Hello, rising seniors, congratulations that you have finally made it to your last year of high school (also students who have finished high school). Now your focus must shift to what comes after high school, how do I put myself in the best position to get into the right college and, even more importantly, how do me and my family afford the college of my choice?
The Junior Frontiers have had significant success utilizing the following Check list for seniors to follow. We know that the two biggest contributors to the college you will attend are your academic record and your SAT/ACT scores.
We are aware that your high school has some sort of format for you to follow in your senior year that may include your guidance counselor and one or two of your classes (English and Social Studies). We understand that your school program for college admissions may have different recommendations and or suggestions for your college guidance. However, we have been specializing in getting students of color into the college of their choice. We have knowledge of very specific and different criteria that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWI) use when they select students of color.
Just as important, we have relationships with a vast number of admissions departments at HBCUs, Ivy League Colleges, NY State private and SUNY Colleges. Hence, we strongly recommend that while you take advantage of all services offered by your high school, please follow our recommendations below in addition to the instructions from your schools.
The FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid ) is the form that every student who is looking for public or private scholarship and federal loans, must feel out each year that they want to receive scholarships and federal loans. This application should be filled out by the parents and the student together. This form can be found online at:“fasfa.ed.gov.” This form is available now for the students entering college next academic year. Please fill it out ASAP. This financial form is used by both the federal government and NY State. Both give grants that are based on need. The federal subsidized loan is also based on need per this application. If you qualify for the federal grant (Pell) and the federal subsidized student loan Stafford/Perkins loan) it can be used at any accredited college in the USA. If you qualify for the New York State grant (tap) it can be used at any my state accredited college. Once the money runs out, it is gone even if you qualify for it. So again, do the FASFA as early as possible.
While there are some colleges that are putting less emphasis on the standardized tests called SAT or ACT, most colleges still put a significant weight on the scores you receive from these two tests.
The Junior Frontiers require all seniors to take the test at least twice in your senior year. We recommend the November and December test for the SAT, and the October and December test for the ACT. PLEASE pay attention to the dates necessary to sign up for the tests. The Junior Frontiers will be doing an SAT/ACT Review Class this fall from September 25 - October 30th. We advise all seniors to take this course!!!!
The Common Application, also known as the Common App, makes it easier to apply to multiple colleges using one application. Not all schools are on the common app, but most are. The higher level of academic rigor, the more information the college will require. Hence, some schools (most Ivy colleges and other top schools) allow you to use the common app, but you must also file several supplemental documents. The Junior Frontiers recommend the use of the common app whenever possible, to cut down on the number of applications you will need to file out.
• identify which school guidance counselor you will use
• identify two teachers (usually in the area you want to major in) who will write you a letter of recommendation
• identify an administrator principal or vice-principal who will write a letter of recommendation for you
• identify a coach of any sports team in which you participated in on the high school level, to write a letter of recommendation for you.
• identify a civic service leader of a youth organization or group that you participated in to write a letter of recommendation for you
• identify a volunteer service leader whom you volunteered at, to write you a letter of recommendation.
• identify a leader in your religious community (if you have one) to write a letter of recommendation for you.
Start reviewing what is your interest? What do you want to study? Is your potential major based on what job or career you want, or on a subject that you just want to study and learn about? What do you see yourself doing after college? Will your major lead to an already designed profession or career, or will you get a liberal arts background and be able to have a wide based knowledge that is applicable to several careers?
Start the process of identifying a minimum of ten colleges/universities that interest you. make sure you understand WHY you are interested in that school. Please be flexible in your approach. While you think you know what you want to major in, statistics show that 80% of college students change their major at least once! Many changes it at least twice. The point being you need to give yourself the most flexibility within the college that you want to attend. Also, think about the size of the college, the location, the racial, gender, ethnicity make up.
The Junior Frontiers have sent you a beginning scholarship book for students of color. These are called outside scholarships because they are not offered by the colleges but by businesses, organizations and individuals who are outside of the colleges you want to attend. You should be prepared to apply to a minimum of ten of these outside scholarships. You must pay attention to the “DUE-Dates” of each scholarship, as the dates are different for every scholarship. Please be a broad and flexible as possible when determining what scholarships to apply for. The wider you consider potential professional careers, the more scholarships to which you can apply.
We are planning on at least two college tours geared towards seniors. The Ivy League tour (October 11 - October 13) and the HBCU tour (February 21 - 26). We are hoping to have individual interviews for some of the schools during both tours. In order to qualify for the Ivy League tour, you must see Mr. Rasheed.
It is important that we stay in touch throughout this year, especially during this first semester. Please use the Junior Frontiers Co-Directors as resources and information.
We look forward to working with you this year!
Resources
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