Posts Tagged ‘college admissions’

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The Importance of Great Organizing

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

As you look to make the transition from high-school to college, you are probably feeling as though there is a never ending and maybe even growing “checklist” of things you need to worry about or check off your list.  Don’t worry if you feel this way, as it is very normal and quite common.

When it comes to getting into one of your top college picks, you might not think much about your level of organization, but it is actually of paramount importance in the process.  The more organized you are, the greater your chances of getting into one of your top college picks.  The odds are higher for ultimate success in college as well.

If you haven’t been “much for organizing” in the past, now is definitely the time to change that.  Studying for the SAT, meeting deadlines, writing essays, taking practice tests, evaluating your different college options, investigating financial aid for college tuition and direct federal student loans takes a lot of time, and that means a lot of organization is essential.

One of the single largest steps towards great organization is being willing to prioritize what is important and what is not important.  Tackle this step first, and getting organized will become a great deal easier.

Sacrificing things that you enjoy doing in order to do something that you don’t like or find unpleasant is easier said than done.  One trick is to start small with small sacrifices of things that you enjoy.  Instead use that “recovered time” for something that relates to getting into the school of your dreams, or at least one of the schools that you like the idea of attending!

You could tackle this issue on a week by week basis.  Here is an example of how you could structure your college prep organizing.  You don’t have to use this exact model, but instead you can adapt this strategy for whatever works for you!

Week One-Spend more time studying for SAT

Week Two-Research colleges

Week Three-Get College applications

Week Four-Research financial aid related issues

Week Five-Make list of relevant deadlines

Week Six-Think about ways you can become more efficient and effective in how you use your time and make a list!

Each week look for ways that you can set time aside so that you can apply that time towards getting into college.  As a result, you will become far more organized and also far calmer!  Being organized has a benefit that few consider; being organized means less panic and that means better decision-making.

Many students “end up” at universities and colleges that were nowhere near their top picks for no other reason that a failure to get organized in advance.  They had all the tools, the necessary grades, good letters of recommendation and maybe even good SAT scores, but they lacked proper preparation.

Think of getting into college like you would think about starting a business.  You wouldn’t just try to open a business without preparing in some fashion, would you?  You instinctively understand and know that a business, at least one with any chance of success, needs work and planning.  If you invest your time in this fashion, you will be surprised by what you can accomplish.

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Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Admissions, College Life, College Search, Paying for College | No Comments »

Community Colleges – A Great Option to Consider

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

One of the single most important parts of the transition from high school to college is being prepared.  Clearly, you should work hard to find financial aid for college tuition and direction federal student loans; however, if you are unable to afford college or your grades didn’t allow you to get into any local colleges or universities, don’t panic.  It is important to remember that you still have options for receiving an education.

Millions of people have successfully used the community college system.  You can attend community college to receive further education and even transfer to a four-year college or university later on.

Here are two good books on the topic of community colleges.

Community College by Susan H. Stafford

Okay, you didn’t get into the college of your dreams or you just can’t afford to go.  That doesn’t mean that you should just give up on your dream of getting a college degree.  College graduates earn far more over the course of their lifetime than those with just high-school diplomas.  This book is valuable in that it gets students and parents thinking about community college, which stands out as an important often overlooked resource.

Going to a community college can save you a staggering amount of money, and this book has most of what you need to know to begin the community college process.  There are many misconceptions regarding community college, and Community College by Susan H. Stafford is rather effective at clearing some of them up.  Another reason this book is a winner is that it doesn’t just state, “go to a community college” but instead gives you concrete reasons to do so.  This is done by showing how community colleges can tie into creating new career and earning opportunities.

If you think that your college dreams are over, then pick this book up.  It will remind you that you can, in fact, return to college at any age with very little money.

The Community College Guide: The Essential Reference from Application to Graduation by Joshua Halberstam and Debra Gonsher

The Community College Guide: The Essential Reference from Application to Graduation by Joshua Halberstam and Debra Gonsher takes a slightly different approach to community college than other books.  Halberstam and Gonsher’s approach goes beyond making the solid case for community college and gets directly into the “nuts and bolts,” such as transcripts and financial aid concerns.

Anyone considering community college will find this helpful; however, you will definitely skip over some sections.  At times the handholding might seem excessive, but ultimately there is no denying that this book is worth the effort, just be prepared to do some serious skipping and skimming.  Any book that makes a case for the value and worth of the community college system is one that is worth reading and supporting.

Both of these books can help outline the community college experience and what it has to offer.  Remember that you should be able to find a community college in your area.  In addition, you will also find many dedicated people at your local community college that are eager to help guide you, so seek them out and ask for help!

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Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Life | No Comments »

Finding A Mentor

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

You may have never considered finding a mentor, but it can be a very worthwhile and valuable experience.  All of the issues that you are currently worried about regarding trying to find the right college can be brought into greater clarity if you can find the right individual to assist you.  But how does one go about finding a mentor to help with college?

If you are successful in finding a good mentor, you will be able to gain the assistance of someone that can help you even beyond how to survive college.  A great mentor will be able to help you with your career as well.  The first step in finding this resource is to take a mental inventory of the accomplished people that you know.

You might discover that you already know someone that is accomplished and that you think would be a solid mentor.  The main thing that you want to look for is someone whose opinion you respect that you believe will give you advice you can trust.

Since we are specifically discussing how to get into college, it is best that you find a mentor that has personally gone through this process.  After all, you want good advice specifically on how to survive college, financial aid and grants, how to find scholarships and other college related topics.

As you take inventory of the people that you know or have access to, consider if there is one or two people that stand out.  In fact, it may be possible to have several people mentor you in different ways.  This is more common than you might think, as it is a very practical approach and option.

If you are having trouble finding a mentor, reach out to friends and family.  For example, you might have a friend who has a parent that is a doctor, college professor, or who has an MBA or a range of other valuable academic experience.  This presents an opportunity to get some experienced advice. Since you want to find the right college, experienced advice is a must.

Ultimately, there are lots of options for finding a mentor.  In addition to asking your friends and relatives if they know someone, you can always ask your teachers and school facility.  Two great people to talk to are your school principal and vice principal.  They will appreciate your enthusiasm. Most likely, they have also attended graduate school.  The odds are that they may know someone (perhaps a retired associate) that would be willing to mentor you.  You never know what might happen if you find a mentor that is a retired school superintendent or principal with thirty-five years of experience!

Quite often people will surprise you in their willingness to help.  Remember that your own preconceived ideas about what is and is not possible may influence your outcomes.  If you believe that finding a mentor that will help you through the process of getting into college is impossible, then you are making your search harder.  Be optimistic!  People generally appreciate it when young people show initiative and indicate that they are taking something seriously, especially anything education related.  You can use this fact to your advantage.

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3 Ways To Improve Your Discipline and Get Great SAT Scores

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

SAT prep is a lot more complicated than simply studying X,Y and Z.  SAT Prep involves having great study habits as well.  If you are going to get a great score, then it is necessary not just to study, but to study the right way and with the right materials and study aids.  In this article, we will look at how you can improve your study habits.  Many of the steps we will cover here are very easy, but you have to stick to them.  In time, however, you will see a big difference in how much you accomplish during your study time.

1. Draw on Discipline From Other Areas

More than likely, you have more discipline at your disposal than you think.  If you play sports, know how to play an instrument or have a hobby that requires focus and determination, then you already have a degree of discipline.  Even playing video games, such as shooters and role-playing games takes focus and patience.  You can tap into that discipline when it comes to your study habits.  Now this isn’t an overnight process and it will take time, but once you’ve given it some effort, you will discover that you are making nice progress in the direction of being more disciplined with your study habits.

2. Set Aside A Designated Time to Study

Knowing that you will study specifically for the SAT at a given time every day will help you find the success you want!  You may also want to consider mapping out what sections of the SAT you wish to focus on for a given day.  Through good organization you will decrease your chances of not properly covering a particular section of the exam well enough.

Just as you set time aside to study for SAT prep, you may want to do the same for other aspects of college success.  How to survive college and get into college may have a lot to do with the process of searching for financial aid for college tuition and financial aid and grants.  Setting aside time for this part of the process is a great idea and could literally make the difference between being able to afford the college or university of your choice and not going to college at all!  Discipline in this regard is really quite important.

3. Ask for Help

Don’t be shy about asking others to assist with your discipline if you are having trouble focusing like you should.  If you have a friend that is far more focused and disciplined than you are, then see if he or she will help you stay on track.  You may want to ask family members or even teachers to stay on top of your progress.  While this might not exactly be pleasant, your main goal should be achieving a great SAT score.  After all, you don’t want to waste all of those hours you spent on test prep tutoring, and finding SAT practice tests online.

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Posted in College Admissions, Preparing for College, SAT/ACT Test | No Comments »

Ten Creature Comforts to Make Your SAT Exam Day Easier

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

All that goes into the transition process from college to high school can be a little overwhelming.  If you are thinking that the process as a whole is pretty complex, well, you’re totally right, as that is definitely the case.  Yet, one important thing you should never lose track of during this process is the importance of holding onto your commonsense and applying it to as many situation as possible.

