YOUR COLLEGE CONNECTION

DEFERRED???? WHAT'S GOING ON? REJECTIONS???

2012-01-15T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
The following is from the NEW YORK TIMES, January 15, 2012.
Your thoughts?

As a Broader Group Seeks Early Admission, Rejections Rise in the East

Early admission to top colleges, once the almost exclusive preserve of the East Coast elite, is now being pursued by a much broader and more diverse group of students, including foreigners and minorities By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA and JENNY ANDERSON
.
The democratization of the process — and the overall explosion in applicants — made the early-admissions game much tougher this year for the group that has long dominated it: students in prep schools in New York and beyond where the vast majority of seniors apply to their top choices in November in hopes of avoiding the springtime scrum.
“Their odds have definitely decreased,” said Christoph Guttentag, dean of admissions at Duke University. “You can sort of envision the appeal of early decision radiating outward, from the most affluent to the middle class, and westward from the East Coast and then across the Pacific.”

Duke, for example, received 400 early applications this year from California or overseas; in 2005, it was fewer than 100. Haverford College, outside Philadelphia, saw early applications from abroad double this year from last. And at the University of Chicago, there were double-digit rises in the percentage of early applications from black and Hispanic students.

You do not need a perfect score on the math SAT to know that if more people are applying — many top-tier colleges say the number has doubled or tripled over the last five years — competition is stiffer. So in certain precincts of Manhattan, parents of those who were deferred or rejected in December have been swapping stories ever since about the seemingly perfect senior at the Spence School who did not make the cut (“If not her, who?” lamented one parent) and the six Brearley School girls who were deferred from Yale (“I thought Yale loved Brearley,” cried another, pointing out that 20 Brearley graduates have gone to Yale in the last five years, more than any other university).

Was it the international students who pay full freight? The public schools who do more for diversity? Occupy Wall Street fomenting anger at the 1 percent?
“Maybe it’s that they are tired of New York City private school kids,” worried the mother of a senior who was deferred from Yale, echoing a common refrain. “The juniors,” she added, “are flipping out.”

Spence and Brearley, both girls’ schools on the Upper East Side, declined to comment on early-admissions data, and many parents spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearful that complaining publicly might hurt their children’s chances in the regular admissions round now under way. Other schools, including Scarsdale High, in Westchester County, said they had not seen significant change, but declined to be specific.

And some places saw plenty of success this season. At the Trinity School, on the Upper West Side, more than half of the seniors who applied on the early track were accepted (the school would not say where while the admissions process continues). At Saint Ann’s in Brooklyn Heights, 61 of the school’s 80 seniors applied early, and 52 were admitted — including five to Yale, three to Harvard and two to Princeton.
But college counselors, teachers, tutors and parents in these rarefied circles said students had to digest a hefty dose of deferrals and outright rejections this December.

“There was a lot of disappointment from kids who had prepped hard and got high scores on their tests,” said Tim Levin, founder and chief executive of Bespoke Education, a tutoring and SAT prep company.

Grading early admissions can be a little like analyzing a baseball game after four innings, but it has grown in importance over the last decade, with many Ivy League and other prestige campuses filling 45 percent or more of their classes in December. Generally, students may apply early to only one college, and more and more are doing so, believing it gives them a leg up.

Duke got 2,700 early applications this year, up from 1,482 in 2005. The University of Chicago’s growth was even steeper: 8,698 in 2011, compared with 3,776 in 2008 and 2,774 in 2005. Early applications to Pomona College jumped 33 percent this year over last.

Vincent J. Tompkins Jr., head of school at Saint Ann’s and a former deputy provost at Brown University, attributed the huge increase to “the sense that applying early enhances one’s chance of getting into a highly selective college,” though some colleges dispute that notion.

While many experts say the curve has been getting steeper for several years, 2011’s math was made worse at some colleges, in part because Harvard, Princeton and the University of Virginia returned to the field after several years without early admissions. During those years, some other top East Coast colleges increased their number of early acceptances, presuming that some of those accepted would abandon them if they got in later to one of those three colleges. Now, places like Yale and Georgetown have cut early acceptances 10 percent, expecting more of the “yeses” to ultimately say yes back.

“Because of those schools resuming early admissions, we think more of our early applicants are people who are really committed to Georgetown,” said Charles A. Deacon, dean of admissions.

Whether or not they gain an advantage, the early-applicant group is shifting; along with minorities, foreigners and public school students, it now also includes more athletes, as college coaches push recruits to enter the early round as well.
“Early decision historically tended to be more homogenous than the regular pool — more white, more upper-class and upper-middle-class, less international,” said Jess Lord, dean of admissions and financial aid at Haverford. “That’s changing fast.”
Of the 726 students accepted to Princeton last month, 56 percent attend public high schools, up from 50 percent five years earlier, the last time it had early admissions; and 37 percent are minorities, up from 31 percent. Among Harvard’s 772 early admits, almost 20 percent are black or Hispanic, compared with 15 percent of those admitted early in 2005.

Amid huge budget cuts to the vaunted University of California system, East Coast colleges like Haverford and Duke are seeing much more interest from the West. At Harvard-Westlake, a top prep school in Los Angeles, 22 students applied early to the University of Chicago this year, compared with 4 in 2007, said Tamar Adegbile, an upper school dean. Eight were accepted.

Foreign students have a particular appeal, and not just because many of them have sterling credentials and make for a more diverse student body. Unlike the overwhelming majority of American students, most foreigners pay full price.

