5 Quick Tips for High School Freshmen and Sophomores to Prepare for College

1. Who gets into college…and why? 

The College Matters staff recently listened to higher education expert Jeff Selingo at the annual IECA Conference speak about his new book Who Gets In and Why, which gives an in-depth look at three admission offices and how they selected students. Selingo highlighted the importance of students standing out from the pack with their character. Admission offices receive more than enough applicants who are academically qualified—challenging curriculum, solid GPA, solid test scores. Beyond that, admission officers want to know what students are genuinely curious and passionate about. How are students serving other people, making the most of the opportunities available to them, or creating opportunities for themselves?

2. Will you survive or thrive in college?

Jonathan Burdick and Seth Allen, two admission officers at highly selective colleges, echoed some similar messages to Selingo in a mock application review they hosted. Allen emphasized that students should obsess over having a fulfilling high school experience rather than doing things for college admissions. He referred to some students as “renters.” These students join clubs or volunteer just because it might look good, but it’s clear they aren’t truly committed or passionate about them. “Owners,” on the other hand, are very engaged in a few activities because they are a genuine reflection of who they are. His admission office believes that “owners” will not just survive, but thrive when they get to campus.

3. Get the most effective teacher recommendations

Start thinking about which teachers you connect with the most. Most colleges will require two letters of recommendations from your junior year core academic teachers. When it’s time for you to ask those teachers, you should feel confident that they will have plenty to write about you. Establish a genuine relationship with them so they have a good idea of who you are as a learner and a person. This is important information for admission officers.

4. A money tip

This one is more for parents. If you plan to apply for financial aid, keep in mind that colleges will use your income during your student’s prior-prior year to calculate your financial need. That means if your student enrolls in college in the fall of 2022, they will use your income from your 2020 tax return.

5. We know what you have to learn, but what do you want to learn?

Start thinking about what you’re actually interested in learning. Every student has to take the five core subjects. Is there one area that you’re particularly curious in learning more about? Is there a subject or topic outside of school and traditional academics that you’re fascinated with? If so, take some initiative to explore that a little more. Read articles or books that intrigue you. Watch informational videos or documentaries. Listen to podcasts. If you’re up for it, why not start your own project?

Being Educated Doesn’t Just Mean Going to School

Though Covid-19 has significantly impacted many students academically, it has not limited the number of resources available for students to learn on their own. In a College Matters workshop this past spring, our team talked about how an increasing number of competitive colleges are asking applicants to show they are intellectually curious outside of the classroom. This doesn’t mean they are gauging how many extra math problem sets you’re doing. Rather, they are interested in what you are genuinely curious about when you have free time.

Apps like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube give us more access to content than ever before. Devices like Kindle give us entire books in an instant. Our team highly recommends that students take full advantage of these resources to go beyond what they learned in class or to learn something completely different from traditional academia.

There is no one specific piece of content that colleges are looking for. The key is that you are truly interested in and invested in whatever you choose to consume. Reading the entire article is better than reading a collection of tweets. Go for depth rather than breadth.

Demonstrating intellectual curiosity doesn’t have to take up your entire day. You can make it fit into your life. Listen to a podcast interview with your favorite celebrity during your next car ride. Subscribe and follow sites that have interesting articles. Start each day by taking a few minutes to read those articles. Instead of scrolling through TikTok for the 20th time, take a break and order the new book you’ve been hearing about. Pick a documentary on Netflix or YouTube next time you’re browsing for something to watch. Learn to crochet, tutor a neighbor, take a tour of a museum virtually, research your family genealogy.

Once you make engaging with new material a habit, you will notice yourself become more thoughtful and aware. Instead of saying you heard about something, you can actually have a real discussion on the topics that are important to you. This is exactly what colleges are looking for! Don’t forget to make a list of everything you’re listening to, reading, and watching. You’ll be amazed at how long your list becomes over time.

They Expect Us to Pay What?

Often times there is a disconnect between the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that is calculated based on the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and the amount of money a family feels they can afford each year for college costs.  The lengthy formula used to calculate financial aid under the federal mythology uses some stingy assumptions.  According to a recent New York Times article, the formula assumes that a family of four can survive on $30,000 per year regardless of where they live.  These out-of-date assumptions can paint a much different picture of a family’s finances. Further, few colleges meet 100% of your financial need.  In this case, you may be responsible for paying your EFC in addition to the unfunded portion of your financial need.

