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Archive for March, 2009

Last-minute study-tips to boost SAT scores?

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009


Dear Babs, 

I’m taking the SAT’s in 2 weeks and I haven’t studied yet! What should I do? I’m worried that it will hurt my college admissions chances if I don’t do well. Any advice for cramming for the SAT’s?

-Scared SAT-less

—

Dear Scared,

I see that you have fallen victim to the dreaded “Procrastination-itis.” Luckily, there is a cure. Get off your butt! With 2 weeks a way, you don’t have any time to spend worrying about the SAT’s; you need to be studying for the SAT’s.

Did that help? No? Well, the first thing you will want to do (if you haven’t already) is buy yourself a prep-book. The good thing about an SAT prep book is that it gives you all the hints and tricks. The SAT’s are a standardized test, and so there are some standard tricks you can use to shave minutes off your test and add points to your SAT scores. Before you even begin your SAT-research, take a timed practice test cold. Why? It will let you know what level you are at now-and how much work needs to be done in order to achieve your SAT-goals.

Then start going through the lessons. Pay attention to SAT tips and tricks for math problems, the fastest way to eliminate false-answers, and advice on whether to skip the question or make an educated guess.  The idea is to work smarter, not harder. You can’t teach yourself three years of math in 2 weeks, but you can memorize basic formulas and geometric problems, so that when you come across them you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with. Likewise, don’t try and learn every word in the dictionary, just learn 20 often seen hard SAT words, and maybe bone up on your grammar rules. Flashcards are dorky but proven way to memorize lots of information. Some stores sell pre-maid SAT flashcards, or you might want to make your own from the SAT prep-book to help them sink in even more.

Finally, as much as you can in the next two weeks, practice, practice, practice taking the test TIMED. Recreate the settings that you will find when it’s time for the real deal: clear your desk, turn off your phone, and set a timer. Each time you take a practice test, go over the questions you got wrong. Was it because you didn’t read the instructions? Guessed when you should have skipped? Always stumble on the reading comprehension? Focus most of your efforts on those soft-spots, so that next time you take the practice test you can measure your improvement.

If you can buckle down and really practice, your cram sessions should pay off with improved SAT scores.

Good Luck!

Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, Sat-and-ACT
03.31.09
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Can my son keep up his college GPA?

Monday, March 23rd, 2009



Dear Babs,

My son is going to University of Kentuccollege searchky in the fall and I am worried that he will become distracted by his newfound freedom. He’s had some trouble in the past focusing when there are social distractions. I don’t expect him to live like a monk, but if I’m footing the bill, I don’t want him to squander his education on parties. Maybe I’m overreacting, but do you have motivational advice, for both me and for him?

-Meddling Mommy

—

Dear Meddling,

Freshman year of college can be an exciting and challenging time for a teen. They are thrust into a totally new environment, forced to make friends from scratch, and expected to study to boot! You are not wrong to be worried-many students “slip” their first semester, as they do not yet have the knack for balancing school with friends. Sometimes, it seems like the only way to meet new people is to shirk work and go out and party.

If your son has had a history of this mindset in the past, then by all means, don’t wait until first-semester’s grades come in to explain the meaning of “higher education” to him. Let him know you’re proud he got his college acceptance and happy to pay for school-but he has to work for it. If he cannot buckle-down and study, you are not responsible for paying for four-years of partying. One of the hardest lessons any parent can learn is when to cut the purse strings. Instead of starting with negative reinforcement, i.e. “If you don’t get all B’s, I won’t pay for…” why not try positive reinforcement. Promise him some extra spending money if he keeps up the good grades. Maybe his reward will be to go on the freshman ski trip, spring break holiday, or just pocket money. That way, he won’t be losing out on necessary funds (like tuition or book fees) but he will have a clear incentive to keep up the GPA.

A new website, GradeFund, enables donors (in this case, you) to sponsor a student (your son) to reward them for grades earned. For each high grade he receives, you can promise a certain dollar amount. He must submit his transcript to the website in order to make sure his grades are correct. This way, there are no “ifs, ands, or buts” if his grades don’t meet expectations. If he earns the grades, he’s earned your support. Period.

Good Luck!

-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, parents
03.23.09
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College Guide to Studying Abroad

Thursday, March 19th, 2009


search collegeDear Babs,

I have been admitted to Rice University this fall. I want to participate in a study abroad program there. It will be a bit pricey though (probably a couple thousand over the cost of a semester’s tuition). Will studying abroad look good on my resume? Is it worth the cost?

