More Freshmen Tips

A big shout out to our freshmen parents who came out last night on a cold, rainy night for the Cup O' College program. In addition to what we discussed, I want to continue yesterday's blog theme and offer a few more suggestions for our freshmen and their parents to consider.

5.  One of the most often asked questions is "How many honors or AP courses should I take?"  The usual answer is, "Take what you can successfully handle."  I would add however, that you should take as many as you can successfully handle and still have a life.  We all need some balance in our lives, and I hate to see students take an excessive number of advanced placement courses because they believe they have to do so. Yes, the most competitive colleges will be looking for those challenging courses, but most colleges don't require or even expect a full slate of them.  Besides, there are other ways to strengthen your course schedule.  Take that fourth year of a foreign language or add an extra year of history.  Just going beyond the required courses adds depth to your curriculum.  You can also take a supplemental class through the On-line School for Girls or you could take a summer course at UTC or another college.

6.  I believe it's time we adjusted our vision for our daughters' futures.  By that I mean we have to understand that the jobs they will perform in the future will be vastly different. I believe the role of teachers will change and med schools (and the MCAT's) are already expecting more from applicants than just anatomy and other sciences. Some of the necessary job skills of the future include cross-cultural competencies, a more developed social-intelligence, collaboration and creativity, self-motivation, and being 'innovation ready'.  One author suggested that employers will be seeking people who can take old things and do them in new ways.  YouTern, a great career website that I follow on Twitter, recently posted this infographic on the top jobs and skills of the future.

7.  Parents: when you were in high school, you had something that was called your permanent record. At GPS, that information used to be on a manila card that included grades, GPA, coursework, and even a few activity highlights (fortunately that has been replaced by electronic versions).  Social media, in all its forms, can now be considered the new permanent record.  A report by Kaplan found that at least 35% of colleges are occasionally using social media in the admissions process, and we know that potential employers and even potential spouses are using social media to check people out. We can argue the fairness of doing this another time; we need to accept the fact that it is being done and help our students understand the impact.

8.  Finally, although I hope our freshmen will discover new activities and other extra-curricular options, I also want them to settle on at least one thing in which they can truly become involved. Trying to figure out what a college wants is pointless; they simply want to see that you are willing to participate and lead.

Our students have a wonderful admissions track record because they are willing to work hard, willing to jump in with both feet and become active citizens in their school community and beyond.  They are recognizable to colleges because they have a strong work ethic, solid study skills, and more confidence than I ever had when I was their age.  It's just like I said back in November of 2013 when I quoted the movie Field of Dreams:  "If you build it, they will come."  Don't try to become the student you think a college wants.  Be your smart, talented, creative wonderful self, and the colleges will find you.

Advice for freshmen (and other people too)

My thoughts about college counseling for high school freshmen have changed over time.  For many years I believed that if we talked about it (a lot or even just a little), we were simply adding to the anxiety that many of them already feel.  I even published a piece on this blog (November 2013) explaining my views.  As a professional however, I know that I might be doing my students a disservice  by not providing them with some college related advice for the next four years.  Though some of the following suggestions will be shared with our freshmen parents at our program tonight, they are applicable to every grade level.

1.  Everyone - counselors, boards, parents, and students - need to remember that the college search should be about finding the right "fit," not finding the most recognizable college name.  If the college culture, academic expectations, and other aspects do not resonate with a student, she is unlikely to be as successful as she could be.  The college choice is about the student, not the rest of us.

2.  As a high school freshmen, students should be open to the possibilities.  Too often a young student sits in my office and says, "I have to go to (fill in the blank)," or "I'm going to be a doctor."  They may in fact achieve both of those goals, but it also limits them from discovering the possibilities available to them. I once had a parent tell me that his daughter was going to be a doctor, she just didn't know it yet.  Personally that comment made me sad, until I discovered many years later, that she chose an entirely different career path.  Good for her!

3.  Don't believe everything you read or hear.  There is so much information available on the internet these days - much of it worthwhile - but you need to be a good consumer.  Over the holidays I read one article on writing the perfect college essay and one stating the perfect college essay does not exist. Likewise, I cannot count the number of times someone has commented " I heard that little Susie or Bobby was admitted to "this school," but her GPA/scores were lower than my daughter's." Maybe, but you also don't have all the information (strength of schedule, recommendation letters, essays, the college's institutional needs, legacy status, etc), and quite honestly, parents don't necessarily share all that information with everyone.  They'd prefer to happily brag about their child, and who can blame them? I would too.

4.  Don't compare apples and oranges.  Colleges evaluate students based on the high school they attend and whether or not students have taken advantage of the opportunities that are available to them.  So, they will not directly compare a student at GPS to a student, let's say at CSAS, Red Bank, or even McCallie.  Some colleges may be looking to fill out a class with more male students, or the STEM fields might be looking for more females.  It's tempting, but you just can't make direct comparisons.

That's enough for today, I think, but I'll be back tomorrow with a few more ideas, and yes, I will address a few specific things students can do during their ninth grade year to get started on the right foot.

Sewanee's Bridge Program in Science and Math

Sponsored by Sewanee:The University of the South, the Bridge Program for rising seniors provides a scholarship for tuition, room and board (so the program is free!) for twenty students.  The three week summer program includes an introduction to college level calculus class, an introduction to physics, and a part-time astronomy course. Classes are not graded; the goal is to acclimate students to college life and give them confidence in the skills they develop.

If you are interested, more information can be found on their website.  The application is due by April 1.

