Road to Success: Navigating the College Process 11th Grade Session Road to Success: Navigating the College Process Forest Hills High School

What do colleges want to see? GROWTH Academic Student Social Student Mature Student What do colleges want to see? They will use your application, transcript, essays and interviews to see that you have grown in your time at Forest Hills High School

What can I do to show that I am an academic, social and mature student? Grades Clubs Job Community Service Sports

Activities Co-Curricular Activities (take place in school) Sports Clubs Community Service Projects Internships Extra-Curricular Activities (take place outside of school) Jobs (including summer jobs) Athletic Leagues/Lessons Art/Music Lessons and Performances Independent Community Service Internships Responsibilities at home

What Do Colleges Look For In An Applicant? Grades in academic courses – Academic Rigor SAT or ACT scores Grades in all courses Class rank Essay or writing sample Teacher recommendations Counselor recommendation* Interview* Work/Extracurricular activities Student’s demonstrated interest *Not all schools require this

What exams should I take to get into college? All Schools For students that studied outside of the United States during HS. Highly Selective Schools

The College : Making the Match It’s not about finding the BEST college…It’s about finding the RIGHT college for YOU!

What should I think about when choosing a college to attend? Questions to ask yourself: Do I want to stay home or go away? How far? Am I looking for a large urban school or a small rural one? Am I looking for a public or private school? Does the school have my major or a lot of majors I am interested in? How much is the cost of tuition? Do they provide a good amount of financial aid? Is the student population diverse? Does that matter to me? Do my parent/guardian(s) agree with my college choices? Religious vs. Non-Denominational?

How do I begin the search for a college that is right for me? Filter data by Geographic Area Requirements – Grades, SAT Scores Courses of Study Offered

Four Year Schools vs Two Year Schools Bachelor’s Degree Typically costs MORE than a two-year college Tends to have more options for majors and minors REQUIRE college entrance exams (SAT, ACT, SAT II) Certificate or associate’s degree Be aware of transfer requirements Do NOT require college entrance exams! (SAT, ACT) Four Year Schools vs Two Year Schools Two Year Schools- Community College

Public vs Private Private Public Rely on tuition, endowments and donations These schools can often offer generous aid packages to undergrads who demonstrate financial need   Tend to be smaller than public schools – smaller student population Funded primarily through state taxes Tuition cost tends to be lower In state residents are able to attend at a lower cost Tend to be larger than private schools – larger student population Public vs Private Public

CUNY vs SUNY SUNY CUNY GPA Range: Variable City University of New York Baruch Brooklyn City College Hunter John Jay College of Criminal Justice Lehman Medgar Evers New York City College of Technology Queens College York College __________________________________________ Queensborough Community College LaGuardia Kingsborough Borough of Manhattan Hostos Guttman Bronx GPA Range: 80-92 SAT: 800-1300 ACT: 18-28 State University of New York Albany Binghamton Brockport University of Buffalo Buffalo State Farmingdale New Paltz Old Westbury Oneonta Oswego Purchase Stony Brook And More…Two Year Schools Available GPA Range: Variable GPA Range: 77-Below NO SAT/ACT Required CUNY vs SUNY CUNY

Special Honors Programs (CUNY) Macaulay Honors Undergraduate tuition* scholarship** (excludes fees) Laptop computer City College: Sophie Davis Program B.S./M.D Program Needs SAT AND ACT Brooklyn College B.A./M.D. Program

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Strong Academic Programs Strong Social and Emotional Support Lower tuition Ample Scholarships 107 Colleges including: Spelman, Howard, Tuskegee, Hampton, Lincoln, etc.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Historically Black Colleges and Universities are wide ranging from the extremely selective to least selective HBCUs are responsible for half of America's Black baccalaureate holders There is an HBCU for everyone For future doctors (Meharry Medical College), for men (Morehouse), for women (Spelman), for those who want a liberal education (Hampton, Dillard, Xavier) HBCUs offer a quality education and the same typical college experience

Special Educational Opportunity Programs Available at Private Schools (NOT all) Available at SUNY Schools (NOT all) Available at 4 year CUNY schools Available at 2 year CUNY Schools (community college) *Do not have to be financially eligible NOT all schools or majors Available at 2 year CUNY schools (community college) MUST meet Academic AND financial guidelines* Services usually include: Pre-freshman Summer Program, Academic Advisement Holistic Counseling, Personal Mentoring, Tutorial Services, Supplemental Instruction, Financial Assistance

Athletes Playing College Division Level Sports SAT/ACT Scores GPA NCAA Eligibility Center GPA Athletes Playing College Division Level Sports You MUST register with the NCAA eligibility center to be eligible for athletic scholarships and to be an active on the roster as a freshman

Excelsior Scholarship ELIGIBILITY: Be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term; Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; Have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department; Have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less; Be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University;

Excelsior Scholarship (continued) Be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program; Be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award; Be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by a NYS award that you have previously received; and Execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.

