TeenLife 2011 Guide to College Admissions

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Guide to
College admissions
W W W. T E E N L I F E . C O M

Easy-to-Follow
College Prep Timeline

Tips to a Successful
College Interview

What to Pack for College

A T E E N L I F E M E D I A di g ital P U B L I C A T I O N

THE ARTS EDGE
INTENSE COLLEGE ADVISING IN THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING
ARTS

theartsedge.com Educational Consultants specializing in the Visual and Performing Arts

Introducing TeenLife’s
2011 Guide to College Admissions
The only free comprehensive resource of its kind.

College—It’s not a College Admissions. It’s cohesive, and chock-full of
useful information on college planning; determining
big word, but it’s
whether you are ready for college; tips for visiting
definitely a big step.
colleges; and advice on essay and study habits.
It seems like every year And we even included room décor and ideas on
I hear from parents and what to pack.
students, and even school
guidance counselors, that the If you need more assistance, the College
college prep and admissions Resources section of our Guide lists an extensive
timeline keeps getting earlier number of tutoring and test prep options and
and earlier, beginning at the middle school level. independent counselors, which may be exactly what
Before you know it, it’s fast-forward to high school, you need to get into the university you truly want.
then college—and you are unloading your car stuffed
with boxes at the curb of your dorm. Believe me, it
When campus life is just over the horizon,
comes up quickly!
my wonderful staff (many of whom have just
graduated) and I want you to remember that going
You are probably thinking, whoa, rewind… Do I off to college is an exciting, adventurous, and
want to go to college? Can I afford college? Which life-changing event. Follow our lead and you will
type of college do I want to go to? Where do I start? see how easy it is to make this transition. Your
questions will be answered and your mindset
Please, don’t be overwhelmed. We want all will gradually change from “I’m excited to think
parents and teens to ease through the process, as it about college” to “I’m ready to apply to college”
is one filled with deadlines and details. It can be a to “Then I got into my college.” It’s that simple.
very stressful time for everyone, but it can also go
quite smoothly if you let TeenLife steer the way!

Marie Schwartz, President & Founder
Along with our award-winning site that is loaded TeenLife Media, LLC
with information on the college admissions process,
we have put together our first-ever digital Guide to

TeenLife Guide to college admissions 2011 | 3

keith@gotomykeg.com

TeenLife
Score at the Top Guide to College Admissions
Learning Center & School
Published by

TeenLife.com
TeenLife Media, LLC
1330 Beacon St., Suite 268
Brookline, MA 02446
www.teenlife.com
bringing out the best in teens
Copyright © 2011 by TeenLife Media, LLC,
Brookline, Massachusetts
Published by TeenLife Media, LLC,
Brookline, Massachusetts

V.P., Marketing and Business Development: Cara Ferragamo Murray
Managing Editor: Camille Heidebrecht
Graphic Design: Kathryn Tilton

Authors: Karen Kuskin-Smith and Marissa Smith
Karen Kuskin-Smith has been an educator for more than 30 years. Most
recently, she served as Coordinator of Pupil Support Services at Brookline
High School for 25 years. She is currently a consultant to TeenLife in addition
to conducting workshops for parents on the college process. Sheholds an
A.B. in English from Connecticut College, a MAT in English from Brown
University and an Ed.M. in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.

Her daughter, Marissa Smith, recently graduated magna cum laude with
a degree in Psychology from The George Washington University where
she served as a student representative on the admissions staff for four
years. She continues to conduct interviews for the university. She is
currently working at Needham High School transitioning students from
hospitalizationsback into the high school setting.

Limit of Liability
This publication, produced by TeenLife Media (TL), is intended as a
general guide only. While this guide contains articles with general advice,
readers are advised to obtain independent advice, undertake their own
investigations, obtain references, and come to their own conclusions before
making any commitments. TL is not familiar with all of the businesses and
institutions listed, and is therefore not responsible for the accuracy of any
description, or for mistakes, errors or omissions. TL is not responsible for
any costs, damages, or other matters that occur as a result of reliance
on the material contained herein. The opinions expressed herein are not
necessarily those of TL.

Trademarks: TeenLife Media, LLC and related trade dress are trademarks
or registered trademarks of TeenLife and/or its affiliates in the United States
and may not be used without written permission.

Table of Contents
6
college admissions About Teenlife
6 Are You Ready for College?
7 Onward and Forward
20 Find out more about what we offer
and how to register on our site
8 Visiting a College
8 College Interviews

22
college resources
11 The College Application Process
22 College Consultants & Advisors
12 Test Preparation
24 Financial Advice
13 Writing Your College Essay
25 Tutoring & Test Prep
15 Packing for College
16 Campus Living
16 Study Habits INDEX
18 For Your Parents
19 Taking a Year Off
27


Guide to
College Admissions
The brief time invested while still in high school can save you and your student from a lot
of headaches in the planning and admissions process. Organizing and thinking about each
logical step will lead to successful admissions, a successful college education, and a
successful career down the line.

ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEGE?
Fred Hargadon, the former Dean of Admissions at What are your areas of strength and weakness?
Princeton University, believes that families should For example, are you a good reader or writer? Do you enjoy
start the college discussion with “Why do you want problem solving? Do you like to discuss issues? What areas
to go to college?” then ask “When do you want to are more difficult for you? For example, do you need to im-
go to college?” and lastly “Where do you want to go prove your public speaking skills? Do you need to develop
to college?” better study habits?
What are you favorite school subjects?
Too often we begin this discussion at the
What activities do you most enjoy?
end. To find a match, students must first understand
why it is they want to attend. If the answer is "because Do you have a particular career interest? (Of course, these
that is what everyone else does after high school," interests may change over time.)
then it may be time to rethink this decision. How independent are you? How well do you adjust to new
situations? Do you have good self-advocacy skills? When
Once these questions have been answered—and if you are having difficulty, do you ask for help? When you
college is your next step—then it is time to do a have a problem, are you able to take the necessary steps to
self-assessment. solve it?
What is your learning style? How do you learn best? Are
you most successful in small classes with lots of discus-
sion or do you prefer a lecture format? Are you a visual
learner or do you learn best by listening?
How do you define success? How do you measure how well
you have done? Is success defined by your grade or how
much you feel you have learned? Will your future success
be measured by your position, your salary, your impact on
those around you?
Why do you want to go to college? Is this your decision
or that of your family or friends? What excites you about
going to college?

6 | 2011 TeenLife Guide to college admissions

college admissions

ONWARD AND FORWARD
Once you have established that college is your next You should never commit to a college without visiting
step and have thought hard about who you are and it. Colleges look favorably on expressions of interest by
what you need in a college, there are many ways to a student. Each college admissions office is concerned
learn about colleges. about yield (the number of students who will accept
their offer of acceptance). If a student has expressed
You can do research online, in high school college interest in the college through visits, interviews, emails,
counseling offices, in books that highlight the most and Internet contact, the college believes the student is
important information about a college, or you may hear more likely to attend. This interested student, who also
anecdotal stories from students. Some families may meets all the other criteria for acceptance, becomes a
choose to visit schools. Others will confine their visits to more likely individual to accept the college’s offer.
local college fairs or college information programs.

The basic college timeline is as follows:
Research is key to help you decide which schools may Junior Year
be the right match for you. Check with your college
counseling office about the specific programs they may • October—Take PSAT.
have for students and parents. • March/April or May—Take SAT and/or ACT.
• June—Take SAT Subject Tests or ACT (Subject
Visits to the campus are the most helpful in making Tests should be taken at the time the student
this determination but may not be possible because of completes the course).
the expense involved. While helpful, these visits are not • Spring—Begin to build college list.
critical until the spring of your senior year when you are
• Spring—Visit colleges, attend college fairs and/or
deciding which college to attend.
local college programs.
• Spring—Begin to develop a resume of your high
school activities both in and outside of school so that
you have a complete list prepared when you actually
begin to fill out your applications. Don’t forget about
internship, volunteer, or work experiences. Your
parents can be helpful in building this list.
• Summer—Start those applications! Get a head start
before the stresses of senior year kick into full gear.
Brainstorm and outline a few essay ideas during the
summer, so you can obtain your teachers’ comments
at the start of school. Also, select your first choice
schools so you and your counselor can move forward
with a solid plan.

Senior Year
• October, November, or December—Retake SATs,
ACTs and/or Subject Tests. Try to have all testing
completed by November.
• January—File FAFSA, CSS Profile, and/or individual
college financial aid forms.


VISITING A college COLLEGE INTERVIEWS
If you do plan to visit colleges, here are some Interviews are great ways for the colleges to learn more
suggestions: about you and also for you to learn more about the
colleges that interest you.
• Attend group information sessions and campus
tours.
• Be sure to speak with students who are not Admissions staff, faculty members, and sometimes stu-
representatives from the admissions office to dents conduct interviews. They may or may not be a part
get another viewpoint on the college. of the actual admissions process, but they certainly are an
opportunity for you to ask the hard questions so that you
• Read student newspapers.
can make the most informed decision about whether the
• Check out what is posted on campus bulletin college is a match for you. They are also a way of express-
boards. ing interest in the college.
• Attend class—It is often a good idea to visit a
class in a subject that is not a favorite to see how
If the interview is not mandatory (and most are not) and
a challenging course for you might be taught.
you do not do well in these face-to-face situations, think
• Stay overnight in a dorm. carefully before scheduling one. The write-up by the inter-
viewer will usually be added to your admissions folder, so
• Take pictures!
for anyone considering an interview, practice is important.
The Admissions Office can help with each of these
suggestions. Be sure to write down a list of pluses
and minuses for each college immediately after You can usually arrange for a mock interview through your
the visit so that they are fresh in your mind. high school counseling office or ask to be interviewed by
an adult you know who may be a little intimidating. You can
also schedule an interview at a local college for practice.
Your first real interview should not be the first one that
you’ve ever done!

college admissions

A list of interview DOs:
• DO make an appointment well in advance. • DO make eye contact with the interviewer and give him/
• DO arrive on time. her a firm handshake. If this greeting is not easy for
you, practice with someone beforehand.
• DO dress appropriately. First impressions mean a
lot. Jeans and t-shirts are never appropriate for an • DO some research before going into the interview. The
interview. question “Tell me what you know about __________
College/University” will usually be asked. Be sure to
• DO turn off your cell phone before the interview. know the names of some classes, activities, or pro-
• DO be yourself. Interviewers can tell when someone is grams that you may be interested in exploring at this
reciting answers he/she has practiced over and over particular institution.
again. • DO think about how you hope to grow over these next
• DO think of some examples/stories that describe who few years and how this particular college/university
you are and how you think. They will make you more might help you do this.
memorable as well. • DO take the time to think about your answers. Inter-
• DO be honest. If there are weaknesses in your tran- viewers are looking for thoughtful not quick responses.
script or your test scores are low, this is the time to • DO make sure you have questions to ask the interview-
explain them. Let the interviewer know how you have er about the school. They should not be questions that
improved or plan to improve. Remember—you are have been already answered in the material they have
looking for a match; honesty will help you find it. sent you or you have viewed online.

