The College Office Bugle

September 2012

High School for Environmental Studies

Tel. (212) 262-8113 444 West 56th St. New York, NY 10019 Fax (212) 262-0702

Jonathan Henkel, College Counselor

Shirley H Matthews, Principal the college office, you should definitely visit us online at: http://collegeoffice.posterous.com. There is so much more going on this year but I have run out of space. Be sure to read the rest of this newsletter for more updated information (especially the Application Processing Guidelines). You should continue to look out for new services in the college office, and never hesitate to ask me how I can help you after all, I am your College Counselor.

Welcome Back
It is the start of a new school year! With that, there are many new experiences to look forward to and many changes to be realized. Mainly, for seniors, this year marks the end of an era and the start of a new beginning. All of the years spent in high school are finally culminating into what your life will become after graduation. As with many aspects of life, it is useful to employ a fair amount of planning before embarking on your future. This is why the college office exists to help you get ready for that next big step in your life. So make yourself familiar with the resources at hand, and take note of the important changes that have taken place in the college office over the summer.

Time to Tie Up Loose Ends

The start of the year has crept up on us and hit with a bang. The first SAT deadline is around the corner, and we are already starting to think about when to turn in those college applications. I encourage every senior to spend this week tying up loose ends that may impact the college admissions process: Finalize your college list (seniors typically apply to approximately 7 colleges), and gather all necessary application materials. Any corrections or grade changes on your transcripts that may be outstanding need to be made ASAP. Changes that are not complete on time will be reflected in your class rank. You will receive a rank toward the end of Sept. Teacher recommendation letters must be requested early and will be completed electronically this year. Letter of Recommendation Request Forms are available in the college office to teachers that request one. (Remember to only request recommendations from people who know you well). Work on the college essays for your applications. Make sure that your name is consistent throughout all of your records. Different names appearing on your records could cause delays in this process. Be sure that your immigration status is complete and up to-date. If not, you will not be eligible for financial aid. All males age 18 or older need to register with the selective service in order to receive financial aid. If you have not already taken the SAT exam, register to take it ASAP! It is suggested that students take the SAT up to three times. Also be sure to register for the SAT II and/or ACT exams if you plan to take them.

The College Office Old and New

If we have not yet met, allow me take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Mr. Henkel, and I am excited to be assisting you this year as your college counselor. It has been nine years since HSES appointed me as the full-time college counselor. Over the course of this time we have worked hard to provide an array of services to meet the needs of all our students. While we have accomplished a lot, not a moment goes by where we are not trying to improve our services and grow with the ever-changing world of college admissions. This newsletter is one way to stay up to date with the admissions process and the goings-on in the college office. However, after eight years of producing the semi-annual College Office Bugle, and its sister newsletter, the Scholarship Bulletin, we are transitioning away from this method of communicating. The modern era has given way to a more effective approach to disseminating information. We can now send updates to a wider number of people quicker and more accurately with the help of our online blog and twitter account. You can sign up to receive these important updates, and reminders via e-mail and/or in a text message to your cell phone. For more info, visit http://twitter.com/collegeoffice. In addition, you should visit the college office bulletin boards in the guidance suite for more updates. There you will find daily announcements, monthly calendars, and more. The office that is the college office is another useful resource waiting for you to take advantage. Inside you will find a library of information and a computer lab, which is fully functioning for students who wish to visit college-related websites. Many students have already begun to use this space to register for the SAT exams and explore various undergraduate institutions. We recognize the increasing need for computer access in the college admissions process. Please note that the use of these computers will be monitored. They are intended for collegerelated services only! In addition, the printer is not to be used without the explicit consent of the college counselor. These basic rules will ensure that each student will have continued access to online resources in a fully operational college office computer lab. Failure to comply by these regulations will result in the loss of your computer lab privileges. In keeping with this theme of technology, the college office is completely digitized. In fact, the entire application process will now take place online. This will include sending your high school records to colleges. Our Family Connection Website (connection.naviance.com/hses) will be your onestop-shop for tracking college applications, scholarships, and other related materials. This website has changed the application process at HSES entirely so it is important to follow directions and ask questions when you need clarification. We are also proud to re-introduce the College Office Blog. This web site is updated frequently with information relating the admissions process. If it has been a while since you visited

SAT Deadlines
Below are important testing dates and the registration deadlines. Seniors that have not yet taken these exams you must register for the October Test!
Test Dates October 1, 20126 November 3, 2012 December 1, 2012 January 26, 2013 March 9, 2013 May 4, 2013 June 1, 2013 Deadlines September 7, 2012 October 4, 2012 November 1, 2012 December 28, 2012 February 8, 2013 April 5, 2013 May 2, 2013

ACT Deadlines
Test Dates September 8, 2012 October 27, 2012 December 8, 2012 February 9, 2013* April 13, 2013 June 8, 2013 Deadlines August 17, 2012 September 21, 2012 November 2, 2012 January 11, 2013 March 8, 2013 May 3, 2013

College Visits
You will be able to meet with college representatives and learn more about their programs during the respective times. You must receive a pass from your teacher to attend a visit during class. Check the Family Connection Website for the most up to date information on college visits. Visits will take place in the college office (room 2010). All college visits are posted on the Online College Office Calendar: http://snipr.com/hsescalendar.

