College Handbook

as of 1/23/08

COLLEGE INFORMATION and APPLICATION PROCEDURES HANDBOOK Randy Asher, Principal Crystal Bonds, AP Student Services

OFFICE OF COLLEGE SERVICES Rooms 1N1 and 1W2, 718-804- plus phone extensions below Peggy Blau, College Guidance Counselor — PBlau@schools.nyc.gov — 6465 Brenda Glasse’, Administrative Assistant — BGlasse@schools.nyc.gov — 6463 E. Jeffrey Ludwig, Coordinator of College Services/Scholarships — ELudwig3@schools.nyc.gov — 6464 Giancarlo Malchiodi, Coordinator of College Services/Advisor — CollegeAdvisorBTHS@gmail.com — 6493 Handbook written by Giancarlo Malchiodi More resources can be found in the various sections under the College Office banner at www.BTHS.edu. Parents and students are urged to regularly visit those sections this Spring and throughout Senior year for key announcements and other vital information.

Special thanks to the fifty-plus members of the student focus group of the Class of 2007 who critiqued and evaluated this document, to Mr. Ludwig for his contributions to the Scholarships FAQs, to the Guidance Counselors who provided feedback to refine this document, and to the BTHS Parent Teacher Association and BTHS Alumni Foundation for subsidizing the printing costs of this document.

Brooklyn Technical High School

29 Fort Greene Place Brooklyn, NY 11217 CEEB Code: 330630

INTRODUCTION This College Information and Application Procedures Handbook has been designed as a resource tool for Brooklyn Tech Juniors, Seniors, and your families to provide information and guidance about the responsibilities to be carried by you in the months ahead.

We understand that the college applications process can be a stressful and time-consuming process. It therefore requires the absolute focus of both students and parents in order for the process to be approached in a thoughtful manner. Students who begin the application process late or without organization and planning often deny themselves the full range of opportunities they might otherwise have enjoyed; they also often miss vital deadlines, rush to complete tasks that should have had greater attention and care, sometimes make uninformed decisions, and often face greater anxiety. This is also an expensive process with fees for standardized exams, score releases, college applications, transcripts, and profiles for institutional financial aid; good organization and planning may help families use their financial resources in the wisest possible ways.

The depth of information, the recommended actions, and the required deadlines and procedures described in this document may seem intimidating– and the college applications process is intimidating– but every Brooklyn Tech Junior and Senior is capable of reading and following the guidelines and procedures provided in this handbook or modifying its advice to suit his or her particular situation and needs.

Students who do not will possibly manage this process in a

disorganized manner.

We urge you to carefully read this document as a family, to note whatever questions you may have and seek answers as soon as possible, and to keep this resource handy as you begin conducting the necessary research and completing the necessary paperwork that will eventually lead the student to college. We especially urge the students to be actively engaged in this process, with appropriate parental involvement and supervision, since it is your immediate future that will be determined by the steps and actions you take in the next ten months.

Other valuable resources, information, procedures, announcements, and scholarship opportunities will be posted on www.BTHS.edu under College

Office:

News

and

Announcements

and

College

Office:

Scholarships. Students and parents are urged to regularly visit this site.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Junior Year Timeline of Action……………………………………………………………………………… 4 Senior Year Timeline of Action……………………………………………………..………………………. 5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ……………………………………………………………………… 6-20 SELECTING COLLEGES…………………………………………………………………………….. 6 COLLEGE APPLICATIONS………………………………………………………………………….. 8 COLLEGE OFFICE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES…………………………………………. 10 STANDARDIZED TESTING………………………………………………………………………….. 13 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION……………………………………………………………….. 15 COLLEGE ESSAYS………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 COLLEGE INTERVIEW………………………………………………………………………………. 18 FINANCIAL AID……………………………………………………………………………………….. 18 SCHOLARSHIPS……………………………………………………………………………………… 20 Appendix A: RESOURCE BOOKS AND ONLINE RESOURCES……………………………….…….. 21 Appendix B: GUIDANCE COLLEGE QUESTIONNAIRE NECESSARY FOR COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION (due May 7) …………………………………………………….. 23 Appendix C: DESCRIPTION AND LIST OF HEOP PROGRAMS……………………………………….. 25 Appendix D: DESCRIPTION AND LIST OF CSTEP PROGRAMS……………………………………… 27 Appendix E: SAMPLE COLLEGE SELECTION WORKSHEET……………………………………..…...29 Appendix F: SAMPLE BRAG SHEET FOR TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS……………………….30 FINAL THOUGHTS AND WORDS OF ADVICE TO BTHS JUNIORS AND SENIORS AND PARENTS…………………………………………….32

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RECOMMENDED COLLEGE APPLICATIONS TIMELINE OF ACTION

JUNIOR YEAR Now through April

Purchase resource books and begin reviewing material, make notes in your books regarding the colleges you find most interesting or viable: See Appendix A for some options on resource books.

Purchase SAT review books and take at-home tests under real-life, real-time conditions.

Carefully review your transcript to ensure that all courses and grades are correctly listed, speak with your Guidance Counselor if you think there are any errors.

Begin working on your College Questionnaire, gather all necessary supporting material; be as detailed and specific as possible in describing your assorted activities so that your Guidance Counselor may write a thorough letter of recommendation that captures your experiences while in high school: See Appendix B for the College Questionnaire and follow all instructions.

Visit the College Office to determine your eligibility for fee waivers for SAT and ACT exams; you must have submitted your lunch forms to the school and will need copies of your parents’ most recent tax returns or related documents to determine eligibility.

Register to take the SAT Reasoning Test in March: See Standardized Testing FAQs.

Visit colleges during Mid-Winter Recess and during Spring Break (make sure they are in session).

Meet with members of the College Office and Guidance staff to discuss possibilities for college applications April through May

Review SAT Reasoning Test results from the March test and, if necessary or desired, register to take the test again during the May administration; select BTHS as your testing site so you can attend the BTHS College Fair immediately after the test.

Identify SAT II Subject Area Tests for subjects in which you have demonstrated strength and/or which are recommended/required by colleges to which you may apply; review material to prepare for these tests and register to take them in June: See Standardized Testing FAQs.

If necessary for or recommended by your colleges, register to take the ACT exam in June (earlySeptember is an alternate): See Standardized Testing FAQs. The ACT can be a viable option.

Become a registered user on CollegeBoard.com and familiarize yourself with its many resources, including the “College MatchMaker” and “College Search” functions.

Attend the National College Fair at Jacob Javits Center on SUNDAY, APRIL 13 from 12:00—4:00pm.

May/June

Attend the BTHS College Fair on MAY 3.

Submit your completed College Questionnaire responses with all supporting documents to your Guidance Counselor by the MAY 7 due date indicated on the questionnaire: See Appendix B and follow all instructions.

Request letters of recommendation from those Junior-year teachers in whose classes you did well and who can comment favorably and in detail about you and your skills in the subject area. Prepare a Brag Sheet for each teacher. See Recommendation Letter FAQs and Appendix F – the Sample Brag Sheet..

Review your average after six terms of high school and identify schools for which you are competitive based on their published admissions statistics.

Summer before Senior Year

Finish reviewing college resources and develop a list of seven-to-ten colleges that match your interests and for which your academic success to date meets the colleges’ stated criteria for admission. Be sure to include “safety schools” on your list: See Appendix E for a sample College Selection Worksheet.

Determine which of your colleges accept the Common Application, whether or not they require a supplement, and how the supplement should be submitted: See Selecting Colleges FAQs.

Begin completing the Common Application and all necessary supplements, as well as the applications for those colleges that do not accept the Common Application.

Write and revise at least two different college essays based on topics/themes from the Common Application, supplements, and specific college applications: See College Essay FAQs.

Study review books for the various standardized exams you expect to take in the Fall.

Visit more colleges (make sure they are in session when you intend to go).

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RECOMMENDED COLLEGE APPLICATIONS TIMELINE OF ACTION

SENIOR YEAR Early-Fall

By no later than SEPTEMBER 17, provide your Guidance Counselor with updated information regarding Summer courses, internships, or other special programs in which you were engaged that could be discussed in your counselor letter of recommendation.

If necessary, register to take the SAT again, or additional SAT II Subject Area Tests, but no later than the November test dates; the ACT is offered in September for those students who need it.

If you did not do so in June, request letters of recommendation from those Junior-year teachers in whose classes you did well and who can speak with detail about you and your skills in the subject.

Meet with members of the College Office staff to discuss possibilities for college applications.

Revise and finalize your college essays, proofread well and seek critiques.

Finalize your list of seven-to-ten college applications and complete the applications.

Attend in-school conferences with college representatives.

Regularly visit www.BTHS.edu and go under College Office for assorted announcements regarding inschool college conferences, specific College Office deadlines and procedures, and other information.

Begin completing the BTHS Contract for On-line Applications and/or BTHS Transcript Request Forms for each school to which you are applying (forms available from the College Office).

Visit the College Office to determine if you are eligible for fee waivers for your college applications and/or more standardized exams; you must have submitted your lunch forms to the school and will need copies of your parents’ most recent tax returns or related documents to determine eligibility.

IF you are “definitely” eligible for a college you simply love and are certain you would attend it, apply Early Decision/Early Action to that college: See College Application FAQs for additional details.

Mid-October

October 1 — Deadline for submission of EARLY ACTION / EARLY DECISION PARENTAL CONSENT FORMS to College Office 1N1.

October 14 — Deadline for submission of EARLY ACTION / EARLY DECISION application envelopes to College Office 1N1 with all necessary College Office forms.

October 29 — Deadline for submission of application envelopes for all colleges with a DECEMBER due date to College Office 1N1.

Mid-November through December

November 12 — Deadline for submission of application envelopes for all colleges with a JANUARY 1 or LATER due date to College Office 1N1 with all necessary College Office forms.

No sooner than three weeks after you submit your material to the College Office, collect your receipts to confirm the dates your applications were processed and mailed.

FORMALLY RELEASE ALL STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES THROUGH WWW.COLLEGEBOARD.COM OR WWW.ACT.ORG TO EVERY COLLEGE TO WHICH YOU APPLIED! Mid-January Review the progress of your individual applications via the web sites of individual colleges; if any application material is listed as “missing,” contact the individual schools to verify this and then– if necessary– visit the College Office and/or individual teachers to send duplicate material.

If there are any colleges with February or later deadlines for which you have not completed applications, do so and submit application envelopes to College Office 1N1 as soon as possible after the Winter holidays.

February

Submit College Office Mid-Year Report Request Forms, plus one addressed 9 x 12 envelope with two First Class stamps, for every college to which you applied so they will receive an updated transcript with your final Fall grades.

January through June

Continue to perform your best in school and do not allow yourself to become infected with “Senioritis.”

Students have had admissions or financial aid revoked because they slacked-off any time in Senior year.

File your Graduation Report Form with College Office 1N1, due date to be announced, so that our college application database is updated for continual use as a guidance tool for future college applicants.

