You're in for next year. Everything is set in stone. Put your feet up and kick back for the rest of senior year. You might want to think again.
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/225/story/580674.html
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Thin Envelope
So what do you do when the one envelope that was supposed to be fat is thin? Make confetti out of it! Put it in the shredder! Throw it at something as hard as you can, stomp your feet, pound your chest with your fists, and SCREAM!!!
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/03/10/4-reasons-a-rejection-letter-isnt-always-the-end.html
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2009/03/10/4-reasons-a-rejection-letter-isnt-always-the-end.html
Senior Year of High School
So you're going to be a senior. Time to take all the fun, fluff courses! Wrong!!!
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x2072769899/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Choosing-senior-year-courses
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x2072769899/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Choosing-senior-year-courses
ED vs EA
So what do all those letters mean?
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11858267?nclick_check=1
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_11858267?nclick_check=1
College Visits
Doing online research and electronically interacting with colleges can create a more defined list of colleges to visit. Cutting costs involved with college visits is a wise consideration.
http://www.theacorn.com/news/2009/0319/schools/049.html
http://www.theacorn.com/news/2009/0319/schools/049.html
Gap Year Benefits
There are life experiences, maturity, and more financial resources to be considered as some of the benefits of taking a gap year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14year.html?ref=business
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/business/14year.html?ref=business
Gap Year Experience
This article gives a perspective from a parent's point-of-view. There are many positive things that can come out of a gap year experience--
http://blogs.ajc.com/opinion-talk-blog/2009/03/16/gap-year-enriches-college-experience/
http://blogs.ajc.com/opinion-talk-blog/2009/03/16/gap-year-enriches-college-experience/
Friday, March 6, 2009
Recommendation Letters
Before you ask a teacher to write a letter of recommendation for you. there are several things that you should take into consideration.
College 101 - What Every Student Needs to Know About College Recommendations
Posted by Interactive Desk on Mar 04 2009, 01:59 PM
By Sam Rosensohn,Special to the Times /
Keep in mind that the teacher recommendations that accompany a student’s college applications can make or break a candidacy—that’s because 80 percent of the students who apply to any given school have the grades and SAT scores to get in.
So let’s take a look at how teachers evaluate students and how important their college recommendations are, particularly if you’re applying to a selective school.
The Common Application, which is currently the application of choice for 346 colleges and universities, including Amherst, Columbia, Harvard, Northeastern, Princeton, and Washington & Lee, calls for two teacher recommendations.
After noting how long the teacher has known you and in what context, the teacher is asked, “What are the first words that come to your mind to describe this student?” The teacher has one line for the answer.
The teacher is then asked to list the courses in which he or she instructed the student, noting the year it was taught, and the level of course difficulty.
That done the teacher is asked, “Please write whatever you think is important about this student, including a description of academic and personal characteristics, as demonstrated in your classroom. We welcome information that will help us to differentiate this student from others.”
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, share more in class. Let your teachers see you at your best. Get to know your teachers better, take more initiative in your education, and things will improve in class and in turn so will your recommendations.
Juniors, since you’re going to need two teacher recommendations, I suggest you line this up before the close of school in June. You could ask one to focus on personal characteristics and the other to focus on academic characteristics. If you don’t map it out, there’s always the possibility that both teachers will focus on the same characteristics.
After completing a written evaluation, the teacher will look at a grid (which you can see by going to www.commonapp.org) and compare you to the other students in your class and how you rate in the following 16 categories (not too long ago there were 11): Academic achievement, Intellectual promise, Quality of writing, Creative thought, Productive classroom discussion, Respect accorded by faculty, Disciplined work habits, Maturity, Motivation, Leadership, Integrity, Reaction to setbacks, Concern for others, Self-confidence, Initiative, Independence, and Overall.
Now here’s where it gets excruciatingly real. For each of those categories, teachers are asked to check one of the following boxes: Below Average, Average, Good, Very good, Excellent (top 10 percent), Outstanding (top 5 percent), and One of the Top Few Encountered in My Career.
The way ratings are set up on the application, admission officers don’t need to read the teacher essay, they simply have to look at the check marks. Depending upon where they fall, you’re either in the pile for consideration or in the circular file.
Since a lukewarm recommendation is not going to help your candidacy, what’s a student to do?