• DO look at the college’s website for possible Sample Interview Questions:
interview questions. Many schools post them.
• Tell me something about your high school. What is
• DO have fun. The interview provides an opportunity one thing you would change if you could? What is your
for the college to get to know you and to put a face favorite memory from high school?
with a name.
• Tell me about a teacher in high school that had an
• DO write a thank you note after the interview. This impact on your life.
will reiterate your appreciation and interest in the
• What are your extracurricular interests? What
school.
activities do you hope to get involved in here to
continue exploring these interests?
A list of interview DON’Ts: • Have you ever traveled overseas? Do you hope to
study abroad?
• DON’T bring a lot of extra materials to show the
interviewer (e.g., artwork, essays, or cookies). Any • Tell me about a difficult experience in your life and
essential additional material that contributes new how you dealt with it.
information to your candidacy should be included
• How would your friends describe you?
with your application.
Be prepared to tell the interviewer where this school
• DON’T play with your phone or text friends while
falls on your list. Be honest but don’t give too much
waiting for the interview to begin. Your cell phone
information. If the school is not your top choice, simply
should remain off and out of sight.
tell them you are interested in their university and
• DON’T give one word answers or mumble. learning more about it.
• DON’T chew gum.
• DON’T expect your parents to be a part of the inter-
view. The interviewer will usually speak briefly with
them after your interview. This is your time to shine!


college admissions

THE COLLEGE
APPLICATION PROCESS
The college application process is full of
deadlines and details and can cause added
tension in a family already feeling the stress of
the many demands of a student’s senior year.

It is critical to use the resources of your school
to help both child and family get through this
process.

Guidance counselors and/or college advisors
can help manage deadlines and play the role
of the “nudge” without the conflict that often
occurs between parent and child. They should
serve as your primary resource.
Use these individuals to:
• Recommend courses and course sequences
that you should take in order to prepare for
college admissions.
• Plan group informational meetings on the
college process.
• Hold individual family meetings to develop and
then revise college lists.
• Help plan out a college testing schedule and
monitor the results of this testing. Award-winning site with resources for teens

• Check on the progress of applications, most
especially the college essay.
• Review the draft of the essay for general
content, spelling, and grammar.
www.teenlife.com
• Write a letter of recommendation that high-
lights the student’s high school experience.
• Share information about other students from
your high school who have attended particular
colleges.

In general, parents should not have to spend
additional money for college counseling. If you
are concerned that your child’s counselor is not
able to provide the information that you need,
contact the head of the department at the
high school.

Applying to college is a lesson in organizational skills. Every student does not need to take a test preparation
course. You can buy an SAT or ACT test preparation
You need to decide how you will organize all the material
book or access a computer program and do the
you will receive both in the mail and online. It is helpful
studying on your own.
to have a file for each college you are researching and
then for the ones to which you actually plan to apply. On Some students may benefit from Test Preparation be-
each folder, list any important dates—i.e., application fore they take the SAT or ACT. This kind of preparation
deadline, financial aid deadline, date you visited college, depends on your learning style, how much your family
attended a local presentation, had an interview. is prepared to spend, and how much time you have to
Additionally, consider creating a separate e-mail address devote to this extra commitment. It is generally worth
to house all college-related corresponse. Tip: make sure waiting to begin a program until you get the results
your ".com" address is appropriate back from the PSAT taken in the junior year with its
comprehensive analysis of where you did well and
what areas need improvement.
Once you have prepared any documents to send to the
college, whether online or in hard copy, MAKE A COPY.
Never send anything without making a copy or printing it If you choose to use a test prep company, you should
out. Also, be sure to proof each document; spell-check consider:
does not pick up incorrect words. You can ask your
• Location—at their office or your home.
parents to help with the proofing.
• Cost—varies widely. Many school systems offer test
prep programs either as part of the curriculum or
TEST PREPARATION as an offering through their Adult and Community
Education program.
Test preparation can benefit everyone by helping you to
better understand the nature of the test—the specific • Number, days, and hours of meetings.
directions for each section, the kinds of questions in • Type of program—large or small class or private
each area, and suggestions for using time wisely. lesson.
• Focus on learning content or on testing strategies.
• Focus on meeting group or individual student needs.


college admissions

writing your
college essay Exciting Resources & Opportunities
The college essay represents an opportunity for for Parents with College-bound Teens
you to share something about yourself that the
admissions office does not already know from 2
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the hard data (i.e., your GPA and test scores).
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• Make sure you answer the question asked. www.teenlife.com
• Be yourself. For example, don’t try to sound

