TeenLife Blog

May 16, 2012

Paying for College: Initial Steps for Parents of Juniors

By Carol Stack and Ruth Vedvik · Comments (0)

For many parents, covering the cost of college for their children is a “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it” topic of conversation and planning.

Well, for those of you who are the parents of high school juniors – that bridge is right in front of you. Even if you haven’t spent the last 15 years in a disciplined savings plan that ensures you have the cash on hand to cover Susie or Sam’s college costs, there are still strategies you can employ to help cover the cost of college. And to begin with, you need to know that the underlying assumption on which all colleges base their financial aid and scholarship programs is very simple and very clear: the primary responsibility for paying for college rests with the student’s family and the student. Yes, it is your responsibility and we offer three suggestions for ways to tackle that commitment.

First: sit down with your spouse or former spouse and start talking. Make an inventory of the cash resources you will have available when the first bill for college – for fall semester, 2013 arrives. Yes, in just 14 months from now, July 2013, bills for the class to enter college in fall 2013 will land in parental mailboxes. Included, on the credit side of the equation, will be any financial assistance your son or daughter received based on academics, talent and need. The amount you pay could feel staggering, even if quite of bit of “other people’s money” (read: the college, federal and state governments, and external scholarships) has been subtracted from the college’s sticker price. Read More→

May 11, 2012

We All Need a Little Help Sometimes

By Alexandra Zabriskie · Comments (0)

Whenever a parent and/or teacher brings up the prospect of tutoring to a teen, one of the first questions is “Why?” Why do I need extra help? Is something wrong with me? Do you think I can’t do it on my own? Why do I have to get more schooling and do more homework?

The conversation can go many ways, and some students welcome the extra help, but for those parents looking for ways to reach their children – or to find answers themselves (Why is my child not performing to his/her best ability in school/on tests? Why do I have to spend the extra money?) I would offer the following advice.

Teenagers have long idolized performing artists and athletes for their charisma, fame and talent. These icons did not arrive at the pinnacles of their careers in a vacuum – they had help – a lot of it. Even as they ride the waves of stardom, they continue to turn to outside help to keep them at their best. Read More→

May 10, 2012

Here Comes the Prom! Are your teens ready to step out for the big night?

By Hilary Brennan · Comments (4)

No other school event rivals the anticipation and excitement for both students and parents. The prom is the chance to dress our best, celebrate friendships and create memories that will define the high school experience. But be careful: Students caught up in the social frenzy of prom planning may not realize that the evening will test their “social IQ” on multiple levels: invitations, introductions, host and guest duties, conversations, attire and dining manners.

Those with limited experience attending formal occasions may discover that the prom will be the first time they find themselves thrust into unfamiliar situations. The prom provides a great opportunity for teens to learn proper etiquette and be able to practice these valuable social skills that will last a lifetime. Read More→

May 7, 2012

It’s Not Too Late To Consider A Gap Year

By Marie Schwartz · Comments (1)

Now that you’ve seen most of your teen’s college acceptance (or rejection) letters you may see a clear path forward–4 wonderful years at a school that’s a great fit academically, socially, and financially. But, as thousands of families are discovering, you or your student may not be completely sure that college should be the next step or that his/her choice of colleges are a good fit. If you’re on the fence about whether your high school senior is truly ready for college, now is the perfect time to consider whether or not a gap year is a better option. Read More→

May 4, 2012

Asperger’s, College Admissions, College Decisions & the Quirky Factor

By Sarah Buttenwieser · Comments (0)

Now that Asperger’s is a familiar entity, it’s hard to remember that not so long ago, it wasn’t. Fifteen years ago college consultant Allen Tinkler recalls a college disability coordinator asking a group of colleagues—via an email list focused upon colleges and disability services—about “Bergers Disease.”

Like that Facebook relationship status, these days the answer to what a college applicant with Asperger’s should do is, according to Tinkler, “complicated.” That’s because every college is different and so is every student. “Being on the spectrum is by definition synonymous with infinite points in a range so it cannot be one thing and it cannot be easily defined,” Tinkler ventures. “Many kids diagnosed with Asperger’s test well, have good grades and are reasonably able to present themselves in an interview. Those kids merely come across as ‘quirky.’ Many kids, Asperger’s or no, are quirky. I’ve sat in my office with plenty of kids with Asperger’s and unless told about their Asperger’s I really wouldn’t know. They are equipped for college. They are academically prepared. If that’s the case, I think the student is better off not disclosing the diagnosis during the application phase. It’s a more cautious approach, taking that factor out of the admissions equation. Some schools don’t even want to know about a student’s disability during the admissions process.”

