No Drama College Counseling

Music to stimulate the brain during standardized testing

2011-03-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

Today we're giving the CAHSEE, the California High School Exit Exam. Your state probably has something similar. Since I work with special ed kids, some of them get to have "accommodations," which means they get to use a calculator, or a CD that reads the questions to them, or some other thing that helps compensate for their processing difficulties without actually changing the test (which would be called a "modification").

The calculator is definitely helpful on the math section, and the CD seems to work well on the English section, but there's one accommodation that isn't offered but I know would be extremely helpful--let them listen to music.

Throughout our own high school days, it was universal parental wisdom that kids would study or work best when free from distraction. "Turn off the TV/stereo, sit still, get your nose in that book and study!" But over the past few decades it has become abundantly clear that many types of ADD/ADHD brains (and maybe many other "non-disabled" teenaged brains) actually NEED external stimulation and/or movement in order to function adequately.

The same applies to some adults but they typically have more freedom to make the adjustments they need for themselves (e.g. doodling during meetings to keep their brain activated, listening to music in their office, taking stretch breaks at their own discretion, choosing careers that let them be active). However, kids are usually scolded or disciplined for employing these types of self-management techniques and consequently, their performance and productivity goes way down.

If you're interested in more information on this subject, or if you're just not yet convinced, please visit the following:

Med Page Today

F idgeting Helps ADHD People Stay Focused

There are countless other articles and studies on this topic as well, which are easily found through a web search.

A little humor to start off your week

2011-02-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Since we're all in the full swing of the college search process (for juniors), I thought I would start off the week with a little humor that you might be able to relate to. I like some of this guy's stuff, while some of his cartoons are over my head (sort of like listening to Dennis Miller). I really appreciate this one because it validates that I'm not alone!

(Click here to find more online comics by this guy.)

Colleges for Animal Lovers

2011-02-23T07:57:00.000-08:00

Our society is becoming increasingly animal friendly. By now, it seems that most people consider pets to be part of the family, rather than mere property as was once the case. Consequently, it is becoming harder for some students to leave their pets to attend college away from home so some schools are responding by allowing animals in their dorm rooms!

Animal-friendly dorms
The most well-known dog-friendly dorm system is at Eckerd College in Florida. (In order to avoid my usual long-windedness, I am going to just provide you with links to various programs instead of details about each one. Another Florida college that is recently gaining attention is Stetson, whose current president brought the policy with her from Stephens College in Missouri. There are a few other colleges as well, and you can find various lists by doing a websearch for "pet-friendly colleges" or something similar.

It's more common for colleges to allow cats in their dorms, as is the policy at big-brain schools MIT and CalTech. And many, many colleges allow aquariums, reptiles and small caged mammals in their rooms now. Just have your child check out their prospective colleges' "housing" or "residential life" pages.

Then there's Sweet Briar College in Virginia--you can't bring anything but an aquarium into your dorm room, but you can board your horse there!!

Animal-related clubs on campus
Below I've listed three examples of service-oriented animal-related clubs that would probably be of interest to young people who care deeply about animals and are seeking a means of associating with kindred spirits (not to mention some opportunities to snuggle with four-legged friends in the local area every once in a while):

Penn State (PA): Small and Exotic Animal Club
Becker College (MA): Animal Health Club (note: there is music on this homepage)
Lewis & Clark (OR): The Animal Club

If your son or daughter's first choice of college doesn't already have an animal-related club on campus, just remind them that every college has a procedure for starting new clubs and it's usually quite simple. Often, as few as five students can petition for club status, and then many schools will provide them with a meager budget to get started. Not only will this fix your child's desire for participating in such a club, but being the founder of this type of group will look fantastic on their résumé.

And last but not least...

Animal-related majors
Some people love animals so much that they want to devote their careers to their care and handling, and these students can pursue one of the animal-related majors offered at so many colleges these days. Their options include, but are not limited to:

Veterinary medicine
Veterinary technician school (often an associate's degree instead of a bachelor's degree)
Zoology
Animal science
Wildlife management
Livestock management

(There are also non-degree programs in animal training and grooming that might be appropriate for some students, especially those with special needs who won't be able successfully complete a university course of study.)

Two unique program that I would like to share with you are the Teaching Zoos at Santa Fe College in Florida (not New Mexico) and Moorpark College near Los Angeles. I'm not sure if there is anything else quite like them in the whole country. They are hard to gain admissions to because of the high demand, and their programs are very rigorous--demanding long hours and unwavering dedication to the animals in their care because this is what is required of zoo handlers in the real world.

Here is a link to the American Association of Zoo Keepers' webpage with some additional exotic animal training options.

I hope this article has helped eradicate any misconceptions that your son or daughter going away to college means they have to live without that all-important human-animal bond. We are fortunate to live in an era where society as a whole is beginning to realize how life sustaining and stabilizing the love of an animal truly is.

How's the Weather?

2011-02-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

By now, seniors should have some decision letters rolling in, and I hope that some of them are acceptances. There are so many factors to consider in making your final choice--financial package, proximity to home, size, majors, reputation of the school, athletics. But there's one element many families overlook or underestimate that actually plays quite a big part in whether a student will stick out their time at a particular college: the weather. Or more specifically, how is the weather in relation to where they are living now?

Here is a chart I threw together for random colleges around the country:

College	Avg Annual High	Avg Annual Low	Avg Precipitation
UCLA	77	50	~17 inches
Evergreen (Olympia, WA)	77	31	~51 inches
Trinity U (San Antonio, TX)	95	37	~31 inches
Florida Atlantic (Boca Raton, FL)	91	56	~60 inches
Univ of Connecticut	78	16	~49 inches
Univ of Indianapolis	85	17	~40 inches

It's very common for students from the west coast to want to go to the east coast and vice versa, but all too often, when weather hasn't been taken into consideration, they end up coming home early--sometimes after only one year (if not sooner). Kids from San Diego, West Palm Beach or Honolulu might think it's exciting to go to school in New York or Chicago, and indeed it is! But when the snow and wind kick in they're often ready to throw in the towel that very first winter, and then the family has to scramble to come up with a Plan B. Even areas with similar average precipitation rates can feel very different if a student is used to lots of rain but their new home has lots of snow instead, or if the humidity is significantly different.

