The Barkin' Blog

Are You Having Nightmares?

2010-11-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

If you are a senior, it is easy to realize that first semester is disappearing-poof-going, going, almost GONE! Have you finished your applications? Have you sent your test scores? Have you sent your transcripts? It will soon be second semester and time to complete the FAFSA (and any other paperwork you might need to complete to qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships).

Glub . . . Glub . . . Glub . . . Do you want to be underwater with your paperwork?

By the way, while you are taking care of business, remember that first semester grades matter. (Hate to tell you this, but so do final grades!) Find a study buddy like my friend Al and really get feathered up for your exams because a lot of you are going to have to send seventh semester transcripts to colleges. What do you want them to see when they review your regular decision applications--good grades or, well . . . let’s not go there.

L8R,

Clyde

Been There, Done That–Advice from a successful friend . . .

2010-11-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little caged in with all of the decisions you’re having to make about your future? I was talking with my friend, Buster, who offered a few tips about surviving the college search process. There’s a lot to consider, and it can be overwhelming. Here’s what he had to say:

First thing to do? Bite the bullet and just sit down and talk with your parental units about just how you’re going to pay for college.

Money is usually not everyone’s favorite subject, but knowing where your parents feel financially comfortable can be a first step in creating a dialog and letting them know that you appreciate their involvement in the process. While there is a great deal of financial aid/scholarship money available, the expectation on the part of the colleges and on the part of the federal government is that the family will pay for college to the degree the family is deemed able to do so given the parameters of the aid process established by Congress. In other words, based on the information you and your parents submit on the FAFSA, the government determines what your family can afford to pay for college. Colleges will have their own formulas to determine how institutional aid may be distributed on their campuses. Some colleges require the CSS PROFILE. Others will have college specific aid forms. The key is to know what forms are required by schools that are of interest to the applicant. Merit money awards can require financial aid applications or may be completely independent of the aid process–this varies from college to college. Do your research!

Take it from me, while the ultimate decision is yours, having the parentals happy with your college/career choice or just happy with the fact that they were included and consulted during the search process can make for a much better junior/senior year.

Not everyone’s parents went to college and those who did may have a different view of what they enjoyed versus what you want out of the experience. For you to know you have the support of your parents and your parents to know that you care what they think can be great for the whole family. The same holds true for siblings. The decision of which college to attend and how much to pay impacts everyone in the family. Some of my buddies forget that this time might be the last they experience life as a full-time resident with their families. The dynamic changes the moment mom and dad drop you off at the dorm.

Ready to apply? Get a professional email address AND CHECK your e-mail.

It can be detrimental for a college/potential employer to see an unorthodox/unprofessional e-mail address. It is fine to have separate personal e-mail (for your friends) and professional e-mail addresses. Just think . . . when you apply online and the school wants an address on file, do they really need to know that you are a cheerchic? Do they really need to know that you think so highly of yourself that your email address is shorelinehottie23? Sure the name of your rec league soccer team may be the Shoreline Hotties and your number is 23, but colleges and potential employers won't necessarily put that together. A professional email address is a must. It is one you can have for the rest of your life, unlike clyderulz34.

Woof,
Clyde

????????? How do you apply to college?

2010-10-29T10:50:00.001-07:00

The clock is ticking – get with the program.

Here are some pointers that may help.

• To be ready to have good options when it is time to apply, take hard classes–work hard in those classes.

• Take ACT/SAT/SAT subject tests at the appropriate times. Before testing, take a few sample tests and analyze your performance on them. Test scores matter to many colleges when it comes to admissions.

• Attend as many programs/sessions/fairs as possible–keep files of information.

• As a junior, make a list of colleges that might be good matches. (Don’t freak out–that list can have 25 places on it when you are a junior. It is easier to narrow down than it is to expand the list as a first semester senior.) Use every tool at your disposal to do this.

• The list should be vertical (meaning stretches in terms of difficulty of admission and those where admission seems likely). Compare your individual profile with the profiles of accepted students. Many factors should be considered–size, distance, location, composition of student body, out-of-class life/community factors, scholarship/financial aid possibilities, town/gown relationships, majors (remembering that many students will change their minds about majors), career planning and placement services available as well as job/graduate placement track records for the specific colleges–really the list is endless.

• Visit. If you can’t visit in person, visit virtually (on the web). Remember that demonstrated interest is reported by a NACAC survey to be a factor “of considerable importance” in admissions by 21% of the colleges responding to the NACAC survey.

• Narrow the list down by early September of your senior year.

• Follow any application procedures established by your counselor/school. Deadlines matter!

• Complete the application paperwork. NACAC reported that 80% of applications last year at surveyed colleges were submitted online.

• Request test scores from the testing agencies– www.act.org and/or www.collegeboard.org. Allow plenty of time for this.

• Follow the directives of each college regarding Score Choice.

• Proofing all materials prior to submission is essential.

• Keep copies of submitted materials.

• Relying on spell check and grammar check for essays is not a winning idea.

• Make your essays a conversation with the reader... If you aren’t funny, this isn’t the time to take up humor as you write! By the way, short essays are hard to write and write well...and they matter!

• If the colleges request letters of recommendation, follow their guidelines. Give your recommenders time to do a good job. Pick people who know you well. If the recommender must mail the letter, make sure he/she has a stamped addressed envelope with his or her return address indicated on it (not yours!!!).

• Follow your high school’s policy for requesting transcripts and secondary school reports. Remember, transcripts are required by virtually every college–initial ones and final ones.

• If you are an NCAA prospective Division I or II athlete, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and follow their directives.

• Know that even online applications take some time to process. Make sure to confirm that your materials submitted online (or by snail mail) have been received.

• Expect some overlap–materials may be on the campus or in the campus computer but not registered yet in the online credentials received folder.

• Keep your grades up–all acceptances are conditional. Every college will require that you submit a final transcript that shows your performance for second semester senior year. It matters. There is such a thing as rescinded admissions.

Back in a bit- I gotta rest,
Clyde

You’re Special...just send in this app

2010-10-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

OK friends, I’m delving into the realm of politically incorrect. Any of you guys get those snap apps–you know the personalized kind that says you don’t have to do an essay; you might not even have to pay an application fee? Was it called a VIP app? Do you feel special and wanted? Some of my senior friends got these.

Here is what my counselor has to say about that:

Was the college or university on your radar list to begin? The reality is that this is a fishing expedition on the part of the college. Think of this as an ad in a magazine, a commercial on TV. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but hundreds, thousands of these applications go out each year and the number of them being disseminated is growing geometrically. My counselor says this is really about colleges acting as businesses–making sure that posteriors are in desks when the following fall rolls around.

Bad reason to apply to a college–you know nothing about the school, but the application is free.

Good reason to apply to a college–you’ve done your homework, researched the college in terms of size, programs available, personal fit quotient–you know a lot and it seems like a good match.

DUH! This isn’t a gift.

The old-fashioned kind that comes in the mailbox or the electronic version that comes via your computer is just that–mail. Getting mail from a school doesn’t mean you will get in AND getting a free application doesn’t mean a school is a good fit for you or that you can get in that school.

Get the picture! See those darts in the middle of the page? Dart throwers gum up the works for every applicant. Do your homework. Apply to places that are a good fit for you. Ignore they hype–do it right. Otherwise, you might end up like feeling all caged up like my friend Zeus.

Talking about all this application stuff is making me tired. I need a rest.

CYA,

Clyde

Blood Pressure...170/110

2010-10-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

What are your counselor’s/college adviser’s numbers? Have you made his or her blood pressure rise because you are a world-class procrastinator?

There is a plane headed in your direction. You’ll either be on it or miss the flight. November 1 is a big day in the world of college admissions. Many Early Action and/or Early Decision applications must be postmarked by that date. If you fall into the category of any early admissions plan, make sure you are taking care of your part of the application equation–meaning the application, submitting test scores, writing any required essays, requesting any needed recommendations, and giving your counselor the paperwork to submit the necessary material from your high school. DANGER!!!!!It is not advisable to give your counselor this information on Friday, October 29–just before school is dismissed for the weekend. Plan ahead! Allow your counselor and your recommenders enough time to do a good job on their parts of your paperwork.

Next up–Aren’t you special? You got a snap app! Right now, I need to contemplate helping some friends with homework.

L8R,
Clyde

High School Preparation for Engineering

2010-10-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

While in high school students who want to prepare for a career in engineering
should plan to take:

1. All of the college preparatory mathematics course that are offered by your school, such as:

Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus, Calculus

II. Sciences

Chemistry
Physics
Biology

III. Any courses in typing and computer science offered by your school

IV. English courses with particular emphasis on development of good writing and speaking skills

V. Electives such as:

Mechanical drawing
Foreign languages
Psychology
Art
Music
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
www.eng.uab.edu

Opportunities . . . Near and Far

2010-10-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Wanna be a Dragon?

When looking for places to put your paws down and continue your education, don't overlook the back yard! I recently visited UAB . . . not exactly in my back yard, but not on the other side of the country either. I had no idea how many programs were available to students at this school. So . . . one of my first rules of college exploration:

Make college visits! See what is available.

UAB, for example, is a sleek, modern-looking place in an urban setting, but it does have a green feel to it and it is an incredibly diverse campus. Everybody knows UAB as a pre-health career place - I mean, everywhere you turn, you trip over hospitals and clinics and the like, but there are some cool other programs here too. For example, UAB has the only accredited undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering in the state. I visited the visualization cube and it was way cool. Ask your parents - it was kind of like being in the holodeck on Star Trek. UAB also has the only Nuclear Medicine program in my state, the only Industrial Distribution program in the Southeast and one of four Forensic Accounting and Information Science programs in the country. Who knew? Next time, I'll give you some tips from their College of Engineering on what high school students need to study in order to be ready to pursue a degree in engineering.

For those who want a real challenge in a university setting and also want the community feel of a smaller program combined with specialized mentoring, check out the Honors Academy at this university.

I also had the opportunity to hear Linda Luck, the prehealth career advisor for UAB juniors, seniors, postbacs (that is somebody who already has abn undergraduate degree) and alums. She gave some great advice for students who want to go to medical school and advised us to check out their site .

Wanna know how to prepare in high school to become a health professional? Check this out.
You can even see some study recommendations for those who are thinking about becoming a doctor.

Can you see yourself at UAB?

Gotta go see what other opportunities I can dig up!

CYA,

Clyde

Park Scholarships NCSU, part two

2010-10-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

How do you earn one of these fabulous scholarships?

There are two ways to get into the pipeline to be considered.

1. Some schools around the country may endorse up to two candidates

2. Students may endorse themselves and they are at no disadvantage in the process if they self-endorse

3. School endorsements are due by October 1; self-endorsements are due by October 25.

Here’s the great news–you can major in anything and be a Park Scholar. You can even have a double major. But . . . beware. This is a highly competitive program–I mean there are 1300 applications for 50 scholarships. Do the math–that’s competitive. While the review of candidates is holistic, there are certain talents and qualities the selection committee seeks. Here are the four criteria used to judge applicants:

• scholarship–yep, academics matter . . . Myron and Holley
stressed that a student’s record didn’t have to show a perfect 4.0 but the student needs to demonstrate true intellectual curiosity . . . the candidate needs to display raw and applied smarts!

• leadership–initiative and get-it-done trumps elected-do-nothing, title only stuff . . . how has the candidate seized opportunities and gotten a job done while others were still trying to figure out what the issues were?

• service–students must demonstrate a sense of and dedication to a more than a what’s-in-it-for-me mentality . . . they need to demonstrate a desire to make something better

• character–in today’s seemingly ethics-challenged world, integrity matters more and more every day–how has the student demonstrated an honorable lifestyle and shown, even when the going got tough, that he or she followed through any way

There are several essays–even an optional one–that are part of the Park application. Students were urged to complete the optional essay too. The advice was to be yourself in the essays, proofread, and make sure your voice is coming through in your essays.

In February about 100 finalists are brought to campus in-person. There are actually hundreds of staff members, alums, and students involved in the selection process. By early March, a student will know if he or she has been named a Park Scholar. However, the student has until May, the Candidate’s Reply Date, to decide whether to accept the scholarship.

The Park Program offers the best of both worlds–a small, structured living/learning community with amazing support and opportunities nestled in a large, major research university. Football Saturdays with pig roasts to a Commons open 24/7 just for the Park Scholars. That sounds good to me! Reach for the opportunities like my friend Toby. In fact, that also makes me hungry–gotta go find some food.

CYA,

Clyde

WOW–Opportunity is EVERYWHERE . . . you just gotta look . . .

2010-09-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Park Scholars, Part one . . .

Ok . . . I just participated in a video conference with several of my friends, a couple of counselors and the nice people from the Park Scholars Program at North Carolina State.

There are so many great schools and scholarships, the hard part is really matching your wants and needs with colleges that will be a good fit for YOU! I thought I’d share some of the details of the Park Program with you.

Mr. Roy Park, a 1931 grad of North Carolina State, and a guy who made buckets of money in several areas–cake mixes to communications, was grateful for his NCSU education. So . . . he endowed the amazing Park Scholars program that is far more than a scholarship program. It really is a living/learning experience designed to take the best and brightest from all over, give them a quality learning experience, and provide them with first-class mentoring. Myron Burney from the NCSU admissions office and Holley Nichols,
the Assistant Director of the Park Program, were our video conference presenters.

The $ current value of Park scholarship award is more than $135,000. This award is far more than money–it is an investment in the future of the students who win the award. Park Scholars get amazing internships and are partnered with faculty mentors who follow students for their time at the university. Park students have two retreats–first as freshmen they participate in a retreat in North Carolina. As seniors, they get to select a national park for their retreat (last year they went to the Grand Canyon and this year they are going to Rocky Mountain National Park). These students can apply for travel grants to study all sorts of things–volcanoes to Italian Renaissance art, medical research to a semester abroad, etc. These students have group problem-solving experiences that make them well-suited to corporate, government, and nonprofit careers where team work is so critical to success of the endeavors.

Next time, I’ll fill you in on how to get one of these remarkable scholarships.

L8R,
Clyde

A’s and Ice Cream...

2010-09-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

At my school, the first day of school is a half day with an ice-cream party to send us home. We have sprinkles and everything. How cool is that? The headmaster at my school tells all the students that everyone has A’s–the goal is to keep them.

Think about it. No matter whether you are a high school freshman or a college freshman, you begin each school year with a clean slate and the potential to be very successful. That’s a lot to paw over...

Now...if I could only find some more of that ice cream.

L8R,
Clyde

Heads UP Freshmen!

2010-09-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

You might feel like the youngest chicken in school…

Anyone ever tell you that your freshman year is just to get you adjusted to the demands of high school and start you on your travels to adulthood? Well, they are partly right in telling you that. However, freshman year is the foundation of the rest of your life–academically, personally, socially. What will you make of yourself? How will you set yourself apart? What course will you plot to achieve the dreams you have? Make the most of these opportunities. Think about how your freshman year is a foundation–a springboard to your future. (note: solid trumps quick sand every time!)

F When you begin high school, you have an empty building lot. Work on the foundation to your future–in the classroom, in extracurriculars and in the community. To have the most options when you graduate, be careful how you set your foundation.

O Be open to the possibilities. Never been in a play before? So what–try! Consider a service organization. Use every opportunity–they only come around once.

U Lots of people–adults, older students, siblings, peers will have underexpectations for you. Out performing the underexpectations of others should be your mantra–be the best YOU that you can be.

N Look for new and exciting opportunities.

D Daily commitments matter. Goals are achieved by working toward them on a daily basis.

A Attitude matters. My counselor has a favorite Lou Holtz quote: Ability is what you’re capable of; Motivation determines what you do; Attitude determines how well you do it.

T Take time to enjoy what you are doing. High school should be fun. Yes, it is work–it is really your JOB right now to get the best education that you can. Maximize those opportunities!

I I wish I had . . . Don’t let this be you. Believe it or not, high school will fly by–ask a senior. While it is good to assess where you have been, you don’t want to look back as you graduate and realize that you haven’t made the most of your opportunities.

O Only you can set your future into motion. You must act on the opportunities. The parade can and will pass you by if you don’t!

N Never give up. You might have to change course–flexibility is important to success, but shoot for the stars. Make a plan, alter it when necessary, and keep the forward motion going.

Even if you are just starting out –you need to realize that your future begins TODAY!

L8R,
Clyde

Believe it or Not…

2010-09-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hi, I’m Clyde’s friend Ripley. You might think I don’t look like the kind
of friend Clyde would have, seeing as I’m only about six inches tall (eight
when I arch my back) and of the feline persuasion, but let me assure you
that Clyde and I are steadfast friends.

I’m a new senior this year, just starting the whole terrifying process of
applying for colleges. Don’t get me wrong; I’m very excited about being a
senior. But the year’s already exhausting. I mean, with all these
ridiculously hard classes and tests and homework every night, it’s hard to
get the energy to do any more work. And the weekends, too! I mean, can’t a
cat just take a nap? I thought senior year was supposed to be easy. It’s
all so overwhelming. But I can’t stop now. If I want to be competitive and
look good on paper, I have to keep it up.

But it’s not just the hard work that has me nervous. It’s the decisions. The
Big Decision. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I think the best tactic is
to just take things as they come. Right now it’s just gathering my list and
applying.

Well, I think I need to go now before I stress myself out too much.

L8R,
Ripley

Back by Pawpular Demand . . .

2010-09-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

OK—technically I graduated (well…let’s say I participated in graduation as I do every year.)

When I left you in June, I was mulling what I’d be doing this year. The verdict is in. I’m hanging around my school, seeing where I can find information to share with high school students as they navigate their way to the futures of their dreams. I’m gonna help you turn over stones and see opportunities behind every rock.☺.

By the way, I also had a traumatic experience this summer. I was minding my own business—simply on an outing in the water with my humans, and BAM…I was bitten by an alligator.My gap year will be dedicated to helping you find your way—wherever you are in the high school to college journey.

Follow me and some of my friends and I’ll bet you’ll learn some things as we make our own pawprints☺☺☺!

Woof,
Clyde

We Made It!

2010-06-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe summer vacation is finally here. This time of the year is always a little bittersweet, bringing the freedom of the season (no more midnight cram sessions…no more 6:00 am wake-up calls to make it to homeroom in time – woohoo!), but also the making us a little sentimental as we watch our friends in the senior class graduate and move on. And, no more students to mooch pizza from at lunch! But…there are so many things to do and explore—I could career shadow, volunteer, read all the stuff I’ve wanted to during the year.

This year has been particularly momentous for me, as I’ve enjoyed having you tag along on my weekly discoveries and musings. I’ve enjoyed your company and hope my stories and advice have proven helpful as you pursue your own adventures.

Although I was all set to graduate this spring, something tells me I still have some unfinished business to take care of at home. I think I’ll mull all my options for next year—pawing into each possibility, maybe even sticking around for awhile.

Have an awesome summer.

Woof,

Clyde

It’s never too early...

