Q: I will be applying to universities in the U.S. from France. My English is fluent and I lived in the U.S. as a child. My father is American, my mom is Colombian, and I have an American passport. We have been living in France for the past four years. Will this allow me to apply as an “international student” or would I be considered an American applicant? If I stress my international side, could my application be rejected as an “international student” when colleges see that I am an American citizen?

A: Being an “international student” is, strictly speaking, a matter of citizenship rather than residency. In other words, what counts is the legal citizenship of the applicant and not where he or she lives or goes to school. As an American citizen, you are an American wherever you live, whether it’s in France, Colombia, England, or the U.S. On the other hand, a student who is German — for example — a German citizen whose parents work for an German company with an office in Chicago, and who has lived in the U.S. and attends an American high school, must apply as an international student.

But there is more to consider. You will bring a real international perspective to the U.S. college you attend. Your life as a dual citizen and your experiences abroad count for something! Your viewpoint will enrich your classroom life in the U.S. While the German student living in Chicago will also bring an international viewpoint to the college he attends, so will you! Your combined experiences have created the person you are, and it’s the whole person you are who will be considered for admission. (more…)

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Q: My son is a junior and I thought that later this spring, and over the summer, we’d start driving to see some college campuses. Now he is saying, why bother, no one gets in anyway. He is friends with a number of seniors, and some of them have already gotten rejection letters from colleges. Their disappointment is affecting him and making him think very negatively. How do I build up his interest?

A: You can’t prevent your son from hearing negative information from some of his friends, but you also need to get him to hear the positive as well. He needs to see the big picture, and the big picture shows us that pretty much every high school student who takes academics seriously and plans his/her college applications carefully will indeed get in. They may not get into their #1 choice, but they will find a college, in many cases more than one, which will accept them.

Of course, if your son’s friends are talking about Ivy League schools, where the acceptance rate is usually less than 10%, most applicants are going to be disappointed. But freshman places at Ivy league institutions account for a very small percentage of freshman places nationally. The vast majority of admissions decisions for this year’s seniors have yet to be made. I am confident that by the end of this academic year, all of your son’s friends will have been accepted to colleges where they will be happy. (more…)

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Q: How difficult is it to transfer to another college? Is it easier or harder than getting admitted as a freshman? Also, does the college you are applying to look at your high school record or just your college record?

A: The basic answer to all your questions above is: It depends.

Openings for transfer students are made possible by other students leaving the college. A school with a high retention rate will have fewer openings. In general, the more selective a college, the fewer places it will have. On the other hand, a less selective school which is also more affordable,  may be experiencing a higher demand for places — so it may be harder to be admitted as a transfer student there this year than it was last year. (more…)

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Q: My stepson is a high school junior and lives in Puerto Rico. He really wants to go to college in New York City. Can you recommend a good website or resource for us to help him prepare for the application process?

A: New York City is one of the world’s best college towns! There are colleges and universities in every borough, for every field of study, and in a wide range of price and accessibility. The list is too long to give here, but it includes Columbia University, Barnard College, New York University, Marymount Manhattan, Cooper Union, Pratt Institute, St. John’s University, Wagner College, and the 16 campuses of the City University of New York. (Never heard of Wagner College? Check it out. It’s a “hidden gem” on Staten Island!)

Students in New York City can get a two-year Associate’s degree at a community college, a four-year bachelor’s — even go on to graduate school, law school, nursing or medical school, or business school. There are specialized schools for studying art, computers, medical technology, fashion, music, music production, aviation, merchandising, and education. The most expensive colleges can cost over $50,000 a year while others charge less than a fifth of that amount.

Your stepson might be a bit overwhelmed at first by the sheer amount of information available, but if he starts methodically he will be able to come up with a manageable shopping list. An excellent place to start is the College Board which gives basic facts about the 3500+ colleges and universities in the U.S. (more…)

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Q: My daughter applied Early Decision to an Ivy League school and just found out she was “deferred.” Her college counselor told her the school was a “reach,” but my daughter chose to apply anyway because she really loves this college and felt she had a good chance. Her grades and scores are very high and, frankly, she is one of the top achievers at her school. Now she is devastated. A “no” might have been easier to deal with — but “deferred”? Is this just a nicer way of saying “no”? It seems to me a kind of admissions limbo. Why do they do this?

