Is it too soon for a Campus Visit?

Parents ask me all the time “Is it too soon to go on a campus visit?” Unfortunately, the parents who usually ask that question are indeed asking too soon. There is such thing as too soon for campus visits because too many students get burned out on-campus visits when they start their visits well before the application process.

Campus visits matter most in junior and senior year of high school. When students are visiting colleges at a time when it’s relevant then they tend to learn more from the experience. Also, for colleges that track “demonstrated interest”, having an official visit during that time can help with admissions prospects. The other benefit of visiting when students are actively engaged in the application process is that the visit helps with writing a more compelling essay about why that particular college is a good fit.

Rice campus
Rice has a beautiful campus, much like an urban oasis!

There are a few colleges that may host special events for 9th or 10th graders. I think those visits are OK to attend, perhaps as part of a family trip to that area. I don’t suggest making a special trip out of the way just to attend.

What I see more often is that parents are taking their middle schooler or 9th grader to visit the more prestigious, selective universities. That adds a lot of unnecessary pressure and stress. Yes, Princeton may have a beautiful campus, but is it really necessary to visit when it’s not even certain that Princeton is a good fit for your teen? It can even be a bit tricky when a parent takes their child to a reunion event. That too can set the expectation that your child should attend or at least apply to your alma mater.

The best time for students to visit in the winter and spring of the junior year after researching where it makes the most sense to visit. The summers are good for visits, but families should keep in mind that the campus vibe may be a bit quieter and less impressive. Some colleges offer special overnight visits for seniors. These are great to take advantage of but it can be hard to fit into the senior schedule, especially if a teen has a fall sport.

So the short answer to our initial question on is it too soon to do a campus visit is “Yes!” If your teen is a middle schooler or 9th grader, it’s too soon for a campus visit. Those years are better spent doing well academically and making good choices socially. The end of sophomore year is the earliest I would recommend a campus visit.

When are you starting your campus visits? Please post comments below.

 

ALERT College-bound Juniors – AP scores are back, Now What?

AP scores

High school sophomores and juniors can access their AP scores this week! While there may have been high anxiety and a few sleep-deprived nights in May, students may have some butterflies as they open their online accounts to see the results.

What do your scores mean

AP scores will range from 1 to 5. An AP score of “1” or “2” may feel like a real downer, given all the late-night studying. A “3” on the AP exam shows proficiency, but may not get any attention from colleges. The scores that colleges may notice are “4” and “5”. When I say notice, it can mean that the college will allow the student to either

  1. Skip an introductory level college course in that area of study
    -or-
  2. Get college credit

One of the things that students must be careful to do is check with the college’s department to determine whether any course upgrade or college credits will be granted. I advise doing so after a student has determined where they will enroll in college. It wouldn’t make sense to determine the college list based on getting college credit, since the colleges may change their policy.

Whether a college allows a student to skip an introductory level course or grant college credit is specific to each college. If the college does neither, then students shouldn’t feel as if they wasted their time. In the admissions process, colleges will consider the rigor of the high school curriculum. Taking an AP course is still a good way to show that students challenged themselves during high school.

What do you think about AP? Is it worth it?

What Parents Need to Know about Testing for College-bound Teens

There are 3 tests that are used for college admissions:

  1. ACT
  2. SAT 1 – Reasoning test
  3. SAT 2 – Subject Tests

Each of these tests is different.

ACT ≠ SAT

The ACT is more of an achievement test and more aligned with knowledge gained during the high school years. SAT 1 is more of an intelligence test. As a rule of thumb, I’ve found that my students who are strong readers tend to fare better on the SAT, especially with its vocabulary. Students who do not read as much outside of school tend to do better on the ACT.

