Articles for High School Counselors

Distracted Driving is a big issue with teens

A 2016 survey from State Farm found 94% of drivers said they thought texting was a distracting behavior behind the wheel, but 35% still did it anyway. In 2018, an estimated 2,841 people in the U.S. died in distraction-affected crashes, according to the National Safety Council. Teenagers text while driving at an even higher rate and many accidents are caused by this behavior. They’re three times more likely to be involved in an accident than drivers aged 20 and older.

The graphic below by Reviews.com gives some safety tips you can use with your students to discuss the perils of distracted driving:

Check out the article from Reviews.com that discusses What distracted driving is and why it is even worse at night here: https://www.reviews.com/insurance/car/how-to-avoid-driving-distracted/

Date December 15, 2020
Author Taylor Moore
Source Reviews.com

5 Essential Steps to Becoming a Teacher

Are any of your students interested in becoming a teacher? They might be wondering how to turn your career vision into reality. Here are some tips that will guide them through everything from deciding which subject to teach to getting their teaching license.

Choose a Grade

First, they will need to determine which grade level they want to teach. Teaching high school is very different from teaching kindergarten, so it’s important to consider which students they would prefer to work with. Elementary school students are curious and enthusiastic about learning, middle school students are figuring out their places in the world, and high school students are planning for the next big chapter in their lives.

Decide on the Subject

Which subject should they teach? Ideally, they will be able to identify a subject that they enjoy discussing and understand deeply. They might also want to look at subjects that fewer teachers pursue, as this could open up more job opportunities. For instance, the Edvocate states that mathematics, English, and social sciences are all in-demand subjects. With fewer teachers applying for these positions, they will have less competition when job searching! Ultimately, they want to select a subject that they are passionate about.

Earn Their Degree

To get that first teaching job, they will need to have a bachelor’s degree. Most four-year Colleges have programs for teachers. However, they do necessarily have to attend a brick-and-mortar college – they can secure their teaching license by earning their teaching degree online! This option can be more affordable and convenient for many aspiring teachers. In addition to finishing their bachelor’s program, their state will likely require them to submit academic transcripts, go through a background check, and complete entrance exams and skills tests. Keep in mind that, in the future, they may also want to earn a master’s degree to increase earning potential.

Landing a Job

Once they have gotten their bachelor’s degree, they have their teaching license and should be more than ready to get into the classroom – now, they just need to find a job at the right school! In order to make a great first impression to potential employers, they will need to prepare answers to common interview questions in advance. The Muse states that they will likely be asked why they want to be a teacher, how they would handle difficult students, and how they would structure a typical lesson. They should try rehearsing answers with a friend so that they can give them feedback – this should give them more confidence when they start interviewing.

Prepare for Online Learning

Today’s teachers understand that not all learning takes place in a traditional classroom. Experiential learning and remote learning are also valid educational methods (even more so during COVID-19). Make sure that they are ready to teach virtually if the need arises. They will need a reliable laptop and an external webcam, and they may also want to upgrade your Internet connection.

Teaching can be a very rewarding career. By helping your students make the right decisions about their subject, grade level, and degree program, you can help your students achieve their dreams.

Date December 11, 2020
Author Susan Good

3 Steps to Resetting Your Morning Routine

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone differently. As a counselor, helping students, faculty and parents cope with stress is a part of your job, however due to today’s climate it’s more important than ever to advocate for your mental health and make sure your needs are being met.

Prioritizing yourself doesn’t mean being selfish and can look differently for everybody. For some it might mean waking up earlier to set aside time for self-care and for others it could mean ending the day with a bedtime routine filled with relaxation.

Whatever your style, we encourage you to reset your morning routine to be geared towards productivity, intention and wellness. Not quite sure where to start? Tommy John created a three step approach to help school counselors reset their routine for success during this turbulent time.

Step 1: Practice Mindfulness

It’s easy to go through the motions these days. Due to the current climate, being present can be difficult when there are so many distractions. When creating a routine rooted in success, it’s important to prioritize practicing mindfulness to ready your brain for focus all day. It may sound silly, but the act of being mindfully aware in the first 10 minutes of your morning allows you to start the day on the right foot. Try saying a mantra like “I am capable of handing anything that the day might bring” to center yourself and start the day with a fresh perspective.

