That fat envelope from your college is conditional

Slackers, beware! That fat envelope is conditional. If your grades drop, some colleges won't hesitate to take it back.

That'w what New York Times Upfront reported on Feb 25, 2008.

You may have gotten a thick envelope with a congratulatory letter from the college admissions office. You may have told everyone where you're going. You're in, but remember: You're not done.

After being accepted at Franklin & Marshall College, in Lancaster, Pa., Isa Valera spent her last semester of high school doing everything except studying. When she wasn't at her two jobs, she focused on the prom and graduation from Frederick Douglass Academy in the Bronx, N.Y. Her grades fell from 80s and 90s to "barely passing."

Just weeks before classes began, the college got in touch: Admissions was rethinking her acceptance. Valera was ultimately allowed to enroll, but only after she had written a contrite letter and an additional essay, and agreed to meet monthly with the dean of admissions.

"Senioritis" has infected the college-bound since, oh, forever. But with record numbers of applicants and long waiting lists, colleges are in a better position to insist that students stay focused. More schools now check midyear and final transcripts, mailing warnings or calling students with fallen averages. With some colleges rescinding admission offers, the message that a college acceptance is conditional is finally getting through.

The University of Colorado at Boulder rescinded admission for 45 students in 2006.

The University of Washington revoked acceptances for 23 freshmen with poor final grades, and sent out 180 warning letters telling students the school was unhappy with their senior-year effort.

Philip A. Ballinger, Washington's admissions director, sees it as "a matter of fairness."
"If certain students decided they didn't want to be students their senior year, we shouldn't have them here," he explains.

Colleges don't receive final transcripts until June or July and may revoke admission as late as July or August--after students have given up spots at other colleges and have few options.

Free tuition @ Stanford University

Stanford University announced this morning that the school will give free tuition and free room and board to students from lower and middle-income families who meet certain guidelines, under an expanded financial-aid program. Visit here for detail.

Stanford is adding $20.7 million to its financial aid program - the largest single increase in the school's history - a move that means students from families with incomes of less than $100,000 will no longer pay tuition.

Students whose family incomes are less than $60,000 will also not have to pay the costs of room, board and other expenses.

"Families with incomes above $100,000 are going to see much more generous treatment than they have in previous years. We'll still be doing a traditional analysis of their need. We've changed some of the ways we look at that, so it's a more generous assessment."

Are you ready for college writing?

According to a survey conducted by the Chronicl of Higher Education, 94% of college professors said that incoming freshmen are not prepared to tackle college level writing. Many educators blame high schools that they don't provide students with a writing intensive curriculum.

Tuft University's student newspaper reported this:

Dave Valdes-Greenwood, an English lecturer and first-year writing teacher at Tufts, said that even AP English courses can leave students' writing skills lacking. Valdes-Greenwood explained that AP writing, though advanced, is still not on the same level as college writing."Honestly, the AP students I have had tend to have a greater wealth of references and past models to work from, but many of them still find the adjustment to college writing [to be] hard,"

"What often trips up an AP student is discovering that good high school writing is still high school writing - I can't tell you the number of students I've had who never got less than an A before their first paper in my class," he said.

"The main difference is that much high school writing is very unadorned - thesis, a body, a conclusion - while better college writing involves more style and sophistication."

Here is something to think about:

“Regardless of a student’s major, the ability to formulate and analyze arguments, both orally and in writing, is absolutely essential to academic success … . We can develop these skills at the postsecondary level, but students need to get a solid foundation in these basics when they are in high school, or they will fall behind quickly in college.”
-English professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

"It is a myth that mathematics and math-dependent majors in college do not require strong reading and writing skills. Students have to be able to comprehend complex informational text so they can identify which mathematical operations and concepts to apply to solve a particular problem."
-Economics professor, San Francisco State University

"You can be an excellent mathematician, but if you don't have a complement of verbal skills ... you’ll never be promoted. If you’re looking for high performance, you have to marry the two.
-Supervisor at a small engineering office

Princeton University creates a "gap year" program

Princeton University will be the first school to create a program for students who opt to take a "gap year" before checking into college according to the New York Times article. "Gap Year" means "a period of time taken by a student to travel or work, often after high school or before starting graduate school, as a break from formal education" and it was started in the UK in the 1960s when college-bound students traveled to India on the infamous Hippie Trails.

