The Choice: May Checklist for Seniors

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/01/calendar-may-seniors/?ref=education

Counselor’s Calendar | May Checklist for Seniors

By STEVE FRAPPIER

Counselor’s Calendar: May

In March, The Choice introduced an occasional series called Counselor’s Calendar, which is intended to guide students as they go through the admissions process.

This installment focuses on college-bound seniors, who must finalize their college choices today. (Don’t worry, juniors. Your checklist is coming on Wednesday.) We’ve asked Steve Frappier, the director of college counseling at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Fla., for some timely advice on what seniors should be doing in May as they prepare for college. —Tanya Caldwell
Seniors, here is your college admissions checklist for May:

Finish Strong
You are almost there, and we are as excited as you are! Before the silly string flies and the confetti pops out of the can, focus on a strong finish. The reset button will be pressed on graduation day, and you must soon prove yourself with a whole new cast of faculty. How you finish now — in terms of positive academic momentum and in healthy decision-making — will be the best way to test your readiness for freshman year. How you end senior year is also how you will be remembered among your peers and among your faculty members. Be smart, in every sense of the word.

Say “No Thank You”
Follow up with the schools that have admitted you, by or as close to May 1 as you can, to say that you have decided to enroll elsewhere. A simple e-mail is sufficient, to the general admissions address or to your admissions representative. For some students, these follow-up notes feel awkward, but you have been “invited to the party,” so the least you can do is send a simple R.S.V.P. that you cannot attend. Declining the offer of admission is also a courtesy to the students on wait lists.

Say “Thank You”
You have been helped along the way in your college process. Find the time to express gratitude to your teachers, counselors, coaches, advisers, and relatives. Pick the means of communication that suits your style — whether it’s a face-to-face conversation, an e-mail, a phone call, or a card — and let them know how they have been a positive resource for you.

Assess Any Wait List Options
Previous articles have addressed how to navigate the wait list process with a sense of realism. It is alright if your interest level for a wait list school “cools off” after placing your deposit elsewhere on May 1. Look within and determine if you want to pursue any wait list offers. Write to any colleges to de-register from the waitlist, if your plans have finalized; continue to remain in touch with the school that you wish to pursue.

Read the Instructions
Your university’s Orientation and Residential Life offices will remain in touch throughout the summer. You will receive a lot of information — from detailed move-in day instructions to how to set up a bank account and more — and you actually have to read it! Keep a folder with all of this information, including a list of helpful campus phone numbers.

Look for More Scholarships
Many third-party scholarships are still available, and various Web sites and search engines can point you to these resources. Many of these scholarship providers might ask for essays that you have already written, and the end result could be money that could offset the cost of travel, books, or tuition. If you are receiving need-based financial aid, check with your university on its policy regarding third-party scholarships, because your award might be adjusted.

Know Your Testing Codes
Every summer, students will call because they have misplaced their Advanced Placement student codes from the past year or two years, and their class registration is stalled. Sorry, your college counselors are on vacation! Sooner than later, make a plan for how your university will receive your Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge University exam results. Division I and Division II athletes, don’t forget that the N.C.A.A. also needs your SAT or ACT scores.

Find a Summer Plan
Many students have carried the frame of mind of “I should do this for college” with regard to summer activities. Now that you are accepted, you should still consider doing something enriching, whether it’s traveling, summer classes, new and rediscovered hobbies, or work. If you are seeking a summer job, the early bird gets the worm, and if you wait for mid-June, a lot of summertime staffs are already set. So take that spiffy résumé and hit the street now!

Pass the Torch
Leave a positive legacy by showing your sponsors and peers that you care for the sustainability of your extracurricular activities. Jot down some helpful tips for the underclassmen around you. They will certainly appreciate the advice! Be a role model in showing that your activities are not just lines on a résumé, but a part of you.

Pat Yourself on the Back
You did it! Whether your college process was a dream or a roller coaster, take pride in your achievements as you look forward to the exciting adventure that awaits you, with new classes, new experiences, and new friendships. I think of the senior T-shirts that are so prevalent around campus: “You know you want to be 1 2!” We kind of do. Congratulations, class of 2012!

