Marrs Newsletter Archive
Great Information on Financial Aid for College Bound Students
Congratulations! We made it through 2020. Now we can look forward to a better 2021. I am anxiously waiting for the time to come when all of our students are able to return to the classroom under normal conditions, putting this pandemic behind us.
Financial Aid is an on-going issue and continues to be needed for many students. The two articles presented in this newsletter give great information for both parents and students preparing for college.
The first article is a good reminder of what to do to apply for financial aid and how to contact a school to ask to have their financial aid award reevaluated. It is a good article to keep as a reference each year as students apply although the article is titled “Students Affected by the Pandemic….” Completing the FAFSA must be done annually as long as the student is attending college. Although it is most pertinent to today because of the pandemic, much of the information is good for future years as well.
The second article addresses 8 major issues that can cause students to lose their financial aid awards. Need-based aid can be taken away. Students need to take these 8 ways to heart. Some of these 8 ways apply to merit-based aid as well: such as grades or be convicted of a drug – related offense.
I look forward to a great 2021. I hope you will continue to find the information I provide useful as you guide your students through the college admissions process. Please remember I am here to help. Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
Students Affected By The Pandemic May Face Extra Hurdles For Financial Aid. Here's What They Should Know
As college-bound students await news of acceptance to schools for this Fall, most will get financial aid offers based largely on their family's pre-pandemic income.
For many, that's a relic from a more financially stable past that could cost students millions in aid.
8 Ways You Could Lose Your Federal Financial Aid
[...] earning financial aid when you start college doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it all four years, and some students find themselves facing financial aid suspension. While you can go through an appeal process, the best scenario is to avoid losing aid in the first place.
By learning what they are, you can try your best to preserve your eligibility.
College Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe 2020 is coming to a close. It cannot happen soon enough! For those who have teenagers, this “virtual” school business has been trying. The hybrid approach to teaching our teens has been even more challenging for both our students and us. The holidays and our students’ holiday break will be embraced with open arms!
The two articles in this newsletter are directed to all parents of high school students, but particularly juniors. The first article about virtual college visits is one that all parents need to read, but for those in the middle of the college planning process of selecting schools, this is particularly pertinent in the days of COVID – 19.
The second article is an interesting article from Forbes magazine about the issue of the value of standardized testing today. In my opinion, it does a good job de-bunking much of popular thought about standardized testing not predicting college success.
May your holidays be blessed with good health and good cheer. Enjoy your family and join me in looking forward to a fabulous 2021!
May all your wishes for 2021 come true!
Blessings,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
Making Virtual College Visits (Almost) as Good as the Real Thing
Visiting colleges has been a rite of passage for high school students. Campus tours give students and their families a way to see if schools really reflect those glossy brochures that landed in their mailboxes.
With COVID-19, that’s all changed.
Now students have to do all their information-gathering without leaving their homes.
6 Arguments Against The SAT - And Why They Don't Hold Up
The SAT and ACT have long been attacked as biased and open to manipulation, and the pandemic has helped weaken their influence. But if we understand what the tests measure, they have some value.
Critics have charged that college admissions tests only favor the wealthy, who can pay big bucks for test prep.
Common Sense Advice for College-Bound Students
Dear Parents:
Common Sense does not always seem to be kept in the forefront when applying to college! I am here to help make sure students and parents keep everything in the proper perspective. My newsletter this month has two great articles. The first is about Advanced Placement classes. The other article is about whether students should even go to college.
Common sense is so important these days. There is so much misinformation out there due to social media and everyone’s need for immediate answers. Hopefully, you, my informed readers will find these two articles good ones to discuss at the dinner table.
Students and parents need to remember that a student does not need to take all AP classes in order to stand out to colleges . If they are good students in certain
subjects, then taking the AP classes in those subjects is a great thing to do. If the
student is not a good student in other core subjects, taking AP classes in those
subjects is not necessarily a good idea. The bonus points will not compensate for the lack of learning due to fast-pace of the class and the student’s stress trying to keep up. When the subject is not one that the student has excelled in during high school, it is important to visit with the student to weigh the pros and cons of taking the AP class.
College is not necessarily for everyone, but for those students who really want to learn to think out of the box and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, college is key.
Thank you for spending the time to read my newsletter. Happy Halloween!
