All posts by Suzanne Shaffer

admissions, college planning, essays, Uncategorized

Free Webinar-College Essay Tips

UPDATE: If you missed the webinar, here’s the link to the recording:

http://www.videocollegeadvisor.com/gelb

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The essay is one of the key components of the college application. If you have a student that is contemplating college (even if they are in middle school), tonight’s webinar should be a priority. If you have a college-bound teen that will be a senior next year this is the perfect time to get the best information related to the college essay.

Alan Gelb, essay expert and author of “Conquering the College Essay in 10 Steps” will be the guest of the webinar, hosted by Paul Hemphill. Alan will be offering his best tips on writing the college admissions essay, drawn from his best-selling book.

Register for this FREE Webinar at 9PM EST Tonight (Thursday, June 23, 2011).

admissions

Is college really attainable for everyone?

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If you work hard in school, study and do your best you should be able to get into a good college. At least that’s what I told my kids who were from a middle class background. But what about the disadvantaged and those who don’t have parents in their corner cheering them on.

Here’s a quote from an article called, Where Poor People Don’t Go to College, and Why posted a few months ago in the Washington Monthly:

Asking why low income people don’t make it to America’s most exclusive colleges is sort of like asking why low income people don’t buy more BMWs. It’s because the price of the good largely prohibits the economically disadvantaged from purchasing that good.

It’s a sad fact that the elite tend to fare well and the disadvantaged aren’t afforded the same opportunities.Here’s an infographic that says it all:

Rags to Rags - Riches to Riches

admissions, college guidance, college planning

Getting In-The Zinch Guide to College Admissions

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When Gil Rogers at Zinch asked me if I would be interested in getting an advance copy of this book I jumped at the chance. First of all, I love reviewing books for parents. Secondly, I knew it was going to be quality material and I was excited to get my hot little hands on a copy.

I’ve read plenty of books on college admissions. Some are so scholarly heavy that you need a degree to figure them out. Others are so shallow you can find most of the material in your teen’s high school handouts. Zinch’s book is neither of the above. It’s geared toward the student, but is also extremely valuable from a parent’s perspective. Zinch reminds the student that while the college process often involves the entire family, the final choice must be their own. I agree with this whole heartedly. Every parent should grasp this truth.

Since this book is jam-packed with information, it would be difficult to speak about all of it. Suffice it to say that Zinch covers EVERYTHING from beginning to end. It’s an invaluable resource to have for your student (especially at the beginning of the process), because it walks them through admissions step by step.

Following are some of the highlights (and my favorite parts):

  • The Truth About College Admissions-This chapter alone is worth the cost of the book. They debunk the myths about college, college rankings, and tell you the things colleges don’t want you to know. Superb!
  • Behind the Scenes-This chapter goes into great detail about what goes on in a college admissions office. As a parent, this chapter will be an eye opener. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on, Zinch spells it out!
  • College Input-One of the impressive components in the book is the input Zinch includes from actual specific college admissions officers. It helps you see how they think and how they view the process.
  • Social Media-Zinch recognizes the importance of social media and how it can affect the college admissions process. The book talks about your student’s online presence and reminds them that Google never forgets.
  • The Hook-This is the first book that I’ve seen that talks about “marketing” the student to the colleges. Zinch explains how important this is in order for your student to stand out.
  • The Application process-Since this is the most important part of college admissions, the book goes into specific detail about every aspect of the application with step-by-step guides and tips.
  • Three Case Studies-This is my favorite part of the book. Zinch takes three college applicants of different backgrounds and academics and presents their entire application to various colleges for review. The colleges then give their recommendations for acceptance, wait listing or rejection, giving you insight into the “whys” of the decision, along with how they came to their decision. It’s a wealth of information for both students and parents.

