About AP Classes

Are you ready for a unique learning experience that will help you succeed in college? Each year, students around the world who want to learn and achieve at the highest level become AP (Advanced Placement) students. Through AP’s college-level courses and exams, you can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the admissions process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers.

Why Take an AP?

With 37 different AP classes and tests across multiple subject areas, there is something that will interest any student (and give them an edge for college). Here are just a few reasons to sign up:

Earn College Credit and Advanced Placement
• More than 3,600 colleges and universities recognize AP Exam scores. Over 90% of 4-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or better initial placement for qualifying scores.
• Essentially testing out of basics like English 101 and Biology 105 (for example) will help you have time to move into upper-level courses in your field of interest, pursue a double major, or study abroad.
• Design a college experience that suits you and gives you the flexibility to get the most out of your college years.

Stand Out in the College Admissions Process
• Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college.
• Show your willingness to take the most rigorous courses available to you.
• Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence.

Gain Skills that Will Help You Succeed in College
• Get a head start on college-level work.
• Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem-solving techniques.
• Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work in college.

Broaden Your Intellectual Horizons
• Be part of a community of students and educators who are passionate, curious, and committed to academic excellence
• Engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively
• Take courses that are developed by leading professors to reflect the level of learning happening at colleges throughout the country

How Do You Enroll?
• Talk to an AP teacher or the AP Coordinator (usually one of the counselors) at your school about the course you want to take. Discuss the course’s workload and any preparation you might need.
• If you are a homeschooled student or attend a school that doesn't offer AP, you can still participate. Each year hundreds of students participate through independent study. Some states even sponsor online AP courses.

Tips for Paying for College

Getting admitted to your choice college is only half the battle; the other half is figuring out how to pay for it. The competition for resources can be stiff, especially in tough economic times. The most important rule to planning so that you can take advantage of financial aid is to start early.

1. Start researching aid possibilities sooner rather than later. The competition for aid increases when the economy is weak. Those who plan ahead for the aid process will do much better than those who procrastinate and miss deadlines.

2. Take steps that improve your aid eligibility. For example, if someone in your family has lost a job, avoid the temptation to spend any assets in the retirement plan. In addition to the likely early distribution penalties and additional income taxes, the higher income will reduce your aid eligibility.

3. Apply for financial aid no matter what you think of your financial circumstances — good or bad. Applying by the priority deadlines, even if you think you won’t qualify, will help you if your finances take a turn for the worst. Some schools will only accept requests for reconsideration due to a decline in income from those students who filed for aid on time — even if they were turned down initially.

4. You should still not initially rule out any school as being too expensive. Many colleges — especially the private ones — have increased their aid budgets to attract applicants whose families are now more price resistant given the state of the economy. But have a back-up plan in case the aid is not enough to attend those pricier schools. Most likely this will mean also applying to a public institution in your home state and/or any school where the student can live at home instead of paying for room and board.

5. Pay less for a four-year degree. One way you can save on costs if you attend a community college for two years and then transfers to a pricier school for his or her remaining two years. However, be sure that the college where you want to transfer will accept the credits from the community college.

6. Take as many AP courses as reasonably possible and prepare yourself well for the AP exams. High scores on AP exams can save considerably on college tuition. Many colleges award course credits for them, which can reduce the amount you need to pay in tuition.

7. Apply strategically to colleges. If you exceed the school’s admission criteria, you are much more likely to get a better aid package than a marginal applicant. Be sure to prepare for the standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.

8. Be realistic about how much debt you and your family can incur, given the starting salaries for your probable major and career path.

9. If you have to borrow, pursue federal loans first and avoid having taking private loans at all costs.

10. If your circumstances have a taken a turn for the worst, request additional aid. But expect that the college may require considerable supporting documentation.

Questions to Ask Your School Counselor – Part 2 of 2

More questions to ask your counselor:

14. What clubs and sports are available for students here?
15. What kinds of grades do different colleges require?
16. Are there any college fairs at this school, or nearby?
17. Where do other students from this school attend college?
18. What are the requirements or standards for the honor society?
19. Can you put me in touch with recent grads who are going to the colleges on my wish list?
20. Do you have any information to help me start exploring my interests and related careers?
21. If my colleges need a recommendation from you, how can I help you know me better, so it can be more personal?
22. Are there any special scholarships or awards that I should know about now, so I can work toward them?
23. Can I see my transcript as it stands now, to see if everything is as I think it should be?
24. Do you have any forms I need to apply for financial aid?
25. How does our school compare to others, in terms of test scores and reputation?

Reality Check

Your school counselor (or even a private counselor) may be the most wonderful and accessible person on the planet, or may be juggling a thousand students and barely know your name. So remember that the person who has the biggest stake in your academics is you. It’s up to you to stay on top of opportunities and deadlines, to take control of your future.

Questions to Ask Your School Counselor – Part 1 of 2

Your school counselor is one of your best resources as you plan for college. Your counselor has information about admissions tests, college preparation, and your education and career options.

Here are some basic questions to help get your conversation started:

1. What are the required and recommended courses – for graduation and for college prep?
2. How should I plan my schedule so I'll complete those requirements?
3. Which elective courses do you recommend?
4. Which AP (Advanced Placement) courses are available?
5. Which Honors courses are available?
6. When is the PSAT going to be given?
7. Do colleges in this state tend to want the SAT or ACT?
8. What is the difference between the SAT and ACT?
9. Is this school a testing center for the SAT, or will I need to go somewhere nearby?
10. Do you have any after-school or evening sessions available for college planning, or the SAT?
11. Do you have college handbooks or other guides that I can browse or borrow?
12. Do you have a copy of the free SAT Practice Booklet, which has a practice test in it?
13. What activities can I do at home and over the summer to get ready for college?

