New York City offers unparalleled educational opportunities and equally unparalleled competition. With thousands of high-achieving students vying for limited spots at top colleges, NYC students need specialized strategies to stand out. At Dewey Smart, we’ve helped hundreds of NYC students navigate this challenging landscape successfully.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share insider knowledge from our coaches who have mastered the NYC-to-college pipeline, including key insights from Dan, a Brooklyn Tech graduate now thriving at University of Michigan.
Table of Contents
- The NYC College Landscape
- Prestigious NYC High Schools
- 5 Key Strategies for NYC Students
- NYC Internship Opportunities
- Extracurricular Activities That Stand Out
- NYC Competitions Worth Pursuing
- Student Organizations That Impress
- How Dewey Smart Coaches Help
Before you continue reading, watch our NYC to UMich: Secrets of Leaving NYC for College webinar below featuring Dan, a Brooklyn Tech graduate now thriving at University of Michigan. In just 25 minutes, discover how NYC students can stand out in America's most competitive admissions landscape.
✅ How Dan secured one of only 12 Michigan spots from 600+ Brooklyn Tech applicants
✅ The "passion project" strategy that impressed admissions officers
✅ Why writing about subway conductors beats another "I'm stressed but resilient" essay
The NYC College Landscape: Where Local Students Apply
A list of New York Based Colleges, Universities, Specialized High Schools and Other High Schools
Elite NYC Options
The competitive nature of NYC college admissions continues to intensify, with application volumes reaching unprecedented levels:
- Columbia University: Ivy League research university in Morningside Heights with a 4% acceptance rate
- New York University (NYU): Urban campus spread throughout Greenwich Village with a 9 % acceptance rate
- Barnard College: Prestigious women’s college affiliated with Columbia (11% acceptance rate)
- Fordham University: Leading Jesuit institution with Lincoln Center and Bronx campuses
- Cooper Union: Renowned for architecture, art, and engineering programs
Strong CUNY/SUNY Options
Many NYC students overlook excellent public options that offer outstanding value:
- CUNY Macaulay Honors College: Highly selective honors program across CUNY campuses
- CUNY Baruch College: Known for business programs and high ROI (51% acceptance rate)
- CUNY Hunter College: Strong liberal arts programs (54% acceptance rate)
- SUNY Stony Brook: Leading research institution on Long Island
- SUNY Binghamton: Often called the “public Ivy” of the SUNY system
Often Overlooked Options
- Cornell University: While technically an Ivy League, many NYC students overlook this upstate option
- The New School/Parsons: Excellent for creative fields and design
- Pratt Institute: Renowned for art, design, and architecture
- Pace University: Strong business and performing arts programs
- St. John’s University: Comprehensive programs with strong scholarship opportunities
- Wagner College: Small liberal arts college with excellent theater program
Pro Tip: “Looking beyond the typical NYC student targets can yield great results,” Dan shares. “At Michigan, I found both academic excellence and a different campus culture that has helped me grow in new ways.”
Prestigious NYC High Schools: The Competitive Ecosystem
Specialized High Schools
- Stuyvesant High School: Known for STEM excellence and highest SHSAT cutoff
- Brooklyn Technical High School: Largest specialized high school with 6,000+ students
- Bronx High School of Science: Has produced more Nobel laureates than any other secondary school
- Staten Island Technical High School: Known for strong computer science and engineering
- Queens High School for the Sciences: Smaller specialized school located on Queens College campus
- High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering: Located on City College campus
- High School of American Studies at Lehman College: Known for history and humanities
- Brooklyn Latin School: Features classical curriculum with Latin and Greek requirements
Other Selective Public Options
- Beacon School: Known for arts and technology
- Townsend Harris High School: Humanities-focused with classical education
- Eleanor Roosevelt High School: Strong liberal arts curriculum
- Bard High School Early College: Students earn associate degrees alongside high school diplomas
- Millennium High School: Downtown Manhattan school with strong academics
- LaGuardia High School: Specialized school for performing arts (admission by audition)
Selective Private/Independent Schools
- Dalton School
- Trinity School
- Horace Mann School
- Collegiate School
- Brearley School
- Spence School
“At Brooklyn Tech, the average student takes 8-9 AP courses,” Dan notes. “What would be exceptional anywhere else is just the baseline here. You have to find ways to truly distinguish yourself.”
