THE NYC CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES
838 Brook Ave Bronx, NY 10451
(646) 400-5566
info@aecicharterhs.org

AECI Post-Secondary Office

AECI Post-Secondary Office

Welcome to the Post-Secondary Office! At AECI, we start the conversation early. Starting in 9th grade, students work to develop their resumes and study skills while also traveling to a variety of colleges in the tristate area. Here, we work as a team. Counselors, students and families are expected to contribute to the discussion of post-secondary access and enrollment. In junior and senior year, students will work with their Post-Secondary Counselors very closely as we dissect the components of the college search, applications and decisions, piece by piece.

As the Post-Secondary Counselors here at AECI, our primary responsibility is to promote college and career awareness and to help you through your process, from applications to financial aid and scholarships. We’re here to assist you through this exciting and sometimes challenging adventure. We look forward to helping you achieve all your post-secondary goals!



OUR POST-SECONDARY TEAM

Stephan Baffoe
Post-Secondary Counselor
Phone: (646) 400-5566 ext 5001
sbaffoe@aecicharterhs.org

My name is Mr. Stephan Baffoe and I serve as the Post-Secondary Counselor here at AECI. I hold a Bachelors and Masters degree from The University at Albany in Africana Studies. I am a dedicated and compassionate post secondary counselor with a proven track record of guiding students toward their post-secondary aspirations with a deep understanding of the ever-evolving landscape that involves college admissions, trade school and more. I have spent close to a decade helping students navigate the complex journey from high school to their dream outcomes. My approach is rooted in personalized guidance; recognizing that each student’s path is unique. By fostering a supportive and open environment, I empower students to explore their interests, identify their strengths, and strategically select a path that aligns with their academic and personal goals. Through insightful advice, meticulous application preparation, and a genuine passion for student success, I strive to make a profound impact on the lives of those ensuring that every student’s transition is as smooth and fulfilling as possible.

Beyond my professional expertise, consistent communication skills, patience, and unwavering support are my building blocks to success.

I look forward to being a pillar of guidance in helping our AECI students confidently step into the next chapter of their life.

 

Ruperto Peres
Post-Secondary Counselor
Phone: (646) 400-5566 ext 5002
rperes@aecicharterhs.org

My name is Mr. Ruperto Peres and I am the Post-Secondary Counselor here at AECI. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College in Applied Psychology and Human Development and went on to earn both my Master’s Degree in School Counseling and an Advanced Certificate in College Advising from Teachers College, Columbia University. Before coming to AECI, I worked as a Post-Secondary Counselor helping students to create their post-secondary plan at a school in The Bronx and worked in various NYC based college-bound organizations focused on college advising and post-secondary success for primarily first-generation and students of color.

Being raised in the Bronx and attending public school in the Bronx, I was not exposed to college realities until late high school. I was raised in a single-parent household where my mom did not go to college. I am the first person in my family to have graduated college, attend graduate school, and graduate with two Master’s Degrees. 

With all of these experiences, I have been so invested in working with students from the Bronx to talk about college, the realities of it, the application process, the money, and literally everything. I rep the Bronx so hard that I want to see everyone from the Bronx at different colleges – nationwide! I look forward to getting to know you all at AECI and begin dismantling the complexities of college applications!

Lauren Quigley
Director of Post-Secondary Readiness
Phone: (646) 400-5566 ext 5000
lquigley@aecicharterhs.org

Stephan Baffoe
Post-Secondary Counselor
Phone: (646) 400-5566 ext 5001
sbaffoe@aecicharterhs.org

Ruperto Peres
Post-Secondary Counselor
Phone: (646) 400-5566 ext 5002
rperes@aecicharterhs.org

At AECI, select seniors are awarded $500 Academic and Core Values Scholarships. Funded by the AECI School Store and the AECI Board of Trustees, eligible applications must meet certain grade and performance requirements and submit teacher recommendations and essays. Winners are selected by a committee of teachers and counselors. Congratulations to our winners from the Class of 2023!