Winner
humorous if this approach is not natural for you.
• Be as specific as you can about the topic you of a
have chosen. Anecdotes that help explain your Gold Mom’s Choice Award
topic are very helpful.
• Be sure to check for typos, spelling, and gram-
matical errors.
• If you are writing about what has drawn you to a
particular college, be sure you use the name of
the correct college in your essay.
• Keep within the number of words suggested.
• Make sure you are well-versed in your topic of
choice, whether it’s an area of interest or an E D U C AT I O N A L C O N S U LT I N G
academic subject.
Expert College Counseling
Recommendations are another way for the
colleges to learn more about you. Anecdotal
information is the best way for your teachers to
share what is most special about you. Teacher were
nts
recommendations don’t always need to be from de e
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the teacher of the subject in which you do well.
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Sometimes the teacher of a subject in which you
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tion about how you deal with a challenge. Surely,
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your college courses; it is helpful for the admis- eir oi
top
sions office to understand how you approach these
difficulties. Teachers should address your study
habits, class participation, and ability to work in
877.438.2400

groups. It is not necessary for a teacher to write about • It is helpful to have your federal income tax return
your extracurricular activities unless he/she serves as completed before filing for financial aid since this
your advisor. Your college counselor, who will be pre- form is referenced in the FAFSA (free application
senting the total picture of you, can best discuss these for federal money).
activities. Occasionally, students might want to send an
• The FAFSA cannot be filed until after January 1
additional recommendation from a club advisor, coach,
of your senior year. You can apply online at
or employer. These can be valuable if they address
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
how you perform outside the classroom. Once again,
anecdotes are very helpful. It is not a good idea to get • The CSS Profile, the application used by private
a recommendation from someone who does not know colleges to award their institutional money, can
you well such as a family friend who may know your be filed any time senior year, generally the earlier
parents but really doesn’t know you. To assist those the better.
recommending you: • Some institutions have their own form. Be sure to
• Ask the recommender what he/she may need to help pay attention to the deadlines for completed forms.
write the recommendation such as a copy of your • Never pay to get money. There are lots of free
resume or a conversation with you. resources. For example the TERI College Planning
• Give the teacher a large manila envelope. Put the Center at the Boston Public Library will not only
name of each school to which you are applying on help parents fill out the forms but is also an
the front of the envelope with the deadline for each excellent resource for finding scholarships.
school listed. Inside provide a stamped addressed (Visit Tericollegeplanning.org)
envelope for each school. Use your high school ad- • A financial aid application needs to be filed each
dress as the return address. year the student is in school.
• Write each person who writes you a recommenda- • Some colleges award merit-based aid. This money
tion a thank-you note. Also, keep in touch with these is based on a student’s academic performance.
individuals and let them know the results of your Merit-based aid does not require an application.
applications and what college you plan to attend.

Once you have been accepted and chosen the school
Most students will apply for some form of Financial that is the best match for you, taking those first steps
Aid. For some it will be local scholarships from neigh- to become a college freshman can be daunting. Your
borhood organizations or their high schools. Others transition will be much easier if you follow some of
will apply to the federal government and the colleges these suggestions:
themselves. Financial Aid awards are based on a fam-
ily’s ability to pay for college taking into consideration
a wide range of factors. If awarded, it usually comes in • Ask your counselor for the names of students from
the form of grants (free money), loans (which need to your high school who are currently attending the
be repaid), and work/study (students will secure a job college you plan to attend. Have lunch with one of
on campus which can help pay for books and/or living them before you leave to get some helpful sugges-
expenses). Here are a few suggestions: tions about how to manage your first few days, plan
your schedule, and meet other students.

• Research local scholarship opportunities first. Your • In addition to freshmen orientation, many colleges
high school usually receives information about these sponsor programs just before school begins to
and may offer their own scholarships. There are help you get to know other members of your class.
many national scholarship programs, but students These may be outdoor adventures, community
are often more successful in actually getting money service activities, or leadership training initiatives.
from local organizations. Sometimes these programs cost additional money
but are very helpful in connecting with the college
and classmates early on.

college admissions

• Get involved in activities that you enjoyed in high school. PACKING FOR COLLEGe
The familiarity of these activities and the opportunity to meet
others who also enjoy them will help in the transition process. Deciding what you need to bring with you to
college will occupy most of your summer,
• Once you arrive on campus, take advantage of the social especially if you are not arriving there by car.
activities planned for freshmen. You will meet people, hear Here are some suggestions for packing:
about important opportunities, and feel more connected to
student life.
• Find out about the resource centers that are available on • If you are not driving, investigate shipping
campus--i.e., advising program, writing center, resume writing, services offered by the college.
tutoring center, mental health support. It is comforting to know • Bring less than what you think you will need.
that you can easily access the help you may need at any given
time in your college career. • Collect Bed, Bath and Beyond and other discount
coupons from retailers. They will definitely come
• Think about what time of day you work best. Schedule classes in hand! Several retailers, like Apple and J. Crew
with this time in mind. also offer ongoing discounts to college students –
• Talk to the people who sit next to you in class. Get to know all you need to show is your college ID card. Talk
them. These individuals may become friends or perhaps study to your roommates beforehand to see what they
partners. are planning to bring. There is no need to bring
duplicates of items such at TVs, CD players, etc.
• Explore the city or town around you. Find out what it has to offer.
• Check to see what the college provides in the
• Make the good-byes with parents and/or siblings quick ones. dormitory room. It is also helpful to understand
Lingering makes the parting more difficult. the moving-in plan for the school. Often there
will be current students to help you move in, and
you may be required to move into your dorm at
certain times to avoid congestion.
• In the fall, bring only fall clothing. You can bring
an empty suitcase home over Thanksgiving break
for your winter clothes. This will save precious
closet space in your dorm room.
• Risers are sometimes helpful to make your bed a
bit higher. Risers will also open up some storage
space under your bed.
• Do not buy notebooks and other school supplies
at your bookstore. They are generally overpriced.
You can get these supplies much cheaper at CVS
or Staples. Check out amazon.com or half.com
for textbooks to see if you can get them at
a cheaper price.


