WHAT I LEARNED AS A BAND MOM – A LOT MORE THAN MUSIC!

/in , /by

I was a band mom. It started when my son joined the band at Chaboya Middle School, and I attended each concert or performance as one of many proud parents in the audience.  I encouraged him to expand his horizons by finding opportunities for him to enrich his musical exposure and hone his saxophone skills.  There was La Honda Music Camp and Jazz Goes to College at San Jose State.  Mrs. Kolber, music teacher at Chaboya, told him about an opportunity to play with The Villages band, which proved to be a wonderful inter-generational experience. He was excited to attend EVHS, as he’d heard great things about the marching band there – and the band trips to Disneyworld! He arrived at EVHS at the same time as the new band director, and plans for a performance at Disney were scrapped. By the end of that first year, there was talk of a new band director coming in at the start of his sophomore year.  And then Steven Barnhill arrived at EVHS as the music director, and we stepped up our game as a band family.

I had joined the parent-led Band Boosters organization the first year, but Mr. Barnhill’s vision for the music program necessitated changes in the group’s focus and operations. I became president of the Band Boosters junior year and held that position for 4 years – including 2 years after my son graduated! Alongside other parents, I did it all – organized fundraisers, baked treats for concessions at concerts, chaperoned 110 students to Disneyworld, and accompanied 55 amazing students to witness them perform at Carnegie Hall.  To say it was a labor of love is an understatement.  It was about so much more than the music!

The time I spent supporting Mr. Barnhill as he expanded the instrumental music program at EVHS gave me an opportunity to interact and engage with the students as well.  Overall, they were a great group of young people, some extremely focused and others still finding their way.  The counselor in me would emerge, as I inquired about how their classes were going, test prep they were doing or college notifications they were receiving.  While often reluctant to respond, they students quickly learned that I cared about them not just as band members but as young people navigating their way through high school.

I learned that students possessed many “and 1” skills.  Several were great musicians on multiple instruments, while excelling in the classroom and participating on one of the school’s sports team. Others were experiencing family challenges and hardships, yet they still showed up for rehearsals competitions and performances, because they were committed to the program.  One student was experiencing the unimaginable – her father was in the fight of his life, battling cancer that had metastasized.  I didn’t want him to worry and I wanted to minimize at least some of the stress that comes with being a rising senior, so I committed to the dad that I would be his daughter’s college counselor.  It was a wonderful journey with her – she had great college options and successfully completed her post-secondary education at UC Berkeley.  I saw her a couple of months ago for the first time in a long while and fond memories came rushing back; my heart was filled with joy.

There really are takeaways from my trip down memory lane.  I was inspired by the feature article on Mr. Steven Barnhill, someone for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect, and am honored to call him a friend.  If you’ve read any of my articles, you know that I am a strong proponent of students participating in extracurricular activities that are of interest to them. I’ve seen – and experienced first-hand – the benefits of involvement in music programs in particular.  The band community was a source of support for my son as he transitioned from elementary to middle school and then to high school and even to college. If you are committed to and passionate about an activity, find your community of like-minded people that share your interests, where you can explore, develop, excel and enjoy them together.  Remember, The Journey Begins with You…

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

 

CRUISING FOR KNOWLEDGE – A PERSONAL JOURNEY

/in , /by

I just returned from an 11-day cruise to the Caribbean, to celebrate my birthday.  While this was not my first cruise, in some ways it felt like that.  I always tell students they should get comfortable talking to people they don’t know because you never know from where the next internship, informational interview or job opportunity may come.  So while onboard this beautiful ship named Reflection, I decided to let my curiosity about cruise ship staff be the springboard for some great conversations!

The most pressing question for me was “how did you come to work for the cruise line?” I started with Dina, our stateroom attendant, who is from Honduras and has been working for Celebrity Cruise Lines for about 5 years. She was motivated to leave her home country and seek an opportunity that would allow her to earn pretty good wages and see the world while doing so.  She expressed gratitude for her parents with whom her 15 year old daughter lives as well as the sadness of missing out on key milestones in her daughter’s life. From Dina, I learned the importance of gratuities above and beyond the daily amount charged; based on the way the “pooled gratuities” are split, she would receive approximately 26% of the daily charge. This fact is critical because her earnings are based solely on gratuities!

