Posts by Kris Hintz with updates by Deborah Ernst.
“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty. Unless your high school student was accepted to his or her first choice college through Early Decision or Early Action, your family is probably still in waiting mode. Your student may receive some Regular Decision notifications by mid-March. But the final
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“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” ― Maya Angelou. We have recently learned that the Common Application’s personal statement essay prompts for 2019-20 will be the same as they were last year. As stated on the Common Application website, “Based on extensive counselor feedback,
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“Am I My Resume?” -Edward Kleban, A Chorus Line. Why does an 11th or 12th Grader need to create a RESUME? After all, the high school guidance department already asks for a “brag sheet,” that usually includes a template for recording one’s activities and accomplishments. The Common
Read more →“You don’t have to be famous. You just have to make your mother and father proud of you.” – Meryl Streep. Many high school guidance departments in my local area of Northern New Jersey distribute input sheets to their students spring of junior year, requesting participation by
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“Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.” -John Keats. If your high school junior is your eldest child, you may not yet realize the change that is beginning to percolate in your family life. You may not be psychologically prepared for the idea that school breaks
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“Always plan at least two steps ahead.” – A.J. Darkholme. As middle school is ending and guidance counselors help students plan 9th Grade courses, it will be valuable to take the long view, considering the entire high school curriculum. At first this seems like a nerve-wracking prospect: how can parents have any
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“The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.” -Ben Stein. Building one’s list of prospective colleges is the key first step in the college admissions process. If an applicant’s list is appropriate, the college process will be far
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“Learn to cultivate your own garden.” – Voltaire. Your high school guidance department probably does not officially start the college application process until January of junior year. That timing is partially driven by staffing, since during the fall of your teen’s junior year, the guidance department is focused on seniors
Read more →“He is the best physician who is most ingenious inspirer of hope.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Your high school student has always wanted to be doctor, physical therapist, or a dentist. What guidance can you offer to help prepare for a pre-health program in college? It is
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“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.” –J.W. Von Goethe. At the first YMCA kindergarten soccer game, I remember watching cute little tykes in their brand new shin guards and cleats, chasing the ball around the field in closely clustered,
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