Posts Tagged ‘college’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

College Deans: Who They Are

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

College terms like “dean” make your brain want to explode? Have no fear, My College Guide is here! We’re helping you understand the terminology behind the place where you’ll be spending the next four years of your life.

Heading to college? You should know what is a college dean!

Tom Haymes / Tom Haymes

What is a College Dean?

A college dean is someone who has responsibilities that involve students and faculty at a particular school. These can include academic or even duties that relate to student life.

There can be different levels of dean that pertain to different areas or different college majors in the school. While every college may have deans, the duties of deans are not necessarily interchangeable.

Who Does a College Dean Do All Day?

A college dean is someone who’s been there, done that, and has more than a firm grasp on their subject or area of which they are dean. They may be the dean of the college library or the dean of the college admission and financial aid department. Whatever it  is, they may be involved in things that range from student needs to budgetary concerns.

The role and duty of a dean varies between colleges. No two deans will have the same responsibilities because higher education and the needs of the students and faculty are always changing. This is especially true now that online colleges have gained a firm foothold!

While deans are in charge of their area of expertise, they most likely have plenty of help and support from assistant or associate deans who are always ready and willing to lend a hand.

Why Should You Care?

If you are still hemming and hawing over what college is the best fit for you, you may want to consider scheduling a campus visit. This time, why not see if you can schedule an appointment with the dean who heads the particular field you are interested in?

For example, if you like the sound of the theater program at a given school, see if you can set up a time to meet with the dean of the theater department so you can get a more in-depth look at what the school has to offer. Of course, you should be doing your homework ahead of time so you have a pretty good idea to start with as to what the school has to offer — and make sure it fits in with your future plans!

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Applications, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, Preparing for College | No Comments »

Open Doors: The New School Interdisciplinary Program

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts has exciting new interdisciplinary programs that help students acquire skills outside of their particular major. My College Guide got in touch with Karen Williams, Director of Admission with The New School, for more info on this unique approach to education!

New School Interdisciplinary Program

Courtesy of The New School

First things first, what are interdisciplinary studies?
At Lang, each area of study is approached from several academic perspectives to demonstrate connections between multiple disciplines. At Lang, students combine humanities, social sciences, and math and natural sciences to analyze problems and find sustainable solutions.

We feel that your education and academic interests shouldn’t be limited, that you should have the freedom to explore your academic interests without barriers—to be curious, contrary, and even a little bit off the wall. At Lang, we encourage you to be that person and more to gain a broader context of practical knowledge needed to make sense of our changing world.

Eugene Lang College is more than just a hip and happening liberal arts school. Tell me about your interdisciplinary programs!
One of the most important things to know about Lang is that practically every major and program is interdisciplinary in nature. If you go to our website and check out the curricula for our various majors, you will see that all of the majors allow students to take electives in other disciplines. Some of the majors that encourage interdisciplinary study include the following:

New School Interdisciplinary Program

Courtesy of The New School

The Arts, which includes Integrative Arts courses that span multiple disciplines (such as Romanticism in Music and Literature), and also offers a track called Arts in Context, which asks students to complete half of their required courses in an art concentration and half in another non-artistic academic discipline;

Culture and Media, which includes integrative courses in different areas of study, such as cultural studies and film studies;

Education Studies, where students approach the subject from a variety of perspectives such as anthropology, psychology, and history;

Environmental Studies, which combines social studies, design, and humanities courses;

Liberal Arts, allowing students to design their own curriculum and complete it under the supervision of a faculty advisor

Social Inquiry, a purely interdisciplinary major that, depending on the student’s focus, features study in at least two and as many as four different academic departments.

New School Interdisciplinary Program

Courtesy of The New School

Recently, Lang added formal cluster options that let students engage in interdisciplinary programs that take advantage of being at The New School, a major university in the middle of New York City with impressive teaching resources, an international faculty, and students who come from every corner of the world.