campus living STUDY HABITS
The first real challenge will be to adapt to Most of you will enter college with well-developed
dormitory living. Here are a few helpful hints to study skills and a good sense of your own learn-
make this adjustment process a little easier: ing style. Here are some suggestions from a recent
graduate to help you do well in your classes:
• Make your dorm room feel like home by bringing
little things that remind you of this space. Pictures of • Make a point of getting to know the people who sit
family and friends are always helpful. near you in class. Get their e-mail addresses/phone
numbers. They will be great resources if you have
• If your college orientation is before school begins and
to miss a class, need some information clarified, or
you are given the option of choosing a roommate at
want to form a study group.
this time, be careful. It may seem like a great idea to
find someone to live with at orientation, but two days • Make sure your professors know who you are. Take
is often not enough time to get to know a person. advantage of office hours or extra class meetings.
You may want to keep your options open. Even if they do not know your name at first, knowing
your face and observing that you show up for class
• Sit down with your roommate on the first night. Talk
each day may help you when they are assigning
about your living experiences and how you think
grades at the end of the semester.
you can best live together. Most likely your Resident
Advisor will have a contract for you to fill out, but you • Check in with your professors even if you feel you
should make your own contract. Set up some rules are doing well in your classes. See if they have any
for your shared space. For example, how will you additional suggestions for studying or paper writing.
handle cleaning? What are the rules for neatness? Most professors love to help their students succeed
How do you feel about having overnight guests? and will reward you in the end for making the extra
How will you handle food if you have a kitchen area? effort to speak with them.
Establish responsibility for everyone in the room.
• Go to the library only if you feel you will be able to
• Talk about problems. It is important to be vocal and focus there. Often students feel that if they are sim-
let your roommate know when something is bother- ply in the library, they will get work done; however,
ing you. If you do not say anything, the problem will libraries often turn into a social scene. Try to find a
most likely get worse. If you can’t resolve the issue place on campus where you really can focus.
together, use the resources available in your resi-
• All-nighters do not work; avoid them.
dence hall. RAs are trained to help with roommate
conflicts. • Do not write down every word the professor says.
Listen first to what he/she is saying and then write
• Respect is huge in a successful living situation. Make
down the gist. If you need to ask for clarification
sure to respect and understand your roommate’s
or for the professor to repeat what he/she has just
sleep and work schedule. You may need to make
said, ask! Lectures are sometimes posted online as
changes to your routine in order to accommodate
well.
his/her schedule.
• Try to get to know your Teaching Assistants. They
• Do things together to help develop relationships with
can be great resources around test time.
roommates or suitemates. For example, if you have
access to a kitchen, cook together. Join an intramu-
ral sports team. It is great to have activities that you
share and also ones that you do independently.
• Rule of Thumb: Your roommate does not have to be
your best friend or share your interests; you do need
to make sure you can successfully live together.


college admissions

• Make flash cards to review for an exam. Make these Explain how you prepared for the exam. Try to
cards at least one week before your exam. You cannot determine what you can do differently in the future.
expect to learn all of the information that will be on an
When writing papers:
exam in one night. Take a week to let the information
sink in. This strategy provides a great way to review all • Write them at least one week in advance so you have
of your notes before you sit down to study. time to revise and proofread.
• Once you feel you have a good handle on the material, • Use the knowledge of the librarians to help you with
contact people in your class to form a study group. If you doing research.
do not have an initial good understanding of the mate- • Keep track of every source you use.
rial, a study group will not be helpful.
• Colleges use a variety of research paper formats – all
• Try to get a good night’s sleep before a test and eat a of this information is on the college web site.
good breakfast full of protein.
• Buy an MLA Handbook or one suggested by the col-
• Show up to class five minutes before the test starts. lege for paper format and use it!
If people are studying when you arrive, do not feel
pressure to study as well. Now is the time to relax and • First make an outline and then write a first draft.
listen to music. Leave the paper for a day or so and then come back
to edit it.
• Touch your left hand to your right foot and your right
hand to your left foot.This process may sound strange, • Ask your professor to look over your first draft. If he/
but it gets both sides of your brain functioning. It is a she cannot, have someone else read it to check for
good exercise to do before a test. grammar mistakes and the general flow of the paper.

• If you do not do well on an exam, talk to your professor. • Be sure you save a copy of your work in the event it
gets lost.


The most important factor in your transition to college • At night, travel with friends. No matter where you are,
is to stay healthy and safe without the watchful eyes of it is safer to be in a group.
your family. You will need to take charge of what you
• Sign up for the campus and/or city alert system.
eat and how you handle the freedom that comes with
You will get updates on your cell phone if there is a
leaving home and going off to college. Here are some
problem in the area.
important health and safety recommendations:
• Most universities and colleges have some sort of
drinking culture. Be aware of what is happening
• Be sure to eat well. There is no better way to stay around you. Don’t succumb to the pressure to do
healthy at school than to eat nutritious foods. Try not things that you would not normally do. Watch out for
to keep a lot of junk food in your room. Treats here your friends. Remember that college is not about
and there are fine, but too many will make you feel drinking, and it should not sidetrack from your studies.
lethargic. Try to eat fruit.
• Going to a gym is also a great idea. Most colleges
have athletic facilities with well-equipped workout for your parents
rooms that are available for students to use. If you Having a son or daughter go off to college will be
don’t choose to work out, stay active. You will have a joyful, stressful, and a major transition for everyone
lot more energy for classes and activities. involved.
• Keep important phone numbers in your phone—i.e.,
those for taxis, university police, etc.
It is important to have your child take the lead in
• Most campuses have a Blue Light safety system or each step of the process. For example, he/she should
a service that can escort you home. Make sure you schedule the college visits, talk with the admissions
know how this system works. representatives, and handle all communications with
the college. This search is about finding the appropriate
match for your child and helping him/her gain and/or
improve self-advocacy skills in doing so.

