Doing What I Love to Do!

Once again this year, I will spend an exhausting and rewarding week teaching at the IECA Summer Institute held at Swarthmore College. It never ceases to amaze me that I learn from my colleagues and students at least as much as I teach. In addition to feeling that I am helping to safeguard the profession by teaching would-be consultants the best practices that IECA holds dear, I find the time spent with knowledgeable colleagues, who love being IECs as much as I do, to reaffirm my commitment to my students and their families. It is a wonderful commentary on life when one can earn a living doing what she loves to do.

The profession of Independent Educational Consulting is a young one, a bit more than 30 years old, and I have been privileged to be part of it for the last 17 years. Those years have been ones of growth, organization, and acknowledgement by other groups that IECA is the premier representative of IECs who are ethical, trained, and professional. Members of this wonderful organization take great pains to keep their skills up-to-date, continue their professional development, do pro-bono work, and keep the good of the client foremost in their minds. I am privileged to be part of this wonderful group.

Summertime - Time for Relaxation but Don’t Forget About College Prep!

It’s summertime and preparing for college may be the furthest thing from your mind. But even as you enjoy your summer break, you’d be wise to use this free time to your advantage.

If you’re a rising senior, be aware that September will come all too soon and by the time school starts, you should have a final list of colleges, so you can begin your applications.  This fall will be a busy time with essays, letters of recommendations, college applications, etc.

By taking advantage of these long summer days, you can get a real jump start on your college application process!

Here are some tips for maximizing your summer:

Read

Reading will help keep your mind fresh and help build language skills. You don’t need to read classic English literature – popular young adult books will do the trick.  And take a book on vacation with you!

Volunteer

Volunteer for an organization that you are interested in and passionate about. This is a great way to build your resume and to narrow down potential fields of interest. 

Get a job

Earn some extra cash while taking on responsibility.  Colleges like to see that you have responsibilities outside of your schoolwork.

Visit colleges

Make time to visit colleges you are interested in.  Since school is not in session, summer may not be the most ideal time for college visits, but you can still get a feel for the place and visit again if necessary. Taking a family vacation? Plan to visit colleges along your way.

Think about what you want out of your college experience

Take time to think about what you want in a school, your interests, and what you would like to get out of your college experience.  Long car rides to the beach are perfect for brainstorming.

Have a fun and meaningful summer!

Charlotte Klaar, Ph.D.

For more information about how Klaar College Consulting can help lead you to college success, call us at 301-834-6888 and visit the many resources available on our website www.cklaar.com.  

Strong Academics, Idyllic Settings at Women's Colleges

On a recent trip to Western Massachusetts, I visited two wonderful women’s colleges: Mount Holyoke (@mtholyoke) and Smith (@smith). While both are women’s colleges and have many similarities, they are also quite different from each other. I strongly encourage young women to explore these as well as other women’s colleges, before deciding whether to apply only to coed institutions.

Mount Holyoke, in South Hadley, is smaller (2,200 students) and in more of a rural setting than Smith. Tucked into the Berkshire Mountains, this beautiful campus offers the opportunity to think and learn in a comfortable and quiet setting.

Recently, a series of fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques were added at the edge of the campus. All are within walking distance of the residences.

Academics have always been the strong suit of the Northeastern U.S. liberal women’s colleges known as the “Seven Sisters.”*  As the first dedicated to educating women, Mount Holyoke has never been distracted from its mission of providing a solid liberal arts education, coupled with strong programs in the arts – including dance, theater, and studio arts.  They also offer well-respected programs in business and science. While one might think of South Hadley as a “sleepy little town,” dynamic intellectual pursuits are alive and well at Mount Holyoke. 

Smith College in Northampton is the largest of the Seven Sisters, and is located in a much busier town that’s within easy walking distance. There is a lot to do in the area surrounding Smith, and the campus itself is a haven around a beautiful lake. 

A very strong engineering program is offered, along with its liberal arts core. Smith’s curriculum also has a strong global focus, and encourages students to study abroad to prepare for a future career as a global leader. Their open curriculum, with no core requirements, encourages students to explore their interests in many areas, so students frequently have double majors or minors.

The residential system at Smith is governed by a house system, rather than residence halls, and students identify themselves by their house (all if which are self-governing).

Both Mount Holyoke and Smith have a population of non-traditional women students, as well as significant international populations. Their selection process emphasizes the GPA of incoming students. Both colleges are SAT optional, in recognition of their focus on strong high school preparation. Each is a member of the Five College Consortium, and students can easily take classes at the other colleges via a bus system.

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore these and other women’s colleges to round out your college research.  You may find a good fit and a rewarding college experience!

* The other women’s colleges of the Seven Sisters include Barnard College, Bryn Mawr College, Radcliffe College, Vassar College, and Wellesley College. All were founded between 1837 and 1889.

Make Peace with Your College Decision. Don’t Second Guess Yourself!

