SUMMER - MARTHA'S VINEYARD
JULY & AUGUST AT "FOREVER WILD"
ON EDGARTOWN GREAT POND
Each student is engaged according to his or her
individual needs, interests and goals.
I. Practical, Step-by-Step Writing Skills
Program in the Spirit of Summer
II. "How to Get an A" Academic Skills &
"How to Run Your Own Life" Self Management Skills Summer Course
III. College Applications & Counseling
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I. PRACTICAL, STEP-BY-STEP WRITING SKILLS
IN THE SPIRIT OF SUMMER
Kids learn Practical, Step-by-Step Writing Skills along with analytical thinking, organizational, time management and other academic skills that prepare them to succeed in school.
Summer is a special time for young people and this course does not feel like school. At the same time, our goal together is to develop skills that translate directly to schoolwork success.
Our goals are accomplished in the spirit of summer fun by allowing kids to write on any subject they choose. However, the irreverent approach to subject matter and tone in no way diminishes the rigor or effectiveness of the course; in fact, it is the core of the continuing success of the Summer-only program.
Students learn a step-by-step process for developing ideas, getting started writing a draft, overcoming obstacles and frustration, following through, and proofreading and editing. This course is specifically tailored to the individual student. Each kid has a different set of abilites and goals. Some want to express themselves creatively or improve the fluency of their writing; others need a reliable, rigorous writing process for school, or simply don't know where to begin.
ACADEMIC & LIFE SKILLS COURSE
The huge shift in academic expectations between middle school and high school often comes as a shock to kids. They are generally not trained in the practical skills necessary to handle high school successfully, which is unfortunate because Ninth Grade is the start of the permanent academic record. Knowing how to handle yourself, manage your time and balance your academic, athletic and family responsibilities is critical to self-confidence and success. It is often not a matter of intelligence; bright students fall behind because they are unprepared for the expectations, protocols and executive skills required to manage high school. This course has proven valuable to students from Middle School through Senior Year.
This course uses sections of illustrated materials from the "How to Get an A" program.
III. COLLEGE APPLICATIONS & COUNSELING:
Strategizing the New Common App 2013
The most successful approach to creating compelling college applications is to begin during the summer before senior year, focusing on the Common App essay and individual college supplements.
The Common App made significant changes in 2013. The new questions all require self-awareness, insight and a strategic approach to the question and answer. I recommend that two of the essay choices be avoided entirely. The short Activities essay, and the long essay "Topic of Your Choice" option have been eliminated, so the single essay is even more significant, and more challenging, than it has been in the past.
We begin by discussing and prioritizing personal preferences and strategic considerations; we then identify a range of schools that would be a good fit. Frequently, students do not fully realize the potential strengths of their accomplishments, experiences and point of view. Other students might overestimate the value of certain athletic or extra-curricular activities. We realistically evaluate the student as an entire person, and develop the strongest possible personal profile in order to distinguish the student from the overall applicant pool. This can be accomplished in several ways, from the framing of essay topics to the honest characterization of extra-curricular activities.
After developing and editing the Common Application essay, we move on to the supplemental essays for individual colleges, and applications for schools that use only their own applications. I also work with students on taking advantage of the Common Application Additional Statement to convey useful information that might not have a place elsewhere on the application. Concise, expressive writing is a primary focus, and the students develop rigorous writing skills as they craft their college applications.
High schools often take a one-size-fits-most approach to advising all but the most exceptional students about college, feeding students to the same group of schools and putting them into competition with their schoolmates as well as the larger candidate pool. In addition to focusing on the student's "dream schools", I try to identify great schools that students and families may not have considered.
After the Summer, I generally continue working with students by Skype andtelephone throughout the process until applications are submitted.
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