Are You Having Nightmares?

If you are a senior, it is easy to realize that first semester is disappearing-poof-going, going, almost GONE! Have you finished your applications? Have you sent your test scores? Have you sent your transcripts? It will soon be second semester and time to complete the FAFSA (and any other paperwork you might need to complete to qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships).

Glub . . . Glub . . . Glub . . . Do you want to be underwater with your paperwork?

By the way, while you are taking care of business, remember that first semester grades matter. (Hate to tell you this, but so do final grades!) Find a study buddy like my friend Al and really get feathered up for your exams because a lot of you are going to have to send seventh semester transcripts to colleges. What do you want them to see when they review your regular decision applications--good grades or, well . . . let’s not go there.

L8R,

Clyde

Been There, Done That–Advice from a successful friend . . .

Feeling a little caged in with all of the decisions you’re having to make about your future? I was talking with my friend, Buster, who offered a few tips about surviving the college search process. There’s a lot to consider, and it can be overwhelming. Here’s what he had to say:

First thing to do? Bite the bullet and just sit down and talk with your parental units about just how you’re going to pay for college.


Money is usually not everyone’s favorite subject, but knowing where your parents feel financially comfortable can be a first step in creating a dialog and letting them know that you appreciate their involvement in the process. While there is a great deal of financial aid/scholarship money available, the expectation on the part of the colleges and on the part of the federal government is that the family will pay for college to the degree the family is deemed able to do so given the parameters of the aid process established by Congress. In other words, based on the information you and your parents submit on the FAFSA, the government determines what your family can afford to pay for college. Colleges will have their own formulas to determine how institutional aid may be distributed on their campuses. Some colleges require the CSS PROFILE. Others will have college specific aid forms. The key is to know what forms are required by schools that are of interest to the applicant. Merit money awards can require financial aid applications or may be completely independent of the aid process–this varies from college to college. Do your research!


Take it from me, while the ultimate decision is yours, having the parentals happy with your college/career choice or just happy with the fact that they were included and consulted during the search process can make for a much better junior/senior year.

Not everyone’s parents went to college and those who did may have a different view of what they enjoyed versus what you want out of the experience. For you to know you have the support of your parents and your parents to know that you care what they think can be great for the whole family. The same holds true for siblings. The decision of which college to attend and how much to pay impacts everyone in the family. Some of my buddies forget that this time might be the last they experience life as a full-time resident with their families. The dynamic changes the moment mom and dad drop you off at the dorm.

Ready to apply? Get a professional email address AND CHECK your e-mail.

It can be detrimental for a college/potential employer to see an unorthodox/unprofessional e-mail address. It is fine to have separate personal e-mail (for your friends) and professional e-mail addresses. Just think . . . when you apply online and the school wants an address on file, do they really need to know that you are a cheerchic? Do they really need to know that you think so highly of yourself that your email address is shorelinehottie23? Sure the name of your rec league soccer team may be the Shoreline Hotties and your number is 23, but colleges and potential employers won't necessarily put that together. A professional email address is a must. It is one you can have for the rest of your life, unlike clyderulz34.

Woof,
Clyde

????????? How do you apply to college?

The clock is ticking – get with the program.


Here are some pointers that may help.

• To be ready to have good options when it is time to apply, take hard classes–work hard in those classes.

• Take ACT/SAT/SAT subject tests at the appropriate times. Before testing, take a few sample tests and analyze your performance on them. Test scores matter to many colleges when it comes to admissions.

• Attend as many programs/sessions/fairs as possible–keep files of information.

• As a junior, make a list of colleges that might be good matches. (Don’t freak out–that list can have 25 places on it when you are a junior. It is easier to narrow down than it is to expand the list as a first semester senior.) Use every tool at your disposal to do this.

• The list should be vertical (meaning stretches in terms of difficulty of admission and those where admission seems likely). Compare your individual profile with the profiles of accepted students. Many factors should be considered–size, distance, location, composition of student body, out-of-class life/community factors, scholarship/financial aid possibilities, town/gown relationships, majors (remembering that many students will change their minds about majors), career planning and placement services available as well as job/graduate placement track records for the specific colleges–really the list is endless.

