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Archive for May, 2009

Are private college counselors worth it?

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Dear Babs,college counselors
A lot of my son’s friends are applying to colleges in the fall, and some of them have hired “private” college counselors. What do they do? Is it necessary? My son already has guidance counselor-will a private counselor give him a leading edge?
-Counselor-Curious

—

Dear C.C.,

Private college counselors are all the rage now-yet the jury’s still out on whether they are worth the money. Many parents are choosing to hire private college counselors because they feel like their children are not getting the individual attention they need from their school’s guidance department. Unlike harried public school counselors who may only be able to meet with the child a couple times a semester, private counselors can as many times as you are willing to pay them.

And pay them you will. Counseling typically starts at $1,500 a semester, and some firms have been known to charge as much as $40,000 for a two year program. Students can expect to get college essay help, interview tips, and encouragement. Whether this translates into an acceptance into a top-college is unclear. Some counselors claim that they have ties to prestigious schools, but there is really no way to verify this. Private college counselors, unlike their school counterparts, do not need to be certified. NACAC, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, does provide certification for private counselors. If you do decide to go the private counselor route, look for their stamp of approval.

Private college counselors can be an asset to your child’s college search. If the counselor has legitimate networks into top-schools, and inside-experience in the college admissions office, they can provide some important insider knowledge. However, there are more affordable options for essay help and SAT prep that probably produce the same results. Try to objectively look at your son’s guidance department, and if you think they are significantly lacking in resources, perhaps start “window shopping” for a private counselor. Just remember that there is no guarantee that the money you spend will buy your child a college acceptance.

Good Luck!
-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, parents
05.27.09
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How should I pick my college classes?

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

Dear Babs,

I’m picking my college classes for the fall of my freshman year at St. Lawrence University, and I can’t decide what to take. I hear that humanities/social science majors can’t get jobs in this economy. I always wanted to major in poli-sci and work abroad, but should I be reconsidering my decision? I am pretty good at bio-should I aim for that major instead?
-Major Pain

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Dear Major Pain,

I think you’re over-thinking this. For starters, there is no sure-fire way to predict what the job market will be like in four years. In fact, experts are predicting that the economy will begin to pick up. A difficult field in this economy might thrive in the future. That being said, it is a standard expectation that science majors are more specialized and have a better chance in any job-market. If you’re at all interested in biology, it is definitely worth it to take a couple college classes. Don’t base you’re entire future on labor-market predictions, but if you have the opportunity to study a useful and in-demand skill, it definitely can’t hurt.

Another reason why your concerns might not be valid is that you want to work abroad. The world-economy is extremely varied, and depending on what country you want to live in, you will have different amounts of difficulty in finding a job. Places in developing countries, verses Europe, will probably have more jobs in foreign non-profits. Many non-profits often don’t pay, but their experience is invaluable. If biology still interests you, there are a lot of internships and jobs for those in the science field who want to go abroad. Whether you’re interested in medicine or plants and animals, working abroad is one way to make a bio degree more interesting.

As a freshman, don’t worry about filling major requirements just yet. Take a couple classes in bio, poli-sci, and anything else that interests you. My advice: figure out what you like to study, and then study it. When it does come time to pick your major in your sophomore or junior year, think about what kind of a career you would like to have. You can work abroad in most fields-major in something you actually like to do. And let the economy sort its own messes out-it seems to have a mind of its own anyways.

Good Luck!
-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs
05.26.09
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1st Generation College Information

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Dear Babs,
I never went to college, and this year my daughter will be starting her college search. I don’t know the first thing about what she has to do, and I’m at a loss as to what I should be doing. What should I expect? Can you give me any advice?
-1st Time College Dadcollege information
—
Dear College Dad,
There is nothing an advice columnist loves more than giving advice! First-generation college students face many challenges that students whose parents attended college do not face, but your interest and concern for your daughter show that she will not be facing them alone.

The main conflict I see come up with parents who did not attend college is that their expectations are often a bit different than the norm. Some feel that “only an Ivy” is a good school, because frankly, they haven’t heard of many other schools. Others are astounded (and rightly so) by the cost of college, and question whether their child is making the right decision. Know that there are as many colleges as there are types of children, and that really any college education is worth it. Regardless of school attended, a college degree makes up around an extra $100,000 in income over the course of one’s lifetime! Also, know that there are many ways to finance school. Whether it is through low-interest loans, private scholarships, or grants, your daughter should be able to afford some college.

