Teen College Education

Top Five Things to Know About Distance Education

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Believe it or not, the concept of distance learning dates back to the early 18th century, when an advertisement was placed in the Boston Gazette offering students the ability to learn shorthand through the mail. Of course, the face of distance education has changed drastically over the years and many students are finding themselves earning their high school diploma, bachelor’s degree or even a law degree through online courses. There are still many misguided and uninformed individuals that believe distance learning is inferior to a traditional classroom education. Learn about the Top Five Common Misconceptions about Distance Education, some of which might be keeping you from pursuing your online finance MBA through this non-traditional experience:

Employers are Put Off by Distance Learning Degrees

Many students shy away from earning their diploma or degree online because they believe employers will take one look at their resume and toss it into the trash. In reality, the courses taught through online and correspondence courses are the same caliber as those offered in a traditional campus setting. Your employer will only see the academic degree earned on your resume or application, without any knowledge of the road you took you get there. Your prospective employer might even be a graduate of an online university himself.

Online Professors are Inexperienced and Inaccessible

Another misconception about online education is the teachers’ or professors’ lack of experience or accessibility. Because you’re not able to speak to the instructor one-on-one, many believe that their questions will go unanswered, and their grades will suffer for it. In actuality, many university’s online courses are taught by well-educated, renowned professors that are more than happy to correspond with their students through message boards, email and over the phone. You may not have the ability to visit with your professors or academic advisor in their office, but this doesn’t mean that your concerns and questions are important, or will be glossed over and ignored.

Traditional Classroom Education is More Effective

Imagine having the ability to work at your own pace, become self-motivated and learn without the stress of classroom discussions or public speaking? These are just a few of the benefits that distance education offers a student over a traditional classroom setting. Many busy adults with children, spouses and full-time jobs simply don’t have the time to drop everything and rush to a classroom. With distance learning, students have the unique ability to chart their own education destiny by not only learning at their own pace, but also by their own rules.

Online Classes are Less Challenging

Many students opt for online education because they believe the classes are a breeze, and because you don’t have a professor breathing down their neck, they can put forth less effort to achieve the same results. The truth is there are no “easy A’s” in life and this same fact holds true in the world of distance education. You must go the extra mile to earn stellar grades in a traditional classroom and an online school setting. Be prepared to take rigorous notes, read text books and literature, write thoughtful and well-constructed research papers, and put all into your education, because this is the requirement to complete an online education in four years. But keep in mind, with distance learning you still have the ability to work on your schedule, which makes achieving those “A’s” a much more realistic possibility.

Credits from Distance Learning aren’t Transferable or even Legitimate

When choosing an online or distance learning university, pay attention that it’s accredited through a local or regional accreditation agency. These agencies ensure the college or university meets acceptable levels of quality or excellence. If you complete courses through an accredited online university, your credits are completely legitimate and transferable, even if you decide to take classes in a traditional campus setting. The credits are also transferable in many cases to an alternate online university. However you look at it, the credits earned through an accredited distance learning program are no different or inferior to those earned while sitting behind a desk.

As with traditional campus universities, some distance learning programs such as a; finance MBA online, are more academically rigorous than others. Before making any final decisions, speak to an admissions officer or academic counselor, peruse the course catalogue or speak to current students to learn if the distance learning university is a good fit.

This guest post article was written and provided by Marissa Krause who finished her degree online this last fall and has just begun her own online marketing company.

Strategies to Survive on a Student Budget

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:02:00 +0000

College life is expensive, especially when a student is living away from home. In addition to tuition, the cost of textbooks, snacks, car services, clothes and entertainment can quickly add up. Luckily, there are many little ways to save, like using a grocery coupon or showing a college ID to get a student discount. The savings a student realizes over the course of a college career can go into a bank account to work toward a major purchase, such as a car or vacation, or be allocated to an entertainment fund for a nice night out with friends. This list of college savings strategies will get every student on the road to surviving on a student budget.

1. Invest in the Sunday paper

The weekend newspaper is often full of coupons for everything from food to shampoo. Spending $2 per week on a newspaper could yield several dollars' worth of coupons for household goods like laundry detergent, paper towels and all those other daily necessities parents are no longer supplying. Combine newspaper coupons with coupons for the grocery and rack up savings at the register.

2. Stack coupons with in-store sales

Many stores restrict the use of multiple coupons together, but college students looking for extra savings can still stack a coupon with a product already on sale, so check the discount racks first. Another strategy is to hold on to clipped coupons for several weeks before using them, since stores rarely put items on sale at the same time they release a coupon. They may, however, discount an item a month or so after the coupon goes to print but before it expires.

3. Harness social networking

College students are already well-versed in Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media networks, but how many of them use those networks to save money? Liking a business on Facebook or following them on Twitter means students will be informed of the latest promotions or sales. Check local bookstores, car repair shops, clothing stores or other favorite retail outlets for social media pages and get following.

4. Sign up for reward programs

Most grocery store chains offer free customer loyalty programs that give small discounts on many advertised products. Students who shop at the same grocery store frequently can save plenty of money by filling out a simple form and showing their loyalty card each time they shop.

5. Join group coupon sites

Even a poor college student needs a special night out once and a while. Signing up for group deal websites can help cut costs on everything from spa packages to workout gear, but they're especially useful for restaurant discounts. Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial frequently offer vouchers at half price, so students looking for an excuse to try that new Mexican restaurant or splurge on an old favorite won't have to dig into their savings to do so.

6. Save cans and bottles

Students attending college in one of the states that pay for recycling cans and bottles can earn some extra pocket change by holding on to all those soda cans. If a student's ambitious enough, s/he can set up a dorm- or apartment-wide collection program to benefit from their neighbors' aluminum and glass.

7. Cash in on student status

Before purchasing the latest smartphone, laptop or software program, check for student discounts at electronics stores, especially come back-to-school time. Many college bookstores work with electronics retailers to offer discounts. You really want to compare textbooks when possible to find the best prices. Some companies like Apple add in freebies for students, such as mail-in rebates on a new iPod or printer with the purchase of a computer. Movie theaters, museums, ticket outlets and national parks often offer student pricing as well.

Surviving on a student budget will take some planning but it can be done. Know where to look for deals, save every opportunity to save from retailer flier to grocery coupon and never be afraid to pipe up and find out if a student discount is available.

Contributed by Joe Baker
You can reach him at josephbker@gmail.com

Students Told to Empty Their Pockets

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:07:00 +0000

Generation of Students Told to Put Hands in their Pockets

So school fees have become an election issue. Obama was even ‘slow jamming’ on the topic last week on the Jimmy Fallon show. It is an issue for Republicans too. The threat of interest doubling on federal student loans in July has seen rejection from both parties, though they differ on the detail.
The issue is hot but not just because there are voters to win over. Debt has always been problem for graduates and Obama for one says he remembers leaving college with a ‘mountain’ of it. The existing problem has been made worse because the two traditional sources of funding (state/federal contributions and tuition fees) are both facing downward pressures in this economic climate. Add to that the general negative economic backdrop and you have a situation where student loan debt has exceeded a trillion dollars!

If your grades and teachers are indicating that you are a potential college student, how on earth are you going to get through a three, four or possibly more-year course? Most parents have not been in a position to be stashing away funds for as long as would have been necessary to fund the current cost of a college education.

Given the fact that, on average graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn 45% more than non-graduates, studying still might be the right financial decision. The fact is that you need to do your homework, both while you’re still at high school to keep up your grades and while you’re looking for funding to make sure you know about what is on offer. So what are the options?

Grants

Grants don’t have to be paid back. College offer their own grants with various criteria but also various federal grants are available, such as the Pell Grant and Teacher Assistance Grant. Whether you qualify to apply and the amount of the grant varies according to individual circumstances.

Scholarships

Scholarships are the only ticket for some people to study at the college of their choice and, like grants, do not have to be repaid. Those provided by colleges usually have to be competed for and are won on the grounds of factors such as academic achievement, musical or sporting talent, personal background and so on.

You might also be associated with an organization that awards scholarships. Awarding bodies range from church bodies to the company that one of your parents might work for. If you qualifying to make an application for one of the many scholarships available, the key to winning one is to make sure your form is filled in well and gets in on time.

Loans

Sadly, this is the way most students have to cover a lot of their fees. Federal and private loans are available to students. Federal loans include the Perkins and Stafford loans and are likely to be relatively friendly with low interest rates and high flexibility. In some cases the interest is subsidized, which might mean it is paid for you while you are still a student. Private loans, being more expensive and less flexible, are available to those for whom other avenues may have failed and options should be researched thoroughly.

Part-time work

To help pay your way or to chip away at any loans during college, you can find a job. If you are lucky it might be relevant to your study programme. Alternatively, you might be able to sign up for a programme like the Federal-Work Study programme, which aims to provide undergraduates with work that serves the community or is along the lines of their studies. It pays at least at the minimum wage, possibly on campus or is otherwise based off campus with a public organization or non-profit organization that works in the public interest.

