Holiday Gifts for soon to be College Students!

I just got asked about what gifts parents can get that will be useful for their seniors next year. Here is a list of some of the things that my own children and their friends have found useful:

• A bag for lugging around books and a laptop. 
• All my kids preferred messenger bags with laptop padding to backpacks.
• A laptop lock... they may never use it, but it doesn't hurt to have.
• A standing coat rack (helps for cleaning their room in a jiffy)
• A rolling duffle for travel
• A standing lamp with adjustable arms
• A headlamp or neck lamp so that they can read at night when a roommate may be asleep
• Comfortable soundblocking headphones
• A ipod charger/clock radio for next to the bed
• Believe it or not, a lightweight vacuum (one that is a handvac with a long handle works well)

Storage is important, and usually there is room for storage boxes under their beds. There is a huge Container Store sale just for college students over the summer in July if you will be here.

'Tis the Season...

Acceptances and deferrals are starting to roll in. I mentioned keeping your attitude positive in my last post, but I wanted to also give you some good advice on what to do if you get a deferral from one of your top schools. Many students in the early rounds are athletes, legacies or have other big "hooks" to help them get in (minorities and celebrities), so don't give up hope. They wouldn't have deferred you if you didn't have what it takes to get in!

Here are my top 4 Tips for Dealing with a Deferral:

1. Don't Give Up.
Getting deferred is not the same as getting rejected. It is not even the same as getting on the waiting list. Getting deferred means that either the college or university could only accept a certain number in the EA/ED round, and they needed to wait on accepting the rest until the regular round. Most colleges can completely fill their freshman classes with the early apps, and they need to keep spaces open for students who don't get their apps in until January. If you hang in there and add to your file, up to 50% of deferred students can end up being accepted.

   Getting deferred might also mean that the college wants to give you a chance to strengthen your application, bu adding additional qualifications, or getting better grades. So put your nose to the grindstone, and focus on grades, activities, and whatever you think you might be missing. (more one this in the next Tip)

   Make sure that you write or call the admissions office and find out why you were deferred. It might be a missing item, or that there was a particular weakness that you might be able to address in some way.

2. Add to your File
Update your file with any new awards, scores, extra-curriculars or leadership activities that were left off the original application, or came up later. This is important because the colleges want to know that you are still actively interested in them. Remember... this process is like dating. The colleges want to know that you (really, really) want them before they commit. So let your chosen school know that you are committed, even as you apply elsewhere as a backup.

   Is there someone who knows you well, who you could ask for a letter of support, or an additional recommendation? This should not be a family member, and should be someone who knows YOU, not just your parents. Quality, not quantity is important here, because the admissions office will not read multiple letters, just one (or maximum of two) additional ones.

   If you skipped an optional essay question... now is the time to submit that, too. Be creative and find interesting and fun things to submit. But don't bother sending cookies, etc. The names are removed and they are enjoyed by the staff, but it won't help your file!

3. Set the Right Tone
   Sinking into self-pity won't help, and neither will righteous indignation. When you are writing or calling the college, try to keep your tone polite and curious. You can definitely express your disappointment, but don't be whiny or entitled. How you handle disappointments will show the college whether or not you are mature enough to attend.

   Similarly, how you talk about this with your friends and family is important, too. Stress the positive... "I have a chance to show them more about me" rather than the negative. You will get support and encouragement in return which is a lot more helpful than pity. If you can't bear to talk about it, come up with a flip answer to put people off (I am joining the circus instead of college) or find ways to deflect the conversation. But make sure you brainstorm with someone you trust.

4. Make sure your other Apps are Strong
As you are strengthening your deferred application, make sure you are doing the same with your other applications. If you didn't visit your safety school, go for a tour. Demonstrated interest is important for ALL of your schools, not just your top choices. You don't want to wait-listed by your safety, because you have essentially ignored them.

Additional information:
These sample letters come from About.com, and they are good examples of what you can sent to the colleges as you focus on bolstering your app.

If you have been deferred but have new information to present to the college, you'll want to write a letter presenting the updates. Below are a few samples letters:

• Sample Letter #1: Caitlin writes to the University of Georgia to explain a new award.
• Sample Letter #2: Laura writes to Johns Hopkins to present new test scores and a new leadership position on campus.
• Sample Letter #3: Brian writes to Syracuse University but would have done better not writing. See his letter to learn about mistakes to avoid.

Remember that the advice above is general and that every college and university has its own policies when it comes to sending in additional documents.

Hang in there. This too shall pass.
  