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
What to Weigh Before Dropping an AP Class
ADVANCED PLACEMENT courses are undeniably demanding. They are designed to mimic introductory college-level courses.
From time to time, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by an AP class and therefore wanting to withdraw from it. But before you make this important decision, consider these three factors:
Is College Worth It?
Now it begins. Your parents want you to start your college essays, and your fall job plans have just fallen through. You’re getting used to your schedule: 5 academic classes, one honors class, and 2 APs. If all goes well, you’ll be admitted to a college that’s right for you, where you’ll get to do this for four more years.
“Dude” you say to yourself, “is college worth it?”
More About Standardized Testing & Myths Surrounding College Admissions
Dear Parents:
Covid-19 is continuing to cause havoc throughout the United States with our educational system and with all issues related to college. This newsletter's first article addresses the issue of standardized testing, specifically the SAT. Over 400 colleges have gone test-optional for the fall of 2021 freshmen. Seniors need to be reassured that if they are unable to test, or have taken either the SAT or ACT, but want to test again, they do not have to submit scores this fall with their applications. Colleges do get it. They know this year is a mess. Seniors have a lot to stress about senior classes, senior traditions that are not going to happen due to Covid-19 and their college applications. Testing need not be a stressor this year!
The second article is important for all high school students and parents. It addresses some of the most talked about college myths. Take the article to heart. Those of us with careers working with students planning for college have been aware of these myths always, but every year there are new “crops” of college applicants that need to be reminded.
I know you will find these articles both interesting. Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter. I pray we will find a positive solution to this most recent coronavirus. We need to return to our routines, those we had prior to the 2020 pandemic. I look forward to a more normal 2021!
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
Student Services Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
These are interesting times to be a high school junior. College selections and applications are on the horizon. Many students are caught without any standardized test scores because of the cancellation of the April ACT, May and the June SAT. This makes it harder for students without scores to know what colleges are realistic to add to their lists.
Marrs College Admission Advisors can help navigate through these interesting COVID-19 times.
We are here to help make sure your students are going to be prepared and look their best when they do begin the college selection process. We're prepared to consult, meet, and answer your questions by Zoom or on the phone.
Call us today! https://marrscaa.com/contact
When and When Not to Submit Test Scores in Applying to College
6 Common College Admissions Myths
When applying to college, many students think they know which strategies will help them attract the attention of admissions officers.
But there's often a gap between perception and reality about what actually matters, and what matters most, when it comes to grades, test scores, extracurricular activities and other factors.
Read More
Attention: Juniors & Seniors – Latest on Standardized Testing
Dear Parents:
The Covid-19 virus has wreaked havoc on so many things this spring, but for our high school students planning for college, standardized testing has proven to be a significant challenge.
The two articles in this newsletter hopefully will help dispel the mystery of how students should select which test to take. The sophomore year PSAT is a good indicator for students and parents. If the student does not score well on the PSAT, they may opt to take the ACT to see if the score is higher. They may also consider taking both.
For the class of 2021, many colleges and universities are going to be test- optional because of the difficulty in getting a testing date at a testing center close by. Parents and students can study the website www.fairtest.org to see which schools are test optional all the time and which ones are test optional for the application year 2020-2021.
It is my opinion that standardized testing does not effectively demonstrate college readiness any longer, which is what brought about standardized testing in the first place. It will be interesting to see what the College Board and the ACT organization do in the coming years. I am hopeful that more colleges will go test optional. Eventually, standardized testing may go the way of the dinosaur – permanent extinction!
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
P.S. This will be the last newsletter before summer break. Our newsletter will resume in late August.
ACT Testing Updates: Summer Testing & Postponement of Section Retesting for 2020
This past weekend, we held our June ACT test. It was by no means a “normal” test experience for students or test center staff. Not all test centers were open, and those that were, underwent extra precautionary steps to social distance and adhere to CDC guidelines.
More News for Parents of Teens Planning for College
Dear Parents,
I will do my best to continue to send informative and relevant articles on college preparation as well as share the status of colleges’ reactions to the pandemic pending the arrival of the class of 2020. I feel it is important to give everyone articles on tasks that are significant in the college planning process, but also share news of what colleges are doing this fall following the pandemic of 2020.