Subject

Not all degrees are likely to bring high wages. Many graduates will still share part of that trillion-plus debt for years and be buying cars by the month rather than in one payment and find it difficult to secure a mortgage deal as a consequence of their high debt load. Remember though that the subject you chose and how hard you study will have a great bearing on your earnings on the other side and how quickly you free yourself of any debt. While you are deciding on a programme of study, you might want to take a look at the job market, speak to professionals and read around to see what’s out there for people who take your path. Graduation will come round sooner than you think!

Janine Hardy is a freelance writer from England who specializes in life coaching and self improvement writing for a number of local publications. She works with many good causes including helping and advising students at local colleges and writing on behalf of an alcohol addiction center.

What Does a College Dean Really Do?

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:10:00 +0000

A special thanks to Dean Barbara Beckman for participating in our Admissions Spotlight Series. Dean Beckman is currently serving as the Associate Dean of Admissions at Tulane University School of Medicine. Joseph Fernandez from Parliament Tutors conducted the interview.

As the Associate Dean for Admissions, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?

Reviewing applications, meeting with prospective students and advising them, interviewing on Mondays and Wednesday and helping out with Student Affairs events such as White Coat, Student Appreciation Days, Graduation etc.

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
Letters of recommendation, Secondary application questions and responses, experiences

Is there anything you frequently see on an application that you hope to never see again?
A pattern of incidents such as drinking

What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Using verbatim words from websites

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
The application deadline may be January 15th but rolling admissions suggests that the earlier the applicant can submit their application the better chance they have of securing an interview.

What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?
Find a way to do better on the tests. Medical school is a series of standardized tests.

Do you frequently have to turn away applicants whom you wish you could admit? If so, what could those applicants do to be admitted?
There are so many great applicants and not enough slots. Keep trying.

How much faith do you have in the ability of the MCAT to predict success at Tulane’s Medical School?
Yes, but there are exceptions. Typically those students with acceptable MCAT’s who do not do well are not working hard enough.

What do you look for in a recommendation letter?
Detailed descriptions of the individual’s character and examples of their work ethic

Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields. What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself in your eyes as a good candidate for your program?
Lots and lots of service, Peace Corps, Americorps, Teach for America

Joseph Fernandez is an MCAT Tutor with Parliament Tutors, a New York Tutoring service.

Preparing for the Big Day

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Seize the Day: How to Give Your Best on College Test Day

Summer, and the dreaded college applications, tests and exam season might not seem too close yet, but they’re coming. For sure. By now, you’ll probably be starting to think about your revision program. However, in all that frenzy of work, have you thoughts about how you will cope with the big day itself? Sitting that college test, interview or exam?

Failure to prepare for the actual day when you will be sitting the college test can cause real stress. The trauma of a bad interview or application experience can stay with us our whole lives leading some to eventually need help for depression or addiction. Especially if we have spent weeks and months working really hard to prepare for it. Tripping up at the final hurdle would be terrible after that. Yet it can be avoided. Here are a few tips to help keep you cool on the big day.

Cometh the Dawn

After getting a good night’s sleep (you have done that, right?) the most important thing to sort is a good, healthy breakfast that’s packed with protein and complex carbohydrates. Sounds obvious. Yet nerves or the desire to cram that final five minutes of preparation in before you leave the house must not get in the way of this vital meal. Choose something that will give you long-lasting energy, such as eggs, fruit or oatmeal cereal. Try to avoid caffeine and sugar. Dress in as comfortable clothes as is appropriate and check the weather forecast so you won’t be too hot or too cold.

Then, do your last few preparations. Hopefully, you’ll have already worked out when the interview, test or exam starts, where it is being held and how long it will take you to get there. If you haven’t done that yet, DO IT NOW! Avoid a panicked, last-minute rush to the college at all costs. It will really put you off. Have you got everything that you need ready? Spare pens, interview notes etc (lucky charms and candy optional…).

Once more unto the Breach

After getting to college, there’s still time to make some final preparations. Turn off your cell phone, or even better, see if you can leave it somewhere safe. Chances are you won’t be allowed to have it with you during a test in any case and it avoids the embarrassment of it ringing mid-process.

Go to the bathroom and try to keep calm. Try not to speak to anyone else outside the test hall about the amount of preparation you, or they, have done. Instead, take six deep breaths and tell yourself you are going to succeed. Be confident. After all, you’ve already done the hard work. Now it’s time to show ‘em what you know and why you deserve to go to their college.

Knowledge is Power

You’re in the room; test paper in front of you; pen in hand. Time for some more deep breaths before you dive in. Concentrate on your own paper - don’t be put off by other candidates scribbling furiously around you. Read each question carefully then read it again. Know how many marks each question carries and whether it divides into sections. Work out your timings so that you leave room for all the questions you need to tackle in the time allowed. The same applies to an oral interview. Consider what you're being asked carefully before replying.

When you do start your response, make sure you answer the question posed and don’t just regurgitate your knowledge regardless. There won’t be any marks or credit for deviating from the instructions, however impressive your alternative answer might have been. Don’t worry if you get stuck on something and don’t waste time fretting. Take some more deep breaths and move on to the next question. You can always try to come back to the troublesome one later.

Finally, if you are running out of time in a written test and still have questions to answer, make notes on the paper giving details of how you would have answered the question if you had had time to do so. Include argument ideas or equations if relevant, or make a list of bullets giving your key points. It’s much better than leaving the question blank and you might get a few extra marks that could make the crucial difference to your application.

Aftermath

After the interview or test, don’t indulge in post-mortems with other candidates. They will only stress you out with speculation. Try to wait patiently for the results and then, hopefully, you can start celebrating. Don’t dwell on it after it’s over – what’s done is done. Have something nice lined up to do straight away afterwards – and no, we don’t mean going on a drinking binge. How about a trip to the movies or a family meal out instead?

Best of luck!

----

Janine Hardy is a freelance writer from England who specializes in life coaching and self improvement writing for a number of local publications. She works with many good causes including helping and advising students at local colleges and writing on behalf of an alcohol addiction center.

Jock and Philosophical Colleges

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:23:00 +0000

Jock

Boston College

The city of Boston loves its sports teams, so it’s no surprise that Boston College students also love their sports, both varsity level and intramural. So many students participate in intramural sports that there are often lines to sign up. Varsity sports also thrive as students love to attend as many games as possible.

Cornell University

Cornell University is surprisingly very athletic, especially for an Ivy League school. The men’s hockey team is among the best in the country and Cornell wrestling is equally strong. The campus is so large that students have plenty of room to throw a Frisbee or kick a ball around, and many do. Intramural sports are also huge at Cornell.

Penn State

Football is an especially big deal at Penn State, and students often tailgate the entire weekend of a big game. Intramurals are not forgotten either, and there are often tournament days dedicated to intramural sports.

Middlebury College

Middlebury College is great at some non-conventional college sports. Being located so far north, winter sports like skiing and hockey are very popular among students. Students love intramural sports as well and one of the favorites at Middlebury is Quidditch.

Duke University

Duke basketball consistently ranks among the best in the country, but Duke has more than just basketball. Duke recruits athletes in all sports, so everything is fun to watch. If you are not much of a competitor, there are plenty of intramural sports to play for fun.

University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma is a football school. Football is life for many students who go to Oklahoma and then camp out to attend games. However, the university considers all athletics very important, so intramural and club sports are available for everyone to play.

University of Texas

University of Texas Austin thrives on sports. Football, basketball, baseball, and swimming are all very successful programs for varsity athletes. Fraternities and Sororities compete against each other in intramural sports, so there is always a show to watch if you don’t feel like trying it out yourself.

Clemson University

Clemson University lives football. The students are very enthusiastic about all the teams and will cheer for any sports. Intramural sports at Clemson are more than just exercise, many are an opportunity to try something new from airsoft to rock climbing.

University of Michigan

University of Michigan is known for its football team, although all sports thrive there. Students are very enthusiastic about sports at Michigan and school spirit runs through their blood.

Notre Dame

University of Notre Dame is home to the “Fighting Irish” and the students definitely know how to fight. Whether on the football field or in the ice rink, ND students radiate with school spirit.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University lives and breathes football. The team is renowned across the country, but the school promotes all types of sports. Intramural sports are especially popular and students can find any sport imaginable to play. Ice hockey is particularly popular for beginners.

University of Southern California

USC is home of the Trojans. Football is amazing at USC, but every sport is represented, even at the non-varsity level. Students participate in a wide variety of intramural sports and join clubs with their friends. There is no shortage of sports at USC and there is also a long standing rivalry with UCLA that makes cross town games especially exciting for students and alumni. .

UCLA

UCLA is such as large school that a student can find any sporting event imaginable. The weather is so great that bored students can go to a local park or down to the beach to play some ball. Varsity sports are excellent as well and the USC/UCLA cross town rivalry makes any sporting event more fun.

University of Oregon

University of Oregon boasts some of the best teams in many sports. Students are full of spirit for their Ducks, and they always rank highly in football. Intramurals are open for anyone and everything is represented.

Philosophical/Intellectual

Amherst College

Amherst College has an open curriculum, which means that students do not have any core requirements. Students are free to take whichever classes they want and think that they will enjoy. The point is to make sure that students graduate as well-rounded individuals.

