Class of 2010 Media Blitz!!!

SPRINGFIELD, MA. (June 10, 2010) –The Springfield Renaissance School, an Expeditionary Learning school, has become the first public high school in the City of Springfield to see 100 % of its senior class accepted into college

On June 1^st, after the final student shared her admissions news with Principal, Stephen Mahoney, he announced over the loud speaker, “Today it is true, The Springfield Renaissance School is now the first public high school in Springfield to have 100% of its graduates be admitted to college! The founding senior class has worked hard and they deserve this honor!“. The 77 seniors have been admitted into both two and four year colleges, and are expected to enter the doors of colleges and universities around the nation armed with over 2.0 million dollars in scholarships and grants in the fall of 2010. To date, more than 60 colleges or universities have admitted Renaissance students. The schools include UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, Tufts University, Westfield State College, Macalester College, and Wheelock College, among others.

The Springfield Public school district reported that the high school graduation rate for the 2008-2009 school year was 54.5%, with only 52% of those graduates attending college in the fall.

During the months January through May, Dr. Mahoney called off seniors’ names as they received their first admissions letters. Admissions announcements continued for nearly two months. The college admission ‘graffiti wall’ is littered with the signature of each college-bound senior, along with pictures and admissions letters. This is a ritual enacted each time a senior brought their first admissions letters into school.

Springfield Renaissance School principal, Dr. Stephen Mahoney, states, “Our students’ academic achievements have re-established the concept of ‘citizen-scholars’. It gives me tremendous hope for the future of our city, our state, and our nation.”

The students at The Springfield Renaissance School have a rigorous college prep curriculum where they delve deeply into core content during ‘Learning Expeditions’, which are in-depth studies that can span a whole semester. “These expeditions allow us to teach the state and national standards in a way that is relevant and interesting to the students. The depth of our studies and the connection to real-world problems helps the students understand why we are learning what we are learning”, says Aurora V. Kushner, a founding high school science teacher. “Our students are ready to go into college and beyond, as they have already sat at the table with local decision-makers, sharing their learnings and their ideas.” In all learning at the school, there is a focus on critical thinking, problem solving and strong habits of work.

The school will hold its first graduation on June 15^th at 6 pm in Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA.

Contact

Dr. Stephen Mahoney

The Springfield Renaissance School, Principal

1170 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104

phone: 413 750-2929

email: mahoneys@sps.springfield.ma.us

Planning a College Admissions Visit

No Responses »

Oct 052009

On October 5th 11 seniors from The Springfield Renaissance School hopped into a van with the school’s GEAR-UP staff. Here’s some advice for visiting colleges from Collegeboard.com…

Preparing for a College Campus Visit: Know before You Go

It may be tempting to just yell “roadtrip!” and head out to campuses, but you’ll get more out of your visits if you plan ahead.

Research the College

It’s important to know something about the college before you arrive on its campus, especially if you have an interview scheduled.

Review the viewbooks, course catalogs, and any other materials the college sends to prospective students.
Spend some time surfing their website.
Talk to currently enrolled students or alumni about their college. Some college websites let you contact them online, or you can get their contact information from the admissions office.

Scheduling Your Trip

Pick a time that’s convenient to you, but try to go when classes are in session. That way, you can sit in on a lecture or stay in a dorm overnight. You’ll only get a true feel for the campus if you’re there on a day when classes are in full swing.

Schedule your time on campus, too, to make sure you’ll have time for everything you want to do:

Find out how often college tours run, and if you have to sign up in advance.
Be sure to get a map of the school. You don’t want to spend half your day trying to park or find the admissions office.
If an interview is suggested, make an appointment. Also, consider meeting with the financial aid officer.
If you’re curious about a club, program, or a sport, arrange to attend a practice, rehearsal, or meeting.

Pack a Camera and Notebook

Was it X College or Y University that had that excellent exercise equipment in the gym? Where did I talk to that cool psychology professor? You think you’ll remember everything, but you’ll be surprised how colleges start to merge after you’ve seen a few.

