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Find colleges that want you more than you want them

Don’t feed the frenzied fever of the college admissions process.

Families often get caught up in the high stakes of college admissions competition. If you’re willing to look beyond the super selective top tier of colleges, you’ll find that many of them need you more than you need them.

A survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed found that over 75% of colleges were either “very or moderately concerned” about not meeting their enrollment goals this year. These stats are particularly relevant to private non-profit colleges.

It’s the “non-famous privates” that are struggling the most. These small to mid-size privates don’t have the deep pockets that the famous brand name schools have. Without the big endowments, they’re forced to rely much more on tuition payments to cover costs.

Many of these colleges that need students, particularly private colleges, are often willing to offer bigger discounts or may match competing schools’ offers of financial aid. Knowing this tidbit ahead of time can dramatically alter a student’s college list. If you know that your stats are in the top 25% (above the college’s middle 50%), you have: 1) a much greater likelihood of being accepted and 2) a reasonably good chance that you’ll be offered an attractive merit-based scholarship award.

The problem is that most families never look beyond the usual suspects in their geographic region or the name schools nationally. Depending on the student’s academic and extracurricular profile, they may be considered a much more desirable applicant somewhere else, and that desirability is often rewarded with money.

Make your list and check it twice

The biggest response to the competitive frenzy has been an alarming increase in the number of applications submitted by students. It’s called “Application Overkill.” Unfortunately, it is not that unusual to hear of students applying to 15, 18 or even 20+ colleges.

What’s wrong with that?

There is no way a student can apply to that many colleges and do a solid job on each one. What frequently happens is that students focus too much of their time in the beginning on their dream school application. They start the process with lots of energy and labor over each essay. But then they get burned out after that first or second application. When it comes time to complete their applications for their target and safety schools, they don’t do a good job.

The college admissions process doesn’t need to be crazed. If you understand what makes you appealing as well as your financial limitations and you are willing to look at colleges with an open mind, the process can be downright rewarding!

Lee Bierer is the Founder of College Admissions Strategies – Charlotte, NC. She can be reached at lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com or via their website at: www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com

What NOT to Do When Struggling with Overwhelming Adolescent Anxiety

Among teens and their parents, anxiety can be a misunderstood condition. While some feel that kids will “just grow out of it,” the research shows that this simply is not the case. Anxiety is a normal reaction to life’s many stresses, but those suffering from anxiety disorders are affected way more by everyday life stress than the average person. In order to deal with this, teens dealing with chronic anxiety must face it head-on. Changes in diet, sleep, and exercise can help teens overcome anxiety, as can finding ways to face their fearful situations. But there are also a handful of things that you should absolutely NOT do when attempting to overcome excessive anxiety. Below are just a few:

Don’t attempt to ignore the anxiety

It may seem logical that the less you think about being anxious, the less anxious you will feel. But as a teen facing chronic anxiety or a parent looking to help their child, it’s important that you face the anxiety head-on and never attempt to ignore it in the hopes that it will just go away.

Don’t try to manage stress with drugs and alcohol

While it’s true that drinking alcohol can temporarily reduce the effects of anxiety (it is a depressant after all), the long-term effects of using alcohol to cope can actually worsen your anxiety. When the effects of alcohol wear off, you can be left in a state of increased anxiety – much more problematic than the one you were in pre-drinking.

“Alcohol changes levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which can worsen anxiety. In fact, you may feel more anxious after the alcohol wears off,” notes Healthline.com. “Alcohol-induced anxiety can last for several hours, or even for an entire day after drinking.”

If you try to use alcohol to manage social anxiety, it may work at the beginning. Having a few drinks does make social situations more tolerable for some – there’s no point in denying that. But after a while you will come to depend on alcohol to be social, and that’s a bad place to be in if you have social anxiety disorders.

Don’t practice avoidance

For some, the easiest way to control anxiety is to avoid any and all situations that may trigger it. Like alcohol, this works in the short term. If you are anxious about taking a test, just ditching school will help – for a minute. But avoidance is a poor short-term solution to a long-term problem. One of the key strategies for overcoming anxiety is to face your anxiety head-on.

This doesn’t mean you have to jump directly into a stressful situation all at once. You can level up to it.

As a parent of a teen with anxiety issues, it’s vital to legitimize their fears and empathize, but you must not enable avoidance. You’re not doing your child any good by attempting to protect them from every little thing that causes them stress. Encourage your teen to identify their fears and face them in a safe, controlled manner.

