In This Issue

Have a professional issue on your mind? During this hiatus in the counseling year or between reading applications, consider writing for the journal of College Admission, your voice in the counseling and admission world. From accreditation to women's studies, the Journal provides an open forum for diverse points of view. We want to hear from you, so, (whether you're curled up in front of the fire or enjoying a respite from the heat) as you browse this Winter issue, think about your next submission!

Opening the Journal is Thomas McManus' Letter to the Editor, a reaction to "How to Win Friends and Influence People During the High School Visit" (Fall 2003), in which he urges the high school side to exercise patience with visiting representatives.

Starting us off with a laugh, Mike Mills' "Applications We Hope We Never See" On the Lighter Side article spoofs college application forms' ambiguity and admission offices' underlying purpose.

Have you ever had students surprised and saddened when they didn't get into a supposed "safety school?" Schools and their requirements change, but how do counselors convince students and parents of this fact? Joanna Schultz finds solutions in our Open Forum, "The Big, Bad Surprise."

America's youth seems to be getting smarter; after all, they boast higher SAT scores. Some schools brag about these numbers, but, in our cover story, "Our Numbers Are Up! (Is That Good?)," Mark Speyer theorizes that the high numbers are a result of pressure, rather than genius.

In our second feature, John Mahoney tells a sobering story of travel and troubled students in his piece, "Sonia's Story." Arriving at a Catholic women's school to answer questions about his institution, the author winds up attempting to extinguish the students' fears about the application and admission process, and reflects on the conflicting messages colleges, universities and parents send.

Defining counseling is a daunting task and building a sense of camaraderie is always challenging. In our last feature, Anne M. Weeks shares her professional development experience and resulting knowledge in "Advising v. Counseling: The Blackberry River Retreat."

Laurie Casteen reviews Compelling Interest: Examining the Evidence on Racial Dynamics in Colleges and Universities, & resource for racial law and education history and affirmative action.

When high school counselors won't suffice, anxious parents often seek the advice of independent counselors to smooth the college application process. In the Last Word, "Can Counselors Work Together for the Good of the Student?" Robert Gilpin shares his methods, as an independent counselor, for working with high school counselors toward a common goal.

Share your inspirations, rants or research with your peers! Go to www.nacac.com for information or send your submission to ssmith@nacac.com.

Sarah E. Smith

Journal Editor

Copyright National Association of College Admissions Counselors Winter 2004
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