Back to School!

Source: None via Meghan on Pinterest

Welcome back ElRo! Or, for 9th graders and transfer students, welcome for the first time! The start of the year always comes with mixed emotions, fear that I didn't get enough done over the summer and excitement to get the fall underway. Luckily, the excitement normally wins. Stay tuned to the blog over the coming months as I'll post many important college related posts. For today I wanted to start with a brief overview of what each grade should be thinking about as we begin the 2011-2012 year.

9th Grade

-First, I hope you are reading this blog for fun and not because you are already stressed about college. If it is the second reason, take a breath. You are going to be just fine! High school is a great time, it is ok to enjoy it a little bit.
-Your only real job right now is to get adjusted to high school. For most students the biggest challenge is time management. Be thoughtful about staying on top of your assignments and you'll stay on the right track.
-Do your best in your classes, the grades you earn in June will be the first set of grades to go on your high school transcript.
-Build relationships, both with peers and teachers. Your peers you'll need as you build your social circles and your teachers will be a great resource later when it comes to needing letters of recommendation for college.

10th Grade

- If you did well last year, keep up that momentum.
-If you struggled last year, today is a new start. Your past doesn't have to define you, there are still two more years that will show up on your college application transcript, take advantage of the knowledge around you and give your teachers evidence that you are applying yourself.
-You'll be taking the PSAT for the first time in October. Go to www.collegeboard.org to familiarize yourself with the test. Sign up for the Question of the Day to get in the habit of thinking about the exam without stressing about it.

11th Grade

-This is the first year you are eligible to take AP courses, they are called AP for a reason, you are probably going to be expected to work harder, study longer, defend your position better, and go deeper than you ever have before. Embrace that challenge AND understand that being a 'good' student doesn't mean that you'll automatically always get high grades. If it was easy to get an A in an AP class, then it wouldn't be AP.
- You'll be taking the PSAT for the second time in October. Utilize the My College Quickstart portion of the PSAT score report from last year to learn how to maximize your score.
-Stay focused, these grades from this year are the last final grades colleges will see on your transcript. Be sure you are sending a message you want them to see.
-At the same time, don't let the stress monster get the best of you. Yes, colleges care about grades, but they also care about what you are learning, your character, your effort level, and your passions. Don't fixate on the numeric grades, focus instead on if you are really dedicated to understanding the material.
-You are invited to attend college visits at ElRo so long as you don't have a class, email me if there is one you want to attend and I'll sign you up manually since you don't yet have a Naviance account. 

12th Grade

-Plan. Plan. Plan. All the answers you need are right here in front of you. Be methodical about making an application plan and you'll accomplish all that you need to on time. Most parts of the application process are straightforward, they only get complicated when you skip a step, rush, don't read directions, or listen to rumors.
-If you haven't already registered for your final ACT/SAT exams do so immediately. Seats in NYC go fast. Email or see me if you qualify for a fee waiver.
-Naviance is your friend. Keep your college list updated and use the site to register for college visits at ElRo. 
-Pay attention to your email. I take great strides to make sure that you are informed about every detail of this process. I'm expecting you to hold up your end of the bargain by checking email regularly.

Senior Meetings

Sorry for the blog hiatus, I was off with ElRo Model UN in Beijing, China. We got back last week and I can't believe how quickly summer is coming to an end!

I want to make this post about Senior Meetings because I started them this week in a new initiative to get a head start on this year's historic senior class (140 students!). Many thanks to the students and families that have signed up for these early meetings, I'm so glad that it was something you all were interested in.

What is a Senior Meeting?

Senior Meetings are the second of two meetings that each ElRo student will have with me. The first one, the Junior Meeting, is a time for me to get to know you and a time for us to go over the characteristics you think you want in a school. The Senior Meeting is a time for us to have a much more concrete conversation about the exact list of schools you plan to apply to and for me to give you feedback about your choices. I've always maintained that I'm a guide, not a decision maker. I'll give you advice that you certainly don't have to take. But remember, I'm really trying to give you suggestions that will maximize your success. A list with 8 reaches and one likely may sound like a good idea now but history shows that it isn't such a hot idea when decisions come out. Bottom line: you construct your list, I just give you feedback.

