I don’t know where I’m going to college – please don’t ask!
March 13th, 2017The heat is on for many college applicants. High school students are not only feeling internal pressure while waiting to hear from the college of their choice but they’re getting cross-examined by the adults in their lives, as well.
If you’re feeling this way, you’re not alone. Sue Shellenbarger, from The Wall Street Journal, found that this is a common problem many high school students face. The competition is fierce and they feel it not only at home, but in their surrounding community and at family gatherings, too. Shellenbarger emphasizes that students need not feel the need to answer everyone’s questions about college decisions, and she gives some wonderful alternative answers to help students and adults alike through those tough situations.
Article below published by The Wall Street Journal on March 8, 2017
Written by: Sue Shellenbarger
Allie Dreier, a 17-year-old from Glen Ridge, N.J., attended a friend’s family gathering recently when the question came up. A relative asked her friend, “What’s your SAT score?”
Her friend fired back, “How much do you get paid?” Ms. Dreier says. Embarrassed, the relative backed off.
At a family gathering two years ago, Ms. Dreier’s sister Missy and her cousin Emma Wishnow grew so weary of intrusive questions that they made signs reading, “I don’t want to talk about college” and held them up for all to see. Their relatives laughed and mostly kept their distance, says Missy Dreier, currently a sophomore at Harvard University.
Read more at Wall Street Journal >>Tagged: Admission decision, Applications, College
What does my boarding school admission decision mean?
March 6th, 2017The wait is almost over, as March 10th marks the official release date for boarding school admission decisions. So what can you expect to see? Here at the Shrop Ed office, we hope to hear the exciting news that our students are awash in acceptances.
No matter the outcome, the Cheshire Academy blog post linked below, which describes the various responses you may receive, will be helpful when deciding your next step in the process. This article comes at the perfect time, as spring college admission decisions are around the corner as well, and high school seniors stand to receive the same array of responses.
Our best hopes are with all of our students, boarding school and college applicants alike!
Article below published by Cheshire Academy
Written by: Stacy Jagodowski
What does my admission decision mean?
It’s March 10, and that means, boarding school admission decisions are here. You likely received one of five admission decision responses, and we know what you have to do next.
Read more at Cheshire Academy Blog >>Tagged: Admission decision, Boarding school
Summer is a great time to volunteer
February 27th, 2017Given the surge in warm winter weather, we’re thinking about plans for summer. School breaks, especially summertime while in high school, are perfect opportunities to volunteer for something you are passionate about. Not only does it benefit those you’re helping, but it benefits you in many ways, too. Volunteering exposes you to new experiences that you may not have had otherwise, and is a great way to build friendships and a track record of meaningful service.
There are many volunteer opportunities in your own community but if you’re looking for something outside of your comfort zone, then you may want to consider volunteering abroad. We link today to an excellent set of questions to consider as you explore possibilities.
We’re not endorsing a particular program, nor do we feel that there’s greater value to volunteering overseas versus close to home. Significant needs exist everywhere, and our individual efforts to address those needs can make a big difference.
Article below published by Quest Overseas on February 13, 2017
Written by: Jon Cassidy
Overseas volunteering can be a fantastic experience, giving benefit both for the local community and the volunteer taking part. Sadly, it can also be a negative experience for either or both sides, so it is important to make sure any project you want to be part of is not going to be guilty of this.
People who volunteer generally hope to do something they will find interesting, something they will learn from and something that will help other people. However, choosing between all the possible projects and organisations is more complex than just signing up with the first one to show you exciting pictures and an interesting blurb.
Read more at Quest Overseas >>Tagged: Opportunity, Summer, volunteer
The deepest fears — and hopes — parents harbor about their kids applying to college
February 20th, 2017February and March can be tense times in the world of college and boarding school admissions. Many students are filled with great anxiety and excitement as regular decision admission letters begin to arrive. This moment can lead to joy, or disappointment, as students learn their options for the coming year.
At this point, students should feel confident about the hard work they have put in to get this far. We find it most important for parents and students to remain focused on identifying which school is going to be the right fit and bring about the kind of personal development you seek. In the article link we post today from The Washington Post, author and independent school counselor Brennan Barnard goes deeper into understanding the parents’ perspective of their child applying to college and how to turn fears and worries into something positive. We feel that this article is equally valuable for parents of boarding school applicants.
We are always so grateful to share this experience with our students and parents, and we love to hear when news arrives. Please keep us updated so we can celebrate together or work through next steps or redirection if necessary.
Article below published by The Washington Post on January 4, 2017
Written by: Brennan Barnard
In the next several months the 2016-17 college admissions season will play out, with the majority of students who have applied as freshmen for this coming fall learning which schools have accepted and which haven’t. Parents will be waiting too, many of them wrapped in fears about the future of their children. In this post, Brennan Barnard, director of college counseling at the Derryfield School, a private college preparatory day school for grades 6-12 in Manchester, N.H., addresses parents’ fears around the admissions process, sharing some that he hears from students’ parents every day. Do you see yourself in any of these?
Read more at The Washington Post >>Tagged: Admission decision, Applications, College