Complete all other end-of-year instructions and responsibilities, including those to be announced next year: delay of any end-of-year obligations will result in diplomas not being issued and final transcripts not being mailed to the college you attend.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) about THE COLLEGE APPLICATIONS PROCESS and COLLEGE OFFICE PROCEDURES

SELECTING COLLEGES FAQs Question: How do I decide to which colleges I should apply?

There are many factors that go into this important decision. Most notable among them are…

• Your cumulative average as of the completion of Junior year.

• Your scores on standardized exams.

• Your interests in potential majors and careers.

• The geographic location of potential colleges (urban/suburban/rural and how far from NYC).

• The ability of your family to pay tuition/housing/food and the willingness to finance through loans.

• Faculty-Student ratio, overall size of undergraduate population and the college as a whole.

• Internship placement and research opportunities available to undergraduate students.

• The admissions data for each individual college in which you have an interest compared to your academic achievement as of the completion of Junior year, and to achievement on standardized exams (admissions data available in college guide books, individual college web sites, and other reputable sources like www.CollegeBoard.com).

Question: What are some on-line resources to assist me in selecting colleges for which I am eligible?

Become a registered user on www.CollegeBoard.com and familiarize yourself with its many resources, including the “College MatchMaker” and “College Search” functions. See Appendix A for additional on-line resources.

Question: To how many colleges should I apply?

We highly recommend a maximum of eight, plus SUNY and CUNY schools. Much more than this number will not only increase your costs and responsibilities but may also indicate that you have not conducted sufficient research to make thoughtful and realistic choices about your portfolio of applications.

Question: What grades will colleges first review when considering me for admission?

The cumulative average as of the end of Junior year.

Question: Do my Senior year grades matter for college admissions?

YES! But the cumulative average you have earned as of the end of Junior year– along with your standardized exam scores– is the greatest indicator of your eligibility for particular colleges as based on their published admissions data.

Most colleges will not consider an outstanding Fall term or Senior year as the deciding factor for admissions since this will not greatly impact on your cumulative average for the past three years. An under-performing Fall term or Senior year, on the other hand, can damage your ability to be considered for admission into more competitive colleges. Students have had admission revoked by colleges, lost financial aid awards, or were made to take extra tutorial classes if their academic performance suffered significantly during Senior year. Senior grades should be consistent with or exceed past levels of performance.

Question: Do my extracurricular activities, volunteer efforts, and special academic programs matter for college admissions?

Absolutely… But the first and primary factors in gaining admission to a particular college are always the academics! If you are a few points shy of a college’s stated average range or SAT range, or are in the 25th percentile of GPAs admitted to the college, then proven and documented commitment to worthwhile activities may make some difference. The most competitive colleges use long-term participation in quality extracurriculars, volunteerism, and special programs as ways to distinguish among candidates of similar high academic and testing achievement who fall within their admissions criteria.

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Question: Do I need to decide my major or future career when selecting colleges to apply to?

Not necessarily… but it would help! If you have a range of interests about which you are serious but undecided– for example, Biology, Finance, or Psychology–then the colleges to which you apply should ideally offer majors in each of these disciplines (or two out of three) to allow you the opportunity to investigate each major and eventually make a decision. If you legitimately have no clear sense of what you want to major in, then your best bet is to apply to comprehensive liberal arts colleges so you have the widest range of options open to you. You can always check “undecided” on your applications if you are truly undecided.

Question: What is a “reach” or “dream” college?

A “reach” college is also known as a “dream” college: A college for which you do not necessarily have the ideal or upperrange academic criteria for admissions but are close enough to probably still merit some consideration, especially if you have significant outside learning or research experience, or strong extracurricular service, or strong community service that balances out the deficit in cumulative average and in standardized test scores. A “reach” or “dream” college can also be a hyper-competitive institution that admits only a small percentage of all applicants. It is highly recommended that a maximum of three applications be made to “reach” or “dream” colleges.

Question: What is a “safety” college?

A “safety” college is a college for which you exceed the upper range of the admissions criteria and are therefore fairly “certain” to be admitted. Many students treat “safety” colleges dismissively and put little thought into their selection. This is a mistake since a “safety” college is still an institution that should meet your interests and for which you feel an affinity.

Students should complete a minimum of two or three applications to “safety” colleges.

Many BTHS students view CUNY and SUNY colleges as “safety” colleges when some of these schools are actually fairly competitive, so please investigate these institutions wisely. Additionally, you would make a great mistake to automatically eliminate SUNY or CUNY colleges from consideration since a quality education can be had at these institutions at an extremely affordable price.

Question: What is a “realistic” or “match” college?

A “realistic” or “match” college is a well-researched college for which you fall comfortably within the stated range of admissions criteria and in which you have a strong interest in attending. MOST APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE “REALISTIC” OR “MATCH” APPLICATIONS. Question: What is the value of visiting colleges?

Seeing a college– especially those that are residential– during active periods is an invaluable way of getting a sense of the facilities, student body, and educational rigor. Campus tours are important, but just sitting in the cafeteria or Student Union and observing or initiating conversations with students, offers more of an insider perspective of the colleges.

Finally, sitting-in on classes (when allowed) will give you a sense of the academics and class sizes. Please note that college visits are encouraged but should take place during high school vacation periods when the colleges are in session.

Most colleges offer a Summer session and so this may be the best time to schedule a visit even though the student population will be much smaller. School-based college trips may take place during vacation periods but should not be viewed as the only option.

Question: What is the role of the College Office in advising students as to selection of colleges?

The staff of the College Office is available to advise students regarding the array of opportunities available to you, to help identify schools and scholarships for consideration, and to help focus your energies on the important responsibilities you carry in Senior year. Any questions about the applications process should be directed to staff of the College Office.

Question: How can I organize the key details regarding my potential colleges to help me keep track of information?

You can make your own organization chart to list and sort all the necessary information. See Appendix E—The College Selection Worksheet for a sample organizational chart.

Question: What are accelerated or combined programs offered by some schools?

Some schools offer accelerated or combined programs that include both Bachelor’s and graduate degrees in assorted fields including Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Nursing. As is the case for any honors program, these accelerated or combined programs are very competitive. You should conduct internet searches and visit individual college web-sites to identify schools that offer such programs.

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Question: What are “honors programs” or “honors colleges” offered by some schools?

Many colleges have an “honors program” or “honors college” for higher achieving students. Syracuse and Drexel Universities are two such private colleges while SUNY Albany and Stony Brook have their own honors programs as public colleges. The Macaulay Honors College at CUNY has quickly become one of the most prestigious and competitive programs in the country for high achieving students. These honors programs provide a smaller “school within a school” experience with students of similar high achievement, often providing extra benefits to students such as stipends, preferred housing, smaller class sizes and dedicated seminars, laptop computers, and international travel. You should therefore investigate if the colleges to which you are applying offer such opportunities and should keep in mind that these programs are very competitive. See the book Peterson’s Honors Programs and Colleges for more information.

Question: What are Educational Opportunity Programs (EOPs) or Higher Educational Opportunity Programs (HEOPs)?

Educational Opportunity Programs (EOPs) or Higher Educational Opportunity Programs (HEOPs) at many colleges are ways in which lower-achieving and economically disadvantaged students might gain admission to colleges for which they are otherwise ineligible and would then receive educational support services. Such programs have an economic and/or ethnic criteria for admissions and you should investigate these options at the colleges to which you anticipate applying. An example of the economic criteria is a family of four generally cannot exceed a total of $27,800 per year in income. See Appendix C for a list of some colleges in New York State which offer HEOP options and the general criteria. Students who apply HEOP should research to determine whether or not you definitely qualify for consideration since, if you do not, your application may be delayed for consideration for regular admission. Note: Within CUNY, HEOP and EOP is known as SEEK. Question: What are Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Programs (CSTEPs)?

Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Programs (CSTEPs) offered at a number of colleges in New York State offer historically underrepresented students the opportunity to seek degrees in Math, Science, or Technology fields. Such programs have an economic or ethnic criteria for admissions and students who apply CSTEP should research to definitively determine whether or not you qualify for consideration since, if you do not, your application may be delayed for consideration for regular admission. See Appendix D for a current listing of some CSTEP colleges and the general criteria.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS FAQs Question: What is the Common Application? What is it for?

The Common Application is a single application that can be completed once and submitted to many– but not all– colleges and universities by mail or electronically. The Common Application helps to standardize and organize the applications process and ease the stress of that process. Most colleges do require a supplemental application to accompany the Common Application, to be submitted separately from the Common Application or– in some cases– hand-in-hand with the Common Application.

Questions: What colleges accept the Common Application, which require a supplement, what material is requested in a supplement and how should it be submitted, and from where can I download the Common Application and supplements?

Go to www.CommonApp.org for all these answers, and much more information.

Question: Do the competitive colleges that accept the Common Application really consider it as strongly as their own individual applications?

The colleges claim that there is no stigma or negative in you submitting a Common Application along with whatever supplements are required. That said, if there are one or two colleges you most prefer to attend, it may be wise to use the individual college applications for those particular schools.

Question: Where do I get applications for colleges that do not accept the Common Application?

The easiest and most direct way is to go to each colleges’ web site and submit an on-line application; alternatively, download the application from each colleges’ site and print it out. You can also call or e-mail a request that a paper copy be mailed to you. The College Office will not have any applications with the exception of SUNY and perhaps CUNY! Question: When the applications or letters of recommendation ask me if I “waive my rights” to review my application, how should I respond?

Always say YES. Waive your rights to review your application. When an application or letters of recommendation are confidential, the colleges may consider such material as more honest and critical and of greater value in considering you for admissions.

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Question: What is the benefit of submitting applications on-line?

The greatest benefit of an on-line application is that you will be able to work beyond the College Office deadlines to perfect your applications and submit them (see College Office Procedures and Deadlines FAQs). A few colleges also waive or reduce application fees for on-line submissions. Since much of your application is hard-copy that must be mailed by the College Office and individual teachers, your file will not actually be reviewed by admissions officers until all documentation is received. It is therefore possible that colleges will receive our mailing before you have submitted your on-line application. On-line applications must still have the necessary paperwork and forms filed with the College Office by our stated deadlines.

Question: What are “rolling admissions” or “rolling deadlines” and how do they affect me?

“Rolling admissions” or “rolling deadlines” indicate that a college– CUNY and SUNY schools, for example– has no set deadline for submission of applications. It is still in your best interests to complete and submit applications for schools with rolling deadlines as soon as possible during Senior year, and no later than November 19, because once these schools have met their enrollment goals there will be no spots left! Please note that honors programs within CUNY and SUNY do have specific deadlines, often in early-December. Regular programs at SUNY and CUNY schools require only a single application for whatever colleges to which you wish to apply, but supplements are necessary for many SUNY schools.

Question: How can I determine my eligibility for and receive a fee waiver for college applications?

