A s p e c i a l s e c t i o n o f T h e SCA R S DA LE IN Q U I R E R - J a n uary 1 8 , 2 0 1 3
bound for college Building a meaningful résumé and Transcript By JAckie Lupo Some years ago, it became standard practice for high school students to attach a résumé or brag sheet to their college applications. The inevitable happened: kids (and their parents) began to obsess about how their résumés would look to admissions officers. And somewhere along the way, the high school résumé became not a document where students could highlight the activities and interests that were important to them, but an end in itself. Kids began worrying about whether they would have enough to brag about on their résumés, or whether their accomplishments were ones that admissions officers would be interested in. Not surprisingly, there has been a backlash to all this “résumé building.” Colleges, already inundated with paper because of the increase in the number of applications they were receiving, began to balk at all these extra documents being sent. College admissions advisers were stunned a few months ago when representatives of the Common App announced that beginning next year, they will no longer allow students to upload résumés as attachments to their applications. In fact, students will no longer be
able to upload anything as an accompanying document; either you fit what you want to say about yourself into the existing questions on the Common App, or you don’t say it at all. Of course, the résumé is just a document. Even without that separate piece of paper to agonize over, students and parents still want to know what classes they “should” be taking, what activities they “should” be doing. What are schools looking for? “People ask me, what are colleges looking for?” said Maxene Mulford, owner of Uniquely U College Essay Consultants in Stamford. Mulford has a contrarian attitude: she believes “they’re looking for kids that don’t care what they’re looking for. You can overthink it and overplan it. “I know this goes against what a lot of people think,” she said, adding that she realized that some educational consultants tell families they have to plan how their students spend “every summer, from the eighth grade forward,” to be sure every activity is a good résumé builder. But Mulford said that kids should “take the time to define themselves and what actually interests them, and go with that.” Jane Hoffman, a college admissions adviser and educational consultant who is the founder of College Advice 101 in Larchmont, said she would continue to develop a résumé with her clients. “They can give it to teachers who are writing their letter of recommendation, so a teacher can know something about them beyond what they know about them in their particular class,” she said. But, like Mulford, Hoffman said, “To me, a student’s résumé should be based on interests that the student holds. My philosophy is that the students should be themselves, but should pursue genuine interests. The college is looking for students who are active and engaged.” Even though résumé uploading on the Common App will not be available after this year, students will still have the opportunity to send supporting documents to some colleges, if a school gives them that option on its own supplement. But the more applications a school receives, the less likely the school will be to invite kids to send more stuff for their admissions officers to wade through. Mulford said she thought it was a shame that uploading résumés will soon be disallowed. “I’m stunned that they would pull the plug on ways that kids can show their individualism,” she said. “I’m the hugest believer in that activity sheet. The ones I help kids do have photos and little sound bites. They’re fabulous.” But after this year, unless an individual college is going to ask for it, students are going to have to find other ways to make all their activities known, somewhere among the questions on the new Common App. As for the burning question of what activities “look good” to colleges: “I don’t have a list of things you should do,” Hoffman said. “I don’t encourage kids to do things to look good for college. But you Continued on page 5A
Inside
Preschool Perfect: Different children, different needs By LAURIE SULLIVAN
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Learning in the 21st Century: Communication skills are key.......... 2A Learning in the 21st Century: Technology skills for every age....... 3A Education Notebook...............6A-7A Volunteer work or internships? Sincerity, growth most important.... 8A Endpaper: No matter the start, a strong finish is essential............... 10A
inding a nursery school that’s the best fit for your child, especially if this is your first, can be a daunting task. How do you find the best possible learning environment for your child? An environment that will hopefully spark his or her lifelong love of learning? Will she be comfortable and secure? Will he make friends? What school will best prepare her for kindergarten? And is it the right school for YOUR child? Barbara Schainman, director of Mohawk Country Day School in White Plains, described the process as a “research project.” And indeed it can be! Start by asking friends and neighbors which preschools they choose and why, but don’t rely on their opinions alone. Ask your pediatrician for advice. Check out the Internet for schools and the programs they offer. Then make a list of schools that interest you. After all, you know your child best. Is he shy? Is she outgoing and social? Make a list of questions specific to your child and the educational and social experience that might suit him best so you are prepared for a “campus” visit. When calling schools ask first if there’s room for your child for the fall program. If not, is there a waiting list?
How long is it and what is the likelihood of getting a call back? Arrange phone interviews six months to a year before the fall term. Eliminate schools that don’t fit you and your child’s needs. Arrange site visit schools that make the cut. There is certainly no shortage of choices available in your own town and beyond, but below is a sampling of schools and ideas from area pros. How to judge a school Kirstin Zaras, director of Pound Ridge Community Church Playschool, offered her advice on what criteria parents should use to judge a school. She said there should definitely be the “physical things” that include the building, the room and the layout. “I would look at the teachers,” she said. “I think they should be teachers, not just aides. In my school my teachers all have degrees and have worked for many years.” Zaras noted that there are all different kinds of schools, including Montessori. In her school they have a different approach, which is a developmental approach that is age appropriate for the children “you are working with.” Over the years the school has added some educational activities, including pre-reading and math concepts. “ParContinued on page 4A