The College Advisor: Home for the Holidays

After one semester, Mom and Dad can't wait for their child to come home for Christmas break.  But parents, know this:  things have changed!  You student has now officially been on his own for nearly 4 months.  Make sure that you are both clear about expectations.  Is there a curfew while your student is at home?  Is your student expected to clean his room or help with household chores?  Make sure your student knows your expectations and make sure you know what your student expects. Communicate clearly and find a place to compromise, if need be.  The child who was a high schooler 4 months ago is now a young adult.  Listen to your student.  Don't lecture. (They get enough of that in school.)  There may be some bumps as your student adjusts to being home, but always act in love, with mutual respect.  Students, Ephesians 6 still holds true.  No matter how old or "mature" you are, you are still supposed to honor your parents.  Coordinate everybody's plans and intentionally schedule family one-on-one time.  Students, it may be difficult to come back and see old friends who are going to other schools or who are younger than you are.  You've been out of their life for a while, and things may be different.  Nevertheless, treasure the special path that God has for you, enjoy your vacation, and remember "there's no place like home for the holidays!"

The College Advisor: First Hand Help

Want to know what college is really like?  During Christmas break, when all your friends' kids are home from college, invite them over for cocoa and cookies (college students LOVE homemade cookies) for a one-on-one with your high schooler.  College students love feeling like they are the experts...especially since all semester long, they've felt nothing of the sort.  If that's a bit awkward, then invite the entire family over, and, while the moms and dads have coffee in the kitchen, let the kids have some time together.  Ask  your high schooler to think about some questions he'd like to ask that college student, whether it's about the college admissions process, the university in particular, or "what I wish I would have known."  Parents, you may also have questions and that's fine, but remember, it's your student who will be applying for college, not you.  In fact, it may be more beneficial for you to speak with the parents about how to prepare for the empty next syndrome or how to fill out that crazy FAFSA form.   At some point, give your teenager some space with the coed.  Even if your high schooler is shy about asking questions, chances are that the college student will be more than willing to share information.  After all, he was in your student's shoes not so long ago and more than likely, he feels his pain.

For more information about college admissions, go to www.competitivecollegecoaching.com. 

The College Advisor: Dual Credit Dilemma

One of the most important things universities consider in the admissions process is how much a student challenges himself. If ten AP classes are offered at the student's high school and he hasn't even taken one, this tells admissions officers that the student is unwilling to challenge himself.  He's a "coaster."  (Not good!)  When you're planning your schedule for next semester, keep those classes strong.  Generally speaking, admissions officers would rather see a 'B' in an honors class than an 'A' in a regular class.  That being said, an 'A' in any class is always preferred, but don't take an easy class just so you can make an 'A.'  Instead, challenge yourself.  One great way to demonstrate that you're up for an academic challenge is to enroll in a community college course.  Many times, high schools allow students to take a class for dual credit, meaning the credit goes on both the high school record AND it can be tranferred to the incoming freshman's college transcript.  What a deal!  Another great thing is that the grade in the dual credit class only goes on the high school transcript, not the college one.  Credit only is transferred, so if you make a grade that's lower than you want, taking a dual credit class proves you're ready for a challenge, BUT it doesn't hurt your college GPA.  On the contrary, it gives you credit hours that you don't have to take later.  A word to the wise:  Dual credit policies vary widely among universities.  See what your college choices say with regard to bringing in the credit.  Don't take so many dual credit hours that you enter as a transfer student instead of a freshman. (That would knock out quite afew scholarships.)  Think about the dual credit dilemma.  Would it strengthen your college application?  If so, consider it!

For more information, go to www.competitivecollegecoaching.com.

The College Advisor: Transcript Trouble

Every spring, it happens.  Out of nowhere, a high school senior (who is not a client) calls me in a panic. "My high school counselor just called me and told me I'm lacking 2 credit hours to graduate!  What can I do?!"  I offer my suggestions and usually the student is able to graduate on time either by taking a quick, self-paced online course or a shortened community college class. While this does get the student back on track, the stress is enormous.  Remember the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This is true with transcripts, too. Before Christmas break, talk to your high school counselor about your credit hours. See if you are on track for graduation (and college admission). The problem of too few credit hours often arises when, sometime during high school, a student retakes a class in order to raise a grade.  Usually, the credit hours for the course retake are not counted, leaving the student one course shy of graduation requirements.  If you need to take additional hours in your final semester in order to get that diploma, do so. While you're meeting with your high school counselor, take the time to thank him for all his help and remind him politely to send your mid-year report to your college choices. Give him a list of the names and addresses of those universities.  High school counselors are greatly overworked.  The average counselor/student ratio is 1 to 477...and they're not simply taking care of transcripts.  Counselors have to deal with a number of student issues every day.  So...take responsibility for your future by checking on your transcript.  Make sure you're on schedule for that great gradutation day in May.

