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February 19th, 2019Seniors: Can You Believe it is January Already? It’s FAFSA Time.
January 8th, 2013
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10 Opportunities for High Schools Students During Winter Break
December 7th, 2012Most high school students look forward to winter break as a welcome break. High school life is busy and stressful with classes, study time, activities, and friends. While students do deserve some rest time, they should not let opportunity pass them by either. Winter break = A little extra time to get ahead on a path to success.
Here’s the compromise, high school parents: After a little rest and recovery, there will still be enough time for a student to do something that looks good on the college application.
Ways for a student to make the most of winter break down time:
1. Volunteering in the community. Winter break is a great time for students to clock time doing community service. Good places to look to are the public library, a nursing home, hospital, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, community center or church/synagogue. There are also organizations with extensive databases of locations looking for holiday help, including The United Way and VolunteerMatch. Volunteer work will count more if it is done in an area of the student’s interest.
2. Taking an educational trip. Consider nearby places to visit, such as a museum, national monument, historical house or even a cruise. It’s best if experiences can connect with what a child is studying in school or possibly wants to study in college. For example, if a child is studying U.S. History, a trip to Philadelphia or Washington D.C. will make the lessons all the more exciting and meaningful. If a child wants to be an environmental conservationist, the Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program onboard a Paul Gauguin cruise may provide great insight, fun and resume building into a vacation. If a physical trip is out of the question, try an electronic field trip. The National Parks Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution are two places that offer virtual field trips that give students a close-up view of popular destinations around America and the world. Talk during or after the real or virtual trip with your child to help the child analyze and find meaning in the experience.
3. Studying for the SAT and ACT. Students can really, seriously improve their scores by doing a little SAT study every day. It will be much easier to concentrate on the test without the distractions of daily homework assignments.
4. Visiting colleges. The more colleges a student has a chance to see, the better, meaning even freshmen should do some visiting. Schools can be local or near a vacation destination. Winter break is not the best time to get a full campus flavor because students are on their breaks, too. However, admissions reps are at work. So go visit schools that are not even on your student’s list. Students on a stay-cation can go on virtual college tours. There are an ever growing number of schools and sites that offer them. (TYPE: “Virtual college tour” into Google and go from there).
5. Looking into jobs. The job market is tight but temporary holiday jobs may be available. If that’s not a real possibility, winter break is a good time to begin looking for a summer job. It’s not too early. Many employers will hire summer help well before the end of the semester.
6. Doing a short term internship. Winter break is a good opportunity to explore a career. A student can spend time shadowing someone in a field or career of interest.
7. Working on the college application. Most deadlines have passed, but there are still some that haven’t.
8. Searching for scholarships. Here is a link to a past blog on how to find scholarships: How to Apply for a College Scholarship.
9. Taking classes. In the two weeks off, there are a number of options. A language immersion course could prove incredibly helpful.
10. Enjoying some down time. Like adults, students need some down time. The relaxing time will give a student time to recharge.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com or call 954 414-9986.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS:
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications to domestic and international students.
The college counseling and college coaching services are tailored to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Mandee Heller Adler, founder of International College Counselors, is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and also received an MBA from Harvard Business School. International College Counselors’ achievements include being recognized as one of South Florida’s Top 100 Small Businesses in 2012.
International College Counselors has offices in New York, New York; White Plains, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami Beach, Florida; Miami, Florida; Coral Gables, Florida; Palm Beach, Florida; Boca Raton, Florida; Medellin, Colombia and Caracas, Venezuela.
Give the Gift that Gives So Much Back: A College Advisor
November 28th, 2012The holiday season is in full swing, and with it, the quest for the perfect gift. Rather than spend time in a crowded shopping mall or scouring the options from countless online retailers, give a gift that will make a real difference in the life of someone you love. A college advisor can give students the personalized attention they need to get into the college of their dreams, said Mandee Heller Adler, founder and CEO of International College Counselors.
Give the gift of a college advisor – a gift that will last a lifetime and enable your student to buy all the ipads and video games on their own wish lists.