2010-06-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

To rising freshmen and sophomores, you may think you have all the time in the world to think about your future, but as my senior pals have told me – high school flies by pretty fast. One minute you’re walking in the door as a freshman, the next minute you’re walking across a stage receiving your diploma.

If you want to get to graduation in a few years with no regrets, take a few tips from my friends:

* actually care about your freshman and sophomore years
* enjoy every moment – it goes fast
* high school only gets harder – it’s easier to start strong than try to play catch up
* be yourself – no matter what
* don’t worry about the seniors – they aren’t as big and bad as you think
* don’t sign up for everything that looks like fun – you’ll be overwhelmed – pick a few clubs and commit to them…soccer? Chess? Service club?
* write down all your activities so you’ll have them when you need to write up your resume
* high school isn’t bad if you pay attention in class
* never say you’re ready for it to be over because it will be some of the best years of your life
* every semester matters – but enjoy every minute

I can’t believe summer vacation is almost upon us, and it’s far too quite around here.I’m going to take that last tip and go round up my friends…see if they’ll join me in the water. The summer, like high school, will be over in a flash. I’d better soak up every second. Who knows what ?????? August will bring?

Woof,

Cyde

Before you strut your stuff…

2010-06-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

To all you rising seniors out there: As you watch your friends graduate this year, you’re probably faced with mixed emotions – you’re sad to see your buddies go, but you can’t help but feel just the tiniest bit superior – you have FINALLY made it to the top of the totem pole! But before you get too wrapped up in how you are going to rule the school, don’t forget that there is more to your senior year than getting that prime parking space, being first in line at the lunch counter, mmmm, chicken nuggets, and, of course, wining the spirit contest at every pep rally. Your year ahead will be one of fun and excitement, for sure, but it will be also about buckling down and preparing yourself for that next step – your future. Heed a little advice from the seniors from my school:

• Don’t procrastinate
• Try to have fun your senior year – take part in bonding with the senior class – you won’t regret it
• Always give yourself choices because you don’t know what can happen during senior year
• Pick the school where you feel most comfortable
• Look at more than one college and visit as many as you can
• Don’t be afraid to open your eyes to new places – branch out and be different
• Send everything in on time
• Find a college that you can call home and remember that what you get out of school depends on what you put in it
• Keep it simple
• Don’t worry too much about it

All that being said, have fun this summer, and get ready for your year at the top.

Woof,

Clyde

Got 9 Lives?

2010-05-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

I don’t think so. If you did, you could do high school over again–in the classroom and in your extracurriculars. Since you can’t, you do need to know that if you are a rising freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, you’ve got time. R E A L L Y, you have a better shot at fixing things now than you ever will have again. That’s a great thing about high school and college–when you start either, you have a clean slate. My counselor reminds students that they get as much out of the high school or college experience as they put in it–so . . . inve$t in yourself.

Funny thing–my counselor also notes that if graduating seniors take their own advice, they’ll do really well in college–in and out of the classroom–and in life after college. So . . . don’t be up a tree like my friend here. No matter where you are on the school scale–take heed of these words of wisdom from the Class of 2010☺!

If I could go through high school again, I’d:

be more involved
work harder and enjoy more things
take harder classes
stress less
not change a thing
actually make more of an effort in the classroom and in activities
review more for classes
focus on clubs and activities I was passionate about
realize grades in my freshman and sophomore years mattered
dedicate more time to learning
try to reach out to others and try to develop more friendships
try to hang out with friends more
Take it SLOWLY and not wish it away–it’s only four years

Graduation is almost here. Where will you be when you graduate from high school–accomplished or wishing for a do over? The choices are up to you–go out and make your mark. Give it everything you’ve got.

Woof,

Clyde

College Selection: Advice for those in the Passenger’s Seat

2010-05-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Ever wish you could remind a parent that you, not the parent, are the one going to college? Just remember...raising parents is hard work. Is your parental type one of those swirling helicopter types, one of those hands-off types or one of the many parents that fall in between those two extremes?

You’re in luck☺! Because my counselor asks graduating seniors to provide words of wisdom on lots of topics, some of my graduating senior buds have advice for you to share with your parents when it’s your time to apply to college. Here goes, straight from my earsto you–use as you see fit:

* let your students choose, but help them stay organized

* don’t freak out–it only adds more pressure on your student–your student will find college choices that fit

* don’t do the paperwork for your student

* provide your student with a checklist to make sure everything gets done on time

* listen to your student

* go visit colleges with your student

* help make sure that the colleges on the list fit your student’s needs

* start with a big list...but narrow it down

* help your student weed out college choices by making a pros/cons list

* try not to suffocate your student

* be helpful and supportive, not controlling and demanding

* encourage your student not to procrastinate –timing matters

* you won’t accomplish anything by panicking

* keep an open mind

* encourage your rising senior to write essays the summer before senior year

* remember...your student will be at college by themselves

* talk to your student about your ability/willingness to aid with college costs

* support your student’s decision

* your senior really does care about what you have to say

FYI, my counselor says DO NOT THROW DARTS. She says the best approach is, after research, to make a reasonable vertical list, visit as many choices as you can, talk with college reps (and alums and parents of alums and students at the college from your school and college fair folks, and–you get the picture–anyone and everyone who can offer insight),do the paperwork in a timely fashion, apply for aid/scholarship/housing/orientation, make a decision, pay your deposit, and don’t second guess yourself .

L8R,

Clyde

No Time to Blog, I’ve Got to STUDY!!!!!!!

2010-05-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

Seniors – If you haven’t finished your exams already, keep studying! While you may have already MENTALLY graduated, don’t blow your future because you just don’t feel like you can take one more test. Don’t forget – colleges can (and DO) retract their offers.

Juniors – Your final grades this semester are of vital importance as colleges are going to be looking at how well you do this year as an indicator of whether or not you’ll make a good fit on their campuses. Junior year grades are the last ones they’ll see when you submit applications!

Sophomores – Study hard! You’re two-thirds of the way there to making your academic impression on the colleges you’ll be applying to in another 18 months.

Freshmen – You may feel like you have plenty of time to catch up just in case you don’t do too hot on your finals this semester – but that is not the case! Your grades now can make a big impact on your GPA. The lower you start, the harder it is to bring it up.

With that advice in mind – Good Luck!!!! We’re almost there, friends, and I’m taking that last lap with you. I’ll see you at the finish line!

Woof,

Clyde

Wake Up, Lazy Bones!

2010-05-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, each and every one of you is counting the days until graduation, the last day of school, summer vacation, your trip out of town – whatever the case may be – I have a strong sense that I’m not the only one around here with a case of senior/junior/SUMMER…make that school – itis!

While the warm afternoons and pending end-of-the-school-year activities may make it hard to concentrate on that chemistry final, don’t spend your last few days or weeks daydreaming your classes away…or you might wake up to a nightmare!

Take the advice of some of my two-legged siblings – don’t forget to balance, balance, balance!

Take a study break and call your BFF to discuss hash out who was sent home last night on American Idol.

Put your Shakespeare down and go meet a friend for a latte – you’ll get a little R&R AND a caffeine boost.

Unearth yourself from the mountain of notes you have covered yourself with, and go hang out with your family for a little while – play a game or watch a movie.

The key is to take small breaks as you go along that will help get you to the finish line without calling for the medics! Don’t burn yourself out…but don’t drop all of your responsibilities to party like a rock star either. You’re almost there…stay focused, stay balanced, and then, in the words of Kool and the Gang, (Never heard of them? Go ask your parental units) you can CELEBRATE!

Woof,

Clyde

Chew On This, The Vet School Path Part II

2010-05-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

A snack . . . a nap . . . sunshine under a palm tree –that is living. But, I digress . . . back to what I learned about being a vet.

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what? Just like for medical school, if you want to go to Veterinary School, you can major in anything. I mean . . . you could be a music major and go to Vet school. Most people don’t do it that way, but . . . what a concept! To be successful in vet school, you will need specific courses. Being admitted is all about being prepared–both with classroom expertise and job shadowing/work experience in the field. It is also about having the right people skills for the job. Some vet schools will admit students as undergrads, as long as they have the appropriate coursework and experiences, while others require an undergrad degree. There are only 28 AAVMC (American Association of Veterinary Medical College) vet schools in the U.S.–not even one per state. Vet schools are looking for the qualified and committed. An electronic application is used by 25 of the 28 vet schools (Tufts, Tuskegee and Texas A&M are not part of the electronic application consortium). The average vet school applicant, according to Dr. A, applies to four vet schools. Since not every state has a vet school, vet schools contract with states without vet schools to enroll students from those states. Auburn, for example, contracts with Kentucky and West Virginia to admit candidates from those states. While some vet programs, like some med school programs, have a fast track/early admit, Auburn does not. Students should not get the idea that an undergraduate degree from the school where a vet school is located is an automatic plus in the vet school admissions process. It isn’t.

HA–here is some good news☺. Vet schools don’t look at your high school transcript. Your college science classes, your GPA, your science/math GPA and your out-of-class college experiences will matter. Don’t smile too quickly. That high school coursework is what sets you up to succeed in the tough classes you need as a pre-veterinary student. You need lots of chemistry– regular, bio and organic. You also need to be grounded in physics and animal nutrition. Success in those college classes will be tough if you aren’t prepared for them in high school. NOTE TO SELF AND FRIENDS: pay close attention in class in high school, do your homework, and take the toughest classes you can. One of your letters of recommendation for vet school generally must come from a vet.

Another thing Dr. A noted was, although vet school admissions is competitive, once students make it into vet school, most of them graduate!

A question was asked regarding what the biggest adjustments are that a vet school student faces:

• The first year is rough–30-35 hours a week of class time with no real control of your schedule. You can no longer opt out of 8 A.M. classes. Lots of out-of-class study time is required. Our cohort of students is smaller and more homogenous than that of your undergraduate cohort.

• There are a LOT of lectures during your first year.

• There are a lot of case study reviews your first three years.

• Demands on you and your time will be hard, but you will bond with your classmates and form strong relationships because you go through a lot together as a group.

Dr. A noted that technology is playing an increasing role in veterinary studies. A tablet PC is required. Research is interactive globally–much like the video conference I participated in. Technology also allows professors to record and post lectures so that if a student is ill or has a family crisis, makeup work is more possible than it was in the lecture-only modus operandi.

Wow . . . that is a lot of information to chew on. I have a new friend–he is so new that technically he is being called Nameless. I think I’ll have a chat with him about how you become a vet.

TTYL8R,

Clyde

Career Info–byte by byte, in real time with a pro . . .

2010-05-10T06:53:00.000-07:00

OK . . . I decided I like this videoconferencing thing. Today I went with students at my school to a video conference with Dr. Donna Angarano, who is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. By the way, Dr. Angarano is a veterinary dermatologist. Imagine that! I didn’t even know there was such a career option. How cool is that? I am, after all, a dog . . . so it is time I found out how my doctor got trained.

With me during the conference were freshmen, sophomores and juniors from my school as well as a couple of classroom teachers. Here is what we found out about becoming a vet.

• Who exactly is a vet? A vet, according to Dr. A, is a biomedical scientist with a plethora of career options. In fact, there are about 75,000 practicing vets in the U.S. and they all work in areas that relate to both animal and human health. She noted that we could think of a vet as a doctor whose practice is not limited to one species. She also noted how important people skills were to vets. After all, most animals don’t show up at a vet’s office on their own! Clients–those human types–bring animals to the vets. Vets also frequently have to work as team members–while training, in running an office or practice, and/or in conducting research, etc.

• Dr. A also talked about the need for vets to learn wisdom–how to use knowledge to solve problems–how to internalize facts so as to have a breadth and depth of understanding based on those facts. Being a vet is far more than being able to name bones, identify animals and give vaccinations.

Some vet schools track students into large or small animal paths. Auburn does not. In vet school, as a senior, a student would participate in clinical rotations. Although about 80% of vet school grads go into private practice, there are tons of other possibilities for vet grads to pursue. Biomedical research is an option. Working for the FDA is an option as is working for the military. Vets can also be teachers. Vets can specialize by discipline too. Just about every field you can practice in medicine on humans is also available to vets as a specialization. You can be, for an example, a vet anesthesiologist, oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, dermatologist (like Dr. A☺☺☺), or a parasitologist, etc. You can even specialize in veterinary physical therapy, rehab or holistic medicine. All the meat we eat in the U.S. is certified by USDA vets. Vets can also be involved in public health practices–especially in relation to terrorist threats to water and food supplies. When U.S. troops are deployed all over the world, vets are involved in assuring water and food quality as well as controlling infectious diseases. Dr. A noted that Lab Animal Health is probably the highest paying career option for vet school grads.

Hmmmmmmmm . . . the thought of steak gave me an idea . . . it’s pizza on the porch day. I’m going to get some of that pizza—maybe with USDA certified pepperoni. More to come on vet school.

L8R,

Clyde

Getting where you want to go . . .

2010-05-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

Ok . . . this is tails of college and career planning, so I thought I should spend some time investigating ways to get career information. Before I do that, however, my counselor noted many of the job titles and careers that high school students will have when they graduate from college, might not even exist by title yet . . . WOW . . . that is amazing.

Getting information about college majors, careers, and the job market, is easier today than it ever has been. In fact, there is so much information available, sorting through all of it might be the hardest part!

Have you investigated information sources at your own high school? Last week I went to a career video conference with about 30 of my schoolmates. It was awesome! Without leaving their university, the Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Alabama, Chuck Karr, and one of his assistants, Dean Whitaker, beamed right into the computer lab at my school for a talk about what engineering is and what it isn’t. In a couple of weeks I’m going to a video conference on veterinary school. And, my school hopes to hold a medical school admission information session for high school students. Virtual field trips are where it’s at! I can find out about areas of interest from real pros in the fields without ever leaving my campus. While this isn’t the only way to get career information, the students watching with me loved the experience.

All this makes me think about what jobs are really like. Next time I’ll share some of the information I learned about engineering. Right now, I gotta go see a man about a bone.

Woof,

Clyde

Eureka!

2010-04-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

May 1—A.K.A. Candidate’s Reply Date for those of you who don’t know. All those seniors in high school out there who have been waiting for their turn to finalize college plans for the fall—your time is NOW. Make sure you deposit at only one college. Write every once else who accepted you and/or offered you scholarship money and say: “Thank you for your offer of admission/scholarship/financial aid (select all that apply). However, I will be attending another college in the fall.” This allows schools with wait lists and/or those who re-award scholarships to move down their lists. You saying no to a school might actually be the way that a wait listed student gets into his or her first-choice school!☺ If you are a senior, make like my friend Simba and hop to making that deposit.

By the way, this may surprise you. The colleges you say no to actually may send you zillion page questionnaires asking why you didn’t select them! How’s that for a switch? After you sweated whether you’d get in, they now want to know why they lost you as a student!

Next week—back to some more career information.

L8R,
Clyde

Career Information Smorgasbord . . .

2010-04-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Yep–career information is at your fingertips. The web is full of ways to find out about careers. But . . . did you realize there actually might be good career info in your house? In your school? In your community? Career information is all around you. It’s up to you to open your eyes and find it.

• Ask your parent(s) about their career choices. Can you spend a day job shadowing them? What do they like/dislike about their jobs/careers? What do they wish they had done differently?

• How about aunts, uncles, older siblings, grandparents, next-door neighbors? Could you ask them about their work settings? Max, now retired, lives next door to me. He spent his entire career in law enforcement. I have talked with him several times about all aspects of law enforcement as a way to get career choice. Ishmael is in training for the Iditarod. After talking with him, I’m sure I don’t want to do that—really hard work, cold. Give me the palm trees and the sunshine☺! Nala and Simba are already in training at Energizer Bunny School—they could be a good source of information. However, I really don’t have the ears for that job and I already now I have no musical talent (base drum not a good idea).

• Does your school host a Career Day or have video conferences regarding different careers? If it does either, do you know how to sign up for these experiences?

• Does your community have a formal job shadowing program? Mine does. It’s called STEP (Summer Training and Exploration Program), but you have to apply to be part of it. What are you waiting for? Get into your counselor’s office and see if there is a similar program in your city.

• Are there other ways to try out certain fields before you leave high school? When I went to the video conference on engineering, I found out that the university making the presentation hosts a summer program for rising juniors and seniors who think they might be interested in engineering. It’s called SITE (Student Introduction to Engineering) and it’s only a week in the summer.

My counselor says there are all sorts of short-term, summer programs for students to try out fields like architecture, medicine and business, etc. It’s up to you to see if these programs are hosted in your community and/or by colleges and universities in your area. What are you waiting for?

Woof,

Clyde

Accepted Student Visit Tips . . . more roses to smell, part 2

2010-04-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

Note from Clyde: More tips from my friend who has just returned from a highly selective college for her accepted students visit . . .

7. Often accepted students weekends will have an activities fair. Make sure to stop by, even if it seems a little boring. It is a way to see what clubs or organizations you will be able to get involved with one you arrive on campus in the fall.

6. When on campus, do as the students do! Check out events happening on campus if you have the time; see what your options are outside of the classroom.

5. Introduce yourself to other accepted students; don't be shy. Many people that you meet at an accepted students weekend are potential classmates, roommates, or even best friends!

4. Visit a class that interests you. You don't need to take notes, but learning is what you are coming to college for after all . . .

3. You will be given the opportunity to meet many actual students during the weekend. Talk to them! Their advice could be very valuable for your decision making.

2. Ask questions that will actually affect your decision. You've already been accepted; this is your last chance to find out if the college is truly the best fit for you.

1. Have fun, be yourself, and keep an open mind! Although this is one of the more important decisions you will make in your life, there's no need to get too serious! You will only be able to gain insight from the accepted students weekend if you keep your mind open and truly imagine what it would be like to enroll as a freshman in the fall.

That’s a lot to digest. I think I’ll go find a palm tree and mull all of this information over.

Woof,

Clyde

Time to smell the roses...taking full advantage of the accepted student visit, part 1

2010-04-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

Note from Clyde: One of my friends, a senior, just came back from her accepted student visit. I asked her for suggestions to give you and here are her comments:

For some, an accepted student weekend on a college campus may seem like a pointless venture, especially if you have already been through the traditional campus tour and student information session. However, an accepted student weekend can be extremely important for one simple reason: the campus is a vastly different place for the potential student than it is for the prospective applicant. Upon setting foot on campus, the accepted student encounters a peculiar sense of entitlement that is impossible for the pre-application process student to feel. While the entire application process has been about showing the college why it should choose a particular student, the accepted student weekend finally reverses the role, providing an opportunity for undecided high school seniors to be told why they should choose this college. While the accepted student weekend is extremely beneficial for an undecided student (or even a student who has made his or her decision but wants to learn more about the school), it is only a few days spent at an institution where the student may or may not be spending the next four years; you must try to reap the most from this limited time spent on campus.

Here are ten tips for making the most out of an accepted student visit:

10. Eat in the dining hall, if possible. College food can range from extremely enticing gourmet cuisine to unidentifiable mush. Whatever it is, it could make up many of your meals for the next four years!

