Category Archives: admissions

admissions, how to, Uncategorized

How to Understand EA and ED

 

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ea pr ed

EA (Early Action) and ED (Early Decision) have confused parents for years. Applying to college has become more competitive and more complicated. Years ago (long before my time), all you did was apply and everyone applied at the same time. But times have changed and so have college applications. If you break the terms down it’s easier to understand. I’ve turned to some experts to help you decipher the differences and understand the benefits and/or the downsides of applying EA or ED.

What is EA and ED?

The first comes from Patrick O’Connor, Associate Dean of College Counseling, Cranbrook-Kingswood School, and author of College is Yours 2.0:

Early Action: Also known as EA, colleges that offer this option promise a quick response if you submit a completed application by their early deadline. Students admitted EA don’t have to promise to attend the college; they just want to hear back sooner than usual. Students can apply as EA candidates to several colleges at the same time, as long as they are submitting a quality application that didn’t get thrown together at the last minute.

Restricted Early Action: Sometimes known as Early Action Single Choice, REA works much like Early Action, but the student is limited in the number of other colleges where they can submit early applications — and that number is often zero. Colleges do this for a number of reasons, but they most often want the student to show a special commitment to their college without having to promise to go there. This can reduce the number of students who apply early who aren’t really thinking about why the college is right for them , and still reward the students who feel a special bond to the school.

Early Decision: ED applications require a little more from students than EA applications. The process is the same — students submit a completed application by an early deadline — but if a student is admitted as an ED student, they promise to withdraw all other college applications at attend the college that admitted them ED. If this sounds like serious business, it is. Students should only apply ED to a college they absolutely, positively love, and cannot live without.

Read Patrick’s entire article on Huffington Post about how to determine if either of these is best for your student.

Tips for Potential ED/EA Applicants

Peter Van Buskirk, an acclaimed author and motivational speaker, excels at simplifying and demystifying what is often perceived as a complex and mysterious process—college admission. His creative programming, including his signature presentation of “The Admission Game®,” has informs parents and students about the ins and outs of the college admissions process.

Peter gives several tips for college applicants seeking EA/ED:

  • Read the fine print for each institutional offering and understand your commitments before initiating an early application of any sort.
  • Rather than looking for an “ED school,” focus on finding colleges that fit you well as you arrive at your short list of schools. If one of them becomes your absolute first choice, then ED should be a considered option.
  • Do not apply ED unless you are dead certain of your commitment to enroll if accepted.
  • Do not apply ED if you have not visited the campus first! Ideally, your visit will have included an overnight stay that enabled you to also attend classes and experience the campus culture.
  • Resist the temptation to act on impulse. The feelings you have for a college now might change greatly over time leaving you committed to a place that is no longer where you want to be. Give yourself at least a month to reflect on your intended application before applying ED.
  • Remember the ED Round II option. Many schools will give you the opportunity to “convert” your Regular Decision application during a second round of ED in January. The conditions are the same as with ED Round I, but you might be better prepared to make a commitment later in the year.
  • Resolve all $$ questions and concerns before applying ED. Once you are admitted, there can be no contingencies. Ask the school’s financial aid office to provide an “early estimate” of your expected family contribution (EFC) before you submit your ED application. Apply ED only if you are completely satisfied with the information you receive regarding your EFC.
  • Sprint to the finish! Even though you might hold an EA or ED acceptance letter, it is likely to be conditional on your completion of the senior at the same level of achievement that earned you the offer of admission. More than a few colleges are known to rescind offers of admission when final transcripts show performances that drop measurably after offers of admission are secured.

Read Peter’s entire article, Making Sense of ED/EA Options. for a look at the numbers, options and who benefits.

What is “rolling admissions”?

Schools with rolling admissions offer important options and opportunities that static deadlines don’t. Rolling admissions schools will accept and examine applications as they are sent in, instead of waiting to judge all applications concurrently. Schools with rolling admissions can be great for late admissions, or for finding out early on whether or not you are accepted, so you can change your plan accordingly.

