Question: About a week ago, I went on a college tour where many colleges recommended employment as a way to boost admissions chances. I was recently accepted for an unpaid internship at a local lab this summer. Would most colleges consider this employment, or would they prefer it if I found additional paid employment employment in addition to or instead of the internship?

Many admission officers do have a soft spot for applicants who have held real-world jobs … and often the crummier the better (e.g., flipping burgers at Mickey D’s trumps working as a counselor at your favorite day camp). But I would never recommend giving up an unpaid internship in a lab in order to don an apron or a whistle. In fact, if the internship is consistent with your academic interests and/or future major, this can help boost admission odds, too.

On the other hand, if your entire application will shout out “Science, Science, Science” (and, especially … sad to say …. if you are Asian and you suspect that your resume is stereotypical), it would be ideal if you can find a very part-time minimum-wage job to do in addition to the lab position (but definitely not instead of it). Not only will this give an added dimension to your applications, but it could also make at least a small dent in your application fees … as well as offer you a perspective on the world that you might not find elsewhere.

(posted 5/7/2012)

Question: We are a family that is unlikely to qualify for need-based financial aid. We are getting mixed signals as to whether we should apply for it any way. One camp says: there’s money for middle class families and you should apply and see what happens. The other camp says: Applicants that can pay full freight may have an advantage and should say so on the application. Who is right? My daughter is a junior and is most interested in some of the top liberal arts colleges such as Amherst, Williams and Wesleyan.

When it comes to questions with no easy answers, this is right up there with the one about the chicken and the egg. But here’s how I suggest you proceed:

A: NEED-BLIND COLLEGES (which includes all the schools you’ve named)

1) Do the Net Price Calculators for Amherst, Williams, and Wesleyan. (Or at least do the first two, and if they come out very similar, don’t bother with the third.) Here’s the link for Amherst’s: https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/amherst

The aim here is to find out if you really won’t qualify for any aid or if you’ll probably qualify for some aid.

2) If you DO qualify for aid, I suggest that you apply for aid at the need-blind colleges, such as those you’ve named.

3) If you clearly DON’T qualify for aid (i.e., your estimated EFC is significantly above the cost of attendance at even the priciest colleges) then you should not bother applying for aid and should tick the “No aid” box on applications.

Exceptions: IF you have a second child who will be in college when your daughter is still in college or IF either you or your spouse holds a job with fluctuating income or IF you think that either one of you may lose or change jobs in the next five years for ANY reason, then you should still apply for aid at the need-blind colleges. (Most colleges impose a waiting-period on aid applications from students who initially applied as “no need.” Typically that period is two years but some schools prohibit ALL aid applications from a student who initially applied as no-need.)

Your daughter can create two different versions of the Common Application: one where she answers the aid question with a “YES” and the other with a “NO.”

B: NEED-AWARE COLLEGES

1) If you qualify for aid and feel that this aid (even if it isn’t much) will make a major difference in your household stress level, you should always apply for aid.

2) If you qualify for aid but feel that receiving this aid will NOT make a big difference in your stress level, then DON’T apply for aid at any need-aware college that you feel might be a “Reach” for your daughter or at the upper end of the “Realistic” range. (Carleton, Tufts, Washington U. and Colby might be examples of such places.) Note, however, that occasionally colleges require the FAFSA for non-need-based merit scholarships. (NYU is one such school that jumps to mind which might end up on your daughter’s list.) So read the fine print on Web sites, once your daughter’s college list is finalized.

3) If you qualify for aid, DO apply for it at the need-aware schools that are very likely to admit your daughter anyway.

This advice, as I’ve warned you, isn’t gospel truth. I know, too, that it sounds confusing … but confusion is par for the course in most aspects of the admissions process, so get used to it.

(posted 5/5/2012)

Question: Can doing a post-graduate year improve or decrease chances of admissions to a top tier or Ivy League college?

