COVID-19 & College Applications Part 1: Standardized Testing

I usually end my meetings with students by asking them to rate their college-related stress level on a scale of 1-10. This helps me check in with how my students are feeling and also lets me know where their pain points are. Over and over, I’m hearing the same thing this fall when I ask students what’s driving their stress: standardized testing.

Even though more than half of all colleges have adopted some sort of test-flexible or test-optional policy for students applying to enter in the fall of 2021, all of the uncertainty around testing is putting a lot of extra strain on students. 

Most of my students have one test score from the ACT given by North Carolina public schools in February. And for the last seven months, they’ve been strung along prepping for tests that may not happen, finding out about site cancellations the night before (or even the morning of) the test, and even driving multiple hours to find open testing locations. In the last few weeks, I’ve heard from a few of my students that they’ve finally been able to test, but they’re worried about their scores because they were distracted by their mask or regret not prepping more because this is the fourth test they’ve signed up for and didn’t think it would actually happen.

The situation around standardized testing isn’t ideal, and it certainly isn’t fair. But because this is our current reality, I thought it might be helpful to address some frequently asked “testing during COVID-19” questions.

What is test optional and what does it really mean?

Test optional means that a college has decided that standardized test scores are not required for a student to be admitted to their school. Students have the choice to send scores if they have them, but they will not be penalized if they choose not to include test scores as part of their application.

More than 1,000 colleges have adopted a test-optional policy for at least the upcoming year. Because this is an unusual change in the admission process, many students and families are wondering: Does test optional really means test optional?

NACAC, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, has been definitive with their answer: YES.

That said, make sure you fully understand a college’s test-optional policy before you apply. Some colleges like the University of Alabama and Elon University are test optional for admission purposes, but students will still be required to submit a test score before they enroll. Other colleges with test-optional admission policies may still use test scores for academic scholarships or honors colleges.

What is test flexible? 

There are fewer test-flexible colleges than test-optional ones. Test flexible means that the school has placed some conditions on whether or not a student will need to submit test scores. Some test-flexible colleges, like the University of South Carolina, require additional materials like AP scores or a graded paper from students are not submitting an SAT or ACT score. Other test-flexible colleges, like the University of Arkansas, have a test-optional policy but only for students meeting certain GPA requirements.

Because each test-flexible college may have different requirements to meet, it is important to understand each college’s test-flexible policy before you apply.

What is test blind?

If a college is test blind, they do not use test scores in the decision making process. Test optional and test blind are not the same thing. 

If a college is test optional, a student will not be penalized for not submitting scores, but another student with strong test scores can and should submit those scores to strengthen their overall application. A test-blind college is not considering test scores at all as part of a student’s application - even if they send in a perfect score.

Few colleges have adopted true test-blind policies this year - the major exception being the University of California system.

If I don't send my test scores, how will my application be evaluated?

It’s important to reiterate that students will not be penalized or disadvantaged if they do not submit test scores to a college with a test-optional policy. But without test scores as part of a student’s application, how will they be evaluated?

Colleges are going to be looking closer at other parts of the application. As always, a student’s grades and course rigor are going to be major factors. Letters of recommendation from teachers may also carry more weight as they provide a look at a student’s performance in the classroom. Essays may be read more closely.

Some colleges may add an additional piece to the application for students not submitting test scores. The University of Tennessee asks for an additional essay if they are applying without a test score. And after a student has submitted their application, Clemson asks students to "Please provide us with a short description of any additional factors you would like us to consider in place of standardized test scores."

How do I apply test optional?

If you want your application to be considered without a test score, do not self-report your test scores on the application or send an official score report to that college. 

Some colleges will ask in their application if you want your application to be read with or without a test score, so make sure to choose the correct option for you. However, not all colleges ask this as part of the application process, so it’s important to set up an online portal with each college after you’ve submitted your application to see if there are any additional requirements. Like I mentioned above, Clemson asks if a student wants to be apply without test scores after the application has been submitted.

What do I do if I want to apply test optional to some schools but send my test score to others?

On the Common App, it’s easy to self-report your test scores to different colleges and withhold it from others. In the testing section, simply click that you have no test scores to report if you are submitting a test-optional application. Any test scores you have entered won’t be deleted from your account and will reappear if you click “yes,” but they will not be sent with any application where “no” is clicked. Make sure you know which colleges you want to send test scores to and which ones you don’t, and double-check your answers in this question each time you are ready to submit.

If I apply test optional and am able to test later this fall, can I change my mind?

Maybe. The final decision is ultimately up to each individual college, so reach out to your admissions counselors to learn more about specific school policies. 

What if my scores are released or my test date is after a school’s deadline?

Again, it depends. 

It depends on the school’s policy and how far after the deadline we’re talking. Some colleges, like UNC Chapel Hill, give students a window of a few weeks after the application deadline for supplemental materials like test scores to be received. Other colleges want all materials received by the same date. 

Reach out to your admissions counselor before your deadline to learn if they will accept your late scores. In some cases, you might decide to apply by a later deadline. But if an early deadline is necessary because of a specific program or opportunity, it may be in your best interest to apply test optional. 

So… Should I apply test optional?

• Have you been able to test at all?

• Will you have the opportunity to test again in an environment where you feel safe?

• Do you feel like your test score reflects your academic abilities?

• Does your test score fall in the middle 50% of test scores for that college?

• Are you required to submit test scores for honors colleges, merit aid, or any other programs?

If you’re answering “no” to these questions and the colleges on your list have test-optional policies, don’t let standardized testing add to what is already an unusually stressful college admissions cycle. Instead, work hard on your essays - even the optional ones, assemble a team of recommenders who can speak to your strengths in and out of the classroom, and focus on strengthening the other parts of your application.

Advantage College Planning Answers: Elon's "Think Fast"

Our seniors are right in the thick of their college applications. Many of my students are up to their ears in essays, writing around 13 on average!

Because they have so much writing to do, we thought it was only fair if the Advantage College Planning consulting team took on some of these prompts as well. Over the next few months, we’ll be answering different college’s short answer questions (sorry, but we’re too busy reading your essays to write our own!) starting with Elon’s “Think Fast” questions.

1. What brings you joy? (30 words)

2. We’re in your hometown. Where should we eat and what should we order? (30 words)

3. Name three songs from your perfect playlist. (30 words)

I had a lot of fun answering these questions, and I hope my teammates did too! Here are our answers:

JAMIE’S ANSWERS

1. A certain shade of blue that's the exact color of the middle of the ocean. Visiting bookstores and buying whatever I can carry. Uncrowded parks and art museums. Kitten paws.

2. [Nashville, TN] Head to Mas Tacos for Saturday brunch. If you get there early enough, you’ll miss the line. Order the chilaquiles rojos with a horchata. And don’t forget - cash only!

3. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
   Shake It Out by Florence + the Machine
   Down in the Valley by The Head and the Heart

GINA’S ANSWERS

1. The sound of my girls’ belly laughs, iced coffee in the summertime, listening to live music in a full, but not packed, casual bar, and reuniting with my college friends. 