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Class of 2012 College T-Shirt Day

The Choice: Checklist for Juniors

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/calendar-april-junior/#more-43629

Counselor’s Calendar | April Checklist for Juniors

By ERIN K. JOHNSTON

Counselor’s Calendar: April

Timely advice from experts for students who want to stay on track during the college admissions process.

In March, The Choice introduced Counselor’s Calendar, an occasional series intended to keep students on track throughout the college admissions process.

Our latest installment focuses on college-bound juniors, who are beginning to think seriously about how to make the most of their soon-to-come senior year. (In case you missed it, we posted an April checklist for seniors on Monday.)
We’ve asked Erin K. Johnston, the co-director of college guidance at National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., for some timely advice on what juniors should be doing in April to prepare for college. —Tanya Caldwell


Juniors, here is your college admissions checklist for April:

Continue your college research.
Take note of school presentations in your area — some colleges even travel together, so you could learn about a few colleges in one evening. Even better, try to attend a college fair as a way to gather information about dozens of colleges at once.
Some colleges offer spring open houses for juniors, or special summer opportunities for prospective applicants. Spring is a busy time for many juniors, with year-end school and extracurricular commitments, exams and final papers, and standardized tests. It’s not great timing that this is when colleges are available to visit your hometown or invite you to theirs, so be sure to prioritize. Protect your G.P.A. and transcript — don’t spend more time researching colleges than doing your schoolwork.

Keep financial considerations in mind.
As was noted on the March checklist, any student whose family cannot comfortably foot the cost of a college education should investigate options for need- and merit-based aid. Net-price calculators are user-friendly with completed tax returns in hand.

Have a plan for taking standardized tests.
Most students should sit for the ACT or SAT at least once before the end of the year, and those interested in selective universities should take at least two SAT Subject Tests, as well. Register for the tests well in advance to make sure you get a testing location near where you live.
If you’ve already taken the SAT or ACT once, seriously consider waiting until the fall for a retake rather than rushing to retake it again this spring. For many students, the older they are, the better they fare on any test.
Think about the coming Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. How prepared are you to do well on those exams? Sometimes, students sit for more exams than they really need to take — it’s better to do well on three exams than to do poorly on five.
Finally, if you feel as if your standardized test results won’t accurately showcase your abilities (in other words, if you’re not a great test-taker) then add some test-optional or test-flexible colleges to your list of schools.

Think about potential recommendation writers.
Many colleges ask applicants to submit three letters of recommendation — one from a guidance counselor and two from teachers. Students generally ask teachers from junior year (and sometimes, from senior year) to provide a written endorsement, so now is an excellent time to consider whom you might ask for a letter of recommendation. Not sure whom to ask? Ask yourself: “Who sees the best version of me, as a student, in the classroom every day?” or “Who has seen me grow and change, in a good way, this year?” or “In which class do I act the way a successful college student acts?”

Check out the April PDF of the Common Application.
The Common Application, a universal method of applying to colleges accepted at more than 450 institutions, has promised to release a preview PDF of the 2012-13 form in mid-April. Students cannot begin to complete the online version until August 1.

Pick the right classes for senior year.
Think carefully about a schedule that will provide you with an appropriate challenge. Having reached senior year, there might be very few classes you actually need to take to graduate. Given this flexibility, balance choosing specialized electives with foundational courses. In other words, that science elective in zoology might be a lot of fun, but if you haven’t taken any physics in secondary school, now is a good time to do so.
Many colleges prefer to see that students have taken the basics in high school, so that they can explore specialized fields in depth at the collegiate level. Maximize your choices to demonstrate your interest in a particular field. When in doubt, consider calling a few admissions offices to get their take.

Watch the seniors.
Your friends in the Class of 2012 have received most of their college news by this point. Consider the ways they experienced this process, and take note of actions, words and approaches you’d like to emulate — as well as mistakes, blunders and missteps you’d like to avoid.
Now is the time of year when admissions statistics are released by schools and many news stories are written about general admission trends. Think about how all of this data might have an impact on your search. Compare, for example, a college’s acceptance rate for early decision candidates with its acceptance rate for regular decision candidates. Pay attention to the types of notifications that aren’t just “admit” or “deny,” such as decisions of wait list, guaranteed transfer, spring admission or fall 2013 (a “forced” gap year) admission.
At school, resist the urge to offer judgment or unsolicited advice (“Can you believe HE got in and SHE did not?” or “Why would you just X College over Y College?”). There are a lot of factors that go into an
admissions decision — both the decisions made by colleges, as well as the ones made by seniors — so watch, listen and observe. This will be you in just one short year.