Next I chatted with staff in the specialty dining room where we ate daily.  The way the staff worked together at every meal was like watching poetry in motion.  The maître d, Umesh, has been with the cruise line for nearly 20 years. He attended university in India, receiving a degree in business with a concentration in hospitality management and was quickly hired after applying for a position at Celebrity. Param, our waiter, followed a similar path, graduating with a degree in tourism. Both men started in entry-level roles, on a few different ships and continue to rise through the ranks. My conversations with Umesh and Param centered on the challenge of being “on” in such customer-facing roles all the time.  I asked about educational requirements, training that staff receives once hired, and the challenges of being away from family 6-7 months at a time.  These gentlemen provided excellent customer service during every interaction with them and I wanted to know the secret sauce!

But the highlight for me was my two-hour conversation on the last night of the cruise with a couple of millennials who were part of the Shore Excursion team, Samuel and Fabio.  Samuel is from Rhodes, Greece, a touristy destination, where he attended college, spent 1 year in the army, worked in and played music at a bar and had other odd jobs.  Immediately prior to joining Celebrity, he was a tour operator for a company that provides shore excursions for cruise guests.  Someone suggested he consider employment with Celebrity so he submitted his CV and was immediately hired – that was 3 months ago and he is loving it.  Fabio attended the university in his native Portugal, receiving a degree in cultural studies and tourism and working as a waiter before joining Celebrity 5 months ago.  Samuel and Fabio spoke about the balance between long work hours while getting to literally “see the world”, connecting with great people (fellow staff members and cruise guests) and then the cruise is over or there are unexpected changes in contracts for staff. Both of these young men described a working environment onboard where race, religion nor position mattered.  They’ve also observed that not many of their fellow staff members are from the United States – something I noticed as well.  Samuel suggested that it may have to do with US employees having to pay taxes on their income which is not the case for many countries.  And since wages are based largely on gratuities or commissions for many of the positions, starting a career in the cruise may not be as financially attractive for US workers.

So why was I inspired to write this piece? Because I wanted to share a personal experience of being open to going wherever the conversation led. The way my brain is wired, I’m always thinking about how to connect the dots.  In this case, I wanted to learn more about various careers within the cruise industry from folks whom I had the pleasure of interacting with for 11 straight days.  I really wanted to hear from them about the skill sets they find to be most important – and ones they utilize daily — in their roles. Not surprisingly, people skills via customer relations/customer service was number one! Problem solving skills followed closely behind.  This sounds simple, but imagine how you might handle a disgruntled cruise guest who felt a shore excursion experience was ruined because a cloud appeared in his photo of a perfect sunset! When I speak with students interested in hospitality management, they mostly speak about working in hotels or restaurants – never cruise lines. While I still have lots more research to do in order to assist students, the insights provided by Dina, Param, Umesh, Samuel and Fabio are definitely helpful.  I will keep my promise to provide all of them with this article, as they shared my excitement about it!

My takeaway? You never know what might be a conversation starter.  For us, it was a San Jose Jazz Festival T-Shirt. On Day 1 of the cruise, Samuel noticed my husband’s San Jose Jazz T-Shirt and began a conversation about being a musician and music aficionado.  Dina also noticed the shirt, asked if my husband was a musician and went on to talk about her love of jazz music and how she was looking forward to an upcoming itinerary that would take her to New Orleans during Mardi Gras!

Fitting in a little “work” during vacations has become my new normal.  This time I gained more than I gave and I hope to cross paths with these fine folks in the future. So take the leap and strike up a conversation – you never know where it might lead.  And always remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

FINDING A HIDDEN GEM – LET THE DISCOVERY BEGIN!

/in , , /by

A few weeks ago, while shopping at the Evergreen Village Square farmers’ market, I noticed one of the vendors was wearing a shirt that had the UC Merced logo on it.  I asked him if he attended Merced and his replied “yes”. I then began a conversation with him, asking the usual questions – how do you like it? What are you majoring in? What made you choose Merced? Etc.  The young man was very enthusiastic in his response, stating he loved it and that he’s majoring in mechanical engineering. He also mentioned that it was ideal for him because he’s from the Central Valley and attending Merced allows him to be close (but not too close) and still help his family out with their farming business.  We both remarked about how so many students and parents look down on Merced as the “undesired” UC campus, yet there are indeed great opportunities there for students interested in the sciences.  He talked about the variety of clubs on campus, and various field trips to companies like Tesla that occur on a regular basis.

Fast forward to this past week.  While again shopping at this vendor’s booth, I overheard a woman asking the same young man the questions I first posed to him – Do you go to Merced? Do you like it? She went on to say, “My son applied there and he’s interested in engineering, so I was just wondering.”  I smiled as I listened to the conversation and then remarked to the mom “I asked him those same questions a couple of weeks ago.  I’m a college counselor and I’m always interested in hearing what students have to say about different schools.” As I paid for my produce, I told the young man, “it’s great that you are representing your school” and he beamed with pride.

I share this story because it reflects one of the many ways I learn about different colleges – from a student perspective.  Conversations like these are not scripted or with student ambassadors on a formal college tour so often they represent a truer picture. Yes, it’s only one student’s response, but it opens up areas for further research or discussion. I’m always happy to hear students clearly articulate why a particular institution is a good fit for him/her specifically as this young man was able to do.

The beauty of working with students individually is that I get to build relationships with them over time. As we work together to build a college list, I press them on the things that really matter to them as part of their college experience. Sometimes they aren’t really sure or they only identify attributes that comprise the “outer layer” of the experience – name familiarity, geographic location, size, major. I challenge them to explore more deeply and consider attributes like collaborative environment, political climate, hands-on learning, disability support, test-optional, and more. One of the best tools I’ve found to use with my students is Corsava Card Sort (https://corsava.com/) which allows students to assess 100+ attributes and categorize them into 4 categories:  Must Have, Nice to Have, No Way, and Don’t Care.  These ratings are used to open dialogue about their categorization (which often leads to a few being moved around) and begin building a list of colleges based on those attributes for the student to explore.

The process comes full circle when I’m able to follow up with students, especially after their first year of college to get an update on their college experience.  I absolutely love these check-ins! After arriving on campus students may change majors, explore new interests via campus organizations, engage in local community activities, get a part-time job, or pursue a club sport.  The stories and experiences are endless! As I visit campus across the country, the joy I get from actually seeing former students in their new “homes” is absolutely priceless!  Staying in touch with students – and even parents – is a bonus for me because it provides me with a source of students who are able to speak to their experiences at a particular college much like the young man at the farmers’ market.

So what are the takeaways?  College students, “rep your school”, because you never know who’s paying attention and it’s always a great conversation starter.  High school students, if you’re curious or want to know more, just ask; be open to gathering a variety of data as you research schools, including current and former students.  Parents, just like your students, I encourage you to continue being inquisitive – and open to learning about new schools that may not have been on your radar previously.  Remember, the rock you turn over may reveal a brilliantly shining jewel.  The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

 

STAYING “FRESH” IN THE WORLD OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

/in , /by

“Oh, the places you’ll go!”  As I reflect back on 2018, this sentiment was definitely true. People often ask me why I travel so much and if the travel is related to my work. My response is simple – yes, it’s necessary to better support my students!

I take great pride in having been accepted into two professional organizations designed for college counselors – Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). Both organizations offer annual conferences that provide an opportunity for members to attend workshops spanning a wide variety of topics, as well as engage in conversations with colleagues to compare notes about our common – and not so common – experiences in the work we do every day. Last month’s article highlighted two conference presentations I attended related to STEM and Trends in College Admissions.

At the conference, I also had the great pleasure of facilitating a roundtable discussion for independent educational consultants who “give back” by partnering with community organizations to provide college counseling services, assisting students on a pro-bono or sliding scale basis and/or deliver free workshops for organizations in the community.  As an active member of my community, I always enjoy opportunities to learn more about how colleagues around the country implement programs and deliver services that benefit under-served students.

