Find links to a number of the external resources we rely on below:
Naviance is our main hub for building up to the college search and for students actually completing applications, building their lists, and submitting documents.
Director of College Counseling
I am passionate about college access because a college education can have life changing importance for young people. Helping students get admitted to schools they love and can afford, is like putting together a puzzle-- it requires understanding of the 'pieces' of the student, the higher education system, and the actual application, and making it all fit together. It feels really meaningful and exciting to do this work with students right at this most important juncture of their life when they are stepping off into independence and adulthood.
College Counselor & College Department Coordinator
I earned a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis, then a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University. I chose to work in college counseling because as a first-generation college student, college and financial aid had a huge impact on the course of my life. I hope to help students navigate the college process so they can achieve their goals and find the next place that will help them grow personally and as learners! Prior to Brooklyn Prospect, I worked in college access and career development after-school programs at high schools throughout NYC.
College Counselor
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from The Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania, then a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University. I chose to work in college counseling because in high school I participated in a college prep after school program that really helped me in my college process as a first-generation college student. Attending an HBCU was the best experience I had and it really shaped me into the person I am today. As a college counselor, I am excited to challenge the students' mindset about their next steps, be their cheerleader and be a walking guide throughout their journey. Throughout my career, I have worked in youth development and social emotional learning through Community Based Organizations and college access programs throughout NYC.
College Counselor
I received my Bachelors in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies with an Arabic minor from Fordham University, and my Masters in School Counseling from CUNY Hunter College. When I was in high school, applying to college was a confusing and difficult process as a first-generation college student; however I was able to receive the support necessary to attend school through HEOP. As a college counselor now, I'm most excited about working with students to help them find and feel prepared for their post-secondary plans that best align with their interests, values, and identity. Before BP, I was working at a few different public high schools across NYC through College Access: Research and Action (CARA) and CUNY's College Bridge for All.
College Readiness Senior Seminar: A mandatory, credit bearing and graded class for all of our seniors to walk them through the college process
College Readiness Junior Seminar: A class that all Juniors participate in during the Spring of their junior year. It is coupled with a career component in the Fall season
"First Wednesdays": Monthly programming that focuses on 9th and 10th graders and offers fun and engaging lessons or activities around college awareness
Generation Rise! A new program for students in 9-11th grade who will be the first in their family to go to college or who are part of another underrepresented group on college campuses (Black or Latinx, LGBTQIA, english language learners, etc). Generation Rise offers enrichment, access, and support for students college going plans within a small community setting. Learn more here (English) Learn more here (Spanish)
Individual Student and Family Counseling: All students are part of a tailored meeting process with their assigned counselor starting in the spring of Junior year. Individual counselors will meet with students and families one-on-one and help tailor the process to the student's specific needs and goals.
Parent/Guardian Meetings and Workshops: Families are a key part to a successful college process! We offer bi-monthly, quarterly, or semester based meetings for families based on grade (the older grades meet more frequently). In these workshops, we present information and updates and make ourselves available to answer any questions.
Day and Overnight Trips: The College Team helps plan a series of trips to college campuses both local and regional with the underclassmen visiting colleges across NYC and Juniors heading to an east coast area for a multi-day spring overnight trip. *Please note that covid has temporarily halted or changed these plans
Special Events and Celebrations: We organize various events and celebrations to bring awareness and to build up our college going culture at BP!
Now! The sooner you start brainstorming what schools you might want to peruse, the better you will know what to accomplish in your high school. But by mid 11th grade, you should start assembling a list, and early senior year is when you want to have that list finalized.
The two main college entrance exams are the SAT and the ACT. Colleges will consider either test equally. While the College team encourages students to consider the ACT or take an ACT to see how they do, the Prospect School's network focuses primarily on the SAT.
Brooklyn Prospect provides SAT prep for all of our Juniors starting in January of their Junior year and leading up to the March school-day city-wide SAT Administration. Last year's test prep with Bespoke Education was highly successful with the vast majority of students increasing 60-100+ points. Due to Covid, we will need to adjust our plans this year for the Class of 2022, but Juniors can still expect to receive a high quality prep program.
Students in 9th, 10th or the fall of their 11th grade looking to get a head start, can check out any of the online platforms to practice their test prep skills.
The Princeton Review (SAT or ACT)
To be awarded aid of ANY kind (grants, loans, institutional aid, etc) a senior must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Make sure you visit the official and direct site at fafsa.ed.gov and avoid any websites asking you for fees to complete this form.
For underclassmen: It's never too early to get a better sense of what your family will be expected to contribute to college. It is important to note that the financial aid estimator only calculates your estimated need, not how much of that need will be met by each school you apply to.Use FAFSA4Caster to learn more.
All colleges and universities are required to have a Net Price Calculator on their website. A simple search will allow you to get a better sense of what families will pay to attend a specific university or college.
Many colleges require additional forms beyond the FAFSA to award you the max amount of money. The most common one is the CSS Profile. Check if a college on your list requires the CSS Profile here and begin the application process here.
SAT scores become available 2 to 4 weeks after the test is completed on the collegeboard dashboard.
We recommend starting within the Naviance platform and using BigFuture, but there are other great options as well that provide other angle and lenses.
College Board bigfuture.collegeboard.org
College Navigator http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator
Colleges that Change Lives http://www.ctcl.org/
Going on virtual and in person tours are helpful when learning about the culture of a college.
Check out our great CAS Page for a wide range of opportunities.