Table Of ContentPlan.
Act.
Learn.
Go.
applying
to College
starts now
Are you ready for college?
Yes, college! Most jobs, not just the best jobs,
will require some education after high school.
This guide helps you plan for and apply to
college. Learn what to do, when to do it and
where you can find help.
it’s your future. you can make it happen.
starting now. Here’s how.
Made possible
by the generous adapted from The Citi College Planning Guide
support of: Get the complete guide at www.newvisions.org/collegeguide2007.asp
Getting ready for college is a process — one that starts as soon as you enter
KnoW your high school. It has many steps and many deadlines. The good news: There are
resources to help you stay organized. Talk to your college advisor, and use
resourCes
the resources below to get information and to identify test dates and other
important deadlines. Make your plans, register for tests and events, and then
mark your calendar so you’ll be in the right place at the right time.
test dates and registration Financial aid
deadlines
n Financial aid section of the full Citi College Planning
Resources for test dates and registration deadlines: Guide: www.newvisions.org/collegeguide2007.asp
n regents exams are offered in January and June. n Financial aid and college workshops for
http://usny.nysed.gov/parents/regexams.html parents/guardians: Advocates for Children,
www.insideschools.org
n sat exams are offered each month from October
through January as well as in March, May and June. n Scholarship information: Scholarships for New York
www.collegeboard.com/testing City Students, www.newvisions.org/collegebound/
scholarships0708.pdf
n aCt exams are offered in September, October,
December, February, April and June. n FAFSA information: www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.actstudent.org/regist/currentdates.html n FAFSA worksheet: www.fafsa.ed.gov/fafsaws78c.pdf
n Psat exams are offered once a year in October. n HESC: www.hesc.com
www.collegeboard.com/testing
n aP and CleP exams: athletics
www.collegeboard.com/testing
n NCAA Guide for the College-Bound
n toeFl: www.ets.org
Student-Athlete: www.ncaastudent.org
n Registration for the NCAA Clearinghouse:
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
low-cost test preparation, tutoring,
youth employment and more
College fair schedules
n SAT, PSAT, AP, CLEP practice questions:
www.collegeboard.com/testing
Most college fairs are in the fall, many in October. Get
n SEEK/College Discovery. To apply, complete the schedules and details here:
Special Programs section of the CUNY application
n www.bigapplecollegefairs.com
n Searchable profiles of college access programs
n www.hesc.com
to prepare, plan and pay for college:
www.collegeaccess.org/accessprogramdirectory n New Visions’ Citi College Fair: www.newvisions.org
n Employment, volunteer and internship opportunities: n NACAC: www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/Events/
CollegeFairs
www.newvisions.org/collegebound/weblinks.asp
Comparing Colleges
n College comparison worksheet: www.newvisions.
org/collegebound/ComparingColleges_form.pdf
MaKe sense oF tHe alPHaBet souP
College now
Information about applying to college — and applying
n www.collegenow.cuny.edu.
for financial aid — can seem like it’s written in a foreign
language. See page 8 for a glossary that explains the
adapted from The Citi College Planning Guide
Get the complete guide at www.newvisions.org/collegeguide2007.asp acronyms, initials and terms.
2
8
For Parents and Guardians:
eiGHt Ways you Can HelP
5.
Once students reach high school, they may try to talk you Visit college campuses and fairs with your
out of being involved. You might hear: “Don’t bother, I’m teenager. (See Know Your Resources on page 2
fine.” Or: “I don’t need your help.” Don’t believe it. Your for details.) Ask your student’s college advisor
teenager needs you now more than ever. about opportunities to visit college campuses for free.
Help your teenager create a list of college choices.
1.
Find out which classes and Regents exams your
6.
child needs in order to prepare for college. Make Help your student understand his or her financial
sure your teenager knows that earning good aid options. Attend parent financial aid and
grades and taking Regents exams are essential, not college workshops at your teenager’s school or
optional. neighborhood organization. (See Know Your Resources on
page 2 for details.) Have copies of your federal and state
2.
Meet regularly with your student’s teachers tax forms ready by the end of January of your student’s
and college advisors. Make sure you know senior year. These tax forms are essential for the financial
each teacher’s expectations, and discuss aid applications your teenager will need to complete
your teenager’s academic progress and extracurricular in February. Help your student with the financial aid
activities. Keep an eye out for parent-teacher nights applications. The earlier they are filed, the more money
once a semester. your student is likely to receive.
3. 7.
