It’s never too early to start thinking about what you are going to do after high school. The earlier you begin preparing for college and your dream career, the easier it will be for you to achieve your goals. Resources and assistance are available at your school to help you plan and get ready to be a successful college student.
The three key steps to making college happen for you are to get help, stay on track to graduate and stand out from the crowd by participating in extracurricular activities that develop your interests and skills.
1. Get help
Get support from your high school guidance counselor, teachers and principal.
Your school is full of resources: Your guidance counselor, principal and teachers have all been to college and can help you get there. Talk to them about your dream career and ask for their advice about what you need to do to achieve it. When you do apply to colleges during your senior year, they can provide the letters of recommendation that must accompany the applications.
Prep for the PSAT, SAT, SAT subject tests and ACT.
Your high school guidance counselor will help you figure out which standardized tests you need to take and when to take them. Preparing early for these tests can help you get a higher score. Buy or borrow a test-prep book and try working on it a little each day. Create or buy math and vocabulary flash cards to practice whenever you have time—even just a few minutes.
Most students worry about doing well on these tests, but try to keep it in perspective. Your grades and other academic experiences will always hold more weight than standardized tests.
Enroll in college prep and tutoring programs.
After-school college access programs are a great way to prepare for and learn about college. These programs offer services like test preparation, college guidance, financial aid help, tutoring, college tours, college-level courses, scholarships and more.
2. Graduate
Stay on track to graduate on time.
A major part of preparing for college is making sure that you graduate from high school on time. This means more than just doing well in all of your classes; it also means taking the correct tracks of classes and exams.
Students in New York state need to take four years of English and social studies, three years of science and math, one semester each of art and music, one year of a foreign language, and two and a half years of physical education/health.
Keep in mind that each high school’s requirements may differ. With your high school guidance counselor, you can create a four-year academic plan that will keep you on track to graduate on time. Use the “Are You on Track?” chart available to download from the Related Materials box to the left.
Plan for the Regents exams.
In addition to taking the right classes, work with your teachers and high school guidance counselor to figure out when you need to take and pass the required Regents exams. You will need to pass at least one math Regents and one science Regents, as well as Comprehensive English, Global History and Geography, and U.S. History and Government. Try to pass at least one Regents exam in ninth grade to lighten your load later.
Take challenging classes.
Many colleges prefer students who have taken four years of math and three years of foreign language. Taking Advanced Placement classes and College Now classes, if they are available in your school, can make your college application stand out. This can also help you avoid having to take noncredit remedial classes in college.
3. Stand Out
Develop skills and interests outside the classroom.
The colleges you apply to will want to know how you spend your time outside the classroom. Do you play sports or an instrument? Participate in your church youth group or do community service? Read a lot or babysit?
Your extracurricular activities develop skills and experiences that set you apart from other students who have similar grades. And they are an indication of what you think is important and how you can contribute to the world around you. Your high school guidance counselor can help you research after-school programs and other activities if you cannot find what you are looking for.
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
College Selection
Components of a College Application
Financial Aid
Internet Resources
You will need to reach several very important benchmarks by the end of your freshmen year. This section will introduce you to these benchmarks and help you plan for them over the course of the year.
Ninth-Grade Benchmarks
Every freshman
- earns at least two credits in each core subject area (English/language arts, math, science and social studies)
- earns at least 11 total credits
- passes at least one Regents at a 65 or above, 75 or above for math or ELA
- has at least 92 percent attendance and earns at least an 80 percent in all core classes
- understands graduation and college-readiness requirements
- develops a four-year plan to meet benchmarks for career and college readiness
- goes on a college visit
- takes a practice PSAT and discusses results with a teacher
- participates in a career-talk series or job-shadow experience
- learns about the various career and college pathways available after college.
Planning Your Freshman Year
Fall
- Get to know your school advisers, teachers and principal.
- Find out how many credits and courses you need to graduate from high school.
- Meet with your high school guidance counselor to create a four-year plan that includes college preparation.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges are interested in the way you spend your extra time.
