10.14.21

Dear Seniors,

As the first major Early deadlines rapidly approach, this College Corner is full of very important updates and reminders. Please read the entire message. As always, see your college counselor if you have any questions or issues. We also recommend consulting your counselor's Google classroom for answers to most questions.

Financial Aid

Applications for financial aid are open at all colleges as of October 1.

Be sure to check each college’s website for specific requirements and deadlines, especially if applying Early Decision/Action. Those deadlines may also be early.
All schools require the submission of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which can be found HERE.
Many schools require additional information, most commonly the CSS Profile. For a list of schools that require the CSS Profile, click HERE.

Transcript Update

Your transcripts are in your e-locker in Rediker! Please remember to review your record carefully and make sure that all of your classes, grades, home address, date of birth, and all names are correct.

Reminder: Your transcript must have your LEGAL NAME and match your social security number, test scores, application, etc. Everything must match.

CUNY Application Update

Thank you for participating in our CUNY application workshops! Students should look for a separate message from College Guidance with reminders about next steps.

Open Application Hours

Questions about your application materials? Join College Guidance on Zoom on Monday, October 18 at 5:30 PM to get help with any application you have in progress! Zoom: mrsdressler. We will be available until 7:30 PM.

Conversations with College Guidance

We invite all parents to log on to Zoom for informal Q&A and discussion about college application or college guidance-related topics on Monday, October 18 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Zoom: mslong

College Visits at Flatbush

We continue to host visits for Flatbush seniors to connect with college admission officers from a number of 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.

Registration is required to attend these sessions. Login to your Naviance account to view the schedule under "What's New" on the right side. Colleges may also require additional registration. If they do, you will find a link to the college’s registration included on Naviance. Check the list often as schools are still scheduling through November. You must register to attend a session no later than 30 minutes before it is scheduled to start. Pay close attention to the date and time of the meeting and be prompt. You will not be permitted to enter the session if you arrive too late. Need help with Naviance? Contact your counselor.

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

"Early" Applicants

Please be sure your counselor is aware of your Early Decision/Action plans! The internal deadline to share your essays and materials with your counselor for priority review is October 15.

Please note that we have also set an earlier internal deadline of October 29 for all Macaulay Honors College applications.

Teacher Recommendations

The deadline to request teacher recommendation(s) was October 8 for all Early and Macaulay applications! If you need to request teacher recommendations or submit a teacher recommendation request form (required to formalize all recommendation requests) and have not done so, please speak to your college counselor immediately.

Scholarships

We recommend setting up an account and searching the database on Going Merry for external scholarships. Some scholarships allow you to apply right from the Going Merry platform. Check it out!

Standardized Testing

Most colleges remain test-optional. Click here for a sheet that contains links to many colleges’ updated testing policies.

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.

If you still wish to register for an upcoming SAT or ACT:

The deadline to register for the December 4 SAT is November 4.*

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.

The deadline to register for the December 12 ACT is November 5.

The test center code for Flatbush is 33264. Our CEEB code is 330925.

PLEASE NOTE: It really is okay if you are unable or choose not to test! Colleges are well aware of the issues with access to testing. And many are finding that they can select students for their programs without scores. This is not the element of the application to stress over at this point. Focus on putting your best foot forward elsewhere, such as impactful essays and strong activities lists.

Upcoming Events

CUNY:

Macaulay Honors College (CUNY) will be hosting several events for prospective students. Click here to view the schedule and register.
Brooklyn College’s Scholars Program will host a Zoom Open House on Thursday, October 28 at 6pm. Register here.

SUNY:

Binghamton is hosting a virtual Open House on October 17. Click here to register.
FIT is hosting a Fall Virtual Open House on Sunday, October 24 from 1-4pm. For more info and to register, please click here.
SUNY Albany is hosting a Virtual Fall Preview Day on Sunday, November 7. Click here to register.

Additional College Events:

Hillel International is hosting a virtual college fair October 17-19, 2021. Click here for more information and to be notified when registration opens.
NYSACAC is hosting two Virtual College Fairs. Please click here to register for the event on October 18, 5-8pm. Please click here to register for the event on November 7, 10-1am.
Lander College for Women (Touro College) is hosting an open house event on October 24th. Click here to register.
Brandeis’s Orthodox Organization is hosting a Shabbaton for prospective students on November 5-7. Click here to learn more about the event and to register. Deadline is October 29.
Yeshiva University is hosting several virtual events for prospective students. Click here to register.
University of Chicago is hosting a range of events for prospective students. Click here to view the schedule and register.

Important Deadlines Summary

October 8- If you are applying Early and did not submit teacher recommendation request forms, you are late. You must speak with your counselor and take care of this immediately.
October 15- Priority review for Early applications
October 29- Macaulay Honors College applications due to College Guidance
December 1- CUNY application submission goal (earlier is great too if you’re ready). Please do not submit anything without reviewing it with your counselor.
December 20- Priority review deadline for all remaining college applications

Let’s keep working and making progress together!

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

Rabbi Schwartz, and Ms. Kuznicki