College visits help to give me a fresh perspective and have become a staple of nearly every trip I take! But there’s nothing like touring colleges with fellow college counselors, where we get to share our impressions of the schools and exchange thoughts about the type(s) of students that might be a good fit.  I embarked upon one of those fun trips to Missouri – appropriately called the STEAM Tour – in July. I absolutely love learning about schools that are (or could be) hidden gems for students, if they and their parents would allow themselves to consider great schools, often with good merit aid, that do not necessarily have the same name-recognition as other institutions.  Here are a few examples:

  • Drury University – Cyber Risk Management major, average starting salary out of college is $95K and per Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career field is projected to grow 28%. They also have an accredited architecture program, with a 5 year Masters’ degree program designed so that you keep your undergraduate financial aid for all 5 years.
  • Missouri Science & Technology – Ceramics engineering major where 55% of the students in that major are women
  • Saint Louis University – right in the heart of St. Louis but the beautiful campus is enclosed in a way you forget you are in the middle of the city! Strong aviation and aeronautics programs; fun fact: an SLU alum has participated in every NASA space mission!

I also toured Prairie View A&M University (TX), Lincoln University (PA), Villanova University (PA), Hampton University (VA) and the University of Washington. I always encourage students and families to visit schools during family vacations whenever it’s feasible. There are so many great institutions out there that you just might be surprised when you stumble upon a campus that just takes your breath away!

So where will my travels take me in 2019?  I’ll visit schools in the Chicago area in the Spring and head to Rhode Island and Tennessee during the summer.  I haven’t finalized my college tour list yet, but I know there are great adventures ahead, exploring a variety of schools with colleagues.  Stay tuned for great stories and fun facts in the months to come.  In the meantime, I’ll be working with juniors to get them ramped up for the college application process and helping seniors evaluate offers of admission and financial aid awards. And my work in the community will include co-chairing the 29th Annual Black College Awareness Fair sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Rho Delta Omega Chapter on March 2, 2019 and serving on the leadership team for the 30th Annual Student Recognition Program sponsored by the Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators on May 5, 2019.  Never a dull moment in the life of this college counselor!

So as you begin anew in 2019, embrace opportunities to “stay fresh” in your own way. Take time to identify things you want to know more about, try out new activities, and cast your net wide as you explore schools you’ve never heard of. Fresh starts feel good, too!  And always remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP)

STEM? STEAM? GETTING TO THE HEART OF YOU!

/in , /by

My phone is ringing, alerts from incoming emails are buzzing and I am a happy camper.  Why?  Because parents and students are reaching out to me, ready to get started with the college preparation and application process. It means I get more time to ‘hold up the mirror’ while guiding students in self-discovery to help them find the post-secondary educational opportunity that best suits them.

I just returned from a week-long conference with nearly 1400 colleagues who focus on the needs of students and families.  The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is a not-for-profit, international professional association representing experienced independent educational consultants. IECA offers information to students and their families regarding school selection issues, and works to ensure that those in the profession adhere to the highest ethical and business standards.  The conference sessions spanned a variety of topics, but presentations in two of them really resonated with me.  Both, in their own way, focused on the individual student in this daunting landscape of college admissions.

Mark Hofer, a Certified Educational Planner from Seattle, presented “Critical Considerations for STEM Students.” He spoke about how students should be challenged to think about WHY they are considering a career in STEM and shared these thoughts:

  • Having math skills is important in most STEM occupations;
  • Math is the language of science and students should be “to and through” calculus going in; however
  • Being good at math does not mean you will be happy in a STEM major or career

He then highlighted skills and attributes that are important and ‘behaviors of mind’ to cultivate:

  • What can you do today? What are the skills that you bring with you on day 1?
  • How quickly can you learn? What evidence can you provide?
  • Can you communicate effectively – writing and speaking?
  • What are other useful skills and hobbies you possess?
  • Think through questions – process an answer for questions instead of just Googling answers
  • Think like a scientist – utilize a methodology, understand the variables, and apply logic
  • Read – the more the better
  • Practice the art of asking good questions – intentional, thoughtful, respectful
  • Meet people and learn to build relationships
  • Be comfortable opening conversations
  • Please, Thank you, You’re Welcome – are not overrated!

 

The conference ended with a presentation by Richard Shaw, Dean of Admission & Financial Aid at my alma mater, Stanford University.  Dean Shaw addressed “The State of College Admissions,” where he spoke of trends like the impact of lower birth rates on college enrollment, the high percentage of incoming freshmen who sit in the top 25% quartile of their graduating classes, the implications of the Harvard University discrimination case currently being held in the courts, and more.  He also spoke about student stress which often stems from a lack of awareness of opportunities, is self-imposed and leads to mental health issues among students.  Dean Shaw summarized by stating “We want kids to capture their adolescence back and pursue what makes them happy.”

