Dear Parent,
The new year is a great time to look ahead. Your family is expected to contribute to the cost of college to the extent that you’re able. With the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculator you can estimate how much that will be. If your child has taken the PSAT/NMSQT this year, get a jump on college planning with My College QuickStart™. Work with your child to set up a balanced class schedule for next year, one that’s challenging and provides good preparation for college.
The EFC: It Figures
At this point, college may seem like a long way off. But it will be here sooner than you think. When the time comes, financial aid — whether grants, scholarships, loans or work-study — can help your child pay for college. However, you will be expected to help cover tuition and other expenses. How much? That depends on your individual financial situation. Use the EFC Calculator to estimate your share.
You may hear stories that paying for college tuition is almost as expensive as buying a house, but don’t worry. The truth is that college is affordable — in 2011-12, nearly half of all full-time undergraduate college students attend a four-year college that has published charges of less than $9,000 per year for tuition and fees. They also received an average of almost $12,500 in financial aid, including grants and loans, to help them pay for it.
Answers to EFC FAQs
Financing your child’s education
Good News for PSAT/NMSQT Takers
Your child can get a head start on college planning with My College QuickStart. This personalized online tool is available free of charge to students who took the PSAT/NMSQT.
My College QuickStart’s detailed online score report makes it easy for students to learn from their mistakes. They can find the questions they missed and view answer explanations. My College QuickStart also includes an SAT® study plan, powered by your child’s test results. The plan targets areas where more practice is needed and even suggests ideas for long-term academic improvement.
With My College QuickStart, your child can also begin searching for colleges. We’ve already run a starter search based on your child’s location and preferred major. Of course, your child can modify the search using a wide range of criteria.
How to sign in to My College QuickStart
Next Year’s Classes
Think of it as a four-year report card: your child’s high school transcript is that important. But it’s not only grades that matter. Most colleges look for students with a curriculum built around the basics — English, math, science, history or social studies and a language. Help set the stage for success by encouraging your child to sign up for classes that prepare students for college-level work. Of course, it’s also important that your child maintain an interest in school and avoid burnout.
Remember that colleges don’t just look for challenging courses on a transcript; they look for balance. Course work in the arts, for instance, shows that your child is well rounded, with interests beyond textbook learning. And certain college majors, such as engineering, have special requirements that your child can start to fulfill now. Find out more on MyRoad™, our interactive college and career planning website. Choose a major, then click on High School Courses. It’s free for students who took the PSAT/NMSQT, through their My College QuickStart account.
The Benefits of AP Courses and Exams
One way your child can create a challenging curriculum is to sign up for Advanced Placement Program® courses, offered in a wide variety of subject areas. Students in each of the more than 30 courses embark on an in-depth exploration of the subject and experience the rigor of college-level study. By broadening your child’s intellectual horizons, these enriching courses can reveal a passion that influences your child’s choice of college major and career.
At the end of each course, your child can take an AP Exam. A qualifying score may result in college credit, advanced standing at the college level or both. Having earned this credit, your child might be able to skip some introductory college courses and choose more advanced and specific courses instead.
The AP challenge
AP course descriptions
The Official SAT Online Course™
Your child can practice for the SAT® with interactive lessons, auto essay scoring and much more. Personalized and comprehensive, this tool is easy to use.
Available for $69.95
More College Board resources
Your Child’s Winter Action Plan
Talk to your child about taking SAT Subject Tests™ this spring, in subjects such as biology and chemistry.
Freshman Action Plan
Sophomore Action Plan
In This Issue:
Students Can Connect to College on Facebook
Academic Records and the Admission Decision
Study Skills for School and Beyond
Get a Handle on College Costs with EasyPlanner
Use the Net Price Calculator to Expand College Options
Should Your Child Get a Job?
Dear Parent,
In this issue, unravel the mysteries of college admission and financial aid. Connect to resources that help students build study skills. And learn what high school counselors have to say about balancing work and school.
Students Can Connect to College on Facebook
The College Board has launched “Connect to College,” a Facebook page for students exploring and planning for college. The community features study plan development tools, student videos, our College MatchMaker and an event calendar, as well as information on SAT®, AP®, CLEP® and other programs. Your child can join others from around the world to discuss preparing for college, finding the right one and paying for it.
Help your student explore our Facebook page
Academic Records and the Admission Decision
Ever wonder what goes on behind the closed doors of the admission
office? The truth is that the process varies from campus to campus, depending in part on how selective the college is. And many colleges are becoming more selective as the number of applicants rises. The good news is that your child doesn’t have to be valedictorian or class president. Admission officers look for students who are a good fit and who can succeed at their college. They seek committed, motivated students who can contribute to campus life.
As they review applications, admission officers focus on a student’s academic record, including courses taken, grades and test scores. To form a complete picture of your child, they also examine essays, teacher recommendations and extracurricular activities. These last factors are especially important at very selective colleges, where many applicants excel academically.
