Save Your “A” Game For College

Students who don’t save their best term papers and essays from HIGH SCHOOL may be unable to meet application requirements for some colleges. What am I talking about? Some colleges are now asking for graded writing samples from high school junior or senior years . . . and these writing samples are REQUIRED application materials.

For example, Scripps College in southern California requires submittal of a graded, analytical writing assignment from student’s junior or senior year, preferably 3-to-7 pages in length. This paper is must be “analytical”; it should make an argument or analyze an issue or work of literature and is not creative, nor is it primarily descriptive.

Undoubtedly, the vast majority of college-bound students who are unaware of this graded-paper requirement will not save their best quality writings from high school; this may result in such students being unable to submit all required application materials to their favorite colleges and universities.

My advice for current high school students is to save all “A” graded writing assignments from sophomore, junior and senior years. Students’ best essays, term papers, laboratory projects, and any other top graded papers should be saved just in case their favorite college or university requires submittal of a particular type of writing assignment with their application for admission.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The Homesick College Student

One of the worse things a parent can do is encourage their student to come home during the first semester, ESPECIALLY if they are homesick. During the times they are making plans to come home and then when they are actually home, the students on campus are getting to know each other and making friends.

If a parent is constantly on the phone with their student or chatting with them on instant messenger, they are taking time away from the student bonding with their peers. I caution parents not to allow their needs (empty nest) get in the way of the student's needs. The student needs to be learning independence from the parent.

College is much more than academics. A college student learns to live on their own, establish and practice their values and find their success. This is as important as book knowledge. This is life knowledge.

I often cite the example of a child going to camp for the first time. They are initially miserable but then, they hit their groove and have such a good time that they are in tears when camp is over. Sure, this is an adjustment but this is a necessary life experience. A parent communicates to their child through their actions that they believe in them.

A parent needs to be encouraging their student to get involved in a campus activity. They need to be getting out of the dorm and onto the campus. There are recreational sports, clubs, student activities, and volunteer opportunities. This is where they will meet that friend that will make the difference.

If a student has a real issue with being at college on their own, my recommendation is that they complete the semester. Then make a decision about the next semester after they complete their first semester. Don't be surprised if your student decides "Well... maybe one more semester is okay!" Next thing you know, you are going to graduation.

Dr. Debi Yohn
Counseling Psychologist
President/Founder of CollegeWorks101.com

This entry was originally posted on CollegeWorks101.com in 2008.

Posted with permission on MyCollegeCalendar.org – 9/25/09

College-Bound Students - Organization is a MUST!

College-bound students MUST be organized when it comes to applications, forms and documents they will write and receive. There are hundreds of documents (both electronic and paper) students and parents will mail and receive over the next months of the college application and financial aid processes. Filing systems are essential for easy storage and retrieval of important documents throughout the academic year.

MyCollegeCalendar.org describes the files and folders needed for easy filing and retrieval of electronic and paper documents, as well as e-mails:

The filing system for ELECTRONIC documents should include folders for:
1. Each college to which a student is applying.
2. Scholarships and grants.
3. General / Miscellaneous information.

The filing system for E-MAILS should include separate folders for:
1. Each college to which a student is applying.
2. Financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans)
3. Miscellaneous information.

The filing system for PAPER documents is something families can make themselves for under $20. This filing system should include a simple file box with hanging files and manila folders. There should be 1 hanging file for general information with folders for (1) scholarships, (2) FAFSA documents, (3) transcript copies, (4) résumé copies, (5) letters of recommendation, (6) SAT/ACT tests, etc. In addition, there should be a hanging file for each college a student is applying to with each of those college hanging files containing folders for (1) application information, (2) financial aid, (3) correspondence, (4) campus visits, etc.

Being organized during the college application and financial aid processes will help families manage this stressful year and, perhaps, keep some of their sanity.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Show “Demonstrated Interest “on Your College Applications

The majority of colleges and universities assign some level of importance to student “demonstrated interest”. Demonstrated interest is the likelihood a student will attend the college to which they are accepted. What this means to you as a student applicant is college admission officers look for students that demonstrate a true, heart-felt interest in their college. Students get a “bonus factor” for showing they REALLY want to attend a particular college or university.

Demonstrated interest is growing in importance because the college admission process is becoming more and more competitive. College admission officers don’t want to waste time evaluating applications from students who only half-heartedly care about getting accepted. Instead, they want to evaluate and admit students whose first choice is their college; students who will be thrilled to be accepted and who will enroll.

The number one way to demonstrate your interest in a college is to visit their campus and interview with an admissions officer. Another excellent way to show your interest is to make it clear on your application for admission that the school you are applying to is your top choice school and to give specific reasons why you really want to attend that school.

