How to spend Spring Break

Source: weheartit.com via Naty on Pinterest

In a few short days, New York City will be on spring break. This extended break from school is an ideal time to visit colleges for current juniors. If you are an 11th grade student and have not yet started visiting campuses, what are you waiting for?? Missing class to visit a college is not an excused absense. Why not? Colleges want students with top grades who are committed to academics. Missing vital classroom instruction makes it difficult to achieve those goals, so whenever possible college visits should take place when school is not in session.

Don't have any visits planned? It is not too late! At the very least, you can visit local schools that don't require a plane ticket or a hotel reservation. Not sure how to get to the campus? Don't forget to check all available options like buses from Port Authority or discount bus lines like Bolt Bus or Megabus. There are also colleges along Metro North and LIRR train lines so if your family doesn't have a car that isn't an excuse. We also have many campuses right here in the 5 boroughs that you can get to with public transportation. Use this school vacation as a gift from the college process gods -- giving you the chance to walk around and get a feel for the campus environment that fits you best.

Already have a family vacation planned during the break? Not to worry - plan ahead now for how you'll spend the rest of your spring weekends and other school breaks (Regents days when you are not testing, school holidays, etc)

How do you schedule a campus visit? It is easy! Just log on to the campus website and follow the links (usually labeled 'Visit Us' or 'Campus Tours'). Most schools want you to pre-register ahead of time so be sure to follow any instructions to make your visit worry free. It is always advisable to visit officially through the Admissions Office (as opposed to walking around on your own without checking in there), that way the campus knows you are interested.

Remember to try to visit a range of schools - if you see 5 far reach schools and zero targets and likely schools it will make it hard to get excited about visualizing yourself at those schools. When you visit, be sure to keep an open mind. Jot down your thoughts after the visit so you can keep track of your reactions - what did you love? What did you wish was different?

Visiting colleges is one of the most exciting parts of the college process - enjoy it!

AP Fee collection -- happening now!

Any 11th or 12th grade student currently enrolled in an AP course needs to submit payment (preferably in the form of a check). Each exam is $89, with a discounted cost of $20 for families approved for federal free or reduced lunch. Thanks to the PTA for their supplement of fees for these families - helping us reduce financial impact of these exams. Checks should be made out to Eleanor Roosevelt High School.

Update: low income families will now have the fee 100% waived due to federal and city funding.

Thanks!

Thanks Marlboro!

Last night, I went to a small gathering at the 8th Floor (a gallery near Union Square) to chat with alum and staff from Marlboro College in Vermont. Other than visiting campus in person, these types of NYC based events are a good way to learn more about colleges and understand better the spirit of the school and mission.

First off --- Marlboro is small. Like 300 students in the middle of the woods in Vermont small, so it isn't for everyone. But, what was clear from hearing from the alumni is that it can be life changing. For those seeking the peaceful retreat of nature combined with some serious intellectualism, it might be a perfect fit. One comment that stuck out from an alum was the observation that too often Marlboro is grouped as this very "out there" alternative education when really he experienced it as the most traditional education one can find. In other words, students think deeply on complex issues and spend time reading and studying liberal arts in a the very traditional sense of interacting with peers and professors. Many colleges we think of as 'traditional' aren't actually pursuing education in its pure form (they are using things like #2 pencils and scan trons and curves). I think the happiest students at Marlboro are probably those with interdisciplinary interests -- the integration of divergent ideas in student 'plans' was really amazing.

Thanks to Marlboro for visiting NYC!

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