Happy Holidays!

buddy xmas Originally uploaded by chotda  

I'll be taking a mini-blogging break this next week. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2011!

PSAT - What Next?

All the PSAT scores have been returned, but I know there are probably some students and parents with lingering questions. In case the students are having trouble remembering how to interpret the scores from my session, here is a summary of what to know:

-Make like a snowflake and chill. The PSAT is just a benchmark to see how students do on the College Board brand of test. Some students do significantly better on the ACT. Others benefit from applying to testing optional schools. No two students are alike (another thing in common with snowflakes), so resist the urge to make comparisons.

- To convert a PSAT score to an equivalent SAT score: add a zero to the end of each section. The PSAT sections are out of 80, the real SAT sections are out of 800.

- PSAT scores are distributed on a normal curve, meaning a small percentage of people score very low and very high, but the majority of students score in the middle. For the PSAT, this means most students in the nation score around a 50 on each section. Learn more about SAT score by clicking here.

- It is useful to look at not just the raw score, but also the percentile. For students that are testing in a top percentile (say 85th percentile or higher) this may indicate a natural ability on standardized tests and it may mean that the student should explore taking SAT Subject tests in the end of their 10th or 11th grade year if they are considering applying to highly selective colleges where these exams are required. Most colleges do NOT require SAT Subject Tests, but for those that do the best candidates are the students that are naturally strong test takers. If a student is in a lower percentile, they are probably better served bringing up their main SAT score before devoting time and energy to an SAT Subject Test. Some schools also allow the ACT with writing to count in place of the SAT and Subject Tests, so if students are not ready for Subject Tests as underclassmen it does not necessarily mean that they lose the opportunity to apply to these selective schools.

- Utilize My College Quickstart. Students can register for free online test prep from the College Board that is personalized to their strengths and weaknesses based on the PSAT. Don't miss this opportunity to get individual feedback on how to improve. A little bit of practice over a long period of time is a great way to improve your scores. Please note, the College Board username and password will be the same for the rest of high school. Do NOT make duplicate accounts or make an account in a parent's name. This should be completed by the student.

- Maximize your reading time in Advisory to really push your reading level. The best way to improve your SAT Critical Reading and Writing score is to read high level books. It is no accident that ElRo asks students to read books outside of those that are assigned for class. Opt for high level books (and even consider reading with a dictionary on hand) to learn vocabulary and expand your literary horizons.

Still confused about testing? Please attend the testing info night on Tuesday, January 25 at 5:00 pm in the Auditorium. 

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Dogs as Stress Relief for Finals

Yes, I'm biased. But seriously LOVE this idea.

Early Action/Decision Outcomes: The Glee Edition

What better way to deal with the anxiety around December decisions than with the joy of song. There are three possible outcomes in Early: Denied Admission, Deferred to Regular Decision, or Admitted. I think the cast of Glee can express reactions to these outcomes best.  
(**Full disclosure: I was in show choir in high school.  My sister was too.)

Denied Admission: Even if you are sad and angry, a catchy tune and dancing is a win/win. Playing on repeat is encouraged. 



Deferred to Regular Decision : Deferred truly does not mean denied, absolutely explore other options and be open minded to alternate routes, but don't give up hope.



Admitted:  You declared your love, the feeling was mutual.

Happy Hanukkah - PSAT Results are In!

Tiny bubbles... Originally uploaded by peater

Yes, I know not everyone celebrates Hanukkah, but for me, getting the PSAT results counted as a present. The PSAT was administered to 10th and 11th grade students in October and we got the score reports in last week. Starting today, I will be distributing the scores to students. I will visit 10th grade advisory classes one at a time to hand back the reports. The 11th grade will get their scores all together in an assembly on Wednesday.

I know this staggered approach means that some students will see their scores before other students, but I think the sacrifice is worth it in order for me to give the best possible information out to the students. It also allows me to answer more questions one on one and hopefully will make it easier for students to absorb what I have to say.

I encourage all 10th and 11th grade student to utilize the code on the bottom right of their score report, which will allow them access to a free test analysis and personalize study tips by going to www.collegeboard.com/quickstart

Remember, the P in PSAT stands for Practice, so if you are not happy with your performance, there is still time to improve. I'll probably have addition blog posts about understanding the score report, but I wanted parents/guardians to know to be on the lookout to ask their child about the exam.

Thanks Fordham!

Tonight was Fordham's annual Holiday Party at the Lincoln Center Campus- an event I'm proud to have been a part of for the past five years - first as an Admissions Counselor at Fordham and then as a High School College Counselor. As always, it was great to see old friends and chat with colleagues. The picture here is of Fordham's Rose Hill Campus by ElRo's own Lihan Yao, a member of the class of 2011. He is such a talented photographer! Thanks for letting me use the image.

Go Rams!

The Backup Plan

Many students have applied Early Action or Early Decision this year and are waiting for their decisions to be returned over the next few weeks. Of course, I would love it if every candidate was accepted to every school to which they applied, but chances are some people will be faced with deferrals and denials. My advice is to work on preparing the rest of your applications now. The very worst thing to have to do on the break between Christmas and the New Year is work on applications after you are already feeling defeated from an EA/ED decision. Better to get everything in tip-top shape now so you can be ready to press submit later, once you know the Early outcomes. If you end up being accepted ED, yes, you will have wasted a little of your time, but trust me, at that point you won't mind.

Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. Remember, opening a skinny envelope is not the end of the world. But, do yourself the favor of putting in the time now so you will not have to later.

Crossing your fingers also never hurts. 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

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What should you do about missing documents?!

Imagine your mailbox at home. Now imagine you got a few thousand pieces of mail per day. Welcome to a college admissions mail room. It is not surprising that it takes days, if not weeks, to open, sort, and categorize all of the incoming items that go into applications. About two weeks after you see I have submitted 'initial materials' on Naviance, I recommend calling the schools where you have applied and asking them about the 'status of your application.' This should prompt the student worker (or whatever other lucky soul happens to be on phone duty) to pull up your file in their computer and tell you if it is complete. When they do this, they likely cannot see any of the actual parts of the application, so don't ask them about a specific teacher letter or have them tell you what scores they have in (according to FERPA they actually can't verbally share scores with callers). Instead, they should be able to tell you, in general, what required items are missing.

If something is not there that should be here is what to do:

-If you applied to the school via Common App, have your Common App number ready and see if they will transfer you to the processing department because if Naviance says the documents were sent, they should have access to them. BE PATIENT - the people on the phone are doing you a favor, you catch more flies with honey . . . .

- If you didn't apply with Common App, still see if they can track down your documents via a company called Docufide (the umbrella company that Naviance uses to send documents).

