My College Guide Blog | College Admission Tips, Facts and Information for Students and Parents

FAFSA: Charta Squad Style March 12th, 2010

Have you heard of Charta Squad? Teachers at the independent New York City public school, Williamsburg Charter High School, are all about preparing for college! Relax, Charta Squad’s first rap video about the SAT, went up on YouTube four months ago — and has drawn over 45,000 views so far!

This time – Charta Squad is spreading the word about the FAFSA, you know, that Free Application for Federal Student Aid? FAFSA Hooray is the much anticipated follow-up. Learn the facts, watch out for those FAFSA deadlines, and…don’t forget to relax!

Special thank you to Akilbello for bringing it to My College Guide’s attention.

Tags: charta squad, FAFSA, federal financial aid, financial aid packages, free application for federal financial aid, Paying for College, Preparing for College, wchs, williamsburg charter high school, youtube
Posted in Financial Aid, Paying for College | No Comments »

Apple iPad: it’s ALL the Rage — Even in Higher Ed! March 11th, 2010

If you think your high school textbooks are heavy now…just wait until college! But, if Apple has its way, the sleek 1.5 lb Apple iPad tablet could end up changing the way you learn at college…and possibly save you a few bucks (and your back) in the process.

How? With eBook capability built right into the multi- touch-sensitive device (and their own iBookstore)! Almost 150,000 iPhone applications will cross-over from Day One – so you can use your favorite iPhone apps to help fill out your college applications or take a break with a little Plants vs. Zombies, without having to wait!

No drab gray here, the iPad is all about color – and interaction! Touch highlighted words (like vocab or concepts) for more information. Create bookmarks to pick up where you left off, browse a touch activated slideshow, and flip through images, charts, or diagrams. Surf the web or watch an awesome college video lecture. Think of the possibility!

Pick a social media network and chances are somebody, somewhere is talking about it – what they heard, what they read, what they hope to see — and who can blame them? Even colleges share in the iPad enthusiasm! The Abilene Christian University student newspaper, The Optimist, is the first college newspaper to declare their intention to be on the iPad – or, at least, it will be when the Apple iPad (finally!) hits stores April 3, 2010.

Don’t forget about George Fox University! GFU is offering incoming students a choice between a computer (as they have done for the past 20 years) or the new iPad tablet. Great idea for GFU’s computer possessing freshmen – or for those planning to purchase eBook textbooks down the line – and hoping to save big in place of hefty college texts.

The sleekness of the iPad tablet dazzled My College Guide so much…well, what could we do? Offer up a chance to win an Apple iPad of your very own, of course! Request college information and you will be automatically entered to win the sleek and shiny Apple iPad (it isn’t like you don’t need college information)! The contest will end on June 1, 2010.

Tags: abilene christian university, apple, apple ipad, apple ipad tablet, college and studying, college textbooks, contest, ebook, george fox university, ibookstore, information technology, ipad, iphone, iphone apps, laptop, Online Tools, plants versus zombies, tablet, Technology, textbooks
Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College, Technology | 1 Comment »

Had Enough Yet? The Big List Part 4: Colleges and Universities Who Twitter March 9th, 2010

Private universities or public colleges, trade schools or community colleges – we are all about education We love to bring you the latest news about everything higher ed – from college blogs to Facebook Groups, we’re on it! We know that your college-bound life just wouldn’t be complete without Part 4 of our Big Twitter List: 50 More Colleges and Universities who Twitter!

Colleges and universities are tweeting about the things you care about: campus events, the college admissions process, student issues, college scholarships, even new classes and majors. Sure, some are more willing to engage directly with you than others – but what a great way to stay up on all the current happenings at your favorite colleges and universities! There’s a lot to choose from – so make it easy! Follow My College Guide’s List of Colleges Who Twitter.

Did we miss your favorite college or university? Two years or four – we love them all! Feel free to add your colleges of choice to the comments section for inclusion in our next Big List edition!

