Myth # 8

I don’t need to worry about the application essay or my extracurricular activities

Many of your favorite colleges and universities have a broad educational mission: to develop the "whole student." Sharing your personal stories through an essay or a resume with your extracurricular activities is one way to represent yourself as ‘the whole student;’ for you surely are more than simply a GPA or SAT score.

When all else is equal between competing applicants, a compelling essay can make the difference. A powerful, well-written essay can also tip the balance for a marginal applicant. The essay is the only opportunity in a college application a student truly can have his or her voice heard. This is an opportunity to express concerns of your past and bring light to your great successes! The essay is YOU.

A college or university is going to want a student to be successful inside, as well as outside, of the classroom. This is why extracurricular involvement is a key tool in to personal development. For the majority of college and university students, involvement in extracurricular activities plays an integral role in the collegiate experience. Students become involved in extracurricular activities not only for entertainment, social, and enjoyment purposes, but most important, to gain and improve skills. Your essay and extracurricular activities are two great ways to paint your picture – the picture of the ‘whole student.’ Be sure not to let it go to waste!

          Mrs. Sarah Morissette, M. Ed.

Myth # 7

Test scores are the most important criteria in college admission

Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many college admissions officers actually say that your overall GPA is much more important that your SAT score. It makes sense, if you think about it: While your SAT score is reflective of how you did on a three-hour test, your GPA is actually the accumulation of four years of academic performance. Your performance in high school is a better predictor of college success than the standardized tests. Colleges know that. Don't leave anything to chance: Excel at school, and do well on the SAT/ACT. When both numbers are excellent, you have nothing to worry about.

Myth # 6

Schools that cost more provide a higher quality education

A big price tag does not equal happiness. College is going to be what the student makes of it. Utilizing resources, meeting new people, networking and getting involved make for the best college experiences and thus educations.  If you apply to the right schools, are open to the idea of relocating, and take advantage of grants, work-study programs, and loans, you can get a diploma for much cheaper than you realize. The idea is to walk away with your undergraduate degree and NOT be buried under a mountain of debt. Considering all different price points and researching your financial aid options well; these are the key to finding your perfect fit.

Myth #5

You have to be wealthy in order to attend college

Not true, about two-thirds of full-time undergraduate college students receive some type of financial aid. Financial aid is money that can help you pay for college. Some aid needs to be paid back or earned, and some aid is a gift. This money is available to all kinds of people. There are many colleges that provide an excellent educational experience at a price you can manage. For example, public college prices are lower than you might expect. Scholarships (free money) are awarded based on achievement, need or both. Many scholarships have other requirements — for example, they may only be offered to students who live in a certain state, are interested in a certain major or have a disability. It is best to research all of your financial aid options, before deciding a college is too expensive for you.

Mrs. Sarah Morissette, M. Ed.

Students can use Khan Academy for free SAT prep now – check out the link below for more information.

https://www.khanacademy.org/sat?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Stuff%2520you%2520might%2520like%2520After%2520Test%2520Cohort%2520Made&utm_campaign=Announcement%2520College%2520Board%2520SAT%2520Student%2520Ph1%2520New&utm_content=Final

Myth #4

Only those students from prestigious institutions gain entrance to graduate or professional schools.

Entrance to graduate or other professional schools are based on overall undergraduate performance. If a student takes advantage of the resources a college/university has to offer, he will find himself best prepared for his next phase of education. Performing at ones best is crucial, if a student wants to continue his education. Small classrooms and one on one attention from instructors are just one way to achieve this. Colleges That Change lives, http://www.ctcl.org/, have almost 100% placement into graduate programs; none of which are Ivy League schools. Making the most of your undergraduate experience is the best way to maximize your graduate or professional school opportunities.

Myth #3

If I don’t recognize the college’s name, it’s probably not a good school

Don’t forget, there are over 4,000 viable post-secondary options. 30 or more may match your exact criteria! You may not hear of many of the nation's finest colleges until you are well into your adult life. Athletics on television is how most colleges get to be known, but many colleges do not get that kind of exposure. Some of the nation's finest colleges don't play big-time athletics. Judge a college on its own merits. Don't let name recognition determine a good or bad college. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.

Myth #2

There is only one college that is exactly right for me.

In the US there are over 4,000 viable post-secondary options. 30 or more may match your exact criteria! There is no ‘perfect school’ out there; each has advantages and disadvantages, and any number of schools could be a great match for you! A lot can change in the 9 + months it has taken you to compile your college list, submit your applications and receive all of your decisions. With so many colleges to choose from – we can be confident that you could be happy at a number of choices. College is going to be what YOU make of it! Compromise is part of good decision-making. Sometimes we can’t have everything we originally wanted, but that does not mean we can’t have anything. Hopefully, we can be resilient enough to de-invest in the original choice, process the disappointment, and redirect our energies toward another worthy option.

