Demonstrated interest: what’s it all about?
September 4th, 2018
Have you ever had to choose someone to help you with a project or become a member of your team, and found yourself leaning towards the person who shows more interest and dedication to the task?
Many colleges act the same way.
Assessing a student’s “demonstrated interest” has become one of the best ways to gauge an applicant’s likelihood of enrolling if admitted. We’ve discussed the importance of demonstrated interest in the past and we continue to encourage students to develop connections with admission counselors at colleges they’re considering seriously.
Demonstrated interest comes in many forms and is not restricted to campus visits. Web chats, information requests, even sending official test score reports can signal your interest to a college.
Many schools are looking for students to initiate contact with their admissions office. Seniors can demonstrate interest in the coming weeks by meeting with visiting college admission representatives in their schools and at locally-held gatherings, or emailing the admissions office to find out if and when they will be in the area. Juniors can do the same.
It’s important to note that not all colleges use demonstrated interest as a factor in admission decisions. Colleges offering admission to only a single-digit proportion of applicants, for example, do not generally encourage such contact. However, if a school strongly encourages campus visits or offers campus interviews, your level of interest will probably be taken into consideration. As always, it is important to be genuine in your communication with admission staff and be yourself.
Here’s a great article to tell you more.
Article referenced below published on May 21, 2018 by US News, written by Kelly Mae Ross
In addition to reviewing transcripts, essays and test scores, some college admissions officers look at whether prospective students have shown enthusiasm and curiosity about a school during the application process.
In the admissions world, this is what’s known as demonstrated interest.
In a 2017 report from the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 13.7 percent of colleges surveyed rated demonstrated interest as having considerable importance in freshman admissions decisions. Another 25.5 percent said it was of moderate importance.
Read more at US News >>
Tagged: Admission decision, College, Demonstrated interest
Meet a new generation of doers
August 21st, 2018In today’s world, more and more youth use the power of their voice to make a difference and we are always happy to see these outstanding young people highlighted in the media. One way local Kentucky students are sharing their collective voice is through the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence’s Student Voice Team. This organization gives students the opportunity to make a difference in Kentucky schools across the Commonwealth. And are they ever making an impact!
One small idea can have a huge impact as long as hard work and ambition go along with it. In today’s article from Family Circle we share 5 amazing teens who are making a difference in the lives of people around them. We hope this article inspires each of you to believe in your ideas and use your talents to make an impact in this world.
Article referenced below from Family Circle
Published by John Hanc
“Ready, set, pitch!” Seventy high school and college students come to life in a conference room at New York University. Facing them in an outer ring of chairs are adults—a cross-section of government officials, foundation board members and other deep-pocketed notables from the worlds of social service and philanthropy. They will soon vote and award three students $1,000 each to fund their projects.
This is “Speed Pitch,” the culmination of DoSomething.org’s Social Action Boot Camp, which aims to inspire, empower and celebrate young people who are passionate about community service. Throughout the daylong conference, students have shared and sharpened their ideas of social reform; this is their final opportunity to present them to people of power. Each teen came with a plan for a nonprofit project, like creating a cheerleading squad for special-needs students or crafting homemade gifts for children in local hospitals. As the students deliver their two-minute speeches, the experts listen and offer advice. When a facilitator calls, “Time’s up!” the teens move one seat over and start the pitching process again. Think of it as speed dating for social causes.
Read more at Family Circle >>
Tagged: College, High school, Personal characteristics, volunteer
5 ways to get the most out of your school experience
August 7th, 2018
The days are slowly getting shorter, reminding us that the new school year is right around the corner. Each new year brings on feelings of happiness, excitement … and maybe a little nervousness. We hope our students will begin their first day with a fresh attitude and motivation to achieve all of their goals and make this year the best year yet!
What kind of student do you want to be? How will you engage with your classmates and instructors? Today’s article from a student newspaper website will help high school and new college students alike think about how to begin the year motivated to make the most of school experiences. We appreciated its heartfelt message and the mention of goal-setting. Becoming a committed part of one’s school or college community can indeed heighten motivation for academic success, and there are many different ways to be fully engaged.
Article referenced below from Uhspress
Published on July 22, 2018 by Haley Smith
“These are the best days of your life” anyone above the age of having rent and electric bills will tell you while reminiscing on the high school memories. Between crazy math tests and waking up at 6am it’s hard to see that for a lot of us. From the first day of freshman year on all that’s on our mind is graduation, here’s some simple ways to make the in between a little easier and a lot more memorable.
Read more at Uhspress >>Tagged: Boarding school, College, High school, Opportunity, Personal characteristics
Mental health matters
July 23rd, 2018
In August and September, our recent graduates will begin their first year of college. The transition is exciting, to be sure, yet can be overwhelming to some students, even in the weeks leading up to departure. Thoughts of making new friends, keeping up with rigorous coursework and navigating this new lifestyle without parents may lead some to feelings of depression and anxiety. Making good decisions about sleep, nutrition, exercise and screen use – things some students view as peripheral – will have a surprisingly strong impact on success and confidence.
We do not want to raise alarm but we do want to heighten awareness by tackling an important and sobering issue today. Colleges around the country are reporting a rise in mental health concerns among students; fortunately, many colleges are beginning to expand their counseling services. Seeking help in times of trouble reflects strength, not weakness; it’s important for students and parents alike to recognize signs of distress, some of which may take time to surface.
Sometimes identifying a crisis is challenging. Because most college students are 18 or older, privacy laws in place can make it difficult for parents to access information about their student’s academic progress or difficulties they might be having.
Each and every one of our students has gifts beyond measure. As we share today’s article link, we hope not to dampen enthusiasm for the great life adventure that lies ahead for them. Yet the writer’s stark discussion of suicide on college campuses and ideas about how parents can stay in the know when it comes to their child’s mental health feels enormously important. We think you will agree.
Article referenced below from The New York Times
Published on July 2, 2018 by Jane E. Brody
This column is a plea to all current and future college students and their families to deal openly and constructively with emotional, social and academic turmoil that can sometimes have heartbreaking — and usually preventable — consequences.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death, after traffic accidents, among college students. For most, it’s their first time living away from home, away from the support and comfort usually provided by good friends and family members. The adjustment can be overwhelming for some students, especially those who don’t make friends easily or who have difficulty meeting the demands of challenging college courses.
Read more at The New York Times >>Tagged: College, Mental health