Step 2: Practice Gratitude

Practicing gratitude is the best way to gain perspective on days when you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Simply writing a few things down that you are thankful for or saying them outloud releases a combination of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins into your brain and helps you feel more positive. You’ll notice how life’s struggles and inconveniences pale in comparison to your blessings.

Step 3: Practice Goal-Setting

Creating a morning routine that’s filled with purpose adds structure to your day and allows you to concentrate on what you really want in life. When you race through your morning, chances are you aren’t focused on your goals. Instead set daily intentions right when you wake up, that will encourage you to be present and strive for your goals.

We hope these three tips will help you center yourself and tackle your day. As a school counselor, a large part of your job is being there for others so we encourage you to set aside time for yourself every morning. For more inspiration around how to reset your morning routine, view the visual below!

Date December 10, 2020
Author Jason Bullock

Scholarship Opportunity for your students – Upsolve Essay Scholarship

Upsolve, a national legal services nonprofit funded by the federal government and Harvard University is offering a scholarship opportunity to your students.

To empower the next generation of change-makers, they are encouraging students to submit short essays (500-1000 words) on how society can improve access to justice. The winning essay will receive $2,500.

These are the eligibility requirements:

Must be currently attending university or college or set to attend during 2021-2022 academic year;
Must apply via email and provide their name, university or college, major, and expected graduation month and year;
Must be in good standing with their current or prospective institution;
Provide their application (a two-page essay on your ideas for a more equitable legal system) by March 31, 2021

Here is a link with more information about their scholarship program: https://upsolve.org/scholarship/.

Date December 9, 2020
Author Jason Bullock

Tips for Parents During Remote Learning

We understand remote learning has its challenges. The two things we have seen successful students do during remote learning is communicate by asking for help and follow a daily schedule! Here are few tips to set your child up for success during the remote learning period.

Follow a Schedule

We understand remote learning has its challenges. The two things we have seen successful students do during remote learning is communicate by asking for help and follow a daily schedule! Here are a few tips to set your child up for success during the remote learning period at your school. Students thrive on structure. When things are unpredictable, a tool students need is a daily schedule. Here is template your student can use that you can customize for your school: Example schedule. Have them look up their teachers’ schedules so they know when they are available as well!

Set Daily Goals

Setting goals helps give our day purpose. When goals are achieved, it gives us a sense of accomplishment. Try using a daily goals sheet template like this.

Movement

Movement is mandatory for sustained energy and focus. Encourage breaks and stepping away from their workspace. Walking outside to get some fresh air a few times a day can make a huge difference in mood and motivation.

Ask for Help

A great predictor of success is a students’ ability to advocate for themselves and communicate with their teachers when they need help! Do not allow them to wait for a teacher to reach out to them. Have them stay on the google meet at the end of class to ask questions.

Connection

Loneliness and isolation can lead to a decline in mental health. Have your student set up FaceTime lunches or online study groups with friends. Find time to connect and have fun as a family. Lastly, have your student turn their camera on during class to feel more connected with their teacher and classmates!

Focus on Energy

Any type of positive feedback is important! This is a great opportunity to praise your students’ effort vs. their grades. Celebrate any positives you see in how they approach learning, or how they are connecting with teachers and showing resiliency.

School Work Refusal

We understand remote learning has not been easy or ideal for you or your student. It’s ok to reach out for extra support and ask for newi deas and resources if your student is not engaging in online work. Communicate with your student’s teachers or counselor to see if we can problem-solve together. This resource has great tips of how to encourage even the most reluctant learners. We are in this together!

This was provided by Leah Mueller-Grant a Counselor at Pulaski High School in Wisconsin

Date December 8, 2020
Author Leah Mueller-Grant

The hardest college to get accepted to in each state

The majority of colleges and universities in the United States accept most of the students who apply each year. However, there are institutions that are very selective, admitting a small share of those who apply.

24/7 did an analysis of admissions data from the National Center for Education Statistics and their index was based on admission rates as well as SAT scores of admitted students to measure the difficulty of being accepted to those universities and colleges.