Find a good time this spring (not moments before the start of class next fall) to ask your teacher if he or she would write you a recommendation. If the answer is yes, then advise how much you want to go to a particular school, and ask your teacher if he or she is comfortable supporting your candidacy. You will find that for the most part teachers will let you know when they can’t write a glowing recommendation.
Finally, send your teacher a thank-you note as soon as she agrees to write your recommendation and enclose your resume; it can make a difference in how she views you.
Sam Rosensohn is the founder of College Planning Partnerships, which offers prep classes for the SAT, the ACT, and the SSAT. He helps students to prepare for college and to write college essays. He can be reached in Clinton at 860-664-9857 or at sam@satprepct.com. Visit www.satprepct.com to find SAT prep class times and previously published “College 101” columns.
College 101 - What Every Student Needs to Know About College Recommendations
Posted by Interactive Desk on Mar 04 2009, 01:59 PM
By Sam Rosensohn,Special to the Times /
Keep in mind that the teacher recommendations that accompany a student’s college applications can make or break a candidacy—that’s because 80 percent of the students who apply to any given school have the grades and SAT scores to get in.
So let’s take a look at how teachers evaluate students and how important their college recommendations are, particularly if you’re applying to a selective school.
The Common Application, which is currently the application of choice for 346 colleges and universities, including Amherst, Columbia, Harvard, Northeastern, Princeton, and Washington & Lee, calls for two teacher recommendations.
After noting how long the teacher has known you and in what context, the teacher is asked, “What are the first words that come to your mind to describe this student?” The teacher has one line for the answer.
The teacher is then asked to list the courses in which he or she instructed the student, noting the year it was taught, and the level of course difficulty.
That done the teacher is asked, “Please write whatever you think is important about this student, including a description of academic and personal characteristics, as demonstrated in your classroom. We welcome information that will help us to differentiate this student from others.”
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, share more in class. Let your teachers see you at your best. Get to know your teachers better, take more initiative in your education, and things will improve in class and in turn so will your recommendations.
Juniors, since you’re going to need two teacher recommendations, I suggest you line this up before the close of school in June. You could ask one to focus on personal characteristics and the other to focus on academic characteristics. If you don’t map it out, there’s always the possibility that both teachers will focus on the same characteristics.
After completing a written evaluation, the teacher will look at a grid (which you can see by going to www.commonapp.org) and compare you to the other students in your class and how you rate in the following 16 categories (not too long ago there were 11): Academic achievement, Intellectual promise, Quality of writing, Creative thought, Productive classroom discussion, Respect accorded by faculty, Disciplined work habits, Maturity, Motivation, Leadership, Integrity, Reaction to setbacks, Concern for others, Self-confidence, Initiative, Independence, and Overall.
Now here’s where it gets excruciatingly real. For each of those categories, teachers are asked to check one of the following boxes: Below Average, Average, Good, Very good, Excellent (top 10 percent), Outstanding (top 5 percent), and One of the Top Few Encountered in My Career.
The way ratings are set up on the application, admission officers don’t need to read the teacher essay, they simply have to look at the check marks. Depending upon where they fall, you’re either in the pile for consideration or in the circular file.
Since a lukewarm recommendation is not going to help your candidacy, what’s a student to do?
Find a good time this spring (not moments before the start of class next fall) to ask your teacher if he or she would write you a recommendation. If the answer is yes, then advise how much you want to go to a particular school, and ask your teacher if he or she is comfortable supporting your candidacy. You will find that for the most part teachers will let you know when they can’t write a glowing recommendation.
Finally, send your teacher a thank-you note as soon as she agrees to write your recommendation and enclose your resume; it can make a difference in how she views you.
Sam Rosensohn is the founder of College Planning Partnerships, which offers prep classes for the SAT, the ACT, and the SSAT. He helps students to prepare for college and to write college essays. He can be reached in Clinton at 860-664-9857 or at sam@satprepct.com. Visit www.satprepct.com to find SAT prep class times and previously published “College 101” columns.
And the Final Answer Is?
When you receive more than one fat envelope, what do you do. There are a number of factors to consider when making your final selection. Eenie, Meenie, My and Mo does not cut it!
