Standardized tests for college admission. . .they seem to be the bane of the college bound high school student's existence. It has been argued that the tests are biased against non white, low income students. Ironically, the SAT was created decades ago with the intention of measuring students across all high schools, geographies, and backgrounds. It was meant to open the doors of elite institutions such as Yale and Harvard, to those students not among the private school elite.
That being said, the tests no longer seem to be serving this purpose as effectively as they once did. As a former college admission officer, I've found that these tests help to understand a student's abilities in the context of their school. Other methods and information can be used to replace tests as a method for evaluating a student for college admission. Many schools have already formalized this "replacement" of standardized tests with other methods. Some schools require writing samples in place of test scores. The National Center for Fair and Open Testing lists the many colleges that do no require standardized tests such as SATs or ACTs for college admission. Schools added this year include Wake Forest University, one of the more prestigious schools on the list.
While standardized tests are used in many college admission decisions, this list can certainly provide options for those students that are philosophically opposed to testing or those that do not test well, but perform well in other areas of their academic career.
May 28, 2008
May 20, 2008
Rising College Costs & College Affordability
How much is college going to cost in another 4 years? 10 years? 17 years? Parents everywhere are wondering. Rest assured, this is a topic that will continue to stump even college presidents in the coming years. Robert Zemsky, at the University of Pennsylvania has some thoughts on the topic. First of all, like a jewelry store or a car lot, the price of tuition is not the amount you pay when you finally make your purchase. Financial aid, scholarships, and special programs are used to offset the cost.
When looking at your college choices, it is important to remember that the ticket price of the college is not the amount you will pay. As you narrow your options and determine to which colleges you should apply, keep an open mind and wait until the final verdict is in!
When looking at your college choices, it is important to remember that the ticket price of the college is not the amount you will pay. As you narrow your options and determine to which colleges you should apply, keep an open mind and wait until the final verdict is in!
May 19, 2008
Is community college a good option?
Many of you are wondering if community college is really an option for you. Community colleges serve a vital purpose to the higher education system. In the state of Pennsylvania, the rate of students enrolling in a 2 year college currently outstrips those enrolled in 4 year colleges and universities. What are the benefits and drawbacks and how do you know if this is an option to consider.
Pluses
1. If finances are a major component to your (or your child's) ability to pursue higher education, community college is the least expensive option, without considering scholarship and financial aid. If you will not qualify for either scholarship or financial aid, community college is certainly an inexpensive alternative. This allows you to pay less money for 2 years of schooling and then transfer those credits.
2. If grades and/or standardized test scores are an issue in getting into the college of your choice, a year or two at community college can show a bit of stability and/or improvement.
Concerns
1. Not all credits transfer and/or will get you finished with your major in 4 total years. Often times, you will need 3 years to finish your coursework for an associates degree at community college due to prerequisites, scheduling, and/or space availability. In addition, once you have completed the program/courses, your courses many not all transfer (depending on the college you are transferring to) and you may need different courses than those taken to complete your planned major.
2. Using community college as a way to improve your chances of admission is dicey. Even if you do your best work and attain all A's at the community college level, it is difficult for admission officials to "register" how you will do in their more rigorous college curriculum. Financial aid at many schools is less "available" to transfer students as the class financial aid resources have usually been spent (and overspent) to fill the freshman class. This is not true across the board and will vary from college to college.
3. Transferring will mean integrating yourself into a community that has already been through their "first day" together. You can certainly become involved and connected within the college community, but you will need to make a concerted effort to do so.
Community colleges are meant to feed into the state school system. If your intention is not to go to a state college, you will want to seriously investigate your community college options as well as the options of the 4 year colleges you will eventually hope to enter. These 2 year programs can be a great option for the right student.
Pluses
1. If finances are a major component to your (or your child's) ability to pursue higher education, community college is the least expensive option, without considering scholarship and financial aid. If you will not qualify for either scholarship or financial aid, community college is certainly an inexpensive alternative. This allows you to pay less money for 2 years of schooling and then transfer those credits.
2. If grades and/or standardized test scores are an issue in getting into the college of your choice, a year or two at community college can show a bit of stability and/or improvement.
Concerns
1. Not all credits transfer and/or will get you finished with your major in 4 total years. Often times, you will need 3 years to finish your coursework for an associates degree at community college due to prerequisites, scheduling, and/or space availability. In addition, once you have completed the program/courses, your courses many not all transfer (depending on the college you are transferring to) and you may need different courses than those taken to complete your planned major.
2. Using community college as a way to improve your chances of admission is dicey. Even if you do your best work and attain all A's at the community college level, it is difficult for admission officials to "register" how you will do in their more rigorous college curriculum. Financial aid at many schools is less "available" to transfer students as the class financial aid resources have usually been spent (and overspent) to fill the freshman class. This is not true across the board and will vary from college to college.
