MyCollegeCalendar Blog

Forget The Required Student Vaccinations And Forget Living On Campus Next Fall

2012-02-06T12:42:00.007-05:00

Numerous colleges and universities REQUIRE incoming freshman to receive Hepatitis B immunization. Immunization against other illnesses also will be required, but at this point in time receiving a Hepatitis B vaccination is of utmost importance. This is because Hepatitis B vaccination is given in three doses over a 5- to 6-month period; the first shot in the series should be received as soon as possible so there is adequate time to receive the entire vaccination series before leaving for college in fall 2012.

Ask you doctor if you need to be immunized against Hepatitis B and if you do, check the vaccination requirements of the colleges you are likely to attend to see if Hepatitis B immunization is a requirement for living on campus (and could be a requirement for enrolling). After four years of rigorous high school study, working hard on your extracurricular activities, and completing the complex and difficult college admission process, you don’t want something like missing a vaccination to keep you out of college. Talk with your parents and doctor and take action!

In addition, keep in mind that all colleges and universities require proof of immunization against (1) measles and rubella, or (2) measles, mumps, and rubella, before you arrive on campus in August – September 2012. Also, the majority of colleges recommend incoming freshmen living on-campus receive immunization against meningitis (meningococcal disease).

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Submit Your FAFSA As Soon As Possible - Here's How

2012-01-04T10:54:00.009-05:00

Parents of college-bound high school seniors should submit their student’s online FAFSA in the next 7-to-10 days. Parents must keep in mind student financial aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis from “pools” of money; waiting to submit the FAFSA until after mid-January 2012 may be harmful to your son or daughter’s potential for receiving significant need-based financial aid awards.
To complete the online FAFSA, follow the instructions below:

1. Click here: Online FAFSA

2. Enter the student’s name, Social Security Number and date of birth. Click on the “NEXT” blue arrow button near the page bottom.

3. Confirm the information you entered is correct and click on the “NEXT” blue arrow button near the page bottom.

4. Click the “Start 2012-2013 FAFSA” button.

5. Create a password in the event you need to save your information and finish the FASFA at a later time. Be sure to write down your password on paper for safekeeping. Click on the “NEXT” blue arrow button.

6. To continue, again click on the “NEXT” blue arrow button.

7. Enter all requested personal information regarding your family, parents’ income and financial assets for 2011, and student income and financial assets for 2011. Remember, you are using estimates of your income and assets for 2011; use LOW ESTIMATES to increase your eligibility for need-based financial aid.

8. When you get to the “Sign and Submit” page, review all the information you have entered by clicking on the blue text box, “VIEW OR PRINT YOUR FAFSA INFORMATION”, in the center of the page. This will show all your information on a FAFSA Summary Report.

9. After you have reviewed the FAFSA Summary Report and verified your information is correct, print a copy of your FAFSA Summary Report and place the paper copy in file for safekeeping.

10. The online FAFSA should be signed electronically by both the student and one parent by entering your FAFSA PINs. On the “Sign and Submit” page, click the bubbles for both the student and parent which say, “Sign Electronically With My PIN (fastest)”.

11. Also, on the “Sign and Submit” page, both student and parent should enter their PINs and click the “SIGN” button to the right of the window where the PINs were entered.

12. Continuing on the “Sign and Submit” page, both student and parent should click the “Agree” bubble for the Terms of Agreement.

13. Lastly, on the “Sign and Submit” page, click the blue “SUBMIT MY FAFSA NOW” button at the page bottom.

If you questions about the FAFSA, you can contact a FAFSA representative by clicking here. Follow the directions provided; you can chat live online, speak via telephone, or send an e-mail to get answers to your questions.

For detailed, question-by-question instructions for completing the 2012-2013 FAFSA, click here.

Within 1-to-3 days of submitting the online FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (called the “SAR” or “E-SAR”) via e-mail from the U.S. Department of Education (usually from FederalStudentAidFAFSA@cpsemail.ed.gov). Be sure to check your bulk or junk e-mail because the SAR may be delivered to these folders.

The SAR is a summary of the information entered into your FAFSA. You should review your SAR to make sure all the information listed is correct. Print a copy of your SAR and place the paper copy in a file for safekeeping. An example SAR is provided here.

Also, the SAR will show your calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based upon the financial information you entered into the online FAFSA. The EFC is the amount of money your family is expected to pay for college expenses. The best possible EFC is zero, meaning your family is expected to pay $0 for college tuition, housing, etc.

The EFC is an indication of how much financial aid you are ELIGIBLE to receive; it does NOT mean you will definitely receive large amounts of need-based financial aid. Your EFC will be used by federal and state governments and colleges you listed on the FAFSA to calculate the amount of need-based financial aid you are eligible to receive (NOT how much you will receive).

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is shown on top of the first page.

If you don’t received your electronic SAR within 1-to-2 weeks of submitting your online FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) Monday through Friday [8 a.m. - midnight (Eastern Time)] or Saturday [9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Eastern Time)].

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Gain Insights Into the “Real World” of College

2011-12-19T17:20:00.000-05:00

This holiday season offers the opportunity for high school seniors to gain “real” insights into college life. Students should visit with friends returning home from college to hear what they have to say about “the college experience.” What’s it like living away from home? How is living in residence halls with roommates? What are some do’s and don’ts about college life? What are some things about college you didn’t expect? How are classes? How are on-campus social events? What do college students do on weekends?

Ask questions and try to get an overall picture of college life.

Also, high school juniors should ask their high school senior friends for advice about completing next fall’s college admission process; what are some valuable tips to help with completing college applications and what are some pitfalls to avoid? What worked and what didn’t?

Listening to friends who have been there, done that, with college and the college admission process will give students valuable insights into what to expect in the months ahead. Take a few minutes to learn from the people you know with first-hand knowledge and experience.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Save Your Best Junior-Year Papers, Essays, and Reports

2011-12-15T14:34:00.004-05:00

High school juniors should save their best papers, essays, and reports from this fall semester (and the following spring 2012 semester). I highly recommend this because some colleges and universities REQUIRE submittal of graded writing samples from either junior or senior years along with college application materials.

College-bound high school juniors will be applying for admission in October and November 2012, and there may not be ample opportunity to write an outstanding paper next fall before submitting college applications. Therefore, it is best to play it safe and juniors should save samples their best work from this academic year.

In summary, juniors should save all “A” graded writing assignments (essays, term papers, laboratory projects, and any other top-graded papers) from this year just in case one of their colleges require submittal of a particular type of writing assignment with application materials next fall.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Don’t Drop Any Important Classes Next Semester (in Spring 2012)

2011-12-14T11:54:00.004-05:00

High school seniors must be aware of the importance of not dropping any “important” classes next semester.

The senior year classes students listed on their college applications include coursework for the spring 2012 semester; college admission officers have (or will) base their decision to accept students on their grade transcripts and course curriculum, which includes next semester’s classes. If a student elects to drop a class in the spring semester, they, in effect, have submitted a false college application. This is because the student specifically stated the classes they were going to take, but in reality they are not taking all of those classes.

As a result of dropping a class, colleges could rescind their offer of admission because the information submitted on the application is no longer true; it will appear the student lied on their college application.

Seniors - If you feel compelled to drop an elective class next semester (a class you really don’t need), I recommend you contact the admissions officer in charge of your file at each of your colleges to ask how dropping an unnecessary elective class will affect your application for admission and if it will affect any application for merit-based scholarships you have submitted.

Whatever you do, don’t drop a class in a core subject, such as math, science, English, or social science. Dropping a class in a core subject is strongly frowned upon by college admission officers and will be noticed when you submit your final grade transcripts in June 2012.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Apply for Your FAFSA PINs

2011-12-12T12:12:00.030-05:00

Hopefully, parents have begun filling out the 2012-2013 FAFSA Worksheet as described by MyCollegeCalendar.org on December 6, 2011. To further prepare for submitting the online FAFSA in early January, students and one of their parents should each apply for FAFSA PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) in the next 7-to-10 days.

