Be sure to speak to your family ahead of time and express what your desires and aspirations are. If you need help facilitating this conversation please reach out to your OPC Counselor ASAP.

1. At the moment Ms. Henriquez is scheduling ALL OPC meetings so be sure to check your emails for invitation.

2. Respond to invitation accordingly.

3. Make sure to set a reminder for the meeting.

4. Be on time.

1. Accept invitation.

2. Complete Interest Survey Form, BCSM College Contract and Family Income Form and  upload forms to your OPC folder.

3. Upload to your OPC folder the HOUSEHOLD 2024 Tax Information 

    A. Federal Tax Form 1040 

    B. NYS Tax Form IT-201

    C. Parent or Guardian Driver's License or State ID - proof of NYS residence 

Make sure to black out the Social Security Numbers

4. Research colleges and/or careers, programs, military; anything that you wish to do after high school.

5. Be on time for your meeting. If you need to reschedule please do so at least 24 hours prior to your meeting time.

6. Be prepared to lead the meeting. This is about you!

If you can't visit a college in-person (although we highly encourage you to), you can schedule a virtual information session and tour. 

Visit the sites below to see if the campus you want to see has a virtual tour.

Fordham University - virtual visit

Virtual Campus Tours

CampusReel

CampusTours

YouVisit

YouUniversityTv

In order to determine whether you qualify for fee waivers, please submit 2024 household income information (tax returns, budget letters, etc.)

Before requesting a recommendation please check with your OPC counselor to determine whether you need one. If you need one, we will help identify which teachers would be best to ask. 

When requesting a recommendation you will need to complete a BRAG SHEET which you should forward to your OPC counselor and teacher recommenders. 

The College Essay or Personal Statement is your opportunity to get personal and voice your story within your college application. Your college application consists of the grades you have earned in your courses, your extracurriculars/the activities you have actively participated in, test scores, letter of recommendations etc. However, unlike these components, the college admissions essay offers students the chance to share their personal story or something significant from their personality that will prove to schools that they will be successful in college and beyond. 

• Level All - Write the Ultimate College Essay

• College Essay Tips from Hamilton College Admissions 

• The Only Four College Essay Writing Tips You'll Ever Need from Tufts University 

Common App 2025-2026 essay prompts:

Below is the full set of Common App essay prompts for 2025-2026.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Source: https://www.commonapp.org/blog/announcing-2025-2026-common-app-essay-prompts

CUNY (City University of New York): 

The College Discovery (CD) program, founded in 1964, is at the CUNY community colleges (two year), while The Percy Ellis Sutton Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK), founded in 1965, is the higher education opportunity program at the senior and comprehensive (four year) CUNY colleges. CD and SEEK were established to provide comprehensive academic, financial, and social supports to assist capable students who otherwise might not be able to attend college due to their educational and financial circumstances. Students are admitted without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, race, disability or creed.

CD (College Discovery):

To be eligible for CD, you must:

• be a legal resident of New York City for at least one year prior to entering college;

• be a high school graduate or recipient of a state-approved equivalency diploma;

• have a college admissions average of less than 80;

• be a first year student; and

• have a gross family income that meets the New York State guidelines.

SEEK (Search for Elevation, Education and Knowledge)

• be a legal resident of New York State for at least one year prior to entering college;

• be a high school graduate or recipient of a state-approved equivalency diploma;

• be inadmissible according to the admissions criteria established for the CUNY four-year college you want to attend;

• be a first-time freshman or previously enrolled in College Discovery (CD) Program, an Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), or Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP); and

• have a gross family income that meets the New York State guidelines.

SUNY (State University of New York):

EOP (Educational Opportunity Program):

The State University of New York's Educational Opportunity Program provides access, academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for succeeding in college but who may not have otherwise been offered admission. Available primarily to full-time, matriculated students, the program supports students throughout their college careers within the University.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for admission to EOP you must be:

• A New York State resident for 12 months prior to enrollment;

• Require special admissions consideration; and

• Qualify as economically disadvantaged according to the guidelines. In selecting students for the program, priority is given to applicants from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Note: Applicants deemed ineligible for EOP may still qualify for admission and financial aid through other admission processes.

Private Colleges:

HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program):

HEOP Mission

The Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) provides a broad range of services to New York State residents who, because of educational and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary educational institution. Each HEOP institution must ensure that HEOP students are provided with sufficient academic support services, tuition assistance, supplemental financial assistance, and full need packaging to enable them to successfully complete the institutional components required for graduation.

HEOP Objectives

• Provide access to postsecondary education to eligible students

• Identify, evaluate, and recruit eligible students and enable them to complete a higher education experience

• Improve the retention and graduation rates of disadvantaged students