Give the Gift that Gives So Much Back: A College Advisor

Want to make the holidays even happier? Let the good elves, the expert college counselors, of International College Counselors help you and your family.

Give the gift of a college advisor. It will be a gift to yourself, as well.
 
With an expert college advisor:
 
1. You won't have to stay abreast of the changes in higher education and college admissions, because our expert college counselors will.

2. It will be easier for your child to stay organized and focus on school/other priorities. As we all know, teens don't necessarily like to listen to their parents! But they more readily listen to the college counselors at International College Counselors.
  
3. The whole family will know that the child's application will be thoroughly reviewed and brought to the best light by experts.

4. Your family can find the right college match.
 
The earlier students come to the college counselors at International College Counselors, the more advantage they gain.
 
Early planning gives a student time to sift through his or her interests, create a steady academic progression, and build a solid foundation of achievements, including focused community work and summer options.
 
Expert planning and strategic guidance can certainly help with admissions, but more importantly, it can also assist a high school student in understanding his or her potential earlier and making wiser personal decisions during these important years
 
And there are no batteries required.
 
Giving the perfect gift is easy. Just call International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 today.

Advice for Parents of Students with Disabilities

The expert college counselors at International College Counselors recommend that students with disabilities follow the same steps for choosing and applying to a school as any other student.

As importantly, if you're a student with a disability, you need to evaluate schools based on their ability to accommodate your needs.

There are support services available for students with learning disabilities at many colleges. The expert college counselors at International College Counselors understand these services vary in quality and extent from school to school.

Expert college counselors at International College Counselors recommend you start by reviewing your student's needs.

Meet with the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team or an International College Counselors advisor. The goal is to better understand the disability and its effect on college choices.

Ask these questions:

How does my student's disability affect how he or she learns?
What are my student's academic strengths?
How does he/she learn best?
What strategies does my student need to help him/her learn?
What facilities may my student need?
What environmental conditions does my student need? For example, if a student is in a wheelchair, the best college may not be on a rural campus where it snows a lot.
What careers are your students interested in? (Stay realistic about how any learning or physical needs may influence these career areas.)

Once these questions are answered, help your student begin building a college list. After narrowing down the college choices, either you or your student should contact the disability services office of each school to determine if a college has the services and accommodations that can support your student's needs and meet any specific requirements. Programs, policies, procedures, and facilities must meet the needs of your specific situation.

You may also want to ask to meet with one or two other students with disabilities enrolled in the school who currently receive support services. They are often the best resource for practical information about the strengths and weaknesses of the school and programs.

How to help your student be a strong candidate for admissions:

Give your student encouragement and support! Your student needs to succeed to the best of his or her abilities. It is important to know that a school cannot deny admission because of a condition if a student meets the basic requirements for admission including application deadlines, grade point averages, extracurricular activities and college entrance exam scores. In fact, you don't even need to tell a school a student has a disability on your application, unless you want an academic adjustment or to explain something.

For more information on helping a student with a disability choose a school and navigate the college admissions process, contact a expert college counselor at International College Counselors at 954 414-9986.

VIP Applications: What are they?

This fall, a number of high school seniors will receive a personalized e-mail or letter congratulating them for qualifying for a special “V.I.P. Application.”

The expert college counselors at International College Counselors will tell you V.I.P. Applications are applications sent from colleges to select students encouraging them to attend the school. The VIP applications offer a fast-track, simplified application process and often stress the offer being good for a “Limited time.”

Select students are typically those with SAT scores that fall within a certain range. Students who are out-of-state high-achievers are also common recipients.

Some schools send these applications to students who merely requested information or visited campus.

VIP Applications also come under the names “Presidential Select,” “Select Scholar,” “Priority Application,” and others.

These special applications are a marketing ploy with benefits for both the school and the student.

BENEFITS TO COLLEGES
Colleges use these VIP Applications to appear more “selective.” These applications help increase a School’s applicant pool as well as strategically raise the average SAT scores of their applicants. These applications also increase a School’s chances of yielding students from this desirable pool.

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS
V.I.P. applications are quick and easy to fill out. Many times the student’s name and address are already filled out. Typically they don’t require a long essay and applying is free.

Since students are urged to return the application or apply online earlier than the college’s regular deadline, students often get the chance to receive an early acceptance to a school. Having an acceptance so early in the application process can ease anxiety.

An acceptance is not a binding commitment.

College advisors at International College Counselors also note that receiving a VIP Application is not a guarantee that a student will be accepted.

If you received a VIP Application, feel flattered and complete it if you have some interest in the school. It’s a good opportunity to take advantage of. Though, if you’re not a good fit for the school expert college advisors at International College Counselors would not encourage you to attend.

For more information on VIP Applications or any other college applications, clients of International College Counselors should contact one of our expert college advisors. We can also help you determine if a college is the right fit for you.

You’re all VIPs to us!

Contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or at our e-mail

International College Counselors
Main office: 954.253.5719

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS

International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

University of Florida Innovation Academy

written by Mandee Heller Adler, founder and CEO of International College Counselors

University of Florida has radically changed the undergraduate college experience.