-Thrifty Traveler

—

Dear Thrifty,

Congrats on Rice University! It’s great that you want to travel, and study-abroad programs are a great way to do it (you’ll get college credit AND great life experiences). As far as your resume is concerned, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have studied in a foreign country. It shows that you have stretched your horizons and gained life experience, and that you have more going on than just your SAT scores. Since it’s not cheap, try and do a few things to maximize the benefits of your time abroad:

  • Learn a new language. Bilingualism is a huge boost to your resume, and there is no better way to learn a language than to live in a country where it is spoken.
  • Go off the beaten path. Although the hallowed halls of Europe are a must-see, you may get more out going to a less-seen country. Plenty of students go to Paris, London, and Rome, but your time abroad in Istanbul, Singapore, or Mexico City will give you amazing stories to tell your friends, and your potential employers.
  • Research. If your program involves writing a thesis, working in a lab, or conducting a study of some kind, do it abroad! What better way to understand the affect of post-socialist economic policy in Albania than by going there.
  • Volunteer. As a volunteer or intern in a developing country, you can gain valuable work skills working for a hospital, non-profit, or school. Also, you’ll help people. :)

Don’t forget to apply for grants and scholarships from your school. Once you’re in college, search for money available for travel for internships and research related to you program. In addition to class credit, you may be able to partially fund your semester abroad! With some $$ and a real purpose for your travels (beyond sight-seeing) you’ll be able to make every kilometre worth it.

Good Luck!

Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, study abroad, trends
03.19.09
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Search for College Backup

Monday, March 16th, 2009

Dear Babs,

My daughter is a senior in high school, and she has already finished her college search and intends to go to university this September. Unfortunately, she hasn’t received any college acceptance letters already received two rejections. Do you know the next steps she has to take if she does not get accepted in any?

-Worried Mommy

—

Dear Worried,

If, as you fear, your daughter does not get into college this fall, there are a few things that she (and you) can do. For starters, she may be eligible to start a community college program in the fall or at the very least the spring, semester. This would enable her to start fresh, focus on improving her grades, and transfer into a four-year program. Do a community college search to see if there are some good options close to where you live, where she can study full or part-time. Another option is to enrol her in “13th year” program at a local prep school. Private schools that excel in individual attention and college-prep curriculum may be able to help her boost her GPA by giving her the opportunity to focus solely on her academics in an intellectually stimulating environment. Be forewarned, these programs don’t come cheap, and they do not count for college credit. Search for college-prep programs that give you the most bang for your buck. The benefits to the “13th year” program vs. a community college is that they may have a better reputation than your local community college. If your daughter was aiming to get accepted into top schools, but she met with disappointment, an extra year at a private school might be just what she needs. If, however, she is more interested in a state school, a community college might be a great option to earn college credit and eventually transfer into a four-year program.

Another thing to think about is if your daughter could benefit from a “Gap Year” internship, volunteer trip, or even just a year working full time. There are many local and national organizations that organize internships and volunteer opportunities abroad and at home. This would boost her resume so that she stands out beyond her SAT scores, give her valuable life skills, and also let her think more about what she wants to get out of her college education. If she works locally, she can even take a few night courses to improve her GPA while she gains work experience.

Remember: support your daughter no matter what the outcome. Whether she gets in or doesn’t, know that this one decision is not the end of the world so long as she stays resourceful and optimistic. The last thing you want to do is overreact and discourage her. Make sure she understand the importance of making the most of this year-off, so that come next fall, she can enter university with full force and determination.

Good Luck!

-Babs

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POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, parents
03.16.09
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College Guide for TV and Film

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Dear Babs,

I’m a high school junior, interested in a career behind-the-scenes of television/film. I know that my first job will probably be as a production assistant, and that internships and helping out with student films are a good jumping off point, but what kind of college education should I be focusing on?

-ShutterBug

—college reviews

Dear ShutterBug,

If you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes television and film work, than a production major in either broadcasting or film is right for you. As you said yourself, you know that an internship is going to be the key to success in the tv/film industry. So do yourself a favor and place yourself at its hub: LA. Find colleges with great television and film production programs that are also in or around Los Angeles. University of Southern California, UCLA, and the American Film Institute are all renowned for their film schools. Another good bet, especially if you want a more liberal-arts college feel, is Chapman University. Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has an excellent program housed in a small, liberal-arts campus. Just know that these programs are very popular, and most require a special admissions application in addition to admittance into the university in general.

