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Capstone Educational Consultants

Helping Students with Test Prep, Tutoring, and Navigating the College Journey

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Smart Advice For Parents

With technology at our fingertips it’s tough to filter through what is smart advice for parents of high school students and what is not. One thing is for certain, getting a little insight from a fellow parent and expert in the field may help you become more confident in starting this college process with your own students – and maybe a little smarter on the side.

As I listen to the concerns of parents in the community, my own friends starting the journey, and the messages heard and learned from my colleagues working with families just like yours all across the country, I’ve determined a few important things to consider:

Narrow the Noise

There’s a million voices saying this, that and the other about why, where, and what you should do. When it comes to preparing for your student’s journey to college the noise is loud. This is a tough place to be indeed. Listening to all of these voices from friends, family, websites, rankings, and news can be overwhelming. It’s one thing to ask Alexa for today’s weather, sports scores, best album in the 80’s or where to find the prettiest beach in the world. But she may not be the best resource for finding the college that makes the most sense for your son or daughter.

We recommend finding a trusted source, an actual person like those with professional membership in the Independent Educational Consultants Association and/or Certified Educational Planners. Trusted sources like these provide opportunities for parents to search for pre-qualified, pre-vetted, experienced college planners nearest their location.

Choose Wisely

Not only is it important to choose a trusted source for information on the college admissions process, but it’s also very important to choose a list of colleges for the best reasons.

Knowing your major in college before you graduate from high school may be a difficult task for many given their uncertainty with careers and how they relate to college.

Be sure to help your student become more self-aware through interest inventories such as the Strong Interest Inventory®. Identifying areas of interest and recognizing the role they play in career choice is fascinating at best. Did you know there are careers held by people of your gender and similar interest and they are incredibly happy? Studies have shown that people who are satisfied in their career choice and who share similar interests with others could be an excellent indicator of success and satisfaction should they find themselves in that same or similar career. That’s what the Strong Interest Inventory will do for you and your student!

Keep the Student Central

The journey to college can sometimes be overshadowed by a parent’s initiatives — with good intentions. Keeping the student central in the process builds responsibility and good judgement. Whether it’s writing the college essays or completing the application, students should be kept front-and-center in the process. They should own it and every click of the keyboard and stroke of the pen should belong to them.

As parents, I’m the first one to say we all want to see our children succeed in all they do. Finding and applying to the right college is no exception. So, with that in mind, encourage them every step of the way — just don’t do it for them.

By keeping the student in the “driver’s seat,” students find their voice in the process. This single effort to keep them central will allow them to better identify with who they are and become better at recognizing when a college makes sense for them.

Enjoy the Process

It’s easy to get caught up in the “hype,” excitement, worry, and frustration of the college admissions process. The powers-that-be have not made it very easy for anyone. Addressing questions like when to start, where to look, how to know, and what to look for are all central to the process. It’s easy to get hyper-focused on these questions and driven like Indiana Jones on a quest for answers. But, this flood of information makes for a frustrating process — definitely no fun!

This is why students and parents should take time to enjoy the process from start to finish. There will always be twists and turns along the way, but there’s a very important education that inadvertently could be missed if eyes are looking in the wrong direction for the right answers.

Staying active in activities, Friday night football games, and maintaining good grades while completing college applications can quickly take the fun out of the journey. But, these are actually some very exciting times and preparing for the next chapter of life is nothing to get frustrated over. When life starts to feel more like lemons, take a moment to remember those things that mean the most. What do you enjoy doing the most? Have a favorite book or activity? Do you find the best version of yourself while volunteering? When your student starts to feel overwhelmed, have them step back and reflect on these basics. At the end of the day, this process is supposed to be enjoyed — days filled with self-discovery and building tomorrow. Have fun with it!

If you would like to talk more about the college journey for your student, schedule your FREE consultation instantly here!

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AP Test Just Got Interesting

Deciding on whether or not to take an AP test not only got interesting, it appears to be getting a lot more tricky!  According to The Washington Post, new registration deadlines and fees were unrolled recently by The College Board and could likely impact students taking AP classes.

The biggest challenge would be for high school students deciding if they should sign up to take an AP level class in high school and subsequently the notorious end-of-year exam used by many colleges to potentially earn college credit long before sitting for the exam.

It appears, starting in the 2019-2020 school year, students will be required to sign up by Nov. 15 in the year before they take the spring exam if they don’t want to incur a late fee. The registration fee would remain the same, but late registration would cost an extra $40 along with an additional $40 “no-show” fee. All-in-all, it appears a student who signed up late and never showed up for the test would be out $174.

