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Can Sharing a Link help a Student Get to College?

A while ago, Marilyn O’Toole contacted me on behalf of IECA. She and organizational leadership were concerned—as almost all of my admissions, financial aid, enrollment management, and high school and independent counselors are—about underserved students getting support during the college admissions process. IECA was thinking about creating a video series to navigate the Common Application. She asked if I could help connect her with people who might be able to lend a hand.

I immediately thought of Oregon State’s Ecampus. If you know Ecampus, it’s a distinctive online platform at OSU for online education. It’s fairly old by online education standards: It was started here, it is run by OSU, the classes are taught by faculty, and it offers the same degrees students can get at our Corvallis and Cascades campuses. It’s not a bolt-on, for-profit module that we slap our name on. It’s us, and it’s run with great care, eschewing the “Zoom U” approach: A single class goes through a long process of instructional design to address modality differences and ensure outcomes that are the same as our in-person classes.

It seemed to me that we could take that approach to developing modules to help students navigate Common App. The data Common App provides suggests that their service is not being used by as many low-income, first-generation students (many of whom are students of color) as any of us would like. And some substantial percentage of students don’t use the account they create to apply to a single college. Some of this is understandable: They might apply only to a community college, or to a UC institution that doesn’t accept Common App. But counselors who work with students from well-educated, wealthier families all know that they too, get stuck in spots, and it’s logical to assume that unsupported students might just give up.

After a year of work, we launched the AXS Companion to Common App. It’s a video guide that breaks down CA into easily digestible chunks. I think it’s great, and I’m very proud of it. When we previewed it at NACAC, the counselors in the room were amazed. One said that the test score section video alone was worth its weight in gold.

The AXS Companion is modular, so students and parents can watch the whole thing, or just the section they need help with. It’s free. It requires no registration. And there is no tracking function on the site, so you don’t have to worry about your students being tracked or recruited because of their visits. And it can be shared with anyone.

Now, the sad part: Usage was not what we had expected or hoped for. Colleagues at other institutions said they could not send out anything with another university’s logo on it to their prospective students (branding is kept to an absolute minimum); some people—let’s be honest—don’t like the association with IECA. Professional associations—many of whom talk a good talk when it comes to increasing access—may tacitly support this, but won’t actively do so. Common App has told us that they have tried video and it didn’t work; and we’re kept from updating the AXS Companion until the 2024 app launches on August 1 and we see for ourselves what changes are made.

I hope we can do better. We should do better. It’s time to do better.

So, here’s what you can do:

  • If you work at a college, send a link to your prospective students. Maybe you want to use Landscape data to find students who are more likely to be underserved.
  • Repost this to other social media sites, like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky, Mastodon, Threads, and others. Tell others you believe in this, and ask them to share.
  • Reach out to community-based organizations you work with, and let them know about this resource.
  • Send it to parent groups at your local schools.
  • Copy and send this message to your local ACAC or counseling email lists. Do it more than once.

We have big plans for this, including versions in Spanish, but our time and efforts are finite and we’ll have to make hard decisions if this doesn’t get more support.

Here is the link. Share widely and let us know what we can do better.

Thanks for reading this long message. It’s as important a post as I’ll make. Here is the link.

AXS Companion

Jon Boeckenstedt, is the Vice Provost of Enrollment Management at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Check out his blog at https://jonboeckenstedt.net/higher-ed-data-stories/

Education Degrees Have Plummeted by 50%

Recent data has shown from the 1970/71 academic year to the 2020/21 academic year the number of students earning Education degrees has dropped by half. During this same time frame the number of students attending college has increased by 50%. In 1970 it was the most popular major.

Reasons speculated for the decline are women now have other opportunities available to them that weren’t in 1970, low pay, upticks in violence against teachers, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

A press release from last year detailed that 44% of schools nationwide reported full or part-time teacher vacancies, with special education suffering the most.