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2009/march/Choosing-a-College-What-s-Your-Final-Answer.html
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/education/2009/march/Choosing-a-College-What-s-Your-Final-Answer.html
Yeah! Yeah! No More Tests!
The ever-growing controversy over the validity of standardized tests as a means of determining whether one will succeed or fail in college continues on.
Read this article to see how the number of colleges no longer requiring the SAT/ACT is growing.
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-nearly-1000-colleges-no-longer-require-sat-act-scores
Read this article to see how the number of colleges no longer requiring the SAT/ACT is growing.
http://www.opposingviews.com/articles/news-nearly-1000-colleges-no-longer-require-sat-act-scores
Scholarship Search Tips
See if these tips might simplify your hunt for college money.
As the school year nears end, high-school seniors may be scrambling to get scholarship applications in before deadline.
There are literally thousands of scholarships students can apply for, but finding the ones you qualify for can be challenging.
"This becomes like a part-time job," said Paul Halpine, lead counselor at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear. "You need to do it extremely well. Every scholarship you fill out is the potential to make money for college."
Many scholarships and colleges require students to first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, which is available online at fafsa.ed.gov.
The deadline is today at 11 p.m. for Arizona and some other states. Some states have later deadlines. Some private scholarships do not require the FAFSA form.
Halpine had a few tips for seniors applying for college scholarships:
1. Start early. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming and tedious. Set aside a few of nights or weekends to investigate what scholarships are out there.
"We have a college and career-prep course for all freshman and junior students," Halpine said. "Just making that transition getting them to think about four years down the road helps our students."
2. Make sure that the scholarship pertains to you. Identify scholarship standards that you meet.
3. Read the fine print. Look carefully at scholarship directions and make sure to complete the application fully.
4. Practice essay writing. Many guidance offices have sample essays.
"If you can't write a well-written coherent essay, you won't be as successful," Halpine said.
5. Be original. Creatively approach every topic and make it personal.
6. Proof and edit essays. Ask counselors and English teachers for writing tips.
7. Don't plagiarize. "There are programs out there to check if a student plagiarizes something. It has happened in the past," Halpine said. "It's a shortcut. If you're doing that sort of thing you're probably not ready."
8. Apply for many. Scholarships are competitive. The more you fill out the better chance you'll have.
9. Be professional and thorough. You have to impress and sell yourself to organizations, giving them reasons to award you money. They want go-getters and overachievers, Halpine said. "As a result, the implication is those students are going to do better in college."
10. There is no substitute to preparation and hard work.
As the school year nears end, high-school seniors may be scrambling to get scholarship applications in before deadline.
There are literally thousands of scholarships students can apply for, but finding the ones you qualify for can be challenging.
"This becomes like a part-time job," said Paul Halpine, lead counselor at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear. "You need to do it extremely well. Every scholarship you fill out is the potential to make money for college."
Many scholarships and colleges require students to first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, which is available online at fafsa.ed.gov.
The deadline is today at 11 p.m. for Arizona and some other states. Some states have later deadlines. Some private scholarships do not require the FAFSA form.
Halpine had a few tips for seniors applying for college scholarships:
1. Start early. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming and tedious. Set aside a few of nights or weekends to investigate what scholarships are out there.
"We have a college and career-prep course for all freshman and junior students," Halpine said. "Just making that transition getting them to think about four years down the road helps our students."
2. Make sure that the scholarship pertains to you. Identify scholarship standards that you meet.
3. Read the fine print. Look carefully at scholarship directions and make sure to complete the application fully.
4. Practice essay writing. Many guidance offices have sample essays.
"If you can't write a well-written coherent essay, you won't be as successful," Halpine said.
5. Be original. Creatively approach every topic and make it personal.
6. Proof and edit essays. Ask counselors and English teachers for writing tips.
7. Don't plagiarize. "There are programs out there to check if a student plagiarizes something. It has happened in the past," Halpine said. "It's a shortcut. If you're doing that sort of thing you're probably not ready."
8. Apply for many. Scholarships are competitive. The more you fill out the better chance you'll have.
9. Be professional and thorough. You have to impress and sell yourself to organizations, giving them reasons to award you money. They want go-getters and overachievers, Halpine said. "As a result, the implication is those students are going to do better in college."