Parents and students will be in an interesting predicament. Many students will be deciding on taking AP classes and some students will choose to substitute AP classes with dual-enrollment opportunities. But now, deciding to place an AP class on your 2019-2020 schedule could mean registering for the AP test months before actually sitting for the test. This would bring a whole new meaning to planning ahead!

Deciding on the best solutions between AP classes or dual enrollment is not to be taken lightly. There are pros and cons to each.

If you would like some clear direction between AP classes or dual-enrollment, feel free to get in touch!

Note: AP fees or registration requirements on the College Board website were not reflecting these changes at the time of this posting.

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Self-Reported Test Scores

Self-Reported Test Score

Many colleges and universities around the country are allowing students to now submit self-reported test scores.

It is fast becoming a growing trend in admissions offices.  Colleges have always required an official score report from either ACT.org or the Collegeboard to complete the application file.   Now, colleges are taking your word for it first and asking for the official score to be sent later. 

It’s no secret that applying to college can be expensive.  By selecting a college that accepts self-reported test scores can save tons of money in the end. 

Our friends at Compass Education Group in California just published a list of 104 colleges and universities welcoming self-reported test scores.  It’s a great list and you might even be surprised to see some of our Georgia schools listed!

Capstone Educational Consultants helps to build a list that makes sense for every student because every student is different and needs a college list that makes sense!

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4 Back-to-School Tips for High School Students

Back-To-SchoolSummer is closing and many students are about to go back-to-school.  For some, it will be their first year on a new campus, while for others, a reunion of sorts.  Either way, getting off on the right foot could easily set the stage for a knock-out year and prevent many late nights, stressful days and aimless studying.  Because, when it comes to college, every year of high school counts and having a strategy works!  By simply referring to this guide you could maximize your chances of success.

Keep Moving Upward

Regardless of your year in high school, making the grade always wins.  But, the slippery slope in not doing well over time is real.  There are terms for this.  Because the sophomore year tends to fall during the second year of your high school journey — virtually in the middle, some refer to it as “the sophomore slump.”  Perhaps more notoroious, however, is the home stretch.  Seniors can see the finish-line on the first day back-to-school and run out of gas rather soon.  Procrastination sets in and the senior fights contracting the apathetic approach to finishing strong and as a result others ask if they have “senioritis.”

These are dangerous if not addressed quickly.  Signs can be noticed when grades are beginning to move in a downward trajectory.  Sometimes it’s an easy turnaround, but ultimately it is best to continue moving grades in an upward track, even if it is in small increments.  But in the unfortunate event the grades have taken a hit, instead of “throwing in the towel,” take a deep breath and begin building from there.  Move those grades upward!

Avoid Overcommitting

There is nothing worse than not having enough time to do the things that need to get done.  Learning this art while in high school will pay incredible dividends both in college and beyond.  Just keep in mind, getting back-to-school brings a heightened level of excitement and desire to be a part of many things.  Remember to narrow down your options so you’re not overcommitting.

It’s important to identify what it is that drives you.  What are you furiously passionate about?  What do you really like to talk about or get excited about when someone else brings up the subject?  Then, take the time to narrow your focus and select your commitments carefully.  Remember, colleges like to see deep engagment in a few things rather than shallow involvment in many.

Oh, and if you are a senior, do not forget the college application is time consuming, so limit your commitments even more so during this time.

Practice Time Management

Even though you may limit your involvment in extra-curricular activities, the schedule will fill quickly and become very busy.  Transitioning from a care-free summer schedule into a back-to-school routine is daunting and can easily overtake the most experienced of planners.

I was sad to hear that Chick-fil-A was no longer producing their annual “cow-lander.”  Calendars like these are perfect in mapping out large projects.  The ability to flip from month-to-month and see the big picture far outweighs the benefits of any handheld, portable calendar.  However, when it comes to tests, weekly quizzes, reminders and reoccuring events, the pocket calendar on your phone or tablet is perfect!

TIP:  The moment you receive an assignment and you know it’s gonna be a biggie — grab that calendar and start mapping out what, where and when you need to do and be in order to get it done on time.  My rule of thumb was to always set a due date one week earlier than the actual due date.  This way, I gave myself some “buffer-room” for those unforseen train-wrecks.  And, it gave me a peace of mind and a sense of satisfaction knowing it was done while everyone else was stressing out!

Segment Large Assignments Into Small Pieces

The aforementioned TIP was just too good and it need not be left alone.  Of all the tips, this one is by far the crown jewel, especially if learned early.  Parsing a large assignement into “doable” chunks helps remove the stress and promote clarity on the subject.  Students are able to focus in on a part instead of the whole and become more productive in the process.

