TeenLife 2011 Guide to College Admissions

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2011

gUIDE TO COLLEgE ADMIssIONs

What to Pack for College

Tips to a successful College Interview

Easy-to-Follow College Prep Timeline

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Introducing TeenLife’s 2011 guide to College AdmissionsThe only free comprehensive resource of its kind.

College—It’s not a big word, but it’s definitely a big step.

It seems like every year I hear from parents and students, and even school guidance counselors, that the college prep and admissions timeline keeps getting earlier

and earlier, beginning at the middle school level. Before you know it, it’s fast-forward to high school, then college—and you are unloading your car stuffed with boxes at the curb of your dorm. Believe me, it comes up quickly!

You are probably thinking, whoa, rewind… Do I want to go to college? Can I afford college? Which type of college do I want to go to? Where do I start?

Please, don’t be overwhelmed. We want all parents and teens to ease through the process, as it is one filled with deadlines and details. It can be a very stressful time for everyone, but it can also go quite smoothly if you let TeenLife steer the way!

Along with our award-winning site that is loaded with information on the college admissions process, we have put together our first-ever digital Guide to

College Admissions. It’s cohesive, and chock-full of useful information on college planning; determining whether you are ready for college; tips for visiting colleges; and advice on essay and study habits. And we even included room décor and ideas on what to pack.

If you need more assistance, the College Resources section of our Guide lists an extensive number of tutoring and test prep options and independent counselors, which may be exactly what you need to get into the university you truly want.

When campus life is just over the horizon, my wonderful staff (many of whom have just graduated) and I want you to remember that going off to college is an exciting, adventurous, and life-changing event. Follow our lead and you will see how easy it is to make this transition. Your questions will be answered and your mindset will gradually change from “I’m excited to think about college” to “I’m ready to apply to college” to “Then I got into my college.” It’s that simple.

Marie schwartz, President & Founder TeenLife Media, LLC

TEENLIFE gUIDE TO COLLEgE ADMIssIONs 2011 | 3


TeenLife Guide to College Admissions

PubLished byTeenLife Media, LLC1330 Beacon St., Suite 268 Brookline, MA 02446www.teenlife.com

Copyright © 2011 by TeenLife Media, LLC, Brookline, MassachusettsPublished by TeenLife Media, LLC, Brookline, Massachusetts

V.P., Marketing and Business Development: Cara Ferragamo Murray Managing Editor: Camille HeidebrechtGraphic Design: Kathryn Tilton

AuThors: KAren KusKin-smiTh And mArissA smiThKaren Kuskin-Smith has been an educator for more than 30 years. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Pupil Support Services at Brookline High School for 25 years. She is currently a consultant to TeenLife in addition to conducting workshops for parents on the college process. Sheholds an A.B. in English from Connecticut College, a MAT in English from Brown University and an Ed.M. in Counseling Psychology from Boston University. Her daughter, Marissa Smith, recently graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Psychology from The George Washington University where she served as a student representative on the admissions staff for four years. She continues to conduct interviews for the university. She is currently working at Needham High School transitioning students from hospitalizationsback into the high school setting.

LimiT of LiAbiLiTyThis publication, produced by TeenLife Media (TL), is intended as a general guide only. While this guide contains articles with general advice, readers are advised to obtain independent advice, undertake their own investigations, obtain references, and come to their own conclusions before making any commitments. TL is not familiar with all of the businesses and institutions listed, and is therefore not responsible for the accuracy of any description, or for mistakes, errors or omissions. TL is not responsible for any costs, damages, or other matters that occur as a result of reliance on the material contained herein. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of TL.

Trademarks: TeenLife Media, LLC and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of TeenLife and/or its affiliates in the United States and may not be used without written permission.

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Table of ContentsCoLLeGe Admissions6 Are You Ready for College?

7 Onward and Forward

8 Visiting a College

8 College Interviews 11 The College Application Process

12 Test Preparation

13 Writing Your College Essay

15 Packing for College

16 Campus Living

16 Study Habits

18 For Your Parents

19 Taking a Year Off

6


indeX

27

ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEgE?

guide to College Admissions


Fred Hargadon, the former Dean of Admissions at Princeton University, believes that families should start the college discussion with “Why do you want to go to college?” then ask “When do you want to go to college?” and lastly “Where do you want to go to college?”

Too often we begin this discussion at the end. To find a match, students must first understand why it is they want to attend. If the answer is "because that is what everyone else does after high school," then it may be time to rethink this decision.

Once these questions have been answered—and if college is your next step—then it is time to do a self-assessment.

6 | 2011 TEENLIFE gUIDE TO COLLEgE ADMIssIONs6 | 2011 TEENLIFE gUIDE TO COLLEgE ADMIssIONs

The brief time invested while still in high school can save you and your student from a lot of headaches in the planning and admissions process. Organizing and thinking about each logical step will lead to successful admissions, a successful college education, and a successful career down the line.

What are your areas of strength and weakness? For example, are you a good reader or writer? Do you enjoy problem solving? Do you like to discuss issues? What areas are more difficult for you? For example, do you need to im-prove your public speaking skills? Do you need to develop better study habits?

What are you favorite school subjects?

What activities do you most enjoy?

Do you have a particular career interest? (Of course, these interests may change over time.)

