New York City joined the national College Application Week program for the first time last year on a limited basis, in partnership with the Higher Education Services Corporation. This year, the City is reinvigorating and expanding its participation with 161 high schools registered to host events during the week, ensuring valuable college-application resources and activities for thousands of high-school seniors Citywide.
“To compete in this global economy, our students must graduate high school with the experience, skills and knowledge to achieve in college and beyond,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “Through internship and apprenticeship opportunities, expanded professional development for teachers so they effectively support their students, and partnerships with leading organizations across the City, we are moving in the right direction. College Application Week is a great opportunity to show our students that we believe in them, and give them support and planning on their path to college.”
Among the confirmed College Application Week activities are:
· Over 100 CUNY-led college workshops in NYC high schools, including college planning sessions for 9th-11th graders and support in essay writing, the application process, and financial aid for 12th graders
· Training for 200 college access counselors, including student-led sessions for 50 counselors on the use of student-facing “apps” that make the college application process easier and more understandable
· A Citywide virtual college fair on Thursday, Nov. 20, giving students the opportunity to have live online conversations with college experts and educators
· College application “competitions” at 70 schools, mobilizing students to explore college opportunities and apply for college and financial aid
o One “competing” high school will receive a visit on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from Boston College graduate and New York Giants running back Andre Williams to promote the power of a college education
· Additional application assistance at high schools from staff and volunteers from local community-based organizations
Additionally, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Deputy Chancellor Phil Weinberg will return to the High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, where he worked for 27 years, including 13 as principal. During his time as principal, Deputy Chancellor Weinberg emphasized the importance of college planning and access activities and oversaw an increase in the number of students immediately enrolling in post-secondary programs. On Wednesday, he will help seniors revise their college essays and complete applications.
These College Application Week activities have been planned in partnership with a number of community-based organizations and businesses. These critical partners include CUNY, Get Schooled, Graduate NYC!, College Summit, NYC College Line, the Options Institute at the Goddard Riverside Community Center, and Capital One Bank.
The City also continues to promote and extend opportunities for college readiness and exposure in traditionally underserved communities through its innovative Advanced Placement Expansion Initiative (APEX). Managed in partnership with The College Board and the National Math and Science Initiative, APEX has brought AP courses and related supplies and support services, including professional development for teachers and Saturday AP exam prep sessions for over 4,000 students across 64 New York City high schools. Specifically, APEX focuses on improving access, participation, and performance in AP exams within the critical STEM disciplines.
The DOE has also worked to build stronger college planning cultures and activities in all schools across the City by offering the PSAT free of charge during the school day. Additional critical college access and planning work includes efforts to train approximately 1,200 college counselors to date – in partnership with the Options Institute at Goddard Riverside Community Center – as well as extend information about college applications and financial aid to parents and families, and engage community partners including CUNY in promoting college opportunities.
These efforts have driven an impressive rise in college enrollment, as 51 percent of the class of 2013 enrolled in a two- or four-year college, vocational program, or public service program after graduation, up from 46 percent for the class of 2010. Similarly, increased participation in critical college planning activities is reflected in increased SAT participation in recent years, with the number of New York City high school seniors taking the SAT increasing to 47,848 in 2013-14 from 45,762 in 2010-11.
More information about College Application Week, in addition to other college readiness and access resources, is available at http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OPSR/default.htm.
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Contact: Chancellor’s Press Office (212) 374-5141