Provide encouragement and support so your Talk to your teen’s college advisor about
teen can maintain good grades. Make sure your opportunities to offset application costs and
teen is doing homework every night. Support fee waivers that can help reduce the cost of
him or her by providing a quiet workspace and routines applying to college.
that allow enough time for schoolwork. Attendance is
8.
important, too, so set limits on bedtime and help your Use Scholarships for New York City Students
student get out the door on time each morning. to find scholarships for which your teenager
is qualified. (See Know Your Resources on
4.
Help your student organize his or her admis- page 2 for details.)
sions applications, financial aid documents
and other paperwork. Review the timelines in
this guide together, and help your student keep ahead
of deadlines.
Students who enroll in college earn an
you Can
Fact: $12,900
average of more a year than
Count tHe high school dropouts.
BeneFits oF
Students who graduate from a four-year college
ColleGe Fact: earn an average of $33,200 more a year than
high school dropouts. Over a lifetime, that’s an
extra $1.4 million in earnings!
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006
3
11
tiMeline For
iF you are things to do in 9th grade
11th Grade
in 9th Grade
1.
do well in school. Attend all your classes and get good
9
grades.
2.
start planning. Get to know your college advisor. Map
This is the year to get
out a four-year plan for the classes you’ll need for
on track for college. college. In 9th grade, you should earn at least 11 credits.
You also should take at least one Regents exam by the
end of 9th grade if your school offers them.
3.
try something new. Find a great after-school activity,
such as chess, drama, band, karate, dance, volunteering,
volleyball or a college access program. Plan an engaging
10
summer by researching and applying for summer
tiMeline For programs and internships.
10th Grade
sePteMBer & oCtoBer q T ake the PSAT/NMSQT. Be MarCH & aPril q Apply for working papers.
sure to know the correct date (Remember, you must be 15 to
q Meet with your advisor and and test location. Ask your q Research and apply for work in NYC.)
parents/guardians to: advisor for practice tests and summer programs and q Meet with your advisor to:
l R egister for the PSAT. other tips. ianttteernntsiohnip tso. Pparyo gcrlaomse l D iscuss your academic
l R eview your 9th grade noVeMBer deadlines. progress.
transcript and your progress
q Visit a college campus and l R eview your four-year
through your four-year plan.
q Continue to study hard and attend an information session. course plan and choose the
q Go to the Big Apple get good grades. classes you need to take
College Fair May & June next year.
l E xplore different types of January l D iscuss your summer plans.
colleges (private, public, q Prepare for and take the
professional and arts). q Meet with your advisor to Regents exams. By the end of l A sk about Advanced
learn which Regents exams 10th grade, you should take Placement classes.
q S tay involved in extra-
curricular activities. Try you should take in June. three Regents exams: math, l A sk about and register for
science and history. a College Now course at a
applying for a leadership
position. q Ask your advisor and teachers local college.
if they know of any summer l S tart preparing for the
opportunities. October ACT.
things to do in 10th grade
1. eVery suMMer
explore. Visits to college campuses are a fun way to
learn about college life.
2. Colleges want to know how you spend your
study hard. Get good grades so you’ll graduate on time
time each summer.
and be eligible for college scholarships.
3. n Find a summer program, internship or job
B ecome a leader. Good leaders speak well, listen, inspire
that you will enjoy.
and help others. Colleges look for students who can
motivate their peers. n Read at least three books for fun.
4
PLAN: Know your deadlines, mark your calendar. ACt: Complete each step in order, on time. LEARN: Keep up with your studies, maintain your grades. GO: Go to college and open the doors to your future.
11
tiMeline For tiMeline For
11th Grade MarCH q Meet with your advisor and 12th Grade
parents/guardians to:
q T ake the March SAT if you
l D iscuss your current
are registered.
courses and the number
q English Language Learners: of credits you have.
find out if the colleges on l D ecide on the classes you
your list require the TOEFL.
sePteMBer q Find and register for an SAT will take next year.
Register to take the test.
prep course being held in l R eview your college list.
q Continue your involvement January or February. q Research and apply for a
with extracurricular and summer program, internship
suMMer
leadership activities. January or job.
q Register for College Now or q Visit some of the colleges q Enjoy your summer program,
Advanced Placement classes. q Start learning about that interest you. internship, youth employment
q Make sure that you take financial aid. q If you are planning to take AP or volunteer work. Tell
courses that challenge you, q Talk with your advisor or CLEP tests this spring, talk teachers and/or supervisors
such as pre-calculus/Math B about scholarships. with your college advisor or that you will ask for letters of
and chemistry. q A ttend a Department of teachers about preparing. recommendation in the fall.