Here is the news excerpt:

Princeton's president, Shirley M. Tilghman, said in an interview that such a program would give students a more international perspective, add to their maturity and give them a break from academic pressures. She called it a year of "cleansing the palate of high school, giving them a year to regroup."

"People are too young when they start college," said Allan E. Goodman, president of the Institute of International Education. "This way, they would have a year to mature, and they can do something constructive."

Some of you may want to take a gap year to think clearly about what you want to get out of your college education, and your course of study and future career plans.

Asian-Americans face tough time in college admissions

Harvard University's student newspaper Crimson reported that Asian-Americans face a higher wall in college admissions in spite of their strong academic performances:

In a system where one group is deemed "overrepresented," such as Asian Americans under current admissions schemes, it is inevitable that other "underrepresented" groups will gain ground...

In 1990, the federal government investigated Harvard for discriminating against Asian applicants. The investigation found that lower admission rates for Asians—despite somewhat stronger academic credentials—could be attributed to legacy and athlete preferences, which primarily benefited white applicants.

You may want to visit this website which deals with a variety of issues related to Asian-Americans, including college, law school, and medial school admissions.

Reading in the digital era

The renowned Harvard professor Howard Gardner wrote an article on "reading in the new digital media era" for Washington Post. He wrote:

Even in the new digital media, it's essential to be able to read and write fluently and, if you want to capture people's attention, to write well. Of course, what it means to "write well" changes: Virginia Woolf didn't write the same way that Jane Austen did, and Arianna Huffington's blog won't be confused with Walter Lippmann's columns. But the imaginative spheres and real-world needs that all those written words address remain...

Nowadays, as clinical psychologist Sherry Turkle has pointed out, young people seem to have a compulsion to stay in touch with one another all the time; periods of lonely silence or privacy seem toxic. If this lust for 24/7 online networking continues, one of the dividends of book reading may fade away. The wealth of different literacies and the ease of moving among them -- on an iPhone, for example -- may undermine the once-hallowed status of books.

In short, no matter which media we choose to communicate one another and increase our cognitive power, the message is clear: "Do not stop reading."

Is college ranking important for you?

The recent report, UCLA Freshman survey: Fall 2007, says that many college applicants (82.4%) do not consider national rankings provided by major news magazines like US News & Report as important as college presidents and admissions deans would have believed.

Here is the actual UCLA Survey question and top 15 reasons that this conclusion was based on.

Q. Reasons noted as "very important" in influencing a student's decision to attend this particular college:

• College has very good academic reputation 63.0%
• This college's graduates get good jobs 51.9%
• A visit to the campus 40.4%
• I was offered financial assistance 39.4%
• Wanted to go to a college this size 38.9%
• College has a good reputation for social activities 37.1%
• The cost of attending this college 36.8%
• Grads get into good grad/professional schools 34.1%
• Wanted to live near home 19.2%
• Rankings in national magazines 17.6%
• Information from a website 17.0%
• Parents wanted me to go to this school 13.0%
• Admitted early decision and/or early action 11.4%
• Could not afford first choice 9.7%
• High school counselor advised me 9.0%

Gender biased college admissions

• Student A: Male, GPA 3.6 with 4 APs, SAT 2050
• Student B: Female, GAP 3.7 with 5 APs, SAT 2100

Who do you think has an edge to get into a competitve college that has the student body ratio of female and male, 68% vs. 32%. Of course, any college that struggles with the shortage of qualified male students will choose student A to balance their student body. That's what the researchers at US News & World Report found:

When researchers at US News & World Report magazine analyzed data from more than 1,400 four-year colleges and universities, they found that in the past decade, many schools had maintained gender balance by admitting many more men than women, even when the women candidates were more qualified.

In addition to gender, race, income, geographical distributions, institutional needs, and many other factors play a crucial role in college admission process. No wonder then, no one knows for sure why certain students with impeccable records don't make while some with umpressed achievements still penetrate the narrow college gate.

Your motivation fueld by money: does it work for you?

Let say, your school will give you $50 when you raise your scores by 20%. Would you study hard to earn the reward? How about $110 when you sign up for tutoring sessions in your school? How about you make $8 an hour by attending the after-school math and science tutorial session? Believe it or not, they are true stories according to Education Week's report.

Excerpt:

The program will award 10th and 11th graders who have failed at least one of their state graduation exams $25 if they show a 5 percent increase on the first of their benchmark assessments, which students take throughout the year.

