High school applications are due on Dec. 2, the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday, for 8th graders, and 9th graders who want to go to a different school next year.

Still undecided where to apply? Check out our new Insideschools mobile website on your smartphone. You can search by borough, subway line, middle school grades and/or keyword, sifting through hundreds of high schools to find the best matches.

Here are some tips for 8th graders and their families to mull over after the turkey is eaten.

Filling out the application :

  • Be careful when drawing up your list of (up to) 12 high school choices. You don't have to fill in all the slots. Don't list a school you are not willing to attend. If you get assigned to a school you hate, but listed it on your application, it will be very hard to get placed elsewhere.
  • Rank your favorite school first. There's no need to play guessing games or set up an elaborate strategy. Schools will not see which students rank them first, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by ranking your top choice number one.
  • Don't apply to a school for which you do not qualify. If a school looks for students with a minimum 85 average or above and your GPA is 70, your chances of getting accepted are slim to none. Likewise, if you live in Queens and you're applying to a popular District 2 school that gives preference to Manhattan, you're not likely to be accepted.
  • If you have a zoned school, it will be printed on your application but you must list it as one of your choices to be given priority in admissions.
  • If you are a "top two-percenter," which counts when applying to educational option schools, this is noted on your application. You're in at an ed opt school IF you list it first on the application and your score is in the top two percent on the 7th grade reading exam.
  • Many large schools offer several programs. If you really want to attend a certain school, apply to more than one program.
  • Make sure your parent signs off on your final application. Nobody, including your guidance counselor, should persuade you to add choices without consulting your parent or guardian.
  • Keep a copy of your completed application and get a receipt from your guidance counselor when you hand it in.

What to consider when choosing a school

  • Admissions criteria: Some schools require an interview, an essay, or the submission of school work. Make sure you've done what you need to do. 
  • Small school or large? Small schools offer more personal attention and a sense of community. Large schools tend to have more sports teams, clubs and courses. Need help deciding? Watch our video: Weighing your options: Large school vs small school.
  • Fast-track or laid-back? Some schools pile on the homework. Other schools have a slower pace and encourage kids to relax a bit. Think about what's best for you. Will you thrive in a rigorous and competitive environment? Or, are you more likely to learn and excel when the pressure's off?
  • New school or well-established? It's nice to go to a school with a proven track record. Most new small schools take a few years to develop relationships with college admissions officers, so it can be a gamble to be in the first few graduating classes. However if you're faced with the choice between an overcrowded, failing neighborhood school or a new untested small school, in general, you might be better off going with the small one, if you feel comfortable with the theme and the leadership.
  • Theme school or well-rounded curriculum? Be aware that some of the school "themes" exist in name only. The academics should be solid, whatever the theme.
  • How long is the commute? Take a subway or bus ride to see if the commute is doable. Think about what it will be like in the rain and snow, or coming home late in the evening after a sports event or a school play. Far too many students discover after a few days of school that they can't handle a long commute. Watch our video: Weighing your options: Long trip vs short trip
  • Does your child have special needs? Check out our list of noteworthy special education programs, and watch our video on what to look for when you tour a program. Take a look at the DOE's online guide (pdf) for high school students receiving special education services; unfortunately the high school directory offers very little help. Another good source is the ARISE Coalition. Check out their information for students with IEPs applying to high school or middle school.

More tips for students

  • Auditioning? Practice first! Many performing arts and visual arts high school hold competitive auditions and expect applicants to be well-prepared. If you haven't had your audition yet, watch this video: How to apply to an audition school.
  • Don't let your friends choose for you. No school can accept every qualified student, so it's likely that friends will attend different high schools. Trust that you will make new friends in high school.
  • Read our reviews on Insideschools and watch the slideshows. Don't forget to scroll down and read comments from current students and parents. There's a lot of back and forth conversation going on right now.

Fill out your application, and relax until early March when results are in.

For students who also want to apply to a charter school, the next deadline for submitting applications will be April 1.