q Register for the October ACT. Education financial aid q Register for the May SAT. q Request catalogues, admission
workshop with your Even if you took the March applications and financial aid
oCtoBer parents/guardians. SAT, many people retake the information from colleges you
q Meet with your advisor and test to raise their scores. haven’t already contacted.
q Meet with your advisor to parents/guardians to: q Identify at least two
discuss your 10th grade PSAT aPril scholarships that match
l R eview your academic
scores, and start to consider your interests or talents.
progress.
your career path. q Attend spring college fairs. q Write an outline for an
q Attend fall college fairs. l F ind out which Regents q Narrow your college autobiographical essay.
exams you have to take
q Take the October ACT if you in June. application list to 6–8 q Visit college campuses.
colleges.
are registered. l R egister for the March SAT. q Register with the NCAA q Create a résumé that
includes all of your jobs and
noVeMBer l R egister for College Now Clearinghouse if you are extracurricular activities.
classes. interested in playing sports
q Use your PSAT scores to help in college. q Find out if a placement
test, audition or portfolio is
identify the test skills you FeBruary
required for admission to a
need to develop before taking May
the SAT. q Prepare a list of colleges specialized program. Start
preparing these items if you
you’d like to attend. Visit those q Take the May SAT if you are
need them.
deCeMBer schools online, call admissions registered.
offices or go to college fairs q Begin to prepare for your June q Research summer deadlines
q Study hard for high school to request free materials. Regents exams. for fall ACT, SAT, TOEFL and
exams and College Now q Learn about special CLEP tests.
classes. admissions requirements June q Begin preparing for the SAT II
q Prepare for January for performing and visual subject tests you plan to take
Regents exams. arts colleges. q Take Regents exams. in the fall.
q Take an SAT prep course.
things to do in 11th grade
1. 2. 3.
research regularly. Use the library Get on the ball with financial aid. C ontinue to study hard — and get
and the Internet to research and Learn about financial aid and talk to help staying on track. Review your
select colleges that interest you. Use your parents/guardians about it. Go to credits, grades and Regents scores
the college comparison worksheet, a financial aid workshop (ask your col- with your college advisor to make
www.newvisions.org/collegebound/ lege advisor about workshops in your sure you are on track for high school
ComparingColleges_form.pdf, to track area). Identify at least two scholarships graduation. The more you talk with
what you learn. Attend college fairs that match your talents and interests your advisor, the more help you’ll get.
and open houses. (leadership, community service, sports, (See Know Your Resources on page 2
religious affiliations, etc.). for details.)
5
PLAN: Know your deadlines, mark your calendar. ACt: Complete each step in order, on time. LEARN: Keep up with your studies, maintain your grades. GO: Go to college and open the doors to your future.
tiMeline For
12th Grade deCeMBer l W hich, if any, Regents
exams do you need to
q T ake the December SAT or take in June?
ACT if you are registered.
l R egister for College Now
q G ive applications with mid- classes.
January deadlines to your
l M ake sure your applications
college advisor to complete
sePteMBer q G ive recommendation forms are complete.
questions on class rank and
to your college advisor, academic history. q C heck with your teachers,
q K now your SAT, ACT, CLEP teachers, employers or others. advisors or employers to
and TOEFL dates for the fall. Include addressed, stamped q G ive your advisor a list of
make sure your letters
envelopes to make it easier for colleges and scholarship
q R egister for any SAT II subject of recommendation and
them to mail the letters. organizations that require
tests you plan to take in transcripts are mailed.
an official transcript.
October. q M eet Early Decision and Early
q S tudy hard and get good Action deadlines. Make copies q F inalize your essays. FeBruary
grades. Colleges like to see of your applications before q C ollect information about your
strong grades in the first you mail them. family’s household finances, q C omplete and mail the FAFSA
semester of the senior year. q W ork on your essay drafts. which will be required for the or file online.
q M eet regularly with your Get feedback from teachers or FAFSA form. q Complete your TAP application
college advisor. This is an your college advisor. q A pply for a PIN for your using either the online or paper
important year to: q P olish your portfolio and TAP and FAFSA applications, version.
l R eview your college audition presentation if you which can be submitted after q C omplete CSS/PROFILE and
are applying to a visual or January 1. other financial aid forms.
application list.
performing arts school. q I f you applied Early Decision
l M ake sure your list includes
q B egin to apply for or Early Action, keep an eye MarCH
“dream,” “probable” and
scholarships. out for decision letters.
“safety” schools.
q M ail applications to colleges
l A sk your advisor about q A ttend college fairs and q P repare for January Regents. that have open or rolling
Early Decision or Early continue to visit college q S end out all scholarship admissions, as these schools
Action. campuses. applications before the end may run out of space.
of December.
q T hink of two or three teachers noVeMBer q Q uickly complete and return
who could write great letters HEOP/EOP forms that you
January
of recommendation for you. q T ake the November SAT if receive from colleges.