The book reads easily and provides many highlighted examples related to each chapter topic. Zinch tells the reader in the first few pages how to use the book:

  1. Read it. (to get an overview of the entire process)
  2. Ask your parents to read it. (to liberate the student and parent from the myths surrounding college admissions)
  3. Start early. (they recommend no later than junior year—I say freshman year)
  4. Role play. (put yourself in the role of the admissions officer and evaluate each one)
  5. Reread the appropriate chapter. (refer to the information as you need it)
  6. Work smarter, not harder. (the book provides you with the tools you need to be prepared)

If you are a parent of a college-bound teen (that means even middle school) you should pick up a copy of this book. Amazon has it on sale now for $9.86 and you can get a sneak peek inside the book as well. If you pick up a copy, let me know what you think. You can also post your comments on Twitter using the hashtag #GettingIn.

college planning, parenting

And the un-college revolution begins

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This weekend on Twitter I caught the tail end of a conversation related to a post that appeared on UnCollege.org. UnCollege.org says they are “a social movement empowering you to create tomorrow–with or without letters after you name.” They also state that their movement is found on three principles:

  1. Introspection is essential. It is vitally important that you know yourself before you pursue higher education.
  2. Passionate action outweighs school. Real-world success proves more than homework.
  3. Self-motivation is requisite for success. Taking initiative is more valuable than completing assignments.

I have anticipated this movement would start for a long time. I saw it coming based on high tuition costs and high student loan debt, the lack of actual learning that is going on in college and being taught by TA’s or tenured professors with antiquated teaching techniques, and the recent stories in the news about taking the non-college path to entrepreneurship. I’m sure that educators will scoff at this movement, college students will respond in defense, and parents will want to steer their kids away from the website.

We can throw tomatoes at this movement, deny its premise and take a firm stand against it, or we can ask these pertinent questions:

  1. Why is this movement happening?
  2. Is there something we can learn from their theory of self-directed education?
  3. As parents, how can we use this to start a conversation with our kids about higher education?
  4. Does higher education need to take at look at what is wrong and work to improve or fix it?

In my opinion, these questions need to be discussed and answered, if not for the rising tuition costs alone and the perceived value of a college education.

Take some time and read the blog post mentioned above and see the two different viewpoints: one from a Boston University college student and the other from the leader of the UnCollege movement. Both sides make valid points, depending on your point of view.

Here’s another article about the founder of UnCollege.org:

California teen entrepreneur asks: College? Who needs it?

Does this movement strike fear in your heart as a parent? Do you agree or disagree with their premise?

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Another article that might interest parents:

College vs. Real Life: Pros and Cons

 

college planning, organization, parenting

The importance of organization in the college process

I am the proud mother of three college graduates (Columbia University, Syracuse University, and Mass College of Art), so I know firsthand how difficult it is to keep on top of college tours, applications, test scores, financial aid, and scholarship information.

“Do you know where my ….is?” How many times has a parent heard that question? It’s one thing to lose a favorite toy or a shirt, but if you are misplacing college applications or missing deadlines because you misplaced a document, then it’s time to think about getting organized!

Good organizational skills are important in school and at home. If you are organized, you save time not looking for stuff! You save money by not paying for stuff you already have. And, you get important stuff done on time!

You have a better chance of getting into your preferred college if you are organized. The college application process involves much organizing for planning, testing, traveling, completing applications and deadlines for scholarships and essays. Getting advice from professionals who know the college process ins and outs and having all that information organized is imperative to reduce the stress that comes with the college search process and increase the chance of getting into your preferred school.

So, how do you organize for the college search? Start early! It’s a good idea to start keeping records in 9th grade, so everything will be in one place and easy to find when it’s time to begin the application process. Set up a record retention system for both student and parent. It should be easy to use, centrally located for convenience, and organized so that you can easily find the information you need. A good filing system will have clear labels and plenty of space to handle all the information you collect. Establish a calendar management system/ to do/check list that you refer to monthly to keep on top of timelines for such things as college fairs and visits, testing and appointments with your college advisor.

Setting up and using organization systems will give you a valuable advantage in school and in life! That’s why I believe in organization and its benefits and that is why I have become a supporter of the College Caboodle – an organizational tool for parents and college-bound high school students. The system includes:

 

  • A calendar of to-do’s for 9th-12th grade
  • An instructional DVD
  • A simple filing system with pre-labeled folders
  • A list of the must-know website resources
  • Easy to use forms and checklists
  • Important financial aid and scholarship contacts

Let this college prep tool turn the whirlwind college application process into an exciting look into your child’s future, instead of a tornado of paper and clutter in your office

Good luck with your college search!