January and February
Meet with your high school guidance counselor to:
- Review your first-semester grades.
- Learn which Regents exams you need to take in June.
March
- Take a virtual tour of or visit a college campus. Check out local colleges, as well as Ivy League schools.
- Research and apply for summer programs and internships. Pay attention to program deadlines so you don’t miss out on valuable opportunities.
April and May
- Study for your Regents and final exams.
- Check with your high school guidance counselor and teachers to see if they know of any summer jobs that suit your interests.
- Apply for working papers(work-permit) with your high school guidance counselor’s help. Remember you must be 15 to work in many cities.
- Take a practice PSAT and discuss the results with a teacher or guidance counselor.
- Meet with your high school guidance counselor to review how you did this year, how you might improve and which classes you should take next year.
June
- Pass at least one Regents exam by the end of ninth grade.
You will need to reach several very important benchmarks by the end of your sophomore year. This section will introduce you to these benchmarks and help you plan for them over the course of the year.
10th-Grade Benchmarks
Every sophomore
- earns at least two credits in each core subject area
- earns at least 11 total credits
- passes two additional Regents at 65 or above, 75 for math or ELA
- has at least 92 percent attendance and earns at least an 80 percent in all core classes
- completes the PSAT and discusses results with a teacher
- attends a college fair
- begins to develop a portfolio that includes academic achievements, a résumé, recommendation letters and certificates of participation or achievement
- completes an interest, skill and career assessment
- researches potential colleges and career paths.
Planning Your Sophomore Year
September and October
Meet with your high school guidance counselor and parents/guardians to:
- Register for the PSAT.
- Review your ninth-grade transcript and evaluate your progress with your four-year plan.
- Go to the a College Fair.
- Explore different types of colleges — private, public, professional and arts.
- Stay involved in extracurricular activities. Try applying for a leadership position.
- Take the PSAT. Be sure you know the correct date and test location. Ask your high school guidance counselor for practice tests and other tips.
November
- Continue to study hard and get good grades.
January
- Meet with your high school guidance counselor to review your grades and determine which Regents exams you should take in June.
March and April
- Research and apply for summer programs and internships. Pay close attention to program deadlines.
- Visit a college campus and attend an information session.
- Register for an SAT subject test with your high school guidance counselor. Only register to take an SAT subject test in a subject in which you are doing well.
May and June
- Prepare for and take Regents exams. By the end of 10th grade, you should have taken three Regents exams: math, science and history.
- Take the May SAT or SAT subject test if you are registered.
- Ask your high school guidance counselor and teachers if they know of any summer opportunities.
- Apply for working papers. Remember, you must be 15 to work in most cities.
Meet with your high school guidance counselor to:
- Discuss your academic progress.
- Review your four-year course plan and choose the classes you need to take next year.
- Discuss your summer plans.
- Ask about Advanced Placement classes.
- Find out about and register for a College Now course at a local college.
- Start preparing for the October ACT.
You will need to reach several very important benchmarks by the end of your junior year. This section will introduce you to these benchmarks and help you plan for them over the course of the year.
11th-Grade Benchmarks
Every junior
- earns at least two credits in each core subject area
- earns at least 11 total credits
- passes two additional Regents and has passed all five basic Regents by the end of junior year at 65 or above, 75 for math and ELA
- has at least 92 percent attendance and earns at least an 80 percent in all core classes
- writes and receives feedback on a personal statement in an ELA class
- takes the PSAT and SAT
- attends a college finance and scholarship workshop and completes a practice FAFSA (financial aid) worksheet
- participates in a summer activity aligned with career interests
- builds a list of colleges and career training programs to apply to and reviews it with a counselor.
Planning Your Junior Year
September
- Continue your involvement with extracurricular and leadership activities.
- Register for Advanced Placement classes.
- Make sure that you take courses that challenge you, such as precalculus/Math B and chemistry.
October
- Meet with your adviser to discuss your 10th-grade PSAT scores and start to consider your career path.
- Attend fall college fairs.
November
- Use your PSAT scores to help identify the test skills you need to develop before taking the SAT.
