North Kingstown High School Guidance

Ask A Counselor

While this web site is truly comprehensive, it probably can't answer every question that you might want answered about the many topics that we cover. So, we are giving you an opportunity to ask us anything that you need to know. If your question is one that we think others might benefit from it, we will post here and help others to benefit from your initiative.

We are here to serve the North Kingstown community, so all questions from NK residents will be answered personally within 72 hours by a member of the counseling staff.

Please include a phone number if you would prefer a call back to an e-mail.

Thank You For Your Interest,

Timothy S. Chace

Assistant Principal

North Kingstown High School

Helpful Questions and Answers:

Is it really better to get a "B" in an honors course than to get an "A" in a CP course?

- Parent of a Freshman

We will let the admissions officers answer that one for you...

"Of course, it is better to get an A in an honors course than any of the options given. For your own planning purposes, if you really know the grade you will receive in an honors or AP course, never plan to do less well than a B-. When we in admissions review your curriculum, we look for strength in your selection of courses. If you can reasonably take one, two or six honors or AP courses, do so. The key here is what is reasonable for you! Certainly, you should take the best and most courses available in your area of greatest interest. For example, if you are interested in studying math, you should take math throughout your high school career and take the most challenging courses available to you. Study hard and get that A in the honors course."

-- Ann Fleming Brown, Associate Dean of Admissions, Union College

"Yes, but listen to the advice of the current teacher and/or counselor as to the best placement for your success. Talking your way into AP Chem, only to get a C or lower, is a big mistake."

-- Mike Sexton, Dean of Admissions, Lewis & Clark College

The flip reply that evokes laughter is, 'You should take the honors course and get an A.' In actuality, this is a personal decision that should be made with the student, counselor, and even the parent. You want to take the most difficult course load that you can successfully handle. Avoiding the honors or AP course so as to achieve a 4.0 is no wiser than taking on too many honors and AP courses such that your academic or physical health suffers."

-- Daniel J. Saracino, Assistant Provost for Enrollment, University of Notre Dame

"The short answer: Take the harder course and get an A. The longer answer: You should take the most challenging curriculum you can handle -- and do well. Highly selective universities are looking for students to join a highly competitive environment. Regardless of how challenging your high school is, these types of universities will be more challenging. So, we're evaluating candidates who are ready for our environment."

-- Roland M. Allen, Associate Director of Admissions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The first consideration admission officers at Carnegie Mellon make concerns the quality and rigor of the coursework selected by an applicant. We expect that a student will challenge himself/herself to the best of their ability. If an honors or advanced course is offered and the student is prepared academically to take the course, it would be our hope that the student would not settle for a less rigorous option. Take the more challenging coursework and risk learning more. It is also still OK to take an honors course and get a B+ or A!"

-- Michael Steidel, Director of Admission, Carnegie Mellon University

I have a question about the college application essay that students are required to write. I understand that there is an essay that I have to write as part of the application process for college I just don't know what I'm supposed to write about.
- Senior Student, Class of 2007

It depends on which schools you are applying to. When you have a list of appropriate schools you can look at the application and see what they want you to write about. Typically they are open ended, but not always. Some want you to write about a specific subject, issue or personal experience.

But generally speaking the essay asks you to write about who you are. Colleges are trying to build a community, so it's important to know who you are, what you are interested in and what you are bringing to that campus that another student with your same profile would not.

Don't waste your time writing about something the college already knows about from your application.

Also, avoid the following topics (they are overdone and bore admissions people):

How my visit to another country helped me appreciate another culture,
How athletics taught me the importance of hard work or sportsmanship,
What I learned from being in student government, How important my family has been to me.

The best topic would be how you would contribute to the college. For example, you might explain how you're the type who'd start a study group, are brave enough to ask questions of a professor, think getting drunk is a waste of time, etc.

I would only choose contributions that you can back up with proof: specific interesting things you've done to improve your school. That will be the bulk of your essay-telling the examples and especially the stories that prove that you indeed have improved your high school. Conclude your essay with something like, "I hope to take a lot from my college experience, but in my small way, also to contribute to it."

Talk to your counselor and senior English teacher, they can help as well. Good luck. If there is any other way that we can help you, please let us know.

-Tim Chace

Assistant Principal and Director of Guidance and Counseling

North Kingstown High School

Home of the Skippers

150 Fairway Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Guidance Phone: 401-268-6240

Timothy S. Chace

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