As mentioned before, place the assignment on a day within one-week of the due date.  Then, after looking at all the requirements (i.e. research, rough drafts, meetings, etc.) begin plugging in dates moving backwards on the calendar.  This allows you to see how much time you actually have to complete the project and identify dates of availability so as to not miss out on opportunity to get things done.

Then, repeat for every assignment!

In the end, this frees up your time more than it fills your time.  You will be able to actually spend time with friends and family, go here or there and do this or that, because you have designated specific time for a specific purpose.  Success is moments away!

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Lessons Learned From the Lower June SAT Scores

Lessons LearnedIn case you missed the news, many high school students who took the June SAT were surprised to learn their scores were lower than they expected. Some knew something was up as many reported the math section seemed particularly easy. Students and parents were unhappy with the unexpected outcome and took to social media almost immediately to make a case. On Twitter, @rescoreJuneSAT went as far as creating a petition and encouraged followers and those perplexed test-takers to sign in hopes of drawing attention from The College Board.

With many dollars and countless hours spent on preparing for tests such as the SAT, students and tutors work hard to maximize the strategies and content by focusing on specific deficiencies or strengths in hopes to raise the score. Students strive to push the bar on their scores for a variety of reasons. Some are being considered for scholarships or honors program placements. But, the most notorious of them all are those hoping to impress or influence an office of college admission.

The results from the June SAT brought considerable disappointment as it literally changed the story for many of these students. Scholarships would not be awarded, honors programs could not be applied for and that “better score” to flash at admissions was going to be far less glamorous.

Some wondered how this could happen when the SAT is a “standardized test.” Allow me to offer a brief explanation that may shed some light on why and how this could happen. Have you ever taken a test or quiz in a class where the teacher graded on a curve? Well, believe it or not, every time you take the SAT it too is graded on a curve. Most of the time it’s hardly noticeable and it’s meant to keep the scoring standardized. But because the math section for the June SAT was particularly easy to most, it elevated most of the test-takers to the top. There-in-lies the problem — and here comes the curve!

It’s painful knowing the implications of diminished returns on tests like the June SAT. It’s truly heartbreaking when one begins to think about all the lost possibilities. But instead of focusing on how this happened or why this happened, I’d like to suggest a few lessons we might learn from this experience.

Here are a few suggestions to consider as students prepare and plan for their future SAT or ACT tests.

Plan Ahead

June is a great opportunity to take the SAT, especially since it’s in the summer while there are fewer distractions and commitments. However, it’s important to plan your testing strategy early so that the June SAT is not the ONLY SAT you take. As a rising senior, this is your last opportunity to take the SAT before submitting your applications to college. By waiting until June to take the SAT you are placing all of your eggs in one basket.

Know the Landscape

It makes sense as a high school junior or rising junior to take a standardized test “cold-turkey.” It’s a good way to get a feel for the test. Along with learning the general feel for the test, it’s equally important to know about the general content to expect on the test. Self-help study guides can be found at your local bookstore and many test-prep tutors can coach you through the content. When you are unfamiliar with the test and its content, you’ll likely find yourself with a score far below your true ability and possibly even below college admissibility standards. So, do your best to know before you go.

Practice

Whether you are an athlete, an artist or a “book-worm,” practicing trains the body and mind to accomplish the desired outcome. Grandma always used to say, “Practice makes perfect!” And, while we know perfection may, in fact, be far away, practice will bring you closer to perfect than ever before. Practicing for the SAT or ACT used to be accomplished only by taking the actual test over and over, resulting in an expensive practice strategy and the results were reported. Now, it’s easier than ever before to practice taking these tests. Both SAT and ACT offer practice tests in their official study guides. For a more realistic practice test, you may want to check out your local test-prep companies. Some of them administer the test under the same testing parameters you would find in an actual testing setting and some even provide a detailed score report for added value! Capstone Educational Consultants is one of those offering such a service.

Take it Again

Taking the SAT or the ACT several times can serve as a series of benchmarks that can assist in knowing where to focus. My grandma used to also say, “Life happens!” And she was right! When it comes to the day you are scheduled to take the SAT or ACT — life will happen. But sometimes life will throw a curveball and take you off your game. Sleep through the alarm? Miss breakfast? Can’t find your keys? Forget your calculator? Family tragedy? All of these and many others can impact your testing performance. This is why it’s important to plan ahead, know the testing landscape, practice and take it again!