Alfred State College	Loyola University Chicago
Arizona State University	Michigan State University
Augsburg College	Middlebury College
Aurora University	Milwaukee School of Engineering
Baylor University	Ohio State
Bowling Green State University	Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City
Bryant University	Ottawa University
Butler County Community College	Remington College
Cal State San Bernardino	Rhode Island School of Design
Colby College	Saint Michael’s College
College of DuPage	School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Coppin State University	Southern Polytechnic State University
Dekalb Technical College	Stony Brook University
Delaware College of Art and Design	State University of New York
Emmanuel College	State University of New York Cobleskill
Empire Beauty School	Tacoma Community College
Essex County College	Texas Tech University
Evergreen State College	Trocaire College
George Washington University	Tufts University
Harrington College of Design	Unity College
Indiana Tech	University of Delaware
Indiana University Purdue University	University of Denver
Judson College	University of Notre Dame
Kansas State University	Western Governors University
Lake Superior College Duluth	Western Illinois University

Tags: college admissions, college admissions process, college classes, College Life, college majors, college news, college scholarships, Colleges and Social media, colleges and twitter, private colleges, private universities, public colleges, public universities, Twitter, twitter list
Posted in Choosing a College, College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College, Social Media, Technology | 9 Comments »

5 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your College Interview March 5th, 2010

The key to a great college interview? Making sure that you come across as a bright, talented, and accomplished student worthy of attending your college of choice! If that sounds just slightly overwhelming – that’s where we come in! Here are tips to help you shine during your college interview!

rustman/Russ Morris

Practice makes Perfect! You might want to have some idea of what you’ll say – without sounding too rehearsed! Go over potential questions and answers with a parent or friend. Think about your response before rushing in and rambling out an answer – your interviewer will appreciate it! Common questions include:

Why do you want to go to our school?
What do you hope to get out of your college experience?
What is your biggest high school accomplishment?
What are your interests and hobbies?
Which five famous people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party? Why?

Oops. Did you receive poor grades during sophomore year because you were dealing with major life events like a serious illness or parents’ divorce? This is the perfect opportunity to explain why your test scores or GPA aren’t as high as they might otherwise be. If any extenuating circumstances have negatively affected your high school performance, explain them! Keep it brief and professional – you don’t need to go into great detail.

Dress for Success. Most college students don’t exactly dress up for class—but you’re not there yet! Dress a cut above so that you can make an excellent first impression. You can probably skip the business suit, but for guys – you may want to break out the khakis and a button-down shirt and girls: think nice top and slacks or a skirt. Stay away from jeans, shorts, baggy or torn pants, and anything too tight or revealing.

Phony Baloney! Students sometimes get so worked up and nervous over college admission interviews that they stick to pre-rehearsed responses to questions – and way too many “yes” and “no” type answers! That makes for a boring interview – for both of you! It’s awesome to be prepared but the admissions officer wants to see who you are. Don’t be afraid to tell an entertaining (and true!) story that reveals your personality and interests. Just, please, don’t share anything you wouldn’t be comfortable telling your grandparents.

How about a little Q & A? Psst! This interview isn’t just for the admissions officer! Shocking, we know. But an interview works both ways. Sure, your interviewer will have questions for you but it’s okay for you to have questions, too. In fact – it’s a wonderful way to show your interest in the school – and learn a little something in the process!

Tags: college admissions, college admissions interview, college admissions panel, college admissions process, college alumni, college decision, College Interview, college interview process, Preparing for College, tips
Posted in College Admissions, College Interview | No Comments »

Bad Study Habits Keeping You Down? Tips to Improve The Way You Study March 4th, 2010

At the risk of sounding like your mother – well, we know how important it is to develop good study habits sooner rather than later! From Google Chrome Extensions to Firefox Browser Add-ons, we’ve already shared ways that technology can help you increase your productivity. We’ve got tips to help you improve your study habits so when the college workload hits you like a ton of bricks…you’ll be ready!

alaskaval/Val

Nap time? Everyone has that time of day where work seems impossible. Your energy lags, your attention span is missing in action, and motivation is out the window. Try to figure out when you feel the most alert and schedule your important college related activities and study time accordingly.

Time Savers. Are you always rushing to make morning classes? Stop while you’re ahead! Figure out in advance what you’re going to wear. Gather together snacks, keys, your wallet, purse, cell phone, and laptop. Get everything organized and ready for the day.

Jot it down! College professors will be heaping on the homework. Assignments, study groups, or dinner with friends? Don’t rely on your memory – write it down! Whether you use a planner, small calendar, your laptop, or a notebook, get used to writing down everything you need to do and you’ll save yourself plenty of headaches and missed deadlines in the long run!