How independent are you? How well do you adjust to new situations? Do you have good self-advocacy skills? When you are having difficulty, do you ask for help? When you have a problem, are you able to take the necessary steps to solve it?

What is your learning style? How do you learn best? Are you most successful in small classes with lots of discus-sion or do you prefer a lecture format? Are you a visual learner or do you learn best by listening?

How do you define success? How do you measure how well you have done? Is success defined by your grade or how much you feel you have learned? Will your future success be measured by your position, your salary, your impact on those around you?

Why do you want to go to college? Is this your decision or that of your family or friends? What excites you about going to college?

guide to College Admissions


ONWARD AND FORWARD Once you have established that college is your next step and have thought hard about who you are and what you need in a college, there are many ways to learn about colleges.

You can do research online, in high school college counseling offices, in books that highlight the most important information about a college, or you may hear anecdotal stories from students. Some families may choose to visit schools. Others will confine their visits to local college fairs or college information programs.

Research is key to help you decide which schools may be the right match for you. Check with your college counseling office about the specific programs they may have for students and parents.

Visits to the campus are the most helpful in making this determination but may not be possible because of the expense involved. While helpful, these visits are not critical until the spring of your senior year when you are deciding which college to attend.

You should never commit to a college without visiting it. Colleges look favorably on expressions of interest by a student. Each college admissions office is concerned about yield (the number of students who will accept their offer of acceptance). If a student has expressed interest in the college through visits, interviews, emails, and Internet contact, the college believes the student is more likely to attend. This interested student, who also meets all the other criteria for acceptance, becomes a more likely individual to accept the college’s offer.

The basic college timeline is as follows:

Junior Year

• October—Take PSAT.

• March/April or May—Take SAT and/or ACT.

• June—Take SAT Subject Tests or ACT (Subject Tests should be taken at the time the student completes the course).

• Spring—Begin to build college list.

• Spring—Visit colleges, attend college fairs and/or local college programs.

• Spring—Begin to develop a resume of your high school activities both in and outside of school so that you have a complete list prepared when you actually begin to fill out your applications. Don’t forget about internship, volunteer, or work experiences. Your parents can be helpful in building this list.

• Summer—Start those applications! Get a head start before the stresses of senior year kick into full gear. Brainstorm and outline a few essay ideas during the summer, so you can obtain your teachers’ comments at the start of school. Also, select your first choice schools so you and your counselor can move forward with a solid plan.

senior Year

• October, November, or December—Retake SATs, ACTs and/or Subject Tests. Try to have all testing completed by November.

• January—File FAFSA, CSS Profile, and/or individual college financial aid forms.

CoLLeGe Admissions

VIsITINg A COLLEgEIf you do plan to visit colleges, here are some suggestions:

• Attend group information sessions and campus tours.

• Be sure to speak with students who are not representatives from the admissions office to get another viewpoint on the college.

• Read student newspapers.

• Check out what is posted on campus bulletin boards.

• Attend class—It is often a good idea to visit a class in a subject that is not a favorite to see how a challenging course for you might be taught.

• Stay overnight in a dorm.

• Take pictures!

The Admissions Office can help with each of these suggestions. Be sure to write down a list of pluses and minuses for each college immediately after the visit so that they are fresh in your mind.

8 | 2011 TEENLIFE gUIDE TO COLLEgE ADMIssIONs

COLLEgE INTERVIEWs Interviews are great ways for the colleges to learn more about you and also for you to learn more about the colleges that interest you.

Admissions staff, faculty members, and sometimes stu-dents conduct interviews. They may or may not be a part of the actual admissions process, but they certainly are an opportunity for you to ask the hard questions so that you can make the most informed decision about whether the college is a match for you. They are also a way of express-ing interest in the college.

If the interview is not mandatory (and most are not) and you do not do well in these face-to-face situations, think carefully before scheduling one. The write-up by the inter-viewer will usually be added to your admissions folder, so for anyone considering an interview, practice is important.

You can usually arrange for a mock interview through your high school counseling office or ask to be interviewed by an adult you know who may be a little intimidating. You can also schedule an interview at a local college for practice. Your first real interview should not be the first one that you’ve ever done!

A list of interview DOs:

• DO make an appointment well in advance.

• DO arrive on time.

• DO dress appropriately. First impressions mean a lot. Jeans and t-shirts are never appropriate for an interview.

• DO turn off your cell phone before the interview.

• DO be yourself. Interviewers can tell when someone is reciting answers he/she has practiced over and over again.

• DO think of some examples/stories that describe who you are and how you think. They will make you more memorable as well.

• DO be honest. If there are weaknesses in your tran-script or your test scores are low, this is the time to explain them. Let the interviewer know how you have improved or plan to improve. Remember—you are looking for a match; honesty will help you find it.

• DO make eye contact with the interviewer and give him/her a firm handshake. If this greeting is not easy for you, practice with someone beforehand.

• DO some research before going into the interview. The question “Tell me what you know about __________ College/University” will usually be asked. Be sure to know the names of some classes, activities, or pro-grams that you may be interested in exploring at this particular institution.

• DO think about how you hope to grow over these next few years and how this particular college/university might help you do this.

• DO take the time to think about your answers. Inter-viewers are looking for thoughtful not quick responses.