A less-common problem, though not completely unheard of, is the student who enjoys the changing seasons (and perhaps the type of activities that accompany a good snowfall) and finds themself unhappy at a school in a year-round warmer, drier climate.

It's important to note the types of natural disasters that are common in each area, as well. Growing up with a pervasive threat of earthquakes is different than being used to an annual tornado or flood season. Some students adapt readily but for others, having one incident of an unfamiliar natural disaster near their college can send them packing. This is especially relevant since it seems that these events are happening with greater frequency and severity lately.

Also please consider whether your child shows symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder--a condition that causes people to sink into depression when they aren't exposed to enough sunlight on a regular basis.

There are so many things to consider when finding the "right match" for your child. I hope you will choose to include weather-related conditions on your list of criteria. It can only help to ensure that you are making the choice that will best set your child on the road to success.

What does "crashing a class" mean?

2011-02-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season of a new college semester. Until the past few years, the standard procedure for staring a new semester was fairly simple: register for classes and then show up on the first day. But for the majority of today's college students there is often another nerve-racking step called "crashing a class."

Gone are the days at most colleges (especially large universities, state schools and community colleges) when a student could register for all of the classes they need in any particular semester. Gradually, these institutions have taken in more and more enrollees but haven't increased their course offerings accordingly. This has resulted in what is called "impaction"--the complete filling (or more precisely, overfilling) of a particular major or entire campus.

This dilemma has led to an increase in what students call "crashing a class." You can think of it as similar to crashing a party. You show up even though you're not invited, or your name isn't on the list. The difference is that unlike crashing a party, crashing a class isn't considered bad manners. In fact, in most schools, crashing classes is now standard procedure, rather than being able sign up for all of your classes ahead of time.

Sometimes it helps a student's chances for crashing a class if they email the teacher first and exhibit enthusiasm for the subject matter. Sometimes it doesn't. Teachers are generally allowed to establish their own "add" policy, so like everything else in life, you just have to try and hope for the best. There are no guarantees. But that is the nature of higher education today. Like everything else, you have to be open to the journey and not just eager to arrive at the destination.

(For a little more detail about the impaction of community colleges, please see my previous post.)

WSJ Article: High Enrollment Strains Two-Year Colleges AND Why This Should Encourage You to "Go Private"

2011-02-10T18:39:00.000-08:00

I think it's important to link you directly to a Wall Street Journal article (published yesterday) about the growing problem of overcrowding in community colleges. Please take a moment to read it when you get a chance, if your child is considering this educational path.

In my position as a college counselor for high school students, I am intimately aware of the ebb and flow of changes in our local community college system. However, it makes sense that parents are usually not privy to changes in budgetary or enrollment policies and other things that can ultimately affect their children, so I want to lay out some important considerations here.

More and more students are enrolling in community college each year. There are a multitude of reasons, and the weak economy has driven many of them. For example, an obvious one is the cost difference between a junior college and a university--even a state school. Also, many adults who are either unemployed or feel their employment is tenuous are returning to school to improve their job skills or train for a new career. These adults, or "non-traditional students," are competing for the same seats as your teenager.

Non-economy-driven factors include the cultural shift of teenagers (on average) being less functionally independent than previous generations were at the same age, and an increase in rates of special needs traits (e.g. Asperger's syndrome) that create a scenario where kids may be academically capable of handling college-level work but are not capable of managing a social environment without supervision.

The "why" of the situation might be irrelevant for most parents but the "what" of the situation should be better publicized than it currently is, because the impact is far reaching.

We typically associate a bachelor's degree with four years of college education. This is no longer standard, please know that up front. In fact, when colleges report "on time" graduation statistics, they use the gauge of six years from date of enrollment to program completion. (And even at six years, the current number is only 54%--how depressing.)

Therefore, you should be calculating into the costs of your child's education six or more years of tuition instead of just four if they will be attending a state college or going to a community college on a transfer track. In addition, keep in mind that the longer it takes them to graduate is longer you have to wait until they are out in the workforce with any hopes of supporting themselves.

My point is that the state systems and community colleges were supposed to be the panacea for families with fewer resources, to ensure that everyone had access to a financially feasible higher education. However, these more recent turn of events (impacted schools, repeated increases in state college tuition, etc.) are leading to a counterintuitive conclusion: PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE OFTEN NOW THE MORE ECONOMICAL ROUTE.

Consider these facts:

Your child will probably be able to finish college in four years at a private school, and some even have "four-year guarantees."
Private colleges are now offering so much financial aid in the form of scholarships that the amount the family actually pays for attendance is often less than what they would pay for one of their state colleges.
The attention, service and support you and your child will receive at a private college is many times greater than at most state schools. Sometimes that benefit is worth the small difference in tuition (if there is any difference at all!).
There are many small (<2,000 students) private colleges all over the country and these are often the best choice for special needs teens. Even if your son or daughter has adequate academic skills, they will get more assistance with social and organizational skills at a small private school than they will even at community college, let alone a large state school (and is there any other kind?).

As you can see, there are ample reasons to at least consider sending your child to a small private college or university. Don't let the sticker shock scare you away! Do your research--find the right location, size, majors, activities and supports, and then apply. You might be very pleasantly surprised by the aid package you are offered. And in the end, your child will probably circumvent a whole host of problems: impaction of classes; having to fill out transfer applications; the sense of anonymity and isolation; and lack of guidance and support. Sounds like a plan to me!

College Alternatives for Young People on the Spectrum

2011-02-08T20:06:00.000-08:00

Many young people on the Autism Spectrum are yearning for a college-like experience but don't truly have the skills necessary to participate in the regular college curriculum and social arena. Fortunately, programs are starting to spring up on college campuses around the country that incorporate some elements of college life and education while focusing truly on the needs of this special population. I will highlight a few here that seem to be worth checking out. (There are certainly more out there so if one of these doesn't suit your child, keep looking!)

