What makes us different?
At SASCS, our primary goal is to ensure scholars are prepared for their journey after high school. Building meaningful relationships with students is extremely important to help them achieve their own goals. We have our department that focuses on college guidance only. Our students have the opportunity to receive one on one assistance with college applications and documentation as well as scholarships and financial aid.
As a college preparatory school with a focus on college and career readiness, we strive to prepare scholars to meet the world's needs today. We emphasize the importance of a college education from an early age. We assist scholars in every step of the college process, from finding the right school to applying for financial aid.
We can offer many college courses giving our students a headstart on their educational journey. We can offer our scholars specialized programs and course offerings tailored to their desired wants with solid ties to local colleges and universities.
What programs do we offer?
- MVCC College Connection
- UC Bridge Program
- Upstate Medical Program
- Girls with Impact
- EC Council
- Hamilton College Mentorship Program
- Utica College Nursing Path Program
College Partnerships
- Utica College
- MVCC
- SUNY ESF
- Upstate Medical
- OCC
- SUNY Oswego
- LeMoyne - Erie 21, CSTEP
MVCC College Connection Program
MVCC CCP offers opportunities for high school juniors and seniors to receive college credit as part-time college students.
Through College Connection, high school students recommended by their school counselors may take courses on the college campus nearest their high school.
School counselors work closely with the Admissions Office to select highly transferable courses to the college of choice or get a head start on a degree at MVCC.
MVCC will cover all tuition and mandatory fee costs for students who qualify for the College Connection program. Students who enroll through this program will need to pay for non-mandatory fees (i.e., lab fees), book purchases, and additional classroom supplies as determined by the instructor.
MVCC Dual Credit Program
MVCC's Dual Credit program is a community service offered to SANY students enabling them to earn advanced standing or college credit for college classes enrolled in at SANY. Students typically enroll in 100- to 200-level college courses taught by qualified SANY teachers pre-approved by MVCC as adjunct instructors. Courses are identical to those offered on the MVCC campus. All schoolwork, however, is done in the high school setting during the routine school day.
This unique program allows students to earn both college and high school credit for the same course. Dual Credit has become widely recognized as a unique way of enhancing the typical high school experience, offering motivated students a more extensive course selection, an alternative to AP courses, an effortless transition to college-level coursework, and a potential means of saving tuition dollars in the long run.
Early OCC Program
SANY students have the opportunity to take OCC courses, on campus, during their regular school day. Students receive a tuition waiver including for their books and associated course fees. Through the Early OCC program, students can begin earning college credits on a pathway toward their desired degree program.
OCC College Credit Now
The College Credit Now (CCN) program SANY students earn college credits, strengthen their college applications, and explore potential career paths before graduation. Although the courses offered through CCN are as rigorous as regular college-level courses, they're provided at no cost to the student, including Winter and Summer courses. Plus, students who take CCN courses typically graduate with their two or four-year degrees early, which saves them time and money.
LeMoyne Erie 21 Program
Erie 21 provides students with academic support services, tutoring, a customized "personal learning plan," a college advising system centered on placing students into New York State Collegiate Opportunity Programs, career advising, community service opportunities, family engagement, a summer melt reduction system, and more.
LeMoyne STEP & MVCC STEP
STEP is a New York State Department of Education grant-funded enrichment initiative designed:
- to foster academic excellence
- to nurture students' preparation for college
- to cultivate student independence
- to enhance students' college experience
- to increase awareness and opportunities for historically underrepresented, economically disadvantaged youth in math, science, technology, and health-related fields
- for those seeking professional licensure
- for those in pre-professional or professional undergraduate study
STEP students will:
- Be open to new experiences regarding their future opportunities in college and math, science, health, technology, and in-licensed professions.
- Participate in internships, job shadowing, weekly tutorial services, research projects for poster presentations, monthly professional speaker series, college visits, academic/personal/career advisement, counseling, and workshops and seminars. Eligible participants must be members of historically underrepresented populations: African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaskan or economically disadvantaged; a U.S. citizen or permanent New York State resident; maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
SUNY ESF in High School
A school/college partnership program that enables qualified students to:
- Experience college-level course work while still in high school.
- Understand the complex scientific and social perspectives behind the environmental issues that make headlines every day, such as the relationship between energy use and the environment.
- Learn about and explore diverse interests and career opportunities in environmental science, engineering, management, policy, and design in related areas such as law, communications, technology, and medicine.
Utica College Bridge Program
The Utica College High School Bridge program has created a unique value proposition for students, high schools, and partners built on a foundation of academic excellence, mentoring, and internship opportunities.
Through a combination of AP and Bridge program courses, the program gives students the opportunity to complete one year of college credit before coming to Utica College.
The program allows for students at partner institutions to take:
- Up to two courses a semester from a prescribed list of courses as a junior or senior.
- Students applying to Utica College, and indicating an intention to enroll, will be granted a Utica College student mentor in their senior year of high school.
- UC Bridge Program students will also be introduced to a group of healthcare, non-profit, and corporate partners included in the internship and talent development component of their academic programs.
- Bridge students who attend Utica College will also have the opportunity to apply for an alumni mentor.
- The Bridge program is designed to encourage diversity and promote activities and opportunities that create inclusiveness.
Upstate Accelerated Scholars (UAS) Program
Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program Mission:
The mission of the Upstate Accelerated Scholars Program, or UAS, is to nurture and develop academically strong students committed to medicine from an early age on their path to medical school who wish to major in subjects not typically associated with a premedical track. By doing so, we hope to create a more diversely trained workforce of physicians who have been well-connected to Upstate's faculty, students, resources that have all helped develop UAS students to be the best possible, well-rounded physician even before matriculating to medical school.
