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High School Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors: Attend College Information Sessions
May 2nd, 2013High School Students, Social Media and Admissions
April 18th, 2013| More and more admissions officers are looking at social-networking sites to evaluate applicants. Make sure what your student has posted won’t negatively affect any views. Some college admissions officers said they had rejected students because of what they had seen and/or read on Internet sites like Facebook or personal blog pages. Here are some general guidelines for keeping admissions chances safe: 1. Students should not write anything negative about colleges. One student praised the school while visiting the campus then trashed it online. Admissions took notice and the student was rejected. 2. Teens must learn never to post anything online that is incriminating or embarrassing. Ever. Representatives have reported receiving anonymous Facebook and Google “tips”, around admissions time, including photos of students doing things that they shouldn’t be doing. On at least one occasion, a tip has caused an offer of admission to be revoked. (Some tips are called in by jealous classmates (frenemies) also vying for an Ivy League school.) 3. Students must check to see if any Facebook “friends” who have access to their profile have posted any unflattering comments or tagged questionable photos with their name. If there is something they do not want to be connected to, Students must un-tag themselves and talk to the person who posted the pictures and ask to have them taken down. 4. Teens must remove phone numbers and addresses from Facebook. This makes it harder to do a search for your student. It’s a safety guideline, as well. 5. Students must set their privacy filter as strongly as possible, but never assume that what they post will not be seen. (see #2) 6. Student should use the “grandparent test.” If a student wouldn’t want the grandparents to see what was posted online, then it should not be posted. This goes for things on a personal wall or webpage, or someone else’s. Make sure your student’s friends know about this test policy, too. 7. Students should specifically remove all photos and posts that have: Drinking and/or drugs, even if the child is abstaining; wild behavior, even if alcohol or drugs aren’t in the picture; nudity; hints of sex or sexuality; the X-rated and the R-rated; interests that are questionable; favorite quotes that reference illegal activities; obscene or offensive language and/or activities; anything that might be regretted including venting or complaints. Using the Internet to one’s advantage during the admissions process.The Internet is not all bad. Students can use the Internet to show admissions counselors that they have a real passion for something, and that they’re proud of their work. If your teen is an artist or fashion designer, they should post photos of their art. Musicians or athletes should create a webpage or site devoted to their talents. Gifted writers should start a blog. Academically oriented kids can post progress on a science experiment or that they made the history bee team. All students can note their awards and victories, positive moments in their volunteer work or internships. Students can also express interest in the colleges to which they are applying. They can accomplish this by “friending” a college’s Facebook page, or becoming a Twitter follower. They should not friend admissions representatives directly. For help from an experienced college advisor, please contact the expert college counselors at International College Counselors, http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process. |
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International College Counselors Kicks Off Its 2013 College Scholarship Essay Contest
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10 Opportunities for High Schools Students During Winter Break
December 7th, 2012Most high school students look forward to winter break as a welcome break. High school life is busy and stressful with classes, study time, activities, and friends. While students do deserve some rest time, they should not let opportunity pass them by either. Winter break = A little extra time to get ahead on a path to success.
Here’s the compromise, high school parents: After a little rest and recovery, there will still be enough time for a student to do something that looks good on the college application.
Ways for a student to make the most of winter break down time:
1. Volunteering in the community. Winter break is a great time for students to clock time doing community service. Good places to look to are the public library, a nursing home, hospital, soup kitchen, homeless shelter, community center or church/synagogue. There are also organizations with extensive databases of locations looking for holiday help, including The United Way and VolunteerMatch. Volunteer work will count more if it is done in an area of the student’s interest.
2. Taking an educational trip. Consider nearby places to visit, such as a museum, national monument, historical house or even a cruise. It’s best if experiences can connect with what a child is studying in school or possibly wants to study in college. For example, if a child is studying U.S. History, a trip to Philadelphia or Washington D.C. will make the lessons all the more exciting and meaningful. If a child wants to be an environmental conservationist, the Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program onboard a Paul Gauguin cruise may provide great insight, fun and resume building into a vacation. If a physical trip is out of the question, try an electronic field trip. The National Parks Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution are two places that offer virtual field trips that give students a close-up view of popular destinations around America and the world. Talk during or after the real or virtual trip with your child to help the child analyze and find meaning in the experience.
3. Studying for the SAT and ACT. Students can really, seriously improve their scores by doing a little SAT study every day. It will be much easier to concentrate on the test without the distractions of daily homework assignments.
4. Visiting colleges. The more colleges a student has a chance to see, the better, meaning even freshmen should do some visiting. Schools can be local or near a vacation destination. Winter break is not the best time to get a full campus flavor because students are on their breaks, too. However, admissions reps are at work. So go visit schools that are not even on your student’s list. Students on a stay-cation can go on virtual college tours. There are an ever growing number of schools and sites that offer them. (TYPE: “Virtual college tour” into Google and go from there).
5. Looking into jobs. The job market is tight but temporary holiday jobs may be available. If that’s not a real possibility, winter break is a good time to begin looking for a summer job. It’s not too early. Many employers will hire summer help well before the end of the semester.
