4 seasons until college A timeline for juniors 04/13/2012

Have you ever wished for a simple to-do list that laid out exactly what you needed to do to make applying and getting in to college easier? Well, wish no more: Here’s your season-by-season guide, starting with the summer before senior year.

Summer
Lay the groundwork for your college applications.

• Choose colleges: Talk to your counselor, get college guides, research schools and finalize your choices.

• Get organized: Get each school’s application, become familiar with deadlines and requirements and make a master checklist. Minimize the maze by drawing yourself a map.

• Take tests: Chances are pretty good your schools will require the SAT or ACT. Study for it, and take it in the early fall (or late summer).

Fall
College looms on the horizon.

• Keep up your senior year grades: Avoid senioritis by mapping out which classes you’ll take.

• Get all the elements of your applications in order (this includes your application essays!): Teacher evaluations, résumés, secondary school reports, essays, transcript – the list is daunting! Pick out teachers to write your evaluations. Work on your résumé. Then, brainstorm, draft and finalize your application essays.

• Think about financial aid: How are you and your parents paying for college? Talk to them and plan your financial future together. Don’t wait for college to cover your tuition with loans and institutional grants. Look for outside scholarships and grants on your own, too!

Winter
Time to start getting those applications finalized.

• Follow up on everything: Now’s the time to break out that checklist you did back in the summer and double-check that everything’s been done.

• Finalize your applications: Months of hard work get tied up neatly into one nice application package. Don’t forget to request your transcripts and ACT/SAT scores.

• Get your financial aid in order:  Complete the FAFSA, and follow up on all scholarships you’ve applied for.

Spring
It’s the home stretch!

• Submit your applications (if you haven’t already): If you’re mailing it in, make sure you have a way of tracking it so that you can see when each college received it. If you’re applying online, keep all confirmation emails so that you can reference them if any problems come up. Don’t forget to thank everyone who helped you with your applications!

• Keep your grades up: Schools will want to see your final grades, and it won’t look good if you traded in you’re A’s and B’s for C’s and D’s.

• Make the big decision: Start looking carefully at where you got in, and how much money you got. If you can, set some time during your spring semester to visit schools. After you’ve analyzed your financial aid package, make your final choice.

Make your decision, send in any required paperwork, submit your deposit and breathe a sigh of relief: You did it! Enjoy your last few weeks of high school, finish your grades off with a bang and make your last summer before college a blast!

Anne Chaconas is the Director of Admissions Counseling for PowerScore Test Preparation (www.powerscore.com). Every year, she answers countless questions about college admissions and helps many students get into their top choice schools.

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How to make 'em want you Here’s what admissions reps are searching for in your application 02/02/2012

As you prepare your application for your first-choice college or university, you can’t help wondering what the college’s admissions officials are really looking for in potential students.

Well, they look at all the things that you’d expect (test scores, grades, letters of recommendation and your activities), and some things you wouldn’t. Mostly, they’re searching for responses that will tell them a lot about you.

“We want the student to come alive in that application,” says James Knight, an assistant director of admissions. “Sometimes the applications are just too thin, or they are full of things that aren’t relevant. We want to know the real student, and we can often tell if that’s what we are getting in their application.”

“We’d love to see straight A’s, but that’s not what is going to determine whether we think a student is a good fit here,” says Alida Tallman, an assistant director of admissions at Rice University (www.rice.edu). “We want to know about the person. That’s what colleges are looking for.” Tallman explained that admissions counselors at Rice look at grades, standardized test scores and letters of recommendation.

Rice also seeks students who show “intellectual curiosity” in their schoolwork and who are involved in activities outside of class. That involvement should be more than just symbolic, says Colleen Hillmeyer, director of admissions at the University of Denver (www.du.edu). “We want to see some depth when it comes to their participation in activities. It’s fine to have a long list of items in which you’ve been involved, but we want to see if you have stuck with them and taken them seriously. Have you been thoroughly involved and been a leader, and can you show us why the activity interested you?”

Hillmeyer and other counselors say that, too often, applicants try to impress the admissions reps rather than just describe their interests clearly and accurately. Knight says your application should be a portrait of you. “Include activities that tell your story,” he suggests. “Tell us truthfully about you.”