Don’t accept generalities

Saying you’re simply scared to go to school will do nothing to help you identify and battle your anxiety. You must be specific. Why are you anxious? Only when you get specific can you begin to come up with logical solutions to your anxiety. Nervous about falling behind in your areas of study? Now that you’ve identified the specific problem, you can offer up a specific solution like employing a tutor to help (prices are typically negotiable if that’s an issue). It’s also worth pointing out that anxiety can also be used as a tool for growth, as this anxiousness can actually push up toward growth by forcing us to come face-to-face with uncomfortable situations and feelings, which can often lead to a new, positive experience.

Anxiety is manageable if you take the steps to confront it head-on and don’t rely on quick fixes like alcohol and avoidance. Get specific about what is causing you anxiety and come up with a game plan to overcome it.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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Guide for Life Curriculum

The State of Arkansas has put together a very nice curriculum that can be used in other states. It is designed to be used by students in grades 9-12. It includes lesson plans in the following areas:

Growth – Guide to Manager Yourself (Includes 10 Lessons)

Understanding – Guide to Know Yourself (Includes 11 Lessons)

Interaction – Guide to Building Relationships (Includes 10 Lessons)

Decisions – Guide to Making Responsible Choices (Includes 10 Lessons)

Empathy – Guide to Be Aware of Others (Includes 10 Lessons)

They have also put together separate guides for younger age groups as well. Here is a link: https://sites.google.com/pdarkansas.net/guideforlifecurriculum/high-school-9-12?fbclid=IwAR0l9RYdLp-36wA4O-7P1ViVA68mZJh03C7wijahC4hHcpZw0XnPhQ1ZE60

10 Questions Your Students Should Ask When Getting Interviewed for a Job

When your students begin interviewing for a job how will they know if the company is a good fit for them? There are questions they can ask to help determine if the company is the right culture fit. Here are 10 good questions your students should consider asking:

1. Why is this position available?

Why to ask it: The answer from this question can tell you a few helpful things: whether this is a new position (which comes with its own challenges), or whether someone left the position because they were promoted, moved laterally at the company, quit, or were fired. Whatever the answer, you will learn something valuable about the job and team you might join.

2. What makes it a great day and what makes it a challenging day at work?

Why to ask it: Rather than a vague question about what a “typical day” may look like, this subtle, yet hard-hitting question will allow you to get a much clearer picture of the highs and lows of the job.

3. When was the last time you promoted someone within your team, and why?

Why to ask it: This question can provide insight into what the hiring manager considers to be the most important traits, skill sets, and achievements to progress within the company. Plus, it also gives intel on career progression within the organization and how often employees are able to move up through the ranks.  

4. What are some of the challenges you expect the person in this position to face?

Why to ask it: Every job will have its challenges, but asking about them specifically can help you learn what they may be ahead of time and whether they’re the types of challenges you’d feel comfortable tackling.

5. How is criticism and feedback handled within the team? 

Why to ask it: Some managers and teams do a great job of handling feedback and critical discussions in a way that helps everyone grow and evolve, and some just don’t. The answer you receive from this question will help you know what to expect and whether it’s an environment you’d be well-served in.

6. What is the main reason employees stay at or leave this company? 

Why to ask it: Not only will this question provide a better sense of a company’s existing culture, it will also offer insight as to how aware the company is about employee experience and if they take employee feedback, such as exit interviews, to heart.

7. Could you tell me if you have any Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and how they might support your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DI) work?

Why to ask it: By asking directly about ERG’s, you’ll be able to determine if the company is vested and committed to their DEI strategic plans, and if they’re creating programs and policies to support their employees. This question is also an excellent way to determine if your values align with the company’s values and mission statement, and if the company provides opportunities for their employees to grow while being valued as a contributor.  

8. What is the company’s approach to supporting the work-life balance of employees, and what are some recent initiatives you’ve put in place related to the pandemic?

Why to ask it: The answers received from this question will help you determine if the company really does support work-life balance and in what ways. Asking about any new things they’ve done as a result of the pandemic will tell you if the company is responsive to the ever-changing needs of its workforce.

9. How does the company determine salary levels or ranges for remote workers and is it at all different for in-office workers or hybrid workers?

Why to ask it: Companies with remote workers have several different ways they might determine salary levels. Typically, it’s based on either the company’s location, the worker’s location, or another metric like national average. Knowing how they calculate their pay rates gives you solid information to make informed decisions if/when you’re negotiating salary requirements.

10. Do you have any hesitancy in hiring me?      

Why to ask it: This offers a chance to immediately address anything they might say, and hopefully help the interview move past whatever is making them hesitant about hiring you for the role. Plus, it can provide solid information for how to improve for future interviews.