FAFSA PINs will allow students and one parent to sign the FAFSA electronically, make corrections to submitted FAFSA information, review and print student’s federal Student Aid Report, and complete the Renewal FAFSA next school year.

FAFSA PINs are required for both the student and one parent. Each student and parent must complete the steps below separately to obtain their own individual FAFSA PIN.

Below are the steps for applying for FAFSA PINs:

1. Go to the FAFSA website: Click here .

2. Click the blue button, “APPLY NOW”, under the “Apply For A PIN” small window on the page right.

3. Read the instructions, then click the “NEXT” blue arrow on the page lower right.

4. Enter your personal information (social security number, name, date of birth, mailing address, e-mail address, etc.).

5. Click the “NEXT” blue arrow on the page lower right to submit your online PIN application information.

When your FAFSA PIN application is complete, the U.S. Department of Education will send you an e-mail with your PIN. Print the PIN and put it in a folder for safe keeping. If you lose your PIN, you can request a reminder from the Department of Education.

For questions regarding problems or difficulties using the FAFSA PIN Web pages, or specific questions about your PIN, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-4-FED-AID (800-433-3243) or 319-337-5665.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Parents – Take Steps To Maximize Your Student’s Need-Based Financial Aid Awards

2011-12-12T10:59:00.014-05:00

For families seeking need-based financial aid (scholarships and grants awarded based on a family’s income and assets), parents should note two of the most important steps to maximizing a student’s eligibility to receive this kind of aid.

1. Maximize your student’s eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants by reducing your income, financial assets, and cash reserves.

This sounds extreme, but it is reality. If possible, defer income from 2011 to 2012 and purchase large items in 2011 you are planning to buy (such as automobiles, travel trailers or RVs, etc.) to reduce cash reserves and create debt. Wait to cash out stocks or bonds until 2012 so that any associated income will not be declared in 2011. Remember, a student’s eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants is based on their family’s financial situation in calendar year 2011. All financial transactions completed during January 1 – December 31, 2011 will either help or hurt student eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants.

2. Minimize money held in the student’s name.

Colleges and universities expect students to use virtually all of their saved money to help pay for college, as well as other funds held in their name. To maximize a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid, money held in their name should be minimized; reduce the amount of money in all student financial accounts to the extent possible and report the reduced amounts on the FAFSA in January.

NOTE: The “standard” college financial aid formula requires students to use 30-35% of their financial assets to pay for college each year before receiving government aid. In contrast, the same financial aid formula requires parents to use 5.6% of their available financial assets. For non-family members, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, the percentage is zero (non-family members are NOT expected to pay ANY college expenses).

NOTE: The estimates of your income and assets that you enter into the online FAFSA (by my recommended date of January 10, 2011) should be as accurate as possible as of the day you submit the online FAFSA. The rule for entering financial numbers into the FAFSA is, “at the time the online FAFSA is submitted.” Between now and the day you submit your FAFSA, any changes in your family’s financial numbers are acceptable (and legal).

For example, if your student currently has $2,000 in their bank account and you move that money into another account belonging to someone not in your immediate family (such as a grandparent) before the online FAFSA is submitted, you do have to report that money as part of your student’s assets on the FAFSA.

Additionally, if you have $50,000 in a financial account and use $20,000 of that money to purchase a new car before you submit the online FAFSA, you only have to report $30,000 in assets for that account.

This is general advice for everyone. Taking actions as described above to meet a student’s financial aid goals is a decision each family must make on their own.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Start Working on the 2012-2013 FAFSA Worksheet Now

2011-12-06T14:08:00.014-05:00

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the U.S. Department of Education’s financial aid application that is required by virtually all colleges and universities for students to be eligible for need-based financial aid. The online FAFSA cannot be submitted until AFTER January 1, 2012, however, families can begin filling out the draft version of the 2012-2013 FAFSA Worksheet now so they will be fully prepared to submit the online FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.

MyCollegeCalendar.org provides links to draft versions of the 2012-2013 FAFSA Worksheet and 2012-2013 FAFSA on the Web Worksheets to all users. These are draft versions of the Worksheets, but in all likelihood they will be identical to the final versions available after January 1, 2012.

The dust from the early action/early decision process is just beginning to settle for many families and the holiday season is underway with a flurry of associated activities, however, WAITING TO BEGIN WORKING ON THE FAFSA IS NOT recommended because completing the FAFSA takes significant time and effort. The FAFSA requires detailed personal and financial information from both parents and students; information that requires accessing bank statements and financial records, estimating income and assets, and much more. I strongly recommend printing the draft 2012-2013 FAFSA Worksheet, completing it by hand in December, and following the MyCollegeCalendar step-by-step instructions for completing and submitting the online FAFSA in the first week of January 2012.

Completing the draft 2012-2013 FAFSA Worksheet in the next few weeks will enable parents to get a jump start on the process to meet the advised FAFSA deadline of early January.

Take action now, you will be very glad you did.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Deferred for Admission? Here’s What To Do . . .

2011-12-01T03:30:00.009-05:00

The majority of students who applied to college using early action or early decision applications will begin receiving decision letters this week. Some of these students will receive word that their application for admission has been deferred and will be considered with regular admission applications (regular admission applications typically are evaluated between mid-January and March 2012, depending on the college or university).

NOTE: If a decision letter states you have be REJECTED, and you really want to attend that college, you can appeal the decision. However, be aware that colleges RARELY reverse their decisions and accept rejected student applicants.

If your early application is deferred, you can increase your chances for admission by finding out WHY you were not accepted. Within a few days of receiving word of your deferral, call the admissions office and ask to speak with the officer responsible for your application file. Be very respectful and polite, and emphasize that his/her college is your first choice and you are very disappointed with the deferral decision.

Go on to ask if there is anything in particular that held you back from being accepted. If the admission officer gives reasons, you may be able to correct them. If the officer is reluctant to give you a specific reason, politely ask if you have a realistic chance for admission because if there is, you will work toward that end. If it appears you do not have a realistic chance, thank the admission officer and pursue admission to other colleges.

If the admission officer does give specific reasons for your deferral, work to improve your shortcomings. For example, if your SAT/ACT test scores were too low, retake the tests in late January or early February 2012. If your recommendation letters were not strong, ask one of your current teachers to write an additional letter of recommendation. If your GPA is not high enough, work to do well on this semester’s final exams and to earn outstanding grades next semester.

Over the next months, keep the college updated on your activities by writing a letter to the college admission officer responsible for your application file. In the letter (not an E-mail), explain that the college is your first choice, why it is your first choice, and that you will attend if accepted. Describe any new accomplishments not included in your original application and provide full description of those accomplishments. Be sure to highlight any awards or special recognition you recently received; mention the other colleges and universities you’ve been accepted to (if they are as prestigious as the top choice college you’re writing to).

You may also consider asking your high school counselor to call the admissions officer responsible for your file. Have the counselor tell the admissions officer how the college is your first choice, about your unique talents and skills, and how you will be a wonderful addition to the college community.

Throughout the 2012 spring semester, keep in mind that while it is appropriate to contact admissions officers to show your interest, it is not appropriate to contact them with a dozen E-mails and telephone calls. This will make you a pest and won’t help your position with the college. Don’t appear to be desperate and a “stalker” by contacting the admissions office numerous times.

Finally, in very early spring of 2012, again contact the college admission officer. As before, mail a letter (not an e-mail) outlining your recent accomplishments (such as improved SAT/ACT test scores or outstanding grades earned thus far in the spring semester). A few weeks later call him/her to summarize these accomplishments and to express your keen interest in attending that school. Hopefully, you will be considered worthy of admission and will receive a notice of acceptance.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Don’t Waste Your Time Applying For The Wrong Scholarships

2011-11-21T10:55:00.001-05:00

Students should apply for only those national scholarships in which their qualifications match well with scholarship guidelines and the intent of the award sponsors. Students should research each scholarship’s guidelines (as described in the Rules Section of scholarship instructions) to determine if their qualifications are a good “fit” for the criteria the scholarship committee will use to select winners. Applying these scholarships will give student applicants the best chance of winning.

