What Should You Do with Your Summer?

Doesn't a summer of sleeping in, video binging, texting and trips with the family sound like a great and easy way to spend 8-10 weeks? Many teens, and some parents, want to believe that those things are enough to fill wide-open summer days. But there are so many more possibilities to consider! Over the course of a summer, you can have fun, learn something new and explore the academic possibilities simultaneously.

Summer study, internships, volunteering and employment provide students with opportunities to explore possible majors and schools of interest, give back to communities and demonstrate a great work ethic, commitment and responsibility. This doesn't mean teens can't have fun and get much-needed rest. It means that there are more meaningful and enriching experiences out there that enhance students' lives and their chances of finding their "right fit" schools.

Not sure what areas of study are interesting to you? Explore academic programs at colleges, universities and junior colleges near by, or away if you can afford it. 

Convinced that XYZ U or ABC program is the only choice for you? Go participate in a short summer program at XYZ U to make sure you are right and get a sneak peek a college life.

Passionate about animal adoption, working with children or the environment? Find local non-profit organizations in your area and commit to volunteering for the summer and give back to your community.

Want to have some funds for college, activities or spending money? Go get a job at your local yogurt shop, community recreation program or lifeguard at a pool. You will gain valuable experience and demonstrate that you know how to work hard.

Will any of these things guarantee you get into your dream school? No, of course not, but it will certainly pay off in the long run and make you an even better candidate for college acceptance.

Are College Visits Necessary?

'Tis the season for college visits! Parents, students and high schools across the country are planning or pondering weekend and/or week-long school holiday college trips. Some plan to traverse the country, others plan to stay in one region while others contemplate traveling their states' highways to visit schools within driving range. Hundreds of thousands of students are looking for that "gut feel".

Should you be doing the same? 

Absolutely! However, not everyone can afford the expense or the time off to take a "college tour" and some younger siblings of current college students or recent grads may already have their sights set on their dream colleges. 

But, all students should visit some colleges before submitting any applications. Students should see a range of options to get an idea of what kind of school suits them best. They should see both big and small schools, state and private, rural, suburban and urban, liberal arts and specialized. Many students are lucky enough to be able to visit the specific colleges that interest them most; that's ideal, but not practical for all. If you can't travel far, use local colleges and universities as representatives for the schools you might consider.

Register for a tour at every school you visit to demonstrate interest. If the tours are full, download and use the schools' tour app, but be sure to stop by the Admissions office and sign in. Some schools offer housing tours which will give you a peek into dorm life and an idea of what a "forced triple" looks like (very cozy). After or before your tour, check out key sites on the campus that give you a feel for the place and its student body: dining commons, libraries, student centers, quads, gyms. If you know which major you want to pursue, stop by that office and say hello. Finally, jot down your impressions after each visit before they all blur together using the same criteria for each, or pros and cons.

Have fun!

 

Colleges that Change Lives 2017 Events

If you are not familiar with "Colleges That Change Lives", you should be. Retired New York Times education editor and journalist Loren Pope published his book, "Colleges That Change Lives" in 1996 and Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) was created. Many of the colleges featured in Pope's book began working together to further promote the philosophy of a student-centered college search. This helped accelerate a growing movement for sanity within the college admissions community.

Today, CTCL is regarded as a leading advocate on the subject of higher education access and college choice.  See the website: ttp://ctcl.org/

The group has organized a series of college fairs around the country for 2017. Go look at their schedule and mark your calendars! Here are the details for the fair closest to my location:

Monday, July 31, 2017
7:00 P.M.

Marriott Santa Clara
Salons 1-9
2700 Mission College Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA95054

The program begins promptly at 7:00 PM with a 30-minute information session. A college fair follows immediately afterwards, lasting approximately 1.5 hours. This program is offered to the public free of charge. No pre-registration is required.

 

The All-Important Common Application Essay

How can you possibly summarize who you are as a person in 650 words? It's tempting to have this essay be a duplicate of the many accomplishments you've already listed in your application. For instance, you might cram into sentences absolutely redundant prepositional phrases like "Combining my volunteer activities with my love of sports achievement and raw musical talent...". This is NOT what the common essay is about. Rather, the common essay is a chance to explore and articulate what is the essence of you as a person that would be important to know for the bleary-eyed, coffee-chugging application reader who awaits at the other end of your keyboard.

Spend your time on this essay sharing what is uniquely you!