Thursday, December 23, 2010
Is Going to an Elite College Worth the Cost? - NYTimes.com
This article in the New York Times is the latest in a series about whether college is worth the price. In monitoring the latest news, I have seen hundreds of these articles, and they seem to proliferate based on how negatively the economy is perceived. The bottom line is that yes, college in general is worth it, but whether or not to attend a specific college over another one may be dependent on the amount of debt you have to accrue. Because money and finances are such individual and personal topics, I am not going to address whether college is important for your child in particular... maybe your child is another Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, and doesn't need that particular piece of sheepskin. But in general, on a macro level, college is very important. It is trains our teens to contribute to society, even if they are studying a traditional liberal arts education. College opens doors to jobs and ideas that are closed to most high school only graduates. But the most important thing that college does is it teaches you how to think, and opens students up to the possibility of careers that didn't exist 10 minutes ago. Take Zuckerberg for example. As a computer programmer, he expanded on an idea that has spawned an industry, and has created new jobs and possibilities for many college graduates. Maybe Mark didn't need the degree, but I am willing to bet that most of his employees have one. Have you every watched the credits after a Pixar movie? The array of jobs listed that require training and special skills is incredible. 20 years ago, many of those jobs didn't exist. Students who break the mold can stay on the cutting edge by constantly learning new skills, and applying them to new technologies. Another point about college, especially going away to college, that is undervalued is that when students leave home, they usually make a huge leap forward in maturity and the ability to navigate the world without help from their parents. You can't put a price on independence, and much of it is learned through trial and error on college campuses. Yes, college is expensive. Yes, it is 4 years of your life, that can be incredible or stultifying. But the learning that happens on a personal, intellectual and professional level cannot be measures. To paraphrase Mastercard: Exploring to find out who you are, having to take responsibility for yourself, and learning how to learn: Priceless. Is Going to an Elite College Worth the Cost? - NYTimes.com - http://nyti.ms/fb9UxB
Monday, November 22, 2010
College Admissions and Match.com
The college admissions process is very much like dating. Don't believe me? Think about cycle of your typical Hollywood romantic comedy: They meet, they fall in love, they break up and then get together again.
College admissions is not so different, except that the cycles are defined and repeat annually. In the spring on Junior year, the colleges do their best to woo as many students as they can. They send out beautiful "gifts"— flyers full of glossy pictures and promises of the perfect college experience. They catch your interest, and convince you to fall in love with them. "My world will be over if I can't go to ________ college!" you think. And so it goes. Every year, more and more students fall in love, or at least serious "like" with one or more schools. But because students know that colleges are dating around, and not ready to commit, they keep a few or more waiting in the wings, hoping for a relationship.
The next step in this mating dance is the application process, and the response cycle. This is just like plucking petals off the daisy: They love me, they love me not, maybe they love me? It is a time of great insecurity on both sides, although students feel it more keenly as the suitors, rather than the one who is being wooed.
And finally, the commitment phase, when the colleges again try to to woo the accepted students and beg them to come. The shoe is on the other foot, and colleges want to make sure that their yield (the number of students who actually attend) is as high as possible. Accepted student weekends are full of fun event designed to get prospective freshman to say "YES!"
So as your mailbox fills with those glossy brochures, an your email is clogged with info from schools, look at it with a cynical eye... this is a dance, and not all who are wooed are won, and the one you think is your one and only, may end up not being your final choice.
College admissions is not so different, except that the cycles are defined and repeat annually. In the spring on Junior year, the colleges do their best to woo as many students as they can. They send out beautiful "gifts"— flyers full of glossy pictures and promises of the perfect college experience. They catch your interest, and convince you to fall in love with them. "My world will be over if I can't go to ________ college!" you think. And so it goes. Every year, more and more students fall in love, or at least serious "like" with one or more schools. But because students know that colleges are dating around, and not ready to commit, they keep a few or more waiting in the wings, hoping for a relationship.
The next step in this mating dance is the application process, and the response cycle. This is just like plucking petals off the daisy: They love me, they love me not, maybe they love me? It is a time of great insecurity on both sides, although students feel it more keenly as the suitors, rather than the one who is being wooed.
And finally, the commitment phase, when the colleges again try to to woo the accepted students and beg them to come. The shoe is on the other foot, and colleges want to make sure that their yield (the number of students who actually attend) is as high as possible. Accepted student weekends are full of fun event designed to get prospective freshman to say "YES!"
So as your mailbox fills with those glossy brochures, an your email is clogged with info from schools, look at it with a cynical eye... this is a dance, and not all who are wooed are won, and the one you think is your one and only, may end up not being your final choice.
Click Three Times for the Common App
I was thinking about mentioning this in a blog post when it happened: One of my students thought he had submitted his application after paying the fee, and didn't take the final step of sending off the main portion of the application.
It happens. It happens so often that the Common App sent an email to college counselors last week with this reminder:
If you or someone you know forgot the head to the signature page for that final step, remember that all is not lost. Submit it as soon as you can, and write a note to the admissions department at the university. You may be shut out of some schools, or accepted for the January term, but others may be willing to cut you some slack. My student applied early enough that he is still eligible for ED2 at his first choice school. A call from your high school college counselor can't hurt either.
Good luck with the applications!
It happens. It happens so often that the Common App sent an email to college counselors last week with this reminder:
- Submit App, Supp, & Payment Separately
The application, supplement, and payment submissions are three distinct processes. Despite instructions and reminders, some students mistakenly believe that the application automatically follows a supplement and/or payment. Please remind your students to confirm the status of their submissions within My Colleges.
If you or someone you know forgot the head to the signature page for that final step, remember that all is not lost. Submit it as soon as you can, and write a note to the admissions department at the university. You may be shut out of some schools, or accepted for the January term, but others may be willing to cut you some slack. My student applied early enough that he is still eligible for ED2 at his first choice school. A call from your high school college counselor can't hurt either.