College application fee waivers are for those students with documented financial need who meet stated income guidelines. You must submit your lunch forms to the school every year and will need copies of your parents’ most recent tax returns or related documents to determine eligibility for fee waivers; school files will be cross-referenced to verify this has been done. Fee waivers must be mailed to colleges with applications.

There are very limited numbers of CUNY FEE WAIVERS available and these will be issued by College Office 1N1 on a “first-apply, first-served” basis to students who meet the BTHS paperwork and stated financial need guidelines.

SUNY FEE WAIVERS for up to four SUNY colleges are available for households that meet BTHS paperwork and stated financial need guidelines. Go to www.SUNY.edu in the Fall and search for “fee waiver” in the search field on that web page. Download and complete the form and bring it to College Office 1N1 for verification: without the signature of a College Office representative, the form is unusable.

NACAC FEE WAIVERS: The National Association for College Admission Counseling has fee waivers on its web site that are accepted by all its member colleges for students who meet the stated financial need guidelines and who file the necessary BTHS paperwork. Go to http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/ and find the QuickLinks box on the web page; click on Frequently Requested Items/Forms and scroll down for the fee waiver form. As with the SUNY fee waiver, download and complete the form and bring it to College Office 1N1 for verification: without the signature of a College Office representative, the form is unusable.

COLLEGE BOARD FEE WAIVERS for private and out-of-state college applications are limited to four waivers per student for those who file the necessary BTHS paperwork and meet financial need guidelines. These are issued by College Office 1N1.

Every college does NOT accept NACAC or College Board fee waivers and so it is the students’ responsibility to determine whether or not a specific school does; fee waivers used for non-participating schools will result in a bill sent home for the application fee and a delay in reviewing the application until the bill is paid.

All fee waivers generated from a web site must be brought to College Office 1N1 long before an application is submitted along with a copy of the parents’ most recent tax returns and with lunch forms already submitted for the year; the student must know the names of the schools to which he or she will apply. Specific dates will be announced in the Fall for the submission of all fee waiver related paperwork.

Application fees are a great expense. Families are urged to budget for necessary college application expenses and to help the student make well-informed choices regarding the number and type of schools to which applications are made so that the use of family resources can be maximized for schools to which the student has the best opportunity of admission.

Question: What are Early Decision applications?

Early Decision applications are for those students who comfortably meet or exceed a single college’s admission criteria and for which the student is willing to accept binding admission early because that college is so highly desired by the student. This is a binding decision! If you apply Early Decision and are accepted, then you must attend that college regardless of ability to pay for that college; financial aid packages may be limited for Early Decision. You may apply to only one college via Early Decision. Those high achieving students with a solid interest in a specific college for which they meet or exceed the admission criteria, and whose family is financially able to fund that college or are willing to commit to necessary loans, are the strongest candidates for Early Decision.

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Question: What is the difference between Early Action and Early Decision applications and who should apply via these methods?

Early Action applications differ from Early Decision in that you may apply to more than one college and nothing is binding!

With both Early Decision and Early Action applications students will know whether or not they have been accepted into a school by mid-December.

Students should apply Early Action or Early Decision only to those colleges for which you are a “comfortable fit” in terms of admissions criteria, in which you have a strong interest, and should not simply apply to colleges thinking that an early application gives you a better chance at being accepted. Students not among the stronger candidates for a particular college are advised to apply through regular admissions and to investigate other schools that more closely match your academic achievement.

Question: Does an Early Action/Early Decision application increase my chances of admission?

Often YES, but only for those students who are already stronger candidates for that college! Students on the lower-end of the admissions criteria or who do not meet the colleges’ stated criteria at all will face greater competition during Early Decision/Early Action and could be deferred or possibly rejected outright.

Question: Should I submit my application envelopes for all regular decision colleges to the College Office before I have the results of my Early Decision and Early Action applications?

NO, but you should have all the applications completed and ready to submit to the College Office the day after you receive your responses.

Question: If I choose to submit all my other application envelopes while waiting for an Early Decision / Early Action notification, can I withdraw those applications once a positive Early Decision / Early Action response has been received?

You can and you must, but you will lose all the application fees by having submitted your material in the first place.

Question: Can I apply to college if I am not a legal citizen or legal resident of the United States?

SUNY and CUNY are two public university systems that usually consider undocumented students for admission.

Individual private colleges have different policies and so each private school in which you are interested must be contacted during the Summer prior to Senior year to determine how the school wants an application to be filed.

Be direct and specific about your situation but do not feel obligated to provide your name; keep notes regarding the day and time of your call and the name and title of the person who provided you with information.

Some colleges will require that an International application be filed and may then require that you apply for a student visa in order to enroll (which may cause further difficulties), and then provide proof of your ability to pay the tuition and housing. Some colleges will allow an undocumented student living in the United States to file the same application as everyone else. Others may suggest that you not apply at all because of this status. Again, contact each school in which you are interested for specific details.

Question: What should I enter into the Social Security number section of my applications if I am not a legal citizen or resident?

In most cases you will leave this section blank and each college will then assign you an identification code unique to it, but contact the Admissions Office at each college for more information.

COLLEGE OFFICE PROCEDURES AND DEADLINES FAQs Question: Why does the College Office have deadlines so much earlier than those stated by the colleges?

The College Office and your Guidance Counselors process over 14,000 individual applications every year for more than 1000 Seniors. This takes time and care to properly complete and cannot be done if material is submitted later that the College Office deadlines. To meet the colleges’ postmark deadlines we must have material early to guarantee timely delivery, especially since all envelopes must be processed and mailed before Winter Break. Specific College Office deadlines are announced in the Timeline of Action at the front of this handbook, and updates will be posted online in September of Senior year.

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Question: What happens if I submit an application to the College Office after the College Office deadlines?

Your application materials may not be processed and mailed until after January 1 and will therefore miss the colleges’ deadlines and void your eligibility for consideration. All students must meet stated College Office deadlines to avoid this possibility and the College Office is not responsible for any applications received late by colleges when a student submits material late to the College Office.

Question: Don’t I get “cheated” of time to prepare the strongest application by having to meet these earlier College Office deadlines?

No. First, you do have until the colleges’ stated deadlines to complete your portion of any on-line applications; second, if you choose to do paper applications then you have a great deal of advance notice of the College Office deadlines.

Finally, if the student and parents have not followed the recommended timelines of action, then you may indeed face difficulties in meeting all obligations in Senior year (academic, personal, work, and college-related). The overall pressures and challenges of Senior year can be reduced or avoided through ongoing research and preparation, strong parental supervision, time management, organizational skills, and high motivation. The choices the students and parents make, and the actions you take beginning now through August, will determine how challenging the applications process will be for you. College Office deadlines are not flexible.

Question: Why can’t the College Office simply mail out the transcript, school profile, and Guidance Counselor letter of recommendation and let me handle everything else?

If you choose to do a paper application you can independently mail your portion of the application to your colleges, but the College Office must still have envelopes by our deadlines for all the school-based documents that are mailed. We feel, however, that a more complete package mailed under a single cover (application, essays, transcript, guidance letter, school profile, perhaps even teacher recommendations) is less likely to have something lost as compared to multiple mailings.

We recommend that paper applications be submitted through us, which requires that they meet our deadlines.

Question: What about on-line applications?

You must still submit transcript requests, an on-line application contract, and other necessary documents to the College Office by our stated deadlines but need not complete the on-line application until shortly before the colleges’ deadlines (never wait until the day before to click “submit” for your applications). It is your responsibility to ensure that all online applications are complete and properly submitted by the colleges’ deadlines and that the necessary paperwork and forms are filed with the College Office by our stated deadlines; the College Office and BTHS are not responsible for any omission of material from applications due to students’ negligence or any technical problems.

Question: What is the benefit of submitting applications on-line?

The greatest benefit of an on-line application is that you will be able to work beyond the College Office deadlines to perfect your applications and submit them. Some colleges also waive or reduce application fees for on-line submissions.

Since, however, much of your application is hard-copy that must be mailed by the College Office and individual teachers, your file will not actually be reviewed by admissions officers until all documentation is received. It is therefore possible that colleges will receive our mailing before you have submitted your on-line application. On-line applications must still have the necessary paperwork and forms filed with the College Office by our stated deadlines.

Question: What forms must be filled out and submitted with each application?

If you are applying Early Action/Early Decision to any colleges, you must submit a completed “Parental/Guardian Consent Form” by the date indicated on the timelines of action.

If you plan to submit any on-line applications, including EA/ED, you must still submit an envelope for each of these colleges with a completed “Contract for Submitted Internet Applications” form included by the deadlines stated on the timelines of action.

Every application– paper or internet, EA/ED or regular deadline– must have a “Transcript Request Form” completed and included. There are separate and different “Transcript Request Forms” for SUNY, CUNY, CUNY Honors, Private Colleges, and Early Action/Early Decision applications, so be certain to complete the correct forms for each individual college! These forms will be available from the College Office in the Fall of Senior year and must be submitted by the deadlines indicated on the timelines of action.

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Question: How is an envelope prepared for submission to the College Office?

For every college to which you apply, you must prepare a separate 9”x12” or 10”x 13” manila envelope addressed to the Admissions Office; the address should be neatly written or typed on a mailing label in the middle of the envelope. Four First Class stamps (currently 41¢ each but subject to increase) must be placed on the upper right-hand corner of the envelope. DO NOT WRITE A RETURN ADDRESS ON THE ENVELOPE since we will provide a label for this purpose.

On the outside flap of the envelope you must write your LAST name, then FIRST name, PREFECT CODE, and your ACADEMIC MAJOR here at BTHS. We will mail your transcript, counselor recommendation, secondary school report, and school profile in the envelope along with all any application or supporting materials you choose to send. Do not seal the envelopes.

On Flap…

LAST name, FIRST Name, PREFECT, and BTHS MAJOR

F L A P

LEAVE BLANK

H E R E

STAMPS HERE

Admissions Office College Name Address Somewhere, USA 11111

SAMPLE FRONT ← OF ENVELOPE

Question: What else goes in the envelope besides the various College Office forms?

Payment or fee waivers, plus whatever supporting material you choose to send. This material can include teacher letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes if you wish to do so, but these letters must be ready and submitted by College Office deadlines.

MORE PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING FORMS AND RELATED PROCEDURES WILL BE POSTED ON WWW.BTHS.EDU UNDER “COLLEGE OFFICE: NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS” BY MID-SEPTEMBER OF SENIOR YEAR. Question: How do I “package” an application before placing it in the envelope?

Place all College Office forms on top, then your application with payment (or fee waiver), then your supporting materials; slide everything into the correct, stamped and addressed envelope facing out of the flap. This will make it easier and more organized for the College Office to process.

Question: Should I include the colleges’ forms for Secondary School Reports, Counselor Recommendations, and Mid-Year Reports inside the envelope?

NO. In each of these cases, Brooklyn Technical High School either uses its own dedicated form or has an alternative procedure.

Question: How will the colleges learn of my academic progress from the Fall of Senior year?

