Next Steps Blog

Changes in SAT Registration Procedures

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:20:05 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

Because of increased security for SAT and ACT testing, there are some changes in both the registration and testing administration procedures. While these changes have been in place for this school year, they are new to the families who registered in previous years.

You will be requred to provide an acceptable photo during registration. The photo will appear on your Admission Ticket.
You must present your Admission Ticket with your acceptable photo ID to enter your test center. No ticket, no ID, no admission!
Standby test-takers will not be admitted. (Online requests for waitlist status may be possible until about five days before the test.)
Changes to test center, test date or test type will not be permitted on test day. They will have to be submitted about two weeks prior to test day.
Students must include the name of their current high school on the registration.

ACT has similar guidelines. For more information go to the College Board or ACT website.

Net Price Calculator – Figuring Out the Cost of College

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 10:56:33 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

As of last October, colleges were required by Congress to include a Net Price Calculator (example here from Yale) on their websites. This is a tool that provides an approximation of the costs of that college for an individual family.

The intention of the mandate is to encourage colleges to be more transparent about the actual cost of the college so that a potential student can have realistic expectations up front. After inputting some basic information (income, assets, family size, age of older parent, etc.), the calculator will estimate the potential family's financial need and what is likely to be included in a financial aid package (grants, loans, work, etc.). While this is not a perfect tool, it is a great resource for families beginning the financial aid process.

There are many subjective factors that might be considered and you will not know what the actual package will be until after the student is admitted. But, in most cases, the Net Price Calculator will provide a close estimate to the final package. If you go to the College's website, search for the Net Price Calculator. Every college will have it!

Good Reads!

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:17:56 EST

Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

At the beginning of the summer, the New York Times Choice Blog recommended some books about applying to college. It is a little late for summer reading now, but there are some worthy recommendations in the article.

Much of the literature relating to college admissions might make you more anxious and could perpetuate myths and misconceptions. These recommendations, however, generally give good, sensible advice and provide some insight into the larger landscape of college admissions. And, a couple of them will make you laugh (or cry).

In fact, the blog that includes this article is also a good read and one in which Suzanne and I highly recommend. The Choice: DeMystifying College Admissions and Aid is an occasional piece in the NYT. "Making a college list, filing applications, and marshaling the resources to afford an education can be intimidating. But it need not be." The articles, written by professionals, parents and education writers examine all facets of the college admissions process and can provide some important perspective. Bookmark it and check it out once in awhile!

Are Lists Useful?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:54:20 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

When beginning the college process, the number of colleges and universities available in the United States can be overwhelming. The idea of narrowing down the application list from over 2,000 four-year institutions to a few appropriate matches can be daunting. No wonder lists and rankings are so popular – let other people do the work!

While rankings can be helpful, please understand what you are looking at. The most famous list is the annual US News and World Reports ranking that is published (and sells very well) every year. It is often criticized for using factors that have little to do with the quality of the classroom experience. The methodology includes factors such as alumni giving, selectivity, faculty salaries, etc. And, while many college administrators negate the value of the US News and World Reports ranking, believe me, they will manipulate admissions policies to increase their own ranking. These strategies have no affect on the classroom and can actually work against finding the best students in the admissions process. The obvious disadvantage for families relying on this ranking is that it has nothing to do with the individual student and the kind of educational environment in which he/she will thrive.

There are many other lists of colleges and rankings that might be more helpful and relevant. There is the list of colleges included in Colleges That Change Lives – schools that foster "a familial sense of communal enterprise that gets students heavily involved in cooperative rather than competitive learning, and a faculty of scholars devoted to helping young people develop their powers, mentors who often become their valued friends." The Washington Monthly ranks colleges "based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), Research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs), and Service (encouraging students to give something back to their country)." Kiplinger's publishes its opinions of the best values in private colleges – based on cost, financial aid availability, competitiveness, academic support, graduation rates and student indebtedness. Outside Magazine lists the "40 schools that turn out smart grads with top-notch academic credentials, a healthy environmental ethos, and an A+ sense of adventure." And, then, there is the list of colleges where Urban students have attended for the past five years!

