Seniors
COLLEGE COMMITMENT
You will continue to receive decision letters from colleges–check your email daily!
Do NOT commit to a college until you receive decision letters and financial aid packages from EVERY college you applied to – be sure the college you choose is the right fit for you: academically, financially, socially, geographically etc.
For each acceptance letter you receive, you will receive instructions on how to commit to that college.
Once you choose the best college for you, you will COMMIT to that college and send in your commitment deposit to hold your spot for the fall semester.
THIS PROCESS MUST BE COMPLETED BY APRIL 20TH TO ENSURE YOUR COMMITMENT IS RECEIVED BEFORE MAY 1st. IF YOU MISS THIS DEADLINE, YOUR SEAT WILL BE GIVEN AWAY TO ANOTHER STUDENT.
ATTENDING A CUNY COLLEGE?
1. Claim your CUNYFIRST account (follow instructions from CUNY email)
2. Go to the STUDENT CENTER of your CUNYFIRST page
3. “Accept” your offer to the school you are attending in the fall
4. Check if you are required to pay the commitment deposit (it will say “waived” if you are not required)
5. Check your “TO DO” list – complete ALL REQUIRED STEPS
6. Take your placement exam on the scheduled date/time/location they assign to you via email!
7. Accept your financial aid award on your CUNYFIRST account
8. Check your email daily for next steps from the college
ACCEPTANCE AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Print a copy of your acceptance letters and scholarship award letters and bring to the college office.
AFTER YOU COMMIT TO A COLLEGE
1. log into your TAP account www.hesc.ny.gov
2. click Student Access
3. click Change TAP College Code/Address
4. change the name of the college to the one you committed to- make sure the name is next to the Fall and Spring semester (if the college you are attending is already listed correctly, you do not have to do anything)
Ø TAP $$ goes directly to the college’s financial aid office. This is a critical step to ensure your TAP $$ goes to the college you will be attending.
MAY 1ST- COLLEGE DECISION DAY
We celebrate YOU on May 1st. There will be a celebration in the College Office on May 1st for all seniors who present a decision/commitment letter. You must print out proof of your college commitment. There will be raffles, snacks, give-a-ways, music, and a photo opt!
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
If you are attending a college that you applied to using:
COMMON APPLICATION you MUST give your name to your SLC guidance counselor and ask them to send your final transcript through the Common Application
SUNY.EDU final transcript will automatically be sent to the SUNY you committed to (assuming you entered your OSIS # at the time you applied)
CUNY.EDU: final transcript will automatically be sent to the CUNY you committed to
College Specific Website: (example: you applied to St. John’s using www.stjohns.edu) you MUST fill out pink form in the COLLEGE OFFICE and hand to Ms. Hofer in room 116L. This is the ONLY way a final transcript will be mailed once you graduate
Complete your SENIOR EXIT SHEET
FINAL STEP BEFORE JUNE 1ST
You are REQUIRED to complete the Senior Exit Sheet. This is required for graduation. The link to the google form will be emailed to your hillcresths.org email. You must compete the google form and submit no later than June 1st
https://goo.gl/forms/CLO3EYlXRBLejsXJ3
**graduation requirement**
Advice for 12th Graders
THE BIGGEST, BUSIEST, AND MOST EXCITING YEAR!!
College Fair and Financial Aid Night – attend BOTH events
SATs and ACTs -prepare to take the SAT or ACT ONLY 1 more time as a senior if you must. More Information
Attendance- it is critical to attend class. Don’t fall behind. colleges DO consider your senior year grades.
Regents- very important for graduation and college admission. Retake regents if necessary to get college ready grades.
75 ELA & 80 Math Regents = College Ready
Extracurricular Activities- continue clubs, sports, College Bound organizations, volunteer work, employment, etc. Colleges want to see involvement, diversity and commitment.
College Now/AP Courses at Hillcrest- Now is the time to take College Now and/or AP courses each semester, especially if you haven't. You could leave Hillcrest with FREE college credits.
College Campus Visits- Campus tours run daily. Visit EACH campus you are considering .
Parent Tax Return- If you are a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident you will need last year’s tax return when applying for FAFSA as a senior.
SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE
September-December- Applications- college, FAFSA, TAP, scholarships, special programs.
January-February- check and answer college emails daily, retake regents and apply for scholarships.
March-April- receive ALL decisions letters and financial aid packages, decide what college you will attend, accept financial aid packages, check and answer all college emails daily, commit to one college, change school on TAP to college you are attending, make an appointment at college to create your freshman schedule and apply for scholarships.
May-June- create your freshman schedule, attend freshman orientation, attend special program orientations, send your College Now transcript to college, take AP exam(s), and GRADUATE!!!