To Interview . . . or not to Interview, that is the Question . . .

Simple answer: if you get the opportunity to interview . . . do it!

Interviews can take place on the college campus or in a local setting (your high school, an office, a restaurant, etc.) Interviews can be evaluative (play a role in your admissions) or informative (an easy, less stressful way for you to get to know the college and for an agent of the college to get to know you).

Interviews can be conducted by an admissions officer, a current student, or an alum.

Pointers–round 1:


• Bone up on the college–you should know the basics.

• Don’t let your parent schedule the interview–it’s your job.

• Even if your parents know the interviewer, they shouldn’t go to the interview.

• Know why this particular school appeals to you. Be able to talk about what you will bring to the college environment. It can be a real surprise for students to realize that the admissions process is not just about what an individual will get from his or her experience on campus, but it’s also about what the individual will bring to a campus milieu.

NOTE: Be prepared for the question: "Where else are you applying?"

Technically, that question is a no-no, but it pops up all the time. Have an answer ready. Talk with your counselor ahead of the interview about some ways for you to respond to that question. One thing for sure, don’t rattle off 18 other schools that are on your targeted list.

BTW . . . there shouldn’t be 18 schools on your targeted list. Selecting your chosen schools isn’t a dart game. If you’ve conducted a thorough and personal college search, you should have a manageable list.

Pointers–round 2:

• Arrival . . . Be early, a few minutes not a few hours!
If you are late or too early, you’re not only an inconvenience, you’re a nuisance.

• What to wear? How do I put this delicately? Hmmmmmm . . . over-the-top trendy probably isn’t your best bet. Neither is wearing college-related clothes from a school other than the one with which you have the scheduled interview (FAUX PAW, big time. And yes, I know that is misspelled, but I’m a dog! Did you really think I’d write faux pas?) Better to leave the Goth look at home too, after all, you aren’t auditioning for a bit part in the next vampire movie. Ask your counselor for suggestions on what to wear.

• Practice . . . with a parent, a friend, or a teacher. (Remember that college career centers frequently do this before students have real job interviews, so why not use the same technique now to bone up for the college interview?)

• Make no bones about it (I♥bones! ) . . . knowing yourself and knowing why you’re interested in a particular school can pay off in the interview.

Recently, Carol Morris, the regional recruiter for Southern Methodist University, interviewed students at my school. Look for interview suggestions from her in a future blog.

Woof,

Clyde

Gobble, gobble, gobble...

Boy oh boy, it’s finally here – my most favorite holiday of the year – THANKSGIVING! Every year I look forward to this glorious day when I can unabashedly indulge in three of my favorite things – family, football, and FOOD!

As you let the turkey and sweet pumpkin pie settle in your belly, take this opportunity to not only enjoy the company of your family and friends, but to seek out their advice and input as you continue to ponder the next step you will take after high school. You are at a crossroads, so why not take advantage of the wisdom of those who care about you most?

Whatever you decide in a few months, don’t forget that these are the people who will love you and give you unconditional support for whatever path you choose.

C u after the holiday, gotta go get my eat on.

Woof,
Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 3

OK . . . the pace of the talk Mr. Singer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Boston College, gave the seniors was definitely faster. Juniors and seniors really do have less time to make their mark in the classroom and in their activities. Seniors are in the college application process NOW. Juniors are beginning the search in earnest. There were a lot of good bones in his talk.


•The first thing Mr. Singer did was to assure students that there are tons of possibilities. There are schools for everyone who wants to further his or her education.

•Next . . . Mr. Singer encouraged students to really R E A D the information provided by schools regarding how the admissions process works at each given possible college choice. Evaluate your credentials and see how you fit into the mix.

•The uh-oh moment–you might have all the right credentials and still not be admitted if the college is highly selective. Colleges are crafting classes–so they are building on what their needs are in a given year and the highly selective ones have far more possible candidates than they can admit. Be prepared for rejection . . . it happens–in admissions and in life.

•If you don’t focus on a one-and-only choice, you’ll be better prepared to be happy at any place you’re admitted.

•Deadlines, spelling, neatness all count. You know–that is a theme I seem to keep hearing from all corners–teachers, counselors, parents, admissions officers.

•Essays really do matter.

