Student Cheating: An Epidemic?

September 23, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer

The Washington Post published a blog article a few days ago, “The Cause of Standardized Test Cheating and How to Stop It” citing these disturbing statistics:

FairTest has documented confirmed cheating cases in 30 states and the District of Columbia in just the past three academic years. Hardly a week, or a day, goes by without a reminder that the mounting evidence of cheating in cities and states across the nation shows no signs of abating. Sadly, neither does the damage caused by the standardized testing mania that underlies the cheating scandal, as explained in a new FairTest fact sheet.

As parents, we need to look at the underlying cause BEHIND the cheating. Is there too much pressure to test well? Are students not taught throughout their lives that cheating is wrong? Has the invention of technology made it easier to cheat?

Here’s an infographic that outlines cheating and it just doesn’t happen in high school and college. Sobering–to say the least

Cheaters
Created by Online Masters Degrees

admissions, college guidance, college majors, college planning, Guest Posts

3 Steps to prepare for a college theatre audition

September 21, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer 1 Comment

College Theatre and Musical Theatre Programs are amongst the most competitive programs to gain acceptance to within a College or University. With thousands of applicants vying for a spot, it is important to present your best and most marketable self to make an impression. In order for you to be ready for these auditions, it requires you to put in an adequate amount of time, energy and passion into your preparation.

Sound stressful? Don’t let it be! If you are truly passionate about getting an education that will begin your professional career in the arts, then allow the process and preparation to be fun and exciting.

Step 1

First things first: Where do you want to pursue this dream education? Just as important as choosing the right monologue or song for the audition, is choosing the right program to match your needs as a performer.

Before you begin looking at different programs within Colleges and Universities, ask yourself the following questions:

What will my main focus be? Straight Theatre or Musical Theatre?
Will I do better within a conservatory or university program?
What do I hope to accomplish after graduating college?
Do I have other interests that I want to pursue alongside Theatre?

Once you are able to come up with these answers, your search will be much easier. Take a look at the differences between Conservatory programs and University programs. Inquire as to what recent graduates of the program are up to after graduation. Decide whether a BFA or BA program suits your needs and your other possible interests besides theatre.

Step 2

Okay, you’ve found a couple dream schools and programs…now what?

Time to focus! You are now ready to begin visiting these schools, setting up interviews, and most importantly, setting up a date for an audition. An easy way to set up a schedule for yourself and your parents is to make a “College Calendar Checklist” spreadsheet. Post this on your fridge or any other important area to make sure all of your requirements are being met. Use the following categories for each college when creating the list:

SCHOOL
APPLICATION DEADLINE
AUDITION DEADLINE
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
AUDITION TIME/DATE

Step 3

Alright, so now all of your schools are chosen, your dates are set, and you’ve started your applications. Now the real fun begins! It’s time to choose your audition material.

This is definitely the most daunting task of the College Audition Process. What type of Monologues are “they” looking for? What type of song suits my personality? If you are amongst the many who are confused as to what pieces are right for you, don’t worry.

First, make sure to check out the website of the programs in which you are auditioning so you know what their requirements are.

It is important for you to do your own research and really take an initiative on finding your material. Check out Pulitzer Prize winning plays, look at Musicals that won Tony awards. While some of the material from these works may be “overdone” pieces, they are good places to start. Hiring an audition coach is always a good idea to oversee the process with you. They are able to help you properly prepare and choose powerful pieces while not over-rehearsing your choices.

For inspiration on your college hunt, my favorite quote is:

“If you’re not afraid, if you take everything you are, everything worthwhile in you and direct it at one goal, one ultimate mark, you’ve got to get there”. – James Dean

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Today’s guest post was written by Chelsea Cipolla, a professional Actress and Audition Coach. For College Coaching Services check out: www.mycollegeaudition.com or send an email to info @mycollegeaudition .com.

admissions, college guidance, college planning, parenting

College Questions?

