Need Help With Your College List? Then Attend This Upcoming Workshop

Are you a sophomore or junior in high school who’s ready to start considering different college options? The good news is there are so many options available to you here in the US and abroad. However, it’s not so easy to know what you want out of a college and how to find colleges that fit.

In the upcoming workshop Getting Your College List Started, College Matters Educational Consultant Gilbert Guo can help you get more clarity on your college list. On February 21st and 22nd (winter break for most local high schools), he’ll work with students on figuring out their college profile and how to properly research colleges.

With these skills and resources, students and families will walk away with several great match colleges that they could potentially visit and apply to. They’ll know how to get the information that students need in order to interview well and write standout supplemental essays.

This workshop will be limited to the first 12 students who register. For more details or to secure your spot, please go to this link: calendly.com/gilbertguo/collegeworkshop?month=2022-02. For questions, email Gilbert at guo@college-matters.com.

5 Quick Tips for High School Freshmen and Sophomores to Prepare for College

1. Who gets into college…and why? 

The College Matters staff recently listened to higher education expert Jeff Selingo at the annual IECA Conference speak about his new book Who Gets In and Why, which gives an in-depth look at three admission offices and how they selected students. Selingo highlighted the importance of students standing out from the pack with their character. Admission offices receive more than enough applicants who are academically qualified—challenging curriculum, solid GPA, solid test scores. Beyond that, admission officers want to know what students are genuinely curious and passionate about. How are students serving other people, making the most of the opportunities available to them, or creating opportunities for themselves?

2. Will you survive or thrive in college?

Jonathan Burdick and Seth Allen, two admission officers at highly selective colleges, echoed some similar messages to Selingo in a mock application review they hosted. Allen emphasized that students should obsess over having a fulfilling high school experience rather than doing things for college admissions. He referred to some students as “renters.” These students join clubs or volunteer just because it might look good, but it’s clear they aren’t truly committed or passionate about them. “Owners,” on the other hand, are very engaged in a few activities because they are a genuine reflection of who they are. His admission office believes that “owners” will not just survive, but thrive when they get to campus.

3. Get the most effective teacher recommendations

Start thinking about which teachers you connect with the most. Most colleges will require two letters of recommendations from your junior year core academic teachers. When it’s time for you to ask those teachers, you should feel confident that they will have plenty to write about you. Establish a genuine relationship with them so they have a good idea of who you are as a learner and a person. This is important information for admission officers.

4. A money tip

This one is more for parents. If you plan to apply for financial aid, keep in mind that colleges will use your income during your student’s prior-prior year to calculate your financial need. That means if your student enrolls in college in the fall of 2022, they will use your income from your 2020 tax return.

5. We know what you have to learn, but what do you want to learn?

Start thinking about what you’re actually interested in learning. Every student has to take the five core subjects. Is there one area that you’re particularly curious in learning more about? Is there a subject or topic outside of school and traditional academics that you’re fascinated with? If so, take some initiative to explore that a little more. Read articles or books that intrigue you. Watch informational videos or documentaries. Listen to podcasts. If you’re up for it, why not start your own project?

Five Unique Majors at UCONN

The University of Connecticut has a lot to offer prospective undergraduates! In addition to a beautiful campus, Husky-mania, and homemade ice cream at the Dairy Bar, UCONN has several unique majors that you might want to check out.

Actuarial Science: Hartford is the insurance capital, so what better place to study to become an actuary than UConn? There are several routes that prospective actuaries can take. There is an Applied Mathematics major, as well as an Actuarial Science - Finance option. The most selective, however, is the Actuarial Science degree. Students must apply directly to the major and maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher to continue. In addition, as the only Actuarial Science program in New England, students from other New England states can attend at a reduced tuition rate. A hidden gem!!

Diagnostic Genetic Sciences: This 2-year degree prepares students for high-demand careers in genetic counseling, molecular pathology, among others.

Marine Biology: While most students at branch campuses of the University of Connecticut system spend their last two years of their bachelor’s degree at the Storrs campus, Marine Biology students spend all four years at Avery Point. Why? A gorgeous waterside campus located just down the road from the world-renowned Mystic Aquarium, and not too far from Woods Hole.

Puppet Arts: One of only a handful of universities in the United States that offer a BFA in Puppet Arts, and the only university to award MFA degrees in the field, UConn’s Puppet Arts program has been a powerhouse since the mid-1960s.

Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems With three unique concentrations, Environmental Horticulture, Sustainable Agriculture, and Turfgrass Science, UConn is leading the way in making what we eat and what we plant on the earth better for our collective future.

How You Can Approach Less-Than-Ideal Admission Decisions

Some colleges have released admissions decisions already. We are rooting for you to get accepted to your favorite colleges! At the same time, a part of your maturation process is learning to deal with deferrals or rejections. How can you responsibly approach these decisions as a student or parent?

Rick Clark, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Georgia Tech, wrote a beautiful piece on this very topic. Clark does a great job providing beneficial and practical tips for prospective families through his free blog and free podcast. Read his article on deferrals and rejections here: Handling Admissions Decisions - A Coach's Guide.

Finally, take a deep breath, smile, and remember that great news is still ahead for you!

Is College Right For You?

Even though our company is called College Matters, we’re very aware and accepting that every student has a unique background and a different purpose for continuing their education. Some students are set on living and learning on a campus for four years. Others might look into trade school and enter the workforce shortly after high school. Many students do a two-year associate degree (AA) at a community college before transitioning elsewhere to get their bachelor’s degree (BA or BS). There are many ways to better yourself!

Before making any choices, take some time to think about what you’d like to get out of your education and how the different pathways can help you accomplish those goals. To help you start to reflect, Khan Academy founder Sal Kahn recently hosted an excellent discussion with three recent college graduates on his web series, Homeroom with Sal. They talked about how they got to where they are in their careers and the role college played along the way. The common theme: there are lots of opportunities out there and ways to get to where you want to go. It’s a wonderful conversation from start to finish. We included the two-part discussion below.

Interested in Finding LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities?

7 GREAT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHILE VISITING CAMPUSES:

1. Is there a resource center with support services for LGBTQ students and does it have paid staff?

2. Are there any LGBTQ and Ally student organizations that plan regular social activities and educational events for LGBTQ people? How is it funded?  Is there a meeting space and is it visible and centrally located?

3.   Is there an LGBTQ studies program and are there LGBTQ course offerings?

4.   Is there faculty and staff training, including for public safety officers, for sexual orientation and gender identity issues, experiences, and concerns?

5.  Are there support groups and counseling services offered for LGBTQ students and is health center staff trained to address health issues of concern to LGBTQ students?

6.  Are programs offered around topics of sexual orientation and gender expression in new student orientation programs?

7.   Is there a way to be matched with an LGBTQ-friendly roommate on the housing application? Are there gender-inclusive housing and gender-inclusive single-occupancy restrooms and shower facilities in campus housing? Is there training for residence life staff regarding concerns and experiences of LGBTQ people?

Thanks to Campus Pride for their benchmarking tools and the Campus Pride Index.  Go to  www.campuspride.org to access the Index and more information.

“SINCE 2007, THE CAMPUS PRIDE INDEX HAS BEEN THE PREMIER LGBTQ NATIONAL BENCHMARKING TOOL FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CREATE SAFER, MORE INCLUSIVE CAMPUS COMMUNITIES.  THE FREE ONLINE TOOL ALLOWS PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, FAMILIES/PARENTS AND THOSE INTERESTED IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO SEARCH A DATABASE OF LGBTQ-FRIENDLY CAMPUSES WHO HAVE COME OUT TO IMPROVE THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND QUALITY OF CAMPUS LIFE.”

When Should I Submit My Common Application?

For many students, it is crunch time! Early action deadlines are approaching, and they are busy drafting supplemental essays and polishing up their activities section of the Common Application. As students work towards their deadlines, we encourage them to submit their applications at least a few days prior to the deadline. There have been years when the Common Application crashed on Halloween because so many students were trying to submit. We have also had natural disasters that have resulted in loss of power for several days at the end of October. So, plan ahead! Aim to submit your application in plenty of time. There is no need to wait until the deadline to submit.

Early Action or Early Decision. What's the Difference?

It’s alphabet soup!

It can be confusing! All these acronyms. Here is a quick overview:

Early Decision (ED): Student commits to their 1st choice college and if admitted, agrees to enroll and withdraw all of their outstanding applications to other colleges. ED is binding!!

Early Action (EA): A non-binding plan whereby students apply by an early deadline and receive a decision in advance of RD notification.  

Restricted Early Action (REA): A non-binding option similar to EA, however you may not be allowed to apply EA, ED, REA to other colleges. You must read the fine print to understand the restrictions.

Regular Decision (RD): An application that is submitted during the regular application cycle. This is typically the latest deadline and is non-binding.

Rolling Deadline (RL): Students can apply when the application is available until applications are no longer accepted. Students are notified of a decision as soon as the institution makes up its mind. This is non-binding.

Priority Deadline (PR): Some colleges require applications be submitted by a specific date to be considered for merit or scholarship money.

10 Tips to Manage a Packed College Schedule

Waking up at 7 am to shower, get dressed, grab coffee (or for those more put-together than me, breakfast), and get to your 8 am class is hell on earth, there’s no good way to spin it. Sure, getting out of bed early and getting going does make you feel good and productive once you’ve done it, but the Pavlovian response to that alarm clock in the morning is just not worth it. How did I used to get up at 6 am every day for school at 6:40 am in high school and stay there until 7 pm? I have no idea. But busy days in college are very different from busy days in high school, and they require a different approach in order to maintain your sanity.

Here are a few tips and tricks from yours truly (a super-organized-not-messy-at-all person):

1. Eat breakfast. My roommate will say I’m a hypocrite for this one, but it’s a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of tip here. Most days I skip breakfast and feel extra anxious all day from it. Eating breakfast (or even just a quick banana) is guaranteed to make you feel awake and ready for classes, organization meetings, and homework - science says so. So get the coffee but grab something to eat with it.

2. Do your homework beforehand. And by beforehand, I do not mean the morning-of. Even the night before is fine, but the second you decide you’ll “get up early and do it” you’re screwing yourself over. I promise it’s more work than you think and that 30 minutes in the morning isn’t gonna cut it. Ideally, you’d (I’d) have it done a day or so in advance, but from personal experience, I know that is often unrealistic. But cut yourself off at 3 am.

3. Check your email and delete emails that are not relevant. Waiting until you have 200 unread emails that clog up your inbox and hide emails from professors is a mistake I have made many a time and it always ends poorly or in me taking forty-five minutes to sift through my inbox to find anything I actually need. Keep the inbox clean - professors email as often as your friends’ text.

4. Speaking of emails, respond to them as soon as you can. Don’t worry about responding too quickly, if you have time to bang out a response right when you read it, do that. It saves you tons of stress in the long run because nothing will be weighing on you and you won’t worry about forgetting to respond.

5. This one should be obvious but make a checklist every day. Buying a planner can help, but often you’re going to forget about it or not feel like pulling it out. So make a to-do list on your notes app or on a sticky note or a scrap of paper. Crossing out tasks will make you feel awesome.

6. If you have extra work to accomplish, don’t save it until the end of the day when you get back to your dorm — do it in between classes. Not only does being in study spaces help you stay focused, but when you get home at night, you’ll have so much less to worry about and you’ll thank yourself (you can go watch Outer Banks or something).

7. Use meal times as your breaks to see your friends. You really don’t want to be doing your lab science homework while you’re shoveling down the dining hall’s build-your-own-tacos between classes. Save that time to socialize and recharge before going back to your day.

8. If you have to write a paper, PLAN IT. College papers are going to be different from high school papers, and if you have a ten-page paper due, waiting until the day before it’s due to even think about it is a suicide mission. Make an outline, start your paper at least a few days in advance, even if it’s just the introduction paragraph. You’ll do better.

9. Ask for extensions if you need them. Obviously don’t do this TOO often, but most professors are pretty reasonable people and will give you an extension if you don’t ask the night before it’s due (sometimes even then if it’s urgent). There’s no shame in asking, and the worst they can say is no.

10. If you’re having trouble balancing your social life with school, do homework with friends (but don’t let it be too chatty). Doing homework with friends is simultaneously very helpful yet occasionally detrimental. It’s very easy to get distracted with your friends around, but if you and your friends can focus well enough, it can become more fun to accomplish your work.

Reflecting on these tips, I have been trying to incorporate these into my own life, especially in this upcoming junior year, and I wish I had done more of this freshman and sophomore year. Developing good organizational skills is key to succeeding in college, and even if these tips don’t work for you, you will eventually find your groove and ultimately balance your school and social life.

Having busy days (pretty much every day for some people) is just a part of being at school and it doesn’t have to be intimidating. My friends will sometimes take naps in academic buildings. No one is doing everything perfectly, and taking breaks is vital — even if that means sleeping in a study lounge for a quick minute. Eat, sleep, and complain about how busy you are to your friends. And do your homework probably.

All love,

Megan Adams, Syracuse ‘23

P.S. The syllabus is your friend. Your professors will usually remind you when deadlines are approaching but do NOT rely on them doing so. They expect you to follow the syllabus and be prepared every day. Printing out all your classes’ syllabi is extremely helpful.

The Dreaded First Week of College

Hi,

My name is Megan, and I am entering my junior year at Syracuse University as an Advertising major with a creative emphasis and a psychology minor in the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Anyways, now that you know me by the way I introduce myself in any classroom on the first day, I’ll tell you a little bit about my first week of college at Syracuse University.

First thing’s first - when your parents drop you off, it is fully acceptable to sob violently and be inconsolably upset. Most people are in a horrible mood their first day anyway, you’ll be in the majority. There’s a moment after your parents leave for the first time that it really hits you that you’re legitimately on your own. No friends, no family, just you and your comfort water bottle. (Sidebar: I got a free water bottle from ‘Cuse my first week from some orientation event and I have had it for two years now and it is still my favorite water bottle. It has housed every single beverage you can possibly think of and has given me an excuse to get up and leave class to fill it up if I got bored. Very useful.) Once you’re left to your own devices, parents gone, what next?

