Archive for the ‘College Applications’ Category

Did you know that of the 466 graduate counseling programs in the United States, only 42 degree programs offer a course in college counseling? And that only one program in the nation, Long Island University, makes that course mandatory? I was shocked when I read that. The source of this statistic is Patrick O’Connor, the former president of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, who wrote for Diverse Magazine: Issues in Higher Education (see p. 17 for his op-ed piece, “Inadequate Counsel”).   Lynn O’Shaughnessy, one of my favorite bloggers on college, wrote about this in her latest post on Money Watch using the provocative title “Why High School Counselors Are Failing.”

The library at Vassar College took my breath away during my recent visit.

Defending the High School Guidance Counselor

These two pieces caught my interest because this cuts to the heart of my profession and what I do. First of all,  I am disappointed that graduate programs do not offer more instruction in college counseling. That should be changed. However, I also will defend the work that current high school counselors do. They handle huge case loads, juggle scheduling, proctor tests, intervene in student crises, listen to and assist with students’ problems, and then – on top of it all – need to meet student and parental expectations for college counseling. Many school based counselors are my friends and I know how hard they work. There just aren’t enough hours in the day.

Furthermore, a school counselor is based in the school. They rarely are able to leave the building, except to maybe attend a staff meeting somewhere else. Occasionally they can attend a conference – when the budget allows. But they rarely have the freedom to be able to go out and visit campuses during the school year; nor can they possibly spend much time with each individual student. Different schools have different student-counselor ratios, but suffice it to say that it is rare that a counselor can spend hours and hours with any individual student or family.

The Importance of Quality Guidance for all Students

Post secondary guidance is critical to insuring our children’s futures. Not all students are ready for college, or have that as their ambition. Other students have more potential than they give themselves credit for, and with proper guidance, can channel their energy and interests towards a brighter future. Still others need help finding out about their own talents, interests, learning styles, personality, and aptitudes. In an ideal world, this would be funded by public school systems and every student would receive quality guidance. Even in private schools or international schools, this is not always a need that can be met.

Why Use an Independent Educational Consultant?

There is a reason why educational consulting is a rapidly growing profession. Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) fill an important need. Contrary to the impression that media stories often misleadingly present, IECs are not about “getting a kid in” to college. Independent Educational Consultants help students to find direction that will hopefully set them on the right path for the rest of their lives. Additionally, an IEC will also answer the hundreds of questions that come up during the application process. In fact, many consultants are former school counselors and educators who enjoy the freedom of spending more time with students and families than they could when working in the school setting. It’s not “better” work – just different.

Lastly, many of the IECs whom I like, know, and respect have engaged in the professional development that both Patrick O’Connor and Lynn O’Shaughnessy have urged. Many have completed coursework (as I have) in college counseling certificate programs such as offered through UCLA and UC Irvine.

I would love to see a world in which each student had a publicly funded counselor who could work with them individually without time constraints. I bet high school guidance counselors would love to see that, too. Contrary to the title of Lynn O’Shaugnessy’s blog, I don’t think high school counselors have failed our kids at all. The system has. But in private enterprise, people step in to fill needs. If you are considering using an Independent Educational Consultant for your child, you will find it a worthwhile investment in his/her future.

Few letters strung together like “SAT” or “ACT” can conjure up as much fear, anxiety, and dread in a student as these! Students hear the hype about college admissions and think that their very future depends on their SAT or ACT score. In some ways, they are right – but in other ways they are very wrong.

When applying to highly or very selective colleges, the SAT or ACT score is one of several critically important factors in the admissions process. If this is the goal, then yes, every point might count. Yet many other highly selective colleges and universities have gone “test optional” and no longer require standardized testing at all. Still other less selective colleges and universities do not require scores that reach the stratosphere, and will look at a student for his/her potential and motivation to learn more than they look at the test score. The standardized test score is just one component of what colleges are looking for.

So when it comes to SAT/ACT preparation, is it worth the time and money? It depends. The Times Union in Albany , New York, had an article this morning about the effective of test prep. In it, they quote the College Board, creator of the SAT, as saying that test preparation will not dramatically raise scores, and the Princeton Review has been pressured by the National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus to drop the claim that their “Ultimate Classroom” SAT prep class will be able to raise scores by 255 points.

What is a student and parent supposed to think with this kind of information? Does this mean it’s just not worth the time and money to even try to prepare? I personally think that yes, a student should prepare for these standardized tests, and that they should take them, even if they apply to a school that is test optional. They can decide later whether or not to submit the scores. “Better to have it than not” is my motto. But I also think that students and parents need to be reasonable about their expectations (expect improvement but don’t expect miracles), and be wise and strategic in how the student prepares.

