By now, your students are beginning to receive, or anticipate receiving, those important acceptance letters. They might be giddy with excitement or nervous with anxiety each day as they check the mailbox. For some, the letter will arrive in a thick packet that includes housing and financial aid information. Others will receive a thin envelope, concealing a single sheet of paper that shuts the door to that school.

High school counselors are privileged enough to experience both the victories and defeats of students. The college application process is an opportunity to share both ends of the spectrum. But a college rejection letter does not have to be the final say. There is always room for students to appeal a rejection letter.
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High schools play a huge role in preparing students for college. But should those same high schools be punished if graduates fail to succeed in college? That is a question the Texas State Department of Education is debating in a new proposal that would modify the ratings system to reflect how graduates fair in college.

Texas Education Agency spokeswoman DeEtta Culbertson says the plan is meant to help improve students’ preparation for college.

College success is determined by a number of different factors. A student’s temperment, the environment of the college or university, financial pressures and family expectations are all factors that can affect a students success. High school preparation is certainly important, but it is not the only thing to be considered. Would relying on college performance to rate high schools put those schools at an unfair disadvantage? Will students then have the option of choosing another school to attend if their assigned school rates lower? How will colleges view low-rating schools? Should other states adopt such a practice? Do you see a program like this helping or hurting your school? Please share your thoughts. Read more about the plan to rate high schools based on graduates success in college.

With college costs escalating, many parents and students wonder if they are getting what they pay for in a college or university. Most people think that a high price tag means a higher quality of education. That is not necessarily true. Many schools are simply overpriced according to America’s Best Value Colleges, 2006 Edition, published by The Princeton Review.

In the following article, “The Importance of Cost,” published on MSN’s Encarta web site, the truth about college costs and education quality is explored.

“Generally, a school’s cost is a pretty good indicator of the quality of the academics it offers. Otherwise, why would perfectly reasonable people shell out so much cash to go to one school over another that charges significantly less? But there are definitely exceptions to that rule. Some schools are simply overpriced. Other schools–like the 81 in America’s Best Value Colleges, 2006 Edition, for instance–are, for one reason or another, exceptionally good deals. There’s a really good chance that you will find happiness and a great education at one of these schools.
Check out America’s Best Value Colleges, 2006 Edition to find out why college tuition keeps rising.

You should also keep in mind that many factors will probably influence your decision about which colleges you apply to and where you ultimately decide to go. In addition to cost, there’s location, size, and your intended major.
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There has been a lot of talk lately about the growing crisis of education for male students. According to a University of Michigan study, the number of boys who said they didn’t like school rose 71 percent between 1980 and 2001. This discontent with education has spilled onto college campuses where male students are only 44 percent of the college population, down from 58 percent thirty years ago.

Newsweek ran a story highlighting the problem in its Jan. 30, 2006 issue. While the story introduced some to the challenges of educating boys, it only reiterated what many high school counselors, administrators and teachers already know to be true. And it has caused many to take action.

“Helping underperforming boys has become our core mission,” said Gates Foundation Education Director, Jim Shelton.
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Your college digs may be small, crowded or horribly plain, but it’s still your new home. If your living conditions aren’t up to par, never fear, there are ways to make your space a place you’ll want to spend your spare time.

The main reason I decided to pledge a sorority was to meet people. I
grew up in a small town and was attending a large university. I felt
like a very small fish in a very big pond. I thought it would be a good
way to make friends and get involved.

There are a lot of factors that make decorating difficult for most undergraduates – small budget, lack of time and not a lot of room. But some basic decorating concepts apply no matter what your budget, and can turn your living space into a fun niche that is all you!

Remember these three essential rules for in thrifty, yet stylish decorating:

• Paint: A little bit of paint can transform a random mix of mismatched items into a coordinated group. Don’t be afraid to paint anything from furniture to mirrors to picture frames.
• Fabrics: You can create anything out of fabrics; wall-hangings, bedspreads, curtains, or pillows! Purchase a bunch of discounted fabrics at your local craft store. Don’t let a lack of sewing skills turn you away. You can create a simple hem using iron on fabric-tape and folding the edges.
• Color: Finding items in a similar color scheme pulls a look together, and creates the mood. Whatever you choose, a vibrant pink or subtle earth-tones, stick with this color spectrum for furniture and accessories.

