My College Guide

Welcome Back FIU Panthers: Clever College Video

Jessica — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:30:37 +0000

My College Guide loves it when colleges (and their presidents) show off their sense of humor (remember the A Day in the Life of a College President video?). Well, Florida International University has jumped in with a witty musical twist to welcome back new and returning students for the Fall of 2010 school year!

When colleges combine song and dance, well, we just don’t think you can go wrong! Not only do Florida International University students get involved, but so does the college president, Mark B. Rosenberg! As you might be able to tell from the video, college is all about community! When you finally get in and get settled at college, don’t be afraid to wear your school colors, put on your college shirt, and jump in, even if it means acting silly every once in awhile: it’s all a part of having a fun, memorable college experience!

53 Legacy Student Scholarships or One More Reason to Consider Your Parents’ Alma Mater

Jessica — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:30:28 +0000

There are a few perks to applying to the same college as your parents: you can break out their old college sweatshirt for that cool vintage look, you might have special consideration given to your college application, and you might even be able to qualify for a special legacy student scholarship!

TW Collins / T

The only “catch” is that you usually need to be a new incoming freshman and new student – but most colleges don’t seem to care if you are an in-state or out of state student as long as you fit their legacy student requirements. Legacy status could mean that your parent, step-parent, grandparent, great-great grandparent, or even your aunt or uncle graduated from your prospective college: each award is different!

Some, like the award at Purdue University, require a legacy student college hopeful to describe how their grandparent’s Purdue University experience influenced their decision to apply to Purdue while others just require you to put a “check” in the alumni box on your college application!

Many will take a look at your standardized test scores and also your community involvement. Of course, your GPA is usually a factor: some even weigh the number of family members that attended the school in relation to other applicants. In case it hasn’t sunk in quite yet: even legacy scholarships are competitive!

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there really are scholarships to fit any student! From the more unusual college scholarships to academic merit scholarships to scholarships based on your interests or community involvement, your scholarship search can make for an affordable college experience after all no matter where you go — all you have to do is find them!

Choosing a College Major You Can Live With

Jessica — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:30:25 +0000

When it comes to choosing majors in college, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed – it’s hard to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life! My College Guide to the rescue! We’ve got a few tips to help you choose a college major that’s right for you – and your future!

COG LOG LAB.

A job right out of college sounds nice, right? Well, there’s a few ways that you can figure out and narrow down your list of dream jobs – and the most employable majors! From the unique college major to the more unusual, some will make the job hunt a little easier on you than others – so, here’s a few questions to keep in mind when thinking “college major.”

Classes — What do you enjoy? Think about the types of classes that have kept you interested, the classes you’ve taken that you couldn’t wait until they started. Was it science, math, or literature? Have you ever considered a career path in any of these concentrations? You might want to start!

Hobbies – Do you love trekking around and taking pictures? Do you like drawing or gardening or decorating? These aren’t just fun things to do in your spare time – they are also potential career paths! Imagine doing something you love and getting paid for it!

Money – Are you looking to make the big bucks? While we would encourage you not to choose a career based on money, there are, of course, some that are going to pad your wallet better than others. Head to the Bureau of Labor statistics and see if the careers you are deciding on sound like a good match – but know that location and other factors can make your pay rate vary!

Demand – Are the careers you are considering projected to be in demand by the time you get out of high school? What are the most employable degrees? If you have your heart set on something super specific, even if it’s hard to find, it doesn’t mean you won’t find a job – and vice versa. Still, it’s good to know what’s available now and what’s going to keep being available if your circumstances change down the line.

John Kratz / John Kratz

Testing…1,2,3 – Another test? Well, sort of. There are many self assessment resources and tests out there (free and paid) that can help you get a better handle on the types of things you might want to consider as a career path. The Riley Guide is one such test with links to various other test assessment websites.

Listen In – If you want to learn more about a specific career from the people living it, you might want to see if you can find a career fair or field expo. Why not listen to speakers talk about the topic you are considering? Speak with attendees after the event and ask your questions –the answers can also help you get a better handle on whether or not it’s a good choice for you!

Perhaps your perfect career hasn’t been created yet! Think about it: computer and Smartphone technology, social media, and so many more have created relatively new careers that didn’t exist when your mom and dad were in college. While it probably won’t help you in your college major search, it just goes to show that your options can always change, so why not go with what you love?

How to Not Look Like a College Freshman or Learn the University of Kansas Fight Song Clap

Jessica — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:56:45 +0000

Just when you thought you had it all covered: you memorized the campus map and you know how to get from Point A to Point B to keep from looking like a college Freshman — My College Guide had to throw one more curve ball at you: do you know the campus traditions?

