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MagenDavidYeshivahHighSchool CollegeBulletin#2October,2012 OfficeofCollegeGuidanceandCareerCounseling Ms.DebbieSolomon(dsolomon@mdyhs.net) Mr.StevenHarris(sharris@mdyhs.net) Mr.DanielZide(dzide@mdyhs.net) 12th Grade Alerts:

SAT December 2 Exam: Regular Registration Deadline: Nov. 1st Late Registration Deadline: Nov. 16. ACT December 9 Exam: Regular Registration deadline: November 2. Late Registration Deadline: Nov. 3-16
Macaulay Honors Program Application: MDYHS Internal Deadline: November 20th. CUNY Portal Account Appointments Regular Freshman Application: October 11-18. Macaulay Honors assembly (sign up in College Guidance Office):Mon. Oct. 29 pd. C MDYHS College Breakfast II: Mon. November 5:pds. D and E. MDYHS Annual College Fair: Evening of Wed. November 7th *students and parents encouraged to attend College Trip: Tues. Nov. 20

10th and 11th Grade Alerts:

PSAT Exam: Wed. Oct. 17th MDYHS Annual College Fair: Evening of Wed. November 7th *parents and students encouraged to attend

Early Decision/Early ActionIs it right for you? This year, our monthly College Bulletins will focus on an essential component of the college application and provide extensive information on that topic. This month we will address the issue of applying Early Decision and Early Action. About 450 colleges offer early admission plans. Under these plans, students can apply early (usually November 1) well before the typical January 1st deadline, and get a decision early (usually December 15 rather than April 1). Applying Early Decision can be a good idea if you are certain about which college you absolutely want to attend. That means you not only researched its programs, but you visited the campus at least once. This should be an informed decision! There are three main types of early admission plans. All three plans require you to apply by November 1st. Here are some details of each option:

Early Decision Plans: You can apply to only one early decision college. If the college accepts you and offers you enough financial aid, you must go to that college. Thats why these plans are referred to as binding. Some colleges have two early deadlines; E.D. I and E.D. II. They both work the same way, but the second deadline give you more time to decide whether to apply early. Although you may apply to additional colleges through the regular admission process, you must withdraw all other applications if youre accepted by this college. Early Action Plans You can apply to more than one early action college. If youre accepted, you can say yes right away or wait until spring to decide. You can decline the offer. Single-Choice Early Plans: You can apply only to one college. Otherwise, these plans work the same way as other early action plans. You can still apply to other colleges through the regular admission process. You dont have to give your final answer to the early application college until spring. Below is an article reprinted from the College Board site (collegeboard.org) which helps students and parents evaluate whether applying early is the right route.

Early Decision & Early Action

(College Board reprint)

The benefits and drawbacks of applying early

Early decision (ED) and early action (EA) plans can be beneficial to students but only to those who have thought through their college options carefully and have a clear preference for one institution.

Early decision versus early action

Early decision plans are binding a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early action plans are nonbinding students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.

E.D. plans have come under fire as unfair to students from families with low incomes, since they do not have the opportunity to compare financial aid offers. This may give an unfair advantage to applicants from families who have more financial resources. . ED applicants

Apply early (usually in November) to first-choice college. Receive an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date (usually by December). Agree to attend the college if accepted and offered a financial aid package that is considered adequate by the family. Apply to only one college early decision. Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans. Withdraw all other applications if accepted by ED. Send a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1.

EA applicants

Apply early. Receive an admission decision early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February). Consider acceptance offer; do not have to commit upon receipt. Apply to other colleges under regular admission plans. Give the college a decision no later than the May 1 national response date.

Who should apply early?

Applying to an ED or EA plan is most appropriate for a student who:

Has researched colleges extensively. Is absolutely sure that the college is the first choice. Has found a college that is a strong match academically, socially and geographically. Meets or exceeds the admission profile for the college for SAT scores, GPA and class rank. Has an academic record that has been consistently solid over time.

Applying to an ED or EA plan is not appropriate for a student who:

Has not thoroughly researched colleges. Is applying early just to avoid stress and paperwork. Is not fully committed to attending the college. Is applying early because his friends are. Needs a strong senior fall semester to bring grades up.

The benefits of applying early

For a student who has a definite first-choice college, applying early has many benefits besides possibly increasing the chance of getting in. Applying early lets the student:

Reduce stress by cutting the time spent waiting for a decision. Save the time and expense of submitting multiple applications. Gain more time, once accepted, to look for housing and otherwise prepare for college. Reassess options and apply elsewhere if not accepted.