While you're visiting the website, check out some of the other outstanding programs that Sewanee offers.  GPS students have  enjoyed attending the Young Writer's Conference and the Summer Music Festival and highly recommend those programs.

A few more summer opportunities

Calling all budding pharmacists! Samford University (AL) is having a Bulldog Pharmacy Camp for rising juniors and seniors who are interested in learning more about pharmacy as a career. Hands on lab demonstrations and unique service opportunities are part of the experience. For more information and the application, visit http://samford.edu/pharmacy/bulldog-pharmacy-camp/

Brandeis University (MA) has several unusual residential summer experiences for high school students from around the world.  The programs include an APP DESIGN BOOT CAMP, a MOCK TRIAL BOOT CAMP, and a SERVICE CORPS camp among others.  We have the opportunity to nominate a student, so if you're interested, come see us. A nomination is not required however, so you can check them out yourself at http://bit.ly/17pO4zH.

Looking for a summer experience?

If you're looking for something to do this summer, you might want to consider taking a class on a college campus.  While some of these programs can be pricey, many also offer scholarships and financial aid, and the program at Lipscomb University in Nashville is very reasonable!

Washington University in St. Louis offers several cool options: the five week high school summer scholars program where you can take undergraduate courses for credit or the non-credit summer institutes for students interested in pre-medicine, pre-engineering, writing, global leadership and more.  For more information, visit summerexperiences.wustl.edu

Smith College in Massachusetts also offers some outstanding programs specifically for girls.  We've had several GPS students attend the summer science and engineering program, and they also offer a writing workshop along with programs in women's history and field studies for sustainable futures. Applications can be submitted online at smith.edu/summer.

If you're interested in going out to the west coast, the University of Southern California has a variety of programs for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  There are two and four week courses in subjects ranging from architecture, journalism, performing arts, visual arts, writing, science, global studies, business, and engineering.  You can also find a program in pre-health and pre-law.  Visit  http://summer.usc.edu/index.shtml for more information.

Closer to home, rising juniors can get a taste of college-level coursework and earn college credit at Lipscomb University in Nashville.  This year's offerings include Fundamentals of Biology, Intro to Psychology, Foundations of Business, Introduction to Communication, Fundamentals of Photography, and a Freshman Seminar on the Humanities. All students accepted into the Summer Scholars Program will receive a scholarship covering the entire cost of their coursework. The only expense will be a $750 program fee to cover the cost of room, board, and activities while in Nashville. Now that's a good deal!!  You can find all the details at http://bit.ly/1BFlnrv

If you're interested in business, last year UTC offered a six day residential program on its campus that you might want to check out.  Alex George, class of '15 attended the inaugural program and thought it was a great experience.  This year's information is not up yet, but stay tuned for more information or check out last year's program at http://bit.ly/1KhCsh5

New Year's Resolutions

Though I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, I do think it's a good time to stop and take stock of where you are.  So with that in mind, I'd like to make a few resolutions for my students.

1.  I would like my students to resolve to use social media even just a little more judiciously.  I know you believe that your comments are private, but all it takes is one person copying a picture or showing your comments to someone else, and it's out there.  And you can't take it back.  Perhaps right now you don't care if everyone sees what you say and do, but one day you might.  

2.  Studying requires real focus.  Tweeting, posting an Instagram pic or responding to a comment on GroupMe while you're in the middle of reading your history homework is not the same thing as honest to goodness, focused studying.  I know you work really hard - you really do -but perhaps refocusing on your study habits would be helpful to some.

3.  Stop for just a few minutes to realize how many people stand ready to help you.  Teachers, counselors, parents: we all want you to succeed.  You wouldn't be a teenager if you didn't gripe about them (and post things on social media about them), but I promise we all want the best for you and will do whatever they can to help you.  But sometimes you have to ask.

4.  Your college decision is a big one, perhaps the biggest one you will make in your life up to this point.  But it is not the end of the world.  You are going to thrive no matter where you go, and when you look back on it one day, it's not going to seem so important any more.  This might be the most difficult, but resolve to remind yourself that one college rejection is not going to ruin you.

And finally, resolve to finish the school year as strongly as you started it.  The finish line is in sight, and this is not the time to slack off on your work (I have two words for you: senior slide).  I know you have all the tools you need to be successful in college, but you still have to prove it to them.

More Scholarship Opportunities

Calling all seniors!  We received two more scholarship opportunities today, so please read over the criteria and see if you qualify.

1.  The Signal Mountain Lions Charity Student Scholarship Program - First, you must reside in the 37377 zip code area.  Now, if you're still reading, this scholarship is worth up to $3,200 for four years of college ($800 a year).  The award is based on the applicant's financial need and academic achievement.

Please see Mrs. Haley in the college office for an application.  Important Note: You will need a copy of the the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA, so you cannot submit the scholarship application until that has been completed.  The final deadline for applications is April 15, 2015.

2.  The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (Alpha Xi Chapter) is sponsoring an essay contest for all Tennessee high school students (grades 9-12).  First prizes is $300 with a possible extra $100 from the local chapter.  There are also 2nd and 3rd place monetary prizes.

Here's the essay topic:
     Poetry can often be referred to as the window to one's soul. Read and respond to "The Road Not Taken'" by Robert Frost and explain the central idea or theme of the poem.  You will also need to include a personal connection to the poem, perhaps focusing on making decisions, the abundance of choices one may encounter in life, or the impact of change as one grows older (these are just ideas).

You must turn in your essay to the college office by Friday, February 27, 2015. For more information, see Mrs. Haley.