For example, let’s say a national scholarship is offered for high school senior girls interested in a career in medicine; winners will be selected based on students’ academic success and interest in the medical field. For such a scholarship, students should apply if, (1) they are a female senior year student, (2) plan to pursue a career in medicine, (3) have excellent grades, (4) have completed as many science and math courses as possible and, (5) have completed numerous hours of service as a student volunteer in the medical field (such as a student volunteer in a hospital). If a student has these qualifications and experiences, their application will match extremely well with the guidelines and intent of this scholarship and, therefore, they have a very good chance of winning the award.

In the scholarship example above, all female senior students are eligible to apply. HOWEVER, if a student’s grades are mediocre, her high school curriculum has limited science and math courses, and her activities include no community service hours in the medical field, it is not recommended she apply. The odds of winning such a scholarship are poor because her competition (other student applicants) will possess vastly superior qualifications.

Also, students should think twice about applying to national scholarships open to all students. The reason? There typically thousands, sometimes several tens of thousands, of students applying to each open scholarship. As a result, the competition for winning open scholarships is incredibly tough. Unless you can submit a stellar application, write unbelievably great essays, and supply absolutely outstanding letters of recommendation, your time may be better spent focusing on completing college applications and applying for campus-based and local scholarships.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Take Advantage of Your College Network

2011-11-18T07:45:00.001-05:00

The majority of Early Action and Early Decision college applicants have already submitted their applications for admission or will do so in the next few days. If you are one of these students, I suggest you follow-up your application with a letter and an updated résumé to the more influential college representatives you met during the course of researching and visiting colleges.

Send a letter and résumé to only college representatives you feel support your acceptance to their college or university. This may include professors you interviewed with months ago, an alumnus with whom you spoke with at length, or another college representative with whom you held a conversation. A letter and résumé should NOT be sent to the admissions officer handling your application file or with whom you interviewed with earlier this year; admission officer(s) will be receiving and reviewing all of your application materials and don’t need duplicate information.

Sending a letter and résumé will make an excellent impression and may prompt college representatives to contact the admissions office on your behalf. A phone call or e-mail from a representative to the admissions office will help the college make a positive decision about your admission.

An example cover letter and résumé are provided.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Students Make The Call . . . NOT Parents!

2011-11-17T10:43:00.003-05:00

If you have questions about admissions applications to colleges or universities, you (the student) should be the one calling the admissions office, NOT YOUR PARENTS. The reason? If parent’s phone calls are logged and placed into your application file, when college admission officers review the file to consider you for admission, they will see the overactive involvement of parents and may think (1), you are not independent enough to be ready for college and (2), your parents are mettlesome and could potentially cause problems. Either of these impressions will hurt you chances for admission.

Again, STUDENTS, not parents, should be the ones contacting college admissions officers, department chairpersons and professors with questions about a college or university. Students calling with informed questions show maturity, independence and assertiveness to get the job done; personal traits that are attractive to admission officers.

NOTE: It’s perfectly acceptable for parents to call FINANCIAL AID administrators with questions. Colleges realize students don’t really understand financial aid and all the in’s and out’s associated with scholarships, grants and loans.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Summer Pre-College Programs Can Enhance Your College Applications

2011-11-15T11:22:00.007-05:00

Many colleges and universities offer summer pre-college programs (also called Summer Enrichment Programs) for junior and senior year high school students. These programs typically are 2-to-6 weeks in length; some programs offer scholarships to attend while many others have costs ranging from $1,500 to $7,500.

Students who attend these pre-college summer programs experience college-level work and a small preview of college life. They choose their classes and live on campus without parents. Student responsibilities include self-reliance on attending class and completing homework, doing laundry, attending meetings, and other aspects of college life. Students stay in dorms and use college gyms and dining halls.

Pre-college programs may include courses taught by professors for college credit, themes of language and cultural immersion, SAT® prep courses, or community service programs. Afternoons are filled with leisure activities; weekends often include excursions to local areas of interest.

Participation in these summer programs can provide an advantage in making decisions about which college best suits your needs. If you're interested, research college websites or contact a college of your choice in the next few weeks to see if they offer pre-college summer programs.

Many programs will get booked by February-early March, so if you find a program you wish to attend in summer 2012, register as soon as possible.

Not everyone has the time or money to attend a summer pre-college program, but such programs are an option for enhancing college applications.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

College Applicants - It’s Important To Thank Your Recommenders

2011-11-08T11:22:00.018-05:00

For college-bound high school seniors students, it is important to thank the people who write recommendations on your behalf. Not only is it common courtesy, but it shows you care enough about them to give a quick THANK YOU. Also, let them know when you are accepted to a college or university because they are genuinely interested in your success.

Equally important, being courteous and keeping your recommenders informed about your progress with the application process allows you to stay connected with them. As a result, when you ask for ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS in the coming spring semester for scholarship applications, they will be happy to help you; this is because they feel like they are part of your success and not just used for their willingness to write letters of recommendation.

Therefore, recognize that your teachers and counselor(s) are not just educators; they are people who appreciate feedback and a show of thanks. Make the effort to be courteous to these people and secure them for recommendations you will need in the future.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The CSS/PROFILE Financial Aid Application for Fall 2012

2011-11-04T11:53:00.020-04:00

Many private colleges, universities, and scholarship programs use the CSS/PROFILE financial aid application to determine the financial need to award students from non-federal government student aid funds. In other words, the primary use of the CSS/PROFILE application is for some private colleges to determine whether students are eligible to receive need-based financial aid from the colleges themselves (from the college’s institutional financial aid funds). The CSS/PROFILE is a lengthy, online financial aid application very similar to the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Students - If your colleges and universities require you to complete a CSS/PROFILE application to be eligible for need-based financial aid, prepare your parents to complete the application as early as November 15, 2011 (or as late as February 15, 2012). Cost for submitting a CSS/PROFILE application is $25.00 (including one school report) plus $16.00 for each additional college you wish your information to be sent.

To complete the CSS/PROFILE, your parents must have financial and personal information ready to enter. This includes:

- 2011 U.S. income tax returns or estimates of your income 2011.
- 2011 U.S. income tax returns (if completed).
- W-2 forms and other records of money earned in 2011.
- Records of untaxed income benefits for 2010 and 2011.
- Current bank statements.
- Current mortgage information.
- Records of savings, stocks, bonds, trusts, and other investments.
- Business and farm records.

Below are complete instructions for PARENTS to complete the online CSS/PROFILE application.

1. Go to the CSS/PROFILE.

2. Click on the green rectangle, "FALL 2012/SPRING 2013" and enter your student’s User Name and Password (the same User Name and Password used to register for the SAT Tests).

• Click on “Sign In”.

3. Click on “Register for PROFILE” in the upper left corner of the page (in dark blue).

4. Click the light blue “Register” button on the page bottom.

5. Enter the information requested on the pages that follow (4 to 5 pages of questions).

6. When you finish entering the registration information, the Data Review table will be displayed. Review this document to make sure all the information you entered is correct. When you verify all information is correct, click “Continue” in the lower right of page.

7. The next page you see will be the Registration Confirmation page. Click on the Customized Pre-Application Worksheet link to print the Customized PROFILE Pre-Application Worksheet; you will need to fill this paper worksheet out by hand. Also, click on the Customized Application Instructions link to print instructions on how to answer questions on the Pre-Application Worksheet.

8. Log out of the online PROFILE. Click the gray “LOG OUT OF PROFILE” button on the top right of page.

9. Gather your financial records and complete the PROFILE Pre-Application Worksheet by hand.

10. When completing the paper Customized PROFILE Pre-Application Worksheet by hand, refer to the instructions on your customized PROFILE Application instructions.

11. After you complete the paper Customized PROFILE Pre-Application Worksheet by hand, return to the CSS/PROFILE. Click on the green rectangle, "FALL 2012/SPRING 2013" and enter your student’s User Name and Password (the same User Name and Password used to register for the SAT Tests).

• Click on “Sign In”.

12. Click on “Continue Existing Application” in upper left corner of page (in blue). Enter all your information from your paper Customized PROFILE Pre-Application Worksheet.