It Doesn't Pay to Get Discouraged

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself." —Lucille Ball

I came across this quote today and I wanted to share it with you. It expresses perfectly where you are in your college process... some of your friends (or maybe you) have already been accepted to college. This year is going to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster, with ups and downs, first and lasts, all competing for your attention.

Don't let it get to you. Stay focused on your school work, your friends and family, and most of all believe in yourself. There will likely be some disappointments in the future (very few are accepted to 100% of their colleges). There may be a deferral (or two) in the early round of applications. Just remember that a deferral is not a rejection, and by sending additional information, you may be able to strengthen your application to change that deferral into an acceptance. And get those remaining apps out the door. No one writes a good essay when they are feeling depressed.

(More about deferrals and what you can do in my next post).

Hang in there. Take some time to breathe and relax (as long as you aren't sliding into Senioritis!). This is a long process, but in the end, you will be in a dorm in September, excited to begin your college life!

Highest Freshman Retention Rates/America's Happiest Campuses

 The following list is courtesy of Dodge Johnson, president of IECA and seasoned consultant. This is list is based on the percentage of freshmen who return for sophomore year.  Retention does not necessarily indicate that the students are happy, but it is a good sign!

SUMMA CUM GUADIA (97%+)

Berkeley, UC at
Brown University
California Institute Of Technology
Carleton College
Chicago, University of
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Harvard University
Los Angeles, UC at
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
North Carolina, University of
Northwestern University
Notre Dame, University of
Olin College of Engineering
Pennsylvania, University of
Pomona College
Princeton University
Southern California, University of
Stanford University
Tufts University
Vanderbilt University
Washington University
Wesleyan University
Williams College
Yale University


MAGNA CUM GAUDIA (94-96%)

Amherst College
Barnard College
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Bucknell University
Carnegie-Mellon University
Claremont McKenna College
Colby College
Colorado College
Cooper Union
Cornell University
Davidson College
Emory University
Franklin & Marshall College
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Hamilton College
Haverford College
Holy Cross, College of the
Illinois, University of
Irvine, UC at
Johns Hopkins University, The
Lafayette College
Macalester College
Maryland, University of
Michigan, University of
Middlebury College
New Jersey, College of
Oberlin College
Pitzer College
Rhode Island School Of Design
Rice University
Rochester, University of
San Diego, UC at
Scripps College
Skidmore College
Swarthmore College
Vassar College
Villanova University
Virginia, University of
Wake Forest University
Washington And Lee University
Wellesley College
William And Mary, College of
Wisconsin, University of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute


CUM GAUDIA (90-93%)

Amherst College
Barnard College
Boston College
Bowdoin College
Bucknell University
Carnegie-Mellon University
Claremont McKenna College
Colby College
Colorado College
Cooper Union
Cornell University
Davidson College
Emory University
Franklin & Marshall College
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Hamilton College
Haverford College
Holy Cross, College of the
Illinois, University of
Irvine, UC at
Johns Hopkins University, The
Lafayette College
Macalester College
Maryland, University of
Michigan, University of
Middlebury College
New Jersey, College of
Oberlin College
Pitzer College
Rhode Island School Of Design
Rice University
Rochester, University of
San Diego, UC at
Scripps College
Skidmore College
Swarthmore College
Vassar College
Villanova University
Virginia, University of
Wake Forest University
Washington And Lee University
Wellesley College
William And Mary, College of
Wisconsin, University of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worry About What You Can Control

Several of my students are very concerned about what they are reading about admissions figures being published by the New York Times and elsewhere (NYTimes.com - http://nyti.ms/dG1u1j). They are definitely scary for Juniors who are facing lower admissions rates and increased competition.

I have written previously about why this is happening (anxiety, rankings, marketing and the ease of applying online) but today I want to talk about what students can do about it.

Nothing.

You have no control over how many students are accepted and how many applications the colleges receive. You have no control over how many students will be accepted off the waiting list.  The more you focus on the numbers you can't control the more anxious you will get. Do you want to get really depressed? Remember that the most selective schools can afford to reject Valedictorians and folks with 2400 SATs.

Instead, focus on the stuff you can control, like your grades, your activities, and your essays. Even your test scores are beyond your control to a certain extent. Yes, you can prep, and study and retake the test, but at a certain point, your scores are your scores.



But you are not your scores.

Here is the problem with comparing your test scores with your friends and classmates: No matter what you get, someone will get better than you did, and it will make you feel badly about your scores. So it is up to you to decide when enough is enough. Could you do better if you take it again? Possibly. But you could get almost the same score, too.