At the University of Pennsylvania (www.upenn.edu), counselors also look for students who do a good job of describing themselves and making a case for why they are a good fit at Penn. “They are often trying to guess what they think we want to hear,” says Gwynne Lynch, a regional admissions director for the Philadelphia-based school. “They are better off telling us about themselves and why they think Penn would be a good place for them.”

Lynch says she was concerned by a published report she read about a student whose mother spent hours helping her daughter with a college-entrance essay about choosing a favorite word. The two carefully researched options, and the mother was deeply involved in helping the student write the essay in a way she thought would impress admissions personnel. “That essay would not say much about the student,” Lynch says, “and we can sense that.”

You should provide details about your life and interests, she says. Rather than just listing music as an interest and activity, for instance, spell out that you played violin for five years and performed a solo for the entire school. Details about an important part of your life are sometimes more important than a laundry list of every activity and interest.

Lynch and others also say that the presentation of your application is also important. Do it neatly and carefully. “It’s a real red flag for us if there are a lot of errors in the application. We especially want to see that a student can write clearly without a lot of mistakes,” says Knight. “Writing is a critical skill to have.” He suggests that you consider including additional proof of your writing skills—perhaps a copy of a paper on which you did well.

It is also critical to get a sense of what each school thinks is important. At Purdue University (www.purdue.edu), for instance, Jerry Ripke, assistant director of admissions, says his staff doesn’t consider essays. They’re mostly concerned about academics—particularly if your record is headed in the right direction. “We look closely at trends in achievement, or lack thereof. A downward trend can hurt an applicant, whereas a strong upward trend can help, even if that applicant’s overall GPA is not as high,” he says.

Other admissions officials agree and note that students with strong academic records and other qualifications should not rest on their laurels. Sometimes a decision can be made based on your senior-year record, after you’ve already applied. “They need to hit the ground running their senior year—and not just in the application process,” says University of Denver’s Hillmeyer. “They need to keep up the pace with their work in school, too.”

She also notes that admissions officials are impressed by people who have overcome obstacles. If you’ve worked through a personal or academic problem, tell about it on your application. But don’t make excuses for bad grades or test scores. “I can tell you one thing that turns us off immediately: a student who doesn’t take responsibility for a bad grade and blames it on the teacher or their workload,” Hillmeyer says. “That’s not going to help your chances.”

Now that you know what colleges are looking for, here are five things you can do to make your application catch an admissions officer’s eye:

1. Know their school. Using specifics, tell them why you chose their school.
2. Quality, not quantity, is important when describing your activities. Having lots of activities is good, but showing that you thoroughly pursued an interest is even better. Tell the admissions people about the activities you stuck with. Provide details about your interests.
3. Focus on your writing. You don’t have to dazzle them with big words or a sophisticated style that isn’t you, but clear, thoughtful, honest writing is something most schools look for.
4. Be honest. They want to find out about you, and they will be frustrated if the application doesn’t show them that. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put your best foot forward; just make sure it’s your foot.
5. Don’t make excuses. Everyone has had a teacher they felt wasn’t fair. Unless it was a major roadblock that seriously affected your performance, don’t bother spelling out problems. Showing how you prevailed over a serious problem is a good thing, but complaining is not.

 

 

 

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Community college perks Find out if two-year schools are for you 11/04/2011

Are you trying to find the college that's right for you? Have you considered community college during your planning process?

Sometimes community colleges get a bad rep. But they can be a good investment that offers many perks. 

From cheaper tuition to smaller class sizes, community colleges offer lots of benefits, says Norma Kent, senior vice president of communications and advancement for the American Association of Community Colleges. 

 

And the secret is out; enrollment at community colleges is up about 17 percent from 2007 to 2009, Kent says. 

 

Check out this list and decide for yourself:

 

Cost 

Consider this: according to the College Board, average tuition and fees for the 2010-11 academic year range from $2,713 at public two-year colleges to $6,224 at public baccalaureate colleges, to $33,679 at private doctorate-granting universities. The average published price at private baccalaureate colleges is $27,293; at for-profit institutions it is $13,935. Sure, these are averages, but the savings in tuition and fees alone can be almost half at a community college. 