What’s Important to You?

Make a list of what college characteristics are most important to you, so you know what to evaluate. Do you feel overwhelmed in a large lecture hall? Check out the class size. Do you have your heart set on joining a sorority or fraternity? See what the Greek system is like on campus. Is there a particular major that you want to pursue? Talk to current students or professors in that department.

Develop a list of your preferences. Take this list to the schools that you plan to visit, and compare them when you get back home.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/college-visits/73.html

Seniors - A Good Timeline to Check Out (and follow...)

No Responses »

Aug 232009

There are tons of timelines out there. This is a good one from Allen Grove at about.com. He runs a terrific college admissions website.

About.com

College Admissions

Month-by-Month Senior Year College Application Timeline

Keep Track of Important Dates and Deadlines in 12th Grade

By Allen Grove, About.com

College Prep: Middle School1 | 9th Grade2 | 10th Grade3 | 11th Grade4 | 12th Grade

Senior year is a busy and extremely important time in the college admissions process. This is your last chance to get the ACT5 and SAT scores you need6, and senior year is when you have to narrow down your college options to the handful of schools to which you’ll apply. You’ll need to get your college essay up to snuff, line up your letters of recommendation, and apply for financial aid. During the application process, you’ll need to keep active in extracurricular activities and maintain high grades.

August before Senior Year

* Register for the September ACT if appropriate (check ACT dates7).

* Come up with a preliminary list of colleges that includes reach8, match9 and safety10 schools.

* Explore the websites of the colleges that interest you to learn about admissions requirements.

* Check your senior year class schedule to make sure you’re taking the English, Math11, Social Science, Science, and Foreign Language12 classes you’ll need for your top-choice colleges.

* Look over the Common Application13 and begin thinking about potential topics for your personal essay14.

* Visit campuses15 and interview16 with college representatives if appropriate.

September

* Register for October or November SAT I and SAT II exams (check SAT dates17).

* Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss the colleges to which you’re thinking of applying.

* Request letters of recommendation18, especially if you are applying early.

* Continue to visit campuses and interview with college admissions representatives.

* Request applications from all the schools to which you might apply.

* Create a chart of deadlines. Pay particular attention to early decision, early action, and preferred application deadlines.

* If appropriate, register for the October ACT exam.

* Work on your college essays19.

* Try to assume a leadership position in an extracurricular activity.

* Keep your grades up.

October

* Take the SAT I, SAT II and/or ACT as appropriate.

* Continue to research schools to narrow your list20 to roughly 6 – 8 schools.

* Take advantage of college fairs and virtual tours.

* Complete your applications if you are applying early decision.

* Research financial aid and scholarships. Do your parents’ places of employment offer college scholarships for employee children?

* Get your college essay in shape. Get feedback on your writing from a guidance counselor and a teacher.

* Request your high school transcript and check it for accuracy.

* Keep track of all application components and deadlines: applications, test scores, letters of recommendation, and financial aid materials. An incomplete application will ruin your chances for admission.

November

* Register for the December SAT or ACT if appropriate.

* Take the November SAT if appropriate.

* Don’t let your grades slide. It’s easy to be distracted from school work when working on applications. Senior slump can be disastrous for your admissions chances.

* Make sure you’ve submitted all components of your applications if you are applying to colleges with November deadlines for early decision or preferred application.

* Put the final touches on your application essays, and get feedback on your essays from counselors and/or teachers.

* Continue to research scholarships.

December – January

* Complete your applications for regular admissions.

* Make sure you’ve had your test scores sent to all colleges that require them.

* Confirm that your letters of recommendation have been sent.

* Submit the FAFSA21 (Free Application for Financial Aid).

* If you are accepted to a school through early decision, be sure to follow directions carefully. Submit required forms, and notify the other schools to which you applied of your decision.

* Continue to focus on your grades and extracurricular involvement.

* Have midyear grades sent to colleges.

* Continue to keep track of all deadlines and application components.