 Although there is little you can do to change the formula, you can arm yourself with information. Don’t wait until the last minute to calculate your EFC.  There are many ways to estimate, including using the FAFSA4caster or net price calculators available on the colleges’ websites.  Regardless of whether or not you agree with the number, at least you can begin to prepare.  Remember that some colleges also require a CSS/Profile (or college-specific form) in addition to the FAFSA.  At these colleges, the EFC from the FAFSA4caster won’t necessarily give you an accurate estimate.  Colleges using the CSS/Profile examine your financial information in a lot more detail, which can make your EFC much different.  Using a net price calculator at the college-specific websites may be a better option to estimate your college costs.  

 With a better idea of your financial obligation, as defined by the colleges and federal government, you will be in a better position to plan accordingly.  Maybe add some colleges where your student is more likely to get a merit scholarship, or that has a lower price point.  After all, better to be elated by a nice merit scholarship than reeling from a bunch of unaffordable options.

The Pros and Cons of the Summer College Campus Visit

It’s already August, and you still have more colleges campuses to visit than you can possibly see in the fall before applications are due.  Plus, the fall semester is going to be challenging with that rigorous senior course load you have planned, and you don’t want to take too much time off.  What’s a rising senior (and their family) to do? 

Our advice is to use the few days you have available in the fall to see the leading contenders on your list and to use some time in the remainder of summer to visit others, if possible.  Campuses are generally much quieter in the summer months, but there may still be some students around doing research or other projects.  There is still great value in taking in the layout and feel of the campus, its location, the information presented in an Information Session and by the student tour guide and admission people are usually available to answer questions.  Additionally, it is often a great time to schedule an interview. You will get credit for demonstrating interest – provided you check in with Admissions - which some colleges weigh in their deliberations for admission. 

You may not get a solid read of the campus culture as you tour the quieter summer campuses, but you will get a sense of the place.  Note that start times for fall semester vary greatly, so check the academic calendar online at each institution – you may see more students than you expect with late summer visits as some college students may already be making their way back to campus.  It’s nearly impossible to see every campus during the school year, so it may be inevitable that you will have to compromise and visit a few in the summer! 

Entering High School? Plan Ahead!

Are you about to enter high school?  There are a few things to think about as you consider your course selection and look ahead.  One of the top factors that admissions people use to gauge a student’s competitiveness for acceptance is the rigor of the courses that the student took in high school.  Receiving all As in level 2 or college prep classes is not considered as competitive as earning As and Bs in level 1, honors, AP or IB courses.  You should aim high and challenge yourself to the best of your ability in high school.  

It’s never too early to map out your high school courses thoughtfully. 

Colleges want students who work hard, who participate and engage in their academics and broader school community.  They especially want students who demonstrate drive and a good work ethic.  So, when you’re debating between that easier class and one that may challenge you, think about how you want to position yourself for your future.  It may seem far off now, but the years will fly by, and you’ll be considering your options for after high school sooner than you think.  Be sure you plan well.

Juniors: Why You Should Request Teacher Recommendations Now

Most colleges require applicants to supply one or two teacher recommendations, and often a counselor recommendation as well.  But it’s only April, and college applications won’t be due until the fall, or early in 2019, so you may think you have plenty of time to ask teachers for letters of recommendation to include with your college applications. However, keep in mind that some teachers limit the number of recommendations they will write as they usually do them on their own time, sometimes over the summer if they have requests from juniors in advance.  

Ideally, you should choose two teachers from your junior year. They should be from different subjects; the ideal is one from math or science and one from social studies or humanities. But if you have other ideas, check with the colleges themselves to see what their requirements are.

So, now is the time to ask the two teachers who know you best if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you!  Get on their list and check that off your “to do” list for college application preparations. It’s an easy task to take care of now and important to help ensure that your application is as strong as it can be.

The Peril of Asking a 16 or 17-year old: What do you want to do with the rest of your life?

What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Counselors, teachers, parents, and friends often ask this question of high school students as they begin to think about post-high school graduation plans, and it makes sense: we want goals to inform planning.  However, it is essential to recognize that many kids this age don’t know what they want to do… or be.  They may be more drawn to STEM classes or love literature and writing, but their goals may still be quite vague.  And they may not have identified a major or area of interest for college.

In the wake of the prolonged recession that started in 2008 that resulted in a rising number of unemployed college graduates, we have found that families want their kids to identify careers earlier and make that a key criterion of the college search and match process.  The students we work with are feeling the pressure, increasing anxiety for some. 

“Let’s stop stressing out our kids with career choice pressure” an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer by the psychologist, speaker, and author, Janet Sasson Edgette reminds us that forcing our children to decide on a career before they are ready can lead to false starts and unintended consequences.  She also makes a case for raising children who are adaptive — who value education for the opportunity to explore and discover as they will be better prepared for futures where they will have to change as the career landscape changes. Parenting our children to seek a balance between security and what brings them joy is a goal worth promoting.