A: A deferral is not a denial, but you are right — it is a type of limbo, where your daughter’s application is hovering, neither accepted nor rejected. It’s not a comfortable place to be, but not entirely hopeless. Your daughter is obviously an excellent student, as this Ivy League school is still interested in her — they want to keep her in the running. Her college counselor was right, though, in telling her that this college was a “reach.” Because competition for admission to Ivies is so keen, and because their acceptance rates are extremely low (many under 10%), they are all “reach” schools no matter how strongly qualified the applicants.

Going into the application process with this understanding should ward off optimism, but it’s hard not be hopeful. So of course your daughter feels tremendously let down. She might feel a bit better if she realizes that, having had the courage to take herself into a hugely competitive arena, she survived the first cut. (more…)

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Q: I understand the importance of the college essay, and how admissions people use it to get a sense of the whole applicant beyond the transcript and test scores.  But what’s the point of all those short essays?  Write p 277 of your autobiography!  Write a haiku about yourself!  Why are you applying to us? These short essays are annoying and I don’t see the purpose.  Don’t they already have enough information in the application to make a decision?

A:  I am sure that every other student working to submit an application by the deadline has been similarly annoyed and wonders the same thing.  But don’t kid yourself - these “short” questions are of the utmost importance!  Admissions officers have a tremendous amount of work to do; they are not making up extra questions just to give you and them more to do!  There is a reason.  For one thing, college admissions people know that the longer essay, which is usually considered to be “the” essay, may have been tweaked and edited and corrected by mom, dad, teachers, Uncle Fred, or even a paid advisor, and may no longer represent the genuine voice of the student.  And the genuine, natural voice is what they want to hear.  Dashing off - not being thoughtless, but being a bit more spontaneous - those short answers might reveal more of the unprompted writer.

Remember that an application should give a multi-dimensional picture of the applicant.  The short answers that you might think are trivial, actually add something to this portrait.

And if a college asks the question - “why are you applying to our college?” - please take this very seriously.  They are not looking for you simply to praise their school.  Neither are they looking for you to regurgitate information easily found on their website or publications.  So if you say “I want to attend X College because it’s ranked #3 in the nation for . . .” or “I want to go to your school because it’s only 20 minutes from Boston” or “X College is for me because it offers a choice of 38 majors” you will have failed the test.  Anyone can write those things.

They want to see that you have truly reflected on your choice.  In this way they may be able to tell the difference between a sincere applicant and one who wants to use them as a safety school or back-up.  If they have two applicants whose qualifications are very similar, but one applicant sounds sincere and the other sounds not fully interested, which applicant do you think they will choose?

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Q: How can I possibly make my application special when colleges are getting thousands of them? How can mine be different and get their attention?

A: How can you make your application stand out? It’s a challenge, especially when you are using the Common Application, which makes every application look the same — neat, yes, but also visually uniform and therefore potentially boring for admissions officers facing stacks of identical applications.

Of course, the contents of your application, rather than its appearance, ought to be its most outstanding aspect. Still, adding some visual spice can have the effect of making the people reading your application slow down a bit and really notice the contents.

But be careful. (more…)

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Q:  My son is a junior at a high school in Queens.  He is an excellent student and would like to go to a prestigious college.  But his high school is huge and the college counselors don’t have much time for each student.  On the other hand, my cousin’s son goes to a prep school near Washington DC, and my cousin says their college counselors are known for getting kids into the best colleges.  What chance does my son have competing against applicants like that?

A:  I went to a very large high school myself, in Queens, many years ago.  There were about 1500 students in my graduating class.  Now I work at a private school, and yes, there is a vast difference in the amount of individual attention teachers and counselors are able to give to students.  But statistics confirm that students in each setting are successful in the college admissions process.

Going to a private school in itself does not guarantee acceptance to any college; nor does attending a large urban public school in itself, assure rejection.  Applicants are looked at in the context of their school environment, so your son will not be competing against his cousin.

I recently attended an admissions information session at an Ivy league university.  The admissions rep pointed out that if they accepted students who were all exactly the same in background and qualifications, the freshman class would be pretty boring.  To keep their school vigorous and stimulating, they admit students who come from a wide variety of schools, communities, and ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who bring an array of interests and talents to campus.  To do this, they recruit widely at both public and private schools.  Colleges really do reach out, some more effectively than others. (more…)

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Q: If you are not applying for financial aid, are you required to complete the FAFSA form? We won’t qualify for financial aid. I’d rather not submit this form if it’s not a requirement.

A: First let me say that many families who think they don’t qualify for financial aid actually might! But, to answer your question, you are not required to apply for financial aid when applying for college admission. Students who do apply for financial aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Some colleges also require submission of the CSS Profile form as well. And certain colleges also require you to fill out their own additional form.

Many people are concerned with how applying for financial aid will affect their chances for admission. In most cases, it won’t. A good number of colleges and universities have a policy of “need blind” admission. That means a student’s financial status is not taken into account when he or she applies for admission; the decision to admit or not admit is based solely upon the student’s academic qualifications. (more…)

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What advice can you give me for my 8th-grade son to prepare for Ivy League schools? His reply is “I’m only in 8th grade.” But I worry as he is not in honors classes and I think he should be. He did well last year in 7th grade but all of his teachers said he could do much better as he is very bright. He is focusing on his social life and he thinks school is for social activity. How can I change his mindset? Am I worrying too soon?”

Well, yes and no. First, there is a social component to school — if your son were studying all the time and had no friends at all, that would be a source of worry. But if his friends are responsible good students, who do not lure him into dangerous activities, that’s great. Make sure he knows that his friends are always welcome in your home, because if they get together at your house, you’ll know where he is! Now back to academics. You have raised a number of issues.

Let’s start with the one in your first sentence. Please substitute “a high quality collegiate experience” for “Ivy League schools!” The Ivies do not have a monopoly on providing excellent education (nor does an Ivy League degree guarantee happiness, or even a job). There are hundreds of fine colleges and universities. In addition, the Ivy League schools have an acceptance rate that averages less than 10%. Because of intense competition, it’s very, very hard to get in. If you convey to your son that only an Ivy League is acceptable, he may become demoralized and won’t even try — or he may try and not be accepted, and then feel like a failure. Please don’t set him up for that. (more…)

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Welcome back to school! Seniors will be starting to work on their college applications in a few weeks, and while this should not dominate the most important business of the day — doing well in senior year — it should not be left to the last moment. Here’s the first question of the 2009-2010 school year.

My son is starting his senior year and I am concerned about how to start applying for scholarships. He plays soccer and I would like to know how to approach coaches so they can see him play. Also, my son’s school will not have a college counselor this year. So who in the school can I contact about helping my son with his applications?

Even though your son’s high school may not have a designated college counselor, every high school should have guidance counselors whose job it is to assist him. They can answer questions about colleges, help with application questions, and advise about scholarships — and not just athletic scholarships. Scholarship organizations send out information each fall to high school guidance offices, and this information should be posted for students to read. Your son should make an appointment with his guidance counselor early! This is especially important if there are a lot of students who are going to approach them for help — don’t wait until the application deadlines are near. (more…)

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Q: I am on Facebook a lot with my friends, just to, like, stay in touch, share photos, nothing serious. Sometimes we use four-letter words in our conversation, it doesn’t really mean anything. My mom saw my page and really got on my case for this. She says college admissions people read applicants’ Facebook pages and judge them on that. I think she’s over-reacting. First of all, those people probably don’t have time to search for every applicant on Facebook. But also, most of the people using Facebook are teenagers and you have to expect that language. I mean, it’s just for fun, no big deal, right?

A: Using Facebook to “stay in touch” is not wrong, of course, and it is fun. In fact, it’s so much fun that thousands of people who are far beyond their teenage years use it. (Go ahead, look me up.) But it is wrong to assume that admissions people do not take the time to check applicants’ entries on social networking sites. They do. They don’t have the time to check every applicant; but they check many. Silly, frivolous things don’t turn them off. But entries that reflect bigotry, racism, homophobia, intolerance, or a violent nature definitely set off alarms. The admissions people aren’t trying to spy; they are trying to gather any additional information that could help them decide if a person should be admitted to their academic community. (more…)

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Q: My son is finishing his junior year, and so far he has not done that well in high school — his average is not quite an 80. He wants to study pharmacy. I don’t want him to go to a community college — I prefer that he attend a college with dorms so that he has the full campus experience. Where do we start?

A: Your question actually has many parts. You are concerned because going into his senior year, your son does not have a strong academic record, yet he is expressing interest in a field that is very difficult to enter. While it might be relatively easy for him to start at a community college, where he could build up his academic profile, you want him to have a residential college experience.

