College Office College Counselor – 12th Grade Natiki Montano Natiki.Montano@democracyprep.org
College Access Instructor – 9th Grade Jenny Caruso Jenny.Caruso@democracyprep.org
College Counselor – 11th Grade Thomas Roberts Thomas.Roberts@democracyprep.org
Alumni Advisor Jessica Powell Jessica.Powell@democracyprep.org
9th Grade College Access The 9th Grade is currently working on creating Public Service Announcements that demonstrate the importance of effective communication between students and teachers at Bronx Prep. The purpose of this project is to educate the Bronx Prep community about the issues with communication that often take place between students and adults. Students will practice a communication skill called Solution-Oriented Communication in their videos. The best PSA will be shown at an upcoming Town Hall and at a Professional Development session for teachers.
10th & 11th Grade PSAT We are anxiously awaiting the results of the October 15th PSAT exam. These scores will reflect how our scholars will perform on the SAT and which areas they need more support in. Each 11th grader has received their own College Board SAT book. Read more about what 11th grade is up to on page 2.
Alumni Feature College Essay
Admissions
As our juniors & seniors are perfecting their college admissions essays, it helps to provide them with examples of exceptional work. Pamela Comlan, from Bronx Prep’s graduating class of 2014, had written such an essay. We hope sharing her work inspires scholars to write creatively and draw from a place of authenticity. Essay Excerpt
My first time seeing Superman remains engraved in my mind and has affected me more and more with the passage of time. He was the first character I emulated because just like him, I wanted to save the world. I attempted to fly by jumping from couch to couch, breaking clocks and vases to my parents’ dismay. They scolded me, punished me and grounded me, but the desire to be a heroine never dissipated within me. As I matured over the years and realized that Superman was merely a work of fiction, I was slightly disappointed but still determined to help the world. I began my mission with the people I knew: I hugged my sobbing little sister when she fell, comforted my distressed friends, and once even snuck a lost kitten into my family’s home despite my parents’ voiced disapproval.
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11th Grade College Access This fall, the 11th grade has been going strong on building their initial college lists on Naviance, reviewing SAT material, and learning to research colleges and majors. Naviance is a comprehensive, online college and career readiness program that helps connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals. Scholars have been tasked with developing a list of 50 schools that they have some interest in. As the year progresses, they will begin to weed out schools that do not present themselves as a good fit according to their academic profile, financial need and personal preferences.
Pictured Above: Shelsy Saenz, Danielle Miller, Attiyya Lopez and Bempa Ashia, who just completed a group research project and presentation for College Access
To supplement SAT review, we are also using a feature on Naviance called PrepMe. One of the benefits of PrepMe is that scholars can use this program at home and it is able to customize learning according to the strengths and weaknesses of test takers.
November Spring 2014 2016
I gradually became aware, however, of the existence of a foe that threatened my family, my community, and the entirety of the world. It appeared on the news, was discussed on the radio, and was printed in the newspapers. It was intangible and unpredictable. The opponent known as disease piqued my interest. It was fascinating and at the same time frightening to know that microscopic organisms could radically alter the health of a person. As I tried to learn more about diseases and their origins, I thought about Superman protecting people in his flowing red cape and saving the day. It occurred to me that doctors, in their white lab coats, make heroic discoveries that save many more lives than any fictional character. One needn’t fly in order to be a heroine. -Pamela Comlan, BP Class of 2014 Fordham University Class of 2018
12th Grade College Access Our 2015 graduating seniors are revving up for Colle g e Mail Ou t Day, Friday, November 21, 2014, a day we set aside to send out public college applications and give the Bronx Prep community an opportunity to celebrate our soon-to-be graduates with cheers, music, and other encouragement. The CUNY and SUNY applications have been the focus for the past few weeks, but they are also working diligently on Jorge R. Osorio Jr., Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Multicultural Recruitment, The College of their private college Saint Rose applications as well. While we all prepare for the upcoming holiday to give thanks for family, friends, and food, our seniors will also be thankful to have worked hard to complete most of their college applications and enjoy a well-deserved Thanksgiving break.
Important Dates! November 21st - College Mail Out Day December 13th - ACT Exam and Financial Aid Workshop January 1st - FAFSA Application for 2015 available February 7th - FAFSA Workshop 2