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Get your Invitation to College Visits/Information Sessions

Friday, September 24th, 2010

So, you heard that Penn was in town this weekend….after the fact. How did the other families and students know?

Well, it doesn’t really matter. Why your student did not receive an invite can be attributed to a number of factors. It could be something like a test score or that the other family knows an alumnus.

It’s not worth getting anxious over.

It’s better to focus your energy on getting invited to the information events your student interested in.

To get the invite all you need to do is ask. (Or have your college admissions counselor ask for you).

Getting invited to college information sessions is as easy as going to the website and signing up on the admissions page to learn more. Every school that our college admissions counselors know of (except Harvard) has such a list.

For younger students in particular, International College Counselors recommends “group” college visits. This way a student can learn about a number of schools at one time.

Please click the link below to register for a group information session from SUNY Binghamton, University of Vermont, Miami University (in Ohio) and Clemson. www.selectivecollegetour.com

The expert college counselors at International College Counselors recommend you go to as many information sessions as you can.

What are information sessions?
Information Sessions are a chance for prospective students and their families the opportunity to learn more about a university’s academic and student life from members of the admission staff. These university representatives travel around the U.S. and the world reaching out to students. At these sessions, students also gain insights into the admission, financial aid and scholarship process. The goal of each session is to provide a comprehensive overview of the school and answer any and all questions students or their parents may have. Generally, each session lasts approximately a hour. Current students and/or alumni may attend depending on where and when the information session is held. Sometimes food is served, and sometimes it’s not.

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Truth, Plagiarism & the Consequences on College Applications and Essays

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Mandee Heller Adler, president of International College Counselors, was quoted in The New York Times in an article titled, “If You’re Going to Be Edited, Be Sure the Result Is Still You“. She discusses the business of professionally edited college admissions essays.

Overall, the article concludes that professionals helping students with college admissions essays are performing an ethical service as long as they don’t write the college admissions essay for a student. The best college counselors allow students to just be themselves, but “a somewhat more interesting, more attractive, more eloquent” version of themselves.

As any parent or student who has worked with International College Counselors knows, what Adler says in the article is true, “she has parents sign a form, part of which establishes that her counselors will ‘review, not do’ the essay.”

“I’m not going to write an essay,” she tells the Times readers. “It’s an ethical question and it’s a line I won’t cross. Of course, it’s a fuzzy line, but I have to feel comfortable that I haven’t crossed it.”

It goes without saying that a student shouldn’t have someone else write their entire college admissions essay for them, whether it’s a friend, parent, college advisor, or a professional writer. But what about the fuzzier areas, like when a student portrays himself or herself as better than they are?

Say International College Counselors: No matter how desperately a student wants to get into a school, don’t lie on the college application. If a university finds out a student has lied on an application or essay – even a little – they’re getting rejected, almost guaranteed.

How does a school know if a student fibbed/fudged/lied? Colleges are doing research of their own. A common practice is for college admissions officers to call up high schools to verify a student’s activities and awards. College admissions officers have also called jobs, internship organizers, and places where students have performed public service.

Thanks to the Internet, it’s easy to see if a student really has received a major award or a significant ranking, whether it’s in music or sports. Some universities like MIT have even hired private investigators to check up on student claims. While there is a chance a student won’t be caught, do they really want to risk it.

Embellishing the truth isn’t good either. If a student delivered meals to homebound senior citizens in their community, he or she shouldn’t write that they ended world hunger. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with presenting yourself in a positive way. This is where a student’s ethics (and clever adjectives) need to kick in.

Plagiarism is always wrong and schools are getting better at detecting it. Penn State, for example, is using an admissions essay service offered by Turnitin. This software service has been used by professors to check their students’ class work – with much success. College application essays are now being compared to a huge database of collected information and what’s already on the web. While most schools don’t publicize whether or not they use this detection system, at Penn State 29 students were rejected in 2010 because of plagiarism on the college application.