An expert and experienced college advisor from International College Counselors will:
1. Provide your child with a guided plan for success.
2. Help your child define and understand his or her unique potential.
3. Keep your student organized.
4. Free up more of your student’s time so he or she can focus on school and other priorities.
5. Inform you and your child about changes in higher education and college admissions.
6. Thoroughly review your child’s application and polish it to a high sheen.
7. Be the “bad-guy”. (As we all know, teens don’t necessarily like to listen to their parents!)
8. Guide your student to make wiser personal decisions during these important years.
9. Find the right college match for your child.
10. Connect your child with any help – like tutors – that is needed as he/she works towards the goal.
“Few gifts make as significant an impact as the gift of encouragement and education,” said Adler. “A family can let their student know what is truly important.”
The earlier students start working with the expert college counselors at International College Counselors, the more advantage they gain. Early planning gives a student time to sift through individual interests, create a steady academic progression, and build a solid foundation of achievements, including focused community work and summer options.
Giving the perfect gift is easy. Just call International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 today.
No batteries required.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
For High School Sophomores: A Mid-Year College Admissions Checklist from International College Counselors
November 10th, 2012Sophomores: graduation may seem a long way off, but you’re permanent record is being written now. Colleges will be looking at how you spent this year.
THE SOPHOMORE MID-YEAR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
Work on Your Academic Performance
Now is the time to work hard. Set the goal of moving up an academic level in your junior year. Keep your grades up and you may be able to move from honors to AP or from regular to honors. This step up is what colleges want to see.
Prepare early for your midterm exams.
Evaluate your performance. Are you having problems focusing or understanding the material? Could your writing skills be improved? Ask your teacher what you can do to improve.
Evaluate your study skills. Work on your concentration and time management. Next year, will be your most important high school year academically.
Start preparing now for the SAT/ ACT
If you take on the SAT little by little, it won’t feel so overwhelming later.
Review your PSAT test results. They will give you a good indication of what you need to work on.
Read. Read. Read.
Work on your vocabulary. If you learn a word a day between now and next year, that will put you 365 words ahead.
Evaluate your Extracurricular Activities
Explore your Interests. Try out some new activities. Drop the ones you hate. This is the time to find your niche.
Get involved in the activities you like.
Colleges will be looking for true involvement. This means that at the end of four years you will, ideally, be able to demonstrate to the admissions team some level of accomplishment, initiative, commitment, and leadership.
Beware the sophomore slump
It’s natural to feel like you’re losing interest. Now that you know that, do everything you can to stay focused!
Psyche yourself up about college
Start doing a little no-pressure research. Take a look at colleges online. Don’t know where to start? Start with those you heard about and those with sports teams you like. Take a virtual tour or two. If your family goes on a trip somewhere, see if you can tour a campus away from home. College websites can tell you who to contact.
Consider what you may want to major in.
Introduce or Re-introduce yourself to Your College Counselor
Schedule a meeting for sometime next semester with your high school guidance counselor or your International College Counselors college advisor.
Prepare for the meeting by taking your class schedule. Tell your counselor you want to get into a good college. Ask what you need to do to accomplish that goal.
Meeting with your counselor is also a good relationship building move. For the next two years, this person is going to be one of the most important in your life.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
College Admissions Advisors Answer Questions on “Rigor” for High School Students
October 29th, 2012
College admissions advisors often recommend that students take the most ‘rigorous’ course load possible. But what do terms like “rigorous course load” mean and how rigorous should a student’s schedule be? The expert college advisors at International College Counselors answered some answers to these elusive questions.
1. How Do Admission Officials Weigh High School Rigor?
Comparisons are made when evaluating students. Admissions officers weigh everything from backgrounds around the world to the context of each high school. In other words, there is no one deciding, defining scale for “rigor”.
What admissions officers will agree upon is that students should take the most challenging course load that they can do well in, while still having enough time to show the deep and passionate involvement in activities that the colleges seek.
“As greater numbers of students are challenging themselves by engaging in rigorous, college-level AP and IB course work in high school, colleges raise their standards. Students need to stay on top of recruiting trends in order to be competitive,” said Mandee Heller Adler, founder of International College Counselors.
2. How many Advanced Placement courses should a student take in high school?
It depends on the student, the high school being attended and the desired college.
Students can take zero to two AP courses and get admitted into a good college. Others can take five or six AP courses a year and get rejected from Harvard.
How to decide?
For the most selective colleges, students need to take the most rigorous curriculum available within their own high school.