 

The words of wisdom shared by these gentlemen aligns well with my message to students and parents as they navigate the college admission process – get in touch with yourself and remain true to yourself no matter how many zigs and zags you encounter along the way.  Find your passion, nurture it and always be confident about what you can – and will – contribute.  Remember that being good at something and being happy doing it may not be the same thing!

 

As you prepare to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends, take time to reflect on the gift of YOU, because… The Journey Begins with You…!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP)

THE COLLEGE ESSAY – A TIME TO EXPRESS YOURSELF

/in , , /by

Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, coach or neighbor, there’s a good chance that you know it’s college application season.  How can you tell?  Because it consumes the conversation at the dinner table, fills the air while in the car riding to school, becomes the distraction during class or on the field, and causes angst for the entire family of a college senior in the midst of the process. These students are no doubt pulling their hair out trying to respond to questions and prompts like:

  • What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give younger siblings or friends (assuming they would listen to you)?
  • Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of this university.
  • What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

And two of my favorites:

  • Hashtag to describe yourself:
  • What is your theme song?

During the last 5 years or so, I’ve seen a tremendous uptick in the number of colleges to which students apply.  This has been made easier to do with the advent of the Common Application, the UC Application and recently, the Coalition Application.  Utilizing these platforms, students can complete one basic application, write one main essay of 650 words, and submit to multiple colleges and universities.  Sounds simple, right?  While it is more efficient than completing multiple, separate applications, there are still two important caveats.  First, some schools require additional essay questions, which could be more essays, short answer responses, lists, etc.  Second, although there is one main application, each school typically has a separate application fee. For example, the fee for each UC is $70 and $55 for CSUs; private colleges range from about $60 to $90 for Stanford’s application.

I often caution students that although the application process is streamlined, each application submitted will have its own admission decision rendered.  In other words, if you apply to all of the 9 UC campuses, you will be waiting for 9 separate admission decisions – even though there was only “one” application.  For the first time, I am working with several students who have 20+ schools on their college lists! I implore my students (and their parents!) to focus on having a quality list, that is balanced in terms of selectivity (reach, target, likely) in terms of the student’s academic, standardized testing and extracurricular profile.  Once the balanced list is developed, then the student can focus on enhancing his/her profile with thoughtfully written essays that provide the reader (admission officer) with an opportunity to learn more about the student, how s/he would fit at and contribute to the specific college community.

So the next time a high school senior comes to you seeking input or asking you to help them brainstorm for their college essays, consider passing along these reminders:

  • Follow directions and make sure to answer the prompt – all parts of it!
  • Don’t write to impress by using flowery, thesaurus-driven language
  • Do not procrastinate, as this type of essay writing is different and it’s an iterative process

Most importantly, I tell students: “Be your authentic self in your response.”  That really is the goal.  Good luck, and remember, The Journey Begins with You…

 

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID – IT STARTS WITH THE FAFSA!

/in , /by

While in the Hallmark store earlier this week, I couldn’t help but notice the change of seasons within. Signs of Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas were sprinkled throughout the store, and I thought “it must be Fall.” Days are getting shorter.  Families are back in the groove of the school year. Football, soccer and other sports are in full swing.  High school seniors are taking their final SAT and ACT tests, while cranking out college essays and applications.  And just when you think you have a handle on all of the application and essay types – Common Application, Coalition Application, Cal State Apply, main essay, supplemental essays, UC Personal Insight Questions — there’s one more application to add to the mix.  The 2019-2020 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1, 2018.

Gone are the days of January 1st of a student’s senior year heralding in the start of FAFSA season.  Students will complete the FAFSA using tax information from two years prior to their anticipated college entrance date.  For example, current high school seniors planning to enroll in college in Fall 2019 will file the FAFSA using tax data from 2017. Because the FAFSA asks for older income and tax information, most of you will already have done your taxes by the time you fill out the FAFSA, thus the need to estimate and then update information is significantly reduced.

Here’s what you will need to get started.

FSA ID – a username and password that you can use to log into US Department of Education websites. Each student and one parent will need an FSA ID.  Go to http://fsaid.ed.gov to create your FSA ID.

