Use Your Stress to Become a Success!

It’s that time of year when students are completing college applications and thinking/worrying about whether they’ll be accepted by their top choice colleges. A little stress is good, and can motivate students to make sure their applications are complete, and that they continue to study and finish their senior year with good grades. But how do students learn to manage stress, and turn it into success?

Here are a few techniques:

·       Embrace the anxiety – Everyone feels a stress in their life once in a while. Don’t let your student be afraid of it! In fact, studies show that a little stress can actually increase a test score.

·       Take a five minute breather – Sometimes the best thing a student can do is take a five minute walk, get the blood flowing and release some of the stress hormones!

·      Competition can be fun – Soccer games, talent shows and even school spirit week can teach your student that a little stress can lead to some fun competition! They can embrace a little stress and learn how to “use the force” for good!

·       Finish what you start – When your student doesn’t want to play in the big game, compete in the talent show or wear their school spirit proudly, encourage them to finish what they committed to initially! There is always a victory in playing the game.

·       Be aware- What makes a fun stress turn into an unbearable stress? Find the trigger and talk about it. What makes that application or test so stressful? How can you turn a negative stress into a positive one?

·       Remember, it’s worth it – In between checking on the status of the applications they sent, student should remember that they will get accepted into a college – even if it’s not their number one pick. They won’t stay a high school senior forever!

For more guidance on high school courses and activities, finding a college that’s a good fit, financing, deadlines and more, call Klaar College Consulting, 301-834-6888, Charlotte@cklaar.com.

 

From Freedom of Expression to Fitting into a Box; Changes in the Common Application

Students planning to apply for school in the Fall of 2014 may get an unpleasant surprise. While previous students have uploaded long and creative essays, the class of 2014 will be held to a 500 word limit in their personal statements which are cut and pasted into a box on the Common Application.

The new changes will limit the amount of creativity students are able to show a prospective school.  In previous years, students could exhibit their personalities through longer stories and additional elements such as photos and math equations using the .doc or .pdf format in uploaded essays.

Additionally, the “topic of your choice” question will be removed from the common application, so students who once demonstrated their uniqueness in that question will have to find another way to think outside the box.

Charlotte Klaar, PhD, founder of Klaar College Consulting, recommends that you:

·         Find new ways to be creative in your application. Use an interesting quote, make a bold statement, start your essay with a question and/or have a memorable ending to your essay by using emotion to capture the reader’s attention!

·         Include activities that showcase your best you!

·         To avoid spelling mistakes, write all essays on a Word document, then copy and paste it into the application. Don’t depend on spell check!

·         Always review your applications before sending them in.

For more guidance on high school courses and activities, finding a college that’s a good fit, financing, deadlines and more, call Klaar College Consulting, 301-834-6888. Charlotte@cklaar.com.

Here's What Colleges Want From You!

Between SAT scores, extracurricular activities and GPAs, the process of deciphering what colleges are looking for can seem complex and daunting! Here’s a quick and easy to follow list of what many colleges are looking for in their prospective students to help make the process easier. While some of the items are old standbys, some things on the list may surprise you!

1. A great letter of recommendation. A good word from people you’ve worked with or for is a helpful source of insight into your character.

2. A challenging high school course load. This shows schools that you’re committed to
academics and that you used your time in high school wisely.

3. Good grades with an upward trend. Grades that show you’re working hard and are
consistently improving are very important to colleges.

4. Work and/or community service experience. Real world experience helps to show that
you’re a well-rounded person.

5. Involvement in extracurricular activities. Like work or community service, extracurricular involvement is a great way to show that you’re a well-rounded person with a passion for something. This can help you stand out.

6. Solid test scores. While the importance of these has dropped slightly over the years, they are still a crucial staple for many college admissions offices.

7. An outstanding essay. Essays allow college admissions offices to get a more personal look at the student behind the application. This is the time to show off your skills, insights, and talent for writing.

Knowing what’s important can be the key to getting into the school of your dreams or a college that’s a great fit socially, academically and financially. And who doesn’t want that?!

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!