NOTE: I am copying and pasting the blurbs from each program's website.

Mason LIFE (George Mason University--Fairfax, VA)

The Mason LIFE Program is an innovative post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment. The mission of the Mason LIFE Program is a dual purpose. The first is to provide a supportive academic environment for our students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The second is to supply an apprenticeship for George Mason University students. The Mason LIFE Program presents our George Mason students opportunities such as: instructor, resident advisor, internship, practicum, licensure, independent study, field work, mentor, Best Buddy, and volunteer to gain important experiences and knowledge to work successfully with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Transition to Independent Living Program (Taft Community College--Bakersfield, CA)

The Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) is a post-secondary educational experience for adults having developmental disabilities. The program provides instruction, training, and support on a community college campus. The program is comprehensive, with curriculum and training that promotes acquisition of the functional, social, and career skills necessary for students to live a productive and normalized lifestyle. Upon admission to the TIL Program, the student moves into a residence hall and begins instruction. The students participate in the program an average of 22 months. Staff works with each student to establish realistic short-and long-term goals. Individual Program Plans (IPP’s) are then written to assist students in attaining these goals.

College Internship Program (UC Berkeley--Berkeley, CA)

The College Internship Program (CIP) offers unique college age curriculum specifically for young adults with Asperger's, ADD and Learning Differences in the following areas:

Social Skills Development
Academic Support
Internship and Career Support
Life Skills Instruction
Health and Wellness

The Berkeley Center also has a summer program for teens 16-19. Students reside on campus at the University of California at Berkeley for 2 weeks of social, life, academic and career skills as well as plenty of fun!

Threshold Program (Lesley University--Cambridge, MA)

The Threshold Program is a comprehensive, non-degree campus-based program at Lesley University for highly motivated young adults with diverse learning disabilities and other special needs. All are clearly interested in careers in one of our vocational fields of study, Business and Support Services and/or Early Childhood Studies, and all have a strong desire to become independent adults. Threshold students have typically received extensive special services in either private or public schools and are likely to have considerable difficulty succeeding in a traditional college degree program.

Autism Training Center (Marshall University--Huntington, WV)
The College Program for Students with Asperger's Syndrome was started in 2002. Students participating in the program have met acceptance criteria for Marshall University and have been admitted to the College Program for Students with Asperger's Syndrome through a separate application process. The program uses a positive behavior support approach to assist participating students. Social, communication, academic, leisure and personal living skills are assessed through person-centered planning. Personal goals are identified and strategies are developed based on the individual needs of each student. The program seeks to help students learn skills which will help them earn a college degree, work in their chosen field, and live a productive, independent, and quality life.

Pathway (UCLA--Los Angeles, CA)

Pathway is two-year certificate program at UCLA Extension specially designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities. This first-of-its-kind initiative on the west coast combines academic study with social and recreational opportunities on the UCLA campus. Pathway is taught and supervised by expertly trained staff sensitive to student’s individual needs. By the program’s end, most students are ready to transition to independent living and meaningful employment.Pathway is two-year certificate program at UCLA Extension specially designed for young adults with intellectual disabilities. This first-of-its-kind initiative on the west coast combines academic study with social and recreational opportunities on the UCLA campus. Pathway is taught and supervised by expertly trained staff sensitive to student’s individual needs. By the program’s end, most students are ready to transition to independent living and meaningful employment.

If you have information about other college alternatives for young people on the Spectrum, I would love to hear about them. Please email me at nodramacc@gmail.com so I can share your resource with others.

Autism / Asperger's Scholarship: Schwallie Family Scholarship

2011-01-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

As an addendum to yesterday's post, I want to give you a link to a scholarship specifically for young people on the Autism Spectrum, the Schwallie Family Scholarship, administered by the Organization for Autism Research.

Scholarship for students on an IEP: DREAM-Plan Scholarship

2011-01-27T18:42:00.000-08:00

One of the most common, and completely understandable, misconceptions that parents of special ed students have is that when it comes time to send their kids off to college (should that be an appropriate course of action), there will be lots of scholarship or even government grant money available specifically for them. I completely understand why they would think this, but it is sadly untrue. Of course, disabled youngsters are eligible to apply for all of the scholarships that every other student can apply for, but there is such a scarcity of disability-specific scholarships that it seems as if one must be missing something obvious.

Consequently, I wanted to highlight a new scholarship, specifically for students who have been on an IEP called the DREAM-Plan Scholarship. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I will simply paste their own program description here:

"The Dream–Plan Scholarship was created by Marc Purchin to honor his 40th birthday. The newly formed scholarship honors high school seniors in the Los Angeles area receiving special education support through an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) who demonstrates the values and morals of D.R.E.A.M.S. and who successfully complete high school with a diploma or certificate of completion. Individuals receiving this scholarship will use the award money to assist with the continuation of learning in one of the following accredited environments:

Community College
University or College
Vocational or Trade School
Apprentice Program

The goal of the scholarship is to award those who have worked through learning challenges, and are continuing advancing to ever-higher pursuits. D.R.E.A.M.S is one of the only scholarship programs in the country that honors and rewards the hard work and potential of special education students; as many as eight Dream-Plan Scholarships will be awarded, each valued at $5,000."

I had the good fortune of meeting Marc Purchin at his 40th-birthday event last July. He explained to me that as he was turning 40, he didn't just want to have a party, he wanted to do something that would make a real impact on the world. So he whipped up Quad 4 Dreams, which included a special needs resource fair, lots of performers (some of whom were special needs students), and lots of family-friendly activities. He himself was a friendly, gentle, conscientious man--someone I would trust to work with my own students. His dream and effort resulted in this highly needed (and unfortunately unique) scholarship program. I'd say he definitely has made an impact on the world.

