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Why Rigor Matters

stef mauler — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 20:13:48 +0000

Choosing classes in high school can feel like a high-stakes game of Tetris. You’re trying to fit all the required courses into your schedule, while also trying to find time for extracurricular activities and maybe even a part-time job. And, if your school does arena scheduling, get prepared for the high school version of The Hunger Games, where a student’s future largely depends on quick reflexes and a steady internet connection and is often determined in six seconds flat.

It can be really tempting to take the easy route, one that is sprinkled with As and free weekends that allow sufficient time for all the other things that compete for time in a high schooler’s calendar. As an educator, I have seen many students take this route because ‘why not’?

I get it. I understand why this is attractive to young people. Unfortunately, taking the easy route is detrimental to future success.

As I counsel seniors on their next steps after high school, we often consider their course load, and I am often astounded by the lack of rigor they have pursued their senior year. These are seniors who are college bound. They have taken English IV, government, and economics in the summer because, in their opinion, it is easier, and by the number of students taking this course of study I do believe they are correct. Their senior year is riddled with late arrival and early dismissal and one or two core classes. When I challenge them to take AP courses or at the very least dual credit courses, they laugh. “Why would I want to do that? I want my senior year to be easy.”

The road to success is not paved with ‘easy’ bricks. How are students going to be ready to manage the rigor and self-control needed to be successful in university and in life? High school should be the training ground. As universities become more competitive, our students need to train harder. Yes. Train.

Students should take advantage of a full schedule of courses each semester. They should take classes that challenge them. Courses that make them uncomfortable. These classes will help them build their study and self-governing skills and stamina. In addition, a rigorous course of study enables them to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills, both of which are life skills not just skills in education. Students’ ability to handle rigorous courses parlays into the real world.

Do not let your students be comfortable. Challenge them. Train them for what they will encounter both in university and in the workforce. Enable your child to manage the stresses that will come.

If education is not supplying rigorous, challenging curriculum, then when will they learn how to manage challenging situations? How will they manage being accountable for the effort when it really matters?

Challenge your child to take the ‘hard’ course or the ‘hard’ teacher. Students will find, “Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.” – Booker T. Washington.

Rebecca Orona

College Coach and Very Hard Worker

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Do I or Don’t I?

stef mauler — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 01:10:19 +0000

The post-COVID world is full of “do I or don’t I” questions:

Do I or don’t I wear a mask?
Do I or don’t I get a vaccine?
Do I or don’t I visit my aging grandmother in the senior living center?
Do I or don’t I party in South Beach for Spring Break?
Do I or don’t I take standardized tests?

Well, we are not here to debate politics or COVID policies; we leave you to do that at your Thanksgiving dinner. And, we have already answered the last question, Do I or don’t I take standardized tests? (spoiler: the answer is yes). But, now the question is, “now that you have taken standardized tests, should you submit the scores?”

The answer is not so simple and may vary depending on the schools to which you are applying. So, to simplify your choice on a school-by-school basis, follow the pictogram below:

Infomatic modified from Chamberlain College Consulting

Stef Mauler

President, ��ϴ��

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Ahhh…Summer

stef mauler — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 16:51:43 +0000

I often argue that summer is roughly 3 months long. So, a student who leverages her 4 high school summers has a full year of learning, growth, and development over one who doesn’t. However, not all summer activities are created equal. Every day, high school students (and their parents) are inundated with mail from seemingly fancy (and expensive) summer programs and advice from well-meaning relatives who tell them what their kids should be doing to make the most out of summer break.

As you consider formal, structured programs, it is important to know how to evaluate the many offerings on the market. Here’s how I would suggest you think about them (in order of priority):

Selective Programs

College admissions officers will favor students who participate in programs that have a selection process, rather than those programs that will accept anyone who applies and can pay the hefty price tag (aka “pay to play” programs, such as National Youth Leadership Forum, National Student Leadership Conference, or Envision).
There are many selective programs, such as , and for those interested in healthcare, for entrepreneurs, or BU’s program for scientists
is another competitive opportunity for students who are interested in a myriad of subject areas.
Other options are those that are offered by organizations for the gifted, such as , and . Before students can enroll, they must first qualify through independent testing.