When can I have my senior meeting?

Students and parents were sent out an email earlier this summer with a link to a nifty new Gmail feature that allows you to log in and schedule yourself for a summer meeting. This has worked great so far and I will continue using this method for the fall meetings. I've gone ahead and added a few other afternoon slots and will continue to add more slots around the first day of school. The reason for this is, as always, students can't miss class for their meeting so I want you to know your program before you sign up for a meeting. Everyone will have a meeting, I promise. They will take place during September, October, and November.


Can I start applying to college now?

While it is ok (and probably a good idea) to start applications now, please hold off on actually clicking submit until AFTER your senior meeting. Why? I want to be sure we have touched base about your plan of action. If I discover that you are a little off the mark I want you to have not wasted lots of time and money on applications that won't work for you. As you might imagine, this means that I recommend the September meetings go to people who are seriously considering Early Action or Early Decision, that way we can talk well before your first deadlines. Regular decision applications to private colleges are normally not due until January. As a rule of thumb, I recommend filing public school applications by no later than Thanksgiving (or sometimes earlier at unique places like Maryland with priority deadlines). If you happen to be a person that doesn't get a Senior Meeting slot on the early side, but need to file a couple public school applications please just shoot me an email so we can be on the same page. It is an exception to the policy that I'm happy to make.

What should I bring to my Senior Meeting?

Just you and your parent/guardian if they are able to attend. I also ask that you go into Naviance  beforehand and update your active application list to include the schools you would like to talk about and that you are seriously considering. Other than that just come with an open mind ready to hearing feedback.


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Thanks Penn State!

Creamm, a photo by FontaineRittelmann on Flickr.

Last week (things have been busy, sorry for the delay!) Penn State was kind enough to sponsor a trip to their University Park campus for local guidance counselors - let me start by thanking them for their generosity.

We spent the night at the historic Nittany Lion Inn (a hotel located on campus) and had the opportunity to hear President Graham Spanier speak to us during a dinner reception. The following day we participated in the 'Spend a Summer Day' visit opportunity for prospective students and families. This gave us the chance to go on a tour, attend a student panel, and learn more about the specific programs and offerings. It also gave us numerous opportunities to hear about the infamous Creamery and the delicious ice cream that Penn State has been making for years. We even went so far as to ask every UP native we saw (including the session presenters and alumni volunteering on corners around campus) what their favorite flavors were.

One thing is very clear about Penn State - they do many things very very well. Even up to and including the organization of the event, there were calm and informed staff, volunteers, and students EVERYWHERE on campus. I can only imagine the logistics of coordinating such a day, but Penn State made it look easy. Our tour here was smaller in size than some of the private school tours I went on earlier in the month. There was also a very clear Penn State Pride oozing from everyone. The alumni volunteers I'm talking about are not recent grads, they included men and women in their 80s out on a hot summer day to share their love of Penn State. At the student panel, we asked the students where they would be in school if they hadn't come to Penn State. The first respondent (a mineral and earth science major from New York City) looked bewildered for a second then without skipping a beat said: Penn State, Altoona?

Overall, I would say that if you are looking for a school with lots of opportunities (and lots of students) Penn State should make its way on to your list. Keep in mind though, University Park admission is significantly more selective than the other 20 campuses in the Penn State family and it is very common for students to attend one campus for two years and then transfer with ease for their Junior year. Recruiters know Penn State as a stand up institution full of top graduates. Malcolm Gladwell also makes a pretty strong case for it in his piece 'The Order of Things.'

My only reservation about Penn State is that it (like many out of state public schools) has very little wiggle room for financial aid. Yes, the sticker price is lower than a private school and for some families it is a true bargain. But if merit aid is what you are after, have back ups in case Penn State's price tag is an issue.

If that is a con though, the ice cream really is a pro. I had Keeney Beany and it was an investment I can vouch for.

Pioneer Valley Colleges: Day 3 Amherst College

The final day of the college tours led me to Amherst College where I would be transitioning over to my role as College Coach at College Summit for the second weekend in a row. We were very lucky that my College Summit schedule meant that we would need to go to the 9 am info session and 10 am tour because it was seriously hot.

