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5 More Movies About College Life

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Movies about college life? My College Guide has them! Or, rather, we’ve compiled another fantastic list of college-themed movies. Hey, after all the work you’ve been doing to get into college, sometimes it’s nice to remember why you’re going in the first place!

Movies about college life? Grab the popcorn!

Movies about college life? Grab the popcorn!

They may not all be true to life, but they sure are entertaining! Your college experience will be what you make of it. So, how do you plan to use the next four years?

Movies To Make You Cheer for The Underdog

Rudy – This one finds its home as a sports classic. Rudy, played by grown up Goonie Sean Astin, is the blue-collar student who can’t afford college (guess he didn’t read My College Guide’s advice on financial aid!) but receives a sports scholarship that lets him in.

Good Will Hunting – How do you like them apples? Matt Damon and Ben Affleck star in Good Will Hunting. Matt plays the part of the genius janitor and Ben? He works construction. We love this movie for the snappy one liners and loads of talent (Robin Williams won an award for his part in this one).

Good Fun

Drumline – We admit: it can be a bit predictable, but Drumline put the fun back in band! Watch it for the awesome competition performance scenes. Even in college it’s a good idea to get involved in extracurricular activities! Remember the OK Go video that used college band students? What you do in college, well, it sure looks great on that resume later!

Movies to Watch with Your Girlfriends

Mona Lisa Smile – Julia Roberts stars as an art teacher at Wellesley College who wants to challenge the way the young girls think. Know what? Women’s colleges are still doing that today! Although, unlike the movie, women’s colleges really aren’t stuffy or old-fashioned. Star-packed and great for girls night.

Legally Blonde – Put away your pink scented paper, grab your Chihuahua and some popcorn, and settle in for this comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. The plot? She heads to Harvard University to get back her ex—and learns a little more about herself in the process. Chick flicks at their finest!

You tell us! What are some of your favorite college-themed movies? Let us know in the comments below! We may just add it to part 3.

Image Courtesy of Flickr, Solo.

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!

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The Admissions Game: The Difference Between Selective and Non-Selective Colleges

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Browse around enough college websites and you’ve probably come across the terms “selective” and “non-selective.” It’s a very important part of figuring out where to spend your time and energy when it comes to applying to college!

Rice University

Rice University

There is a difference between selective schools and Ivy League schools. In general, Ivy League refers to athletics and encompasses schools like Harvard and Yale. However, there are many selective schools that aren’t considered Ivy League, like MIT and Stanford University, that are also competitive.

Selective Colleges

While any college is more likely to accept a well-rounded student with a great GPA, at a selective college? It’s doubly important! Your involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and other activities is a key factor of college admission—and having more than good grades is a big part of achieving admission at your dream school.Selective schools are in great demand yet typically admit a very small percentage of students who apply.

Less—Selective or Non-Selective Colleges

Don’t let the term fool you: A non-selective college doesn’t mean they let just anybody in! Like any other college, a non-selective will still have standards. They usually operate on a more open admission basis, or rolling admission, where they will accept college applications until their student body is full—which is good news for you if you decide to apply at the last minute!

Who Gets in to Selective Colleges, Anyway?

Selective colleges admit the best of the best: those over-achievers who are very involved in not only their high school or homeschool groups but their community as well. They have taken (and survived) AP classes and Honors courses and passed with flying colors. They may be fluent in a second language or have some other well-developed talent or skill.

MIT

MIT

Highly selective schools consider many factors of college admission. They look at your application as a whole and decide whether or not they need someone who fits your profile.

If they have only one cello player who happens to be graduating that Spring, and you happen to play the Cello, you might get in. The same goes for students from a particular state. If the school needs a student from that state so they can mention with pride that they have students from every state in the US, you might get in.

Again, don’t think that this means that your GPA, test scores, and community service don’t matter—they most certainly do! However, a selective college has many factors to consider. Your legacy status and notable achievements are just another piece to fit into the selective college admissions puzzle.

Where Do You Fit In?

Public or private college, big campus or small, it doesn’t matter—any college can be selective or non-selective. The key to choosing a college isn’t about shooting for the most selective school, it’s about looking for the school that is the right fit for you!

Image #1 Courtesy of Flickr, Onilad.
Image #2 Courtesy of Flickr, Francisco Diez.

