Articles for High School Counselors

College Affordability Survey Results

The cost of college continues to increase faster than inflation. Many families are concerned about how they are going to pay for their kids college. A recent survey on College Affordability was conducted by Discover Student Loans. Here are a few highlights:

More parents feel financially unprepared to pay for college this year than in previous years
- Nearly three-quarters (70%) worried about having enough funds, compared to 66% last year and 63% in 2021
More than one-third (36%) of parents said they are in a worse financial position to help pay for college compared to last year
Nearly three-quarters of parents feel that college is necessary to find a good job (73%)
46% of parents are questioning whether college is still a good investment
68% of parents surveyed are nervous about the amount of debt their children will take on compared to their post-college career earnings.
Nearly half (45%) of surveyed parents said they will use student loans to pay for their children’s education
- This is up 4 points and 18 points from 2022 and 2021, respectively

Date July 13, 2023
Author Jason Bullock

How a Patient Advocate Can Assist Your Student with Medical Issues

“Everyone today needs a patient advocate.” That’s what the American Heart Association said.

Indeed, with our increasingly complicated healthcare system, more and more families are finding that what the American Heart Association said is true, and they are increasingly turning to patient advocates to manage their care or the care of their loved ones. Parents worry about their child and especially if they are leaving for college, but it is particularly stressful if that child has medical issues or gets ill at school. Distance can be a problem and if there is ongoing treatment involved, parents cannot be there to give their student the personal attention they may need to understand their treatment, speak with medical staff and schedule tests and appointments. Equally important is communication with parents. A parent can also benefit from the services of an advocate if the student has an ongoing or complicated medical concern.

A good patient advocate can empower families to make informed choices by educating them about the child’s medical conditions, asking physicians questions the patient wouldn’t know to ask and researching a patient’s full range of treatment options. They also act as a liaison between patients, families and providers, look out for the student if they are hospitalized and ensure that insurance claims get paid.

It’s important to remember, though, that not all patient advocates are created equal. Some may not have any hands-on healthcare experience beyond their advocacy training. To find someone with more expertise, it’s best to look for an RN patient advocate. These advocates are often veteran Registered Nurses with experience in patient care. National certification and graduate training in the field can also signal someone who is more knowledgeable about advocating for patients. About 20 U.S. universities offer graduate certificate programs in private patient advocacy. National certification became available this year via the Patient Advocate Certification Board^TM, which conducts a rigorous exam spanning a broad spectrum of patient advocacy areas. Those who pass earn the credentials “BCPA”—Board Certified Patient Advocate.

A trained patient advocate with medical experience knows how to speak a doctor’s language and avoid costly—even deadly—medical errors.

Rather than a hindrance to doctors, patient advocates are often seen as a time-saver. A physician can communicate information to a patient advocate in five minutes that might take him or her 20 minutes to communicate to a young patient. That’s a plus to both sides. It saves time for the doctor and leaves the patient more time to understand what is going on and get a clear understanding of their options from an unbiased source. A patient advocate will give a patient and family the whole picture, not just the one that is the most financially beneficial to an insurance company or will put the most money in an unscrupulous physician’s pocket.

A patient advocate can also provide follow-up to help with a patient’s care. Anyone who has ever listened to a physician’s instructions in their office only to forget the details of those instructions when they get home or who is trying to manage a family member’s care from out-of-state understands the importance of this. The patient advocate can provide instruction when necessary, monitor compliance and watch for side effects of new medications. And when they are monitoring patients in their dorms or apartments, they can often catch the early signs of trouble and get them medical help before the health issue escalates to a health crisis.

Ever wonder whether a new symptom you’re having is a side effect of a medication but decided to take a “wait and see” attitude because you “didn’t want to bother” a busy doctor, only to have the problem get worse and be scolded for not calling sooner? A good patient advocate would know what’s normal and what’s not and make that call to your doctor when necessary.

So can a mature student act as their own advocate? Absolutely! But trained patient advocates bring to the table medical expertise that can help them spot problems early and communicate these concerns to medical personnel in a way that they will clearly understand. They also can handle the time-consuming but necessary tasks of making sense of insurance statements and ensuring that their client’s needs are being met while they’re at their most fragile.

Think of a patient advocate as a healthcare partner—someone who focuses on navigating today’s complicated healthcare system so the child and the family can just focus on getting them better.

Teri Dreher, RN, is an award-winning patient advocate and a pioneer in the growing field of private patient advocacy. A critical care nurse for more than 30 years, today she is owner/founder of NShore Patient Advocates, www.NorthshoreRN.com. Her new book, “How to be a Healthcare Advocate for Yourself & Your Loved Ones,” is available on Amazon.