Good luck with the applications!
Monday, October 25, 2010
America's Happiest Campuses
The following list is courtesy of Dodge Johnson, president of IECA and seasoned consultant. He bases the listing on retention rates from rates from the freshman to the sophomore year. As Dodge notes: "These lists aren't perfect. Not all colleges report the data. Some kids may be mortally unhappy but stick with their colleges anyway — most people who would kill to get into Harvard would rather die than leave.
And of course I make mistakes - more than I care to admit. But as the sign in a Dodge City bar used to say, 'Don't shoot the piano player, he's doing the best he can.'"
I say that the piano player is doing very well indeed, and without further ado, here are the 2010 results:
SUMMA CUM GAUDIA
Colleges with a 96%+ Freshman Retention Rate
Berkeley,
Bowdoin College
Brown University
California Institute Of Technology
Carleton College
Chicago, University of
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Duke University
Emory University
Hamilton College
Harvard University
Holy Cross, College of the
Johns Hopkins University, The
Los Angeles, UC at
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Michigan, University of
Middlebury College
North Carolina, University of
Northwestern University
Olin College of Engineering
Pennsylvania, University of
Pomona College
Princeton University
Rice University
Rochester, University of
Southern California, University of
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
Tufts University
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Virginia, University of
Washington University
William And Mary, College of
Williams College
Yale University
MAGNA CUM GUADIA
Colleges with a 92-95% Freshman Retention Rate
Amherst College
Barnard College
Bates College
Bentley University
Boston College
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
Carnegie-Mellon University
Claremont McKenna College
Colby College
Colgate University
Colorado College
Cooper Union
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Georgia, University of
Grinnell College
Grove City College
Haverford College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois, University of
Irvine, UC at
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Macalester College
Maryland, University of
McGill University
New Jersey, College of
Notre Dame, University of
Oberlin College
Ohio State University
Penn State
Pittsburgh, Universityof
Rhode Island School Of Design
San Diego, UC at
Skidmore College
Texas, University of
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington And Lee University
Washington, University of
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Whitman College
Wisconsin, University of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
CUM GUADIA
Colleges admitting 50+% with freshman retention rates in the 90's
Art Center College of Design
Beloit College
Bennington College
Boston University
British Columbia, University of
Butler University
Case Western Reserve
Centre College
Clemson University
Colorado School Of Mines
Connecticut, University of
Florida State University
Fordham University
Furman University
Georgia, University of
Grove City College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Illinois, University of
James Madison University
John Carroll University
Knox College
Lawrence University
McGill University
Michigan State University
Mt. Holyoke College
North Carolina State University
Ohio State University
Penn State
Providence College
Rutgers University
Santa Clara University
Sewanee
St. Mary's College
St. Olaf College
Stevens Institute Of Technology
Syracuse University
Washington, University of
Wisconsin, University of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
And of course I make mistakes - more than I care to admit. But as the sign in a Dodge City bar used to say, 'Don't shoot the piano player, he's doing the best he can.'"
I say that the piano player is doing very well indeed, and without further ado, here are the 2010 results:
SUMMA CUM GAUDIA
Colleges with a 96%+ Freshman Retention Rate
Berkeley,
Bowdoin College
Brown University
California Institute Of Technology
Carleton College
Chicago, University of
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Davidson College
Duke University
Emory University
Hamilton College
Harvard University
Holy Cross, College of the
Johns Hopkins University, The
Los Angeles, UC at
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Michigan, University of
Middlebury College
North Carolina, University of
Northwestern University
Olin College of Engineering
Pennsylvania, University of
Pomona College
Princeton University
Rice University
Rochester, University of
Southern California, University of
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
Tufts University
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
Virginia, University of
Washington University
William And Mary, College of
Williams College
Yale University
MAGNA CUM GUADIA
Colleges with a 92-95% Freshman Retention Rate
Amherst College
Barnard College
Bates College
Bentley University
Boston College
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
Bucknell University
Carnegie-Mellon University
Claremont McKenna College
Colby College
Colgate University
Colorado College
Cooper Union
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Georgia, University of
Grinnell College
Grove City College
Haverford College
Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois, University of
Irvine, UC at
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Macalester College
Maryland, University of
McGill University
New Jersey, College of
Notre Dame, University of
Oberlin College
Ohio State University
Penn State
Pittsburgh, Universityof
Rhode Island School Of Design
San Diego, UC at
Skidmore College
Texas, University of
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington And Lee University
Washington, University of
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Whitman College
Wisconsin, University of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
CUM GUADIA
Colleges admitting 50+% with freshman retention rates in the 90's
Art Center College of Design
Beloit College
Bennington College
Boston University
British Columbia, University of
Butler University
Case Western Reserve
Centre College
Clemson University
Colorado School Of Mines
Connecticut, University of
Florida State University
Fordham University
Furman University
Georgia, University of
Grove City College
Gustavus Adolphus College
Illinois, University of
James Madison University
John Carroll University
Knox College
Lawrence University
McGill University
Michigan State University
Mt. Holyoke College
North Carolina State University
Ohio State University
Penn State
Providence College
Rutgers University
Santa Clara University
Sewanee
St. Mary's College
St. Olaf College
Stevens Institute Of Technology
Syracuse University
Washington, University of
Wisconsin, University of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Software to check for plagiarized essays....
The WP Answer sheet: The new risk of plagiarizing college essays
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/college-admissions/the-dangers-of-plagiarizing-co.html
I have to laugh, because several of my students have either finished or are in the throes of finishing up their essays. It is a difficult process because the essay supposed to be personal, and is very different from one that you would write for school. I tell my students to write the story only they could tell, and that when I am done, I want to be able to close my eyes and picture them in front of me. How that could happen if the essay is plagiarized is beyond me! Writing the essay should be a process of discovery, and not something that gets copied off the internet!