- If they check and they truly can't find the items, try to get the name and email address of a human that actually deals with document processing and/or file completion. Pass this information on to me in an email, and I will send your items right away. I'd much rather send the document to a person that can make your file complete than add one more piece of random paper to their mail room that will take weeks to process.

- Second best? Get a fax number (and ideally a person's name that I should fax it at attn to)

- Last option - confirm the address where the item should be mailed and email that to me.

- Scores missing? Next step is to log on to College Board/ACT and confirm that you placed an order. Then pick up the phone and call them to see if there is an estimated time of delivery. Hopefully you will discover they are on their way. Again, be courteous to the phone operators, they are just doing the best that they can to help and scores are advertised as taking up to 6 weeks to arrive at a college.

- Whatever you do, don't panic. Colleges often send out those 'incomplete application' notices as a way to cover themselves. They often are not able to use data that is current and you may call and discover that in between the time that they sent the 'missing items' letter and now your file has become complete. There are still about three weeks before ED and EA decisions are finalized, so it is not too late.

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Thanks Barnard Office of Financial Aid!

Thank you to Susan Lee, Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid at Barnard for coming to our PTA meeting last night! Her expertise was put to good use during our conversation about how the Financial Aid process works. Part II of our Financial Aid themed PTA meetings will be December 16 at 6:00 pm and will focus on filling out the FAFSA form, line by line. Remember, Seniors fill out the FAFSA starting in January of their Senior year. However, younger families are invited to attend to get a heads up about the types of questions they will be asked.

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"As Einstein used to say, ‘Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”’

I was pleased to read this article in the New York Times about the perils of rankings and how sometimes small and seemingly obscure data can dramatically change a school's rank. I've said it before, I'll say it again: rankings exist to sell magazines. They intentionally change the formula each year in order to get different results.

Speaking of the formula, the criteria itself is questionable at best. Peer ranking counts as a factor in ranking? How much your friends like you is a task best left to Facebook. The bottom line is that every college has strengths and weaknesses. The majority of the 3,000+ colleges out there have at least a few things that they are really really good at. For people interested in those things, they could rank "#1" on their list.

But, people allow themselves to put so much weight into a pointless magazine (or book, or article, or any other 'ranking' organization . . . I'm an equal opportunity ranking basher) that they sometimes lose sight of the fact that there are probably a few kids that are miserable at Harvard and Williams (see that, they can't even limit themselves to anointing one number one, they have to separate Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges . . . ). There are also some kids having their ideal college experience at SUNY Albany, ranked number (gasp!) 143.

I admit, I do have the US News from last year because I got it for free at the Baltimore NACAC. And I do bring it out in some college meetings. Why? Because it is a quick list of schools that can help me double check if I missed a place. I'm not in it looking for a difference between #7 and #12, I'm jogging my memory.

Moral of the story? Don't take rankings as something written in stone (the publishers wouldn't want that either, they need you to buy next year's magazine). Use rankings as a place to start the exploration; look up places on the list that you have not heard of. Pay less attention to the numerical rank and more attention to the information you discover after looking the school up on your own. Also, consider multiple sources - Washington Monthly and Forbes also publish lists that often look different from US News. Last, promise that for every ranking list you look at you will read at least section of Colleges That Change Lives.

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Save Your Items from Destination Nowhere

 Destination: nowhere in particular Originally uploaded by thekermanns

A few of you have been offered free 'priority' or 'VIP' applications to some schools and they have offered to waive the fee. Great! We know I'm all for saving money. However, there will be a major processing issue if you decide to use that free app, and then still have that college listed in your Common App account.

Why? Naviance is linked with the Common App. If it sees you have a school in your Common App list, even if you have not submitted any part if it, it will send your documents to the college via Common App. And it will never end up being downloaded by the college, because you won't have filed a Common App with them.

How to fix this? Update your Common App. Delete schools that you are not using a Common App for. That way, I won't send your items and have them lost in the abyss of the internet, never reaching their destination.

Thanks!

FAQs

If I had a nickel for every question I've answered in the past week about . . . . It seems there are a few common questions that keep coming up - please see below for the answers!

Our School Code is 333648

My title is College Counselor (Though honestly, you can call me Guidance Counselor, College Adviser, I'm really not picky . . . and neither are the colleges)

My phone number is 212 772 1220 x4

ElRo's Fax number is 212 772 1440

ElRo does not offer Honors classes. Colleges will know this because they will get a copy of our school profile with your transcript.  They understand that because we don't have a traditional 'tracked' system, we don't have a need for Honors classes because all students are working at a rigorous level. We do offer a small number of AP courses and College English, all of which are weighted.

The GPA can be found on the transcript. It should also be accurate in Naviance.

Our school is annualized, so final grades are posted once per year. An academic class that meets 5 days per week is worth 2.0 credits per year. An elective class that meets fewer days per week is worth 1.0 credits per year (or 0.5 credits per semester if the course is only one semester long).

We do not run on a trimester system. You just leave the column blank on the Common App.

We do not rank.

When in doubt, check the school website first. Most information you need should be there (or on our 2011 profile).

Happy Applying!

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Thanks New School!

The New Face of Parsons
Originally uploaded by The New School

This morning I was hosted at a counselor breakfast for the New School with presentations by Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and Parsons The New School for Design. Full disclosure, they had me when I walked in and saw that a piece by Kara Walker was in the stairwell up to the second floor where the breakfast was being held. She is one of my favorite artists, so the morning started off on the right foot.

In a nutshell, here is what I learned:

Eugene Lang should be on the radar of anyone looking for small seminar classes in an urban environment. You get the benefits of New York City, without the size and anonymity (and sometimes out of reach selectivity) of NYU.

Jazz and Contemporary Music is a wonderful option for students that are looking to be musicians. It is not a classical conservatory (for that, see Mannes) but it is a really great fit for students that have clear musical performance goals. A live audition is required. They also offer a dual degree program with Lang that can be a good thing for students (and parents) that want some academics to 'fall back on.' FYI-The way to apply for that dual program is to check the box on the JAZZ application (not to file a Common App for Lang).

Parsons may be the face of the New School that people know best, thanks to Tim Gunn and the popularity of Project Runway. But Parsons is not just for fashion designers, they also offer programs in things like photography, product design, game design, architecture, and even business administration! A portfolio, and the 'Parsons Challenge' is required, but what a fun place to make it work! (I couldn't help myself . . . )

Thanks New School for a delicious breakfast!  I recommend students that don't have class today and next Thursday take advantage of touring local schools to get some visits out of the way and not have to miss school doing it.