With these fundamentals, you can develop a five-part plan to make your room as creative as any interior designer’s:

1. Develop a theme: Your space will look planned and pulled together with a simple theme to unify your items. Get creative and come up with something that represents you; anything from a wild jungle theme to a more classic shabby-chic look can be done with a few unifying items.
2. Be fun: You’re not decorating your family home – this one is all about you. Go all out with wild colors and unique items. Get interesting items from your local thrift or discount store and make your space unusual!
3. Remember comfort: Although you’ll be spending a lot of time in class and out with friends, you’ll still pass plenty of hours studying or hanging out in your college space. Filling your place with things like giant floor pillows and cozy bedding make sure you will spend that time in comfort.
4. Create space: Any dorm room or apartment will likely be pretty small than the family home you’re used to. Make sure you have a lot of storage items, such as crates, clothing racks and bookshelves to keep yourself organized and avoid being cramped.
5. Include the floors and walls: Buy a giant, inexpensive rug or cover your walls with oversized art. If your budget is low and you don’t have much to hang, purchase oversized canvases at a craft store and spray paint them in colors that match your color scheme.

Don't forget your roomate!

Establish a good relationship with the person you’ll be living with for awhile by not barging in and taking over the room. These three ideas can help keep the peace:

• Brainstorm for ideas together. Your roomie might have some great ideas that you may not have considered.
• Work out coordinating themes. You can have a day theme and they can have night theme. Or you can merely agree on colors that will go well together.
• Compromise. Don’t throw a fit if they can’t see themselves living in your dream of a pink, cat-themed room. Work out something you can both agree on. After all, you’ll both be living there.

I was just walking back to my room from my friend Katie’s room (where she rocked me at Super Smash Bros. and I rocked her at Diddy Kong Racing) and got super introspective on the way. It is really bizarre to think that I live here. I mean, I know it’s what, seven weeks in?, and I’m thinking this way. But I got here, and I have never gotten homesick. … The closest I’ve gotten is kittysick. I just feel super-comfortable and at home here. I even call my room home, which led to confusion when I was talking to Bob. There was no awkward transition. St. Ben’s was just suddenly home.

This opening paragraph isn’t a scene from a reality TV show about anxious college students. It’s an entry from the blog of Kathy Cosmano, sophomore in English Education at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn.

If these thoughts seem a bit personal, well, that’s because they are intended for Cosmano’s friends and family. Cosmano, like thousands of other college students, has discovered that blogging is an affective way to keep in touch with friends and family.

A blog is a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles. Blogs range in scope from personal diaries to news outlets to corporate identity vehicles. No reliable statistics exist for the number of active blogs today, but if one blog provider is any indication, the number is huge and growing every day. MSN alone has created 4.5 million blog accounts so far this year.

Cosmano started her blog at the end of her senior year in high school, but didn’t regularly use it until arriving at college her freshman year.

“It’s a good way to keep in touch and see what’s going on in my life,” said Cosmano. “It is easier than calling everyone.”

Reach out and blog someone

Staying connected to her community of family and friends is important to Cosmano, but so is the idea that she is creating a history of her college years.

“It’s nice to be able to share my frustrations or my excitement about what’s going on,” she said. “And my blog is always going to be there, whether I look at it again or not.”

Keeping the blog updated can be a chore, Cosmano said, and some weeks it doesn’t get updated as often as it should. Still, she tries to post a few times a week.

“It distracts me a lot from homework,” she said, “but it’s a good timesaver. I have a lot of people to keep in touch with, so it’s nice to have that one place to go to keep in touch with everyone.”

Blogging does have its downsides, according to Cosmano, so you must be cautious.

“Sometimes people will type in things that make them mad about friends and it gets around and gets made into a big tadoo. I’ve avoided that thankfully.”

She’s aware that future employers may very well find her blog while doing background research during the hiring process, but it is not a concern to her.

“I think it’s crazy and not a thing to worry about when you go out into the real world,” she said. “I use pretty good grammar, and I don’t think I’ve written anything terrible.”

Beginning a Blog

A number of blog providers offer free blog space, including Blogger.com. Once you register, simply select a template for your blog and a blogger profile. Then you are ready to start blogging.
It’s important to remember that even though the blog is being written for a specific group of people, it can be found by anyone who knows how to search the Internet. A good rule of thumb – don’t write anything that could not be shown to a parent, friend or potential employer.

I was never great at making quick choices. I’m someone who likes to deliberate on things a bit. I’m more likely to go my own way. I’m not Coke or Pepsi, I’m like Fresca, see? So I’m heading into my first year of college and it seemed like I was overwhelmed with decisions:

• Where was I going to live?
• Where’s the best eats?
• Where do I spend my time between classes?
• Should I talk to that girl who keeps looking at me?
• Boxers or briefs?

My head was beginning to spin and I had barely started the ride.