Decisions, Decisions. It’s called time management. What are the most important items on your to-do list? While it might be tempting to hang out everyday with your friends, those essays won’t write themselves (unfortunately). Learn how to juggle your college homework with studying, friends, and campus activities early on before it becomes a problem.

Got Stress? Get into the homework groove and out of the procrastination rut. Wouldn’t it be nice having a paper done days before it’s due – instead of mere hours? When you feel overwhelmed – take a break! Use 15 minutes to do anything but schoolwork and come back to it feeling a little refreshed, energized, and ready to dig back in!

Have any tips you would like to share? Please, add them in the comments section below.

Tags: college, college activities, college and study habits, college and studying, college extracurricular activities, college homework, College Life, Firefox addons, firefox and college, firefox extensions, google chrome, google chrome and college, mozilla firefox, study guide, study habits, Technology, time management
Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College | No Comments »

15 Google Chrome Extensions to Make Your College Bound Heart Sing! March 2nd, 2010

Google Chrome: sleek, fast, and easy on the eyes, the Google Chrome browser is perfect for the Google lover — and the perfect tool for the college bound! While it may lack the pizzazz of the Firefox Browser (download themes to perk it up), it’s definitely minimalism at its best. Simplify and work smarter with our sweet list of must-have Google Chrome Extensions for college — and beyond!

ERIO

Smooth Gestures – Using arrows to flip from page to page? Slow. Using only your mouse? Fast – and fun! Pictures display your customization so quit playing the guessing game. Brilliant!

StayFocusd – Compulsive Facebook checker? We’ve all been there. When self-control runs thin, turn to StayFocusd to back you up…or at least lock you out of your favorite time-draining sites!

Diigo Web Highlighter and Bookmark – Ever bookmark something for a specific reason and then have no idea why (or is that just me?). Highlight the important stuff so you can easily come back and find it. Bonus: add sticky notes to leave yourself reminders for next time!

Tab Jump — No muss, no fuss! There are a few tab extensions out there, but Tab Jump enables you to instantly see your open tabs. It’s subdivided tabs sort recently used and most used making it easy to, um, jump to whatever tab you need!

ChromeMilk — Love Remember the Milk? Access (and add to) your to-do list from the Google Chrome toolbar itself. While it might be a work in progress, for RTM lovers – it’s just awesome.

W.O.T. Some extensions are good no matter what browser they are on. Enter: Web of Trust. Internet addict? Then you, my friend, must install this Chrome extension. See what sites can be trusted – and what sites you need to avoid like the plague!

Shareaholic for Google Chrome – Use your time online wisely, you know, share stuff! Instead of jumping from page to page, make it easy on yourself, and get Shareaholic installed!

RemindMe: Set up multiple reminders on a sparkling clean interface – organize or delete as needed. Oh, and the alarm? It’s almost musical but will still make you jump out of your seat the first time you use it.

Google Dictionary – There are all sorts of complicated words out there just waiting to trip you up. Highlight and right click the mystery word and select the dictionary option. How easy is that?

Download – Download a lot? This one’s for you! Eliminate the extra “click” – this handy button makes it easy to get into your downloads and find what you need right from the Chrome Browser.

kenleewrites

UnDoIt – Did you just close that tab you needed? D’oh! Reclaim that accidental closed page with the click of a button…instead of digging around in your history looking for the one without any extras.

Ad Block — Firefox’s AdBlock Plus – for Google Chrome! It blocks ads, period. Is there actually anyone who pays attention to those pesky pop-ups anyway? We think not.

Google Similar Pages – Make it easy on yourself. Discover Google’s idea of related pages with the click of a button. Beta or not, it’s a promising work in progress.

Copy without Formatting – Floating button = fun in our book, but if you find it distracting, you can get rid of it.

Handy Google Shortcuts – Google Chrome user? Chances are you’re using other Google products. Keep Google shortcuts to Google Buzz, Gmail, Wave – 40 buttons of non-stop Google fun!

Okay, so, what did we miss? Are there any “can’t live without” Google Chrome Extensions that we missed? Let the world know in the comments section below.

