BTHS College Roadmap for Parents

The College Journey — A Guide for BTHS Parents

Brooklyn Technical High School · College Office: Room 5E9 · (718) 804-6400 Ext. 5770

Your child's path from junior year to college decision — in plain language
① Junior Year — Fall
    Sept–Oct
  • Take the PSAT (practice + scholarship qualifier)
  • Fill out the free/reduced lunch form — unlocks fee waivers
  • Attend college fairs and rep visits at school
    • Nov–Dec
  • Research colleges online; start visiting
  • PSAT scores arrive — use them for SAT prep
② Junior Year — Spring
    Jan–Feb
  • Attend Junior Information Night with your child
  • Create Overgrad account (school's tracking system)
  • Register for the spring SAT
    • Mar–May
  • Identify 2 teachers for recommendation letters
  • Begin drafting the college essay (personal statement)
  • Check financial aid eligibility on college websites
    • June–Aug
  • Visit campuses; narrow list to 10–15 schools
  • Common App opens August 1 — start building profile
③ Senior Year — Fall
    September
  • Attend Senior College Info Session
  • Link Common App to school's Overgrad system
  • Request fee waivers if eligible for free lunch
    • October
  • Submit Early Decision or Early Action apps (if applicable)
  • FAFSA opens — file immediately for best aid
  • CSS Profile required by some private schools
    • November
  • Finalize full college list in Overgrad by mid-November
  • Regular Decision apps begin
    • December
  • Early Decision/Action results arrive
④ Senior Year — Spring
    Jan–Feb
  • Mid-year transcript sent to all colleges
  • Visit accepted schools over February break
    • March–April
  • All decisions arrive by April 1
  • Compare financial aid packages
  • You can appeal for more financial aid
    • May 1
  • ⭐ DECISION DAY — commit to one school
  • Decline all other offers (required)
    • June–July
  • Complete Senior Exit Survey — triggers final transcript
  • Pay tuition deposit, register for orientation

The 3 Ways to Apply

  • Early Decision (ED) — Apply Nov 1–15, hear by Dec. Binding — your child MUST attend if accepted. Best for a clear first choice.
  • Early Action (EA) — Same timeline, not binding. Hear early, decide by May 1. No pressure.
  • Regular Decision (RD) — Apply by Jan 1, hear by April 1. Most students use this.

The Tests — SAT & ACT

  • SAT and ACT are standardized tests colleges use to compare students nationally
  • Your child can take either (or both) — colleges accept both equally
  • Free prep: Khan Academy at satpractice.org
  • BTHS school code: 330630
  • Many schools are now "test optional" — check each school's policy
  • Scores go directly from College Board/ACT to colleges — school does NOT send them

Building a Balanced List

  • Safety schools — Very likely to get in (and afford)
  • Match schools — Good fit academically and financially
  • Reach schools — Dream schools; less certain
  • Aim for 10–15 schools total
  • Use Overgrad "Scattergrams" to see where BTHS students got in historically
  • CUNY/SUNY are strong options — especially with NY state aid

Dates Every Parent Should Know

October (Senior Year)
FAFSA opens. File as early as possible — aid is first come, first served.
Early October (Senior)
Early Decision/Action form due at BTHS College Office. Notify counselor if applying early.
Mid-November (Senior)
Final college list locked in Overgrad. No additions or deletions after this date.
May 1 (Senior)
National Decision Day. Your child commits to one school and declines all others.

Financial Aid — Free Money First

FAFSA — Federal form. Opens October of senior year. Required for most aid. File immediately — don't wait until taxes are done.

TAP — New York State grant (up to $5,165/year). Applies only to NY colleges. File along with FAFSA.

Pell Grant — Federal grant (up to ~$6,200/year) for qualifying families. No repayment required.

Excelsior Scholarship — NY State covers remaining tuition at CUNY/SUNY after Pell + TAP, if income is under $125,000. Must take 30 credits/year to keep it.

What Parents Often Miss

CSS Profile — A separate financial aid form required by ~300 private colleges (Ivy League, etc.). Due earlier than FAFSA — check each school.

Net Price Calculator — Every college has one on its website. Plug in your income and get a real cost estimate before your child applies.

Aid packages can be appealed. If you receive a better offer from a comparable school, you can ask a college to match it. Your child's counselor can help.

Fee waivers: If your child qualifies for free/reduced lunch, application fees ($50–$90 each) can be waived. Fill out the lunch form early in junior year.

Terms You'll Hear — Plain English

Common App — One application form used by 1,000+ colleges. Your child fills it out once, sends to many schools.
Overgrad — BTHS's internal tracking system. Counselors use it to send transcripts. Your child must keep it updated.
SSR (Secondary School Report) — Sent by your child's counselor to every college. Includes transcript + counselor letter. You don't file this.
Waitlisted — Not accepted yet, but may get in if other students decline. Your child can send a letter of continued interest.
CUNY / SUNY — New York City's and New York State's public college systems. Excellent, affordable, strong financial aid available.
CSS Profile — Detailed financial form used by private colleges. More thorough than FAFSA. Costs $25 (fee waivers available).
Merit Aid — Scholarships based on grades/talent, not income. Many private schools offer these — even to families that don't think they qualify.
GPA — Grade Point Average. 4.0 = 95–100. Colleges also look at course difficulty (AP classes count more).
Source: BTHS College Handbook 2025–2026 · College Office Room 5E9 · (718) 804-6400 Ext. 5770 Last updated: April 2026