 

Class size 

The average community college class size is 25-35 students. Compare that with the same introductory-level courses at universities with 150 to 300 or more students in a massive lecture hall.You’re close to home It’s no secret that college costs can add up quickly. So, if you consider a community college, you’ll definitely be saving in the room and board category, because you’ll likely be living at home. It may mean you have to live with mom and dad for a few more years, but think about the savings! 

 

Time to transition

Some of you know exactly where you want to go to college and what your major will be. The rest of you have no idea. That’s OK. A community college will allow you the opportunity to work on your general education courses while dabbling in topics that interest you—without having to declare a major right away. And after two years, you’ll likely have it all figured out, so you can move on to a four-year school with more focus.

 

A different point of view

Some will argue that two-year schools have disadvantages, too. For instance, if you aren’t living on campus, you won’t be involved in activities, student groups or sporting events. However, it’s become more common for community colleges and two-year schools to offer on-campus housing so students get the traditional college feel. Also, some say students won’t get qualified professors at community colleges. 

 

While it’s true there are fewer PhDs working at two-year schools and that there’s less research going on, you’re likely getting a lesson from a professional in the industry who has (sometimes daily!) experience in the subject. Consider this when trying to find the community college that's right for you!

 

Everyone is looking for a unique college experience. Although community colleges are great for many, they aren’t for everyone. Be sure you do your homework before you find and decide on any college or university. 

 

Enid Arbelo Bryant is the Editor in Chief of NextStepU Magazine.

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Make them count Your guide to utilizing your first weeks of school 08/08/2011

Ring! Ring! Can you hear the sound of the bell calling you to class? A new school year has started and with that comes new teachers, classes, and, of course, higher expectations.

 

Summer was a breeze; you took some time off and relaxed but didn’t lose your academic momentum. Now is the time to kick it into high gear and get a head start on the year to come! The question is what can you be doing now that will help you throughout the entire year? The answer — a lot! Read on for advice that will help make this year a success and help you plan for college!

 

Set realistic goals?

Create a grade goal worksheet and list your goals for each individual class, and three strategies you can use to reach them. Putting your pen to the paper helps you actualize your goals and encourages you to follow through with them. 

 

Remember to keep it real. If math is a challenging subject and your grade last year was a C+, set a goal of a B+. A realistic expectation, for a demanding class would be to raise your grade by one full letter. If you are already an “A” student, figure out what you need to do to stay on top. Each year brings more challenging content, and new expectations; so give yourself a competitive advantage to help you stay on your "A" game.

 

Get organized

This is great advice for college as well. Your planner is your new best friend. Staying organized will help you maintain your productivity. If you keep yourself organized, you can manage your time better and prioritize your academics, extra curricular activities and social life. 

 

A golden rule would be to dedicate at least two hours an evening to homework. Let’s say you have a killer chemistry test coming up this week, which takes two hours to review for. If you stay organized each day you can review 30 minutes for the remainder of the week, instead of cramming it all in on Thursday night. Not only will you have more time for other subjects, but you will also absorb the content more effectively in smaller doses, as opposed to overwhelming yourself at the last minute.

 

Talk isn’t cheap?

Teachers may seem intimidating at times, but your first impression is crucial. Don’t sit at the back of the room talking to your friends, disrupting the class and losing focus. Front and center seats allow for fewer distractions and will help you stay focused on the content at hand. If you’re not the kind of student who enjoys participating, challenge yourself to say at least one comment per class. Also, make it a point to talk to your teachers outside of class. They are available during after-school hours so, utilize this amazing resource.

 

Review! Review! Review! ?

How important is it to review your work? You may be asking, “Why on Earth am I reviewing something I just learned last week?” If you nail down the concepts now, guess how much easier it will be for you to do well come midterms in several months? It will be a piece of cake if you review, and make sure you have everything down solid. Subjects are cumulative, meaning they build off a foundation. You need a sturdy foundation so that your house (or grades) don’t collapse over time. 

 

Make this one of your best years yet by following this advice! Set your mind to achieving your academic goals and don’t let yourself settle for anything less then your best. 

 

Danielle Rayo is the founder and director of Competitive Advantage Tutoring (http://catutoring.com).

 

 

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Graduate on time Be aware of common traps that can extend your college stay 08/08/2011

The super senior: unofficially defined as the college student who isn’t quite ready to let go of the glory years; the lingerer who should have graduated with your older brother but instead will have class with you next semester. 

