INFO FOR 11G FAMILIES & STUDENTS 

The keyword for 11th grade when it comes to college & career is preparation. This is the year during which students gather evidence of their successes and prepare the materials that make up a complete application for their post-high school pathways; it is also the year when students truly engage in reflecting, researching, and eventually identifying an initial list of specific colleges or career options that fit them.

In the spring of their 11th grade year, ICE students will (1) gather and prepare drafts of the primary materials considered in a college or career program application (2) an initial list of post-high school pathways that fit their individual goals and needs. A full timeline of 11th grade tasks is included below, which we encourage you to review.

To help you and your students understand priorities for the fall, Wali and I are also hosting a virtual 11th grade “kick off” on October 11th @ 6:30 PM. This will be a brief introduction to focus areas for 11th grade fall and what to expect for future planning over the course of the year. Zoom link will be sent out prior.

One of the topics I get questions about the most for 11th grade is standardized testing, specifically the SAT and ACT, which are exams that can be used as one part of a student’s college application. Students typically take the exam of their choice, either the SAT or ACT, throughout their 11th grade year, often beginning in the spring semester (first exam date in Feb or April for the ACT, March for the SAT). A complete, very detailed overview of all things SAT and ACT is included here (on the “Standardized Testing page of the ICE website) - I recommend you review it for all your testing questions!

11G Future Planning Kick Off!

A recording of our 11G Future Planning Kick Off Event is here!

11G Future Planning Checklist (Class of ‘25)

Fall (September - October):

  • Attend admissions Rep Visits as ICE. Rep Visits are small group opportunities for ICE students to meet with an admissions representative from a specific college or program. Visits are held throughout the school day. A list of upcoming visits is here. 

  • Attend at least 1 college or career exploration event to attend. Upcoming college fairs & events can be found here. These are a great way to begin to explore future options! We will also be sending out information soon for how students can attend the SUNY Fair with ICE on Friday, October 6th.

  • Attend Virtual 11G Kick Off with Molly & Wali on October 11th @ 6:30 PM. This event will provide an overview of what students can work on in the fall of 11th grade, and answer some frequently asked questions. Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date.

  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT at ICE on October 24th. More on the PSAT/NMSQT is in the student guide.

  • If you haven’t, fill out a school lunch form (here). It is necessary to have a lunch form on file verifying students qualify for free or reduced lunch for me to provide resources, such as fee waivers for SAT/ACT testing and college applications.

  • Use holidays or weekends to visit local colleges, travel to see campuses, or use virtual events and tours. Start in NYC or nearby! Here is a list of resources and suggested itineraries for in-person visits. Here are some other helpful documents for tours: 20 Questions to Ask, Tour Notes.

Winter (November - January):

  • Attend ICE 11th Grade Future Bound “getting started” workshops during literature class.

  • Sign up for spring SAT/ACT test dates. Details on testing dates and how to register for the SAT or ACT, resources for selecting SAT or ACT, and much more here. Fee waivers for exams can be picked up in the Future Pathways Office (Room 522B) for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch and have submitted their lunch form (above).

  • Continue to explore college and career options by attending college fairs, on campus tours, or other events (in person or virtual). 

  • Begin to add programs to your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list on Naviance.

Spring (February - June):

  • Attend ICE 11th Grade Future Planning Event (usually early February). This is the most important event of the 11th grade year and truly jumpstarts the college and career process for 11th graders.

  • Attend “Future Bound” class weekly with Molly during Cycle 3 & 4.

  • Attend an individual future planning meeting with Molly.

  • If planning to take the test, take your first standardized test (SAT in March, ACT in February or April) and take your second standardized test (SAT in May or June, ACT in April or June).

  • Attend 11th Grade Spring college campus visits with ICE. Details forthcoming!

  • Begin to discuss college affordability. Have a conversation about family finances, and how much money is available for college, and determine eligibility for opportunity programs. To prepare for aid, families should keep track of tax documents and other financial documentation for 2023 (for the class of 2025, financial documentation from the year 2023 is necessary). To apply for aid, it is often important to have your 2023 federal tax returns (1040). More info here.

