Thanks SUNY Cobleskill!

Thanks to SUNY Cobleskill for hosting me and a group of other counselors last week on a visit that allowed us to see the wide and dynamic range of programs offered at SUNY Technology Colleges. As someone that wasn't raised in New York state, this was my first exposure to an Agriculture and Technology SUNY and it didn't disappoint.

What makes this category of school different from a University Center or University College? Colleges of Technology focus on applied learning. They embrace hands on experiences and get students out of the lecture hall and into the real world. This counselor tour was structured in a similar way in that we had the opportunity to participate in four mini-workshops all highlighting different program offerings at the campus. I learned about everything from hydroponic agriculture (see photo above) to DNA. I pruned a Bonsai plant and learned about how to identify trees at risk of falling down. The faculty at Cobleskill that I got to meet all had one thing in common: they love their fields of study. They speak with energy and excitement about their students and their courses.

Most academic pursuits at Cobleskill directly relate to the real world. There are things like culinary arts, equine assisted therapies, turf-grass management, and early childhood education. There are multiple entry points (meaning there are both two and four year degrees) as well as articulation agreements with other schools for students looking to transfer to programs at places like Cornell.

I think the biggest adjustment factor for a New York City student would be the small town/rural environment. This is the kind of school where you are going to be able to look up at night and see a sky full of stars. Not every city kid is ready for that, so I think it really needs to be suited to the individual. With that said, it is less than an hour to Albany, so it isn't as isolated as it might look.

Thanks SUNY Cobleskill for hosting us and giving me a much better understanding of the range of options within the SUNY system.

Thanks McGill!

Last week, I attended a breakfast session hosted by McGill University, one of the most popular and well known Canadian schools for American students. Even though I don't see a lot of volume of Canadian college applications, we have had students enroll before and I think it is important to understand all college options, including those located outside the United States.

The application process at McGill is different than that of most American colleges. The application calendar is a bit more relaxed (no October or November deadlines) and students have a bit more time to get their documents submitted. Admission is competitive but it is mainly numbers driven. McGill looks to see evidence of academic performance during 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. They want to see the ACT or SAT and two subject tests (but strong AP scores can be submitted in place of these if necessary). Students must apply directly to a faculty (aka major/department) and subject specific grades will be looked at with greater scrutiny. Character references and extracurricular involvement are really not the focus of McGill's admission process and those type of supporting documents are not required.

One fourth of students at McGill are international students so the transition should be easier than it might be at a different more obscure international campus. Montreal is also a very young and vibrant city, with more students per capita than Boston.

For students looking to study Nutrition or Environmental Science, there is a second campus about twenty miles from the main downtown campus called MacDonald where students can pursue these fields.

A big thing to consider when looking outside the US is that financial aid will be limited. However, also keep in mind that the total cost is lower than American colleges and the exchange rate is currently favorable. This means that a McGill education will likely be the same as, if not less expensive than, a private US college. There are some need based aid opportunities too that students can apply for via the McGill Bursaries. Once a student graduates from McGill, Canada will allow them to stay in the country for up to three years, even if they do not have a job to sponsor their visa. On this note about immigration paperwork, any student planning to attend McGill should be reminded to be sure their passport is up to date and that they have their CAQ and Study Permit in order well in advance of matriculation. Financially, it might be a good fit for students who know they won't qualify for need based aid at a US college.

Thanks to McGill for a great and informative breakfast!

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Redesigned SAT Concordance Release

Today the College Board posted the concordance charts between the old SAT and the redesigned SAT. They also created an app you can download to convert the scores.

Let's first break down what a concordance table is. A concordance table allows to you make more meaningful comparisons between tests. It lets you say: "I got X on this exam, what would that be if I had taken exam Y?"  So, in this case, for students that got back their redesigned SAT scores this morning, it lets them see what that would have been equivalent to on the old SAT.

Why is concordance important? During this time of transition from the old test to the redesigned test, understanding the relationship between the two scores is very important. Particularly after seeing the actual concordance, it is even more important. Why? Because it appears that especially in the center of the score distribution (aka the place most students fall) there are rather significant changes between old and new. A 1000 was the typical average on the old SAT. But, that 1000 is equal to a 1080 on the redesigned SAT.

This nearly 100 point inflation (on the 1600 point scale) for scores toward the middle of the percentile distribution is significant because the new higher scores might project a false sense of security to students that could be tempted to forget to adjust their score on the concordance table.

For example, schools that used to have an old admitted SAT average score of 1150 are now going to be looking for a 1220 (assuming they continue to admit the same range of student). If you score an 1150 on the redesigned test, you might now be out of range at that school. The entire pool should be shifting together, so this isn't the end of the world. It just means that perspective must be kept in mind.

The inflation toward the center of the distribution also means there is some deflation toward the tails of the distribution. In other words, a 1550 on the old SAT is now a 1560 on the redesigned SAT. A negligible difference. So while students in the middle of the pack are going to see huge jumps, students in the very high or very low range will not feel much of an impact of the new scores at all.

Why would the College Board be doing this? If you asked them, I think they would argue the new test is doing a better job of identifying 'college readiness' and that students were being underestimated on the old test. If you ask me, this new more generous scoring appeals to the student's ego and the College Board hopes these new higher scores will tempt students into taking their test instead of the ACT.

The takeaway here is that for any rising seniors, you must read college pamphlets carefully and understand if they are talking about the new or old SAT when they share their admissions data with you. As always, the best college search is one with a level head. Don't let test scores throw you into a tizzy. And remember you can always go testing optional if all of this pomp and circumstance isn't for you.

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