DEC NETWORK-ING

Are you looking for a top rated engineering school in New England? Look no further than Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), the third oldest private technological university in the US (after Johns Hopkins and NY Polytechnic). WPI houses 3,537 undergraduate students with a campus location in urban Worcester, Massachusetts alongside 12 other colleges. Along with its excellent engineering programs, WPI prides itself on what’s called the WPI Plan- the Project Program for junior and senior year. The Interactive Project, for example, calls for a team of students to study the impact of science and technology across disciplines and often involves a project location off campus. In addition to its unique program of study, WPI’s academic calendar includes four quarters, each totaling seven weeks. Students take no more than three classes per term. And, for those concerned about standardized testing, WPI is test optional. What about rankings? The Admissions Office reports the following: WPI ranks No. 6 among all national universities for average starting salary by Payscale.com. The National Survey of Student Engagement ranks the school first for student-faculty interaction.The Princeton Review ranks WPI in the top 20 for Happiest Students. To read more, go to www.wpi.edu.

April is synonomous with taxes for most Americans, but in terms of high school juniors, the month is aligned with Spring Break journies to campuses around the nation. An often overlooked action item on your campus visit checklist- introduce yourself to your admissions rep…the person the college assigns to read applications from your geographic region. He or she is responsible for representing the school, answering your questions and yes, perhaps serving as the gatekeeper to your application. If you’re excited about the school, let your rep know. Send a quick thank you email when you return home, mentioning what you loved about the school. Understand that any demonstration of interest is key to your future admittance. You’ll most likely see your rep at future college fairs or high school visits, even for a formal interview, if required. Develop a relationship early on and nurture it so if College X is on your final list, your rep will be excited to see your application fall across the desk or on the computer screen- a familiar face among the thousands.

By fall of 2011, in accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, post secondary institutions participating in the Title IV federal student aid program were required to include price calculators on their websites so that families could have an idea on their child’s potential cost of attendance. An effective tool? As Rachel Louise Ensign writes in a recent Wall Street Journal article, “price calculators were supposed to make estimating the cost of going to college easier. But some families are feeling burned by them.” Collegebound students have inputted data, received early cost estimates and then have been shocked with higher than expected tuition prices with acceptance letters. Problems can occur on both sides of the table. So what to do? If you’re one of hundreds of juniors from around the nation just returning from campus tours and anxious to compare potential costs, understand that the estimated price from a calculator is not set in stone. And, as further noted in the WSJ article, know the “hallmarks of an accurate net-price calculator”: 1) asks more than 10 questions; 2) includes questions about academic performance that can help determine merit aid; 3) uses current data to make projections; 4) prominently featured on the financial-aid section of college’s website; 5)developed in-house at a college or by a third party; 6) highlights net price instead of other measures that might include loans, such as “out-of-pocket cost”. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/6udwsaf

If you haven’t seen First Generation, do so. I recently had the opportunity to view a screening of this award winning documentary at New York University (firstgeneration.com). The film follows the admissions path of four California students with the dream to be the first in the family to go to college. Despite the initiatives of these driven young adults and their ultimate success, the final outcomes are compromised by an overall lack of information and solid advisement during the process. The highest achieving student- the recipient of several academic awards, is left to forego her dream of a four year, traditional school due to cost considerations for part time matriculation at her local community college. A poignant message from the film is the painful reality of missed opportunity. Despite the fact that many students across the nation do benefit from up to 24 hours a day of college advisement via family, guidance offices and more, these kids did not and their lack of awareness about tuition discounts, fee waivers and so much more left them with substantial opportunity costs. We must step up as a profession, as a community, as a nation. We need to mentor as much as possible. We have the information; it is our responsibility to look beyond our office doors and reach further.

The Millennial Generation is extremely connected with their parents. There’s no doubt about that fact. And, in many cases, that’s a good thing. I believe that parents know their children best and if solicited, can provide solid advice for their children even at the final stage of the college process. It’s very healthy for families to sit around the kitchen table and have a discussion based on trust and respect. The most effective parents will understand that their role is to listen, offer objective advice, but let their children make the decision that’s best for them. I often site the book, “I’m Going to College, Not You” to remind parents that it’s their child’s time to lead the way and the parent’s time to step back. Most parents do this effectively, sometimes with subtle or not so subtle reminders. So what about college? Is a parent’s presence still as profound and if so, what kind of result does it have on a child’s independence and maturity? A recent survey conducted by NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education found that parent involvement does continue through the college years, yet without a hindrance on their child’s personal growth. As Sheri King, Assistant Director of Student Affairs at the University of Georgia’s states, “Parents seek meaningful ways for involvement and they are willing to work, for the most part, within parameters when they are given to them.” Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/03/28/naspa-survey-finds-parental-involvement-isnt-always-bad-thing#ixzz1qkDJsGI7