• Visit. If you can’t visit in person, visit virtually (on the web). Remember that demonstrated interest is reported by a NACAC survey to be a factor “of considerable importance” in admissions by 21% of the colleges responding to the NACAC survey.

• Narrow the list down by early September of your senior year.

• Follow any application procedures established by your counselor/school. Deadlines matter!

• Complete the application paperwork. NACAC reported that 80% of applications last year at surveyed colleges were submitted online.

• Request test scores from the testing agencies– www.act.org and/or www.collegeboard.org. Allow plenty of time for this.

• Follow the directives of each college regarding Score Choice.

• Proofing all materials prior to submission is essential.

• Keep copies of submitted materials.

• Relying on spell check and grammar check for essays is not a winning idea.

• Make your essays a conversation with the reader... If you aren’t funny, this isn’t the time to take up humor as you write! By the way, short essays are hard to write and write well...and they matter!

• If the colleges request letters of recommendation, follow their guidelines. Give your recommenders time to do a good job. Pick people who know you well. If the recommender must mail the letter, make sure he/she has a stamped addressed envelope with his or her return address indicated on it (not yours!!!).

• Follow your high school’s policy for requesting transcripts and secondary school reports. Remember, transcripts are required by virtually every college–initial ones and final ones.

• If you are an NCAA prospective Division I or II athlete, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and follow their directives.

• Know that even online applications take some time to process. Make sure to confirm that your materials submitted online (or by snail mail) have been received.

• Expect some overlap–materials may be on the campus or in the campus computer but not registered yet in the online credentials received folder.

• Keep your grades up–all acceptances are conditional. Every college will require that you submit a final transcript that shows your performance for second semester senior year. It matters. There is such a thing as rescinded admissions.

Back in a bit- I gotta rest,
Clyde

You’re Special...just send in this app

OK friends, I’m delving into the realm of politically incorrect. Any of you guys get those snap apps–you know the personalized kind that says you don’t have to do an essay; you might not even have to pay an application fee? Was it called a VIP app? Do you feel special and wanted? Some of my senior friends got these.

Here is what my counselor has to say about that:

Was the college or university on your radar list to begin? The reality is that this is a fishing expedition on the part of the college. Think of this as an ad in a magazine, a commercial on TV. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but hundreds, thousands of these applications go out each year and the number of them being disseminated is growing geometrically. My counselor says this is really about colleges acting as businesses–making sure that posteriors are in desks when the following fall rolls around.

Bad reason to apply to a college–you know nothing about the school, but the application is free.

Good reason to apply to a college–you’ve done your homework, researched the college in terms of size, programs available, personal fit quotient–you know a lot and it seems like a good match.

DUH! This isn’t a gift.

The old-fashioned kind that comes in the mailbox or the electronic version that comes via your computer is just that–mail. Getting mail from a school doesn’t mean you will get in AND getting a free application doesn’t mean a school is a good fit for you or that you can get in that school.

Get the picture! See those darts in the middle of the page? Dart throwers gum up the works for every applicant. Do your homework. Apply to places that are a good fit for you. Ignore they hype–do it right. Otherwise, you might end up like feeling all caged up like my friend Zeus.

Talking about all this application stuff is making me tired. I need a rest.

CYA,

Clyde

Blood Pressure...170/110

What are your counselor’s/college adviser’s numbers? Have you made his or her blood pressure rise because you are a world-class procrastinator?

There is a plane headed in your direction. You’ll either be on it or miss the flight. November 1 is a big day in the world of college admissions. Many Early Action and/or Early Decision applications must be postmarked by that date. If you fall into the category of any early admissions plan, make sure you are taking care of your part of the application equation–meaning the application, submitting test scores, writing any required essays, requesting any needed recommendations, and giving your counselor the paperwork to submit the necessary material from your high school. DANGER!!!!!It is not advisable to give your counselor this information on Friday, October 29–just before school is dismissed for the weekend. Plan ahead! Allow your counselor and your recommenders enough time to do a good job on their parts of your paperwork.

Next up–Aren’t you special? You got a snap app! Right now, I need to contemplate helping some friends with homework.