Date July 12, 2023
Author Teri Dreher

The Benefits of Attending College Out of State

There are many factors that families need to consider when choosing where their child will attend college. Though all of these factors are important, a big one that comes up in conversation is location. The benefits of attending an in-state college are well known to Students, Parents and School Counselors alike; a more familiar environment during a time of a big life change, more affordable in-state tuition, and the ability to be closer to home. As a School Counselor myself, in many of my conversations with families I find myself highlighting the benefits of staying in state to attend college, for these reasons and more.

However, all options should be considered and there are several reasons why a family may decide that their child going to college out of state is a good fit. Here are a few potential benefits:

Expanded opportunities: Attending college out of state can expose students to a wider range of educational institutions, programs, and opportunities. It allows them to explore new perspectives, meet diverse groups of people, and experience different cultures. Of course they will meet different people if they stay in state for their college education, but they will be able to meet people that they would never come across otherwise. This exposure can broaden their horizons and enhance their personal and intellectual growth.
Lesser known financial incentives: As colleges seek to build a balanced incoming freshman class each year, they often look to enrolling students from out of state to create the atmosphere of diversity mentioned in the previous paragraph. This results in colleges offering generous merit or need based aid to out of state students. Though the list price of an out of state college may seem financially prohibitive at a glance, in demand students from different regions may be able to attend at an affordable price- perhaps even more affordable than in state colleges local to them.
Independence and personal growth: Going to college out of state often requires students to navigate unfamiliar environments, manage their finances, and make decisions independently. This experience can foster personal growth, self-reliance, and the development of essential life skills. It encourages them to step out of their comfort zones and become more adaptable and resilient. Any student that attended college out of state can tell you that the experience was paramount to them gaining valuable skills for becoming an adult. Being thrust into such unfamiliarity on their own, they have no choice but to grow up quickly!
Specialized programs: Some students may have specific academic or career goals that are better served by attending a college or university in another state. They may find institutions that offer highly regarded programs, specialized courses, or research opportunities that align with their interests and aspirations. Pursuing these unique opportunities can provide a competitive edge in their chosen field. A concrete example would be the student who wishes to pursue Marine Biology as a major, but lives in the land-locked midwest. There are great programs for such a major in other states that are on the coast (Maine and Florida are examples) due to the necessity of college students in this major needing hands-on experience in the sea.
Networking and connections: College is not just about academics; it’s also a time for building networks and connections that can be valuable in the future. Attending college out of state exposes students to a new social and professional environment, allowing them to make connections with peers, professors, and professionals in their field of interest. These relationships can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and collaborations. We live in a world where it’s easy to stay connected regardless of what state you live in, so having a network of people in different states has the potential to open up opportunities in more than one location for the student when they are looking to plant roots and settle down into a career.
Personal exploration: Going to college out of state can provide a fresh start and a chance for personal exploration. Students have the opportunity to define themselves outside the context of their hometown or family expectations. They can discover new interests, hobbies, and passions, and create their own identity. This freedom can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

It’s important to note that the decision to send a child to college out of state should be made on an individual basis, considering factors such as the student’s preferences, financial considerations, and family dynamics. Each family should carefully weigh the potential benefits and challenges before making a decision. If after research and conversation your family decides that going to college is the right fit for your child, they can look forward to a unique experience with many opportunities for growth.

Elizabeth Lough is a high school guidance counselor with North Middlesex Regional School District in Massachusetts and advisor with My College Planning Team, based in the Chicago area. www.collegeplanningteam.com . Please contact her at: MyCollegePlanningTeam@gmail.com

Date July 3, 2023
Author Elizabeth Lough

Summer is Primetime for Writing College Application Essays

As the school year winds down, it’s important for incoming high school seniors and their parents to understand why summer – besides being a great time to hang out at the pool! — is a great opportunity to start writing that all-important college application essay. Tackling this crucial task early on can lead to a smoother application process and increase a student’s chances of standing out among their competitors.

Beat the fall rush

Many students wait until the busy time of fall to start their essays, which is a recipe for stress and mediocre work. When the school year sets in, they become consumed by homework, extracurricular activities and outside jobs and are unable to dedicate the time needed to write an excellent essay.

Of course, parents want them to be able to focus on their academics when they need to, but their essay should not have to fall by the wayside because of that. By starting early, your student will have ample time to pick a prompt that resonates with them, brainstorm ideas, conduct research and craft a compelling essay without feeling that crunch.

Unleashing creativity

The slower paced nature of summer provides an ideal environment for unleashing a student’s creativity, too. With fewer academic pressures and time constraints, they can let their imagination run free and explore unique perspectives.

