College & Career Counseling

Three students stand in the sun smiling and holding popsicles.

College & Career Counseling

Houston's College & Career counseling department's vision is, "To assist students in discovering and exploring their interest by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to choose the post-secondary pathway that fits them best."

To best serve the mission and vision of the Houston High School College & Career counseling department, our counselors operate with an open-door policy for all students. As Mustangs prepare for their next steps towards a collegiate education or a career path, they are welcome to come to this office with questions during their flex time, in between classes, before or after school, or with a teacher's permission during a class period. If students need more time to address their questions, they are more than welcome to make an appointment with their counselor via email or using the appointment calendar.

Counselors are also available to meet with parents. At Houston, we want to ensure that both our students and their families feel supported. If a parent would like to request a meeting, they are also welcome to email their child's counselor to briefly explain the request.

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In This Section

Letters of Recommendation

Transcripts

Mission Statement

To build connections with students, empower students to be self-advocates and provide students with college and career learning opportunities that lead to a successful post-secondary educational and/or career experience.

College & Career Timelines

Preparing for post-secondary planning is not something that happens overnight. We encourage you to use these timelines to help guide you.

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Naviance

What is Naviance?

Students in grades 9-12 will use Naviance to research colleges, explore careers and interests, build a college list, create a resume, and learn about their strengths and interests by taking available assessments to create an appropriate postsecondary plan. Using the link below, sign in with Clever using your GMSD student Google account.

Access Naviance

Letters of Recommendation

Postsecondary institutions may require a counselor letter of recommendation and/or a teacher letter of recommendation.

Students can use this guide to request and manage letters of recommendation, track their status, and ensure they meet each college’s requirements throughout the application process.

Letters of Recommendation Quick Guide

If you are applying to a postsecondary institution that requires a counselor's letter of recommendation, you must do the following:

Answer the student information questions for counselors.
Bring or email the document to your College and Career Counselor AT LEAST 3 WEEKS prior to the date that the letter is required.
Make sure to include your name and the deadline in your document.

*HHS College and Career Counselors will only write a letter if a counselor letter is required.

If you are applying to a postsecondary institution that will accept a teacher letter of recommendation, you must do the following:

Ask the teacher either in person or via your school email, AT LEAST THREE WEEKS before your rec letter deadline, if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. Wait 48 hours for an answer before you move on to someone else.
When you ask the teacher, and he/she says yes, answer the student information questions for teachers and provide the answers to the teacher ASAP. This will help them write an outstanding letter for you! You don't want to skip this step!
Enter the request in Naviance.

Transcripts

Official Transcripts

Official transcripts for college admissions: An official transcript request is required for any postsecondary institution that you apply to. Even if the school allows you to self-report your transcript, you MUST still request an official copy.

Follow the instructions in this video to request your official transcript in Naviance. Requesting an Official Transcript (12th only)

Official transcripts for scholarship applications or any other reason: Contact Katie Frederick, the Counseling Registrar, at 901-757-6013 or email Katie Frederick.

Dual Enrollment

Mrs. Brenda Kinney is the Dual Enrollment Coordinator. Students or parents should contact Mrs. Kinney, with any questions regarding Dual Enrollment.

HHS graduates will need to have their Dual Enrollment transcript(s) sent to the post-secondary institution they will be attending. Click on the name of the DE institution your course(s) were offered through to fill out the online request.

The University of Memphis

Southwest Tennessee Community College

Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts can be downloaded from parent's PowerSchool. Current families Powerschool access.

Former Students

Official transcripts can be requested by contacting the Katie Frederick, Counseling Registrar, at 901-757-6013 or through Parchment.

Career Resources

Students can use this self-discovery resource to explore their interests, strengths, and personality through guided assessments that help connect them to potential career paths that best fit who they are.

Self-Discovery Reference Guide

Students can use this career exploration tool to research careers, explore pathways and clusters, and connect their interests to real-world opportunities like job experiences, internships, and future planning options.

Career Exploration Reference Guide

Students can use the Roadtrip Nation Interview Archive to watch real-world career stories and explore different paths through videos of professionals sharing how their interests led to their careers.

Roadtrip Nation Directions

Students can use the resume builder to track their achievements from middle through high school and create a polished, professional resume to support job applications, scholarships, and other future opportunities.

Resume Builder Reference Guide

College Resources

College Visits

Juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend college visits at HHS during the school day with a college and university that you are interested in learning more about. Juniors and seniors are the only grade levels invited to attend college visits.
Students will sign up ahead of time for RepVisits in your Naviance account. This link will provide you with the instructions.
All college visits take place in the college and career office.
Students must have permission from their classroom teacher to attend the visit.
Please see Mrs. Kreitz or Mrs. Schmitt if you have any questions.

Students can use the college search tools to find schools that align with their interests, goals, and preferences while exploring details to help them make informed decisions about their future.

College Search Tools Reference Guide

Students can use this guide to set up and match their Common App account, allowing them to manage and submit multiple college applications efficiently in one place.

Common App Account Matching Quick Guide

Students can use this tool to keep their college applications up to date by tracking details like application type, interest level, and admissions results all in one place.

Updating College Application Outcomes

Students can use this guide to navigate the full college application process, from building their college list and requesting transcripts and recommendations to tracking submissions and managing application details along the way.

College Application Process Reference Guide

Post-Secondary Visit Days

Additional Resources

The HHS Counseling & Career office has gathered additional resources to help our Mustangs as they look to their next steps. From Military Opportunities, to Summer Plans, these resources are here to help guide you!

Military Opportunities

Path to Work

Planning Resources

Summer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities

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College Rep Visits

HHS uses RepVisits to schedule college visits. If you prefer, you may contact the College and Career Office. Please email Ashley Kreitz or Sara Schmitt.

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Meet our Counselors

Ashley Kreitz

College & Career Counselor '28 & '30

College & Career Counselor

Class of 2028 and Class of 2030

Email Ashley Kreitz

Visit the Counseling page

Sara Schmitt

College & Career Counselor '27 & '29

College & Career Counselor

Class of 2027 and Class of 2029

Email Sara Schmitt

901-756-2370 x 6019

Visit the Counseling page

*Houston High School and Germantown Municipal School District are not responsible for any of the content/information posted on all external websites, platforms, and resources.