COLLEGE + POSTSECONDARY
New York Harbor School's College and Career Office is dedicated to helping students with college and postsecondary planning.
College and Career Counselor
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As the Director of College & Career Counseling at Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, I am passionate about empowering students to explore and achieve their post-secondary goals.
I bring over 15 years of education experience to my role, having served as a Special Educator and School Operations Director before finding my calling in college counseling. I hold multiple master's degrees in Education and Communication and am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Manhattanville University.
Colleges, universities, and organizations offering postsecondary programs are welcome to schedule information sessions with our students through RepVisits. We encourage representatives to connect with our school community to share details about admissions, programs, and opportunities available to our students.
Important Travel Information: New York Harbor School is located on Governors Island and is only accessible by ferry. Please account for the ferry schedule and additional travel time when planning your visit.
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Applications + FAQ's
Common Application Portals
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Common App *
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CUNY Apply
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SUNY Apply
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Xello
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Posse
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QuestBridge
* The Common Application is a single online form used by 900+ colleges, allowing you to enter your information once instead of filling out multiple applications. It tracks documents and deadlines through a convenient dashboard. Note: Not all colleges use Common App, so check if your target schools require separate applications. The platform is open now - all seniors should create an account.
Teacher + Counselor Recommendations
Step 1 - Submit a Brag Sheet
A quick resume-style summary of your achievements and experiences to help recommenders write a strong letter.
Step 2 - Request Recommendation Letters
You will need to ask teacher, counselor, or mentor to write a short letter highlighting your strengths as a student.
Who to Ask:
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Someone who knows you well
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An experienced teacher (if possible)
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Someone who can speak to your academics/character
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Someone reliable
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Someone genuinely supportive
Note on Processing Time
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Please allow up to three weeks from the time you submit your brag sheet for your teacher and counselor recommendations to be completed.
About CUNY and SUNY Colleges . . .
All seniors are encouraged to complete a CUNY application. CUNY institutions provide high academic standards, renowned faculty, and low tuition costs. Students receive a quality education with little to no risk of overwhelming debt.
All seniors are encouraged to complete a SUNY application. SUNY institutions offer excellent academic programs, distinguished faculty, and affordable tuition across 64 campuses statewide. Students receive a world-class education with minimal debt burden.
2025 Free Application Periods
The CUNY $65 Freshman Application Fee will be waived for New York City Public School (NYCPS) students during CUNY Free Application Period taking place from October 27th to November 21st.
The SUNY $50 per campus application fee will be waived for all students during SUNY Free Application Period taking place from October 24th to November 6th.
Pro-Tips
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Nearly 60% of all New York State high school seniors can apply to SUNY for free with application fee waivers.
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Contact your colleges directly to ask about additional fee waivers for financial hardship - many schools offer them!
Application FAQ's
Don’t worry about your transcripts—they’re sent automatically to every college you apply to. You don’t need to request them separately!
Yes! Any CUNY school can access an electronic copy of a student's record from NYC Public Schools if the student provides their OSIS number on their application.
If you’re a current student applying to college, our college counselor will write and submit your recommendation. Don’t forget to turn in your brag sheet!
Fee waivers are income driven. To see if you qualify, you'll need to complete a family income form: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict
Communication
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Related Blog Posts
Harbor School is passionate about supporting all our students.
We offer fantastic resources, including college counseling, career exploration programs, and internship opportunities allowing students to dive into hands-on experiences.
Whether they aim for higher education or are ready to jump straight into the workforce, we work to ensure they are fully equipped for their futures.
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Testing
SAT Dates + Registration
All juniors are administratively registered for our School-Day SAT here at Harbor.
Students wishing to register for subsequent exam administrations must do so independently at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
School-Day SAT
Check back for information and details
ACT Information
Helpful Links
Fee Waivers for Testing
Those families wishing to apply for fee waivers must meet income requirements in order to qualify. Your income eligibility cannot be determined until the 2025-2026 Family Income Inquiry Form (formerly known as School Meals Form) is submitted and processed—the sooner, the better.
If you have already filled out this form, you can reach out to the College Office to find out if you qualify. If you have not completed this form, please reach out to the Parent Coordinator, Carla Gabaldon, at cgabaldon@newyorkharborschool.org to submit this information or complete using this link.
Financial Aid
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All seniors are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) regardless of household income.
The FAFSA is used by national, state, and local government agencies, as well as by universities and private organizations, to award both federal and nonfederal aid to students. This aid includes loans, grants, scholarships, and federal work-study.
You will be completing a 2026-2027 FAFSA Form, which will be released on October 1, 2025.
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College Tours, Visits and Fairs
College Rep Visits
School | Date | Day | Location |
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U.S. Air Force | Jan 14 | Wed | Mess Hall |
St. Joseph University | Nov 20 | Thurs | Mess Hall
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Mount Saint Mary College | Nov 20 | Thurs | Mess Hall
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College Fairs
School | Date | Time | Location |
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New York HBCU College Fair | Nov 15 | 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Riverbank State Park |
NACAC Visual & Performing Arts Fair | Oct 26 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Jacob Javitz Convention Center |
NACAC STEM College Fair | Oct 18 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Kean Univ., Union, NJ |
SUNY NYC College Fair | Sep 29 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Jacob Javitz Convention Center |