Here is the list of those selective schools by state:

Alabama: The University of Alabama

• Location: Tuscaloosa

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 59.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 37,302

• Median SAT score: 1170 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $29,424

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 32,177

The University of Alabama football team has won 17 national championships, and current coach Nick Saban has won five national titles with the Crimson Tide. The college opened in 1831 and is the oldest public university in Alabama.

Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks

• Location: Fairbanks

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 76.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,683

• Median SAT score: 1160 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $18,510

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 4,657

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, the northernmost institution of higher learning on the list, is known for documenting and preserving 20 Indian, Aleut, and Eskimo languages through its Alaska Native Language Center.

Arizona: Arizona State University-Tempe

• Location: Tempe

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 84.8%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 26,869

• Median SAT score: 1245 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $25,621

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 42,529

Arizona State University collaborates with NASA, with students and faculty working with the space agency through the Space Grant Scholar program. The school is also known for its journalism, business, and engineering programs.

Arkansas: Lyon College

• Location: Batesville

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 49.9%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,741

• Median SAT score: 1114 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $38,173

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 655

Lyon College is a small liberal arts institution located in Batesville, Arkansas, in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. The school, which opened in 1872, is closely associated with the Presbyterian Church and holds Scottish-themed festivals and events in acknowledgment of its Scottish heritage.

California: California Institute of Technology

• Location: Pasadena

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 6.6%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 8,208

• Median SAT score: 1555 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $68,901

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 948

The California Institute of Technology is known the world over for its science and engineering research. Alumni and faculty from the institution have been awarded 39 Nobel Prizes. Among them two-time winner Linus Pauling.

Colorado: United States Air Force Academy

• Location: Air Force Academy

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 11.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 10,376

• Median SAT score: 1320 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: N/A

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 4,336

The United States Air Force Academy opened its doors in 1954 in the Colorado Springs metro area after the government weighed 580 proposed sites in 45 states. Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, who graduated from the academy in 1980, has flown on five space shuttle missions.

Connecticut: Yale University

• Location: New Haven

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 6.3%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 35,301

• Median SAT score: 1515 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $71,290

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 5,963

Yale University was founded in 1701, the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Among its myriad distinctions is its long association with China, a relationship that dates from 1835. Students of the Ivy League university boast about its many student organizations, including singing, dancing, theater, and even juggling groups. Oscar-winning actors Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are among Yale alumni.

Delaware: University of Delaware

• Location: Newark

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 66.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 27,691

• Median SAT score: 1255 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $25,584

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 19,060

The University of Delaware, founded in 1743, is the largest university in America’s first state. Among its more notable alumni are former Vice President Joe Biden, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and actor Yvette Freeman.

Florida: University of Miami

• Location: Coral Gables

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 32.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 34,281

• Median SAT score: 1340 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $65,298

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 10,873

University of Miami is famous for its campus – considered to be one of the most beautiful in the nation. Although the school has made its mark in college football by winning five national championships, it is also known for its programs in the sciences, engineering, and music.

Georgia: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

• Location: Atlanta

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 21.5%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 35,644

• Median SAT score: 1465 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $28,501

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 15,201

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a world-renowned public research institution founded in Atlanta in 1885. Alumnus Kary Mullis won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993. Though the workload at Georgia Tech is intense, students are able to follow Division I sports such as football and basketball as a diversion, and the Atlanta location affords them a variety of activities. The school also has campuses in Metz, France and Shenzhen, China.

Hawaii: Brigham Young University-Hawaii

• Location: Laie

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 44.8%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 2,970

• Median SAT score: 1167 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $18,043

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 3,040

BYU-Hawaii first opened its doors in 1955, approximately 110 years after a group of Latter-day Saint missionaries first landed in Hawaii. In the 2018-19 school year BYU-Hawaii accepted just 44.8% of applicants, the lowest acceptance rate of any school in Hawaii with available data. The median SAT score among first-year students was 1167 out of 1600, the highest such median of any college or university in the state.

Idaho: Northwest Nazarene University

• Location: Nampa

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 70.9%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,046

• Median SAT score: 1135 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $38,842

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,268

Northwest Nazarene University is a small liberal arts college founded in 1913 in Nampa, Idaho, about 20 miles west of Boise. Popular majors at the school today include business administration, nursing, and teaching.

