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Coping with Senioritis

2/1/2020

As spring approaches and seniors wait out the long month of March for final college notifications, the malady known as Senioritis grips many an unsuspecting high school senior

The symptoms are predictable and include: a lack of motivation, not caring about your classes or grades, wearing sweatpants, procrastination, binge-watching Netflix, maybe even letting loose and participating in a senior prank or other unwise behavior. After the rat race of college applications and the building tension of college admission decisions, second-semester seniors seem to stop caring. They are focused on life after high school and feel that everything of importance was already featured on their college applications.
They. Want. To. Be. Done.

This is a real phenomenon and very frustrating for parents and college counselors. Every year I implore my seniors to resist the senioritis temptation and finish strong. After those first semester grades are reported to colleges students often feel like the second semester doesn’t matter. Here are a few reasons why your grades, courses, and conduct still count:

1. The courses you are taking matter because of the knowledge you are acquiring. Believe it or not, you are still learning critical thinking and problem-solving skills that you will take with you to college.

2. Colleges care about your second-semester grades. Often students think that as long as they keep their grades above a D, they’ll be fine. However, colleges expect to see your high school performance continue on the same trajectory as what you presented on your applications last fall. Colleges can and do, rescind acceptances in the summer if your performance goes down significantly. I have seen a student go from As & Bs to mostly Cs that last semester and have to meet with the admissions office to explain the drop in grades. In this case, the student was able to attend in the fall but started the first semester of college on academic probation based on spring semester high school grades. I have also seen a student with a D in the first semester get their admission rescinded even though the grade was made up by the end of the second semester. Senior grades count!

3. Colleges can also rescind acceptances for behavior issues. That senior prank that seems so cool can land you in trouble with your college especially if you are charged with a crime. Pranks that seem harmless are often not viewed that way and students entering the school to do some mischief can also be charged with Breaking and Entering, which is a felony in California.

4. Social Media is also something to consider with caution. It is easy to have a short-timer’s attitude and post some off-color comment on your social media that the college objects to. That happened at Harvard a couple of years ago: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/6/5/2021-offers-rescinded-memes/ It’s easy to get caught up in the anonymity of online interactions, but the consequences can be real.

The bottom line is that you have probably done a wonderful job in high school. You’ve taken challenging classes and gotten good grades, you’ve participated in extracurricular activities, you’ve done community service, and you’ve conquered the SAT or ACT. Don’t let these last couple of months undo all the hard work of the last few years! Of course, all of these tips and cautionary tales only help students manage senioritis. There is only one cure, and it is a few months away!

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Johnson and Wales, Denver

11/2/2016

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Johnson and Wales in Denver is one of four universities in the JW system. Once you are admitted to one, you can easily transfer to another, with locations in Providence, Charlotte, North Miami, and Denver. The Denver location has easy access to internships as well as the delights of downtown Denver. Johnson and Wales is best known for its culinary arts program, but they offer many other programs as well such as business, and a new a Health Sciences major to help students prepare for careers in the health field. The Wildcats are NCAA DIII and host a variety of men's and women's teams including soccer, cross country, basketball, and track. The dorms are spacious, and grounds are immaculate. A plus is that they are test optional and evaluate students holistically! https://www1.jwu.edu/denver/

Centennial Hall beautifully renovated in 2014.

Wales Hall is a freshman res hall, with some of the nicest rooms I have seen!

President's Hall is the sophomore residence.

Edible herb wall--fresh is best!

Anatomy Lab

Students learning table service skills.

Fresh-made pasta was on the menu this day.

This busy kitchen is a lab experience with professor/chefs that prepare students for high end experiences.

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The Air Force Academy

10/8/2016

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The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs looks for men and women they can train and inspire to become committed leaders of our future. Their philosophy of whole person development encompasses 3 aspects: academics, athletics, and the academy experience. Students will have access to world-class facilities and teachers who emphasize being thinkers, problem solvers, and the consequences of choice. The Air Force Fighting Falcons offer NCAA Division 1 sports teams in addition to club level and intramural team options. All students take four years of PE. The academy experience includes basic cadet training, and the all important honor code, which is taken seriously. As with all of the service academies, if you are selected to attend, your education is paid for by Uncle Sam, and when you graduate, you know what your job will be! The admissions process starts in the junior year, and is rigorous, but judging by the young men and women I met, they are having the experience of a lifetime! http://www.academyadmissions.com/

Approaching the USAFA

Outside Polaris Hall

Inside Polaris Hall

A Lounge Area

Looking across Air Garden at Cadet Chapel

Looking Up into Polaris Tower, it Always Points to the North Star.

The Honor Code

A Real Cadet Room (this is not a show room, they all look like this, all the time!)

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Portland State University

9/25/2016

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Portland State University https://www.pdx.edu/ is located in the heart of downtown Portland and is a great choice for students who are looking for an exciting urban setting with lots of opportunities for internships, and city fun. It's not surprising that business and marketing are the most popular majors. Portland State is a WUE school, (Western Undergraduate Exchange,) which offers reduced tuition to neighboring states if you meet the academic requirements. This makes PSU an affordable option for out-of-state students. Portland State has rolled out a 4 year degree guarantee and many other exciting programs, in fact they have been named in the top 10 for innovation by US News & World Reports! https://www.pdx.edu/insidepsu/us-news-ranks-psu-as-top-10-most-innovative

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The California State College System

9/20/2016

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Today I attended the CSU counselor conference to get the latest updates for the 23 California State University Campuses. There is good news within the CSU, 4-year graduation rates are on the rise and programs such as SB-1450, The California Promise, offer enhanced advising and other support to help students graduate in four years. http://ticas.org/keeping-californias-promise. Campus impaction continues at many schools which can make getting in more difficult. Impaction means there are more applicants than seats, this can be campus wide, or program specific. The campuses with all programs impacted include: San Diego State, San Jose State, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Cal State Fullerton, and Cal State Long Beach. The California State University system was created to serve the top third of California students and that bar keeps getting higher. A sneak preview into the future promises an updated application with a new name, Cal State Apply, coming Fall of 2018. The current application, CSU Mentor, https://secure.csumentor.edu/logon.asp will open on October 1st and close November 30th.

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Colorado College

9/14/2016

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October 20, 2015 · Colorado Springs, CO ·
Colorado Collage in Colorado Springs is a very selective top liberal arts college located at the foot of Pike's Peak. Colorado College is known for the "block plan." It's a unique way of taking classes, one at time! Students are able to study in depth in one subject, typically from 9-noon every day. This allows for field trips, research, and only studying for one final at a time! Colorado College encourages students to become fully immersed in the subject. Imagine sailing in the Mediterranean while reading Homer and retracing Odysseus' adventures. Colorado College has a study abroad program that does just that! The students are engaged, friendly, and have a lot of input with the administration. If a block plan interests you, I recommend you take a look at Colorado College. #coloradocollege #pikespeakview https://www.coloradocollege.edu/

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It's Only May!

5/7/2015

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Now that graduating seniors have committed to their colleges, the spotlight is on juniors, or rising seniors, as they are soon to be known. Students think they’ve got all the time in the world until college application season, that’s in the fall—right? Unfortunately, no—college application starts in the summer. Before you can start your essays and applications, you need to have a list. To make a list you need to do research and have good information. You need to know what characteristics you are looking for, what programs of study interest you, how much you can afford, or how to make college more affordable. Juniors, you need to cast a wide net so you can investigate which schools and programs make it to your “short list” by the time you are ready to submit. In addition to online research, you need to visit. Getting your feet on campus is the only way to know if a college will be a good fit. Glossy view books always make the school look great—and it is—for the right student—but is that you? All of this takes time. Juniors, have you started exploring? Do you know how much college costs and how much your parents can afford? Do you know what kind of college you want to attend and what you want to study?

If you are feeling a bit behind, you still have time, if you start now! Waiting until fall will only increase your stress. Remember, you still have classes and activities in the fall in addition to college applications. Applying to college is like homework in another class, and applying to highly selective colleges or more than nine schools is like homework in an AP class. Every fall I get calls from “late breaking seniors.” Many college advisors are full by then. Students and families are in full panic mode and careful planning is hard to do in the heat of the moment. You may be able to find help, but it is more work for everybody when you are trying to do everything in a few weeks. I’ve often heard from families that they wish they had started sooner. It’s only May, but Senior Year starts in summer!

Current Sophomores

Test planning is essential for you. The class of 2017 is in the unique position of choosing from the old SAT, the redesigned SAT, or the ACT—depending on your testing plan. Have you thought about it? Is your course work rigorous enough to be challenging, but well balanced so you have time to study, do well, and have a life? Have you started thinking about your interests and strengths and how they fit with different types of colleges and programs? Ideally you will want to start visiting colleges this summer and begin to craft a list during your junior year. Do you know how to research to find your best fit?

Current Freshmen:

If you think about it, all of high school is really a long-term plan for college admission: your courses, your grades, your test scores, your extra-curricular activities. Many families find that they have not put much thought into college applications until very late in the game. Working with an advisor can help you focus and keep you pointed on a path to a best fit college. When is the best time to start? I’d say now--there is no downside to planning early.

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Cool Colorado Colleges

4/29/2015

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Colorado State, Fort Collins

A View of the Oval

CSU Fort Collins is a hidden gem that I wish more California students knew about. CSU is a large university with about 23,000 students and offers something for just about everybody with 190 majors and programs of study. It is a mix of the picturesque historic buildings on “The Oval” along with extensively renovated buildings and new construction. The university is located in Fort Collins which is a mix of a college town and suburbs--with light industry that offers opportunity for internships. The historic downtown is just blocks away from the university and has great restaurants, fun shops, and plenty of charm. You really get the college town feel in this small city.

Colorado State is a leading research university and is committed to the mission of teaching, research, and outreach. At CSU, students have the opportunity to participate in active learning opportunities including field experience, laboratory research, and study abroad. Students are able to work closely with professors who are leaders in their field. You do not need to declare your major when you apply; they are very open to students who are still exploring. CSU is a student friendly institution!

Student Support

The Library

The Lory Student Center

One of the things that most impressed me was the great support for students. There is free tutoring in writing, math, and many other subjects available on a drop-in basis. The class sizes tend to be on the small side which allows professors to get to know their students and take an interest in their success. Lecture classes are taught by professors with an additional 1 unit recitation offered that is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The lectures have about 30-40 students and the recitations about 10. Recitations may be optional or required, but our tour guide recommended taking it because it is like getting a unit of credit to study for the course with a TA. This is quite a contrast to many large public institutions that have lecture classes in the hundreds! There is also excellent pre-professional health advising that will point you to, and keep you on the path toward your chosen professional school. They help with course selection, test planning, applications, and interviewing in a very personal way.

Honors Program

CSU also has an honors program that reminds me of a liberal arts education within a large research institution. The honors program requires 4 seminar courses that satisfy the core curriculum, (general education), and two major courses, along with a senior thesis. This course of study focuses on communication, critical thinking, and problem solving and is available to all majors. There is also an academic village for honors students that is new and roomy.

Student Life

Student life at CSU also has something for everybody. Freshmen are required to live on campus, and there are plenty of dorms and room styles. I tried the food—it was good! The new recreation center is amazing--from the pool with the lazy river to the classes, equipment, outdoor programs, and of course--the massage studio! It rivals any other rec center I have seen. There are 300 days of sunshine a year, and while it does snow, it melts after a few days, so you don’t get stuck inside for too long. Skiing and hiking are only an hour away in the Rocky Mountains. If you are looking for the big city, Denver is about an hour south down the interstate. There is Greek life-- but you don’t have to go Greek to have fun. There are numerous clubs, sports, and outdoor programs. The Rocky Mountain Showdown is always a big event against their rival, CU, Boulder.

CSU, Fort Collins, can be a real financial plus to a California student. They are part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, WUE, which offers 150% of in-state tuition to California students who qualify. At CSU, the WUE is a scholarship that is calculated on a sliding scale of GPA and test scores. If you don’t qualify for the WUE, there are other scholarships available that can make this out-of-state school financially viable.

