Jody Hoffman, school counselor at Rondout Valley schools, said her district's profile for 2016 suggests that 38 percent of graduating seniors had applied to four-year colleges while 30 percent applied to two-year colleges and another two percent applied to various military branches. But those numbers might shift a bit, she added, when the definition of four-year colleges is scrutinized.

"Schools historically thought of as two-year schools, such as SUNY Delhi, have four-year programs," Hoffman noted. "True two-year schools are community colleges like SUNY Ulster, Sullivan and Orange, to name a few."

The number one school most often applied to by RVSD students continues to be SUNY Ulster. That, Hoffman added, is for a combination of reasons, including financial... attending SUNY Ulster could potentially save a student $10K to $15K a year, with the added incentive of the top 10 percent of students in any district's graduating class getting a free ride.

High school counselors, such as Hoffman, work individually with students, sometimes meeting upwards of twenty times to get a student through the college application process. The two most commonly utilized online application programs — the Common Application and the SUNY application — both allow the student and counselor to upload documents and information once to as many institutions as the student is interested in applying to. However, each college charges a fee for that application; for SUNY schools it's $50 a pop and more for private schools.

Counselors, Hoffman pointed out, now have the ability to see what information college admittance offices have downloaded online; if something is missing it can be easily re-uploaded.

Whether submitting a college application for early decision in November, or as part of the general pool meeting early January deadlines, Hoffman pointed out that it's always best to try and stand out. Colleges, he explained, are looking for well-rounded students... those who've proved themselves academically as well as been involved with extra-curricular activities.

A while back, Hoffman said, he counseled a student applying to Harvard, and noted that the student stood out because he was involved in the Ulster County Bee Keeper Association.

It's also a long process for students to choose the right college. Hoffman advises students to make a list of dream schools, target ones and sure-bets. He works with each student to match passions with appropriate college degree programs.

"We advise students who want college degrees but not to be $100k-$200K in debt to start in a community college," he added, noting that the great majority he works with pick SUNY schools.

Augmenting all this, college representatives from public and private institutions visit with small groups of students all school year; Rondout Valley is currently working to put together a college night when all such reps visit at one time, similar to what is done at Pine Bush. And parents are encouraged to participate in the process, too. Guidance, Hoffman stressed, is all about highlighting the importance of students taking ownership of their futures.

"It's a period of enlightenment," noted Ellenville High principal Carl Pabon, addressing his school's financial aid night Ellenville this Thursday evening, December 1. "What is available grant-wise versus loan, the difference between parent loans versus student loans, what is affordable... it's about demystifying the facts."

Parents are urged to attend.

"It's imperative for parents to be in the process," Pabon added, noting February deadlines for aid. "It's important to understand the process."

Potential majors are as diverse as the students applying, Pabon noted, also emphasizing the value of starting attendance at a community college, or other local schools such as SUNY New Paltz or Marist. He also pointed out that there are resources within the district to assist students interested in taking time off between high school and college, or for students wishing to immediately join the workforce upon graduation.

Preparing for college, he continued, starts the moment a child is born through the creation of skills and high expectations as well as the provision of ample resources both at home and in school.

Over in Pine Bush, guidance department chairperson Megan Fitzgerald said the determination of which college a student chooses to apply to and their subsequent major is as individualized as the students themselves.

"Some students, not academically strong, may apply to a two-year school," she noted, pointing out how many veer to SUNY schools after experiencing sticker shock learning the tuition and room/board costs of a private institution. She went on to note that while the incentive of various STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) scholarships may have promoted a shift regarding majors, all concentrations can prove fruitful, along with the choice of remaining undecided during one's application process.

"These students, they're 17 and 18 years-old," Fitzgerald pointed out. "They may not end up majoring in what they originally chose and that's okay."

She added that while students are pushing for what they are interested it, and what they think they can make for a high salary, parents tend to be more interested in what's happening on the current job market. And the cost.

Important to note, she continued, was that this is the first year when parents and students can fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) simultaneous with their entrance applications, allowing families a clearer picture of the finances they're looking into.

While that's all important, she pointed out, parents should be involved in all aspects of the application process, asking admissions representatives questions regarding job futures and financial packaging. Where parents shouldn't be so quick to lend a helping hand, she added, is with the applications themselves.

"Let the students fill them out, write their own essays," Fitzgerald said. "It's their responsibility to meet deadlines."