Time Management Tips for High School Students

It's 10 o’clock – Do You Know Where Your Homework Is?
Does it seem like there’s never enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel like you’re always running late? Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life:

1. Make a “To Do” List Every Day
Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it’s easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. And don’t forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments.

2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely
Get some reading done on the bus ride home from school, for example, and you’ll kill two birds with one stone.

3. It’s Okay to Say “No”
If your boss asks you to work on a Thursday night and you have a final exam the next morning, realize that it’s okay to say no. Keep your short- and long-term priorities in mind.

4. Find the Right Time
You’ll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don’t wait to do it until late at night.

5. Review Your Notes Every Day
You’ll reinforce what you’ve learned, so you need less time to study. You’ll also be ready if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz.

6. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Running on empty makes the day seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult.

7. Communicate Your Schedule to Others
If phone calls are proving to be a distraction, tell your friends that you take social calls from 7-8 p.m. It may sound silly, but it helps.

8. Become a Taskmaster
Figure out how much free time you have each week. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly.

9. Don’t Waste Time Agonizing
Have you ever wasted an entire evening by worrying about something that you’re supposed to be doing? Was it worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it.

10. Keep Things in Perspective
Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it’s good to set high goals for yourself, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable.

Consider these tips, but personalize your habits so that they suit you. If you set priorities that fit your lifestyle, you’ll have a better chance of achieving your goals.

The Downside to Being an Overachiever - Part 2

How to Achieve Balance

1. Do what you like

Sit down and make a list of your commitments. Then, rank them according to how much you enjoy each one. Weed out the activities from which you gain little or no pleasure. Instead, create a schedule of activities that reflects your true interests and passions, and don’t be afraid to cut something out or to say no if you’re being pressured to stay involved. In the end, you’ll be a happier person.

2. Schedule time to relax

If you never have a minute to rest or have fun, you are doing too much. Take a look at your calendar and carve out specific times to ease off your usually hectic pace. All work and no play will end up stressing you out.

3. Take care of yourself, inside and out

Make sure that you eat healthy foods and that you get a sufficient amount of sleep each night. Also, remember that exercise is a necessary ingredient for both a strong body and a strong mind. And when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, take a break. Most importantly, ask for help when you need it. Parents, friends, teachers, and counselors are all people to turn to if you start to experience burnout.

The Downside to Being an Overachiever - Part 1

You do it all. You play three sports; you belong to four clubs and hold officer positions in all of them; you volunteer at the local animal shelter, nursing home, and hospital; and you maintain straight A’s. Perhaps this scenario is somewhat exaggerated, but the truth is that more and more students today are becoming caught up in the trap of overachieving. Overachievers have plenty to put on a resume when it’s time to apply to colleges, but they pay a price. They lose a sense of balance, and the consequences can be severe.

The Negative Aspects of Overachieving

1. Loss of Focus (and Passion)

Overachievers are often spread quite thin. With only so many hours in the day and so much energy and effort to give, you have to divide your attention among a number of endeavors if you over schedule your time. When you feel pressure to excel in every area, you may lose the chance to discover a genuine personal interest or talent as you attempt to master all your activities. Consequently, you are likely to lose sight of what you truly like and to get less enjoyment from the things you do.

2. Poor Physical Health

The workload and time constraints of the typical overachiever leave relatively little time for sleep. In fact, sleep deprivation is common among overscheduled students, with many of them sleeping less than six hours per night. Excessively busy kids tend to suffer from poor eating habits, as well. If you don't have the time to sit down to three solid meals per day, you may have to grab food on the go, and such diets are often full of fats and sugar. Teens need sufficient sleep and nourishment to stay physically and mentally strong, so if you have too much to do, you may end up sacrificing your health.

3. Poor Mental Health

School demands and frustrations as well as taking on too many activities or having too high expectations are the leading causes of teenage stress. The desire to please others, as well as our culture’s clear emphasis on success, is creating a generation of workaholics who are draining themselves mentally and emotionally.

5. Problems Getting into College

The majority of colleges indicate that they are looking for well-rounded students. Essentially, they prefer applicants who achieve balance among their academic pursuits, their extracurricular activities, and their personal lives. When admissions officers look at resumes, they are attempting to assess leadership, commitment, and integrity. If you're an overachiever, beware. More is not necessarily better.

Key to Success: Unlearn some lessons you learned in school

In school, you probably learned the following (but it's time to unlearn them):

To write as an academic would. The following sentence would please many professors: “The preponderance of the evidence provided in the literature review suggests that the locus of control in most employees lies in externalities.” In the real world, that would be dismissed as jargon-filled gobbledygook. In the real world, clarity is king.

To dabble: In college, every few months, you took four or five disparate courses, from art history to biology to economics. After class, you may have played sports, the guitar, joined clubs, etc. In the real world, all that dabbling rarely works. Few employers will pay you to be a dilettante. What works in the real world: focus, becoming an expert at something.

To procrastinate. Thanks to grade inflation, at most schools and colleges, if you’re reasonably intelligent, you can wait until the last minute to study for that exam or do that term paper and still get a good grade. In most quality workplaces, however, there is no grade inflation--procrastination often turns out to be a career killer.

To refuse to take a job you’re not passionate about. The message conveyed in many college classes is “pursue your passion.” Well, the fact is, pursuing your passion often won’t yield even a bare middle class income. I believe that even if you’re not passionate about your work, doing work that you’re good at, is ethical, and reasonably compensated for is enough. That’s far better than being one of the millions of 20-something college-degree holders who sit on their parents’ sofas contributing nothing, complaining about ‘The System’, and waiting for career passion to descend upon them like manna from heaven.

