A solid "Best of 2014" list:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/janbruce/2014/12/16/2014s-most-resilient-people/

The fall of the Greek Empire?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/03/opinion/frank-bruni-a-pox-on-campus-life.html

It's just adolescence

http://chronicle.com/article/The-Case-for-Breaking-Up-With/131760/

Mind your "Applicant's Choice" mailers

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-promiscuous-college-come-ons.html?_r=1

This week I've seen more than a dozen, some of which I recall:

Loyola Maryland
RPI

Tulane

Babson

Lynn

Don't know why I recall these six since they're all just bait mailings to get students excited.

--

All my best,
Brady Norvall, M.A.
Founder and Chief Education Officer,
FindaBetterU
www.FindaBetterU.com
954.254.7113

Skype: bradynorvall

Twitter: @FindaBetterU

Georgia Tech Dean of Admissions says "19 out of 20 admission essays we read are bad."

If you don't know what you're doing, parents, don't do it!

http://www.examiner.com/article/note-to-parents-do-not-write-your-student-s-college-admission-essay

Thanks for reading

All of them are Outliers

I remember the coincidence of a conversation with an admissions friend, wherein we discussed the likelihood of a million dollar donation helping push a student's application through at a variety of different universities and colleges in the United States, with the timing of a family asking me to help them get a meeting with admissions at a very prestigious university so they could propose a donation of a million dollars just months before their daughter would apply. The truth is if every family that could give a million dollars to get their kid into Stanford or Harvard or any of the other "top" universities offered such a gift, there would be far more kids in those schools that the universities are willing to accommodate. At the same time, a million dollar donation to an institution with a multiple-billion dollar endowment is hardly going to move the needle on the admit-o-meter.

So when I recently had a meeting with a (wealthy) family of a high school junior and they revealed to me their plans for their son to attend "either Harvard or Stanford" I found myself a bit underwhelmed. This was not the first time I have heard a proclamation such as this, but it is not often that I have such a conversation with a family in which the student was not even remotely competitive for admission. Granted, they are not from the U.S. and, therefore, unfamiliar with the system, but the statistics are all over the place and the truth is that the 95% of applicants who are not admitted, are nearly all pretty amazing young people- as far as the universities understand the term "amazing". And when I started to use an example for them, describing a recent student who had just begun at one of these universities, the dad cut me off and actually said, "yes, but you're describing an outlier". This dad was clearly used to getting his way. I had a sense that he was a man who believed his money might just move that admit-o-meter at either of these schools. Throughout the entire conversation he continued to argue with me as if I were stating only my opinion and not very experienced, objective truth. When one has been around as many students and university admission decisions as I have, one gains a certain knowledge in which the ability to predict admission outcomes is not terribly difficult.

And this gets us right to the point: because a family has money and privilege does not erase the truth of a student's academic history. If one is not at the caliber necessary, it's very easy for a good professional to know and be able to point out the shortcomings. Can they be improved upon? Of course. Is that going to change the outcome? No. The challenge lies in the family either listening or not. But in this case it was the latter. There was nothing I could do to help them understand that ALL the students who get in are outliers. When the entire pool of applicants is strong, that's what a 5% acceptance rate indicates. When their son told me that there was no way for him to do the IB diploma AND play club soccer, I thought of the hundreds of students I have come across who HAVE been able to do the IB diploma or handfuls of AP courses, as well as maintaining their positions as star athletes, musicians, employees, and a number of other activities. The fact remains that if you are not an outlier—compared with your peers, not just in the minds of your parents—then you're not going to get in. The false notion that there is even a possibility is what has, over the past fifteen years, made this entire process what it is today. Who we can blame for that is an entirely different discussion, but the fact is that perpetuating the myth of admission possibility starts with parents who cannot accept the objective truth.

And by the way, the dollar amount that can make a difference in the admission game: $10 million.

--

All my best,
Brady Norvall, M.A.
Founder and Chief Education Officer,
FindaBetterU
www.FindaBetterU.com
954.254.7113

Skype: bradynorvall

Twitter: @FindaBetterU

And this is why a family hires me and not some "other" counselor

It's about helping with the whole journey, not just one outcome at 18.

http://www.today.com/parents/i-was-really-stressed-out-anxiety-rules-secret-life-teens-1D80148616

www.FindaBetterU.com
954.254.7113

Skype: bradynorvall

Twitter: @FindaBetterU

I run into this every week. Families assume that because they have not heard of a certain university, it must not be good. But families also assume that their kid will do his Bachelor's degree at Harvard because they know someone who knew someone whose uncle was an alumni interviewer in the 90's ... and oh yeah, Harvard DOESN'T OFFER Bachelor's degrees in business!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-brian-c-mitchell/foreign-students-and-the_b_5821444.html

www.FindaBetterU.com
954.254.7113

Skype: bradynorvall

Twitter: @FindaBetterU

I would probably add a few:

- Helping write an essay that reads exactly as if A PARENT WROTE IT!