2. [Endicott, NY] Start at Kristofor’s for pizza & hot wings, then Lupo’s for a chicken spiedie. Last, the Cider Mill for a cinnamon-sugar doughnut, candy apple, & jug of fresh-pressed apple cider.

3. I Am Here by P!nk
   Fields of Gray by Bruce Hornsby
   Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright by Susan Tedeschi

LINDSEY’S ANSWERS

1. A cup of coffee in my favorite mug (a small, white, ceramic cup with a Ralph's Coffee label) and the Sunday edition of the News & Observer.

2. [Syracuse, NY] Visitors must eat a meal at the legendary Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and order at least a quarter rack of ribs (sorry vegetarian friends) with a side of fries and baked beans.

3. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson
   Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
   Run the World (Girls) by Beyonce

BROOKE’S ANSWERS

1. Coffee and cake.

2. [St. Alban’s, VT] Jeff’s Maine Seafood is the place! We’d start with bacon-wrapped scallops drizzled with Vermont maple syrup, move along to lobster mac and cheese, and end with molten maple cake. 

3. I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty
   I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
   Like a Prayer by Madonna

LISTEN TO OUR PLAYLIST

College Application Deadlines - Which is right for you?

A lot of decisions go into submitting college applications. Students have to decide on their college list, their essay topic, their major, and so on.

One decision students may not realize they have to make until they get into the application is when they need to apply or which application deadline they will choose. Individual colleges can have a few different application deadlines for students to choose from, and it can be an important factor for some applicants.

This is one thing students shouldn’t procrastinate because deadline options can span several months with some as early as September of senior year. So students don’t miss out on any opportunities, let’s discuss the different application deadlines, what they mean, and which deadlines might be best for which type of student.

EARLY DECISION

Early decision deadlines are for students who have made their decision early. It is binding, meaning that students enter a contractual agreement with the college saying that they will attend if they are accepted. Upon acceptance, a student will withdraw any applications from other colleges. 

In exchange for that commitment from a student, early decision often has a higher acceptance rate, giving students a greater chance of being admitted. For example, Vanderbilt’s regular decision acceptance rate was around 8% last year, but their early decision acceptance rate was closer to 20%.

Early decision deadlines are often in the fall, but some colleges will have a second round with a later deadline. Because students are applying early, they will also receive their results early enough to make other plans if they are not accepted.

Not all colleges have an early decision deadline - in fact, most don’t. And not all students will apply to any school by the early decision deadline - again, most don’t.

Who is Early Decision right for?

• Students who have their heart set on a certain college and are 100% certain that they will attend if they are accepted.

• Students who do not need to compare financial aid packages from different colleges in the spring to determine the best financial fit.

• Students who are okay with receiving less financial aid from the institution since the college does not need to offer money to tempt a student to accept.

EARLY ACTION

Many colleges have the same deadlines for early decision and early action, and there’s sometimes confusion between the two. As the name suggests, early action deadlines also occur early in the fall. October 15, November 1, and December 1 are popular dates, but it’s important to check each individual college’s deadlines.

Unlike early decision, early action is not binding. Students are usually not limited to how many colleges they can apply early action to (the exception being a very few schools like Harvard and Stanford that have restricted or single-choice early action). 

Usually, there is no significant acceptance rate “bump” with early action like there is with early decision. The main advantage of early action is that a student will learn their admission decision in late winter (usually January or February) instead of in early spring (usually March or April). 

Early action is for the proactive student, and it’s a timeline I often recommend. It can bring students some peace of mind to have their applications finished and submitted early.

Who is Early Action right for?

• Any student who is able to finish a complete and thoughtful application by a fall deadline.

• Students who already have a balanced college list.

• Students who are finished with standardized testing in time for the early deadlines.

• Students who want to be considered for merit aid or honors colleges if the college notes that students must apply early to be considered.

• Students who would like to be finished with their applications before the holidays.

REGULAR DECISION

This is the standard college deadline that is usually (again, check each school to be sure) on or after January 1. Regular decision is not binding. Students will generally receive their admission decision in spring. While students who apply early may get an admission decision weeks or months before they receive a financial aid award letter, students who apply regular decision usually receive both around the same time.

Who is Regular Decision right for?

• Any student. Even students who apply early to some schools may apply regular decision to others.

• Students who need or want an extra semester to improve their grades or continue standardized testing.

ROLLING ADMISSION

Colleges with rolling admission review applications as they are received rather than waiting for a hard deadline to accept applications and release admission decisions. Students can apply as early as the summer before senior year and, as long as there’s space in a college’s class, as late as a few weeks before college classes start. 

With rolling admission, the early bird gets the worm. Students often receive their admission decision within weeks of submitting their application, and colleges are often less selective early in the admissions season because they have filled less of their incoming class. Colleges with rolling admission can become more selective the later a student waits to apply.

Who is Rolling Admission right for?

• Students who are anxious about the college admission process - it can often help with peace of mind to have a decision from rolling admission schools before other applications are even submitted.

• Students who could benefit from increased admission chances if they can submit their application soon enough.

• Students who decide to add a college to their list after the regular decision deadline. 

Remember, just like everything else in the college planning process, nothing is one size fits all. Just because it’s right for one student to apply early decision doesn’t mean it’s right for every student. And it’s not all or nothing. Students can and often do have a mix of deadlines!

Tackling the Supplemental Essays

Summertime is essay time! It’s my favorite time to work with students on their essays because their brains and creativity don’t have all the distractions of school, teachers, and extracurriculars. We can really dig in and get a lot accomplished before applications even open. 

Over the past month or so, essays have been a big focus for our team. We’ve recorded a podcast on choosing a compelling essay topic. We did a public webinar on the 10 things students should avoid in the Common App essay. And we’ve been running our usual essay workshops with our students to get them started on their essays. For the most part, our attention has been on the personal statement. But now that we’re so close to the Common App opening, it’s time to turn our attention to supplemental essays. 

A lot of students and families discount supplemental essays when thinking about the college application. They’re usually pretty short and colleges just ask for one or a few. No big deal. But supplemental essays are an important part of the application, and students need to develop a plan for them. 

For one, those few short essays really add up. Last year, our students wrote an average of 11 supplemental essays apiece! That takes quite a chunk of time!

Second, this isn’t the “common” part of the Common App. These questions and prompts are carefully crafted by admissions offices to get certain information from students that they take into consideration when building their incoming class.

Today, let’s go over some of my best tips for writing supplemental essays. 

MAKE A PLAN

Let’s say that, when the Common App opens, two students learn that they will have to write 14 supplemental essays apiece. They both make a list of all the prompts and start typing away.

Student A has her list in alphabetical order because she went down the line in the Common App. Student B has listed his by order of preference starting with the reach schools he’d like to attend. 

By the time she’s finished writing, Student A feels like she’s written the same essay at least 3 times. Meanwhile, Student B poured his heart into his first several essays and got burned out halfway through. With the deadline approaching, he rushed through the supplements for his target and likely schools, even copying and pasting the same essay more than once.

What should these two students have done differently?

The should have made a plan.

Read through all of the essay prompts and sort them into the categories. There are the “Why _____?” prompts. The impact prompts. The kind of silly prompts.

