Seismic Shift Ahead for College Applications
October 13th, 2015Look out, Common App! A group of selective colleges and universities called the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success is introducing an alternative in the spring of 2016, and it’s shaking up the college admission world. The Coalition plans to reshape college admissions by helping students store examples of their academic work and extracurricular accomplishments online, then allowing for upload to applications when the time comes. The end result, ideally, is a more thoughtful approach to college planning and preparation, a goal we certainly support at Shrop Ed. We’ll be paying close attention to Coalition developments as announced, helping our students understand this option and decide whether/how best they’d like to utilize it.
Article Published September 30, 2015
Written by: Eric Westervelt
TO: America’s colleges and universities
FR: America’s high school students
RE: Please make the college admissions process less daunting and more collaborative, creative, engaging and in tune with the Digital Age. Oh, and while you’re at it, try to level the admissions playing field between rich and poor.
Read more at NPR >>Tagged: Applications, College
College Essays: It’s Not Too Late to Start!
October 8th, 2015While many seniors have already completed their college essays, others are still brainstorming and writing. Some students wait to get started until deadlines are nigh; some have a hard time clearing a roadblock to reach a finished product. If you’re still working or waiting, this article posted by US News may be helpful. Author Devon Haynie gives us a look into essays from two students who were admitted to Johns Hopkins University. Haynie expresses important components to consider when writing your essay and gives detailed opinions on why she believes the two students’ essays were successful.
Article published September 9, 2015
Written by: Devon Haynie
Writing a college essay could very well be the most high pressure part of the college application process.
At some point, there is little students can do about grades, extracurricular activities and what will and won’t be said in their recommendation letters. The essay is the one component of the application students can control fully, and provides one last chance to leave a lasting impression.
Read more at US News >>Tagged: Applications, College, Essays
Get On Board: Boarding Schools, a Great Alternative to Local High Schools
September 25th, 2015I’ve visited several excellent boarding school campuses this fall and returned energized by the marvelous programs and individuals encountered. These visits make me want to relive my own high school years, this time spending them in a boarding environment (I loved my summer at Andover after 10th grade, but returned home to my public high school outside of St. Louis).
The opportunities for mentoring are extraordinary; the combination of structure alongside responsibility taken on by students provides tremendous opportunity for growth; the sense of gaining independence from home in a healthy way while becoming part of a larger, extended family comprised of students, faculty and staff is excellent preparation for life as a young adult.
Many schools communicate their philosophy in a compelling fashion; one of the schools that I visited recently, Blair Academy, describes the hallmarks that define their school quite clearly. Although this link takes you to Blair’s site and the seven principles undergirding their school’s community, these principles also undergird all excellent boarding school communities. If you’re considering boarding school for your child, I hope you’ll take time to explore this site and gain a fuller understanding of why the experience can be not only beneficial but exceptionally rewarding for students fortunate enough to have such a choice.
Published by Blair Academy in 2010
The Seven Principles That Define a Blair Education were written in 2010 as part of the School’s strategic planning process. The entire Blair community – faculty, students, trustees, parents and alumni –helped to inform and shape these principles.
Read more at Blair Academy Website >>Tagged: Boarding school