If a student is home schooled or the high school does not offer AP courses or enough AP courses, know that colleges are aware of different situations that may restrict what courses can be taken. What they really expect that students excel in the opportunities to which they do have access.
However, students should be aware that they can take AP classes online. Colleges know this too.
Another option is to enroll in classes at a nearby college or take online learning courses to supplement your regular high school work. You can even earn college credit at the same time.
3. Which are better IB classes or AP classes?
IB stands for International Baccalaureate which is an advanced high school diploma program. AP stands for Advanced Placement. In the IB program, students who pass six exams can sometimes enter college as a sophomore. (Note: check with each school because policies differ). Both curriculums have merit. One is not better than the other. But once again, the student needs to take the most rigorous curriculum offered at his/her school.
4. Which is better: an A in the regular course or a B in the honors course?
The most accurate answers is: An A in the honors course.
This is how the joke goes, but it’s the truth.
Colleges like to see students challenging themselves. So the direct answer is: A ‘B’ in an honors course is better that an ‘A’ in regular. A ‘B’ in an AP course is better than the ‘A’ in honors.
Colleges are looking for students who push themselves, are intellectually curious and are interested in learning. More demanding courses are a reflection of this.
However, what a student should take depends on the student. What a student must be careful to do is not overreach. Every student should take the most challenging courses he or she can perform well in. It does not help to take AP courses and get a “C.” Students who take AP must also look towards passing the AP exam.
The worst thing a student can do is take honors courses and then switch to easier courses later in their high school career in order to boost GPA. A warning to students: Do not catch “senioritis!”
5. What courses do colleges want to see?
There are very few situations in which the appearance or absence of any one particular class would determine a student’s college future. But, please be careful: Students do need to meet all the prerequisite of the colleges they are applying to. Some require a certain number or years of math, English and foreign language. And, some schools require certain math levels (such as pre-calculus) for consideration.
Overall, colleges want to see courses that tell a story. They want to see that a student has pursued his or her interests and have taken a balanced set of challenging classes.
As Yale puts it “We encourage you to pursue your intellectual interests, so long as it is not at the expense of your program’s overall rigor or your preparedness for college.”
A few good questions from Yale for weighing your course selection for the upcoming year:
• Am I taking a well-balanced academic program that will provide me with a good foundation for college?
• Am I prepared to take college-level math, writing, and science courses?
• Do I feel challenged by the courses that I am taking?
• Am I seeking challenge or avoiding it?
Endnote
The fact is, admissions professionals are well-trained to identify “rigor” in the entire transcript and not just courses.
If you are a client of International College Counselors, contact one of our college advisors on what courses are most appropriate for your high school student. Other students should talk to their high school counselor.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS:
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications to domestic and international students.
The college counseling and college coaching services are tailored to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Mandee Heller Adler, founder of International College Counselors, is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and also received an MBA from Harvard Business School. International College Counselors’ achievements include being recognized as one of South Florida’s Top 100 Small Businesses in 2012.
International College Counselors has offices in New York, New York; White Plains, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami Beach, Florida; Miami, Florida; Coral Gables, Florida; Palm Beach, Florida; Boca Raton, Florida; Medellin, Colombia and Caracas, Venezuela.
Go to the College Fairs
October 15th, 2012
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The Application is Submitted! What Should I Do Next?
September 20th, 2012You’ve submitted your application but you still have some work to do. It’s time to put the icing on the cake you’ve been baking for the last three and a half years. We’re down to the details and crumbs.
Get your official transcripts sent from your school to each college. These are not sent automatically and colleges must receive them by the application deadline. Be sure to confirm the transcript before it goes out. In particular, please make sure that your classes, grades, community service hours (if on your transcript), test scores (if on your transcript and you want it there) are correct. You’ll be amazed at all the stories we’ve heard about mistakes on transcripts. Then, order transcripts for each of your colleges. While many schools send transcripts for you, if you are mailing them yourself, please send them registered mail. Addresses for transcripts can be found on Naviance, the Common App, and simply by Googling the school’s admissions office.
** Very important for our non-U.S. students – If your transcript is in another language, it needs to be translated into English (If you need help- let us know!).
Confirm that your Letters of Recommendation have been sent/ are in the process of being sent. While many public colleges do not require letters of recommendation, all the common app schools do require a counselor recommendation and at least one teacher recommendation. If your school uses Naviance, the counselor will be tracking the letters for you, but for everyone else, you can simply look under the “School Forms” tab on the common application for those letters that have been “Assigned” and those that have been “Submitted.”
