Admit it. Moms know a lot. This week we have a guest blogger. Jill Campbell is an educator and mother who recently completed the independent day school admission process and has some insights for parents engaged in the same process.
As a parent who has recently navigated the independent school admission process for our children. I would love to share my experiences of searching for schools and finding the right fit for my children. I hope, as a mother, this will help many parents who might be considering options for your children's education.
My husband and I decided to investigate independent schools because we were not sure that the district public school was the best fit for our sons. We are both educators and were concerned about growing class sizes and continued budget cuts. Don’t get me wrong, many public schools and their teachers do wonderful jobs at educating children, but I have been home with my sons for years now and I feel that I truly understand what makes their hearts beat and brains tick. We wanted them to be individuals in their school, not just a number and we wanted a school community where all people were valued and could be involved. Another factor for us to consider was that, being a musician, I wanted a school with a commitment to the arts.
While investigating our local public schools, we learned that our district has 30 kids in each kindergarten class and for a large portion of the day they are expected to sit at a desk. After teaching in a public school for seven years, I recognized that many boys struggled with their behavior in school. In my experience, this was not because that boys were deliberately “bad”, but because they were naturally more active, more physical, and more assertive than some girls. Instead of meeting the needs of young boys, many are heavily disciplined and made to feel their innate manners are wrong. I didn’t want my young boys in detention or saddled with a dread of school because they were active little boys.
As we became concerned and confused about our educational options, we contacted Crisp Consulting + Coaching. As a parent and educator, I knew that there must be a school out there that wanted to educate boys as vital children and not as tiny adults. Brian was so helpful and encouraged me to explore our options in our city. He encourage and supported our search and assured me that many schools would fit what we were looking for. With that confidence, we ordered many information packets and took school tours all over the city with the thorough guidance of an educational professional.
We were delighted when we found a school that we fell in love with and more importantly, that our sons fell in love with. When we walked into our final choice, I actually cried in the art classroom when I saw that there was actually a place that valued children for being who they are.
I was so thankful for the educational planning that Crisp Consulting + Coaching was able to provide for my family’s schooling needs. Through out the process, Brian provided us with critical information and professional opinions while allowing my husband and I to make and understand our ultimate decision. He constantly checked on our progress and answered many mundane questions with passion and reminded us of the reasons we started the admission process. From financial aid to application questions to tours and screening, the admission experience can be overwhelming.
If you are considering going through a school search, and admission process, I would highly advise that you take the first step and contact a professional educational consultant. You will feel so much better going through uncharted territory with a master guide. Don’t wait!!! You are making a decision for your family that is more important than where you go on vacation, what you eat for dinner, or what kind of car you drive. Invest in your children. You won’t be sorry!
We are so thankful to know that our children’s education will be beyond what we ever dreamed it would be. Crisp Consulting + Coaching’s confidence in our family will change our son’s lives forever.
Jill Campbell holds a BM/ME in vocal music education from The University of Kentucky as well as a minor in violin performance. She earned both a MM in choral conducting and a Rank 1in Music Education from University of Kentucky and completed the Graduate Certificate in Orff Schulwek. Mrs. Campbell has experience teaching both elementary and middle school music in KY. For the past eight seasons, she has conducted the advanced choir and served as the administrative assistant for the Lexington Singers Children’s Choir . Mrs. Campbell is often a guest adjudicator and clinician for district and all-state honor choirs, including directing the 2008 KY ACDA All-State Children's Chorus and the 2010 CKMEA Elementary Honors Chorus. She is married to Mickey, a high school economics and goverment teacher, and they have 2 boys, Andrew and Nathan.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Admit it. The new math
Admit it, numbers and statistics concerning the college admission process are compiling faster and faster in our media-driven society. With the January undergraduate applications deadlines completed, many people are already turning their attention to the 2011-2012 admission cycle. Crisp Consulting + Coaching discussed forthcoming trends last week in Admit it. In this post we would like to dissect some of these statistics that continue to change the undergraduate admission process. The numbers may seem overwhelming at first but they are needed to understand the full scope of the upcoming admission cycle.
1+1 =13 = 0. 7, 10, 16, 18 is the sequence of rising percentages in college applications. Everyone from the New York Times to Inside Higher Education continues to report a growing number of applications to colleges and universities. As we noted last week, the rise in applications can be contributed to a growing number of American high school students coupled with the submission of multiple applications. Although this is great business for colleges, it may not be the best for applicants as their chances of being deferred, denied or wait listed also increases. The Detroit Free Press recently reported that large universities like The University of Michigan are being more cautious with admittance. In this case, more does not equal more.
The common denominator. The Common Application continues its growth as record number of students submit applications via this internet portal. On December 1, 2010 there were 3.5 submissions per second. The Common Application accounts for two-thirds of all applications. Although accessibility makes multiple submissions easier, it is equally as easy to make uniform applications in a process that requires students to be unique.
