News and articles from the week

HIES seniors aren't the only ones with college on their minds.  It seems articles about higher education and college admission are everywhere.  Here are a few links to interesting articles and happenings from this past week:

Obama proposes policies for accountability and transparency in higher ed

College costs: looking beyond the "sticker price"

Campus culture: scholarly enclave versus corporate city

You really expect me to answer that?! 

You wanna play music during your convocation speech?  You can do that.  I'm DOING THAT! 

Beloit's annual "Mindset List" for the Class of 2017

Tips for writing college admission essays

I haven't met with many students who are genuinely excited to write their college application essays.  And that's OK.  But whether you enjoy writing or not, some written work is required in most college applications.  While a great essay won't overcome low grades and sub-par test scores, it is an opportunity to set yourself apart.  Really, the essay is the only substantial opportunity for an applicant to have their "voice" heard among the other quantitative stuff that fills a college application.  Here are some tips for crafting compelling college application essays.  If you have other advice you've come across and wish to share, feel free to leave a comment.  

Johns Hopkins University's "Essays that Worked"

The University of Georgia's Suggestions

The Huffington Post's Do's and Don'ts

Video Advice from Boston University

Welcome back, Class of 2014!

After a Sunday of tailgating and Braves baseball, it's back to school for the Class of 2014.  Welcome to senior year; only 276 days until graduation!  Enjoy these first few days of school and do your best to maintain the energy and enthusiasm you feel now throughout the year.  Not long from now, you will close this important chapter of your life.  Among the ups and downs of the school calendar, remember to take time to enjoy your final year.  276 days will fly by faster than you think. 

Wait, where did Mrs. Best go?

Upon returning to HIES, you may be surprised to find that Mrs. Best no longer occupies the space outside of Mr. Durst's office in the Riley Building.  You will also notice that the college counseling conference room is different (cleaner, more inviting, more organized, no funny smells, etc)...and is occupied by Mrs. Best!  Thanks to the Parents' Association, what used to be known as the college counseling conference room has morphed into the renamed and much-improved College Counseling Resource Room.  It is also now home to our registrar and college counseling assistant, Mrs. Best.  We're pretty excited about the new space and about Mrs. Best's new title.  When you come over to Groesbeck next week, stop in and say hello.  In the new space you can browse college guidebooks, visit with college reps when they visit throughout the year, or just hang out with Mrs. Best while devouring her stash of Hershey's kisses (but stay away from the cookies and cream ones - those are my favorites). 

Summer time, and the livin's easy

 ...unless you're in HIES College Application Bootcamp.  In that case, you've committed three of your precious last days of summer to working on essays, filling out the common app, and making lists of college deadlines and requirements.  Consider this time an investment.  The hard work spent on this stuff during summer means less to worry about when school starts back up and your lives again become consumed by homework, sports, clubs, and the like.  For those who didn't attend a bootcamp session, there's still plenty of time left before the start of school to start knocking out applications and working on essays.  Here are some helpful links to get started:

Common App's List of Schools and Their Requirements

Common App Essay Prompts

UGA Essay Prompts