* Continue to research scholarships. Apply for scholarships well in advance of deadlines.

February – March

* If you submitted the FAFSA, you should receive the Student Aid Report22 (SAR). Carefully look it over for accuracy. Errors can cost you thousands of dollars.

* Contact colleges that didn’t send you a confirmation receipt for your application.

* Don’t put off applying to schools with rolling admissions or late deadlines — the available spaces can fill up.

* Talk to your school about registering for AP exams.

* Keep your grades high. Colleges can revoke offers of admission if your grades take a nosedive senior year.

* Some acceptance letters may arrive. Compare financial aid offers and visit campus before making a decision.

* Don’t panic; many, many decisions are not mailed out until April.

* Continue applying for appropriate scholarships.

April

* Keep track of all acceptances, rejections, and waitlists.

* If waitlisted, learn more about waitlists23 and move ahead with other plans. You can always change your plans if you get off a waitlist.

* Keep your grades up.

* If you have ruled out any colleges that accepted you, notify them. This is a courtesy to other applicants, and it will help the colleges manage their waitlists and extend the correct number of acceptance letters.

* Go to accepted student open houses if offered.

* A couple circumstances may warrant an appeal of a college rejection24

May – June

* Avoid senioritis! An acceptance letter doesn’t mean you can stop working.

* Most schools have a deposit deadline of May 1st. Don’t be late! If needed, you may be able to request an extension.

* Prepare for and take any appropriate AP exams. Most colleges offer course credit for high AP scores; this gives you more academic options when you get to college.

* Have your final transcripts sent to colleges.

* Send thank you letters to everyone who helped you in the application process. Let your mentors and recommenders know the results of your college search.

* Keep on top of procuring student loans. Notify your college if you receive any scholarships.

* Graduate. Congratulations!

July – August after Senior Year

* Read all mailings from your college carefully. Often important registration and housing25 material is sent in the summer.

* Register for your classes as soon as possible. Classes often fill, and registration is usually on a first-come, first-served basis.

* If you get your housing assignment, take advantage of the summer to get to know your roommate (email, facebook, the phone, etc). Figure out who will bring what. You don’t need two TVs and two microwaves in your tiny room.

* Off to college! Visit Kelci Lynn, About.com’s expert on College Life26

This About.com page has been optimized for print. To view this page in its original form, please visit: http://collegeapps.about.com/od/admissionstimeline/tp/12th-grade-timeline.htm

Links in this article:

1. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/admissionstimeline/tp/college-prep-junior-high.htm

2. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/admissionstimeline/tp/ninth-grade-college-prep.htm

3. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/admissionstimeline/tp/10th-Grade-College-Preparation.htm

4. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/admissionstimeline/tp/11th-grade-college-preparation.htm

5. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theact/f/goodactscore.htm

6. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/sat/f/goodsatscore.htm

7. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theact/a/ACT_Dates.htm

8. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/glossaryofkeyterms/g/reach_school.htm

9. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/glossaryofkeyterms/g/match_school.htm

10. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/glossaryofkeyterms/g/safety_school.htm

11. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/a/HighSchoolMath.htm

12. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/a/ForeignLanguage.htm

13. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/glossaryofkeyterms/g/CommonApp.htm

14. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/EssayPrompts.htm

15. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/choosingacollege/tp/8-Tips-for-a-Campus-Visit.htm

16. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/tp/college-interview-questions.htm

17. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/standardizedtests/a/SAT_Dates.htm

18. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/tp/Letters-of-Recommendation.htm

19. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/essay_tips.htm

20. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/choosingacollege/f/HowManySchools.htm

21. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/payingforcollege/f/fafsa_info.htm

22. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/glossaryofkeyterms/g/SAR.htm

23. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/f/waitlist_faq.htm

24. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/f/appeal_reject.htm

25. http://collegeapps.about.com/od/collegehousingfaq/College_Housing_FAQ.htm

26. http://collegelife.about.com/

The Common Application - Start Now!

