Junior College Corner

May 28, 2021

Dear Class of 2022 and Parents,

Congratulations on nearing the end of an unprecedented school year! Review the Junior Checklist to ensure you’re on track and feeling good about your college/postsecondary planning as we prepare to head into summer. We have a few important updates to share, so please read below.

CUNY Testing Policy Update

Earlier this week, CUNY announced the extension of their test-blind policy for the Class of 2022. This means that the CUNY colleges (including Macaulay Honors) will not consider any ACT or SAT scores as part of their application review. Click here to read more.

Write Your College Essay!

The College Essay Bootcamp is on! You are strongly encouraged to participate in this workshop and get started on at least one main essay during the summer. Our essay writing workshop will take place June 14-18! The platform we are using will hold live sessions on select afternoons (June 14, 16, and 18), and we will offer additional opportunities to work on essays on June 15 and 17. All live workshop sessions will be recorded and the platform will be available to all participating students throughout the entire application cycle. Please register ASAP!

Standardized Testing

The most up-to-date information about college testing requirements can be found on colleges’ admission office websites. For your convenience, we keep track of many colleges on a sheet here. We will continue to update the sheet as we learn more information.

Some students may still have a need or desire to sit for standardized testing. Please discuss your plans or questions with your college counselor. Registration is required if you plan to take a test.

Registering for SATs and ACTs

SAT: The first time you register for the SAT, you can do so online, but you must select a Saturday test date in the month you want to take the exam. After you complete your online registration, you will need to contact Customer Service to follow the procedure to switch to a Sunday date and location. The steps are outlined here. Note: You will need to fill out and submit a clergy letter, which you can pick up in the College Guidance Office or download here. Do not wait until the last minute to register for tests. You could find that you are unable to complete the process to change to a Sunday site or secure a seat at your desired location.

Upcoming SAT Dates

Future administrations will take place in August, October, November, December. Registration for these dates will open by early July.

ACT: You can register for Sunday test dates on the ACT website. At the point where the registration asks you to select a test center, be sure to follow the link to non-Saturday test dates and you will pick from a list of Sunday options.

Upcoming ACT Dates

Registration for ACT exams in September, October, December, and more dates next school year will open in early July.

Upcoming Events

Macaulay Honors College (CUNY) is hosting virtual events for prospective students. Click here for more info and to register.

NYU is now offering live virtual tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click here to register.

Win A Scholarship To A New York Public College

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the 'Get a Shot to Make Your Future' COVID-19 vaccine incentive for 12- to 17-year-olds. Participants can enter into a random prize drawing to potentially receive a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY college beginning May 27. New York State will administer the random drawings and select 10 winners a week over five weeks for a total of 50 winners. Click here to be notified when lottery registration begins.

College Guidance Meetings

In-person college meetings will end for the year after June 21. Zoom meetings will be available on June 23 and 24, if necessary. Please make sure you have checked in with your counselor before summer break!

College Research

Now is the time to research and really get into learning (or learning more) about colleges. Here are some resources to use:

Our list of links to virtual tours/events of many popular colleges or Flatbush students.
Hillel is an incredible resource.
As you search, we encourage you to copy and use College Essay Guy’s College List Research & Essay Tracker to stay organized.
Most colleges' undergraduate admissions webpages offer access to virtual campus events, tours, and ways to connect with the admissions staff and other parts of the campus community. Several colleges are resuming in person tours!

Good luck with the end of classes and the start of exams!

Ms. Long, Rabbi Rosenblum, Ms. Natov, Mrs. Dressler,

Rabbi Schwartz, and Mrs. Kuznicki

May 13, 2021

Dear Juniors and Parents,

Please see below for some important updates and timely announcements:

Now is the time to research colleges. Here are some resources to use:

Our list of links to virtual tours/events of many popular colleges or Flatbush students.
Hillel is an incredible resource.
Click here to access the Junior Checklist.
As you search, we encourage you to copy and use College Essay Guy’s College List Research & Essay Tracker to stay organized.
Most college’s undergraduate admissions webpages offer access to virtual campus events, tours, and ways to connect with the admissions staff and other parts of the campus community. If you’re having trouble finding offerings for schools that interest you, speak with your counselor.

Meetings with Your Counselor

Please respond to your counselor’s emails if you have not yet done so and schedule a time to meet. There are time-sensitive topics to cover, such as building your college list, making summer plans, and discussing potential recommendation needs.

Essay Workshop

College Essay Bootcamp- As the school year winds down, we have the opportunity to offer a truly amazing free college essay workshop. If you are looking to begin crafting your college application personal essay and want to get a good start before summer (hint: you should want to do this!), then this is the program for you! The platform we are using will hold live sessions on select afternoons (June 14th-18th), and we will offer additional opportunities to work on essays. All live workshop sessions will be recorded and the platform will be available to all participating students throughout the entire application cycle. If interested, complete this interest form by May 19.

Upcoming Events

New England Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a virtual College Fair on May 16 from 1-3pm. Click here for more info and to register.

Brooklyn College is hosting a virtual information session on Sunday, May 23 at 11am. Please click here to register in advance.

CAJUE Virtual College Fair - Sunday, May 23 from 1-4pm. Counselors Advocating for the Jewish University Experience (CAJUE) is a group of dedicated college counselors in Jewish schools across the country. Flatbush College Guidance Counselors are proud members of this group that will host its first-ever college fair on May 23. Students and parents will have an opportunity to visit with dozens of colleges that have Jewish communities by speaking to admission officers, Hillel staff, and students. Click here for info and to register. This is an incredible opportunity!

Macaulay is hosting a virtual Open House on May 26 from 5-6pm. Click here for more info and to register. There are future dates available as well.

Exploring College Options (Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford) is offering several webinars throughout May. Click here for more info and to register.

Testing

Many colleges have announced their plans for testing requirements for the Class of 2022; the most up-to-date info can be found on their admission office websites. For your convenience, we are keeping track of many colleges on a sheet here. We will continue to update the sheet as we learn more information.

Registering for SATs and ACTs

Upcoming SAT Dates

Future administrations will take place in August, October, November, December. Registration for these dates will open by early July.

Upcoming ACT Dates

Registration for ACT exams in September, October, December, and more dates next school year will open in early July.

We wish you all a strong finish to the end of your junior year. Good luck on finals! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns! Please be in touch with your counselor before the end of the school year, even if you don’t!

Warmly,

The College Guidance Department