take a tour,
meet with professors, coaches, or others, and to have an interview.
Write thank you notes to those who meet with you.

o Potential Division I/II college athletes should make contact with
college coaches and prepare tapes for distribution to colleges.
Contact your CSH coach if you have questions.

o Junior parents may call to make an appointment with the College
Counselor.

April 2008

o April 1: Registration deadline for May 3 SAT I/II administration.
Juniors should think about taking the SAT at this time. It is recommended
that Juniors take the SAT or ACT at least once during their junior year.

o Visit colleges over Easter Break- many schools will be in session at
this time.

May 2008

o May 3: SAT I/II test administration.

May 6: Registration deadline for June 7 SAT I/II.

May 9: ACT registration deadline for June 14 ACT

o Register for your senior classes- challenge yourself in as many areas
as you can, and continue to take courses in language, math and
science.

June 2008

o June 7 SAT I/II test administration. On this date, most juniors
should plan to take at least two SAT II exams in appropriate subjects.

o June 14: ACT test administration

July & August 2008

o Continue to gather information from a variety of sources, research in
depth your colleges, and request catalogs, visit colleges and
interview, if possible.

o Begin the application process: Read and follow all instructions
carefully; complete the general information on the application; write
drafts of required essays; make a list of your co-curricular activities
and volunteer and work experiences; collect writing samples and
prepare portfolios and audition tapes, if appropriate.

o Request transcripts from summer programs if you attended any.

College Planning Calendar for Seniors Hide

Class of 2008 SENIOR COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMETABLE

SEPTEMBER

• Make an appointment with the College Counselor to update her on your college selections and to tell her about summer experiences
• Look and listen for announcements of college representative visits; meet with as many as possible whenever your schedule permits. • If you are considering Early Action/Early Decision, please discuss your counselor as soon as possible.
• Register in time to take the October SAT I and the November SAT II tests
• Consider using the COMMON APPLICATION- You can apply to more than 230 colleges and universities with one application
• DEADLINES: If you plan to take the October 6 Sat I or SAT II, registration deadline is September 10.
• DEADLINES: If you plan to take the October 27 ACT, registration deadline is September 21.
• If registered, take the September 15 ACT Test.

OCTOBER

• Early Decision or Early Action candidates only: Give "Secondary Reports" and "Mid-Year Reports" to the College Counselor and "Teacher Recommendation forms" to the teachers by October 1.
• All recommendation forms should be given to the appropriate people with an addressed, un-stamped CSH envelope and a resume ONE MONTH before the deadline.
• Begin filling out college applications
• Deadlines: Register for the November 3 SAT I and SAT II Tests (deadline for registration is October 2). Be sure to check the specific number and kind of SAT II tests required by each of the colleges to which you are applying.
• DEADLINES: Register for the December 1 SAT I and SAT II Tests (deadline for registration is October 30). Be sure to check the specific number and kind of SAT II tests required by each of the colleges to which you are applying.
• If registered, take the October 6 SAT I or SAT II.
• If registered, take the October 27 ACT Test.

NOVEMBER

• Submit University of California applications this month, applications must be filed between November 1 – 30- but no later than November 30. NO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION NEEDED FOR THESE SCHOOLS. I highly recommend that you do not procrastinate. The server on November 30 will be very busy.
• Have the College Counselor check the University of California application before you mail it.
• Submit applications to CSU campuses this month. Those who apply after November 30 may not get into impacted schools.
• Tell the College Counselor which state universities you are applying to so she can mail a transcript to each campus. (California state universities require transcripts. UC schools DO NOT)
• If you are applying under EARLY ACTION OR EARLY DECISION program most applications are submitted the 1st week of this month.
• If registered, Take the November 4 SAT I or SAT II Tests.
• Pick up Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form from the College Counseling Office if you are applying for financial aid. Please do not submit until January 1, 2006.
• DEADLINES: Register for the December 8 ACT Test (registration deadline is November 2).
• Keep up all grades in all your classes!

DECEMBER

• Check college catalogs for deadlines and attend the evening information session on Financial Aid.
If registered, take the December 1 SAT I or II tests – this is the final opportunity to take the SAT for most university applications, including the UC and CSU.
• If registered, take the December 8 ACT Test- this is the final opportunity to take the ACT for most university applications, including the UC and CSU.
• Continue to be aware of various application deadlines. Try to keep ahead of schedule- having things finished early will help you relax.
• Complete all college essays and send all test scores to colleges if you haven't already done this.
• Arrange to meet with HS graduates who are home for Christmas Break.
• Expect Early Decisions/Early Action decisions.
• Think about visiting colleges during the Christmas or Winter Break.

JANUARY

• All applications should be completed, especially those with rolling deadlines.
• FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION MONTH!! Pick up FAFSA, CSS/Financial Aid Profile in the College Center. Be aware of priority filing dates at the colleges to which you are applying.
• Complete Scholarship Applications.

FEBRUARY/MARCH

• Do the best possible work you can in all of your classes. An improved GPA can be a great help when it comes to getting off wait lists in May or June
• Be sure you have applied for housing at the public college of your choice.
• Get your financial aid forms in well before the deadline. FAFSA and GPA Verification forms due by March 2, or earlier.
• Notification of acceptance by UC campuses will arrive between March 1-31.
• Visit colleges during the Spring Break and Easter Vacation
• Keep the College Counselor advised of all your applications, intentions, etc- plus any changes of plan.
• If you applied for financial aid, your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SRA) should arrive during this time.
• Expect some decisions from colleges with a rolling admission plan.
• The UC requires housing applications at this time, regardless of whether you have decided to attend the school. Read your catalog carefully.

APRIL
• Review your acceptances and financial aid offers with the college counselor.
• Write a thank you note to those teachers who wrote recommendations for you (if you haven’t done so already).
• Wait to hear from all the colleges before you make your final decision.
• Visit the college of your choice before the final decision is made.
• Keep up in your classes, especially if you’re taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Good AP scores can save you time and money

MAY
• May 1 - Candidate Reply Deadline - your deposit check must be received by this date at the college of your choice. (NO DOUBLE DEPOSITING). Extensions are sometimes granted when necessary. If you are trying to get off a wait list, you still have to send a deposit to your next choice college to assure a space.
• Notify all other colleges in writing that you are not accepting their offer of admission so wait list candidates can be considered.

JUNE
• GRADUATION - CONGRATULATIONS!
• Let the College Counselor know where to send your final transcript -- you won't be allowed to register in the fall unless the college has your final high school transcript on file.

Collegiate Athletics Resources Hide