Sayville Resident Hosts Book Signing Wednesday

The college application process can be a daunting experience for many high school students as they weigh their higher education choices. 

To help simplify the process, Sayville resident and West Islip High School teacher Trish Portnoy has written “College Apps: Selecting, Applying to and Paying for the Right College For You.” The book addresses the needs of students and parents and offers guidance through the application process. 

On Wednesday, Portnoy is holding a book signing at Barnes and Noble on Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is co-hosted by Portnoy and the West Islip High School PTSA. 

“This book came about as the result of a college prep course I began teaching to high school seniors in the fall of 2007,” she said. “During the time I was teaching that course, I found that many of my students knew that they wanted to go to college but had no idea which schools to apply to.” 

Portnoy's book includes a number of topics such as personality and career analysis; college research and selection; college applications with supplemental materials; financial aid, loans, and budgeting; decision making; and campus safety, among others. 

“The process can be isolating,” she said. “People will also find that there may be information overload. It’s important to be able to know what information is good and which websites are quality websites.”