St. John's University Instant Decision Day

Hello seniors!

Welcome back! I hope you all got to rest up and work on your essays. I only saw a couple of you asking me to review essays today – not enough!! Start getting those essays in to me so they can be perfect for your applications.

 

Wednesday, December 18^th St. John’s University will be coming here to host an INSTANT DECISION DAY. That means you will have the opportunity to meet individually with an admission counselor to discuss opportunities at St. John’s, in addition to receiving an on-the-spot admission decision and academic scholarship information.

 

Required documentation:

·         A completed application for admission. Paper applications will be available the day of, or you may complete the application online and print a copy for review. The $50 application fee will be waived for participating students.

·         Official high school transcripts. Preferred minimum GPA of 80

·         Official standardized test scores. Must have a composite SAT of 900 or higher (Critical Reading score of 400 minimum and Math score of 400 minimum) or equivalent ACT-Composite score of 19

·         Personal essays and recommendation letters are optional but encouraged

 

-Be prepared to spend about 10-15 minutes for private discussion with an admission counselor

-Instant Decision is not available for students applying for the Pharmacy, Fine Arts, Physician Assistant, Bio-Optometry, or Bio-Podiatry programs.

 

In preparation for the Instant Decision Day, required documents will be collected one week prior on December 11^th. That means you will need to turn them in to me next week! See me for more info!

 

Colleges that Meet Financial Needs

From www.usnews.com (http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014)

This is a list of schools across the country that claim to have met 100% of demonstrated financial need for full-time undergraduates in 2012

School name	State	U.S. News rank and category
Amherst College	MA	2, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Barnard College	NY	32, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Bates College	ME	22, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Berea College	KY	76, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Boston College	MA	31, National Universities
Bowdoin College	ME	4, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Brown University	RI	14, National Universities
Bryn Mawr College	PA	30, National Liberal Arts Colleges
California Institute of Technology	CA	10, National Universities
Carleton College	MN	7, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Carroll University	WI	38, Regional Universities (Midwest)
Claremont McKenna College	CA	9, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Colby College	ME	22, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Colgate University	NY	20, National Liberal Arts Colleges
College of the Holy Cross	MA	25, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Columbia University	NY	4, National Universities
Connecticut College	CT	45, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Cornell University	NY	16, National Universities
Dartmouth College	NH	10, National Universities
Davidson College	NC	9, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Duke University	NC	7, National Universities
Franklin and Marshall College	PA	45, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering	MA	Unranked
Georgetown University	DC	20, National Universities
Grinnell College	IA	17, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Hamilton College	NY	14, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Harvard University	MA	2, National Universities
Harvey Mudd College	CA	16, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Haverford College	PA	9, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Macalester College	MN	24, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	MA	7, National Universities
Middlebury College	VT	4, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Mount Holyoke College	MA	38, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Northwestern University	IL	12, National Universities
Oberlin College	OH	25, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Occidental College	CA	41, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Pomona College	CA	4, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Princeton University	NJ	1, National Universities
Rice University	TX	18, National Universities
Scripps College	CA	25, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Smith College	MA	20, National Liberal Arts Colleges
St. Olaf College	MN	52, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Stanford University	CA	5, National Universities
Swarthmore College	PA	3, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Thomas Aquinas College	CA	61, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Trinity College	CT	36, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Tufts University	MA	28, National Universities
University of Chicago	IL	5, National Universities
University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill	NC	30, National Universities
University of Notre Dame	IN	18, National Universities
University of Pennsylvania	PA	7, National Universities
University of Richmond	VA	25, National Liberal Arts Colleges
University of Southern California	CA	23, National Universities
Vanderbilt University	TN	17, National Universities
Vassar College	NY	13, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Washington and Lee University	VA	14, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Washington University in St. Louis	MO	14, National Universities
Wellesley College	MA	7, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Wesleyan University	CT	17, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Williams College	MA	1, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Yale University -Ms. Miller-Pecora	CT	3, National Universities

Seniors excited about college

I love these pictures! Some of our seniors attended their schools and are showing off their new clothes!