The main focus of this newsletter is on the two articles that point out the different approaches to COVID-19 colleges are taking as they prepare to receive the class of 2020. The first article addresses what Boston College has announced they are doing and the other article describes what Cambridge University is planning. I support what Boston College is planning to do.
One last thing about summer 2020: There are lots of on-line summer opportunities still available for our high school students this summer. If you need more information, please contact me and I will send you one of the lists I have shared with my students. It is important to encourage your students to be productive this summer.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Catherine L Marrs, CEP
4 Reasons High Schoolers Should Build Strong Teacher Relationships
Even if you are a reliably strong student, your instructor may not know you well. After all, he or she is responsible for dozens of students. But there are a number of reasons – four in particular – why you should make a point of building strong relationships with your teachers.
Boston College plans to resume on-campus classes for fall semester
Boston College intends to restart on-campus classes for the fall semester as previously scheduled, officials announced Tuesday. A message from President William P. Leahy said the institution plans to open for classes starting on Aug. 31.
Cambridge University: All lectures to be online-only until summer of 2021
There will be no face-to-face lectures at the University of Cambridge over the course of the next academic year due to coronavirus, it has been announced.
However, lectures will be available to students online and "it may be possible to host smaller teaching groups in person" if they meet social distancing requirements, the university said.
How We Can Help You Prepare for College During THE COVID-19 Crisis
April, 2020
PREPARING FOR COLLEGE MUST GO ON DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS
Dear Parents:
As we all continue to cope with the governmental restrictions required to help control the Covid-19 virus, it is important to stay focused on helping our juniors prepare to apply for college admission this fall as they enter their senior year.
I am emphasizing the standardized testing process in this newsletter. Historically, It has been important that juniors do their best to complete all of their standardized testing by the end of the summer before senior year begins. This year it is going to be a significant challenge due to the cancellation of test dates this spring for both the SAT and ACT. College Board has assured us that they will offer several additional test dates for September and October. Historically, the importance of completing all testing by the end of summer gave students more flexibility to apply Early Action or Early Decision (can only apply to one ED) to those schools with November 1st deadlines. Now many colleges and universities are revisiting their EA and ED deadlines.
The first article addresses how colleges and universities are addressing the issue of requiring standardized testing. Many schools are going to be test optional for this application season (2020-2021).
The other two articles focus on test prep for standardized testing during this interesting time of social distancing. There is a lot of good information for students and parents in both of these articles.
The time we have with our families right now during our “shelter in place” mandate is a gift for those families whose teens are so involved in school activities that having dinner together during the week under normal circumstances is rare. We live in a fast-paced, immediate gratification society. Right now, we do have the time to reflect on what is truly important.
This is temporary. Our children will have stories to tell their children someday, especially those who are missing their senior prom, senior pranks and graduation. Encourage your teens to journal. Daily routines adapted during these difficult adjustments will be interesting to read about in years to come.
Thank you,
Catherine L Marrs, CEP
Additional Resources
Corovirus drives Colleges to Test Optional
Colleges are dropping the SAT or ACT for admissions, they are waiving fees and they are extending deadlines. These are some of the ways admissions officials are responding to the coronavirus.
How to Prep for SAT, ACT Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak
The new coronavirus pandemic has changed nearly all aspects of daily life. If your ACT or SAT test date was canceled because of the pandemic, keep preparing and follow these tips to stay focused.
10 Test Prep Tips for SAT and ACT Takers
Aspiring college students should set realistic test-prep goals, one expert says. Test preparation experts encourage prospective college students to carefully think about when and how to study for these exams. Start with these 10 tips.
Interpreting the Financial Aid Award Letter—Read Carefully!
Dear Parents:
March is an exciting month for our high school seniors. It is stressful for us parents at the same time! Paying for college is becoming a reality….deposits are due soon to hold a spot for your student. Balance for tuition is due later in the summer. Comparing carefully each Financial Aid Award letter is critical to make sure you and your student understand exactly what is being offered. Most Aid letters include LOANS. Please read carefully about the stipulations for any GRANT money which is free money, being offered. Usually, GRANT money is annual and can only be renewed based on the status of the following year’s FAFSA.