In February you will complete and submit one “Mid-Year Report Request Form” for each college to which you applied, along with a new 9”x12” or 10”x13” addressed envelope with two First Class stamps for each college. We will then mail an updated transcript. Students admitted Early Decision / Early Action must still file a Mid-Year Report for their college.

See answer above for details on how the envelope should be completed.

Question: How many transcripts can I have mailed out for free?

Every Senior is entitled to eight free transcripts, including CUNYs and SUNYs. Additional transcripts are $3.00 each.

Application to multiple CUNY schools equals one transcript, application to multiple SUNY schools equals one transcript.

Question: How and when do I pay for additional transcripts beyond the eight free ones I receive?

This will be determined and announced during Senior year.

Question: How will I know when my application materials were processed and mailed?

No sooner than three weeks after you submit your material to the College Office, collect your receipts to confirm the dates your applications were processed and mailed.

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Question: What do I do if a college indicates it is missing some document(s) related to my application?

Regularly review the progress of your individual applications via the web sites of individual colleges; if any application material is listed as “missing,” contact the individual schools to verify this and then– if necessary– visit the College Office or individual teachers to send duplicate material.

Question: What other paperwork am I responsible for submitting to the College Office after all my applications have been mailed?

Once all your responses have been received, you must file your Graduation Report Form with College Office 1N1, due date to be announced, so that our college application database is updated for continual use as a guidance tool for future college applicants. Complete all other end-of-year instructions and responsibilities, including those to be announced next year: delay of any end-of-year obligations will result in diplomas not being issued and final transcripts not being mailed to the college you attend.

Question: Any other procedures about which I should be aware?

The school will be integrating an on-line program known as Naviance in the near future. This program will be integrated into the college research, applications, and admissions process for your graduating class. You will be notified of specific procedures and policies that must be followed as soon as the program goes live.

STANDARDIZED TESTING FAQs Question: Why should I first take the SAT Reasoning Test in March (or earlier) of Junior year?

Don’t most students take it in May or June?

By taking the test in March of Junior year (or earlier), analyzing the results to identify areas of weakness, and then using an SAT Preparation book or enrolling in a prep course, you will be better prepared to take the test a second time in Junior or Senior year. You should never wait until Senior year to take the SAT for the first time, and Senior year SATs should be the second or third time you take this test!

Question: Do SAT Test Preparation courses help?

If a student is a “poor test taker,” reputable test prep programs can provide key skills and “tips” on how to improve the score using proven methods and real-life testing conditions. These same skills are often described in test prep books which are a less expensive option but require more self-motivation. Neither Brooklyn Tech nor the NYC Department of Education advocate for one test prep service over another.

Question: How many times should I take the SAT Reasoning Test?

Generally speaking, few students need to take the SAT Reasoning Test more than three times (perhaps twice in Junior year and once in Senior year if necessary). Most colleges will consider the highest score from each individual test section (Critical Reading, Math, Writing) regardless of when the test was taken; some colleges will average all the test scores if the test is taken more than three times. For information regarding the requirements of specific colleges, contact those colleges or see their web sites.

Question: How can I determine my eligibility for fee waivers for SAT or ACT tests?

Standardized testing fee waivers are for those students with documented financial need who meet stated income guidelines. You must submit your lunch forms to the school every year and will need copies of your parents’ most recent tax returns or related documents to determine eligibility for fee waivers; school files will be cross-referenced to verify this has been done. A limited number of fee waivers for standardized tests are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who have met economic and BTHS paperwork guidelines. There is a maximum of two waivers per student per academic year, pending availability. Come to College Office 1N1 to determine your eligibility.

Question: When should I take SAT Subject Area Tests?

It is highly recommended that SAT Subject Area Tests be taken at the end of the year in which the highest level of the related course is completed: for example, Biology E/M could be taken upon completion of Living Environment 2 or AP Biology 2, Mathematics Level 1 would be taken upon completion of Pre-Calculus 2, World History would be taken upon completion of Global 4 or AP World 2, Languages would be taken upon completion of the sixth term in the language and the Regents Exam. It is in your best interests to not wait until Senior year to take any SAT Subject Area tests.

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Question: When are the SAT Reasoning Tests and SAT Subject Area Tests administered, where can I learn more about these tests, what are the registration deadlines and fees, and how do I register?

Go to http://www.CollegeBoard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html for this information and more.

Question: Which SAT Subject Area Tests (SAT IIs) should I take?

Most competitive colleges require or highly recommend that two or three SAT Subject Area Tests be taken. Some colleges expect one Science, one Math, and one Humanities/Liberal Arts Subject Area Test and then allow for other Subject Area Tests of the student’s selection. You are advised to have some variety in your Subject Area Tests to indicate that you are academically well-rounded. When a college offers no specific guidelines or allows choice, you should take Subject Area Tests in subjects in which you have demonstrated strength and/or which relate to potential majors in college. Subject Area Tests include Biology E/M, Chemistry, Chinese, French, Italian, Literature, Mathematics Level 1 and 2, Spanish, US History, and World History. For specific information regarding the requirements of specific colleges, contact those colleges or see their web sites. Subject Area Tests are usually more difficult than Regents Exams and so all students are advised to purchase and use review books as well as your textbooks to best prepare for these exams.

Question: Can SAT Reasoning Tests and SAT Subject Area Tests be taken on the same day?

No. Question: Where should I register to sit for the various SAT exams?

Brooklyn Tech is usually a testing site and is a familiar and comfortable space that many students may prefer to a new and unknown environment; if the commute to BTHS on a Saturday or Sunday morning is too great a hardship for you then a closer testing site is recommended. For the May exam you should select BTHS as a testing site so you can attend the BTHS College Fair immediately after the exam.

Question: Will colleges to which I release my scores see only the results from that specific test?

For the SAT and SAT Subject Area Tests, each time you take an exam and release your scores colleges see all scores up to and including the most recent test you took. For the ACT, you can select which test results are released to colleges. It is your responsibility to go to www.CollegeBoard.com or www.ACT.org to make sure score release happens in a timely fashion so that the review of your applications is not delayed.

Question: When should I release my standardized testing results to colleges, and how do I do it?

After the last administration of exams you take in Senior year you must formally release your scores to every school to which you applied or to which you anticipate applying. Though you can copy and include Score Reports in your application envelopes, this is not formal notification of your testing results and colleges will usually only consider official Score Reports provided directly to them by the testing services. Go to www.CollegeBoard.com or www.ACT.org to pay for formal release of score to all your colleges.

Question: Should I pay to “rush process” the release of my Senior year score reports to colleges?

If you complete all your standardized exams by no later than November of Senior year, as we recommend, then there is no reason to rush your scores to those colleges to which you are applying unless, perhaps, you are applying Early Action/Early Decision.

Question: What is the ACT exam and how does it differ from the SAT? The ACT is an exam many colleges will consider as an alternate or supplemental exam to the SAT Reasoning Test (some colleges require the ACT, like Sophie Davis Medical School). Students have reported that the ACT allows more time for both the Reading Comprehension and Math sections. The ACT also includes a Science section, however, and has an Essay component that is administered after all the other sections. One other key difference is that students are allowed to select which scores from which test administration are sent to colleges, as opposed to the SAT which releases all scores.

Check individual college web sites for particular testing requirements and visit http://www.actstudent.org/index.html to find out more about the ACT and to register for the exam. If you need to or choose to take the ACT, it is in your best interests to do so by the end of Junior year.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FAQs Question: Why should Junior year teachers write my college letters of recommendation?

These are the teachers who know you best, and most recently, from the high school year in which you were the most mature and– ideally– in which you most reached your potential.

Question: From what academic subject areas should my letters of recommendation come?

Many colleges expect one Humanities/Liberal Arts recommendation letter (English or Social Studies) and one Science or Math recommendation letter... check specific college web sites for their requirements. If you know what major you intend to pursue in college, one of your letters should be from a subject related to that major. These are in addition to the Guidance Counselor letter of recommendation that will include information regarding your overall academics, extracurriculars, special programs, and community service.

Question: When should I ask Junior year teachers for letters of recommendation, and how much time should I allow for the letters to be written?

Teachers should be approached before the end of Junior year or as early in the Fall term of Senior year as possible.

Respect their professional obligations as teachers by allowing them as much time as possible to complete the task of writing you (and many others) individual letters of recommendation. Late requests may be met by an understandable negative response and teachers may limit the number of letters they agree to write.

Question: Why should I not seek letters of recommendation from Senior, Sophomore, or Freshmen year teachers?

Senior year teachers do not know you well enough by the College Office deadlines for submission of applications and colleges will not consider their recommendations as strongly as ones from teachers who knew you for an entire term or year. Teachers from Sophomore and Freshmen year are generally to be avoided because the colleges are most interested in hearing what you achieved during your most recent year of high school and may question why you had to go back to an earlier year at all. EXCEPTIONS TO THIS GUIDELINE SHOULD BE RARE. In cases where a Junior year teacher has retired, transferred, or there exists some other unusual circumstance, then a Sophomore year teacher may be substituted for a Junior year teacher. If a strong and ongoing student-mentor relationship exists between a Freshmen or Sophomore year teacher and the student, then that teacher may be suitable to be a college recommender.

Question: What information should I provide to teachers from whom I seek letters of recommendation?

While different teachers may request different pieces of information, generally speaking…

The standardized evaluation form provided by each college (or the Common Application) with all your relevant personal information already completed; when using the College Application form, provide only one copy for the teacher to complete and then he or she will photocopy this original for every school.

A stamped and addressed envelope for each college to which the letter will be mailed or a blank envelope for the teacher to seal and sign over the flap if you intend to mail the letters with your applications.

A Brag Sheet or resume indicating the activities in which you have engaged throughout high school; See Appendix F for a sample Brag Sheet.

A copy of two assignments you prepared for the teachers’ classes to remind them of specific work you completed, and a copy of your transcript.

Note: It is in your best interest to give your recommenders all material for every college at the same time!

Question: Should the teacher recommendation letters be mailed directly to the colleges or be included in the application envelopes given to the College Office?

Either method will work. If the letters are to be included in the large application envelope then each one must be in separate sealed envelope with the teachers’ signatures over the seal. These sealed envelopes must be ready and submitted to the College Office with your application envelopes by our deadlines.

Question: When the college forms that accompany letters of recommendation ask me if I “waive my rights” to review my application, how should I respond?

Always say YES and waive your rights to review. When letters of recommendation are confidential, the colleges may think that such material is more honest and critical and therefore of greater value in considering you for admissions.

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Question: Can I add extra letters of recommendation to the three that are already being sent (two teachers and one Guidance Counselor)?

Only if individual colleges indicate that such material is welcome and will be read; contact each college for specific guidelines. If colleges do accept extra material, then letters from club advisors, COSAs, team coaches, research mentors, employers, college instructors, volunteer supervisors, and others can be used to supplement your academic letters.

Question: What makes a quality letter of recommendation?

