Think Again!

There is a perception that admission to an Ivy League school is only attainable by wealthy, well-connected applicants.

Guess what?   bragTAG’s look at the class of 2015’s Ivy League admission statistics says that may not be the case.

Many thanks to Amy Summers Melvin, of The National Beta Club! Ms. Melvin is our go-to person when we write about topics which are simply beyond our understanding and experience – and we thank her for her insight, kindness and patience!

Let’s clear a few things up about perceptions and take a look at the numbers.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Remember the old saying “believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see”?

If you have heard that admission to an Ivy League college is a gift reserved for only those whose moons and stars were perfectly aligned on the day they were born, don’t believe it.

If you have seen your friends or relatives throw in the towel at applying to an Ivy League school because the admissions process was too hard or they felt they would never be able to afford it, don’t let it deter YOU. The college application process is not a simple one – regardless of the status of the institution.

Here’s some numerical inspiration to keep in mind when the going gets tough:

Although Harvard only offered a 6.2 percent admission rate to 35,000 applicants for the class of 2015, 43.8 percent of those admitted to Harvard’s class of 2015 were lower-income and under served students.

Princeton offered admission to 8.39 percent of the 27,189 who applied. 46.9 percent of this admit rate were self-identified as one of the above mentioned students.. Nearly 44 percent of Dartmouth’s class of 2015 is comprised of students with diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.

Check out 2015 Ivy League College’s Acceptance Rates for more detail regarding these numbers.

It seems that the Ivy’s are moving with the times, realizing that if their student body populations are to reflect the ever-increasing shift in demographics occurring in the rest of the world, a greater effort has to be made on the part of Ivy League admissions counselors.

So Why Aren’t More Under Served Students Applying?

The answer seems to lie amid a number of different factors. The idea of applying to college can put any student into a mental tailspin. When the words “Ivy League” are inserted in the previous sentence, the stress level is increased by 100%.

Dave Berry of College Confidential likens the Ivy League application to the size of a “phone book”.

If the application size doesn’t put you off and you visit a campus, many students visiting Ivy League schools find the campuses do not have students with their ethnic background, and that the faculty and administration is largely White/non-Hispanic. This can give the student the impression that they may not fit in or benefit from attending an Ivy League school – although we expect things to change in the area of campus life as their admit rates increase.

The biggest factor influencing the under served (and pretty much anyone) considering applying to an Ivy League college is the cost. And last, but certainly not least, is the unfortunate fact that potential lower-income applicants many times don’t have access to critical information on how to apply, deadlines and extra-curricular activities admissions counselors are looking for.

It Takes a Village

Fortunately, schools are realizing the difficulties faced by under served students and are putting programs in place to help them navigate the admissions process. Two programs working with high school students and their parents are National Council of La Raza’s Lideres program and New York’s REACH. These organizations mentor college applicants on how to apply, where to get information, the importance of starting early with good grades, and extra-curricular involvement as well as goal setting for future careers, scholarships and how to find financial aid. All of this is critical for anyone to gain admission to college, much less an Ivy League school.

High School guidance counselors must encourage low-income and under served students to apply to Ivy League schools and join programs such as New York’s REACH to help them successfully navigate the admissions process. Ivy League Colleges also need to address the issues of a lack of diversification in their educators on their staffs, and increase the availability of information regarding campus life benefits for the under represented and financial aid for low-income students.

So What’s a College Bound Girl (or Boy) to Do?

First, give serious thought to which college(s) is the right fit for you. See the link in May 8th’s  College Admissions Weekly Roundup for some valuable tips. Second, make an appointment with your school guidance counselor or trusted advisor and ask them to help you with the application process as well as researching financial aid and grants you may qualify for. Contact an organization like REACH.

Stay motivated, work hard and don’t give up.

In order to be considered by an Ivy League or upper tier university or college, you must also be an academically sound student – and that takes hard work no matter your ethnicity, background or income level!

If you are considering applying to an Ivy League college, awaiting a decision on your application, or already attending an Ivy League school, please share with us your experiences and any advice you have to offer.  Leave your comments below!

You can Use your Hands for Something Other Than Your Smart Phone

If you enjoy working with your hands and helping others, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is the perfect extra-curricular activity for you.

Similar to a good old-fashioned barn-raising, Habitat for Humanity teams build a NEW HOME for a family in need in just ONE week!  Homes are built through the volunteer efforts of high school and college students, as well as adults volunteering their time to build and re-shape communities one home at a time.

Hu-man-i-ty (noun): “kindness or compassion for others”

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller.  “Habitat”  is a non-profit, international organization that undertakes home building projects around the world.  They help low-income families who are first time homeowners or the victims of natural disasters.

One of the best ways to see the good work that Habitat does, is to watch their YouTube video entitled, Habitat: What We Build which we’ve included below – give it a watch…

Teens and adult volunteers work side-by-side with families on local projects as well as travel to other parts of the world on Habitat Global Village Trips.  Global Village Trips can take you to places like Africa and the Middle East, Thailand, Europe and Central Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.  Hey, this sounds like a terrific Travel Abroad experience!

Here, There and Everywhere (…is that a Beatles song?)

Habitat for Humanity has been responsible for the building of “400,000 houses, sheltering more than 1.75 million people in more than 5 continents and 3,000 communities worldwide”.

Corporations, celebrities and political figures recognize and support Habitat’s humanitarian efforts. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn Carter have participated personally in building projects in New York City, the Gulf Coast and the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia.