Brown University

Brown University allows students to create their own majors and take whatever classes they want. A Brown student will never have to take a class or subject that he does not enjoy. As a well-known liberal institution, Brown fosters academic and philosophical discussion to help students grow.

Yale University

You can find any type of student at Yale University, but almost all are insanely smart. Students will freely discuss politics and philosophy while engaging in “verbal sparring.” If you want to argue with smart people, then Yale is the school for you.

Middlebury College

Middlebury College is a great little school that emphasizes developing well-rounded students. Students are encouraged to try a little bit of everything, whether it will be useful later in life or not.

Rice University

Rice University is a relatively small school, so students and teachers get to know each other very well, very quickly. Rice is always ranked among the top universities in America, and the academics drip into everyday student life.

New College of Florida

New College of Florida is a hidden gem in the south. This liberal arts college is similar to Brown University in that it lets students create their own academic paths. Students are also not graded on a traditional A-F scale, which many students love. The school’s goal is to create educated, well-rounded citizens.

Carleton College

Carleton College offers students some of everything. As a liberal arts school, students take basic classes is every academic field, but the goal is to have students who will be prepared for anything. Students are also very happy to be there and love to learn.

Northwestern University

Northwestern gives students the opportunity to design their own, unique majors. Northwestern is known for its communications department, so with many journalists in training, a student is bound to stir up a few arguments and debates. If you enjoy discussion and current events, NU would be a great fit.

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis is an amazing school that often gets overlooked. The students are very enthusiastic about being there and enjoy learning. When surrounded by so many smart people, it is bound to rub off.

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is a very politically oriented school, so debate about policy and philosophy are an integral part of the curriculum. Students at CMC love to debate and are not afraid to voice their opinions. In an election season, debate watching parties are popular in the dorms where groups of students will cluster around a TV and all watch the candidates while providing their own student commentary.

Stanford

Stanford is full of intelligent people from around the world. From discussions about Plato and Sapho to friendly arguments about food, Stanford will provide a great environment.

Pomona College

Students at Pomona College love academics. The school requires all students to take classes in every field before choosing a major, so that no one over-specializes. Classrooms foster debate, and students often carry the discussions to the dorms.

All images are from Google Images.

For Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Super Diverse and Plush Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Jock and Philosophical and Intellectual Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

Super Diverse and Plush Colleges

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:22:00 +0000

Super Diverse

Cornell University

Cornell University is full of some of the brightest minds from around the world. It is a very diverse place with many of its classes and organizations dedicated to individual cultures and peoples. Almost every ethnicity is represented in the student body at Cornell. The Cornell motto embraces "any person in any study."

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University takes pride in having a diverse student body. It has exchange programs with other countries and U.S. territories so that students can experience the outside world. Stony Brook also offers students many study abroad opportunities.

St. John’s University

St. John’s University is among the most diverse in the country. The student body represents over 100 different countries and there are student organizations for almost every ethnicity. Additionally, its proximity to Manhattan is a big plus for students.

New York University

NYU, like New York City, is full of different people. About ¾ of students are from out of state, so that brings droves of NY foreigners to the city. Everyone will find a place at NYU and every culture is represented.

University of Houston

People come from all over the world to study at Houston and the city reflects it as well. All religions and backgrounds are represented at Houston.

University of Miami

Miami is a very diverse city and the university reflects the diversity. Spanish cultures are very strong and the exposure to other cultures is one thing that students love at Miami.

University of Chicago

University of Chicago is full of students from all over the world. About 80% of students come from out of state, so one is sure to find a wide variety of people. The school forces students of all backgrounds to live together, and students appreciate the perspective that the experience adds.

Andrew’s University

Andrew’s University is a small school in Michigan with students coming from dozens of different countries. The student body is made of all ethnicities and cultures. However, Andrew’s University is a religious school and might not be for everyone.

University of Illinois Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago often boasts about the diversity of its students. One will find any ethnicity, religion, culture, etc represented on campus and the school tries to incorporate minorities into daily life. The city of Chicago is also among the most diverse in the country.

California State University Long Beach

Cal State Long Beach is not far from Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in the world. A student here will find tons of variety as about 70% of students are from different ethnicities.

San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University is so diverse that a student might feel like he is walking into a different country. There are clubs and organizations for everyone and every ethnicity. The student body represents almost every minority group.

Stanford

Stanford goes out of its way to find diversity among its students. White students only account for about a third of the overall population, so other minorities are very numerous. To get in you need to already have the grades, but once accepted, Stanford is a world of its own.

University of Southern California

USC is right in Los Angeles, one of the most diverse cities in America. The campus represents all cultures, religions, and ethnicities through student groups and the general student body. There are many other cultural events in the greater LA area for students to attend as well.

Plush

Smith College

Smith College has it all, from state of the art gyms to stables. Smith is not afraid to spend money in order renovate the campus or buildings. There is even an arts center which houses paintings from artists such as Picasso.

Wellesley College

Wellesley College has some great facilities available to the students. Most of the classrooms are high tech and there are plenty of couches for students to relax on. There is a movie theater on campus and the landscaping is absolutely beautiful.

Yale University

Yale University often reminds students of Hogwarts. Students are separated into “houses” before arrival and live with those houses all four years. The dorms themselves are like castles and one often expects to find Dumbledore at the head of the dining hall. Yale also has the second largest gym in the world, in addition to fun places to hang out, such as bookbinding studios, movie theaters, and woodshops.

Davidson College

Davidson College offers students excellent dorms. Some dorms have their own, free laundry service, and almost every room has its own sink. Seniors get to live in special college apartments, which underclassmen always envy. Davidson also has great hang out spots and athletic facilities.

Duke University

Duke University has some of the best gothic architecture in the south. The buildings are well kept and the athletic facilities are superb. The student centers are great and there is even a movie theater on campus.

Rice University

Rice University uses a residential college system like that of Yale. Students are assigned to a random house and usually live with that house all 4 years. Each college has its own advantages and specialties, but most are new or have just been renovated. A new athletic center was just built, and TVs were recently added to exercise equipment at the gyms. There is also a movie theater on campus.

Grinnell College

Grinnell College is always working to renovate and revamp its campus and dorms. The school has its own movie theater and most of the dorms have a distinct character. Facilities around campus are among the best.

Washington University St. Louis

Washington University St. Louis offers students some of the best dorms and science facilities around. It recently built new dorms with elevators, almost private bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, etc, that the older dorms do not have. The school also just built new science buildings and an arts center that is top of the line.

Oberlin College

Oberlin College has some of the best facilities for learning. It has a great new science center and high tech Environmental Studies building. The athletic facilities and music rooms are top notch as well. There is even a bowling alley on campus!

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University is always expanding and renovating. The school just built a new business school, for example. The campus is also very beautiful and well maintained. Housing is great for all students and most dorms have a unique theme that students grow to love.

Stanford University

Stanford is Stanford, and everything is great at Stanford. From the dorms to the dining halls and classrooms, everything is very well kept and updated. The campus itself brings to life the beautiful mission style architecture.

University of San Diego

Students love University of San Diego because it is at the top of a hill, overlooking the ocean. The school is well maintained and flowers are always blooming. The buildings themselves have some Spanish/mission flavor, which makes the entire school more pleasant.

All images are from Google Images.

For Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Super Diverse and Plush Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Jock and Philosophical and Intellectual Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:21:00 +0000

Math and Science

Carnegie Mellon

Carnegie Mellon is a tech student’s dream. It houses its own school of computer science, school of science, institute of technology, and school of business, among its liberal arts departments. Carnegie Mellon has one of the best computer science programs in the world.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Academy is divided into 5 departments and 3 of them are engineering, mathematics, and science. A student studying with the coast guard will pay $0 in tuition and get one of the best educations this country can offer.

Cornell University

Cornell Engineering is one of the best in the world and the highest ranked engineering school within the Ivy League. Cornell engineers are serious people and very passionate about their studying, although most are social and outgoing as well. Cornell is such a large campus that there is a wide variety of people to befriend even if they don’t like math.

Duke University

Duke has a stellar engineering program that covers all areas from environmental to biomedical. Besides engineering, Duke has excellent programs in all of the sciences.

Rice University

Rice University is a great school in all regards, but particularly in business and engineering. The program for biomedical engineering is among the best and the business school is great for a student who loves numbers and problem solving in a non-science environment. The winters are nice, which is a big plus for some students!

University of Texas Austin

University of Texas Austin is home to Cockrell school of Engineering, which consistently ranks highly, even above most Ivy league schools. It has a specific program for petroleum engineering that not many other schools offer.

University of Chicago

University of Chicago’s economics department is world renowned and has been the home of economists such as Milton Friedman and F.A. Hayek. Needless to say their their math department is also superb, and UChicago has a reputation for producing brilliant mathematicians and scientists.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

University of Michigan Ann Arbor has a great college of engineering in addition to business and liberal arts programs. The university always ranks highly, but the weather is a major drawback for a number of students.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame is known for having great academics all around. It has specific schools of engineering, architecture, business, and science, which offer students a wide variety of courses and major options.

Harvey Mudd

Harvey Mudd College is more than just a tech or engineering school; it is a unique liberal arts college. While the school focuses on math, physical and biological science, and engineering, there is an equally as strong humanities program that emphasizes graduating well-rounded individuals.

