Juniors – It’s College Entrance Exam Time: ACT or SAT???

February 16, 2012 posted by Valerie
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Spring is testing season for high school juniors: ACT, SAT, AP, IB, SATII subject tests.  It can be very confusing and stress inducing.

Here are our testing guidelines:

  1. Pick one test – ACT or SAT
  2. Choose a test date that’s convenient for you
  3. Prepare for the test – on your own, with a tutor, or take a class
  4. Plan to earn a score that accurately reflects your ability
  5. Plan to take the test just once

There’s lots of debate among college faculty(who influence admissions policies), admissions representatives, test prep companies, and the testing companies themselves, as to which test is better, easier, more predictable,  the SAT or the ACT.   Actually the two tests are very highly correlated.  And all colleges will accept scores from either one.  So it doesn’t really matter which one you take.  Except for one issue:  If you’re likely to apply to colleges that require additional test results, scores from SAT Subject tests called SAT IIs, you might want to review the guidelines of those colleges.  Because some colleges will waive the SAT II requirements if you submit an ACT score but require that you take the SAT IIs if you submit SAT scores.   Just something to think about.

Keep in mind, the purpose of the tests is to predict whether an applicant has the academic background to be successful at a given college.  Historically, the SAT was developed to help the Ivy League colleges know which Midwestern bumpkins they should allow to attend!  Previously, they had admitted students (boys) based on the recommendations of the headmasters of the eastern preparatory school they attended.  If you didn’t attend one of those schools, you couldn’t be recommended.  The SAT was developed as a way to identify talent more broadly.   That’s a good thing, right?

Many students fear taking these tests, thinking that if they don’t do well enough on the test, they won’t get into a given college.  Let’s think about that.

If indeed the test results are correlated with student success, that is, if the test results can predict when a student has the academic background to succeed at the college, then maybe it means that if you don’t get a certain score, it’s likely you won’t be successful at that school.  Knowing that is a good thing – you don’t want to go to a college, and pay money to attend a school where you have very little chance of success.

With that thinking, the students needn’t fear the ACT/SAT. Instead, here are some ways to use your test results to your own advantage.

The goal of a college search is to find the set of colleges where you’ll thrive and succeed.  Knowing  your score compared to the students who are admitted gives you valuable information.  Colleges where your score is in the top range of the admitted student’s scores are likely colleges where you’ll be one of the smarter kids there.  Colleges where your score is in the bottom range of the admitted student’s scores are likely colleges where you’ll struggle and have to work very hard.  There’s nothing wrong with working hard.  You just need to know where you stand.

If you want to be at the top of the class, get involved in lots of activities and have a vibrant social life and go to all the athletic and cultural events your college has to offer, maybe you should focus on colleges where you’ll be in the top group.  If you’re the kind of person who is best motivated when surrounded by people who do well even if you need to do a little chasing to catch up with them, then maybe it’s more appropriate for you to focus on colleges where your scores are in bottom range of the colleges you select.

We recommend you set your intention to take the test just once, but there are instances when even we recommend you give it a another try.  How can you decide whether or not to take the test the second or third time?  Here are some good reasons to retake.

  1. Did you prepare thoroughly the first time or is there more you can do to learn how to take the test?
  2. Can you explain why you might not have done your best?
  3. Do you need an extra point or two to qualify for a scholarship or a bigger scholarship at one or more of the colleges you’ll likely attend?  Check out the Net Price Calculator at your colleges to find out if a higher ACT/SAT score might make a difference in your scholarship award.  You’ll need to have your list of colleges in order to figure this out.

College Connectors has some advice on creating your college list.  Contact us @ 612-331-4567.  We help lots of students every year.

 

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PSAT analysis and Test Prep Tips

December 8, 2011 posted by Valerie
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College Connectors and Chyten Educational Services has joined forces to help you devise a game plan for your College Search.  Now that you have your PSAT results, it’s time to get busy.  See our previous blog about what you should be working on.

Please plan to join us on January 17 at 7:00. Chyten is offering a PSAT Score Analysis. They’ll break down your test results to help you figure out a preparation plan as you decide which test you’ll take (ACT or SAT) and when you’ll take it.  We want you to make the best decisions for you.

There is no charge for the workshop and analysis.  Come to this Information Night, designed for parents and student, at Chyten Educational Services, 3525 Plymouth Blvd, Ste 109, Plymouth, MN  55447.

Call Chyten to reserve your seat at 763-559-TEST(8378).

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Got PSAT Results? What’s next?