Current clusters include Chinese Studies, Civic Engagement, Ethnicity and Race, French Studies, Gender Studies, Hispanic Studies, Japanese Studies, and Jewish Studies.

You’ve got quite a variety of interdisciplinary course offerings. What are the most popular choices for Eugene Lang students right now?
Some of our most popular majors include The Arts, Culture and Media, Literary Studies, and Psychology. Many of our interdisciplinary programs have been increasing in popularity and interest recently, such as Environmental Studies and Religious Studies.

New School Interdisciplinary Program

Courtesy of The New School

How are students taking advantage of these interdisciplinary courses to get ahead once they are out in the “real world?”
An interdisciplinary course of study at Lang gives students a unique edge. Lang provides its students with two huge benefits: First, Lang gives students a unique skill set within their area of interest that makes them stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Second, the school focuses on internships that offer hands-on, practical experience, which encourages students to apply their education to real-world issues and have a strong résumé the moment they graduate.

Finally, all majors at Lang feature a senior capstone, a final culminating project or substantial piece of work they can draw on when exploring career options and working in their field of interest.

Get a "unique edge" at Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal ArtsDid we see that Eugene Lang students don’t have a big list of required classes and instead have freedom in choosing their own academic pathways?
Yes, you did! There are required courses that are part of the first-year experience, which include First-Year Writing; a First-Year Workshop taught by a current student that addresses transitional issues often experienced by first-year students; an advising seminar taught by a faculty advisor; and a class called Reading NYC that introduces students to New York City and shows students how to take advantage of the city for their education. But beyond those courses and any requirements in a student’s major, everyone is free to take electives and, as described above, pursue interdisciplinary options along the way.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges.

Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search | No Comments »

Cut Your Class Time in Half With An Associate’s Degree

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Want to jump-start your career without spending four years in college? An associate’s degree program could be the solution you’ve been looking for!

Take a look at those chompers! An associate's degree program can take you there!

rubygirl jewelry / Shannon Conrad

Because they only take two years to complete, associate’s degrees are an especially good option for adult learners. In fact, many associate’s degree programs are designed to accommodate a working adult’s schedule, so you could go back to school without sacrificing your current income!

So what’s the difference between bachelor’s degrees and associate’s degrees?

Generally speaking, associate’s degree programs are more focused on immediate job opportunities than four-year programs. In other words, when you graduate with an associate’s degree, you will have the skills and experience you need to succeed in a specific job.

Examples of jobs you can get with an associate’s degree include:

Graphic Designer
Nurse
Dental Hygienist
Computer Specialist
Paralegal

Bachelor’s degrees, on the other hand, give you the more advanced skills needed to succeed in many professions. In fact, a bachelor’s degree is often required to advance into higher levels of management, no matter what the industry.

The good news? The credits you earn while completing a two-year degree program are usually transferrable to most four-year colleges and universities. So you can get the education you need to start on a new career now, and if you decide to return for a bachelor’s degree later, you’ll already be halfway there!

And if you don’t? You’ll still have all the skills you need to have a rewarding career!

Say you’re sold on an associate’s degree program. Now what?

Deciding on the type of degree you want is just the first step. Once you decide how much schooling you’re ready to commit to, you have to decide what to get your degree in!

There’s a two-year program for almost every interest and industry. In general, associate’s degrees are broken into two types:

Associate’s of Arts—Like a bachelor of arts, this type of degree focuses on the liberal arts and humanities. If you’re interested in a creative profession like graphic design, or a service-oriented career, like criminal justice, you’ll want to get this kind of degree.

Associate’s of Science—These degrees focus on technically and scientifically oriented professions. So if you’re thinking about a job in health sciences, like nursing, or a career in IT, like network administration, this is the degree for you.

Of course, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Within these two broad categories are dozens of more specific programs. Suffice it to say that if you know what field you want to go into, finding an associate’s degree program to get you there should be relatively simple!

