INFO FOR 12G FAMILIES & STUDENTS

Welcome to 12th grade! During the fall of 12th grade, students work to complete and submit applications for college and career training programs! This is when students identify a finalized list of institutions they intend to apply to, complete remaining aspects of their applications, and submit these applications for consideration. This is also when students and families submit the forms used to assess and determine financial aid (FAFSA - the primary form used to apply for financial aid, TAP to apply for state aid, and CSS Profile for some private colleges).

After students apply, they will begin to hear responses from colleges, indicating if they’ve been accepted and what type of scholarship or financial aid they’ve received. Students typically hear from the colleges they’ve applied to any time before the beginning of April, depending on the college’s policy. By May 1, for students planning to apply college for the next year, students must have made commitment to the college they will attend!

End of Summer & September Tasks

Below is a list of items that 12G students should focus on for the beginning of the school year. A FULL CHECKLIST OF 12th Grade tasks (including a calendar of important dates, at the end) can be accessed by clicking the button!

  • Revise College Essay/Personal Statement from literature class, integrating comments from essay partners. A fully polished college essay is a crucial step for being ready for the fall. Students can submit an updated draft for feedback, via Google Classroom, before we return to school in early September. The final submission date is Sept 15.

  • Focus on researching colleges and career training options by attending virtual events, exploring online, and visiting in-person when available. Create a well-researched and balanced college list (9-12, 15 schools maximum). Remember to continue to update Naviance. A list of research tools is here; this is a spreadsheet for tracking applications + this is a Google Doc, depending on student preference.

    For those of you pursuing college after graduation, I recommend applying to around 9-12 total colleges, with at least 2-3 SUNY (State University) and up to 6 CUNY colleges (City Public).  A good rule of thumb is for students to apply to about 3-4 colleges from each category of a "reach" (admissions criteria is above student profile), "target" (admissions criteria at college is similar to student profile), and "likely" (student academic profile is above the college profile).

  • Study for SAT/ACT if you plan to retake in the fall of senior year. SAT Registration & dates here, ACT Registration here. The next SAT date you can register for is Oct 7 & Nov 4. The next ACT date is Oct 28. For students considering early application deadlines, October dates are recommended.

  • Visit (virtually or in person), interview, and communicate over email with top-choice colleges to show demonstrated interest. Here is a little more context database of which institutions consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions.  

  • Explore the Common App & Identify Supplements. As of August 1, the Common App, the primary application format used in college admissions will be updated for the Class of 2024 (you all). More on other application formats HERE. While we will have a lot of time to work on it together this fall, it can be helpful to explore the different sections, as well as begin to make a list of college-specific “supplemental” essays and requirements. More on how to find and write these additional essays here. In September, we will work on completing the Common App together.

  • Complete Counselor Rec Update Form. There was a Spring Counselor Update Form to share information with me that you want included in your counselor rec letter due at the end of June on Google Classroom. If you haven’t completed the form yet, it is available here: https://forms.gle/jVbvN6eBTnSTYj3z6 

  • Turn in your DOE School Lunch Form (available electronically at https://www.myschoolapps.com/) to qualify for college application fee waivers.

  • Memorize your Social Security Number, if you have one. This will be needed for applications and financial aid.

  • Sign up for & attend Rep Visits (small group college visits) at ICE.

  • Confirm & add any “outside” recommenders (add’l recs who are not ICE teachers). Unlike teachers at ICE, all “outside” recommenders must be added through the Common App. Instructions here (pg. 2-3).

  • Review the copy of your transcript provided and identify any errors. If you have taken College Now classes, make sure they have been submitted to Molly so they can be added to your transcript.

  • BY FRI, SEPT 29 at 11:59 PM -  Complete the “Early Deadline Commitment Form” (on Google Classroom). Follow the instructions to indicate if you are planning to apply for any programs that require an early or priority deadline. This will allow us to get your materials ready on time (if you do not submit this, we cannot be ready for you to apply early!).

12G Resources & Links

College & Career Exploration Resources:

ICE Application Resources:

Additional Financial Aid Resources:

Opportunity Program Information & “Fly-in Programs”:

News on the Recent SCOTUS Decision Regarding Race Conscious Admissions

Application Dates & Deadlines

Don’t forget! As you finalize your list, you must also research deadlines for each school or program and consider by which deadline you intend to apply. Many colleges offer the option to apply “early”, either through a binding Early Decision or non-binding Early Action plan. Early deadlines tend to be in November (there are a few in October), while “regular” deadlines are typically in late December & January. This document HERE explains the different types of college application plans, formats, & deadlines in detail.

It’s crucial you research deadlines closely. For example, some specific scholarship programs or arts programs, amongst others, may have earlier deadlines or portfolio/auditions due earlier than all the other programs at the college itself. 

Here are the important things you need to know about ICE’s internal deadlines & application policies:

Your applications must be completed at least 1 week in advance of the college’s actual published deadline. This is extremely important to avoid last-minute unexpected questions and inevitable website crashes, and it also helps the ICE College & Career Office ensure that supporting materials are received on time!

Key Internal Dates:

  • Friday, September 29: Deadline to submit Early Decision/Early Action/Priority Application Google commitment, which communicates to our office when you need your supporting application materials by. This is mandatory for students applying to ED/EA/or any other priority application.

  • Friday, October 20: Last day students applying ED/EA can make changes to the Naviance list for ED/EA applications.

  • Friday, December 1: ICE (Strongly) Recommended CUNY Deadline. For students applying to Macaulay Honors College, applications must be submitted by Nov 16.

  • Friday, December 15: ICE Final Deadline for review of any regular decision applications. Naviance accounts must be up-to-date with all colleges students are applying to, correct application formats, and deadlines by this date for the office to send materials.