College Bound Consulting

Old School Writing Workshop: Helping students master the fundamentals of good writing

We (Anita and Molly) launched the Old School Writing Workshop (OSWW) in the Fall of 2009 in response to the need, described by parents we know, for better writing instruction for our children. Most seem to agree that while we are blessed to live in communities that offer our children an excellent education, our grade school kids lack competence in the core writing skills crucial to their success in high school, college, and the "real" world. The need for better instruction is compounded by the effects of communication technology: our children live in a world where the ever-more-casual written and spoken word dominates their lives. Still, parents know that strong communication skills --those that include proper grammar, strong vocabulary, well-supported opinions, and audience awareness-- can set students (and adults, for that matter) apart. With all of that in mind, last summer we set out to offer the community a writing course focused on the "old school" skills that parents once took for granted as part of any complete education. The result of our efforts is the Old School Writing Workshop. Twelve middle-school students have completed the OSWW Fundamentals course. Starting in Fall 2010, Kate Dulla will co-lead all OSWW programs, including the Fundamentals session, with Molly.

What can you expect your middle-school child to gain from participating in the OSWW Fundamentals course? One message we try to convey clearly to parents and students is this: strong writing skills do not develop overnight. The process is more organic and messy than it is linear; it involves periods of struggle and success, and skills must be refined continually. For students to improve, they have to put forth consistent, focused effort over years. The OSWW is a jump start for writers committed to improving. Commitment means work: those kids who put in the effort to carefully do their homework (about 30-45 minutes per week) gain the most. After the workshop ends, students are better prepared to tackle their writing assignments with confidence; parents, should they choose to be involved (something we strongly suggest), should have a solid understanding of how they can help their student progress. What we promise is that kids leave the class with a better understanding of parts-of-speech, proper grammar and punctuation, sentence structure, and good paragraph construction; each student also will be familiar with effective self-editing/revision skills. It is then up to them, with the support of their parents, to exercise those writing muscles with discipline. To help kids and parents with that, we will be offering more programs, like Spot Tutoring , to meet the writing needs of kids entering or already in high-school.

   

OSWW welcomes Kate Dulla

Starting this fall, OSWW clients will meet Kate Dulla, a Hinsdale native and Western Springs resident, who brings us her wisdom from over ten years of teaching high-school English.  In addition to instructing in the English departments of Riverside Brookfield High School and Hinsdale Central High School, Kate has tutored one-on-one for years. She shares our belief that students need to develop strong fundamental writing skills, but that building those skills need not be a tedious, boring experience. Kate will be co-instructing the Fundamentals workshop with Molly. She will also be available to "spot tutor" high school students seeking help with their writing assignments.

Change to 2010-11 Common Application Opening Day

Unlike in years past, it appears that the 2010-11 Common Application will not go live this year until August 1st.  The organization is apparently making this change in order to accomodate high schools that do not finish until late June, and need to use the system to send final transcripts for the senior class.

CBC Updates: Class of 2009 Acceptances

Congratulations to the Class of 2009! I truly enjoyed working with last year's seniors and wish them every success in college. Following is a list of the schools where my clients from the Class of 2009 were accepted: American University, Ball State University, Boston University, Butler University, Colorado College, University of Colorado-Boulder, Connecticut College, Denison University, University of Denver, University of Hartford, Illinois State University, University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana, Indiana University-Bloomington, University of Kansas, Lake Forest College, Marquette University, University of Maryland-College Park, Miami University, University of Miami, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Middlebury College, University of Missouri-Columbia, Ohio University, Old Dominion University, University of Pittsburgh, Pitzer College, Purdue University, Radford University, University of Redlands, Santa Clara University, Southern Methodist University, St. Norbert College, Syracuse University, Texas Christian University, Trinity College, Tulane University, University of Vermont, Villanova University, Wake Forest University, Wesleyan University, University of Wisconsin.

-Anita

CBC Updates: Announcement

I have decided to expand the CBC team in order to meet the growing time demands for CBC services.  During the 2009-10 school year Molly Hughes will be assisting me by researching and visiting colleges, publishing a regular electronic newsletter, and meeting with some freshman and sophomore students.  Molly worked with an independent college counselor while attending Hinsdale Central High School. She went on to earn a B.A. in Spanish Literature with an English minor from Boston College, as well as an a M.B.A. from the University of Virginia.  I am thrilled that you and I will benefit from Molly's insight, ideas, and energy during the coming year.

-Anita

Higher Ed Highlights: Test services, College rankings

The SAT test is one of the most controversial issues in the world of college admissions.  This recent article on test preparation services only adds fuel to the already lively debate.

Inside Higher Ed broke this story about a Clemson University staff member who outlined precisely how the university seeks to  "Manipulate, Er, Influence 'U.S. News'". This information will give you a new lens with which to read the college rankings.

This commentary on college rankings appeared in the Boston Globe in response to the much talked about Clemson revelations.  We wholeheartedly agree that formulas cannot capture the most important qualities of a school.  Even if the college ranking organizations were able to gather unmanipulated data, we must remember that the top ranked schools are not the best schools for every applicant.