Senior College Corner

September 9, 2021 -

Dear Seniors,

We are very excited for your return to school! We look forward to working with you throughout your final year of high school. Please read this entire message for important announcements and reminders for the beginning of the year.

Step one: Status check

Review the Junior Checklist to ensure you completed all applicable tasks from last year.
Begin the Senior Checklist to help you make sure you’re on track with any college-related tasks!

Mandatory Senior Meeting

On Friday, September 10, there will be a mandatory assembly to go over critical information for this year together. The meeting will be in the auditorium at 9:13am. Attendance will be taken. Please be on time.

Mandatory Small Group Check-In

All seniors are required to attend a check-in meeting with their college guidance advisor on Tuesday, September 14 during 9th period. Bring an electronic device! You will receive a message from your college advisor with your meeting location early next week.

Application Workshops

This year, more than ever, it will be important that you work on your applications early and submit your best work in a timely manner. We will be holding application workshops throughout the fall to keep you going and help you maximize your individual meeting time with your college advisor. The first session will focus on the Common Application and take place next week, Tuesday, September 14 at 6pm on Zoom at mslong. Log on and get started on your Common Application with us!

College "Visits" to Flatbush

Over the next few months, College Guidance will host in-person and virtual visits for admission officers to meet Flatbush seniors and share information about their schools. This is a valuable opportunity to learn more about the colleges that interest you and to meet with the representative who will likely read your application. Of course, it’s also a great way to learn about schools you don’t know as well, but perhaps your advisor has recommended. Registration will be required to attend these sessions. Login to your Naviance account to view the schedule under "What's New" on the bottom of the page. Pay close attention to the date and time of the meeting and put it in your calendar. You must register to attend a session by the evening before it is scheduled to take place. Need help with Naviance? Contact your counselor. Visits will begin in October.

Also, if you are attending any virtual or in-person events (hosted by the college), please notify your counselor.

Scheduling Appointments with College Guidance

If you have completed your mandatory junior questionnaire, you should be meeting regularly with your college guidance advisor. Work directly with your college counselor to schedule a meeting time in the coming weeks. If you still need to complete your questionnaire, please submit it immediately! We are eager to get going.

Questionnaires

Most students have completed the Junior Intro Questionnaire (thank you!). The Parent Questionnaire is required for parent and family meetings. Parent/family meetings can take place in-person or on Zoom. We look forward to reading your responses.

Teacher Recommendations

Teacher recommendation requirements have changed at a number of colleges and universities. If you have not discussed teacher recommendations with your counselor, it is important to do so as soon as possible. We will share details on the process to confirm recommenders in a separate message. Stay tuned.

Scholarships

You still have time to research and apply for external scholarships. We strongly encourage you to set up an account with Going Merry, which will help you find (and in many cases apply for) merit scholarships. Please let your counselor know if you submit any scholarship applications. Fastweb is also a great scholarship search resource.

Standardized Testing

Most colleges remain test-optional. CUNY is still test-blind, which means that CUNY schools (including Macaulay Honors College) will not consider any test scores in their application review this year. Click here for a sheet that contains links to view colleges’ updated testing policies.

If you still wish to try and register for an upcoming SAT or ACT, please take note of the test dates and registration deadlines.

SAT Testing Schedule

NOTE: If you will be a first-time tester for the SAT, please review the new and improved Sunday Testing procedure. You will need to make your change request online and upload a clergy letter in order to register. Contact your counselor if you have any questions or need help with this process.

ACT Testing Schedule

Upcoming Dates and Announcements

Applications are open!

You may create your accounts and begin to complete applications for most colleges and universities! There will be opportunities to work on these applications with us throughout the fall, but you’re welcome to get a head start and prepare your questions.

CUNY Application Common Application

Reminder: Do NOT submit any application without first reviewing it with your college guidance advisor.

NACAC Virtual College Fairs

The National Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a series of virtual college fairs throughout the fall. Click here to view colleges planning to exhibit and register to attend on various dates.

Princeton University Shabbaton

The Conservative and Orthodox Jewish student groups at Princeton (Koach and Yavneh, respectively) will host a Shabbaton for prospective students this fall on Friday, October 8th - Saturday, October 9th. This Shabbaton is aimed at high school seniors who want to experience Princeton in the context of its Jewish life before considering college applications this year. You must complete this form by September 9 (TODAY) if you would like to attend. Note: You will need to submit documentation of vaccination in order to be approved to visit campus.

Princeton University Jewish Student Webinar

Princeton Jewish Alumni will host a virtual recruitment information session on Sunday, September 12th at 8 pm. Representatives from Princeton’s admission office and the Center for Jewish Life will be in attendance as well as alumni and current students active in Jewish life on campus. Click here to register to attend.

Yeshiva University Virtual Information Session

Learn more about opportunities at YU during a virtual information session on Monday, September 13 at 8 pm. Click here to register.

Exploring College Options Webinars

Admission officers from Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford University will introduce their institutions, discuss the college application process, answer general questions, and provide individual school breakout sessions. Click here to register for one of six sessions.

Sister Colleges Virtual Q&A

Join the Sisters (Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mt. Holyoke, Smith, Wellesley) for a virtual information session on Tuesday, September 14 at 7:30pm. Click here to register.

Macaulay Honors College (CUNY)

Click here to view and register for upcoming Macaulay Honors College Open Houses and Information sessions.

Save the Date! Hillel College Fair

Hillel International is hosting a virtual college fair October 17-19, 2021. Click here for more information and to be notified when registration opens.

We wish you all the best for a successful and healthy school year ahead. We will be here for you every step of the way! Let’s do this!

See you soon!

Ms. Long, Rabbi Rosenblum, Ms. Natov,

Mrs. Dressler, Rabbi Schwartz, and Mrs. Kuznicki