Additional merit aid may also listed in the Financial Aid Award letters. Merit Aid is offered to students based on academic performance and standardized testing results. Merit aid is given for the four years the student attends the university. Most students receive their merit aid awards at the time they receive their acceptance to the schools.
The two articles in this newsletter will give you more insights with interpreting the Financial Aid Award letters and help as you compare each school’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Please always keep in mind the Return on Investment (ROI). If your student is attending college with a possible major in something that will require graduate or professional school to give your student a career, please consider sending your student to a reasonably priced college for an undergraduate degree, unless money is not a consideration.
I have students in my practice use a spreadsheet to compare each school’s COA and the amount of money awarded broken into categories (free money versus loans). This helps students and their parents objectively evaluate the best choice based on several points: Fit, Major and Net Cost.
Spring is a time filled with hope and excitement, especially for our graduating seniors. Let’s enjoy and support them through this exciting time!
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
P.S. I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. Please know Marrs CAA is continuing to provide all college planning services utilizing Zoom and FaceTime. We look forward to life returning to normal, but please know we are here to help all students and families as we learn new ways to work together.
Evaluating a Financial Aid Letter: What's Usually Missing
Financial aid awards are often confusing. Plenty of colleges and universities intentionally make financial aid awards hard to decipher to trick families into thinking that their institutions are being generous even when they aren’t.
Since we are in the season of financial aid letters, I wanted to show you how you can easily analyze a financial aid letter.
Financial aid award letters: What to know and how to compare
[...] you may have received financial award offers with your college acceptance letters, but comparing these offers can be a little tricky since there’s no standardized format for financial aid award letters.
However, there are common features that you can assess to effectively weigh your choices and determine which colleges are offering you the best financial incentives.
Attention: High School Juniors and Seniors! Tips for Success as You Plan for College AND When You Get There
Dear Parents:
Happy New Year! This is an exciting time for both seniors waiting to hear final decisions from the colleges they applied for admission for next fall, and for juniors as they begin to seriously begin the college planning process.
The first article is written by one of my favorite college presidents. I heard Adam Weinberg speak last spring at the IECA conference. He truly is an expert on how to help students achieve success in college. The nine tips he offers are excellent and every senior should take a copy in their bags when they leave to begin their college career.
The second article is a great piece on timelines for juniors to pay attention to as they begin the process of preparing for the college application process. It is critical that juniors pay attention to timing. Be the “early bird” not the last to submit applications. It will pay off to be one of the first to apply, not only for a better chance to be accepted, but also for merit aid.
Enjoy both articles. If you ever have questions about the college planning process, feel free to contact me by email or phone. I am happy to answer questions any time. I also love to speak to parent groups and teens about the college planning process. The more parents and students know about the details of getting into college, the better!
Marrs College Admission Advisors wishes you the best year ever in 2020! Happiness, success and good health to our high school and college students!
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
9 Essential Practices to Make College Pay Off
The question is not whether college is worth it but rather, how do students get the most from their investment, especially with an eye toward building a post-college career?
I believe families need a road map. Let me offer nine essentials for maximizing the return on your tuition dollars:
Source: Adam Weinberg - Kiplinger
This is the 11th Grade College Planning Timeline That You Need to Get Accepted
This post is organized according to season, starting with the winter and bringing you through the spring and summer, up until the fall when you’ll finally sit down and apply. This advice is for pre-applicants – that is, eleventh graders who are still in the initial planning stage of their applications.
Source: accepted.com
Selecting a College and Finding Scholarships
Dear Parents:
To close out the year I have chosen two articles that cover topics close to my heart when it comes to counseling students. The first article echoes Frank Bruni, the New York Times Education Opinion writer who wrote a book about the College Selection Process. The article reinforces the idea that it is not where you go to college, rather what you do when you are there. Return on Investment is important. If money is no object, then attending an Ivy League school or a highly selective college that does not offer merit aid, is a great option for a high performing student. For most families today, money is important and paying for college is something to seriously consider. The article about selecting a college reminds us what is important in the college search besides name.
The second article is where to look for scholarships once the student has exhausted what the specific colleges the student applied for admission offer. Independent scholarships are tricky because they are often like looking for a “needle in a haystack”. Often students who rely on the internet searches from websites like Fastweb.com to search for scholarships, apply to many and end up not being awarded any or only one. Narrowing the search is critical. This article gives good tips on where to look for merit aid that will give a better result for the effort.
