"Bloom Where You Are Planted"

Durham University Botanic Garden

"Bloom Where You Are Planted": This excellent quote from a guidance counselor at Princeton High School, reminds us that in these days of super-competitive college admissions, there are decisions made that are beyond our control, and an unexpected result can actually be a gift. Read this article to help keep the college process in perspective.

If you want to read more stories related to the college admissions process from students and their families, go to this health blog from the New York Times.

May 1st Deposit Deadline Fast Approaching

This interesting article highlights the uncertainty created in college admissions offices this year due to such a large number of applicants and the elimination of many early admit programs. The large number of waitlisted students is a by-product of this uncertainly. It is becoming increasingly clear that many colleges are looking at a student's demonstrated interest in a college before admitting them, as they need to admit those who are most likely to enroll rather than those who might merely be adding a school to their list as a solid option they most likely would never attend.

Many students are in the throes of making the final decision on where to send their deposit, with the added anxiety of being on waitlists elsewhere. Trying to decide if it is worth the increased uncertainty to remain on a waitlist throughout the summer can be difficult, but for many keeping their name in the running is essential. To understand your rights and responsibilities with regard to deposits and waitlists, review the Student Rights and Responsibilities in the College Admission Process provided in this link. Remember to let the colleges you have decided not to attend know this right away, as this could free up a spot for a waitlisted student.

Resource Update for Students with Learning Disabilities

Today's Wall Street Journal includes an excellent article for students with ADD/ADHD and their families. I am always on the lookout for positive individual profiles of those living with ADD and ADHD, and was particularly impressed with her focus on the different approaches taken by these families as their children progressed through school.

Another valuable resource that has recently been published is a DVD entitled, "College Success for Students with Learning Challenges". Monica Andrews, Ed.D. of www.reelwisdom.com has produced a valuable tool for both parents and students evaluating their college choices. College students share their stories to help others understand what they need to do to make the most of their college experience, what the differences will be between high school and college, and how to access the resources available to them. You can watch a preview here.

This website is useful for evaluating the support for students with learning disabilities at a variety of colleges by providing links to those colleges that go beyond the mandated level of support.

2008-2009 Standardized Test Dates Announced

The dates for the 2008-2008 ACT tests have been announced and are available online at the ACT website and on our College Calendar. Proposed dates for the SAT and Subject Tests have been announced and will be finalized by the end of Spring. These proposed dates are included on our calendar.

I suggest you determine early on in the college process which test is best for you and focus on preparing for just one. The PSAT given in October of junior year will give you an indication of where you might score on the SAT and these scores (usually available from your high school by December/January of your junior year) can be compared to a PLAN score (a pre-ACT test usually given to sophomores) or to an actual or mock ACT. Scores for the ACT and SAT can be compared using this table. For those students interested in a list of schools that do not use either test to admit substantial numbers of student can review the list here.

Both the ACT and SAT are accepted by many colleges and universities. This can be confirmed on the individual website of each college on your list. In addition, some colleges will require the SAT Subject Tests in either two or three subjects. It is best to schedule these tests at the end of the academic year in which you took the course in your high school. Here is a listing of the subjects available for these one-hour tests which are given on the same date as the SAT with the exception of the March test date. An updated calendar with subjects available in 2008-2009 will be posted in late Spring.

The SAT question of the day is a good start in getting familiar with the SAT.

Campus Food Becomes Increasingly Important to Students

Outside dining with Nobel Laureates is a great option at CalTech

I always recommend that when students are on a campus visit, they should try and spend some time in the dining hall listening and talking to current students, checking out the bulletin boards and learning what they can about life on campus. What I inevitably hear are comments about the food. Today's students are used to a variety of food choices and place a great deal of importance on time spent together eating. This fun article in today's New York Times highlights the growing importance of the food experience as a major factor in selecting a college.

Colleges Still Accepting Applications

If you are still thinking about other options for your college career, there are still many colleges and universities accepting applications for the Fall of 2008. For students who are interested in using the Common Application, they have posted a listing of their member schools which still are accepting applications. Simply click on the form, "Requirements Grid" and the members colleges' deadlines will be displayed. In addition, you can access a listing of all colleges through this link including deadlines, as well as this resource for colleges and universities with rolling admissions.