Rigorous Programs

After the highly selective programs, colleges will look at those that require a high level of academic rigor. These are usually 6-8 weeks in length and offer college credit. These are usually limited to upperclassmen, due to the nature of the work involved. Most highly selective schools offer summer credit courses, such as , , and

“Pay to Play” Programs … And Their Counterparts at Schools that Consider Demonstrated Interest

Beyond the first two categories are those “pay to play” type of programs. While these are certainly not as compelling as the ones outlined above, they are not without merit. These “camps” can be a way to explore an interest in a non-pressure environment, however, I would think about what additional advantages various programs offer when compared to each other.
Some colleges consider “demonstrated interest” in the application process. That means they will look to see how invested you are in the school (and how likely you will be to attend if offered a spot). So, do you open their emails? Do you follow them on social media? Did you meet with the admissions officer when she visited your school? Have you visited campus or taken a tour.
Doing a program on a college campus that considers demonstrated interest is one way to check a lot of these boxes and get first-hand experience to help you determine if this is the kind of school that may be a good fit. is one such opportunity. Students can explore short, non-credit sessions in topics like Entrepreneurship, Business, Sports Management, Neuroscience, Debate & Public Advocacy, and Leadership. Students can also demonstrate interest through , exploring , delving into Environmental Science at , or studying . While you are on campus, you can take the tour, attend an information session, meet your admissions officer and, in some cases, have a formal interview. Should you eventually decide to apply to the college in question, attending the summer program will favorably impact your candidacy.

In addition to these formal academic programs, there are many other ways to spend a productive summer. Here are a few ideas:

Independent Project Work

Just because you are not attending a formal program doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful learning experience. Talk to your teachers and counselor to ask them for ideas for independent project work. Reach out to a university professor to see if you might offer assistance. There are also formal organizations, like , , and that will pair you with a professor to conduct original research. These are selective programs that require an application.

Internships and Summer Jobs

There is no better way to demonstrate your responsibility and maturity than getting a summer job.
Internships are a great way to gain professional skills while also learning more about an industry that may interest you.

Volunteer Work

When considering volunteer opportunities, either during the summer or during the school year, it’s important to think strategically about them. Does this community service actually align with your interests? How can you share your talents and/or interests for the benefit of others? How much of a commitment are you making (for instance, are you volunteering 2 hours/week or 30?)

Summer is most definitely a time to relax, recharge, and reconnect with friends and family. But, it’s also an amazing opportunity to delve into your interests without the usual responsibilities of schoolwork and studies. So, take advantage of the time to explore. Who knows what you will find?

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Congrats! You Were Admitted to Your ED School!

stef mauler — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 23:53:00 +0000

You did it! You worked hard. You managed through the adversity of COVID, online learning, canceled test dates, and unprecedented surges in application numbers (up 102% at Colgate!) But, your perseverance and strategic thinking paid off. You were admitted to your early decision schools. Here are answers to commonly asked questions:

Now that I have been admitted, what do I do next?

Send a lovely note to each of the admissions officers to the rest of the schools to which you applied. Thank them for their support and, tell them that, as much as you love their school, you have been admitted to your early decision school and, therefore, must withdraw your application from further consideration. Wish them luck in building their freshman classes. Besides just being nice at a time when they are under immense levels of stress and are fielding angry phone calls from students who were not accepted, this will free up spaces to anxious students who will be excited to take the spot you cannot take. And, you never know when you might cross paths again. You might reconsider these colleges in the unlikely event that you decide to transfer or the admissions officer might end up at a different university in the future where he or she may come across your grad school application. It always pays to be polite.

But, I’d really love to see where else I was admitted. Do I have to withdraw my other applications?

Yes. You do. Not only are these the rules to which you agreed when you signed your ED agreement, it is unethical to keep your applications in a pool for consideration when you know you will not attend. Not only is it unfair to admissions officers who are time pressed to work through more applications than ever before, it is unfair to students who are waiting to hear back from schools. And, what do you gain from knowing? If you were not admitted, it puts a cloud on your acceptance to your dream school. If you were admitted elsewhere, you might regret your ED application. No one wins. Withdraw your applications.

My circumstances have changed and I can no longer attend my ED college. What do I do?

If you decide that you now prefer College X to the one to which you committed under the ED agreement, too bad. You are locked in for at least freshman year. You can always transfer if you truly decide it is not a match, however, at one point during your college admission process, you thought it was the perfect school for you. So, it probably is.

If, however, your circumstances truly have changed. Perhaps your financial ability to pay your expected financial contribution is drastically different from what it was when you applied or, maybe, you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires you to be close to a specific medical facility or physician, call the college and explain the situation. Usually, they will release you from your ED agreement under such extenuating circumstances. And, very few colleges want students on campus who truly don’t want to be there.

What paperwork do I need to fill out?

Make housing selections and deposits. Depending on the college, waiting may cause you to lose out on your top choices or, in some cases, on campus housing altogether. Also, make sure you have your legal documents in order. Now that you are an adult, it’s time to make sure you are covered, especially in the event of an emergency.

Since I’ve committed to my top choice college and paid the deposit, I can finally stop stressing so much about my grades and finally have fun the rest of senior year, right??

Wrong. As difficult as it may be, be sure to maintain your grades and study for your AP exams. A high score may help you secure college credit or gain exemptions next year.

How can I set myself up for success in college?

Now that you have been accepted, it’s time to turn your focus to how to transfer successfully, beginning with what you can do this summer to ensure a successful freshman year. Please see my eight-part series, “The Complete Candidate’s College Transition Playbook.”

