Discus Awards

As someone who was waitlisted back in the day, I understand that sitting on a college wait list can make you feel like a benchwarmer on a sports team. Well, I’m about to tell you why it’s really not that bad. After all, the benchwarmers still made the team, didn’t they?

First, the grim truth. Recently, articles have been popping up everywhere talking about how college wait lists just keep getting longer and longer. NPR ran a story As College Wait Lists Grow, So Does The Anxiety that mentioned colleges have increased the size of their waiting lists partly due to concerns they won’t have enough students accepting admission. The New York Times also highlighted the trend in an article titled For Students, a Waiting List Is Scant Hope in which writer Jacques Steinberg points out students on the waiting list are not ranked; decisions on who is admitted off the waiting list are actually made based on characteristics the school thinks their incoming freshmen class lacks.

Now, in my humble opinion, here’s why being on the waiting list is not the end of the world. No matter where you go, it’s still college. If you believe in the romantic concept of “Mr. or Mrs. Right” that’s one thing, but I promise you “The One” does not apply to choosing a college. There are colleges that fit your personality and interests and there are colleges that don’t, but no one college is perfect for you so if you’re waitlisted at your top choice, I guarantee you will still enjoy college at your second choice.

Also, keep in mind that being waitlisted, especially at a very competitive school, is a compliment, not an insult. College admissions officers screen candidates as they receive applications and put together three piles. One pile is for the students that are absolutely going to be accepted into the school barring a federal felony. A second pile is for the students that are absolutely not going to be accepted unless they start their own business, make enough money to purchase the school, and then buy it and accept themselves into it. Finally, the third pile is for the students who the admissions officers think are wonderful students with great achievements, and the only uncertainty is the availability of space. Think of it as an honorable mention, and honorable mentions are still in the select group of individuals who are recognized for their achievements.

Are you on a college wait list right now?  Tell me how you feel.

Filed under: Discus Dan • College Prep • College Admissions

Today, we’re introducing a new game to the Discus Awards Blog. It’s called “Guess the Group.” I will write a brief description of a group of Discus Awards winners, then I will give you three hints as to what they all have in common, and then you have to guess what trait, activity, or achievement they share. Record your guesses in the comments section and then click on the link at the bottom of the post to find out the answer! Without further ado, here is today’s group of Discus Awards winners:

Joshua Chomik – At one point, he was the 90th most subscribed user on YouTube. He continues to see great success on the user-generated video site.

Bryan Bowers – He was a Big Brother and has coached a youth basketball team for the past 2 years.

David Vo – He is a very talented artist and he developed his skills by drawing and painting on his bedroom walls.

Benjamin Joshua Hawes – After terms as the Sophomore Class President and the Junior Class President, he is now the Student Body President.

Megan Mitchell – She was All-State, All-SWC, All-Area, and the leading scorer and MVP of the Connecticut Lacrosse State Champions.

Andrew Klanjac – He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the Latin Honor Society, and a three time recipient of the Gold Academic Letter which requires a 4.0 GPA.

And here are your three hints:

1) The common thread is mentioned in one of the winner’s descriptions.

2) The common thread is a combination of the following Discus attributes: Arts, Technology

3) There are more than 1,500 examples of the common thread on DiscusAwards.com

What do these Discus winners have in common? Click here for the Answer.

Filed under: Discus Dan • All-Around High School Students • Guess the Group

Deadline: June 24, 2010
Number of Awards Available: 1
Award Amount: $2,500

If you invented a machine that could produce free energy, what would you do with it?

Your answer to that question could be worth $2,500. All you have to do is write your answer in three paragraphs using less than 1,000 words and submit it to awards@jamisonresearch.com. The format of the application is pictured on the awards’ web site.

Each essay is scored by three separate Jamison Research employees out of 100 points. Your average score will be your overall score. The winner of the award will be announced before July 24, 2010. Let us know if you win!

Click here to apply for this award.

Filed under: Discus Dan • College Prep • Financial Aid & Scholarships

Austin Overstreet is a motivated young man who was recognized by the Discus Awards for his achievements in community service, work, and other achievements.

This high school senior from Washington recently founded a clothing business with a couple of friends called Sole Clothing Company. The business has a registered trademark, company website, commercial, 15 page business plan, business consultant, manufacturer, and sells its clothing in local stores.

Austin has continued to develop his business savvy through his clothing company, but his experience finds its roots in DECA, an international association for high school and college students interested in business. As a junior DECA Student, Austin helped host and coordinate a campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association entitled “We must not delay, we must cure MDA.” He put countless hours into recruiting participants, sponsors, and other donations for the campaigns smaller events and main event – the “MDA Lock-Up”. The Lock-Up raised more than $1,000, and the campaign overall raised more than $1,200.

Austin also finds time to serve as President of the Link Crew, a leadership-based class focused on helping freshmen transition into high school. Last year, Austin supervised the organization of “Mr. Stadium,” a male pageant that had more than 1,200 attendees and raised more than $6,000 for the Link Crew. The experience helped hone Austin’s public relations and marketing skills, fields he plans to pursue in college.

Read more about Austin on his winner's profile.

Do you know an amazing high school student? Nominate them for a Discus Award today!

Filed under: Discus Dan • All-Around High School Students • Winner of the Day

From the College Admissions Partners, a company that helps students and parents navigate through the difficult college admissions process has an interesting “blog” of their own, College Admissions Counseling. Its unique feature is that it allows you to listen to the article so you can you multitask while learning about the college admissions process. Call it “Blogs on Tape” or perhaps a little more modern, “Blogs on MP3.” Sure, the audio sounds a little like the male voice from Microsoft Word 1994, but I like the feature anyway.

The content of the blog is quite good, ranging from updated news on individual schools like Ursinus College Going Test Optional on Applications to Ivy League Acceptance Rates and even tips on Finding a College Late in the Season. This blog can be a good resource for your college search, and if you like it, you can take it a step further and hire them to personally guide you through the college search, college admissions process, and financial aid process.

Filed under: Discus Dan • College Prep • College Admissions