2019 is almost over. It has gone by fast! Reflecting over the year I am grateful for the fabulous and interesting students I have had the pleasure of helping to navigate the college admissions process this year. I am looking forward to hearing from each of my seniors to hear what their options are for attending schools next fall, and what their final choices are in the coming months.
Thank you for your readership. Here is to a great 2020! Safe travels and happy holidays this joyful season!
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
The College Your Kids Attend isn't as Important as the Majors they Choose
The colleges your kids attend matter far less than the majors they choose, and multiple studies have shown elite schools don’t offer any extra payoff for most graduates.
Here are the most important facts to know as you navigate the college admissions process and decide how much to spend.
Source: Liz Weston - Nerd Wallet
What Are The Best Resources For Finding College Scholarships?
Scholarships are essentially providing the financial missing puzzle piece in your college puzzle. For many students, they are often either the component that allows to attend college in the first place or scholarships may fill the financial gap between your dream college and the state college down the block.
Source: Michaela Schieffer - Quora/Forbes
Great Tips for Preparing Teens for College
Dear Parents:
The articles selected this month are good whether your student is a senior or a freshman in high school. Parenting teens is a challenge. More importantly, helping your teen become independent with good decision-making skills, is an even bigger challenge. Frankly, it starts when children are not even in school, but it becomes critical as your children enter high school with college looming in their future. We as parents all want to feel confident that our children are ready for the independence that comes with going to college. The first article has several good tips for helping to instill independence, but with accountability.
The article from the Kiplinger Report has great advice about Return On Investment (ROI) when you send your teen off to college. Teens need to be aware of these nine practices when they enter college as a freshman. Good practicesinclude taking strong academic courses, getting involved, but selectively, in organizations and clubs on campus and taking advantage of the career center as early as a freshman. Trying out careers, especially if a student is a liberal arts student majoring in English or History or even Economics. It will be critical to get internships during the four years of college in order to have skills to help them enter the workplace upon graduation. A bachelor degree in English or History teaches students to critically think, but not necessarily concrete skills to make them attractive to employers. Internships and research opportunities as well as leadership experiences in college are critical.
November is a time to be thankful. I am thankful for having a wonderful family and having the opportunity to share my expertise and experience in the college admissions arena with your teens. Helping students navigate the college selection and admissions process can be stressful. I am here to reduce their stress and help them create a strategic plan to give them the best chance possible to achieve their goal of admission to the colleges of their choice.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. Thank you for taking time out to read my newsletter each month.
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
7 College Tips for Parents: Adjusting to Parenting an Adult
Starting college isn’t just a transition for students. It’s an adjustment for parents as well! As your children take steps toward becoming adults and following their chosen career paths, your relationships will naturally evolve. It’s not always simple—but there are a lot of strategies and college tips for parents that can make it easier.
Source: Stephanie Thurrott - Azusa Pacific University
9 Essential Practices to Make College Pay Off
One of the biggest investments families make is the money they spend on college.
Here are nine things college students should do during their school years to help ensure the best return on that investment.
Source: Adam Weinberg - Kiplinger
Financial Aid: What You Need to Know
Dear Parents:
October 1st is a very important date for all parents of seniors applying to college. It is the first day the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) is available to complete. Even families that are confident they do not qualify for need-based aid, in my opinion, should complete the FAFSA and submit it to be shared with all their student’s colleges.
The first article is about avoiding mistakes during the fall of your student’s senior year. It is a cautionary article on how to avoid financial aid mistakes.
The second article is about identifying merit scholarships. Of course, the first place students and parents should explore is the specific colleges the student is applying to for admission. If there are separate merit aid scholarship applications, they will be listed along with the deadlines for those applications.
Most all of us with teens applying to college or with young adults in college, can benefit from any opportunities to be awarded free money to help pay for college. Please do not leave any “stone unturned”.
Wishing everyone a stress-free Fall semester!
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
Three Financial Aid Mistakes that could make College more Costly
It’s only August, yet college students’ best chance at a decent financial aid package is right around the corner.