13. After all of your information is entered into the online PROFILE application, click on “PRINT/REVIEW APPLICATION” on the blue toolbar at the page top. You will then see a table of all your information.

14. Review the table showing all your information and if all information is correct, print a copy of the table for your records. Next, click the gray “CLOSE WINDOW” button on the top right of page and submit the online PROFILE application.

• To submit the online PROFILE application, click “SUBMIT” on the blue toolbar at the page top.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Can’t Make Early Application Deadlines? The Regular Admission Process Provides Additional Opportunities.

2011-11-02T00:58:00.005-04:00

Students who wish to submit their applications to private colleges and universities after this fall’s early action/early decision application deadlines can do so using the Regular Admission process. These students will be joining the ranks of the majority of college-bound students; most college applications are submitted after January 1st using the Regular Application process. Regular Application deadlines typically range between January 15 and February 1, 2012, so there is plenty of time for students to complete and submit applications.

But make no mistake, students must not delay starting the Regular Application process. As with all college applications, the process to complete them includes filling out lengthy application forms, writing essays, requesting recommendations from teachers and counselors and many other tasks. I guarantee the Regular Application process will take longer than anticipated, so students need to get started as soon as possible. In addition, many distractions are looming (Thanksgiving holiday, senior projects, fall semester final exams, winter holidays, etc.) so there should no excuse for not beginning the process as soon as possible.

MyCollegeCalendar provides all the Regular Application tasks in chronologic order. Students (and parents) can simply go to the Senior Regular Admisison Schedule (30-day calendar) and all tasks with instructions are displayed by date on the November, December and January calendars. Follow MyCollegeCalendar.org to finish all Regular Application tasks and to meet all deadlines.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Misleading Tactics Used By Universities on Financial Aid Award Letters

2011-10-28T13:12:00.017-04:00

On October 25, 2011, Associated Press reported the misleading practices used by many universities on financial aid award letters issued to students (Officials target college financial aid letters).

In this news article, the Associated Press reports one common practice used is, “ . . . colleges highlight the total "out of pocket" cost for attending. The figure is intended to give students an estimate of how much they'd have to pay after outright awards, such as grants and scholarships are factored in.

But in calculating the "out of pocket" figure, some schools also reduce the total bill by the amount students would have to borrow — even though loans accrue interest and ultimately push up a student's costs.

The practices are troubling because families often use these aid letters to help determine which school to attend. The lack of clarity has also played a role in driving up the debt loads shouldered by graduates to record levels, federal officials say.”

However, there is good news. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education have announced a plan to simplify the aid letters so that families can understand the true cost of attending college. This will allow families to more accurately compare costs associated with each college their student is considering.

For years, MyCollegeCalendar.org has empowered families by helping them understand and compare the true costs of attending college. This is provided by using the MyCollegeCalendar.org Cost/Financial Aid Comparison Spreadsheet, which allows families to enter all offers of scholarship and grant money, loans, and costs of attending individual colleges; this enables families to compare the financial bottom line of attending each college (instructions for entering data are provided). Using this spreadsheet gives families the ability to see their true out of pocket expenses for each college their student has been accepted to and to calculate how much of their personal financial resources must be used to pay for college.

In addition, once a student chooses which college they will attend, the MyCollegeCalendar.org College Cost Spreadsheet enables families to calculate how much money is needed to pay for their student’s college as well as other miscellaneous expenses.

MyCollegeCalendar.org provides families with the complete set of tools to apply for college admission and financial aid, as well as to evaluate offers of admission and to prepare for college enrollment.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

WARNING! Make Sure Your Essay is Yours

2011-10-25T13:09:00.006-04:00

Students writing college admission essays should take note that many college admissions officers look at the writing sample from the SAT® or ACT® as more representative of student’s writing abilities than the college application essay. Students should NOT have an older sibling, counselor, or writing consultant make so many changes to their essay that it seems impossible that a high school student wrote it.

Likewise, some parents are overly helpful with their student’s essay and make so many edits that they end up almost writing the entire essay themselves. This must be avoided! College admission officers see thousands of essays and are able to spot essays composed by parents. Essays written by parents use a style and language that is unmistakably NOT written by a teenage student.

Students - If admission officers think someone else wrote your essay, your acceptance to that college or university will be in serious jeopardy. Do the work yourself and have an adult review your essay for substance, clarity, grammar, and spelling only.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The State of College Admission for 2011

2011-10-20T11:39:00.018-04:00

Yesterday, the the National Association for College Admission Counseling released their 2011 State of College Admission report which covers the Fall 2010 admission cycle. This Report includes the most up to date, comprehensive set of data related to major trends in high school graduation, college enrollment, college applications, admission policies, and much more.

The top factors related to college admissions remain unchanged. As in previous years, the top factors college admission officers evaluate when considering students for admission are (from most important to least important):

1. Grades in college preparatory courses.
2. Strength of student curriculum (difficulty of student’s course curriculum).
3. Admission test scores (SAT® and/or ACT® scores).
4. Overall grade point average (GPA).

Other factors include (in order of importance):

5. Essay or writing sample.
6. Student’s demonstrated interest in attending a particular college.
7. Class rank.
8. Counselor recommendation.
9. Teacher recommendations.
10. AP or IB subject test scores.
11. Interview.
12. Extracurricular activities.
13. SAT Subject Test™ scores.

The 2011 Report reveals the differences in admission philosophies/admission evaluation factors used by public and private colleges and universities. Private colleges and universities use a more “holistic” approach; these institutions considered a broader range of factors when making an admission decision, such as essays, interviews, counselor and teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities, work, SAT Subject Test™ scores and student’s demonstrated interest.

The college admission process remained very competitive with the large majority of colleges (73 percent) reporting an increased application volume for Fall 2010 as compared to Fall 2009.

The 2011 Report makes clear college-bound students (freshmen through seniors) should work to earn top grades in the most challenging courses. Furthermore, to be considered a top applicant for admission, application essays and recommendations must be stellar; interviews and extracurricular activities should demonstrate maturity and dedication; and students must show a true desire to attend the colleges to which they apply.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The Three Levels of MyCollegeCalendar

2011-10-03T12:31:00.062-04:00

MyCollegeCalendar offers three levels of assistance, from month-at-a-glance, to quick daily reminders with brief descriptions, to full details and instructions on how to complete every college application and financial aid task.

The month-at-a-glance view can be seen by clicking on the “College Calendar” button on the top toolbar. A 30-day calendar will be shown for college-bound seniors; this calendar view shows quick notes and reminders about important tasks or advice pertinent to each calendar day.

For high school seniors, only tasks and reminders for students applying early action or early decision are displayed in October and earlier months ("Senior Early" button on the toolbar), however, in November and later months, the regular admission schedule ("Senior Regular" button on the toolbar) will also show the tasks and advice needed for senior-year students to meet a regular admission deadline of Feb. 1.

Please note: From the 30-day calendar view, high school juniors can click the “Junior Early” button to see important tasks and advice for juniors.

From the 30-day calendar view, users can click on tasks (or advice) shown in the blue bar in each calendar day to see a pop-up window with a brief description. The pop-up window gives additional details which may be adequate for some users to successfully implement the recommended task for that day. The example below shows via the green arrow how users can click on the “Essays-College Applications” blue bar on October 4 to see the pop-up window.

To see a detailed description with full instructions on how to complete each daily task, users can click on the “more details” link in the pop-up window. The example below shows via the green arrow how users can click on the “more details” link to view full instructions and important advice for writing college admission essays.

The screen shot below shows the webpage resulting from clicking on the "more details" link in the above example. Detailed instructions on every aspect for writing superior essays for college admission are provided with links to valuable resources.

High school juniors and seniors (and their parents) should use the MyCollegeCalendar 30-day calendars to progress through the college preparation steps (juniors) and the college application steps (seniors) to ensure no tasks or deadlines are missed.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Letters of Recommendation - The Proper Way to Make Requests: Part 2

2011-09-22T12:42:00.009-04:00

This blog post is the second in the series regarding the best way to request help with letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. Part 1 involved making the initial contact with teachers and counselors and casually requesting assistance; Part 2 involves meeting with these recommenders a second time, making a formal request, and providing documents needed for them to write outstanding recommendations.

