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Archive for December, 2008

Is it too early to search for college?

Friday, December 19th, 2008

Dear Babs,

My daughter is in eighth-grade and will be going to High School next year. Is it too early to start worrying about her college education? I want her to start planning her High School curriculum now, so that she has the prerequisites to get into a good school her senior year. She has been accepted into all-honors, but I’m worried that might be too much strain. Am I just being an overprotective worry-wart?

-Nervous Nelly

Dear Nelly,

Actually, you are right on the money. A recent study published by ACT Inc. (the same people who invented the test) concluded that “the level of academic achievement students attain by the eighth-grade has more significance in predicting college and career readiness… than anything that happens in high school.”

Now is the time for you to make sure she is in the right track for math, foreign languages, and science. Math, the sciences, and foreign languages tend to be cumulative studies, so if she is not being challenged enough, talk to her teachers about what you can do to move her up a level. It is far easier to catch up in math now, when she should just be learning pre-algebra, than later when some of her fellow students may be beginning calculus.

It’s great that she was excepted into an all-honors track in high school. Although you don’t want her to be too stressed out, it is important for her to push herself academically in order to get into the most selective colleges. Talk to parents of students in Honors in High School. If your daughter is a stellar student, she probably won’t feel that overwhelmed. If she already struggles with managing her time, than perhaps an all-honors course load is not the best.

In general, it is never too early to start the college search and preparation. Why don’t you search for college info now, BEFORE your daughter starts her own college search. You can find out expected SAT scores, AP course loads, and GPAs for a variety of top schools. This will not only help you down the road, but it may put your mind at rest for now. Your daughter is probably already on track to achieving college success!

Honors classes are integral to college success; just be sure that your gentle prodding doesn’t become stressful pressure. The goal of getting a head start on the college search process is to support your daughter to achieve her greatest, not to make unreasonable expectations of success. If your daughter truly struggles with math, encourage her to keep trying but don’t expect her to take AP Calc by junior year. Support her to excel in what she loves–colleges prefer people with strong talents in one area than those who do everything tolerably well.

Good Luck!

Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, parents
12.19.08
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Should I hold out for a scholarship?

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Dear Babs

I just heard back Early Action from my first-choice, Pepperdine University in California. I got in!! I’m so excited, but now I don’t know if I should apply to other schools regular decision. They didn’t offer me a scholarship, and I’m thinking maybe I should apply other places. But I really like Pepperdine! Ugh, I just don’t know what to do.

-Fickle Fred

Dear Fred,

Congratulations!! That is so exciting. You are officially into college.

Now it’s time to make a tough decision: do you accept your first choice without seeing if you get any other offers? Think of it in an economical way. If you apply to other schools, what are the chances that schools that you like will offer you money? Take into account that every application costs a fee, and that the benefit of going to a school that you love may outweigh a small scholarship.

Are there any good state schools in your home-state–ones you would like to go to? Is there a school near your hometown that you could commute to? Is there another school that you are interested in where perhaps you are a bit overqualified and thus might receive a merit award?

If any of these answers are yes, it’s probably worth holding off on making a final decision until the Spring. That’s the benefit of Early Action–you’re not tied down to a school. Remember, Pepperdine isn’t going anywhere. Find colleges on CampusCompare that might fit some of the above criteria. Compare what you love at Pepperdine to these other schools where you might receive more aid. With the Compare Schools tool, you can compare all these schools side by side to make a cost-benefit analysis. That way, you’ll know if there are any schools out there that you might love and be able to afford.

If Pepperdine still looks like your dream school, rest assured. There are other ways to save money for college besides school-sponsored scholarships. Search for college scholarships through your town, your high school, or national organizations. Take out a loan from a bank, the government, or even your family. Another reason why holding off on accepting might work in your favor is that if you do receive an award from another school, you can sometimes use this as bargaining power. Think of financial aid as a negotiation–never accept your first offer. Tell Pepperdine that you love the school, but have a better offer elsewhere. They may up your award. And hey, it can’t hurt to haggle.