You’ve already paid your deposit and know what school you will be attending in the fall.  Celebrate, it’s a big accomplishment!  But now perhaps you’re having second thoughts about whether you really did select the right school?  Relax -- it’s normal for students to wonder if they made the right decision.  But don’t second guess yourself.  You chose the school you did because you did your homework and thought it would be a good fit for you.  Make peace with your decision. 

Going to a new school is scary, especially if it’s far from home.  Some of you may be going to college with friends, while others may not know anyone.  Either way, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people.  Remember, all freshmen are in the same boat as you and are looking for new friends and new experiences.  Plan to give it your best shot, and before you know it you’ll be loving college.

If things don’t work out, transferring is always an option.  Your college advisor can help you identify which credits will transfer into another university.

But for now, enjoy your summer and make the most of it.  Soon enough you will be on your way to college and opening a new chapter of your life.  I wish you the best of luck!

Charlotte Klaar, Ph.D.

You Received Financial Aid Packages… Now What? Tips to Compare and Review Your Options

With the fall semester quickly approaching, you may be concerned about how you are going to finance your college education.  By now you should have submitted your FAFSA and received a financial aid package offer.  As you review your offer, here’s some helpful information to consider:

1. First, keep in mind how much of your financial need is being met, and which type of aid you are receiving.

2.  Look at the total costs for each school. Include tuitions, fees, room & board, books, food, travel expenses, personal expenses, etc.

3.  Subtract all grants and scholarship packages.  You do not need to repay the money received through grants and scholarship.

4.  Loans do need to be repaid.  Student loans come in a variety of forms, each with their advantages and disadvantages.  There are two types of Stafford loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. 

                Subsidized loans don’t accrue interest until after you graduate from college, thus they are generally viewed as more attractive. 

                Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while you are still in school.  Both loans have a low interest rate and students can chose to take a combination of subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

5.  Multiply by four. You will be attending college for at least four years, so take into account the long term costs.  Even though you may have received multiple scholarships your freshman year, you may not receive them in future years.

If the financial aid package is not what you expected, keep in mind that there are a lot of scholarships available.  There are strict deadlines for scholarship submission dates, so check before you begin to apply.  Create a timeline of due dates so you can plan accordingly.  Colleges also offer scholarships for their students, so make sure also check with each college you are considering. 

Fastweb is a great resource that provides a database of scholarship opportunities and deadlines: www.fastweb.com

Here is a link to a financial aid calculator to help compare your aid packages for each school you are considering. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-awards/compare-aid-calculator

For more information about how to compare financial aid packages, and how Klaar College Consulting can help lead you to college success, call us at 301-834-6888 and visit the many resources available on our website.

Juniors- Use Your Spring Break Effectively

It’s Spring Break!  Now is the time for juniors to begin visiting colleges and narrowing down their list of potential choices.  Visiting colleges while they are still in session will give you a clearer picture and feel for the campus.  Go with an open mind, and thoroughly explore the campus, academic buildings, dining halls, and dormitories.  Try to imagine yourself in each setting.  On average, students spend 15 hours a week in class, so you want to make sure you pick a college campus where you believe that you can live peacefully.

If possible, talk to students who attend each college; put together a list of possible questions in advance, so you feel more comfortable in starting conversations.

Also take photos and notes along the way, to help you remember the pros and cons of each college later, when you’re comparing campuses!

Here are some factors to consider during your break:

Consider your options

There are a wide variety of options available: private universities, public universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, etc.

Two-year community colleges are a good route for some.  They provide the opportunity to complete general education requirements that will transfer into a four year university, which can save tens of thousands of dollars on college tuition.  If you plan carefully, it is possible to transfer from a community college to a university and still graduate within four years.

Here is a great article about private vs. public colleges: www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000294.htm

Create a list of 10-15 colleges that are of possible interest

Here is a great website that can help lead you in the right direction: www.princetonreview.com/college-education.aspx

For more information about how to select the right college, and how Klaar College Consulting can help lead you to college success, call us at 301-834-6888 and visit the many resources available on our website.

Don’t Forget to Check the Status of Your College Applications

Some of you may have heard back from colleges, some may not.  Don’t get discouraged.

All colleges provide a timeline of when important documents are due.  Closely monitor the timeline so you don’t miss out on the little things.  As time goes on, remember to:

Make sure applications are complete

Check in with the colleges to ensure they have received all the necessary application documents.  Many colleges have online profiles for the applicants; log into your account and see the status of your application.

Send mid-year grades

Many colleges require mid-year grades.  Take the time to go to your guidance counselor and request having your transcripts sent.  Use this opportunity to update colleges about any information that may have changed.

Send SAT/ACT scores

Whether you are taking the SAT/ACT for the first time or are retaking the test, don’t forget to send your scores to all of the colleges to which you applied.

Keep all applications on file

Keep hard copies of all your applications on file.  You never know when you will have to refer back to them.

Be patient as you wait to hear from colleges.  I wish you the best of luck!