Below is copy of a press release I sent out this week that I thought you might find interesting:
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE 38 MINUTES OF COLLEGE ADVICE
According to a U.S. Department of Education Guidance School survey, American high school students receive an average of 38 minutes of college admissions advice from their high school counselor. Period.
“It’s very sad,” says Glenda Durano, owner of Albuquerque-based College Advising and Planning Services. “A student is making one of the most important decisions of his life, and, at a time when he really needs advice, he just can’t get it.”
Durano doesn’t blame the counselors. “They’re wonderful, giving people who are just stretched too far. The system simply does not allow them the time they need to adequately help their students.” In fact, the average ratio of U.S. high school students per guidance counselor is 476 to 1.
“Good grades and test scores are no longer enough to get admitted to a selective school,” Durano continues. “Students must discover their God-given passions and develop their potential throughout high school so that admissions counselors can see who they really are. This is critical in the admissions process.” As an example, she cites the fact that 83% of high school valedictorian applicants were rejected by Princeton in 2010.
According to Durano, while information about college planning is abundant, with over 18 million Google hits for the term “college planning,” expertise is not. “There are tools and tactics that a student can employ to increase his chances of both being admitted to his top-choice university and increasing the likelihood of financial aid.” However, Durano insists, before a student begins looking at schools, he should first examine himself. “Every Christian, regardless of his age, has a calling—a purpose. Before you ever look at a school, you need to seek God and consider how He has already equipped you. Only then can you find a school that will really enhance your purpose.”
“The college admissions process should be a time of hopes and dreams, not worry and fear,” Durano concludes, “and it can be—with the right guidance, information, and expertise.” With that goal in mind, Durano is offering a series of intense, five-hour, small-group seminars for rising high school juniors and seniors June 8th through the 11th. “Students will get practical advice about developing college criteria, understanding and gaining financial aid, preparing for standardized tests, making the most out of college visits, requesting recommendations, writing essays, and much more. They’ll obtain the knowledge and the application skills they need so that they can take responsibility for the college planning process and rise above the frenzy that’s so common among high school students today.”
In order to assist parents in this process, Durano, an independent education consultant and member of the Higher Education Consultants of America, will be offering two free events: “What Every Parent Needs to Know About College Planning” on May 12th at 6:30 p.m. and “The Parents’ Role in the College Admissions Process” on May 19th at 5:30 p.m. Both seminars will be held at Heights Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 8600 Academy Road NE, in Albuquerque. She also offers free workshops for church youth groups, parent groups, and Christian organizations.
For more information, please contact Glenda Durano at College Advising and Planning Services, (505) 867-1207 or email her at glendadurano@gmail.com.
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