September 20, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer

This week, it’s my privilege to be interviewed by Power Women Magazine about my Parents Countdown to College Toolkit and college preparation. If you have any questions about college preparation or have wondered about the content of my Toolkit, tune in LIVE:

Date: Thursday, September 22nd

Time: 12PM ET, 11AM CT, 9AM PT

Where: Online at Power Women Magazine

college news

America’s Best Colleges? Ask China what they think.

September 16, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer

With all the talk this week about the latest U.S. News and World Reports rankings of America’s Best Colleges, I thought it might be nice to put it all into perspective. I’m afraid, as usual, we have gotten a little too big for our britches in this country and our higher education system is suffering. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, America’s global rank in college completion is slipping.

Wendy David-Gaines (POCS Mom) adds some additional insight into the college ranking craze with her recent post about global college rankings.

Here’s a look at how China compares and what they are doing to lead the globe in education:

Created by: Online University Rankings

admissions, college guidance, college planning

High school seniors gear up for college

September 15, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer 3 Comments

Fall is in the air (at least in most parts of the country) and seniors are gearing up for a busy year of college-related activities. To help parents and students stay organized and on top of the college to-do-lists, I’m sharing my senior list from my Parents Countdown to College Toolkit and Parents Crash Course.

My good friend and colleague Paul Hemphill has another take on the senior “to-do-list” (3 Things High Seniors should do early) that you will also want to share with your college-bound teens.

FALL

Continue to follow a rigorous program of study and verify that your course plan is consistent with college admissions criteria. Keep tabs on your GPA and your class rank; double check your transcript for any errors.
Start collecting recommendation letters. Gather any that were done over the summer and if you need to add additional ones, ask for them early when school begins.
If you need to take admissions tests again, register for and take the SAT and/or ACT and SAT Subject tests. Fill in the proper codes for each college to assure they receive your test scores.
Lock in your college choices and visit any on your list that you haven’t already checked out.
If you are applying to a military academy make sure your file is current and in the possession of the person from whom you are seeking the nomination.
If you are seeking an athletic scholarship, send a copy of your game schedule to the appropriate coaches; ask your high school coaches to help with contact names.
Finalize portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples, or other evidence of talent to send with your college admissions application.
If you are going to apply for early decision or early action, be sure to submit application materials by the deadline.

WINTER

Gather all the data for the FAFSA and encourage your parents to complete income tax returns early so that you can file in January. Complete the CSS/Profile as well if necessary.
Continue your scholarship search process focusing on those for 12^th grade students. Request any college specific scholarship applications and apply.
Apply to the colleges that you have chosen and assure proper completion of each application package.
Verify that your mid-year transcript has been sent to the colleges to which you have applied. This is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Follow up and verify that the colleges receive the transcript.
Review your SAR Report for accuracy and submit corrections if necessary.
If any college requests additional materials or forms send them promptly and verify they are received.
Apply for State Financial aid which may require additional forms.

SPRING

Plan to take AP Exams. Check with your colleges and verify that once the tests are taken you will receive college credit.
Compare college award letters and financial aid packages. Contact the school’s financial aid office if you have questions about your award. If you would like to dispute your award due to extenuating circumstances, follow the guidelines outlined in the toolkit.
Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll and talk with students, professors and admissions advisers to help you make your final decision.
Complete any loan paperwork if you will need to take out parent or student loans.
Make your final decision and notify the college you will be attending, along with the colleges you will be declining admission. (Remember: there are students on wait lists that will be waiting for spots to open. So be respectful and notify ALL schools of your decision).
Accept or decline your financial aid awards in writing. You have the option to accept all or part of the aid awarded.

SUMMER.

Attend Freshman Orientation and gather information regarding your course offerings to begin searching for textbook offers and deals.
Write thank you notes to the people who recommended you and thank them for taking the time to write those recommendation letters.
Apply for a summer job and save that money for college expenses.
If Federal Work Study is part of your package it’s your responsibility to secure a job and follow up with the financial aid office when you arrive on campus.