Oct. 1 marks the first day for students and their families to apply for grants and other aid for the 2020-2021 school year through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Avoid these three mistakes, each of which could lead to higher costs for higher education.
Source: Elizabeth Myong - CNBC
How To Get Scholarships
College is expensive. The average tuition at a public university for 2018-2019 was $10,230. And if you attend a school out of state, it’s more than double that. Plus, that doesn’t include the cost of housing, food, or books.
So what can you do about it? You could freak out, Or, you could take a proactive approach and get some scholarships.
Source: Ransom Patterson - College Info Geek
Correction Regarding Diversity and the SAT
Dear Readers of my Marrs CAA newsletter:
On Wednesday, August 28th I mailed out the August newsletter, at about the same time as the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets released the news that the College Board was no longer going to have the SAT track diversity as they had stated they were going to do, and what I addressed in the newsletter.
Here is the link from NPR that clarifies their new position on the issue:
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/27/754799550/college-board-drops-its-adversity-score-for-each-student-after-backlash.
Hope you are enjoying the long Labor Day weekend. Thank you for your interest in my newsletters.
Catherine Marrs
Having a Social Media Presence When Applying to College
Dear Parents:
Both articles in this month’s issue are dear to my heart. Many of you know I preach to students daily about social media postings and why it is very important to monitor a student’s social media “footprint”. It can negatively affect a student’s college admission chances.
The second article is about the new effort on the part of the SAT to “level the playing field”. The new push on diversity is not something, in my opinion, the SAT should be getting involved. The SAT is no longer the admission tool it used to be. The SAT was originally created in 1926 to evaluate an individual’s IQ for the army. It evolved over the years and began to be a tool to evaluate a student’s readiness for the rigor of college. It has evolved significantly especially after the 1990’s. Today, a student can make an above average score on an SAT, and still struggle in college. There are so many other factors that must be evaluated when assessing a student’s ability to be successful in college today. More and more colleges are going “Test-Optional” whereby standardized testing is not required for admission.
I am confident this newsletter will stimulate conversation with your teenager at the dinner table now your students are back in school. Thank you for taking a few minutes to read these interesting articles.
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
Why Colleges Look At Students' Social Media
WITH A SINGLE-DIGIT acceptance rate, Harvard University in Massachusetts has been among the toughest schools to get into. But in recent years, some students who cleared that high bar for admission had their acceptance rescinded before even stepping on campus. The reason: inappropriate social media posts.
Source: Josh Moody - US News
The SAT’s new ‘adversity score’ is a poor fix for a problematic test
The College Board recently revealed a new "adversity score" that it plans to use as part of the SAT in order to reflect students’ social and economic background.
The mere fact that the College Board sees a need for an “adversity score” is a tacit admission that the SAT isn’t fair for all students.
Source: Leigh Patel - The Conversation
When to Start Planning for College
Dear Parents:
The focus this month is college planning for students and when to begin the process. Students need to begin in elementary school with focus, commitment to get involved and try different activities. At this juncture, it is parents who introduce new activities more than the students. The goal being to build on the positive experiences and the positive reinforcement the students receive as they grow and develop through the first six years of school and into middle school. By the time the students are in high school, they hopefully have a few activities and a few organizations/volunteer entities that they enjoy, have a passion for and are committed to continue with throughout their four years in high school. Encouraging students early to try different sports, musical instruments, dance, choir or other outlets, can happen when students are young. Helping students find things to do that are not related to video games or staying inside watching television is critical to finding balance for younger students.
The second article is about effectively using the summer to get ahead as students in high school prepare for college. It focuses mostly on juniors and seniors, but I believe ninth and tenth grade students can start thinking about college. There are so many colleges around north Texas that students can visit just to see what it means when a college says they are “a mid-sized private” university or “a large public institution”.
Enjoy your students because we will all begin the hustle and bustle of the new school year sooner than we realize! Our next newsletter will be in August.
Thank you,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
College Planning: When's Too Early to Begin?
Recent news stories about college and career readiness programs in middle and even elementary schools have intensified the debate about how soon might be too soon to plan for life after high school. Parents ask all the time: When should my child start planning for college?
Source: Stephen M. Smith - Forbes
Use the Summer Wisely: Start Planning for College
As former head counselor in Georgia’s DeKalb County Schools, I saw 95% of my advisees go to college, so I know the difference early college planning can make. It allows students to break the application process into manageable chunks and eliminates the pressure of having to do everything all at once.