Good Luck!

Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, Financial Aid
12.17.08
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Last-Minute Application Tips

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Dear Babs,

Help! It’s December 15th and I haven’t started my college applications yet. Most of them are due in just 2 weeks!! Some of my friends who’ve applied early to my first-choice (Syracuse) are even hearing back today! I didn’t decide that it is the right school for me until a few weeks ago, and now I’m worried I may be too late. What can I do to get everything in by the deadline?

-Procrastinator Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

There are plenty of things you can do to speed-up the application process. Make sure to work extra hard in the next two weeks, stick to your schedule, follow these tips below, and you should be mailing your application off on January 1st.

1. Gather all your forms for applications, letters of recommendation, and financial aid and put them in one folder. That way, when you’re short on time, you’ll know where everything is.

2. Check online college info for what types of facts you will need to submit in your college application. Have your GPA, class rank, SAT scores or ACT scores, and address memorized. Also know what level of education your parents completed, and where their Alma Mater was. Not having to look up these common facts for each and every form will save you hours in the long run.

3. Syracuse may be your first-choice, but I’m sure you are applying to others. Go to online to search colleges that accept the Common Application so that you can apply to multiple schools (including Syracuse) with one form. To save even more time, apply online through the Common App or through the school itself.

4. If you haven’t asked your teachers for a letter of recommendation yet, do it ASAP. It’s late enough in the game that they would be totally within their rights to refuse you. So grovel a little. Explain that you just wasn’t sure where you were applying until last minute, you know their busy, but if they could write you a good letter you would really appreciate it. Make sure you ask a teacher with whom you have a good relationship (now is not the time to argue that you’re deserved an A- in the class where you got a B). To make it easier on them, hand them a stamped and addressed envelope with all the forms as well as a list of your accomplishments in their class and out. Include your extracurricular activities, career goals, and the titles of any outstanding work you have submitted to them in the past. And don’t forget about the grovelling.

5. When it comes to writing a personal essay, don’t pick a generic topic just because you think it will be impressive. Unless your topic has sincerely made a big impact on your life, writing the essay will be a drag. Although feeding the homeless is a wonderful activity, if you just did it to fulfill a volunteer requirement your essay will show that your heart just wasn’t in it. Pick something unique, something that gets you excited. If you find yourself going on a tangent about Italian food or getting into debates over politics, chances are these are the subjects that you will be able to write about articulately and quickly.

The key to last minute applications is to know what you want. It sounds like you really want to get into Syracuse; it’s that motivation that will drive you finish your application on time and with flourish. Just keep your end-goal in sight–getting into your first-choice school!

Good Luck!

Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
12.15.08
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Help! My Son wants to major in Art History!

Sunday, December 14th, 2008

Dear Babs,

Help! My son has just started college at Texas A&M, and over Thanksgiving break he told me that he wants to major in Art History. With the job market how it is, I’m worried that he won’t be able to find a job come graduation. I’ve tried to convince him to major in business or the applied sciences, so that he can at least have some practical knowledge. I’ve always stress how his education is an investment, and it seems like he is throwing our money away for something “fun.”

-College is Not4Clowns

Dear Not4Clowns,

It’s natural for you to be concerned with your son’s future. You have spent the last 18 years planning and saving for his education in hopes that when he graduates he will have a good job and a bright and productive future.

Today’s economic crisis is no joke, and you’re right to stress that his education is an investment. College is not a summer camp—it is a time to build new skills, seize new opportunities, and build lasting relationships with professors, alumni, and other students.

That being said, there is no one path to do this. Although a business degree has traditionally been the way to ensure a job after graduation, in today’s economy nothing is for certain. Colleges have noticed a decline in enrollment in business programs as the market continues to be unstable. No one major guarantees success. If Art History is what gets your son going, than encourage him to pursue this with gusto. An A in Art History is better than a C in Chemistry any day.