Nov 1 Reminders!

What a busy week! With Parent Teacher Conferences, Cinderella Meets The Wolfman, and Early Action deadlines, I'm not complaining about the fact we have two four school day weeks coming up.

I understand the stress as our first round of deadlines approach - but here is some advice to help you make it through.

- Remember at almost every school (I'm looking at you University of Texas at Austin :/ ) they are flexible enough to operate so that the student's portion of the application is due by the deadline and school items and test scores (where required) can arrive a little bit later. Relax, your stuff will get there.

- How can you check if your transcript request has been processed? Log in to Naviance. If you see 'Initial Materials Submitted' that means it was sent.

- Many students just got their October SAT scores back. I had recommended that students pre-order their scores in order to speed up the process of their application becoming complete. In case you did not do that, I recommend you send the scores now. Log in to your College Board account to do this. I DO NOT recommend rushing your scores. A rushed score report will be mailed to a college on paper. The last thing colleges need right now is paper. Your score, sent the regular way, will go to the college on a disk and be uploaded. It will still take some time to get there, but it will be faster and more reliable than a rushed report. The regular method is also less expensive.

- About two or three weeks from now, call the schools you have applied to and ask about the 'status of your application.' That way you can confirm that your items have been received.

- For public schools, including SUNY and CUNY, I recommend applying by no later than Thanksgiving. Next Tuesday and the following Thursday when we have no school would be great days to spend working on filing applications.

-For younger students, Election Day and Veterans Day may be great days to take a college tour. Think about campuses in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC and Boston, as all could be places you could visit in one day. 

Happy Halloween!

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Don't Kill the Messenger . . .

The following article was sent to me by an ElRo parent as something that I, and our community, may benefit from reading. It originally ran in the New York Times and was written by Dave Marcus. I think it is a wonderful reminder for parents/guardians to try to honor their kids where they are AND a wonderful reminder for students to cut their parents a little slack and remember that the pushing comes from love. Image

Help Them, Teach Them, but Don’t Live Through Them

By DAVE MARCUS

Published: October 23, 2010

THE woman corners me after I give a speech about college admissions.

“My son isn’t the best student,” she begins, “but we think he has a good chance of getting into. ...”

I can guess: Stanford or Duke, Yale or Northwestern. I’m sure I already know the story. The boy has a B-plus average and disappointing SAT scores, but Dad went there, and a family friend used to work in the admissions office.

For seven years, I’ve crisscrossed the country, discussing what I learned while writing two books about teenagers. Help your children find their hidden talents, I advise parents. Teach your children to be independent. Don’t live your dreams through your son or daughter.

As this mother shares her application strategies, I want to recommend that she let her son find his path. I stay quiet, though, because I’m struggling to follow my own advice.

(continued after the jump)

New York Cares Day!

Thanks to the seven ElRo students that joined me yesterday in Staten Island for New York Cares Day! Our team combined students from ElRo with alumni from Tufts and we helped spruce up PS 42, an elementary school. I hope it becomes an ElRo tradition!

CSS Profile - Because There Is Always Room For Another Step

hitchcock profile
Originally uploaded by a75

Among all of the ED and EA deadlines, many schools throw in another pesky item that is easy to forget: the CSS Profile.

The CSS Profile is a handy scholarship tool, created by none other than our friends at the College Board. It allows schools to evaluate family income and assets and it provides additional details to the information required on the FAFSA. Another bonus is that it is able to be completed prior to January, which is how long you have to wait for the FAFSA to be released. So with the Profile, schools can use it to estimate Financial Aid packages for Early applicants.

Not every school asks for the profile, but I recommend checking the Financial Aid website of every school you (or your child) is applying to to check and see. Much of Financial Aid is about meeting deadlines, so filing the CSS Profile is not something you want to put off. Many schools have this form due much earlier than the FAFSA (many Nov 1 or Nov 15) so don't delay and get working on it. In general, it will normally be required at private schools and some out of state public schools, but not at CUNY or SUNY schools.

Remember students that graduate from high school this spring and matriculate this fall need to fill out the CSS Profile for 2011-2012, the school you when they will be requesting aid.

There is a fee for filing the profile (this is something run by the College Board after all), but in the scheme of things the cost should be small relative to the possible gain of getting grants and scholarships. I recommend everyone file for aid even if they think they will not qualify. One, you may qualify even though you thought you wouldn't and two, your school may require students file for aid in order to get merit scholarships. (The reason for this is they want to be 100% sure they can't get any state or federal money for you).

In a time when many students are furiously working on essays and applications, the CSS profile is a task many parents and guardians chose to take on (since it deals with so many financial details). Treat it as a way to work side by side as a family and make sure that both college applications and financial aid documents make it in by the deadlines.

With a Little Help From My Friends . . .

PSAT day is over!  I couldn't have done it without the support of so many people that helped make the day work. The PSAT for 10th and 11th grade involves coordinating over 250 testers, proctors, classrooms, sealed exams, attendance sheets, timers . . . . you see where I'm going with this. Ms. Strasser and Mr. Landri were total rock stars in helping get the day organized and without them I don't think I would have made it through the day without crying. (see: AP exams 2010 :/)

For the 12th grade, my friends (literally, as in my friends from outside of ElRo some of whom I have not seen in years) did help me out. Four of my amazing friends from college came in to participate in a panel. They dispensed great advice about everything from college applications, to surviving the college process with your parents, interview skills, graduate school, and changing your major. Laura, Colin, Elliot and Kate --- thank you for being such great sports and taking time out of your busy week to come and talk to our students. I couldn't have asked for better responses to the student questions.

In the afternoon, once again ElRo staff, the guidance interns, and a volunteer from Learning Leaders helped facilitate the essay writing workshop. I hope, for students that took that hour seriously, there was some real progress made toward stronger, better, and more authentic personal statements.

Sophomores and Juniors, you should get your test results back in early December. Until then, check out the free 'question of the day' feature on the College Board website.

PSAT Next Wednesday

With all of my application and college visit postings, I'm excited to give the 10th and 11th grade a little blog love. Unfortunately, I wish I could be writing about something other than bubbling in circles, but alas the PSAT is next week and I want to give everyone the run down.

Who: 10th and 11th grade
What: PSAT, offered for free through the Board of Ed
When: Next Wednesday, October 13, report to school no later than 8:30 am
Where: At ElRo, students will get room assignments when they arrive
Why: For 10th grade it is a benchmark to let you get familiar with the test and see how you do with no prep or previous exposure. For 11th grade it is a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, but more importantly it is a more accurate updated baseline to where your SAT can be predicted to fall (I suggest students take the real SAT in the spring semester)

The test lasts two and a half hours and students will have lunch at ElRo followed by a movie.