After years of being relatively flat, the number of undergraduates from other countries studying in the United States has jumped 25 percent over the last four years, hitting 291,000 last year, according to the Institute of International Education. The number from China soared to 57,000 from 10,000.
The change has been more pronounced in the early admissions pool, where top colleges report getting two to four times as many international applications as they did a few years ago.

“It used to be that no internationals applied early,” said Mr. Deacon, the admissions dean at Georgetown. “More Asian families, particularly in China, have become able to afford education in the United States, and they focus on the elite institutions, or one tier down.”

THE BEST VALUES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

2012-01-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
I am a big fan of KIPLINGER'S MAGAZINE. You probably are aware of that if you have been reading my blog. Each year the magazine does an article on the 100 schools that deliver a quality education at an affordable price. I especially like the rankings because the data includes the average debt at graduation.

If you read my blog, you will also know, that I advise students to manage their debt to be no greater than $20,000 over four years. Not for one year, two years, but total $20,000 for the diploma. That means if you take six years to graduate, $20,000.

It's all about common sense. Really. There are a few exceptions, but for 99% of you, $20,000 in debt is enough.

Now getting back to the point, the top three colleges are University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, on the list year after year, and always in the top three. University of Florida and University of Virginia. These three colleges are my favorite public colleges.

The picture above was taken on the football field at the University of Florida. . .No, we were not suppose to be on the field. I also had my two dogs with me. Breaking rules is not a good idea, but how they informed me that we could not be on the field was pure class. Polite, friendly, but firm.

I highly recommend anyone who is looking at a large university, UNC 18,000; U of FL 32,000; and U of VA 15,0000 to check out these three for starters.

There are 97 more on the list, so check out the site as you begin your college list.
Brenda

UP AND COMING COLLEGES

2011-11-22T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

Here I am on Radford College's campus. Students on campus 9,000 and Radford University is listed as one of the nation’s “Top Up-and-Coming Schools” in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2010 Guide to America’s Best Colleges and is on The Princeton Review's list of best colleges and universities in the Southeast.

Put it on your list.

Here are a few other up an coming schools according to U.S. News and World Report.

University of Maryland - Baltimore
George Mason
Indianna University-Purdue University
Clemson University
University of Central Florida
Drexel University
Tulane University
University of South Florida
Ohio State University
Arizona State University

Think a bit differently and research a college that probably would not have appeared on your list. Your dream college could be on this list.

Best,
Brenda

GO FOR YOUR DREAM COLLEGE

2011-07-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Recently I have had more than a few students alter their college dreams because someone indicated during a conversation about college choices, that their dream college wasn't within their grasp.

Horrendous. What makes it even more of an offense is the students all could, if they tried, place their dream college within their sphere of possibilities.

Life is a matter of creating possibilities and that is exactly what my role is with students, creating possibilities.

However, lately it has been made more challenging by discouraging words from adults, adults who should know that students will live up to expectations.

I have high expectations for my students and when they spend enough time with me to begin to believe and see what I see in them, dream colleges become a reality.

Please parents and other adults, encourage, set the bar high. Of course, all of this takes hard work,a clear strategy for achievement and displaying the students strengths clearly, yes, marketing the students, but as a team we can make a dream a reality.

It is our responsibility.

PARENTS, HOW TO TEACH DECISION MAKING SKILLS.

2011-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Who makes the decisions in your family? Who will make the college decision? You, the parents or your child? It is my job to help you make the best decisions, but frequently it is evident that you son or daughter is incapable of making a decision and has limited problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving skills are probably the most important skills a young adult can possess in life.

College choice is your child's decision. Of course, there are parameters that must be adhered to such as cost. other than that, the student should be able to make his/her own choice. Resist the urge to tell your child which college to select.

Students are scared about college, worried that they will make the wrong decision, will be unhappy with their choices and not be successful in college. Parents would do best to express empathy about the difficulty of the pending decision.

A good mantra for a parent is "Having to choose a college is a difficult task; I know you will make a good decision."

Showing empathy and encouragement goes a long way in this process.

I hear many parents describe a child who exhibits no interest in the college process. Usually the parents are expending more energy working and worrying about the admissions process than their child.

Early in a child's life, she learns that her mother will do all the worrying and work for her As a result, the child, young adult, learns that everything will be taken care of by her parent. Why worry, mom is or dad is worrying and taking care of business. Let them figure out what needs to be done.

One of the best ways to curb this pitfall is the let your son or daughter solve his/her own problems, figure our their own solutions with the little things as well as the big things such as college admissions.

This is a challenge,and it is never too late to change your course.

GO FOR MERIT AID REGARDLESS OF INCOME!

2011-02-06T15:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
I am asked many questions about financial aid. Financial aid is a broad term that generally refers to all money flowing out of that office including merit money, loans, grants, scholarships, etc. Most families are intimidated by the financial aid process and their intimidation often results in less money for the family.

As with all purchases, the consumer should be financially savvy about what the bottom line cost is for their chosen college, more so these days than ever before.

Follow this blog over the next few months; click on the suggested links to help you educate yourself before you make your acceptance decisions on May 1. Don't rush your acceptance. Wait to see what you are offered in your financial aid package before you say, "YES!"

Let's start with an easy point. All financial aid decisions or conversations are held in the financial aid office, not admissions. Face-to-face contact with your financial aid officer may "pay off" in the spring. Call now to schedule an appointment. Be respectful, ask good questions, and arrive prepared.