Waitlisted! An unwelcome response for many students. Yes, the college is recognizing the applicant’s ability to be successful at their particular institution. Yet, students remain in the oh so close category of strong enough to be admitted (a positive!), but not yet in reach of the coveted words, Welcome to X University. What to do? Follow the directions of your letter from the admissions office which often includes sending in a wait list card. If the school remains a top choice, say so in an email and herald more recent achievements to your admissions rep. Forward any additional information that may strengthen your application such as recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask your high school counselor to go to bat for you, if it makes sense. Bottom line, keep on the radar screen. Although there are no guarantees, at least when the dust settles, you’ll feel that you gave it your best shot. No doubt it’s grueling to keep going with the process, but you’ll never have to ask yourself, could have I been accepted if I just… One caveat: a shift in your waitlist status often comes with a carrot. Colleges will make a personal phone call to you with the good news, often with the offer contingent on your solid commitment to attend. And, here’s the tricky part; you may only have 24 hours or perhaps the weekend.

Class of 2012: Stay energized! Schools have released their responses. Your focus now is taking the right steps to ensure an optimal strategy related to final college decisions. If you’re in at your top choice school, congratulations. Your next steps include officially accepting, sending in a deposit and withdrawing all other applications. This last action item is extremely important, as a spot then opens up for anxiously awaiting students (maybe even your own peers). If you haven’t made your mind up, make sure to attend Accepted Student’s Day. Colleges roll out the red carpet to woo the best and the brightest. You’ll experience first hand campus vibe as well as catch a snapshot of your prospective peers. You’ll be able to check out the quality of teaching by attending classes. While with professors, don’t be afraid to ask questions about core curriculum and distribution requirements, and options within your prospective major for internships, scholarships, and fellowships. Find out how easy it is for you to study abroad. If you have a chance to stay overnight, do so. And, while you’re there, get to know as much about the social life on campus as possible. Which school ultimately is the right match? There may be several. Just keep in mind the following: your perspectives today may be different than tomorrow so think about long term education and career goals as you make the final decision. Your undergraduate experience should be a balance of academic challenge and social/cultural exploration. Your professors, your peers, your overall school community will help shape your future legacy and define a lifetime of networks. In the end, your decision may come down to a gut feeling more than anything you can quantify. Go with it.

Adventures Cross Country offers exciting opportunities for cultural immersion in several regions around the world. Can you imagine the discovery within travel to such destinations as China, Africa, Australia, Spain, Costa Rica, France, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Thailand and Turkey? Last summer, a client expressed interest in improving his Spanish proficiency by way of travel oversees for no more than one month. ACC offered the perfect program to match his goals: 23 days of language study in Spain which included 40 hours of classroom instruction. Students also would have the chance to explore culturally rich Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Tarragona. The reviews were five star; the program an immense hit. Contact Sara Byrne at ACC to find out details about this and all of their offerings, adventurescrosscountry.com.

Are you interested in learning more about engineering? You’re not alone. Science and math students extraordinaire are flocking toward this field in record numbers given the positive news about future career trends within the industry. Why not take advantage of hands on learning with seasoned engineering professors and professionals. And, with engineering covering several areas, you can discover if aeronautical, mechanical, civil, or perhaps biomedical direction is right for you.

Early exploration of potential career interests brings you closer to understanding what makes you happy and fulfilled. Since an educational plan can be a long process and expensive venture, the minimal time and investment in enrichment is well worth the long term return. Even if you ascertain that you don’t like engineering, think about how much future angst you prevented (not to mention $) by avoiding applying to college and starting on an engineering track. You gain new information about yourself and that is worth every penny. You can even earn college credit.

What to choose? Several DEC Network clients have given the thumbs up to Lead America which offers programs on the East and West Coast. Spend nine days on the campus of Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering from July 7-16, working on team engineering problems, building robots, and more . The price is set at just under $3,000 which covers room, board and program content. Check it out at www.lead-america.org

Summer enrichment comes in all shapes and sizes. No matter what your interest, budget or timeline, there is a program for you. Students can opt for learning both in and outside of the classroom with opportunities throughout the US but also around the world. How to choose what’s right for you? First, determine your ultimate goal which could range from academic study on a college campus to language immersion in a foreign country. Then research pertinent program offerings from resources such as Peterson (www.petersons.com) and Enrichment Alley (www.enrichmentalley.org). Always check on the level of supervision, location of facilities and safety record. Understand what a typical daily schedule entails to avoid surprises. Do communicate with references. If they aren’t available, consider the omission a serious red flag. Network clients have participated in a myriad of programs, two of which will be featured in February posts.