Ironwood Ridge High School

Posted here you will find articles and blogs about the college admission process, student success and related topics.

Articles:

College Admissions:

Eight Reminders for Your College Applicants - Good information for seniors.

What are you looking for in a college? 7 things to consider. - a short article that asks a good question.

The first step to choosing the 'right' college? Ignore the rankings, says Stanford researcher - "What makes a good choice? Are “top-ranked” and “right-fit” synonymous, as widely believed?"

Thank Your College Admissions Supporters - a discussion of the importance of saying thank you

Making Space for Sanity in the College Search Process - some sage advice from someone who knows.

Colleges Want Well-Rounded Classes Not Students - a discussion of what colleges are looking for in their freshmen classes 

Not leadership material? Good. The world needs followers - A different view of leadership and its importance in the college application process.

5 Questions to Ask When Visiting a College Campus - a little different list of questions

The Professor's Cheat Sheet to the Perfect College Tour - 20 good suggestions to get the most out of a campus tour

Seize Your Possibilities for Real College Success- suggestions for getting the most out of your experience

Don Quixote, College Choice, and the Myth of Fit - a thoughtful look at the idea of college fit

Why So Many College Students Decide to Transfer - a discussion of why students transfer colleges

America Needs to Get Over its Reverence for the Bachelor's Degree - a look at the need for a bachelor's degree versus offering career/job education and training

Take Me To Your Leaders: What College Admission Deans Are Looking For - a look at the differing definitions of leadership and what colleges are looking for in applicants

Student Related:

What Do College Freshmen Struggle with the Most? - A reminder that starting college is often a difficult transition and some suggestions to help students work through it.

A College Education Isn't Priceless - A short article on making choices regarding using loans to pay for college.

What Straight A Students Get Wrong - An opinion column on the relationship between GPA and career success.

Budget like a boss in 3 easy steps - A good read from Student Health 101

Six Things Every Freshman Should Know About Going to College - a few good tips

A day in the life of a student with Executive Function Challenges - good tips for all students regarding time managment and prioritizing

Where College Seniors are Falling Short - A look at hiring trends out of college and related majors

How to Discover and Address College Admission Anxieties - An interesting read on the college admission process and its impact on students and families.

The Ten Things We Learned This College Application Season - Tips for current juniors based on seniors' experiences

A Stanford dean on adult skills every 18-year-old should have - not just college, but life skills 

Embrace Your Inner Kindergartener - Suggestions for sophomores and juniors as they start their college search

Parent Information:

Let's stop stressing out our kids with career choice pressure - A discussion about allowing students to plan for college without stressing about a major until they get there.

Back Off: It Doesn't Matter What College Your Kids Attend - An article about how elite colleges really don't provide any long-term advantages to most students.

Parenting: It Is Not My Job - advocating for a more hands-off parenting style

How To Raise An American Adult - an essay on raising resilient children who will be ready for adulthood

Will You Be Able to Help Your College Age Child in an Emergency? - Learn how to prepare in case your child has a medical emergency

9 Tips on How to Be a Good College Parent - thoughts on helping your college freshman become independent

A New Chapter: Helping Your Student Transition to College - information from the University of Oregon