Posts Tagged ‘college admissions’

How Far In Advance Should You Know Your Major?

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

You may have parents who were kind enough to tell you what your major was going to be before you were born.  Now that is a tricky situation indeed, but for those of you whose college destiny hasn’t be predetermined and prearranged, there are decisions to be made.  In this article, we will explore how far in advance you should be thinking about your major.

The costs of a college education are rising dramatically faster than inflation.  This means that being able to afford a college education is no longer as easy as it once was.  In fact, college graduation rates appear to be going down, not up, for the first time in decades.  While this is a complex topic, it is also tied into the issue of knowing your major.

There is no doubt it can be very difficult to decide what you want your major to be at the age of 17 or 18.  In short, it is actually pretty unfair.  For many students, the cold hard truth is that deciding your major may come down to being a financial decision.

The “financial wrinkle” in deciding your major means that it is worth the time you will invest to closely decide what career path and degree program is right for you.  The odds are excellent that you will have ample advice and perhaps even considerable pressure from your parents and others.  If they are paying for your college, this could prove to be another wrinkle in your equation.  Yet, ultimately it is your life, and you will have to live with the decisions.  So, if you just know you are going to strongly dislike a given career, this is something that you must consider in advance!

Clearly, the sooner you can decide on a major, the better off you will be.  Once you are in college, you may change your mind.  But there are some ways that you can safeguard against this happening and keep from spending a fortune in the process.  Focusing on general requirements while taking one or two classes in your major is a good idea.  The chances are good that if you are destined to truly hate a given major, you will know it or at least have a strong suspicion after a couple of classes.

Picking a major is tricky… and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!  Deciding upon a major can, in many cases, be deciding upon a career.  That is a pretty serious responsibility with a lot of pressure.  Deciding that you are on the wrong path early in college can be just as important as picking the right major to begin with.

Your most important question isn’t how far in advance you should be selecting your major.  Instead, you should be figuring out how to take the steps necessary to make sure that you are selecting a major that will lead to a successful career and long term happiness.  In the end, keep this fact in mind; experts believe that in the future, people will be switching careers numerous times over the course of their lives.  So even if you do make a mistake, there may still be hope.

Just How Much Money Should You Spend on College Anyway?

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

College is expensive, and it’s getting far more expensive every year.  This situation is leaving many young people with the daunting task of trying to determine just how much debt they should take on at a very young age.  Is this unfair?  You bet it is unfair, but it’s also the reality of the situation that most of you may find yourself in.  Until the day comes that a college education is free (don’t hold your breath), students will have to wrestle with not only how much to pay for a college or university degree, but also whether or not it is worth it.

Debt Versus Brand Name

Big name colleges and university degrees do not come cheaply.  This issue has left many students asking if they should pay the “big bucks” for that brand name degree instead of selecting a less expensive option.  There is a real and legitimate argument to be made that when it comes to many majors, it just doesn’t make sense to pay what it costs to go to a big name university or college.

There are intangibles, of course.  For example, you have to consider the connections you might make at a certain school and being able to impress others with a school’s name recognition.  But if you are planning on being a teacher, do you really need to spend an extra $30,000 or $50,000 or more for your degree?  In general, the type of degree that you are planning on receiving should be taken into consideration before you opt for a mountain of debt!

Weigh Your Options Carefully

Just because you were accepted to a big name college or university, doesn’t mean that you have to attend that educational institution.  Many students say, “Well I got in, so that is where I will go…” Your thought process should be more comprehensive, as you should weigh the options carefully.  Selecting a less expensive university or college could open up different opportunities.  For example, you could opt for graduate school, or get a professional degree such as a law degree or an MBA with the money you save. Some schools even offer scholarships to attract higher-level students, while others turn those students away.

Consider Your Degree When Deciding How Much to Spend

If you are planning on earning a degree that ensures great pay down the road, then you might not need to worry too much about the debt that you accumulate in college.  However, you should keep some issues in mind.  Many people earn degrees in certain fields, only to discover that they hate the profession that goes along with the degree.  This means that they often switch to careers that pay less, often far, far less.  At this point, the high paying career they believed they would have doesn’t materialize.

