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Finishing High School

…and other things to do before college

Pop Quiz

According to studies, which is the best predictor of college success?

  1. SAT scores
  2. Grade point average (GPA)
  3. the courses you took in high school

The correct answer is c. You'll prepare yourself better by taking tough academic courses. Coasting through easier courses might boost your GPA in the short run, but won't help you cope with the increased academic load you'll encounter in college.

Source, Stanford Study on High School Transition

By special arrangement, College Now lets you take college classes while you're still in high school. However, most colleges and universities—including CUNY—will allow you to matriculate (enroll) as a full- or part-time student only if:

  1. You've graduated from high school or earned a GED (General Equivalency Diploma)
  2. You've taken one or more tests. (Campus officials use your test scores to determine, or partly determine, college admission or placement or both.)

Are You On Track to Graduate?

New York State grants 3 levels of high school diploma. The number of credits you need for graduation, and the specific subjects those credits should be in, vary according to diploma type. Likewise, the number of Regents exams you need to pass, and the minimum score for passing, differs for each diploma level.

Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation* the most advanced diploma awarded
Regents Diploma* a more basic option
Local Diploma the most basic diploma

*If you qualify for either type of Regents Diploma AND you achieve an average score of 90 on all required Regents exams, you can earn the more prestigious Regents Diploma or Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation with honors.

Keep in mind:

The state's minimum requirements may be enough to get you out of high school, but they are not enough to guarantee that you'll do well in college or get into your college of choice. Aim higher!