December 8, 2011 posted by Valerie
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It’s the middle of your junior year.  You may be one of those students who’s been wishing/hoping/dreaming/planning your college career and your PSAT results are bringing you one step closer.  Or, you may be one of those student who wonders why you even bothered taking that test back in October thinking you’re only in 11th grade and college is a long way off.  Or, maybe you’re somewhere in between.

Receiving PSAT results usually brings the importance or pressure of the college search home to students and to their parents.  It’s time to do something – but WHAT?

Here are a few general guidelines to get you started on the right path:

1.  Keep studying – grades are the most important factor colleges consider when making their admissions decisions.

2.  Take some time to consider your academic strengths and the environment in which you learn best.  College is about learning so thinking about the characteristics of the college where you’ll succeed academically is important.

3.  Next, you can think about other preferences you have about college.  Factors like location, size, selectivity, extra-curricular activities, that is, the non-academic part of college need to be considered too.

4.  Research some colleges by visiting their websites, checking out what students say about them on sites like Unigo.com, to test your preferences.  Plan some college visits.

5.  Then of course, you need to pick a test date and prepare for your college entrance exams, either the ACT or the SAT.  If your colleges are likely to require SAT II exams, you’ll need to fit them into your schedule.

There’s help available to you in each of these areas.  Your teachers want to help you succeed academically, so when you’re studying, be sure to ask questions and meet with teachers before or after school to get the help you need.  Your school counselor, websites, and Independent Educational Consultants can help you with the next three steps.  Test prep tutors, classes and books can add to the suggestions in the preparation link we’ve included above.

Don’t let the next few months pass you by without tackling some of these tasks.  You have your PSAT results, take the next step.

Click here for information about a workshop we’re doing to help you take the next step.

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Net Price Calculator – New tool to help families plan for college

November 8, 2011 posted by Valerie
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Valerie spoke with Kim Insley at KARE 11 this morning about this important new development in higher education.  Total cost?  Net cost?  How to get a clearer picture of this muddied topic?  Learn about the new federal mandate requiring colleges to provide clear, helpful information.

Net Price Calculator Interview

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Study Tips

November 7, 2011 posted by Valerie
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Whether you’re having to study for your biology exam or prepare for your ACT, research indicates that the following suggestions will help you perform at the highest level you can.

1.  Practice, practice, practice.

  • To prepare for a test on the systems in the human body, tell someone, or write about the process used by your digestive system for example.  You’ll find this strategy more helpful than simply reading over your notes describing the list of steps involved in digestion.
  • For a standardized test, it’s helpful to take practice tests, as many as you can, prior to test day.  You’ll learn to pace yourself, become familiar with the test question types and the answer choices used to trick you, and you’ll develop confidence as you improve.

2.    Sleep and eat.

  • Review the toughest material right before you go to bed. This is supposed to make it easier for you to recall information later.
  • Wake up at the normal time; don’t get up early to study.  Adequate sleep helps your memory function
  • Don’t pull an all-nighter.  It’s been shown to be related to lower grades and can have a negative effect on your reasoning and memory for 4 days.
  • Make sure you eat breakfast.  For lots of reasons, oatmeal seems to be best.  Of course, eating a healthy, balanced diet helps in lots of ways, but especially several days prior to your test.  So, if you’re a student, you’re likely having tests all the time, so eating well should become a habit if you want to succeed.

3.  Concentrate

Listening to music or texting your friends while you’re studying might help you relax, but it doesn’t help you remember or learn.  If you’re learning something while distracted, you’ll be less likely to recall it later.

4.  Relax  (Oh, sure that’s easier said than done.)

Anxiety can impair performance.  So, try to calm yourself.  Imagine yourself in a challenging but successful situation, something you’ve tackled before.  Feel that feeling.  Then imagine yourself taking the test and feel that feeling.  They say that practicing this exercise can help you be more confident on test day.

  • Know where you’re going.  If you’re taking your ACT test at another school, drive to that school, park, and find the room where your test will be a few days ahead of time.  Don’t want you worrying about getting lost on test day.
  • Also, writing down what’s making you  you nervous can help.  Journal your worries and fears a few minutes before the exam.

I think these four tips are helpful because they’re not so onerous that they cause extra work.  Some of them are just common sense and/or things your mom and dad have been telling you all along!

Happy studying!

 

 

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Which Way Should You Go?

October 24, 2011 posted by Valerie
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There are many paths to a college education.  You need to find the way that works best for you.  We’ve provided a list of several road signs you might want to pay attention to on your way.  Which ones apply most to you? 

*Most colleges want students who’ve chosen a rigorous high school curriculum that challenges the them and may include AP or IB classes.