The drawbacks of applying early

Pressure to decide: Committing to one college puts pressure on students to make serious decisions before they've explored all their options. Reduced financial aid opportunities: Students who apply under ED plans receive offers of admission and financial aid simultaneously and so will not be able to compare financial aid offers from other colleges. For students who absolutely need financial aid, applying early may be a risky option. Time crunch for other applications: Most colleges do not notify ED and EA applicants of admission until December 15. Because of the usual deadlines for applications, this means that if a student is rejected by the ED college, there are only two weeks left to send in other applications. Encourage those of your students who are applying early to prepare other applications as they wait to receive admission decisions from their first-choice college. Senioritis: Applicants who learn early that they have been accepted into a college may feel that, their goal accomplished, they have no reason to work hard for the rest of the year. Early-applying students should know that colleges may rescind offers of admission should their senior-year grades drop.

Does applying early increase the chance of acceptance?

Many students believe applying early means competing with fewer applicants and increasing their chances for acceptance. This is not always true. Colleges vary in the proportion of the class admitted early and in the percentage of early applicants they admit. Higher admission rates for ED applicants may correlate to stronger profiles among candidates choosing ED. Students should ask the admission office whether their institution's admission standards differ between ED and regular applicants, and then assess whether applying early makes sense given their own profile.

The ethics of applying early decision

The Common Application and some college application forms require the student applying under early decision, have their parent and counselor sign an ED agreement form spelling out the plan's conditions.

Keep in mind

ED and EA program specifics vary, so students should get information as soon as possible directly from the admission staff at their first-choice college. ED and EA applicants must take the October SAT or SAT Subject Tests in order for these scores to make it to the college in time.

Please review pages 8 to utilize a questionnaire to help determine whether applying early is right for you. Page 9 is a summary sheet about the Dos and Donts in the Early Decision Process. Page 10 is an Early Decision/Early Action Calendar to help prepare for this process.

November College Bulletin will examine the college essay in depth

What does it take to get into CUNY/Macaulay Honors College?

Theres no secret to this answer. But, if you want to be accepted into the CUNY of your choice, it requires planning and commitment to success. Look at page 12, CUNY Admission Profile-Fall of 2012 to learn the mean GPA, SAT and ACT scores.

Hang it on your frig and plan for your success!

MDYHSisonboardwithNavianceandsoshouldyoube!
Seniorswillbeapplyingtocollegeviaournewwebbasedprogram.Applicationscanbesent alongwithessays,lettersofrecommendationandoften,transcripts.Nowyoucanbeinstantly assuredthattheseimportantdocumentshavebeenreceivedinthepushofabutton.But Navianceiswaymorethanthat.LearnabouttheFamilyConnectionontheWebandlinksto thecommonapplicationonpage11.

SoyouwanttogotoMedicalSchool?
MostpeopleinNYdonotknowoftheonlyCUNYMedicalSchool,attendedbystudentsdirectly after high school graduation. This metropolitan gem is called The Sophie Davis College of Biomedical Education, housed in City College. Their innovative BSMD Program integrates undergraduateeducationwiththefirsttwoyearsofmedicalschool.Studentsgraduatewitha BSdegreefromCityCollegeandmoveontocompletetheirfinaltwoyearstowardstheirMDin oneofsixcooperatingmedicalschools:AlbanyMedicalCollege,DartmouthSchool,NYMedical College, NYU School of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and SUNY Stony Brook SchoolofMedicine. TheBiomedicalEducationProgramisdesignedasasevenyearintegratedcurriculumleadingto a BS and M.D. degrees. During the first five years of the program, students fulfill all requirements for the B.S. degree as well as the preclinical portion of a medical school curriculum.AftersuccessfullycompletingthefiveyearsequenceandpassingStepIoftheU.S. Medical Licensure Examination, students go through a matching process at collaborating medicalschoolsfortheirfinaltwoyearsofclinicaltraining.TheB.S.degreeisconferredbyCity College,whilethemedicalschooltowhichthestudenttransfersawardstheDoctorofMedicine degree. The fiveyear curriculum is designed to foster student interest in practicing primary care medicineinunderservedurbancommunities.Allstudentsenteringthisprogrammustsignan Agreement on PostGraduation Service Commitment promising to provide all term medical services as a primary care physician for two years in a designated primary care physician shortageareainNYState.Uponcompletingtheirresidencytraininginprimarycare,graduates fulfill their commitment by working full time in a community health center, clinic, private practiceorotherambulatorysettinginadesignatedprimarycarephysicianshortagearea.For manygraduates,thisexperiencemarksthebeginningofalongtermdedicationtoserviceasa primarycarephysicianinanunderservedcommunity. One of the most important factors considered in the admissions process is the applicants potential for and interest in pursuing a career as a primary care physician in medically underserved urban areas. The overall assessment of the applicants by the Admissions Committeeincludes:

Academic ability as demonstrated by high school grades in all subjects especially Regents examinationscoresinBiology,Chemistry,Physicsand11thyearMath ACTexam SATexam Personalattributessuchasinitiativeandresponsibility Interest in working with people as evidenced by healthcarerelated experiences and participationincommunityandextracurricularactivities. Following a screening, the most highly qualified applicants are invited for personal interview.TheAdmissionscommitteemakesthefinalselectionofthestudentsadmitted fortheFallsemestereachyearfromthoseinterviewed.