6. Doing a short term internship. Winter break is a good opportunity to explore a career. A student can spend time shadowing someone in a field or career of interest.
7. Working on the college application. Most deadlines have passed, but there are still some that haven’t.
8. Searching for scholarships. Here is a link to a past blog on how to find scholarships: How to Apply for a College Scholarship.
9. Taking classes. In the two weeks off, there are a number of options. A language immersion course could prove incredibly helpful.
10. Enjoying some down time. Like adults, students need some down time. The relaxing time will give a student time to recharge.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com or call 954 414-9986.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS:
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications to domestic and international students.
The college counseling and college coaching services are tailored to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Mandee Heller Adler, founder of International College Counselors, is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and also received an MBA from Harvard Business School. International College Counselors’ achievements include being recognized as one of South Florida’s Top 100 Small Businesses in 2012.
International College Counselors has offices in New York, New York; White Plains, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami Beach, Florida; Miami, Florida; Coral Gables, Florida; Palm Beach, Florida; Boca Raton, Florida; Medellin, Colombia and Caracas, Venezuela.
Give the Gift that Gives So Much Back: A College Advisor
November 28th, 2012The holiday season is in full swing, and with it, the quest for the perfect gift. Rather than spend time in a crowded shopping mall or scouring the options from countless online retailers, give a gift that will make a real difference in the life of someone you love. A college advisor can give students the personalized attention they need to get into the college of their dreams, said Mandee Heller Adler, founder and CEO of International College Counselors.
Give the gift of a college advisor – a gift that will last a lifetime and enable your student to buy all the ipads and video games on their own wish lists.
An expert and experienced college advisor from International College Counselors will:
1. Provide your child with a guided plan for success.
2. Help your child define and understand his or her unique potential.
3. Keep your student organized.
4. Free up more of your student’s time so he or she can focus on school and other priorities.
5. Inform you and your child about changes in higher education and college admissions.
6. Thoroughly review your child’s application and polish it to a high sheen.
7. Be the “bad-guy”. (As we all know, teens don’t necessarily like to listen to their parents!)
8. Guide your student to make wiser personal decisions during these important years.
9. Find the right college match for your child.
10. Connect your child with any help – like tutors – that is needed as he/she works towards the goal.
“Few gifts make as significant an impact as the gift of encouragement and education,” said Adler. “A family can let their student know what is truly important.”
The earlier students start working with the expert college counselors at International College Counselors, the more advantage they gain. Early planning gives a student time to sift through individual interests, create a steady academic progression, and build a solid foundation of achievements, including focused community work and summer options.
Giving the perfect gift is easy. Just call International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 today.
No batteries required.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
For High School Sophomores: A Mid-Year College Admissions Checklist from International College Counselors
November 10th, 2012Sophomores: graduation may seem a long way off, but you’re permanent record is being written now. Colleges will be looking at how you spent this year.
THE SOPHOMORE MID-YEAR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
Work on Your Academic Performance
Now is the time to work hard. Set the goal of moving up an academic level in your junior year. Keep your grades up and you may be able to move from honors to AP or from regular to honors. This step up is what colleges want to see.
Prepare early for your midterm exams.
Evaluate your performance. Are you having problems focusing or understanding the material? Could your writing skills be improved? Ask your teacher what you can do to improve.
Evaluate your study skills. Work on your concentration and time management. Next year, will be your most important high school year academically.
Start preparing now for the SAT/ ACT
If you take on the SAT little by little, it won’t feel so overwhelming later.
Review your PSAT test results. They will give you a good indication of what you need to work on.
Read. Read. Read.
Work on your vocabulary. If you learn a word a day between now and next year, that will put you 365 words ahead.
Evaluate your Extracurricular Activities
Explore your Interests. Try out some new activities. Drop the ones you hate. This is the time to find your niche.
Get involved in the activities you like.
Colleges will be looking for true involvement. This means that at the end of four years you will, ideally, be able to demonstrate to the admissions team some level of accomplishment, initiative, commitment, and leadership.
Beware the sophomore slump
It’s natural to feel like you’re losing interest. Now that you know that, do everything you can to stay focused!
Psyche yourself up about college
Start doing a little no-pressure research. Take a look at colleges online. Don’t know where to start? Start with those you heard about and those with sports teams you like. Take a virtual tour or two. If your family goes on a trip somewhere, see if you can tour a campus away from home. College websites can tell you who to contact.
Consider what you may want to major in.
Introduce or Re-introduce yourself to Your College Counselor
Schedule a meeting for sometime next semester with your high school guidance counselor or your International College Counselors college advisor.
Prepare for the meeting by taking your class schedule. Tell your counselor you want to get into a good college. Ask what you need to do to accomplish that goal.
Meeting with your counselor is also a good relationship building move. For the next two years, this person is going to be one of the most important in your life.
This year, college advisors at International College Counselors helped more than 200 students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
For more information on International College Counselors or to contact an expert college counselor, please visit www.internationalcollegecounselors.com.
College Admissions Advisors Answer Questions on “Rigor” for High School Students
October 29th, 2012Go to the College Fairs
October 15th, 2012
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