Preparing for College - Testing

Many parents don't realize the time to start planning for college is early in the high school years. You may think you have plenty of time to complete the tasks necessary for college entry in the senior year of high school, but the fact is the earlier you start college planning, the better.

One important consideration if your high school student is college bound is preparation for and the taking of the SAT or ACT college entrance exam.

ACT/SAT Scores - Make a Good Score Even Better

Some parents have their children take the ACT/SAT early in high school. Some even start testing their kids in middle school. You may ask what the benefits are of starting to test so early. Here are a few things to consider:

• Many students are very nervous when they go to take the ACT or SAT the first time. Because the tests are relatively inexpensive to take, the experience is worthwhile to help students perform better on future tests.
• High ACT and/or SAT scores are door openers at colleges and universities. Better scores can make a difference in being accepted or rejected at certain schools.
• High ACT/SAT scores qualify some students for scholarships they might not be eligible to apply for if their scores fall below a certain standard. While you may question the validity of paying multiple testing fees, consider also the money it could save you on qualifying for more scholarships.
• Some students perform better on the ACT and others perform better on the SAT. It is not a bad idea to give your student a chance at taking both exams, possibly multiple times.
• Make sure your child has the proper preparatory materials needed to study for the tests well in advance of the scheduled test days. Having the materials and using them are two different matters altogether. Make a schedule of study completion with milestones and dates, and follow up with your student to make sure he/she is progressing as required.
• There are sample tests online and in DVD format. Allow ample time for your student to go through the sample testing so weak areas can be isolated and additional effort applied toward any problem subjects.
• Don't be too hasty to designate colleges to receive your child's SAT/ACT scores. Some colleges evaluate multiple scores differently, and a low score could do more harm than good. Wait until your student has taken the tests at least twice. Then inquire at specific colleges you are targeting regarding their policy on ACT/SAT scores.
• Some colleges will admit students with substandard or below par ACT/SAT scores. This is usually termed conditional acceptance. Don't fret if your child doesn't score as high as you'd like on the SAT/ACT. It does not mean they cannot attend college, nor does it mean they are not college material. Every child is different and should be evaluated as such.

Shifting Gears: From High School to College Life

This is part two of my blog posts this week for pending college freshmen. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is following up with my former high school students after they’ve completed their first year in college, and hearing how they’ve made the shift from high school to college life.

Not all the feedback I get is positive. Often former high school students struggle to make the shift. Here are some of the comments I’ve gotten and how you can avoid the same mistakes.

“It was so hard to make new friends!”
The social transition for college is tough. High school student go from being a big fish in a small pond, to a small fish in a huge pond. Add to that the new environment, the course load, living on their own for the first time – it’s not surprising that freshman find they don’t have the confidence to make new friends in college.

Remember that your fellow classmates are experiencing the same thing! While you may be hesitant to introduce yourself to someone new, just imagine that they’re probably feeling the same way. Get to know your dorm mates, even if it’s just your next-door neighbors. It’s better to introduce yourself during the afternoon in the first week than it is at 2am a month later when you’re trying to sleep and they’re playing music. Per my last blog, seek out study buddies in your classes, and offer to host a study session at the library once a week. Finally, check out the different interest groups that are available on campus. Virtually every hobby, sport, and interest is represented in campus life, so whether you’re into model trains, Jane Austen books, or rugby, chances are you’ll find a few people who like the same thing.

“I gained the Freshman 15!”
The hectic lifestyle of a college freshman, combined with more study time, (often) less exercise, and a self-reliance for food choices often contributes to what’s known as the Freshman 15 – a significant weight gain over the course of 8 short months.

You can combat this with some pretty common sense advice. First, make smart food choices. Just because your meal plan on campus is all-you-can-eat doesn’t mean that you should! Just like your mother told you when growing up, eat your veggies. Although late night cram sessions may be more frequent, avoid late night binge eating and sugary snacks just to stay alert. Stock up your dorm room with good food so you’re not tempted to hit the vending machines or local fast food joints. Ask your parents to send a care package of healthy snacks (I’ve never seen a parent yet that didn’t love to do this!)

