1. Freshman & Sophomore Year
The Roadmap To College
Freshman & Sophomore Year

2. Advanced Placement and Elective Request
Request form is now OPEN on the school’s website
Deadline is Monday, March 13th!

3. Spring College Fair Monday, April 3rd, 2017 6:30pm – 9pm
Just to Name a Few…
Binghamton
Rutgers
Stonybrook
New York University (NYU)
Princeton
University of Connecticut
St. John’s University
Adelphi
Macaulay Honors Program
Queens College
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Monday, April 3rd, 2017
6:30pm – 9pm
Over 70+ colleges
CUNY, SUNY & Private
4 -Year Colleges/Universities
2 – Year Community Colleges
Keep eye out for Forest Hills High School College Campus Visit Trips too!

4. What do colleges look at?
Very Important
Range In Importance
Grades in academic courses – Academic Rigor
SAT or ACT scores
Essay
Work/Extracurricular activities
Teacher recommendations
Counselor recommendation*
Grades in all courses
Class rank
Interview*
Student’s demonstrated interest

5. Top 5 things to consider when making a great college bound timeline
Scores – How far are you from your goal?
Target Schools – How important your test scores be? How much do your schools weight them, and how do the other components stack up?
Make a list already of schools you are thinking about!

6. Top 5 things to consider when making a great college bound timeline
Extracurricular activities – When does your schedule lighten up? That is the best time to prep.
Which test are you taking? – If you are taking AP exams and SAT Subject Tests, your timeline will differ from someone who is taking only the SAT or ACT.
How much time do you have? – Are you looking at the timeline as a senior or as a freshman?

7. Freshman Year [9th] Get an Early Start
Challenge yourself academically and aim for high grades!
EVERY grade (9th-12th) counts!!!

8. Freshman Year [9th] Extracurricular Activities – Start Now
Colleges would much rather see you passionate about a few worthwhile activities than marginally involved with a number of clubs
However, do activities that help you get out of your “comfort zone”
Sports - NCAA

9. Sophomore Year [10th] PSAT and PLAN
PSAT (SAT) or the PLAN (ACT)provide practice for SAT and ACT
PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship (11th Grade Year only) – October only (must sign up)

10. Sophomore Year [10th] Sign up for FREE SAT and/or ACT practice exams
Princeton and Kaplan
Head start on becoming a skilled tester
Help reduce test-taking anxiety
Gets you on the road to success early

11. Sophomore Year - May AP courses and exams
If taking AP classes take corresponding AP exam in May
It helps to build a strong application
Might get college credit

12. Sophomore Year - June Take appropriate SAT Subject Test
Many highly-selective colleges requires(or highly recommend) you to take subject tests
For best results, take immediately after the course
Taking AP courses help you with the Subject Tests

13. Sophomore Year - Summer
Best time to prepare for SAT or ACT
By now you will have learned the vast majority of the materials for each exam
Summer is less stressful to study
Become involved in community service
College visits, tours and research

14. Extracurricular Opportunities
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
New York City Department of Youth and Community Development offers summer employment for all high school students.
Application is online
Take the opportunity to work in the field of interest and earn your own allowances!

15. Extracurricular Opportunities
Internships
Hospitals (Mount Sinai, New York Presbyterian, Columbia, etc.)
Ladders for Leaders
New York Historical Society
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship
Volunteer
Religious Affiliations
Library
Nursing Homes
Food Banks
Homeless Shelters

16. Extracurricular Opportunities
Pre-College Programs (FREE and $$$)
CUNY, SUNY, and Private
Camps/Workshops/Programs
NYPD Explorers
NYS Unified Court System’s Student Ambassador Program
Girls who Code
New York Hall of Science
American Museum of Natural History – Science Research Mentoring Program
Forest Hills Community House
YMCA(s)

17. Extracurricular Opportunities
College Bound Organizations
Bottom Line
SEO Scholars
Girls Write Now

18. Resources Exam Prep - Khan Academy CollegeBoard.org Actstudent.org
Kaplan, Princeton, FREE programs available – Limited space
CollegeBoard.org
Actstudent.org
Forest Hills High School College Office (Room 218)
Scholarships.com
Fastweb.com
Naviance – Forest Hills High School program
NCAA Eligibility Center
Athleticscholarships.net

19. Q & A