These are only a few of many lists and rankings. Keep in mind, that any ranked list is subjective. (Read Malcolm Gladwell's February 11, 2011 New Yorker article, The Order of Things: What College Rankings Tell Us. The information is based on what other people value in a college. There are a number of colleges that can be the best college for an individual student. It is that place where she/he is happy, thriving intellectually and socially, and building the skills that contribute to capability, confidence, and well-being in life beyond academia.

It Really Is All About You!

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:40:26 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

The best way that students can meet their destination in this process and arrive there healthy, whole, and ready to take on new challenges is to follow their own path and be themselves.
- Robin Mamlett, former Dean of Admissions at Stanford, Swarthmore and Sarah Lawrence

This hits home for us in the College Counseling office at this time of year. With so much information out there, so many approaches to the college application process, and so many different personalities, this seems like particularly good advice as we start the school year. The way your friends approach the application process is not necessarily the way that you should do it. There is not one magic "strategy" that works for everyone!

Some comments that we have heard in the College Counseling office this week:

She has three essays already complete!
Fine, but there is still plenty of time to write YOUR essay. And teachers and counselors at Urban - your best coaches - are here to help you and to work with you individually. We have lots of experience!

He knows exactly where he is going to apply and where he wants to go to college!
YOU will figure that out soon, too. Most applications are not due until January 1.

Three other people are applying early and only one person was accepted last year to Selective U, so, even though it is my dream school, I am not going to apply early.
Each year is different, each applicant pool is different, and each application is evaluated on its own. If Selective U is the school that is your dream and it is a reasonable consideration based on your academic profile, do not consider who else in your class is applying!

I need to apply somewhere early, but I do not know where.
There are advantages and disadvantages of applying early, and an early admission plan is not for everyone. It may seem like everyone is applying early, but that is just not the case. Discuss with your counselor whether an early application is the right thing for you.

The Trophy vs. the Real in College Admissions

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:59:18 EST

by Suzanne Schutte, Associate Director of College Counseling

College admissions is inevitably charged with strong emotions. For many parents, it seems like the last chance to set your kids up for success. For students, it can feel like admission to the "right" college is the golden passport to success in life.   Compounding the stress is the fact that for many families, college is their second biggest financial commitment after buying their home. Too often this anxiety sets up a results oriented approach and displaces thoughtful analysis and meaningful search for the most appropriate learning environment.

The college admissions process becomes – on simple terms – "winning or losing" rather than "how you play the game."

An Atlantic Magazine article compared the two approaches:

Trophy vs. Real College Admissions
- The real admissions system is creative in finding room for everyone.
- The trophy system is a you vs. me competition for a very limited number of spaces at a handful of colleges.

- The real system emphasizes how many places a student might be happy.
- The trophy system emphasizes how few.

- The real system puts its greatest stress on what the student might do after he or she starts college.
- The trophy system cares only about where he or she gets in.

At Urban, each student learns how to think creatively and critically, to collaborate productively, and to write and speak persuasively. Our alumni regularly return to tell us about all the wonderful work they're producing in college. The skills they built here served them well at a wide variety of colleges and universities.

It's become a cliché, but it's a good one: "It's not where you go, it's what you do when you get there." Try to keep this in mind as you let go of the trophy system and focus on the real system.

I Wish I Wish I Know I Know

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:14:09 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

"I wish I had seen colleges that were less selective."

"I know I should not base my opinion on this, but the tour guide really bothered me, so I really did not like that college."

"After seeing ________ University, it was really difficult to like _________ College."

These are some comments that we have heard from seniors this year – things to keep in mind as families are planning college visits. As students wander the country looking at a variety of colleges and universities, it is important to be thoughtful about which colleges to see. Choose a variety of colleges: different types, sizes and locations. Be discerning in what is presented and keep in mind that, no matter how low the admissions rate, the people at that college want to sell their institution to you. And, remember that the physical features – residence halls, work out rooms, lakes on campus, etc. – do not define the quality of the academic experience.

Please see Plan/College Visits in the Junior Planning Calendar for more information about visiting colleges.

Changes in UC Admissions Policy

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:44:27 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

Beginning with the Class of 2012 (the current juniors), there will be a new admissions policy for the University of California. There will undoubtedly be more information in the press about these changes in the months to come as this junior class enters the admissions cycle. The highlights of the change in policy are:

SAT Subject tests will no longer be required.
Students must complete 11 of required courses by the end of the junior year.
Eligibility in Local Context (ELC) – or guaranteed admission for the top students in the class regardless of grades and scores - will increase from the top 4% to the top 9% of the class.

