Welcome Parents and students of the class of 2017! Ms. DeNunzio College Counselor, Room 303 DDENUNzio@schools.nyc.gov 718-721-5404 ext. 3031

Topics of The night Where do we start? SAT/ACT Registration How to make a college list and what you need to know Applying to college Financial Aid Timeline What’s Next?

Did you know… …There are approximately 5,300 colleges in the United States?! So where do we start?...

Four Year colleges and universities Mostly all 4 year colleges and universities require students to sit for the SATs or ACTs at least once before they graduate high school Want to see students challenging themselves into their senior year Require current transcript and schedule to make an admission decision Mostly all 4 year colleges will require a personal statement to be reviewed for admission. Start preparing early! Will want to see letters of recommendation from teachers, supervisors, coaches, etc., that know the students well as a whole. Look heavily at the students overall average and SAT/ACT scores, combined

Two year colleges Do NOT require students to sit for the SATs or ACTs (but it is still a good idea for students to sit for them) Do NOT require letters of recommendation or a personal statement Requires seeing the student’s current transcript and schedule for admissions decision May be a good option to choose if student is unsure of what career or major they are interested in

What are the sat EXAMS? The SAT’s are a standardized test that Juniors and Seniors take nationwide, to be used for admission to four year colleges and universities. To register: go to www.Collegeboard.org,create an account, and register for the test. Paper applications are also available in the College Office, room 303. Students should aim to take the test about 2 times throughout high school- once at the end of their Junior year, and once in the beginning of their Senior year. REMEMBER: Students will be sitting for the NEW SAT! Upcoming Test Dates and Deadlines: Test Day: Saturday, May 7th Registration Deadline: April 8th Test Day: Saturday, June 4th Registration Deadline: May 5th

What are the act exams? The ACT’s are a standardized test that can be used as an alternative to the SAT exams, for admissions to colleges and universities. You do not have to take both, you may take one or the other. To register: Go to ACTstudent.org, create an account, and register. Upcoming ACT dates and deadlines: Test Day: Saturday, April 9th Registration Deadline: March 4th Test Day: Saturday, June 11th Registration Deadline: May 6th

Fee waivers Students may qualify for SAT and ACT fee waivers Students must first complete the lunch application forms to see if they are eligible Once you have submitted your lunch application form, see Ms. DeNunzio in the College Office, room 303, and she will distribute them to qualifying students. Students are limited to TWO SAT fee waivers, TWO ACT fee waivers, and TWO SAT II Subject fee waivers, ALL TOGETHER. Students who qualify for SAT and ACT fee waivers, will also qualify for college application fee waivers. See Ms. DeNunzio in the fall to learn more information.

How do you choose which college is right for your student? There are many factors to take into consideration when making a college list: Size of School Tuition Location (City, Urban, Suburban, Rural, etc.) Majors Offered Special Admissions Programs GPA/SAT Scores Accepted Diversity on Campus Acceptance Rate Programs and Activities for students on campus- Student Life Sports on campus

Making your college list A well researched list of approximately 10-12 schools that offer programs, location and other amenities that are important to you as a student and an individual. * 1. Target/Match Schools: Schools where you have a reasonable (typically better than 50-50) chance for admission. Your GPA and SAT scores are similar to those in which the school typically accepts.*YOUR LIST SHOULD CONSIST OF MOSTLY THESE TYPES OF SCHOOLS! 2. Safety Schools: Schools where you typically are somewhat overqualified, where you will almost certainly gain admission. However, there is no guarantee on any of these schools. List should consist of 1-2 of these. 3. Reach Schools: A reach school is a college that you have a chance of getting into, but your test scores and high school grades are a bit on the low side when you look at the school’s profile.

University Options CUNY: City University of New York SUNY: State University of New York Private/Out-of-State Schools

The CUNY Application Process www.cuny.edu Tips when applying to CUNY Schools: You will apply for CUNY via www.cuny.edu website. You are able to select 6 schools on 1 application for 1 application fee (approx. $65). You should apply to CUNY as early as possible because applications are read on a rolling basis. Students should include at least one 2 Year Community College on their application. Options when Applying to CUNY: (Refer to CUNY Admissions Profile 2015) General Admissions: Includes all 4 Year Colleges and 2 Year Community Colleges. 2. Macaulay Honors: Competitive Program offered at most of the 4 Year Colleges. Application process is early and there are many benefits offered to accepted students.