Determining how much to spend on college isn’t necessarily easy to figure out.  If you know exactly what it is that you want to do for a career, then this decision may be easier for you than it is for others.  Taking your time and thinking about how your college debt may impact your future is a savvy move and one you are quite unlikely to regret.

Can Volunteer Work Help You Get Into College?

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

Volunteering work is a wonderful thing to do regardless of your age.  Admissions counselors and officials will no doubt be impressed to see that you are involved in volunteer work.  However, it is important to realize that volunteer work is something that you should do only if you truly want to do it.  More than likely, there is an issue that you feel strongly about whether its homelessness, pet adoption or the environment.  If you volunteer to help out with a cause that you feel passionately about, the end result will not just be a booster for your college applications, but you will also feel great at the same time.

Volunteering Will Help You Stand Out

College admissions are very competitive because so many students are applying.  The simple fact is that colleges and universities receive thousands and thousands of applications every year.  As you most likely already know, the competition can become very intense.

Colleges and universities eliminate many applicants almost immediately for a variety of criteria, ranging from grades and test scores to more controversial measurements.  Some universities and colleges “set aside” a number of slots of children of alum, athletes and other such practices both stated and unstated.  Yes, the admissions process is highly flawed and problematic.  Knowing this detail is important, but you shouldn’t fixate upon it, as this will not contribute to achieving your goals. Instead you need to take the steps necessary to help your application stand out from the crowd.  One way that you can stand out is through volunteering work.

How Do You Start Volunteering?

First, don’t worry about volunteering being complicated or hard to do.  Most organizations are more than eager to have new people get involved.  The vast majority of organizations that you can volunteer with will have worthwhile and even interesting work.  A quick phone call or email is a good place to begin.  Try to find a local organization that is giving back to your own community.  One reason that this is a good idea is that you will be able to see tangible results from your efforts and work.

Learn on the Job!

If you select the right kind of organization, you will even be able to learn on the job.  This most definitely will help you with your college interviews and applications.  Being able to point to real world experience gives you an edge over many young people also applying to college and that is, of course, something that you want.  This aspect of volunteer work is one that is frequently overlooked, but you can put it to your advantage!

Reflect Your Positive Attitude In Your Interviews and Applications

If you volunteer, you’ve helped people and probably learned something in the process.  Don’t be afraid to reflect this fact in your college interviews and applications.  If you were indeed excited about your volunteer work and can point to the tangible impact that your work had, don’t be shy about pointing out these accomplishments.  Let college admission officials know that you are looking to help your community.

Are Extracurricular Activities Worth It?

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

One key point that must be made about extracurricular activities is that the sooner you begin doing them the better off you will be.  If admissions counselors feel that you got involved at “the last second,” your activities will be seen much differently than they would have been if you’ve been involved for years.  In this article, we will look at why extracurricular activities can be very worthwhile when it comes to getting into college.

College Admissions Can Be Quite Competitive

It can be difficult to truly understand how competitive college admissions can be without first understanding the number of students that are applying right along with you.  For example, in 2010 Harvard received more than 30,000 applications!  This amount is particularly alarming when you take into account that the school only accepts 1,600 freshmen each year.  These statistics can be a bit scary, but that doesn’t mean you should give up on getting into the school of your choice.  Instead you need to focus on finding different ways to help yourself stand out from the crowd and a great way of doing so is to take part in extracurricular activities.

What Kind of Extracurricular Activities are the Best?

Deciding what kind of extracurricular activities are the best for you can be quite tricky.  In part, the answer lies in what you feel the most like doing.  You don’t want your extracurricular activities to feel like a burden and nothing but extra work.  If you take this path, you may not get the results you ultimately want.

It is an easy trap to pick the extracurricular activities that you feel admissions counselors will want to see, but there is a problem with this approach.  For example, if you don’t like the extracurricular activities that you pick and are only becoming involved in them because you think these activities will “look good” on your application, you may not stay involved.  If you don’t stay involved for a substantial amount of time, the end result will be that your extracurricular involvement was of no real help in the long run.