Air Force

Students in the Air Force Academy receive strong training in math and science. Many astronauts and engineers came from the Air Force and work for the government as well as the private sector once they retire from the military.

Santa Clara

Santa Clara University is right outside of Silicon Valley and students often intern or work at many of the tech companies nearby. The math and science programs are very strong.

Late Bloomers

Drexel University

Drexel University is great for students who want the feel of a large, historic city. Drexel accepts over half of the students who apply and the average SAT score is just under 1800. Philadelphia is also home to numerous other universities, so there are many students around. The programs in business and nursing are quite strong.

Syracuse University

Syracuse University offers students almost everything they could want. The public policy and business programs are strong and there are unique entrepreneurship opportunities. Syracuse accepts over half of its applicants and the average SAT score is in the mid 1700’s. The campus is beautiful and there is an airport nearby, but the winters are rough.

Fordham University

Fordham University is great for any students who want to live in New York City. About half of the students who apply are accepted and the average SAT score is in the mid 1800’s. Classes are on the smaller side, so professors are accessible and the school has a nice, communal feel.

UMass Amherst

University of Massachusetts Amherst offers students a great college experience isolated from the distractions of the big city. Amherst is a college town with a handful of other universities around the area. The acceptance rate is above 65% and a major downside is the unpredictable weather. Students at UMass Amherst can also take classes at Amherst College or any of the other surrounding universities.

Baylor University

Baylor University has 145 areas of study in 8 different colleges, so chances are that a student will find something that he or she likes here. Baylor accepts about half of the students who apply, and the average SAT score is just under 1800. Additionally, Texas winters definitely beat those in Massachusetts.

Clemson University

Clemson University is a great university in South Carolina. It accepts about 60% of its applicants and the average SAT score is around 1800. Many students study either business or engineering and admission is rolling, so a student will know very quickly whether or not he or she gained admittance.

New College of Florida

New College of Florida is a hidden little gem in the south. This liberal arts college is similar to Brown University in that it lets students create their own academic paths. Students are also not graded on a traditional A-F scale, which many students love. New College accepts over 50% of those who apply.

Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University is a great school, and most students love it there. Social sciences thrive at SMU and the business school is among the best. The university accepts over half of the students who apply and the average SAT score is in the mid 1800’s.

Indiana University

Indiana University is a school for students who like to do everything from study to play sports. The school accepts about 70% of those who apply and the average SAT score is in the mid 1700’s. If you like the feel of a large university, then this school is a great option.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a huge school and the size offers students many opportunities that smaller colleges do not have. The acceptance rate is above 70% and the average SAT score is just under 1700. There are many different study abroad programs that students can take advantage of as well.

University of Kansas

University of Kansas gives students an unbeatable education. Students love the campus and there are always sporting events to attend. The acceptance rate is above 90%, so if you want to go to Kansas, you most likely will.

Loyola Marymount University

The acceptance rate is around 60% and average SAT scores and ACT scores are around 1760 and 26 respectively. Students at LMU can literally see the ocean from campus. Proximity to Los Angeles is great too!

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is a beautiful school and has many opportunities for its students. Gaining admission is a bit more difficult as the average SAT is around 1840 and ACT is 27. Many students apply to Pepperdine University, so only about a third gain acceptance. Most students love the campus and only regret that the rules are so strict.

University of San Diego

University of San Diego has a stunning campus and a strong liberal arts program. The standard SAT score is around 1800 and the school accepts about half of those who apply. The students are very relaxed, but the campus is a bit strict so it is not for everyone. The weather is almost always great.

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder is a beautiful school nestled away in the mountains. This school accepts over 80% of applicants and there are over 25,000 undergraduate students. This is a great school to study business, communications, or any of the liberal arts.

All images are from Google Images.

For Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Super Diverse and Plush Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Jock and Philosophical and Intellectual Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:25:00 +0000

Artist Friendly

Emerson

Emerson College focuses on communication and the arts, with a particularly strong acting program. Students are able to use some of the highest quality visual and media arts equipment, from sound studios to filming rooms. Emerson is also in the theater district of Boston, so there is always a way for artists to express themselves.

Ithaca College

Ithaca College is a hidden gem nestled away in upstate Ithaca, NY. This school has a phenomenal acting program and offers degrees in most of the other arts, but theater arts are particularly strong. Ithaca is an artist’s heaven because the area is so beautiful.

NYU

New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts is among the best in the country for all art programs. NYU is located in the hip part of Manhattan, so artists would definitely feel at home here. The university is so large that it offers classes in almost everything, so artists will not feel restricted to their one field of study.

Yale

Yale University is among the best schools in the world, and the arts department is like none other. If you want to study with the institution that produced actors such as Meryl Streep, then Yale Arts is for you. Make no mistake though, gaining admission is no piece of cake.

University of Texas

University of Texas Austin is a large university and offers everything. Its art program is very extensive and covers everything from art history to design, so artists are sure to find their niche.

University of Georgia

University of Georgia houses an art school with some very interesting majors. Students can earn degrees in scientific illustration or fabric design to try something very unique. More traditional arts students can study theater or other fine arts.

University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee Knoxville has one of the best programs for graphic design in the country. Students can also study interior design or any of the more traditional arts.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University has a very extensive art department, teaching classes from ceramics to printmaking. The school has its own art studio for students interested in the fine arts. Performing arts also thrive at the university.

University of Illinois School of Architecture and Art

University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign is home to a stellar college of fine and applied arts. This college teaches classes ranging from music to urban planning. Students will surely find everything they could possibly want.

Washington University St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis has a great school of design and visual arts. This school offers one of the best educations in the field and an education from Washington University is priceless. All other typical arts programs can be found on campus as well.

Chapman University

Chapman University is in Orange county CA, a short drive from everything that Southern California has to offer. Chapman has a unique school of film and television which ranks very highly in its field. Many students find internships in Hollywood and start using their classroom skills right away.

Cornish School of the Arts

Cornish is a wonderful arts school, so one can expect very talented and expressive students. This is a great school for students studying acting and theater, but all of the programs are superb. It is in Seattle, so there is plenty for students to do in the city.

UCLA

UCLA is such a big school that you can’t go wrong. It is ranked as one of the best universities in the country and all of the programs are strong. However, because of its vicinity to Hollywood, UCLA has top notch acting and theater programs for everyone who wants to be a star.

USC

USC has a world renowned School of Cinematic Arts for everyone who is hoping to get into the movie industry. Students frequently find jobs in the industry, and many make connections in Hollywood. All of Los Angeles and SoCal is at the fingertips of a USC student.

Urban

Boston University

Boston University is so integrated into the city that a tourist walking by would not be able to tell he is on a college campus. The campus is spread over several city blocks with public transportation running through the center. It has a true city feel.

Drexel University

Drexel University is right in the center of Philadelphia, one of America’s most vibrant cities. There is always something happening in Philly, and with other colleges nearby such as UPenn, there are plenty of students. One of Drexel’s strongest selling points is its co-op program which allows students to gain workplace training while studying.

Northeastern University

Northeastern University is in the heart of Boston, but actually has a campus unlike BU. There are dozens of universities in the Boston area, so a student will definitely find something to do. The entire city is a playground.

NYU

New York University’s campus is indistinguishable from the city. Only the flags and banners on the buildings distinguish them from apartment buildings near Washington Square Park. Students studying at NYU get an authentic New York experience.

College of Charleston

College of Charleston is right in the center of the city and feels like it. Although it has a campus, downtown Charleston is only a few minutes away. The school has an “old” feel to it and has always been ranked highly. If you enjoy a southern atmosphere, then College of Charleston is a great fit.

Tulane University

Students at Tulane University have the entire city of New Orleans at their fingertips. New Orleans has such a vibrant culture and active nightlife, that there is always something happening. The city is definitely unique, and students who attend Tulane grow to love the vibrant atmosphere.

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt is a great choice if you like Nashville, or any southern city. The city atmosphere is very nice and there is plenty of great country music. There is no mistaking the southern feel to the campus and the city.

University of Chicago

Chicago is a great city, and anyone studying at the University of Chicago will surely not be disappointed. The city is very accessible and with all the other universities in the area, there are plenty of student hotspots. Be warned, gaining admission is very difficult.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University is a huge school in a huge city. The academics are great and there is always something to do in the city. Students love it there and the people are generally very friendly.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in a great area, if you can tolerate the long and cold winters. Coming from California or Florida might be pretty hard, but the academics and the city life are worth it. Minneapolis/St. Paul area is a great location and the home of many large consumer product’s companies like Target, so there are plenty of employment opportunities for grads.

UCLA

UCLA is right in the heart of Southern California. With so many colleges in LA, there are plenty of students to befriend and there is always something happening. Students can take advantage of all the resources that Los Angeles offers, and the beach is only a few miles away!

University of Las Vegas

University of Nevada Las Vegas is an up and coming school that many people overlook. The schools of Law, Business, and Hotel Administration are among the best and the staff has its fair share of award recipients as well. Being in Las Vegas allows students to walk the strip and live the city life whenever they want.