The only change that will be significant for Urban students is the Subject Test Requirement. All Urban students complete 11 courses by the end of their junior year. And, although only 4% have been guaranteed admission under the ELC program, MOST of our students are guaranteed admission based on their grades and test scores. (This guarantee of admission is to the UC system – not to an individual campus.)

Students might get excited about the less rigorous subject test requirement...however, most selective private colleges will continue to require two Subject Tests. And, even the UCs will consider them in their comprehensive review if a student submits them.

So, while there will probably be much ado about the changes in the policy, not much will change at Urban regarding the preparation for admission – and probably selection – to the University of California.

To Gap or Not to Gap?

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:37:13 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

As the idea of a Gap Year is becoming more and more popular among American students, more students are considering it as they apply to college.

The Gap Year – or bridge year – is a year after high school when a student takes time away from school to travel, do community service, or work. Research has shown that the time off from school may help students to be more motivated and focused when they do return to the academic setting.

There are a variety of opportunities for Gap Years, and we collect information in the College Counseling office. There will be a fair in the winter where representatives from a variety of programs will be available to talk to interested students.

What we tell students, however, is not to focus on the Gap Year experience until AFTER you apply to college. The year off might seem like a wonderful idea when all those applications are looming. But, it might be less attractive in the spring when all of your friends are excited about their college options.

By applying to college in the fall, you are keeping the door to college open, and you are not closing the door to taking time off. Almost all colleges allow you to defer your attendance when you are accepted. The year off will be much more enjoyable if your college plans are set. And, it is much easier to submit applications when you have the support of the school and all of your friends are going through the process with you. Decide in the spring whether you want to take that time away from school.

You are the Expert on You

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:04:22 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

I just googled “college essay advice” – 521 entries came up, and those were only the “most relevant” results. Those entries are in addition to all of the conversations, the classes, the books, and the how-to’s that are not on the internet. Lots of advice…where to begin?

It is a joy to read the writing of Urban seniors. After three years at Urban and all of the essays, papers and self- reflection that are part of the Urban education, our students have grown to be competent, original and articulate writers. Although writing is easier for some than others, all know how to do it well. Often, the most captivating essay is one in which the student spontaneously, but confidently writes about something that has captured her heart.

Sometimes students misinterpret their task and lose their voice. This is easy to do when one tries to say TOO much, works TOO hard, or gets TOO much adult help. There are so many opinions out there and, for many, listening to the ideas of others bogs them down and makes the task overwhelming. The essay can become formulaic or cliché, like the writing section of the SAT.

It is very rare when an essay is the factor that makes or breaks the admissions decision. The essay is like a spice in a stew – the stew is fine without it, but it certainly makes the meal more interesting and more memorable.

Trust yourself, writers! You know how to do this. You have something to say – we hear it every day in the halls and classes and in conversations. You are a unique individual with your own personal ideas, passions and loves. Don’t try to be perfect – none of us are perfect and admissions readers certainly do not expect you to be. Just be yourself. You are the expert on you.

Slowwwww Down

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:00:13 EST

by Susan Lee, Director of College Counseling

The best way to maximize your college options is to do high school well.

More and more families feel pressured to get the application process done earlier and earlier (see this New York Times article from August 10). And, some high school students begin planning their college application process before they get to know themselves as high school students.

Regular decision applications – as they have been for years – are due in the middle of senior year. This means that students have a very full three and a half years of high school before an application will be read in the admissions office! These years include exciting educational experiences, new and evolving roles in activities outside of class, unforeseen opportunities and ideas, and the wisdom and growth that develop with maturity and high school competence.

I was always told that with a racket or a bat, you always need to watch the ball. If you look at where the bat or racket is going, you are likely to miss the ball. As the year begins, focus on high school and get as much as you can from the full high school experience. While starting something early is a good idea, remember that who you are today might be different from who you might grow into. There is time – and there will be time – to consider colleges, think about what will be a good place for you, and get to know the many kinds of colleges that are out there.

And finally, even seniors, have plenty of time to fill out college applications and write about all those wonderful high school and “growing up” encounters that happen – or will happen – all the time.

Thin envelope? You're in good company.