Social Security Number

Driver’s License Number (if you have one)

2017 Tax Records – you will be reporting income information from 2017.  If you already filed your 2017 taxes, you may be able to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to import your tax information. Using this tool can save you time and reduce the likelihood of entering incorrect information.  For more information about the IRS DRT, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out#parent-info.

Records of your untaxed income – examples include child support received, interest income and veterans noneducation benefits

Records of your assets – includes savings and checking account balances as well as the value of investments such as stocks and bonds and real estate (except the home in which your family resides). These figures should represent the current amounts as of the date you sign the FAFSA form rather than the 2017 tax year amounts.

List of the colleges/universities where you are applying – include schools in which you are truly interested in alphabetical order.  You can list 10 schools on your FAFSA form at a time, however if you are applying to more than 10 schools there is a workaround:  https://fafsa.ed.gov/help/fotwfaq14.htm

All too often I hear families question why they should complete the FAFSA, based on their income.  Instead, they choose to rely on receiving merit-based aid from institutions and outside scholarships.  The reality is that many times families overestimate their merit-based aid and underestimate need-based aid.  Also, in some cases, institutions require a FAFSA to be on file to be considered for merit aid.  And then there’s the possibility that “life happens” and a family’s situation can drastically change in an instant.  There are so many misconceptions about completing the FAFSA that the Federal Student Aid Office published a document of myths about financial aid (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/financial-aid-myths.pdf)

And file early! Learning how much aid you qualify for earlier in the admission process can help you determine the affordability of certain schools on your list and which schools will best fit your needs academically and financially. If you’re not ready to file a FAFSA form, you can use the FAFSA4caster to estimate your federal student aid (https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cform). Applying isn’t the last step; your FAFSA form has to be processed, and then you get an Expected Family Contribution, which your college or career school uses to figure out how much aid you can get.

Check out these two resources for learning more about the FAFSA:  Federal Student Aid (https://fafsa.gov), Edvisors (www.edvisors.com/fafsa ), which offers an opportunity to download a free copy of their complete guide on the website.

Being an informed consumer is important in the college application and selection process.  There are so many outstanding colleges and universities that offer a great undergraduate experience at an affordable cost to families.  Cast your net wide – you’ll be surprised at the hidden gems you may reel in!  Good luck and remember The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

IN HER OWN WORDS – REFLECTIONS ON MY FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE

/in , , /by

Welcome to July! This month always means transition for me – winding down my work with recently graduated seniors, ramping up application and essay work with rising seniors and checking in with my freshmen and sophomore students.  But I always try to find time to re-connect with my former students who have just completed one or more years of college. Sharing their reflections about their college application process or experience of transitioning to college is fun and I hope informative for students embarking on the process.  This month features an interview with a former student, Kira Griffin, a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.   Here’s what she shared about finding the right college fit and her first-year experience as a college student.

With so many colleges to choose from how did you build your list of prospective schools? I first built my list of colleges simply by doing research online and seeing which schools grabbed my interest. I had a few local schools and I had a lot of schools in Southern California. I’ve always had the idea that I wanted to attend school in Southern California so those universities were higher up on my priority list. I applied to a few schools that were very new to me (schools I hadn’t heard of), which I then later researched more.

Did you visit all of the schools to which you applied? During the spring break of my Junior year in High School, I went a college road trip with my best friend. We looked at five schools in Southern California and three schools in San Diego. I did not visit all of the schools that I applied to because some of those schools were safety schools. I didn’t see a point visiting schools that I wouldn’t want to go to if I had already gotten into schools higher up on my priority list.

How did the campus visits impact your final decision? After I got all of my results back regarding the schools I got into, I was able to narrow down my list to the ones I was really considering. I thought back to the campus visits and which campus I felt most at home at. As I was on the college tours, there were certain campuses where I literally couldn’t picture myself walking around as a student on that campus. When that was the case, I instantly knew that it wasn’t the school for me to attend. I believe campus visits are a ​very important part in the process of choosing your college. Loyola Marymount University’s campus instantly attracted me with all of the palm trees and modern looking buildings. Also, when visiting my final schools there were just some things that LMU had that others didn’t and I really took that into consideration. I just really believe that visiting and picturing yourself on the campus is very important because you could read about the school online, but you don’t truly know what it’s like to be on campus until you actually are there.

