Two Kids One Dog

If you are considering a career in medicine, the early years of undergraduate work are a time to plan, keep your grades up and keep your options open. Knowing what may be required by medical schools is key to meeting the expectations and not extending your undergraduate studies in a game of catch-up.

First step is to review the resources on the Association of American Medical Colleges site and on your campus premedical site. It’s a good idea to meet with the premed adviser early on to make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate courses and take advantage of internships, physician shadowing and volunteering.

In case you need a quick reference for the requirements, there are good general overviews of premed requirements on the Amherst College website and on the Tufts site.

Students who are considering medical school should also pick up a copy of:
“Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) 2010-2011: The Most Authoritative Guide to U.S. and Canadian Medical Schools. The MSAR is updated annually and has the latest in admissions requirements!
Last but not least, as you complete your coursework, keep in mind that the MCATs are usually taken after the Spring semester of your junior year. More information on the MCATs are on the AAMC site.

Technorati Tags: college, curriculum, MCAT, premed

One of the keys to early college success is course selection. Many parents suggest their child audit the first class rather than take it for credit. I’m torn on that approach as knowing there is no grade may not make the class requirements as real to a young student.

Regardless of your approach to credit, the following guidelines should help you in your initial course selections:

• Students considering early college should start with one class in an area of strength and build from there.

• It is wise to check the course syllabus on-line prior to registering for a course (great way to check depth, pace and workload) and to make a visit to the college bookstore to review the texts.

• Consideration as to class size should be made. Early college students should think about the environment that they will thrive in (small class or large lecture hall) and choose their opportunities appropriately.

• Groups projects are fairly common on many campuses - even in courses such as math, literature and economics. If your student isn’t ready for group-work, check the syllabus prior to registration so you can find a class without group projects.

• It’s important to remember that grades in college do count and may have an impact on one’s future. While many parents are happy that their child has access to advanced content and not worried about grades, that ‘C’ in a class at age 14 or 16 will be considered when the student applies to 4 year universities, for summer programs and internships, for scholarships, for graduate school and may even impact a change in major.

• Many colleges have an intensive writing focus called “Writing Across the Curriculum.” This focus means even some math and science courses may be writing intensive and noted as such in the course descriptions. If you are looking for math or science courses, but have a reluctant writer, be sure and check the course’s writing requirements prior to registration.

• Remember to consider the homework load as you add additional classes to your schedule. A good guideline is 2 - 3 hours of homework time for every hour of course credit weekly. That means a 3 credit French I course averages 6 - 9 hours of homework weekly (adds us quickly doesn’t it?) That homework commitment may vary by student and subject, but many find it a good planning tool to keep from being over-extended.

Technorati Tags: college, College Board, gifted, high school, homeschooling

While this is a bit off-topic for my blog, I did want to share with my local readers a lesson I learned this week.

I had to visit a notary and show my license as id. When the manager handed my id back, they commented that my license had expired two days earlier. In shock, I called my husband to see if he had sent in the renewal.

Long story short, seems the MA RMV no longer sends out reminders or registration forms in an effort to save money. I was lucky and able to renew my license in Watertown (after a mere 2.5 hr wait) and have met 4 others in the last 24 hours who also had expired licenses and didn’t know it.

If you are local, please do yourself a favor and check the dates on your license and registration. For more info, check the MA RMV site.

Technorati Tags: parenting, driving

‘Differentiated instruction’ is a common catch phrase in many schools. On a basic level, it means that a teacher modifies instruction and assignments to meet the varying academic needs in their classroom.

One of the best books on the topic was written by Diane Heacox titled:
“Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom: How to Reach and Teach All Learners, Grades 3-12″

The book presents the basics of differentiation and provides forms to help teachers organize and implement the curriculum differences in their classroom. Well worth the look if you are a teacher, or for a classroom ‘gift’ if you are a parent seeking differentiation for your child.

Technorati Tags: curriculum, elementary, gifted, high school, junior high

In continuing my posts on early college initiatives, I wanted to share my thoughts on the admissions process for dual-enrolled students and cost considerations.

• Colleges often offer dual-enrollment programs to local high school students and homeschoolers. Most often these programs are targeted to students with 11th grade standing and at least age 16. Colleges may also accept some exceptional students younger than 16, but it’s usually on a case by case basis. Information on the programs and how to apply is often on the college’s website but may also be non-published. . If you can’t find any information on the website, please, the next step would be to call admissions and ask about dual-enrollment and/or young learner programs that they may offer.

• Before you apply or meet with admissions, obtain or create (if you are a homeschooler) your high school transcript and a short resume for your applicaiton. You may also need a copy of your most recent physical and immunization records to submit to Health Services before you can register for or attend classes.

• Colleges may also require paperwork from a student’s school district indicating permission or readiness for dual-enrollment. If so, many colleges have a simple form that can be signed by the counseling office at the high school or by the homeschool coordinator.

• College admissions personnel expect to see the student take the lead in the admissions process and in their interactions on campus. They expect the student to make the contacts, fill out the application forms, schedule the placement test and manage a brief interview on their own. In our experience, they also expect the student to meet with an adviser or register for classes on their own. Parents of early college students should be there to support the student, role play scenarios and advise from a distance. We often advise parents to intervene with the college only if their student needs help with admission or finances.