Send your best test scores. Make sure you send the best of your ACT or SAT, Subject tests and/ or TOEFL. These need to be sent by you, and come directly from the College Board, ACT.org or ETS. These do not get sent automatically to the schools unless you indicated where you wanted your scores sent when you registered or tested (depending on the test). If you’ve retaken the test and received higher scores, you will want to send the higher scores to the schools.
Fill out and send in your financial aid documentation. All U.S. students regardless of family income should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CSS profile. International students, students who are not citizens, or students who are not permanent U.S. residents may have to send a certificate of finances and a bank letter. Check with each school either by calling or searching their website, to find what you need. Make sure all deadlines are met! These are inflexible deadlines. For Floridians, Bright Futures applications are not available until January.
Visit the campus if you have not done so already. Meeting with admission staff, faculty members and/or sitting in on a class demonstrates that you are truly interested in a school. Also attend any regional events that the school hosts. Schools like to see that you are interested and this gives you extra points with the admissions committee. Visiting a school and/or attending events are also good ways for you to get more information on whether a school if a good fit for you.
Please remember that without just one of the pieces above, your application is not considered complete. In all cases, once you submit your application, you can confirm receipt of these supplemental documents either via an online portal (save those log in and passwords they send you!) or via a phone call to the admissions office. This is another reason to get your applications in early- to provide you with enough time to confirm receipt, and to re-send if something does not make it.
Just a few more steps, and you are officially done! Congratulations! Now the hard part…. the wait!
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please call 954 414-9986 or visitwww.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
Free Upcoming ICC Seminars – Save the Dates!
IMACS Plantation – Oct. 11 – 7pm
IMACS Boca Raton – Oct. 25 – 7pm
Space is limited. Call 561 470-1178 for more info and to reserve your spot.You’ve submitted your application but you still have some work to do. It’s time to put the icing on the cake you’ve been baking for the last three and a half years. We’re down to the details and crumbs.
Get your official transcripts sent from your school to each college. These are not sent automatically and colleges must receive them by the application deadline. Be sure to confirm the transcript before it goes out. In particular, please make sure that your classes, grades, community service hours (if on your transcript), test scores (if on your transcript and you want it there) are correct. You’ll be amazed at all the stories we’ve heard about mistakes on transcripts. Then, order transcripts for each of your colleges. While many schools send transcripts for you, if you are mailing them yourself, please send them registered mail. Addresses for transcripts can be found on Naviance, the Common App, and simply by Googling the school’s admissions office.
** Very important for our non-U.S. students – If your transcript is in another language, it needs to be translated into English (If you need help- let us know!).
Confirm that your Letters of Recommendation have been sent/ are in the process of being sent. While many public colleges do not require letters of recommendation, all the common app schools do require a counselor recommendation and at least one teacher recommendation. If your school uses Naviance, the counselor will be tracking the letters for you, but for everyone else, you can simply look under the “School Forms” tab on the common application for those letters that have been “Assigned” and those that have been “Submitted.”
Send your best test scores. Make sure you send the best of your ACT or SAT, Subject tests and/ or TOEFL. These need to be sent by you, and come directly from the College Board, ACT.org or ETS. These do not get sent automatically to the schools unless you indicated where you wanted your scores sent when you registered or tested (depending on the test). If you’ve retaken the test and received higher scores, you will want to send the higher scores to the schools.
Fill out and send in your financial aid documentation. All U.S. students regardless of family income should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CSS profile. International students, students who are not citizens, or students who are not permanent U.S. residents may have to send a certificate of finances and a bank letter. Check with each school either by calling or searching their website, to find what you need. Make sure all deadlines are met! These are inflexible deadlines. For Floridians, Bright Futures applications are not available until January.
Visit the campus if you have not done so already. Meeting with admission staff, faculty members and/or sitting in on a class demonstrates that you are truly interested in a school. Also attend any regional events that the school hosts. Schools like to see that you are interested and this gives you extra points with the admissions committee. Visiting a school and/or attending events are also good ways for you to get more information on whether a school if a good fit for you.