The New Rec Center

The Lazy River Pool

Students Enjoying a Sunny Spring Saturday

Rec Center Swipe-in

The University of Denver

The University of Denver, or DU, while located in a large urban area, doesn’t have a big city feel until you go off campus. The buildings, both old and new, are beautiful with wide expanses of lawn and a covered walkway over the streets that go through campus. Though it was established as a Methodist seminary, it no longer has ties to any religious organization. DU is a medium sized university with about 5,000 students. They combine the best qualities of a liberal arts college with the size and career focus of a professional school. They have a large study abroad program that prepares students for the global society we have become. DU offers a wide variety of courses of study, with well-appointed facilities. There is a real feeling of community here and the university fosters this in their students by teaching them how to build communities and companies that will flourish. They believe in taking responsibility for one another, which shows in the friendliness and caring for others exhibited on campus. There is also an emphasis on community service that is dedicated to the public good.

DU has a wide variety of majors and programs and students can use electives to count towards a double major or pick up a minor. Classes are taught by professors 99.8% of the time and the average class size is 21 students. This fosters intimacy within the class and with professors whose priority is coaching students in research and creating your own knowledge. Business is the most popular major, but there are many majors and programs to choose from. Music is wonderful at DU, and you don’t have to be a music major to participate. There is an amazing performing arts center with a concert hall that is a replica of the opera house in Vienna, a flexible theater allowing for numerous configurations, and a smaller recital hall for intimate performances. There are also practice rooms and instrument storage facilities, so you can bring your instrument to college. The school of hospitality management emphasizes a foundation in business with specialized classes in hospitality management for well-rounded and skilled graduates. In fact, DU graduates in this program have to complete at least 1,000 hours of work experience. There is a film school as well as social sciences, hard sciences, and great pre health advising.

The School of Hospitality, (notice the pineapple, the hospitality symbol)

Covered Walkway

A Fraternity House on Campus

A Blend of Old and New

Student Life

The Ritchie Center

Student life is buzzing on and off campus. Students have easy access to the downtown area on the light rail system that stops at the edge of campus. Tuition and fees include a light rail and bus pass, so students will often take the light rail downtown to the 16th street mall which has shopping and great restaurants. Students can live on campus all 4 years, and there is housing in the neighborhoods adjacent to campus that students still consider “on campus.” Greek life is popular, but you do not have to “be Greek” to be included. DU is in NCAA division I. While there isn’t a football team to cheer for, students get caught up in hockey and lacrosse, especially when playing their rivals at Colorado College. The Ritchie Sports Complex rivals a professional center with an ice arena, Olympic sized swimming pool and separate fields for the club and intramural teams so they don’t have to vie for practice time with the D1 teams.

Though DU is a popular choice for locals, the university makes a point of having a geographically diverse student body with students from nearly every state in the union. They also offer generous merit scholarships and an extra stipend to out-of-state students who live in the residence halls. The food is good and there are a variety of configurations of halls to suit your living preferences. Many students ski, but that is not essential for you to fit in. The mile high city has lots of sunshine, (good for California kids), and 4 seasons--sometimes all in one day!

Cool Ice Arena

On Campus Fraternity House

Outcomes

Students are happy, learning, and excited about the possibilities as they move on from college. The career center offers resume guidance, interview help and placement assistance. In fact 97% of graduates are employed or in grad school 6 months after graduation. Some of the top companies that recruit from DU are: The Big 4 accounting firms, Kaiser, Nike, and numerous start-ups. Denver is slated to be a city that millennials will flock to as job opportunities continue to be on the rise.

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Coping With Denials and Waitlists

3/15/2015

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Mid-March can be a time of high anxiety for high school seniors and transfer students as they await notification from those last few colleges. Often, the most selective schools notify the latest and the end of March holds denials and waitlist notifications for many. How do you cope with having your dreams dashed by your top pick school?

Denials

It may be a little shocking. You may feel sad or angry--definitely disappointed. Try not to take it personally. The most selective schools deny numerous qualified candidates. Remember that the most selective schools are a statistical reach for all students. But, whether you were denied at a top-tier school or Big State U, they can’t accommodate all applicants. In this case it’s them not you!