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/college-admissions/the-dangers-of-plagiarizing-co.html
I have to laugh, because several of my students have either finished or are in the throes of finishing up their essays. It is a difficult process because the essay supposed to be personal, and is very different from one that you would write for school. I tell my students to write the story only they could tell, and that when I am done, I want to be able to close my eyes and picture them in front of me. How that could happen if the essay is plagiarized is beyond me! Writing the essay should be a process of discovery, and not something that gets copied off the internet!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
SAT and ACT questions of the day
I know this sounds goofy, but for juniors and sophomores, this is a good time to sign up for the SAT and ACT question of the day. It will be sent via email, and if they check daily, their proficiency will slowly build. I also like the Word of the Day, which gets texted directly to their cell phones. It requires them to text back to agree, but after that, they can set the time of day it arrives and the frequency. It's a great way to build a vocabulary.
Here are the links:
SAT Question of the day
http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-question-of-the-day?ep_ch=CO
ACT Question of the day
http://www.testprepreview.com/act_practice.htm
Word of the day (these two sites are not affiliated with the ACT or SAT, but they are great for building the vocabulary!
http://www.4info.com/browse/word-of-the-day/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/word/askmenow.htm
Here are the links:
SAT Question of the day
http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-question-of-the-day?ep_ch=CO
ACT Question of the day
http://www.testprepreview.com/act_practice.htm
Word of the day (these two sites are not affiliated with the ACT or SAT, but they are great for building the vocabulary!
http://www.4info.com/browse/word-of-the-day/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/word/askmenow.htm
Friday, September 10, 2010
Is College Important?
Did you read this article in the Post today? (Some say bypassing a higher education is smarter than paying for a degree) It is certainly provocative and attention-getting. While it is true that some people, notably Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, do quite well without college, it is hard to make a blanket statement that is true for all. What about those students who don't want to start their own businesses? The ones who want to study science, or law or (heaven forbid!) get a liberal arts education? I agree that some students definitely benefit from a gap year or two before they begin to focus on what they want out of college... Overall, though, studies have shown that college graduates earn more in the long run, and are more marketable in a down economy than those with only a high school degree.
The other point that the article makes has to do with financial aid and the debt loads that students are carrying. This is a much more serious concern. A young man of my acquaintance is starting his Master's degree at Cambridge University. He already has a heavy debt load from his undergraduate education, and will be incurring more debt over the next year. But after much thought and discussion, he decided to take the leap and attend the university of his dreams. He feels that it will be worth the price, because of the cachet of the Cambridge name, and the chances that if he does well, he will have his choice of PhD programs when he returns. As a history professor, the Cambridge name will only enhance his resume.
Another student, one who does not have the grades or the drive might make a different decision based on economics and not reputation. There is nothing wrong with this, and in fact, makes an awful lot of sense. The point is: Where to go to college, and how much to pay for it is a very individual decision.
I would never recommend a student attend a college that is out of range financially for his or her family's finances. Parents shouldn't bankrupt themselves or mortgage the house or their retirement to pay for a $200,000 education. However, the ultimate value of an education is a personal matter, and because of that, some families may be willing to devote a larger percentage of their savings toward it.
Don't discount financial aid, either. I always tell my families that there is a lot of financial aid out there that they may not know about. I know many students who are attending private colleges for the same price tag as a public university. And the fees at out-of-state universities can be lower than you think. Have you heard of the Academic Common Market? Do you know that some universities offer grants to out of state students with good grades and scores, to increase diversity?
Remember the unofficial IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) motto: It is all about the "fit." And fit includes how much it will cost you in the end, as well as what you learn while you are there.
There is no dispute that a master plumber does not need a BA, and will probably make more in a lifetime than someone who works in the not-for-profit world. But that doesn't mean that the college degree is worthless. Not everything comes down to a matter of dollars and cents.
The other point that the article makes has to do with financial aid and the debt loads that students are carrying. This is a much more serious concern. A young man of my acquaintance is starting his Master's degree at Cambridge University. He already has a heavy debt load from his undergraduate education, and will be incurring more debt over the next year. But after much thought and discussion, he decided to take the leap and attend the university of his dreams. He feels that it will be worth the price, because of the cachet of the Cambridge name, and the chances that if he does well, he will have his choice of PhD programs when he returns. As a history professor, the Cambridge name will only enhance his resume.
Another student, one who does not have the grades or the drive might make a different decision based on economics and not reputation. There is nothing wrong with this, and in fact, makes an awful lot of sense. The point is: Where to go to college, and how much to pay for it is a very individual decision.
I would never recommend a student attend a college that is out of range financially for his or her family's finances. Parents shouldn't bankrupt themselves or mortgage the house or their retirement to pay for a $200,000 education. However, the ultimate value of an education is a personal matter, and because of that, some families may be willing to devote a larger percentage of their savings toward it.
Don't discount financial aid, either. I always tell my families that there is a lot of financial aid out there that they may not know about. I know many students who are attending private colleges for the same price tag as a public university. And the fees at out-of-state universities can be lower than you think. Have you heard of the Academic Common Market? Do you know that some universities offer grants to out of state students with good grades and scores, to increase diversity?
Remember the unofficial IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) motto: It is all about the "fit." And fit includes how much it will cost you in the end, as well as what you learn while you are there.
There is no dispute that a master plumber does not need a BA, and will probably make more in a lifetime than someone who works in the not-for-profit world. But that doesn't mean that the college degree is worthless. Not everything comes down to a matter of dollars and cents.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges look for in High School Student
This list comes courtesy of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) and is a good benchmark for looking at the application process in a thoughtful non-reactive way. Students don't need straight As, or perfect SATs or millions of extracurriculars... just consistent effort and enthusiasm about what they are doing. Colleges don't want automatons. They want living, breathing students who want to learn!
Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges look for in High School Student
3251 Old Lee Highway, Suite 510
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-591-4850 n www.IECAonline.com n info@IECAonline.com
© 2010 IECA
TM
Based on a Survey of IECA member consultants
Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges look for in High School Student
- A rigorous high school curriculum that challenges the student and may include AP or IB classes.
- Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend. However, slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all As in less challenging coursework.
- Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT). These should be consistent with high school performance.
- Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative. Depth, not breadth, of experience is most important.
- Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselor that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits, and an interest in learning.
- A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values and goals. The application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal. It should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writing.
- Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student body.
- Demonstrated leadership in activities. Colleges want people who will arrive prepared and willing to take leadership of student activities and events.
- Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school, leisure pursuits, and more.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm to attend, often exhibited by campus visits and an interview, showing an interest toward attending the college.
3251 Old Lee Highway, Suite 510
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-591-4850 n www.IECAonline.com n info@IECAonline.com
© 2010 IECA
TM
Based on a Survey of IECA member consultants
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Crucial 5: Looking Good on Your Application
What do colleges want?
This is a question that comes up repeatedly in the news, from parents, even between college consultants. Back in the old days (when parents applied to college) the buzzword was "well-rounded." We all wanted to be involved in a variety of activities that showed how balanced we were. Now the word is "passion." Colleges look for applicants who have explored one (or more) activities at depth. It is enough to make your head spin!
But aside from essays and extra-curriculars, colleges look at each applicant's quantitative mix. These mostly numerical scores are more important for large public universities who have less time to focus on each application individually, but they are also important for private colleges as well.
So what is this mysterious quantitative mix? Obviously, it includes SAT, SAT2, ACT, AP and IB scores. All of those numbers are factored in. Yes, they are important, but they are not the only thing(s) that colleges look at. Colleges know that standardized tests can show college readiness and ability in some but not all students. Timed testing can be undermined by anxiety and learning issues and are not a comprehensive measure for everyone.
Colleges also look closely at transcripts, and that is where the Crucial 5 come in. Successful applicants share one thing in common: they have 4 years of classes in the following subject areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and (one) Foreign Language. Can you get into college without all 4 years? Absolutely. But if you are looking at a competitive school, you will increase your chances by making sure you have all these bases covered. And all of these classes contribute to the mix.
More than straight As, taking the most challenging combination of the crucial 5 offered at your high school will help balance out your scores. A B in an AP class shows that you challenged yourself, and you are working as hard as you can in high school. No college wants to take a slacker or an underachiever! You don't need to take the top classes in every subject, so if you are stronger in language, and weaker in Math, don't panic. (Just make sure you get through Algebra 2, a must for college admissions). And make sure your transcript shows that you made the effort.
An old joke asks: what do you call someone who speaks two languages? (bilingual) and what do you call someone who speaks only one language (an American). Hopefully this is not true anymore, and colleges are actively looking for students who prove that joke wrong. Also, brain research has shown that you can learn languages more easily as a teenager than later on. So take your 4 years of French (or Spanish, or Latin), especially since it will probably get you out of having to take language at college, which will give you an opening for more electives once you get there.
This is a question that comes up repeatedly in the news, from parents, even between college consultants. Back in the old days (when parents applied to college) the buzzword was "well-rounded." We all wanted to be involved in a variety of activities that showed how balanced we were. Now the word is "passion." Colleges look for applicants who have explored one (or more) activities at depth. It is enough to make your head spin!
But aside from essays and extra-curriculars, colleges look at each applicant's quantitative mix. These mostly numerical scores are more important for large public universities who have less time to focus on each application individually, but they are also important for private colleges as well.
So what is this mysterious quantitative mix? Obviously, it includes SAT, SAT2, ACT, AP and IB scores. All of those numbers are factored in. Yes, they are important, but they are not the only thing(s) that colleges look at. Colleges know that standardized tests can show college readiness and ability in some but not all students. Timed testing can be undermined by anxiety and learning issues and are not a comprehensive measure for everyone.
Colleges also look closely at transcripts, and that is where the Crucial 5 come in. Successful applicants share one thing in common: they have 4 years of classes in the following subject areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and (one) Foreign Language. Can you get into college without all 4 years? Absolutely. But if you are looking at a competitive school, you will increase your chances by making sure you have all these bases covered. And all of these classes contribute to the mix.
More than straight As, taking the most challenging combination of the crucial 5 offered at your high school will help balance out your scores. A B in an AP class shows that you challenged yourself, and you are working as hard as you can in high school. No college wants to take a slacker or an underachiever! You don't need to take the top classes in every subject, so if you are stronger in language, and weaker in Math, don't panic. (Just make sure you get through Algebra 2, a must for college admissions). And make sure your transcript shows that you made the effort.
An old joke asks: what do you call someone who speaks two languages? (bilingual) and what do you call someone who speaks only one language (an American). Hopefully this is not true anymore, and colleges are actively looking for students who prove that joke wrong. Also, brain research has shown that you can learn languages more easily as a teenager than later on. So take your 4 years of French (or Spanish, or Latin), especially since it will probably get you out of having to take language at college, which will give you an opening for more electives once you get there.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Financial Aid for college
The article below in the New York Times (How to Get More College Financial Aid By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: April 6, 2010) and others have gotten me thinking about paying for colleges. I am not a financial aid expert, but I fill out forms for 3 students of my own every year, so I have some real-world experience. Here are some tips I have learned along the way:
Plan Ahead
The first point is the one mentioned by every financial advisor I have ever met: The sooner you start planning for college, the better. Even a small 529 is better than nothing. You don't want to leave it all to the last minute and hope for a huge financial aid package! That is like assuming that your child will become a baseball all-star because he likes little league. Too much of a gamble for my liking!