During the college application process, parents
should:
• Stay positive. Share what you see as your child’s
strengths. Be supportive of delicate egos.
• Never forget this is about a match for your child.
Parents often relive their own college application
experience. Don’t let this become your experience
rather than your child’s.
• Enjoy campus visits together. Help your child sort
through the pro’s and con’s of each school.
• Assist your child with the application process. Give
suggestions, proofread, but don’t take over.
• Think about how you will help your child handle the
acceptances and rejections before they happen.
This may be the first time that your child receives a
“we don’t want you” in writing. Help your child work
through these rejections. Remind him/her that the
rejection could be for any number of reasons and not
to take it personally.

college admissions

It is important to discuss these practical issues If you are thinking about taking a year off:
with your child before he/she leaves for the college
Apply to colleges as if you are planning to attend the
campus:
next year. Once you have been accepted and chosen
• What are the expectations for communication? the best match, ask the college to defer your accep-
Will you talk by phone, via the Internet? How often? tance for a year. You will need to pay a deposit, but you
will have a space waiting for you.
• Make sure your child knows how to do the laundry.
• Have your child select, shop for, and prepare some
meals before he/she goes to school. He/she may Be sure to have a plan for this year. You may choose
have access to a kitchen in the dorm. to take a couple of courses at a college without matric-
ulating. You may get a job to earn money for college.
• Discuss any health issues. Make sure he/she knows
You may choose to participate in a structured program
about any medications he/she is taking and how to
centered on community service, environmental issues,
have a prescription filled.
language study, etc., here or abroad. You can use the
• How will you handle spending money? Does your resources of Teenlife to help you. Or hire an indepen-
child understand the concept of a budget? Try to dent advisor to develop a plan for you.
use a local bank that also has branches in the col-
lege city or town to avoid high ATM fees. You may
want to set up an account that allows you to trans- Whatever approach you choose, be sure that you will
fer money into your child’s account. Will your child be covered by health insurance.
receive a certain amount of money each semester?
Each year? When he/she needs it? Who will monitor
the money? What if the funds run out? Colleges look favorably on a student who has taken a
year to grow. They know they will be getting a more
• You may want to have your child get a credit card
mature, committed student the following fall.
with a low credit limit, perhaps a joint account with
you. Rather than having your child succumb to
the credit card companies with high fees that are Other students decide to do a Post-Graduate (PG) Year
all over college campuses, it is better to set up an before going to college. These programs are usually
account before he/she arrives on campus. Be sure offered at private schools and are considered a
your child understands that “establishing good 13th year of school. Students may apply to both PG
credit” means paying off your balance each month programs and college and then decide in the spring
on time. which one suits them best. A PG year is great for a
student who needs more time to mature or develop
better study skills. It is also appropriate for someone
TAKING A YEAR OFF who may not have applied himself or herself in high
Some students choose to take a gap or school and wants another year to show a college his/
post-graduate year off before college. her true academic potential. The application process
is similar to applying to college but the deadlines and
specific testing requirements may vary from program
Taking a Gap Year can be a positive experience to program. PG programs are looking for individuals
for students who are not ready for the demands of with potential who may not, for various reasons, have
college. You may need to take care of some academic shown their capabilities.
weaknesses, improve study skills, or gain some ad-
ditional maturity. You may just need a break between
high school and college. These are things to consider
when you are doing your initial self-assessment.


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College Resources
Below you will find a variety of useful college resources that includes independent
counselors, funding, and college leaders in tutoring and test prep.