After meeting with teachers and counselors as described in Part 1, students should provide each recommender with an organized packet of documents with instructions for completing recommendations. These document packets should include:

1. A cover letter with details of the request. Each teacher should be given their own customized cover letter; counselors should receive their own cover letter. Covers letters should detail what students would like each recommender to include in their letter of recommendation and provide deadlines for submitting recommendations.

2. A copy of the student résumé - this is a MUST. The student résumé gives important details teachers and counselors need to know about student activities, accomplishments, and honors earned during high school.

3. An unofficial copy of student grade transcripts.

After creating a packet of documents for each recommender as described above, students should meet with each teacher and counselor IN PERSON. Students should give each teacher and counselor their packet of documents, express appreciation for their help, and explain how they (teachers and counselors) are being given a packet of documents to help them complete their letters of recommendation.

Also, students should share how they are available to answer questions or to help at anytime; students should point out that their phone number and e-mail address are included on the cover letter.

Requesting letters of recommendation in this manner shows professionalism and courtesy. Teachers and counselors appreciate being asked to write letters in this way and may show their appreciation by writing recommendations that are just slightly better than if they were asked in an unprofessional, sloppy manner.

Lastly, students requesting a letter of recommendation from an employer or supervisor should follow the same process as described above. A cover letter for employers / supervisors is provided.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Letters of Recommendation - The Common Application Fall 2011

2011-09-20T12:00:00.011-04:00

For teachers and counselors to be able to use the Common Application online procedures, students MUST first "invite" teachers and counselors through the Common Application website. After teachers and counselors are “invited,” they will be notified via e-mail on how and when to submit student recommendations.

Before starting the process of “inviting” teachers and counselors, be sure you (the student) have the following information:
- Your counselor’s first and last name, title, e-mail address, phone number, and fax number.
- Each teacher's first and last name and e-mail address.

NOTE: If your high school uses the Naviance eDoc method of submitting letters of recommendation, see your counselor for instructions on how letters of recommendation are to be submitted. If your high school does not use the Naviance eDoc method, follow the instructions below.

BELOW ARE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO “INVITE” TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS TO SUBMIT ELECTRONIC LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION USING THE COMMON APPLICATION ONLINE PROCEDURES:

1. Register with the Common Application.
- Go to the Common Application home page and click on "Never Registered? Go here" at the center of the page bottom.
- Fill in your name, address, e-mail address, etc.
- Create a user name and password (write down your user name and password!).
- Click the "Register" button on the page bottom.

2. Next, click the ”Education” button in the list on the left side of the page.

3. Fill in all the requested information, including your counselor’s name, title, e-mail address, phone number, and fax number. Click the “Save & Check for Errors” button at the page bottom.

4. Next, click the “My Colleges” button in the list on the left side of the page.

5. Enter the names of each of your colleges, one-by-one, into the narrow window left of the “QuickAdd” button. After you enter a portion of a college’s name, the full name of that college will appear in a drop down window. Click on the full name of the college and then on the “QuickAdd” button. Repeat this procedure for each of your colleges.

6. Next, click the "School Forms" button in the list on the left side of the page.

7. On the next page, check the small box on the top left side of the “Release Authorization” box to give permission to your the high school(s) (and community colleges, if you took classes) to send your records to the Common Application so the records can be forwarded to the colleges you are applying to.

Also, click one of the bubbles under the Important Privacy Notice heading.

Type your name and today’s date in the signature window and date windows at the page bottom.

Click the “Save” button.

8. The next page may indicate your high school uses Naviance eDocs. If so, contact your high school counselor for instructions. If your high school does not use Naviance eDocs, click the "Invite Official" button at the page bottom.

9. In the “Personal Data” box, click the "Counselor" bubble. Also, consider checking the box, “I understand that, upon inviting a School Official, I will no longer be able to alter my Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) release authorization.” Then click the “Send Invitation” button at the page bottom.

10. Next, invite all of your teacher recommenders. On the same “School Forms” page, click on the “Invite Official” button below the name of your counselor.
- In the “Personal Data” box, click the "Teacher" bubble.
- Enter your teacher’s title, name, and e-mail address.
- In the “Teachers Only” box, click on “Select” in the small window and choose the subject taught by this teacher from the pull-down list of subjects.
- Click the “Send Invitation” button on the page bottom.

11. To invite additional teachers, click again on the "Invite Official" button below your counselor’s name in the “Recommenders” box.

12. Repeat the steps described in 10. above to add additional teachers.

13. After you have added all of your teacher recommenders, on the same "School Forms" page, click on the name of one of your colleges shown at the center top of the page in the dark red “My Colleges” box.

14. Near the page bottom, click on “Select” in the small window and choose the name of a teacher who is to send a letter of recommendation to this college.

15. Click the “Save” button at the page bottom.

16. If you wish to have an additional teacher send a letter of recommendation to this college, click the “Add Recommendation” button at the page bottom and repeat 14. and 15. above.

17. Repeat 13. through 16. above for each of your colleges.

18. Your counselor and teachers will be contacted via e-mail from the Common Application website to complete and submit their recommendation online.

You can verify your recommenders have submitted their letters of recommendation by viewing the “School Forms” page at any time. On the “School Forms” page, click on the name of one of your colleges shown at the center top of the page in the dark red “My Colleges” box. There will be a notation next to each recommender’s name at the page bottom indicating whether or not they have submitted their letter of recommendation to this college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Register with Your Colleges to Show Interest Early

2011-09-16T14:05:00.010-04:00

It’s important for college-bound high school seniors to show their interest to college admission officers before they submit applications for admission. One way to show interest is to register through each college’s website as a prospective student. Each college will have a webpage for “prospective students” (or “future students”, “new students”, etc.) to either register or to request information from the college. Either way, submitting the student's information will put them in each college’s database of potential student applicants and will demonstrate interest in that school early in the application process.

Registering with colleges in the next few weeks will give students a slight advantage over other students who have not demonstrated any interest in a college before they submit their application for admission.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

High School Sophomores Should Plan to Take the PLAN®

2011-09-15T12:10:00.003-04:00

The PLAN® is a practice ACT test for 10th graders. It contains four curriculum-based assessments: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The assessment is based on the major areas of high school and postsecondary instructional programs and measures the skills and knowledge needed for college success.

PLAN® test results can show students where they are strong or weak, allowing students to focus on improving weak subject areas prior to taking the all-important ACT in spring of their junior year and fall of their senior year.

The 2011-2012 PLAN® test date is determined by individual high schools; traditionally, high schools administer the test in October each year. Sophomores should register to take the PLAN® with their counselor as soon as possible because the registration deadline may be fast approaching.

Standard price to take the PLAN® is $11.25 per student; however, most high schools charge an additional administration fee of $7 to $10.

PLAN® also includes a career exploration component that stimulates students' thinking about future plans and relates personal characteristics to career options.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Juniors - Don’t Forget to Register for the PSAT

2011-09-12T11:00:00.012-04:00

High school juniors should register by next week for the Preliminary SAT® / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) given on October 12 or October 15, 2011.

The PSAT/NMSQT® is a practice test for the SAT® test juniors will take in Spring and Fall 2012. In addition, the PSAT/NMSQT® gives students the opportunity to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation NMSC) scholarship programs.

The PSAT/NMSQT® measures:
- Math problem-solving skills
- Critical reading skills
- Writing skills

Why Take the PSAT/NMSQT®?
The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT® include:
- To identify weaknesses in subject areas. Weak subjects should be studied to better prepare for the SAT®. In addition, taking the PSAT/NMSQT® allows juniors to become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions they will see on the SAT®.
- To see how students’ performance on a standardize test might compare to other students applying to college.
- To enter the competition for National Merit Scholarships.
- To sign up for information from colleges when students check, “Yes” to the Student Search Service®.
- To receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses needed for college study. Juniors can then focus additional study time in those areas that will benefit them the most.