To disdain Corporate America. The overall message given at many colleges and universities, especially prestigious ones, is that corporations are, at best, a necessary evil. So even graduates who choose to work in Corporate America often approach their jobs and bosses with a measure of disdain. In fact, while corporations have their flaws, it’s unclear that their flaws are lesser than those in government and the non-profit sectors. Both of the latter are typically—compared with Corporate America—inefficient and bureaucratic, with many employees able to remain employed despite minimal work thanks to civil service protections. Corporations are criticized in colleges for not providing security of employment. But fact is, a job, especially one paying a good salary and offering substantial training and resources to perform their work is not an entitlement; it is to be earned. To think otherwise, virtually ensures failure. Don’t let the colleges or headlines shouting examples of corporate excess persuade you that most corporations are evil. Remember that Corporations provide most of the services and products we value, and, for bright, motivated people, they provide worthy careers.

Top College Fears and How to Conquer Them – Part 2

I'm can’t make myself get started on my college applications.

Are you afraid your application won’t be impressive? For 95 percent of colleges, you needn’t be a star to get in. Really B- grades, 1000 SAT scores (21 ACT), and, if required, a decent essay (see below) will get you into many, many good colleges, even if you don’t have great extracurricular activities. Just keep reminding yourself how great it will feel to get our applications done and to get those fat acceptance envelopes. That’s not motivating enough? I’m sure that if you ask your parents (and even if you don’t), they’ll be glad to keep nagging you. Maybe you can even get them to agree that if you get your apps done by the deadline, they’ll get you a car…or something. But why not just sit your butt down and start. Chances are, once you start, you’ll keep going. If you get stuck, ask your parent or friend for a little help.

I can't think of a topic for my college essay.

Most essay questions boil down to “How will you contribute more to the campus community than other applicants with similar grades and SAT scores?” You ask, “How can plain ol’ me contribute to the campus community?” One of my clients wrote about his tendency to ask the teacher probing questions. His essay consisted of an introduction and then three paragraphs, each telling the story of an anxious question he asked the teacher, and how the teacher and class responded. Another client wrote about her love of tutoring other kids. A third wrote about being one of the kids in her school who doesn’t drink. What’s something about you that would contribute to the campus community? Many, if not most, college essay questions will allow you to write about that. Be sure to devote most of your essay to giving examples and anecdotes that prove you have that desirable characteristic.

Oh, remember to avoid the Deadly Three Topics. So many students write about these topics that they make many admission officers roll their eyes: 1. How important my parents have been to me. 2. How sports taught me the importance of sportsmanship and leadership. 3. How my trip to another country helped me appreciate diversity.

I worry that my parents can’t afford to pay for college.

Don’t let the college’s sticker price fool you. Most colleges jack up the sticker price so only the rich can afford it, and then offer discounts and low-interest loans to everyone else. Sure, you’ll probably have to take out a hefty loan, but nearly all students can find a good college that – with financial aid – is affordable. Just get your financial aid applications in on time. (Check on each college’s website to learn their deadlines.) If, even with financial aid, your family can’t afford your first-choice college, try to negotiate with the college. They sometimes “find” extra aid, even for average students. And don’t forget about community colleges. Not only are they a bargain, they often have better teachers than at universities because they’re hired and promoted mainly on how well they teach, not how much research they crank out.

I worry that college will be too hard.

If a college admits you, it believes that, if you put in the effort, you’ll succeed there. Also know that, in some ways, college is easier than high school. For example, if you hate foreign language, in high school, you’re stuck. It’s required. But at most colleges, you’re given enough choice that you can usually avoid a dreaded subject. Plus, if you’re falling behind in a course, professors have office hours to help you, and in common killer courses such as calculus, there usually are free or low-cost tutors. The main reason kids fail at college is not that it’s too hard. It’s that they didn’t put in the time. Do that and I’ll bet you’ll do fine.

Top College Fears and How to Conquer Them - Part 1

As though you don’t have enough to worry about: school, looks, friends, money. Now there’s college!

Here’s what I’d tell you if you came to me with these common college worries:

I have only have a B average. I’m scared I won’t get into a good college.

The fact is, thousands of really good colleges welcome B students. This may be hard to believe, but according to Clifford Adelman, senior research analyst for the US Dept of Education, “Four of five college seats are non-selective. Any warm body who just takes the admission test can get in.” Seek out the good professors, get involved in extracurriculars, and develop one-on-one relationships with great professors and students who bring out the best in you--you’ll be fine. Really.

I have a C average!

There are good colleges that specialize in C students. And plenty of C students have gone on achieve great things. But, assuming you’ve been trying reasonably hard at school and still have a 2.5 or lower GPA in academic subjects, maybe you should consider a path to success other than college. Ever think about an apprenticeship, for example, to become a surveyor or a costume designer? For info on your state’s apprenticeships, go to www.nastad.net and click on “links.” If the apprenticeship information isn’t there, just google that site using the term “apprenticeships.” That’s just one option. See my post about what to do right after high school for more…

I'm freaked out about the SAT (or ACT).

Your school grades count much more than the SAT or ACT. And remember that four of five college seats are open to virtually anyone. If, however, your SAT score is less than 900 or ACT is 17 or less, I must tell you that fewer than 25% of students with your test score ever make it to college graduation. You might consider the options above.

How should you prepare for the SAT or ACT? College Board research indicates that taking a prep course adds only, on average, 25 to 32 points. Retaking it is unlikely to affect which college you end up attending, let alone improve your life. My advice: For a few weeks before the test, spend 20 minutes a night with the Inside the SAT/ACT CD and then, unless you totally freak during the test, live with your score.

