Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy
  • Home
    • Who We Are >
      • About WIHI >
        • WIHI School Profile
        • Current Articles
      • Staff >
        • Administration
        • Counseling & Student Support
        • Arts
        • English Literature
        • History
        • Language Acquisition
        • Mathematics
        • Physical Education & Health
        • Sciences
        • Graduate Assistants
        • Design and Technology
      • Alumni
      • Student Celebrations
      • What Makes WIHI Exceptional
    • Principal's Welcome
    • Contact Information
    • Employment
    • Titled Staff Directory
  • Admissions
    • WIHI's Family Info Nights
    • Apply now for the 2022-2023 School Year
    • WIHI's Placement Testing Info & Application FAQ's >
      • WIHI's Registration FAQ's
    • What is a DP IB Education?
  • Academics & Student Support
    • Remote learning Extension and Review Resources
    • IB Curriculum >
      • Departments and Curriculum >
        • The Diploma Program Core
        • Group 1: Language and Literature
        • Group 2: Language Acquisition
        • Group 3: Individuals and Societies
        • Group 4: Natural Sciences
        • Group 5: Mathematics
        • Group 6: Fine Arts
      • Standards Based Learning >
        • SBG Graphic
    • Counseling >
      • College Counseling
      • Mental Health Resources
    • The Writing Center
    • Mentoring Program
    • MYP Community Service Policy
  • Quick Links for Families/Students
    • FORMS & Back to School Info
    • WIMA & WIHI Club Info
    • Yearbook - WIHI
    • Remote learning Extension and Review Resources
    • School Swag (Spirit Wear)
    • C.A.S. >
      • More Info about C.A.S
    • Music Page >
      • Band & Choir Auditions - Incoming Students
    • Monthly Lunch Menu
    • YCS Transportation
    • Student Guide
    • Student Tech Ticket
    • Calendars/Bell Schedules >
      • Assessment Calendars
      • 2021-2022 School Calendar
      • Daily Calendar (Google)
      • Daily Bell Schedule
    • Class of 2023 Senior Packet
    • PowerSchool Info and Links
    • Contact Info
    • Title IX
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • WIPTO
  • Middle Academy (WIMA)
    • Staff >
      • Staff
    • Admissions >
      • Apply Now!
      • WIMA's Family Info Session
      • WIMA's Application Information >
        • WIMA's Registration Process & FAQ's
      • What is an IB Education?
    • WIMA & WIHI CLUB INFO
    • WIMA's Assessment Calendar
    • School Calendar
    • Monthly Lunch Menu
    • WIMA PowerSchool
    • Community Service Policy
  • Covid-19 Resources
    • Remote Learning Resources
    • Food Distribution and Food Assistance Cards
    • Student Social Emotional and Mental Health Link
  • In The News
    • Student Spotlight
  • WIMA & WIHI CLUB INFO
  • Online Attendance Form

six words for junior parents

12/11/2014

 
By Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.

One group is more anxious about this year's college admissions decisions than the parents of this year's seniors -- and that's the parents of next year's seniors. Junior parents love their children, and they would welcome any advice colleges could offer that would give their child's application an inside edge.
 

To support that effort, here's what a college admissions officer told me when I asked for advice I could give to junior parents:

"Let your child drive the bus."

The explanation she offered for this counsel, combined with long-standing conventional wisdom, gets to the heart of the college application process, and shows what admissions officers are looking for in a successful applicant beyond the numbers:

Initiative From start to finish, a college application has to send the message that applying to this school was the student's idea, and the student is excited enough to do something to bring that idea to life. This is why so many colleges want students to visit campus or meet the admissions representative at a local college fair; it shows the student is serious about their application. That seriousness is questioned when the application is completed in what is clearly the handwriting of an adult, or when parents call the admissions office to ask questions. This is particularly true if the parent starts the call by saying "We're applying to your college next year." If the student wants to start building a meaningful relationship with the college, they make the calls, and speak in first person.

Synthesis Well-meaning parents insist they only help their child complete a college application because it is too complicated. Colleges certainly don't want the process to discourage students; at the same time, applicants show they possess the traits needed to be successful students at selective colleges by demonstrating the flexibility, organization and persistence needed to create an application crafted exclusively by the student. That's why it's best for students to schedule an hour or two each weekend in the fall to focus on college applications -- it gives them the best chance to create an application that is rich with their voice, and their voice alone.