I have a variety of SAT and ACT preparation materials on my website under resources – college. Some resources listed are free, and others are fee-based. My advice to students is first of all, know yourself. Are you motivated and disciplined enough that you can study by yourself? If so, there is plenty of free help out there. Do you work well in a group that is led by an instructor with an approach that fits the average student taking the class? Then take a class. But perhaps the most effective method to prepare is to know how you learn, what you need to improve in order to perform better, and how to attack the standardized test strategically. If the family can afford it, I highly recommend private instruction with well-trained and professional SAT/ACT tutors. A true professional really understand the test, how it works, how to strategize to take it, will administer a diagnostic test to assess the student’s strengths and weaknesses, and then customizes instruction to meet the student’s individual needs.

As with everything else in life and college applications, be reasonable. Everything is best in moderation. I advise the students I work with to make a plan, do their best, be informed, but to not let the SAT or ACT rule their life. It does not define who the student is. Instead of investing too much time in test preparation, students should be finding their passions, doing their best in academics, and contributing to their school communities in other positive and meaningful ways. That’s how they will really get the desired college’s attention!

For more information about personalized college counseling, contact us.

Anne O’Connell, journalist extraordinaire, recently interviewed me on background for an article she was writing about using personality tests for career planning. Obviously the entire interview could not be used for the article, so I thought I’d share with you the transcript of that interview instead.

Anne: How effective are personality tests in providing guidance on career options?

Rebecca: Certain careers lend themselves to certain personality types better than others. Therefore, personality tests can be an important tool in providing career guidance by pointing out one’s innate strengths. People are happier in their careers when they feel fulfilled, and that often means they know how to make their personality work for them.

A: What tools have you used and why?

R: When I work with adolescents, I use a personality test based on the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) that has been developed for use with teens exploring their futures. After the personality test segment, it then asks students questions about possible career interests, then provides suggestions for the students about what career paths they might want to pursue that would be take advantage of their personality strengths. The theory behind it is that our basic personalities do not change over time, even though our interests and skills might.  I also use variations of personality tests based on the the work of John Holland which also illuminate one’s innate personality traits. When I have the time to work with a student in more depth, I like to administer several tests so that we can compare the results. And of course, at every stage, I always ask the student to comment on the accuracy of the profiles. They love learning more about themselves, and they almost always say the tests are very accurate!

A: What are the best circumstances in which to administer personality tests?

R: I like to work with a student in a relaxed setting so that they are not stressed or rushed.  Ideally, they should be administered between the ages of 15 and 17 when we begin to start talking about plans after secondary school. Young people need to know what’s out there so that they have time to lay the foundation while they are still in school. Together we identify the careers that interest them the most, and what will they have to do to prepare for those careers. This also serves as a motivational tool so that they understand the relationship between today’s choices and tomorrow’s opportunities.

A: How do you interpret results of personality tests and apply them to realistic career goals and strategies?

R: Let me give you an example. I have many students tell me they want to study “business”. Then I ask them, what angle of business interests you the most, i.e. finance, accounting, marketing, logistical planning, management, etc? I usually get a surprised look from the student, for they have never thought about the different opportunities within business before. That’s when we take a closer look at their innate personality and how they can use it to their advantage.

A: Can you give an example of a personality type and the career best suited to that person?

R: There are thousands of examples I could give! However, let’s take one that is very easy to understand. If I were working with a young person who wanted to be a television host, I would encourage someone to do that if they had great interpersonal and communications skills that made it easy for them to meet new people. But if their personality was such that meeting new people was painful, I might suggest that they pursue a different angle, such as working on the writing or production side of the show. There they might use their personality strengths to better advantage.

A: In all your years working with students are there any other insights you’d like to share?

R: When doing career exploration, it’s also important to also assess a person’s interests, abilities, skills, and work/life values. Personality assessment is just one part of the equation! But I think that the world would be a happier and more productive place if we could better guide students towards careers that took advantage of their passions AND personalities! Then work ceases to be work, and people engage in “work” activity for the sheer joy and satisfaction that comes from doing something that one loves.

Click here to read the final article that Anne O’Connell wrote about “Using Personality Tests to Ensure Career Success and Happiness” for Suite101.com.  If you know a young person who would like to have more career guidance as part of the college planning process, wherever they may be in the world, please contact me or see the RNG International Educational Consultants, LLC, website for more information.