December
- Study hard for high school exams.
- Prepare for January Regents exams.
- Find and register for an SAT prep course being held in January or February.
January
- Take January Regents.
- Start learning about financial aid.
- Talk with your adviser about scholarships.
- Attend a Department of Education financial aid workshop with your parents/guardians.
Meet with your adviser and parents/guardians to:
- Review your academic progress.
- Find out which Regents exams you have to take in June.
- Register for the March SAT.
- Register for College Now classes.
February
- Prepare a list of the colleges you’d like to attend. Visit those schools online, call admissions offices or go to college fairs to request free materials.
- Find out if there are special admissions requirements for performing and visual arts colleges.
- Take an SAT prep course.
March
- Register for April ACT.
- Take the March SAT if you are registered.
- English language learners (ELLs): Find out if the colleges on your list require the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If so, register for the test.
- Research and apply for a summer program, internship or job.
- Visit some of the colleges that interest you.
- If you plan to take AP or College Level Examination Progress (CLEP) tests this spring, talk with your college adviser or teachers about how to prepare.
- Register for the May SAT or subject test. Even if they took the March SAT, many students choose to retake the test to raise their scores.
April
- Attend spring college fairs.
- Narrow your college application list to six to eight colleges.
- Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you are interested in playing sports in college.
- Take the April ACT if you are registered.
May
- Take the May SAT or subject test if you are registered.
- Begin to prepare for your June Regents exams.
June
- Take Regents exams.
Meet with your adviser and parents/guardians to:
- Discuss your current courses and the number of credits you have.
- Decide on the classes you will take next year.
- Review your college list.
Summer
- Enjoy your summer program, internship, youth employment or volunteer work. Tell your teachers and/or supervisors that you will ask them for letters of recommendation in the fall.
- Register for College Now classes.
- Request catalogs, admissions applications and financial aid information from colleges you haven’t already contacted.
- Identify at least five scholarships that match your interests or talents.
- Write an outline for an autobiographical essay.
- Visit college campuses.
- Create a résumé that includes all of your jobs and extracurricular activities.
- Find out if a placement test, audition or portfolio is required for admission to a specialized program. Start preparing these items if you need them.
- Research summer deadlines for fall ACT, SAT, TOEFL and CLEP tests.
- Begin preparing for the SAT subject tests that you plan to take in the fall.
You will need to reach several very important benchmarks by the end of your senior year. This section will introduce you to these benchmarks and help you plan for them over the course of the year.
12th-Grade Benchmarks
Every senior
- earns at least two credits in each core subject area, including math and science
- earns at least 11 total credits
- has at least 92 percent attendance and earns at least 80 percent in all core classes
- passes the additional advanced Regents in math and science, as well as a foreign language Regents OR completes a sequence of career-themed courses
- completes the financial aid form (FAFSA) by Feb. 28
- completes the online CUNY application by Dec. 25
- applies to at least six colleges, including: a “safety,” a “probable” and a “dream” school
- if eligible, takes a College Now course or CTE course/course toward industry certification
- creates a transition plan with a guidance counselor.
Planning Your Senior Year
September
- Know the dates for your SAT, ACT, CLEP and TOEFL exams for the fall.
- Register for any SAT subject tests you plan to take in October.
- Study hard and get good grades. Colleges like to see strong grades in the first semester of the senior year.
Meet regularly with your college adviser. This is an important year to:
- Review your college application list.
- Make sure your list includes “dream,” “probable” and “safety” schools.
- Ask your high school guidance counselor about early decision or early action applications. This route allows you to apply and learn the admissions decision on an early schedule. However, it’s not the right choice for everyone, so be sure to do your research.
- Think of one or two teachers who could write great letters of recommendation for you. And don’t forget to ask your high school guidance counselor or employers from after-school and summer activities for letters.
- Register for College Now and Advanced Placement classes.
- Write first drafts of your essays for college and scholarship applications.
- English language learners: Register for the TOEFL.
October
- Take the October SAT or SAT subject tests if you are registered.
