Last week, The Boston Globe published an article last week, “Avoid Costly Colleges to Graduate Debt-Free“.  One of the experts in the article stated that going to a big name school is often for “emotional appeal”.  It does not make sense to go to a costly school because you feel it is a “good investment”.

Fact of the matter is that there is no way to know for sure whether or  not paying for a costly college will pay off.  In the end, you have no idea what kind of job you will end up with.  That is why it is important for students and their families to consider several important factors when choosing what college to attend, including how much debt they can acquire.

Katherine Price

Educational Consultant

Technorati Tags: ivy league, college debt, college loans, taking out college loans, debt for prestigious college

To learn more about Dean College log onto: http://www.dean.edu/Index.cfm

Heather Creech, M.A. CCC-SLP
Educational Consultant

Another direct result of public college budget cuts could be increased enrollment of out-of-state students.  The University of California system is reporting that they will have a record number of out-of-state and international students enrolling this fall.  According to the LA Times, more than 8% of the projected freshmen students are not from California, which is up from 6% last year.  The majority of the overseas and out-of-state students enrolling at UCLA or UC Berekeley.

So while state budget pressures could mean a more competitive admission process for in-state students, out-of-state students may have their chance to get their foot in the door.

Katherine  Price

Educational Consultant

Technorati Tags: out of state college, out-of-state college, out of state college admission, applying to colleges out of state, public college, public universities

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-07-14-InternetArchive14_st_N.htm

Heather Creech, M.A. CCC-SLP
Educational Consultant

A blog entry on US News and World Report provided the “Top 4 Tips for Making Your College List”.  The writers refer to asking relatives and referring to college guides.  They also talk about trusting your guidance counselor and college rankings- “to a point.”

But what do you do if you feel total overwhelmed with the process?  What do you do if you don’t know where to start?  An independent consultant can certainly help you tackle this daunting task.  We can also help you narrow down your choices if you are finding your list is a little too broad.  There are many reasons to hire an educational consultant.  Why not contact us today to find out if hiring a consultant is the right move for you?

Katherine Price

Educational Consultant

Technorati Tags: hiring an educational consultant, educational consultant, college application consultant, help with college application process, making your college list

I can see both sides of the debate.  Providing the cleaning service allows colleges to maintain their facilities and, as one administrator points out, it also provides “an extra ear”.  However, I strongly believe that part of going away to college is learning to take responsibility for yourself, and your dirt.

Katherine Price

Educational Consultant

1. Documentation should contain a clear statement identifying the area of disability
Classification codes from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) or the International Classifications of Disease (ICD) are helpful.  Be sure the documentation includes the dates of the original diagnosis and any evaluations performed by referring professionals, along with a date and description of the most current evaluation.

 2. Documentation should contain information regarding the current functional impact of the disability
A psycho-educational battery of tests consisting of standardized tests that measure aptitude, achievement, and cognitive processing is the most common approach for identifying and quantifying a learning disability, and it is likely to meet the minimum requirements for documentation at any college or university.  Current functional impact on physical, perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral abilities should be described in narrative, and when formal or informal testing was used, the details of the results should also be included. 

3. Documentation should include information about treatments, medications, and assistive devices and services
While it is important to specifically describe treatments, medications, accommodations, assistive devices and assistive services that your student is currently receiving, it is also important to include a description of their estimated effectiveness in minimizing the impact of the disability. 

4. Documentation should provide a description that provide information about the expected progression or stability of the disability over time
Include a description of any expected change in the functional impacts of the disability over time.  Also include information about any recommendations concerning the need for re-evaluation of the disability, especially if your student experiences flare-ups or episodes.

5. Documentation should include recommendations
Because recommendations must be reviewed and approved by the college or university, all recommendations should be directly linked to the impact of the disability.  When connections are not specific, they should be explained in detail. 

6. Documentation should contain the credentials of the evaluator
If your student’s documentation does not contain a letterhead or form, be sure to include the credentials of the evaluator.  If the credentials of the evaluator are not typically associated with the diagnosis of the disability, be sure to include a brief description of the evaluator’s experience with this type of diagnosis.

Remember, in order to receive accommodations at the post-secondary level, documentation must demonstrate that your student has a disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504. Colleges grant accommodations when existing documentation clearly links the current impact of the disability to the requests your student is making.  To avoid complications, always investigate the specific documentation requirements for the colleges your student is likely to attend by either visiting the college’s website or contacting the college’s Disability Services Office. 

Heather Creech, M.A. CCC-SLP
Educational Consultant

 “Schools may set reasonable standards for documentation.  Some schools require more documentation than others.  They may require you to provide documentation prepared by an appropriate professional, such as a medical doctor, psychologist, or other qualified diagnostician.  The required documentation may include one or more of the following: a diagnosis of your current disability, the date of the diagnosis, how the diagnosis was reached, the credentials of the professional, how your disability affects a major life activity, and how the disability affects your academic performance.  The documentation should provide enough information for you and your school to decide what is an appropriate academic adjustment.”

 “Although an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, if you have one, may help in identify services that have been effective for you, it generally is not sufficient documentation.  This is because post-secondary education presents different demands than high school education, and what you need to meet these new demands may be different.  Also, in some cases, the nature of a disability may change.If the documentation that you have does not meet the postsecondary school’s requirements, a school official must tell you in a timely manner what additional documentation you need to provide.  You may need a new evaluation in order to provide the required documentation.”

 So, how much documentation will be enough?  Tomorrow, I’ll outline the six core elements of documentation that should help you evaluate your current documentation.

 Heather Creech, M.A. CCC-SLP
Educational Consultant

The Georgia Learning Outcomes of Students Studying Abroad Research Initiative, out of the University of Georgia, just released a study that may shed some light on the study abroad debate. According to an article on InsideHigherEd.com, GLOSSARI found that students who studied abroad, improved their academic performance when they returned to their home institution. They also had higher graduation rates, along with “improved knowledge of cultural practices and context compared to students in control groups.”

From my own personal experience, studying abroad can be a life changing experience.  Students are not only able to experience a different part of the world, but they may also discover a different part of themselves along the way.

If studying abroad is an essential component of your college search process, let us know.  We can certainly help you find schools with strong study abroad programs.

Katherine Price

Educational Consultant

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