‘Tis the season…for early application decisions!

Over the next few weeks, many schools will release their early application decisions - especially those with binding early decision plans (some non-binding early action decisions will not come in until January or even February). If you aren’t sure when to expect decisions from the schools on your list, check out this website for expected dates and times.

Make sure to consider where you want to be when you receive your decisions. We recommend you log into your portal or open your email or letter in the privacy of your room or home, not in your high school cafeteria ​​or while with a group of friends. You need to be able to have an honest, emotional response. We have seen a trend developing in which students record themselves opening their admission decisions and then post the video on TikTok. We definitely do NOT recommend this approach!

You should also take some time to decide how you want to share this information, whether positive or negative. Tell your parents. Tell your counselor at school. And of course, tell us! Beyond that, remember that YOU get to decide if and when you choose to share your news with anyone else.

Read on for some helpful tips, broken down by decision!

• If Accepted:

• First of all, congratulations!

• Be gracious. Congratulate yourself. It is ok to celebrate—but be appropriate. Remember there are many of your peers and friends who have not heard anything, are still applying to schools, or have been deferred, waitlisted or denied ​​(sometimes by the same school that just accepted you!).

• Be grateful. Thank your parents. Thank your recommenders. A hand-written thank you note goes a long way for an educator who cares about your success and puts the effort in to meet your school’s deadlines. 

• Be engaged. Your acceptance is not the signal to check out or give in to “senior slide.”

• Be proactive. If you have been accepted early decision, be sure to withdraw your applications from the remainder of your schools. You agreed to do this when you signed the early decision form.

• IF Deferred:

• Continue to work hard in your classes. Many schools will ask you to submit midyear grades in the portal, on the SRAR, or from your counselor.

• Check with us or your school counselor before sending additional submissions. More is not necessarily better. Follow the school’s directions for submitting materials.

• Compose your letters of continued interest (LOCI). Write brief (seriously: brief!) letters that state why you want to attend the schools and why you would be a great fit. Check out our prior blog post: Writing an Effective Letter of Continued Interest: Instructions and Samples, and again, only do this if the schools at which you were deferred will accept them (most will!).

• If Waitlisted:

• Respond. Be sure to follow the school’s instructions to accept your place on the waitlist. 

• Redouble your efforts and study, study, study. These schools will see your 3rd and 4th quarter or winter and spring term grades, which, if strong, can help you.

• Refocus. Be sure to deposit at another school by May 1 to ensure you are going to college somewhere, even if you remain on other waitlists.

• If Denied:

• Process the news. It’s ok to allow yourself time to be disappointed (for a day or two). What you feel is real and needs to be expressed, but cannot take over your life. This sounds impossible, but don’t take it personally. Read our previous post:  5 Steps to Take After Being Deferred or Denied Early Admission.

• Maintain perspective. Remember you have a balanced list for a reason.

• Pull yourself together and submit your remaining applications. Do not allow a denial to paralyze you. You need to continue to work hard in your classes and make sure all of your remaining applications are submitted.

• Prioritize self-care. Got a shredder? Print out your letter and shred it! Have a fire pit? Invite friends over and make s’mores out of your denial letters! Be creative and find a way to move forward!

If you ARE A CURRENT CLIENT:

• If you need help adding new schools to your list or reviewing application materials over winter break, make an appointment with Colleen or Sally to review it and discuss whether or not you need to make any changes

• If you need more essay coaching meetings, book them as soon as possible (but don’t add new schools without running that by us first)!

If you need help now but didn’t work with us earlier in the process on an ongoing basis, it’s not too late.

• If you need help adding new schools to your list or reviewing application materials over winter break, you can book one of our Class of 2024 Strategy Sessions.

• If you already know where you want to apply and just need help finishing up all those essays, you can book pay-as-you-go essay coaching sessions here. 

NOTE: We may be able to add additional essay coaching availability depending on demand, so the earlier you let us know you need help, the better! Please send our admin team an email to discuss options if you can’t find a session that works for you using the links above.

REMEMBER: We are rooting for you just as much as you are (maybe even more!). Stay smart, stay positive, and enjoy the rest of senior year! 

Spotlight on the New AP Precalculus Course

There’s good news in store for math lovers and even reluctant math learners: this coming fall, AP Precalculus will make its debut! Today, we’re going to tell you all about this new class and explain why it could be a great addition to your schedule next year. 

Why was AP Precalculus Created?

For years, College Board has offered Advanced Placement courses in Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Statistics. These have been good options for students who took Geometry or higher in ninth grade, and will therefore have a math sequence** that culminates beyond Precalculus.

But what about the students who took Algebra I in ninth grade, or just want a more rigorous math option earlier in high school? That’s where AP Precalculus comes in! The course is designed for a broader range of students– anyone who’s successfully completed Algebra II and Geometry or Integrated Math 3. As College Board explains,

“AP Precalculus will open the door for many students to advanced course studies in mathematics and will bring a college-level course to students who may not have access to other AP math classes.”