Registration and Fees.
Juniors must register for the PSAT/NMSQT® at their high school; online registration for the PSAT/NMSQT® is NOT available. The PSAT/NMSQT® test will be given October 12 (Wednesday) or October 15 (Saturday), 2011 - each high school chooses which date to administer the October test.

To take the PSAT/NMSQT®, students should see their high school counselor or principal to register, pay test fees, and learn the date, time, and location of the test given. Also, they should pick up a copy of the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT® from their counselor to help them prepare for the test.

The fee for the 2011 PSAT/NMSQT® is $14, although some high schools charge an additional fee to cover administrative costs.

Practice Tests and Strategies.
Even though the PSAT/NMSQT® is only a practice test for the SAT®, it is a good idea to do some preparation. For approaches on taking the PSAT test, suggestions for improving math and English test scores, explanations of answers provided for practice tests, and much more, go to the CollegeBoard’s PSAT preparation page. Click on links in the left column under “Preparing” for detailed information. These links include:
- Approaches
- Sentence Completions
- Passage-Based Readings
- Math Multiple Choice
- Grid-Ins
- Identifying Sentence Errors
- Improving Sentences
- Improving Paragraphs
- 2011 Practice Test Explanations

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Showing True Interest In A College Increases The Likelihood Of Getting Accepted

2011-09-09T11:33:00.004-04:00

Showing “demonstrated interest” on your college applications is more important than ever. Each year the importance of students’ demonstrated interest increases in college admission circles to the point where it may be the difference between acceptance and rejection at your college of choice.

What is demonstrated interest? It occurs when student applicants express true, heart-felt interest in attending the college(s) they apply to. College admission officers view demonstrated interest as the likelihood a student will attend the college to which they are accepted. Students sharing true demonstrated interest on written application materials, in e-mail correspondence with college representatives, and during campus visits get a “bonus factor” for showing they REALLY want to attend that particular college or university.

Demonstrated interest is more important than ever because the college admission process is so competitive. College admission officers don’t want to waste time evaluating applications from students who only half-heartedly care about getting accepted, let alone enrolling at their college or university. Instead, college admission officers want to evaluate and admit students whose first choice is their college; students who will be thrilled to be accepted and who will enroll.

The number one way to demonstrate your interest in a college is to visit their campus and interview with an admissions officer. Another excellent way to show your interest is to make it clear on your application for admission that the school you are applying to is your top choice school and to give specific reasons why you really want to attend that school.

It doesn’t take much time and effort to show your demonstrated interest, but it may prove to be the deciding factor that moves your name onto a college’s “accepted for admission” list.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Requesting Letters Of Recommendation From Teachers and Counselors: Part 1

2011-09-08T11:17:00.015-04:00

There are two parts to the process of requesting help with letters of recommendation from high school teachers and counselors for college admission; the first part involves making initial contact to request assistance as well as gathering the information necessary to complete Part 2.

This blog post will explain Part 1 for students whose high school does not use the Naviance System or Naviance eDoc method of submitting letters of recommendation (the majority of high schools in the U.S. do not use the Naviance eDoc method).

First and foremost, the single-most important thing to consider when requesting letters of recommendation is to ask people you know will write excellent letters of your behalf. Ask only people you are sure will write outstanding letters of recommendation for you. Most students won’t have a choice regarding which counselor to ask, but you should use discretion when choosing teachers; again, choose teachers who know you and your quality of work so you are sure they will write great letters of recommendation on your behalf.

Approach each teacher and counselor in-person and ask if he/she could help you with writing letters of recommendation. You should express how much you appreciate his or her help. Ask each of them how they plan to submit recommendations, either by (1) submitting electronic letters through the Common Application website, or (2) using traditional paper recommendation forms and letters. Teachers and counselors will most likely use electronic letters through the Common Application.

You should mention the names of any of your colleges that don’t use the Common Application and the method these colleges prefer for recommenders to submit their letters of recommendation. Colleges that don’t use the Common Application may have recommenders submit letters or recommendation either through the college’s website, by using paper recommendation forms, or asking recommenders to mail letters of recommendation on high school letterhead.

Lastly, tell each teacher and counselor “thank you” and that in the next few days you will bring the information he/she needs to complete your recommendations. Before you say goodbye, you must obtain important information from each recommender.

From your counselor, write down the following information:
1. First and last name
2. “Title” (this is asked on Common Application)
3. E-mail address
4. Phone number
5. Fax number

From each teacher, write down the following information:
1. First and last name
2. E-mail address

With the above information, you can “invite” recommenders to submit electronic letters of recommendation online. After you “invite” your recommenders, you must see them a second time, in-person, to provide them with information they need to complete your letters of recommendation. The next step in the process (Part 2) and the information to provide your recommenders will be discussed in a forthcoming blog post.

From more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

How To Answer the “Why This College” Essay

2011-09-01T16:41:00.006-04:00

Most colleges require writing an essay that answers the question, “Why do you want to come to this college?” Your answer should include specific information about the college. To give the best possible answer, student applicants should:

• Research the college’s website and write about special programs or opportunities unique to that college, such as leadership seminars, study abroad options, internships, a professor whose class or research project you would like to be involved with, particular extracurricular activities, college radio stations, college newspaper, unusual intramural sports, etc.).

• Explain why the college is a good fit for you, such as the college offers your major, has the small class sizes you’re looking for, has on-campus student organizations you want to join, etc.

• Get personal and describe your academic interests and how they can be met at that college. If you have selected a college major, mention how the college offers the major you want to study and the classes offered in that major are of great interest to you (and give an example of a class you look forward to taking when you enroll).

• If you have selected a major, go to the webpage for the department of your major and research professors who teach classes of interest to you. You can see the interests and research projects of each professor by reviewing their biography posted on the Department’s webpages. In your answer, you should say something like, “In addition, I would like to study under Dr. John Smith who teaches Environmental Science 301, and whose research focuses on stream pollution. I would like to assist Dr. Smith and conduct original research, if possible.”

• Share how you feel you are going to make a contribution to the college campus. How will you enrich the college community? For example, mention how you plan to write for the campus newspaper (give the specific name of the student newspaper), or join student government, plan to participate in intramural sports, etc.

• Explain the activities and interests from high school you intend to pursue in college. For example, you can discuss your involvement in community volunteer programs during high school and how you want to get involved with volunteering during college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Juniors: Work to Establish Respectful, Hard-Working Relationships With High School Teachers and Counselors

2011-09-01T10:34:00.004-04:00

High school juniors need to create and maintain respectful, hard-working relationships with their teachers and counselor. This is important because, whether students like if or not, teachers and counselors are crucial to their success for gaining admission to college. These educators will be the people completing letters of recommendation next year and they must know you (the student) and your work well enough to write great letters of recommendation in fall 2012.

The high school counselor plays an especially important role in student success for college admission. Virtually all private colleges and most public colleges REQUIRE high school counselor recommendations (often called School Reports). Juniors need to get to know and impress their counselor as much as possible. Juniors should visit their counselor during this academic year to build a positive relationship and to share their college plans.

More importantly, juniors should become well-acquainted with their favorite teachers this year and their teachers should become familiar with student’s quality of school work and involvement with extracurricular activities. Juniors should make extraordinary efforts to do well in their classes and earn top grades – no teacher will write a favorable recommendation for a student who does poorly academically or displays a poor attitude.

In addition, if a student has a part-time job, an internship, or does volunteer work, their job / volunteer performance should be outstanding. Student supervisors and advisors may be the people to ask for letters of recommendation next year . . . but only if the student demonstrates enthusiasm and dedication to their job / volunteer responsibilities.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Make Sure Your Freshman Becomes A Sophomore

2011-08-30T10:44:00.012-04:00

For you parents that are dropping off your Freshman, know that this is an important year. You want this child to succeed. There is a high percentage of drop outs in college and the most tenuous time is between the day you drop them off as Freshman and the first day of their Sophomore year.

There are 5 Strategies for Success for the Freshman. This will get them off to a good start with good habits:

1. Attend all classes. Sit in the front row and make sure your professor knows you and this is in a positive way. Do not even start skipping classes. This is not an option.