Selectivity and admission factors
For parents of home-schooled students
Use Academic Tracker to see how your child stacks up
Study Skills for School and Beyond
Reading comprehension and retention are among the most crucial skills for your child’s future success — in school and beyond. You can continue to help your child build basic skills by reading aloud and visiting the library regularly. Encourage good habits by discussing the books and magazines your child is reading.
SQ3R is a five-step process that encourages students to study actively by formulating and answering questions as they read. Using it, your child can improve comprehension and retain content better. Your child can also use study time more efficiently with practical strategies such as numbering and dating notebook pages for easy reference.
Five steps to becoming a stronger reader
How to get class notes into shape
Get a Handle on College Costs with EasyPlanner
Let’s face it: Financial aid is confusing. To get a handle on college costs,
you’ll need to start by looking at the big picture and asking yourself some basic questions: How much is college going to cost? Are we saving enough? And how much are we expected to contribute?
We can help you answer all these questions. Financial Aid EasyPlanner reduces the stress of dealing with college finances by guiding you through the process step by step. Once you’ve used tools like the College Savings Calculator to get a sense of where you stand, you can explore ways of getting the money you need. You can search for scholarships and learn how to apply for financial aid and loans. EasyPlanner can also help when the time comes to compare aid packages from different colleges.
Use the Net Price Calculator to Expand College Options
Most families aren’t expected to pay the full cost of college. Get the facts on what it will really cost for your child to attend a particular college. All colleges now provide net price calculators (NPCs) on their websites to give you a realistic estimate.
Net price calculators match your financial situation and your child’s qualifications to a college’s requirements for financial aid and scholarships. You’ll see the difference between the full cost and what you’ll really need to pay. You’ll be able to compare your out-of-pocket expenses for one college to those of another.
Colleges you thought were financially out of reach may turn out to be very affordable. You can also check out your net price at lots of different colleges in one place using the College Board’s NPC. Visit our website to find out how the NPC can help your child plan for college.
Learn more about NPCs
Use the College Board’s NPC
Should Your Child Get a Job?
Many students want to work part time once they enter high school. Whether they wish to buy new clothes or help out with family bills, they look forward to the paycheck. There are also less tangible benefits. Student workers learn more about responsibility, for example. In certain jobs, they also get a feel for a career they might want to pursue — or avoid.
But will working get in the way of your child’s education? If your child is organized and manages time effectively, the answer may well be no. However, all students will find that they have to make sacrifices to deal with the added pressures of the work world and maintain a sense of balance.
Working — consider all the factors
Important Links
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator
Your Child’s November Action Plan
Suggest that your child use College Search to look up the admission requirements of specific colleges.
Freshman Action Plan
Sophomore Action Plan
Learn About the “CC a Parent” Email Service
Stay in the loop by getting copied on important emails sent to your child.
Learn more
The Official SAT Question of the Day™
Help your child get ready for the SAT® with official questions sent daily.
Try today’s question
Subscribe now
YouCanGo!™
Do you or your child worry that college may be out of reach? A free new website from the College Board inspires your family with stories of real college students. They have been in your child’s shoes and made it. Practical advice shows your child how to do it, too.
Visit ycg.org with your child today
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
Your child can enter to win a scholarship of up to $50,000 per team. Deadline for projects is March 15, 2012.
Articles in this Newsletter
- Volunteer Opportunities – Helping Others Can Help You
- Extracurricular Activities
- Balancing School and Activities
- How to Find an Internship
Volunteer Opportunities
Helping Others Can Help You
Volunteering has a meaningful, positive effect on your community. It can have many benefits for you, too. It can help you give back to society, break down barriers and even have fun.
You may have heard that volunteer experience is a plus on your college applications. Keep in mind, though, that colleges are not just looking for a list of organizations and dates. They want to see a complete picture of you, and real examples of your commitment, dedication and interests.
Reasons to Volunteer
Gain Valuable Life Experiences and Skills
Whether you build houses for the homeless or mail flyers for a local politician, you can experience the real world through hands-on work. You can also use this experience to explore your major or career interests.
Meet Interesting People
Volunteering brings together a variety of people. Both the recipients of your volunteer efforts and your coworkers can be rich sources of insight. For example, maybe you’ll learn about the legal profession from a former lawyer you visit at a convalescent center.
It’s a Requirement!
Valley Christian requires all students to complete at least 25 hours of community service per year. Click here to learn more about Valley Christian’s community service requirements in detail.
Send a Signal to Colleges
Colleges pay attention to your life inside and outside the classroom. Your extracurricular activities reveal a great deal about you, such as what your interests are, whether you can manage your priorities and maintain a long-term commitment, what diversity you’d bring to the student body, and how you’ve made a contribution to something.
Keep in mind, colleges are not interested in seeing you do it all. It’s more meaningful to colleges to see your dedication to one or two activities than to see that you’ve spread yourself thin.
“Community service, which was required at my high school, was a big wow with interviewers. It’s even better if you can match your service with your career interest. For example, volunteer at a hospital if you’re planning on med school,” says Faith, a college student.
