Despite the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, only about 13 percent of high schools start later than 8:30. Nearly half — 46 percent — start before 8 a.m.
Ask the Consultant
Q: I took the SAT this past weekend and don't think I did so well. I was hoping to apply to a few schools early action. Will I have time to take it again?
A: First of all, take a deep breath! We often have students tell us that they "bombed" a test initially, and then are pleasantly surprised with the results. Good news! Most colleges will consider October or even November SATs, or September ACTs, for consideration for early action. As always, check the college website or call the admission office to confirm!
There is still time!
You can indicate on your Common Application or Coalition Application that you are planning to take a test in the future, which will signal to the college admission team that they need to wait for that score to render a decision. Just make sure that you send an official score report to each college via the College Board or ACT website as soon as scores are released. You can then go back into your Common or Coalition app and update the testing section with your better scores!
Student to Student
Our summer intern Laura Card is a rising sophomore at Colgate University, where she plans to major in Biology and Women's Studies.
Q: I'm about to start my first year in college. What advice would you give me before I pack the car?
A: Balance your time! The best skill to have during college is, without a doubt, time management. Find a balance between academics and your social life, and don’t forget about sleep! Pulling all-nighters never feels good in the morning--make sure you’re fully rested to take on your next day.
Plan ahead! I found the best way to prioritize my time was to outline my weekly schedule. Taking five minutes each Sunday night to write down any assignments, exams, or events I had throughout the week helped me stay organized, efficient, and prepared!
Take a class outside of your major! Branch out during course registration and try something outside of your path of interest. Following the pre-med track, my schedule was pretty science-heavy, so I decided to take Introduction to Women’s Studies and ending up loving it so much that I’m looking to double major in Biology and Women’s Studies. University offers lots of cool and interesting courses--try one out, you just might love it!
Ask the Consultant
Q: My high school senior applied to colleges late and did not receive any scholarships to attend. Should he consider taking a gap year and applying again as a freshman or go to community college and transfer?
A: Taking a gap year can be a wonderful way to re-energize, focus interests, and gain maturity. Some students travel the world during their year off, but I'm guessing that if you are looking for scholarship money for college, an expensive program won't be in the cards. Other students save money for college by working or bolster their resumes with internships or service opportunities. It's also not too late to retake standardized testing if you think that higher scores might translate into more merit money.
There are pros and cons to each option!
On the other hand, attending community college can be a great route for the student that wants to stay on the academic track and gain credits at a much lower cost than at a four-year institution. But do your homework! Some universities will only accept a community college transfer after they have completed the equivalent of two years of coursework. Others don't offer merit money to transfers. And always make sure that you are taking courses that are likely to transfer to a full bachelor's degree!
Fun Fact if You’re Thinking About a College Sport
Less than two-percent of high school athletes receive an athletic scholarship to compete in college. And fewer than two-percent of NCAA student-athletes will go on to play professionally.
Myth: We'll Apply Now and Visit Later
Reality: Many schools track “demonstrated interest,” which they consider in their decision-making process to admit or deny students. Demonstrated interest can include visiting the campus (checking in at the Admissions Office to let them know you’re there is important), meeting representatives from the school at college fairs, requesting information from the college, asking for names of current students willing to answer specific questions you may have, or requesting an interview.
The 2017-18 Common Application is Live!
Yes, it's still summer, but the first day of school will be here before you know it! So why not get cracking on your Common App? There's a lot to do...
Betsy Morgan’s Advice Featured in “The College Finder”
AP Scores Are Out!
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Your First College Essay Draft
Writing a quality college essay can be very daunting and involves a unique approach with which most students have never had experience. How do you show who you are without telling? How do you find your own voice? We help lead you through that process.
I like to use the example of telling someone how to swim when they have never been in the water. Once they actually get in the pool, they may flail around a bit before putting together a stroke. Similarly, in writing the essay, it may take several drafts before you get the hang of showing who you are. In fact, it is not unusual for a student’s first draft to yield very little usable material. So don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts get tossed! The final result, after much tossing and tweaking, will be a work of art!