A free summer experience!!!

Almost nothing is free these days, but the Leadership Summer Experience at Converse College will be free for the rising juniors and seniors who are selected.  Not only will you meet other high school students with similar passions, you will gain knowledge, values and skills to become a more effective leader.

For more information and to apply, go to http://bit.ly/1DKNeqy

How many colleges should I apply to?

This is an often asked question, and after reading a recent article about a high school where most students apply to 45 schools or more, I thought it was time for an answer.  And the answer is...NOT 45!

Applying to college is supposed to be a thoughtful process, one in which a student takes the time to research her schools based on well-thought out criteria. It is about finding schools that truly fit.  For some that might mean the campus culture or academic programs.  Diversity might be an important issue, just as the climate for women or one's religious beliefs might be critical components of the college search.  I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to investigate 45 schools, much less spend quality time on each campus.

Just as the counselor in the article is proud of their school's 5,000 college applications, I am equally proud of the fact that our students average around six college applications a year.  That tells me that they have done a good job of finding schools where they will be academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically happy.  It tells me that they are not trying to rack up acceptances, and they have given deep consideration to what will work for them. (I would love to see how someone answers the "What do you want to go to this school?" question 45 different times.)

Of course, we always have students who apply to more than six schools, and often financial considerations play a role in that (perfectly understandable).  But when April comes, and it is time to make a final decision, their list is manageable, and they can make an informed decision.

So what really is the answer to the question?  Most college counselors will tell you that five to eight colleges is a good target, and we would agree.  Instead of spending all of your senior year filling out college applications, try spending it on studying, participating in co-curricular activities, and simply having a life.

2015-16 Common App Prompts

If you haven't already seen the new Common Applications essay prompts for 2015-16, they were released a few weeks ago.  Although the wording has changed on the first three, the questions are essentially the same.  (The changes are noted in italics.)  Question #4 is really the only new question, replacing the "describe a place where you are perfectly content" prompt.

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

What to do on a summer afternoon

The novelist Henry James once said that the two most beautiful words in the English language were "summer afternoon."  We couldn't agree more, but as college counselors, we also know that the summer months offer students excellent opportunities to pursue some of their outside interests.

So, we would like to offer some suggestions for how to spend some of those lazy days of summer.

• Take a vacation. Yes, you heard us.  Take some time off to rest your brain. Don't think about school, don't think about college. Just relax.
• Find a place where you would like to volunteer, but consider working with an organization that is connected to something you might like to do in the future. If you're interested in a medical field, then volunteering at the hospital makes sense.  If you've thought about a career in journalism, see if the newspaper or perhaps a local magazine  might have room for an unpaid intern.  Budding artists might check with the Hunter Museum.  The Chattanooga Food Bank, the Community Kitchen, or Room at the Inn might also need some summer volunteers.  This is only the beginning of a list of possibilities.
• Look for a job.  Chattanooga is full of tourist attractions, so consider Ruby Falls (we just recently posted that one), Rock City, the Aquarium, or the Children's Museum. Check with the Chattanooga Lookouts or some of the downtown restaurants like Community Pie. Perhaps they're looking for some summer help.
• Discover the pleasures of reading a book just for fun.  Find an author you like - Edith Wharton, Jane Austen, Jane Smiley, Gillian Flynn, Anita Diamant, you name it - read everyone of her books.  Or you could read lots of books in a specific genre: science fiction, biographies, historical fiction, you get the picture.  If you've always wanted to know more about the history of the blues or jazz, then do that now.  If you've always had an interest in middle eastern philosophers or Jackson Pollock, fin some books and start reading.
• You could do the same with films.  Choose a specific genre of films and watch as many of them as you can.  Keep a journal detailing what you've learned.
• Speaking of journals and writing, perhaps this is a good summer to start that poem, short story, or novel you've always wanted to write.
• Learn something new.  Have you always wanted to know how to cook or sew or change the oil in your car?  Now is a good time to learn.  Take a dance class in hip hop or tap.  Take guitar or xylophone lessons. Learn to juggle or play chess.  Learn to throw pots or play badminton.
• Traveling is always fun, because not only can it help you relax, but you can learn something too.  Before you head out to Yellowstone, New Orleans, or Germany, discover the history of the place.  Take lots of pictures and perhaps ask a teacher if you could do a brief presentation when you get back to school.
• Write a song, make a movie, start your own business.  

Whatever you do, we wholeheartedly believe that you should carve out some time for yourself.

As another of my favorite quotes says:

     ",,,to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of 

      water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time."

Come back to school refreshed and ready to go.

What Do YOU Think About Video Surveillance Cameras on College Campus'?

Your thoughtful opinion you could earn you scholarship dollars.  VideoSurveillance.com just launched a $1,000 school scholarship program. They are asking that students submit a 250-300 word essay on surveillance cameras in a college campus setting. The deadline for students to apply is August 1st, 2015. Students can apply directly through our site here: http://www.videosurveillance.com/College-Scholarship-Application.asp.

Looking for a Summer Job?

Gain valuable customer relations skills and earn some ca$h this summer while welcoming tourists to our incredible city.  Ruby Falls is now accepting applications for part-time employment as tour guides, gift/food service, and parking lot attendants.  Interested candidates can apply online or in person at rubyfalls.com or 1720 South Scenic Highway.

The Summer Business Experience is available locally at UTC!

UTC's College of Business is offering a six-day, residential summer program to rising seniors who want to learn more about careers in business.  Participants will live in the dorm, interact with expert faculty and business leaders, and meet top-level executives during behind-the-scenes tours of operations and facilities.  To apply and learn more about the program visit: utc.edu/business-summer