Countdown to College

Today, college may seem a long way off. But it's never too early to start thinking about your future. In fact, you will start taking entrance exams, researching campuses, and applying to colleges in just a few short years. Plus, it's never too early to gather up all your hopes and dreams and put them into action! And we can help you do that with the . . . Countdown To College!

6th Grade

Meet with your guidance counselor and advisor and tell them that your goal is to attend college. Ask them to sign you up for programs and after-school activities that will help you reach your goal.
Focus on your CORE subjects: English, Math, Science, and History. You need good grades in these subjects when applying to high school. And remember, these are classes you have to take every year until you graduate high school.
Get comfortable asking adults (teachers, tutors, advisors and parents) for help with your class work. Show these adults that you are serious about learning and they will offer the help you need and respect your efforts.
Sometimes, middle school can be difficult and confusing. It's important to not deal with problems on your own. Find adults you trust to talk about problems you're having with friends or in other areas of your life. Growing up and becoming an adult means being comfortable asking others for help, even if you think your problem is little or silly.

7th Grade

English, Math, Science, and History courses are CORE subject courses that are important to do well in. Get used to these subjects, because you have to take them every year in middle and high school. Ask your MGI tutor or classroom teacher for help in these subjects.
Make sure you participate in all MGI activities, such as field trips to arts performances and college visits. By visiting different colleges now, you will get an idea of the type of campuses that fit your personality and help you reach your educational goals.
Extra-curricular activities like art, dance, theater, student government, community service, and sports are important to be involved in throughout middle and high school. This shows that you can balance academics with out-of-school activities that show creativity, leadership and commitment to your community.

8th Grade

Take Algebra 1, if your school offers this course. This will give you a foundation to take a more advanced math course in high school.
Aim for A's and B's in all your classes. To help you achieve this, it is important to finish your homework every night, since homework is a big part of your grade.
If you find yourself falling behind in a class, ask your teacher to help you catch up. Ask your teacher if there is an extra credit assignment you can do to improve your grade.

9th Grade (Freshman Year in High School)

Meet with your high school guidance counselor to plan your courses for the year and get a general idea of what subjects you would like to focus on while in high school.
Enroll in a Geometry course. Studies have shown that the more advanced math classes a student takes, the better they perform once they get to college!
Take a foreign language class – every high school and many colleges require you to have 2 years of a foreign language by your senior year in high school.
Make sure you attend your freshman orientation. Among other important information, you will learn about the different clubs, sports teams, community service programs and other activities your school offers. Sign up for one activity the first semester and a different activity the second semester.
Visit CUNY and other college campuses. For information on CUNY Open Houses and Admissions events, see the Admissions website.

10th Grade (Sophomore Year in High School)

Take Geometry or Algebra II.
Visit your school's College Now office to see what courses you can take for college credit. Sign up for a College Now course that seems interesting to you. Don't be intimidated about taking a college course — it is offered so that you can develop skills you will need for college, like writing, analyzing, discussing, and critiquing. Just think, when you finally get to college, you will be better prepared than everyone else! For more on College Now, visit their website.
Sign up for community service projects. You will expand your knowledge and develop new skills. Also, it looks great on your transcript — colleges do not only look at grades and test scores, they want students that are community leaders and committed to service. Also, many college scholarships are given to students who take the lead in giving back to their communities.
Visit CUNY and other college campuses. For information on CUNY Open Houses and Admissions events, see the Admissions website.
Attend college fairs and admissions events at campuses around the city. Be sure to fill out information cards so that you receive college catalogues in the mail. Also, visit college websites and ask them to send you via postal mail their catalogues and other admissions information.

11th Grade (Junior Year in High School)

A's and B's are extremely important your junior year in high school. Colleges look mainly at your junior year and first semester senior year grades. If you are getting below a C in any class, ask that teacher what you can do to improve your grade.
Sign up for more College Now courses. If you need help deciding on a course, ask the College Now Coordinator, MGI Coordinator, MGI Advisor or your school's Guidance Counselor for help.
In October, register for the PSAT® (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test). For more on the PSAT, visit the College Board website.
When you get your PSAT® results back in the spring, examine your scores to see in which academic areas you need to improve before you take the SAT® next year.
To get some practice, you may want to sign up to take the SAT® or ACT® in the spring or summer of this year. This way, if you are not satisfied with your scores, you can retake the test in the fall of your senior year. Plan to register for the exam one month before the test date. For SAT registration and testing dates, see the College Board website. For ACT® registration and testing dates, see the ACT Student website.
Visit CUNY and other college campuses. For information on CUNY Open Houses and Admissions events, see the Admissions website.
Plan college visits outside of New York City. Even if you want to stay in the metro area for college, it is advisable to see different types of campuses, including private, public, urban, and rural. This way, you can make the most informed decision with the information you have.

12th Grade (Senior Year in High School)

Continue taking advanced math courses, like trigonometry, calculus, and advanced geometry.
Make an appointment with your guidance counselor to ensure you are completing all necessary graduation requirements.
September: register for the SAT® and/or the ACT®. Visit the College Board website for SAT® registration dates and instructions. Visit the ACT Student website for ACT® registration. Ask your MGI Advisor or school Guidance Counselor about registration and fee waivers.
October: Begin writing your college essay. It will need to be revised several times, so the earlier you get started on it, the better it will be.
Make a timeline for yourself. College applications are due anytime between November and January, so keep a calendar of all the due dates so you don't miss a deadline.
Begin asking teachers and counselors for recommendations now. Give them a list of your grades, activities, sports, service projects and any other important information along with an addressed stamped envelope for them to return to your colleges of choice.
January: Complete and file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). To file the FAFSA online, visit the Department of Education website.
February: Stay on top of your grades. Remember, colleges look at second semester grades also and have been known to reject students who don't take their academics seriously during this time.