- Encouraging your student to apply to highly ranked schools "just to see what happens".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/15/applying-to-college_n_5709605.html

FindaBetterU
www.FindaBetterU.com

Skype: bradynorvall

Twitter: @FindaBetterU

Required Reading for ALL PARENTS:

The importance of education is to teach students how to think and become creative, interested learners. There is only one way for this to happen (and it can't be FAKED) and this is to have them around creative, interested learner adults and mentors! If we don't teach our kids to engage themselves by demonstrating ourselves as engaged, we are only teaching them to focus on an outcome.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/four-ways-to-spot-a-great-teacher-1409848739

Twitter: @FindaBetterU

Go Canada

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/who-needs-harvard-send-us-your-best-and-brightest/article19887588/

Choosing university, like life, is all about perspective.
Sometimes it's hard to recognize just how many amazing choices are out there.

He's appropriate AND spot-on

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118747/ivy-league-schools-are-overrated-send-your-kids-elsewhere

Stress on Parents of teens

Really well done.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/07/16/326953698/want-more-stress-in-your-life-try-parenting-a-teenager

Well ...

I'm doing this more for the fact that Gladwell's book, David and Goliath, is amazing:

http://www.inc.com/larry-kim/why-you-shouldnt-hire-someone-from-harvard.html

--

Brady Norvall, M.A.
FindaBetterU.com
Education Counseling
954.254.7113

Reflecting on Privilege

It's both the name of a great book, written like a memoir of Ross Douthat's four years at Harvard, and an idea I am coming up against on a daily basis.

I highly encourage anyone to read the book, of course. But start with this in mind: is privilege something that should be painted across one's college application? Is it something that one wants as an identifying characteristic of his/her life? Privilege, inherently, is not a problem. The problem arises when those with privilege don't realize it.

With two months to go before the college application season begins anew for the senior class of 2015, let's reflect on the type of qualities which OUGHT to be portrayed in an application. Let's not write about the French program in Switzerland or the house-building in Costa Rica. You can do these things, of course. Just don't do them with the intention that they will strengthen how someone sees YOU in an application or essay. You would never mention the hours in time and money you spent with a private SAT tutor, right? Let this be the same idea for the other activities and experiences which only those with privilege can afford.

Cheers,
B

Pacific NW

This is the most beautiful campus I've ever set foot on (in recent memory)!
#lewisandclark
#lclark.edu
It's really amazing.
Cheers,
Brady

Tell your friends about
www.findabetterU.com
collegecounseling101.blogspot.com

A great read ...

a parent's transition as their child goes to university:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2014/05/rob_lowe_on_sending_his_son_off_to_college_an_excerpt_from_love_life.html

--

Brady Norvall, M.A.
FindaBetterU.com
Education Counseling
954.254.7113

A few of my favorite schools, particularly Loyola New Orleans

http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com/news/9083274-171/uno-engineering-professor-wins-award

Voluntourism, not always so helpful

http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/4/volunter-tourismwhitevoluntouristsafricaaidsorphans.html

If one has the choice (and one should always have the choice) ...

choose humanities over pre-professional. Go economics over business (or anything for that matter), people!

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/04/plato-to-plumbers/361373/

College: Cheaper Than Many Think

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/04/college-much-cheaper-than-you-think/360923/

The Anxiety of Parenting Today

I don't really care for her style nor some of her points, but there is a lot of truth in what she speaks.

http://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_senior_for_parents_happiness_is_a_very_high_bar#t-5256

Shining A Light On Financial Aid Process

This is why I do not claim to be an expert on financial aid and am pretty dubious about any who claim they are, particularly when they charge a fee:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/13/education/edlife/what-you-dont-know-about-financial-aid-but-should.html?_r=0

It's NOT the end of anyone's world.

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/parents-and-their-kids-need-to-chill-out-about-college-174506880.html

another:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/09/us/led-by-stanfords-5-top-colleges-acceptance-rates-hit-new-lows.html?_r=0

seems that it's just going to be a vicious cycle ad infinitum.