Illinois: University of Chicago

• Location: Chicago

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 7.3%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 32,283

• Median SAT score: 1520 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $75,735

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 6,600

The University of Chicago is well-known for its academic rigor, particularly in the area of economics, and for faculty doing ground-breaking research. The institution boasts a handful of Nobel Prize winners – Saul Bellow-literature, George E. Smith-physics – and Pulitzer Prize recipients – Bret Stephens-commentary, Roger Ebert-criticism. Before he was president, Barack Obama taught at the University of Chicago Law School.

Indiana: University of Notre Dame

• Location: Notre Dame

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 17.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 20,371

• Median SAT score: 1475 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $69,395

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 8,568

Few American universities can boast a football legacy as rich as that of Notre Dame, a private Catholic research university founded in 1842. According to the NCAA, the school has 22 national football championships by major selectors, tied with the University of Alabama for the most of any Division I school. Notre Dame is also one of the most selective schools in the country. In the 2018-19 school year Notre Dame accepted just 17.7% of applicants, the lowest acceptance rate in Indiana and among the lowest of any school nationwide.

Iowa: Grinnell College

• Location: Grinnell

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 24.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 7,349

• Median SAT score: 1451 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $65,814

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,683

Grinnell College, a small private liberal arts school in Grinnell, Iowa, describes itself as “quirky” and “curious.” The Midwestern school was founded in 1846, and its theme is commitment to the common good.

Kansas: Bethel College-North Newton

• Location: North Newton

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 44.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,093

• Median SAT score: 1035 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $41,204

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 442

Located in the center of Kansas, Bethel College in North Newton was the first Mennonite college founded in North America in 1887. It was established in the tradition of progressive Christian liberal arts values and the school says it tries to prepare its students to become critical thinkers and global citizens. With just 442 undergraduates, it is the smallest school on the list.

Kentucky: Berea College

• Location: Berea

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 38.2%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,576

• Median SAT score: 1122 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $35,394

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,630

Founded in 1855 and deeply rooted in Appalachian history and culture, Berea College was the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. It is also tuition-free, relying on endowment income, gifts, and financial aid. All students must work at least 10 hours a week in jobs on campus and in the community.

Louisiana: Tulane University of Louisiana

• Location: New Orleans

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 17.3%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 38,816

• Median SAT score: 1420 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $69,517

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 7,920

Tulane University in New Orleans was founded as a medical college in 1834 to train doctors to treat diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and smallpox that were ravaging the port city. Tropical medicine remains one of the degrees offered at Tulane, along with architecture, business, law, liberal arts, the sciences, engineering, and social work.

Maine: Colby College

• Location: Waterville

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 13.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 12,313

• Median SAT score: 1430 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $68,582

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 2,000

Colby College, a private liberal arts institution founded in 1813, is located in Waterville, Maine, about 20 miles north of the state capital of Augusta. Like most relatively selective schools, Colby College is relatively expensive – the typical cost of attending the school is approximately $68,582. Of other degree-granting institutions in the state, only Bates has a higher sticker price.

Maryland: Johns Hopkins University

• Location: Baltimore

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 11.5%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 29,776

• Median SAT score: 1505 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $69,863

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 5,567

Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University touts itself as “America’s first research institution.” The university’s founding mission was to bring knowledge to the world. The university is well known for its medical school, which US News ranked second after Harvard University for research.

Massachusetts: Harvard University

• Location: Cambridge

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 4.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 42,749

• Median SAT score: 1520 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $71,135

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 7,582

There are no shortage of superlatives when it comes to Ivy League Harvard University. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, founded in 1636; it has produced more presidents, eight, than any university; it has the largest academic library in the world; and it produced 48 Nobel Laureates, 32 heads of state, 48 Pulitzer Prize winners.

Michigan: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

• Location: Ann Arbor

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 22.8%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 64,917

• Median SAT score: 1420 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $29,407

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 30,079

The average annual cost of attending the University of Michigan is $29,407, one of the lower price tags among the nation’s most selective educational institutions. It is also one of the largest colleges on this list, with more than 30,000 undergraduate students. Fewer than one in every four applicants were accepted for the 2018-2019 school year.

