January 2016: Visiting colleges, Sending midyear reports, Study tips

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College Bound Mentor on the Road

Surviving the College Application Process

More Changes to the FAFSA

Understanding Your PSAT Scores

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Making The Most of Your Summer

January 28, 2016

7pm

Scotch Plains Public Library

1927 Bartle Avenue

Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

908-322-5007

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January, 2016

Harvard recently released a report entitled "Turning the Tide: Inspiring Concern for Others and the Common Good through College Admissions." This study challenges colleges to rethink how they evaluate students for admissions. Several distinct recommendations were included in the report:

Promoting more meaningful contributions to others
Assessing student's ethical engagement with family and community
Redefining achievement to both level the playing field and reduce stress

So what does this mean for students?

Quality over quantity when it comes to extracurricular activities.
Impact and meaning matters when choosing how to spend your time in the community. Look for sustained, meaningful community service, collective action that take on community challenges, interaction with diverse communities or service that develops sense of responsibility for the future.
Being a good person to your family and community is important.
Balance is critical both for students' mental health and to reduce work overload of AP/IB classes and test preparation.
Don't over polish your essays and applications. Authenticity does matter.

Click here to read the Executive Summary.

5 Tips For Planning a College Visit

As many families are planning college visits, we have 5 tips for a planning a college trip:

Review the Academic Calendar
Identify Your Options
Determine Your Needs
Make a Reservation
Plan the Trip

Click for the full article: Tips for Planning College Visits.

LD College Visits

For a student with learning differences, finding a college with the necessary accommodations and academic support services is important to his/her academic success. Services at the post-secondary level vary widely and can be grouped into three categories: minimal, moderate, and comprehensive program.

Minimal Services
Moderate Services
Comprehensive Program

Click here to read more about these services and planning your college visit for LD students.

Sending Midyear Reports

Now is time to put in a request to guidance to send your midyear report. Schools may also request additional information.

Click to read: Sending Midyear Reports.

Study Tips for Major Exams

Here are some tips to help you do your best during midterms:

Organize and Plan Ahead.
Determine your needs.
Create a "Distraction Free" Zone.
Take an Exercise Break.

Click here to read more about Study Tips for Major Exams

Seniors: Please continue to update us on the status of your applications. Be aware of financial aid deadlines and as always, contact us with any questions.

Juniors: Please send us feedback on any college visits or test scores so we can continue to refine your list. If we have not already, let's meet to do a personal needs assessment to develop your list.

Sophomores: If you haven't already, please call to set up a meeting to discuss classes for next year and summer plans. Also if you want to start testing the waters and visiting some colleges to get a sense of what you like and dislike, let us know and we'll map out a plan.

Sincerely,

Lisa, Beth and Abby

College Bound Mentor, LLC

[email protected]

908-789-8566

www.collegeboundmentor.com

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