Another reason why majoring in your personal passion can benefit you in the workforce is that it gives you a specialty. While people often think of business majors as practical and generally skilled, they often forget that most businesses sell something specific. Who would you rather be in charge of marketing for a gallery: a business major with no knowledge of the art world, or an art history major with a flair for advertising?

Just make sure that your son knows that with a degree in the Humanities, a simple BA might not be enough. He should seriously consider getting a PhD, which means six more years of studies, loans, and taking the GREs. Or he should try and develop practical office skills outside of school. At the career center of his college, information should be available about internships and job opportunities that will help him build his resume. Or have him check out his college profile on CampusCompare. He can get a better idea of what his degree can get him upon graduation by reading up on what his school, his fellow students, and the U.S. Dept. of Education have to say about life after college at Texas A&M.

Express your concerns to your son—he’ll secretly be glad to know you care (even if he isn’t vocal about it). But realize that as a growing adult he is responsible for developing his own passions in college. Chances are that many things will change in four years; he could change his major to Finance or Computer Science like you want or maybe the economy could even turn around. Ever think of that?

Good Luck!

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, parents
12.14.08
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College Blog Carnival

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Check out Dear Old B at the 6th Edition of the Carnival of College Admission! Check out the best of the blog-world best on subjects like college admission, college life, and the post-college grind.

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs
12.10.08
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Is Skidmore the new Harvard?

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Dear Babs,

I heard the Skidmore was the new Harvard. What do you think? I’ve been working really hard for the past three years to get into a top college. My I just want to make sure that I leave no stones unturned in my college search.

-Ivy O.R. Bust

—

Dear Ivy,

Hate to break it to you babe, but Skidmore is not the new Harvard. Each school offers something totally unique, and it’s difficult to compare them with each other based on name alone.

What is in a name, anyway? Would Harvard by any other name smell as sweet? What makes Harvard “Harvard”?

1. Prestige- The benefit of going to an Ivy League like Harvard, Yale, or Princeton is that world wide it has instant recognition as a leader in education. Harvard has had this reputation for over 200 years. Prestige can help land an internship, a job, or get you into a top law school. However, that doesn’t mean that people without an Ivy League education can’t get these things to.

2. Money-Because of its prestige, Harvard has one of the largest endowments in the world. This allows it to recruit “celebrity professors” like Jamaica Kincaid, most of who don’t even teach undergraduates. It also allows it to offer excellent financial aid. Harvard now guarantees financial aid equivalent to the full tuition, room and board, and fees for those students whose families earn less than 60K a year. Skidmore has great professors too, but in terms of dollars and cents (and financial aid) it does not have the kind of resources that Harvard has.

3. Selectivity-Due to Harvard’s fame, it is often the top choice of the nation’s best and brightest. This means that it is uber-selective. Getting into Skidmore is hardly a walk in the park, but since the chances of getting into Harvard are much lower, the overall profile of the incoming freshmen class is going to be more impressive. Classes are going to be more competitive and more cut-throat. Don’t despair-class competition does not always lead to individual success. Sometimes it’s better to be in an environment where you and your brilliance and enthusiasm can shine, rather than elbow with hundreds of other equally outstanding students.

Unfortunately, getting into college has become so competitive, and the desire to get into a “good” college is so strong that there is a growing trend of what I like to call “the flavor of the month” school. Every so often some paper lauds some relatively unknown, small liberal arts school as the next best thing to an Ivy League because no one wants to feel that they are going to a “second rate” school. The truth is that not everyone can get into an Ivy League college, but that does not mean that an education at Skidmore-or any other school for that matter-is “second rate.”

Those three factors aside, the difference between what you will actually learn (remember the goal of higher education, to learn?) between Harvard and Skidmore is next to nil. A psych degree is pretty much a psych degree, no matter what school you go to. Go to Skidmore because you like the campus, the environment, and the professors. Don’t go because you think that people are going to be impressed. For one, that’s shallow, but it can also work against you. Instead of trying to get into the most prestigious school you can, focus on going to a school you can actually see yourself standing for four years. Find colleges that fit with what you want out of life, not just schools that have good PR. If you love your school, and you love what you study, you will excel no matter who your alma mater is.