L8R,
Clyde

High School Preparation for Engineering

While in high school students who want to prepare for a career in engineering
should plan to take:



1. All of the college preparatory mathematics course that are offered by your school, such as:


Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus, Calculus

II. Sciences

Chemistry
Physics
Biology

III. Any courses in typing and computer science offered by your school

IV. English courses with particular emphasis on development of good writing and speaking skills

V. Electives such as:

Mechanical drawing
Foreign languages
Psychology
Art
Music
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
www.eng.uab.edu

Opportunities . . . Near and Far

Wanna be a Dragon?

When looking for places to put your paws down and continue your education, don't overlook the back yard! I recently visited UAB . . . not exactly in my back yard, but not on the other side of the country either. I had no idea how many programs were available to students at this school. So . . . one of my first rules of college exploration:

Make college visits! See what is available.

UAB, for example, is a sleek, modern-looking place in an urban setting, but it does have a green feel to it and it is an incredibly diverse campus. Everybody knows UAB as a pre-health career place - I mean, everywhere you turn, you trip over hospitals and clinics and the like, but there are some cool other programs here too. For example, UAB has the only accredited undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering in the state. I visited the visualization cube and it was way cool. Ask your parents - it was kind of like being in the holodeck on Star Trek. UAB also has the only Nuclear Medicine program in my state, the only Industrial Distribution program in the Southeast and one of four Forensic Accounting and Information Science programs in the country. Who knew? Next time, I'll give you some tips from their College of Engineering on what high school students need to study in order to be ready to pursue a degree in engineering.

For those who want a real challenge in a university setting and also want the community feel of a smaller program combined with specialized mentoring, check out the Honors Academy at this university.

I also had the opportunity to hear Linda Luck, the prehealth career advisor for UAB juniors, seniors, postbacs (that is somebody who already has abn undergraduate degree) and alums. She gave some great advice for students who want to go to medical school and advised us to check out their site .

Wanna know how to prepare in high school to become a health professional? Check this out.
You can even see some study recommendations for those who are thinking about becoming a doctor.

Can you see yourself at UAB?

Gotta go see what other opportunities I can dig up!

CYA,

Clyde

Park Scholarships NCSU, part two

How do you earn one of these fabulous scholarships?

There are two ways to get into the pipeline to be considered.

1. Some schools around the country may endorse up to two candidates

2. Students may endorse themselves and they are at no disadvantage in the process if they self-endorse

3. School endorsements are due by October 1; self-endorsements are due by October 25.

Here’s the great news–you can major in anything and be a Park Scholar. You can even have a double major. But . . . beware. This is a highly competitive program–I mean there are 1300 applications for 50 scholarships. Do the math–that’s competitive. While the review of candidates is holistic, there are certain talents and qualities the selection committee seeks. Here are the four criteria used to judge applicants:


• scholarship–yep, academics matter . . . Myron and Holley
stressed that a student’s record didn’t have to show a perfect 4.0 but the student needs to demonstrate true intellectual curiosity . . . the candidate needs to display raw and applied smarts!

• leadership–initiative and get-it-done trumps elected-do-nothing, title only stuff . . . how has the candidate seized opportunities and gotten a job done while others were still trying to figure out what the issues were?

• service–students must demonstrate a sense of and dedication to a more than a what’s-in-it-for-me mentality . . . they need to demonstrate a desire to make something better

• character–in today’s seemingly ethics-challenged world, integrity matters more and more every day–how has the student demonstrated an honorable lifestyle and shown, even when the going got tough, that he or she followed through any way

There are several essays–even an optional one–that are part of the Park application. Students were urged to complete the optional essay too. The advice was to be yourself in the essays, proofread, and make sure your voice is coming through in your essays.

In February about 100 finalists are brought to campus in-person. There are actually hundreds of staff members, alums, and students involved in the selection process. By early March, a student will know if he or she has been named a Park Scholar. However, the student has until May, the Candidate’s Reply Date, to decide whether to accept the scholarship.

The Park Program offers the best of both worlds–a small, structured living/learning community with amazing support and opportunities nestled in a large, major research university. Football Saturdays with pig roasts to a Commons open 24/7 just for the Park Scholars. That sounds good to me! Reach for the opportunities like my friend Toby. In fact, that also makes me hungry–gotta go find some food.


CYA,

Clyde

WOW–Opportunity is EVERYWHERE . . . you just gotta look . . .

Park Scholars, Part one . . .

Ok . . . I just participated in a video conference with several of my friends, a couple of counselors and the nice people from the Park Scholars Program at North Carolina State.