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!

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Posted in AP Classes, Choosing a College, College Admissions, College Applications, College Campus, College Classes, College Life, College Search, Extracurricular Activities, Homeschool, Preparing for College, SAT/ACT Test, Summer Programs | No Comments »

Not Ready for College? Consider a Gap Year

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

You know that there are plenty of reasons why college is a good idea: but what if you just don’t feel ready for it? It happens. After 12 years of school and the stress of college admissions, we want you to know about an option you may not be familiar with – the gap year!

Whirling Phoenix / Josh Kellogg

Whirling Phoenix / Josh Kellogg

What is a Gap Year?
Gap year, bridge year, lap year — whatever you call it, it’s gaining a bit of momentum here in the states (over in the UK and Australia, it’s rather common).

A gap year is a period of time (usually one year) that graduated high school students take off before entering college to pursue other interests. By other interests, My College Guide means things like work, whether internship or paid, community service abroad, or educational programs.

What gap year isn’t is an excuse to flop on the sofa station-flipping for the year before college begins or to infinitely put off beginning that first semester of college.

Why Do Students Take a Gap Year?
Why travel or work for a year before college? Well, for some students it’s a time to blow off some steam, to try their hand at volunteering or travel abroad. You know, to grow in maturity and gain life experience before college and books and studying. It lets students de-stress from the pressures of that last hectic year of high school while pursuing a worthwhile venture that makes college admissions happy.

Some students take the opportunity to work and save up a bit of money to either help pay for college or at least help pay for college expenses. They might choose a job or internship that relates to their major in college, to gain skills that will not only help them look good on a college application (and help make sure that their prospective career path is the right one for them), but prepares them for their future and that looks great on a resume!

Ivy League and The Gap Year
Harvard University wants students to consider taking a year off to avoid “burn-out.” Yale University takes the same stance, listing ways that students can get involved and further their out of school education.

John Barnabas Leith / Barney Leith

John Barnabas Leith / Barney Leith

With the pressures of college admission combined with 12 continuous years of schooling, it’s no wonder that Ivy League schools are not only acknowledging the gap year as a valid choice – they are actually encouraging students to take one!

Princeton University has what they term a “Bridge Year” Program in place for accepted students to travel to places like India, Ghana, Serbia, and Peru for nine months to volunteer their time while immersing themselves in a foreign culture. You can actually follow along in the Gap Year experiences of these soon-to-be Princeton University students by reading Updates from the Field.

The Next Step
If you find yourself considering a Gap Year, know that it is only beneficial to you (and will look good on a college resume) if you do something character-building and note-worthy. Apply to college, get that acceptance, and then ask for a one-year deferral, letting them know your plans. Plus, if you had traveled abroad and really enjoyed it, most colleges have study abroad programs in place – so there’s a good chance you’d be able to head back!

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!

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What is the ACT Test?

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

When it comes to standardized testing – you’ve probably got questions! You might have been wondering, “What is the ACT?” and “What does ‘ACT’ stand for?” Never fear, My College Guide has the answers! Read on to find out more about the ACT college entrance exam and why you may want to sign up to take the ACT!

Sharpen those pencils! The ACT is coming to a town near you!

KTVee / Krissy

What is the ACT?
“ACT” once stood for American College Testing and is a standardized test. As you may remember from The SAT Reasoning Test and You article, a standardized test is one in which the conditions that you take the test are the same as someone else taking the test who lives eight states away.

Introduced in 1959, the ACT quickly grew. Just a year later, students all over the country had the option of taking the ACT, and now some states, like Illinois, Kentucky, Wyoming, and Colorado are required by the state to take the ACT as a condition of graduation!

Why Should You Consider the ACT?
So, why take the ACT? At some colleges (and even states), the ACT is actually a requirement. But for those that leave that decision up to you, this standardized test could play more to your strengths! The ACT college entrance exam structure is content or curriculum-based. This test aims to check the knowledge that you have retained over your high school years. The ACT is composed of four sections: English, math, reading, and science with an optional writing section.

