Morton H. Shaevitz, Ph.D. and Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz

Did you know that the first course in reading and studying strategies offered by a U.S. college was at Harvard University in the 1940’s? The Bureau of Study Counsel says that, “The Harvard Course in Reading and Study Strategies is the longest continuously running course at Harvard. Taught since the 1940s with constant updating, the Reading Course is designed for people who need to read more, and more critially…(and if they don’t’) find themselves overwhelmed or disengaged.”

Sound familiar? Unfortunately, too many students view going to a learning center as a sign of weakness. Particularly students who attend selective colleges and universities feel that attending such schools means they don’t or shouldn’t need any help. As a matter of fact, the more selective the college you attend, the higher the skill level of your fellow students and the more you need to have all of the skills you can to compete academically.

Informed, smart students make use of services and do every thing they can to perform at their highest potential. To make our point, in sports the best competitors and teams are the ones who receive the best coaching to help them maximize their talents. If you wanted to be an outstanding tennis player, golfer, or swimmer, wouldn’t you seek out some coaching? The same thing is true for academics.

As a freshman, find out if your college has a learning center. Usually, three types of programs are offered:

A. Reading

Reading programs are not simply the oft-heard-about “speed reading” classes, but rather programs to help you learn how to read more effectively and efficiently. What type of strategy or techniques are taught usually depend on your skill level and what you want to accomplish. For example, skimming the news online gives you a quick idea of what’s happening in the world and that is very different from reading a History or Sociology textbook. Reading programs teach you how to approach different types of comprehension challenges and take into consideration your study goals.

B. Test Taking Strategies

Test taking strategies are not gimmicks, in spite of what you hear. There are more or less effective ways to take true/false, multiple choice, short answer questions, and long essay exams. By understanding how to deal with these different types of tests, you’re much more likely to perform at a level commensurate with what you have actually learned. Most test-taking courses also spend time helping you manage anxiety and stress.

C. Study Skills

“I know how to study,” you say! “Doesn’t everybody?” Well, yes and no. Studying is different from reading; it is an active, engaging process. In fact, there are different study techniques for classes that require a lot of reading (Social Science and Humanities), a lot of memorization (Biological Sciences), or mastery of complex formulas (Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, etc.). By knowing how to approach the different types of content, you’re much more likely to be an efficient studier and learner. And don’t forget the payoff: you have more time to do other things, including play. Study skills programs also focus on time management issues and make study time a more positive experience.

Important fact: the best time to go to a college learning center is before you need help. That’s why we suggest you make it a priority to check out the learning center when you first arrive on campus. Find out what’s offered, when and by whom and get involved early. This action could make a big difference in your overall college experience.

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Morton H. Shaevitz, Ph.D. and Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz

What do you think is the most popular undergraduate major at American four-year colleges and universities? If you say, undecided, you are right on the button. Unless you are one of those fortunate freshmen who knew at ten years old you wanted to be a neurosurgeon, Supreme Court judge or engineer, you probably haven’t chosen a major either. If pushed to come up with a major, your choice is probably based on less than the best information. Even more, you probably have no idea how the major you have chosen can be linked to some kind of career after four years of college. Enter the college career center.

Are Career Centers Just for Upperclassmen?

Most college students see career centers as resources mostly for juniors and seniors who are planning their entrances into the world of work or graduate school. Few freshmen, or for that matter, sophomores ever think about their career center as a service for them. This is simply not true. As a matter of fact, one of the best ways for students to get a sense about themselves and how that knowledge relates to what they should major in is to make an early visit to the career center.

What Happens When You Go to a Career Center

What usually happens is that you will meet with a trained professional, and perhaps take a few interest and personality tests to help identify possible career paths that suit you. Then you will find out what majors help you reach those career paths. To gain some idea about what’s involved in different careers, most college career centers offer open information sessions that describe jobs and careers all the way from Art to Geology to Zoology. They also usually offer drop-in counseling opportunities to talk with counselors about what it’s like to be in business, science, education, and other career areas.

Myths about Some Majors and Careers

Consulting with your college’s career center may dispel some of the myths that many students have about majors and careers. For example, a common myth is that if you want to go to law school, you have to major in Political Science? In fact, the American Bar Association doesn’t recommend any undergraduate major at all. Rather it suggests you take courses that interest you and also develop your research and writing skills. Another myth is that if you want to go to med school, you must major in a science. Right? Well, not necessarily. Most undergraduate students are unaware that many medical schools are looking for applicants who major in something other than biology. They welcome people who major in history, English or art, so long as they take appropriate science courses along the way. Career centers are also often wonderful resources for getting information about summer internships that give students experiences in working in real world occupations.