Tags: college and internet browsers, college homework, College Life, college productivity, google, google buzz, google chrome, google chrome and college, google wave, internet browser, Technology
Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College, Technology | 1 Comment »

College Applications Video? Tufts University Tunes In February 26th, 2010

ImNotQuiteJack/Jon Collier

You’ve heard about the College Admissions video – well, Tufts University Admissions is giving students the option to post a one minute video supplemental essay about themselves on YouTube! It’s just another way for Tufts University to put a face to a name, and if video is your thing (ahem future filmmakers) — it could be your way in!

What did creative Tufts University applicants dream up? There’s a Tufts hopeful on a unicycle with a ukulele, the rubber duck stop animation video supplement, the what’s currently on my iPod video, Inside the Actor’s Studio spoof, and the pink, blue, or red haired lover of questions…to name a very small, really fun assortment of what’s out there.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube – and a few more still trickling in! It definitely looks as though the College Class of 2014 has played a key role in many new social media trends and innovations in the college applications process – so what’s next?

Marquette University on Twitter had My College Guide wondering when they jokingly tweeted, “What would you say if you had to write a college application essay in 140 characters or less?” At least, we think they were only kidding.

Tags: class of 2014, class of 2014 facebook pages, college acceptance, college acceptance factors, college admissions process, college application, college applications process, college essay, college personal statement, Colleges and Social media, colleges and twitter, colleges and youtube, marquette university, personal essay, personal statement, tufts university, Twitter, twitter list, video
Posted in College Admissions, College Applications | No Comments »

It’s a Trap! No, Just Ole Miss Students Voting February 25th, 2010

lukeamotion/Luke Pickard

Colleges sometimes have really unusual college mascots – or, possibly even more unusual — no mascot at all! That’s the case with the University of Mississippi. Ole Miss retired Colonel Rebel, their controversial southern gentleman mascot, back in 2003 — and haven’t had one since!

But a mascot is in the future for Ole Miss students. Tuesday, February 23, 2010, University of Mississippi students voted online as to whether or not they wanted a voice in choosing the new mascot – or if they wanted to leave it in the hands of college officials. The result? UM students voted yes — well, 2,510 students voted yes with only 856 voting no.

Students selected to serve on the Student Mascot Advisory Committee will begin developing a new mascot, keeping the school colors (red and blue), and the name “Ole Miss Rebels” which only leaves the question – what (or who) should be the next University of Mississippi mascot?

Students, alumni, and the Twittersphere in general have been tweeting all sorts of hilarious mascot suggestions but the favorite by far is currently none other than Admiral Ackbar – yes, you read that right: the Admiral Ackbar of Star Wars fame! The Mon Calamari and his catch-phrase “it’s a trap” has been appearing everywhere: on his website, Facebook page, Twitter account, and is suddenly one of the high ranking search terms on Google!

What do you think? Will Lucas Arts permit Admiral Ackbar to become the new Old Miss Mascot or do you think that Ole Miss students should move on? Do you have a better idea? Share it in the comments section below!

Tags: bizarre mascots, college alumni, College Life, college mascots, colleges and facebook, Colleges and Social media, colleges and twitter, facebook, mascots, ole miss, Twitter, um, university of mississippi, unusual colleges
Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff | No Comments »

101 College Blogs to Put You in the College Mood February 23rd, 2010

alamodestuff

WordPress, Blogger, TypePad…there’s all sorts of blogging platforms – and higher education is using them! College blogs are a fun way to learn about college life. Straight from the colleges themselves, (though not necessarily a reflection of that school’s opinions) you’ll discover fun campus superstitions, big events and celebrations, exciting classes, or even new majors.

Follow along with the life of a college student or read what college admissions has to say. Some may be more descriptive than others, but they all possess value: a peek at the inner workings of colleges and universities. It’s a great way to stay on top of college life – and aid you in your college decision-making process!

Did we miss your favorite college blog? Oops! As always, feel free to add it to the comments section below. While you’re at it – don’t forget to get My College Guide Blog updates free via RSS or Email.

