The Gap Year...Part Four (series)

Just as deciding upon the Gap Year is a personal choice, so too are the benefits that a student can garner during their year away from the classroom. Taking the Gap Year, albeit time off from formal schooling in most cases, is not simply a substitute to education. In fact, in many instances, it is an education in and of itself and it frequently serves to intensify students' appreciation of the college experience when they are ready to enroll. The Gap Year has proven to encourage students to learn about themselves and to develop independence and self-confidence, traits that are not always inherent in a high school senior or a traditional college freshman. Some students find the need to learn how to live in our world or to determine what their education is supposed to lead to before transitioning from the high school classroom to the college lecture hall. In addition, taking time off during the Gap Year usually provides a bit of perspective toward what life after college might look like. Depending upon how the Gap Year is spent, but especially if cultural immersion is part of it, the Gap Year gives understanding and a unique viewpoint to some of the social issues that students learn about in their college textbooks and their classroom discussions. Again, depending upon the route a student takes during the Gap Year, they are likely to obtain a bevy of life lessons such as living in a large city, money management, living and working in a group setting, preparing meals for themselves or for a large group, and even making critical decisions that may impact a community. Students might also learn different work opportunities through a variety of service projects or job internships, which hopefully will help solidify, or even appropriately modify, long term goals.

May 1: National Candidates Reply Deadline

The National Candidates Reply Deadline is May 1. This is the date by which students must formally notify the college or university of their choice for attendance in the fall. This year, May 1 falls on a Saturday, so please consider Friday, April 30 to be your final reply deadline. For most colleges and universities, an enrollment deposit is required. Paying the enrollment deposit confirms your intent to enroll at the school and reserves your spot in the incoming freshman class. Only students who have paid the enrollment deposit are then able to register for classes, request on-campus housing, and attend freshman orientation. It is considered unethical to submit a deposit to more than one school, so your final decision truly needs to be made in advance of this deadline. Because of a growing concern over students double-depositing, there have been recent instances of a college or university discovering that a student has deposited at another school in addition to theirs and both schools then rescinded the admission offer. This enrollment deposit is typically credited toward the student’s first semester tuition bill. In addition to the enrollment deposit, most campuses also require a housing deposit and contract to secure a room in a residence hall for the freshman year. This deposit is also usually credited to the first semester’s bill. In most cases, both the enrollment deposit and the housing deposit are non-refundable after May 1.

The Gap Year...Part Three (series)

HOW THE DECISION IS MADE TO TAKE THE GAP YEAR There are several potential approaches to the Gap Year decision. The path a student chooses most often directly correlates to why they are taking the Gap Year in the first place. One option is to apply to colleges and universities as if traditional fall attendance is planned. Once granted admission, the student then contacts the institution they have chosen to attend and requests a deferred admission in order to exercise the Gap Year option. Most colleges will consent to postponed enrollment as long as the student submits a well thought out plan for using that time productively. Typically, academically talented students who have high expectations for collegiate life, but who simply need a break, follow this route if pursuing the Gap Year. Note that some students in this situation experience second thoughts during their Gap Year experience about what they need and want from a college or university and may ultimately decide that the college or university they had originally chosen to attend is no longer the best selection. These students are welcome to begin their college search process anew and to apply to other institutions. Any enrollment or housing deposit paid at the initial school would be forfeited, but those few hundred dollars are worth a more appropriate life-impacting decision. The other opportunity is to simply know in advance that the Gap Year will be taken and not even apply for admission to any college or university during the senior year, allowing an additional year for standardized testing and for in-depth exploration of higher educational opportunities. This approach is typically best for students who need the additional time to figure out what they want from the college experience and for those students who waited until too late in the high school senior year to begin thinking about college.

The Gap Year...Part Two (series)

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER THE GAP YEAR There are generally three groups of high school students for whom the Gap Year makes the most sense. First, the Gap Year may be a worthy alternative for students who have worked incredibly hard during high school, but need to take a year off to avoid what is called “burn out.” These students tend to have a fantastic academic, as well as extra-curricular, record, and although still performing at an amplified level and often beyond outside expectations, are no longer happy in the learning process nor healthily engaged in activities. On the opposite end of the scholastic spectrum, this option may also be valuable for students who have perhaps faced issues in high school or who have not lived up to their expected potential. Although this is not the true meaning of a Gap Year, this additional year can be used to take college courses at a local community college where the student can prove that they are capable of handling a collegiate education. This year of focused dedication and improved grades often goes a long way toward convincing college admission representatives at four year colleges and universities that there is a capability to handle college work despite a lacking high school performance. Finally, the third group who might explore the Gap Year option is those students that simply have not taken the requisite time to determine what they want from a college experience. These students tend to have started the college search behind schedule, and although they might be able to find a suitable college or university late in the admission cycle, they have not allowed time to find the best fit college that meets all of their needs and wants. In this scenario, the Gap Year allows extra time to fully investigate the most appropriate higher education option. Although certainly not every student who exercises the Gap Year fits neatly into these three categories, most students who take the year do fit comfortably into one of the classifications. No matter the reason, once the Gap Year option is decided upon, how that Gap Year will be spent is the next imperative choice.

