TeenLife Guide Fall 2014

FALL 2014

GUIDE

Should Teens Take a Gap Year Before College?

Directory of

500+

Teen Opportunities Conquering SAT Anxiety O U R M I S S I ON IS T EEN SUCCESS

teenlife.com

She got her mother’s humor.

And her confidence from a summer abroad.

DISCOVER U.

YFU cultural exchange opens minds and hearts, enables learning that transforms lives and ultimately helps to make us better citizens of one world.

YFU summer programs offer you the opportunity to experience a culture like no tourist could. Spend 3-8 weeks immersing yourself in a new culture with a host family and learning a new language!

In addition to summer programs, YFU offers full immersion academic and gap year programs along with opportunities to become a YFU host family.

1.800.TEENAGE | YFUUSA.ORG | APPLY TODAY!

Presenting the Fall 2014 TeenLife Guide It’s back-to-school time!

We hope that our latest edition of the TeenLife Guide helps you kick-off the school year with practical advice and ideas for teen enrichment all year long. Once again, we have pulled together the best content and program listings TeenLife has to offer. We separate our guide into categories, making your search easier and more efficient.

In our gap year section on page 14, we tackle the question Should Teens Consider a Gap Year Before College? For many students, the answer is yes! Taking a gap year provides a great opportunity for teenagers to travel, learn, and explore before college. Plus, they are proven to improve a student’s academic performance once in school.

While many high schools require community service to graduate, we believe volunteering is important for so many other reasons. Our community service section of the Guide discusses Why Community Service Work is Beneficial for Teenagers (page 20), written by our very own TeenLife staff editor.

Other great articles in this back-to-school edition include Are High School Students Ready for MOOCs? (page 28), Getting Over SAT and ACT Test Anxiety (page 42), 6 Tips for Parents of College-Bound Students From an Independent Advisor (page 46), and much more.

We hope you find this issue of the TeenLife Guide informative and useful. Please share it with other parents, teenagers, and educators in your school community—and look out for more TeenLife publications this fall.

Have a great school year!

Marie Schwartz President & Founder TeenLife Media, LLC

TeenLife | Fall 2014 1

2014 TeenLife Guide P U B L I S H ER Marie Schwartz, CEO & Founder MA R K ET I N G Camille Heidebrecht, Director of Marketing Lesli Amos, Sr. Marketing Manager Sophie Borden, B2C and Content Marketing Manager ART & PRODUCTION Kathryn Tilton, Designer A D V E R T I S I N G S A L ES Peggy Iafrate, Sr. Director of Sales peggy@teenlife.com April Kennedy, Outreach Manager Christine LeMaire, Outreach Manager Amy Gruber, Outreach Manager Maura Shea, Outreach Manager TECHNOLOGY Lenny Pratt, Software Developer O P ER A T I O N S Maria Kieslich, Vice President of Operations Alice Bergin, Manager of Operations

PUBLISHED BY: TeenLife Media, LLC 1330 Beacon St., Suite 268 Brookline, MA 02446 (617) 277-5120, info@TeenLife.com www.TeenLife.com, Copyright Š 2014.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY

TeenLife Media, LLC (TL) takes no responsibility for any of the descriptions of the various programs listed. TL is not familiar with all of the organizations listed. We edit the descriptions only to achieve a consistent format. TL presents all descriptions without any warranty of any kind, express or implied. TL is not responsible for the accuracy of any description, or for mistakes, errors, or omissions of any kind, and is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by a user’s reliance on the information contained in this guide. All the information contained herein is subject to change without notice, and readers are advised to confirm all information about an organization and obtain references before making any commitments.

Trademarks: TeenLife Media, LLC and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of TeenLife and/or its affiliates in the United States and may not be used without written permission.

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Contents FALL 2014

Summer Programs

4 What I Learned from My Pre-College Summer Program

By Nate Giess

Gap Year Programs

14 Should Teens Consider a Gap Year Before College?

By Andrew Belasco

Volunteer Programs

20 Why Community Service Work is Beneficial for Teenagers

By Camille Heidebrecht

High School

28 Are High School Students Ready for MOOCs? By Kristen Licciardi

Colleges & Universitites

32 Video Essays for College Applications

By Suzanne Shaffer

Tutoring & Test Prep

42 Getting Over SAT and ACT Test Anxiety

By Bara Sapir

Independent Advisors

46 6 Tips for Parents of College-Bound Students From an Independent Advisor

By Elly Swartz

Therapeutic Programs

50 Assessing College-Readiness for Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome

By Elizabeth Suneby 57 Advertiser Index 58 Index

Featured Listings 8 Summer Programs 17 Gap Year Programs 24 Volunteer Programs 31 High School

36 Colleges & Universities 45 Tutoring & Test Prep 48 Independent Advisors 54 Therapeutic Programs

TeenLife | Fall 2014 3

Summer Programs

4 TeenLife | Fall 2014

What I Learned From My Pre-College

SUMMER PROGRAM

by Nate Giess

The summer of my junior year I chose to apply to a summer business course offered by a prominent university. I decided to try the course in hopes of discovering more about my own interest in business as a potential college major and future career. Up until that summer, I had taken one Entrepreneurship class at my high school, which I enjoyed immensely, but I was unsure whether I really liked the subject material. And so with that in mind, I decided to complete the short application and see what would happen.

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THE PRE-COLLEGE COURSEWORK REFLECTED WHAT I’D LEARN IN COLLEGE.

COLLEGE ACADEMICS WILL BE MORE RIGOROUS.

When I received notification that I had been accepted to this reputable pre-college program, I began to really look at what I had signed up for.

The university advertised the course as the same introduction to business class that they taught their freshmen, but I was skeptical. After all, the program was only a few weeks long, and it seemed like it would be difficult to cover a semester of work in such a short period of time.

As for the actual schoolwork, I quickly found that it was very different from the high school class structure I was used to. The course had roughly 150 students enrolled in it, I would have a discussion section with a Teachers Assistant in the morning, and then attend lecture. While the discussion sections felt more familiar, with only 20 students and one “teacher,” there was no checking of homework, no cold calling, and no accountability for doing the work (except for a participation grade). In fact, the course was structured so that there were only 3 projects and a final exam that were graded in the end.

However, much of my doubt was dispelled when I was directed to order the textbook, which at roughly 900 pages, had certainly not been abbreviated for the purpose of the summer program. I decided to skim the first few chapters and just see what we might discuss on the first day of class.

TAKING THE CAMPUS TOUR IS NECESSARY. I chose to show up a day before move-in day, so I could take the official campus tour and learn more about the school itself, as I was also planning to apply in the fall. I would highly recommend doing this, as it is interesting to see the school from a complete outsider’s perspective before you live and attend classes there for several weeks.

I learned that tour impressions do not always match up with the actual on-campus experience (although this will vary for everyone).

On move-in day I found out that I had been assigned a single room with no roommate. Although I was not sure I really wanted to share my room, I knew that having a roommate would mean that I would have at least one friend for the first day and the summer. As it turned out, there was another guy in my suite (a grouping of 5 rooms that shared a bathroom) who was also taking the business course. I ended up with the best of both worlds— having someone to hang out with and randomly buy tons of snacks at 11:30 p.m. at night, but also having my room all to myself.

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YOU NEED TO STRUCTURE YOUR OWN TIME. While I found this class structure freeing in that I could avoid doing busywork and focus on actually learning the material, many of my classmates struggled with their newfound freedom.

Never before had I lived in a situation where after 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon, the entire day was mine. There was no accountability for how I used my time, no one to check or even ask if I did the work for the next day, and no responsibilities or chores. It was actually difficult to find enough things to do for the first few days, and I ultimately ended up spending a lot of time hanging out with the people on the floor of my dorm.

If you take a course with a similar structure, I highly recommend finding at least one hour of the day where you can be 100% productive, and try to do almost all of your work in that time frame. For me, 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. was my most productive, as no one else was awake, nobody was posting on social media, and the dining hall was closed. Also, by doing my work in the morning, I almost never had to miss out on a social activity later in the afternoon or night.

YOU NEED TO BE FRIENDLY AND ACTIVELY CREATE A CORE GROUP OF FRIENDS. Speaking of social activity, I found that I spent 90% of my time with the same group of 15 or so people. With the amount of free time a “college experience” provides, it is important to find at least one group of people to spend time with; from going off into the surrounding area, to hanging out in dorm common rooms, to eating together in dining halls.

Because of this need to have a core group of friends, I found it extremely important to be friendly and outgoing for the first few days. Even if you are not naturally a social butterfly (I am definitely not), people make their first impressions and friends very early in such a situation, so it is invaluable to recognize that fact and act accordingly.

CONFIRMED MY INTEREST IN BUSINESS. Ultimately my summer course had a number of important benefits, one of which was confirming my interest in business and leading me to decide to study business as an undergraduate. However, the benefits of the course were not merely academic; it was great to be able to have a temporary college experience as a high school student. Lastly, the prolonged look at the school offering the summer program is an important piece of data in your college search and application process. The weeks spent living in a dorm and having a “college experience” will be strange at times, but also extremely fun!

Browse more summer programs for your teen on TeenLife.com!

TeenLife | Fall 2014 7

Summer Programs It’s not too early to start researching activities for next summer.

Here are some summer ideas to consider. Plus, you can search for more summer programs on TeenLife.com!

Academic I2 CAMP- NEW YORK New York, NY ROSS SCHOOL - SUMMER TERM @ROSS East Hampton, NY ACADIA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY: ADVANCED SESSION FOR COLLEGE CREDIT Seal Harbor, ME ACADIA INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY: ADVANCED PROGRAM Seal Harbor, ME ALFRED UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAMS Alfred, NY BABSON COLLEGE: ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE Babson Park, MA BOSTON LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH) Wellesley, MA BOSTON UNIV SUMMER TERM HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS Boston, MA BOSTON UNIVERSITY: SUMMERLAB BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM Boston, MA 8 TeenLife | Fall 2014

BROWN UNIVERSITY PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS Summer 2014: Experience college life, prepare for academic success, and make new friends from around the world in Brown Pre-College Programs, with more than 300 courses to choose from on campus, online, or abroad.