When you meet with financial aid, here is a good question to ask. How does the aid office treat parent loans (PLUS Loans) as an option when figuring how the college will meet your need? If there is an expectation that the parent take out a loan in addition to the student loan, then it is fair to conclude that the schools simply doesn't have the money for significant financial awards.

Students loans may be necessary, but as a simple rule of thumb, students would be wise to keep their loan commitments to less then $20,000 after four or more years of college. Yes, that number is correct. Therefore, ask financial aid what the figure is for student debt upon graduation. Of course, that data is available from many sources; one of the best is .

This last fact is the most important one to remember. The higher a student is in the applicant pool, the greater the chance for more grant assistance. Grants are gifts, no repayment necessary. AS I have stated to you many times, students applying to colleges where they stand above the other applicants is "financial aid leverage." (Note - The Ivy League Colleges and other "little Ivies" do not give merit aid.)

The following are the questions to ask about merit aid.

How many merit awards are available?
What is the highest amount of merit aid offered?
What are the qualifications to receive one of these merit awards?

Merit awards are not based on financial aid. In fact, families with no financial need are receiving much of the merit aid. This is a trend that has been evident during the past two years and is continuing this year.

The above points should give you a few good essential topics to discuss during your late winter, early spring financial aid meeting.

Brenda

BEST CITIES FOR THE CAREER-MINDED STUDENT

2011-01-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
SMART MONEY magazine did an article on the five cities for the career-minded students.

They are as follows:

Bridgeport, Conn.
Trenton-Ewing, NJ
Gainseville, FL
Boulder, CO
Ann Arbor, Mich

Interesting they are also geographic areas that most of my parents shun!
When I suggest these areas, my parents are quick to say, "NO!"

Let's just do an easy one for you. Connecticut.
We have the University of Bridgeport, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac University. Students land internships at PricewaterhouseCoopers and UBS. Stamford, a major financial center is about 25 miles away.

Internships according to the administration at Quinnipiac, include UBS and ING and GE. Internships lead to employment.

I just visited Gainseville and it is one of the most vibrant college campuses I have ever visited. Gainseville attracts young adults because of its energy in addition to its growing medical and biotechnology fields. U of FL medical school is affiliated with Shands Hospital. The cost of living in the area is very low and the campus and community was very safe.

As you do your college search, it is imperative that the opportunities for internships be a variable, an important one, for selecting your colleges.

One more tidbit, U of FL continues to be on the most affordable colleges list year after year after year.

It is important to have an open mind with the college search because looking at the big picture is essential in this economy.

Best,
Brenda

SELF-DISCIPLINE WITH THE SAT

2011-01-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
Self-discipline is required now. I do hope you have been employing self-discipline in many areas of your life, but now you must add one more. Let's go for self-discipline in the SAT arena.

Those of you who will be taking the PSAT and SAT, let's do some preparation and practice.

Self-discipline can be considered a type of selective training, creating new habits of thought, action and speech toward improving yourself and reaching goals.

The critical reading section of the SAT is an acquired skill. Reading cannot be passive when you are taking the SAT. Do you know how to read actively? Developing that new skill will definitely take a bit of self-discipline.

Instead of devoting a lot of hours one day, and none the other and then a few on another day and so on, allocate a specific time period each day of the week for that task. Hold firm. Simply set the habit of routine until this SAT trip is over!

Check out the best SAT preparation sites and books on this blog. Get started now.
Brenda

STATE SCHOOLS LURE MORE EMPLOYERS

2010-09-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
"State Universities have become the favorite of companies recruiting new hires because their big student populations and focus on teaching practical skills gives the companies more bang for their recruiting buck." This is the opening paragraph for a recent WSJ article. The top five colleges PENN STATE, TEXAS A&M, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, AND ARIZONA STATE. Visit the website at to see the top 25 colleges and how they were ranked and other related articles.

WHAT IS THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE - THIS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

2010-08-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Here is a great article that I think you will appreciate because it is a bit different perspective about attending college, but one that a parent should contemplate before shelling out $50,000.

What is the college experience?
In the words of Joseph Reisert, a professor and department chairman at Colby College, "little is done by colleges to dispel the concept of the college experience and many, expensive, private ones do a lot to reinforce it. . ."
CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE.

Brenda

COLLEGE - BEGIN WITH A PLAN

2010-08-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
A good friend introduced me to Cal Newport's books: HOW TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL SUPERSTAR, HOW TO WIN AT COLLEGE:SURPRISING SECRETS FOR SUCCESS FROM THE COUNTRY'S TOP STUDENTS, AND STRAIGHT A STUDENT: UNCONVENTIONAL STRATEGIES REAL COLLEGE STUDENTS USE TO SORE HIGH WHILE STUDYING LESS.

I am a new fan of Cal's because he and I have the same philosophy. Less stress. More Success. I believe that students can be accomplished and happy. As you know, I prefer to focus on an individual's strengths and focusing on one's strengths leads to passions and passions lead to happiness. Happiness can coexist with success.

I am suggesting to all my students that they dig into Mr. Newport's blog and books. I certainly will be doing that to not only reinforce my beliefs, but to evolve in my learning as well.

Study skills, note taking in particular are challenges for many students. Let's all share our resources and learn from each other. For me, one of the best ways of learning - as a group.