Congratulations on a job well done!

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The Complete Candidate’s Transition to College Playbook Part 4: Go Beyond the Beach This Summer

stef mauler — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 13:49:29 +0000

Source: Porapak Apichodilok

Sure, your last summer of high school is a time to have one last hurrah with your high school friends over late night bonfires and “almost adult” parties. While you are all excited about the future that awaits each of you, there is some grief in knowing that your childhood is over and you will probably never again share the same experiences with the same people in the same way ever again. So, take time to be with your friends and family, reminisce over old memories and make some new ones but also make good use of the months of free time you have to get prepared for college.

Academic Preparation:

Shore up on core classes (calculus, writing)
Prepare for language requirements by watching films in another language, taking a summer intensive class in a foreign country or investing in an online language program such as Babbel or Rosetta Stone
Reject the AP credit in your core subject areas, even if your college offers to grant you a pass
Develop a study plan so that you will hit the ground running in the fall

Social Preparation:

Attend admitted student days to meet your future classmates, become familiar with the campus layout and resources that are available to you
Contact your roommate to get to know each other and plan who will bring what amenities to your dorm room
Join social media groups to make connections before you ever step foot on campus
Identify clubs and activities where you are likely to meet people who share your interests and make sure to try something you have never tried before

Personal Preparation:

Get health check-ups and prescriptions organized
Create fitness & nutrition plan
Develop critical life skills (laundry, banking, self-advocacy)
Complete necessary legal forms (FOI, health, etc.)

To maximize the likeliness that your college-bound student will be successful, be sure to explore the other parts of The Complete Candidate’s College Transition Playbook:

Part 1: The College Roller Coaster

Part 2: College Success Framework

Part 3: Selecting the Right School

Part 5: Nailing the First Semester

Part 6: The Parent’s Role

Part 7: Transferring Out

Part 8: The Legal Stuff

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The Complete Candidate’s Transition to College Playbook Part 1: The College Roller Coaster

stef mauler — Tue, 21 May 2019 13:46:36 +0000

Yes, going off to college is exciting. It is full of new adventures and possibilities. It is an opportunity to have exhilarating experiences and to meet new people. But, it can also be a bit scary. For many students, college is the first time they have lived away from home. Nowhere are the people, places and things that provide comfort and reassurance. It’s the first time they have the freedom to make their own decisions – and have to deal with the consequences of those decisions. Here’s a newsflash: this roller coaster of feelings is completely normal. Almost every student experiences them in some way or another. The key to successfully managing the ride is to (1) be aware of what to expect and (2) have a plan to deal with each phase as it arises. Here’s a break down of the freshman roller coaster of feelings:

Excitement Phase: The day you receive your letter of admission to the day you move into your dorm, is a period of sheer excitement. You buy the school sweatshirt, correspond with your roommate and plan your dorm décor. You dream about frat parties and study abroad and FREEDOM from parents and teachers. You are a college student now. Bring it on! You are ready!

Honeymoon Phase: The first few weeks of college are designed to help you make friends, and bond h your new college community. Orientation activities, mixers, free food and college swag woo you to cement your loyalty and your belief that there is no place on earth you would rather be.

Shock Phase: After the elation of getting in and the romance of orientation subsides, shock ensues. Papers pile up, exams loom overhead and you realize that you aren’t quite the superstar in college that you may have been in high school. For some, this might be the first time earning a C or below on an assignment or test. You question why you are there. Were you the admissions mistake? Can you make it through?

Depression Phase: The initial shock will inevitably lead to some sadness or mild depression. You miss your friends and family. You have probably put on your fair share of the freshman 15. Overindulging in pizza and burgers may have caused you to break out and feel sluggish. Being in such close proximity to so many other students means you have probably caught your fair share of colds. Identifying that these feelings are normal – and having a plan to feel better – is a critical factor that determines which students transition successfully and which don’t. So, grab your roommate (or bandmate or teammate or that nice kid who shares your struggle in Calculus) and go to a movie. Hit the gym. Devise a better eating plan. Make use of the academic resources to help you with your papers and quant classes. And, if you need to, go to health services and get some professional help from a therapist. They are used to helping students navigate through this big life change.

Recovery Phase: The successful student manages to get through the Depression phase and into Recovery as quickly as possible. Time in the Recovery phase is not perfect. It is not always happy and will probably never match the euphoria of the Excitement or the Honeymoon phases. It is a new equilibrium where you have learned how to better manage your classes, your time and your personal needs. You have realized that everyone else in your class is facing the same challenges you are (some, a lot more) and you have developed resources and a support network – at college – to help you manage the inevitable stresses.

Transition to college is a life transition and, with it, brings the joys and stresses of any significant change. Successful students anticipate what they will experience, develop a plan and identify resources to help them manage through it. It’s just one of the many ways that going off to college prepares them for life.