College Planning Tips- February

Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors

1. In choosing courses for next year, stay balanced across the five
core disciplines: math, science, social science, foreign language and
English.

2. If you are inclined to drop a course from one of the five core
disciplines in order to replace it with a course from another discipline,
make sure you are trading rigor for rigor. Dropping a fourth or fifth year
of a language in favor of an introductory course in another would be like
dropping Pre-Calculus in order to take Algebra I!

3. Read as much as you can. You might spend a lot of money on test prep
but the best prep comes from familiarity with words and concepts as they
are used contextually.

4. During spring break, take advantage of opportunities to go “window shopping” for colleges. This isn’t the time to worry about “buying.” Instead, see what you can see. Give yourself a sampling of all types of colleges and universities. Broaden your perspective so that when it’s time to work on a short list, you’ll know what you want.

Seniors

1. Make every attempt to complete your family income tax returns for
2009 as early as possible as this information will be used to verify the
information you reported on your financial aid applications.

2. If there are extraordinary circumstances that might limit your
family’s ability to meet a college’s costs, submit a written statement
that documents the circumstances directly to the financial aid office at
the institution(s) in question.

3. If you have been admitted Early Decision, make sure you honor your
commitment to enroll. More specifically, resist the temptation to let your
other applications remain active “just to see what might happen.”
That’s not part of the deal!

4. Relax. The admission decisions will come soon enough. There is no
sense worrying about things over which you have no control.

5. Say “no” to senioritis. Nothing good can come of it!


A2Z College Planning Team
www.a2zcollegeplanning.com
919-450-0171
info@a2zcollegeplanning.com

The Importance of Finishing Strong!

The Importance of Finishing Strong!

Source: The Admission Game (theadmissiongame.com)

High school seniors are entering one of the most critical phases of the college admission process. This is the time of the year when admission officers watch to see what students do when it would seem the spotlight is no longer on them. They want to see how you respond down the “stretch run” of the senior year.

Consider, then, the mile race. It is an apt metaphor for your high school experience. To complete the race, you must circle the track four times just as you must finish four years of high school in order to graduate. Winning the race—or finishing high school with distinction—requires that you endure the grueling pace going into the last lap and still have what it takes to sprint when the race is on the line.

Let’s suppose, then, that your race has gone exceedingly well through the first three laps. You jumped out to an early lead and have maintained a strong pace. With only one lap to go, you are by yourself at the head of the pack. You can’t even see the competition! This is a critical stage of the race because you begin to ask yourself, “Do I really need to work that hard in running the last lap? Should I save myself for the next race and spare the inevitable agony that otherwise comes with a sprint to the finish?”

The question you really need to ask yourself, though, is: “What have I won?” The answer is simple. “You haven’t won a thing!” You may have a “feel-good” feeling about where you are in the competition, but the race isn’t over. Moreover, changing your approach with a lap to go could prove costly as other runners are bound to be pushing hard to catch up.

The same is true of your high school experience where each year is like a lap of the race. Each year is important academically as you prepare to step up and meet the challenge of the year that follows. In all likelihood, your Junior Year really put you to the test as the work was harder and the expectations were greater. But you made it and that may have been cause for celebration in itself!

Having done well through your Junior Year may have left you feeling good about your prospects of graduating and getting into the colleges of your choice. Nonetheless, you need to ask yourself, “What have I really accomplished at this point? How many colleges have accepted me?”

The Senior Year is the all-important “last lap” of your high school experience—and all of it counts! If your objective is to not only graduate but to get into colleges that are selecting from among hundreds if not thousands of compelling candidates, you need to be attentive to how you finish the “race.”

Even now, in late February of your Senior Year, the outcome of the race has yet to be determined. In fact, admission officers at selective institutions are waiting and watching to see what you do academically when you don’t think you have to do anything. They want to see who among the competitive applicants will sprint—or stumble—when the race is on the line. And they will wait until the middle of March to make their final decisions.

So, stay focused academically. Continue to get the most out of your high school experience—even when it would seem that doing nothing is a viable option. Give admission officers every reason to be excited about you as you sprint to the finish!

It's Time to Submit Your FAFSA

FAFSA Tips:

(1) January 1 marks the start of the filing period for the 2009 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
(2) Complete sooner than later. You don't need to wait until you have this year's income tax return information to complete your FAFSA. You can enter a reasonable estimate of your family's income and update the information once the actual figures are available.
(3) Many colleges have deadlines for submitting your FAFSA. So check websites or contact Financial Aid Office.
(4) Information collected from FAFSA helps colleges determine how much support a college applicant is eligible. You must complete FAFSA to be considered for grants, loans and scholarships.
(5) FAFSA applications are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Student and parent will need a PIN number to complete online forms.
(6) FAFSA paper forms are available from High School Guidance Departments and College Financial Aid Offices.