  • Request interviews (either on campus or with an alum in NYC) at top choice colleges that recommend or offer interviews.

  • With the ICE Future Pathways Office: Draft an “Activities List” or Resume to be included in future applications.

  • With the ICE Future Pathways Office: Create a working college list of good fit college or career pathways.

  • With the ICE Future Pathways Office: Write a draft of a 650-word “personal statement” (main college essay).

  • With the ICE Future Pathways Office: Begin to request recommendation letters from ICE teachers + 1 counselor.

Optional Activities

  • For athletes: review your athletic plans and intended athletic division, prepare recruitment materials (e.g. statistics, video), discuss with your coach(es) your plan, and reach out to college coaches.

  • For students interested in specific visual arts, performing arts, or music programs: begin compiling a portfolio of artistic works, musical pieces, performances to share with college.

  • For students interested in one of the 5 military academies: the process starts early! Start a candidate profile, prepare to get a nomination from your senator or congressman, and get ready to “apply” for the nomination in April (West Point has a good breakdown here). 

Ongoing: 

  • Work on your academics at ICE! 11th grade is the last year included on the transcript sent to colleges, and is a great opportunity to show growth. To review a copy of your transcript so far for grades 9 & 10, email Molly or Wali.

  • Develop strong relationships with your 11th grade teachers, as these are the people writing your teacher recommendations.

  • Continue with and expand extracurricular activities and passions. Apply for leadership opportunities in existing organizations, explore hands-on work-based or research opportunities, or try something new! Opportunities are frequently shared in the weekly ICE dispenser.

  • Apply for and take College Now (FREE college-level coursework) to expand your interests outside of ICE. Spring College Now coursework applications typically open later in the fall, with the applications due in late November/December. When applications are released, students will receive notice over email and in advisory. More in College Now, here.

Upcoming College Fairs & Events

NACAC Fairs

  • When: Sept 10, Oct 15, & Nov 12  @ 1:00 - 6:00 PM

  • Where: Virtual

15th on the 15th - Liberal Arts College Fair & Tips

  • Sept 15, Oct 15, Nov 15 @ 9:45 - 11:00 AM

  • Where: Virtual

HBCU College Expo 

  • Sept 23 @ 10:00 - 4:00 PM

  • In Person, Medgar Evers College

NYSACAC Fair (Admissions reps specifically for NYC/NYS usually attend this one!)

  • Sept 27 @ 6:30 - 8:30 PM

  • In Person, Sarah Lawrence College (Bronxville, NY)

Citywide Council of Schools HBCU Event - Spelman & Tuskegee

  • Sept 27 @ 7:00 - 9:00 PM 

  • Virtual

Service Academy Flyer

  • Sept 27 @ 6:00 - 7:00 PM

  • Virtual

HBCUs, PWIs, and You 
Join us and connect directly with HBCU and PWI reps from across the country as they share real talk on selecting a college home that aligns with each student’s personality and college and career aspirations.

  • Oct 3 @ 8:00 PM

  • Virtual

SUNY In-Person College Fair (NYS Public Colleges Fair)

  • Oct 5 @ 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

  • In Person, Javits Center

The Whitney Museum College Art Fair (Art Colleges & Programs)

  • Oct 6 @ 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

  • In Person, at the Whitney Museum

Big Apple College Fair

  • Oct 8 @ 1:00 - 4:00 PM

  • In Person, Javits Center

The Real Tea on HBCUs and PWIs:
Want to know what college life is really like at HBCUs and PWIs? Students and their families can connect with current Black students who’ll spill the tea! Don't just hear it—experience it through their stories.

  • Oct 10 @ 8 PM 

  • Virtual

New York Public Library Fair 

  • Oct 23 @ 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

  • In Person at NYPL 

Architecture+Design Fair

  • Oct 28 @ 11:00AM - 3:00 PM

  • In Person at Center for Architecture

Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair

  • Nov 11 @ 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

  • In Person, Riverbank State Park

Other recurring events:

Other Helpful Resources & Links

Additional ICE Resources & Links for 11G:

College & Career Research Resources:

Additional Financial Aid Resources: