Thousands of Public School Students Prep For College This Week
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Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza. Photo courtesy of NYCDOE.
By Christina Carrega
Hundreds of middle and high schools across the five boroughs, including 83 in Queens, are participating in College Application Week.
Since Monday, students across the city have been participating in a range of activities, including college application sessions, college tours and workshops to help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza announced on Tuesday.
This year, the College Application Week includes a record 467 schools as part of the College Access for All initiative.
Starting this school year, every high school will have the resources and supports for students to graduate with a college and career plan, Carranza said. More students will be equipped to know how to apply for college, pay for college and prepare for the SATs. They will also receive more support in exploring and selecting college and career pathways.
“As a first-generation college student, I came from a family that understood the importance of going to college but didn’t know about the college application and financial aid process. Through College Application Week and College Access for All, we are giving students the knowledge and resources they need to get to college and succeed there,” said Carranza. “We are putting our New York City students on the path to college and careers.”
College Access for All has new partnerships with CUNY and other colleges. The program has eliminated the CUNY college application fee for low-income students and made the SAT exam available free of charge during the school day for all high school juniors – increasing the number of juniors who took the SAT by 51 percent, according to a press release issued by the city’s Department of Education.
"The college application process can be overwhelming for both students and parents alike. But the variety of resources offered during College Application Week can help provide much-needed guidance and support for students and their families,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “More than 80 Queens schools are taking part in this week's initiative, giving countless Queens students the help they need to find their dream school and pursue higher education.”
In addition to the 83 Queens schools, the 467 participating schools include 123 in the Bronx, 141 in Brooklyn, 107 in Manhattan and 13 on Staten Island.