Don’t forget about your
you are registered. q J anuary is a very popular q K eep an eye on the mail for
advisor or employers from
q B egin filling out your college month for application your SAR, which will have the
after-school and summer
applications. Most regular deadlines. Make copies of information that you included
activities.
admissions deadlines range your applications before on your FAFSA. Review your
q R egister for College Now and from late December to early you send them in. SAR carefully and send any
Advanced Placement classes. changes by mail.
March. q Ask your parents/guardians
q W rite first drafts of your q A ttend a financial aid to work on their tax return
essays for college and workshop with your estimates so you can complete aPril
scholarship applications. parents/guardians. the FAFSA and get the financial
q C heck the mail for decision
q E nglish Language Learners: q R emind teachers, college aid you need. You can submit letters. Colleges are supposed
Register for the TOEFL. the FAFSA after January 1
advisors and others to mail to let you know their decisions
online or through the mail.
your recommendation forms. this month.
oCtoBer q A ttend financial aid workshops
q S chedule college interviews or q F inancial aid letters are sent
with your parents/guardians
q T ake the October SAT or auditions, if necessary. at high schools, college access separately by each college
SAT II subject tests if you q I f you have a learning or programs or the Department that accepts you, and these
are registered. physical disability, contact of Education. usually arrive later.
q F inalize your list of six to eight colleges and ask about q M eet with your advisor: q I f you do not apply for TAP
support services that are online but have completed
colleges.
available for students with l A re you on track for your FAFSA application, HESC
q A sk your advisor if you qualify special needs. graduation? will mail you an express TAP
for financial aid programs like
q R evise your essays and ask for application (called an ETA) to
HEOP/EOP, SEEK or College
final feedback from teachers review, sign and return.
Discovery.
or your advisor.
6
PLAN: Know your deadlines, mark your calendar. ACt: Complete each step in order, on time. LEARN: Keep up with your studies, maintain your grades. GO: Go to college and open the doors to your future.
May & June q N otify all other colleges that l P repare for and take final
you do not plan to accept exams.
q O nce you have chosen the their offer of admission. l B reathe a big sigh of relief!
school you plan to attend,
q I f accepted through Congratulations — you
notify the college before the
HEOP, review information made it!
deadline — usually May 1.
on mandatory summer
q R eview all of your financial orientation and class
aid forms and check off the schedule.
financial aid you accept. Sign
q S tudents accepted for
and return the form to the regular admission should things to do in 12th grade
college financial aid office. If
review the orientation and
applicable, sign and return
registration schedule.
loan promissory notes. 1.
set goals, work hard, take yourself seriously. Your
q I f your college is away
q I f you need more financial aid, senior year is one of the most rewarding times of your
from home, begin planning
contact the college’s financial life! By the end, you’ll have earned a high school diploma
transportation and the
aid office. and will be college bound.
luggage you will take.
2.
q M ail your tuition deposit. q F inish high school! Pay attention to details. Deadlines are very important.
q I f you plan to live on campus, Missing one can cause a lot of unneeded anxiety in your
l I f you are registered, take
you will receive information life. Follow through with all the small steps along the
AP test(s). Scoring well
on dormitories. Complete and way, and you’ll be ahead of the game.
can earn you credits in
return the questionnaire on 3.
college. M anage your time. Get involved in rewarding activities
personal lifestyle, interests and
habits. l K eep on top of your both in and out of school. Between school, homework,
classes, so you do not social activities and the mountains of paperwork
q M ail your room and board jeopardize your high involved in college applications, you will be busy. Plan
deposit.
school graduation. carefully and be responsible, so your senior year can be
both fun and rewarding.
aPPlyinG to Cuny sCHools
New York City students have a valuable resource: the n You can apply to as many as six programs and colleges
City University of New York, or CUNY. CUNY has 11 senior using one application. All completed applications are
colleges and six community colleges, each of which offers sent to the University Application Processing Center
a wide range of academic and financial aid opportunities (UAPC) instead of to individual schools.
for students from New York City. Attending a CUNY school n If you attend a New York City public school, your school
is a great option for students who want to work or stay in can give you a CUNY Personalized Application, which
the city after they graduate from high school. Many CUNY already has your high school transcript printed on the
programs have flexible schedules. back of the form. Ask your advisor for details.
n All students who are interested in applying to a CUNY
Cuny aPPliCation tiPs:
Honors College must complete a separate Honors
Admissions requirements are not the same for all CUNY College Application and submit it to UAPC. You can
schools. Some of the specialized programs require an apply to only one of the seven Honors College programs,
essay and letters of recommendation. Learn the admissions so ask your advisor to help you choose the right one.
requirements for each school to which you want to apply.
n Visit www.cuny.edu for deadlines.