Doing a Post-Graduate (PG) year will rarely hurt admission odds (unless the GPA goes down or the student gets suspended for bad behavior or lands in similar hot water). The PG year might raise Ivy or elite admission chances but only for those who were reasonably strong candidates to begin with and then used the PG year to prove themselves in additional ways.

Commonly, talented athletes will spend that extra year honing their prowess in a sport in order to catch a coach’s eye. For non-athletes (or even so-so ones) the PG year may not provide that same clout but can sometimes be helpful, too. For instance, students who use it to focus on some academic passion (e.g., scientific research) may find that this additional year makes them stand out at admission decision time. When English is a second language, the PG year can provide a time to raise TOEFL scores and to show that an already outstanding student is also fully fluent in English.

But simply spending an extra year in high school is not likely to boost Ivy or top-tier admission odds unless the student accomplishes something significant during that year that will help set him or her apart from the hyper-competitive crowd.

(posted 4/30/2012)

Question: We live in the Midwest and our High School Junior is looking at a 4 week residential program at a private University in California with a focus on college level writing. Fees plus transportation costs will top $8,000. Is this worth the money?

There’s an old joke about a tourist who is lost in rural Maine. When he comes to a fork in the road he spots an old codger, clearly a local. So the tourist calls out, “Does it matter which of these roads I take?” and the codger replies, “Not to me, it don’t.”

Your question somehow evoked that same thought. I would never spend $8K for a summer writing program for my own son. But this is a very personal decision, one that should be based on your family finances and also on what you feel would most benefit your child.

If you have unlimited resources and your child seems especially excited about this opportunity, you may find that you get sufficient bang for your buck. If your child has always been an indifferent student but suddenly seems passionate about writing–and about this program in particular–you may decide that this is the time to fuel this passion.

But there are many more cost-effective ways to study writing, and if you’re hoping that this Left Coast program will give your child a boost at admissions time, it probably will not. (It MIGHT help at the host college but it depends on the school. Generally, the more selective the college, the less attending the summer program will matter at admission-verdict time.)

In terms of admissions “currency,” admission folks are often more impressed by the kid who’s spent the summer flipping burgers at Mickey D’s than by the one whose parents wrote out a whopping check for an on-campus endeavor. And there are probably free writers’ groups in your community … or a cheap class at the local college … that could concurrently fuel a budding Anne Tyler or Ernest Hemingway.

Hope that helps. Good luck with the decision.

(posted 4/27/2012)

Question: Our friends have hired an independent college counselor to help their son maximize his Ivy League admission chances. My own son (a junior with a B/B- average) has a college list that is far more modest, but the guidance counselor at his high school is new and doesn’t seem very well informed. We are new to this process ourselves. Are we short-changing our son by not engaging a private counselor for him, too, or is that money better spent for those aiming at the very selective universities?

When it comes to life’s to-do lists, we all have different comfort zones. The same folks who trudge through their income taxes every April without the aid of an accountant might never tackle a tire change … even in their own driveway. Likewise, some families can easily navigate the college admissions maze with only the help of Web sites like College Confidential or a short stack of guidebooks, while others prefer to have a seasoned pro at the helm.

But one thing for sure is that independent college counselors do far more than packaging prodigies for Princeton. Often it’s families like yours—with a plethora of options and unreliable assistance from the high school—who can benefit most from the information that an independent counselor will provide.

I’ve pasted below a recent blog post from the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) Web site. It was written by Jane Hoffman, a Westchester, NY-based independent college counselor. Here, Jane debunks some of the myths about indie counselors and explains how newbie families like yours might benefit from outside help:

I wish that more was written about independent educational consultants’ integral role as educators. In the current, complex and often competitive terrain of college admissions in 2012, we teach. The arguments about us often seem to range from “we are all about fit” to “they are pariahs who package and promote.” Personally, I think those two poles miss the integral role we play as educators.