The ACT and #2 pencils go hand in hand.

david.nikonvscanon / David Blaikie

When Should You Take the ACT?
You probably want to take the ACT twice, once in the Spring of your Junior year and again in the Fall of your Senior year. As we discovered from test prep professionals, just taking the test a second time and knowing what to expect can give your score a boost! According to the ACT website, 55% (of test-takers) increased their composite score on the retest. So — that may be something you want to keep in mind!

How Long Does the ACT Take to Complete?
It will take you just over four hours to complete the 215 questions on the four basic sections of the ACT, but plan on an extra half an hour if  you decide to take the optional writing section too. Just don’t forget to bring your #2 pencil!

How is the ACT Scored?
The composite test score ranges from 1 to 36, and the sub-score ranges from 1 to 18. An average score for the ACT is around a 20 or 21.

Let’s say you earned a Composite score of 30 on the ACT. According to the ACT website, a 30 shows that your score nationally ranked 96%, which means that 96% of the high school graduates who took the ACT received a Composite ACT score of 30 or below. Less than one percent of students achieve a 36 – the national average is a score of 21.

A ready supply of #2 pencils for the ACT test!

david.nikonvscanon / David Blaikie

How Many Colleges can Officially Receive the ACT score at one time?
The ACT will let you choose up to four colleges maximum where you can have your official ACT scores sent. Some colleges, like Yale University, require that they receive at least one official result from ACT in order to successfully file the Yale Common Application but you are still expected to report any other scores you receive.

While all four year colleges accept the ACT, should you choose to take it, each college weighs your score differently. They are going to look at your GPA, your class rank, your extracurricular activity, leadership roles, personal statement (or essay), and then some! The standardized test isn’t your ticket in – it’s just another tool to aid you in getting in! Want to read more on the ACT? Check out the My College Guide Admissions Guru past ACT questions.

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College Summer Reading Lists from College and University Libraries

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Between One Book One Twitter and pre-college summer programs, you’ve got a few things to keep you busy — but why not take a look at summer college reading lists? These college bound reading lists will give you a better idea of the intellectual mind-set waiting for you at college – and, simply put, these are good books! My College Guide got in touch with college librarians to get their top picks for summer.

The Louis Round Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina.

Ian Lamont

But first, let’s take a peek at a summer library reading program or two at the college level. Unlike the summer reading programs you enjoyed when you were a kid, you won’t be getting stickers, candy, or other prizes for finishing a book, but there will be plenty of great books to choose from! Bates College, for example, puts together yearly reviews of books based on staff and faculty suggestions.

The University of California Berkeley creates an annual themed reading list. The 2010 theme, Education Matters, includes titles like Anne Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi and Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas. You can also take a look at the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions Reading List or Swarthmore Colleges Summer Reading List for even more recommendations.

The Boise State University Albertsons Library assistant professor, Memo Cordova, shares that the campus has a “1st Year Read” (now called “Campus Read“) book selection each year, with incoming freshmen receiving a free copy of that year’s selection.” How cool is that?

Widener Library at Harvard University -- check out the summer institute on college admissions reading list!

benuski

“This year,” said Mr. Cordova, “it was Ann Patchett’s Run . Last year, it was Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson. This year’s selection [Fall 2010] is William Kamkwamba’s The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” Right from the start, incoming college students share something in common!

The fantastic librarians at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill University Library sent along a list of their personal favorite books you most likely haven’t read in high school – but that you might want to borrow and read sometime before college welcome week! Their list includes:

Margaret Atwood The Handmaid’s Tale
Rachel Carson Silent Spring
Junot Díaz The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Anne Fadiman The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
Neil Gaiman The Sandman
Atul Gawande Complications, Better
Tracy Kidder Mountains Beyond Mountains, Homecoming
Thomas Kuhn The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Gabriel Garcia Marquez One Hundred Years of Solitude
David Foster Wallace Consider the Lobster

The Robert W Woodruff Library that serves Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, promptly shared this list of good reads, too! Their summer reading suggestions include:

Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
Saul Bellow Seize the Day
Edward Bellamy Looking Backward: 2000-1887
Kate Chopin The Awakening
Michael Dorris A Yellow Raft in Blue Water
Laura Esquivel Like Water for Chocolate
Sinclair Lewis Main Street
Toni Morrison Sula
Chaim Potok The Chosen
Richard Wright Native Son

That should keep you busy for the rest of the summer! Many colleges and universities have special college reading lists – hop on the library website to find more. That leaves just one question: what’s your favorite book?