There are so many great schools and scholarships, the hard part is really matching your wants and needs with colleges that will be a good fit for YOU! I thought I’d share some of the details of the Park Program with you.

Mr. Roy Park, a 1931 grad of North Carolina State, and a guy who made buckets of money in several areas–cake mixes to communications, was grateful for his NCSU education. So . . . he endowed the amazing Park Scholars program that is far more than a scholarship program. It really is a living/learning experience designed to take the best and brightest from all over, give them a quality learning experience, and provide them with first-class mentoring. Myron Burney from the NCSU admissions office and Holley Nichols,
the Assistant Director of the Park Program, were our video conference presenters.

The $ current value of Park scholarship award is more than $135,000. This award is far more than money–it is an investment in the future of the students who win the award. Park Scholars get amazing internships and are partnered with faculty mentors who follow students for their time at the university. Park students have two retreats–first as freshmen they participate in a retreat in North Carolina. As seniors, they get to select a national park for their retreat (last year they went to the Grand Canyon and this year they are going to Rocky Mountain National Park). These students can apply for travel grants to study all sorts of things–volcanoes to Italian Renaissance art, medical research to a semester abroad, etc. These students have group problem-solving experiences that make them well-suited to corporate, government, and nonprofit careers where team work is so critical to success of the endeavors.

Next time, I’ll fill you in on how to get one of these remarkable scholarships.

L8R,
Clyde

A’s and Ice Cream...

At my school, the first day of school is a half day with an ice-cream party to send us home. We have sprinkles and everything. How cool is that? The headmaster at my school tells all the students that everyone has A’s–the goal is to keep them.

Think about it. No matter whether you are a high school freshman or a college freshman, you begin each school year with a clean slate and the potential to be very successful. That’s a lot to paw over...

Now...if I could only find some more of that ice cream.

L8R,
Clyde

Heads UP Freshmen!

You might feel like the youngest chicken in school…

Anyone ever tell you that your freshman year is just to get you adjusted to the demands of high school and start you on your travels to adulthood? Well, they are partly right in telling you that. However, freshman year is the foundation of the rest of your life–academically, personally, socially. What will you make of yourself? How will you set yourself apart? What course will you plot to achieve the dreams you have? Make the most of these opportunities. Think about how your freshman year is a foundation–a springboard to your future. (note: solid trumps quick sand every time!)

F When you begin high school, you have an empty building lot. Work on the foundation to your future–in the classroom, in extracurriculars and in the community. To have the most options when you graduate, be careful how you set your foundation.

O Be open to the possibilities. Never been in a play before? So what–try! Consider a service organization. Use every opportunity–they only come around once.

U Lots of people–adults, older students, siblings, peers will have underexpectations for you. Out performing the underexpectations of others should be your mantra–be the best YOU that you can be.

N Look for new and exciting opportunities.

D Daily commitments matter. Goals are achieved by working toward them on a daily basis.

A Attitude matters. My counselor has a favorite Lou Holtz quote: Ability is what you’re capable of; Motivation determines what you do; Attitude determines how well you do it.

T Take time to enjoy what you are doing. High school should be fun. Yes, it is work–it is really your JOB right now to get the best education that you can. Maximize those opportunities!


I I wish I had . . . Don’t let this be you. Believe it or not, high school will fly by–ask a senior. While it is good to assess where you have been, you don’t want to look back as you graduate and realize that you haven’t made the most of your opportunities.


O Only you can set your future into motion. You must act on the opportunities. The parade can and will pass you by if you don’t!

N Never give up. You might have to change course–flexibility is important to success, but shoot for the stars. Make a plan, alter it when necessary, and keep the forward motion going.

Even if you are just starting out –you need to realize that your future begins TODAY!


L8R,
Clyde

Believe it or Not…

Hi, I’m Clyde’s friend Ripley. You might think I don’t look like the kind
of friend Clyde would have, seeing as I’m only about six inches tall (eight
when I arch my back) and of the feline persuasion, but let me assure you
that Clyde and I are steadfast friends.