Students are then eligible to earn another $35 if they increase their scores by an additional 15 percent on the next benchmark assessment, and $50 if they raise their scores by another 20 percent after that, bringing their total potential earnings to as much as $110 a year.

The students earn $8 an hour by attending the after-school math and science tutorial sessions for up to four hours a week, and they can earn a bonus—$75 for 8th graders and $125 for 11th graders—if they achieve at least a B average in both their math and science courses and pass the state exams in those subjects.

Before you rush to the reward program, make sure to read this interview with Alfie Kohn who wrote, "Punished by Rewards." Here is why Kohn dislikes the idea of rewarding your good work: "More than 70 studies have found that the more you reward people for doing something, the more they lose interest in whatever they had to do to get the reward. It's not just that rewards are ineffective over the long haul; it's that they are actively counterproductive."

Free MIT courses

MIT's "Open Courseware" contains more than 2,600 video and audio clips from faculty lectures, as well assignments and lecture notes. You can literally take those courses, absolutely free of charge. Also for a K-12 audience, they designated a special website right here. The site includes high school classes such as AP biology, calculus, and physics. You will find tons of help there.

One more reason to consider liberal arts college

New York University's student newspaper published an article on "Job market for college graduates of 2008." It highlighted the fact that companies put a premium on qualities like communication and interpersonal skills in their applicant. No matter where you look and whatever the career path you want to take on, you simply cannot escape from the following most wanted skills:

• Verbal and written communication skills
• Strong work ethic Analytical abilities
• Flexibility/Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Honesty & integrity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork skills
• Motivation/Initiative
• Computer Skills

No wonder then, many employers send their recruiters to liberal arts colleges, arguably the best place to master the most important ingredients for career and life. To read the full report from NYU, click here.

Here is an excerpt:

Liberal arts majors are also in strong demand, especially as employers are beginning to place more importance on "soft" skills in the workplace. In a recent survey asking employers to rate the most desirable qualities in a prospective candidate, interpersonal skills came in only slightly behind communications skills and a strong work ethic."We are looking for candidates to be in a continuous learning mode, have a positive attitude and demonstrate a global perspective in their thinking and actions," said Blane Ruschak, national director of campus recruiting for the professional services firm KPMG. Especially in less technical professions, employers are looking for people who have acquired the suite of critical and communication skills typical to many liberal arts majors.

Should your school start later?

The New York Times editorial raised an interesting question: Should your high school start later so that you can get enough sleep? This might be a good opportunity for you to take on the issue and write your own opinion and publish in your local paper.

To read the full report, click here.

Here is an excerpt.

...[a] National Sleep Foundation survey in which more than a quarter of the students reported that they fell asleep in class at least once a week. Researchers say this is true because youngsters — beginning around age 12 until they reach their mid-20s — only start producing melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone, around 11 p.m. and that production peaks until about 7 a.m. In adults, melatonin peaks until around 4 a.m. Trying to wake up a teenager before 7 o’clock is like trying to awake an adult before 4 a.m.

The obvious remedy would be for high schools to start later — well after 8 a.m. A handful of schools that have switched have reported beneficial results. School officials in Minneapolis say that attendance improved and students’ grades rose slightly after they changed to an 8:40 a.m. start several years ago. In Wilton, Conn., where the high school start time was pushed back to 8:20 a.m. from 7:35, teachers and parents reported improved student behavior and greater alertness.

Are you silent in your class?

Do you actively participate in class discussions? If yes, you can skip this section. If not, read this article written by a writing teacher in San Francisco area and find out "Why are the Asian-American kids silent in class?"

Also, visit here to read my article that talks about the similar situation.

Excerpts:

1. From Carol Tateishi's article

If we believe that the use of language is key to classroom learning, what might it mean if the class includes Asian-American students, such as Jeff, and significant numbers of them do not participate or participate minimally day in and day out in the oral discourse of the class? How does their nonparticipation in the active talk of a class affect their learning, or does it? Why don't they participate? What do they understand about the purposes of these orally rich classroom activities? What role might their cultures and home language practices play in their nonparticipation? And, does it matter?

2. From Daniel's article

However, taking into account differing cultural perceptions, if you do not articulate your opinion whenever opportunity arises, you will experience Jane's frustration. Class participation, through its built-in features of discussion and critique, improves student's social and presentation skills, increases the retention of class materials, and enhances quality of work.