9. Stay in a freshman residence hall if the option is available. Dorms can also range in quality, but no matter how large or small, or the location of the bathrooms, they will certainly be different from your bedroom at home and it is beneficial to get the experience of living in one.

8. Visit the library. While sometimes it is not shown on the campus tour, it is a place where you will be spending a lot of your time for the next four years, whether you like it or not.

Stay tuned for part two later this week. I feel the urge to go get a snack–did I mention I like food? I think a brownie is in order☺!

L8R,

Clyde

Congratulations . . .

2010-04-16T07:03:00.000-07:00

Fireworks in your e-mail? Big, fat envelopes in the mailbox?
Congratulations . . . but . . . Your job isn't over!

* Once those envelopes roll in - they demand a response. Make a decision. Write every place that offered you a spot on a wait list and/or every place that offered you admissions and remove yourself from each place that isn't getting a yes from you (wait listed/accepted).

* Yep - it is spring . . . my paws simply want to walk in the sand and I want to soak up the rays. However . . . my brain can't stay at its spring break location and neither can yours. There is work to be done. Seniors have to finish the school year in a manner commensurate with the level of performance they had at the time they were conditionally accepted. You read that correctly. All acceptances are conditional - read the fine print. Get in trouble academically or in terms of behavior and you can find your admissions offer rescinded.

* Make sure your financial aid/scholarship papers are in order. If there are any last-minute scholarship opportunities out there - jump on them.

* Make sure your housing arrangements and meal plans for the fall are in order.

* Fill out the paperwork to send your final transcript to the college of your choice.

* Need a final transcript for the NCAA or a scholarship program? Your school can't send these if you don't request them.

* Sign up for and attend orientation sessions.

Many colleges now have special programs for accepted students - April events that let you see who else got in and what your classmates might be like (vs. the hoards of students and adults you toured campuses with earlier in the school year). If you can, take advantage of these programs at your top two choices before you have to submit a deposit by May 1. Later, I'll have some suggestions for these accepted student programs from one of my classmates soon.

Remember: you only deposit at once place . . . let me repeat that: you only deposit at one place.

Time for a nap.

Woof,

Clyde

Decisi☹ns, Decisions, Decisi☺ns . . . Rejected, Wait listed, Accepted . . .

2010-04-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of the year . . . thin envelopes, fat envelopes, fireworks in the e-mail . . . notes about how large the applicant pool was, how amazing the applicants were, how hard it was to select . . . yeah . . . yeah . . . yeah . . .

If you are having trouble making sense of the admissions decisions, join a growing crowd. It is an irrational process. My counselor says it is further complicated by students who throw too many college application darts. At my school, by the middle of December 2009, each senior had, on average, applied to more than three and less than four colleges. Juniors out there–listen up!

When it is time for you to apply to colleges: Make a vertical list; select a reasonable number of places to apply to; make sure anywhere you apply is somewhere you’d be happy to attend.

Seniors, let’s talk about those decisions.

• Some students have known where they are going for months. Schools that offer rolling admissions and students who have them as first-choice colleges are simply waiting for the big package of enrollment materials to hit their mail box.

• While the media will center on the admission status at highly selective schools, remember that nearly 7 out of 10 college applications get a YES, we’d love to have you join us in the fall of 2010 reply.

• Rejected? Hey, did you know Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha, one of the richest, smartest men in the world was rejected by Harvard? He attended the University of Nebraska. Dust yourself off. Select a college option. Apply yourself with vigor and do the best you can– in and out of the classroom!

• Wait listed? Repeat after me: Wait listed isn’t a NO! The first rule of wait lists is: remove yourself from the wait list if you are no longer interested in the school. Remaining on a wait list at a school you are no longer interested in–just to see if you can get in–is bad for everyone. The second rule of wait lists: stay on the wait list ONLY if the wait list school remains equal as a first choice. The third rule of wait lists: proceed deliberately but cautiously. Deposit by May 1 at the current best option. Banking on a wait list school to come through isn’t prudent. Having said that, if you want to remain on the wait list, it is critical to notify the college offering you the spot. Additionally, rack your brain–are there any achievements or awards, accomplishments or accolades which you have racked up since the seventh semester transcript was submitted? Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro blindfolded? Established an award-winning literary magazine? Been published in The New Yorker? Won the Intel Science Competition? Earned a qualifying score in the National Biology Olympiad? Making the honor roll isn’t what colleges are looking for–think bigger. Get statistics about the wait lists from previous years–number on, number admitted, procedure for selecting from the wait list.

• Accepted? Job isn’t over . . . stay tuned . . . I feel the urge for a snack.

L8R,

Clyde

Water is Waiting...Surf’s Up!!!!!!

2010-04-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

No advice, no helpful tips and no reminders from me this week!!!!!!

I’ll make this short and sweet. The weather’s warm and the water’s calling my name.

It’s Spring Break, dude! Grab your sand bucket and go out and enjoy yourself!!

Be safe. Be smart. And I’ll catch you next week.

Woof,

Clyde

It’s six o’clock…do you know where your boutonnière is?

2010-03-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

The semester’s halfway over and it’s that time of year – the time where we transform ourselves for the evening, get all dolled up, maybe splurge on a limo with our friends, enjoy a nice dinner, and then cruise on over to the main event: get ready, get set, welcome to your PROM!!!!!!

Girls: you’ve probably been planning for this night for weeks, if not months, or even years. You have your date, your dress, your do – your counting the days until your big night.

Guys: you probably haven’t spent quite as much time on all the details, so let me break it down into a few small, but vital, things to remember:
• Find out the color of your date’s dress so you can make sure her corsage doesn’t clash. Don’t know what a corsage is? Google it. Believe me, you don’t want to end up in the doghouse over this one. I’ve been told girls hang on to these forever.
• A tux is not something you can go out and rent an hour before showtime. PLAN AHEAD.
• Hate having your picture taken? Get over it.
• Don’t be late. Let me say it again: DON’T BE LATE.

Everybody: Have fun, but not too much fun. You know what I mean. You may feel like this is your first official night out as an adult, but don’t forget, not only are you not an adult yet, real adults are responsible. Don’t make choices that seem like no big deal, but that turn into consequences that affect the rest of your life. Prom night should be a night to remember, not one you wish you could forget. Comprende?

Better go make those dinner reservations and brush up on my bow tie skills. I may need a little help – it’s kind of difficult when you’re all paws.

Woof,

Clyde

Faux Paws of the campus visit—from another perspective

2010-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

OK...the counselor at my school, someone with experience in this arena, was indeed a college admissions representative…I asked her to give me some advice to share with you about what not to do on a campus visit—just in case you didn’t quite get it from the last musings on the subject☺☺

Here is Ms. Hembree’s take on visit sins:
• Pride: Walking around campus you get the sudden feeling you are better than every person/professor/class that you encounter. There is clearly not enough ivy on those bricks, the student union is outdated, what do you mean the rec center doesn't have a lazy river? Don't get so uppity about yourself that you miss an important opportunity!

• Gluttony: You hit the campus a little too hard! Every meal is “all you can eat” (and boy can you eat). You jam-pack visits to 14 classes into a one-hour session—not the best way to favorably impress a potential professor for next year, is it? And then after hours...you are seen hitting every party on frat row--this will not seem like such a good idea the next day. Actually, it probably won’t seem like a good idea at the time if you just stop for a minute and think about it.

• Envy: It seems everyone on campus got a brand new luxury car as a graduation gift, the "in" backpack is from Louis Vuitton or Prada, the girls all wear Jimmy Choos and the boys wear Armani. And you, you are wearing Chucks and a ratty t-shirt from your favorite band. Don't give in to status symbols and max out the emergency credit card (there is no such thing as a fashion emergency) in order to fit in with the "cool kids." There is a wide range of students on every campus; you will find you place if you give yourself and the campus time.

• Lust: Cute guys or girls playing frisbee on the quad smile at you and are super nice. Don't go to a school for the student "body."

• Anger: Your college visit turns into power struggle between you and your parents—a bad faux paw, a reallllly bad faux paw! Visiting campus while wearing red colored glasses is not the best way to get a good idea of what your next four years will be like. Take a deep breath, urge mom and dad to do the same and have your priority list figured out ahead of time (along with your itinerary)!

• Greed: You've worked hard in high school and now you want it all in college. Don't hog the time of your campus tour guide or the professor whose class you are sitting in on or the student life rep giving a presentation. Your questions will get answered, or you can always send an email or *gasp* snail mail to follow up.

• Sloth: Don't spend your entire visit lounging in the dining hall; don't sleep in until noon (see gluttony above); don't skip visiting classes just because you got invited to a flag football game (see lust); make the most of your visit because it may be the only one you get!

OK—all this talk about what to do and not do has definitely made me hungry—I’m going to go find a good snack.
TTYL8R,

Clyde

In a Tight Space...Can you say closet? Part II

2010-03-26T10:46:00.001-07:00

My little pal Luna gave us some great tips on starting off on the right paw with your roommate…let’s talk about a few more tips, because you never know whether your roommate will be a lot like you
or totally different.

They say in real estate it’s all about location, location, location. When living with a roommate, it’s all about communication, communication, communication.

1. Think (and speak) ahead. If you decide to room with someone you’ve never met before, get to know your roommate…before you get to school. Once you have been paired with your roommate, take the first step and e mail him/her, give him/her a call, friend him/her on Facebook. Make the effort to meet the person you’ll be spending the next year with, and it will make move in day and your entire first year that much easier. If you already know your roommate, start discussing room arrangements. Have you got a tv? Maybe he/she can bring a stereo. Start working on these details so you can get a better idea of what you’ll need to be packing up next fall (this is also a great way to determine what to request for graduation presents).

2. Make a contract. I know, I know, it sounds excessive, but it can work. And if you feel ridiculous putting it all in writing, at least have a verbal agreement on situations including the following: your policy on guests, are guests allowed to stay overnight? Are snacks and food to be shared, or do you each keep your own supply? Who cleans what? When does the tv go off at night? Believe me, it’s much easier to start off with these things in place, before you find yourself at semester break wondering how you’ll ever make it through the next four months listening to Michael Buble swoon you to sleep every night, or stepping over Leonard (a.k.a. The Third Wheel) every morning, who somehow has become a permanent fixture on your floor.

3. Speak now or forever hold your peace. Something about your rooming situation bothering you? Speak up! Maybe your roommate spilled his soda all over your laptop, maybe he and his noisy friends woke you up the night before a big exam, maybe he didn’t shower on that weekend camping trip and brought an entire community of fleas back to your room. Don’t let his shortcomings make your insides boil and leave you harboring resentment for nine months. Let him know what’s bothering you, talk about it and settle it. And if you’re not going to talk about it, then LET IT GO.

Transition can be tough, but it comes with the territory of living with someone new. Understand and accept that everything won’t go your way, that there will be hiccups along the road, that it all boils down to a little give and take…and that you can’t forget to COMMUNICATE!

Woof,

Clyde

Visit Faux Paws 2—after the snack ...

2010-03-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

Now that I’ve satisfied my palate and I’m resting comfortably,I’ll continue with Ashley’s advice—what not to do when visiting a college! (Ashley Z. Frohock, Assistant Director of Admission,Birmingham-Southern College)

4. Don't let your parents ask all the questions. It is going to be your college and you need to take ownership of the visit process.

5. Don't show up without any questions or without an idea of what you want to get out of the visit. See #4.

6. Don't try to be someone you aren't - admission staff want to know who you are and what you will bring, both in and out of the classroom, to the campus setting.

7. Don't ask at the last minute to spend the night, attend a class, meet with a professor, etc. These are all great things to do and should be planned in advance for the best visit.

8. Don't leave without getting your admission counselor's business card. You'll want to keep that contact information for later.

9. Don't forget to make notes while you are there and afterward. After a few college visits, they can start to look and sound the same. Keeping notes helps you make sure that you remember what you liked and what you didn't like about each place.

10. Don't get so overwhelmed that you don't enjoy the process. Take it seriously, but have fun too.

Think I’ll go talk over these faux paws with my school counselor!

Woof,

Clyde

In a Tight Space... Can you say closet?

2010-03-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

So, if you are a graduating senior, we’ve discussed roommates, and researching options for meals, but now it’s time to think about them together…are you going to share those fries with your roomie?

Picture yourself five months from now. The room in your residence hall is no bigger (and probably even smaller) than the room you have all to yourself right now. Have you ever even shared a room? Add to that room an extra bed, an extra desk, an extra dresser, possibly a sink and a mini-fridge…you’re probably wondering where your FEET are going to go, much less all of your stuff! Whooooaaaaa…wait a minute – it won’t be just YOUR stuff you’re cramming in – half of that leftover space belongs to the person you’ll be spending the next two semesters (or more) with.

Sound like a rrrrruff set-up? It doesn’t have to be. I talked to my pal Luna and she’s got a great plan worked out for herself and her roommate next year. Here’s what she suggests for a successful situation in a small space:

1. First and foremost, make sure YOU—not a parent—completes the housing questionnaire!

2. Once you’ve moved in, your top priority? BE RESPECTFUL! Remember that it’s just as hard for your roommate to adjust to your quirks and behaviors as it is for you to adjust to his. Remember the Golden Rule, and you’re off to a great start.

3. Don’t BORROW your roommate’s things without permission! What if you reached for your lucky t-shirt before heading off to an exam, only to find out he had helped himself to it that morning? Stay out of his Pringles can (or backpack, or closet, or desk drawer) unless you’ve asked him first.

4. Keep your roommate’s private business to yourself! In a small space, you’re more than likely going to overhear your roommate’s phone calls, conversations, and you may even happen upon that exam he failed. Keep it in the room!! It could just as easily be you who accidentally leaves a private e-mail up on your laptop while you step away. Do you want him sharing that information when he inadvertently glances at your screen?

4. Keep it CLEAN! Pick up after yourself! Your laundry and your language should be kept in check – ESPECIALLY in the beginning. It goes back to respect. Once you’ve had a chance to get to know each other and it turns out that a foul mouth and foul clothes hamper are two things you have in common – then you’ll have a better idea of your boundaries…although I wouldn’t anticipate many guests dropping by under either circumstance.

5. Quiet TRUMPS Noise!!! What do I mean? Your room is going to be your haven for many activities – tv-watching, Internet-surfing, snacking, and most importantly, SLEEPING and STUDYING! Now, you may want to celebrate the exam you just aced by cranking up Beyonce’s latest on your stereo and doing the happy dance, but if your roommate’s still studying (or napping) take your celebration somewhere else for a while.

Luna’s got even more great tips I’ll share with you later.

Woof,

Clyde

Faux Paws of the campus visit.

2010-03-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Remember that while the whole point of a college visit is to get a true feel of what it is like to be a student on campus, YOU ARE A GUEST OF THE SCHOOL. Just as the school is making an impression on you, you are making paw prints on the memory banks of every single person you come into contact with. Your enrollment counselor, your tour guide, the professor of a class you visit, the current students...make an impact that leaves them all hoping to see you again in the fall, not asking how soon will this character leave campus! Just because you see a student show up to class in his pajamas and snooze through the lecture does not mean you are at liberty to do the same on your visit. Dressing like an already enrolled student is not the kind of paw print you want to leave!

Remember—this is about assessing the fit between you and the college. You have spent the past few months, make that the past few YEARS, make that your entire life since kindergarten, making the best grades you can, participating in numerous leadership activities, lettering in your high school sports, all so you can have a perfectly polished and shining background on which to base your college applications. You should be very proud of what you've accomplished. However, you do not need to tell everyone you meet on campus how wonderful you are. The admissions office may have already seen your application, maybe the professors have been told of your essay wins and your stellar test scores, but I assure you that the other current students really, REALLY, don't want to hear about the speech you gave to your hometown's Rotary Club in which you were given a standing ovation. This is not the time to brag, this is the time to find out if your strengths are a good fit for this environment. Do it, but do it in a non-grandiose fashion.

So . . . everybody . . . I mean everybody . . . tells you what to do while you are on a campus visit. There are books written on the subject. But, you can make some humungous mistakes while you are on campus too. My friend, the Assistant Director of Admission at Birmingham Southern College, Ashley Frohock, was willing to share some of her caveats for campus visitors:

1. Don't show up late to your appointment. (But, don't show up too early either. Five minutes early is good, fifty minutes early is not.)

2. Don't show up without making an appointment. The best campus visits require planning.

3. Don't assume everyone on campus is like your tour guide. Talk to other students and faculty - in the dining hall, on the sidewalk, in the library - you'll learn more about a place when you hear from different perspectives.

Hmmm…food for thought—speaking of food , I think I’ll paws, sneak through this door and go find a snack—more on this list next week!

Woof,
Clyde

What’s Cookin’? Meal Plan Options and Pitfalls

2010-03-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

So, it’s time to discuss one of my favorite topics – FOOD! In just a few months, if you’re moving away from home, you’re not going to get to take advantage of those home-cooked meals anymore…at least not on a daily basis. And since the likelihood of your throwing together a meal in the kitchen of your residence hall isn’t likely (unless you’re in culinary school, that is), you’ll probably be spending a lot of time hanging around your dining hall. Now’s the time to check out meal plans. Mmmmm, my mouth is watering already...

The first step? Find out what kind of plans your college offers, and in some instances requires, and think about your own eating habits to pick the one that’s right for you. Sound easy? It can be, as long as you are honest about how (and how MUCH) and when you really eat. Some plans offer a set number of meals per semester, which means you show up for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and eat as much as you want. Sounds good, right? But are you really going to get up every morning to eat before class, or would you be just as content with a PopTart you can store in your room? And what is your class schedule like? Do you have a 4-hour studio class in the middle of the day that would prevent you from making it over to the dining hall for lunch? Be realistic so you don’t wind up at the end of the semester with a lot of paid for, but uneaten, food. If there’s one thing worse than wasted food, it’s wasted MONEY spent on food. See if your school allows roll-over dining dollars—some places do. Other plans offer an option in which you pay for each meal on a pre-paid debit card until your balance has run out. Again, think about how much you REALLY eat and whether or not your balance will last until the end of the semester.

Secondly, know the dates the plans start and end AND research the hours of your dining hall and other dining venues. Getting to school a week early to move in and meet your roommate? What are you gonna do when your meal plan doesn’t start for another seven days? Plan on eating breakfast when you wake up every morning (ahem, every noon hour) to get to your afternoon classes? The dining staff just might turn that waffle iron off before you get there, buddy. It’s not like home where you can pop down to your kitchen in the middle of the night for slice of cold pizza or a bowl of ice cream (although some campuses do offer 24-hour coffee and snack bars).

Thirdly, find out what’s on the menu! Do you have a food allergy or other type of dietary restriction? Find out if dining services offers options and substitutions. Can’t bear the thought of eating in the cafeteria every day? See if your plans include meals from other on-campus joints that can offer everything from burgers and pizza to sushi and smoothies.