• DO make sure you have questions to ask the interview-er about the school. They should not be questions that have been already answered in the material they have sent you or you have viewed online.

CoLLeGe Admissions

sample Interview Questions:

• Tell me something about your high school. What is one thing you would change if you could? What is your favorite memory from high school?

• Tell me about a teacher in high school that had an impact on your life.

• What are your extracurricular interests? What activities do you hope to get involved in here to continue exploring these interests?

• Have you ever traveled overseas? Do you hope to study abroad?

• Tell me about a difficult experience in your life and how you dealt with it.

• How would your friends describe you?

Be prepared to tell the interviewer where this school falls on your list. Be honest but don’t give too much information. If the school is not your top choice, simply tell them you are interested in their university and learning more about it.


• DO look at the college’s website for possible interview questions. Many schools post them.

• DO have fun. The interview provides an opportunity for the college to get to know you and to put a face with a name.

• DO write a thank you note after the interview. This will reiterate your appreciation and interest in the school.

A list of interview DON’Ts:

• DON’T bring a lot of extra materials to show the interviewer (e.g., artwork, essays, or cookies). Any essential additional material that contributes new information to your candidacy should be included with your application.

• DON’T play with your phone or text friends while waiting for the interview to begin. Your cell phone should remain off and out of sight.

• DON’T give one word answers or mumble.

• DON’T chew gum.

• DON’T expect your parents to be a part of the inter-view. The interviewer will usually speak briefly with them after your interview. This is your time to shine!

CoLLeGe Admissions

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THE COLLEgE APPLICATION PROCEssThe college application process is full of deadlines and details and can cause added tension in a family already feeling the stress of the many demands of a student’s senior year.

It is critical to use the resources of your school to help both child and family get through this process.

Guidance counselors and/or college advisors can help manage deadlines and play the role of the “nudge” without the conflict that often occurs between parent and child. They should serve as your primary resource.

Use these individuals to:

• Recommend courses and course sequences that you should take in order to prepare for college admissions.

• Plan group informational meetings on the college process.

• Hold individual family meetings to develop and then revise college lists.

• Help plan out a college testing schedule and monitor the results of this testing.

• Check on the progress of applications, most especially the college essay.

• Review the draft of the essay for general content, spelling, and grammar.

• Write a letter of recommendation that high-lights the student’s high school experience.

• Share information about other students from your high school who have attended particular colleges.

In general, parents should not have to spend additional money for college counseling. If you are concerned that your child’s counselor is not able to provide the information that you need, contact the head of the department at the high school.

CoLLeGe Admissions

Every student does not need to take a test preparation course. You can buy an SAT or ACT test preparation book or access a computer program and do the studying on your own.

Some students may benefit from Test Preparation be-fore they take the SAT or ACT. This kind of preparation depends on your learning style, how much your family is prepared to spend, and how much time you have to devote to this extra commitment. It is generally worth waiting to begin a program until you get the results back from the PSAT taken in the junior year with its comprehensive analysis of where you did well and what areas need improvement.

If you choose to use a test prep company, you should consider:

• Location—at their office or your home.

• Cost—varies widely. Many school systems offer test prep programs either as part of the curriculum or as an offering through their Adult and Community Education program.

• Number, days, and hours of meetings.

• Type of program—large or small class or private lesson.

• Focus on learning content or on testing strategies.

• Focus on meeting group or individual student needs.

Applying to college is a lesson in organizational skills.

You need to decide how you will organize all the material you will receive both in the mail and online. It is helpful to have a file for each college you are researching and then for the ones to which you actually plan to apply. On each folder, list any important dates—i.e., application deadline, financial aid deadline, date you visited college, attended a local presentation, had an interview. Additionally, consider creating a separate e-mail address to house all college-related corresponse. Tip: make sure your ".com" address is appropriate

Once you have prepared any documents to send to the college, whether online or in hard copy, MAKE A COPY. Never send anything without making a copy or printing it out. Also, be sure to proof each document; spell-check does not pick up incorrect words. You can ask your parents to help with the proofing.

TEsT PREPARATIONTest preparation can benefit everyone by helping you to better understand the nature of the test—the specific directions for each section, the kinds of questions in each area, and suggestions for using time wisely.


CoLLeGe Admissions

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WRITINg YOUR COLLEgE EssAY The college essay represents an opportunity for you to share something about yourself that the admissions office does not already know from the hard data (i.e., your gPA and test scores).

Usually there are several essay topics from which to choose. Pick the topic to which you feel the most connected and that might help to fill in any gaps not covered in the rest of your application.

• Make sure you answer the question asked.

• Be yourself. For example, don’t try to sound humorous if this approach is not natural for you.

• Be as specific as you can about the topic you have chosen. Anecdotes that help explain your topic are very helpful.

• Be sure to check for typos, spelling, and gram-matical errors.

• If you are writing about what has drawn you to a particular college, be sure you use the name of the correct college in your essay.

• Keep within the number of words suggested.

• Make sure you are well-versed in your topic of choice, whether it’s an area of interest or an academic subject.