My impression of Amherst is first influenced by the campus itself. Despite being just a few blocks from the town, there is a very tranquil feeling with large brick buildings and lots of grass. The mountain views don't hurt either, I can only imagine what it looks like in the Fall with the trees changing color. The details about Amherst are similar to other highly selective small colleges - holistic application review, a variety of very strong liberal arts majors to choose from, and a small residential student body. With less than 2,000 students this is a school that often falls off the list of many ElRo students because of the small size. But I would urge students to really think about how a school of this size may not be as small as they think. Yes, there is only one dining hall, but coming from a high school of 500 may make 1700 feel like just the right size. Amherst has no core curriculum, so students are allowed (and encouraged) to explore whatever they want without feeling obligated to study subjects they are not interested in.

My only complaint? No air conditioning in my dorm room for the College Summit workshop ;) I will say, on the upside, the dorm itself is very well maintained. It was the former gym from the turn of the century and they have framed photographs of the space from that time hanging in the hallways.

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Pioneer Valley Colleges: Day 2 Mt. Holyoke and Hampshire

The second day of our tours brought us to Mt. Holyoke and Hampshire.

Mt. Holyoke is a women's college but definitely has unique aspects that differentiate it from the other colleges in the area. Specifically in contrast to Smith, Mt. Holyoke has a more flexible housing structure (less of a 'sorting hat' atmosphere than Smith - but still the same AMAZING dorm facilities. See: Walk-in closets.) and it has a more structured curriculum (as opposed to Smith's open curriculum). Locations also differ, despite the proximity. Mt. Holyoke has a much more spread out campus in a smaller town. This contrasts with Smith's cozy feel in walking distance of the bustling Northampton. Something to really take note of is the diversity of perspectives on campus - 1 in 4 students is international and almost 30% of domestic students self identify as students of color. One of the 7 sisters, this SAT optional school was really welcoming and full of traditions. I particularly liked the class colors and mascots assigned to each incoming class, and the superstition about only walking up the library stairs on the side that your class's flag is on. If you visit be sure to check out the beech tree near the library, easily the largest living tree I've ever seen outside of the Pacific Northwest. I'm glad they changed the library expansion plans to save it from being cut down. Speaking of trees, the Mt. Holyoke seal has a palm tree on it. The hope at its founding is that it would be an oasis of knowledge. Mission accomplished.

In the afternoon we visited Hampshire College, the inspiration for the image at the top of this post. I didn't see this exact sign, but one very much like it at the entrance to the dining hall. If it doesn't make you smile then Hampshire probably isn't for you. ;)  The best way I can describe Hampshire is to say it is a place for individuals who are passionate. I found the students and staff we met to have a really unique combination of being extremely open and laid back but at the same time very interested in thinking about big ideas in a very cerebral way (and deep seeded passion). Hampshire students are known for taking the most advantage of the 5 College system - the average student has taken 8 courses on another campus. These courses supplement the hands-on discussion-based work they do on campus. There are no textbooks, students only use primary sources. There are no tests, students instead write papers. There are no grades, professors (who are addressed by first name) instead write a narrative to describe the student's achievements, areas to work on, and personalized suggestions of future courses to take. By Division III (aka senior year) the work more closely resembles the creation of a Master's level thesis. Students conduct research, or write a novel, or direct a movie, or make an invention, or found a company - ANYTHING that helps them think critically and create some type of new or original thought. In a way, I would say Hampshire could be described as the hippie* cousin of Beloit - no pretense, no judgement, just intense learning and a celebration of individuality. Don't come to Hampshire looking for quaint buildings, the campus was founded in 1970. But if it is content of knowledge that you seek, Hampshire may be exactly what the doctor ordered.

*Disclaimer: I'm not saying you need to be a hippie to fit in at Hampshire, only that that philosophy of focusing on social justice, a supportive environment and freedom of thought dominates the campus. I got the sense that everyone was welcome on campus.