It doesn’t take much time and effort to show your demonstrated interest, but it may prove to be the factor that gets you accepted.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Interviews In Your Own Backyard

For the majority of colleges, admission interviews are not required of student applicants. However, most colleges recommend prospective students take time to interview . . . and I agree, take the time to interview. But at this point in time, who has time to travel to numerous colleges to interview, especially with all the responsibilities associated with high school coursework and completing college applications?

The answer is, you don’t have to go to colleges, they will come to you. Many colleges and universities conduct regional interviews for admission; “traveling” admission officers will come to a town near you to interview students planning to submit applications for admission. All you have to do is research each college’s website for available dates, times, and locations of interviews and schedule an interview online through each college’s website reservation page or simply call each college’s admissions office. Regional interviews typically are conducted in September through November.

As previously stated, interviews are not required, but students that do interview are set apart from other students, both for consideration of admission and for campus-based scholarship awards. Interviews give students the opportunity to show their keen interest in a college and to impress college admission officers. Through interviews, students can discuss their plans to contribute to a college campus community, share their knowledge of and interest in a college, and express themselves as mature young adults and serious students.

Undoubtedly, students that do a little research regarding their major, student organizations of interest and college-specific events/activities will give a favorable interview. These students will be on an entirely higher level of consideration for admission and scholarships than students who can’t be bothered to interview.

In summary, many regional college admission interviews are conducted, “in your own backyard,” making it relatively easy to meet and impress college admission officers. Students should research colleges and universities of interest and make the short drive to regional interviews to rise above the competition.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Applying To Private Colleges And Universities Is NOT Optional

More than ever, families need to consider private colleges and universities as an option for their college-bound student. State Colleges and Universities are in financial trouble and, as a result, are being forced to increase tuition, cut spending, eliminate academic programs, and reject greater percentages of student applicants.

On August 12, 2009, the Associate Press reported that, “At least a dozen states are reducing award sizes, eliminating grants and tightening eligibility guidelines because of lack of money” (“States Cut Aid To College Students As Demand Booms”). Likewise, on August 27, 2009, Reuters reported that, “. . . some 35 states, cut higher education spending or increased tuition” and Sacramento’s KCRA news reported California colleges and universities have responded to State budget cuts, “. . . by boosting fees, turning away record numbers of students, expanding class sizes, eliminating programs, laying off staff, and furloughing professors and other employees.”

While the endowments at private colleges and universities have been substantially reduced due to the current economic downturn, these schools are working to preserve the amount of financial aid available to their students. These institutions realize the importance providing scholarships and grants; without offers of these types of aid, many top students will seek enrollment elsewhere. Consequently, traditional awarding of substantial financial aid at private schools may occur as usual this year.

There are no guarantees with the college admission process, but the certainties of huge class sizes, reduced contact with professors, longer graduation times, and financial negatives at public colleges and universities are forcing college-bound students to apply to lower-tuition public schools as well as private colleges and universities.

Students applying to college this fall need to hedge their bets by applying to several schools, including both public State schools and private college and universities.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Showtime For Seniors!

Every year I ask recent high school graduates what advice they have for college-bound students still in high school. Almost universally, the single-most valuable piece of advice they give is, “Start applying EARLY!”

Why do students who have been through the process give such advice? The answer is: Because every aspect of the college and financial aid application process will take longer than you can imagine . . . much longer. There is A LOT MORE to do than students realize; filling out and submitting multi-page applications with multiple essays, completion of application supplements to the Common Application, requesting recommendation letters, requesting and receiving official copies of grade transcripts, finalizing student résumés, writing cover letters, mailing paper documents, and more.

There are many time consuming tasks involved with completing the college application process. Most importantly, students MUST realize procrastinating with application process could prove to be very costly in terms of success with getting accepted to the college of choice and for receiving scholarships and grants. To complicate matters, this fall students will discover many high school responsibilities and events will interfere with the completion of college applications, such as studying for classroom tests, finishing term papers and group projects, completing senior projects, participating in numerous social events, etc.

With these facts etched into the minds of virtually every student entering college this fall, their message is loud and clear, “START APPLYING EARLY!”

My advice? START NOW!

It truly is “Showtime” for seniors. Summer is over, high school is underway, and college application deadlines are fast approaching. Use this Labor Day Holiday to set aside several hours to begin planning what needs to be done. Don’t be one of the students panicking to meet deadlines in October or November who throw together last-minute, low-quality applications and poorly written essays.

MyCollegeCalendar.org has a Get Started page and an Early Application Process Flowchart. These guidance documents provide instructions in both text and in graphics on how to start the process and what tasks are required to successfully complete the process. High school seniors (and their parents) have the option of registering for the free daily calendar with reminders and links to “how-to” instructions for everything.

Seniors, you’ve been put on notice. No excuses. Gear up, get started, and achieve success.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.