Mr. Singer said: “Print it. Proof it. Crumple it. Drop pizza on it. Don’t rely on spell check and grammar check.” Before you snail mail it or punch the submit button, make sure you have done everything to make it the best it can be. However, it needs to be your voice that comes through–not your parents’ or anyone else’s voice. “Don’t be controversial–real people with opinions read these essays. Don’t write what might offend someone.” The real key is to make sure that the essay shows a side of you that the reader cannot glean from any other part of your application. “The essay is a way to personalize an impersonal process.” What distinguishes you in a competitive admissions pool is your essay and your out-of-class accomplishments.

•Every year in high school is important. Work to capacity with the motto that your hard work brings you closer to attaining your goals.

•Don’t rule out a college based on the sticker price. Apply for financial aid/scholarships. Complete all the forms that a college requires. Complete them by the deadlines. Know whether the school can meet demonstrated need.

Mr. Singer talked a good bit about interviews. The basic recommendation–if you have the opportunity to interview, DO IT! Realize that interviews can be conducted by alums in your area, students at the college, or admissions reps. Interviews can be informational or evaluative. Know which kind you’ll be having. Don’t wear a sweat shirt from another college–it happens!

Dress appropriately. Don’t chew gum. Don’t let your parent set up the interview for you. And, by all means, know something about the college and be able to talk about why you are interested in this particular school. Avoid the typical “ya’ know . . . like . . . ” comments. Practice interviewing with another student, your counselor or a parent. One reason you want to interview is it shows demonstrated interest in a given school. While demonstrated interest is not a factor in admission at BC, Mr. Singer’s school, he noted that it has become an increasingly important factor in admissions at some schools. He noted there are many ways to demonstrate interest– a campus visit, an interview with an alum, speaking with a college rep who visits your school, connecting with a college at a college fair, or a written inquiry, etc.

Seniors–get a move on it. Juniors–start making those college visits.

As for me, I’m bone chasing!


L8R,
Clyde

Wake Up and Smell the Deadlines!

No matter what time it is, you probably haven’t done everything you need to as you prepare for life after high school.




The holiday season is here (oohhhhh, I can already taste that turkey) and as soon as you blink, you will find yourself in 2010.

As much as you would like to, you can’t hit the snooze button on your applications, your financial aid/scholarship forms, or your interviews. Don’t wake up to find that the dreams you had for yourself in the future have turned into a nightmare of missed opportunities just because you couldn’t get yourself organized.

That semester break you’ve been looking forward to since August should be about family, friends, and FUN. Get your paperwork done now, so you can enjoy the next few weeks without the weight of deadlines on your shoulders.

I better go take a look at my checklist before I indulge in woofing down some turkey, snoozing and some holiday fun.

Woof,
Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 2

There are lots of ways to get information. Information is power in the college selection and admissions process. Some colleges have joint travel programs–a group of colleges host evening programs in specific cities. Even freshmen can go to these. Sometimes just one or two colleges will hold these evening information sessions. Many high schools host programs in the evenings or even during the school day to allow a speaker to talk about specific aspects of the college selection and admissions process. I’m lucky that my high school hosts these types of programs

Remember . . . boning up is my personal specialty.

So when Howard Singer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission at Boston College, spoke at my school last month–I was all ears. He presented two programs–one for the freshmen and sophomores and one for the juniors and seniors.

This week, I’ll share some things I learned in the session for the 9th and 10th graders.
I’ll just hit some high points–can’t paws long enough to cover it all. And, remember, this is the Clyde version of the info–the facts and some questions.


• Here’s a newsflash that came as a surprise to some of my freshman foster brothers and sisters: your freshman year matters!
• If you don’t get off to a great start, make sure you learn your lesson and be on an up hill trend academically. (btw–this matters in your activities too!)
• Never mind the student to teacher ratio–how big are the biggest classes students might have and how many of them might a student have before getting to more manageable sized classes?
• What percent of the undergrads study abroad? And, does their financial aid go with them?
• Location–location– location–how do you feel about it? Big city, suburban, rural? When you are on campus, what kind of transportation is available if you don’t have a car or don’t want to walk everywhere?
• What is there to do–class only takes up a small part of a week, and if you study a lot and sleep enough, there are still a lot of ours to fill.
• What kind of a community is the campus milieu–cut throat competitive or collegial?
• Is the school need blind or needs aware in admissions?
• Can the school meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need?
• Are there merit scholarships?
• Lots of applicants have really good grades, test scores and killer resumes. Essays matter and they need to reveal part of the applicant that can’t be seen anywhere else in the application. (That does not mean to talk about controversial topics–that could be risky. And, frankly you don’t know if a young admissions rep or a seasoned pro is reading your essay.) Here’s a quote from Mr. Singer: “When I’m finished reading your essay, do I know something substantially different about the applicant that I couldn’t have known without reading the essay?”
• And . . . the basics count–spelling, grammar, meeting deadlines. (Reread Two, to, too. Their, there. Receive. Weight listed??? Spell check and grammar check are great tools, but....http://blogs.makingitcount.com/tccp/2009/10/two-to-too-their-there-receive weightlisted-spell-check-and-grammar-check-are-great-tools-but.html
• Think of college as an adventure–consider trekking out of your comfort zone. See college as an opportunity to see different perspectives and get a different world view.
• To give yourself the most options, work to your potential and don’t take forever getting started. Challenge yourself–take hard classes. There are costs to taking the easy way out.
• There are options (NOT JUST ONE!) for every student who wants to pursue higher education.
• Be really engaged in the classroom and in your activities. Colleges are crafting a class–they want well rounded and well lopsided students.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet and hear Mr. Singer.