Encourage them to take a deep dive and see where their thoughts lead, reflecting on experiences, values and goals. This will result in a more authentic and engaging essay that captures the attention of admissions officers.

Gathering material

Summer activities, internships, employment and travel can help a student create experiences that enrich their essay. Whether it’s participating in an internship or job-shadowing, volunteering, traveling or pursuing personal projects, these experiences provide valuable material to incorporate into an essay.

When looking for material, advise your student to avoid using cliches and rehashing their extracurriculars — admissions officers will already see that on their application. By sharing specific anecdotes and lessons learned through these other experiences, they will make their essay more vivid and memorable to admissions officers.

Developing a unique narrative

During summer break, time is on your student’s side, and they have the luxury of intentionally taking time to engage in introspection and discover their own compelling personal stories.

You can help them reflect on moments that have shaped them, challenges they’ve overcome, ways that they have grown and lessons they have learned. The college essay is the one opportunity a student has to use their voice and stand out from who they are “on paper.” Developing a unique narrative that showcases character and resilience will make the student’s essay memorable and distinct.

Time for revisions

Students can use the summer months to share their drafts with mentors or teachers as well as you, their parent, for valuable feedback. After receiving this feedback, it’s time to edit, edit, edit and then edit some more. This revise/review/revise cycle is critical for refining the essay.

Lighten the burden of applying to college

By completing their essay early, the student will have more time in the fall to focus on other application components: standardized tests, recommendation letters and extracurricular involvement. This proactive approach reduces stress and allows them to manage their time effectively throughout the application process.

All students applying to college want to give themselves an edge over everyone else in the application pool. By choosing to write their college application essay during the summer months, they’re gaining a significant advantage over those who wait until the fall.

The relaxed atmosphere, ample time for reflection, ability to seek feedback and the opportunity to engage in meaningful experiences all contribute to the creation of a compelling essay that truly reflects their unique qualities and experiences.

So, encourage your child to take advantage of the lazy, hazy days of summer break to get a head start on this crucial part of the college application process.

Date July 2, 2023
Author Elizabeth Lough

How to Get Parents Involved in Helping Students Kick Bad Habits

Family life is at the heart of child development. Parents certainly are not to blame when a child goes down the wrong path, but they can play a significant role in helping them get their lives back on track. While most parents would be more than thrilled for the opportunity to offer their child support, sometimes they don’t know how.

As a guidance counselor, part of your job is to give students, and their families the help they need but can’t get themselves. In this article, we talk about how you can get parents involved to start helping students kick bad habits. Read on to learn more!

Step 1: (Try to) Identify the Problem Clearly

You’ve determined that a student has developed a bad habit. Maybe their grades are slipping. Maybe they smell like cigarette smoke, or their eyes seem unfocused, or—well. You know what a bad habit looks like, right?

Before you call the parents— particularly hard-to-reach parents— it’s good to have a clear understanding of what is going on. Why? Well, because they are probably hard to reach for a reason. Maybe they work really punishing hours. Maybe they don’t have a car and even getting to the school is very difficult for them.

The point is, you shouldn’t assume that they have the time or the means to come up to the school to discuss an issue you aren’t even sure of.

Ahem. You said, “Try to.”

Well, yes. You’re a guidance counselor, so you know better than anyone that identifying an issue in a student’s life isn’t always as simple as asking. Great when it is, but you don’t read online articles about social work to help you with the easy cases, right?

If you’ve tried your best and can’t quite get to the bottom of what’s going on, it can still be appropriate to contact the parents. Just note that you’ll get farther with many families when you can point to the exact issue.

Step 2: Meet Them Where They Are At

It’s easy for educators to get frustrated with uninvolved parents, but that frustration often fails to take into consideration all of the many factors at work. There are many very valid reasons why parents may struggle to stay involved with their child’s education.

Your job isn’t to judge. It’s to meet families where they are at. Be open to various forms of communication. Phone calls, email conversations, Zoom. If these methods are not working, speak with supervisors about other appropriate forms of communication, or outreach ideas.

Schools have had success with holding nighttime meetings, implementing home visits, and other communication techniques that stray somewhat from convention.

Step 3: Keep the Lines of Communication Open

Schools operating in low-income areas found that when educators achieved regular communication with parents, scores went up by as much as 50%. Why? When parents know what is going on, they will usually encourage their children in the right direction. This goes for harder-to-reach parents just as it does for helicopter PTA moms and dads.

Once you’ve established a line of communication, keep it going. Update them as needed, or on a schedule to make sure that they remain aware of what is going on in their child’s life. Keep it going, even if you aren’t reaching an actual human. Voicemails, emails, etc. still have the potential to keep the parents in the loop.