Take Some Time for Yourself
Allow yourself some time to grieve your dream. You may want to talk it over with friends, family, or your school counselor. You may not want to tell anybody at first, and that’s ok too. The first few days are the worst as you process the fact that you won’t be going to the school you’ve pictured yourself at for months. Take care of yourself with exercise, friends, a little TLC, and realize that this disappointment will fade over time.

No Regrets
Don’t blame yourself and go over “would’ve, should’ve, could’ve-s.” Retracing your academic or extra-curricular path is not going to change the result, but it will make you feel worse thinking about how things might have turned out if only you had been more motivated your sophomore year. You can’t change that lazy summer or “C” in algebra, so looking toward the future will help you move on.

Appeals
Appealing an admission decision is usually strongly discouraged by universities. Appeals can be successful in rare occasions such as a violation of admission policy. You may be able to appeal an admissions decision early in the process if you have compelling new information to offer such as significantly improved test scores, grades, or a circumstance you left out of your application. However, this generally applies to less selective schools which still have seats to fill. Appeals also keep you “stuck in the dream,” and make it hard to move on and embrace your Plan B. So while it might be tempting to try an appeal, most of the time it is best to accept the decision and move on.

Keep Perspective
What you do with your education and opportunities is so much more important than the name on your diploma. There is no “golden ticket” school. A Harvard degree is not a guarantee for a successful life. This article, entitled How to Survive College Madness, has a wonderful take on how being denied can be an opportunity-in-disguise for many students. http://www.nytimes.com/…/frank-bruni-how-to-survive-the-col…

Moving On

Now that you have eliminated “Dream School U” from your list, take a look at the schools that have accepted you. Are there any you haven’t visited or need look at again? Attending the admitted student events that are available in late March and throughout April can give you a new perspective. When you attend the admitted student event you are the one being wooed by the school. It feels pretty good to know that they want you and are trying to entice you to say yes. It will be easier to picture yourself there knowing you are “in.” While you are there, spend time on campus, eat in the dining commons, talk with students, sit in on a class, or meet with a professor in your major. These are all good ways to get a deeper feel for the college.

Waitlisted

Being waitlisted may actually feel more challenging than getting an outright denial. It prolongs the unknown and keeps you from “going all in” on a final decision. Keep in mind that the waitlist is devised for the benefit of the college, not the student. The college has seats to fill, the waitlist ensures this. Most colleges will not start admitting off the waitlist until after May 1. It is possible you will not know the final outcome of the waitlist until June or July and remember, many students do not get admitted at all. Here are the steps to take if you are waitlisted:

1. Opt-in: most schools will have a procedure for indicating that you would like to remain on the waitlist. It could be an essay to write, a survey to fill out or a mouse click. If you want to stay on the waitlist, be sure you follow the instructions.

2. Find a viable second choice school you can be happy with. Remember back in the fall when you applied? You should have only applied to schools that you would want to attend—so go visit if necessary and pick another school.

3. Submit an enrollment deposit at “Second Choice U” by May 1. Then sign up for orientation, choose your housing and make a housing deposit. Submitting an enrollment deposit by the May 1st deadline is essential so that you will be able to go to college. (You may only deposit at one school.)

4. Start picturing yourself at “Second Choice U”—it may become your first choice! If you do end up getting the call from “First Choice U” that you have been admitted, you will have to make an enrollment deposit with them. After your spot is secured with First Choice, then you can call Second Choice and let them know that you were admitted off the waitlist at another school and you will not be enrolling there. It is important to note that you will forfeit your enrollment deposit at that point. You should, however, be able to get your housing deposit refunded. You will also have to notify the college housing department to get that initiated.

Handling disappointment and failure is part of life’s journey. However, the old saying, “When one door closes another one opens,” is the perfect metaphor. Sometimes the best journey is the one we didn’t expect.

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Is a Liberal Arts College Right for You?

3/2/2015

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One of the important aspects of choosing a college that is “the right fit” is understanding how colleges and universities differ. A liberal arts college focuses on a well-rounded education as opposed to a career-based education. It offers a philosophy of education that goes back to the ancient Greeks, emphasizing ideas and ways of thinking that aren’t specific to a particular job. Liberal arts colleges value communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork--all of which are valuable assets in the work-force and society as a whole.

