We Are Now - Emerson Educational Consulting

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

We’re excited! Beginning today College Planning Services, Inc. will begin doing business as Emerson Educational Consulting.  Only our name has changed.  The staff, locations and ownership remain the same. 

We are changing our name to better reflect what we do. In the last few years, the term college planning services is often understood to mean financial planning and is no longer appropriate. Our new name better reflects our primary objective helping students to find colleges and universities where they will be educationally successful and socially happy.  In addition to changing our name, we’ve changed logo and our website.  And, we’ve added an additional service.

Our new service, Ask an Educational Consultant, is designed to provide an easy to use, affordable and effective way for college bound students and their parents, as well as graduate school candidates to connect directly with me.  Now, parents and students will have an opportunity, using the telephone or Skype, to speak to me, an experienced IEC who is a member of both the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and a Certified Educational Planner (CEP).

 I want to emphasize that while we have modernized our look; our commitment to providing the students and families we work with excellent service has not and will not change.  We will continue to provide the same comprehensive college and graduate school admission guidance our clients have come to expect. 

The College Admissions Scoop: Making the Most of Written Portion of the College Application

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

The college essay and the short paragraphs are important parts of the college application. Further, by the time students apply, they are usually the only parts of the application over which the student still has control. If these statements are written with care, they can help the student to stand out from other applicants and to present a dynamic, personal and memorable picture to the admission staff. Students should plan on writing many drafts.

Essays that talk about too much end up sounding watered-down. Students should remember that it is not about telling the admissions committee what they have done - admission representatives can pick that up from the student's list of activities - rather, it is about showing the admissions committee the applicant’s unique qualities and characteristics.

Here are some important essay tips for students:

• Don’t tell the reader what you think the reader wants to hear. You’ll be wrong! Just be yourself.
• Don’t use one hundred words when ten words will do well, if not better.
• Don’t submit your first draft; it’s probably not your best work.
• Don’t keep at it just to get it done. Allowing at least a day between drafts will help you decide if your writing says what you want to it to say in the best way possible.
• Don’t give it to 10 people to read.  Limit the feedback you receive, otherwise it will sound like it was written by a committee instead of an individual – you.
• Do remember to proofread.

Proofread again! It’s your critical responsibility to proofread your entire application, including the essay, before hitting the submit button. The easiest way to proofread an application is to read it out loud, not to yourself, but actually out loud. When possible you should print a preview of your application to proofread out loud, and then keep for your files. 

The College Admissions Scoop: Don't Sweat the Interview!

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

Does the thought of having a college admissions interview make you break out in a cold sweat and make your heart beat faster?  It shouldn’t!  Here’s why.

The interview is an opportunity for the college admissions representative to get to know you.  Most are nice and don’t ask trick questions. The interview isn’t a test of academic knowledge.  It is a way to help college admissions officers see that you are more than the number on your transcript (GPA) and your test scores. Interviews add a face and a personality to your application.  They give you a chance to talk about your good qualities that are not reflected in your application.  Interviews also provide you with an opportunity to explain any blemishes on your transcript.  Many interviews are informational and conversational. You tell the college admission representative a bit about you and he or she will tell you a bit about the school.

When you meet your interviewer, shake hands and maintain eye contact. If you are with your parent(s) or a friend introduce them to the interviewer.  Make sure your parents understand that they are not to accompany you into the interview room.  If your parent(s) want to be in the waiting room when your interview ends so they can ask a question or two, that’s OK.  Don’t have a family discussion in the presence of the interviewer.  Don’t roll your eyes at something your parent says, even if you think it’s the stupidest thing you ever heard.  That will only show that you’re immature. 

Marilyn’s Interview Tips:

• Most interviewers will want to know why you’re interested in their school.  It helps to do your homework and to learn about the school before you interview.  Try to go on the tour before you interview.
• A firm handshake, eye contact and a smile are important.
• Always be yourself.  If you try to be something you’re not, it will come across loud and clear.  Besides, you have a lot to offer.
• When in doubt, be honest.
• If you’re feeling really nervous, it’s OK to say so.
• Go prepared with questions to ask the interviewer.
•  If possible rehearse with someone who has conducted interviews.
•  Ask the interviewer for a business card.  This will help you spell the person’s name correctly when sending a thank you note. 

The College Admission Scoop: Begin College Applications Now to Make the Fall Less Stressful

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

Don’t wait - begin now!  If you wait to begin the college application process until school resumes in the fall, you’ll find the added workload to be about the same as having added another full course!  Also, many unexpected things can occur during the fall of senior year that could prevent you from giving the application process your all.  So, don’t delay.

Starting early will give you time to think carefully about how you are going to present yourself to the admissions committee.  The college essay, the personal statement and the various short paragraphs are all important parts of the college application.  Importantly, by the time you apply, they are the only parts of your application over which you will still have control over.  To put “your best foot forward”, you will need to devote considerable thought, time and effort to your writing.  If they are written with care, your statements can help you to stand out from other applicants, and present a dynamic, personal and memorable view of yourself to the admission staff.  You should plan on doing many drafts.