And not only does AP Precalculus “open doors” for a more diverse group of students; it’s also been created to help address a significant issue in higher education: weak math skills! According to College Board, one-third of undergraduates don’t actually have college-level math skills. That means many students struggle through required math courses ,and some even have to spend extra time and money on remedial classes. AP Precalculus is meant to empower high schoolers with the foundations they’ll need to successfully navigate college-level math, regardless of their major or future career path.

* Sorry, stats lovers. While these courses are all higher level, that doesn’t mean that colleges regard them equally.

** If you’re confused about how high school math sequencing works, you have to go back to middle school math enrollment to see where it all begins. Check out this blog post to learn more. The average American high school student takes Algebra I in 9th grade and Precalculus in 12th grade. This is not the case in our geographic area, where most students come in at a higher level with Geometry in 9th grade - and some even higher, with Algebra II.

What content is covered in AP Precalculus?

AP Precalculus is rooted in the development of three mathematical practices: procedural and symbolic fluency; multiple representations; and communication and reasoning. To develop these practices, students complete four major units of study: polynomial and rational functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric and polar functions; and functions involving parameters, vectors, and matrices. PS: Unit four is NOT included in the AP exam! 

Within each unit, there are a series of smaller, more specific topics. We’ll spare you the details so this blog post doesn’t turn into a book, but if you’re curious about the topics, you can take a look at the Course at Glance document. And if you’re really brave, you can delve into College Board’s whopping 183-page AP Precalculus course and examination description. 

What are the advantages of AP Precalculus?

One of the big advantages of AP Precalculus is that it’s great preparation for the math you’re likely to encounter in college, regardless of your major. Even if you don’t plan to become an accountant or engineer, you’ll be ready to conquer any general education or core Calculus I requirements. 

And if you’re not sure what you want to major in, AP Precalculus could help spark your interest in STEM-related fields. In fact, College Board reported that female students “taking one year of high school precalculus resulted in a 48% increase in the odds of choosing a science or math major.”

There’s also the allure of college credits. You might be able to fulfill a college math requirement if you successfully pass the AP Precalculus exam. Like any AP course, though, there’s no guarantee that your future college or university will accept the credits. Use College Board’s AP Credit Policy Search tool to see which schools offer credit or placement for AP scores - and know that since this particular course is being offered for the first time, schools may not know for sure yet.

Lastly, the AP option is a great way to maximize course rigor for students who plan to take Precalculus anyway. A student who chooses AP Precalculus over Honors Precalculus will show colleges that they have taken the most challenging math course available to them during that particular year.

Who Should Consider Taking AP Precalculus? 

AP Precalculus could be a good fit for a range of students, most notably:

• Those who began with Algebra I in ninth grade and are ready for more challenging math coursework during their senior year, or are preparing for a STEM-related or business major requiring higher-level math in college

• Those who began with Geometry in ninth grade and are preparing to take AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC during senior year

• Those who began with Algebra II in ninth grade and are preparing to take AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC during junior year, and AP Calculus BC or Multivariable Calculus/Linear Algebra during senior year

Like any other advanced placement course, AP Precalculus will be rigorous, and it will take up your time. Before enrolling in the class, think realistically about how it fits in with your math abilities, your academic interests, and your other academic courses. Your counselor and math teachers are good resources to help you make an informed decision.

Additional AP Precalculus Resources

AP Precalculus: An Overview

AP Course Ledger: Check this website throughout the summer to see which high schools will be offering AP Precalculus in the fall. 

Advice For First-Year College Students

Dear Class of 2023,

Congratulations! You’ve successfully made it through four years of high school amid tough classes, demanding schedules, and that pesky global pandemic.

As you celebrate the end of one chapter and look to the next, we thought it would be helpful to offer you some advice on your first year of college. But you’re probably tired of parents and teachers warning you not to skip classes next year; not to live off of a diet of pizza and microwavable macaroni and cheese; and not to be too social. So we’re skipping the adult wisdom and sharing advice from actual college students.  

Recently, we reached out to some of our former clients and asked them to reflect on their first year of college. We were blown away by the thoughtful responses and the fantastic advice they were eager to offer on everything from class schedules to friendships to dorm snacks.