When you compare your financial aid awards...

In spring, most college applicants will receive financial aid award from each college they applied to. Before you compare those offers, here is something you need to know about the real cost of college.

Adapted from: http://www.aessuccess.org/manage/newsletters/archive/2_08_Parent_Perspective.html

When you’re calculating college costs, there are two types of expenses you should consider: direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are generally billed by the college and include tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Tuition is the amount the college requires for your student to attend class. At some colleges, tuition is a flat fee; at others the tuition is based on the number of credits your student takes.

Most colleges have fees that all students pay, such as student union fees, activities fees, etc. Some students will be charged fees based on the classes they choose, such as lab fees for science laboratory classes.

The amount your student will need for books will depend on whether your student buys new or used books. They may need to purchase additional supplies for certain classes, like supplies for an art class. Many financial aid offices provide the average cost for books and supplies, but their figures tend to be on the low side. You may want to add 10 to 20 percent to the figure the college provides.

Indirect costs are not always billed by the college, but they’re expenses your student will incur. Indirect costs can include room, board, transportation and travel, personal expenses, miscellaneous expenses, and medical and dental expenses.

The amount needed to cover the 'room' expense depends on whether your student lives on-campus or off-campus. Dorm costs may vary depending on whether your student lives in a single, double, triple, or quad room. If your student lives off-campus in an apartment, don't forget to add the cost of electric and other utilities to the cost of the monthly rent.
Board costs vary widely, depending on the meal plan selected. . . and don't forget to factor in late-night snacks, dining out, etc. If your student lives off-campus, you and your student will have to estimate their weekly or monthly grocery bill.

Transportation and travel includes the cost of commuting back and forth to class and the cost of traveling home during breaks and vacation. If your student lives on-campus, there's probably no cost for commuting, unless they have a car. The amount spent traveling home depends on how often they come home and the method of transportation - train, bus, plane, or carpool.
Personal expenses include phone, laundry, entertainment, clothing, toiletries, etc. You should probably discuss these costs with your college-bound student and agree on a reasonable amount to cover their personal expenses.

You student will probably remain on your insurance while they’re in college, so their medical and dental expenses should be comparable to those of the last few years.

Miscellaneous expenses are costs beyond the basic cost of attending college. They include sorority/fraternity/club dues, tutoring, summer programs, etc.

Once you've discovered the real price of college - the total of your student's estimated direct and indirect costs at each college they're interested in attending - you'll be in a better position to compare the award packages from each college.

Helicopter parenting: stop the engine for your kid

While college applicants are eagerly waiting for decision letters, too many "helipcopter parents" are calling admission office on behalf of their child. Admission officers worry that too much hovering discourages their child to figure out solutions on their own, to cope with pressures, and to be resilient. Click here to view CNN report today: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=6293870&ch=4226723&src=news

Meantime, researchers at University of Liverpool in England found that parents who are too involved in their grown-up children's lives could be seriously damaging their development, their chances of employment and of becoming mature lovers. (http://www.independent.ie/national-news/soccer-agent-parents-are-hurting-kids-job-chances-1265037.html

And, for those who can read Korean, please visit here to read related my article:
http://koreatimes.com/article/articleview.asp?id=430349&comment_yn=N

Free training program for teen drivers

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst developed a program called "Risk Awareness and Perception Training (RAPT)" to teach teen drivers.

The program was created based on an analysis of police crash reports that indicate new drivers tend to lack three basic skills necessary for avoiding crashes: hazard anticipation, attention maintenance and hazard avoidance. Hazard anticipation has to do with knowing where to look for dangers; attention maintenance with concentrating on the road ahead; and hazard avoidance with special driving techniques such as skid control.

You can visit here http://www.ecs.umass.edu/hpl and click on “younger drivers” to download the program.

For the full report, click here:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130185654.htm

Add up those additional fees @ your college

The total cost of attending college does not end with the sum of tuition, room and board. You still need to add up costs for items like transportation, textbook, and insurance. According to US News & World Report, colleges students are paying hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars in exra for their health insurance and medial treatment.

Here is the reason:

Most campus health centers have not registered as "in network" for the biggest regional health insurers. That means students covered by their family's plan typically can't get reimbursed for many tests and procedures performed by campus health clinics.

For the full report, visit here:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2008/01/31/campus-healths-hidden-costs.html