Attend Your Local National College Fair!

January 24th, 2012

International College Counselors encourages students to attend their local National College Fair!

Miami National College Fair
Miami Airport Convention Center at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel
Sunday, February 19, 2012
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

New York National College Fair
Jacob Javits Convention Center
Sunday, April 22, 2012
11:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
 
Pittsburgh National College Fair
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 (9:00 a.m.-12:00p.m. and 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m.)
Thursday, February 9, 2012 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m.)

More National College Fairs
https://www.gotomyncf.com/

Online student registration is now open for students who plan to attend the Miami National College Fair, the New York College Fair, the Pittsburgh National College Fair and other College Fairs across the U.S. from Boston to Honolulu, sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

The fair is free and open to the public.

To register, visit www.gotomyncf.com.

When you register, a barcoded confirmation page is produced. When printed and brought to the fair, this page acts as your electronic ID. Utilizing this barcode eliminates the need for you to fill out inquiry cards at the booths you visit. Online registration leaves you more time to chat with more admissions representatives. So our expert college advisors recommend you try to register before you go to the fair!

Here is how the process works:

Step 1 Visit www.gotomyncf.com prior to attending the fair to register. You will be asked a few short questions regarding your graduation information, home address, and interested major so schools can send you information after the fair.

Step 2 Complete the online registration form. Print the barcode identification page and bring it along to the fair.

Step 3 Colleges at the fair will scan your barcode to access your information, allowing more time for one-on-one conversations and less time filling out inquiry cards.

About College Fairs

Every year, more than 650,000 students attend College Fairs sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, seeking information about colleges, universities and other postsecondary institutions. Free and open to the public, National College Fairs allow students to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of college and other postsecondary institutions to discuss course offerings, admission and financial aid requirements, college life in general, and other information pertinent to the college selection process.

The college advisors at International College Counselors are available to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact us at

International College Counselors
Main office: 954.414.9986
http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com

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How to Handle a Deferral

January 12th, 2012

Many students who apply to college Early Decision or Early Action find that they’ve been deferred. This means they’ve neither been accepted nor rejected.

Typically, a deferral means the college wants to compare you with the full applicant pool because your application did not shine enough for them to admit you early.

Unlike a rejection, a deferral offers hope and chance. Ironically, hope is not always the least stressful option. As any expert college advisor at International College Counselors will tell you, you have work to do if you want to improve your chances of turning the ‘maybe’ into a ‘yes.’

Here are some of our expert college advisor suggestions:

Don’t panic. There was a reason you weren’t rejected straightaway.

Get information. Contact the admissions office and see if you can find out why you were deferred. Then ask for suggestions regarding turning your deferral into an acceptance. By doing this, you’ll make the school aware of your commitment and get more information. Do not call if the college has specifically asked that students not call them.

Send in improved standardized test scores. This is especially important if you believe your submitted scores may not have measured up

Send in your midyear grades. Make sure you meet their deadline. (This is another reason why it’s important not to let your grades slide.)

Write a letter. Sincerely express your continued interest in the school and reasons why you believe it would be a good match for you. Do not come across as whiny or negative. This is also where you can attach information about your new accomplishments that are not in your original application. Accomplishments could include new activities, new awards or leadership positions.

Send in a strong and relevant additional recommendation. The best letter of recommendation would discuss your unique qualities and why they make you an ideal match for a school. What you don’t want to do is send a generic recommendation. Make sure you check to see if the college allows you to send extra letters before you send them.

Let go. There is no one “perfect” school. Hope for the best but prepare to go to one of your backup schools.

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS NOTE: At all times and with all communication with the college be polite, professional, positive and enthusiastic.

To work with an independent college advisor at International College Counselors click here or call (954) 414-9986.

Mandee Heller Adler

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Give the Gift that Gives So Much Back: A College Advisor

December 10th, 2011

Want to make the holidays even happier? Let the good elves of International College Counselors help you and your family.

Give the gift of a college advisor. It will be a gift to yourself, as well.
 
With a college advisor:
 
1. You won’t have to stay abreast of the changes in higher education and college admissions, because the expert college counselors at International College Counselors will.

2. It will be easier for your child to stay organized and focus on school/other priorities. As we all know, teens don’t necessarily like to listen to their parents!  

3. The whole family will know that the child’s application will be thoroughly reviewed and brought to the best light by experts.

