Tag: college readiness

Categories
College Readiness

The College Essay

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School

The college essay is one of the most feared items in college applications, but it really shouldn’t be.  This is a chance for students to tell their story.  It is an opportunity for them to elaborate on something that they love to do, share a memory they are fond of, describe rituals that they take part in on a regular basis, or reflect on a person who has made a difference in their lives.   Of course, there are more pointed questions that colleges may want to know such as Why College X or Why do you want to study Major Y but students should use every opportunity available to provide more than grades, test scores, and activities lists and be proud of what they have to say.  I often say, “write about what you know, YOU.”

As a college counselor, I read many essays each year.  My students have interesting stories to tell, from babysitting sagas, to favorite English teachers, to a quest for the perfect iced tea.  All share insights into their unique personalities and backgrounds.  Each year, Lakehill juniors have the opportunity to review and discuss sample essays from a college admissions officer.  After reading these, they feel much more at ease and confidently begin telling their stories.

If you are reading this blog and are faced with the task of writing an essay, relax.  Take your time, gather your thoughts, and tell your story.  You’ll be glad that you did.

For sample college essays visit http://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/essay-questions/past-essays/ and http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/essays-that-worked/ .

 

Categories
Upper School Traditions

Mission Accomplished

By Bob Yttredahl
Lakehill Preparatory School, Upper School Coordinator

On the front page of the Lakehill Handbook you can find our Mission Statement:

“Lakehill Preparatory School challenges students to navigate a diverse and ever-changing world by providing them with the opportunity to develop robust academic skills and to cultivate unique talents.”

This time of year is always an appropriate time to reflect on our students’ accomplishments and evaluate how well we are fulfilling the mission of our school. We are able to evaluate by looking at the various universities to which our seniors have been accepted, the scholarships they have been awarded, and the end-of-year accolades our students are receiving.  As we prepare to send our soon-to-be graduates off to outstanding universities throughout the world, it is easy to assess the level of success.

However, another way to evaluate how well we are fulfilling our mission statement in developing well-rounded, college ready young adults is by looking at what the underclassmen are doing this time of year. Most likely, you would think they are set on cruise control as they finish up the school year and get ready for the summer. I am proud to say that is as far from the truth as it can be. Here is a glimpse of what our underclassmen are currently involved in:

The underclassmen participated in a very spirited Student Council election. Once the election is over, the newly elected officials will meet throughout the summer for planning sessions on next year’s activities.

Students are also working diligently on setting up summer study programs at various universities throughout the United States.

Some students are in the middle of spring football practices as they lay the groundwork for the program to participate in TAPPS 6-man football in the fall.

The track team claimed numerous medals in the State Meet that took place last weekend in Waco.

Some students are in the middle of preparing for their summer cheer practice and camp schedules as they raise the bar yet again for the program.

Others are working out in the gym in the afternoons as they get ready for their summer basketball league to begin in two weeks and their annual basketball camp trip to an out-of-state college in June.

Others are working in the choir room as they practice, practice, and practice some more to hone their talents for next year’s performances.

All students are preparing their study guides and finishing up their final projects in preparation for final exams.

The list goes on and on. Obviously, it doesn’t take long to realize our students are dedicated to working hard and being successful in all of the different areas in which they are involved. It truly is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for them to develop “robust academic skills” and to “cultivate unique talents” in an environment where they are cared for and pushed to their limits…Mission Accomplished.

Categories
College Readiness

College Connections

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School 

I have just returned from a professional development opportunity that I am fortunate enough to participate in each year as the sole representative of our College Counseling office.  There were about 6000 university admissions and college/guidance counseling professionals in attendance.

As I talked to colleges and heard stories from both sides of the desk, I know that I am very fortunate to be in a school like Lakehill.  Some of my colleagues must support 500+ students, and unfortunately college counseling is not and cannot be one of their priorities.  I talk to others with smaller caseloads and even they don’t know each and every one of their students.