1. Amarillo College	34. Harrington College of Design	68. Rasmussen College
2. Amherst College	35. Hartwick College	69. Rhode Island School of Design
3. Appalachian State University	36. Haverford College	70. Roger Williams University
4. Arcadia University	37. Hudson Valley Community College	71. Saint Anselm College
5. Ball State University	38. Illinois State University	72. Saint Joseph’s College
6. Baruch College	39. Indiana Tech	73. Saint Michael’s College
7. Bates College	40. Indiana University Bloomington	74. Smith College
8. Belhaven University	41. Ithaca College	75. Southern New Hampshire University
9. Berkeley College	42. Johns Hopkins University	76. St. Mary’s College of Maryland
10. Bethany College	43. Kansas State University	77. Suffolk University
11. Boston College	44. Kent State University	78. Swarthmore College
12. Bowie State University	45. Keystone College	79. Trine University
13. Bowling Green State University	46. Lake Superior College	80. Union University
14. Bryn Mawr College	47. Lawrence University	81. Unity College
15. Butler University	48. Linfield College	82. University of California Davis
16. Carnegie Mellon	49. Louisiana College	83. University of Central Florida
17. Catawba College	50. Michigan State University	84. University of Delaware
18. Clover Park Technical College	51.Middlebury College	85. University of Idaho
19. Coker College	52. Milwaukee School of Engineering	86. University of Indianapolis
20. Colby College	53. Montana State University	87. University of Missouri
21. Colorado College	54. Montclair State University	88. University of San Francisco
22. Colorado State University	55. Mountain State University	89. University of Tennessee Knoxville
23. Cornell University	56. Mount Holyoke College	90. University of Virginia
24. Edmonds Community College	57. Newman University	91. Utah State University
25. Elmira College	58. North Carolina State University	92. Vassar College
26. Evergreen State College	59. North Central College	93. Virginia Tech
27. Ferris State University	60. Northwestern University – Fiedler Hillel	94. Washington College
28. Florida State University	61. Northwood University	95. Washington State University
29. Fort Valley State University	62. Oklahoma State University	96. Wellesley College
30. Goucher College	63. Oregon State University	97. Wentworth Institute of Technology
31. Gustavus Adolphus College	64. Pierce College	98. Wilson College
32. Hampshire College	65. Portland State University	99. Wisconsin Lutheran College
33. Hanover College	66. Providence College	100. Wichita State University
	67. Randolph College	101. Wofford College

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Tags: blogs, Choosing a College, choosing a college major, college admissions, college blog, college classes, college decision, college events, College Life, Colleges and Social media
Posted in Choosing a College, College Classes, College Life, Fun Stuff, Housing, Preparing for College, Social Media, Technology | 8 Comments »

To be or Not to Be: The College Interview February 19th, 2010

madabandon

Considering ditching your college interview? DON’T! Your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations tell admissions a lot about who you are – but many colleges want to know more!

The college interview process, though often optional, is a great way for you to get your questions answered, put a face to a name, and explain any bumps in your high school record face to face. We’ve mentioned before that students who vocalize their desire to attend a particular college increase their college admittance odds – what better way than during a college interview? Show college admissions how much you want that letter of acceptance and it could help you get in!

Not every college or university has the staff (or the time) to conduct college interviews but for those that do (or if you happen to snag one) – it can be a great way to get a little one on one with someone whom the college trusts, especially if you aren’t sure yet which college would suit you the best. Some colleges ask you to hit up the campus (not a bad way to make a second campus visit), interview by phone, or, at some schools – they come to you.

Many colleges and universities (think Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Connecticut College, and Vassar College) utilize their college alumni, reaching out to students who live far from the college. There may be just one – or a panel.

Colleges do value what these volunteers have to say so they should still be treated with the same respect you would show the admissions counselors themselves – and they can still give you the information you are looking for – and from the point of view of a student which could prove invaluable!

While colleges and universities like to say that the college interview isn’t a major deciding factor (the rates for college acceptance are roughly the same with or without the interview) – it’s still not something to be taken lightly and, if at all possible – go for it! Standing out from the crowd (in a good way), can only help you get in!

Tags: alumni, campus visit, college admission terms, college admissions interview, college admissions panel, college alumni, college campus visit, College Interview, college interview process, college visit, connecticut college, letter of acceptance, massachusetts institute of technology, mit, schedule a college interview, vassar college
Posted in College Admissions, College Interview | 4 Comments »

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