You’ve spent a great deal of time preparing for this exam and have researched many issues from direct federal student loans to why study aboard and even college student credit cards.  The purpose of most of your studying and research is to be well prepared for college and for the pivotal SAT exam.  The so-called “little things” can make a big difference in life.

Making certain that you are comfortable for your SAT exam is of vital importance.  Let’s take a look at the small steps you can take to make sure you are ready to go for test day!  Here are ten steps you can take that while help you feel better, more relaxed and more confident on your SAT exam day.

1) Wear comfortable clothing.  The day of your SAT exam is absolutely not the day to worry about how you look or flirting with people you think are cute.  This test is a very big deal.  Wearing comfortable clothing will allow you to focus on the task at hand, namely getting a great score.  This test factor is such a big deal.  If you don’t have comfortable clothing, buy some!

2) Wear comfortable shoes.  Having comfortable shoes on is so important that it deserves to be distinguished from wearing comfortable clothing.

3) Another important creature comfort is making sure you give yourself enough time to not just eat a quality meal before the exam but have time to digest it as well.  It is difficult for your brain to work effectively until your food is properly digested.

4) Make sure you have access to healthy food and snacks on exam day.

5) Make sure that you are well hydrated.

6) If you need medication of any sort, make sure you have it on hand.

7) Don’t be afraid to be a little superstitious.  If you feel that you have a lucky charm, a lucky pencil, a lucky baseball cap or a lucky whatever, now is the time!  Anything that gives you confidence and calms you down is a smart move!

8 ) Some creature comforts involving avoiding certain things that cause you stress.  In the period before your exam, avoid stress if at all possible.

9) Just as you should avoid stress before your SAT exam, you should avoid distractions.  This is one time that you might want to leave your smart phone in your bag or backpack.

10) Chauffeur me!  Driving can be stressful.  If you can get a ride to and from your exam that is a great idea too.

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Being Cautious With Your Social Networking Profile

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

The odds are that you are involved in social networking in some way or another.  There is no doubt that social networking is a revolution in communication and has a wide range of benefits.  Yet, for students looking to get into college, social networking has some issues that you need to consider.

Some colleges and universities are using the information that you post on social networking pages to determine whether or not you should attend their schools.  Now you might be tempted to think this is unfair.  However, keep this fact in mind… if you post something in a public place, well, it’s public!

There is no way you can keep a university, college or prospective employer from looking at this information.  In a perfect world, people might say, “Your facebook profile is personal, and we only care about your professional life.” But, in reality, this will not happen.  This is why you have no choice but to stop and think carefully about all the public statements that you make in public forums and social networking sites.

College admissions counseling can be a demanding field.  The admissions officers that you are working with might see like robots to you, but you need to remember that often they are worried about losing their jobs if they make a mistake.  If they admit a student who turns out to make the school look bad or cause problems, it does reflect upon them.  As a result, they have to be cautious.

Admissions officers may look at your “online life” as part of the process of determining who you are and what you are like.  This is information that was not available just a few years ago, but today it’s easy to find.  Thanks to search engines like Google, almost anyone can find such information quickly and easily.

If you know that you already have embarrassing information online, realize that you are definitely not alone.  It is important to do want you can to remove any information that may reflect badly on you.  For example, if you have a blog dedicated to how much you dislike education in all forms, you should probably get rid of that!  You get the idea.

In general, start paying closer attention to what you post online, and have a good explanation for anything silly you posted online, as you never know when you might need to explain yourself.  Finally, be proactive and work to post positive accomplishments online.  Consider starting a blog designed to promote a charity that needs your help, for example.

Just because there may be some embarrassing things about you online doesn’t mean that your dreams of getting into a great college or university are “finished.”  By investing some time in working to fix your mistakes, you can smooth over much of what you did in the past.  For most people, this process will really only take a few hours, but the results can be very positive in the long run.

You’ve likely spent a lot of time doing SAT practice tests online, looking into financial aid for college tuition and maybe even college admissions counseling.  Considering all the time you are investing, why not spend a little time thinking about your online presence?

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Posted in College Life, Preparing for College, Social Media | No Comments »

Tips For Picking Your Major

Monday, December 12th, 2011

If you are concerned that you haven’t yet decided on a college major, stop worrying.  The simple fact is that many people don’t know what their major will be when they enter college, and switching majors is very common as well.  In fact, some people switch their majors more than one time!