While these stereotypes exist, super seniors are also made of up students who fall victim to avoidable traps brought about by poor strategic college planning. 

 

 

Here are four traps that can keep you from graduating on time and strategies to avoid them!

 

Not enough credits

According to Morris Jones, academic advisor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (www.iupui.edu), many students find themselves in a hole with credit hours because they only pay attention to financial aid’s definition of a full-time student.

 

“Financial aid is what dominates the discussion,” Jones says. “Twelve credit hours is their minimum but at that rate of 12 hours a semester, they will be out in six years. It’s all mindset. Students see the 12-hour minimum and are either misinformed or too scared to take on a bigger load. Students need to have at least 16 credit hours a semester to graduate on time.” 

 

Incoming freshmen need to recognize that summer school does not carry the same stigma that it does in high school. An added benefit of summer classes is the light schedule that allows you to focus your time on one or two classes, giving you a better chance at doing well. 

 

Study abroad

College offers opportunities to experience places the average person couldn’t afford otherwise; yet gaining these experiences often puts you behind in course work. Debra Bernstein, director of advising at the University of Southern California (www.usc.edu), says students often enter into study abroad programs that are not in accordance with their major, and are welcomed back to campus with a semester of coursework to make up. Bernstein suggests you enter study abroad programs that align with your major, which are offered at many schools. 

 

Empty credits

 

Empty credits can appear when students score lower on placement exams and are placed into prep courses that prepare them for the degree requirement course but don’t count toward their major. Classes like these make extensive pre-planning essential, explains Jones. When choosing your schedule, pay attention not only to the overall subject of the class requirements, but which of those classes within that subject will count for the major.

 

These empty credits have the ability to push back graduation. For example, if there is a three-hour empty credit in a 16-hour schedule, when planning for graduation, students should consider it a 13-credit hour schedule.

 

 

Changing majors

Most colleges report that the majority of freshmen are undecided. It’s OK not to have a first choice right off the bat, but once the choice is made, be prepared to deal with an extra course load if the major changes. Sometimes courses may overlap, in which case the requirement load will not be as heavy. Be sure to talk to counselors and ask for updated four-year plans as soon after a change of major as possible. 

 

Even though graduating in four years is rare, with adequate strategic planning and hard work, it can be done.

 

Lauren Wilkins is a recent graduate of Indiana University (www.indiana.edu) where she majored in journalism and entrepreneurship.

 

 

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It's never too early Even as a freshman, you can be preparing for life after high school 08/08/2011

Let’s face it: starting high school is scary. There’s a new building to get to know, harder classes and intimidating upperclassmen to deal with. 

There’s certainly enough to think about without worrying about what you’re going to do after high school. After all, thinking about college preparation is for juniors and seniors, right? Not necessarily! 

 

Though it’s tempting to ignore the prospect of picking a school until the last minute, it’s smart to get a head start on college preparation. I’m not saying you need to visit schools and schedule interviews this early, but there are definitely things you can do as a freshman to better prepare yourself for the application process. 

 

First off, keep those grades up! I know it sounds obvious, but the first year does matter, and you’ll want to work hard now to save yourself from frantically trying to pull up your GPA when you’re an upperclassman. Even if your PlayStation is calling your name, or you have some juicy gossip to discuss with your best friend, try to get your homework done. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

 

Another great way to make progress is to get involved. Freshman year is the time to find out what you really like, so try it all! Join a sport, a club or do some community service. All of these activities look great on a resume, and they’re bound to be fun!

 

If you’re really looking to get ahead, there are many opportunities to start scouting out colleges early. Find out if your school hosts any college fairs; they’re very good for getting a general idea about what schools you might want to look more closely at. School representatives will be very impressed to see such a proactive freshman!

 

The bottom line is: as a senior you want to be able to enjoy your status as ruler of the school and have fun with your friends, not fret about grades or make rushed decisions as you prepare for college. So make your freshman year count and get a head start on your future.

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Not a major decision Don't stress about what to study in college 08/04/2011

Choosing a college major can be as easy as deciding how you want to spend your weekend. While you have plenty of options to choose from, you’ll probably end up picking what you enjoy most.

The question you have to ask yourself is, what is right for me right now?