The Common Application goes live for 2011-2012 on August 1^st.  Other applications will follow suit during the month of August.  Here are some reminders to make the process less stressful:

During the Summer:

• Schedule interviews as early as possible, since slots will book up.
• Create a timeline for each school you are applying to. Be sure to make note of important deadlines.
• Register for fall standardized tests.
• Visit schools.
• Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse if you are interested in DI or DII sports and if you want to be recruited. Develop a list of your extracurricular activities.  

Once School Begins:

•  Request letters of recommendation.  Give your teachers information about you to spark their memory.  Give them plenty of time to meet deadlines.
• Request a copy of your high school transcript and check it for accuracy.
• Decide if you are applying using early decision or early action plans, or to any schools using rolling admissions.  Complete those applications first.

The College Admissions Scoop: Tough Breaks and Silver Linings

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

For some high school students and their parents the perceived risk of failing to get into the schools of their choice can be very stressful.  For new or soon to be college graduates, the risk of rejection by a graduate school or a potential employer can be similarly stressful.  It doesn’t have to be that way.  Take a deep breath, and then tell yourself that failing to get into the school you want to attend or landing the job you thought perfect, can become a good thing -  especially when you use “failing” as the spark to ignite your strength and resilience.  "Failure is not the opposite of success, it is the stone to success," Arianna Huffington told the Sarah Lawrence class of ’11 in her graduation speech. And, Conan O’Brien told the Dartmouth Class of “11 that “It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It's not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right, your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention.”

Watch Conan O'Brien's speech here :

Watch Arianna Huffington's speech here:

Rising Seniors: Letters of Recommendation - Choose Teachers Wisely

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

Rising seniors, it’s time to think about who you will ask to write your letters of recommendation for college.  Choose your teachers wisely.

The Common Application requires two letters of recommendation from teachers.  Other applications ask for one teacher recommendation and some require none.  Sometimes, colleges prefer that you choose teachers from core academic subjects. It is important that you read the application instructions for each college you are applying to and follow the directions carefully.

Here are four things to think about when choosing teachers to write letters of recommendation: 

1. Will each teacher add something new about you – a new dimension? If both teachers say the same thing, you are giving up an opportunity to add more depth to your application
2. Can each teacher you chose speak about your intellectual curiosity? How you learn?  What you do when things become difficult? Can they talk about you as an individual? You want the person or the committee reading your application to know about you, separately from the other students who are applying from your high school.
3.  It is not always best to choose the teacher for the class where you received a good grade or even your best grade. Sometimes the teacher who can talk about your perseverance, your ability to work hard and your individuality will be able to write a more effective letter.
4. After the teacher agrees to write your recommendation, you may want to consider giving the teacher a one page resume that not only details your activities (in school and outside of school), your leadership abilities and your hobbies, but includes what you liked best about the class.  Doing so may provide the teacher with information that can be used to write a stronger letter; it may also indicate to the teacher that you take this seriously, and appreciate the time and effort that he will devote to writing a letter on your behalf.

The Importance of College "Fit!"

By Marilyn G.S. Emerson, M.S.W., CEP

Yesterday, two unrelated happening reinforced the message that is the essential element of my independent educational consulting practice – the importance of finding colleges and universities where students will be educationally successful and socially happy.

The first occurred early in the day.  I attended the Colleges That Change Lives* (CTCL) counselor breakfast and college fair.  While CTCL schools are distinctive from each other in many ways, they share common features of small student to faculty ratios that allow students to be known as individuals, a focus on a liberal arts education and the importance of involvement outside the classroom. These points were reinforced as I went around the room chatting with representatives from the different schools.  Lisa Hill told me about the Goucher students who are currently traveling and learning in China with a Goucher professor.  Clarisse Leong spoke about the tolerant, interesting community of students and faculty at Evergreen State College. Bob Baldwin and I discussed a former student of mine who is thriving in the supportive atmosphere at Allegheny College, and one of my current high school students who was surprised by how much he liked Allegheny since he thought he wanted a larger school. I spent time with Lauren Sefton exchanging ideas about how to interest more students from the northeast in colleges in the south. We also discussed another former student who is enjoying his experience at Rhodes. Elizabeth Zucchero shared insights about the student body at Birmingham-Southern, who at first glance might not seem diverse, but upon getting to know them, prove that appearances may be deceiving. And, Jake Doll and I talked about the addition of Chinese to the language offerings at McDaniel. All of these conversations, as well as the opening remarks by the Executive Director, Martha O’Connell and the Chairperson, Maria Furtado, who both talked about the importance of “fit,” had me wishing that students and parents would expand their options and think about the myriad possibilities that exist in the United States, including the CTCL schools.

The second happened through social media.  I noticed that one of my former students graduated from college and I sent her a congratulatory note.  She responded with the following: “Just want to thank you for your help way back when!  I also wanted to share with you the exciting news that I was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa – I think it is safe to say we found the right place for me!”

*About CTCL. The organization was founded as a result of a book Colleges That Change Lives that was researched and written by Loren Pope, a former New York Times education editor.  Mr. Pope passed away in 2008, but his work lives on through Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. a non-profit organization.  For more information go to http://www.ctcl.org/about/ctcl