Another View On Early Admissions

Stanford Provost John Etchemendy has written an excellent opinion piece in the New York Times countering the view that all early admissions programs are evil. He notes that non-binding early action programs are not the same as early decision programs which effectively lock students into a single school early in the process. He points out that although critics claim early admissions programs put low income students at a disadvantage, "This reasoning is faulty...Consider an analogous situation. If you look at the pool of people who file inocme tax returns in January, you'll find that a higher percentage get a refund than those who delay until April. Does this imply that the I.R.S. is giving an unfair advantage to those who file early, that filing early increases your chances of getting a refund? Of course not: the I.R.S. refund standards are identical whether you file early or late..." He notes that Stanford actually applies somewhat higher standards to their early pool, "since we do not want to accept students early unless we're confident they would get in during the regular round" and says the percentage of students applying for financial aid in the early round is comparable to that of the regular decision round. After reading this opinion piece, I think it's fair to say that we shouldn't expect Stanford to be jumping on the bandwagon with Princeton and Harvard and eliminating early action any time soon.

Parents: Mistakes To Avoid With Your Child's Counselor

Pity the poor high school guidance counselor. Although they truly want the best for all of their students, they're often working against tremendous odds including enormous demands on their time, stressed out students, and demanding parents. It's easy to blame the guidance counselor if things don't go as expected in the college admissions process, but few students and parents stop to thank them when things do go right. One high school guidance counselor, who asked to remain anonymous, says that parents, in particular, often make the counselor's job more difficult. He's written the following list of mistakes parents make when working with their children's counselors --- and how to fix them. Parents: If you see yourself in any of these scenario's, it's not too late to start working with your child's counselor, instead of against them. Saying thanks every now and then might also be a good idea.

Five Mistakes Parents Make When Dealing With Their Child's Counselor - And How to Fix Them

1. They assume the college counselor doesn't know their job. This fall, the parent of a junior e-mailed my principal, furious with the college counseling program.  They had never spoken to me, mind you, but they had heard that certain a "prestigious" college had never visited our school; since that was an outrage, the went straight to the top, instead of finding out from me that the college doesn't make high school visits, unless you're a math and science magnet high school. Another parent questioned the audacity behind a suggestion that his brilliant son consider a private school the family couldn't afford.  He got in, and went for free-which would be less than the cost of the state public college they had planned on sending him to.

I may not be perfect, but I've devoted my career to finding the best colleges for students, based on their individual interests and abilities.  I find out what your students need, I know what colleges can do, and we try to find the best fits.

2. They drop by the office with "just a quick question" and stay for twenty minutes.  I was in the middle of writing a recommendation letter for a senior's application that was due in three days, when the parent of a junior came in with "a quick question."  25 questions, three subtle references questioning the counselor's abilities (see #1 above), and 20 minutes later, she left with answers to questions that could have waited, and could have been e-mailed.  At about the same time, a phone call came from the parent of the senior, wondering why the application
hadn't been sent yet.  This same parent had spent the better part of her son's junior year also stopping by with "quick questions."

You set up appoitments with lawyers, plumbers, physcians, psychologists, and other professionals who care about you, but also have many clients. I'm a professional, too; think twice about whether your "quick" question or problem is really urgent before you ask me to set the schedule of a busy day aside.

3. They ask their "quick questions" at the school play or the soccer field. Since I write a counselor letter for every application that goes out of my office, I like to see the students in action, to get a sense of who they are, and how they contribute to the school community.  My affective hat is on, and my logistical hat is off-until a parent comes by to ask detailed questions about several colleges, or to simply ask "How's he doing?"  So much for the subtle nuance of actually knowing the student.

College counseling isn't just about "getting a student in" - it's about knowing the student well enough to point them in the right direction, and to write recommendation letters that bring them to life (and therefore, to college).  Watching them live their lives is an important part of showing me who they are, and it will help them, and you, in the long run.  Please give me the chance to do that.

4. They don't pay attention to group meetings, or even individual meetings. I run a series of college information workshops.  They're advertised well ahead of time, I often get key college admission personnel to present, and I outline the entire college application process - to the five families who attend.  The next day, the parents who don't come to the session-usually the same ones with the "quick
questions"-call to say they missed the meeting, and could I give them a recap of the meeting over the phone, or after school today.  I then move heaven and earth, and time with my own children, to accommodate this request, figure out a way to summarize a 90 minute meeting in 20 minutes, and begin with some vigor - only to have the parent distracted by the cell phone they didn't turn off, or worse, checking e-mail on their Blackberry, and responding to it.

My father was in business for himself, so any time away from work meant lost wages.  He managed to make every parent teacher conference day, without a cell phone, and if he had other questions for the teachers, he called during the day, or asked me to ask them instead. He knew teachers were busy, and had families to raise, just like him.

5. They ignore deadlines. A colleague was at home preparing
for that night's New Year's Eve party when the doorbell rang.  It was FedEx, delivering - I am not making this up - three college applications from one of his students, all of which had January 1st deadlines. These applications were due at school, a week before it closed for Christmas vacation.

In commercial air travel, the plane leaves at a scheduled time, and it only has so many seats.  College counseling is like that plane-if you want one of the seats, you have to get there on time.  If you miss the plane you wanted, we can probably find another way to get you to your life's destination, but it won't be on the same plane - and there's nothing we can do about that.

Like most other human endeavors, college counseling is most successful when it's based on reasonable amounts of planning, clear thinking, mutual respect, and consideration.  Since we both want what's best for your child, I look forward to building a successful college counseling relationship with your family.

University of Virginia Will Drop Early Decision

Joining Harvard and Princeton, the University of Virginia announced this week that it too will drop its early decision program in 2008. John Blackburn, Dean of Admissions, told the Chronicle of Higher Education that the decision came after the university decided that the move would level the playing field for students from low-income families and reduce the stress surrounding the college application process. John Blackburn, dean of undergraduate admissions at Virginia, said that the university has been considering the move for some time, but Harvard and Princeton's move encouraged the university to act. "Two weeks ago, I never would have imagined that colelges wuld do this," said Mr. Blackburn in the Chronicle article. "I didn't think that anyone would break ranks, for reasons of their own self-protection."

Related Link: U.Va. drops early admissions program, The Cavalier Daily

Caution: Double Check Web Addresses

Here's a heads up for students preparing to use the Common Application. Make sure you enter the correct web address, which is www.commonapp.org. A company that is not affiliated with the Common Application organization has set up a website at a similar web address (www.commonap.org) and is causing some confusion for students who inadvertently forget that last "p."