Seems too simple, right? Yet, if you consider that declaring a college major doesn’t have to be the same as selecting a career, the choice becomes a little less intimidating. It then becomes a decision of finding out what interests you most, rather than determining what you’re going to do for the rest of your life.

 

Take Dr. Geoffrey Zoeller, for instance. He majored in biochemistry as an undergraduate and now he’s superintendent of Westwood Regional Schools in New Jersey. “I became a chemistry teacher when I graduated, but I eventually went back to school to get my master’s and then my doctorate in education,” Zoeller says. “What you major in as an undergrad leads you to your first job only.” 

 

Students have a common misconception that their major will determine their career. That’s what Rutgers University (rutgers.edu) junior Nikhaar Kishnani thought. She had problems deciding on a major, because she didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. That was until her father advised her to “do whatever interests you, because that’s what’s going to get you somewhere.” Now she’s majoring in journalism with a minor in African Middle Eastern and South Asian languages and literatures.

 

So perhaps you’re thinking that this sounds way too good to be true.  It doesn’t have to be. You can major in something you love and still get a great job. Here’s the secret: Know what is right for you by following your interests!

 

“Interests are the best predictor of career satisfaction,” says Micael Kemp, career services director at the University of California, Santa Barbara (www.ucsb.edu). Lisa Alexander agrees. She was an accountant for 10 years until she realized she was more interested in talking to people and helping to motivate and empower them. She returned to school to get a master’s in counseling and now she’s a career counselor at Raritan Valley Community College (www.raritanval.edu) in New Jersey.

 

Don’t know your interests? Then explore!

Go to the bookstore and pull out books on your possible major. “If, as you’re doing this, you find yourself really interested in these books, … (it’s) going to be a good major for you,” Kemp says. 

 

“If, on the other hand, you’re bored to tears and feel as if you may become comatose, it’s probably not the right major for you.”

 

Zoeller also stresses that it’s important to keep in mind what you want to do and to have as many different experiences as possible.

 

Choose what you’re good at

Georgia’s Kennesaw State University (www.kennesaw.edu) junior Merline Beauvil thought she wanted to be a math major until she took the prerequisite course, mathematical skills, and realized she wasn’t good at it. Now she’s majoring in human services. After changing her major four times, she finally found something she both loves and excels in. 

 

“Study something you’re excited about, because you’re going to get better grades when you do that,” Beauvil says.

 

Get out of the classroom!

Take your nose out of the books and get your hands dirty; it will increase your chances of securing a job. According to a 2010 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, post-graduates with related internship experience are more likely to find a job than those without any.

 

“In a lot of cases, what you study in school doesn’t have much to do with the actual skills that employers like to see in job candidates,” Kemp says. “We encourage students strongly to seek out-of-class experience where they can develop the kinds of skills that employers want.”

 

Find a passion project

Nicole Crimaldi, founder of www.mscareergirl.com, majored in finance and is now being offered a marketing job. Meanwhile, her only marketing experience was the kind she took the initiative to procure for herself, such as her blog, website and online marketing classes.

 

“I’m just a normal girl, but because I used a couple of hours before work or after work differently than my peers … I’m now able to transition into a field completely different from what I majored in,” she says.

 

What you can do right now?

Now you know what to do when you get to college, but what can you do now? Zoeller recommends exposing yourself to a variety of new experiences. 

 

“Learn what’s out there. Exposure is important, because there are majors you don’t even know exist yet. Take anthropology, for instance. There are no classes on that in high school.”

 

If after reading this you’re still worried about choosing a major, consider that people change their major about five to seven times, according to Kemp. There is more than one route you can travel to get you to your destination. 

 

“Undergraduate studies are really just an exploration of the self and your interests,” says Kishnani. “It’s just a stepping stone, so do whatever you enjoy.”

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52 weeks to college The countdown begins 06/13/2011

Deciding how best to spend your time as you apply to college and finish up your high school career can sometimes feel pretty intimidating. Starting at the end of your Junior year, this week-by-week breakdown of what you should do as you get closer to the next step of your academic career makes it easy to see what you need to do and when. Consider this your college planning checklist!

 

1: Talk to your school’s college counselor. The last thing you should before you leave school for the summer after Junior year is make an appointment with your high school’s college counselor. They are a great resource when it comes to starting the college selection process, and will give you some good pointers about where to start your search.

