College Planning Timeline2023-07-03T11:39:58-04:00

College Planning Timeline

FRESHMAN YEAR

Meetings with all Freshmen to discuss the PSAT 8/9, providing information on test preparation and the College Board suite of assessments they will take again in both Sophomore and Juniors years.  Freshmen are challenged to work on study habits, focus on their grades and get involved in the CCHS student life. Graduation requirements, PROMISE Scholarship requirements, the high school transcript, National Honor Society and  Governor’s Schools for WV are discussed. Freshmen are encouraged to explore colleges and careers.

All CCHS Freshmen take the PSAT 8/9. This test is administered at CCHS and is the first in the College Board’s “SAT Suite of Assessments”… The purpose of the PSAT 8/9 is to establish a starting point in terms of college and career readiness as students transition to high school.  It tests the same skills and knowledge as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT— in a way that makes sense for the 9th-grade level.

Individual meetings with Freshmen.  The purpose of these one-on-one meetings is to check in with the Freshmen following these talking points–a grade check, favorite teacher, favorite class, one thing you would change about CCHS and one thing you like about CCHS.  

Distribution and interpretation of PSAT 8/9 results.  Each Freshman is sent home with an individualized score report as well as the original test booklet used during testing.  Included in the score report are the student’s answers, as well as an answer key to the test. Using this score report with the test booklet,  students can see the actual questions, correct answers, and difficulty level alongside their own answers. By taking the PSAT 8/9 students learn which skills they need to work on for continued success through high school and college. In addition, the PSAT 8/9 identifies areas where students excel and may want to consider taking higher-level courses, as well as areas they should focus on to improve academically.  Please note that PSAT 8/9 scores are not sent to colleges.

Administration of the TerraNova Test, Diocesan-wide testing for the purpose of curriculum assessment and planning.  Individual advising meetings are held with all Freshmen for course selection for the next academic year. Review of graduation requirements, grades, possible college major/career interest are discussed.  

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Meetings with all Sophomores to discuss and distribute PSAT/NMSQT information.  Sophomores are challenged to continue working on their grades, to get more involved in clubs and activities by taking on leadership roles, and to pursue community service opportunities.  PROMISE Scholarship requirements are discussed. he CP & G office provides the students with their cumulative core GPAs beginning in the Sophomore year. Sophomores are reminded and informed of the National Honor Society requirements and the Governor’s Schools for WV opportunities, noting the January deadline for the Governor’s School for the Arts for Sophomores

All CCHS Sophomores take the PSAT/NMSQT.  This test is administered at CCHS as the second in the College Board’s “SAT Suite of Assessments”.    In addition to being a practice test for the SAT, when taken in the Junior year, the PSAT/NMSQT is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Distribution and interpretation of PSAT/NMSQT results.  the PSAT/NMSQT identifies areas where students excel and may want to consider taking higher-level courses, as well as areas they should focus on to improve academically.  

Next steps would be for students to go to studentscores.collegeboard.org for SAT practice resources and to learn more about preparing for the SAT.  Most students take the SAT for the first time in their junior year.

Administration of the TerraNova Testing.  Individual advising meetings are held with all Sophomores for course selection for the next academic year.  Review of graduation requirements, grades, possible college major/career interests are discussed.  Sophomores are encouraged to consider programs available in the next academic year, such as Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Youth, Judicial Scholars, Girls & Boys State, and the Governor’s Schools for WV Honors Academy.

Advanced Placement Exams are administered

JUNIOR YEAR

Juniors and parents begin receiving the biweekly Junior/Senior Guidance Newsletter.  This newsletter provides college planning information for Juniors and Seniors, including but not limited to information on scholarships, college open houses, college fairs, financial aid, etc.