Don't fixate on numbers (acceptance ratios or test scores). In the long run, they are not the most important thing.

Take a deep breath. And remember that there is an entire qualitative (non-vanilla) side to you that you will present on your applications. And remember that there are 4,000 colleges in the US, and more in Canada. And remember that the most important thing is finding the right fit... the right college where you can achieve your potential. The name on the diploma matters less than the quality of the education. 

Put your energy into your schoolwork, your extracurriculars and all the things that make you... well, you. In the application process, that is what will get you accepted, and in the long run, that is what will make you a happier person.

 

The Three Worst Things You Can Say to a Financial Aid Officer

You've gotten your award. You are asking for more. The Three Worst Things You Can Say to a Financial Aid Officer - http://aol.it/eMgnyY

College Application apps for your phone

Here are some on the go phone apps that have showed up in recent months. No comments as to quality, but they may be worth a try. In addition to these general apps, many colleges (College of Charleston for example) have their own apps that offer maps, video tours, and other information on their colleges. If you have a favorite college, it might be worth checking out.

College Board Official SAT Questions. Free.

Peterson's College Guide: Research more than 4,000 colleges. Free.

Also Available, Peterson's Test Prep Trivia. Free.


College Savings: A great way for parents and students to compare costs of different colleges and determine what they'll need to save to pay for college. Free.

FutureU SAT: A Kaplan test-preparation product that challenges players on math, critical reading and writing sections of the SAT. Students can track their progress. Free, with additional levels available for $1.99 each.

CollegeApp: To look at the variables that help determine your college list. Free.

College Confidential: Students and parents can read articles and interact with other users. CC provides access to more than 11 million posts by more than 430,000 student and parent users. Free. (fyi: do not read this site if it makes you anxious. Some people love it, but others start to feel stressed.)

63 Most Generous Colleges and Universities

Here are the schools on US News & World Report’s 2011 list of the 63 Most Generous Colleges and Universities in alphabetical order: 1. Amherst College 2. Barnard College 3. Bates College 4. Boston College 5. Bowdoin College 6. Brown University 7. Bryn Mawr College 8. California Institute of Technology 9. Carleton College 10. Claremont McKenna College 11. Colby College 12. Colgate University 13. College of the Holy Cross 14. Columbia University 15. Connecticut College 16. Cornell University 17. Dartmouth College 18. Davidson College 19. Duke University 20. Emory University 21. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering 22. Georgetown University 23. Gettysburg College 24. Grinnell College 25. Hamilton College 26. Harvard University 27. Harvey Mudd College 28. Haverford College 29. Macalester College 30. MIT 31. Middlebury College 32. Mount Holyoke College 33. Northwestern University 34. Oberlin College 35. Occidental College 36. Pitzer College 37. Pomona College 38. Princeton University 39. Reed College 40. Rice University 41. Scripps College 42. Smith College 43. St. Olaf College 44. Stanford University 45. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 46. Swarthmore College 47. Thomas Aquinas College 48. Trinity College 49. Tufts University 50. University of Chicago 51. University of Dayton 52. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 53. University of Northern Colorado 54. University of Pennsylvania 55. University of Richmond 56. University of Virginia 57. Vassar College 58. Washington and Lee University 59. Washington University, St. Louis 60. Wellesley College 61. Wesleyan University 62. Williams College 63. Yale University

PCACAC Financial Aid session

Do you know the meaning of the following list of acronyms? Maybe it looks like alphabet soup, but it can mean a lot of $$$ if you are on the hunt for financial aid.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student AID)
EFC (Expected Family Contribution, based on ability to pay, not willingness to pay!)
COA (Cost of Attendance)
COA-EFC= Need (What the colleges base their offers on)
Pell (federal grant for the neediest students, $5550 max)
SEOG (Supplementary Education Opportunity Grant -- campus based, $3000 max)
Teach (Service linked federal grant, $4000 max, only for people willing to teach in high need subjects or schools for 5 years)
Stafford (Subsidized and unsubsidized loans, 6.8% interest for subsidized, from $5500 to $7500 max)
PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students 7.9% interest)
CSS (College Scholarship Service, financial aid application administered by the College Board, $25 for first school, $16 for each additional school)

And the best advice: Pay attention to deadlines, because if you miss them, the bulk of the available funds may havev already been allocated to other students!