College essays are about the student. Who they are and not who they’re not. At International College Counselors, we believe that every student has a gem of an essay within them. What they need to do is find that kernel of truth – and remember to proofread.

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Big Changes in SAT Subject Test Policies

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Just like that, Harvard, Georgetown and a few other Universities changed the rules. Until now, these schools had application policies that required all students to take and submit scores for three SAT Subject Tests (aka SAT II).

Harvard will now require only two SAT Subject Tests for Fall 2011 class applicants. Georgetown went from requesting three Subject Test Scores to strongly recommending them.

When applying to schools, expert college counselors say, note the change in language. Universities used to require or request the submission of three SAT Subject Test scores as part of a complete application for admission. Now at many schools, like Georgetown, the language on the test policies has been changed to strongly recommended.

The testing policy at Stanford University states: “We recommend taking at least two SAT Subject Tests, as such information will assist us in our evaluation process. Applicants, however, who choose not to take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process.”

Of course, as expert college counselors know, the subtleties in language are important, especially at schools where admissions are highly competitive.

International College Counselors note: When a highly regarded university requires only two Subject Tests, our expert college counselors highly recommend you take more to make yourself the most highly qualified candidate.

According to the Harvard website, applicants may take any two subject tests. But to meet these requirements students should not submit two Subject Tests in mathematics, and “candidates whose first language is not English should ordinarily not use a Subject Test in their first language…All students are encouraged to submit additional Subject Tests (which may include one in a student’s first language).”

Additionally, applicants are encouraged to show evidence of the “breadth and depth of their academic interests” by taking additional Subject Tests and to submit Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) test results that provide evidence of academic accomplishment.

Further complicating the evolving role of SAT Subject Tests, a few colleges, like NYU and Colby College, are allowing the Subject Tests and other standardized tests and/or AP and IB tests to be submitted instead of SAT and/or ACT scores.

The College Board currently offers SAT Subject Tests in 20 areas, including history, literature, mathematics, physics, chemistry and a variety of languages.

Charles Deacon, dean of undergraduate admissions at Georgetown, explained via e-mail for Inside Higher Ed: “Georgetown, like Harvard and other selective schools, finds SAT IIs to be quite predictive of academic success at a high school level and we feel they are a valuable addition to SAT Is or ACTs. However, we are aware that for a variety of reasons, students may find it difficult to submit these results so we want to make it clear that they can still apply and we will do our best to consider them fairly based upon the information they are able to provide.”

For the most accurate and current information on standardized test policies for each college, International College Counselors recommend that students visit individual college websites or contact us at 954-414-9986 or at barry@internationalcollegecounselors.com.

Come in for a free consultation with International College Counselors. Or get 5 friends together and we will come out and hold a private seminar just for you and your friends. Just call us at 954-414-9986 or contact us at International College Counselors by email.

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International College Counselors has college counseling Broward, Palm Beach, and Dade college counseling offices. International College Counselors handle undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, lead college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors in Miami, tailors her wide range of college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each individual student, whether Florida college or Ivy League university. Our college advisors, Miami Florida based, work with domestic and international students. We also work with high schools. Our college counselors are in Miami, Boca, Broward and Palm Beach. Let us help you make the best decisions choosing, getting into, and paying for college. Our offices will allow you to work with a Miami college counselor, Dade College Counselor, Broward college counselor, Palm Beach College Counselors, Boca College Counselor and/or a Ft. Lauderdale College Counselor.

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How to Help your High School Freshman. Tips from International College Counselors.

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Many parents ask our expert college counselors at International College Counselors how early their students need to start preparing for the college admissions process. The answer from our expert college counselors: as soon as possible, especially if your student is looking at competitive schools.

The secret is to make the process fun. And not stress your student out too early or too much. College admissions stress is inevitable but it can be minimized even if your child is aiming for the Ivy League. Plus, expert college counselors know, the journey towards a college degree can be a bonding discovery process for all involved.