Another good tip is to try and get as much technical training as you can as an undergrad-film and TV editors are always in high demand, as are other professions that handle the complex technology used to produce high quality television and movies. Search for college student reviews from all of those schools mentioned above, and see which might be the best fit for you. You can compare colleges according to their size, college major, financial aid, or college acceptance rates, and see which school is going to offer you the best advantage in the film and television industry.

Good Luck!

-Babs

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POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
03.12.09
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College Information for International Students

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009


Dear Babs,

I am Indian, and I am interested in studying in the U.S. for university. What kind of visa do I need to study in the U.S.? Will being international affect my college admissions chances? Can I work while I am there?

-Foreign Freddy

—

Dear Freddy,

The No. 1 document you will need to study in the U.S. is your F1 visa. The F1 visa is for international students studying in the United States, but it will not allow you to immigrate (work and get your green-card). Under the F1, you are restricted as to where you can work. You are only allowed to work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours a week. You may be eligible to work off-campus if it is for an internship or career-training related to your studies, up to 40 months for the total of your student visa.

In order to apply for your F1, you must have already been accepted to a US university. Depending on where you search for college programs, you may find that your international status can either help you, or hurt you. If you are applying to popular state schools, like University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, or University of California-Berkeley, they will have a cap on the number of international applicants that they can admit. That means that you will be competing with other international students for a very limited spot. Popular state schools are funded by state-taxes, and so they give preference to in-state applicants. State-schools also typically charge much higher rates of tuition for international students, making them no more affordable than a private college. Although you may be an excellent candidate, there may just not be enough space for you at a big state university.

On the other hand, if you are interested in studying at a private college or university, your international status might actually help you. Liberal-arts colleges like Sarah Lawrence College or Vassar College often seek out extraordinary applicants who come from unique backgrounds. While the majority of these schools are made up of students from the northeast, they welcome adding diversity by accepting international applicants. As you compare colleges, either state schools or private liberal-arts colleges, make sure that they will value you for what you can bring to the campus: intelligence and worldliness.

One more point on student visas is that you will need to prove that you have the funds to pay for your university. Don’t assume that you will get financial aid or that your on-campus job will cover your expenses.  Apply to a variety of different universities, fill out all your paperwork, and stay proactive, and hopefully you’ll be on this side of the pond next fall!

Good Luck!

-Babs

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POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
03.11.09
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Can I search colleges without a major?

Monday, March 2nd, 2009


Dear Babs,

I’m kind of weird. I have many interests from premed to literature, classics to mathematics, and history. How will this affect my college search? Will I be penalized for having no specialty? Can I find a school that will let me take a little bit of everything, or do I have to pick a steadfast major?

-Major Pain

—

Dear Major Pain,

Actually, I think it’s great that you have so many interests; it makes you a well-rounded individual. You are the brass ring for any college admissions team. College admissions offices are often looking for people just like you who don’t fit easily into one box. Congratulations!

However, just because a college wants you, doesn’t mean you have to want it back. As you search for college, try and find some schools that allow you to play with and express your varied interests. Traditionally, schools ask you to pick your major in your sophomore or Junior year. For the remainder of the degree, you will take most of your courses in that field, although most schools still allow for some electives (courses that are not required by your program). Many schools now offer a double major, or a major and a minor, for students who want to specialize in two fields. Still, if you feel like two is too few, maybe a holistic curriculum is more for you.

A holistic curriculum acknowledges that many subjects, and indeed, many fields, require a person to possess knowledge from multiple disciplines. That is why some colleges are starting to allow more interdisciplinary courses of study. Hampshire College does not do traditional majors, but instead asks you to pick a general field of interest. You can design your own program around several disciplines!

Another good option might be a “Great Books” curriculum. School like St. John’s College (with campuses in both Annapolis, MD and Santa Fe, NM) offer a four-year Bachelors centered on a list of “great books.” These books are classics from a variety of subjects, from physics to psychology, classics to modern poetry. By requiring you to read the classics in human thought for the past few centuries, these colleges hope you will become an all-around intellectual and human being.

These suggestions are just the tip of the ice berg. Try searching for college information on interdisciplinary programs. You may be surprised by which schools are the perfect match for your wide-ranging tastes!

Good Luck!

-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
03.02.09
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