Wake Up and Smell the Deadlines!

No matter what time it is, you probably haven’t done everything you need to as you prepare for life after high school.

The holiday season is here (oohhhhh, I can already taste that turkey) and as soon as you blink, you will find yourself in 2010.

 

As much as you would like to, you can’t hit the snooze button on your applications, your financial aid/scholarship forms, or your interviews. Don’t wake up to find that the dreams you had for yourself in the future have turned into a nightmare of missed opportunities just because you couldn’t get yourself organized.

 

That semester break you’ve been looking forward to since August should be about family, friends, and FUN. Get your paperwork done now, so you can enjoy the next few weeks without the weight of deadlines on your shoulders.

 

I better go take a look at my checklist before I indulge in woofing down some turkey, snoozing and some holiday fun.

 

Woof,

Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up data. "Bone up" on what matters to you (Part 2)

There are lots of ways to get information. Information is power in the college selection and admissions process. Some colleges have joint travel programs – a group of colleges host evening programs in specific cities. Even freshmen can go to these. Sometimes just one or two colleges will hold these evening information sessions. 

Many high schools host programs in the evenings or even during the school day to allow a speaker to talk about specific aspects of the college selection and admissions process. I’m lucky that my high school hosts these types of programs

Remember, boning up is my personal specialty.

So when Howard Singer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission at Boston College, spoke at my school last month, I was all ears. He presented two programs – one for the freshmen and sophomores and one for the juniors and seniors.

This week, I’ll share some things I learned in the session for the 9^th and 10^th  graders.

I’ll just hit some high points – can’t paws long enough to cover it all. And, remember: this is the Clyde version of the info – the facts and some questions.

•              Here’s a newsflash that came as a surprise to some of my freshman foster brothers and sisters: your freshman year matters!

•              If you don’t get off to a great start, make sure you learn your lesson and be on an uphill trend academically. (btw, this matters in your activities too!)

•              Never mind the student to teacher ratio. How big are the biggest classes students might have and how many of them might a student have before getting to more manageable sized classes?                           

•              What percent of the undergrads study abroad? And, does their financial aid go with them?

•              Location, location, location – how do you feel about it? Big city, suburban, rural? When you are on campus, what kind of transportation is available if you don’t have a car or don’t want to walk everywhere?

•              What is there to do? Class only takes up a small part of a week, and if you study a lot and sleep enough, there are still a lot of ours to fill.

•              What kind of a community is the campus milieu – cut throat competitive or collegial?

•              Is the school need-blind or needs-aware in admissions?

•              Can the school meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need?

•              Are there merit scholarships?

•              Lots of applicants have really good grades, test scores and killer resumes. Essays matter and they need to reveal part of the applicant that can’t be seen anywhere else in the application. That does not mean to talk about controversial topics – that could be risky. And, frankly you don’t know if a young admissions rep or a seasoned pro is reading your essay. Here’s a quote from Mr. Singer: “When I’m finished reading your essay, do I know something substantially different about the applicant that I couldn’t have known without reading the essay?”

•              And, the basics count – spelling, grammar, meeting deadlines. (Reread Two, to, too. Their, there. Receive. Weight‑listed??? Spell check and grammar check are great tools, but...)

•              Think of college as an adventure – consider trekking out of your comfort zone. See college as an opportunity to see different perspectives and get a different world view.

•              To give yourself the most options, work to your potential and don’t take forever getting started. Challenge yourself – take hard classes. There are costs to taking the easy way out.

•              There are options (NOT JUST ONE!)  for every student who wants to pursue higher education.

•              Be really engaged in the classroom and in your activities. Colleges are crafting a class – they want well-rounded and well-lopsided students.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet and hear Mr. Singer.

Those freshmen and sophomores have a lot to think about.

Woof,

Clyde

Expect the Unexpected

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…PROCRASTINATION IS THE ENEMY!!!!!

Never was this truer for me than this week when LITERALLY a dark cloud came over my house and turned my world upside down…well, for a few days anyway.

If you were anywhere near the Weather Channel last weekend you heard about a little storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico called Hurricane Ida.

And if you looked REALLY close at the map projecting this storm’s potential spot of landfall, you would have seen my house. Before I go any further, let me tell you that, fortunately, the storm was downgraded before it ever hit land, and my family and friends were safe and sound, just a little wet – make that realllly wet!.

What was the big deal, then, you ask? Well, the hurricane predictions meant NO SCHOOL FOR TWO DAYS!

Now, most students would jump for celebratory joy upon hearing such news. As for me, I was in a bit of a panic. See, I had a college admissions essay due Wednesday. I had put it off and put it off, had begged my English teacher to give me a few pointers Monday morning when I would compose it on my classroom computer. But when I woke Monday morning, I got the news. No big deal, I thought; I’ll write it here at home and take it to my teacher Tuesday morning.

Problem number one, my home computer wasn’t much help when my house lost power Monday afternoon. Problem number two, I found out Monday night there would be no school Tuesday either, which meant even if I could find a way to compose it, I would still have no way to have my teacher look over it for me and give me some advice. Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep Monday night, all I could think about was how in the world I could get my essay written and e-mailed to the admissions office in 24 hours.

Tuesday morning wasn’t much better. The power was still out when I woke, but then my wheels started turning. I was able to go to my neighbor’s house and beg a few hours use of their laptop, which fortunately had a fully-charged battery. The muses were on my side as my essay seemed to flow freely from my brain to the computer screen. I had to proof it myself, though, thinking about my English teacher’s daily advice, “NEVER PUT ALL YOUR FAITH IN SPELL CHECK!” Sigh, at last it was done. I e-mailed it Wednesday morning when both power and the sunshine were restored.

Take my advice, when it comes to deadlines, anticipate the worst case scenario and then do everything you can to avoid it. The college’s server could crash and prevent all incoming e-mail from being received; you could take your application to the mailbox and realize your postman came early; your (ahem) cat could eat your homework; it could snow in June.

There are things that will happen in life that are out of our control. Don’t wait till the last minute, the stress is just not worth it.

Better go look at my planner for next month…no more procrastination for me!

Woof,

Clyde

Seeking a match? Dig up data. "Bone up" on what matters to you! (Part 1)

Let’s review. If you want to end up at a good place for you, in terms of a career and a college, then you have to do a little research. For me, digging is a favorite past time and what could be better than boning up on anything?
Making your school and career lists might be harder than you think. Remember, lots of career choices you might have don’t even exist yet! (For up to date information on current career markets, check out Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook site (http://www.bls.gov/OCO/). But remember, they don’t have the crystal ball that will predict all emerging career fields.

In the past, things like nanotechnology, and assorted computer and Internet-based careers wouldn’t have been found in the OOH! However, here’s one thing I’m pretty sure of: every career field will involve the need to be able to deal with lots of information and cutting edge technology; and you’ll need an understanding of how to work quickly, efficiently, and economically. I’m betting you’ll also need to be able to work independently AND to be an effective team member.

So, where do we go from here?

I’m gonna talk to some friends . . . see how they’ve been getting info and what they’ve been doing to make sure they’ve boned up on information that is useful to them.

Take my friend Abbey:
She’s purrfectly content with her plan. She has visited colleges, talked with friends, gone to college fairs, visited with reps at school – and she has made a serious dent in her paperwork!

Abbey noted that getting a feel for a school by talking with an admission professional is a good idea. She even noted that colleges really want prospective enrollees to make good matches. Otherwise, they become unhappy students and really bad commercials. I don’t want to be a bad commercial – do you?

Many reps visit high schools. My counselor posts a list. I decided to get the scoop from a rep.  

Taking time to talk with reps at your school, at college fairs, or in their  offices,
can go a long way in helping you create your final list.

Now get going. December is almost here. Check your counselor’s list of college professionals who are visiting your school; finish your college visits; finish your paperwork.

L8R,

Clyde

Pawsing for Fun

Wow, what a weekend! There was Homecoming on Friday, Halloween on Saturday, and an awesome game of ultimate Frisbee with some of my best buds on Sunday. I had a blast with my friends the past three days and made some pretty cool memories I know I’ll keep for a long time.

It’s hard to believe more than a quarter of the school year is already over. The holidays will be here in just a few short weeks and then, just like every year, second semester will fly by in the blink of an eye. In the midst of trying to figure out, what in the world will life be like next year?, it’s hit me, just who will be there to figure everything out with?

It’s really got me thinking about how I need to take each day and really make the most of it. I know, I know, this sounds like nagging adult advice you hear or a line from a really sappy greeting card commercial, but think about it: This time next year, most of us will be in a completely different environment with new schedules, new goals, new jobs, new classes, and new friends.

And while I’m looking forward to all of the change, the transition will be bittersweet as the friends I’ve known for so many years (some since we were puppies!) will go in different directions and we’ll all be forging new friendships with those we haven’t even met yet!

I remember when one of our alumni returned home for the weekend after his first semester of college.

He told me how quickly he learned to appreciate how much of what he learned in high school that he was able to use in college, but it wasn’t just his study and time management skills that were important to him – it was the value of his friendships and the memories he’d made as a high school student that were helping him through the uncertain world he was now a part of.

Don’t take your high school experiences for granted and don’t be in too much of a rush to move on to the next phase in your life. Enjoy every football game, school dance, pep rally, and party – because in just a few months, it will be your last event as a high school student. Have fun, make memories, cherish every minute.

Gotta go. My friends are howling.

Woof,

Clyde

Tick tock, tick tock...do you know what day it is?

OK, it seems like school just started (operative phrase – seems like)! How could it be November already? Do your paws hurt from opening all that mail? I mean, I have paper cuts on my paws! Is your mail piling up all over the place? By the way, have you ever seen a lonely dog in any of those view books? Is it ever raining? It is very easy for this paperwork thing to get out of control…very easy!

You need a system for paperwork – both incoming and outgoing. Otherwise you’ll end up with piles and piles of advertising – whoops, I mean marketing; double whoops, I mean college information material. By the way, getting mail from a college does not mean you will be admitted to a college! Bummer.

I’ll admit my paperwork is a bit out of control. 

But after a trip to my counselor’s office, I now have a system for incoming and outgoing college related paperwork. I’m keeping a chart that tells me when I’ve sent all the necessary pieces – even if I send things electronically – and I know to keep copies of everything. I also know to seek confirmation from admissions offices of receipt of materials. No “lost in cyberspace” info for me!

Here are items I know I have to keep track of:

• The actual application
• The application fee, if one applies
• My transcript (and will I need a midyear/7th semester transcript sent?)
• My test scores - even if a high school puts scores on transcripts, many colleges want scores sent from the testing agencies directly to the admissions office (score choice caveat: do what the college tells you to about sending your scores)
• Teacher recommendations - how many, if any, do I need and how will I know that the teachers have sent them? I need to give my teachers plenty of notice for those recommendations AND I need to remember to say thank you for writing recs for me. If my teacher is sending recommendations through the mail, generally I need to remember to give her/him a stamped envelope for the recommendation. If my counselor and/or the registrar are sending items for me, I need to make sure to follow my school's procedure for sending items to the college on my behalf (high school policies and procedures can be very different, so check with your counselor and registrar to see what you need to do).

It’s important to realize that the year is flying by, and besides buckling down in classes, be aware of the TIME factor and meeting deadlines. I want semester break to be relaxing, so I’m determined to follow my counselor’s guidelines and get all of my applications out by early December. Then, when I watch the clock, I’ll be thinking about fun, not deadlines!

L8R–gotta snail mail some stuff,

Clyde

Advice from Maddie and Watson’s human

My friends, Maddie and Watson live in South Carolina. Their human, Woody O’Cain, is the Vice President for Enrollment at Erskine College. High school counselors and college admissions folks work on different sides of the same desk and they are always talking about admissions issues.  Woody sent a message to counselors to help them nudge their students into action. My counselor thought it was pretty good stuff so she shared it with me and I’m gonna share a version of it with you…here goes…

 

What do I need to do to get accepted into college?

And…How in the world am I going to pay for it?

 

What do I need to do to get accepted into college?

All of the information you fill out on a college application is taken into consideration.

 

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT ‑ Your high school record is the most important part of the whole process…what you have done the last three years in high school and so far this year will be given the most weight in the review process. Remember that you can’t go to sleep intellectually during your senior year. By the way, almost all colleges require the submission of a final transcript.

 

TEST SCORES – Your SAT and/or ACT score is another thing many colleges look at in this process.  It’s one test that you happened to take on a Saturday.  And, you probably had a thousand other things on your mind.    Whether you are pleased with your score or disappointed…just remember, for most colleges, your test score is not the “end all” to this process. The amount of weight put on the test score really varies by college.  Know that some schools are test optional ().

 

PERSONAL QUALITIES – These include letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, employment, honors, awards and…THE ESSAY. All schools don’t require essays/personal statements. If a school does require these, use them to your advantage to highlight something you are passionate about and to give information about you that can’t be found anywhere else on your application.

 

HOW TO APPLY: Some schools have their own applications. Others are part of groups that allow students to use one application to apply to more than one school. BEWARE: Some of these applications require supplements.  If you have questions about the Common App, here is the link: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx

 

OK, OK, OK—applications, transcripts, test scores—check, check and double check. But… How in the world am I going to pay for college?

 

Fact:  Very few people pay the full sticker price for college!  There are lots of scholarships out there both from the federal government and from the schools themselves.  Your state will also have a few more scholarship opportunities if you decide to stay in state to attend college.

 

We do all that we can to help make Erskine affordable for those students who want to be here.  That’s doesn’t mean that we, or any school, can give everyone a full scholarship….wouldn’t that be cool?   To help in the process, there are several things you need to do.  This will probably vary from school to school, but all schools have requirements you must meet to qualify for aid/scholarships.

 

To help us figure out what the Federal Government can do for you, go here: http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf 

 

Visit colleges that interest you.  Selecting a college should be about determining which colleges offer you an environment that will allow you to grow and develop–to reach your potential and realize your dreams.

   

 

Sincerely,

Woody O’Cain

Vice President for Enrollment

Erskine College

 

 

Here’s a news flash—colleges really want students to make good matches. Maddie and Watson’s human has given me some good advice. I think I’ll go talk to my counselor about a college visit. It’s getting late—maybe you should talk to your counselor too!

L8R

Clyde

Paws to Paper

Have you met the registrar at your school? At my school, the registrar is the person who sends transcripts to colleges. Transcripts – you know, those records of grades you’ve earned in high school. (GULP…I wish I had put forth more effort! But, I am going to make sure I work as hard as I can this year and finish up with a good record.)

At many schools, you have to complete a form to request your transcript. This is because your school needs your permission to release information about you to colleges.

If you haven’t seen your transcript, the time to do so is NOW! Did you know you can request an unofficial copy of your transcript? It’s a good idea to do that. Doing this allows you to see exactly what admissions offices see when they receive your transcript.

Does your high school put standardized test scores on your transcript? Mine doesn’t, by the way. Many colleges require that applicants send official test score reports from the testing agencies (www.act.org or www.collegeboard.org).

So even if your high school includes test scores on your transcript, it’s important to see if the colleges you are applying to require official test score reports from ACT and/or SAT. Some colleges leave it up to the applicant to send his or her best scores. Some schools have gone over-the-top in requiring applicants to send ALL scores. The important thing to remember is to follow the test reporting policy on the colleges’ websites.

Taking the tests a bazillion times probably isn’t a good idea. The key is to take hard classes, do your work, prepare for the tests – actually use information on the ACT and SAT websites about preparing for the tests. While you can buy test prep materials from these sites, they give great test prep information away FREE! I could just howl!

Some colleges “superscore” tests. This means that they take your best subsections from different tests. ACT thinks this is a bad idea. You just need to know how the colleges you are considering view superscoring.

Some high schools also put attendance and tardy records on transcripts. The only way you will know for sure about your school is to get a copy of that transcript. If you were tardy three times a week as a sophomore – you know, when your older brother was driving you to school and he would never get up on time – you won’t know that you need to explain that unless you know it is there!

Go meet the person at your school responsible for sending transcripts. Know what the time frame is for sending these. It may take one day or it may take two weeks to get your transcripts sent. Allow plenty of time for processing your requests and remember to sign the papers!

L8R,

Clyde

Make a Name for Yourself

It sounds obvious, but admissions counselors and potential employers want to know what makes you stand out from the crowd. Make no bones about it, your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities are all important criteria – but what do you do to distinguish yourself?

Think about it: college applications from two different students lay side by side. Both college hopefuls have stellar GPA’s, both hold office in their respective Student Councils and both play varsity sports. But there is only one position to fill. Student A’s qualifications end right there. But Student B spearheaded a successful mentoring initiative at her school where incoming freshmen are individually paired with seniors to learn about what to expect in high school. Who do you think has the edge?

And how do you make your activities stand out in the few short lines on the application form? Focus on leadership! Don’t forget, this is one instance where it is OK to brag about yourself and your accomplishments. You’re the one filling out the application. The admissions folks aren’t going to be calling your grandmother to hear about what a brilliant and wonderful boy Billy is – they need to hear it from you.

And what about those college essays? On paper, test scores and lists of activities can only reflect so much of who you are. How can you make yourself stand out? Take the opportunity to let your personality shine in your essay! Don’t spend time pawing over what you think they want to hear - be real. Write about something that truly matters to you.

Don’t get stuck thinking you don’t have the grades or the mammoth list of activities to compete with your peers. Focus on what you do have to offer. Maybe you’ve never had an ear for music, and you’re not athletically coordinated, but you love to read. Take it beyond your English class - why not start and program at your local library, reading aloud to young children?

As for me, I know I’m just not built to play football. And when tryouts came along, there was nothing I could change about that - but I did use my sparkling personality to earn my position as school mascot. Did I take it as a consolation prize? No way! I found the position not only helped my popularity, but my presence on the field made me the subject for many photographers. Who knew I had such a natural knack for modeling? Just look – I’m a legend in my own time!

Embrace your individuality and find a way to utilize your unique gifts!

Woof,

Clyde

In-state? Out-of-state? Public? Private? Four-year? Two-year? Bricks and mortar? Online? Near or far?

When my friend McCoy was young, he didn’t think much about his future and what type of school he might like. Chilling out and enjoying himself was what was on his mind.

McCoy is older now and he is thinking about his future. He and I have had a running conversation about types of schools. He lives in a state that is known for its flagship public universities, but it also has nationally recognized private universities.

My counselor tells us to look at all kinds of options to see what types of schools would be the best matches for us. She also reminds us that one of the biggest problems is narrowing the list down because there are so many options.

                       In-state public schools: Both community colleges and four-year schools, in-state, generally have a more appealing price tag. This is because your family – and you, if you are an independent student – pay taxes in your home state and, therefore, you are eligible for a tuition break because these institutions are, in part, supported by state tax funds.

                        Out-of-state public schools: These schools charge more to residents who do not live in the state because the families of those residents – or the independent students from other states – do NOT pay in-state taxes that help support the institutions.

                        Private schools: These schools do not rely on state funding for operating expenses. Generally, their tuition and fees appear far higher than the public university options. There is no price tag difference that is hinged to your state of residence.

                        Four-year vs. two-year: George Lucas, the Star Wars guy, started college at a community college. So did Craig Venter (founder of Celera, the company that sequenced the human genome). Remember: it isn’t about where you start. It’s about finishing – getting the degree and the experience that will launch you to the future of your dreams. Almost half of the first-time college students in the U.S. begin their college careers at community colleges.

                        Bricks and mortar vs. online: Online education options are increasing. Many traditional colleges and universities now offer online courses. Make sure to find out how your online courses/degrees are viewed in the job market.

The real key is to find college matches that fit your needs. Stay focused on that. When McCoy and I were younger, Hawaii seemed very appealing as a location for further education. Beaches, sun, lots of water – I thought everyone went far away to college. Imagine my surprise when I found out that almost 50% of first-time college students are only 100 miles or less away from home! I was even farther blown away to learn that nearly 8 out of 10 college students are 500 miles or less away from home.

Here is another shocker I’m coming to terms with: Private colleges can be as affordable, or in some instances more affordable, than public ones! WOW! That is interesting news. The caveat: never rule out a college option based on sticker price. Applying for scholarships and financial aid really can open up lots of options. I’m going to go ask my counselor about the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA and have her explain institutional forms to me. I’ll fill you in later--all this thinking makes me tired.

L8R,

Clyde