2017-18 Common App Essay Prompts

The Common App Essay Prompts for the class of 2018 are available:

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. 

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. 

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

NJIT On-Site Admissions Day

A representative from NJIT's Albert Dorman Honor's College will be conducting an On-Site Admissions Day at Biotech on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. This means they will review your credentials with you, and tell you if you are accepted into NJIT's Honor College.

When students are accepted to NJIT's Honors College they receive many benefits, including a merit scholarship package usually covering half-to-full tuition. For more info visit the Honors College website.

In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum test scores: ACT score of 30 OR Old SAT score of 1300 OR New SAT score of 1370
• GPA of a 90 or higher
• Complete the NJIT Application through the Common App, including answering all questions pertaining to Dorman Honors College

Notes

• Applicants to accelerated programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry or law have to meet different requirements and cannot be interviewed on site.
• If you meet the requirements above for onsite admissions, NJIT will waive your application fee! On Common App there is an option to enter a fee waiver code in the NJIT section of the application. The code to enter is HN16.

What you will need to bring:

• A printout of your completed online NJIT application
• Application fee, if not paid online
• The honors college essay

We will provide them with a copy of your transcript, recommendations, and SAT scores.

NJIT On-Site Admissions Day Sign Up Form - deadline to submit is Sunday 11/6.

Please see Mr. Brown if you have any questions.

Scholarship Nomination Opportunities

Biotechnology High School is proud to nominate students in the class of 2017 for the following undergraduate scholarship opportunities:

• Davidson College - Belk Scholarship
• University of Virginia - Jefferson Scholars
• Villanova University - Presidential Scholarship
• Washington University in St. Louis - Danforth Scholars

The Guidance Department will select nominees on the basis of academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and demonstrated interest.

Applications are due by Sunday, October 30 at 11:59 pm. Note: students may apply for more than 1 scholarship. Submit a separate application for each scholarship that you would like to be considered for.

BTHS Scholarship Nomination Application Link

Fall College Visits

Throughout the fall, admissions counselors from colleges throughout the country will be visiting Biotech. These are excellent opportunities for you to learn more about prospective colleges and for them to learn about you.

To view our schedule of visits: log into Naviance and click on the "Colleges" tab. On the right, under "My Colleges" you'll see a list of upcoming visits --> click on "view all upcoming visits"

Important: MPR Visits do not require sign up. However, you must sign up in advance to attend small group visits in the Guidance Office.

Here are the September visits that juniors and seniors can sign up for:

• Columbia University - Wednesday 9/21, 10:25 am
• NJIT (Honors) - Tuesday 9/27, 8:30 am
• Wake Forest - Tuesday 9/27, 1:30 pm
• Villanova - Wednesday 9/28, 8:30 am

To sign up for visits, go the page in Naviance with all of our upcoming visits and click the "sign up" link next to the school's name, then click on "sign me up."

We hope that you take advantage of the many opportunities that will be available to you this fall to speak with college admissions counselors!

College App Boot Camp - Class of 2017

Full-Screen Presentation View

Google Drive Folder - 
Class of 2017 College Apps 

New for 2017-18: 
2 Major FAFSA® Changes You Need to Be Aware Of