Onward UPward and
YOFHS College Guidance Introduces New and Reimagined Programming
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Yeshivah of Flatbush
The YOF college advisors share a strong desire to deepen students’ and parents’ understanding of the college admission process. This year, we welcomed over 30 college visitors to campus in the fall to meet with members of the Class of 2020 while Mr. Jonathan Williams, Assistant Vice President of Admissions at New York University, graciously joined us for Junior College Kickoff with the Class of 2021 in December. In an effort to be more present and available for the entire high school community, the College Guidance Department continued its successful, weekly “College in the Café” initiative this year and saw an increase in traffic and meaningful interactions over its premiere year. College in the Café provides an easily accessible space for all Flatbush students to get better acquainted with the college guidance team members
during their lunch period and ask any questions they may have. Sophomore students in the Class of 2022 received a formal introduction to college admissions during classroom presentations last fall as well as a Sophomore College Night program that welcomed an expert guest speaker, Ms. Nina Kao from Compass Education Group. Compass is one of the nation’s leading test prep agencies. Seeking to maintain communication with students and continue to provide access to planned programming during the COVID-19 pandemic, the office transitioned the annual Junior College Fair and Information Night program to a highly successful, fullyonline event. Nearly 40 colleges and universities participated — on Zoom — at the first-ever Virtual College Night. They met with members of both the Classes of 2021 and 2022 to offer advice and encouragement on navigating college admissions both in the context of the current global crisis as well as the general competitive admissions climate. The college guidance team also used the distance learning period to introduce a new initiative for all high school parents to meet members of the department. Also new for the rising senior Class of 2021, the college guidance advisors organized and implemented a four-day essay workshop to help our students get a jumpstart on their all-important college essays.
