College reviews by college students along with other college profile information, top majors, notable alumni and rankings on campus safety, professor accessibility, alcohol and drug use and more at Unigo. http://www.unigo.com/

Information on Careers, the outlook for openings, work hours and how much the profession makes.

FAFSA

FYI: Some states and schools have limited funds, so don’t delay! To begin your application, go to https://fafsa.gov/.

18 January 2022

College Thriver Education app to help facilitate the college admissions process for students of color.

5 March 2019

The best ‘total-package college’ in every state in America

Do you know how many colleges there are in your state? If you are thinking too many, you are not wrong.

Now, what if I asked you to name the best college in your state, taking into consideration factors like cost, competitiveness, job prospects after graduation, career earnings to name a few?

There are some very obvious ones like Princeton and Harvard, that are on every list of best colleges, but there are also some surprises.

Zippia, has the answer for you and have the full list of the best, total package college in each of the 50 states for you.

13 September 2017

Colleges for Older and Returning Students

Rankings for non-traditional college students turn up great options for older learners

The methodology of the list, by college resource website College Factual, gauged the needs of older and returning students, including:

• Working adults who need additional flexibility in course scheduling

• Older students who want to take advantage of online learning opportunities

• Working professionals who want to return to school and use their life experience toward college credit

• Students coming back to school after dropping out or transferring

Though most of the ubiquitous college rankings available cater specifically to traditional college students, nontraditional students actually outnumber their younger counterparts, according to College Factual, and make up the majority of degree seekers in the United States. The nontraditional rankings included nearly 1,000 schools — representing a mix of online colleges and traditional universities and weighing factors including schedule flexibility, regional accreditation, affordability, percentage of older students among its population and salary expectations after completing a degree.

Here are the top 10 schools for returning adults, according to the College Factual rankings:

1. University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Md.

2. Excelsior College, Albany, N.Y.

3. Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

4. American Public University System, Charles Town, W.Va.

5. Capella University, Minneapolis

6. Ashford University, San Diego

7. Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.

8. Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, N.J.

9. Charter Oak State College, New Britain, Conn.

10. Regis University, Denver

The full rankings list includes state-by-state and regional breakdowns of the best schools for returning students.

If you are unsure if returning to school is right for you, read the article 6 Questions to Ask Before Going Back to School.

21 April 2017

Students with Learning Disabilities or Medical Conditions

As part of the application process, colleges and universities generally offer prospective applicants a variety of admission options. This information can be found in the school's admissions packet or on their web site. Application deadlines and decision notification dates vary based on the admission option chosen.

• "Open Admission" is typically offered by community colleges, online schools and distance learning programs. Most high school graduates are admitted if they have a diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.

• "Regular Admission" is a common option at 4-year colleges and universities. All applications are submitted by a specific date. Candidates are then notified of the admission decision by a given date sometime in the spring.

• Many colleges and universities offer "Rolling Admission." Students submit their applications at any time throughout the school's admission period. Applications are reviewed as they are received and admission is determined on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• "Deferred Admission" is for those applicants planning on taking a gap year. If accepted to a particular college or university, the student agrees to defer their enrollment for one year.

• "Early Admission" options may be offered for students who are certain they want to attend a particular college or university. Choosing an "Early Admission" option could improve chances of acceptance, since it lets colleges know they are the top choice. These application deadlines are before the Open, Regular or Rolling Admission options.

• Students choosing an "Early Action" option may submit their applications to more than one school. If accepted they are not bound to enroll at the institution and can wait until spring to make their final selection.

• The "Early Decision" option is for those students who are certain about attending a particular institution. If accepted, students must withdraw any regular applications at other schools and cannot apply to any other college or university. This is a binding decision.

• An "Early Evaluation" application program allows the candidate to find out the chances of acceptance. Schools will notify students if the chances for acceptance are good, fair or poor by December of January.

Application deadlines for the various admission options will differ from school to school. In order to take advantage of a particular decision option, students will need to be aware of the deadlines specified for each school they plan on applying to.

11 May 2014

College Admissions Reading

The college admissions process can be quite the nerve-racking experience. Like anything else, it is filled with many unknowns. This is one of the most unsettling parts of the process–what exactly happens? The following is a list of books that we have read and think that you should check out. If anything, they will help demystify the process and help the stress melt away. They all relate to the admissions process in some way: from taking the SAT to what goes on in the admissions offices.