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AIMS College Fair Thursday, April 26, 2012

THE 26TH ANNUAL AIMS COLLEGE FAIR

FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND THEIR PARENTS


AT THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
2004 GREENSPRING DRIVE
TIMONIUM, MARYLAND 21093


FIRST SESSION: 5 - 6:30 P.M.
SECOND SESSION: 7:30 – 9 P.M.
(**College Reps will not be available from 6:30-7:30)
More than 200 colleges will be represented

Wait List Advice (from College Board)

What to Do if You're Wait-Listed

Boost Your Chances of Getting In

You’ve sent in your applications. Now you’re waiting for a letter from each college you applied to, either offering you admission or turning down your application. And there’s another possibility: a college may put you on a waiting list.
This can happen when you meet the admission requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place.
The college won’t make you this offer, though, until after the May 1 decision deadline has passed. If you’re on the waiting list, it’s hard to know what your chances of acceptance are.

If you get wait-listed by one of your top choices, let admission officers know why you're a great fit for their college.

Decide Whether to Stay on the List

Your next step is to respond and let the college know whether or not you want to stay on the waiting list. It makes sense to keep your spot on the list only if you’re really interested in going to the college.
Before you decide, find out whether there are any conditions attached to being wait-listed. For example, since you’re notified later than other applicants, you may have fewer housing and financial aid options.
Even if you decide to remain on the waiting list, prepare to attend another college. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, fill out the paperwork and send a deposit. You’ll forfeit this deposit if the college that wait-listed you offers you a place and you accept. Still, you need to be sure you have a place in an incoming freshman class next fall.

Take Control

If you decide to stay on the waiting list, be proactive. Here’s what you can do to boost your chances of being accepted.
Get a sense of your chances of admission. Contact the admission office to find out if the college ranks wait-listed students or if it has a priority list. Most are willing to let you know your status. The higher you rank on the list the better your chances of being accepted.
Write a letter to the admission office. The college has already decided that you have the academic credentials for admittance. Now’s the time to mention any additional nonacademic factors that might help your case — any new achievements or supplemental information. Emphasize your strong desire to attend the college and make a case for why you're a good fit. You can tell them that you'll enroll if they accept you, but only if you're absolutely certain you will.
Study hard. This is no time to slack off. If you're wait-listed, you may be reevaluated based on your third- and fourth-quarter grades.
Stay involved. Show admission officers you're committed to sports, clubs and other activities.
Request another (or a first) interview. An interview can give you a personal contact — someone who can check on the status of your application. You can also enlist the help of your high school counselor or someone you know who graduated from that college.
Realize that you've already achieved something. You were wait-listed, not turned away. Many students were not as successful.
Reconsider the colleges that accepted you.  If you would be just as happy at one of your other choices, send in a deposit and plan to attend that college. Then turn down the spot on the waiting list. You'll be surprised how much better you feel after your decision has been made.

Food for thought

                    

Andrew S. Doctoroff

Former journalist; Detroit lawyer

Dear Eighth Grader: So You Want to Apply to Harvard? Some Words of Advice...

Posted: 02/21/2012 5:27 pm

Dear Eighth Grader:
College interview season is drawing to a close. Hundreds of thousands of high school seniors would like to believe that they have secured admission to prestigious colleges by impressing alumni like me with their sterling credentials and conversational aptitude.

Our meeting will not take place for four years. I hope you don't think it too presumptuous of me to give you some things to think about now, at this early juncture -- to help you prepare.

I have three kids of my own, including an eighth grader like you. My house will still be pretty noisy in 2016 -- so, let's meet at Einstein's, the bagel place. I'll be the one doing the crossword puzzle.