“I was so overwhelmed and homesick for the first month!”
Although it’s exciting, transitioning to college is tough – you may be homesick, you may be overwhelmed with studying, you may feel like you just want to crawl back home where everything is familiar and comfortable.

When you find yourself overwhelmed, remind yourself that this feeling generally only lasts the first couple of weeks of college, when everything is new and the longer you stick with college and get to know the environment, the easier it will be. If it helps, call your former high school friends and family more often, to give you a sense of familiarity. Post tons of pictures of your high school friends and family members around your dorm room, so you’re constantly reminded that you’re not alone, even if you’re living alone for the first time.

Finally, if the feeling goes on past the first month, consider talking to a counselor at your college. I guarantee you they’ve seen hundreds of students go through the same thing, and they’re there to help you talk through your feelings and devise a strategy to help you make the transition to college more enjoyable.

New Year Resolutions for College Bound Students

Happy New Year! With a new year comes the ability to start fresh with improved habits that will help you achieve your college dream more easily. If you’re heading to college in the next few years, here are our top 4 “resolutions” to help you on your way.

1. Eat breakfast. That may sound silly, but studies have shown that skipping breakfast dramatically decreases energy and focus for students. Resolve to eat a nutritious bite every morning, even if it’s simply a granola bar or protein shake to keep your brain going.
2. Help someone with their homework. There’s a saying – if you want to really learn something, try teaching it to someone else. Helping a friend or classmate with homework help you absorb the knowledge more thoroughly. Most high schools have a peer-mentoring or study group to get you started, which also lets you add a great extra-curricular activity to your college application!
3. Catch some zzzz. Most high school students are chronically sleep deprived, which interferes with the brain ability to absorb information. If you’re finding yourself nodding off in class, it might not be that the subject is boring; you may be short on sleep! Getting to bed just a half hour earlier each night can help you catch up.
4. Get organized. Particularly important for Juniors and Seniors is the ability to plan out the college application process and work deadlines into an already-packed schedule. Start today by jotting down a calendar of all the important dates that your college admission process will entail and post it someplace where you’ll see it frequently, such as the family fridge or above your desk.

Why Do Families Need a College Admission Consultant?

One of most frequent questions we get here at A2Z College Planning is “Why do I need a College Admission Consultant?” It comes in a variety of forms, but they all address the same thing – what value does a CAC bring to your family?

To answer the question simply – College Admissions Consultants save you time, money, and frustration, and ensure that you’re doing everything you can to help your child achieve his or her college dreams!

Won’t a College Admission Consultant cost a lot of money?
College is expensive, and there’s simply no getting around it. More than 100 colleges in the United States estimate first year expenses at over $50,000. More importantly, your student’s college experience has a tremendous impact on his/her success for the rest of his/her adult life! With that kind of importance placed on college admissions, parents place a high value on ensuring their child gets into the best school and the right school.

 College Admission Consultants work hard to provide a service that is cost-effective and ensures success. A2Z College Planning offers programs as low as $29.95 per month for college planning!

My student already has a Guidance Counselor; isn’t that enough?
Guidance Counselors are some of the most devoted and wonderful people in our high school systems, but the fact is that they’re frequently overwhelmed by the sheer number of students they have to support and limited in how much time they can spend with each individual.

College Planning Consultants provide the dedicated one-on-one  support that your student needs to get ahead in the college planning process, and they provide objective guidance on how they should structure their Junior and Senior years to achieve the best success. We work with your school counselor to provide the best advice for your student.

College planning takes so much time and effort! How can I manage one more thing?
College admissions and college planning do take time and effort, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task! Parents often start early (as early as Grade 8) to build a plan that will ensure their child’s success.

College Planning Consultants share the burden of college planning with you and your student. More importantly, we provide experience, advice, and guidance that you may not find anywhere else, so you can direct your time and energy exactly where it’s needed to help your child achieve success.

