Roundup: College Admissions, Corky Laing, Fashionably Westport …

The Staples High School Counseling Department works hard to encourage students and families to look beyond rankings and “prestige” when considering college, focusing instead on fit, engagement and long-term outcomes.

Last week, a large Westport Library audience heard a nationally recognized education expert emphasize those same ideas.

Jeff Selingo — the author of “Dream School: Finding the Fit That’s Right For You” — made several key points.

He noted that although the average acceptance rate across US colleges hovers around 65%, competition feels more intense than ever. Among the reasons: Students are more willing to travel longer distances to attend “name brand” colleges; it has become much easier to apply to a larger number of schools, and families increasingly see admission to a highly selective college as an “insurance policy” for the future.

Families often approach the admissions process as something that can be carefully optimized, with the right strategy. Selingo said that this often smacks into the reality of holistic admissions, where there is limited transparency about exactly what colleges look for. At the most selective schools, even highly accomplished students compete with thousands of similarly strong applicants from across the country.

Selingo emphasized that long-term outcomes depend less on where a student goes, and more on what they do once they arrive. He encouraged families to look for colleges that provide strong first-year support, opportunities for mentorship with faculty, access to experiential learning such as internships, co-ops or undergraduate research, and strong return on investment.

He also encouraged students to build balanced college lists — and think carefully about why they want to attend college in the first place. When visiting campuses, he suggested taking time to observe the culture, visit academic departments, and look beyond surface impressions to see how students actually engage with the community.

Before the presentation, Selingo met with Staples counselors for a professional development conversation about current trends in higher education and the admissions landscape.

Jeff Selingo (2nd from right), with Staples High counselors.

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Meanwhile, was not another manic Monday at the Westport Library.

Instead, it was a fulfilling Friday.

Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs — who also had a thriving career as a solo performer, and published a novel (“This Bird Has Flown”) — had a spirited and insightful conversation with former CNN journalist (and rock memoirist) Alisyn Camerota. and performed.

Hoffs said she’s still “living inside a dream” of music. She’s stretching that obsession into fiction and new songs rather than arena tours. She added that growing up as the daughter of a psychoanalyst and an artist made it natural to talk through the emotional toll of sudden fame.

Among the audience members: former Talking Heads musicians.

It was an early part of VersoFest. The Library’s annual music/media and more celebration kicks into full gear March 26 (click here for details). (Hat tips: Susan Garment, Allan Siegert)

Susanna Hoffs (left) and Alisyn Camerota. (Photo/Susan Garment)

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Speaking of music: Corky Laing is no stranger to Westport.

The legendary drummer for Mountain has played here before. He was a frequent guest of music executive Terry Coen and his wife Gail, at their Soundview Drive home.

Can’t quite place Mountain? They’re the “Mississippi Queen” band.

And Laing provided the iconic cowbell intro.

He returns April 11 (7 p.m., VFW Post 399), this time as a special guest with Ten$Grand Band.

Tickets are just $20. The show will sell out soon. Click here to purchase.

Corky Laing

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“Fashionably Westport” is one of the hottest tickets on the local events calendar.

The Westport Downtown Association-sponsored evening is a benefit for Homes with Hope. It features an actual runway, with models everyone can relate to — because they’re friends and neighbors. (Spoiler alert: One of them will be yours truly.)

The evening includes a great silent auction. The WDA is finalizing the items now. If you’re a business looking to contribute to a great cause — or an individual with a second home to offer, a connection to Broadway or sports or other entertainment, or have something unique to donate — click here.

This year’s show is April 25 (7 p.m. Westport Library). Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Has the snow finally ended?

There was plenty of rain this past week. Not wonderful … but a welcome break from the long winter.

John Maloney snapped this wet shot, for today’s “Westport … Naturally” series.

(Photo/John Maloney)

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And finally … In honor of Corky Laing and Mountain (story above):

(From here to Mississippi — and everywhere else — “06880” is where Westport meets the world. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)