Those freshmen and sophomores have a lot to think about.

Woof,
Clyde

Expect the Unexpected...

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…PROCRASTINATION IS THE ENEMY!!!!!

Never was this more true for me than this week when LITERALLY a dark cloud came over my house and turned my world upside down…well, for a few days anyway.

If you were anywhere near the Weather Channel last weekend you heard about a little storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico called Hurricane Ida.

And if you looked REALLY close at the map projecting this storm’s potential spot of landfall, you would have seen my house. Before I go any further, let me tell you that fortunately the storm was downgraded before it ever hit land, and my family and friends were safe and sound…just a little wet-make that realllly wet!. What was the big deal, then, you ask? Well, the hurricane predictions meant NO SCHOOL FOR TWO DAYS!

Now, most students would jump for celebratory joy upon hearing such news. As for me, I was in a bit of a panic. See, I had a college admissions essay due Wednesday. I had put it off and put it off, had begged my English teacher to give me a few pointers Monday morning when I would compose it on my classroom computer. But when I woke Monday morning, I got the news. No big deal, I thought; I’ll write it here at home and take it to my teacher Tuesday morning. Problem number one, my home computer wasn’t much help when my house lost power Monday afternoon. Problem number two, I found out Monday night there would be no school Tuesday either, which meant even if I could find a way to compose it, I would still have no way to have my teacher look over it for me and give me some advice. Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep Monday night, all I could think about was how in the world I could get my essay written and e-mailed to the admissions office in 24 hours.

Tuesday morning wasn’t much better. The power was still out when I woke, but then my wheels started turning. I was able to go to my neighbor’s house and beg a few hours use of their laptop…which fortunately had a fully charged battery. The muses were on my side as my essay seemed to flow freely from my brain to the computer screen. I had to proof it myself, though, thinking about my English teacher’s daily advice, “NEVER PUT ALL YOUR FAITH IN SPELL CHECK!” Sigh, at last it was done. I e-mailed it Wednesday morning when both power and the sunshine were restored.

Take my advice, when it comes to deadlines, anticipate the worst case scenario and then do everything you can to avoid it. The college’s server could crash and prevent all incoming e-mail from being received; you could take your application to the mailbox and realize your postman came early; your (ahem) cat could eat your homework; it could snow in June.

There are things that will happen in life that are out of our control. Don’t wait till the last minute, the stress is just not worth it.

Better go look at my planner for next month...no more procrastination for me!

Woof,
Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 1

Let’s review. If you want to end up at a good place for you–in terms of a career and a college, then you have to do a little research. For me, digging is a favorite past time and what could be better than boning up on anything?

Making your school and career lists might be harder than you think. Remember, lots of career choices you might have don’t even exist yet! (For up to date information on current career markets, go to OOH site (http://www.bls.gov/OCO/). But remember, they don’t have the crystal ball that will predict all emerging career fields. In the past, things like nanotechnology, and assorted computer and Internet sites wouldn’t have been found in the OOH! However, here’s one thing I’m pretty sure of–every career field will involve the need to be able to deal with lots of information and cutting edge technology and you’ll need an understanding of how to work quickly, efficiently, and economically. I’m betting you’ll also need to be able to work independently AND to be an effective team member.

So . . . where do we go from here?

I’m gonna talk to some friends . . . see how they’ve been getting info and what they’ve been doing to make sure they’ve boned up on information that is useful to them.

Take my friend Abbey. . .
She’s purrfectly content with her plan. She has visited colleges, talked with friends, gone to college fairs, visited with reps at school and . . . she has made a serious dent in her paperwork!

