Why Is College Important
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It is an investment in YOU!
It helps you to become independent
It helps you to reach new potentials
It builds your human and social capital
It enables you to discover new passions
Why Is College Important
• It breaks down class barriers by:
– Strengthening academics
– Encouraging civic engagement and/or social
awareness
– Increasing financial literacy and financial
independence
– Developing political awareness and participation
Choosing a College
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Location – Distance From Home
Environment
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Type of school (2 or 4 year)
Co-ed or all male/female
Religious affiliation
Urban, suburban, rural
Closest city to college
Size
– Campus
– Enrollment
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Academics
– Majors
– Specializations
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Facilities/Housing
Activities
– Sororities/fraternities
– Athletics
– Student life activities
College Preparation/Readiness &
College Success
• How do you prepare your son/daughter for
college?
– You begin in elementary school to build a “mindset”
and “culture” of excellence
• NYS mandates that all students complete a
college prep course sequence
• “The skills needed to succeed in college are the
same skills that are needed to succeed in the
workforce”
• http://www.act.org/research/policymakers/pdf/R
eadinessBrief.pdf
PREREQUISITES FOR COLLEGE
ENTRANCE AND SUCCESS
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Strong academics
Completion of high school curriculum
Financial awareness and independence
Social acceptance
Positive attitude
– Civic and political awareness
– Civic and political engagement
• Time management/organization Skills
College Entrance ACADEMIC
Requirements
• High School Academic Performance
– GPA
– Class Rank
– Courses
• Standardized Test Scores
– ACT
– SAT
• Admission Essay, Interview, and Other Requirements
– “Good Fit” analysis
– Write an outstanding essay
– Be ready for the interview
ACADEMICS: COLLEGE READINESS
CURRICULUM
• English
• Math
Four Years of English
Three Years Including – Algebra I,
Geometry, and Algebra II/Trig.
• Science
Three Years – Living
Environment/Biology, Chemistry,
Physics
• Social Studies Global Studies, US History,
Economics and Politics
• Add’l Courses Foreign Language, the Arts,
Technology
Major
College
Industry Examples
Career
Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Inst. Of
Technology
Life Sciences
Engineering/Medical
Biometrics
West Virginia Univ.
Build Automated ID
Security Consultants;
intelligence Analysis;
Biometrics System
Designers
Forensic Science
Univ. of New Haven; Penn
State; Loyola Univ.; Texas
A&M
Using Technology to
Analyze Evidence
Criminal Justice
Computer Game Design
USC; Univ. of Utah;
George mason; RIT;
Drexel
Video and Online Games
Animation; Audio Design;
Programming and
Production management
Cybersecurity
Dakota State Univ.;
Northeastern Univ.; Univ.
of Tulsa
Protecting Computer
Systems
Healthcare; Energy;
Security; Government
Data Science
College of Charleston
Analyzing Data
Government; ECommerce
Business Analytics
Univ. of Tenn.; Rutgers;
Univ. of Iowa; Old
Dominion
Analyzing Data and
Information Systems
Business
Petroleum Engineering
Marietta College; Texas
A&M; Univ. of Oklahoma
Shale Formation and
Reserves
Oil and Gas Companies
Public Health
Temple Univ.; Brown
Univ.; UC Berkeley; Irvine;
GWU
Public Policy
Hospitals; Nonprofits;
Community health
MAJOR COURSE OF STUDY
• Academic Advisor: Your academic advisor may be able to offer the
following suggestions:
– Classes that may not be as strenuous
– Recommendations of a professor whose personality may be a better
match for you.
– Plan your classes for next year.
– Help schedule for a job with your academic schedule.
• How do you find out who your advisor is?
– Just go to your Academic Dean, Department Chair for your major, or
Advisement Center
• Career Planning Center: Explore your career options. Stop by the
career planning office. People there will be able to share
information about opportunities for graduates with your major,
offer some suggestions for majors that might suit you better, and
discuss career options for various majors.
PREPARING ACADEMICALLY
• Tips to improve your study skills:
– Stay organized by making a "To Do" list. Stick to it.
– Set goals for yourself.
– Prioritize! A test tomorrow is more important than
an assignment due next week.
– Take good notes, and then be sure to review them
carefully later.
– Experiment a little. Where and when do you work
best? Alone or in a group, bright or dim lighting,
quiet or noisy? Then study that way!
IMPROVING YOUR WRITING SKILLS
• Quick tips for effective writing:
– Think about your audience. For example, you would
use a different tone in an essay than you would in a
note to a friend.
– Plan ahead. List important points in the order you
wish to make them.