Like most colleges, the university I chose to attend made a lot of effort to get students to meet and start forming new friendships. I would cautiously attend these lunches and meetings where leaders of campus organizations would try and convince you that you would make a good member of their team. It was like a fraternity rush without the Greek letters and oddly-fitting togas.

There were a lot of good groups at these gatherings, but at this point, I was looking for something more like camaraderie. The camaraderie of a fraternity at such a large school seemed chaotic, especially during rush week. It just didn’t feel personal to me.

I was looking for something different – something less structured, but more self-determined.

So some new friends and I were talking (actually, it was more like complaining) about how belonging to some groups would require too much time or too much money. The room eventually turned quiet. Most organizations just didn’t seem to address things that about which we were individually passionate. Then a friend said, “Wait, why do we have to join anything? I’m looking for unique things to do, not something conventional.”

Before we knew it, we all had cut the cord and decided to be independent students.

To me, being an independent student doesn’t mean you’re not involved or that you keep yourself separated from students that are affiliated with official organizations.
Far from it. We were merely more interested in dictating how our skills and talents would help us through school and after school. Our decision was made in the interest of leading, rather than being led. So eventually, we went from being independent students to being independent student organizers.

As independents, we were the kids on campus that used our education and resources to start small businesses, form our own action groups or organize concerts. My own small group started a graphics lab to design T-shirts and stickers to promote any idea we were interested in.

Together, we published a free monthly magazine dedicated to local art and music. We organized evening poetry readings that got many students out of a stifling classroom setting and into clubs with dim lights and music accompaniment.

Our largest undertaking – Springpeace, a celebration of music, activism and campus renewal – taught me the most about what independent students can accomplish if they set their minds to it. Picture 10 kids with no official campus affiliation rigging an 8,000 watt PA system, two stages, 14 booths for campus groups and a food wagon – all set up in the center of school grounds, ready to blast for two days. And we did it without a single dime from the university, or any campus organization.

Today, I realize that doing things my own way helped give me an edge on things that mattered after school was over with. Being an independent student doesn’t mean you’re in danger of coming out of college with a degree and a blank resumé from missed opportunities. You have the freedom to make your own opportunities.

If you feel as I did, that there just wasn’t a perfect affiliation to match your passions, I would encourage you to forge your own path. College doesn’t have to be conventional and independent does not have to mean “alone.”

This may be the nastiest part of spring, but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to suffer. Come rain, sleet or snow, we have the hottest wardrobe items to keep you warm.

Ladies, this is a season of cropped sweaters and textured blazers. Ditch the snowflake print for something simple like plain colors or small lace details. Velvet and corduroy are most popular for blazers. Guys, look for track jackets to layer over t-shirts and poofy vests to wear over long-sleeved shirts.

The key to warmth is layers, and coats are perfect for that. Everyone needs a coat this season, and there are many styles and choices. Guys should look for a nice leather coat in black, brown or tan for going out and a sporty coat in a dark color for casual wear. Avoid extremely bright colors unless you’re hitting the slopes. Girls have a variety of styles to choose from. Military jackets are in, as well as knee-length coats in simple colors or tweed textures. Match your coat with a nice pair of warm boots.

ACCESSORIES AND MORE

Boots are the hottest item of the season, so don’t be shy to step out of your comfort zone. Cowboy boots were huge in the fall and can still be worn this season. Match a pair of suede wedge boots with a plush jacket to get a seventies look. If you’re a sweater kind of girl, a pair of lace-up snow bunny boots worn over your jeans are a perfect match.

With any cold weather attire, don’t forget accessories. Scarves, gloves and hats are never out of style if worn in simple colors. Avoid a noisy print and go for texture. Black, gold and deep hues are a must.

These additions to your closet will keep you warm and help you finish out the season in style. Always pass on cheesy snowflake print, and remember to keep things simple. Cold weather fashion is just as cool as any other style if you know what to look for.

Stomach in knots and palms sweaty, you let the large manila envelope slip from your fingers. Your application has been mailed and the suspense mounts.

While you know what to do if you get an acceptance letter (start packing!), what happens if your application is denied? With the right attitude and attack plan, you can use feelings of rejection or uncertainty to your advantage.

Handling Rejection

So the first letter said your application was declined. Don’t worry; it’s not the end of the world. Naturally, the most common reaction to this kind of news is disappointment, anger and frustration. But don’t give in to those emotions. Instead, use the opportunity to examine your application process more closely:

• Review: Look over your application for spelling, punctuation and any other grammatical errors.
• Get a second opinion: Ask a teacher, counselor or friend to read your application to be certain you are communicating the appropriate attitude and enthusiasm for the school.
• Shift perspectives: Try experimenting with another viewpoint from which you can direct your letter the next time you apply.
• Be positive: Develop the attitude that your acceptance simply wasn’t meant to be . at this time, anyway. Then, use the experience as a motivational tool for you to work that much harder, focusing even more on GPA, extracurricular activities and school involvement. If it’s an option, apply again.

