College Advisors - Merit Educational Consultants, LLC

Faulty Infrastructure: How education can help rebuild our economy

2011-11-02T11:40:00.000-07:00

The era of the Great Depression is one of the most memorable within our nation’s young history. Very few were immune to its wrath. American citizens faced inconceivable job loss, homelessness, and hunger while the government frantically worked to solve the issues that created the downward spiral. The same could be said about today’s economy. As parents and educators, there are certain things we can do to help our children survive and thrive during these difficult times.

This week, President Obama gave a speech that focused on one solution to the unemployment epidemic: rebuilding faulty infrastructure across the U.S. that would not only beautify and repair our nation, but would also provide jobs for those out of work. Sound familiar? It should. In 1934 President Roosevelt created the Civil Works Administration, part of the New Deal, which provided jobs to over four million men and women across the nation. The newly employed wholeheartedly embraced their jobs as they fixed damaged roads, faulty bridges, parks, playgrounds and city buildings. Roosevelt’s goal was to rebuild the nation, lift broken spirits, and employ the unemployed. The parallel between Obama’s speech this week, and Roosevelt’s CWA is clear.

Of course, there are skeptics who claim that Obama is simply utilizing scare tactics to help his platform, but regardless of what side of the political fence you stand on, we can all agree on one thing: we need to decrease the unemployment rate and fast. So, what can we do to solve the unemployment problem?

Obama is on the right track with this idea. The CWA provided over four million jobs in the 1930’s, and a similar plan could very well work in today’s failing economy. Can you imagine creating four million jobs to our unemployed, virtually overnight? I will concede that while more jobs would be fantastic, it would only solve this problem temporarily. What if we could employ our youth in drumming up long-term solutions? What if we could empower them and entrust them with the ability to contribute to a flourishing economy? We most certainly can! Not only will we provide our youth with the confidence they are going to need in their adult lives, but our teens will be replacing our government officials faster than we can say “recession;” so why not educate them on the crises and allow them to contribute their ideas and solutions?

As a parent, educator, and founder of one of the most successful private schools in the nation, each of my students are required to “Do a Project” as a prerequisite to graduation. Each student chooses a project that is near and dear to them. Their projects revolve around an idea they are passionate about, and they work on it for the entirety of their high school career. Just to provide you with a few examples of the amazing projects completed by my students, some of the projects included creating the hydrogen fuel cell, the Pharmaceutical Disposal Proposal, CPR for Life, and the creation of the Progressive Brake Light System; only to name a few. These programs have reached countless people and changed society for the better, all while getting them into their top-choice colleges. The Project has the potential to change the world, and students reap the benefits when they receive letters of acceptance into the top colleges they applied for, (not to mention the satisfaction they receive knowing they have positively contributed to the society, and the knowledge that one person really does have the ability to make a difference).

In today’s economic climate, the population seems to glare at our elected politicians with a scrutinizing eye. We wonder why they have failed us, and what they will do to fix it. Sure, they should take the reins and help to solve problems like unemployment and the budget deficit; but by the same token, we should remember that old adage: if you want something done right, do it yourself. So, what are you doing to help solve our nation’s problems, because surely badmouthing our politicians isn’t going to fix a darn thing.

Talk with your family. Include your children in the conversation. If you could describe your perfect world, what would it be like, and how would you achieve it? Choose one of your ideas and put it into action. We can all make a difference, and getting our teens to do a project is a smart way to make it happen.

Need a required course to graduate? Don’t worry: there are many alternatives.

2011-10-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

It can be challenging to enroll in all of the classes you need each semester, especially with the recent budget cuts. With fewer courses available and rising enrollment rates, completing the classes you need for your major can be a challenge. Not only do you run the risk of having to take classes you don’t want or even need, but more importantly, you may not graduate in time. For you, this means an extra year at school (and surely you’d rather be traveling or beginning your career instead). For your parents, that extra year could cost them an extra $10,000 to $50,000 depending on where you attend school. After sitting on wait lists and standing behind long lines of students trying to get into the same class, you realize you just aren’t getting in-- so now what? You have a couple of options.

First, make an appointment with your college advisor. In some cases, they may find a class you have already completed, and use it to fulfill two requirements. They can also help you select courses for the future that will fulfill multiple requirements. I once worked with a student that took an upper-division class as a freshman—not only did she pass it, but she got an A. The advisor worked with her to make that class count for two graduation requirements rather than one. Your advisor wants you to succeed just as much as you do.

Second, layout your course plan for the entire four years. By understanding what general-ed classes you need to take and selecting your major and elective courses ahead of time, you'll be able to take full advantage of your college's opportunities. When it comes time to enroll in classes, you won't be frantically combing through the Schedule of Classes to decide what classes you need and what your schedule will look like.

Third, if you know that one of the classes on your list is going to be difficult to get into, meet with the professor ahead of time to discuss why you need and want to take their class. By making a connection with the professors, they will be more inclined to select you off the wait list when the time comes for registration. If a professor wants to add you to their course, they can and will.

Another option, if all else fails, is to take the class at a different college. Oftentimes a nearby community college will offer a course that satisfies your requirements. Most universities allow up to sixty community college units towards your degree. You can also take an online course, if your college accepts them. More colleges are accepting the fact that their students may need to take additional courses off campus in order to graduate on time. And don’t worry, there is no mention of it on your diploma.

Getting into the classes you need can be extremely stressful. Waiting an extra day, or even an extra hour past your enrollment time could mean the difference between a timely graduation and another year. Courses fill up in a matter of minutes, so be sure you know your enrollment time and set your alarm so you don't miss it!. If you are on top of it all, and you still can’t get in, don’t fear--there are usually other options out there. Last, and most importantly: don’t forget to carefully layout your entire four-year plan so selecting courses at your enrollment time slot is easy and not burdened with choosing classes.

Let them have their cake and eat it too!

2011-10-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Your children don't need to sacrifice their joyful youth in order to have an exceptional academic career. . . this is the story of how my girls pursued their passions and interests, and still graduated from Stanford and Claremont McKenna College.

I am an American Tiger Mom. What kind of parent are you? Have you wondered if your friends parent the same way in the privacy of their own homes as they do in front of others? Perhaps you appear calm, collect and in control while others are watching, but behind closed doors, your kids rule the roost. Speaking for myself, an American Tiger Mom’s parenting style is unwavering whether there is an audience or not. So again I ask: what kind of parent are you… and why? Is your method of parenting going to result in your children’s success or demise?

New parents don’t receive a how-to book on the proper way to raise our children; so we utilize every resource we can to help us raise our children into happy, healthy, and independent adults. We reference our own childhoods, examining what our parents did that worked and what didn’t. We look to other parents to admire and emulate their successes, while scrutinizing other’s blatant failures. Much of parenting is trial and error, but it all comes down to one thing: we don’t want to lose our kids. As parents leave the hospital with their precious newborns in tow, and without that ever-desired parenting manual, they can find solace in knowing that there are some tried and true ways of successful childrearing. Having raised two daughters who are well-rounded, happy and extraordinarily successful, I want to share with others what has worked for me as an American Tiger Mom.

I know that my children are intelligent, skillful leaders. I made it a priority to provide them with a strong academic foundation so that they would be able to choose the best-fit college and career, enabling them to lead happy and fulfilled lives. An American Tiger Mom exposes her children to music, dance and the arts so they may lead enriched lives, complete with a strong academic foundation. While some may scrutinize my way of parenting as overly-strict, I am quick to remind them that I never deprived my children of their social lives or striped them of their personal identities. They are confident young ladies with their own interests; I am only here to support and reassure them that they are fully capable of accomplishing anything.

In the parenting world, we are labeled and categorized based on our parenting styles. The most widely used titles include the Tiger Mom, the Helicopter Mom, and more recently, the American Tiger Mom. Each subcategory of mother is quite different, although we do have something in common: we all think we are doing what is in our child’s best interest. I can assure you however, that each of these parenting styles is very different.

The Tiger Mom has been called the dictator of all mothers. You may recall Amy Chua’s book “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” where she boasted that her children were never allowed to attend a sleepover, have a play date, watch television, play video games, or choose their own extracurricular activities. They were forced to master the piano and violin, and were strictly forbidden to explore other musical interests. She proudly admits to calling one of her daughters “garbage.” Convinced that her kids are successful because of her authoritarian parenting style, she is eager to claim that all Tiger Mom’s are superior. Where then do we see the individuality and leadership in these children? The Tiger Mom is afraid that her children are incapable of finding the correct passion, so she makes executive decisions and drills them relentlessly until they have become the people she wants them to be. While this may work in some societies, it denies the children the opportunity to explore their interests and to experience their youth like their peers in our American culture.

Another infamous type of parent is the Helicopter Mom. Simply put, she hovers. She is always one step ahead of her children so that she can fight their battles. She prevents any possible failures, and will even boast that her child got an A on their last science project…. Because she did it herself! The Helicopter Mom often does her child’s homework so that they are not inconvenienced by doing “busy work.” By doing their schoolwork for them, Helicopter Moms are sending a message to their children that they don’t believe they can succeed on their own. There was an incisive article published by CNN recently titled “What teachers really want to tell parents.” The article aptly discussed the many ways that helicopter parents are helping their children fail in school (and in life for that matter) because of their parenting style. In addition to doing everything for their child short of eating their meals for them, the Helicopter Mom is adamant that her kids are signed up for as many activities as possible. Keeping up with the Jones’ is extremely important to her, and she gets an immense amount of satisfaction from being able to say that she spent her entire day driving her kids to every paid activity that her community offers. Even if their actions are genuinely well-intended, Helicopter parents are setting their kids up for a lifetime of failure.

Surely if you are reading this article, parenting is an important aspect of your life. As an American Tiger Mom, an educator, and the founder of one of the nation’s most elite private schools, I can honestly say that as I reflect on the way my daughters were raised, I am proud! My girls have made inspiring contributions to society, have graduated from Stanford University and Claremont McKenna College; and they did not have to sacrifice their childhoods to do so.

Sending kids off to college during a recession

2011-09-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

I read an article at Today.com that explored the correlation between home values and college attendance; and once again, I began to think about families who are struggling in this recession and how they will provide their children with a higher education.

The article, "Want to go to college, kid? Check the home value," took into account statistics from the 2000's when the housing market was thriving, compared to the deteriorating housing market of our current decade. The article suggests that when home values are up, so are college attendance rates; but I am not convinced this is accurate. I would suggest rather, that parents encourage their children to complete their general education requirements at the local community college prior to receiving their diploma at a four-year college. Tuition, fees and living expenses for a California junior college students are currently estimated to be around half of what it costs to attend a University in California. Those costs can be cut even more substantially if the student lives at home during their time at community college. The numbers speak for themselves: California Community College per year is $5,650, whereas the yearly cost of sending your child to a UC is $28,600. Quite a difference! The best part about this option...once your child transfers to a four-year school and graduates, there is no mention of the junior college on their diploma. So, even if home values are plummeting, parents still want to see their kids get their education, and this is a reasonable avenue that many people are taking advantage of.

With that said, I have seen the junior college option both succeed and fail. The deciding factor: whether the student plans out their four year college plan. Merit offers four-year plan to help the student understand their options before before they head off to college. With the parents' support, the student is more likely to stay on course and complete their degree in 4 years than if they just start taking classes and make course decisions based on availability and personal whims. The student is also more inclined to sign up for classes at the first opportunity because they won't have to scramble to see which classes they need to take. What many students don't realize is that every minute they delay registration puts them at risk for falling behind-- if they wait to sign up for a class, they need it may become unavailable, thereby postponing their transfer. Due to recent budget cuts, many of the coveted classes are more difficult to get into; and if they can't take the classes they need according to the plan that was laid out, this could add a year to their college stay. What does that mean for the person footing the bill? Anywhere between $10,000 and $55,000 per year! If they cannot get into a class, I suggest taking an online course, or even attending a nearby community college to be sure they stay on schedule. For the critical courses, the student should contact the professor directly to ensure enrollment.