If you are using the Common Application, it is a good idea to start by registering, signing in and reading ALL of the instructions. Print out a copy to keep on hand. While the Common Application is fairly straightforward, there are some areas that can snag you if you haven't read the instructions. For example, you can not access the electronic supplemental applications for colleges that have them until you have signed in and added them using the "My colleges" tab. The best way to avoid stress is to sign in now, read and print the instructions, and play around with some of the features. Don't wait until deadline time.

If anyone has any specific questions about the Common Application, feel free to ask them below or, even better, on the AdmissionsAdvice.com Discussion Forum. There's no need to struggle through this alone - join the discussion and get help!

Look Beyond the Hype

I almost decided not to post this article from CBS News. Like much of the media frenzy surrounding college admissions, stories like this do a dis-service to both students and parents. They flag anxiety by talking about the "impossibility" of getting into a great college. However, I decided to post it because hopefully if you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you're smart enough to read between the media hype of articles like this.

Notice, for instance, that the colleges mentioned in the article are mainly schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Is it almost impossible to get into these schools? Yes, absolutely. However, as I frequently say here there are over 2,600 colleges and universities in America, and over 90% accept more students than they reject. More important, you can get a great education at many schools -- smart college hunters (and their parents) know that selectivity and prestige are not necessarily measures of relative academic quality. Smart college hunters build a college list based on information and solid judgment, not to impress others or simply because "it's hard to get in, so it must be good."

There is one quote in the CBS article that's worth reading. It's from Colin Diver, the President of Reed College in Portland, Oregon, which provides one of the nation's best educations. (And which, by the way, admitted 45% of applicants last year). "Too many of the stressed out parents are the ones who care more about being able to go to the country club and brag about their daughter getting into Princeton than whether their daughter really should go to Princeton," Diver says. I could not agree more, and that quote is the reason why I ultimately decided to share this article. Smart college hunters (and their parents) will remember Diver's quote as they sort through college options and look at what really matters when it comes to deciding where to apply to college.

GPAs and College Admissions

Ever wonder how colleges weigh GPAs from thousands of different schools, each using its own method of calculation? It's a complex task say Admissions Directors in today's Washington Post.

"We have found that it is incredible difficult to find out what a GPA means," says Richard Martinez, Admissions Director at the College of Wooster in Ohio. To help decode thousands of GPA's, admissions officers often travel to hundreds of high schools, read school profiles looking for clues, and, ultimately, many colleges simply decide to recalculate every transcript to put all applicants on the same footing. The result is that students often have difficulty decoding what the "median GPAs" listed in guidebooks and colleges' own marketing materials really mean.

Thomas Guskey, a University of Kentucky education points to Canada for a possible solution. Unlike the U.S., each province in Canada requires all teachers and high schools to use a standard grading standard. The result? Colleges know what an A means because there's no variation between high schools.

Since it is highly unlikely that any attempt will be made to standardize U.S. grading in the near future, colleges here will have to continue using a mishmash of techniques to sort through applicant GPAs, and students will continue to wonder what those reported "median GPAs" really mean. Of course, there is another option. Colleges themselves could agree to standardize their methods of recalculation, and share that method with applicants. That would certainly make it easier for students to understand how their grades and GPAs are evaluated in making admissions decisions, and add much needed transparency to the entire admissions process.

Advice for Juniors

Juniors and their parents may be wondering what Harvard and Princeton's recent decisions to eliminate their early admissions programs will mean to next year's admissions landscape.

Robert Shaw, a partner in Ivy Success, a college consulting firm that charges clients up to $28,500, thinks students and parents have reason to be concerned. "Our fear is that kids will get relaxed and think there's no need to prepare for testing early if they're not going to apply early," he said in a recent article. "It's a false mirage to think competition will lessen and everyone will be evaluated fairly in the regular cycle. In reality, the numbers of applicants will be driven up and the pool of competitors will be deeper."

Another college consultant in the same article, however, has a different take. "Try to have fun this year before you have to get stressed," Robin Abramowitz, a New Jersey independent counselor says. "High school has become just prep for college, and that's sad...The less you talk about it, the less you feed into the frenzy, the better off you'll be."

I'm with Abramowitz. Yes, you do need to spend some time this year planning for next year, but, at this point, no decision should be set in concrete. Now is a great time to think about what you're hoping your college experience will be like and to begin exploring different types of colleges. But don't let the college frenzy get out of hand. There's still plenty of time, and no need to rush. Give yourself space to explore your options, try on different ideas, and, yes, to change your mind. This is not a race, but a marathon. Pace yourself. Prepare, but don't panic.

University to Offer Free Tuition to Freshmen

The University of Baltimore may not be for everyone, but for a few lucky freshmen next year, it'll be free. After years of offering only upper division and graduate classes, The University will be enrolling its first freshman class next year. And, none of them will pay a dime for tuition or fees, according to the Baltimore Sun. University officials hope that the one-time program will attract student's to the public university as it becomes a four-year school.

Founded in 1925, the University of Baltimore joined the University of Maryland System in 1988. Since then, it has been the system's only upper division and graduate institution. The school offers career-focused majors, including computer game design, corporate communications, criminal justice and a business administration program focused on marketing, entrepreneurship and taxation. It's an urban campus with no on-campus housing, although the school maintains a list of available rentals close to campus. To read a review of the University of Baltimore, click here. While it's not right for everyone, for career-focused independent students, the offer of a free year might be an enticement worth considering.

New Books About College Admissions

It sometimes seems like books about college admissions multiply like rabbits. Unfortunately, good ones are few and far between. That's not the case with two recently released books, both of which should be on the reading list of everyone interested in knowing more about the college admissions process.

The New Rules of College Admissions is subtitled "Ten former admissions officers reveal what it takes to get into college today," and this book truly delivers on that promise. The ten chapters in this book, each authored by a former college admissions officer, walk students and parents through every stage of the admissions process, from choosing the right courses in high school through making the final decision about where to attend. Although aimed at helping parents to help their children through the process, students themselves will also find plenty of help here. The book gives excellent, straightforward, and easy-to-understand information about interviews, essays, letters of recommendation, and the steps required to put together a solid application. I particularly like this book's discussion of how to evaluate your child's admissions profile strengths and weaknesses and determine which colleges are likely to be reaches, matches or safeties. If you can only buy one book to help guide you through college admissions, this book is a terrific choice.