Recommendations are another way for the colleges to learn more about you. Anecdotal information is the best way for your teachers to share what is most special about you. Teacher recommendations don’t always need to be from the teacher of the subject in which you do well. Sometimes the teacher of a subject in which you have struggled can share more insightful informa-tion about how you deal with a challenge. Surely, you will confront some academic challenges in your college courses; it is helpful for the admis-sions office to understand how you approach these difficulties. Teachers should address your study habits, class participation, and ability to work in

CoLLeGe Admissions

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groups. It is not necessary for a teacher to write about your extracurricular activities unless he/she serves as your advisor. Your college counselor, who will be pre-senting the total picture of you, can best discuss these activities. Occasionally, students might want to send an additional recommendation from a club advisor, coach, or employer. These can be valuable if they address how you perform outside the classroom. Once again, anecdotes are very helpful. It is not a good idea to get a recommendation from someone who does not know you well such as a family friend who may know your parents but really doesn’t know you. To assist those recommending you:

• Ask the recommender what he/she may need to help write the recommendation such as a copy of your resume or a conversation with you.

• Give the teacher a large manila envelope. Put the name of each school to which you are applying on the front of the envelope with the deadline for each school listed. Inside provide a stamped addressed envelope for each school. Use your high school ad-dress as the return address.

• Write each person who writes you a recommenda-tion a thank-you note. Also, keep in touch with these individuals and let them know the results of your applications and what college you plan to attend.

Most students will apply for some form of Financial Aid. For some it will be local scholarships from neigh-borhood organizations or their high schools. Others will apply to the federal government and the colleges themselves. Financial Aid awards are based on a fam-ily’s ability to pay for college taking into consideration a wide range of factors. If awarded, it usually comes in the form of grants (free money), loans (which need to be repaid), and work/study (students will secure a job on campus which can help pay for books and/or living expenses). Here are a few suggestions:

• Research local scholarship opportunities first. Your high school usually receives information about these and may offer their own scholarships. There are many national scholarship programs, but students are often more successful in actually getting money from local organizations.


• It is helpful to have your federal income tax return completed before filing for financial aid since this form is referenced in the FAFSA (free application for federal money).

• The FAFSA cannot be filed until after January 1 of your senior year. You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

• The CSS Profile, the application used by private colleges to award their institutional money, can be filed any time senior year, generally the earlier the better.

• Some institutions have their own form. Be sure to pay attention to the deadlines for completed forms.

• Never pay to get money. There are lots of free resources. For example the TERI College Planning Center at the Boston Public Library will not only help parents fill out the forms but is also an excellent resource for finding scholarships. (Visit Tericollegeplanning.org)

• A financial aid application needs to be filed each year the student is in school.

• Some colleges award merit-based aid. This money is based on a student’s academic performance. Merit-based aid does not require an application.

Once you have been accepted and chosen the school that is the best match for you, taking those first steps to become a college freshman can be daunting. Your transition will be much easier if you follow some of these suggestions:

• Ask your counselor for the names of students from your high school who are currently attending the college you plan to attend. Have lunch with one of them before you leave to get some helpful sugges-tions about how to manage your first few days, plan your schedule, and meet other students.

• In addition to freshmen orientation, many colleges sponsor programs just before school begins to help you get to know other members of your class. These may be outdoor adventures, community service activities, or leadership training initiatives. Sometimes these programs cost additional money but are very helpful in connecting with the college and classmates early on.

• Get involved in activities that you enjoyed in high school. The familiarity of these activities and the opportunity to meet others who also enjoy them will help in the transition process.

• Once you arrive on campus, take advantage of the social activities planned for freshmen. You will meet people, hear about important opportunities, and feel more connected to student life.

• Find out about the resource centers that are available on campus--i.e., advising program, writing center, resume writing, tutoring center, mental health support. It is comforting to know that you can easily access the help you may need at any given time in your college career.

• Think about what time of day you work best. Schedule classes with this time in mind.

• Talk to the people who sit next to you in class. Get to know them. These individuals may become friends or perhaps study partners.

• Explore the city or town around you. Find out what it has to offer.

• Make the good-byes with parents and/or siblings quick ones. Lingering makes the parting more difficult.


PACKINg FOR COLLEgEDeciding what you need to bring with you to college will occupy most of your summer, especially if you are not arriving there by car. Here are some suggestions for packing:

• If you are not driving, investigate shipping services offered by the college.

• Bring less than what you think you will need.

• Collect Bed, Bath and Beyond and other discount coupons from retailers. They will definitely come in hand! Several retailers, like Apple and J. Crew also offer ongoing discounts to college students – all you need to show is your college ID card. Talk to your roommates beforehand to see what they are planning to bring. There is no need to bring duplicates of items such at TVs, CD players, etc.

• Check to see what the college provides in the dormitory room. It is also helpful to understand the moving-in plan for the school. Often there will be current students to help you move in, and you may be required to move into your dorm at certain times to avoid congestion.

• In the fall, bring only fall clothing. You can bring an empty suitcase home over Thanksgiving break for your winter clothes. This will save precious closet space in your dorm room.

• Risers are sometimes helpful to make your bed a bit higher. Risers will also open up some storage space under your bed.

• Do not buy notebooks and other school supplies at your bookstore. They are generally overpriced. You can get these supplies much cheaper at CVS or Staples. Check out amazon.com or half.com for textbooks to see if you can get them at a cheaper price.