Are any of the prompts in each category similar enough that one essay could be reworked to fit both? Have any of the colleges given a “free pass” (one of my favorites, the “tell us something we haven’t learned about you yet,” is the perfect opportunity to potentially re-use a supplement)?

Then, I recommend working in a balanced way. Students should devote time to each college on their list and give themselves enough time to thoughtfully answer each question.=

ANSWER THE QUESTION

Because colleges are asking specific questions with their supplemental essay questions, it’s important to answer what they’re asking. It’s pretty obvious when students avoid a part of the question they may not want to respond to or when the supplement better answers a similar question asked by another college (yes, colleges know their competitions’ prompts!).

Sometimes, colleges ask a question that has a straight forward answer, but they’re looking for students to dig a little deeper. It’s time to read between the lines a bit.

When the prompt is “Why this college?” the deeper questions might be “What do you know about us, and how will you take advantage of our opportunities?” Students miss an opportunity when they write their UNCW essay about how they want to go to college near the beach.

“Tell us about an activity or extracurricular activity” is a great opportunity to talk about impact and contributions and give colleges an idea of how a student might make an impact once they come to campus.

WATCH YOUR TONE

Often, I’ll read a student’s main essay, and it’s full of personality and really captures that student’s voice. Then, I’ll read one of their supplements, and it’s like they’ve been replaced by a robot. The tone takes a turn for the worse, and I’m stuck reading a formal, dry paragraph that’s way less interesting than the student who wrote it. 

Length has a lot to do with this unfortunate transformation. Many supplements hover at around 250 words, and it’s not easy to say all you want to in just a paragraph. In addition, because colleges are asking a specific question, a lot of students get stuck thinking that there’s a specific answer that colleges want to hear. They box up their personality and push out a canned answer they think they’re supposed to give. 

It’s boring. Boring to write, and boring to read. It might also make the reader wonder which is really the student’s true voice. Or, potentially even worse, they may wonder if the student cares enough about the college to take their time on the application. So take all of the dynamic personality from the personal statement and apply it to supplements as well. All essays in the application should sound like their writer so the reader can get a glimpse of who they are. Don’t sacrifice your voice!

Guest Post: A Letter To Rising Senior Parents

Julie Stallman is the owner and publisher of TriangleSeniorYear.com. She is a graphic designer and marketing professional with a love of all things creative and a sincere appreciation for small business owners. Julie and her family have lived in Cary for over 21 years and feel fortunate to call the Triangle home.

To Parents of Rising Seniors, From Class of 2020 Parents

Early in my daughter’s senior year of high school, a small group of my friends and I promised to help each other stay on top of all of the senior year dates, deadlines, and information that we were getting from multiple sources on an almost weekly basis. We were determined that no yearbook deadline, cap and gown order form, or senior event photo op would fall through the cracks! We sent reminder texts and helped each other with last-minute requests for slideshow pictures, senior salute posters, and playbill ads. I’m not sure any of us would have successfully navigated senior year without that collaboration.

In a way, it kind of reminded me of being a new parent. Remember the emotion and whirlwind of the infant and toddler years? I, for one, would not have survived them without the friendships, camaraderie, and advice that were my lifelines back then. I think the hectic, and sometimes frenzied, teen years can be similar; my daughter’s senior year brought on the same type of need for connection, collaboration, and support that got me through the beginning of my parenting journey.

In that spirit, I reached out to my friends and asked them to reflect on their recent graduate’s senior year and share their thoughts to pass along to parents of the Class of 2021. None of the ideas or advice is revolutionary, but whether you’re about to embark on your first time or your final time as a senior parent, the collective advice from these class of 2020 parents is thoughtful, honest, and hopefully helpful.

Get Ready & Stay Organized

“The sheer number of things required to fill out college applications that are solely the student’s responsibility was surprising. She needed help to stay on task with deadlines, etc.”  - Middle Creek High School c/o 2020 parent

There’s a lot to stay on top of and it’s pretty easy for both you and your senior to feel overwhelmed. You might be thinking “how much can there be to keep track of?” For senior activities and events, it will be different for every school and the ease of keeping up with it will be largely dependent on how well the information is communicated to you by the school and school organizations. As one friend admitted, “The first time as a senior parent was rough! I was a bit clueless and we almost missed out on some things.”

Plus, if your student is college-bound and starting the college application process, go ahead and double or maybe even triple the amount of information you will need to keep track of. Every college or university’s application has slightly different requirements and multiple types of deadlines. Multiply that by the number of schools your student is applying to and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Plus you’ll need to have a handle on things like financial aid and scholarship dates and deadlines too. 

 Pro tip: Before senior year even starts, figure out what works best for you and your student to easily keep track of all of the information you’ll receive and have to manage. Some ideas:

• Set up weekly check-ins so you both stay in the loop on dates, tasks, and deadlines.

• Use Google docs to create, share, and update a spreadsheet of dates and deadlines.

• Go old-school and print calendars for the fridge that you can both add info to.

• Use Trello or another online project management app to collaborate on senior year events and deadlines.

One mom said if she could do it over, she would have liked a printable timeline to help stay on track and make sure they didn’t miss anything. Whatever you choose, some sort of plan and/or system will help tremendously.

Seek Resources And Support Where You Need To

“I paid a tutor to work with my son on his essay because we couldn’t agree. She was so helpful and he followed her suggestions.”
- Green Hope High School c/o 2019 and 2020 parent

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or a particular task or event just isn’t in your wheelhouse, there are plenty of resources available to help. 

I knew that if I was the primary person guiding my daughter through her college application process, there would be a lot of unnecessary angst and conflict involved. Finding someone to help her and removing myself from the equation allowed her to progress through the application process much more smoothly and without the added stress of my emotions and anxiety. Honestly, it was the best decision I made all year.

And this doesn’t only apply to the college application process. When prom preparations didn’t go as planned, one mom I know and her daughter both ended up in tears. “In hindsight, I’d pay any amount of money to just hire the photographer, the stylist, the limo, the make-up artist, and anyone, ANYTHING else she needed to avoid the drama.”

Bottom line: Find support or outsource it if it means less stress and a more enjoyable experience.

Get Involved & Volunteer More

Easy to say when your child just graduated, right? This was actually a sentiment expressed by several senior moms when I asked them what the one thing was they wish they’d done differently during their student’s senior year. Whether it’s with the PTSA, Senior Planning Committee, the Theater Company, or just volunteering in general, there are always ample opportunities to lend a hand in our schools. I actually volunteered quite a bit during my daughter’s four years of high school and always enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the students and teachers, see “behind the scenes” at events, and connect with other parents.

Let Go & Promote Independence

“Let your senior see their friends as much as they would like! Let them take trips, even day trips!”
- Apex Friendship c/o 2020 and 2022 parent

As the push and pull of your teen’s independence and self-sufficiency enters the homestretch, and if they’ve earned it, let go to the degree you’re comfortable. It will help them grow and continue to learn how to navigate the world without the immediate safety net of living at home. If your senior will be heading away to college next year, they’re about to take a giant step toward independence and adulthood, so give them opportunities to practice (and fail) while they’re still living at home. You can nudge them and help them course-correct if needed, but encourage their independence, and hopefully, they’ll embrace it responsibly. 

