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January Reflections

January 9, 2021 by Ruth Ann Cote

As an Independent Educational Consultant, January has become my favorite time of the year. With the onboarding of new junior students coinciding with seniors receiving college acceptances, I am reminded of how far my seniors have come since beginning the process. 

At the beginning of the process, there is always a common thread in responses to our parent and student questionnaires from otherwise very unique families: Excitement coupled with anxiety about what lies ahead. My current group of seniors was no exception. But they have faced a more challenging path than those of years past. The normal feelings of uncertainty, stress and “what ifs” were compounded by the addition of COVID-19 to their college process. That’s why this year, more than ever, the growth of these students was even more pronounced and meaningful. 

So this January, I’m reflecting even more than usual and have written to my seniors.

To the student who was most worried about writing essays, because she felt she didn’t have anything “special” to write about: YOU are special. Your essay paralleling your growth personally with your growth as an artist was one of my favorites. Revel in the future “messes” you will make — they are beautiful.

To the student who was afraid to apply as an engineering major because he “only had pre-calc”: Your natural curiosity and hard work gained you acceptance to five amazing engineering programs (so far!) with sizable scholarships. Your authenticity and love of learning came through in your application and was recognized. Enjoy “hitting” the slopes from all possible angles, and the thrill of getting back up.  ; )

To the parents who were worried about finances: Kudos for addressing this up front with your son, for making him a part of this adult conversation and recognizing it as a key factor in finding the “right fit.” Your spreadsheet tracking each of his acceptances, with the cost of attendance and the scholarships offered keeps it real and highlights his accomplishments. He is a young man who values your relationship, radiates the confidence you have in him, and will make the most of his college experience.

To the student who struggled freshman year, and has learned to embrace his uniqueness: You are one of the most talented and insightful writers and filmmakers I’ve seen. Colleges with truly holistic admissions standards “saw” you. They understand your potential and value it. Take this external validation, harness your inner “bad@$$” and run with it. The future is yours.

To the students who were worried about not having test scores to send or not having “good enough” test scores to send: When they said “test optional” they meant it! Colleges understood 2020 was crazy, that your tests were canceled, that you didn’t take the test until months after you prepped for it, that your world was turned upside down. We’ve always said, “You are more than your test scores.” This year proved it. 

To the two students who have had a difficult path: Thank you for your honesty throughout the process. Your struggles have gifted you with a level of self-awareness beyond your years. Take comfort in knowing that your hard work has paid off. You are in a great position to take the next step, and pivot again if necessary. To my “ambassador:” You will continue to bring people together wherever life takes you! To my “numbers girl:” Look forward to all the upcoming important dates and encounters with butterflies. 

These students have not heard back from all of the schools they applied to. They have not yet decided which school they will attend. That doesn’t matter. Their growth through the process is what I am celebrating today. The common feelings they started with have been replaced with excitement, hope, control and most importantly, confidence in knowing whatever comes their way they are ready. 

 

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March Madness: A Whole New Meaning

March 16, 2020 by Ruth Ann Cote

Last year, I wrote a blog comparing the NCAA college hoops tournament to high school seniors making their college decisions (find the blog here: https://allaboutucc.com/2019/03/24/march-madness/)

This year March Madness has a whole new meaning. 

This year high school seniors are making this decision amidst the turmoil surrounding the Coronavirus. With college campuses closing and accepted students day events canceled, students and their parents are faced with making this decision under very different circumstances.

Here are the tips we are sharing with our seniors right now:

  • Pay close attention to any emails from the colleges you have been accepted to. Are they offering alternatives to accepted student days? Virtual presentations? Q&A with admissions officers, faculty, student life staff or financial aid officers? If so, sign-up and take part in these virtual events.
  • Make a list of outstanding questions you have for each college you are considering. If there are no online opportunities like those described above, email the appropriate department to find your answers. Be patient — colleges are in the midst of making major adjustments regarding academic instruction, housing, etc for their current students.
  • While colleges work on creating additional virtual content to replace live visits, utilize virtual tours on the college websites (there is usually a link on the admissions page or google “College Name Virtual Tour”).  Videos produced by the college as well as YouVisit  and Campus Reel  can be helpful in gaining insight and student perspective. Be sure to check the date that independent videos were created. College campuses and academic offerings change frequently so don’t watch content that’s more than 2 years old. 
  • Some colleges have pushed out the response date (which has traditionally been May 1st) in order to give themselves time to create meaningful online resources, and to give prospective students more time to explore their options. Keep a close eye on the deadline for each college you have been accepted to.
  • Reach out via text or DM to current students at the colleges you are considering and ask about their experience. This is a great way to learn about social life, ways to get involved, food, and housing. Some colleges have student ambassadors that can be found on the admissions website. If that’s not an option, ask former students from your high school that attend these colleges.
  • Follow the colleges and specific schools/majors/programs within the college on Instagram if you don’t already. Look back to see what types of events, messages and other content they posted this year. 
  • If you were able to attend a regular campus visit, reflect on your initial impressions of the colleges. Remember how you felt at each. Picture yourself as a student on each campus. Pay attention to your gut instinct — where will you be the happiest, where do you feel you will thrive academically and socially? 
  • Have confidence that the colleges on your list were all there for a reason. Each one has qualities that make it a good fit for you. 

As things progress, colleges will keep their admitted students up-to-date on resources to help them make an informed final decision. Although basketball has been canceled, March Madness continues, and the ball is still in your court.

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Hitting “Submit” Shouldn’t Be Scary

October 27, 2019 by Ruth Ann Cote

College Application with tea and pumpkins

Many high school seniors are preparing to submit college applications this week. Here’s how to enjoy Halloween with November 1st application deadlines looming:

  • Don’t wait until the deadline to submit. The Common App, like most technology, tends to remind us of Murphy’s Law when the stakes are the highest. Plan to submit a few days before the actual deadline. Find a time when you can sit uninterrupted to focus on this very important task. Trust me, there is nothing scarier than sitting at the kitchen table on Halloween night, trying to submit applications with a glitchy Common App and throngs of trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell every 5 minutes.
  • You’ve looked at your essay, activities list and supplemental questions over & over – get someone you trust to look at your application with fresh eyes. Assuming you’ve spent the last few weeks, or months, crafting your essay and supplements, this is not the time to make major edits. It is the time to catch spelling errors and typos. Don’t rely on spell check or grammar checkers. Don’t forget to proofread the details – email addresses, birth dates, telephone numbers, test scores (if you are submitting them), current class listings — everything.
  • Review each section of each college’s application requirements – even if the green check mark is appearing. Optional items that are left blank, will not show up as incomplete. Check to make sure you have answered all the optional questions and/or provided the optional submissions (like a resume or writing assignment) that you think will enhance your application.
  • Check your email. The Common App will send you a confirmation email after you have successfully submitted each application – make sure you receive them. Continue to check email regularly throughout the process. Log in to online portals right away, if provided by the schools. If anything is missing from your application the colleges will contact you via email or the portal.

Treat yourself by taking the time to carefully complete your applications early this week.

 

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Parents: You may not be in better shape than you were in college but, chances are, your alma mater is.

September 27, 2019 by Ruth Ann Cote

Syracuse Universtiy Barnes Center at the Arch Wellness Center

Are you the same person you were 25 years ago? Neither is the college you attended.

Nearly every time I meet with a family for the “List Meeting” one of the parents will dismiss a school I am recommending based on old stereotypes. Sometimes the impression is from decades ago, sometimes it is from only a few years ago when they visited a college with an older child.  The fact is: colleges change – often.

Universities are adding majors, special programs and buildings to keep up with – or stay ahead of – the changing demands of the global economy and student needs.

Big changes can happen in just a few years’ time.

To help your child find their best-fit college, keep an open mind, revisit with fresh eyes, and pay attention to each college’s strategic plan for growth and its vision for how they will support and prepare students for success.

Syracuse Universtiy Barnes Center at the Arch Wellness Center
Syracuse University’s New Wellness Center: The Barnes Center at the Arch

 

 

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All About College Visits

April 9, 2019 by Ruth Ann Cote

College Campus

Visiting colleges is an exciting rite of passage for high school students. With a little bit of planning, you can make the most of your tours, saving time and money and walking away with important information you will need later in the college process.

Getting Started:

Start locally but have a focus: Getting a sense for what a small private liberal arts college is like compared to a big state university is a great idea… but make sure both have features that are appealing to you. For example, if you know you’d like to participate in student-run theatre, be a part of an active outdoors club, major in environmental science, or minor in Chinese, do some research to make sure the colleges you are touring have these options.

Typically students seriously start touring colleges during their junior year of high school, But sometimes starting earlier makes sense. If your older sibling is touring, or you’re on vacation to a distant area you may not make it back to in the next couple of years, it’s a great idea to tour and make note of what you like and dislike. Keep in mind, your priorities may change as you mature. Some colleges may be worth a second look later on.

Preparing for your visit:

Sign-up online via the college’s website. This is very important to do in advance to secure a spot (especially during busy high school vacation weeks) and to get your name and contact information in the college’s system. Many schools track demonstrated interest and the first way you can do this is by officially signing up for a tour! Look at all the visit options. Most colleges offer tours & information sessions. Many offer special visit days which may include department-focused sessions, tours of specific facilities such as labs and studios, or the ability to sit in on a class or have an interview. See Interview Tips here

What to bring:

A notebook, a list of questions, your phone.

While colleges do a good job of presenting themselves, sometimes the specific things you want to know might not be covered. List your questions in advance and don’t be afraid to ask them! Often times, asking the student tour guide between stops on the tour is the best time to ask about activities, the social scene, and general campus vibe. General questions about majors, financial aid, study abroad and housing can be asked during the Q&A portion of the info session if they are not addressed, or after the tour by stopping into the admissions office. Click here for a suggested list of College Visit Questions.

While you should not be on your phone during your visit, using it to take photos to document your trip is a great idea!

During your visit, don’t just list the facts and figures in your notebook, rather jot down specific things that jumped out at you. Did the speaker say something that resonated with you? What was it? Who said it? Did the tour guide talk about an experience she had with a club, in a class or at an internship that excited you? Write down the details! These tidbits will be crucial to remind you why you have this college on your list when it comes time to apply. After your visit, expand on your notes to include your overall impression of the college, likes & dislikes, and any follow up questions. Click here for our College Visit Notes sheet.

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March Madness

March 24, 2019 by Ruth Ann Cote

College Decision

Which college will come out on top?

Millions are watching the best of college basketball, building brackets and weighing the odds of which school will reign supreme. When you’re a high school senior, March madness takes on a whole new meaning. After months of endless research, visits, applications, essays, and interviews, all you can do is wait. Maybe a few decisions were made in the early round, but those are simply waiting on the sidelines —  benched until the results of any deferred or regular decision applications come in. The waiting is the hardest part, the madness ensues.

Here are tips to help you get through:

  • Focus on something else! Your apps are in — other than checking your email for any requests from the colleges, there is nothing more you can do. This is a time to have fun and take care of yourself — exercise, read a book, hang with friends.
  • Get excited about any early acceptances you have. Go to accepted students days, begin to picture yourself as a student on these campuses.
  • If you receive a denial, move on. Colleges have more applicants than spots. They turn away thousands of qualified applicants. Don’t take a denial personally. Focus on the schools that want you.

 

Over the next few weeks, a flurry of emails, portal checks, and old-school envelopes will bring in the results. Finally, the ball is in your court and you determine the winner.

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Recent Posts

  • January Reflections January 9, 2021
  • March Madness: A Whole New Meaning March 16, 2020
  • Hitting “Submit” Shouldn’t Be Scary October 27, 2019
  • Parents: You may not be in better shape than you were in college but, chances are, your alma mater is. September 27, 2019
  • All About College Visits April 9, 2019

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