Meetings with all Juniors to discuss the year’s timeline.  PSAT/NMSQT prep booklets are distributed which include a full-length practice test and information on test-taking strategies.  Juniors are informed about the College/University Representative Visit Program. Juniors are encouraged to review the schedule of visits often and plan their attendance. All Juniors will attend the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce College Fair, where they will have an opportunity to meet and discuss college planning with over 150 college and university admissions representatives. Students are informed and reminded of the programs available to them in this Junior year:  Governor’s Schools for WV Honors Academy, Girls & Boys State, Judicial Scholars, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership. Students are reminded of the PROMISE Scholarship requirements; and to assist students in assessing their progress toward meeting the GPA requirement, which consists of both an overall and core minimum, the CP & G office provides the students’ their cumulative core GPAs.  

Administration of the PSAT/NMSQT to all Juniors.  This test is administered at CCHS and is not only a good indicator of strengths and weaknesses for the SAT, but it is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  Mid-October the College Placement & Guidance Office hosts the annual Junior College Planning Night. All Juniors and their parents should plan to attend.  The event provides a comprehensive look at the College Planning process through junior and senior years. Students are expected to determine their ACT/SAT testing schedule anytime after the administration of the PSAT/NMSQT.

Distribution and interpretation of  PSAT/NMSQT results. Included in the score report are the student’s answers as well as an answer key to the test.  Next steps would be for students to go to studentscores.collegeboard.org for SAT practice resources and to learn more about preparing for the SAT. In addition to being a practice test for the SAT, when taken in the Junior year, the PSAT/NMSQT is used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program.  Notification of semi-finalists takes place in XXXX.   

Individual advising meetings are held with all Juniors for course selection for next academic year.  Meet with Juniors to discuss letters of recommendation, admission and scholarship application processes, senior year timeline, NCAA clearinghouse, early decision/early action, and visiting colleges over spring break.

Advanced Placement Exams are administered.

SENIOR YEAR

Seniors and parents continue receiving the biweekly Junior/Senior Guidance Newsletter.  This newsletter provides college planning information for Juniors and Seniors, including but not limited to detailed information on scholarships, college open houses, college fairs, financial aid, CCHS college planning information events, etc.

Meetings with all Seniors to discuss the year’s college planning timeline and process.  Seniors are reminded of the College/University Representative Visit Program and are encouraged to review the schedule of visits  (kept up to date in the newsletter) and plan their attendance.  Students are reminded of the PROMISE Scholarship requirements, Early decision/Early action admission options are discussed, as well as letters of recommendation, and filing with the NCAA Clearinghouse for those pursuing Division 1 or Division 2 athletics.  ACT and SAT are discussed and students are encouraged to plan for their retakes and to get registered before the deadlines.  

Seniors and their parents are expected to attend the CCHS SENIOR 101 event, where “all things Senior year” are discussed, including important senior year events, yearbook ads, and orders, the college planning timeline, with an opportunity to meet with the Josten’s representative.  Students are urged to read the bi-weekly Guidance Newsletter for scholarship information, noting deadlines and needed documents.  Students are informed they must sign up (parents welcome) for an individual senior meeting in Guidance.

All Seniors will attend the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce College Fair.  Senior parents are invited and encouraged to attend the CCHS FAFSA On The Web Workshop, an event facilitated by the CCHS guidance and the WJU Financial Aid departments.  This event provides parents the opportunity to complete and submit their FAFSA’s that evening.  Individual senior meetings continue.

Most applications for Early Action/Early Decision college admission are due November 1st. All applications for regular admission are due before Christmas break. Scholarship application processing and individual senior meetings continue.

At the start of the second semester, mid-year reports are sent out to colleges.  Students are arranging their college housing assignments and the scholarship application process, as well as the individual senior meetings, continue.

Students are asked to keep a list of all scholarship offers for statistics gathering as well as for Senior Awards Day.  Scholarship application processing and individual senior meetings continue. These months are the busiest in regard to scholarship application deadlines/scholarship processing.

Senior Awards Day, final decisions, and AP exams

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