Making the Final Decision

With the May 1st deposit deadline approaching, many students feel a new kind of pressure. In April, colleges are hosting open houses and weekends for admitted students to entice them to enroll, welcoming them to campus with open arms and lots of fanfare. The good news is that the tables are now turned and the visit has a new feel as accepted students approach campus knowing they have been admitted and that it is now up to them. After a long fall and winter, students are finally in the driver's seat.

I suggest you read this valuable article to evaluate your choices. In addition, you can use this worksheet to compare your financial awards and costs. I also suggest you consider those things that were important to you when you put your list together and go to each of the schools websites to compare these factors. For example, were you looking for a school that offered a lot of activities on campus, and clubs to join. Go to each website and find a club that looks interesting and learn more about it: does it have lots of members, meetings and activities? How about the upcoming schedule for the weekend on campus: are there interesting events? What do the housing options look like, and what required courses will you be taking as a freshman. It is better to find all of this out now, rather than when you are enrolled. While you may have investigated this early on, your preferences may have changed. Comparing these items in a clear list with your final choices can help you determine which is the best option for you.

Another helpful tool can be social networking groups like Facebook. Students can use this to share comments within a specific college group, or to discuss and/or read about other colleges between which students are deciding. Your college choices may be very similar to other students, so sharing this insight can provide a new perspective and help you learn more about those who could be fellow classmates.

More on waitlists.......

The news continues to roll in on waitlists, which appear to be growing in popularity. As I mentioned yesterday, the increase at the more selective schools is being attributed to the uncertainty that has been created with fewer binding early decision schools. The Wall Street Journal today has addressed waitlists as well as the ever-popular topic of increased selectivity of colleges.

An important point to remember amid all the talk of those same super-selective 50 colleges and universities is that most colleges accept the majority of their applicants. According to a recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, 80 percent of students were admitted to their top-choice college in 2007, and 82 percent of colleges accepted more than half of their applicants. It is unfortunate that the hype continues to reign for the three percent of colleges that take fewer than 25 percent.

The Waitlist, Now What?

I once heard it said by an admissions dean that the wait list is being used as a "reserve army" and this year seems to be no exception. With the increase in multiple applications, and the shifting that is likely to occur when the May 1st deposit deadline rolls around, colleges and universities are hedging their bets by adding large groups of students to their waitlists. In the often-cited world of super-selective colleges, this trend continues as many of the schools which were previously binding Early Decision have now shifted to Early Action, increasing the level of uncertainly as to who will enroll, and forcing many schools to grow their waitlists. Read more in today's New York Times.

Most schools will indicate in their waitlist offer letter to students how many have been added to the waitlist and how many have been accepted in the past. While these numbers change every year, it can be a start in determining what the likelihood may be of getting off the list and enrolling. If you decide you want to throw your hat into this rather daunting ring, here are some things to consider.

1. Return the reply card indicating your desire to remain on the waitlist
2. Students (not parents) need to keep in touch with the school, and remember persistence, not pestering, can make a difference.
3. Send in writing any updated and MEANINGFUL information to the school, too many additional letters of recommendations and calls from parents can have the negative results. Updates on grades, activities and perhaps a recommendation that provides new information can be helpful.
4. If the school is absolutely your top choice, let them know that if admitted, you will attend. This honest level of commitment can make a big difference at this point.
5. Students coming off the waitlist are often those who can pay the full price. If you think you will need financial aid, then it is more problematic at many schools when it comes to the waitlist as most of the financial aid budget has been committed. Colleges generally first accept students who do not need aid, but if the class size is not met, then more aid may become available.
6. Remember that it is out of your hands and that if the college needs more men/women/musicians/artists/athletes/scientists, etc. they can select as needed. Waitlists are rarely ordered, but rather a pool that can be drawn from as needed, and movement can be slow and often is rare.
7. It is best to focus most on the colleges to which you have been accepted and the one you plan to attend, and if something happens and you hear an acceptance from the waitlist school, then that is just a pleasant surprise.

University of Washington application update

This update came in today from The University of Washington Seattle. All fall 2008 freshmen application decisions have been finalized with few exceptions. Starting today, April 1 and through Thursday, the admissions office will send out all remaining admission, waitlist invitations, and denial of admission notification letters. These actions will affect about 3,500 applicants. The remaining 16,500 freshmen applicants have already heard from UW.