I’m a new senior this year, just starting the whole terrifying process of
applying for colleges. Don’t get me wrong; I’m very excited about being a
senior. But the year’s already exhausting. I mean, with all these
ridiculously hard classes and tests and homework every night, it’s hard to
get the energy to do any more work. And the weekends, too! I mean, can’t a
cat just take a nap? I thought senior year was supposed to be easy. It’s
all so overwhelming. But I can’t stop now. If I want to be competitive and
look good on paper, I have to keep it up.

But it’s not just the hard work that has me nervous. It’s the decisions. The
Big Decision. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I think the best tactic is
to just take things as they come. Right now it’s just gathering my list and
applying.

Well, I think I need to go now before I stress myself out too much.

L8R,
Ripley

Back by Pawpular Demand . . .

OK—technically I graduated (well…let’s say I participated in graduation as I do every year.)

When I left you in June, I was mulling what I’d be doing this year. The verdict is in. I’m hanging around my school, seeing where I can find information to share with high school students as they navigate their way to the futures of their dreams. I’m gonna help you turn over stones and see opportunities behind every rock.☺.

By the way, I also had a traumatic experience this summer. I was minding my own business—simply on an outing in the water with my humans, and BAM…I was bitten by an alligator.My gap year will be dedicated to helping you find your way—wherever you are in the high school to college journey.

Follow me and some of my friends and I’ll bet you’ll learn some things as we make our own pawprints☺☺☺!


Woof,
Clyde

We Made It!

I can’t believe summer vacation is finally here. This time of the year is always a little bittersweet, bringing the freedom of the season (no more midnight cram sessions…no more 6:00 am wake-up calls to make it to homeroom in time – woohoo!), but also the making us a little sentimental as we watch our friends in the senior class graduate and move on. And, no more students to mooch pizza from at lunch! But…there are so many things to do and explore—I could career shadow, volunteer, read all the stuff I’ve wanted to during the year.

This year has been particularly momentous for me, as I’ve enjoyed having you tag along on my weekly discoveries and musings. I’ve enjoyed your company and hope my stories and advice have proven helpful as you pursue your own adventures.

Although I was all set to graduate this spring, something tells me I still have some unfinished business to take care of at home. I think I’ll mull all my options for next year—pawing into each possibility, maybe even sticking around for awhile.

Have an awesome summer.

Woof,

Clyde

It’s never too early...

To rising freshmen and sophomores, you may think you have all the time in the world to think about your future, but as my senior pals have told me – high school flies by pretty fast. One minute you’re walking in the door as a freshman, the next minute you’re walking across a stage receiving your diploma.

If you want to get to graduation in a few years with no regrets, take a few tips from my friends:

* actually care about your freshman and sophomore years
* enjoy every moment – it goes fast
* high school only gets harder – it’s easier to start strong than try to play catch up
* be yourself – no matter what
* don’t worry about the seniors – they aren’t as big and bad as you think
* don’t sign up for everything that looks like fun – you’ll be overwhelmed – pick a few clubs and commit to them…soccer? Chess? Service club?
* write down all your activities so you’ll have them when you need to write up your resume
* high school isn’t bad if you pay attention in class
* never say you’re ready for it to be over because it will be some of the best years of your life
* every semester matters – but enjoy every minute



I can’t believe summer vacation is almost upon us, and it’s far too quite around here.I’m going to take that last tip and go round up my friends…see if they’ll join me in the water. The summer, like high school, will be over in a flash. I’d better soak up every second. Who knows what ?????? August will bring?

Woof,

Cyde

Before you strut your stuff…

To all you rising seniors out there: As you watch your friends graduate this year, you’re probably faced with mixed emotions – you’re sad to see your buddies go, but you can’t help but feel just the tiniest bit superior – you have FINALLY made it to the top of the totem pole! But before you get too wrapped up in how you are going to rule the school, don’t forget that there is more to your senior year than getting that prime parking space, being first in line at the lunch counter, mmmm, chicken nuggets, and, of course, wining the spirit contest at every pep rally. Your year ahead will be one of fun and excitement, for sure, but it will be also about buckling down and preparing yourself for that next step – your future. Heed a little advice from the seniors from my school:

• Don’t procrastinate
• Try to have fun your senior year – take part in bonding with the senior class – you won’t regret it
• Always give yourself choices because you don’t know what can happen during senior year
• Pick the school where you feel most comfortable
• Look at more than one college and visit as many as you can
• Don’t be afraid to open your eyes to new places – branch out and be different
• Send everything in on time
• Find a college that you can call home and remember that what you get out of school depends on what you put in it
• Keep it simple
• Don’t worry too much about it

All that being said, have fun this summer, and get ready for your year at the top.

