The Perfect Storm - College Role Reversal In 2009

In past years, many students applied to public colleges and universities as their “safety” schools – schools to which they definitely would get accepted (based on their student qualifications) and financially could afford. These students applied to both public and private schools in an effort to find their best future college “home.” In addition, students analyzed offers of financial aid to determine which college was the most affordable before accepting admission.

Typical scenario . . . but not this year.

On March 25, 2009, the USA Today published a story about changes in college application trends caused by the economy. The story claims, “. . . 67% of students and 63% of parents said the economic collapse had influenced their decisions. Of those, 38% of students said economic concerns had caused them to change the kinds of colleges they applied to (for example, schools with lower tuition prices).”

The current economy has caused students (and parents) to re-tool their thinking and focus on applying to larger, public colleges and universities with lower tuition costs. This is contrary to the time-proven strategy of applying to an assortment of private and public schools. As a result of this year’s application focus, many public institutions were so inundated with applications for admission that many so-called public “safety” schools were forced to reject an abnormally high number of very qualified student applicants.

Several college-bound students that I have spoken with in the last few days have the qualifications (very high GPA and SAT/ACT scores) that historically make them a “sure thing” for admission at San Diego State University and University of California, Santa Cruz. After speaking with these students, a trend emerged: These students were rejected by the above public universities, but were accepted to several private schools (some with initial large scholarship offers). Thankful for being guided to apply to both public and private colleges, these students undoubtedly will enroll at private schools, and because of the large scholarship offers, at a cost less than public colleges and universities.

It appears the abnormally large number of applications submitted to public institutions this year, in combination with State government budget woes forcing public schools to offer fewer classes and fewer admission slots, has caused a “perfect storm” for rejection of students; rejection of students who last year undoubtedly would have been accepted for admission. Surprisingly, it seems the smaller private colleges and universities may have become the “safety schools” while the public institutions have become the more selective “dream schools.”

This trend likely will continue into next year. College-bound juniors preparing for the application process next fall should note this development and follow an appropriate strategy to ensure their admission to college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org

Financial Aid Forecast For 2009-2010: Colleges Are Giving More!

Despite the current economic recession, many college-bound students may be pleasantly surprised by the offers of financial aid they receive during the coming weeks. While virtually all colleges and universities are cutting expenses to save money, many are preserving or increasing the amount financial aid awarded to students entering college this coming fall. In addition, some expensive colleges are lowering their cost of attendance to entice top students to accept admission and enroll.

On February 27, 2009, the New York Times wrote, “With the economy forcing budget cuts and layoffs in higher education, colleges and universities might be expected to be cutting financial aid. But no. Students considering a wide range of private schools, as well as those who are already enrolled, can expect to get more aid this year, not less.”

Likewise, on February 24, 2009, The Daily Pennsylvanian published a story on the efforts colleges are making to maintain past levels of financial aid. The story states, “Though the state of the economy will likely increase requests for financial aid, most private colleges and universities, including Penn, are committed to maintaining their financial-aid policies and initiatives.”

Furthermore, some universities are maintaining or lowering the cost of attendance by matching the costs of less expensive schools (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 11, 2009).

With all this positive news, it appears attending college will be a reality for many financially-challenged students despite the difficult economic times. Students accepted to 4-year colleges will need to analyze their available financial resources, but financial aid from colleges may cover the bulk of tuition and housing expenses.

During the next four weeks, offers of financial aid will come in the form of Financial Aid Award Letters; when Financial Aid Award Letters arrive, be sure to analyze them carefully and determine which college is the most affordable.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org

Be Professional With All College Representatives!

Juniors and sophomores, as you begin searching for colleges and visiting campuses, remember to be professional in all interactions with college and university representatives. You MUST give a professional impression, whether it is during a phone conversation, while asking questions at a college fair, or during a campus visit. Your professionalism (or lack thereof) will be noted and factored into college admission decisions. In addition, your parents should be courteous and respectful in all interactions with your colleges and universities.

Be courteous and respectful with ALL people you speak with and meet (especially during campus visits). College admission officers may ask receptionists, tour guides, and student workers in the admissions office for their impression of you. If you are immature, boastful, disrespectful and/or discourteous, your chances for admission will be hurt.

Professionalism must be included in written correspondence as well; written correspondence includes E-mail, written letters, message boards and blogs.

With regard to E-mail, proper etiquette must be used at all times. E-mails should not include language that has no place in professional correspondence; also, casual abbreviations should not be used (e.g., btw im writing 2 plz ask u 4 admission). E-mails should be addressed to “Dear Mr. A” or “Dear Ms. B”; don’t use first names or nicknames. Use spell check on your E-mails and attachments before sending them electronically.

In addition, your E-mail account should be appropriate. Receiving an E-mail from love2party@xxx.com or bewildwithme@goodtimes.com will only raise questions with admissions officers.

