The College Solutions Blog

Valuable insights from Lynn O’Shaughnessy
a nationally recognized college expert.

College readiness

August 21, 2009

Here’s Hope for the C Student

I read a story in The Wall Street Journall this week, which should make “B” and “C” students hopeful. Universities have traditionally based their college admission decisions primarily on a student’s grades and test scores. But some school, including Tufts University, Boston College and DePaul University, are now eager to evaluate applicants on noncognitive traits that have nothing to do...

August 14, 2009

Graduating from Berkeley in Two Years and Other Posts

Every weekend, I like to share the most recent college posts that I wrote for CBSMoneyWatch.com. The post that generated the most traffic — and great placement on CBSMoneyWatch.com — focused on a young woman, who graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in just two years.Even for a bright student that’s quite a feat. As I mention in the...

Ten Ways to Get Ready for College

I’m taking some time off from my college blog this week and a friend, Ruth McKinnie Braun, who is the creator of the great website: SuchASmartMom.com offered to pitch in and provide this post. Hope you enjoy it….. Summer is the perfect time for low-key college planning. Setting aside time for exploring college options without the pressure of homework, tests...

Great Reading Lists for Teenagers

One of the best ways you can prepare your teenager for college is to encourage them to read. As a practical matter, a teenager who reads is not only likely to achieve better grades in high school, but also earn higher scores on the SAT or ACT. I understand how hard it can be to get many teenagers to read....

Transferring to a Different College

When my daughter’s friends came home from their freshmen year in college, most of them were happy campers. A few of Caitlin’s friends, however, weren’t thrilled with their college choices. It shouldn’t be any surprise that universities don’t always click, but there are plenty of opportunities for college transfers. I saw this happen with one of Caitlin’s dearest friends who...

Studying for the SAT: Is It Worth It?

Will students who take SAT prep courses increase their test scores? To me the answer is obvious. Of course, you can boost your test scores through SAT preparation. Both of my children have benefited by attending an SAT prep course, My daughter’s score jump ed by at least 120 points. And my son, who just got his SAT scores back,...

A Baby SAT Test Bites the Dust

How would you like your kid to take a pre-pre-pre SAT test? The College Board thought this would be a ducky idea. So last fall the testing juggernaut announced that it was going to inflict a baby SAT on — get this — middle schoolers. “This is not a pre-pre-pre SAT,” a College Board VP insisted at the time, but...

Why Teens Take AP Classes

The number of high school students who are taking Advance Placement classes is skyrocketing. In 2002, 1 million students took at least one AP exam, but five years later the teens signing up for a AP test jumped more than 50% to 1.6 million students. Is all this popularity a good thing? Probably not. Curious about this trend, the Thomas...

The Pros and Cons of Summer School for Teenagers

Is your teenager contemplating going to summer school? Just thinking back to my daughter’s summer school experience gives me the chills. When Caitlin was in high school she took an honor’s chemistry class during the summer. She spent about 12 hours a day studying chemistry. It was hellish, but then the girls’ high school she attended was an academic meat...

Eating for the SAT Test

Usually when my son Ben arrives home after school he strides right past my office and pretends he doesn’t hear my stock question: How was your day? But yesterday was different. He walked up to me and mumbled something that sounded like, “Mom, you were right.” I was stunned and curious about what could have prompted this remarkable observation. “You...