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Today’s guest post was contributed by Isabell Wells, a professional organizer and founder of “All in Order”. You can contact her via email at:  allnorder2@rcn.com or by visiting her website at : www.orderbywells.com.

college planning, Guest Posts, parenting

Three tell tale signs that your student needs a tutor

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When is the right time to hire a tutor? Initially, the answer to this question seems relatively straightforward. Many would give the obvious answer: “It is time to find a tutor as soon as my student starts to struggle.” What does that mean? The word “struggle” is relative and carriers many different meanings. A lot of self-discovery comes in the “struggling” moments of academia, but there is a fine line that parents need to be aware of. Parents, you know your child best, and you need to ensure that your child doesn’t struggle to the point where they will give up on academics. If a student reaches this low point, it is easy for them to get discouraged. If a student has experienced enough moments of failure, it is not uncommon for the student to label himself or herself as a failure. Many students have a difficult time compartmentalizing the moments of failure and their entire academic ability.

There are three important scenarios where parents should start thinking about hiring a tutor for their child. It is important to act relatively quickly, and make sure your student has all of the necessary support.

Poor Grades

As mentioned above it is important for parents to respond quickly if their student’s grades are dropping. There are many contributing factors that could lead to poor academic performance, and hiring a tutor is a great way to assess any underlying issues. Tutors have a different vantage point than teachers, and it may difficult for a teacher to assess the situation when they have 25+ students in front of them. Many teachers will work in collaboration with the tutor, but it is the responsibility of the parents to facilitate that discussion. Even though, tutoring is a great tool to use if your student is struggling, it may not be the best thing for your student. Start a dialogue with the tutor, and work towards identifying why your student is struggling. If a student struggles from time management or executive functioning, academic tutoring alone may not help the student long term. It is difficult to define a specific plan of action that all parents can use because all students are different. Each student needs an individualized plan, don’t be afraid to try trial and error in the development process. Eventually you will create a comprehensive plan that is best for your student.

Not Being Challenged

When students are not challenged academically their grades could suffer. Students can become disconnected with what is happening in class because they are bored. If that is the case, parents should communicate with the teacher to develop an enrichment plan for the student. Provide your child with several opportunities to participate in learning outside of the classroom. An expert tutor can take the material covered in class, and adapt it to make it interesting for the student. Adaptations should include facets of information that is not being covered in class.

It’s Summer Time

It’s summer time, and our brains get shut off! Provide your student with something interesting to do over the summer that will help retain the information learned during the school year. Summer tutoring is my favorite because you don’t have to worry about aligning the instruction with the goals and objectives of the classroom teacher.

Below you can find two great resources for summer enrichment:

Summer Math Camps for High School Students

Summer Discovery

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Thanks to Eric Clark, CEO of Quincy Tutoring, an online tutor network based on the South Shore of Boston, for today’s guest post.  Parents can go to www.quincytutoring.com, and search the Quincy Tutoring database for free.  Tutors can also create/manage their own profile for free.  If you enjoyed reading this post, and have questions about how much you should pay for tutoring, click HERE.  If you would like a tutor network for your area please contact Eric today.  You can also follow Eric on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

dorm life, Guest Posts

Top 5 Forgotten Dorm Room Supplies

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In the frenzy to get your child ready for college, it is easy to forget about some pretty important dorm room staples either because things are hectic, or because they just slip your mind. Here is DormCo’s list of the Top 5 Forgotten Dorm Room Supplies that are a must-have for any incoming college freshman.

#5 – Alarm Clock

It seems silly to say, but when purchasing the furnishings for your child’s dorm room, alarm clocks are often forgotten amongst the “bigger” items such as bedding and storage options. I had multiple friends who had to run out and buy alarm clocks when they arrived on campus in the fall, so be sure not to forget this dorm necessity. Going for an alarm clock that has an MP3/iPod player included will eliminate the need to buy an expensive iPod dock, and your child can wake up every morning to their favorite tunes as well!