Many elements contribute to a quality letter of recommendation. Those letters that specifically discuss your individual efforts and achievement in the subject class are more valuable than those letters that generally discuss the nature or scope of the subject class alone. Ideally, the teacher will include comments about individual assignments you completed or class activities in which you were engaged, your character, and other specific anecdotes… this will make the letter more effective and more personalized. Specific and detailed letters help to distinguish you from other college applicants.

Question: What is the Secondary School Report?

This is a standardized form that reports your academic performance and personal qualities to colleges and is prepared by your Guidance Counselor. BTHS has its own form and does NOT use the form provided by colleges in their application materials.

Question: What is the role of Guidance Counselors in the application process and what is the purpose of the College Questionnaire?

Guidance Counselors will compose individualized letters of recommendation that capture the full range of your experiences and achievements throughout high school, including: academic success, enrollment in special or Summer programs, extracurricular participation and achievement, community service and volunteerism, personal qualities, and other information that is unique to you. Counselors will also prepare individual Secondary School Reports that contain the academic data from your records and standardized testing. The College Questionnaire prepared by each student, and all related supporting documentation, will serve as the initial source document to help your Counselors do their jobs to the best of their abilities. See Appendix B for the College Questionnaire. The College Questionnaire is due in earlyMay; see the questionnaire for the specific deadline and instructions that must be followed.

COLLEGE ESSAYS FAQs Question: What is the purpose of college application essays?

The essays help to provide the college admissions officers with insight into your personality, experiences, opinions, and interests.

The essays are another way in which you try to “sell yourself” to the college and stand out from the thousands of other applicants.

Question: What are the essay topics about which my colleges will ask me to write?

Each college will have its own particular topics for essays and/or personal statements. Students submitting the Common Application must determine if any supplemental essays or statements are required for each individual college.

Question: How many words are expected of a college essay, and can I exceed the word limit?

See individual applications for specific guidelines, but 350 to 600 words is the usual range. Students who submit applications on-line will find that the word counts are usually strictly enforced. Students who submit paper applications are advised to not exceed the stated word limit at all; if it is “absolutely necessary” to do so, exceed the limit by no more than twenty-five extra words. The colleges want to see effective, descriptive, and controlled writing.

Question: Can an essay written for one application be “recycled” for use in a different application?

Absolutely… if the topics are identical or very similar and if any specific references to a school are changed to reflect other schools.

Question: Is there any assistance I can receive in school with revising my college essays?

Senior year teachers dedicate some time during the first marking period to compose and revise one college essay; Junior year teachers with whom you built a strong relationship can also be used as resources for revision, as can trusted and competent peers. Be mindful that all your teachers are busy teaching their current students and may not be able to easily take on additional responsibilities.

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Question: What are some key issues regarding college essays I should AVOID? There is rarely a “one size fits all” approach, but generally speaking…

DON’T discuss politics and religion, the same two topics you should avoid discussing with people you don’t know well, unless such topics are specifically requested by a college or are a long-term aspect of your character and personality that can be positively explored and demonstrated in concrete ways.

DON’T write anything that might embarrass the reader, make him or her feel uncomfortable, or which might possibly be offensive.

DON’T write about romantic relationships.

DON’T discuss any subjects that can leave a negative perception about your personality or habits.

DON’T make yourself appear overly egotistical or arrogant.

DON’T recycle an academic report you wrote for school; this is inappropriate because you are writing a personal essay drawing on your experiences and observations for its subject matter.

DON’T repeat things that have already been discussed elsewhere in your application.

DON’T try to “explain” some flaw or weakness in your character or academic record.

DON’T select subjects that could have been written by anyone else.

Question: What are the trademarks of an effective essay?

Again, there is no “one size fits all” approach, but generally speaking…

DO select a topic or theme to which you can relate or about which you strongly feel.

DO grab your readers’ attention with a dramatic opening sentence and paragraph that will make the greatest impact and will focus them on the rest of the essay.

DO address the topic of the essay in a direct manner and do not lose focus.

DO avoid cliché subjects like parents or grandparents having a great impact on you unless their stories are extraordinary.

DO use natural language and avoid use of a thesaurus in a misguided attempt to sound sophisticated.

DO use concrete examples based on your first-hand experiences and observations, not generalizations.

DO proofread your work in print form, not on a computer monitor, and never rely only on spell-check or grammar check in a word processing program to catch your errors.

See Appendix A for a listing of “how to” books related to college essays.

Question: How do I select which one of my many experiences to write about in a college essay?

There is no single way to brainstorm or choose, but one method is to simply…

• Compose one paragraph for each significant experience that has changed and/or challenged you in life.

• Compose one paragraph for each person who has significantly impacted on your life.

• Compose one paragraph to describe your personal philosophy or outlook on life and explain what is especially important to you as a human being.

• Compose one paragraph to describe each of your potential career goals and how you have worked to achieve them; connect these goals to the majors/resources available at the colleges to which you may apply.

• Compose one or two paragraphs to describe what makes you special and distinct from other young adults, including any uncommon interests or talents that you hold.

• Compose one paragraph for each work of fiction, poetry, art, or film that has impacted on you and explain how these have impacted on you.

By the time you are done with all these sample paragraphs, you will have brainstormed and developed a large amount of notes to use as a basis for many– if not all– of your college essays and will be in a more informed position to select those experiences that may have the greatest impact on a reader.

Question: What are some of the essay topics about which I might write?

Individual applications and supplements will mandate a specific topic. Among the Common Application topics are: • Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

• Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

• Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.

• A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix.

Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.

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COLLEGE INTERVIEW FAQs Question: How important is an interview when being considered for admission by competitive colleges?

An interview is rarely the “make-or-break” factor in you winning admissions to a competitive college, but it is one more way in which you can distinguish yourself from the thousands of other students who apply to the same schools. The interview is therefore an additional opportunity for you to make a positive impression on an admissions committee.

Question: Should I sit for an interview and who are the interviewers?

Yes. If you are asked to sit for an interview, accept; if you would like to schedule an interview when a college has not yet made the offer to you, contact the Admissions Office of the particular college and request one. The interviewers are often recent alumni of the college but can include faculty members and school administrators.

Question: What are some tips for good “interview etiquette?”

Many different factors will help your interview be successful, including: • Dress “business casual” or semi-formally; avoid denim, sneakers, t-shirts, and excessive jewelry.

• Arrive early to your interview location.

• Greet your interviewer with a full introduction and a firm handshake; know his or her name.

• Maintain eye contact with your interviewer.

• Speak clearly and maintain good posture without seeming too rigid.

• Prepare some specific questions of your own about the school’s academics and your intended major, the campus and environment, individual professors, research opportunities, student organizations, study abroad opportunities, athletics, and other items of interest to you. This will indicate to your interviewer that you have a strong interest in the school and have already begun to inform yourself about specific details but want to know more from someone who attended the school.

Question: How should I respond to the questions?

Directly and sincerely, with answers that indicate thoughtfulness but will leave a positive perception of you in the mind of your interviewer. When you are unsure of something, take a few seconds to consider the question and, if necessary, adapt it to your life experiences and opinions. When you legitimately don’t know something and cannot find a reasonable way to “fake” it, just say something like “I’m sorry, I don’t know that.”

Question: What kind of questions will be asked of me?

The interviewer will ask many different questions, including ones like: • Why do you want to attend [insert school name]? What do you have to offer [insert school name]?

• What is your greatest strength? What is your weakest flaw?

• What has been your greatest experience in high school?

• Tell me about your interests.

• What do you think about (insert a current event of the past week or month)?

• What is your favorite book? Who is your favorite author? Why? • Which of your accomplishments are you the most proud of?

• If you could meet any person from the past or present, who would it be? What would you discuss?

• What would you do with infinite wealth and resources?

FINANCIAL AID FAQs Question: What are some types of financial aid that are available?

Need-based aid is offered by Federal and State-governments to students who qualify based on documented household income; many colleges also provide grants to financially eligible students so that they may attend that particular institution. Work Study is a form of financial aid in which students are employed within different offices of the college in exchange for a tuition rebate or reduction. Student Loans often allow for a family to take out low-interest loans to finance an education and housing with no repayment or interest until the student graduates or leaves school. Merit or Presidential Scholarships and other grants are awarded to high-achieving students by the colleges to underwrite the cost of attending.

Some very competitive colleges offer “need-blind admissions” which may offer admitted students with documented financial hardship a full tuition scholarship. See the College Cost and Financial Aid Handbook by The College Board for more detailed information.

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Question: What is the CSS/Financial Aid Profile, when should it be completed, and how do I submit it?

Beginning around October 1 of Senior year, the CSS/Financial Aid Profile is accepted on-line. Completion of this document is mandatory to be considered for any college-based financial aid at many private colleges. Go to https://profileonline.CollegeBoard.com/index.jsp to review which colleges require this document and to click on the link for the academic year in which you will be a college Freshmen to begin the form. The CSS/Financial Aid Profile should be completed by no later than January 31 of your Senior year (earlier if your colleges indicate a specific deadline or you have applied Early Decision or Early Action). The CSS/Financial Aid Profile is free to complete but a cost is incurred to release its information to specific schools; you should therefore pay to release the document to those schools that require it and to which you are applying.

Question: What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), when should it be completed, and how do I submit it?

Beginning January 1 of Senior year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is accepted on-line.

Completion of this document is mandatory to be considered for any Federal- or State-based financial aid. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply; the deadline for NY State is usually around May 1 but we highly recommend this responsibility be completed as soon as possible and no later than January 31 of your Senior year (earlier if your colleges indicate an earlier deadline). Once a student has filed a FAFSA he or she will then be able to file for the New York State Tuition Assistance Program through the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation web site (only if a student enrolls in a college within New York State): surf to http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/Students_Families_and_Counselors for more information.

Question: Why should I submit the CSS/Financial Aid Profile and FAFSA on-line?

The FAFSA could be completed via paper application and postal mail, but we highly recommend that it be completed via the internet to avoid delays or complications. The CSS/Financial Aid profile is only available on-line. These are secure sites.

Question: How should the CSS/Financial Aid Profile, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and college financial aid forms be completed if my parents are separated/divorced?

Students and parents should carefully review all documents and then contact the Financial Aid Office at each of the colleges to which you applied with any specific questions or concerns. As a general rule of thumb, many colleges consider the income of any adult who shares responsibility for your care–biological parents and step-parents, whether living in the household with you or not. For absentee parents it may become necessary to provide legal statements to prove the absentee status and lack of financial or emotional involvement in your life; for divorced parents it may become necessary to provide a copy of divorce decrees and support stipulations.

Question: Am I eligible for Federal- or State-based financial aid if I am not a legal citizen or resident?

No. Your parents should seek to legalize your status as soon as possible to allow for the possibility of Federal- and State-based financial aid. NOTE: CUNY Honors is a key exception to this rule as admitted students receive a free education regardless of their status, but the competition to win admission is very high.

Question: Am I eligible for college-based financial aid if I am not a legal citizen or resident?

Sometimes, this varies from school to school. Check with the individual colleges.