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:55:14 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

As difficult as it is to hear that you have been rejected by a college, it does not mean that it is the end of the road for all of those hopes and dreams. In fact, for many people, a rejection was the best thing that happened to them! At least that is what Warren Buffet, Ted Turner, Columbia U President Lee Bollinger, Today Host Meredith Veira and quite a few others say in a recent Wall Street Journal article. (Before They Were Titans, Moguls and Newsmakers, These People Were...Rejected).

For Tom Brokaw, "The initial stumble was critical in getting me launched." Constitutional scholar Lee Bollinger, who attended University of Oregon after being rejected by Harvard, gives this advice: to “allow other people's assessment of you to determine your own self-assessment is a very big mistake …The question really is, who at the end of the day is going to make the determination about what your talents are, and what your interests are? That has to be you."

Other movers and shakers profiled in the article talk about mentors that they found, finding a stronger education in the school they attended, and the fact that “being wanted is a good thing.” And, as Noble Laureate Harold Varmus says, “The differences between colleges that seem so important before you get there will seem a lot less important once you arrive at one that offered you a place.”

In an admissions landscape where some colleges are turning away as many as nine out of every 10 students who apply, please take heart that rejection from somewhere is almost inevitable. It feels terrible to open that letter or read that email, but disappointment is often part of the package when you set high expectations and have ambitious goals. But, only a small part!

Hmmm - What Should I do with My Summer Vacation?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:26:05 EST

by Suzanne Schutte
Associate Director of College Counseling

Summer gives you the time to complement what you do during the school year. It is a great time to focus on a passion, pursue something you think you might be interested in, or just do something completely different from school. It is also a great time to get a job.

What you SHOULD do is something that you WANT to do. Whatever you choose to do, engage in it as fully as you can – get involved and pay attention. The key to getting the most from your summer experience is to take a genuine interest in what you are doing. What you learn from your experience is what will make you a more interesting candidate for college, whether it is flipping burgers, working with kids or continuing to volunteer at your Project’s organization.

The Choice, a New York Times blog about college, recently featured the following responses from College Admissions deans on the summer experience:

Question: How do you encourage students to spend their summers? Are professional work experience or programs abroad viewed positively or can some become too gimmicky?

Mr. Syverson of Lawrence: Students should follow their passions and develop the aspects of their personalities and proficiencies that are most exciting to them, not the ones they think will best “package” them. Far too many students are spending far too much of their young lives attempting to do “what the colleges want to see in an applicant” in order to someday gain admission to some highly idealized (often hyper-selective) college.

Mr. Brenzel of Yale: We encourage students to make use of their summers in the way they find most interesting. If they undertake a specific program, it should be because it appeals strongly to them, not because they imagine it will look best on a resume. Why? First, it is frankly impossible to know what will look best to a particular admissions committee at a particular college. Trying to outthink or outguess the admissions committee strikes me as a useless exercise, though many book authors and private consultants purvey the illusion that they can do this for you. Second, for both education and life, the best program is the one that you find most valuable for yourself at this point in your life. We also honor and value summer jobs; for many students they are necessary and for others they can be just as important a learning experience as anything else. What’s important to us in not what you chose to do for the summer, but what you got out of it.

Mr. Poch of Pomona: While unusual activities may add a great deal to a student’s experience and have a profound effect on their world-view, for some it just comes across as decorative, not substantive. Is a special experience or summer expected or a minimum requirement? No. Many of those “special” experiences reflect the educational and economic background of the family more than the curiosity or talent of the student. For example, I believe most admissions officers would assume it’s not fair to expect a student who works and contributes to family expenses to take an overseas internship. I confess I often wonder why some students who live in areas that have many social service needs unaddressed will ignore the local situation but move to another country to perform a similar social service. Is it really a service trip or is it a summer vacation built for college admission purposes? It may be both and that’s not a penalty point, but it isn’t a bonus consideration either. Is the student whose family connections provided an internship at a high-profile organization more worthy than a student who delivered pizza or tended to family farm commitments? The rest of the application will give us the answer.