DID YOU KNOW?

Princeton economist Alan Krueger and Carnegie Foundation researcher Stacy Dale compared the earnings of Ivy-admitted students who chose, usually for financial reasons, to attend less prestigious colleges versus those who actually attended Ivies. Both group’s income, 20 years later, turned out to be equal.

On reflection, this isn’t surprising. Yes, a designer label on a diploma is a plus in the job market, but Ivy-caliber students may get an at least equal advantage if they attend a less prestigious college because there, they are more likely to get top grades, personal attention, leadership opportunities, and superb letters of recommendation.

Secrets to Finding Great Instructors

You know it, I know it: some college instructors are great, others just stink. A PhD does not magically turn someone from a boring, monotone know-it-all into a motivational, attention-captivating knowledge dispenser. Truth is, most professors are renowned for their research and writing, not for their ability to keep entertained freshmen in their seats.

To find the best college teachers try some of the following suggestions:

* Pick the campus’s teaching award winners. The list is at the academic affairs office. Teaching award winners are few and far between. But the winners are those that stand out, even among the good teachers.

* Check student ratings of professors. Some colleges make them available in the bookstore or student affairs office. But there are rating sites used by students at colleges all across the country, Ratemyprofessor.com, for example. But be cautious – some students who are upset over a bad grade or the difficulty level of an instructor will give a bad review that is unfounded. What’s worse is when they don’t explain their rating… Make sure to read all the comments to get a good look at why the instructor has his or her particular rating.

* Ask department secretaries. They see all the faculty evaluations and may even give you the straight scoop.

* Check out syllabi. Often they're on the Web, or the department secretary has them. It is a good way to see what is involved in the class. If you’re not lecture, lecture, lecture… find an instructor with group activities or special presentations planned into the syllabus.

* Over-enroll or oversit. If you plan to take three courses, sign up for four, attend the first session of each, and drop the worst one.

Remember, you should be in that class to learn, not just pass… So if you want a good teacher you need to be good student. That means paying attention, being on time, doing your work, being prepared, doing the reading BEFORE class (so you can ask questions), and not distracting other students.

What to do Right After High School?

Some students will go to college right after college. Others will not want to. And others still may not need to... The good news is that there are options other than going straight to college that may be worth considering.

The following questionnaires will help you decide whether, after high school, you’d be wisest to:
• go straight to a four-year college
• go to a two-year community college with plans to transfer later to a four-year college
• obtain training at a community college or vocational apprenticeship program that will prepare you for your career in two years, often less (many vocational schools offer programs in medical, trades, business, and other areas that earn you a diploma in about nine months – and then you are in the job field).
• join the military
• learn how to start your own business (with a mentor’s help)
• look for a job straight out of high school.

Questionnaire 1
1. Do you get at least B’s in most academic courses?
2. Did you score at least 1050 on the SAT (22 on the ACT)?
3. Do you like most of your academic classes?
4. Do you aspire to a career that requires a four-year college degree?
If you answered yes to all four questions, consider going straight to a four-year college.
Keys to finding a good and well-suited college:
1. Ask the college’s admissions office for a copy of its latest student satisfaction survey and accreditation report.
2. Read about the college in the book, The Best 357 Colleges. Each college’s profile summarizes a survey of 100+ of that college’s students.
3. When visiting the campus, hang out in the student cafeteria; walk through the residence halls, and into a busy classroom building and peek into 5 or 10 classes. Can you see yourself fitting in?
4. Ask at least five students, “I’m thinking of coming here. What should I know about it that wouldn’t appear in the official brochure?” “What sorts of students fit best and worst here?” and “Do you think this college is worth the money?”

Questionnaire 2
1. Would the cost of a four-year college likely severely strain your family’s financial security, even assuming you got some financial aid? (If you don’t know, use the college cost calculators at www.finaid.org.)
2. Did you get at least B’s in most academic courses?
3. Did you score at least 950 on the SAT (19 on the ACT)?
4. Would you be able to stay motivated to do well in college even if many fellow students were not?
5. Can you live with telling your friends you’re starting out to a community college even though it doesn’t have the prestige of a four-year college?
If you answered yes to all five questions, consider starting out at a two-year college with the goal of transferring to a four-year college.

Questionnaire 3:
1. Would you prefer to get a job now but fear that without training, you’d end up stuck with low-level work?
2. Did you often get C’s in high school?
3. Was your SAT score below 900?
If you answered yes to all three questions, consider enrolling in a community college’s career preparation program. Offerings are extensive, ranging from nursing to robotics repair, cheffing to cosmetology.
Or consider an apprenticeship. These mainly prepare you for hands-on careers such as electrician or surveyor. Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job mentorship with classes often given at community colleges. You immediately earn entry-level wages and after four years are fully trained and can expect to earn a solid middle-class living. For links to apprenticeships in your state, go to www.nastad.net and click on “links.”

Questionnaire 4:
1. Would you benefit from being in a highly disciplined, structured environment for at least two years?
2. Are you at least not anti-military?
3. Are you willing to accept the possibility that you’d have to go to war? (The good news is that most military recruits never serve in combat.)
4. Are you or could you get into very good physical condition?
5. Are you attracted to the idea of starting your career directly out of high school?
If you answered yes to all five questions, consider a career or at least a stint in the military. The military offers extensive opportunities and financial aid to attend college during and after your enlistment.
If you have at least A- grades and a 1250 SAT and are athletic, consider applying for one of the US Military Academies: West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy. These provide a fine college education for free but you must commit to at least four years afterwards as a military officer.
Links: www.goarmy.com, www.navy.mil, www.af.mil, www.marines.com, and www.uscg.mil.

Questionnaire 5
1. Are you a self-starter, not needing a boss to keep you working?
2. Do people tend to like you immediately?
3. Would you not be shy about asking people to buy things from you?
4. Do you have a nose for getting bargains?
5. Does your gut tell you you’d be successful owning your own business?
6. Would you like to start your own business without first completing college?
If you answered yes to all six questions, consider preparing to own your own business. It is usually wisest to defer starting your business until you’ve been trained by a successful businessperson. Likely suspects: a parent, relative, friend of your parents, parent of one of your friends. Ask if you can work alongside them—for free if necessary--in exchange for your being able to watch the master at work and ask questions. Also consider taking courses and mentorships offered by the federal government’s Small Business Administration. See www.sba.gov. Click on “starting your business.”

Questionnaire 6
1. Do you need to make money immediately?
2. Do you like the idea of doing all your learning on the job?
3. Are you willing to start at the bottom?
4. Are you willing to accept that to rise far above the bottom, you’ll probably need to show leadership qualities and be assertive enough to get your bosses to take a special interest in you?
If you answered yes to all four questions, consider looking for a job straight out of high school. Don’t settle for a job likely to be dead-end, for example, a janitor or burger flipper. Find a launchpad job. That’s a job that while entry-level, offers significant opportunities for advancement, for example, receptionist at a high-quality company, non-profit, or government agency.

Of course, no questionnaire should determine your final decision. Share your answers with people you trust: parents, counselor, friends, and relatives. Consider what they say but don’t necessarily do what they say. The best decision is made when you’ve open-mindedly considered others’ input and then made up your own mind.

If my child had bottom-quartile high school grades and SAT score, I’d suggest he or she consider a Small Business Administration program on how to start a business, or courses on how to become an effective yet ethical salesperson. If my child preferred a hands-on career, I’d encourage an apprenticeship or military stint to become, for example, an electrician or surveyor.

Of course, your decision isn’t permanent. Many people who, after high school, don’t go straight to college, go on to college later in life. For now, the question is, “What should you do directly after high school?”

Another Option for the Not-so-bright Students

In our push to educate the country’s youth and prepare better workers, leaders, and individuals for the future of America it may be possible that we send too many students to college. Let me explain… Everyone should be able to go to college if they desire. And there are plenty of colleges that will take even those with not-so-great test scores and GPAs. But is that in the best interest of the student?

Look at some basic statistics: Among the bottom quarter of high school students (those with below a 2.6 high school GPA and 850 SAT), only 20% graduate from college, even if they’re given six years!

And among those in that bottom quarter who defy the odds and do graduate, they’re rarely at the top of their class. So, with today’s economy and an oversupply of degree holders looking for jobs, that group of bottom quarter graduates must often settle for a job they could have gotten without college. Think about it, don’t you know many degreed people who have non-professional jobs?

Colleges broadcast the statistic that college graduates earn more over their lifetime, but that doesn’t always apply to the bottom quarter in the same way it would for an Honors student. Yes, life is not fair. They would likely earn more if they chose one of the post-high-school options I’ll suggest tomorrow.

Of course, college isn’t just about career preparation. As colleges often remind us, it’s about enhancing the life of the mind. Unfortunately, the bottom quarter (and many other students) don’t experience such loftiness. Too often, students are bored by professors’ esoterica and confused by their theories. And then there’s advanced math courses like calculus (required for some majors). What the bottom quarter typically does receive is an ongoing assault to self-esteem and a lot of student debt.

I’m particularly concerned about colleges’ non-disclosure of the above to low-achieving minority students. In colleges’ eagerness to diversify, they admit, and even woo, minorities with poor high school records. This deception will just (in many cases) decrease their chances of success and happiness.

What is the Best School Strategy for Bright Kids?

For more than 30 years more and more school resources have been reallocated from high-ability/achieving kids to the lowest achievers. Especially in states like California, most school districts have eviscerated gifted programs and pushed teachers to prioritize "the most vulnerable among us." This, of course, is exacerbated by the Democrat-initiated, Republican-embraced No Child Left Behind, which has fundamentally shifted how schools treat and help low-achieving kids but has actually taken resources away from above-average to do it.

A final nail in gifted kids' education coffin is that the average IQ of teachers, especially in the elementary school, has declined. I won’t delve into the fact that many of the best teachers in previous generations were the best and brightest women in the job field (who were unlikely to attain great positions in other fields at the time) and that today women have moved into high positions in nearly all industries (example, they represent half of medical school and law school students). I’ll just say that it is possible that the newer teachers are, perhaps, less capable of teaching gifted kids. And they're less motivated too. Many new teachers are likely to think that the gifted kids will do fine on their own. And they focus on the low achievers.

So, a lucid approach to helping bright kids to live up to their potential accepts that many teachers will do little to help them. That explains why the research finds that the most powerful strategy for helping gifted kids to live up to their potential is grade skipping: for gifted kids to skip between one and six grades, depending on the student. That requires far less teacher ability or effort than, for example, providing more cognitively complex instruction for the gifted student(s) in their increasingly heterogeneous classes.

Now, parents' main concern about grade skipping is social maturity. Even if your high-ability child isn't socially adept, in many cases, it's wiser to have him or her skip a grade(s) than to endure the ongoing boredom and lack of learning that comes from being in a too low-achieving class. Also, grade skipping reduces the chances of a gifted child being ridiculed by classmates as a snob or showoff.