The SAT 2 is an hour-long test in a specific subject area. Here are the available subject tests:

  • Literature

These tests tend to match with an Honors or Advanced Placement course. For example, if a student is taking AP US History then they may want to consider the SAT Subject Test in American History for college admissions purposes. (Note: The AP tests are typically used for college placement, but not college admissions.) I recommend that students take the corresponding Subject Test at the end of the course, in May or June. For students who are interested in STEM fields, I strongly urge them to consider taking the Math Level 2 Subject Test soon after they complete Pre-Calculus.

Students will typically take the ACT or SAT in junior year. I do not recommend taking these tests in sophomore year and certainly not the senior year.

Testing Game Plan for Best Score

The best game plan for students is

  1. Determine which test you will focus on at the end of sophomore year. It is NOT necessary to take both tests. Colleges will accept either test.
  2. Take the ACT or SAT for the first time in the winter of junior year. This will give your teen time to get adjusted to a more-demanding junior year schedule and have time to study before taking the test.
  3. Leave time in the spring of the junior year to retake the ACT or SAT, if necessary.

Once the testing is completed, more time can be spent on developing a solid college list and writing application essays! What’s your teen’s game plan for acing the ACT or SAT?

Check out our 4 Tips to Help your Teen Study Better!

3 Study Tips for Teens

It is best to start building study habits in the middle school years because poor study habits will quickly come to light during high school when the demands of high school academics and homework load are much greater. Even if your teen is on the 12th, it’s too late for them to learn how to study better. The study skills they build in high school will greatly serve them in college.

Here are 3 time-tested study tips for teens that will make a difference in developing your teen’s study habits: (I’ve used them myself and know that they work!)

Help your teen set a daily study routine. 

This daily routine can be 4 to 6 pm for afterschool activities, 6-7 dinner time, then study from 7 to 10 pm. Part of setting this routine is making it realistic for how your teen is involved outside of school and in the community. 

To really stick with this routine, stay flexible. You can make adjustments when necessary on a week-by-week basis until your teen feels comfortable with knowing that if it’s Wednesday evening at 7:30, they should be studying and not watching a movie on net flicks.

Remind them to review their class notes each day. 

You may be thinking . . . I don’t have time to hover over them while they’re studying. I don’t mean to imply that at all. This means that from time to time, perhaps when they discuss a grade that was lower than expected, you suggest that they should consider reviewing their class notes each day. Another thing they can do if they have a study period is look ahead to what will be covered in class later that day.

Designate a quiet space at home (or library) to avoid distractions, i.e. texts, music, and friends who socialize. Designated space at home can be a desk in any room, a dining table, a comfy chair or couch as long as it’s free of obvious distractions. If studying at home isn’t an option, then perhaps suggest that your teen studies at the local library for a few hours.

Have dinner together. 

In all the research that’s been done on what makes the most difference with doing well academically, it’s having dinner together. This can be tough to schedule especially if you have more than one child, nevertheless, it’s been shown to have the greatest impact, even more so than doing homework.

Please let me know what you’ve tried that works.

Check out What Parents Need to Know about Testing for College-bound Teens!

 

What to Wear to a College Fair or Campus Visit

If the title of this article captured your attention, you are asking a great question, “What should I wear to a college fair?” or “What should I wear to this campus visit?” The answer is not always obvious based on what I see teenagers (and sometimes their parents) wearing to these events.

NOT

Here are some quick tips and I will start with what not to wear:

  • Cut-off jeans
  • Shirts with the backs cut out
  • Graphic T-shirts with obscene or explicit language/images
  • Heels that are 6 inches high (when your feet hurt, it’s hard to listen!)

Hopefully, these brief tips do not leave you saying “I need to go shopping!”

YES

Here are a few suggestions for what you can wear:

  • Comfortable, clean shoes
  • A collared shirt
  • Pants, belted at the waist, i.e. not sagging
  • Jeans are OK as long as they are worn neatly!

A good rule of thumb if you’re still wondering  . . . . when in doubt, dress up! 

Which fairs will you visit? Safe travels and be sure to take our comparison checklist with you to make sure you make the most of a college fair!

wear