- Finalize your list of six to eight colleges.
- Ask your high school guidance counselor if you qualify for financial aid programs like HEOP/EOP, SEEK or College Discovery.
- Give recommendation forms to your college adviser, teachers, employers or others. Include addressed, stamped envelopes to make it easier for them to mail the letters.
- Meet early decision and early action deadlines. Make copies of your applications before you mail them.
- Work on your essay drafts. Get feedback from teachers or your college adviser.
- Polish your portfolio and audition presentation if you are applying to a visual or performing arts school.
- Begin to apply for scholarships.
- Attend college fairs and continue to visit college campuses.
November
- Take the November SAT if you are registered.
- Begin filling out your college applications. Most regular admissions deadlines range from late December to early March.
- Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents/guardians.
- Remind teachers, college advisers and others to mail your recommendation forms.
- Schedule college interviews or auditions, if necessary.
- If you have a learning or physical disability, contact colleges and ask about support services that are available for students with special needs.
- Revise your essays and ask for final feedback from teachers or your guidance counselor.
- Collect information about your family’s household finances, which will be required for the FAFSA form.
- Apply for a PIN for your TAP (Tuition Assistance Programs) and FAFSA applications, which can be submitted after January 1 online or through the mail.
December
- Take the December SAT or ACT if you are registered.
- Give applications with mid-January deadlines to your college adviser to complete questions on class rank and academic history.
- Give your guidance counselor a list of colleges and scholarship organizations that require an official transcript.
- Finalize your essays.
- If you applied for early decision or early action, keep an eye out for decision letters.
- Prepare for January Regents.
- Send out all scholarship applications before the end of December.
January and February
- January is a very popular month for application deadlines. Make copies of your applications before you send them in.
- Ask your parents/guardians to work on their tax return estimates so you can complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after Jan. 1 and get the financial aid you need.
- Complete your TAP application using either the online or paper version.
- Complete the CSS/PROFILE and other financial aid forms.
- Attend financial aid workshops with your parents/guardians at high schools, college access programs and the Department of Education.
Meet with your high school guidance counselor to:
- Evaluate whether you are on track for graduation.
- Identify which, if any, Regents exams do you need to take in June.
- Register for College Now classes if you haven’t already.
- Make sure your applications are complete.
- Check with your teachers, high school guidance counselors or employers to make sure your letters of recommendation and transcripts are mailed.
March
- Mail applications to colleges that have open or rolling admissions.
- Quickly complete and return HEOP/EOP forms that you receive from colleges.
- Keep an eye on the mail for your SAR (Student Aid Report), which will have the information that you included on your FAFSA. Review your SAR carefully and send any changes by mail.
- Contact colleges to verify that your application folder is complete.
April
- Check the mail for decision letters. Colleges are supposed to let you know their decisions this month.
- Financial aid letters are sent separately by each college that accepts you, and these usually arrive later.
- If you do not apply for TAP online but have completed your FAFSA application, HESC will mail you an express TAP application (called an ETA) to review, sign and return.
May and June
- Once you have chosen the school you plan to attend, notify the college before the deadline — usually May 1.
- Review all of your financial aid forms and check off the financial aid you accept. Sign and return the form to the college financial aid office. If applicable, sign and return loan promissory notes.
- If you need more financial aid, contact the college’s financial aid office.
- Mail your tuition deposit.
- If you plan to live on campus, you will receive information on dormitories. Complete and return the questionnaire on personal lifestyle, interests and habits.
- Mail your room and board deposit.
- Notify all other colleges that you do not plan to accept their offers of admission.
- If you are accepted through HEOP, review information on mandatory summer orientation and class schedule.
- Students accepted for regular admission should review the orientation and registration schedule.
- If your college is away from home, begin planning transportation and the luggage you will take.
Finish high school!
- If you are registered, take AP test(s). Scoring well can earn you credits in college.
- Keep on top of your classes so you do not jeopardize your high school graduation.
- Prepare for and take final exams.
- Breathe a big sigh of relief! Congratulations — you made it!