FAFSA Day is Saturday, February 13. College financial aid officers and other volunteers will be available to help North Carolina students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. The program is open to students who plan to attend college in the 2010-11 academic year and will be held at more than 100 sites across North Carolina. To register visit www.cfnc.org

Summer Programs for North Carolina High School Students

Please share with qualified students

The Shelton Challenge
The Shelton Challenge is a one-week summer experience for rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school located at 4 different universities. Shelton’s cornerstones of values-based leadership – honesty, integrity, compassion, diversity, and social responsibility – are the foundations of the experience. The core curriculum focuses on Leadership Roles and Accountability, Team Building, Leadership Styles and Situations, Social Responsibility, Integrity as a Leader, Public Speaking, Changing Behaviors, and Goal Setting. Participants must have least a 3.0 GPA. There is a cost of $575.00, which includes deposit, lodging, meals, and program curriculum. $100.00 deposit towards the total fee is non-refundable after the application deadline. Scholarships may be available. To obtain an application, or for more information, please go to www.ncsu.edu/sheltonleadership or contact 919.513.0148 or debbie_reno@ncsu.edu

Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics
SVSM is a cost-free, state-funded program for academically high achieving students who have demonstrated interest in career fields related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The program brings rising juniors and seniors together in residential settings for four weeks (June 20-July 24, 2010) of intensive study. A statewide program of the University of North Carolina system, SVSM is administered by the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Six campuses of the university system host the SVSM institutes, each of which has its own director. Eligible students:*Rising high school juniors or seniors who have not previously participated in an SVSM program*Students whose custodial parents or guardians live in NC as of December 1, 2009*Students who have a proven academic ability, motivation in STEM fields of study, and emotional maturity. Applications are due January 31st and are available online at the SVSM website, http://www.summerventures.org.

College Planning Tips for January

College Planning Tips for January


Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors: Getting Started—the early stages of the college search:

1. The courses you choose for next year tell colleges a lot about your commitment as a student, so choose wisely.

2. Make sure the courses you choose prepare you to compete for admission. The harder it is to get into a college, the more important it is to demonstrate rigor in your academic program.

3. Have a question about a difficult course selection? Contact the person who recruits in your area from one of the schools that interests you. In a simple and well-written email, explain the situation and seek that person's advice. While following that person's advice will not guarantee admission, the feedback you get should give you peace of mind as you precede with your course selections.

4. Start a file in which you can collect all of the information you are receiving. Bookmark the websites of schools that seem interesting so you can find information easily.

5. Which is the most important year of high school? The year you are in!! Take care of business now so next year can count for something.

Seniors: Getting In—working through the application and enrollment processes:

1. If you haven't visited the campuses of the schools to which you are applying, the next six weeks are a good time to do so.It can't hurt to remain active on the "radar screen" of the people making the decisions. Besides, the campus visit is a strong indication of your interest!

2. Make sure you have completed the required financial aid forms if you know you will need assistance in order to enroll. Waiting until later only means that the money will be gone when you finally complete your application for aid.

3. Send updates to your application that reflect honors and achievements that have come your way since you applied.

4. Have you thought about Early Decision lately? Many colleges offer a "Round Two" ED option for students rebounding from disappointment as ED candidates at other schools in Round One.IF, and I emphasize that word, you now have a clear and unconditional first choice school (money is not an issue) and you are prepared to enroll if admitted, you might consider converting your application to Early Decision.

5. Stay focused academically. The next two months of the senior-year are the most critical to your applications at selective institutions. Why? Colleges that can afford to be choosy are watching to see what you do academically when you don't think you need to do anything!

Personalized College Admissions Assistance

A2Z College Planning offers guidance and planning to help you achieve your college dreams. We have one goal: To help you get accepted into the college that’s right for you. Our college admissions model has helped many students get accepted to their best-fit college.

When you become an A2Z College Planning student you are paired with an exceptional college admissions coach who will get to know your individual needs and provide guidance, mentorship, and planning for the college admission process.

Contact Us For An Initial Assessment
www.a2zcollegeplanning.com/contact.html
919-450-0171
info@a2zcollegeplanning.com

Summer Programs for High School Students

Do you know any academically strong high school students with great leadership potential? If so, we have great news for you! LEAD Program is accepting applications for our three summer programs: LEAD Business, LEAD Engineering, and LEAD Global.