New to the college is Innovation Academy (IA), a new enrollment model that operates on a spring-summer calendar. IA lets the popular UF admit more students than current capacity will allow.

Students enrolled in IA will take UF courses on campus during the spring and summer terms. They will not be allowed to take fall classes on campus for the entire undergraduate degree program.


By limiting students to spring and summer classes only, the University of Florida hopes to take advantage of the classroom space that becomes available when students graduate or drop out after fall semester or leave campus to study abroad.


During the fall, IA students are encouraged to take advantage of online courses, study abroad programs, internships, research, community service and/or employment.


IA students will be able to participate in fall semester activities available to all UF students. This includes access to all UF services and activities, all year long, including football and other events. In addition, IA students can live on campus, belong to any club, participate in student government and participate in Rush.


IA students will meet the same requirements and standards for their majors as all UF students. They will also receive the same academic advising as other UF students.


Students in IA will share the same undergraduate experience. UF describes this as a way to provide a small-college experience in combination with the opportunities available at a large, comprehensive research university.


Who is Eligible to Participate?

Initially, the program will be limited to 500-800 freshmen and transfer students admitted to select majors. The long-term goal is a mix of 2000 students.


When Will the Program Begin?

The first group of students admitted to IA will enroll Spring 2013.


For more information about UF’s Innovation Academy, click here or contact an expert college counselor at International College Counselors, if you are a client or interested in becoming one.


International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

Test Score Reporting

Although some students may not notice until it is too late, some high schools are reporting, on the high school transcript, all college entrance scores provided by the testing agency, namely the College Board (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) programs.

Prior to sending their transcripts, students should look into whether their school is doing this. At most schools, students do have the opportunity to decide if their scores will be recorded on the transcript. This will be done on an all or none basis.

Regardless as to whether scores appear on a transcript, all scores must also be sent through the appropriate testing agency. When sending scores, students should be sure to take advantage of the College Board Score Choice option when possible. Score Choice gives students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual test that they send to colleges, at no additional cost. This gives students more flexibility and control over their scores. Score Choice is optional, and only allowed at certain colleges.

Although many students do not notice until it is too late, some high schools are reporting, on the high school transcript, all college entrance scores provided by the testing agency, namely the College Board (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) programs.

Prior to sending their transcripts, students should look into whether their school is doing this. At most schools, students do have the opportunity to decide if their scores will be recorded on the transcript. This will be done on an all or none basis.

Regardless as to whether scores appear on a transcript, all scores must also be sent through the testing agency. Students should be sure to take advantage of the College Board Score Choice option when possible.

Score Choice gives students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by individual test that they send to colleges, at no additional cost. This gives students more flexibility and control over their scores. Score Choice is optional, but only allowed at certain colleges.



International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

Test Score Reporting

As many seniors will tell you, some schools are reporting, on the high school transcript, all college entrance scores provided by the testing agency, namely the College Board (SAT) and the American College Testing (ACT) programs.

Prior to sending their transcripts, students should look into whether their school is doing this. At most schools, students do have the opportunity to decide if their scores will be recorded on the transcript. This will be done on an all or none basis.

At other schools students do have the opportunity to decide if their scores will be recorded on the transcript. Again, student need to fully understand the school's policy. Score reporting may be done on an all or none basis. This means, if a student choose to
include their scores on the transcript, all scores (SAT, SAT Subject and ACT tests) will be reported. If their choice is to not have their scores recorded on their high school transcript then none of their scores will be included on the transcript and the student will need to have them sent through the testing agency. Students who choose to send scores themselves can take advantage of the College Board Score Choice option (see below).

If students do nothing, and their school has the capability to include scores, all scores (SAT, SAT Subject and ACT tests) will be reported. If a student’s choice is to not have their scores recorded on their transcript, they can take advantage of the College Board Score Choice option, or even choose to send no scores.

Score Choice gives students the option to choose the SAT scores by test date and SAT Subject Test scores by
individual test that they send to colleges, at no additional cost. This gives students more flexibility and control over their scores. Score Choice is optional, and if students choose not to use it, all scores will be sent automatically.

Regardless of which option the student chooses, he/she must understand that all schools and some scholarships require official score reports from the testing agency. In this case, the official score must be sent from the College Board or the American College Testing program.


International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

The Common Application Now Available for Submission

On August 1, the Common Application for Undergraduate Admissions became available for submission (Click here to download forms.)

Things are going to get really busy once school starts again so it's best to start the application now, if you haven't already.

This year, 45 new schools joined the Common App for 2011-12. There are now 463 Common Application members in 46 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Switzerland. This membership represents the full range of higher education institutions in the US: public and private, large and small, highly selective and modestly selective, East Coast, West Coast, and every region in between. For a complete list, click here.

The 2011-12 version of the Common Application was available for preview in April. The big change in this year's form is the 500-word limit placed on essays.

A video on the Comm App website takes students through the process. Students register for an account and then access the system online. Users can search for colleges by criteria they enter and then click on the schools where they want to apply.

Clients of International College Counselors can call us or email us for help. Common questions on the Common Application can be found if you click here.

The Common Application currently provides both online and print versions of its First-year and Transfer Applications. (To download forms for Transfer Admission, click here)

Students do not have to be complete the Common App in one sitting. The form can be saved and worked on later (just don't wait too long). The completed form can be previewed in a PDF format before you hit that send button. There are no take backsies.

Last year, close to 2 million Common Applications were submitted through the Common App Online. According to the Common App website, a new single-day record was set on December 31, 2010, when students submitted 127,175 applications.

The system does streamline the process, enabling students to complete one form to send to any number of member colleges. To note, some colleges have supplemental applications that include questions specific to their school, such as "Why do you want to attend 'Name of School' University?" Information about these supplements and more can be found on the Common App website.

If you have a meeting with ICC coming up- please try to complete the common app. Of course, please do not send it in- just save the long in and password for our review.


International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

Thinking about Applying Early? Read the Small Print.

Early Policies. They can maximize your chances to get into a school but you need to read them carefully.

Early Decision. Early Action. Single-Choice Early Action. Regular Decision.

Which one should you choose?

The names sound similar, but there are huge differences.

Early action means students who get accepted do not have to commit. Early decision means if you get accepted you have to commit. Unsurprisingly, when schools switch from Early Decision to Early Action, they can experience a giant rise in early applications. Adding to the layers of confusion, many schools are "Single-Action Early Action" which means you will violate the rules if you apply Early Action to one school and Early Decision to another.

Be aware, there is an increase in the number of schools that have restrictions in their Early Action policies. You do not want to get caught violating these policies so be sure to read and understand the policies of each school - even the tiny print.

To make it even more confusion, policies can change constantly. One year a school may drop their early admission policy. Another year, a school may switch from Early Decision to Early Action.

Then, too, at some schools only domestic students can apply early. International students may need to apply regular admissions.

International College Counselors recommends students apply with an early strategy.

Below is a quick reference list of the main types of early policies. Double check application deadlines as can they vary year to year.

Types of Applications Typical Deadline Restrictions

Rolling September onward Nonbinding

Early Action late Oct. to late. Nov. Nonbinding
You may apply early to more than one college.

Restrictive Early Action November 1 Nonbinding
You can not apply to more than one Early Action program. School policies then differ on whether you can concurrently apply to Early Decision at another school.


Single-Choice Early Action November 1 Nonbinding
You cannot apply early to other schools

Early Decision mid-Oct. to mid Nov. Binding
You can apply early to only one college.

Early Decision II January 1 or January 15 Binding

Regular Decision December 15-January 1 Nonbinding

Binding means that you agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers adequate financial aid. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications.

Early Notification/Early Evaluation is an option offered to applicants by a limited number of selective institutions and is designed to give students an idea of their chances for admission. This is not an admission plan, nor is it an offer of admission.

For more information on Early Action, Early Decision and which program is right for your student, clients of International College Counselors should contact one of our expert college advisors.

International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Clubs

Online education isn't just a solitary pursuit anymore. Now students enrolled full-time or part-time in Florida Virtual School (FLVS) have many opportunities to explore interests outside their classes, meet other students, and experience "school" life.

FLVS offers virtual "clubs"
Hundreds of Florida Virtual School students have the opportunity to "virtually" participate in clubs and other extracurricular activities. Florida's range of activities outside the online classroom includes Future Business Leaders of America, Science Club, Spanish Honor Society, Model UN Club, Newspaper Club and more.

As a member of the FLVS Science Club, for example, students have participated in Earth Day activities, attended local science fairs, written articles about environmental issues, and participated in field trips and competitions like the Florida State Science Olympiad.


Online clubs and groups are only open to FLVS middle school and high school students who are active in at least one course. Students in grades 6-12 are eligible for part-time virtual school enrollment.

This means if a club is very important to your student and it is not offered at his or her school, your student can enroll in a virtual class and join.

For those unfamiliar with virtual schools, in short, virtual schools are distance education schools run by the public school system. They offer instruction through web-based applications that students complete at home. They are responsible for any state testing requirements and the virtual school keeps regular records of academic achievement.

Florida Virtual School offers education for students in grades K-12. This school is funded by the state, and does not charge tuition.

Virtual schools are held to the same high standard as regular public schools. Instructors are certified teachers who work only for the virtual school, or work for the virtual school as part of their contract with the school district.

To allay any confusion, virtual schools are not homeschools. Virtual schools consider students to be public school students and get state money for their enrollment.

For more information on FLVS clubs, click here.

For more information on Florida Virtual School, click here.

International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP OF ALL: The Rhodes Scholarship

International College Counselors now has a sister website specializing in graduate school admissions www.iccgrad.com. Please pass this email along to anyone you know who may be headed down this route.

THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP OF ALL
The Rhodes Scholarship

There are few scholarships that can surpass a Rhodes Scholarship in prestige. One of the world's oldest scholarships, the Rhodes has world-wide recognition. Recipients have gone on to become presidents, prime ministers, senators, Supreme Court justices, poets, university presidents, astronomers Nobel Prize recipients, and more. Famous American Rhodes Scholars include former US President Bill Clinton, former head of CIA James Woolsey, astronomer Edwin Hubble and Olympic gold medalist Bill Bradley.

Rhodes scholars have virtually any job open to them.

Each year, 32 Rhodes scholars are selected from the United States from a pool of approximately 1,000 applicants. Rhodes Scholarships are distributed according to a system of geographical districts. Annually, there are 80 Rhodes scholars worldwide.

Those selected have the opportunity to study at Oxford University for one to three years, with all tuition fees paid and a living allowance provided. Students pursue a course of study of their own choosing at Oxford and may work toward a master's degree, a doctorate degree or a second bachelor's degree.

The Rhodes Scholarships were established after the death of Cecil Rhodes, founder of the De Beers diamond company, and the selection criteria has remained unchanged since Rhodes's will laid them out in 1902.

Recipients are selected based on


1. Literary and scholastic attainments.
The selection committees want to see candidates with very strong academic records. There is no official minimum GPA for the Rhodes, but a GPA of lower than 3.7 is not competitive. Applicants should be broadly educated and should have chosen challenging courses outside their major as well as within it. Students must also have excelled in their chosen field.


2. Energy to use one's talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports.
Intramurals or independent activity is acceptable. A significant extracurricular record is necessary to be competitive.


3. Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.

You must show the committee you arevery committed to making a difference in the world, however you choose to do this. Really think about want to do make the world a better place, how your unique skills can help you accomplish this, and how Oxford will help you realize your goals.


4. Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.

The selection committees understand the prestige of the award, and one thing they're really tuned into is whether students are after that prestige, or after the full experience. So really understand who you are and why you want this opportunity.

Not written into the selection criteria is that a true Rhodes candidate also needs to posses competence around people and the right mix of self-confidence and humility. The candidate also needs superb relationships with faculty and/or mentors.

If you decide to apply for a Rhodes scholarship, the best time to act is in the spring of your junior year of college. The online application is available in July and due in October.

This is not something you can wait until the last minute to act on. The application is very time consuming. Five to eight letters are requested, but you should submit eight letters. And these must be detailed, insightful, and strong. You also need an extraordinary personal statement and you need to be nominated by your university.

To apply, students must be ages 18 to 24, and must have a completed bachelor's degree prior to entering Oxford.

For more information go to RhodesScholar.org

If you are a citizen of certain countries including, but not limited to, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe, you may apply through your own country. But do your research. Not all of these countries are willing to accept applicants who live permanently or attend school outside of their country. Most applications are due earlier than for the US competition.

International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college

FAFSA To Be Required for Florida Bright Futures effective July 1

While expert college counselors at International College Counselors can’t confirm the details, but here is what we know so far:

All students applying for and/or receiving a Bright Futures scholarship will be required to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This new law, which goes into effect July 1, applies to incoming freshman, graduating from high school in 2012 as well as students renewing their Bright Futures scholarships.

No FAFSA = No Bright Futures $$$$ even though Bright Futures is still a merit-based scholarship and NOT need-based.

Students who do NOT submit a FAFSA application will not receive their Bright Futures Scholarship money this fall.

The FAFSA is also required for students getting Florida Resident Access Grants and Access to Better Learning and Education Grants.

A FAFSA is a detailed financial form used by the government to determine a student's eligibility for need-based federal student financial aid. Until now a FAFSA was never required for Bright Futures. Lawmakers claim their only aim with a required FAFSA is to get more demographic information about students who are attending college on taxpayer money. Common wisdom says that lawmakers are making it more difficult for students to get the scholarship money. Students will need their parents help to fill out the forms, which are very detailed.

Parents and students with questions about the FAFSA requirement should contact their college, a university financial aid counselor, or a college admissions expert at International College Counselors.

International College Counselors
954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

To Expand Access, UF Prepares to Roll Out a No-Fall-Semester Option

The following news came across our desks at International College Counselors this morning. Like you, we are working on finding out what this means for the class of 2012.

The University of Florida is planning to grow by enrolling 2,000 students in a spring and summer cohort. The students will be considered full-fledged undergraduates, but they will be allowed to live and take classes on the campus only during the spring and summer.

Those students could still participate in on-campus activities in the fall like getting football tickets, and would be able to enroll in fall online courses if they wanted to move more quickly through school. There is also the option to study abroad, work, or do internships away from campus in the fall.

Currently, the university plans to enroll the first spring-summer students in January 2013,

Applicants will be able to apply for both regular fall admission and the spring-summer option. Students will only be offered spring-summer admission if they have expressed interest in it. While university officials plan to eventually serve 2,000 students with the new schedule, they hope to enroll between 500 and 1,000 in the first year, depending on the mix of freshmen and transfer students.

Florida state universities have been struggling with public demand that doesn't often align with public support. The budget passed in Florida earlier this month reduced appropriations for the University of Florida by about $54-million, and this is following years of deep cuts.

The University of Florida had received 29,000 applications for 6,400 slots in next year's freshman class. The university has already increased the number of freshmen it admits in the spring to 400, from about 100 less than five years ago. It also brings in about 1,000 transfer students in the spring.

This month, lawmakers changed the rules for Florida's Bright Futures scholarship to allow students to use it in the summer, but only if they opt for Florida's spring-summer schedule. The elimination of the year-round federal Pell Grant isn't a problem because students can use the grant in the summer as long as they have aid money left.

Attend College Information Sessions

The Schools are coming! The Schools are coming!!

The expert college counselors at International College Counselors say, attending info sessions can help students learn about colleges and, as importantly, will enable colleges to learn about their interest.

To find out about upcoming info sessions, students should visit the websites of the schools they are interested in, and fill out the online forms to receive more information. This way they’ll learn when the college comes to town.

At an info session, representatives from a University will present information about their institution and answer questions about the college admissions process. Students, and parents who accompany them, will learn what distinguishes one school from another, what colleges look for in the selection process, and what one can do to enhance the college application.

It’s never too early to start looking at colleges say International College Counselors. Students who are sophomores or juniors in high school must start now.

Exploring College Options is one upcoming event. It is hosted by five of the country’s leading universities: Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn and Stanford.
More details on this event are provided on the Exploring College Options website.

If you have any questions, please contact an expert college counselor at International College Counselors. The main office number for International College Counselors is (954) 414-9986

Coming Soon: Changes to the 2011-12 Common Application

Get your Preview Here!

I had the pleasure of attending The Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) Conference in Atlanta, GA this week. While many of the seminars were extremely interesting, of importance to all future college applicants was the preview of the 2011-2012 Common Application.

Links below will take you to the preview and an explanation of the changes but here are some of the highlights:

· 48 New Schools have been added to the Common Application including:
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)l
2. University of Southern California (USC)
3. Seton Hall University
4. University of Kentucky
5. University of Hartford

· On the activities page the number of activities has been reduced from 12 to 10 with more room to write a description of the specific activity.

· Students will have the ability to re-order the activities after entering them into the application. Before, you couldn't re-order the activities without deleting and starting over.

· Essay length should be between 250-500 words, according to the essay prompt.

· The website to check admission status will be accessible from mobile phones.

· The application goes live August 1, 2011.


Preview of 2011-12 Common Application
The preview version of the 2011-12 Common Application is available here. The 2011-12 Common App Online will launch on August 1. Until then, use this preview to familiarize yourself with the application.

An explanation of the changes and why they were made can be found here.

Fast Facts on the Common Application
The Common Application gives students the ability to submit one application for admission to approximately 460 schools. Students can then spend less time on tedious paperwork and have more time for the fun stuff, like studying for the SAT.



International College Counselors

954-414-9986

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

Miami Dade College is Free for Students with a 3.0 GPA or Higher.

Miami Dade College is Free for Students with a 3.0 GPA or Higher.

International College Counselors is excited to tell you about this.

Incredibly, all Miami-Dade public and private school students who graduate with a GPA 3.0 or higher will be able to attend Miami Dade College for free starting in the fall.

The American Dream Scholarship, the first scholarship program of its kind, was designed to let more Miami-Dade students focus on their academic ambitions than worry about paying their bills.

The scholarship will cover 60 credits, which would normally cost about $6,500.

The scholarship is open to any student with a diploma, whether he or she attended a private, public or charter school in Miami-Dade, or was home-schooled.

Entering students would have to meet certain qualifications:


• Be a legal Miami-Dade County resident.

• Graduate from high school with a weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher and maintain that through
college.

• Have MDC entry test scores indicating they are ready for college.

• Apply for federal student aid.

• Not be currently enrolled at Miami Dade College.

All graduating seniors this year will be eligible for scholarships come next fall. There is no separate application for the American Dream Scholarship. Simply apply for admission to Miami Dade College, and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Aug. 1, 2011 deadline; meet the requirements; and register for at least 12 credits in the fall and you will be awarded this opportunity.


For more information on the American Dream Scholarship here is the link , or call or email us at International College Counselors .


International College Counselors
Main office: 954.253.5719

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.


The Other March Madness

by Mandee Heller Adler, president of International College Counselors

March madness is here and in full swing.

Students and parents are biting their nails and experiencing butterflies in the stomach. However, they're not even thinking of basketball. They're thinking of college admissions.

High school seniors know that the acceptance letters are in the mail - or will soon be in the mail.
Realistically, there is little a parent can do to lessen the anxiety. Chances are moms and dads are feeling anxious themselves.

Parents, it's your job to be the rock. It's your job to be supportive. Even before the acceptance letters come, let your child know how proud you are of him or her for getting though high school and wanting to go to college. Let them know you think they'll have a great experience no matter where they go.

And, parents, after the letters arrive, whether your child gets into a first choice college or not, remain supportive. This is a hard time for a student whether they get into their first choice college or not. For students who get rejected, this may be the first time they're dealing with major disappointment. Your job is to stop this from damaging their self-esteem. For students who get in, after the initial euphoria, they'll start thinking about what going to college really means. Leaving home, leaving friends, leaving a comfortable routine, having to find themselves and make their own way. Understandably, this may feel overwhelming.

It's your job to help guide you child through their emotions. This time is about your child, it's is not about you.

How to Help Your Child Deal with Disappointment

1. Talk it out. If your student is rejected from the first choice college, allow your child to vent their emotions. Talk about it and turn it into a teachable moment. Be sensitive and acknowledge the pain of disappointment. Then help your child, one, accept that he or she didn't get in and, two, move forward with the opportunities that do present themselves.

2. Let your child know that getting into their first pick college is important, but if they don't it's not the end of the world. Let them know you won't love or like them any less and they shouldn't love or like themselves any less either. College is a step on a long road. A big step, but not the final destination.

3. Add up what really counts. The college admissions officers are looking at numbers. A GPA, an SAT score, and the number of AP courses. Numbers have little to do with your child as a good person. Besides, it's too late now to change the numbers, so beating yourself up isn't going to make anything better.

4. Let your student know a lot of the college admission process was out of his or her control. While the process is fair and thorough, college admissions are subjective. Perhaps even more than most students and parents realize. High scores aren't the only thing that counts. Subjectivity comes into play as admissions officers compare the applications. Maybe the band really needed a new bassoon player.

5. Don't let your child take denial personally. Someone at the college just didn't think your child was the right fit at the time. Your student may actually be better off someplace else and it's just not apparent right now.

6. Celebrate the college acceptance letters your child does get. Getting into any college is something to celebrate.

7. Remember a student can always transfer. Our recommendation is to keep this as a back pocket option and not as a goal. If a student goes to a college with the intent of transferring, he or she won't be able to enjoy the full college experience they can have. Many students find that once they settle in, they're actually very happy.

We at International College Counselors promise. No matter what happens. After the madness, there will be a calm.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS

International College Counselors is a US-based company that provides expert college counseling for international students on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, a graduate of Harvard Business School,
along with her staff of college admissions advisors, tailor the college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student.

The College Interview

The Alumni Interview - what if you're not contacted to have one!?!
 
by Mandee Heller Adler, President and CEO of International College Counselors

First off, some colleges want the students to call them, or fill out an online form to set up the interview. So the first thing a student needs to do is call the admissions office or check online to find out what the school interview policy is.   A student should do this as soon as they send in their application materials. 
 
Second, a student needs to find out if a college requires an interview.  At many schools, including Dartmouth and the University of Pennsylvania, interviews don't count towards admissions.  Their interviews are "informative." 
 
Other schools have an evaluative interview which means they "count". 
 
It's important to know which type of interview a school has.
 
If the policy of the College is to contact the student and he or she does not get offered an informational interview, this may not be a reflection on a student or their application.  Many colleges, including some Ivy's, have no prescreening process for interviews.  They try to reach every applicant.
 
 There are a few reasons why you might not have gotten a call for an interview:
 
1. In some areas (such as rural locations), there may be no alumni to do the interviews.
2. In population dense areas like New York there is a wide alumnus/a to student ratio.  This means that there are typically more interviews that alums can ever hope to have.   
3. Interviews are coordinated by alumni volunteers.  And like any group of people, some alums are more organized than others.  If you are not contacted about an interview, it may just mean the alumni in your community could not get to you
 
The sooner a student submits the application, the greater the chance of being offered an alumni interview. To increase the likelihood of being contacted for an interview, students should submit their application at least 2 weeks ahead of the deadline. 
 
Typically, interviews are conducted for Early Decision candidates between November lst and December 1st, and Regular Decision candidates are offered interviews in January and February. However, interviews can take place as late as March.
 
The Admissions Office knows that not every applicant will be contacted for an interview, and they will not hold this against a candidacy. 
 
If a student has not heard from a much-wanted school, they need to find out if they can request an interview.  Some schools do not allow interview requests and others, like Duke, do.  Again, call the school admissions office or go online to see what the College policy is.  If the School does allow you to request an interview, they will tell you what the next steps are.     
 
If the school gives you the name of the regional person who sets up the interviews, call or email that person.  Then give your alumnus time to respond (5 business days).  These are volunteers who are often busy with career and family.  If you still haven't received a response after 5 business days, contact the admissions office for a different alumnus on the list. 
 
For more information on the College Interview, click here.  Putting things into perspective, when the alumni interview is used as part of the admissions consideration process, it rarely makes or breaks an application.  However, interviews mainly work in the applicant's favor.
 
When your student does get the interview, here are some tips on what to wear.

International College Counselors is a US-based company that provides
expert college counseling for international students on undergraduate and
graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college
applications. Mandee Heller Adler, a graduate of Harvard Business School,
along with her staff of college admissions advisors, tailor the college
counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and
dreams of each student.

2011 International College Counselors Scholarship

Expert college admissions counselors at International College Counselors are pleased to announce our continuing annual scholarship competition. Students in grade 9-12 from Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties and elsewhere are invited to submit an essay that answers the question:

What makes a good college education?

Five prizes of $250 each will be awarded, three to students who attend school within Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County; one to a student from the U.S. outside Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County; and one to an international student who attends a college within the U.S.

Work will be judged on the basis of originality and effectiveness of argument or presentation.

Please note the following contest guidelines:

Submissions may be in Spanish or English, 500 words or less

The deadline for receipt of essays is April 1, 2011

The contest rules and submission information can be found at International College Counselors. Select the "Scholarship" section of the website for downloadable contest rules. You can also go directly to the entry application.

Students do not need to be clients of International College Counselors to enter or to win this annual scholarship competition.

The International College Counselors High School Essay Contest has established a Scholarship Fund to increase awareness of the value of higher education among high school students, as well as to give financial aid for tuition to college-bound students.

Good luck to all!




International College Counselors
(954) 414-9986

Mandee Heller Adler mandee@internationalcollegecounselors.com
Barry N. Liebowitz barry@internationalcollegecounselors.com
Jonathan Saltzburg jonathan@internationalcollegecounselors.com
Pablo Botero pablo@internationalcollegecounselors.com

International College Counselors
Office Locations

Boca Raton: 595 South Federal Highway
Hollywood: 4700 Sheridan Street
Miami Beach: 1111 Lincoln Road
Palm Beach Gardens: 800 Village Square Crossing

About International College Counselors
International College Counselors is a Miami-based company that provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. The college admissions counselors at International College Counselors work with domestic and international students. International College Counselors, founded by Mandee Heller Adler, tailors college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student.

How Early is Too Early to Study for the SAT?

Freshmen and Sophomores:

When should you start studying for the SAT and ACT?

a. Now
b. Immediately
c. Forthwith
d. All of the above

Answer: d. For duh.

It's never too early to start studying for the SAT or the ACT, two of the most important tests you'll ever have to take in your life. Do not plan on cramming.

What most of you high schoolers don't realize is that there are many types of study materials available. Some are even fun. Let's discuss some of your options.

Online there are free SAT vocabulary building crosswords and other games. If you like to read, there are mystery books, vampire novels, classic literature paperbacks, vocabulary cartoons, manga comics and a few potboilers designed to strengthen vocabulary. There are also the flash cards. If you are an audio learner, or so busy that bath time is your only free time to add another activity, there are rap songs and rock songs that have been written as SAT and ACT prep as well. There are also many phone apps available. Even on Twitter you can find SAT tutors offering a word a day.

There are a number of different books written to help you tackle the math sections of the SAT and ACT, too. Head to your local bookstore or hop online with your child to find the books that most appeal to you. While the test is always the same, different authors take different approaches.

Tutoring or test prep works too. Contact one of our expert college counselors and we will give you names and numbers of recommended SAT and ACT experts to call.


Contact International College Counselors with any questions you may have.

International College Counselors
Main office: 954.253.5719

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

Junior Year Testing Deadlines

by Mandee Heller Adler

Now is not the time for students to procrastinate.   It can hurt you.

Juniors:  FINISH all standardized tests THIS YEAR.  This includes the ACT/ SAT/ TOEFL and SUBJECT TESTS.

Waiting until the fall is almost always a bad idea.

Why?

1. It makes choosing an early decision school extremely difficult.
2. Students cannot apply in August to rolling admissions schools.
3. If an emergency arises on the day of the test, or you're sick, or your car breaks down, there will be no time to take the test again.  If your bad day happens on the last possible test date, you're truly out of luck - your bad score may be the one you'll have to live with.

June 15th is the day Juniors should have completed their standardized tests, and have their early decision school selected (if students will be applying early decision).  For International College Counselors students, the first draft of the common application essays is also due.

Sure there's no point in taking a standardized test if you aren't ready, but ICC is delivering this message with enough time for you to prepare.  If you need tutoring or test prep, contact one of our expert college counselors and we will give you names and numbers to call.  And read about your standardized test score reporting rights.

Now is a great time for sophomores to begin to prepare for the SAT/ACT/ TOEFL and SUBJECT TESTS.  Students who finish those exams in their junior year are always the happiest and usually the most successful. 


International College Counselors
Main office: 954.253.5719

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

Deadline for FAFSA is Fast Approaching - Apply Now

The deadline to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.gov) is February 1. June 30 is the official government deadline but for many schools including Boston U, Brandeis, and Carnegie Mellon it is February 1. If you do not get your form in by this date, you may not be eligible to receive certain merit scholarships and/or school financial aid.

We repeat: Some MERIT scholarships are tied to filling out the FAFSA. Check the college websites to see if you need to apply.

ALL students should fill out the FAFSA no matter what their household income is, if they would like to be eligible for aid. This is a strong recommendation from the expert college counselors at International College Counselors.

There is no penalty for filling out the FAFSA whether you receive aid or not. Many students are surprised by the aid they are eligible to receive. And then you can choose to use this aid or not.

The FAFSA is free. You do not need to pay for it, and you do not need to have checked the “financial aid” box on the common application.

The FAFSA is also a long document with many questions, and you need to gather documentation (a list is below). Do NOT leave this until the last minute.

Completing the FAFSA, an introductory publication for students, provides free instructions on how to complete the FAFSA.

If you have specific questions, representatives at FAFSA are EXTREMELY helpful. Do not hesitate to call the contact numbers.
FAFSA contact info.

For more information on financial aid, please contact International College Counselors.

Also, when beginning your FAFSA, please refer to the “Common Errors When Filing for Financial Aid” page in your binder. If you are missing it, please let us know.

Before submitting the FAFSA double-check EVERYTHING.


Documentation and paperwork you need to complete the FAFSA



In addition to gathering financial information, you will need a FAFSA account and a FAFSA pin. Go to FAFSA.gov to get one.

NOTE: All financial information needs to be for the previous financial year. Students filing for the 2011-2012 FAFSA need documentation from tax year 2010. If you don't have your W-2 tax forms from 2010, you can estimate by using pay stubs and then file a FAFSA correction later.

• Your Social Security card. Make sure you enter the number correctly!
• Your driver’s license (if any)
• Your 2010 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
• Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) 2010 Federal Income Tax Return.
• IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ
• Foreign Tax Return, or
• Tax Return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau
• Your Parents’ 2010 Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student)
• Your 2010 untaxed income records
• Your current bank statements
• Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records
• Your alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

Contact International College Counselors with any questions you may have.

International College Counselors
Main office: 954.253.5719

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.

10 New Year Resolutions for High School Students

The New Year is a great time to reflect on the changes we want to or need to make. If you're a student looking at ways to improve yourself and make the transition to college easier, International College Counselors offers a few more resolutions you might want to add to your list.

1. Stop procrastinating. How often have you underestimated how much time it will take to get something done? Then, how sad are you when you don't have the time to do your best. At some point, the procrastinator has to write four college essays in one night - on top of completing schoolwork. Usually, this doesn't turn out so well. If you finish a project earlier than you thought you would, then consider yourself ahead.

2. Commit yourself to getting good grades. Good grades are entirely necessary to get into a good school unless you're a top notch athlete. The best case scenario is that you have good grades from the beginning. However, if you start off badly and improve your grades, colleges will give you points for this. Many admissions officers won't look at your application if your grades are too low or show a steady decline. Spending a night studying while your friends play Wii may not excite you, but you need to look at this long-term. Think of it this way, grades are a bridge. They will serve you to get into a college where you will have more freedom. In college, grades may not be as important as in high school.

3. Don't do it all. It's better to concentrate on a few things and excel in them than if you join every sport, activity and club that you can cram into your schedule. Anyone can join 10 clubs and be marginally involved in them all. Schools are looking for commitment that shows you're willing to stick with something and make the most of it.

4. Keep a calendar. Deadlines creep up quickly. And the closer the date, the more you'll feel the pressure. Most students don't do their best under pressure. And colleges, scholarships, federal aid, and standardized testing services are not going to be sympathetic to any excuses you have about missing a deadline. If you miss a deadline, you miss an opportunity.

5. Take standardized tests early. You won't know how high you can score until you take the test. Wait too long and you won't have enough time to retake it. And many things can affect your test score on any given day, including the state of your health, and you can't plan not to get the flu or food poisoning. Taking the test early will also allow time to take a test prep course if necessary.

6. Do your research. Know what the choices are when it comes to colleges. This way you can avoid any coulda, shoulda, woulda regrets later in life. Research could be as simple as visiting a school's website.

7. Try something new. High school is a great time to spread your wings. It's about new experiences and self-discovery. Want a certain internship, there's no harm in calling up and asking if they have any room for an eager high school student to work there. Want to try a new sport or activity, go ahead and try it. You're not expected to leave high school knowing exactly what you want to do, but this is a chance to start narrowing down your interests. You'll never know what you like - or how good you are at something - until you try something.

8. Be excited about going to college. Wherever you go to college, you're going to meet new people, learn new things, and have a great time. That's reason enough to be excited whether you end up attending a first choice school or a safety.

9. Do what your college counselor tells you. Students: We at International College Counselors are here to get you what you want out of life.

10. Banish the self-doubt. Doubting your own abilities only holds you back from achieving what you want to achieve. Just say no to these thoughts and others like them:

"I can't do this."
"I'm not as smart as my classmates."
"I'll never get better than a 2.7 grade-point average."
"I'll only get into a community college anyway"
"There's no point in thinking I'll get into my first choice college."

HAPPY 2011!

The college advisors at International College Counselors are available to help you with either of Florida’s two prepaid college plans: the Florida Prepaid College Plan and the Florida College Investment Plan.

Contact International College Counselors with any questions you may have.

International College Counselors
Main office: 954.253.5719

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS
International College Counselors provides expert college counseling on undergraduate and graduate college admissions, financial aid, tuition, essays, and college applications. Mandee Heller Adler, college admissions consultant and Founder of International College Counselors tailors her college counseling and college coaching services to address the goals, needs, and dreams of each student. Our college advising company works with domestic and international students. Let us help you make the best decisions in choosing, getting into, and paying for college.