I can understand this — part of the excitement of college is living away from home, learning how to get along with a roommate, and enjoying those philosophical discussions at 2 a.m. Yet — without knowing anything about your home situation — I am concerned that if your son is struggling academically now, while living at home, how is he going to handle his studies while surrounded by all the distractions of campus life?

My suggestion for him, and you, is to take small steps. First, he has to make academics his #1 priority if he is going to have a successful senior year. Senior year grades do count! Let’s see if he can get that GPA above 80. You do not mention his other credentials, but he needs solid SAT or ACT scores, and Regents scores. He should be involved in some extra-curricular activities, too, so that he is a well-rounded college applicant. And that’s the next step, gaining admission to a school where he can develop his academic skills and explore various choices of majors.

As for pharmacy, it is a graduate program. Students work for six years, going beyond the regular time span for a BA or BS degree, until they earn a PharmD degree. Admission to pharmacy school is extremely competitive. Students need high grades, particularly in science and math, and also have to score well on a national exam. Does this mean that I think your son can never become a pharmacist? No, it could happen — but I think that aiming for it right now is premature.

Your son may well be one of those students who is “a late bloomer” — he will be successful, but it hasn’t quite happened yet. He ought to apply to schools where he has a good chance of acceptance and where he can build up his academic skills. Do you know that dorms are available at two CUNY schools? CCNY has a dorm, and a dorm is scheduled to open this coming fall at Queens College. Your son might also consider one of the smaller SUNY branches, such as New Paltz or Old Westbury. Of course, I cannot predict that he will be admitted to any of these schools, but they are suggestions of where to apply if he can get his GPA to a B average. If he adjusts well to college and proves that he can take on a challenging program, he might apply to transfer to a school offering pharmacy.

Ask him to think about why he is interested in pharmacy. Perhaps his desire to help people achieve better health — if that is what inspires him — will make him look at other fields, including social work, psychology, nursing, and health education. I would encourage him to keep his options open. Good luck!

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Q: Is the Advanced Regents Diploma necessary for getting into SUNY colleges?

While our daughter passed most of her Regents exams, she failed one of them, a math test; she can re-take it, but is nervous that she’ll fail it again. And without this exam, she won’t be able to obtain an Advanced Regents diploma. She is stressed out about taking a review course, but also stressed about not being able to get into a strong SUNY program.

A: Every year numerous students are admitted to SUNY schools without Regents diplomas or Advanced Regents diplomas. Remember that SUNY admits applicants from many other states, not just New York! So while having an Advanced Regents diploma would certainly be a plus for your daughter, not having one will not destroy her chances.

Exams administrated by boards or agencies from outside the student’s high school, like the Regents exams, AP tests, or SAT and ACT tests — can help support a student’s application. In the best cases, these external evaluations validate the internal evidence — school grades — of the student’s qualifications. But they are not always necessary. Many high schools do not offer AP exams, and many students do not receive Regents diplomas. Yet if their credentials are strong, they are successful in their college applications.

Another thing to remember is that many other factors will combine to determine your daughter’s college admission. Has she challenged herself in the courses she has taken? Are her grades in school strong? Has she contributed to the life of her school and/or community in a significant way? Does she have special talents in music, drama, athletics, art, dance, or creative writing? Has she demonstrated leadership? Will she have competitive SAT or ACT scores? If she is doing well and just that one Regents exam indicates a weak spot, she’ll still have a strong admissions profile.

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Q: Some of my friends want to visit college campuses over the summer. But what’s the point of visiting a school when it’s not in session?

A: While it would be ideal to visit a college on a weekday during the regular academic year, for practical purposes this is not always possible, particularly if the campus is some distance from your home. So summer is a fine alternative, and you can still gain valuable information from campus visits. In the last 20 years or so, college admission offices, as well, have realized that summer is the only time when some families can travel, and they are not only prepared for but welcome prospective students. If you go to the admissions page of any campus website, you will see tour times listed and either a phone number or online form to arrange your visit. Admission offices are open year-round (though rarely on weekends). This schedule allows you to meet staff members, regardless of the time of year you visit the school. Also, tour guides are usually enrolled students, so you can get their perspective about the school.