What to bring: #2 Pencils, a good eraser, and a calculator. NO PHONES OR ELECTRONICS ARE PERMITTED 

Tips:
- The PSAT/SAT penalize for incorrect answers, so if you don't have any idea on a hard question, leave it blank. On the other hand, the ACT (a different college standardized testing brand) does not penalize for wrong answers. The way to remember: answer ALL questions on the ACT answer SOME questions on the SAT.
** Yes, they've already planned for those of you want are thinking that you'll just answer three or four easy questions and get a perfect score. At most leave 3 or 4 blank per section.
- I know it sounds like the opposite of what I just said, but guessing IS ok if you can narrow it down to two or three choices.
- Relax. The P in PSAT means practice so your scores are not reported to colleges and have no impact on your applications. The test is just for you. You'll do better if you are not stressed.
- Don't forget your supplies, the math section is much less fun if you don't have a calculator.

Good Luck!

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NACAC Conference Day 3

Daylight St. Louis Arch - Entirely Abandoned for a Moment
Originally uploaded by Mister Joe

Today was the final day of the NACAC Conference in St. Louis and I feel like the sessions just kept getting better and better. The three sessions I attended today were about the college process for students with Learning Disabilities, helping students write the personal statement, and the myth of the idea of college 'fit.'

I'm looking forward to bringing back all of this information to ElRo and sharing it with our community.

It has been hard being out of the office at such a busy time (and even harder dealing with writing letters of recommendation when a suitcase is involved) but I know the time at Ramapo, the COWS Tour, and NACAC were worth it. I met great new people, saw some old friends, and learned a lot.

Give me a little bit of a chance to catch my breath next week, but as always, send me an email if you have any questions or have trouble tracking me down. Students, Wednesday Office Hours are back on this week and college visits are really going into full swing.

Let October begin!

NACAC Conference Day 2

So, I picked the picture above because this conference is entering into the marathon stage. Since last Saturday I've visited five college campuses, attended three presentation sessions, presented one session, and gone to a college fair that lasted two and a half hours. Not to mention that I took it upon myself to enter the unofficial competition for eating the most fried ravioli at conference receptions. Pass the gatorade.

I apologize for not posting yesterday, but after the big day I just couldn't bring myself to open the computer. Big shout out to my co-presenters Kevin Fleck, Amy Warren, Marissa Lifshen (you know her!!) and Yetunde Daniels Rubinstein. I had so much fun and I hope the attendees in the room know how much it meant to us that you were there. There never feels like there is enough time to answer questions (especially given our topic: being a first year counselor or entering a new school).

Final two sessions today!

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NACAC Conference Day 1

The whole purpose for me being out of the office this entire week is centered upon the national conference for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). This marks my second year in attendance and I'm honored to have been selected as one of the presenters at this year's conference. I have never presented at a national conference before, so if you are reading this before Friday at 10:15 am please wish me luck!

I started the day by registering and getting my official name badge and credentials. I then promptly lost my schedule booklet within two hours of receiving it :/ So far I've been able to hang on to my replacement copy.

The bulk of my afternoon was spent in the opening session. I enjoyed hearing the keynote address from Harvard professor Dr. Roland Fryer and was even more excited to learn that one of my fellow COWS counselors from my Wisconsin trip, Steve Peifer, is secretly a super amazing (and well recognized) honoree at this year's conference. His remarks upon receiving his award were a plea for those of us in the United States to help feed Africa, a mission he has been fulfilling for many many years.

In the evening, I spent time at the CACHET reception. I would love to see more students consider Engineering. It isn't as limiting as it sounds, engineers are really just problem solvers so it is a very adaptable major for later careers (my friend from college was a mechanical engineer and is now a lawyer). Check out the schools in the collaborative if you are thinking engineering.

More updates tomorrow with my big presenting debut!

Thanks Beloit! (COWS Day 4)

Today was the final day of the COWS tour and we finished with a morning at Beloit College. We took a tour of campus and, similar to the other schools, got to grill both a faculty and student panel. One might fear that after five such set ups that these events would start to blur together, but I can assure you that is not the case.

Beloit is a school that knows who it is. They are not glamorous or glitzy with over the top facilities or students that carry business cards (yes, I've seen that before on a campus tour). But they are a school that clearly values community, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity. Another counselor asked both the faculty and the students separately what they would do to change the college if given and unlimited budget and no rules. The faculty said they would give the money to the students so they could participate in more travel opportunities off campus and come with them on research trips. The students said they would give the money to the faculty for their classes and research. Cue the collective "awwwwwww."

The values at Beloit are clear. They would (and I think probably do) sacrifice decorative upgrades to the physical plant in exchange for putting those funds toward the intangible things on campus. I would wager that the conversations in the classroom and the confidence that students have when they graduate are off the charts even if the endowment isn't (one student on the panel referenced having to re-learn social norms in the real world where giving your boss criticism at a job isn't recommended after being so used to collaborating with his professors and peers).

I'll be candid to say that Beloit isn't for everyone, but I think for the right candidate, it could be perfect. In closing, I have to mention a final example of Beloit's uniqueness. The bookstore stocks Beloit t-shirts in Japanese and Chinese (10% of the student body is international, and there is funding for international students), something I've never seen in any other bookstore that I've visited. Beloit thinks different. If you do too, you should check it out. And considering it is literally 5 minutes from the Illinois border and less than an hour and a half from O'Hare you can get there faster than some parts of New York state.

On to St. Louis!

Thanks University of Wisconsin - Madison! (COWS Tour Day 3)

We had an early start today with a Lawrence student panel (my comments from yesterday stand, the panel was amazing.) There was a student from Manhattan on the panel and I can confirm that city kids can go to Lawrence and love it. Following the panel, we had the chance to do a mock Freshman Studies class with a Lawrence Math Department professor. We read a short excerpt from Jorge Luis Borges and discussed it. Yes, their math professors teach courses that involve literature, art, philosophy, and music. So. Impressed.

Next we headed to Madison to visit the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Turns out we were not the only people with this plan, as President Obama was also in Madison for a rally on the UW campus. This cramped the style of the Admissions Office and their plans for us, but they pulled a Tim Gunn and 'made it work.' We still were able to have a staff panel, student panel, and campus tour. The location, between two gorgeous lakes, provides for amazing sailing (and views) and the immense academic offerings mean there is something for everyone. I'm talking a major in Dairy Science. So seriously, everything. (Schools of note that you may not find at every school: Nursing and Pharmacy). I'm a sucker for the Big 10, so for students looking for a large Research I university, Wisconsin is a great choice.