#4 – Area Rug

Although a rug is not exactly necessary, it adds a nice touch to your child’s dorm room and makes the space more comfortable and inviting. What better way to afford them with a sense of home than with a plush rug complete with a trendy design? Have your child pick out a rug they like, and if they already know their roommate, see if they’d like to ask them his or her thoughts on a rug choice. Getting your roommate’s opinion on communal items from the get-go will start your child’s living environment off on the right foot.

#3 – Wall Art

There is nothing more mundane and unwelcoming than bare, white walls. Many students accumulate posters, pictures, and wall art as the year progresses, but starting out with one or two will ensure that your child’s little slice of home away from home is personalized. Recently, Peel N Stick wall art has been the new “thing” for college students since it’s so versatile and fun, and it’s worth checking out if you haven’t already.

#2 – An Iron

This was the least owned item out of all the dorm supplies my friends and I had, yet one of the most useful – multiple times. While people claim that irons are unnecessary, or that you only need them if you’re a business major, in fact there are many circumstances where being able to iron a blouse or pair of slacks will prove to be very useful.

#1 – Bed Toppers

Unless you’re familiar with the ins and outs of dorm shopping, you may not know about bed toppers. Whether you choose a feather bed topper, memory foam, or an egg crate, you can easily provide your college-bound kid with a good night’s sleep. When classes get stressful and sports become overwhelming, your child will be grateful that you got them this bed necessity – it will help them sleep restfully, night after night.

 

Snag these 5 dorm necessities, on top of the obvious staples, and your child will be set for school come August! For an amazing selection of dorm supplies at stellar prices, be sure to check us out at http://www.dormco.com!

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Today’s guest post is from Alexis McKenzie, Customer Service, Marketing, and Social Media for DormCo.Com

college planning, parenting

Providing tools for the successful student

UPDATE: We had a wonderful Twitter party last night. The winner of the Suite was @ChaCha572. The suite will be heading her way soon! Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm and support–especially @TheOnlineMom @TheTechDad and @geekbabe for hosting the party and making me feel welcome.

Here’s your chance to WIN this AMAZING creative tool

Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Master Collection.

Register for #TheOnlineMom ‘s Twitter chat on her site and join us on#TheOnlineMom ‘s Twitter Chat TONIGHT at 9PM EST where one random person will win a FULL copy of this marvelous student tool.

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Parents are always looking for ways to help our students be successful. In today’s technological age which spurs unbridled creativity in our students finding and providing the proper tools to enhance and

support their creativity can be not only difficult, but expensive. When I find a product or service that can help, I like to pass the information along to my parent readers. Adobe C5.5 Master Collection is one of those products.

You may have a high school student that is planning for college, or a current college student that needs these tools to be productive throughout their college career. As a user of Adobe products for almost 15 years, going back to Adobe Pagemaker, I know how effective these products can be in today’s age of lightning fast media, social sharing, and enhanced technology. Having a copy of this product in your student’s arsenal can give them the edge in creating flash presentations, streaming videos, high-quality graphic presentations, and smoking web content.

Here’s what’s inside:

  • Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended
  • Adobe Illustrator CS5
  • Adobe InDesign CS5.5
  • Adobe Acrobat X Pro
  • Adobe Flash Catalyst CS5.5
  • Adobe Flash Professional CS 5.5
  • Adobe Flash Builder 4.5 Premium Edition
  • Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5
  • Adobe Fireworks CS5
  • Adobe Contribute CS5
  • Adobe Premiere Pro CS5
  • Adobe After Effects CS5.5
  • Adobe Audition CS5.5
  • Adobe OnLocation CS5
  • Adobe Encore CS5
  • Adobe Bridge CS5
  • Adobe Device Central CS5.5
  • Adobe Media Encoder CS5.5

As you can see from the list, this is a computer geek’s dream, not to mention any student could benefit from these programs in their creative arsenal.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the collection by following the link above, you can purchase it by following this link: Purchase Adobe C5.5 Master Collection

Note: There is a STANDARD edition available as well which includes the basics: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat, Bridge, and Device Central.