Information provided by FlexJobs

Two New Scholarship Opportunities for Your Students

We try and let you know when we find out about scholarship opportunities available for your students. Here are a couple new ones:

  1. Walter Morales Scholarship for Urban Education Improvement

This scholarship is available for students in the United States who are currently enrolled in a University or High School, and have plans to attend a University.  The scholarship is meant to bring awareness to the issues facing urban schools and ways to improve upon them.

 Here is some brief information about our scholarship: 

·        This is a one-time award of $5,000 

·        Deadline for this scholarship is February 15, 2022

·        A winner will be announced by March 15, 2022 

All of the details and criteria can be found on our page: https://waltermoralesscholarship.com/walter-morales-scholarship/

2. The 1 for 2 Education Foundation Scholarship

For the 2022 academic year, the Foundation intends to award at least two merit-based scholarships. The size of the individual grants is determined on the basis of tuition remaining after considering all other forms of tuition assistance obtained by the scholar. 


Requirements to Apply: • An up to date official transcript from the current school 

• Indicate a commitment to the Foundation’s Pledge 

• All required application questions must be answered and fields completed 

• Applicant must be living in the United States but is not required to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident• The college or university must be in the United States 

• GPA must be at least 3.7 unweighted, 4.0 weighted Application 


Deadline: After 250 complete applications are received or February 1, 2022, whichever occurs first. 


The Foundation considers the applicant’s high school academic record, leadership and community service activities, and letters of recommendation. Applicants are also assessed on the alignment of their values with the Foundation’s values as it relates to their intention to fulfill their Pledge to the Foundation. 


While receiving a scholarship from the Foundation, scholars are required to attend the Foundation’s annual Gathering. During this event, scholars will have a chance to meet other scholars, graduates, and directors. They will also participate in personal development and learning sessions aimed at preparing them for academic, career, and life goals. The 2022 Gathering is planned for July 28 – August 1, 2022, in Michigan. All reasonable costs to attend the Gathering are covered by the Foundation. 


Applicants are required to make the following pledge: 
In consideration of the 1 for 2 Education Foundation (“the Foundation”) making this scholarship grant, I pledge to support the mission of the Foundation to build a community of scholars who are dedicated to being life-long learners by:


a) participating in the annual Foundation Gathering while receiving my scholarship, 

b) supporting my fellow Foundation Scholars’ academic and career goals during my lifetime, and

c) paying for a comparable scholarship grant for two persons, who are not related to me by blood, adoption, or marriage, during my lifetime 


Application link: Apply Now – 1 for 2 Education Foundation – https://www.1for2edu.com/scholarship/

Are You an Editor or a College Essay Coach?

About a month before the first big college application deadline, I spent a good deal of time on the phone, sending emails and responding to parent requests to review drafts of college essays students had already written.
 
They wanted someone to look the essays over, edit them, send the students on their merry way.
 
That’s pretty typical this time of year. A lot of people ask if we edit essays.
 
We don’t.
 
Here’s why: we are not editors; we are essay coaches.
 
We carefully review our own students’ essays and provide lots of feedback, based on our expertise and process, plus conversations with admissions reps from all sorts of schools. As many of you may already know, our feedback always depends on what stage the essay is in: content, structure or polish.
 
If you’re anything like us, you’re probably reading stacks of essays right about now as students work on their regular applications (or add one more school, just in case.) But… Do you know which phase that essay is in?Do you know when to let go of content and move on to structure or polish?Do you know how to read a content draft without grabbing a red pen and revising sentences? As we move the Class of 2022 across the finish line, it’s a good time to consider what works with your process – and what can be improved. Are you an editor or a coach?
 
Are you putting out too many fires? Relying on random resources? Custom solving every problem that comes up? When you run into a roadblock, can you tell if it’s a college essay problem or something else?

And think about it carefully. Are you an editor? Or a coach? To learn more, check out this Pro Chat recording about Essay Reviews.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kim Lifton is a MACAC Board Member and President and Co-founder of Wow Writing Workshop, which teaches students and educational professionals a simple, step-by-step process for writing effective college essays, so students can stand out and tell their stories. Kim leads a team of writers and teachers who understand the writing process inside and out. Since 2009, Wow has been leading the college admissions industry with our unique approach to communicating messages effectively through application essays, including personal statements, activity and short answer essays and supplements.  We teach students – and we train professionals.

Coming Up 

We cover a new topic in our Pro Chats each month – Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. Eastern! Click here to register!