No Responses »

Aug 142009

It is not too early to create your profile for The Common Application and start on the application itself. Log on to www.commonapp.org and create a profile. Take a look at the 6 essay questions and get started on the essay that looks interesting to you know during the last couple of weeks of vacation. Have a family member, friend or mentor take a look and make editing suggestions!

Make the start of your senior year STRESSLESS and start now!

University of California Santa Cruz

No Responses »

Jul 272009

University of California Santa Cruz is the place my role model, Angela Y. Davis taught for years the person on FBI WANTED poster in my office!!!). UCSC is another school with a fabulous shoreline locale. I decided not to actually visit UC Santa Cruz’s campus (see the VIDEO) on the traditional tour. Instead, I decided to watch the school’s video to get a feel of how a school attempts to tell students what they are all about remotely. In a way, the different voices in the video are helpful. As with any tour, information, podcast or video, it the school putting its BEST foot forward. UCSC focuses on interdisciplinary study and students can choose from 60 majors within the schools of Engineering, Arts, Humanities, and Biological and Social Sciences. Examples are bioengineering, computer game design, and a Health Sciences program focused on qualifying for medical school that includes Spanish proficiency. NASA has a first-of-its-kind research program at the university as well.

Just over 15,000 undergraduates are enrolled (2% African American, 0.9% Native American, Asian/PI 21.5%, Chicano/Latino 17.7%, White 49.9% and 5.6% Unstated). UCSC has a residential college system similar to UCSD and makes a big school smaller. The admit rate for UCSC is 63.2% and the average high school GPA is 3.76, SAT 591/609/597 out of 2400. Students with GPAs under 3.0 have an admit rate of 6.8%.

Check out the school’s photo gallery – (http://admissions.ucsc.edu/see/photoGallery/index.cfm)

University of California Santa Cruz (see the VIDEO). I decided not to actually visit UC Santa Cruz’s campus. It is another school with a neat shoreline locale.

University of Southern California (USC)

No Responses »

Jul 272009

Check out the “Tommy Cam” for Tuesday, July 21st. Can you find me?!!!

University of Southern California is located in the heart of Los Angeles and takes up over 230 acres of land. This is a large, private, liberal arts university. There are over 2,700 students entering in the fall of 2009 (7% African American, 14% Latino, 2% Native American/PI, 25% Asian/Asian American, 45% White and 6% International students); there are over 16,500 undergraduates and 15,700 graduate students. It goes without saying that USC is the home of the Trojans, BIG TIME football – “Fight On!” It goes without saying that USC has one of premier marching bands and the scholarships to go with it.

Most students enter the Letters, Arts & Sciences and Business programs (a fair number are undeclared when they enter – some 16%). Being in LA, the school touts access to terrific film, broadcasting and journalism programs – with great internships in the heart of it all.

Admissions-wise, the school has a 22% admit rate. The application process is: Optional Part I 10/15, Part II 12/15 (scholarship), and Part II (application) 1/10.The mean GPA for admitted students is 3.7 and mean SAT 1910-2200. Out-of-State students make up 39% of the 2009 freshman class.

Tuition is over $51,000. USC commits to meeting all of the EFC through merit scholarships (full, half and quarter tuition), university grants, state and federal aid, loans and work-study. About 24% of entering freshmen received merit scholarships and over 60% received FA.

University of California Santa Barbara

No Responses »

Jul 272009

Somehow I forgot Renny! I think he snuck off to the beach…

University of California Santa Barbara is another in the CA university system. A mid-sized university, the school has 20,000 students. Like many of the California schools the campus has breath taking view of both the nearby mountains and the beaches famous for surfing. I think I’d hae been pretty distracted by all the fun in sun when I was an undergrad, the school has decent retention for freshmen! The campus is literally AT THE BEACH! A biking campus, there seemed to be bike paths to every location on and off campus. I saw one of the largest bike racks I’ve ever seen in my life! Cyclers have the right of way on the bike paths, so look lively as you are walking around. Students apply to the College of Creative Studies, College of Engineering, or College of Letters and Science. The College of Creative Studies allows students to participate in high level research and study in one of eight academic areas of their choosing. There are just over 330 students in the program and classes are taught at the seminar level and students have graduate student privileges. Within The College of Engineering students have five majors (chemical, computer, computer science, electrical and mechanical) to choose from and a 3+2 program that provides a M.S. in engineering. The College of Letters has 90 majors, including Art History, Biochemistry, Ecology and Evolution and Pharmacology. There are also a bunch of minors available.