On the other hand, if your child does well academically, and has a good "quantitative mix" there is a good chance that some college will be interested enough to throw money your way. Don't assume that private schools are out of the question, just because you don't have $50K to throw around. I know plenty of families (mine included) where they have paid more for a sibling at a public university than a sibling at a private school because of scholarships and grants.
So the second "plan ahead" is to take the time to fill out those endless forms (FAFSA and CSS Profile) even if you don't think you will get much. You will also need to get your taxes done in a timely fashion. Early is better, because the sooner you are done, the sooner you can be considered.
Timing is particularly important for state financial awards. Where we live, the DC-TAG (Tuition Assistance Grant) is very important for students applying to public universities. I stand in line every year in late March to have my taxes certified by the Office of Tax and Revenue, and then head to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to get an award letter. Would I still get that award in May? Probably. But the lines are shorter, the anxiety is less, and every year they warn that they might run out of money.
Don't Make Yourself Crazy
While you are being thorough on the forms, and looking at meritaid.com and fastweb.com and studentaid.com, don't apply for everything that comes your way. The smaller grants can take just as long to apply for (even when they don't require an essay) as the larger awards. I would concentrate on aid that your child is particularly qualified for, especially if it is local. These smaller awards (high school alumni awards, military awards for those with parents and grandparents who served, church or synagogue awards) are not as well known, and are better bets. Look for those if you can. Ask some parents who have older children to see what awards they got.
Don't Be Afraid To Ask
The awards are in, and there is a gap between what you think you can spend, and what the college thinks you can pay. Most colleges offer awards to students that end up going elsewhere. It never hurts to ask for more. The worst they can say is "no."
How to get more financial aid
Plan Ahead
The first point is the one mentioned by every financial advisor I have ever met: The sooner you start planning for college, the better. Even a small 529 is better than nothing. You don't want to leave it all to the last minute and hope for a huge financial aid package! That is like assuming that your child will become a baseball all-star because he likes little league. Too much of a gamble for my liking!
On the other hand, if your child does well academically, and has a good "quantitative mix" there is a good chance that some college will be interested enough to throw money your way. Don't assume that private schools are out of the question, just because you don't have $50K to throw around. I know plenty of families (mine included) where they have paid more for a sibling at a public university than a sibling at a private school because of scholarships and grants.
So the second "plan ahead" is to take the time to fill out those endless forms (FAFSA and CSS Profile) even if you don't think you will get much. You will also need to get your taxes done in a timely fashion. Early is better, because the sooner you are done, the sooner you can be considered.
Timing is particularly important for state financial awards. Where we live, the DC-TAG (Tuition Assistance Grant) is very important for students applying to public universities. I stand in line every year in late March to have my taxes certified by the Office of Tax and Revenue, and then head to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to get an award letter. Would I still get that award in May? Probably. But the lines are shorter, the anxiety is less, and every year they warn that they might run out of money.
Don't Make Yourself Crazy
While you are being thorough on the forms, and looking at meritaid.com and fastweb.com and studentaid.com, don't apply for everything that comes your way. The smaller grants can take just as long to apply for (even when they don't require an essay) as the larger awards. I would concentrate on aid that your child is particularly qualified for, especially if it is local. These smaller awards (high school alumni awards, military awards for those with parents and grandparents who served, church or synagogue awards) are not as well known, and are better bets. Look for those if you can. Ask some parents who have older children to see what awards they got.
Don't Be Afraid To Ask
The awards are in, and there is a gap between what you think you can spend, and what the college thinks you can pay. Most colleges offer awards to students that end up going elsewhere. It never hurts to ask for more. The worst they can say is "no."
How to get more financial aid
Thursday, April 1, 2010
College Admissions: Waiting List Woe
Admissions letters are starting to trickle in. High School Seniors are anxiously checking their computers on the appointed day and time to see what their status is. I know one Senior who refused to visit a college offering him a scholarship today so that he can be at his computer at 5pm exactly to find out about his Ivy League responses. Will it be the dreaded rejection or the hoped for acceptance? Or will students be relegated to that purgatory that is the waiting list?
This year, even more than 2009, colleges will be relying on waiting lists to help gather together what they hope will be the optimal composition of students for their incoming classes. Some colleges will have more students on waiting lists than on the actual "accepted" roster. Why? Because admissions is a bit of a crap shoot for the the colleges as well. They may offer acceptances to a fabulous set of students (and waitlist a group of equally fabulous kids) but they have no idea how many of those students will actually accept them back. This is because way back in the fall, what looked like a perfect fit may not be as perfect today, taking into account other acceptances, parental finances, and merit and financial aid offers.
So in order for colleges to get that "perfect" mix of athletes, artists, legacies, minority students, full payers and scholarship students, they will be looking to draw heavily from their waiting lists.
It all sounds pretty much out of anyone's control, but there are a few things that a student on a waiting list can do:
Stay Positive
They want you. They do. They just didn't have room for you. You wouldn't be on the waiting list if they didn't think you were worthy and capable and fabulous. You may even be more fabulous than other people they accepted, but because they had to balance their numbers, they didn't have room right now. Wait a few weeks. That may change. Feeling sorry for yourself will not help matters.
Stay in Touch
Definitely fill out the form to stay on the waiting list if this is a school you really want to attend. Next, sit down and write a letter outlining your achievements, since you sent in your original application. Include anything interesting that comes to mind: community service, fun facts, personal bests. Achievements are not just academic. Also make sure you let the admissions staff know that if you are accepted you would definitely matriculate, but don't say it unless you mean it. And don't pledge yourself to more than one college — admissions officers from different colleges do communicate with one another! Also, if you are in a financial position to do so, let them know that you won't be applying for financial aid. Sadly, waitlists are not need-blind.
