A Guide for Completing Your College Applications

Before you start filling out college applications, you should have:

• Visited the campuses of as many as possible of the colleges you’re considering.

• Narrowed your list of schools to which you are going to apply to six to ten. The cost to apply to each college averages around $50 each, so narrowing the number of colleges to those you are really interested in attending is cost effective.

• Read the application directions carefully before you begin to fill it out.

• Make sure you check your College Board Account to see if your scores are available to send. If not, make a reminder to yourself to send your score when it becomes available. 

• Register to take the SAT exam for the second time. Colleges want to see that you have sat for the exam at least twice. This is also how colleges “Super Score” your overall SAT score. Check the Dates/ Registration for the SAT.

• Contact teachers at least four weeks in advance to ensure that letters of recommendation will be submitted before stated deadlines.

• Attach your Brag Sheet when you are sending an email to your teachers requesting a letter of recommendation. Your Brag Sheet is required for each letter of recommendation. 

• Check to see if you qualify for a CUNY, SUNY, Common Application and College Board Fee Waivers. 

Protect Yourself

• For online applications, print a copy of the application as well as the submission verification with date and time.

Senior Year Courses and Grades

• When filling out your applications you will report all courses in progress.

• Also, keep in mind that when you are admitted, the admission is typically PROVISIONAL. If your senior year grades are unacceptable to the colleges you were admitted to, YOU CAN BE UNADMITTED.

• Use your current schedule when completing CUNY, SUNY and Common Application. 

  • All of your Core Classes such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Spanish and Software Engineering/CTE Courses are worth 1 Credit. All electives such as College Application, Film Production, Asian Art, Japanese, Chorus including PE are worth .50 Credit.

Teacher Recommendations

1. If possible, choose teachers in whose courses you did well, higher than a 65. 

2. Try to receive a letter from a teacher whose class reflects your intended major in college.

3. Vary teachers from different academic areas: Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Software Engineering etc.

4. Request Recommendation Letters from Internship sites.

5. The same recommendation can be sent to different colleges.

6. Unless otherwise directed, limit recommendations to two (2) teachers.

7. YOU CANNOT USE ELEMENTARY OR MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR COLLEGE RECOMMENDATIONS.

8. You can ask for a recommendation from a teacher that is no longer working at CHA or if you are a transfer student you can request a letter from your previous teachers. 

9. Give the teacher PLENTY OF TIME to write the recommendation; avoid the last minute rush. A rush on your part is not a rush on theirs.

Note: Standards and admission policies vary from school to school. Therefore, students and parents are advised to review college catalogs for specific entrance requirements.

Post- College Applications 

1. Review your most recent progress report, report card and/or transcript to make sure you are passing all of your classes towards Graduation. 

2. Attend any support services offered to you to prepare for the Regents Exam (if necessary). 

3. Submit any supporting documents that were not available during the application process. Such as Foreign Transcripts, College Essay, SAT/ACT scores and/or EOP Financial Information.

4. Between the months of October and November, your financial aid application should be completed. 

5. FSA Identification must be completed for you and your parent(s). PLEASE keep this information in a place that you can have access to it at a later date. You will NEED this information to electronically sign and access your FAFSA account. You will use this information throughout college as well. 

6. Complete the FAFSA Application AND your TAP Application 

If you have any questions/concerns about the College Application process please contact Ms. Mejia, School Counselor/College Advisor at ms.mejia@nycacademy.org. Please have your questions prepared prior to scheduling a meeting if necessary.