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
12.09.08
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Spending on the SATs

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Dear Babs,

Some of my friends have been taking SAT prep courses, but they are so expensive! I know the SAT’s are important, should I take one? Do they really make a difference?

-Suck At Testing

—

Dear S.A.T.,

SAT’s are important, and it’s great that you are preparing for them early.

However, I wouldn’t sign up for a test just yet. Try and figure out a few things about yourself first, then decide if paying the big-bucks for a prep course is right for you.

SAT prep courses can be helpful, but whether their cost outweighs their benefit has yet to be seen.

Most SAT prep courses, tutors, and books teach you how to take the test, not what’s on it. Since points are taken away for incorrect answers, but no points are removed for skipped questions, a large part of the SAT lesson plan involves training yourself to skip stuff you really don’t know. This means eliminating wrong answers from the multiple-choice questions, so that you can better guess the right answers. Other tricks involve plugging in answers into formulas, instead of doing the algebra out the long way. All these tips can earn you hundreds of points on your test. And guess what? You just got some SAT prep for free. Scour on our website and online for free tips, practice tests, and more to help you prepare for the big bad SAT.

If you have the discipline to set aside an hour a day for a month or so to go through a prep book or do online practice tests, than I suggest you save yourself $800 and prep on your own. A book teaches you the same thing as an actual class, but it does lacks the attention of a teacher to explain the finer points. Also, if you spend the moola on a class you might be more willing to actually study. Some companies, including Kaplan, are now offering online courses. These courses are self-directed, but provide the timed practice tests that let you see what the SATs are like before you take them. Search your soul, and if the motivation just isn’t there, than think on a SAT prep class not as an expense, but an investment.

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
12.09.08
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Will my College Chances be hurt if I peek at my Letter of Recommendation?

Friday, December 5th, 2008

Dear Babs,

Is it OK to open the envelopes that my teacher’s college recommendation letters are in? I’d really be interested to see what they had to say. I’ve heard some horror stories of people sending in college recommendations that were actually negative because the applicant didn’t read them first. Is it morally and ethically ok? Is it even legal? What can I do?

-Snoopy Student

—

Dear Snoopy,

Unless your teacher hands you a copy of your college recommendation letter and says, “Read this,” you should NOT, under any circumstances, open any envelopes containing rec letters. Not only is it ethically shady, but some colleges may disqualify your application as a result of your taking a peek. This is why most teachers and guidance counselors mail recommendation letters to the colleges directly-to help you avoid temptation. The privacy allows them to give their honest opinion of your work as a student and how you will fare at the college level.

That said, I can almost guarantee you that those “horror stories” you have heard about negative letters involve students choosing teachers who they did not do well enough in their classes. (I even know of a few bold students who asked for letters from teachers whose classes they were failing!) In fact, when faced with a student for whom they cannot write a decent recommendation, many teachers will either write a neutral letter or even decline a rec request to avoid hurting the student’s college chances.

Rec letters should be the easiest part of your application because your teacher is taking care of the work. But the choice of whom to ask for them can be hard. Here are a few tips:

Only ask teachers who truly know you. This might sound obvious, but you can’t imagine how many students remain silent in class all year, then ask the teacher for a letter of recommendation. Too shy to talk in class? Stay after class to ask a question or stop by to chat with your teacher about an assignment after school from time to time-that will show him or her you are conscientious.

If you need three letters, ask four teachers. That’s right-ask for four different rec letters. Teachers get bombarded with recommendation requests at this time of year and there is a chance that your disorganized, Nutty Professor of an English teacher might lose your request on his or her desk. So avoid that pitfall and ask for a backup letter. The college won’t mind if you send along a fourth letter with your application.