Something a neighbor said to me years ago has always stuck with me. She was relaying the story of a tribulation one of her teens had faced and how she and her husband had handled it. I still had young children and must have been looking at her with an incredulous look on my face because she said, “The goal is to raise adults.” She pretty much left it at that, but she might as well have been Yoda at that moment because I thought it was brilliant. That simple sentence has resonated with me ever since.

My friend Jen summed it up well when she expressed that one of the things she would have done differently during her daughter Grace’s senior year was to “remember that she needs to be able to make decisions more consistently since she will be an independent adult when she goes to college and will be making many decisions without my input.”

Enjoy Every Moment & Take More Pictures!

“Slow down and take it all in.” 
- Green Hope c/o 2020 and 2022 parent 

It’s a simple sentiment, but not necessarily easy because the emotions and almost manic pace of senior year can make it harder than usual. Take deep breaths and try to enjoy the moments, big and small. You can’t slow down time, but you can be present and engaged. And if it’s not working for you, scroll back up and read the section about seeking support when you need it! 

Photographing all the special events and traditions during senior year kind of goes hand-in-hand with enjoying every moment. There’s no such thing as too many pictures! Not ever, in my opinion, but especially in your student’s senior year. Many parents expressed that they wished they had taken “more pictures of everything” senior year. Smart phones make it easy (though I tried to use my DSLR camera whenever I could), and there’s no downside to snapping 100 pictures at an event. Except maybe for the potential for eye-rolling and exclamations of “Mahhhm!” But hopefully your senior is past that and will appreciate ALL of the pictures.

I hope these insights lend a hand in making yours and your student’s senior year experience overwhelmingly successful! Enjoy the year ahead. I hope it’s full of anticipation, excitement, friendship, camaraderie, and pride. I would absolutely do it all over again if I could.

Fill Your Free-Time Part 3: Volunteering & Community Engagement

This blog was initially published in June 2020 and suggests at-home volunteer opportunities for students during the Covid-19 pandemic. But many of the recommendations in this post are great suggestions for students to pursue at any time! If you are looking for ways to engage with your community, here are some suggestions!

VOLUNTEERING FROM HOME

A lot of national and international organizations have had the time and resources to move some of their volunteer opportunities online, but opportunities with other organizations are often just a proactive email away. Here are some possible ways to get started volunteering from your couch!

• Activate Good is a Triangle-based organization full of volunteer listings. They keep a running list of remote volunteer opportunities. Right now, they have postings for collection drives, reaching out to isolated seniors, web design, and making Courage Cards for hospitalized children.

  • For students wanting to enhance their foreign language skills, check out this request for Courage Cards written in Spanish.

• Does your favorite nonprofit have a quiet social media presence? Reach out and ask if they could use help creating content for posts. Create accounts, make graphics, write blog posts, and help get the word out about your favorite causes.

• If you spent the spring learning how to code, put those skills to use! Offer to refresh a website or build one from scratch for organizations who don’t yet have a web presence.

• Sign up to be a virtual volunteer to help younger learners.

• Students who love to write might be able to write blog posts or newsletters for their favorite community organizations.

• Global organizations like Amnesty International keep a running list of ways to get involved no matter how much time you have.

• Get political! There are opportunities even for students who aren’t yet old enough to vote. Students can reach out to local campaigns to see if there are any volunteer roles available. YSA has a list of ways young people can get involved. And local organizations like You Can Vote have opportunities for behind the scenes volunteers and voter education volunteers.

• Contribute to crowd-sourced national research. I mentioned Citizen Science back in April, but the National Archives are looking for citizen archivists and the Smithsonian is looking for digital volunteers to help with their records.

EDUCATE YOURSELF

Before becoming a college counselor, one of my past jobs was with the Center for Service-Learning & Community Engagement at a public university. My job was to connect students with volunteer experiences out of the classroom but also to educate students on community issues. One of my favorite tools was Breakaway’s Active Citizen Continuum which prompts volunteers to learn more about their causes, question existing systems, and move towards active citizenship.

Students can become more deeply involved in their communities and become more effective, empathetic volunteers by taking time to learn more about the issues that matter most to them. For example: 

• Students who like to volunteer at food banks can take an online course on the US food system or the importance of good nutrition, research food insecurity, or learn about and map out food deserts in our local area. 

• Learn about the United Nations’ Global Goals for Sustainable Development. 

• Create your own reading challenge on a particular topic. Publisher’s Weekly has an anti-racist reading list for teens (scroll down to get past some of the choices for younger readers) or create your own surrounding another important issue.

• Take a Johns Hopkins course on climate change that prepares students to take action in their communities and everyday lives.

• Use your new knowledge to contribute to Activate Good’s Triangle Cause Wiki.

Even from home, there are still effective ways for students to deepen their ties to the communities in which they live!

Our Year In Review

With the strangest school year that I can remember officially behind us, it’s time to celebrate our seniors and look back on all of their hard work over the past several months!

We could not be prouder of this group of students. As their college decisions rolled in, they had to make big decisions under tough circumstances. Their maturity and thoughtfulness continue to impress us.

I love pulling together this list because it lets me reflect back on the year (so many essays!) and the sheer amount of range our students have. The Class of 2020 at Advantage College Planning was made up of entrepreneurs, artists, leaders, immigrants, dancers, researchers, volunteers, and go-getters. They were a special group with much to be proud of.

So without further ado, let’s reflect on their effort through this process and celebrate their success at finding their best fit colleges!

Good luck, Class of 2020! We believe in you!

Demonstrated Interest During COVID-19

Some questions I’m hearing a lot lately are “What if I can’t visit any colleges this summer?” and “How will colleges know I’m interested if I can’t visit?”

They’re two slightly different questions.

If the concern is being able to visit and explore colleges to see if they’re a good fit and should be added to the college list, I’ve already got you covered. Over the past few weeks, I’ve written about ways to get to know a college from home and been interviewed on how to make the most of virtual visits.

If the concern is colleges knowing a student’s interest, the easy answer is that if colleges aren’t open for visits this summer, no one else can visit either. Students are all in the same boat right now, for better or for worse.

But that’s not very reassuring to hear for a student who’s fallen in love with a particular college and wants to make their feelings known. So if you can’t swing an in-person college visit due to a pandemic, a busy family schedule, or because it’s too far to travel, let’s talk about other ways to show demonstrated interest.

What is Demonstrated Interest?

Essentially, demonstrated interest is where a student has connected with a college in some meaningful way to show that they want to attend. The student is demonstrating interest in that school. Some colleges track demonstrated interest to gauge whether or not they think a student is likely to accept an offer of admission. One of the most common forms of demonstrated interest is the in-person visit.

Do all colleges track Demonstrated Interest?

No, not all colleges look at demonstrated interest during the admissions process. And some that may have tracked demonstrated interest in the past may be foregoing it for the 2020-2021 application cycle. But even if a college does not consider demonstrated interest, going through this list is a great way to explore a college fully and determine your interest.