As the class of 2014 begins colleges, I suggest five steps to adhere to from day one.
1. Attend all your classes. ALL OF THEM.
2. Have media-free time zones each day. No video games, facebook e-mail, texting.
3. Planning and time management are necessary skills to learn right now. You know what you need to do, but do you know how much time it takes? Allot the correct amount of time for preparation and learning. Procrastinators, this means you, too. Most of us want to procrastinate. Those who are successful rarely do.
4. Build your team - advisors, professors, student turors, study groups. And I would add that you team should include www.calnewport.com and his Study Hacks blog that has very practical easy to use strategies for college success.

Best,
Brenda

2010-08-15T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
In the past students were flocking to colleges in Canada because of the exchange rate.
As of today, 8/13/2010, it is just about even. However, whichever way you look at it, Canadian schools are great deals. I just visited the University of New Brunswick in St. John. Students who love the outdoors this is the place for you. Irving Nature Trail has four miles of hiking trails along the rocky ocean coast and Rockwood park has cross country ski trails, and many other destinations for outdoor adventure. St. John is a bustling city with many restaurants, bars, and friendly people. A very youthful city.

One interesting thing about University of New Brunswick, St. John is that to travel across the campus, many of the passageways are underground; in fact, I would dare to say that you could move around the campus all day without having to traipse across the snow covered walkways.

The campus is very close to the huge Rockwood Park and a short drive to the city. The views from the campus are breathtaking. I noticed many international students on campus in the summer. My theory is if the international students are on campus, the college is an economically sound one as well as academically challenging.

I recommend SJNB for those students who love the outdoors, kayaking, hiking, etc., as part of their academic experience.

Best,
Brenda

GREAT ARTICLE

2010-07-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

how-to-get-into-college: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance
http://finance.yahoo.com/college-education/article/110026/how-to-get-into-college?mod=edu-continuing_education

Hello Friends,
This is a fabulous article. Take a few moments to read it. If you would like to have a copy sent to you, just let me know.

This is a good time for SAT preparation and practice as well as working on your college resume.

The college resume should be very different from the work resume.
If you want help with the, please contact me.

Happy July - my favorite month!
Brenda

MONEY FOR COLLEGE!

2010-05-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Here is a book that all of you should purchase, read and study. PAYING FOR COLLEGE WITHOUT GOING BROKE, 2010 EDITION by Chany and Hartz.
OK, if you cannot do that, then be sure you spend some time with me discussing paying for college.

Why? Many of my families and students are really struggling with financial concerns toward the end of the college admission process. Financial decision should be made way before the senior year.

Read the book or spend some time really discussing college finance 101 with me, one hour to one hour and a half, for a stress free senior spring.

Brenda

IMPROVE YOUR ODDS FOR MERIT MONEY

2010-04-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Here is Kip's Tip. (Kipplinger's)

Aim a Little Low. Students should apply for schools for which you are slightly over-qualified.

Cover your Bases. Private school formulas are difference from public schools. Apply to both types.

File the Forms. These forms make you eligible for loans but also for federal grants.

Appeal the Decision. Share your expectations with the financial aid office; however, know your facts before you make an appointment.

Mention the Competition. Let colleges know your better offers especially if you want to attend a college with a lower offer. Bring your offers to share with the financial aid/admissions team.

http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/college-financial-aid-letter/
Check the above web site.
Brenda

CHOOSING AND PAYING FOR COLLEGE WITH EYES WIDE OPEN.

2010-04-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

For many families, the economic downturn is wreaking havoc on finding the money to pay for college. There is no better time than now to choose colleges wisely, and thus avoid enormous debt later on.

Many families were planning to use home equity loans to cover college costs. Unfortunately, these loans have all but dried up. In fact, the value of many homes is at or below what is owed on them. There is nothing left to borrow against, and banks are simply not going to lend money in these cases. Another sign of these tough times is that jobs are precious and simply hanging on to them is important.

So, the most important aspect for parents and students to focus on right now is choosing the best college value. This is not to say everyone should choose the lowest cost college, regardless of the match it is for the student. That would be silly and potentially disastrous. However, anyone about to be paying for college needs to wake up and understand that the cost of a student’s education will end up being repaid in the form of loans. In many cases these will be huge loans. What kind of jobs will the students have that can pay enough to cover such debt?

It does not have to be this way, and you need to take control of this matter immediately. If a state school will result in half the cost of a private college, you’d better give this a closer look. Is the education quality similar? Upon graduating, what are the prospects for a job and at what expected salary? What kind of loans will you be saddled with upon graduation?

There are lots of ways to evaluate and compare schools. I like the following two websites because they get into financial details : www.usnews.com/sections/education/index.html
and www.kiplinger.com/reports/best-college-values

Every family facing the enormous cost of college needs to take action. Doing it sooner than later could save you lots of angst and money.

Please contact me if you want some assistance sorting this out. Many of our recent contacts with students and parents have been via video conferencing – we use Skype which is available free to both PC and MAC users. All it takes is a camera-equipped computer and a broadband connection and voila we are meeting face-to-face in the comfort of our homes or dorm rooms. Go to my "BrenMar Tips" page for a step by step way to start using Skype.

Students love Skyping, since it fits in nicely with their busy schedules, and the time they save by using video conferencing, versus driving to a meeting, is important to them. Skype also meets their desire to "go green", as it saves gas, too.

Parents like it because it is efficient and allows them to connect with BrenMar on short notice, especially during the college acceptance season.

Using video conferencing technology, we can immediately assess and address your situation and choices - and likely save you serious money.

