Stress of applying to college

College Application Inspiration Playlist -- Part II

Posted on Fri, 11/30/2012 - 08:41

Part II of our inspiration playlist for seniors looking for motivation, de-stressing, or just contemplating the big changes the future will bring. We hope there's something for everyone between the two playlists we've posted this week. If not, we'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments or at authors@collegeadmissionbook.com.  In the meantime, check out the artists below -- we'd start with U2 or Nicki Minaj.

Video -- India Arie

100 Years -- Five for Fighting

This is My Now -- Jordin Sparks

King Without a Crown -- Matisyahu

You Get What You Give -- New Radicals

A Change is Gonna Come -- Sam Cooke

It's My Life -- Bon Jovi

I Gotta Feeling -- The Black Eyed Peas

Beautiful Day -- U2

Girl on Fire -- Alicia Keys

Get Up -- Mary Mary

Super Bass -- Nicki Minaj

Holiday Advice for Parents: Try the College Diet

Posted on Mon, 11/19/2012 - 15:43

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.  ― Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

Parents, this week we have some advice for you.  Tread lightly when discussing college in the presence of your juniors and seniors over the holiday, eschewing talk of college lists, deadlines and all things applications. As you gather around the table for Thanksgiving, we suggest you adhere to the "college diet" -- a great idea we learned about from psychologist Michael Thompson. It has one simple-to-follow guideline -- the subject of college should not be on the menu more than twice a week.   And run some interference for your son or daughter when relatives and friends get too inquisitive or let themselves indulge in thinly-veiled status competition.  Even well-meaning inquiries can add to the anxiety of the process, especially for seniors. So nix those conversations by changing the subject and support your students in relaxing and enjoying this most wonderful holiday.

Who fares best in applying to college?

Posted on Thu, 03/22/2012 - 19:18

Earlier this week, a student from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, wrote a column for Patch.com with a refrain familiar to many—a lament for the more carefree days before the pressure and stress of preparing to apply to college seemed to take over her life. "It seems like everything I do, sign up for, and participate in is because it somehow will look good on my college application. I volunteer for just about as much as I can muster. I am trying to find my ‘angle’…" Dearborn wrote. Alice Kleeman, who heads the College and Career Center at Menlo-Atherton High School in neighboring Atherton, California, was struck by the column and emailed us her thoughts. We couldn't have said it better, so we wanted to share her response with you: "It makes me sad when students believe that to be admitted to college they must try to become someone other than who they truly are.