The college interview can be an intimidating experience. Andrea Aronson, a seasoned alumni interviewer, provides some inside tips on how you can make your interviews a success.
Continue readingAlumni Interview Dos and Don’ts
Getting Into A Top College: Expectations vs. Reality
As you begin to consider your college application process, you are going to be hearing a lot of details from those who have gone before you, and gathering a lot of information from various sources. Some of this information will not be accurate or helpful to you as you map out your plan for your admissions journey. You may have some preconceived notions about what the college admissions process is going to be like. It’s important to understand the difference between your expectations of getting into a top college and the reality.
Expectation:
Good grades and high test scores are all that matters to get into a top college.
Reality:
Good grades and high test scores are certainly important. They identify you as a serious scholar and as someone who can handle the workload of a rigorous academic schedule. However, your extracurricular activities and personal interests are also of critical importance when applying to college. It is these activities that will set you apart from other applicants. In addition it will demonstrate you are able to achieve balance between your academic workload and the other interests you have.
Expectation:
It is important to involve yourself in as many extracurricular activities as possible in order to stand out as a top candidate to get into the college of my choice.
Reality:
It is true that extracurricular activities are an important part of your high school experience and will be considered seriously by college admissions officers. However, quantity does not measure up to quality when it comes to your life outside the classroom. Admissions officers will not be looking simply at the number of clubs, teams and societies you joined. They will be considering if you made an impact. It’s important to show a record of achievement, not just participation. It is also important to consider your interests and spend your time where your passions lie. Love music? Audition for a county or state level ensemble. Love computers and video games? Consider leading a game building or coding club. If you go where your interests take you, you will enjoy yourself and find success in those areas. And leadership outside the classroom will make you stand out to a college admissions officer.
Expectation:
There is only one college that is right for me. If I don’t get accepted there, my future will be in jeopardy.
Reality:
There are literally hundreds of great colleges and universities to choose from, and many of them would be thrilled to have you as their student. All you need to do is be aware of what is out there, and choose a small group that would be right for you, based on your achievements, abilities and budget. This is where seeking professional help is crucial. The experts at Great College Advice have intimate knowledge of the college landscape, and they know which colleges are right for you.
Do you have expectations about your college application process that are worrying you? The experts at Great College Advice can help you debunk the mysteries and clear up the misconceptions you may have. Contact us to learn about our wide range of services and find out how we can help you get into a top college.
Getting Into College – Why It’s Easier Than You Might Think
The thought of getting into college can be daunting. The ACT or SAT exam is a big deal. Keeping your grades up is not easy, and writing an admissions essay that stands out is no simple task. But there are trends these days that are sure to make you feel more at ease about getting into college.
First of all, the number of college age students is declining in America.
This means competition for slots at top universities are easier than ever to fill.
Also, the number of higher education slots is higher than ever these days. Schools have more slots for students than ever before. In fact, the U.S. has an overcapacity in university slots. So outside of the universities that reject more applicants than they admit, competition for students to enroll is very keen. This, combined with the decline in student population, really works in your favor.
The average acceptance rate for college acceptance right now is 70%. Many schools have acceptance rates of 80% or more. Again, they have their slots to fill if they want to remain active and vibrant places of learning, and this works to your advantage.
It’s especially easy to get accepted into college if you’re a boy. More girls apply than boys, 57% to 43%, and colleges always look to keep their student gender ratios in check.
The bottom line is this:
Try not to be too intimidated by the thought of getting into college. If you are a serious student who is looking for the experience of higher education, then there is a college or university out there for you. The trick is to know how to choose the right group of schools to apply to. And to make your application the very best it can be.
The experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate the complex and intimidating process of getting into college. They have years of experience helping thousands of kids just like you get accepted to the school of their dreams. They are familiar with colleges and universities all over the country and the world, and the programs they offer that would be the best fit for you. Contact Great College Advice to find out how they can help you make the best decisions about getting into college. As well as to maximize your chances of getting accepted!
Is Your Kid Cut Out For College? Take this quiz:
Here are a few quick questions to ask yourself to help you decide if your kid is cut out for college. Ready for the rigors of an independent academic life, and all the rewards and responsibilities that come along with it.
Do they get good grades?
A well-rounded student is involved in more than just academics. But the basis of a solid college career is solid academic achievement. Is your student ready to handle it?