There are two major goals you can achieve with summer campus visits. First, if you stop at the admissions office and sign in there, the college will have a record of your visit. Later, if you decide to apply for admission, this will be evidence of your “demonstrated interest” in the school (this doesn’t guarantee acceptance, of course, but it can be a plus factor). Remember to obtain the business card of the admissions officer who speaks with you. If you have further questions you will have someone specific to contact. (more…)

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Q: My daughter had a very stressful first two years of high school, and her grades suffered. She transferred to a terrific school which, however, did not take all the credits she earned at her previous school. While she can graduate from this second high school in two years, it’s been suggested that she take another semester and use this to improve her GPA. Her SAT scores are good, and she is planning to take several SAT Subject Tests to prove her ability in these areas. Aside from my daughter not liking the idea of staying in high school longer than four years, what do colleges think of this? If she were to wait until the following September to start college, it would be five years from the start of her school career. What are her options?

A: Many students have a rocky start to their high school years. Colleges see that all the time — and what they like to see is improvement. An upward grade trend lets them see that a student has adjusted, re-grouped, and moved on. So it’s great that your daughter has found a better situation and given herself a fresh start.

At this point, there are several things she can do to prove that she can be successful academically. Getting higher grades at this second school will be a significant factor. I hope she is also getting involved in the life of her new school by joining in extra-curricular activities. And while high test scores are desirable, of more significance will be her ability to indicate that she can handle academic challenges over a sustained period.

Is spending an additional half-year in high school the best way to do this? A number of private schools — boarding schools in particular — offer something called a “post-graduate program” or PG, through which a student can compensate for a weaker high school record via an extra academic year. Sometimes an extra year of maturing, in a new environment, can indeed indicate improvement. On the other hand, it doesn’t make the earlier lack of success disappear, and colleges realize that these PG programs are for the financially privileged. Perhaps other students, too, could show improvement with an extra year but few can afford it, especially at a boarding school.

I can certainly sympathize with your daughter’s desire to graduate from high school. My suggestion is that she do other things to prove her true academic abilities. She could take a couple of courses this summer at a local college, a branch of CUNY or SUNY. This would indicate her ability to handle college-level work. And when she applies to colleges, she should not try to ignore those earlier two years of high school but include a letter acknowledging them and then indicating how she has moved on to take control of her academic life and re-create herself as a successful student.

If your daughter does decide to stick around for another semester of high school, but isn’t looking forward to it, she could always make more exciting plans for the second semester of that year. I have previously written about the growing popularity of the “gap year,” and your daughter could organize a “gap semester” during the spring of her fifth year to compliment and expand upon her extra-curricular interests and give her something fun to look forward to. But, if she doesn’t want to, I don’t think she needs to postpone college.

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Q: My son is a junior and is going to a college fair next week. What questions does he need to ask and should he bring anything with him? How does he prepare for a college fair?

A: Spring is college fair time! When I was a college admissions rep, I always looked forward to fairs because I got to meet interested students and encourage them about higher education. There are basically two kinds of fairs: smaller fairs where 30 to 50 representatives from an array of colleges and universities come to a high school and set up information tables; and larger public events, where there can be hundreds of colleges represented. Students can browse and ask questions, pick up materials, and give their names to the reps as prospective applicants. College fairs are informal and fun, yet there is a certain protocol.

Here are some do’s and don’t’s about college fairs: (more…)

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Q: Some of my friends are telling me that if I don’t have any community service on my resume, I won’t be able to get into a good college. I’m not against doing community service, but I just don’t see where I could fit it into my schedule. I have a heavy academic load, plus I’m very involved in performing arts (orchestra, jazz ensemble, drama) and with all the rehearsals, I have hardly any free time! Will not having community service on my record really hurt me?

A: This is a timely question! At a rally for civic service yesterday, Mayor Mike Bloomberg called on all New York City public schools to offer public service opportunities to students although he said he would not make it a requirement for graduation as some high schools do. The theory behind requiring community service is that young people ought to put in some effort to enhance their community, and some students find themselves becoming inspired by the service they do in the process of fulfilling this requirement. Others find it a chore and only do it because it’s mandated.

There is no requirement that community service be listed on a college application, just as there is no requirement for work experience or extra-curricular involvement. There is space for both to be listed, but it’s optional.

Some colleges have “service to others” as an important part of their own ethic. If you look at a college’s website and it points out, for example, that 90% of the student body is involved in community service, from working in a neighborhood soup kitchen to tutoring children in an after-school program to calling the bingo numbers at the senior citizens’ center, then it’s obvious that evidence of community service will be valued (and the lack of service will be noted). (more…)

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Q:  My daughter was honored by being nominated to be a National Youth Leader.  Participating in the program is very expensive.  I would hate not to let her attend because I believe it can open doors that would really benefit her. I want the best for her, but I really can’t afford it.  Am I expecting too much from the program, such as future scholarship opportunities if this program is listed on her resume?  Or should I wait and invest that money in college?

A:  You are a kind and wise parent!  Both of your instincts are right on target!  You want the best for your daughter, including helping her to enhance her experience and her college-admission profile.  At the same time you are correctly wondering if a high-priced program is really going to provide a high-level benefit.

This is not to minimize the fact that someone obviously thought highly enough of your daughter to submit her name to the program’s organizers, who write to high school principals and guidance offices asking for nominations of top students.  So someone at your daughter’s school — an administrator, counselor, or teacher — felt that she would be an excellent candidate.  The qualities that inspired someone to nominate her may be those qualities that will also make her a great college applicant.  But the success of her college applications will not depend upon her possible participation in this particular program.

Programs such as the National Youth Leadership Forum and the Congressional Youth Leadership Council can also procure lists of names from the College Board;  if a student checks, for instance, interests in law or medicine on the SAT registration form, programs dealing with law and medicine can ask for targeted lists.  Also, students who have participated in the programs are asked to suggest the names of others they think would enjoy the experience.

Every spring students have come to me with ‘nomination’ letters they have received, along with glossy folders and colorful brochures.  The programs often have the words ‘National’ or ‘Leadership’ in them (and have logos using symbols such as the Capitol dome or am American eagle), and they feel flattered.  The opportunities outlined in the mailings — traveling to the nation’s capital, networking with officials from government agencies, meeting students from all over the country — are exciting.  But what’s the difference between an “honor” and an “opportunity”?  An honor should not have a price tag attached to it.  An opportunity might or might not have a price tag.  Unfortunately, the college-admissions frenzy that has developed over the last 20 years has also spawned a huge ‘opportunities’ industry.  While there are many worthy, stimulating programs out there, for the most part they are money-making enterprises.

(more…)

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Q: What’s the deal with ‘Score Choice’? Can I really not submit some of my SAT scores? What about colleges that say they will not “honor” this policy?A: If you are totally confused about this “new” policy, join the club. High school juniors in the middle of test-taking season report that they are puzzled by the seeming contradictions of Score Choice. Is Score Choice good for students or not?The answer is: good, sort of. Read on.College Board — the company that brings you the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and other standardized national exams — states: “Designed to reduce student stress and improve the test-day experience, Score Choice is a new score-reporting feature that gives students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT subject tests by individual test that they send to colleges, in accordance with each individual’s score-use practice.”Score Choice is an “option,” and a student must select this option, otherwise the scores will be listed on their score-reporting form. This is explained in the small print on collegeboard.com and in their printed literature. When students register online to take the tests, they will see this explanation — but it is easily overlooked. Students who take the SAT multiple times must mark the Score Choice option every time. If a students does not mark the Score Choice option, “the College Board will send all of your scores to the recipient institutions.” (more…)

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Q: My son is a sophomore in high school. I have a few questions. 1) Should he begin test prep for the SAT this year? 2) How many times can he take the SATs? and, 3) if he takes it more than once, which scores do the colleges see?

A: These are important questions. Before I begin to preach, let me give you the short answers:

1. No, it’s too early.
2. As many times as he wants (but I recommend only twice).
3. Colleges will see only those scores that your son will “release” for them to see.

Now for the details: the SAT and the other nationally known test, the ACT, are important hurdles for students to clear on their way to college. But they are hurdles, not education itself. They are important, particularly when applying to the most selective colleges, but they are not the most important factor in college admissions.

The most important factor is the high school transcript, the record of which courses student has chosen to take and how he or she has done in those courses. College admissions officers are more interested in how students do semester to semester, year to year in high school, than they are in how well they do during a three-hour period on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

The SAT, while designed to be a fair test that would assess the ability of all test-takers, is not a fair test. It is culturally biased towards native speakers of American English, so if students are immigrants or live in a home where more than one language is spoken, the critical reading score will be affected. Students who are affluent can afford more coaching and prepping than their less affluent peers. The test is not a perfect instrument. It’s necessary, though, so we have to put up with it. But we should not over-emphasize it.

Prepping for the test is a good idea because students need to be familiar with the test format and need practice taking it. And yes, there are certain strategies and tricks that can be taught. But starting to do this too early can cause unnecessary stress. I say, wait until junior year to start any test prep program.

