How to Get Ready for the Connecticut School Day SAT

The state school day SAT will be administered online this year!

This past week, many Connecticut high school juniors were surprised by the news that, for the first time, the SAT administered in March to high school juniors in the state will be taken online.

Standardized testing being what it is — stressful — has resulted in students and families having many questions.

Q: Is this the new digital test version that is shorter and adaptive?

A: No. The March school day SAT will be the exact same test format as the paper version. The only difference is that it will be taken online.

Q: Will colleges still accept it for admission purposes?

A: Every college admission officer that we talked to said that they would consider it just as they do any other SAT test score.

Q: What can I do to prepare?

A: The best way to prepare is to familiarize yourself with the interface. The College Board has a test version here where students can walk through a shortened sample test and the functionality of the system.

Q: The sample version online has an essay section! Will there be an essay on the March test?

A: No. You can ignore that part of the mock test. It’s a leftover from a previous version.

Q: What parts of the practice site should I pay attention to?

A: Students should familiarize themselves with how to move from question to question and section to section, how to flag a question so that they can go back to it later, how to highlight portions of the test and strike out eliminated answers, and how to use the math reference section.

Q: How can I practice the reading section?

A: What is tricky about the reading section is that the passage and the question and answers are on the screen together. Students need to scroll up and down to read the passage on the left-hand side of the screen, while the right-hand side of the screen is fixed. We suggest getting a PDF of a practice test (the College Board has several here) and taking it online. If you can, put the reading passage on one screen and the answer sheet on another to simulate the scrolling you will need to do.

Q: I’m worried that I’m not going to do as well on this version as I’ve done in the past!

A: Mark Anestis of The Learning Edge in Guilford says, “Don’t panic. It’s the same test!” And, besides, if you leave the test and really feel as if you bombed it, you have the right to cancel your score. So there is absolutely no reason to be stressed. Anestis says that as long as you spend some time getting used to the digital tools, you will be ready to go. So take a deep breath, and go in there and do your best!!

Looking at Colleges is Like a Game of Wordle

Have you caught the Wordle bug yet? It seems like the once-a-day word puzzle sensation is everywhere!

The game is simple. You have six chances to guess the five-letter word, only being told what letters are correct and in the wrong place or correct and in the right spot.

Our Wordle-fest group chat (yes, it really is a thing) has had some fierce debates about the best way to go about solving each day’s puzzle. Some, like myself, subscribe to the “stay with what you know” strategy. If I know that I have an S in the first spot and a Y in the last, my next guess will follow that pattern — something like SPICY. In the other camp, we’ve got the “eliminators.” They are happy to burn a turn with a strategic guess, with the intention of eliminating as many letters as they can early on. They’ll start with SCORE and then guess IRONY. (See what I did there?)

So how can your Wordle strategy inform how you research and visit colleges? Read on!

Some students are eliminators!! During every college visit, and at each virtual event they attend, they are figuring out what they don’t want. They’re ticking things off the list rather than adding them. SMITH wasn’t quite right? They’ll check out UCONN. And that’s okay. They’re not wasting time! At every step of the way, they are getting clarity as to what they ultimately want in their college experience.

And then there are the students that are fine-tuning their criteria, visit by visit. They’ll return from a tour saying, for example, “I liked BROWN a lot, except maybe a more outdoorsy crowd.” Off to BATES they go!

Whatever your campus Wordle approach is, know that there is no right way to go. Sometimes you need to eliminate criteria, and sometimes you need to fine-tune or confirm what you think. Regardless, the most important thing is to keep playing! For that’s how you’ll find your MATCH!

Acknowledgments. Thanks to my Wordle-fest friends (Alicia, Becky, Bill, John, Katie, Ken, Linda, Steve) for your inspiration.

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.