3. Transferring will mean integrating yourself into a community that has already been through their "first day" together. You can certainly become involved and connected within the college community, but you will need to make a concerted effort to do so.
Community colleges are meant to feed into the state school system. If your intention is not to go to a state college, you will want to seriously investigate your community college options as well as the options of the 4 year colleges you will eventually hope to enter. These 2 year programs can be a great option for the right student.
May 9, 2008
Oh, how times have changed.
The past 6 years have changed the face of higher education admission. The number of college aged students has increased, those students have doubled the number of colleges they apply to, and as a result, college admission rates have continued to plummet. Highly selective schools, historically those schools that accept 30 percent or fewer of their applicants, are now in the single digits for the percentage of students they accept.
This shift has increased the stress for students and moved forward the timeline for when students and parents start thinking about college.
How can you decrease college related stress?
Knowledge.
Learn about colleges. Start visiting them when you are driving through - on vacation, on the way to grandmom's house, etc. Make it a point to write down what you like/don't like about the school (students). Use that information to start a list of colleges that you want to look into. You'll learn about the process, about what each college says they are looking for, and about what you are looking for in a college.
This is a great place to start, and should lead to a feeling of empowerment - you are in control of the college search.
This shift has increased the stress for students and moved forward the timeline for when students and parents start thinking about college.
How can you decrease college related stress?
Knowledge.
Learn about colleges. Start visiting them when you are driving through - on vacation, on the way to grandmom's house, etc. Make it a point to write down what you like/don't like about the school (students). Use that information to start a list of colleges that you want to look into. You'll learn about the process, about what each college says they are looking for, and about what you are looking for in a college.
This is a great place to start, and should lead to a feeling of empowerment - you are in control of the college search.
Not ready to leave home?
You aren't alone. While many students are chomping at the bit to get out of their childhood home, not everyone has one foot out the door. An article in today's Chronicle of Higher Education cites a study concluding that students that get along with their parents are less likely to go to a four year college. More later!
May 7, 2008
Help, we can't agree on a college!
Throughout the country, seniors have received their admission letters and, often, decided on a college. While most have already selected the school they will attend, a few are still making their decision. Often times, there is a disagreement between parents and students on the final decision. Both parties feel stressed about the decision, but both have their own opinion. What can you do to resolve this disagreement?
First of all, rest assured, it is quite common. Most families find that the disagreement has roots in one of the three following areas: 1. Financial. 2. Location 3. Prestige. These critical factors become the albatross that parents and students can not navigate around. What can you do to resolve this and keep your relationship in tact? Here are a few places to start. . .
In the area of financial differences between two schools, this difference is often a key component. Some parents feel that there is no reason to select the more expensive school. This is not bad logic but, as a student, you should know if this is their primary concern, and make your case accordingly (more later). Some parents truly can not see how they can afford the more expensive school. As young adults, the students need to look at this from an adult perspective and decide if they can understand this position and a) go along or b) find alternative sources of funding that will offset the difference.
General advice: (Round 1) Make a list of why you like one school over the other. Have your parents do the same. Swap lists. Discuss.
(Round 2) Create a list that counterpoints their list (and have them do the same). Sit down with them - tempers cooled, perhaps over a night dinner at Outback, and review. See if you can understand, appreciate and listen to their position. Try to get them to do the same.
Parents need to remember that the student is the one that will be living/breathing/eating at this place for the next 4 years of your life. It will certainly chance the course of their life.
Students, at this point, you'll want to think to yourself "how far am I willing to go". Are you willing to pay for college on your own? If not, remind yourself that they are your parents and that they can sometimes be right. Then try to revisit the "lists" from above with the goal of coming to agreement. As them how far they are willing to go (are they willing to make you pay for college on your own if you don't go to the school of their choosing?). Once you both understand the positions, (again, this should be done in a MATURE, CALM conversation). Try again to come to agreement. While these are not surefire solutions, they will help facilitate a solution, minimizing the rancor and disagreement.
First of all, rest assured, it is quite common. Most families find that the disagreement has roots in one of the three following areas: 1. Financial. 2. Location 3. Prestige. These critical factors become the albatross that parents and students can not navigate around. What can you do to resolve this and keep your relationship in tact? Here are a few places to start. . .
In the area of financial differences between two schools, this difference is often a key component. Some parents feel that there is no reason to select the more expensive school. This is not bad logic but, as a student, you should know if this is their primary concern, and make your case accordingly (more later). Some parents truly can not see how they can afford the more expensive school. As young adults, the students need to look at this from an adult perspective and decide if they can understand this position and a) go along or b) find alternative sources of funding that will offset the difference.
General advice: (Round 1) Make a list of why you like one school over the other. Have your parents do the same. Swap lists. Discuss.
(Round 2) Create a list that counterpoints their list (and have them do the same). Sit down with them - tempers cooled, perhaps over a night dinner at Outback, and review. See if you can understand, appreciate and listen to their position. Try to get them to do the same.