So, rather than fumbling around for a year or two with no direction or waiting to be struck by an occupational lightening bolt, consider an checking in with your college career center as a freshman. Not only might you get pointed in the right direction, but the involvement might help you have an undergraduate experience that is rich, interesting and focused.

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Morton H. Shaevitz, Ph.D. and Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz

Yes, declaring that every student should make use of college counseling and psychological services may sound like a bit of an over-reach. The truth is, though, that most campus counseling offices offer such an array of informational and preventative services and programs (as well as, professional counseling) that virtually every student will find something of use. For some students, there is a stigma attached with seeking professional help. Nevertheless, many, if not most, college students take advantage of these services during college. It’s a very “normal” thing to do.

Who Provides the Counseling?

College counseling services are called by various names: the Counseling Center, Psychological Services Center, and Counseling and Psych Services. Sometimes they are free- standing and sometimes a part of the Student Health Center. Most counseling centers are staffed by highly trained professionals, including Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Clinical Social Workers. The services are usually free to students and the types of programs that are offered are remarkably diverse.

What Kinds of Services Are There?

The online description of the Counseling and Psychological Services office at Stanford University identifies the following services: crisis counseling, individual counseling, couples counseling, group counseling, medication evaluation and management. In addition, many centers offer access to specialists in such areas as sleep disorders, sexuality and intimacy issues, eating disorders, as well as workshops and programs for shy students, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and others. Counseling centers often help students deal with issues related to stress, anxiety, and depression. On the other hand, many also offer relaxation, self-esteem/confidence, and relationships programs.

How Might You Use the Services?

There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t at some point find him or herself facing a problem or situation that feels daunting. And in college, there are many arenas with which students just don’t know how to deal. Rather than struggling on your own to find a solution, the college counseling center is a place to reach out for help. As a colleague of ours once said, “Sometimes it takes two to see one.”

So, as an incoming freshman, check out what’s available on your campus re counseling services. See what appeals to you and consider getting involved. And if you find that something is troubling you, then deal with it directly with someone who is trained to help you come up with answers. It always pays to find ways of handling issues that seem to be getting in your way. Your campus counseling center is there to help you negotiate challenges that every student faces and emerge stronger, happier, and more energized.

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While there are wildly differing practices among colleges, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), admissions officers at some schools are open to searching Facebook and MySpace for information about applicants to their respective colleges.

Students should know that what they post on these websites is public information that anyone can access. NACAC listserv counselors recommend that if a student is going to post information about him or herself, “…it should pass the Grandma test…if you don’t want her or an admissions officer, future employer, scholarship committee, high school principal, etc. to see the information, don’t post it…”now or ever.

If something of a questionable nature is already posted, as Grandma might say, “For goodness sake, honey, remove it.”

NACAC counselors also suggest that you take a careful look at your email address to make sure that it doesn’t give the wrong impression.

The New York Times article, “5 Easy Steps to Stay Safe (and Private!) on Facebook” offers very useful advice about how students can watch what they say and do on social media venues.

Here is a link to that article:

http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2009/09/16/16readwriteweb-5-easy-steps-to-stay-safe-and-private-on-fac-6393.html?scp=1&sq=5%20Easy%20Steps%20to%20Stay%20Safe%20%28and%20Private%29%20on%20Facebook&st=cse

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Many students already have questions about The Common Application. Here are some answers to many of those questions. Here is the link to that application:

https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Default.aspx

IMPORTANT!

Students using the Common App must “Save” information as they type it in. If not, the system will log out after time (about an hour) and you will lose all the work you have done.

This often happens when you begin completing a section and get interrupted by a phone call, text message or a quick trip to the kitchen for something to eat. It also happens when students begin filling in the long 12 space Activity Grid section and lose track time. More than one student I know has lost all of his/her work and had to start all over again.

Other important details re the Common Application:

1.  BROWSERS
Browsers you should use:

For PC (Windows XP/Vista/7):  Internet Explorer 6 or higher or Firefox 3 or higher

For Mac (OS Xtiger/Leopard/Snow Leopard):  Safari 3.1 or higher or Firefox 3 or higher

Just so you know, The Common App says that it cannot guarantee compatibility with the AOL browser. That is also true of many individual college applications.

