Class of 2026
Chantilly High School
Counselor
Recommendation Packet
Please complete & return everything electronically.
Deadline: on or before Friday, June 6, 2025
Counselor Alpha Email
Michelle Ranere A – BOL meranere@fcps.edu
Danielle Savastano BOM – DANH dmsavastano@fcps.edu
JP Sousa DANI – FRA jsousa@fcps.edu
Megan Sullivan FRB - HUS mlsullivan1@fcps.edu
Bobby Cardozo HUT – KWO rtcardozo@fcps.edu
Sarah Snyder LA – MATI sdsnyder@fcps.edu
Shuntina Taylor MATJ – NOL smtaylor@fcps.edu
Becky Clonts NOM – RAJA rafunkclonts@fcps.edu
Dwayne Peyton RAJB – SHEO dlpeyton@fcps.edu
Alexa Scott SHEP – TQ agscott@fcps.edu
Stephanie Yi TR – Z syi4@fcps.edu
Roselyn Abrigo Subschool 5, A – Z rpabrigo@fcps.edu
The purpose of this College Planning Portfolio is to provide you with an opportunity to begin thinking about
how you will present yourself to colleges during the application process. There is an old expression in college
admissions: SHOW, DON’T TELL. Practice doing that now. Consider this to be a rough draft of your
application. By giving some preliminary thought to your interests, strengths, and goals, you will be one step
closer to completing your application in a clear, interesting, and thoughtful way. Note that the amount of effort
you put into this packet will reflect the amount of effort I will be able to put into your letter of
recommendation.
Student information
PLEASE THINK DEEPLY ABOUT YOUR RESPONSES AND TYPE EVERYTHING
Full Name: Deborshiki Ghosh
Date of Birth: 12/19/2007
E-mail Address that you will continue to check regularly:
Cell Phone: 5713529414
_____________ ___
Part A: College Information. Feel free to combine all this information into one answer.
1. Which schools are you thinking about applying to? I am thinking of applying to UVA, VTech, William &
Mary, GMU, JMU.
2. Why, specifically, have you decided to apply to these schools? What do they offer that makes them
attractive to you?
These schools have good vibes socially and have a lot to offer when it comes to degrees and school courses.
_______________
Part B: Self-Assessment.
1. Look at yourself from the outside. How would your friends/family characterize you? Please provide
examples, anecdotes, etc. as to why they would think that. (3-5 Bullet Points)
●
● Everyone would describe me as curious and always eager to learn something new because I am
always googling or researching things when a question comes up.
● Everyone would describe me as Creative as I always think about something unique whenever talking about ideas
● logical when it comes to explaining something.
● Everybody would describe me as friendly as I would try to start up a conversation with anybody.
2. Does any specific attribute, quality, or skill distinguish you from others? How did you develop this
attribute? (3-5 Bullet Points)
● curiosity distinguishes my intellect from others. I developed this probably from extravagant
research.
● My creativity has come back ever since I lost it in Middle School. The Cartoon club helped it
regainmy long lost creativity.
● My Friendliness as I can easily communicate with others.
3. Describe an incident in which you demonstrated strong character (loyalty, integrity, self-discipline,
kindness, commitment to high ideals, caring for others, etc.) Think outside the box – “not cheating” is
not the only answer!! I demonstrated a strong character of empathy when a friend of mine was very
affected by her high expectations and home problems. I sat by her side to make sure she understands that
I will understand I feel exactly the same she feels.
4. Tell me about a time when you struggled with something and failed. How did you respond?
I struggled with English classes throughout my school years which led me to fear writing. I kept
continuing my writing by doing it as much as possible to get less mistakes.
5. What have been the most satisfying courses you’ve taken and why?
Medical Assistant is the most satisfying course I have taken because it is very interesting and my teacher
makes it engaging by telling stories and doing hands-on experiments.
6. Where do you see yourself in ten years? What do you hope to study in college? It’s okay to say
“undecided”. Don’t worry; I won’t hold you to anything.
I would say Undecided because I might not know what job I will be doing in the future. But I know I
will be majoring in a STEM related field.
7. Were there any special circumstances or challenges that occurred during high school that had a significant
impact on your grades or class experience?
I had to change schools after my freshman year which impacted my high school life as it took me lots
of time to make friends and fit in with the structure in my school. It also had significantly affected my
mental health as I felt lonely without almost no one to talk to. I struggled in some of my classes even
though I liked them.
8. What do you choose to learn/do in your free time? Nothing, except maybe sleep (which is implied), is silly.
I like to listen to audiobooks in my language as it makes me connect to my mother tongue and my
culture. I also like to do kunihimo as it makes me concentrate.
9. Which single activity has been the most important to you and why? You may choose a school-affiliated
program or independent one. Do you plan to continue it in some way in college? I enjoy art clubs where I
might continue it in college.
10. What are you passionate about? (This can be intellectually or personally.)
I am passionate about Science and History because it is like storytelling to me which gets me excited.