Please remember that without just one of the pieces above, your application is not considered complete. In all cases, once you submit your application, you can confirm receipt of these supplemental documents either via an online portal (save those log in and passwords they send you!) or via a phone call to the admissions office. This is another reason to get your applications in early- to provide you with enough time to confirm receipt, and to re-send if something does not make it.
Just a few more steps, and you are officially done! Congratulations! Now the hard part…. the wait!
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please call 954 414-9986 or visitwww.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
Free Upcoming ICC Seminars – Save the Dates!
IMACS Plantation – Oct. 11 – 7pm
IMACS Boca Raton – Oct. 25 – 7pm
Space is limited. Call 561 470-1178 for more info and to reserve your spot.
11 Ways to Jump Start the College Admissions Process Your Junior Year
August 23rd, 2012With the release of the new Common Application, the 2012-2013 college admissions cycle has officially started. From a college admissions point of view, the Junior year is the most important year of high school. Whatever college you plan to attend, a clear strategy will guide you toward your destination. Here are eleven tips from the college advisors at International College Counselors that will help Juniors jump start the college admissions process.
1. Meet with your counselor. Discuss your career goals and the classes you should take. Many colleges require a high school career that shows a progression of courses. Make sure your high school coursework is laying the foundation colleges are looking for.
2. Choose your classes wisely. The choices you make on your junior curriculum are the most important. The difficulty of the courses you take matter. Instead of going for the easy “A,” choose classes that will challenge you. Colleges like to see students who have shown that they challenge themselves.
3. Keep your grades up. Class rank and grades are key factors in college admissions.
4. Explore your personal interests. Take classes in a variety of subjects that interest you. Join some clubs. Take part in different activities outside of your school. Take classes of interest at a community college. Now is your chance to find out what you like to do. Identifying your interests will help you choose a college major.
5. Make a calendar. Start by marking off important test dates and deadlines. Then write in action items and goals related to the college application process including essay deadlines you set for yourself, scholarship deadlines and campus visits.
6. Stay organized. Set up special folders for college-related materials and plan how you’ll keep them straight. Designate a place for reference material and one for correspondence. Start a notebook just for the admissions process. Write down all user names and college application passwords as well as thoughts about schools. Keep a log of correspondence, phone calls, meetings with college representatives and visits to each school.
7. Plan your testing. Take the SAT and ACT early in the year so that you are done before April and can save May and June for subject tests and AP tests. Taking the tests early will also give you time to improve your score, if need be. Call the college advisors at International College Counselors for the name of an ACT and/or SAT tutor.
8. Get to know teachers. Work really hard to impress a chosen few of your teachers. You want them to know you – and like you – well enough to write a personal and exceptional letters of recommendation for you.
9. Get Involved. Perform community service and/or get a part-time job. Extracurricular activities show that you’re well rounded and know how to manage your time efficiently.
10. Position yourself for leadership. Run for office in one of your clubs. If you have a volunteer job, explore options for taking charge of a project. Colleges like to see that you’ve moved up in an organization. It shows commitment.
11. Research, research, research. Gather college information and use it to narrow down your choices of colleges and universities. Seek out college entrance requirements, scholarships and financial aid options. Go on “virtual” campus tours. Visit the websites of schools that interest you. Attend college fairs and college nights. Talk with students from your colleges of interest. Obtain course catalogs. Plan to visit campuses. Learn about financial aid options.
In 2012, the college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college advisors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their parents with the often daunting and complex college application process.
10 Ways for High School Sophomores to Jump Start the College Admissions Process
August 23rd, 2012School is starting for many high school students across the country. From a college admissions point of view, the sophomore year is the second most important year of high school. Although you may not know which college you want to attend or what you’re going to major in, the college advisors at International College Counselors have provided a clear general strategy that will prepare you for wherever you apply.
1. Meet with your counselor. Discuss your career goals and the classes you should take. Many colleges require a high school career that shows a progression of courses. Make sure your high school coursework is laying the foundation colleges are looking for.
2. Choose your classes wisely. The difficulty of the courses you take matter. Instead of going for the easy “A,” choose classes that will challenge you. Colleges like to see students who have shown that they challenge themselves.
3. Avoid the Sophomore Slump. School can feel tedious and boring, stay focused on the goal: college. Keep your grades up. Class rank and grades are key factors in college admissions.
