New Entries for All Grades

Since there are some renewed interests in my blog recently, I am trying to reinvent it into something more user friendly in the upcoming weeks and months. Please stay tuned. In the meantime, please post any questions and comments in the comment section, I will then try to respond ASAP. Thanks. Ted

Junior Year - Spring of 2011

Another re-post from last spring. It is now SAT/ACT time! Make sure every college-bound student, that is everybody here at CHS, has attempted them at least once before the beginning of the summer.

College visit should also be something of consideration if it has not already happened. Once again, please look at the location, setting, size, affiliation, security, selectivity, program/major, and cost when making plans for visit.

Senior Year - Spring of 2011

Here is a re-post of something from last spring. A couple of my students who had just received rejection letters stopped by, asking about the appeal process, and/or if they should go for it.... Here are a couple of my thoughts on this.

Generally speaking, the admission decision is final; chances of a successful appeal are slim. You should not appeal simply because you are upset with the rejection, and an appeal should not move forward if your general message is something like, "You clearly made a mistake because you failed to recognize how great I am." However, a couple of circumstances may warrant an appeal.

1) You have significant new information to provide. Things like winning a major award or honor, getting back test scores that are significantly better than the ones you originally submitted.

2) You have just learned that a procedural or clerical error was made. For example, SAT scores reported incorrectly, inaccurate information on your transcript.

Examples for no grounds for appeal: Your application needs to be taken another look by another admission counselor; Friends got in with similar qualifications (SAT score/Rank/GPA etc); Rank/GPA and scores fall within the published admissions criteria; Convinced that you are a perfect match for the school; Offered admission to some "better" schools, so their rejection doesn’t make sense; Felt the decision was unfair; Family legacy deserves a reconsideration.

Here are some thoughts on being waitlisted.

First of all, regardless whether or not you want to accept a spot on the waitlist, you should always move forward with your other options. Meaning, if there is a security/housing deposit requirement for another,"second best", school which has offered admission, you should go ahead and fulfill that requirement, as if you have been rejected by that waitlist school from the very beginning.

Secondly, communicate with the Waitlist School making it very clear on several issues. Reaffirm that you are still very much interested in that school and reasons why it remains your top choice. Find out specifically how their waitlist works in terms of who gets picked first and why, when it may happen, what percentage of taking off in the past, etc.

Thirdly, always send in new, significant information, such as new test scores, awards/honors, etc. as soon as it becomes available

Other things to do at this particular point. Keep track of all acceptances, rejections, and waitlists. If you have ruled out any colleges that accepted you, please notify them. This is a courtesy to the school and other applicants. Go to accepted student open houses if offered.

Junior Year - November/December, 2010

Continue working hard at school on improving your rank and GPA. This is the last chance you have to do so before college application at the beginning of your senior year! What’s more, start taking SAT and/or ACT whenever you are ready, now that PSAT is over.

Juniors, I can't tell you enough how important this is! I have had so many seniors, now and in the years past, telling me "could have/should have worked a little harder" to have a better chance to get into a college of their choices. I just don't want any of you to have any of those same regrets.

Senior Year - November/December, 2010

November 1st came and went, which basically means the very first wave of early admission program schools’ application deadline has expired. Those are usually the most selective institutions like Ivies. It is very significant to us, counselors. Translation, the majority of the recommendation letter requests were completed since most other schools do not require a letter of recommendation. What’s next? Regular application for them and some other more selective schools have their deadlines set between December 1st and January 1st. So, please keep an eye on those deadlines for those who are aiming at them. Remember, counselors need three weeks in advance for any letters of recommendation requests, and registrar’s office needs additional three days for transcript request to be processed. Also, please go to my last year’s posting for more info regarding senior year

Senior Year - September/October, '10

Seniors, please note we, the counselors, are scheduled to speak to you on Tuesday, September 21 about the college application process during your English class. Be prepared if you have any specific questions related.

Your rank just came out, good, bad, ugly, it is already there. There is nothing you can do about it now. The only thing left is your application essays which you still have total control over. Please make sure you do the best you can, work with your parents, teachers or anyone around you that you think may be helpful.

Having the right score(s) from SAT/ACT for the schools you are applying to; a presentable resume; being genuinely happy/satisfied with the application essay(s) are simply some of the things that would indicate the readiness for submitting your college application.

Junior Year - September/October, '10

Juniors, make sure you sign up for PSAT which is the very first thing that needs to be done as a junior. Of course, make sure that you are prepared.