Nothing says, “Freshman” like a student who doesn’t know the college campus legends and superstitions – don’t walk through that gate or use those stairs or stroll under that campanile! Why not see if your college or university has a dedicated page of campus traditions? Here’s a great example of how colleges are helping students get on-board – using YouTube videos! If you go to the University of Kansas, you might want to learn the Rock Chalk Chant and how to clap to the fight song, you know, before the big game! Watch KU Traditions: The Fight Song Clap on YouTube or below.

8 Tips for New College Freshmen or How to Survive Your First Day of College

Jessica — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:30:29 +0000

College is different than high school in so many ways – which is precisely why you are out there looking for all the advice regarding that first day that you can get! Hopefully you get your school year started off with a bang by attending Welcome Week and Orientation – but, either way, here’s a few college tips to help with the transition to college!

iJammin / Ben Grantham

It’s a Matter of Time: Give yourself time to get used to college, well, everything! The last time school was such a totally new experience, your mom held your hand as she walked you in the doors at Kindergarten. It might be tempting to get involved in every club and organization under the sun but you won’t have time to do it all! Limit yourself to a few that really make you happy – and leave a little time to just do nothing, too.

History of Rock n’ Roll: Maintain your GPA (and keep your merit scholarship) by not taking every incredibly difficult class under the sun! It’s okay to have a fluff or totally unusual college class in there, in fact, it’s a good idea! College professors like doling out papers, group projects, and homework – that fluff class might give you a break from the avalanche of work while getting your elective courses done and out of the way!

A New Beginning: College is a fresh start. Why not try something you’ve never tried before but that always looked or sounded kind of fun? Be the person you’ve always wanted to be! If there’s a big old game of Zombies versus Humans or hide and seek at your college campus, why not join in? You never know if you will like something until you actually try it!

Explore your campus: Don’t just spend all your time trudging from this cool college class to that one to the cafeteria to your dorm – get out there and do some exploring! Big campus or small, each one always has a few tucked away little nooks or scenic pathways. Go on a little walk and relax – it’s okay to take a break, you know!

Night Owl: Don’t feel like you have to stay out all night. Yes, there can be parties at college but failing out of school because you don’t know when to say when – well, that’s just disappointing! There are plenty of other ways to unwind and break up the studying/homework routine. That’s what all those student groups, clubs, and organizations are for! Get involved in college life – join something that you can be proud of!

Horia Varlan / Horia Varlan

No Pain, No Gain: You’ve heard about it. You’ve thought about it. Now, we’re telling you: the Freshman Fifteen doesn’t have to be true for you. Forget the convenience foods, fast foods, and middle of the night snacking. When your energy is lagging, grab a piece of fruit, bring a refillable bottle to avoid sugary soft drinks, and you’ll be fine!

Book It: Get to know your college library! Not only does it provide the perfect (quiet) environment for studying, but most college and university libraries go far beyond the usual books and magazines. Many have laptops and other gadgets available to borrow – so if your computer goes bad, you’ve got options!

Writing Labs: Don’t just hand that paper in without handing it over to an on-campus writing lab for a proofread! Sure, it means you have to plan ahead in order to get that paper done but the simple act of having someone go over what you’ve written checking for errors might help you keep from missing out on easy points.

Common Application: One Application, Multiple Colleges

Jessica — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:30:00 +0000

It’s just about college application submission time! Are you excited or what? Well, if the thought of filling out college application after college application doesn’t exactly thrill you – the Common Application just might! You haven’t heard about it? Well, My College Guide got in touch with Scott Anderson, the Director of Outreach at Common Application, for more info.

Generalnoir / D McG

The Common Application is one way to streamline the college application process. Says Scott Anderson, “I’ll quote our mission statement: ‘The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process.

We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications – online and in print – that students and school officials may submit to any of our more than 400 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process.’”

Whew! That’s a mouthful! What that really means is that instead of filling out and sending in applications from numerous colleges and universities (let’s face it, most applications aren’t really all that different from one another), the Common Application lets you fill out just one application online – so you can then use that same application at all of the Common Application member colleges and universities.

james / bono / Jamie Bono

Just how many Common Application member colleges are there? “For 2010-11,” shares Anderson, “we have 415 members.” And, from the sounds of it, it’s definitely garnering a following! “Last year,” he remarked, “489,000 students submitted 1.93 million Common Applications.”

A student can’t send the Common Application to just any college – “Students can only send a Common App to our member institutions,” states Anderson. But, the list of Common Application college and university members is quite large and features many colleges and universities that you might be interested in!