Here is the complete article outlining the issue on Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/media/education-degrees-plummeted-50-1970-grim-future-america-top-major-data

SAT/ACT Scores Comparison Worksheet

Cigus Vanni of The College Fairy LLC annually compiles average SAT/ACT scores for studentsm who enrolled at most US Colleges & Universities. He has compiled data from 2020, 2022 and recently updated with 2023 data. Lisa Dubuque, a Counselor at Headwaters School in Austin, TX then puts that data into an easy to access/use spreadsheet. It is a great way to compare average scores at various schools that your students may be considering. Here is a link to her spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TThf-5XhaEVdIYj_CPdVoMpTdJk4NcJShUJjT6XMX-M/edit?usp=sharing

Note:

Data based on college Class of 2026 (entered college fall 2022) and include only those students who ENROLLED—not those who APPLIED or those who were ACCEPTED. Data for the Class of 2027 (those who enter fall 2023) is not released until the spring so that schools can report both fall and spring cohort results

Once again—these are figures for students who just completed their first year in college and will enter sophomore year this fall. Can you get more recent scores on individual college websites? You may be able to do so—but watch what you are getting… Are these results from students who APPLIED? Students who were ACCEPTED? Students who ENROLLED? It is not always clear what you are reading—be careful… The numbers here are for students who are ENROLLED at these colleges

It is critical to note that these figures are among the first generated by a cohort in an admissions landscape that was overwhelmingly test-optional. Consequently, if you compare these numbers to those from previous classes, you will observe a notable increase. This is not surprising—the only students who submitted test results under test-optional policies were those with lofty scores. Note also that a number of schools that adopted test-free or test-blind policies did not report any results

SOURCES: The College Board; National Center for Education Statistics (College Navigator program); the Common Data set; various school websites; and the occasional call to admissions to inquire specifically about test results

School Counseling: Caseloads and Responsibilities

During the 2021-22 academic year, each public school counselor was responsible for overseeing 405 students, on average,1 which exceeds the 250-to-1 maximum ratio recommended by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).2

Importance of School Counseling
School counselors play a key role in assisting students through the transition to postsecondary education. By collaborating with school administrators, teachers, community representatives, government officials, and parents, school counselors can be significant assets throughout the college application and admission process. Counselors serve an important role in advising students as they progress through secondary school and prepare for college. In fact, a NACAC study showed that high school seniors who talked one-on-one with a school counselor were:

6.8 times more likely to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

3.2 times more likely to attend college

2 times more likely to attend a bachelor’s degree program

Variation by State

Student-to-counselor ratios also vary widely by state. Only two states—Vermont and New Hampshire—had ratios below ASCA’s recommended threshold (186 and 208, respectively). The states with the highest number of students per counselor included Indiana (694), Arizona (651), Michigan (615), Minnesota (570), Illinois (522), Utah (516), and California (509).

Staff Time for College Counseling

Postsecondary admission counseling is one of many functions of school counselors. On average, the time that counseling departments in secondary schools spend on various tasks is as follows. The division of time among these tasks differs substantially based on school type, particularly for postsecondary counseling.3


Public Private
Personal needs counseling 29% 12%

Helping students choose and schedule high school courses 24% 14%

Postsecondary admission counseling 22% 51%

Academic testing 9% 9%

Occupational counseling and job placement 6% 3%

Other non-counseling activities 6% 5%

Footnotes
1, US Department of Education. (2021). Common Core of Data State Nonfiscal Survey Public Elementary/Secondary Education: School Year, 2021–22 Version 1a. Washington, DC: NCES. Note: Calculation includes all students and counselors in the state (pre-kindergarten, elementary, and secondary counselors) except for adult education.
2. American School Counselor Association. (2023). The role of the school counselor. Alexandria, VA: ASCA.
3. Joint NACAC/EAB survey of high school counselors. Report forthcoming.

Information from NACAC’s State of College Admission Report. Access the dashboard and tools here (Membership Log in Required) – https://www.nacacnet.org/resources/soca-2023-school-counseling-resources/

Parents of Special-Needs Students Need to Make a Financial Plan for Their Future

magine having to scrape together enough money to put your child through Harvard, every year for the rest of his or her life. That’s the daunting task faced by the parents of a child with special needs.

Special-needs parents must be ready to fund $50,000 or more a year for their child’s future care, even after the parents have retired or passed away. Parents of a child with special needs are haunted by one question: “Who will take care of my child when I’m gone?”

As a counselor, you may know that more and more families are finding themselves in this situation because the number of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities is increasing. Recent estimates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about one in six, or about 17 percent, of children aged 3 through 17 years have a one or more developmental disabilities that impair physical, learning or language behavior.

It’s a matter of debate whether there are more children with disabilities, or more diagnoses. For example, because of earlier detection, the number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, particularly among boys. Where people used to say “boys will be boys,” now they are screened for ASD.

Many parents of children with disabilities spend most of their time and resources taking care of the here and now, but don’t know where to turn for their unique financial planning requirements. 

