DEC NETWORK-ING

Kinesiology (the study of physical activity) is on the move. For many years, the discipline of kinesiology was associated with coaching careers, but that’s no longer the case.  As reported in Inside Higher Ed, the American Kinesiology Association (AKA) states that “the number of undergraduate kinesiology majors grew 50 percent from 2003 to 2008, to more than 26,000 students, making it one of the fastest-growing majors in the country.  State universities are especially feeling the growing pains. University of Maryland, for example, experienced a 63% increase from 2002 to 2007. What’s the draw?  Students majoring in kinesiology understand the future career opportunities available to medical related professionals. And, according to the AKA,  more than half are developing skills as athletic trainers, occupational therapists or physician assistants. Go to www.americankinesiology.org to learn more about this exciting field of study.

The DEC NETWORK Newsletter is a monthly resource for families involved with a college search. What can you expect? From September to June, look for timely information on important college planning calendar dates such as standardized test date deadlines. Read articles dealing with college financing as well as specific topics relevant to the college process. And, a favorite feature highlights a particular type of college with this month’s story focusing on military academies. Finally, don’t miss the “website of the month” offering a great resource on such topics as summer enrichment, scholarships, athletic recruitment, and college search engines.  What’s in print for the upcoming month? Our September Newsletter is chalk full of  helpful tips on how to manage: 1) College Costs and Your College List, 2) Getting Recommendations That Can Make A Difference, 3) Rants, Raves and Vents of College Admissions Officers, and 4) Making the Most of Your High School Years. Check out also this month’s website, www.campuscompare.com. ( The site allows you to compare colleges along several variables such as majors, location, sports and careers. Visitors also can view links to student reviews on Facebook and Twitter). Sign up to receive the free DEC NETWORK Newsletter by going to www. dec-network.com.

Don’t leave any stone unturned. Go to the website of each college on your list to be absolutely clear on current admissions requirements related to high school curriculum, standardized tests, interviews, teacher/counselor recommendations, admissions options and deadlines. Depending on other sources can be a big mistake. Colleges may institute a new requirement smack dab in the middle of an admissions cycle. Or, in the case of Harvard and Georgetown, a long time standardized test requirement has been changed for this year yet will the vast college internet resource data base  be updated in a timely fashion? (three subject tests are no longer required).  To stay organized (and sane!), mark the requirements of each school on an Excel spreadsheet and review as you fine tune your admissions timeline checklist. And, remember: colleges vary with regard to policy on all of these areas regardless of their selectivity level. Don’t expect the Ivies, for example, to be in sync with their requirements.

In a recent New York Times Op-Ed, with humor and poignency, Maureen Dowd uses the “college roommate experience” to remind the incoming Class of 2014, “As you leave behind high school to redefine and even reinvent yourself as an adult, you need exposure to an array of different ideas, backgrounds and perspectives…” I couldn’t agree more! And, it doesn’t just begin and end with college. How many of us have shared a cramped one bedroom apartment with three others in New York or a similar city? We learn how to live together because in many cases, we simply have no choice. And, through this, we develop essential  interpersonal skills to navigate the workplace and more.  The most successful leaders in business, education, medicine, government or other career destinations are those that understand how to get along with others. Early lessons can be found within the college dorm room or later in a brownstone on the Lower East Side. Go to http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/opinion/11dowd.html to read more.  

As families prepare budgets to support college freshman heading off to campus, they prudently account for costs related to tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, travel and other living expenses. But one critical financial decision that is often overlooked is what to do about insurance coverage.  As noted by Aleksandra Todorova in the Wall Street Journal, “Reviewing your various insurance policies will not only protect your child at school but it may help you save cash, too”.  Health insurance coverage should remain the same (no added costs!) since students can be part of mom and dad’s policy through their early to mid 20’s in most states. However, coverage for dorm room contents, although part of your homeowner’s policy, may not be high enough for replacement purposes in the event of an unexpected loss of pricey items.  What about the frightening costs associated with escalating auto insurance premiums? Relax. Discounts on auto policies are usually available as the maturing teenage driver transitions to college. And, keeping your son or daughter on the family policy is likely to be less money than signing up for a separate policy.  So, make a date with your insurance man to support a carefully planned college budget.