CoLLeGe Admissions

sTUDY HABITsMost of you will enter college with well-developed study skills and a good sense of your own learn-ing style. Here are some suggestions from a recent graduate to help you do well in your classes:

• Make a point of getting to know the people who sit near you in class. Get their e-mail addresses/phone numbers. They will be great resources if you have to miss a class, need some information clarified, or want to form a study group.

• Make sure your professors know who you are. Take advantage of office hours or extra class meetings. Even if they do not know your name at first, knowing your face and observing that you show up for class each day may help you when they are assigning grades at the end of the semester.

• Check in with your professors even if you feel you are doing well in your classes. See if they have any additional suggestions for studying or paper writing. Most professors love to help their students succeed and will reward you in the end for making the extra effort to speak with them.

• Go to the library only if you feel you will be able to focus there. Often students feel that if they are sim-ply in the library, they will get work done; however, libraries often turn into a social scene. Try to find a place on campus where you really can focus.

• All-nighters do not work; avoid them.

• Do not write down every word the professor says. Listen first to what he/she is saying and then write down the gist. If you need to ask for clarification or for the professor to repeat what he/she has just said, ask! Lectures are sometimes posted online as well.

• Try to get to know your Teaching Assistants. They can be great resources around test time.

CAMPUs LIVINg The first real challenge will be to adapt to dormitory living. Here are a few helpful hints to make this adjustment process a little easier:

• Make your dorm room feel like home by bringing little things that remind you of this space. Pictures of family and friends are always helpful.

• If your college orientation is before school begins and you are given the option of choosing a roommate at this time, be careful. It may seem like a great idea to find someone to live with at orientation, but two days is often not enough time to get to know a person. You may want to keep your options open.

• Sit down with your roommate on the first night. Talk about your living experiences and how you think you can best live together. Most likely your Resident Advisor will have a contract for you to fill out, but you should make your own contract. Set up some rules for your shared space. For example, how will you handle cleaning? What are the rules for neatness? How do you feel about having overnight guests? How will you handle food if you have a kitchen area? Establish responsibility for everyone in the room.

• Talk about problems. It is important to be vocal and let your roommate know when something is bother-ing you. If you do not say anything, the problem will most likely get worse. If you can’t resolve the issue together, use the resources available in your resi-dence hall. RAs are trained to help with roommate conflicts.

• Respect is huge in a successful living situation. Make sure to respect and understand your roommate’s sleep and work schedule. You may need to make changes to your routine in order to accommodate his/her schedule.

• Do things together to help develop relationships with roommates or suitemates. For example, if you have access to a kitchen, cook together. Join an intramu-ral sports team. It is great to have activities that you share and also ones that you do independently.

• Rule of Thumb: Your roommate does not have to be your best friend or share your interests; you do need to make sure you can successfully live together.


• Make flash cards to review for an exam. Make these cards at least one week before your exam. You cannot expect to learn all of the information that will be on an exam in one night. Take a week to let the information sink in. This strategy provides a great way to review all of your notes before you sit down to study.

• Once you feel you have a good handle on the material, contact people in your class to form a study group. If you do not have an initial good understanding of the mate-rial, a study group will not be helpful.

• Try to get a good night’s sleep before a test and eat a good breakfast full of protein.

• Show up to class five minutes before the test starts. If people are studying when you arrive, do not feel pressure to study as well. Now is the time to relax and listen to music.

• Touch your left hand to your right foot and your right hand to your left foot.This process may sound strange, but it gets both sides of your brain functioning. It is a good exercise to do before a test.

• If you do not do well on an exam, talk to your professor.

Explain how you prepared for the exam. Try to determine what you can do differently in the future.

When writing papers:

• Write them at least one week in advance so you have time to revise and proofread.

• Use the knowledge of the librarians to help you with doing research.

• Keep track of every source you use.

• Colleges use a variety of research paper formats – all of this information is on the college web site.

• Buy an MLA Handbook or one suggested by the col-lege for paper format and use it!

• First make an outline and then write a first draft. Leave the paper for a day or so and then come back to edit it.

• Ask your professor to look over your first draft. If he/she cannot, have someone else read it to check for grammar mistakes and the general flow of the paper.

• Be sure you save a copy of your work in the event it gets lost.


CoLLeGe Admissions

The most important factor in your transition to college is to stay healthy and safe without the watchful eyes of your family. You will need to take charge of what you eat and how you handle the freedom that comes with leaving home and going off to college. Here are some important health and safety recommendations:

• Be sure to eat well. There is no better way to stay healthy at school than to eat nutritious foods. Try not to keep a lot of junk food in your room. Treats here and there are fine, but too many will make you feel lethargic. Try to eat fruit.

• Going to a gym is also a great idea. Most colleges have athletic facilities with well-equipped workout rooms that are available for students to use. If you don’t choose to work out, stay active. You will have a lot more energy for classes and activities.

• Keep important phone numbers in your phone—i.e., those for taxis, university police, etc.

• Most campuses have a Blue Light safety system or a service that can escort you home. Make sure you know how this system works.


• At night, travel with friends. No matter where you are, it is safer to be in a group.

• Sign up for the campus and/or city alert system. You will get updates on your cell phone if there is a problem in the area.

