College
Spotlight:
Rutgers
University Immense,
sprawling, disjointed, ethnically diverse,
overwhelming, filled with opportunity, excellent
academics, need to take initiative all came to
mind while I was touring Rutgers University in New
Brunswick last weekend.
Full report for
Rutgers
|
LD
EXPO
Edison
Intermediate School
800
Rahway Avenue
Westfield
March
16th at 7 p.m.
Free
Parent/Student Event
Lisa
and Diane will be presenting on the college search
for students with learning differences and ADHD.
|
|
GRADUATION
RATES AMONG
PUBLIC
UNIVERSITIES
The
best way to lower your cost of college is to
graduate within four year. However only 57%
of college students graduate in four year.
Here is a link to the top public school
graduation rates. A great question to ask
during your college visits is what is the four
year graduation rate?
Link to article
|
TYPES
OF SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE
- Note-takers
- Distraction free/or distraction reduced
testing
- Use of calculators
- Adaptive technology (Kurzweil, Inspiration)
- Extended time for assignments/tests
- Support groups
- Priority registration
- Professional vs. peer tutors
- Academic
advising
|
|
|
|
Many
juniors will start visiting colleges over
President's weekend. Spring break is also an
ideal time to visit colleges and many of you
already have your trips planned. Allow about 3 hours per
school to do a tour and information
session. If you don't have that much time,
then spend time in a central meeting place, like
the cafeteria or student center and ask students
questions. The more you get students to
speak openly about their experience, the better
the feel you will have about the culture of the
school.
AAA Trip Tik is a great
online tool to help you map out your driving
route. Click on "Starting Point" and click
"Enter Location." In the drop down menu
you can select "location type." Click on
Colleges/Universities" and you can create a
driving route for your trip. AAA Trip Planning
Tool
Some schools require
that you make a reservation, others you can just
show up. When you go to the school's
website under Admissions, click the Visit Us
button. That will link you to a schedule
of available information session, tours and
requirements. Some schools also offer the
possibility to sit in on class. If you want to
know if the school is in session during your
visit, search "academic calendar", that will let
you know when classes are in
session.
Below are some tips on how to
make the most out of your visits at each stage
of the process.
Diane has
also written some tips on visiting schools for
students with an LD who need extra
support.
| |
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORES:
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS
The
first stage is to help you determine which type
of school is best for you in terms of size,
location and curriculum. I recommend you
visit 2-3 schools that are close to where you
live including one large state school and one
smaller liberal arts college. If you are
on vacation, visit a school informally to get a
sense of schools in a different area. At
this stage you are just trying to understand
what is out there so you have some idea when you
have to determine your
needs.
|
JUNIORS:
IMAGINING THE POSSIBILITIES
This is the time to
explore schools that match your needs and also
to adjust your needs as you gather more
information. You should target schools
that seem like they would be a good fit and
focus on the following areas.
- Academics
How are the majority of classes taught?
Are they lectures or class discussions?
How intense is the work load? Is there a
core curriculum that all students are required
to take? How difficult is it to meet these
required classes? Does the college have a
strong program in your intended field of study?
How much time do students spend studying?
- Student
life
What are the students like? Do they seem
like people you would be friends with?
What do the students do for fun? Are they
more artsy or athletic? More studious or
more interested in partying? Are the
fraternities and sororities? How much do
they dominate the social scene? What
percentage of kids stays on campus over the
weekend? What percentages of kids
participate in sports? Theater? The
Newspaper? You fill in the blank for your
passion.
- Campus
How does the campus make you feel? Can you
see yourself here for the next four years? What
are the dorms like? ? How easy is it
to get to town or a nearby city? What
amenities does the campus offer kids in terms of
a gym, theaters, transportation to town or local
attractions? What is nearby and are they
things you enjoy doing?
- General
Learning environment What
is the general feel of the campus in terms of
learning and community? Are professors
accessible? How so? What is the
political climate, are all views accepted or
does the campus lean more towards conservative
or liberal views? Is the curriculum more
focused on liberal arts, hands-on learning,
pre-professional programs, etc.? How does
this type of learning style match your
own?
- Financial
How much does it cost
for tuition, room and board? What percentage of
students receives aid? Is it needs based
or merit based aid? Are there merit based
scholarships available? How many students
receive them and do you think you would qualify?
After your visit write
down your overall impression of the school in
about 2-3 sentences and determine if you want to
keep it on your list. Also, make sure you
sign in with admissions, so that they can note
that you have visited the school.
|
SENIORS:
REALITY CHECK
I've had several
students tell me that they couldn't really
imagine themselves at a school until they were
accepted. Once they knew that they had a
real option of going to a school they were able
to decide if this is where they wanted to be for
the next four years. Use spring
break to visit schools to which you've been
accepted.
You are in the driver's seat,
so use this opportunity to look at schools with
much more precision and focus. Your needs should
be very clear by now and you will know
what lingering questions still need to be
answered.
If possible, focus again
on the key areas specific to your
needs.
- Academics
Sit in on a class, speak with a student or
professor in your intended major to get a feel
for what you want. Review a course catalog
and see if there are classes that excite you.
- Student
life See
if you can do an overnight. Go to a party
or event. Do you feel comfortable with the
kids? Sit in the cafeteria or student
center and observe the interactions.
- Campus
Pretend you are a student and take the
transportation available. Walk to
town. Drive to the nearest city.
Figure out where the stores are the you will be
shopping at. Visit the the student center,
the gym, the dorms, and any other common
areas.
- Financial
How much does it cost
for tuition, room and board? Is the cost within
your budget. The numbers are real
now. Did you get any merit or financial
aid? Take this opportunity to speak with
financial aid and see if you can make it
work.
- Learning
Support If you need learning
support, make sure to visit the LD office and
see how comfortable you feel
there.
After your visit write
down how the school made you feel and start to
eliminate the possibilities. Create a Yes
and No pile so you can narrow your
choices. |
TIPS FOR VISITING
COLLEGES FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED EXTRA
SUPPORT
by
Diane
If
possible, try to set up a meeting with the
director of disability service to make sure that
your needs can be met. Often there are
different departments for physical disabilities,
psychological disabilities, learning
disabilities, and ADHD, so be sure to set up a
meeting with the division that meets your
personal needs.
If they say that
they do not set up meetings with prospective
students, ask if you can just stop by to see
where their office is located and perhaps when
you arrive you can ask if there is someone who
can speak with you for a few minutes.
Sometimes, just speaking with the secretary can
give you some sense of how they staff their
program and the institution's commitment to the
program. Below are some example questions that
will help you optimize your visit.
- Is
there a fee for services? If so, how much is
it?
- How
are accommodations granted? What documentation
is required?
- What
accommodations and services are available?
- How
long has the program been in existence?
- How
many students are receiving services?
- What
is the application process for your program or
services? (This varies widely from school to
school)
- Does
your institution offer substitutions or waivers
for foreign language or math courses?
If
so, what documentation is required? What
is the process?
- How
often does the student meet with their
advisor/counselor?
- Is
there informal coaching?
- Do
you offer study skills and/or learning
strategies courses? Are they offered for
credit?
- Do
you expect any changes in your support services
in the near future?
| |
We are eager to hear
about all of your visits.
Phone/Fax 908-789-8566
E-mail: Lisa @collegeboundmentor.com
www.collegeboundmentor.com
Copyright 2011 ©
College Bound Mentor, LLC. All Rights Reserved
|
|
Sincerely,
Lisa,
Diane, and Beth
College Bound Mentor,
LLC
Lisa@collegeboundmentor.com
908-789-8566
| | |