Liberal Arts in a Technical World?

Liberal arts colleges still offer degrees in science and mathematics as well as the behavioral sciences, arts, and languages. A liberal arts education is an excellent springboard to medical school, graduate school, and the world of work. Even people with technical degrees can benefit from a liberal arts experience. As my engineer friend put it, “Engineers should all have liberal arts educations because the world is full of well-trained people who can solve technological problems. Innovation will come from the people who solve social problems, not technical problems.” He used the iPhone as an example, “The problems that drove its desirability were social problems; the value is what the phone does for you and how you interact with it, not how it is made.” He emphasized, “A person needs both a liberal arts view point and a technical specialty. The former, to have the perspective, persuasion, and critical thinking skills; the latter is to have enough credibility that people will hire and listen to you.” Michael Dickerson, of Etsy summed it up this way, “You need to understand how people think and how people live, and knowing calculus isn’t going to help you with that.” There are many successful CEOs of tech companies that have a liberal arts degree. Having those “soft-skills,” such as communication and problem solving abilities helped position them for success, even when their degree was not related to the company’s product. This article goes into more detail: http://www.inc.com/laura-entis/6-cases-for-the-value-of-a-liberal-arts-education.html Even if you opt for a research institution, getting a liberal arts foundation will be beneficial for any field you choose.

Characteristics of a Liberal Arts College

Another benefit to liberal arts colleges is that they usually offer small class sizes that are taught by professors. Undergraduates are the focus and since graduate programs are limited, if they exist at all, undergrads get to participate in professor lead research as early as their freshman and sophomore years. The professors are there to teach and interact with students. Students will get to know their professors, and more importantly, the professors get to know their students, this enables students to get excellent guidance and recommendations towards career paths or graduate programs.

Isn't a Liberal Arts College Expensive?

While many liberal arts colleges are private, there are also some public liberal arts institutions, which can help manage costs. The west coast includes these budget friendly options: Sonoma State University, Southern Oregon University, Western Oregon University, and The Evergreen State College in Washington. Many private liberal arts colleges have generous merit-base scholarships and have merit money for “B” students, so you shouldn’t count the private option out until you’ve explored the possibilities. The book Colleges that Change Lives, by Loren Pope, is an excellent resource for exploration. Here is a link to the website: http://www.ctcl.org/.

Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

A liberal arts college might be right for you if you are looking for a college experience that enhances the following:

Effective oral and written communication skills

Critical thinking skills such as:

            analysis
            synthesis of new ideas
            creativity
            evaluation

Problem-solving

Effective research skills

Ethics

Teamwork

Sensitivity and tolerance

Self-confidence and understanding

Who wouldn’t want to hire someone with attributes such as these? I recommend that you go visit a liberal arts college or two and see if it might be the right fit for you!

Willamette University in Salem, Oregon,--one of the colleges that changes lives!

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Coping with Senioritis

Johnson and Wales, Denver

The Air Force Academy

Portland State University

The California State College System

Colorado College

It's Only May!

Current Sophomores

Current Freshmen:

Cool Colorado Colleges

Colorado State, Fort Collins

Student Support

Honors Program

Student Life

The University of Denver

Student Life

Outcomes

Coping With Denials and Waitlists

Denials

Waitlisted

Is a Liberal Arts College Right for You?

Liberal Arts in a Technical World?

Characteristics of a Liberal Arts College

Isn't a Liberal Arts College Expensive?

Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

Notes from Beth

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Current Sophomores

Current Freshmen:

﻿﻿Colorado State, Fort Collins﻿﻿﻿﻿

Student Support﻿﻿

Honors Program

Student Life

The University of Denver

Student Life

Outcomes

﻿Denials﻿

Waitlisted

Liberal Arts in a Technical World?﻿﻿

Characteristics of a Liberal Arts College

Isn't a Liberal Arts College Expensive?

Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education

Notes from Beth

Archives

Categories

Colorado State, Fort Collins

Student Support

Denials

Liberal Arts in a Technical World?