Demonstrated Interest during COVID-19

Virtual Sessions

Many colleges are trying to replicate the traditional tour and information session as closely as they can in a digital format. Take advantage of these opportunities to connect virtually with schools. They may include:

• Virtual Tours

• Virtual Admissions Information Sessions

• Virtual Student Panels

• Virtual Interview Opportunities

Reach Out to College Representatives

Admissions representatives are a student’s resource to learn more about a college and the admissions process. They’re there to answer any questions students have, so don’t hesitate to reach out via email. Hopefully, they’ll be able to make their usual visits to high schools this fall, and students will have an opportunity to meet them in person.

Pro-Tip: While students should always feel comfortable reaching out to their admissions representatives with questions, don’t ask questions with easily found answers just to start a conversation. It doesn’t leave a good impression to show that you haven’t done basic research.

Don’t forget that colleges have other representatives outside of the admissions office. Your admissions representative may be able to connect with you with a professor in your intended area of study, a current student, or someone else who can speak to your interests.

Read Your Email & Connect on Social Media

Go ahead and sign up to receive emails from colleges. Joining a college’s mailing list will make sure students get up-to-date information straight from the source.

And yes, colleges do look to see who reads their emails!  

In addition, most colleges have an active presence on social media. Follow them! I’m seeing more and more admissions offices start their own Instagram accounts to showcase news and stories that will interest prospective students.

Write a Thoughtful Supplemental Essay

Whether a college officially tracks demonstrated interest or not, admissions offices take their supplemental essay prompts seriously. A prompt like “Why this college?” or “Why this major?” are opportunities for students to make their case for why they’re a good fit for a particular college or major. 

Students shouldn’t waste this opportunity by writing a generic or vague essay. Watch this space for a blog post later this summer on writing strong supplemental essays!

Fill Your Free-Time Part 2: Online Learning

This blog was initially published in May 2020 and suggests at-home learning opportunities for students during the Covid-19 pandemic. But many of the recommendations in this post are great suggestions for students to pursue at any time! If you are looking for ways to take your learning outside of the classroom, here are some suggestions!

COURSERA

Coursera offers thousands of classes from top universities around the world. Many of their courses are available for free (if you choose not to get a certificate of completion). You can explore by subject area, but since the subject areas can be pretty broad, I like to use the search bar to get specific results. Searching for Creative Writing brings up classes from Wesleyan University, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania. There are over 250 courses available on Public Health. Search for Video Games and you’ll find hundreds of classes on game design, art, and narrative development.

Pro Tip #1: If you’re worried about falling behind in a particular subject, this is a great time to catch up. Coursera has plenty of options like Introduction to Calculus, Basic Statistics, or How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics.

Pro Tip #2: If you’re thinking about applying to a selective major, this is a unique way to demonstrate interest, especially if your interest isn’t heavily featured somewhere else in your application. For example, if you’re interested in Journalism but don’t have any experience yet, Coursera has plenty of options to learn more about the craft. 

edX

edX is an online learning platform originally founded by Harvard University and MIT. It works much the same way as Coursera, but you can search edX by the school or company offering courses. They also offer courses designed to prepare students for AP exams, so if Pro Tip #1 caught your attention above, this is another great opportunity to make sure you’re ready for next year’s coursework.

UDEMY

Udemy is similar to Coursera and edX in that it offers thousands of online courses, but Udemy’s courses are often less academic and more practical or skills-based. You can learn to use design software, brush up on your photography skills, or work on your leadership skills. Instead of being taught by professors from universities around the world, courses on Udemy are taught by experts in their field. 

Not all of Udemy’s are available without paying for them, but over 700 of their courses are free. Choose from subjects ranging from public speaking to learning to play a new instrument.

COLLEGE-BASED

A great place to look for summer opportunities is often at colleges themselves. For example, Stanford University has a page dedicated to online learning that shows learners where they can take online courses for free. And while some summer programs have been canceled, others have moved online. Emory University and Wake Forest University have online pre-college programs, and The Great Books summer program is offering online workshops and courses taught by international faculty.

Google “College Name + summer programs for high school students” to see what colleges have available.

If you’re interested in taking for-credit courses over the summer, see if any local colleges or community colleges accept high school students. For example, both The University of North Carolina and Wake Tech Community College invite high schoolers to become “visiting students” over the summer and take online courses.

OTHER RESOURCES

Khan Academy isn’t just for SAT and AP prep! They provide learning resources and self-paced courses for students in common high school core subjects.

Similar to Coursera, Future Learn and OpenLearn offer free online courses in a variety of subjects. Both sites are based in the UK, so most of their courses are taught by professors at British universities. You won’t find many courses on American history, but you can get a different perspective on tons of other subjects. 

Don’t forget about resources like Free Code Camp and Language Bird if you’re interested in learning computer and/or foreign languages!

Hopefully, this gets you started exploring online learning options. With so many options available, everyone will be able to find something that interests them and showcases their commitment to learning!

Stay tuned for Part 3 of our Fill Your Free-Time series coming soon!

Accepting Your Acceptance

As we’re nearing the May 1 deadline, many students are making their final decision about where they plan to attend college. It’s an exciting time, and there are many rites of passage that go along with making a decision from joining a Class of 202# group chat to outfitting the whole family in t-shirts emblazoned with the new college’s name.

But amid all the fun and exciting ways to declare your new allegiance to the world, don’t forget about the logistics that need to be taken care of in order to ensure you have a spot in your college’s incoming class.

To help, we’ve made a checklist to walk students through how to accept their acceptance.

Fill Your Free-Time: Ways To Create, Learn & Make An Impact From Home

This blog was initially published in April 2020 and suggests at-home activities for students during the Covid-19 pandemic. But many of the recommendations in this post are great suggestions for students to pursue at any time! If you are looking for ways to create, learn, and make an impact from home, here are some suggestions!

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

• Pick up a book - If you have a library card, download the Libby app to access thousands of ebooks and audiobooks for free. Choose books you want to read (I’m rereading A Wrinkle in Time) and set a goal of reading a book a week. 

• Take an online class - Yale has put their most popular class all about happiness on Coursera for free. There are hundreds of courses you can take online for free. Learn about Positive Psychology offered by UNC Chapel Hill or take Stanford’s Game Theory course.

• Learn to code - Interested in computer science? Free Code Camp is a great resource to teach yourself several coding languages.

• Keep your foreign language skills sharp - The ability to speak and understand a foreign language is a “use it or lose it” skill. Review what you already know and keep learning with DuoLingo or LanguageBird.

• Conduct your own research - This is a great time to come up with your own research project. Dive deep into something you’re curious about. Find a remote project that interests you through Citizen Science. Work with one of us to make a plan to thoroughly research colleges or careers.

GET CREATIVE

First things first, there’s no such thing as an “uncreative” person. Everyone has creativity they can tap into - you just have to get creative with your creativity!

• Make art - Let your creativity flow and create something! Anything! Draw, paint (finger painting counts!), take photos, make a collage, teach yourself origami, make a short film, play music, grab the adult coloring book you gave your mom three years ago, borrow your younger sibling’s colored pencils, and let your creative sparks fly!

  • If you feel like viewing beautiful works of art instead of making them, famous museums from around the world are offering virtual tours of their collections.