Question: How can I improve my chances at receiving a significant financial aid package?

After you have submitted your applications and your CSS/Financial Aid Profile and FAFSA and all related documents, your parents/guardians may wish to write a personalized letter to the Director of Financial Aid at each college. This letter should discuss any unique circumstances regarding household income and/or expenses that are somehow not reflected in your CSS Profile or FAFSA. These circumstances should be extraordinary– more than a large mortgage or the cost of living in NYC, for example– in order for them to make a possible difference to your financial aid package. If you are dissatisfied with your financial aid package after it is issued by a college, you may be able to initiate further dialogue by telephone with the individual to whom you wrote the letter.

Question: What is the worst thing my parents can do regarding applying for financial aid?

They must not delay completing their income tax documentation. For your and their benefit, income taxes should be completed by early-February of your Senior year so that you can submit all necessary paperwork for aid consideration: late-filers will endanger potential aid packages.

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SCHOLARSHIPS FAQs Question: What is the role of the College Office in securing scholarships or financial aid for students?

The College Office can not secure scholarships or financial aid for any students, but the Scholarship Coordinator regularly publishes Scholarship Newsletters to inform the student population about different opportunities. These Scholarship Newsletters are published on www.BTHS.edu under College Office and then Scholarships; current Juniors may review these newsletters now to identify potential scholarships for next year. Resource materials are also available in Room 1W2 and the Scholarship Coordinator is available in 1W2 to discuss potential scholarships and to advise regarding the completion of paperwork.

Question: How do I identify scholarships to which I might apply?

Select a scholarship guidebook or two for purchase and carefully review the information in that guidebook for potential scholarships based on your level of academic achievement, cultural/religious background, possible career path or college major, established talent or service, your parents’ union affiliations (if any), and other criteria. You should also review the web-sites for individual colleges to which you are applying and regularly review the College Office Scholarship Newsletters to identify potential scholarships. Avoid paying for any “scholarship locator” service on-line since this is public information that is readily available with minimal investment in a reputable scholarship guidebook, on-line research, and review of Scholarship Newsletters (see Appendix A for some text and internet options for scholarship research).

If I apply for a scholarship, do I have to notify anyone?

Whenever you apply for a scholarship, whether you have or have not spoken with the Scholarship Coordinator about that scholarship, a blue Scholarship Data Form must be obtained from 1W2, filled out, and returned to the appropriate envelope in 1W2 indicating you have applied for a particular scholarship. You do NOT have to see the Scholarship Coordinator before applying for a scholarship or before talking with your teachers and/or guidance counselors and/or anyone outside of school about that application. Some particular items noted in the Scholarship Newsletters may require an application; in these cases, you should go to 1W2 first before going to your Guidance Counselor to obtain a transcript or recommendation.

If I need an official stamp or signature for a scholarship application, to whom who do I take it?

All scholarship applications that require an official stamp or signature from the “Principal” or “Other School Official” should be hand-delivered to the Scholarship Coordinator in 1W2 as the last step in the application process. The application should be in a stamped, addressed envelope ready to be mailed. The Scholarship Coordinator will mail the completed application and all related documents.

If I need a nomination for a scholarship from an official of Brooklyn Technical High School, not only from a Guidance Counselor or Teacher, to whom do I go?

If you need a nomination for a scholarship from an official or the Principal of Brooklyn Technical High School, first see the Scholarship Coordinator in 1W2.

Do I need to notify anyone if I am awarded a scholarship or win a contest? What paperwork am I responsible for submitting to the College Office after all my scholarship awards have been received?

You need to notify the Scholarship Coordinator in Room 1W2 of any scholarship awards. Once all your responses have been received, you must file your Graduation Report Form with College Office 1N1, due date to be announced, so that our college application database is updated for continual use as a guidance tool for future college applicants. Complete all other end-of-year instructions and responsibilities, including those to be announced next year: delay of any end-of-year obligations will result in diplomas not being issued and final transcripts not being mailed to the college you attend.

Question: What about Athletic Scholarships?

Only the most talented student-athletes will be considered for an athletic scholarship and so most team members will instead join collegiate sports as walk-ons when they begin college. Those few who have exhibited outstanding ability should work together with the coach of the sport they are planning to continue playing in college to compile a highlight video of approximately five minutes length. That coach will also write a letter concerning the student-athlete’s skill level and character. The video should be made into distributable DVDs that are then mailed– with the coach’s letters– directly to the Athletic Department and Head Coach of the school(s) they are interested in attending. These efforts should take place no later than the end of Junior year so that college coaches will have occasion to scout that student during Senior year if they wish. Student-athletes seeking admission and scholarships to Division I and Division II level colleges must also register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse at https://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/NCAA/common/index.html. You will be required to formally release all standardized testing scores and send official transcripts to the NCAA Clearinghouse, and to meet other requirements. Student-athletes of great ability should speak with their coaches for further guidance and information.

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APPENDIX A

LIST OF POTENTIAL COLLEGE RESOURCE BOOKS FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS An investment of around $100.00 now will serve the student and family extremely well in the long run. The ability to slowly and carefully review the many different options that exist will educate you about the colleges that fall within your range of achievement for possible admission. Assorted text resources regarding financing and scholarships for college may also help families identify options for funding.

This is just a sampling of the many texts that are available. You do not need all these books, but which books are best for you is a decision you must make on your own. Read reviews of these books via an on-line retailer or go to a major bookstore and sit with the books for a while to find the ones with which you are most comfortable or find most useful. A quality college guidebook should include a description of the campus, the curriculum, the student body, and should provide statistics regarding the grade point averages and standardized test scores of the most recent entering class so that prospective students can determine their eligibility for consideration.

COLLEGE GUIDE BOOKS (CAPITALIZED book titles represent books with a specialized focus) BOOK OF MAJORS by The College Board CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE: THE TRUTH ABOUT AMERICA’S TOP SCHOOLS by John Zmirak COLLEGE HANDBOOK by The College Board COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES by Loren Pope (a guide to smaller institutions of high quality throughout the country, some of which do not require “straight A” students but provide outstanding opportunities) DAYSTAR GUIDE TO COLLEGES FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS by Thomas LaVeist 440 COLLEGES FOR TOP STUDENTS by Peterson’s FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO MED SCHOOL by Jason Yanofski and Ashish Raju THE HIDDEN IVIES by Greene Guides (private colleges, usually smaller ones, of similar rigor to the Ivy League) The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges by Yale Daily News MEDICAL SCHOOL FROM HIGH SCHOOL by A.M. Ilyas THE MULTICULTURAL STUDENT'S GUIDE TO COLLEGES: WHAT EVERY AFRICAN-AMERICAN, ASIANAMERICAN, HISPANIC, AND NATIVE-AMERICAN APPLICANT NEEDS TO KNOW by Robert Mitchell PETERSON’S HONORS PROGRAMS AND COLLEGES (a guide to those colleges with honors programs or “schools within schools” for higher achieving students) PRINCETON REVIEW BEST 361 COLLEGES THE PUBLIC IVIES by Greene Guides (public colleges that approach the rigor of an Ivy League college) THE TRUTH ABOUT GETTING IN by Katherine Cohen Ultimate College Guide by U.S. News and World Report COLLEGE FINANCE BOOKS (CAPITALIZED titles represent books with a specialized focus) Scholarship Handbook by The College Board COLLEGE COST AND FINANCIAL AID HANDBOOK by The College Board College Money Handbook by Peterson’s Kaplan Scholarships The Scholarship Book 12th Edition: The Complete Guide to Private-Sector Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, and Loans for the Undergraduate Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes by Peterson’s SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS by Peterson's SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASIAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS by Peterson's SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS by Peterson's SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS & COLLEGE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS by Peterson's

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COLLEGE ESSAY BOOKS College Admission Essays for Dummies by Geraldine Woods College Essays that Made a Difference, 2nd Edition, by Princeton Review Essays That Worked: 50 Essays from Successful Applications to the Nation's Top Colleges by Boykin Curry Fiske: Real College Essays That Work by Edward Fiske McGraw-Hill's Writing an Outstanding College Application Essay by Estelle Rankin and Barbara Murphy Peterson's Best College Admission Essays The College Application Essay by Sarah McGinty (a College Board book) WEB SITES TO ASSIST WITH THE COLLEGE RESEARCH AND APPLICATION PROCESS ACT Information and Registration

http://www.actstudent.org/index.html

Virtual College Campus Tours

http://www.campustours.com/

Careers and Colleges

www.careersandcolleges.com

City University of New York (CUNY)

www.cuny.edu

CUNY Macaulay Honors College

http://www.macaulay.cuny.edu/

College Board College Search

http://apps.CollegeBoard.com/search/index.jsp

College Board MatchMaker

http://apps.CollegeBoard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp

College Source

http://www.collegesource.org/

Colleges that Change Lives

http://www.ctcl.com/

Common Application

http://commonapp.org/

CSS Financial Aid Profile

https://profileonline.CollegeBoard.com/index.jsp

Fair Test: Schools That Don’t Use SAT/ACT Scores

http://www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm

Fastweb Scholarship Search

http://fastweb.com/

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ New York’s Private Colleges

http://www.nycolleges.org

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) http://www.hesc.com/content.nsf/SFC/Students_Families_and_Counselors Peterson’s College Planner

http://www.petersons.com/

Princeton Review

http://princetonreview.com/college/default.asp

Princeton Review Counselor-o-matic http://princetonreview.com/college/research/advsearch/match.asp Scholarships.com

http://scholarships.com/

SAT Information and Registration http://www.CollegeBoard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html Smart Students’ Guide to Financial Aid

http://www.finaid.org/

State University of New York (SUNY) http://www.suny.edu/Student/search_programs/currfd_oas_main.cfm US News & World Report College Rankings http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php No student or parent should ever enter personal information like Social Security numbers, credit card accounts, or home addresses on web sites except as needed with verified professional sites like ACT, College Board, Common Application, CUNY, Princeton Review, SUNY, US News & World Report and individual college web sites.

No student or parent should respond to any request to pay for scholarship or college information!

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APPENDIX B

INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL BTHS JUNIORS / CLASS OF 2009 FOR COMPLETION OF COLLEGE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION The completion and submission of this questionnaire and supporting materials will assist your Guidance Counselor in developing a personalized letter of recommendation for your college applications. This questionnaire is REQUIRED of all Brooklyn Tech Juniors and a personalized letter is required for most private colleges. You automatically waive your right to access or review the personalized letter of recommendation that is developed for you.

ALL MATERIAL DUE TO YOUR COUNSELOR BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 Use a word processing program and type a heading with the following information listed as indicated: Your FULL, LEGAL name (LAST, FIRST) Your Prefect Code and Counselor’s Name Your E-Mail Address Your Social Security number and Date of Birth (MM-DD-YR) Your Brooklyn Tech Major Then respond to the following items in as specific and detailed a manner as possible. Simply number the items as indicated here and then type your response. If you do NOT have something relevant to write about for any item, SKIP that item and move on. Be sure to properly maintain the numbering of the list. The more detailed and specific you are in your responses, the more useful this document can be to your Guidance Counselor in composing your letters of recommendation for college!