Three Steps to College Selection
1. Dream 2.Research 3.Narrow
1. Dream
What career are you dreaming of? What would you love to study in college?
Take the COIN Self-Assessment to help you figure out the answers. Available at many schools, this online questionnaire discovers occupations that match your interests, preferences and needs. This information can be useful as you search for colleges that have the programs of study you may want. Ask your adviser where you can take this self-assessment.
Create a wish list.
Make a list of all the colleges that interest you. It can be as long as you like. Think about who you are. Consider the kind of academic and social environments in which you feel most comfortable. The colleges you apply to should reflect your goals, skills, interests and personality.
Questions to ask:
- What classes do you enjoy?
- What subjects do you do well in?
- What are the things you like most about your high school?
- What do you do in your free time (reading, writing, dancing, singing, sports, computers, drawing)?
- What topics are you curious about, and what skills would you like to develop?
- Do you want to attend a small school, a large school, a liberal arts college, a technical college, a two-year college or a university?
- How about a single-gender college, an art school, a historically black college or a college with religious affiliations?
- Where would you like to go to school? In an urban, suburban or rural setting? Close to home or far away?
How do these questions help you select a college?
If you attend a small high school, you might consider the close-knit community of a small college. Or you might prefer a large school, where the range of activities is more diverse. If you enjoy drawing, painting, photography or acting, you may want to consider a visual or performing arts school.
2. Research
Research each college on your wish list.
Now that you’ve listed the colleges that interest you, how do you find out if a school is really a good match for you?
Talk to your college adviser. She can help you find colleges that match your academic profile, personal interests and strengths.
Interview current college students. New York City ninth- and 10th-graders came up with these interview questions to help learn more about college:
- Do you think it is better to live on or commute to campus?
- Once you graduate, does the college help you find a job?
- What grade point average (GPA) should you have to get into a good college?
- When you were in high school, how did you prepare for college?
- Do you feel that your professors are helpful?
- Describe your typical day at college.
- How did you feel during your first year at college?
- Is it a good idea to join a fraternity/sorority?
- How do you know what classes to take?
- What do you think is the most difficult part of college?
- What are some ways to get a scholarship?
Participate in after-school college prep programs.
Attend college fairs.
Visit colleges that interest you. Most colleges hold daily information sessions and tours.
When visiting colleges or speaking with representatives at college fairs, the following list of questions will help you get the most out of your interactions. Answering these will help you determine which colleges are right for you.
- What size are the classes?
- Are the classes taught by professors or teaching assistants?
- How much of student need is covered by financial aid?
- Is on-campus housing available for all students?
- Do students stay on campus on weekends, or do most go home?
- What kinds of activities are available to students on weekends?
- What grades, test scores and experiences does your college look for?
- Which tests are required? SAT, SAT subject test, ACT?
- Does the college have core requirements? English, math, science, language?
- How many students graduate on time?
- What percentage of students find jobs or go on to graduate programs upon graduating?
- How diverse and tolerant is the student population? Consider racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, socioeconomic and geographic diversity, and the support systems available for these students.
- What kind of support does the college have for students who face personal or academic challenges or students with learning or physical disabilities?
These are all good questions to ask college admissions officers, students and professors on your college visits.
3. Narrow
Narrow your list to six or eight colleges.
Your list should include a combination of public and private colleges that are your “dream” schools, “probable” schools, and “safety” schools. As New York state students, you should include City University and State University schools on the list. Your list is unique; it will not look like anyone else’s.
“Dream” colleges
Include one or two colleges whose admissions requirements are a real challenge but that you are really hopeful about.
“Probable” colleges
Include two or three colleges whose admissions requirements you mostly satisfy and where there is a good chance you will be accepted.
“Safety” colleges
Include two or three colleges whose admissions requirements you satisfy and where you know you are likely to be accepted.
Remember that many colleges require that you take standardized tests like the SAT, SAT subject tests and ACT for admissions.