Peterson’s provides an article about the Advantages and Disadvantages of Rolling Admissions.

What is regular admissions?

A discussion of EA and ED needs to include a discussion on regular admissions as well. Regular admissions require that the student submit their application before the application deadline (which is later than EA and ED). The advantage of this being that students have more time to prepare and have no restrictions on the number of schools they can apply to.

This pool of applicants is much larger and the competition for these slots will be more competitive. Colleges typically have lower admission rates for regular admission applicants.

College 101 provides a comparison table, which includes EA, ED, Rolling Admissions, and Regular Decision, to help decide which application deadline is right for you.

 

 

admissions, Scholarship Friday, scholarships

Scholarship Friday: A look at Zinch

 

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zinch

An interviewer asked me the other day which scholarship search engine would I recommend. Hands down–it’s Zinch. I chose them for these 5 reasons:

1. Their scholarship search engine is second to none

You can search for over $1 billion dollars in scholarship awards, set deadline reminders, and get scholarship advice from past winners. Their scholarship home page features a current scholarship and posts scholarships with approaching deadlines.

2. They connect students to colleges–2 for 1 (scholarship and college match)

Zinch is a free service that allows high school students to present themselves to college admission officers – as real people and more than just as SAT/ACT test score.

Importantly, college admission officers want this information. More than 750 colleges and universities work with Zinch to identify students who might be right for their schools.

3. The Double Your Money Program & $1000 Weekly Scholarship

They will match scholarship winners (up to $1000) if they apply to an eligible scholarship on their website and win. Who doesn’t need more money for college? They also offer a weekly $1000 scholarship based on the answer to a simple question (in 3 sentences or less).

4. They connect with students

Zinch simply summarizes this by saying: “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.”

They engage and connect with students on their Facebook page as well. Every parent knows that nagging their students to apply for scholarships can be taxing. Zinch knows that and does a great job motivating them. They also connect with their high school blog for students: More Than a Test Score.

5. They connect with parents

Zinch offers parents the information they need to help students in their college process. On their parent page, they give parents free resources to download, a forum to discuss concerns with other parents, and some candid conversations with admissions officers and financial aid experts. Parents can also sign up for their email newsletter and read relevant articles on their high school blog, especially for parents.

Zinch is so much more than a scholarship search site. You can search for and apply to scholarships, connect with colleges, connect with other parents, and connect with other students.

admissions, book reviews, Uncategorized

How to Prepare a Standout College Application–Book Review and Giveaway

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standout college applicationRecently I received a book to review about how to create an application that stands out from the others. The book, How to Prepare a Standout College Application: Expert Advice That Takes You From LMO (like many others) to Admit, is written by Allison Cooper Chisolm and Anna Ivey, both former admissions officers at top universities. They have drawn from their experiences and given parents and students a step by step process on how to complete a stellar college application that makes an impression on admissions officers.

According to Chisholm and Ivey,

Stellar credentials are great, but without a standout application, they are not enough. It really is as simple as that. So when people ask us, “What’s the secret?” our answer is always the same: The application is the secret.

The authors remind applicants that a stellar application requires time and effort. It’s not something you can complete in an afternoon. They believe there are 7 proven strategies that work:

  1. Work Smarter, Not Harder
  2. Think Like an Admissions Officer
  3. Tell Your Story
  4. Focus on the Core Four: Passion, Talent, Initiative and Impact
  5. Sweat the Details
  6. Make the Form Work for You
  7. Show, Don’t Tell

Using these strategies, their book is a DIY guide to help your student produce a standout application. All of the stories and examples in the book are from personal experiences with real-life applicants and their families. The book covers all aspects of the application process from start to finish: how to get started; how to complete the application; and how to submit it and follow up.

