College Admissions Planning- Back -to-School Success 2023-24 Common App 2023-24 College Essays

It’s hard to accept- but Labor Day is within sight — signaling the end of summer break and the excitement of a new school year!  Some students are already back at school. For our Seniors ’23– the College Application clock is ticking more loudly. If you haven’t yet started your college applications and essays or finalized your balanced college list– — all of these tasks should become a priority.  Stress free and Strategic College Admissions Planning:

Click to connect with College Advisor Bonnie Rabin, PhD

If you’re concerned about navigating the uncertainty of returning to in-person learning, the revisions to your extracurricular plan or anything that seems challenging – please reach out to set into motion a set of specific plans to realize your educational goals.  Mentoring throughout 9th-11th grades to help you with your GPA, discovery and finding joy both within and outside the classroom.

Common App 2023-24  and College Admissions — Back -to-School

The past few weeks I’ve been engaging with families to create student-driven plans for a successful academic year.  I’ve truly enjoyed hearing about students’ summer experiences at  online collegiate programs, local internships and family travels in a socially distanced way.

Every summer I typically visit college campuses to speak with admissions representatives.   This past summer,  I reviewed campus programs and guided incoming freshman to making decisions about academic choices given some disruptions to their studies the past year   I evaluated new test optional policies and watched many of the virtual presentations college campuses have shifted to in order to guide prospective students – there are many ways campuses are taking steps to provide informative sessions in the absence of an on-campus visits– and we are still unclear about overnight campus stays for prospective high schoolers..   Way back in 2019– I visited  Ithaca enjoying a short hike to Taughannock Falls State Park with some of my students attending Cornell University Summer College. Despite the rain, we had a great time!   These group of young women enjoyed a variety of STEM and even STEM/Music coursework and all are college students at a university of their choice some are freshman and others sophomores – time flies!

Summer vacations are a time to explore and recharge and I’m thrilled to share that students  are excited to return to school while concurrently expressing reasonable concerns about their challenging schedules and the uncertainty  of their plans- .  “How is everything going to fit?!”  “How will I be successful”

Indeed, “fit” is an important goal both in high school and during the undergraduate years.

I remind all students about  how important it is to extend the summer program energy into the fall semester and together we’ve been setting plans for off-campus extracurricular activities that will continue to ignite both an intellectual passion and bring balance to the high school experience.

As regular readers of my newsletters know, I continue to emphasize how high school is a time for exploration and a time to deepen a love of learning while finding a personal style of time management that will continue into the undergraduate experience.  For parents, it can be difficult to let go of expectations that teens approach “work” the same we do with twenty and even thirty more years of experience. My previous newsletter  earlier this summer on “Building Independence” is one you will enjoy.

In addition to another academic year, conversations with my rising seniors have shifted to the continuing process of college applications and nearly everyone has solidified college short lists after returning from their campus visits and summer programs.  The “fit” is one that includes ACADEMICS,  SOCIAL and FINANCIAL placement for the student and family.

Previous readers of my newsletters know that helping students become intrinsically motivated bringing a  passion and energy to learning is exactly what parents and educators aim to inspire in all our students.

   

Finding meaningful connections within a “community” is essential for a student to become intrinsically motivated and passionate about learning!

(Emory bound senior in your household? -That’s the subject of one of this year’s essay topics– “What motivates you to learn!?”).

 

There’s no place like home.  Where is your academic home?!  That is your path to success!

What are your student’s 

academic and social goals this year?  

What motivates your student? Successful students are intrinsically motivated!

 

What positive and welcomed

steps can parents take to help students remain motivated towards goals?

Success begins with a student-led Strategic Educational  & College Admissions Plan with actionable items!

It’s not too early (Freshman) or too late (Seniors) to set goals, build solid time management and learning strategies and discover a hidden academic strength. I invite you to learn more about my role in helping to build your student’s plan!

College Admissions Planning- Start Early- Increase Your Chances of College Acceptance

A Strategic Educational Plan Includes:

• A Challenging “synergistic” high school curriculum (AP, IB, AICE, Dual-Enrolled??)
• Sustained, directed and meaningful extracurricular activities 
  both within and outside of school (Involvement driven by genuine interest)
• Student directed research to explore a variety of emerging academic and career interests  
  (Customized academic/career discovery exercises focused on your strengths!)
• Time management solutions
  (Parents- you’re too busy to argue with your emerging adult about homework!)
• Setting goals for target colleges, majors and scholarships  (Overlapping interests?)
• Affordable college choices – FAFSA, CSS Profile, Merit-based aid??!

  (Please click to View: Yes, You Can Afford College--)

  

RESULTS:  

Motivated, Self-Directed & Confident Young Adults Ready to Succeed as High School and Undergraduate Students!

