It may be a little late to regret your early decision application to college (it is October 31, after all), but for future college applicants, this is worth reading. You will also find a link to another article - Early Decision: Better for Colleges Than for Students.
Students who apply ED should be 100% sure that this is the right school both academically and socially and not apply early just because they think they have a better chance of getting in. Yes, your odds of acceptance are greater at some schools, but if's really not a good fit for you, what's the point? I have seen many students who, after getting accepted early, start to have doubts, especially when their friends have several options to choose from.
There are also financial considerations. Although you can still apply for merit and need-based scholarships, you are basically telling an institution that you want to go to that school, no matter what. Your parents have to sign off on this decision, as do your college counselors. We don't take that lightly.
So before you take the early decision plunge, think through your decision very, very carefully. And then think through it again. And then maybe one more time.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Too Many Articles, Not Enough Time
It's almost November 1, and if you're a student applying early decision or a college counselor trying to finish all those recommendations, there's not much time left to read and write about the articles that are just asking for comments.
So, since I'm still writing, I want to offer these recent articles for your consideration.
Using FAFSA Against Students (this isn't fair!):http://bit.ly/1aU0lGS
What's Trust Got to Do With It (a very good article that does deserve some attention; perhaps I will get back to it next week): http://bit.ly/17tn5lW
How to Navigate the Burnout Zone: This one's for all my stressed out (November 1, anyone?) students...it's written more for professionals, but there's some very good advice in it that you should adopt. Moms and dads: you might want to read it too! http://bit.ly/HqxSkP
The Growing Popularity of Lists That Rank Colleges: I'll just you read this one, but read carefully. Rankings really aren't what they're cracked up to be.
We'll be blogging up to speed next week!
So, since I'm still writing, I want to offer these recent articles for your consideration.
Using FAFSA Against Students (this isn't fair!):http://bit.ly/1aU0lGS
What's Trust Got to Do With It (a very good article that does deserve some attention; perhaps I will get back to it next week): http://bit.ly/17tn5lW
How to Navigate the Burnout Zone: This one's for all my stressed out (November 1, anyone?) students...it's written more for professionals, but there's some very good advice in it that you should adopt. Moms and dads: you might want to read it too! http://bit.ly/HqxSkP
The Growing Popularity of Lists That Rank Colleges: I'll just you read this one, but read carefully. Rankings really aren't what they're cracked up to be.
We'll be blogging up to speed next week!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program
Abbott & Fenner Business Consultants are pleased to be able to continue with
their scholarship program for the 7th year.
They will be awarding up to $1,000 to
the winner(s)!
Scholarship Deadline - June 14, 2014.
Application Process
Students will submit an essay on the topic
that appears on the scholarship page of their web site: http://www.abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm
Full details are available on the site.
Common App Problems...continued
If you are using the Common Application this year, you already know that it has been plagued with problems. We have been fortunate, however, because we submit most of our materials via Naviance, and while there have been a few problems with that system, they are nothing compared to what people have experienced on the Common App site.
Our students, on the other hand, are submitting their application through Common App, so we have a few suggestions for them.
1. If you have a November 1 deadline, DO NOT wait until Friday, November 1 to submit your
application. The earlier in the week you can take of this, the better. Even if you're college has
extended their deadline, do no wait until the last minute to submit.
2. You might want to avoid submitting your application during the peak hours of the day. It may be
9:00pm in Chattanooga, but it's 6:00pm on the west coast, and traffic is still heavy. A better
alternative might be first thing in the morning when the rest of the country is still asleep. It's a
small step, but it might work.
3. Follow the Common Application on Facebook. They are posting daily updates on problems and
solutions. Reading about all the problems others are having might make you nervous, but it is
better to be aware of what is going on than to be in the dark.
4. Before you panic, come see your college counselor. There is always a solution, and we'll help
you figure it out.
Lastly, I know it's easy for me to say, but take a deep breath and try to relax. Everything is going to work out. Your part of the college application process will be over soon.
Our students, on the other hand, are submitting their application through Common App, so we have a few suggestions for them.
1. If you have a November 1 deadline, DO NOT wait until Friday, November 1 to submit your
application. The earlier in the week you can take of this, the better. Even if you're college has
extended their deadline, do no wait until the last minute to submit.
2. You might want to avoid submitting your application during the peak hours of the day. It may be
9:00pm in Chattanooga, but it's 6:00pm on the west coast, and traffic is still heavy. A better
alternative might be first thing in the morning when the rest of the country is still asleep. It's a
small step, but it might work.
3. Follow the Common Application on Facebook. They are posting daily updates on problems and
solutions. Reading about all the problems others are having might make you nervous, but it is
better to be aware of what is going on than to be in the dark.
4. Before you panic, come see your college counselor. There is always a solution, and we'll help
you figure it out.
Lastly, I know it's easy for me to say, but take a deep breath and try to relax. Everything is going to work out. Your part of the college application process will be over soon.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Panic Applying to College
It's happening here a little earlier than it normally does, but it's not uncommon at all. I call it "panic applying," and it's simply this: a student thoughtfully makes out her application list but then suddenly, without rhyme or reason, starts adding colleges to that list. From what I can tell it happens for a couple of reasons.
First, students start to worry that they're not going to get in anywhere, and consequently they think they need to add more schools to their list. But more often than not, they don't give as much thought to the schools they are adding, and their list becomes quite random. They forget about what they were looking for in the first place. Second, some students start adding schools after listening to their friends. It's the "grass is always greener" effect. Their best friend(s) is applying to seven colleges, and their list looks better to you than yours does. So they start changing their list or adding to it.
Sometimes panic applying doesn't happen until second semester. By then the student starts second-guessing her college list. Maybe she doesn't really like "that college" after all. Maybe it's too big, too small. Maybe it's too far away, too close. Fortunately, an additional visit to campus usually reminds her why it was a good fit to begin with, and she can relax. But not always, and then she feels the urge to apply to just one or two more schools.
No matter the reason, it happens every year. So if you feel the need to add more colleges to your list, talk to your counselor and your parents. Carefully review your criteria and see if it makes sense to add an additional school. Sometimes it might, but more often than not, you might just be "panic applying."
First, students start to worry that they're not going to get in anywhere, and consequently they think they need to add more schools to their list. But more often than not, they don't give as much thought to the schools they are adding, and their list becomes quite random. They forget about what they were looking for in the first place. Second, some students start adding schools after listening to their friends. It's the "grass is always greener" effect. Their best friend(s) is applying to seven colleges, and their list looks better to you than yours does. So they start changing their list or adding to it.
Sometimes panic applying doesn't happen until second semester. By then the student starts second-guessing her college list. Maybe she doesn't really like "that college" after all. Maybe it's too big, too small. Maybe it's too far away, too close. Fortunately, an additional visit to campus usually reminds her why it was a good fit to begin with, and she can relax. But not always, and then she feels the urge to apply to just one or two more schools.
No matter the reason, it happens every year. So if you feel the need to add more colleges to your list, talk to your counselor and your parents. Carefully review your criteria and see if it makes sense to add an additional school. Sometimes it might, but more often than not, you might just be "panic applying."
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Common App Woes
The most frustrating things about the college application are the things you cannot control. The Common Application is a good example. You may have seen a few stories about the Common App this year: it's a new version, and it has experienced a lot of problems. For some it's been difficult to submit a payment. For others, there have been essay formatting issues. Both students and counselors have had trouble submitting documents. And I'm not even counting the day that no one could log into the site.
The good news is that the Common App people are well aware of the problems people are having, and they are now sending daily updates on the resolution of those problems. Colleges are responding, and in many cases, they are extending their early decision/early action deadlines. Anyone can follow the Common App on Facebook and Twitter and follow their progress. Most important, if you experience any problems with your application, please go see your college counselor.
One more word of caution, however. Don't wait until the last minute to submit your application. Let's be honest. If you wait until the last minute, you're probably not putting as much thought into your applications/essays as you should have. You're more likely to make careless mistakes (and I can't proofread your application at 11:30pm). And you're more likely to encounter some of the problems mentioned above. Just because the deadline is 11:59pm on November 1 doesn't mean that you should wait until 11:58pm to submit your application. There's a lot we can do to help you on the front end, but there's not much I can do on the back end.
The good news is that the Common App people are well aware of the problems people are having, and they are now sending daily updates on the resolution of those problems. Colleges are responding, and in many cases, they are extending their early decision/early action deadlines. Anyone can follow the Common App on Facebook and Twitter and follow their progress. Most important, if you experience any problems with your application, please go see your college counselor.
One more word of caution, however. Don't wait until the last minute to submit your application. Let's be honest. If you wait until the last minute, you're probably not putting as much thought into your applications/essays as you should have. You're more likely to make careless mistakes (and I can't proofread your application at 11:30pm). And you're more likely to encounter some of the problems mentioned above. Just because the deadline is 11:59pm on November 1 doesn't mean that you should wait until 11:58pm to submit your application. There's a lot we can do to help you on the front end, but there's not much I can do on the back end.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Do the rankings mean anything?