College Fairs- Helpful Hints to Help Your Child Stand Out

This spring, your college-bound students may be attending a number of College Fairs.  This can be a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with different colleges, many of whom may not be familiar to your high school child.  Unfortunately, students are often not given the tools to properly navigate these events, and may miss out on a valuable opportunity to make an impression on an admissions representative.

I was recently involved in a College Fair, and was surprised at what I saw and heard.  Help your child prepare, so he or she maximizes the college fair experience.  Below are some valuable tips:

1. Plan Ahead: Your child should go to a college fair with some idea of what kind of college would be a good fit for him/her.  Look carefully at the list of colleges who will be present at the fair.  Narrow down the list and prioritize the college booths that your child will visit and make his/her interest in that college known.

Use this opportunity to have at least a preliminary discussion about size, location, campus environment and other factors which are important in the decision.  Have your child do some Internet research on the colleges present at the fair and use this information to round out the list.  The effort you make researching prior to the college fair will show off when speaking with the admissions representative.  Make the best impression possible!

2. Dress Appropriately: This is your child’s chance to make an impression on the admissions representative taking part in the fair. Think about how you would recommend that your child dress for a college visit to his/her first choice school. That is exactly how he/she should dress for the college fair.  Dress to impress!

3. Speak Intelligently: If your child has done the research on the schools to be visited at the fair, use that information to impress the representative.  Ask intelligent questions about the school, its environment and students.

4. Take Notes: Your child will be speaking to many different college representatives, which can be overwhelming.  All the colleges will blend together by the end of the night.  Encourage your child to take notes after each booth.  Having notes to review later will prove to be very helpful.

5. Don’t Travel in a Pack: Assure your student that this is his/her chance to shine and to gather information. This is done much more effectively if your child is alone with the representative, rather than approaching with an entourage. It is particularly not a good idea for your child to approach a college booth with his/her significant other draped all over him/her.

6. Gum: Get rid of the gum! A person looks more adult and is more easily understood without a mouthful of gum.

7. Go as a family: Most college fairs offer evening hours, which gives you the opportunity to attend the fair with your child. This will impress on your student that, although the choice and process belongs to him/her, you will be there to act as a coach and cheerleader. Encourage your child to ask questions and be sure that you don’t undermine his/her confidence in front of the admissions reps.

College Fairs can be very informative venues. Don’t only focus on the colleges whose names you know. There may be some hidden gems in attendance that would provide your child with just the right fit.

Try to put aside notions such as ‘party school’ and to ignore the person you know who attended a particular college and was not happy. Remember that any school is a party school if that is what your child is looking for.  Your child is unique and what did not suit someone else may be perfect for him/her.

Senioritis... the Disease College-Bound Students Should Avoid

Already accepted to college? Beginning to lose interest and focus in school? Be careful not to catch senioritis!

Senioritis- a disease effecting high school seniors, especially during second semester; identified by laziness, lack of focus, repeated absences, and a strong desire to graduate.

Senioritis can sneak up on you faster than you think! Here are some tips we give students for avoiding this dread condition: 

Take a strong course load

Don’t take a relaxing course load just because you can. This is your time to shine!  Many high schools only require three years of all the basic subjects (math, science, history, etc.) and four years of English.  Go above and beyond and take a fourth year of the quality courses.  Try to avoid taking study hall or three different gym classes to get out of studying your senior year.  Admissions officers view the hard work and dedication you put forth late in the game as a good indicator of how you will perform in college.

Grades matter

Use your senior year effectively.  College acceptance is based on senior year performance. 

Colleges look at your grades for the first three years of high school.  What many students don’t realize is that grades during their senior year are just as important!  Colleges require you to submit your first quarter, mid-year, and end-of-year grades.  If you have a downward trend in your grades, colleges will notice and take that into account in determining your ultimate acceptance, your financial award, and whether you acceptance is rescinded.

The college application process is competitive and there are many students on a wait-list ready to take your spot.  Your grades senior year can make or break you.  Don’t become a red flag and give colleges a reason to revoke your acceptance.

Tired of high school classes?

Take a course at a local community college.  This is a perfect way to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, plus you can earn college credits in the process.  Not a bad deal!