Program Description:
These programs are designed for students who wish to simultaneously apply to both an undergraduate institution and medical school. If accepted, you will be guaranteed acceptance into SUNY Upstate's College of Medicine upon completion of your undergraduate degree, and as well as the outlined admissions requirements and the MCAT is waived.
You are welcome to apply to multiple institutions from our list of partners below (note: please check specific timelines, some programs are for matriculated freshmen, not high school seniors). These institutions must accept you first and then recommend you to our program. Upstate will screen these recommendations and then invite students to interview.
Accepted students are part of a strong community of peers from their undergraduate partner and other undergraduate institutions in their same matriculating class to medical school. All UAS students participate in virtual and hybrid programming around the Association of American Medical Colleges Core Competencies with the Upstate Accelerated Scholars Task Force comprised of faculty, staff, and students to develop into their best possible medical student and future physician. For more information, please visit: https://www.upstate.edu/com/admissions/options/bs-md.php
SUNY Oswego Summer Research Program
The students at SANY learn science disciplines under the guidance of Oswego professors and improve their lab skills. The students dorm on the SUNY campus for four weeks, eat their meals in the cafeteria and get a taste of what college life is like. In 2009, three students participated in this program. After a successful initial year, the student interest and involvement increased, with ten students attending in 2010.
Students must start a science fair project during this program for SASCS' internal competition in late fall and then participate at the Greater Syracuse Scholastic Science Fair (GSSSF) in early spring. Exceptional projects are presented at competitions such as I-SWEEEP, INTEL, and other international and national science fairs. Participation in summer programs and competitions also serves as a launching point for student careers, leading some students, like senior Charlene Murray. She participated in the 2010 SUNY Oswego Science Immersion Program to decide that a career in chemistry is just right for her.
The goal is an associate degree while in high school.
Transitioning from high school to college is a busy and confusing time for many students. At the same time, it is exciting - challenging with the new opening opportunities and problems to deal with. Last but not least, it is also the time for anticipation to say goodbye to old friends and welcome to new, unknown. Many students may get sidetracked by the myriad tasks that need to be accomplished in a short amount of time and may lose sight of the big picture.
At SANY, we believe college is for everyone. To assure our students reach that goal, we strive to provide individualized guidance support to produce the best match between our students' interests and the colleges.
As SANY college guidance department, we intend to graduate world-ready, well-rounded students with the help of available resources.
As an endeavor to close the gap between college and high school, we are in various partnerships with local, regional, and national colleges. The primary purpose of these partnerships is to graduate our students with a high school diploma and an associate diploma (AS, AAS). To achieve that goal, we have redesigned our high school curriculum to provide more flexible schedules starting from the sophomore year so that students can enroll in more college courses at the college campus.
Job shadowing / Internships
Job shadows are an excellent opportunity for our SANY students because they can help them plan their future and decide what to major in at college. Job shadowing is a great way to observe specific jobs and help determine which careers the SANY students are most interested in.
During a job shadow, our students observe a typical workday at the workplace and follow their mentor for a certain period.
During their job shadow, please make the most of the experience; we encourage our students to speak to as many people and participate in as many activities as possible.
Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress' Award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive.
The program is open to all youth in the US between the ages of 14 and 24 regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status.
Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.
Participants are eligible to register with the Award at 13 1/2 years old. Participants are eligible to submit completed record book applications when they reach the age of 14 years old.
Earning The Award is a fun and exciting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you'd like to try for the first time.
You move at your own pace, on your own or with your friends. The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities willing to take the challenge. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored to set goals, create an action plan, and meet the challenge.
Robotics
It's way more than building robots. FIRST Tech Challenge teams (up to 15 team members, grades 7-12) are challenged to design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format.
Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and teamwork.
The robot kit is reusable from year to year and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Teams design and build robots, raise funds, design, market their team brand, and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Participants are eligible to apply for $80M+ in college scholarships.
Each season concludes with regional championship events and an exciting FIRST Championship.
College Campus Visit
Scholars went on-campus visit with On Point for College. Colleges include SUNY Oswego, Hamilton College, Genesee Community College, Morrisville State College, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Clarkson. On-campus visit with College Guidance to Onondaga Community College.
College Rep Visit
The following college representatives provided in-person presentations to our scholars: Daemen, Utica, SUNY ESF, Syracuse University, SUNY Oswego, and Le Moyne.
Representatives from the Navy and the National Guard provided in-person presentations to our scholars.
College Fairs - Around - In School
Utica Academy of Science Scholars attended Mohawk Valley Counselors' Association's College Night at Utica College. Over 60 Colleges and Universities attended. Allowing scholars to see in the state, out-of-state colleges, and universities.
Alumni College to College, College to High School
SANY Alumni Advisory program is a unique, comprehensive program that allows SANY graduates to prepare for their college and career goals by participating in various professional development opportunities and events, connecting with an experienced mentor throughout the year, and earning a scholarship from Terra Science and Education Foundation.
SANY alumni can be a senior mentors. Participants will be paired with a SANY high school senior and will meet online at least two hours per semester throughout the school year. This experience will prompt seniors to look beyond high school and expand their understanding of college and careers.
SANY alumni can be college liaisons. College Liaisons serve as the point person for any college-related questions at the respective institution where they are based. College Liaisons help steer current college students (SANY graduates) in the right direction during their first years on campus and organize at least two meet-ups on or near campus per year.
Parent Nights
SAS Atoms and parents are provided in-person FAFSA, College application, and scholarship opportunities presentation and workshop night. SANY invites professionals from surrounding colleges/universities like the Director of financial aid at Le Moyne College and so forth.
Say YES to Education
A Say Yes to Education representative provided a virtual presentation to our scholars. Dana (Say YES Representative) is the point of contact for our scholars to become a Say YES member.