I mentioned The Price of Admission, by Daniel Golden, a few weeks ago, but it deserves a second mention. Subtitled "How America's ruling class buys its way into elite colleges - and who gets left outside the gate," this book is not for the faint of heart. In fact, reading it you may find yourself feeling more than a little depressed about the role money, class, and family connections play in admissions decisions at some of American's most elite institutions. But, keep reading. You'll learn, for instance, that Notre Dame accepts such a high percentage of legacy applicants that non-legacy applicants typically need significantly higher test scores than the university's median in order to get admitted. You'll also learn that some elite schools give preference to squash players, golfers, and equestrians mainly because those are sports typically pursued by students from wealthier families. If you're Asian, you'll want to know the truth about bias against Asian students at top schools; and if you're a middle class family, how "development admits" may reduce your chances. No, it's not pleasant reading, and you may find your blood pressure rising along with your anger, but, in the end, knowing what really goes on behind the scenes at some of America's elite universities is worth knowing simply because it can help you better evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses in the application pile.

Help! My Parents Are Driving Me Crazy About College Applications!

A few days ago, I received an email from a young woman asking a very important question: What is the best way to go about the college application process without getting into huge arguments with my Mom? I know that it is a very stressful time for both of us and especially me, but the fighting is not helping my stress level at all.

Since I know that other students (and parents) are probably asking themselves the same question, I thought I'd share, with her permission, the reply I sent back to her.

I laughed out loud when I read your email just from imagining how hard my daughter will laugh when I tell her someone asked me for advice on getting along with your Mom during the college application process. My daughter and I have always had a great relationship, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that at this time last year, we were both really annoyed with each other a lot of the time. There was an evil word lurking between us, the "A word": Applications. I was convinced she was doomed to a life of failure if she didn't get them done right this minute, and she was convinced she was doomed to hear me nagging about them for the rest of her life. And, it wasn't even October yet!

A very strange thing happens to a lot of parents - especially mothers - when it comes time for their children to apply to college. Maybe it's that we can see the door closing on our being needed as kids prepare to leave the nest, or maybe it's that we have this burning Mom (and sometimes Dad) drive to want to protect our babies from the sting of rejection, or maybe it's just pre-menopausal stress. But a lot of us go plumb crazy for a while.

Of course, this is totally unfair to you kids. You're facing what is the first major step in your adult life. It's normal to feel scared and excited and just a little doubtful about how it will all turn out. The last thing you need is this crazy woman (or sometimes crazy man) hovering over you as you try to stretch your wings and find the courage to fly. It's no wonder that a lot of kids go plumb crazy for a while too.

What helped at our house was that, in early October, my daughter sent in her first application, to a rolling admissions "safe bet" college. Seven days later, she was admitted. Now that we knew that she could definitely go somewhere the following year, she made me swear - and I am not making this up! - that if I mentioned the "A word" again, I would eat nothing but Cheerio's for a week. I hate Cheerio's, so this was no idle threat. With the threat of the Cheerio's diet hanging heavy, I gradually learned to keep my mouth sh...uh...thoughts to myself. It wasn't easy. The large carton of duct tape I bought for my mouth helped a bit though.

Seriously, the best advice - aside from invoking the Cheerio's diet yourself - is to try to separate out the fear, anxiety, and unhappiness of the application process itself from the feelings you have towards your mother. Sure, she may be trying to help too much, and no one likes to be nagged, but she isn't the source of your true anxiety, and realizing that might make it easier to step back and respond calmly when she is keyed up herself.

Moms also need LOTS of reassurance when they're half-insane. Keep her in the loop, let her know that you are working on your applications (assuming you are), and tell her that you definitely will need her help for some things. One thing my daughter assigned to me is addressing and stamping all of the recommendation envelopes. She even had me write out postage paid cards from the post office with her name and address on them for the schools to send back when the recommendations arrived. It was a very simple thing but it made me feel like I was contributing in some way and that got me off her back for a few weeks at least. So, try to find some simple things like this to make your Mom feel like she is helping you out and relieve some of her anxiety about letting you control the process. We parents really do need to feel needed, so the more "dumb" tasks like that you can give us, the better we'll behave. (Making copies at Kinko's can burn up time too!)

And, try to find some time to do something fun together that doesn't involve the "A word." Go to the movies, go shopping, go out to lunch. Feel free to invoke the Cheerio's diet if necessary.

Anyhow, hope this helps with your question, even if just a bit. Just remember, this too will pass. If you and your mom generally get along, you will get along just as well once the applications are in the mail. Just take deep breaths when she's really driving you nuts, try to keep your sense of humor about things, and feel free to tell her to email me if she needs to vent some anxiety. I've been there. I understand. I will stock up on Cheerio's.

Now, I need to go call my daughter at college. It will be great to hear her laugh.

Proposal Calls for Better College Ranking System

Education Sector, a nonprofit research group based in Washington, is calling for a more sophisticated and meaningful system of ranking colleges. Calling commercial rankings like the one published by annually by U.S. News, "deeply flawed" and accusing them of rewarding institutions "for their fame, wealth, and exclusivity," the group's proposal suggests a ranking system that emphasizes the quality of teaching, academic rigor and student success after earning their degrees. The proposed ranking system would also put graduation rates in better context, taking into account the fact that some colleges enroll larger numbers of needy and first generation college students.

Still, Kevin Carey, Education Sector's research and policy manager and author of the report, is not optimistic about the chances of colleges and universities supporting the proposal. "The biggest obstacle to liberating higher education from the tyranny of the flawed U.S. News siystem is higher education itself," he writes in the report. "Some objections are grounded in reasonable but addressable concerns about the accuracy of information. Others go deeper, relfecting both a strong desire for automony and a basic instinct to preserve the status quo."

Unfortunately, Cary is right. The colleges and universities who have the power to push for such an independent ranking system probably will not do so. They might have much to lose and little to gain by doing so. When you're already at the top of the rankings heap, why shake up the pile? The real losers, of course, are students, who deserve to have the data necessary to make informed decisions based on educational value, not popularity contests.

Inside View: The University of Delaware

With just under 15,0000 undergraduates, the University of Delaware is small compared to other state flagships such as nearby Penn State. Delaware’s reputation is also on the rise, with strong programs in business, the physical sciences (especially chemistry), communications and the social sciences. It’s also a tuition bargain, even for out of state students. Delaware used to be considered something of a safety school. No more. Admissions standards have risen in recent years and the University has been attracting more applicants. Good, solid students, with test scores in the 1100-1300 range still have a strong shot, however. I asked Joe D., who just started his freshman year to give us an Inside View of what life is like at the University of Delaware.

When you were looking at colleges, what were the most important things you were seeking?

The first thing I was looking for was a large, beautiful campus. I was looking for a place where I would feel comfortable and enjoy just walking around. The second thing I was looking for was state of the art facilities. I knew it was important to have updated facilities. Third, I was looking for a large school with many majors. I was not very sure about career options, so I wanted a school in which had numerous majors.

