We humbly interrupt your summer for this Griffin PSA...

Summer Syllabus

In late May, I passed out a highly recommended College Admissions Summer Syllabus 2017 to all rising applying to college next year. I hope you all find it useful as you spend your summer taking stock of your best fit possibilities for college and the life stories that will most authentically reflect your interests and ways of learning.

Common App Essay Prompts

Earlier this spring, the Common App released its NEW and REVISED essay prompts for 2017-18. These can help in your brainstorming and drafting of your personal essays.

For some excellent examples of successful application essays--with analysis from college admissions officers on why they were successful--please visit the admissions essay webpages created by:

• Essays that Worked, Connecticut College
• Essays that Worked, Johns Hopkins University
• Past Essays that Mattered, Tufts University

Some supplemental essay advice…

Many of the more selective schools also require supplemental essays. These deserve your full attention, as the schools that require them have specifically created them for their potential students. They often ask you to answer the question, “Why (insert college name here)?” Admissions officers are looking to see if you have done your homework, thoroughly researching the school’s various offerings in coursework, extracurriculars, support services (and more). They want to see in your essay not a regurgitation of its brochure material but rather evidence that you have imagined yourself at that particular college to talk about specifically about how the school fits you. See the FACTS page of this site for helpful advice about approaching these supplements.

What to Know Before You Go

On May 17, we held our first annual “What to Know Before You Go” event. It was a wonderful success--with a hearty turnout of students and alumni! Liz Fekete Trubey, the director of academic advising for Weinberg College at Northwestern University, covered a myriad of relevant of topics--from navigating the very likely possibility of changing majors, to dealing with time management, finding academic and other support, dealing with loneliness and other social challenges, and even learning to do laundry. THANK YOU, Liz!!! It was great to have Kassi, Cyane, Annabelle, Brandon, Spencer V. and Spencer S., and Kaelyn back to campus to talk about their specific first year experiences. BIG THANKS, Griffin Alumni! We look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Standardized Testing
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SAT - the registration deadline for the August 26 SAT is coming up--on July 28!

ACT - the registration deadline for the September 9 ACT is coming up--on August 4!

Remember: Kahn Academy offers free online prep, and the ACT offers either low or no cost prep, depending on financial need. Please let me know if you need any assistance with this. Note that Steve Byer is available for private tutoring or, with enough interest, still offer a summer ACT prep session at Roycemore twice a week during the month of August. If you are interested, let me know ASAP.

Congratulations, Seniors!

Working with you all this year has been an honor and privilege. Please keep in touch and come back to report on your adventures soon. Big props to Charlie for dying my hair Roycemore blue for graduation. 

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