Student Athletes Need to Start Early

Well, maybe not quite that early! 

Do you want to play a sport in college? If so, you need to plan ahead -- as early as freshman or sophomore year in high school.

Freshmen should be looking at their four-year plan for academics and making sure that they have the rigor needed to be eligible to compete in college. The NCAA has strict requirements for coursework. At a minimum, you will need to take four years of English, three years of mathematics beyond Algebra I, two years of lab science, and two years of social sciences. Most college-bound student-athletes have far more rigor than that! 

Sophomores should begin putting together an athletic resume, thinking about the type of schools that they would like to look at, and contacting coaches to set up unofficial visits. They should also take the PSAT and pre-ACT (if offered at their school) to get a sense for where their standardized testing will land. Coaches often ask about grades, rigor, and scores right from the start -- they don't want to waste their time or yours if the student will not make the cut with admissions. For this reason, freshman and sophomore grades are very important!! 

Enlist the help of your club coach or high school coach early on as well. Many college coaches will reach out to the coaches that have worked with you in high school to get a sense of the player's coachability, overall attitude, and potential for success.

Finally, research college showcases and camps for the summer. But be careful -- some are just money-makers for the college and offer limited benefit in terms of recruiting. So proceed with caution before spending a lot of money and time. 

College Admissions is Less Selective Than You Think

Only 13 percent of four-year colleges accept fewer than half of their applicants.

The Other Voice in the Conversation

Often parent's reach out to us for help as they feel the college search and application process is so emotionally charged between them and their adolescent son or daughter that it amps up stress in the household in a counterproductive way. Therefore, partnering with an educational consultant to de-escalate the process and move it forward can be helpful.  We can provide a voice that may be better heard to guide the process, working to establish and meet the educational goals of the student and their family.  

By meeting with students regularly as juniors and more frequently as seniors, we earmark time spent productively in the process, supporting the student along the way.  The partnership between student, family, and consultant relies on excellent communication and goal-setting.  It’s an exciting time to explore post-secondary possibilities, and we strive to keep it positive, ideally empowering students to take responsibility for it with our guidance and their parent's support. 

Becoming the other voice that students can hear and a resource for families can de-stress what many feel is a tense and complex process.

Student to Student

Q: All of my friends seem like they are having a blast at college, but I feel lonely! Is this normal?

A: It’s okay to feel homesick! Whether you’re a twenty-minute drive away or across the country, everyone gets a little homesick from time to time. It’s N O R M A L! You may think you’re alone, but ask any of your friends, and they will surely be able to relate.

Of course, if your homesickness is getting in the way of your academics or social life, you should reach out. Your RA is a great resource -- they are trained in helping students get through this big adjustment! 

Recently, a Cornell freshman posted a YouTube video about freshmen loneliness that went viral! Click the link to see it! 

Our summer intern Laura Card is a sophomore at Colgate University, where she plans to major in Biology and Women's Studies. 

Ability to Pay Could Factor Into Your Admission Decision

National Association for College Admission Counseling recently reported that about half of institutions said an applicant’s “ability to pay” was of at least “some importance” in admissions decisions.

Ask the Consultant: HELP, Typo in my Common App!!

Q: I submitted my Common Application a few weeks ago. When I looked back at it again, I noticed a typo in my activities. What do I do?

A: A college representative was visiting our office a few weeks ago, and we asked the same question of her. "Students need to realize that we are human too! We are far more understanding than they think!"

Mistakes happen all the time! 

So what should you do if you discover an error in an application that has already been submitted? If it absolutely needs to be corrected, such as an incorrect essay version or glaring typo, the student should call the school and ask what their policy is for correcting the mistake. Often, the college will have the student email the change to the general admission email -- an admission staff member can then make the adjustment on their end, sometimes even before the file has been reviewed. If the error is more of an oops than egregious, it can be a harder call. Sometimes, it is better just to let it go. Pointing out the error may draw more attention to it, which could be a bad thing.

"I totally get it! These kids are juggling so much," said the rep. "Even calling us the wrong name in a supplement I'll let go if the rest of the application is strong."

Look for the Green Check!

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Ask the Consultant: Do Mid-Year Grades Count?

Q: Do mid-year grades really count in college admissions, even if I’m applying Early Decision or Early Action?

A: Most colleges will want to see your senior mid-year grades, no matter when you submit your application or whether you apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision.  What are they looking for?  Well, as you would expect, they want to see that you are maintaining your performance or, better yet, have an upward trajectory which might strengthen your application.  For those applicants “on the bubble,” solid mid-year grades can help tip the scale in the applicant’s favor.  

Can't I relax???

Even accepted Early Decision candidates are expected to maintain the same level of achievement as in prior years.  Admission offers can be (and have been) rescinded with a significant drop in grades. So, don’t slack off once those applications are in or almost done.  It’s a stressful time, we know, but you’re almost there.  Maintain your grades to optimize your chances for admission – even in your senior year!

Student to Student

Q: I'm a junior and I'm starting to put my college list together. I'm not really sure what I want to study -- or what size school I want.

A: It’s okay not to know! If you are unsure of what path you want to follow, do not stress out. Many students enter their freshman year without knowing their intended major. Most liberal arts colleges do not require you to declare a major until your sophomore year, so you have time to explore different areas of study. You aren’t alone!

Make a pros and cons list! It's not always easy to differentiate one school from the next. Make a pros and cons list for each school, taking into consideration programs, courses, sports, clubs, social life, tuition, location, etc.

Make the best choice for yourself! Family and friends often have the tendency to pressure you towards one school. Remember that it is YOU who will be attending the school, not them. While their opinions can be helpful, it is your future and therefore your decision. Choose the schools that are best for you.

Our summer intern Laura Card is a sophomore at Colgate University, where she plans to major in Biology and Women's Studies. 

Ask the Consultant: Test Optional Colleges

Q: The college I am applying to is test optional.  Will it hurt me if I don’t submit my standardized test scores?

A: Many colleges no longer require standardized test scores in the application process.  They find that the results of the ACT or SAT have little predictive value in determining student success at the college level. As such, not submitting your standardized test scores will not be held against you.  At the same time, colleges that are test optional put more weight on your high school transcript, so if you have a lackluster transcript and high standardized test scores you may wish to send them as part of your application. You always want to put your best foot forward in the college application process, so if your scores will help your application then submit them, but if they are not indicative of your caliber as a student, then don’t send them; the college won’t hold that against you.