What I liked about the book

It’s hard to summarize such a wealth of information in a review, but as I read the book, I thought about the things that I liked from a parent and a college coach standpoint:

  • The book gives easy to understand parent tips throughout, giving parents the information they need to help their student with the application process.
  • Seeing the application through the eyes of an admissions officer is invaluable.
  • The book walks the student through each step of telling their story and how it helps them stand out from other applicants.
  • The insider tips on how to get the application in the right pile by answering questions related to your student’s admissions chances.
  • Sample resumes and other application components.
  • They address the nuances of home school applicants.
  • The book addresses the issues of following up, handling questions, and dealing with deferred admission.

This book is an invaluable tool for parents who are helping their student navigate the college maze. You can purchase it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/How-Prepare-Standout-College-Application/dp/1118414403). But, if you’re lucky, you might just win a FREE copy of the book provided by the authors. Just enter my Book Giveway below, win, and it could be on its way to you when the giveaway ends on September 26, 2013.

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admissions, college guidance, college planning

Common App Resources

 

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CommonApp1

Listen up parents and students! The school year has begun and for seniors, it’s time to start thinking about that all-important Common Application. You know the one? The one that sells your student to the college. The one that asks pointed questions about your student, their high school career, and their interests. Yes. That Common Application.

You may have hundreds of questions in your head. Which colleges accept it? Can my student vary their essays to tailor them toward specific colleges? What exactly is included in the Common App?

When you have questions, you need answers. Zinch has provided you with the answers to all these questions and more. In their article they give you links, tips and videos to help you complete the process. Zinch may be the go-to site for scholarships, but their high school blog is the go-to site for helps with the college admissions process.

Read all about Zinch resource toolkit for the Common App on their high school blog

admissions, college books, college guidance, college planning, parenting

10 Must-read books for parents of college-bound students

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I love books because, well, I just love books. They are some of my prized possessions. These college books are part of my collection because they are jam-packed with information about the college admissions process. Some of them are informational, and others help you relax and laugh during the process. Add these books for parents of college-bound students to your reading list. After all, who doesn’t like books?

college bound and gagged

1. College Bound and Gagged

Nancy takes the everyday aspects of the college admissions process and puts them into terms that parents can easily understand and relate to by using humor. And if that’s not enough, she sprinkles some of the best college admissions advice along the way by tapping into her own personal experiences and her network of college experts that she utilizes throughout the book.

pocsmom

2. POCSMom Survival Stories

Wendy David-Gaines, the author, is famous for exposing the cliches about college. After giving the cliche, she gives you the “POCS reality”. In her book, Wendy does this effectively by compiling actual parent stories. The stories (both from pre-POCS and POCS) are simple, light-hearted, often humorous and an easy read. But here’s the clincher–they provide parents with added insight into each individual situation.

scholarships

3. How to Win Scholarships

The best part about Monica’s e-book is that it’s simple and easy to understand. If you follow her easy 10 step program, the scholarship process becomes doable for any parent and their student. You can sit back and hope that your student does all the work, or you can offer help and support by grabbing a copy of Monica’s book, reading it, and rolling up your sleeves.

debt free u

4. Debt Free U

When Zac Bissonnette headed off to college, he had the funds to cover the tab. Bissonnette has seen the currently flawed system first hand. He’s a contrarian, and his book is packed with studies and statistics to back up his analysis. It’s a magical combination that college-bound students and their parents should read, even if there’s plenty of money set aside to pay the tuition tab. There’s no harm in learning ways to get the biggest bang for your buck and the best education available at the same time.

leadership

5. Why You’re Already a Leader

The author, Paul Hemphill, forces history to shout its powerful lessons about our least appreciated ability – leadership. A pre-teen, a parent, or a corporate exec doesn’t need to be trained for leadership because it’s already alive and pumping in your DNA. The proof is all here. Here’s the bonus feauture: it uses history as a motivational tool. Instead of stats and facts, you get more than 200 life-lessons from Gettysburg to help you succeed in any endeavor. What’s the number one quality admissions officers look for in a candidate for admission? Leadership!