• Write it out - Use a writing prompt generator to try your hand at fiction or keep a journal so you can look back on this unusual part of your life. 

• Cook something delicious - Has there ever been a more perfect time than to seek out the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe? I made these yesterday afternoon (I don’t know if they’re perfect, but I did eat 4 in one sitting).

  • If the kitchen is unfamiliar territory, learn some basic recipes. Ask a relative to teach you a family recipe or learn to cook your favorite dishes.

• Grow something - Spring is the perfect time to start a garden. Look for fruits, vegetables, and flowers that grow well in your plant hardiness zone. If you can’t access seeds or starters, you can grow a lot of different things from food scraps!

MOVE YOUR BODY

• Hit the “gym” - These days, every home has a home gym once you slide the coffee table out of the way. Need weights? Use cans. Dish towels and paper plates make great sliders. You can find tons of free workouts on Youtube, and many fitness apps and gyms are offering extended free trials or free group classes on Instagram!

• Yoga - If stretching and mindfulness are more your speed, try an online yoga class. Yoga with Adriene has a huge following and hundreds of themed classes.

MAKE AN IMPACT

• Help with homeschool - If you have younger siblings, relatives, or family friends, volunteer some time to help with their at-home learning. Design experiments, help with homework, or be a reading buddy. Use Zoom if your young learner doesn’t live in your house.

• Organize study sessions - Even if you don’t have access to younger learners, you can still help your peers. If you’re going to be taking AP exams, organize Zoom study sessions using the AP remote learning resources. You can also prepare for the upcoming SAT and ACT using free resources like ACT.org and Khan Academy.

• Raise awareness for a cause - Look for ways that you can continue to contribute from home. Consider ways that you can fundraise, crowdsource, or raise awareness from your couch. 

  • Get creative! One of our students is raising money to purchase supplies to sew face masks. Students who were helping with political campaigns can reach out and see if there are tasks they can do from home. And an idea for those who had spring performances canceled - I was recently invited to a virtual benefit concert hosted by a friend to raise money for disaster relief after recent tornadoes in Nashville. 

I hope this list gives students a few ideas that they want to jump in and explore further. This is an excellent time to pursue your own interests, explore the things that intrigue you, and learn what you want to learn!

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Decoding Your Financial Aid Package

We spend a lot of time talking with our students about finding the right fit. We encourage students to look for a college environment that fits them socially and academically. And we talk about which colleges have a price tag that fits their family’s financial situation. 

This is the time of year when all those conversations come to life. Most acceptance letters have flowed in and, with them, financial aid award letters. Award letters reveal a student’s financial aid package, showing the full cost of one year’s attendance, as well as any grants, scholarships, and loans that can be applied to a student.

Financial aid award letters can be confusing. It isn’t always easy to tell what is free money (scholarships and grants) and what is borrowed money (loans that will have to be paid back). And because few letters look exactly the same, it can be difficult to look at all of your options and be sure you’re comparing apples to apples instead of oranges.

Let’s take a look at what’s usually included in a financial aid award letter, clear up some confusion about types of money, and address steps you can take if your financial situation has changed.

DECODING THE AWARD LETTER

Most financial aid award letters include the following information:

• Cost of Attendance (COA) - The price of one full year of school. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, and even estimates of other expenses like books and transportation. If the COA is not listed, try to find it on the college’s financial aid website.

• Institutional Grants - Free money that does not have to be paid back. Usually need-based.

• Institutional Scholarships - Free money that does not need to be paid back. Can be need-based or merit-based 

  • While students can apply for outside scholarships, these will not appear in a financial aid award letter from a college.

• Federal Work-Study - Earned money in the form of a part-time job on campus. It does not need to be paid back but is not paid upfront. 

• Federal Student Loans - Money borrowed from the federal government that is paid back with interest. Federal Student Aid explains the different types of loans and the amount you can borrow per year.

So what do you do with all of this information? 

You’re looking to determine the college’s Net Price.

The Net Price for one year of college is the full COA minus any free money. Remember, student loan amounts lower the COA in the short term, but you will have to pay them back over time and earned money (work-study) is paid to students over time to supplement their income.

COA - FREE MONEY (IE: GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS) = NET PRICE

The easiest way to compare financial aid award letters is to make a spreadsheet that compares each college and the types of aid offered. Make a copy of our template to use for yourself.

The difference between COA and any financial aid leaves families with an uncovered amount of money called a gap. This is the amount a family will have to pay from savings, outside scholarships, and/or private loans.

APPEALING YOUR FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE

If your financial aid package is insufficient or if your family’s financial situation has changed, you might consider appealing your financial aid package. It’s important to communicate these changes to colleges as soon as possible because they may be able to offer more money.

To appeal your financial aid package, you’ll want to contact each financial aid office to learn their appeals process. In many cases, parents will write a concise, polite letter that explains the special circumstances your family is now in.

How can we help?

We see our students through the entire college planning process, including navigating the waters after being admitted. If you have questions about your financial aid offers, get in touch with us so we can help!

Making Decisions When You Can't Visit Colleges

Update 3/18: Here is a list of which colleges and universities have announced plans for virtual events.

There’s no denying it - applying to college is a long process. But for seniors, March is when we start seeing that light at the end of the tunnel!

By the end of this month, students will have received admission decisions and financial aid award letters from many colleges on their lists. Now it’s time to make a decision.

Which school gets your “yes”?

Under ordinary circumstances, making this decision isn’t always easy. Even in a “normal” year, spring is a busy time for seniors. It can be difficult to make a second - or third or first - visit to each college that’s sent an acceptance letter. This is especially true for students who applied to colleges all over the country.

How are you supposed to compare a potential future at a local college (where you can visit multiple times, easily attend accepted student days, etc…) with the experience at a college that’s further away where you’ve maybe only spent a few hours?

For the Class of 2020, there’s an extra challenge - Coronavirus. COVID-19 is causing colleges to close campuses, canceling tours, accepted student days, and scholarship events. So let’s look at ways to help make that final decision easier when you can’t get back to every - or any - colleges still on the list.

VIRTUAL VISITS

Virtual tours are always a great way to see a campus without a major investment. I often recommend virtual tours before in-person tours for students interested in a college they’d have to travel a long distance to visit. Some colleges have virtual tours available on their websites, YouTube has lots of options (though some will be better than others), and sites like YouVisit offer virtual tours for hundreds of students.

Even if you’ve visited before, use a virtual tour to refresh your memory of what that campus environment felt like. You may even get to see more of the campus than you did on your in-person visit.

Don’t forget about the area surrounding the campus! Use Google Maps Street View to virtually explore the city or town around the college. (Pro-tip: You can also see how long it takes to walk from one end of campus to the other or from the residence halls to the dining hall!)

Keep an eye out for other virtual opportunities as well! College staff are working hard, and we’re likely to see many schools offering Virtual Accepted Student Days. Try to attend these, but be patient with any technical difficulties along the way.

ASK AROUND

Hopefully, you built a solid team around you during the application season. Your teachers, your school counselor, your IEC, and your admissions representative are all still here to help answer any lingering questions.

If you were looking forward to sitting in on a class, ask your admissions rep if you can be connected with a professor who is willing to speak with you about your intended major.