You can mitigate the social risk of grade-skipping by:
• Trying to get another gifted child accelerated into your child's new class.
• Having your child sit next to a kind, socially adept student(s) who can teach your child the higher grade's social and academic norms.
• Ensuring that the receiving teacher will welcome your child and be willing to keep an eye on your child to ensure s/he's being welcomed into the class and to give your child needed feedback, social and academic.

To maximize your chances of getting permission to have your child skip a grade, present to the principal a portfolio including:
• Samples of your child's in- and out-of-school work that suggest the ability to handle the work in a higher grade.
• Samples of work assigned in his current class that demonstrate how beneath his ability or achievement level that work is.
• Standardized test score results.
• Research supporting grade skipping, including those studies that address the social maturity and knowledge-gap issues. An easy way to assemble the research is to print pages from the book Genius Denied. Because principals tend to be very busy, highlight the key sentences.
• If your child writes well, include a letter from your child explaining why it's important s/he be allowed to skip a grade(s).
• Have your child verbally join you in making the case for skipping a grade(s).

Remember that this strategy is best for students in elementary and middle school. Most high schools still have the Advanced, Honors, and Advanced Placement courses to help gifted students thrive and learn. For more on accelerating gifted kids, see the Hoagie's Gifted website on acceleration: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/acceleration.htm and/or the book, Acceleration Strategies.

How Some Colleges Deceive Students and Parents

As fall begins, two million students and their families start to make one of life’s most critical decisions: picking a college.

Alas some colleges, even some reputable ones, don’t make the process easy.

DECEPTION: BURIED INFORMATION. Some colleges hide such information as their full published cost of attendance or their four-year graduation rate. The unfortunate truth is that the median four-year graduation rate at four-year colleges is just around 40 percent. The rate at many colleges, including some well-known public universities is even under 10 percent!
SOLUTION: Every college’s 4- and 6-year graduation rate and other key information are at http://nces.ed.gov/globallocator.

DECEPTION: OFFER MAJORS THAT APPEAR TO LEAD TO A COOL CAREER. For example, some colleges offer enticing majors such as journalism, but fail to mention
that students may only enter the major after their sophomore year and, even then, competition may prohibit some students from being admitted to the major. Or a college withholds the fact that most of that college’s graduates never earn enough from journalism to even pay back their student loans.

SOLUTION: Contact the college’s career center and ask, “If I am admitted to the college, am I admitted to the major?” Also ask, “What percentage of graduates in (Insert major) are professionally employed within six months of graduation?”

DECEPTION: LIE WITH STATISTICS #1. For example, the University of California proclaims that half its classes have 20 or fewer students. The problem is that few students take those small classes, for example, Advanced Greek. The commonly taken classes typically have 100 to 500 students.

SOLUTION: Don’t sign on the dotted line until you’ve asked students or at least the admissions office, “How many students are in commonly taken classes such as calculus or 20th century literature?”DECEPTION: LIE WITH STATISTICS #2: Be wary of colleges that say things like, "Ninety eight percent of qualified pre-med students get into medical school." A college may well only “qualify” those students who are a sure bet for admission, with the vast majority of pre-meds being deemed “unqualified.”

SOLUTION: Ask the program’s department chair: “Of every 100 students who start out pre-med (or pre-law) what percent end up actually attending medical (or law) school?”

DECEPTION: THE GLOSSY BROCHURE: Beware of colleges that have fancy brochures or web pages touting their, say, pre-med program. A slick presentation does not a good department make.

SOLUTION: Sit in on an advanced class in that program. After class, ask the students how they liked the program.

DECEPTION: THE SCHOLARSHIP SCAM: A college gives you a scholarship. You say, "Wow, I'll go there; they want me." In actuality, most or all freshmen may have received the same scholarship. Many colleges reduce the sticker price of attendance for most students in hopes that students are lured to the college by the "honor" of receiving a scholarship.

SOLUTION: When you receive your financial aid packages, compare the cash dollars you’ll have to come up with and the amount of loan you’ll have to repay. Those are the only numbers that count.

DECEPTION: THE DRUG-DEALER APPROACH TO FINANCIAL AID. A college gives a student a big discount in the first year, but thereafter, knowing the student is hooked, raises the price. A college may even guarantee “the same amount of aid for four years,” but fail to mention that more of the aid will be loan not grant, or that the aid won’t be increased to reflect the inevitable cost increases during the four years. Not to mention what would happen in years five or six?

SOLUTION: Before agreeing to send your child to a college, ask the college's financial aid officer, “If our family’s financial situation stays the same, in years two through four, and if necessary year five, can we count on getting the same percentage of our unmet need met and in the same ratio of grant to loan?” Get it in writing.

DECEPTION: THE WAITLIST SCAM. A college deliberately admits too few students and puts many students on the waitlist. It's human nature to want what you don't yet have, so waitlisted students who are subsequently offered admission are more likely to accept a weak financial aid package. Colleges with insufficient on-campus housing use the same technique, offering admission to waitlisted students who would be willing to live in substandard housing.

SOLUTION: Don’t accept a too-low financial aid package. And before signing on the dotted line, ask what housing you will be guaranteed, and for how long. Get it in writing.

We tend to view colleges in awe, as beneficent nonprofit icons. Alas, too many of them act like businesses, sleazy or not... That’s called Academic Capitalism, and it is a subject for another day.

Ode to the Tutor

Let’s be honest for just a moment. With the current state of affairs in each state and at most colleges, even community colleges where class sizes are traditionally smaller, classes are getting bigger. Lectures halls are built to hold hundreds. And unless you’re a grad student or a special honors student you may never see a class with less than 30 people. That being said, taking a class is a terribly inefficient way to learn.