Providence, RI

BROWN UNIVERSITY SPARK: SUMMER SCIENCE PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS Providence, RI CARLETON COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Northfield, MN COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY: NIAHD PRE-COLLEGIATE SUMMER PROGRAM IN EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY Williamsburg, VA COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION: SUMMER JOURNALISM WORKSHOP New York, NY DELAWARE COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS: EXCEL ENRICHMENT Newtown Square , PA

EMERSON COLLEGE: CREATIVE WRITERS WORKSHOP Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: JOURNALISM AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION INSTITUTES Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE FILM PRODUCTION Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE FILM WRITING Boston, MA EMORY UNIVERSITY PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM Atlanta, GA EXPERIENCE AMERICA: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND CAREERS Seattle, WA EXPLORATIONS IN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN Coral Gables, FL FELICIAN COLLEGE PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAM- THE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP INSTITUTE Rutherford, NJ H.E.L.P - EXPLORING HEALTH AND MEDICINE Westfield, MA

BROWN UNIVERSITY Pre-College Programs

Q

Q

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Challenge yourself with Ivy League academics Prepare to succeed in a college environment Meet exceptional students from around the world

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More than 300 Academic Courses

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Sessions 1 to 7 Weeks in Length

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College Credit Courses SPARK - Middle School Science Program

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www.brown.edu/summer

Summer Programs HARVARD UNIVERSITY: SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM Cambridge, MA

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Evanston, IL

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMY, SANTA FE PRE-COLLEGE Santa Fe, NM

HUMANITIES SPRING ARCHAEOLOGY BOOT CAMP Italy

OXBRIDGE EDGE United Kingdom

SUMMER EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT ELMIRA COLLEGE Elmira , NY

HUMANITIES SPRING IN ASSISI Italy HUMANITIES SPRING IN NEW YORK New York, NY I2 CAMP New York, NY ID PROGRAMMING ACADEMY, ID GAME DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY, AND ID FILM ACADEMY Campbell, CA

PHILLIPS ACADEMY: SUMMER SESSION Andover, MA PHILLIPS EXETER ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOL Exeter, NH PURDUE UNIVERSITY: GERI SUMMER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS West Lafayette, IN RWU SUMMER ACADEMY IN ARCHITECTURE Bristol, RI

JUNIOR STATESMEN SUMMER SCHOOL San Mateo, CA

SCIENCE CAMPS OF AMERICA BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII SUMMER 2014 Pahala, HI

LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY SUMMER CAMPS Southfield, MI

SEGL’S SUMMER ETHICS AND LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Washington, D.C.

LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE HEALTH AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES CAMP Annville, PA

SKIDMORE PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM Saratoga Springs, NY

MINES - SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUNG WOMEN Butte, MT

SMITH COLLEGE: SUMMER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROGRAM (SSEP) Northampton, MA

MOUNT DESERT ISLAND BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY (MDIBL) Salisbury Cove, ME

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE SUMMER ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS PRE-COLLEGE Annapolis, MD

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SUMMERFUEL New York, NY SUPERCAMP Multiple Locations, CA SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SUMMER COLLEGE Syracuse, NY TETON SCIENCE SCHOOLS: SUMMER PROGRAM Jackson, WY UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS Irving, TX UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM Biddeford, ME UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS Rochester, NY UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER ACADEMY Burlington, VT UNIVERSITY PREP PROGRAM Stamford, CT WAGNER COLLEGE SUMMER PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Staten Island, NY

Summer Programs WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY’S HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER EXPERIENCES St. Louis, MO

EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE FILMMAKERS STUDIO Boston, MA

WELLESLEY COLLEGE SUMMER SESSION PRE-COLLEGE Wellesley, MA

EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE STAGE DESIGN STUDIO Boston, MA

WESTFIELD CSI Westfield, MA YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR CHALLENGE Boston, MA

FRENCH WOODS FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS Hancock, NY

Arts

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART PRE-COLLEGE STUDIO Baltimore, MD

ARTS IN ACTION FINE ART SUMMER CAMP New York, NY

METROPOLIS SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS Arlington Heights, IL

BROOKS INSTITUTE HIGH SCHOOL WORKSHOP Santa Barara, CA

MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER SESSION Minneapolis, MN

CAP21 SUMMER HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING AND COLLEGE AUDITION PREP PROGRAM New York, NY

OMEGA TEEN CAMP Holmes, NY

COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE PRE-COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Albany, NY

POWERHOUSE THEATER TRAINING PROGRAM AT VASSAR COLLEGE Poughkeepsie, NY

DIABLO GLASS SCHOOL Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: MUSICAL THEATRE STUDIO Boston, MA EMERSON COLLEGE: PRE-COLLEGE ACTING STUDIO Boston, MA

OXBOW SUMMER ART CAMP Napa, CA

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM SUMMER INSTITUTE Chicago, IL

SNOW FARM SUMMER: THE NEW ENGLAND CRAFT PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Williamsburg, MA THE BOSTON CONSERVATORY SUMMER INTENSIVES Boston, MA THE PUTNEY SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS Putney, VT

Community Service AMIGOS DE LAS AMERICAS (AMIGOS) Houston, TX ASPIRE BY API: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA, CHINA, ECUADOR, AND SOUTHEAST ASIA (CAMBODIA & THAILAND) Austin, TX EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING CHILE Chile EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING COMMUNITY SERVICE Brattleboro, VT VISIONS ALASKA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Tetlin Vilage , AK VISIONS BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM British Virgin Islands

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Summer Programs VISIONS CAMBODIA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Cambodia VISIONS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Dominican Republic VISIONS ECUADOR & GALAPAGOS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Ecuador

Computers and Technology EXPERIENCE AMERICA: THE GAME EXPERIENCE Seattle, WA ID TECH CAMPS HELD AT UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE Campbell, CA SUMMER ACADEMY IN APPLIED SCIENCE & TECH Philadelphia, PA

SOL ABROAD HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS Austin, TX

Leadership Training GLOBAL YOUTH VILLAGE Bedford, VA INWARD BOUND MINDFULNESS EDUCATION Florence, MA

Internships and Work Experience

LEADERS FOR LIFE INTERNATIONAL AT HAMILTON COLLEGE Clinton, NY

VISIONS GUADELOUPE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Guadeloupe

INTERNSHIP CONNECTION PROGRAM Newton, MA

PEOPLE TO PEOPLE LEADERSHIP IN ACTION HARVARD Spokane, WA

VISIONS MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Gulfport, MS

Language

PROJECT ADVENTURE SUMMER YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Beverly, MA

BOSTON LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: MANDARIN CHINESE Chestnut Hill, MA

Special Interests

VISIONS GHANA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Ghana

VISIONS MONTANA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Bozeman, MT VISIONS NICARAGUA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Nicaragua VISIONS PERU COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM Peru VISIONS SERVICE ADVENTURES Bozeman, MT

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CESA LANGUAGES ABROAD United Kingdom

BEAVER SUMMER PROGRAMS: BOSTON CHILDREN’S CIRCUS Chestnut Hill, MA

HUMANITIES SPRING KIDS Italy

HONORS SUMMER INSTITUTES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Amherst, MA

LAWRENCE ACADEMY SUMMER PROGRAMS: LANGUAGE IMMERSION Groton, MA

SCHOOL OF FASHION DESIGN: HIGH SCHOOL PREP PROGRAM Boston, MA

SINO LANGUAGE: CHINESE LANGUAGE & CULTURE IMMERSION China

SUSTAINABLE SUMMER: ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA, ECUADOR AND THE GALAPAGOS Brooklyn, NY

Summer Programs Sports BONNIE CASTLE RIDING CAMP Greenfield, MA

BEAVER SUMMER PROGRAMS: PEAK AND PADDLE Chestnut Hill, MA

KUCHANGA TRAVEL UGANDA, TANZANIA, KENYA, ZIMBABWE, SOUTH AFRICA, ZAMBIA Minneapolis, MN

STRIVE TRIPS - SERVICE TRIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES Kenya

COTTONWOOD GULCH WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS Albuquerque, NM

LASTING ADVENTURES Yosemite, CA

TOURACADEMY JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS Multiple Locations, FL

COTTONWOOD GULCH: ART AND MUSIC TREK Thoreau, NM

Traditional/CIT

CSA BUDGET STUDY ABROAD - LOW COST PROGRAMS Kent, WA

CAMP FRIENDSHIP Palmyra, VA GREEN RIVER PRESERVE Cedar Mountain, NC YMCA CAMP LAKEWOOD Potosi, MO

EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING ARGENTINA Argentina

Travel/Culture

EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING FRANCE France

AFRICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM South Africa

EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING SPAIN Spain

AIFS SUMMER ADVANTAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM Stamford, CT ASPIRE BY API: SUMMER PROGRAMS IN ARGENTINA, CHINA, COSTA RICA, ECUADOR, ENGLAND, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY, SPAIN, & ASIA Austin, TX

RAINBOW VOLUNTOURS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & TRAVEL PROGRAMS IN INDIA: TEACHING India RUSTIC PATHWAYS Chardon, OH SUMMER SESSION AT CARDIGAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL Canaan, NH THE EXPERIMENT IN INTERNATIONAL LIVING Brattleboro, VT UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS Rochester, NY YFU (YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING) Bethesda, MD

Youth For Understanding students explore Japanese temples on a rainy afternoon.

ATLAS WORKSHOPS Cambridge, MA

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Gap Year Programs

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Student with Thinking Beyond Borders plays with kids in Ecuador, while working on clean water conservation at a local school.

Should Teens Consider a

GAP YEAR BEFORE COLLEGE?

By Andrew Belasco

Back in the 80s, parents’ worst nightmare was that their flaky Gen-X teens would defer entry into college, stating that they first needed to “find themselves.” After a year of goat herding in the Himalayas, being one with nature, and going on nightly vision quests, the best some parents could hope for is that their sons and daughters would eventually return, ready to hit the books, embrace Alex P. Keatonesque values, and eventually end up as Wall Street wolves.