Source: Lorraine Hastings - Forbes
Refocusing How We Look at Our Children as They Begin Their Journey to College
Dear Parents:
Everyone is focused on our graduating seniors and what an exciting time it is! The only article in this newsletter is a great one in that it is all about how important it is for us parents to pay attention to how we interact with our teens as they grow up. We want them to be independent and ready to leave for college, therefore it is important we start treating them more like young adults. Of course, they have to earn our trust and respect, but I firmly believe that if we expect more of them, they will rise to the occasion. Also, if we make them accountable for their actions and own them, with consequences when they do not make the right choice, they will be far more ready to leave home and our supervision, to attend college.
Enjoy your teens this summer, especially those graduating and leaving home in the fall. It is bittersweet. We want them to grow up, yet we also want them to still need us!
Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter. There will be one in June, but will skip July and resume in August.
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
Educational Consultant
College Tour Road Trips as Routes to Adulthood
“[…] this is where the college tour comes in. If you are a parent of a junior or senior making the rounds right now, instead of merely ferrying your child from campus to campus, use this time to get to know them for who they really are, and to practice trusting their intuition and decisions.”
Source: Wendy Mogel - The New York Times
Great Information for Parents of College-Bound Students
Dear Parents:
Only six weeks left in the school year for our Texas students. Spring fever is underway as is senioritis! Our seniors are in the final stages of making decisions where they plan to attend college. Fortunately, all have good choices.
The first article is not a surprise to those of us who work with high schools students day in and day out, but for parents, it can be an unpleasant surprise. We all want our students to do well in school, but grade inflation is not good
because students can be ill-prepared for the rigor of college if they have been given high marks throughout high school with very little effort, or have always been praised for mediocre work by their teachers. Grade inflation is becoming more common every year throughout the country.
The second article is one close to my heart. Safety schools are often great schools that roll out the red carpet for students who applied because these students have qualifications in the top 1-2% of their applicants. These are the students who, throughout high school have taken the most rigorous curriculum, have been a leader in most all of their activities and become very involved in their community. Not only are they admitted, but often are rewarded financially. Merit scholarships are a way to differentiate these students, thus makes them special. Often, the President and/are the Deans of the college know who these students are. When my students are selecting their colleges as juniors, I try to make sure they have at least one to three safety schools that they love as much as the other schools on their college list.
Enjoy these last weeks of the school year. Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter!
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
Educational Consultant
The 'Other' College Scandal: Grade Inflation Has Turned Transcripts into Monopoly Money
The blockbuster college admissions scandal continues to make headlines: The rich and powerful are being charged with engaging in fraudulent practices (bribery and fixing test scores) to get their academically unqualified kids into a number of elite colleges.
Source: Tom Lindsay - Forbes
Let’s hear it for the ‘safety school’
Though college admissions scandals starring the rich and famous have dominated recent headlines, most college-bound high school seniors still apply with a hope and a prayer rather than a bribe. Students (and their parents) are elated when a “reach” school extends admission.
Source: Caitlin Cross-Barnet - The Baltimore Sun
Decision Time for Seniors
Dear Parents:
Our newsletter today is addressing Financial Aid appeals and athletic recruitment. The article about appealing financial aid awards is pointedly geared to seniors graduating in May and June. One of the biggest factors in a student’s decision where to attend college in the fall needs to be which college offers the student a good education at a good price. The financial aid award is key to helping in this decision.
The second article is focused on athletic recruiting at colleges. In light of the recent scandal involving coaches and bribes, this article addresses solid information for parents of students still in high school.
Both articles offer insights into the college admission arena. Parents need as much reliable information as possible during this competitive time when college is so expensive.
Congratulations to our seniors for a strong finish in high school and acceptances into some great schools!
Sincerely,
Catherine Marrs, CEP
How to Get More College Financial Aid: Do's and Don'ts
Between now and May 1, many incoming college freshmen and their families will be grappling with choosing which college to attend, and financial aid could play a crucial role in that decision.