Woof,

Clyde

Got 9 Lives?

I don’t think so. If you did, you could do high school over again–in the classroom and in your extracurriculars. Since you can’t, you do need to know that if you are a rising freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, you’ve got time. R E A L L Y, you have a better shot at fixing things now than you ever will have again. That’s a great thing about high school and college–when you start either, you have a clean slate. My counselor reminds students that they get as much out of the high school or college experience as they put in it–so . . . inve$t in yourself.

Funny thing–my counselor also notes that if graduating seniors take their own advice, they’ll do really well in college–in and out of the classroom–and in life after college. So . . . don’t be up a tree like my friend here. No matter where you are on the school scale–take heed of these words of wisdom from the Class of 2010☺!

If I could go through high school again, I’d:


be more involved
work harder and enjoy more things
take harder classes
stress less
not change a thing
actually make more of an effort in the classroom and in activities
review more for classes
focus on clubs and activities I was passionate about
realize grades in my freshman and sophomore years mattered
dedicate more time to learning
try to reach out to others and try to develop more friendships
try to hang out with friends more
Take it SLOWLY and not wish it away–it’s only four years


Graduation is almost here. Where will you be when you graduate from high school–accomplished or wishing for a do over? The choices are up to you–go out and make your mark. Give it everything you’ve got.

Woof,

Clyde

College Selection: Advice for those in the Passenger’s Seat

Ever wish you could remind a parent that you, not the parent, are the one going to college? Just remember...raising parents is hard work. Is your parental type one of those swirling helicopter types, one of those hands-off types or one of the many parents that fall in between those two extremes?

You’re in luck☺! Because my counselor asks graduating seniors to provide words of wisdom on lots of topics, some of my graduating senior buds have advice for you to share with your parents when it’s your time to apply to college. Here goes, straight from my earsto you–use as you see fit:


* let your students choose, but help them stay organized

* don’t freak out–it only adds more pressure on your student–your student will find college choices that fit

* don’t do the paperwork for your student

* provide your student with a checklist to make sure everything gets done on time

* listen to your student

* go visit colleges with your student

* help make sure that the colleges on the list fit your student’s needs

* start with a big list...but narrow it down

* help your student weed out college choices by making a pros/cons list

* try not to suffocate your student

* be helpful and supportive, not controlling and demanding

* encourage your student not to procrastinate –timing matters

* you won’t accomplish anything by panicking

* keep an open mind

* encourage your rising senior to write essays the summer before senior year

* remember...your student will be at college by themselves

* talk to your student about your ability/willingness to aid with college costs

* support your student’s decision

* your senior really does care about what you have to say

FYI, my counselor says DO NOT THROW DARTS. She says the best approach is, after research, to make a reasonable vertical list, visit as many choices as you can, talk with college reps (and alums and parents of alums and students at the college from your school and college fair folks, and–you get the picture–anyone and everyone who can offer insight),do the paperwork in a timely fashion, apply for aid/scholarship/housing/orientation, make a decision, pay your deposit, and don’t second guess yourself .

L8R,

Clyde

No Time to Blog, I’ve Got to STUDY!!!!!!!

Seniors – If you haven’t finished your exams already, keep studying! While you may have already MENTALLY graduated, don’t blow your future because you just don’t feel like you can take one more test. Don’t forget – colleges can (and DO) retract their offers.

Juniors – Your final grades this semester are of vital importance as colleges are going to be looking at how well you do this year as an indicator of whether or not you’ll make a good fit on their campuses. Junior year grades are the last ones they’ll see when you submit applications!

Sophomores – Study hard! You’re two-thirds of the way there to making your academic impression on the colleges you’ll be applying to in another 18 months.

Freshmen – You may feel like you have plenty of time to catch up just in case you don’t do too hot on your finals this semester – but that is not the case! Your grades now can make a big impact on your GPA. The lower you start, the harder it is to bring it up.

With that advice in mind – Good Luck!!!! We’re almost there, friends, and I’m taking that last lap with you. I’ll see you at the finish line!