Here are some International College Counselors tips for parents:

• Review your student’s schedule with him or her at the beginning of the school year. The goal is to have your child enroll in challenging classes that will help them prepare for college. Help your child be less afraid to reach slightly higher than their comfort level. Build your child’s confidence and offer your support. But, expert college counselors understand, be mindful of the realities and don’t push your student too far above his or her level.

• Make sure your student meets with his or her counselor to discuss college plans. Students tend to procrastinate. (You don’t need to be an expert, or a college counselor, or work at International College Counselors to know this.)

• Help your student start a calendar. Work with him or her to update it regularly with any important dates and deadlines.

• Encourage your child to get involved with extracurricular activities. Who knows your child best, but you? Take what you’ve observed over the past 13 years and encourage your student to explore their interests. Water polo, bowling, harp playing, choir, drama, debate, or starting a business. Explore interests outside the school as well. Is your child interested in science? Have them check out volunteer opportunities at a local science museum or center. If your student likes to write, maybe there’s a place for him or her to cover high school activities for the local paper. If a child has an interest in an activity, there’s a greater chance they’ll stick with it and accomplish something. Colleges like to see that a student stays with something and moves up in it. If you’re in Broward, Palm Beach, or Miami, college counselor at International College Counselors know you have many, many options.

• Start talking about financing college. Talking about money helps students understand how much college really costs, and how they can help defray the costs through applying to private scholarships and getting good grades. Talking about money will also start introducing them to the adult concepts like financial aid and loans. Generally, if you treat your child like an adult now, chances are they will behave more like an adult later. Even in 9th grade there are scholarship monies available to use towards college. Topics expert college counselors at International College Counselors suggest include how much money they’ll need for college, how much they should try to save, and ways to reach their goal, whether it’s part-time work or more AP classes.

• Familiarize yourself with the SAT Subject Tests and help build your child’s confidence in his or her strong subjects. Encourage him or her to take the tests as soon as they finish the course so the material is still fresh to them. Subject Tests include World History, Literature, Biology E/M, and Chemistry.

• Help your student find a summer opportunity. Do some networking on their behalf. If your student is interested in medicine, see who is in your network that you might be able to call. The same goes for if your student wants to be a graphic designer or a vet. Many businesses wouldn’t mind a free volunteer. Suggest opportunities around the community your student might not have considered. Students tend to be so caught up in their own world, they may not even realize there may be a cool museum nearby to volunteer at and gain the kind of experience college admissions officers smile upon.

• Help your student search online for summer school programs for high school students at colleges, if this is the route they choose.

• Encourage your child to read. It’s the best way to prepare for the SAT and all standardized exams. If they don’t have a favorite author? Take them to the local library to explore popular options within their age group.

• Go on college campus visits with your student. At this point in the game, it’s low pressure. Make it fun. When you go on any family vacations, make it a point to visit college campuses around your destination. Even if the schools are not on your child’s radar, these visits will give everyone a chance to get a feel for the options.

Most importantly: Be there for your child. Be present in his or her life. Listen to his or her hopes, fears and goals. Working together can make these dreams more real and much more possible.

International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, lead college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her wide range of college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each individual student, whether Florida college or Ivy League university. Our college advising company, based in Miami-Dade, Florida, works with domestic and international students. We also work with high schools in Miami, Boca, Broward and Palm Beach. Let us help you make the best decisions choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

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How to Choose an Independent College Counselor

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Why work with a private college counselor?

Whether you’re in New York or Miami, a private college counselor can help stressed-out parents find ideal academic fits for their students. One can also help families save money by matching students with scholarships and schools that fit a family’s budget AND student’s goals. Putting an independent college expert at the helm of the application process is not a bad idea for family relations either. As parents of teenagers most likely already know, it’s better to have someone else helping your student stick to a plan of action and look over their shoulder or hold their hand through the process. Choosing the right expert college adviser in Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or elsewhere is the important first step

Something to consider about private college counselors.