I've been conducting Harvard interviews for many years. Even though I graduated from Harvard, I feel somewhat like a poser. I know to a moral certainty that, if I were to apply to the college today, the chances of my getting in would be less than zero. Admission standards have grown more rigorous over the last quarter century. Sometimes, it's good to be older.

I interview applicants because it's fun. I like hearing about what's going on in your youthful world, one that is now largely foreign to me. And, unlike my own kids, when I ask questions, applicants have to answer. I like that, too.

A friend recently asked me whether I interview because I like to wield power -- like Commodus in Gladiator, whose "thumbs up" gesture in the Coliseum meant life or death.

But my powers are hardly imperial. I am not a gatekeeper. A lot of kids about whom I write enthusiastic recommendations do not get in to Harvard. Some people say that the whole interview process is just an elaborate ruse intended to increase alumni donations. Still, my reports must count for something, because, when they are late, I receive testy emails admonishing me.

The first thing you should know is that great test scores and grade point averages do not, standing alone, excite me. If I had one candy-coated chocolate for every kid I've interviewed with an ACT score of 34, I could fill an industrial-size bag of M&Ms that Costco sells for $8.99. High grades? These days, in this era of hyper grade inflation, who doesn't get a four point gazillion GPA?

February Newsletters

Seniors: February Newsletter 

Sophomores/Juniors: February Newsletter

College Counseling December Newsletters

Link: Newsletter for Seniors

Topics include:

*Remaining Transcript Requests – due now!

*College Decision News – keep us posted!

*ED/EA Back-up Plan

*Early Notification Etiquette – be considerate of your classmates’ feelings.

*College missing documents? – come see us.

Link: Newsletter for Juniors

Topics include:

*Scheduling a College Counseling Family Meeting

*Family Connection

*College Admissions Testing

*College Night for Parents of Juniors, Part II

*Counselor Preference



Early Action and Early Decision follow up game plan

While nothing would make us happier than if you are admitted Early Action or Early Decision to your favorite college, we also need to have a backup plan!  We ask that you submit your transcript requests for the rest of your colleges by December 1^st.  Then we can send your transcripts, counselor forms and recommendations before we leave for the winter break.  You do not have to apply until you are ready, but this way we can rest assured that your materials will arrive by those January deadlines. 

You are under no obligation to apply to those colleges, even if we’ve sent your materials.  This is particularly true with Common Application colleges; the materials we send will not even be downloaded until your application arrives.

Remember that to request a transcript, you must add it to your “applying to” list in Family Connection and click “transcript requests.”  Also, if you are applying to a Common Application college, you must add that college to your list on www.commonapp.org.

Please see your counselor with any questions.  We wish you the best of luck at those Early Action/Early Decision colleges.  Let us know the results!   

Myths about Scholarships

Top 10 Myths About Scholarships

September 23, 2011

By Beckie Supiano

New Orleans–For all of the good information available to help students figure out how to pay for college, there are also more than a few urban legends  about who gets money and why. Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of the web sites FinAid and FastWeb, tried to clear up some of these misunderstandings at a session of the NACAC meeting here on Friday, where he shared ten myths about college scholarships.