Unprofessional behavior, poor manners and improper etiquette will negatively affect admissions officers’ decision regarding your acceptance. Be smart and make the best impression possible.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar।org

Winning Scholarship Essays

This blog is written as an addendum to my previous post on preparing winning scholarship applications. This blog post provides details on how to compose outstanding scholarship essays. Most scholarship applications require at least one essay, but these essays are usually shorter and less difficult to write than college admission essays.

Outstanding scholarship essays are original, clearly state why you deserve to win the scholarship, do not include meaningless information, and successfully convey a main idea or point. An excellent scholarship essay will captivate readers and have them get to know the real you.

Winning essays involve the reader! Your essay should present ideas and themes through an effective essay format and should have a clear focus and address the essay question or topic.

Most importantly, winning essays allow readers to get to know you, the student applicant; thoughts presented in your essay should provide readers with details about your character and values, talents and interests। In other words, successful essays paint a vivid “portrait” of WHO you are. Successful essays make a lasting impression and encourage scholarship judges to care about you. Scholarship judges want students who will best represent their organization’s values and ideals; so use the essay to present you as the best student representative of their organization and a very deserving winner of the scholarship money.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org

How To Prepare Winning Scholarship Applications

Announcements of local community and regional scholarships will increase in the weeks ahead. Typically, these scholarships require application materials that include a multiple page application, essay(s), grade transcript copies, and letters of recommendation. The most important aspect of applying for these scholarships is not to simply submit application materials, but to paint a vivid and impressive portrait of you and your achievements.

Winning applications allow application readers (scholarship judges) to know student applicants through descriptions and discussion of their values, interests, opinions and talents. Judges need to know who the person is (the real you) behind all the accomplishments and extracurricular activities presented on your application. A winning application will create a vibrant picture of you by weaving together all the parts of the application (the application form, essay, résumé, recommendations, and transcripts) to create a consistent and clear picture of who you are and why you deserve to win that scholarship.

Keep in mind that scholarship judges are looking for the best person to represent their organization (and their values/ideals). Strive to have your application clearly demonstrate that you are the best student to represent each scholarship sponsor.

To summarize, all parts of the scholarship application should work together to effectively portray the character and personality (or main point) you are trying to communicate about yourself. Make sure the personal attributes you want to convey are reinforced by discussion of your extracurricular activities and accomplishments on your application, essay, letters of recommendation, and other submitted documents. Again, all elements should all work together to bring out your positive character and personality to the scholarship judges to show you are the best person to win the scholarship and represent their organization.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org

Even Longer To Graduate From State Colleges and Universities!? How Can This Be?

In 2007, the average public university student took more than six years to graduate (U.S. News & World Report, November 5, 2007). Taking six years to earn a Bachelor’s degree will cost students a lot more than just time; there’s the monetary cost of two additional years of tuition, housing, and miscellaneous expenses, plus the opportunity costs associated with lost income from not working full time.

Similarly, in December 2007, Inside Higher Ed reported statistics provided by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities indicate, “. . . nearly 80 percent of students at private colleges who finish graduate in four years, compared to about 50 percent at public institutions.”

In 2009-2010, many public colleges and universities will experience 7-to-10 percent budget cuts, cuts that will lead to larger class sizes, fewer course offerings and either layoffs or furloughs for faculty and staff. This will result in fewer opportunities for college freshman to graduate in 4-to-6 years, possibly extending graduation by an extra semester or two, and preventing students from entering the workforce by an additional 6-to-12 months.

Consequently, students should never rule out applying to private colleges and universities. This is particularly true in these difficult economic times, especially in consideration of extended graduation times at public schools and the greater potential for private schools to award significant scholarships and grants. These facts should give strong motivation for students to apply to private schools (as well as desired public colleges and universities).

My advice: When choosing a college, don’t only calculate your out-of-pocket expenses for four years of attendance, but consider the number of years it takes the average student to graduate from each college and the potential for each college to award financial aid.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org

Parents Of High School Juniors: Get Informed and Help Your Student.

The college admission process is stressful and at times exhausting. Over the next several months, junior year students will have some difficult decisions to make and a number of those decisions will be made with a bit of uncertainty. As a parent of a junior, during the next 18 months plan to attend college campus visits, college fairs, financial aid seminars, and other college-related events with your student. Make time to discuss concerns and provide overall advice.

In addition, parents need to help with the numerous steps that must be completed for their son or daughter to apply to (and get accepted to) the college of their choice. There are several complex factors that must be properly evaluated by students when they select the college where they will spend four years of their life; believe me, insights provided by parents are needed and appreciated by students! Parents need to get informed and help with the important decisions ahead.

MyCollegeCalendar is here to help; use our online admission system to make sure application steps are completed and deadlines are met starting today through fall 2010. Parents don’t need to nag their student to complete all the steps needed for college admission and to apply for scholarships and grants. Rather, parents should use the steps and information provided by MyCollegeCalendar as reminders of tasks to complete and forms to submit.

My advice? Use MyCollegeCalendar to successfully manage BOTH your student and the required college application tasks.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org