There is no shortage of individuals and firms willing to help you get your student into college. However, just because someone calls themselves a Palm Beach or Miami college expert doesn’t always mean they are. Many people consider themselves a single source for all things college admissions oriented: college, scholarships, admissions, testing and more. The best independent college advisers know enough about each of these to be helpful, the worst ones can be harmful.

What to look for when you’re choosing a private college counselor?

1. Make sure you have a good, comfortable rapport with the college counselor. Feel you can trust them because, essentially, what you’re doing is entrusting them with your child’s future. Also it’s important that the student and the expert college adviser have workable chemistry.

2. Ask about the students with whom the college expert works. Are they all valedictorians, or does she have some underachievers too? Some expert college advisers have a high rate of success getting students into Ivy League schools because they’ll only work with students who would be getting into a top university anyway.

3. The best kind of private college counselor will spend time learning about your teenager and finding out their likes and dislikes: academically, socially, and geographically. The aim is to get your child into the best school for him or her, which may or may not be the most prestigious school possible.

4. The best college experts work with your student’s individual strength and weaknesses to prepare them to get into the college of their dreams. And they should encourage them in a positive and constructive way. A student should not be forced to participate in extra-curricular activities and classes that provoke anxiety or increase the risk of burnout. In other words, if your student is not gravitating towards rowing, there are always bassoon lessons.

5. Look for an independent college counselor who understands scholarship and financial aid.

6. Ask the college advisor what qualifies her to offer college admissions advice. Look for a planner who has proven experience with college admissions and who has the right relationships. Don’t underestimate relationships whether they’re with college admissions offices or top SAT tutors. Determine what steps the advisor takes to stay current with changes and developments in college admissions. Also check what schools the college advisor has attended and what relevant professional organizations she belongs to, including those like NACAC and the IECA that will keep her in the local and national educational loops.

The answers.

Come in for a free consultation with International College Counselors. Or get 5 friends together and we will come out and hold a private seminar just for you and your friends. Just call us at 954-414-9986 or contact us at International College Counselors by email.

Join our Mailing List
International College Counselors
(954) 414-9986

The answers.

Join our Mailing List
International College Counselors
(954) 414-9986

International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, lead college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her wide range of college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each individual student, whether Florida college or Ivy League university. Our college advising company, based in Miami-Dade, Florida, works with domestic and international students. We also work with high schools. Our college counselors are in Miami, Boca, Broward and Palm Beach. Let us help you make the best decisions choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

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High School Athletes: How to get recruited

Monday, June 21st, 2010

The question many talented high school athletes come to International College Counselors with is: How do I get recruited?

The expert college counselor’s answer: An athlete needs to get noticed by the right coach.

It’s easier in some sports and cities. Athletes in AAAAA and AAAA football and baseball have scouts come regularly to their games. If you’ve ever seen Friday Night Lights, you’ll know that for some sports, and in some cities, whole counties come to games. In metropolitan areas, many sports are regularly covered in widely distributed newspapers or newscasts.

But, every year, thousands of other outstanding athletes are overlooked for one simple reason: the coaches didn’t know they were there.

Have a power drink and breathe. Whether you participate in baseball, bowling, cross country, fencing, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rowing, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, softball, volleyball, water polo, or wrestling, there are ways that you can help yourself be recruited.