College Admission Myths

Myth #1 – All colleges are alike, so there is no point in doing any research.

Not true, each college and university has their own set of admission requirements – based on campus, major or program. It is important to research each school to make sure your application is as strong as it can be! For example – did you know that the University of California schools require each application to complete one full year of a fine art course?! It’s true! California schools have something called the ‘a-g subject requirements,’ which outlines  how many courses in each subject an applicant must complete in order to be considered for admission to one of their schools. This poses a particular concern for students who come from high schools that do not have a year-long fine art graduation requirement – like Prep! Click on these links for more examples and information.

http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/index.html

http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/admissionsguide/procedures/

http://www.colorado.edu/admissions/undergraduate/sites/default/files/MAPS_201213.pdf

Doing your research is imperative to the college search process, and it is never too early to start. Use Naviance to research schools, programs, and career information. See your counselor if you have any questions.

Mrs. Sarah Morissette, M. Ed.

Summer Internships and Opportunities – Volume V

Curry College: A Summer Program for High School Seniors with Learning Differences www.curry.edu/collegesearcheast

Bryant University – Leadership Institute in Accounting www.bryant.edu

Fordham University Pre-College Summer Program Fordham.edu/summer

Regis Summer Scholars www.regiscollege.edu/hsprogram

Syracuse University - summer college – summercollege.syr.edu

Stamford University – summer institute and summer college – spcs.stanford.edu/explore

                                                  

Spring is a week away so you know what that means – COLLEGE TOURS. Here are some important Do’s and Don’t’s to keep in mind while wandering your favorite campuses

Your College Counseling Team

DO Ask about your tour guides personal experiences, favorite classes and why your guide decided upon the college over others.

DON'T Ask questions you can learn from the website. You have a real, live college student there, who attends the school you’re thinking about. Why not ask them something worth knowing about, rather than a statistic they’ve memorized from the website? You can always look that information up later.

DO Ask questions about the amounts of debt that school’s graduates typically owe and the school’s job placement rate.

DON'T Ask personal questions regarding your tour guide’s financial aid situation or your own.

DO Ask questions about the amounts of debt that school’s graduates typically owe and the school’s job placement rate. If you decide to attend the school, you will likely become one of these statistics in the future!

DON’T Count the school out because you dislike your tour guide. 

DO Make the best of your tour by asking thought-provoking and insightful questions!

DO plan ahead. Check the school’s web site for dates of tours and information sessions and to find out if reservations are required and when these events are available. Some schools do not offer tours during semester breaks and some admissions offices will close during holiday breaks.

DON’T expect a visit to campus when classes are not in session to provide the same options or experience as visiting during the regular semester schedule for any particular school.

DO remember that the logistics of getting to the college have nothing to do with what you will experience once you arrive and begin to explore life on that campus.

DON’T forget to ask questions and make notes about each school you visit. Take a notebook with you or use our college visit evaluation form to keep track of where you’ve been and what you thought of each school you visited. It’s free–print as many as you need.

DO ask questions on tours, you may be the only one. The guides encourage questions but for some reason, kids did not ask any. Do ask.

Happy Touring!

JUNIOR NEWS

Welcome to the second semester and the official beginning of

your college search and application process. At this stage, you

should be monitoring your Naviance account on a regular basis

for updates from your counselors. By next week, you need to:

1) update your resume in Naviance to reflect activities this year.

All clubs, activities, volunteerism and employment needs to be

added.

2) Your prospective college list, " Colleges I'm Thinking About",

should be updated to truly include ALL the colleges you are

thinking about.

3) Check out the summer program options. There may be

something incredible for you to try.

Reminders:

SAT: 5/3 (deadline 4/4); 6/7

(deadline 5/9)

ACT: 4/12 (deadline 3/7); 6/14

(deadline 5/9)

** All juniors should plan to take at least two tests before the end of the school year.

Discuss your specific plan with your counselor.

Athlete Notes

If you are a varsity athlete and plan to participate in athletics when in college, you need to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. This is not a commitment to play, but you cannot begin without being determined eligible by the NCAA. http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA_EMS.html. Do This Now!

Test Optional?

Go to fairtest.org for a list of all the colleges and universities with test optional policies.

What's Next?

• College Essay workshop: an announcement with more information will be sent out to you shortly with dates and details.

• College fairs- throughout the spring, so keep an eye out for opportunities at your local high school. We are co-hosting the Hudson County College Fair, 3/11 7-9pm

• PREP DAY: plan to spend the day doing some college activity. Details coming shortly.

• Teacher recommendation letters: your current junior year teachers are your greatest

allies. Continue to develop relationships by putting your best self forward. Give them many examples of just how great you are.

Your College Counseling Team

Attention all Prep Students  

Build software to solve challenges.

Compete in online competitions or in-person hackathons for fun and profit.

Visit http://challengepost.com/ for details!