Post Synopsis - Summary of Posts From October 2011 - May 2012

Every six months or so, I like to list the topics of posts I've published and briefly summarize them. In that way, you may be enticed to go back into the archives to read blogs of special interest to you. As in past synopses, this post will also include some of the websites and books mentioned.
   
Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - Declaring a Major, Early Action and Early Decision
Some thoughts on declaring a major and, as the title says, an explanation of the "Early Decision" and "Early Action" options.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - On the Job
A discussion of apprenticeships.
US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website: www.doleta.gov/oa


Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - Earn While You Learn
The subject of this post was Cooperative Education, a program that integrates academic learning and practical work experience.
The World Association of Cooperative Education website: www.waceinc.org
The National Commission of Cooperative Education: www.co-op.edu
The Journal of Cooperative Education: www.ceiainc.org

Wednesday, January 4, 2012 - Show Me the Money!
A discussion of sources of information regarding financial aid and how to determine your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) Calculator found at: www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml 


Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - Show Me the Money! Part II
A continuation of the previous post.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - Time Out
A break in the financial aid discussion to re-assess "why college?"
Going Broke by Degree by Richard Vedder
Crazy U by Andrew Ferguson

Center for College Affordability and Productivity:  www.centerforcollegeaffordability.org

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Show Me the Money - Part III
Resources that provide information on scholarships.  Scholarship finders can be found at:
collegeboard.org, , www.Scholarup.net, www.scholarships.com, www.heseaa.org
Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowitz
Get Free Cash for College by Kelly Gen Tanabe

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - Working the System
Strategies to maximize your financial aid package
Paying for College Without Going Broke - Princeton Review

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - The Six Year Undergraduate
Recent reports show that many students take longer than four years to receive their undergraduate degree.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - If Spring Training Is Almost Over, Can Summer Be Far Behind?
Discussion of summer programs for students
Peterson's Summer Programs for Kids
Kaplan Yale Daily News Guide to Summer Programs


Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - Hurry Up and Wait!
Discussion of the likelihood of students being offered admission if they have been wait listed.

If Spring Training Is Almost Over, Can Summer Be Far Behind?

Although the area of the country in which I live has had an usually mild winter, the beginning of baseball season always seems to mark the long awaited countdown to summer. Most students look forward to a season away from school and homework but many parents are looking for ways to entertain their children and enrich their development. Truth be told, many are just looking for something for the kids to do while they're at work! Have you noticed all the summer camp advertisements and open houses?

In addition to camps geared to specific talents and interests, pre-college programs are offered by many schools for students in middle/high school. Students who are interested in a certain college or university may go to its website to see which programs are available. In my blog way back on September 22, 2010, I reviewed four such programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Douglass College and the Fashion Institute of Technology as well as one at the New Jersey Center for the Performing Arts. There are hundreds, if not thousands, more. Peterson's publishes a guide entitled, Summer Programs for Kids and Teenagers .
The Kaplan Yale Daily News Guide to Summer Programs is worth a look as well.

In finding information about summer programs, websites can be particularly helpful, as they are usually more current and updated more frequently. I like one out of George Washington University - www.usummer.com. Clicking on the "Summer Programs" tab will bring you to a directory of hundreds of programs not exclusive to GWU.

CAUTION: Many motivated students look at a summer program as a way to enhance their application to an exclusive or highly competitive college. As with many things, it's not WHAT is done as much as HOW it is done. An expensive or even self-sacrificing summer program really does little if you've gained no insight from it. If you travel to some exotic place to dig water wells and all you come away with is you didn't really like the food, you will not produce as good an application essay as the one about how you loved teaching the neighborhood kids to throw a curveball.

The State of Boys and Girls State

I'm going to interrupt this series of blogs about choosing a college to discuss something of a more timely nature: the Boys and Girls State programs. American Legion units in 49 of the 50 United States (with the exception of Hawaii) will begin their selection process the middle of this month for these week long summer programs. This year New Jersey Boys and Girls State sessions will run from Sunday, June 19, through Friday, June 24. The goal of the programs is to teach students completing their junior year of high school how local, county and state government works. Leadership skills, as well as an appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, are developed.

A descriptiion of the structure of Girls State, which is also that of Boys State, follows:

At Girls State, each girl, as she registers, becomes a citizen
of an assigned city. The citizens set up city governments
and elect city officials. The City Councils then enact
ordinances to govern the cities. The city officials enforce
the ordinances. Two cities constitute a county. The county
governments are organized by the election of a Board of
Freeholders, a Sheriff, etc. for each county. The elected
officers then proceed to function in all county matters, as
provided by the Constitution and the laws of the State of
New Jersey. The counties together become the state. Each girl
is assigned to one of two parties - Federals or Nationals - so
they may see how political parties function. They develop
their own party platforms and discuss issues they choose.
All of the elections are carried our according to the
existing laws of New Jersey. Following the State Primary
Elections is the General Election, when the citizens elect the
Girls State Governor. From the Assembly and Senatorial
Districts they elect the members of the Girls State Assembly
and Senate. An Inaugural Ceremony is held and the Girls
State Governor-elect and other state officials are given
their oaths of office. The two branches of the legislature
organize, author, and pass bills. The Governor decides whether
to sign the bill into law or veto them.

Wow, what a civics lesson and all in one week! Two delegates from each individual state program are selected to attend Boys Nation and Girls Nation where delegates are taught about and simulate the Federal government.

Usually schools recommend lists of eligible candidates to local Legion units. Leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to school and community are among the traits that eligible juniors must exhibit. The Legion post reviews the list and interviews the candidates to select their representative(s) for the program.

I was a delegate to New Jersey Girls State almost forty-five years ago! (DON'T DO THE MATH!!!) I consider selection one of my greatest honors and participation one of the most worthwhile of my endeavors. The civics in action lessons the program taught have been invaluable throughout my life. If you are interested, go to www.boysandgirlsstate.org and see your guidance counselor.