Good luck!

FACEBOOK - THINK BEFORE YOU SHARE!

2010-02-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
Be careful what you share on Facebook. College admissions officers are checking facebook pages once they are reading your admissions file. What, you didn't think they would do that? I am amazed that families, especially mothers, believe that this whole admissions process is not a business proposition. College is big business. BUSINESS! Colleges that are very selective are wise institutions. They do check Facebook regardless of what you are told, hear or believe.

So in a nutshell, students, be selective about what you share on Facebook. If you are comfortable with your grandmother seeing the information, than you are probably comfortable with admissions seeing the information.

Privacy isn't a bad thing. There really is no need to share everything. Be selective and you may be rewarded by being selected.
Best,
Brenda

AP TESTS - MORE TESTS = MORE FAILURES, OF COURSE

2010-02-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
As you know, I am a believer that if a student wants to take an AP class, he/she should be allowed to take the class. Simple, right? No, much debate surrounds AP courses.

Some students enroll in the course but do not sit for the AP test. Other students do not put in the effort to get a good score. Some students simply just have difficulty with the AP test. What most researchers are not stating is the following:
A College Board spokesperson states that enrollment growth means the raw numbers of students earning passing scores is climbing even if the overall failure rate is climbing as well.

Enrollment has grown from 704,000 in 1999 to 1.7 million last year. Fabulous. The AP courses were once available only for the elite, but now thousands more are taking the courses. Great!

Teachers, administrators, and curriculum coordinators must work within their districts to align the curriculum so that the entire discipline leads to the AP end result. Take a close look at Maryland's system which seems to be significantly improving their AP scores despite the increase of students taking the exams and courses.

Standards are important and if the nation would use AP exams as the final step in the academic ladder, the nation's youngsters regardless of socioeconomic background would benefit and be provided an excellent, rigorous curriculum which would prepare all students for many options after high school.

Your thoughts?
Brenda

STUDENTS AND ANXIETY

2010-01-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
I just read that five times as many high school student in the USA are dealing with anxiety an other mental health problems than people of the same age who were in the depression. I had read previously that 50% of all college-age students have some sort of mental health issues. The results were from 78,000 students who took the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory from 1938 and 2007.

So what do we do about it?

Choices, too many choices create stress. Parents, stop adding to the college list. Less is more. Visiting too many colleges causes confusion. Visit a few. Students, you cannot possibly apply to 14 colleges and do a bang up job. Six, maybe 8 is a healthy amount.

Extracurricular Activities - Parents, more is not better. Students, find one or two extracurricular activities and do them well. Be a leader in that arena.

Strengths not weaknesses. Parents, focus on what your child does well. Students, those strengths can be outside of the classroom. Are you a loyal friend? Are you a good listener? What are your strengths and follow the path of strength instead of emphasizing your weaknesses.

Clutter - Parents and students, get rid of it in your mind, your house, your desk, your book bag. Eliminate, simplify, less is more is the resounding theme.

If you focus on these four areas of simplification, you will not become a stressful statistic.
Best,
Brenda

WHERE IS THE COLLEGE MONEY GOING?

2010-01-21T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
Recent research from federal data concludes that 50 public flagship colleges continue to enroll students who are "richer and far whiter" than most in their states, says Kati Haycok, director of the non-profit Education Trust.

The conclusion, which is not a surprise to me but a surprise to many of my families, is that, overall, colleges are less generous to needy families. Yes, that is true. That fact is evident with my needy students.

Twice as much money is given out to families with incomes over $80,000 as those with incomes less than $55,000.

Colleges that did receive good marks for how they disperse money were U of FL, U of Maine, U of Utah and West Virginia University.

A good topic for discussion.
Brenda

FINANCIAL AID MADE SIMPLE

2010-01-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
This is financial aid time. First of all you should be filling out the FAFSA form regardless of your income. You have nothing to lose and the forms has been made extremely easy to complete. I am amazed that the changes have been significant. Bravo! There is no reason someone would not be able to complete the form.

No need to have your taxes done to complete the form. Just use last year's income tax number and then update your form when your recent tax form is completed. Easy as that. Financial aid officers really need to see your form and the sooner they can see your forms, the happier they are. Nothing is better than a happy financial aid officer. Can you imagine how difficult their job is, especially in this economy. Let's find a way to make your interactions with them easier.

If you get multiple merit offers from numerous colleges, I believe you should share those offers with all your colleges. Authentic negotiations is my preferred method of doing business. Let's say, one college is offering you $10,000 per year in merit money, but your #1 college is offering you only $5,000, please share that information in order to see if maybe you can get more merit money from your #1 college.

I know this is difficult for many of you. If so, give me a call so we can discuss this more completely.

Regardless, let's get the FAFSA completed by the end of the month, Jan. 31.
Best,
Brenda

VISIT MY WEB SITE TO LEARN ABOUT VIDEO CONFERENCING

2009-04-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
We have been very busy doing video conferencing this year. It is fabulous as many of you know. Regardless of where you live, we are able to help you with your college search, the admissions process and with your financial aid.

Go to www.brenmar.net to learn about video conferencing and to contact us.
Brenda

I invite you to visit my Web page at www.brenmar.net

2008-11-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
I have been busy updating my new web page. Please visit it and tell me what you think?
I will add to my blog frequently, but it is my hope that my Web site is a more valuable venue for educational, college admissions and financial aid planning. I encourage you to visit it and order my latest newsletter which deals with the economic situation and the impact on financial aid.