• Early entrance students may have to take a placement test in math and English. This test is commonly known as the “Ability to Benefit” test and usually computer-based. A quick search for ‘Accuplacer‘, ‘Compass Test’ or ‘Ability to Benefit’ will provide several examples of this basic test.

• Federal financial aid is not readily available to early college students unless they have graduated high school (also known as matriculated). Some states provide “Running Start” programs that are funded for early college students and others have discounted or free dual enrollment programs. Always ask the admissions counselor about possible funding sources, but be prepared to pay the full tuition and fees for your young student.

If you have any questions on this process, please post them in the comments section and I will see if I can answer them for you or find the resource you are looking for!

Technorati Tags: college, financial aid, high school, homeschooling

If I were to create a FAQ for those homeschooling through high school, one of the top five questions I’d address would be, “But what about college and a transcript?”

In general, creating a transcript is far simpler than I’d anticipated. The transcript is a one page, formal document that provides the students name, address, phone number, a listing of their high school years (or one could organize it by subject), courses for each year, and grades (if given). There should also be a section for total credits earned, cumulative GPA and for test scores. The lower section of the page should have a line for parental signatures and dates.

I found it was easiest to update the transcript and course descriptions at the end of each semester vs trying to create an entire transcript in retrospect (which I helped a friend do over coffee!). My favorite template is the one from Covenant College as I liked the blocked layout. I also included detailed course descriptions (short overview of concepts, assignments and texts) on subsequent pages.

Now some folks include honors, extra curricular activities, and leadership activities on a second page of a transcript. We chose to include those on our daughter’s resume, but it’s really a matter of preference.

If you want to explore sample transcripts, there are links to various templates at the Homeschool Diploma and on the Donna Young sites.

Technorati Tags: college, high school, homeschooling

Here’s a quick picture of Murray resting after a long game of fetch. His ball is on the floor in front of him and you can see that one eye is slightly open - just so he can’t miss anything! He’s a sweet boy and has settled considerably in foster care.

Technorati Tags: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cavaliers, dog photos

In continuing my posts on early college initiatives, I wanted to share my thoughts on the admissions process for dual-enrolled students and cost considerations.

• Colleges often offer dual-enrollment programs to local high school students and homeschoolers. Most often these programs are targeted to students with 11th grade standing and at least age 16. Colleges may also accept some exceptional students younger than 16, but it’s usually on a case by case basis. Information on the programs and how to apply is often on the college’s website but may also be non-published. . If you can’t find any information on the website, please, the next step would be to call admissions and ask about dual-enrollment and/or young learner programs that they may offer.

• Before you apply or meet with admissions, obtain or create (if you are a homeschooler) your high school transcript and a short resume for your applicaiton. You may also need a copy of your most recent physical and immunization records to submit to Health Services before you can register for or attend classes.

• Colleges may also require paperwork from a student’s school district indicating permission or readiness for dual-enrollment. If so, many colleges have a simple form that can be signed by the counseling office at the high school or by the homeschool coordinator.

• College admissions personnel expect to see the student take the lead in the admissions process and in their interactions on campus. They expect the student to make the contacts, fill out the application forms, schedule the placement test and manage a brief interview on their own. In our experience, they also expect the student to meet with an adviser or register for classes on their own. Parents of early college students should be there to support the student, role play scenarios and advise from a distance. We often advise parents to intervene with the college only if their student needs help with admission or finances.

• Early entrance students may have to take a placement test in math and English. This test is commonly known as the “Ability to Benefit” test and usually computer-based. A quick search for ‘Accuplacer‘, ‘Compass Test’ or ‘Ability to Benefit’ will provide several examples of this basic test.

• Federal financial aid is not readily available to early college students unless they have graduated high school (also known as matriculated). Some states provide “Running Start” programs that are funded for early college students and others have discounted or free dual enrollment programs. Always ask the admissions counselor about possible funding sources, but be prepared to pay the full tuition and fees for your young student.

If you have any questions on this process, please post them in the comments section and I will see if I can answer them for you or find the resource you are looking for!

Technorati Tags: college, financial aid, high school, homeschooling

While the Disabilities Office is a known stop on college visits for those with learning disabilities, many students with allergies bypass that office on tours or in their pre-admittance screenings.

I would encourage students with a life-threatening allergy, to visit the Disabilities Office on your tours and discuss:

- potential science lab implications of your allergy

- who to contact in Food Services to arrange meal exceptions and accommodations

- management of your allergy in the dorms (and any special requirements ie. single rooms or off-campus apartments)

- any medical documentation required for Health Services and for Disability Services

A little due diligence in the search process will make the selection of a college and the transition in the Fall, much easier.

Technorati Tags: allergy, asthma, college, food allergies, high school

The New York Times recently featured a new site called unigo. The site is still new (beta release) and has a few technical glitches, but provides an interesting look at several colleges universities. Since the reviews are written by students, it’s a refreshing addition to the college review books!

Technorati Tags: college, high school, homeschooling