My next move, being strategic and courageous and independent of course, was to call my mom. On her drive home. After twenty minutes. I’m honestly impressed I lasted even that twenty minutes, but there was a lot of crying. I would like to state for the record there is no shame in calling your mom after 20 minutes or even 5 minutes. Do what you gotta do. But I can promise eventually you will not want to call your mom because you’ll actually be having fun.

Fun seems very impossible the first week and even the first whole semester of college, but I swear it’s possible. For context, I am an insanely introverted person and Syracuse is an insanely extroverted school. If you’ve visited Syracuse or even heard of Cuse Basketball, you know what I mean. School spirit out the you-know-where. Me? Not so much. At least I wasn’t like that my freshman year. But your first week is prime time to make friends — EVERYONE is desperate to make friends, so if you talk to even one stranger on your floor or at an orientation event, chances are you’ll end up getting dinner together because neither of you have any other friends. And as pathetic as that sounds, it WILL turn out to be a good time.

Another sidebar because I won’t shut up about myself: my dorm building freshman year (Sadler floor 6, shoutout) had a GroupMe. If yours doesn’t have one, I would highly recommend putting a link to make one in your Facebook group for your class. Very helpful. But I digress; I woke up the morning after my first night alone and I texted in the group asking if anyone wanted to get breakfast with me. Three girls answered and went with me to breakfast. This was hands-down the worst, most awkward breakfast of my entire life. Not only was I so socially insecure, but I also felt like I was the ugliest one there (this obviously was not true and I know that now, but all the other girls with me were skinny and blonde, so you can see where I would be a little insecure). I barely ate, and I did not make any friends at this gathering I had instigated. Good job, Megan. I left very defeated, but I can tell you a full two years after this happened, I am now coincidentally friends with one of the girls from that breakfast. She also remembers it as the breakfast from hell, which is a comfort to me.

Back to my main point. You will make friends, but it might not be right away and that’s ok. My two best friends were friends I made my sophomore year. Another reason your first week SUCKS. As an introvert I was physically FORCING myself to do stuff like invite people to breakfast (never again), go to little orientation events, and talk to people in my classes. This was so GD painful for me but somehow I muscled through and made a few friends on my floor and two of my best friends in an intro class where we bonded over reading Harry Potter (yes, I am embarrassed) instead of anything remotely intellectual like the rest of the class.

Despite finally being able to make friends on campus, I wanted to share the MOST pathetic part of my first week at college, who knows, maybe this will make other people feel better! Or worse, who can tell. Anyways, it was my very first night alone and after a full day of moving in and then sobbing on my bed having a pity party, I was wiped out and I just wanted to sleep. I got my pajamas on and got in bed, my roommate hadn’t moved in yet, so I was alone alone. My brain decided sleeping was actually very dangerous and not ok for me to do in any circumstance. Locked door? Doesn’t matter. We’re on the sixth floor? Irrelevant. I will be murdered tonight. I decided since I had been trying to fall asleep for three hours, it was time to just pull an all-nighter because clearly I wasn’t sleeping. I watched YouTube videos for a long time, debated calling my mom but didn’t want to wake her up, and none of my home friends would be awake, so there I was. Suddenly, an idea struck me. An idea that I am proud of but was probably very weird of me to do. At 4 am, I decided, let me hop in the shower. Why you ask? I raise you, why NOT? I cried a lot during this entire experience, just for context, and the shower was not an exception. But when I got out, I felt so much better, though I’m not sure the science behind that. I’m in communications so if anyone would explain it to me, I’d happily accept. So I guess what I’m saying is, crying in the shower at 4 am is acceptable and even encouraged behavior. It does help if you’re truly out of options on what to do with yourself.

I guess I should wrap this up because if there’s a word count, I have definitely exceeded it. I’ll leave you with a few first-week tips:

1. Go to every orientation event you can — you will make friends there. Drag your roommate with you!

2. Find out about club/organization applications ASAP. I found out about a specific club application 30 minutes before it was due and the org now consists of all my best friends.

3. No one is judging you like you’re judging yourself. Everyone is a self-involved narcissist, so don’t even worry about “saying the wrong thing.” Chances are, they’re trying to figure what to say back to YOU.

4. If you’re introverted or just a nervous person (both me), drag your roommate with you to things first week. You’ll both benefit, it’s easier meeting new people with someone else, and you and your roommate will get to get to know each other.

5. Not liking your roommate is not the end of the world AS LONG AS you can cohabit the same space and be polite to each other. You absolutely don’t have to be besties with your freshman year roommate.

Congrats to you on getting into college, and I wish you the very best of luck. And if you’re going to Syracuse specifically, I’m psyched for you. Have blast wherever you end up, I promise it gets better than that first week.

All love,

Megan Adams, Syracuse ‘23