General Overview
Our robust four-year college counseling program is designed to broaden college access, improve college persistence, and increase exposure to varied career pathways to ensure that each CCSC student -- many of whom are the first in their family to attend college -- graduates prepared to achieve post-secondary success.
Beginning with our first senior class in 2009, every CCSC graduate has been accepted to college and over 90% have been accepted to at least one 4-year school. Eight CCSC graduates have been awarded prestigious Posse Scholarships. Roughly 95% of CCSC graduates matriculate to college the fall after graduation. Once on campus, CCSC graduates’ persistence and completion rates far surpass the national average for the student demographic we serve.
Our Program
9th and 10th Grade
In 9th and 10th grade, students and families are introduced to our college counseling program through a series of events and programs where they learn more about high school, the importance of enrichment activities, the college application process and timeline, and engage in career exploration. Beginning in the spring of their 9th grade year, students also take part in our twice annual Out to College Day trips. Out To College Day is a full day experience that occurs once in the fall and once in the spring where students have the opportunity to visit multiple colleges in the greater New England area. During these visits they take campus tours, meet with admission counselors, and spend time on campus. This year, we added a College and Career Exploration Day in the fall for all high school students and will continue this programming to give students additional opportunities to learn more about different colleges and career paths.
11th Grade
CCSC juniors take a year-long seminar course that focuses on college exploration and college readiness. Students identify factors that are important to them as they consider their future college home, prepare for the SAT, and begin drafting their college essays and applications. Our college counseling team also meets individually with every student and their family to learn more about how best to support them during the application process. In the spring of junior year, a small group of students also takes part in an out-of-state overnight college trip. We also hold our annual Junior College Book Awards Ceremony every spring, to recognize students who demonstrate excellence in academics, embody CCSC's core values, and demonstrate leadership in and outside of our community.
12th Grade
All seniors participate in a year-long senior seminar where they spend time finalizing college applications, exploring scholarships, completing financial aid materials, and engaging in critical conversations about the transition to college. In addition, CCSC seniors work with volunteers to provide feedback on their college essays and conduct mock interviews. Throughout the year, CCSC hold Submit Parties to celebrate students as they complete their college applications and publicly announces college acceptances at school so our community can (literally) cheer on our seniors as they take the exciting next step in their journey.
Post-secondary
We are committed to staying in touch with our graduates and providing them with continued support, encouragement, and resources as they matriculate to and persist through college. Our Alumni Coordinator remains in regular contact with students after graduation and we invite CCSC alumni to school and community events.
Events and Presentations
Upcoming
Resources from previous events (recordings are hyperlinked)
2020-21 School Year
- Junior Book Awards Ceremony 2021
- Decisions, Decisions! Next Step for Seniors
- Junior College Planning Night (recording coming soon!)
- Enrichment Programs & Summer Opportunities Night
- Senior Family Meeting
- Pathways to College: Advice for 9th Grade Families
To learn more about CCSC college seminars or to request more information, please email CCSeminar@ccscambridge.org
Important Links
For Students and Families
- Naviance
- Common Application
- CSS Profile Checklist (kabuverdianu, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Português, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt)
- FAFSA Student Checklist (kabuverdianu, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Português, 中文, Español, Tiếng Việt)
- FAFSA
For Admission Counselors
Alumni Highlights and Resources
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Alumni News
- Maya Reynoso Williams '18 Named to the Dean's List at Bates College for the Fall 2020 Semester
- Nichelle Cousin '16 Receives Prestigious Colby-Sawyer Award
- Naika Guerrier '19 Nominated to Serve on the President’s Diversity Advisory Council at Clark University
- Christy Felix '16 Named Forbes 30 Under 30 Scholar
Resources for Alumni
Key Partners
uAspire: a nonprofit organization ensuring that all young people have the financial information and resources necessary to find an affordable path to and through college
MIT/Wellesley Upward Bound Program: provides rigorous summer and academic year programming at Wellesley and MIT to help prepare first-generation and low-income students for success in postsecondary education
Summer Search: provides students with professional mentoring and transformational summer experiences, as well as on-going supports in navigating college life, career coaching, and internship placements
The College Counseling Team
Ms. Rivera, Director of College Counseling
Ms. Tirella, School Counselor
Ms. Ennis, Writing Center Facilitator