Breaking down the College Choice & Application Process
Student success begins and ends with you
We know you want the best for your student, and so do we! This time in their lives are exciting, but can also be a bit confusing as you start to plan for college.
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Explore our online resources, look through what we offer online for your student, and consider becoming involved as a parent volunteer with our program.
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If after exploring through our website you have questions, give us a call at 716-645-3800. We're happy to discuss the program and our goals with you and your family.
Some helpful links
Parent Toolkit is a one-stop resource developed with parents in mind. It’s produced by NBC News Education Nation and supported by Pearson and includes information about almost every aspect of your child’s development, because they're all connected. Healthy, successful children can excel in many areas – in the classroom, on the court, and in their relationships with peers and adults. Our advice also covers important topics for navigating life after high school.
Find out how you can help your child prepare for college, explore majors and careers, pay for college, and more with these easy to follow action plans.
Use this portal to keep track of your students grades, behavior, and attendance. Most teachers update it regularly!
Things to know for a successful Junior year:
Begin the conversation
Keep the lines of conversation open with your student. Ask them about the college visits they've been on with NYGEAR UP, or if they haven't joined us before encourage them to come on our visits this year. Ask about their interests and dreams for the future and start talking about their plans for where they hope to apply. Beyond that, you can always seek out our staff for help. Many of us were first generation college students too, and we are happy to talk to your family about the process.
Take the best classes for your goals
Every year of high school matters when it comes to applying to college. In order to be competitive for most 4-year colleges, students need to consider taking 4 years of English, math, and science. AP and IB courses help too. To get the most out of your 4 years, reach out to your college success center staff or your counselor.
Get involved
Learning more about the offerings available at the high school your child attends is a good first start. We also encourage you to begin to involve your student in the community. Colleges care about the things students are involved in outside of school.