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE / INTELLECTUAL CURIOUSITY 1) 2)

In what subjects do you perform most strongly? Why do you excel in this subject area?

What is your favorite subject and why?

3) If you feel your BTHS major has been significant in your high school learning, discuss the course sequence and specific experiences in which you have been engaged, how these experiences have contributed to your growth as a student, and how the experiences have impacted on your potential majors in college and/or career goals.

4)

What topics or subjects have you independently studied or investigated outside of the classroom?

5) What college courses, internships, after-school or Summer programs, or formal study outside of the high school classroom have you completed? What level of success or achievement did you earn in these efforts? What material, specifically, did you learn and/or in what activities were you engaged?

LEADERSHIP AND EXTRACURRICULARS and COMMUNITY SERVICE 6) In what club/team/performance/honor society/extracurricular activities have you participated as a Brooklyn Tech student?

In what specific activities were you engaged? What were your responsibilities? Did you earn a position of leadership or authority, and what position? How many hours per school year did you spend in each activity? How many school years in total? List all this by academic year, beginning with freshmen year.

7) In what club/team/performance/extracurricular activities have you participated outside of your efforts as a Brooklyn Tech student? In what specific activities were you engaged? What were your responsibilities? Did you earn a position of leadership or authority, and what position? How many hours per school year did you spend in each activity?

How many school years in total? List all this by academic year, beginning with freshmen year.

8) What community/volunteer service have you engaged in to serve others outside of your efforts in Brooklyn Tech? In what specific activities were you engaged and what were your responsibilities? Did you earn a position of leadership or authority? How many hours per school year did you spend in each service? How many school years in total in each service?

List all this by academic year, beginning with freshmen year.

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GOAL SETTING 9)

What are some of your long-term goals and what concrete steps have you taken to achieve them?

10) What new situations, challenges, setbacks, and obstacles have you faced within the last four years? How did you handle these situations and grow from the experience?

11)

What is your anticipated major in college (if any) and what inspired you to consider this option?

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES / SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES 12) What special hobbies/interests/talents do you have?

How long have hobbies/interests/talents and how do these contribute to making you the person you are?

you

maintained

these

13) What responsibilities besides school and extracurriculars have you maintained during your high school career?

How have these responsibilities impacted on your academic performance?

14)

What are the first words you would use to describe yourself? Give specific examples to explain why you used these.

15) Are there any special circumstances about which the colleges should be aware to help them best understand/assess your academic performance in high school and possible future performance?

16) If you were born outside of the U.S., where were you born? At what age did you come to this country and what were some of the adjustments you had to deal with upon arrival? Do your parents speak English and, if not, how has this affected you? Do you serve any special roles or responsibilities in the household?

17)

Will you be the first person from your immediate household to attend college?

Finish typing your detailed responses. Name the file EXACTLY as instructed: YourLastName-YourFirstName-collegeinfo.doc (example-- Chan-Michael-collegeinfo.doc) SAVE your final questionnaire response file in multiple places–hard drive, flash drive, and send a copy to yourself to the same e-mail address you provided in your heading.

Print-out this file and attach all documents that support your extracurricular activities and community service, and that support any formal instruction or academic programs you have completed. Such supporting documentation can include award certificates, letters of commendation, letters from club/team advisors and from coaches and from volunteer/internship supervisors, course syllabi and grade reports, transcripts, etc. This material serves as proof of whatever extracurricular or community service, special experiences, or other such details that were referred to in the questionnaire. If you discuss something in your questionnaire responses but do NOT document it with a letter or some other concrete proof, that information will not be included in the final version of your recommendation!

ALL PRINT MATERIAL MUST BE PLACED IN A 9”x 12” ENVELOPE WITH YOUR NAME AND PREFECT CODE AND GUIDANCE COUNSELOR NAME NEATLY AND LARGELY PRINTED ON THE FRONT. DELIVER THE ENVELOPE TO COLLEGE OFFICE 1N1 BY MAY 7!!

You must ALSO e-mail your Guidance Counselor a copy of your Word file as an ATTACHMENT. See the list of counselor e-mail addresses available on-line or on a separate sheet from College Office 1N1 or Guidance 7S2, or visit your counselor and ask for it. The Subject Line of your e-mail message MUST be typed as follows: CQ-YourLastName-YourFirstName (for example: CQ-Chan-Michael) Files that are NOT Microsoft Word PC-compatible will NOT be read. The print copies are also REQUIRED. Students who submit printouts, supporting documentation, and files LATE will have letters of recommendation completed LAST in the Fall term and may miss various college deadlines, including Early Action/Early Decision deadlines. Students who do not submit questionnaire responses at all will be unable to receive a Guidance Counselor letter of recommendation.

By no later than SEPTEMBER 17 of Senior year, provide your Guidance Counselor with updated information and documentation regarding Summer 2008 courses, internships, or other special programs in which you were engaged that should be discussed in your counselor letter of recommendation. If you miss this deadline, no updated information will be included in your letters of recommendation.

Then meet with your Counselor in the Fall of Senior year to discuss your letter of recommendation.

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APPENDIX C PARTIAL INSTITUTIONAL ROSTER OF HEOP PROGRAMS Contact individual schools to find out admissions criteria and to determine if you may be eligible All this information and more can be found at‌ http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/COLLEGIATE/HEOP/introduction_to_heop.htm where the most current and complete listing of HEOP programs can be found.

Purpose of HEOP. . . . . . to help provide a broad range of services to New York State residents who, because of academic and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary educational institution.

Student Eligibility . . . . . HEOP serves New York State residents who are both academically and economically disadvantaged.

Disadvantaged students are individuals from low-income families with potential for successful collegiate experiences but who have not acquired the verbal, mathematical, and other cognitive skills required to complete their college work. IN CUNY THE SEEK PROGRAM IS EQUIVALENT TO HEOP/EOP. Alfred University Alfred, NY 14802 (607) 871-2283 Bard College Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504 (845) 758-7491 Barnard College 11 Lehman, 3009 Broadway New York, NY 10027-6598 (212) 854-3583 Boricua College 3755 Broadway New York, NY 10032 (212) 694-1000 Ext. 608 Canisius College of Buffalo 2001 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14208-1098 (716) 888-2575 Cazenovia College Cazenovia, NY 13035 (315) 655-7161 Clarkson University 316 Science Center Potsdam, NY 13699-5512 (315) 268-7974

Colgate University Office of Undergraduate Studies Hamilton, NY 13346 (315) 228-7375 College of Aeronautics LaGuardia Airport 86-01 23rd Avenue Flushing, NY 11369 (718) 429-6600 Ext 160 College of Saint Rose 432 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203 (518) 454-5280 Columbia University: Columbia College & School of Engineering & Applied Science 530 SW MUDD Mail Code 4747 New York, NY 10027 (212) 854-7052 Cornell University 227 Day Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 (607) 255-6384

Dowling College Idle Hour Boulevard Oakdale, NY 11769 (631) 244-3262 or 244-3263 D'Youville College 320 Porter Avenue Buffalo, NY 14201-1084 (716) 881-7775 Five Towns College 305 North Service Road Dix Hills, NY 11746 (631) 656-2129 or 2128 Fordham University: College at Lincoln Center New York, NY 10023 (212) 636-6238 or 636-6235 Fordham University: Rose Hill Campus Freeman Hall, Room 102 Bronx, NY 10458 (718) 817-4205 Hamilton College Clinton, NY 13323 (315) 859-4399 or 859-4398 Hobart & Wm Smith Colleges Geneva, NY 14456 (315) 781-3319

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Hofstra University 113 Hofstra University Gallon Wing, Room 132 Hempstead, NY 11550-1090 (516) 463-6982 or 463-6976

Molloy College 1000 Hempstead Avenue Rockville Center, NY 11570-1199 (516) 678-5000 Ext 6241

Ithaca College Danby Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-3381

New School University 66 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10011 (212) 229-8996

LeMoyne College LeMoyne Heights Syracuse, NY 13214 (315) 445-4190 Long Island University Brooklyn Campus One University Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 488-1043 Long Island University C.W. Post Campus Brookville, NY 11548 (516) 299-2241 or 299-2397 Long Island University Southampton Campus Southampton, NY 11968 (631) 287-8356 Manhattan College Manhattan College Parkway Riverdale, NY 10471-4098 (718) 862-8000 Ext 7958 Manhattanville College 2900 Purchase Street Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 694-2200 Marist College 82 North Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1387 (845) 575-3204

New York Institute of Technology: 1855 Broadway New York, NY 10023 (212) 261-1545 New York University Opportunities Programs 239 Greene Street New York, NY 10003-6674 (212)998-5670 Polytechnic University 6 Metro Tech. Center Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 260-3031 Pratt Institute 200 Willoughby Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11205 (718) 636-3524 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 Eighth Street Troy, NY 12181 (518) 276-6272 Rochester Institute of Technology One Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623 (585) 475-2221 or 475-6617 Russell Sage College 45 Ferry Street Troy, NY 12180 (518) 244-2208

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St. John Fisher College 3690 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14618 (585) 385-8036 St. John's University Grand Central & Utopia Pkwy Jamaica, NY 11439 (718) 990-1371 Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-1632 (518) 580-5770 Syracuse University 804 University Ave, Suite 009 Syracuse, NY 13244 (315) 443-3867 or 443-4260 Union College Schenectady, NY 12308 (518) 388-6115 University of Rochester 310 Morey Hall PO Box 270445 Rochester, NY 14627-0445 (585) 275-0651 Utica College Burrstone Road Utica, NY 13502-4892 (315) 792-3209

SAMPLE INCOME GUIDELINES FOR HEOP ELIGIBILITY: See the web site or contact the HEOP office at individual colleges to CONFIRM this information.

Number in household Including head of household

2 3 4 5 6

Maximum income from previous year

$19,600 $22,350 $27,800 $32,850 $38,550

APPENDIX D PARTIAL ROSTER COLLEGIATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ENTRY PROGRAM Contact individual schools to find out admissions criteria and to determine if you may be eligible All this information and more can be found at… http://www.highered.nysed.gov/kiap/COLLEGIATE/CSTEP2004/introduction_to_cstep.htm where the most current and complete listing of CSTEP programs can be found.

Purpose of CSTEP… …. to increase the number of historically underrepresented students who enroll in and complete undergraduate or graduate programs leading to professional licensure or to careers in mathematics, science, technology (MST), and health related fields.

Target Audience… ….CSTEP serves undergraduate, graduate or professional school students admitted to IHE's at two or fouryear institutions in New York State. Students must be: New York State residents, economically disadvantaged OR Black/Hispanic/Alaskan Native/Native American Indian AND enrolled in MST programs.

