4 Year College

College Exploration

• CTHS 4 Year College Planning Guide
• CTHS Letter of Recommendation & Transcript Request Timeline

Dig into each college's website for information like application and degree requirements, and financial aid and scholarship info. Here are a few resources to help you build your college application list:

• Naviance - Log into your school account to access the Super Match Quiz
• Big Future by College Board
• College Scorecard
• The Common Data Set

Rep Visits at Cherokee Trail

College Admissions Representatives from across the country come to CT. Students can meet admission reps in small groups (30 min.), ask questions and make connections.

For students only: Sign up in Naviance > Colleges > Visits.

College Application Platforms

• The Common App makes up the majority of our college applications.
  • CTHS’ Common App Details
  • Common App Matching Directions
• The Coalition Application. 150 member colleges and universities
• State-specific systems (UCal, Cal State Apply, ApplyTexas…etc.)
• Direct Institutional Apps, which are specific to each college and can be accessed on their website. 

College Decision Plans

Each plan has different deadlines. Please check with college websites to ensure your application is on track for consideration.

• Early Decision (ED) – binding; only one school
• Early Action (EA) – non-binding; decisions come earlier
• Priority – last chance for scholarship consideration
• Rolling – reviewed as received, until spots fill
• Regular Decision – final deadline for fall entry

Letters of Recommendation

Seniors can start this process after Labor Day and must follow our Green Sheet process.

College Essay

The college essay is the student’s chance to show personality beyond test scores and GPA. Check if each college requires an essay.

Request Senior Transcripts

Covers initial, midyear and final transcripts.  Please visit our Transcript page for more information.

1. Pay Senior Transcript Fee in RevTrak
2. Request Transcripts via Student Naviance account.

Test Scores: SAT/ACT

Most schools are test-optional, but scores can help with scholarships and programs.

Send official scores through the College Board / ACT if required. If applying test-optional, select that option on your application.

Free SAT at school (spring junior year) + other national test dates.
PSAT/NMSQT (fall junior year) = National Merit Scholarship qualifier.