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May 30, 2006
SAT-Optional...Hmm...
I have been pondering this topic for a few days now, wondering how to approach it. I have a number of mixed feelings…questioning the pros and cons of taking the SAT.
The article that I read, “Momentum for Going SAT-Optional”, on www.insidehighered.com, brought a number of red flags and go-lights at the same time, for me.
What does the SAT prove, really? Your ‘potential of learning’, yes…but what if you are a horrible test taker? Then what are you supposed to do? Pray that the schools you are applying to look more at your GPA, class ranking and grades more so than the SAT scores…that’s what you should do.
SAT-Optional, in my opinion can go either way. This could be very beneficial for students who have test anxiety and this could also lead to students not getting in gear their senior year and slacking off…Some may say that taking the SAT is too much pressure. I say we all need pressure in life :)
At this point, students know they need to be successful academically and also do well on the SAT to be accepted into college. With making the SAT optional, what do high school students have to work towards? Do they really know the demands college, not to mention, what life holds?
I have read a number of comments on this topic, and the following in particular rings true for me, personally.
“The real issue for me where colleges have made ACT/SAT optional is that the ritual of signing up, scheduling, and taking the test is a marvelous wake-up call to thousands of students to take their remaining time in high school seriously. It reminds the whole family as well as the student that they are growing up, having to take responsibility, and that they will soon leave the nest. Take the time to prepare......I can’t think of any more important event in high school than taking the ACT/SAT to make students begin to ponder their future.” – David Mathieu, Vice President, Normandale Community College
The most important question is, what do YOU think??
The following is a website of over 700 institutions that do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.
http://www.fairtest.org/optinit.htm
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 1:24 PM | Comments (5)
May 25, 2006
All this talk about Freshman students...what about Transfers?
I would like to apologize to all of our readers out there who have been curious about the application process for transfer students. This blog is for incoming students, undergrad students, graduate students, Adult Degree Program students, and transfer students alike!
The following are some ‘fast facts’ about our transfer process:
- In addition to the Transfer Application, the applicant must submit official high school transcripts, official transcripts from all colleges attended and a Dean of Students Form. This form is available on our website and must be completed by the Dean of Students of the current college or university you attend.
-Transfer students will go through the process of filling out the FAFSA, using our school code 003362. They will also complete a Seton Hill Transfer Application for Aid that is specific to transfer students.
-Students are eligible for a Transfer Scholarship valued at $5,000/year if you have been enrolled at your current institution for two consecutive semesters full-time (12 credits or more) and have a 3.5 or higher GPA.
If you have any further questions, please contact our Transfer Counselor, Kristen Lippencott, at lippencott@setonhill.edu or 724.838.4231.
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 2:27 PM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2006
Livin la vida loca!
Dr. Lee Tobin McClain, director of Seton Hill University’s Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction, has released a new teen novel, “My Loco Life,” available at local bookstores and online from Dorchester Press. The book is the third in her “Alternate Life” series featuring a magic computer game that lets foster and adopted teens see what life would have been like with their birth families.
An adoptive mother, McClain is active in local adoption organizations and writes a column about foster children and reading for Fostering Families Today magazine.
The Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, children’s literature, science fiction, horror, and fantasy. For more information on the Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction, please visit www.setonhill.edu!
Check all the books out!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 11:14 AM | Comments (1)
May 19, 2006
Move over Potato; The Griffins are coming to Idaho!!
The Seton Hill University Baseball team has won the NAIA East Coast Super Regional yesterday in a two game sweep over Fisher College!!
The Griffins won the first game 11-1 in 7 innings and rallied to win game two by the score of 6-4. The Griffins will now advance to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho on May 26 - June 2. The Griffins will learn their first round opponent on Monday when the parings and game times are released.
Go Griffins!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 1:47 PM | Comments (2)
May 17, 2006
March of Remembrance and Hope
A week from today (May 22 – 29) students will be traveling through Poland visiting Holocaust monuments, memorials, and the remains of former death camps, including Auschwitz, Majdanek and Treblinka. This is one of the many trips that the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education (NCCHE) participates in.
The Center is very active in promoting Holocaust awareness and Christian – Jewish relations. They have been promoting awareness officially since 1987 by sustaining Seton Hill’s Catholic Institute for Holocaust Studies in Israel through a cooperative program with Yad Vashem, Tel Gamaliel and Hebrew Univeristy.
Among the events they have held in the past such as Kristallnacht, March of Remembrance and Hope, and trips to Washington D.C. to the Holocaust Museum; experiencing any avenue of this organization is truly amazing.
While a student here at Seton Hill, I had the honor to meet a few of the Holocaust survivors here on campus. Being an Art History student, I was asking to do a tour of the recent art exhibit reflecting the Holocaust. During this tour, there were about 30+ senior citizens that came to see the exhibit from the Westmoreland County Jewish Community Council. I was already intimidated because I knew they had ties to the Holocaust (whether it is with family or friends) and didn’t want to be wrong with my interpretation or make them feel uncomfortable.
