Chancellor Carranza Announces 467 High Schools Participating in College Application Week

QUEENS – Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced a record-high 467 high schools are participating in College Application Week, a coordinated statewide week-long effort to support students in planning for, and applying to, college. The 467 schools will offer a range of activities, including college application sessions, college tours, and workshops to help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through a new partnership, seniors at 51 schools are receiving on-site support from CUNY admissions staff.

College Application Week runs from October 22 to October 26, and is part of College Access for All, a key initiative in the Mayor and Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda.

“As a first-generation college student, I came from a family that understood the importance of going to college but didn’t know about the college application and financial aid process. Through College Application Week and College Access for All, we are giving students the knowledge and resources they need to get to college and succeed there,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “We are putting our New York City students on the path to college and careers.”

“Through College Application Week and College Access for All, a record number of New York City students in all five boroughs are receiving the resources and support they need to pursue college and careers,” said Chief Academic Officer Linda Chen. “This year we are proud to have 467 schools join the effort to spread awareness and help set our students on the path to success.”

The 467 schools include 123 in the Bronx, 141 in Brooklyn, 107 in Manhattan, 83 in Queens, and 13 on Staten Island. College Application Week started in 2013 at just ten New York City schools, and was at 161 high schools in 2014. The Chancellor announced the record participation in College Application Week, and the new partnerships with CUNY and other colleges, at Queens Metropolitan High School, where seniors are working on their CUNY applications over the course of the week.

College Access for All is now reaching every middle and high school in New York City. Starting this school year, every high school will have the resources and supports for students to graduate with a college and career plan. More students will be equipped in knowing how to apply to college, pay for college, prepare for the SATs, as well as in exploring and selecting college and career pathways. The initiative has eliminated the CUNY college application fee for low-income students and made the SAT exam available free of charge during the school day for all high school juniors – increasing the number of juniors who took the SAT by 51 percent.

At the middle school level, starting this school year, every 7th-grader in New York City has an opportunity to visit a college campus. Approximately 70,000 7th-graders will be able to visit college campuses during the school year, and all 517 middle schools are engaging students and families in a schoolwide college and career culture.

"The college application process can be overwhelming for both students and parents alike. But the variety of resources offered during College Application Week can help provide much-needed guidance and support for students and their families,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “More than 80 Queens schools are taking part in this week's initiative, giving countless Queens students the help they need to find their dream school and pursue higher education.”

Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our schools are starting earlier – free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier – Universal Literacy so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra. They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, including Equity & Excellence for All: Diversity in New York City Public Schools are central to this pathway.