Selective Enrollment vs. Choice Programs: Where Your CPS HSAT Score Matters Most

As you begin your journey on the GoCPS portal, you’ll immediately encounter two major categories of high school applications: Selective Enrollment and Choice. They may sound similar, but understanding the profound difference between them is the key to building a smart and successful high school application strategy.

The most important difference? The role your High School Admissions Test (HSAT) score plays in the admissions process. Let's break it down.

What are Selective Enrollment High Schools (SEHS)?

Think of the eleven Selective Enrollment High Schools as the academic flagships of the Chicago Public Schools system. These are schools like Walter Payton College Prep, Jones College Prep, and Whitney Young Magnet High School's SEHS component.

  • How Admission Works: Admission to an SEHS is based purely on academic merit. There is no lottery, no interview, and no essay. Your entry is determined entirely by your score on the 900-Point Matrix.

  • The Role of the HSAT: Crucial and direct. Your HSAT score accounts for up to 450 points—a full 50%—of your total admissions score. For these eleven schools, a high HSAT score is non-negotiable. It is the single most important factor that you have control over during your 8th-grade year.

What are Choice Programs?

"Choice Programs" is a broad umbrella term that covers every other type of application-based CPS program that isn't a neighborhood school. This diverse category includes:

  • Magnet Schools: These schools often have a particular focus (like STEM or Humanities) and use a points-based system and a lottery for admission.

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs: These programs offer hands-on training for specific careers.

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs: These offer a globally recognized, rigorous curriculum.

  • Military Academies: These schools focus on leadership and a structured environment.

  • How Admission Works: This is the key difference—it varies widely. Some programs use a lottery, others use a points system, some require an interview or audition, and some give preference based on proximity.

  • The Role of the HSAT: Varied and less direct. For many Choice programs, the HSAT score is not used at all. However, for competitive magnet schools, the HSAT score is often used to award "points" in their lottery system, giving students with higher scores a better chance of selection. In these cases, the HSAT acts as a powerful tie-breaker. You must read the specific admissions requirements for every single Choice program on the GoCPS portal to see how, or if, the HSAT is considered.

Your Strategic Takeaway

So, how should this information shape your preparation?

Because the HSAT is the only factor you can influence during your 8th-grade year, a strong preparation plan is a wise investment regardless of your final school list. Consistently using CPS HSAT Practice Tests not only prepares you for top Selective Enrollment schools but also strengthens your application for the many competitive Choice programs that use the score for points or tie-breakers. A great score keeps doors open across both categories.

Building a Balanced Application

The smartest approach on the GoCPS portal is to build a balanced list of schools. Use the knowledge of these systems to your advantage:

  1. Apply to SEHS: Even if it feels like a reach, apply to your dream Selective Enrollment schools. Your HSAT score is your ticket in.

  2. Apply to Competitive Choice Programs: Add top-tier magnet or IB programs to your list where your strong HSAT score can give you a significant advantage in the lottery.

  3. Apply to Other Choice Programs: Round out your application with other interesting programs that may rely on a pure lottery or other factors, giving you multiple pathways to a great high school experience.

Understanding these systems is the first step in a successful application. The next is learning how to organize these schools on your application, which we cover in our Strategic Guide to Ranking Schools.

By knowing where your HSAT score matters most, you can focus your energy, manage your expectations, and build an application that maximizes your opportunities for success.