Before you decide that you have to go to a "name" college, whatever that means to you, take a minute to read this article. It's about Forbes' "30 for 30," the annual list of people under thirty who are the movers and shakers of their generation - the new "it" people, if you will. What this article points out however, is how many of them did not attend one of those brand name colleges, and I suspect you know which colleges I mean.
In fact, they attended schools such as the University of Iowa, Drexel University, Arizona State, the College of Charleston, Indiana University. One other school they mention is the University of Maryland Baltimore, one of the best places to go if you're interested in STEM. Obviously the point I'm trying to make is that the rankings really mean nothing. Smart, creative, inventive, interesting people go to all sorts of colleges and universities, and you can too.
In fact, they attended schools such as the University of Iowa, Drexel University, Arizona State, the College of Charleston, Indiana University. One other school they mention is the University of Maryland Baltimore, one of the best places to go if you're interested in STEM. Obviously the point I'm trying to make is that the rankings really mean nothing. Smart, creative, inventive, interesting people go to all sorts of colleges and universities, and you can too.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Common Application Problems
In case you haven't heard, there have been numerous complications with the new Common Application, also known as CA4. As of this afternoon, it is impossible to log in to the site. They are working on it however, and hopefully will have things restored as soon as possible (for those of you who have an October 15 deadline).
Just don't panic. If there is a continuing problem, we will contact schools on your behalf, and I don't believe you will be held accountable.
Just don't panic. If there is a continuing problem, we will contact schools on your behalf, and I don't believe you will be held accountable.
Split Decision
This is the second in a series of blog posts by Megan R. It's mid-October, and she's hanging in there!
What
were the odds of that happening? The only three clubs I’m in, and they all meet
at the same time. I’ve done Model UN
since freshmen year, one of only four people in my grade to have joined that
year. I’ve been to six conferences and
missed school multiple times. I’ve also
been writing for the school paper since 10th grade, and I was
fortunate enough to be a section editor last year as well. Science Olympiad has been another
one of my passions, and I’ve spent many a Saturday morning in the 6th
grade science hall preparing for our next competition, even getting up at 5 am
to drive from school to Knoxville to compete against my fellow science
lovers. All this is to say, I love all of
these clubs, and I had always hoped to lead them all instead of being forced to
choose between them because of something as mundane as a scheduling conflict.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t change the schedule, so I was forced to make a choice, to prioritize these things that were all very important to me. In the end, I became co-president of Science Olympiad and a section editor of Spectrum, which allows me to be at Olympiad in person and do Spectrum online. Unfortunately, I had to sacrifice a role as delegation leader in Model UN because I simply couldn’t be in three three places at once.
While I’m sure you can relate to my dilemma, as we have all seen the advantages and disadvantages of this new schedule, I worry about whether colleges and universities can understand where I’m coming from. It seems like these days, you have to be captain and president of every club in school to get in to college, and even that might not be good enough. Don’t take this the wrong way – I wanted to lead these clubs because I care about them, not to build my resume.
That's another issue - colleges often convince kids to lead clubs just so they can fill another space on their application, not because they are truly passionate about an organization. Well, I am passionate about all three of these clubs, even if I'm not president of all of them. I just hope that the schools I apply to will understand that I tried, and that I was forced to make a choice because as of 2013, it is not humanly possible to be in three places at once. Whether I like it or not, the laws of science still take precedence over college admissions requirements.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t change the schedule, so I was forced to make a choice, to prioritize these things that were all very important to me. In the end, I became co-president of Science Olympiad and a section editor of Spectrum, which allows me to be at Olympiad in person and do Spectrum online. Unfortunately, I had to sacrifice a role as delegation leader in Model UN because I simply couldn’t be in three three places at once.
While I’m sure you can relate to my dilemma, as we have all seen the advantages and disadvantages of this new schedule, I worry about whether colleges and universities can understand where I’m coming from. It seems like these days, you have to be captain and president of every club in school to get in to college, and even that might not be good enough. Don’t take this the wrong way – I wanted to lead these clubs because I care about them, not to build my resume.
That's another issue - colleges often convince kids to lead clubs just so they can fill another space on their application, not because they are truly passionate about an organization. Well, I am passionate about all three of these clubs, even if I'm not president of all of them. I just hope that the schools I apply to will understand that I tried, and that I was forced to make a choice because as of 2013, it is not humanly possible to be in three places at once. Whether I like it or not, the laws of science still take precedence over college admissions requirements.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Looking for scholarships?
Students and families are always looking for scholarships, and who can blame them. College is expensive, and any financial help you receive will be much appreciated by your parents. But where do you start?
First, start with the college's website. Don't just skim; carefully read the scholarship/financial aid pages, from the general scholarships, which may include merit, leadership, or service based awards to the departmental opportunities. Some scholarships require separate applications, and some have different deadlines than your application for admission, so be sure you are aware of the requirements. If you need recommendations, we have those on file, so there is no need to ask a new teacher to write for you. Talk to your counselor about what is needed.
Then there are the outside or independent scholarships. These may include local possibilities like Blood Assurance or the Better Business Bureau scholarships, or they may be state or national awards. We post all of these on this college blog, so it's a good idea to check back here from time to time. If you see something you're interested in, it is your responsibility to follow through with the application, but we are always happy to provide recommendations and transcripts if necessary. A parent's place of employment, your church, and civic organizations (Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, etc.) are also resources.
Finally, there are several websites you might want to consider. These will provide you with hundreds of opportunities, but it will require a great deal of research on your part. One word of caution: do not ever pay anyone to search for scholarships for you. The following sites are free, but you will have to register in order to begin.
www.fastweb.com
www.studentscholarships.org
For information on the Tennessee lottery and other state scholarships, visit http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/. There is no separate application for the Tennessee lottery scholarship, however, parents must complete the FAFSA regardless of financial need.
Georgia residents can find lottery scholarship information at http://bit.ly/1bLELL4. Students who live in Georgia but attend GPS will qualify for the Georgia Hope Scholarship as long as they meet the academic criteria. There is no application, but GPS does have to send your final transcript to the Georgia Finance Commission office, and we will do that following graduation.
One final note. To qualify for need-based aid, your parents will have to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal student Aid). This cannot be submitted until January, 2014, but if you want to bookmark the site now, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile (http://bit.ly/1af7AJa) for need-based aid, and every college will have it's own deadline for submission. Make sure you check with each school you are applying to for their specific requirements.
As nice as it would be if scholarships would just fall into your lap, the bottom line is finding scholarships takes time and effort. I often say it's like one giant research project, and perhaps this is one place where your parents can help. While you're busy putting the finishing touches on your admissions application, let them do some of this research for you. Then you can sit down together and formulate a plan of attack.
First, start with the college's website. Don't just skim; carefully read the scholarship/financial aid pages, from the general scholarships, which may include merit, leadership, or service based awards to the departmental opportunities. Some scholarships require separate applications, and some have different deadlines than your application for admission, so be sure you are aware of the requirements. If you need recommendations, we have those on file, so there is no need to ask a new teacher to write for you. Talk to your counselor about what is needed.
Then there are the outside or independent scholarships. These may include local possibilities like Blood Assurance or the Better Business Bureau scholarships, or they may be state or national awards. We post all of these on this college blog, so it's a good idea to check back here from time to time. If you see something you're interested in, it is your responsibility to follow through with the application, but we are always happy to provide recommendations and transcripts if necessary. A parent's place of employment, your church, and civic organizations (Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, etc.) are also resources.
Finally, there are several websites you might want to consider. These will provide you with hundreds of opportunities, but it will require a great deal of research on your part. One word of caution: do not ever pay anyone to search for scholarships for you. The following sites are free, but you will have to register in order to begin.
www.fastweb.com
www.studentscholarships.org
For information on the Tennessee lottery and other state scholarships, visit http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/. There is no separate application for the Tennessee lottery scholarship, however, parents must complete the FAFSA regardless of financial need.
Georgia residents can find lottery scholarship information at http://bit.ly/1bLELL4. Students who live in Georgia but attend GPS will qualify for the Georgia Hope Scholarship as long as they meet the academic criteria. There is no application, but GPS does have to send your final transcript to the Georgia Finance Commission office, and we will do that following graduation.
One final note. To qualify for need-based aid, your parents will have to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal student Aid). This cannot be submitted until January, 2014, but if you want to bookmark the site now, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile (http://bit.ly/1af7AJa) for need-based aid, and every college will have it's own deadline for submission. Make sure you check with each school you are applying to for their specific requirements.
As nice as it would be if scholarships would just fall into your lap, the bottom line is finding scholarships takes time and effort. I often say it's like one giant research project, and perhaps this is one place where your parents can help. While you're busy putting the finishing touches on your admissions application, let them do some of this research for you. Then you can sit down together and formulate a plan of attack.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
What Counselors Want to Say to Students
This post may be a little self-serving, but with our first deadline approaching (October 15), students and adults start to get a little crazy. That's why I think this note from Patrick O'Connor, Director of College Counseling at The Roeper School in Detroit, Michigan, is a valuable one to read.
There are many people who are supporting you, the student, through the process - your parents, your teachers, and your college counselor. Writing a recommendation takes time, and due to the different deadlines students have, your letter may not get written first. You can be sure of one thing, however. We've never missed a deadline, and we won't miss yours.
You also need to realize that just because you submitted your application at 9:05pm, that doesn't mean it will show up in the college's data base at 9:06. Likewise, they may have the transcript that we sent on a Monday, but it may not show up in their system until Thursday. Your test scores are not usually submitted overnight either. It can take several weeks for your ACT scores to make their way to their college destination. These things take time, and in a world that is accustomed to immediate gratification, the college process doesn't necessarily follow your timeline.
So take a deep breath. If you really are concerned that something is missing, first check Naviance to see if your transcript has indeed been submitted. It will tell you. If it has been sent, then trust us. The school has it, and we have a confirmation number to prove it. If something is missing from your college file (you know, when you check your application status on-line), come see your counselor before you assume the worst. If necessary, we will call and confirm that your file is complete.
And finally, at some point this semester, thank your teacher for writing such a beautiful recommendation about you. They care very much about your college search and want to do right by you. So stop and say thanks!
There are many people who are supporting you, the student, through the process - your parents, your teachers, and your college counselor. Writing a recommendation takes time, and due to the different deadlines students have, your letter may not get written first. You can be sure of one thing, however. We've never missed a deadline, and we won't miss yours.
You also need to realize that just because you submitted your application at 9:05pm, that doesn't mean it will show up in the college's data base at 9:06. Likewise, they may have the transcript that we sent on a Monday, but it may not show up in their system until Thursday. Your test scores are not usually submitted overnight either. It can take several weeks for your ACT scores to make their way to their college destination. These things take time, and in a world that is accustomed to immediate gratification, the college process doesn't necessarily follow your timeline.
So take a deep breath. If you really are concerned that something is missing, first check Naviance to see if your transcript has indeed been submitted. It will tell you. If it has been sent, then trust us. The school has it, and we have a confirmation number to prove it. If something is missing from your college file (you know, when you check your application status on-line), come see your counselor before you assume the worst. If necessary, we will call and confirm that your file is complete.
And finally, at some point this semester, thank your teacher for writing such a beautiful recommendation about you. They care very much about your college search and want to do right by you. So stop and say thanks!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Essay Tips
We've posted essay advice before, but it never hurts to be reminded of a few things, and these tips are as good as any. Sometimes I think students try so hard to write the perfect essay (or the perfect angel essay, as the author describes it), that it is not very authentic. It's more about who they want to be - or what they think the college wants to hear - rather then who they really are.
To get started, the writer suggests you interview other people who know you well - parents, grandparents, friends, even teachers - and ask them what they know about you. They may remember experiences that you have forgotten all about, or they may be able to recall events that help you illustrate your ideas. They just can't write the essay for you!
You could also try an exercise we did at application boot camp this year. Using lots of colored markers and crayons, we asked each student to draw a big picture of herself and then begin listing adjectives, holidays, people, vacations, memories...anything they could think of off the picture. They also talked to the people next to them to get ideas, but the end result was some possible essay topics. Come to think about it, it was kind of like interviewing yourself, and for some students, it worked.
Just remember girls, you're not trying to write the next great American novel. It's only an essay, and as long as you stay true to yourself, it will be good.
To get started, the writer suggests you interview other people who know you well - parents, grandparents, friends, even teachers - and ask them what they know about you. They may remember experiences that you have forgotten all about, or they may be able to recall events that help you illustrate your ideas. They just can't write the essay for you!
You could also try an exercise we did at application boot camp this year. Using lots of colored markers and crayons, we asked each student to draw a big picture of herself and then begin listing adjectives, holidays, people, vacations, memories...anything they could think of off the picture. They also talked to the people next to them to get ideas, but the end result was some possible essay topics. Come to think about it, it was kind of like interviewing yourself, and for some students, it worked.