What made you consider out of state colleges? Was that scary/uncomfortable for you? To be completely honest, I wasn’t really interesting in applying to out-of-state schools. After having meetings with Ms. Antoinette, she really encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and apply to at least a couple of out of state colleges. I ended up applying to Arizona State and University of Nevada Reno, and was accepted to both schools.  Applying to schools that weren’t in California was scary for me because I never imagined myself going out of state for college. I was worried and anxious about how diverse those universities would be compared to California schools, because diversity is very important to me for my college experience.

What strategies helped you acclimate to college life? Joining different clubs and also attending a lot of school events definitely helped me become accustomed to college life.  Going to these things really got me involved in the campus activities and I was able to meet so many new people.

Did you declare a major when you arrived on campus?  If so, what was it? When I was applying to Loyola Marymount University I chose Business Marketing as my major. I chose this because it is really something that I am interested in and I believe that with my creativity and leadership skills, this field would be something that I can excel in.

What surprised you the most?  Something that has surprised me the most is how welcoming college is. I feel like in college people are able to do whatever they want without being judged, unlike high school where everything is like a competition between one another. The sense of community, specifically at LMU, really surprised me. When I came to visit LMU I was only here for a couple of hours so I couldn’t fully experience the people. Living on campus this past year showed me that everyone is so inclusive, no matter what, which makes me feel really supported.

In what ways did you feel the most (and least) prepared for your transition to college? Honestly, coming into college I felt like I was very prepared. My high school, Moreau Catholic High School (Hayward), is a college-prep school and I believe they did a good job on preparing the students. I also, have a cousin that is a year older than me who also attends Loyola Marymount University, so she was very helpful in telling me what to expect especially at LMU. I would say that coming into to college I wasn’t prepared for how much free time I would have. However, with that being said, managing your time is very important — Just knowing what you can and cannot handle in terms of putting too much on your plate, while also learning not to let the free time lead to you procrastinating.

What do you look forward to doing differently next academic year? Something that I look forward to doing differently my sophomore year is participating more in class. I’m the type of person that talks a lot, but I’d rather listen. These past two semesters I feel like I participated an average amount, but next year I want to get more out of my comfort zone and push myself.

What advice would you give recent high school grads who are transitioning to college this fall? I would tell them to really make the most of it. It sounds cheesy but I can’t even explain how fast this year has gone for me. It feels like yesterday I was filling out college applications. I just truly suggest to have fun and make lots of memories, but also don’t forget what you’re there for… your education. Another thing that I would advise upcoming college freshman is to go to their professors’ office hours. It may seem intimidating, but they are here to help you succeed. I can say that creating that bond with your professor for them to get to know you, can help you throughout the class

What advice would you give to rising high school seniors about the college application process? My biggest piece of advice is to be patient. It is a process that can feel so long and so tiring. Once you start to research different colleges, seeing their averages for test scores or GPA can be very daunting. I would just say don’t let that discourage you from applying to a school because honestly, you never know. Sometimes you may not have the best grades, but your extracurricular activities could make up for it. Finishing all of the college applications can be a very stressful process as well but working with Ms. Antoinette and her giving me deadlines to have certain applications due was very helpful in my experience. Regarding patience, after you submit all of your applications, you will be playing the waiting game. I actually think that this part of the application process is the worst because the mystery of not knowing what will happen can drive you crazy! You will start to see your friends getting acceptance letters which also makes it hard because you start to question where your letter is or why you haven’t gotten that email. Just be patient. It’s all a process (a long one), but in the end it will be worth it.

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

DECISION TIME – MAKING YOUR COLLEGE SELECTION

/in , , /by

Colleges and universities have identified those students who will comprise the Class of 2022 at their institutions. Admission decisions have been communicated via college portals, thick envelopes in the mail and by email. The ball is now in your court – it’s decision time!

Whether you were accepted to your top-choice college or denied admission by a “target” or “safety” school, there are some common things you need to do as you approach the proverbial finish line.  First, let’s address the elephant in the room.  Rejection hurts, even if it comes from a school that was not your first choice.  But remember that it’s not personal – it’s not that the admission officer didn’t like you.  And you are not alone; enrollment management practices at institutions feed the frenzy to be viewed as selective, resulting in admission rates in single digits or low teens. Don’t dwell on the “what-if’s” at this point, as you cannot go back in time to get better grades or test scores.