2. Have a schedule book. Write out your schedule and stick to it. Write down when you are going to study, when you are going to take breaks and when you are going to sleep. Sleep is very important. Mom and Dad are not with you to make you go to bed but getting enough sleep is one of the biggest secrets on campus.

3. Read each class syllabus so there are no surprises and write important milestones down in your schedule book. Note when assignments are due. Prepare for the busy times in the semester (or term). This will prepare you for the stressful periods. Assignments seem to come due at the same time.

4. Manage your freedom responsibly. It is okay to have a good time but you will not succeed if play comes before school responsibility. If you do not succeed, your college days will be numbered. This is the best time in a young person’s life, don’t cut it short.

5. Stay on campus and become a member of the campus community. This means taking part of the activities on campus and becoming active. This is how you meet people and make lasting friendships. There is a best friend on campus maybe even a mate but you have to get out of the dorm room to meet them.

Dr. Debi Yohn
Counseling Psychologist
President/Founder of CollegeWorks101.com

This entry was originally posted on CollegeWorks101.com and is re-posted annually with permission on MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Private Colleges and Universities: Include Them On Your List Of Schools To Apply To

2011-08-26T11:38:00.007-04:00

Every year I write about the importance of college-bound students applying to a diverse range of colleges and universities. Doing so creates options for students AND makes economic sense. Students should apply to both the less expensive public schools as well as the more generous financial aid-awarding private schools.

In these challenging economic times, State colleges and universities continue to increase tuition, cut spending, and eliminate academic programs. While private colleges and universities also continue to raise tuition, they do so at a lower rate than public institutions (private schools increased tuition an average of only 4.6 percent for the 2011-12 academic year), WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY INCREASING STUDENT AID an average of 7 percent, according to a survey of member institutions conducted by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (published in June 2011).

Families need to keep in mind numerous students who apply to private schools receive significant scholarships and grants which, in effect, make the cost of attendance significantly less than that of public colleges and universities. Regardless of a family’s financial situation, no one should rule out applying to private schools. The best strategy is to apply to several schools, including both public and private.

While there are no guarantees with the college admission process, the financial challenges associated with public colleges and universities, as well as the competitive admissions situation and potentially longer graduation times (not to mention the certainties of huge class sizes and reduced contact with professors), should force college-bound students to seriously think about including private colleges and universities on their list of schools of interest. Students applying to college this coming fall need to create options by applying to several schools, including both lower-tuition public State schools as well as higher-scholarship/grant-awarding private college and universities.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Track Your Progress Using The MyCollegeCalendar One-Page Checklist

2011-08-23T16:31:00.019-04:00

MyCollegeCalendar provides a generic checklist of college application and financial aid tasks which college-bound high school seniors and their parents must complete. These tasks are listed in chronologic order on the checklist; I recommend students or parents post this checklist in a conspicuous place in the home (such as on the kitchen pantry door or refrigerator door). As application and financial aid tasks are finished, students should mark the tasks as complete on the checklist.

Using the checklist will help students keep focused on moving forward with completing required documents (i.e., applications, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.) and parents to prepare for financial aid forms which only they can complete (i.e., FAFSA and/or CSS/PROFILE).

Click here to enlarge the image below.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

ACT vs. SAT: What to Take

2011-08-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

So, you are deciding whether to take either the SAT or the ACT and want to know the difference. How do you choose two tests that are uniquely different but essentially cover the same things? In one corner, you have the SAT, well-known, and popular, and in the other corner, the ACT, which offers more of a range of subjects and is less well-known. To help you make that decision, I will break down both tests point by point:

1. Who accepts what?

All schools accept both the SAT and/or the ACT on a college application. So don’t worry about what works for your dream college because both do. In fact, who takes the ACT or the SAT is determined by geography. The ACT tends to be more popular in the South and Midwest, while the SAT is dominant in heavily populated coastal states like California or New York.

2. What’s the difference in structure?

The SAT covers three basic areas, Math, Critical Reading (CR), and Writing. These areas are broken down into parts; both the Math and the CR are broken down into three sections. Writing has two parts: one essay and another section on identifying sentence and paragraph errors. Five sections are 25 minutes, and two are twenty minutes (both are Math and CR). An experimental section, drawing from one of the three subjects, is another twenty-five minutes.

The ACT is more straightforward; there are four topics covered in four sections: Reading, English, Scientific Reasoning (SR), and Mathematics. Sections vary in length, Math is an hour, English 45 minutes and SR and Reading both 35 minutes. The ACT also includes an optional Writing section that requires penning an essay, this is thirty minutes. Try this ACT science question for practice!

3. Which Has Harder Questions?

This is a good question. Both the SAT and the ACT are manageable if you are on track in your high school coursework.

Let’s first look at the ACT. The ACT has the SR section; this tests your ability to understand data, graphs, and the scientific method. You may read a passage about a new scientific discovery and then answer questions, find trends in data, or work out simple calculations using a table. The information needed to answer the questions will be provided in the section.

ACT Math requires a knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. The Reading section requires you to read and answer questions for four separate passages that cover fiction, social science, natural science, and the humanities (arts and literature). These questions will cover tone, diction, meaning, and the argument of the passage. English, much like the SAT’s Writing multiple choice questions, involves improving sentences. These sentences come from longer passages which provide better context to understand the questions.

Let’s now look at the SAT. Like the ACT, the SAT Math section tests geometry, algebra, logic problems, and some statistics; as long as you have taken or are in Algebra II, you should be able to understand the problems. The CR will test your vocabulary (sentence completion questions that prove you understand the words in the context of a sentence) and reading comprehension skills (like the ACT Reading). The Writing section will test your ability to identify grammar errors in sentences or paragraphs and to write a convincing five-part essay. If you feel comfortable doing these things then you are poised to do well on the test.

Small differences remain. The SAT is 138 questions, the ACT 215 questions. Both are about the same length (four hours), unless you are taking the ACT Writing, (again, this is optional) which adds another half hour. The ACT has four answer options instead of the SAT’s five. The SAT’s three sections are all scored out of 800. For the final tally, the scores are added up and you earn a number out of 2400. For each ACT section, you earn a number out of 36; the final score is an average of the four sections, again out of 36.

In terms of the questions, the SAT offers more of a variety of type. For example, in the Math section, there are fill-ins, which require you to plug in an answer that is not from multiple-choice. The CR sections offer vocabulary sentence-completion questions too, which can be challenging. Both the ACT and SAT Writing have essays, but again, the ACT’s is optional.

4. The Rundown

The SAT and the ACT are similar in structure, accepted at every school, and test basically the same skill sets. But, if you feel more confident about your range, take the ACT—it tests more than the CR, Math, and Writing of the SAT. If you are concerned that your science reasoning may not be up to par, then take the SAT.

I think the decision will ultimately depend on your location. I grew up in suburban Maryland, and most of my prep courses, books, and friends were focused on the SAT. While I took an ACT practice test, I decided to focus on the SAT and sent those scores into college. Now, with so many more options, like Grockit to study for the ACT, I wonder if more people will take both the SAT and the ACT. I advise you to focus on one test because it will help you save your energy for one set of questions. That written, experiment and try both and find which works best. Like the college application itself, there are no easy answers—you have to find your best fit—whether you choose the SAT or ACT, it is a personal decision, so be informed.

Find out when the ACT is offered in 2011 here and 2012 test dates here.

This is a guest post by Crystal Morgan for Grockit.com.

2011-08-22T16:57:00.005-04:00

College visits give prospective students something no guidebook or counselor can: the look and feel of the place and its students. Taking a campus tour, attending an information session and simply spending a day walking around the area are all good ways to learn more about a school, but the following tips will help prospective students get past the admissions office pitch and find out if its really the right school for them.

Before you visit any school, read up on it. Find out all the basic statistics so you don’t have to ask tour guides or admissions officers how many students there are or what the SAT range of admitted applicants is, since they will likely direct you to their website or admissions pamphlets anyways. This will allow you to ask better questions and find out the information that pertains directly to you.