Originality Everyone has a unique view of the world, and a good college application gives the admissions office a glimpse into a student's ability to share their particular vantage point. Colleges understand that view may not be fully developed at age 17 -- in fact, most hope it isn't -- but they also understand that unique view should be consistent across all parts of the application. A 20-minute weekly college meeting between parents and applicant gives the student the right mix of structure and encouragement to shape their own answers, and assure their ownership of the application process.

Authenticity Students have different reasons for attending college, but each reason has a common purpose -- students want to get something out of the experience. A strong college application shows the admissions office what that purpose is, and taking the time to wrestle with each part of a college application not only gives the application more clarity and confidence; it also gives the applicant more clarity and confidence.

It may be hard for parents to watch students struggle at first with this important task, just as it wasn't easy to watch them strike out at the plate, listen to their first violin solo, or feel them let the clutch out too soon. Great hitters and virtuosos are made with time, effort, and the opportunity to get better, and so are good drivers. The best way to help them reach their college destination is to give them the keys.


Comments are closed.

    College Resources and Timelines


    ​​WIHI College Counseling Process (Junior and Senior Year)
    
    Financial Aid Timeline


    Sophomore Resources:
    NACAC Timeline

    Junior Resources and timeline:
    NACAC Timeline

    WIHI Junior Conferences
    • Sign up for your conference
    • Complete student questionnaire
    • Complete parent questionnaire
    • College Selection Handouts

    ​Senior Resources and timeline:
    Submit your Purple Sheet here!
    Sign up for College Counseling

    N
    ACAC Timeline

    Archives

    April 2019
    November 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    RSS Feed

105 N. Mansfield St. Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734-994-8145 Main
734-484-9719 Fax
Contact Us: Contactwihi@wihi.org
  • Home
    • Who We Are >
      • About WIHI >
        • WIHI School Profile
        • Current Articles
      • Staff >
        • Administration
        • Counseling & Student Support
        • Arts
        • English Literature
        • History
        • Language Acquisition
        • Mathematics
        • Physical Education & Health
        • Sciences
        • Graduate Assistants
        • Design and Technology
      • Alumni
      • Student Celebrations
      • What Makes WIHI Exceptional
    • Principal's Welcome
    • Contact Information
    • Employment
    • Titled Staff Directory
  • Admissions
    • WIHI's Family Info Nights
    • Apply now for the 2022-2023 School Year
    • WIHI's Placement Testing Info & Application FAQ's >
      • WIHI's Registration FAQ's
    • What is a DP IB Education?
  • Academics & Student Support
    • Remote learning Extension and Review Resources
    • IB Curriculum >
      • Departments and Curriculum >
        • The Diploma Program Core
        • Group 1: Language and Literature
        • Group 2: Language Acquisition
        • Group 3: Individuals and Societies
        • Group 4: Natural Sciences
        • Group 5: Mathematics
        • Group 6: Fine Arts
      • Standards Based Learning >
        • SBG Graphic
    • Counseling >
      • College Counseling
      • Mental Health Resources
    • The Writing Center
    • Mentoring Program
    • MYP Community Service Policy
  • Quick Links for Families/Students
    • FORMS & Back to School Info
    • WIMA & WIHI Club Info
    • Yearbook - WIHI
    • Remote learning Extension and Review Resources
    • School Swag (Spirit Wear)
    • C.A.S. >
      • More Info about C.A.S
    • Music Page >
      • Band & Choir Auditions - Incoming Students
    • Monthly Lunch Menu
    • YCS Transportation
    • Student Guide
    • Student Tech Ticket
    • Calendars/Bell Schedules >
      • Assessment Calendars
      • 2021-2022 School Calendar
      • Daily Calendar (Google)
      • Daily Bell Schedule
    • Class of 2023 Senior Packet
    • PowerSchool Info and Links
    • Contact Info
    • Title IX
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • WIPTO
  • Middle Academy (WIMA)
    • Staff >
      • Staff
    • Admissions >
      • Apply Now!
      • WIMA's Family Info Session
      • WIMA's Application Information >
        • WIMA's Registration Process & FAQ's
      • What is an IB Education?
    • WIMA & WIHI CLUB INFO
    • WIMA's Assessment Calendar
    • School Calendar
    • Monthly Lunch Menu
    • WIMA PowerSchool
    • Community Service Policy
  • Covid-19 Resources
    • Remote Learning Resources
    • Food Distribution and Food Assistance Cards
    • Student Social Emotional and Mental Health Link
  • In The News
    • Student Spotlight
  • WIMA & WIHI CLUB INFO
  • Online Attendance Form