Depending on your sport, start contacting coaches and building relationships with them as early as possible. Perhaps even in junior high if you’re competing in a sport like gymnastics. Try to get them to know your name without being annoying. For example, send them the occasional newspaper article about you and the teams you play for.
Create a professionally prepared resume that highlights your athletic and academic achievements. Then post it online.
Make a high-quality sports video of yourself in action. There is a real probability that a college coach will never see you play in real life until you play for him or her. The best video is a combination game video and skills video.
Use the Internet. Visit college sports sites and college sites and collect as much information about the different sports programs as you can. You’re looking for a school that will be a good fit for you and your talents, athletically and academically.
Get evaluated if you can. Many third-party people serve as the eyes and ears of the coaches who don’t have time to see every player. Get to know the evaluators in your area. Coaches and evaluators face immense pressure to fill their slots with the most gifted athletes they can find. Their jobs depend on it. Your pro-activity actually can make their job easier from their perspective.
Attend college sports camps if you can. The director of the camp is usually the college head coach. It’s also recommended that you gain experience by competing in any tournaments you can.
If a college does show interest you, answer any request they have immediately. If a coach or school is requesting more information chances are you are probably being seriously considered. Ask your high school coach to complete any requests for information about you as soon as possible, as well.

A BRIEF FOUR-YEAR TIME LINE

Freshmen: Take this year to grow and develop your skills. Also, plan your academic calendar. You want to make sure you meet the academic eligibility at the end of your high school career. Even a high school sports superstar is not be eligible to play as a college freshman if he or she does not have a transcript with the right high school courses. Athletes and parents of athletes, make sure you read the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete (free PDF to download)

Athletes and their parents can also contact us at International College Counselors to arrange a meeting with one of our college counselors in Dade, Broward or Palm Beach County and we can help you plan your high school sports career.

Sophomores: Get serious if you are interested in competing in college. Start working on raising your visibility and building a reputation as a mature, hard-working, team player. This is also the year you should start researching the ins and outs of recruiting, regulations, colleges, coaches, and sports programs.

This is an ideal year for International College Counselors to help you, as well.

Juniors: This year is your most important one. It is the accomplishments of your junior year that will get the recruiting phone calls later in the year. Get on the coaches’ radar screens as soon as possible to better your chances of successfully getting recruited. Boost your visibility by reaching out to coaches with notes and calls, visiting schools and meeting coaches. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear from coaches. NCAA rules prevent them from contacting or calling you until late in your junior year.

Seniors: Make sure that you are eligible by completing all the classes you need for academic eligibility. Show continuing development in your sports skills. Don’t slack off until after you’ve received and signed the “Letter of Intent” and, even then, if you really screw up, they can drop you.

Talented athletes, good luck and take care of your body. Keep working hard to get stronger, faster and fitter. It’s a competitive environment out there – but if you’re a true athlete at heart – knowing that should only push you more.

If you need help, contact a private college counselor at International College Counselors to help you with college admissions and finances.

Join our Mailing List
International College Counselors
(954) 414-9986

International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, lead college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her wide range of college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each individual student, whether Florida college or Ivy League university. Our college advising company, based in Miami-Dade, Florida, works with domestic and international students. We also work with high schools. Our college counselors are in Miami, Boca, Broward and Palm Beach. Let us help you make the best decisions choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

Tags: broward college advisor, college advisor miami, college counselor broward, college counselor miami, high school athletes, international college counselors, mandee heller adler
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Going to College without Going Broke

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

by Mandee Heller Adler, president of International College Counselors

You can’t afford not to go to college. But, taking on too much debt and ending up living in your parent’s house after college is not the only option. You could become a Westinghouse scholar, Olympic champion, or dictator of a small country. Then you’d get a free ride.

For the less driven or genetically gifted, there’s hope for you too: you need to maximize your financial aid and minimize your costs.

Top ways the expert college counselors at International College Counselors recommend to make college more affordable include:

1. Government Loans
The US government loans money to every student who needs it. To receive FAFSA aid, you need to fill out and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.gov). This federal application for financial aid is also used to apply for aid from other sources, such as your state or school.

The only catch to the FAFSA is it’s one long application that requires detailed information. Don’t leave it until the last minute and it’ll all be OK.

Not just for our clients in Miami, college counselors at our firm recommend that ALL students who feel they need aid fill the FAFSA out regardless of their house-hold income.

2. Grants
Grants are better than loans because you don’t have to pay the money back. (Free money!) But they’re not available to everyone.