For such parents, the task of planning for their child’s future may seem overwhelming. How does one qualify for government benefits? Evaluate the right college or education path for their future?  Create an appropriate financial plan? Structure an estate plan? 

That’s why the field of financial planning for special-needs families is growing. It’s specialized because of the laws and regulations affecting special-needs families keeps evolving.

Probably the most important thing parents need to learn is not to set aside in their child’s name because it will likely disqualify the child for government benefits like Medicaid, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In order to qualify, a child over 18 may not have more than $2,000 in his or her name. 

Parents can still save those dollars, but they need to do it the right way, by establishing both an ABLE Account and a Special Needs Trust. Even with government benefits, you want to leave money for haircuts, movie tickets and extras. 

Until the age of 18, children are usually served by school-based services and care that that may be covered by the parents’ insurance and/or tax-deductible, which is why parents often want to delay planning for the future. Circumstances can change at any time, though, so it’s important for these parents to not only have ABLE accounts and a Special Needs Trust in place, but also to decide such issues as guardianship.

When the special-needs child becomes an adult, there are more considerations: Will they live at home, which may have the effect of reducing their SSI? Will they be able to become employed? What about their social and recreational needs?

Adults with disabilities need a team that can look after these needs because it’s too big a job for one person. The team may include siblings, but also an attorney, a financial planner, perhaps a caregiver and someone to oversee medical needs. All of these can be planned in advance so the parents have the peace of mind of knowing their child will be in good hands.

Parents of special-needs children are often so wrapped up in day-to-day concerns that it’s difficult – frightening, really – to think about the future. They deserve the advice and assistance of a financial professional who is specializes in special-needs planning.  This information may be helpful to you when advising your special needs students and their families.

Mary Anne Ehlert, CFP®, specializes in financial planning for families with a special-needs family member. She is the founder of Protected Tomorrows in Lincolnshire, Ill., and is a partner in Forum Financial. Her sister, Marcia, had cerebral palsy, and Ehlert developed her interest in special-needs planning from watching how her parents struggled to make sure Marcia was provided for. After a corporate finance career, she earned her CFP and founded Protected Tomorrows in 1990. Contact her at 847-522-8086.

An In-depth Look Into the Career Landscape for Students Interested in STEM

As someone tasked with inspiring curiosity, understanding various industries, and providing guidance to students, it’s not always easy to keep up with every field. However, having some exposure to key careers in certain fields can make your job of helping students pursue successful careers easier.

Today, STEM careers have become more appealing to students with AI technology and advanced robotics becoming staples in popular culture. Being able to lay out some key aspects of the STEM field for students can make it easier to nudge them on the right path.

Here’s an in-depth look into the career landscape for students interested in STEM.

Engineering

Engineering is a broad and exciting field with many different areas of specialization. For students with an interest in STEM, becoming familiar with their engineering options can go a long way. This being the case, it can help someone in your position to have a rough understanding of some of the main types of engineers.

Some popular engineering roles include:

Chemical engineers: These professionals utilize their expertise to help create and manufacture a wide array of products, such as asphalt and gasoline. This is a role perfect for students with an interest in chemistry and manufacturing.

Civil engineers: These engineers are tasked with aiding in the designing and building of infrastructures, such as bridges. If a student has an interest in some STEM subjects and the field of architecture, this could be a perfect role to pursue.

Mechanical engineer: These professionals play a key role in the creation and innovation of products ranging from robotics to car engines. Students with an interest in building and fixing devices have an opportunity to pursue their passion by becoming mechanical engineers.

Beyond these particular roles, engineering students can specialize in roles such as aerospace engineer and production engineer. Given the many different professional avenues in engineering, it’s vital you’re able to explain to students interested in STEM their many varying options they have.

Healthcare

While many counselors steer students interested in healthcare toward roles such as physician and nurse, there is a wide array of STEM careers in the field. Knowing some key STEM roles in healthcare can help you guide students toward a successful career that allows them to pursue processes and practices they’re passionate about.

Some great STEM careers in healthcare include:

Biostatistician: Biostatisticians utilize their specialized knowledge of statistics to help uncover insights about medical ailments such as diseases and injuries. Students who have shown an interest in research and healthcare will likely be well suited to a career in the field of biostatistics.

Medical laboratory scientists: These professionals are tasked with performing clinical tests and analyzing the data of their results. Detail-oriented students who have shown an interest in making scientific breakthroughs could be a perfect fit for this important healthcare role.