11. Share something about yourself that I don’t already know about you; something that would help in writing
your recommendations.
I Dance a lot which is Bollywood dancing because it helps me in expressing myself.
12. What 3 points would you like me to highlight in your letter of recommendation? Relate specific anecdotes
to explain.
13. Who have you approached (or do you plan to approach) for teacher recs? Who else would have nice
things to say about you?
I approached my APUSH and my Chemistry teacher for teacher recs as they would probably have nice things to
say about me. My English teacher would also have nice things to say about me.
Part D: Optional.
1. Describe any work or volunteer experiences you have had. What did you “take” from the experience?
What did you “give” to the experience?
I work in Kumon where I gained experiences in tutoring and also being friendly with kids.
2. Are you the first in your family to attend college?
no
3. Obviously, there are no right or wrong answers to the following questions. Your responses will simply
help me to get to know you better.
Favorite keepsake:
Favorite saying/expression/quote: Keep it Simple
Favorite song you’re embarrassed to like: Levitating by Dua Lipa
Favorite YouTube video: Huta Chan art videos
Favorite vacation you’ve taken: Outerbanks
Favorite childhood memory:
Favorite thing you look forward to: College life and campus
Any other favorites? My favorite books are the Mortal Instruments series and my favorite TV show is 13
Reasons Why.
4. Please share any additional information that you feel was not addressed in the previous questions.
Parent/Guardian Response
Please answer the questions below with as much detail as you would like, keeping in mind that high school
anecdotes will prove most helpful. Be funny, be serious, be honest -- mostly, be proud. Your child has been
asked to return his/her materials to me electronically. It would be wonderful if your answers would accompany
theirs. My email address is available on the Chantilly website, if your child is reluctant to share. 😊
Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide your insights! Feel free to call/email me with any
questions.
1. Please share with me the colleges you think would be a good match for your student and why.
2. Are there limitations or special considerations that will affect where your student attends college? If so,
what are they? Have you discussed financial considerations and how they may impact where your student
attends college?
3. List 3 adjectives that best describe your child and provide examples, anecdotes, etc. The examples are the
best part!
●
●
●
4. In your opinion, his/her greatest strengths & weaknesses are:
5. Describe a recent incident in which your child demonstrated strong character.
6. How has your child matured over the last three years?
7. Please relate anecdotes that describe your student’s strengths, accomplishments, preferences, work habits,
personality, etc. These are particularly helpful. Often, they shine a light on a particular interest, career
choice, or just their personality.
8. Is there anything you wish to add which would help me in writing the Counselor’s Statement for colleges?
Thank you so much for your contributions!
Student Activities/Resume
Student Activities Information. You may include your own résumé /activity list OR use one of the
following as your template. Be sure to include as many details as possible, specifically for outside CHS clubs or
organizations.
ACTIVITY LIST FOR: _________________________
FRESHMAN YEAR ACTIVITIES SOPHOMORE YEAR ACTIVITIES
Red Cross Society
Art Club National Honor Society
Enviormental protection Club Cartooning Club
Red Cross Society Bollywood Dance
Bollywood Dance
JUNIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES
National Honor Society Science National Honor Soceity
Cartooning Club Red Cross Society
Red Cross Society Hosa
HOSA National Honor Society
Science National Honor Society Cartooning Club
Bollywood Dance Bollywood Dance
Deborshiki Ghosh
13612 Ellendale Drive ~ Chantilly, Virginia 20151
5713529414 ~ 1717577@fcpsschools.net
EDUCATION
Chantilly High School
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
● Red Cross Society
● HOSA
● Science National Honor Society
● Cartooning Club
ATHLETICS
● Bollywood Dance(does that count?)
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
● Winner for Bollywood Dance
● Red Cross awards pins and certificates for most service hours
● Scholastic Art competetion
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
● Kumon
● Red Cross
● Invasive Species prevention center
●
____________________________________________________________________________________
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
●
SPECIAL SKILLS AND INTERESTS
● Kumihimo
● Hindi(reading and speaking)
● French(French 3)
● Bengali(Speaking)
WORK EXPERIENCE
●
●
Final Checklist
Before turning everything in, please make sure your packet is complete.
◻ Are ALL short answer questions answered to the best of your ability?
yes
◻ Have you included your Parent/Guardian Response portion?
yes
◻ Did you complete a résumé or activity list that explains your extracurricular involvements?
yes
◻ Have you attached your signed Consent for Release of Records to the email you’re sending me? This
REQUIRED form is available on the CHS Post Grad Planning site:
https://sites.google.com/view/chspostgrad. You and a parent/guardian can sign this form electronically.
o This form allows FCPS to send records electronically as you request them during your senior
year. It also allows you to waive your right to access letters of recommendation written by, say,
your counselor and teachers. Colleges will ask you (and us) in an application whether you waive
your right to access information submitted on your behalf (read: trust that we’ll represent you
accurately in your rec as you won’t be able to access it). If you choose not to, know that we’re
asked to share that information. We’ll explain more about this in the Fall, should you have
questions.