How to Get Involved
There are many people, places and organizations that need volunteers. Here’s how to get started:
- Look for programs based in your community. Call and ask if they need help.
- Visit your town’s website. It may list volunteer opportunities in your area.
- Contact your local United Way, a local cultural arts association, your student organization, or similar associations that can point you in the right direction.
- Ask libraries, religious organizations and community colleges if they sponsor any volunteer groups.
- Check out the following websites to learn more about causes and to find volunteer opportunities near you.
Before You Volunteer
It’s important that you enjoy the type of service you choose and that you have the time to stick with it. Ask yourself these questions before you get involved with an organization.
- How much time do I have to commit?
- Do I want an ongoing regularly scheduled assignment, a short-term assignment or a one-time assignment?
- Am I willing to participate in a training course?
- What talents or skills can I offer?
- What would I most like to learn by volunteering?
- What don’t I want to do as a volunteer?
- Do I want to work alone or with a group?
- With what kind of people do I want to work — both in terms of who is receiving my services and who my coworkers might be?
Extracurricular Activities
Life Outside the Classroom
Sure, life in school is pretty interesting. You’ve got algebraic equations, Bunsen burners and vocabulary lists. But chances are you’ve got commitments outside school, too. Maybe you play on a sports team, perform in a band, do volunteer work or hold a part-time job.
Colleges Care
The good news is that colleges pay attention to your life both inside and outside the classroom. Yes, your academics come first, but your activities reveal a great deal about you. In addition to demonstrating your interests, they can show that you are able to:
- Make a meaningful contribution to something.
- Maintain a long-term commitment.
- Manage your time and priorities.
Maintaining a Balance
Colleges are not necessarily interested in students who do everything. “We’re looking for a commitment to and a passion for an activity outside of the academic setting — we’re looking for depth rather than breadth,” explains Nanci Tessier, a college admission director.
Colleges don’t have a checklist of requirements when it comes to extracurriculars; they want to see your individuality — and your consistent commitment.
Haven’t Gotten Involved Yet?
Many school, community and religious organizations give you chances to explore your interests and talents. There are lots of opportunities to try different things.
If you’ve got multiple interests, and have the time, try activities in more than one area. For example, write for the school paper as well as volunteering at the animal shelter.
School Activities
It’s easy to find out about activities available at school. The challenge may be figuring out how much to do. Here are some quick tips:
- When you find something you like to do, stick with it.
- Don’t worry about being president of the club, or captain of the team. The key is whether you’ve done something significant — center stage or behind the scenes.
- Give your all to each activity, and, most importantly, to your schoolwork.
Work Experience
Work experience — paid or volunteer, year-round or summer — can help you identify career interests and goals, gain skills, and apply classroom learning to the real world. It’s also a great way to earn money for college. Consider arranging for an internship or to shadow some people at their workplaces.
Community Service
You can also gain skills and experience through volunteer work, such as by tutoring elementary school kids or spending time at a local hospital. Some schools even offer academic credit for volunteer work.
Balancing School and Activities
Do Your Best Without Overdoing It
When it comes to activities, some students try to do it all. Is there someone in your school who plays three sports; belongs to four clubs and holds officer positions in all of them; volunteers at the local animal shelter, nursing home and hospital; and maintains straight A’s? Is it you?
At this stage in your life, you’re probably enjoying exploring your interests and trying out many different activities. You may also think that taking on as many activities as possible will impress colleges. It’s true that overachievers have a lot of things to put on their résumé. But they also pay a price for their packed schedules.
The truth is that when it comes to activities and school, it’s best to maintain a good balance. Don’t try to do everything. Make a carefully considered decision about what to commit your time to. Quality, not quantity, is what matters — not only to your well-being, but also to college admission officers.
The Benefits of Balance
1. You can focus on your passion.
It’s wonderful to discover a personal interest or talent that you care about and can get deeply involved in. That’s hard to do if you spread yourself too thin. You should be genuinely enjoying the activities you choose, not just checking them off a list.
2. It’s better for your physical health.
Trying to do too much could mean taking shortcuts when it comes to your health. Overachievers may not get enough sleep or take the time to eat balanced meals. Remember that you do your best when you’re rested and well-nourished.
3. It’s better for your mental health.
Taking on too many activities is a known cause of teenage stress. Expecting too much of yourself can make you feel anxious. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself whether you’ve taken on too much.
4. It might help you get into college.
Most colleges say that they are looking for well-rounded students. In other words, they want applicants who keep their academic pursuits, extracurricular activities and personal lives in a sensible balance. When admission officers review your résumé, they’re looking for evidence of leadership, commitment and integrity. Again, these are shown by the quality, not the quantity, of your involvements.
How to Achieve Balance
1. Do what you enjoy.
Make a list of your commitments. Then rank them by how much you enjoy each one. Cross out the activities that give you little or no pleasure, and keep those that you’re really interested in. Don’t be afraid to cut something out or to say no if you’re being pressured to stay involved. In the end, you’ll be a happier person.