Toward the end of the day we headed to our third school of the day, Beloit. I'm excited for our official day here tomorrow, but the area surrounding Beloit is just lovely. It feels quaint, historic, and homey all at once.

More tomorrow when I make my way to St. Louis!

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Thanks Marquette, Ripon, and Lawrence! (Day 1 and 2 of the COWS Tour)

I can hardly believe that in the less than 48 hours since my last post I have done so much. Thanks to my generous hosts, I have had the chance to visit Marquette University, Ripon College, and Lawrence University. It is hard to narrow down just a few things to mention about each, but I'll do my best below.


Marquette University, a Jesuit school, clearly has a place near to my heart because of my own experience working for Jesuit institution. Of all of the schools I'm seeing on this tour, Marquette is the most urban and could potentially appeal to the Eleanor Roosevelt students that want to be in a city, just not New York City. I was also pleased to learn that Milwaukee is ranked #7 for cities with Fortune 500 companies (read: internship opportunities). As one student from California put it, college is the best time of any to live in a cold place. It is safe, affordable, and less than two hours by plane (my one way ticket was under $100). In many cases, it could be cheaper and faster to get to Milwaukee than to some SUNY campuses. Chew on that.

Ripon College this morning showed us a totally different setting. A small college of about 1100 students in a small town, I was impressed with the student panel and felt the students each had some really great insights about why they chose Ripon. There was a larger international population than I was expecting and some seriously generous Financial Aid going on (I'm talking an automatic $1,000 grant just for filing a FAFSA, regardless of income). Ripon isn't the place for everyone, but the students here seemed extremely happy and for a person looking for a small town experience with strong Division III athletics, Ripon could be a great option.

Late this afternoon we arrived at Lawrence University for our tour (our information sessions and activities will continue here tomorrow). I don't want to gush, but I going to. Loren Pope talks about this school changing lives, and from what I can see, he wasn't kidding. Lawrence is a combination of a liberal arts college and a music conservatory. It's small student body feels much larger than it is (only 300 more students than Ripon) and Appleton adds to the dynamic that Lawrence is not in the middle of nowhere (despite being in Eastern Wisconsin). The buildings and views are fantastic. The student body is diverse (and diverse in a meaningful way, where students are actually interacting with one another). Student interests are eclectic and it seems that being unique is embraced. Our tour guide, a 6'8'' senior basketball player, had to run off from our tour because he was late for Pilates. This is a school that manages to feel intellectual and stimulating but that is not highly selective. For anyone willing to get on a plane to go to school, run-don't walk-to add this one to your list.

Next up, University of Wisconsin!

*Image above is from the Milwaukee Art Museum (I visited Sunday Morning). It was AWESOME and is the first Calatrava building to be built in the United States. New York isn't the only place that can be on the cutting edge, +10 points Milwaukee.

Pre NACAC College Tour

I made it to Wisconsin!

I'm excited that I will be spending the next few days on the C.O.W.S. (Counselors Observing Wisconsin Schools) Tour. I'm being generously hosted by Marquette, Ripon, Lawrence, University of Wisconsin and Beloit before heading down to St. Louis for NACAC. My goal is to update the blog very frequently so you can see what I'm up to each day. Being out of the office this time of year is very difficult, but seeing campuses first hand and having the opportunity to present at NACAC are worth the sacrifice.

For now, I'll say that I've managed to forget how cool things can get on Lake Michigan in Fall. Cool as in it was in the 50s when I arrived tonight. And I brought open toed shoes to wear :/

More updates soon!

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Getting Down to Business . . .

The year is already off to a great start and I want to take a minute to go over the basic items that each grade level should be working on right now.

Seniors:
  - Scheduling/Having your Senior Meeting - Many apologies, but if you are applying Regular Decision your meeting will likely be in November. I'm here for you though, so if you need help before then, please reach out.
 - Last minute college visits - Be mindful of when you do these, as we want you to be in school as much as possible.
- Final Testing - You have until November to Re-Test if you applying Early, until December if you are applying Regular.
- Applications - begin applications online. CUNY, SUNY, and public out of State schools should be filed no later than Thanksgiving, but the earlier the better. If you have a late meeting, just email me to discuss ahead of time, before pressing submit.
- Use our resources: essay help, Guidance interns, Naviance, Walk In Wednesdays, College Handbook - there are many ways to get support if you need it. No question is a bad question.

Juniors:
- Consider taking the Mock ACT this weekend
- PSAT will be October 13, learn more here
- Junior year is the last year colleges will see on your final transcript when they are making decisions next year, start strong so you won't be scrambling in the spring to bring up low grades.
- I know it seems early, but if you want to take the SAT at ElRo in the Spring, register for your seat now at www.collegeboard.com Most Juniors take the exam in March, May, or June.

Sophomores:
-PSAT will be October 13, learn more here
- Building strong relationships with your teachers and being involved in your community (school, neighborhood, church, youth center . . . ) will help bring your life into balance. These networks are building blocks for the steps you'll take in the future.

Freshman: 
-Welcome to ElRo! I'm so excited to be at Ramapo with you!
- Focus on the adjustment to high school, college will come later
- Remember your grades from 9th grade will be seen by colleges, so start off on the right foot.

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Thanks U. Va!

 

Wow, have these first few days of school been crazy! I'm going to try and update the blog more often, but I had to quickly post about a Counselor Breakfast I was able to attend on Tuesday hosted by the University of Virginia and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.

U. Va was one of the first campuses (or should I say "Grounds") that I ever visited, at the tender age of 10, because my grandparents lived in Richmond and we went to walk around the school that Jefferson built. My positive memories from that experience were only reinforced at the Counselor Breakfast. Out of state admission is fierce, but I hope to see some ElRo grads headed to Charlottesville in the years to come.

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Back to School, Back to School . . .

I know people say it every year, but boy did that summer vacation go by fast! Tomorrow is the first day of school and in honor of all of the ElRo students and staff, I have posted the clip below from one of my favorite 'school' movies, Dead Poets Society. Realistically, I know that most of our current students probably have not even heard of this movie, all the more reason that I encourage you to watch.

I hope that each of us, students and staff, can remember to stand on our desks every once in awhile. Especially when it comes to the college search process, a new perspective can go a long way. 

Unigo's Best Kept Secrets

I'm not always a huge fan of internet lists (or ranking-type-things in general) because I find it challenging to ever determine which schools are 'best' and the follow up discussion inevitably devolves into asking 'where is X school' or 'how could Y school not be on there' but in this case I'm going to make an exception. One, because it gives me an excuse to plug my pet project of getting an ElRo student to enroll at Wabash* (pictured above), but also because Unigo.com was founded by one of the students featured in the book The Gatekeepers, which was the focus of one of my earlier posts. I'm a sucker for when things connect.