Pioneer Valley Colleges: Day 1 U Mass Amherst and Smith

Before I start up with round 2 of College Summit on Thursday, I decided to add on tours to the five colleges in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. I am joined by the college counselors from Millennium and the NYC iSchool (so you aren't confused when I keep saying "we"). The 5 College Consortium of U Mass-Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst College offer something for almost everyone. I'll give you my impressions of the schools I've seen here on the blog.

Our first stop was the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the largest of the 5 schools with about 20,000 undergraduate students. Our fabulous tour guide Colleen did a great job of handling our large tour group---a nice parallel to how U Mass Amherst is able to work with a large number of students and still get the job done well. Highlights of this campus included the Marriott hotel located on campus that offers Hospitality and Tourism students hands on internship experience without leaving the confines of the campus. They also offer an Honors program, eligible candidates typically have an A average and above a 1300 on the first two sections of the SAT. This is just one program of many that is designed to help make this huge campus feel more personal. I was really pleased with what I saw at UMass. This is a great school for a student looking for a flagship public school with tons of different academic disciplines, division I sports, and a location that is very different from New York City but not very far in terms of distance. Plus if a student did start to feel overwhelmed or like they wanted a change of scenery they can register for a class at any of the 4 other campuses (free bus service provided among all 5 locations).

Next we headed over to Smith College, a women's college located in Northampton. I found the buildings on this campus to be absolutely stunning. The school's founder stipulated that all buildings build reflect the time period in which they were constructed so there is a nice array of both historic and more modern LEED certified buildings. The campus itself does have a bit of a condensed feel, but in a homey and welcoming way. The three unique aspects of Smith, as per the information session, are: an open curriculum, the Praxis paid internship program available to all students, and the unique housing system where students find their 'home' on campus with a lot of pride coming along with it. The dorms here more closely resemble actual homes than they do standard collegiate housing (think grand pianos, wallpaper, walk in closets, etc). Smith is very clearly a place full of very confident women. They are multi-talented, articulate, and intelligent. It seems it would be a great fit for a young woman looking to change the world. Generous financial aid, the beautiful campus, and the longstanding traditions make this school a really great opportunity for any woman looking into small liberal arts colleges. Plus the town of Northampton is a short walk away and has more diverse (and delicious) food offerings than I've ever seen in such a small area. Maybe they were inspired by Smith alumna Julia Child? (She's front and center in the picture above, a photo from the Promenade Committee at Smith in 1934).

Next up: Mt. Holyoke and Hampshire

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College Summit Manhattan College

It is July which means it is time for College Summit! I'm at my first of two workshops for the summer, typing this from my extra long twin bed at Manhattan College. Tonight's banquet was full of some really powerful personal statement 'sneak peeks' and I'm impressed, as always, with the work that the peer leaders have been putting in.

At one point during tonight's event a young woman thanked her college coach for being the first person she can remember to every sit down for an hour and listen to her wants, dreams, and aspirations. These workshops are a reminder for me of the power of resilience. I am humbled, honored, and thrilled to have the opportunity to meet these dynamic, kind, strong young people with powerful stories to tell. I encourage any college graduate reading this to volunteer next year as a writing coach. You don't need to be a writer or a teacher, just have an open mind and heart and you'll be perfect for the job.

Next week I'll have an encore performance as a college coach at College Summit: Amherst Edition!

Summer Updates

Source: weheartit.com via Terry on Pinterest

Rising Seniors will be happy to know that Naviance has officially been updated to include the current cumulative GPAs and most recent June ACT and SAT scores. If you log in and see that something seems off, please email me and we'll look into it.

We also got back the AP scores and I'm excited to report that the average test scores in almost every course went up from last year - great work everyone! Special shout out to Mr. Jonas and his Stats class, where the report shows not a single score below a 3!

Stay cool out there. . .

School's Out!

I hope everyone has a fabulous summer. I'm looking forward to possibly the busiest summer that I've ever had, but I'm excited for every minute!

Beyond the jump I've put together a list of tasks that rising Seniors should be thinking about in anticipation of the fall. Stay tuned to the blog over the summer. I'm going to be away at various points, but will continue to post when the spirit moves me. Don't forget to wear sunscreen!

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Hooray!

I'm pleased to report that 90% of ElRo students that sat for the Physics Regents earned a passing score. Great work!

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