Best,
Brenda Breton
Your College Connection

Admission Game

2008-06-12T07:44:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends,
Thought you may enjoy this article. The article includes some valuable advice particularly about the college interview and campus visits.

Admissions Games - Students strive to stand out from the crowd.

See the WORCESTER TIMES NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. www.telegram.com/article/20080611/NEWS/806110715/1008/NEWS02

Your College Connection
Brenda

Tuition Soaring

2008-05-26T17:37:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends,
Those of you who followed college basketball March Madness watched Davidson College's competition into the Elite Eight in the NCAA men's tournament. I was on the campus the day Davidson played Memphis and lost. The campus looked liked a ghost town because all the students were in the student center watching the game together. A great experience you would say. Of course, it is and it is made even better because as part of the tuition to Davidson, students get free laundry service.

Next year the expenses for freshmen will be $42,950 and of course that includes the laundry service. Davidson was beautiful, an outstanding academic environment, but do students really need laundry service?

Laundry service and many other perks are being demanded by students at colleges and of course, these services are not free. In fact, the perks students want are very expensive.

When did colleges become such luxurious spa like environments? Colleges are places of learning. When did luxury become synonymous with college?

USA TODAY reported that since 1982 consumer prices overall are up 95%, housing is up 124%, medical care is up 233% and college costs are up 375% according to the National Center for Public Policy and High Education.

College administrators say that if they do not offer these luxury items, they cannot compete with other colleges and would in fact lose students to those colleges who do offer the premium experience.

OK, why would a family pay for such luxury I ask? Although Davidson was a fabulous college, during my college tour, I visited many state colleges that offered as much if not more academically and were a fraction of the price. What about those families that are going into debt for these luxurious college experiences. Why? Have we proven that the laundry service really makes a difference in the outcome of the student? I would say - hey, learning to do one's own laundry is one of those learning experiences that we all just need to learn and certainly not one that an 18-year-old has earned the privilege to skip.

Call my foolish, but I think trying to keep colleges costs down especially when the number of high school age students starts decreasing seems like a smart economically move to me. But most importantly what is the main purpose of college? If we agree it is to get a good education in order to have employment options as well as a rich life, than what in the heck are we doing to our young adults.

I think we as older wiser adults, which most college administrators are, need to rethink what messages we are sending to our young adults.

As always, I welcome your comments on this issue.

Your College Connection,

College Visits

2008-05-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
I haven't written for a while because I have been traveling visiting colleges. What fun I had. Through Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and other states we drove stopping at colleges, checking things out and just enjoying the vast differences. I usually travel in February which is a great time to check out colleges. The students have begun the second semester and they are in the thick of studying. Campuses are not all dolled up with blooming shrubs so I get a real feel for winter on a college campus.

The other time I like to visit is in May during finals right before graduation. How a college works during finals, especially when the sun is shining and everything is in bloom, tells me a great deal about the college as well. Having that perspective is important to the overall analysis of a college.

I am eager to share my findings with you. It was a memorable trip, made especially valuable because the company I had along the way, the people we met, how safely we traveled and our good selection of audio books.

We are loading our pictures although I am sure they do not do justice to the majesty of the places we visited. We are eager to share them with you regardless.

Your College Connection,

Brenda

Teenagers in Charge

2008-03-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Hovering helicopter parents? Are you one of them? The backlash has begun as evidenced by Hara Estroff Marano's new book out in April,A NATION OF WIMPS. She offers some suggestions of do's and don'ts for high school parents.
Do let them manage their own lives.
Don't micromanage their time. When they drop the ball, empathize with the difficulty of keeping up with both school work and activities. But keep them in charge, Marano says: "It will motivate them to do better if they know Mom and Dad aren't going to rush in and take over."

What does this mean for the college planning process. Students should make their own decisions about colleges. (of course families need to agree about costs and the expenses of college.)Many times, I see parents second guessing the college lists that seniors select.

If you have done a good job of teaching your son or daughter to be a good problem solver and an independent thinker, then he or she should be able to make a good decision about his/her college plans. When a parent second guesses the college selections, it sends a message to the child that they cannot be trusted to make the really big decisions which then erodes the individual child's confidence. Lack of confidence leads to poor decisions, inadequate problem solving skills, and a delay in mature behavior.

I have seen those characteristics exhibited in students with helicopter parents. Those students are indecisive, are uncertain about their future, do not have specific interests, skills, or likes and dislikes that they can clearly articulate, delay thinking about their future and show little enthusiasm for the many choices for life after high school.

Parents need to provide boundaries, rules and expectations. Within those confines students should be allowed to make their own decisions and determine the steps that will allow them to meet their goals. Parents can be helpful with reminders, suggestions, and encouragement in a format of discussion not micromanagement and second guessing.

In closing, it is wise to remember that life is not always about winning and not feeling discomfort. It is understandable that parents do not want their child to feel discomfort. It is from those feelings of discomfort that we grow. If parents are constantly rushing in to eliminate those feelings from their children's lives, we then will have children who have not learned the necessary lessons for adult development and personal and professional success.

Your College Connection,

Brenda

Subscribe to Your College Connection Newsletter

2008-03-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Your College Connection offers a newsletter that can help families successfully navigate the college admissions process. Please contact us at brenmar.associates@verizon.net or visit us at www.brenmar.net to start your subscription now.

