College Transfer Advising

The College Transfer Office (CTO) has a number of goals, including:

• encouraging BHSEC students to be well-informed, confident, and ambitious when considering their transition from BHSEC to to four-year colleges;
• educating four-year colleges about our unique program; and
• educating students and parents about the college search and application process, including applying for financial aid, and helping students navigate these processes.

In Manhattan, the CTO office is located in room 406 and is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Queens, the CTO office is located in room 631 and is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Student Resources

The CTO offers the following resources for students:

• College guide books, DVDs, course catalogues, and brochures
• SAT & ACT materials and study guides, including fee waivers for eligible students
• Scholarship & financial aid information
• Computers for college research and applications
• A variety of programs, such as college information sessions, reduced cost test prep, meetings for parents and students, opportunities to visit colleges, and the CTO advising program for Year 1 and 2 students.

The Advising Process

Ninth and Tenth Grade

While the CTO is not a major part of students'  first two years at BHSEC, the PTA and CTO conduct several early college awareness meetings for 9th and 10th grade parents and students. We urge families to attend at least one of these 9th and 10th grade CTO meetings each year to become acquainted with the college process ahead. Formal CTO advising begins in the spring of Year 1.

In order to prepare for the college process, 9th and 10th grade students are encouraged to consider the following:

1. Grades: Grades are generally considered to be the most important component of the college application, and for this reason students should make efforts to do their best work beginning in the ninth grade.
2. Extra-curricular activities: Colleges are impressed by students with an active interest apart from school work, particularly someone who has focused on one or two interests in a serious and sustained way. In contrast, an applicant who has hundreds of seemingly empty hours of community service or is in numerous clubs for the sake of "looking good on paper" is less attractive. You may wonder how admissions officers would know the difference, but trust us-they do! Admissions officers also have great respect for students who work or have considerable responsibilities at home.
3. PSATs: 10th grade students have the option to take the PSAT in October. Students are required to take the PSAT in October of Year 1.
4. SATs: 9th and 10th grade students, who are strong in U.S. and World History, should consider taking the corresponding SAT subject tests in June. Since students are able to choose which SAT scores are sent to colleges-as of February 2009-this option is particularly attractive. Click here to learn more about the SATs and ACTs.

Year 1

The formal CTO advising process begins in the spring of Year 1 when students are assigned a CTO advisor and are scheduled for weekly college advisory meetings. College advisories help students with the college application process, from staying on top of deadlines to searching for colleges, to writing college essays and understanding financial aid.

Year 1 Simon's Rock Trip

In the late spring, students attend a multi-day retreat to Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The retreat is reported to be a BHSEC highlight. Alumni frequently enquire about volunteering as trip chaperones. Students stay in the Simon's Rock dormitories, take intensive academic mini-courses, participate in a mock admissions exercise and college essay peer-review, and visit a variety of four-year institutions-small, large, public and private. The 2008 Year 1 Simon's Rock trip included visits to Williams, Bennington, Rensselaer Polytechnic, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Brandeis, Boston University, and SUNY Purchase.

Year 2

In the fall of Year 2, the college transfer advising process is in full swing. Students meet weekly with their CTO advisory group as well as one-on-one with their CTO advisors. In individual meetings, advisors assist students in selecting colleges, honing essays, and work through myriad concerns as they arise. The weekly CTO advisory meetings help students manage the many time sensitive components of the application process and also address topics such as financial aid, essays, interviews, scholarships, and other opportunities.

Year 2 Parent-CTO Meetings

Several evening CTO meetings are conducted for parents of Year 1 and 2 parents to address the application and advising process, deadlines, standardized tests, credit transfer issues, financial aid, and more.

Activities

College Information sessions

Each fall, admissions officers, from over fifty colleges and universities host information sessions in the CTO. Meeting with admissions representatives is both an excellent way for students to find out about colleges, and for colleges to learn about our students. Year 1 and 2 students are encouraged to attend as many of these sessions as possible, even if only for a portion of a session. Students can simply come to the CTO at the scheduled time. However, if there is a conflict, students must speak with teachers as soon as they can to make other arrangements. A minimum of two class periods notice is required. It is up to individual teachers whether or not a student can miss class, or a portion thereof.

Policy for attending info sessions:
Year 1 Students: Y1 student cannot miss classes to attend college information sessions.
Year 2 Students: Y2 students can request permission to miss class, or a portion of class, a minimum of two class periods, but preferably 24-hours, in advance. Ultimately, it is up to the teacher whether or not a student can miss the class, and students should only request this for colleges in which they are keenly interested.

College Fairs

Each year in May, Year 1 students attend a college fair to acquaint themselves with different colleges and universities. Last year, BHSEC students attended the Unique NYC College Fair. There are also several free city-wide fairs that are publicized in the College Notes.

College Notes

The CTO publishes College Notes that are distributed in weekly Year 1 and Year 2 CTO advisories and include information about scholarships, upcoming deadlines, college overnight and diversity programs, college fairs, and more. Scholarship information is also posted under "Financial Aid and Scholarships."

Student Services Site (SSS)

The SSS is an essential piece of the CTO. It contains a database of BHSEC college acceptances and is also where Year 2 students submit various forms and information necessary to complete their college applications. The SSS is accessible by password only. Students receive these in the spring of Year 1. Click here to access the SSS.

College Trips

Periodically, the CTO coordinates day-trips to colleges for 10th grade, Year 1, and Year 2 students. Trips generally cost $25 and include a tour, information session and lunch. Financial assistance is available for eligible students. Details about trips and financial aid will be announced by email and in advisories. For the Year 1 Simon's Rock trip, scroll up to the Year 1 section of this page.