Application Control Number on the front for tracking purposes. No essays or teacher recommendations are required for CUNY applications. All students should apply to CUNY!!! SUNY (State University of New York) applications are also available online. Most of the SUNY Colleges will accept the common application and students should complete the application online at commonapp.org. If the SUNY you are applying to does not accept the common application, visit https://www.suny.edu/gosuny. Students should ONLY apply through this website if the college does NOT accept the common application. Students can apply to several colleges with one SUNY application. Each college to which the student applies has a $50 application fee. Mailed payments should be sent and made out to SUNY APC (with the students social security number written on the front for tracking purposes). Private College applications should be completed online. Students applying to private colleges must use the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) whenever possible. This one application is accepted by over 400 colleges across the country. If a college does not accept the common application, visit the colleges website directly. Application fees, essays, recommendations, and other required materials vary by college. Please read and follow the directions carefully. Students are responsible for sending each college all materials required for their application. This typically includes, but is not limited to the application, application fee, essay(s), SAT scores, supplemental forms, and recommendation letters. Most of the time, this information can be sent electronically. SAT scores need to be sent through the College Board directly. This can be done online at www.collegeboard.com. Students must then add each college to the colleges Im applying to list on the Family Connection Website (connection.naviance.com/hses) by the posted deadline (see deadlines below). In addition, students must complete the Privacy Notice for Common Application in the colleges section of this website. It is critical that students submit their applications, and complete these two steps before the HSES deadline regardless of the deadline each individual college may post. HSES is not able to send materials to a college until after this process is completed entirely. In order to manage all of the applications for each student the system will be shut down after the deadline for processing and new colleges cannot be added. The Family Connection Website will be used to track the materials submitted and sent by the HSES college office. The documentation required to be sent by the high school will vary, but typically includes a counselor section (often referred to as School Report or Counselor Recommendation Form), school profile, and transcript. HSES will send this information electronically; therefore individual college forms do not need to be submitted to HSES. Teacher recommendations will also be sent through this website. The HSES college office is not responsible for materials sent by the student or in disregard of our guidelines. Failure to adhere these guidelines will delay processing and may jeopardize your admission status.

Special Programs and Events

All special programs and events are now posted on our blog: http://collegeoffice.posterous.com/tag/events.

College Trips
All college trips are now posted http://collegeoffice.posterous.com/tag/trips. on our blog:

Open Houses and Information Sessions

The college office receives information on numerous open houses and information sessions daily. There are too many open houses in the coming months to list in this newsletter. Check the college website (http://collegeoffice.posterous.com) for the most up to date information. Also check with the college admissions office for information regarding open houses and/or information sessions.

Early Decision and Early Action

Please be aware that early decision applications are binding agreements. A student can only apply early decision to one school. By applying early decision, you are agreeing to attend that institution if you are accepted. If you are accepted you must withdraw any other application that you may have submitted. Early decision is only for students who are 100% positive of the school they want to attend, regardless of the financial aid package! We require students applying early decision to sign a consent form along with their parents. Students applying early action will submit their application early and receive their admissions decision early. In most cases this is not a binding agreement. Be sure to read the application and relevant literature carefully, and consult with your college counselor if you have any questions or concerns.

Application Processing Guidelines

The college office will be assisting students through the college application process. In addition to applications, fees, essays, SAT scores, supplemental forms, and recommendation letters, all colleges require their applicants to submit official school records, which must come directly from HSES. Colleges will not accept these records from the students themselves. In order to ensure timely and accurate processing of all application materials, it is essential that each student follow the college office guidelines described here. The application processing guidelines changed last year, so please read carefully before applying to any college. All students should submit electronic applications to colleges through the internet. Filing an application in this manner will increase accuracy and expedite processing. Students will be discouraged from using paper application (go green!). Students that do not have internet access should make use of the computers in the college office or other public terminals in the city (most public libraries provide internet access). If a student is still unable to submit an application online, they will need to obtain a paper application and are responsible for mailing it directly to the college along with all other required materials (excluding official school records). CUNY (City University of New York) applications are online at cuny.edu/apply. No CUNY paper applications will be available in the college office. Students can apply to as many as six CUNY Colleges with one application. The fee to apply to CUNY is $65. Students will have the option of paying online with a credit card, or mailing the payment. If you decide to mail your payment, include the Application Fee Return Receipt which can be printed from your online application. Checks or money orders should be made out to UAPC (university application processing center) with your

Application Deadlines
It will take the college office approximately three to four weeks to process any given application listed on the Family Connection Website. In order to meet the deadline to every college for each student, it is extremely important that you complete your application, list ALL of your colleges on this website, and complete the Privacy Notice for Common Application by the deadline posted below. College Due Date HSES Submission Deadline Early (all applications due to the college before 12/01/12) 10/15/12 Regular (all other applications) 11/13/12 The college office will NOT accept new applications between the posted deadlines. This time will be used to process previously submitted applications. Please note that the college office will be closed for most of December to process applications, and will not accept new materials at that time.
If there are any questions please ask Mr. Henkel College Counselor (jhenkel@schools.nyc.gov). The college office is located in the Guidance Suite Room 2010.