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5 Key Strategies for NYC Students
1. Develop Depth, Not Just Breadth
In NYC’s competitive environment, joining 10 clubs won’t impress admissions officers. Instead:
- Pursue one or two interests to the highest possible level
- Seek leadership positions or create something new
- Aim for city-wide, state, or national recognition
“What helped me stand out wasn’t joining every possible activity,” Dan shares, “but developing a ‘passion project’ around competitive mathematics and then running with it to the highest level possible.”
Dan explains: “I maxed out all the competitions that I took. I took the AMC 10, and I took the AMI, which is the American Invitational Mathematics examination. Having done all of that, I maxed out my abilities in mathematics, and then I showed that with in-school extracurriculars, like being the president of the Math Honor Society at Brooklyn Tech, being in the math major at Brooklyn Tech, and starting my competitive mathematics summer camp.”
2. Use NYC’s Size to Your Advantage
- Explore niche opportunities that align with your interests
- Take college classes through programs like College Now
- Pursue research at world-class institutions in your backyard
Dan notes: “New York is unique in that there are so many different unique niche opportunities. If you’re in journalism, there are things to be a part of in journalism. If you’re someone who enjoys history, then there’s the National History Day challenge. There are extracurriculars that not a lot of people do because the extracurriculars that a lot of people do, it’s hard to stand out in.”
3. Write Essays That Break NYC Stereotypes
Common mistakes among NYC students include:
- Focusing too much on academic pressure and competition
- Writing in an overly formal, thesaurus-heavy style
- Failing to showcase personality beyond achievements
“I didn’t write about juggling AP exams,” Dan tells us. “I wrote about something simple—doing laundry during COVID—that revealed my character. Admissions officers can spot when you’re just writing what you think they want to hear.”
Dan elaborates: “A lot of the biggest issues that I see people in New York doing, especially from specialized high schools, is they’ll think they have a unique story of how they had to take an AP exam in the morning and then one in the afternoon and how they persevered through that. But for me, I just wrote about having to do the laundry during COVID. It’s about writing simple things for your common essay, but ones that tell a story about you.”
4. Build a Strategic College List
NYC students often fixate on a narrow set of prestigious schools. Instead:
- Include excellent options outside the Northeast
- Consider how financial aid and merit scholarships factor in
- Research specific programs that match your interests, not just overall rankings
“I applied to schools like Georgia Tech and Michigan, but also schools like Penn State, because Penn State had something I was looking for and I got a pretty decent scholarship from there,” Dan shares. “It’s making sure that both your reaches and your safeties have that mix of what you’re looking for in a college.”
5. Prepare for the Transition
Whether staying in NYC or heading elsewhere for college:
- Develop independence and self-advocacy skills
- Practice time management beyond parent/teacher oversight
- Consider whether you want a change from NYC’s pace or prefer to stay in an urban environment
NYC Internship Opportunities: Leveraging the City’s Resources
New York City offers unparalleled internship opportunities that can significantly strengthen college applications. Here are some of the most prestigious programs available to high school students:
New York City Internship Opportunities
Medical and Scientific Research
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Summer Student Program: Biomedical research internships
- NYU Langone Summer Undergraduate Research Program: Medical research for high school students
- Rockefeller University Summer Science Research Program: Laboratory research experience
- Mount Sinai Medical Research Program: High school research in medical fields
Business and Finance
- NY Federal Reserve High School Programs: Economics and finance exposure
- Morgan Stanley High School Quantitative Finance Program: Financial modeling experience
- Goldman Sachs High School Collaborative: Finance industry exploration
Arts and Culture
- Metropolitan Museum of Art High School Internships: Arts and museum management
- American Museum of Natural History High School Internships: Science research with museum scientists
- New York Public Library Teen Reading Ambassadors: Literature and community engagement
Government and Public Service
- NYC DOE Summer Youth Employment Program: Paid internships across city agencies
- NYC Ladders for Leaders: Professional internships with application deadline in January
- Sotomayor Judicial Internship: Federal/State court experience
“I pursued research in high school and I wanted to be doing that in college,” Dan explains. “That was something that I was definitely passionate about. When I was speaking with the admissions officer, I was wondering why specifically I was the one that got in, and he said, ‘I could tell that you knew what you were talking about and that you didn’t do it just for college.’”