 

2: Get college guides. The College Board (the company that administers the SAT) puts out a College Handbook every year. The Handbook provides a thorough snapshot of every undergraduate institution in the United States. Many other companies also have college guides available; do some research on which ones are best, and purchase a few. Start reading them, and narrowing down your list of school based on what you’re looking for.

 

3: Start researching schools. Once you have a solid list of schools, start doing some serious research on them. Go to each school’s website, and spend some time reading about what they offer academically, socially, and extracurricularly. Check on incoming class sizes, standardized test score requirements, application deadlines, and financial aid. This will allow you to make your final school selections. Run the list by your parents and friends, who will help you as you make your selections.

 

4: Choose schools. When you’ve researched all the schools you’re interested in, make your final choices. Make sure they fulfill what you’re looking for in a school: Location, size, offerings, environment, and anything else you consider important.

 

5: Get school applications. If your school takes the Common Application, you don’t have to worry about completing a different one. However, if they don’t take the Common Application, go to each school’s website, and obtain the application you’ll need to complete. 

 

6: Know your deadlines. Make a list of deadlines: When the application is due, when different supplements are due, and when the various financial aid documents are due. This will allow you to budget your time, complete each application thoroughly, and submit it on time—without rushing.

 

7: Create checklists. Applying to college can feel like you’re working your way through a daunting pile of paper, but it doesn’t have to be. Create college planning checklists of required documents for each school, and go crossing them off as you complete them. That way, you’ll be able to keep on top of what you need to do without ever feeling flustered or overwhelmed.

 

8: Think about potential majors. Colleges have a myriad major opportunities—everything from mainstays like English and Political Science to unique majors like Folklore or Jazz Studies. Do you know what you’re interested in? Start thinking about this now, so that you’ll be able to answer application questions about potential majors clearly and intelligently.

 

9: Consider applying early. Is there a school that you know you want to attend above all others? Perhaps applying via early admission (EA) or early decision (ED) is the way to go. Applying via EA or ED send a message to schools that they are your first choice (which may increase your chances of admission), and it also lets you find out much earlier if you’ve gotten it to your first-choice school.

 

10: Start looking into scholarships. Don’t wait for your college to cover your cost of attendance with loans and institutional grants. Do some legwork and find other scholarships and grants on your own. FastWeb (www.fastweb.com) is a great resource for searching and applying for scholarships that you may not find elsewhere.

 

11: Decide if you’ll take the SAT or ACT (or both). Register for the tests. Which test do your schools take? The SAT tests logic and reasoning, while the ACT tests academic knowledge. Which one do you feel the most comfortable taking? Once you have decided, pick a test date, and register for each test (you can register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.org, and for the ACT at www.actstudent.org) 

 

12: Sign up for SAT Subject Tests. Some schools require SAT Subject Tests (tests that focus on specific academic content, like literature, world history, or chemistry). If your school is one of them, you’ll have to take the ones they ask for. Although you can’t take them at the same time you take the SAT, you can register for them at the same time through www.collegeboard.com. You’ll have to take them separately, either at the test administration before, or a test administration after your SAT.

 

13: Take an SAT and/or ACT test prep class. If you don’t feel up to studying for the SAT or ACT on your own (or just don’t know where to start and would like some guidance), sign up to take a prep class. A quick internet search for “SAT test prep” or “ACT test prep” will yield many options for your preparation. 

 

14: Create a senior year plan. Don’t go into your senior year unawares. Avoid senioritis by sitting down with your school counselor and mapping out the classes you’ll take, and thinking about which extracurriculars you’ll continue to be involved in.

 

15: Think about who will write your teacher evaluations. Don’t just pick the classes in which you had the highest grades. Pick teachers that know you well, and with whom you’ve worked closely. These teachers will be able to not only speak about your academic abilities, but about your personal qualities, too.

 

16: Ask your teachers for evaluations. Once you’ve decided who will write your evaluations, set up a meeting and ask them (nicely!) to write you a letter. Remember to tell them what your application deadlines are, so that they can make sure to complete your letters in time.

 

17: Take the SAT (or ACT). Don’t leave these tests until the last minute. Ideally, you should think about taking them in the spring of your Junior year, but if you’ve left it until your Senior year, get it out of the way in the early fall, so that you can spend the rest of the year working on getting stellar grades, completing your applications, and participating in your extracurriculars.