4. Explore your personal interests. Take classes in a variety of subjects that interest you. Join some clubs. Take part in different activities outside of your school. Take classes of interest at a community college. Now is your chance to find out what you like to do. Identifying your interests will help you choose a college major.
5. Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).The 2012 PSAT/NMSQT test dates are Wednesday, October 17 and Saturday, October 20. Make sure you go over the test results with a college counselor, an independent one or at your school.
6. Consider taking the PLAN. The PLAN is the American College Testing (ACT) counterpart to the PSAT. This test covers English, math, reading and science. It is typically given in October.
7. Get to know teachers. It’s not too early to do this.Work really hard to impress a chosen few of your teachers. You want them to know you – and like you – well enough to possibly write personal and exceptional letters of recommendation for you.
8. Get Involved. Perform community service and/or get a part-time job. Extracurricular activities show that you’re well rounded and know how to manage your time efficiently. Next year you will want to take on a leadership position, start laying the groundwork.
9. Read and Write. You will need good writing skills for your college essay and for the rest of your life. Reading builds vocabulary. College counselors at International College Counselors recommend students take a look at the SAT prep books out there. There are many resources from romance novels to manga comic books that will build vocabulary while being entertaining.
10. Learn, learn, learn. Take a look at the Common Application and get familiar with what colleges are asking for on their applications. Visit some college websites and see what all the fuss is about.
Since 2004, the college advisors at International College Counselors have helped more than 500 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college advisors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their parents with the often daunting and complex college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, call 954-414-9986.
10 Ways for High School Sophomores to Jump Start the College Admissions Process
School is starting for many high school students across the country. From a college admissions point of view, the sophomore year is the second most important year of high school. Although you may not know which college you want to attend or what you’re going to major in, the college advisors at International College Counselors have provided a clear general strategy that will prepare you for wherever you apply.
1. Meet with your counselor. Discuss your career goals and the classes you should take. Many colleges require a high school career that shows a progression of courses. Make sure your high school coursework is laying the foundation colleges are looking for.
2. Choose your classes wisely. The difficulty of the courses you take matter. Instead of going for the easy “A,” choose classes that will challenge you. Colleges like to see students who have shown that they challenge themselves.
3. Avoid the Sophomore Slump. School can feel tedious and boring, stay focused on the goal: college. Keep your grades up. Class rank and grades are key factors in college admissions.
4. Explore your personal interests. Take classes in a variety of subjects that interest you. Join some clubs. Take part in different activities outside of your school. Take classes of interest at a community college. Now is your chance to find out what you like to do. Identifying your interests will help you choose a college major.
5. Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).The 2012 PSAT/NMSQT test dates are Wednesday, October 17 and Saturday, October 20. Make sure you go over the test results with a college counselor, an independent one or at your school.
6. Consider taking the PLAN. The PLAN is the American College Testing (ACT) counterpart to the PSAT. This test covers English, math, reading and science. It is typically given in October.
7. Get to know teachers. It’s not too early to do this.Work really hard to impress a chosen few of your teachers. You want them to know you – and like you – well enough to possibly write personal and exceptional letters of recommendation for you.
8. Get Involved. Perform community service and/or get a part-time job. Extracurricular activities show that you’re well rounded and know how to manage your time efficiently. Next year you will want to take on a leadership position, start laying the groundwork.
9. Read and Write. You will need good writing skills for your college essay and for the rest of your life. Reading builds vocabulary. College counselors at International College Counselors recommend students take a look at the SAT prep books out there. There are many resources from romance novels to manga comic books that will build vocabulary while being entertaining.
10. Learn, learn, learn. Take a look at the Common Application and get familiar with what colleges are asking for on their applications. Visit some college websites and see what all the fuss is about.
Since 2004, the college advisors at International College Counselors have helped more than 500 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college advisors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their parents with the often daunting and complex college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, call 954-414-9986.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS:
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications to domestic and international students. The college counseling and college coaching services are tailored to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Mandee Heller Adler, founder of International College Counselors, is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School. International College Counselors has been selected as one of South Florida Top 100 Small Businesses in 2012 and the 2008 Make Mine a Million $ Business Winner from American Express.
International College Counselors has offices in New York, New York; White Plains, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami Beach, Florida; Miami, Florida; Coral Gables, Florida; Palm Beach, Florida; Boca Raton, Florida; Medellin, Columbia and Caracas, Venezuela.