10. There is no substitute to preparation and hard work.
Athletic Scholarships
I've posted many times regarding the topic of athletic scholarships. You need to be aware of the reality of a full-ride for college in exchange for your athletic talent.
http://www.kansascity.com/201/story/1022328.html
http://www.kansascity.com/201/story/1022328.html
Scholarship Scams
Beware of companies that offer to lead you to the golden road of scholarships in exchange for money.
http://media.www.dennews.com/media/storage/paper309/news/2009/03/02/News/Dont-Fall.Into.A.Scholarship.Scam-3656526.shtml
http://media.www.dennews.com/media/storage/paper309/news/2009/03/02/News/Dont-Fall.Into.A.Scholarship.Scam-3656526.shtml
Summer Time
This article will offer advice on what to do with your free time during the summer. Doing things that improve yourself as a desirable candidate is a good use of this time.
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_11754897?nclick_check=1
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_11754897?nclick_check=1
The Skinny Envelope
What do you do when the one envelope that you really wanted to be fat is skinny?
Read some hints from this article to see what some options may be for you.
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d24-What-if-its-not-fat-envelope-Tuesday-Dealing-with-rejection
Read some hints from this article to see what some options may be for you.
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d24-What-if-its-not-fat-envelope-Tuesday-Dealing-with-rejection
Campus Visits
Road trip--follow the tips in this article and you should have a positive experience.
It's an ideal time for juniors to start thinking about visiting some colleges; final exams are just over, and the days—believe it or not—are growing longer.
A smart college visit is a must, particularly since 25 percent of the students who enter a four-year college do not return for their sophomore year.
Taking a campus tour, attending a class, eating a meal in the cafeteria, and reading the school newspaper is a good start.
You might also consider asking your guidance counselor to put you in touch with students who currently or recently attended the colleges you’re serious about.
If it turns out that you can’t identify anyone who’s attending or has attended a particular school, call the admissions office of that particular school and ask them to connect you with a student or an alumnus from your neck of the woods.
College admissions counselors will also tell you about open houses, weekly visits, campus tours, information sessions, as well as classes you might want to observe.
If you call ahead, admissions can suggest classes to observe, and maybe even arrange an appointment with a faculty member, a coach, or an overnight stay in one of the dorms. They’ll send you everything from parking permits for when you get on campus to information about area lodging.
Many schools offer an interview with an admissions counselor. You don’t want to miss that opportunity, and while you’re doing that your parents can meet with a financial aid officer. Schools put a big emphasis on the amount of contact you have with them.
This happens to be one of the best times for visiting schools. The semester is just underway and it’s not close to finals. As finals approach everything starts to amp up and you won’t witness a routine day. Before visiting, learn everything you can about the school through the Internet, catalogs, and reference books. And when you get on campus, make a point of doing the official tour as well as the unofficial tour.
The unofficial tour would be you nosing around on your own or with a friend to discover what interests you most. Introduce yourself to students on campus and ask them what they like and don’t like about school. You’re trying to get a sense of what the place is like and whether you could imagine living and going to school there for four years. Sometimes it takes a couple of visits.
Take notes. By the time you’re done visiting the fifth school: cafeterias, dorms, dropout rate, and initial impressions start to blend. Some students find that taking photos helps them to remember more about their visits.
These are some questions drawn from The National Survey of Student Engagement at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and Planning that you might want answered:
It's an ideal time for juniors to start thinking about visiting some colleges; final exams are just over, and the days—believe it or not—are growing longer.
A smart college visit is a must, particularly since 25 percent of the students who enter a four-year college do not return for their sophomore year.
Taking a campus tour, attending a class, eating a meal in the cafeteria, and reading the school newspaper is a good start.
You might also consider asking your guidance counselor to put you in touch with students who currently or recently attended the colleges you’re serious about.
If it turns out that you can’t identify anyone who’s attending or has attended a particular school, call the admissions office of that particular school and ask them to connect you with a student or an alumnus from your neck of the woods.
College admissions counselors will also tell you about open houses, weekly visits, campus tours, information sessions, as well as classes you might want to observe.
If you call ahead, admissions can suggest classes to observe, and maybe even arrange an appointment with a faculty member, a coach, or an overnight stay in one of the dorms. They’ll send you everything from parking permits for when you get on campus to information about area lodging.
