The beginning of June is usually a time when students and families are gearing up for a summer full of activity. Jobs, internships, sports, theater or music camps, volunteering in your community, attending a program in another country or state would normally be sources of anticipation and excitement. But, as we all know, this summer is different. For many students, their intended summer plans have been thrown into chaos by the pandemic that has upturned all of our lives. Along…
Our world is shrinking. Cell phones and internet access in Sub-Saharan Africa have revolutionized that part of the world, expanding development opportunities and education. American corporations continue to open branches all over the globe. Outsourcing is no longer reserved for call centers; it’s increasingly common for professional functions from engineering to marketing. Such shifts make it very unlikely that today’s college students will work in one place from …
Congratulations to soon-to-be or recent graduates! Now is a good time to take stock of how prepared you are for the independence of college living—and what you might need to shore up before you pack up at the end of August.
Here are five things you need to know before you go to college:
Manage Money
1. Some college students may open a bank account on or near campus, and others continue to use their account electronically. If you don’t know how to create a budget, monitor spending or …
Essay writing season is underway at Educational Advocates. We are meeting with students to brainstorm topics and guide them as they begin to free write. While almost any topic written effectively can work, some topics are better than others and a few should be avoided.
Here are tips to keep in mind as you begin your essay:
What do you want the college to know about you? Each year students tell us they want a clever angle for their college essay. They mention the cousin who wrote
With summer approaching, it is the perfect time to select some books to read on the porch with a tall glass of lemonade. With the volume of homework you manage all year it can be hard to find time to read for pleasure. Remember the joy you get from reading a riveting story and not wanting to put it down? Our friends at Wellesley Books offer recommendations in a range of genres:
The current state of the economy has left many college-bound students and their families more concerned about how they will pay for college. The good news is that, in addition to need-based aid (determined by family income and assets), our clients collectively received over $1.6 million in merit scholarships this year for college or graduate school. In a previous article, we discussed developing a college list with financial considerations in mind. Here we further explain…
When teachers receive a student request for a college recommendation, they first consider some questions. What are this student’s strengths? Can I give specific examples of how the student demonstrated these strengths? How did this student do in my class in terms of grades and effort? What might this student contribute to their college or program of interest?
As you might gather from these questions, writing letters of recommendation can be a complex task. If you apply through…
If you are a senior, you have recently made a big decision and placed a deposit at the college of your choice. Now it’s time to plan for your transition to college. If you have received support or accommodations during high school for a learning difference, or health or physical disability, here are the steps you should take:
Visit the college website and find the page for academic support services or disability services. There you will find specific instructions for how to access
Children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability or a medical issue that affects their learning, or who currently receive accommodations such as extended time or use of a computer at school, should start thinking early in high school about applying for accommodations for the SAT or ACT. Starting early means 9th or 10th grade.
Case Study: Realizing The Need Late In High School
Consider Joey’s story. He was a hard-working, first-born student in a private school with…
This is a time of uncertainty which can be difficult. It is only human to want to know what lies ahead. Keep in mind, however, that all high school students are in the same position as you. There have been many changes impacting college admissions and higher education and we will be guiding you through all these changes. Here is a summary of recent developments with resources to help you manage it all. Be sure to contact us with any questions.