2.  WHAT MUST BE ENABLED ON YOUR COMPUTER
Regardless of your browser, you must enable Javascript and Cookies. And you must disable pop-up blockers. You must also have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.

3.  WHAT MUST BE DISABLED ON YOUR COMPUTER
To avoid grammatical and typographic errors, type your essays as a Word document, edit and then cut and paste (or upload) them into the online forms.

4.  HARD COPY AND ONLINE FORMS
The Common Application application process must be consistent; that is, complete all aspects on paper or online. You cannot do both. For example, you cannot submit the regular application online and the Supplements as hard copy.

However, you can submit your application online even if your counselor and teachers choose to complete hard copy forms.

5.  ANOTHER VERSION OF YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION
To create another version of your original Common Application, go to Instructions on the the top left hand side of the online application and there are step by step directions for doing this. Up to 10 alternate applications can be created, including the original.

6.  MAKING CHANGES ON A SUBMITTED APPLICATION
Once an application is submitted, there is no way of editing or updating what you have sent.

FAQ
If you have a question about the Common App, go to Frequently Asked questions that can be accessed at

http://s3.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5524

CUSTOMER SUPPORT
If you cannot find an answer to your question, go to Customer Support or Contact Us:

appsupport@commonapp.net

There is no customer phone support.

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Here are some things to think about as you go back to school.

1.  ACADEMICS
•  This is the year to “up” the number of challenging courses you take, including a first AP class. And don’t forget to get the best grades you can. You can find out more about courses, grades and intellectual pursuits on my website:

http://admissionpossible.com/getting-ready-for-college/courses-grades-etc/

2.  EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
•  Sophomore year is a good time to begin focusing your activities and interests. If your school doesn’t offer what you like, then create it, found it, expand it, just do it! Colleges also appreciate students who go outside their own school to pursue what they love to do.

•  Keep a record of everything you do, as well as any honors and awards. You’ll need this information for an activities resume.

More about choosing and enjoying activities can also be found on the website:

http://admissionpossible.com/getting-ready-for-college/choosing-activities/

3.  COLLEGE  INFORMATION
•  As your family takes trips and vacations around the US, drive through college campuses that are on the way. It doesn’t matter if you know anything about a college; simply becoming exposed to an array of college types–different geographic locations, big and little, private and public, colleges located in rural areas, college towns and big cities–will give you useful information for when you begin developing your college list.

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Here are a few things to think about and act on before you go back to school.

1.  TESTING
•  November is the only date when College Board offers the Language Listening Subject Tests. If you’re going to take it, sign up now.

2.  COURSES AND GRADES
•  Of all the years in high school in which colleges are interested, junior year is at the top of the list. Within reason, this is when you should take the most honors, AP and/or IB courses.

• Getting top grades should be a priority. If any course gives you trouble, as soon as you notice, talk with the teacher about what you might do. This can also be a good way of developing a relationship with a teacher.

3.  EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
•  Junior year is the time to develop leadership positions in whatever you do, or to lay the groundwork for those positions in your senior year.  Look for ways of increasing the depth and quality of your activities. Colleges like when you show unusual initiative, enthusiasm, ingenuity, commitment or accomplishment.

If you’re still not sure about what you love to do, go to my chapter on Extracurricular Activities, where I show you how to find activities you enjoy, if not love:

http://admissionpossible.com/guides-new/guide2/extracurricular-activities-p5.html

4.  COLLEGE VISITS AND CONTACT WITH COLLEGES
•  This is the year to get serious about college visits. Of course, an important step before you do this is to come up with a good college list. Sit down with your parents and talk about when it makes sense for you to visit colleges. Think about weekend trips, a Spring Break trip, or where you might go next summer.

•  If your high school permits, ask your high school college counselor when the college reps of schools in which you are interested are going to be on campus. Attend the meetings, and be sure to put your name on their respective sign-up lists.

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Since you have only a few weeks left of vacation, don’t forget to take some time before school starts to relax, enjoy yourself, and maybe just chill. You need to be rested and full of energy to begin tackling both your schoolwork and college applications.

1.  TESTING
•  If you have any last minute testing to take care of, make sure that you are signed up for fall SAT, Subject Tests, or ACT testing.

The College Board URL to register for both the SAT I and Subject Tests is:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html

To register online for the ACT, go to:

http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html

•  If you plan on applying Early Action or Decision, October is the last test date that will get your test scores to the colleges on time.

2.  COLLEGE LIST
•  Your college list should be finalized by the end of this month.

•  Decide whether or not to apply early to a college/s. Early Action, Early Action Single Choice and Early Decision deadlines are usually October 31 or the first of November; some are November 15. Check the college website for the exact date. Students receive early admissions decisions by the middle of December.

• Put together an Application Due Dates list for your college list.

http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/appduedates.pdf

3.  RELATIONSHIPS WITH COLLEGES
•  Make sure that the colleges on your list know you are interested in them. If you haven’t already, call or email each admissions office on your list. Ask when their representative will be visiting your school (or your home town).

4.  FILLING OUT THE APPLICATIONS
•  For students who play a fall sport or are engaged in time-intensive extracurricular activities, try to get at least one college application completed before school starts.

•  From the chapter on Completing College Applications in my book adMISSION POSSIBLE: Getting Into the College of Your Choice, here are the steps involved in completing an undergraduate application:

a. Determine which school you want to apply to and whether it uses its own application, the Common Application or the Universal College Application.

b. Through the college’s admission website or the Common Application Requirements Grid, find out what and when forms must be completed

+  Determine if the school has a Preliminary Form that must be completed and by what date (E.g., USC has a   Preliminary form)

c. Complete all the forms for which you are responsible

d. Download and fill out your section for other required forms (e.g., Counselor School Report, Teacher Evaluation forms, etc.) and distribute them to appropriate recommenders

e.  Identify essay questions

f.  Decide on a focus for your application and topics for the essay questions

g. Write, edit and upload essays onto online application

h. Gather any supplemental materials (e.g., activities resume, art portfolio, etc.)

i. Photocopy and then send in all application materials by the due date

j. Contact College Board to send transcript of SAT and/or Subject Test scores to college and/or contact ACT to have ACT transcript send to college

k. Have your high school and other academic transcripts sent to the college

l. Make arrangements for an admissions interview (if possible)

m. Two weeks after all application materials have been sent, check with the college to make sure all your materials have been received

n. Make sure Mid-year Report is sent to the college after first semester grades come out

You can access the Completing Applications chapter for free at

http://admissionpossible.com/guides-new/guide11/TOC-undergrad-applications.html

5.  STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL BACKGROUNDS
• Art and performing art students should begin putting together their portfolios

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Every year approximately 2 ½ million students apply to college. In some instances, students apply only to local state colleges and universities. However, more and more apply to a wide array of colleges, public and private, as well as close and far away from home. The process is demanding, complex, and stressful. However, there are some things you can do early on to make the job easier and also end up with unique, better-than-the competition’s applications.

1.  START EARLY

Procrastination is a deadly trap for students involved with the college application process. Dragging your feet about completing applications often results in a rush at the end and a less than credible job. Particularly if you plan to apply Early Action (a non-binding program where students apply by November 1 and receive their answers by the middle of December) or Early Decision (A binding contract application where you apply by the first of November and hear back by the middle of December. If you are accepted, you must say yes or no in a short amount of time. If you apply Early, you must start completing the application in September or at the latest early October in order to have a competitive application. Even if you apply Regular Decision, it’s useful to complete all of your applications before Christmas vacation, regardless of when their due dates are. It’s no fun to spend the end of December working on college applications. And as the saying goes, “the early bird gets the worm.” What’s most important is that your applications be a little different and a little better than the other students’ applications.

2.  COMPLETE YOUR COLLEGE LIST

If you haven’t put together a college list, do it before school starts in the fall. You need to find colleges that fit you as a person and match your academic background. Your list should contain Reaches, Good Chances and Pretty Sure Things (Safety’s) based on how your grades and test scores compare to previously accepted students. The latter information is available in the U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges, as well as in the admissions section of individual college websites.

3.  NAIL DOWN YOUR RECOMMENDERS

Lots of students ask your high school teachers and college counselor to write letters of recommendation. Keep in mind that the later you ask them to do this, the less likely they are to write powerful, focused letters that will make a difference in your admissions. If you didn’t ask them at the end of your junior year, then ask immediately the first week of school in the fall.

