Page Kolligian joined the Educational Advocates team this month and will be working with prospective college students. She is an educational consultant, teacher, and advocate whohas been advising families on schools and colleges for 15 years. She excels in developing strong relationships with her students and their families while providing structure, support, and guidance throughout the college process. Page connects well with students of varied interests and personalities…
“Colleges will be test optional again this year, so I don’t have to worry about tests, right?”
In our practice we are asked a variation on this question frequently, and the answer is complicated. First some background: virtually every college and university in the USA, as well as many international institutions, offered test-optional policies for the 2020-2021 application year due to Covid-related test cancellations, and it is looking like the trend will continue for 2021-2022…
Keep us informed of your admissions decisions. If you were deferred, update the college on your continued interest and new information such as test scores, leadership activities or academic accomplishments.
Avoid senioritis by keeping your grades up and avoiding disciplinary issues.
Juniors
As you research colleges, be sure to complete the virtual information sessions and tours, and look for special opportunities such as student panels, opportunities to visit
When students have a mentor during college they are twice as likely to be successful after graduation—reporting more engagement at work and scoring high on other measures of well-being. The Chronicle For Higher Education reported on a book by Hamilton College Sociology Professor Dan Chambliss who followed more than 100 Hamilton students during and after college to determine which aspects of their undergraduate years really made a difference long term. Relationships matter…
Covid-19 turned the college application season upside down for current high school seniors. Tests were cancelled, student motivation was down, applications per student are up, and overall it may be a year where fewer students apply to college. The numbers of early applications to selective schools that admit less than 20 percent skyrocketed resulting in lower admission rates than the already minuscule rates of year’s past.
Keep your consultant informed as admissions decisions come in so you can respond appropriately to deferrals or other outcomes.
Avoid senioritis by keeping your grades up and avoiding disciplinary issues.
If you are admitted early and know you want to attend a particular college, decide whether you will put your housing deposit down as soon as possible for getting the best residential choices.
Juniors
Make plans to complete virtual visits including information
Summer is a great time to learn new skills, further develop one of your interests or gain work experience. Even though many programs have gone virtual or will have some modifications, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. It is not too early to start researching now. Here are a few ideas to get you started. (For more on summer program deadlines as well as summer jobs and internships, check out our previous post here.)
While it’s true that most of your work is done for your college applications, keep in mind that your actions and decisions in the months ahead can still affect the admission decision.
Even after you have been accepted to college, be sure to avoid senioritis.
Keep Your Grades Up. Colleges will get a copy of your midyear report, which will show your senior-year grades at the end of the first semester or term. Avoid senioritis: Colleges do not view it favorably. You should not only carry
If you are a high school junior beginning your college search, you have probably perused a guide book such as The Fiske Guide To Colleges, visited college websites and maybe even logged into a popular college review site such as Niche or Unigo. If you find that many of the college descriptions are starting to sound similar and you aren’t sure what to look for, you are not alone. Here are five tips for getting the most out of your college research.
Page Kolligian joined the Educational Advocates team this month and will be working with prospective college students. She is an educational consultant, teacher, and advocate who has been advising families on schools and colleges for 15 years. She excels in developing strong relationships with her students and their families while providing structure, support, and guidance throughout the college process. Page connects well with students of varied interests and personalities…