Check out Diana Delacruz (SUNY Canton), Malcolm Lewis (Stevens Institute), and Reggie Fredericks (NYU)!

Love these kids!! <3

-Ms. Miller

St. Joseph's College Summer Institute

The Summer Institute at St. Joseph's College (Clinton Hill Brooklyn Campus) is a unique experience for students who are ready to immerse themselves into an academic subject. The program promises to be an enriching academic experience that is also fun!

Each academic course has been created to be hands-on and project-based, with small class sizes and enthusiastic, talented teachers. This program will be awesome!

• Veterinary Science
• Forensic Science
• Writing 101: Fiction and Poetry
• Creative Arts: Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media
• Fashion Design
• Education (So You Want to be a Teacher?)
• Writing 102 (Journalism and College Prep

Summer Institute will be comprised of 4 one-week sessions. Sign up for one session or all four; no matter which weeks you choose there will be no repetition of coursework. Our curriculum changes week by week to ensure that each student has a different and one of a kind experience each week.

We are looking forward to seeing you on campus this summer. Please keep in mind that space is limited and interested families should make a deposit to hold a space as soon as possible since space is limited.

Find out more by visiting our website or by emailing or calling us.
Here's how to contact the program:
Web: www.sjcsummerinstitute.org
Email: summerinstitute@sjcny.edu
Phone: 866-762-2207

COME SEE ME (MS. MILLER) FOR MORE INFO! I HAVE COUPONS FOR A $75 DISCOUNT ON TUITION!!

-Ms. Miller

Upcoming College Events for Juniors

SUNDAY, APRIL 28TH 
New York National College Fair, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 W 34th St, New York, NY
*FREE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS!*

With over 350 colleges in attendance, this is the biggest college fair you'll find in NYC! 

Before the fair...

• Review the colleges that will be in attendance and decide which to visit
• Go to www.nacacnet.org/ncfstudent to:
• Register for the fair
• Watch the video for a complete fair overview
• Learn about different types of schools

At the fair...

• Pick up the on-site locator for the latest school list and a booth location map.
• Meet one-on-one with college representatives who can answer questions.
• Visit the Counseling/Resource Center to talk to a counselor about choosing a major, financial aid scholarship information, and more.
• Attend a Workshop about topics such as financial aid, college admissions, working with special needs students, and non-traditional students

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SUNY Group Information Sessions

SUNY Center for Student Recruitment, College of Optometry, Schwarz Theater

33 W. 42^nd St, 5:30pm

Dates: 4/24, 5/08, 5/29

Perhaps you're thinking about starting your college search or maybe you have already narrowed your search to a few colleges and your list includes one or more SUNY campuses. You and your family are invited to join staff from the SUNY Center for Student Recruitment in NYC for a group information session. You will have the opportunity to explore The State University of New York -- the campuses, academic programs, application and admissions process, financial assistance, and more!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May 19^th - SUNY College Fairs for HS Juniors

The Armory Track and Field Center, 216 Fort Washington Ave, 1:00pm

Start your SUNY journey close to home by joining us for a SUNY College Fair. Take a closer look at The State University of New York, one of the leading systems of higher education in the country, and you'll find tremendous opportunity, choice, value and success.

High school juniors and their families are invited to join SUNY representatives for a program designed to provide information and answer your questions about the college search process and all that is available to undergraduates at The State University of New York.

FIT for High School Juniors

The admissions office at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology is hosting a special program for high school juniors on Saturday, March 16th at 10:00am. The program will include presentations from the deans of FIT's School of Art and Design, Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology and the School of Liberal Arts.

This is the perfect opportunity for students to learn about FIT's broad range of majors in not only fashions, but in fine arts, design, merchandizing, advertising and marketing, just to name a few. Current FIT students will also be on-hand to discuss their experiences at FIT and give tours of our beautiful campus in NYC.