Habitat for Humanity was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Former President Bill Clinton in 1996, who decreed that Habitat for Humanity was “the most successful continuous community service project in the history of the United States”.

Habitat for Humanity Mission Statement

"To seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action."

Simple words with powerful results!

Habitat for Humanity International fulfills its mission statement by coordinating its building projects through affiliate Habitat programs such as Collegiate Challenge, Campus Chapters,  Youth United,  Global Village Trips,  Women Build,  Habitat National Service program,  RV Care-A-Vanners, Habitat Restores,  and A Brush With Kindness.

Habitat for Humanity Famous Alumni

In addition to Former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter, Habitat for Humanity counts among its alumni Harry Connick, Jr.,  Jon Bon Jovi,  and Branford Marsalis.

Being part of a Habitat building team will reward you with teamwork, leadership, building experience, and life-long friendships.

Habitat service will also give you great personal experiences to share with your college admissions counselor at your interview.  Check out 3 Ways to Communicate With Your College Admissions Counselor for tips on exactly how to do this.

[Do you have something to share about Habitat for Humanity?  Post it in the comments section below!]

[…and don’t forget to click on the “Like” button, and share this post on the latest bragTAG Certified organization with your friends!]

Resources:
Habitat for Humanity Homepage
Habitat for Humanity on Facebook
Habitat for Humanity on Twitter

The “bragTAG Certified!” series features a new academic/service organization each month.  It is our fondest hope that high school students and parents take a close look at these organizations, and their ability to not only look good on a high school resumé – but to transform the lives of students and lives in the community as well!

The “bragTAG Certified!” series features a new academic/service organization each month.  It is our fondest hope that high school students and parents take a close look at these organizations, and their ability to not only look good on a high school resumé – but to transform the lives of students and lives in the community as well!

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...The College Travel Abroad Series!

“It is a tradition for me to give family and friends’ graduating high school students a copy of Dr. Seuss’, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”.   It is a classic, inspirational and fun way to encourage the recent graduates to visualize the wonderful places and experiences that await them following high school.”
-Cathy Henry, bragTAGmedia Marketing Coordinator

5 Reasons to Travel to Study Abroad

1. Learn About New Cultures – Eat snails?  Get chased through the streets by bulls?  Watch a horse race in the middle of a densely packed Medieval square?  Ever see the Great Wall?  While the Internet has made it possible for us to explore and learn about almost any topic that interests us,  it doesn’t replace the invaluable experiences you can have by actually living in another country.  What a wonderful opportunity to expand your understanding of different cultures by actually walking the streets,  eating different foods,  speaking with the people who live there and gaining insight into what influences them and their lives and earn college credits!
2. Increase Your Foreign Language Skills – Parlez-vous français,  Говорите ли вы Россию,  Parli italiano,  你会说中文吗？ Put those years spent learning French,  Russian,  Italian,  Chinese to great use by actually living in those countries and conversing with others around you.
3. Deciding on a Career – Travel abroad will expand your knowledge of whatever career path you are considering.   A business program will give students interested in international business skill sets that employers are eager to snap up after graduation.   What better way is there for aspiring art students to develop their talents than by spending time in the country their favorite artistic role models lived?   Time spent overseas has been the reason for many students to pursue medical and humanitarian careers.
4. Grow as a Person – Travel abroad can cause you to see yourself in a different light.   You will come to appreciate the differences and similarities between you and people living in different countries.   According to a study by IES Abroad,  students who chose this option experienced greater self-confidence,  expanded world views and that travel abroad sparked greater interest or even a change in their career path.
5. Lower College Costs – Worried about where to get the money to study abroad?  An article in US News and World Report shows that studying abroad and even earning a degree abroad can be a quarter to half the expense of comparable degree programs in the United States.

Dust Off Your Passport For College Travel Abroad

Interested?   Well dust off your passport, and give serious consideration to enrolling in a Study Abroad program.

Don’t yet have a passport?  Here are the US Dept of State regulations for first time applicants who are minors (under 16) and first time adult applicants (16 and over).   Routine applications are processed within 4 – 6 weeks,  and it usually takes some time to compile the info/docs you’ll need.

Studying abroad opens up many horizons and can change your life!  It will take your college resume to the WOW level,  give you great topics for college interviews and can easily be included in a bragTAG multi-media resume.   Imagine the interest level of a college admissions counselor as video of you running with those bulls comes to life before his or her eyes!

Check back with us over the next few weeks while we share with you ideas on the following tie-ins,  with key tips for high school students,  to this series:

• High School Students – Unleash the Explorer in You!
• Study Abroad as a GAP (no – NOT the jeans) Year
• What’s in YOUR suitcase? Hmmmm…the college travel abroad series!

There many choices to make about what to do after high school, but no matter which path you choose it’s a wonderful, exciting time in your life and …

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

Do you have an overseas travel or learning experience to share? Would you like to travel or study overseas, and where?

While colleges are battling on the basketball court, you find yourself waiting for that all-important envelope from the colleges you’ve applied to!  No matter the size of the envelope (or the email, or the YouTube video, or the “click on this link”) you will be faced with a decision, because there are three types of responses you’re going to receive…

1. ACCEPTANCE LETTER

Yea!  There it is – the answer you have been hoping for!  You have been accepted to the college of your choice!  Hold your head high, proudly [...]