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SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A GAP YEAR BEFORE COLLEGE? While absurd, this introduction offers a kernel of truth—in the absence of proper nomenclature, a desire to step off the conveyor belt of formal education was not always encouraged in American culture. Rest assured, in modern times, the “gap year” is officially a real thing, and while only 2 percent of soon-to-be college students presently partake, the practice is greatly increasing in popularity. No longer solely the domain of the wealthy, a growing number of middle class students are also taking a year off to foray into the “real” world, often emerging with a new sense of direction, perspective, and purpose.

WHAT IS A GAP YEAR? Taken either right after high school or at some point between years of college (often junior and senior), a gap year is a structured break from formal academics that affords young people a chance to travel, volunteer, intern, study abroad, or further explore a personal area of interest.

Common gap year activities include volunteering with an organization like Americorps, teaching English in a foreign country, or learning about global issues firsthand with a group like Thinking Beyond Borders, just to name a few.

You may also choose something less exotic and more affordable. Many gap year programs are international, but domestic opportunities, while sounding less glamorous, can be every bit as valuable. Colleges aren’t interested in the fact that the Brazilian orphanage where you volunteered had a majestic view of the Amazon River basin. It’s about the work, the dedication, the experience, and the opportunity to grow as a human being. Volunteering at a group home in the Bronx will be every bit as enlightening and meaningful even if scenic Amazonian waterfalls are replaced by bridges and billboards.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? Taking a gap year can be an invaluable opportunity to explore a college major/career. Many students report an increased sense of purpose upon starting or returning to college following a year away. For example, your architecture major may take on new meaning after spending a year building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

A soon-to-be pre-med major may be energized into a new career passion after seeing lacking hospital conditions overseas. A future social worker might discover a newfound fervor for working with disadvantaged adolescents while volunteering at the aforementioned Bronx group home.

There are more tangible benefits as well.

Research has shown that gap year participants earn higher GPAs freshman year than those who matriculate immediately after high school.

WHY NOT TO TAKE A GAP YEAR It is typically a misguided approach to take a gap year solely for the purpose of trying to get into a better college. Academic performance is still your passport to an elite school. In fact, if this is your aim, consider completing your freshman year at a school that will accept you, racking up a killer transcript, and applying as a transfer at Elite U. the following year.

If taking a gap year interests you, use the resources listed in this guide to begin your search for a program that will offer a good fit. TL

Resources: Read TeenLife’s 2014 Guide to Gap Year Programs.

For the American Gap Association’s complete list of “Gap friendly” schools click here.

Gap Year Programs Taking a gap year is an excellent way to prepare for college. Here are some gap year programs to consider or search more on TeenLife.com.

Academic AMERICAN UNIVERSITY GAP PROGRAM United States CESA LANGUAGES ABROAD Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America CONDENSED CURRICULUM INTERNATIONAL Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, United States

CSA BUDGET STUDY ABROAD LOW COST PROGRAMS Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, United States OXFORD ADVANCED STUDIES PROGRAM (OASP) Europe SEA|MESTER Asia, Australia, Europe SOL ABROAD HIGH SCHOOL & GAP YEAR PROGRAMS Europe, Latin America

ST. NORBERT COLLEGE GAP EXPERIENCE Canada, Caribbean, United States YFU (YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING) Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East

Adventure/Trips NORTH CAROLINA OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL Latin America, United States

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Gap Year Programs Community Service AMERICORPS NCCC United States GAPFORCE Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America

United States THE ISLAND SCHOOL/CAPE ELEUTHERA INSTITUTE GAP YEAR Caribbean THE PIONEER PROJECT United States

RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL Africa, Asia, Latin America

VOLUNTEER IN FIJI CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY PROJECTS Asia, Australia

Environmental Conservation

Internships and Work Experience

AFRICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE Africa

DYNAMY INTERNSHIP YEAR United States

INNERPATHWORKS

Art History Abroad students on the Grand Canal.

INTERNSHIP CONNECTION: GAP YEAR PROGRAM United States

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS IN AMAZING LOCATIONS Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America RAINBOW VOLUNTOURS : COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & TRAVEL PROGRAMS IN INDIA: TEACHING/GAP YEAR Asia VISITOZ: WORK IN AUSTRALIA Australia

Postgraduate Year THE ACADEMY AT WATKINSON SCHOOL: POSTGRADUATE YEAR PROGRAM Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, United States

Travel/Culture ART HISTORY ABROAD Europe ASPIRE BY API GAP YEAR PROGRAM AT JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY IN ROME Europe ASPIRE BY API: GAP YEAR PROGRAMS IN ARGENTINA, FRANCE, IRELAND, ITALY, AND SPAIN Europe, Latin America LEAPNOW: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, United States VOLUNTEERING SOLUTIONS Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East

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Look out for TeenLife’s

GUIDE TO GAP YEAR PROGRAMS on TeenLife.com and handed out all 30+ USA Gap Year Fairs across the country!

2015

GUIDE TO

PROGRAMS

NEW TRENDS

in the Gap Year Industry A Comprehensive Directory of Gap Year Programs

+

Why Taking a Gap Year is Beneficial for Students O U R M IS S I ON I S T E E N S U C C E S S

teenlife.com

TO VIEW THE USA GAP YEAR FAIRS SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE.

Volunteer Programs

20 TeenLife | Fall Summer 2014 Programs

Teen volunteers handing out goodies to 5K runners during the MitoAction Energy Walk & 5K Run.

Why

COMMUNITY SERVICE Work is Beneficial for Teenagers

by Camille Heidebrecht

When I was a teenager, I remember helping the neighbor with her groceries or babysitting for the kids down the street a couple hours for free, but when I was growing up, I don’t really remember an emphasis on doing community service work. The buzz was largely about getting a job or multiple jobs to pay for the extras that I wanted and my parents would not buy.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 21

I worked at Macy’s, bussed tables at a local restaurant, and scooped ice cream in the summer. Plus, did a lot of babysitting. Of course, I believe most teens still look for—and appreciate—the benefits of working in a part-time job but also truly understand the personal benefits of worthwhile community service work.

It may be somewhat obvious, but worth noting to remind us all that teens should volunteer as much as they can throughout their teen years.

Teenagers who volunteer gain benefits ranging from increased self-esteem to acquiring valuable job skills. And it goes without saying that community service is also a critical component of a successful college application.

COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK HAS PERSONAL, COLLEGE, AND CAREER BENEFITS FOR TEENS The Personal Benefits of Teen Volunteering: • Develops an increased sense of social responsibility—a global view of society and a heart for “giving back” and helping others.

• Exposes teens to diversity and multiculturalism.

• Provides an opportunity to apply academic learning to real human needs.

• Builds relationships and “social connectedness” with peers, adults, and activists sharing a cause.

• Improves communication and critical thinking skills.

The College Admissions Benefits of Teen Volunteering: • Helps students stand out among other applicants; admissions officers want well rounded co-eds who volunteer; service work is a leading decision-making factor after a student’s GPA and SAT scores.

• Provides a topic of interest for college essays; emphasis on “why” and “how” a student has tackled an issue.

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The Career Benefits of Teen Volunteering: • Helps students find their passions and interests that may lead to a career choice they may have not considered.

• Helps develop lifelong interpersonal and communication skills.

Community service is an essential way for students to explore their interests, show colleges what they believe in, and define a possible career path. By engaging in volunteer work, teens have an opportunity to learn experientially.

They discover where their passions lie while undertaking “feel good” projects that truly make a difference. These experiences allow them to make more informed choices about college and career options as well as instilling a lifelong interest in giving back.

Even though I consider myself a good person, community service was less emphasized when I was a kid. Today, I am often impressed by the teens I know. They are not just helping their neighbor with the groceries or babysitting for free. They are building houses, delivering meals, singing for the elderly, and more.

They realize that community service has the potential to be life changing in more ways than one. TL

Students giving back to the community on a People to People Leadership Summit.

Search, find, and connect with teen opportunities— all in one place.

TeenLife provides parents and teens with the information and tools they need to find the perfect outside-the-classroom enrichment programs.

Become a member now at TeenLife.com/Join.

OUR MISSION IS TEEN SUCCESS

Volunteer Programs Start giving back by volunteering with one of theses national organizations actively looking for teen volunteers. Search more opportunities on TeenLife.com.

9/11 DAY Minimum Age: 12 A.S.P.C.A. Minimum Age: 16 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 16 AMERICA SCORES NEW ENGLAND, INC. Minimum Age: 15 AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Minimum Age: 13

24 TeenLife | Fall 2014

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE Minimum Age: 13 AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Minimum Age: 15 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 13 AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 16

AMERICAN RED CROSS Minimum Age: 14 ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 16 ASTHMA ALLERGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Minimum Age: 14 AUDUBON SOCIETY Minimum Age: 15 BEST BUDDIES Minimum Age: 13

Volunteer Programs BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 12 CAREPACKS Minimum Age: 18 CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS Minimum Age: 12 CHILDREN’S SURVIVAL NETWORK Minimum Age: 13 CITY YEAR Minimum Age: 17 COMFORT ZONE CAMP VOLUNTEERS Minimum Age: 15 COVENANT HOUSE Minimum Age: 12 COVENANT HOUSE SLEEP OUT: STUDENT EDITION Minimum Age: 12 CRUTCHES 4 KIDS Minimum Age: 12 CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 14

GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY Minimum Age: 13 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Minimum Age: 16 HEIFER INTERNATIONAL Minimum Age: 12 INVISIBLE CHILDREN Minimum Age: 18 JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION (JDRF) Minimum Age: 13

NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY Minimum Age: 13 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Minimum Age: 15 NEW ENGLAND BAPTIST HOSPITAL Minimum Age: 16

KABOOM! Minimum Age: 16

NICODEMUS WILDERNESS PROJECT Minimum Age: 12

KIDS IN DISTRESSED SITUATIONS (K.I.D.S) Minimum Age: 12

NVEEE | NATIONAL VOICES FOR EQUALITY, EDUCATION...