Think about it: You learn what the professor wants you to learn rather than what you want to learn. The class proceeds at the pace the professor chooses, which may well be too fast or slow for you. By the time you need to apply the knowledge in the workplace (if you ever do), you’ll probably have forgotten it.

Besides, unless it’s an online course, your body must be in that classroom Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 2 PM. What if you can’t focus? What if you are kinesthetic learner and not a visual or auditory learner? That lecture class might not help you understand or “learn” a subject at all.

In contrast, consider the tutor. You learn precisely what you need, at the pace you need to learn it, with all the feedback you need, at a time convenient for you, in the comfort of your home (or dorm, library, etc), and at a cost typically less than that of a college course. You get to ask the questions, you decide what to study, you get to progress into areas you want and decide when to study them.

How to Get Better Grades – Part 5 of 5

Get Support

At crunch time, it helps to have someone to coach, cheerlead, and yes, nag you. Who’s your nag of choice?
• Your mom or dad
• Your brother, sister, uncle, etc.
• A nice kid in your class who knows the stuff but isn’t such a genius that she’d have a hard time explaining things in plain English.
• A tutor. Ask the teacher if he can work with you after school. If not, ask if he can recommend someone. Tutors can make a big difference.

If You’re Too Upset to Do Schoolwork

Your parents are fighting, your best friend is telling lies about you, you’re going through another bout of thinking you’re ugly. Whatever the reason, you’re feeling too upset to think about schoolwork.

• First, try to fight through it. You may think you’re too depressed or anxious to concentrate on quadratic equations but if you just get started, you may find that the schoolwork distracts you. Get it done and you’ll probably feel better - you’ll have taken control over your life. Getting good grades is a step toward a better life. Don’t do it and you’ll have one more reason to feel miserable.

• Nip your worrying in the bud. The moment you catch yourself beginning to worry, decide whether you can do anything about your problem now. If not, turn your attention back to your schoolwork. If you don’t nip your worry in the bud, it tends to snowball into such a big worry that there’s no way you’ll be able to concentrate on schoolwork.

• If those techniques don’t work, it may be time to talk to a counselor or someone else you trust.

• Get started early. You'll be less stressed, you'll learn more, and crazy as it may sound, you may actually enjoy studying. Cramming is never fun. It’s just an adrenaline-powered frenzy session likely to result in a so-so grade, and, seven seconds after the exam, your forgetting 90% of what you crammed.

• Maintain perspective. Yes, you want good grades, and yes they matter, but there are plenty of C students with better lives than many A students. In the end, your life will probably be no worse if you get a B rather than an A in World History.

• One more secret: Your parents or teachers probably won’t tell you this, but the truth is that many FINE colleges will admit you with so-so grades.

How to Get Better Grades – Part 4 of 5

The Final is THIS Period - 3 Tips for Successful Test Taking:

• Have you ever written four essays and discovered later that the instructions said, “Choose three of four”? The easiest way to boost your test score is to read the directions and questions carefully. If you’re not sure of what’s being asked, don’t be afraid to ask the teacher.
• On essay tests, first read all the questions, then begin with the easiest one and work your way up. Why? Because if you don’t have time to finish, the hardest essay will be left undone. Also, doing easier essays builds confidence and may even trigger thoughts on the hard ones.
• When I was in school, our biology teacher told us that on a multiple-choice test, when you’re absolutely stuck between two choices, choose a middle response (for example, choice “C”) because test makers tend to hide the correct answer in the middle. I’m not sure he’s right, but I always followed his advice whenever two choices looked equally good. It just felt better to have some way of choosing. It’s certainly better than leaving it blank.

How to Get Better Grades – Part 3 of 5

The Final’s Coming Up! Top 9 Ways to Study the Right Thing and Remember it:

9. Ask the teacher what to focus on in studying for the test. I like this wording: “Any suggestions as to the wisest approach to studying for the exam?”

8. Ever read something for ten minutes and then realize you don’t remember a single thing you read? Here's a sure-fire preventative. Read only one paragraph, then turn away and recite what you remember. If you've left out something important, say it aloud and, in the margin, bracket that part so you can reread it just before the test.

7. Even easier, when you feel yourself spacing out, read the important stuff aloud. It’s hard to space out while reading aloud. Also you’ll remember it better because reading aloud makes you go slowly and because it enables you to hear your voice at the same time as you’re seeing the words.

6. If you don’t understand a section, reread it only once. If you still don’t understand it, just mark it with a question mark and go on. Staying stuck is frustrating. When you’ve finished reading, call a friend (poll the audience, or 50/50) or ask the teacher about your question marks.

5. Pace the floor while studying hard stuff. Walking increases circulation to the brain.

4. Use different highlighters for different stuff. Try bright orange for the material most likely to be on the exam and yellow for other stuff worth highlighting. Not only does this keep you awake, the color is a memory jogger. Rule of Thumb: Never highlight more than 1/3 of the material. A totally yellow book isn’t going to help you.

3. For memorization tests, make flash cards. So, for example, if you’ll need to memorize the symbols in the Periodic Table of the Elements, write, for example, gold, on one side of the card and AU (the symbol), on the back. Just in making the flashcards, you’ll be learning the stuff.

2. Meet with one, two or three study partners. Take turns asking your partner(s) questions you think could be on the test. But choose your study partners carefully. I remember a study group in which we spent most of the time fooling around or helping the girl who didn’t prepare for the study group.

1. Create a pretend crib sheet. Imagine that the teacher allowed you to bring one sheet of paper of notes into the exam. What would you write? (small handwriting permitted.) Right before the exam, study just that sheet.