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Components of the College Application
Every college and university has its own admissions requirements based on the college’s academic standards, school structure and types of programs offered. General admissions application requirements can include the following elements to help colleges learn more about who you are:
Application form
Carefully read and fill out the application form from the college. Do not be afraid to ask questions about anything that is unclear. A simple mistake can mean the difference between getting into a college or not.
Essay (or other writing sample)
One of the most important parts of your application, the essay is your chance to shine. Colleges are interested in how well you express yourself in writing. Think about the impression you want to make.
Leave plenty of time to do your essays — you will probably have to write many drafts before you get one that is just right. The good news is that college essay topics tend to overlap, so chances are you will not have to write a new essay for each college. Be sure to get help from your high school guidance counselor and teachers. In some cases, you may have already written an essay for a class that can be adapted into a college essay.
Transcript
Your transcript shows the high school(s) you attended, courses taken and your grades, as well as your Regents exam grades, cumulative grade point average (GPA), SAT, SAT subject tests and ACT scores, and school attendance. Colleges use this information to determine if you satisfy admissions and eligibility requirements. It is also used to determine if you met high school graduation requirements.
School profile
If your high school has a school profile (ask your high school guidance counselor), it is a good idea to attach it to your transcript before sending it to the college. The profile paints a picture of your school for the admissions advisers and offers information about your school’s environment.
Test scores
These include your scores from the SAT or ACT. Colleges vary on whether or not they also consider the SAT essay when they review applications.
Recommendation forms
Appropriate people to ask for recommendations are teachers, high school guidance counselors, employers or any adult who can comment, favorably and in depth, on your skills, maturity, integrity and personality. Give them the forms well in advance of the application deadlines.
List of activities
This list should include all the extracurricular activities you participated in throughout high school. The Web sites www.monster.com can help you craft a professional résumé to submit with your application.
Fee or fee waiver form
You will need to submit a check or money order for the application fee. If you are requesting a waiver, use the College Board Waiver Form or letter from your school. Some colleges may have their own forms as well.
Optional sample of creative work
If it is required, include a creative writing sample, portfolio or audition CD.
Back to TopFill out FAFSA
To apply for any type of financial aid at any college in the United States, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to calculate how much your family can afford to pay for college.
This form is available from your high school guidance counselor or through www.fafsa.ed.gov. During your senior year of high school you should plan to submit your FAFSA application as soon as possible after Jan. 1.
Tax return information
The FAFSA asks for information from your parents’ tax returns. For you to submit the FAFSA form on time, your parents will need to complete their tax forms in January.
If you cannot obtain your parents’ tax information, follow the special instructions in the FAFSA application.
If your parents cannot process their tax forms in January and their income has not changed significantly from the previous year, they can use the estimated tax information based on their previous year’s forms.
Determining Aid and Eligibility
Based on the information you provide in the FAFSA, the federal government calculates your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). The federal government then creates a Student Aid Report (SAR) and sends it to you to review for errors. Once you sign and return it, your SAR is sent to all the colleges you listed on the FAFSA as schools you are interested in attending.
Each college that receives your information will use it to create a financial aid package based on your family’s financial need. However, some of the colleges on your list will not have enough money to meet 100 percent of your financial need. Be sure to apply to a variety of colleges so that you can compare the financial aid packages you receive from each one.
All of the colleges to which you apply will use the SAR to determine your eligibility for the various types of federal financial aid, such as PELL grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), Stafford, Perkins and Parent PLUS loans. If you are interested in applying to college within New York state, the financial information you listed on your FAFSA will also be used to determine your eligibility for New York state financial aid opportunities like the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
Additional forms required by some colleges
Some colleges will require more detailed information about your family’s financial situation than what appears in the FAFSA. They may also have you fill out their own financial aid form and/or the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile form.
Read the information you receive from colleges carefully so you know what is required. Unlike the FAFSA, you have to pay a fee for each college to which your CSS Profile is sent. Go to www.profileonline.collegeboard.com for more information on which colleges require this additional financial aid form.
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College Board
hesc.com
Financial Aid
ed.gov/thinkcollege/early
Student Loan
College Parents
act.org