For a deeper dive, check out our blog on "The Power of Internships in College Applications"
Extracurricular Activities That Stand Out
New York City Extracurricular Activities
Academic Enrichment
- Columbia Science Honors Program: Weekend classes for talented high school students
- NYU GSTEM: Girls’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics program
- College Now Programs: College-level courses at CUNY institutions
- Dual Enrollment Opportunities: Dan notes, “I took 11 APs at Brooklyn Tech, combined with the dual enrollment classes that I took, I was able to come to college with around 40 credits.”
Community Service and Leadership
- Key Club International: Service organization with chapters across NYC schools
- Youth Leadership Councils: Borough-specific leadership development programs
- Hospital Volunteer Programs: NYU Langone, Mount Sinai, and NewYork-Presbyterian all offer structured programs
- New York Cares Teen Service Program: Organized volunteer opportunities across the city
Arts and Performance
- All-City High School Music Program: For talented musicians across boroughs
- Broadway Junior: Theater programs for aspiring performers
- The Telling Room: Creative writing workshop for diverse voices
- New York Youth Symphony: Advanced musical training
Advocacy and Social Justice
- IntegrateNYC: Student-led integration advocacy
- Climate Action NYC Youth: Environmental activism
- NYCLU Teen Activist Project: Civil liberties advocacy
NYC Competitions Worth Pursuing
Competitions provide excellent opportunities to demonstrate skills and passion while gaining recognition that stands out on college applications.
Competions Available in New York City
Mathematics and Science
- NYC Math Team: As Dan explains, “Being selected for the NYC Math Team set me apart from other applicants. I was one of the only students, in fact, I think I was the only student from Brooklyn Tech during my year to get selected to be a part of the New York City math team.”
- Math Kangaroo and AMC Competitions: Mathematical competitions at various levels
- NYC Science and Engineering Fair: Pathway to ISEF and other national competitions
- Regeneron Science Talent Search: Premier science research competition
Humanities and Social Sciences
- National History Day NYC Regional: Research competition with advancement to state and national levels
- NYC Urban Debate League: Competitive debate across NYC schools
- The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Recognition for creative students
- Model UN and Model Congress: Policy debate and simulation competitions
Technology and Engineering
- FIRST Robotics NYC: Team-based robotics competitions
- Congressional App Challenge: Coding and app development competition
- Hackathons: Various events hosted by universities and tech companies throughout NYC
Business and Entrepreneurship
- NYC DECA: Business case competitions
- Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) Challenges: Business plan competitions
- Virtual Enterprise International: Business simulation competitions
Dan’s experience highlights the importance of these competitions: “I also was a finalist for the math competition in Chicago where consequently I was ranked in the top 40 in the country for mathematics. That’s kind of always where my interest lied.”