How many colleges should I apply to? Recommended: MAXIMUM 8 to10 schools Safety School – a school in which your chances of being accepted are VERY LIKELY. You meet at least the minimum admission criteria – GPA & SAT/ACT scores. Should also be financially safe. Should have at least one to two safety schools!

should I apply to? (continued) How many colleges should I apply to? (continued) Target School – a school that usually accepts students with your GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Reach School – a highly selective (competitive) school that accept few students AND the admission criteria may be slightly above your GPA and/or SAT/ACT scores. NOTE: Keep at least two financially safe schools on your list!

Types of Admissions REGULAR EARLY DECISION EARLY ACTION ROLLING

College Application Options Regular Decision The most common option for admission. Regardless of when you submit your application, you will be notified by early April. An ideal option for students who want to compare financial aid packages. Early Decision If you know a school is your first and only choice, you should consider Early Decision. Early Decision is binding — if you are admitted, you must withdraw all other applications and enroll at that particular college. Applications are generally due mid-fall (usually in early to mid-November). Early Decision notifications are usually sent in December. Early Action Ideal if you have identified a top choice, but still want to weigh your options. If you are admitted, you are not obligated to attend. Applications are generally due mid-fall. You have until the spring to make your final decision. Rolling Admission Students are notified as colleges make decisions. Decisions are usually sent out within four to ten weeks from the time the application is submitted.

The College Application Process: Who’s Responsible for WHAT? The Application SENDING SAT/ACT/SATII SCORES Asking for Letters of Recommendation Sending Other School and/or Foreign Transcripts Requesting Mid-Year Reports to be sent Sending your FHHS Transcript Writing a Recommendation, ONLY if the college REQUIRES it Sending supporting documents OTHER THAN SAT/ACT Scores YOU – THE STUDENT Your School Counselor

COMMUNICATION BE PROACTIVE! ASK QUESTIONS! DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS! Consistent Communication is VITAL between you, your teachers, and your school counselor! There are 1000 seniors, a hand full of counselors and…only ONE of YOU!

Letter of Recommendation – What teachers should I ask? Some college applications and scholarships require students to submit letters of recommendation from teachers and/or their counselor. Give teachers/counselors plenty of time to write a letter of recommendation (at least one month). Schools generally prefer letters from teachers in an academic subject area and within your intended major area. Provide recommendation writers with information - create a resume or complete the form available in the counseling office. Make a positive impression by asking for letters from teachers with whom you have a good rapport and in whose classes you worked very diligently.

You need to talk to your parents NOW about your college plans! Are you planning to go away to college or will you stay close to home? Are you and your parents in agreement? College costs $$$$$ – How much can you and your parents afford?

What will it cost to apply for college? Each application costs $$$ - an Application Fee Fees range from $35 to $100 each Choose which schools you will apply to wisely! Fee Waivers – They are NOT UNLIMITED! CUNY – First Come, First Serve SUNY – Only 4 schools EVEN on the Common Application Private Schools – they determine eligibility

How Much Does College Cost?

Tuition Costs* *Per School Year Private College $38,000+ SUNY College $22,000+ CUNY College $7,000+ Example: St. John’s, Fordham University, Adelphi, Hofstra SUNY Schools – Stony Brook, Binghamton, Albany, etc. CUNY Schools – Baruch, Hunter, Queens, etc. Community Colleges LaGuardia, BMCC, Queensborough, etc. *Per School Year

How do I apply for financial aid?

Who is Eligible for Financial Aid? The following individuals are eligible for financial aid and SHOULD fill out FAFSA: U.S. Citizens Permanent Residents (Green Card Holder) Refugees

Unfortunately, who is NOT Eligible for FAFSA? The following individuals are not eligible fill out the FAFSA: Student Visa Holders F-1 or F-2 Exchange Visitors J-1 or J-2 Visa Holders G-Series Visa Holders Undocumented

If you know someone who is not eligible... Tell them to: Call the Financial Aid office of his/her accepted schools. The school may be willing to work with the student and have them fill out a paper FAFSA. The information is kept confidential.

What kind of help can I get to pay for college?

What should I be doing NOW?? Register for SAT/ACT/TOEFL Searching for colleges Searching for private scholarships Studying for SAT/ACT/TOEFL Making summer plans

What should I be doing this SUMMER? Working on college essay Narrowing down college application list Working on private scholarship applications Starting applications, if available Visiting colleges Internships Volunteering Working