Minimum Age: 12

MEALS ON WHEELS Minimum Age: 14

OUTREACH PROGRAM Minimum Age: 12

MELANOMA EDUCATION FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 16

PAAJAF FOUNDATION Minimum Age: 13

MICROFINANCE: FONKOZE, ACCION, WAM & ZAWADI Minimum Age: 16

DOSOMETHING.ORG Minimum Age: 12

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Minimum Age: 12

FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS Minimum Age: 12

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION Minimum Age: 13

GIRLS LEARN INTERNATIONAL -EAST COAST OFFICE Minimum Age: 13

MY SMILE MATTERS YOUTH MOVEMENT ~ COMMUNITY EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES Minimum Age: 12

GIVINGPOINT Minimum Age: 13

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS Minimum Age: 14

PLGA FOUNDATION/A KIDS BRAIN TUMOR CURE Minimum Age: 16 PUZZLES TO REMEMBER Minimum Age: 12 RAINN Minimum Age: 18 REACH BEYOND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Minimum Age: 16 REACH OUT AND READ Minimum Age: 16 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES Minimum Age: 16 TeenLife | Fall 2014 25

Volunteer Programs ROOTS & SHOOTS Minimum Age: 14 SALVATION ARMY Minimum Age: 16 SPECIAL OLYMPICS Minimum Age: 12 STRONG WOMEN, STRONG GIRLS Minimum Age: 14 SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE Minimum Age: 16 TANGLEWOOD 4H CAMP AND LEARNING CENTER Minimum Age: 17

THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES Minimum Age: 12 THE LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY Minimum Age: 13 THE NICODEMUS WILDERNESS PROJECT: APPRENTICE ECOLOGIST INITIATIVEDALLAS Minimum Age: 12 THE VALIDATION PROJECT Minimum Age: 12 UNITED WAY Minimum Age: 16

WOOL FOR WORTHY CAUSES Minimum Age: 13 WORLD CARES CENTER Minimum Age: 16 WORLD COMPUTER EXCHANGE Minimum Age: 12 WORLD CONNECT Minimum Age: 12 WWW.ONGIANTSSHOULDERS.ORG Minimum Age: 14 YMCA Minimum Age: 14 Browse more volunteer programs for your teen on TeenLife.com!

Volunteers perform at an AMERICAN RED CROSS OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY event.

26 TeenLife | Fall 2014

2014 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) National College Fairs Already looking at schools? Attend one of the NACAC’s National College Fairs where you and your teen can discuss admission and financial aid requirements, majors, and campus life with representatives from a wide range of colleges.

September 9/14 BIRMINGHAM, AL Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

9/14 CINCINNATI, OH Duke Energy Convention Center 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

9/16 INDIANAPOLIS, IN Indiana Convention Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

9/21 LOUISVILLE, KY Kentucky International Convention Center 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

9/27 CHICAGO, IL Navy Pier 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

9/28 PHOENIX, AZ Phoenix Convention Center 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

9/28 MILWAUKEE, WI Wisconsin Center 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

9/30 NEW ORLEANS, LA Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

October 10/1 BATON ROUGE, LA Baton Rouge River Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

10/2 & 3 WASHINGTON D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center Thursday, October 2 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday, October 3 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

10/5 LONG ISLAND, NY Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

10/5 & 6 KANSAS CITY, MO Kansas City Convention Center Sunday, October 5 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Monday, October 6 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

10/7 & 8 MINNEAPOLIS, MN Minneapolis Convention Center Tuesday, October 7 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 8 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

10/11 JACKSONVILLE, FL Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

10/12 ORLANDO, FL CFE Arena (Formerly the UCF Arena) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

10/18 DENVER, CO Colorado Convention Center 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

10/19 ST. LOUIS, MO Saint Louis University Simon Recreation Center 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

10/29 BOISE, ID Expo Idaho 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

10/31 SEATTLE, WA Washington State Convention Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 1 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

November 11/2 & 3 PORTLAND, OR Oregon Convention Center Sunday, November 2 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday, November 3 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

11/5 SPOKANE, WA Spokane Convention Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

11/13 ATLANTIC CITY, NJ Atlantic City Convention Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

10/21 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

10/26 PHILADELPHIA, PA Pennsylvania Convention Center 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

10/27 & 28 BALTIMORE, MD Baltimore Convention Center Monday, October 27 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 28 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

To register for a NACAC College Fair, click here

TeenLife | Fall 2014 27

High School

28 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Are High School Students Ready for MOOCS?

By Kristen Licciardi

MOOCs—shorthand for “massive open online courses”—have quickly gained traction in the world of higher education, and high school administrators are starting to take notice, too.

Despite the ominous name, the idea is pretty simple: a MOOC is a free online course with unlimited participants. Anyone with an Internet connection can enroll in courses on everything from engineering to English lit. There are three main MOOC providers, all with ties to elite universities: Coursera.org, edX.org, and Udacity.com.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 29

MOOC GROWTH The buzz surrounding MOOCs started to take off in 2011, when Sebastian Thrun of Stanford University taught an intro-level course on artificial intelligence as a MOOC; 160,000 students from around the world enrolled online. Inspired, Thrun went on to found Udacity in 2012. Harvard and MIT were quick to jump on the MOOC bandwagon, forming edX in 2012. In a few short years, MOOCs have evolved to include sophisticated video clips, online forums (“social learning tools”) and even gaming platforms.

So has MOOC mania trickled down to high school students? Coursera estimates that only 5 - 10 percent of its “learners” are high school age students—but educators predict rapid growth of MOOCs among today’s digital-savvy teens that have grown up on a steady diet of YouTube and online gaming.

MOOCs are also appealing to cash-strapped high school administrators who can use them to supplement classroom teaching. How will online learning impact the 21st century classroom? It’s too early to tell, but high school educators are already testing the waters and using MOOCs in innovative ways.

TOP 5 WAYS STUDENTS ARE USING MOOCS

1. Explore advanced courses MOOCs offer teens a way to tackle unusual or advanced coursework that might not be offered in most high schools. In a pilot program in Andover, MA, students are taking edX MOOCs on topics like advanced biology, justice, and Greek mythology, according to a recent blog on the website District Administration.

2. SAT Prep The University of Miami’s Global Academy, a virtual high school, recently launched a 3-week 30 TeenLife | Fall 2014

MOOC to help students prepare for the SAT test in biology; 1,000 students ended up taking the online course. And in 2015, The College Board and Khan Academy will team up in an exclusive partnership to offer free SAT prep materials online including practice problems and instructional videos.

3. A.P. Enhancer The College Board is also partnering with edX to roll out interactive units for high school teachers on select A.P. topics; the idea is to help students understand tricky concepts in topics like macroeconomics with engaging video clips and more.

4. To get a taste of a college major MOOCs give students a safe way to explore a potential major—before they get to college and burn through their parents’ cash. Brown University, for example, developed a MOOC specifically for pre-college students called Exploring Engineeringso teens can learn more about the rigorous requirements of majoring in engineering at Brown.

5. Pursue their passions Much like camp or an after school activity, MOOCs offer self-motivated students an outlet to explore emerging interests and talents like computer programming or learning a new language, for example. TL

For more on MOOCs, visit: moocnewsandreviews.com MOOCs Go to K12 Professors in Deal to Design Online Lessons for A.P. Classes A Surge in Growth for a New Kind of Online Course

High School Here are some quality high schools and programs to consider, along with others on TeenLife.com.

Boarding Schools ALEXANDER MUSS HIGH SCHOOL IN ISRAEL Israel CITY TERM AT THE MASTERS SCHOOL Dobbs Ferry, NY CONSERVE SCHOOL Land O’ Lakes, WI

Day Schools BRITISH SCHOOL OF BOSTON Boston, MA

SONOMA ACADEMY Santa Rosa, CA

Day and Boarding Schools IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY Idyllwild, CA

Health and Medical Services HOLISTIC HEALTH & TEEN MENTORING PROGRAM Avon, CT

STEM Education NONAMESITE.COM POWERED

BY TOPCODER Glastonbury, CT

Classes and Instruction BOSTON CITY SINGERS Dorchester, MA BUILD-IT-YOURSELF ART AND ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Cambridge, MA K12LAB BY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS Austin, TX

idyllwildarts.org #IamtheIdyllwild admission@idyllwildarts.org TeenLife | Fall 2014 31

Colleges & Universities

32 TeenLife | Fall 2014

VIDEO ESSAYS

for College Applications

By Suzanne Shaffer

Right now, for most colleges, the video is strictly an option. It’s a freebie. Most students applying to college won’t be uploading videos to YouTube.

This gives you an edge if the colleges are accepting them. Making a video essay will give your voice one more chance to be heard in the admissions cacophony.

Schools like George Mason University, Tufts University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland are currently accepting the videos as a part of the admissions process. But it’s important to remember some schools may accept videos only as a supplement to the traditional application, while others may look at videos as an accepted alternative to written essays.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 33

HOW DO YOU MAKE A VIDEO ESSAY?

There are multiple tools you can use to make the video: desktop computers, smartphones, and cameras. Whichever method you use the video should be clear. You can use just about any tools to enhance the video as well: slideshows, music, or animation.

It’s important, however, that the tools you use contribute to the video content and not distract from it.

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS FOR CREATING A GOOD VIDEO?

The video is a chance to deliver your message to admissions officers. Since you want to put as much effort into it as you do in the written essay, you should follow these simple tips: Say something meaningful about yourself This is a chance to transcend your numbers and to tell colleges something you feel is important about yourself.Consider what abilities, qualities or talents you want to convey. Be genuine. Follow your heart and your imagination.

Make it memorable Find a hook, an angle, or something unique. This doesn’t mean being fancy or gimmicky, but distinctive. As with a written essay, you want your video to stick in an admissions officer’s head. Think about videos you’ve watched. Which do you remember a day or a week later? Understanding what made them memorable can help you make yours stand out from the pack.

Have a script or storyboard Unless you’re doing a webcam rap, you will need a script or shooting plan. You can deviate from it on “the set”—sometimes great ideas come on the fly—but having a game plan will help you stay focused and on track.

Communicate clearly If you are appearing on camera, rehearse what you are going to say. Try to relax. Doing a number of takes will help loosen you up, and will also give you more options when you edit. Smile, take your time, and speak clearly and naturally.

34 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Show your face The whole point of the video is to help admissions officers put a face with a name.

A common mistake is shooting too far from the subject (you). If you’re small on screen, you’re harder to see and hear. Being close on a person’s face helps convey their emotions. Let them see into your eyes! Close ups will help an admissions officer connect with you.