The list of Unigo's 'Best Kept Secrets' includes a nice mix of places with different features and strengths. The one thing they have in common is that they focus more on student education and less on branding and publicity. Check out the list for yourself and see if anything peaks your interest. In addition to Wabash, this list includes Sarah Lawrence and Bard, two schools I visited this summer (more connections!) and bunches of schools from the CTCL list.

While I certainly wouldn't say these schools are perfect for everyone, I would be thrilled if I had a student enroll with them.


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*Wabash is a Men's College but don't worry girls, I'll be over the moon if one of you decide to deposit in the Hoosier State. Check out Notre Dame, DePauw, IU, Purdue, Butler, or Earlham!!

Thanks Bard!

Recognize the building above? Would you believe me if I told you it was located at Bard College in upstate New York? This past Saturday I spend the day at Bard at a Counselor Appreciation Day event that culminated in a concert at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Sadly I didn't stay for the evening concert, but I include the photo above to remind everyone that colleges are doing some amazing (and sometimes unexpected) things on their campuses.

The bulk of the day was spend in a writing workshop, similar to the Learning and Thinking workshop that Bard incoming Freshman complete in the weeks before the Fall semester. (New this year, Freshman will also complete a similar seminar in Science during the January Term.) We also had a chance to have an unvarnished (his words, not mine) conversation with Dr. Leon Botstein, the President of Bard.

I enjoy visiting campuses, and counselor events, because I think you can tell a lot about the school through these types of experiences. Case in point: despite being on Bard's campus for over six hours with a group of guidance counselors, the Bard staff never once mentioned admission rates, testing, GPAs, or recruitment. Instead, they exposed us to the essence of a Bard education and the values that they hold dear. There was no glossy Admissions pomp and circumstance and no over-the-top giveaways. Our incentives for attendance were the tickets to the concert that evening, the chat with Dr. Botstein, a writing workshop, and upon arrival a copy of an anthology of Bard published writing called Conjunctions. That alone says more about the culture of the college than any Information Session.

And lest you think that the whole campus looks like Bilbao, never fear, the gorgeous Hudson River views and historic buildings still abound. Thanks Bard for hosting me!

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My Summer Reading

Full confession: I'm not very good at reading in my free time. Working at a school that values reading so much, I had a goal this summer to make use of the New York Public Library and I've had an awesome time reading some really interesting books. (Side note: NYPL is amazing. It is seriously amazon.com for zero dollars. Check it out! Pun intended).

The one I just finished is called The Big Test by Nicholas Lemann. The Big Test is a really fascinating look at the history of testing (and its implications) on our educational system and society as a whole. Granted, I'm a sucker for non-fiction, but I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding how a small exam ballooned into a full fledged industry (complete with industry offshoots like test prep) that has had such a deep and lasting mark on higher education.

Happy Reading!

Hey Seniors, Slow Your Roll

I know how tempting it is to want to get working on college applications. Right? Well, there are two camps of students: those that answer yes and those that answer no. If you said yes, I'm here to plead with you to please resist the urge to press submit right now. As you can read for yourself in this New York Times article (click here), even the Dean's at these colleges want to remind you that applying over the summer gives you absolutely no advantage over the rest of the pool. As stated in the article, by author Jacques Steinberg, ". . . there is no reason to apply five months in advance, let alone two, and that they [the colleges] are far more inclined to put a premium on thoughtfulness and contemplation than speed."

Keep in mind, submitting an application now will do nothing, because the college will still need to wait for your school transcript, letters of recommendation, and at the majority of schools your test scores from the testing company. All of which won't be happening for at least another month or two.

And don't get me wrong, it isn't your fault. The barrage of mailings sent to you from colleges does give the impression that there needs to be a Tazmanian Devil-esque frenzy around the application process. The 'Priority Applications' makes it seem like the colleges are doing you a favor by asking you to apply. Trust me whey I say the only thing 'Priority' about them is that they want to make their school your priority, not the other way around. Just take your time, be thoughtful, and file your application by the stated deadline.

ElRo Seniors, the rule in the past has been that you should not be submitting any college applications until AFTER your senior meeting. Or, at the very least until after our Senior College Assembly. This does not mean you cannot start working on the applications or that you can tell your parents that Ms. Cohen said there was nothing college related to do until after the meeting. I just ask that you don't press submit until we chat so that we can all be on the same page. With all of this said, if you feel you have the most time during the summer and want to take a look at the application, fill out the basic name/address/info on the Common App and generally organize your application 'to do' list, you have my blessing to proceed.

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Revolution Prep Fall Classes Registration Now Live

For students interested in taking a Revolution Prep ACT or SAT prep course this Fall, class sign up is now live on the Revolution Prep website. Seniors and Juniors will be getting a mailing about the offerings in a few weeks, but I wanted to be sure and give everyone the information with the maximum amount of advance notice.

Things to Remember:

1) Test Prep is not required for all students. It is just an option for students that need a more formal and structured test prep schedule. In addition, while ElRo partners with Revolution Prep, students should feel free to use any company they find affordable and appropriate to their needs.

2) Juniors have PLENTY of time for test prep. I only make you aware of the offerings so that you can familiarize yourself with the options. Juniors should pay particular attention to: the Mock ACT in September (a great way to make a small investment and get more practice with the less familiar of the test options, the ACT). If you decide you prefer the ACT, we will also be offering an ACT prep class for the December ACT. It is reasonable to consider that class if it fits with your schedule. There will be courses offered in the spring as well.

3) The fastest way to see the offerings is to enter ElRo's zip code, 10021, into the main page. This will take you to the course schedules. Please note that the SAT and ACT courses have their own tabs. To see the ACT options (including the Mock) click on the ACT tab at the top of the page.

4) Revolution Prep does offer need-based scholarships. If you think you qualify for one, email me and I'll be sure to get you an application. Do not register online if you plan to apply for a scholarship.

5) There is a new bonus with Revolution Prep class registration - online booster classes for the exam of your choice, including SAT IIs. Learn more about booster classes here.

6) Signing up for a prep class does not automatically sign you up for the actual exam. Visit www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org to register for the SAT and ACT, respectively. Email me if you qualify for a fee waiver. Spots fill up VERY quickly and many test centers are already full.

7) As always, if standardized testing is not your strength and you do not feel it is an accurate representation of your ability, consider schools that are testing optional and will instead focus on your high school transcript.