• Most universities and colleges have some sort of drinking culture. Be aware of what is happening around you. Don’t succumb to the pressure to do things that you would not normally do. Watch out for your friends. Remember that college is not about drinking, and it should not sidetrack from your studies.

FOR YOUR PARENTsHaving a son or daughter go off to college will be joyful, stressful, and a major transition for everyone involved.

It is important to have your child take the lead in each step of the process. For example, he/she should schedule the college visits, talk with the admissions representatives, and handle all communications with the college. This search is about finding the appropriate match for your child and helping him/her gain and/or improve self-advocacy skills in doing so.

During the college application process, parents should:

• Stay positive. Share what you see as your child’s strengths. Be supportive of delicate egos.

• Never forget this is about a match for your child. Parents often relive their own college application experience. Don’t let this become your experience rather than your child’s.

• Enjoy campus visits together. Help your child sort through the pro’s and con’s of each school.

• Assist your child with the application process. Give suggestions, proofread, but don’t take over.

• Think about how you will help your child handle the acceptances and rejections before they happen. This may be the first time that your child receives a “we don’t want you” in writing. Help your child work through these rejections. Remind him/her that the rejection could be for any number of reasons and not to take it personally.

It is important to discuss these practical issues with your child before he/she leaves for the college campus:

• What are the expectations for communication? Will you talk by phone, via the Internet? How often?

• Make sure your child knows how to do the laundry.

• Have your child select, shop for, and prepare some meals before he/she goes to school. He/she may have access to a kitchen in the dorm.

• Discuss any health issues. Make sure he/she knows about any medications he/she is taking and how to have a prescription filled.

• How will you handle spending money? Does your child understand the concept of a budget? Try to use a local bank that also has branches in the col-lege city or town to avoid high ATM fees. You may want to set up an account that allows you to trans-fer money into your child’s account. Will your child receive a certain amount of money each semester? Each year? When he/she needs it? Who will monitor the money? What if the funds run out?

• You may want to have your child get a credit card with a low credit limit, perhaps a joint account with you. Rather than having your child succumb to the credit card companies with high fees that are all over college campuses, it is better to set up an account before he/she arrives on campus. Be sure your child understands that “establishing good credit” means paying off your balance each month on time.

TAKINg A YEAR OFFsome students choose to take a gap or post-graduate year off before college.

Taking a Gap Year can be a positive experience for students who are not ready for the demands of college. You may need to take care of some academic weaknesses, improve study skills, or gain some ad-ditional maturity. You may just need a break between high school and college. These are things to consider when you are doing your initial self-assessment.

If you are thinking about taking a year off:

Apply to colleges as if you are planning to attend the next year. Once you have been accepted and chosen the best match, ask the college to defer your accep-tance for a year. You will need to pay a deposit, but you will have a space waiting for you.

Be sure to have a plan for this year. You may choose to take a couple of courses at a college without matric-ulating. You may get a job to earn money for college. You may choose to participate in a structured program centered on community service, environmental issues, language study, etc., here or abroad. You can use the resources of Teenlife to help you. Or hire an indepen-dent advisor to develop a plan for you.

Whatever approach you choose, be sure that you will be covered by health insurance.

Colleges look favorably on a student who has taken a year to grow. They know they will be getting a more mature, committed student the following fall.

Other students decide to do a Post-Graduate (PG) Year before going to college. These programs are usually offered at private schools and are considered a 13th year of school. Students may apply to both PG programs and college and then decide in the spring which one suits them best. A PG year is great for a student who needs more time to mature or develop better study skills. It is also appropriate for someone who may not have applied himself or herself in high school and wants another year to show a college his/her true academic potential. The application process is similar to applying to college but the deadlines and specific testing requirements may vary from program to program. PG programs are looking for individuals with potential who may not, for various reasons, have shown their capabilities.


CoLLeGe Admissions


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College Consultants & Advisors There are a plethora of fee-based independent counselors and advisors that specialize in guiding parents and students through the lengthy college admissions process. These experts meet with you one-on-one to make your first choice school, a reality.

AHP EDUCATIONAL CONsULTINgAHP educational consultants are committed to personalizing each student’s admissions process through knowledgeable, hands-on guidance. They help each student develop organizational and decision-making skills for a more rewarding admissions experience. Location(s): Sudbury, MassachusettsContact: Timothy Lee Phone: (978) 261-1412 Email: [email protected] Address: 490B Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 Website: www.ahpeducationalconsulting.com

AMg EDUCATIONAL CONsULTANTsCounseling in the college and independent school placement field since 1988, Andrea Glovsky has successfully helped hundreds of students by match-ing interests and abilities to the most appropriate school. Andrea successfully provides guidance to families in Massachusetts, the Northeast, across the country and around the world.Location(s): Pride’s Crossing, Massachusetts Contact: Andrea Glovsky Phone: (978) 526-7809 skype: andrea.glovskyEmail: [email protected] Address: P.O. Box 44, Pride’s Crossing, MA 01965 Website: www.findingcolleges.com