Lastly, it is important to acknowledge that sending your child off to college can be a risky investment. There are some kids who don't plan on taking college seriously. They aren't ready for the real world and look at college as a great opportunity to party with friends for four years, and this will most certainly put your finances at risk. Rob and I safeguarded our pocketbooks, while simultaneously encouraging our daughters' academic success by creating "contracts" that showed them that we would happily support them if they got good grades, but that they were on their own if their grades dropped.

The fact is, we are all living in a recession right now; to what degree depends on the individual family. Even if the value of your home has fallen, there are realistic options when it comes to sending your child off to college. Their education doesn't have to break the bank, and your financial woes don't have to affect their future.

Are your children empowered with the necessary study and time-management skills needed for academic success?

2011-09-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

As a new academic year begins, it is crucial that students possess the ever-important skills of studying and time management. These two skills are inseparable from each other, and once mastered, they are the key to educational achievement.

The same poor excuses for bad grades have been used for generations: “I am a bad test taker,” “My teacher didn't give us a study guide,” “I have a bad short-term memory.” Surely you have heard someone use at least one, if not all of these explanations for bad performance in school; and maybe you’ve even used them yourself. These excuses are nothing more than that -- excuses. Many students claim that they learn best by reviewing their notes the night before the test and that when they study earlier in the week, they just forget everything by the time they take their tests. These students will also tell you that they can't remember the information that they aced for the test the following week, which means that it was not commited to long-term memory. Without learning the material well enough to understand it, they will inevitably do poorly on the final exam or any tests that build on concepts learned the previous week. With the right study skills, however, anyone can excel in each of their classes, even if they do prefer English over math.

Let’s say for instance that you know your high-school student has a test coming up at the end of the week. You ask them if they are studying each day, and they reply with an honest “yes.” To them, looking through their notes or completing a homework study guide is studying. When they get C's on their tests, they blame the grade on "difficult tests" but they don't realize that what really happened was that they didn't understand the material on the test because they weren't prepared. Simply flipping through flashcards and reviewing a study guide doesn’t cut it. Your student needs to understand all of the material. It's not just memorizing facts but having a comprehensive understanding. If your son or daughter is able to have a discussion on the subject and capable of arguing how they came to their conclusion, they are on the right track. As an educator, I have heard every excuse in the book when a student does poorly; and alternatively, I have seen students ace their tests when they prepare by studying the way I advise them to.

First and foremost, effective study skills revolve around proper time management. The only way for your child to finish all of their tasks and to get good grades is to prioritize and manage their time, this way, nothing important is forgotten. My students use their planners to abide by a “four-day plan” when preparing for a test. If your child has a vocabulary test on Friday, then beginning on Monday, the student makes flash cards that will help them study throughout the week. Writing the information down is an act of effective studying in and of itself. On Tuesday, they use their flashcards to write out sentences for each word. Again, reading and re-writing help to cement the information into long-term memory. Wednesday they take a practice test. When they are done, they will see what areas need extra work prior to test date. By Thursday, they should have the majority of their practice tests mastered. If they are still having difficulty in any specific area, they still have a day to meet with their teacher. Not only will this help the student to conceptualize all of the information, but it will also show the teacher that your child is dedicated to learning and has the desire to succeed. This is something that will not be forgotten as they are grading tests! Having a planner is crucial to this process because they block off chunks of time to study each day, and your student can see how this time fits into their daily schedule. Accounting for studying, socializing, eating and even a nap will ensure that everything gets done in a timely manner.

The four-day plan is not limited to test taking. These study skills can be utilized for learning concepts, writing papers, or doing projects throughout the year, and not just in crunch time. The four-day plan should be repeated weekly, and when done so properly, test time is much easier because your student already knows, understands, and owns the information they will be tested on. Students at Merit abide by the following weekly schedule: Monday includes reading, highlighting and outlining materials. The student re-writes the information in a way that makes sense to them. On Tuesday, they are encouraged to seek out multiple perspectives on the subject. For instance, if they have been studying the hydrogen fuel cell in class, they should go online and/or to the library and read additional materials. This allows them to get a more complete understanding on the subject, and not just a one-dimensional perspective. On Wednesday the student re-writes all of the information they have collected through reading, lectures, secondary sources, etc. Compiling all of the information will help them to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together- it will all start clicking. By Thursday, the student should be able to have a discussion on the subject. If they were to be challenged on the information they are presenting, they should be able to argue their point; understanding that there are no black and white answers. If they are able to do this, they have a full conceptual understanding of the material, and not just what is required for answering specific questions. Finally, on Friday, I have them do their “All’s.” “All’s” combine all of the information they have studied this week, with all of the information they have learned from the beginning of the school year. By doing their “All’s” they truly understand what they are learning, while simultaneously preparing for comprehensive final exams at the end of the semester.

If this seems like a rigorous study process, that’s because it is. I can assure you though, that it is through this method alone that I have seen my students succeed. Like everything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. If you do the work now, you will undoubtedly see the returns later. These study skills will be invaluable when your child enters college, because they will truly have the “right” kind of study skills they need for a more challenging and rigorous education.

5 Tips to Graduating in the Top 5% of your College Class!

2011-09-20T08:44:00.001-07:00

College Students: Five Simple Ways to Graduate in the Top 5% of Your Class

So, you’ve been accepted into a great college and you are ready to embark on a new and exciting phase of your life. If you are a freshman, your mind is likely spinning with thoughts of dorm-life, balancing your social life with your education, and which classes to take. It’s an exciting time, and the possibilities are endless! If you are entering your sophomore year in college, your nerves have probably calmed down from this time last year, and you know what to expect. A common denominator amongst all grade levels is this: why are you really here and how can you make the very best of it?

You are here for all of it: the education, the friendships, the extracurricular activities, and the training for your adult life. Now, I want you to picture something; graduation day. It may seem far off, but in reality, it will be here before you know it. Imagine yourself in that cap and gown, your family is sitting in the crowd, and the College Provost announces your name as you cross the podium to receive your diploma. In this single moment, all of your hard work and perseverance is tangible and has paid off. What could be better than that? It may sound silly, but now imagine yourself wearing the tassels that indicate that you’ve graduated in the top of your class; and instead of simply hearing your name called along with the other hundreds of students they announce that you have graduated with University Honors and Magna Cum Laude Honors. What an amazing feeling! Believe me when I tell you, it is completely and utterly attainable!

I urge you to strive for this goal, and I will give you five tips that will help you accomplish this feat. Not only will it give you an incredible sense of accomplishment that you will carry with you throughout your life, but it will also help you tremendously as you begin looking for a career, applying for jobs, and if you are considering Graduate School. These Honors carry more weight than you can imagine.

Tip #1: BE PRESENT. Attend class each and every day. There will be days when you are too sick to get out of bed, or you have an appointment you cannot miss; so reserve your excused absences for these occasions, rather than skipping class to sleep in or for a lunch date. Sit near the front. Your professor will recognize your face, and if you sit near the front of the class you will be less likely to daze off, doodle, or check your Facebook account on your laptop. Actively listen to the lecture and participate in discussions. Your professor is not there to hear their own voice- they are truly there because they want to teach you something; and hey, you are paying big bucks to be there…get your money’s worth! All of these actions will get you noticed by your professors and T.A.’s, and when it comes time for them to grade you and write evaluations, they will absolutely remember that you were an active participant in class. Being present could mean the difference between a C and an A.

Tip #2: ATTEND OFFICE HOURS. In addition to attending lecture and sections, your professors will have weekly office hours. As they will tell you, it is rare that students utilize this time. They set aside these hours so that you can come ask questions, discuss materials and ideas, and get input on future assignments. Your professors will not proofread your papers for you, but if you attend office hours and talk to them about your assignment, they will certainly tell you if you are headed in the right direction or not. Even if you don’t nail your assignment, they will remember that you made the effort by coming to office hours. And once again, come grading time, this will most definitely be something they remember and will take account of in your grade. This is a skill set that you will utilize throughout your life, and will prepare you for those quarterly meetings with your boss and/or your employees.

Tip #3: MEET WITH YOUR ADVISOR EACH QUARTER/SEMESTER.
Your advisor is there to help you and will see things that the untrained eye (yours) will not. She or he can tell you if you are on the right track, have missed an important required course, and may even suggest classes that will complete more than one requirement. Your advisor is your advocate and they want nothing more than for you to succeed. Students that utilize their college advisors have a much higher rate of success; either graduating within four years, and sometimes even sooner.

Tip #4: MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY. As you begin attending lectures you will immediately discover that you have tons of work to do in a short period of time. How will you get those three books read, two papers written, attend all of your classes, and make it to office hours this week without stressing yourself out completely? Without question, you are going to need to manage your time. Get a planner. Figure out exactly when you need to be reading, writing, attending a study group, eating, sleeping, etc. You should have each day mapped out by the hour. It may sound tedious, but I promise you, if you abide by this very simple plan, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve completed your work on time and to the best of your ability. You will never have to walk into class and realize you’ve forgotten there was a paper due that day, or that you missed an important quiz. Prioritizing your work and time will make you an excellent student and will set you apart from the rest of your peers.

Tip #5: NEVER FORGET: YOUR EDUCATION IS A GIFT. It doesn’t matter whether someone is paying your tuition for you, or you are financing college on your own; your education is a gift that no one can ever take away from you. The old adage, “Knowledge is Power,” is absolutely true. Not only will it give you irreplaceable self-confidence that you can carry with you throughout your life, but it will improve your quality of life as well. Your education will assist you in finding a career you enjoy going to each day. College graduates earn a minimum of 50% more in salary than non-college graduates, and that is a low estimate. A college education is a gift that never stops giving.

If you have taken the time to read this article, I am certain that you are capable of graduating in the top 5% of your class. These five tips, when followed, will ensure your success in your college career. Challenge yourself. Have confidence in your abilities. Set goals and make them happen. Doing well in college comes down to the strength of your drive and motivation.

How to be an American Tiger Mom

2011-09-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Only extremely gifted children are capable of thriving regardless of their circumstances. For the rest of us, raising children to realize their full potential requires 18 years of proactive, creative, and dedicated parenting. My daughters were no exception. My husband and I are normal people of average intelligence, so Nicole and Jaclyn certainly didn’t get any super genes from us. How, then, did they get accepted to the most selective colleges in the country? Personal drive and tenacity.

Instilling these values within my girls has been my life’s work, and it wasn’t always easy. Because we were raising them in sunny, laid-back Santa Cruz, where terms like "First Place" are frowned upon, I found it especially difficult to ensure that they received a strong academic foundation. But I wanted to give my daughters the best. Despite the dispiriting state of education here in America, I’m not the type to sit back and blame others for our system’s lousy outcomes, nor was I about to let my daughters become just another statistic.

When Nicole was two, I decided to start a preschool program for her, which got a lot of raised eyebrows from other moms. At a time when other children were only encouraged to play, with the understanding that learning to read was something that would happen once they got to kindergarten, I found that both Nicole and Jaclyn enjoyed playing educational games that taught reading, math, and science readiness skills at an early age. They adored their preschool program, and the joy that they got from mastering these early challenges stoked the love of learning that all children are born with. Encouraged by these successes, I invited other children to join the program so they could play together and learn to socialize.

Eventually, Nicole started kindergarten at a private school, where she enjoyed the social interaction but was bored with the academics. One day, she asked why she learned more at home than she did in school. Realizing that I had no good answer for her, I decided then to start my own private school – Merit Academy – for my daughters. Once again, they thrived in the small classes of 3 to 6 students. As the director of the school, I was able to tweak the curriculum to meet their exact needs. They studied grammar, history, literature, and math at an accelerated rate, and were writing research papers by third grade. Once they’d reached high school, I reduced the class size to just one student so they would be able to engage with their teachers without the limitations of peer pressure.

My daughters and their classmates got an incredibly rich education at Merit, which not only consisted of individually tailored lectures, comprehensive research papers, and opportunities to acquire in-depth knowledge, but also included frequent field trips all over the world for them and their teachers. Most importantly, I designed their curriculum so that by the time they turned 18, they would have the academic, social, business, and professional skills to become anything they wanted. The girls helped me design the classes, and each trimester, they would select their own courses and teachers. While all of this may sound extravagant, it didn't cost me a penny because the costs of running the school were covered by the other students' tuition.