Continue reading 10 Must-read books for parents of college-bound students →

admissions, college guidance, college planning, Guest Posts

Keeping “overwhelm” out of the college application process

 

Today’s guest post is from a lovely lady I met at Blogher13 a few weeks ago. She’s written a book about attitude reconstruction and I thought some of her ideas might be helpful to parents and teens to alleviate feelings of stress.

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college application stressThe college application process can feel overwhelming. Successfully completing this task requires breaking big jobs down into small doable pieces, dealing with the fear, keeping your thoughts constructive, and staying focused on what is in front of you today.

Find a buddy

Regardless of how involved your parents are in the process, find a buddy who also needs support and help each other. This will counter feelings of isolation. Decide how often you’ll check in to keep motivated, set up a regular time, and follow through. Offer each other appreciations for tasks completed and use this as a time to get clear on your next steps.

Outline your goals

Start the application process by outlining your goal in getting a higher education. Then identify potential schools that meet your qualifications. Assemble a list by going to the library, meeting with school counselors, or tapping into other resources, such as college guides. If this seems too daunting, do your research in small blocks of time. For example, make an appointment to talk with someone one day, visit a campus, or gather information by surfing the Internet for a half hour at a time (or even less). When your list is complete, select your chosen schools.

Continue reading Keeping “overwhelm” out of the college application process →

admissions, college guidance, college majors

ROTC in college

 

college rotcThe Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) prepares college students for a career in the military by offering them field training. Students who take ROTC classes also have to complete their college coursework like other students. Admittedly, juggling grueling ROTC field training and the demands of schoolwork can be quite challenging. However, the rewards of overcoming such challenges are enormous. For instance, with the ever-increasing cost of college education, ROTC offers students some much-needed financial assistance besides equipping them with numerous important lifelong skills. Some of the other benefits of ROTC in college include the following:

College Scholarships

Students who enroll in ROTC programs stand a chance of receiving financial aid that they can use to pay for their college tuition expenses. In some cases, the ROTC offers full scholarships that cover tuition costs, living expenses and stipends for personal expenses. In view of this, students interested in military careers who qualify for ROTC can pay for their education and avoid debt.  However, because the ROTC offers scholarships based on merit, students who receive these scholarships have to maintain excellent academic scores for the entire duration of their course.

Guarantee Promising Careers

Upon graduation, college students who are part of the ROTC program can begin their military careers as second lieutenants immediately.  Depending on the skills different graduates have, they can easily rise through the military ranking system and start enjoying the benefits of a successful military career. Additionally, even in the rare cases where ROTC members decide not to pursue careers in the military after graduation, the skills they develop while they were members of the ROTC may make it easier for them to find employment in other sectors.

Continue reading ROTC in college →

admissions, college guidance, college planning

5 Simple ways to prepare for college in high school

 

high schoolGetting ready for college or post-secondary school is a huge milestone in a student’s life and is the first real step towards adulthood. As a college student, you will be on your own immersed in schooling that will become your job for the next two to four years of your life. For the first time, rewards will be based entirely on what you produce and the time you are willing to commit to becoming successful. College really is a time that allows you to shape your future career, so it’s important to start preparing at a young age rather than at the last minute.  Here are a list of ways to help start preparing early for college in order to ensure a successful experience that will prepare you for your career:

  1. Meet with your high-school counselor by the end of your sophomore year. This is a person you want on your team for the next few years you are in high school. Your counselor will ask what you envision doing beyond high school, your goals and vision for your future career. He or she will help you draw out a plan to reach those goals.  If you wait until senior year it could already be too late to get particular requirements you may need to attend the school of your dreams.
  2. Research college degree requirements. Throughout high school, you may have the opportunity to get some college credit out of the way without even knowing it. At some universities, four years of a foreign language in high school will be enough to satisfy language requirements for your degree. Also, AP and honors classes can sometimes fulfill certain degree requirements, which will be very beneficial to you once you reach college so those classes will already be out of the way.
  3. Develop a high school schedule with your counselor. Prepare, prepare, prepare. One of the easiest ways to have a smooth transition from high school to college is to prepare. Work with your high school counselor ahead of time to pinpoint what school courses you need to take and pass to fit those college subjects the best. Sift through options of high school electives that match with the specific degree you will be going for.
  4. Get involved with extracurricular activities. Universities want to see students whom will involve themselves in campus life and have shown their dedication in the past. It is a great idea to get involved with clubs, volunteer work, or even sporting teams to prove to universities that you are able to manage your time with other events and work aside from homework.
  5. Begin preparing for and completing the PSAT/ACT/SAT. As annoying as studying for a standardized test can be, it really is important to do well on these tests in order to get into the school of your choice. Many high schools have you take these in your junior or senior year, and all universities require one of these standardized tests in order to be considered for admission. It is important to note that some college degrees require a minimum score on these tests in order to be accepted into their program.