Lastly, prepare for the unexpected. What happens if you run up the balance on your meal card two months into the semester? What if your living arrangements change mid-semester and you wind up in an apartment where you decide to buy your own groceries, or you move into a fraternity house that has its own meal plan? Find out if you are bound to the meal plan you paid for, or if there is any penalty for canceling it.

Better go think about my own options...all-u-can-eat buffet??? My nose knows where to find it.

Woof,
Clyde

Don’t just rely on me–ask the experts about college visits!

2010-03-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Pointers from the pros can be a big help. Check out Making It Count’s college visit checklist. They also have a big list of tough questions to ask on campus visits.

And, believe it or not, colleges have a vested interest in you landing at a place that is a good match for you. They want satisfied students. Here is my friend Ashley Frohock, Assistant Director of Admission, Birmingham Southern College telling me why a campus visit is important.

Next time she is going to share some campus visit no-nos with me and I’ll pass them on to you.

Woof,
Clyde

Personal Space Maze

2010-03-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

For those of you graduating in the spring, March can be an exciting, exhausting, and exasperating month. Aside from the fact you’re getting closer and closer to graduation and all the celebration and hooplah that brings, you’re starting to hear back from the colleges you’ve applied to. And when that acceptance letter arrives, the next BIG question surfaces: WHO ARE YOU GOING TO ROOM WITH?????

That’s right, as you consider the classes you’ll register for, the organizations you’ll join, the major you’ll eventually declare, you need to determine just where you will call home and who you’ll be sharing all of these experiences with…or…you might even ponder the possibility of flying solo in your living space.

While the answer MIGHT seem easily apparent (of course I’ll room with my best friend…), take some time to weigh your options before jumping to what you think is the obvious choice. While sharing a 10x10 space with your nearest and dearest high school friend may seem fun at first, think about your lifestyle…think about your friend’s lifestyle. Is your early-to-bed, early-to-rise routine really compatible with your potential roommate’s pattern snoring the afternoons away and staying up until 3am to study?

Maybe you’re considering the potluck route. (I’m partial to potluck meals, but an evening meal is waaaaaaaaaaaaay different than a 24/7, entire school year roommate.) While rooming with someone from a completely different background, whose hometown is on the other end of the country (or even the opposite side of the globe), may initially seem daunting, the guys in the residence hall department really know what they’re doing. They spend a lot of time matching up people with similar behaviors, schedules and interests. And while the person you’re assigned as a roommate may not turn out to be the one you share your deepest and darkest secrets with, wouldn’t it be nice to know you won’t have to argue over the remote because you’re both religious viewers of “The Office” every Thursday night? Or that you’ll never have to worry about a 6 am alarm, because neither of you would ever THINK about scheduling a class before noon? On a 24/7 basis, little things may matter far more than you think.

And then there’s the option of choosing to NOT have a roommate. You may think you’d do better to have a room all to yourself so you can do your own thing on your own time. My friends have advised me of the following, though, when you’re a freshman (i.e. at the bottom of the totem pole) in a brand new world where you may be only one of 50,000 faces crossing the quad every day, it helps to have a buddy to help you feel not so quite alone. It can help to come back to a familiar face after class, especially when you’re just getting acclimated to campus. And who knows? This person may turn out to be a lifelong friend…

Bottom line: think about your habits, behaviors and schedule. How adaptable and flexible are you? Would you go ballistic if you opened the door to find 3-day old pizza boxes on the floor and an unidentified smell coming from your roommate’s laundry hamper? Do you have to have the TV on to fall asleep? Do you have to leave the light on to fall asleep?

Before I go on and on, never ever—I mean—NEVER EVER let your parents fill out your roommate questionnaire for you—it could be ugly, I mean realllllllly ugly.

I better go work on my own list of preferences and sniff out my options...
then I can get to the really serious stuff—meal plans!

Woof,

Clyde

What to do? What to do? College visit tips . . . Part 2

2010-03-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

• Talk to everyone you can on campus–not just the tour guides. Ask questions in the library. Are people helpful? Ask students who aren’t tour guides why they picked this school, what they like/dislike about it, and if they would choose this school again if they had to do it all over again. Ask about the worst and best things about campus life. What is the warmest/coldest/rainiest it gets here? My counselor recently visited a campus where it had been RAINY . . . passing a group of enrolled students, one of the guys yelled: “Don’t come to school here–it rains every day!” Realize that students can be frustrated with the weather. Cold and rain get old. Heat and humidity do too. Make sure to get a realistic view of campus life. It’s easy to get that fenced in feeling like my friend Dublin—or even, like Molly, feel like you are completely surrounded by snow,
if you aren’t accustomed to living in the tundra! By the way, life generally keeps right on going—classes and all, if you attend a school that regularly has snow!

• Talking to everyone means seeking out info from the adults on campus who are resources to you: admissions, financial aid/scholarships, residence life, career planning and placement. While learning is what you go to college for, you do have to get out and get a job one day…that is also a major reason you’re going to college, after all.

• Visit the student center–read the bulletin boards. What is going on?

• Ask students what life is like on campus on the weekends.

• If you are a senior returning for a visit, it is possible that you are on campus for an admitted student day–check out all those students who really could be in class with you next year–what kind of vibes are you getting?

• Remember the DANGER ZONE! Get your parents to tell you when you can make a visit and then YOU, yes Y O U, make all the arrangements for the visit with the admissions office. The more practice you get taking care of these things, the better. Your parents aren’t going to be there next year to contest a grade for you or to speak with your R.A. about roommate issues.

Woof,

Clyde

What to do? What to do? Put those paws on the road. College visit tips . . . Part 1

2010-02-26T09:26:00.000-08:00

OK–this is a shopping experience. Really! This is all about finding a place to study that, in and out of the classroom, fits your needs. Keep in mind that there are plenty of schools to choose from–the hard part is ending up with one choice. Go from a big list to a small list–that will help. When you are on campus or doing your research, be a first-class detective. You are going to live here 24/7. Don’t just aimlessly wander around campus “oohing” and “aahing” at the pretty buildings.

• Whenever possible, visit when classes are in session. I’m not saying you can never go during a college break time, but realize that the feel of campus is very different when students are not present. Summer visits can be screening visits–providing ways to determine if you might like to come back to this campus when classes are in session.

• Plan ahead! Colleges want notice that you are coming. They want your visit to be good.

• Go to class. In fact, go to several classes, if possible. This allows you to size up the professors and the students and see how you feel about working with both groups. (I like art—so visiting this class was a natural for me.)

• Eat the food–in the dining hall. Investigate meal plan options. Mom isn’t going to be there to cook for you. While you will indeed eat out now and then–pizza is, after all, a requirement for many college diets–eating out costs money and money is hard to come by for most college students. There are tons of places to spend it and never enough of it to go around.

• If the college permits it, spend the night in the residence hall. Leave the hotels to the parental types. Life styles in residence halls can vary dramatically from college to college. When you check out the options for housing, remember to ask to see a typical first-year room–not the not-a-thing-out-of-place model unit that many colleges have. Seeing where real students who are currently enrolled live is the best option–you see how rooms are arranged and how real students use the space assigned to them. Remember that residence hall options can arrange from the palatial why-would-anyone-ever-want-to-leave places to that variety that has you asking: isn’t this a broom closet?

• Check out the laundry facilities. Yep . . . you’ll have to do your own laundry in most cases. If you aren’t sure why, you better ask someone at home why you don’t wash everything in hot water and why you don’t wash the navy blues with the stark white items!

All this talk about laundry makes me tired. I need a nap in a nice comfy chair!

TTYL8R,

Clyde

I’ve got a fever…SPRING FEVER!

2010-02-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

First of all, to answer the question of inquiring minds, it did in fact SNOW ON THE BEACH!!! It was just a flurry, mind you, and it only lasted about five minutes. In fact, by the time I got my camera out to document this momentous occasion, it had turned into a nasty sleet and I had to run for shelter as my furry coat was getting soaked!!

But now, after too many weeks of cold and dreary weather down in my neck of the woods, it is beginning to feel like SPRING!! The sun is out, the daffodils are blooming, and my foster brothers and sisters are eagerly kicking off their boots and sliding on the flip-flops that had been gathering dust in their closets. Yes, the first hint of warm weather brings Frisbee games, driving with the windows rolled down, and SPRING FEVER!

Spring Fever – you know, when you walk outside to embrace the smell of green grass and clover and the sun is shining so bright it makes everything beneath it just glow and it makes you so happy you forget all of your worries…like the paper due tomorrow, the test you have on Friday, and second semester exams! All of your obligations seem to disappear as you trade your schoolwork in for a walk on the beach or a late-night excursion with your buddies because it’s been ages since you could open the sunroof and touch the stars. And who could possibly blame you for setting aside Madame Bovary to catch up on Lady Gaga as you soak up the latest tabloid news on your front porch swing? After all…where I live, it seems like SPRING!

Heed this warning, however: Don’t get BURNED or BLINDED by the sunshine!!!! What do I mean? It’s fine to enjoy the warmer temperatures, but don’t get so absorbed in the carefree mood the weather brings that you completely neglect your schoolwork, deadlines and other obligations. You know they call them beach BUMS for a reason. There CAN be too much of a good thing. Take a minute to tiptoe through the tulips, but take your books with you to absorb the best of both worlds. Those tests and papers don’t just magically float away like dandelion fluff.

Better go stock up on my sunscreen…and grab my backpack on the way. I have to get back to work and give you some more information about college visits.

Woof,
Clyde

Laissez-Les Bons Temps Roulez!

2010-02-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

Or, to the lay dog, Let the good times roll!

And roll, and roll…the parades have been rolling down here where I live for three weeks now in preparation for the Big Event: MARDI GRAS!!!!

Yep, me and thousands of other revelers have been crowding the streets, barking a “Throw me something, Mister!” for MoonPies, doubloons, peanuts, cups, toys and, of course, BEADS!

My friends and I look forward to the Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, season every year, when the indulgence of the holiday season culminates in a few glorious, colorful, mystical days of parades, balls, and FOOD! And when the final bead is thrown and the last, lingering slice of king cake is consumed, the Lenten season begins.

This year’s Mardi Gras is especially eventful as we celebrate BOTH the holiday AND the Super Bowl!!! As I told you earlier, I live smack dab in the middle of Saints’ Territory and we are so stoked to see them come marching in with that beautiful trophy.

This will be my only entry this week, but when the celebrating is over, I’ll be back to focusing on the college visit process. For now, it’s time for fun.

Gotta go. It’s time to get my zydeco on.

Woof,
Clyde

M, T, W, Th, Fr . . . What matters on a college visit anyway?

2010-02-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

Newsflash: Colleges care if you are interested in them. Don’t believe me? NACAC’s (the National Association for College Admission Counseling) 2009 State of College Admission report noted that demonstrated interest as a factor in admissions, for the colleges reporting information, went from 7% in 2003 (the first year it was reported as a factor) to 21% in 2009. That is a big jump!

My counselor would be the first to tell you those are dog scrap numbers compared to the influence of an applicant’s GPA, rigor of courses taken, etc., but she’d also tell you, showing interest in a school has skyrocketed as an admissions factor. Now before your paws fall off from fretting, while the admissions impact of demonstrated interest has sky rocketed, lots of other factors still play a far larger role–things like GPA, rigor of the high school program, and, in some cases, standardized tests. (Also remember that www.fairtest.org has a list of more than 800 colleges that no longer require standardized tests as part of the admissions process.)

My counselor would also tell you there are tons of ways to show interest without jetting to campus and zipping around like Sherlock Holmes while you are there. Here are some other ways to show a college it is on your radar screen:

• Write for information–the old-fashioned way with a stamp or use e-mail
• Go to a college fair and talk with the rep
• Fill out an information card from a poster at your school
• Attend an area, state, or regional presentation by a college or group of colleges
• Have an interview with an alum in your area that the college has designated for such purposes
• Talk to an admissions representative when they visit your school

Visiting colleges should be fun–if it isn’t you’re doing something WRONG! But . . . it is also work if you do it correctly. Here’s what my counselor tells me: Never–not ever–not one single time has she had to “teach” a prospective college student or a currently enrolled student how to have fun on a college campus. However, learning how to study when you are in charge of yourself 24/7, scheduling your time wisely, budgeting your money–that’s a different story. These tasks take effort, discipline, and real paw pressure! Frankly, hmmm makes me think of hot dogs . . . makes me think of eating . . . Visiting a college takes discipline. If you’re going to spend the money to make the visit, get all you can out of the trip.

More on that later– weather bulletin newsflash. We have snow in the forecast! Anybody know if they make ice skates for dogs? Do you remember where I live–let me remind you
–sun, sand, water? Back with you later with more visit tips–gotta go cover up the azaleas!

Clyde

Road Trip

2010-02-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

Spring definitely hasn’t sprung where I live . . . it was twenty-five degrees colder here this morning than it was yesterday morning? Oh well, at least I’m not pawing around in the snow and ice like so many of my friends. Take Lilly and Molly
right now Hawaii and Florida are looking better and better as possible places for them to go to college.☺ My friend Dublin hates the winter weather–gives her so many bad hair days.

However, I know you can’t just consider the climate and weather when you select options for education after high school. I am thinking about taking a trip–checking out some more schools. I want to make sure I have really good options and good information. Not every individual can hound around on campuses. If you can’t go in person, remember to go virtually–the Internet makes most everything available at the point of your mouse. Ask your counselor for information. Talk to former students from your school. Talk to college alums in your area. I mean D I G for all the information you can get.

While I was thinking about my situation, I realized juniors will soon be heading out for college visits–some of my foster siblings at school who are juniors have already been on college visits and lots of them have talked to our counselor about plans for after high school. If you are a junior, what are you waiting for–get into your counselor’s/adviser’s office for a barking good conversation about your future.

For seniors, there could be interview visits at colleges for scholarship programs, second trips to reassess possible college matches, and the highly popular accepted students sessions that are cropping up all over. Those are visits at colleges where students who have been accepted are invited to a scheduled get-together to do a final run-through at a given college. The plus to these sessions is that you can be on campus with students who, unlike the traveling packs of students and parents on traditional college visits, actually might be in class with you in the fall following your senior year.

So . . . for a few of our chats to come, I’m going to talk about college visits. But, I’m also gonna woof about some fun things cause I’m about to go on winter break. I live in the land of Mardi Gras (and, I’m technically in Who Dat Nation territory).

Before I head out, I need to pack.

Do you think dogs have to pay extra for checked baggage?

Woof,
Clyde

Will Work for Bones...

2010-02-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

So, you’ve sat down with your parents and worked out an estimated budget for next year. They’ve told you how much they can send you every month, you know about how much you’ll be getting in scholarship and grant money, but you look at the bottom line…and you’re STILL in the red! What are your options? Well, you can consider student loans…but don’t forget, you eventually have to pay those back. Newsflash—if you leave school early without graduating, you don’t get to wait until you would have graduated to begin repaying the loans! Can you say UGLY? What else can you do? Consider the unthinkable: GET A JOB.

A job? In college? Aren’t you going to have enough on your plate just going to class, writing papers and studying, not to mention adjusting to a whole new environment, trying to make friends and establish some sort of social life for yourself, and exploring clubs and other organizations to feel like a part of your college community? Of course! But…let me share with you a few things my buddies in college have told me about the benefits of having a job in college…aside from the paycheck.

First let’s talk work study. What is this? If you qualify for it, work study is a form of financial aid that offers you a job through on campus to offset some of your tuition and expenses. The benefits of work study are numerous. First of all, you will have the opportunity to set your work schedule around your class schedule. Additionally, if you are able to get a position in the department of your major, you will have the chance to become more immersed in your own career path. As an added bonus, you will have a greater chance of rubbing shoulders with the very professors you maybe in the classroom with later on…which can always help you down the road.

As for a job off campus? The benefits are tremendous here, as well. First off, if you’ve never had a job until this point, there’s no time like the present to start BUILDING WORK EXPERIENCE. Take the opportunity to beef up that resume! Worried about the time commitment? This is a good point to consider, however, for some for my friends, the added responsibility of a job made them more adept at time management. A job enabled them to stay more focused during their time spent studying and their final grades were a positive refection of this. Some other pluses? If you take a position at a restaurant or retail store close to campus, chances are you’ll not only be working with other students, but you’ll in a constant environment of other students…and—there could be free food or a discount associated with these types of jobs. I like free food! What a great way to meet new people? Furthermore, it says a lot about a person who is working to help fund his or her own education. It shows you understand that it is important to invest in yourself! Not only is this another excellent resume-builder, but the boss you have in college is a prime candidate to provide you with a glowing letter of recommendation down the road…when you’re applying for that job you’re going to class for.

A final word about student loans. For some, they’re an inevitable resource; and don’t forget: A degree you have to borrow money to pay for is better than no degree at all. A word to the wise, however: DON’T BORROW MORE THAN YOU REALLY NEED. Case in point, my buddy Roscoe accepted the full amount he was eligible for every semester, even though he only needed about half to cover his expenses. What did he do with the residual cash? He equipped his apartment with a brand new entertainment center and furniture. Don’t get me wrong, I think his roommates got a lot of mileage out of Guitar Hero and the satellite service with 800 channels. And I know Roscoe enjoyed brushing up on his Chem. homework in that La-Z-Boy, but do you know how much that stuff costs with a 6.8% (or more) APR over 20 years. Well, Roscoe graduated last year and as he now adjusts to life in the REAL WORLD, he’s just beginning to find out. Lucky for Roscoe, he hung on to that recliner, because right now he’s feeling a little…trapped.
Woof,
Clyde

Dollars and $ense . . . Where’s the Money? Part 3

2010-02-04T08:10:00.000-08:00

Remember that not all aid dollars are created equally. This aid/scholarship thing can be confusing. There’s free money (scholarships, grants, etc.) that may or may not consider a student’s/family’s need. But, schools can consider need, merit or both when awarding funds. The key is knowing how schools that interest you handle their aid/scholarships.

There’s self-help money too–loans, work-study, etc. Remember my motto:

Did you go see your counselor? Mine gave me some really good, need-based financial aid tips that she got from the Dean of Admissions, Bob Clagett at Middlebury. It’s great info and Dean Clagett said it was OK to share it with you.

Yes . . . college is expensive, but remember there are rewards to completing college (you are more likely to have health insurance, less likely to be unemployed, more likely to vote, etc.).

Thinking about all of this paperwork is exhausting. I’m gonna take a little rest and then hit the forms.

Woooooooooooof,
Clyde

Stretching Your Dollars...

2010-02-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

I talked earlier about what you need and what you THINK you need at college.

The difference? Let’s see...

Take the basics – food and shelter:
You NEED a roof over your head. Do you need a brand-spanking new apartment with amenities (and price tag) that rival those of a country club? Nope. Chances are, you’ll be required to live in campus housing for AT LEAST the first year. Don’t be discouraged. Residence halls these days are a world away from those your parents may remember (and, frankly some of them can top a country club atmosphere). Many include the niceties you’d otherwise have to pay extra for – Internet service, cable, rec centers, laundry, microwaves …those can come in handy for those late-night snacks you’ll need while studying.

