1. GoCollegeNY.org/apply Hosting a Successful College Application Event October 2013

2. New York College Application Week October 28 th – November 1 st GoCollegeNY.org/apply2

3. National Campaign In 2012, over 1,600 schools in 24 states and the District of Columbia, hosted a College Application Week. Nearly 130,000 students submitted more than 195,000 applications during College Application Campaign events. GoCollegeNY.org/apply3

4. Implementing a Successful College Application Event 1.Embed it into school activities to create a college going culture. 2.Be visible. Post promotional materials. Decorate the school. 3.Inform school staff, parents, and students. 4.Integrate college awareness activities into the curriculum. 5.Recruit volunteers. 6.Work with college and university partners. GocollegeNY.org/apply4

5. College Exploration The college application process should follow a period of college exploration. Consider implementing a number of activities to encourage students to think about the right college fit. Activities include:  Meetings with counselors  College bingo  “Ask me about college!” activity with school faculty  Decorate the school/classrooms with college alma mater swag GoCollegeNY.org/apply5

6. Think About Logistics Your college application event should happen during the school day. To be prepared you may need to:  Add college application week to the school calendar.  Reserve a computer lab or library so you have a place for students to submit applications.  Recruit volunteers from your school, postsecondary, and local partners.  Send information home to parents.  Help students gather the information they need to submit applications. GoCollegeNY.org/apply6

7. Build Support & Awareness College Application Week is an opportunity to build a college going culture as you prepare for the application event. Encourage school, student, and family participation by:  Building a local team to support the event, including school personnel, counseling staff college and university partners, parent groups, and local partners.  Create fun events leading up to application week. GoCollegeNY.org/apply7

8. Consider the Fee Waiver The college application fee and associated test fees may be cost prohibitive for some students. A number of fee waivers may be available for eligible students. Waivers may come from:  The National Association for College Admissions Counselors (NACAC)  The College Board  Individual colleges  AP test fee waiver grants GoCollegeNY.org/apply8

9. Use Our Resources Site Coordinator Handbook  Includes College Application Week Planning Timeline College application worksheets for students Templates for posters, stickers, and promotional materials Parent and volunteer letters GoCollegeNY.org/apply

10. GoCollegeNY.org/Apply GoCollegeNY.org/apply10

11. Dedicated Site Coordinator Page GoCollegeNY.org/apply11

12. Site Coordinator Tool Kit GoCollegeNY.org/apply12

13. Student Exploration Resources GoCollegeNY.org/apply13

14. Recruiting Volunteers Volunteers will be crucial to ensuring that your site has enough adults to help students complete their applications. Volunteers might be:  School personnel  Retired school counselors  College admissions staff  Community partners *** The College Application Week Steering Committee can help recruit volunteers! GoCollegeNY.org/apply14

15. When you have volunteers… Send them to the College Application Week website. GoCollegeNY.org/apply15

16. “Sometimes a student going to college is as simple as someone helping them to apply” (J. Watts, 2010) GoCollegeNY.org/apply16 For questions about College Application Week, contact the New York leadership team. Jennifer Dwire Assistant Director Grant & Scholarship Programs New York State Higher Education Services Corp. jdwire@hesc.ny.gov Phone: 518.474.4060 Jennifer Sattem Fellow, Regents Research Fund New York State Education Department jsattem@mail.nysed.gov Phone: 212.921.4631