Parents: Are you ready for the college process?

Forbes.com recently posted an article written by a colleague of mine. Titled "Take the PSAT: Parent Student Assistance Test," it is a short quiz designed to see how prepared parents are for the college process. One question, however, particularly caught my eye because parents often struggle with the idea. To paraphrase question #6, "How will you react when you hear that another student - your neighbor, your best friend's son, or even someone you barely know - gets in and your daughter doesn't?

College admissions is rife with rumors.  Mary got into Georgia, and her ACT was lower than my daughter's.  My dentist's son was admitted to Vanderbilt, but his GPA and test scores are so much lower than my daughter's best friend.  I heard that a student at another high school got in because she insisted on an interview.  The rumors go on and on and on.

The reality is that you will never know all the details.  As the author of the article states, unless you were on the admissions committee, you do not know why a student was accepted or rejected.  In fact, in most cases you don't actually know another student's GPA or test scores; you only know what someone else told you they were.  News flash: people will fudge on those numbers. You also haven't read the essays or the recommendations, and you don't necessarily know what the college is looking for (more boys? more language majors? more cellists?). Yes, someone with lower test scores might have have been admitted when your child wasn't, but you will never know the real reason. Frustrating, isn't it?  I know it is, but as one highly selective college dean once told me, "College admissions is not a meritocracy."

Maybe the real frustration is that as parents, you don't have control over the admissions process.  You can help your daughter choose what you think are the right classes or the right activities, help her polish her interview skills or write a professional resume, enroll her in a test prep class, but once the application is submitted, you have no control over the outcome.

The bottom line is this.  Instead of trying to make herself into what she believes a college is looking for, your daughter will be much better served if she is her best self and then looks for a college that will appreciate her for who she truly is.  And then as hard as it may be, ignore the gossip.

Got An "A" in Algebra? That's Worth $120....

Raise Me is new way of accumulating micro scholarships from ninth grade on for academic and extracurricular achievements.  Every single GPS student should create a free, online account which rewards current successes while introducing students to over 130 participating colleges.  Raise Me was recently featured in the New York Times  and is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Join Raise Me and watch scholarship dollars add up!

An exciting new summer opportunity from Sewanee

The summer Sewanee Bridge Program has been redesigned and now includes a three-week head program for students interested in the healthcare or science professions.  Here are just a few details:

• The program will take place June 12-July 2, 206, on the University of the South campus.
• The $1575 cost covers tuition, room and board, plus field trips.  Limited financial aid is available for those who qualify.
• The healthcare track includes coursework in neuroscience, molecular science, calculus, and statistics.
• The field science track includes coursework in ecology, biodiversity, population and environment demographics, calculus, and statistics.

Applications are due April 15.

The Sewanee Bridge Pre-Health and Field Science Program is an excellent one, and we encourage those of you who are looking for this kind of summer experience to consider applying.

Scholarship Possibilities

1.  Each year, the Cindy Monroe Values & Vision Scholarship honors a girl in the Chattanooga area who embodies Cindy Monroe's core values of building relationships, leadership, and community involvement.  The chosen applicant will receive an annual $3,100 scholarships, totaling $12,400 over four years.

Students must have a GPS of 3.0 or higher and must attend a two or four year college as full time student.  For more information and the application, visit www.thirtyonegives.org/scholarship.  The deadline is March 1, 2016.

2.  The National Catholic College Admission Association (National CCAA) is offering a $1,000 scholarship for students who plan on attending one of their institutions.  This scholarship is awarded to eight high school seniors from various geographic regions.

The application is brief and will only take a few minutes to complete.  The deadline to apply is March 17.  Details regarding the scholarship and application procedures can be found here.

3.  We also just found out about this one.  For the second year, The Atlantic and the College Board are sponsoring a scholarship, and this time they are looking for essays that "insightfully analyze and interpret" a meaningful piece of art.  This one is sure to be competitive, but I believe we have some outstanding writers who could win. The essay is due by February 28, so check out the details here.