The College Process Meets Goldilocks: Neither Too Easy Nor Too Difficult

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:56:14 EST

by Suzanne Schutte
Associate Director of College Counseling

During last week’s College Forum, I read the following quote from Jim Jump, the president of NACAC (National Association of Colleges and College Admissions Counselors):

“We must maintain our focus on the developmental nature of the college process. Just as higher education can be a transforming experience in a young person’s life, the college search and application process should also be transformational, helping young people discover truths about themselves and what they want from their education. The college application process should measure a student’s readiness for college, and that’s why parents and professionals must not just allow students to take ownership of the process, but require them to do so. It also means that applying to college must be a Goldilocks process, neither too easy nor too hard.”

Our goal at Urban is to find that middle ground between too easy and too hard for each student. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the process is as important as the outcome and that each student’s journey through that process is different. Some take charge and fly though, organized and positive from beginning to end. Others avoid and procrastinate, finishing everything during the winter holiday hours before the deadlines. Some know themselves well and have lots of ideas about what they’re looking for; some haven’t a clue. We keep each student’s characteristics and idiosyncrasies in mind as they move through the process.

Susan and I are just beginning this process with juniors and are in the middle of navigating the unpredictable journey with the seniors. They each are finding their own way through. By spring, seniors will know where they will be next fall. Our message to them is constantly: Don’t let the process undermine your confidence. Draw on what you know. Be yourself. Be strong.

The College Essay

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:05:06 EST

by Suzanne Schutte
Associate Director of College Counseling

"Applying to college is a lot like standing in the middle of a crowded street wearing a sandwich board inscribed, in highly legible type, with your deepest, darkest fears and loftiest aspirations. And underneath that sandwich board, you're completely naked."
Jessica Reaves. Chicago Tribune

Writing the college essay can unnecessarily evoke this kind of anxiety. Seniors often feel that anything less than a uniquely witty self revelation will hurt their chances for admissions.

Most Urban students – without much help – write wonderful, self reflective essays. However, they can get stuck when their essays are "98 percent” because it feels like a sentence or word could alter the course of their lives forever.

Some procrastinate. When I ask them how they are doing with their applications, they'll say that everything is done except the essays. In fact, they may decide not to apply to a college because they will have to write another essay.

It is important to put the college essay in perspective. The essay is one small part of a student's application. Admissions offices care much more about transcripts, teacher and counselor recommendations and test scores. The industry of essay tutors and "how to" books give students one very destructive message: You can't write a winning essay on your own. Admissions officers tell us that they can tell the difference between a 17-year-old voice and a coached 40-year-old voice.

At Urban, Susan and I and English teachers are helping seniors trust their ideas and writing skills, and are teaching them to proofread and edit their own essays. In fact, English teachers are often the best people to help students find their own voice.

For students who aren't sure when they're finished, here's some good advice from The Huffington Post. Granted, it's a bit tongue in cheek, but still worth reading.

Admissions Freakout Countdown: The Application Essay - Whose Life Is It Anyway?
by Karen Stabiner (click here to read)

Your senior is at this point on the umptee-umpth draft of an essay that is supposed to make him or her stand above the crowd, but I am here to tell you, as both a writer and a parent, that you might as well deflect some of that energy into cleaning out the garage. Give it a good try….but please, don't precipitate an identity crisis.

1. Never - ever - use the passive tense. It's not "The huts in Fiji were built by myself and four other volunteers." It's "I worked with four other volunteers to build six huts in Fiji."

2. Make sure your senior knows the difference between "it's," a contraction that means" it is," and "its,"` which is possessive, as in the dog ate its bone. Honest. Lots of them still don't.

3. One adjective per noun will probably do it.

For those students who are procrastinating, trust yourself and follow this good advice from the NY Times Blog, The Choice:

-- While there is no magic formula for the perfect admission essay, there are a few things prospective college students should know. Here are the Top Ten tips from (Connecticut College) Admissions Dean Martha Merrill:

-- Write about yourself. A great history paper on the Civil War might be very well written, but it doesn’t tell me anything about the writer. Regardless of the topic, make sure you shine through your essay.

-- Use your own voice. I can tell the difference between the voice of a 40-year-old and a high school senior.

-- Focus on one aspect of yourself. If you try to cover too many topics in your essay, you’ll end up with a resume of activities and attributes that doesn’t tell me as much about you as an in-depth look at one project or passion.

-- Be genuine. Don’t try to impress me, because I’ve heard it all. Just tell me what is important to you.

-- Consider a mundane topic. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make the best essays. Some of my favorites have included essays that reflect on the daily subway ride to school, or what the family goldfish observed from the fishbowl perched on the family kitchen table. It doesn’t have to be a life-changing event to be interesting and informative.

-- Don’t rely on “how to” books. Use them to get your creative juices flowing, but don’t adhere too rigidly to their formulas, and definitely don’t use their example topics. While there are always exceptions, the “what my room says about me” essay is way overdone.

-- Share your opinions, but avoid anything too risky or controversial. Your essay will be read by a diverse group of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, so try to appeal to the broadest audience possible.

-- Tell a good story. Show me why you are compassionate; don’t tell me you are. Show me that you have overcome great difficulty; don’t start your essay with “I have overcome great difficulties.”

-- Don’t repeat what is already in your application. If you go to a performing arts school and all of your extra-curricular activities and awards relate to dance, don’t write about how much you love dancing. Tell me something I couldn’t know just from reading the other parts of your application.

-- Finally, don’t forget about the supplements. The supplement questions are very important – you should plan to spend as much time on them as you do on your essay. A well-written essay won’t help if your supplement answers are sloppy and uninformative.

The Urban Advanced Studies Curriculum

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:11:04 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

The Urban School curriculum provides an exceptionally strong foundation in college preparatory subjects. Many of our classes have distinctive features that set them apart as particularly challenging and comparable to college-level work. These classes are developed by the Urban faculty and are not limited to the College Board Advanced Placement curriculum.

This year, we have decided to use one designation for all of our most rigorous classes – the Urban Advanced Studies curriculum – or UAS. We will no longer label classes on our transcript as honors or AP, but rather UAS. The designation however, will not change the fact that they are recognized as honors level courses by colleges and universities across the country, including the University of California.

Because many schools offer College Board Advanced Placement courses as a way to define their most rigorous curriculum, “AP” has become part of the language of selective college admissions. There is an impression that AP courses are necessary to be considered for a selective college. College Board AP, however, is only one kind of honors class.

Many schools, like Urban, offer few or no AP courses and continue to have students accepted to highly selective colleges. In fact, more and more schools – and colleges – are moving away from emphasizing the standardized curriculum of the College Board AP program. Urban is a member of a new organization, the Independent Curriculum Group, which works with secondary schools across the country to help them move beyond standardized curriculum. Head of School Mark Salkind serves as the chair of ICG’s board of directors.

After discussing the UAS designation with almost every college representative that has visited Urban this year, we are confident that this formalization of our advanced level coursework more clearly articulates the curriculum and values of Urban…and will help our students in the college admissions process. Colleges want to know what the most rigorous curriculum is at a school and appreciate it when this is clearly presented. Students are evaluated within the context of the school and are encouraged to take as challenging a course load as possible, based on what is offered at the school.

A sampling of comments from college reps who visited Urban this fall:

“Why WOULD a school like Urban have AP courses – it is not in line with the mission of your school.”

“LOTS of schools do that – this is nothing new.”

“I wish I had taken some of these classes. “

“We are finding that even students who do well on AP tests know how to pass tests, but they are not prepared for our (college level) curriculum.”

For more information about Independent Curriculum and college admissions and what other schools are doing, visit the Independent Curriculum Group website.

Technology in College Admissions

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:52:08 EST

By Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

Like the rest of the world, College Admissions has changed quite a bit in the past few years. I could tell stories about all the paper that used to be part of a College Counseling Office. Things are different now.

The ease in communicating through electronic media has opened worlds to students. They are now able to search, research and apply using nothing but their laptop. Only five years ago students were looking at viewbooks, catalogs and direct mail, sending postcards to request information, filling out a different paper application for each college, elaborately organizing envelopes, stamps and forms to give to teachers – and then, patiently waiting and hoping that mail delivery was dependable.

Now there are interactive websites, virtual tours, iPod applications and YouTube videos that provide good information about individual colleges. There is one online application that can be submitted to most private colleges and one UC application that does not let you make a mistake. Schools send most of the supporting documents online and it reaches the admissions office within minutes. And, students often hear the admissions decision online – sometimes multiple decisions –within seconds. Technology has transformed College Admissions and the accessibility of information has had a significant impact…the subject of another blog.

For some of our favorite websites and online resources, click around The Urban School College Counseling website. And, if you are tired of your laptop, we actually have lots of lovely paper catalogs and viewbooks in the College Counseling office that we would LOVE people to come in and look through!