LEAD Business: Available for high school juniors with a 3.0 GPA or better who are involved in their schools and communities. Participating universities include University of Virginia, University of Michigan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, Dartmouth College, and Cornell University.

LEAD Engineering: Available for high school sophomores and juniors with a 3.2 GPA or better who show great interest in mathematics and the sciences. Participating universities include the University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, Villanova University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Virginia. Application deadline is January 25, 2010.

LEAD Global: Available for high school sophomores with a 3.0. GPA who are ready to live and study abroad. LEAD Global take place in Johannesburg, South Africa at the University of Witwatersrand from June 16 – July 3, 2010. Application deadline is January 25, 2010. If you have any questions, please email us at info@leadprogram.org and call us at (215) 753-2490.

Also, visit http://www.leadprogram.org/ for more information.
LEAD Program
14 East Hartwell Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-753-2490
215-753-2495 (fax)
http://www.leadprogram.org/ info@leadprogram.org

Parents, Read This if Your Child Is Appyling to College

Parents, Read This if Your Child Is Applying to College
USA News December 09, 2009 02:33 PM ET Lynn F. Jacobs, Jeremy S. Hyman


Holiday time is family time. And family time, in many families, is apply-to-college time. Many parents, despite their best intentions, do more harm than good to their collegebound children during this anxiety-ridden time. So we invited visiting blogger Marilee Jones, former dean of admissions at MIT and coauthor of the book, Less Stress, More Success: A New Approach to Guiding Your Teen Through College Admissions and Beyond, to offer some advice to parents of children caught up in the college application maze. Here are her eight "guiding principles":


1. Understand the college admissions process for what it is. Many parents think of college admissions as a competitive battle to be won. But, in truth, it is a key developmental phase to be experienced. This is your child's initiation into adulthood and, at the same time, an important moment in parenting. Your job now is to become your child's "grounding cord"—the calm and confident adult who keeps things safe as your child is exposed to the judgment and serendipity of college admissions officers.

[For more on the process, see the Complete Guide to College Admissions.]

2. Realize it isn't happening to you. We are so connected to our children that we sometimes lose the boundaries between our own issues and theirs. You are not applying to college; your child is. Being clear about this affords you the distance to help him or her calm down when he or she is most scared. When your own anxiety spikes, walk away and firmly remind yourself that the college admission process is not happening to you.

3. Watch those pronouns! Think carefully about the messages you are sending your child. You may think it's OK to refer to your child's application as "our application." But chances are your child will hear something like, "You aren't mature enough to get into college on your own, so I have to help you." This is your child's initiation into adulthood. Your job is to lift your child up, not bring him or her down.

4. Keep your anxiety to yourself. Parents of college applicants have much to worry about, such as, "How can we afford this?" "What if my son or daughter gets rejected?" "How can I be old enough to have a child going to college?" While your worries are real, it's important that you do not share them with your child. Your fears will only amplify his or her own. Keeping a peaceful household is the goal now, so share your feelings with a trusted friend or peer. And if you're really at your wits' end and have no trusted friend, buy one: Now could be the perfect time to get professional short-term counseling.

5. Work with your team. Never act as your child's one and only adviser. The most effective parents team up with their child's guidance counselor and follow his or her lead. Even if that counselor is a 20- or 30-something, he or she still knows more about college admissions than you do.

6. Teach self-soothing. Sometimes we collect information because it helps us feel more in control. We ask our child such questions as "What did you get on that test last week?" or "How do your SAT scores compare with your classmates'?" These questions imply judgment to our child, something that teachers, school administrators, college admissions officers, and peers might already be offering in large amounts. When your child is expressing anxiety, offer reassuring responses—"Don't worry, things always work out for you," "Everything is going to be OK," "It seems scary now, but better days are ahead."

7. Look for the grief—yours. It may surprise you to know that some of the upset you feel about the college application experience may actually be grief over your child's leaving home soon. Because grief is about loss, it's more comfortable for many people to turn it into another emotion that's easier to feel, such as anger. Rather than create more turmoil for you and your family, it is best to recognize the grief for what it is, feel it, and then move on.

8. Develop Plan B. It's not surprising that the main source of anxiety in the college admissions process comes from being unable to control the result. So here's a secret: In order to maintain an inner sense of calm, prepare yourself in advance for your worst case scenario—e.g., your child gets rejected or wait-listed everywhere—and work out a plan to deal with that. Then file the plan away somewhere and get back to focusing on success. Knowing that you have a backup plan in place will keep you more relaxed throughout the process so you can be that positive, steady influence for your child during the anxious moments ahead.