4.  MAKE SURE YOUR TESTING IS DONE AND SCORES ARE SENT

It’s better if you can get your standardized testing completed before the end of your junior year. If you don’t, don’t worry. You still have September, October, November and December of your senior year to take the ACT/SAT or Subject Tests unless you are apply Early Action or Decision (in which case you need to have the tests completed in October). After you complete the testing, make sure that your test scores are sent to each of the colleges to which you are applying. There are always mix-ups at the testing agencies, Internet glitches, Post Office mishaps and even lost materials at the colleges. So after you turn in your applications, contact the different admissions offices to make sure they have received your test scores (and while you’re at it, make sure they have everything else required of their application).

5.  COMPLETE THE COMMON APPLICATION EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER

While there are lots of universities who still have their own applications such as USC, Georgetown, and most of the large public universities, over 400 four-year colleges and universities (and even a few public institutions) now accept The Common Application. In addition to the application itself, many schools also have supplemental applications that you must complete. My rule of thumb is to get at least one application completed during the summer before your senior year. You have no idea what a relief that is. And if you have schools on your list that are Common Application colleges, start with one of them. After you complete one, all of the other Common App school applications will be a piece of cake.

So, while getting through the college application process can be challenging, there are ways of making it easier on you, family, teachers, and high school counselor. Follow the suggestions above, and you should be just fine.

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Letters of recommendations from high school teachers and counselors play an important role in helping college admissions officers decide whether a student gets admitted. Many colleges require two letters of recommendation, often called Teacher Evaluation forms. Most applications also ask for a letter of recommendation called a School Report from a student’s high school college counselor. Given that there are usually more qualified applicants than there are slots for next year’s freshman class, having teachers and counselors sing your praises can make the difference between getting rejected or waitlisted and getting onto a college’s acceptance list.

There are five things you can do to increase your chances of getting great letters of recommendation:

1.  CAREFULLY CHOOSE YOUR RECOMMENDERS

First of all, generate a list of potential teachers that you might ask to write recommendations. Start off with teachers in whose classes you’ve performed well, getting at least an B or B+, but preferably an A. Also add the names of teachers with whom you’ve developed a personal relationship. To decide which teachers to ask, assign each teacher on your list a score from 1 to 10 (1 = not good letter, and 10 = the best possible letter). After you’ve given each name a number, go back and circle the two teachers with the highest numbers. These are the people you should ask. Who you choose to complete the School Report is simple: Your assigned college counselor. It’s very important that you communicate well and often with this person. Of all the high school professionals college admissions officer consult with about students, the college counselor is the one they talk to the most.

2.  START EARLY

Whatever you do, don’t go waltzing into your college counselor’s office or teachers’ classrooms on December 1^st, asking them to write your letters of recommendation! At that late date, what kind of job do you think they will do? Ideally, students should ask their teachers about recommendations before school ends their junior year. If you haven’t done the asking then, be sure to see them sometime during on the first week of school in the fall. Don’t send teachers an email or text message; go meet them face-to-face and politely ask about completing the Teacher Evaluation forms.

3.  MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM

Letters of recommendation should provide college admissions people with information about what kind of student you are, and also what kind of person you are. Help your recommenders with their jobs by providing an Activities Resume, a summary of everything you’ve done, accomplished, or achieved as a freshman, sophomore and junior in and outside of school. Take a few minutes and go over the resume with them so that you can answer any questions they may have. The more helpful you are and the more comprehensive the information is, the better their letters will be. Your attitude toward them should be, “I want to make your job of writing recommendations for me as easy as I can.”

4.  FOLLOW UP

Yes, teachers and counselors can get behind and even forget to write recommendations. Remember, you are one of many students with whom they are working. To help them keep on time, provide a list of your colleges and the dates when the applications are due. Cycle back to the recommenders a few weeks after you have made your recommendation request to “see how it’s going.” This is a gentle way of nudging them. Right before the application materials are due, make a final stop by a recommender’s office to make sure that a recommendation is done and gone.

5.  SAY THANK YOU

You may not realize this, but teachers don’t have to write recommendation letters. It’s something that they do as a special favor. Therefore, you need to thank them for their efforts, and do it more than once. While high school counselors are expected to complete School Reports as a part of their job, it’s still very important for you to say thank you to them. This is more than just being polite; it’s the right thing to do. And you never know when you might need to come back to a recommender for some kind of follow-up letter. For example, if you get waitlisted at one of your favorite colleges and want to get off the waitlist, a counselor or teacher follow-up phone call or letter might just do the trick.

Remember, every other senior who is applying to a four-year college is also in the process of asking for letters of recommendation. By following the five program steps above, you can make it easier on the recommenders and yourself.

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