During the year, students are encouraged to utilize the center for post-high school planning. We are here to provide the following services: counseling students in every aspect of the college process, guide students through self-analysis, career exploration and educational goal setting, hosting on-campus college visits from participating schools, standardized testing, and college funding.

College and Career Specialist: Ms. Wilson, Cynthia.Wilson@ocps.net

College Exploration

It is time to narrow your focus for your post secondary plan. Spend time using Xello researching colleges and universities, going on campus visits, working with recruiters, and getting ready for applications.

College Visits On-Campus

*** Register using Scoir. ***
Typically, during the school year, over 80 college representatives will visit the CCC campus during the school day for informative sessions with students. Please make informed decisions on whether the school is a fit for you based on GPA and testing requirements. Teacher approval must be granted in advance for students to miss class in order to attend a college visit. For students unable to attend a college visit, the recruiter’s contact information is maintained in the College & Career Center. Sign up to attend the college visit through Scoir and a SmartPass will be sent to the student the morning of event. 

Deadlines

Spend time this summer creating a list of schools in the Common App and Xello. Many institutions have fall deadlines.

Essay

Work on this over the summer. Here is a list of prompts: Common App Essay Prompts.For helpful hints on writing an essay, visit the Student Body Canvas, College and Career Section.

Student Body CANVAS

There are many resources for you to review in the College and Career Section of the Student Body Canvas. 

Recommendation Letters

Some colleges and scholarships may require a letter of recommendation. Over the summer, you can fill out the senior profile that is required for a recommendation letter. You must send this to your counselor in order to receive a letter of recommendation. You MUST ask teachers and/or your school counselor at least three weeks in advance of any deadlines. You MUST ask in person, then follow up with supporting details for them to draft the best letter for you. There are many resources for youin the College and Career Section of the Student Body Canvas.

Testing

ACT Test Dates

SAT Test Dates

CLT Exam Information

Scholarships

Summer is a great time to look for scholarships. Scholarships have varying deadlines. Use a scholarship finder to find scholarships and add the deadlines to your application calendar as a reminder. You can find scholarships and scholarship finders in the College and Career Section of the Student Body Canvas.

Xello and Application Sites

Click on the Xello tile through LaunchPad.  Create a College List and enter your profile information.  Xello is a fantastic tool used to explore colleges.  You can use it to research schools, make a list of schools, indicate schools applying to, etc. You do not apply through Xello. It is the expectation that you use XELLO and add the colleges you are applying to. Counselors will use XELLO to send transcripts and letters of recommendations.

Application Sites

There are a number of ways to apply to colleges. Schools may use an Institutional application or may use other sites like, Common App, Coalition App, Send EDU, etc. We recommend that if possible, you use the Common App or the Coalition App for schools that use that platform, especially if you are applying to multiple colleges that accept applications through one of those application sites.