Do they like to read?
Exercising the mind for fun is a sure sign of academic potential. Readers demonstrate an ability to self-motivate when it comes to learning and mental growth.
Do they like what they are learning in school (at least most of it)?
Do they ever talk positively about their academics? Recall stories of enjoying themselves in class? Do their teachers say they are active participants in class?
Are their ACT or SAT scores above the national average?
More over, this is not a necessity for acceptance into any college. But it’s a good indicator of your student’s readiness to move forward in their academic career.
Are they active in the community in some way?
Good grades are the foundation of a solid college application. But your student can really stand out as prepared for life on campus if they are actively making a difference outside the classroom.
Is their main after-school activity “relaxing with friends”?
Do they enjoy intellectual stimulation? Are they motivated by a sense of charity, community, or activities that require self-motivation?
Are they able to manage their own schedule (without help from you)?
College students have to work independently, and to take responsibility for how they spend their time. So, you won’t always be there to remind about due dates and deadlines.
These are all good indicators of whether or not your student is cut out for college. However, if you answer ‘no’ to some of these questions, all is not lost. Because, much of what is required for success in college is teachable, and can be learned over time and with and increased maturity. So the best solution is to start your student early on a path toward academic and extracurricular success with encouragement toward positive activities. First, find out where academic subjects and community activities intersect with your student’s interests, and nudge in those positive directions.
Is your kid cut out for college? The experts at Great College Advice can help you find the right academic program for your student, no matter their level of success or engagement. Contact us to learn about our wide range of services and find out how we can help you get into a top college.
Which College Is Right For You?
There are many aspects of the college search that you must consider when deciding to apply. Among the most important is where to apply. It may be easy to consider applying to a college or university that is nearby, or that your best friend is applying to, or is where a parent went to college. But the right college may be one that you are unaware of. Here are 4 questions you must ask yourself if you are to make the right choices of where to apply.
1. Are you considering school size and student to faculty ratio?
You may thrive at a large school with huge class sizes, like many state schools. However, you may consider a smaller school, a school you might otherwise overlook, if smaller class sizes are a positive feature for you. Do you know where to look?
2. Does a college offer a strong program in an area of interest?
Do you excel in a particular area of academics? Do you love physics, chemistry, or biology? Or, are your strengths in the arts such as drama, music, or design? Knowing how to find the right college that aligns with your strengths is a crucial part of the process of finding the school that is the right fit for you.
3. How does the college you are considering fit with your budget?
Is the college you are considering realistic given the amount of savings that has been set aside for your education? Do you know how to apply for scholarships? Are you aware of financial aid packages and what you might be eligible for?
4. Are you aware of colleges that are far away, which may be a good fit for you?
There are literally thousands of colleges and universities, in every corner of the country, that have much to offer hopeful high school students. Are you aware of a wide range of schools and the programs they offer?
Finding a college or university that is a good fit for you is a critical step in the life of any aspiring student, and the choice you make will affect the rest of your life. The process is complex, and there are many factors to consider. However, the experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate this complicated process, and help you zero in on colleges and programs that are a good fit for you. They are familiar with thousands of programs all over the country and the world. And, they get to know you, the student, to help you find the right match, so you can find success. Contact us to find out how we can help you.
How Much Should You Be Spending To Get Into College?
Putting your child through college may be the biggest expense you have to consider when raising your child, by far. But you’re committed to making it happen because it’s also one of the most important considerations you will have. And the process starts long before your child’s college career begins. Applying to college has its own list of expenses, and as with all major financial decisions, you have to decide where to best invest your dollars. Here are a few expenses you will want to invest in.
Solid test preparation pays dividends.
Achieving an ACT or SAT score that is as high as possible is an important part of getting into the best possible college for your child, especially when considering tuition costs. At many colleges, the higher your test scores, the lower your tuition may be. Spending money on test prep can ultimately save you a lot of money when all is said and done.
You should also invest in reliable information.
Something as minor as buying a quality guide book can be tremendously helpful. There are several to choose from, so check out user ratings and talk to people who may have used a guide book already.
Also, minimize your spending on summer classes and other programs.
These may lead to positive experiences for your child if you can afford it, but if you are looking to save money wherever you can, there are better places to invest. College admissions officials do not weigh these programs heavily when considering whether or not to accept students into their programs.
