planning

November 1, 2018 By Mark Cruver Leave a Comment

Surviving College Admissions Deadline

In politics, we always hear of the “October surprise.” High school seniors have a different understanding when it comes to surprises in October. Throughout the month and the fall semester, students are scrambling for time to finish their applications, edit and re-edit their college essays, all in hopes to reach the college admissions deadline. And, there are different deadlines depending on the college. For Early Decision, many see October 15, while others have determined November 1 or 15. Some Early Action deadlines stretch even later like December 1, 15 or even January 1. Regardless of the day, surviving this gauntlet of detail can wear down the most eager of students.

So, here are a few suggestions for parents on surviving college admissions deadline day:

Stay Healthy

Whatever the schedule, getting the proper rest for your student is paramount. And, be sure to have them eat plenty of smart foods for the brain like salmon, avocado, nuts, broccoli, spinach, berries and let’s not forget; dark chocolate! Yeah, I know, what student will eat spinach? But, there’s always an alternative! In addition to these great foods, there’s always the daily vitamin!

Stay Organized

When your schedule is packed with school work, band practice, soccer practice, test-prep, volunteering on the weekends and college applications with essays, keeping it all organized is critical. Look ahead and plan your week accordingly. It’s a good idea on Sunday to see what your upcoming week may require. Once you see the big picture, then break it into manageable pieces and plug it into your week to make it all happen smoothly and on-time.

Stay Mindful

Keeping a clear mind is important in producing quality work. Going for a quick run to unclutter your mind always helps. You need to be mindful to survive the college admissions deadline. With a clear mind, your essay is sharper, your applications are clearer and your life gets easier.

October 10, 2018 By Mark Cruver Leave a Comment

Should I Ask For Help With My College Essay?

When it comes to writing your college essay, there’s a moment when you may wonder, “Should I ask for help?” The likely answer to this question is a resounding YES! Even the best of high school writers can benefit from another set of eyes and a dose of expertise providing feedback on the most important 650 words you will likely ever write.

But if the answer to this is a resounding YES, then the next obvious question is WHO? Believe it or not, you are likely not short on options. Of course, you will want to be strategic and calculated about why you ask for help. The objective here is to write a compelling essay that addresses the prompt and captures the attention of admissions.

English Teachers

This is probably your most likely go-to for this kind of help. English teachers are a great choice, especially when you need a special eye on grammar, syntax, spelling, and structure. But there is a strong possibility their availability is limited. Don’t forget, they are teaching English and you are not their only student. Grading papers, managing assignments and conducting classes will come before editing non-essential essays. Unless you are one of the lucky ones don’t expect to find yourself on their schedule.

Parents and Family

Parents have always played a key role in the college application process. But, it can be a little tricky when you ask for help from your parents, especially if they serve as your only source for edit. Your college essay is designed to focus deeply on teaching the reader more about the author. It requires students to be vulnerable, often transparent, with subjects very close and dear to them. This is actually a good thing because you want to be all these things for Admissions. It’s when the subject matter is sensitive that it takes a different tone with a parent’s read. It’s family, it’s close and when it’s both family and close it’s difficult to edit or critique. Parents will sometimes fall into the trap of editing the essay as they would write it and neglect or overshadow the student’s voice.

Essay Specialists

The most ideal candidate for evaluating, editing and suggesting direction on your college essay is an Essay Specialist. These individuals have a background in recognizing compelling essays for college admission. Did you know there are people who are trained and work solely to improve college essays? It is not uncommon for a person such as this to combine this service with college planning. And, on a broader scope, there are companies like Prompt who provide a service to students offering significant and valuable feedback on college essays and supplemental essays. If you’re wondering if there is an Essay Specialist in your area, start by asking your local independent college consultant.

September 20, 2018 By Mark Cruver Leave a Comment

Self-Reported Test Scores

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!

July 30, 2018 By Mark Cruver Leave a Comment

4 Back-to-School Tips for High School Students

Summer 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!

July 18, 2018 By Mark Cruver Leave a Comment

Lessons Learned From the Lower June SAT Scores

In 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!