Dr. Bob gives practical and insightful advice that will develop your skills and the edge to become really ready for college.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Planning your college visit (Part 3 of 3)

What to take with you
To prepare for your college visits, create an academic profile for yourself and take it along to show the various people you meet. Besides showing your academic success, list your extracurricular activities (including sports and music) and any part-time jobs. Also, take a copy of your high school transcript and records of your standardized test scores, like the PSAT, PLAN, ACT, and/or SAT. The profile should also show courses you plan to take to finish your high school program.

Monday, June 7, 2010

When you visit the Admissions Office (Part 2 of 3)

College visits are arranged though an Admissions Office. Call or email this office, and get the name of the admissions counselor you talk to. This is your contact person going forward.

Ask if you will receive printed information before your visit. Let the counselor know that you want to visit several offices (see below), and ask the counselor to set up appointments for you with these offices. While many college admissions counselors try to answer all the questions students and parents have, insist on speaking to people in particular offices because their special knowledge of certain areas will make you better informed. Plus, it’s always helpful to have the names of individual college officials to contact when questions occur to you after your visit.

Confirm your visit with this counselor by email.

During your college visits, you should ask a lot of questions.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Visiting Colleges and Universities (Part 1 of 3)

Summer is a good time to visit colleges. It’s a convenient time for both you and your family. (Don’t forget to take your parents along!) And because colleges offer courses even during the summer months, you can visit classes and talk to enrolled students.

When should you visit colleges?

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Difference between colleges & universities

Summer is the time that many families visit colleges. This article begins a multiple-part series about visiting colleges. Check back every few days to read about another topic. Today, we begin with the basics.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Interview with WPR's Kathleen Dunn

Listen to Dr. Bob talk with Kathleen Dunn and address listeners' questions about preparing for college in high school.


Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Dr. Bob's recent TV interview about his new book



With anchor Portia Young
Broadcast on WISN ABC 12 in Milwaukee

Monday, April 26, 2010

Free Q&A Event with Dr. Bob

What is it:
Get to know the author of Are You Really Ready For College? and find answers to how high school students can become better prepared for college

When is it:

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27

Where is it:

At the Open Book store located at 4093 N. Oakland Ave in Shorewood.

Map it:

Click here for directions to the Open Book store

Attend the event and get 20% off your book purchase

Monday, March 29, 2010

The long-term consequences of cramming for tests

A dictionary definition of cramming would be something like this: “trying to quickly force material in a container that cannot hold it.” This definition just about sums up the disastrous “learning” technique that so many students have adopted in recent years. For many, it is the normal way of studying. It’s a habit that will produce dire consequences in college.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Start planning for college in the sophomore year

For the student who is really serious about college, early planning is the key to the whole college selection and application process. How early? During the sophomore year of high school, students should begin the college search process. What does that mean?

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Standardized tests require systematic preparation, not a casual attitude

Standardized tests are just a fact of educational life. And it’s a real alphabet stew: SATs, ACTs, APs, IBs, LSATs, MCATs, DATs, GMATs, GREs.

Students get their first taste of bubbling answers with number-two pencils in second grade. Such tests continue through elementary and middle school to rank students and mark their academic progress.

In high school, however, standardized tests take on a new meaning: They become qualifying tools used by colleges to admit or reject students.