History – Chelsea Gyebi
Math – Aiden Lozada
Design – Raquel Romero
Phys Ed – Jariel Hernandez
Science – Raquel Romero
English –Andelyn Mateo
Respect – Jasmin Ortiz
Perseverance – Angie Vidal
Achievement – Andelyn mateo
Integrity – Matthew Ackah

College Representative Visits will begin on Wednesday September 27th.  All visits will be held at 12:50pm during 7th period lunch in the PSP Office. Representatives from various colleges will be visiting to share information about their college/university. This is a great opportunity to meet a representative from a school that you would like to apply to this fall and:

  • Learn more about academic programs at the school
  • Learn about any special programs they offer
  • Spend one on one time with the person who reads your application

The following schools are visiting:

9/28/23- Johnson & Wales University-Providence

9/28/23- Johns Hopkins University

10/5/23- Drexel University

10/6/23- SUNY College at Plattsburgh

10/12/23- Long Island University – Brooklyn

10/16/23 -University of Rochester

10/17/23 -College of Mount Saint Vincent

10/23/23 -SUNY College at Geneseo

10/25/23 -Syracuse University

10/27/23 -St. John’s College

10/30/23-Saint Elizabeth University

11/1/23 -Manhattan College

11/2/23- SUNY Onondaga Community College

11/6/23- SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

11/7/23- Ithaca College

Students are also encouraged to attend our 3rd Annual Network Post-Secondary Fair on Wednesday, October 4th during school, where they can meet with over 30  representatives from 2 and 4 year colleges as well as trade schools, career training programs, and the military.

It’s never too early to start thinking about colleges that you’re interested in! You can use the following websites to start the college search process and learn about colleges you’re interested in:

College Board Big Future

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges

CUNY Future Enrollment Guide https://www.cuny.edu/admissions/future-student-guide/

SUNY Complete Campus List https://www.suny.edu/attend/visit-us/complete-campus-list/

 

At AECI, we set an ambitious set of application deadlines to help ensure students have time to complete their applications by Winter Recess and ahead of schedule!

October 20th – CUNY Applications Due

November 17th – SUNY Applications Due

December – TBD by Federal Student Aid – FAFSA Opens

December 15th – All Applications Due (CUNY, SUNY, Private Colleges)

February 1st – FAFSA Priority Deadline 

April 1st – Trade & Career Applications Due

May 1st – National Decision Day



9th Grade

9th grade is an important year in a student’s college-preparation journey.

  • Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of Social Studies (history, economics, and government), three years of Mathematics, and three years of Science, and many require two years of a Foreign Language. Many colleges prefer four years of Science and Math!
  • Work with one of your parents to estimate your financial aid using FAFSA4caster and be sure to save for college.
  • Get involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. 
  • Consider working, volunteering, and/or participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science. Remember—it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.
  • Start a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Update it throughout high school.

10th Grade

There’s a lot a 10th-grade student can do to stay on the right track toward college, and a lot a parent can do to help.Take a look at these tips for thinking about the future, managing time, taking standardized tests, and more.

  • Continue challenging yourself academically! Colleges look at all of your grades from 9th grade to 11th grade so it’s important to focus on your academics throughout high school.
  • Start asking about our Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) courses, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them.
  • Continue your involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or a part-time job.
  • Plan to use your summer after 10th grade wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away or at a local college).
  • Go to career information events or enroll in an enrichment program to get a more detailed look at career options.
  • Research majors that might be a good fit with your interests and goals based on your results from the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search.

11th Grade

It’s crucial to stay on top of college preparation during the 11th-grade year and the following summer. Here’s what you should be doing—including looking into careers, searching for scholarships, and keeping the savings account on track.

  •  Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations by college representatives.
  • Visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session. AECI hosts college trips each year for the 11th grade!
  • Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT/NMSQT) in the Fall of 11th grade here at AECI.
  • All 11th graders will take their first SAT here at AECI during the spring of their junior year. Students will also have the ability to take  their second SAT in October of their senior  year.
  • Ask two teachers for a letter of recommendation. Your PSP counselor will provide information on how to request letters of recommendation from your teachers. Don’t forget to bring them a copy of your resume!
  • Find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.

12th Grade

12th grade is the time to apply for admission to college or trade school and also apply for federal student aid by filling out the FAFSA.

  • Work hard all year—second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.
  • Stay involved in after-school activities, and seek leadership roles if possible.
  • If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college admission. 
  • As soon as possible after October 1, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online, along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require.
  • You should submit your FAFSA/ TAP/ and if needed CSS Profile by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early January.
  • Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! 
  • Visit colleges that have accepted you. 
  • Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers.
  • Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. They can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit.
  • When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit by May 1.

It’s never too late or too early to apply for scholarships! There are scholarships available for anything and everyone. Below are some great resources to search for scholarships. Please make sure you check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before you apply.

CareerOneStop.org

Chegg

CollegeBoard.org

CollegeExpress.com

CollegeNet.com

CollegeScholarships.org

Federal Employee Education & Assistance Fund

FastWeb.com

FinAid.org

HBCU Scholarship List

HSF.net

LatinoCollegeDollars.org

New York Times College Scholarship Program

Scholarships.com

Scholly

StudentScholarshipSearch.com

UNCF.org