1. Only straight- “A” students win scholarships: Students with better grades and test scores are more likely to win scholarships, Mr. Kantrowitz said, but some of the money does go to “B” and “C” students. Not every scholarship considers academic qualifications, Mr. Kantrowitz said,  including one of his favorites, a contest to make the best prom outfits out of duct tape.
2. Only minority students win scholarships: White students are actually disproportionately likely to win awards, as Mr. Kantrowitz shows in a recent paper.
3. My child will get a full-ride scholarship: There are some full-ride scholarships out there, but Mr. Kantrowitz has calculated that only 0.3 percent of students win enough money to cover their cost of attendance. Two-thirds of the students who win scholarships receive less than $2,500.
4. Only athletes win scholarships: Only a small fraction of institutional aid is awarded based on athletics, Mr. Kantrowitz said, and the average athletic scholarship only covers about a third of the cost of college.
5. Only the poor win scholarships: Mr. Kantrowitz has found that middle-income students are more likely to win private scholarships than their low-income peers. Private scholarships are not usually based on financial need.
6. Scholarships are just for high-school seniors: Students can apply for some scholarships as early as kindergarten, Mr. Kantrowiz said, and can continue to apply for some after beginning college.
7. The cost of private high school is earned back in scholarships: Students who attend private high schools do win a bit more in scholarships–about $1,000 of institutional and private money combined. But that pales in comparison to the cost of sending a child to a private high school, Mr. Kantrowitz said.
8. $6.6-billion in scholarships went unclaimed last year: Claims like this one are based on an outdated–and unrelated–study about employer tuition assistance, Mr. Kantrowitz said. “There are a handful of scholarships that go unclaimed, but that’s because they can’t be claimed,” he said. Sometimes no one meets the criteria.
9. Colleges will just reduce other aid if a student has a scholarship: It’s important to know a college’s outside-scholarship policy, Mr. Kantrowitz said, but most try to ensure that students keep some financial benefit for winning a scholarship.
10. Applying for scholarships is more work than it’s worth: Searching for scholarships is easy with the help of sites like his, Mr. Kantrowitz said, and it’s no harder to apply for them than for admission. Small scholarships and those requiring essays tend to be easier to win, as fewer students apply. “The bottom line,” Mr. Kantrowitz said,  ”is if you don’t apply for a scholarship, you’re not going to win it.”

Reprinted from The Chronicle of Higher Education blog "Head Count"  (http://chronicle.com/blogs/headcount/top-ten-myths-about-scholarships/28862

 NACAC: National Assoc of College Admission Counseling

Beckie Supiano is a staff reporter who covers financial aid, admissions, and the role of religion in the college experience.

Facebook & College Admissions

(Due to copyright issues, the following 9/21/11 USA Today article cannot be reprinted. Click on the link to read a very timely and informative warning.)

LINK:  "More college officials learn about applicants from Facebook"

Question of the Week

"What is The Academic Common Market?"



The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition-savings program that operates on the premise that if public institutions (private institutions can’t participate) in a student’s home state do not offer a degree program (undergraduate or graduate) that a student intends on pursuing, then he/she may attend a participating out-of-state institution offering the degree of interest through the ACM and be granted a waiver of out-of-state tuition charges. This serves as a cost-saving measure for both parents and students as in-state tuition rates are lower than out-of-state rates. It is also a savings for the state, as these programs do not have to be duplicated here in Maryland. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and the state higher education agencies of the sixteen (16) participating states administer the Academic Common Market (ACM) and ACM/Electronic Campus (EC) programs. 

Associate degree programs and non-degree programs are not eligible for ACM benefits. First professional degree programs, such as law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry are also not eligible for ACM benefits.                                             

The ACM program is not competitive, merit-based, or need-based, but applicants must meet state residency and college program requirements. Some institutions may impose additional acceptance requirements. Students are strongly advised to contact the institution directly for this information. It is the student’s responsibility to remain informed about and abide by the ACM Policies of Maryland AND of the Institution they plan to attend. 

Note:  The ACM is not a financial aid program and it is not affiliated in any manner with scholarships, award money or financial aid packages that students receive.  The ACM program represents a cooperative agreement among 16 states.  The State of Maryland also reciprocates with partnering states.  No funds are involved, reimbursed or exchanged.  

Please see ACM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and ACM Policies and Procedures (PDF) for additional information. 

Which States Participate in the ACM?:  Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. These states participate at the graduate level only:  Florida, North Carolina and Texas. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Effective for the 2012-2013 academic year, as a result of the “General Assembly of North Carolina's Appropriations Act of 2011”, the State of North Carolina will no longer participate in the Academic Common Market program. This policy will remain in effect until further notice. Academic Common Market students who are enrolled in the program and begin study prior to July 1, 2012 in the University of North Carolina System may continue to pay in-state tuition as long as the student (1) remains continuously enrolled full-time in their approved ACM graduate program (defined by institution), (2) remains in good academic standing (defined by institution), (3) maintains home state residency and (4) makes satisfactory progress toward the degree.  