2. Schedule time to relax.
If you never have a minute to rest or have fun, you’re doing too much. Take a look at your calendar and carve out time to take it easy. All work and no play just stresses you out.
3. Take care of yourself.
Make sure that you eat healthy foods and that you get enough sleep each night. Also, remember that exercise is a necessity to keep both body and mind strong.
How to Find an Internship
Discover One That Fits Your Needs
Internships come in all shapes and sizes. Some are paid and some are unpaid. Some last for a summer while others continue through the school year. A variety of internships are available to students in high school or college.
Although many internships are local, others offer employment abroad. For example, you could help set up video shoots for a local film company, or you could work on an organic banana farm in Costa Rica.
An internship can open the doors to the working world, showing you what it’s like to have a boss, attend meetings and meet deadlines. Internships also introduce you to experienced people who can help guide you toward a career.
True Story: Joining an Environmental Organization
After sophomore year, Sufiyan needed something to do for the summer. He also wanted to earn a little money, so he visited his high school career counselor for advice. The counselor suggested a paid internship with a local nonprofit environmental organization.
Sufiyan had never worked in an office before, but he decided to try it. He ended up interning with the organization until he graduated. His duties included clerical work and sometimes pitching in on special projects, such as conducting Internet research on hotels for a conference.
What Sufiyan valued most were the people who taught him new skills. “My supervisors taught me how to behave in an office, how to be organized and how to speak in a professional manner.”
He feels these skills will help him in many areas, such as college and job interviews. Sufiyan wants to be a filmmaker, and he says working at an environmental group has helped him appreciate nature and incorporate it into his films.
How to Start Your Search
Start finding the right internship for you by answering these questions:
- What interests you? Do you like photography? Flying? Scientific research? Computers?
- What kind of internship are you looking for? Do you want to work during the summer or the school year?
- Do you need to earn money or could you work for free?
- What do you want out of an internship? If you’d like experience in the legal field, your search should start with law firms, not retail outlets.
Use a Variety of Resources
Employers often advertise internship positions in schools. Ask your high school counselor about these opportunities. You might also find internships through a school club. And don’t forget family and friends — your friend’s accountant mom might offer you work that gets you started on the road to a career.
If there’s a specific company or organization you’d like to work for, don’t be afraid to inquire directly. Even if they’ve never had an intern, you might be able to convince them they need one by being clear about how you could help.
To cast your net even wider, look for recent internship guidebooks in your library’s career or education center. The Internet also provides a wealth of resources, including the ones listed below. Be sure to thoroughly research any organization before participating in its program.
- www.internshipprograms.com lets you browse by employer, field, date and location.
- www.goabroad.com/intern-abroad shows opportunities in different countries.
- www.idealist.org allows you to search for internships at nonprofits such as environmental groups.
- www.volunteerinternational.org lists volunteer opportunities abroad.
True Story: Becoming a Journalist
Kristen wasn’t sure she wanted to be a journalist. She liked writing for her high school newspaper and the field seemed exciting, but she didn’t know much about it. To learn more, Kristen took an internship at the local newspaper.
Her job was to help out in the office, but she also convinced the editor to let her do some reporting. To her surprise, the editor gave her an assignment right away: report on Friday’s high school football game. Kristen wasn’t really interested in football, so she spent the game interviewing parents of players. When she typed up her story, she realized she didn’t even know the final score! That taught her to make sure she got all the facts, and during her junior and senior years, Kristen covered everything from rodeos to a local burglary.
As an intern in the office, she processed subscription checks, wrote classified ads and worked in the pressroom stuffing advertising inserts into newspapers. She learned every aspect of the newspaper business and decided to major in journalism in college.
Evaluate Opportunities
To make sure you get the most out of your internship, do your research first and ask lots of questions. Find out exactly what your duties are, and who will be teaching you the skills you want to learn. You can even ask to speak to previous interns about their experiences. All this preparation helps ensure that the internship you land is right for you.
Sufiyan thinks every student should try interning. “Go outside your boundaries, outside your neighborhood, do something you’ve never done before,” he says. He also recommends building relationships with those who can teach new skills. “Find someone to learn from,” says Sufiyan. That way, no matter what you do, your internship will be worthwhile.
Recommended Classes for College Success
The academic rigor of your high school courses is an important factor in the college admission process. College admission officers see your high school course schedule as a blueprint of your education. They’re looking for a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.
To create that foundation, take at least five solid academic classes every semester. Start with the basics and then move on to advanced courses. Challenging yourself is part of what makes school fun; but you need a firm grasp of the fundamentals before going on to more advanced work.
The following subjects and classes are standard fare for success in high school and beyond, whether you plan to attend a four-year or two-year college.
English (Language Arts)
Take English every year. Traditional courses, such as American and English literature, help you improve your writing skills, reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Math
You need algebra and geometry to succeed on college entrance exams and in college math classes — and in many careers. Take them early on. That way, you’ll be able to enroll in advanced science and math in high school, and show colleges you’re ready for higher-level work.