Be succinct Admissions officers are far too busy to look at anything longer than a minute or two.

The last thing you want is for someone to get bored, glance at his watch, and turn you off in the middle of “Here’s what I plan to do with my life.”

Get feedback Before you upload your video, it’s smart to get other opinions. Show drafts of your video to other people and get feedback. Is your voice clear over the music? Does the pacing work? Do people “get it?” Your video will become stronger as you cut and fine tune.

As with your college essay, making a great video takes time and thought, but doing so may help give you that extra edge at your top-choice college. TL

The Essay Adviser provides individual coaching and essay writing workshops for navigating the college application process.

For more information, contact theessayadviser@gmail.com or call 617-838-8084.

www.essayadviser.com

© RALPH CLEVENGER

INSPIRING VISUAL ARTISTS SINCE 1945 brooks.edu 866.661.4238

CHECK US OUT ON VIMEO Watch interviews with students and alumni along with examples of student work!

Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.brooks.edu/disclosures. Brooks Institute cannot guarantee employment or salary. 0751082 07.14

College & Universities

Begin your college search with our comprehensive list of colleges and universities in this guide and search more schools on TeenLife.com.

Far West

Great Lakes

Great Plains

BROOKS INSTITUTE Ventura, CA

COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO Chicago, IL

DORDT COLLEGE Sioux Center, IA

LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Laguna Beach, CA SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE San Francisco, CA San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) is a magnet for individuals who push beyond boundaries to discover uncharted creative terrain. Through rigorous study, collaboration, and interdisciplinary coursework, SFAIs artists and scholars create new ways of looking at and living in the world.

SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY: DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC Rohnert Park, CA SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE Los Angeles, CA THE THEATRE SCHOOL AT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY Chicago, IL THEATRE OF ARTS Los Angeles, CA

36 TeenLife | Fall 2014

COLUMBUS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN Columbus, OH CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC AT BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY Berea, OH DEPAUL UNIVERSITY: SCHOOL OF MUSIC Chicago, IL ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY: ARTS PROGRAMS Bloomington, IL KENT STATE UNIVERSITY Kent, OH

OPTIONS TRANSITIONS TO INDEPENDENCE Carbondale, IL UMKC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC AND DANCE Kansas City, MO

Mid-Atlantic AMDA COLLEGE AND CONSERVATORY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS New York, NY AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS (AADA) New York, NY

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY Appleton, WI

CAP21 - MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING New York, NY

MILWAUKEE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Milwaukee, WI

CARNEGIE MELLON SCHOOL OF MUSIC Pittsburgh, PA

SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO Chicago, IL

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY: MARY PAPPERT SCHOOL OF MUSIC Pittsburgh, PA

VITERBO UNIVERSITY La Crosse, WI

Browse more colleges and universities on TeenLife.com!

Your passion today.

Your profession tomorrow.

Training talented students, from high school to graduate school, in the performing, visual and moving image arts to be professional artists.

Presenting more than 300 public performances and screenings annually.

DANCE DESIGN & PRODUCTION with high school Visual Arts Program

DRAMA FILMMAKING MUSIC

Photography by Peter Mueller, Steve Davis and Leftwich Photography

WWW.UNCSA.EDU admissions@uncsa.edu 336-770-3290 boxoffice@uncsa.edu 336-721-1945 www.uncsaevents.edu Winston-Salem, NC TeenLife | Fall 2014 37

College & Universities EASTMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC Rochester, NY

MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN COLLEGE New York, NY

HARCUM COLLEGE Bryn Mawr, PA LE MOYNE COLLEGE - VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM Syracuse, NY Award winning productions and concerts, student-centered learning opportunities, arts service in the community and abroad, and a supportive faculty all combine to offer our students a well-rounded “Whole Artist” education in the Jesuit tradition.

PARSONS THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DESIGN New York, NY

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY: MASON GROSS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS New Brunswick, NJ

FIVE TOWNS COLLEGE Dix Hills, NY

STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Hoboken, NJ

▪

Largest and newest conservatoire in England

▪

Masterclasses and seminars with high profile musicians

▪

Programs in Music Business or a combination of Classical, Popular, Production, Jazz

▪

On campus housing

38 TeenLife | Fall 2014

BOSTON CONSERVATORY Boston, MA DEAN COLLEGE Franklin, MA

STUDY IN ENGLAND |

BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC Boston, MA

POINT PARK UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh, PA

STEVENSON UNIVERSITY Stevenson, MD

www.lcm.ac.uk

New England

@LeedsMusic

NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS Bangor, ME NEW YORK CONSERVATORY FOR DRAMATIC ARTS New York, NY

College & Universities WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Worcester, MA

Rockies COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Fort Collins, CO NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY Nampa, ID

South East FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY Lakeland, FL

KEISER UNIVERSITY Fort Lauderdale, FL NEW WORLD SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Miami, FL REGENT UNIVERSITY Virginia Beach, VA

UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON Fredericksburg, VA UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winston-Salem, NC

SOUTHERN POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY Marietta, GA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA: SCHOOL OF MUSIC Columbia, SC

TENNESSEE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Cookeville, TN

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC

THE BLACKBIRD ACADEMY Nashville, TN

SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE

SPACE TO IMAGINE SFAI is a magnet for individuals who push beyond boundaries to discover uncharted artistic terrain. Through rigorous study, collaboration, and interdisciplinary studio courses, SFAI’s artists and scholars create new ways of looking at and living in the world.

► SFAI.EDU Work by Oliver Hawk Holden

TeenLife | Fall 2014 39

College & Universities South West

Outside U.S.

OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY Oklahoma City, OK

ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH United Kingdom

SANTA FE UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN Santa Fe, NM

HUMBER COLLEGE Canada

SCHREINER UNIVERSITY Kerrville, TX

LEEDS COLLEGE OF MUSIC United Kingdom

UNIVERSITY OF ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY (UAT) Tempe, AZ UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Tuscon, AZ UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON: MOORES SCHOOL OF MUSIC Houston, TX UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO Albuquerque, NM

ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA United Kingdom SFU SCHOOL FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ARTS Canada THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN LONDON - BA DEGREES IN ART, DESIGN & MEDIA AND PERFORMANCE & THEATRE ARTS United Kingdom

Humber College hands-on training with state-of-the-art equipment and technology is just part of the Humber experience.

THE ROYAL CENTRAL SCHOOL OF SPEECH AND DRAMA United Kingdom XAVIER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ARUBA - XUSOM Aruba YORK UNIVERSITY - SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, MEDIA, PERFORMANCE & DESIGN Canada

College Resources ALL COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS Los Angeles, CA COLLEGE APPLICATION WIZARD Schenectady, NY Seattle, WA GRADFLY Buffalo, NY HOBSONS: COLLEGECONFIDENTIAL Cincinnati, OH JERRY’S ARTARAMA Raleigh, NC QUAD2QUAD Chevy Chase, MD THE ESSAY ADVISER Chestnut Hill, MA Intro Listing; Spotlight

Browse more colleges and universities on TeenLife.com!

40 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Look out for TeenLife’s new

GUIDE TO PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS COLLEGE 2014 GUIDE TO

PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS COLLEGES

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING

Distributed at 20 NACAC College Fairs this fall!

2014 Performing & Visual Arts College Fair Schedule

to Showcase Your Talent

A TEENLIFE MEDIA PUBLICATION

View the digital version of our guide on TeenLife.com this September!

TeenLife | Fall 2014 41

Tutoring & Test Prep

42 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Getting Over

SAT AND ACT TEST ANXIETY

by Bara Sapir

Tests have a disproportionately large role in the course of your life, if you think about how much time is actually spent taking them.

How you perform during a few short hours while hunched over a small desk in some strange building can have major consequences.

Your score on an entrance exam can determine which college you go to. Which college you go to has a lot to do with which job you’ll get, and so on. The ACT and SAT loom large as a decider of fates, and for most students, pressure and anxiety play a pivotal role in one’s performance. No fun.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 43

I don’t need to tell you that anxiety and stress are the exact things that you don’t need in your study plan. The way anxiety presents itself varies—it can be emotional, physical, or psychological. Symptoms of anxiety range from slight jitters to full-blown, blank-out, deer-in-headlights syndrome while taking a test.

OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT MAY INDICATE YOU MIGHT BE SUFFERING FROM TEST ANXIETY INCLUDE: • Difficulty getting started with studying.

44 TeenLife | Fall 2014

• Becoming easily distracted even after you have started.

• Concerns that you will not do well regardless of your best efforts.

• Symptoms such as lack of focus, sweaty palms, upset stomach, headaches, and tension.

• Difficulty concentrating, following instructions, or understanding test questions, remembering material and/or strategies after the test is over, but forgetting them while taking the test.

Tutoring & Test Prep ARE YOU REALLY READY FOR YOUR TEST?

Anxiety could also indicate that you realize you aren’t ready for the test—but that is not all it indicates. It can be larger than that.

Anxiety indicates that something about the test is causing you fear. Is it fear of being judged? Is it fear of not performing to your potential? Or is it just an old fear of testtaking, recycled into this new experience?

Regardless of where anxiety comes from, it’s real. It is a worry and fills you with dread about test performance, which can be triggered by “the big day.” The importance one places on the test (which may or may not be a high-stakes test) can create proportionate test anxiety, but the trigger to high anxiety is usually performance and/or judgment on the test itself. Not to mention the pressure you might be getting from your parents, friends, and teachers. But enough about what we don’t want; let’s now address what we can do about it.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT TEST ANXIETY: GET OVER IT!

First, if you believe that we attract and create our own reality, then the more you worry about being ‘consumed’ by anxiety, and the more likely you’ll create that as a part of your reality. So, if your anxiety takes the form from an obsession down to something you’re

merely worried about, etc., we can find new ways to create an alternative and believable scenario.

The goal is to defuse the situation by imagining that things can be different, and to create a new reality that is believable and achievable.

In the lingo of integrated coaching, we’d recommend (and do with our students) time-line therapy, hypnosis, reframing, guided visualization, and more.

Here are some reputable tutoring and test prep options for your college-bound teen.

One method that you might find helpful, and which you can do on your own, is visualization.

GRUBSTREET: CREATIVE WRITING CLASSES Boston, MA

This is an absolutely effective way of helping to achieve your goal; even Olympian Sean White does it! It is as easy as seeing yourself performing a physical feat. The mind cannot always tell the difference between things imagined and things that are real. So, imagining taking the SAT or ACT and performing your best, and then receiving your goal score is a great start to manifesting peak performance.

Anxiety and excitement feel very similar. These emotions produce, in small amounts, a feeling of increased energy, confidence, focus, and commitment. A moderate amount of this feeling is normal prior to a test, and can actually enhance performance. However, to consistently reach

CLOSING THE GAPS INC. Coral Gables, FL

TEAM TUTOR Dresher, PA Browse more tutoring and test prep options on TeenLife.com!

that very beneficial anxiety level is very difficult; too little and you won’t feel it, and too much will limit your ability to function normally on the test. Rather than label a client’s anxiety as “abnormal”, we provide techniques to identify any emotion that is not beneficial or helpful.

We coach our clients to transform any level of dread, regret, low self-esteem, worry, nervousness, or feelings of diminished performance due to the negative feelings or anxiety, into the best emotive mindsets, such as feelings of being optimistic, focused, and ready to tackle the test. TL TeenLife | Fall 2014 45

Independent Advisors

46 TeenLife | Fall 2014

6 TIPS

for Parents of College-Bound Students From an Independent Advisor Elly Swartz

“I’ve got it.”

The three words spoken by college-bound students hundreds of times to thousands of parents when asked about the college application process. This exchange is often followed by an eye roll, a sigh, or a very loud silence. You know the kind I mean, it awkwardly bounces off the doors of the car and lands like a brick in your lap. The result. The student is annoyed. You as the parent or care-giver extraordinaire are frustrated. The stress in the car rises exponentially.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 47

Independent Advisors

Here are some reputable independent advisors and resources for your college-bound teen.

AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION NEW ENGLAND Lexington, MA COACHING 4 COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Lincoln, RI COLLEGEGATEWAYS State college, PA DOBSON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Philadelphia, PA ELLEN RICHARDS ADMISSIONS CONSULTING Beverly Hills, CA JESSICA ROMEYN, PSY.D. Los Angeles, CA TACONIC EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT Rhinebeck , NY TAYLOR THE GAP Boulder, CO THE ESSAY ADVISER Chestnut Hill, MA WORLD STUDENT SUPPORT Golden, CO 48 TeenLife | Fall 2014

As a college application adviser and mom of two college students, I understand the college process and the stresses that can accompany it. As a parent, you want to help. But, your 17-year-old isn’t interested in your advice/input/ suggestions/discussions/lectures/ pearls of wisdom. So now what?

Listen, take a deep breath, and read on.

I promise there’s a role for you.

From test-prep cookies to patchworking the college visits and sending out the test scores. You simply need to understand you aren’t the lead in this play. Once you recognize where you fit in the process, you’ll rock the supporting role and your child will be grateful.

TIPS FOR PARENTS OF COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS 1. Identify how you can help.

Talk to your child. Learn the areas he or she needs support and offer your help. Suggestions – map out the college visits – the route, the snacks, and book the hotels. Offer to be in charge of sending out the test scores. Bake cookies while your son or daughter is tethered to the computer writing the college essay.

2. Pick a day. College is everywhere. Meetings with college counselor at school. Testing.

Classmates. Applications. Your child may need some space from all the college stuff. Pick a day and time each week to talk college. The other days, talk sports, theatre, politics, books, what’s for dinner. Anything, but college.

3. Bring on the fun. Infuse something fun into the process.

Going on a college visit, get tickets to a school basketball game. Not a sports fan, go to a school theater/dance/music production or bring along the first season of your favorite television show and watch an episode together after each visit.

4. Praise. This process is hard and tiring and stressful. Remind your child how proud you are of all her efforts. Let her know your pride is NOT tied to what school she is admitted to.

5. Listen. Your child may need a safe place to vent. They may want to share how unfair the SATs are, how stupid all the essay prompts are, how she is never going to have time to do it all. Listen. Empathize.

Don’t remind her that every college- bound student is suffering from the same unfairness. Just listen.

6. Remember, it’s not the same.

Recognize that your child’s experience of applying to college is NOTHING like your experience when you applied. The colleges have changed, their standards for admission have likely risen, and the competition is more intense.

So go on, rock that supporting role! And, when your child gets her YES to college, you’ll be right there to congratulate and celebrate the star of the show!

2014 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs The NACAC Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs are designed for students interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance, theater, visual arts, graphic design, and other arts-related disciplines. Held each fall, parents and students can learn more about entrance requirements, auditions and portfolio days, financial aid, and other specialized arts programs at exhibiting schools. Many fairs include valuable attendee workshops.

September

October

9/21 CHICAGO, IL DePaul University, Theatre School 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

10/6 PHILADELPHIA, PA Hyatt at the Bellevue 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating Fine & Performing Arts Admissions, 2nd Floor Lobby of Grand Ballroom 6:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

9/22 ST. LOUIS, MO Webster University, Grant Gymnasium 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Sunnen Lounge 6:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

9/23 NASHVILLE, TN Nashville School of the Arts 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Auditorium 6:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

9/28 WASHINGTON D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Room 156 12:10 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

9/29 ATLANTA, GA Cobb County Center for the Excellence in Performing Arts 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

9/30 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL Dillard Center for the Arts 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Careers in the Creative Industry, Recital Hall 6:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

10/7 NEW YORK, NY Jacob K. Javits Convention Center 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Room 1D03/1D04 4:45 p.m. - 5:25 p.m. & 5:40 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.

10/8 BOSTON, MA Boston University, Fuller Building 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Audition/Portfolio Process at Performing and Visual Arts Schools, Theatre Lab 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

10/12 INTERLOCHEN, MI Interlochen Center for the Arts 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Workshop: Applying to College Through an International Student’s Lens, Dow Visual Arts 11:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Workshop: College Financial Aid, Harvey Theatre, Workshop: Choosing the Right Institution: College vs. Conservatory, Writing House Great Room 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

10/13 CINCINNATI, OH Xaiver University, Cintas Center 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

10/14 MINNEAPOLIS, MN University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Coffman Memorial Union 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

To register for a NACAC Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, click here

10/20 HOUSTON, TX Rice University, Alice Pratt Brown Hall 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Stude Concert Hall 6:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

10/21 DALLAS, TX Irving Convention Center 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Meeting Room 3 6:10 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.

10/22 DENVER, CO Cherry Creek High School 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Workshop: Navigating the Performing & Visual Arts College Fair, Shinglaw Lecture Center 5:10 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

10/23 LAS VEGAS, NV Las Vegas Academy of the Arts 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Workshop: College Admissions 101 for the Performing & Visual Artist, Cafeteria 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

10/25 LOS ANGELES, CA University of California, Los Angeles Ackerman Union 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Workshop: College Choices in Visual & Performing Arts, Ballroom Lounge 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

10/26 SAN FRANCISCO, CA South San Francisco Conference Center 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Workshop: Performing & Visual Arts: College and Career, Baden Room A 12:10 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.

10/27 PORTLAND, OR Portland Art Museum 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

10/28 SEATTLE, WA Seattle Center, Fisher Pavilion 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 49

Therapeutic Programs

50 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Assessing COLLEGE-READINESS for Teens with Asperger’s Syndrome

By Elizabeth Suneby

Is your high school teen with special needs ready for college? Determining the answer warrants serious deliberation. No parent wants to put his or her child in a situation that is destined for failure especially when their are plenty of supportive programs and schools that foster college success.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 51

COLLEGE-READINESS FOR TEENS WITH ASPERGER’S

Brenda Dater, Director of Child and Teen Services at Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE), identifies two key attributes that signal readiness: self-awareness and self-advocacy.

She offers the following questions to help you and your teen figure out your child’s degree of readiness and, equally important, identify developmental priorities for getting ready.

Self-awareness: • Does your child have a realistic view of his/her strengths as well as challenges?

• Does your child understand how AS can get in the way and how it can be helpful?

• Is your child clear on the types of supports and services he/she needs to be successful?

• Can your child handle tasks of daily living such as banking, navigating public transportation, and laundry?

• Can your child be responsible for his/her own nutrition and personal care?

• Is your child ready to manage study versus leisure time on his/her own?

• Is your child ready to handle the social aspects of college?

Self-advocacy: • Is your child aware of the services you and the high school put in place to provide support?

• Will your child advocate for needed services in college?

• Does your child solicit help from adults as needed?

• Does your child speak up to peers to facilitate positive interactions?

WHAT SELF-AWARENESS AND SELF-ADVOCACY NECESSARY FOR COLLEGE LOOK LIKE

Dater offers a story to illustrate what self-awareness and self-advocacy necessary for college look like. A high school senior with AS walked into his AP Chemistry class taught by a teacher he had had previously, but with a new group of classmates. The senior introduced himself to his peers, saying, “I just want to let you know that 52 TeenLife | Fall 2014

I have Asperger’s. Please let me know if I say or do something offensive. I don’t intend to be hurtful, but sometimes I am without realizing it.

Also, I don’t have good control with my hands, so I need a lab partner who doesn’t mind holding equipment.”

If your teen believes he or she is ready for college, but you have concerns, create a checklist of skills required to handle the type of college experience your child wants, whether that be full-time, part-time, commuter, or residential.

A checklist can turn an emotional discussion into an objective one. Dater recommends creating the checklist in the first year or two of high school to provide a roadmap for your child that gives them time to work towards goals.

Dater also recommends a book, The Parents Guide to College for Students on the Autism Spectrum, by Jane Thierfeld Brown, Lorraine Wolf, Lisa King, and G. Ruth Bork. The book jacket includes this synopsis: Sending a son or daughter off to college is daunting and fear-provoking experience for most parents, but if your child has an autism spectrum disorder, the challenge is magnified many times over. Even high-functioning students with excellent academic preparation face difficulties in higher education, primarily related to communication, social skills, and sensory-based issues. For many, the accommodations and special interventions that supported them in high school will no longer be available on a college campus. This parent-friendly book, made especially so because it is written by parents, who also are autism professionals, takes the fear and mystery out of the college experience. Learn how to select the right campus, how to work with Disability Services staff, what legal protections apply, how to prepare your son or daughter to be an effective self-advocate on campus, what assistance can be reasonably be expected from residence hall managers, faculty, and much, much more.

THERE IS NOT ONE RIGHT PATH TO COLLEGE

Perhaps the most important piece of advice Dater offers for parents to remember is that there is not one right path to college. Each teen is different and therefore the ideal route for one may not be optimal for another. TL

TeenLife | Fall 2014 53

Therapeutic Programs The extensive number of therapeutic programs in this guide will help you and your child select the perfect specialized school or program.

College for Special Needs

CHERRY GULCH BOYS RANCH Emmett, ID

BEACON COLLEGE Leesburg, FL

JUSTICE RESOURCE INSTITUTE Needham, MA

Special Needs Boarding Schools AULDERN ACADEMY Siler City, NC

SHEPHERD’S HILL ACADEMY Martin, GA SUMMIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL Kalispell, MT

BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL Carbondale, IL

Special Needs Day & Boarding Schools BACHMAN ACADEMY McDonald, TN CHAMBERLAIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Middleboro, MA LANDMARK SCHOOL Prides Crossing, MA LITTLE KESWICK SCHOOL Keswick, VA

The CenTer for SuCCeSS and IndependenCe If your teen is struggling with behavioral and emotional issues or distress due to trauma, you don’t have to go through it alone.

THERE’S A PLACE WITH HOPE AND UNDERSTANDING FILLED WITH SUPPORTIVE AND CARING PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH, AND HOW TO HELP. The Center for Success and Independence heals lives and builds futures by providing residential and intensive outpatient treatment for adolescents with behavioral, emotional and substance abuse issues.

In times of crisis and challenge, knowing where to turn puts your teen and your family on the road to recovery and success.

Turn to us.

713.426.4545 | TCSI.ORG | CARE4@TCSI.ORG

54 TeenLife | Fall 2014

HOPE RECOVERY SUCCESS INDEPENDENCE

Therapeutic Programs

MONTCALM SCHOOL Albion, MI

Special Needs Summer Program

THE ACADEMY AT SOAR Balsam, NC

MONTCALM SUMMER PROGRAM FOR NEUROLOGICAL DIFFERENCES Albion, MI

THE FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOOL Hancock, NY THE GLENHOLME SCHOOL DEVEREUX CONNECTICUT Washington, CT THE KING’S DAUGHTERS’ SCHOOL AND CENTER FOR AUTISM Columbia, TN THE MAY INSTITUTE Randolph, MA

SUMMIT CAMP & TRAVEL Honesdale, PA

Therapeutic Program BENCHMARK TRANSITIONS Loma Linda, CA COMPASS ROSE ACADEMY Wabash, IN

FAST TRACK TO JOYFULLY PARENTING YOUR TWEEN OR TEEN IN 30 DAYS OR LESS! Spring Hill, TN JOURNEY WILDERNESSOUTDOOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAM Provo, UT LEVINE JEWISH RESIDENTIAL AND FAMILY SERVICE West Palm Beach, FL MEMORIAL HERMANN PREVENTION & RECOVERY CENTER Houston, TX

We’ll work with you and your teen to overcome their addiction.

Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) is a nationally recognized addiction recovery program located in Houston.

Our custom-tailored, family-centered programs are designed to help adolescents meet individual treatment goals while our accredited onsite charter school keeps students on track academically. Our expert staff includes affiliated psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and counselors who specialize in treating adolescents.

We’re here to help. Call us at 713.939.7272 or visit us at parc.memorialhermann.org for more information.

TeenLife | Fall 2014 55

Therapeutic Programs

NEWPORT ACADEMY Orange, CA RESTART INTERNET ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM Fall CIty, WA

THE CENTER FOR SUCCESS AND INDEPENDENCE Houston, TX UINTA ACADEMY Wellsville, UT

SPECTRUM COLLEGE TRANSITION PROGRAM Scottsdale, AZ

WINGATE WILDERNESS THERAPY Kanab, UT

TELOS Orem, UT

YELLOWSTONE BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH Billings, MT

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch provides mental health treatment and support for teens and their families.

56 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Advertiser Index Click here to get more information from the advertisers in this guide.

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College & Universities Brooks institute

35

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Leeds College of Music

38

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Le Moyne College

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38

San Francisco Art Institute

39, 59

36

University of North Carolina School of Arts

37

39

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Taylor the Gap

17

48

The Essay Adviser

34

40, 48

Brown University: Pre-College Summer Programs

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Youth For Understanding

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Brehm Preparatory School

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The Center for Success and independence

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Memorial Hermann Health Services

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Independent Advisors

Summer Programs

Therapeutic Programs

Volunteer Programs New England Baptist Hospital

TeenLife | Fall 2014 57

Index Alaska 11 VISIONS Alaska Community Service Program

•

Arizona 56 Spectrum College Transition Program 40 University of Advancing Technology (UAT) 40 University of Arizona

• • •

California 40 All College Application Essays 55 Benchmark Transitions 36 Brooks Institute 11 Brooks Institute High School Workshop 48 Ellen Richards Admissions Consulting 10 iD Programming Academy, iD Game Design & Development Academy, and iD Film Academy 12 iD Tech Camps Held at Universities Nationwide 31 Idyllwild Arts Academy 48 Jessica Romeyn, Psy.D. 10 Junior Statesmen Summer School 36 Laguna College of Art and Design 13 Lasting Adventures 18 LEAPNOW: Transforming Education 56 Newport Academy 11 Oxbow Summer Art Camp 36 San Francisco Art Institute 31 Sonoma Academy 36 Sonoma State University: Department of Music 36 Southern California Institute of Architecture 10 SuperCamp 36 Theatre of Arts

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Colorado 39 Colorado State University School of the Arts 48 Taylor the Gap 48 World Student Support

• • •

Connecticut 13 AIFS Summer Advantage: High School Study Abroad Program

•

KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources

58 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program

31 31 18 55 10

Health & Teen Mentoring Program • Holistic NoNameSite.com powered by TopCoder • The Academy at Watkinson • Postgraduate Year ProgramSchool: Glenholme School - Devereux Connecticut • The University Prep Program •

District of Columbia 17 American University Gap Program 18 AmeriCorps NCCC 10 SEGL’s Summer Ethics and Leadership Institute

• • •

Florida 54 45 8 39 39 55 39 13

College • Beacon Closing the Inc. • ExplorationsGaps in Architecture • Florida Polytechnic Universityand Design • Keiser University • Levine Jewish Residential and Family Service • New World School of the Arts • TOURAcademy Junior Golf Camps •

Georgia 8 Emory University Pre-College Program 54 Shepherd’s Hill Academy

• •

Georgia 39 Southern Polytechnic State University

•

Hawaii 10 Science Camps of America - Big Island of Hawaii Summer 2014

•

Idaho 54 18 39

Gulch Boys Ranch • Cherry InnerPathWorks • Northwest Nazarene University •

Illinois 54 36 36 36 11 10 36 36 11 36

Preparatory School • Brehm Columbia College Chicago • DePaul University: School of Music • Illinois Wesleyan University: Arts Programs • Metropolis School of the Performing • Northwestern University College PrepArts Program • for High School Students Transitions to Independence • OPTIONS School of Art Institute of Chicago • School of the the Art Institute of Chicago Early • College Program Summer Institute The Theatre School at DePaul University •

Indiana 55 Compass Rose Academy 10 Purdue University: GERI Summer Residential Programs

• •

Iowa 36

8 8 31 31

• Dordt College

Maine 8 Acadia Institute of Oceanography: Advanced session for college credit 8 Acadia Institute of Oceanography: Advanced Program 10 Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL) 38 New England School of Communications 10 University of New England Early College Program

• • • • •

Maryland 11 Maryland Institute College of Art Pre-College Studio 40 Quad2Quad 10 St. John’s College Summer Academy, Annapolis Pre-College 38 Stevenson University 13 YFU (Youth For Understanding)

• • • • •

Massachusetts 48 American Camp Association New England 13 Atlas Workshops 8 Babson College: Entrepreneurial Development Experience 12 Beaver Summer Programs: Boston Children’s Circus 13 Beaver Summer Programs: Peak and Paddle 38 Berklee College of Music 13 Bonnie Castle Riding Camp 31 Boston City Singers 38 Boston Conservatory 12 Boston Leadership Institute: Mandarin Chinese 8 Boston Leadership Institute: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

• • • • • • • • • • •

54 38 11 18 8 8 11 11 8 8 11 11 45 8 10 12 12 18 12 54 54 12 10 12 12

Univ Summer Term High School • Boston Programs University: SummerLab Biotechnology • Boston Program School of Boston • British Build-It-Yourself Art and Engineering Internship • Program International School • Chamberlain Dean College • Diablo Glass School • Dynamy Internship Year • Emerson College: Creative Writers Workshop • Emerson College: Journalism and Political • Communication Institutes College: Musical Theatre Studio • Emerson Emerson Pre-College Acting Studio • Emerson College: College: Film Production • Emerson College: Pre-College Pre-College Writing • Emerson College: Pre-College Film Filmmakers • Studio College: Pre-College Stage Design • Emerson Studio Creative Writing Classes • GrubStreet: H.E.L.P Exploring and Medicine • Harvard University:Health Secondary School Program • Honors Summer Institutes for High School • Students Connection Program • Internship Internship Connection: Gap Year Program • Inward Bound Education • Justice ResourceMindfulness Institute • Landmark School • Lawrence Academy Summer Programs: • Language Immersion Academy: Summer Session • Phillips Project Adventure Summer Youth Leadership • Institute of Fashion Design: High School Prep • School Program

SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE PURSUE A CREATIVE FUTURE

KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources

Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program

Work by Trever Reyes

►SFAI.EDU

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10 11 11 40 55 11 11 39 11

College: Summer Science and • Smith Engineering Program (SSEP) Farm Summer: The New England Craft • Snow Program for High School Students Boston Conservatory Summer Intensives • The The Adviser • The Essay May Institute • Wellesley College Summer Session • Pre-College CSI • Westfield Worcester Polytechnic Institute • Young Entrepreneur Challenge •