As with all UC system schools, applicants must meet the criteria for the school. 60% of the criteria is based on “a-g requirements”, GPA and Exams and 40% looks at “academic promise” – extracurriculars, challenges and special circumstances, diversity of intellectual and social experience, and honors and awards. There is more criteria depending on which college a student applies to – Creative Studies, Engineering, or Letters and Science (check the links to learn more). Students must also submit a 1,000 word Personal Statement that answers two prompts – “Describe the world you come from…” and “Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment…”

Note: grades of B and above can be counted to satisfaction of the “a-g requirement”. When students get Cs they must report it to admissions, and Ds & Fs do not assist a student’s application. 49% of students who apply are admitted and the average GPA of admitted students is 3.93 – the average SAT 609/634/620 (out of 2400). The admit rate is 48.3% (1.8% with GPAs of 3.0 and below). Students can begin to apply online in November.

Out of state students make up 4% of the student population. Gender-wise Female 55% and Male 45%. Undergraduate ethnicity is: African American students 3%, Asian/PI 16.7%, Chicano/Latino 20% and White 51%. Students are assured housing their freshman year and most students live in the mile radius town named Isle Vista. 91% of students return their sophomore year.

Pomona College

No Responses »

Jul 222009

Flickr Video

Pomona College is located in the desert of the Inland Valley of Southern California. The school is modeled on the New England Ivies, but the architecture is all California (an hour away from the Mojave Desert, LA, Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel Mountains!). It is in a college town that might remind someone of Nothampton, MA (minus the winter!). This a small (1,500 students) private, liberal arts college which is considered a part of the Claremont College system (including Claremont-McKenna, Pitzer, Harvey Mudd, and Scripps). The school prides itself in personal touch with a student:faculty ratio of 8:1 and the average class size is 14. Our tour guide said it is the norm to get an email from a professor when you miss class. Additionally, all freshmen are assigned a Sponsor Group – a sophomore who essentially “looks out” for a group of new students this helps students settle in quickly and gain needed support right away. Students also can sign up to live in living and learning communities where dorm mates have common interests.

In addition to Sponsor Groups, Pomona takes pride in its extremely low freshman attrition rates – very students who enroll leave the school (95-100%). There are also offices focused on the retention of African-American, Latino/Chicano and 1^st Generation College students. This must contribute to Pomona having such a low graduation rate gap between White and African-American students. The class entering in 2008 is reported 8.7% African-American, 11.5% as Latino. The school is 50/50 male to female ratio.

Pomona is purely an undergraduate institution and professors teach all the classes, this includes freshman seminars. Freshmen must sign up for 1 of 24 “Critical Inquiry” seminars with 15 classmates. The school has General Education requirements and students are expected to be able to high level and original research upon graduation – Senior Thesis is a culminating piece of work. Students have take a “Breadth of Study Course” in each of 5 areas and demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language – beyond meeting requirements in their major. The school prides itself in students doing community service learning and field work. High percentages of Pomona students go on to graduate study and over 90% are admitted to graduate school on their first attempt.

Pomona is a highly selective college median SAT scores for admitted students are: CR 680-770, Math 680-760 and Writing 690-770. 53% of applicants receive scholarships and 19% are 1^st generation college students (23% of enrolled students are from the Northeast portion of the U.S.). Applications are evaluated based on 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade courses. Students need to take the SAT I or ACT with writing, and two SAT IIs. Basically, admissions officers at Pomona are looking to see that a student has taken full advantage of the academic program available to him or her at their school (AP, Honors, Dual Enrollment, etc.). Minimally, 4 years of English and Math (to calculus), 3 years of language, 2 years each in laboratory and social science are expected. recommended. Additionally, a student’s character and community involvement are discerned through teacher/counselor recommendations and personal statements. Regular admissions has a deadline of the first week in January (www.pomona.edu/admissions). Students submit Common Application and Pomona supplement.

