<p>For everyone who wants to know about the HEOP and Prefreshman Program, I thought it'd be useful to make this thread to answer a lot of the questions I see reoccuring. </p>
<p>What is HEOP? </p>
<p>HEOP is the Higher Education Opportunity Program. It is a partnership between the State of New York and its independent institutes (in this case Cornell) which provides economically and educationally disadvantaged residents the possibility of a college education.</p>
<p>What is EOP, CD, SEEK and how are they different from HEOP?</p>
<p>All the programs serve the same purpose as HEOP.</p>
<p>EOP is the Education Opportunity Program. They are found in SUNY schools.
CD is College Discovery. It is what EOP used to be called.
SEEK is Search for Education, Evaluation, and Knowledge. It is found in CUNY schools.</p>
<p>How am I eligible for HEOP?</p>
<p>To be eligible for HEOP you must be a resident of New York State for one year, possess a high school diploma, educationally disadvantaged, economically disadvantaged and have motivation for college completion.</p>
<p>If I am eligible for HEOP at Cornell, does that mean I'm elible for HEOP for others too?</p>
<p>The answer to this is yes and no. Every college has different measures for who is HEOP or not. For example, Hamilton college might see one applicant as economically disadvantaged if they have a total income of 40,000 with 5 people living in the house. Cornell might see an applicant disadvantaged economically if they have a total income of 40,000 with 6 people living in the house. Each college has its own measure for how someone is disadvantaged. Overall, the less income and more people in your household you have, the more likely you will fit the criteria for being economically disadvantaged.</p>
<p>Besides being economically disadvantaged, you have to be academically disadvantaged by the standards of the college too. It's the same idea. Every college will have its own standards to what is academically disadvantaged. An 85 average and 1500 SAT score might be seen as disadvantaged as a student applying to the University of Rochester. At a school like St. John Fischer or Skidmore might think differently and wouldn't consider this disadvantaged. Maybe subpar, but not disadvantaged.</p>
<p>You must meet criteria for being BOTH academically and economically disadvantaged.</p>
<p>So if I have crappy grades and am considered "financially disadvantaged" does this mean I can easily get into schools through HEOP like Cornell?</p>
<p>For some schools, yes, you might be able to get in HEOP and be admitted. It is easier to get in HEOP at less prestigious schools since it is less competitive.</p>
<p>Cornell gets to determine who's disadvantaged or not. Sure you might have to have at the MINIMUM of an 85 average or something, but its competitive. What is stopping Cornell from choosing kids with a 93 average + 1900 SAT's + Good EC's + Good Essays for HEOP rather than kids with an 85 average + 1600 SAT's + Okay EC's + Okay Essays? They're going to pick the brightest and most promising disadvantaged kids.</p>
<p>I got into HEOP with a high average + SAT though, I don't think I'm disadvantaged at all.</p>
<p>Well it all comes down to Cornell's standards. Some schools require you have to have an 85~90 to be considered for HEOP. Cornell might think having a 85~100 could be the guideline. The applicant pool is always changing as well and is a factor. If they applicant pool is very competitive a certain year, even though a 2030 SAT is good, if 2200 is the average score, you might be considered disadvantaged. The same idea would apply to GPA as well. </p>
<p>Okay, I get the idea of what HEOP is about. So since I got in HEOP, what are the perks?</p>
<p>Well some of the perks is that you get to have a mentor who can help you with your classes throughout your four years. They also can give advice, ect. You might think you won't need one, and that may be the case, but it's nice to have one, especially when adjusting for your first year. They can definitely help you get familiar with Cornell and the Ithaca community, enviornment, ect. </p>
<p>Another perk is that you don't have to pay much for tuition. Coming from a predominantly Hispanic Highschool, I'm actually kinda jealous I didn't get into Cornell HEOP. People at my school get in HEOP all the time and students who get in HEOP pay nothing or close to nothing to go to college. I know a guy who goes to Clarksen and has 97% of his tuition paid and only has to pay around 3000 a year. Some people have to pay 12,000 to 20,000 a year to go to Cornell. Imagine having to pay a fraction of that each year?</p>
<p>Are there any downsides to HEOP?</p>
<p>I don't see any downsides to it personally. The only thing that comes to mind is that for EVERY HEOP program at any college you have to attend a summer program for a couple of weeks at the college. In Cornell's case, this is the Prefreshman Program and about 165 students have to attend. The program basically helps you get comfortable with the environment, gets you on track with the Cornell's academic demand and pace, ect. Some people might see it as a wasted summer, but it really does help and gets you familiar with the environment.</p>
<p>Okay. So about the Prefreshman Program, do HEOP students only attend? </p>
<p>I personally am attending the prefreshman program this summer and did NOT get accepted HEOP. Cornell accepted me regular admissions and thought I needed to attend. I personally do agree since I got accepted with a 1700 SAT + 3.7 GPA. My GPA is alright, but my SAT is a bit low. However, I am pretty disadvantaged lol. I can literally say I'm the first person in my generation to go to college and I'm hispanic with a low income, ect. Cornell definitely saw this and is having me to go (along with other non-HEOP kids with a similiar situation).</p>
<p>Overall guys I think I do not have to go into depth about the Prefreshman Program since all the information is literally on the mailed notice about it. If you have any more questions about HEOP or the program feel free to post here or PM me about it.</p>
<p>On a side note, I think that the people who were accepted to the HEOP/Prefreshman Program should also use this thread to get to know each other too. When we all get to Cornell we can at least be fairly acquainted haha.</p>