Visit the CUNY Web site, www.cuny.edu, to find information
about CUNY Honors Colleges or other specialized programs.
7
PLAN: Know your deadlines, mark your calendar. ACt: Complete each step in order, on time. LEARN: Keep up with your studies, maintain your grades. GO: Go to college and open the doors to your future.
8
MaKe sense oF tHe
Learning about colleges and submitting applications can
alPHaBet souP mean wading through a sea of acronyms, initials and
terms. Use this glossary to cut through the confusion.
aCt. ACT is a college entrance exam. candidate, you agree to attend the college sar. Student Aid Report. A report that
It assesses your general educational if it accepts you and offers an adequate confirms that your FAFSA has been
development and your ability to complete financial aid package. Most Early Action processed. You will receive your SAR
college-level work. Students usually take the plans are not binding: You typically do not from FAFSA either electronically within
ACT in 11th grade; many take it again in 12th have to commit to a college when you apply three days or by mail within three weeks,
grade. Most colleges require either the ACT Early Action. depending on how you submitted your
or the SAT as part of the application. FAFSA. Review your SAR carefully and
FaFsa. The Free Application for Federal send any changes by mail.
aP. Advanced Placement. AP classes are Student Aid. This application is a critical
college-level classes that are offered in high element of applying for financial aid and can sat (sat reasoning test). The SAT is
school. After taking these classes, students be submitted online or by mail. To complete a college entrance exam. It assesses your
can take AP exams. If you score high the FAFSA, parents/guardians must have critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
enough, you can earn college credit. copies of their federal and state tax forms Students usually take the SAT in 11th grade;
ready by the end of January of the student’s many take it again in 12th grade. Most
CleP. College Level Examination senior year. colleges require either the SAT or the ACT
Program. CLEP gives students the as part of the application.
opportunity to demonstrate college-level HeoP/eoP. Higher Education Opportunity
achievement through a program of exams Program (for private institutions) and sat subject tests (formerly called
in undergraduate college courses. There Education Opportunity Program (for public sat ii). These standardized tests measure
are 2,900 colleges that grant credit and/or institutions). Both offer financial aid and your knowledge and skills in particular
advanced standing for CLEP exams. academic support to students who meet subject areas, such as English, history,
economic eligibility guidelines. To apply, mathematics, science and language. Many
College discovery/seeK (search check the HEOP/EOP box on your college colleges use the Subject Tests for admission,
for education, elevation, and applications or contact the colleges’ HEOP/ for course placement and to advise students
Knowledge). These programs offer EOP offices. about course selection. Students should
support for high-potential, low-income take SAT Subject Tests only in subjects for
students who are not academically well HesC. New York State Higher Education which they are well prepared.
prepared for college. College Discovery is Services Corporation. This state agency
available to students at two-year CUNY administers the Tuition Assistance Program taP. Tuition Assistance Program. TAP offers
colleges; SEEK is available to students at and guarantees student loans. additional financial assistance to students
four-year CUNY colleges. attending colleges and universities in New
naCaC. National Association for College York state. You can link to the TAP site once
College now. Through College Now, Admission Counseling. This organization you complete your FAFSA online or contact
students from NYC public high schools of college advisors hosts college fairs HESC to apply by mail. An express TAP
can take college-level classes at their local throughout the year. application is called ETA.
CUNY campus for free.
nMsC. National Merit Scholarship toeFl. Test of English as a Foreign
Css/ProFile. The financial aid Corporation. Each year, this organization Language. TOEFL is required for non-
application service of the College Board. recognizes the achievements of about native applicants at many English-speaking
Some colleges require this form and use it 55,000 high school students. More colleges and universities.
to determine whether you are eligible for than 10,000 of these students receive
nonfederal financial student aid. scholarships for college.
early action/early decision. Both Early Psat/nMsQt. Preliminary SAT/National
Action and Early Decision plans allow you Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This
to apply to college early (deadlines usually standardized test provides practice for the
are in November) and get an early decision SAT. It also gives you a chance to enter
from the college. Early Decision plans are NMSC scholarship programs.
binding: If you apply as an Early Decision
New Visions for Public Schools n 320 W. 13th St.
New York, NY 10014 n 212.645.5110 n www.newvisions.org
3 Editorial assistance and design by KSA-Plus Communications, Inc. 8
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