Make a commitment
Just to keep your bases covered, make the best choice you can with what you have been offered. Go to their accepted students events, and see how that option feels to you. Keep an open mind. College campuses look very different with an acceptance in your pocket, and you may feel your second choice will be a better overall fit. But remember, you don't have to make a choice until May 1, and waiting until then may give the waitlists some time to start moving. Finally, don't commit to more than one school. It is not honorable, and it can get pricey, since you must be prepared to sacrifice the registration fee if you change your mind.
Don't Bear a Grudge
There are many stories in the admissions world of students who pledged their undying allegiance, and then rejected an offer off the waiting list because it wasn't early enough. Remember to stay positive, and not take this personally! If they didn't want you, they would have rejected you. Really. And getting in off the waiting list will not make you a second class citizen on campus. No one will know except the people that you choose to tell. You would be surprised at how many students end up attending a different college in September from the one they told folks they would be going to in April.
Best Wishes, and Hang in There!
The College Lady
This year, even more than 2009, colleges will be relying on waiting lists to help gather together what they hope will be the optimal composition of students for their incoming classes. Some colleges will have more students on waiting lists than on the actual "accepted" roster. Why? Because admissions is a bit of a crap shoot for the the colleges as well. They may offer acceptances to a fabulous set of students (and waitlist a group of equally fabulous kids) but they have no idea how many of those students will actually accept them back. This is because way back in the fall, what looked like a perfect fit may not be as perfect today, taking into account other acceptances, parental finances, and merit and financial aid offers.
So in order for colleges to get that "perfect" mix of athletes, artists, legacies, minority students, full payers and scholarship students, they will be looking to draw heavily from their waiting lists.
It all sounds pretty much out of anyone's control, but there are a few things that a student on a waiting list can do:
Stay Positive
They want you. They do. They just didn't have room for you. You wouldn't be on the waiting list if they didn't think you were worthy and capable and fabulous. You may even be more fabulous than other people they accepted, but because they had to balance their numbers, they didn't have room right now. Wait a few weeks. That may change. Feeling sorry for yourself will not help matters.
Stay in Touch
Definitely fill out the form to stay on the waiting list if this is a school you really want to attend. Next, sit down and write a letter outlining your achievements, since you sent in your original application. Include anything interesting that comes to mind: community service, fun facts, personal bests. Achievements are not just academic. Also make sure you let the admissions staff know that if you are accepted you would definitely matriculate, but don't say it unless you mean it. And don't pledge yourself to more than one college — admissions officers from different colleges do communicate with one another! Also, if you are in a financial position to do so, let them know that you won't be applying for financial aid. Sadly, waitlists are not need-blind.
Make a commitment
Just to keep your bases covered, make the best choice you can with what you have been offered. Go to their accepted students events, and see how that option feels to you. Keep an open mind. College campuses look very different with an acceptance in your pocket, and you may feel your second choice will be a better overall fit. But remember, you don't have to make a choice until May 1, and waiting until then may give the waitlists some time to start moving. Finally, don't commit to more than one school. It is not honorable, and it can get pricey, since you must be prepared to sacrifice the registration fee if you change your mind.
Don't Bear a Grudge
There are many stories in the admissions world of students who pledged their undying allegiance, and then rejected an offer off the waiting list because it wasn't early enough. Remember to stay positive, and not take this personally! If they didn't want you, they would have rejected you. Really. And getting in off the waiting list will not make you a second class citizen on campus. No one will know except the people that you choose to tell. You would be surprised at how many students end up attending a different college in September from the one they told folks they would be going to in April.
Best Wishes, and Hang in There!
The College Lady
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tips for visiting colleges
Everywhere I turn these days, I see tips for students who are visiting colleges. And they all mention the same things... prepare first, visit a wide variety/as many as you can, look at the bulletin boards, etc.
So here are some ideas beyond the standard tour and info session:
Eat a meal: you will be eating on campus for at least your freshman year... see if they have food that you like!
Go to a class: Every admission office has a list of classes that are open for prospective students to attend. Pick one that grabs you and go. You will get a better sense of how you will be spending your time, and your parent's money!
Sit somewhere and read a book: Go to the student union (if there is one) or a lounge area and read. Well, not read exactly, since part of the time will be spent watching and listening to the students around you. If you are the outgoing type (or your parent is) talk to some students. They are the real experts on college life!
Most of all, enjoy! This should be fun, not a chore. Pace yourself. Too many schools in too few days is a recipe for burnout. Try to imagine what you life will be like there, and then take notes on the experience, so it won't blend in with the next college on your list.
So here are some ideas beyond the standard tour and info session:
Eat a meal: you will be eating on campus for at least your freshman year... see if they have food that you like!
Go to a class: Every admission office has a list of classes that are open for prospective students to attend. Pick one that grabs you and go. You will get a better sense of how you will be spending your time, and your parent's money!
Sit somewhere and read a book: Go to the student union (if there is one) or a lounge area and read. Well, not read exactly, since part of the time will be spent watching and listening to the students around you. If you are the outgoing type (or your parent is) talk to some students. They are the real experts on college life!
Most of all, enjoy! This should be fun, not a chore. Pace yourself. Too many schools in too few days is a recipe for burnout. Try to imagine what you life will be like there, and then take notes on the experience, so it won't blend in with the next college on your list.
Friday, March 19, 2010
What can I be doing NOW to prepare my middle schooler for the SAT’s (or other college admissions stuff)?
In our over-stressed and over-anxious world, middle school parents are often focused many years ahead to worry about things like SATs and how to pay for and help their child get into college. It's no wonder, given the constant stream of news on the college admissions front about how hard it is to get in!