Celebrate the acceptances you received!  Focus on those schools who have chosen you to become a member of their community. If your college list was created well, you should be happy to attend any of the colleges to which you applied; this should have also helped you manage your expectations for admission decisions.  Assuming you received more than one offer of admission, your task now is to narrow down your list and commit to attend one of them prior to the universal student reply date of May 1, 2018.

Narrow your list of schools.  Strategies to do this might include: a simple pro/con chart for each school, or a review of each school to see how they fit key criteria you established early in the application process.  This is the time to ask deeper questions to help you figure out which college or academic program has what you are seeking. Consider which schools offer more assistance with job placement and internships. Which ones offer study abroad programs that enable you to still graduate in four years?

Attend events for admitted students – on campus or locally, and check out alumni-sponsored receptions in your area.  I strongly suggest that you visit the campuses of the top schools on your list – even if you visited before.  Now that you’ve been admitted, the lens through which you view a school as your potential “home” for the next four years is different than when you were “testing the waters” to determine if you wanted to add the school to your college list. Make sure you meet deadlines related to housing, special programs, disability support services, etc.

Evaluate the financial aid offers for each of the schools under consideration. Remember that all financial aid offers are not created equal!  Be certain that you understand your family’s out-of-pocket expenses to attend each of the schools, and beware of aid offers that do not include the total cost of attendance and those that include a significant amount of loans. The conversation and evaluation of finances should definitely be a family discussion.

If you are waitlisted, don’t despair, but do decide whether you still want to attend the school. If not, contact the admission office(s) and let them know you wish to be removed from the waitlist; this will create space for students who remain interested in attending the school. Be sure to understand what the next steps are to remain on the list and improve your chances of admission.  This might include sending updated GPA information or awards, submitting additional test results, or providing letters of support, etc.

Take your time to make a sound decision, but do adhere to the deadlines for notifying schools.  Accept only one offer, as it is unethical to “double-deposit”, and can result in admission offers being rescinded. Notify the colleges you choose not to attend, so that spots will be opened up for other students.

At the end of the day, after you have examined all of the “facts”, sometimes you just go with your gut.  Once you make the decision, and send in your deposit, “own” it!  Now it’s time to enjoy the rest of your senior year and start getting ready for your transition to college.  Good luck!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

STEPPING OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE – YOU WILL SURVIVE!

/in , /by

Last month I vacationed with my family in Costa Rica.  Being fairly fluent in Spanish, I wasn’t concerned about a language barrier. The friendly Costa Rican people made me feel welcomed in their country. Having a guide for our planned activities was comforting; I had already decided that zip-lining across the rainforest was not something I would do.  But on the fourth day of my ten day vacation, I found myself participating in not one, but two activities that took me well past the boundaries of my comfort zone.

The vertical climb of the horseback ride on a horse named Palmino was a challenge, but I persevered and patted myself on the back at its completion.  Little did I know that would be the easy part.  I soon found myself walking across a hanging bridge near the Volcano Miravalles  en route to see the waterfalls. I got halfway across and seriously questioned whether I would be able to make it all the way – I had never been so paralyzed with fear! But I continued to the other side and after catching my breath (actually starting to breathe again!) I walked back across the bridge without stopping. I felt accomplished but emotionally exhausted!

I decided to share this personal story because it reminded me of what I tell students all the time – step outside of your comfort zone.  Doing so can look different from person to person.  For a high school freshman, it may mean joining school clubs to explore new interests like debate, yearbook or culturally-focused clubs.  Perhaps you’re ready to take singing in the shower to the next level so you decide to join choir.  It could also mean challenging yourself with Honors and AP courses.  And for seniors, applying to and/or attending colleges and universities outside of California could signal a big leap for you.  It continues throughout college, with study abroad programs, community service-based spring break activities, conversing with your professors about their research, and exploring more student organizations.

Yes, stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is truly a life skill. No matter how big or small the steps are, the most important thing is to be willing to push yourself beyond the limits you believe you have. I am certain this attitude is what pushed me to finish my ride on Palmino and make it across – and back across – that bridge.  I stepped far out of my comfort zone, and I survived.  You can, too! Remember The Journey Begins with You …Good luck!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20-year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce and the African American Community Services Agency.