Hey Seniors, Don't Lose Steam

 

Don't lose steam just because it is December! If anything, now is the time you need to be working harder than ever - both in class and on the college application process. With Early Action deadlines over (with the exception of a few Sandy extensions), there could be the temptation from some Seniors to take it easy. That would be the wrong move! Why? Consider the following:

If you applied EA or ED you are going to be getting your decisions back about 2-3 weeks from now. If you got into your schools, there is a chance your college application process is over - hurray! But, for many of you that did not do binding Early programs (or for some that did, in the event that you are denied admission or deferred to regular decision) you are going to have additional applications that you need to submit.

Call me crazy, but I think there is a chance that the quality of application you can do now, when you aren't rushed or heart broken, will be higher than the one you squeak out in the last two weeks of 2012. Fight the urge to procrastinate and get those other apps ready to go. 

Even if you don't press submit and pay for them yet (in fact, that is a genius way to save a little money - since if you get in ED you will just have to withdraw the apps later anyway). But getting all the essays written, the supplements checked, and the details organized now will make it so that your only application tasks after December 15 will be clicking the submit button and turning in a transcript request form.

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Happy Thanksgiving from the College Office!
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What To Expect From the College Process - Overview

Thank you to all of the students, parents, and guardians that attended last night's 'What To Expect From the College Process." I appreciate the flexibility everyone had with changing the date and working around the smaller space of room 306 for the first session. Needless to say, I'm glad we broke up into two groups, it was standing room only!

In case you couldn't make it (or even if you did, but your brain is overflowing) here are a few general topics that were discussed:

--- How many applications should a student aim for? I recommend no more than 10.

--- What should students do about testing? Click here to see my MANY posts about this but the short answer is try both the SAT and ACT, then focus on re-taking the one you are naturally better in.

--- How can parents stay informed about the college process? Subscribe to this blog, so posts get sent to your email inbox! Sign up for the PTA mailing list, which emails out the ElRo weekly announcements every week, which is where I list information about college related events.

--- How should students spend their summer? Doing something they care about. There is no one prescription for what that has to be, but you are encouraged to explore your passions (maybe that is sports, or camp, or art, or a science class, or volunteering, or traveling, or ________). This is New York City, take advantage of that. Be cautious of 'pay for play' programs that are on college campuses but are not officially linked to the school - they can be overpriced and not as impressive as they sound. Only do them if you can truly afford them.

--- Where do we start? By 11th grade you really should start getting out there to visit campuses. Use the College Board search function to do some preliminary research to see what types of schools may be a good fit for what your student is looking for. Try and visit a range of places at first to get a feel for what feels best. Consider size, location, majors offered (most important if you want something specific like business, nursing, or engineering) and selectivity. If you have a book about ratings - burn it. We want the school rated #1 for YOU.

--- What is Naviance? Naviance is a tool that our school provides to juniors and their family during the second semester of junior year. Before that time, students and families are welcome to log on as a guest (email me for the password). It allows you to research colleges and scholarships and see a grid of actual ElRo students and their admission decisions at the different colleges.

Overall - the point of this Q&A was to hopefully get some pressing questions answered and send home the message that this process can be complicated but it doesn't have to be stressful. There is a college out there for EVERYONE and you (or your child) will find that place. A balanced list with reach schools, target schools, and likely schools will mean that it is easy to have options if you go forward with the college process in a balanced way.

I encourage everyone to attend next month's FAFSA night to learn more about the federal financial aid application -- that event takes place on Thursday, December 6.

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RPI Architecture Breakfast

Thanks to RPI and their CASE (Center for Architecture Science and Ecology) for hosting a counselor breakfast yesterday morning. We got a chance to hear from the Dean of the Architecture school and look at a few of the projects that CASE is working on. The architecture program at RPI is small, but it is clearly doing some really exciting things. They offer all different types of architecture degrees, but the one most applicable to ElRo students is the 5 year Bachelor of Architecture program that will prepare students to work in the world of architecture after graduation without them needing to go on for a Masters degree right away (the other road to working in the world of architecture is to get a bachelors in any degree you want, then complete a Masters of Architecture for three additional years in order to log the studio time you need). Program highlights include some amazing work in the realm of smart and sustainable design (aka - public spaces with a smart canopy that cools people underneath in the summer and heats people underneath in the winter - coming soon to 9th Ave in NYC!) RPI is known for Engineering, but they have other things too - and the intersection between science and art is really embraced in the architecture school. There is a portfolio required for admission, but no one is expecting you to have taken drafting or submit a portfolio of blueprints. What is being looked for is some semblance of artistic ability, a strong creative voice, and potential. The acoustics department is also fabulous -- putting their work into practice with the beautiful EMPAC building on RPI's campus (pictured above). As the world moves greener and greener and jobs in sustainable energy and design continue to grow, the opportunities at RPI are really exciting.

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10th And 11th Grade - Sign up for the Practice ACT

Hey Sophomores and Juniors!

Just like Coke and Pepsi are two different brands of soda, the ACT and the SAT are two different brands of college admission test.  All colleges will accept both the SAT and the ACT so I encourage all students to try both types of test in order to determine the one they are naturally stronger in. Then, you can proceed with things like test prep or flashcards or online practice drills to try and maximize your score.You already took the PSAT last month, so . . . .

ElRo is hosting a practice ACT exam through Kaplan on Saturday, December 8th for any interested 10th or 11th grade student that preregisters at: http://bit.ly/eleanorrooseveltact

Registration for the practice exam will close on Monday, November 26th. 

If this test date is not convenient for you or you prefer to take a practice ACT somewhere else that is FINE. This practice test at ElRo is not required. If you are in 10th grade, we do plan to hold another practice ACT next fall so you'll have the opportunity then. In addition, virtually EVERY test prep company offers free diagnostic exams (for both the SAT and ACT) so just pick one and schedule it if you prefer to go that route. 

Some people will only drink Coke (aka: me) and others prefer Pepsi. Some people can't taste the difference. Give yourself the opportunity to see if one 'brand' is better for you when it comes to college. If both end up being equal, you can pick the one you just plain old liked better.

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