Just remember girls, you're not trying to write the next great American novel. It's only an essay, and as long as you stay true to yourself, it will be good.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Time Management Tips
Most of us complain that there is simply not enough time in the day to do everything we need to do. Sometimes we don't know how to prioritize, and sometimes we don't know how to say "no." We think we have to do it all, but in reality, we don't. Whether you are in high school, college or the working world, these five tips for managing your time might help you become more organized and more efficient.
The one I like best is "plan time to relax." Maybe you just need to take a short break, get up from your desk, and move around. Likewise, perhaps you need to put the books down and think about nothing at all for a few minutes, and I don't mean spend that free time staring at an iPad, your phone or television. Get up, drink a glass of water, eat some fruit or go outside. Give your eyes and your brain some rest!
One other thought that particularly applies to high school students. You know you don't have to join every club in high school. If you don't have enough time to attend the meetings, then no matter how interested you may be, those clubs become resume fillers. College knows when you've overextended yourself, so instead, choose the activities you really care about and contribute to those in a meaningful way. Not only will that be more impressive, but it will be more rewarding for you.
The one I like best is "plan time to relax." Maybe you just need to take a short break, get up from your desk, and move around. Likewise, perhaps you need to put the books down and think about nothing at all for a few minutes, and I don't mean spend that free time staring at an iPad, your phone or television. Get up, drink a glass of water, eat some fruit or go outside. Give your eyes and your brain some rest!
One other thought that particularly applies to high school students. You know you don't have to join every club in high school. If you don't have enough time to attend the meetings, then no matter how interested you may be, those clubs become resume fillers. College knows when you've overextended yourself, so instead, choose the activities you really care about and contribute to those in a meaningful way. Not only will that be more impressive, but it will be more rewarding for you.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The value of being on your own
One of our alums recently emailed us with this advice for seniors:
"The thing I was most nervous about coming to college was meeting people. I've met most of my friends from classes, and from just hanging out on campus. Do not sit in your dorm room. If you a re bored, go walk around campus, hang out in the student center, or go to the rec center and play volleyball. The thing I've loved about being on such a big campus is that there is always something going on. There are tons of clubs, churches, and volunteer opportunities that I would encourage you to check out as well."
I admit that I too urge students to put themselves out there when they get to college. "Leave your door open," I say. "Having music blaring is a good way to get people to stop by." But some people really do like to be alone sometimes, and there's nothing wrong with that. I happen to be one of those people, and this college freshman reminded of how important that time can be. Yes, you should look for some extracurricular activity when you get to college, and you should go out to eat with other students occasionally. And sometimes you have to initiate the interaction! But if you are one of those people who also need to be alone sometimes (and that's the operative word), that's okay too.
"The thing I was most nervous about coming to college was meeting people. I've met most of my friends from classes, and from just hanging out on campus. Do not sit in your dorm room. If you a re bored, go walk around campus, hang out in the student center, or go to the rec center and play volleyball. The thing I've loved about being on such a big campus is that there is always something going on. There are tons of clubs, churches, and volunteer opportunities that I would encourage you to check out as well."
I admit that I too urge students to put themselves out there when they get to college. "Leave your door open," I say. "Having music blaring is a good way to get people to stop by." But some people really do like to be alone sometimes, and there's nothing wrong with that. I happen to be one of those people, and this college freshman reminded of how important that time can be. Yes, you should look for some extracurricular activity when you get to college, and you should go out to eat with other students occasionally. And sometimes you have to initiate the interaction! But if you are one of those people who also need to be alone sometimes (and that's the operative word), that's okay too.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
How to Match Your Common Application with Naviance
Seniors: Before we can electronically send your transcripts and recommendations to colleges, you must first match your Common Application with your Naviance account. For a quick how-to video, check out http://vimeo.com/73384070. It will only take you a minute to watch it!
Are relationships difficult for ambitious young women?
According to this article in USA Today, "women earn about 60% of all bachelor's degrees, get better grades than their male peers and have even regained all the jobs they lost during the Great Recession." So perhaps it is no wonder than relationships can be strained - even disintegrate - as a result. There are many interesting questions to ponder here: Is there a direct correlation between a person's professional goals and their relationships, as one student suggests? Is it really more difficult for men to see their partners succeed at a higher rate? How closely linked are ambition and romance?
I don't believe this is exactly new news, but as women become more and more successful, perhaps it is more and more of a problem. Many books and articles I've read over the last few years seem to suggest that is true. So what, if anything, can be done about it? It's good food for thought.
I don't believe this is exactly new news, but as women become more and more successful, perhaps it is more and more of a problem. Many books and articles I've read over the last few years seem to suggest that is true. So what, if anything, can be done about it? It's good food for thought.
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