There are other ways to help your son to do well. Encourage him to study hard and take his high school classes seriously. If he does well in his math classes, chances are he’ll do fine on the math section of the SAT or ACT. The single best way to do well on the critical reading scores is to read! Encourage your son to read anything. Science fiction, sports magazines, a daily newspaper, mysteries, a biography. The more he reads, the better he’ll do in school and on the standardized tests. Simply memorizing random lists of vocabulary words doesn’t help. Over and over I have seen that students who practice reading on a consistent, daily basis do better on the critical reading section of the SAT than students who simply do test prep.

And I would limit taking the test to twice. Take it once, see how you do, then spend some months concentrating on improving your skills, and take it again. Three times, if you absolutely must. But more than that no. No one will stop a student from taking the test as many times as it is given. Some test-prep tutors actually recommend that students take the test every time it’s given!

That idea is very unhealthy. It over-emphasizes the importance of standardized testing over academic performance, extra-curricular involvement, creativity, and all the personal characteristics that make up the total human being who becomes a college applicant.

The colleges will see only those scores which the student wants to send. This is the policy called “Score Choice,” through which the College Board says it gives control over the scores to students. But some colleges say they want all scores, so can “Score Choice” be trusted? More on this in my next column.

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Q: I read your column about scholarships for minority students. What about websites for Asian Americans? Any scholarships here?

A: You could start by looking at the websites for Asian American Alliance and Asian Pacific Fund, but the best thing is to go to a comprehensive site that has a database of thousands of scholarship opportunities. FastWeb has one of the most complete listings, and you can also search for scholarships on collegeboard.com.

There is a great deal of information out there — you just need to do the research. And remember that ethnicity is just one of many factors on which you can do a search. There are scholarships for veterans, children of veterans, musical students, tall students, left-handed students, students who will be the first in their families to attend college, students who invent things — and many others.

One thing I will warn everybody about: Ignore any offer you read about or receive that offers you scholarships for a fee. Scholarship information is free. Applying for scholarships should be free too. Don’t let anyone charge you. Likewise, “honor” societies that may inform you of your “nomination” or “selection” for membership — for which there is a charge — are not truly honor societies. They are businesses, trying to profit from students’ college-admission anxiety. Look near the end of any such offers; if there is a price mentioned, just toss the papers.

Good luck in your scholarship search. It involves work, not just to research, but to enter, as essays are sometimes required. A $500 prize may not seem like much, but if you win several small awards, they can certainly add up!

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Q: I need assistance in choosing a good, affordable SUNY college that offers film. Any suggestions?

A: Your question addresses two issues: affordability and film studies. You are in luck. SUNY schools are affordable, certainly more so than private colleges, and that’s because, as state educational institutions, their mission is to provide high quality education at an accessible price to residents of New York State. A typical SUNY education tuition, room, meals, books, everything runs about $18,400 a year. That’s before financial aid, grants, and scholarships are applied. Private colleges today cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 annually, so a SUNY education is a terrific value. Talk to SUNY financial aid counselors about how to help make college affordable.

Don’t forget about CUNY! The City University of New York offers excellent academics at an affordable price.

You didn’t say whether you are interested in film studies or in filmmaking. I have suggestions for both and you have several options, both at SUNY and CUNY.

First the CUNYs:

Brooklyn College offers film production, film studies, and screenwriting

City College offers film and video production in its Media and Communication Art Department

The College of Staten Island offers a BA in Cinema Studies

Hunter College has a program in Film and Media Studies

Queens College (the College Counselor’s alma mater) offers a BA in Film Studies

Three SUNY campuses offer degree programs in film:

Binghamton: has a Cinema Department where you can study both the history and mechanics of filmmaking

Buffalo: the Department of Media Study offers courses in digital art, world cinema, film history, and robotics

Purchase: You can learn filmmaking techniques, editing, scriptwriting, directing, and production in the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program

As you can see, you can learn everything about the history of cinema and about how to create your own movies right here in the city, or at several locations throughout the state. I suggest that you visit the CUNY campuses to check out their programs first, then arrange to visit Purchase, which is in Westchester County. Speaking with professors and students in these departments will give you a more complete picture. Have fun!