Many schools offer an interview with an admissions counselor. You don’t want to miss that opportunity, and while you’re doing that your parents can meet with a financial aid officer. Schools put a big emphasis on the amount of contact you have with them.
This happens to be one of the best times for visiting schools. The semester is just underway and it’s not close to finals. As finals approach everything starts to amp up and you won’t witness a routine day. Before visiting, learn everything you can about the school through the Internet, catalogs, and reference books. And when you get on campus, make a point of doing the official tour as well as the unofficial tour.
The unofficial tour would be you nosing around on your own or with a friend to discover what interests you most. Introduce yourself to students on campus and ask them what they like and don’t like about school. You’re trying to get a sense of what the place is like and whether you could imagine living and going to school there for four years. Sometimes it takes a couple of visits.
Take notes. By the time you’re done visiting the fifth school: cafeterias, dorms, dropout rate, and initial impressions start to blend. Some students find that taking photos helps them to remember more about their visits.
These are some questions drawn from The National Survey of Student Engagement at the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research and Planning that you might want answered:
What does the faculty expect of students?
How does the faculty challenge students to leave their comfort zone and excel?
How much homework do students have a week on average?
How much writing and reading is assigned per class?
What are exams like?
What ways are students given to express themselves creatively?
How and when do students declare their majors, and can they be self-designed?
How much help do students receive preparing for the workforce after college?
Do your alumni actively help students to find work?
What types of internships are available and are they required to graduate?
How many courses require community service?
How often do students meet with faculty outside of class?
What percentage of the student body does research with faculty?
What percentage of the freshman class doesn’t return sophomore year?
What does the school do to promote student-faculty interaction?
How often do students get feedback from their professors?
What evidence is there to demonstrate that teaching is important to professors?
What percentage of the student body studies in foreign countries?
What are the student organizations on campus?
What leadership opportunities are available?
What do students like and dislike about the campus?
What type of support services (academic and non-academic) are available?
What do students tend to do on the weekends and what percentage commute?
Where do students come from in the U.S., and from how many foreign countries?
How is technology used in the classroom, and what technological resources are available to students?
What types of athletic and intramural activities are available?
What kinds of musical, performing, and fine art events come to campus?
What types of summer internships or summer classes are available?
What types of honors courses, learning communities, weekend or night programs, or other unique academic offerings are available?
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available? What percentages of students work on and off campus?
How extensive is the library service?
What has the school done to ensure student safety?
What types of health and counseling services are in place for students?
What sororities and fraternities are on campus and what percentage of the student body belongs to one?
Where do students live and what are the different kinds of residences and campus housing available?
Where do students eat and how flexible are the meal plans?
After you get a handle of what’s on campus, go explore what’s off campus. If you make the right decision, you’ll be there for four years.
Sam Rosensohn is the founder of College Planning Partnerships, which offers prep classes for the SAT, the ACT, and the SSAT. He helps students to prepare for college and to write college essays. He can be reached in Clinton at 860-664-9857. Visit www.satprepct.com for previously published “College 101” columns and SAT prep class times.
Admission Tests
So how important is the SAT or ACT in your chance to gain admission to your college of choice? Read this link to get a perspective on the importance of the test.
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x1958679313/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Put-tests-in-perspective
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/lifestyle/columnists/x1958679313/COLLEGE-MATTERS-Put-tests-in-perspective
The FAFSA Form
You think doing your taxes is bad? Well, welcome to the world of financial aid and the wonderful FAFSA form.
This link will discuss what is being planned to simplify the financial aid process.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?_r=2&ref=education
This link will discuss what is being planned to simplify the financial aid process.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/education/22fafsa.html?_r=2&ref=education
Parent Tips
This will give parents a good guideline with their involvement in their child's college admission process.
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d19-College-Admissions-101-the-getin-guide-for-parents-of-high-school-students
http://www.examiner.com/x-766-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2009m2d19-College-Admissions-101-the-getin-guide-for-parents-of-high-school-students
Save Money for College
A new idea is beginning to appear on the college landscape. Complete four years of college in three. If you can handle it, it might be worth considering.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/education/25hartwick.html?ref=us
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/25/education/25hartwick.html?ref=us
Financial Aid Myths
This article will give you information regarding the 5 myths of financial aid.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/thriftyliving/story/805953.html
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/thriftyliving/story/805953.html
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