You can also learn a lot about a campus from current students. (There’s a reason most colleges have students give their tours.) Ask your “team” if they can help you get in touch with any current students at the colleges on your list and learn what their experience on campus has been.

REMEMBER YOUR WHY

When we work with students, we place a lot of emphasis on finding a good “fit” for each student. We spend time crafting a balanced list that fits our students academically, socially, and financially. In any scenario, it’s a good idea to go back and consider why you applied to that college in the first place. Remember the key criteria that make up your perfect fit and compare that list with the colleges you’re still deciding between.

A good tip is to look back at any supplemental essays the college asked for. Did you write a “Why Us?” or a “How will you contribute to this campus?” essay during the application process? Reread your own answers to these questions to remember your “why.”

START SOCIALIZING

There are ways for you to get to know your potential classmates without setting foot on campus. Join any groups on social media for admitted students and interact with people who are in your shoes. Ask them their “why.”

To get an idea of what life is like on campus, scroll through Instagram and Twitter accounts for colleges, admissions offices, or any clubs or sports on campus that interest you. Right now, they’re probably posting COVID-19 updates, but look back through their feed to see what things look like when it’s “business as usual.”

PAY ATTENTION - THINGS CHANGE

College closures on this scale are unprecedented, and the situation is changing every day. Some events may be rescheduled in a few weeks. There’s already talk of some schools extending their decision deadline from May 1 to June 1. Stay engaged with the colleges on your list so you don’t miss any updates!

Stay healthy out there!

Prepping for Test Prep

I’ve yet to meet a student who actually enjoyed taking the SAT or ACT. The tests are long, they take up perfectly good Saturdays, and they’re tests. 

Standardized testing may not be fun, but it plays an important role in college admissions. The tide is starting to change with the rise in Test Optional colleges, but for now, testing and test planning are a big part of the college planning process.

Today, I wanted to address some of the most common questions we hear from families about the testing process. Let’s dig in!

should my student take The SAT or the ACT?

“It depends” isn’t a very satisfying answer, but it’s the truth! Ideally, students should be exposed to both tests. The popularity of the PSAT ticks one box, but there are fewer options for the ACT.

If possible, students should try and take both tests to establish a baseline for both. If there’s a big difference in scores, then focus on the higher-scoring test. If the scores are about the same, which test did your student like better?

When should my student start thinking about testing and test prep?

Generally, junior year is a good time to start thinking about testing. 

Of course, there are some exceptions. Advanced students - particularly those advanced in math and who have completed Algebra 2 - may choose to start preparing before the end of sophomore year. Likewise, some recruited athletes may need to provide a preliminary score to coaches early in the recruiting process.

When should my student take the test?

Break out the calendar and think long term. 

I recommend that most students test more than once, and test prep provider Applerouth generally suggests that students doing test prep should plan to take the test 3 times. Make sure that your student is building in enough time to retest as many times as they feel comfortable. You don’t want to test too far into senior year because of early deadlines and the added work of college applications.

You also don’t want your student testing during other high pressure or extra busy times. Fall athletes may want to plan to test in the spring and vice versa for spring athletes. Think about activities like plays, recitals, competitions, or other big events. 

In high school, my friends and I made the mistake of taking the SAT the same day as junior prom. When I look back on that memory, all I remember is how tired and cranky we were from five hours of testing! 

Should we invest in test prep?

Most students don’t sit down and get a perfect score the first time, so there’s almost always room for improvement. Nearly all students will benefit from some sort of test prep, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. We help our students develop testing plans, and everybody’s plan is a little bit different. 

The more self-directed and disciplined students can be just fine working through an ACT book or using the free SAT resources at Khan Academy. But many students can benefit from the extra assistance provided by a test prep tutor. It can be an investment, but it’s one that can pay off in the long run.

Many colleges and universities use test scores (along with other factors) when determining merit scholarships. Take an out-of-state public school like the University of South Carolina. They publish the average test scores on their scholarships website. A student who moves just one point from a 29 to a 30 on the ACT could see a significant increase in merit aid over the course of four years. You can see big returns on this investment!

Hopefully this helps answer some of your burning questions about standardized tests.

Happy testing!

New Year's Resolutions

USA Today recently reported that most New Year’s Resolutions fail by January 17th. I’ve noticed that my gym is emptier than it was a few weeks ago, but our team is doing pretty well so far. One of Dana’s goals for 2020 is to make better use of time spent in the car - she’s already listened to two audiobooks this year! Brooke wants to cut out refined sugar. Lindsey is focusing on intentionally planning out her weeks with fewer distractions. And I (Jamie) intend to make 2020 the Year of Hydration - more water, less caffeine.

Did you set a New Year’s Resolution this year? How’s it going so far?

Let’s talk about a few different resolution styles and tips to help you keep with them!

One Big Goal

Is 2020 the year that’s going to change everything? That’s great! But if you have a broad goal in mind like “being a better student” or “getting more involved,” make sure you’re being specific enough about what it takes to get there and giving yourself the tools you need to succeed. 

For example, what does it mean to be a better student? Do you want to be better about time management or pull up a grade in a certain area? And what systems can you put in place to help you be a better student? Create a homework spot that’s free from distractions, and make studying there a part of your routine. Put a reminder in your phone to regularly touch base with your teachers about how you’re doing in their class. 

Some people quit big goals or feel frustrated because they don’t see quick results, so build in checkpoints for yourself where you can look at your progress, celebrate your successes, and reassess as needed.

Lots of Resolutions

Maybe you can’t decide on just one resolution. Are there lots of small changes you want to make? Habits to start or stop? Keeping up with a lot of resolutions (even small ones) can be exhausting! Here are two ways to manage lots of resolutions without burning out.

Habit Tracking - Use an app or your planner to keep track of each of your goals and how you’re doing. It can be a great motivator not to “break the chain” when you can see your successes on display!

Micro-Resolutions - Instead of trying to tackle lots of changes all at once, try adding something new each month. Your odds of succeeding at 12 things over the course of a year are way higher than succeeding at 12 things all at once.

Parent tip:  This is also a great way for parents to gradually give students more responsibility which will serve them well when they go to college. Maybe in January, you designate one day a week where your student is responsible for waking themselves up and completing their morning routine on their own. Perhaps you’ll tackle teaching your student to do their own laundry in February!

Resolution Minimalists

Maybe resolutions aren’t your thing, but you still want to make this a good year. Here are some ways you can dip your toe in the waters of resolutions without getting in over your head.

Be a Quitter - It’s hard to start something new. Building routines and habits take time, self-discipline, and a lot of motivation. Instead of adding something new to your plate, it can be easier to make a change by stopping something you already do. Then, take it a step further by replacing the thing you stopped with something you’d rather do instead.

In 2019, one of my resolutions was to stop buying books from Amazon. My intention was to support our smaller, local bookstores, but all I had to do was not buy from Amazon. Then, because I had to get books somewhere, I visited new bookstores, joined the public library, and shopped for used books at library sales and a book sale for a local swim team. I supported my local book community in new ways just by stopping one habit.