How to Avoid Student Debt

A recent article by CNBC shows that student debt is reaching unprecedented levels – almost 1 TRILLION dollars! During a recession, it can be hard for families to deal with the escalating cost of college for a student. How can you avoid your child coming out of college with a crushing student debt?

1) Start Early. Your child maybe a little one now, but college can come up faster than you think. Parents often say “Where has the time gone?” when they find themselves faced with a teenager on the way to college, so start saving early for your child’s education. Most states offer substantial tax rebate incentives for college planning funds.

2) Know the Financial Aid Process. There are millions of dollars available to support college dreams in the United States. Are you sure that your child has access to all of them? Work with a College Admission Consultant to understand the Financial Aid Process and meet all the requirements and deadlines to support your child’s college dream.

3) Apply for Scholarships and Grants.  Colleges invest heavily in attracting the best, not the most affluent, students to their institutions. Each achievement in a student’s high school career can be one more dollar towards college tuition or expenses, if you both apply for the right scholarships and grants, and support that application with stellar high school credentials.

College is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be crippling. Make sure you’re accessing the right resources and boosting your child’s college dream with the correct financial planning going into the college admissions process.

5 Things Your Child Can Do At Christmas to Boost The College Dream

‘Tis the season to think about family, friends, and all you want to accomplish in the New Year. If your child is heading to college this year or next, take this opportunity to boost his or her college dream.

1) Volunteer – Colleges are interested in having the best and most well-rounded students as graduates of their colleges. Encourage your child to volunteer with a charitable organization and help those less fortunate while packing his/her application with current and relevant volunteer experience.

2) Fundraise – The holidays are packed with friends and family members who are looking to buy gifts for others. Your child can help his/herself and  others by fundraising for college expenses through bake sales, home crafts, or personal services like Christmas tree disposal.

3) Hit the Books – The holiday break at Christmas is a time of relaxation, but it’s also an opportunity to get ahead of course work. Ensure that your student is revved up for the New Year by spending a bit of time studying new course material for the coming semester.

4) Encourage Ethical Giving – Often friends and family members are stumped by what gift to get a teenager for the holiday season. If college is a few short months away, a donation to the child’s college fund is a perfect gift that will give for the rest of the year and beyond. The gift of a one-on-one College Admission Consulting through A2Z College Planning can be made simply by contacting us at info@a2zcollegeplanning.com

5) Get Organized – High school and college planning can be a stressful time for students, and its can be difficult to juggle deadlines for both college applications and high school course work. Help your student out by providing them with the necessary tools such as school materials or a personal organizer.

Happy holidays to all our readers!

Quiet Bragging: How to Get the Best Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are an important part of your college application process, and the first glimpse at your character that college admissions teams will have. Put your best foot forward by making the most of your letters of recommendation.

1)      Pick your references carefully. Often colleges will request recommendations from specific people, such as your teacher on a certain subject, or your school counsellor. Be sure to know exactly what the college is looking for, and deliver that. Choose current teachers who can speak positively of your performance, rather than going back to teachers from freshman year, as colleges want a snapshot of your current academic work.

2)      Give your references time. It’s easy to underestimate how much time it can write a letter of recommendation, but keep in mind that teachers and counsellors often are juggling multiple requests, as well as their own coursework! Give your references at least 1 month to complete their letters, and preferably longer than that to ensure that you get the most carefully thought-out and compelling recommendations. It helps if you put your request for a letter of recommendation in writing, including deadlines, and to follow up with your reference a couple of times during the process to keep them on track.

3)      Give your references information and motivation. A short conversation with each of your references about what colleges and programs you’re considering will give them perspective for your letter. Remind them of times that you did a particularly good job on a project or essay, and even give them copies of your work if it jogs their memories. You want to give them all the information they need to write the best letter of recommendation. This is a good time to do a bit of quiet bragging and remind your references why they should be proud to recommend such an excellent college prospect.

4)      Thank your references. Be sure to follow up with each person who writes you a letter of recommendation to thank them for their work.

Students are often surprised at just how positive their letters of recommendation, so if possible, ask for copies to keep. They’ll serve as motivation throughout your college careers!