Most colleges look for students who have taken three years of math in high school. The more competitive ones require or recommend four years. Each school has its own program, but some of the courses typically offered are:
- Algebra I
- Algebra II
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Calculus
Science
Science teaches you to think analytically and apply theories to reality. Colleges want to see that you’ve taken at least three years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes two semesters of each of the following sciences:
- Biology
- Chemistry or physics
- Earth/space science
More competitive schools expect you to take four years of lab science courses. You can add two semesters in one of the following subjects:
- Chemistry or physics (the science you didn’t already study)
- Advanced biology
- Advanced chemistry
- Advanced physics
Social Studies
You can better understand local and world events that are happening now by studying the culture and history that has shaped them. Here is a suggested course plan:
- U.S. history (two semesters)
- U.S. government (one semester)
- World history or geography (one semester)
- One additional semester in the above or other areas
Foreign Languages
Solid foreign language study shows colleges you’re willing to stretch beyond the basics. Many colleges require at least two years of study in the same foreign language, and some prefer more.
The Arts
Research indicates that students who participate in the arts often do better in school and on standardized tests. The arts help you recognize patterns, discern differences and similarities, and exercise your mind in unique ways, often outside a traditional classroom setting.
Many colleges require or recommend one or two semesters in the arts. Good choices include studio art, dance, music and drama.
Advanced Placement Program® (AP®)
To be sure you are ready to take on college-level work, enroll in the most challenging courses you can in high school, such as honors or AP courses. Research consistently shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam typically experience greater academic success and college graduation rates than students who don’t take AP.
Success in AP can also help you in other ways. AP helps you stand out in the admission process and offers the opportunity to learn from some of the most inspiring teachers in the world. Learn more about the AP Program.
For More Help in Choosing Courses
Use College Search to look up a specific college’s academic requirements to be sure you are on track to attend the college of your choice.
If you have concerns about your class schedule or progress in school, set up a meeting with your school counselor, teacher or adviser. There are many resources to help you with this process, and with achieving your personal, college and career goals.
Your school counselor is one of your best resources as you plan for college. Your counselor has information about admission tests, college preparation, and your education and career options. Here are some basic questions to help get your conversation started:
- What courses do I need to take to be ready for college?
- How should I plan my schedule so I’ll complete them?
- Which elective courses do you recommend?
- Which AP® courses should I consider taking?
- When is the PSAT/NMSQT® going to be given?
- How should I study for the SAT®, and is it given at this high school or do I need to go somewhere nearby?
- Do you have any college planning sessions scheduled?
- Do you have college handbooks or other guides that I can browse or borrow?
- What activities can I do at home and over the summer to get ready for college?
- What kinds of grades do different colleges require?
- Are there any college fairs at this school, or nearby?
- What colleges do other kids from our school go to?
- What are the requirements or standards for the honor society?
- Can you put me in touch with recent grads who are going to the colleges on my wish list?
- Do you have any information to help me start exploring careers?
- If my colleges need a recommendation from you, how can I help you know me better, so it can be more personal?
- Are there any special scholarships or awards that I should know about now, so I can work toward them?
- Can I see my transcript as it stands now, to see if everything is as I think it should be?
- What forms do I use to apply for financial aid and where I can find them online?
- How does our school compare to others, in terms of test scores and reputation?
Reality Check
Your school counselor may be the most accessible person on the planet, or may be juggling a thousand students and barely know your name. So, remember that the person who has the biggest stake in your academics is you. It’s up to you to stay on top of opportunities and deadlines so you can take control of your future.
Fall
Plan for the Year Ahead
- Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule to make sure you’re enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. Colleges prefer four years of English, as well as history, math, science and a foreign language.
- Use College Search to find out the required courses and tests for colleges that you might be interested in attending.
- Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
- Get involved with extracurricular activities.
- Go to college fairs in your area.
Winter
Learn about Colleges
- Learn about college costs and how financial aid works.
- Use the College Savings Calculator to see how much money you’ll need for college, whether you’re on track to save enough, and what you need to do to reach your goal. Talk to your family about college financing.
- Visit colleges while they’re in session.
- Find out about college firsthand from friends who are home for the holidays.
Prepare for Tests
- Talk to your counselor and teachers about taking SAT Subject Tests™ in your strong subjects this spring. Take Subject Tests such as World History, Biology E/M and Chemistry while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Spring
Stay Focused
- Sign up for college preparatory courses for next year.
Explore Summer Opportunities
- Look for a great summer opportunity — job, internship or volunteer position.
- Check with your counselor and search online for summer learning programs.
Summer
Make the Most of Your Break
- Start a summer reading list. Ask your teachers to recommend books.
- Plan to visit college campuses to get a feel for your options. Start with colleges near you.
- Finalize your summer plans.
Making the Most of Your Summer
Lots of high schools have mandatory summer school for students who have underperformed. But summer school can also mean attending classes at a college or an alternative institution — there are even some programs you might have to compete to get into.
Valley Christian High School “Flex” Summer School
Take advantage of Valley Christian’s own Summer School program featuring several options for the busy student.