When you want to find the right college it is good to consider what kind of college admissions counseling is available to you as well as college counseling services, in general.  Thinking about your major is something that you will want to begin thinking about while in high school.  However, it is important not to panic if you don’t have it figured out on your first day of college.

Many experts increasingly believe that most of us will have several different careers throughout our lifetimes.  This is due to the fact that technology is forcing the workplace to change more rapidly than at any other time in history.  So the career that you pick today may not be related to the field you will be working in thirty years from now.

When it comes to deciding on a major, there are two big “pulls” that most students face.  The first is that most of us want to like our work.  After all, forty hours a week or more is a lot of time, and it certainly adds up over the course of one’s working life!  This means that having a career that you like is a big factor.

The second factor in most people’s minds is the salary that a given career offers.  Yet, there is a third factor, which frequently gets overlooked, and that is job stability.  It is important to note that job stability is something of an illusion despite what you may hear.  Again, this is due to the fact that technology is changing the workplace landscape at a rapid pace.  The idea of long-term job stability for most people, in most careers, may be a thing of the past.

Trying to balance these three factors is difficult, and students handle these issues in different ways.  No one knows you better than you know yourself.  You may have family pushing you towards a major that does not interest you.  Don’t worry, as this is very common.  Usually this is an issue of your parents and relatives wanting you to have financial stability in your life.  Regardless of their motives, if you are positive that you will hate a given career path, you do need to strongly consider other options.  In order to be successful in a career, or even make it out of college with a degree in hand, you must be able to tolerate the major you select.

Another issue to consider is the connection between mind and body.  Our emotions do, in fact, impact our physical health due to the release of stress hormones and other factors.  Thus, if you truly hate a given career path, it could impact your health, and nothing is more important than your health.

Ultimately, you want to find a major that will lead to a career that will both make you happy and allow you to earn the kind of money you want to earn.  This isn’t always easy and it’s a good reason to invest some time into contemplation as well.  You can also ask for advice during college admissions counseling.  Many students realize that when they get to college that their concept of what a major would be like isn’t always reflected in the coursework itself.  Being adaptable and flexible is a key part to knowing how to survive college.

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Posted in Choosing a Major, College Admissions, College Life, Preparing for College | 1 Comment »

5 Brain Boosters Before Taking the SAT

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

If you are like most students, you are looking for ways to improve your SAT score. This is only natural, as this is one serious test. It can have some pretty serious implications and ramifications for your future. No pressure, right? In this article, we will look at some of the ways you can boost your brain in the weeks leading up to your SAT exam. We will also look at tips that can help you the day of your exam as well!

1. Chocolate! (Yes, Chocolate)

High quality chocolate, not the candy bar stuff, but high quality dark chocolate is loaded with compounds that are good for your brain. Studies have shown that chocolate can help you focus and may even help you improve your test scores. Chocolate also releases endorphins, which can boost your mood. Odds are you will want your mood to be boosted on test day!

2. The Caffeine Boost

People react differently to caffeine, as it is a stimulant. Most people don’t realize that caffeine is a natural insecticide created by plants to protect them against insects. It’s true! With that stated, however, caffeine does have many amazing properties, and one of them is it can boost your attention. This effect can be particularly pronounced when you don’t drink coffee or tea very often.

3. Puzzled by the SAT?

One good way to prepare for the SAT (other than studying, of course) is to do puzzles. Working on complex puzzles is a way to help you learn to focus on a complex task for a long period of time. Now what does that sound like?  The SAT, right?  Doing puzzles also forces you to think logically and exercises your brain in a different way that will help you come test time.  Just don’t depend on puzzles too much, as you do still have to study!

4. Exercise and the SAT

Now you might be wondering how exercise can help you with the SAT.  Some people might tell you that exercise couldn’t possibly help you the SAT, but they are wrong. Exercising reduces stress levels and gets blood flowing to your brain. “Runner’s high” isn’t a myth, but instead has been proven scientifically, as exercise, like chocolate, produces endorphins that make your feel better. Getting some exercise, even as simple as walking, will help you relax and have a more positive outlook. If you are relaxed and feel better, the odds are that you will have a better SAT score as well!

5. Meditation and the SAT

Recent meditation studies have surprised even the experts. Meditation has long been know for having the ability to calm people down, but recently science has learned that meditation can also make your brain grown new connections as well! Staying calm during the SAT is very important because if you panic, you will not achieve your optimal score. Practicing meditation weeks or months in advance, and then meditating the morning of your exam is a great idea. Don’t bother “cramming” half an hour before your exam, meditate and have some chocolate instead!