Step 4: Reconsider Your School’s Parent Outreach Programs

Most schools overwhelmingly favor middle-class families with a parent who is available at the drop of a hat for participation. It’s no one’s fault. School events take place during school hours. Families that lack the career flexibility to participate (usually, but not always, lower income) are excluded by default.

Schools should make sure that they can reach and communicate with all kinds of families. You can do this by:

Increasing your social media presence: Social media is a great way to keep parents informed about what is going on at school without manually contacting hundreds of people.
Try multiple methods of communication: Some states legally require multiple methods of outreach when it comes to scheduling parent meetings. This is simply because what works for one family might not work for others. Blend your outreach approach amongst various outlets to cast a wider net.
Chat with the PTA: Parent/Teacher Associations or Organizations are a powerful outlet in which parents are given a chance to discuss school issues and have an influence. While participation is usually modest, there are ways to make it more accessible to families who would like to get involved but find it difficult. Chat with the PTA president about what they are doing to make their events more accessible. Recorded meetings, e-participation, and other considerations can be a great gateway for families without stable access to transportation.
Collect data: If you want to recalibrate your outreach efforts, an honest conversation is a good place to start. Collect data from parents at your school to find out how they prefer to communicate and what the best ways to reach them are. You may be surprised by all of the ways this feedback can be implemented to change your school’s culture.

Despite your best efforts, you will never be able to reach everyone. However, by keeping an open attitude you will vastly increase your capacity to help parents who want to be involved but are currently finding it hard to participate.

Conclusion

Schools all across the country see a handful of dedicated parents over and over. The PTA dads and moms that volunteer for everything, get their kids to school on time and probably don’t even complain when they have to eat green vegetables.

That’s great—really. But life is messy. Not always conducive to constant participation in school life. There are loads of well-meaning parents who want to help their children achieve the best outcomes, but simply don’t know how.

It’s easy to question the dedication of a parent who hasn’t darkened the school’s doorways in three years, even as their child spirals academically or personally. But judgment never gets anyone anywhere. If parental involvement truly is important to you, you’ll need to meet your parents where they are. Financial or personal barriers shouldn’t have to keep parents away from school participation.

Reach out. Follow up. Do what you can. It will be what’s best for the student and their family in the long run.

Date June 22, 2023
Author Sarah Daren

Why summer campus visits are worthwhile

As summer arrives, many college-bound high school students and their parents are wondering if it’s worth visiting campuses while college students are on summer break.

Families have taken the time to thoroughly research colleges, so understandably, they want a productive college visit. In this article, we will highlight why summer college visits hold immense value, despite campuses being relatively empty.

Embrace the tranquility

Visiting college campuses during the summer allows parents and students to experience a different side of campus life. While the absence of hustle-bustle may create a quieter ambiance, it provides an opportunity for students to connect with the campus environment on their own terms. They can explore at a leisurely pace, take in the natural beauty, and gain a deeper appreciation for the physical surroundings. This tranquil atmosphere allows them to envision their future as a student and better understand how the campus aligns with their preferences.

Personalized attention

During the summer, admissions officers and staff members are often more accessible and willing to engage in meaningful conversations. This presents a golden opportunity for the parents and student to have in-depth discussions, ask specific questions, and receive personalized insights about the college’s programs, opportunities and support systems.

They should seize this chance to gather valuable information that may not be as easily accessible during the busy academic year when the pace picks up and staff’s regular responsibilities resume. Additionally, connecting with admissions staff will help them associate a face with a student’s name when they see their application materials come through.

Uninterrupted exploration

With fewer students on campus, they have the advantage of uninterrupted exploration of college facilities and resources. They can visit libraries, laboratories, athletic facilities and other key areas of interest. They can take their time to examine the state-of-the-art equipment, study spaces and research opportunities available. By immersing themselves in these environments, they can gain a comprehensive understanding of the resources that will contribute to academic and extracurricular experiences. Tell them not to forget to read bulletin boards!

Engage with faculty

Professors may have more availability to meet with prospective students during summer. They can take advantage of this time to connect with professors in their intended field of study. They can discuss academic interests and research opportunities and seek guidance on potential career paths. Engaging with faculty during the summer can provide deeper insights into the college’s academic environment and the level of support available.

Document the experience

During summer college visits, make sure your students take comprehensive notes and photos. During this more tranquil period, it becomes easier to focus on observations, impressions and any questions that arise. Detailed notes will be invaluable when comparing colleges later on and making informed decisions based on firsthand experiences. Have them make sure to take down any names and contact information of people they spoke to in case they have follow up questions.

With summer visits behind them, your students can narrow down their choices and then return to those campuses when classes resume. And there’ll be a bonus: They’ll already know their way around!

Happy exploring, and may their summer college visits lead your students to the perfect college match!

Elizabeth Lough is an advisor with Illinois based My College Planning Team

She is also a high school guidance counselor in Massachusetts. She can be contacted via email at elizabeth.lough@collegeplanningteam.com

Date June 21, 2023
Author Elizabeth Lough

Test Optional and Test Free Colleges

Many Colleges and Universities no longer require students to submit SAT or ACT scores with their applications. The list continues to grow. Which schools are in this group, and which still require test scores to be submitted? FairTest has put together a great online resource that lists the 1,800+ Test-Optional schools and the 80+schools that are entirely Test-Free. As the restrictions column indicates, some schools only exempt applicants who meet minimum grade or class rank criteria; others use ACT/SAT scores solely for course placement. Please check with individual schools for details. Here is the link: https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/

Have any students looking to attend school in Canada?

If so, Canada has a great online resource with an overview of all the Universities in Canada. It includes a search tool for all Universities and Colleges in Canada. It also includes costs, scholarships available, and admission requirements. Here is a link to share with interested students and their parents: https://www.educanada.ca/study-plan-etudes/university-universite.aspx?lang=eng

The 30 Most Asked Interview Questions

All of your students will be partaking in interviews in the near future so it behooves them to plan ahead and anticipate what questions they may be asked. Here is a list of the 30 most asked interview questions:

1. Can you tell me more about yourself?

2. What do you think your greatest weakness is?

3. What do you feel your greatest strength is?

4. Why are you interested in this role?

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

6. Why are you looking for a new role?

7. What motivates you on a daily basis?

8. Why are you the best candidate for this role?

9. What three words would your most recent teammates use to describe you?

10. Describe your ideal company culture.

11. What would you do in your first 90 days in this role?

12. Give an example of when you received negative feedback and how you responded.

13. Describe a problem you solved in a creative way.

14. Describe a time when you had to make a decision without time to research.

15. Why are you leaving your current job?

16. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or client.

17. Why do you want to work remotely?

18. How will you handle or minimize distractions when you work remotely?

19. How do you stay connected to your teammates when you don’t work in the same location?

20. How do you set boundaries between your home life and your work tasks while working remotely?

21. Do you consider yourself a self-starter?

22. What does a typical day look like for you? What is your daily routine when you work remotely?

23. How have you managed to stay productive while working from home?

24. What is your expected salary?

25. Can you talk me through your career gap, the reasons you left the workforce, and how you feel it’s affected you professionally?

26. Can you share a time you had a conflict with a teammate and how you handled it?

27. What skills from your previous industry do you feel translate to this position?

28. Why are you looking to leave your current industry?

29. Describe your ideal work environment.

30. What questions do you have for me?

An exercise might be to ask some of your students how they would answer some of these questions. Here are suggestions on how to answer them from FlexJobs: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/common-job-interview-questions-tips-answering/

Careers in Print Journalism (Free Webinar)

Have any students that are interested in a career in Journalism? Here is an archived webinar Estrela Consulting Founder, Kristina Dooley and New York Times Deputy Editor for Live Coverage, Melissa Hoppert, hosted which is a 30-minute conversation about pathways to a career in journalism. Melissa joined The Times in 2006 and helped create the horse racing blog The Rail. She has directed coverage of the N.F.L. and college sports and has won a Newswomen’s Club of New York Front Page Award and two honorable mention Eclipse Awards for outstanding coverage of thoroughbred racing. Students, parents, teachers, school counselors and independent counselors should find this of interest. There is a Q & A at the end. Here is a link to watch the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/rec/WN_EyxuQXF-SOegAwvXQfsdeA?meetingId=1L9nOu7WM8oNqqig4O3R1stsPnhkhnprw70glFH2qkU3B9Kf6DkjNrXtu5UW_cwk.Tf5ZfRQa0_BBrFXp&playId=xUlURKpAIx4yOi2BbZtmdNeDr8WivEwfw1aRVpUF9qP1P8tlAse6XByTk9-FoIALE6wCq_-4YEL35hKT.bO8AK4SLfPP0uHeG&action=play?hasValidToken=false&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fplay%2FkWHojmrtNqLbEZ5sXgLWGK4ODy_G6Yyj5LVz-lqZyvH0bIIJvJbMcdxjs6MVTW3GK0-DY0xsoNrjKVVr.H5X_0U_R7RnjX3oL#/registration