Pell Grants are federal grants awarded strictly on the student’s financial need. Other federal grant programs include the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (also based on financials), and grant programs for students with good grades in competitive high-school programs or specific fields of study, such as math, nursing or teaching. States and colleges also have their own pools of grant money.

3. General and School Scholarships
Scholarships are terrific because students do not have to pay them back and many are not based on financial need.

Thousands of scholarships are available. Sources of scholarships can be national organizations, local clubs, contests, and the schools themselves. The trick is finding the ones you’re in the best position to win. If you’re not a Native American there’s no point in going for the scholarship. You’d be better off making a clever prom outfit with duct tape or becoming a champion at duck calls (both skills are scholarship worthy).

School scholarships are typically given to top athletes, national-merit finalists, and other outstanding students. In order to apply for these scholarships, you need to contact each school individually.

4. Transfer
For students with their hearts set on an elite, expensive school, your best bet may be to attend an affordable school like a public university or a community college first. Credits earned at these less-expensive schools can often be transferred to other universities – even the priciest. For your first two years, they’re mostly core classes you’ll be taking anyway. And in the end what you’re really after is that framed diploma office décor. So it’s the last two years that really count.

5. Work
Many students take a part-time job in order to pay for college and the things they will need such as books, housing and bean-bag chairs. Colleges offer thousands of work-study jobs that can be on-campus or off-campus. They are designed to allow students to study while they work. Waiting tables and taking Advanced Astrophysics never complemented each other so well.

For the foreseeable future, college grads can also cancel some or all of their federal education debt by working in public-service jobs – lower-paying professional jobs that serve low-income communities – or by volunteering.

Other tips include buying used books, living off-campus or at home when you can, and accelerating your degree – knocking off a year or even a semester by taking more courses per semester or loading up on the APs while in high school.

Getting out of college with little or no debt is hard, but not impossible, and with initiative, you don’t have to rob a bank to do it.

If you need help, contact a private college counselor at International College Counselors to help you with college admissions and finances.

Join our Mailing List
International College Counselors
(954) 414-9986

International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, lead college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her wide range of college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each individual student, whether Florida college or Ivy League university. Our college advising company, based in Miami-Dade, Florida, works with domestic and international students. We also work with high schools. Our college counselors are in Miami, Boca, Broward and Palm Beach. Let us help you make the best decisions choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

Tags: broward college advisor, college advisor miami, college counselor broward, college counselor miami, international college counselors, mandee heller adler, paying for college
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Graduation Wisdom for All

Monday, May 31st, 2010

High school students, college counselors are only among the first professional advisors you’ll hear from throughout your life. In four years (for most of you), you’ll hear from your commencement speaker (the guest speaker at your graduation). Some will be witty and some serious, all will hopefully leave you a little bit wiser.

Gradspot.com made a list of “The All-time Best Graduation Speeches”. Whether they’re the “best” is debatable, as are all “-est” lists, but they’re all really entertaining. Read the full article on The Top Ten All-Time Best Graduation Speeches from gradspot.com.

CNBC also made a list of The Ten Best Graduation Speeches of All Time.

Only three people made both lists, and Will Ferrell is one of them!
They’re all inspiring, so enjoy!

One thought from International College Counselors:
Go out and be successful, but include ethics in your definition of success.

From Mandee Heller Adler, president of International College Counselors, and the other expert college counselors: Good luck to all graduating seniors, in college and beyond.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” ~ Dr. Seuss

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Get started on 2010-11 college applications

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

The College Application preview is now available.

High school juniors who want to get a head start on college applications can see a preview of the entire 2010-11 Common Application.

The new Common App goes online on August 1. Until then, students can familiarize themselves with what information they will need. And, they can start working on it.

Where can I find a preview version of the Common Application?

A preview version of the 2010-11 Common Application has been posted at: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/SchoolFormsFAQ.aspx

What is the Common Application?