Minnesota: Carleton College

• Location: Northfield

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 19.8%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 7,092

• Median SAT score: 1440 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $68,835

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 2,046

Carleton College, located in Northfield, Minnesota, about 44 miles south of Minneapolis, is a small private liberal arts school that stresses interdisciplinary scholarship. The Carleton student community is described in the Princeton Review as tight knit and supportive. Among the notable alumni are Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart and Melvin Laird, secretary of defense under President Richard Nixon.

Mississippi: Mississippi College

• Location: Clinton

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 38.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 2,216

• Median SAT score: 1134 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $32,102

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 3,036

Mississippi College, located in Clinton, which is about 11 miles west of the state capital of Jackson, was founded in 1826 and is the oldest institution of higher learning in Mississippi. It is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, offering programs in the liberal arts and sciences, nursing, and business. The school’s stated vision is to be “recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.”

Missouri: Washington University in St. Louis

• Location: St. Louis

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 15%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 31,320

• Median SAT score: 1520 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $71,975

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 7,356

Students at Washington University in St. Louis can design their own curriculum to help them to pursue different areas of study. The school was founded in 1853, and its hilltop campus was designed by noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in 1895.

Montana: Rocky Mountain College

• Location: Billings

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 58.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,521

• Median SAT score: 1083 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $38,639

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 879

Rocky Mountain College was founded in 1878 in Billings, Montana. At RMC, one of the smallest schools on the list with 897 undergraduates, students can go skiing, rafting, backpacking, and rock climbing, and get class credit.

Nebraska: Creighton University

• Location: Omaha

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 71.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 10,112

• Median SAT score: 1250 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $52,931

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 4,405

Creighton University, opened in 1878, is a Jesuit-run institution of higher education located in Omaha, Nebraska. Among its more notable alumni is Bob Gibson, Hall of Fame pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nevada: University of Nevada-Las Vegas

• Location: Las Vegas

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 82%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 11,612

• Median SAT score: 1135 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $17,582

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 24,707

University of Nevada-Las Vegas is one of the newer schools on the list, founded in 1957. Because the school is located in Las Vegas, not surprisingly, one of its colleges is The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. UNLV also has schools for engineering, nursing, business, and urban affairs.

New Hampshire: Dartmouth College

• Location: Hanover

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 8.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 22,033

• Median SAT score: 1490 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $71,827

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 4,312

Dartmouth College was founded in 1769 by Rev. Eleazar Wheelock as a learning institution for Native Americans. In addition to one of the most competitive undergraduate admissions, the Ivy League university’s professional schools – the Geisel School of Medicine, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business – are some of the most selective in the world.

Among its alumni is statesman and orator Daniel Webster, who served as secretary of state under three presidents, as well as American author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

New Jersey: Princeton University

• Location: Princeton

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 5.5%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 35,370

• Median SAT score: 1505 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $66,950

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 5,301

Princeton University, founded in 1746, is among the hardest schools in the country to gain admittance. The Ivy League university played another New Jersey college, Rutgers, in the first collegiate football game in 1869. Among Princeton’s notable alumni are Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, former first lady Michelle Obama, mathematician and among the developers of computer science Alan Turing, and actor James Stewart.

New Mexico: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

• Location: Socorro

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 23.2%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,740

• Median SAT score: 1305 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $21,244

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,333

The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, founded in 1889 – before New Mexico became a state, is located in the town of Socorro, about 76 miles south of Albuquerque. In addition to mining, it offers courses of study in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, business, and technology management.

New York: Columbia University in the City of New York

• Location: New York

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 5.9%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 40,572

• Median SAT score: 1505 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $74,435

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 8,216

Columbia University, founded in 1754 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, is one of the most difficult colleges to attend anywhere. Only 5.9% of applicants were accepted for the 2018-2019 school year. The university is also one of the most expensive, with an average annual cost of attendance of $74,435.

North Carolina: Duke University

• Location: Durham

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 8.9%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 35,786

• Median SAT score: 1510 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $72,466

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 6,596

Duke University’s very successful men’s basketball team has helped raise the profile of the prestigious institution where students can major in computer science, economics, and public policy, among other courses of study. Duke is also known for its law school, whose graduates include Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States.

North Dakota: Minot State University

• Location: Minot

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 50.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 1,040

• Median SAT score: 1025 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $15,576

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 2,410

Minot State University is located in the northern part of North Dakota in the city of Minot. It is a public university founded in 1913 as a teaching institution to serve the North Dakota prairie. Minot State’s most popular majors are business administration and management, nursing, and teaching.