More Summer Opportunities

If you are looking for something interesting (and even a little outside-the-box) this summer, consider one of the follow summer programs.

• The Sewanee Environmental Institute (SEI) - If you are passionate about the outdoors and interested in advancing your knowledge/skills in the study of the environment, consider this program for rising juniors and seniors.
• The New England Center for Investigative Reporting, based at Boston University's School of Communication, is once again offering an Investigative Journalism Workshop. 
• Another unique opportunity is the Grab the Torch Summer Institute.   Students have the opportunity to interact with philanthropic leaders, gain an understanding of their personal values, challenge their leadership skills through outdoor adventure and build lasting friendships.  If you might be interested, please let me know so that we can nominate you for this program.
• Closer to home, check out the Tennessee Aquarium's CLAW Camp (Conservation Leadership in Action Week) or the Summer Camp Volunteer program (applications should be available on the aquarium website this month).  There is also a year long youth volunteer program at the Aquarium (nine hours - two 4.5 hour shifts per month).

Summer Travel Opportunities

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on those accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one's lifetime."    - Mark Twain

I agree with Mr. Twain! For the last three years, students from GPS and McCallie have spent two weeks each summer,  living with German students and their families near Dusseldorf.  As part of that trip they have visited some of the country's most historic sites, but more important, they trip has opened their eyes to a wider world, and in many cases, they have made life-long friends.  Just what Mark Twain was talking about!

Open to rising 10th-12th graders, any students who are interested in the Germany trip should see me as soon as possible, but that's not the only opportunity for travel.  The Experiment in International Living offers a number of summer travel programs, and some financial aid is also available.  For more information, visit https://www.experiment.org.

Interested in learning another language but can't travel this summer? Consider attending the Federal Service Language Academy at the University of North Georgia. Students can choose from Arabic, Chinese, Russian, German, Korean, Japanese, French, or Portuguese. You can find more information here.

Takeaways from Sophomore College Program

On Monday evening, parents of sophomore gathered to learn and understand more about the college process.  If you were unable to attend - or even if you were in attendance - here are five takeaways we hope you will keep in mind.

1.  Your daughter is going to get into college.  In fact, there are many colleges and universities out there that will be happy to accept her.

2.  We firmly believe there is a school for everyone, but it pays - sometimes literally - to think outside the box. While we know most girls will start with the familiar names, be willing to look at schools that don't have that name recognition. Schools like Quinnipiac, Millsaps, Gettysburg, Whitman, Hendrix, or the University of Arkansas or Kansas are worth your consideration.

3.  There are a number of extracurricular options available too.  The ACE mentor program is an outstanding option for girls who are interested in engineering or architecture.  One GPS senior recently won an ACE scholarship too.  Girls interested in business/entrepreneurship can intern with LampPost or participate in the 24 hour incubator through Mad, Bad, and Dangerous.  Research opportunities at UTC are available two afternoons a week, and girls interested in government, education, or women's issues should see Mrs. Mines about opportunities available in the Mayor's office.  In-school options are great, but you can also expand your horizons by leaving campus.

4.  You'll drive yourself crazy trying to be what you think a particular college wants you to be.  Just be your best self, and there will plenty of colleges that will come looking for you.  You'll be happier with the results that way.

5.  Your daughter is applying to college.  You are not.  Don't forget that this is her process, so encourage her to take ownership of it.

Better Business Bureau Scholarship

The Better Business Bureau is offering a $1,000 scholarship based on leadership, community service, and academics.  A couple of GPS girls have won this in the past, but you won't win if you don't enter!

In addition to the application, you will need to provide:

• 500 word essay on “The Importance of Ethics in Business and our Community”
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Current transcript
• College Plans and Proposed Major Information

 Please have your completed application to Mrs. Haley by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 6.  

Don't forget: stop by College Guidance for the application and more info!

The Crushing Culture of Expectations

In light of yesterday's post on expectations, this article - The Crushing Culture of Parental Expectations - seems very timely.  As you begin to seriously consider your child's college plans, this is a good starting point.http://bit.ly/1Pbqbe9