Epidemiologists: Epidemiologists play an important role in society by studying how diseases spread and the populations they affect. Students with interests in both STEM subjects and serving communities can pursue both of these passions by stepping into the role of an epidemiologist.

In addition to these roles, there are a number of technology-focused roles in healthcare that students can step into. The more familiar you are with these different career paths, the easier it will be for you to convince students to step into a healthcare-focused STEM role.

Computer Science

Given the increasing popularity of digital and computer technology in our world, many students are becoming increasingly interested in the field of computer science. For students set on entering the field, it’s important to be aware of the many different roles they can pursue.

Some amazing STEM roles in computer science include:

Video game programmers: These professionals are tasked with writing the code that brings video games to life. For students interested in pursuing a career path in the video game industry, this is an amazing role to pursue.

AI engineers: AI engineers create and develop AI technology and applications, such as machine learning technology. Students interested in being at the forefront of technological innovation won’t need much persuasion to pursue a career as an AI engineer in today’s quickly evolving world.

Cybersecurity analyst: These increasingly important professionals help companies safeguard their computer networks from being compromised or hacked. Students with an interest in math and computers could be well suited to the role of cybersecurity analyst.

Ultimately, the computer science field is constantly growing and evolving. As such, it’s important to stay aware of innovations in the field and new careers that arise as a result of these advancements.

You Can Get Students Excited About STEM Careers

The STEM field offers a huge variety of career paths and areas of study. By effectively exposing students to the many different avenues they can take, you’ll be able to help them find the perfect role that fills them with excitement and determination.

This being the case, staying aware of the evolving STEM career landscape is a key aspect of helping students reach their potential and find the perfect STEM role for them.

College Affordability Survey Results

The cost of college continues to increase faster than inflation. Many families are concerned about how they are going to pay for their kids college. A recent survey on College Affordability was conducted by Discover Student Loans. Here are a few highlights:

  • More parents feel financially unprepared to pay for college this year than in previous years
    • Nearly three-quarters (70%) worried about having enough funds, compared to 66% last year and 63% in 2021 
  • More than one-third (36%) of parents said they are in a worse financial position to help pay for college compared to last year 
  • Nearly three-quarters of parents feel that college is necessary to find a good job (73%) 
  • 46% of parents are questioning whether college is still a good investment 
  • 68% of parents surveyed are nervous about the amount of debt their children will take on compared to their post-college career earnings. 
  • Nearly half (45%) of surveyed parents said they will use student loans to pay for their children’s education
    • This is up 4 points and 18 points from 2022 and 2021, respectively 

How a Patient Advocate Can Assist Your Student with Medical Issues 

 “Everyone today needs a patient advocate.” That’s what the American Heart Association said.

Indeed, with our increasingly complicated healthcare system, more and more families are finding that what the American Heart Association said is true, and they are increasingly turning to patient advocates to manage their care or the care of their loved ones.  Parents worry about their child and especially if they are leaving for college, but it is particularly stressful if that child has medical issues or gets ill at school.  Distance can be a problem and if there is ongoing treatment involved, parents cannot be there to give their student the personal attention they may need to understand their treatment, speak with medical staff and schedule tests and appointments.  Equally important is communication with parents.  A parent can also benefit from the services of an advocate if the student has an ongoing or complicated medical concern.

A good patient advocate can empower families to make informed choices by educating them about the child’s medical conditions, asking physicians questions the patient wouldn’t know to ask and researching a patient’s full range of treatment options. They also act as a liaison between patients, families and providers, look out for the student if they are hospitalized and ensure that insurance claims get paid.

It’s important to remember, though, that not all patient advocates are created equal. Some may not have any hands-on healthcare experience beyond their advocacy training. To find someone with more expertise, it’s best to look for an RN patient advocate. These advocates are often veteran Registered Nurses with experience in patient care. National certification and graduate training in the field can also signal someone who is more knowledgeable about advocating for patients. About 20 U.S. universities offer graduate certificate programs in private patient advocacy.  National certification became available this year via the Patient Advocate Certification BoardTM, which conducts a rigorous exam spanning a broad spectrum of patient advocacy areas. Those who pass earn the credentials “BCPA”—Board Certified Patient Advocate.

A trained patient advocate with medical experience knows how to speak a doctor’s language and avoid costly—even deadly—medical errors.