For more information, go to http://www.competitivecollegecoaching.com/

The College Advisor: Snap Aps

If you're feeling under the gun and have received some "express applications" or "snap aps" for colleges, slow down. The fact that you're running behind in the college application process doesn't mean you have to take a shortcut!  In fact, it means exactly the opposite. While express applications are genuine college applications, they are used primarily for the purpose of raising the number of applications to a college so that a college can appear more selective. "Snap aps" ask for less information, making it easier for the applicant to apply to college, however, as you may already know, easier isn't always better...especially if it's a way of cutting corners (which is exactly what an express application is).  If you're behind the power curve in your college applications, reassess your priorities and improve your time management.  Apply to your first choices immediately with a full application.  List all your worthwhile activities; write a great essay; submit strong letters of recommendation, high test scores and an excellent transcript--and really let those universities know who you are. Because you've missed the first deadline for most significant scholarships, your application is going to have to be exceptional to warrant merit-based aid. Instead of kicking yourself for procrastinating, learn your lesson and move ahead. If you make your application sparkle, you could still receive some merit aid.  In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul urges believers to "excel in everything."  That includes your college application.  If you weren't diligent in the past, be diligent now. Don't take a shortcut.  Take responsibility!

For more help with college admissions, go to http://www.competitivecollegecoaching.com/

The College Advisor: A Balancing Act

Have you ever brought home a report card that had all A's and one B...or all B's and one C?  What's the grade that gets the most attention?  The lowest one, of course. 

    For a student, that can be very frustrating. He asks himself, "Why don't I get a little recognition for the 6 A's?  My parents always look at what I do wrong instead of what I do right! Why even try if they're just going to be on my case?  I can never please them."  

    Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  While a student should work for a decent level of proficiency in all subjects, let's face it, not every student is going to be a whiz in calculus.  And yet, the student who makes a B in Calculus may be an outstanding writer or a linguist extraordinaire!  Parents need to remember to look at the overall picture, appreciating the strengths and understanding the weaknesses of their student. Parents might suggest a tutor or a study group (with food, of course) in their student's weak areas, and unless they know for a fact that their student isn't trying his best, they shouldn't go on the offensive. Students, you need to spend the extra effort needed to bring up that lower grade. Get help if you need it; talk to your teacher; try a new way of studying; and instead of putting off the homework for your least favorite class until last, get it done first, while you still have the ability to focus. 

    In Colossians 3;23, the Apostle Paul urges believers, "Whatever you do, work at with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men."  In other words, Christians should pursue excellence in everything. Does that mean that every Christian high school student will make straight A's?  Of course not. We pursue excellence in everything, but we will only be excellent in some things.  Each of us has been equipped for a special calling.  When we have a natural ability, we should pay attention to that talent and devote energy to being outstanding in that field.  The chances of being a leader in a field where you have talent is much greater than the chances of being a leader in a field where you have a difficult time grasping the concepts. How has God equipped you for excellence?  Could that be a clue to your calling?

    Yes, we do want to strengthen our weaknesses, but don't spend so much time working on your weaknesses that you take those God-given strengths for granted.  Find the balance of working on your weaknesses and soaring in your strengths.

For more information, go to www.competitivecollegecoaching.com.

The College Advisor: Application Anxiety

Some kids see the entire college application process as a time filled with dread and fear, setting themselves up for stress and sometimes, even rejection. That's the wrong attitude!  God gave you unique talents and abilities to support your specific calling.  The college application process is simply a time to find a university that will facilitate that calling so you can better serve God.  The junior and senior year should be a time of discovery and dreams...not doubt and despair.  If you've been putting off the college application process because of application anxiety, change your attitude.  Focus on 1 Corinthians 2:9:  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit."  Press into Him.  He will show you the way!

The College Advisor: When I Grow Up...

People think that going to college is about getting an education.  Well, that's part of it, but it's also about discovering who you are in Christ...if it's done the right way. However, you don't have to wait until you're paying thousands of dollars a semester to discover who you are in Christ.  You can do it now...in high school...or even middle school.  What I hope to do with this blog is guide students how to discover their God-given passions, develop their purpose and determine their path--particularly with regard to higher education.  And I want to teach parents how they can help their kids in this process without being completely irritating! (Can I hear a great, big HALLELUJAH?!!)  When you look at the college search process in this way--as a means of discovering who you are in Christ--you can see why you want to start the college application and search process early in high school.  Once you've accepted Christ as Savior, you are anointed for a great adventure.  God has equipped you for "what you want to be when you grow up."  But it's a path that has to be walked.  There are many practical things you can do to make the path easier, and I'll be offering those tips as we go along. So, I hope you'll join me and subscribe to this post. Link to it on facebook.  Get it via google reader (a little less cumbersome for some folks). Read, learn, enjoy and be blessed.