The City University of New York

In households of high school juniors and seniors, mailboxes are overflowing with information from colleges and universities. Parents struggle with questions of finance. Discussions around the dinner table are tense. A major decision is about to be made, and its financial impact on the family and on the life of the student will be great.

How does one judge the worth of a college? Traditionally, quality is equated with selectivity. The words "acceptance," "admissions standards," and "rigor of the curriculum" conjure up the image of large numbers of students vying to qualify for acceptance in a freshman class. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university provides the student with an opportunity for a better life. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university validates the parental experience of 18 years. Acceptance into a distinguished college or university is the "Cinderella slipper" in our meritocracy.

• Application materials. Whether you are working on computer or with old-fashioned paper applications, make sure you have all your materials for each application. Keep them in separate folders (expandable hanging folders are ideal for this). You may want to color-code the folders. organization will save you time and stress.
• Blanks. If you have any questions on an item, don't

by Laura Minges
Special to Juco.com

I have dyscalculia. This is a learning disability defined as a consistent deficit in memory for math processes and facts, low computational skills, (usually at or below fifth grade level) and/or understanding of steps and symbols used in math. Many dyscalculics, including myself, have all of these. Dyscalculia affects the ability to perform basic math calculations, read numbers in math problems, line up numbers correctly when doing math, count objects with consistent accuracy, make change when shopping, etc. It also profoundly affects one's sense of direction, and any task in which a strong sense of spatial relationships is required. This includes reading maps, charts, or graphs, and putting puzzles together.

Studies have shown that dyscalculia is as common as dyslexia, yet it has been too frequently misdiagnosed as "math phobia"

CENTENNIAL SCHOLARS AND AN ANNIVERSARY

By Kristin Johnson

It's fitting that the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa announced the 2001 Centennial Scholars last month. While community colleges celebrate their centennial, I am