Talk to your teachers about your college plans. It’s all well and good if your music teacher goes on and on about how great a drummer you are, but it won’t help much if you are trying to get into a pre-med program. Don’t despair, though-that music teacher can still write you an awesome rec letter by focusing on other aspects of your personality, like your determination to succeed and your “practice makes perfect” mentality. Don’t write off any teachers because of their subject matter-just talk to them first to help focus the letter in a way that will be most beneficial for your application.

Remember, teachers have lives, too, so be sure to ask them for letters early and remind them often about deadlines. A thank you note after the letters are mailed is always a nice touch.

Good luck!

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
12.05.08
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College Scholarships: The big, the little, and the weird

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

I’ve been applying to schools that are a little on the expensive side of the spectrum. Am I allowed to apply for as many scholarships as I want? Do I have to pay them back? I’m sure that I’m qualified to go to a top university, I’m just not sure if I’m qualified to pay for it. Other than financial aid, what other route can I go for more help to pay for school?

-Poor but Resourceful

—

Dear Resourceful,

These days, all schools are on the expensive side of the spectrum. Loans are definitely one way to pay for it all, but scholarships are the much better option because you don’t have to pay them back. I’ve got even better news for you-there’s no limit to the number of scholarships you can apply for. In fact, I’ve heard of some enterprising students who have applied for scholarships like it was their job. The result? Most or even all of their tuition bills were paid-even before they stepped foot on campus.

So how should you begin your search for college scholarships? Start with the colleges you are applying to first. Many schools automatically consider you for a scholarship when you submit your application; others require additional paperwork or an essay. For the most part, these full and partial scholarships are awarded based on your GPA and SAT or ACT scores. Not in the top of your class? Not to worry. There are plenty of other scholarships available that are based on any number of things, including artistic talent and community service, as well as some truly quirky stuff-there’s even a few scholarships out there for left-handed students.

If you like to write, you can pay your way through school by entering one of the hundreds of essay contests that are out there. The prizes vary-some give you the cash to pay your books, others pay for your entire freshman year.

You’d better act fast, though-scholarship contests often have short deadlines, some of which coincide with your app deadlines. Good luck!

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, Financial Aid
12.03.08
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College Search or Job Hunt?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

I’ve never worried about what I’d do after college. I’ve spent all my time on my college search, focusing on schools that are a good fit for me personally, assuming that any degree would grant me entrance into the job market. With the economy the way it is these days, I’m not so sure that this perfect plan is going to pan out. Should I be worried about the job market? Will my major affect my employability? I see so many people out of work right now that I am fearful of being unable to get a job when I graduate in four-years. What do you think?

-The Future  Unemployed

—

Dear Unemployed,

I’m a worrier myself, so I understand what’s troubling you. But I do think it’s senseless to worry about something you have absolutely NO control over-like the job market. Economists can’t predict what’s going to happen tomorrow, so it’s useless to be concerned over what might happen to the job market when you graduate four years from now.

It sounds like you are approaching your college search in a very healthy way. Focus on what will make you happy. If you are worried about getting a good job after graduation, the best thing you can do for yourself is concentrate on your school work. Don’t worry about what you major in. If you’re passionate in what you study, your grades will reflect your enthusiasm. A high GPA will put you ahead of the competition, no matter what job market you find yourself in later. I know plenty of people who realized during their senior year that they didn’t study hard enough during the previous years-it cost one friend a chance at law school and he had to wait an entire year to apply again.

Another way to increase your chances at getting a job after graduation is to apply for internships as soon as possible. Internships will give you the vital experience you need for your resume, as well as an “in” at the company-many former interns have gotten hired after graduation. Find colleges with a good career center; they should have many job postings, internship opportunities, and resume building workshops to help you stay a step ahead of the economy. A must read is the “After College” section on the college profiles on CampusCompare. You can find out what students, the school, and the Dept. of Education have to say about life after college for all of your favorite schools.

Don’t spend the rest of your college years worrying about the job market. A lot can change with the economy in four years. Instead, concentrate on enjoying life as a student and all the opportunities it brings.

Good Luck!

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs
12.03.08
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