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Q. My daughter is a high school junior. We want to start visiting colleges this year, and we want to know of programs or colleges offering scholarships to minority students (we are Haitian-Americans). We have heard of a program called “Posse” do you know anything about this? Also, my daughter plays the cello. What about academic or music scholarships? Thank you for any leads you can offer.
A. You and your daughter are at exactly the right point to start researching both colleges and scholarship opportunities. First you’ll need to research potential schools that can offer your daughter the academic, cultural, and social life that will help her thrive; then over spring break, on occasional weekends, and over the summer, you will need to make some campus visits so you can see things for yourselves.

At the same time, you need to research scholarship possibilities. Scholarships and grants, as opposed to college loans, are gifts. They will allow your daughter to pursue her education with reduced financial burdens. There are two kinds of scholarships: institutional and non-institutional. Institutional scholarships are those awarded by a specific college or university. Almost all schools have some form of scholarship, and these can range from full-tuition to a token amount; generally, all applicants to these schools are automatically considered for scholarships when they apply for admission.

The non-institutional scholarships are offered by outside organizations, and these will require research and separate applications. The application process usually begins at the start of the student’s senior year. Again, this outside help can range from full tuition to small grants of $100 - $500. The Posse Foundation is one of a number of organizations that seeks out talented public high school students “with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes.” In partnership with a number of colleges and universities, Posse offers these students 4-year, full-tuition scholarships. Students must be nominated by their high school or by community-based organizations.

Another great resource is BlackExcel.org, which offers a scholarship directory for minority students. You can find many leads here!

Some other organizations that seek out minority students include the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, and the Gates Millennium Scholars.

And there are even more opportunities! The college office at your daughter’s high school probably has the College Board’s comprehensive Scholarship Handbook 2009. This is for all students, not just minority students, and lists 2,100 scholarship programs offered by organizations nationwide. They are indexed by state, by organization, and by subject area. So you can look up, for example, science scholarships, math scholarships, scholarships for students who are leaders in community service, and scholarships for military dependents. In some cases, essays are required, while in others there are specific forms to complete. Your daughter can also go to the “Paying for College” section of the College Board’s website to perform her own scholarship search. The more information she provides at this site, the more she will find scholarship information attuned to her interests.

Your daughter’s musical talent could possibly be another source of scholarship funding if she plans to major in music, colleges may ask her to audition and then make awards based upon her musical talent. Specific talents and interests are another whole area of scholarship potential. The website of Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music offers a long list of music scholarships offered by many different organizations.

There are many organizations, large and small, that are committed to assisting all students in financing their educations. Unfortunately, the financial situations of a number of these groups may have changed during the current economic crisis. Still, there will be many viable opportunities. Now, in the middle of your daughter’s junior year, is the perfect time to start the research!

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Q: My son is graduating from high school this coming year. He has an IEP. Will this IEP automatically follow him through college and is there such a thing as special education in college? Are there any programs you know of that can assist him, and are there any majors for special education students?

A: The fact that your son has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) indicates that you have been an advocate for him! But this plan will not follow him to college — IEPs, as guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), apply only to elementary and secondary schools. It is possible for students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, to receive special services in publicly-funded colleges; this is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973. But to obtain these services, you and your son will have to be proactive and ask for them — the colleges will not know he needs services unless he discloses this fact. So save your IEP and any supporting documents in order to request services. Colleges and universities vary in the accommodations they offer and the evidence they require in order to grant these services. And bear in mind that some schools offer more help than others. You will simply have to check with each school’s disability services or student services office.

In terms of which colleges your son might consider, that depends largely on his individual interests and abilities. Does he want to stay close to home? Does he want a commuter college or does he want to live in a dorm? Are finances an issue? All of these questions should be taken into consideration.

There are a few schools that offer programs especially aimed at students with disabilities. Landmark College in Vermont was specifically established to help students with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. The SALT program at the University of Arizona offers a similar program. You can obtain further assistance by consulting the National Center for Learning Disabilities (this organization offers a scholarship as well). You can also read and download a government brochure titled “Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education”. In addition, there is an excellent website, LD online, which outlines resources about college for students with learning disabilities.

The law protects the rights of students with disabilities to obtain the services they need to help them succeed, but the law does not guarantee admission. To avoid disappointment, plan realistically. Start by discussing with your son his hopes and dreams. Then discuss with his school counselor which schools might offer the best possibilities. Without knowing the nature of his IEP or his interests, it is difficult to recommend specific schools. However, the schedule flexibility of the community college system, along with its moderate cost, might be a good way for your son to start his post-secondary studies.

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