This year's deadline is May 1, 2011.

Teen Depression and Suicide

2011-01-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

About a week ago, a freshman at our local public high school killed himself by kicking out an eighth-story window at the hotel across the street from the school and jumping to his death. Consequently, I want to cut straight to the chase on this post so I don't lose anyone before I get to the point.

It is important to know the signs of teen depression and suicidal ideation because it is more common than most people want to admit. The Centers for Disease Control claims that suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds.

Here's a chart from the website HelpGuide.org:

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN TEENS
Sadness or hopelessness Irritability, anger, or hostility Tearfulness or frequent crying Withdrawal from friends and family Loss of interest in activities Changes in eating and sleeping habits	Restlessness and agitation Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Lack of enthusiasm and motivation Fatigue or lack of energy Difficulty concentrating Thoughts of death or suicide

Please do not assume that a "successful" teenager is not depressed and is not in danger of hurting themselves. The most important thing you can do is to be truly tuned in to your child, to have an open channel of communication, and to encourage their healthy relationships with other adults/role models who will also be able to tell if something starts to go astray.

I may seem reactionary right now and admittedly, this post was inspired by this recent, local tragedy. However, in my daily work I see teens who are struggling with this very issue and my guess is that if these students were wandering around anonymously at a large school, most adults would be oblivious to the seriousness of the situation. Too often adults are dismissive of teens' concerns, downplaying them with platitudes like, "You don't have any real problems. These are the best days of your life so stop complaining." If we were to know the full extent of the stressors of being a teenager today we'd undoubtedly approach them differently.

If there is any concern at all that your child is experiencing depression, based on the factors listed above in the chart or just your gut instinct, please take the time to check in with them to assess the situation. It wouldn't hurt to call their teachers or coach or anybody who works with them on a daily basis to see if they are observing the same thing. If there is a possibility of depression and/or suicidality, contact whatever mental health professional to which you have access, or call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It could be a life saver.

SAT / ACT Prep: 5 Options

2011-01-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

If your child is a junior and planning to apply to any four-year colleges this coming fall, they should register to take either the SAT or the ACT some time this spring.

So this is a good time to talk about prep for those oft-dreaded standardized college entrance exams.

But first I want to bring up a taboo-but-important subject: the sad truth about the unfairness of these tests, which is so plainly visible from the trenches of college counseling.

It is common knowledge that, on average, students who can afford professional prep assistance do better on the tests than students who are forced to prep on their own (usually due to financial constrictions). This in itself creates a bias toward higher-income students.

My other gripe relates specifically to special ed students. Accommodations are granted after thorough review of extensive documentation and both testing agencies require that the supporting evidence is "current." They have their own definitions of "current" and both have rejected many of my students' requests for extended time because they deemed the cognitive testing "too old." This is problematic because our district is legally prohibited from performing this assessment, which means that many special ed kids are just plain out of luck.

For the uninitiated, it seems like an easy fix: go get a private assessment! However, if you've looked into psychological testing you'll know that this can cost several thousand dollars, which brings us full circle to our bias toward higher-income students again. But I digress by talking about accommodations. I will devote a full article to testing accommodations in the future.

Right now I want to talk about test prep options.

Option #1: The big players
You've undoubtedly heard of the biggest players in this market: Princeton Review and Kaplan. They offer various formats, including classroom instruction, small group instruction, private tutoring or online self-guided prep. Be prepared to pay from $500-$2,000 for classroom or small group instruction and several thousand dollars for private tutoring. Online prep is the cheapest way to go, usually costing less than $500. Both organizations guarantee "higher scores or your money back." Also, in most metropolitan areas there are local test prep agencies that can be found either through a referral from your guidance counselor or by doing a web search.

Option #2: Private tutors
More private tutors are hanging out their shingles all the time. These can range from off-duty teachers, to grad students, to ed therapists, and any other person who chooses to present themself as an "expert." Ask around in your school community for references. Every area will have a different price range for this service so I can't make any generalizations. The benefits of using a private tutor are that scheduling is more flexible and you can have more control over finding a good personality match for your child. The downside is that you have minimal recourse if you are dissatisfied with their services.

Option #3: Buy the book
When I was a teenager my family couldn't afford to pay for tutoring or prep classes, so I used Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. It's cheaper and less intimidating than those monster prep guides, and was therefore the right choice for me on two counts. However, if your child is the kind that isn't intimated by the sheer massiveness of a standard study guide and also possesses adequate self-discipline to work through the book, please do consider going with that option because the preparation will be more thorough. Here are some well-respected publications:

Option #4: Just let 'em wing it
That might sound kind of irreverent, considering today's hyperfocus on achievement and competition, but I'm completely serious. I suggest this route especially for the first test administration if the student is planning to take it more than once. That way you can use the first set of scores to guide your test prep decisions (if you are going to do any prep at all). Even if your child is not going to do test prep, if they test well and/or excel academically and/or have their sights on less competitive colleges, going in cold might work out just fine.

Option #5: Skip it completely
There are at least two ways to circumvent this whole stress-inducing standardized testing meshugas. First, have your child begin their higher education at a community college. (There are so many good reasons to choose this path.) The second is to look exclusively for colleges and universities that don't require test scores. You can find a list on the FairTest website. Remember, bypassing the SAT/ACT is often a good idea for special needs students for various reasons, such as a tendency to have severe test anxiety or difficulty focusing for long periods of time, which results in unusable test scores after a long period of stress for the whole family.

Let me end by saying please, please do not feel guilty if you can't afford a tutor or expensive test prep courses. There are going to be "good match" college opportunities for your child anyway. Trust that things happen for a reason.

(Forgive my tendency to list "SAT" before "ACT," but there is a real regional favor toward one test or another and I grew up hearing almost exclusively about the SAT so it is predominant in my mind. Please don't take it to mean that I inherently recommend one over the other. Ideally, your decision will be influenced by whether your colleges of interest have a preference.)