Seniors, we hope that these words of wisdom will help you, and we look forward to sharing your advice next year :) 

ON MAKING FRIENDS:

“Prioritize making good friends! The people you surround yourself with can make or break your college experience. When you’re picking who to live with and who to hang out with, choose people who cheer you on (and who you’re willing to cheer on) and make you better.” - Jenna, UVA

“Something I wish I knew before going to college is how important those first few weeks are to making friends. People tend to be extremely friendly and open to anything the first couple weeks of school. But soon it feels as if people start to shut down and stick with the people they met in the first two weeks. So I would recommend putting yourself out there and saying yes to everything in the beginning. Everyone is in the same boat in the beginning. Taking advantage of the first couple weeks will make you feel a lot more comfortable.” - Addie, Penn State 

“To have a friend, you must be a friend. This is a lesson my parents have told me for nearly 20 years, and now I can confidently say they were correct. In high school I was always in awe of the kids who were friends with everyone; and I mean everyone. I wondered how they did it and why I was never that student. I mean I had plenty of friends, but not that many. Upon going to college, I realized that all it took was the eagerness and confidence to be the first one to say hi, to ask “can I sit with you.” Everyone wants to make friends and have people to sit with — don’t be afraid to make the move. I’ve been using this strategy for 4 semesters and it always works!  This is for clubs, classes, libraries, dining halls, etc. I’ve met some of my greatest friends by having the bravery to ask to sit with them!” - Anne, UVA

“It can seem clicky in the beginning, but nobody really knows anybody that well. Don't feel like you are behind.” - Nick, Villanova University

“When it comes to making friends, the first people you should get to know are the people in your building. Having a group of people who live in the same building is a great way to make new friends quickly, and it will allow you to meet new people. As the semester goes on, you may continue to be friends with this group, or you may find new friends. No matter what, having a group of people to start off the semester will help you find your place.” - Andriy, UVA

ON ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF:

“A lesson I learned the hard way was definitely learning how to advocate for myself. I remember during my first month of school I slept through my first test. I emailed my teacher frantically, but he didn’t respond. Panicked, I didn’t know if I should wait for his response. Instead, I took matters into my own hands and went directly to the testing center and asked to take the test, even though I was late. They let me take it and my teacher never had to get involved. In college, it is up to you to fight for yourself. You will have to seek out help to get it.” - Addie, Penn State

ON GETTING INVOLVED:

“Take your time getting involved, but get involved. During my first week of college, I went to a club fair and signed up for probably 12 different email lists. Nearly two years later, I have still not attended a single meeting for any of those groups. Some of it was social pressure, some of it was academic pressure, and a lot of it was excitement. I wanted to take advantage of all the opportunities that were presented to me. I quickly realized, though, that I didn’t have much of an interest in investing my time in these random clubs when I would rather dedicate myself to adjusting to a new school schedule, making friends, and exploring a new city. Ultimately I ended up slowly adding extracurriculars after spending a lot of time thinking about them — I didn’t get involved in anything until second semester. Now I’m actively involved in three groups that I’m really passionate about. There’s no rush to join things that you don’t care about; take your time finding what you’re truly interested in.” - Anne, UVA

ON ACADEMICS:

“Keep your options open. When you are signing up for classes, you probably won’t get every class you want. Make sure you have backups and sign up for waitlists (even if they are really long). Be aware that the schedule you create before enrollment will not look like the one you wind up with. The process can be frustrating, but if you come in with the expectation that you won’t get everything you wanted, you will be able to make the most of it and maybe even find a new passion. Also, don’t take too many classes your first semester because you’re going to be in a whole new environment and the last thing you want is to have crazy amounts of work right when you get there.” - Andriy, UVA

Go to class (95% of the time). As someone who had a very strict attendance policy in high school, the idea of no apparent repercussions for skipping class was so exciting. Like what do you mean I can sleep in and my teacher won’t care?! While this may be true, the decision not to attend classes will come back to haunt you, probably during final exams week. And as all of the adults in your life will tell you, we are going to school to learn. This is an amazing privilege that we get to take part in. You’re gaining access to such knowledgeable professors and classmates, which is something to take advantage of. BUT there are some days when you have a major test to study for that afternoon or it’s 80 degrees and sunny in the middle of winter and it is just so impossible to get yourself to class. Allow yourself 5% exceptions because those are just as important.” - Anne, UVA

“Get on top of your work early. It doesn't get easier.” - Nick, Villanova University

ON HOMESICKNESS: 

“​​Something that made the transition to college a lot easier was doing things that reminded me of home. Whether that would be watching a movie that I remember fondly from my childhood or making something for dinner that my family would have at home. Moving to a new place, especially a new state, can be a bit of culture shock. Finding people from your hometown is a great way to feel more comfortable in a new place, especially because you guys are in the same boat. Also reaching out to family members is an obvious but effective way to feel more at home.” - Addie, Penn State

ON DORM ESSENTIALS:

“Bring some kind of shoe deodorizer. You walk so much and those things STINK. And you do NOT want to be “that roommate with the smelly shoes.”- Jenna, UVA