C<. China continues to be an unknown variable in the admission process. In 2009-2010 Chinese students constituted 40,000 applicants and the number is projected to grow substantially over the next few years. China’s rigorous education system coupled with its growing economy make these students desirable. Chinese students will contribute to the existing strengths of the U.S. higher education system where multi-disciplinary studies and innovations are stalwarts.
These trends and how well you understand their impacts will affect your application. Yet, with a thorough focus on academic, financial and social fit there is no need for frenzy and anxiety. There are some factors that will serve you well in the college admission process. Plan ahead, strive for the best academic performance, get involved in your school and community and seek successful strategies in the admission process.
Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success. As a former professor, administrator, and teacher, Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Admit it. The new rules of the engagement
Admit it, the college admission process continues to change. With most undergraduate applications due this week, it is important to identify several trends that continue to change the admission process. These will heavily affect applicants in the new application cycle where tuition prices continue to climb, spots in the freshman class become more coveted and the digital age becomes the application norm. Put simply. the game has change and Crisp Consulting + Coaching would like to identify a few of the new rules of engagement.
Rule No. 1. The Tide is High. The children of the Baby Boomers are entering college in increasing numbers. In 2006 there were approximately 2.5 million high school graduates. In 2011 there are more than 3.3 million and the number is expected to rise over the next few years. Only 50 percent of the parents of 2011 graduates applied to college. More than 75 percent of the class of 2011 applied to college A record number of graduates coupled with a greater percentage applying to college has caused an onslaught of college admission applications.
Rule No. 2. More is More. Students are applying to more schools. A few years ago applying to more than three or four schools was considered absurd. In fact, in 1975 less than 3 percent of students applied to more than seven schools. Today more than 25 percent of students are applying to seven or more schools with many students submitting applications to 15 or more colleges. According to a recent article in the New York Times, UCLA, Brown and Stanford are experiencing an annual 7-10 percent growth in applications. This can result in almost 60,000 applicants vying for just a few thousand spots.
Rule No. 3. Demand and Supply. The number of applicants and applications continue to rise at a rate that is unmatched by enrollment growth. Providing new courses can be expensive and opening a new college is basically unheard of. A substantial growing pool of applicants for a basic fixed number of spots is making the admission process more competitive and difficult.
Rule No. 4. The Road More Common. The Common Application has made it accessible to point, click and submit applications. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling research, four-year colleges received an average of 43 percent of their applications online in 2004. This number increased to 68 percent in 2007 and 80 percent in 2009.
These trends and how well you understand their impacts will affect your applications. Yet, with a thorough focus on academic, financial and social fit there is no need for frenzy and anxiety. There are some factors that will serve you well in the college admission process. Plan ahead, strive for the best academic performance, get involved in your school and community and seek successful strategies adn seasoned counsel in the admission process.
Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success. As a former professor, administrator, and teacher, Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.
Rule No. 1. The Tide is High. The children of the Baby Boomers are entering college in increasing numbers. In 2006 there were approximately 2.5 million high school graduates. In 2011 there are more than 3.3 million and the number is expected to rise over the next few years. Only 50 percent of the parents of 2011 graduates applied to college. More than 75 percent of the class of 2011 applied to college A record number of graduates coupled with a greater percentage applying to college has caused an onslaught of college admission applications.
Rule No. 2. More is More. Students are applying to more schools. A few years ago applying to more than three or four schools was considered absurd. In fact, in 1975 less than 3 percent of students applied to more than seven schools. Today more than 25 percent of students are applying to seven or more schools with many students submitting applications to 15 or more colleges. According to a recent article in the New York Times, UCLA, Brown and Stanford are experiencing an annual 7-10 percent growth in applications. This can result in almost 60,000 applicants vying for just a few thousand spots.
Rule No. 3. Demand and Supply. The number of applicants and applications continue to rise at a rate that is unmatched by enrollment growth. Providing new courses can be expensive and opening a new college is basically unheard of. A substantial growing pool of applicants for a basic fixed number of spots is making the admission process more competitive and difficult.
Rule No. 4. The Road More Common. The Common Application has made it accessible to point, click and submit applications. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling research, four-year colleges received an average of 43 percent of their applications online in 2004. This number increased to 68 percent in 2007 and 80 percent in 2009.
These trends and how well you understand their impacts will affect your applications. Yet, with a thorough focus on academic, financial and social fit there is no need for frenzy and anxiety. There are some factors that will serve you well in the college admission process. Plan ahead, strive for the best academic performance, get involved in your school and community and seek successful strategies adn seasoned counsel in the admission process.
Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success. As a former professor, administrator, and teacher, Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.
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