The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that provides an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit it to any one of 414 member schools that accept it, including 47 public institutions.

The full list of schools that accept the Common Application can be seen here: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx

What are the benefits of the Common Application?

The Common Application is intended to ease the admissions process for students by reducing the number of separate applications a student has to complete when applying to numerous colleges.

Note from International College Counselors: Many colleges still require additional information, including more essays.

Is there a Common Application for transfer students?

Yes. You can preview the transfer application here: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/SchoolFormsFAQ.aspx

There are six choices of topics for student essays and the minimum length is 250 words. This essay should be the same for all colleges – so make sure it’s the best you have! Students working with International College Counselors, please call us at 954-414-9986 as soon as you possible and we will help you get started.

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AP GRADE REPORTING

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

To report the AP test or not to report the AP test, that is this week’s question.

By Mandee Heller Adler, president of International College Counselors

After taking one of the many various AP tests, there are usually three ways a student will feel: Great! Good. And Awful.

If you think you did great or good, congratulations!

If you’re sure you did awfully and scored a 1 or a 2, or you’re not sure how you did. You can withhold or cancel your score.

Because AP grades are released in July, any request for changes in reporting must be received by June 15.

Note that it’s not likely that any one AP grade you submit, no matter how low, will fatally wound you.

Canceling vs. Withholding

Canceling AP grades

Canceling an AP grade permanently means you’ll never, ever see the grade and it’s deleted from your record forever.

The option to cancel a score helps a number of students. Some of those students took an AP course but found it didn’t cover all the information on the test. (And this happens more than we’d like to think.) This option also encourages the risk takers, the students who take an AP exam in a subject they might not have taken the class for. (They’re the ones who study a lot on their own).

To cancel a score, you must notify the College Board by sending them assigned request by mail or fax with your signature. You should include in your letter:

your full name, home address, birth date, and AP number(s)
the year(s) that you took AP Exams
the name, city, and state of the college you specified
the name(s) of the exam(s) for which you want a grade canceled.

This service is free but note that the grade report that you and your school receive will indicate that the grade has been canceled.

Withholding AP grades

Withholding a score means you may have one or more grades withheld from the colleges you indicated on your answer sheet. This gives you the chance to see your scores before the colleges.

You may later release the grade to that college by sending AP Services a signed written request and a small fee.

What we suggest to the students we work with at International College Counselors is to not send your scores to any colleges in May.

Our reasoning is as follows: with your test, as explained to me by an AP representative, you only get to send your scores to one school free, any others are $15. In other words, if you choose to withhold your scores from all the colleges until you see them, you’re only “losing” $15. Many students can think of the $15 as “insurance”. It’s easy to see your scores and then end them in if you want to.

You can withhold a score if you already sent them in, but if you took them this year, we recommend waiting until early July. Beginning July 3, grades by phone are available for the 2009 exams. It’ll cost you a few extra dollars to get your scores by phone, but it’s a very small price to pay in the larger scheme of things.

To withhold a score, you must notify the College Board by sending them a letter with your signature. You should include in your letter:

your full name, home address, birth date, and AP number(s)
the year(s) that you took AP Exams
the name, city, and state of the college you specified
the name(s) of the exam(s) for which you want a grade withheld. (All your grades will still appear on the reports sent to you and your high school.)
a check for the exact amount due made out to “AP Exams.” There is a $10 fee per grade, per college.

Note that unlike a canceled score, a request to withhold a grade does not permanently delete your grade. A withheld AP grade counts in your AP average and affects AP scholar designations. This means you can choose the scores that work to your advantage and feel confident to take some extra AP exams.

For more information on AP grade reporting services straight from the College Board go to:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/exgrd_rep.html

If you need a college advisor or have any other college questions, I’d be happy to answer them. Please write me here or at my personal email which can be found on this International College Counselors website.

Mandee Heller Adler, Founder of International College Counselors and lead college advisor
www.internationalcollegecounselors.com

<http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com> >

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