Woof,

Clyde

Wake Up, Lazy Bones!

I know, I know, each and every one of you is counting the days until graduation, the last day of school, summer vacation, your trip out of town – whatever the case may be – I have a strong sense that I’m not the only one around here with a case of senior/junior/SUMMER…make that school – itis!

While the warm afternoons and pending end-of-the-school-year activities may make it hard to concentrate on that chemistry final, don’t spend your last few days or weeks daydreaming your classes away…or you might wake up to a nightmare!

Take the advice of some of my two-legged siblings – don’t forget to balance, balance, balance!

Take a study break and call your BFF to discuss hash out who was sent home last night on American Idol.

Put your Shakespeare down and go meet a friend for a latte – you’ll get a little R&R AND a caffeine boost.

Unearth yourself from the mountain of notes you have covered yourself with, and go hang out with your family for a little while – play a game or watch a movie.

The key is to take small breaks as you go along that will help get you to the finish line without calling for the medics! Don’t burn yourself out…but don’t drop all of your responsibilities to party like a rock star either. You’re almost there…stay focused, stay balanced, and then, in the words of Kool and the Gang, (Never heard of them? Go ask your parental units) you can CELEBRATE!

Woof,

Clyde

Chew On This, The Vet School Path Part II

A snack . . . a nap . . . sunshine under a palm tree –that is living. But, I digress . . . back to what I learned about being a vet.

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what? Just like for medical school, if you want to go to Veterinary School, you can major in anything. I mean . . . you could be a music major and go to Vet school. Most people don’t do it that way, but . . . what a concept! To be successful in vet school, you will need specific courses. Being admitted is all about being prepared–both with classroom expertise and job shadowing/work experience in the field. It is also about having the right people skills for the job. Some vet schools will admit students as undergrads, as long as they have the appropriate coursework and experiences, while others require an undergrad degree. There are only 28 AAVMC (American Association of Veterinary Medical College) vet schools in the U.S.–not even one per state. Vet schools are looking for the qualified and committed. An electronic application is used by 25 of the 28 vet schools (Tufts, Tuskegee and Texas A&M are not part of the electronic application consortium). The average vet school applicant, according to Dr. A, applies to four vet schools. Since not every state has a vet school, vet schools contract with states without vet schools to enroll students from those states. Auburn, for example, contracts with Kentucky and West Virginia to admit candidates from those states. While some vet programs, like some med school programs, have a fast track/early admit, Auburn does not. Students should not get the idea that an undergraduate degree from the school where a vet school is located is an automatic plus in the vet school admissions process. It isn’t.

HA–here is some good news☺. Vet schools don’t look at your high school transcript. Your college science classes, your GPA, your science/math GPA and your out-of-class college experiences will matter. Don’t smile too quickly. That high school coursework is what sets you up to succeed in the tough classes you need as a pre-veterinary student. You need lots of chemistry– regular, bio and organic. You also need to be grounded in physics and animal nutrition. Success in those college classes will be tough if you aren’t prepared for them in high school. NOTE TO SELF AND FRIENDS: pay close attention in class in high school, do your homework, and take the toughest classes you can. One of your letters of recommendation for vet school generally must come from a vet.

Another thing Dr. A noted was, although vet school admissions is competitive, once students make it into vet school, most of them graduate!

A question was asked regarding what the biggest adjustments are that a vet school student faces:

• The first year is rough–30-35 hours a week of class time with no real control of your schedule. You can no longer opt out of 8 A.M. classes. Lots of out-of-class study time is required. Our cohort of students is smaller and more homogenous than that of your undergraduate cohort.

• There are a LOT of lectures during your first year.

• There are a lot of case study reviews your first three years.

• Demands on you and your time will be hard, but you will bond with your classmates and form strong relationships because you go through a lot together as a group.

Dr. A noted that technology is playing an increasing role in veterinary studies. A tablet PC is required. Research is interactive globally–much like the video conference I participated in. Technology also allows professors to record and post lectures so that if a student is ill or has a family crisis, makeup work is more possible than it was in the lecture-only modus operandi.

Wow . . . that is a lot of information to chew on. I have a new friend–he is so new that technically he is being called Nameless. I think I’ll have a chat with him about how you become a vet.

TTYL8R,

Clyde