The Three Ways Extracurricular Activities Help

A good aspect of extracurricular activities is that by participating, teachers will have an opportunity to get to know you better.  This factor can translate into a great letter of recommendation.  A second way that extracurricular activities can help your efforts to get into your college of choice is that those activities will give you something additional to discuss during your college interviews and on your applications.  Finally, extracurricular activities will help you demonstrate to admissions counselors that you got involved in your school community and did not just “drift through.”

Three Ways Extracurricular Involvement Scores You Points

1) Teachers get to know you better and that means better letters of recommendation
2) You will have more to discuss in interviews and on applications
3) Extracurricular activities show that you get involved

Are There Times You Should Not Participate in Extracurricular Activities?

Usually participating in extracurricular activities is a good idea, but there are exceptions.  If you think your grades will suffer as a result, you should skip the extracurricular activities.  Additionally, if you are working a part-time job after school, you likely shouldn’t stretch yourself so thin.  Ultimately, extracurricular involvement should boost your chances of getting into one of your top picks.

5 Tips for Creating A Glowing Admissions Letter and Statement

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

The odds are you are concerned about getting into one of the colleges or universities of your choice.  There are many areas to focus your attention upon, ranging from SAT preparation to grades to applications.  Let’s take a look at a few of the factors you need to consider when writing your admissions letter and statement.  As you will see, some of the considerations are less obvious than others, but all of the factors we will cover can have a major impact on your final product.

Tip One – Begin Your Work Well In Advance

Just as you should begin your work on college and university applications early, the same is true for working on your admissions letter and statement.  Rushing rarely yields good results.  Plus, it almost always ensures a sense of panic.  Avoid all of this by starting your work in advance; you will be very glad you did!

Tip Two – Create an Outline

By beginning to work on your admissions letter and statement early, you will have time to do things like create an outline.  In this part of the process, you will be forced to think about what you want to convey in very clear terms.  Take your time to create your outline, and don’t be afraid to revise your outline at a later date after you’ve had time to think about it.

Tip Three – Don’t Be a Mind-Reader

When it comes to your admission letter and statement, don’t try to read the mind of a stranger.  Instead create a letter and statement that is a reflection of you.  If you want to be believable and sincere in your admissions letter and statement, then you shouldn’t try to figure out what others want to hear.  After all, admissions officials see thousands of statements and letters over their careers, and they can sniff out a phony better than you might think. They’re older than you, but not necessarily brain dead!

Tip Four – Have Several Trusted People Read Over Your Work

You may be pretty confident that you have a great letter and statement, and you may be correct in your assessment.  But you should have several different people, preferably of different ages and backgrounds, read your materials.  By getting a wide range of viewpoints, you will gain perspectives and insights that may help you with your final draft.

Tip Five – Rewrite, Rework and Rethink

The time that you spend rewriting, reworking and rethinking your admissions letter and statement is likely to be time very well spent.  Having time to gather input and feedback from other people is a valuable part of the process, as is sitting on your letter and statement aside for a few months, so that you can look at it with fresh eyes later.  Of course, all of the tips that we’ve listed here can be done in a rush, but you will likely not achieve optimal results if you handle them in this fashion.

4 Ways To Reduce Stress When Applying to College

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

There are many important steps to applying for college.  Getting into the college or university of your choice can be a complex process.  This is especially true when you are applying to numerous schools.  As a result, you may at times feel overwhelmed and stressed by the process as a whole.  This is why it is extremely important to keep your focus.

When you get stressed out, you stop thinking clearly.  The end result could be that you begin making mistakes.  Whether its studying for your SAT, trying to ace as many classes as possible, or filling out your college applications, you need to keep your stress levels at a minimum.  Let’s take a look at a few of the ways that you can keep your stress levels low and increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice in the process.

