Low SAT Scores Got You Down?

Posted on May 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

The May SAT scores were released this morning. Most of the May test-takers are juniors planning to apply to college in the fall, and for thousand of them the scores are lower than they had hoped for. If you’re in this situation, you still have time to improve your situation and there are lots of options for students with less-than-ideal test scores.

Satire Alert: This is a joke! If you thought it might be serious you might want to consider yoga or meditation classes this summer, not SAT prep.

Take the test again. Most students who take the SAT more than once find that their scores improve. You should absolutely take the test again in October or November, and maybe one more time in December or January.

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Posted in Standardized Tests

College Admissions 101 at Northwood About to Start!

Posted on May 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

I am eagerly awaiting the start of a new program at Northwood School called College Admissions 101. It’s part of the week-long Spring Program that the school does the week following commencement exercises.

We have big plans and high hopes for College Admissions 101. By the end of this spring program, students will have…

  • Met individually with Mr. Spear or Mrs. Kilbourne-Hill at least twice
  • Become familiar with the Family Connection web site
  • Researched college majors and have a few possible majors in mind
  • Developed a list of 10-20 prospective colleges and universities
  • Completed a “Brag Sheet” listing their accomplishments, interests, activities, etc.
  • Practiced admissions interviews with college admissions officers
  • Written a personal resume
  • Toured at least nine college campuses representing “types:” small, large, rural, urban, public, private, liberal arts, university, etc.
  • Completed a draft college application
  • Drafted a college essay
  • Recorded brief instructional videos about the college admissions process Continue reading →

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Posted in General

Do I really need to create a resume?

Posted on May 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

What is a resume?

A resume is most known as a tool prospective employees use to market themselves to potential employers. It’s a list of experiences, accomplisments that qualify you for the job or for admission to college or the scholarshp program.

Why does a high school student need a resume?

First, many colleges and universities require applicants to submit a resume, and each year more and more ask for one. Most scholarship applications also request a resume. Equally important, creating a resume is a valuable impetus to reflect on your life, take stock in what you have accomplished and write it all down. The resume will also be helpful for you as you fill out your college applications and for your teachers as they write their teacher recommendations. Continue reading →

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Posted in Application

Seniors share advice on applying to college

Posted on May 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday was college t-shirt day. Throughout the day I asked the seniors what advice they would give to students worried about the college search and application process. Here is what they had to say:


A special thanks to the seniors who share their wisdom and to Ms. Ashe for the video camera.

The class of 2012 (well, those who wore college t-shirts)

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Posted in Application, College Search

Suggestions for College Interviews

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

By Stephen “Reno” Reed

1. Be ready with a few intelligent questions about the university/college, questions that are not answered in the college catalog.  The best questions will deal with the ability of the college to help you achieve your goals. Questions which show that you have read the catalog and have thought about it are also good.

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Posted in Interview

Advice for Those Thinking of a Postgraduate Year

Posted on February 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

I meet with a lot of families who are considering Northwood School for a post-graduate (PG) year. I give all of them the same advice. (Don’t know what a post-graduate year is? See “A Post Graduate Year; What’s That?” or “Understanding the PG Year.”)

Finish strong. Remember: you are on a different program than your classmates, who are off to college in the fall. Continue reading →

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Posted in General, Northwood life, Parents

Mid-February College Guidance Update

Posted on February 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Midyear Reports Mailed
Midyear reports have been mailed to every school Northwood students have applied to. It may take another week for internet-based application systems to show application files to be complete. In the meantime, it is perfectly fine to call admissions offices to confirm that the application is complete. Continue reading →

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Posted in Monthly Update