“Make sure you have cough drops, some sort of cough medicine, and plenty of tissues. I would say that you are almost certain to get sick sometime, especially in the first semester, and it is nice to have exactly what you need in your dorm room instead of asking a friend or having to get to a store by yourself while you are sick. Also don’t forget snacks for your dorm.” - Andriy, UVA

ON HAVING FUN:

“Never choose homework over an ice cream run. Ice cream is worth it every. single. time.” - Jenna, UVA

“People always tell you that “college is the best four years of your life.” That may be true, or it may not be. But don’t put too much pressure on it. Accept the wild highs and heartbreaking lows, use your time and resources wisely, and don’t take life so seriously and you’ll have made the most of these four years.” Anne, UVA

How to Combat Senioritis

Flu season may be on its way out, but senioritis is about to kick in. This highly contagious illness affects thousands of twelfth-graders each year, infecting most during early spring. The majority of cases are mild, with occasional bouts of slacking and disinterest. However, if not treated properly, senioritis can lead to more severe side effects: long-haul parental nagging;  plummeting grades; even rescinded college admissions offers. 

Luckily, there are easy ways to prevent full-fledged senioritis. Read on to learn about early symptoms and how to treat them.

EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SENIORITIS

You’re exhausted

No one ever told you that the fall semester of senior year would be so tough! Looking back, you have no idea how you managed to juggle your classes and extracurriculars along with college visits and endless applications. Now you’re feeling exhausted and burned out, and you’re coming down off of the cortisol of a stressful semester. No matter how much rest you seem to get at this point, you’re generally tired and have low energy.

You’re procrastinating…a lot

Okay, so maybe you’ve always had a tendency to procrastinate, but this bad habit is suddenly getting worse. You’re not keeping track of assignments and thinking ahead like you used to. Every task feels tedious and annoying. Even though you know you need to get that essay done and study for that big test, you just can’t seem to check these tasks off of your to-do list. You’ll do it later…

You’re sliding by

Your college applications are submitted, and your GPA just doesn't seem as important as it did a few months ago. A few missed homework assignments won’t hurt, you rationalize. And who cares if you get a B on that one project? You start sliding by because you don’t think your grades will suffer that much. And besides, spring semester senior grades don’t count! 

You’re bored

You should be excited. After all, you’ve submitted your college applications; you’re starting to receive acceptance letters; and you’re just a few short months away from a major milestone-graduation! But you’re not as enthusiastic as you thought you’d be; you’re actually bored. You’ve accomplished a lot of your high school goals, and now you’re just waiting around for your new college life to begin. 

TREATING EMERGING SENIORITIS

Create spring semester goals

If you’re feeling unmotivated after submitting college applications and keep asking yourself “now what?” we’ve got the answer for you. Create a few school goals for the spring semester, either related to your academic classes or your extracurricular activities. Now that doesn’t mean you have to set your sights on a perfect 4.0 GPA or suddenly start a brand new service club. Instead, think of goals that are realistic, manageable, and most importantly a fun challenge for you over the next few months. If you’re loving your AP Psychology class, ask your teacher for a list of recommended books and make it your goal to finish one title by the end of spring break. Or if you’re in the Environmental Club, push yourself to lead a fundraiser or community event. Focus on the things that interest you most, so you’ll feel motivated to achieve the goals you set for yourself this spring. 

Make a bucket list

After three and a half years at the same school with the same people, you might have a “been there, done that” attitude. And this attitude can make you feel even more bored and apathetic in the last months of your senior year. So now’s the time to shake things up! Make a bucket list of things you’ve always wanted to do, whether it’s at school or in your local area, and ask your friends and family to help you accomplish the list. Consider checking out your high school’s spring musical or attending a track meet for the first time. Lend your design skills to the prom-planning committee or organize a night at a major league baseball game for you and your friends. We guarantee that checking things off your bucket list will make you feel much more excited about life. Plus it’s a great way to create memories with friends and family before you start your next chapter.

Rally your friends

Trust us, you are not the only senior suffering from senioritis. Chances are your friends are feeling some combination of boredom and demotivation, too. Help push each other to the high school finish line by creating a support system. That might mean organizing a spring semester study group or finding an accountability buddy who will text you homework reminders. Or maybe you can ask your best friend to keep you focused during study hall, and you do the same for them. Remember, you are not alone in fighting off senioritis!

Give yourself a reality check

Okay, this is where you need to stop making excuses that you’re burned out, that a few bad grades won’t matter, that you deserve to slack. The reality is that your spring semester senior year DOES matter. It’s your last chance to make an impression on your school and your community. Finish strong with effort, pride, and positivity. 

And on a more practical note, your spring semester grades matter, too. All colleges and universities will request end-of-year reports, and they want to see consistency! It’s okay if your B+ drops to a B, but if there are major changes in your academic performance, that can be a red flag for schools. In extreme cases, a college or university may rescind your acceptance.  It’s rare, but it does happen. So don’t become a cautionary tale!