Last step? Deciding where to get your associate’s degree.

All kinds of schools offer accredited associate’s degree programs. You can pursue your degree at traditional four-year colleges, community colleges and even technical institutes. And, of course, both online and on campus options are available.

There are plenty of choices. You just have to decide what kind of program best fits your needs and lifestyle. But don’t forget, My College Guide is here to help you every step of the way!

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For more than 20 years, My College Guide has provided information to help students find the best college degree and career for them. Get information on an associate’s degree program that will get you on the road to the right career for you!

Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Career Colleges, Choosing a College, Choosing a Major, College Campus, Distance Learning, Online Colleges, Online Degrees, Online Education, Vocational School | No Comments »

Tips for Getting Off the College Waitlist

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

You expect a clear answer but then your dream school puts you on the college waitlist! While it may seem hopeless—there’s still plenty a little hope! You’ve got a chance to impress college admission one last time. You don’t necessarily need to just sit there and wait it out. Here’s a few tips from My College Guide for getting off the college waitlist and into your dream school!

Stuck on the college waitlist? What are your options?

cesarastudillo / César Astudillo

What Are Your Chances? – The waitlist is a way for a college to fill in the Freshman class with qualified candidates. It could be very technical: like if too many soccer players don’t accept an offer of admission, college admission may use the waitlist to fill in the blank with more soccer players from the waitlist.

Sometimes, it can just be down to numbers. You were close to making it in but fit the academic profile of numerous other students. In that case: you’ll end up in or out based on whether enough other students decline and where you are on the waitlist! Knowing where you are on the list (if your college shares that information) can help you make an informed decision about your next move.

Act Fast – So you received an offer to sit it out on the college waitlist. Don’t just hem and haw about it! You know whether or not you seriously want to attend this school. Let the college know either way. Send in your deposit and commit to attending. Keeping them hanging will seem like indifference on your part—and you want college admissions to be pulling for you (just make sure you have a back-up plan just in case)!

Call in a Favor – Do you have someone on your side? Politely ask your advocate if they can put in a good word and get the facts! If your coach, band director, or someone else important to your academic life, who is also well-connected to the college, can find out the facts for you (like your chances of admission)—why not nicely ask him or her?

Send a Letter – This is the only school you can see yourself at for the the next four years. You like the learning style and know that this is the right fit for you! Let admissions know. See if you can find out who is in charge of your college application and send him/her an updated letter!

Fine tune your recent accomplishments if you are on the college waitlist!

littlegraypixel

Point out what you’ve done the last few weeks or months since you applied that changes the game: do you have new hobbies? Stellar grades? More community service? Did you win some big award? Let your admissions counselor know. It could mean the difference between staying on the college waitlist or finally receiving that acceptance letter!

Before you get in touch with the school, be sure to read the fine print! How do they feel about waitlisted candidates? Do they want to hear from you again or are you supposed to sit tight until they come to you? Find out before you start your “getting off the college waitlist” campaign. Be careful not to overdo it. Sometimes just doing nothing is the best thing that you can do.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Applications, College Campus | No Comments »

5 Marvelous March Ending College Scholarships

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Looking for March ending college scholarships? You’ve come to the right place! My College Guide dug through loads of unusual college scholarships to bring you quite the assortment! From need-based aid to those with a knack for financial matters to STEM majors, there’s something for just about everyone!

When saving up your pennies isn't enough: look for college scholarships!

quinn.anya / Quinn Dombrowski

Anthem Essay Scholarship – Grab your pen and paper and answer one of three essay questions for a chance to win the first prize of $2,000. Not only that, there are additional monetary prizes for those who don’t come in first. If you love writing and are in 8th, 9th, or 10th grades, you won’t want to let this great scholarship opportunity to pass you by!

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship – Are you or someone you know legally blind in both eyes? This annual college scholarship is not only awarded to thirty different students but is available for anyone who is accepted or planning on attending college full or even part-time (if also working full time). The bonus? In addition to the $3,000 – $12,000 scholarship, the winner will also attend the National Federation of the Blind Conference and have a chance to network with other active blind people in all sorts of job fields.

Utah JumpStart Coalition — Do you live in Utah? Are you still in high school? Are you financially-minded? If you answered yes to these questions, you’ll want to make sure you apply for the Utah JumpStart Coalition and Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority  for the chance to win one of up to five $1000 college scholarships. Do the math: free money for college is always a good thing!

Buick Achievers Scholarship – If you envision yourself in a STEM career (science, technology, engineering, or math) and will major in any of those (but especially engineering) you won’t want to pass up this college scholarship! First time college Freshmen with a history of community service and financial need can apply for one of $1000 Buick Achievers Scholarships awarded annually or one of 100 Buick Achievers National Scholarships of up to $25,000 a year. Apply online today!

Edison Scholars Program – Make college a reality! This college scholarship is for low income students who are currently high school seniors. Public or private school: it doesn’t matter. But what does matter is your drive and motivation to attend college and are very interested in STEM majors. Computer science, engineering, math—it’s all good! You’ll need to prove financial need and attend one of the eligible high schools. See the site for more details—and good luck!

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Paying for College, Scholarships | No Comments »

St. Mary’s University Texas Bill Greehey School of Business Fits the Bill

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Do you want hands-on learning, internship experience, and a chance to run a small business…before you graduate from college? St. Mary University’s Bill Greehey School of Business might just be the innovative college business program that you are looking for! My College Guide caught up with Stephanie Ward, Director of Greehey Scholars Program, for the details on this high-ranking business degree program.

Barrett Memorial Bell Tower at St. Mary's University

Courtesy of St. Mary's University Texas

What makes St. Mary’s University Bill Greehey School of Business a great choice for business-minded students?
Professors with diversified academic and industrial experiences
The interactions between students and professors, and between students and industrial and government leaders in and out of classroom
Plenty of opportunities to engage in experiential learning, e.g. student-managed portfolio and enterprises, study abroad programs, internship opportunities, opportunities to be involved in academic research in business areas

Business students can also choose a 5 year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. What is involved in this program?
Under this program, St. Mary’s undergraduate students apply for admission to the MBA program after completing their junior year (90 hours) and all MBA prerequisite courses (specific undergraduate business core courses taken while pursuing an undergraduate degrees in business or engineering management: managerial and financial accounting, micro and macro economics, organization behavior or management, principles of marketing, principles of finance, information systems and statistics). They complete a no-fee, online admission application and submit their GMAT score.

St. Mary's University Students and Faculty Connect

Courtesy of St. Mary's University Texas

Students who are admitted may enroll in up to 12 semester hours of MBA courses during their senior undergraduate year (6 hours per semester; minimum grade of B in each graduate course); they may use the undergraduate financial aid award and will pay tuition at the undergraduate rate (until the undergraduate degree is awarded). Then they will complete the remaining 18 hours of MBA courses, paying the graduate tuition rate, to complete all requirements to receive the MBA degree.

Did My College Guide see that Bill Greehey School of Business students can also gain international business experience?
Students in the Bill Greehey School of Business have tremendous opportunities to gain international business experience.  Students can major in International Business and develop expertise in areas such as international management, international marketing, and international finance.  This is supplemented by guest speakers, internships and study abroad opportunities.

St. Mary's University Bill Greehey School of Business Students perform community service.

Courtesy of St. Mary's University Texas

All Bill Greehey School of Business students regardless of major can participate in a wide range of study abroad opportunities in places such as Austria, Germany, Spain, England, Malta, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates.

What is the Entrepreneurship Scholars program? How does participation in the Entrepreneurship Scholars program transfer outside of college? (after graduation)
In seven years of operation the program has included students from 16 different majors across campus: accounting, biochemistry, biology, corporate finance, electrical engineering, engineering management, English communication arts, entrepreneurial studies, general business, industrial engineering, international business, international relations, marketing, multinational organizational studies in Spanish, political science, and psychology.

The curriculum consists of a carefully selected blend of traditional classroom learning with opportunities outside of the classroom that significantly enhance students’ entrepreneurial education.  Students enrolled in the program are required to use their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge in a social entrepreneurship project to fulfill civic engagement and community service endeavors.

St. Mary University: Home of the Bill Greehey School of Business

Courtesy of St. Mary's University Texas

The true hallmark of the E-Scholars Program is that it overcomes common barriers to learning such as the isolation of the classroom, limited expertise, cost, time, and rapid globalization.

Students are exposed to other useful learning environments outside of the classroom; they are able to tap into the expertise of numerous business professionals besides their professors; an international business trip provides more time for educational opportunities; and the international business trip allows them the chance to conduct business beyond their comfort zones, thus significantly strengthening their skills and confidence levels.

Over 50 students have participated in the program, representing 16 different majors from the Bill Greehey School of Business, the School of Science, Engineering, & Technology, and the School of Humanities & Social Sciences.  Students have conducted five social entrepreneurship initiatives as a way to give back to the community.

St. Mary's University Bill Greehey School of Business students

Courtesy of St. Mary's University Texas

National Awards & Accomplishments:

Alexandra McCoy, E7, place in the Elevator Pitch competition at the National CEO conference in 2010.

Shannon Lowry, E6, 1st place in the Elevator Pitch competition at the National CEO conference in 2008. She also won 1st place at the National E-Scholar Student Consortium in 2010.

Armando Sanchez, E3, 1st place in the National E-Scholar Student Consortium Elevator Pitch Competiton in 2007 and in 2008. Samantha Karam, E1, took 2nd place.

If St. Mary’s University and the Bill Greehey School of Business sound like a good fit for a college bound student, what should s/he be doing to prepare and stand out to college admissions?
Academic excellence, willingness to be involved in community services, positive attitude toward challenges, eagerness to be successful, and open minded.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. Subscribe to our blog via RSS or email and stay on top of everything college!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life | No Comments »

At Home in the Halls at Barnard College or An Inside Look at Dorm Life

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Worried about college dorm life? This fun video from Barnard College should help to put your mind at ease! There’s a lot of very good reasons to consider living on campus. Forget what you’ve seen on TV—dorm living is so not like the movies.

Be close to everything and make friends easily. Explore the residence halls at Barnard College and listen to actual students about what they’ve learned from the dorm experience. Don’t forget to check out our article on great things to bring along to make your dorm room feel like home before you head off to college. You can watch At Home in the Halls on YouTube or below.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in College Life, Housing | 1 Comment »

Step Away from the TV: Pre-College Summer Programs at the University of Rochester

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

How do you usually spend your summer? If you answered, “Sitting around doing nothing,” you may want to plan ahead now and make next summer one to remember! Consider a pre-college summer program at a school like the University of Rochester that can help boost your chances of college success! Check out our interview with Ursula Balent, pre-college summer program coordinator at the University of Rochester.

Rochester ScholarsWhat does a residential pre-college summer program look like at the University of Rochester?
Students may choose between one-, two-, and three-week noncredit courses offered through Rochester Scholars or four-week, credit-bearing courses offered through Taste of College.

The students’ day begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. Morning Rochester Scholars classes run from 9 a.m. until noon, when lunch begins. Afternoon Rochester Scholars classes run from 1 to 4 p.m. Courses are structured like traditional college seminars and promote learning by doing. Students actively participate in a variety of workshops, class discussions, field trips, group projects, experiments, and labs, putting newfound knowledge to use in independent and creative ways. Classes are taught by select University faculty and graduate students, along with top local educators, who have demonstrated their commitment and enthusiasm to cultivating the minds of young students. With smaller class sizes, instructors have the time to mentor and guide each student and give valuable insights into theories, technologies, and principles of the field.

University of Rochester pre-college summer program!Class times for students enrolled in credit-bearing undergraduate classes through Taste of College vary, but classes typically run for a total of 3 hours and are held 3-5 days a week. The program allows motivated students to explore subjects that are typically reserved for study on a collegiate level. Courses are offered during the University’s summer academic semesters, and credits are transferable to most colleges and universities.

If a student is not enrolled in both morning and afternoon classes, they may use the free time to enjoy the many activities available, study, browse the libraries, or simply relax. Students are also encouraged to attend information sessions, workshops, campus tours, and interviews offered by the Office of Admissions.

How old should students be to participate, and what can they study?
Rochester Scholars classes and the residential offerings are open to students entering grades 9-12. Courses offer hands-on classroom activities that introduce students to fields of study such as art, photography, journalism, music, history, forensic science, neuroscience, medicine, and engineering, among others. Classes are also offered in partnership with the Eastman School of Music, the School of Medicine and Dentistry, and the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Life Sciences Learning Center.

What do you want your summer to be? Consider a pre-college summer program like at the University of Rochester!For high school juniors and seniors looking to get a jump start on their college careers, our Taste of College program offers the chance to earn college credits and study among University of Rochester undergraduates. Typical Taste of College course subjects have included Calculus, Intro to Philosophy, American Sign Language, Prep for College Chemistry, and Principles of Economics, among others.

Why should a college-bound student think about giving up part of their summer to enroll in a pre-college program?
Students will get a true taste of the college environment and gain new perspectives on their academic abilities and potential. In addition, they can investigate their educational goals and explore career possibilities. Students build lasting relationships with peers who share similar academic and personal interests. Participants who enroll in the residential component of Rochester Scholars or Taste of College will have the opportunity to meet with admissions counselors, attend workshops about the admissions process, and receive tips and advice for study skills. These programs are also attractive additions to college applications. Students can add the program to their resumes, write about their experiences in application essays, or talk about it during interviews with admissions counselors. A student who elects to spend time pursuing an academic interest beyond the school environment often translates into a very interesting applicant.

University of Rochester ScholarsWhat options are available for younger students?
Rochester Scholars Jr. is designed for students in grades 6-8. The program runs for one week during the summer and offers just the right mix of intellectual stimulation, academic freedom, and gentle guidance and support from instructors. During the lunch hour, Rochester Scholars Jr. students participate in supervised activities and games on campus.

Any advice for a student considering a pre-college program? What should they look for? Anything in particular they should be prepared to bring with them?
Look for programs that offer courses students are interested in exploring. Determine what it is they want to get out of a pre-college program. Talk to former program participants. Determine what the family can afford and ask if there are scholarships available.

Ask if the program is run by the university itself or another organization renting space on campus. Summer is a great time for students to try something new and explore their options. All they need to bring is their excitement and willingness to learn!

Malwai Immersion Summer SeminarSo what’s new in 2011?
We are very excited to be offering a pre-college study abroad program for rising juniors and seniors to Malawi, Africa. The two-week Malawi Immersion Summer Seminar offers a unique opportunity to experience Malawi and its culture through exploration, community mapping, research activities, interviews, and field notes. Trips will include extraordinary travels to villages, museums, parks, and safaris. Students will walk away with enhanced knowledge of the customs, cultural and political milieu, and historical context of Malawi.

The University of Rochester’s Office of Pre-College Programs is always adding new classes and exciting opportunities. Please refer to http://enrollment.rochester.edu/admissions/precollege/ for the latest, most comprehensive information. Please adhere to scholarship and application deadlines.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, Preparing for College, Summer Programs | 1 Comment »

Majors in College, The College Admission Process, and Other College Questions: Answered!

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

When applying to college seems overwhelming, don’t forget about My College Guide’s awesome free resource: our College Admissions Guru! Straight and to the point, our Guru will answer your college questions. Did we mention it is free and anonymous? Here’s the latest from the Guru!

College questions? Get the college advice you need!

SMJJP

Latest Questions
Question: I am a high school freshman, and I am currently taking Japanese as a foreign language. I enjoy the language and hope to someday become fluent. However, I’ve heard that there could be issues with college admissions recognizing certain foreign languages like Japanese. Is this true, and if it is, what is the general range of languages accepted at colleges?

Answer: Don’t worry about it. Japanese is a wonderful language to pursue fluency in, and if you want to continue it, simply apply to colleges that offer Japanese as a language option to study. In one of our magazine articles, we even interviewed a school official who talked about how essential knowing Japanese or Chinese will be to new students studying…continue reading our Latest Questions!

College Admissions Process
Question: What do you write in college application essays? Can you write an essay about your experiences in extracurricular activities? Or do you list your extracurricular activities? Also, is there a limit to how many recommendations you can get from your teachers? If not, is it better to get a lot of recommendations from your teachers? Even if the recommendations are not well-developed, it’s better to have lots, right? Thanks.

Answer: Great questions! You can really do a lot with a well-written, interesting essay. If your grades are good but not fantastic, you could push yourself over the edge to acceptance with a great personal statement. And even if your grades and scores are great, presenting yourself in a poor essay could… continue reading the College Admissions Process!

SAT and ACT Tests
Question: Thanks for taking the time to read my question! I am currently a rising senior in high school. I scored an 1870 on the new SAT, have an unweighted GPA of 3.8 and am very involved in extracurriculars. For example, I am the president and founder of my school’s Young Democrats Club and am completing internships under the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates and under the local teacher’s union. By the time I finish high school, I will have taken 6 AP classes along with 15 honors classes. I have a list of several schools I’m interested in. I was wondering, how many “reach schools” should I apply to? I’m working with a private SAT tutor to bring up the SAT scores. What other advice would you have for me to make my application more desirable to a school like Georgetown? Finally, would I be considered a legacy candidate at a school if my grandfather attended it?

College questions on your mind? Ask our Admissions Guru (it's free and anonymous)!

the.sprout

Answer: It sounds like you’re doing all of the right things! You have a strong record and should be in the running at a number of fine schools. In response to your specific questions, the only thing I can think of that you could do to possibly improve your chance of getting into a top school is to take the SAT again, as you mentioned. You have a very good score, but if you think you could…continue reading SAT and ACT Tests!

Majors in College
Question: What is the difference between priority and regular decision? Also, what are majors and minors? If I want a bachelor’s degree, does that subject have to be my major, or can it be my minor? Do colleges generally offer the same minors as majors? Should my minor be a more specific subject within my major…or at least related in some way?

Answer: Priority decision is just another name for early action or early decision. In other words, you apply to the school by an early deadline, and you hear back from them earlier than you would if you applied “regular” decision.

When you go to college, you will have at least one major…continue reading Majors in College!

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

SMJJP (b and w –> the.sprout

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Applications, College Campus, Legacy Status, Preparing for College, SAT/ACT Test | 1 Comment »

Reason #5,399 Why You Should Consider Dorm Living

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Need another reason why you should consider dorm living at least for your Freshman year at college? Students from Le Tourneau University’s residence halls competed in an annual event where they run, play, bike, swim, think, and eat their way to victory!

Dorm living isn’t always easy but the experiences and friendships can last a lifetime. On-campus housing can definitely help create an easy transition to college. Why not live right where the action is? Watch LU Games 2010 on YouTube or below.

Who We Are: Information you can trust. For 20 years My College Guide has produced an annual magazine chock full of free college info for high-achieving high school sophomores. Check out our participating colleges. If you’re a student, enter for a chance to win an Apple iPad or iPhone or cash!

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Choosing a College, College Campus, College Life, Fun Stuff, Housing | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »