The Personal Touch and the Senior Bucket List

I tweeted these two articles @gpscollege yesterday, but because both of them discuss issues that I think are valuable, I wanted to briefly mention them on the blog as well.

First, the power of the personal.  Research shows that even the slightest personal touch can make a difference in a student's college success, and to me, it stands to reason that the same can be said for their high school career.  I also believe it goes both ways.  Colleges and high schools need to find ways to engage students both in and out of the classrooms, but students also need to make the effort to find ways to connect with their school.  Many times I've told students that they cannot sit in their dorm room and wait for someone to "ask them to come out and play."  College is the perfect time to try some activities that you've never tried before and joining a club is an ideal way to meet new people outside your normal friend zone. The bottom line is that being involved in even one activity can make a student happier and more successful.

For those parents who are already dreading the day their daughter leaves for college, the second article, "A Parent's Last Call List for Senior Year" also offers some terrific advice.  Taking your daughter to college is a privileged moment in time and should be celebrated! This is, after all, what it is all about.

Have a safe weekend everyone!

STEM, or is it STEAM?

One of the most interesting things I heard while I was at NACAC was that you don't have to be an A student to be an engineer.  That may not surprise some of you, but since I'm not a math person, I just assumed you had to be really, really strong in math to go down that path.

Now, it would be disingenuious to suggest that you don't have to like math or have at least somewhat a head for it, but there's so much more to the STEM fields than that.  Engineers, computer scientists, etc. don't just sit in a cubicle all day by themselves.  They collaborate with many groups of people, and they are some of the most creative people in the workplace (this is where the arts - STEAM- comes into play).  One engineer I spoke with said she was looking for students who could create and organize a project, one who could harness the support of her classmates to accomplish the project.  So you can be a really good mathmetician but perhaps not such a good engineer.

STEM fields go far beyond the math-science paradigm.  These days there are so many more paths to follow: computational math, packaging science, media arts and technology, game design, computing security, ceramics engineering - and that is only the tip of the iceberg.  Science, technology, engineering and math are much more interdisiplinary that some people think (frankly many careers are).  Having a good grasp of history and the arts and music and psychology and political science, and many other subjects can actually make you a better engineer or doctor or teacher or businesswoman or college counselor...even if you're not a straight A math girl.

Demonstrated Interest...One More Time

I promise I will stop writing about this topic at some point (well, maybe) but having participated in a session on this topic at the NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counselors) Conference today, I thought it important to mention one more time.

Whether you think it fair or not, there are quite a few colleges and universities that track a student's interest and they use it in some way when making an admissions decision.  The good news is that it's really not that hard to do.  Here are a few tips that might help.

1.  If an admissions representative is visiting your high school, make a point of speaking with him or her.  Many of you did this last Tuesday night at our first GPS/McCallie college night program, and a few more of you demonstrated your interest by stopping by the college office to speak with Lehigh and Baylor during the day.

2.  When you visit a college campus, make sure the admissions office knows you're there.  Don't just go spend the night with your sister or an alum, do the official tour.

3.  You might be surprised what a simple hand-written thank you note will do.

So far, so good, right?  This isn't so hard.  Now keep reading.

4.  Do the optional statement on the application if there is one.  This is a chance for you to explain to the school why you are a fabulous fit for them.  You have the opportunity to talk about your campus visit.  Tell them about something you saw, something you read, or something you heard while on your tour...something that appealed to you or piqued your interest even further.  Even if you haven't visited, you can write about something special the admission counselor told you or a special program you read about on the school's website.  Read the courses you will have to take.  Yes, you read that right: read the course catalog.  Is there a class that is of particular interest to you?  (By the way, this will keep you from saying you want to major in something that the college doesn't even have.) Tell them how you became interested in the school in the first place. Was it your college counselor, a friend, an unplanned visit that hooked you? They like to know these things.

And take it one step further.  Read the school's mission.  Does it resonate with you?  If the school's goal is to produce social activists or global citizens, does that describe you too, and if so, what have you done that falls in line with their mission?  Colleges are looking for "fit," so if you fit, explain why (but be specific).

5.  Even after you have applied, stay in touch with the admissions counselor. Don't get carried away, of course, but you can email her if there's something new to add to your application.  Perhaps you got the starring role in the musical or your basketball team made it to the state tournament.  Maybe you've started volunteering at the Northside Neighborhood House, or your physics grade has dramatically improved.  A word of caution though:  your emails should be professional, grammatically correct, and to the point.  And no silly email addresses.  Use your GPS one.

Here's the bottom line: Contacting the college in a meaningful and purposeful way is a way to continue showing your interest and your knowledge about the school.  And that is never, ever a bad thing to do.

What is a NACAC conference?

Even though my students know I'm attending the annual NACAC conference this week, they probably don't realize what that means for them.

First of all, NACAC stands for the National Association of College Admission Counseling, an organization of which we are a member.  By being a member, it means that we also abide by their Statement of Principles of Good Practice.  It's a code of sorts, kind of like the GPS Honor Code, and we take it very seriously.

This week thousands of high school and college admissions professionals are gathering in Indianapolis for the conference.  It is a time for professional development, with sessions ranging from athletic recruitment to financial aid to how to write effective recommendations.  As a member of our regional board of directors, Mrs. Goldbach will also be voting on issues that are important to the entire membership, including our students.  And along with my colleagues from Tulane, Rhodes, and Pitzer, I will be presenting a session on the use of demonstrated interest in the admissions process, a topic that I have written about before in this blog.

But perhaps more important for our students, there are two reasons why we attend this conference. First, we have the opportunity to network with colleges and universities all across the United States. We are here to promote GPS, to explain the value of a GPS education, and to assure the colleges that if they accept our students, they are getting some of the most curious, creative, and interesting students anywhere.  Second, we are able to advocate specifically for our girls.  We will have the time to speak with admissions representatives from Wake Forest and Furman, Georgia and Washington University in St. Louis, Tulane and Duke, just to name a few.  We have the chance to mention girls by name, discuss their strengths, and explain why our girls will be a good fit for their college(s).  This conference is all about our girls.

We believe that GPS girls are outstanding, and we want to make sure our college counterparts know that too!  So while you continue to work hard in school, know that we will be spreading the gospel of GPS here in Indiana.

What factors count in the college process?

Today's post isn't really going to be a surprise; after all, I'm sure you've heard it all before.  But it doesn't hurt to remind you what factors will be important when you apply to college.  And if you are a freshman or sophomore, you should particularly pay attention to this information.

Grades matter. Yep, they really do.  But so does the strength of your curriculum, so if you are contemplating dropping that honors or AP course (or that fourth year of a foreign language), you need to think twice.  Why are you really dropping it?  You don't like the teacher, or you don't want to work that hard? How might someone else interpret that?  More important, what does it say about you?  It's okay to struggle sometimes, and some of the best teacher recommendations I have ever read were about students who struggled mightily.  Your willingness to work hard and stick with it says a lot to colleges.

It is also important to note that some colleges - about half of them - consider 'demonstrated interest' as a factor in admission.  That means they want to know you're serious about your application.  It means you have taken the time to talk to an admissions representative and/or visit campus. You've read the website and consulted other sources.  And when you answer the question "why do you want to attend this college," you can explain why the school is a good fit for you.

Every year the National Association of College Admission Counseling surveys its members to see what factors are important in the admission process, but they also explain how different colleges (for example, large universities or smaller colleges) use that information.  Your college counselor is another valuable resource, because she knows how it's done.

Now get back to work.

Rankings....Bleech!

I've talked about rankings before, so I'm not going to say too much, except "don't go down that road." The purpose of the college process is to help you find schools that FIT YOU, not schools that fit someone else's idea of what makes one college better than another.  You all know that there are wildly successful people who attended all types of colleges and universities, and not everyone who attends a highy ranked school is successful.

There all all sorts of rankings: best colleges, best food, happiest students, most socially aware, best college traditions, best place to party, prettiest campuses,  oddest mascots...you can find a list of just about everything.  The US News and World rankings are probably the most popular, but The New York Times is about to jump into the frey.  Like I said, just don't go there.

But if you are tempted to jump into the rankings and ratings game (or you know you're going to despite my warning), take a few minutes to read this advice from The National Association of College Admission Counseling.  It's good stuff.

Alternative Applications

Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland has been in the news lately for its decision to allow students to submit a video application instead of the traditional one.  More specifically, rather than send in test scores, essays, and recommendations, students can send in a self-produced two minute video that explains why they want to attend Goucher and how they hope to thrive once they get there.  Goucher is not the first college to do this however; several years ago Tufts University began accepting videos as a supplement to the traditional application.