– Use a strong opening sentence to catch the reader's
attention.
– Be clear and to the point. Edit out unnecessary words
and information.
– Read through your writing for spelling errors and
typos. Spell check programs don't catch everything!
TIME MANAGEMENT
• Schedule time for studying AND time for
relaxing
– Know what you need for optimum performance, and
adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Know the time of day when you have the most
energy
– Tackle your most demanding assignments and tasks at
that time. If you don't have the time or energy to
complete a task today, instead of putting it off until
tomorrow, do a piece of it today. You may never have
a block of time big enough to finish the whole thing in
one sitting!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PRE-K THROUH GRADE 5
• Academically
– Explore early
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• Talk with your child about his/her interests and different kinds of
careers.
• Help your child talk with adults in your family and the community who
have different kinds of careers.
• Encourage literacy – read different books to your child and have them
read to you
Research together the education qualifications necessary to pursue those
careers.
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Promote school attendance
• Visit college campuses in the five boroughs and beyond New York City.
– Learn about the different middle and high school options available to your
child.
» Each school has its own areas of strength, and many have different
themes.
– Look for schools and programs that match your child’s interests
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – PRE-K THRU
GRADE 5
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Socially
– Cultivate positive behaviors that will assist their academic and social performance
– Encourage:
• Persistence – You can work on this skill at home by supporting your child when
he/she is having trouble with a challenging assignment; push him/her to keep trying
and to always do his/her best.
• Respect
• Engagement
• Attendance
• Work Habits/Organization Skills - Students who work well independently are able to
manage time effectively and check their work for accuracy. You can help your child
develop these skills by encouraging him/her to begin assignments as soon as they
are given and by helping him/her keep school notebooks neat and organized.
• Communication/Collaboration Skills – One way to strengthen these skills, work
together to create a phone book of classmates your child can contact when he/she
has a question about an assignment.
• Self-Regulation - You can demonstrate self-regulation for your child by showing
him/her that you listen to what people have to say before saying what you want to
say and consider all sides of a problem when trying to find a solution.
GRADES 6 - 8
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What should be done to prepare your student for college during and by the end of junior high
school?
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Grade 6 – Begin to fine-tune their values, beliefs, and skills; in particular, help them to develop good study
skills.
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Grade 7 – Do research on High Schools and Know the requirements for entering and exiting
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If they do not yet have a consistent sport or extracurricular activity, this is the time that they should narrow it down and
get it focused to one or two activities that they could “master”. This helps them to become more focused.
Reading list for summer
Have an “End of Sixth Grade Vocabulary List Mastered
The final seventh grade report card is the one high schools see for the high school admissions process. Therefore, it is
important for your child to do his/her best not only in each class but also on the seventh grade standardized tests. If your
child performs at his or her full potential, it means he/she can be considered for the widest range of programs
Reading list for summer
Have an “End of Seventh Grade” Vocabulary List Mastered
Grade 8 – Consider a mentor for your son or daughter. High School is really fast-paced and going in with
some credits allows wiggle room for any slight pitfalls and will still allow for an on-time graduation.
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Try to pass at least two regents, preferably in math and science.
Explore College-track courses
Develop a good vocabulary
Develop good out-of-school time habits
Reading list for summer
Have an “End of Eighth Grade” Vocabulary List Mastered
GRADE 9
• What should be done to prepare your student for college during and by
the end of grade 9?
• Academically
– Completed NYS High School Curriculum (Regents and/or Advanced Regents
Diploma)
– AP Courses
– College NOW
• Financially
– Familiarize yourself with the different types of financial aid, including FAFSA,
grants, loans, and scholarships.
• Socially
– Developing Social Skills
• Work with your child to plan a summer activity that helps him/her develop college and
career ready skills, such as a job, internship, classes, volunteering, or enrichment
activities.
– Help your child register for a professional sounding email address (For
example, your child’s name@gmail.com).
GRADE 10
What should be done to prepare your student for college during and by the
end of grade 10?
• Academically
– Should have at least completed the Geometry Math Regents, Global History
and Geography Regents, two Science Regents (Living Environment and a
Physical Science), one year of foreign language, two years of English
– Taken the PSAT at least once
– Begin taking preparatory courses during the summer for the SATs
• Financially
– SAT and SAT II Subject tests cost money. Talk to your college advisor about
eligibility for fee waivers. If your child is not eligible, begin saving money to
cover the costs of the tests.
• Socially
– Summer Job (DYCD: Summer Youth Employment), volunteering, or other
enrichment activities such as a college summer prep program
GRADE 11
What should be done to prepare your student for college during and by the end of
grade 11?