Which brings me to my favorite topic – FOOD. You’re days of home-cooked meals are gone for a while, but that doesn’t mean you need to supplement with three restaurant meals a day. And I don’t mean you just have to nix the four-star meals either. Let’s take a college standard – pizza. Now, I can polish off one large with the works and not blink an eye. But how much does that set me back? About 20 bucks a pop. Let’s see, if I had a pizza every night…that’s $140 a week – whoa! $560 a month!!!! Even ONCE a week is pricey – four Friday nights equals $80 a month! That’s a lot of iTunes® to forfeit.

A few more misconceptions:
You don’t NEED to buy brand new books for class. Instead, check out the used section at you college bookstore and shop online at sites like amazon.com. An added bonus for used books? Many times they’re already covered in highlighter and marginal notes – it could save you the trouble, but don’t think you can get by with just using someone else’s work—can you say uh-oh?

You don’t NEED a car! Yes, you read that correctly. YOU DON’T NEED A CAR. (I actually don’t even have a driver’s license yet—that is a topic for another blog entry down the line.) The caveat to this is if you’re living by yourself, off-campus, and have no means of public transportation, but you could still consider a carpool, or a bike. Some campuses don’t even allow freshman to bring cars to campus, so the decision is made for you. Walk to class. This is better for the environment and for your wallet. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings and have a better chance of discovering an impromptu Frisbee game on the quad. What better way to make friends and show your stuff in front of the ladies? And if it’s raining? Don’t worry, most schools provide bus transportation and many run off-campus routes on the weekends if you need to hit the grocery store or bank.

You don’t NEED a computer. The possible exception to this is if the nature of your major requires you to have one for special software, presentations, etc. Otherwise, utilize the library, your dorm lounge, the coffee shop, student union, or a myriad of other locations your school has equipped with this 21st century necessity so YOU don’t have to make the investment yourself. Side note: this is another great way to make friends!

All this being said, don’t think you have to live in a barren room existing on water and saltines to survive in college. What you now call sacrifices, you may later learn to appreciate. When I talk to my friends who are well into their college experiences, they say their having the best times of their lives. Is it because they’re rolling in the dough? The complete opposite! Funny how the best memories can be made from midnight runs to McDonald’s with five of your friends to order off the dollar menu when you collectively have $14.37 among you to last through the end of the week. Or raiding your roommate’s care package when he returns from a weekend at home with five of his mom’s best lasagnas.

I better get back to working on my budget. I wonder how long a package of rawhide can last me...

Woof,
Clyde

Dollars and $ense . . .

2010-01-26T11:24:00.000-08:00

Where's the Money?
Part 2

Sometimes . . . getting answers means knowing what questions to ask. While there is a lot of money out there to be awarded (billions of dollars last year went to undergraduate students), knowing how to access it sometimes seems complicated.

Here are some questions to ask the admissions/aid professionals at schools you are considering:
$ Is this school need-blind in admissions? (That simply means that students are admitted to a given school regardless of their ability to pay.)
$ When a student is admitted, is the school able to meet the student's demonstrated need?
$ How is aid packaged? This means what forms of aid are available - scholarships, grants, loans, work-study - and how are aid packages put together?
$ Which forms are required for applying for need-based and/or merit money?
$ When are these forms due?
$ When will my eligibility for aid/scholarship be determined and how and when will I be notified of the package I will be offered?
$ What is the difference between being a dependent student vs. being an independent student?
$ What happens if my circumstances change?

There's a lot of information to chew on when it comes to figuring out how to get aid for educational opportunities after high school.

I'm in search of other information to share with you - going to go see my counselor.

L8R,
Clyde

Crunch, crunch, crunch...

2010-01-22T08:06:00.000-08:00

No, I’m not crunching on bones, I’m crunching numbers...

trying to get an idea of how much college really costs. Think once tuition and your residence hall fees are paid for that you’re covered? Think again.

In addition to the major costs of tuition and having a roof over your head, there are many other necessities to consider. There are also plenty of UNNECESSARY expenses...but we’ll get to those later.

Take books and supplies. According to College Board, the national average for the necessary materials you need for class at four-year public colleges in 2009-10 is $1,122. Keep in mind, this is an AVERAGE. Bringing your own laptop to school with you? Add the price of a computer and software. Majoring in a creative field like architecture or graphic design? Talk to the department head for an estimate of yearly costs for those canvases, paints, brushes, and print shop jobs that you’ll have to rely on every time you make a presentation. They can add up…quickly!

And what happens if you get sick? If you’re lucky, maybe your roommate will heat you a bowl of chicken soup in the microwave and let you have complete control of the remote until you feel better. But what if you’re knocked down with more than a cold? Will you still be covered under your parents’ insurance? Do you even know where the campus infirmary is located? Just a few things to consider…

And let’s talk about the most important necessity of all – FOOD! Now, you may be enrolling for a campus meal plan. At some places, there meal plans are required for first-year students. A meal plan can be a great option for some…and a not so great option for others. Check to see how many meals per day/week this covers and then think about how much you REALLY eat. By the way, you might also check the hours food will be served—I don’t know too many college students who get up to eat at 6:00 A.M.! And don’t kid yourself into thinking you can honestly be satisfied with PB & J 24/7 just so you can use your food allowance toward something else. When your new friends invite you put for pizza on a Friday night, are you really gonna turn them down so you can sit in your room, alone, with a jar of Jif® ? Think about it.

All this to say…it’s never too early to sit down with your parents and put together a realistic budget for your next year in college. What are they paying for? What are YOU paying for? What will be covered through scholarship/financial aid? Make a list of everything you think you will need over the course of the year and tally your estimated total. Then go back and revise the list to cover what you REALLY need. More on that next week…

Woof,
Clyde

Dollars and $ense . . . Where’s the Money? Part 1

2010-01-19T08:02:00.000-08:00

OK . . . College is expensive, but the reality is that not having a college education may be the most expensive option.

Depending on which source you consult, an individual with a college degree, over a lifetime, will make somewhere between $800,000 and $1,200,000 more than someone who doesn’t complete education beyond high school. That’s a lot of dog treats!

Think you’ll never go to college? Here’s a fact my counselor shared with me: 17% of college students are 35 or older. Pretty impactful–of people who have been out working, more than 1/3 of them choose to go back for more education. OK . . . I get it, education matters.

But, if you are a senior right now, or even someone who has graduated from high school and you want to go to college next fall, where do you begin to figure out how to pay for college?

Start with the paperwork. And know not only which documents are required by your college choices, but also the deadlines for submitting them. Here’s a newsflash for you–financial aid is available for four-year schools, two-year schools, and trade schools.

There are basically two main types of aid for school funding–need-based and merit-based. There are three main routes to need-based aid: the FAFSA (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/complete001.htm), the CSS PROFILE (https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp), and any college or school-specific aid form. Some colleges require the submission of these forms even if you are applying for merit money (scholarships). Remember too that there are many organizations that provide scholarship funds that can require totally separate applications. These frequently require extra paperwork. Making It Count is a good example–they offer a Winning Characteristics scholarship. If your school hosts Making College and Career Count, then you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. (http://makingitcount.com/scholarship/

Here’s my #1 rule about applying for aid/scholarships:
Do It!!

Here’s my #2 rule about applying for aid/scholarships:
Do it on time and accurately!!

Here are some helpful sites:

Fafsa.gov (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)

fafsa4ecaster ( http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf)

Fastweb (http://www.fastweb.com/)

Never ever pay to fill out the FAFSA. It should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year. The CSS PROFILE does cost, but there are fee waivers. See your counselor if you think you might qualify for one. Watch out for scams. (http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams)

In case you haven’t gotten my motto about filing for financial aid/scholarships, here’s a reminder . . .

More later,
Clyde

Resolutions. . .Ring in the year with good resolutions, Part 2

2010-01-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

Much is written and said about what juniors and seniors should be doing as the new semester rolls around. Sophomores and freshmen need to think about where they are too. Talk with your parents about college choices and what the family budget can pay for if you don’t qualify for aid/scholarships. Job shadow. Go to college fairs. It isn’t too early to think about college visits.

Sophomores:
• Here’s a reality check for you: Half–one-half, 50% of the record you will use to apply to colleges is already set in stone. Have you constructed a solid foundation in the classroom and in your activities? Or, are you in quick sand?
• Use your standardized test results. Many schools use the PLAN and the PSAT/NMSQT with sophomores. There is a lot of information there that will help you get ready for the ACT and SAT. Know why you missed questions. You actually get the test booklets back on these two tests, so you can go over missed questions that puzzled you with subject area teachers. This is free and effective test prep.
• If you are in activities, look for leadership opportunities. Stand out in a crowded field by being a real, positive contributor.
• Get to know activity moderators and teachers. You’ll need these people down the line for recommendations.
• Ever seen your counselor? How will this person get to know you well enough to write a recommendation that really speaks about who you are and how you function in your high school milieu–in and out of the classroom?
• It’s probably about time to sign up for classes for next year. Take hard stuff. Good grades matter relevant to the difficulty of your academic program. Great grades in advanced submarine screen door repair won’t help you do well on standardized tests and won’t help you make your case to competitive colleges for admission.
• Talk to strong students who are older than you–juniors and seniors. Ask them what they’d do differently if they could go back through second semester of their sophomore year.

Freshmen:
• Slow start or solid foundation? Which phrase characterizes your first semester of high school? Are you an unknown or are you becoming a classroom and activity go-to-freshman? Are your grades an uh-oh didn’t get started well nightmare or are they the best they could be? Remember your GPA, at most high schools, is cumulative–meaning each semester builds on the previous one. If you didn’t get off to the best start, as long as you show an uphill trend in grades, some colleges will be forgiving of your lackluster first semester. However, realize you will always be behind those who were at the top of their game right out of the first semester gate.
• Talk to your counselor and teachers about classes for next year. Take hard stuff.
• How is your resume-building going? It doesn’t matter what activities you are in–it matters what your track record in them is. Do something you have passion for, and if you feel the urge, start an organization and follow through with it.
• Talk to highly respected seniors at your school. Ask them if they could go back to their freshman year in high school, what they might do differently to have more options available to them and to have enjoyed high school more.
• Especially if you are the oldest in your family, start the conversation with your parent(s)/guardian(s) about your plans for the future. Begin the conversation about what the family budget will withstand in terms of college costs.

Planning matters! The best college applications are made in the freshman and sophomore years by students who are actively engaged in the classroom, involved in their communities and are contributing members of student organizations.

Next week–some thoughts on financial aid.

Woof,

Clyde

Got baggage?

2010-01-08T07:08:00.001-08:00

So here we are, at the beginning of second semester. The excitement, rush and relaxation of the holiday break is now over, and the second half of the school year is upon us. While for seniors graduation seems like it will be here in the blink of an eye, in other ways it looks like the end of a very long and bumpy road with a lot of work to be finished during second semester. The rest of you will get to this point in your senior year far more quickly than you realize.

Regardless of your grade level, if your feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t wait until you’re buried like a bone in projects and obligations. Ask for help! You don’t have to carry your load all alone. Your family, teachers, mentors and friends want to see you succeed and will be there for you to lend a hand (or paw) in your final few months before summer.

Help – go fetch it.

Woof,

Clyde

Resolutions . . . really aren’t for the birds, Part 1

2010-01-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Making resolutions is easy, keeping them–not so easy. So I talked to my counselor to get a few suggestions for tasks high school students should be focusing on as the new year rolls in . . . time is wasting, don’t delay . . . think about your goals, and plan and take action today!

Seniors:

• Keep the finish line in mind. Don’t let up. Second semester matters. If you slack off, colleges can rescind your admission. Read the fine print–all acceptances are conditional contingent upon the successful completion of second semester in a style commensurate with what you were displaying at the time you were conditionally accepted. Stay really engaged in your studies and in your activities. Your responsibilities to your clubs and organizations are still there. Your school, your community and younger students are trusting you to take care of business. By the way, if there is a radical change in your academics or conduct, your counselor is supposed to report that to colleges.
• Many colleges don’t render admissions decisions until early spring . . . practice patience. Be thinking about the priority order for your school choices if you were accepted at all of your choices. Think also about where the costs figure in your decision. Analyzing these things and seeing how you feel about your choices helps to confirm your final choice.
• Take care of sending mid-year/seventh semester transcripts. Follow your high school’s procedure for doing this. Some colleges allow you to self-report your fall senior grades.
• Remember that admission, financial aid and housing all require separate paperwork.
• Take care of business regarding financial aid applications. Stay tuned for more on financial aid next week. If you are unsure about the forms to use and the deadlines at your schools of choice, contact the financial aid offices at your schools.
• Think about revisiting your top choices after admissions decisions are in–one last look. Many colleges now host spring accepted student sessions. These allow you to meet and greet other accepted students–a great way to see who might be in your residence hall, your classes, and who you could be spending the next four years with.

Juniors:

• Wake up! You snooze, you lose. Here is a reality check for you: 5 of the 6 semesters that will be sent to colleges when you apply are already set in stone. Make that 6th semester strong–in the classroom and in your activities.
• Register for standardized tests. Take the forms seriously. They tell colleges a lot about you.
• Don’t just register for tests–prepare for them. This does NOT need to be expensive. Both www.act.org and www.collegeboard.org have free test prep materials on their websites. Osmosis won’t get the material in your brain. Work hard in the classroom. Read. Reading improves your comprehension, vocabulary and reading rate (speed). All of these tests are reading based. Improving your reading helps improve your test scores. Make sure you talk to your counselor about Score Choice and what that might mean for you in the admissions process.
• Visit with colleges that come to your high school.
• Attend college fairs if there are any in your area.
• Plan some spring college visits–go to class, talk with professors, eat the food, spend the night in a residence hall (if possible), take a tour, talk to students–not just the tour guides, go to class, and ask about financial aid/scholarships, etc. There is a ton of information available about making good college visits. Use it.
• Get to know your counselor. This is the person who will complete your secondary school report for your applications. If you have never spent any time with this person, time is wasting.
• If you might need them, be thinking about which teachers you might want to write recommendations for you.
• Essays . . . dreaded though they may be, are a fact of life for many college applications. Here’s a newsflash: Colleges that require essays actually read what you write! Tell your parents they just can’t help with the essays. They can proofread them for you, but a 45-year-old doesn’t sound like a 17-year-old. Write about what matters to you, but make sure that you are answering the question(s) being asked. Spell check and grammar check aren’t enough–use your eyeballs, and use them more than once to really see and hear what the admissions officer reading your essays will see and hear.

Sophomores and freshmen–stay tuned! Suggestions for you are on the way.

L8R,
Clyde

Vacation...vacances...

2009-12-28T12:39:00.000-08:00

OK...if you’re a senior and you’ve done your duty in terms of post-high school plans, you’re getting a well-deserved break. I’m certainly ready for mine. Frantic friends will have to listen to the parental units ask: “Have you finished those applications yet?” or “Can’t go out till the last essay is written.” I’m doggone happy that I won’t be hearing anything like that. I’m gonna be stepping out with some friends as soon as I can. In fact, I’m meeting up with Icee and we’re going to see if we can do some chillin’.

Woof,

Clyde

Happy holidays, Merry everything!! CELEBRATE!

2009-12-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

No matter what you’re celebrating this holiday season, take time to enjoy these days with your family and friends.

Even if you don’t have plans to veer far from home, life after high school will bring about transition and change…and things just aren’t going to seem quite the same next year!

Treasure these moments, have fun and make memories.

In just a few days it will be a new year, and in just a few months, a whole new life for you. Cherish the old and look forward to the new.

As for me, I’m chillin’.

Woof,
Clyde

Places to go, things to do, people to see...Because I am free!

2009-12-16T11:33:00.000-08:00

Break is almost here . . . and I am more than ready. Exams will be over and I can get a well deserved rest. I’ll be seeing friends

and waiting for the food fest and extra hours of snoozing before I gear up for second semester.

Not all of my friends will be able to enjoy the holidays as much as me.

In fact, you might say some of my friends are stiff, immobilized by their failure to take care of business. I hope that isn’t you☹. See your counselor. Finish those essays and applications. Get ready for the financial aid process. I’ll be sharing more on that in January.

HoHoHo,
Clyde

Two Weeks Before Christmas

2009-12-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

‘Tis two weeks before Christmas and all through my head,

Too many thoughts stir when I head off to bed.

Applications now filled, signed and sealed with great care,

In the hopes that acceptance soon will be here.

As I try to nestle all snug in my bed,

Visions of college, jobs and sugar bones dance in my head.

With my friends in their clothes and I in my collar,

We’re plowing through exams before we can run, play and holler.

We’ll sleep and we’ll eat and we’ll have so much fun!

But for now I must study and get all my work done.

You’re almost there. Keep your eye on the prize.

Woof,

Clyde

Interview Suggestions from a Regional Rep

2009-12-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Not all interviews are created equally. Some carry more weight than others. Some are merely information exchanges and ways for you to get more comfortable with college X, Y, or Z as a choice for your educational, extracurricular and social life for the next four years. It might surprise you that not all interviewers are graduates of the colleges you are considering. It’s OK to ask. If the interviewer is a current or former student of a school you are considering, ask them what they enjoyed most about their experiences at the college. Where did they encounter the most difficult challenges as a college student?

Here are some interview suggestions from Carol Morris, the Regional Director of Admission/regional recruiter, for Southern Methodist University (http://smu.edu/admission/apply_first_c_morris.asp). She visits my high school and she interviews students in our area.

* Have a positive attitude. No matter what has happened before the interview, clear your mind and focus. This is your future.
* It’s OK to pause...think about your answers. It’s almost always better to think about your answers rather than to blurt something out you might regret.
* Get a good night’s sleep the night before... yawning could signal that you are bored!
* Be on time, but don’t be too early (did you read the first interview blog when I, Clyde, told you if you were too early you were a nuisance???)
* Be specific with your questions and your answers.
* Show your enthusiasm.
* Before you go to the interview, really think about why you chose to apply to this school in the first place.
* Prepare–have a parent ask you questions. Practice really does help.
* The whole point of the interview is to a encourage meaningful conversation. Avoid one-word answers!
* Think about questions you want answered. Ask things that are not easily answered by consulting the college website or brochures.
* Wear what you might wear to a dinner at a nice restaurant. If you are interviewed at your school, consider what attire might be appropriate. Ask your counselor what to wear if you aren’t sure.
* Make eye contact.
* Bring any documents you might need to refer to–your resume, an unofficial copy of your transcript, your high school profile, etc.
* Practice your handshake.
* Sit properly.
* Instead of responding to an interviewer’s question with “that’s hard! Consider a better response: “Oh, that’s a good question!” This will also give you more time to think about your response.
* Be yourself. Talk about what you will bring to the college–not just what you expect to get.

OK–are you getting it? I’m a very easy-going individual, but I’m getting the importance of the interview. It’s definitely a way to show your interest in a school, get your questions answered, and demonstrate to the interviewer how you will use the opportunities the college environment has to offer you.