USC

University of Southern California is in the heart of Los Angeles and minutes away from the Staples Center and LA Live. If you want the true LA experience, then USC is provides students with great access to the entire city.

University of Arizona

Arizona is a great place for students who like nice weather. The city of Tucson is very pleasant and the university is effectively integrated into the city. You can’t really go wrong with UA if you want an urban environment.

All images are from Google Images.

For Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Super Diverse and Plush Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Jock and Philosophical and Intellectual Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

Top 10 College Degrees

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:05:00 +0000

The unemployment rate in America is more than 8 percent, yet the cost of a college degree continues to increase. This presents a problem because students are reluctant to work for a college degree that won’t pay for itself. There are jobs that have good job growth predicted, so it makes sense to find one of those jobs and choose a college major based on that choice.

1. Those who earn biomedical engineering degrees should have a good chance at finding jobs. This job is expected to see a growth of 72 percent by 2018. These people work to build medical items like artificial limbs or better ways to dispense medicine. People who might be interested in this degree, which can pay from $82,000 to $103,000, would benefit from a biology or physics degree.

2. Through 2018 it is projected that there will be 1.26 million teaching jobs from elementary through secondary education, making an education degree a good bet. Schools often have a difficult time finding math, chemistry, and physics teachers so people with these majors will be highly sought after.

3. Technology degrees will continue to be in demand. Whether computer science or information processing, people with this degree will find work. Businesses need IT people, and they will inevitably seek out individuals who know how to use technology to guide their growth into the future.

4. Businesses are projected to need people with economics or finance degrees over the next few years. With the economics problems we've seen worldwide in recent years, companies will look for employees who can help them make sense out of what is happening and steer them in a fiscally responsible direction.

5. Nursing jobs are expected to be in demand for at least the next 10 years. As Americans age, more caregivers will be needed to take care of them. An individual with a bachelor’s degree in nursing can make $60,000 per year, and if they are willing to relocate, getting a job is rarely a problem.

6. It is predicted that there will be a shortage in special education teachers. As more children are diagnosed with autism and other learning difficulties, more special education teachers will be needed to assist these students and their teachers. There tends to be a lot of paperwork with this job, but it can be very rewarding.

7. Actuaries specialize in risk assessment to help predict various outcomes. As businesses want to protect their investments, more actuaries will be needed. People who seek this job must have a college background in statistics, corporate finance, and business.

8. There is expected to be a 21 percent increase in forensic technicians in the next several years. These professionals, who help police and insurance companies, need a degree in forensic science or chemistry and can expect a starting salary of at least $35,000.

9. Over the next 10 years there will be an increased need for medical assistants. As doctors’ offices and hospitals try to reduce overhead, one way is to hire more physician assistants who will take histories, make some prescriptions and generally enable doctors to do more focused work.

10. There will likely be a shortage in many areas of engineering over the next 20 years or so. These are some of the highest starting salaries of all professions. Students considering this major should excel in math and science.

The cost of getting a college degree keeps going up, so if a person is going to make that investment, it makes sense to choose a degree that will allow the graduate to find a job and make a decent living. Fortunately, by doing some research and using common sense, there are professions that defy the current economy and are growing. Get in on them, and move into the future.

Contributed by Joe Baker
You can reach him at josephbker@gmail.com

Region and Interest College Matcher

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:06:00 +0000

Welcome to the TeenCollegeEducation College Matcher! We have worked tirelessly to bring you this list of colleges that will help find the right fit for you. This is by no means a comprehensive guide, but a starting point with what we considered to be the most striking colleges and universities in each field.

We divided the country into 4 regions: Northeast (NE), South (S), Midwest (MW), and West (W). We then categorized many schools into one of nine sub categories. These categories are Strictness, Artist Friendly, Urban, Math and Science, Late Bloomers, Super Diverse, Plush, Jock, and Philosophical/Intellectual. We tried to stay away from many of the obvious colleges for each category, but in some areas there was no avoiding it. Take a look and make sure to share with your friends!

If you have any suggestions or would like to see a particular college on the list, just let us know!

Strictness

Manhattan College

Manhattan College is strict, but one of the safest colleges around. There is a zero tolerance policy regarding alcohol and drug use, but only drug use will get a student expelled. Alcohol will force an RA to write up a student, but the administration is not out to “catch” students.

Bucknell University

Bucknell University has a point system for students. If a student accumulates a certain number of points, the punishments range from losing privileges to expulsion. Drinking accumulates a point or two, and Bucknell is very strict with alcohol overall.

Grove City College

Grove City College is a liberal arts school with a zero tolerance policy on campus. Students who leave campus to drink must come back sober, or face consequences which could include expulsion. Despite this, campus security is friendly and also not necessarily looking to catch students.

Bob Jones University

Some students at Bob Jones University feel trapped by all the rules and regulations. The school has a demerit system where more than 150 demerits will could get a student expelled. Students earn demerits for actions such as being late to class, or most commonly, failing the daily room check.

West Point

It is no surprise that West Point is among the strictest campuses, it is the army after all. The school requires order and promotes discipline in all students. Everyone adheres to their honor code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. “ Not doing so is grounds for punishment and possible expulsion.

Claflin University

Claflin University is a religious school. Besides curfews for underclassmen, the school has some other interesting rules, such as no walking on the grass. However, punishments are usually not too severe.

Hampton University

Hampton University is a strict school, especially with visitors. Anyone entering campus from the outside, including students, is stopped and questioned upon entry. There is also a dress code that students must adhere to, although it has become a bit more lax over the years.

Notre Dame

One would expect Notre Dame, a religious school, to be more strict. Although there is no prohibition of alcohol on campus, drug use and sex on campus will get a student expelled. Drinking too much could also result in fines.

Wheaton College

Wheaton College is a religious school, so their rules are also pretty strict. All students sign a Community Covenant and agree to live by the rules and regulations. Every rule is supported by the Bible, so there is little arguing about them. The school is not afraid to fine students for infractions

St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College is a dry campus, meaning that no alcohol is allowed even for students who are 21. Students found with alcohol will be punished. If students have an event, it is usually small and quiet.

Brigham Young

You might remember the basketball player who was punished at Brigham Young earlier in the year for violating the honor code; this school takes its values seriously. Students have been expelled for alcohol and drug use, and curfew violations could get a student suspended. The honor code also covers areas such as dress and grooming.

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine is notoriously strict with all of its students. The campus is completely dry, meaning that alcohol is prohibited. Students caught with alcohol, drinking, or returning to campus drunk face punishment and possible expulsion. Additionally, between 10 pm and 10 am, the campus observes “quiet hours,” meaning that a student who causes too much noise will be written up.

University of San Diego

University of San Diego is a religious school so it has rules and policies like all other religious schools. Additionally, parking is difficult at USD, and illegally parked cars are almost always fined.

For Artist Friendly and Urban Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Math, Science, and Late Bloomer Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Super Diverse and Plush Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

For Jock and Philosophical and Intellectual Colleges Click HERE and Continue Reading

All Images are from Google Images.

Avoiding Scholarship Scams

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:25:00 +0000

As one college counselor put it, “I actually hate this question because I want to believe that good people are doing good work…” However, the sad reality is that college scholarship scams are real. This week, our experts weigh in on the most common types of scholarship scams and the best ways for you to avoid them.

“What are the most common scholarship scams? How do I avoid them?” — Samantha Davis, Queens, NY

See all 21 answers to this week’s question

A: The One Thing Never to Do to Acquire a College Scholarship

What is the one thing, to pay an organization to ‘be considered’ to win a college scholarship. Acquiring scholarship money takes time, not invested money. Thanks to two terrific web sites, FinAid – The Guide to Financial Aid and Fastweb - Largest Free scholarship search site every family has an easy place to go locate most (not all) available scholarship options. In addition, always compete the FAFSA application and if any of the colleges the student is applying to uses the CSS Form, then complete that as well.

Ellen Fisher — Founder & Independent College Advisor - College4U

See all of Ellen’s answers

A: Don't Pay for Any Scholarship Search Service

The most common scam is a service (online or in person) that offers to conduct a scholarship search for a fee. There are plenty of places that offer free scholarship searches (collegenet.com, your local high school guidance office, meritaid.com, etc.) that contain a complete inventory of posted scholarships. Lots of students don't take the time to do a scholarship search or apply for small scholarships - take the time to apply for appropriate scholarships (ones for which you're qualified based on your interests or background), and you will likely be awarded.

Ken Huus - Dean of Admissions - Sweet Briar College

See all of Ken’s answers

A: The Most Common Scholarship Scams - A List

The scams: “Pay $x to get a list of scholarships.” “Come to a presentation.” "Give us personal information for a chance to apply for a scholarship." “You have been nominated” for an award and you have a chance to purchase a book with your name. “You are guaranteed to get a scholarship.” How to Avoid Them: *Never, Ever pay to apply for a scholarship. *Never attend a seminar that is for the purpose of receiving scholarships. *Do not apply for any scholarships that involve a purchase of any kind. *Google the name of the scholarship followed by the word “scam”. *Look up the scholarship on the Better Business Office web site, the Federal Trade Commission or consumer affairs office from the state of affiliation. *Be wary of awards where you are notified that you have been selected or nominated to participate. *Check with your counselor. *”If it sounds too good to be true, it is.” Use fastweb.com, collegeboard.com and scholarships.com before researching other sites.