It will never stop

Like I always say, Stanford won't be happy until their admit rate hits 0%:

http://news.yahoo.com/college-acceptance-rates-205610188.html

Here's the truth about college and success

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/opinion/bruni-our-crazy-college-crossroads.html?_r=0

Amen

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/04/01/but-did-he-apply-to-stanford/

Volunteering as a path to university

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/encounter/5341384

To add some humor

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/shouts/2014/03/new-parenting-study-released.html?mobify=0

... it's funny because it's true, people.

Another testing article

This gives a bit more of a perspective on the ACT vs. SAT debate and how the SAT will be restructured in two years:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/03/19/a-different-way-to-give-college-admissions-tests/

Inside GW admission office

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/inside-the-admissions-process-at-george-washington-university/2014/03/22/f86b85fa-aee6-11e3-a49e-76adc9210f19_story.html

From a parent's perspective

http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/college-admissions-season-when-the-answer-is-no/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

A better list than most rankings I see

http://venturebeat.com/2013/11/14/these-are-the-50-smartest-colleges-in-the-u-s-and-1-will-surprise-you/

--
Brady Norvall, M.A.
FindabetterU.com
Education Counseling
954.254.7113

And here it is again!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/09/sat-act-college-board-admissions/6181365/

Away with test prep. Up with Khan Academy.

NEW SAT!

It's about time they make this test something that honors learning versus just preparation.

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/03/this-is-what-the-new-sat-will-be-like/284245/

Small schools in the middle of the U.S. do it well

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-m-brand/resolving-higher-educations-challenges_b_4861024.html

--
Brady Norvall, M.A.
FindabetterU.com
Education Counseling
954.254.7113

What thinking means

If only it were as easy for kids to understand the concepts here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-s-doctoroff/college-interviews_b_1288106.html

Getting real about the SAT

http://www.npr.org/2014/02/18/277059528/college-applicants-sweat-the-sats-perhaps-they-shouldn-t

ACT>SAT

http://www.golocalprov.com/lifestyle/college-admissions-6-reasons-schools-should-offer-the-pre-act/

Thanks to a great parent I know

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/15/10-things-i-wish-i-had-known-before-senior-year_n_3763882.html

People always think I'm saying voodoo for telling their kids to test early and often. The SAT/ACT are just tests of familiarity, people. Start freshman year. Take it once or twice. Again in sophomore year. Then you know what you're walking into when it counts the most-- you'll actually be the most well-prepared, which is different than well-prepped-- during junior year. If you don't believe ME, people, take the advice of the high school senior who wrote this.

By the way, the one TIP he's missing: finish high school in 3 years. The 4th year is a waste, socially, intellectually, and emotionally. It's a giant throw-away year that ends up hurting more kids than it helps, just because of the anxiety it causes. Study hard and long and get out early. Think of all the amazing things you could do with a free year at 17! Or just go to college one year sooner. Trust me, it won't hurt your applications.

Beware: Helicopter parents

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2014/02/motivating_teenagers_how_do_you_do_it.html

Survey says

http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/12803/20140211/are-teens-more-stressed-than-adults-survey.htm

Go Iowa St.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/education/2014/02/michigan_universities_increase_funding_iowa_state_hires_more_full_time_faculty.html

An MBA is a good choice

http://education.yahoo.net/articles/master_s_degrees_employers_want.htm?kid=1O1CS

The truth

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201310/the-problem-rich-kids

I know it to be so.

-B

And Another ...

"One reason English majors tend to earn less than business majors, for instance, is that many lit-loving 18 year olds  aren't particularly motivated by money, and want careers in, say, PR or journalism (or even teaching!) that are short on pay, but meet their interests. Saying business majors earn more only because of what they studied is like saying having lots of Nike running shoes in your closet makes you a faster runner. No. People who care about their mile times and love to run are more likely to have more running shoes, in the first place. Business majors tend to be more salary-focused than poetry majors. It's a classic self-selection bias."


http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/01/money-is-a-terrible-way-to-measure-the-value-of-a-college-major/283290/?google_editors_picks=true

--
Brady Norvall, M.A.
FindabetterU.com
Education Counseling
954.254.7113

H=MC or Humanities = More Cash

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/01/23/carlyle-co-founders-formula-for-success-study-the-humanities/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=fb-share&_r=0

Rock it, Rubenstein.

Humanities, yay!

http://ideas.time.com/2014/01/16/why-i-let-my-daughter-get-a-useless-college-degree/