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Classes, College Life, Online Tools | 1 Comment »

The SAT Reasoning Test and You

Friday, April 9th, 2010

You are no stranger to tests – you’ve taken all sorts of tests your whole life: tying your shoes, basic addition, shapes – and then the high school stuff like Geometry, Chemistry, and Biology.  Think of the SAT Reasoning Test as just one more, but for this one?  You’ve got to prepare!  So – what is the SAT?

How are you preparing for the SAT Reasoning Test?

herzogbr/Brian Herzog

We know you have plenty of adjectives to describe it – but here are the facts!  What you know as the SAT Reasoning Test has also been called the Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test and is administered by The College Board.  A rose by any other name, right?  We’re only kidding.

The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test which means that the test you take and the conditions you take it in – the timing, the scoring, etc. – will be the same for you as it is for a student taking the test four states away.

Most students take the test in the Spring of their Junior year of high school and then again in the Fall of their Senior year to (hopefully!) improve on the previous score – honestly, just knowing what to expect can give your score a boost.

There are three sections to the almost four hour test – Writing, Math, and Critical Reading, where you can score 200 — 800 points.  You will also see subscores, like the essay, which ranges from 2-12 points, and multiple choice, which is graded on a 20 – 80 point scale.  These subscores contribute to the writing segment of the test.

Your total score will span from 600 – 2400, after your points are combined.  The higher the score – the better you did!  Anything above a 1500 is considered good, though to get accepted at some of the more selective colleges, like Harvard University or Dartmouth College — you need to shoot higher!

Thanks to Score Choice, you may get to pick out which test date score you want your schools of choice to see – though not every college affords that option.  If your college doesn’t — don’t despair!  Many colleges take your better score into consideration, anyway.

The majority of colleges and universities will, however, want to see your SAT score because it is a factor of admittance — but it isn’t the only factor.  Don’t forget: they also have your high school transcripts, personal statement or essay, your involvement in your school and (hopefully!) the community, and perhaps even a couple strong letters of recommendation.

Break out those Number 2's! It's SAT Reasoning Test time!

Krug6

Some of the more competitive colleges and universities also require the SAT Subject Test, once known as the SAT II.  The SAT Subject Test is an hour long test on a specific subject like literature, Latin, Italian, World History – there’s 20 different subjects total!  Colleges may require you to take one specific subject test (or even three) or they may let you choose your own, which gives you a chance to play to your strengths!

No matter what test you have to take – it’s a good idea to prepare ahead of time!  Consider subscribing to My College Guide via RSS or email so you can be sure to see what test prep providers, like Kaplan, Knewton, and The Princeton Review, have to say about the SAT Reasoning Test in an upcoming post – and their secrets for success!

Have more questions about the SAT?  Check out our Guru!  Browse the archives and if that doesn’t help – ask our Admissions Guru a question yourself!  It’s free and anonymous.

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Posted in College Admissions, College Applications, Preparing for College, SAT/ACT Test | 2 Comments »

Celebrities in College: 6 Stars Who Traded Red Carpets for Blackboards

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Trevor Haldenby

They’ve already banked millions of dollars for movie roles or modeling contracts, but some celebrities are determined to prove that they’re more than just a pretty face — and headed back to school. Here are a few famous people spending their days taking notes in the college classroom instead of parading the red carpet.

Emma Watson – She’s made millions from the Harry Potter film franchise, but this young British actress just wants to be a regular college student. Last year, she enrolled at Brown University, where she’s studying literature. Chances are, she probably won’t be reading J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter in any of her classes, then again — you never know!

James Franco – This tall, dark, and handsome star of films like the Spiderman series, Milk, and The Pineapple Express is eager to show that he can do more than act. Find him doubling up on course credits, pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Columbia University and taking filmmaking classes at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Remember his bizarre guest-starring role on General Hospital? According to Franco, it was simply part of a course project (hope he scored an A for that one).

Christy Turlington – One of the most famous cover girls of the 1990s, Christy Turlington has traded the catwalk in for college life. These days, you can find her pursuing a master’s in public administration at Columbia University, while also producing No Woman, No Cry, a documentary film about pregnant women in developing countries.