Before I go into what you can do, I want to take a minute to ease some anxiety... There are 3800 colleges in the US. Most of them accept most of the students who apply. Yes, there is a top echelon of schools that receive huge numbers of applications, and as a result accept a very small percentage. And yes, parents of top students are aiming at those schools with a laser-like focus. And I get it. You want your child to have the best college education that money can buy. I do, too. But I also know that a college that is the right fit for your child, where they are challenged to learn but not overwhelmed, is going to be the best value for your money, whether or not there is a well-known name over the door. Studies have shown that going to college (and working hard) is what is important for future success, not necessarily going to a particular "big name" school. If you have any doubt, look at Loren Pope's excellent book "Colleges that Change Lives."
So you want your child to go college, and you want them to be well prepared to take full advantage of the experience. Middle school is an excellent time to start with some parenting strategies that will have long-term benefits. No, don't run out and buy a SAT-Question of the Day shower curtain (yes, they exist). There will be plenty of time for test prep later on. Besides, when you start with the prep too early, you also run the risk of early burnout.
Planned Obsolescence
The first step might seem antithetical, but you need to get out of the way and let them start taking responsibility for their homework and their school experience. Too many parents become overinvolved in the homework process, and actually take over the responsibility from their kids. As Michael Bradley (author of "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy") said recently: "If it matters to you more than it matters to your child, there is something wrong with this picture."
Believe it or not, middle school is an excellent time for your child to experience a taste of failure. If you step out of the way, and they get a bad grade, then they can develop the problem solving skills to turn it around. When they fail in high school, parents freak out about their permanent college record, and step in to save the situation, setting up their child for lowered self confidence, and a sense that they need rescuing. Not productive in the long run!
Of course you are not going to let them flunk out of school or turn your back when they need your help, but the bottom line is that our job as parents is about planned obsolescence. If you are doing it right, you are working your way out of the job of hands on parent, step by step and into the role of consultant or mentor. More on this in another post....
Take to the Road
The second thing you can do in middle school is to start visiting colleges. No, don't take the tours and the info sessions, but go to a local college and watch a theater or dance performance, root for a sports team, or just walk around the campus on a beautiful day. The idea is to subtly incorporate the idea of college as a goal, and a cool place where learning happens. Here in DC, I highly recommend taking in a basketball game at AU (Men's or Women's) as inexpensive entertainment and education at the same time.
And don't just visit one college. Visit one in the suburbs, and one in the city. One that is large, and one that is small. That way, when it comes time to think about college (sometime during Junior year of High School!) your child will have some basis for comparison, even before you start on your "official" college visits.
Take Things in Stride
The most important point, though, is DON'T STRESS, and don't stress out your kids! Parenting may seem like a marathon instead of a sprint, but ask a parent of a college student, and you will hear about how quickly they leave home! Enjoy your children, even when they are making you crazy. There will be plenty of time to worry about the SATs and a veritable alphabet soup of other tests. For now, try to live in the moment, and work on training in skills and independence that will pay off in the long run!
Before I go into what you can do, I want to take a minute to ease some anxiety... There are 3800 colleges in the US. Most of them accept most of the students who apply. Yes, there is a top echelon of schools that receive huge numbers of applications, and as a result accept a very small percentage. And yes, parents of top students are aiming at those schools with a laser-like focus. And I get it. You want your child to have the best college education that money can buy. I do, too. But I also know that a college that is the right fit for your child, where they are challenged to learn but not overwhelmed, is going to be the best value for your money, whether or not there is a well-known name over the door. Studies have shown that going to college (and working hard) is what is important for future success, not necessarily going to a particular "big name" school. If you have any doubt, look at Loren Pope's excellent book "Colleges that Change Lives."
So you want your child to go college, and you want them to be well prepared to take full advantage of the experience. Middle school is an excellent time to start with some parenting strategies that will have long-term benefits. No, don't run out and buy a SAT-Question of the Day shower curtain (yes, they exist). There will be plenty of time for test prep later on. Besides, when you start with the prep too early, you also run the risk of early burnout.
Planned Obsolescence
The first step might seem antithetical, but you need to get out of the way and let them start taking responsibility for their homework and their school experience. Too many parents become overinvolved in the homework process, and actually take over the responsibility from their kids. As Michael Bradley (author of "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy") said recently: "If it matters to you more than it matters to your child, there is something wrong with this picture."
Believe it or not, middle school is an excellent time for your child to experience a taste of failure. If you step out of the way, and they get a bad grade, then they can develop the problem solving skills to turn it around. When they fail in high school, parents freak out about their permanent college record, and step in to save the situation, setting up their child for lowered self confidence, and a sense that they need rescuing. Not productive in the long run!
Of course you are not going to let them flunk out of school or turn your back when they need your help, but the bottom line is that our job as parents is about planned obsolescence. If you are doing it right, you are working your way out of the job of hands on parent, step by step and into the role of consultant or mentor. More on this in another post....
Take to the Road
The second thing you can do in middle school is to start visiting colleges. No, don't take the tours and the info sessions, but go to a local college and watch a theater or dance performance, root for a sports team, or just walk around the campus on a beautiful day. The idea is to subtly incorporate the idea of college as a goal, and a cool place where learning happens. Here in DC, I highly recommend taking in a basketball game at AU (Men's or Women's) as inexpensive entertainment and education at the same time.
And don't just visit one college. Visit one in the suburbs, and one in the city. One that is large, and one that is small. That way, when it comes time to think about college (sometime during Junior year of High School!) your child will have some basis for comparison, even before you start on your "official" college visits.
