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College and the Perfect Mix by Carol Hagar

Carol Hagar, Head of ATA College Prep, has written the following memo on how to get into the college of your dreams and factors to consider in deciding if that college is a good fit for you. Click here to download a PDF version of the memo.

College Picks and the Perfect Mix

by Carol Hagar

What is the magic formula to get into the college of your dreams? And how will you know if you can pay, play, and make the grade? There is no single magic formula, but there are some basic ingredients that can get you into the kitchen… IF you are willing to dedicate yourself to the process.

The complete potion requires time and discernment – which can be aided by parents, coaches and mentors – but let’s begin with the basics. A few key ingredients are: grades, tests scores, senior schedule, athletics and most importantly, your character.

1) Grades: Most schools (and NCAA) will look at your GPA using your core classes, not with the added inflation of electives and PE grades. As a general rule: there is no minimum number of courses for college entrance. It is expected that you complete an English, a math, a natural science, and a social science class each year, as well as 2-4 years of a second language, and an array of electives. It is also expected that you have taken the most challenging course load that your school offers AND that you can do well in. College admissions will review and ask, “Are you a good fit for our school, meaning will you be successful? Have you been steady and diligent throughout high school and kept a solid GPA? Have you taken a challenging array of courses?” If you are looking at top tier schools, they expect you to have taken top classes in your high school – AP or honors or dual credit – proving your ability and desire to study and learn. If not, what are the extenuating circumstances?

2) Standardized tests: Because it is difficult to fully assess the variants inherent in comparing hundreds of thousands of high schools, teachers, courses, etc., college admissions compare standardized ACT or SAT scores. Critical Reading and Math comprise the number that colleges use to determine your admissibility. A quick visit to the school’s website will give you the middle range of scores for incoming freshmen. Merit-based aid is usually awarded beginning at 1200 (critical reading + math) but requirements may be higher or lower depending on the school’s percentage acceptance rate. For students who are motivated to do well and have the aptitude to study, there are many companies, tutors, websites and books available for test prep at a variety of fees. Before employing a service, I recommend that you request a baseline assessment and a guarantee for a percentage of score increase.

3) Senior Course Schedule: Colleges determine your acceptance based on your performance through your junior year. It is expected that you will continue in a disciplined manner throughout your senior year. The courses you select for your senior year are the last opportunity for you to prepare for the next level of academic rigor. College admissions officers want to see that you are challenging yourself and performing at your best in preparation for their coursework for the following year. Choose wisely!

4) Athletics: What does it take to get noticed by tennis coaches? On a recent trip to the boys 16-18’s nationals in Kalamazoo, I visited with several college coaches and from those discussions, I compiled the following list of desirable traits:

a) Rankings and significant wins against players with similar profiles to their current roster

b) Technique and technical skill

c) Potential and desire to further develop as an athlete

d) Intelligent shot selection and ability to craft a point

e) Attitude and resiliency

f) Discipline and work ethic

g) Ability to lead teammates by positive example

5) Character: If you will notice in the list above, it includes more character attributes than physical or ranking results. Winning is very important, but so are your attitude and sportsmanship. How do you translate to others the all-important, intangible character attributes that you possess and practice? Are you active in any community service activities? Do you volunteer? Have you been committed to a cause or project over a period of time? Do you have a job? Have you experienced hardship? What makes you unique? Your ability to prioritize, goal set and make the decisions to meet them will set you apart from the rest.
In summary, winning matches is the best way to get the first look from college coaches. Your discipline and dedication will keep them looking. But it is your attitude, resiliency, and ‘coachability’ that will make them a true fan.

How can parents help in guiding the college process?

As in all major decisions affecting the life of your child, you want the very best for him or her. Determine whether this is yours or your child’s decision, or a combination of both. This will avoid frustration and will serve to clarify goals. Guide your child in how to research colleges using the factors meaningful to your family values and requirements. Make sure that the school is a good match academically, culturally, and athletically. Your child will be spending a great deal of time with the coach and team, who will serve as a second family during the next four years. Here are a few things to consider:

Philosophy of the school
Academic match
Network for chosen studies
Coaching style
Culture of the team
Importance and potential of playing time
Cost: athletic/academic scholarship vs. financial aid
Location, distance, and ease of visits

Although it appears to be an arduous task with many variables, this creative process can be an enjoyable experience. Prioritize your personal formula and stay true to the recipe.

The time you begin this process depends on the preparedness of you and your child. Begin to gather the ingredients and, regardless of where you are in the process, categorize them and play with the possibilities. Eventually, everything ripens and is ready to create a unique and powerful opportunity.

Looking forward!

Carol Hagar

Head of ATA College Prep

Carol.Hagar@AustinTennisAcademy.com

CP Theatre Performance, Thursday May 21 @ 6pm

PLEASE JOIN US

Thursday, May 21 at 6PM

at the Spanish Oaks Pavilion

for The Importance of Being Earnest

Bring a friend!

Aptitude or Attitude… What Are We Looking For?

Harvard receives over 40,000 applications each year. About 2,000 of those applicants are accepted and just over 1,600 enroll as freshman*. And each year at Harvard and at each of the other 2,000 degree-granting colleges and universities, this process begins with admissions counselors pouring over applicants in a dauntingly speedy manner in order to flesh out the most interesting XX {37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9}. So how do they accomplish this? Who meets the criteria? What are they looking for?

Inquiring CP students want to know, so we engaged in an interactive discussion featuring the questions that college admissions boards members have ruminating in their heads while reading. They include questions that roughly fit into four categories: Growth & Potential, Interests & Activities, Character & Personality, Contribution to Community. We took the sampling below and read them aloud, contemplating how we think about and exemplify each in our daily lives. It is a thought-provoking list and may offer many topics for conversation around the dinner table.

Have you reached your maximum academic and personal potential?

Have you been stretching yourself?

Have you been working to capacity in your academic pursuits, your full-time or part-time employment, or other areas?

Do you have reserve power to do more?

How have you used your time?

Do you have initiative? Are you a self-starter? What motivates you?

Do you have a direction yet? What is it? If not, are you exploring many things?
Where will you be in one, five, or 25 years?

Will you contribute something to those around you?

What sort of human being are you now? What sort of human being will you be in the future?

Do you care deeply about anything—intellectual? Extracurricular? Personal?

What have you learned from your interests? What have you done with your interests? How have you achieved results? With what success or failure? What have you learned as a result?

In terms of extracurricular, athletic, community, or family commitments, have you taken full advantage of opportunities?

What is the quality of your activities? Do you appear to have a genuine commitment or leadership role?

If you have not had much time in high school for extracurricular pursuits due to familial, work, or other obligations, what do you hope to explore at college with your additional free time?

What choices have you made for yourself? Why?

Are you a late bloomer?

How open are you to new ideas and people?

What about your maturity, character, leadership, self-confidence, warmth of personality, sense of humor, energy, concern for others, and grace under pressure?

Will you be able to stand up to the pressures and freedoms of college life?

Will you contribute something to Harvard and to your classmates? Will you benefit from your college experience?

Would other students want to room with you, share a meal, be in a seminar together, be teammates, or collaborate in a close knit extracurricular group?

*information compiled from CollegeBoard, Harvard and personal counselor meetings

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