I also believe that IECs have an opportunity and responsibility to educate college representatives about the perspectives of students and families as they conduct the college search and application process. I firmly believe that how IECs are viewed by the public, both prospective clients and those that would never anticipate hiring professionals, is something that we need to be aware of. Looking at that bigger picture, I feel a responsibility not just to my clients but also to members of the public who may not be able to avail themselves of the services that we provide. My own education and advocacy role includes trying to talk to college representatives about the tremendous stressors that families experience throughout the college search and application process.

Question: Does the Dartmouth admissions office contact the parent that is an alum? My son will be applying as a legacy and is a “good fit” for Dartmouth, however, his father decided he did not want children after our son was born and has chosen not to be a part of his life. So, I’m wondering once my son is part of the admissions process– will they contact his dad?

In order to answer your question, this “dean” turned to a real one, Dan Parish, Director of Admissions Recruitment and Communication at Dartmouth. He told me that, “When a child lists on the Common Application that one of their parents graduated from Dartmouth, we do in fact send a note to the parent to acknowledge their relationship with the College and to offer to answer any questions they might have.” He also pointed out that most colleges and universities that he knows of will so the same.

So, if your son names his dad on his application, you should expect that Dartmouth will contact him. Your son’s relationship—or lack thereof—with his father might also be fodder for the “Additional Information” section of the application or for a cover letter to accompany it.

However, if your son is applying for financial aid and he includes his biological father on the Dartmouth application, Dartmouth officials will expect your ex to complete his share of the financial aid forms and will use his income and assets (as well as yours) when they assess your son’s financial need. (Exception: If you are remarried and your son’s stepfather makes or has more money than the biological dad, Dartmouth will instead use your household income … including the stepfather’s … to determine the financial aid award. But you will still be expected to ask your ex to report his financial data.)

If such cooperation from your ex feels like getting blood from a stone, and you are applying for aid, you can write an explanatory letter to the financial aid office saying that the biological father has played no role whatsoever in your son’s entire life. The college officials may then omit his income and assets from the financial aid formula … or they may not. So just be warned that, if your son is planning to use his legacy “hook” at Dartmouth but he also requires financial aid, you could be facing a complex situation.

Good luck to both of you as you navigate this maze.

(posted 4/11/2012)

Question: Do I count as an international student if I completed all of my high school in another country but was born in the U.S.? And can I get financial aid if my parents have a house here in the U.S. and pay taxes?

You say that you were born in the U.S., so I assume that you are an American citizen. Is that correct? If so, then you are eligible for U.S. Federal financial aid, regardless of where you grew up and attended high school.

BUT … beyond that, colleges will vary on how they regard you. Those that have special forms for international students or test requirements (e.g., TOEFL) for candidates whose first language isn’t English (or whose high school instruction is not in English) may expect you to follow the protocol for international applicants. It makes sense for you to contact each admission office and ask where you fall, once you’ve finalized your college list. (This can also be a good way to connect with the staff member who oversees applicants from … well … overseas. )

However, financial aid is the biggie, and it sounds like you’ll be fine in that department, no matter where you live.

(posted 4/8/2012)
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Question: Do all college applications ask about community service or is it just extracurriculars? My son is very active in school… just not so much in the community. Is senior year too late to beef it up?

College applications ask students to list their most meaningful extracurricular, volunteer, and work experiences. This list can even include personal interests or hobbies that a student pursues independently, not just organized school clubs or community groups. So your son will have lots of wiggle room when it comes to deciding which of his undertakings to highlight.

Senior year is not necessarily too late to “beef up” a scrawny resume, but admission folks will look askance if a host of new endeavors emerge in 12th grade and seem suspiciously like application window dressing.

Your son may be better served by taking current activities to a higher or different level. For instance, if Scrabble is a longtime hobby of his, he could join a local club and compete in regional or even national competitions. If he’s always enjoyed film-making or creative writing, he could teach these skills in an after-school program that he founds himself in a local elementary or community center.

Most college admission officials are looking for commitment and longevity in activities rather than at the length of the list. So my advice would be for your son to add no more than one or two new ventures as a senior and, instead, focus on expanding his present undertakings.