Free Online Career Assessments

2011-01-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

In my daily work, I use what are commonly called "interest inventories" to help students start exploring what careers might match their talents and interests. Just in case your son or daughter's school doesn't offer that service and they seem to be at a loss for how their strengths might translate into future options, I thought I would pull up a few free online assessments that might help guide them in the right direction. (To ensure that I feel comfortable with their validity, I took each of the following tests myself first.)

Jung Typology Test This 72-question "yes or no" test gives results in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Keirsey Temperament Sorter terms, which is an awful lot of information for so little effort. Another benefit is that these results will correspond to countless other online resources. A word of caution--there are many ads and links to other assessments that cost money, so help your child stay focused on just the primary test. (I got the same results on this quick test that I did on the full-scale, for-fee version a few years ago.)

Princeton Review: Careers After College Very quick, only 24 questions! Good for a young person with very short attention span. Provides a list of matching careers. (It said I should be an accountant, which is a reasonable result, considering that I tend to be more organized than artistic and my bachelor's is in business.)

CareerPath.com This one uses a different format than I've seen before. I kind of liked it. They ask you to check boxes that correspond to your skills and knowledge and then rate yourself on a scale of 1-7 in those areas. After the fairly short, straight-forward process it offers a list of careers for consideration. (Personally, the results from this one were the most accurate, in relation to my actual career path.)

Similar Minds Another short one--only 30 questions, rating brief statements on a scale from "very accurate" to "very inaccurate." (These results were also spot-on for me.)

These links can be useful for adults as well as teens. In this era of employment instability, taking a little time to explore and self-reflect on what might be a viable, fulfilling "next step" is a valuable opportunity for almost everyone.

Just in case you're wondering, the inventories I use most often at work are either pricey or aren't available to the public, but in case you're interested I have linked to them here:

JIST Career Exploration Inventory
Career Locker

NACAC National College Fairs

2011-01-14T07:34:00.000-08:00

Throughout each school year, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) hosts a traveling college fair that typically features reps from at least 200 schools around the country as well as workshops about financial aid and choosing the right college. They attempt to hit most of the major metropolitan areas in order to serve as many students as possible and hopefully there is one in your town in the near future.

Here is a schedule for the Spring 2011 circuit. They are starting in Pittsburgh on February 3rd and will be bouncing around the east coast, Texas, California and Hawai'i until May 1st. The rest of the country is covered during their Fall circuit, which starts each September.

At these college fairs you can expect lots of crowds, especially at the tables of popular schools. But if you are patient and persistent you will eventually get to talk to the admissions rep behind the table to ask your pressing questions. If you're like me, though, it's more palatable to just pick up brochures from colleges of interest and call an admissions rep directly at another time, when you can have their full attention.

If your child is interested strictly in performing or visual arts colleges, please check back in the fall for the college fairs specifically for that subcategory. (If this is the case, I also suggest you look into National Portfolio Day events, but that is a whole 'nother post.)

The NACAC website also contains lots of valuable articles, book reviews and other resources for prospective college students and their parents. There are even links to college admissions-related blogs, podcasts and social networking. They also have the Steps to College newsletter designed to "introduce and reinforce the issues students tend to neglect."

I highly recommend you take a few minutes to see what they offer.

Sometimes it's like talking to a wall

2011-01-12T06:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon the student I interviewed on December 22nd, Zack Rosenberg, came to promote Paul Smith's College to our cooking class (because PSC has a culinary program). My reason for mentioning this is neither Zack nor Paul Smith's, however. I'm here to talk about how one of my senior students reacted.

After the presentation, during which he had asked several on-point questions, this student came to my office and said he wanted to keep talking about the school. Unfortunately I had meetings for the rest of the day so I had to make him wait until this morning. When he came in, he said something I wasn't expecting to hear. He said:

I didn't know there were small colleges. I really had no idea. I'm totally excited about looking at colleges now.

Mind you, I said SENIOR student. Which means that a) he's way behind on any applications he might choose to submit, and b) I'm baffled about what the hell was he doing for the past several years while I, his parents, his older sister, his teachers and all of the college admissions reps who have visited the school have been telling him about various types of schools. Perhaps you have had a similar experience.

Cut to the end: I spent most of today researching colleges with this young man and it seems that there are actually some viable options available to him, even at this late date. And I am definitely delighted that he finally made the choice to take his post-high school life seriously because he has great potential.

I have no answers or insight to provide in this post, just this story to share in commiseration with all of you parents out there who feel like they are talking to a wall good deal of the time. I suppose if there's anything positive I can say after this experience, it's that it reminded me that most of them do, eventually, hear what we're saying.

What to do for Spring Break

2011-01-10T17:23:00.000-08:00

I know, you're probably cursing at me right now for bringing up Spring Break when we just got back to school last week. But we all know the reality--two-and-a-half months of lead time isn't really all that much when planning travel and coordinating family activities.

I'm here today to encourage you to use that precious week (or two, if you're lucky) productively and wisely for your college admissions process.

First and foremost, Spring Break is a great time to visit colleges--

the ones your child has been accepted to, or the ones they plan to apply to.

If the college is on vacation, too, you may not have the option of taking the official tour but you can still walk or drive around campus. Remember, setting foot on that campus is absolutely essential before making a commitment. No exceptions. A bad gut feeling about a school overrules everything else. Heed your instincts.

Even if your child is "too young" to be seriously considering college, don't hesitate to incorporate a quick drive through a college in whatever locale you are vacationing because you never know what's going to spark their interest or how their young brains will tuck that information away for the future.

For a more in-depth discussion about campus tours, please see my December 6th post.

Another great option is to have your child take what is called "an alternative Spring Break."

(I don't particularly like that term but I try to stick with industry convention at least part of the time.)

An alternative Spring Break refers specifically to doing volunteer work during the vacation rather than something more frivolous. More and more of these programs pop up every year. Your local church and YMCA probably offer something, but you can also go with global organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, or lesser-known organizations with significant impacts like Student Conservation Association.

Please remember that although your child will be providing valuable service during these trips, there is usually a fee involved to cover housing, meals and transportation.

I will refrain from stating the obvious personal benefits of participating in such an activity, but I will point out quickly that colleges love to see this kind of stuff on an application. In fact it is looked upon so favorably that many colleges now organize their own alternative Spring Breaks.

And to be honest, any teen I've known to take this route comes back saying it was possibly the best experience of their life, so that in itself is worth some consideration.

Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst--Foundations Program

2011-01-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

I was going to write about something else today but then got excited about a flyer that came in the mail, so this post is now dedicated to:

Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania has over two decades of experience working with students with learning differences. They have decided once again to be pioneers in special needs higher education by creating the Foundations summer college-readiness program specifically for young people with Asperger's syndrome or High-Functioning Autism.

Program components include:

Three weeks of room and board on the Mercyhurst campus.
Social skills training specific to college life.
A course worth three college credits, transferable to other colleges if desired.
Skills tutorials provided by Mercyhurst Learning Differences staff.
Instruction on daily living skills.
Weekly community outings.
Pre- and post-assessment reports sent to parents.

Foundations costs $3,200 for three weeks, inclusive of tuition, room/board and activities. Though this price is prohibitive for many families, it is not out of line with other summer pre-college programs which don't even provide such intensive services for students on the Autism spectrum.

Please note that the program seems to be designed specifically for rising seniors, not recent high school grads.

Please check out the website for further information and an application.

Recommended: ADDitude Magazine

2011-01-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

It's important to me to only recommend products/services with which I have personal experience and that I feel strongly about, and because it meets both of those criteria I feel comfortable sharing with you the best magazine I have come across that focuses on ADD/ADHD: ADDitude Magazine.

This publication bills itself as "dedicated to helping children and adults with Attention Deficit Disorder and learning disabilities lead successful lives — at home, at school, at work, and in their communities....Every issue contains a wide range of service and lifestyle articles for individuals and families dealing with ADD. Many articles are written by medical and psychological experts, including M.D.s and Ph.D.s. "

That's sort of a dry description (though technically accurate), don't you think?

I would call their website an absolute treasury of resources and support for parents of children with ADD/ADHD as well as adults with the diagnosis themselves. It provides extensive information about "living well with attention deficit" from basically every conceivable angle and often infused with all-important humor. In addition to the archive of helpful articles there are forums, free printables, a calendar of events, an e-newsletter, a directory to find services in your local area and even a link to a free podcast by Dr. Ned Hallowell, a recognized expert in this field (who you might have seen in the documentary, "ADD and Loving It?!").

Apparently I'm not the only one who feels so positively about ADDitude because their website traffic increased 40% from 2009 to 2010 and even Oprah Winfrey calls it "a magazine that is needed by every parent of an ADD child."

If you're interested in subscribing to the quarterly paper version of the magazine, check around for the best price. It costs more on their own website (currently $24.99/yr) than if you go to a newsstand and pull a card from the inside of an issue ($19.99/yr) or if you use a discount service like magazines.com or magazineline.com* (both $19.99/yr), but they sometimes offer a "bonus gift," which perhaps makes the extra expense worth your while. I'm old fashioned that way--I like to have a hard copy to write on, fold corners, tear out pages, etc., and plus it's easier on my eyes. However, most of the same content is available online free of charge.

If you, your child, your spouse, your sibling, your best friend or even your boss has ADD/ADHD, I encourage you to check out the website. It just might make 2011 a whole lot easier!

*I have used both online subscription services in the past with no problems.

What is your family's definition of success?

2011-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011 everybody!

Now is the time that many people reflect on what they want to accomplish in the year ahead. Probably the most common resolutions fall under the categories of health, career/money and "finding love." But during this pivotal year of your college-bound child's life I encourage you to broaden your self-reflection to identify your family's definition of success. The answer should be the foundation upon which future decisions are made.

Let me be a little clearer about why I find this important. Depending on how your family defines success, this should lead you to make different decisions about what college offer to accept in the spring. For example, does your family prioritize employment options over personal growth, or vice versa? Is the more successful college experience one wherein the student achieves the highest academic marks possible and matriculates directly to grad school (perhaps at the expense of personal growth), or the one where they studied abroad and expanded their understanding of themselves and "the real world" through extensive participation in activities (perhaps at the expense of optimal grades)? There's no right answer, there is only the right answer for you, so it's important to know what you're aiming for and to make your college decision accordingly.

Soon your family will be making decisions about a major turning point in your child's life. Enter this process armed with self-awareness about what will constitute success for you and them and your decisions will be much less stressful and much more fruitful.

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE

2010-12-31T07:57:00.000-08:00

Ah yes, because talking about financial aid is so much fun I thought I'd end the year by throwing out another reminder. This one is about a form that most people have understandably never heard of: the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE from College Board. Most colleges don't use this form to calculate your financial aid, but all schools that do require the PROFILE are listed here. Some scholarships also require it and that information should be plainly stated on the application instructions.

The PROFILE was explained to me (by a former UCLA financial aid counselor) as a means of automatically "verifying" a family's income, whereas the FAFSA itself is only audited or "verified" occasionally, either randomly or when one of several possible red flags is triggered by the information submitted. Unfortunately, there is a cost involved for submitting the PROFILE: $9 for the application fee and $16 for each school you send it to. However, if it is required in order to receive grants, work study, scholarships and loans from your college of choice, that is a relatively small investment.

Have a great New Year's Eve, and my best wishes to you for a healthy, happy, successful and adventurous 2011.

FAFSA Online Now!

2010-12-29T06:58:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve is fast approaching and most of you are actively making plans for what to do on that momentous evening. However, if you are a high school senior or parent of a high school senior, don't forget to plan for another important event as well: submitting your FAFSA. When you wake up on January 1st from your late night of age-appropriate carousing <ahem> and you're done watching the Rose Parade, set aside a little time to get this process rolling. Procrastination too often leads to loss of money when it comes to financial aid so don't risk it.

Perhaps you started looking at the FAFSA website back a few months ago because you're the kind of person who likes to be ahead of the game. That's great!! However, about two weeks ago they changed the appearance of the site so don't panic when you go back.

Here are some other valuable links to help streamline your submission process:

Don't forget, you have to apply for an electronic PIN first (separate ones for parents and students) This can be done now.
A list of FAFSA deadlines by state is here.
Download a PDF version of the FAFSA here. This could be useful as a worksheet, or if you don't have access to a fafsa.ed.gov-compatible browser on your internet. (A list of compatible browsers can be found here.)
Check out this glossary of financial aid-related terms if you're not sure what something means.
Click here if you want to estimate your Expected Family Contribution (which will be the same no matter which school your attend) before or after submitting the FAFSA.

Remember that the government expects most people to be estimating based on their 2009 tax information, unless you are filing after March or April, so don't worry about taking this option.

The sooner you get your form submitted, the sooner you will receive your Student Aid Report and the sooner your prospective colleges can begin sending you their school-specific financial aid offers! What could be a better New Year's present to yourself than free money??

For a much more in-depth explanation of the FAFSA process, please refer to my December 10th post.

Special Ed Around the World

2010-12-27T08:58:00.000-08:00

On Friday, December 31st, we have the opportunity to see "the ball drop" in every time zone around the world. Perhaps at no other time except during the Olympics is there such a feeling of global unity and camaraderie as on New Year's Eve. In honor of this collective experience, I decided to take some time to research how four other countries are working with special needs kids.

Australia
According to the Aussie Educator website, it sounds like their approach to special education is remarkably similar to the U.S. approach. They even have contractual documents called Individual Education Plans (IEPs) like we do, and offer the same range of educational placements--from accommodation within a regular ed classroom to specialized schools with small class sizes.

Mexico
Special education wasn't codified into law until 1993 in Mexico, which considers mainstreaming to be the preferred approach to educating students with special needs. If students do not succeed in the regular ed classroom, even with the help of a special education assistant, then they are sometimes moved to an alternative environment. One interesting difference is that Mexican educational law does not yet recognize learning or reading disabilities.

Japan
Currently, Japan seems to be calling their special education program "special supportive education" instead. They utilize Individual Teaching Plans, similar to our IEPs, and similar to Mexico they have had a big push toward inclusion in regular education classrooms, against the advisement of some of the higher-ups in the educational ministry, who feel that providing special schools is still necessary for some students. The Japanese government funds a significant amount of research and teacher training in the area of special education.

Germany
In Germany, schools for students with special needs are called Sonderschulen. The general focus, like in so many countries, is to mitigate the child's challenges sufficiently to be able to return them to the regular ed program. The EU system of extra support for special needs students is quite extensive, beginning in pre-school. One distinction of note is that they categorize dyslexia and other learning disabilities related to reading and writing as "temporary learning difficulties."

I will refrain from randomly choosing more countries to research because it appears we have established the general trends, but if I have piqued your interest in this subject it is very easy for you to continue your own exploration. Please let me know if there are any other specific special education-related topics that you want me to cover.

Some books you may want to check out:

Success Story: Zack R. (Part 2)

2010-12-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

(This is a continuation of an interview started on Wednesday, December 22nd with a current college senior with OCD and Tourette Syndrome.)

Me: Parents are understandably concerned that their kids, particularly special needs kids, won't have the support they need and are therefore hesitant to let them go away to school. When you have a problem, how do you fix it and/or to whom do you turn?

Zack: I call my parents if it's a real urgency, but most often I find myself talking to the friends I trust--my new second family. And if I think about it honestly, all my problems stemmed from miscommunications, and the way to fix them was just to communicate properly. Breaking it down and not being frustrated was key for me to be able to clear things up.

Me: What, if anything, do you wish your parents would have done differently during your last few months before college started to make the transition easier?

Zack: Stop being so controlling. 'nuff said.

Me: Have you used accommodations at college? What was your experience with that?

Zack: Well that was one of the reasons I chose Paul Smith's. As a student with learning differences and Tourette Syndrome, test taking was a huge concern for me and they offered me a most beneficial accommodations package. So I recommend if your child needs extensive accommodations, make that a major part of your research when looking at colleges. Then go with your child to the accommodating services office and discuss his or her options. Set it up so your child knows how and where to access the services--and then it's up to them once school starts. As an RA I've found that most freshmen don’t know there's such a great program to help them, and that's a shame and a waste.

Me: Anything else you want to say, Zack?

Zack: Before I left for college my mom said one very important thing that I feel all parents should tell their children before they ship them off to college. She said:

"During the first year we are going to be holding your hand (figuratively). The second year, we will be beside you. The third year we will be a phone call away. The fourth year you will be independent, and it'll be here before you know it so make sure to enjoy college life to the fullest, capiche?"

Me: Zack, thank you so much for giving us this time between finals and your travel cross country to visit your family for the holidays.

Zack: No problem! I'm all about getting the word out and helping other people. If anybody reading this wants to ask me specific questions, they can contact me through you.

I hope this conversation has made it clear that the right type and amount of support (not too little but also, not too much) can help set your special needs child on the right path for a successful, satisfying future. Finding the right fit is a process and if it is proving to be overwhelming, be sure to seek out professional assistance--either at your child's high school or through a consulting service.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Success Story: Zack R. (Part 1)

2010-12-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while you meet a young(er) person who exemplifies all the things you hope are still alive in future generations: manners, ethics, ambition, humor, creativity, personal responsibility, healthy curiosity. Well, the gentleman I interviewed for today's post has all those bases covered, as well as some ephemeral attributes that I can't quite put words to.

Upon meeting Zack Rosenberg (a proudly self-proclaimed nerd) it is hard to imagine anything but the self-assured, friendly, successful persona he presents today. However, Zack's school years were not as smooth as one would wish for their precious little boy. He was diagnosed with OCD and Tourette Syndrome early on and as he aged into puberty and adolescence, his symptoms grew out of control.

He attended various schools in the Los Angeles area with minimal success, but eventually he had the great fortune of finding the solution: Glenholme School in Connecticut. (I encourage you to check out their website. Not only will you see an example of a best-practices secondary program, but you will be envious because odds are good that your high school wasn't this gorgeous and didn't incorporate an equestrian program.)

Zack was gracious enough to tell me about his experience of living away from home for the first time and what life has been like for him at the lovely Paul Smith's College--an even more gorgeous campus with another excellent, specialized program. (If nothing else, Zack has high aesthetic standards in living arrangements.)

Just to put his growth into perspective: Zack used to have literally debilitating tics and OCD symptoms; now he gives admissions presentations for his college and has interned two summers in a row at Marvel Comics in NYC.

Me: Hey Zack, thanks for letting me interview you. I want to help parents get some insight about what it's like for kids today to leave the safety of their families and how they can best adjust. Can you tell us about your experience moving away from home for the first time?

Zack: The move at the beginning was hard, but my family always reminded me that they were only a phone call away. I was only a junior in high school, remember. It would have been worse if it hadn't been for my mother urging me to keep busy. As I have come to realize, my transition was incredibly smooth due to my involvement with school activities. Whether it was participating in events or joining clubs, I kept myself busy. That way I had less time to over-think being away from home. So my suggestion for you parents is to encourage your child to get involved with campus life. Not only does it keep them busy, but that’s where they find their friends and people who have similar interests, and ultimately their support system.

Me: Even though you lived away from home for a couple years in high school, I'm sure the transition to dorm living was another change yet again because of the increased freedom. How would you describe dorm life?

Zack: Dorm life is dorm life. Everyone tells you to not succumb to peer pressure but that ain’t so easy. I just recommend you let your child find things out for themselves and live the college stuff. I found real-life experience, trial-and-error, to be a better deterrent than my parents telling me I couldn't do this or that. Personally I love dorm life, and now I am a Head Resident Assistant for 5 buildings on my campus! In the dorms I found a group of people that I now call my second family, and I am incredibly thankful for the chance to have lived with such a wondrous array of people.

(Continued on December 24th)

Online College Search: "Find Your Match"

2010-12-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

"The College Board."

The mere utterance of those words elicits a strong reaction, either positive or negative, from almost anyone in the high school or college sphere. Most likely this is due to their two most (in)famous products: the SAT, and the AP program.

However, I'd like to point out several FREE and useful services and features on the College Board website that most people are unaware of, that I recommend you use even if your child will not be taking the SAT. (For a list of colleges that don't require or give much weight to standardized testing, visit FairTest.)

Find Your Match

The first is a feature that I use extensively when beginning my college exploration with students, called "Find Your Match." You'll find the blue button smack-dab in the middle of their home page. When you click you will be taken to the first page of an eight-page questionnaire about your college preferences. For example, on the first page it asks if you are looking for a two-year school, a four-year school, or "no preference." Public, private or no preference. You get the idea. The second page asks about location, and so on.

To move to the next page, hit "Submit & Continue." To see the results you (predictably) click the "See Results" button.

Once you have asked to see the results, it will give you a list of all of the colleges and universities in the U.S. that meet your criteria, with links to each school's write-up. Click on a college of interest and you will see a plethora of admissions and enrollment facts about that school, along with a link to the college's actual website.

What if you get no matches, or no matches that you care for? That means either a) your search criteria was too specific (like checking too many sports and activities that are just preferences and not make-or-break options) and/or b) nobody seems to be offering exactly what you want in a school so you are going to have to adjust your expectations a little. My recommendation is to only list a preference in categories that actually matter to you and leave the rest blank or "no preference," because that will result in the best selection of schools for further research.

You can save this search by creating an account, or you can just print out the results as a reference.

Other valuable offerings
Here are just a few of the other many free features you will find throughout the College Board website:

Under the "For Students" section, there are links for college application timelines for seniors, juniors and sophomores, plus tips for writing college essays and evaluating your college options.

In "For Parents" you will find the Financial Aid EasyPlanner, with very thorough, step-by step explanations and links to other relevant resources. This section also has a substantial archive of articles intended to help parents do the best job possible during the often stressful and confusing admissions process.

Slightly off-topic: a pitch for the PSAT
If your child is solidly not college bound, then not only should they not take the SAT, but probably they don't need to bother with the PSAT either, and talk to your guidance counselor about vocational options. However, any high school student that is considering a traditional higher education route should take the PSAT in 10th grade for a number of reasons.

To find out if a usable on the SAT is even remotely possible.
To find out if you should ask your high sc hool's SSD coordinator to request accommodations for your child for the SAT (e.g. extended time, small group setting, large print, use of computer for essay).
To get access to My College QuickStart.
To get access to MyRoad.

These last two things are helpful college/career exploration tools embedded within the College Board website, accessible for free only to students who took the PSAT. (A MyRoad subscription is actually available for purchase for $19.95/year for students who don't take the PSAT.)

PSAT scores are not sent to colleges. This test is merely diagnostic. Your score report will include: the percentile your child achieved in the Critical Reading, Math and Writing sections; a breakdown of how well your child scored on subcategories within the main areas; the correct answer to each question and the answer your child selected; and an access code for My College QuickStart. This is a wealth of information that you will not get from other tests, and all for only a $14 registration fee (2011).

Blog by a freshman about her daily college experience

2010-12-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

Today is your lucky day. Today you don't have to listen to me jabber on about, well, anything! I merely wanted to take this chance to direct you toward another blog:

Year One: A College Blog (by Ruby)

This blog is described as "an inside look at the life of a first-year college student and her experiences in her first year of college." Despite the redundant description, I think this blog is a fantastic opportunity to peer into the thought process of a young person living independently for the first time, trying to navigate all of the freedoms and responsibilities of her new life. Such insight is priceless.

Enjoy, and I'll see you again on Monday.