A Variety of Programs and Benefits
There are summer programs in just about every area of study, from academic subjects to skills such as playing an instrument or a sport.
Pursue Your Interests
Summer programs can help you cultivate a talent or interest in the arts, humanities or sciences. For example, the California State Summer School for the Arts, held on the campus of the California Institute for the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, has programs in film and video, creative writing, visual arts, animation, dance, music and theater.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Tech Summer Youth Program allows you to participate in weeklong “Explorations” in science and technology, business, engineering, computing, outdoor and environmental studies, leadership, and a variety of social-science and humanities subjects.
Closer to home, check out your local performing arts centers, science museums and parks; many have summer programs where you can get hands-on experience in areas ranging from set design to environmental education.
Gain Experience Outside the Classroom
Summer school programs often involve a lot more hands-on learning than you’ll find in your regular classes. Many residential summer school programs include sports, travel and social activities in their curricula. Personal development and leadership skills are also major themes.
For example, students at the University of Wyoming Summer High School Institute take a personal growth seminar, in addition to their academic classes.
Improve Your High School Transcript
Attending a challenging summer school program can increase your chances of getting into a competitive college. In fact, some summer school programs are as competitive as colleges, requiring an extensive application complete with PSAT/NMSQT® or SAT® scores, teacher recommendations and a personal essay.
While attendance at a high-powered summer school like Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) does not guarantee that you will get into an Ivy League school, it does add a certain luster to your college applications. However, a cutting-edge internship or a job that requires responsibility and leadership can look just as good on your applications.
Try Your Hand at Real College Work
If you’re craving in-depth study of a subject and high school classes leave you wanting more, college-level classes may be the answer. And if you want to explore a particular college, or experience the pace, structure, and procedures of college classes, it’s a great preview.
Call the colleges on your wish list and ask if they have a summer semester. If they do, ask them to send you a catalog.
Cost
Private summer schools can be expensive, but the good news is that Governor’s Schools and similar programs supported by state and federal education funding tend to be more affordable — some are even free of charge, and most offer financial aid based on need.
If you come from a low-income family or you’ll be the first member of your family to attend college, you may be eligible for an Upward Bound TRIO program. You’ll spend part of your summer at a nearby college, getting a preview of campus life while building skills and meeting other students from across your region.
Private summer schools, like the program offered at Harvard, also offer a limited amount of financial aid, so don’t cross them off your list. Look into all your options first.
Summer School Tips
When looking for a summer school program, here are some important factors to consider:
- How much of the summer do you want to commit to school? Programs range from five days to eight weeks.
- What do you want to get out of summer school? Your goal might be to improve your academic skills, act in a play, teach young children, learn how to conduct a political campaign, practice a second language or work with engineers in the computer industry.
- Where do you want to stay? You can find residential programs where you live in dorms with other students. In other programs, you live at home, attending school only during the day.
- Can you get high school — or college — credit for summer school courses? Receiving credit depends both on the school where you take the course and on your home school.
- How much can you spend on summer school? If the answer is nothing, see whether there are free programs available in your state or school district.
Bottom Line
When deciding whether summer school is right for you, you should consider what you want to learn and what type of summer program provides the best experience for it. For more advice and for information about specific programs, talk to your high school counselor.
In This Issue:
The EFC: It Figures
Good News for PSAT/NMSQT® Test-Takers
Next Year’s Classes
The Benefits of AP® Courses and Exams
Dear Parent,
The new year is a great time to look ahead. Your family is expected to contribute to the cost of college to the extent that they’re able. With the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculator you can estimate how much that will be. If your child has taken the PSAT/NMSQT this year, get a jump on college planning with My College QuickStart™. In the near future, work with your child to set up a balanced class schedule for next year, one that’s challenging and good preparation for college.
The EFC: It Figures
At this point, college may seem a long way off. But it will be here sooner than you think. When the time comes, financial aid — whether grants, scholarships, loans or work-study — can help your child pay for college. However, you will be expected to help cover tuition and other expenses. How much? That depends on your individual financial situation. Use the EFC Calculator to estimate your share.
You may hear stories that paying for college tuition is almost as expensive as buying a house, but don’t worry. The truth is that college is affordable — nearly half of all 2009-10 full-time undergraduates attend four-year colleges that charge less than $9,000 for tuition and fees. And they received an average of around $11,500 in financial aid, including grants and loans, to help them pay for it.
Answers to EFC FAQs
Financing your child’s education
Good News for PSAT/NMSQT Test-Takers
Your child can get a head start on college planning with My College QuickStart. This personalized online tool is available free of charge to students who took the PSAT/NMSQT.
My College QuickStart’s detailed online score report makes it easy for students to learn from their mistakes. They can find the questions they missed and view answer explanations. My College QuickStart also includes an SAT® study plan powered by your child’s test results. The plan targets areas where more practice is needed and even suggests ideas for long-term academic improvement.
With My College QuickStart, your child can also begin searching for colleges. We’ve already run a starter search, based on your child’s location and preferred major. Of course, your child can modify the search using a wide range of criteria.