Students, Stress, and Where are the Health Centers?

2008-03-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
I have been hearing about students and stress for many years. Today's PORTLAND PRESS HERALD AP article "Poll:College Students Awash in Stress" opens with "College kids are so frazzled they can't sleep or eat. Or study."

Wow, I could write many pages here, but I will start with this topics - Health centers.

Many of you are visiting colleges in April. Great time to visit. However, what are you checking out during those visits? Food, food courts, unions, the towns, athletic facilities, dorms. I rarely hear a word about the health center. Why is that? Well, it isn't the most glamorous place on the campus and most people want to be optimistic about the future. With that being said, many students are on medications while in college. You would be surprised at the percentage - it is not a small number. With that knowledge, we need current health facilities and responsive medical personnel.

Two things I would be checking out with the health center. Who is on staff each day and evening; a nurse practitioner or a doctor? What services are available at the center? What counseling is available at the center.

If you read college literature as frequently as I do, and much of it is written from the students' points of view, it is evident that alcohol use is an issue. Is there a health center that addresses issues of "binging". What about sexual practices - I just spoke with a college student who confirmed my research on "hook ups." Protection from sexually transmitted diseases and birth control issues are practices that need to be discussed with personnel in addition to the residential life department staff.

Students are stressed; we know that. So as you visit ask the question -what are colleges doing about stress on campus? Ask to see the health center? Check out the hours of operation and ask about the qualifications and availability of the staff.

College costs far exceed the rate of inflation. College costs are enormous. For the price you are paying, a first rate college should have an outstanding health facility. I would be curious to see what you are finding.

Your College Connection.

Brenda

College Visits - What to Do and Ask?

2008-03-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
Although students may immediately drive on the college campus and decide, "this place is not for me" based on how he/she feels in that parking lot, you would be wise to continue with your planned visit. Do not worry because this scenario happens with many young adults - hey, it's a gut thing. I can relate. However, should you stay and visit, what should you be looking for while you are there? You know your decision should be more than a feel.

By the way, I hope your daughter,son was the one to call and make the appointment for the college visit. Parents, you didn't make that call did you? Well, please don't do it again. What message does that send to the admissions officer if you, the parent, are making all the calls? Please cut it out.

OK, the following are a few things you should be asking, visiting on your college tour. These questions should be asked of a variety of individuals, not just the tour guide or the admissions officer meeting with you. Connect with the librarians, bookstore personnel, residential life advisors, coaches, etc.

What do you particularly like about the college?

If you could change one thing about the college what would it be?

What campus issues are most important for the students?

Why did you choose this campus to attend; why did you choose to work at this college?

You should also take note if there were many students in the library, student union, etc.

I think one more thing is very important. When I am walking around a campus, many times accompanied by my best friend, Marcel Bubba the Wonder Dog, it is interesting for me to see how or even if I am greeted by the students, faculty and staff. A simple hello works for me; even a smile is nice. I especially like those campuses where the adults and even the students ask me if I need help finding a building. A woman with her dog on a college campus does stick out and it always makes me feel welcomed when my dog and I are acknowledged in a friendly manner.

Have fun with the visits. Appreciate the campus for what it is instead of whether your chances of getting accepted are strong.

And lastly, forget those summer visits. How can a campus be evaluated without its students and faculty in full swing? If you do not heed my advice and venture out in July, remember that another visit will be necessary.

Happy travels and as always I am eager to hear about your findings.

Your College Connection,

Brenda Breton

College Visits

2008-02-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,
I am back from another college tour. Late January and February are great times for college visits. If a college looks good to me in February, it is a sure bet that the same place will look pretty darn good in September when the students arrive. I also like to visit colleges when the students are well entrenched in their studies, therefore, getting a feel for the real college experience. I just returned from visiting Fairfield University, Connecticut College, Hofstra, Stony Brook, Iona, Adelphi and Manhattanville, --the Long Island tour.

I have learned a great deal about these colleges from my visit. During my visits I am always struck by the types of questions that parents and students ask. Tour guides are not professionals, but the questions are asked of these young adults. My next entry will give you some suggestions for questions to ask the admissions staff and what to look for during your visit.

College visits are more than visits to dining halls and dorms, and are even more than visits to the library and athletic facilities.

What do you think is important during your visit?

Your College Connection,

Brenda Breton

September- This Is It! The Game is Real!

2007-09-20T12:06:00.001-07:00

Hello Friends,

It is September and parents and seniors are all in a panic. What should I have done this summer? Where am I going to college? "I don't have a list. I am not crazy about any college. Maybe I shouldn't be going to college." These are all comments I have heard from students along with "I will never get it to _____." Parents feel that their son or daughter seem disconnected. "He doesn't even talk to me." "I hate her college list." I hope he doesn't think he can go to _____." He did no SAT prep and he will never get those scores up. He will not get in anywhere."

Alright, less talk and more action. Parents - your senior cannot talk. Why? He/she doesn't even know how to explain how they are feeling. The transition is a bit overwhelming to him/her right now, senior classes plus the college admissions process in addition to any other extracurricular activities. You have to admit it is a bit much. And do we all need to be reminded that nagging just isn't an effective way to communicate.