Abbey noted that getting a feel for a school by talking with an admission professional is a good idea. She even noted that colleges really want prospective enrollees to make good matches. Otherwise, they become unhappy students and really bad commercials. I don’t want to be a bad commercial–do you?

Many reps visit high schools. My counselor posts a list. I decided to get the scoop from a rep.

Taking time to talk with reps at your school, at college fairs, or in their offices
can go a long way in helping you create your final list.

Now get going. December is almost here. Check your counselor’s list of college professionals who are visiting your school; finish your college visits; finish your paperwork.

L8R,

Clyde
.

Pawsing for Fun

Wow, what a weekend! There was Homecoming on Friday,

Halloween on Saturday, and an awesome game of ultimate Frisbee with some of my best buds on Sunday. I had a blast with my friends the past three days and made some pretty cool memories I know I’ll keep for a long time.

It’s hard to believe more than a quarter of the school year is already over. The holidays will be here in just a few short weeks and then, just like every year, second semester will fly by in the blink of an eye. In the midst of trying to figure out, what in the world will life be like next year?, it’s hit me, just who will be there to figure everything out with?

It’s really got me thinking about how I need to take each day and really make the most of it. I know, I know, this sounds like nagging adult advice you hear or a line from a really sappy greeting card commercial, but think about it: This time next year, most of us will be in a completely different environment with new schedules, new goals, new jobs, new classes, and new friends. And while I’m looking forward to all of the change, the transition will be bittersweet as the friends I’ve known for so many years (some since we were puppies!) will go in different directions and we’ll all be forging new friendships with those we haven’t even met yet!

I remember when one of our alumni

returned home for the weekend after his first semester of college. He told me how quickly he learned to appreciate how much of what he learned in high school that he was able to use in college, but it wasn’t just his study and time management skills that were important to him – it was the value of his friendships and the memories he’d made as a high school student that were helping him through the uncertain world he was now a part of.

Don’t take your high school experiences for granted and don’t be in too much of a rush to move on to the next phase in your life. Enjoy every football game, school dance, pep rally, and party – because in just a few months, it will be your last event as a high school student. Have fun, make memories, cherish every minute.

Gotta go. My friends are howling.

Woof,
Clyde

Tick-Tock . . . Do you know what day it is?

OK–seems like school just started . . . operative phrase–seems like! How could it be November already? Do your paws hurt from opening all that mail? I mean–I have paper cuts on my paws! Is your mail piling up all over the place? By the way, have you ever seen a lonely dog in any of those viewbooks? Is it ever raining? It is very easy for this paperwork thing to get out of control . . . very easy!

You need a system for paperwork–both incoming and outgoing. Otherwise you’ll end up with piles and piles of advertising–whoops, I mean marketing, double whoops, I mean college information material. By the way, getting mail from a college does not mean you will be admitted to a college! Bummer.

I’ll admit my paperwork is a bit out of control.

But, after a trip to my counselor’s office, I now have a system for incoming and outgoing college related paperwork. I’m keeping a chart that tells me when I’ve sent all the necessary pieces–even if I send things electronically, and I know to keep copies of everything. I also know to seek confirmation from admissions’ offices of receipt of materials. No “lost in cyberspace” info for me!

Here are items I know I have to keep track of:

• the actual application
• the application fee, if one applies
• my transcript (and will I need a midyear/7th semester transcript sent?)
• my test scores–even if a high school puts scores on transcripts many colleges want scores sent from the testing agencies directly to the admissions office (score choice caveat: do what the college tells you to about sending your scores)
• teacher recommendations–how many, if any, do I need and how will I know that the teachers have sent them . . . I need to give my teachers plenty of notice for those recommendations AND I need to remember to say thank you for writing recs for me. If my teacher is sending recommendations through the mail, generally I need to remember to give her/him a stamped envelope for the recommendation. If my counselor and/or the registrar are sending items for me, I need to make sure to follow my school’s procedure for sending items to the college on my behalf . . . high school policies and procedures can be very different, so check with your counselor and registrar to see what you need to do.

It’s important to realize that the year is flying by, and besides buckling down in classes, be aware of the TIME factor and meeting deadlines. I want semester break to be relaxing, so I’m determined to follow my counselor’s guidelines and get all of my applications out by early December. Then, when I watch the clock, I’ll be thinking about fun–not deadlines!


L8R–gotta snail mail some stuff,

Clyde