Guidance

guidance

The mission of the CCS Guidance Department is to provide Biblically- based, Christian counseling to students to aid them in their transition from high school to college and career.

Feel free to e-mail our guidance counselor Melody Dickens with your questions about college choices and concerns.

Also, visit the Guidance Department website for additional information.

Contacting Colleges

Check out college web sites....obtain general information, investigate sources of financial aid, access online application forms, and schedule campus visits.

Many colleges encourage telephone and e-mail inquires and requests. Be sure to establish a permanent, and professional, email address to use during the college search process!

Haven't selected a major? It's okay to be undecided about a major -- most colleges provide services to help students select a major during the first and/or second year.

Checklist for a Campus Visit

A campus visit is highly recommended. Before you visit the campus, consider some of the options below. It is also important to develop a list of questions and plan specific activities in order to accomplish your goals.

Meet with an admission officer.
Verify admission requirements (tests and high school preparation).
Discuss your chances for success in certain programs.
Find out how to apply.
Obtain a school calendar and a catalog.
Determine college costs.
Ask about financial aid opportunities, as well as deadlines, forms required, etc.
Meet with faculty in the department of your intended major.
Ask questions about academic requirements/offerings.
Attend a class to get an idea of typical size, teaching style, academic atmosphere.
Ask about the placement record for graduates in the field you might study.
Identify career planning services for undergraduates.
Tour the campus (be sure to check out the dorms, dining hall, library, etc.).
Talk to students about the general academic environment and the amount and kind of study necessary for success.
Find out what student activities (clubs, organizations, intramurals, etc.) are available and about campus life in terms of dating and social activities.
Investigate transportation options.

Websites to Check Out

www.anycollege.com - secure college search site with $1000 scholarships given away randomly
www.collegeview.com – thousands of two- and four-year colleges with virtual tours.
Christian Colleges Information – links to Christian colleges, tips on financial aid, the “Connector Survey” and more.
www.act.org - ACT: Prepare for tests with full-length practice tests. Read hints, tips and strategies for taking your ACT test. Also, there are college and scholarship searches available through this site.
www.collegeboard.com - College Board: Home of the SAT, PSAT, AP Program and CLEP Program. In addition, college and scholarship searches are available at this site.
www.fastweb.com - Fastweb: the most popular scholarship search engine - absolutely FREE. Fill out the personal profile and scholarship opportunities will be emailed to you. It is then up to you to retrieve the applications, fill them out and send them in by the deadlines.
www.nextSTEPmagazine.com - Next Step Magazine: "Find colleges that match specific criteria, e-mail current college students, recent grads and admissions personnel with college-planning questions, and access Next Step Magazine's current and archived articles. Plus, much more!"
www.schoolsintheusa.com - It is a great website for college searches, career planning, test prep, etc.
www.matchcollege.com - is a completely free website that provides in- depth statistical information regarding colleges, universities and trade schools. MatchCollege.com allows college bound students to have a quick overview of every campus in the U.S.A., covering over 6,000+ public and private colleges and universities covering topics on admissions, financial aid, housing, employment, and athletics.
www.getin2college.com - Affordable College Prep and Admissions Resources.To view this site, User name: 2007; Password: ADMIT