College Resources

THE ARTs EDgEThe Arts Edge is an educational consulting firm specializing in helping high school and college trans-fer students in the performing arts navigate through the unique college application and audition process. Location(s): Boston, Massachusetts and New York City, New York Contact: Halley Shefler Phone: (855) 778-2787 Email: [email protected] Address: 400 Hunnewell Street, Suite 8, Needham, MA 02494 Website: www.theartsedge.com

CHERI BARAD EDUCATION CONsULTINgAssisting students navigate through the compre-hensive college admissions and matching process. One-on-one individualized, working with athletes, international, learning issues and transfers students. "Finding the right match, not just admissions."Location(s): Medfield, Massachusetts Contact: Cheri Barad Phone: (508) 359-8889 Email: [email protected] Address: 425 Main Street, #1, Medfield, MA 02052 Website: www.cheribarad.com

COLLEgE COACHCollege Coach provides families with top educational counseling to maximize chances of admissions. Their expert consultants will work one-on-one with your family to ensure that colleges recognize the best your child has to offer. Location(s): Newton, MassachusettsContact: Allison Berger Phone: (877) 40-COACH Email: [email protected] Address: 233 Needham Street, Suite 440, Newton, MA 02464 Website: www.getintocollege.com

Below you will find a variety of useful college resources that includes independent counselors, funding, and college leaders in tutoring and test prep.


COLLEgEAPPLICATIONEssAYCOACH.COMOwner Mindy Pollack-Fusi works one-on-one with students to coach them on their college application essays in person and online. She helps students refine topics to best depict their unique strengths in their own passionate, polished voices. Location(s): Bedford, MassachusettsContact: Mindy Pollack-Fusi Phone: (781) 275-7301 Email: [email protected] Address: The Place for Words & Workshops, 200 Great Road, Suite 254A, Bedford, MA 01730 Website: www.collegeapplicationessaycoach.com

DUNBAR EDUCATIONAL CONsULTANTs, LLCDunbar Educational Consultants help students recognize their personal and academic strengths and how to showcase them in ways that make them stand out. Location(s): Dedham, Massachusetts Contact: Edward BigelowPhone: (781) 329-1248 Email: [email protected] Address: P.O. Box 248, Dedham, MA 02027 Website: www.dunbarconsultants.com

EQUALAPPEqualApp is an affordable, online admissions counseling program that connects families of high school students with former college admissions and financial officers. EqualApp’s counselors have helped hundreds of students get admitted to more than 125 colleges. Location(s): Boston, MassachusettsContact: Marc Zawel Phone: (855) 437-8252 Email: [email protected] Address: 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 Website: www.equalapp.com

JUDI ROBINOVITz AssOCIATEs EDUCATIONAL CONsULTINgJudi Robinovitz is a Certified Educational Planner with 30+ years of experience in college counseling. Judi guides her students to develop an edge in college admissions, and more than 95% of them have been accepted to their top-choice!Location(s): Palm Beach & Broward counties, Florida; onlineContact: Judi RobinovitzPhone: (561) 241-1610 Email: [email protected] Address: 750 Park of Commerce Boulevard, Suite 120, Boca Raton, FL 33487Website: www.scoreatthetop.com

KOsIEROWsKI EDUCATION gROUPAvoid your family’s stress, overwhelm, and/or disorganization. Keith is a Life Coach and Certified School Counselor. Specialties: reduce parent/family stress, ADHD, children, college admissions, student home organization, anger. Complimentary consultations. Location(s): Hingham, MassachusettsContact: Keith Kosierowski Phone: (781) 875-1928 Email: [email protected] Address: 5 Craig Lane, Hingham, MA 02043 Website: www.gotomykeg.com

MAJOR IN YOUJill Greenbaum helps teens who are anxious, confused, and overwhelmed become confident, or-ganized, and successful in finding the right colleges. She offers individual and group coaching programs, workshops, and print and audio resources for teens and parents. Location(s): Airmont, New York Contact: Jill Greenbaum, Ed.D. Phone: (877) 375-7412 or (201) 294-1828 Email: [email protected] Address: 40 Cragmere Road, Airmont, NY 10901 Website: www.majorinyou.com

CoLLeGe resourCes


ONE-ON-ONE COLLEgE CONsULTINgOne-on-One College Consulting works with high-school students and families on the college admissions process, offering services for both indi-viduals and groups. Their specialty area is guiding student-athletes with the athletic-recruiting process. Location(s): Wakefield, Massachusetts Contact: Kim Penney Phone: (781) 246-4111 Email: [email protected] Address: 146 Lowell Street, Suite 300C-1, Wakefield, MA 01880 Website: www.oneononecollegeconsulting.com

POPP & AssOCIATEs, LLCPopp & Associates provides expert admissions guidance to college-bound students of all ages. They welcome the opportunity to assist you with your college counseling needs. Location(s): Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Contact: Mindy PoppPhone: (781) 859-9116 Email: [email protected] Address: 354 Washington Street, Suite 225, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 Website: www.poppandassociates.com

sTARR & CHAPMAN, INC.Starr & Chapman, Inc. is a full-service educational consulting company with more than 16 years of experience successfully placing thousands of students at competitive boarding schools and colleges across the United States. We offer services to meet every budget, so call to find out how they can help!Location(s): Sagamore Beach, MassachusettsContact: Christine Chapman Phone: (774) 413-7227 Email: [email protected] Address: P.O. Box 2087, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 Website: www.starrandchapman.com

zODDA COLLEgE sERVICEsZodda College Services opens up the world of college possibilities with a knowledge-based, process oriented, hands-on approach to finding the right college fit. Sub-specialties include student-athletes, learning differences, and creative/performing arts. Location(s): Framingham, MassachusettsContact: Judy Zodda Phone: (508) 872-1947 Email: [email protected] Address: 2 Willowbrook Drive, Framingham, MA 01702 Website: www.zoddacollegeservices.com

Financial AdviceCollege is an enormous family expense that needs careful financial planning.