The Gap Year...Part One (series)

WHAT IS THE GAP YEAR Simply put, the Gap Year is an option being exercised by an increasing number of students between graduating from high school and starting college. The Gap Year affords particular students with a one year after high school occasion to foster personal growth and motivation before embarking on collegiate study and life afterward. RISE IN GAP YEAR POPULARITY The Gap Year is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it is incredibly popular in European countries, where between 10 and 20 percent of students welcome this year away from school to experience life and to gain critical skills for collegiate survival. It is, however, a growing trend among American students in the last 5 to 10 years. Its popularity saw a recent surge during the 2008 presidential campaign as the candidates reached out to young and first time voters. Some cities, such as Denver, are now also hosting “Gap Year fairs,” similar in set-up to traditional college fairs, where representatives from various Gap Year programs are invited to speak to potential students about the opportunities afforded during this hiatus from school.

KU to Host Local Event for KC Metro High School Juniors

The University of Kansas invites all metro Kansas City high school juniors and their families who have an interest in KU to attend the upcoming Johnson County Hawk Talk event. For students just embarking upon the college search, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about KU and what steps are needed in order to gain admission and, ultimately, to enroll. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 KU Edwards Campus (12600 Quivira in Overland Park, KS) Check-In at 6:30pm Program from 7:15 pm to 8:30pm Event attendees will hear from KU admission representatives, see a glimpse of life on campus, learn how to make the most of the senior year of high school and the summer before college…and maybe even win Jayhawk prizes. This Hawk Talk reception is free for students and their guests, but advance registration is requested.

Interested students may also call the KU admission office at (785) 864 3911 or email adm@ku.edu.

Junior Visit Day at Baker University

Junior Visit Day Baker University in Baldwin City, KS Saturday, April 17, 2010 1:00pm to 4:30pm Visit the Baker University campus and learn about available academic programs, co-curricular activities, campus life experiences, admission requirements, and scholarships/financial aid opportunities. Current Baker students will lead tours of the historic campus, showing guests the academic, residential, and athletic facilities. You will also have the opportunity to visit with professors or staff members from your specific academic area of study at Baker. Learn about student activities, residence life, wellness, and the day-to-day opportunities to get involved in the Baker community. Prospective students and their families are requested to register in advance by calling (800) 873 4282 or via email at admissions@bakeru.edu.

Upcoming Presidential Campus Preview at William Jewell College

The Presidential Campus Preview is a special offering as part of the "Journey Experience" for students, specifically high school sophomores and juniors, interested in attending William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. The Presidential Campus Preview allows students and families a first look at Jewell early in the college search and selection process. It is similar to a traditional individual campus visit experience, but in a small group setting with other prospective students.

Saturday, March 27 and Saturday, April 17 are the two dates that Jewell will be welcoming high school sophomores and juniors to campus for the Presidential Campus Preview.

You will have the opportunity to meet with professors, current Jewell students, and the admission counselor responsible for your recruitment. If you like what you learn while you participate in this particular visit opportunity, you are encouraged to return to Jewell for an individual campus visit that is set up based upon your unique academic interests and your collegiate goals.

Visiting families are requested to register 7 to 10 days in advance.

William Jewell College is recognized as "Kansas City's National Liberal Arts College."

Follow Kansas City Area Colleges/Universities on Twitter

Utilize Twitter? Following colleges and universities on Twitter is a great way to learn about many aspects of the campus community, as well as to keep up with admission information throughout the college search and selection process.

Here is a sampling of Kansas City area (and a few beyond) schools that can be found on Twitter:

• Baker University @Bakeru
• Kansas State University @k_state
• Park University @parkuniversity
• Rockhurst University @RockhurstU
• University of Kansas @KUNews
• University of Missouri Columbia @MizzouAdmission
• University of Missouri Kansas City @UMKansasCity

Steph Hart of Kansas City's Essential Elements: Comprehensive College Planning can also be found on Twitter @EECollegePlan.

Announcing CAMP COLLEGE for Class of 2011

CAMP COLLEGE for high school students, Class of 2011 Monday, June 7 through Friday, June 11, 2010 8am to 4pm daily, with lunch break May 24 registration deadline visit Essential Elements: Comprehensive College Planning for event specifics and to register hosted on the campus of Park University This one week “boot camp” approach to preparation is designed solely for high school seniors and focuses on key aspects of the college search and application process in a small group setting and a concentrated timeframe.

• development of college/university application list
• deadlines and requirements spreadsheet as part of organized college binder
• student activities and accomplishments resume with peer and instructor review
• completion of the Common Application and institutional applications
• Common Application short answer question and essay with peer and instructor review
• introduction to Holland Codes and career interest research
• admission and scholarship interviews coaching and critique
• demonstration of proper campus tour
• meeting with admission representative on admission process and file review
• discussion with faculty member about expectations of collegiate level education
• practice ACT under standard timed conditions and review of ACT score results
• scholarship search

Major Monday at Rockhurst University

Major Monday Rockhurst University Open House

Monday, February 15 Rockhurst University is celebrating President's Day on Monday, February 15 by hosting an open house event for prospective students who are out of school for the federal holiday.

The event allows students and their families to discover college life at the Rock by offering the chance to sit in on a Q & A session with a student panel, to hear about financial aid, to take a campus tour, and to talk with other prospective students.

Schedule of Events: 1:00 pm Registration 1:30 pm Campus Tour 2:30 pm Admissions & Financial Aid Information Session 3:00 pm Student Panel 3:45 pm Reception

To RSVP for Major Monday, contact the Office of Admission (800) 842-6776 or register online.