If you are a Freshman or Sophomore, this is an ideal time to plan your summer to include participation in medical research, volunteer work in a hospital or medical setting, or other unique activity that has relevance in the medical field. For assistance in this direction, please connectwithMr.DanielZide,ourcareercounselorexpert(dzide@mdyhs.net) ContactInformation:SophieDavisSchoolofBiomedicalEducation Mr.ChristopherWanyonyiDirectorofAdmissions (212)6507718

ComingAttractionforALLStudentsandParents: MDYHSAnnualCollegeFair 7:00Wednesday,November7th

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Deciding About Early Decision and Early Action
Early Decision Self-Evaluation Questionnaire* Answer the following questions to decide whether or not to apply early to a particular school. If you answer yes to every question, consider applying ED. If you answer one or more questions with a no, consider applying EA or regular decision. Question Have I completely researched this college and other colleges that interest me? Have I visited this college while classes are in session and met with someone at the admissions office? Have I explored my academic, extracurricular, and social options at this college? Have I talked with a financial aid officer to get an estimate of college costs and to find out how early decision could affect my aid package? Have I discussed this decision with my family and guidance counselor? Is this a true first choice, or do other colleges still interest me?
*Excerpted from NACAC's Steps to College online newsletter

Yes No

Pros and Cons of Applying to College Early Pros Bypass regular spring notification deadline Avoid cost of submitting multiple applications Reduce time spent waiting for a decision Have to deal with less stress if accepted May increase chances of getting into top schools and greatly increase chances of getting into less selective schools Cons Must make serious decision before exploring all options Can only apply to one school May not have time or opportunity to compare financial aid packages May have no or fewer aid options and few scholarship options Sometimes compete with a smaller but much stronger pool of candidates than during the regular application period

2007 The College Board. This material may be reproduced for educational non-commercial purposes only.

May get financial aid bonus for applying early

If rejected, may feel disappointed and discouraged

Early Decision Dos and Donts

Do Withdraw all applications upon being accepted Request a release from your contract only if the college is unable to work out appropriate financial aid Take your Early Decision seriously Discuss the cost of the college before applying Attend the college that accepts you

Don't Apply to ED programs at more than one college Have your counselor send transcripts to more than one ED school or to any other schools once admitted Try to get out of an ED acceptance because you've changed your mind Have someone else write or heavily edit your application essays Submit deposits to more than one college State an intended major you don't plan on pursuing because you think it might help you get admitted Inaccurately describe your activities and accomplishments State to more than one college that it is your first choice

2007 The College Board. This material may be reproduced for educational non-commercial purposes only.

10 Early Decision and Early Action Calendar

Are you prepared to apply early to college? If you are even considering the option of early decision or early action, here are the steps you need to take right now: Junior Year JanuaryMay

Take the SAT and/or ACT Visit colleges during spring break Take SAT Subject Tests if required Work hard and keep up good grades (Note: Colleges only have your transcript through junior year) Senior Year

MayJune

Work on and complete applications Get teachers to fill out recommendation forms File early decision or early action applications according to school deadlines and procedures Take SAT or ACT if necessary (Note: October is the last test date that will make scores available in time for early decision and early action programs) If necessary, register for CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE online or by using a form Continue filing early decision or early action applications according to specific school deadlines Follow up with teacher recommendations Work on regular-decision applications as a backup if you don't get in early decision or early action File the PROFILE form and any other collegebased financial aid forms that may be required of early decision candidates

September October

November

2007 The College Board. This material may be reproduced for educational non-commercial purposes only.

WelcometoNaviance

Magen Davids College Guidance Department is moving into the 21st Century with the introduction of Family ConnectionfromNaviance,awebbasedcollegeprogramdesignedespeciallyforstudentsandparents.Naviancewill allowMagenDavidtosecurelytransmitdocumentselectronically,whichwillspeedupdeliveryandtrackingofcollege applicationmaterials;therebyreducingpostalcostsandincreasingthetimelinessandreliabilityofdocumentsbeing receivedbythecolleges.

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Naviancewillberolledoutoverthenextfewmonthsbygrade,startingfirstwiththeClassof2013.Seniorsinthe Classof2013mustuseNaviancetoapplytocollege.Thisdocumentwillwalkyouthroughthestepsneededtoapply to college using Naviance. Additionally, your teachers and counselor will also be able to submit your recommendationforms,lettersofrecandtranscriptsthroughNaviance.