So, what’s the big benefit to using the Common App? “The Common Application saves time by allowing a student to complete one application that can them be submitted to many colleges,” reveals Anderson. “It’s also important to know that about 2/3 of our members will require some additional information from students in the form of Supplements.”

We can see how this could be a bit of a time-saver. If you are curious, there is plenty of help available to answer your Common Application questions – there’s also an online support center. Yes, Common Application is on Facebook, too. But in the meantime, My College Guide is here to help you with the rest of the college admissions process! Stay tuned as we keep tackling college admissions issues and keep you informed about the latest in college news!

Arizona State University Simplifies the Dorm Move-In Process

Jessica — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:30:38 +0000

Heading off to college is scary! How in the world do you fit all the important stuff and your family in just one car? We’re only kidding, but just the same, it is a nerve-wracking process. There’s a mass of students roaming around the dorms, everyone is carrying their most essential dorm room items in and out, and the traffic alone can be more than a little hairy (especially when you don’t really know where you are supposed to be going!). Arizona State University, however, has taken the dorm move-in process to the next level!

With a large campus base, Arizona State University had to make the move-in process efficient! Around 10,000 students are moving into ASU’s Tempe campus housing, so they had to make some changes to make the process as efficient and stress-free as possible – for everyone involved! How did they do it? Why, by having a team of people reading and raring to get all your luggage, bags, and boxes in the dorm for you! Watch Arizona State University Move-In onto Halls Vimeo or below.

ASU Students Move into Halls for year from Keith Jennings on Vimeo.

Legacy Student Status and College Admissions: Where Do You Fit In?

Jessica — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:30:27 +0000

Does your family have a history of attending the same college? Maybe you’ve been wondering how this so-called “legacy status” affects your college admission status! Grandpa or grandma, mom or dad, Bachelor’s Degree of Master’s Degree, if members of your family graduated your dream school, see what kind of impact (if any) that could make on helping you get “in!”

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What is a Legacy Student?
A legacy student is a college bound student with parents or even grandparents that are college alumni of the very same college where a prospective student submits an admissions application. Some colleges also have grants or scholarships just for legacy students!

College Admissions and Legacy Status
Some colleges may have different legacy student policies regarding the type of degree an alumnus earned, like if the degree is an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree. They may favor an undergraduate degree and not count a graduate degree towards legacy status.

Other colleges will count any children or grandchildren as legacy students if the degree was earned at their institution – no matter if it was earned as an undergraduate or a graduate. Depending on your family history, that could be very good news for you!

Resources for Legacy Students
You can often easily judge if legacy status has any weight based on information found on the college website. Many will let students know if legacy status is something that they even consider as a positive factor towards college admission. A simple search on the college website should provide the information you are looking for!

Some colleges possess more legacy resources than others. Penn State, for example, possesses Legacy Advising Sessions so legacy students and their parents can find out more about their selective status with regards to Penn State admissions procedures.

Another Penn State program, Linking Legacies, is something that prospective legacy students should take advantage of! Linking Legacies connects current legacy students with prospective legacy students so they can ask their questions and get actual legacy student responses via mail.

Saint Joseph’s College and Michigan State University have a legacy program for current, prospective, and past graduates to easily network and keep in touch. Bucknell University is another college that lets not only children and grandchildren of college alumni claim legacy status, but also stepchildren, great grandchildren, and even great grandchildren — with special programs for prospective legacy students and then some!

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Some colleges prefer to make their take on legacy status a bit more secret. Yale University is one college thought to put a bit of emphasis on legacy status – and have often admitted more legacy students than not! Dartmouth College, on the other hand, openly shares its legacy admission rates.

If you discover a high rate of legacy students then it’s probably safe to assume that it might just have a bit to do with a student’s offer of college admission!

Final Thought
If your school puts particular emphasis on legacy status, it doesn’t mean that you should stop studying and start slacking! Legacy student or not, any college is still going to prefer a hard-working, valuable member of society to one that doesn’t even meet the standard admission requirements.

On the other hand, should you get accepted into your dream school, your legacy status should never make you feel as though you didn’t make it “in” because of your hard work! Your legacy status is only part of the (rather large) college admissions puzzle: your GPA, class rank, standardized test scores, community service, letters of recommendation, college interview, and then some, make up the remaining pieces.

Save the Drama for Your Mama: WilliamPaid Keeps Roommates Talking

Jessica — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:30:32 +0000

Choosing to live off-campus is a big step – especially when you throw a roommate into the mix! Without a Residential Adviser around to keep the peace, even BFFs can get in a snit about money matters and paying the landlord. We got in touch with Evan Silverman, the CEO of WilliamPaid, for more about WilliamPaid’s online rent paying service.