The SUNY Application Options State University of New York 64 schools in total! NYS Students pay a reduced In-State Tuition Each School has their own independent application- not like CUNY system. The SUNY Application is extremely simple. Found at SUNY.edu/apply Can use the Common Application to apply, as well

Private & Out of State Colleges Which one is right for you? Where do you start searching!? Naviance Listing of Schools that Offer your Particular Major of Interest 3. Look into Special Programs offered at these schools such as: HEOP- A Program designed to assist students with a financial need to get into particular NY State Private Schools (See listing on bths.edu website)

Important Personal Deadlines Start looking up schools online. Contact Your Schools of Interest and ask about campus tours and visits! Make sure you pass by the Admissions Office and that they have a record of you visiting campus: They want to see a genuine interest on your part! Remember ALL emails, etc. that you exchange with College Reps will be in your file! Submitting Applications: While you and your student are creating their college list during the summer, make sure you make note of when application deadlines are!

Financial aid You may BEGIN applying for financial aid OCTOBER 1ST , 2016, for the 2017-2018 academic school year This is the first time students will be able to begin applying for financial aid this early! You will be using your tax information from your 2015 taxes To apply for financial aid, you must complete something called the FAFSA Application, which is located online at, FAFSA.ed.gov Please remember that this is a FREE application! You do not need to pay to complete your FAFSA

Timeline- spring semester, junior year Sit for the SAT’s or ACT’s at least once! Be mindful of dates of the exams and registration deadlines. Fee waivers are available in the College Office, for qualifying students. Do your college research. Log into your Naviance account, and start looking into colleges and conducting college searches. It’s never too early to start making a tentative list of schools you’re interested in! Start looking into scholarships. It’s never too early to start your scholarship search. Naviance has a list of over 100 scholarships that you can apply to! Utilize this tool and apply to as many scholarships apply to you as possible!

Spring Semester, junior year continued Start planning visits to college campuses and attending college fairs around your area. Don’t forget about Bryant’s annual college fair in October! Don’t get lazy!!! These are the last grades colleges are going to view on your initial transcripts when you apply, so keep applying yourself! Start asking teachers for letters of recommendation before the rush. It’s never too early to start asking teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you. You should aim for asking 1-2 teachers, and try to give them your Brag Sheet BEFORE summer break, so both you and your teachers are not overwhelmed in the beginning of the school year.

Summer break, junior year going into senior year Make a concrete list of colleges you are planning on applying to. Make sure your list includes at least 1-2 safety schools, some target schools, and reach schools if you’d like. Be aware of your application deadlines!! Once you have your list of colleges, check when the application deadlines are on their website, so you have a set timeline for your college application process. Don’t wait until the last minute! The earlier you apply, the earlier you hear back. Register for a fall SAT or ACT. Try to sit for the SAT or ACT for a second time, to try and score higher the second time around. Work on your college essay or personal statement. Continue visiting college campuses and open house at schools you’re interested in.

Fall semester, senior year Sit for the SAT/ACT. Check in with your teachers about letters of recommendation. If you did not do so in the spring, complete a Brag Sheet, and ask 1-2 teachers for letters of recommendation. Find out what applications you must complete in order to apply to all of your colleges. Remember that if you are applying Early Action or Early Decision, your deadline is much earlier than others. (Hint: Early Decision is BINDING, and you MUST attend that college if they accept you. You may only apply to ONE college with Early Decision).

Fall semester, senior year continued Attend college fairs, and continue visiting potential colleges you will be applying to. Don’t forget about Bryant’s annual college fair! Pay attention to dates and deadlines for college applications and scholarships! FOR EVERY COLLEGE YOU APPLY TO, YOU MUST COMPLETE A COLLEGE APPLICATION FORM AND GIVE IT IN TO THE COLLEGE OFFICE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE!!! If you hand the sheet in to the College Office less than two weeks before the deadline, it is not guaranteed that your application materials will be sent in on time. Complete your FAFSA (Financial Aid), beginning OCTOBER 1ST. Go to FAFSA.ed.gov, and complete your FAFSA with 2015 taxes.

FREE resources FREE SAT PREP Khanacademy.org Castlelearning.com Collegeboard.org MindMatterstutorial.com Letsgetready.org SCHOLARSHIPS Naviance.com Fastweb.com Scholarships.com Cappex.com FINANCIAL AID FAFSA.ed.gov

Ms. DeNunzio, College Counselor QUESTIONS? Ms. DeNunzio, College Counselor Room 303, College Office DDeNunzio@schools.nyc.gov 718-721-5404 ext 3031