MVP COLLEgE FUNDINg, LLCMVP College Funding, LLC is dedicated to providing your family with the information and guidance needed to affordably send all of your students to their college of choice. Location(s): North Andover, Massachusetts Contact: Richard JosephPhone: (978) 809-1424 Email: [email protected] Address: 1600 Osgood Street, Suite 2-31, North Andover, MA 01845 Website: www.mvpcollegefunding.net


Tutoring & Test PrepUsing an independent tutoring and/or test preparation company can be the difference-maker when applying to your top-tier schools.

ADVANTAgE TEsTINg OF BOsTONFor more than 20 years, Advantage Testing tutors have helped students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Location(s): Newton Centre, and Concord Massachusetts Contact: Daniel Kusik, DirectorPhone: (617) 630-8680 Email: [email protected] Address: 10 Langley Road, Suite 403, Newton Centre, MA 02459 37 Concord Crossing, Concord, MA 01742Website: www.advantagetesting.com

COLLEgE PREP, LLCSAT Mastermind is an online SAT prep course offering video lessons with downloadable homework; interactive forums to discuss techniques and ask questions; proven strategies to raise scores; vocabulary downloads, and more. It's like Facebook meets SAT prep! Location(s): OnlineContact: Megan Dorsey Phone: (832) 217-9200 Email: [email protected] Address: 1118 Oak Glen Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Website: www.whocaresaboutthesat.com

HsA TUTORINgGet tutored by a Harvard student! We offer the SAT SOS Course, a two-day SAT bootcamp taught by stellar Harvard undergraduates, and private tutoring for the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, APs, and more. Location(s): Cambridge, MassachusettsContact: Lauren Xie Phone: (617) 496-1506 Email: [email protected] Address: 67 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Website: www.tutoring.hsa.net

THE PRINCETON REVIEWNo matter what your goals are, the Princeton Review has more than 30 years of experience offering leading SAT, ACT, PSAT prep courses and tutoring programs designed to provide a complete and personalized expe-rience that fits your learning style, schedule, and budget. Location(s): New England Contact: Jason Schlossberg Phone: (800) 447-0254 x5625 Email: [email protected] Address: 1340 Centre Street, Suite 104,Newton, MA 02459 Website: www.princetonreview.com

CoLLeGe resourCes


sUMMIT EDUCATIONAL gROUPFor more than 20 years, Summit Educational Group has been preparing students on the ways how to maximize their scores on standardized tests. They bring a proven, personalized approach that is as unique as each individual student. Location(s): Newton, MassachusettsContact: Liz Connor Phone: (617) 581-6249 Email: [email protected] Address: 90 Bridge Street, Suite 100, Newton, MA 02458 Website: www.mytutor.com

TENMARKs EDUCATIONTenMarks is a new education initiative which strives to change the way kids learn. Founded by parents who struggled with the challenges of helping their kids build a strong foundation in math, TenMarks offers online math instruction through 10th grade. Location(s): Newton, MassachusettsContact: Andrew Joseph Phone: (617) 340-6544 Email: [email protected] Address: 38 Glen Avenue, Newton, MA 02459 Website: www.tenmarks.com

VERITAs TUTORsVeritas Tutors specializes in subject tutoring, test preparation, and admissions consultation. With outstanding educators from Harvard, MIT, and other top institutions, Veritas Tutors provides the best possible instruction to each of its students. Location(s): Cambridge, MassachusettsContact: Stefanie Feldman Phone: (617) 395-4160 Email: [email protected] Address: 1132 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 Website: www.veritutors.com


ADVERTISERS

C2 The Arts Edge

9 College Prep, LLC

11 Dunbar Educational Consultants, LLC

13 Judi Robinovitz Associates Educational Consulting

4 Kosierowski Education Group

11 Major in You

4 Starr & Chapman, Inc.

We hope that the admissions advice, resources, and listings in our handy guide help you through the step-by-step process of heading off to college.

Index

ALL LISTIngS

25 Advantage Testing of Boston

22 AHP Educational Consulting

22 AMG Educational Consultants

22 The Arts Edge

22 Cheri Barad Education Consulting

22 College Coach

25 College Prep, LLC

23 CollegeApplicationEssayCoach.com

23 Dunbar Educational Consultants, LLC

23 EqualApp.com

25 HSA Tutoring

23 Judi Robinovitz Associates Educational Consulting

23 Kosierowski Education Group

23 Major in You

24 MVP College Funding, LLC

24 One-on-One College Consulting

24 Popp & Associates College Counseling

25 The Princeton Review

24 Starr & Chapman, Inc.

26 Summit Educational Group

26 TenMarks Education

26 Veritas Tutors

24 Zodda College Services

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