Admissions Confidential by Rachel Toor is an examination of what exactly goes on in an admissions office. This books serves to remove some of the mystique of the admissions process. Though at times cynical, this is an interesting view into admissions at a highly selective institution (in this case, Duke University). This is a book of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Crazy U is another book about the college admissions process. This book, unlike this others, is written from the perspective of a parent. From high priced college consultants to stressing about test scores, Crazy U is an interesting book (and perhaps even more so, an interesting commentary on our culture). The irony of the book was that while Ferguson (the author) was stressed out and panic-ridden, his son was relaxed and confident that all would be well (which was the case).

The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg tracks several students through the college admissions process. These students all apply to prestigious Wesleyan University and we are able to accompany them on their journey. Steinberg’s book is a bit less sensational than Toor’s, but is nonetheless entertaining and informative.

Acceptance: A Legendary Guidance Counselor Helps Seven Kids Find the Right Colleges–and Find Themselves is by David L. Marcus. While much of the media hype is focused on a handful of super-selective schools, Marcus’ book does a great job of talking about more “regular” students.

Cal Newport’s aptly named How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out) is a terrific book that uses a variety of case studies to help students help themselves and find their passion.

28 April 2014

Early Admissions

Early Decision and early action (hereafter referred to as ED and EA) policies have become really popular. On the surface, it is a great deal—you apply to your dream college early, you get in early, and you don’t have to worry about sending out dozens of applications. However, what if you are unsure whether you can afford your dream college? Are you expecting to receive merit-based scholarships?

What is the difference between Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA)?

Typically there are two types of ED and EA respectively: EDI, EDII, EA, and Single Choice EA:

• Early Decision I (ED1) is a binding admission policy. You apply with the understanding that if admitted, you will enroll in a specific college or university. The deadlines for ED are early than regular decision deadline and the benefit is that you will be notified of your decision sooner. If you are admitted under a binding early decision program, you must withdraw all of your other applications.

• Early Decision 2 is the same as Early Decision 1, but with a later application deadline. It is also binding and you are notified earlier.

• Early Action is a non-binding admissions program. Unlike regular ED, students do not have an obligation to attend a school if they are admitted. They can submit all of their other applications and enjoy the benefit of an early notification for their EA choices. Students may apply early action to other schools that offer the policy (but may not apply ED or single-choice early action).

• If this was not all confusing enough, some schools have Single-choice EA. This means that while you are not bound to attend the school if admitted, you may not apply to other schools under an early admission plan.

So who is Early Decision for?

ED is for students who are 100% (not 99.9%) that a particular school is right for them. These students should also be comfortable with what the college will look like financially.

30 March 2014

There is always more to learn about scholarship and financial aid. For example, have you ever wondered how to:

• save over $19,000 for a single college semester while still in high school?

• determine a financial “safety school” to fall back on?

• find and be competitive for the best merit scholarships at the nation’s top universities?

We have you covered with Scholarships360 Courses. If you haven’t checked them out yet and are looking to increase your financial aid and scholarship IQ, feel free to take a look. Right now, we have three courses available for high school and college students. In order of publication (most recent to oldest):

Course #1: Self-Studying AP Exams: The Guide to Saving $19,403 per Semester

This course looks at how you can take an AP exam in high school without ever taking the corresponding AP class. If you do well enough on the exam, you can gain college credit that has the potential to drastically lower your tuition bill. Included in this course:

• a walkthrough of the entire self-studying process, from talking to your guidance counselor through test day

• a look at some of the easiest AP exams to prepare yourself for

• a directory of the best review books to help you study and ace the exams

Course #2: Finding a Safety You Love (and can afford)

The admissions process has two hurdles: getting into school and paying for it. This guide will help students identify a safety school that will make financial sense for them and their families. While safeties are backup schools, it is smart to have an affordable plan. Included in this course:

• thinking about potential safety schools

• a quick overview of merit aid vs. need-based aid, and a guide to help figure out which will you be looking for

• some tools to help you through this process, including the net-price calculator

Course #3: Merit Scholarships 101

If you’ve ever wondered how students magically get full rides to the best schools in the country, this course has the answer: they’ve probably been awarded a merit scholarship. Merit scholarships are great for students rich and poor, as they award solely based on the merit (or, achievement) of the student. This type of scholarship can be spectacular for a student who doesn’t qualify for financial aid but isn’t wealthy enough to comfortably shell out $50,000/year for a college education. Included in this course:

• a link to a list of the top merit scholarship programs at the nation’s best schools

• a guide to choosing between a spot at a great school with merit aid or a spot at a school with a no-loan financial aid policy

• advice on how to best go about applying for a merit scholarship but, more importantly, finding a program that’s a fit for you

We hope these courses help in your quest to get the best education for the best possible price! As always, direct any questions/recommendations/thoughts to brian@scholarships360.org or will@scholarships360.org.