College Consultants & The Arts Edge
The Arts Edge is an educational consulting firm
Advisors specializing in helping high school and college trans-
There are a plethora of fee-based independent fer students in the performing arts navigate through
counselors and advisors that specialize in guiding the unique college application and audition process.
parents and students through the lengthy college Location(s): Boston, Massachusetts and New York
admissions process. These experts meet with you City, New York
one-on-one to make your first choice school, a reality. Contact: Halley Shefler
Phone: (855) 778-2787
Email: info@theartsedge.com
AHP Educational Consulting
Address: 400 Hunnewell Street, Suite 8,
AHP educational consultants are committed to
Needham, MA 02494
personalizing each student’s admissions process
through knowledgeable, hands-on guidance. They Website: www.theartsedge.com
help each student develop organizational and
decision-making skills for a more rewarding
Cheri Barad Education consulting
admissions experience.
Assisting students navigate through the compre-
Location(s): Sudbury, Massachusetts
hensive college admissions and matching process.
Contact: Timothy Lee
One-on-one individualized, working with athletes,
Phone: (978) 261-1412 international, learning issues and transfers students.
Email: tlee@ahpnet.com "Finding the right match, not just admissions."
Address: 490B Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 Location(s): Medfield, Massachusetts
Website: www.ahpeducationalconsulting.com Contact: Cheri Barad
Phone: (508) 359-8889
Email: gobridges@aol.com
AMG Educational Consultants
Address: 425 Main Street, #1, Medfield, MA 02052
Counseling in the college and independent school
placement field since 1988, Andrea Glovsky has Website: www.cheribarad.com
successfully helped hundreds of students by match-
ing interests and abilities to the most appropriate
College Coach
school. Andrea successfully provides guidance to
families in Massachusetts, the Northeast, across College Coach provides families with top educational
the country and around the world. counseling to maximize chances of admissions. Their
expert consultants will work one-on-one with your
Location(s): Pride’s Crossing, Massachusetts
family to ensure that colleges recognize the best your
Contact: Andrea Glovsky
child has to offer.
Phone: (978) 526-7809 Location(s): Newton, Massachusetts
Skype: andrea.glovsky Contact: Allison Berger
Email: amg@findingcolleges.com Phone: (877) 40-COACH
Address: P.O. Box 44, Pride’s Crossing, MA 01965 Email: aberger@getintocollege.com
Website: www.findingcolleges.com Address: 233 Needham Street, Suite 440,
Newton, MA 02464
Website: www.getintocollege.com

college resources

CollegeApplicationEssayCoach.com Judi Robinovitz Associates
Owner Mindy Pollack-Fusi works one-on-one with Educational Consulting
students to coach them on their college application Judi Robinovitz is a Certified Educational Planner
essays in person and online. She helps students with 30+ years of experience in college counseling.
refine topics to best depict their unique strengths in Judi guides her students to develop an edge in college
their own passionate, polished voices. admissions, and more than 95% of them have been
Location(s): Bedford, Massachusetts accepted to their top-choice!
Contact: Mindy Pollack-Fusi Location(s): Palm Beach & Broward counties,
Phone: (781) 275-7301 Florida; online
Email: mindy@theplaceforwords.com Contact: Judi Robinovitz
Address: The Place for Words & Workshops, Phone: (561) 241-1610
200 Great Road, Suite 254A, Bedford, MA 01730 Email: judi@scoreatthetop.com
Website: www.collegeapplicationessaycoach.com Address: 750 Park of Commerce Boulevard,
Suite 120, Boca Raton, FL 33487
Website: www.scoreatthetop.com
Dunbar Educational Consultants, LLC
Dunbar Educational Consultants help students
recognize their personal and academic strengths Kosierowski Education Group
and how to showcase them in ways that make them Avoid your family’s stress, overwhelm, and/or
stand out. disorganization. Keith is a Life Coach and Certified
Location(s): Dedham, Massachusetts School Counselor. Specialties: reduce parent/family
Contact: Edward Bigelow stress, ADHD, children, college admissions,
Phone: (781) 329-1248 student home organization, anger. Complimentary
Email: nbigelow@dunbarconsultants.com consultations.
Address: P.O. Box 248, Dedham, MA 02027 Location(s): Hingham, Massachusetts
Website: www.dunbarconsultants.com Contact: Keith Kosierowski
Phone: (781) 875-1928
Email: keith@gotomykeg.com
EqualApp Address: 5 Craig Lane, Hingham, MA 02043
EqualApp is an affordable, online admissions Website: www.gotomykeg.com
counseling program that connects families of high
school students with former college admissions and
financial officers. EqualApp’s counselors have helped Major in You
hundreds of students get admitted to more than Jill Greenbaum helps teens who are anxious,
125 colleges. confused, and overwhelmed become confident, or-
Location(s): Boston, Massachusetts ganized, and successful in finding the right colleges.
Contact: Marc Zawel She offers individual and group coaching programs,
Phone: (855) 437-8252 workshops, and print and audio resources for teens
Email: marc@equalapp.com and parents.
Address: 711 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02111 Location(s): Airmont, New York
Website: www.equalapp.com Contact: Jill Greenbaum, Ed.D.
Phone: (877) 375-7412 or (201) 294-1828
Email: jill@majorinyou.com
Address: 40 Cragmere Road, Airmont, NY 10901
Website: www.majorinyou.com


One-on-One College Consulting
One-on-One College Consulting works with
high-school students and families on the college
admissions process, offering services for both indi-
viduals and groups. Their specialty area is guiding
student-athletes with the athletic-recruiting process.
Location(s): Wakefield, Massachusetts
Contact: Kim Penney
Phone: (781) 246-4111
Email: kimpenney@oneononecollegeconsulting.com
Zodda College Services
Address: 146 Lowell Street, Suite 300C-1,
Zodda College Services opens up the world of
Wakefield, MA 01880
college possibilities with a knowledge-based, process
Website: www.oneononecollegeconsulting.com oriented, hands-on approach to finding the right
college fit. Sub-specialties include student-athletes,
learning differences, and creative/performing arts.
Popp & Associates, LLC
Location(s): Framingham, Massachusetts
Popp & Associates provides expert admissions
Contact: Judy Zodda
guidance to college-bound students of all ages.
They welcome the opportunity to assist you with Phone: (508) 872-1947
your college counseling needs. Email: judy@zoddacollegeservices.com
Location(s): Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Address: 2 Willowbrook Drive,
Contact: Mindy Popp Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (781) 859-9116 Website: www.zoddacollegeservices.com
Email: mpopp@poppandassociates.com
Address: 354 Washington Street, Suite 225,
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
Website: www.poppandassociates.com
Financial Advice
College is an enormous family expense that
Starr & Chapman, Inc. needs careful financial planning.
Starr & Chapman, Inc. is a full-service
educational consulting company with more than 16
years of experience successfully placing thousands MVP College Funding, LLC
of students at competitive boarding schools and MVP College Funding, LLC is dedicated to providing
colleges across the United States. We offer services your family with the information and guidance
to meet every budget, so call to find out how they needed to affordably send all of your students to
can help! their college of choice.
Location(s): Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts Location(s): North Andover, Massachusetts
Contact: Christine Chapman Contact: Richard Joseph
Phone: (774) 413-7227 Phone: (978) 809-1424
Email: christine@starrandchapman.com Email: rjoseph@mvpcollegefunding.com
Address: P.O. Box 2087, Address: 1600 Osgood Street, Suite 2-31,
Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 North Andover, MA 01845
Website: www.starrandchapman.com Website: www.mvpcollegefunding.net


