We always love it when we read a national story that supports what we've been telling the girls for several years now. You need to develop your own "elevator speech," a 30-60 second personal marketing pitch. It's a great tool to have when you start looking for a job, but it's also an awesome way to introduce yourself to a college rep. You may not be the most extroverted person in the world, but we believe all of our students have a few strengths and/or interests they can discuss, and if you aren't quite so outgoing, having a prepared pitch can make it easier on you.
Calling all about-to-be seniors! You should have your own personal elevator speech ready to go!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
How TV can prepare you for college
I can't help myself with this one. My daughter and I were big fans of Gilmore Girls, a show that went off the air in 2007 but can still be seen daily in reruns. So when I saw this blog on how the television show helped prepare the writer for college, I just had to post it.
However, I do have to add that not all movies and TV shows present a real-life view of the college world. For one thing, the size of the Rory's dorm room is unrealistic. And hopefully your mother doesn't come spend the night with you in the dorm (or visit you) quite as often as her mother did. Still, there are some lessons to be learned from the show and article. Have fun!
However, I do have to add that not all movies and TV shows present a real-life view of the college world. For one thing, the size of the Rory's dorm room is unrealistic. And hopefully your mother doesn't come spend the night with you in the dorm (or visit you) quite as often as her mother did. Still, there are some lessons to be learned from the show and article. Have fun!
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Looking for scholarships?
Given the cost of a college education these days, almost everyone is looking for a little relief. Finding a scholarship takes a lot of time and effort, but if you approach it like a research project - one step at a time - you just might find those scholarships you need.
USA Today College offers a helpful four step guide to finding scholarships, but it may not be quite as simple as they say. We suggest you start with the colleges you are interested in attending. Read through all of their general and departmental awards. In fact, this might be something your parents can do (after all, they usually want to play some role in your search). Your college counselor can also suggest a few colleges - schools that were not originally on your list - where you might be eligible for more money. In our experience, state universities aren't likely to give you huge sums of money, so even though that private school seems out of reach, they might not be. Just be open to the possibilities.
We're proud that 78% of the Class of 2014 received over seven million dollars in scholarships this year, and of that amount, they accepted close to four million dollars worth of merit, talent, or athletic based awards. They did that by considering a wide range of college options, both close to home and far away. But it all starts with a little research and a lot of persistence.
USA Today College offers a helpful four step guide to finding scholarships, but it may not be quite as simple as they say. We suggest you start with the colleges you are interested in attending. Read through all of their general and departmental awards. In fact, this might be something your parents can do (after all, they usually want to play some role in your search). Your college counselor can also suggest a few colleges - schools that were not originally on your list - where you might be eligible for more money. In our experience, state universities aren't likely to give you huge sums of money, so even though that private school seems out of reach, they might not be. Just be open to the possibilities.
We're proud that 78% of the Class of 2014 received over seven million dollars in scholarships this year, and of that amount, they accepted close to four million dollars worth of merit, talent, or athletic based awards. They did that by considering a wide range of college options, both close to home and far away. But it all starts with a little research and a lot of persistence.
Monday, May 19, 2014
We're back and talking about leaving.
For the last two weeks we've been proctoring advanced placement exams, but now that they - and graduation - are behind us, we're ready to get back to work
One article that has been making the rounds lately is this one by the actor Rob Lowe. Titled "Unprepared," it is the emotional story of his son's leaving for college, an event that those of us who have been down this road will understand. Even under the best of circumstances, sending your child off to college is not an easy thing to do.
Following my own daughter's graduation many years ago, I was confident that she was ready. I knew she was independent, self-sufficient, and prepared, but that didn't make the leaving any less difficult. I cried. She cried. But this was the next step in her life, and I knew - and more important, she knew - she was going to be okay. As as matter of fact, she was going to be more than okay. She was going to be great, and I don't believe she has ever looked back.
This leaving home, well, that is the way it is supposed to be. As a parent, you do the best you can, and then you step back and watch them go. Sometimes they come back, and sometimes, they just go farther and farther away. But watching them take flight and soar to heights you never dreamed of is simply amazing. I adored my daughter when she was a child, but I also love the young woman she has become. Listening to her expound on politics, religion, and leadership is inspiring. Watching her speak to a group of students or parents and seeing her recognized in her chosen field makes me so proud. Now we are able to connect on a whole other level, and our relationship continues to grow and mature. It makes all the leaving and moving around the country worthwhile.
My advice for parents? Celebrate the accomplishments. Honor this special moment in time. Be proud of who your daughter has become. Recognize that this is the way it is supposed to be. Shed a few tears if you need to, but then step back, and watch her take flight. The best is yet to come.
One article that has been making the rounds lately is this one by the actor Rob Lowe. Titled "Unprepared," it is the emotional story of his son's leaving for college, an event that those of us who have been down this road will understand. Even under the best of circumstances, sending your child off to college is not an easy thing to do.
Following my own daughter's graduation many years ago, I was confident that she was ready. I knew she was independent, self-sufficient, and prepared, but that didn't make the leaving any less difficult. I cried. She cried. But this was the next step in her life, and I knew - and more important, she knew - she was going to be okay. As as matter of fact, she was going to be more than okay. She was going to be great, and I don't believe she has ever looked back.
This leaving home, well, that is the way it is supposed to be. As a parent, you do the best you can, and then you step back and watch them go. Sometimes they come back, and sometimes, they just go farther and farther away. But watching them take flight and soar to heights you never dreamed of is simply amazing. I adored my daughter when she was a child, but I also love the young woman she has become. Listening to her expound on politics, religion, and leadership is inspiring. Watching her speak to a group of students or parents and seeing her recognized in her chosen field makes me so proud. Now we are able to connect on a whole other level, and our relationship continues to grow and mature. It makes all the leaving and moving around the country worthwhile.
My advice for parents? Celebrate the accomplishments. Honor this special moment in time. Be proud of who your daughter has become. Recognize that this is the way it is supposed to be. Shed a few tears if you need to, but then step back, and watch her take flight. The best is yet to come.
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