Time Magazine also has a great article about combatting senioritis: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191831,00.html  

A Smarter FAFSA and Other Changes

The FAFSA due date is fast approaching (March 1^st).  Maybe you’ve noticed changes, maybe you haven’t.  This year FAFSA 2012-2013 has a few changes that make the application process run more smoothly.

1. Skip logic- The FAFSA is now finally ‘smart’. It takes answers you already provided and eliminates repetitive or unnecessary questions.  Makes the process much quicker!

2. Better navigation- The FAFSA now knows where you left off.  The application auto resumes when you log in.  No more wasting time finding the section you were on!

3. Easy editing options- The FAFSA changes address editing information.  In previous years, you were directed to a different page to make edits which had a completely different look and feel.  Now the edit page looks like the rest of the FAFSA.  Much more user friendly.

4. Advanced notifications- you can choose to set up automatic notifications from FAFSA.  For example, you can get a reminder to update financial information after tax season.

5. IRS DataRetrieval Tool- Starting February 1^st, you have the option of downloading your financial information directly from the IRS to your FAFSA application

Import information to remember

FAFSA becomes available January 1, 2012 and is due March 1, 2012. Colleges set their own deadlines so make sure to check with each college.

FAFSA is based on income from the 2011 tax year.  If possible, file your taxes prior to doing the FAFSA so you have an accurate account of financial information.  If not, you can estimate financial information and correct it after filing taxes.  As always, the sooner you submit all the information the better!

For some grants, financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  Take advantage of this and turn in the FAFSA as early as possible.

There are many resources out there about FAFSA and different financial aid questions. Take a look at these for additional information!

For the FAFSA application: www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm

A great New York Times blog that addresses financial aid is: http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/

High School Students: Time to Get Back to Work

Summer is over and it is now time to get back to school. No matter what you have done in previous years, this is an opportunity to reinvent yourself and become the student that you want to be. As you get closer to graduation, you need to begin thinking about college or a job. That means that it is time to grow up and recognize that your parents will not be there to hold your hand and fight your battles for you. What you have learned and how you approach your responsibilities will determine the college who will accept you, the job you will get, and the success you will have. No one else can do that for you or shield you from the realities of life. Knowing this should encourage you to begin to do your best work, take the most challenging classes, take your work seriously and, most of all, feel the thrill of success that you know you have earned.

If you are a high school senior, it is not too late to find a college that will want you. There are many great colleges that will help you learn and grow. If college is your goal, don't let anyone discourage you from trying no matter what your high school record looks like. There are schools that will help you get the education you want, if you are willing to do your part. We are here to help you find the college that will fit your style and your family finances. Don't give up the dream!

Planning for College: It's never too early!

Today's announcement by the Princeton Review that they are entering the educational consulting field is a terrific addition to the college planning landscape. I know that this view from an educational consultant like me may seem odd, but let me explain. I believe that the more information available to students and their families, the better prepared they are to make wise choices in the process.

What are the different ways in which families can get information about the process and how do they differ? Keep in mind that this process is primarily the student's but it is important to teach the student  how to do the proper research. It is not just looking through college guides or making random visits to colleges whose names everyone knows. The college landscape is broad and there are many wonderful schools which might provide a better social, emotional, and academic fit for the student than the more well-known institutions. In some ways, this is comparable to randomly reading the multiple listing service lists of houses for sale and focusing only on one neighborhood in a city thereby losing the better deal on a more suitable home that is just around the corner. This is where independent educational consultants can provide more individualized services than can the more impersonal class that focuses on process which are offered by large firms.

The independent educational consultant takes the time to get to know the student and the family. S/he really listens to what both the parents and student want included in the consideration of a college. It is usual for consultants to have the student take one or more career assessments and to explain the results in an effort to increase the student's self-awareness which will lead to the ability to make better choices in the long term. Even if you, as a parent, are having difficulty recognizing that your student has the ability to develop self-awareness, I am sure you can see the benefit of exposing him or her to doing so.

Managing the process is also a part of what the educational consultant does with the student. It is often easier to have an adult other than the parent do this because the relationship is less emotionally laden than the parent/child relationship at this stage in the family's life. Most educational consultants have at least some background in family psychology and, although we are not therapists, we do know how to see all sides of an issue and to maximize the relationship.