What other schools did you consider and/or apply to?

I also applied to University of Maryland, Penn State University, Rutgers University, and Quinnipiac University.

What were the main reasons why you decided on the University of Delaware?

I chose UDel for the three reasons listed above. It’s a beautiful campus which is very nice to walk around. Additionally, UDel has very impressive facilities and they have continued to impress since my have classes began. They have a huge library with numerous resources and places to study. Finally, UDel has over 100 majors and a substantial amount of students which was just what I wanted.

What has been your biggest surprise at UDel so far?

What has surprised me so far is the knowledge of my professors. All of them are very accomplished in their fields and hold the highest degrees. One of my professors is the only living historian specializing in the state of Delaware.

Is there a “typical” UDel student?

The typical UDel student is white, middle to upper class, and comes from the northeast. Although Delaware is not extremely diverse, my class is the most diverse Delaware has ever had. In fact, three people on my floor come from foreign countries.

What is your dorm like? How are you finding the food?

My dorm was the fourth choice I put for housing. However I must say I am very happy with where I ended up. My dorm room is a bit small and there is no air conditioning, but it is a lot of fun. Everyone is very social and leaves their doors open. I would rather live in my smaller dorm and have more interaction than live in a larger, air-conditioned dorm where everyone keeps their doors shut. The food is what I expected. Not too good, but not too bad. However, there are literally over a hundred places to order food from in the town.

Many people worry that attending a public university means large classes and little attention. Can you tell us about your experiences so far in terms of class sizes and the accessibility of professors?

I must say I was worried about large classes, but I am pleasently surprised. My Economics class has 250 students and my Political Science class has over 200 students. However with the way the classes run, it doesn't seem like the numbers are that large. My Economics class is in a small room and no one is more than 15 feet from the professor. It is very easy to ask questions and we do a lot of group work. My Political Science class is in a large lecture hall, but we often have in class discussions and it is very easy to stay involved. Sit near the front! A class is only as big as you make it. Professors are very easy to contact and some have even suggested coming to office hours just so they can get to know you better. My favorite class is Economics. The professor is very knowledgeable and runs the class very well.

What is the University of Delaware campus like? What part of campus do you like best? What’s the worst part of campus?

The University spends a lot of time and money on campus beautification. The nicest part of the campus is the Green. It is the central part of campus with a large lawn running down the middle. The buildings are brick with columns running down the front. I must say there is no part of campus I like the least.

What’s the social scene like at UDel?

The party scene at Delaware is changing. It was once known as a huge party school where there were numerous parties every night, but this has changed. There are some big parties, but not many. The toughest thing on weekends becomes finding a party. Usually to get into any party you have to know someone. As a freshman, I have not found many other options on weekends other than partying. No one forces anyone to drink, but if anyone goes out they are going to a party. The frat/sorority scene is not large on campus, but you definitely know it is there. However, it is still easy to have a social life outside of frats/sororities.

What advice would you give to high school seniors and juniors looking at colleges?

It is interesting to think back on the college tours I went on and the questions I heard asked about irrelevant things such as food and shower stalls. In the end, I think there are a few basic things that make a difference. I think the most important questions to ask on a college tour are not questions such as are floors co-ed, or how big are the dorms, but questions related to academics.

I think the most important things to find out are:

-What percentage of the faculty holds the highest degree available?-I have all professors with Ph.D's and I think this is the most important thing you can have in a teacher.

-What are the size of Core Classes? My only large classes are the core classes I have to take. Other than that, my classes are small, manageable sizes. Even though 2 classes are very large, it is very easy to ask questions and be involved.

-How is easy is it to switch your major? Many schools may have long lines and red tape when it comes to switching your major, but some schools make it very easy. It is important to find out because many freshman will switch majors.

When it comes down to it, I think these are some of the most important things to find out. In the end, things like the dorms should not play a large role in a college decision.

Last, I must say I have found that the best way to get a feel for the school is to walk around and ask students what they think. They can give you the knowledge you won't get on the tours. In the end, little things can make a big difference, so make sure you ask the right questions.

Top Biotechnology Universities

If you're considering a career in biotechnology, you'll be interested in the just-released biotechnology rankings issued by the Miliken Institute, an economic think tank. Miliken ranked research universities world-wide on three measures: the amount of biotech research being conducted, as measured by papers and citations, the number of biotech patents issued to the institution, and licensing income and biotech startups growing out of the institution.

For biotech research, as measured by publication of papers and citations, Harvard, the University of Tokyo and the University of London were ranked as the top three. Other research universities in the U.S. making the top twenty (in their order on the list):

University of California-San Francisco
University of Pennsylvania
University of California-San Diego
Johns Hopkins University
Washington University-St. Louis
University of Washington
University of California-Los Angeles
Yale Universit
Stanford University
Rockefeller University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Baylor College of Medicine
Duke University

College shoppers, however, should be careful in using these rankings. They do not measure the quality of undergraduate education at these institutions (indeed, Rockefeller University, Baylor College of Medicine, and UC-San Francisco are strictly graduate institutions). However, if you want to be where the largest amount of cutting-edge research in biotechnology is being conducted, these are all worth considering. Be sure to ask about the availability of undergraduate research opportunities at each school, however.

An Inside View: Smith College

Smith College, in Northampton, Massachussetts, has been attracting smart women since 1899. With just over 2,100 students, Smith is one of the larger liberal arts colleges in the country. Smith gives its students unusual academic freedom. With the exception of a mandatory writing course, there are no required courses or distribution requirements. Although nearly all departments are strong at Smith, the social sciences, psychology, and visual and performing arts attract the most majors. Smith is also the only all-female college with an undergraduate engineering major. Stacy Braverman, who graduated last May, volunteered to share her Smith experiences for AdmissionsAdvice.com readers. Stacy majored in government with a self-designed minor in Social Science Methodology. She is now enrolled in a joint JD/MUP (law/master of urban planning) program at the University of Michigan.


When you were looking at colleges, what were the three most important things you were looking for?

1. A “full life”—balanced academics, social life, surrounding neighborhood, and extracurricular activities.

2. Size—I wanted bigger than my high school (which had 1800 students at the time) but smaller than about 5-6,000 undergrads.

3. Affordability—specifically with merit aid.

What other schools did you consider or apply to?

Rejected: Princeton (ED—deferred first), Stanford, Oxford
Accepted: Smith, Emory, Northwestern (Medill journalism school), George Washington, SUNY Albany, University of Denver

What were the main reasons you decided on Smith?

It was the “middle ground” in the prestige/affordability tradeoff. It’s beautiful, and a perfect distance from home (about three hours by car and a bit longer by public transportation) And I got a strong feeling that I’d be happy and make friends there.

What was your biggest surprise about Smith?

I had no idea that Smith had a J-term, where the campus is open for three weeks for optional classes (some for credit, some not) and just general hanging out. I was there for two whole and one partial J-term, and over those three years (I traveled overseas during the other one) I: TA’ed a class at Smith, took a course for credit at Hampshire, took non-credit classes in cooking on a budget (SO HELPFUL for the real world) and massage, worked in the dining halls and as a babysitter, and did a lot of just relaxing with friends and playing in the snow.

Another pleasant surprise was that Smith alumnae have endowed scholarships for Smith seniors to use for graduate school!

How would you describe the "typical" Smith student? How does that compare to the stereotypes people might have about Smith students?

It’s so trite to say “there is no typical ‘X College’ student,” but it’s pretty true about Smith. We’re biologically female, and we’re passionate about learning. Most Smithies are liberal, but definitely not all. Most Smithies are straight, but definitely not all (a recent study done by students in a survey research class reported about 10% of students identify as lesbian and 20% as bisexual). Beyond that? There are students of many ethnicities, religions, hobbies, approaches to schoolwork, etc. I definitely didn’t find it hard to find a niche.

Many people wonder what it is like to be a student at an all-female school. Could you tell us a bit about the ways that a single-sex school affected your life, both inside and outside of the classroom?

Now that I’m at a grad school with slightly more men than women, I’ve been thinking a lot about how Smith shaped me. I don’t know how much this is attributable to the single-sex versus co-ed thing and how much to the difference between liberal arts colleges and law school, but I was much more confident about sharing my ideas at Smith.

Also, at Smith I feel a tremendous connection to the women who came before me. I worked with the 60th-80th (!) reunion classes for three years, and it was one of the best experiences I had in college—simply awe-inspiring to see what alums had done with their lives, and how the world has changed since they were in college. In fact, my current roommates are both women’s college grads (one from Smith, one from Mt. Holyoke). Although we didn’t know each other during undergrad, there’s still a strong tie between us.

One last thing—I think the living environment at Smith is much calmer (and definitely cleaner!) without guys around. My sister attends a co-ed school, as did my parents, and they couldn't get over the lack of spilled beer, intentionally pulled fire alarms, and damaged furniture that they were used to seeing on a college campus.

How would you describe the academic climate at Smith? How accessible were the professors and how intense was the workload? What unique academic opportunities does Smith offer that prospective students should know about?

Perceptions of the academic climate at Smith are based on your major, your attitudes, and your prior preparation. My major (government) required a lot of reading, which I can do rather quickly, and no labs. So I had more free time than my science-major friends, who were simply in class for more hours each week than I was. I also attended a good public school and was used to working hard in college-level classes—a huge benefit that I took for granted til I met Smithies who didn’t have that preparation.

Most people care a lot about learning, and while there’s plenty of procrastination and grumbling, people generally show up to class on time, are engaged while there, and put in hard work on their assignments. Professors also work hard—they’re definitely willing to meet with students outside of class and to give advice about other classes to take, careers and grad school, etc.

A great but little-known program at Smith is the Kahn Institute, which gives grants to students and faculty to do self-designed projects on a given theme. I was part of the “City Lives and City Life” project, and actually got paid to eat lunch with the other faculty and students each week and discuss our research. My project was a comparison of urban housing policy in postcolonial Iceland and Singapore—something that I never would have learned about in a regular class.

I was also incredibly grateful for Smith’s fellowship support program—I applied for a Truman fellowship and felt very well prepared for the panel interview it required. Smith is excellent at helping students get fellowships; many of my friends are doing Fulbrights this year, and I know that if I want to apply for one after grad school I can still have help from Smith.

How are the dorms at Smith? What was your dorm like in freshman year?
How did you find the food?

The dorms at Smith are called houses, and nearly all students live in them (it can be hard to get permission to live off-campus). My house as a first year was in the quad, a 10 minute or so walk to class, and it had about 80 students over 4 floors, with 3 showers and sinks and toilets per floor. Most of the rooms were singles, but I had a double and I loved my room and my roommate. The rooms vary a lot among houses—mine was a bit larger than the average double and had wood floors and window seats which provided extra storage, but it was also on the 4th floor of a walkup, and had one closet for us to share. It worked out fine though.

After first year, I moved to a co-op on campus. It was a beautifully refurbished Victorian, and we saved a lot of money by cooking for ourselves. But I liked the food on the regular meal plan too. There’s a lot more choice now than there was when I first came to Smith. Now one house is strictly vegetarian/vegan, another has a kosher/halal kitchen, one serves Asian food each night for dinner, and more. I’m not a particularly picky eater, but I found there to be a decent variety of food and I could always find something I liked.

What was your favorite place on campus? What's the worst part of campus? How would you describe the surrounding community?

I really liked the Palm Room in the botanic gardens, where it’s warm even in the winter, and I also spent a lot of time at the Kosher Kitchen, where students cook dinner each Friday night. I don’t really dislike any part of campus—everything’s maintained very well and most of it is pretty. I’d like more lights along the paths at night, and Public Safety is working on this.

Northampton has lots of restaurants and shops, places to volunteer, artsy movie theaters, houses of worship, etc. A ton of bands come through each year. There are also free buses to Amherst and other colleges, so you can easily check out what’s going on there. The Pioneer Valley is a great place for outdoor sports—hiking, skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, etc. are all easily accessible by car, and Smith Outdoors runs organized trips, too. It’s a great small town—but it’s definitely not a city. Luckily, if you get desperate for more urban stuff, it’s only about a 2-hr drive or slightly longer bus ride to Boston, so you could go for a weekend.

What do people do at Smith for fun on the weekends? Where do people hang out, both on and off campus?

People go to movies or concerts or sporting events, parties at Smith or one of the other colleges nearby, take road trips to Boston or New York or camping/skiing throughout New England, or just relax with friends and catch up on work and sleep. There are lots of guest speakers and club events on weekends, too.

On campus, people hang out a lot in the campus center, which has the bookstore, mailroom, meeting space, and a café. Lots of people also go to the gym, which is only a few years old and is very beautiful. I especially like the rock climbing wall—or the boathouse, where you can borrow kayaks and canoes and paddle around the pond on campus.

Off campus, there are lots of nice cafes, like the Haymarket and the Woodstar. Northampton has two small movie theaters, and there’s a bigger one at a mall only a few miles away (on a bus line). There’s also a gigantic mall a half-hour drive away (also on a bus line). A lot of people also head over to Amherst—it has a good downtown, and it’s a good way to meet new people.