• Academically
– Should have taken the English Regents, Trigonometry Regents, US History Regents, Living
Environment and two Physical Science Regents, at least two years of foreign language
– Take SAT/ACT preparation courses
– Should have taken the SATs/ACT at least once
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Financially
– Work with your child and his/her college advisor to do the FAFSA4caster at fafsa.ed.gov to find
out what types of financial aid that might be available for your child.
– Help your child make a plan for paying for his/her college applications. Your child will need to
have funds ready by September of his/her senior year.
– In 2012, CUNY cost $65 per application and SUNY cost $50 per application.
– Look up costs for private schools and determine whether you are eligible for fee waivers.
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Socially
– Internship/Service-Learning Opportunities, Summer Employment, College Tours
GRADE 12
What should be done to prepare your student for college during and by the end of
grade 12?
• Academically
– Should have taken most regents exam and at least a college course or AP course,Regents Exam
– Should have taken the SATs/ACTs a second time
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Financially
– Start to search for scholarships with your child.
– Complete the FAFSA by February 1. If you do not have your most recent year’s taxes, complete
FAFSA with the prior year’s taxes and update your application when you are ready.
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Families should file their taxes annually to ensure they will qualify for financial aid.
Socially
– Seek letters of recommendation from teachers with whom you have done well and/or who
know the potential of your work
– Remind your child to check the mail for updated information about enrolling in classes,
orientation, and any required testing.
– Visiting more colleges/universities either with groups or family
– Completing internship pipeline programs with major organizations
– Review all the letters with your child’s college advisor.
– Assist your son/daughter in deciding on a “best fit” college depending on his/her self-portrait,
academic/career interests, financial ability
PRACTICE MONEY MANAGEMENT
• Establish yourself financially by:
– Balancing your checkbook
• You should reconcile your records against your bank's
records).
• Keep track of the ATM debit withdrawals you make on
your account.
– Establish a budget and stick to it
• This helps keep your "wants" under control
– Use your credit cards wisely
Financial Literacy
• Financial Literacy – the ability to use
knowledge and skills to manage financial
resources effectively
– Debt literacy –
• Cost of college versus the quality of education
• Credit car debt
• Financial Aid
– Grants, loans, scholarships
– Work-study
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – PRE-K THRU
GRADE 5
• What should be done to prepare your student
for college during elementary school?
– Financially
• It is never too early to begin saving for college
– The State’s 529 plan offers tax benefits that are
not available with other types of savings accounts.
For more information, check out the New York
State 529 website at nysaves.com
FINANCES
• Financial Aid –The amount your child receives depends on
your income, the number of people you support, and
whether other members of your family are in college.
• Parents/guardians will need to file their taxes annually.
• To apply for aid, you must complete the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
• The FAFSA is the single most important application for
need-based financial assistance. It considers your child’s
need and determines his/her eligibility for federal, state,
and college sponsored financial aid, including grants, loans,
and work-study programs
• Must be completed every year that your child is in college
FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Tuition
Room and Board
Books
Supplies
GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
• Grant money is financial support that does not need to
be repaid and is based on either merit or need.
• Your FAFSA form will help colleges determine if your
income qualifies your child for a Pell or TAP grant, the
two largest income-based grant sources.
• Some colleges also award grants to students based on
their academic or extracurricular record of
achievement.
• Most schools offer some sort of scholarship aid based
on academic merit, academic concentration, interests,
and other criteria. The criteria will vary by school so be
sure to ask each college your child applies to about its
financial aid options.
PROGRAMS
• Students with financial need might be eligible
for part-time campus or community service
jobs.
• Most students work a part-time schedule and
earn money that can be used toward books
and other expenses.
How Does Civic Engagement Prepare
My Son/Daughter For College and a
Successful Future
• When becoming civically engaged, individuals expand
their social networks and become involved with
influential people that can help to advance their
existence
• Adds extra-curricular component to student’s resume
• Transforms students culturally, socially, academically,
and politically
• Letter of Recommendation from sponsor organization
• Students become exposed to their professional field of
interest
College Preparation/Readiness &
College Success
• How do you want your child or student to look
upon high school graduation?
• Upon college graduation?
Get on that path now…
RESOURCES
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schools.nyc.gov/ParentsFamilies
ARISParentLink.org
nyc.gov/html/dycd
bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
firstinthefamily.org
sat.collegeboard.org/home
fafsa.ed.gov
schools.nyc.gov/RulesPolicies/RespectforAll