If you're interested, please register at www.fitnyc.edu/visitfit

-Ms. Miller

College Peas Scholarship

There is more to getting into college than good grades and test scores!

College Peas Student Standout College Scholarship is for the student who has something special that makes them different from their peers. We recommend engaging in a special kind of activity – a Non-Teenager Activity or NTA. An NTA is, quite simply, any activity that other teenagers don’t typically do. By choosing an NTA you will differentiate yourself in a way that will have a very positive impact on your chances of getting into college. We are always looking for good examples of NTA’s and if you have one, you have a shot at this scholarship.
To qualify for the College Peas Standout Student Scholarship you must be a current high school student and:

• Be a current high school student that Intends to enroll full-time at a four-year college.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0.
• Submit a short essay describing a special skill, talent or interest that helps you standout from your peers. The essay should be no longer than 100 words.

Scholarship amount: $400 + a free college admissions consultation with Mike Moyer

Plus, if your school posts a link to the College Peas Scholarship on their site you will receive an additional $100 if you win.
The application deadline is extended to February 28, 2013

http://www.collegepeas.com/scholarshipgreen

-Ms. Miller

REPOST: CUNY DEADLINE IS APPROACHING

I'm reposting this because I think it is incredibly important for all of you to apply to some CUNY schools. Not because all CUNY schools are fall back schools - they are NOT. Just think of Baruch, John Jay, Hunter - very difficult schools to get into if you don't have over a 90 average! I am urging you to apply because it gives you the opportunity to explore your options if you are unsure of where you want to go and what you want to study WHILE saving tons of money. Seriously - without scholarships, college costs can add up to ridiculous amounts and it's kind of ridiculous how LOW CUNY costs can be in comparison while getting the same incredible education. CUNY is not for students who aren't smart or for students who can't get into Ivy League schools - it's for students who want to SUCCEED. 

Some CUNY  graduates you may have heard of include Colin Powell, Marty Markowitz, Jimmy Smits, Ralph Lauren, and Jerry Seinfeld. Some other notable graduates of CUNY schools include:

• Stanley Cohen (B.A. 1943), biochemist and Nobel laureate (Physiology or Medicine, 1986)
• Ruby Dee (1945), Emmy-nominated actress and civil rights activist
• A. M. Rosenthal (1949), former executive editor of The New York Times who championed the publication of the Pentagon Papers; Pulitzer prize winning journalist
• Jerry Moss (B.A. 1957), co-founder of A&M Records
• Frank McCourt (M.A. 1967), Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes and 'Tis
• Steve Riggio (B.A. 1974), CEO of Barnes & Noble, Inc.
• Guillermo Linares (1975), New York City Council member, first Dominican-American City Council member and Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs
• Dan DiDio (B.A. 1983), American comic book editor and executive for DC Comics
• Yvette Clarke - Congresswoman, member of the United States House Of Representatives from New York's 11th congressional district

(see this wikipedia article for a full list of notable CUNY grads and alumni)

12 Nobel Laureates have been associated with CUNY in areas such as economics, physics, medicine, and chemistry. Read more about them here!

FEBRUARY 1ST IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE CUNY APPLICATION!!

After Feb 1st, you will not be able to submit an application online to any CUNY schools. 

Not sure what you want to study as a career in college? Choose CUNY for 2 years to save money and explore your elective options.

Not sure if you'll get financial aid for all four years of college? Everyone gets less financial aid in their first 2 years than in their last 2 years! Choose CUNY for 2 years (at least!) to lighten your loan debt!

Not sure if you want to live at home and commute or live away from home at school? Choose CUNY to see what the college lifestyle is like and transfer if you want!

Want to get a great education in a major like Nursing, Computer Technology, Auto Tech, Psychology, Social Work, Science, Education, Business, Management, Marketing, Graphic Design, Criminal Justice, English?? CHOOSE CUNY!! 