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4 Ways to Fight the SAT Prep Blues

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Anyone serious about getting into one of his or her top college or university picks is also probably pretty serious and worried about the SAT. Your parents, teachers and other friends may amplify your level of worrying, especially if those friends are also serious about getting into one of their top picks. All of this pressure can become a little too intense sometimes. Let’s take a deep breath and take a closer look at some of the things you can do to reduce the depression, anxiety and stress that comes along with taking the gigantic and serious test called the SAT.

1. Realize a Less Than Perfect Score is Not the End of the World

If you have intense and serious parents, you may have been lead to believe that the difference between living in a “cardboard box” and living in a mansion with a butler is your score on the SAT.  This is not true. Your parents and other adults, such as teachers and guidance counselors, are stressing the importance of this test to you, because, in reality, it is very important. However, it is not life and death, and a less than ideal score is not the end of you, your dreams, your hopes, your career or anything else you may have heard.

Success in life is multifaceted, complex and involves many more factors than your SAT score. For example, many people get great SAT scores but are so burnt out by the time they get into college that they drop out! Of course, you should aim for a great score and study hard to achieve that goal. But don’t believe that your “world will end,” if you don’t get a great score.  In short, life is more complicated than that!

2. Take Time to Relax, Your Mind and Body Will Thank You

Stopping to relax and do something that you enjoy will help you keep the stress of SAT prep at bay. Music, mediation and exercise have all been proven as good ways to relax and clear your mind. Finding a few minutes to relax every day will help you achieve a better score in the long run.

3. Remove the Distractions

It is easy to use communication devices constantly including your phone and computers. One problem is constantly being online also keeps your mind racing as well. Step away from all of your distractions for a few moments a day to help unwind and relax.

4. Get Outside!

Humans only live in caves when necessary. Get out of your modern cave as much as you can and get sunlight and fresh air, both of which are good for you. Indoor air is several times more polluted than outdoor air, and this means that opening up a window or two is a very good idea. Even in the winter, fresh cold air is better than no fresh air at all. Fresh air will also help you calm down and clear your mind before the “big day.”

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What You Should Wear To A College Interview?

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Choosing an outfit for your college interviews is not just about knowing what to wear, but it is also about what not to wear.  The fact is that no matter what you wear, you are conveying a message.  Either consciously or subconsciously this message will influence the opinion of the representative who is conducting the interview.

People Do Judge One Another By Clothing Choices

You might not like the fact that people of all ages judge you by your choice of clothing, but the simple fact is that they do.  Research indicates that people form their opinions quickly and a good deal of what they decide is based on how you look.  Yes, this might be unfair, but it is usually the reality of the situation.  When you walk into an admissions office, you have little to no idea about the background of the people that you will be meeting, what their view on life are, and/or what their political views may be.  Due to this factor, you might want to play it on the safe side.  For example, if you have tattoos up and down your arm, you might want to consider wearing long sleeves!

The simple fact is that when you walk into an admissions office, you could literally be meeting anyone.  You may meet someone that you think is great and you wish could be your friend or you may meet someone that you truly dislike and hope to never see again.  For this reason, it is important that you select clothing that is fairly neutral and run of the mill, even if you hate doing it.  Remember this is not the costume you will be putting on for the rest of your life, but only for the day of your interview.  This is one occasion where you are most definitely dressing for someone else and not yourself.

Are There Exceptions to the Rule?

There are perhaps a few exceptions to these clothing rules.  For example, if you are applying to an art school, a design academy or a similar program in the arts you likely have more flexibility.  The odds are that if you are interested in being a fashion designer, you don’t have to be quite as conservative for your interview.  However, with that stated, it still could be in your best interest to side with caution and try to lean towards the neutral end of the clothing spectrum.

It probably isn’t a bad idea to ask people you trust for a little advice when it comes time to determining your wardrobe choices.  They might just have some good ideas and pointers you hadn’t thought about.

Don’t Stress Too Much About Your Clothing Choices

Ultimately, your grades, SAT scores, letters of recommendation and how you present yourself will play a far greater role than how you dress.  Yet, playing it safe on interview day is likely your best bet.  You just don’t know who you will meet and where they are coming from.  You want your to tell people that you are taking getting into college seriously, and if you show up in an outfit that would generally be looked at as odd, you may actually undermine what could otherwise be a strong application.  Playing it safe with your wardrobe selection for a few hours really won’t kill you… it just maybe irritate you a bit.

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Interview, Preparing for College | 1 Comment »

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