Pomona was ranked 5^th Best College Value by Kiplinger Magazine, 5^th by Hispanic Magazine and 7^th by The Blacks in Higher Education Journal. It is also ranked 1^st as per capita college endowment (which is great for overall financial resources and aid).

Tuition is over $46,000. Nearly $33,000 per student is the average financial aid award and the school just adopted a “no loan” program (www.pomona.edu/financialaid).

University California San Diego (UCSD)

No Responses »

Jul 222009

UC San Diego is a part of the University of California system and one of the most popular of them. A number of its programs are ranked as one of the top ten by U.S. News and World Report; American Politics, Behavioral Neuroscience, Plasma Physics and Multi-media are some of those programs. UCSC also has nationally ranked graduate programs like Political Science, Theater & Dance and Economics. Students who apply to UCSD apply to one of six colleges, each of the colleges has its own educational philosophy and students are encouraged to make their decisions based on matching their own philosophies and interests with the three college that they list on their application (Roger Revelle, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren John Muir, Thurgood Marshall or the newest college that focuses on culture, art and technology – Sixth College). For example, Earl Warren (Governor of California and U.S. Supreme Court justice has the philosophy, “Toward a Life Balance” and balance personal responsibility and public. Students take a course in common, have access to the honors program, and can become involved internships that will prepare them for graduate study. Each college has different general education requirements. Students can declare any major, regardless of the college they end up residing in.

The “Tritons” are a Division II school with 23 collegiate teams. UCSD is located on a beautiful campus overlooking the city of San Diego. Freshman housing is guaranteed and off-campus housing can be right on the beach! Lots of students go surfing in their free time.

William Stiles, an admissions officer at UCSD felt that the intimacy of the six colleges is a factor that contributes to the higher retention rate of African-American and Latino students at UCSD, because are more closely supported and advised through the system.

Even so, there are only 1.5% African-American Students, 12.2% Latino/Chicano and American students (additionally there are 48.6% Asian, 26.7% White and less than 1% Native American – 12% Undeclared). Some of the low numbers of African-American and Latino students are attributed to the admissions standards (considered very competitive) and the reality of education in urban centers in this country. UCSD uses a point system for admissions and evaluates applicants’ 10^th and 11^th grade years for admission (https://doorways.cop.edu/list). Students must meet minimum requirements (3.4 GPA in “a-g requirements”, ACT plus Writing or SAT I AND 2 SAT II tests in two different areas). Admissions Criteria – 77% of the criteria is based on gpa and exams, and 23% of the criteria examines a student’s education environment, family income, 1^st generation status, leadership and special talents, volunteer/community service, education prep program participation and special circumstances or personal challenges. For out of state applicants (3% of population), AP BUT NOT honors courses contribute to a student’s application. 37.3 % of applicants are admitted and the mean weighted GPA is 4.06 (admit rate is lower for students with lower GPAs – less than 1% for students whose GPAs are lower than 3.0). Another contributing factor to school’s high retention rate has to be that STUDENTS ARE ALREADY PERFORMING WELL ACADEMICALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL!!! It appears that students have a higher rate of acceptance when they transfer from CA community colleges (establish residency) at 95%! Students submit their own grades and the application period is November 1-30.

Tuition for out-of-state applicants is $20,608 more than the $23,760 for CA residents. 50% of admitted students receive financial aid, but many grants are
CA state based. Applications are submitted January 2 – March 2.

Older Entries

Ask a Question

Preparing for a College Campus Visit: Know before You Go

Research the College

Scheduling Your Trip

Pack a Camera and Notebook

What’s Important to You?

Tags