What Program/Majors are available through the ACM for Maryland Residents?:  Numerous undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available to Maryland residents through the ACM. See the links below for a complete list: 

• Undergraduate ACM Programs for Maryland Residents

*** Maryland residents may submit applications ONLY for programs listed in the current ACM inventory.  

Who may apply:  Current Maryland high school seniors and full-time, degree-seeking   undergraduate and graduate students who have been fully accepted or are already enrolled in an eligible program of study that has been selected for the ACM by a participating public college/university.                               

Question of the Week

"Can you describe the timing of

College Admission testing?"

Two companies in the United States sponsor college admission tests. The College Board offers the PSAT, SAT-I and the SAT-II Subject Tests. American College Testing provides the ACT.

The SAT-I is a three-hour and 45-minute exam designed to measure critical reading, math, and writing skills. The PSAT is the practice test. Severn will automatically register Sophomores and Juniors to take the PSAT on campus. This year's PSAT is October 12.

The ACT is three hours long and measures skills in English, math, reading, and science. A 30-minute Writing Test is an optional component of the ACT. Most colleges require the writing section.

Students are penalized for entering a wrong answer on the SAT-I. Students are not similarly penalized on the ACT; therefore, it is to the student's advantage to answer every question on the ACT.
SAT vs. ACT: Almost all colleges and universities will accept either the SAT or the ACT. Some state their preference. Still others will accept the ACT as a substitute for their SAT Subject Tests requirement. Testing policies will vary from college to college.

Revolution Prep offers test preparation courses at Severn, and some juniors may choose this option for this winter or spring (for more information, please see their website: www.revolutionprep.com).  Financial aid is available to those who qualify.  Other students will find success by reading on their own and by using one of many available books to prepare for and practice taking the SAT.  For the first time this year, Revolution Prep will offer a free mock ACT test to Severn juniors on Saturday, November 12th.   More information will follow in the Binnacle.

Score Choice: The ACT has always given students the option of reporting their best ACT scores by test date. Now this same option is offered by the College Board. Beginning with the class of 2010, students may choose to send SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual tests. The College Board ruled out allowing students to mix and match their best math, critical reading, and writing scores from the different test dates. However, most colleges will continue to follow this practice if they receive more than one set of scores.

Score Choice is optional. If students do not use it, all scores will be sent to colleges automatically. All scores will still appear on reports sent to students and counselors.

Keep in mind that, regardless of the policy of the College Board, colleges may set their own test requirements. All the more reason for students to follow college application instructions carefully.

Reporting Scores: Severn students are responsible for having their scores sent directly to colleges from the appropriate testing agency. Admission test scores do not appear on a student's transcript.

 Typical SAT/ACT Testing Sequence

Grade	Date	Test
Tenth Grade	October	PSAT
Eleventh Grade	October January+May June	PSAT SAT-I SAT-II Subject Tests ACT (optional)
Twelfth Grade	October November	SAT-I ACT (optional) SAT-I

Notes from College Counseling

Severn’s college counselors will kick off the college application season by meeting in small-group sessions with seniors on Wednesday and Thursday, 8/31 and 9/1. Attendance is required and critical, especially for those seniors who did not attend the college counseling Summer Workshop, held August 16. Parents  of Seniors will have an opportunity to learn more about the college selection/application process by attending College Information Night for Parents of Seniors, September 6, at 7:00 p.m. in Roche Lecture Hall. We urge all parents to attend this session. (There will be a session for parents of Juniors in October). In the meantime, seniors should make an appointment via Mrs. Rudder to meet with their college counselor during their free period. We expect them to have completed the Biography for Counselor Recommendation in Family Connection before they make the appointment.  Appointments with seniors are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the calendar fills up fast, those who anticipate having to meet an early application deadline should sign up as soon as possible in order to save a date. Counselors look forward to these one-on-one sessions with seniors for a number of reasons, but especially because they provide another opportunity to get to know your son or daughter, whom they will be asked to support through a letter of recommendation. Parents will receive a written summary of the counseling session and are encouraged to stay in touch by e-mail or by phone. Also, parents are urged to submit a Brag Sheet, available in the Document Library of Family Connection or upon request by e-mail. We are grateful to the many parents who took the time to complete the Brag Sheet when we requested it last May. Thanks to all of you in advance for your continuing help and support!