Ohio: Case Western Reserve University

• Location: Cleveland

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 29.3%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 26,642

• Median SAT score: 1435 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $67,083

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 5,131

Case Western Reserve University was founded in 1826. About one-third of Case’s students belong to fraternities or sororities. Among its notable alumni are former Representative and presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and Craigslist founder Craig Newmark.

Oklahoma: University of Tulsa

• Location: Tulsa

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 40.8%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 8,526

• Median SAT score: 1295 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $56,906

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 3,246

The University of Tulsa, founded in 1894, is a private institution known for its petroleum engineering programs, which are taught in a facility that features a drilling simulator. The school opened one of the first mosques on a college campus in the nation. More than half of the students come from out of state, including from nearly 70 countries.

Oregon: Reed College

• Location: Portland

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 35%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 5,957

• Median SAT score: 1415 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $69,734

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,456

Reed College, located in Portland, Oregon, is a small private liberal arts college that was founded in 1908. It has one of the lower acceptance rates on this list, at 35%. The college claims its curriculum includes a unique incorporation of classical studies across its disciplines.

Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania

• Location: Philadelphia

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 8.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 44,491

• Median SAT score: 1485 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $72,584

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 10,764

The University of Pennsylvania is another of the Ivy League schools founded in colonial times, in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. According to Princeton Review, students laud the university for its combination of urban setting with a traditional college campus. Poet William Carlos Williams is an alumnus of Penn.

Rhode Island: Brown University

• Location: Providence

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 7.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 35,437

• Median SAT score: 1485 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $71,050

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 6,752

Ivy League schools are the hardest colleges to get into in their respective states, and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, is among them. Brown students design their own courses of study. Brown’s English and history programs are well-regarded, as is its Warren Alpert Medical School. Business moguls John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Ted Turner are Brown alumni.

South Carolina: Clemson University

• Location: Clemson

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 47.2%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 28,845

• Median SAT score: 1310 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $29,499

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 19,564

Clemson University’s profile has been raised in recent years by the success of its football program, which has won two national championships in the last four years. Commonly chosen majors at Clemson, founded in 1889, range from accounting to youth development. Students frequently participate in projects that include combating bullying in South Carolina high schools.

South Dakota: Augustana University

• Location: Sioux Falls

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 65.4%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 2,201

• Median SAT score: 1195 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $45,145

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,752

Augustana College, located at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a private liberal arts school affiliated with the Lutheran Church. The school was founded in 1860, before South Dakota became a state. “Entertainment Tonight” host Mary Hart is an alumna of Augustana.

Tennessee: Vanderbilt University

• Location: Nashville

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 9.6%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 34,313

• Median SAT score: 1505 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $67,392

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 6,840

Vanderbilt University owes its origins to railroad mogul Cornelius Vanderbilt, who gave $1 million to the university in 1873. Vanderbilt, one of the South’s most prestigious schools, is known for its undergraduate pre-med program and medical school. Vanderbilt alumni Al Gore Jr. and Muhammad Yunas each won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Texas: Rice University

• Location: Houston

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 11.1%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 20,923

• Median SAT score: 1505 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $63,158

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 3,962

Rice University, founded in 1912 and located in Houston’s Museum District, has been ranked by the Princeton Review as having the happiest students in the United States. Princeton Review cited Rice students’ favorable experiences with faculty, research capabilities, and collaboration with outside institutions. Rice alumnus Alberto R. Gonzales became the nation’s first Hispanic attorney general in 2005.

Utah: Brigham Young University-Provo

• Location: Provo

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 64.5%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 11,205

• Median SAT score: 1305 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $18,136

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 31,441

Brigham Young University was founded by the Mormon Church in 1875. Students are asked to adhere to its “honor code” that requires abstinence from drugs, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea, and what the church views as “inappropriate” “sexual activity, such as sex outside of marriage. About 25% of Brigham Young students are married.

Vermont: Middlebury College

• Location: Middlebury

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 16.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 9,227

• Median SAT score: 1415 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $69,464

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 2,550

Middlebury College, founded in 1800, is regarded as one of the most rigorous small private liberal arts colleges in the U.S. Middlebury’s scenic location near mountains, lakes, and ski trails, likely attracts students who value the outdoors.