Scott White - Director of Guidance - Montclair High School

See all of Scott’s answers

A: Beware of "Pay to Play!"

The most common scholarship scam is one where the "expert" says pay me now and I guarantee you will receive financial aid. Most often all they can guarantee are the federal loans that any student who fills out a FAFSA is eligible for. So you are paying for something that is available for free. My advice, ask for references from any financial consultant and call the references. Also check them out on the web--Google them and see if online reviews come up.

Chris Hooker-Haring - Dean of Admission & Financial Aid - Muhlenberg College

See all 21 answers to this week’s question

A: Look Before You Leap at Scholarships!

Know that the best scholarship leads come from guidance counselors and qualified educational consultants. Generally any company claiming scholarship information asking for money should not be trusted. Legitimate scholarships can be found through private corporations, community organizations, non-profits and the colleges. There are excellent free scholarship databases available on the web. Call the source before you apply to check on credentials. Good Luck!

Jeannie Borin - Founder & President - College Connections

See all of Jeannie’s answers

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

Find Unigo on Twitter at @Unigo & Facebook at Facebook.com/MyUnigo

Sowing the Seeds of a Digital Education

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:40:00 +0000

An Apple for Teacher: Sowing the Seeds of Learning.

Imagine a world where you can earn an advanced physics degree without ever opening a textbook. The rise of tablet computers and e-books is making this a growing possibility. The technology innovator Apple is at the cusp of this change, poised to take the education market by storm by entering the world of digital textbooks.

On Thursday, January 19, Apple held an event at the Guggenheim Museum in New York to discuss its goals in the educational sector. Executive Phillip Schiller, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, used this event to showcase the company’s new textbook experience for the iPad, an app called iBooks 2, as reported by the Washington Post.

This new app makes textbooks interactive. Students can capture notes and send them to the iCloud, highlight text with just a touch of the finger, and quickly switch to glossary sections for words they do not understand.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, other tablet computer manufacturers are adding college texts to their e-book databases, but Apple is taking this one step further by working to get high school and even elementary texts digitized. The company is currently working with Pearson, McGraw Hill, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to make their textbooks available on the iPad.

Long Road for Integrating iPads Into Classrooms

While this announcement and the sale of the new app does stand to change the way Americans approach education, it is not without its difficulties. The truth is that the average student in the public school setting is not going to own an iPad. In order to make this a viable solution for schools, schools need to have the tablets in the classroom.

Apple has a solution for this as well, and it is one they have used in the past. Three decades ago, Steve Jobs himself ran a lobbying campaign to get funding for Apple computers in public school classrooms around the country, and he was successful. Today, the Washington Post reports that the technology giant is striving to get similar tax breaks and public funding to put iPads in classrooms, so students can have access to their digital textbooks regardless of income levels. The benefit for Apple is the branding this creates, as students work daily on tablets sporting the company’s logo.

Testing Already in the Works

Currently, Apple has launched an iPad pilot project in a few districts around the country. In these districts, teachers report greater excitement and engagement on the part of the students after the iPads and digital texts came to the classroom. No testing has been done as of yet to determine if the tablets encourage greater performance from the students, but that assessment is in the works for the fall.

Could these changes bring permanent change to the face of education? Perhaps, but do not expect your local public school to look like something out of a science fiction movie any time soon. There are still many educators and parents who believe the traditional ways of educating are best, and some doubt that technological gadgets actually improve outcomes for students.

Teachers will need training to embrace this technology, and that training costs money. However, Apple sees a market for their products in the classroom, and they plan to continue lobbying to reach this goal. Consequently, the next generation of students to come through America’s public schools and universities may well use tablet technology for at least a portion of their education.

By Guest Contributor: Joe Barker
You can reach Joe at josephbker@gmail.com

Admissions Officer Tells Secrets

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:48:00 +0000

As an Admissions Counselor, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
Meeting 1-on-1 with prospective students and their families through our admissions interview process, follow-up with students, parents, coaches, campus constituents, etc. through email, mail, phone correspondence, first-year application review (400+ applicants in my territory), closing calls to admitted students who receive a financial aid package, admissions recruitment travel (college fairs, high school visits, classroom/community presentations, etc.), campus recruitment event planning/coordination/implementation/assessment, other duties as assigned :)

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
Rigor of course-load (i.e. Advanced, Honors, AP, dual-credit courses & core course involvement), an active co- and extra-curricular schedule, and showing the ability to adapt well socially to the college community

What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Using another college or university's name in the application essay (i.e. "..and that is why I think I'd be a good fit at the University of Illinois" when they are applying to Augustana),

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
"Admissions offices ignore senior year grades" (on the contrary, we typically look at trends in a students academic record to recommend admission, scholarship, etc.)

What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?
Utilize our test-optional policy which allows you to submit a graded paper and conduct an official admissions interview. This can help students show through a different indicator their ability to be an effective problem solver, critical thinker, etc.

What do you look for in a letter of recommendation?
The mention of our colleges name because that typically means the student spoke with the teacher/coach/director about us individually -- also reading about the students ability to overcome an adverse situation or be a leader among his or her peers

How much faith do you have in the ability of the SAT or ACT to predict success in college?
It can be a great or extremely bad indicator. That is why we have our test-optional policy. Math & Science scores stick out if a student is looking for a career in the health field; low reading scores can also raise a red flag.

Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields. What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself as a good candidate for your program?

Candidates who we feel are "on the bubble" or just can't get a good "read" on can typically strengthen their case by visiting campus and meeting with a counselor one-on-one. This typically is one of the most influential factors for a student during the application process.

Thank you to Mike Pettis for participating in the Admissions Spotlight Series. Mr. Pettis is an Admissions Counselor at Augustana College in Davenport, IA. In this interview he give us a behind-the-scenes look at the undergraduate admissions process.

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This interview was conducted by Joseph Fernandez, a New York Tutor with Parliament Tutors. Joseph specializes in SAT Tutoring.

Answering the Question "Why Do You Want to go to our College?"

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

If you have just started applying for college, you may have noticed that many college applications ask similar types of questions in their application essays. A question that many colleges ask is "why do you want to go to our college?"

This may seem like a complicated question to answer. Why are they asking you this? Why do they care? What kind of answers are they looking for? If you say the wrong things, will they reject your application? If all of these stressful concerns are running through your head, it will be very difficult to start writing. As with almost all personal essays, the easiest way to write a solid paper is to be informed about the topic before you start writing and to be honest as you write.

With this in mind, the first step you should take is to thoroughly research the college. Find out every single detail that will matter to you. Which majors does the college offer? How big are the class sizes? Does the school have the kind of extracurricular or social setting that you are looking for? What kind of housing do they offer? How much money will it cost to attend the college each semester? What kind of financial aid options are offered? How far away is the campus from your current home? Is the campus located in a city that you like?

Once you have a good understanding of what it will be like to attend this particular college, think about all of its aspects that suit you best. Maybe you really like their attitude toward learning. Maybe their art program is one of the best in the country. Perhaps the city in which the college is located is perfectly fitting for your tastes and lifestyle. Maybe the tuition is incredibly low and will save you tons of money. Make a list of everything you like about the college.

Now, add more information to the list. Next to each item that you like, write down why you like it. Your list should be honest and personal. You should also write down why you want to attend college at all. Next, take another look at the website or brochure for the college. Take a note of all of the adjectives that are used to attract students to the college. If these adjectives describe what you are looking for in the college, write them down.

Begin your essay. Explain who you are, where you are in life and what you hope to accomplish by attending college. Explain what kind of degree or major you plan to pursue and why. If you have not yet chosen an area of study, explain the aspects of the college that you think will lead you toward finding yourself and what you want to do with your life. Be concise, but also honest, personable and, if appropriate, passionate.

Using your list, describe everything about the college that you like and explain why it is a perfect fit for you specifically. If applicable, try to use some of the adjectives that you found in the college brochure or on its website.

If you are still having a really hard time with this and cannot find good reasons for attending this college, perhaps you should rethink even applying in the first place. There are so many wonderful colleges in the United States. Try to find schools that are actually a good fit for you. Imagine getting an acceptance letter in the mail from each college to which you apply. If you cannot picture yourself getting excited about attending this school, then it probably is not the right school for you.

The Value of AP Classes

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:50:00 +0000

Almost everyone hates AP classes. Parents hate them, students hate them, schools hate them, even colleges are wary of them. In high school, these AP classes add a significant amount of work to the regular student schedule. Active students who play sports and are involved in their community are often forced to sacrifice leisure time or hours otherwise spend sleeping in order to finish their AP work.

Then the AP test comes in May, and the last 2 or 3 weeks in April are an endless cramming session. For students who take multiple AP tests, it seems like the work will never end. I know because I went through it just like every other high school student. It does, however, pay off.

As a college student right now, I am very happy that I took AP classes. First off, I started my freshman year with 17 AP credits; a standard college semester is only 16. I have friends with over 20 AP credit. This can mean many things depending on how you look at it. If I decide to graduate a semester early using my AP credits to fulfill electives, then I can save a lot of money, somewhere around $20,000. My particular school requires 4 years of study to graduate, but many others will let students graduate early.