The reasons why you might not be accepted are countless and, in many cases, are entirely out of your control. Some common explanations include limits on class-size and out-of-state students or “inaccurate forecasting,” where the school underestimates the number of admitted students who will actually attend classes.

No matter what the reasoning might be, remember that a letter of rejection is not a rejection of you. The letter is a tool for you to use in reviewing, reevaluating and improving your application.

The college-application process can be an excellent opportunity for you to really get to know more about yourself. Seize each and every opportunity to become better and know that whichever school that welcomes you – with hard work and motivation – you can make it the best four years of your life.

The hundreds of aircraft that take off everyday from the New River Valley Airport in Dublin, Va., do so almost unnoticed. Neighbors have grown accustomed to the sound of engines breaking the silence of the day, barely aware of the airplane-shaped shadows that are cast over the rooftops and fields.

Really, the only ones who pay any attention to the airplanes are visitors to the community and children. In the summer of 1984, the noise of a passing airplane drew the attention of two-year-old Ryan Olson, who pointed to the steel underbelly of a passenger aircraft.

From that day on, his life was about leaving this planet behind for the enjoyment and freedom of flight. What began as an innocent attraction to flying led to his becoming one of the most brilliant young minds in aviation, and created Olson’s hopes for a career at NASA.

“I have always been amazed that a plane like that would fly as opposed to a car that would drive on the ground,” Olson said. “It amazed me that a vehicle like that could take off from the ground a fly like a bird. I don’t even know how to explain it.”

At age five, Olson first asked his parents to take him flying. At age seven, he attended space camp. At age 12, he took his first flying lesson and won a community service award that allowed him to meet and astronaut and senator John Glenn. When he turned 17, he got his private flying license. And, finally, at age 18, he achieved his commercial license.

But perhaps the biggest landmark came by the way of chance when Olson met Ken Able, who would become his mentor in the study of aviation. Able spent weeknights and weekends instructing Olson throughout high school in scientific experiments and projects related to flight. Together, the two spent more than 1,000 hours building a large-scale model plane, though unfortunately it didn’t fly.

“In the beginning, it was mostly a matter of me demonstrating techniques and having him use those on the projects we working on,” Able said. “Gradually, we moved the responsibility over to his shoulders. By the time he was a senior, he was originating his own concepts and work with me to test them out.”

A month before graduating from Giles High in rural Pearisburg, Va., Olson competed in the International Space Olympics in Russia, had taken enough community college courses to earn an associate’s degree and won a NASA competition for his proposal on the practicality of a flying car.

Olson’s paper concluded that a present day flying car is highly impractical given the expense involved with materials and the construction of the vehicle. But he sees the day where air travel will be a commonality and people will be able to park airplanes in their garages. He’s even developed his own idea of what a flying vehicle might look like, which resembles a hybrid of a motorcycle and airplane.

“He was always interested in flight from the time he could talk,” said Dr. Pam Olson, Ryan’s mother, who encouraged her son’s early fascination with airplanes. “He used to spend hours and hours building things with blocks. Ryan was also big into dimensions, construction and flight. Flight was it. That’s what he wanted to learn about.”

Completing hours of extensive research and study outside of the classroom, Olson eventually earned the honor of attending Southwest Virginia Governor’s School for Science, Mathematics and Technology in Dublin, Va., while still attending Giles High. The school draws top students from six counties and offers dual enrollment with the local community college.

In addition to his research and placement in academic contests, Olson was one of 20 students named to the 2005 All-USA High School Academic First Team, USA Today’s recognition program for outstanding high school students. He received a trophy and $2,500 in cash./p>

Olson followed that by earning a scholarship to Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Fla., which was rated as the No. 1 school in the nation for aeronautical engineering by US News and World Report. His goal is to be a test pilot or NASA researcher.

“The students I go to school with now look at airplanes with the same fascination,” Olson said. “When a plan flies over, everyone looks at it. At any other normal place, nobody would look up.”

These academic accolades have positioned Olson for a bright career in aviation and aeronautics, but it is his love for flying that has inspired him most.

“It’s a rush,” Olson said. “Flying is freedom. You’re leaving the Earth. You’re really kind of alone. There is a sense of freedom from the Earth if you fly somewhat near the clouds.”