Virginia: Washington and Lee University

• Location: Lexington

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 21.2%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 5,855

• Median SAT score: 1419 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $67,150

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 1,822

Washington and Lee University, founded in 1749, was named after George Washington, who made an endowment to the school, and Confederate general Robert E. Lee, who became president of the college after the Civil War. Greek life plays a big role in the social environment of the school, with 80% of students belonging to fraternities and sororities. Author Tom Wolfe and explorer Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition are among the school’s notable alumni.

Washington: University of Washington-Seattle Campus

• Location: Seattle

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 48.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 45,907

• Median SAT score: 1340 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $25,275

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 30,905

Founded in 1861, University of Washington is one of the oldest public universities in the western United States and one of the largest schools on the list. The university’s main campus is in Seattle.

West Virginia: Davis & Elkins College

• Location: Elkins

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 37%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 2,495

• Median SAT score: 995 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $40,551

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 756

Davis & Elkins College is a private institution of higher learning affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in Elkins, West Virginia, which is near the Maryland border. It is one of the smaller colleges on the list, with total undergraduate enrollment of 756 students.

Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Location: Madison

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 51.7%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 42,727

• Median SAT score: 1365 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $25,497

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 30,360

University of Wisconsin-Madison’s children’s hospital was the site of the first bone marrow transplant in 1968. Twenty alumni have won a Nobel prize. Novelist Joyce Carol Oates, progressive politician Robert M. La Follette, and architect Frank Lloyd Wright are among the school’s alumni.

Wyoming: University of Wyoming

• Location: Laramie

• Acceptance rate for 2018-2019: 96%

• Applicants for 2018-2019: 5,293

• Median SAT score: 1165 out of 1600

• Avg. annual cost of attendance: $19,777

• Four-year undergraduate enrollment, fall 2018: 9,854

The University of Wyoming, founded in 1886, is located in Laramie and is situated between two mountain ranges. The school is the only four-year university in Wyoming, and at 96%, it has the highest acceptance rate on the list. Former Vice President Dick Cheney is a UW alumnus.

Date December 7, 2020
Author John Harrington
Source 24/7 Wall Street/USA Today

These are the articles that will be included in the Spring 2021 issue of LINK for Counselors

Do you currently receive the print issue of LINK for Counselors magazine? If not, sign up as it is free. Here is a link the sign up form: https://www.linkforcounselors.com/link-magazine-subscribe/

Here are the articles scheduled to run in the Spring 2021 issue:

*Interview with Christy Payne Conley – Lead Counselor at North Oconee HS in GA
*Success from the Start: Three Systems that Must Be In Place Before a Student Starts College – By JoBeth Evans Life Coach and former High School Teacher in AR
*Our Greatest Allies in College Planning – By Sonja Montiel founder of College Confidence
*Be Careful Where You Get Tips About the College Essay – By Kim Lifton of WOW Writing Workshop
*Feeling Burned Out? A Change Would Do You Good! Professional Development for Counselors – By Dan Geary, Director of College Counseling at Trinity Episcopal School in VA
*‘Please Give Me My Space’ – A School Counselor’s Perspective – By Sweety Patel, Director of School Counseling at Carteret Public Schools in NJ
*“Helpers” on College and University Campuses
*The Realities of the First-Year – By Heather Couch School Counselor at Blanchester Middle School in OH
*Independent Study by Dr. Brittany Maschal
*Counseling, Your job is changing.– Here are some tips that can help! By Jim Paterson, formerly Counselor of the Year in Montgomery County, MD
*Considerations minority students should take in searching for that perfect College fit – By Jim Paterson, formerly Counselor of the Year in Montgomery County, MD
*The New Normal – How COVID-19 impacts learning and what Counselors need to take into account
*To Gap Year or Not?
*Helping Students Visualize their Future through Internships – By Marian G. Carpenter, High School English Teacher in MD
*Technology Transformation: From Avoidance to Advocacy – By Angela Cleveland
*Careers to Consider – Occupational Therapy Assistant
*Careers to Consider – Criminal Justice Careers
*Scholarship Watch

The new issue will be sent out mid-February.