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Summer Time Summit - Yale 2010

I just got back from four days at Hogwarts Yale and had a great time working with College Summit for the third summer in a row. I served as a College Coach and it was wonderful to spend a few days meeting with students and helping them compile college lists. The Yale campus was wonderfully accommodating for the group and I give the dining hall two thumbs up (two words: panini grill).

Yale is obviously a place that is highly selective, but I can definitely confirm that it is one of the few campuses I've visited that truly is able to transport you to a place that feels totally distinct from your everyday world. The few days there gave me a small taste of what it must feel like to spend four years at a place so full of history and with an intellectual tradition that literally oozes from every hallway, library, and wrought iron gate.

The best part of the weekend though had nothing to do with the stone buildings and leaded glass windows, the students in attendance put forth an amazing amount of effort and wrote some really incredible personal statements. I can't wait for next summer when I can participate all over again!

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Summer Travels

One of my goals this summer was take my own advice: use summer to go check out college campuses. So far I've hit Boston College and Stony Brook University, next up tomorrow are RPI and SUNY at Albany, followed by Yale on Thursday. The rest of the summer will bring Vassar, Marist, and Bard and if I'm really ambitious maybe some Indianapolis area campuses when I'm home.

How are you spending your summer? Throwing in a campus visit may be easier than you think!

Almost Time For College Summit

For the past three summers I have volunteered with College Summit (short video above), first as a Writing Coach and Chaperone and then as a College Counselor. It is an organization that helps schools systematically build a college-going culture.  Even though now I'm working in a school that already has a college-going culture in place, it is an honor to work with College Summit Peer Leaders and a great highlight for my summer. Ms. Hsu is even joining in this year, serving as a Writing Coach at a workshop.

I'm heading to Yale next week to volunteer and I can't wait!

AP Results are in!

After literally hours of trying to break through the quagmire that was the site overload at the AP Online Score Report site, I was finally able to access the 2010 ElRo AP Scores. I'm happy to report that the average score for almost every exam went up from last year. Great work everyone!

Special shout out to Calc AB, a class that earned more 5s than all the other subjects combined!

Click here to learn more about which schools accept AP Credit 

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School's Out For Summer!

I hope everyone has a summer full of sunshine, popsicles, friends, family, and fun!

Stay tuned to the blog. I hope to keep updating it every week or so. But, I will likely save some of the better posts for the Fall when more people will be reading.

As always, please feel free to email me over the summer.

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Recommended Read

I've been making my way through the books in the college office library and recently finished The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg. If that name sounds familiar to you, it is because he is a writer for the Education section of the New York Times.

The Gatekeepers is an in-depth look at a year in the life of the Wesleyan Admissions Office during the Fall of 1999 and Spring of 2000 to recruit the class of 2004. This also happens to be the year that I myself was a senior in high school, so the book resonated for me even more.

As a former Admissions Officer, my respect for Wesleyan only grows given how transparent they were willing to be and the access they were willing to grant. Their candor is refreshing. I know how confusing admissions decisions can seems. In all honesty, many people will probably still be confused when they read the book, because the system doesn't seem 'fair.' But if you are willing to read this book with an open mind, what I hope you will realize is that there is a Wesleyan out there for every student. What I mean by that is that there is a place with an admissions office that is willing to take chances, go "off-profile" and fight for applicants they believe in. The process is a human one and "mistakes" are undoubtedly made each year, but as I've said here before: life hands you gifts and challenges and both are valuable.

This book is not meant to be the final word on the admissions process. It can speak only to the way the process is done at Wesleyan, and ten years ago at that. But, it can hopefully illuminate how students are considered in the context of their environment. It also addresses how nuances that make one student land in the admit pile and an equally qualified student land in the deny pile are impossible to predict.

If any students, or parents, decide to read this book I hope you come out of it with the same conclusions that I did. Admissions is stressful, for both the colleges and the students. Empower yourself by doing what you can to understand the process, and doing even more to understand yourself. Wesleyan is part of a small percentage of schools that do have the luxury of turning away highly qualified and capable candidates. Balance your options by considering some schools that may have more straightforward admissions criteria or places that are looking for students just like you.

If nothing else, turn to page 161 and read the essay submitted with Jordan Goldman's application. It is a great example of a well written personal statement that illuminates the character of the author and keeps the attention of the admission officer.

Happy Reading!

Congratulations Class of 2010!

This afternoon we will bid farewell to the Class of 2010. We will hear from many talented speakers, but I figured it is appropriate to add one more to the mix here. 

I wish this year's senior class nothing but the best. I know it was hard to pick up with a college counselor in the Fall of Senior year; thank you for welcoming me with open arms.

To Loan or Not to Loan . . .

A few weeks ago the NY Times had an article that I think is worth reading (click on the link). It speaks to the dilemma that many people find themselves in when they take out large loans to go to a 'top' college and then find themselves unprepared to repay the investment. I found the article to be a frank analysis of the issues faced by both students and colleges when it comes to navigating making college affordable.

On the one hand, loans are a realistic part of most financial aid packages. As, I would argue, they should be. But taking large loans, in the case of Cortney Munna (picture above) that end up totaling $100,000 is probably a bad decision in the long term. Colleges too are put in a precarious position because the majority of institutions do prefer to keep Financial Aid and Admissions relatively autonomous. As colleges strive at admit students based on their potential for success academically, they then open the door to offering admission to students that can only realistically attend with a significant loan. With the luck of finding a stable and well paying job and some financial restraint, loans are not always a bad thing. But as we are seeing now with a tight economy, people really must look themselves in the mirror and look even more closely into their finances to see what loan repayment will really look like.

I am convinced there are ways to make college affordable. But that does mean sometimes being open to trying a school that is 'off the beaten path' and willing to offer a lower total price tag. Or, at the very least, being committed to staying financially solvent after graduation with a combination of other life sacrifices that make loan payments feasible.

Image by Noah Berger, NY Times

Thanks Cooper Union!

Last Thursday I was able to participate in a Counselor event at The Cooper Union (not pictured above, sadly there was no confetti). I got to hear from many individuals, including the Admissions staff and each of the three academic departments (Art, Architecture, and Engineering), and I was lucky enough to see first hand the amazing views from the 8th floor terrace.

The Cooper Union may be, I think, one of the last schools around that has truly stuck to its original mission. They know who they are and after 150 years they don't need to change. It was put best during the presentation by Dean Lipton where he alluded to the fact that Cooper Union isn't going to be attracting students because of a rock climbing wall; students are attracted to Cooper Union because they want to push themselves to be problem solvers, to think critically, and be surrounded by dynamic minds.

