![[Past Event] There’s Still Time to Apply to College](https://newarknclc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Untitled-design-7.png)
[Past Event] There’s Still Time to Apply to College
Newark Grad Uses Strong Decision-Making Skills for Success in College and Beyond
NCLC Student on the Move: William Ukoh
William Ukoh, Newark, NJ
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Engineering
YLSP Cohort 1
It was only a few years ago that William arrived from Nigeria to start his sophomore year of high school in Newark, New Jersey. As a new student in a new country, he faced many challenges including fitting in and determining his purpose. William said, “as a kid, I would always do what my parents wanted and move on.” His only goal at the time was to go to school, get good grades and settle in. Through his participation, William gained critical decision-making skills.
As William began to adjust to school, he made friends and started getting involved in activities like wrestling. In addition, his curiosity and interest led him to apply to the Newark City of Learning Collaborative’s (NCLC) college access and preparation program, Youth Leadership and Success Project (YLSP). Through YLSP, William and the other students in his cohort were able to learn more about the college application process, meet advisors/educators, participate in social justice-based initiatives, and gain insight into the college experience.
This experience was exactly what William needed at the time. “YLSP was the first program that I attended and one that I will never forget. It really taught me about the college life and about being a good person in general. I see things very differently now,” said William. By getting early exposure to college, William and his peers were able to work on projects and assignments that would best prepare them to make decisions for college, and in general. Through various modules and reflection opportunities, William was able to gain greater insight into what he was most looking forward to in college, why, and how to get there.
Participating in YLSP not only helped William sharpen his social and leadership skills, but it also helped him determine his purpose and goals in life. William said, “The future I’m trying to build isn’t for my parents, it’s for me. This is something that I have to create and the only way that can happen is if I put in the effort and take my life seriously.” Through his active participation in the YLSP program, William became more aware of the steps he needed to take to achieve the goals he has set for himself.
The YLSP program offered William many resources including support through the college application process. William spent some time ranking his top college choices, researching what they had to offer, and planning how to apply and afford his education. William started his college journey at Rutgers University-Newark undecided but after deciding on his major of Civil Engineering, he needed to make an important decision. He was either to transfer to Rutgers University-New Brunswick to pursue his career or transfer to New Jersey Institute of Technology. After evaluating his options and referencing the decision-making skills he practiced in YLSP, he decided to transfer to New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) because it was closer to home and more affordable for him.
His journey at NJIT began virtually during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but William is now transitioning back to in-person classes. One of his biggest challenges since starting college was his responsibility to do things independently. Between coordinating his commute and balancing challenging classes, William still refers to all the lessons that his family and the Youth Leadership and Success Project (YLSP) taught him. William is now looking to get involved in the Wrestling Club at NJIT and credits his experience in YLSP for his interest in staying involved and active.
NCLC recognizes the value that YLSP and other student support programs bring to students who are looking to pursue college. Our aim is that all students from Newark gain the opportunity to access and complete post-secondary education. We hope to inspire more Newark students like William and instill confidence and readiness for their college experience.
“I am most proud of myself for not giving up, not being lazy and not trying to find excuses to not do something,” says William. His desire for Newark Students is for them to understand that going to college is a choice they make for themselves, and for no one else. If students decide to go to college, they must uphold the accountability that it requires for them to be a successful student. “College is there for you, but you have to be the one to ask for help and take initiative.”
College Application Process: Dates to Remember
When should I start applying for college?
So many deadlines, so little time.
We at the Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) understand that there are many important dates to remember when applying to college, especially because every college has its own set of deadlines. Many colleges also have multiple application options to choose from, each with its own due date. Therefore, it is important that you know the unique information for each college to which you plan to apply.
According to College Board, there are two different application processes to be aware of: early admission and regular decision. If you are certain of your top choice(s), early admission may be the right choice for you. It may give you a better chance to get accepted; however, you will not be able to compare admission or financial aid offers from multiple schools. If you want more time to select the right college, compare admission or financial aid packages, or give yourself another semester of grades to use towards your application, then regular decision is the way to go.
Here are the options and the requirements for each process:
EARLY ADMISSION
- Deadlines range from October to November of senior year.
- Three types:
- Early Decision
- You can apply to only one school; this option is binding, meaning if you are accepted and offered enough financial aid, you must attend.
- Some schools offer Early Decision I and Early Decision II.
- Early Action
- You can apply to more than one school; this option is not binding.
- Single-Choice Early Action
- You can apply early to only one school, however you are allowed to apply regular decision to other colleges.
- You do not have to decide to attend until spring.
- Early Decision
REGULAR DECISION
- Deadlines range from January to February of senior year.
- There is nothing binding about a regular decision application.
- You gain more time to find the right college for you and compare financial aid packages.
- You add another semester of grades to your application, which may help especially if it helps highlight improvement over the course of your academic career.
Every college has different deadlines and options, so be sure to check the websites of each of your top choices to gather all the information you need. NCLC is here to support and assist you throughout the application process. Contact us at nclc.info@newark.rutgers.edu if you have any questions. Good luck this fall and beyond!
The Newark of City Learning Collaborative Celebrates Spring 2021 Rutgers University-Newark Dual Enrollment Students
On June 17, 2021, the Newark City of Learning Collaborative (NCLC) hosted a celebratory event to recognize the achievements of Newark high school students who participated in the Dual Enrollment program during the Spring 2021 semester.
