Philip Ballinger, University of Washington, Answers Six Questions

Posted on Thu, 01/03/2013 - 12:32

Philip Ballinger is the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Admissions for undergraduates at the University of Washington, the Evergreen State's flagship public university. He joins us this month to answer six questions about admissions -- and life -- at "UDub."

Founded in 1861, University of Washington began as a 10-acre campus in what is now the heart of downtown Seattle, the Pacific Northwest's largest city. Today, that campus occupies the "University District" in the city of 609,000, located on the shores of Union and Portage Bays with views of the Cascade Mountain Range.  More than 43,000 students attend UW in its 16 colleges and schools, which offer 1,800 undergraduate courses each quarter in more than 250 degree programs.  (There are also satellite campuses in Tacoma and Bothell.)

Jim Montague, Boston Latin School, and Helen Montague, Lincoln School

Posted on Wed, 01/02/2013 - 09:20

Jim Montague is Director of Guidance and Support Services at Boston Latin School in Boston, Massachusetts, a public college preparatory school serving an urban, culturally and socioeconomically diverse student population in grades 7 to 12. Helen Montague is Director of College Counseling at Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island, an urban independent college preparatory school for girls from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. We are pleased to feature this husband and wife team as our counselors of the month for January in the new year of 2013. Twice the advice from a duo of counselors who approach our questions from the vantage points of two distinguished educational institutions.

Boston Latin is this country’s oldest school, founded in 1635, with 2,414 students among whom today more than 40 languages are represented. Latin admission is based on a secondary school exam and a strong academic record.  “We think of them as the best and brightest in the city of Boston,” says Jim Montague.

Happy New Year!

Posted on Mon, 12/31/2012 - 09:37

Here's to a great new year! We're looking forward to carrying on our conversation about all things college admission with students, parents and counselors as we head into 2013! And we'd like to thank all the deans of admissions, counselors, educators and other experts who so willingly gave of their time and wisdom in the last year by contributing to our blog. We'll be back in a few days with even more...

Juniors, Rest, Relax, and Research

Posted on Thu, 12/20/2012 - 10:34

Juniors, as you head into winter break, our advice is to relax, rest, and enjoy family and friends. Continue researching schools during your downtime. And as friends return home from their first year at college, have some conversations with them about their experiences -- both about college and the application process. Happy holidays!

Coming Soon: The Ten Stages of Transition from High School to College

Posted on Thu, 12/20/2012 - 09:47

 

 

The transition from high school to college, particularly for students who leave home and live in campus residence halls, is a challenge for nearly all students. However, some students find it more daunting than others.  Experienced counselors, both in high schools and on college campuses, have learned to recognize the stages that most students go through, beginning at the end of senior year, through the summer after graduation, and continuing through freshman year of college.  But most students have only a vague idea of what this transition will be like and are therefore stunned by the challenges they encounter.  First generation students, in particular, are likely to encounter surprises because their parents, having not attended college, haven’t had discussions with them about what to expect.

 

Developing a New Kind of Relationship with Your College-Bound Teen

Posted on Thu, 12/20/2012 - 09:37

Educational psychologist Jane McClure joins us this month to recommend a book that will arm you with advice about getting the best possible results when communicating with your college-bound teenager. Think of it this way: We all want to continueto be part of our children's lives and the problem-solving that continues through college and beyond. Read on to find out more about how to make sure that happens and what to do when it does…

 

A few years ago, I read a wonderful book titled, Don’t Tell Me What to Do, Just Send Money, by Helen E. Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller.  It is filled with so much wisdom and useful advice, I find myself re-reading sections from time to time, whenever thorny issues between students and parents arise and I’m trying to figure out how to advise them.  I highly recommend it to any parent whose son or daughter is about to go off to college.  You will love the humorous anecdotes which will make you laugh but at the same time teach you a new style of communication that will be incredibly helpful as you form a new kind of relationship.  Here are a few of the key concepts presented in the book.

 

Grinnell College Joins the Gourmet Guide

Posted on Wed, 12/19/2012 - 10:04

Is Grinnell College on your list of schools?  If you're planning a visit to this Iowa private liberal arts college known for its academics and tradition of social activism (Grinnell was a stop on the Underground Railroad!), we've got some recommendations for you while you're in town! Thanks to Director of Admission Doug Badger, you won't have to worry about where to find great Midwestern farm-to-table fare after a day exploring this 120-acre campus.  From poppyseed pancakes to bruschetta burgers or chicken stuffed with kale and parmesan or hand-cut prime rib, we've got you covered. Check out Grinnell's restaurant recommendations here. Oven-baked breadsticks with meat sauce… Mmmm…

Seniors: Do the Right Thing!

Posted on Tue, 12/18/2012 - 11:46

You have applied under early action, rolling admission, or restrictive early action and you’re in.

Congratulations!

We now encourage you to do the right thing. If you know you will not enroll at some of the other colleges on your list, don’t continue with your applications to them. Go back through that original list and cross off those schools. Or, if you’ve already sent in your applications, let those colleges know your plans.

Don’t collect trophies in the form of admission letters from colleges you will never attend.

Did Early Decision Fill Most of the Seats for the Class of 2017? Do the math...

Posted on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 11:29

This time of year brings a slew of headlines trumpeting the arrival of decisions for those who applied under early action or early decision plans. But if you're a student who opted to take advantage of the additional time afforded by applying regular decision instead of applying under an early plan, you may feel you have cause to worry.

Among the stories about the record numbers of early applicants, here's one of the media's favorite memes every year: “The college you’re applying to has filled half its freshman class with early decision applicants!”

If you've read headlines like this and worried there won’t be enough room left if you are applying under regular decision, throw that thought in the circular file underneath your desk along with other forms of media madness.

This is a case where the numbers can be deceiving.

The question is not how many seats are being taken up in the class by applicants who applied under early decision. The question is, what percentage of the school’s total admission offers is already gone? It sounds incredible, but it’s true that even when half the seats are filled with ED applicants, fewer than half the acceptances have been given out.