#1 Realize that the World Will Not End

One basic step that you can take to keep your stress levels low is to realize that it is not the end of the world if you don’t get into your “top pick.”  Lots of pressure can be put on your shoulders, as older people just assume that you can “take it.”  Yet, if you feel totally stressed out it may impact your performance.  Now this isn’t an excuse to fail or not try, but you should keep in mind that life will go on even if you get into your fifth choice instead of your first college of choice.  No matter how others may act the world will not end, and you will not be destined to a future of poverty and failure.

#2 Walk Away and Take a Break

If all you do is study and deal with SAT preparation, you may actually be increasing your odds of failure both in the short term and in the long term.  Some students may ace the SAT, but they end up so exhausted and overwhelmed that they avoid studying all freshmen year.  This route isn’t a good plan for long term success!

#3 Short Breaks, Meditation and Stress Reduction

Stress can actually kill you.  Prolonged exposure to stress hormones, such as cortisol, can result in a decrease in the strength of your immune system.  If your immune system is weakened, your odds of getting sick, of course, go up.  If you’re sick, you won’t be studying for your classes or the SAT.  Part of staying healthy is keeping your immune system strong.

Meditation is a relaxation technique that serves to reduce stress hormone levels.  Recent medical studies have actually shown that meditation has a variety of medical benefits including the reduction of stress.  So if you are feeling upset and anxious, meditation stands as a great way to deal with this stress.

#4 Find a College Admissions Counselor

Believe it or not, utilizing a College Admissions Counselor can take a real load off your mind. Why run around worried about what you’re forgetting, or what opportunities you are missing? Start smart with a college admissions counselor who can sit down with you and your family to figure out your wants and needs and outline a plan for you to follow. Why go it alone, when you can have a partner?

Remember that any edge you can give yourself is one you should take.  However, at the same time, you should never allow yourself to become so stressed out and worried about what colleges you get into that you become miserable.

SAT Preparation-Should You Take a Class?

Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

The SAT test is plays an important role in the lives of students across the nation, and taking the time to prepare for this test is a no-brainer.  You may know someone that claims to have not studied for this test and still “aced” it, but such an approach and attitude is really not the best way to go.  Given the importance of this test, studying for it well in advance is your smartest move.  If you want to get into one of your top college or university picks, then you most definitely want to study for the SAT.  Often students struggle with the questions, “Do I study for the SAT on my own or do I opt for a class?”

The fact that so many students take the SAT every year means that there are many different options as well.  When it comes to deciding whether or not you should take a class to study for the SAT, it is important that you take time management into consideration.  Let’s face it; being in high-school can be time consuming.  This is especially true if you are aiming for great grades and have extracurricular activities.  This means that you need flexibility when it comes to studying for the SAT.

Taking online courses is one way that you can get the flexibility that you need.  By choosing online courses, you can study when you like and at your own pace.  Plus, you will find that online courses tend to be a lot less expensive.  There are additional benefits to studying online as well.  For example, other students will not be able to distract you when you study online.  (Plus, there will be no meeting people from other schools you might want to date!)

Another key benefit of studying for the SAT online is that you save valuable travel time.  Travel time adds up, especially over the course of many weeks.  By choosing an online SAT class instead of one that you need to attend in person, you can save a great deal of time.

An online SAT class also means that you can study on your computer whenever you like.  This will make “cramming” for the SAT feel a little more organic and a little less forced.  Being able to study when you like and wherever you like is a major plus in favor of studying online.

This is not to say that there are not benefits to studying in a traditional classroom setting.  Most of the benefits of studying in a traditional classroom setting will largely depend on your own personality and whether or not you need the direct guidance.  If you feel that you can’t get motivated to study on your own, then perhaps a traditional classroom setting is better suited for you.

There is no denying the benefits of online SAT preparation.  Being able to study whenever you like and how you like is a significant plus.  In addition, there are considerable cost savings as well.  The bottom line is whether you opt for a traditional classroom setting for you SAT prep or choose the greater flexibility of studying online, you need to study for this important test far before the month of your test date.

