As an educational and college admissions consultant, I invite you to leverage my experience providing pre-college academic and career advising to thousands of young adults.
Summer is first and foremost a time for students to recharge, essential to facing another challenging and successful school year. Students should NOT be over-programmed but should also keep their "learning muscles" in use through guided readings, activities and programs to explore.
As a former educator, I'm able to share valuable insights on how high school students at all grade and GPA levels can prepare for success as throughout high school and as undergraduates by developing lifelong time management and learning strategies ensuring a seamless transition to the undergraduate experience.
I often hear from students who seem to think they have already decided the field that they want to study as undergraduates and even as graduate students! Their enthusiasm is wonderful, but at times these early academic/career choices rest upon preconceived notions about their interests and misinformation about a given field of study. Sometimes, choices are driven by a misguided weighting of the importance of what the future may hold in terms of earnings.
Parents, Guidance Counselors and College Advisors are a team supporting and encouraging each student's exploration of potential fields of study that align with personal strengths and interests leading to joyful and impactful pursuits.
Students arriving at our first meeting are not always ready to think outside that box. The middle and high school years are the time to learn more about EVERYTHING and rule out nothing. The essential process of discovery includes exploring a variety of academic disciplines many of which may yield a rewarding and joyful educational and career path.
Given my curriculum expertise at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, I continue to encourage students to explore outside their comfort zone! Exploration takes place both within and outside the classroom. SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME FOR EXPLORATION -- whether enrolled in a competitive credit-bearing collegiate program, travelling abroad playing soccer in your native language or shadowing a local professional in your community - or simply "building" something at home (aspiring engineers, artists, game designers- what are you building?- I can make some suggestions to broaden your skill set!) - summer is for taking risks and entering new spaces.
At many of my initial meetings with Rising Seniors, families arrive with an (unsolicited) list of universities. Selecting a college prior to first knowing more about what potential majors are truly a good "fit" for a student's interests and strengths will create a situation for a missed opportunity.
That's why the years of middle and high school are so important because it's the time to generate a spark that is unique to your child! Summer is time to ignite!
With a few hundred academic majors and nearly 4000 undergraduate colleges, it's very unlikely that the middle and high school curriculum and extracurricular experiences enjoyed thus far have put all of the available and amazing options on your student's radar.
THAT IS STEP 1 of your College exploration process!!
Let me help your student explore:
- undergraduate curriculum maps, and
- faculty research institutes
to discover the "problem" they want to solve.
- Where will your student make an impact!?
- How can we create hands-on experiences to nurture those interests and strengths?
College "fit" rests on three pillars:
a) The best academic
setting for the intended area of study
b) A campus community
that aligns with core values and will nurture your young adult to continue to grow socially and emotionally
c) Financial
fit-
(Please refer to my earlier newsletter link on sidebar to understand the differences between financial aid and Scholarships)
Yes- there are colleges that will offer Scholarships unrelated to your financial situation.
JUMP START YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN - GUIDED SUMMER PROJECTS
Given thirty years of university experience, I am thrilled to be working closely with many of my students to create a meaningful balance of time spent recharging and time spent exploring.
Students and parents are invited to review my comprehensive list of summer projects and together we build a program that may involve summer reading, written assignments (short assignments involving guided student-directed research on potential careers, current events or professional reading relevant to a potential /emerging area of academic interest) and hands-on projects. Students and I engage by email, SKYPE, phone or in-person to discuss progress on their agreed-to independent summer project.
There's a project for everyone!
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students are provided with a list of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects and ideas for potential entry into science fairs this fall.
ARTISTS and MUSICIANS should be working on developing their portfolio and honing skills in disciplined creative work thinking ahead to competitive local venues.
BUSINESS/LIBERAL ARTS - I will guide students to exploring a topic of interest with an eye towards writing an essay you can enter into any number of local and national essay competitions (business, history, etc.) sponsored by a variety of organizations. Need suggestions? Start a blog on a topic you're passionate about and when school begins in the fall, bring your best Blog pieces to the school newspaper.
All students should jump start their anticipated most difficult classes for next year. For most students, that would be an AP Math or AP Science class. Spend disciplined time 2-3x a week to become familiar with concepts you'll be learning the first semester. Buy the SATII/AP books and read them. EdX offers "on-ramp" courses.
Let me help your student create a manageable summer schedule and help monitor their progress and success throughout the summer.
Whether your student is an aspiring entrepreneur, lawyer, engineer, physician, psychologist or artist-I will outline specific online periodicals to review on a regular basis. The objective- maintain a weekly journal to write about issues that capture the student's attention in industry, politics, the economy, public policy, ethics, fashion, etc. . Pick a topic that fascinates you - write a short research paper with an eye towards entering an essay competition. Participation is just as valuable to the college application as winning any competition.
Finally, I encourage young adults to read the amazing initiative started by Bill Gates and Warren Buffet: The Giving Pledge. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are encouraging the wealthiest individuals in the world to give back to society through donations that can make a difference in the world. Learn about how billionaires earned their wealth and how they are changing the world. Who do you admire most? Why? Where will you leave your mark on society?
If you've been reading my newsletters, you've come to appreciate the importance of "passion". An intrinsically motivated student is secure and naturally seeks to explore academic and extracurricular interests.
For seniors, matching a student's interests to a specific major area of study is the initial step in the college admissions process.
On the sidebar, you'll find links to my recent posts to assist you with selecting colleges and understanding financial aid.
The college application process has many moving parts. While students are indeed busy, I want to stress the importance of this being a student driven process. Students are encouraged to take the lead navigating, as it is excellent preparation for the undergraduate experience ahead (course registration, summer internship and study-abroad applications, paying bursar bills, etc.).
Parents and counselors are trusted partners. Rest assured, this time next year your student will be attending graduation parties wearing their college t-shirt!