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Today’s guest post is written by Trae Lewis, a recent graduate of University of Colorado and a staff writer for CollegeFocus, a website dedicated to helping students deal with the challenges of college, including housing, finance, style, health, relationships, and transferring from a community college to a four-year university. You can follow CollegeFocus on Twitter at @CollegeFocus101 and Facebook at www.fb.com/collegefocus.

 

admissions, college planning

The Common App: Available August 1

 

common app

Starting August 1, the new Common App will be available for students to complete. The CA4, as it’s called, will have a few notable changes:

  • The online experience will improve–The questions will be tailored to each individual student’s relevant information, with help available onscreen alongside each question. The app will offer continuous status checks so students can keep track of their progress; and the school code search has been streamlined.
  • The Arts and Athletics portion of the application have changed–The Arts Supplement will be replaced by Slideroom.com for easy integration with the application. The Athletic Supplement will be discontinued and become a part of the application itself.
  • There will no longer be the option to print and mail your application–You can no longer print your application and mail it to the colleges. Students can print to preview, but all applications must be submitted online.
  • There will be unlimited edits–Recognizing the need to edit the Common App for errors or updating information, students can now make unlimited edits.
  • Students can have three submitted essay versions–The essay can have a maximum of three submitted versions, allowing students to make corrections and updates.

The Common App has also improved how it collects the information from the student throughout the application process.

When August 1st rolls around, it’s a good idea to take a look, fill out the parts of the application you know will not change, and save it for later completion. Doing this over the summer allows your student has time to pay close attention to detail and become familiar with the application components.

To view a more detailed explanation of the changes for this year, check out C4: The New Common Application. 

 

admissions, college planning, websites

A new tool for college admissions

2 Comments

 

statfuse college admissionsWhen I come across a product or service that can benefit parents and students during the college admissions process, I like to pass it along. StatFuse.com is a FREE service to help in choosing a college.

Getting into college these days is not as easy as it once was. The process for college admissions has changed over the years and become increasingly difficult. Even though the bar has been raised, admissions to college still are at the forefront of every prospective students mind.
Creating a list of schools to attend and crossing off the list as you get to know these institutions better. StatFuse.com takes all of your information and compares it to the standards your choice colleges have set. Our services can tell if you have what it takes, what you should do next, and maybe find a school that you didn’t even think about.

StatFuse allows students to create a free account where they can calculate their chances to colleges (through the “Chanculator”), find recommendations to colleges, track their progress to specific colleges, and much more. Parents can now plan their students’ future properly with the help of these tools while saving money on applications and other unnecessary fees.

This company was launched by two Southern California students, Jeet Banerjee & Supan Shah (ages 19 & 17) who wanted to help their fellow students solve some of the problems they faced as high schoolers. These young entrepreneurs developed the algorithm and innovative tools offered on the website and are focused on keeping this website free so that it is accessible to all students.

When asking the co-founders what their plans in the future for this company were, they simply said: “Our goal is to let every high school student and parent know about our product and how they can benefit from it.”

While StatFuse is beneficial in the college process, it’s important for parents and students to remember that statistics may predict your chances, but the human factor is also important. Choose your college wisely: using statistics, preferences, academics and future goals.