While I agree with the "experts" that the college application is difficult and perhaps even a mess, there are potential pitfalls with the video application as well.  In an interview with NPR last week, Robert Sternberg, a professor at Cornell University and formerly of Tufts, said "Goucher is making a step in the right direction by introducing new ways to allow students to say who they really are."  But he added, "video applications might backfire for some students," because it "puts an emphasis on how well you perform for a camera."  Some people will naturally perform better than others, and despite the fact that Goucher claims it will not give more credence to videos that are more slickly produced than others (and I believe they will make every effort to do that), I worry that it opens up another "arms race" of sorts, i.e. who can produce the most professional video (sound, lights, backdrop, etc.)?

There are other alternative application practices that colleges have adopted . Many have stopped requiring standardized tests*, and every year more and more colleges are adding their names to that list.  Others, like Bard, College, have come up with ideas like the Bard Entrance Exam, an on-line essay students may choose to take.

I don't claim to have the solution for making the application process fairer, but I appreciate that colleges are beginning to try.

*For the complete list of colleges that do not require standardized tests, go to FairTest.org.

What makes a good college fit...the finale.

Before we wrap up this first week of September, I have a few more comments to make about what makes a college a good fit.

There are many more questions a prospective student can ask, such as:

1. What health and counseling services are available?
2. What career counseling or job services are available, and how soon can students take advantage of them?
3. What spiritual opportunities are there for students? 
4. Do students from different cultures and religions interact with each other? What about students with differing political or social views?
5. And one of my favorites, how are women treated on campus? Are there women in major leadership positions - students, faculty, and administration?  

All of these things may not be important to you right now, but you have to think big picture.  They will be somewhere down the road and perhaps sooner than you think.

In the end, the decision will be up to you.  Some students have that tingling feeling when they walk on a campus...it just feels right.  But don't be disappointed if that doesn't happen to you.  If you will take your time, ask more in-depth questions, do your research, and then put all that information together, you will end up with several colleges on your list that will fit you just fine.

Have a safe weekend, everyone!

Do I fit in? - Part 3

Perhaps one of the hardest things to figure out about a college is whether or not you, the person, will fit in with everyone else. You can ask specific questions about classes and activities, but how do you determine if you will fit it once the newness wears off?

Some students can walk onto a campus and just know or at least they think they do.  I've heard more than one student say "It just feels right" or "I can just see myself here," but if you don't immediately feel that way, does that mean it's not a good fit?  Maybe or maybe not.

You have to be careful about believing everything you read or hear. Some colleges have reputations for being party schools or nerdy schools. Some are considered super intense academically, while other are laid back, almost anything goes kind of places.  At least that's what other people say they are.  Listening to other people's opinions is part of your research, but you also have to be careful about their motivation.  It might seem odd, but when some people are unhappy with their own choices, they want others to be unhappy too; it's a validation of their feelings, if you will.  That's one reason why campus visits, including overnight stays and classroom visits, are so important.  We always suggest that you spend some time just sitting and watching the world go by.  You can tell a lot by watching how students interact with each other when they're walking to class or hanging out in the student center.  Mrs. Goldbach likes to tell students to be aware of how many students are wearing college themed t-shirts (not just any college, but the one they're attending). And if you're brave enough - and you should be - stop a random student and ask a few questions.  I promise most of them will be happy to talk to you.

When taking a campus tour, you should always walk up front so you can talk to your tour guide. He or she is a great resource, and chances are, if you get them talking, you can get more out of them than just the canned tour speech.  Ask how they would characterize the student body? Do most students tend to get along with other students? Do they feel supported by the faculty and administration? Do they support each other by attending plays, recitals, athletic events, speakers, etc.? Is the school politically active, service minded, or party central? Add their opinions to the mix but decide for yourself.

The Prospect, one of the blogs I follow, had a student take on whether or not a college's student body should matter.  Written by a current college student, it's a good perspective on fitting in, and I encourage you to read it.

So talk to lots of people, seek out multiple opinions, read the guidebooks, and spend as much time on campus as you can.  Slowly but surely you'll figure out if it's a good fit for you.

Finding a good fit - Part 2

Academics may be the most important part of finding a college that fits you, but obviously there's more to college life than the classes you take. Frankly, most colleges want their students to be involved in extracurricular activities, because most studies show that students who are involved in the life of the school, tend to better and happier students.