Visit www.cuny.edu to explore CUNY schools and to complete your application. 

***IT IS THE SIMPLEST COLLEGE APPLICATION YOU WILL FILL OUT!!***

Have your Social Security Number and Student ID / OSIS #, basic information, and your list of CUNY colleges you'd like to attend. Make sure to include a Community College or two as fall-backs! 

Come see me when you return after Regents Week if you need help filling out your application!

-Ms. Miller

CUNY Deadline is approaching

Seniors,
Many of you have already completed your CUNY applications but for those of you that haven't - the deadline is fast approaching!!

FEBRUARY 1ST IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE CUNY APPLICATION!!

After Feb 1st, you will not be able to submit an application online to any CUNY schools. CUNY has some incredible schools around New York City at a fraction of the cost of private schools in the area. 

Not sure what you want to study as a career in college? Choose CUNY for 2 years to save money and explore your elective options.

Not sure if you'll get financial aid for all four years of college? Everyone gets less financial aid in their first 2 years than in their last 2 years! Choose CUNY for 2 years (at least!) to lighten your loan debt!

Not sure if you want to live at home and commute or live away from home at school? Choose CUNY to see what the college lifestyle is like and transfer if you want!

Want to get a great education in a major like Nursing, Computer Technology, Auto Tech, Psychology, Social Work, Science, Education, Business, Management, Marketing, Graphic Design, Criminal Justice, English?? CHOOSE CUNY!! 

Visit www.cuny.edu to explore CUNY schools and to complete your application. 

***IT IS THE SIMPLEST COLLEGE APPLICATION YOU WILL FILL OUT!!***

Have your Social Security Number and Student ID / OSIS #, basic information, and your list of CUNY colleges you'd like to attend. Make sure to include a Community College or two as fall-backs! 

Come see me if you have any questions over the next 2 weeks while the application is still open. 

-Ms. Miller

College Recommendation Letters

Many of you have been sending in lots of college applications and I'm so proud and excited for you! You're researching schools and majors, going on campus tours, and asking a TON of questions (I love it, honest!).

I just want to remind you all, that even though you have pressed the big SUBMIT button, your application is NOT finished! Almost every school you apply to will be looking for some further documentation. Here is some info and tips on everything you'll need to send in.

Transcripts

• CUNY: As long as you put your OSIS # in the application, they automatically receive your transcript. The perks of applying to a public school from a public school!
• SUNY: Once you fully submit your application (with payment), your name and application info will pop up on the SUNY CounselorConnect, which is checked every day. We upload your transcript immediately.
• A sidenote: Even though we do upload your transcript, you DO have to fill out the Student Online Academic Report (SOAR). I know it's a lot of information, but it is a required part of your application. 
• Common App: CommonApp has a Counselor Portal very similar to the SUNY one, which means once you submit your application, your name pops up on the list and your transcript is uploaded. The difference, however, is that your transcript is not submitted until your entire Counselor School Report is submitted. More info on that in the Recommendation area. 
• Other schools: There is no definitive process for the rest of the schools (non-CUNY, non-SUNY, non-CommonApp); each school will have a different method. Many schools use SendEDU.org (ex: NJIT, Wentworth, St. John's, just to name a few); these schools will tell you to bring a Document Request Form to your Counselor. It will also ask you to put in my name and email information - this does not mean it will automatically be sent to me! You still need to bring in the document request form in order for me to upload all of your information to the school and complete your application. There are a few schools left who do not have any electronic upload option; these schools will give you an address to  mail to and an application ID number to attach to the information. Please bring in that information.

Recommendations:
Some quick info about your letters of recommendation before giving school specific info. Choose the people you request letters from wisely. I strongly suggest you get one from your shop teacher, as they have been with you 2 periods a day for the last 3 years. They know you and your work better than most other teachers. After that, think of teachers whose classes you've done exceptionally well in. Outside of school, think of mentors, internship or volunteer supervisors with whom you've done a lot of work that you are proud of. Do not exceed THREE recommendation letters, unless a school specifically asks for it.