The fact that they remain able to provide all admitted students with a full tuition scholarship only proves further that they really do walk the walk.

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NYCDOE meets Facebook

New York City is launching a new website for public school alumni (www.nycgrads.org) as a way for the city to better keep in touch with its graduates (and I assume eventually for graduates to stay in touch with one another).

Best part? The first 75 members of the Class of 2010 in the city to register get a $1,500 gift certificate to Staples. Get on it!

Chancellor's Day - Use it or Lose it!

A common concern of students and families is that they have to visit campuses during weekend mornings or in the heart of summer when there is very little happening on campus. One potential fix to this dilemma is taking advantage of Chancellor's day to complete a college visit that is within one day's driving distance. As a mid-week school day, it is a wonderful time to try and get the best of both worlds. It allows you to visit a college when professors are possibly there and the Admissions Office is open without having to have an unexcused absence from school.

Below I have done just a very quick search of some schools that are within driving (or MTA) distance and would allow students to see a campus before the end of the year.

This is just a short list - feel free to explore Admissions websites and see what other schools are offering tours and information sessions. Click on the name of the school and it will take you to the visit website for that school.

Thursday, June 10

NYU - 10:00 am Tour

Marist - call to inquire 845-575-3226

Tufts - 9:15, 11:30, 2:30 Tours (yes, I know Boston is a stretch for a one day drive. Go Jumbos!)

Wesleyan 9:00 am , Noon, 3 pm Tours

Clark 12:30 pm Clark Conversations 1:30 pm Tour

SUNY Purchase - 10:00 am Tour

City University of New York - CUNY - 11:00 am Tour

Drew University - 10:00 am, Noon, 3:00 pm Tours

Google your own!

Remember, even if a parent/guardian had to work students will (hopefully) be going to college all on their own. Taking a trip to one of these more local campuses (especially in the five boroughs) can be done all by yourself. Be sure to register ahead of time if you can. All city students will be off school, so it could be crowded!

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Testing!

Did your heart rate just jump after reading the header to this post? I hope that even if it did, you can take a few deep breathes as I describe a little bit about the best way to approach testing.

First, as I've said before- I think it is ideal for all Juniors to sit for both the ACT and the SAT between January and June of their Junior year. This way they can make an informed decision about the test that fits them best and that will allow them to put their strongest testing foot forward. I would then re-test for the test that was stronger to see if any (or all) of the sections can be improved.

Some people know that they cannot prepare for the test on their own. Some people feel that their potential is not being fully reached. For these people, a test prep class is a great way to have a structured study method that will both reduce test anxiety (through repetitive mock exams) and provide test taking strategies for how to improve your performance. ElRo partners with Revolution Prep to offer test prep in our building. If students find an option that fits for them through another company that is fine too. I am of the opinion that the commitment to studying, repetitive mock exams, and formal time allotted to prep are where the most significant score improvements are made. The brand you choose is less of the issue than is the commitment you are willing to make and the time you are willing to devote.

A mailing recently went out describing the summer test prep options at ElRo. I know, at the time, that these courses were not yet live on the Revolution Prep website. I apologize for that error, the letters should not have mailed without the site being up to date. However, the good news is that the site is now accurate and you can register for the courses online (fastest way to find the course is to enter our Zip Code: 10021). We are offering something new this year: an ACT prep course. For students that did better on the ACT (check out the conversion table here), an ACT prep course may help you become more familiar with the exam set up.

I cannot emphasize enough - the summer 2010 courses are intended for RISING SENIORS ONLY. I know the mailing went out to the class of 2012, but this was an error. Obviously, any family can opt to enroll in test prep whenever they see fit, but in my experience, the test prep is most effective when students start it no earlier than January of their Junior year.

You will also notice that the prep classes have a 'refresher' session prior to the test. This bonus session is designed to help students get back into testing mode since the actual exams are offered in September (ACT) and October (SAT) after summer prep courses have already finished. With holidays, summer vacations, the start of school, and all other scheduling conflicts, it was hard to pick the exact dates and times, but hopefully these will work for rising seniors that want to commit to prep during the summer. There will be additional prep courses offered at ElRo through Revolution Prep during the Fall Semester if summer is not convenient.

Finally, the main reason we partner with Revolution Prep is their reasonable prices. For students and families that show demonstrated need, there can be generous discounts to be had. See me right away for a scholarship application if you think your family may qualify. The discounts are determined based on a sliding scale of household income and outside factors like Federal Free/Reduced lunch status and family illness.

Remember - not everyone is an amazing test taker. But, there are amazing colleges that don't care. Check out the full list of Testing Optional Colleges (Schools that do not require any testing to be submitted) at www.fairtest.org.

Tips for Seniors

I know there are probably not many seniors reading the College Blog at this point, but I figure I should still share a few suggestions that can be stored away by younger students and parents for when the time comes to head to college. I'll try and skip over the more general tips and give some really new ideas that you may not have already thought of before.

1) Most people already know that colleges typically partner with one or two computer brands to offer incoming students a chance to purchase a computer at a reduced price. But get even more bang for your buck by purchasing the computer online via a rebate site like www.ebates.com (referral link). They offer 1% cash back at Apple. Check and see if your bank offers something similar, Bank of America's 'Add It Up' program is one example that offers 2% cash back at Apple. It may not be a large amount of money, but when it comes to making college affordable, every little bit helps. (You can also buy more than just the computer with these sites- consider them for other items like bedding, office supplies, and even your books once classes start)

2) Keep your eye on the mailbox this summer. The April 1st mail gets all the glory, but some of the most important documents actually arrive over the summer. Here you'll get information about housing, your first payment requirements, and course registration. As someone that got a phone call in August from my college asking me to choose between the only two Freshman Advising seminars that still had space, read your mail carefully and respond to all deadlines on time.With colleges becoming more and more 'green' this also applies to email accounts. If you used your ElRo account when you submitted the application, update it with an email you'll have access to for many years to come.

3) Stockpile Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons. Seriously. You can use multiple coupons in one visit and you can normally use expired coupons. If you are not already on their mailing list, sign up now. For students attending college in another city or state, also explore Bed, Bath, and Beyond's Pack N Hold option where you can shop in your home city and then pick up all of the items at the other location near your college. You can even still edit your order prior to check out if you opt to pick up the items at the other location (as opposed to having it shipped directly to the school). If you will have access to a car in the college city, I suggest the store pick-up option. I shipped my boxes when I went to school, and the mail room was insane during move in. It may not even be located near your dorm, so save yourself the drama and hit the store instead of the campus package room. 

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