Get the Ticket to Your Future a Guide to College Opportunities for Paterson Students 2009-2010 Edition
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Get The Ticket To Your Future A Guide to College Opportunities for Paterson Students 2009-2010 Edition Name: ___________________ The College Guide was produced by the Communica- tions Academy at John F. Kennedy High School in Pater- son, New Jersey in cooperation with the Paterson Educa- tion Fund and The Herald News. Editorial Staff of the College Guide Amena Choudhury, Jessica Darden, Immanuel De La Cruz, Noemi Figuerora, Jhoana Flores, O’Janae Foxworth, Nashon Harris, Kenneth Hernandez, Paterson students check out Marist College in Poughkeep- Karina Hidalgo, Twaneice Holmes, sie, NY during a campus tour made possible by the Paterson Thaherun Miah, Natalie Rivera, Education Fund. Eileen Rosario, Karima Smith, Kaylee Torres Special thanks to Andrew Corniel, JFK Table of Contents sophomore and Kenneth Hernandez, JFK senior, for the illustration and design of the college guide front and back covers. page...3 Why go to college? Adviser: Lories Nye-Slockbower page...4 & 5 Timelines for college Special thanks to: Irene Sterling, Anna Villalongo, page...6 & 7 How to prepare for college Rosie Grant, and Paterson Education Fund, The Herald page...8 & 9 College admission tests News, Bob Konig, JFK Acting Principal Joseph An- page...10 Helps for disabled students driulli, and graphic arts teacher, Mr. Peita Anastasio, page...11 Bilingual students meet success all Communication Academy teachers: Mary DeMoor, page...12 & 13 How to choose a college Amy DiStascio, Erica Sadowsky, Luis Delgado, Paul page...14 & 15 New Jersey colleges Hazuda and Cheryl Kraphol. Also, Kristen Heller, JFK guidance counselor. page...16 Historically Black Colleges Additional thanks to the funders of this project: Ger- page...17 Two-Year colleges aldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Schuman Fund for NJ page...18 Financial Aid and Washington Mutual Foundation. page...19 NJ Stars, EOF Articles represent the views of students authors. page...20 Beginning the college journey Responses/inquiries welcome. The Communications page...21 Study aboard and internships Academy can be contacted at (973)321-0500, Ext. page...22 Military choices 50262, or JFK High School, 61-127 Preakness Ave. Pat- erson NJ, 07522. page...23- Adult learners The Paterson Education Fund can be contacted at pages..24-25 Student profiles 152 Market St., Paterson NJ, 07505, (973)881-8914 or page...26 Keeping track of your scores on the web at www.Paterson-Education.org page...27 College application checklist 2 Why go to college? “I want to live a successful life in the future.”...JFK Graduate Jhoana Flores “When I go to college, I want to learn more, “I want to go to college to have a be someone and be successful in life. I want better job and a solid future.”...JFK to make a difference for the younger kids”... Graduate Amena Choudhury JFK senior Kenneth Hernandez Salaries of Professionals Paramedic(EMT) $27,070 Writer/Editor $46,990 Personal Financial Advisor $32.340 Public Relations Specialist $47,350 Musician $37,881 Electrical Engineer $49,120 Journalist $33,470 Architect $49,780 Graphic Designer $35,000 Computer Programmer $49,928 Economist $35,752 Software Designer $53,396 Social Worker $37,480 Nurse $57,676 Electrician $39,510 Lawyer $52,280 Marketing/Sales Rep. $40,161 Information Systems Manager $62,500 Physical Therapist Assistant $41,360 Financial Analyst $66,590 Chemist $41,506 College professor $69,911 Human Resources Manager $41,680 Executive/MBA $85,230 Teacher $43,580 Dentist $136,960 Accountant $43,731 General Physician $141,912 “I want to further my educa- “I want to make money, to make tion. As they say, high school a better life and support my fam- is different from college so I ily when they get older. Right want to experience the college now I am nowhere near prepared life.”...JFK senior Twaneice for college. But my career goal Holmes is to be a lawyer”...JFK senior Neomi Figueroa 3 Ninth Grade Tenth Grade -As soon as you can, meet with your counselor to begin talking Fall about colleges and careers. -In October, take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholar- -Make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate college-prepa- ship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for practice. When you fill ratory or tech-prep courses. out your test sheet, check the box that releases your name to -Get off to a good start with your grades. The grades you earn colleges so you can start receiving brochures from them. in ninth grade will be included in your final high school GPA and -Ask your guidance counselor about the American College class rank. Testing program’s PLAN (Pre-ACT) assessment program, which -College might seem a long way off now, but grades really do helps determine your study habits and academic progress and count toward college admission and scholarships. interests. This test will prepare you for