• CUNY: The CUNY General Freshman Admission application does not *require* letters of recommendation, however they would be a great supplement to your application, as many students do NOT submit them. If you are getting recommendations for other schools, you might as well send them in with your CUNY application! The Macaulay Honors application does require two recommendation letters. You are able to electronically send a request - but please follow up with the people you have sent requests to.
• SUNY: Similar to the CUNY app, most SUNY schools do not *require* letters of recommendation, but they add to the big picture of who you are as a student and as a person. The SUNY CounselorConnect is able to accept TWO recommendation letters, so make sure they are from the people who can most accurately speak about your strengths and accomplishments.
• CommonApp: CommonApp gives you the option to electronically request recommendations from teachers/supervisors/etc. Please follow up in person with these people. Hard to believe but some people do not check their email as often as you! The best way to get your recommendation done as soon as possible is to personally ask your recommenders. 
• Your CommonApp submission is dependent on your actual application, your transcript, your rec letters, your essay and the school report. The school report is filled out by me, your Guidance Counselor. This report can NOT be submitted without a Guidance Counselor recommendation. Stop in and see me if you have filled out a CommonApp.
• Other schools: Every school outside of these three forms will be different. Some will specifically say no recommendations, some will say recommendations are not required (similarly to CUNY - send them in!), some will ask for one, two, or three. Do NOT send more than what the school is asking for. Think of the amount of paperwork they are reading as it is! They do not want to read extra. On that note, they may not even read extra ones you send in. Request hard copies of recommendation letters from your recommenders.

   The Essay:

• You have all heard how important the essay is to your college application. It gives you a chance to speak about *you* and give a better picture of who you are as more than just the numbers on your transcript. Mrs. Marsigliano is amazing at helping with college essays. Also, don't hesitate to speak to your English teachers for help with your essay!
• CUNY: Just like the recommendations - not required, but would help your application out.
• SUNY: Required on almost all school's supplemental applications. 
• CommonApp: Required step in the application
• Other schools: Some schools will ask for an essay, other schools will not. Similar to the recommendation letters - if it is not *required*, send it in. If they say no essay, don't send it in. Most schools will require an essay as part of the application. 

Secondary School Report: 
A Secondary School Report (SSR) is filled out by your Guidance Counselor (me!). It is a simple form which asks for your rank and GPA and course load information. Almost all schools ask for one to be filled out. The SSR also asks for a Guidance Counselor recommendation. You must come see me after filling out any applications because we need to speak and I need to know as much about you as possible to write an accurate (and glowing!) recommendation letter. It is incredibly important that you come see me as soon as possible as your application will not be complete until the SSR is submitted.

• CUNY: Does not require or request a SSR.
• SUNY: The SSR is automatically requested in the SUNY CounselorConnect portal and is immediately submitted when your transcript is submitted.
• CommonApp: As stated earlier, the CommonApp School Report requires a Counselor Recommendation in order to be completely submitted. Please come see me if you have filled out a CommonApp and I haven't contacted you yet.
• Other schools: As with everything else mentioned above, every school outside of these forms will be different. Almost all will request an SSR. Make sure you completely read through your application confirmation page. They may give you links to forms for you to print out and bring to your Counselor. Read all of your application requirements FULLY!!

Supplementals
Supplemental material will be asked of you from some schools. All SUNY apps are finished when the supplemental applications are complete. For most SUNY schools, the supplemental is your essay and senior courseload. For schools that focus on art, architectural or graphic design, you may be asked to complete and submit a portfolio.  Pay close attention to what is asked of you after you press the SUBMIT button!!

As always, come chat with me if you have any questions!

-Ms. Miller 

November 17 SAT day!