Rather than a hindrance to doctors, patient advocates are often seen as a time-saver. A physician can communicate information to a patient advocate in five minutes that might take him or her 20 minutes to communicate to a young patient. That’s a plus to both sides. It saves time for the doctor and leaves the patient more time to understand what is going on and get a clear understanding of their options from an unbiased source. A patient advocate will give a patient and family the whole picture, not just the one that is the most financially beneficial to an insurance company or will put the most money in an unscrupulous physician’s pocket.

A patient advocate can also provide follow-up to help with a patient’s care. Anyone who has ever listened to a physician’s instructions in their office only to forget the details of those instructions when they get home or who is trying to manage a family member’s care from out-of-state understands the importance of this. The patient advocate can provide instruction when necessary, monitor compliance and watch for side effects of new medications. And when they are monitoring patients in their dorms or apartments, they can often catch the early signs of trouble and get them medical help before the health issue escalates to a health crisis.

Ever wonder whether a new symptom you’re having is a side effect of a medication but decided to take a “wait and see” attitude because you “didn’t want to bother” a busy doctor, only to have the problem get worse and be scolded for not calling sooner? A good patient advocate would know what’s normal and what’s not and make that call to your doctor when necessary.

So can a mature student act as their own advocate? Absolutely! But trained patient advocates bring to the table medical expertise that can help them spot problems early and communicate these concerns to medical personnel in a way that they will clearly understand. They also can handle the time-consuming but necessary tasks of making sense of insurance statements and ensuring that their client’s needs are being met while they’re at their most fragile.

Think of a patient advocate as a healthcare partner—someone who focuses on navigating today’s complicated healthcare system so the child and the family can just focus on getting them better.

 Teri Dreher, RN, is an award-winning  patient advocate and a pioneer in the growing field of private patient advocacy. A critical care nurse for more than 30 years, today she is owner/founder of NShore Patient Advocates, www.NorthshoreRN.com.  Her new book, “How to be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” is available on Amazon.

The Benefits of Attending College Out of State

There are many factors that families need to consider when choosing where their child will attend college. Though all of these factors are important, a big one that comes up in conversation is location. The benefits of attending an in-state college are well known to Students, Parents and School Counselors alike; a more familiar environment during a time of a big life change, more affordable in-state tuition, and the ability to be closer to home. As a School Counselor myself, in many of my conversations with families I find myself highlighting the benefits of staying in state to attend college, for these reasons and more. 

However, all options should be considered and there are several reasons why a family may decide that their child going to college out of state is a good fit. Here are a few potential benefits:

  • Expanded opportunities: Attending college out of state can expose students to a wider range of educational institutions, programs, and opportunities. It allows them to explore new perspectives, meet diverse groups of people, and experience different cultures. Of course they will meet different people if they stay in state for their college education, but they will be able to meet people that they would never come across otherwise. This exposure can broaden their horizons and enhance their personal and intellectual growth. 
  • Lesser known financial incentives: As colleges seek to build a balanced incoming freshman class each year, they often look to enrolling students from out of state to create the atmosphere of diversity mentioned in the previous paragraph. This results in colleges offering generous merit or need based aid to out of state students. Though the list price of an out of state college may seem financially prohibitive at a glance, in demand students from different regions may be able to attend at an affordable price- perhaps even more affordable than in state colleges local to them. 
  • Independence and personal growth: Going to college out of state often requires students to navigate unfamiliar environments, manage their finances, and make decisions independently. This experience can foster personal growth, self-reliance, and the development of essential life skills. It encourages them to step out of their comfort zones and become more adaptable and resilient. Any student that attended college out of state can tell you that the experience was paramount to them gaining valuable skills for becoming an adult. Being thrust into such unfamiliarity on their own, they have no choice but to grow up quickly!
  • Specialized programs: Some students may have specific academic or career goals that are better served by attending a college or university in another state. They may find institutions that offer highly regarded programs, specialized courses, or research opportunities that align with their interests and aspirations. Pursuing these unique opportunities can provide a competitive edge in their chosen field. A concrete example would be the student who wishes to pursue Marine Biology as a major, but lives in the land-locked midwest. There are great programs for such a major in other states that are on the coast (Maine and Florida are examples) due to the necessity of college students in this major needing hands-on experience in the sea. 
  • Networking and connections: College is not just about academics; it’s also a time for building networks and connections that can be valuable in the future. Attending college out of state exposes students to a new social and professional environment, allowing them to make connections with peers, professors, and professionals in their field of interest. These relationships can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborations. We live in a world where it’s easy to stay connected regardless of what state you live in, so having a network of people in different states has the potential to open up opportunities in more than one location for the student when they are looking to plant roots and settle down into a career. 
  • Personal exploration: Going to college out of state can provide a fresh start and a chance for personal exploration. Students have the opportunity to define themselves outside the context of their hometown or family expectations. They can discover new interests, hobbies, and passions, and create their own identity. This freedom can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