As I began writing letters of recommendation last week, I realized I had trouble starting, not because I didn’t know the students well enough, but because I had too much information and I had to be deliberate in keeping my letter under two pages.  But once I started writing, it became very clear about what I was going to say about each student. I am proud to have the opportunity to advocate for each and every one of our wonderful students as they apply to colleges and universities around the country.

Categories
College Readiness

Studying The List

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Counseling, Lakehill Preparatory School

The college list is posted!

Each year the bulletin board outside of the Main Office is filled with the names of all of the colleges to which the members of Lakehill’s Senior Class have been accepted.  We don’t attach the names of students just yet as students have until the May 1 national reply date to make their final decisions.

I have seen so many parents looking at the board, wondering where their own children may go one day. I’ve seen faculty and staff looking at it, wondering which students were accepted into which schools. I’ve seen middle school students looking at, commenting on the schools they have heard of (and secretly learning about the schools they haven’t, as I make sure to post where each school is located).  But most importantly, I see the seniors looking at it, proud of their accomplishments and hopeful of all of the possibilities they will have in the next stage of their lives.

Categories
College Readiness

Finding Home Away From Home

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Placement, Lakehill Preparatory School 

Lakehill students are lucky because they have the opportunity to meet college representatives from all over the world who visit our school.  These personal connections are wonderful, but it also very important that students visit the schools they are interested in as well, whether it is before they apply or after they have received a decision.  Colleges are so very different from one another.  Although they may sound similar on paper and their brochures and internet pictures are always beautiful, there is something about being on campus that gives a student a new perspective on an institution.  Kids will often say, “I just got a good feeling about the campus when I visited.  I knew this was the place for me.”

The ideal time to visit a college is when they are in session.  Of course, this might not be practical and summer may be the only time families can go on this type of trip.  Rest assured, admissions offices are prepared to receive you at almost any time of the year except major holidays and Sundays. All colleges will have tours and information sessions. It is also important to find out if you need to reserve a place on a tour well in advance of your trip.  If you have special interests such as in the fine arts or athletics, inquire about the possibility of seeing these facilities too since they may not be covered on a normal tour.  Many colleges will have lunch programs and class visits and some even have overnight programs.  Many schools will also have a special preview day or showcase for specific student groups which is a good way to meet representatives from all of the different schools and services at a college or university.

However you decide to visit colleges, once on campus ask, “Can I see myself living here for the next four years?”  You never know, you may find your next home away from home.

Happy Visiting!

Categories
Alumni

Success Stories

By Roger L. Perry
Headmaster, Lakehill Preparatory School 

I truly enjoyed the many holiday programs at the end of December, as the children’s performances were outstanding. The holidays were terrific with plenty of family time, relaxation, and the time to take on the list of home projects that had grown over the course of the year. It is a pleasure to say that my original list is clear and it can start rebuilding now that we are starting the New Year.

Well, 2012 is here! It has a nice ring to it, 2012. I have a feeling this is going to be an exceptional year in so many ways. As is tradition, many of our graduates, who are currently on the remainder of their college breaks, stop in to see us and give us updates on their experiences.

Edina Suss, a recent grad of Vassar, is leaving for a six-month language immersion program in Mexico, prior to beginning Medical School at U.T. Southwestern this fall. Carrie Patterson, who graduates from TCU this spring, has already landed her job with a major investment banking firm. Chris Good is playing Division I baseball at the University of New Mexico. My youngest son, Chase, just got a promotion at Fidelity Investments. It is always good to have your children gainfully employed. Kaitlin Janning is graduating from Furman this spring and has several Medical School acceptances to choose from for the fall. On the drive in to school yesterday, I heard a commercial for a new hospital in Sunnyvale and the speaker was a vascular surgeon named Rizwan Bukhari. Rizwan was one of the best second basemen to ever play for me at Lakehill. And just today, I received a copy of Flames of Faith, the ninth book published by John Cunyus, PhD.