What AP credits mean for me is that I can pursue minors and/or take other classes that interest me besides those in my major. I could also take a slightly easier workload every semester and still graduate on time. With this approach, I could dedicate more time to running this website along with others, and possibly find other jobs. There will be more time to socialize as well, but that is not everything. Knowing that I will be able to graduate in 4 years takes off a lot of stress.

My particular credits also mean that I can spend time studying abroad without fear of falling behind. Some classes in foreign universities might not be recognized at my university, but with credits already stacked up, I won’t need to worry.

Finally, there is the value of taking a college “level” class in high school. Although college classes are nothing like high school classes, there is no question that AP better prepares students for the vigor of college. 100 pages of reading per class seems like nothing after doing it for years in high school. Additionally, much of the knowledge learned in AP classes can be directly applied to college. I draw upon knowledge from AP History, Gov, and English classes every day because it makes a substantial part of my academic core. Science and Math classes act the same way for engineers and physicists.

Hopefully, you will think differently about AP classes in the future. Yes, they are a lot of hard work but the work will come sooner or later. Is it not better to get accustomed to it early on? In hindsight, even though I hated the work at the time, I am very glad that I took so many AP’s in high school. My words of wisdom to all students is this: It gets better.

2012 College Rankings

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:35:00 +0000

It is that time of year again, the time to start worrying about college. US News and World Report released their 2012 college rankings a few weeks ago, and for anyone who follows the admissions game, this is a big deal.

Colleges often compete with one another to improve their rankings and become even more exclusive. This results in more students applying to top notch universities, creating a larger pool of applicants. The university then gets to reject a larger number of applicants, lowering acceptance rate and adding to the "exclusive" feeling one gets at being at such a university. Acceptance becomes more difficult and students must work even harder in high school. It is a terrible cycle, but the rankings do have some value for quickly judging the caliper of a school. They give students and parents a basic and easy way to compare schools and see what is a reasonable college goal.

Here are the top 20 schools in the 2012 rankings for national universities:
(If more than one school has the same number, they are tied for that rank.)

1. Harvard
1. Princeton
3. Yale
4. Columbia
5. Cal Tech
5. MIT
5. Stanford
5. University of Chicago
5. University of Pennsylvania
10. Duke
11. Dartmouth
12. Northwestern
13. Johns Hopkins
14. Washington University in St. Louis
15. Brown
15. Cornell
17. Rice
17. Vanderbilt
19. University of Notre Dame
20. Emory

Here are the top 10 liberal arts colleges for 2012:

1. Williams
2. Amherst
3. Swarthmore
4. Pomona
5. Middlebury
6. Bowdoin
6. Carleton
6. Wellesley
9. Claremont MnKenna
10. Haverford

The full list of rankings for both national universities and liberal arts colleges can be found here.

Retaking the SAT: Should You Take the SAT Again?

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:41:00 +0000

“1,597,329 million college-bound seniors in the class of 2010 took the SAT.”

Resource: 2010 College-Bound Seniors Profile Report issued by the College Board.

Despite the impressive number of participants, the standardized college testing experience is very personal. Results are commonly used in higher education admissions decision-making processes, as well as determining eligibility and awarding of scholarships. Each student who takes the SAT is directly impacted by the scores achieved on the test. That said, the statistics of who takes the test and the variance in scores are significant and a good place to start when considering your decision to retake the SAT.

If you’ve taken the SAT and didn’t get a perfect score or the score you wanted, you may be thinking about taking the test again.

This graphic uses data from the 2010 College -Bound Seniors Profile Report issued by the College Board and illustrates the score distribution of the college-bound seniors in the class of 2010 who took the SAT. If you didn’t get a perfect score on your SAT, you clearly are not alone.

Data from the Effects of Repeating the SAT ®, Percentage of Students with Senior-Year Score Gain or Loss (2010 Cohort) by College Board indicates that in all parts of the test, the lower your score, the better your chances are of improving your scores by taking the test again. This may seem obvious, but is worth remembering when making the decision to take the SAT again.

If you are still considering taking the SAT again, answer these questions before you sign up:

Have you gained more experience and/or have more applicable coursework “under your belt” since the last time you took the SAT?

If you have since taken additional coursework or gained experience that has increased your knowledge in areas covered in the SAT, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Are you in a “better place” mentally and/or physically than you were the last time you took the SAT?

If your circumstances, either physically or mentally, were not ideal for your best performance the last time, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Are you, or will you be, better prepared to take the SAT than the last time you took it?

If you are willing to study, take practice tests, and/or take advantage of tutoring resources in order to set the stage for the best possible testing outcome, you should definitely consider taking the SAT again.

What is your ultimate goal for taking the SAT? Does this goal require a higher score?

Once you determine your goal for taking the SAT, if you find that your previous score does not meet the standards needed to achieve that goal, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Answering “yes” to one or more of these questions is justification and motivation for taking the SAT test again.

One more thing…

If you make the decision to take the SAT again, set the stage for success by consciously making a personal commitment to prepare yourself so you can perform to the best of your abilities. Like an athlete, you must “train” for this challenge. Take advantage of preparatory resources and practice, practice, practice! If you make this commitment and follow through, you increase the odds that your score will improve and will find that the decision to take the SAT again was a good choice.

Good luck and have a great testing experience!

Anne N. is a SAT Tutor for Parliament Tutors in Des Moines, IA.

How to Avoid Overbearing Parents

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 08:00:00 +0000

“How can parents help students with the college search and application process?”—Vanessa K., Boise, ID.

A: Five things parents can do to help with college admissions

It’s not easy for parents to know if they are doing too much or too little regarding their child’s college admissions. A little advice about testing is a good start. 1) Become educated about the various tests. 2) Remind your student about test registration deadlines and test dates; put them on a visible family calendar. 3) Help him/her complete the test registration forms. 4) If it fits your budget, pay for test prep books or tutoring. 5) Provide your child with chauffeur services on the day of a test so he/she doesn’t have to locate the test center and find a parking space.

Marjorie Shaevitz—Author, Founder - adMISSION POSSIBLE

A: The three C's of parent college coaching

The hardest part of parenting a teen is coaching them to do things themselves and attain increased levels of independence. As far as the college process goes, you have three roles as a parent. I call them the 3 C’s. Chart the course by helping them plan for the future. Catalog the journey by keeping track of the details. Cheer them on by encouraging them to study hard, volunteer and get involved in extracurricular activities. Be a coach, not a taskmaster, by following the three C’s: Chart, Catalog and Cheer. Your teen will be happy, well-rounded and prepared for college.

Suzanne Shaffer—Founder - Parents Countdown to College Coach

A: Parents should serve as mentors in the college search process

It’s been said that the relationship between the parent and child changes when the child goes to college. As children begin to assert their independence and their ability to make decisions without parental involvement; parents must take on the role of mentor/supporter. The college application process is a great time for parents to lay the foundation for this type of relationship. The primary role for parents throughout the college admissions process is to encourage their child by consistently reminding them of their confidence in his/her ability to complete the application process and to choose the college with the best fit.

Dorothy Styles–Director for College Readiness Programs & Initiatives - Project GRAD Atlanta

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.
Don’t miss answers by the Dean of Admissions at Sweet Briar College, Associate Dean of Admissions at University of Delaware, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.

SAT and ACT Testing days 2011/2012

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:05:00 +0000

All high school students need to take either the SAT or the ACT sometime during their student careers. To make it easy for you, we compiled a list of all the SAT and ACT test days in one place.

SAT test days

October 1, 2011 Register by September 9th (21st and pay a late fee)

November 5, 2011 Register by October 7th (21st and pay a late fee)

December 3, 2011   Register by November 8th (20th and pay a late fee)

January 28, 2012 Register by December 30th (Jan 13th and pay a late fee)

March 10, 2012   Register by February 10th (24st and pay a late fee) No subject tests in Mar

May 5, 2012 Register by April 6th (20th and pay a late fee)

June 2, 2012 Register by May 8th (22nd and pay a late fee)

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-reasoning/register/test-dates

ACT test days

September 10, 2011   Register by August 12th (26th and pay a late fee)

October 22, 2011   Register by September 16th (30th and pay a late fee)

December 10, 2011   Register by November 4th (18th and pay a late fee)

February 11, 2012    Register by January 13th (20th and pay a late fee)

April 14, 2012    Register by March 9th (23rd and pay a late fee)

June 9, 2012    Register by May 4th (18th and pay a late fee)

http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html

College Success Stories

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:06:00 +0000

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“In all of your years working with students, what were some of the most unexpected successes you witnessed – I could use a little pick me up?”—Jamie S., Rutland, VT.

A: Parent's thanks

I have been pleasantly surprised in my career with some of the "thank you’s I have received from parents who initially totally disagreed with advice I had given them and their children. Many of the parents I have dealt with are as young as my own children and, perhaps, my "generational" perspective was not always welcomed. I strongly believe that as children move toward college choices and decisions they must also move toward finding their own path. Parents can be loving and all concerned, but this can also be overwhelming for kids who truly must start to make their own way.