Haley Joel Osment – Remember the creepy little kid from The Sixth Sense who saw dead people? Looks like he’s all grown up now—Haley Joel Osment, who also starred in films like Pay It Forward and A.I., is now studying acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. During his time off, he appears in Broadway plays—wonder if that counts as an internship?

Jerry O’Connell – As a child, he was one of the stars of the classic film Stand By Me. Later, he moved on to the sci-fi series Sliders, and movies like Scream 2 and Jerry Maguire before settling into married life and parenthood with model/actress Rebecca Romijn. Now, the famous family man has decided to tackle the world of law, and is currently pursuing a J.D. at Los Angeles’ Southwestern School of Law.

image

The City Project/Robert Garcia

Ashley Judd – Though Ashley Judd, star of films like High Crimes and Double Jeopardy, dropped out of  college when her acting career took off, she decided to head back to school in 2007, completing her bachelor’s degree in French at the University of Kentucky. Well known for her political activism, Judd is now pursuing a master’s in public administration at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth — As a manipulative villain on The Apprentice, Omarosa’s latest career move was quite a shock: she enrolled in United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio to pursue a master’s degree in ministry.  Maybe this is a true transformation on her part—then again: we’re wondering if there’s a camera crew involved.

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Foursquare Makes The College Leap

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Courtesy of Mari Sheibley

Courtesy of Mari Sheibley

Colleges are evolving to keep up with current technology: they are using Facebook and Twitter, even YouTube, in an effort to keep your attention!  The new kid on the block, Foursquare, has been picked up by the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Columbia University, and Harvard University as a fun new way to keep college students involved.

Foursquare is the latest social networking application.  The twist?  It’s location based.  Foursquaresters gain points by checking in at their current location, discovering new places, sharing tips and then some, earning badges and maybe a shot at “mayor.”  Mayors can receive sweet discounts at the participating places where they reign supreme.

How are colleges using this to their advantage?  UNC Charlotte was the first university in the country to take advantage of Foursquare’s usability, offering promotions and dining info across campus.  Columbia University offers a discount through the on-campus movie theater and Harvard University was the first to create a special badge just for frequent Harvard visitors.

Think about it: new students can easily find campus hot spots and potentially save a couple bucks as well (if they happen to be “mayor,” that is).  Instantly see where your friends are – maybe cut down on the texting a bit?  We’re only kidding.

Just the same, we’re excited by the awesome potential here for colleges and universities who use Foursquare.  It could just be a match made in higher education heaven.

What do you think?  Is Foursquare another social media fad or do you think it’s the next big thing?

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Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff | 3 Comments »

Extreme Stress Relief: Weird Ways to Unwind During College Finals Week

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

screamEven in high school, finals week is an incredibly stressful time. But in college, the pressure gets amped up through the roof. For many courses, how you do on your finals will play a huge role in your semester grades, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve memorized every detail of the Franco-Prussian War or that you can correctly label every bone in the human body, or you’ll risk jeopardizing your chances at grad school.

Once you get to college, you’ll probably spend most of the weeks leading up to finals staying up until 3 AM, reading and re-reading a semester’s worth of notes, and downing coffee after coffee. But too much stress isn’t healthy, and colleges know that. That’s why many schools have come up with some unique traditions to help students slow down, de-stress, and have fun before finals start. Here are a few of our favorites.

Puppy therapy. In the words of Charles Schultz, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” We agree—and so do the folks at Chapman University in Orange, California. The school has launched a new event during the week before finals called “Furry Friends for Finals,” in which a group of puppies for students to play with are stationed outside of the library, providing a fun and cuddly study break.

Scream therapy. Being under so much stress can make you want to scream. So why don’t you? At many schools around the country, including Northwestern, Stanford, and Harvard, students take part in a “primal scream,” where everyone opens their dorm windows and screams as loud as they can for about five minutes. If you’re not a part of it, you probably don’t want to be within earshot.

Late-night breakfast. After pulling an all-nighter studying, you’re sure to be in need of some sustenance. So at some schools, including New York University, professors will treat their students to a special late night breakfast of pancakes, French toast, and other tasty treats to give them the strength for another long day of exams.

Library dance parties. They aren’t exactly faculty-sanctioned, but at schools including James Madison University and Carleton College, students have organized secret library dance parties via Facebook, turning the study haven into half an hour or so before returning to business as usual.