Parents need to remember that the student is the one that will be living/breathing/eating at this place for the next 4 years of your life. It will certainly chance the course of their life.
Students, at this point, you'll want to think to yourself "how far am I willing to go". Are you willing to pay for college on your own? If not, remind yourself that they are your parents and that they can sometimes be right. Then try to revisit the "lists" from above with the goal of coming to agreement. As them how far they are willing to go (are they willing to make you pay for college on your own if you don't go to the school of their choosing?). Once you both understand the positions, (again, this should be done in a MATURE, CALM conversation). Try again to come to agreement. While these are not surefire solutions, they will help facilitate a solution, minimizing the rancor and disagreement.
May 5, 2008
College Coaching
Apparently, college coaches are feeling the pressure to recruit the next class - and it isn't just the biggest, best, highest profile schools and teams that are feeling the crunch. The Chronicle of Higher Education has an article this week on just this topic.
What does this mean for students? I equate the college application and athletic recruitment process to finding a job. Those that are in charge of hiring, do it all the time. They have the experience, the knowledge, and the history to know how to negotiate, how to navigate the process, and how to get the greatest results with the least amount of output (the best employee for less money).
Now move the analogy to the college recruitment process.
Students applying for colleges only do this once. Coaches, however, do it ten to a hundred times a year (depending on the team size) and they do it every year. How can students possibly have any advantage in this process? Sure, ultimately, the decision is in the student's hands, but they have to rely on coaches to be forthright. Students can rely on parents for additional support and information, but, let's face it, most parents haven't been through this process in 20 years, if ever. Still, parents are the main support for a student being recruited by a college coach.
Some advice for students being recruited:
1. Ask lots of questions about the team. Who are the players, who is in your position, what year are they, where are they from, how long has the coaching staff been around, how many freshman play varsity, how many seniors are on the team this year? etc . . .
2. Do your research online. Google the coach. Google the team. Look at their record, check out the NCAA website for results and news. Read the college sports blogs and ezines to find out who is winning, playing, talking etc.
3. When you talk to the coach, never lie. Not about your team, your grades, your abilities, your SAT scores. Not about who is your first or second choice school. Coaches talk to one another and a lie is always in danger of coming out. Count on it.
4. Never tell a coach that they are your 2nd/3rd/4th choice school. If they aren't first, just say that you are considering them very strongly. See rule #3 if you are tempted to lie.
What does this mean for students? I equate the college application and athletic recruitment process to finding a job. Those that are in charge of hiring, do it all the time. They have the experience, the knowledge, and the history to know how to negotiate, how to navigate the process, and how to get the greatest results with the least amount of output (the best employee for less money).
Now move the analogy to the college recruitment process.
Students applying for colleges only do this once. Coaches, however, do it ten to a hundred times a year (depending on the team size) and they do it every year. How can students possibly have any advantage in this process? Sure, ultimately, the decision is in the student's hands, but they have to rely on coaches to be forthright. Students can rely on parents for additional support and information, but, let's face it, most parents haven't been through this process in 20 years, if ever. Still, parents are the main support for a student being recruited by a college coach.
Some advice for students being recruited:
1. Ask lots of questions about the team. Who are the players, who is in your position, what year are they, where are they from, how long has the coaching staff been around, how many freshman play varsity, how many seniors are on the team this year? etc . . .
2. Do your research online. Google the coach. Google the team. Look at their record, check out the NCAA website for results and news. Read the college sports blogs and ezines to find out who is winning, playing, talking etc.
3. When you talk to the coach, never lie. Not about your team, your grades, your abilities, your SAT scores. Not about who is your first or second choice school. Coaches talk to one another and a lie is always in danger of coming out. Count on it.
4. Never tell a coach that they are your 2nd/3rd/4th choice school. If they aren't first, just say that you are considering them very strongly. See rule #3 if you are tempted to lie.
May 4, 2008
College Sports Recruitment
Do you want to play a college sport but you are not sure where to start? The first thing to understand is that not all college sports are created equal. To read about the multiple "divisions" of college sports - visit the student's portal on the NCAA website. This will give you an overview of the NCAA process and all of the information you'll need to know. If you are receiving phone calls from coaches, rest assured that you are qualified to play on their teams and often, the teams in their athletic conference. There is a schedule to follow and things that need to be done in order to maintain your eligibility to participate in college sports. The schedule can be found here under the link "Recruiting Overview Chart". You will also want to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (also known as the Clearinghouse) in order to be eligible for participation. For specific advice you will want to speak with the college counselor at your high school and your high school coach.
This will give you a place to start as you think about where you can play, what kind of program you are interested in, and how to get the attention of the coach at that school.
This will give you a place to start as you think about where you can play, what kind of program you are interested in, and how to get the attention of the coach at that school.
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