About Dual Enrollment
For the past three years, NCLC has hosted a districtwide Dual Enrollment at Rutgers University–Newark, in cooperation with the School of Arts and Sciences-Newark (SASN), and the School of Public Affairs and Administration-Newark (SPAA). In line with NCLC’s strategic direction, Dual Enrollment has been embraced as one of several critical approaches to help to build Newark’s college-going culture. This approach directly stems from the eight actionable recommendations in NCLC’s Post-Secondary Outcomes of Newark High School Graduates report—specifically recommendations five and six: increase access to rigorous coursework; and increase family engagement in the college-going process.
Dual Enrollment has been shown to lead to better student achievement at the secondary level, as well as to increased post-secondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Dual Enrollment can improve academic outcomes, particularly for low-income, first-generation students. These students are also more likely to complete their studies and graduate with less debt than their peers who enter college with no prior credits earned.
Through NCLC’s Dual Enrollment program, high school students from the Newark Public Schools District, Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, Opportunity Youth Network (LEAD Charter School), People’s Prep Charter School and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School take a college course to earn college credit while pursuing their high school diploma. The University offers a reduced credit rate to participating schools, as well as waives all campus fees so that students and families can participate fee-free.
“We are tremendously grateful to both our RU-N and high school partners, all of whom work diligently to ensure the success of this initiative, and of every student enrolled. We are also proud of our students for challenging themselves by enrolling in college-level courses while still in high school, and especially for the resilience they showed by doing so in the face of an already difficult year” said Danielle Cohen, NCLC Strategic Partnerships Manager.
Virtual Celebration
Our virtual celebration included special guests Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor, Dean Jacqueline Mattis from the School of Arts and Sciences, and Dean Charles Menifield from the School of Public Affairs and Administration to share some congratulatory remarks.
“You now have a new social capital network of mentors and support from Rutgers-Newark, from you high school— and those will be there no matter where you decide to go to college,” said Chancellor Cantor.
Dual Enrollment has been a great opportunity for students to experience what it is like to be a college student before they step foot on campus. Our Student Speaker, a 12th Grader at Central High School who took the Environmental Disasters course, remarked:
“Taking a class through the Dual Enrollment program made me feel ready, more than ever, to start my college classes in the fall.” Although she was hesitant to take the Environmental Disasters course at first, she ended up learning plenty and enjoying it. She had some challenges adjusting at first but was able to quickly adapt and make the necessary changes to be successful in the course.
“I might have made some errors while I was in the program, but all these mistakes not only prepared me for my college life, but they also prepared me to be a great student because I won’t be repeating any of the mistakes I made,” she concluded.
Recognizing All Dual Enrollment Students
“NCLC is proud of our 2021 Dual Enrollment participants. Each demonstrated a ‘college-going mindset,’ in choosing to register for RU-N courses. Dual Enrollment increases the likelihood of students seeing college as the next step in their pathway to success. And, early exposure makes a difference,” said Robyn Brady Ince, NCLC Executive Director.
A total of seventy-five high school students registered for the Spring 2021 Dual Enrollment initiative. All the students – whether or not they completed the semester – should be proud of what they accomplished during this challenging year. Attempting a college-level course while still in high school is a tremendous achievement!
Congratulations to all our Dual Enrollment students. If you are interested in learning more about the NCLC Dual Enrollment initiative, please contact us here.
Four Ways to Balance Academics and Extracurricular Activities This Fall
Back-to-school is a very busy time of the year. Students are meeting their teachers and classmates for the first time, they’re adjusting to their classes and coursework, and they are also discovering extracurricular activities they want to participate in.
Extracurricular activities are a great way to feel as part of something. Whether it’s joining an after-school club, band, sports team, or serving the community, adding an extracurricular activity can be a bit intimidating but rewarding. If you are looking for tips on how to balance extracurricular activities while excelling in school, you’ve come to the right place.
Below we’ve outlined four ways to balance extracurricular activities and school this fall.
1-Develop a Schedule
Having a schedule will be key to your time management. Create a daily, weekly, and/or monthly schedule with all your commitments including school assignments, events, activities, deadlines, etc. Having this visible on your calendar will help you know what’s on your plate and will prevent you from overbooking yourself. You will also be able to set reminders for your upcoming events and develop a healthy routine that works for you. The better you manage your time and follow your schedule, the more fun you will find in your extracurricular activities.
2-Set Your Priorities
Regardless of the length of your to-do list, remember that school comes first. Academics is a foundational part of your growth. As you review your deadlines, events, and due dates, always prioritize all the things related to school. These are commitments that come first as you aim to grow in your career path. Once you’ve prioritized school, you can then prioritize the rest of your activities in the order you see fit. Remember to make yourself a priority too. Self-care time is essential to recharge and be prepared for the next task at hand.
3-Be Selective
There are so many extracurricular activities to choose from. Be sure to review all your choices and pick the one(s) that interests you the most. Avoid committing to more than you can handle. Give yourself a few months to practice and master an extracurricular activity. If you see no progress or lack of interest, you are fine to try a different one. Do not be afraid to be selective as it requires time and energy to commit to something.
4-Ask for Help or Say ‘No’
The most important part of maintaining a balance between school and extracurricular activities is asking for help and knowing your limits. If you are overbooked or overwhelmed, it is okay to ask for assistance. If you are leading a project, delegate your tasks and check in for progress. You do not need to do everything yourself. Remember to put your health (mental and emotional) first. Get enough rest, recharge, and set your boundaries. This will always allow you to put your best work forward.
Balance is Key
Balancing school and extracurricular activities is no easy task, but a very rewarding one. Consider the four recommendations above. Adding an extracurricular activity to your schoolwork will help you manage your time wisely and improve your people skills. Be selective in your activities and don’t be afraid to set your boundaries. Being productive in and out of the classroom will make you a well-rounded individual! Good luck this fall and beyond.