The official e-newsletter of The Equestrian College Advisor.

From the blog:

I’m an avid follower of Olympian Denny Emerson’s Tamarack Hill Farm Facebook page because I love Denny’s sage bits of wisdom about both horsemanship and life. (The two are typically one and the same.) And one thing he intones over and over (and over) again is the idea that with age and experience come wisdom and that often we look back at our youthful (and sometimes impulsive and rash) selves and think, “If only I could go back and do that over again knowing what I know now.” Read More

Texas A&M Equestrian's

won the American Quarter Horse Association Collegiate Horsemanship Challenge as part of the Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show on Thursday in Oklahoma City.

Along with the good coaches, are a few bad coaches . These are the coaches that focused on favorites instead of the good of the entire team. I had coaches that no matter how hard I worked it would never be good enough for them. I had coaches that would take insults too far on the court and in the classroom. Read More

The complaints about high school guidance counselors are frequent.

Some parents view them as lazy; others think they’re clueless. Many find them to be the ultimate bureaucrats — able to remain employed and keep their (highly desirable) jobs in spite of lackluster results within the schools and with individual students. Read More

The Prospective Student’s Holiday Survival GuideIt’s that wonderful time of year when families tend to gather for good food, quality time together, and celebrations of all kinds. Unfortunately, for high school seniors in the thick of submitting their college applications and narrowing their list of potential colleges, it’s also the time of year when talking about future plans with relatives can seem somewhat like the Spanish Inquisition.How can you prepare?The acronym RACE can help you exit even the most pointed lines of inquiry gracefully:

• Recognize: Family members have genuine interest in your future plans. Taking a moment to realize that their intentions aren’t necessarily to put you on the spot but are merely to inquire can give perspective.

• Acknowledge:  Before you respond, stop and thank them for their interest. Not only will it buy time while you think about your response, but it can also diffuse any awkwardness or tension you feel at being put on the spot.

• Craft: You can respond as specifically or vaguely as you choose. If you really don’t want to share details, simply say, “I’m looking at some good options right now but I’m also enjoying the search.” If you want to list some colleges, feel free – or give a list of two or three schools, then conclude by saying, “The list isn’t final yet, however.”

• Explain: Don’t be afraid to give reasons for your school selections – after all, you’re applying for a reason! Whether you give names or not, explain that you’ve chosen those schools for a particularly strong academic program or that you’re focusing your search on the East Coast. This helps well-meaning relatives understand that you’re educated about the college search process and potentially stave off some unwanted guidance.

Nearly everyone has a relative or family friend who is a self-proclaimed college expert or who simply gives unwanted advice no matter what the topic, of course. When dealing with that person, it’s crucial that you’re able to express clearly to him or her that you appreciate the advice but that you have ownership of your own college process. Thank him or her once more for the interest and then offer to pass the mashed potatoes.

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