How to Interpret Your PSAT Score Report

Do PSAT scores matter? Mostly not!

PSAT scores are not used in making a college admission decision, but as an indicator of college readiness and as a predictor of SAT scores.  Students will need to take an official SAT to meet standardized testing requirements.

So what is the difference?

It is important to understand that the PSAT is scored on a 160-760 scale for each section, whereas the SAT is scored on a 200-800 scale. The score ranges differ because the SAT contains additional questions of higher difficulty; it’s taken when students are older and have mastered more academic content. Because of this, a student who has scored a 450 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the PSAT, for example, should approximately score the same on the SAT if it was taken on the same day.  It would be expected that the student’s score would improve, however, when they take the SAT in the future as they will have mastered more academic content over time.

You will also notice that percentiles are given underneath each score.  These represent the student’s relative standing among all U.S. students in that grade, whether or not they have taken the PSAT.  You can obtain the percentile ranking among students who took the PSAT by going to the online score report on your College Board account.  Be aware that this ranking will most likely be lower as the cohort that takes the PSAT is often more competitive. 

What does it count for?

The PSAT taken in the junior year is used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation Awards program. You will see an NMSC Selection Index Score on the 3rd page of the report. The student’s scores are used to calculate this index score, which will fall within the 48-228 range.  Each state calculates the score needed to qualify for the awards program based on students’ scores from their state and this benchmark changes from year to year.  The NMSC will notify students in September who are eligible to apply for the National Merit Scholarship Awards program.  These students are approximately the top-scoring 1% of students who took the PSAT in their junior year nationwide.

More detailed information about the PSAT can be found by logging into your College Board account online. 

Use With Caution: Scattergrams as a Predictor of College Admissions

Students and parents frequently reference their (or their child’s) admissions chances based on the Scattergrams displayed in Naviance, the online counseling tool at their high school.  We always caution that Scattergrams tell a very limited story and that they should not be considered an absolute.   

To the uninitiated, Scattergrams plot the admissions decisions received by previous students who applied from that high school to a particular college or university.  The Scattergram graph uses the X-axis for standardized test scores and the Y-axis for GPA to give prospective students a snapshot of their chances for admission. 

Some key things to keep in mind about the limits of Scattergrams:

•  Often, admission results are self-reported by the student. There are no controls in place for accuracy of results!

• The data is collected over preceding years and is a very small sample size.  Most colleges are getting more selective each year, so a student that was admitted even a year or two ago might not be admitted in the current admissions cycle.

• The two variables used, GPA and test scores, are frequently not the two most important factors of the applicants’ profile in consideration.  Many schools are now test-optional.  Most schools will look at academic rigor and like to see it on an upward trajectory over the four years of high school.  Many give important consideration to the essay and extracurriculars.  Additionally, there’s no way of knowing whether the students included on the Scattergram were recruited athletes, legacies, or had another “hook” desired by the college or university.

• Scattergrams usually don’t reveal whether the student applied Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision, which can affect one’s admission chances.

• The GPA utilized for Scattergrams is usually the student’s final GPA after senior year, not the GPA they used when submitting applications in the fall of senior year.  Many times, their final GPA is lower due to Senior Slide or Senior Slump in the spring.  Therefore, GPAs on the Scattergram may be skewed lower.

It’s important to keep in mind that Scattergrams offer a VERY limited window into the admissions outcomes for the given group of students. The breadth of variables upon which colleges base their decisions is not reflected in this simple diagram.  Most often, they are helpful in determining if you are shooting for the moon, but not the other way around.

Use Scattergrams with caution!

Entering High School? Plan Ahead!

Are you about to enter high school?  There are a few things to think about as you consider your course selection and look ahead.  One of the top factors that admissions people use to gauge a student’s competitiveness for acceptance is the rigor of the courses that the student took in high school.  Receiving all As in level 2 or college prep classes is not considered as competitive as earning As and Bs in level 1, honors, AP or IB courses.  You should aim high and challenge yourself to the best of your ability in high school.  

It’s never too early to map out your high school courses thoughtfully. 

Colleges want students who work hard, who participate and engage in their academics and broader school community.  They especially want students who demonstrate drive and a good work ethic.  So, when you’re debating between that easier class and one that may challenge you, think about how you want to position yourself for your future.  It may seem far off now, but the years will fly by, and you’ll be considering your options for after high school sooner than you think.  Be sure you plan well.