Relax–a little. You don’t need to have your life completely planned out. Being undecided is fine. A ten year plan is fine. Undecided is a very popular college major. Many schools don’t require you to declare a major until some time during your sophomore year. Be ready, willing and able to explain how you have and will take advantage of your opportunities. What will you bring to this college and what do you hope to gain from the experiences? In your interview, why not ask how the college will expose you to different academic areas and career options–how will the college help you decide on a path to follow? Interviews are not just about answering questions . . . they are about asking questions too!

This interviewing stuff is work. I need a rest.

L8R,

Clyde

Too Stuffed to Study?

2009-12-07T06:49:00.000-08:00

In the words of Jack Prelutsky…
“I piled up my plate
and I ate and I ate,
but I wish I had known when to stop,
for I'm so crammed with yams,
sauces, gravies, and jams
that my buttons are starting to pop.”

Thanksgiving is done, but the fun has just begun. The holidays are officially here, but before I can completely relax and celebrate on my cherished vacation from school, I have to get through EXAMS! Ohhhhh, the dreaded but inevitable ordeal we must face before given the freedom of semester break!

A word to the wise…don’t let senioritis kick in early. Colleges not only look at first semester grades . . . they also make sure you have finished the year in an acceptable fashion! Rescinded admissions—not a pretty picture. Don’t let it be your photo in that picture frame.

Better get to studying. Maybe there’s still some pumpkin pie still left in the fridge. I could use a little brain food . . . or maybe…I could use a nap.

Woof,
Clyde

To Interview . . . or not to Interview, that is the Question . . .

2009-11-30T07:54:00.000-08:00

Simple answer: if you get the opportunity to interview . . . do it!

Interviews can take place on the college campus or in a local setting (your high school, an office, a restaurant, etc.) Interviews can be evaluative (play a role in your admissions) or informative (an easy, less stressful way for you to get to know the college and for an agent of the college to get to know you).

Interviews can be conducted by an admissions officer, a current student, or an alum.

Pointers–round 1:

• Bone up on the college–you should know the basics.

• Don’t let your parent schedule the interview–it’s your job.

• Even if your parents know the interviewer, they shouldn’t go to the interview.

• Know why this particular school appeals to you. Be able to talk about what you will bring to the college environment. It can be a real surprise for students to realize that the admissions process is not just about what an individual will get from his or her experience on campus, but it’s also about what the individual will bring to a campus milieu.

NOTE: Be prepared for the question: "Where else are you applying?"

Technically, that question is a no-no, but it pops up all the time. Have an answer ready. Talk with your counselor ahead of the interview about some ways for you to respond to that question. One thing for sure, don’t rattle off 18 other schools that are on your targeted list.

BTW . . . there shouldn’t be 18 schools on your targeted list. Selecting your chosen schools isn’t a dart game. If you’ve conducted a thorough and personal college search, you should have a manageable list.

Pointers–round 2:

• Arrival . . . Be early, a few minutes not a few hours!
If you are late or too early, you’re not only an inconvenience, you’re a nuisance.

• What to wear? How do I put this delicately? Hmmmmmm . . . over-the-top trendy probably isn’t your best bet. Neither is wearing college-related clothes from a school other than the one with which you have the scheduled interview (FAUX PAW, big time. And yes, I know that is misspelled, but I’m a dog! Did you really think I’d write faux pas?) Better to leave the Goth look at home too, after all, you aren’t auditioning for a bit part in the next vampire movie. Ask your counselor for suggestions on what to wear.

• Practice . . . with a parent, a friend, or a teacher. (Remember that college career centers frequently do this before students have real job interviews, so why not use the same technique now to bone up for the college interview?)

• Make no bones about it (I♥bones! ) . . . knowing yourself and knowing why you’re interested in a particular school can pay off in the interview.

Recently, Carol Morris, the regional recruiter for Southern Methodist University, interviewed students at my school. Look for interview suggestions from her in a future blog.

Woof,

Clyde

Gobble, gobble, gobble...

2009-11-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

Boy oh boy, it’s finally here – my most favorite holiday of the year – THANKSGIVING! Every year I look forward to this glorious day when I can unabashedly indulge in three of my favorite things – family, football, and FOOD!

As you let the turkey and sweet pumpkin pie settle in your belly, take this opportunity to not only enjoy the company of your family and friends, but to seek out their advice and input as you continue to ponder the next step you will take after high school. You are at a crossroads, so why not take advantage of the wisdom of those who care about you most?

Whatever you decide in a few months, don’t forget that these are the people who will love you and give you unconditional support for whatever path you choose.

C u after the holiday, gotta go get my eat on.

Woof,
Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 3

2009-11-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

OK . . . the pace of the talk Mr. Singer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Boston College, gave the seniors was definitely faster. Juniors and seniors really do have less time to make their mark in the classroom and in their activities. Seniors are in the college application process NOW. Juniors are beginning the search in earnest. There were a lot of good bones in his talk.

•The first thing Mr. Singer did was to assure students that there are tons of possibilities. There are schools for everyone who wants to further his or her education.

•Next . . . Mr. Singer encouraged students to really R E A D the information provided by schools regarding how the admissions process works at each given possible college choice. Evaluate your credentials and see how you fit into the mix.

•The uh-oh moment–you might have all the right credentials and still not be admitted if the college is highly selective. Colleges are crafting classes–so they are building on what their needs are in a given year and the highly selective ones have far more possible candidates than they can admit. Be prepared for rejection . . . it happens–in admissions and in life.

•If you don’t focus on a one-and-only choice, you’ll be better prepared to be happy at any place you’re admitted.

•Deadlines, spelling, neatness all count. You know–that is a theme I seem to keep hearing from all corners–teachers, counselors, parents, admissions officers.

•Essays really do matter.

Mr. Singer said: “Print it. Proof it. Crumple it. Drop pizza on it. Don’t rely on spell check and grammar check.” Before you snail mail it or punch the submit button, make sure you have done everything to make it the best it can be. However, it needs to be your voice that comes through–not your parents’ or anyone else’s voice. “Don’t be controversial–real people with opinions read these essays. Don’t write what might offend someone.” The real key is to make sure that the essay shows a side of you that the reader cannot glean from any other part of your application. “The essay is a way to personalize an impersonal process.” What distinguishes you in a competitive admissions pool is your essay and your out-of-class accomplishments.

•Every year in high school is important. Work to capacity with the motto that your hard work brings you closer to attaining your goals.

•Don’t rule out a college based on the sticker price. Apply for financial aid/scholarships. Complete all the forms that a college requires. Complete them by the deadlines. Know whether the school can meet demonstrated need.

Mr. Singer talked a good bit about interviews. The basic recommendation–if you have the opportunity to interview, DO IT! Realize that interviews can be conducted by alums in your area, students at the college, or admissions reps. Interviews can be informational or evaluative. Know which kind you’ll be having. Don’t wear a sweat shirt from another college–it happens!

Dress appropriately. Don’t chew gum. Don’t let your parent set up the interview for you. And, by all means, know something about the college and be able to talk about why you are interested in this particular school. Avoid the typical “ya’ know . . . like . . . ” comments. Practice interviewing with another student, your counselor or a parent. One reason you want to interview is it shows demonstrated interest in a given school. While demonstrated interest is not a factor in admission at BC, Mr. Singer’s school, he noted that it has become an increasingly important factor in admissions at some schools. He noted there are many ways to demonstrate interest– a campus visit, an interview with an alum, speaking with a college rep who visits your school, connecting with a college at a college fair, or a written inquiry, etc.

Seniors–get a move on it. Juniors–start making those college visits.

As for me, I’m bone chasing!

L8R,
Clyde

Wake Up and Smell the Deadlines!

2009-11-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

No matter what time it is, you probably haven’t done everything you need to as you prepare for life after high school.

The holiday season is here (oohhhhh, I can already taste that turkey) and as soon as you blink, you will find yourself in 2010.

As much as you would like to, you can’t hit the snooze button on your applications, your financial aid/scholarship forms, or your interviews. Don’t wake up to find that the dreams you had for yourself in the future have turned into a nightmare of missed opportunities just because you couldn’t get yourself organized.

That semester break you’ve been looking forward to since August should be about family, friends, and FUN. Get your paperwork done now, so you can enjoy the next few weeks without the weight of deadlines on your shoulders.

I better go take a look at my checklist before I indulge in woofing down some turkey, snoozing and some holiday fun.

Woof,
Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 2

2009-11-16T08:31:00.001-08:00

There are lots of ways to get information. Information is power in the college selection and admissions process. Some colleges have joint travel programs–a group of colleges host evening programs in specific cities. Even freshmen can go to these. Sometimes just one or two colleges will hold these evening information sessions. Many high schools host programs in the evenings or even during the school day to allow a speaker to talk about specific aspects of the college selection and admissions process. I’m lucky that my high school hosts these types of programs

Remember . . . boning up is my personal specialty.

So when Howard Singer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission at Boston College, spoke at my school last month–I was all ears. He presented two programs–one for the freshmen and sophomores and one for the juniors and seniors.

This week, I’ll share some things I learned in the session for the 9th and 10th graders.
I’ll just hit some high points–can’t paws long enough to cover it all. And, remember, this is the Clyde version of the info–the facts and some questions.

• Here’s a newsflash that came as a surprise to some of my freshman foster brothers and sisters: your freshman year matters!
• If you don’t get off to a great start, make sure you learn your lesson and be on an up hill trend academically. (btw–this matters in your activities too!)
• Never mind the student to teacher ratio–how big are the biggest classes students might have and how many of them might a student have before getting to more manageable sized classes?
• What percent of the undergrads study abroad? And, does their financial aid go with them?
• Location–location– location–how do you feel about it? Big city, suburban, rural? When you are on campus, what kind of transportation is available if you don’t have a car or don’t want to walk everywhere?
• What is there to do–class only takes up a small part of a week, and if you study a lot and sleep enough, there are still a lot of ours to fill.
• What kind of a community is the campus milieu–cut throat competitive or collegial?
• Is the school need blind or needs aware in admissions?
• Can the school meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need?
• Are there merit scholarships?
• Lots of applicants have really good grades, test scores and killer resumes. Essays matter and they need to reveal part of the applicant that can’t be seen anywhere else in the application. (That does not mean to talk about controversial topics–that could be risky. And, frankly you don’t know if a young admissions rep or a seasoned pro is reading your essay.) Here’s a quote from Mr. Singer: “When I’m finished reading your essay, do I know something substantially different about the applicant that I couldn’t have known without reading the essay?”
• And . . . the basics count–spelling, grammar, meeting deadlines. (Reread Two, to, too. Their, there. Receive. Weight listed??? Spell check and grammar check are great tools, but....http://blogs.makingitcount.com/tccp/2009/10/two-to-too-their-there-receive weightlisted-spell-check-and-grammar-check-are-great-tools-but.html
• Think of college as an adventure–consider trekking out of your comfort zone. See college as an opportunity to see different perspectives and get a different world view.
• To give yourself the most options, work to your potential and don’t take forever getting started. Challenge yourself–take hard classes. There are costs to taking the easy way out.
• There are options (NOT JUST ONE!) for every student who wants to pursue higher education.
• Be really engaged in the classroom and in your activities. Colleges are crafting a class–they want well rounded and well lopsided students.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet and hear Mr. Singer.

Those freshmen and sophomores have a lot to think about.

Woof,
Clyde

Expect the Unexpected...

2009-11-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…PROCRASTINATION IS THE ENEMY!!!!!

Never was this more true for me than this week when LITERALLY a dark cloud came over my house and turned my world upside down…well, for a few days anyway.

If you were anywhere near the Weather Channel last weekend you heard about a little storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico called Hurricane Ida.

And if you looked REALLY close at the map projecting this storm’s potential spot of landfall, you would have seen my house. Before I go any further, let me tell you that fortunately the storm was downgraded before it ever hit land, and my family and friends were safe and sound…just a little wet-make that realllly wet!. What was the big deal, then, you ask? Well, the hurricane predictions meant NO SCHOOL FOR TWO DAYS!

Now, most students would jump for celebratory joy upon hearing such news. As for me, I was in a bit of a panic. See, I had a college admissions essay due Wednesday. I had put it off and put it off, had begged my English teacher to give me a few pointers Monday morning when I would compose it on my classroom computer. But when I woke Monday morning, I got the news. No big deal, I thought; I’ll write it here at home and take it to my teacher Tuesday morning. Problem number one, my home computer wasn’t much help when my house lost power Monday afternoon. Problem number two, I found out Monday night there would be no school Tuesday either, which meant even if I could find a way to compose it, I would still have no way to have my teacher look over it for me and give me some advice. Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep Monday night, all I could think about was how in the world I could get my essay written and e-mailed to the admissions office in 24 hours.

Tuesday morning wasn’t much better. The power was still out when I woke, but then my wheels started turning. I was able to go to my neighbor’s house and beg a few hours use of their laptop…which fortunately had a fully charged battery. The muses were on my side as my essay seemed to flow freely from my brain to the computer screen. I had to proof it myself, though, thinking about my English teacher’s daily advice, “NEVER PUT ALL YOUR FAITH IN SPELL CHECK!” Sigh, at last it was done. I e-mailed it Wednesday morning when both power and the sunshine were restored.

Take my advice, when it comes to deadlines, anticipate the worst case scenario and then do everything you can to avoid it. The college’s server could crash and prevent all incoming e-mail from being received; you could take your application to the mailbox and realize your postman came early; your (ahem) cat could eat your homework; it could snow in June.

There are things that will happen in life that are out of our control. Don’t wait till the last minute, the stress is just not worth it.

Better go look at my planner for next month...no more procrastination for me!

Woof,
Clyde

Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 1

2009-11-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Let’s review. If you want to end up at a good place for you–in terms of a career and a college, then you have to do a little research. For me, digging is a favorite past time and what could be better than boning up on anything?

Making your school and career lists might be harder than you think. Remember, lots of career choices you might have don’t even exist yet! (For up to date information on current career markets, go to OOH site (http://www.bls.gov/OCO/). But remember, they don’t have the crystal ball that will predict all emerging career fields. In the past, things like nanotechnology, and assorted computer and Internet sites wouldn’t have been found in the OOH! However, here’s one thing I’m pretty sure of–every career field will involve the need to be able to deal with lots of information and cutting edge technology and you’ll need an understanding of how to work quickly, efficiently, and economically. I’m betting you’ll also need to be able to work independently AND to be an effective team member.

So . . . where do we go from here?

I’m gonna talk to some friends . . . see how they’ve been getting info and what they’ve been doing to make sure they’ve boned up on information that is useful to them.

Take my friend Abbey. . .
She’s purrfectly content with her plan. She has visited colleges, talked with friends, gone to college fairs, visited with reps at school and . . . she has made a serious dent in her paperwork!

Abbey noted that getting a feel for a school by talking with an admission professional is a good idea. She even noted that colleges really want prospective enrollees to make good matches. Otherwise, they become unhappy students and really bad commercials. I don’t want to be a bad commercial–do you?

Many reps visit high schools. My counselor posts a list. I decided to get the scoop from a rep.

Taking time to talk with reps at your school, at college fairs, or in their offices
can go a long way in helping you create your final list.

Now get going. December is almost here. Check your counselor’s list of college professionals who are visiting your school; finish your college visits; finish your paperwork.

L8R,

Clyde
.

Pawsing for Fun

2009-11-11T10:23:00.001-08:00

Wow, what a weekend! There was Homecoming on Friday,

Halloween on Saturday, and an awesome game of ultimate Frisbee with some of my best buds on Sunday. I had a blast with my friends the past three days and made some pretty cool memories I know I’ll keep for a long time.

It’s hard to believe more than a quarter of the school year is already over. The holidays will be here in just a few short weeks and then, just like every year, second semester will fly by in the blink of an eye. In the midst of trying to figure out, what in the world will life be like next year?, it’s hit me, just who will be there to figure everything out with?

It’s really got me thinking about how I need to take each day and really make the most of it. I know, I know, this sounds like nagging adult advice you hear or a line from a really sappy greeting card commercial, but think about it: This time next year, most of us will be in a completely different environment with new schedules, new goals, new jobs, new classes, and new friends. And while I’m looking forward to all of the change, the transition will be bittersweet as the friends I’ve known for so many years (some since we were puppies!) will go in different directions and we’ll all be forging new friendships with those we haven’t even met yet!

I remember when one of our alumni

returned home for the weekend after his first semester of college. He told me how quickly he learned to appreciate how much of what he learned in high school that he was able to use in college, but it wasn’t just his study and time management skills that were important to him – it was the value of his friendships and the memories he’d made as a high school student that were helping him through the uncertain world he was now a part of.

Don’t take your high school experiences for granted and don’t be in too much of a rush to move on to the next phase in your life. Enjoy every football game, school dance, pep rally, and party – because in just a few months, it will be your last event as a high school student. Have fun, make memories, cherish every minute.

Gotta go. My friends are howling.

Woof,
Clyde

Tick-Tock . . . Do you know what day it is?

2009-11-02T08:54:00.000-08:00

OK–seems like school just started . . . operative phrase–seems like! How could it be November already? Do your paws hurt from opening all that mail? I mean–I have paper cuts on my paws! Is your mail piling up all over the place? By the way, have you ever seen a lonely dog in any of those viewbooks? Is it ever raining? It is very easy for this paperwork thing to get out of control . . . very easy!

You need a system for paperwork–both incoming and outgoing. Otherwise you’ll end up with piles and piles of advertising–whoops, I mean marketing, double whoops, I mean college information material. By the way, getting mail from a college does not mean you will be admitted to a college! Bummer.

I’ll admit my paperwork is a bit out of control.

But, after a trip to my counselor’s office, I now have a system for incoming and outgoing college related paperwork. I’m keeping a chart that tells me when I’ve sent all the necessary pieces–even if I send things electronically, and I know to keep copies of everything. I also know to seek confirmation from admissions’ offices of receipt of materials. No “lost in cyberspace” info for me!

Here are items I know I have to keep track of:

• the actual application
• the application fee, if one applies
• my transcript (and will I need a midyear/7th semester transcript sent?)
• my test scores–even if a high school puts scores on transcripts many colleges want scores sent from the testing agencies directly to the admissions office (score choice caveat: do what the college tells you to about sending your scores)
• teacher recommendations–how many, if any, do I need and how will I know that the teachers have sent them . . . I need to give my teachers plenty of notice for those recommendations AND I need to remember to say thank you for writing recs for me. If my teacher is sending recommendations through the mail, generally I need to remember to give her/him a stamped envelope for the recommendation. If my counselor and/or the registrar are sending items for me, I need to make sure to follow my school’s procedure for sending items to the college on my behalf . . . high school policies and procedures can be very different, so check with your counselor and registrar to see what you need to do.

It’s important to realize that the year is flying by, and besides buckling down in classes, be aware of the TIME factor and meeting deadlines. I want semester break to be relaxing, so I’m determined to follow my counselor’s guidelines and get all of my applications out by early December. Then, when I watch the clock, I’ll be thinking about fun–not deadlines!

L8R–gotta snail mail some stuff,

Clyde

Advice from Maddie and Watson’s Human

2009-10-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

My friends, Maddie and Watson

live in South Carolina. Their human, Woody O’Cain,
is the Vice President for Enrollment at Erskine College. High school counselors and college admissions folks work on different sides of the same desk and they are always talking about admissions issues. Woody sent a message to counselors to help them nudge their students into action. My counselor thought it was pretty good stuff so she shared it with me and I’m gonna share a version of it with you…here goes…

What do I need to do to get accepted into college?

And…How in the world am I going to pay for it?

What do I need to do to get accepted into college?

All of the information you fill out on a college application is taken into consideration.

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT - Your high school record is the most important part of the whole process…what you have done the last three years in high school and so far this year will be given the most weight in the review process. Remember that you can’t go to sleep intellectually during your senior year. By the way, almost all colleges require the submission of a final transcript.

TEST SCORES – Your SAT and/or ACT score is another thing many colleges look at in this process. It’s one test that you happened to take on a Saturday. And, you probably had a thousand other things on your mind. Whether you are pleased with your score or disappointed…just remember, for most colleges, your test score is not the “end all” to this process. The amount of weight put on the test score really varies by college. Know that some schools are test optional (www.fairtest.org).

PERSONAL QUALITIES – These include letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, employment, honors, awards and…THE ESSAY. All schools don’t require essays/personal statements. If a school does require these, use them to your advantage to highlight something you are passionate about and to give information about you that can’t be found anywhere else on your application.

HOW TO APPLY - Some schools have their own applications. Others are part of groups that allow students to use one application to apply to more than one school. BEWARE: Some of these applications require supplements. If you have questions about the Common App, here is the link: https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/DownloadForms.aspx

OK, OK, OK—applications, transcripts, test scores—check, check and double check. But… How in the world am I going to pay for college?

Fact: Very few people pay the full sticker price for college! There are lots of scholarships out there both from the federal government and from the schools themselves. Your state will also have a few more scholarship opportunities if you decide to stay in state to attend college.

We do all that we can to help make Erskine affordable for those students who want to be here. That’s doesn’t mean that we, or any school, can give everyone a full scholarship….wouldn’t that be cool? To help in the process, there are several things you need to do. This will probably vary from school to school, but all schools have requirements you must meet to qualify for aid/scholarships.

To help us figure out what the Federal Government can do for you, go here:

http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf

Visit colleges that interest you. Selecting a college should be about determining which colleges offer you an environment that will allow you to grow and develop–to reach your potential and realize your dreams.

Sincerely,

Woody O’Cain
Vice President for Enrollment
Erskine College

Here’s a news flash—colleges really want students to make good matches. Maddie and Watson’s human has given me some good advice. I think I’ll go talk to my counselor about a college visit. It’s getting late—maybe you should talk to your counselor too!

L8R

Clyde

Paws to Paper

2009-10-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Have you met the registrar at your school? At my school, the registrar is the person who sends transcripts to colleges. Transcripts–you know–those records of grades you’ve earned in high school . . . GULP . . . I wish I had put forth more effort! But . . . I am going to make sure I work as hard as I can this year and finish up with a good record.

At many schools, you have to complete a form to request your transcript. This is because your school needs your permission to release information about you to colleges.

If you haven’t seen your transcript–the time to do so is NOW! Did you know you can request an unofficial copy of your transcript? It’s a good idea to do that. Doing this allows you to see exactly what admissions offices see when they receive your transcript. Does your high school put standardized test scores on your transcript? Mine doesn’t, by the way. Many colleges require that applicants send official test score reports from the testing agencies www.act.org or www.collegeboard.org ). So even if your high school includes test scores on your transcript, it’s important to see if the colleges you are applying to require official test score reports from ACT and/or SAT. Some colleges leave it up to the applicant to send his or her best scores. Some schools have gone over-the-top in requiring applicants to send ALL scores. The important thing to remember is to follow the test reporting policy on the colleges’ websites. Taking the tests a bazillion times probably isn’t a good idea. The key is to take hard classes, do your work, prepare for the tests–actually use information on the ACT and SAT websites about preparing for the tests. While you can buy test prep materials from these sites, they give great test prep information away FREE!

I could just howl! Some colleges superscore tests. This means that they take your best subsections from different tests. ACT thinks this is a bad idea. You just need to know how the colleges you are considering view superscoring.

Some high schools also put attendance and tardy records on transcripts. The only way you will know for sure about your school is to get a copy of that transcript. If you were tardy three times a week as a sophomore–you know, when your older brother was driving you to school and he would never get up on time, you won’t know that you need to explain that unless you know it is there!

Go meet the person at your school responsible for sending transcripts. Know what the time frame is for sending these. It may take one day or it may take two weeks to get your transcripts sent.

Allow plenty of time for processing your requests and remember to sign the papers!

L8R,

Clyde

Make a Name for Yourself

2009-10-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

It sounds obvious, but admissions counselors and potential employers want to know what makes you stand out from the crowd. Make no bones about it, your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities are all important criteria – but what do you do to distinguish yourself?

Think about it: college applications from two different students lay side by side. Both college hopefuls have stellar GPA’s, both hold office in their respective Student Councils and both play varsity sports. But there is only one position to fill. Student A’s qualifications end right there. But Student B spearheaded a successful mentoring initiative at her school where incoming freshmen are individually paired with seniors to learn about what to expect in high school. Who do you think has the edge?

And how do you make your activities stand out in the few short lines on the application form? Focus on leadership! Don’t forget, this is one instance where it is OK to brag about yourself and your accomplishments. You’re the one filling out the application. The admissions folks aren’t going to be calling your grandmother to hear about what a brilliant and wonderful boy Billy is – they need to hear it from you.

And what about those college essays? On paper, test scores and lists of activities can only reflect so much of who you are. How can you make yourself stand out? Take the opportunity to let your personality shine in your essay! Don’t spend time pawing over what you think they want to hear—be real. Write about something that truly matters to you.

Don’t get stuck thinking you don’t have the grades or the mammoth list of activities to compete with your peers. Focus on what you do have to offer. Maybe you’ve never had an ear for music, and you’re not athletically coordinated, but you love to read. Take it beyond your English class - why not start and program at your local library, reading aloud to young children?

As for me, I know I’m just not built to play football. And when tryouts came along, there was nothing I could change about that - but I did use my sparkling personality to earn my position as school mascot. Did I take it as a consolation prize? No way! I found the position not only helped my popularity, but my presence on the field made me the subject for many photographers. Who knew I had such a natural knack for modeling? Just look – I’m a legend in my own time!

Embrace your individuality and find a way to utilize your unique gifts!

Woof,
Clyde

In-state? Out-of-state? Public? Private? Four-year? Two-year? Bricks and mortar? Online? Near or Far?

2009-10-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

When my friend McCoy was young, he didn’t think much about his future and what type of school he might like. Chilling out and enjoying himself was what was on his mind.

McCoy is older now and he is thinking about his future. He and I have had a running conversation about types of schools. He lives in a state that is known for its flagship public universities, but it also has nationally recognized private universities.

My counselor tells us to look at all kinds of options–to see what types of schools would be the best matches for us. She also reminds us that one of the biggest problems is narrowing the list down because there are so many options!

* In-state publics–both community colleges and four-year schools in-state generally have a more appealing price tag. This is because your family, and you if you are an independent student, pay taxes in your home state and, therefore, you are eligible for a tuition break because these institutions are, in part, supported by state tax funds.

* Out-of-state publics–these schools charge more to residents who do not live in the state because the families of those residents, or the independent students from other states, do NOT pay in-state taxes that help support the institutions.

* Privates–these schools do not rely on state funding for operating expenses. Generally, their tuition and fees appear far higher than the public university options. There is no price tag difference that is hinged to your state of residence.

* Four-year vs. two-year-George Lucas–the Star Wars guy–started college at a community college–so did Craig Venter (founder of Celera–the company that sequenced the human genome). Remember . . . it isn’t about where you start. It’s about finishing–getting the degree and the experience that will launch you to the future of your dreams. Almost half of the first-time college students in the U.S. begin their college careers at community colleges.

* Bricks and mortar vs. online-Online education options are increasing. Many traditional colleges and universities now offer online courses. Make sure to find out how your online courses/degrees are viewed in the job market.

The real key is to find college matches that fit your needs. Stay focused on that. When McCoy and I were younger, Hawaii seemed very appealing as a location for further education. Beaches . . . sun . . . lots of water . . . I thought everyone went far away to college. Imagine my surprise when I found out that almost 50% of first-time college students are only 100 miles or less away from home! I was even farther blown away to learn that nearly 8 out of 10 college students are 500 miles or less away from home.

Here is another shocker I’m coming to terms with: Private colleges can be as affordable, or in some instances more affordable, than public ones! WOW☺! That is interesting news. The caveat: never rule out a college option based on sticker price. Applying for scholarships and financial aid really can open up lots of options. I’m going to go ask my counselor about the CSS PROFILE and the FAFSA and have her explain institutional forms to me. I’ll fill you in later--all this thinking makes me tired.

L8R,
Clyde

Cough, sniff, AHHHH CHOOOO, wheeze…Learn to wash your paws, please!

2009-10-20T08:31:00.000-07:00

Like I don’t already have enough to worry about, just as I am starting to feel like I have gotten into the groove of the school year, I pick up a germ from somewhere (ok, maybe I shouldn’t have nosed through that garbage can) and BAM!! – I’m on my back, sick as a dog.

I feel like I’m trying hard enough to stay on top of everything in my life, the LAST thing I need is the FLU to slow me down and cause me to fall behind in my classes.

In addition to plethora of swine flu cases we hear about every time we turn on the TV, students especially are prone to colds, mono, and other viruses simply because we’re highly active, our immune systems may not yet be fully developed, and, let’s face it – we share a lot with our friends. Come on, I know I’m not the only one who’s taken a sip from my buddy’s water bowl.

How to combat the dreaded cold and flu season? I decided to go straight to my school nurse to find out.

“PREVENTION is the best medicine, Clyde!” she told me. Here are a few tips she gave me to stay ahead of the game AND to make sure I don’t pass along unwanted germs to my friends, either.

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Duh!

5. Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever of 100°F (without the use of a fever reducing medicine).

6. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

She also gave me these great websites for more information and tips: Flu.gov and CDC.gov.

And you know what else I found out? “Immunity is the best defense against getting sick, so it is also important to make sure you stay healthy with exercise and a healthy diet,” the nurse said.

Exercise I can handle, what a great excuse to enjoy the great outdoors! Healthy diet? I may need to work on that one…lunch handouts from my foster siblings probably aren’t what the doctor ordered.
Be well!

Woof,

Clyde

Two, to, too . . . their, there . . . receive . . . weight-listed(???) spell check and grammar check are great tools, but . . .

2009-10-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

I’m close to finishing my applications . . . except for the essays! Duh. Of course the essays are the hard part. Newsflash! My counselor tells me my essays don’t have to be the caliber of Pulitzer Prize winning novels. That’s a relief. She tells me to stop worrying about trying to get into the mind of the admissions officer–stop trying to write what I think they want to hear. Her advice is to write about something that matters to me. Hmmmmm.

Maybe I should write about the bay–how much I like being in it.

Perhaps I could write about sponging food from my foster siblings or from wherever I can find it –that’s something I am really good at.

Perhaps my numerous roles in school plays could be a good topic?

Talking with others who know me well might be a way to discover a good essay topic.

Here are some more tips my counselor gives us for writing essays:

• Write from your heart about something that matters to you. Be honest. Integrity matters.
• Use proper grammar. Proofread . . . Proofread . . . and when you are finished, Proofread AGAIN!
• Text speak works for friends–not for applications. This should not appear in your applications or in your essays: Am n lotsa AP classes, d-bate team, yrbk 3 yrs, stud cncl prez.
• Remember . . . the person reading your essay could be a few years older than you or a few decades older than you–make your essay a conversation with the admissions representative.
• Know that sometimes outside readers can be hired and trained by an admissions office to read files. Sometimes files are read by territory–meaning a rep is assigned to your region or state.
• If you aren’t funny, don’t try to be funny. Funny essays are difficult to write well. They are risky. However, if you can write well, a funny essay could set you apart (hopefully, in a good way).
• Make sure the essay is your work. Believe it or not, the admissions officer reading your file, and your counselor, can tell if a forty-five-year-old had a hand in your essay. This is a big NO NO!
• Writing too much or too little can be bad.
• If there is a specific essay prompt, use it. Answer the question/address the prompt as stated.
• Be careful writing anything about mission trips. If you’ve been so moved by your mission trip experience that you returned to your hometown and you’ve begun a highly successful international organization to improve the lives of those in a third world country, then you are exempt from this caveat.
• Short answer essays matter too. Especially the ones that say “Why do you want to attend (college name)_________________________?” My counselor let us know in no uncertain terms that if you can fill in the name of any city and any school in your response to this item, you are not in good shape.
• This is not the time to write about boyfriends or girlfriends, odd peculiar little habits you have, or why NO ONE liked rooming with you at camp.
• Use great caution with the SUBMIT/SEND button. Once you’ve hit that button, you can’t retrieve it. Write out your answers the old-fashioned way and proof them before you enter them on the online form. You’ll still have to proof the online version to eliminate errors.
• Remember, your essay could be read by someone in a great mood or someone who has had a terrible day. Admission officers are human. Yours could be the first read of the night or you could be #50 in a huge stack. The essay is your chance to provide information that can’t be found anywhere else in your application. If you really want to know how it might sound, have someone read your essay to you . . . no kidding . . . listen to your essay. Do the sentences flow nicely? Do the paragraphs have good transitions? Have you violated the I commandment? (Used the pronoun I a zillion or so times in one paragraph?) Can you bark:B O R I N G?

Every night when I look at the blank space on my application where the essays are supposed to go, I hear my counselor saying:

“Procrastination is the enemy.”

Take charge. Get writing. Deadlines loom.

Woof,
Clyde

How to deal...

2009-10-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

So, I know that I need BALANCE in my life. But, how do I handle the day-to-day stress that comes with the territory of being a high school senior? I decided to go to my school counselor for a few tips.

“Slow down there, Clyde!” she told me. “Before you give yourself a panic attack, take a few deep breaths and remember a few key things.”

• Develop time management skills. Don’t over schedule your day. Create realistic expectations and deadlines. Plan ahead and prioritize tasks. You may have to say “No” to some things.

• Pace yourself. Remember that life is a marathon, not a sprint. That goes for school and the college admission process.

• Don’t let little things become big things. Take care of small tasks as they arise before they become MAJOR CRISES.

• Remember, nobody’s perfect. Don’t demand perfection from yourself or from others. Not everyone gets to be #1 and that is OK!!!

• Take time out of your busy schedule to have fun or relax. Find out what activities engender a feeling of well-being within you. It could be reading for pleasure, playing music or singing, meditation, deep breathing exercises, an afternoon power nap, a game of chess—anything that takes your mind off school and relaxes you.

• Regular exercise is a proven method of minimizing stress. Find something vigorous to do that increases your heart rate for at least 20 minutes a few times a week. You can combine this with the one above (see, time management!).

• Eat well, be well. Too much junk food or fast food will contribute to your high stress levels. Good nutrition is essential to a healthy mind and body.

• Get plenty of rest. Avoid all-nighters and eleventh-hour cram sessions fueled by caffeine. Sleeplessness and chronic fatigue exacerbate stress.

• Stay positive. Don’t get caught in a cycle of negativity and frustration. Look for solutions to problems. Learn to be patient and understanding of other people’s behavior.

• Seek professional help if you feel overburdened and unable to cope. Don’t put off talking to me or another trusted adult if you feel overwhelmed by stress.

• Don’t shut out your parents. According to the Mayo clinic, “Adolescents who have positive relationships with their parents tend to handle stress more effectively as adults.”

She also told me to remember that stress is a part of life. “It’s a byproduct of the fight-or-flight function of our nervous system,” she said. “Acute stress can save us in a crisis or cause us to rise to the challenge of an important event, but chronic stress brought about by the pressures of daily life can be debilitating unless managed. You have more control than you think, you just need to center yourself every once and a while!”

Stress is inevitable, but by constructively dealing with it, we keep our minds and bodies healthy and can stay at the top of our game!

Woof,

Clyde

Stop! Put Your Pencils Down . . .

2009-10-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

OK . . . I’ll admit it. I hate standardized tests. In fact, none of my friends likes them. The reason I’m thinking about them right now is that my foster siblings are gearing up for the PSAT/NMSQT. You know–one test, one day, one point on a 240-point scale can make the difference in making National Merit Semifinalist.

Last year, the big guys in the admissions world issued a report on standardized testing: www.nacacnet.org/AboutNACAC/PressRoom/2009/Pages/followuptesting.aspx. My counselor thinks it was a super effort and hopes that some of the recommendations become reality–SOON! But, until they do . . . Did you know that more than 800 colleges offer test optional admissions? How do you find out? Go to www.fairtest.org for a list. Take comfort in the fact that new schools are added to that list every day.

So . . . how should my foster brothers and sisters and YOU bone up for these tests? Here are some suggestions:

• Work hard every day in the toughest classes you can take.
• Do your homework–pretty simple. Read those novels. Solve those math homework problems. Do those AP Bio labs. Listen to those language tapes.
• Read. Reading improves your comprehension, speed in reading and vocabulary. Duh! All of these tests are reading-based and anything that improves your reading should improve your performance on these tests.
• Take the practice tests offered by the big dogs that make the tests. When you miss something, ask a subject-area teacher to explain the rationale for the question.
• Know how the tests are structured. This will improve your performance. Both ACT (www.act.org) and College Board (www.collegeboard.org) tell you how this is done in their materials, but . . . you have to read the materials to know!
• Get a good night’s rest the day before the test–not too much sleep and not too little.
• Allow enough time to get to the testing center and not be in a dash–rushing around will stress you out.
• Test days aren’t days for sugar-coated breakfasts–you need protein to help your brain kick into gear.
• Relax some–tension won’t help your test performance.
• Know that for many colleges, testing is just one factor in the admissions process. Many schools use tons of factors in deciding who to admit to a given class.

Realize that one test, one day does not make a great college student. What you have taken in terms of course work and how you have challenged yourself, in and out of the classroom, remain the best predictors of your college success.

How many times should you take these tests? Let me ask you–do you want to spend numerous Saturday mornings getting up early and paying money to do it? PREPARE and take the tests as few times as possible! That’s my motto. Be aware of the new Score Choice issues. If you don’t know what that is, google it and you’ll get a long list of information. In terms of score reporting, follow the guidelines on each college website to ensure you’re in compliance with specific admissions policies.

And . . . I don’t know about you, but all this talk about testing makes me tired!

Woof,

Clyde

Thirty-Love . . . Grover Cleveland . . . “Would You Like Fries with That?” . . . “Checkmate!” . . . “May I help you?” . . .

2009-10-06T06:17:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered how to have the perfect resume? How can you tell which activities matter– which ones will get you into your dream university, land you the perfect part-time job during school, or, if it’s your choice, help you get a full-time job after graduation? Would sports do the job? How about Scholar’s Bowl–you know brainiac jeopardy? If you have a job and can’t participate in extracurricular and community activities, will it set you back in your quest for success? What if chess is your major activity–what’s the demand factor for that? Doesn’t exactly seem to translate to Econ major or set you up for management training at Target? And . . . if you volunteer, how are you going to translate that into a jump start to the future of your dreams?

Here’s what my counselor tells students:

“Butterfly joiners aren’t good at anything except flitting around.”

She tells us to join something we are truly interested in–and if we can’t find activities that suit our interests, we should start one! Better yet–start two. She tells us to share our enthusiasm and talk some friends into joining our efforts. All of a sudden, we’ve then become entrepreneurs. It helps to find ways to demonstrate true leadership in endeavors. Proven leadership, making things stronger and more successful, making an organization stretch farther than it ever has before, having a real impact can translate any activity into a real stepping stone to success – no matter how you define success.

I’ve learned that whether I join existing school clubs, organizations and/or athletic teams, work part-time, or spend tons of time making a difference in my community volunteering, the real key to making any activity work to further my goals is to work to make the activity a huge success and to be able to demonstrate my connection to that organization’s success. Working as a team is critical to success in school, activities, community endeavors, college and business. Part of success in life is learning to make and share goals. It really isn’t the number of activities or the types of activities that end up making a difference in a resume. It’s what I do in the activities I join–or start–that shows what kind of student, employee, team member, and/or leader I will be.

Go join activities you are passionate about and then make those groups wildly impactful–that is the real way to make your resume a stand out and you’ll actually have fun because you are engaged in things that really matter to you.

Woof,

Clyde

All Work and No Play Makes Clyde A Very Dull Dog...

2009-10-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Balance. It seems a simple enough concept in theory. But realistically, how can I ever find time to just chill out with my friends, watch TV, or hang out at the beach when there is so much WORK to be done? I mean, come on…I’ve only got four paws!

Here’s what I know for sure. Hour after hour, day after day, and week after week of studying, working, and STRESSING are a recipe for BURNOUT. As in poof, the flame is gone, no desire, no motivation, no purpose for crawling out of bed in the morning. Don’t let yourself get stuck in that place!

High school students lead active lives, and stress just comes with the territory. A little stress is a good thing – it keeps us on our paws. A lot of stress can lead to loss of sleep, feeling like we’re always in the doghouse, or finding ourselves at the bottom of a Dog Chow bag wondering whatever happened to our lives. Ok – maybe that’s just me.

Anyway, here’s what I do to decompress:

When I feel I’ve got too much on my plate (or in my dish), I’ve been known to go outside and kick the ball around for a while...

Unleash my creativity on the canvas...

Or just chill out with my friends...

None of these things make my obligations go away, but they do make them a little easier to stomach. And it helps me to work when it’s time to work and find time to chill to regenerate my brain cells and my spirit.

Have some pent-up energy you need to express? Take it outside! Go for a run, take a trip to the batting cage, grab a friend for a little one-on-one action on the basketball court.

Brain bogged down with one too many vocabulary words or mathematical equations? Stretch that grey matter in a different direction by curling up with a good book or picking up your guitar to just JAM!

Feeling overly anxious about that interview, acceptance letter, LIFE IN GENERAL? Talk about it! Your friends are experiencing the same worries you are right now and it helps when you know you aren’t facing the world alone.

The important thing to remember is: your high school years should be fun. You’re supposed to be making memories! Don’t get so carried away with the seemingly insurmountable task ahead of you of preparing for the rest of your life that you forget to enjoy today. Otherwise you’ll eventually reach tomorrow, look back, and all you’ll see is a long trail of textbooks, applications and essays. Choose instead to pave your road with experiences, friendships and good times. It’s amazing what a little balance can do to lighten your load.

A little work, a little play, a happy dog at the end of the day.

Woof,
Clyde

Netiquette, Etiquette, forks, spoons, knives . . . and are flip-flops sometimes considered formalwear?

2009-09-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ok . . . so my counselor tells this story about a former student who was a shoe-in for a summer job. Stacey had strong grades, an extracurricular resume that showed commitment and leadership, and her teachers and classmates really liked her. How could she go wrong? I mean she didn’t have to go to one of those formal dinners with 38 forks, 5 knives and about 12 plates and glasses per person so there was no chance to self-destruct in the area of social graces. How did she lose the job that was practically guaranteed? Well . . . on interview day she arrived in a business office in shorts . . . waxing heavily on the biggest imaginable chunk of bubble gum . . . and she brought her boyfriend to the interview. Can you bark, UH-OH?

Even I know there is a difference in the way you dress for certain occasions!

The employer called the counselor to say that, on paper, Stacey looked like the perfect candidate. On interview day, she didn’t quite grasp how she should dress and behave in a real-life, adult situation.

Employers and colleges can’t be too careful. They check a lot of things now–facebook and myspace pages, transcripts and references, sometimes even school attendance and discipline records. They might even check to see if you have a credit history–so that charge card you got to buy the latest Wii games and will be paying off for . . . say the next 10 years can hurt you in ways you might not even think about.
And, how about your writing style? Hate to be the bearer of bad bones, vocabulary and grammar matter. Let’s talk about texting. My paws aren’t cut out for those tiny keys, so most of the time my bark has to speak for itself. However, my foster siblings are always texting.

Frizb 2 nite @ my pad. Last 1 der brngs da pizza. Dont b l8! Lol. Fine—for friends.

Wazzup Dr. K? C u 2mrw @ U of Dawgs. L8er. NOT how you e-mail an admissions office!

I m class prez, cap’n of v futball, & my GPA iz a 4.0. Not the way to complete your online resume—for admissions or for employment.

Here’s what I know–text speak can kill you in a job or college inquiry, in college application essays, on job and college applications, and just about anywhere that standard English is the expectation.

By the way, here’s another red flag. My e-mail address for my friends is not the same one I use for professional inquiries or responses. Superhound @ or chainsawclyde @ might seem humorous to your friends, but corporate types and geezer admissions folks won’t likely be impressed. In fact, it’s likely that not even the hip, young admissions folks will take kindly to bizarre, inappropriate or threatening e-mail names.

While we’re on e-mail, why not get a free account and use it just for formal e-mails–you know, employers, the military, colleges–maybe even your grandmother! One special note: while this is a great idea, (and, did I mention that you can get free accounts?), if you provide e-mail account information to people, it goes without saying that you need to check that account! Once again, this is the kind of thing that can have disaster written on it. You have multiple e-mail accounts. You use one solely for professional purposes. However, you fail to check that account regularly. Here’s another counselor story...my counselor tells a lot of stories. Barclay truly liked college X in a neighboring state. Barclay’s profile–grades, activities, accomplishments, essays, test scores, and recommendations seemed to tilt the application in the direction of acceptance. Barclay even had a special e-mail for colleges and employers. However, after not checking the account for two weeks, Barclay found out too late that test scores had not been received by the college. Barclay missed being admitted to a top choice school because the e-mail went unchecked.

Another pointer–enthusiasm at an interview is good. Over-the-top demanding interest is scary. When you meet with interviewers, don’t be too insistent–remember this isn’t a tussle and rustle show.

While you aren’t a corporate Wall Street type yet, you are about to launch yourself into the adult world. Consider netiquette, etiquette, appropriate dress and appropriate language–in person and in writing. And . . . while I live on the water, flip flops are definitely not formal wear.

Woof,
Clyde

GLUB, GLUB, GLUB . . .

2009-09-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

Procrastination is the enemy! Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here. Blink your eyes and it will be Christmas. Senior year can get away from you in a hurry. While you’re deciding what to do (work, community college, four-year public university, four-year private university, military, apprenticeship), make sure you have thought about your credentials, how you stack up compared to others your age, and formulate a plan that matches your talents and hopes.

Here is some advice from my foster siblings who graduated last year:

Apply to colleges you’d really consider going to . . . do not keep your mind on one particular college too early in the process . . . try out for scholarships . . . visit every school you apply to and get it done early . . . sign up for housing early . . . start early senior year–don’t wait . . . be very honest in your essays . . . don’t necessarily look at where your friends are going–branch out–you may end up like me, going somewhere I originally ruled out completely . . . choose the school you like the best–not the ones others like . . . choose where you will be happy . . . consider smaller schools . . . make the decision for yourself . . . have options, do things early . . . spend lots of time writing essays and establish good relationships with your teachers and counselor . . . college visits matter . . . don’t freak out . . . don’t think a college is impossible to get in–you’ll feel worse if you never applied than if you apply and don’t get in . . . schools try to recruit you . . . take the hardest classes and don’t rule out any school–you will change your mind . . . take the ACT/SAT when you’re supposed to . . . be open-minded . . . . stay on everything early because it is much easier to deal with step by step . . . don’t put your hopes high in just one particular college . . . don’t wait till the last minute (Remember my motto: Procrastination is the ENEMY!) . . . just do what feels right–don’t make a decision until you know; I have six days left until I have to decide and right now I don’t have a clue (Note from Clyde: you should make your final decision, if college is your choice, by May 1 of your senior year, notify other schools of your decision to attend, and move on!) . . . don’t follow the crowd–go with what you know will be good for you . . . if you want to play a sport, apply early–it makes everything easier (Here’s my sport-related concern: I am particularly fond of frisbee, so if I select a four-year program, I’ve gotta check out the NCAA Eligibility Center) . . . don’t stress over the ACT/SAT–they are what they are–focus on actual learning and extracurricular activities . . .

Talking with friends can be very valuable as you make your plan. My friend Katy is very sympathetic to my confusion about my future. Find an informed sympathetic friend who has been through the what-do-I-do next stage of life and talk with him or her.

On the other hand, my friend Lilly is so overwhelmed about the thought of graduating that she has just jumped in and is now knee deep in applications with no real sense of direction about her future.

Find out who you are, what you want, develop a plan to get where you want to be and paw your way forward.

C U L8R.

WOOF,
Clyde

You Snooze—You Lose...

2009-09-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

6 am – hit the alarm, homeroom by 8, school till 3, practice till 5, off to work till 8, say hi to my family, catch up with my friends, find time to eat somewhere along the way, check the clock – it’s 11:00 pm. Do I know where my homework is? Or field trip permission slip? Or job application that is due Friday? Or SAT review book? Or half-written admissions essay?

It’s no secret high school students have busy schedules. Between school, sports, clubs, activities, work, family, friends (and that’s just Monday through Friday)…Throw in weekend games, college visits, holidays, spring break, prom... I’m a busy guy.

Let’s face it, I’m dog tired at the end of the day,

and it is so easy to push those college applications aside for later, thinking the stress will be easier to face in a few hours…or days. Here’s a secret: YOU WILL BE MORE STRESSED OUT IF YOU DELAY! Getting behind is easy, catching up is not!

Here’s another secret: Your success is contingent upon having and executing a PLAN!

• Plot all of your activities on a calendar each semester. It helps to start with the things like school, practice and work, that are set in stone and you cannot change. Take a look at the time you have left and determine the best use of your blank space – then stick to your schedule. Reevaluate your calendar on a regular basis and make changes as necessary. Organization is your friend!

• Learn the ways, times and places you are most effective and alert. Are you an early bird? Set your alarm a little earlier than usual for one final study session before an exam. Are you easily distracted by TV? Find a quiet spot in your house, away from the noise and distractions going on in your living room or kitchen. I personally am most creative on a full belly, so I keep a stash of nice, filling Milk Bones handy before I work on an essay.

• Act on your objectives and goals – NOW! Make sure you have taken the SAT or ACT and sent your scores to the colleges of your choice. Have a job interview next week? Make a list of possible questions you think your future employer might ask you and practice answering those questions in front of a mirror or with a friend. Don’t delay on application essays. Write...edit...rewrite. No matter what path your future holds, PREPARATION is key! Don’t be caught thinking, “If only I’d studied those vocabulary words…submitted that application on time…researched potential schools more…” You get the point.

• Nurture yourself – body and soul. In spite of all the pressures your facing, in fact – because of them – you have to make time to take care of yourself…otherwise, what’s the point? You’ve probably heard it before: make sure you get enough sleep, eat your breakfast, don’t stay up all night – these are not just nagging phrases, they are necessary for your success! Additionally, don’t forget to enjoy life. You have a lot of work ahead of you, but it is also important to take a break, make time to spend with your friends, and just chill by yourself. You need to unwind, refuel and refocus, and get ready to start all over again.

One final word, keep things in perspective, and be realistic. Setting goals you know are unattainable will only disappoint you. That being said, don’t be a slacker, either. Aim high with an eye on reality. Mediocrity will get you nowhere unless you want to be unabashedly A V E R A G E! You must set goals in some way, shape, or form, or you’ll get stuck in a rut and never get anywhere. You don’t really want to live with your parents forever, do you?

No matter what your future holds, your brain can’t stay at the beach if you intend to be able to support yourself in the style you have become accustomed to (or could adjust to!

Woof,
Clyde

Extra, extra, read all about it!

2009-09-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

So, we know we need to make good grades, take challenging classes and study hard for admissions tests, but what about those extracurriculars?

As I strolled around campus today, I couldn’t help but notice all of the activity that goes on beyond the classroom. As I passed the band room I heard the thump, thump, thump of the drum line practicing for their performance at the upcoming game and wagged my tail with the beat. On the field in front of the upper school building the cheerleaders were in perfect form and I stopped to watch them flip and jump…hmmm, I wonder if they could toss me in the air like that? A poster to my left announced an upcoming Yoga Club meeting. I know I could master downward facing dog for sure. Football, student government, art, chess club...

There’s a bounty of things to choose from to suit each and every interest. There are school clubs and sports, community activities, volunteer groups needing a hand, and some students even find time to have a paying job. As my college counselor tells me, it doesn’t matter WHAT you do – the important thing is to get involved! Additionally, doing a lot of one thing is better than a little bit of everything…which equates to a whole lot of nothing. What does this mean? Quality trumps quantity! By the way, can’t find an established activity you truly like? Start one—be entrepreneurial! Colleges and employers like to see that you have picked one or two activities to become completely immersed in rather than eight or nine activities in which you have little or no involvement.

Take my friend Sally - she’s acted as assistant manager for the volleyball team for four years, held office in the service club and recently ran her sister’s campaign for student body president. This is a great example of what colleges, and future employers, want to see!

Don’t forget, there is not one select perfect activity that is the be-all, end-all ticket to success. Follow your passions. Play ball, dance, volunteer, chase cats – whatever it is, do it well – distinguish yourself.

Woof,
Clyde

Inside Out vs. Outside In

2009-09-09T13:46:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of opinions about how to approach selecting a college, a course of studies, or a career…I know those who just seem to throw darts or follow the pack as they select colleges, jobs, etc. I say your future is too important for dart throwing!

STOP!!! pawing on the outside-in road. Start with the inside-out approach. Knowing yourself first makes a lot of difference when it comes time to consider your future.

How can you get to know who you are? Use technology. Take all kinds of free assessments to help craft a real understanding of who you are and what’s important to you.

Here are a few places to consider looking for help (remember that every site has limitations!):

•www.makingitcount.com –take the My College Styles and All About Me tests
•http://www.nacacnet.org/StudentResources/Pages/default.aspx
•https://myroad.collegeboard.com/myroad/navigator.jsp --a resource from College Board
•http://www.mycollegeoptions.org/
•http://www.actstudent.org/college/index.html --the ACT has resources for college and career planning (or http://www.actstudent.org/wwm/index.html for career information)
•Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/OCO/) to get career information—these guys can tell you what the job market is projected to be—pretty useful information.
•http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/05/best-colleges-ranking-screener-opinions-colleges-09-tool.html
•http://www.careercornerstone.org/scccnews/issues/2009/scccnews0909.htm
•http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings/national_iniversityrank.php
•http://nsse.iub.edu/
•Ask your counselor what resources he or she recommends to help you determine areas of strength and/or interest.

Are you getting the idea that tons of information awaits your paws on the keyboard?

To make your paw prints count—first find out who you are and what will make you happy (as long as it’s legal, ethical and moral)! It’s easy to lose your focus and feel pressured into doing something else. For inspiration, google Chad Hurley—he didn’t go to a big name school, but pursued his dream, did something he loved, was really good at what he did, and what an impact (and, if it’s relevant to you—he can buy a lot of bones for meal time!).

Woof—till later,

Clyde

Let's Get Goin'

2009-09-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Macalester? Harvey Mudd? Middlebury–I like diversity so this would be a great fit for me. I also really like food so maybe The Culinary Institute of America? My local community college has a highly touted culinary program–it would be closer and less expensive and I could even live at home. Then again, Jim Cantore has a lot of excitement in his job–so perhaps I should study meteorology at Lyndon State like he did? And maybe...

Whoops . . . guess I should introduce myself first . . . I’m Clyde. I have hundreds of foster brothers and sisters who I have watched go on all kind of educational adventures, so I’m trying to decide what path I might take when it’s time for me to leave Bayside. It’s easy to let time get away with you. I remember when I first came to school–graduating and moving on was forever away. It’s getting closer and closer, so I need a plan!

Will I graduate? Mrs. Willis says that only about 7 out of 10 high school students graduate–that is SCARY! Will I be able to take that next step to do what I want to do?

How am I gonna know what is right for me? Who am I really? What’s important to me? What do I want to become when I’m out on my own and taking care of myself 24/7? Will I be able to support myself in the style to which I’ve become accustomed (or as one of my foster brothers says–could adjust to)?

This year, I’m gonna find out all of these things . . . and you’ll have the opportunity to follow along and read my mind as I paws and decide what-to-do-after high school. Does my bloodline really matter? Do my parents have enough bones to make me a development case in the admissions offices? What’s right for me--that’s what it’s really all about, about finding good options for me.

Follow me as I consider all the possibilities and climb my way to the future...

Woof,
Clyde

Back in Session

2009-09-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Boy oh boy, am I glad that school is back in session and the students are back at Bayside! After a long, restful summer, I have enjoyed the past few weeks back on campus seeing all of my old friends.

Yes, the students and faculty are finally back in the groove of their classes and schedules, but they are not the only ones balancing a lot of activity this year...it seems the time has come for me to start thinking about my future as well. Life after Bayside? I know it's a difficult concept to grasp, but it's a time that all of us must eventually face and it's never to early to start planning for it!

I invite you to share my journey this year as I heed the advice of Mrs. Willis and a few old familiar friends as I plan for life after graduation.

And it's not just the students of Bayside who could learn a thing or two. No, I think students all over the country may want to heed a little advice from their four-legged friend, which is why I'm excited to announce...I've gone national! http://blogs.makingitcount.com/tccp/about-tccp-blog.html The folks at Making It Count from monster.com seem to think my friendly face will be quite an attraction. Hollywood, here I come!

Woof,
Clyde