My College Visits



Wellesley College

Like you, we're often on the road visiting colleges and universities across the United States. I've recently returned from visiting Babson College, Olin College of Engineering, and Wellesley College.  Although each school is unique, perhaps what is most interesting about them is the collaborative program that they have with each other.  For example, you may be interested in pursuing chemical engineering at Olin, but you can combine that with entrepreneurship at Babson.  Or you may study business at Babson, but want to combine that with a language study from Wellesley.  There are all sorts of combinations.

Babson College specializes in business and entrepreneurship, in fact it's entirely devoted to it; Olin College is devoted to engineering and specializes in its project based approach to the subject.  Both schools emphasize collaborative learning, and the networking and internship possibilities are   excellent!  Wellesley College, of course, is an all-women's college, but rather than turn up your nose at the thought of it, you should at least take a look.  Just walking the halls with all the pictures of their famous alumni - Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Nora Ephron, Diane Sawyer - just to name a few. It's an outstanding school for the natural sciences, political science, international relations...just about everything!  Each school is different, but individually and together, they're worth considering.

More Grads Than Jobs?

At least one report states that the number of college graduates outpaces the number of jobs that require a traditional four-year college degree.  If you have that entrepreneurial spirit however, you could start your own business, even though that spirit seems to be on the decline in some students.

Fitting In...in College

Even though you've heard it from us before - and most recently seniors heard the same advice from Rick Clark, Director of Admission at Georgia Tech - sometimes hearing it from an actual college student makes more sense.  So, here's one college sophomore's opinion on the benefits of getting involved in campus life.  As the author says, it may (and probably will) take until at least second semester, but if you'll give it time, you too can find a way to fit in on your college campus.

Those Pesky Standardized Tests

Here's an interesting comment about text anxiety, a condition many students say they have.  Rather than use it as an excuse however, perhaps it's better to try and face it head on.  On the other hand, perhaps there are better assessments to the SAT and the ACT, assessments that might measure leadership ability, determination, and ability to meet long-range goals.  Although there is research going on in this area, many people are not confident that the measure are reliable at this point.

And finally, since we're talking about tests, see if you can answer this English question from The Learning Network on The New York Times website.

No More AP Credits at Dartmouth

Dartmouth College has decided not to give college credit for AP exams any more.  Although the college still believes that the courses are useful in preparing students for college level work, after years of discussion, they decided that they really aren't the same as a college level course.  In recent years, some schools have tightened up the criteria for receiving credit, only accepting 4's or 5's on the AP exams.  It will be interesting to see if other schools begin to follow suit.

Net Price Calculators

Many people know that the federal government now requires colleges to provide a net-price calculator on their website so that parents can get an idea of how much it will actually cost them to send their child to college.  It is important to remember however, that every college may use a different formula for calculating costs, so these on-line estimates are generally just that...an estimate.  We still believe that families should go ahead and apply for financial aid, because you just never know.

On Gender, the FAFSA, and more

Does the gender of your daughter's teacher matter?  According to one study, "females elementary school teachers' comfort with mathematics has an outsize effect on the girls they teach.  On the other hand, gender doesn't seem to make any difference for boys.

These days, perhaps one question that should always be asked of a college or university is "how financially stable are you?"  Moody's Investor Services, a leading provider of credit ratings and risk analysis, has just downgraded the outlook for higher education.

And finally, if you're still working on the FAFSA,  the New York Times is continuing to answer questions about the FAFSA on their education blog.

Mean Girls?

A friend of ours sent this link to us today, and since we're always interested in topics related to girls, we thought we would share it with you.

The Summer Science Program

What: A 39-day residential enrichment program in which students, working in teams of three, learn astrophysics, calculus, and programming needed to observe a near-earth asteroid and calculate its orbit from their own observations.

Who: High schol juniors from around the world, gifted in math ans science, currently taking calculus or pre-calculus.

How: Applications are due by March 1st. Get all the details at: www.summerscience.org.

Tennessee Lottery and Georgia Hope Scholarship Info

Be aware that in order to receive the Tennessee Lottery Scholarship, you will need a 3.0 GPA and either a 980 SAT or 21 ACT.  You MUST complete the FAFSA, regardless of income, in order to qualify for this scholarship, but there is no other application.

There is no application for the Georgia Hope Scholarship nor do you need to complete the FAFSA.  If you are a resident of the state of Georgia and decide to attend school in Georgia, we will send your final transcript to the Hope Scholarship Office.  That's all that has to be done.  Please be advised that Georgia will recalculate your GPA according to their standards.

FAFSA Questions and Answers

The New York Times education blog, The Choice, is offering some answers to questions about the FAFSA for the next few days.  If you are in the midst of filling out this important financial aid form, you might want to check it out.

I also thought this article in yesterday's Times offered some good advice about the "parent/teacher" relationship. 

Benefits of a College Degree

Yesterday's New York Times published an article regarding the benefits of a college degree, especially during the last recession and afterward.  "The study, published on Wednesday by the Pew Charitable Trusts, shows that among Americans age 21-24, the drop in employment and income was much steeper among people who lacked a college degree."

FAFSA Questions

If you are the parent of a senior and working on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you might want to see the answers to the three most frequestly asked questions.

Discovery Internships

Summer Discovery does not just occupy residence hall space on some of the world's most prestigious universities; rather the students are an integral part of the university summer session and community. Discovery Internships takes immense pride in offering more cutting-edge college credit, enrichment, internship, business institutes, community service, cultural immersion, and study abroad opportunities than any other organization.
For more information visit: www.summerdiscovery.com.

The Experiment in International Living

Expand - Experience - Explore - Experiment - Exceed - Examine

The Experiment in International Living has  a long and distinguished history. After 80 years and more than 70,000 participants, the Experiment in International Living remains a leader in the field of international cross-cultural education for high school students. Students choose among three-, four-, and five-week programs in 27 countries around the world.
Apply online at: www.experimentinternational.org.

Advice for Seniors

As a senior, you are not completely finished with the college process until you successfully graduate.  No matter where you are in the process, we agree with this advice for seniors, especially the part about avoiding "senioritis like the plague."  Colleges can - and will - rescind your offer of admission if your grades plummet.

Choosing a College...a must read!

Yesterday's New York Times had a wonderful article titled "How to Choose a College" that I think is a must read for all high school students.  Frank Bruni, a regular Times columnist argues that too many students choose the safe route, the one that provides them with the greatest sense of comfort.  Rather they should, he continues, choose the one that will challenge and provoke them.  After all, isn't that partly what college is for?

Education and the Fiscal Cliff

Yesterday we posted a brief article about how college tax credits were saved as part of the most recent fiscal cliff deal. However, we're not out of the woods yet. Programs like the FAFSA, Pell Grants, Americorps, and some job training programs may not be protected in future negotiations. Stay tuned for more details.   http://cnnmon.ie/WivImU

United States Naval Academy

Summer Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)
Rising 8th - Rising 11th graders: Application is open now.

Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS)
Rising 12th graders: application opens online on January 17, 2012.

Look for more information at: www.usna.edu/Admissions

Syracuse University Summer Dance Intensive

Ballet - Pointe - Variations - Partnering - Modern - Jazz - African Dance - Yoga - Performance

Summer Dance Intensive provides a unique and challenging dance experience - one that will help participants grow technically, artistically, and personally. Dance classes are led by renowned faculty and involve a comprehensive curriculum that includes exposure to live performances, history, and reportory. The mission of the Summer Intensive is to develop well-rounded dancers through exposure to a variety of disciplines, with emphasis on classical ballet technique.
An audition and application is required for acceptance to the Summer Dance Intensive. Video auditions are accepted.
For more information visit the Dance Intensive website: www.summercollege.syr.edu/ballet

American Dance Festival at Duke University

Founded in 1934 in Bennington, Vermont, with choreographers Martha Graham, Hanya Hold, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, the Festival serves professional and pre-professional dancers from around the world.
The ADF is held for six weeks each summer at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The studios and student dormitories are spread across the Geortian-style campus. ADF students are able to use Duke facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, bookstores, libraries, and computer labs.
At the heart of ADF dancers from around the country and around the world come to train and to create, to see, and to be seen. Students of all levels are invited to engage in collaborative creative processes, with ADF's  diverse and outstanding faculty, extraordinary musicians, and vibrant student body.
An essential component of the student experience during the summer  is the opportunity to see an exciting array of programs featuring companies representing both the established greats and the cutting edge in modern dance.
The minimum age for application is 16. Students under 18 will live in a supervised dorm.

Apply online: www.americandancefestival.org

St. John's College Summer Academy 2013

STUDY original texts chosen to highlight questions important to the human mind and spirit.

COLLABORATE with fellow students and college faculty in energetic, disciplined classroom conversations.

LIVE in a campus environment where life of the classroom permeates the life of the community.

EXPLORE local history, cultural attractions and natural beauty through supervised group excursions.

QUESTION your assumptions, examine, the alternatives, articulate your ideas, learn to listen actively, and liberate your mind.

The Summer Academy offers rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience the distinctive community of St. John's College.

For more information: www.stjohnscollege.edu

Beloit College Summer FIELDS

Do more with your summer (or at least three weeks of it). Get a taste of college life, earn college credit, meet new people, and explore and stoke a new or existing passion while working one-on-one with faculty at Beloit College. One of the nation's best-known and most highly regarded liberal arts colleges. Whether your interests lie in the ecology of apes, poetry and creative writing, two-dimensional drawing and design, or how museum collections are created and preserved, you will find a Summer FIELDS course that interests you.
If you are a rising junior or senior, learn more and apply: www.beloit.edu/summerfields

College Tax Credits

In case you missed it, college tax credits were saved as part of the fiscal cliff deal: http://bit.ly/VkFh6a
 

Checklist for Choosing a College

There are so many things to think about before you choose your college destination, and since we are beginning junior college classes today, this seems like a good post. Actually it's not a bad checklist for seniors either.  Just keep in mind that you may have to negotiate on some of your "must-haves," but this list offers 25 questions you should be asking yourself.

Oh, and happy new year!