BelowarethestepbystepdirectionstoassistyouwiththisprocessofloggingintoNavianceFamilyConnectionfor thefirsttime.

NavianceFamilyConnectionisontheWeb
Gotohttp://connection.naviance.com/magendavidyhs Seniors will register with your email address and registration code. Students will receive their registration codeinschoolfirst.Seniorparentswillreceivetheirregistrationcodesviaemailinthenexttwoweek.

OnceyouareloggedintoNaviance,clickontheCollegesTab.ClickonthelinktocollegesIamapplyingtoandyou willthenenterinthecolleges.IfyouareapplyingtoacollegethatutilizestheCommonAppfollowthedirections below.Moredetailedinstructionswillbecomingoutinthenextweeks.

ToLinkyouCommonApptoNaviance
1. CreateaCommonAppaccountthroughwww.commonapp.org 2. KeepyourCommonAppusernameandpasswordhandy,becauseyouwillneedittolinktoyourNaviance account(probablyagoodideatokeepyourNavianceandCommonApploginallthesame!)

YouarenowreadytologintoyourNavianceaccount
1. LogintoNaviance 2. GototheCollegestabandclickonCollegesIamapplyingtothefirstscreenthatpopsupisthescreen regardingyourrights(pleasereaditandanswerthequestion.)Thisisalsowhereyouwillbepromptedtogive yourCommonAppusernameandpassword. 3. ClickonAddtothislistandgotoLookup 4. UsetheSearchOptionstofindthenameoftheCollege(s)youareapplyingtoandselectthecollegeonce youhavecompletedyourlist,clickonAddColleges 5. YouwillnowberedirectedtotheCollegesIamapplyingtopageandyoushouldseealistofyourcolleges, includingalicktoeachcampusaswellasinformationaboutsubmittingtheapplication. 6. GotoHaveyouAppliedandupdatethedeadlineinfo(i.e.RegularDecision,EarlyAction)andthebesureto clickonUpdateatthebottomofthepage 7. GobacktotheCommonAppandfilloutyourapplications(andsupplements,iftheyhaveany)andsubmit. ForthoseschoolsthatdonotaccepttheCommonApp,justapplythoughtheirwebsite.

Sendingrequeststoyourteachers/counselorPleasebesureyouhavespokentothemfirstabouta recommendationandpleasegivethemtimetosubmittherecommendation.
1. OntheCollegesIamapplyingtopage,youwillseeasectioncalledTeacherRecommendations 2. SelectAdd/cancelrequestsitwilltakeyoutoalistofourteachersthatwillbesubmittingthroughNaviance. Findyourteachersandclickontheirnameyoucanalsoincludealittlepersonalnotetothemaswell.Itwill alsorecordyourrequestinyourNavianceaccountandsendyouaconfirmationtoyourNavianceaccount whenyourrecshavebeensubmitted. 3. Ifyourteachers/counselorsarenotlisted,youcanjustprintoutyourpreparedformsandbringthosetothem, togetherwithstamped,addressedenvelopes.

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CUNY Admission Profile: Freshman - Fall 2012

GENERAL Mean GPA
FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES
Baruch College Brooklyn College The City College of New York The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education College of Staten Island Hunter College John Jay College of Criminal Justice Lehman College Medgar Evers College * New York City College of Technology * Queens College York College 89.1 87.9 89.2 96.0 87.1 88.7 83.7 86.0 76.4 77.5 87.5 82.8 1265 1156 1177 1275 1106 1220 964 1043 795 855 1150 902 28 25 26 28 24 27 20 22 16 18 25 19 93.4 93.7 94.9 93.9 94.0 90.7 93.8 1417 1430 1426 1279 1426 1349 1391 32 32 32 29 32 30 31 86.4 80.8 84.2 73.6 86.4 79.5 83.9 72.3 73.0 85.0 75.3 1085 920 956 804 1049 769 890 761 811 917 784 24 19 20 17 22 16 18 16 17 19 16

MACAULAY HONORS COLLEGE

(comp)

SEEK/COLLEGE DISCOVERY Mean GPA Mean SAT

(CR + M) (comp)

Mean SAT
(CR + M)

ACT

Mean GPA

Mean SAT
(CR + M)

(comp)

ACT

ACT

COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Borough of Manhattan Community College Bronx Community College Hostos Community College Kingsborough Community College LaGuardia Community College The New Community College Queensborough Community College

75.1 75.1 75.6 76.1 75.6 74.1 75.4

70.8 70.8 70.9 71.1 70.9 71.2

Includes students admitted to Macaulay Honors College. The mean SAT score only includes Critical Reading and Mathematics. *Based on students admitted to both associate and bachelors degree programs. Based on the first step of a three step admission review process.

www.cuny.edu/undergraduate