1. Parent-teacher organization college presentation Peekskill high school

2. COUNSELOR ASSIGNMENTS
Mr. Cabassa – Chairperson
A-C, Summit, PACE, Life Skills
Ms. Bishop – (M-Z)
Ms. Dias/Ms. Torres – Freshman Academy
Ms. Rios – (D-L)
Ms. Gordineer - Scholarships

3. What you need to know in order to prepare early
College Entrance Requirements
College Search Process
How to Pay for College
Graduation Requirements

4. Graduation Requirements
Regents Diploma 4
English
Social Studies 3
Math
Science 1
LOTE
(Foreign Language)
Art/Music
0.5
Health 2 PE
3.5
Electives 22
Total
Advanced Regents Diploma 4
English
Social Studies 3
Math
Science
LOTE (Foreign Language) 1
Art/Music
0.5
Health 2 PE
1.5
Electives 22
Total
Peekskill HS Diploma 4
English
Social Studies
Math
Science 3
LOTE (Foreign Language) 1+
Art/Music
0.5
Health 2 PE
1.5+
Electives
22+
Total

5. Graduation Requirements
Regents Diploma
Traditional - 5 Regents
English, US, Global, 1 Math, 1 Science
4+1 Pathway:
English, 1 History, 1 Math, 1 Science, 1 Additional exam
Advanced Regents Diploma
2 Additional Math Regents exams
Geometry
Algebra II / Trig
Living Environment + 1 Additional Science
Local LOTE Exam

6. Graduation Requirements
Regents Diploma
4 + 1
Math
Pass 1
Algebra I
Geometry
Alg2/Trig
Social Studies
US History
Global
Science
Living Environment
Earth Science
Chemistry
Physics
English
must pass
One More- +1

7. Advanced Regents Diploma
Graduation Requirements
Advanced Regents Diploma
9 Regents Exams
Math
Pass all 3
Algebra I
Geometry
Alg2/Trig
Social Studies
Pass 1
Global History
U.S. History
Science
Pass 2
Living Environment
must pass
Physical Science Regents
1 more
Earth Science
Chemistry
Physics
English
Language Other Than English (LOTE)
Spanish

8. College Entrance Requirements
GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Recommendation Letters
College Essay
Resume and Special Talents

9. College Entrance Requirements
1. GPA (Grade Point Average)
GPA,
Class rank
Course Selection
2. Standardized Test Scores
SAT/SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing
Competitive colleges typically want at LEAST 2 SAT Subject Test scores in addition to the SAT’s
Take the SAT Subject Tests AS you complete the corresponding course in High School

10. college entrance requirements
SAT Test Date Deadline
March 11th February 10th
May 6th April 7th
June 3rd May 9th
Register on
ACT Test Dates Deadline
April 8th March 3rd
June 10th May 5th
Register on
PSAT Wednesday in mid-October
Review your child's PSAT score report
All students receive their report in early February
Log onto
PSAT in junior year is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

11. College Entrance Requirements
3. Letters of Recommendation:
At least TWO (2) from core subject teachers and ONE (1) from your counselor.
Does not have to be from a teacher you received an A+
Did you participate in class or bring something new to a class discussion?
This teacher can write a compelling letter about you as a student.
Request the letter at the end of Junior year or very early senior year
4. College Essay:
Need this for Senior year
Tells a personal story
Reveals a change or transformation; shows insights gained while growing up (becoming separate from your parents)

12. College Entrance Requirements:
5. Resume:
Helps you complete the activity section of the Common Application. Includes extracurricular activities - what you have done outside the classroom: jobs, sports, community service, leadership positions, honors or awards
Make summers productive!
6. Special Talent Portfolio:
If you want to play a sport in college – do NOT wait for the college coaches to recruit you! Speak with your High School Coach/Athletic Director for advice
Schedule College Coaches to come see you play OR send them a videotape of you playing
Interested in art/music/theatre?? Speak to your High School Art Teacher about compiling a competitive art portfolio/video to submit along with your application

13. COLLEGE search PROCESS
Academic Fit
What are the admission requirements?
Average GPA? Average SAT/ACT?
Are SAT II’s / Subject Tests required?
Portfolio?
Affordability
What are the costs?
Tuition?
Room/Board?
Other Fees?
Books?
Environmental Fit
In what geographical area do I want the college to be?
Urban, Suburban, Rural
How far do I want to be from home?
How will I commute to school?

14. College search process
There are 3 types of categories:
SAFETY
Schools that you will almost certainly get into because your GPA & SAT/ACT scores are higher than what it on the schools profile (and at least one school should be affordable)
RANGE/GOOD MATCH
Schools where you have a good chance of getting in because your GPA & SAT/ACT are within the range of what the school is looking for (and some affordable schools should be included)
REACH
Schools where you have a chance of getting into BUT your test scores, rank and/or GPA are a bit on the low side compared to school’s requirements. (or it isn’t financially affordable)

15. College application process
Application Types
Early Decision:
Binding contract.
If accepted, student must withdraw all other applications.
Early Action:
Non-binding. October/November deadline
Student receives an early notification
Regular Decision
Usually January 1st deadline
Must inform counselors by December 1st
Rolling Admissions:
Applications reviewed on a on-going basis until seats are filled.

16. Opportunity Programs EOP- Educational Opportunity Program SUNY
HEOP- High Educational Opportunity Program
Private Schools
SEEK- Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge
CUNY

17. Paying for College Financial Aid Applications
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) filling out the FAFSA EVERY school year
Can begin filling this out October 1st of Senior Year.
TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)
New York State Aid
CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service)
Used for institutional financial aid

18. See Ms. Gordineer Paying for College Types of Federal Aid
Scholarships – Do not need to be paid back
Grants – Do not need to be paid back
PELL
TAP
Institutional Grants
Work Study – Small job for money which is applied directly towards the students tuition
Loans – Needs to be paid back!
Other ways to receive money:
Private Scholarships:
Fastweb.com, Zinch.com
StudentScholarships.org
If you can, start saving for college now!
See Ms. Gordineer

19. What advice do past graduates have for you???
“Take the process seriously and start early!”
“Do everything early!”
“My biggest advice is that you can’t re-do your grades, so try your best from the beginning.”
“Study a lot for the SAT or ACT. Do not try to study everything you need to know a week before the exam.”
“I would tell them to apply to a lot of scholarships because free money really helps.”
“Participate in activities and community service, it will greatly improve your chances of getting a scholarship.”
“Go to school and don’t cut class!”
“Start saving now!”
“Start early and keep up your grades.”

20. Questions??