• Student Activism

    Jen Smith June 3, 2020

    It was hard to imagine 2020 being any worse, and then the country erupted over the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.  Communities have watched in horror as protests have boiled over into riots and confrontations with heavily armed police and national guard troops.  In a summer that already felt uncertain, the civil unrest adds a layer of foreboding that may seem almost impossible to bear.  But you can counter that feeling of helplessness with action.       

    Student activism has long been the catalyst for political and societal change.  Many movements that have been dramatically advanced by student action.  No matter your political, social or personal beliefs, college is usually a place where you can find like-minded friends.  It can also be a place where your beliefs are challenged. 

    You can advance anti-racism or another cause safely with some of the following strategies.    

    1. Educate yourself!  Being informed is the first and perhaps most important step to advocacy.   
    2. Vote!  Suffice it to say, the November election may be one of the most pivotal in the country’s history.  This may be your first chance to vote.  Be informed on the candidates (all of them – local and national) and don’t sacrifice your fundamental role in this democracy.   
    3. Make your voice heard!  Even if you are not old enough to vote, you can still influence others.  Campaign for candidates you believe in, advocate for causes that inspire you, share your voice in the classroom, with your friends and family, and on social media.  Keep these conversations respectful by being informed (see point 1).  Use your skills and talents – be that writing, art, photography, performing, or programming – to tell your story.   
    4. Take action!  Action is often amplified when people come together.  Join a group or club of like-minded students, attend a peaceful protest or demonstration, organize an event for your school or community, create a fundraiser for your cause.  Taking action not only furthers your ideals but also builds an individual sense of certainty or control.   

    Although it is a heavy burden, it’s your generation that is capable of creating societal change.  Consider the America you want to live in and the role you want to have in building that community.  Upending an entrenched system may seem monumental, but history shows that change does happen.  As Ghandi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”  And for now – be safe and take care of yourself and your community.   

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  • Student Activism

    Jen Smith June 3, 2020

    It was hard to imagine 2020 being any worse, and then the country erupted over the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.  Communities have watched in horror as protests have boiled over into riots and confrontations with heavily armed police and national guard troops.  In a summer that already felt uncertain, the civil unrest adds a layer of foreboding that may seem almost impossible to bear.  But you can counter that feeling of helplessness with action.       

    Student activism has long been the catalyst for political and societal change.  Many movements that have been dramatically advanced by student action.  No matter your political, social or personal beliefs, college is usually a place where you can find like-minded friends.  It can also be a place where your beliefs are challenged. 

    You can advance anti-racism or another cause safely with some of the following strategies.    

    1. Educate yourself!  Being informed is the first and perhaps most important step to advocacy.   
    2. Vote!  Suffice it to say, the November election may be one of the most pivotal in the country’s history.  This may be your first chance to vote.  Be informed on the candidates (all of them – local and national) and don’t sacrifice your fundamental role in this democracy.   
    3. Make your voice heard!  Even if you are not old enough to vote, you can still influence others.  Campaign for candidates you believe in, advocate for causes that inspire you, share your voice in the classroom, with your friends and family, and on social media.  Keep these conversations respectful by being informed (see point 1).  Use your skills and talents – be that writing, art, photography, performing, or programming – to tell your story.   
    4. Take action!  Action is often amplified when people come together.  Join a group or club of like-minded students, attend a peaceful protest or demonstration, organize an event for your school or community, create a fundraiser for your cause.  Taking action not only furthers your ideals but also builds an individual sense of certainty or control.   

    Although it is a heavy burden, it’s your generation that is capable of creating societal change.  Consider the America you want to live in and the role you want to have in building that community.  Upending an entrenched system may seem monumental, but history shows that change does happen.  As Ghandi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”  And for now – be safe and take care of yourself and your community.   

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  • Old Friends and New

    Jen Smith May 27, 2020

    One of the biggest changes for freshman year is a new peer group.  You may have friends that you’ve been with since the beginning of high school or even longer.  Starting college should be exciting but it can also be anxiety producing as you think about moving on without your friends to support you.  As you and your friends head off in different directions, think about ways to stay connected: 

    1. Celebrate your accomplishments!

    Graduation is a time to celebrate!  Congratulate your friends, maybe exchange gifts, and celebrate each other.  It feels good to have accomplished this goal together.  Honor your friends and tell them how much they’ve helped you become the person you are today.    

    1. Spend your summer together with meaningful experiences. 

    Create opportunities to make memories with your friends this summer.  As states start to reopen, spending time with friends you haven’t seen in months may take on new significance. Plan some shared time – maybe a trip together, or a regularly scheduled meet up, or try something new.  Summer will fly by with work, vacation, internships, or other activities.  Prioritize time with your friends.   

    1. Reflect on what you love about your friends and think about new relationships.

    There will be many opportunities for you to make new friends in freshman year – from freshman orientation on, opportunities for meeting new people abound.  This might be thrilling or terrifying depending on whether you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert.  Stay true to yourself.  Think about the qualities you love and admire in your high school friends and consider ways to find people with similar qualities.  Shared interests (clubs, sports, activities) or common experiences (classes, dorms, pre-college orientations) are great opportunities to bond with new friends.    

    1. Plan a visit. 

    No doubt, you will enjoy meeting new people freshman year.  It can also be fun to share your new place with your old friends.  If your high school friends are attending colleges nearby, make plans to visit each other.  Depending on what colleges allow for the fall, plan to spend the night together in the dorms, or spend a day together on campus.  It can be comforting to see old friends during your freshman year.   

    Take Action 

    Whether you are heading off to college near or far, with lots of old friends from high school or on your own, plan keep in touch with your high school friends.  You’ll likely have a chance to get together during college breaks.  Make an effort to maintain your friendships from home as you get to know a new group of peers.   

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  • When am I taking that test?

    Jen Smith May 27, 2020

    calendar-159098_1280

    You may have heard last week that the University of California system – with 10 campuses enrolling over a quarter million students – announced it would be test optional for Fall 2021 admission.  The new policy phases in changes over the next four years ending with the university either creating a new admission test or eliminating the standardized test requirements for all students by 2025.  Although many schools have announced test optional policies for next year in the wake of Covid-19, the University of California announcement was likely the most significant and could represent a turning point for admission test requirements.   

    What does this mean for you as an applicant?  Should you plan to take the SAT or the ACT?  The answer still largely depends on the schools you are interested in.  Although more and more schools are choosing test optional admission policies, the majority still require either the SAT or ACT to be considered.  FairTest promotes test optional policies and maintains a list of schools that utilize test optional admissions.  This list can help you determine whether the colleges you are considering are test optional.  However, you may not want to rule out a college just because they require the SAT or ACT.  In that case, it’s still best to register for one or both exams for the fall.         

    Planning Your College Entrance Tests 

    1. Review the revised schedule for SAT or ACT test dates. 
    2. Register early for your test. 
    3. Allow yourself up to an hour to complete the registration online. There are lots of questions! 
    4. Upload a picture for your ACT or SAT / SAT Subject Test Registration.
    5. Opt in to the Student Search Service when registering for the SAT or PSAT, or the ACT Educational Opportunity Service (EOS) when registering for the ACT to receive emails or mailings from colleges.  

    Take Action 

    Use GuidedPath to view upcoming test dates and add the SAT or ACT to your test schedule.  This way you’ll receive registration and test dates reminders by email and/or on your GuidedPath account.   

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  • End of year checklist

    Jen Smith May 20, 2020

    graduation-cap-1301194_1280

    Senior Checklist

    You are almost there!  What are your next steps? 

    • Finish strong!  Strive to finish the year with your best work.  We all know that the past weeks have been a challenge and online school is wearing on many people.  But honor the hard work you put into the year by finishing the last few days or weeks as the best student you can be.   
    • Check in with your college – often.  Situations at many universities are very fluid as administrators are trying to anticipate what the fall will bring.  No doubt you are getting updates via the student portal or by email but be sure to stay on top of changing information.  This may include updates for housing, orientation, registration, etc.  
    • Schedule new student orientation.  Many colleges may be making arrangements to move orientations to an online format for this summer – or delaying orientation until just before the fall semester.  Whatever the circumstance, you don’t want to miss it.  Orientation usually includes valuable advising information and will often be when you register for classes.   
    • Schedule placement tests.  Some colleges require you to take Math and/or other placement tests.  Find out the requirements and be sure to get it completed.  Sometimes your SAT, ACT, or AP scores will suffice, and you will not need to take a test.  If you have questions about placement test requirements, contact the college. 
    • Say thank you.  Tell teachers, counselor, coaches and others that have helped you, “Thank you”.  Give special thanks and appreciation to parents and family for support. 
    • Make summer meaningful.  Plan to work, improve your study skills, learn something new, or spend time (whether online or in person) with friends and family this summer.  Save any money you earn for when you start college in the fall. 
    • Get a physical.  You may need vaccine boosters or a physical exam from the doctor before beginning the fall semester.  Check with the college to understand their requirements.   

    Take Action 

    Use GuidedPath to record all your college decisions.  Mark the schools you applied to with admitted, waitlisted or not accepted.  Add in your financial aid awards too.  Turn each of the checklist items into a task in GuidedPath.   

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  • Admissions Stress?

    Jen Smith May 20, 2020

    Applying to colleges can be a stressful process under the best circumstances.  In 2020, with the education system turned on its ear, the admission process might seem near impossible.  Standardized tests are canceled for the spring, high schools are closed changing the dynamics of grades and extracurriculars, and colleges are shifting application requirements.  From week to week, it can be hard to keep track of the changes.  So, what’s a high school junior to do?   

    Focus on what you can control.  Minimize your stress by focusing on the parts of the application process that you can affect.  Here are some suggestions of things you can do now for your college applications.     

    1. Start your Common App Essay.  Haven’t started any college essays? Now is a great time.  Look at the Common App essay topics – the personal statement has a choice of 7 prompts.  Or look at the schools you are considering to find out if they require additional essays.  You can view the essay requirements on the college profile in GuidedPath.        
    2. Register for Senior Year Classes.  We may not know what fall will bring in terms of in-person school.  However, you want to have a challenging senior year schedule regardless.  Your senior schedule may be doubly important if your school adopted pass/fail grades for this year.   
    3. Study for Standardized Tests.  Although spring SAT and ACT dates were canceled, and many colleges have adopted test-optional policies,  odds are you may still need to take the SAT or ACT.  ACT is planning to offer tests in June and July, while the earliest SAT is schedule for August.  Use this summer to do extra test prep especially if you will only be able to take the test one time.  GuidedPath offers a number of test prep resources.     

    Although it may feel like the admission process for the coming fall will be anything but normal, trust that colleges and admission officers are still looking for the same qualities – good students and good citizens.  Getting a head start on parts of your college application will allow you to be more adaptable this fall as the process continues to develop.    

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