4. Your family can find the right college match.
 
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 his or her interests, create a steady academic progression, and build a solid foundation of achievements, including focused community work and summer options.
 
Expert planning and strategic guidance can certainly help with admissions, but more importantly, an expert college counselor at International College Counselors can assist a high school student in understanding his or her potential earlier and making wiser personal decisions during these important years
 
And there are no batteries required.
 
Giving the perfect gift is easy. Just call International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 today.

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Advice for Parents of Students with Disabilities

November 30th, 2011

The expert college counselors at International College Counselors recommend that students with disabilities follow the same steps for choosing and applying to a school as any other student.

As importantly, if you’re a student with a disability, you need to evaluate schools based on their ability to accommodate your needs.
 
There are support services available for students with learning disabilities at many colleges. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors understand these services vary in quality and extent from school to school.
 
Expert college counselors at International College Counselors recommend you start by reviewing your student’s needs.

Meet with the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team or an International College Counselors advisor. The goal is to better understand the disability and its effect on college choices.

Ask these questions:

How does my student’s disability affect how he or she learns?
What are my student’s academic strengths?
How does he/she learn best?
What strategies does my student need to help him/her learn?
What facilities may my student need?
What environmental conditions does my student need? For example, if a student is in a wheelchair, the best college may not be on a rural campus where it snows a lot.
What careers are your students interested in? (Stay realistic about how any learning or physical needs may influence these career areas.)

Once these questions are answered, help your student begin building a college list. After narrowing down the college choices, either you or your student should contact the disability services office of each school to determine if a college has the services and accommodations that can support your student’s needs and meet any specific requirements. Programs, policies, procedures, and facilities must meet the needs of your specific situation.
 
You may also want to ask to meet with one or two other students with disabilities enrolled in the school who currently receive support services. They are often the best resource for practical information about the strengths and weaknesses of the school and programs.
 
How to help your student be a strong candidate for admissions:

Give your student encouragement and support! Your student needs to succeed to the best of his or her abilities. It is important to know that a school cannot deny admission because of a condition if a student meets the basic requirements for admission including application deadlines, grade point averages, extracurricular activities and college entrance exam scores. In fact, you don’t even need to tell a school a student has a disability on your application, unless you want an academic adjustment or to explain something.
 
For more information on helping a student with a disability choose a school and navigate the college admissions process, contact a expert college counselor at International College Counselors at 954 414-9986. 

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Why the PSAT Matters

October 10th, 2011

Many students are about to take the PSAT test in a few days and many of them are probably wondering why it’s so important. Here are some reasons:
 
The expert college advisors at International College Counselors understand that the PSAT is the best practice for the SAT.  It’s a standardized test made by the College Board, the same company that creates the SAT, and it tests the same three subjects as the SAT: critical reading, math, and writing.  The kinds of questions and the directions are almost exactly the same as the SAT.  Students also get to experience sitting down for a two to three hour test with few breaks. For many, it’s an eye-opener. The real SAT is about an hour and a half longer than the PSAT. 
 
PSAT scores indicate how a student might do on each section on the SAT.  Using the test results, students can then focus their test review on the areas and types of questions they most need to improve. Students and parents can also use the scores as a gauge to see what kind of additional study aids or tutoring is needed. Consider poor results as an early warning signal that serious work may be needed before a student takes the real SAT.  
 
By taking the PSAT, a student could become a National Merit Scholar.  This is a highly prestigious recognition. To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a student needs to score above a certain percentile on the test.
 
Through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), different sponsor organizations offer different amounts of scholarship money to high-scoring students, even if the student reaches levels below that of National Merit Scholar.  According to the National Merit website, Merit Scholarship awards are supported by approximately 440 independent sponsors and by NMSC’s own funds. Sponsor organizations include corporations and businesses, company foundations, professional associations, and colleges and universities.
 
High scoring African American high school students become eligible to participate in the National Achievement Scholarship Program as well as in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
 
Students can see how their performance on the SAT test might compare with that of other students. This may boost self-esteem or be a good dose of reality/kick in the pants.

To all students: Good luck on the PSAT!
 
The college advisors at International College Counselors are available to review PSAT scores and recommend highly qualified tutors to help. Please contact us with any questions you may have.
 
 

                    
 
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VIP Applications: What are they?

October 3rd, 2011

This fall, a number of high school seniors will receive a personalized e-mail or letter congratulating them for qualifying for a special “V.I.P. Application.”
 
The expert college counselors at International College Counselors will tell you V.I.P. Applications are applications sent from colleges to select students encouraging them to attend the school. The VIP applications offer a fast-track, simplified application process and often stress the offer being good for a “Limited time.”

Select students are typically those with SAT scores that fall within a certain range. Students who are out-of-state high-achievers are also common recipients.
 
Some schools send these applications to students who merely requested information or visited campus.
 
VIP Applications also come under the names “Presidential Select,” “Select Scholar,” “Priority Application,” and others.
 
These special applications are a marketing ploy with benefits for both the school and the student.
 
BENEFITS TO COLLEGES
Colleges use these VIP Applications to appear more “selective.” These applications help increase a School’s applicant pool as well as strategically raise the average SAT scores of their applicants. These applications also increase a School’s chances of yielding students from this desirable pool.
 
BENEFITS TO STUDENTS
V.I.P. applications are quick and easy to fill out. Many times the student’s name and address are already filled out. Typically they don’t require a long essay and applying is free.
 
Since students are urged to return the application or apply online earlier than the college’s regular deadline, students often get the chance to receive an early acceptance to a school.   Having an acceptance so early in the application process can ease anxiety.
 
An acceptance is not a binding commitment.
 
College advisors at International College Counselors also note that receiving a VIP Application is not a guarantee that a student will be accepted.
 
If you received a VIP Application, feel flattered and complete it if you have some interest in the school. It’s a good opportunity to take advantage of. Though, if you’re not a good fit for the school expert college advisors at International College Counselors would not encourage you to attend.
 
For more information on VIP Applications or any other college applications, clients of International College Counselors should contact one of our expert college advisors. We can also help you determine if a college is the right fit for you.
 
Contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or at our e-mail
 
You’re all VIPs to us!

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University of Florida Innovation Academy

September 4th, 2011

University of Florida has radically changed the undergraduate college experience, understand the expert college counselors at International College Counselors.

New to the college is Innovation Academy (IA), a new enrollment model that operates on a spring-summer calendar. IA lets the popular UF admit more students than current capacity will allow.

Students enrolled in IA will take UF courses on campus during the spring and summer terms. They will not be allowed to take fall classes on campus for the entire undergraduate degree program.

By limiting students to spring and summer classes only, the University of Florida hopes to take advantage of the classroom space that becomes available when students graduate or drop out after fall semester or leave campus to study abroad.

During the fall, IA students are encouraged to take advantage of online courses, study abroad programs, internships, research, community service and/or employment.

IA students will be able to participate in fall semester activities available to all UF students. This includes access to all UF services and activities, all year long, including football and other events. In addition, IA students can live on campus, belong to any club, participate in student government and participate in Rush.

IA students will meet the same requirements and standards for their majors as all UF students. They will also receive the same academic advising as other UF students.

Students in IA will share the same undergraduate experience. UF describes this as a way to provide a small-college experience in combination with the opportunities available at a large, comprehensive research university.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

Initially, the program will be limited to 500-800 freshmen and transfer students admitted to select majors. The long-term goal is a mix of 2000 students.


When Will the Program Begin?

The first group of students admitted to IA will enroll Spring 2013.

For more information about UF’s Innovation Academy, click here or contact an expert college counselor at International College Counselors, if you are a client or interested in becoming one.

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Test Score Reporting

August 27th, 2011

Although some students may not notice until it is too late, some high schools are reporting, on the high school transcript, all college entrance scores provided by the testing agency, namely the College Board (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) programs.

Prior to sending their transcripts, students should look into whether their school is doing this. At most schools, students do have the opportunity to decide if their scores will be recorded on the transcript. This will be done on an all or none basis.

Regardless as to whether scores appear on a transcript, all scores must also be sent through the appropriate testing agency. When sending scores, students should be sure to take advantage of the College Board Score Choice option when possible. Score Choice gives students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual test that they send to colleges, at no additional cost. This gives students more flexibility and control over their scores. Score Choice is optional, and only allowed at certain colleges.

Although many students do not notice until it is too late, some high schools are reporting, on the high school transcript, all college entrance scores provided by the testing agency, namely the College Board (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) programs.

Prior to sending their transcripts, students should look into whether their school is doing this. At most schools, students do have the opportunity to decide if their scores will be recorded on the transcript. This will be done on an all or none basis.

Regardless as to whether scores appear on a transcript, all scores must also be sent through the testing agency. Students should be sure to take advantage of the College Board Score Choice option when possible.

Score Choice gives students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual test that they send to colleges, at no additional cost. This gives students more flexibility and control over their scores. Score Choice is optional, but only allowed at certain colleges.

International College Counselors
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. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

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The Common Application Now Available for Submission

August 10th, 2011

On August 1, the Common Application for Undergraduate Admissions became available for submission (Click here to download forms.)
 
Things are going to get really busy once school starts again so it’s best to start the application now, if you haven’t already.
 
This year, 45 new schools joined the Common App for 2011-12. There are now 463 Common Application members in 46 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Switzerland. This membership represents the full range of higher education institutions in the US: public and private, large and small, highly selective and modestly selective, East Coast, West Coast, and every region in between. For a complete list, click here.
 
The 2011-12 version of the Common Application was available for preview in April. The big change in this year’s form is the 500-word limit placed on essays.
 
A video on the Comm App website takes students through the process. Students register for an account and then access the system online. Users can search for colleges by criteria they enter and then click on the schools where they want to apply.
 
Clients of International College Counselors can call us or email us for help. Common questions on the Common Application can be found if you click here.
 
The Common Application currently provides both online and print versions of its First-year and Transfer Applications. (To download forms for Transfer Admission, click here)

Students do not have to be complete the Common App in one sitting. The form can be saved and worked on later (just don’t wait too long). The completed form can be previewed in a PDF format before you hit that send button. There are no take backsies.

Last year, close to 2 million Common Applications were submitted through the Common App Online. According to the Common App website, a new single-day record was set on December 31, 2010, when students submitted 127,175 applications.
 
The system does streamline the process, enabling students to complete one form to send to any number of member colleges. To note, some colleges have supplemental applications that include questions specific to their school, such as “Why do you want to attend ‘Name of School’ University?” Information about these supplements and more can be found on the Common App website.
 
If you have a meeting with ICC coming up- please try to complete the common app. Of course, please do not send it in- just save the long in and password for our review.

International College Counselors
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. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

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Thinking about Applying Early? Read the Small Print.

August 10th, 2011

Early Policies. They can maximize your chances to get into a school but you need to read them carefully.

Early Decision. Early Action. Single-Choice Early Action. Regular Decision.

Which one should you choose?

The names sound similar, but there are huge differences.

Early action means students who get accepted do not have to commit. Early decision means if you get accepted you have to commit. Unsurprisingly, when schools switch from Early Decision to Early Action, they can experience a giant rise in early applications. Adding to the layers of confusion, many schools are “Single-Action Early Action” which means you will violate the rules if you apply Early Action to one school and Early Decision to another.

Be aware, there is an increase in the number of schools that have restrictions in their Early Action policies. You do not want to get caught violating these policies so be sure to read and understand the policies of each school - even the tiny print.

To make it even more confusion, policies can change constantly. One year a school may drop their early admission policy. Another year, a school may switch from Early Decision to Early Action.

Then, too, at some schools only domestic students can apply early. International students may need to apply regular admissions.

International College Counselors recommends students apply with an early strategy.

Below is a quick reference list of the main types of early policies. Double check application deadlines as can they vary year to year.

Types of Applications Typical Deadline Restrictions

Rolling September onward                 Nonbinding

Early Action late Oct. to late. Nov.        Nonbinding
You may apply early to more than one college.

Restrictive Early Action November 1                Nonbinding
You can not apply to more than one Early Action program. School policies then differ on whether you can concurrently apply to Early Decision at another school.

Single-Choice Early Action November 1                Nonbinding
You cannot apply early to other schools

Early Decision mid-Oct. to mid Nov.      Binding
You can apply early to only one college.

Early Decision II January 1 or January 15    Binding

Regular Decision December 15-January 1      Nonbinding

Binding means that you agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers adequate financial aid. If you’re accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications.

Early Notification/Early Evaluation is an option offered to applicants by a limited number of selective institutions and is designed to give students an idea of their chances for admission. This is not an admission plan, nor is it an offer of admission.

For more information on Early Action, Early Decision and which program is right for your student, clients of International College Counselors should contact one of our expert college advisors.

International College Counselors
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. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

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