If you have a college graduate in your household, don’t wait until it is too late! Buy Adobe C5.5 Master Collection while you still can–get it at student pricing until May 31st.


Guest Posts, study abroad

Projects Abroad’s Volunteer Opportunities for Students

 

Now is the time when parents ask their high school and college-aged kids, “What do you plan on doing with your summer?”

Instead of choosing to spend their summers lifeguarding or in an unfulfilling office internship, students are opting to spend their summers making a difference in the global community by volunteering abroad. Projects Abroad, a leading international volunteer placement organization, offers a wide variety of summer internship opportunities and special two-week high school programs in developing countries around the world.

An ideal option for college students – those who have decided on a course of study and those who haven’t – is our summer internship programs. Most projects require no prior background in the field, and offer students a valuable cross-cultural learning experience that will not only leave them with lasting memories, but will also beef up their resumes and attract future employers.

Summer Internships

Projects Abroad offers more than ten types of summer internships in disciplines like medicine, journalism, law and human rights, business and veterinary medicine, in over 20 locations on five continents.

The Medicine and Healthcare internship is a great choice for students interested in pursuing a career in general medicine, physical therapy, midwifery, dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Interns work closely with doctors and medical staff in hospitals and clinics, and are considered to be very valuable assets, especially because resources in developing countries can be somewhat inadequate.
Depending on the project they choose, our medical interns typically all have a slightly different experience. Take dentistry internships for example. Our volunteers in India work in clinics in and around the city of Madurai, while interns in Argentina are placed in a large hospital in Villa Allende, and interns in Mexico work in smaller dental practices in Guadalajara. Regardless of the placement though, we welcome interns of all qualification levels – from high school students and medical school students to skilled professionals.

Another popular option for students is our Business internships. They are ideal for anyone looking to acquire hands-on experience and professional skills in an international business setting. We know that our interns come to us in all different stages of their professional careers, which is why we tailor business internships to suit the individual, since skills, prior experience, and personal interests are directly relevant to the placement. The positions in this field vary, but all offer challenging and fulfilling work experience in the business sector. Just as with the medicine internships, each business placement has a unique work setting and requires a certain skill set from volunteers. Volunteers with business internships in Shanghai, Madurai, Chisinau, Ulaanbaatar and Cape Town may work in a high rise building with all of the latest technologies, or be placed in a smaller company that operates without large resources.

Volunteer projects

Though our internships are offered to volunteers of all levels, high school students ages 16-19 may find a two-week summer special to be a more viable option. We created the two-week summer projects especially for this age group that combine full-time project with an enjoyable half-way point weekend excursion. These exciting projects involve students working with their peers in the fields of Archaeology, Care & Community, Diving & Marine Conservation, and more. Many parents are interested to know that select two-week specials may provide escorted flights from New York – JFK with a Projects Abroad staff member.

Our Inca & Archaeology Project in Peru is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Volunteers work outdoors in the beautiful Andes Mountains and help with archaeological activities and community work. On the weekend, they make a special trip to see Machu Picchu and other world-famous sites. Across the world in Nepal at our Care & Community Project, students work in an area rich in ancient temples, culture, and tradition. Students spend two weeks working in an orphanage or school, playing with children and helping to renovate and decorate buildings. Just as exciting as the others, our Diving & Marine Conservation Project in Thailand allows students to observe the stunning coral reef, assess its damage and help conserve the ecosystem. There are over 40 options to choose from in total in 22 destinations.

With the exception of the two-week high school summer specials, all of Projects Abroad’s programs offer volunteers the flexibility of choosing a start and end date. Our staff prides themselves on the quality of service we offer volunteers from the moment they call until the end of their trip and beyond. Our volunteers (and parents of volunteers) can rest assured that each of the countries we work in has at least one Projects Abroad office with full-time employees who are trained in our head office.

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This guest post was contributed by Thomas Pastorius, Jr. Our website offers a ton of great information on all of our projects, costs, safety and more. www.projects-abroad.org.