November       11/10/21         Manage student procrastination without stressing out

December       12/8/21           2021 wrap-up: Take a deep breath! What we can do at the end of the season, and what we need to let go of

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And, if you’d like a free electronic copy of our book for counselors, How to Write an Effective College Application Essay, the Inside Scoop for Counselors, download it here.

5 Tips and Templates for that Post Interview E-mail

What do your students do after they have gone on an interview? Do they follow up and thank the person(s) that interviewed them? Do they know what they should say? Only a 1/4 of all people who have been interviewed take the time to send a follow up note/e-mail. Following up can set your students apart from the pack. Here are 5 tips from Flexjobs on what to do after the interview.

1. Send it soon after the job interview    

2. Write separate thank you emails for each interviewer

3. Use your personal computer

4. Use the email address associated with the job application 

5. Stay in touch after thank you notes are sent  

These are some great tips but what do you say in the e-mail? Here are a couple of examples:

Simple Thank You Email:

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name]:

Thank you very much for your time today [or yesterday or the date] to interview me for the position of [job title]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this job, to meet you and [names of other interviewers], and to see your facility [or offices, location, whatever is appropriate].

As we discussed, I have [months or years] of experience with [technology, tools, or qualification(s) you have that seemed most important in the interview]. With my background and experience, I believe that I could become a contributor to your team very quickly.

I am excited about this opportunity to join [organization name]. Please do not hesitate to email or call me if you have any questions or need any additional information.

I look forward to hearing from you [whenever they said they would be in touch or in 10 days if they didn’t give you a date].

Best regards,

[Your name]

[Your job title or tag line, like “eCommerce Customer Support Specialist”]

[LinkedIn Profile URL]

[Phone number — not your work number if you are employed]

More Complex Thank You Email: 

Subject: Thank you for the [Job Title] interview on [date]

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name]:

Thank you very much for your time today [or yesterday or the date] to interview me for the position of [job title]. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this job, to meet you and [names of other interviewers], and to see your facility [or offices, location, whatever is appropriate].

[Reference anything you said that seemed important to the interviewer, like: As we discussed, I find the technology related to using cloud computing fascinating and an amazing opportunity for the future, but security is also a major concern. Keeping XYZ Company’s information safe would be a top priority for the person in this job, and I would love to dig deeply into the protective technologies, as well as the threats, to avoid future problems.]

[If possible, reference any “connection” you may have made, like: I enjoyed finding someone else who attended XYZ College and also roots for the hockey team. Hope they make the NCAA Division finals next year!]

As we discussed, I have [months or years] of experience with [technology, tools, or qualification(s) you have that seemed most important in the interview]. With my background and experience, I believe that I could become a contributor to your team very quickly.

I am excited about this opportunity to join [organization name]. Please do not hesitate to email or call me if you have any questions or need any additional information.

I look forward to hearing from you [whenever they said they would be in touch or in 10 days if they didn’t give you a date].

Best regards,

[Your name]

[Your job title or tag line, like “eCommerce Customer Support Specialist”]

[LinkedIn Profile URL]

[Phone number — not your work number if you are employed]

Have any students that are interested in pursuing a Nursing career?

If yes, we found a resource that lists a number of scholarships opportunities specifically for students pursuing a career in Nursing. Here are a list of some of the scholarships available and a link to the complete listing with information on how to apply to each:

AfterCollege/AACN Nursing Scholarship Program

Amount $2,500

American Cancer Society Doctoral Degree Scholarships in Cancer Nursing

Amount $30,000

American Indian Nurse Scholarship Awards

Amount $1,500

AMRI’s Scholarship Program for Healthcare Students

Amount $1,000

Bethesda Lutheran Communities Lutheran Student Scholastic & Service Scholarship

Amount $3,000

Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship

Amount $2,500

Cheryl M. Thomas Scholarship

Amount $5,000

CPR Certification Institute Scholarship for Health Care Professionals

Amount $2,000

Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarship

Amount $3,500

Exceptionalnurse.com Scholarship

Amount Varies

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholarships

Amount $500-$5,000

Hurst Review/AACN Nursing Scholarship

Amount $2,500

Indian Health Service Scholarship

Amount Tuition and other schooling costs

Lighting the Way for Nursing Scholarship

Amount $5,000

Mae & Mary Legacy Scholarships

Amount Varies

National Black Nurses Association Scholarships

Amount Varies

NLN Nursing Education Scholarship Award

Amount $8,000 (maximum)

National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Scholarship Programs

Amount Varies

Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

Amount Full tuition and other schooling costs.

TYLENOL® Future Care Scholarships

Amount Varies

Link to information on how to apply to each: https://nursejournal.org/resources/financial-aid/nursing-scholarship-grants/

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