COLLEGE COUNSELING

Acceptances

In This Section

The University and College Counseling Office uses the CIALFO platform, a college admissions tool that helps students organize their data electronically. (Student Login)

Get involved in the planning and advising process – Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers
Research colleges – Compare GPA, standardized test scores, and other statistics to actual historical data from our school for students who have applied and been admitted in the past
Research careers – Research hundreds of careers and career clusters, and take career assessments
Create plans for the future – Create goals and to-dos, and complete tasks assigned by the school to better prepare your student for future college and career goals.

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School Profile

The Office of College Counseling at CAG is designed to support students as they transition to higher education. Upholding the school's mission and vision, this office aims to:

Support each student through the university/college search, application, and decision-making processes
Serve as the strongest possible advocate for each student throughout this process
Educate students about their role and their own responsibility in this process
Creates and develops positive relationships with college and university admissions representatives
Ensure that information sent to college and university admissions offices is accurate, complete, and timely
Collaborate with parents, teachers, section leadership, and college representatives to offer our students the best chances for post-secondary success.

Testing Information

For information about ACT/SAT/TOEFL testing dates and general guidelines for application please follow this link.

Important Dates

Timelines per grade level:

8th-10th Grade

Student Goals:

Attend college fairs (CAG and other schools)

Develop an academic plan focusing on the student's strengths and career goals.

Concentrate on grades. Work on GPA (Grade Point Average).

Take challenging courses in high school (honors, Advanced Placement (AP)) focusing on the core academics: English, Math, Science, History and World Languages. Rigorous courses that go beyond the minimum graduation requirements will make the student a more impressive applicant and they can even earn college credits while they are in HS.

Take the PSAT (Spring of 10th Grade).

You can begin researching universities and colleges you may be interested in and add them to your longlist in Cialfo.

Check with your college counselor or Cialfo when college admission representatives visit the school, including during individual visits or college fairs. Receive their card and information.

Begin corresponding with the college’s admission representative.

Find summer volunteer opportunities/jobs/internships: Summer is a great time to explore different career fields.

11th Grade

Student Goals:

September

Begin/continue corresponding with the college’s admission representatives.

Review college visit practices and procedures, get to know your college's reps.

Resume building in CIALFO - Resume Builder'

October

Juniors take the PSAT - add bluebook app onto the device you will be taking the test on.

Students plan to take ACT and/or SAT in the spring.

For a list of test dates: act student or sat collegeboard

November

Cialfo, you will be assigned a counselor and can start booking meetings with us

January

Goal: Discuss course selections for 12th grade.

Review your college longlist and begin narrowing choices.

Confirm registration for the ACT and/or SAT.

Review test preparation options for ACT & SAT, e.g.; Bluebook, Khan Academy, 1600.io, etc.. CAG will be giving SAT to those who sign up.

March

Counselors host College Minimester for students.

Create a prospective college shortlist utilizing CIALFO and other college search engines

April

Students and Parents attend virtual College Fairs.

Schedule a formal or informal tour to visit the campus. Colleges also have open houses or designated days parents and students may attend that additional activities are going on, especially for visiting families.

Summer

Find an internship/job/summer program (Make your last summer count)

Talk with Francisco Quinonez: fquinonez@cag.edu.gt

Draft a college essay using the latest common app essay prompts (the college essay guy is your friend, find his free guide here

12th Grade

Student Goals:

Summer

Determine what type of application each school has: college's own, Coalition, or Common Application

Edit and finalize resumes and essays.

Ask teachers and school counselors for recommendations (summer/early fall).

August

Send in ACT or SAT scores to schools (or register for the ACT and SAT)

Schedule meetings with your college counselor through CIALFO

Update CIALFO longlist to shortlist (under double digits)

Sync Common App with CIALFO (fill out information in Common App)

September

Attend college fairs

Communicate with admission representatives

Finalize resume (CIALFO - Resume Builder)

Take an English proficiency test (Duolingo, iELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

October

Complete FAFSA (begins October 1st)

CSS Profile on College Board (begins October 1st)

Complete applications (preferably by the institution’s Priority Deadline, most November 1st).

Meet with your college counselor to finalize sending all materials

Connect with the college’s admission representative/college admission portal to ensure all materials have been submitted.

Talk with the college’s financial aid office for any scholarships or financial aid opportunities.

Apply for scholarships.

November

Check college websites' student portals for updates

Communicate with colleges and take additional tests. Finalize for regular decision applications

Spring Semester

Receive acceptance letters! Celebrate!

Receive denial/deferred/waitlisted letter - meet with college counselor

Receive the award letter. Discuss final enrollment decision with parents

Celebrate with your counselor your decision

May

Decide on school by May 1st, submit deposits, and sign-up for orientation.

Request final high school transcript. Students send AP scores to colleges for college credits.