Finally, and this is the most valuable part of the process which the independent educational consultant offers, knowledge of a wide range of colleges which might provide a good fit or match for the student. We get this knowledge by visiting colleges, attending professional conferences, and keeping our fingers on the pulse of the changes in higher education. All this comes at a price and it is this expertise for which you pay when you hire an educational consultant. In much the same way as a concierge doctor caters to the needs of individual patients, the educational consultant caters to the needs of a small group of clients at any one time. In the former scenario, the patient pays more for this service than does the patient who has an HMO; in the educational consulting world, individual service comes at a higher price than that offered by anonymous large companies. In the past, the high school counselor had the time to do some college counseling but that is becoming more difficult as counselor caseloads become increasingly more unmanageable as school districts continue to cut budgets. In addition, it is a rare Masters in School Counseling program that offers even one course in college counseling. The independent educational consultant has a variety of ways to learn how to effectively deliver services to families and the motivation to do so.

The bottom line is that you should find the help you need at whatever price point you can afford to help your student make informed choices. There is no need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to do this. Most independent educational consultants charge relatively modest fees and do a great deal of pro bono or sliding scale work in their practices. You never know until you ask.

Back Home Again

It is wonderful to be back home again and to touch base with clients and friends in order to share that which I learned in the last two weeks. I saw some exciting colleges while I was away, many of which I had seen before but the changes on their campuses were amazing. A few whom I had not seen that challenged some opinions about them which I had heard from others and caused me to evaluate them in terms of the students to whom I could recommend them.

One of the most exciting things about educational consulting is the constantly changing landscape of colleges which we must keep up on in order to properly serve our students. Although this necessitates a great deal of travel, I find that it keeps me interested in the issues which a good consultant must be interested in. Among these are the changes we find on campuses in both programs and facilities; the financial considerations that we need to know in order to help families make the best decisions for their students; and the general changes to the college process which is a dynamic one.

To do these things well, it is critical to keep up with professional development and attending IECA conferences over the years is one of the best ways I have found to keep abreast of developments in all these areas. It is not only the informative breakout sessions that help me learn but it is also the conversations with colleagues from around the country and the world that help. Keynote speakers are the icing on the cake. Anyone who wants quality training in this industry must turn first to IECA to ensure that they get the best of the best.

Charlotte Klaar

IECA Conference Charlotte, NC

I have just spent a wonderful week doing what I love to do. I have visited eight wonderfully different college campuses, attended some very stimulating workshops in which I learned about adolescents, educational innovations, admissions changes, and many other things which I am looking forward to using with my clients when I return home. What makes all this even more special is the opportunity to do all this with colleagues and friends from IECA.

Early this week I was visited Davidson College, Elon University, High Point University, Queens University, UNC- Charlotte, and UNC-School of the Arts. Each college was very generous to share with us their time and to make sure that we understood their particular niche in the college landscape as well as to tell us about the students who would be a good fit for their particular academic programs. Today, along with two friends from IECA, we drove from the conference hotel to Wake Forest University and Guilford University since we could not be so close and not see these wonderful schools. While spending hours on a bus or in a car may not sound like much fun to many people, for the IECA consultant, it is a pleasure because doing this allows us to expand our knowledge which in turn makes us a more valuable asset to the students we serve.

At the conference, I was privileged to hear two wonderful keynote speakers, Daniel Pink and Nido Quebin. Both are noted authors and each delivered inspiring addresses that both informed and entertained the audience. Mr. Pink discussed the need for us to prepare students "for their future and not for our pasts." Mr. Quebin, President of High Point University, shared with us his vision for High Point and the philosophy that lay behind his plans for this beautiful college. Both are unique and imbued with the common sense approach that offers the wisdom of allowing students to live in environments to which they can aspire as they grow and to give them a high quality education at the same time. Each of them pointed out the need for us to educate students for the future as it will exist in the world that they will inhabit as adults and not for the world for which we were educated since these are vastly different places.

Every time I attend an IECA conference, I return to my work re-energized and enthusiastic about the work I do and the students whose lives I touch. What a great way to make a living and a life!