What did you like best about Smith? What would you have changed?

I wish there were a quantitative skills requirement. Too many Smith students graduate unable to do the math they need for jobs and graduate school, and worse, they’re afraid to learn math. I also wish there were more emphasis on constructive discourse — of really questioning one’s positions and the assumptions that underlie them, and of respectfully advocating one’s positions and discovering inconsistencies in opposing ones. Too often at Smith, people get intellectually lazy, either never having to defend their ideas because most people agree with them, or using personal anecdotes instead of logic and facts to back up their positions.

However, the best part of Smith for me was my friends, who I hope to be close to for the rest of my life. They have shaped me in so many ways, and are talented, diverse, and abundantly kind. Being in a place where I got to interact with so many great people, and where everything was set up to help students succeed, gave me the ability to discern what kind of person I want to be and to start moving towards that.

Do you have any advice for high school seniors trying to decide where to apply?

My brother is actually applying to college right now (ironically, the one school that has absolutely everything he wants is Smith, but that’s not gonna happen!) so here are some things I’ve suggested to him and my parents:

• Make sure you choose safety schools—but only ones you’d be happy going to. If you don’t get in anywhere you’d be willing to attend, it’s not the end of the world—you can take time off and re-apply next year. On a related note, if you’re not ready for college yet, don’t bother going yet! It’s a lot of time and effort and money, and it’s not worth it until you’re going to really work hard.

• A good school for you is one that allows you to be your whole self: the bio major side, sure, but also the tuba playing and the Christian and the cold-weather-hating sides, too.

• Even if you don’t end up at your dream school, you can make a college work for you by being open to new experiences and working to start the activities that matter to you. (Plus, no decision’s final—you can always transfer if you realize you’ve made a horrible mistake!)

• The application process will be over soon. Then things will get easier—I’ve NEVER (and I’m counting law school here) had such a stressful semester as I did first half of senior year of high school. So good luck!

Reasons for Keeping Early Admissions

Jay Matthews, of the Washington Post, has written an interesting article in defense of early admissions programs. Using quotes from admissions officers and high school guidance counselors, he effectively argues that early admission programs - both binding and non-binding - offer some solid benefits to students that shouldn't be ignored, or easily swept away. I think he makes some very good points. Although I am not a big fan of binding early decision programs, I do advise my clients to apply early action if it is offered by a college on their list and they are ready to do so. I think it makes good sense. Early news allows students to revise their list if necessary, and also helps keep the tension of senior year managable. In the euphoric rush of media coverage over Harvard and Princeton's decisions to end their early programs, let's not dump the baby out with the bathwater.

Last Minute Ideas For Colleges

Although it might seem like everyone but you (or your child) already has their college list cemented in stone, most high school seniors are still rounding out their lists. If you're looking for some last minute suggestions for colleges and universities, here are seven ideas that might help you pinpoint a hidden gem that's just right for you.


1. Work Colleges provide a unique take on college education. Students are intimately involved in helping the campus operate. A bonus: They cost significantly less than other comparable schools.

2. Religiously-affiliated colleges and universities provide a broad range of options. Even non-religious students can find a home at many of them.

3. If service to others is important to you, check out the colleges which participate in the Bonner Scholars Program. These schools offer scholarship opportunities and strongly support the efforts of students dedicated to helping others.

4. Honors Colleges are smaller schools within larger colleges and universities and they're geared towards the academic interests and needs of top students. They're a great option if you're looking for more academic challenge and special opportunities.

5. If you're looking for something a little different from your education, look at the opportunities available at progressive colleges. These schools often let students personalize their educational experiences.

6. Want a small school but worried about paying private school prices? Check out public liberal arts colleges.

7. If your home state's public university system doesn't offer the major you want, a good alternative might be found through a tuition exchange program. Tuition exchange programs allow one state's residents to pursue their degree at the public institution's of neighboring states while paying reduced tuition.

Happy hunting!

Columbia Announces No Loans For Low Income Students

Columbia University announced today that it will eliminate loans for low income students. Undergraduates from families with annual income of $50,000 or less will no longer receive student loans as part of their financial aid packages. "Our goal is to try to provide students across the board with the kind of financial freedom to make life choices so that they're not burdened by loans," said Columbia President Lee Bollinger. The new program will go into effect next September. Columbia is currently the most expensive school in the Ivy League, yet it enrolls the largest percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, which are generally available to students from families earning less than $40,000 a year.

Columbia's announcement comes on the heels of similar announcements in recent months by other elite universities. Next week, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Magaret Spellings is expected to release a report on the state of higher education said to be highly critical of college accessibility and affordability.

Related Link: Bloomberg News, "Columbia University Says Low-Income Graduates Will Be Debt-Free

Princeton Follows Harvard, Ends Early Decision

Princeton has announced that, like Harvard, it will end its early admissions program, starting with the high school class of 2008. "We are making this change because we believe it is the right thing to do," said Princeton's President Shirley M. Tilghman. "The ulitmate test of any admissions process for Princeton is whether it is fair and equitable to all of our applicants..."

What's really behind Princeton and Harvard's announcements? On the one hand, I have no doubt that both schools truly do care about economic diversity. Still, the fact that both schools announced the changes to their early admissions policies a few weeks before the Margaret Spellings, the U.S. Secretary of Education is expected to issue a report highly critical of colleges for not being more accessible and affordable should raise some eyebrows. Many in academia have been expressing fear of potential increases in government regulation of colleges and universities, so I suspect that at least on some level both announcements are a pre-emptive move. Although both schools say the moves had been under consideration for several years, one has to wonder about the timing.

Of course, the larger issue is: Will Yale follow suit? What about Columbia? Stanford? Cornell? MIT? Stay tuned. I suspect, however, that this move will not filter down to the next rung of selectivity - those schools are undoubtably chomping at the bit in anticipation of using their early programs to perhaps snatch up a few more top candidates that might have applied early to the elites.

I personally feel that it is high time that restrictive early admissions programs, which push students to commit well before most are ready, are ended.

College Choice and Career Success

After dozens of articles feeding the frenzy surrounding college admissions, the Wall Street Journal has a news flash for us all: Attending a name brand college doesn't really matter as much as many think. "Most CEO's of the biggest corporations didn't attend Ivy League or other highly selective colleges," the Wall Street Journal Online breathlessly reports today. "They went to state universities, big and small, or to less-known private colleges. That sharp gasp you just heard is the collective disbelief of the Wall Street Journal's readers, many of whom no doubt shudder at the thought that getting their kids into the most prestigious college possible is the key to their future success. You mean it's possible to become CEO of Wal-Mart if you went to Pittsburgh State University in Kansas? Or CEO of Intel if you "only" attended the Unviersity of San Francisco? What? Warren Buffet graduated from the University of Nebraska? Say it ain't so.

