Liz La Porte April 17, 2020 Updated Acceptances
________________________________________ Dear Friends, I hope that you and your family remain healthy and safe. It's been over a month now that we've been indoors, where our homes have turned into classrooms, workout spaces and even makeshift bakeries. We're all wondering how long the shutdown may last, and more specifically, how it will affect the college preparation and admission process. Here are 10 tips to stay focused and prepare for college as well as to take care of your physical and mental well-being while at home. 1. Keep up with the latest college admission information Typically, students must decide on their college of choice and make a deposit by May 1. During the COVID-19 outbreak, however, many colleges are pushing back their deposit deadlines to June 1. If more time is needed to decide between competing offers, reach out to the admission office; they may still be flexible depending on whether they have filled the class yet. If you are still looking for schools to apply to, several schools are still accepting applications. How will the coronavirus change the college admission process? Nobody knows for sure, but here are several theories (plus lots of relevant links) in this CNBC article. 2. Push yourself academically Despite any future systemic changes to the enrollment process, there will be likely no changes to the traditional qualifications: students should push themselves to perform their best academically - even if they are receiving pass/no pass grades - and engage in productive activities, even if sheltering in place. Take free classes from Harvard and Yale with Coursera or learn some new skills from Lynda.com, which is free with a public library card. 3. Consider test-optional schools The June SAT Test recently has been cancelled due to health concerns, but additional tests will be administered throughout the year, the College Board announced. They also indicated that if high schools remain closed in the fall, digital versions of the SAT (and the ACT will follow) will be used. Besides those schools that have already waived the tests - the UC's among them - a growing number of schools are not requiring them due to the outbreak. Here's a list of top-tier schools that de-emphasize exams. 4. Practice positive feedback for more productivity For parents who now find themselves in the added role of teacher, getting students to stay focused on schoolwork, especially now, is key. Positive Coaching Alliance, a nationally recognized non-profit, suggests a positive feedback method that helps people do their best work.
5. Help your community - from home Not all extracurricular activities need to be done on site or in-person. There are hundreds of self-driven projects students can do - to help others, learn a new skill, create something - all from home. For innovative service project ideas, I'd reach out to Youth Service America, where you can learn how to bake bread for others, teach someone how to code, make reusable bags from t-shirts, and more. How do colleges view activities like these? They see them as demonstrations of initiative in which students are, in many ways, already acting like self-starting college students. It's impressive. 6. Practice self-care Harvard University offers information on some nutritious foods that can help reduce stress and anxiety. UNICEF has tips for protecting your mental health.
7. Make you own masks
This CDC video shows how to make a mask from household items such as a scarf, a bandana, or a towel.
8. Find a greater purpose in a gap year: challenge, serve, explore "When I was 14 years old, I boarded a plane for a week long backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains. I had already been to the Rockies a few times with my parents, but this time I was headed out to a “primitive skills week,” run by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. For a week, we were to live as close to the land as possible. We crafted our own bowls and knives, made fires with bow drills, caught fish with our own hands, and stalked elk for hours. . . " Read more from UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center 9. Ask for help To help students successfully complete their online assignments, we offer tutoring in English and Spanish as well as SAT/SSAT prep. Email us at contact@lpeducationadvising for a no-obligation session. (650) 766-0969 10. Take a free online college admission workshop To learn more about how to better prepare for the college application process, register for our Free College Admission Seminar or schedule a free introductory session. Free Online College Admission Seminar for Sophomores and Juniors, Friday, April 24, 4-5pm. Join this Zoom seminar to better understand how to increase your eligibility for college.
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Should You Take the SAT Subject Tests?
How Can I Increase My UC and Top-Tier Eligibility?
Do My Extracurricular Activities Really Matter?
Q-A
For a Zoom invitation, email me at contact@lpeducationadvising.
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
Best,
Liz Raised in Lafayette, Liz La Porte is an experienced college advisor and credentialed high school English teacher, who founded her education practice in 2012 to help students successfully navigate the college admission process. Working one-on-one with her students to maximize their applications and to write genuinely personal essays, her students have been accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, UCB, Duke, and others. Liz has presented at NACAC College Fairs, to Lamorinda community groups and to schools throughout the Bay Area. She attended Swarthmore College and UC Berkeley. View her bio here. Liz is now accepting new students. Call (650) 766-0969 for a free initial consultation. Visit www.lpeducationadvising.com or email her at contact@lpeducationadvising.com. (650) 766-0969 For archived newsletters, click here. Copyright © 2020 Liz La Porte All Rights Reserved