You can also save money and time by limiting your college campus visits.
The costs for travel can really add up, so do your research ahead of time and visit only the campuses you are considering most seriously.
Participation in sports programs are generally not a great investment either.
Do not misunderstand, participating in sports can be a great way for your child to spend time and effort. They learn sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and they get healthy in the process. However, investing a lot of money in elite sports programs can be an expense that does not pay off when getting into college. College admissions officials do not weigh heavily poorly funded sports programs like field hockey or tennis. So, spending a lot of money on private lessons and summer camps does not have to be a priority if you are on a budget.
The bottom line is this: save as much as you can for college tuition and expenses, and know where to best put that money to use. Investing in professional help may be a great way to save money in the long run. The experts at Great College Advice can answer all your questions about all the expenses involved in the college application process, and they can help you get the most out of your college investment in your child by helping you find the right college for them. Visit our website at greatcollegeadvice.com and contact us to find out about our many levels of services and their costs.
7 Little Changes To Make Getting Into College Easier
Read the following tips about way you can change to better your chances of getting into college.
Read books
One of the things that sets successful students apart from those who are less successful is that they read for enjoyment. There’s no better way to expand your mind, your vocabulary and your outlook on life than to read books.
Talk to your teachers, about anything
Before and after class, show an interest in school, in the subject, the lesson, current events, anything at all. Your teachers are there to help you and they want to get to know you. You can learn a lot, and eventually you’ll know who you can ask for a letter of recommendation.
Get to know your guidance counsellor
It’s the job of your guidance councilor to help you make decisions about your direction in life. This includes the college application process. He or she has vast knowledge about applying to college, and lots of wisdom about life in general. Talking to your councilor will help you choose a good path, and be less stressed along the way.
Get your homework done right when you get home from school
The old adage, “work before play” really applies here. Don’t procrastinate. Give yourself the maximum time and attention that your schoolwork requires. And do it while it’s fresh in your head, and before you’re too tired to do quality work.
Consume quality media
It can be enticing to spend time watching cute puppies or fail videos, but just remember that these things give you nothing beyond entertainment value. Watch a TED talk. Read an interesting news article or watch a video about current events. It’s all part of your learning process, and you will still enjoy yourself.
Confine your social media time to 30 minutes a day
We’ve all fallen down the rabbit hole of social media, but try not to waste too much time on these things. Set an alarm if you have to. Time is precious, and if you are going to be productive and successful, you need to focus when necessary, and participate in real life!
Worry less and have more fun
Everyone considering college wants to get accepted to the college of their choice. And the stress of achieving that can overwhelm you if you let it. Yes, you need to do your best in academics, but if you can relax a bit and spend time doing things you enjoy, you’ll be happier, more relaxed, and have a more well-rounded college application.
Have questions about changes you can make to help you get into college? Let the experts at Great College Advice help you. Contact us to learn about our wide range of services and find out how we can help you get into a top college.
Community Service for the College Application? Look at the YMCA.
Families often ask me for guidance on selecting the best community service and leadership development programs for their students. I recently came across a program. It is organized by the local YMCA in my area that illustrates how easy it really is for students to get involved in community service.
However, too often community service is just a notch in the belt or a box to be ticked. Students do it, but most just put in the hours without actually accomplishing or learning much of anything.
Some families will pay thousands of dollars to do community service in far-away places. However, they could just as well serve needy folks within miles of their own homes.
The measure of one’s true contribution is not the number of hours or the miles traveled. But the impact the individual student makes on the community.
This is the potential of the programs at the YMCA. They help students perform needed services. But they also build the leadership potential within the students themselves to make a difference in the community.
The Y programs are “Teens Making a Difference” or the “Leaders Club“. Either way, students as young as 11 can start making a difference in their communities and also develop leadership skills.
Some of these programs may cost a few bucks. But not nearly as much as an air ticket to Costa Rica or Nepal. So be sure to check out the community service at the YMCA.
If you’re looking for more information about how to manage the college admissions process, check out the resources available at the Great College Roadmap.
Which Is More Important — Grades or Extracurricular Activities?
Colleges value extracurricular activities in the admissions process. But they value good grades even more.
Continue readingDo My Test Scores Matter?
Bottom line: while standardized tests are not the only factor in college admissions, they do matter a lot. The more selective the university, the more they matter.
Continue reading