College Support by Grade

9TH GRADE

First-year students are encouraged to get involved in extra-curricular activities, including clubs, sports and community service, to enhance their high school experience and gain valuable experience with leadership, problem-solving and teamwork.

Incoming students should visit the Athletics page for a full list of HSMSE sports teams, and the Clubs page for a list of current clubs. Club signup begins a few weeks after the start of each academic year.

Students are expected to complete 100 hours of community service before gradation, so we recommend starting during the first year. Visit the Community Service page for links to local volunteer opportunities.

10TH GRADE

Sophomores should focus on being a student and participating in clubs, sports, and community service. They should also think about their academic path at HSMSE and summer opportunities.

HSMSE registers all 10th grade students for the PSAT in the fall (typically October). The test is held during the school day at Baskerville Hall. There is a cost, but a fee waiver can be requested. Many students prepare for and/or take the SAT or ACT during the summer after sophomore year. For more information about testing support, visit our Standardized Testing page.

11TH GRADE

Junior year marks the beginning of the college research and application process. The college counselor kicks off the process with a “Junior Journey” presentation for parents and students at the November PTA meeting. (The meeting is held virtually in the evening; check the HSMSE calendar for dates.)

By the end of 11th grade, students should have a preliminary list of colleges and be prepared to start working on the common app essay over the summer. To support students throughout the year, the College Office provides the following resources:

Counselor Meetings

Beginning in February, juniors meet individually with the college counselor to discuss their interests, review their academic progress, and receive guidance in the college application process.

College Workshops

During the midday elective periods, juniors attend workshops on the elements of the college application process. Topics include: The College Timeline, How to use Overgrad (HSMSE’s application platform), Introduction to the Common App, Financial Aid Overview, and Essay Writing Support.

Newsletter

The College Office shares the College Corner newsletter through students’ HSMSE emails. The College Corner provides students with up-to-date information, support, reminders and important dates about the college process.

College Visits

Throughout the school year, HSMSE hosts information sessions on campus with colleges and universities from across the country; most are scheduled midday during the elective periods. The college visit schedule is communicated in the College Corner newsletter and reminders are sent the day before to the students’ HSMSE emails.

Juniors can also register for a free trip to a nearby college during a school day in the spring semester. Recent visits have included the University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore, Stony Brook University, Villanova, Princeton, College of New Jersey, Vassar, RIT, Yale, and Quinnipiac.

College Fair

HSMSE partners with A. Philip Randolph High School to offer students the opportunity to attend a spring college fair in March of their junior year.

Standardized Testing

HSMSE registers all juniors for the PSAT/ NMSQST in the fall (usually October) and the SAT in the spring (usually March). Both tests are administered during the school day at Baskerville Hall. There is a fee for the PSAT which can be waived; the in-school SAT is free. For more information about testing support, visit our Standardized Testing page.

Brag Sheets

In the spring, the College Office asks every junior and their parent or guardian to each complete a “Brag Sheet" that provides essential information, context and color for the counselor and teacher recommendations. The link to the brag sheet form is shared via email and in the College Corner newsletter.

College Recommendations

By the end of spring semester, students should identify and ask two faculty members who know and understand them as a student to write their college recommendations.

Essay Support

Students may contact the college counselor, college office interns, and faculty for feedback on essays, but the PTA provides additional support with two free one-on-one sessions with a college essay specialist. Program information is shared by the College Office at the end of junior year.

QuestBridge Application Support

Through a partnership with the PTA, juniors who meet the QuestBridge eligibility requirements are invited to apply for HSMSE’s QuestBridge Support Program, which offers one-on-one private sessions over the summer to help prepare the QuestBridge application. QuestBridge applications are due early (typically at the end of September). Program information is shared by the College Office and the PTA before the summer.

12TH GRADE

Counselor Meetings

Seniors and their families meet with the college counselor in the early fall to finalize their college list and application strategy. Students are individually supported throughout the fall semester by the college counselor and their assigned college counseling intern.

College Workshops

College information sessions, workshops and seminars are scheduled during the elective periods, including topics like navigating Financial Aid (FAFSA, TAP and CSS), using the Common App, and prepping for interviews.

Support

Seniors attend workshops on how to craft the Common App essay and supplements. If students have not used their two free one-on-one private sessions with a college essay specialist over the summer, the sessions are available through January.

Teacher Recommendations

Students are responsible for asking (in person and email) two faculty members to write their academic recommendations. Through the Overgrad platform, students send recommendation requests to the teachers and the teachers upload the recommendations through the platform.

HSMSE Application Platforms

HSMSE uses Overgrad and the College Board’s Common App to manage student applications; transcripts and the counselor’s recommendation are also submitted through Overgrad. Students are provided login information from the school for Overgrad and must register on their own for the Common App.

For more information about senior-year counseling and events, visit our Seniors section.