From Our Clients:
- SAT and ACT Prep: Each day, I talk with at least one parent concerned that their kid is not doing enough preparation for the SAT or ACT, who asks for advice how to motivate their kid to practice SAT and ACT questions. For most teens, the intention to prepare for the SAT and ACT is high. And, the actual work is not beyond the intelligence of the teenager. Why teens don’t practice more can be attributed to the fears of being condemned to a lifetime of destitution, if they don’t score highly, thus not be accepted to college. Assurances to the contrary may not be enough to quell fears totally; SAT and ACT preparation gives parents another opportunity to practice patience, as their teens are further maturing and developing the ability to act in the face of fear.
- The “Right” Extra-curricular Activities: The short answer is: there is no right extra-curricular activity to be admitted to college. College admissions officers are seeking greeter understanding of the person behind the application, to make the most informed decision possible. Since what, where and how a student chooses to commit their spare time tells about the student’s motivations and interests, do what you want – that’s the “right” extracurricular for you.
- Summer is No Vacation: The idea that students need to be occupied and scheduled in organized activities 365 days a year in order to be accepted to college is a myth. While there are summer programs that allow students to indulge interests that they don’t have time to do during the school year, not every minute of the summer break needs to be spent in activity. Taking time to wander, sleep in, play hours upon hours of video games can be equally valuable for teens to recharge and be ready to re-engage the next school year.
From The News:
- Senioritis is Rarely Fatal, The Washington Post February 5, 2014
- Fever May Be Cooling In Number of College Applications; Essays Not As Crucial, Report Finds, Los Angeles Times January 29, 2014
- Reopening an Employment Door to the Young, New York Times February 1, 2014
