College and Career Awareness

Thinking about your next steps (college, career or both) is a smart move for all high school students, and we have a number of programs available to help you get started. The programs listed in this category include activities that will help you to identify colleges and careers that may be a good fit for you, provide guidance on college selection and application processes, offer opportunities to visit college campuses and/or job sites, or simply learn from others’ experiences in various colleges or careers.

Chicago Scholars

Chicago Scholars is a powerful 5-year mentoring organization that works with high potential first generation, low income and underserved college bound students drawn from every high school and in every neighborhood in Chicago.

We help scholars make successful transitions from high school to college and from college to career through a combination of adult, peer, and career mentors, as well as college access workshops, internships, and financial aid assistance.

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Collegiate Scholar’s Program

The University of Chicago Collegiate Scholar’s Program (UCCSP) was founded in 2003 as a three-year program that aims to prepare talented Chicago Public Schools students in grades 10-12 for admission and success at the nation’s top colleges and universities. UCCSP is shaped around a core curriculum of humanities, social science, math, and science courses during the summer months and enrichment activities geared toward college readiness, cultural awareness, and civic engagement during the academic year.

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Dual Enrollment Program

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A FAST TRACK TO EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

The Dual Enrollment program allows motivated CPS high school junior and senior students the opportunity to earn college credits,
while attending high school.

The credits you earn are transferable to many four-year college or universities.

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Howard University "Escape to Mecca" College Tour

The Howard University annual Escape to Mecca (E2M) Tour Program is a college experience designed to expose talented high school students from Illinois to the greatness of the Mecca of African American education, Howard University by immersing participants in the educational, cultural, and social environment of the campus and D. C. area. Student participants live in the dormitory and dine in the cafeteria with a CPU host, attend classes, meet with various school administrators, and engage in campus social events.

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GEAR UP

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is college access programs at various high schools that helps students successfully graduate from high school and enroll in college. GEAR UP currently supports students in their junior and senior years of high school. If you attend a GEAR UP high school and are a junior or senior, you are automatically part of the program.

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S.E.R.I.O.U.S.

As high school seniors begin thinking about their next steps into college, they may experience a sense of anxiety. In an effort to ease the stress of making this transition from high school to college, the Office of College and Career Preparation provides seniors a one day conference called SERIOUS.

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Spring Break College Tours

The Spring Break College Tours provide postsecondary awareness and exposure to Chicago Public Schools students who might not have other opportunities for college visits.

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What's Next Illinois

What's Next Illinois is a web-based high school, college and career planning tool that most Chicago Public School students can access for free!

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