I had a good chuckle at this article. I've been interviewed several times by reporters from the Wall Street Journal about my thoughts on the current state of college admissions. Most often, the reporters have pushed to get me to say that students and parents need to use every trick in the book in order to get into the most prestigious schools or they'll be doomed to failure. When I told one WSJ reporter that just wasn't true, and I believe that it is possible to get a great education at hundreds, perhaps thousands of colleges and universities, the pause on the other end of the phone was deafening.

However, I take it as a positive sign that the Wall Street Journal is finally getting on board with what I've been telling readers of this blog all along: It is not so much where you go to college that matters, but what you do once you get there. With drive and determination, anyone can be a success. And, you don't have to have an impressive diploma on your wall to get there.

College Tuition Guarantee Plans

When shopping for colleges, everyone looks at how much it will cost to attend for freshman year. Yet, few people think about how their costs might rise over the four or five years they spend on campus getting their degree. In fact, the typical private college or university increases tuition alone an average of 6.3% each year. This means that by senior year, you could be tacking on another 20% in tuition alone to your freshman year college bill.

Some colleges have responded with tuition plans that allow students to more accurately predict their costs over the course of their educations. The simplest of these plans is a tuition guarantee program. Under a tuition guarantee program, all incoming freshmen are promised that the tuition they pay freshmen year will not change over the next four years. George Washington University, Hiram College, Loyola College in Maryland, and Pace University are among the schools that guarantee that tuition will not rise. Merrimack College in Massachusetts takes it a step farther, guaranteeing that incoming students will pay the same price for room and board, in addition to tuition, for all four years.

Some of these plans, however, do have fees or restrictions associated with them. For example, students at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota pay a $600 fee freshmen year to limit tuition, room, and board increases to 3.9% a year.

Another option for locking in costs are payment plans that allow families to pre-pay tuition at the current year's rate. These programs get a little more complicated. Some, such as Harvard's are fairly straight-forward: you pay upfront for all four years at the current year's rate.

Don't have an extra $150,000 or so lying around to pre-pay tuition? Several schools have borrowing programs designed just for taking advantage of the pre-payment lock-in. For example, Washington University's Parents in Education with Parents (PEP) Option lets families freeze all or part of four years of tuition, fees, room and board through various loan products. The tuition stabilization plan at Holy Cross also lets students borrow two to four years worth of tuition in order to pre-pay their tuition as the same rate as the year of the loan. If considering these sorts of plans, it's important to take a look at the expected annual increase versus the interest on the loan.

Most colleges and universities make the existence of pre-payment plans known on their websites but, even if you don't see it mentioned, a phone call to the bursar's office might enable you to work out a deal. However, even if you can't afford to pre-pay, or your college doesn't offer a tuition guarantee, every prospective student should ask about how costs have changed over the past few years in order to get an idea of how your costs may increase over the next four years.

How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

Every year at this point, I hear from seniors asking me the same question: How many colleges should be on my final list? My answer: Probably less than you think.

Yes, I know. You've seen reports in the media that make it sound like everyone will be applying to 15 or 20 colleges. And, you're convinced that if you don't send an application all of the top 30 colleges on the U.S. News & World Report's Annual College Rankings that you'll be doomed to attending your local vocational school. Here, however, are the facts. According to research conducted by the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, the majority of students apply to four or fewer colleges. Yet, 91% of college freshmen reported they were attending either their first or second choice school.

Now, I'm not saying you should apply to only four colleges. Or six. Or ten. And, yes, in some cases, it might make sense to apply to 15 schools. Instead, what I am trying to get a cross is that you should not add colleges to your list just because you think that doing so automatically improves your chances of acceptance somewhere.

First and foremost, every college on your final list should have a clear reason for being there. You should be able to explain exactly why each school is a match for your interests, needs, and personality, and, just as importantly, why you are a match for each college. By the way, "prestige," in and of itself, is not a reason to add a college to your list. Dig deeper. What does each school have to offer you, personally, and what do you have to offer each college? The closer the match between the school's needs and your needs, the better your chances of admission.

Keep in mind, however, that every college list needs a balance between high-risk applications and low-risk applications. High-risk schools fall into two categories. The first includes any college or university that rejects more than 80% of its applicants. No matter how great your grades, test scores or extracurriculars might be, these schools are always high-risk because the odds of being accepted are simply not in any candidate's favor. The other category of high-risk colleges are those where your grades and test scores are clearly below the average of enrolled students. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that a unique or impressive extracurricular will automatically overcome your short-comings on the academic side. While there may be cases where this does occur, if you don't have the grades or test scores, assume that it will be a high-risk application.

This does not mean you shouldn't apply to high-risk colleges. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a shot. After all, as the lottery slogan says, "You gotta be in it to win it." However, your college list should never be built solely on high-risk applications, and every high-risk college on your list should have a clear purpose for being there. If you're just adding high-risk colleges for no other reason but the fear of being rejected everywhere, you're on the wrong path.

A well-balanced list will include colleges across the spectrum of risk, including at least two low-risk colleges - schools where your chances of being rejected are very small. Keep in mind, however, that a low-risk school (sometimes called a "safety" school) should not be on your list if you absolutely would not attend even if it was the only college that accepted you. Drop any "safety school" that makes your skin crawl from your final list: It is not a safety if you would not be happy to attend if all else failed.

The core of a good college list, however, lies in between those high-risk and low-risk colleges. This should be the meat of your list, revolving around colleges where you feel there is a solid match-up between you and the school. You may not get into every college in this category, and some will probably still be riskier than others, but the likelihood is that your final college choice will revolve around the colleges in this category. Again, no school should be on your list just because you're afraid of rejection. Every school should have a purpose for being on your list, and you should be clear of the match-up between you and the school. If you can't explain why a college on your list might want you, take it off.

Finally, be honest with yourself about the time and effort you'l have to spend on applications. The Common Application will save you some time, but you'll still need to answer supplemental questions for many colleges, coordinate recommendations, and make sure your transcripts, test scores, and other application materials arrive on time. Keep in mind that you'll have other demands on your time over the next few months - school work, extracurriculars, and, yes, a social life. Realistically, will you be able to do a great job on each and every application? If not, pare your list to a more manageable size. There is no point in sending out applications that aren't your best effort.

The bottomline to the question of how many colleges to apply to is that there is no magic number that will be right for everyone. The right number for you, however, requires some serious thinking about your tolerance for risk, the match-up between you and each college you're considering, and your ability to put together a great application for each school. Good luck!