The girls were already flourishing at this point, but as Merit Academy’s college advisor, I encouraged each student to further demonstrate their creativity, initiative, and tenacity by doing an original, independent project. Nicole's first project was building a hydrogen fuel cell, and Jaclyn's was starting a videography business. Developing these projects on their own was the ultimate step to the girls’ empowerment. They had to learn how to overcome real-world obstacles, communicate with adults, and manage their time by balancing their multiple dance classes with their academic load.

Each success only further bolstered their confidence. By the time they’d started to apply to colleges, they both had four-page resumes that included the businesses and non-profits they’d started, the articles and books they’d published, and the research they’d conducted. Not only did they breeze through their college interviews with all of the interesting stories they had to share, they also received 80% of the scholarships they applied for. Nicole is currently in her third year at Stanford School of Medicine, and Jaclyn has accepted a job offer as a newly-minted graduate of Claremont McKenna College.

While I certainly did my best to give my daughters everything (within reason), I’m no Helicopter Mom; I neither tried to protect them from failure nor did any of their work for them. Likewise, I might seem like a Tiger Mom on the surface, given how actively and fiercely I was involved with their education, but that label doesn’t fit either. My girls had the freedom to choose their own classes, interests, and social activities, and they always knew that they had my unconditional love and support. I was neither an enabler nor a martinet. Rather, I believe I found the happy medium between these two extremes, a place from which I could be a guide to my children and provide them with the opportunities they needed to become accomplished, intelligent, responsible young adults. I am an American Tiger Mom.

College Contracts: Make One With Your College Freshman!

2011-09-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Contracts: They are everywhere in life when something important is on the line. When we start a new job, we sign a contract. When we purchase a house or that new car: a contract. As we embark on weighty events and decisions in life, more often than not, contracts are signed to ensure that all parties involved end up with the results they desire. Sending your child off to college should be no different, because hey, there is a lot on the line! First and foremost, your child's safety, happiness and success. Equally important: those ever-increasing college tuitions and fees. Books, rent, food, parking tickets, gas, insurance and let's not forget that cell phone bill. The list goes on and on. So, how can we be sure that our dear daughter or son is succeeding in college (and not just partying), as we send our hard-earned money off to them each month? It is really quite simple: creat a contract!

I can't tell you how many times I have heard the following scenario: a high school senior has been accepted to their college of choice. It's near the beach and supposedly there is a terrific guy to gal ratio....oh yeah, and they have a good psychology program too. The student admits, "well, my parents said I can go to college and they will pay my expenses, or I can get a job and make it on my own; so I chose college of course." With that attitude, how can the parents or student expect good grades and a fulfilling college experience? They can't. That is where the contract comes into the picture.

Before sending your child off as a freshman, sit them down and work out a contract that makes sense to everyone. In doing this, you give your child the autonomy that they desire as they enter adulthood, while simultaniously ensuring that you maintain control over your finances. Every child is different, and so will be every contract. Let's say hypothetically that you have agreed to pay for your son's tution, fees, rent and books. He has earned a GPA of 3.5 throughout high school, and therefor you can expect roughly the same level of achievement in college. The contract will specify that if he falls below a 3.5 GPA, you will continue to pay tuition and fees, but he will be responsible for financing his rent and books. Should he fall below a 2.5, he is responsible for paying for college entirely. The contract will be individualized completely around your and your child's expectations; but you can see how it will most certainly benefit every one. Additionally, if your 3.5 student surprises you with a 4.0 his first quarter, perhaps a reward (incentive) is in order...maybe you pay his cell phone bill that month.

The details of your contract will be completely individualized to your family, but having a contract could be one of the best decisions you make prior to sending your student off to college. Your child will have an additional insentive to maintain good grades, and you will keep control of your purse strings.

"Santa Cruz Educator's Book Chides 'Tiger Mom' "

2011-09-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

I was interviewed recently by journalist Chelsea Hawkins about my latest book, "Our Entitled Children: An American Tiger Mom's Story." The article was printed this week in two publications, and will be featured by the Huffington Post in the near future.

As you may know, I wrote the book in response to Amy Chua's book, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother." If you follow my blog (and clearly you do if you are reading this right now), Twitter, or Facebook pages, then you also know how ridiculous I found Chua's book to be. Writing this responsorial book in two weeks was not a difficult task, but rather something I felt compelled to do.

Parenting, as we well know, is a task that does not come with a handbook. We do our very best, often learning by trial and error, sometimes from other's successes and mistakes, and we find a parenting style that works for us as a family. We go through all of this with the hope that our children will grow up to be independent, self-sufficient, successful, and good human beings. Sure, everyone parents differently; but I genuinely disagree with Chua's style and I had to say something! "Our Entitled Children: An American Tiger Mom's Story" directly discusses Chua's controversial and infamous views.

Through Hawkin's article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, my wish is to open up a dialogue between parents about different parenting styles. Take a minute to read the article, and if you have any input, criticism, and thoughts I would love to hear them! As always, thank you for reading my blog!

The Five W's (and an H) When Considering Colleges

2011-08-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Who, what, when, where, how and why--when it comes to considering colleges. The short answer: as early as possible! The long answer: let's begin with the W's and that ever-important H.

Who: Your child
What: College
When: Now!
Where: Colleges that focus on your child's intended major
Why: Because every child deserves an education
How: The financial aspect

If you are a parent, this is a question that you likely thought of well before your first born even entered the world. How will we raise our children to be intelligent human beings? How will we afford college and ensure they will be prepared? Will they stay close to home or will they run for the hills? What will they want to study and "be" when they grow up? Personally speaking, these are questions that I thought of constantly as my children grew up. These questions turned into topics of regular conversation as my girls grew older.

When should you start thinking about college? As soon as possible! Integrate the topic into conversation when they enter school. Let your children know what is expected of them, and how a higher education will benefit them in their future. As your kids get ready to leave middle school and enter high school, college admissions should begin to take the front seat. What are your child's gifts and talents and how does she or he want to apply them to college and a career? What colleges are best known for the majors they are considering? When do those colleges begin taking applications and what are their deadlines? Is there anything we can do to make our applicant stand out amongst the thousands of other great applicants? These are all important questions that we should start thinking about early because college does not begin when you drop your student off at their dorm room; it begins NOW.

A helpful hypothetical:

Let's say for example that your daughter has always had a passion for helping animals. She has brought home every stray cat for the last fifteen years and nursed it back to health. She's volunteered at the local SPCA since she was eight years old, and maybe even started a non-profit group of her own that helps raise money for animal welfare. As she enters her freshman year in high school it is evident that she hopes to study veterinary medicine. It would be helpful to know that there are twenty-eight colleges in the U.S. that offer majors in veterinary medicine, and which of those schools are in the top five. With four years of high school ahead of her, you have time to learn what these colleges are looking for in their ideal candidates. Your child's high school transcript should reflect their hard work through their GPA, extracurricular activities, and individual projects. The next step is to stay on top of deadlines! Prepare for the SAT's and ACT's so that your daughter places well in her exams, thereby exhibiting both her intelligence and desire to attend college. It may seem like four years is a long time to decide on which colleges to apply to and to finish the application prerequisites, but believe me, it will go by in a flash! Lastly, as your daughter enters her senior year, be sure you are well aware of the college and scholarship application deadlines. As with any situation, if they wait until the last minute, they put themselves in an incredibly stressful situation that could have been easily avoided. Do yourself and your child a favor and keep these deadlines in the forefront of your mind and at the top of your priority list. Not only will it prevent unnecessary anxiety, but it will set a great example about the importance of time management for your child.

Once you begin to receive letters of acceptance (and realistically some of denial) you will be faced with the question of how you'll make college happen financially. Maybe you've been able to save up over the years with college in mind, or maybe you've had to dip into that nest egg for the unexpected, (because hey, life happens)! One avenue that is definitely worth exploring is that of scholarships and grants. So many people just assume they won't qualify that they don't bother to pursue these options. Big mistake. While it does take time, effort, hard work and persistence, this is one part of the college application that you don't want to skip. This is something you can research on your own; or if you have questions and/or doubts, College Advisors are a fantastic option available to you.

Sure, it may all seem a bit daunting: keeping your child on the right track, staying ahead of deadlines, and researching colleges until your head is spinning; but this is one aspect of your child's life that deserves your full attention. Higher education is an accessible gift that every person deserves, and the rewards are invaluable. Whether you are the parent of a six year-old or a sixteen year-old, college is a topic that you should be including in your daily dialogue.

I have created a short video that covers the basics of college advisory. I am confident that it will be helpful as you think about your college-bound student!

The Curious Case of Babymoons

2011-07-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

It used to be that a “babymoon” referred to the period of time that parents spent bonding with a newborn baby, but in recent years, people have instead been using it to describe a vacation that expectant parents take before the baby arrives. Whether it’s Natalie Portman or French First Lady Carla Bruni, the recent uptick in celebrity babymoons has been making more and more Americans aware of this phenomenon. The implication behind it, of course, is that once your baby arrives, life as you know it is over.

This way of thinking is understandable, since even the rich and famous, with their nearly limitless resources, apparently expect a newborn child to be a challenging addition to their lives. And while a new baby can be tough on anyone, having an army of nannies, housekeepers, and tutors at their disposal does make things a little easier! But what most normal middle-class parents don’t realize is that with a little bit of effort, planning, and ingenuity, they too can have those advantages for themselves. Instead of settling for a mediocre daycare center or paying $1,200-2,000 a month for childcare, you can have someone take care of your child, help her develop intellectually as well as socially, and cook meals and clean the house, all without paying a penny out of pocket. How? Simple: start your own daycare program. If you can enroll a few other children, their tuition will easily cover your costs.

That may seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it to have total control over where, how, and with whom your child spends her day, not to mention being able to have such an extravagant luxury for free. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry, because The Working Mother’s Guide to Free Child Care In Your Home (out on paperback and soon to be available on Kindle, Nook, and iTunes) will take you through the process step by step. Not only does it have detailed instructions for setting up a stimulating and enriching developmental curriculum from infancy all the way through preschool, there’s also advice on everything from finding the right caregiver, to getting licensed and insured, setting your rates, advertising your program, and even dealing with other parents. Read this book and you’ll be on your way to having free, high-quality child care in your home in no time. So go right ahead and have your babymoon, because with all the money you’ll save, you might as well enjoy that trip you’ve always wanted to take!

Worried about getting into college? Do a Project!

2011-06-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to budget cuts, California’s higher education system is going through tough times, and students from across the state are feeling the strain. We’ve already gone over the fact that the UC’s are now admitting a lower percentage of residents, which means that their ever-higher admissions standards are only getting more so for Californians. It’s becoming harder and harder to stand out. These days, with the abundance of AP and Honors classes offered at many high schools, a 3.6 GPA or even a 4.0 doesn’t get you nearly as far as it used to. Many students know this, and try to cram as many sports and extracurricular activities into their schedules as they can, but it can be hard to stand out even by doing that because so many kids take that approach.

If you’re an upcoming high school senior, not only does this make it harder to get into Berkeley or UCLA, it makes it harder to obtain quality financial aid once you get there. A UC Regents Scholarship is notoriously difficult to get, and is reserved for only the most exceptional students. So, how can you convince them that you’re exceptional and put yourself over the top? By doing a Project - an original undertaking outside the classroom that reflects your interests and aspirations. A Project can take many forms; you could start a business, invent a new product, produce a film, publish a book, or campaign for policy changes. What’s important is that by accomplishing something unique and impactful, you’ll be demonstrating the creativity, initiative, and tenacity that admissions officers truly covet.

Projects have helped many Merit students get into the college of their dreams. My own daughters, Nicole and Jaclyn, impressed many an admissions officer with their tales of starting a nonprofit for alternative energy and building a hydrogen fuel cell. Not only did they get into their first choice of colleges, they also received 80% of the scholarships they applied for, including Jaclyn's $10,000 Toyota Community Scholars award.

Because they involve accomplishing something in the real world, projects put you in touch with leaders of science, industry, and politics. They also help you develop your entrepreneurial skills, hone your ability to do independent research, and learn to interact with the media. Not only will of this give you a wealth of insight into who you are and what careers you’re best suited for, it’ll also endow you with the self-confidence that comes from knowing that you did something very few kids your age even attempt – change the world for the better.

To learn more about doing a Project, read the book or visit our website!

University of California now admitting less Californians

2011-06-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

Californians have long had the best public university system in the world, but because of our ongoing budget crisis, current high school students and their parents are facing some grim realities. In order to cope with expected budget cuts of $500 million to $1 billion, the University of California system is continuing to increase the number of admissions slots offered to out-of-state applicants, who pay three times as much tuition as residents do. Out-of-state admissions share now stands at 18%, up from 11.6% just two years ago. That translates to about 4,700 well-qualified Californians who will be denied admission to their own universities in favor of nonresidents.

Some of this shortfall can be made up for by the California State University system, whose local campuses offer admissions guarantees for regions historically served by that campus. That means that a high school student from San Jose is guaranteed a spot at San Jose State as long as he meets the minimum of a 2.45 GPA and 1550 SAT I score (no other criteria required). These campuses then fill the rest of their slots with the best applicants from across the state. While this is extremely helpful for many borderline students, it raises its own set of problems, especially for average students who don’t live near a CSU campus, like those from Santa Cruz. Not only are they not guaranteed admission into either of the public university systems that their parents pay taxes for, they face the likelihood of being bumped from a school with a good program in their chosen major by a less-qualified student who either can pay more (in the case of UC’s) or lives in the local area (in the case of CSU’s).

Many of us are understandably frustrated, even outraged, that our own taxpayer-funded universities are restricting our options for an affordable, high-quality education. But at the same time, could losing spots to nonresidents actually be, as the UC Regents claim, “better for Californians?” After all, the alternative is even deeper cuts to already-strained departments and services, at a time when some science majors are already taking 5 to 6 years to complete because of the dearth of available classes. Parents of California, which do you think is the more important mission for the UC’s to prioritize: providing the highest possible quality of education, or continuing to serve the people of this state?

Working in the summer? Learn how to get FREE Child Care!

2011-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

Now that summer and the end of the school year are fast approaching, working moms and dads, especially those with young children, will soon have to confront the yearly hassle of finding something for their kids to do for the next three months. Whether you want to make sure your child doesn't waste his whole summer vegging out on video games, or just need the security of knowing that someone's watching him while you're at work, now is a good time to look into ways to get free child care in your own home.

It doesn't take much effort to find a qualified caregiver and set up a summer day care program that will both entertain and enrich your kids. For example, when my daughters were young, I hired a theater teacher for the summer who taught them how to put on musicals. Not only did the girls love singing and dancing and dressing up in costumes, they also gained a lot of stage presence and learned to be comfortable with performing in front of an audience, skills which have continued to serve them well throughout their lives. And because other moms in the area found the theater program to be so fun and convenient, they enrolled their kids as well, which covered all of my costs! That's just one example of how to get quality free child care in your home for the summer. If you'd like to learn more, check out my book on the subject!

Give Your Child a Head Start with Merit's Summer Enrichment Program!

2011-05-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Summer is the time for fun and relaxation, but it can also be a great opportunity to lay the foundation for future success. Whether your child could use some extra help in a difficult subject, or would just like to be challenged to take his or her academic skills to the next level, every student can benefit from Merit Educational Consultants’ Summer Enrichment Program. Unlike regular summer school classes, which typically don’t teach for understanding, only cover remedial material, and function as little more than daycare services, Merit’s comprehensive K-12 Summer Program is designed to give your child a true head start on the school year. As an added bonus, classes can be held in your home and scheduled around your family’s needs, activities, and vacations.

To provide the maximum level of individual attention and flexibility, all Merit Summer Program classes are taught one-on one. Students who want to make up a class or explore a particular subject can choose from any class in the entire Merit Academy curriculum, all of them WASC and UC A-G accredited. On the other hand, if your student could use a boost to his or her academic skills, we also offer intensive, grade-appropriate workshops on building math skills, reading comprehension, literature appreciation, composing essays, and writing research papers, as well as both the SAT I and II. These workshops let students hone their abilities in a stress-free environment, away from the pressure-filled school year.

Summer is also a great time to start thinking about college applications, and to that end, Merit’s Summer Program includes both our popular College Advisory service, where students meet personally with the director to select the best-fit colleges and design a plan for getting in, and our college application essay workshop, where the director helps students fine-tune their essay topics and writing mechanics so that they can complete polished essays before their senior year. The director can also help students beat the college admissions game by guiding them step-by-step through the process of doing an original Project that will demonstrate the student’s leadership and intellectual curiosity.

As you can see, Merit’s Summer Program offers the breadth and depth to meet even the most individualized needs, and we’d be happy to design a unique and custom-tailored plan for your child’s success. To learn more about the Summer Program, click here to see the brochure!

The Merit Planner Can Change Your Teen’s Life

2011-05-05T10:33:00.000-07:00

Teenagers who’ve grown up in the Multi-Tasking Era are expected to be able to do many things at once; but even though they love to watch TV, do homework, and chat on Facebook at the same time, most have yet to learn how to apply that same deftness to managing the myriad of demands upon their schedules. Every parent can recall an instance in which they’ve asked their teen whatever happened to that book report that was due last week, or when their next test is, only to receive a blank look in return. And who can blame them? Even though time management is the key to success in high school, college, and beyond, the average school planner gives teens very little tools or training for properly planning out their schedules. These planners are set up for students to enter tasks on the days they were assigned, not when they’re due, so students learn to treat a planner as a glorified calendar, rather than as a powerful tool for taking control of every aspect of their lives.

The Merit Planner is that tool. It’s designed to let students organize tasks according to their due dates, and to block off the exact amount of time needed for every homework assignment, study session, or extracurricular activity. This gives them complete knowledge of and control over their schedules, as well as the freedom to enjoy their downtime without nagging guilty or uncertainty. With each day of the week divided into 15-minute intervals from 7am to midnight, not only is there plenty of space for precisely recording the time needed for every task and activity, there’s also just as much space for nights and weekends, allowing you to easily see your whole schedule for the week at a glance and avoid those inevitable conflicts between family, friends, and schoolwork. It’s also a good way to get the whole family on the same page; I have clients who start their weeks by sitting down around the breakfast table and discussing everyone’s plans, which is especially handy for efficiently dividing the labor for family chores like spring cleaning that might otherwise consume entire weekends, or coordinating hectic carpool schedules.

The Merit Planner gives parents an easy way to see if their teen is on top of everything, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they are. Most importantly, it empowers teens with critical life skills, and endows them with the confidence and self-esteem that can only come from being in control of their busy lives.

The 2011 edition of the Merit Planner is available at the Merit Bookstore

Need a Class for High School Graduation or College Entrance Requirements?

2010-03-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

Have you heard horror stories about students who couldn't walk or graduate with their high school class because they were short one class? By simply getting any grade lower than a C- during your senior year can set back your graduation date by one term. By not graduating on time or receiving a D+ or lower in an academic course, colleges can rescind their conditional offers to matriculate in the fall. Sometimes, colleges require additional classes as a prerequisite to enrolling in specific majors, and unfortunately, students often learn about these requirements after their spring semester has already started when it's too late to take the course at their school. After community colleges start spring semester classes, high school students aren't allowed to enroll and they can find themselves in a desperate situation. Stunned with this bad news, students are surprised that they don't have any good options.

Until now, online classes have been the only solution to getting these needed credits. Now, Merit Academy offers an even better solution: one-on-one classes! Most students don't have the personal discipline to stay on track with online classes. If the students had already failed a class when they had a teacher, it's highly unlikely that the students will pass the class using an online program that requires the students to teach themselves. That's why Merit Academy's one-on-one classes are taught face-to-face by real teachers. Each student works closely with his dedicated teacher to ensure that he will pass the class. Because Merit sets up classes around the student's busy schedule, students can complete an entire semester in as little as four weeks.

Merit Academy is a WASC-accredited independent school where students can take as little as one class or enroll in Merit's full-time program. All courses are University of California A-G approved, so students can send off Merit Academy's transcripts along with their high school and/or community college transcripts to their top colleges during the admissions process. Merit Academy has an excellent reputation for its curriculum and rigorous courses.

Students who need an extra course in a pinch, appreciate Merit Academy's excellent classes that are taught by engaged teachers who are passionate about their subject areas. Ninety-minute classes are organized around the student's busy schedules and typically are taught in the comfort of the student's homes.

Education in America is changing to meet the needs of the diverse students who need flexibility. One-on-one classes are a new concept in education, and they will give students the opportunity to learn with more depth and in less time. If you need a class to satisfy graduation or college requirements, Merit Academy offers a quick and easy solution. Check Merit's website at www.meritworld.com. Merit Academy services the Peninsula/South Bay, Cupertino/Saratoga, and Santa Cruz County.

UC will Waitlist Some Freshman Applicants for the First Time

2010-02-11T23:40:00.000-08:00

With an overenrollment of more than 15,000 students for the incoming 2010 class, the UC system (all UCs except UCLA and UC Merced) will waitlist incoming freshman for the first time. Students who receive wait-list offers are advised to submit their intent to register at a different college where they have been accepted to. This will guarantee their place in a college for Fall 2010. Then, on June 1^st when the UC’s will notify all wait-listed applicants of their admissions decisions, students who receive admissions offers can elect to cancel their intent to attend their safety college by forfeiting their deposit and accepting the offer from the college of their choice.

Students who would like to stay on the wait list need to opt in. Carefully read the instructions to ensure that you are officially on the wait list. If you have questions about the wait list process or need guidance about how to best position yourself, contact Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy at Merit Educational Consultants.

2009-10-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN IN HIGH SCHOOL TO PREP FOR COLLEGE

1. The First Rule: There are no tricks or favors to get into college; but remember that colleges are looking for interesting and hardworking students.

2. Academics: English/writing, Math, and a strong Science foundation, Solid Alg. and Geometry foundation for humanities; calculus in high school for science and math majors. Take bio, chem., physics starting in middle school and honors or AP or college classes in high school. When you enter college, you’ll have choices about majors and directions. Don’t get locked into specialty fields in high school, you’ll limit yourself when you get to college.

3. Work Ethic:

Express ideas in a formal essay format using good grammar, mechanics, and word choice.
Do all of the problems, review sections, get old texts and do practice exercises, take multiple chapter reviews and review of other subjects to see what you’ve retained.
Apply knowledge, don't fill in the blanks.

4. Build a solid foundation: The Project

A. Colleges are looking for students who are excited about something. Americans have become overweight, lazy, and just plain stupid. Young peoples' interest in politics, environment, international affairs, education, or improving themselves intellectually seems to be waning. Teachers don’t require students to start initiatives because they don’t have the time to monitor the projects. Students and parents are too busy to conceive interesting ideas and don’t take the time to complete them.
B. Select an idea that you are passionate about. If you don’t have any ideas, pick up the paper and read the headlines, stories too. Watch the news. Ask parents and others about issues or problems that need to be fixed. In your research phase, you’ll come across all kinds of ideas.
C. Find a mentor to help you think through the project. That can be a school teacher, counselor, college prof, scientist, writer, journalist, retired professional, grandparent, etc. Pick up the yellow pages to call people in the field who may be able to guide you as you plan your project.
D. Most projects will take 2-3 years to complete. Start early. Spend 2-3 months brainstorming; 1 month narrowing your topic based on interviews and research; 3-12 months working on the project production; 3 months on the followup, evals, write ups; 2 months writing press releases; 3-6 months doing public outreach
E. Why do this? When you complete this project, not only will you be a leader in the industry, you’ll be the utmost expert. You’ll get notoriety, publicity, and press for your portfolio. And most importantly, you’ll know how to do just about anything upon completion of the project. You won’t be afraid to try something you’ve never done before or to enter new territory. It opens your mind so you can really start looking at career options for you.

5. GPA

A. Still one of the #1 factors in college admissions
B. Take the most difficult classes, challenging is a better word.
C. Take AP, IB, classes if they’re offered at your school
D. Take community college or university classes

i. Take the entire series if you plan to have courses articulate to the college when you enter, if you want to have the classes replace courses you’ll need to take in college, then make sure your high school doesn’t include the college classes on the transcript or considers them part of high school requirements. Colleges don’t like double dipping.

ii. Make sure that the college classes you take will be accepted by the colleges you’re interested in before taking the classes.

6. SAT AND ACT

A. Standardized tests are not going away anytime soon.

B. That said, these tests will the single most important tests you’ll take for college admissions

C. So, roll up your sleeves and learn how to take the test.

D. Use the SAT or ACT practice tests and take them under similar test environment. Use a timer, work in a quiet space, remove dictionaries and other devices from your desk.

E. Review all missed questions and consider the answers. Learn how to look at the test from the test writers’ perspective, it’ll help you improve your scores.

F. Take the practice tests as many times as you need to get your scores in the general area you need to before you take your tests. You don’t want to take the SAT or ACT 12 times; practice for a year or two, if your plan allows, and then take the test just a few times.

G. Your scores will not improve on their own. To improve verbal skills, you need to improve your vocabulary, reading fluency, reading comprehension- break trouble areas into subsections such as these in order to improve and work on them.

And finally...Let us reiterate rule #1 of this entry: There is simply no trick to replace the benefits reaped from genuine hard work!

Smart parents are setting up free child care in their homes

2009-10-14T10:56:00.001-07:00

Imagine what you could do with the money you’d save if you didn’t have to pay for child care? For many, that could be $5,000 or more per year! In this economic climate, innovative parents are setting up programs in their homes and inviting a few other paying students to join their children. With the tuition they receive from the other students, they can pay for the teacher salary, materials, and other expenses.

Besides saving thousands of dollars per year, your children will have the opportunity to learn to read and write, get involved with math and science, and explore virtually all subjects you set up for them. One of the amazing benefits of setting up your children’s program is that you design the curriculum based on what you want your children to do each day. If you’re short on time, you can purchase a preschool curriculum.

In addition to giving your children a head start when they start kindergarten, you’ll also benefit by having in-home help. Your teacher can make meals for you and the children, run the laundry, and do light housekeeping before or after the program each day. Now wouldn’t you love to have these additional benefits? If you’re looking for help in setting up this program, The Working Mother’s Guide to Free Child Care in Your Home! is filled with forms, fliers, and advice to get you started. The author, Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, is available online to guide you through the entire process of setting up and establishing your very own program.

3 Simple Steps to Selecting Best-Fit Colleges for your College-Bound Kiddo

2009-09-23T20:20:00.000-07:00

Choosing the best-fit colleges today is a whole different ball game than back when we went to college. Many schools offer many courses of study- but we can be sure that every school doesn't offer every degree, and it's important to make sure that your child has many good options. So how do you know which colleges offer the majors that your children are interested in?

One of my clients, Debbie Z., a high school graduate, recently approached me regarding her four-year plan for Business Marketing at UC Santa Barbara- just before she was going to enter as a freshman! Because she hadn't done her research beforehand, she was devastated to find out that UCSB doesn't have a business marketing major. To avoid nightmares like this one, your soon-to-be-freshman needs to do his/her research!

Select all of the possible majors that your children are interested in. They can take career tests to point them in the right direction. That way if they have a few options, they can change majors without having to transfer to different colleges. After selecting their majors, they can search for colleges that offer the specific degrees that they're interested in.
Ask your children to begin their searches by visiting websites like www.collegeboard.com. These sites allow students to search for colleges by desired major. To start with, make a list of about 15 to 20 colleges. They can then begin narrowing the list by choosing colleges based on their locations.
Check out the college websites with your children. Read more about the departments and programs. You'll quickly see that not all colleges are equal. One might offer a business administration degree while another offers a school of business with seven majors. Then look at the statistics regarding life at that school (living arrangements, geography, potential for local activities, etc). And finally, visit your child's top five colleges! Nothing is more explanatory than first-hand observations and tours.

Choosing the right college takes time and effort, but the payoff is well worth all the effort spent! If you're going to spend tens of thousands of dollars on college expenses, make sure that the fit is right for your kid. High school guidance counselors as well as private college advisers can shed light on your plan today- don't wait until you realize your major isn't offered at the school of your choice- speak with Merit's Online College Advisors today to get a leg up on the decision-making process.

UCs will no longer require SAT II Subject Tests in 2012!

2009-09-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

It's about time! The UCs have taken a bold step in reducing the number of standardized tests needed to apply to college.
Starting with the class of 2012 (10th graders this year), students will no longer be required to take or submit the SAT II Subject tests. All students will still need to take the SAT I or the ACT with writing.
Students who will be graduating in 2010 or 2011 will still need to take and submit the SAT II if they plan to apply to the UCs. Good news for sophomores and younger students! For SAT prep resources visit College Advisory @ Merit World!

How many after-school activities does your child really need to do?

2009-09-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

ProjectMERIT

As a college advisor, I recommend that students start projects and continue to work on their projects all through high school. By doing these independent projects, students learn leadership, entrepreneurial, communication and coping skills -- skills that will help them in college, career, and beyond.

College admissions officers are intrigued by students who start non profits or rally friends to help families distressed by a hurricane. They like to see that a student had the initiative to do something that was not required of them. While college admissions officers like to see students involved in after-school or extracurricular activities, they don't want to see a list of 15 activities on their application forms.

So how many activities is enough? Try to keep extracurricular activities down to just one or two. That way, your child can focus on doing a good job and making a difference rather than spread themselves out over too many activities. College admissions committees don't want a Jack of all trades, master of none.

The old school philosophy encouraged students to be "well rounded" so students would join sports teams, clubs, non profits, and more. Unfortunately, these students didn't have time to participate and get involved because they just didn't have the time to go to all of the events. So, don't push your child to take too many activities, just a few of their favorites so they can master them. Encourage them to do a project!

Secret to getting your child into Top Colleges!

2009-09-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

Besides GPAs (grades) and SAT/ACT (standardized tests) scores, what are top-ranked college admissions officers looking for in their incoming students? They're looking for outstanding, curious, interesting students. Long gone are the days of recruiting bookworms and science nerds. Colleges want to build a class of students who are bright and innovative. That's why doing a project is the best kept secret to getting your child into the best colleges.

By doing an independent project -- not something that is required for a class and not a community service -- your child will position himself to stand out among his peers. Rather than write about how he hopes to save the planet someday, your child could write about how his project is saving the planet. Personal statements, essays, and interviews are more interesting when students can discuss how and why they started their projects. They give the students talking points -- and that gives them an advantage in the admissions process!

If you're worried that your child can't do a project on his or her own, check out this book "Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project!". The book walks students through the entire process of doing a project from brainstorming to completion. And if your child needs help or support along the way, Merit College Advisors can guide them through any part or the entire process

What everybody ought to know about Study Skills!

2009-09-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

If you're like other parents, you know your children aren't doing all they can to prepare for tests. As an educational consultant, I work with hundreds of students who claim that they study best by reviewing their notes the night before an exam, and then blame their low test scores on their poor test-taking skills. Unfortunately, students don't get much in the way of training to prepare for tests. When they get low test scores, it's most likely because they simply don't know the material! So how do you teach study skills? It's really simple; read on.

Tell your children that they need to prepare for tests FOUR days before the exam. That doesn't mean that they will be studying around the clock for four days, it just means that they should engage with the material for about 30-60 minutes per day, for four days prior. Here's why. If your children block off time in their planners to complete one task to prepare for an exam, they'll have time to absorb the concepts, practice using them, and still have time to meet with the teacher if they have any questions. For instance, if they're preparing for a vocab test, they might do the following. Day 1: Define the words and write sentences; Day 2: Make flashcards and practice them; Day 3: Take a practice exam; Day 4: Write new sentences for the vocab they're still getting incorrect.

By giving your children the skills to ace a test, you're really giving them the key to success. After all, students' grades are largely dependent on quiz, test, and final exams. Teach your children how to study so they can enjoy the great feeling they'll experience when they get A's in class!

If you wish to learn more merit has some excellent education services focused toward accelerating the learning process. Call us at 831.462.5655 to talk to Susan our Director or stop by our college advisory.

SAT and ACT deadlines coming soon!

2009-09-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

If your child will be taking the SATs or ACTs this fall, sign up now to avoid late fees. Most colleges will accept the Sept, Oct, Nov, and Dec scores for 2010 applications. Apply online and pay by credit card.

Here are some resourceful links to help you plan accordingly.

SATs: www.collegeboard.com
Test Date: Oct 10
Regular Registration: Sept 9
Late Registration: Sept 23

Test Date: Nov 7
Regular Registration: Oct 1
Late Registration: Oct 15

Test Date: Dec 5
Regular Registration: Oct 30
Late Registration: Nov 12

ACTs: www.actstudent.org
Test Date: Oct 24
Regular Registration: Sept 18
Late Registration: Oct 2

Test Date: Dec 12
Regular Registration: Nov 6
Late Registration: Nov 20

If your child needs SAT or ACT prep, check with local tutorial companies and set this up soon. Merit offers SAT/ACT prep; call (831) 462-5655 or visit www.meritworld.com

4 things every student needs to do to protect themselves from H1N1 (Swine flu) virus!

2009-09-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

Whether you're sending your child to preschool or college, you're probably concerned about how to protect them from getting the H1N1 virus. The schools and colleges, and even the government, are setting up plans to minimize the impact this flu season will have on their students. Here's what your child can do to stay healthy amidst those infected with any kind of ailment.

1. Cough into your shoulder or shirt sleeves; don't cough into your hands.

2. Wash your hands before touching your eyes or mouth, and especially before handling food.

3. Stay away from people who are sick -- especially those who are coughing and/or sneezing.

4. Use Clorox-type wipes to disinfect doorknobs, computer keyboards, cell phones, and anything that you touch.

10 Things College-bound Students need to pack!

2009-09-02T14:53:00.000-07:00

Most freshmen pack way too much and end up buying the things they really need once they arrive on campus. Girls especially over pack clothes -- and the wrong types of clothes -- when they head off to college. They only need to bring a few dressy outfits and shoes because they will live in their comfy sweatpants and sweatshirts. If they insist on packing high-heel shoes, only bring one, or two at the most. Flip flops and tennis shoes are really all they need.

Consider the 10 things listed here, and they're good to go!

#1: Medicine (Tylenol, Nyquil, Sudafed, Pepto Bismol, Bandaids)

#2: Phone Numbers (doctor, dentist, optometrist)

#3: Computer (desktop or laptop) and Printer

#4: Thumbdrive (2 GB+)

#5: Bedding (sheets, blankets, pillow)

#6: Shower slippers

#7: Toiletries (enough to last the term)

#8: Key ring for Student ID, mail box key, and room key.

#9: Lamp (for desk or reading in bed)

#10: School supplies (binders, paper, pens, stapler, tape, paperclips, backpack)

How to say goodbye to your college freshman

2009-08-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

So you thought saying goodbye to your toddler was difficult when you drop them off at preschool; try saying goodbye to your college freshmen as they begin new lives without you. Now that I've done it twice, once at Stanford and again at Claremont McKenna College, I'd like to share some tips to help you get through it.

Make a list of 3 things that you would like to do with your children before they leave. This starts the dialogue about creating memories together. Then, mark your calendars to ensure that you both make time to do these special things. You can do simple things like taking a walk in a favorite park, shopping for photo albums or frames, or having lunch at a local restaurant. If you'd like to create a more meaningful event to mark this time, go through old baby photos and put together a photo album of their lives. That way, if they get homesick, they can look through their photos. My daughters both wrote autobiographies during their senior year of high school to reflect on their first 18 years of life before they begin their new lives in college. I especially enjoyed helping them select and scan the photos. We now have keepsakes!

By spending time reflecting on their childhood and early teen years, it helped us come to terms with the next phase in their lives. They, too, appreciated the time we spent together remembering their first 18 years. I believe it paved the way for the close friendships I have with both of my daughters today. I talk to them every day; I think our relationship is stronger now that they've moved on.

What courses are considered in my child's GPA?

2009-08-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

While this may seem like an easy calculation, trying to determine your child's high school GPA for college admissions can be confusing. Most colleges consider only 10th and 11th grade courses in their GPA calculations. Summer courses taken before 10th, 11th, and 12th grade are usually included. Your high school will usually list the courses that colleges will accept on the high school website. Only include courses that colleges will consider in the GPA calculations. Classes like PE, health, and Introduction to Computers are usually not accepted. Your child's high school transcript will automatically calculate your child's GPA for your state. Just to be sure there are no mistakes, inquire with the guidance counselor to understand what courses were included in the GPA.

If your child took AP or IB courses and received passing scores on exams, these courses may receive weighted grades. In other words, an A will be given a 5.0 instead of a 4.0. If your child took college classes, those courses will be weighted on the same 5.0 scale. Check with the college admissions officers to make sure that they will accept all weighted classes because some colleges (like the University of California and California State University) will only accept a specific number of weighted courses for application purposes.

Mistakes happen, so meet with the guidance counselor to make sure all of your child's classes and college courses are included. If the college application requires that you enter your GPA, carefully read the guidelines to determine which classes you can include.

Here's a quick way to make sure your child is on track in high school

2009-08-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

Worried that you may find out that your child is on the wrong track in high school when it's too late? Meet with your child's high school guidance counselor right away. Make sure your child is taking the most rigorous courses available to him/her. By taking the most challenging classes offered, he/she will demonstrate personal drive and academic prowess. Top colleges prefer students who seek college-level classes to prepare themselves for success in higher education.

Don't let your child be one of those who find out in their junior year that they should have taken more sciences or languages. Discuss your concerns with your counselor. If your child struggles in the most difficult classes, seek tutorial support before dropping to the lower-level classes. If you'd like professional advice from a college advisor, check Merit's Online College Advisory services.

Three easy steps to get your child to do homework first!

2009-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

If you're like most moms of school-aged students, getting them to do homework is probably a battle on the home front. Naturally, you prefer that they complete the homework so you know that it's done. Kids, on the other hand, prefer to take a break and put if off until later, a lot later. They often misjudge how long it will take to do an assignment and most kids don't know how to prepare for tests or quizzes. So how do you convince a student that they should do there homework first?

By using a Merit Planner, your children will learn how to get their homework done in three easy steps. First, ask your children to enter in all of their classes at the approximate times the classes take place (for the semester). Second, ask your children to enter their assignments on the dates that they are due (not on the day they are assigned). This helps them to prioritize their responsibilities. And third, ask your children to block off time to do each task for every assignment including studying for tests, working on projects, and completing homework.

Your children will quickly see how much time it will take to do their homework and study for tests. I'm always happy to see that the students block off time to get the work done earlier in the day so they can be sure to get it done before bedtime. When they realize that they won't get their work done when they start after dinner, they'll be the ones to make the change in their routine.

For more information visit www.meritworld.com

What every parent needs to know about guiding students through the college application process

2009-08-25T09:34:00.001-07:00

As college application deadlines quickly approach, tension between parents and their college-bound seniors often escalate. Naturally, you want your child to get into the best colleges and you know that your high school senior should be spending every free moment checking out colleges, writing personal statements and essays, and studying for the SATs/ACTs. But, whether they're clueless or procrastinating, if you're like most moms of college-bound students, you're probably pulling out your hair as you try to get them to get started. And when they finally get on board and realize what they need to do for each college application, even the most level-headed seniors will feel the stress. As their stress mounts, you'll need to take some deep breaths and build up some callouses to help you through the next few months.

Many parents succumb to the pressure and fill out the application forms for their children. Don't do it. Students need to complete their applications on their own; it's part of growing up and getting ready to move on. Instead, you can help by setting up a time to meet so you can both discuss colleges, deadlines, essay topics and letters of recommendation. Be prepared to have them put the deadlines in a planner or on a calendar to prioritize where to get started. Then, they'll block off time to complete each task for every college. Making time to get the job done is important and this step is often overlooked; it is the most important step in the process. Finding time to complete each task in any senior's fall semester will be a challenge. But once your child sees what needs to be done over the next few months, he/she will own some of this responsibility -- minimizing the nagging and reminding that you will have to do.

The key is to let your child block off time to do all of the steps required to submit the college applications, finish regular school homework, and participate in after-school activities or work. It's easy to blow off writing a college application essay if you think you can do it tomorrow or next weekend, but students who have taken the time to organize their schedules for the entire college application process, know what they need to do. By putting the responsibility of completing college applications on your child, you can be a supportive mom who offers a shoulder massage or cookies when things get stressful instead of the nagging mother who reminds them that they are behind schedule.

If You Don't Choose Your Children's Classes, You'll Hate Yourself Later

2009-08-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Budget cuts are hacking away at the integrity of our public schools. High school counselors are often overloaded with students. This is detrimental to our children because then, the counselor’s goal becomes less about setting up a tailored college track for each student and instead, focuses on keeping the line moving. When the counselors' goal is to make sure that a student just graduates high school in four years, many average students get put on the graduation track as opposed to the college-bound track. Parents can no longer sit back and take for granted that their children's academic future will be mapped out for them. The best way to ensure that your children receive a stellar education is to take those courses that top college admission committees like to see on transcripts and the best way to get in these courses is to complete their four-year high school plan before they enter high school.

By selecting all of the courses your children will take throughout their high school tenure, your child’s counselor will recognize that your child is on the college track. You can create a plan with your counselor during the school year and encourage your child to understand and embrace it. That way, each year when students are required to make requests for the following year's classes, your child's choices will already be in place.

I recommend that parents email their counselors prior to enrollment dates, requesting specific classes and teachers during the spring and summer and before counselors are overwhelmed with the rush of all the latecomers. Roll up your sleeves and mark your calendar now!

How to get the most out of a College Tour

2009-08-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

One of the best ways for your children to know whether or not a college is a good fit is to tour the college with a student guide. Walking around the campus, visiting classrooms and facilities, eating in the dining halls, and mingling with the students will give you a feel for the college life. Remember, the student guides are paid to sell you on the school and they recite a memorized pitch as they walk backwards along a predetermined path. While this speech is informative, you'll get the most out of the tour if you walk along side the guide and ask your own questions.

Ask the student guide how difficult it is to get into general ed classes. If your children know their majors, inquire about the department and research opportunities. Make a list of the guide's favorite professors and classes. Ask about the social life, school spirit, and other things you're curious about. This is probably your best opportunity to get an insider's view of the college so be prepared -- write a list of questions!

Psst! Give your child a head start -- Prepare for the PSAT!

2009-08-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Should your child prepare for the PSAT? Yes, I recommend that students start taking the PSAT in 9th grade. That way, they're better prepared to take it in 11th grade when the scores are used to determine Merit Scholarships. By preparing for the PSAT, your child will increase his/her odds of scoring in the top 1-5% in the nation. Merit Scholars and Semifinalists have an advantage in the college admissions process.

This preliminary SAT was designed to give students a taste for the real SATs. It is given every October at local high schools, and if your high school doesn't offer the PSAT, you can sign up to take it at another school. There is a nominal fee ($13), and the good news is that college admissions committees don't see these scores.

How to Ensure College-Bound Classes for your Highschool Student in the Midst of Nasty Budget Cuts

2009-08-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

With budget cuts hacking away at the integrity of all public schools, high school counselors are often juggling more than twice their regular load of students. When the counselors' goal is to make sure that students graduate in four years, many average students get put on the graduation track instead of the college-bound track.

Parents can no longer sit back and take for granted that their children's academic future will be mapped out for them. A great way to ensure that your children receive a stellar education, and take the required courses that top college admissions committees like to see on transcripts, is to complete their four-year high school plan before they enter high school.

By selecting all of the courses your children will take throughout their tenure in high school before they enroll, the high school counselor will undoubtedly recognize that your children are on the college track. You can discuss the plans with the counselors during the school year and encourage your children to understand and embrace them. That way, each year when students are required to make requests for the following year's classes, your children's plans will already be in place!

I recommend that parents email the counselors their requests for specific classes and teachers before the deadlines for students to submit their lists in the spring and again during the summer when the counselors are organizing and setting up fall classes. Roll up your sleeves and mark your calendar now!

Why would a Harvard MBA student pay $204 for a $20 bill?

2009-08-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

Irrational Behavior Happens to the Best of Us.

Why would a Harvard MBA student pay $204 for a $20 bill?

Harvard Business School professor, Max Bazerman found a fail proof way to take money from Harvard MBA students. On the first day of his negotiations class, he waves a $20 bill in the air and declares he will be auctioning it off. There are only two rules to the auction: First all bids must be in $1 increments and, second the winner will walk away with the bill, but the runner-up must honor his or her bid leaving the situation empty handed.

As Professor Bazerman begins the auction, the MBA Harvard students are at the edge of their seats- anxious to make a cheap $20. The auction rapidly takes off as as hands are flying up throughout the classroom. Within no time the bid is up to $10 and climbing, around the $12 to $16 students notice the trend and the volume of bidding falls out completely till there are two bidders left.

Now one would think this shouldn't get too out of hand; these are intelligent business students that are going to change the world. However, neither wants to be out $16. So it goes on to $21, $22, $23, $50, $100 the record is $204.

Lesson? Loss aversion is a powerful force to recon with, as it beckons irrational behavior, be it in a classroom auction or when making important decisions such as choosing a college. By gauging your commitment and controlling your anxiety, you can prevent this from fogging up your decision-making perception! Fight loss aversion and help ease a college's decision to accept a student by encouraging them to Do a Project.

At Last, We Can Make Money For College Shopping!

2009-08-13T14:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true and it works nicely. I was browsing through the web a while back and came across this site www.upromise.com, but I wasn't sure about it. Not enough to sign up...until today. I found this post Save For College While You Shop - by my friend JoJo it inspired me to register, and I encourage you as well. You can save some serious dollars, and it's FREE!

Upromise is a website designed to help save money when buying everyday expenses we already incur. Shopping online yields receive 25% of any purchase from 600 participating stores. Just sign up and start saving. Make sure you are signed in to Upromise before purchasing anything online. Download the toolbar to make is easy.

Register your credit cards so that every time you dine out at a supporting venue, 8% of your costs goes toward college. Still skeptical? You could just become a preferred diner. eTrust is Upromise's privacy provider, which is a highly reputable company. Rest assured, your card numbers won't be phished out by some computer hack.

You could also use Upromise to pay off your loans. Just link to your Sallie Mae account. Find out more.

Why College Admission is a Daunting Process

2009-08-13T12:00:00.004-07:00

Introduce Yourself to Merit!

2009-08-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

If you are stopping by the blog and happen to read a post about us, we want to hear from you!

Take a second to tell us a little bit about yourself. We want to hear your story! Who are you? Are you a parent? Student? Journalist? What was a college experience you previously had?

If you're already familiar with Merit, then tell us what we could do to better serve the aspiring college community.

We would love to field any questions, concerns, or college inquiries. Our Director is a seasoned college adviser and has tons of valuable information she would love to share.

Free College Advice!!!

2009-07-31T14:57:00.000-07:00

Merit is Offering the First Consulting Session On the House!

Must Act Soon - Offer Expires September 31, 2009

-Make an appointment for your child today!
-Ask all your pressing college admissions questions.
-Take advantage of a chance to sit down with a seasoned advisor.
-Merit admits students to the most selective college institutions.

Applying for college can be overwhelming and stressful, but don't get discouraged because it is an extremely important part of your young adult's life.

Merit highly recommends that you do a thorough investigation before jumping into a 4-5 year lifestyle decision- Know before you go!

Important Directions:

To redeem this consulting session with Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy, the Director at Merit Educational Consultants:

1. Click on this link or the picture above

2. Fill out:

a. "Personal Details"
b. "Billing Address" - (Reminder: This session is 100% FREE, we don't charge you for it)
c. "Contact Info" - (Phone number)

3. Use promo Code: giftforafriend

4. Ask a free question or set up an appointment.

You may also call to make an appointment!

Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy
831.462.5655
Take control of your future with a Free Consulting Session!

How does Obama's 'Race to the Top' affect my children?

2009-07-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

President Obama announced his education reform plan yesterday. His 'Race to the Top' is designed to provide federal grants to schools by linking teacher pay to student achievement, easing limits on charter schools, and setting up national academic standards. By requiring states and districts to compete for the $4.35 billion, Obama hopes that this will "incentivise excellence and spur refurm and launch a race for the top in America's public schools." Concerned with how the US will compete with India and China in the future, Obama plans to start the race now.

What does this mean to you? For now, nothing. If Obama's incentives work and teachers strive to win the grants, your children may benefit from the competition created amongst the teachers/school districts. But for now, the federal government will be mired in politics and committees. So how can you ensure that your children receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for college and/or successful careers? Support your teachers, schools, and president, but you'll need to take your own children's education into your hands. With recent budget cuts in education, guidance counselors have received pink slips so many parents will be responsible for setting up their children's academic plans. Your children need a well-thoughtout program that begins with preschool and ends with 12th grade. Meet with your school's principal to discuss the curriculum framework and what will change with the impending cut backs. Unless you know what your high school requires for graduation and colleges require for admissions, your child may miss important classes and other requirements.

While waiting for educational reform, you can set up an after-school program in your home to give your children the academic skills they need. Assess what your children are learning in school and supplement their education with an enrichment program after school. Merit Academy offers curriculum for parents to use to enrich their children's academic foundations and build necessary skills. Our Educational Consultants can help you assess your children's academic levels and develop individual programs to improve their skills. By taking control of your children's education now, you won't have to worry about budget cuts or educational reform. Support Obama's Race to the Top so that future generations will benefit from it.

Do state and federal cuts hurt my child's educational future?

2009-07-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

When you hear about states issuing I.O.U.s to employees and states borrowing moneys from local government, you've got to wonder how your child's schools are going to deal with the budget deficit. As your child's only true advocate, you need to get involved. How? Call your school's principal and set up a meeting to discuss on what areas the school plans to cut back. If these budget cuts will directly affect your child, take action. Don't sit back and complain about these changes, you can ensure that your child gets an excellent education, even in tough economic times.

If your child will benefit from an enrichment program that builds reading, writing, math, science or foreign language skills, then set one up! You don't need to pay high costs for tutoring or expensive programs, set it up for your child, right in your home. I did just that for my daughters and they're now at Stanford Medical School and Claremont McKenna College! Use Merit Academy's Preschool or Elementary School Curriculum and set up an after-school program. That way, you don't have to worry that your school or teachers aren't teaching specific concepts. Just have your own teacher work with your children at home.

You can set up this program just the way I did. Read about how I set up the most amazing preschool for my children, right in my home, and I didn't have to pay a penny for it! I even wrote a book to show other moms, just like you, how to do it. Check out "The Working Mother's Guide to FREE Child Care in Your Home!". By using Merit's curriculum and this book, you'll be able to set up the perfect program for your children.

Besides giving your child a first-class education, you'll also receive extra benefits from your teacher like preparing dinner, doing laundry, and running errands. I did this for 9 years and all of my friends thought I was a millionaire! Don't let state or federal budget cuts hurt your child's chances of getting a solid education! Start your own program now!

Merit Sent Students Off to the Following College Institutions

2009-07-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

Our List of Selective Colleges Speaks for itself:

Stanford University
Harvard University
Yale University
Johns Hopkins University
Cornell University
Brown University
Duke University
MIT
Princeton University
Claremont McKenna College
Pomona College
Scripps College
Harvey Mudd College
Pitzer College
University of Southern California
University of Pennsylvania
University of California Los Angeles
University of California Berkeley
University of California San Diego
University of California Santa Barbara
University of California Davis
University of California Santa Cruz
University of California San Francisco
University of California Irvine
University of California Riverside
Santa Clara University
Lewis and Clark University
Cal Poly
Mills College
Occidental College
Chapman University
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
Pepperdine University
Wesleyan University
Georgetown University
Emory University
Morehouse College
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Bates College
Berklee College of Music
Boston College
Brandeis University
Boston Conservatory
Emerson College
Northeastern University
Tufts University
Columbia University
New York University
Juilliard School
Marist College
Syracuse University
Wake Forest University
Oberlin College
Reed College
Whitman College

How to Beat the College Admissions Odds!

2009-07-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

Want to boost your students’ acceptance percentages to selective colleges? As you know, colleges are looking for outstanding students – those who strive to take the most rigorous courses and ace the SATs. But why aren’t those students admitted? Colleges are accepting students who are “engaged” and “interesting.” That’s why successful students start projects. I would be happy to give a seminar (for free) for your students and families to show them how projects will help with college admissions. Preview a video of my seminar.

If each of your college-bound students should do a project, their acceptance into top-choice colleges would increase significantly. Your percentage of seniors accepted at selective universities will double. To learn more about projects, check out this book Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project! to see how powerful a project can be in the admissions game. The book is very affordable and it walks the students through every step to complete a project. And, if they hit road blocks, they can work with Merit’s College Online Advisors to get over the hump! It won’t require that you or your teachers add more on to your already overwhelming workload, and it will double your students’ acceptance rates!

Besides helping your students to get into their first-choice colleges, your students will be taking the initiative to fix problems in our society. Please contact me at 831.462.5655

Give your students this tip to give them the edge they’ll need to get into their first-choice colleges!

Seniors: Start your college application essays now!

2009-07-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

If you're a college-bound senior, use your summer break to get started on your college application essays and personal statements. Go online or call the admissions department at your prospective colleges to get the prompts. Spend a few days brainstorming about what you would like to discuss and how you want to position yourself. Draw up an outline and a rough draft, then write several drafts over the next two months. Ask your high school English teacher and other good writers to edit your essays. Give yourself several days between edits so you have time to get away from them and take a fresh look each time you work on them.

The Common Application, used by almost 400 colleges and universities nationwide, is online (collegeboard.com) and ready to start now. This requires one 150-word essay and a second essay that is minimum of 250-words. Each college's supplemental application form will also require essays; check with each college's website or the CollegeBoard.com's website to organize your supplemental essay topics. The UCs and CSUs will be ready to start in September but you can only submit between November 1st and 30th. The CSUs don't require any essays; the UCs require two. Go online to universityofcalifornia@edu/admissions to get essay topics. The UC essays/personal statements allow a maximum of 1000 words for both essays.

If you have any questions about essay topics and need help writing your essays, Merit offers excellent tutors who help students find their voices and polish their writing skills. Call (831) 462-5655 or use our online College Advisory service.

Child Care for FREE?

2009-06-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

In this economy, everyone is trying to find ways to cut back expenses. One way to cut back costs and increase benefits is with child care. When my children were toddlers, I set up a preschool program in my home that gave my daughters a head start in school (they're at Stanford Medical School and Claremont McKenna College now). By hiring a teacher to run the Merit preschool curriculum (available online), my daughters received excellent educational preparation. By inviting a few other paying children to the mix, their tuition covered all of the costs. Not only did I receive this preschool program for both children for FREE, the teacher also prepared dinners, did the laundry, and cleaned the house! I wrote the book The Working Mother's Guide to FREE Child Care in Your Home! that comes complete with forms and advice! http://bit.ly/4eciE

Want to read about my story? Check out http://www.freechildcare.org/story.php

Want your high school to host ProjectMERIT Seminar?

2009-06-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Concerned that your high school student may be missing out on college admissions tips now that public high school guidance counselors have been pink slipped thanks to budget cuts? Invite Susan Tatsui-D'Arcy to speak at your high school to give advice about how to get in to top colleges -- for FREE! She is the author of Beat the College Admissions Game; Do a Project!. Check out this 30-minute video presentation to see one of her seminars: http://bit.ly/DOMhc. Students who do projects stand out among their peers and they get in to top colleges and win large scholarships!

College 4-year Plan Saves Thousands of Dollars!

2009-06-23T22:26:00.000-07:00

When college-bound students layout their 4-year plans, they save parents thousands of dollars because they graduate in four years instead of five or more. Merit College Advisors guide students in selecting best-fit majors and help the students understand department and general education graduation requirements. These students start college with a complete understanding of the courses they need to take so they aren't set back because they missed a prerequisite along the way. They also know when to participate in internships, research projects, and work study programs. Students who start college with a solid plan take full advantage of opportunities available to them. If students want to spend five or six years in college, they should be working on a Master's Degree or PhD, not a Bachelor's Degree.

Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project

2009-06-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Can student projects help solve our economic crisis? College advisor has a solution: ProjectMERIT!

While President Obama has inherited an economic disaster, everyone from nonprofits to corporations are pressuring him to finance their programs. Americans are hopeful that he will lead us out of this recession and they’re sitting tight waiting for him to solve our problems. When Americans think that the problem is too big to for them to fix, and they put blame on others, they become complacent. Our founding fathers developed this great nation with people who worked together to create a better place to live. With thousands of issues that need to be fixed, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and stop complaining. And more importantly, it’s time for our youth to step up to the plate and go to bat for their future.

With so many students with 4.0 GPAs and perfect SAT scores not getting into their first choice colleges, Tatsui-D’Arcy recommends that they do projects. Students who do independent projects dazzle admissions officers with their leadership skills, passion, and drive. When these high school seniors write their personal statements and application essays, they can enthusiastically describe how they started their project and what obstacles they overcame to achieve their goals. That’s much more impressive than simply discussing dreams of doing something important someday or volunteering at a non-profit organization.

Students select projects and work closely with Tatsui-D’Arcy. Peter Livingston engineered a brake-lighting system to warn drivers that the car in front of them is slamming on its brake, not just tapping on it. Jaclyn D’Arcy founded Kids 4 Hydrogen to promote hydrogen fuel cells. Rebecca Kassel successfully passed a law in California (SB966) to reduce the amount of prescription drugs that enter our water systems. In an effort to end gang violence, Harry Weston organized a Tru-School Hip Hop Concert and entertained at-risk students at juvenile halls. The students complete their projects during 9^th through 12^th grade, and many continue on in college.

Tatsui-D’Arcy says projects not only help the students get into their top colleges, it also makes the students more confident and responsible. They realize that their efforts accomplished something that needed to be fixed, and they learned that with good organization and tenacity, they could do anything. So, Tatsui-D’Arcy helps students select their projects based on their personal interests and desire to make a difference. She has lists of special projects and brainstorms with the students until they find the perfect fit. By working with students online across the United States and in her Santa Cruz office, Tatsui-D’Arcy’s think-tank program: ProjectMERIT, is changing America --- one project at a time!

Just in case the government can’t solve all of our problems tomorrow, our college-bound students now have the opportunity and motivation to do projects to make America great. They gain the experience to solve the problems of today and tomorrow. Tatsui-D’Arcy’s book and her Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project!online College Advisory services are available on her website at www.meritworld.com.

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05.28.2009 - CSU’s New Campus-wide Impaction Rules and How it will Effect You

2009-05-28T15:20:00.000-07:00

May 2009 Newsletter

For the first time in California State University (CSU) history, many of the 23 campuses will not be able to offer admission to eligible California residents. State budget cuts have forced the CSU system to operate for several years with considerably less funding while frosh applications have increased by 20 percent and transfers by 36 percent. So far, only six campuses have declared “Impaction” status: Cal Poly SLO, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, Cal Poly Pomona, San Diego State, and Sonoma State; however, many others have considered new and more rigorous admissions criteria for the incoming 2009 and 2010 classes.

Most of the six CSU campuses listed above will give priority to high school students who live in the same county as the university as long as they meet eligibility requirements and apply within the appropriate deadlines. Until just a few years ago, this policy, which has always been in place, had not impacted admissions because most CSU campuses were able to accommodate their applicant pools. But now that the CSU’s have more applicants than they can admit, they are enforcing new admission standards.

After the CSU’s admit their regional applicants, they will consider students from other areas within California. Transfers and military veterans will receive special consideration and placement. The out-of-area applicants with the highest GPAs and SAT scores will be admitted in the next wave of reviews.

Even if your preferred CSU campus is not currently impacted, some of their majors may be. Students whose majors are impacted may be admitted in a “pre-major” status, which allows them to take lower division courses in their major before they apply to the impacted major. Students who attend colleges that don’t offer “pre-major” status may not be permitted to take lower division courses in that major, which will delay their graduation date. By keeping their GPA’s as high as possible, these students can increase their odds of getting into their preferred majors.

Students who are set on attending a particular CSU can enroll in a community college nearby the University campus. By doing so, they establish residency in the area and have the opportunity to improve their grades at the college level. This is one of the easiest ways to get into any of the impacted CSUs.

For more information about individual CSUs, call their admissions offices to get the latest news about their 2009-2010 application season. Apply early to improve your chances of getting in to your top colleges!

Can student projects help solve our economic crisis? College advisor has a solution: ProjectMERIT!

2009-05-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

By giving students the opportunity to take on special projects, they can fix many of the problems without spending the billions of dollars proposed by the current administration. When these students reach out to their communities for support and volunteer their time, they can raise funds to finance just about any endeavor. This is exactly what Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, a college advisor and author of Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project!, is doing. She guides college-bound students to do a project to improve their chances of getting into top universities in the country. Here’s how she’s doing it.

With so many students with 4.0 GPAs and perfect SAT scores not getting into their first choice colleges, Tatsui-D’Arcy recommends that they do projects. Students who do independent projects dazzle admissions officers with their leadership skills, passion, and drive. When these high school seniors write their personal statements and application essays, they can enthusiastically describe how they started their project and what obstacles they overcame to achieve their goals. That’s much more impressive than simply discussing dreams of doing something important someday or volunteering at a non-profit organization.

Students select projects and work closely with Tatsui-D’Arcy. Peter Livingston engineered a brake-lighting system to warn drivers that the car in front of them is slamming on its brake, not just tapping on it. Jaclyn D’Arcy founded Kids 4 Hydrogen to promote hydrogen fuel cells. Rebecca Kassel successfully passed a law in California (SB966) to reduce the amount of prescription drugs that enter our water systems. In an effort to end gang violence, Harry Weston organized a Tru-School Hip Hop Concert and entertained at-risk students at juvenile halls. The students complete their projects during 9th through 12th grade, and many continue on in college.

Tatsui-D’Arcy says that the projects not only help the students get into their top colleges, it also makes the students more confident and responsible. They realize that their efforts accomplished something that needed to be fixed, and they learned that with good organization and tenacity, they could do anything. So, Tatsui-D’Arcy helps students select their projects based on their personal interests and desire to make a difference. She has lists of special projects and brainstorms with the students until they find the perfect fit. By working with students online across the United States and in her Santa Cruz office, Tatsui-D’Arcy’s think-tank program: ProjectMERIT, is changing America --- one project at a time!

What should college-bound students be doing during this recession?

2009-03-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

When students see news flashes about college grads working at McDonalds because they can’t get jobs, high school students may begin to rethink their own goals. Unemployment just hit an all-time high since the Great Depression. In this unpredictable economy, many high school students are wondering how their parents will finance their college education. Nobody knows when this recession will end, or if we’ve actually hit bottom yet.

Many California state colleges have reduced the number of students they can admit, and they’ve slashed the number of courses being offered. Community colleges are unsure whether they can afford to continue their winter and summer sessions.

Even though the future may seem bleak, college grads still earn over $200,000 more than those who didn’t finish college. This recession is not here forever. When we pull ourselves out of it and begin to prosper as a nation once again, it will be those students with college degrees that will be leading the way.

In this tight economy, private colleges are offering more full-ride scholarships to under-represented minorities and to families that make less than $60,000 per year. Which students benefit from this? Those who stand out from their peers.

What these admissions committees want are students who also excel outside of the high school setting, students who demonstrate true creativity, initiative, and leadership, students who show the potential to become the next Bill Gates or Hilary Clinton.

How can you convince colleges that you have this level of talent and potential? The best way to do it is with an independent project—unlike a class project that consists simply of posters and presentations or volunteering at a local soup kitchen, an independent project is an original undertaking outside the classroom that reflects the student’s vision, initiative, tenacity, and leadership.

What could this project be? Ideally the project should reflect a student’s current passions and future aspirations. Students can start businesses, organize non-profits, write publications, produce films, conduct experiments, advocate for change, publish their own books, or build innovative alternative energy models.

When students do projects, they become confident leaders. Their projects not only help them get into top-ranked colleges and receive scholarships, they also make a difference in their community. And, in this economic climate, it may be the students who help bring us out of this recession.

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy is the college advisor at Merit Educational Consultants, LLC and author of Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project!. You can purchase this book at Meritworld and meet with her online or in person. Call (831) 462-5655 to get started now!

Press Release: Working Mother's Guide to Free Child Care

2009-03-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release!

Working mother shares tips on how she set up free child care for her children in her home!

With an unpredictable economy and announcements about massive layoffs, those of us who are employed don’t want to rock the boat at work or at our children’s day care centers. According to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&R) in 2005, child care costs between $3,000 and $9,000 for each child per year, which is approximately 9-40% of family incomes (depending on marital status and state).

Susan Tatsui-D’Arcy, author of The Working Mother’s Guide to FREE Child Care in Your Home!, successfully set up child care for her two daughter and it really didn’t cost one penny. Not only did her daughters receive amazing academic preparation, her caregiver also prepared dinner, folded laundry, and ran errands! She wrote this book to show other working parents how to eliminate their child care fees and turn their homes into ideal preschools.

By inviting just a few children to join yours, their tuition covers all of your expenses (teacher wages, materials). You can create your own curriculum based on your children’s interests or you can use Merit Academy’s curriculum (available at www.meritworld.com). Tatsui-D’Arcy’s daughters started kindergarten top of their classes and went on to Stanford University and Claremont McKenna College. She says the best part about the preschool program was having it focus on her daughters; she didn’t have to abide by a long list of rules and pick-up policies of the day care centers. When she arrived home each night, her daughters greeted her with happy smiles, dinner was sitting on the table, and laundry was folded and put away.

In this uncertain economy, every family could benefit from having their own child care program in their home. Parents can work away from home because the teacher organizes the classes and works with the children. By setting up day care hours to accommodate your schedule; parents reduce their stress as well as their child care bills.

To learn more, check out these links:
Tatsui-D’Arcy’s Story
The Working Mother's Guide to FREE Child Care in Your Home!
Testimonials
Preschool Curriculum

Contact Info:
Kyle Millerick
Ecommerce Director
webadvisor@meritworld.com
(831) 462-5655

Educators

2009-02-27T13:57:00.000-08:00

We have enclosed information about our tutorial, college admissions, and college advisory programs to post for teachers and/or parents to see. We offer a unique tutorial program that helps students to become more organized and build academic skills so they become successful in the classroom. Each one of our students is placed with tutors (one-to-one) based on their academic needs and learning styles. The students are either tutored here at Merit (in Soquel) or at the student’s home.

Students who have completed projects in the past have positively impacted the community, while significantly increasing their chances of college admissions. Our students have captured the attention of local publications, and discovered innovative ways to market themselves to the colleges of their dreams. Merit’s College Advisory offers a personalized service to support students prepare for college admissions.

Some of the unique benefits that the students receive at Merit are learning time management and organizational skills, and how to study for exams. All tutorial sessions begin with the tutor reviewing the student’s planner. To remain organized we ask students to enter all classes, all assignment due dates, AND when they plan to complete school work in their planners. By helping the student to learn how to plan the various stages of their research for papers or projects, we hope to instill good study skills. Often times, the student’s primary problem is disorganization.

Our tutors specialize in specific areas in order to be able to help the student with difficult concepts, homework and test preparation. After our Diagnostic Initial Session with our Educational Consultant, an Individual Tutorial Program is designed to build a strong academic foundation and to help the student with homework and to prepare for tests. We work with the classroom teachers to make sure assignments are turned in on time and that long-term projects are carefully scheduled in the students’ planners. Our goal is to help get the students back on track as soon as possible.

High School Guidance Counselors

2009-02-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

Are you planning to offer a college advisory seminar for college-bound students and their parents? It's an ideal way to answer all of their questions and organize the students' college application process in one setting. As the author of Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project!, I am available to speak about college admissions requirements and tips on how to get into selective colleges by doing a project. As you know, students who do projects stand out and their essays are more interesting than those who don't.

If you would like to learn more about our seminars and how we can help to educate your students and parents about the college admissions process, please call me at (831) 462-5655 or email me at info@meritworld.com. We can also email you a free ebook version of our book Beat the College Admissions Game: Do a Project!.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Get your child organized!

2009-02-20T11:44:00.000-08:00

Get your children off to a new, organized start this year by using Merit’s Planner to help your children decide when they’ll complete their homework and chores, and learn how to monitor their progress.

When your children know that you are actively aware of their day-to-day responsibilities, they’ll be more prone to completing their tasks and being honest. Ask your children to enter in their planners, all classes, after-school activities, appointments, and other scheduled meetings. With all seven days displayed in equal columns and each day divided into 15-minute increments, the Merit Planner gives students the opportunity to plan when they’ll do homework, study for tests, and hang out with friends. Most kids are unrealistic about how long it will take to complete homework assignments or to study for tests. Typically, they underestimate by 50%. By asking your child to block off time in his planner to complete each assignment, he’ll begin to see how much overall time is needed to get everything done by the end of the night.

The biggest problem for most students is planning how to do a large project. Most kids wait until the eleventh hour and cram to finish it way past their bedtimes. Besides causing unnecessary stress for the entire family, your child isn’t learning how to produce quality work – he’s just throwing it together to get it done. By using the Merit Planner, students can plan ahead. Simply enter the project due date in the planner and work your way backwards. Assign short tasks to do each day and then show your child when he actually needs to get started in order to finish it on time. This gives the students the opportunity to schedule tasks for big projects around regular homework, practices, and social events.

After your children have entered in their Merit Planners scheduled activities and blocked off time to get work done, all they need to do is that day’s tasks. Because it’s all blocked off at the actual time they’re supposed to be doing it, you can help monitor their progress. As they complete each task, they will highlight it to indicate that the job is done. They’ll enjoy this wonderful feeling of highlighting tasks as they get things done throughout the day. Unlike a homework or chores list, the Merit Planner allows the students to designate time to do each task. That way if there is too much going on in one day, your child can cross off the task and move it to another day.

Have Family Meetings once a week to motivate your children to use and follow their planners. By reviewing their progress and making sure that they’ve completed homework, studied for exams, and finished chores, you can reward them with privileges. When they ask if they can play or go out with friends, simply ask to see their planners. If everything for that day is highlighted, then they’re free to go. If not, just tell them to ask again after they are done. To make sure that they don’t erase tasks to hide them from you, check their planners often so you are aware of what’s going on in their lives.

You’ll find that your children will become better students and more responsible when they use the Merit Planner. If you would like guidance in teaching your child how to use the planner, set up an appointment with Merit’s Advisors. You can purchase the Merit Planner at www.meritworld.com

Meritworld Educational Services

2009-02-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

MERIT exists as education institution that focuses on the provision of educational advisory to the general public. We provide consultation to both parents and students in engaging and advancing the student's future, an individualized approach for personal interests.

MERIT ACADEMY

Within the MERIT family, we provide a comprehensive educational approach through the Merit Academy, an independent school. The Academy provides a carefully designed courseload that incorporates the core learning desires of the students and embraces the full spectrum of learning from Merit Academy's kindergarten through 12th grade curriculum. Our approach and educational philosophy extend from Merit's Story.

The Academy is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) (for grades 9th-12th).

EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY

In addition to the Academy, MERIT also offers comprehensive educational services that enhance skills and provide guidance for students who want a greater education. These services extend from study skills to private tutoring, college admissions through graduate school, and even home schooling curriculum and alternatives.