After the tour, I was pulled aside by a gentleman that reminded me so much of my grandfather. He asked me if I would like to talk. Of course I said yes…I definitely wasn’t ready for what he was going to tell me!!
He sat me down and introduced himself and said “I am a survivor of the Holocaust.” I immediately became misty eyed and I couldn’t even imagine what he had endured! He told me that he was in Auschwitz. He also told me that he was moved by my interpretations of the artwork and I did a great job in doing so.
This is one experience that I had a Seton Hill that I will never forget.
Visit the NCCHE’s website and see how your can be involved!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 3:05 PM | Comments (3)
May 12, 2006
When is the best time to visit campus?
You hear from a number of different sources when the ‘best’ time to visit a college campus is. I think ultimately it is best when you are ready.
With visiting such websites as lunch-money.com, they tell you that visiting in the summer is “the worst time to experience a college.” Is this really true?
The Independent Counselor Advisors writing at lunch-money.com go on to say,
“…most smaller schools are not in session, so students and classes are absent. Dorm rooms are empty and devoid of all personal touches, making it difficult to envision oneself there. Bulletin boards, usually so revealing of the cultural and social opportunities of the college, are bare. The campus grounds, on the other hand, look neater and cleaner than they will look again the entire year.”
The above reasons may very well be true in some cases, but not all. Keep that in mind when you visit institutions. You may want to just take a tour of campus and see the facilities for the first time if you are a junior or even a senior for that matter. This doesn’t require people to be sprouted over campus to make it look good, does it? Another thing is how the campus grounds look…I must say, our grounds look great 12 months out of the year, so come in the rain, sleet, snow or hail, and our campus always looks great!
Typically when you are planning the next stage in your life, one would assume that you would visit more than one time at any given institution, unless you really don’t like it and you can now cross it off of your list.
There are many reasons to visit campuses in the summer. Speaking for Seton Hill in particular, you can come and tour campus, make appointments with Financial Aid, Admissions and Athletics! This is a great time to get to know your Admissions Counselor and get a great relationship started!
See you in the summer!!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 1:17 PM | Comments (2)
May 11, 2006
Is campus really safe?
I wanted to share this website with you. I get a number of parents and students alike inquiring if our campus or any campus in general is really safe.
Please visit http://ope.ed.gov/security
This website provides resources to look at campus police reports at a number of schools all over the country!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 3:48 PM | Comments (3)
May + end of classes = GRADUATION!
Yes, it is that time of year! Graduation is on our heels and students are VERY excited! This Saturday, May 13th, marks the graduation for a number (204 students to be exact) of students here at SHU.
Graduation means a number of things to a lot of people. Some students may be anticipating their new job and others may be getting geared up for a few more years of study to gain their masters and or doctorate degree.
I know it may seem a long way away for prospective students who are reading this, (or for current students) but the time does fly by. You will be surprised how fast those first 4 years go by! Trust me!
Good luck to all graduates from High School to College!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 2:55 PM | Comments (1)
May 10, 2006
How many more peas can we fit in this Pod?
Not only is recruiting efforts launching to the internet with Instant Messaging, it has now ventured to the IPOD. When I read an article about recruiting with the ‘pod’ generation, I honestly was surprised that recruiting has ventured to your handheld music box!
With getting on the ‘pod bandwagon’, institutions can offer lectures, and information for prospective students, current students and alumni, etc. This seems like the ‘way to go’ with using one venue to hit all audiences in your target area. For example, Harvard has offered classes in this media!! So much for going to class!! Could this really be the new wave?
Has anyone viewed podcasts by universities? If so, please let us know! Also, if you have viewed the new craze, has it really influenced your decision...or is this just really an overload of advertising?
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 3:17 PM | Comments (2)
May 9, 2006
Move over Palace Theatre!
The newest addition to SHU will be on its way soon…the University Center for Performing Arts! The City of Greensburg is working with Seton Hill in all phases of development. Site preparation is to begin in the summer of 06 and construction is anticipated to being in late 2006!
Personally, I am very excited about this!! This new facility will be such a great asset to the Seton Hill Community, but specifically the Theatre department.
Let me explain…
This new center will include a flexible theatre, music hall, rehearsal spaces, set and costume design rooms and classrooms and faculty offices. The center will feature THREE levels that will range from the orchestra pit to the grande lobby THEN to the catwalks and control rooms!!
This expansion will not only benefit SHU, but also the City of Greensburg. There are a number of developments that will be happening in the City…so keep an open eye and watch us grow! It is going to be a great thing to see!
We are anticipating enrollment in the theatre and music programs to double in the five years following the completion of the Center. So, come and join us and be a part of our new 'addition' to the SHU family!
Posted by AshleyHoffman at 2:28 PM | Comments (1)