Print the list–email it to your teenager–post it on the frig for easy reference. It will help remind YOU and your college-bound teen that senior year is NOT the time for senioritis to kick in.

admissions, college planning, organization, scholarships

Zinch’s New Facebook App…and more!

September 14, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer

Zinch is all about using the latest and greatest social media tools to connect with students. Their presence on Twitter and Facebook has gotten the word out about their EASY, BREEZY scholarship tools and contests. They use those amazing tools to help students connect with colleges and colleges connect with students.

I love what Zinch says about Zinch:

What is Zinch?

That is the question.

We hook students up with scholarships

Based on our comprehensive student profile, we can match students to any scholarship out there. Students tell us who they are…and we hook them up with scholarships that matter.

We hook students up with colleges & grad schools

Zinch allows students to learn about, get recruited by, and interact with more than colleges and universities from all over the world. And it happens on a platform that students embrace – the web.

We make the process fun

The admissions process is very stressful. We know. So we let students connect with other students who are going through the same frustration, struggles and pains as they are. Hopefully that way the process can be a little bit easier.

It’s no surprise that they have now branched out with a Facebook application allowing students to amp up their profiles and enter their weekly scholarship ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Since so many students are on Facebook, it’s an excellent way to reach more students for their $1000 weekly scholarship giveaway.

And here’s another great upgrade to Zinch’s already amazing student profile section. Students can have others post recommendations within their profile, giving them even greater exposure and flexibility. It’s a WIN WIN for students AND colleges!

Check out this profile http://www.zinch.com/musicqueendebi19#endorsement_36478876 to see how the new feature works.

Zinch is on top of what students and colleges need to connect during the admissions process; and their scholarship opportunities provide a means for EVERY student to apply and possibly win. Zinch deserves an A++ in my book!

college planning, internships

College without internships…

September 13, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer

…is like cereal without milk, chocolate without peanut butter, and the perfect dress without the perfect shoes!

Seriously though, with all the competition in college for jobs after graduation, you can’t afford to ignore the importance of an internship. We are also recognizing the fact that an internship in high school might be the perfect springboard to help your student pick a major, a college, and eventually a career.

Matthew Zinman, creator of Internship Success, a program created to help students make the most of their internships and provide employers with prepared interns, is offering my readers (and friends) first dibs on a federal grant subsidy. The grant provides a $100 credit toward’s Matthew’s online Career Preparation Certification (CPC) and professional skills training course at InternshipSuccess.com.

The grant provides for 250 registrants to reduce the course fee by more than half. So I invite you (and others you may let know) to use one or more of these credits now available for both the individual and group registration (use “DOLgrant” in the course credit code): http://www.internshipsuccess.com/Register.aspx

Those who take advantage will find this step-by-step course to be very comprehensive. It has three hours of self-paced instruction and 70+ supplemental career-support downloads for students and other job-seekers to get the right internship, gain the most meaningful experience and perform at their best to EARN employment.

In short, this is what isn’t learned in class.

Matthew reminds us, “A college degree is no longer sufficient for graduates to access the current job market. I’ve made it my life’s work to make internships matter and afford those every opportunity to succeed because I firmly believe there is no substitute for experience.”

If you have a student in college, know a college student, or are an employer who uses interns, take advantage of this AMAZING OFFER.

college planning, financial aid, Guest Posts, parenting

How Students Can Graduate from College Debt Free

September 12, 2011 Suzanne Shaffer 3 Comments

Here’s some advice from Ellie Kay, America’s family financial expert, geared specifically toward parents about how to help their students graduate from college debt-free. As we all know, student debt is a major problem for recent graduates across the country. Currently the total student loan debt in America exceeds 1 trillion dollars! It can be difficult to graduate debt free, but if you have the right advice and common sense it can be done!

Hearing from a financial expert is great, but hearing from a parent who has been able to apply wise financial advice and help her kids graduate debt-free is even better!

Parenting for College

Student Cheating: An Epidemic?