The Roadmap To College Freshman Sophomore Year Advanced

The Roadmap To College Freshman & Sophomore Year

Advanced Placement and Elective Request • Request form is now OPEN on the school’s website –www. foresthillshs. org • Deadline is Monday, March th 13 !

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

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

Top 5 things to consider when making a great college bound timeline 1. Scores – How far are you from your goal? 2. 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!

Top 5 things to consider when making a great college bound timeline 3. Extracurricular activities – When does your schedule lighten up? That is the best time to prep. 4. 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. 5. How much time do you have? – Are you looking at the timeline as a senior or as a freshman?

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

Freshman Year th [9 ] 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

Sophomore Year th [10 ] 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 (11 th Grade Year only) – October only (must sign up)

Sophomore Year th [10 ] • 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

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

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

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

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!

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

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)

Extracurricular Opportunities • College Bound Organizations – Bottom Line – SEO Scholars – Girls Write Now

Resources • Exam Prep - Khan Academy – Kaplan, Princeton, FREE programs available – Limited space • College. Board. 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

Q&A