Chances are you may gravitate toward some of the activities you were involved in while in high school, but one of the best things about college is that there are so many more things to do.  Though she had no training, I remember one of our students joined the competitive ballroom dancing club at her college. Other students have become part of the campus radio station, the ultimate frisbee team, and sustainability clubs.  The types of clubs you can join are almost endless: cultural, political, faith-based, the arts, academics, service, the environment, food, media, and many other special interests.  The point is this is your chance to explore ideas and groups you never even knew existed.

For some however, sororities and sports are often the first things that come to mind, and if you live in the south, it's hard not to get excited about football. But before you choose a college based on a football team, remember that schools only have four or five home games a year, so that tailgate atmosphere doesn't last all year long. Rather than choose a school based on their winning streak, consider how you can get involved in club or intramural sports. Perhaps this is your chance to take up field hockey or bowling - things you may have never tried before. If you are interested in playing on a more competitive level, make sure you understand the time commitment your sport will require.  Division I athletics requires a huge amount of time, so know what you're getting into before you commit.

Greek life can offer great networking opportunities, philanthropic possibilities, and life long friendships, and for some girls, it allows them to immediately become part of something at their college.  Even though she wasn't initially interested, my own daughter joined a sorority and found that much like her all-girls high school experience, it automatically gave her a group of sisters and made the transition to college much easier.  In addition, sororities and fraternities offer many philanthropic opportunities, potential career networks, and life-long friendships. So if you're thinking about joining a Greek organization, ask about the procedure (recruitment). What percentage of students are involved in Greek life; are their activities open to other students? Is recruitment open in the fall or spring? If you don't join freshmen year, will the opportunity still be available sophomore year?  What is the college's policy on hazing, and how closely is it followed?

In general, here are some other questions to ask.

• How much time do students devote to co-curricular activities?
• How do students meet with others with similar interests? In other words, how do you find out what's available, and how do you go about signing up?
• How supportive is the administration of social and co-curricular activities?
• Are there clubs/organizations that directly connect to your major or career goals? And even if you're not majoring in a specific discipline (like theater or music), can you still participate in those activities?

College will be what you make of it, and I always tell my students that no one is going to come knock your door and ask you to come out and play.  You have to go out on that limb and find some activities that appeal to you.  Trust me, it will make you a happier and healthier college student.

Is this college a good fit? Part 1

In the world of college admissions, we often talk about "fit," as in, is this college really a good fit  for a student.  At first glance, that may not seem like such a difficult question.  Do they have your major? Do they offer study abroad opportunities? Are classes taught by professors or TA's? Even do they have a football team?  Those question can typically be found on every "what to ask" list, and they are the questions most often answered in an information session.  But how do you really know if a school is a good fit for you?
At GPS, we encourage our students to consider that question in several different ways - academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually - but how do you really know?

. Yes, a school may have your major, but what if you change your mind? How easy is it to switch from one to another? What kind of academic counseling will you receive? How soon can you start taking your major classes? Are their internships or research opportunities available to you, and how soon can you take advantage of those? What types of clubs, honorary societies, or other activities are there that relate to your major? After graduation, what have other students in the field gone on to do? Read the course catalog. It may not be scintillating, but it will describe the courses you will have to take. Do they interest you, or do they make you yawn? Does the curriculum address current issues in the field, or does it seem pretty traditional?

But these questions are still only a starting point, and sadly I would wager that many students don't go beyond this.  According to a guide published by the National Survey of Student Engagement (one we distribute to all juniors), other questions to ask include:

1. In what ways do faculty challenge students to leave their comfort zone in order to excel?
2. How often do faculty meet with students outside of class? What does the institution do to promote student-faculty contact?
3. How much writing is expected? How much reading is assigned per class? What are exams like?
4. In what ways are students given the opportunity to express themselves creatively in assignments?
5. What kind of feedback do students receive on their work, and how often?
6. How often are things learned in class discussed outside of the classroom, and in what ways do students work together on solving problems in and out of class?

Finding a college that truly fits what you need takes a lot of research.  If the admissions representative can't answer all your questions, then ask to speak with a professor in your department of interest.  Inquire about sitting in on a few classes and talk to the professor afterward if there's time.  And don't be afraid to talk to current students; they are a valuable resource.

In today's economy, it makes sense to pay more attention to the academic preparation you will receive in college, but I also realize that there's more to college than just going to class.  So tomorrow we will take a look at some of the other ways students can determine fit.  Stay tuned.