Action Plan - Sophomores
F a l l
Plan for the Year Ahead
Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review
your schedule with him or her to make sure you’re enrolled in
challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. Colleges
prefer four years of English, history, math, science and a foreign
language.
Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines
Get more involved with your extracurricular activities.
Use the CollegeBoard College Search to find out the required courses and tests of
colleges that you might be interested in attending.
Go to college fairs in your area.
Consider Taking the PSAT/NMSQT
Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October. Ask your counselor which
date is offered at your school. Get free online PSAT/NMSQT practice.
If you’re taking the PSAT/MNSQT check ‘yes’ for Student Search Service to hear about
colleges and scholarships.
W i n t e r
Prepare for Tests
Use you PSAT/MNSQT Score Report and www.collegeboard.com/psatextra to prepare
for the SAT.
Talk to your counselor and teacher about taking the SAT Subject Tests in your strong
subjects this spring. Take Subject Tests such as World History, Biology E/M, and
Chemistry while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Learn about Colleges
Learn about college costs and how financial aid works.
Use the College Savings Calculator to see how much money you’ll need for college,
whether you’re on track to save enough, and what you need to do to reach your goal.
Talk to your parents about financing college.
Visit colleges while they’re in session.
S p r i n g
Stay Focused
Sign up for college preparatory courses. Consider AP courses.
Study for May AP Exams. Get free AP preparation.
Explore Summer Opportunities
Look for a great summer opportunity – job, internship, or volunteer position.
Check with your counselor and search online for summer school programs for high
school students at colleges.
S u m m e r
Make the Most of your Break
Start a summer reading list. Ask your teachers to recommend books.
Plan to visit college campuses to get a feel for your options. Start with colleges
near you.
Finalize your summer plans.
F a l l
Plan for the Year Ahead
Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review
your schedule with him or her to make sure you’re enrolled in
challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. Colleges
prefer four years of English, history, math, science and a foreign
language.
Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines
Get more involved with your extracurricular activities.
Use the CollegeBoard College Search to find out the required courses and tests of
colleges that you might be interested in attending.
Go to college fairs in your area.
Consider Taking the PSAT/NMSQT
Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October. Ask your counselor which
date is offered at your school. Get free online PSAT/NMSQT practice.
If you’re taking the PSAT/MNSQT check ‘yes’ for Student Search Service to hear about
colleges and scholarships.
W i n t e r
Prepare for Tests
Use you PSAT/MNSQT Score Report and www.collegeboard.com/psatextra to prepare
for the SAT.
Talk to your counselor and teacher about taking the SAT Subject Tests in your strong
subjects this spring. Take Subject Tests such as World History, Biology E/M, and
Chemistry while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Learn about Colleges
Learn about college costs and how financial aid works.
Use the College Savings Calculator to see how much money you’ll need for college,
whether you’re on track to save enough, and what you need to do to reach your goal.
Talk to your parents about financing college.
Visit colleges while they’re in session.
S p r i n g
Stay Focused
Sign up for college preparatory courses. Consider AP courses.
Study for May AP Exams. Get free AP preparation.
Explore Summer Opportunities
Look for a great summer opportunity – job, internship, or volunteer position.
Check with your counselor and search online for summer school programs for high
school students at colleges.
S u m m e r
Make the Most of your Break
Start a summer reading list. Ask your teachers to recommend books.
Plan to visit college campuses to get a feel for your options. Start with colleges
near you.
Finalize your summer plans.
C-STEP Fordham University
The Science & Technology Entry Program (Step)
at Fordham University is an exciting and rigorous academic enrichment program designed to help prepare junior high and high school students for licensed professions and scientific, technical and health-related careers. STEP also seeks to increase the representation of historically underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged people in these fields. To visit the STEP Fordham Web Site click here.
at Fordham University is an exciting and rigorous academic enrichment program designed to help prepare junior high and high school students for licensed professions and scientific, technical and health-related careers. STEP also seeks to increase the representation of historically underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged people in these fields. To visit the STEP Fordham Web Site click here.
S-PREP at Columbia University Free Summer Science Program
We are currently recruiting high school students from the New York City area for the 2014 - 2015 academic year session of the State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University, the College of Physicians & Surgeons. S-PREP is one of the 60 Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) in New York State.