Student Organizations That Impress
Student Organizations in New York City
STEM-Focused Organizations
- STEM Matters NYC: City-wide STEM enrichment
- Girls Who Code NYC Chapters: Programming and computer science
- Society for Science Chapters: Research-focused science clubs
- Mathematics Honor Societies: Dan served as president at Brooklyn Tech
Arts and Culture Organizations
- New York Youth Symphony: Orchestra, jazz, and composition programs
- Young People’s Chorus of New York City: Award-winning choral program
- Urban Word NYC: Youth spoken word and creative writing
- Young Dancemakers Company: Student choreography and performance
Leadership and Service Organizations
- NYC Youth Leadership Council: Student advocacy and community service
- Junior Achievement of New York: Business and entrepreneurship education
- DoSomething.org Chapters: Social change campaigns
- Youth Board Members: Many NYC nonprofits have youth board positions
Academic and Professional Organizations
- Junior State of America: Political awareness and involvement
- Model UN Teams: International relations and diplomacy
- Mock Trial Teams: Legal education and competition
- Future Business Leaders of America: Business education and leadership
“I would just suggest to be the best in what you can do in your school and also look for opportunities outside of your school at the local, state, and national level,” Dan advises. “That really will help set you apart from everyone else, even if you’re coming from a super competitive school because that shows your passion and it shows your qualifications if you’re able to make it that far.”
How Dewey Smart Coaches Help NYC Students Stand Out
Our NYC Coaching Advantage
Our coaching team includes recent graduates from NYC’s most competitive high schools who have successfully navigated this challenging admissions landscape. From specialized high schools like Brooklyn Tech and Stuyvesant to selective programs throughout the five boroughs, our coaches bring firsthand experience with NYC’s unique educational ecosystem.
These near-peer mentors attend prestigious universities across the country—from Ivy League institutions to leading public universities like Michigan—and can provide authentic guidance on everything from specialized high school academics to finding the right college fit, whether in NYC or beyond.
Dan’s Journey: From Brooklyn Tech to Michigan
Dan’s story exemplifies our approach. As he explains: “I’m from New York. I graduated Brooklyn Technical High School, and now I am a rising senior at the University of Michigan. I recently changed to biomolecular science on a pre-med track.”
His experience at Brooklyn Tech prepared him well for college: “From the second that I entered Brooklyn Tech, they were already talking about college. At Brooklyn Tech, it was always like just the concept of going to a top school was a given, because in reality, just numbers wise, it’s harder to gain admission to any specialized high school than it is to get into most top colleges.”
Dan’s success at Michigan came from his genuine passion and strategic approach: “For my year, I think that we had something like 600-700 people applied to Michigan and only like 12 got in. When I was speaking with the admissions officer, I was wondering why specifically I was the one that got in, and he said, ‘I could tell that you knew what you were talking about and that you didn’t do it just for college.’”
Our Coaching Approach
At Dewey Smart, we pair students with both experienced strategists and near-peer mentors like Dan who understand the unique challenges of NYC’s educational landscape. Our coaches provide:
- Personalized Strategy Development: Tailored to each student’s strengths, interests, and goals
- Application Guidance: From essay brainstorming to interview preparation
- Extracurricular Planning: Identifying opportunities that align with students’ passions
- Test Preparation: Specialized approaches for the SHSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams
- College List Building: Creating balanced lists that include reaches, targets, and safeties
As Dan notes: “I wish I had someone like me to help them through. So it’s always a great reward to see the students that I work with get positive feedback and positive results.”
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Right Fit
While NYC’s educational environment often emphasizes rankings and selectivity, the most important factor is finding where you’ll thrive.
“There were schools I really wanted to get into that I did not get into,” Dan reflects, “and now, after having completed my time, I really could not picture myself anywhere else. College is what you make of it, and you can be a shining star anywhere you go.”
At Dewey Smart, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the NYC educational landscape. Our coaches, like Dan, have been through the process themselves and can provide the guidance and support needed to navigate it successfully.
Next Steps for NYC Students
Ready to navigate NYC's competitive admissions landscape with confidence?
- Read our companion guide: How NYC Students Can Build a Standout College Application
- Schedule a free consultation with one of our team members.
- Join our upcoming webinar featuring more insights.
At Dewey Smart, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of the NYC educational landscape. Contact us today to develop your personalized roadmap to college success.