Customized Learning Solutions:Review any concerns from the previous academic year and create solutions:

1) learning strategies and study habits for difficult or time consuming classes,  Please don’t fall into the “tutor” trap.
2) External resources for added support,
3) test-taking skills and preparation,
4) time management techniques, and
5) reducing potential stress from being overextended!

Whether you have an “A” student or a student who struggles, every student should take stock of how smoothly their “processes” work.
For example,  earning a “4.0” GPA on 5 hours of sleep a night is not a sustainable (nor healthy) path!Likewise, paying for a math tutor multiple times a week should remind you of the parable about giving someone a fish or a fishing rod !
Let me help your student create long lasting strategies.

• High School Curriculum Map: As an educational consultant with thirty years of university experience, I provide valuable pre-college advising to ensure:
  1) a seamless transition between high school classes and your anticipated undergraduate major, and
  2) success in the college application process.*** Foundation courses in high school are important to subsequent undergraduate studies. Understanding the potential impact of taking AP Lang or getting off the “calc-path” to your undergraduate path is essential.

  Your transcript matters most!  The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) annual State of College Admissions report confirms that universities continue to indicate that the high school transcript (your curriculum and GPA) is the single most important factor in the college admissions process.

  College Admissions Planning & Financial Aid What Do College Admissions Reps Consider?

   

• What’s Your Unique “Story”?!

Extracurricular activities define and shape your high school experiences.  While enjoyable, your activities may also create time management challenges.   Your strategic plan may require refinement to more carefully select quality (not quantity) extracurricular activities.
 

Participate in activities that truly bring you enjoyment and provide opportunities for leadership, growth and potential exploration of personal or academic interests (i.e.FIRST ROBOTICS or DECA) but not at the expense of your GPA and peace of mind.  NEED IDEAS??!!!

500 or 100 hours of Community Service? Admissions staff look for sustained and heartfelt commitments to 1 to 2 organizations.  Multiple hours spread across several one-time efforts will not add  value to an application.  But more important, such efforts don’t help young adult develop meaningful connections within the community.

What’s really important is to engage within organizations that align with your family’s core values.

Parents– Consider volunteering alongside your emerging young adults in shared initiatives – how can we serve those in need within our communities?

 

• College Visits: The upcoming year is an important one for exploring 3900+ potential colleges in the US!.
  LEARN MORE: COLLEGE VISITS

• • Standardized Test Taking: Your strategic plan should include these exams and also include a schedule of regular and ongoing weekly preparation for your:
    a) SAT or ACT
    b) SAT II subject tests and
    c) Advanced Placement  (AP), AICE & IB exams.Have you explored my three most recent detailed notes on exams:At the moment- — Most schools are  TEST OPTIONAL – Click to Read My Recent BlogCOLLEGE ADMISSIONS PLANNING TIPS: TESTING – SAT ACT SUBJECT TESTS AP – WHAT’S REQUIRED
    COLLEGE ADMISSIONS  SAT vs ACT PART IICOLLEGE ADMISSSION  SAT vs ACT PART I

• Summer 2024 Planning:
  IT’S ACTUALLY NOT TO EARLY TO START EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS!   A meaningful post-junior year summer activity increases the likelihood of acceptance at many colleges.  Aside from working on your college application, the summer is an opportunity to work for pay, to volunteer, to work on a performance interview (arts/music) or attend a competitive summer program at a university.
  Attending a summer college program is an excellent way to demonstrate “informed interest” in the college admissions process.  You may even garner a recommendation from a professor for use in your college application. Financial assistance is available.

CLICK to SCHEDULE YOUR EDUCATIONAL and COLLEGE PLANNING ASSESSMENT TODAY

Have a wonderful week and a spectacular summer!

Bonnie

Do you know what exams are required?  Do you know when to prepare and when to best take your exams (SAT, ACT, IB, AP, AICE)?

Does your student have an Educational & College Admissions Plan? Are you on target?

Schedule your Educational & College Planning Assessment

SENIORS- ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON AND WRITING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS – Common App 2023-24

Bonnie

Online College Counselor

Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus & Cornell Alumni Representative

Founder, President College Career Consulting, LLC
Serving Clients in South Florida, Boulder, CO, Denver, CO &  Remotely Wherever You Are
Florida:  561.509.0021

Boulder & Denver Colorado:  720.737.9944

National: 833.MY.ESSAY

Personal Mobile: 607 280 4905

www.collegecareerconsulting.com

Florida: https://collegecareerconsulting.com/boca-raton-college-consultant/

Denver: https://collegecareerconsulting.com/college-admissions-assistance-in-denver-colorado/

Boulder: https://collegecareerconsulting.com/college-application-assistance-boulder-colorado/

bonnie.rabin@gmail.com
brabin@collegecareerconsulting.com Please visit and Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeCareerConsulting​​​​​

Experience the Difference!

Meet Dr. Rabin:  Click to View: https://youtu.be/COh35158zs0