An Insider's View on Early Decision

In the excitement surrounding Harvard's announcement that it was dropping its single choice early action program this week, the media forgot that Harvard isn't the first school to drop its early admissions program. Although the University of Delaware may not garner the same sort of media attention that Harvard does, last spring it announced that it was eliminating its binding Early Decision program. In the shadow of the media hub-bub surrounding Harvard's announcement, Louis Hirsch, UDel's director of admissions, has written a thoughtful commentary describing why UDel reached this decision and highlighting some considerations for students thinking about applying Early Decision to other schools.

Hirsch points out that the University of Delaware admissions team found it increasingly difficult to make thoughtful decisions in the frenzy of the few weeks available to read Early Decision applications. Additionally, Hirsch points out that the available data about academic performance is more limited for Early Decision applicants than for those applying later in the year. "We have a preference for students who perform well in their senior year in demanding curricula," writes Hirsch. "Students in the regular pool have a half-year of grades to show us. Early-decision candidates have little senior work to show..." Hirsch also notes that "it's not uncommon for students admitted early to experience buyer's remorse by the spring."

These are both important points that are often overlooked by students considering Early Decision. Sometimes, it is simply better to wait, especially if another semester of grades in senior year might make a stronger case for your admission to a particular school. More importantly, rushing to apply Early Decision simply because you think it will give you an admissions boost is also a poor college decision-making strategy. The only reason anyone should make the choice of applying Early Decision is because, after considering all the options, they are convinced that a particular school is their clear first choice. So, seniors: Take heed. Make sure you are making an informed decision if you choose to go the ED route, and consider all of the consequences of doing so.

More on How Harvard's EA Drop Might Affect Others

Does Harvard's announcement early this week that it will drop its Early Action program next year mean early programs are on their way out? No, says an excellent article from NPR, Nine Things You Need to Know About Early Action. Although Harvard's decision may eventually lead other schools to follow suit and do away with early admissions programs, the article points out that, for now, students and parents still need to be aware of all admissions options, and make a thoughtful, well-informed decision about whether to apply early.

College Marketing Hype

I've talked about the marketing and promotional strategies used by colleges to attract students before, but an interesting NPR story todaysheds additional light on the process. Not only are colleges and universities shelling out big bucks to get the attention or prospective students, but they're also promoting themselves to each other in an effort to boost their "peer ratings" in the U.S. News & World Report's Annual College Rankings. Which, of course, begs the question: Just what do those "peer ratings" really tell us if colleges themselves think they can be affected through marketing and promotion?

Special thanks to Limner, a member of the AdmissionsAdvice.com discussion forum for alerting my attention to the NPR story.

Application Myths

Does community service increase your chances of admissions? Are minority students auto-admits at top colleges, regardless of their grades? Can a great essay erase bad grades or test scores? Forbes dispells these common application myths in a brief article and slide show.

Tackling Disciplinary and Conviction Questions on College Applications

This year’s Common Application asks two pointed questions of applicants. The first asks applicants if they have ever been suspended, placed on probation, or expelled from any secondary school. The second asks if they have ever been convicted or a “misdemeanor, felony, or other crime.” In addition to asking these questions on the student’s application, the counselor/school recommendation also asks them of counselors.

These questions aren’t entirely new in the world of college applications. Many individual college applications already ask about student disciplinary and/or legal convictions, on either the student’s application, the secondary school report form, or both. For the colleges that do ask these questions, it’s a no-brainer: These questions are viewed as a way to weigh the applicant’s potential for behaving responsibly and with integrity while a part of the college community.

So, if you’re a student who has a black mark on your school disciplinary record, or been convicted of crime, however minor, how should you handle these questions? Will answering truthfully kill any chance of admission?

Let’s tackle school disciplinary problems first. Colleges understand that high school students do make mistakes and they tend to look at those mistakes in context. Was the infraction a one-time event? Was the student repentant and did they learn from their mistake? Did they take responsibility for it? In short, colleges aren’t just looking at the mistake that led to the disciplinary action; they’re also looking for information about the response. If you’ve made a mistake, learned from it, and taken responsibility to insure you won't make the same mistake again, most colleges will tend to consider the disciplinary report in a different context than if it is an on-going issue.

There are exceptions, however. Disciplinary actions related to academic integrity – i.e., plagiarism, cheating on a test – are viewed more negatively by colleges than infractions such as sneaking in booze to a high school dance or cutting class. In addition, as already noted, repeated disciplinary actions for the same infraction are taken much more seriously than a one-time mistake.

If you have a disciplinary black mark on your record, it is important to discuss the issue with your school guidance counselor before making any decision about how to respond to the question on applications. Some high schools make it a policy not to disclose minor disciplinary actions to colleges. Others disclose all disciplinary actions. While it is always best to be truthful on college applications, in some cases your guidance counselor may advise you that your infraction was minor enough that disclosing it isn’t necessary. Your guidance counselor can also help you by reviewing your explanation for your disciplinary record, and making suggestions that can help put both the infraction itself in proper context, and your response to it in a positive light.

Convictions are a more complicated matter, especially in cases of sealed juvenile records. The first advice I would give is to consult with an attorney regarding the laws covering sealed juvenile records in your state. Most attorneys that I have talked to seem to feel that it is not necessary to reveal sealed juvenile records on college applications. However, the rules regarding sealed juvenile records do vary from state to state, and in some cases even sealed juvenile records can be opened for certain types of background checks, although probably not for college applications. Additionally, some types of convictions, even if committed by juveniles, are not sealed, and others, in particular drug offenses, can affect your eligibility for federal financial aid. Therefore, the first step should be a discussion with an attorney familiar with state and federal law in the area of your conviction.

Beyond that, it is also a good idea to discuss with your school counselor the school’s policy on revealing student legal issues. I recently surveyed guidance counselors from across the country and most said that they would not feel comfortable revealing a student’s legal conviction, even if they were aware of its details. However, this does not mean that these counselors will check “no” when this question arises on college recommendation forms. Many said that, instead of checking no, they would just write, “School policy does not allow us to comment on off-campus behavior or student legal issues” or a similar statement. Therefore, it’s a good idea to talk to your guidance counselor about school policy if you have a conviction in your past.

Advice for International Students

If you're an international student interested in applying to U.S. Colleges, check out the excellent College Planning Guide from the International School of Manila. This booklet walks you through every step of choosing and applying to U.S. colleges, and is a useful guide for all international students. Good luck!

Dartmouth Won't Follow Harvard's Lead

When Harvard announced this week that it was dropping its Ea