How to sign in to My College QuickStart
Next Year’s Classes
Think of it as a four-year report card: Your child’s high school transcript is that important. But it’s not only grades that matter. Most colleges look for students with a curriculum built around the basics — English, math, science, history or social studies, and a language. Help set the stage for success by encouraging your child to sign up for classes that prepare students for college-level work. Of course, it’s also important that your child maintain an interest in school and avoid burnout.
Remember that colleges don’t just look for challenging courses on a transcript; they look for balance. Course work in the arts, for instance, shows that your child is well rounded, with interests beyond textbook learning. And certain college majors, such as engineering, have special requirements that your child can start to fulfill now. Find out more on MyRoad™, our interactive college and career planning website. Choose a major, and then click on High School Courses. It’s free for students who took the PSAT/NMSQT, through their My College QuickStart account.
Schedule for success
The Benefits of AP Courses and Exams
One way your child can create a challenging curriculum is to sign up for Advanced Placement Program® courses, offered in a wide variety of subject areas. Students in each of the more than 30 courses embark on an in-depth exploration of the subject and experience the rigor of college-level study. By broadening your child’s intellectual horizons, these enriching courses can reveal a passion that influences your child’s choice of college major and career.
At the end of each course, your child can take an AP Exam. A qualifying score may result in college credit, advanced standing at the college level or both. Having earned this credit, your child might be able to skip some introductory college courses and choose more advanced and specific courses instead.
The AP challenge
AP course descriptions
Important Links:
The Official SAT Online Course™
Your child can practice for the SAT® with interactive lessons, automated essay scoring and much more. Personalized and comprehensive, this tool is easy to use.
Once again Christmas season is upon us and has left us wondering how we got here so fast. Half of the year has already gone and your student is probably just getting the hang of this “high school thing.”
As we all enjoy a much deserved break from the pains of academic challenge may we remember the reason for this season and how blessed we all are.
Recently, while researching some quality education publications, and asking myself the question “what do students really need to be successful in our world?” Of course – I came across an article that I thought was worth sharing. Tony Wagner, from Harvard’s Change Leadership Group came up with 7 skills he feels students must have to be successful in today’s global economy.
Wagner, co-director of the Change Leadership Group at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, said economic change will come as soon as classroom and national practices involving instruction change as well.
“A lot of people think the skills that students need to learn for the workforce and the skills they need to learn to be a good citizen are two separate sets. But they’re not. What makes a student successful in the global workforce will make a person successful at life,” he said.
Wagner said he hears two things repeated constantly by today’s employers: “We need people who can ask good questions, and we need people who can engage others in thoughtful conversations.”
“When I asked them whether or not they needed students to know the latest version of software, they said no,” he added. “They told me that technology moves so fast that it’s hard to keep up with. [From] the time students graduate to when they get the job, it’s usually changed anyway. . . . [Employers] . . .don’t mind training employees in technology–but you can’t teach someone how to think.”
Wagner, who consults for public and independent schools, districts, and foundations across the country and internationally, said his visits to some school districts have highlighted why state standards need to change–and why teaching to the test is not the way to achieve success.
“I went to visit many science labs in these districts,” said Wagner. “Some of them were great, achieved great test scores, and most of their students went on to postsecondary education. But some weren’t so great, and here’s why: I was watching a group of high school students in a science lab. One group had a problem, and the Bunsen burner was smoking. But they weren’t doing anything about it–just waiting for the teacher to come by and fix it. But the teacher wasn’t looking, so I went over, and I asked: ‘What’s going on?’ One of the kids said, ‘Don’t know, not working.’ So I looked at them and I said, ‘Well, what’s your hypothesis?’ They all stared blankly. Finally one said, ‘Oh yeah, a hypothesis, that was one of our vocabulary words the other day, but I don’t know what it means.’”
Wagner said the problem is that you can have all the equipment and technology you want, but “if you don’t teach kids how to think, how to think beyond multiple choice, you’ve got a problem.”
He told another story illustrating this same problem:
“I went to a school once that had a lot of AP courses. I went into one AP course on government. Here was this teacher asking kids questions, and of course, there’s the one kid who keeps raising his hand, but the rest of the class was dead. The teacher asks the questions, the one kid raises his hand to answer, the teacher calls on him, the teacher moves on to the next question. This gets repeated over and over again. Finally the teacher asks a question the one kid doesn’t know: ‘What’s the Iron Triangle?’ No one raises [a] hand. The poor teacher, flustered that he has to cover so much in so little time, says hurriedly, ‘OK, here’s how you answer this one’ and writes the answer on the board.”
Wagner continued: “The problem is that teachers are teaching to tests–telling kids answers that they don’t think [of] for themselves–and that’s why students may pass high school but can’t cut it in college or in the workforce.”
Wagner suggested that states and schools move from content standards to performance standards, and he urged education stakeholders to think of ways to start assessing 21st-century skills.
“I realize education is a very risk-averse sector,” said Wagner, “but assessments either drive instruction for the better or for the worse, and right now in the U.S., it’s for the worse. If our assessments measured performance and 21st-century skills, like the European PISA assessment, that would be another story.”