Four Steps to Make the Most Out of Your Scholarship Searches

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Finding the money for college has become a very tricky game with many potential pitfalls.  This cautionary statement isn’t designed to discourage you from following your dreams and pursuing higher education.  Instead this statement reflects the simple reality of today’s ever escalating education price tag.  The price of college is rising at a rate that far exceeds the rate of inflation, and these rising costs make finding a scholarship more important than ever.  In this article, we will examine some of the ways that you might be able to find the funds for higher education.

Step 1 Begin Preparing and Searching Early

Beginning your search for scholarship money well in advance is of great importance.  There are a simply staggering number of scholarships available, and knowing which ones you are eligible to apply for alone can take a good deal of research.  In addition, the application process must be taken seriously as well, as applications can be time consuming.  This is especially true if you are applying for numerous scholarships.

Step 2 Talk to Your Counselor and Other School Resources

Your counselor, in theory, has resources pertaining to scholarships and which ones you might be eligible for, and you should consult with him or her well before your graduation date.  However, you absolutely should not depend on your high school counselor for advice regarding scholarships.  Even the hardest working counselor may miss an important option for you, and that means you need also to explore on your own!

Step 3 Try to Get Appointments with Officials at Colleges and Universities

Educators generally like it when young people show planning and initiative.  They also appreciate it when their opinions and knowledge is valued.  In short, you might be able to get a great deal of information regarding finding scholarships from college admissions officers and others.  Reaching out to them is a savvy move, and you should do more than send an email.  Picking up the phone and politely asking for an appointment is a good idea.

You also may want to consider showing up in person to ask for an appointment.  You will be very surprised how far this type of action will go with many in the education field.  It says volumes about your character and your dedication.  Anyone can send an email, but few people are willing to follow up a phone call with a visit!

Step 4 Invest in Books on Scholarships, Research Online and Visit Libraries

You might think that all information is online; however, even the cleverest of web searches may fail to give you a complete picture of your scholarship options.  There are still times in your life that thumbing through a book makes sense, and this is definitely the case where finding scholarships are concerned.  There are many good books written on this topic.  A few minutes with a good book on scholarships could literally be worth thousands of dollars.

Ultimately, it is up to you to begin your scholarship search early and to be proactive about finding the money you need.  Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and to be persistent.

From The Vault: How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

We know you’re still deep in the college search process, but since it pays to look ahead, we’re bringing you a previously published post that we think you’ll find very helpful! The topic? Deciding how many colleges should apply to. So what’s the answer? Read on to find out.

While you may know of a college-bound student in your class who plans on filling out 22 college applications, we’ve got a better answer – both for your peace of mind and your parent’s wallet.

The classic college campus: is this the in-the-middle school for you?

How many colleges should you apply to? Photo Credit: anne.oeldorfhirsch / Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch

If you’ve taken a look at the price of submitting college applications, well, some are definitely more wallet-friendly than others – but it all adds up (you can check out our Apply to College Without Paying a Fee article for ways to get out of that one!). So, just how many college apps should you fill out? Easy – well, sort of.

My College Guide recommends that you fill out between 6 –10 college applications. Don’t just apply anywhere, we’ve got a handy system to the college application madness. Don’t worry – it’s not as complicated as it sounds! Basically, you should apply to the three basic types of colleges: reach schools, in-the-middle schools, and safety schools.

We know that handing over college application fee after college application fee is less than fun, so we want you to know that we are here to help! Check out the three types of colleges that we believe just about every student should apply to – and why! Of course, these schools will vary with the stats of each student, so your BFF’s safety school may match your in-the-middle school. Do your research to see where you fit in and to avoid making college application mistakes!

Apply To A Couple of Reach Schools

So you don’t fit the exact college requirements for admission criteria due to your GPA, your test scores, or some combination of the two. It doesn’t mean that something else about your application won’t make college admissions take a second look! Maybe you’ve got that certain something they are looking for. Don’t sell yourself short – but don’t apply to every hard-to-get-into college, either. Fill out one or two applications and do be aware of the college admission rates. Be hopeful, but realistic – college admissions has their own reasons why a student is in or out.

Apply To A Few In-The-Middle Schools

Are you in or are you out? With these schools, it can be hard to tell if you will be accepted into college or not. Sure, you have the grades to get in to college and the rest of your college application matches up to their admission guidelines (you’ve even got a couple awesome letters of recommendation) but they can’t accept everyone! Apply to two or three in-the-middle schools that you would be happy to attend (hopefully you’ve visited at least one of them!) and see what happens.

Don’t Forget To Apply To Safety Schools

These colleges will jump for joy to have you! Not only do your standardized test scores, GPA, and your extracurricular activities set you apart from the average students that college admissions normally accepts — which means that you will most likely be “in” (although it goes without saying that even then your chance at acceptance isn’t set in stone). Of course, this is still a college that you are interested in and can see yourself enjoying and loving for four years (even if it isn’t your first choice). Being ahead of the pack has its perks so, safety school or not, your high school accomplishments could net you a nice little scholarship prize.

For more tips and tricks for making the most of the college application process all year long, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog!

Especially For Parents: What Type of Parent Coach Are You Part 2.

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Are you a good parent college coach?

Find out what kind of parent college coach you should strive to be. Photo credit: malenga

By Suzanne Schaffer

Last week, we introduced four of the most common Parent College Coach types – and their strengths and weaknesses. Today, we’ll discuss the last three types of parent coaches.

By identifying your parent coaching style, you can help reduce the stress in your household and assure your senior will have a positive college admissions process. Read on to find out more!

5. The “I’ll think about that tomorrow” parent college coach

This is the worst time in your teen’s life for you to model or encourage procrastination. The next four years can be daunting and even overwhelming, but if you approach them without planning and organization, you will never survive.

The problem with this philosophy is that it won’t work with deadlines, and the college maze is all about the deadlines. If you miss them, there are no second chances or do-overs. Not only do you risk missing the deadlines, as this type of parent you add extra stress to an already stressful time. Preparation and organization are keys to overcoming procrastination.

Thinking about it tomorrow will only lead to frustration, disappointment, and regret.

6. The “uninvolved” parent college coach

Your teen still requires your input. They may protest greatly and say loudly, “I can do it myself.” But what they really mean is I want to do it with your support and help.

If you make the mistake of turning the whole process over to your teen, the odds are great that they will become overwhelmed and frustrated to the point of giving up.

There are so many decisions to be made and things to keep track of during senior year. If you have a tendency to be an uninvolved parent, your teen will most likely feel abandoned in a sea of forms, applications and deadlines.

It’s great to expect them to be responsible, but you and I both know that teenagers will be teenagers. Their minds and lives are headed in hundreds of different directions and staying on task can sometimes be inconceivable. It’s your goal to steer them back on course and help them reach their final goal.

7. The “well-balanced” parent college coach

The well-balanced parent utilizes the best organizational tools to help their college-bound teen stay
focused and on track. This is the type of parent coach we should all strive to become.

You balance coaching, encouragement and guidance with information gathering, organization and goal setting. Your teen does not stress about deadlines because you have sat down together and created a calendar of upcoming scholarship applications, college entrance tests, activities, and school related events.

You and your teen are confident and aware of the course you have set together and assured that because you are prepared and organized, the end result will be that your senior is able to reach their goal of college acceptance.

You have planned ahead concerning the financial process and have utilized all the tools available to assure an impressive financial aid award package from the colleges where applications are submitted. You coach without pushing, pressuring or stressing out and your teen knows that they have your support and can look to you for positive feedback.

These are the most common types of parent college coaching styles. Do you recognize yourself? If so, good! After all, knowledge is power – and now you know what your strengths and weaknesses are – and how to make the most of them.

We’ll be bringing you tips on how to help your child get into college all year long. Don’t miss out -  subscribe to our blog now!

About the author

Suzanne Shaffer counsels parents in the college admissions process and the importanceof early college preparation. Her Parents Countdown to College Coach blog offers timely college tips for parents and provides parents with the resources necessary to help their college-bound teens navigate the college maze. She is also a member of the Unigo ExpertNetwork, a College Money Insider Expert and the College Coach for Galtime.com.