Completing applications over winter break? How to manage the stress
December 24th, 2018Happy holidays and best wishes for 2019 to all! As the month of December winds down, many students have already received admission decisions this month. Congratulations to those who have been accepted Early Action or Early Decision! I love hearing students’ news, no matter the outcome, so please continue to keep me in the loop as you receive admission decisions.
Winter break is here and while we hope you’re able to focus on family time and a little R&R, this hiatus is also perfect for students still wrapping up final applications for colleges and boarding schools. Try to stay positive throughout this sometimes stressful process and remember to enjoy the time you have with friends and family. The Wall Street Journal provides a wonderful article to help us remember to keep calm as deadlines are approaching. (N.B. – although focused on college, portions of this article are also useful for students applying to boarding schools.)
Parents, many of you have fully equipped students who are ready to make these important decisions and with this in mind, you might find this stressful time a little more enjoyable.
Article referenced below published on December 11, 2018 by The Wall Street Journal, written by Sue Shellenbarger
It’s a monthslong ordeal that could change the course of a high school senior’s life, leading to a choice that could cost tens of thousands of dollars or more. No wonder the college-application season can torpedo the holidays for teens and their parents.
Many students labor to meet early-winter deadlines for college applications, often under the anxious eyes of their parents. The resulting stress can damage family relationships if parents fail to set good boundaries and keep their own anxieties in check.
Tagged: Applications, College
Early decision news: the wait will soon be over
December 11th, 2018December is here and while it is a glorious time filled with much anticipation of the holidays, it can also be filled with tension as students who applied Early Action or Early Decision anxiously await their college admission decisions.
While waiting is often the hardest part of this entire process, try not to worry too much. Many of you will receive just the news you are looking for. Yet no matter what happens, there are other excellent educational institutions around the country which might be the right fit and your applications are already well under way.
The article referenced below was written for the U. of Pennsylvania’s admission blog by Olivia O’Dwyer, a student at Penn, as an open letter to students who applied Early Decision. In this note, O’Dwyer tells about her experience on ED decision day and what she took away from this time. Her genuine and candid advice is a great reminder that the college admission process is a small stepping stone in your journey to become who you want to be. We believe everyone will find her words worth taking to heart.
We wish everyone the best possible outcome and while we hope for good news right alongside you, we are confident that you will be well placed in college whether or not the near-term news brings joy.
Article referenced below published on December 8, 2017 by University of Pennsylvania, written by Olivia O’Dwyer
Hello, readers!
If you’re reading this and you applied Early Decision to Penn, or to any other university – I know exactly how you feel. Even though it was almost exactly a year ago now, I can still be brought back in a second to those final few weeks, then days, then hours of anxiously awaiting my decision. Everything seemed to hinge on that moment, opening my email to a confirmation or rejection.
Read more at University of Pennsylvania >>Tagged: College, Early action, Early decision
How to handle Uncle Bob and Aunt Bertha during the holidays
November 27th, 2018Navigating through holiday social events while keeping track of application deadlines, topped with interrogations by family members about your future plans, can be a bit overwhelming. It’s a little bit like filling your plate with turkey, stuffing, vegetables and cranberry sauce and then trying to make room for the sweet potato casserole!
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, now is a great time to reflect on conversations had with family and friends. And with the winter holidays quickly approaching it is important to find balance while remaining productive, enjoying some time off while continuing to check things off your “to-do” list.
The article we share below has many great tips and tricks to help guide you through the rest of the holiday season. December is a month when many students will hear the outcome of Early Decision and Early Action applications and for seniors, waiting can often be the hardest part of this process. Keeping busy and having a plan can help you through this time.
Article referenced below published on November 14, 2018 by Counselors’ Corner, written by Patrick O’Connor.
Tagged: Admission decision, Applications, College
Extracurricular activities: why should you be involved?
November 14th, 2018The world of college admissions can be overwhelming, leaving many to wonder how they can stand out as college applicants. Of course having a strong academic record (transcript and test scores) is top priority, but showing that you are invested in something outside the classroom has major advantages.
Boarding schools figured out this secret to success generations ago; by requiring significant involvement in sports or arts and encouraging engagement in other extracurriculars, they help students become their best selves … and better college applicants.
Many students have heard me say that becoming a great person, an accomplished person, leads to becoming a great applicant. And it’s important to hold the priorities in that order. Extracurricular activities provide many opportunities for growth. Learning how to balance a school schedule with the demands of activities gives students structure and a sense of responsibility. Filling your time with things you are passionate about teaches many life lessons, including leadership and a sense of teamwork.
Simply put, if you are involved in meaningful ways and can demonstrate that you’re having an impact on your school and community, you’ll be a stronger college applicant and a richer, more interesting individual.
If you want a great read on this topic, writer Linda Morgan for the Seattle Times breaks down what colleges are really looking for in an applicant.
Article referenced below published on March 23, 2018 by The Seattle Times, written by Linda Morgan.
Remember when high school kids could count on their dazzling grades and brilliant scores to secure a spot at a respectable, if not top-notch college? Those days may be over. Schools now look beyond academic prowess when deciding whether to admit students, and attach sizable weight to the scope and breadth of an applicant’s extracurricular activities.
That’s why Roosevelt High School senior Tim Yeh considers the hours he spends engaged in after-school projects as time well spent. Yeh, who attends Shoreline Community College as part of Washington state’s Running Start program (students earn college credits along with their high school degrees), feels that committing to outside activities are a “big part” of getting into college.
Read more at The Seattle Times >>Tagged: Extracurricular activities, Sports