Marie Bullock— Independent Counselor - Washington Lee High School

A: Enhanced study skills = better grades and more college choices

“Anna” came to us during sophomore year with dreams of attending medical school. Yet she had a B- average and test anxiety. Over the summer we helped analyze her study habits and come up with a concrete plan for the next school year. One of Anna’s strengths was her leadership in extracurricular involvement. We encouraged her to apply her enthusiasm to her medical interests—and she landed a paid summer position in a top tier medical research lab. When junior year rolled around, she put her new study plan in place and earned much stronger grades and improved SAT scores. This upward trend combined with her compelling activities helped her gain admission to her top college choice.

Joan Casey—President - Educational Advocates College Consulting Corp.

A: Persistent, post-graduate, and Division I dreams come true

Persistence is the common denominator among students who have taken a gap year in order to gain acceptance to their dream colleges. These students had an interest in playing sports at the collegiate level. While each played sports competitively during high school, each needed the additional time and demonstrated academic rigor to advance to the Division 1 levels. Each student attended a selective boarding school post-graduate and is now playing basketball at Dartmouth, and the other is playing lacrosse at Davidson.

Pamela Ellis– Founder - Compass Education Strategies LLC

Don’t miss answers by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Seton Hall, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork. To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

College Myths: Are they Real or Fake?

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:36:00 +0000

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“In your experience, what are three of the most accepted or exaggerated myths in the college admissions process?”—Donald J., Park City, UT

A: Community college is a great option for many high-schooler graduates

Myth: Community college is a consolation prize for students who aren’t academically ready for a four-year college. Truth: Community colleges can help students learn important academic and organizational skills that will prepare them to succeed in upper division courses at four-year colleges. Myth: Community colleges deprive students of the rich social experiences that a four-year college can provide. Truth: Community College students can take advantage of theater, athletics, clubs or student government, in many cases with no prior experience. Myth: Community Colleges are a dead-end. Truth: The best way to ensure a successful transfer to a four-year college is to enter community college with clearly defined goals and a well-crafted transfer plan.

Joanne Levy-Prewitt— Creator & Founder - CollegeMapp

A: Admissions myths debunked

Myths: (1) a Pulitzer Prize essay, (2) killer teacher recommendations, and (3) superhero extracurricular activities. This myth distracts families from the essential ingredient in a winning college candidacy: academics. 87 percent of colleges attribute “considerable importance” to the impact of “college prep grades” on the admission decision, 71 percent to “strength of curriculum”, and 58 percent to “admissions test scores”. By contrast, only 26 percent of institutions attribute “considerable importance” to essays, 17 percent to teacher recommendations, and a measly 9 percent to extracurricular activities. (NACAC, 2010) Do your best on these three elements of the application, but throughout high school, focus on academic performance.

Kris Hintz—Founder - Position U 4 College LLC

A: No need for essays, standardized tests, or stress

While the most competitive colleges have extremely rigorous admission standards that include earning high grades, completing several essays, taking a number of challenging standardized tests, and pursuing a variety of extracurricular activities, the vast majority of America’s four-year colleges have far more modest admissions requirements. In fact, despite what you may have heard, many colleges require no admission essays, and a growing number of colleges are easing their admission requirements, as evidenced by the number of schools becoming ACT- and SAT-optional. If you want to attend a four-year college, stay calm and you will find one that will admit you.

Craig Meister– President - Tactical College Consulting

Don’t miss answers by the Director of Admissions at University of Washington, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork. To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

3 Admissions Mistakes You Can Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 02:17:00 +0000

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“In your experience, what are three of the most significant and avoidable mistakes students make throughout the admissions process?”—Elizabeth R., Omaha, NE.

A: Fit, follow-up and folly

FIT: Students must do the self-analysis necessary to determine what kind of school will be the best match for them. Too often, they are swayed by the opinions of others – parents, friends, rankings, etc. FOLLOW UP: Many students assume that their documents have arrived at admissions offices. If they have not received confirmation that their file is complete, they should contact the school to verify. FOLLY: Too many students believe that “senioritis” is a privilege/right. It is not. Schools will be reviewing final senior grades and reserve the right to revoke admission if there are significant declines in performance.

Alison Almasian— Director of Admissions - St. Lawrence University

A: Proofread, proofread, and proofread again

Much like the rules for hair care in the movie Legally Blonde, there are three simple and finite rules that will keep you from making the most egregious application mistakes: Proofread, proofread and proofread again! You do not want your essay to stand out because of an outrageous spelling error or a naïve double entendre. Before any item is matched with an envelope, email address or upload site, double and triple check that you are sending the right item to the right college. Nothing makes you look more disorganized and silly than sending an essay about why you love Carol Stack’s College to Faber College. Deadlines do matter!

Carol Stack—Principal - Hardwick Day Inc.

A: 3 significant and avoidable mistakes

1) Shopping by "brand name." Some students (and their parents) are way too focused on the prestige of the college name, rather than whether the college is a suitable intellectual and social match. 2) Under-utilizing the opportunity offered by the "personal statement." Admissions officers would rather hear about a typical day in an applicant's life or how a quirky relative affected the student, than about the applicant's plans to stop global warming. 3) Resume-building instead of enjoying a healthy balance of activities. If the fulfilling activities also look impressive, that’s great, but simply piling up activities with college in mind cheats many students out of enjoying high school.

Jane Gabin– College Counselor - New York City

Don’t miss answers by the Director of Admissions at St. Lawrence University, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork. To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

The Costs of Being a College Student

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:02:00 +0000

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“What are some of the most unexpected costs for incoming freshman?”—Peter T., Covington, KY.

A: The costs of living more independently

Many incoming freshman may have trouble anticipating and estimating the costs associated with living more independently than they were used to while in high school. The costs associated with keeping clothes clean (detergent, the use of washing machines and dryers, and dry cleaning for those so inclined) may be newly their responsibility. While the costs of printing may have been absorbed by mom or dad at home, they may now be the responsibility of the student. And while freshman may have previously been under a parent’s cell phone plan, those expenses may be a new responsibility.

Jane Hoffman— Founder - College Advice 101

A: Costs beyond textbooks: printing, study guides, software, and more!

According to the College Board, the average cost for college course materials per year is $1,137. Depending on your major and your chosen courses, you may find this to be rather conservative estimate. Therefore, budget wisely and shop around for the best prices on your textbooks. Also, keep in mind that you may need to invest in supplemental items such as software, study guides, and printed materials. Consequently, your budget should include room for these items as well as. Accessing the syllabi for your courses in advance should provide you with some of the additional insight needed to more accurately project costs for course materials beyond required textbooks.

Sarah Hernandez—Director of the Office of Diversity Programs in Engineering - Cornell University

A: One tip for students and two for parents

If you are headed north to college, remember to take a winter coat. It gets cold earlier up north, and you don’t want to be forced to buy a new coat that you don’t need. Moms and dads who plan to attend Parents’ Weekend and who will need a hotel near the college should make reservations now. Rooms fill quickly for events such as athletic competitions, Homecoming, and Parents’ Weekend. Families with small cars who need extra room for move-in weekend sometimes consider renting a trailer. Trailers are in high demand in August, so reservations need to be made immediately.

Bill Yarwood– Director of Guidance - Moorestown High School

To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

Extra Curriculars: What is the Right Amount?

noreply@blogger.com (basilace) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:46:00 +0000

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“I’ve heard that spending a little time with many extracurricular activities is less attractive than a ton of time with one or a few. If I haven’t found an activity I’m passionate about, how can I still seem like a dedicated individual?”—Tami G., Pine Bluff, AR.

A: Follow your passion

Quality not quantity is something to remember when engaging in activities. Too often students think that they need to do everything and be great in school. If you are searching for an inspiring activity and nothing seems to match, take some time to evaluate what you have tried. What did you like and what did you not like and why? Even by not finding some activity that suits you is a learning experience as long as you take the time to determine why you did not like it. What is your passion? Take your passion and make it work for you?

Hamilton Gregg – Educational Consultant - Private Practice

A: Size of the college is one variable to consider in your college search

You are who you are, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow. If your list of activities does not paint a picture of being well rounded, it would be disingenuous to portray yourself otherwise. This dilemma can be a personal wake up call for you to take a risk, leave your comfort area, and engage in a meaningful activity. Ask people who know you, your family, friends, teachers, and counselor for ideas. This might be a struggle for you, but I encourage you to embrace this problem, worry less about how things look, and focus on finding meaning in this dilemma. Then share your journey with colleges!

John Frahlich— Counseling Department Chair - Hudson High School

A: With extracurricular activities, sometimes less is more

Yes, colleges want to enroll a well-rounded class. However, that doesn’t always mean that every individual is well-rounded in his or her interests or talents; rather, collectively, a class is made up of a mosaic, and each tile shines in different ways. Your contributions should be sustained and meaningful. Find things you care about and do them well. Perhaps you will lead, perhaps you will support; but make sure you contribute. Your significant activity might even be a job where you learn a lot. Commitment and depth is far more important (for your application and for your life!) than joining a bunch of clubs to make your list longer.

Monica Inzer– Vice President & Dean of Admission & Financial Aid - Hamilton College

To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions