How to build a balanced college list…..

There are many factors to consider when creating a college list. Here are some thoughts on what to focus on from the beginning.

1. During your junior year, you will meet with your school counselor in late winter or early spring to discuss your courses for senior year and to also discuss a potential college list. This list is the beginning of what you can call a ‘work in progress’ list. It will be a work in progress up until you actually apply the following fall.

2. There are many factors to consider and since every human is unique, these factors will vary in type, style and importance. Here’s a brief list of what to think about:

   1. Location: How far from home would you like to be? Urban, suburban, college town, rural, study abroad: These are the type of location categories you need to consider.

   2. Size of School: Under 1,000, or over 20,000? The size of school can help you determine which schools to consider.

   3. Academics: Is there a certain field of study that you are interested in or do you have no idea? Think about which type of school and which degree(s) you may want to pursue. Did you have an IEP in high school? Inquire about the Accessibility Resource Center at each school. This will help you decide where to consider applying to.

   4. Extracurriculars: Are you looking for a strong theatre department? A big rah-rah sports team to cheer for? Strong LGBTQ+ community? What about Greek life? Are you interested in pledging for a certain fraternity? It’s important to visit as many campuses as possible so you can determine what type of campus life fits your personality.

3. By the beginning of your senior year, you should have visited a few schools and made your list as final as possible as it’s time to apply. 8-12 schools is your target number. Consider the following aspects while making the list:

   1. Your list should have a range of ‘safety’(likely)-’target’-’reach’ schools.

      1. Safety (likely) schools: An applicant falls well above the 50th percentile of all applicants.

      2. Target schools: An applicant falls in the middle of the 50th percentile of all applicants.

      3. Reach school: An applicant falls well below the 50th percentile of all applicants.

      4. Read online, follow colleges’ social media accounts and attend local college fairs. This will help you firm up your college list.

The Classic Learning Test: What is it and which schools accept it?

The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a college-entrance exam that has begun to be accepted along with the SAT and ACT in a number of places. It has been around since 2015 and it is known to be most notably accepted as an alternative to the SAT and ACT in the Florida public state system. So if you are student applying to a state school in Florida, you could take the CLT instead of the ACT or SAT.

According to the CLT website, other than the 12 public university system in Florida about 200 private and religious institutions accept the test. Florida state system requires that you take an exam for applying to their public universities so this is an alternative to the SAT and ACT. It is most popular with students who are home-schooled or attend private school. The most notable public institutions other than the Florida state system that accepts the test are Christopher Newport University and the University of New Mexico. Some private institutions that accept it are Liberty University and Catholic University of America.

It is a 2 hour test, shorter than the SAT and ACT and it covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, grammar and writing. Only a fraction of the number of students took the CLT over the past few years compared to the better known SAT and ACT: 21,000 students took the CLT between 2016-2023 and 1.7 million students took the SAT and 1.3 million took the ACT in 2022 alone.

College Cost Transparency Initiative

Starting typically in February, families will begin to receive financial aid letters from colleges and universities where their student was accepted. These letters are often confusing and hard to compare; there is no standard form used by schools. Families are left confused about whether an offer is just for one year or renewable and/or are grants really loans, etc.

But recently, a new initiative was created by a task force organized by leaders from 10 higher education associations to create the College Cost Transparency Initiative. It calls for colleges and universities to follow standards that include simple and easy to understand language to explain their financial aid package so families are not left confused.

Currently, 485 institutions are signed up to partner with the College Cost Transparency Initiative. It is a drop in the bucket but it is a start to help families navigate financial aid.

The College Cost Transparency Initiative aims to improve “clarity, accuracy and understanding of student financial aid offers by producing a set of guidelines and principles and minimal standards to be used when communicating aid offers.” (www.collegeprice.org)

Institutions can join on a rolling basis. The majority of schools that have joined are public (81%) but that’s not surprising since that’s roughly the breakdown of how many students attend public institutions vs. private institutions.

For more and current information go to: www.collegeprice.org

Hey sophomores and first-year students: Advice for 2024!

As you near the latter half of the school year, here are a few topics to keep in mind and to work on going forward.

1.     Course selection for next year:

Over the next two months, you will most likely meet with your school counselor. You will talk through your remaining required courses and how best to complete them before the end of senior year.

For sophomores, as you move into your upperclassmen years, you will have more selection and electives to chose from. Read your high school course catalog and programs of study before choosing junior year courses.

 Trying to determine if you should take a CP, Honors or AP level course? A good indicator is to determine if you are struggling at the current course level. If you are receiving a ‘B’ or better, you are most likely at the right level. If you are struggling, it may be good to speak with your school counselor to move into a better fit next year. And if you are sailing through and are bored, try a higher-level course next year.

2. This leads me to say to each and every one of you to make sure and ask questions if you are struggling in a course. The only person who will regret not taking ownership of their studies is yourself.

 Time management and taking ownership of understanding course content is the student’s responsibility. Make sure to stay on top of both of these items by using a planner or app, meeting with teachers during after school hours, during lunchtime or during ‘drop’ class sessions to make sure you understand what will be asked of you on the next test or quiz. 

3.     Standardized Tests: If you have taken the PSAT already, you may want to take a practice ACT next in order to assess which test you will focus on preparing for. Students should not take both but should choose and prep for one of them. Two attempts at a test is the maximum. Typically, students take one of the tests twice. There are practice tests on www.suzannelagemann.com/helpfulinks and they are free!

4.     Summer Plans: Are you traveling, working, or attending camp during the summer months? It’s time to start to think about applying to jobs, registering for camps and discussing with your parents what you would like to do over the summer break.

Hey high school juniors! It’s 2024! It’s your year to apply to college. Here are my tips and advice just for you….

This is your year to apply to college. Here is a short list of items to either keep working on or to get started on.

 1.     Junior year grades and activities: This year is the most important for your grades and activities. If your transcript shows an improvement in your grades during 11th grade, it will be looked upon highly. Keep up your studies.

2. Time management and taking ownership of understanding course content is the student’s responsibility. Make sure to stay on top of both of these items by using a planner or app, meeting with teachers before or after school hours, lunchtime or during ‘drop’ class sessions to make sure you understand what will be asked of you on the next test or quiz.

3. ASK QUESTIONS if you are struggling in a course. Show initiative. It builds character and good interpersonal skills too.

4.     In April or May, you will need to ask 2 teachers for letters of recommendation.

a.     Ask in person

b.     Say thank you

c.      Share with them why you are asking

d.     Ask a teacher that has had you in their class preferably during junior or sophomore year(s).

5.     Standardized Tests: Do you know which test you are taking? SAT or ACT? Create a plan on when to take it and either take a prep class or hire a tutor to help you prepare. Test strategy is KEY to succeeding on either test. (And by all means, do not register for the June ACT if your Junior Prom is the night before.)

6.     Also plan time to visit campuses and research schools with your parents. Spring break is a great time in April as colleges are still in session. Many offer open houses on the weekends too.

7. Follow colleges’ TikTok, Instagram and Twitter (X) accounts. You will learn a lot about the school through their social media accounts!

8.     Summer plans: Working, going to camp, going on a big vacation? Regardless, please plan on writing your common app essay during the summer months. You will not regret this.  

What do you do if you are deferred from the early action or early decision round of admission?

When a student gets deferred from either applying early decision or early action, your application gets moved to regular decision. If you applied early decision and your application gets moved to regular decision, your admission is no longer binding.

You are still in the running for admission. There are many reasons why a student’s application may be deferred to regular admission. The admissions committee may want to see the student’s mid-semester grades, review most recent standardized test scores, or compare the applicant to the regular decision applicant pool.

I highly recommend that you write a letter of continued interest (LOCI) if the school is your first choice and if the accept a LOCI. This will communicate to the college that you are set to attend if granted admission. You should also express a deep interest in the college. Describe your visit to the college, mention a club or activity you would get involved in upon matriculating, discuss your intended major or delve into an area of study you’d like to pursue while attending this university. Make sure you clearly state that you will attend if granted admission to the college or university so there is no doubt that you will attend.

Today’s Achievement Culture Problem and Solution(s)…

Jennifer Breheny Wallace’s recently published book, Never Enough: When Achievement Culture becomes toxic and what to do about it really hit home for both personally and professionally. I have been working with teens for 25 years and I currently have three teens of my own; one in college and two still in high school. The pressure is real. Parenting today is different from thirty-to-forty years ago. Parents today feel a sense to be more involved, hands-on and to be on top of their children’s activities and achievement both in-and-out of the classroom. 

This starts at an early age but when I meet with families of teenagers, I often learn of how much this pressure has affected them. The anxiety has been developing for decades and parents have been feeling it grow. With the development of globalization and hypercompetition, parents feel they need to be involved in every step of their child’s development and achievement to prepare them for their future. Parents link their success to their child’s achievements which in turn puts pressure and causes anxiety. 

What can parents do to help their teen feel less anxious, more confident and happy? 

Here are some tips:

1. Tell your teen that they matter. They are special just the way they are and no matter how high their achievement goes, they are special none-the-less. Mattering, according to Breheny Wallace, is the most important action a parent can take to help their teen feel loved and build self-esteem. 

2. Minimize Criticism: I always tell my students that the most important voice they listen to is their ‘inner-voice’. How parents talk to their children helps develop that inner-voice. Speak with supportive words. 

3. Add Value: Make time to ask your teen how their day was? Ask about a small moment, not just how was a test or quiz which can make the teen feel that achievement is the only thing that matters to the parent. 

4. Self-Care: Make sure to take care of yourself. You will not be able to be a loving, supportive parent if you do not take care of yourself first. 

5. Seek help when needed: Today’s Generation Z is comfortable seeking help when they feel they need it. Don’t be a barrier to that as older generations are typically not accustomed to seeking professional help as easily. Mental health problems need to be addressed immdiately.

What is a Bachelor’s Degree and what is the difference between a B.A. and a B.S.?

While working with my students during their junior year of high school I always make it a point to define what is a Bachelor’s Degree and what is the difference bewteen a B.A. and B.S. degree so they understand just what the undergraduate degree is all about. Most students do not know the defnition so it’s very helpful to start there.

So let’s define the basics of the Bachelor’s Degree:

A Bachelor’s Degree is the degree you earn from matriculating at a 4-year instiution. This college or university grants this degree when you typcially accure 120 credits.

The term bachelor stems from the Latin word baccalarius, referring to people of low rank in the feudal hierarchy, but it was later used to refer to students who had passed the baccalaureate exam and were thus in the second stage of their studies. During the Middle Ages, the bachelor’s degree was merely a stage in the education process, rather than a qualification such as master and doctor, which were already common at the time. This phase entailed the study of grammar, rhetoric, and logic during a period of three to four years, which ended with examinations.

What’s the difference between a B.A. and a B.S.?

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is a four year degree that emphasizes coursework in a major such as literature, history, social sciences or world languages. While a B.A. is not devoid of math and science (depending on general education course requirements, too), it most likely has less required courses in this area.

A Bachelor of Science (B.S,) is a four year degree that focuses on coursework in more STEM related fields such as engineering, nursing, science, math and technology. Many B.S. courses require lab work as well so their courses require more class and lab/field time. Some B.S. programs have a more lock-step curriculum so you need to enter the program at the beginning of your first year to complete it.

Some universisties offer a B.A. and B.S. in the same field. For exmaple, the Univesrity of Colorado-Boulder offers both tracks in computer science. If a student wants to become an engineer, the B.S. would be the better option but the B.A. is better for students interested in web design and writing for websitses, etc.

There are many options out there so make sure to read what are the differences at each school and what are the course offeriengs per degree.

How to make the most of a College Rep meeting at your high school….

During the fall months, many college admission officers are out traveling from high school to high school meeting with students to discuss their college. These officers are making the rounds in a designated area of the country. This admissions rep may very well be the person(s) who reviews your application when you apply.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when attending a college rep visit:

1. Shake their hand. Introduce yourself and say hello. It’s a great way to practice your professional skills and adults remember students who go the extra mile.

2. Listen and take notes while the College Rep is giving his summary about the school. You won’t remember everything that is said and you can look back on what was told to you later on.

3. Ask a question or two. Ask about whether or not you must declare a major on your application and if so can you switch your major upon matriculating? Or what about housing? Is it guranteed all four years or do students live off campus after freshman year?

4. Do not look at your phone during the meeting. Silence it and don’t snap or text while in the meeting.

5. Say thank you and get their business card. You can email them after the meeting and thank them for coming to your high school.

College Fair Tips….

Fall is a busy season for taking standardized tests, visiting a college campus or two and for attending your high school college fair.

 Attending a Fall College Fair is one of the best first steps in your college search.

 Here are a few tips to consider.

 1.   All high school students should take the time to attend. I’ve been asked if it’s ‘really worth it’ for an underclassmen to attend. Yes, it is.

2.   Upon arrival, pick up a map of the fair and look to visit the tables for schools you may have already identified.

3.   Introduce yourself to the college representative. That’s right, shake the rep’s hand and say hello. It’s great practice to talk with adults informally but in a respectful manner.

4.   If you have any specific interest, make sure to ask about them such as study abroad options or a certain major you are looking to pursue.

5.   Do not specifically ask what is your ‘chance for admission’ but ask what is the range in GPA, test scores and personal qualities the school is looking for in applicants.

6.   Visit two or three schools for which you have never heard of. This is a great way to expand your thoughts about where to attend and to learn of different types of schools: private universities, small liberal arts colleges, public and state universities, etc.

7.   Make sure to have your QR code scanned by every table you stop at. That way, the college can contact you in the future and you can ask questions going forward.

Have fun. Attending is a fun and exciting time to see what colleges and universities are out there!