What does it mean to be "ready for college"?

MAXIMUS (at right) has no use for college, of course, but everyone in the class will end up in college some day.

Some of you WILL go directly to college from high school and others will delay it until you discover that you want to be in college and you need college to get ahead.

So, where are you in the college admissions process?  I ask because one of your classmates said, "I have 15 colleges to apply to."

I was a little alarmed.  Fifteen!  And he plans to stay at home and not go away to college!

My response to him (and all of you):  Choose wisely.  Narrow the college choices to FIVE:

1. ONE "safety" CUNY school you are willing to attend.  More on "safety" school below.
   
2. TWO CUNY colleges with your intended major
   
3. ONE or TWO SUNY colleges out of the city with your intended major
   
4. ONE or TWO private colleges out of the city with your intended major

Another option:  Add a NYC private college

A "safety" school is a college you are willing to attend, qualify to get admitted and if you receive no acceptance letters from your first choices, you have a fall-back plan with the "safety" school.

Let's give you some time to think about it.  I will ask you next week to discuss your plans in class.