The Bonner Service Leader Program at Siena College

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The holidays are upon us and a lot of times I know I find myself thinking about me, me, and all I have to do. It is however a great time to remember those around us who are far less fortunate and therefore a great time to discuss a program that is available to students at Siena that integrates Service Learning into their four year experience.

The Bonner Service Leader Program, a partner with AmeriCorps, was established in 1989. It focuses on the development of college students as they engage in solid commitment to community service.

The Bonner Leader Program focuses and works to strengthen the student’s:

Personal Skills

Leadership Skills

Professional Skills

The Program will provide students the opportunity to:

• Have a unique “family” within the larger Siena community
• Attend National Conferences (Washington, DC, Florida, West Virginia)
• Engage in short term exchanges and service projects
• Establish a connection with a community partner
• Engage in internships
• Reflect on their work in a senior year capstone project/presentation

There are also some financial benefits including work-study funds and the possibility of term awards.

Have I peeked your interest?!? Check out the Bonner Service Leader website. And if you’d like to learn more about this exciting opportunity please contact me at theffernan@siena.edu or the Asst. Director and Coordinator of the Bonner Program, Gretchen Mielke at gmielke@siena.edu.

Senioritis: How to Avoid the Outbreak

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“Senioritis” can be the leading cause of disappointment for high school seniors (and their parents). It is defined by symptoms such as laziness, forgetfulness, or lack of motivation for academics. It can be as contagious as H1N1 and affect the college admissions process. These symptoms can show early warning signs in the junior year. Just like the flu, senioritis can be avoided by following some easy and important guidelines.

1. Take a strong senior year course load. (Load up on your fruits and veggies.)
English, history, pre-calc, physics and a foreign language – these classes are typically considered a complete senior schedule by colleges. Adding some honors or IBs/APs to your course load would only strengthen your application. A person with a strong course load in the senior year has a better chance of being accepted. Every case is different and colleges will look at you individually, but the stronger the curriculum, the better - don't take only what is required.

2. Add leadership opportunities to your resume. (Drink plenty of fluids.)
We see students join lots of clubs in their senior year and check off that they do not plan to continue these activities in college. This is not impressive. Impressive is when a student who loves soccer decides to spend his/her Saturday mornings teaching soccer to six-year olds in the recreation league. Or a student who dances 4-5 hours a day (wow) finds time to help her parent with their grandmother on Mondays. Or the student who attends the National Youth Conference on Law and Justice and when he returns gets friends to join the tutoring program at the elementary school . … the list goes on. Think "Quality over Quantity".

3. Be a senior in high school. (Exercise.)

Have fun but know your priorities and your schedule. Stick with your sports, music and extra-cirricular activities. Just don’t take the SAT the day after prom or homecoming. :)

4. Stay organized. (Wash your hands.)

Planning for college can be an overwhelming or an enjoyable time. It’s a time of family car trips, self-exploration, and good diners. Make sure you take time as a family to meet about the planning process, schedule trips avoiding stressful weeks at school, and do research on the web. The more informed you are, the better the search is.

5. SLEEP! (SLEEP!)

We handle stress better when we have a good night’s rest. This is the golden rule.

Follow these guidelines and you'll be well on your way to a successful senior year and college application process. Often, a lack of motivation is the result of being unfamiliar with the process or feeling overwhelmed with too much information. Don't forget to utilize your school counselor, parents, or admissions contacts if you need clarity or motivation.

What is HEOP - and is it for me?

There are three different types of “opportunity” programs in New York State:

1. Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP): found at private colleges (examples: Siena, Union, NYU, Columbia, Syracuse, Skidmore, St. Lawrence, and Fordham). There are approximately 60 private colleges in New York State that have HEOP.

2. Educational Opportunity Program (EOP): found at public colleges (State University of New York system (SUNY) and various local community colleges).

3. SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge Program, some colleges may also have a College Discovery program): these are programs found within the City University of New York system colleges (CUNY).

PURPOSE: Opportunity programs are co-sponsored by the State Education Department and colleges and universities across New York State. These programs provide access to college for students who may otherwise not pursue a college education due to academic and/or financial challenges. These programs provide academic support services, including a pre-college summer preparation program, counseling, tutoring and a very generous financial aid package.