TIP: Sometimes, location matters. Can't study in that madhouse you call your home? How about the library? A cafe? Your friend's house - yeah, right.

TIP: Music on or off? Shania Twain can, for some kids, be an excellent study buddy. For other kids, Shania will get you groovin' but not on Algebra 2. How about you?

TIP: Need a loving taskmaster? Sometimes, knowing you have to check in daily with your tough-love Aunt Edna can help you toe the line.

TIP: don’t get stuck on playing online games or checking your social network sites. That will all be there tomorrow. It can be a huge distraction that can cause you to sit down at the computer and not realize that 3 or 4 hours just went by.

How to Get Better Grades – Part 2 of 5

Your Term Paper is Due in Just Two Days!

You know you should have started on it weeks ago, but the due date seemed so far away. So you bagged it. Now the gig is up: a ten-page paper is due in just two days - with references and everything. And you haven’t even started! Here’s what to do.

Step 1: If possible, choose a topic you care about. If the assigned topic - for example, the aftermath of the War of 1812 - bores you to tears, ask the teacher if she’d let you write on a topic you care more about: for example, the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on America. Surprisingly often, the teacher will say yes.

Step 2: Gather information on your topic. Try to think of it as a treasure hunt - you’re looking for nuggets on your topic. Before heading to the library, see what you can find online. Two awesome sources: Google (try using the scholar section instead of just searching) and a huge online library of reference materials at www.refdesk.com. Add your own ideas as they come to you. TIP: Write all notes on a computer so it's easy to move things around.

Step 3: In light of the information you obtained, write your thesis statement. That’s the one main point you want to make in your paper. TIP: Teachers love provocative yet plausible thesis statements.

Step 4: Place each piece of information into one of a few categories. Each category will be one of your paper’s major headings.

Step 5: Within each category, put each piece of information in a logical order. Ask yourself, “Which should go first? Which should go second?” and so on. You’re going to start seeing your paper appear before your very eyes.

Step 6: Turn these ordered pieces of information into smooth paragraphs. Add, subtract and revise material as you see fit. Rule of thumb: When in doubt, start each paragraph with a topic sentence - saying what the paragraph will be about. Then be sure that the rest of the paragraph fulfills the topic sentence’s promise.

Tip: Don't spend much time just staring at the screen. Keep adding, subtracting, and revising stuff even if you're not sure the changes are good. The constant changing keeps you feeling like you're making progress, and probably sooner than later, your paper will get better and better.

Step 7: Write your conclusion. Again, don’t stare at a blank screen. Write whatever comes to mind and revise. It’s much easier to revise than to generate brilliance out of thin air.
Good conclusions start with a summary of the paper’s main point(s) and move on to discuss the implications of those points.

Step 8: Write the title and introduction. Remember, your teacher is going to be reading dozens of term papers. Trust me, her eyes will glaze over quickly. So, if she comes upon your paper and sees an intriguing title and introductory paragraph, your paper will be greeted with a sigh of relief. She’ll read the rest of your paper with a positive predisposition - that usually means a good grade.
Here’s an example:

Step 9: Put your paper away, for at least an hour, ideally a day. Then reread it and revise. Viewing it with fresh eyes can be invaluable.

Step 10: Show a draft to someone you trust. Revise. Print!

Bonus Tips
• If you have a few days before the due date, show a draft to your teacher. Often, she’ll be willing to give you feedback on it. That almost ensures a good grade when you submit your revised final version. If she refuses, try a friend or even your parent.
• If you get a bad grade on the final draft, you might ask the teacher if you can rewrite based on her feedback and resubmit. If she says yes, it’s an almost guaranteed way to up your grade.

How to Get Better Grades – Part 1 of 5

The end of the school year is approaching FAST. It’s crunch time. You can picture that report card now, and it’s not looking pretty.

Here’s the good news. You have just enough time to save the day. Here are the most powerful ways to change C’s to B’s and B’s to A’s, and quick.

Getting Motivated

To significantly improve your grades, you’re going to have to work at least a little harder during these next few weeks. Why in the world you should bother? Are any of the following actually important to you? (Check all that apply.)

• Getting your parents off your back.

• Bragging rights to your siblings.

• Not being embarrassed when your smart friends ask what grade you got.

• Having a better chance of getting into Cool College rather than just Lame University.

• Having a better chance of getting into college, at all! Can you just imagine: At the end of your senior year, all your friends will be asking each other, “Where are you going to college?” How would you feel answering, “Oh, I’m not going to college.”

• Learning more. Not only will that make you smarter, you’ll feel more confident, and be more attractive to desirable friends, boys, and employers.

• Discounts on car insurance (and permission to drive…)

• Do you have another reason for studying? Write it here: _________________________.


Stay tuned for parts 2 through 5 next week!

The Best Ways to Learn About a College

1) Read about them in one or more of these guides:

-- The Fiske Guide to Colleges
-- Barron’s Guide to the Most Competitive Colleges
-- Barron’s Best Buys in Higher Education.

2) Read some issues of the college newspaper—often available at the college’s website or at http://dir.yahoo.com/News_and_Media/College_and_University/Newspapers/

3) Ask the college to send you a copy of their most recent student satisfaction survey and visiting team accreditation report (My favorite tools for evaluating a college).

4) When visiting to check out a prospective college, never leave a campus without talking with at least seven students that the admissions office did not put in front of you.

5) A good way to assess the quality of teaching at a college is to walk down the halls of a busy classroom building and stop in front of five or ten open doors. Would you like to be in that class?

In making your final choice, yes, a brand-name college offers advantages, but lesser known colleges also have advantages. Pick the college that is right for you. Ultimately, you will be happier and more successful.