Tomorrow is a big day for many of you!

It's SAT day!!! Yay!!

For those of you taking it your 2nd or 3rd time: relax! You've taken this test before, you know what it's like, and you're going to do even better than the last time.

For those of you taking it your 1st time: RELAX. Really. You're going to do fine. Trust your instincts and just do your best.

Good luck to all my McKee seniors taking the SAT tomorrow!!!

-Ms. Miller

College application forms

THE COMMON APPLICATION

Almost 500 colleges and universities participate in the Common Application. Participating schools do NOT make any distinction between their own application and the Common Application. When you use the Common App, you completely only ONE application form for as many schools as you are applying to. Using the Common App streamlines the process.

•          Not every school accepts the Common App. Please see the full list of participating schools at www.commonapp.org
•    Different application fees still apply to each different school. Research the schools you are applying to and be sure you are paying the correct fee OR that you are using the correct fee waiver.
• Most colleges on the Common App require a SUPPLEMENT to the application. You’ll be notified upon submission if specific schools require supplemental information and what that information is. This is a *necessary* part of your application!! Meaning: if you don’t complete and submit the supplement, your application is not reviewed.
• Request that your teachers complete the Teacher Evaluation Form and recommendation letter *online.* This makes the process of sending and tracking your application documents much easier.
•  Complete the art and/or athletic supplements only if you would like or art evaluated or if you plan to play on a team.

·         ***Enter your application choices on Naviance!!!***

·         The Common App Support Center is very helpful, quick and reliable. Don’t hesitate to ask questions!

SCHOOL SPECIFIC FORMS

If a college you are applying does not participate in the Common App, you must apply using the school’s specific application online.

·         Some school-specific applications allow everything to be uploaded online (transcript, teacher evaluation forms, recommendation letters, school report, etc.). If your application materials CANNOT be uploaded online, you must bring hard copies to your Counselor to be filled out and sent in the mail to your school.

SUNY APPLICATIONS

If you are applying to a SUNY (State University of New York) school, you may use the SUNY application or the Common App, if it is a participating school.

• Go to www.suny.edu/student to complete the application forms. Start with the application worksheet (sample on page 11) to help you get all your information together.
• There is a $50 fee for EACH SUNY College you apply to.
•  Use the SUNY Online Academic Record (SOAR) to submit your high school courses and grades, as well as your SAT and ACT test scores to participating campuses. To begin your SOAR, click “Start my SUNY Online Academic Record” under the “SUNY Online Academic Record” section of the SUNY portal.
• Print out the School Counselor Form and bring it to your Guidance Counselor to be completed and sent out. 
• You can check the status of your application at www.suny.edu/appstatus.

CUNY APPLICATIONS

Applying to CUNY (City University of New York) is completely online. There are no paper applications available. It is very important you know and input your OSIS # on your application; your official transcript will be sent to the UAPC (University Application Processing Center) via your OSIS #. SAT and ACT scores can be sent from the College Board website or from the college office. To apply to CUNY:

• Create a CUNY Portal Account at www.cuny.edu.
• Review and complete the Freshman Application Worksheet (sample on the page 13)
•  Login to the CUNY Portal, and fill out and submit the Admission Application – select Undergraduate Application.
•  **Enter your OSIS # in section 2 of the application. **
•  Pay your application processing fee or enter your fee waiver code.
• Print your application summary package to keep.
•  Input the colleges you have applied to into your Naviance account.
• You can apply to up to 6 CUNY schools and pay ONE single application fee: $65.

Macaulay Honors College

·        The following campuses are part of the Macaulay Honors College:

o   Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College, Hunter College, John Jay College, Lehman College, Queens College, College of Staten Island

·        You must list the order of Macaulay Honors College campuses you are applying to in order of preference.

You will receive an admission decision first as a General Admission February 1^st. A decision of admission for the Macaulay Honors College will be received by March 15^th. 

-Ms. Miller