“It is worthwhile to appeal for more financial aid if the financial offer is unreasonable based on your financial circumstances …"
Source: Bernice Napach - Think Advisor
NCSA: Four recruiting tips for parents
Imagine the recruiting journey as a play. In this scenario, the student-athlete takes center stage, while parents assume the roles of supporting actors. For the production to truly shine, the supporting actors need to play their parts to perfection. The right mix of support, encouragement and guidance can empower the lead actor and enable them to succeed.
Source: Joe Leccesi - USA Today HSS
Critical Elements of a College Application
Dear Parents:
Standing out to colleges is a multi-tied task for high school students. One of the items colleges receive from the high school counselor along with the transcript is the high school profile when students apply to college. Students do not have much control over their high school’s profile that is sent with their transcript when they submit their college applications. But, students and parents can definitely ask to review the high school profile, preferably during their junior year, not their senior year when it may be too late to request any changes to the profile before it goes to the student’s colleges. When reading the high school profile, make sure it is an accurate reflection of your high school with correct data about AP classes offered and average test scores as well as a good description of the school.
Another important element of a student’s college application is their resume. All the different activities, clubs, athletics and interesting experiences the student has done during their high school career are important. Interesting projects and activities students do outside of the classroom that are not required can add to a student’s competitive strength to a college.
For instance, students who select challenging, less common senior year projects will get more attention when their application is being reviewed for acceptance to a college. Students who do independent research and even have the opportunity to publish are significantly more interesting and demonstrate more “depth” than students who only do what is required of them in high school. The term “Intellectual Vitality” is used by some more elite college admission professionals to describe students who have gone beyond the norm and demonstrated this by the impressive activities they did during their first three years of high school (senior year activities are not seen when students apply to college).
The second article about senior projects is good to share with underclassmen so they have time to plan for their senior year.
Thank you for taking the time to read these articles. Parents of high school students need to encourage their students to do more than just academics during their time in high school. It is so important that students become interesting young people that colleges will want on their campuses to contribute to their campus community.
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
How a 'High School Profile' Makes or Breaks a College Application
Since the Common Application made significant changes in membership policies a number of years ago, many colleges moved to streamline admissions requirements and eliminated elements of what was once considered essential to a complete application for admission.
Source: Nancy Griesemer - College Explorations
5 Resume-Worthy High School Senior Project Ideas
Whether you’re looking to go straight to college, travel, take a gap year or find a job straight out of high school, it is so vital to choose a senior project that will make you stand out in whatever you do. [...]
Here are five senior project ideas that will get those creative juices flowing and surely make you stand out.
Source: Lynn O'Shaughnessy - The College Solution
Good Points to Remember When Researching Colleges
Dear Parents:
Happy New Year! 2019 is here whether we are ready or not! For our seniors, it is the last semester ever of high school. The excitement of which college to attend is building. Final decisions from colleges will be coming out for our “Regular Decision” applicants between March 15th and April 1st.
For our juniors and sophomores, now is the time to start the college planning process with hopefully, plans to tour colleges during spring break. The first of the two articles is good for students to read giving them some good questions to ask colleges as they research and tour the schools they are considering.
The second article is about whether to attend an elite college or not. The main points in this article are thought provoking as students begin their research and touring schools. Lynn O’ Shaughnessy is one of my favorite college counselors who always gives good common sense advice. Whether you have a freshman or a junior, now is a great time to encourage them to start researching colleges to see which ones might be a good fit for them. Discussing different schools and weighing the pros and cons of the attending such schools is great topics to have around the dinner table.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read our newsletter. Please keep me in mind should you have a group that needs a speaker. I am always ready and eager to share my knowledge about my favorite topic: college admissions.
Sincerely,
Catherine L. Marrs, CEP
5 Admission Questions to Ask on a College Tour
Exploration of college options is an integral part of personal growth. If done well, it helps a student understand more about the options available to them—college and otherwise—and gives them better insights into their talents, their interests, and their needs. One of the best ways to begin this process of self-discovery is to visit an actual college campus or two.
Source: Patrick O'Connor - Counselors’ Corner
Looking Beyond Ivy League Hype
Does your child need to attend an Ivy League college or other elite university to end up getting great jobs with great salaries? The answer is…
No.
No!
Noooo!
NOOOO!
Source: Lynn O'Shaughnessy - The College Solution