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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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?

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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:
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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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;

19. 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.

20. 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!

21. 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!

22. Types of Admissions
REGULAR
EARLY DECISION
EARLY ACTION
ROLLING

23. 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.

24. 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

25. 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!

26. 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.

27. 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?

28. 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

29. How Much Does College Cost?

30. 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

31. How do I apply for financial aid?

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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.

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

36. 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

37. 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