Michigan 10 Lawrence Technological University Summer Camps 55 Montcalm School 55 Montcalm Summer Program for Neurological Differences

• • •

Minnesota 8 Carleton College Summer Academic Programs 13 Kuchanga Travel - Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia 11 Minneapolis College of Art and Design PreCollege Summer Session

• • •

Mississippi 12 VISIONS Mississippi Community Service Program

•

Missouri 36 UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance 11 Washington University’s High School Summer Experiences 13 YMCA Camp Lakewood

• • •

Montana 10 MINES - Summer Camp for Young Women 54 Summit Preparatory School 12 VISIONS Montana Community Service Program 12 VISIONS Service Adventures

• • • •

KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources

60 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program

56

• Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch

New Hampshire 10 Phillips Exeter Academy Summer School 13 Summer Session at Cardigan Mountain School

• •

New Jersey 17 Condensed Curriculum International 8 Felician College Pre-College Summer Program- The Global Citizenship Institute 38 Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts 38 Stevens Institute of Technology

• • • •

New Mexico 13 Cottonwood Gulch Wilderness Expeditions 13 Cottonwood Gulch: Art and Music Trek 40 Santa Fe University of Art and Design 10 St. John’s College Summer Academy, Santa Fe Pre-College 40 University of New Mexico

• • • • •

New York 8 i2 Camp- New York 8 Ross School - Summer Term @Ross 8 Alfred University Summer Programs 36 AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts 36 American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) 11 Arts in Action Fine Art Summer Camp 36 CAP21 - Musical Theatre Training 11 CAP21 Summer High School Musical Theatre Training and College Audition Prep Program 31 CITYterm at The Masters School 40 College Application Wizard 11 College of Saint Rose Pre-College Experience 8 Columbia Scholastic Press Association: Summer Journalism Workshop 38 Eastman School of Music 38 Five Towns College 11 French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts 40 GradFly 10 Humanities Spring in New York 10 i2 Camp 38 Le Moyne College - Visual and Performing Arts Program 12 Leaders for Life International at Hamilton College 38 Marymount Manhattan College 38 New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts 11 Omega Teen Camp 38 Parsons The New School for Design

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

11 10 10 10 12

10 48 55 10 13 10

Theater Training Program at • Powerhouse Vassar College Pre-College Program • Skidmore Summer Educational Experience at Elmira • College • Summerfuel Summer: Environmental • Sustainable Leadership Programs in Costa Rica, Ecuador

• • • • • •

and the Galapagos Syracuse University Summer College Taconic Educational Placement The Family Foundation School University of Rochester Pre-College Programs University of Rochester Pre-College Summer Study Abroad Programs Wagner College Summer Pre-College Program for High School Students

North Carolina 54 Auldern Academy 13 Green River Preserve 40 Jerry’s Artarama 17 North Carolina Outward Bound School 55 The Academy at SOAR 18 The Pioneer Project 39 University of North Carolina School of the Arts 39 Western Carolina University

• • • • • • • •

Ohio 36 36 40 36 13

College of Art and Design • Columbus Conservatory • University of Music at Baldwin Wallace CollegeConfidential • Hobsons: Kent State University • Rustic Pathways •

Oklahoma 40 Oklahoma City University

•

Pennsylvania 36 Carnegie Mellon School of Music 48 CollegeGateways 8 Delaware County Christian School Summer Programs: Excel Enrichment 48 Dobson Educational Services 36 Duquesne University: Mary Pappert School of Music 38 Harcum College 10 Lebanon Valley College Health and Biomedical Sciences Camp 38 Point Park University 12 Summer Academy in Applied Science & Tech

• • • • • • • • •

55 45

Camp & Travel • Summit Team Tutor •

Rhode Island 8 Brown University Pre-College Programs 8 Brown University SPARK: Summer Science Program for Middle School Students 48 Coaching 4 College Admissions 10 RWU Summer Academy in Architecture

• • • •

South Carolina 39 University of South Carolina: School of Music

•

Tennessee 54 Bachman Academy 55 Fast Track to Joyfully Parenting Your Tween or Teen in 30 Days or Less!

39 Tennessee Technological University 39 The Blackbird Academy 55 The King’s Daughters’ School and Center for Autism

• • • • •

Texas 11 11

13

31 55 40 12 56 10 40 Utah 55 56

de las Americas (AMIGOS) • Amigos Aspire by Community Service Programs in • Costa Rica,API:China, Ecuador, and Southeast Asia

• • • • • • • •

(Cambodia & Thailand) Aspire by API: Summer Programs in Argentina, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, & Asia K12Lab by National Instruments Memorial Hermann Prevention & Recovery Center Schreiner University Sol Abroad High School Summer Programs The Center for Success and Independence University of Dallas High School Summer Programs University of Houston: Moores School of Music

Wilderness- Outdoor Behavioral • Journey Healthcare Program • Telos KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources

Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program

TeenLife | Fall 2014 61

56 56

Academy • Uinta WinGate Wilderness Therapy •

Vermont 11 Experiment in International Living Community Service 13 The Experiment in International Living 11 The Putney School Summer Programs 10 University of Vermont High School Summer Academy

• • • •

Virginia 13 Camp Friendship 8 College of William & Mary: NIAHD Pre-Collegiate Summer Program in Early American History 12 Global Youth Village 54 Little Keswick School 39 Regent University 39 University of Mary Washington

• • • • • •

Washington 40 CollegeMapper 17 CSA Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 13 CSA Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 8 Experience America: International Business and Careers 12 Experience America: The Game Experience 12 People to People Leadership in Action Harvard 56 reSTART Internet Addiction Recovery Program

• • • • • • •

Wisconsin 31 Conserve School 36 Lawrence University 36 Milwaukee School of Engineering 17 St. Norbert College Gap Experience 36 Viterbo University

• • • • •

Wyoming 10 Teton Science Schools: Summer Program

•

KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources

62 TeenLife | Fall 2014

Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program

INTERNATIONAL Africa 18 13 17 17 18 18 18 13 18 12 17 Asia 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 13

18

18 17 12 18 12 18 18 18 17

Conservation Experience • African African • ProgramLeadership Academy Global Scholars Languages Abroad • CESA Condensed • GapForce Curriculum International • Internship Placements in Amazing Locations • Raleigh International • STRIVE Trips - Service Trips for Student Athletes • The Academy at Watkinson School: • Postgraduate Year Program Ghana Community Service Program • VISIONS YFU (Youth For Understanding) • Languages Abroad • CESA Condensed International • CSA Budget Curriculum Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs • GapForce • Internship Placements in Amazing Locations • LEAPNOW: Transforming Education • LEAPNOW: Transforming Education • Rainbow VolunTours : Community • Development & Travel Programs in India:

• • • • • • • • • •

Teaching Rainbow VolunTours : Community Development & Travel Programs in India: Teaching/Gap Year Raleigh International Sea|mester Sino Language: Chinese Language & Culture Immersion The Academy at Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program VISIONS Cambodia Community Service Program Volunteer in Fiji Conservation & Community Projects Volunteering Solutions Volunteering Solutions YFU (Youth For Understanding)

Australia 17 Condensed Curriculum International 17 CSA Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 18 GapForce 18 Internship Placements in Amazing Locations 18 LEAPNOW: Transforming Education 17 Sea|mester

• • • • • •

18 18 18

Work in Australia • VisitOz: Volunteer • Projects in Fiji Conservation & Community • Volunteering Solutions

Canada 17 Condensed Curriculum International 40 Humber College 40 SFU School for the Contemporary Arts 17 St. Norbert College Gap Experience 40 York University - School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design 18 GapForce 17 St. Norbert College Gap Experience 18 The Island School/Cape Eleuthera Institute Gap Year 11 VISIONS British Virgin Islands Community Service Program 12 VISIONS Dominican Republic Community Service Program 12 VISIONS Guadeloupe Community Service Program 40 Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba - XUSOM

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Europe 18 Art History Abroad 40 Arts University Bournemouth 18 Aspire by API Gap Year Program at John Cabot University in Rome 18 Aspire by API: Gap Year Programs in Argentina, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain 12 CESA Languages Abroad 17 CESA Languages Abroad 17 Condensed Curriculum International 17 CSA Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 13 Experiment in International Living - France 13 Experiment in International Living - Spain 18 GapForce 10 Humanities Spring Archaeology Boot Camp 10 Humanities Spring in Assisi 12 Humanities Spring Kids 18 Internship Placements in Amazing Locations 18 LEAPNOW: Transforming Education 40 Leeds College of Music 10 Oxbridge Edge 17 Oxford Advanced Studies Program (OASP) 40 Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama 17 Sea|mester 17 Sol Abroad High School & Gap Year Programs

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

18 40

40 18 17

Academy at Watkinson School: • The Postgraduate Year Program American International University in • The London - BA Degrees in Art, Design & Media

• • •

and Performance & Theatre Arts The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Volunteering Solutions YFU (Youth For Understanding)

Latin America 18 Aspire by API: Gap Year Programs in Argentina, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain 17 CESA Languages Abroad 17 Condensed Curriculum International 17 CSA Budget Study Abroad - Low Cost Programs 13 Experiment in International Living - Argentina 11 Experiment in International Living - Chile 18 GapForce 18 Internship Placements in Amazing Locations 18 LEAPNOW: Transforming Education 17 North Carolina Outward Bound School 18 Raleigh International 17 Sol Abroad High School & Gap Year Programs 18 The Academy at Watkinson School: Postgraduate Year Program 12 VISIONS Ecuador & Galapagos Community Service Program 12 VISIONS Nicaragua Community Service Program 12 VISIONS Peru Community Service Program 18 Volunteering Solutions 17 YFU (Youth For Understanding)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Middle East 31 Alexander Muss High School in Israel 17 Condensed Curriculum International 18 Volunteering Solutions 17 YFU (Youth For Understanding)

• • • •

KEY Summer Programs Gap Year Programs High School Colleges, Universities, & College Resources

Tutoring & Test Prep Independent Advisors Therapeutic Program

TeenLife | Fall 2014 63