28 July 2013

Taking a Year Off

Taking a year off between high school and college is something many high school seniors struggle with. The high-pressure senior year of high school increasingly leaves students drained and craving refreshment. Taking a year off, or more commonly known as a "gap year," is a relatively new concept in the United States but in other parts of the world, as many as 11% of college-bound seniors take a gap year before enrolling.

There are a number of options available for students who feel they might need a year off between high school and college. It is highly recommended that these students still go through the normal application process during their senior year, get in to the school of their choice, and then request a deferral. Most colleges will grant those students a deferral with the assumption that they will be doing something during that year to further prepare themselves for college.

What to do During a Gap Year?

Traveling is a great way to spend a year seeing the country or the world! If money is an issue, students can travel by volunteering. These kinds of opportunities not only provide rewarding experiences but are also very good for a student's future resume.

Working is always a productive way to spend a year off. Keep in mind that most post-high school student jobs will not be the best paying or the most rewarding, but work is work and it is an experience. Students can broaden their horizons by taking a seasonal job away from home.

Bottom Line

College right out of high school is not for everyone. There is nothing wrong with experiencing life before college as long as your student makes it a worthy experience! Once their year is over, they will be able to make a good decision without stress and pressure.

1 July 2013

Your Ultimate Destination for College and Career Planning

In 2012, ConnectEDU announced the acquisition of Experience. The two companies together provide the ultimate destination for college and career planning. Learners, for the first time, can map their education decisions to potential careers, versus blindly selecting a college major or course plan and assuming career prospects will exist upon graduation. With the integration of the ConnectEDU network, the companies’ combined solutions now form a database of a generation’s college and career decisions tied to actual college and career outcomes. For more information, read the full press release.

15 May 2013

College Shopping and Packing Tips

Chances are your child's freshman year of college will be the first time that they will live away from home. As a parent, there is a lot you need to plan for such as what to shop for and howmuch to pack.

These tasks will go much more smoothly if you create some sort of checklist and stick to it! Encourage your child to start packing early to avoid being overwhelmed before they leave for college. You will want to enjoy the last few weeks before college starts with your child.

Be Realistic About What You Need

In your child's college dorm room, space will be limited. Think about clothing they will actually wear and items they will actually use.

• It is important to pack things that will remind your child of home such as photographs of friends and family members.

• Closet space is a premium so recommend to your child that they swap their clothing out with the seasons. This way they won't have to lug up their entire wardrobe in the fall.

• Laundry day may be months apart, so make sure they are prepared with enough clothing.

• Make sure your student coordinates with their roommate to avoid duplicates such as televisions and refrigerators.

Be a Savvy Shopper

You may already have many of the things your child will need. Make a list of necessities you will need to purchase and a budget and stick to it! Try and use coupons whenever necessary and check out your local consignment shop. Not everything for your child's dorm room needs to be brand new. Check with family and friends to see if they have anything to donate to the cause.

Get Your Stuff to College

If you will be driving your child to college, schedule a "test" pack ahead of time to avoid added stress. Any non-essentials that can't fit can always be picked up on their next trip home. If your child plans on taking another mode of transportation such as a train, bus or plane, plan ahead. Expect to pay extra fees for any baggage over a certain limit. You may want to investigate the cost of having some of their luggage shipped to them.

18 April 2013

How to Emotionally Prepare for Your Child's College Departure

Though going off to college is a big adjustment for any high school student, it can be even more of an adjustment for the parents. To make the emotional transition easier, here are some tips that parents can consider while preparing for their child's college departure.

Talk to your student beforehand - Give yourself ample time before the move-in date to sit down and talk to your student. Remember to be clear with the expectations you have for them while at college.

Get organized - Move-in day will undoubtedly be stressful for both the student and the parent. Thus, plan ahead by packing all necessary items far in advance. Rushing or disorganization can provoke more emotional feelings than there would have been otherwise. Plan ahead to stay calm and composed.

Let your child take charge - On move-in day, it may feel natural to take control. However, do your best to hold back. Your child will now be living on his/her own and it is important to show you trust their choices. If your child seems overwhelmed and emotional, help guide them by giving them simple tasks to keep their mind busy.

Be encouraging, not embarrassing - When your child is all moved in and you are ready to speak your parting words, end the note with something encouraging and uplifting. Telling your child how proud you are of them, or that they can call you whenever they want to is positive and gives them security. Though a tear or two is acceptable, save the hysterics for the car. It's not only embarrassing for the student to see his/her parents cause a scene, but also makes them feel anxious.

