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Monthly Planner - December
The month of
December is a pivotal time during the private school admissions process.
By this time both parents and students have invested a great deal of
energy into the research and preparation in the school selection process.
As the admission-testing period and application deadlines approach, it is
extremely important to take time to re-evaluate what you and your student
are trying to accomplish.
As with most undertakings, emotions play a major part in the process. The
joy of discovering that there are schools that will meet your student’s
every need are juxtaposed with the anger that a teacher hasn’t completed a
recommendation form and with the fear that your student might not be
accepted no matter what you do. These are all justified emotions that both
parents and students experience. Remember what will make this experience
successful is not just the outcome but what you and your student learn
during the process.
First and foremost, parents need to be thankful for their healthy and
intelligent student. Take the time to reassure your student of your love
and stress to them that their self-worth is not tied into what school they
attend. Reiterate the importance of education and that no matter which
school they attend it is imperative that they do well and work to their
full potential.
Secondly, take time with your student to develop a Plan B. If my student
is not accepted into one of these schools that they are applying for, what
school will they attend? Re-evaluate all alternatives - visit the
neighborhood school and talk with the principal and counselors; are there
charter schools or magnet programs that you had not considered? Is home
schooling an option?
Having an alternative education solution for your student is not a
declaration of defeat nor does it diminish the importance of seeking the
best possible education available for your student - what it does is
reduce the amount of stress and neutralize some of the emotions associated
with test taking, meeting deadlines and participating in up-coming
interviews. It also helps you and your student keep things in
prospective.
Another way to reduce some stress that your student might be experiencing
is to share some basic test taking strategies with them.
• Make sure they are well rested before their exams, even if this means
them going to bed an hour earlier than usual each day for a week before
they actually take the test.
• Although cramming is not recommended for these admissions tests, having
your student review their workbooks beforehand serves as a good
refresher.
• Gather all necessary materials they will need for the test the night
before, including their admit ticket, pencils, pens, identification, etc.
• Have your student dress in layers for the test. You want to make sure
your student is prepared to make any adjustments necessary if the room
temperature fluctuates during the test.
• Make sure your student arrives to the test site at least 30 minutes
before the start of the test, and if necessary, have an alternative means
of transportation lined up - just in case - something happens.
• Stress that your student understands and follows all verbal and written
instructions given at the test. Reiterate if they have any questions or
concerns at all to ask permission to speak with the instructor in charge.
• Boost their confidence and make sure they have a positive attitude.
Also, during the holidays create opportunities for your student to express
him or herself and truly listen to what they are saying. Take into careful
consideration their perspective as to what school will be best for them.
In their conversations with others, comments might have been mentioned
that they need further clarification regarding or they might have heard
other insights that you have not been privy to. Research also any
regulations that might affect their participation in extracurricular
activities when switching schools that need to be taken into
consideration.
These conversations will help increase their comfort level and help them
verbalize their opinions on their education and school selection, which
will be important during their interview sessions with their prospective
schools.
In regards to financial aid, 18% of all students attending a member
school of National Association of Independent Schools receive financial
aid with the average financial grant totaling $11,974.
(1)
If you will be applying for financial assistance to finance your student’s
private school education, as the year-end approaches start gathering your
financial records for the last two years. These documents will be needed
to complete the application process for School and Student Service for
Financial Aid/Educational Testing Service.
School and Student Service for Financial Aid/Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6657
Princeton, NJ 28541-6657
Help Line: 609-406-5380
"Provides an analysis of a family’s finances and determines a suggested
contribution for educational expenses. Each year, SSS publishes the
Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) to help private and independent schools
and agencies determine the financial need of their applicants. SSS doesn’t
make decisions about financial aid."
(1) http://www.nais.org/files/PDFs/NAISMemFactsNoSalarie_200708.pdf
Alice Dickerson, author,
"I’m going to high school. A Guide to the Private High School Admissions
Process"
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