School is Getting Ready to Start-Are you Ready?

It's important for you to have a plan as you begin a new school year. If you are starting your freshman year you have 48 months to make the most of high school but to prepare for life after high school, as well.  It is difficult laying down tracks for your future but just like railroad tracks you must lay down on both sides-one side for now and one side for the future.  It must be done at the same time.  You must look long range and then place short range goals to achieve those goals.  List your goals for the year in each area: physical, spiritual, academic, and emotional.  What steps will you do to achieve those goals?  It is important to write those down so you can look at them and check those off as goals are achieved.  This gives a sense of accomplishment and energy to keep moving forward.  Have people in your life that can hold you accountable as you share your goals with them.  Good luck.  The world is yours!

May 1

Today is the deadline to let your college choice know they are the one.  Please take the time to let the other schools that offered you admissions that you will not be attending next fall.  Sign up for your summer programs at the college so you can register early for classes.  Do you have your roommate? Start gathering items for your dorm life and talking what you can share.  These last few days of high school will go by in a blur.  So, pay attention, stay involved and finish strong!

Prepare to Ask Questions and Take Notes on College Visits

Spring time is a great time to take college tours-especially with spring breaks. Scheduling them can take time but preparing for the visit takes time,too.  Do both!

Be sure to do your research ahead of time so you will be certain where you want to visit on campus.  Also, bring a camera -those snapshots will come in handy when you want to recall;  a notebook and a pen-make notes of those dates and deadlines;walking shoes- you will walk the entire campus; your appetite- plan to grab a bite in the dining hall.  You will taste the food and observe the student body.     Do you know any students from home that attend there? Be sure to have their contact information so you can visit with them and ask questions! Leave at home- headphones and a negative attitude. Most of all enjoy and take time to watch the  student body's interactions. Can you really see this place being home? You want to be certain because it is your home for four years!!!

Goals for 2015

With a New Year always begins a new, fresh start. Woohoo? Self reflection is good-where is it that you need to improve? What is your plan of action to improve in these areas? List steps-baby steps-to help you attain our goals.  Here are some NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS  to keep in mind as you are preparing for your transition eventually out of high school.
GRADES
You know they matter; but, if you didi not do well your freshman year--that is OK! The admission's team looks for you to make improvements from that time in your life.  What does that mean? They want to see an upward trend in your grades.  Sure, you may have messed up but did you learn from it and grow? Did you improve and get better?
OUTSIDE READING
Sure, none of us read as much as we should.  It is hard ot fit it in when there is always other things pulling at us.  Sit still and read! Really? It is good for you to read others insights.  It is good to have a goal of one extra reading each month.  That's not too huge to accomplish but think....once each month that is 12 books you read before you begin 2016.  Plus outside reading makes you a great conversationalist.
STANDARDIZED TESTS
If you are a sophomore or a junior - it is a great time to focus on these entrance tests.  The longer your runway is to do well then the less stress you will have in attaining your goal.  Remember just one or two extra points can mean several thousand dollars.  There are several FREE test prep sites.
ACTIVITIES
Extra-curricular activiites-how do you involve yourself in the community? Where are you making a difference? Community service is of value to you-you grow and receive so much more but you also are making a difference.  So make a plan to get involved.
COLLEGE APS
It is not toEo early for you juniors to start deciding which schools you want to apply to--start visiting those schools. This helps you decide more of what you want in your college experience.  Where is it you want to spend after high school.
New year-new you.  Let's make it a good one!!

Social Media-Does It Help You or Hurt You for College Admissions

Is your on-line presence questionable? Are you easy to find? Is your presence clean and polished? While you are searching out a college on facebook/twitter, the college admission's office is checking on you! They are looking to see how your projected image fits in at their institution. Here are some stats from IVYwise.com

27% of admissions officers surveyed said they Google prospective students.

26% said they look up applicants on Facebook.

35% said that when checking up on a student's online presence, they found something that negatively impacted an applicant's chances of getting in,nearly tripling from 12% last year.

HOW to HELP yourself?

"De-tag" yourself from any questionable photos or content. Be careful of posting too many party photos. We tell students, "We don't want to a picture of you with a cup in your hand." Always use the "Grandparent Test." If you wouldn't want your grandparents to see it, don't put it online.

Post content that underscores your interests. Share interesting and relevant articles, upload your music and artwork, and share photos or videos from your sporting events or performances

Follow the schools you are applying to in order to stay informed about campus events and any other important news that may be relevant to your application or admission decision

College Admissions-Are They Really Looking for the Well-Rounded Student

We have all heard it before...colleges just want a good well-rounded student; a student involved in a variety of activities-the "complete package". However, college admissions does not want a person that is involved in everything but not deeply involved in any one thing.  This type of personality can come across as unfocused, uncommitted-not a goal achiever.   Colleges real goal is to build a WELL ROUNDED INCOMING CLASS!!
Colleges have needs: they want students who will contribute and make the campus a better place. Colleges have different majors, minors and they need students who will be successful in each of those fields. For instance, if there is a shortage of economics majors at the school for a particular year--then they will admit more economic students.  When one develops an area of interest deeply then it hows the ocllege the student has clear, defined goals and a plan to achieve them.  This shows maturity and that one can handle the rigor of college.
To develop a strong special area for yourself-search what you are interested in-what are your passions?strengths? Music? Fashion? Learn all you can about it by outside reading and spending time with others that have a similar passion. It's okay to test the waters your freshman and sophomore year but by junior year choose and develop one or two chosen areas-by senior year develop your leadership in this area.
Remember, it's all a learning experience. So, there is really no room for a mistake. By taking time to be diligent and truly explore yourself and interests you will love life and make a strong impact on your world.

Where to Go To College

You’ve probably heard the answer to the question, “What are the three most important considerations when dealing with real estate?” — Location, location, location.

Sometimes the same goes for college choices In that situation, the question might be, “What is your most important criterion for picking a college in which to enroll?” Again, the answer might be, “Location, location, location.”

In dealing with many high school seniors over the years, I have always been surprised about the power of home. Maybe it’s because of Mom’s influence and her reluctance to see her bird fly from the nest. On the other hand, there are also money consideration. It’s not good form to generalize, but there seem to be two polarized mindsets when it comes to high school seniors (and sometimes their families) making their college  decisions. First, for lack of a better phrase, there is the “I can’t wait to get away from home!” crowd. These tend to be the teens who have, for whatever reason, pretty much had it with the strictures of a “disciplined” home life and the associated parental oversight. I’ve actually had high schoolers tell me that “too far” isn’t far enough away from home.

The flip side of that group is what I call the “wanna be as close to home as possible.” These are the young people who give only a nod to considering any school more than a 20-minute car ride from their home. In fact, some of these  are heavily enabled by Mom and or Dad who reinforce staying home decision with the lure of a high school graduation package that includes a car. In other words, a bribe that begs “Stay close to home!” The negative side effect of this, in my view, is missing out on the chance for developing a sense of independent living. Sooner or later, Mom and Dad won’t be around to tend certain needs, such as laundry, meals, and money. Of course, like most situations, the bulk of high schoolers considering where to go to college are somewhat open to multiple choices, depending on their ability to get into a wider variety of schools. This group comprises most college applicants.  Plus, many in out-of-the-way places go begging for enrollments.

Bottom objective to this post is to not limit yourself.  There are over 4200 college/universities to choose from.  If we get out of our comfort zone and really search....we will find the right fit at the perfect price.