(posted 4/6/2012)

Question: Is it possible to apply to a college after their deadline? My daughter was accepted to colleges like UCLA, Berkeley and Rice, but we can’t afford them. Is it too late to find a small private college even after the deadline?

First of all, there are a number of private colleges whose deadlines haven’t passed. You can hone in on some of them by using the Common Application’s search engine that you’ll find here: https://www.commonapp.org/SearchEngine/AdvancedSearch.aspx (Scroll down the page until you spot the question about deadlines.)

This recent Examiner article by Washington-based independent counselor and admissions writer Nancy Griesemer might also be helpful: http://www.examiner.com/college-admissions-in-washington-dc/colleges-still-accepting-applications-for-fall-2012

In addition, shortly after May 1st, the National Association for College Admission Counseling will post their annual “Space Available Survey” that lists all schools that still have spots for September freshmen, even if their deadlines are long past. There are usually a few nationally-known colleges on this list … not Harvard or Yale of course, but typically some places whose names you and others will recognize. Many (but not all) will have financial aid available, too.

Meanwhile, it is definitely possible that other colleges will consider your daughter, even if she has missed the application deadline. This, however, will only be the case if she is a very strong candidate. However, if your daughter needs financial aid, this will diminish the odds that the colleges will consider her post-deadline unless:

-They did not get the “yield” they expected from their admitted class and thus have some money left in their financial aid budget

-You won’t need financial aid if the colleges you’re considering are less pricey than UCLA, Rice, Berkeley, and any other places that may have admitted her.

Another possibility for your daughter might be a Gap year, which will buy her time to apply to more affordable colleges for a September 2013 start. While many official Gap-year programs can be pricey, she might want to consider City Year (http://www.cityyear.org/default_ektid22283.aspx ) which actually pays students to participate (and not the other way around) and which will look good on applications. Given that your daughter was strong enough to get into the top schools you named, she should be an attractive candidate for City Year, too. The final application deadline is April 30, but some students applied via earlier deadlines which might mean that your daughter, if accepted, may not get her first choice city of the many City Year options.

City Year is part of the AmericaCorps network, and there may be other AmericaCorps programs that your daughter would prefer and which will also pay a stipend: http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/index.asp

I’m sorry to hear that you’re in a bind at this hectic time of year. But your daughter sounds like an excellent student, so she can find options that will work for all of you. Don’t rush into anything that doesn’t feel like the right fit.

(posted 3/30/2012)

Question: My son is a National Merit Finalist and may attend U of Alabama for the scholarship. Money is very tight right now, but I am worried that attending a less-ranked school will hurt his odds of attending a top Ph.D program. Will it?

You son can be a star at Alabama and position himself well for graduate school admission–and paid fellowships–in fact, just as well as if he were at Harvard or Princeton. Grad school admission committees appreciate diversity, as undergrad committees do, and this “diversity” includes seeking students who hail from a range of alma maters.

Moreover, because you won’t be as financially strapped during your son’s undergrad years if he heads to Tuscaloosa, this may give him the flexibility to pursue unpaid and low-paying internships or research positions during the summer, which will help him hone in on areas of academic interest while looking great on his grad school applications, and he won’t be hamstrung by the need to make a lot of money during the summer months.

Keep in mind, however, that although your son will have all or many of the same opportunities in life, whether he attends Alabama or a more prestigious school, he may always look back on his choice and worry that he didn’t make the right one, perhaps even blaming you for the decision. I know several people who are extremely successful in a range of orbits and yet some of them, who attended less-celebrated colleges, still seem to wonder (at least occasionally … it’s more of a sporadic concern than a nagging obsession) what might have been, had they gone to a snazzier school. I, however, marvel at their accomplishments and try to reassure them that they’ve lived impressive and meaningful lives. But steel yourself for the possibility that your son may always harbor at least a few fleeting regrets about his road not taken. Even so, it sounds like he should ride the Crimson Tide.

Good luck with the National Merit outcome and with the tough decisions it may spawn!

(posted 3/27/2012)