Colleges want to know that you’ll be successful in your academic work.  The best predictor of future success is past success.  So, here’s something sensible to consider when making course selection decisions.  For example, If you’re interested in sciences, maybe it’s more important to enroll in AP Biology, Chemistry and Physics than in AP Euro and APUSH.  Consider the choices only if you’ll be overwhelmed taking both science and social studies advanced classes.  If you can handle it, take as challenging a curriculum as you can!

*Grades are important.  Colleges appreciate grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend might get their attention.  However, slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all As in less challenging coursework.

You’re not doomed if you don’t have a 4.0.  Do your best, always.  Sometimes 9th grade marks suffer when students are working hard adjusting to high school.  Colleges understand that.  Sometimes, it takes students a year or two to get organized and find a study system that works for them.  Colleges understand that too.  If you can explain why your freshman/sophomore grades are less stellar than your junior/senior grade;, you’ll have an opportunity to do so in your college application.

*Solid scores on standardized tests (SAT, ACT) that are consistent with high school performance.

Your scores should accurately reflect your ability.  Most students benefit from preparation to learn about the test format, whether they’ll have any problems completing each section in the allotted time, and brush up on any subject areas they might have forgotten.  For example, preparing for the Math section of the ACT/SAT is different than learning Algebra 2.  You rarely learn anything you didn’t already know when you prepare for the test.  Use your scores to help you narrow down your list of colleges.  Many college scholarships use ACT/SAT scores to determine awards.

*Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative impresses colleges.  Depth, not breadth, of experience is most important.

This means that colleges value experiences where students have participated for a number of years and accepted increasing levels of responsibility for the success of the endeavor.  Ten activities aren’t better than two.  It’s quality of experience not quantity that gets the attention of admissions officers.

*Letters of recommendation from teachers and guidance counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits, and an interest in learning are valuable parts of your application.

Not all colleges require letters of recommendation, but if yours do, then they’re important.  Make it easy for your teacher to write a great letter of recommendation for you.  Good letters reference a specific characteristic and provide evidence and examples.  You can help your teachers by giving them plenty of notice, four weeks notice is good, and providing them with examples of how their teaching and class impacted you.

*A well-written essay that provides insight into the student’s unique personality, values, and goals gets the attention of admissions committees. The application essay should be thoughtful and highly personal. It should demonstrate careful and well-constructed writing.

Actually, we’ve started calling it a ‘story’ rather than an ‘essay’.  An essay is something you write to earn a grade in one of your classes.  The personal statement asked for in a college application is something you write to tell the college admissions representatives something important about you that they can’t find any where else in your application.  Show them your strengths with a story.

Whatever road you choose, make sure it’s the best path for you.  Sometimes students can feel overwhelmed about college choices and how to make decisions.  We hope these tips keep you from hitting any detours. 

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New Generation of College Student – the Beloit List

August 24, 2011 posted by Valerie
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It’s that time of year; the Beloit Mindset list for the class of 2015 has been released. Learn about the thoughts and experiences of the entering freshman class.

The list contains some insight into the class of 2015; changes that adults have lived through, which are obvious to the new freshmen heading off to college.

Check it out and let us know which of those are your favorites.

Here are mine:

*Arnold Palmer has always been a drink.       Back in the day, when Arnie’s Army was cheering him on to victory on the links, I remember playing Putt Putt at the Arnie Palmer Putt Putt course.  Watch the interview of Charlie Rose interviewing THE Arnold Palmer.

*Yadda, Yadda, Yadda has always come in handy to make long stories short.  She was Elaine before she was Old Christine!  Check out Seinfeld, the show about Nothing.

*Life has always been like a box of chocolates.  We know that thanks to Forrest Gump’s mom, and at College Connectors we know there’s a college for every taste.

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The College Cost Puzzle

August 18, 2011 posted by Donna
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We get lots of questions about how costs differ between colleges and how families can make sense of all the choices.  Cost is an important factor in selecting a college but the “sticker price” doesn’t tell the whole story.  I recently spoke with WCCO about this sometimes frustrating topic.

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It’s Fair Season!

August 16, 2011 posted by Valerie
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Yes, the Minnesota State Fair is just around the corner.  And so are the various College Fairs that high school students and families can use to enhance their college search.

At College Connectors, we love College Fairs.  The colleges are able to get their information out to lots of students who might not ever have heard about their school.  And high school juniors and seniors are able to meet with Admissions Reps from a wide variety of colleges and universities without the expense of traveling out of Minnesota. College Fairs are efficient and cost effective for families and for colleges.  Everybody wins!

Just as Minnesota has one of the largest State Fairs in the country, our National College Fair in Minneapolis each October is  the largest gathering of colleges and universities in any state.  Close to 500 schools send Admissions Reps, many of whom will be the specific individual who will be reading the college applications from our 12th graders.  Just like the State Fair, the choices can be overwhelming!

Here are some tips for navigating upcoming College Fairs:

1)      Do your homework about college choices before the fairs.  Use one of the many internet search options (www.collegeboard.com, www.princetonreview.com, or College Navigator at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/) to help you identify some likely matches for your college preferences.

2)      Plan your visit. Pick about 10 -12 schools to speak with at the Fair.  Make sure that those schools will be present.  Seniors, this is an excellent time to connect or reconnect to the schools where you plan to apply!  The newspaper supplement published the weekend before the National College Fair includes a map of the Convention Center, so you can even plan your route.

3)      Stretch your comfort zone. Be sure to include some schools you’ve never heard of before.  There are over 3500 colleges and universities in the United States and many excellent schools may not be on your radar yet. Think of it like trying the latest “food on a stick” at the State Fair.

4)      Don’t be shy. Admissions Reps are some of the most outgoing folks you will ever meet.  Introduce yourself and ask them a question or two and you’ll be off and running!  You may be surprised by the conversation that develops.

5)      Conserve your energy.  Each college you visit with will want you to fill out a form with your name, contact info, graduation year, etc.  Print up some labels before you go to a College Fair so you can spend your time talking to Admissions Reps, not filling out forms.  Include your name, your home address, your email address, your high school, and your graduation date on the labels.

6)      Record your impressions.  It’s easy to get confused when you’re learning about multiple colleges in one day.  Be sure to jot down or record some notes to yourself about the schools you’ve discovered.  These will help in your decisions about colleges and even with your future applications.

 

Upcoming College Fairs in Minnesota include:

August 27, 2011          Colleges That Change Lives Fair www.ctcl.org/events/twin-cities11

October 4-5, 2011       National College Fair www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/ncf/Fall/Pages/11FMin.aspx

October 6, 2011          National Performing and Visual Arts Fair http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/pva/Pages/11PMinn.aspx

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Freshman Parents – Preparation for the Separation.

August 1, 2011 posted by Valerie
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It’s August, the thrill and pride of high school graduation fades as the thrill and anxiety of moving your child to a freshman dormitory(sorry, residence hall) stares you in the face.

Maybe there’s been contact between the new roommates, plans for how to decorate the room and who will bring what.  Perhaps you’ve been to a summer orientation where the new freshman(class of 2015) has chosen the first term schedule of classes.  And, it’s possible that you’ve studied the Target ads in Sunday’s paper looking for money saving offers on supplies required as your young adult moves on to the next stage of development.

Besides stuff, there may be a few other topics you’ll want to discuss in preparation for the separation.

First of all, you should know about FERPA.  The same sorts of rules that protect your medical records from becoming public, or open to anyone who wants to see them,  are in place to protect adult college students’ records.  That is,  if your child is 18, no one but he/she can have access to her/his academic records.  Translation – you won’t have access to information about your student.  You may be used to signing onto the high school portal to see what assignments are missing or the latest test score.  Those days are gone.  Unless your adult child signs a permission slip for you to have access to the records, well, you’ll have no access.  You need to know about this and discuss your expectations about information.  Maybe you agree that her grades are her business.  Maybe you don’t.  It’s an important talk to have as you prepare for the separation.  You’re not the one signing permission slips any more.

Next, it’s great if you can come to an understanding about how often you want to keep in touch.  If you expect your freshman to call you every night at 9:00 and fill you in on the day’s activities, wonderful.  But, what will you do the first time that your phone doesn’t ring at 9:00.  If you expect to call each morning to make sure she’s up for class, let her know.  Those may be extreme examples, but I think you get the idea.

We all know that money can be a source of conflict.  Set some clear guidelines, maybe even rules, about money may be in order.  Some families provide a credit card for their child to use at college and pay the bills, no questions asked.  In fact, in some cases, the bills don’t even go to the student.  On the other side of the continuum, some families provide an allowance, so much a month and students have to live within their means.  Whatever your approach, make sure that mom, dad and freshman know the expectations.  The separation will be much smoother.

The last suggested topic of discussion focuses on the use of time.  Students tell us that managing their time is the second biggest issue they struggle with as they adjust to college.(The first is adjusting to sharing a room.) Help them think about their ideal day or schedule.  Sleep till 10 minutes prior to their first class.  Well, maybe that can work.  It’d be great if they could think out loud about how they want to manage their time while you listen.  You can suggest things they might have forgotten, like when will they eat, when will they study, when will they go to the gym, when will they do their laundry. . . . ?

These are some ideas about how you can help your freshman prepare for the separation.  You’ll feel better about the separation too if you know they’re prepared.

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