Latest Information from the PCACAC drive-through conference

This morning, the College Lady attended a one day conference at American University sponsored by PCACAC (The Potomac-Chesapeake branch of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors). It was incredibly informative, and I wanted to jot down some of the information I received to pass along to my students, and parents out there in cyberspace.

The first presenter was the head of admissions at AU. He focussed on the latest trends that he has noticed this year. As you might expect from reading the latest news, there have been more applications than ever this year. This is a combination of increased marketing by the universities, and also because of what he called "Increased Shopping Rates." I like this term because it really reflects what is going on with students... they are shopping for colleges by sending out apps far and wide, to see what happens. A lot of this ties in with financial aid, and depending on where they get the best offer (including financials)

The other thing he mentioned was that they are noticing a geographic shift in terms of the number of applications, and general population growth/demographics. High School graduation rates in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast have been fairly stagnant, but are increasing in the Western and Southern regions. With more applications coming from those regions, it has become increasingly important to balance their acceptances geographically. Because of these changes, the applicant pool has become more diverse as well. This may mean students who are a little less college savvy, and the college is working to reach out to them earlier. I am sure that this is not unique to AU.

He also mentioned that demonstrated interest from applicants is more important than ever, as admission folks weigh whether the apps they receive are from students who are genuinely interested, or ones who are just "shopping."

All in all, lots of good information and lots to think about in terms of students who will be applying for the 2011-2012 school year.

Testing Woes

At this time of year, I get a lot of questions about testing from families of Juniors. They have just gotten their PSAT scores back, and whether they are disappointed or elated, questions remain. But the families I really worry about are the ones who are NOT asking the questions, because chances are, their kids will end up taking tests late, or not taking the ones they need until the fall.

Does it really matter when you take which test? Yes and No. But before I get into timing, here is a breakdown of what the tests are, and when they are offered:

• PSAT: This exam is offered in October to Juniors in high school. It is usually paid for by the school district and administered during the school day. It is the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship. Most schools in the DC area give the exam to Sophomores and some Freshmen to give them some practice with standardized tests to possibly increase scores. The scores are released by the schools any time between November and January. If you have a code, you can get the scores online at www.collegeboard.com/quickstart. These scores are supposed to be predictive of the SAT. Scored out of 240.
  
• SAT: This test is offered by the College Board most months of the school year. I recommend that Juniors take the test for the first time in January of their Junior year. Depending on the scores, they can take it a second time after a prep class, or prep on their own in March. May and June are back up dates, because they may conflict with SAT2 exams. Also offered in the fall. Scored out of 2400.
  
• PLAN and ACT: These exams are alternates to the PSAT and SAT exams. The PLAN is offered more often in the Western US. Both the SAT and the ACT are accepted at almost all colleges in the US... in fact I can't think of a single school that doesn't accept both. There are, however, big differences between these tests. The SAT purportedly tests intelligence, and is a trickier exam. It also takes points off for wrong answers. The ACT is a more straightforward exam and like the SAT2, it tests what the student has learned in school. It is more of an endurance test (very long) and there are no deductions for wrong answers. The test is offered in February, April and June. I recommend that students without stellar PSATs take the ACT in February. Also offered in the fall. Scored out of 36.
  
• SAT2: These tests used to be called the Achievement tests, and are now called Subject Tests. Most selective schools require at least one, but can ask for up to 3 of these tests, which last one hour each. You can take all 3 in one morning, usually in May or June, as your yearlong class is ending. I recommend that students taking AP exams take the SAT2 exams in the same subjects in May. If that date is a problem, then June is fine. It doesn't hurt you to take these exams, because you don't have to send the scores. Also offered in the fall. Each test is scored out of 800.
  
• AP and IB exams: These exams are offered during the week through the high school, and can be paid for, or can cost up to $80 per exam. They are for advanced placement, and the scores from Junior year or early can bolster admission. APs are scored out of 5, IBs are scored out of 7.

So, does it matter when you take them? I think that taking the exams early in the Spring of Junior year is the best time. It gives you a baseline on which to build your college list, and can indicate whether a student might benefit from test prep. Not every student needs to take a prep class, but some prep is always a good idea. Don't wait until May or the fall to take the exams for the first time. The stress of prepping for finals as well as the standardized tests can be too much. Also, if you want to take it again, waiting until the fall is just too late, and in the fall, students should be focused on finishing up their applications, not trying to raise their scores.

On the other hand, the SAT2 exams don't need much if any prep, and should absolutely be taken in May or June when the information is fresh in the student's mind.

To lower stress and maximize preparation time, consider starting early and spreading out the exams...