00dann / dann toliver

What is WilliamPaid?
In a nutshell, we help renters & roommates collect, manage, and pay the rent online with more flexibility than they’ve ever had before – with a credit or debit card or direct debit from their bank account.

Each roommate can choose how they want to pay, without sharing their payment method, and have one payment sent to the landlord. With no more “first of the month” drama, I guess you could say that WilliamPaid helps add a little roommate harmony, even if it is just once a month.

Also, should the roommate opt-in, WilliamPaid can have their portion of the rent reported to a credit bureau each month. There are roughly 50 million Americans with little or no credit, many of whom are young adults. We don’t think that college students and recent college graduates should have to go into debt just to build credit, so, WilliamPaid provides an alternative.

So – college students who choose to live off-campus can build credit? How does that work?
Yes, they can – we’ve partnered with the nation’s leading provider of alternative credit data to report rent payments made through WilliamPaid. It’s really simple – when setting up a rent payment, a user can opt in for credit reporting, and then — we’ll do the rest.

As a benefit, the user will receive their updated credit score on their personal homepage, each month, so they can monitor and track how they’re doing. As they see their credit build, hopefully this will begin to create motivation to continue – sort of like someone trying to lose weight – when they step on the scale and actually see their weight go down, they’re motivated to keep going.

sarawestermark / Sara Westermark

Paying your rent (since you have to do it anyway) makes it easy to build your credit file with payments you’re already making. And, with the passage of the Credit Card Reform Act, access to credit for college students has become much more difficult, so finding non-traditional ways to build credit can only help. Why should the landlord be the only one to benefit from your rent payments?

Why can’t roommates just “shake on it” – why do you think they should use your “official” roommate agreement?
All those courtroom TV shows wouldn’t be what they are today if roommates could just ‘shake on it!’ Seriously, though, ask anyone you know who has ever lived with roommates, which is pretty much everyone, and they’ll have a roommate from Hell story. We can’t eliminate all of those, but we think that by getting roommates talking, a lot of issues can be resolved.

In fact, the WilliamPaid Roommate Agreement creates a legal liability among roommates. After all, your lease is between you and your landlord – not your roommates. So, a roommate agreement is sort of like a lease among roommates. And while it applies to all roommate situations, it’s even more ideal when one person is on the lease and another isn’t.

Our Roommate Agreement, hopefully, will get people talking – and agreeing – on everything from house rules and noise to security deposits and damage. Our interactive questionnaire forces roommates to determine how they want to live – and what the ramifications are to the others if they don’t live up to their agreements. As daunting as that may sound, it is really a fun exercise for a group of roommates – and as a result, they get a customized, personalized legal agreement.

*_Abhi_* / Abhi

We just have to know: where did the name “WilliamPaid” come from?
We were all sitting in our office shouting out different names with variations of bill and paid. Then lightning struck Jeff Golding, our Co-Founder & President and resident compliance, payment-processing aficionado (not exactly Mr. Creative), who blurted out WilliamPaid.

For a few seconds, we all stared in confusion until he looked at us like we were two year-olds and said, “William? It’s long for Bill. Bill Paid. Get it?” And so WilliamPaid was born.

What’s the WilliamPaid Challenge?
Currently, we have a young woman, Katya Fernandez, documenting her journey on what we call the WilliamPaidChallenge. The challenge is based on the WilliamPaid Principal Principle: The fastest way to eliminate student loan debt is to reduce unnecessary indulgences and apply those savings directly to student loan principal. Small additional principal payments can save thousands in interest costs and decrease the years needed to repay loans.

I know that this challenge doesn’t have much to do with paying rent per se. But, in the lives of people like Katya, student loan payments can be as much as rent payments — and if we can help make paying the two a little bit easier then we’re doing some good.

College Tuition and Financial Aid Explained at the University of Michigan

Jessica — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:30:37 +0000

Financial aid is a very popular subject on My College Guide (as you can probably imagine). Hardly a day goes by where a college bound student just starting the college planning process doesn’t ask how to go about paying for college.

This video from the University of Michigan does a great job in breaking down why college tuition costs what it costs (and can be applied to many other colleges and universities around the country) – as well as pointing out potential sources that can help you pay for college!

College education isn’t cheap — that is the reason why there are financial aid outlets like the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and various scholarships and other grants. Rest assured that there are plenty of ways to save money on the cost of your college tuition – and this video does touch upon a few terrific sources! Watch Tuitionomics on Youtube or below.

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