"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."   John Adams, December, 1770

READ READ READ
According to a national survey by the Independent Educational Consultants Association, writing and reading are fundamental in the college admission process. What students read is less important than the fact that students read. Research points to the fact that the best possible preparation for standardized tests is reading.

RISING SENIORS
Remember, advanced planning can reduce unnecessary stress of deadlines in the fall when school resumes. But, students should also find time to enjoy their summer vacation before they begin the application process.

WELLS COLLEGE GOES COED
The Board of Trustees has made the decision to expand Wells' mission to include men. Additionally, their new initiatives include expanding off-campus and study abroad options, partnering with Cornell University to create an engineering major at Wells, adding a master's degree program in education, and offering a summer institute in the book arts. Wells is one of only four New York State private colleges and universities named among the nation's top liberal arts schools that offer quality education at an affordable price in the 2005 edition of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges.

RISING FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES and JUNIORS
Too often a rising seniors tells me, "I wish I had listened. I can't do what I really want to do because my grades in the first few years of high school were really bad." Every year counts. Make the most of them.

SCHOLARSIP SEARCH SERVICES
These are services which, for a fee, will provide students and their families with information about college funding opportunities. When asked about the validity of these services, my advice is that if the service "guarantees college money" or "guarantees a student will be eligible for money"-- just walk away. Indeed some of these services have been investigated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and shut down due to unethical business practices. Nonetheless, there are reputable services, and families should carefully investigate a service before using it.

THE COMMON APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE NOW
The Common Application, Inc. announced on July 6, 2005, that the 2005-06 admission cycle has begun for selective colleges and universities. The Common Application for undergraduate admission -- accepted by nearly 300 of the nation's most selective colleges and universities-- officially became available at www.commonapp.org. Rob Killion, the organization's Executive Director highlighted some major improvements to this year's Common App Online:

online transmission of recommendations (for secondary schools using Naviance TCCi)

online application fee payment (provided by Sallie Mae)

an online Transfer Common Application

an online "Checklist" to help applicants keep track of their deadlines and submissions

much easier data imports for colleges -- enabling speedier application processing

"Colleges with a Conscience" - A NEW GUIDEBOOK
Dartmouth College is one of 81 colleges with exemplary public services programs, on and off campus. These are profiled in the new college guidebook Colleges with a Conscience. This book was compiled by The Princeton Review and Campus Compact, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community service, civic engagement, and service-learning in higher education, who reviewed over 900 schools.

RESTRICTED EARLY ACTION/SINGLE CHOICE EARLY ACTION
In the fall of 2003, Harvard, Yale, and Stanford Universities all changed their early admissions policies, to "single-choice early action," in which students may apply early to only one school, but are not bound to attend if they are admitted. This policy is also called Restricted Early Action.

KNOX MAKES SAT/ACT OPTIONAL
Knox College has become the first national liberal arts college in Illinois - and one of just three in the Midwest - to eliminate standardized test scores as a requirement for admission. Beginning with the class applying for the fall of 2006, the submission of SAT or ACT scores will become optional. "Standardized tests don't measure the qualities we value most in our applicants - intellectual curiosity, creativity, and an eagerness for learning," explains Paul Steenis, Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission. "We want future students who have excelled in a challenging high school curriculum and who show initiative, leadership and personal maturity."

In the CPS ARCHIVES:

June 2005 Newsletter

Given the nature of the admissions process and the selectivity of many educational institutions, we cannot guarantee admission to any institution.