Word of the Year - Instead of having a set goal in mind, you might want to have a theme for your year. A word that you can turn to again and again when you need to stay motivated. If you want to focus on learning both in and out of the classroom, consider “curiosity” or a verb like “explore” or “pursue.” Maybe “family” will remind you to prioritize relationships at home or “laughter” will help you remember to have fun!

So what’s your resolution style? What changes can you make that will make this a better year, a better semester, or a better week?

The Daily Double

Finally, a contestant defeated Jeopardy champ James Holzhauer this week. The game show has been on my mind lately (we watch it a lot in my house - it isn’t easy to find a program that the whole family enjoys. We certainly aren’t gathering around the tv as a family to watch the Bachelorette or Game of Thrones).  So in the spirit of the Jeopardy miscellaneous category, Potpourri, here is a collection of tips to take us into the summer months:

• If you are taking the SAT or ACT this summer, start waking up early a few days before the test to reset your body clock.  You might not be used to getting up early in July, for instance. On the day of the test, wake up at least two or three hours before the exam to give your brain time to fully function and make sure you eat a protein-filled breakfast.

• Create a short list of goals you want to accomplish by the end of the summer. Refer to the goal list at the start of each week and create a small action to make progress toward one of the goals for that week.

  • For example

    • Goal: Read two non-fiction books in July

      • July 1: Read first two chapters by July 7

• Run out of things to do? Earn community service hours. Search for various opportunities on the website: Activate Good.

• Take the time to reconnect with family members this summer. Do your grandparents attend every sporting event and concert of yours? Send them a thank you note or even better, bake them some cookies and deliver them in person.

• Think of the student you’d like to be next year. What’s one thing you can do this summer to get you one step closer to honing a skill? Maybe it’s taking a study skills class or listening to a podcast about time management.

And finally for $500:

Answer: This should be used daily throughout the year, but particularly in the summer.

Question: What is sunscreen.

Lindsey

End of the school-year reflection

My memories of the start of the school year are much stronger than my memories of the end of the year. I can easily recall August and September from each high school year but May and June are fairly fuzzy. Perhaps that’s because the beginning of something is so much more exciting than the end for me. The freshness that accompanies the start of a school year is so appealing, while the end is more of a let-down. I’m the type of person who enjoys the planning of a trip more than the actual trip, so I’m sure my personality has influenced what I remember of high school.

Although the end of the school year is full of activities it is valuable to find the time to incorporate some type of reflection into the to-do list. The key is to make it as painless as possible.

Tips for providing space for reflection

• Celebrate with ice cream and talk about what went well this past school year

• Create a pinterest board of successes from the school year

• Ask a younger sibling to interview an older sibling

• Provide an outline for a journal entry

• Make use of social media and find 10 pictures that represent the highs and lows of the school year

Sample questions to use for reflection

• What accomplishment this year are you most proud of?

• What are the three most important study skills or habits you developed this year?

• What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

• If you could change one thing about this year, what would it be?

• What is something that was hard for you at the start of the year but is easy now?

• What was your favorite book that you read this year?

• What was your favorite lab in science class?

• What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?

• What would your favorite teacher say about your achievements from this year?

• In what class did you feel you made your biggest improvements?

The Time Is Now

Another school year is coming to a close, but before summer break officially begins, students need to survive and hopefully, thrive, through the end of year exams.

I taught a high school civics class for seven years and during that time I noticed particular habits and behaviors that led to successful results on the cumulative final exam. In an effort to help students reach their potential at the end of the year, here are my final exam tips:   

Start studying now
AP exams are about a month away and final exams are not far behind. Make the time to start the initial studying process. Carve out at least twenty minutes a day to begin to prepare for exams.

Review the material that was most difficult for you first
Rather than working through the content chronologically, focus on studying the information that gave you the most trouble.  Determine if you need more help understanding the concepts and ask the teacher questions that will clarify the material.

Review it again
After completing the initial review of the hard stuff, review it again. Most likely, it is necessary to take this next step to really internalize the content.

Use your resources
Stay after class or after school; use your lunch time; study with friends on the weekend; re-read the course materials; make flashcards; create quizlets

Reward yourself
If you start studying now and resist the temptation to just cram at the end of the semester, offer yourself a reward. Relax after a particularly intense study session. Play a video game or get outside.

Remember the habits that you cultivated throughout the year
Rely on your already strong study skills to take you through the end of the semester. Now is the time to really step it up and put the good habits to use.

Character Counts

This week, I attended an event sponsored by Inspired Capital and was introduced to the organization, Activate Good. During his introductory remarks at the start of the program, Adam Whitesell of Inspired Capital, said that he believes that people are “intrinsically good” and want to do the right thing. I agree. Adam further argued that people donate time and money to deserving organizations such as Activate Good, not for reasons such as tax benefits, but because they believe in philanthropy and they want to support community organizations. In other words, people give money to worthy causes not for their own advantage, but because they are passionate about what they believe in.

Intrinsic goodness and moral character have been on my mind lately (see my previous post about the admissions scandal), so the timing of the event sponsored by Inspired Capital was perfect.  My belief in the goodness of others is at the heart of who I am and learning about organizations such as Activate Good renewed my commitment to my core values.

Goodness and character will no doubt be topics of conversation in the world of college admissions for months to come and I’d argue that assessing an applicant’s character will be even more important in the admissions process next year.  While students can demonstrate good character in many ways, admissions officers rely heavily on letters of recommendation to understand the student as a whole. Most colleges require, or at least encourage, one letter of recommendation from a teacher at school. The purpose of that letter is two-fold: to articulate the student’s strengths in the classroom, and provide insight into the student’s character.  Therefore, students should be thoughtful about who they ask to write on their behalf.

Letters of recommendation tips

Step One

• Create strong connections with your teachers

1. Students should consider these questions as they matriculate through high school:

   1. Am I making an effort to create a positive relationship with at least one teacher?

   2. Does at least one teacher know about my hobbies and interests or my academic passions?

• Reflect on your contributions to the classroom environment

  1. Are you the type of student who participates in class discussions?

  2. Do you frequently ask questions in class?

  3. Does your work reflect your abilities?

  4. Do you collaborate well with your classmates?

Step Two

• Ask teachers who know you well

  1. Only ask teachers who can provide positive examples of your character and studentship.

• Provide teachers with anecdotes

  1. When asking for a letter of recommendation, provide your teacher with a few stories about your classroom experience.

     1. For example: I really enjoyed your AP Government class and found our unit on the Electoral College most interesting. My research paper arguing for the elimination of the Electoral College helped me more fully understand our system of government and the nuances of our elections.  Furthermore, I enjoyed our mock debates when discussing Supreme Court cases and was proud of my efforts as a result of my research of Roe V Wade.

• Share your resume with your recommenders

  1. While your teachers might know about some of your activities, most likely they don’t know everything.

• Write thank you notes

  1. Most likely, you are not the only one asking your teacher for a letter of recommendation. Take the time to write (with an actual pen) a thank-you note.

Volunteerism and philanthropy help us define good character as a society.  If you are looking to get involved in your community, Activate Good is a “good” place to start. The organization also organizes a summer event for high school students. Check out Teens Change The World for more information.