Free massages. Many schools, including Indiana University, offer free massages during cram and finals weeks, along with snacks, movies, and games.

Undie runs and streaks. Finally, for the ultimate in goofy stress relief, at a handful of schools, it’s become an annual tradition to take part in a cross-campus run wearing nothing but underwear—or, at some schools, nothing at all. At UCLA, more than 5,000 students often take part in the Undie Run, while UC Berkeley, Harvard, and several other schools have a tradition of streaking across campus. It’s definitely a way to take your mind off the books—but if you get involved, make sure you don’t get photographed or you’ll probably end up thoroughly exposed on Facebook!

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Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff | 5 Comments »

Seven Schools with Great Financial Aid Packages

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

collegemoneyThese days, money is tight for just about everyone—and college is one of the biggest expenses your family will ever face. A four-year program at many private universities will cost over $200,000, not counting the cost of textbooks and other extra fees. While some students may be eligible for scholarships (we’ve got one for you here) and financial aid, there’s always a concern that a school might reject you because you’re not able to pay their tuition.

Not these schools. With “need-blind” admissions policies, they pay no attention to how much money you have when deciding whether or not to admit you. Better yet, some schools even claim to meet full need, which means that they’ll provide grants to make up the difference between the family’s expected contribution, based on income, and the cost of tuition. While most students are able to obtain loans to help pay for college, these need-granting schools will generally contribute money that the students will never have to pay back, which can take a lot of the stress out of the college experience.

Want to see which schools have the best financial aid policies? Here’s a selection of colleges that aren’t likely to leave you with mountains of debt.

Harvard University. Last year, Harvard admitted Khadijah Williams, a homeless straight-A teen from Los Angeles, providing her with a full scholarship that covered all of her classes, textbooks, room, and board. This isn’t a first for them—the school has been long known for a remarkably generous financial aid policy, covering all costs for families who make below $60,000 and reducing the cost of college for middle-income families by as much as 50 percent. This year alone, they are awarding $145 million in need-based aid. So if you’re Harvard material, don’t worry about the price tag: you’ll find a place there

Bowdoin College. Bowdoin College, a small liberal arts school in Maine, may have a high price tag—$53,250 a year—but very few students are expected to pay that entire amount. The school offers need-blind admission, and more than 40 percent of students receive grants to help pay tuition, which do not need to be paid back. For a chance at a debt-free education in beautiful Maine, take a look at Bowdoin and its financial aid policies.

Bryn Mawr College. Bryn Mawr, a women’s college in Pennsylvania, has a generous grant assistance program, offering more than $20.4 million in financial aid to 62% of the student body. For more information, visit the school’s financial aid page.

Cornell University. This Ivy League university in upstate New York has always been generous with financial aid, but it recently announced an even more impressive initiative: starting this year, families with incomes below $75,000 will not have to pay any loan money, and families who earn between $75,000 and $120,000 will not have to pay back more than $3,000 for each year of school. The remainder of the money beyond the family’s expected contribution will be covered in full by the school. Check out their policies here.

Macalester College. This small, but highly competitive liberal arts school in Minnesota provides need-based financial assistance to all eligible students, which is about two-thirds of the entire student body. The average yearly financial aid award is $32,258, though some students are eligible for full scholarships. Find out more.

New College of Florida. Though it’s a public school, this university has only 785 students—and 90% of them are receiving financial aid assistance. With annual tuition, room, and board of just $12,567 for in-state students and $34,169 for students from out-of-state, it’s already one of the best educational deals around. Find out about their financial aid here.

Swarthmore College. This highly selective liberal arts college pledges to meet all student financial need after the expected family payments have been made, and awards more than $34 million in scholarships, loans, and other assistance to 70 percent of its student body every year. Swarthmore also offers a deferred payment plan, which allows families to pay tuition and other student fees in smaller monthly increments, interest-free, for a one-time participation fee of $60. Check out the options.

There are plenty of other fantastic schools with great financial aid packages available to the cost-conscious student. To find more, take a look at this list from US News and World Report —and make sure to register for our $2,000 scholarship!

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Posted in Financial Aid, Paying for College, Scholarships | 1 Comment »

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