Food for Thought...

reprinted from Newsweek/The Daily Beast 3/29/2011

10 College Admissions Trends

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Ivy League schools notified their lucky applicants—the precious few admitted in the toughest admissions year ever. From soaring waitlists to a Southern boom, Kristina Dell on 10 trends.

by Kristina Dell | March 29, 2011 9:7 PM EDT

The toughest college admissions year on record reached its apex this week as nervous seniors obsessively checked their email or a website to discover their fates. (Waiting for the fat or thin envelope? So 2005.) The hotter-than-ever Ivy League schools, which all had a record number of applicants this year, notified the lucky ones at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Getty Images

It has been an especially stressful process this year. The weak economy and a wider acceptance of the common application—Columbia used it for the first time this year and had a 32 percent jump in applicants over last year—has meant the competition is steeper than ever. Over the past five years, applications to the eight Ivy League schools plus MIT and Stanford skyrocketed from just over 200,000 applications to almost 300,000 early and regular applications, for a total increase of more than 40 percent, according to Michele Hernandez, president of Hernandez College Consulting.
While most final decisions won’t be made until May 1, when most school deposits are due, The Daily Beast spoke with admissions officers, guidance counselors, and college consultants to hear about the most surprising trends from this year’s applicant pool and what to look for in the next six weeks.
1) 2011 Was the Hardest Year to Get into College—Ever
“We already know this will be the hardest year in history for college seniors,” says Hernandez. She cites more kids applying, while most schools aren’t increasing their class size. It’s an unforgiving formula. “A few years ago, kids were applying to four or five schools,” says Greg Roberts, dean of admission at the University of Virginia. “But now it’s not uncommon to apply to 10 or 12 or in the extreme even 20 or 30.”
A number of trends are at play this year to make things extra difficult for applicants. Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Virginia got rid of their early-admission programs in 2006. In the meantime, college applications at selective schools have risen dramatically, reaching a pinnacle this year, as top-notch seniors started applying in droves to non-binding early-admission programs like Yale, Stanford, MIT, and the University of Chicago. In order to save themselves for a stab at Harvard or Princeton, many students decided to forgo the binding early-decision programs at the other Ivies, making the admissions process less efficient. Next year should be much calmer, as the number of high school seniors in certain parts of the country is dwindling and Harvard, Princeton, and University of Virginia will reinstate early-admission programs—getting the brainiacs out of the regular admissions pool. “The kids who want to apply to Harvard and Princeton will apply early-action,” says Hernandez. “That alone will change things.”
2) College Applicants Are More Interested in Southern Schools
Independent college counselors are noticing that more and more students are talking about heading south for the winter. “I have heard anecdotally from students and parents that they are starting to pay attention to what Tulane looks like in February compared to Dartmouth,” says Sally Rubenstone, a senior adviser at College Confidential. “They might not want to go where they have to scrape snow off their windshields.”
Vanderbilt, William & Mary, Emory, and Wake Forest, among other schools, are garnering more attention than usual for their pleasant climates. “Kids want sun and are looking for better weather,” says David Montesano, an admissions strategist with College Match Inc., a college consulting service. “Stanford and USC are among the most popular schools in the country for my kids.” Then there’s Occidental College, which is benefitting from the Obama bump—the president went there for two years before transferring to Columbia.

Calling all Seniors!!

 
College Counseling Summer Workshop: August 16th

Severn's college counselors will run two half-day workshops for members of the Class of 2012 on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.  Please let us know if you plan to join us by answering this quick survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/V8KXYKT

There will be two identical sessions, one in the morning from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, and another from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. We will provide juice and donuts in the morning and pizza for all for lunch from 12 noon to 1 p.m.  Seniors can choose which session to attend according to what best fits their schedule, especially athletes who may have a morning or afternoon practice.

These sessions are not mandatory, but they are highly recommended. We intend to lay the groundwork for the policies and procedures students will need to follow to assure that the application process throughout the fall runs as smoothly as possible. There will be activities involving Family Connection and the Common Application, and there will be plenty of time for questions.  Please come prepared to take notes!

Additionally, we have invited a guest speaker, Darryl Jones, the senior associate director of admissions at Gettysburg College, to provide advice and exercises regarding the college admission essay. He will be present at both sessions.