 

18: Take a leadership role in your school extracurriculars. Even if you’re not the captain of your team or the editor of your newspaper, there is still plenty of leadership you can demonstrate. Take on tasks, work with others to complete complex project, and make a difference in the groups you’re a part of. This won’t only look good on your applications, it’ll make your activities much more rewarding!

 

19: Follow up on your teacher evaluations. Take a moment to check in with your teachers, and make sure they’re on track to complete your letters in time. Getting them sent to schools in advance of their deadlines is important.

 

20: Beef up your work experience. Keep your résumé fresh and your experiences outside school interesting by volunteering at a new place, or taking on added responsibilities at your after-school job. 

 

21: Have your school counselor complete the Secondary School Report. This Common Application form is a requirement for most schools, and is one that requires a high school official to complete. Submit it to the appropriate people with plenty of time so that they can finish it before your applications are due.

 

22: Take the SAT (if you took the ACT in October). If you decided to take the ACT before the SAT (or if you just needed some extra time to study before the test), now is the time to take the SAT. This will allow you to get your scores in plenty of time to submit them to your schools, without worrying you’ll miss a deadline.

 

23: Follow up on your Secondary School Report. Check and make sure your counselor (or whoever is completing this important form), is on track to finish it by your deadline. 

 

24: Start working on the Common Application Personal Essay. Don’t leave these essays ‘til the very end! Start brainstorming and creating outlines for potential essays now, so that you have plenty of time to fine-tune them before your application deadlines.

 

25: Start working on any school-specific essays. Although some schools don’t require additional essays besides the one in the Common Application, many do. If your school is one of them, start thinking about which topic or topics you will write about, and start drafting. The more time you spend on these essays, the better they will be.

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What school is right for you? Find the best fit for your career plans 11/01/2010

You’re on the last leg of your high school education about to head out on your own and take on the world. Understandably, you feel powerful. You’re finally going to live life the way you want it and start forging your own path. However, with great power also comes great responsibility: You must now choose which path you will take to fulfill your dreams.

The most important decision facing you is your education and, tangentially, your career plans. The sooner you start thinking about the track you want your life to take, the more likely you are to achieve it quickly and with minimal bumps in the road.

 

There are many options and myriad careers available to you. You can be a clothing designer, a lawyer, a doctor, a restaurateur, a veterinarian, a chef, an elementary school teacher … the possibilities are endless. The first step, after thinking about the careers you may want to pursue, is deciding what kind of training and education you will need to achieve those goals. How do you choose a college? What’s your next step?

 

Let’s begin by defining some of the educational options available to you. These will help you decide how to choose the college that's right for you!

 

• College or University Those who go to college obtain a general academic education that can prepare them for a variety of careers. This education typically takes four years, and also requires the student to select a major or concentration, that focuses the student on a particular field. Aside from a few majors that are career-specific (for example, accounting, computer engineering, or computer science), colleges don’t specifically prepare you for a trade. Instead, they provide you with a solid base of academic knowledge that you can then apply to a number of different career paths. Rather than receiving a generalized education, students who enroll in a course of study at a technical school take very specific classes that prepare them for a particular job (for example: culinary arts, massage therapy, office management, cosmetology, fashion design, or information technology). Although vocational classes are typically found in community colleges, there are also a large number of technical institutes that provide this kind of training. ITT Technical Institute and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) are two well-known technical schools in the United States.

• Graduate school Graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees, such as a Ph.D. or master’s degree. It falls under the category of “post-graduate education” because you need a college or undergraduate degree in order to apply and enroll. Typically, students go to graduate school because they wish to embark on a particularly academic career that requires (or recommends) an advanced degree. Graduate schools are usually part of a larger university and are attached to an undergraduate institution. 

• Professional school Professional school is a school that also awards advanced academic degrees, such as a J.D., M.B.A. or M.D., but does so with a specific focus and profession in mind. Like graduate schools, professional schools are post-graduate institutions and require a college or undergraduate degree in order to apply and enroll. Law school, medical school and business school are all examples of professional schools. Although professional schools could fall under the definition of graduate schools, they are listed separately here because they are similar to technical schools in that they provide their students with an education with a specific career in mind. How can these options help you advance your career plans?In order to determine which path is the right one for you, you must first consider what you want your career path to be, and what you must do to get there.

