The Standardized Test Plan: Start Early

SAT or ACT? SAT Subject Tests? AP Exams? 

Now is a great time for high school juniors to create or review their testing plan for college admission.  Assess what you have taken and what's left to take.  Have you taken the SAT? Are you satisfied with the results? Take the time now to consider your options:  

• It might be worth considering and focusing the ACT instead of the SAT if the scores aren't where you want them to be.  Colleges that require test scores for admission will accept either the ACT or SAT without bias for one over the other.  Take a practice test and see how you do to compare performance.  
• Consider your workload and extracurricular activities as you map out a testing plan calendar (go online to find test dates and locations).  Try to pick a timeframe for test prep and test-taking with fewer competing demands.  And remember:  it's important to take the test soon after you complete your focused test prep to maximize your improvement.  As a general rule, most test preparation experts recommend taking the test three times for best score results. 
• Once you create your test prep and testing dates calendar, note the test registration deadlines and register early as some testing locations fill up quickly.
• If you plan to take AP tests or SAT Subject Tests, you'll probably want to avoid any other testing in May and June.
• With new summer tests being offered by both ACT (July) and SAT (August), timing has become more flexible and user-friendly. 
• "    With Early Decision applications on the rise, finishing one's testing by early fall of senior year is important for more students than ever before.
• The best advice we can give you is that it's less stressful to have your testing completed by the time you're working on your college applications with deadlines looming.  Planning now can and will help ease the stress and maximize performance!

Flaship State Universities Becoming More Popular Among Students

According to the Washington Post, the most recent federal data reveals that 1.3 million applications were submitted for fall 2016 undergraduate admission to the 50 state flagship universities.  That is up 79% from ten years earlier.  What is driving this trend?  Out-of-state applicants, both domestic and international, have risen dramatically over the past ten years.  Many public universities look to these out-of-state applicants paying higher tuition to offset shortfalls in state funding. In addition, more in-state students are turning to their public institution as a more affordable option.  We will continue to examine the private colleges’ and universities’ response to this trend, if any, as well as how to advise our current families in response to this increasingly competitive environment.

2018-19 Common App Essay Prompts Released

The Common Application announced today that the essay topics from which students can choose will remain the same for the graduating class of 2019. Want to get a peek?

http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/2018-2019-common-application-essay-prompts

Want to Graduate Faster? Look Abroad!

It takes only three years to earn a typical full-time bachelor's degree in the United Kingdom (not Scotland, however). In addition, students dive head first into their major right away - and focus exclusively on that subject.

"What are distribution requirements?!?!"

International Student Enrollment Down

International student numbers are down - by more than 7% - with universities in the midwest feeling the sting of lost revenue the most! 

Ask the Consultant: Your Upcoming PPT

Don't pack your bags quite yet -- there is planning to do!

Q: My junior's PPT is coming up soon. Is there anything specific we need to address to prepare for the college years?

A: Yes! Junior year planning is very important, particularly for a student with a learning difference. There are several main areas that a college-bound student with an IEP or 504 plan needs to consider: learning style, self-advocacy, accommodations, and documentation.  

Leaning style: Hopefully, by junior year in high school, the student has a decent idea of their academic strengths and weaknesses -- and we all have them. This is a good time to assess: How do you learn best? In what types of classroom settings are you the most successful? What accommodations are you utilizing? Are there any others that you might need in college? 

Self-advocacy: The most important attribute of a successful college student with a learning difference is self-advocacy. College students must take charge of asking for accommodations! This includes self-identifying as a student with a learning difference and notifying professors themselves. So, in setting goals for the rest of high school, focus on self-advocacy!! 

Accommodations: We like to tell our students to think about the move from high school to college accommodations as a shift from entitlement to equal access. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states that a K-12 student is entitled to receive services to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living. Colleges must comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act but are not bound by IDEA. They must provide equal access to education, leveling the playing field for a student with a disability. 

Documentation: College learning support offices ask students to provide updated documentation of their disability (neuro-psychological testing, medical diagnosis, etc.). Usually, they want this to be done within the last three years, so requesting updated testing during the junior year makes a lot of sense. 

Unfortunately, junior year also tends to be the one in which many students are guided to or independently decide to exit the special education system, especially students that are finding success academically and are good self-advocates. And while it is tempting to see college as a clean slate, that is rarely the case. Getting accommodations for things like high stakes standardized testing and college courses requires that a student is utilizing the accommodations that they have been given. Remember, you bring yourself with you to college, so why not give yourself every opportunity to find success? 

Ask the Consultant: ED Deferral

Q: I've been deferred from early decision to regular decision. Can I apply ED2 to my second choice?

A: Yes! When a college does not accept you via a binding early decision plan and places your application in the regular pile, you are no longer bound to attend if admitted. Therefore, you are able to shift gears and make a second early decision choice.

One thing to remember, however, is that you will most likely hear back from your ED2 school well before you will hear from any of your regular decision schools -- and if you are accepted, you have committed to withdrawing all other applications. So you will never know if you would have gotten into that ED1 school. If you're OK with that, go for it!!

More Students Are Looking at Law Schools

Law school is hot! According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for fall 2018 admission is up 12% as compared with last year. This is the first increase of significance in many years. 

Student to Student

Q: I've got my college list and have done some research on the schools. What do I do now?

A: Visit, visit, visit! College tours can surely get redundant, but I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to visit. Not only does it demonstrate interest, which may influence your admissions decision, but you may also realize that the atmosphere is or is not for you. Explore the town or city surrounding your school, too--it’s going to be your home for the next four years!

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