Welcome to CollegeHound! Whether you're a freshman beginning to explore college or a senior knee-deep in applications, your college prep digital binder is designed to grow with you.
In this guide, we'll walk through how to get started with CollegeHound in your first week, so you can stay organized, reduce stress, and make steady progress on your college journey.
Day 1: Set Up Your Profile
Start by completing your basic profile. This helps CollegeHound personalize your experience and gives your family context.
Add these details:
- Grade level
- High school and expected graduation year
- General academic interests (can be updated anytime)
Day 2: Add Your Academic Record
This is the foundation of your binder. Enter coursework and grades year by year.
Pro tips:
- Use your official transcript
- Note course levels (Regular, Honors, AP, IB)
- Add GPA (weighted and unweighted, if available)
- Include test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, etc.)
"Take 20 minutes now to enter your full academic record. You'll thank yourself later."
Day 3: Log Your Activities
Your activities tell your story beyond the classroom. Start documenting them now for easier application season prep.
For each activity, include:
- Name and category
- Years, hours per week, weeks per year
- Leadership roles or achievements
- Notes for future reflection
Day 4: Invite Your Family
CollegeHound is most effective when used together. Invite your parents or counselor to join.
Permission levels:
- Parents: View everything, stay in the loop
- Counselors: See your academic and activity record
- Student: Full control over input and sharing
Day 5: Explore and Customize
Now that your binder is taking shape, explore the rest of CollegeHound:
- College List: Add schools of interest
- Deadlines: Input test dates, apps, scholarships
- Essays: Start drafts and track versions
- Recommendations: Record who you're asking and when
Build the Habit
The binder works best when you update it regularly.
Best practices:
- Log new grades as they come in
- Add activities in real time
- Update hours/roles at semester's end
- Review college list monthly
Need Help?
You're not alone. Here's where to go for support:
- In-app help articles (look for the "?" icon)
- Email: [email protected]
- CollegeHound Blog for ongoing guidance
You might also find it helpful to learn how to keep track of college applications without losing your mind or explore how CollegeHound compares to Common App.
Conclusion
Your first week using CollegeHound is about building a strong foundation. By setting up your profile, logging your academics and activities, inviting your family, and exploring features, you're setting yourself up for a less stressful, more organized path to college.
A little effort now saves hours later and keeps everyone on the same page.