Fordham University Collins Hall Rm. 303 Bronx, NY 10458-5191 Contact: Michael Molina Email: molina@fordham.edu (718) 817-3266

Long Island University One University Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201 Contact: Gladys Schrynemakers Email: gschryne@liu.edu (718) 488-1001

City College of New York Plaza Level of Marshak Hall Convent Avenue & 138th St New York, NY 10031 Contact: Millicent Roth Email: roth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (212) 650-6768/5780

Hofstra University 103 Mason Hall Suite 013 Hagedorn Hall Hempstead, NY 11549 Contact: M. Ehi Ayewoh Email: michael.ayewoh@hofstra.edu (516) 463-5780/6297

Manhattanville College 2900 Purchase Street Purchase, NY 10577 Contact: Uriel Reid Email: reidu@mville.edu (914) 323-5101

College of Staten Island Discovery Institute 2800 Victory Blvd., 1A-211 Staten Island, NY 10314 Contact: Debra Evans-Greene, Email: evans@mail.csi.cuny.edu (718) 982-2325/2638

Ithaca College 101 Towers Concourse Ithaca, NY 14850 Contact: Richard O’Brien, Coordinator Email: robrien@ithaca.edu (607) 274-3381

Cornell University Office of Minority Affairs 100 Barnes Hall Ithaca, NY 14853 Contact: Malinda B. Smith Email: mbs5@cornell.edu (607) 255-3841

John Jay College 899 Tenth Avenue New York, NY 10019 Contact: Lawrence Kobilinsky Email: lkobilinsky@jjay.cuny.edu Contact: Ron Pilette, Coordinator Email: rpilette@jjay.cuny.edu (212) 237-8884/8989

Brooklyn College/CUNY 2900 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11210 Contact: Louise Hainline Email: Louiseh@brooklyn.cuny.edu (718) 951-5252

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NYC College of Technology 300 Jay Street, P505 Brooklyn, NY 11201 Contact: Kathy Richardson Email: krichardson@citytech.cuny.edu (718) 260-5660 New York University 239 Greene Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10003 Contact: Param Chawla Email: param.chawla@nyu.edu (212) 998-5666

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy Building, Room 4010 110 8th Street Academy Hall, Suite 4600 Troy, NY 12180 (518) 276-6272

Rochester Inst. of Technology 138 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623-5604 Contact: Rohan Palma Email: rgpavp@rit.edu (585) 475-2918 St. John's University St. Augustine Hall Honors Common 8000 Utopia Parkway Jamaica, NY 11439 Contact: Beverly Fields Email: fieldsb@stjohns.edu (718) 990-5862 SUNY Albany Office of Academic Support Svcs 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12222 Contact: Carson Carr Email: ccarr@uamail.albany.edu Contact: Mark Carter, Coordinator Email: mcarter@uamail.albany.edu (518) 442-5180/5183 SUNY Binghamton Decker School of Nursing P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton, NY 13902-6000 Contact: Sharon Bryant Email: sbryant@binghamton.edu (607) 777-2678/6184 SUNY Brockport C-18 Cooper Hall Brockport, NY 14420 Contact: Barbara Thompson Email: bthompso@brockport.edu (716) 395-2367

SUNY Fredonia E. 243 Thompson Hall Fredonia, NY 14063 Contact: Barbara Kennedy Email: barbara.kennedy@fredonia.edu (716) 673-3531 SUNY New Paltz 75 South Manheim Blvd.

Department of Engineering REH 114, Suite 9 New Paltz, NY 12561-2499 Contact: Stacie Nunes Email: snunes@newpaltz.edu Contact: Sarah Browne, Asst. Director Email: brownes@engr.newpaltz.edu (845) 257-3694 SUNY Oswego 601 Culkin Hall Oswego, NY 13126 Contact: Jack Y. Narayan Email: narayan@oswego.edu Contact: Adrianne N. Morton, Email: morton@oswego.edu (315) 312-2672/2594 SUNY Potsdam CSTEP Office 216 Sisson Hall Potsdam, NY 13676 Contact: Bertha Mo Email: mob@potsdam.edu (315) 267-2346/2192 SUNY Purchase 3042 Natural Sciences Bld 735 Anderson Hill Road Purchase, NY 10577-1400 Contact: Peter W.R. Corfield Email: pwrc@purvid.ns.purchase.edu Contact: Theresa James Email: theresa.james@purchase.edu (914) 251-6675/6648

SUNY Buffalo Cora P. Maloney College 112 Fargo Quad, Bldg. 2 Amherst, NY 14261-0010 Contact: Shanna Crump-Owens Email: sicrump@acsu.buffalo.edu (716) 645-2234/2002

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SUNY College Environmental Science and Forestry One Forestry Drive 110 Bray Hall Syracuse, NY 13210 Contact: Raydora Drummer Francis Email: rsdrumme@esf.edu (315) 470-4815 SUNY Stony Brook Dept. of Technology & Society Harriman Hall 345 Stony Brook, NY 11794-2250 Contact: David L. Ferguson Email: david.ferguson@stonybrook.edu Contact: Dorys-Marie Johnson Email: dmjohnson@notes.cc.sunysb.edu Contact: Tyrone Bennett Email: tyrone.bennett@stonybrook.edu (631) 632-8763/8773/3205 Syracuse University 111 Waverly Avenue Suite 230 Syracuse, NY 13244 Contact: Joann May Email: jamay@syr.edu Contact: Larry Thomas, Assoc. Director Email: lpthomas@syr.edu (315) 443-5045/2622

APPENDIX E GRADE CONVERSION CHART Numeric Average (alphabetic equivalent) = GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) on a 4.0 scale 97-100 (A+) = 4.00 80-82 (B-) = 2.75-2.99 My GPA _________

93-96 (A) = 3.75-3.89 77-79 (C+) = 2.50-2.74

My HIGH SAT Math _________

90-92 (A-) = 3.50-3.74 73-76 (C) = 2.25-2.49

87-89 (B+) = 3.25-3.49 70-72 (C-) = 2.00-2.24

My HIGH SAT Reading _________

83-86 (B) = 3.00-3.24 65-69 (D) = 1.00-1.99

My HIGH SAT Writing _________

My ACT Composite ________

COLLEGE SELECTION WORKSHEET for Potential Major _______________________________________

COLLEGE NAME

EA/ED? EA/ED Deadline?

Regular Deadline?

Common App accepted?

Supplement?

% of students admitted with my GPA range

SAT Math 50th Pctl.

Low-High

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SAT Reading 50th Pctl.

Low-High

SAT Subject Tests Recommended?

Which ones?

ACT required?

Recommended?

Composite Range Low-High

Tuition, Housing, and Food Costs TOTAL

Reach, Match, or Safety School for ME?

APPENDIX F

Student Brag Sheet for Teacher Recommendations

In order to provide your teachers with more information so that they can advocate well for you in letters of recommendation for college, the concept of the “Brag Sheet” is being introduced to Brooklyn Technical High School.

Completion of this sheet and attachment of supporting documents provides your teachers with additional details they may choose to incorporate into your letters of recommendation. Please remember that writing letters is an additional responsibility for your teachers and they may be unable to fulfill every request. See the Recommendation Letters FAQs section in the BTHS College Information and Application Procedures Handbook for further details.

Your Name __________________________________________________ Subject Teacher’s Name _________________________________ Class & Year Taken ________________________ Final Grade earned in the Subject Class for Fall term _________ Spring term __________

(unless only one term)

Describe something new (or different) you learned in the Subject Class of this particular teacher:

___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Discuss assignments or projects or activities you enjoyed completing, why you enjoyed them, and from which you learned something specific in the Subject Class of this particular teacher:

___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Discuss readings you enjoyed completing, why you enjoyed them, and from which you learned something specific in the Subject Class of this particular teacher:

___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Discuss extracurriculars, volunteer efforts, internships, and/or special programs in which you have engaged that relate to or connect with the Subject Class of this particular teacher; explain the connection. Also: If a connect exists between this Subject Class and your college major and/or career goal, explain that connection (use additional sheets if needed);

___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ For classes in which a paper/ project was completed, copy and staple two graded papers or projects to the Brag Sheet for the teacher to review. Do not simply put this material into any teachers’ mailbox; approach teachers directly to discuss with them the possibility of a letter being written for you.

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Your Notes and Questions regarding any aspect of the College Application Process (Visit us in 1N1 and 1W2 to seek answers!)

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FINAL THOUGHTS AND WORDS OF ADVICE DON’T…

WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER OF SENIOR YEAR TO BEGIN WORKING ON EVERYTHING WE MAPPED OUT FOR YOU ON THE TIMELINES OF ACTION.

DO…

Carefully read this handbook as a family and begin to meet its goals in an organized manner.

DON’T…

Neglect to sit for the SAT at least once in Junior year and for two or three SAT Subject Area Tests, as is necessary.

DO…

Thoughtfully complete your College Questionnaire and submit it to your Counselor by no later than the indicated due date of MAY 7; don’t forget to meet with your Counselor regularly and to use him or her as a resource.

DON’T…

WASTE YOUR SUMMER. Instead, use this time to carefully research and visit potential colleges, to begin completing applications, and to begin composing college essays.

DO…

Meet College Board and ACT deadlines, otherwise you will pay late fees to register for exams.

DON’T…

Avoid having the necessary conversation with your parents to determine how much they can financially contribute towards your higher education.

DO…

Inform your Counselor by no later than September 17 of Senior year about significant work, studies, and experiences you had during the Summer that may be included in your letter of reference.

DON’T…

Apply mostly or exclusively to more competitive colleges without having put serious thought and research into colleges that are a more comfortable match for your academic achievement. This path can lead to major disappointment in April of Senior year when responses are received.

DO…

Take College Office deadlines and procedures seriously.

DON’T…

Apply to the same colleges as everyone else. Investigate quality alternative colleges to potentially increase your chances of admission.

DO…

Apply to schools that are a right match for your interests and level of achievement and not simply because of a school’s “brand name” or overall reputation.

DON’T…

Dismiss SUNY and CUNY colleges as viable options.

Quality Education + Lower Prices = More Money for Graduate School!

DO…

Meet with College Admissions Officers as they visit BTHS in the Fall to promote their schools and to recruit potential applicants!

DON’T…

Neglect working to gain legal residency or citizenship if you do not yet have it since you will not receive any State- or Federal-based financial aid without your status being corrected and may also be ineligible for some school-based aid!

DO…

Work ahead of all deadlines to successfully meet your many responsibilities in Senior year and to minimize the anxiety of the college application process.

DON’T…

Succumb to “Senioritis!” Students have faced revocation of college admissions, loss of aid packages, or were mandated to attend tutorial and study skills classes in college when their Senior grades slipped below their previous levels of achievement.

DO…

Make an appointment to meet with your Guidance Counselor in the Fall of Senior year before he or she begins working on your letter of recommendation.

DON’T…

Neglect to regularly visit the College Office sections of www.BTHS.edu for announcements and news and to visit College Office 1N1 and 1W2 to ask us any questions, to seek our assistance in guiding you through the stress of the college applications process, and for assorted forms required for you to complete the process!

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