Another area where “1st timers” find difficulty is in knowing all the college information out there. Check out collegeboard.org and fafsa.gov for information on the SATs and financial aid. Print out the “College Applications and Admissions Checklist” at CampusCompare.com to get some idea of a time line for the application process. Search colleges online with your daughter, so that you get a sense of how colleges describe themselves, what their common application procedures are, and what they look for. Attend a college fair with her, and meet admissions representatives! Definitely sit down with her school counselor to have them explain the application process and what the school can do to help you and your daughter. Basically, just get involved.

As for any expectations? Expect her to change her mind about where she wants to go 100 times. Expect her to get stressed and crabby about writing essays and SATs, and even MORE stressed and crabby when waiting to her back from her schools. At first it might seem like a foreign language, but I bet you’ll be speaking “college apps” in no time.

Good Luck!
-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, parents
05.20.09
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Should I try for higher SAT scores?

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009


Dear Babs,sat scores

I just took the SAT for the first time and I did okay-I got a 2000. I did really well in Reading and Writing, but I only got a 550 in Math. I want to go to a good school, maybe not an Ivy, but somewhere with a good reputation, like Tufts University. Should I retake it to improve my SAT scores?

-Trying for the Perfect Score

—

Dear Trying,

It might not be a bad idea.  Think hard about why you did not perform as well as you would have liked. Is Math difficult for you? Was it your last section and you were tired? Were you having an “off” day? If you can really focus why you did poorly on the math and learn study tips to improve your sat scores, you might be able to bring your test up by 100 points or so. However, know that with more effort going into the Math, your high scores in Reading and Writing might slip. The CollegeBoard, the organization that administers the SATs, now allows you to choose which scores you send by test date with “Score Choice” However, you can’t select which section you want to report: if you improve by 100 on one area, and “slide” in another area by “100″ your score will stay the same.

Check with your top-choice colleges about their own score reporting policy. Many schools (including Tufts) only look at your highest score from each section, even if they come from multiple tests. In that case, it might be a good idea to actually have the CollegeBoard send all of your scores (not just the best overall) to your colleges. That way you can pick and choose the best scores from each section of the SATs.

In general, know that it is very rare to make a big (over 200 point) improvement on your SATs the 2nd time around. Each time you retake the test, your chances of improving actually diminish. My rule of thumb is if you’re not happy with your score the 1st time around, buckle down to study and try again. If you’re not happy the 2nd time around, maybe just buck up and accept your SAT scores for what they are.

Good Luck!

-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, Sat-and-ACT
05.19.09
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Should my daughter live on campus?

Thursday, May 14th, 2009


Dear Babs,

My Daughter got into the local college, SUNY Buffalo, and we are so proud! Now that she is in we need to decide where she will be living. It is only a half-hour bus ride away, and living at home is more than feasible. However, she has gotten a lot of brochures on the dorms, and they look like fun.  I want her to have the full-college experience, but if she lives on-campus, she will have to take out loans. Will she miss out if she lives at home?college search

-Homemommy

Dear Homemommy,

Congratulations to your daughter, and kudos to you for being so concerned about her college experience.

That being said, there’s really no one way to have the college experience. I have known kids who, for various reasons, chose to live at home, and never regretted it. It’s cheaper, and hey, who doesn’t love having their laundry done? On the other hand, it can be stifling, especially if all of your friends are gallivanting on campus and you have to worry about a long commute after dark, and a worried mom waiting at home.

According to CampusCompare’s data, about three-quarters of SUNY Buffalo freshman live on campus. With most students in the dorms, she might feel a bit left out of the campus scene. If she really wants to live on campus, why not let her try it for a year? She can probably earn some money this summer to put towards the dorms, and the rest can be taken out in a loan. If after a year, she has had “her experience,” your home will always be there waiting for her.

For living at home to work, you need to be ready to respect your daughter’s independence. Although curfews, grounding, and nosiness are okay while she’s in high school, (heck, encouraged) you don’t want to prolong her adolescence by being a buttinski. It’s not that you are not entitled to house rules, but that your daughter needs to assume more responsibility and ownership over her decisions. A “college experience” is really about testing the waters, no matter where she chooses to live.

Good Luck!

-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Dear Babs, parents
05.14.09
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Should I attend a pre-college summer program?

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009


Dear Babs,pre-college summer program

I’m a sophomore in High School and I have some friends going to pre-college “summer program” at Northwestern University (I live outside of Chicago). Is this a good idea? It’s really expensive, but am I more likely to get into the school if I go to a summer program there?

-Summer Plans

Dear Summer,

A pre-college summer program is basically an academic “camp” held at a college. Top schools across the country attract bright high schoolers looking for a feel for the college life before they graduate. You live in dorms, take classes like a college student in subjects that interest you, and even eat in the caf (oh joy!). These programs can be at a prestigious university far away, like Oxford University in England, or at your local campus.