S-PREP is a rigorous academic year program designed for New York residents who are (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Alaskan Native) or economically disadvantaged (see economic eligibility
guidelines ) high school students enrolled in grades 9 - 12 who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in medicine or related health professions. The long range objective of the program is to increase the number of minority physicians and health care professionals. The program offers a schedule of basic and
medical science courses. The courses currently offered may include, but are not limited to the following: Anatomy, biochemistry, embryology, calculus, chemistry, genetics, neuroscience, organic chemistry, physics, physiology, and pre-calculus. In addition, the program offers a SAT preparation course provided by Kaplan.
Classes start in October of the academic year and are held on Saturdays, in morning and afternoon sessions. Medical, dental, and graduate students serve as course preceptors. In addition to the rigorous academic schedule, mandatory college preparation and career development workshops the program offers academic and college
counseling services, field trips and college tours.
Students enrolled in S-PREP are selected on the basis of both character and academic merit. More specifically,
students are selected based on the following criteria: (1) 80% grade average, in math and science (2) A strong interest in medicine, research or the health professions (3) The ability to commit to the course schedule and (4) A mature personality.
S-PREP demands that students attend consistently and give their best effort. Students are allowed only two unexcused absences each semester. More than two absences from the program will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Therefore, students heavily involved in other extracurricular activities or pre-college exam preparation courses should seriously consider whether or not they can commit to the program. In addition, students are expected to maintain an 80% grade average in math and science. Students will be required to submit a copy of their report card to the program quarterly.
The application deadline is Monday, July 22, 2014. Applications received after this date will only be considered after those submitted on time. Students who are seriously interested in S-PREP are encouraged to
submit all application materials by the indicated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For more information please visit our website at www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/sprep. To apply, download the application HERE.
S-PREP is a rigorous academic year program designed for New York residents who are (e.g., Black, Hispanic, Native American, or Alaskan Native) or economically disadvantaged (see economic eligibility
guidelines ) high school students enrolled in grades 9 - 12 who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in medicine or related health professions. The long range objective of the program is to increase the number of minority physicians and health care professionals. The program offers a schedule of basic and
medical science courses. The courses currently offered may include, but are not limited to the following: Anatomy, biochemistry, embryology, calculus, chemistry, genetics, neuroscience, organic chemistry, physics, physiology, and pre-calculus. In addition, the program offers a SAT preparation course provided by Kaplan.
Classes start in October of the academic year and are held on Saturdays, in morning and afternoon sessions. Medical, dental, and graduate students serve as course preceptors. In addition to the rigorous academic schedule, mandatory college preparation and career development workshops the program offers academic and college
counseling services, field trips and college tours.
Students enrolled in S-PREP are selected on the basis of both character and academic merit. More specifically,
students are selected based on the following criteria: (1) 80% grade average, in math and science (2) A strong interest in medicine, research or the health professions (3) The ability to commit to the course schedule and (4) A mature personality.
S-PREP demands that students attend consistently and give their best effort. Students are allowed only two unexcused absences each semester. More than two absences from the program will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Therefore, students heavily involved in other extracurricular activities or pre-college exam preparation courses should seriously consider whether or not they can commit to the program. In addition, students are expected to maintain an 80% grade average in math and science. Students will be required to submit a copy of their report card to the program quarterly.
The application deadline is Monday, July 22, 2014. Applications received after this date will only be considered after those submitted on time. Students who are seriously interested in S-PREP are encouraged to
submit all application materials by the indicated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
For more information please visit our website at www.oda-ps.cumc.columbia.edu/sprep. To apply, download the application HERE.
HEAF Free Program for college bound sophomores
Who is Eligible for HEAF?
HEAF looks for students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic
motivation, personal resiliency, and self-discipline.
Admissions Criteria:
Visit http://www.heaf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=10.
HEAF looks for students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic
motivation, personal resiliency, and self-discipline.
Admissions Criteria:
- Currently attend a NYC public or parochial school
- Strong desire to attend a four-year college or university
- Have a minimum GPA of 80% with no grade below 80% in a core subject (Math, English/ELA, Science, or Social Studies)
- Have scores of 3 or 4 on the New York State standardized tests (or score in the 60th percentile or higher on the ITBS test)
- High school applicants must have a minimum score of 75% or above on their Math and English regents exams.
- Middle school applicants must be committed to attending a competitive New York City public high school from among those schools listed on the "HEAF Approved High Schools" list.
- Good school attendance
- Availability to participate in all mandatory HEAF program activities
- Currently be in grades 5 through 10. (We work with students from sixth grade until college graduation, but students may only apply to the program between the final semester of the fifth grade year and the final semester of the tenth grade year.)
Visit http://www.heaf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=10.