Take Things in Stride
The most important point, though, is DON'T STRESS, and don't stress out your kids! Parenting may seem like a marathon instead of a sprint, but ask a parent of a college student, and you will hear about how quickly they leave home! Enjoy your children, even when they are making you crazy. There will be plenty of time to worry about the SATs and a veritable alphabet soup of other tests. For now, try to live in the moment, and work on training in skills and independence that will pay off in the long run!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
New College Lady Website is up and running
I welcome everyone to take a peek at the new College Lady website. It is located at www.collegeladydc.com or at www.thecollegelady.net. This blog is linked to it, and I am hoping that it will be a great place to put a variety of information and links to help parents and teens with the college admissions process. Also, the full set of Monkey See videos featuring the College Lady are available there. Let me know what you think, and don't judge me too harshly. It is not up to my graphic design standards (yet), but it is up and running. Hurray!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A Cautionary Tale in the college admissions process
A new blog post in the New York Time Education blog (http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/envelope-ferdinand-1/) reminds me of a similar experience we had... my stepson also applied late (3 days) to what ended up being his school of choice. He also wanted to go the to business school program, and had to wait until January to start. This is not uncommon, and some applicants are invited to start in January even when they do apply on time. This happens often at Middlebury, for example. The moral of the story is, don't despair. Spend your semester off doing things that enrich your education, or at a local community college. You will connect with peers when you get there, and everything will work out fine.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Why Would You Use a College Admissions Consultant?
Why would/should/could you use a college consultant? This is a question that I have wrestled with, since I didn't use a consultant to help with the process for my 3 oldest children (the jury is out on what I will choose to do with the last one!). Actually, I wish I had used someone to help with the first one. He was stubborn and unfocused, and didn't really want to hear what we had to say because we were his parents, and what did we know, anyway?
Using a consultant is a big expense, especially when you are looking down the road to paying college tuition, room and board. Which is exactly why a consultant can make sense: College is a huge investment in your child's future, and one which you don't want to leave to chance. Would you buy a house without using a real estate agent or lawyer? Yes, your school has someone who works as a college counselor, and if you are lucky enough to have someone who is knowledgeable, up to date (goes on college tours), and who takes the time to get to know your child, then count yourself as very lucky. (SHOUT OUT here to J Cole at Edmund Burke, who is all of these things and more).
But sadly, according to a new report sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/03/03/counselors) most high school counselors are overworked, and just don't have the time to help students find the best fit for them.
As the report notes, student-to-counselor ratios have grown in recent years, making it more difficult for counselors to spend enough time with students. The national average ratio is about 265 to 1, but in some states the ratio is much higher, and the California figure is close to 1,000 to 1.
But enough bashing on the schools, which need as much support as they can get in this age of cutting budgets, teaching to the test, and eliminating funding for extracurriculars.
So what do you get by hiring an independent consultant to help with the college application process?
Information: Applying to college has changed a lot, even in the past few years. You can get advice from your next door neighbor, but chances are it won't have the depth of training and experience you can get from a consultant.
Save Time: Outsourcing the research and information gathering part of the application process can save famillies time and energy. And who couldn't use a little extra time? High school juniors, especially, are overwhelmed by the day to day demands on their time, and can use every extra second to study or sleep!
Lower Stress Levels: There is no getting around it. Applying to college is a stressful process for parents and teens. An impartial consultant can help change the process from something else parents have to nag their teens about, into a more collaborative effort. Everyone wins when there is less tension at home, and teens learn to take control of choices and decisions about their future.
For all these reasons and many others, think twice about making an investment in your child's future!
Using a consultant is a big expense, especially when you are looking down the road to paying college tuition, room and board. Which is exactly why a consultant can make sense: College is a huge investment in your child's future, and one which you don't want to leave to chance. Would you buy a house without using a real estate agent or lawyer? Yes, your school has someone who works as a college counselor, and if you are lucky enough to have someone who is knowledgeable, up to date (goes on college tours), and who takes the time to get to know your child, then count yourself as very lucky. (SHOUT OUT here to J Cole at Edmund Burke, who is all of these things and more).
But sadly, according to a new report sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/03/03/counselors) most high school counselors are overworked, and just don't have the time to help students find the best fit for them.
As the report notes, student-to-counselor ratios have grown in recent years, making it more difficult for counselors to spend enough time with students. The national average ratio is about 265 to 1, but in some states the ratio is much higher, and the California figure is close to 1,000 to 1.
But enough bashing on the schools, which need as much support as they can get in this age of cutting budgets, teaching to the test, and eliminating funding for extracurriculars.
So what do you get by hiring an independent consultant to help with the college application process?
Information: Applying to college has changed a lot, even in the past few years. You can get advice from your next door neighbor, but chances are it won't have the depth of training and experience you can get from a consultant.
- Yes, the SAT still dominates, but now you can choose which scores to send, and take other tests instead or in addition to the SAT to show knowledge and breadth. Also, there are lots of schools which are testing optional...
- The Common App has changed the way students apply to college. Now with the push of a button (and a credit card) students can apply to twenty colleges at once. But would you want or need to? A consultant can help target that list, so that applying is less scattershot, and more focused.
- Yes, you can search for every college online and take a virtual tour. But a good consultant has probably visited every college you are considering, and can give you the inside scoop on schools that can look remarkably similar on paper.
- Specialized information can make all the difference for students with special learning needs, for athletes and artists. It can take extra effort to track all this information down.
- Testing and applying aren't the only things that have changed... don't forget about all the forms and hurdles of the merit aid and financial aid process!
Save Time: Outsourcing the research and information gathering part of the application process can save famillies time and energy. And who couldn't use a little extra time? High school juniors, especially, are overwhelmed by the day to day demands on their time, and can use every extra second to study or sleep!
Lower Stress Levels: There is no getting around it. Applying to college is a stressful process for parents and teens. An impartial consultant can help change the process from something else parents have to nag their teens about, into a more collaborative effort. Everyone wins when there is less tension at home, and teens learn to take control of choices and decisions about their future.
For all these reasons and many others, think twice about making an investment in your child's future!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Working to Connect This to my facebook page....
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