Girls in Pajamas Talking About College

Girls in Pajamas Talking About College

            

Hey Seniors! So Homecoming spirit days have come and gone but I had a delightful conversation last week with five comfortably-clad senior girls all clutching teddy bears and stuffed rabbits.  They were sitting in the Counseling Office waiting for the representative from University of Delaware who was very late.  The talk turned to the aggravation and stress of the college application process.

Melissa told the story of how at her lunch table someone had mentioned that the Green transcript request forms were due that day for the November 1^st Early Action college deadlines. (They weren’t due that day but they are due NOW!)  She spit out her food and ran to see her school counselor, filling out green sheets as she climbed up the stairs. She was very relieved to hear she still had time and her counselor asked her to spread the word so that other seniors wouldn’t freak out.  “It’s too late” she said.  “Two of my friends are in their counselors’ offices right now in full panic mode.”

Strangely, Rolling Admissions ( deadline is ongoing) is causing undue stress because Morgan says that she is getting nearly DAILY EMAILS from her college reminding her to send in her transcript as soon as possible.  Melissa says that University of Minnesota is starting to send her emails in all caps:  SEND YOUR TRANSCRIPT NOW OR WE CANNOT GIVE YOU AN ADMISSION DECISION!!!!  It’s getting intense out there.

When I asked if the girls were enjoying Homecoming week their eyes twinkled a bit but then the shadow of Early Action deadlines passed over them and they collectively sighed and hugged their stuffed animals a little closer.

Samantha and the other girls expressed dismay at the short week (3 days of school) and all that they had to finish:  college essays and applications plus school work  and, of course,  homecoming activities.  Hopefully, they were able to enjoy the cool stuff like the bonfire, senior skit, and homecoming dance.

Abbey and Morgan talked about their parents’ involvement in the process.  Some of the girls thought their parents had STRONGLY ENCOURAGED them to get their essays done over the summer.  Others said that they wished that their parents had nagged more.  Morgan thought she would have been further along in the process by now which worries her.

Meghan’s green sheet philosophy is she will turn in a green sheet if she falls in love with the college when she visits – you have to love that!

So seniors, the worst thing you can probably say to your friends right now is “YOU HAVEN’T DONE THAT YET”? Instead, help and encourage each other.  You will get through this and next year at this time you will be smiling, taking in the Fall colors on the campus of your dreams, on your way to your 11:00am class.

T.T.Y.L.,

GW College Coach

You’ve Been Admitted to More Than One College!!

Hey Seniors: 

May 1^st is the National Candidates Reply Date.  No college can require you to commit to attending, with the exception of Early Decision or NCAA athletic scholarship programs.  You have until May 1^st to decide.  If you truly feel you cannot make the decision by        May 1^st, call your colleges for an extension.  They may grant you one.

How to Make Your Decision

There is no one perfect college.  Your college experience will be what you make of it.  Know that it will be an exciting, meaningful and pivotal time of your life!

• Ask questions – create a list of questions you still have about the colleges you are  considering      
• Get Answers (college admissions reps, current students, college website)
• Visit or revisit campus if possible
• Think things over.  (Step away from the process —get outside)
• Compare financial aid offers.  (Determine exactly what your out-of-pocket cost will be  to attend each school.)
• Finally, ask yourself at which college can you imagine yourself as most successful and happy?

Here’s what you will sing on May 2^nd:

Clap along if you feel like a room without a view

Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you

Clap along if you feel like that’s what you want to do

C’mon admit it—you are not sick of this song!!

T.T.Y.L.

GW College Coach

For more decision-making ideas check out collegeboard.org and www.nacacnet.org

Did I Get In?!

What to do while waiting for your colleges to respond …

According to the National Association of College Admissions Counselors’ research, the top three stressors in the college admissions process are:

Application Essays              71%

ACT/SAT                             64%

Waiting for Responses        60%

from universities                  

So you can check off the first two, but some of you are waiting to hear and won’t hear until April.  If you are on a wait list, the anxiety is even greater because you may not even hear in April.  Counselors are still available for you if you are really stressed.  We can help process your anxiety with you.  Sometimes just talking to a trusted adult can help.

Other Stress Reducers:

 

·      Play with your dog (or ferret or fish)

·      Listen to your music

·      Breathe deeply

·      Nurture supportive relationships

·      Make a list of things that make you happy

·      Try yoga

·      Visualize your acceptance!

·      Do some volunteer work

·      Take some pictures

·      Do something you liked to do as a child

·      Say “no” to some requests

·      Stop worrying about what you can’t control

·      Get enough sleep

·      Really listen when someone is talking to you

·      Go on a bike ride or hike

·      Laugh

In short,  Live Your Life.  It’s going to work out!

                                                                                                                        T.T.Y.L

                                                                                                                        GW College Coach

Next Blog:  You’ve Been Accepted—How do You Choose?

We’ll Never be Royals, Royals………

Hey Seniors:  So, although Lorde will probably NOT need financial aid after winning a Grammy last month, you may be thinking about financial aid right now.  Many of you have heard from your Early Action/Decision colleges and can start gathering financial aid information.

·      FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid – fafsa.org)  Most families will complete this form online providing earning info for 2013.  This gives your college information to help create your financial aid package.

If you need help attend:

FAFSA Completion Workshop for Seniors

Saturday, February 8 at Glenbard West library – 10:30 am (Spanish and English)

·      SCHOLARSHIPS!!

Do you like Burger King?

Have you had your hair cut at Great Clips?

Do you make Healthy Choices?

Are you interested in nursing?

Are you an Odd Fellow?

Do you love Ronald McDonald?

(or do you think clowns are scary?!)

Check out Fastweb.com and Naviance scholarship listings for these and HUNDREDS of others.

Pick up a LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP form now available in guidance or on Naviance.  There are 45 scholarships and you can check off several.  The form is due back in guidance on February 27.

Call the COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE at the college you will attend to ask about college-specific scholarships.  See your counselor if you have questions.

                                                                                                            Good Luck!

                                                                                                            T.T.Y.L.

                                                                                                            GW College Coach