the ACT Assessment -Explore your interests and possible careers. Take advantage of next year. Career Day opportunities. -Take geometry if you have not already done so. Take biology -Get involved in extracurricular activities (both school and non- and a second year of a foreign language. school-sponsored). -Become familiar with general college entrance requirements. -Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. -Participate in your school’s or state’s career development Continue or begin a savings plan for college. activities. -Look at the college information available in your counselor’s office and school and public libraries. Use the Internet to check Winter out college Web sites. -Discuss your PSAT score with your counselor. -Tour a nearby college, if possible. Visit relatives or friends -The people who read college applications aren’t looking just who live on or near a college campus. Check out the dorms, go for grades. Get involved in activities outside the classroom. to the library or student center, and get a feel for college life. Work toward leadership positions in the activities that you like -Investigate summer enrichment programs. best. Become involved in community service and other volunteer activities. -Read, read, read. Read as many books as possible from a “College is the gate comprehensive reading list. to my future. Once -Work on your writing skills—you’ll need them no matter what it’s open and I’ve you do. walked through -Find a teacher or another adult who will advise and encour- it, I’ve succeeded age you to write well. greatness and I’m on my way to my Spring dreams. People who -Keep your grades up so you can have the highest GPA and have an education, a class rank possible. very high one, show -Ask your counselor about postsecondary enrollment options they have character and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. and self-respect. I -Continue to explore interests and careers that you think you was born with spina might like. bifida and people -Begin zeroing in on the type of college you would prefer thought I wouldn’t (two-year or four-year, small or large, rural or urban). get anywhere in my -If you are interested in attending a military academy, such as life, but I did. Why West Point or Annapolis, now is the time to start planning and stop my plan to get getting information. to college? I can go -Search college web sites for their academic requirements on wherever my heart and mind wishes. There’s admission. nothing stopping me here.”...Ivette Alicea, -Visit a few more college campuses. Read all of the mail you John F. Kennedy freshman receive from colleges. You may see something you like. -Attend college fairs. -Consider taking SAT Subject Tests in your best subject. 4 Eleventh Grade Twelfth Grade Fall Fall -Keep working on your grades. Make sure you have taken the -Sign up and take the PSAT/NMSQT. In addition to National courses necessary to graduate in the spring. Merit Scholarships, this is the qualifying test for the National -To male students: you must register for selective service on Scholarship Service and National Hispanic Scholar Recognition your 18th birthday to be eligible for federal and state financial Program. aid. -Make a list of colleges that meet your most important crite- -Talk to counselor and parents about your final college choices. ria (size, location, distance from home, majors, academic rigor, -Check resource books, computer programs, and your guidance housing, and cost). Continue visiting college fairs. office for information on scholarships and grants. -Speak to college representatives who visit your high school. -Give recommendation forms to the teachers you have chosen. -If you are interested in one of the military academies, talk to -Register for and take the ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests, as your guidance counselor necessary. -Mail or send electronically any college applications for early- Winter decision admission by November 1. -Collect information about college application procedures, -Print extra copies of every application you send. entrance requirements, tuition and fees, room and board costs, course offerings, faculty composition, accreditation, and finan- cial aid. Winter Apply for PIN # for FAFSA -Discuss your PSAT score with your counselor. - -Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). -Begin narrowing down your college choices. Find out if the This form can be obtained from your guidance counselor or at colleges you are interested in require the SAT, ACT, or SAT II http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to download the forms or to file elec- Subject Tests for admission. tronically. These forms may not be processed before January 1. -Have a discussion with your parents about the colleges in -Mail or send electronically any remaining applications and which you are interested. Examine financial resources, and financial aid forms before winter break. Make sure you apply to gather information about financial aid.