About the author: I’m Kerina, a high school senior interning at Creative Marbles. I’ve lived to tell the tale of having completed the college application process. Throughout the college application process, I have been flooded with unsolicited promotional brochures and emails, and well-meant but biased phone calls from admissions officers. I’m all for amassing as…
Author: Jill Yoshikawa, Ed M, Partner of Creative Marbles Consultancy
Jill Yoshikawa, EdM, Harvard ’99, a seasoned, 25 year educator and consultant, is meticulous in helping clients navigate all aspects of the educational experience, no matter the level of complexity. She combines educational theory with experience to advise families, schools and educators. A UCSD and Harvard graduate, as well as a former high school teacher, Jill works tirelessly to help her clients succeed.
They’re Called Growing Pains for a Reason
Seniors all over the country, who are facing May 1st deadline to officially enroll in a college may be at times surly, reclusive, exuberant, talkative, manic, anxious and exhausted – sometimes changing moods within one breath – personifying the complexities of going to college. Zafrin, one senior in the midst of choosing a college, recently…
ACT and SAT AT-TI-TUDE
Attitude counts when taking the SAT or ACT. An “I Will” mentality goes a long way to sustaining test-takers in those inevitable moments when confronted with the doubts, “Why are BOTH A & B the right answer?!? Which one do I choose?” or “I think it’s A now, not D – but time’s running out…
College Admissions Is Not a Race
When choosing colleges for application, the first criteria considered is often, “Where can I get in?” Students are really asking, “How do I measure up?”, creating a competitive mindset. Then, in comparing the strength of their application to those of other possible applicants, students can generate unfounded or stereotypical conclusions, building nervous energy and aggravating…
College Degree: Gateway to Financial Prosperity or Not?
The chart below illustrates the number of college graduates since 2005 who are employed, yet earning at or below the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. As we discussed in an earlier post, the chart reinforces that more of today’s college graduates are underemployed, or working in jobs that don’t require college degrees. As we…
The “Inside” Track on College Admissions, Especially To The Ivy League
Kwasi Enin was recently accepted to all 8 Ivy League colleges – and offered these words of “wisdom” for future college applicants on The Late Show with David Letterman: In other reports, college admissions officers have recounted stories of being offered free surgical procedures from parents who are doctors in exchange for their kid’s acceptance,…
Rules of Dating…I Mean, Choosing a College
Open houses, admit days, and overnight stays for prospective students are like the blind dates of the college application process. No different than arranging and primping for the first date in order to make a good impression, months have gone into planning these annual events. Workshops are arranged, rooms are reserved, student hosts are trained,…
Thinking of Others + Ingenuity + Space = Innovation
A teacher colleague once described middle school students as, “Hormones with feet.” These middle schoolers break the stereotype. And, at the same time, the ‘tween girls earned Verizon’s Innovative App Challenge top award of $15,000, plus technical support to bring their invention to life. Don’t underestimate the power of youth.
Is College Worth the Expense?
More Americans believe that going to college is NOT an affordable option.
Got Scantron Nightmares?
Say, “S-A-T” or “A-C-T” to a high school junior, and watch their whole demeanor change. The idea that a test score that will be considered as part of a future college application can provoke a racing pulse and perspiration. A typical conversation with Juniors about the SAT and ACT goes something like this:
Fat Envelope Torture
Each spring, somewhere in the bowels of college admissions offices around the country is a network of diabolical admissions officers executing their annual conspiracy – Code Name: Fatty.
Ahead of the Curve: March 18, 2014
From Our Clients: The New SAT: current high school freshman (Class of 2017) will be the first students to take the recently updated SAT. The newest version with an optional essay section, will be given for the first time in Spring 2016. Stay tuned for how the new SAT will or will not affect the college…
Here Come The UC Decisions
The University of California (UC) system will be releasing admissions decisions on a set schedule through the end of April. While UC Riverside and UC Merced have already sent some admissions decisions, the other eight campuses will not be releasing decisions until this week. The following is a listing by campus of when admissions decisions…
College Degree = Value, Right?
Financial security, or the promise of lifetime employment, is often a reason for choosing to attend college. However, recent income and employment trends may give college-bound students pause to further contemplate their expectations of job security with a college degree. 44% of today’s college graduates are underemployed, meaning they don’t need a college degree for…
Hurry Up and Wait and Wait and Then Wait Some More
“Will my kid get in?” is a concern often rattling around Senior parents’ minds at this time of year, causing a fair share of insomnia. Worries spike each time these same parents listen to other parents excitedly share good news about their kid’s acceptance, while polite smiling to hide the anxious wonderings about why their…