This study reports the results of a national survey of the types and uses of assessments for matriculating secondary students into college Chinese language programs. In addition to providing an overview of college placement procedures obtained from 35 college Chinese programs, the survey also probed into the rationales behind the varied placement procedures across different colleges and universities, the range of commonly used standardized tests and related policies and perceptions, and the perceived effectiveness of such practices by 125 secondary and 74 postsecondary instructors. Our analysis identifies both practices that hinder high school students' smooth transition to college and practices that facilitate the transition and achieve optimal placement in postsecondary Chinese programs. Based on analyses of convergent and divergent practices and perspectives, we recommend a series of principles and strategies for more effective secondary-postsecondary articulation of Chinese language programs in the United States.