Is HEOP for me?

ELIGIBILITY: A student must qualify both academically and financially for a HEOP program and must also be a resident of New York State.

Academic Eligibility: Each institution determines the academic profile for their opportunity program. For example, Siena has enrolled students in our program with high school averages ranging from 72-85 and SAT composite scores between 720-1060 (Critical Reading and Math scores only). All programs are looking for students who are motivated, have potential and are willing to utilize their support services.

Financial Eligibility: The income scale is set by the State Education Department annually. It is based on the number in a family, and the total family income (example: for a family of 4 the income range is $32,790 – $38,360 for students entering college in the Fall of 2010 depending on the family situation). Documentation is required before admission decisions are made.

Opportunity Programs provide access to college, academic support systems and a generous financial aid package for students who live and want to study in New York State.

Still have questions? We are here to help! To learn more about Siena College’s Higher Education Opportunity Program, please visit: HEOP at Siena College or call us at 1-888-AT-SIENA.

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What are you going to be when you grow up?

Applying to Pre-Professional Programs

Over the years, I 'm sure you've been asked that question many times by family and friends. Well, with the college admissions process in full swing, that question surfaces again.

Maybe you still can't provide a specific answer...and that's OK. You should research and visit Liberal Arts colleges, like Siena, where the Liberal Arts are blended with preparation for the professions. These schools will give you the opportunity to explore and learn, developing the potential to be successful at whatever you choose to do.

However, you may know that a career in healthcare, law, business or education is what you want. If you fall into this category, many colleges, including Siena, have pre-professional programs that can guide you on the path to success.

Remember that colleges may not have a specific pre-med or pre-law major, but that doesn’t mean their students aren't graduating to go on to med school or law school. Often, a “less specialized” major combined with a minor can open you up to more opportunitie - making you more diverse and marketable.

At Siena, you can investigate a range of cooperative programs that lead you to the following:

MD, JD, PA, DO, DMD, OD, PT, OT, MBA...just to name a few.

Applying to most of these programs takes place in the sophomore or junior year of college. Consideration is given to academic program (major), requirements (did you take the right classes?), and performance. Some programs require specific testing, such as the MCAT, GRE, DAT, LSAT, etc. It is important to consult the college catalog for specific requirements and other information. Faculty advisors are also extremely helpful as you develop your plans for the future. Siena's close faculty-student relationships often lead to internship and networking opportunities. Of course, you may always contact an admissions counselors for guidance as well!

The important thing to remember is this: a solid liberal arts education is going to get you wherever you want to go, so don't be turned-off by "non-specific" majors and don't think you have to plan out your whole career right now. There's time and we're here to help!

R U Siena?

AM I TOO LATE? Early Action vs. Early Decision

Everyone's talking about applying early, getting early decisions, making early decisions; did I miss something?

No, not yet but if you have a good idea of where you want attend college there are two options you may want to consider before December 1st.

The first is Early Action. Early Action is an option offered by many colleges and universities that lets you apply a little early (usually by December 1st!) and receive a decision a little earlier as well, usually between January 1st and 15th. The good news about Early Action is that by applying earlier, you find out whether you've been accepted earlier, but you are not committing yourself to that school by applying that way. You still have until the national decision date of May 1st to make your choice. Also remember, the earlier you apply, the greater interest you express in that school. And we love interest!

The second option is Early Decision. Like Early Action, Early Decision applications must be filed earlier (at Siena the deadline is December 1st). Also like Early Action, Early Decision gets you an admissions decision earlier, usually early January. The difference between Early Action and Early Decision is that you are only allowed to apply to one college using Early Decision and you have less time to make your final decision. At Siena if you are accepted Early Decision you must accept the offer of admission by March 1st.

Early Decision is the best choice for those students who already know where they want to attend college and want to finalize that decision now so they can focus on the end of their senior year in high school. Early Decision is also a good choice for that student who's worried about being accepted to the college of their dreams. Experience has taught us that students who are really committed to their college do better in the classroom!

Are you too late? No, but if your situation sounds similar to those I've described above, Early Action or Early Decision may be an opportunity that you don't want to miss.

Click here for a complete list of Siena's application deadlines.