college resources

College Prep, LLC
SAT Mastermind is an online SAT prep course
offering video lessons with downloadable homework;
interactive forums to discuss techniques and ask
questions; proven strategies to raise scores;
vocabulary downloads, and more. It's like
Facebook meets SAT prep!
Location(s): Online
Contact: Megan Dorsey
Phone: (832) 217-9200
Email: info@collegeprepllc.com
Address: 1118 Oak Glen Lane, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Website: www.whocaresaboutthesat.com

HSA Tutoring
Get tutored by a Harvard student! We offer the SAT
SOS Course, a two-day SAT bootcamp taught by
stellar Harvard undergraduates, and private tutoring
for the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, APs,
and more.
Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts
Contact: Lauren Xie
Phone: (617) 496-1506
Email: tutoring@hsa.net
Address: 67 Mount Auburn Street,
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tutoring & Test Prep Website: www.tutoring.hsa.net
Using an independent tutoring and/or test
preparation company can be the difference-maker
The Princeton Review
when applying to your top-tier schools.
No matter what your goals are, the Princeton Review
has more than 30 years of experience offering leading
SAT, ACT, PSAT prep courses and tutoring programs
Advantage Testing of Boston
designed to provide a complete and personalized expe-
For more than 20 years, Advantage Testing tutors
rience that fits your learning style, schedule,
have helped students achieve their academic,
and budget.
professional, and personal goals.
Location(s): New England
Location(s): Newton Centre, and Concord
Contact: Jason Schlossberg
Massachusetts
Phone: (800) 447-0254 x5625
Contact: Daniel Kusik, Director
Email: jschlossberg@review.com
Phone: (617) 630-8680
Address: 1340 Centre Street, Suite 104,
Email: boston@advantagetesting.com
Newton, MA 02459
Address: 10 Langley Road, Suite 403,
Newton Centre, MA 02459 Website: www.princetonreview.com
37 Concord Crossing, Concord, MA 01742
Website: www.advantagetesting.com


Summit Educational Group
For more than 20 years, Summit Educational
Group has been preparing students on the ways
how to maximize their scores on standardized
tests. They bring a proven, personalized approach
that is as unique as each individual student.
Location(s): Newton, Massachusetts
Contact: Liz Connor
Phone: (617) 581-6249
Email: lconnor@mytutor.com
Address: 90 Bridge Street, Suite 100,
Newton, MA 02458
Website: www.mytutor.com

TenMarks Education
TenMarks is a new education initiative which
strives to change the way kids learn. Founded by
parents who struggled with the challenges of
helping their kids build a strong foundation in
math, TenMarks offers online math instruction
through 10th grade.
Location(s): Newton, Massachusetts
Contact: Andrew Joseph
Phone: (617) 340-6544
Email: info@tenmarks.com
Address: 38 Glen Avenue, Newton, MA 02459
Website: www.tenmarks.com

Veritas Tutors
Veritas Tutors specializes in subject tutoring,
test preparation, and admissions consultation.
With outstanding educators from Harvard, MIT,
and other top institutions, Veritas Tutors provides
the best possible instruction to each of
its students.
Location(s): Cambridge, Massachusetts
Contact: Stefanie Feldman
Phone: (617) 395-4160
Email: info@veritutors.com
Address: 1132 Massachusetts Avenue,
Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: www.veritutors.com


Index
We hope that the admissions advice, resources, and listings in our handy Guide
help you through the step-by-step process of heading off to college.

ALL listings ADVERTISERS
25 Advantage Testing of Boston C2 The Arts Edge

22 AHP Educational Consulting 9 College Prep, LLC

22 AMG Educational Consultants 11 Dunbar Educational Consultants, LLC

22 The Arts Edge 13 Judi Robinovitz Associates Educational Consulting

22 Cheri Barad Education Consulting 4 Kosierowski Education Group
11 Major in You
22 College Coach
4 Starr & Chapman, Inc.
25 College Prep, LLC

23 CollegeApplicationEssayCoach.com

23 Dunbar Educational Consultants, LLC

23 EqualApp.com

25 HSA Tutoring

23 Judi Robinovitz Associates Educational Consulting

23 Kosierowski Education Group

23 Major in You

24 MVP College Funding, LLC

24 One-on-One College Consulting

24 Popp & Associates College Counseling

25 The Princeton Review

24 Starr & Chapman, Inc.

26 Summit Educational Group

26 TenMarks Education

26 Veritas Tutors

24 Zodda College Services


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