It’s important to note that the decision to send a child to college out of state should be made on an individual basis, considering factors such as the student’s preferences, financial considerations, and family dynamics. Each family should carefully weigh the potential benefits and challenges before making a decision. If after research and conversation your family decides that going to college is the right fit for your child, they can look forward to a unique experience with many opportunities for growth. 

Elizabeth Lough is a high school guidance counselor with North Middlesex Regional School District in Massachusetts and advisor with My College Planning Team, based in the Chicago area.  www.collegeplanningteam.com . Please contact her at:  MyCollegePlanningTeam@gmail.com

Summer is Primetime for Writing College Application Essays

As the school year winds down, it’s important for incoming high school seniors and their parents to understand why summer – besides being a great time to hang out at the pool! — is a great opportunity to start writing that all-important college application essay.  Tackling this crucial task early on can lead to a smoother application process and increase a student’s chances of standing out among their competitors.

Beat the fall rush

Many students wait until the busy time of fall to start their essays, which is a recipe for stress and mediocre work. When the school year sets in, they become consumed by homework, extracurricular activities and outside jobs and are unable to dedicate the time needed to write an excellent essay.

Of course, parents want them to be able to focus on their academics when they need to, but their essay should not have to fall by the wayside because of that. By starting early,  your student will have ample time to pick a prompt that resonates with them, brainstorm ideas, conduct research and craft a compelling essay without feeling that crunch.

Unleashing creativity

The slower paced nature of summer provides an ideal environment for unleashing a student’s creativity, too.   With fewer academic pressures and time constraints, they can let their imagination run free and explore unique perspectives.

Encourage them to take a deep dive and see where their thoughts lead, reflecting on experiences, values and goals. This will result in a more authentic and engaging essay that captures the attention of admissions officers.

Gathering material

Summer activities, internships, employment and travel can help a student create experiences that enrich their essay. Whether it’s participating in an internship or job-shadowing, volunteering, traveling or pursuing personal projects, these experiences provide valuable material to incorporate into an essay.

When looking for material, advise your student to avoid using cliches and rehashing their  extracurriculars — admissions officers will already see that on their application.  By sharing specific anecdotes and lessons learned through these other experiences, they will make their essay more vivid and memorable to admissions officers.

Developing a unique narrative

During summer break, time is on your student’s side, and they have the luxury of intentionally taking time to engage in introspection and discover their own compelling personal stories.

You can help them reflect on moments that have shaped them, challenges they’ve overcome, ways that they have grown and lessons they have learned. The college essay is the one opportunity a student has to use their voice and stand out from who they are “on paper.”  Developing a unique narrative that showcases character and resilience will make the student’s  essay memorable and distinct.

Time for revisions

Students  can use the summer months to share their drafts with mentors or teachers as well as you, their parent, for valuable feedback.  After receiving this feedback, it’s time to edit, edit, edit and then edit some more. This revise/review/revise cycle is critical for refining the essay.

Lighten the burden of applying to college

By completing their essay early, the student will have more time in the fall to focus on other application components: standardized tests, recommendation letters and extracurricular involvement. This proactive approach reduces stress and allows them to manage their time effectively throughout the application process.

All students applying to college want to give themselves an edge over everyone else in the application pool. By choosing to write their college application essay during the summer months, they’re gaining a significant advantage over those who wait until the fall.

The relaxed atmosphere, ample time for reflection, ability to seek feedback and the opportunity to engage in meaningful experiences all contribute to the creation of a compelling essay that truly reflects their unique qualities and experiences.

So, encourage your child to take advantage of the lazy, hazy days of summer break to get a head start on this crucial part of the college application process.

Elizabeth Lough is a high school guidance counselor with North Middlesex Regional School District in Massachusetts and advisor with My College Planning Team, based in the Chicago area.  www.collegeplanningteam.com . Please contact her at:  MyCollegePlanningTeam@gmail.com

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