Date December 4, 2020
Author Jason Bullock

Where can those students looking for a trade school or other career options find information if they are not interested in attending a traditional 4-year College?

Today I saw a post on Social Media from a High School Counselor that was looking for information for one of her students that didn’t want to attend a traditional college. She was frustrated because she was having trouble finding sources of information on trade schools and other options. Fortunately another Counselor responded with a good source, My Next Move.

This caught my attention as I have also had this question before and didn’t have a good resource. I checked it out and it is a legitimate (non-profit) website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

There are several ways to search the site for options:

Search careers with key words – They offer a simple interface where you can type in specific key words to pull up career options related to that field. Each career then has a video with details about it and education options.
There is also a search engine by industry (with a drop down menu) which makes it easy for students to check out different fields and options
Lastly they have a quick Q&A test that will pull up specific career options based on the answers your students provide.

Check them out if you have students interested in pursuing non-traditional career paths which don’t entail going to a four-year school right after high school. Also if you have any other sites you use send them our way as well and we will add them to this post.

Date December 3, 2020
Author Jason Bullock

How Your Students Can Get a Great Letter of Recommendation

Colleges often ask for two or three recommendation letters from people who know you well. These letters should be written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.

Colleges value recommendations because they:

Reveal things about you that grades and test scores can’t
Provide personal opinions of your character
Show who is willing to speak on your behalf
Letters of recommendation work for you when they present you in the best possible light, showcasing your skills and abilities.
Get recommendation letters from people who know you well

When to Ask for Recommendations
Make sure to give your references at least one month before your earliest deadline to complete and send your letters. The earlier you ask, the better. Many teachers like to write recommendations during the summer. If you apply under early decision or early action plans, you’ll definitely need to ask for recommendations by the start of your senior year or before.

Remember that some teachers will be writing whole stacks of letters, which takes time. Your teachers will do a better job on your letter if they don’t have to rush.
Whom to Ask

It’s your job to find people to write letters of recommendation for you. Follow these steps to start the process:

Read each of your college applications carefully. Schools often ask for letters of recommendation from an academic teacher — sometimes in a specific subject — or a school counselor or both.
Ask a counselor, teachers and your family who they think would make good references.
Choose one of your teachers from junior year or a current teacher who has known you for a while. Colleges want a current perspective on you, so a teacher from several years ago isn’t the best choice.
Consider asking a teacher who also knows you outside the classroom. For example, a teacher who directed you in a play or advised your debate club can make a great reference.
Consider other adults — such as an employer, a coach or an adviser from an activity outside of school — who have a good understanding of you and your strengths.
Perhaps most important, pick someone who will be enthusiastic about writing the letter for you.
If you’re unsure about asking someone in particular, politely ask if he or she feels comfortable recommending you. That’s a good way to avoid weak letters.
Your teachers will do a better job on your letter if they don’t have to rush.

How to Get the Best Recommendations
Some teachers write many recommendation letters each year. Even if they know you well, it’s a good idea to take some time to speak with them. Make it easy for them to give positive, detailed information about your achievements and your potential by refreshing their memory.

Here’s how:

Talk to them about your class participation.
Remind them of specific work or projects you’re proud of.
Tell them what you learned in class.
Mention any challenges you overcame.
Give them the information they need to provide specific examples of your work.
If you need a recommendation letter from a counselor or other school official, follow these guidelines:
Make an appointment ahead of time.
Talk about your accomplishments, hobbies and plans for college and the future.
If you need to discuss part of your transcript — low grades during your sophomore year, for example — do so. Explain why you had difficulty and discuss how you’ve changed and improved since then.

Whether approaching teachers, a counselor or another reference, you may want to provide them with a resume that briefly outlines your activities, both in and outside the classroom, and your goals.
Final Tips

The following advice is easy to follow and can really pay off:

Waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you haven’t seen them.
Give your references addressed and stamped envelopes for each college that requested a recommendation.
Make sure your references know the deadlines for each college.
Follow up with your references a week or so before recommendations are due to make sure your letters have been sent.
Once you’ve decided which college to attend, write thank-you notes. Tell your references where you’re going and let them know how much you appreciate their support.

This blog was published by Big Future College Board. Check them out at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/