Keep in touch - Though you may want hear every single detail of your child's new life, it's simply not possible. Fight the urge to call them multiple times a day and let your student initiate the calls. Do check-in to make sure they are safe and emotionally stable, but spending too much time on the phone with Mom or Dad could interfere with them making new friends, studying, and their new sense of independence.

11 April 2013

How To Get Into That "Dream College"

Is your college-bound student dreaming of that perfect school they've heard so much about? Don't know exactly what it will take to get accepted? Whether or not your child has big ambitions for college, it's best to be aware of some important factors or tips that might influence that college's acceptance of your student when they finally do apply.

1. Choose classes wisely. - Emphasize to your child the benefits of choosing the right classes with the assistance of academic or guidance counselors. They can help your child determine a scheduling strategy for every year of high school. Also make sure that they're aware of college entrance requirements and whether these classes meet or exceed these colleges' expectations.

2. Get involved! - Students should get involved in leadership roles, after-school clubs or sports, and diverse organizations (schedule permitting). Colleges take note of this 'juggling-act'. Students can also bolster their credentials in other ways, such as becoming a lifeguard or CPR certified.

3. Who are you? - How does your child want to be recognized by colleges? Get to know what your child is good at and what drives them while in high school. Whether it may be public speaking, volunteering, or even their GPA, take inventory of these strengths, which will help when it comes time for writing application essays.

4. If you can dream it, you can do it! - Learn everything you can about this dream school. Have your child get a sense of what kinds of students are accepted and how they may fit-in amongst these students. What can your child contribute or have to offer? Use these ideas when crafting personal statements during the application process.

5. Be unique! - When drafting college application essays, students should try to be inventive or unique. Highlight distinctive things in their life, like whether they've overcome a struggle or obstacle and how they persevered. Or maybe they should choose to write about an atypical topic, such as your child's love for gardening. Make sure that they have multiple people review these essays, and that these unique topics are the right messages to convey.

Remember, each college varies what they take into consideration when reviewing applications. Inspire your student to be the best student they can be.

28 March 2013

Take advantage of office hours

Office hours are arguably the most underused resource available to students. With that said, there is no reason why you shouldn't be using what is perhaps one of the biggest tools at your disposal to understanding course material and getting a better grade.

These are hours your professor specifically sets aside to offer you their help with course content. Use it!

To make the most of an office hours visit, you'll need to do a little preparing beforehand. This includes coming in with specific questions and other items you would like to go over with the instructor. This ensures your meeting will run as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Tip: Why using office hours is the best way to a better grade.

Attending office hours puts you at an advantage over other students. Students who utilize office hours often do better on exams and papers, are more satisfied with their classes, and feel more connected to their college, classroom and professor. It is an opportunity to show instructors your enthusiasm for the material. A place you can follow up on aspects of the class you find compelling by asking questions that go beyond what the lecture and textbook cover.

It is also an opportunity to get to know your professors.

Getting to know your professors is beneficial in both the short term and in the long run. It can lead to better grades, and if you get to know your professor on a personal level, they can even help when it comes to things like job offers and scholarship opportunities.

While attending office hours is not required, if the effort isn't made to show up, you leave yourself no excuse at the end of the term when you are left with a grade you are not satisfied with.

Read:

How to Effectively Utilize Office Hours

10 Things to do for Guaranteed Success in College

15 March 2013

College News. Tips. Advice.

Campus Grotto is a national college news publication providing current and future college students with the latest college news, tips, and advice. Made famous by our annual ranking of most expensive colleges, we help people prepare for and conquer college. Subscribe by email for updates.

14 March 2013

Help your child chart an AP^® course to the future

What interests your child today?

What is your child passionate about? AP courses can help students turn the things they love into a college major or career they might never have considered. Perhaps your child wants to travel the world? He or she can show commitment to this interest by developing skills in AP English and AP World History, which can lead to a career in fields as diverse as anthropology, journalism or foreign service.

What does your child want to be tomorrow?

Has your child already chosen a college major or career? AP courses can help students get to their future faster. Is forensic science a great fit for your child's curious mind? His or her career path could begin with AP Chemistry or AP Biology. Or maybe he or she is interested in a creative field like advertising or fashion design? AP Psychology can provide a strong background for these and other careers.

Encourage your child to visit exploreap.org to learn about AP courses and the college majors and careers connected to each one. Then have your child talk to a counselor or teacher about AP options at his or her school. If your child is already in an AP class, congratulations. That's a big step toward college success.

College Admissions: 5 Must-Knows About College Visits

Cristiana Quinn, GoLocalProv College Admissions Expert Monday, February 21, 2011

With February and spring vacations looming, families are flooding college campuses for tours and information sessions. If you have a sophomore or junior in high school, now is the time to visit! Think it’s too early? Families who delay face a rush of stressful visits in the fall of senior year, and this rarely helps a student make the right choice. And, if you plan to take advantage of early action and decision programs, most deadlines are in November 1, leaving little time in the fall of senior year for touring campuses. So, before you head off on spring visits, here are a few things you need to know.

1. Always take an official tour and sit in on the information session. This is not the time for a drive by viewing. Colleges need to know that you took the time to do a formal visit, and you need to see the full array of opportunities at each college. Most colleges have info sessions and tours several times a week and on Saturdays. You can register on the admissions page or by calling the admissions office.

2. You must visit colleges within a 6 hour drive before you apply. If you live in Rhode Island, a college in California will understand if you don’t visit until after you are accepted. However, a college in New York or New Hampshire will most likely think that you aren’t that interested if you fail to visit. The reality is that many colleges are now calculating an interest factor, and campus visits play into that if you live within a day’s drive of the institution. So, don’t be surprised if you get rejected from a college that you thought was a sure thing, if you live within 6 hours and haven’t visited.

3. Visit campuses when they are in session. It’s important to view schools when students are on campus. If you wait until summer, you won’t be able to determine if a campus is dead on the weekends, or if the students are too sporty or too artsy for your tastes. Some colleges will even let you sit in on a class. I recommend visiting the student cafe after your tour for lunch and to chat with students who may be sitting nearby; it’s a great way to get the real skinny on the school.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. Students are often afraid to ask questions in the information session, or they cringe when their parents raise their hand. Don’t be shy. Ask about required GPA for merit aid, how hard it is to get into classes, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, campus safety, or how many students drop out of the pre-med program. On student-led tours, ask your guide what they feel is the best thing about the college and the worst thing. Getting administrators and students off script will usually yield the best insight to life on campus. 5. Don’t judge a college by one or two individuals.

Parents and students often make the mistake of discounting a great college because the person who lectured at the information session or led the tour turned them off. Other times, students rule out a school and never visit because they dislike someone they know who attends the college. It is CRITICAL that everyone involved has the maturity to look at the big picture and determine if a

school is the right fit--NOT make a judgment about a school of 2,000 or 20,000 based on one or two individuals.

For colleges outside of your geography, consider a DVD tour . These differ from the short videos found on college Web sites. Most are 40-90 minutes in length and take deep dive into the college facilities and life on campus. Another great resource is The Insider’s Guide to Colleges by the Yale Daily News which delves into life on about 300 US campuses based on student surveys and interviews. It’s not your ordinary college guide.

Cristiana Quinn, M.Ed. is the founder of College Admission Advisors, LLC, a private college admissions counseling company based in Providence, Rhode Island.

http://www.collegeadvisorsonline.com

Majors and Careers

Some students start college knowing exactly what they'd like to major in. Some don't know which direction they want to choose. Others have career goals, but no idea which majors will get them there. Although there's no need to make a final decision anytime soon, you can help yourself down the road by exploring your options now. Not sure what you want to do? Focus your search for majors and careers by listing your academic and extracurricular interests and strengths. Use your list as a starting point for exploration.

Why your major matters and how to choose one

September 2009

• 1. College Planning Guide - monthly timelines from HS Junior through Senior year; includes questions on evaluating yourself and colleges, college entrance exams - PSAT, SAT, ACT, CLEP, TOEFL, college reference books and college related information websites

  2. Sophomore prep calendar: http://www.imaginegms.org/index.html#

  3. Senior prep calendar: http://www.gmsparentinfo.org/article27713/body.html

  4. PSAT Practice Online

  5. SAT - Ways to Prepare - The Official SAT Question of the Day™ ; SAT Preparation Center

Important Information for All Test Takers

• Sunday administrations usually occur the day after each Saturday test date, for students who cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance. For the test administration on October 10, the Sunday test date has been moved to October 18 to avoid conflict with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah.

• The Language Tests with Listening are offered only in November.

• Deadlines for international test-takers are given below the tables for U.S. students.

• The Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) is offered only on the Saturday test dates in October and January, and for Saturday, Sunday, and school-based testing dates in May.

• The Student Answer Service (SAS) is available only on the test dates for which QAS is not offered—those in November, December, March, and June. It is also available for Sunday and school-based testing dates in October and January.

Resumes and Interviewing Tips

• Resumes for High School Students

• Resume Writing Tips for High School Students

• Tips for a Successful Interview

• Job Interview Tips for High School Students