College Econ - The State of Things

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:44:14 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

Suzanne and I were in Baltimore last week for the NACAC conference – the annual gathering of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors. In addition to being a great opportunity to connect with counselors and admissions people from all over the country, the conference is a chance to talk about timely issues and to “get the pulse” of the world of college admissions.

Not surprisingly, the most talked about topic this year was how the economy is affecting colleges and admissions. Colleges have seen their endowments drop and families are finding it difficult to come up with the high cost of tuition. So, many schools are scaling back their program, offerings and growth. (As a prime example, we’ve all read about what the economy is doing to our great state college system here in California).

The good news is that the colleges are committed to maintaining access to lower income families, and are not cutting and do not plan to cut financial aid programs. But they are cutting costs – and every college is compensating in different ways. As students and families are making choices and researching colleges, it will be important to have information about what will be different in the years to come.

As you go through the college admissions process, ask each college: How has your college been affected by the economic downturn and what changes are you making to deal with the difficult economic situation?

College Rep Visits at Urban

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:22:38 EST

by Suzanne Schutte
Associate Director of College Counseling

Knowing that not every student has the time or money to visit their campuses, thousands of college reps put up with Bay Area traffic and GPS systems that have never heard of The Urban School just to talk to you. Don't miss your chance to meet with them when they come.

A college counselor once said this about college reps and it's true: "College reps aren’t salesmen; they are dream weavers, and their task is to take what they know about their college, apply it to what you know about yourself, and see what kind of tapestry the two of you can create."

Since an expert from a college that might be your next home is coming to Urban, it’s important to make them feel welcome and use their time wisely. It's OK to come unprepared because this is a great opportunity to explore your options. But if you want to get the most from the visit, here are some tips (some of these are obvious, but I'll say them anyway):

Bring a question or two. You want to use the time to find out things that aren’t on the college's website or in a viewbook, so give some thought to questions you might have ahead of time. (Click here for some general questions.)
If you have time, do some homework. The night before, visit the college’s website. Get a flavor for the size, location and admission requirements, then notice what themes the college emphasizes—lots of pictures of sports, students in lab coats peering at test tubes, ivy covered brick buildings, happy students, etc. See if the school’s newspaper has a website and find out what’s happening on campus.
Fill out an information card, even if you’re already on the mailing list. Reps use this information to show the college admissions office that the visit was worthwhile. It increases the chances they’ll be back next year.
Thank them for coming. A clear, direct “thank you” as you leave makes searching for parking in our neighborhood and navigating SFO worth the trip.

College reps want you to have clear, useful information about their college—and often the best way to make sure that happens is face-to-face. Make the most of their visits.

Harvard Demystifies the College Admissions Process

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:50:18 EST

The New York Times, in its section on the college admissions process (The Choice; Demystifying the College Admission Process) has asked readers to send questions to William Fitzsimmons, the longtime Dean of Admission at Harvard College. The first question he addresses is about the selection process at Harvard. How does Harvard decide whom to admit? Dean Fitzsimmons describes in generous detail the process the school uses to choose its class.

While Harvard has many more applications and a larger staff than many colleges, I think that the practices he describes are very similar to other schools. I have been guided through many mock committees with admissions staff at other private colleges – colleges that vary in selectivity, philosophy and personality. But, the process is the same.

It would be naïve to think that there was not a “first cut” at selective colleges based on objective criteria alone. But after that, the guidelines and practices are designed to bring out the personal qualities and character of applicants that will contribute to a thriving, diverse educational community. As Dean Fitzsimmons admits, though, it is more an art than a science.

By the way, this web section has a number of interesting articles.

Gaining Some Perspective -- Early On!

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:08:36 EST

by Susan Lee
Director of College Counseling

An article in a recent San Francisco Chronicle provides a good beginning of the year perspective. Steve Rubenstein writes about his journey to Ohio to drop his son off at college; orientation for his son, a little disorientation for him.

As seniors and parents begin this senior year journey, perspective is important. It promises to be a busy year with lots of growth and the emotional ups and downs that accompany transitions. With all that, it is far too easy to get caught up in short- term frustrations and day-to-day busywork. Steve Rubenstein’s article is a good reminder of the bigger picture – something to think about as often as possible.