Keep a few things in mind:

1. If you’re not sure about what you want to do for a living, or which career you’d like to pursue, college may be the best option. This is because college allows you to “try on” different disciplines and see which one fits best. If you start off your college career with one major in mind, but then change to another after a year, it’s usually not a problem, and the change can be made easily and seamlessly. This is not the case with a technical or vocational school, where change is usually harder and more involved.

2. If you know exactly what you want to do, perhaps a technical school is the right choice. This is particularly true if the career you’re interested in requires hands-on technical knowledge and experience. One of the great aspects about a technical school is the amount of practical experience you will obtain during your course of study, which will directly translate to the job.

3. If you want to embark on a career path in academia, teaching, or counseling, chances are pretty good that you’ll have to go to graduate school. This is because these positions typically require at least a master’s degree, if not a Ph.D., and also look favorably upon those who have conducted extensive research and have been published, both of which are available to students in graduate school programs.

4. To be a dentist, librarian, attorney, doctor, nurse, or veterinarian (among others), you will have to attend professional school. These professions require specific advanced degrees that are built upon the foundations of a college education and specific post-graduate knowledge. Certain upper management and governmental positions may also look favorably upon or require professional degrees. 

What if you’re not sure about what you want to do? How do you choose a college then?  Some of you may already know exactly which career path you want to pursue. However, if you don’t know, don’t worry—you’re not alone! It may take a while for you to decide and that’s OK. Talk to your parents, friends, teachers and counselors, and tell them about some of the career choices you’re considering or ask them for suggestions.

Taking some time to really think about what you want to do and what will make you happy is just as important as deciding where you’ll go to make your dreams happen.

 

Anne Chaconas is the director of admissions counseling for PowerScore Test Preparation (www.powerscore.com). Every year, she answers countless questions about college admissions and helps many students get into their top choice schools.

 

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Plan ahead for success Juniors, take this advice from college students into account as you plan for senior year! 05/08/2008

College will work itself out, right? You’ll get there, get a room and everything will fall into place.

Well, that may not be the case. Here is some advice from people who have successfully entered the college world. Read on and learn how to plan for college!

On getting good grades
“Knowing my senior year would be chaotic, I started to plan for college in my junior year. I made the best grades I have ever made to raise my GPA so I could apply to the University of Alabama. It was the best thing I could have ever done.” —Maryalice Lazarus is a senior at Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Ala.

“Having a good GPA will show colleges how dedicated to your schoolwork you are. Yes, they do like to see community service and other school activities, but those can only go so far. With a good GPA, you show that you are not only a good student, but also a hardworking and dedicated person. That is why the time to start worrying about high school grades is the moment you enter high school. If you start good studying habits then, and get your GPA up as high as you can get it, you will more than likely get into the college of your choice.” —Andrew Mochrie is a senior at Westside High School in Macon, Ga.

On studying
“Some study mechanisms or methods used in high school may work in college, and some may not. I did not truly learn how to study until my junior year of college, and then it was easy. If your old methods fail, try new ones until you find ones that work. The earlier you achieve this, the better.” —Liza Harkins graduated from Central College in Danville, Ky.

On getting involved
“I believe that everyone should volunteer, even if it’s as simple as tutoring a friend. Colleges are looking for well-rounded people to enroll in their institutions.” —Phillip Lindsay is a senior at Clemson University

On choosing a school
“Pick your school based on your own needs. Ten years from now, it probably won’t matter what your boyfriend thought or where your friends all went to school. Extract yourself from your current social situation and think about what would be best for you.” —Bethany Meyers transferred to three different schools and finally ended up at her top choice, Columbia College Chicago

“I believe the most important way you can plan and prepare for college is by researching, visiting and communicating with the college that you plan to attend. Once you have been accepted to a college, you must obtain as much knowledge about the college before you decide to attend. After all, wherever you decide will be your home for the next four to five years, and that is a big commitment.” —Phillip Lindsay

On getting to know your professsors
“Get to know professors. This is very important, and I did not do it. You might want a recommendation letter later that could help you get a job. Get to know them, and make sure they get to know you.” —Liza Harkins

Sara Roberts taught high school for two years in Georgia and now lives in Birmingham, Ala.