Wagner said teaching to the test not only limits students’ ability to think for themselves, but also discourages students from studying subjects they love.
“Once I was talking to this student from MIT,” he said. “Very successful and had gone to an AP magnet school. ‘I used to love science and STEM subjects,’ he told me, ‘but all the testing turned me off. Now I’m going to become a teacher to try and change that way of teaching.’”
According to Wagner, students of this generation are not unmotivated; they’re just differently motivated.
“They’re multi-taskers, they are drawn to graphics, they like instant gratification, they use Web 2.0 tools to create, and they love collaboration,” he said. “If we can figure out how to grab their interest in learning, they’ll become great thinkers and be eager to learn the basics.”
Wagner presented a list of seven “survival skills” that students need to succeed in today’s information-age world, taken from his book The Global Achievement Gap: Why Even Our Best Schools Don’t Teach the New Survival Skills Our Children Need–And What We Can do About It. It’s a school’s job to make sure students have these skills before graduating, he said:
1. Problem-solving and critical thinking;
2. Collaboration across networks and leading by influence;
3. Agility and adaptability;
4. Initiative and entrepreneurship;
5. Effective written and oral communication;
6. Accessing and analyzing information; and
7. Curiosity and imagination.
“We are making [Adequate Yearly Progress] at the expense of failing our kids at life. Something has to change,” he concluded.
By Meris Stansbury, Assistant Editor
In This Issue:
Academic Records and the Admissions Decision
Study Skills for School and Beyond
Get a Handle on College Costs with EasyPlanner
Should Your Child Get a Job?
The Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge
Dear Parent,
In this issue, unravel the mysteries of college admission and financial aid. Connect to resources that help students build study skills. And learn what high school counselors have to say about balancing work and school.
Academic Records and the Admissions Decision
Ever wonder what goes on behind the closed doors of the admission office? The truth is that the process varies from campus to campus, depending in part on how selective the college is. And many colleges are becoming more selective as the number of applicants rises. The good news is that your child doesn’t have to be valedictorian or class president. Admission officers look for students who are a good fit and who can succeed at their college. They seek committed, motivated students who can contribute to campus life.
As they review applications, admission officers focus on a student’s academic record, including courses taken, grades and test scores. To form a complete picture of your child, they also examine essays, teacher recommendations and extracurricular activities. These last factors are especially important at very selective colleges, where many applicants excel academically.
Selectivity and admissions factors
Inside the admissions process
Study Skills for School and Beyond
Reading comprehension and retention are among the most crucial skills for your child’s future success — in school and beyond. You can continue to help your child build basic skills by reading aloud and visiting the library regularly. Encourage good habits by discussing the books and magazines your child is reading.
SQ3R is a five-step process that encourages students to study actively by formulating and answering questions as they read. Using it, your child can improve comprehension and retain content better. Your child can also use study time more efficiently with practical strategies such as numbering and dating notebook pages for easy reference.
Five steps to becoming a stronger reader
How to get class notes into shape
Get a Handle on College Costs with EasyPlanner
Let’s face it: financial aid is confusing. To get a handle on college costs, you’ll need to start by looking at the big picture and asking yourself some basic questions: How much is college going to cost? Are we saving enough? And how much are we expected to contribute?
We can help you answer all of these questions. Financial Aid EasyPlanner reduces the stress of dealing with college finances by guiding you through the process step by step. Once you’ve used tools like the College Savings Calculator to get a sense of where you stand, you can explore ways of getting the money you need. You can search for scholarships and learn how to apply for financial aid and loans. EasyPlanner can also help when the time comes to compare aid packages from different colleges.
Plan your college finances
Should Your Child Get a Job?
Many students want to work part time once they enter high school. Whether they wish to buy new clothes or help out with family bills, they look forward to the paycheck. There are also less tangible benefits. Student workers learn more about responsibility, for example. In certain jobs, they also get a feel for a career they might want to pursue — or avoid.
But will working get in the way of your child’s education? If your child is organized and manages time effectively, the answer may well be no. However, all students will find that they have to make sacrifices to deal with the added pressures of the work world and maintain a sense of balance.
Working — consider all the factors
The Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge
The financial aid process can be daunting — full of acronyms and paperwork. MTV and the College Board would like to help change that. Together, they are sponsoring a national competition in which students submit proposals for digital tools that will reengineer the financial aid process. The winning individual or team will be rewarded with $10,000 and see their idea brought to life by MTV and the College Board, with a development budget of up to $100,000.
Learn more about the Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge
Important Links
College Search
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator
The Official SAT Question of the Day™
Your Child’s November
Action Plan
Suggest that your child use College Search to look up the admission requirements of specific colleges.
Freshman Action Plan
Learn About the “CC a Parent” E-mail Service
Stay in the loop by getting copied on important e-mails sent to your child.
Learn more
The Official SAT Question of the Day™
Help your child get ready for the SAT® with official questions sent daily.