Be prepared!  The DEC NETWORK Interview Pointers session lays a foundation for future interviews related to college admittance, scholarship applications, job interviews and much more. We’ve developed an effective 1.5 hour program to cover all aspects of the interviewing process. Topics covered include: Types of Interviews, Scheduling, What to Bring, Body Language, Resume Use, and  College/Company Website Prep. As part of the program, you’ll learn how to work from your resume to prepare for all interviews, both formal and informal. And, we’ll spend about 45 minutes of this valuable session with actual role playing. Not only will you practice how to effectively ace your answers but also how to develop the right kind of questions to impress your interviewer.  Your ultimate goal: to demonstrate a clear fit regardless of the type of opportunity. And, remember that the interview doesn’t end when you walk out of the door. Our Interview Pointers include several important tips on follow up communication. 

On August 1, rising seniors across the US will be off and running as  the Common Application goes live.  Students will  log on to www.commonapp.org  to register by creating an email ID and password. Yet, words to the wise…before anyone begins work on the application, think about your “presentation strategy”.  This is not part of a marketing gimmick as some media outlets may suggest  but rather a way for you to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Decisions on essay topics, extracurricular activity lists, college majors and more should indicate a clear path to where your natural interests and strengths lie. In this way, the admissions offices will find it very easy to understand how you will contribute to their campus communities. What about the optional essay found on many supplemental applications? It’s not optional!  Writing additional information about your accomplishments, perspectives and or intellectual curiosityprovides a more complete personal profile. And, with thousands of applicants in the pool, taking the extra time and effort to write the essay demonstrates a serious  interest to the admissions committee.

College admissions consulting demands diligent continuing education- period.  To stay on top of the ever-changing higher ed environment, I scour daily news feeds and  list serves, visit campuses, take on relevant coursework, attend national college admissions conferences, and maintain an active membership in professional associations. With this in mind, last week I spent five days at the highly acclaimed  Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions  to gain perspective from top admissions deans from around the country.  Faculty from Harvard, Princeton, Brown, Michigan, Claremont McKenna, Texas, Miami, MIT and Spelman were on hand to offer their take on a myriad of topics.  I attended programs such as How Admissions Decisions Are Made, Recommendations, Early Decision/Early Action, Issues in Women’s Leadership,  Financial Aid in the New Millennium, A Look at Changing Demographics, and College Rankings: Hurtful or Helpful. One of the best tips of the session came from Bill Fitzsimmons, Harvard’s Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. On making admissions decisions, Harvard looks for students ”who will be the best educators for each other…the best roommates”.  What is the overall message to college bound students whether applying to Harvard or any other highly selective university? It’s more than just statistics. Many students are “wicked smart” in the words of Fitzsimmons. In building a college community, the admissions offices look for students beyond their GPA who possess intellectual curiosity, an open mind and proven integrity. Sounds like great roommate potential.

For students searching for a small, private college experience in vibrant Southern California, look no further. Approximately one hour from Los Angeles International Airport, college bound kids will find architecturally pleasing Chapman University in historic Orange County. With just over 4,000 undergraduates (1,200 graduate), standout programs include those found in the highly lauded Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.  When applying, students are required to select a major from several areas such as Creative Producing, Digital Arts, Film Production, Film Studies, Public Relations and Advertising, Screen Action, Screenwriting, Television and Broadcast Journalism.  Yet, don’t let the expansive offerings fool you. Admittance to many of these majors is extremely competitive with Film Production topping the list. For those making the cut, according to Chapman Admissions Rep Becky Konowicz, Film Production majors will find incredibly supportive and collaborative relationships with professors and peers.  A tour of the facilities and a quick stop at the local Starbucks confirmed this claim via conversations with friendly undergrads and graduate students alike. For additional  information about academic offerings, campus culture and more, go to www.chapman.edu.

Congratulations Alex Trombetta, the 2010 winner of the Davis Education & Career Consultants LLC Scholarship. Awarded to a student who demonstrates academic promise, spirit, leadership and integrity, Alex will graduate from Ridgefield High School in a couple of weeks and head to Boston College in the fall. Past recipients include Kil Ho Lee (University of Michigan), Kerrie Riley (University of Richmond), and Lauren Peterson (University of Virginia). In addition to the annual scholarship, the DEC NETWORK’s overall philosophy enthusiastically supports  a wide range of philanthropies such as the IECA Foundation (Hopeworks ‘n Camden, NJ; Legacy of Learning, CO; and Motivating our Students Through  Experience, CA), American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Connecticut Special Olympics as well as Ridgefield’s Boys and Girls Club, Keeler Tavern Museum/Education Program, Visiting Nurse Association,  and A Better Chance (ABC House). The DEC Network offers education and career advisement to families in need as well as provides several free programs to local communities. For up to date information on community seminars, go to www.dec-network.com.