Seniors, can you at least smile at mom, dad once this week and maybe share a few of your tasks with your parents. Maybe they can help with getting the teacher recommendation envelopes ready. Or maybe they could do a bit of work reviewing your resume to be sure all your activities, awards, etc. have been included. (Notice I did not say essay here- admissions wants to hear a young adult voice, not a parent voice. . . )

What's the best way to communicate. How about lunch or a movie together or maybe a walk in the woods, a bike ride together. College admissions shouldn't consume all your time. Smile, take a deep breath, give each other a hug. When it is all over, I guarantee you will say, "this wasn't so bad after all."

But for now, get going on that essay and you still have time to do some SAT practice before the Oct. 6 SAT.

Best Wishes,
Your College Connection,

Brenda Breton

Summertime

2007-07-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
It's summertime. I don't know about you, but the summer light is a joy for me. I crave the warmth and the feeling of being outdoors. However, some parents are believing that the college application should be all wrapped up at this time.

Come on. Let's be real here. Some colleges don't even have their Web sites up and running right now because they are revamping their applications, essay prompts, adding various new parts to the application, etc.

Being in the northeast, it's not easy to be grinding away at a desk or computer when the sun has finally presented itself to us poor cold Mainers. Let's enjoy the weather, the outdoors a bit, have some fun in the sand and the surf; try bike riding, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, and eat some barbeque.

August will be here soon enough and we can all kick back into high gear. Believe me we are in good shape right now. Relax and enjoy each other for the month of July.

We will be working diligently soon enough.
Sincerely,

Your College Connection,
Brenda Breton

SAT Scores! Sigh or Smile?

2007-05-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,
Those students who took the SAT in May are now receiving their scores. Parents let's go easy on this one please. There is a fine dance that takes place right now. First of all, you want your student to practice; you and I both know that he/she needs to practice. But at the same time, we want him/her to feel that the practicing will make a difference. Some parents are being a bit tough about the SAT--your disappointment in your student's scores is showing all over your face; or in other cases, your encouragement seems false. So what is a parent to do?

Encourage, put the SAT into perspective, and help your son or daughter prioritize so there is, in fact, time, a place and a means to do SAT practice, preparation over the summer. (Check out the College Board Web site for practice information.) Soccer camps are scheduled; vacations are scheduled; are SAT practice sessions scheduled? Just like exercise, these activities need to be scheduled or they just won't happen.

So as a parent the best thing you can do is help your student schedule SAT practice time and create a setting so that the practice can in fact happen. No nagging, no badgering, just setting the stage for it to happen; 25 - 30 minutes two to three times a week would be ideal. You will see results if you start with that schedule and at least maintain the "habit" until October. Make it fun. Provide great food and a comfy setting. Have the correct materials and make the practice sessions fun by having a lighthearted approach about what this all means.

Expecting great results without hard work just doesn't happen in life. We all know that, but most importantly let's help young adults find ways to make the necessary hard work happen. As parents, teachers, educators, that's what we need to do. We know nagging doesn't work; we know nagging creates resentment and a likelihood that the request just may not happen or if it does, it occurs with not much enthusiasm. No one gets excited about SAT prep, but students do participate when they know that their efforts are recognized, appreciated and will provide significant results.

Let's show our young adults how to do that with a positive approach to this major and soon to be over chore.

Your College Connection
Brenda Breton

Legacy Admits - Does Legacy Count?

2007-05-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

I hear a great deal about legacy admits. A recent article was published by Shilpa Banerji of DIVERSE ISSUES IN HIGH EDUCATION. The article states Princeton University researchers have found that students who received legacy admissions are more likely to face academic challenges than Blacks who were admitted under affirmative action admissions programs.

Two researchers Masey and Mooney, Princeton sociologists used data from National Longitudinal Survey of Freshmen and found legacies who enjoyed a greater admissions bonus earned lower grades. The greater the gap between a legacy's SAT scores and the institutional average, the lower grades they received.

There has long been debates about legacy admits. There has long been debates about affirmative action admits. I suspect the debates will continue; however, I have found admissions officers to be tough on legacy applications for a number of reasons. Once again SAT scores play a part in the legacy decision and the data is coming in that those students who have higher SAT scores do better academically overall. It will stand to reason that admissions officers will continue to look at SAT scores are a predictor of college success regardless of legacy or affirmative action.

So, a solid academic foundation is a must as well as comfort with the SAT. As we head into the summer months, once again I stress the importance of warm weather to sit back with a good book, such as THE OFFICIAL SAT STUDY GUIDE, and do some SAT practicing.

Sorry! Although your son or daughter will not be interested in this data most likely, it is more data used to confirm that the SAT is not going away soon especially with those selective colleges.

Eager to hear your assessment of affirmative action and legacy admits.

Your College Connection,
Brenda Breton

Welcome to Your College Connection Blog

2007-05-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome Friends,
Welcome to the BrenMar Blog. Boy, this has been a project. I can't begin to express how difficult this has been. However, I wanted a vehicle that I could have available to you so you could learn about the college admissions process, share resources, and realize that you are not alone with this process. There are predictable teenage behaviors that exhibit themselves during this process. I want to share those with you so you can be reassured that your child is normal and his/her behaviors are normal.

My goal is to have some fun with this blog. (I am not yet.) My podcasts at itunes are also another way for you to learn about the college admissions process in a unique way. (A shortcut to itunes is available at my Web site, www.brenmar.net.) And for those of you who are interested in learning as much as possible, please subscribe to our newsletter also soon to be available at my Web site.

Check in with us frequently to laugh and learn. Let's have some fun now. You cannot begin to realize how confusing setting up this blog has been. PHEW!

Brenda Breton, your blogging fool.