Benjamin N. Cardozo High School Mr. Gerald Martori, Principal Ms. Sheila Clark, Assistant Principal Pupil Personnel Services

Junior Parent College Orientation Program March 10, 2015

The Bernard Cohen College Advisory Service consists of the following staff: Ms. Jackie Kucker, College Counselor/Coordinator of College Advisory Service Ms. Barbra Klein, College Advisor Ms. Nina Tricarico, College Advisor Mr. Mark Bomer, Scholarship Coordinator Ms. Pat Melbourne, Scholarships/CUNY Liaison/ College Office Support Staff Ms. Lois Wirtheim, College Office Manager/College Office Support Staff

The College Office We are located in Room 151 Our phone number is (718) 279-6500 Cardozo’s College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) code is 330357 www.cardozohigh.com click on “College”

To all students of the class of 2016: The College Advisory Service will supply the advice, information, and materials to help you make decisions about which colleges to apply to or to guide you to other post-Cardozo options However, it is your responsibility to narrow your choices, apply to various schools, and then ultimately choose the school you will attend or option you will pursue!

We are ready for and eager to work with you: Ms. Jackie Kucker: Abdallah - Lawson Mrs. Nina Tricarico: Lee - Rodriguez Ms. Barbra Klein: Romelien - Zuniga

Some Basic Truths and Myths to Overcome Ivy League and Tier 1 colleges CUNY and SUNY (best buys) Two-year colleges

Services offered by the College Office Publishes “Annual Admissions Report” Provides up-to-date admissions information Provides orientation and information sessions Provides individual student/parent interviews in the spring of junior year Arranges college tours Assists with summer programs Provides in-school information sessions with college representatives in the fall

Services cont’d Hosts a College Fair in October Hosts a Financial Aid Workshop in December Writes detailed counselor recommendation letters Processes college applications Provides scholarship information and processes scholarship applications

Brief Calendar for Junior Year Attend college admission sessions in E6 classes Complete Junior Student Profile & Request for Appointment forms – Confidential issues Attend College Office interview, preferably with parents Attend Junior Parent Orientation assembly in March Take SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL, & Advanced Placement exams Research programs of interest and visit colleges Schedule rigorous senior program with guidance counselor Get involved in quality extracurricular activities Apply to summer college programs

Brief Calendar for Senior Year Begin online application process, including biographical information, college essays/personal statements, activity sheets, etc. Attend application sessions in E7 classes Complete Senior Profile Update, Autobiography, and Confidentiality Waiver October 1 – Early Decision/Early Action Attend College Night and other college fairs End of 10/15 to mid-11/15 - Inform College Office of schools you are applying to Re-take SAT Reasoning, Subject Tests, ACT, and TOEFL (if applicable)

Schedule college interviews (if available) After 1/16 - File FAFSA and CSS Profile (if necessary) 1/15 - 4/15 - Colleges respond/offer financial aid packages 5/1 - Common Reply Date Submit Final Forms to College Office!

Post-Secondary Opportunities 4 year colleges, universities, technical institutions Community/Junior Colleges Combined Bachelor’s and Graduate Programs – Sophie Davis, Brooklyn College BA/MD; Accounting at SUNY Buffalo, Pharm-D at St. John’s Joint Degree Programs 3/2 Engineering Adelphi/Columbia Business and Trade Schools Armed Forces Professional Art and Music Schools (require either a portfolio, or live audition)

What tests to take? PSAT/NMSQT Cardozo is not a test center for any standardized college admission exam! Cardozo’s code: 330357 PSAT/NMSQT SAT Reasoning Test – changing as of 3/16 SAT Subject Tests ACT Test (with Writing) Advanced Placement Exams TOEFL N.Y.S. Regents Exams

The College Application CUNY SUNY Parchment Early Decision Early Action Common Application Send. Edu School’s Website

What applicant information are colleges interested in? What subjects have you taken? How many years of each subject have you taken? Have you taken Honors courses? Advanced Placement courses? Special summer courses? How strong is your senior program? What is your GPA and rank in your graduating class? (both are weighted; Honors 5%; AP 10%) What are your standardized test scores?

What colleges want to know, cont’d In what school and community activities have you participated? What activities have demonstrated your initiative? Leadership skills? What special honors or awards have you received? What are your character traits? Are you honest, hard working, etc.? What are your hobbies, interests, and talents? Do you have any work experience? What challenges or obstacles (if any) have you overcome?

How do colleges learn about applicants? Biographical sections College essay/personal statement Resume or activity sheet High school transcript Standardized test scores

How colleges learn about applicants, cont’d Recommendation letter from College Advisor Recommendation letter (s) from teachers Recommendations from outside sources: community service supervisor, clergy member, employer, etc. Interview with applicant

What to consider before applying to college? What type of college is best for you? Four-year? Two-year? Private? Public? What programs does the college offer? Do you want to live at home? On campus? Where is the college located? Urban? Rural?

What to consider, cont’d What is the size of the school? What are the major costs? Tuition? Room & board? Books? Supplies? Fees? Transportation? What scholarships and grants are offered? Are they need-based? Ability-based? What are the recreational and social activities offered at the college and in the surrounding area?

College Visits Visit colleges while classes are in session, if possible Arrange in advance for an information session and tour Schedule an interview with admissions personnel, if possible Attend classes, if possible Be prepared with specific questions about the college, special programs, requirements, etc.

Financial Aid Everyone should apply! Financial Aid Night – 12/15 – Expert from St. John’s The financial aid process begins with the online filing of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FAFSA should be filed as close to January 1 of senior year as possible Once your FAFSA is filed, you will be informed of your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution), the amount the family is expected to pay for college The major costs of attending a college include tuition and fees, room and board (if applicable), books, transportation, and personal expenses

Types of Financial Aid: Federal/State grants are funds (given to eligible students) that do not have to be paid back. Ex: Federal Pell Grant/NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Loans are funds that must be repaid. There are both subsidized and unsubsidized student loans as well as parent loans Work Study

Some scholarships are: Scholarships are monetary awards granted by colleges or other organizations based on certain criteria Some scholarships are: National Merit Scholarship-based on PSAT scores New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence The Posse Scholarship The Gates Millenium Scholarship The Ron Brown Scholarship

Scholarships cont’d The New York Times Scholarship The Milken Scholars Program Los Padres Foundation College Scholarship JP Morgan Chase Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Scholarship Program Ronald McDonald House Charities U.S. Scholarship Program Athletic Scholarships-NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Many more such as business and union, talent, veteran, religious and ethic affiliation, etc.

Scholarships cont’d www.fastweb.com www.scholarshipexperts.com www.mycollegedollars.hyfnrsx1.com www.cardozohigh.com click on “College” click on “Scholarship Information”