Do these programs look good? Sure. It shows that you are academically curious: who else would volunteer to take school over the summer? But a lot of students are taking these courses because they think it gives them an “in” at the selective college before they even have to apply. This is not true. These programs are expensive, and colleges run them to make money, not to pre-select applicants. Colleges know that not everyone can afford to go to these programs, and they don’t give preference either way. There are unfortunately many students who spent $6,000+ on a program at a very selective college, only to be rejected by them come Senior year.

At best, a pre-college summer program shows that you are interested in attending the school, and pursuing an academic future. You can demonstrate this in a lot of other ways. Try taking courses at a community college, volunteering in a lab or museum, or using this summer to build your portfolio in art, writing, or music. Go on a tour of the colleges you are looking into to show them that you are interested (it’ll get your name on file). Basically, colleges are impressed when you pursue a passion-not when you spend bucket loads of money.

Good Luck!

Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, study abroad, trends
05.12.09
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AP Classes: Right or Wrong?

Thursday, May 7th, 2009


Dear Babs,AP classes

My son is a junior in High School, and will soon be a senior applying to colleges. He’s finalizing his schedule for next year, and I have some concerns. He doesn’t want to sign up for any AP courses. I hear that colleges really look for APs, but he says he doesn’t want to be too stressed out his senior year. He’s a bright kid with the grades to get into AP classes, and I think he can handle it. Who’s right? Him or me?

-Right-On Mom

Dear Right-On,

You’re right, but so is your son. Your son is quickly approaching the edge of parental control; soon you will not be able to control what classes he takes, who he hangs out with, or what major he pursues. Although he still has one more year left in your home, he will probably use next year to incrementally assert his control over his own life. This is a good thing. It’s best if he starts to make his own decisions regarding his future now, not next year when he is out of the house and completely away from your guidance. Use this time to nurture his decision-making skills, not thwart them. Next year when he is living on his own, he will already have a year of wise decision making under his belt.

Just because you ultimately leave the decision up to him does not mean that you should just back off. You are right about AP classes, colleges do look favourably on students who take multiple courses. In fact, APs are so popular now, that they are practically de rigueur.  What used to be a nice way to make your application stand out is now practically a prerequisite. Plus, AP classes enable your son to get out of required college classes. Instead of taking Freshman Bio 101 in a class of 200 people, he can take AP bio with 20 students.  Not to mention the money saved in tuition. AP classes are important for college admissions, and a benefit to the student their first year in college.

It sounds like your son is very concerned with enjoying his senior year. One of the most important skills a college student needs to learn is delayed gratification. Now is the time to talk to him about the goals he has for his future, and how some stress now is worth it if it will help him achieve his goals. Why don’t you suggest that he only take APs in his favourite subjects? He doesn’t need to take an AP in a course that he has struggled with in the past-getting a C in an AP is not as good as getting a B in an easier course. Encourage him to challenge himself, not stress himself out.

Ultimately, I think that you should leave the decision in his hands, but only after a long talk about the consequences of “one fun year”. Hopefully, with your support, he will make the right decision.

Good Luck!

-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs, parents
05.07.09
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Stuck on the Waitlist

Monday, May 4th, 2009


Dear Babs,

I’ve been waitlisted at my top choice, Georgetown University. My next choice is University of Virginia, but I have just fallen in love with Georgetown. I need to decide, but I still really, really hope that I can get in. How hard is it to get off the waitlist? Is there anything I can do? Is it worth not making my decision until I hear back from Georgetown?

-Waitlisted

—

Dear Waitlisted,

There’s almost nothing worse than being waitlisted. Well, you know, besides being outright rejected.

Instead of getting a clear-cut answer, you’re expected to stay on the line, ready to drop everything at a moment’s notice if your top-choice school suddenly decides that you are worthy.

Unfortunately, this is not always practical. Even though Georgetown might not be 100% sure if you are the right student for them, it sounds like University of Virginia is. And the University of Virginia deserves to hear an answer from you-either way.

You can’t waste any time. Call the college admissions office at Georgetown. If you can, get your counselor on the phone with you. Ask if there is anything not in your application that they would be interested in seeing. In order to get off the waitlist, you will need to prove that your college application deserves a second look, because of new information or because they overlooked something in the first place.

In all honesty, it is even harder to get off the waitlist than to get into a school to begin with. If it doesn’t look like Georgetown is able to give you an answer anywhere, than I suggest you accept University of Virginia. If you bank on Georgetown, you may miss the UVA’s college deadline altogether, and not have any college to attend this fall. And wouldn’t you rather go somewhere that wants you, as opposed to a college that’s on the fence?

Good Luck!

-Babs

POSTED BY Dear Babs IN Admissions, Dear Babs
05.04.09
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