These stories and hundreds of others like them continue to provide confirmation that we are providing the world with quality young people, who are going to make a positive impact on the world.

I look forward to seeing many more of our alumni next weekend at the first annual Alumni Weekend. On Friday, we will host an Alumni-Senior Breakfast at the Environmental Science Center. At this event, we will honor alumnus Brad Bartholow with our first Distinguished Alumni Award and welcome the seniors that will make up the next alumni class. On Saturday night, we will gather at Times Ten Cellars for an All-Class Reunion. I look forward to hearing many more wonderful stories about the successes of Lakehill’s alumni.

Categories
College Readiness

Deciphering College Decisions

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Placement, Lakehill Preparatory School 

College decisions will be coming out soon for those who have applied to schools with early action and early decision programs.  Many students have already received some news from the schools that send decisions as soon as they are made.

For those who receive positive decisions, congratulations, but keep up your hard work.  Colleges make these decisions based on continued successful performance and require a transcript at the end of the year.

For those of you who may be deferred, this just means the admissions committee wants to see more evidence of your academic performance in your senior year.  Remember, they are only basing their decision off of the first three years of high school, at first.  Many seniors are taking more challenging classes as well as taking on more responsibility which will play a positive role in making a new decision.  Be sure to have your first semester grades sent to the colleges and update the colleges of your senior activities and progress.

For those of you who are denied admission, it is ok to be upset at first, but prepare yourself to move on.  From the beginning, students are advised to make a balanced list of schools and all of them should be places where you will be perfectly happy to attend.  Many schools do not release decisions until March or April, so you will receive more decisions in due time.  If you are worried about your list, talk to your college counselor because there is still plenty of time to revise your list if needed but don’t panic and add a bunch of schools you know you won’t attend.

Finally, remember that with over 4500 colleges and universities to choose from, there will be more than one great match for you.  The college experience is an amazing one; you will be enriched in ways you cannot imagine by the material you learn and the people you meet wherever you attend.

Categories
College Readiness

Calculating College Costs

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Placement, Lakehill Preparatory School

This fall, at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, I attended a workshop on the new federally mandated Cost of Attendance Calculators.

By the end of October 2011, all colleges and universities are required to post a Net Price Calculator on their websites.  This is to help families estimate what they will be expected to pay.  Families with children of all ages are able to use the calculators for college planning purposes.

In theory, these calculators are a great way to plan for costs ahead associated with a college education.  They are designed to make many families realize that higher education is within their reach financially.  Please note, though, that it is up to each institution to decide what information to collect.  Typically, the more information a person is asked to provide, the more detailed the estimate.

Also, please note that these cost calculators do not account for some scholarships that colleges award such as talent and leadership based scholarships.  These cost calculators are to be used as a guideline only and not as a method to eliminate colleges where additional scholarship funding may exist.

An example of a net price Calculator can be found on the College Board website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/401.html.

Categories
College Readiness

Faring Well at College Fairs

By Heather Dondis
Director of College Placement, Lakehill Preparatory School

Fall is an extremely busy time for college admissions officers. They are on the road for weeks at a time trying to visit as many students as possible. Admissions officers schedule visits at individual high schools, attend college fairs, and set up information sessions at local hotels or public meeting places like libraries or community centers. Some will also schedule one-on-one appointments or interviews at neutral locations – Starbucks is a favorite.

I encourage everyone in high school to attend a college fair. Students and often their families attend to collect information and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to approach the table of a college you don’t know much about. With over 4500 different colleges and universities, there are many wonderful places to learn and live.

One tip that will make a college fair visit more productive is to bring labels or note cards with your basic information pre-printed on them. Be sure to include your first and last name, mailing address, email address, name of high school, and year of graduation. This allows you to spend less time filling out forms and more time speaking with the admissions representatives.

Check with your local guidance or college counselor or the universities themselves to find out more about local events and fairs.