His reasoning is this: once accepted, if accommodations are necessary, the prospective student can work with the disability office to see what the college is able to offer and how capable it seems of doing so. He says, “Schools have come a long way and are by and large, much more in the spirit of the ADA standard. Even with the best intentions, some schools are better staffed, trained and equipped than others. After receiving acceptances the student should meet or speak with the disability offices of the schools seriously being considered to see which ones will provide the best services and accommodations meeting the student’s needs.” Read More→

May 2, 2012

There is Still Time to Plan Your Teen’s Summer

By Jill Tipograph · Comments (0)

May arrived early this year. Everyone was busy with work, school, and sports, and now the summer is almost upon us, and your teen has not yet made plans. Do not despair! It is not too late. While some programs may be filled, there are still many options open for your teenager.

First, you must narrow down the choices. The options are more varied now than ever before. Your teenager needs a combination of work and play to keep mentally, emotionally and physically stimulated all summer long. Which of the following interests him/her: academics, community service, internships, language, leadership, specialties or travel? Read More→

April 27, 2012

Senior Year Class Selection

By Rebecca Joseph · Comments (0)

Yes, this is for you – parents of high school juniors.

As many juniors plan their senior year schedules, they often choose the path of least resistance. Yet, senior year should be a time for mastery, of exploration, and of rigor. Colleges want students who take their academics to the next level.

So juniors need to plan their senior years wisely. They need to keep going with content areas and not abandon anything. It is so hard doing college math if someone skips math senior year, and so on. Read More→

April 25, 2012

Maintaining A College Acceptance

By Andrea Glovsky · Comments (0)

For seniors and parents this time of the year presents a challenge. Everyone is ready to move on, but unfortunately there are courses to finish and rules to follow. Colleges have made their decisions and most students are already mentally in fast-forward to August. College acceptances, unfortunately, are contingent on successful completion of all senior year courses. AP classes need to be finished. Independent projects are expected to be completed. All grades must be maintained. Every high school is required to send a final transcript to the selected college. There are many stories to relate every year about students who have had their acceptances rescinded. An A student of mine got 2 C-’s and the college required him to attend summer school. Another school rescinded the acceptance of a student with 1 D and an incomplete. The two most common reasons for negating acceptances are a drop in grades or reported behavior that is considered unacceptable. (Cheating, getting caught with drugs or alcohol, an arrest, bullying, and “sexting” are all such unacceptable social behaviors.) All high schools must report any known such behavior to the college, especially suspensions.

What can a parent do? The parents’ role in all of this is to remember you are there to establish the rules and limits. Rules help students learn behavior that carries over to college. You and your rules are also an excuse for your child to choose not to do things “that everyone else is doing”. A bad grade needs to bring about grounding even if it makes you unpopular. Read More→

April 23, 2012

Volunteering: A Great Last-Minute Addition to Teens’ Summer Plans

By Marie Schwartz · Comments (1)

If you think your teenager still has too much free time this summer or even if you don’t, consider community service. Not only does it come with various benefits, teens have a lot of flexibility when scheduling time to give back.

I’ve written before about the benefits of community service. I usually focus on the following points which we talk about often at TeenLife:

The opportunity to make a real impact.
Insight into social issues.
Enhanced self-esteem.
A broader social circle.
Acquisition of skills that can be applied in class, on the job, and in new social situations.
A standout college application.

I wanted to let you in on some secrets of scheduling volunteer experiences so that you might capitalize on some last-minute opportunities to enrich your teen’s summer. Here are just a few tips!

Students can volunteer around sports commitments and travel schedules. Many parents I speak to don’t realize the breadth of volunteer opportunities available to teens. Many of them do not require long time commitments. If students have a day here and there, they may be able to volunteer at community events. If they have a week free, many organizations would be delighted to have their help even on a short-term basis. Read More→

April 20, 2012

The Long Senior Slump

By Allison Cheston · Comments (0)

My son is a senior in high school and he has really taken the term “senior slump” to heart. At first I was just incredibly pleased that he had been accepted to his first-choice college after having been deferred when he applied Early Decision. And I rationalized the fact that he was sleeping later and going out on school nights because many of his friends had been doing that since December, when they were accepted Early Decision.

But now I’ve been observing this slump for a few weeks, and I can’t say it makes me happy. It seems lazy and indulgent, not to mention that it fails to take advantage of the incredible resources his school continues to offer. I’ve discussed my frustration with other senior parents, who are also perplexed that their kids seem to have so little work and are so idle. Read More→

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