The admissions officers will provide you with lots of information, but talking to students who don’t work at the admissions office is a great way to learn about the school. Most students, if they are excited about their school, will be more than happy to speak to a prospective student. Don’t be shy -- just don’t ask them what their SAT scores were. Find out why they picked the school and if it has lived up to their expectations. Ask what the social scene is like, what the living options are and how they like their classes. If they don’t seem too happy there, ask what they would change.

While you’re on the tour, in the information session or speaking with a student, these are some things you should be thinking and asking about:

1. Academics
Whether or not you have any idea what you want to study, you can still find out more about the academic portion of the college experience. Ask about academic advising and what guidance is available for students to determine their interests. Find out whether it is tough to get into classes. Are there opportunities or requirements for independent work? You can even ask about your own specific interests. Perhaps there is a molecular biology or Soviet history course you can sit in on while you’re on campus. Find out if professors teach all of the classes or if you might be sitting through intro courses taught by grad students. Finally, ask about how much students study. Are students in the library on Friday night or somewhere else?

2. Social Life
This can be the most difficult aspect of the college experience to get a feel for on a campus visit and a good thing to ask a student about. Ask them how and where they spend their weekend nights. Are they on campus at room parties, at fraternity houses or perhaps watching their friends perform in a dance show? Does the university sponsor dances, concerts or other activities on the weekends, or are students left to fend for themselves? Find out how much of the social scene takes place on campus versus in town, and what role Greek organizations play. Do students stay on campus on the weekends? Do they go home from Friday to Sunday?

3. Extracurricular Activities
Every college tour guide seems to advertise how many clubs the school has and the opportunity to create your own if it doesn’t already exist. It is wise to find out if the school has activities you’re interested in and how easy it is to join. If you played a sport in high school, are there clubs or junior varsity teams you can play on? What about continuing to dance, act or sing? Ask what role these activities play in students’ lives and how they balance schoolwork, social lives and their extracurricular interests.

4. Student Life
Odds are you will be living in a dorm, but every school does this differently. Whether all the students move off campus after freshman year or live in dorms all four years can make a big difference. Ask about dining options, too. Are students required to have a meal plan and how flexible is it? Is the food any good or do students prefer to cook for themselves? Meals can be great opportunities to meet people and socialize, so ask about the social aspect of dining as well.

This is a guest post by Sarah Fudin, who currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California's online Masters in Education program, which provides aspiring teachers the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree and teaching certificate online.

A Little Common Sense Makes Submitting Online Applications Much, Much Easier

2011-08-18T18:27:00.007-04:00

Before entering personal, academic, and extracurricular activity information into online college applications in late October – early November (for Early Action/Early Decision applications), college-bound students should first research which applications, forms, and other documents are required by each of their colleges. More importantly, students should PRINT paper copies of all admission application forms, supplements, school-specific forms, financial aid applications, and other required documents. Using paper copies as tools to prepare for submitting online application materials will save students several hours of valuable time.

This is accomplished by using paper copies of applications as “rough drafts” of online applications. By first completing paper applications by hand, students will be thoroughly prepared to submit online applications when the time comes. Having all college admission questions answered on paper first allows students to sit down and simply enter their information online, instead of toggling in and out of online applications in order to gather requested information.

Students who use “rough draft” paper applications as a tool to help with online applications typically take about 90 minutes to complete a single online application. In contrast, students entering information online without first having their information written on a paper application can take as much as four-to-five hours to submit an online application.

Using paper copy applications to prepare for applying online is a smart way to save time and avoid frustration.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Final Advice For Incoming College Freshmen

2011-08-17T00:42:00.004-04:00

An entirely new life experience awaits you in college. It is important to begin your college career right, so I would like to offer some final, basic advice gathered from a variety of sources to help students with the transition from high school to college. Best of luck to all you new college freshmen starting the most exciting phase of your lives!

Don’t skip any classes. Professors typically test from information given during lectures; if you don’t go to class your test grades will suffer severely. Not attending class is especially dangerous for students who must maintain a high GPA to keep their scholarships. In addition, professors at smaller-sized colleges and universities usually take roll and have attendance and class participation as part of the class grade.

Manage your time correctly. Time management is important for college students because you are on your own with no one to remind you to get things done. Prioritize your tasks and stick to the schedule you create.

Know your professors. Seek opportunities to meet with your professors. The more you know them, and the better they know you, the easier it will be for you to ask for help with assignments and for a letters of recommendation when you’re ready to apply for a job or graduate school. This is especially important for freshmen attending large, public universities where many classes are filled with several hundred students.

Make a few friends in each class. Make two or three friends in each of your classes. These friends don’t have to be someone you hang out with, but are friends with whom you make small-talk about class. These classroom friends may be the people you can work with on group projects, copy lecture notes from when you miss a class, and ask questions to about class assignments.

Get involved in at least one on-campus activity. Participating in an on-campus activity will allow you to meet many fellow students and to be part of something you really like. It will really help you gain a sense of belonging to your college.

Use available services and support. Colleges and universities have student services to meet almost every student need. If you need help in a class, there is a tutor service. If you have trouble deciding on a major, see the college’s career services department. Take advantage of the services offered; it will make your college experience much more enjoyable.

Keep track of your finances. As a college student, you are on your own to manage your money. Create a budget and stick to it. Being responsible will help you avoid big financial headaches.

Dealing with homesickness. Virtually all college freshmen get a little homesick, especially during their first few weeks of school. To minimize your homesickness, make your new living environment as comfortable as you can by displaying familiar items in your residence hall room (such as family photos, favorite posters, etc.) or finding a comfortable area on-campus to hang out or study (such as the campus café or on-campus coffee shop). Also, be active with campus activities (dances, football games, etc.) to keep busy and your mind off of home. Plan your next visit home so you can look forward to the visit, write a journal to express your feelings, or talk to friends about the way you feel. Eventually your feelings of being homesick will diminish.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Junior Year Strategy for 2011-2012

2011-08-15T13:06:00.005-04:00

MyCollegeCalendar.org has updated the admission strategy for high school juniors. This strategy for 2011-2012 includes the steps to best prepare for next year’s college and financial aid application processes. Following this strategy will maximize the opportunities for high school juniors to achieve their goal of attending their college of choice with the greatest amount of scholarship and grant money.

Steps 1 through 8 in the junior year strategy includes the most important steps to be complete this fall semester; it is highly recommended junior-year students and their parents review these steps and make every effort to implement them this fall (as well as through the entire academic year).

The steps for fall 2011 include:

1. Study hard to earn top grades.

2. Take the most challenging course curriculum you can handle.

3. Maximize the value of your extracurricular activities.

4. Develop adult advocates.

5. Organization is a must.

6. Students and parents: Take actions to maximize the potential for receiving scholarships and grants (free money).

7. If possible, choose a college major to help with your selection of schools to apply to next year.

8. Develop a student theme for next year’s college applications.

Steps 9 through 14 should be implemented in spring 2012.

The Junior Year Admission Strategy ties directly into the Senior Year Application Strategy, which maximizes opportunities to impress college admission representatives, complete superior college applications, and receive significant scholarships and grants.

Additionally, a printable version of the complete Junior Year Admission Strategy is available with descriptions and explanations for each step. Educators and parents may wish to print and post this printable version for viewing throughout the academic year.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Make A List Of Tasks To Complete On Move-In Day

2011-08-13T12:56:00.006-04:00

Before leaving home for college, it’s a good idea for incoming college freshmen to make a list of activities they expect to do on move-in day. Each college and university is different, however, activities and tasks students and parents should expect to complete include:

● Check in at the new arrivals table.

● Pick up your information packet.

● Check into your residence hall.

● Get your room key and residence hall pass.

● Inspect your dorm room and arrange room furniture as desired.

● Drop your stuff on your side of the room (unpack later).

● Meet your roommate.

● Pick up your student ID card.

● Pick up your student activity/athletic event card (or sticker).

● Pick up your student library card / bar code.

● Go to the business services office to check your student account and the status of your Work Study on-campus job (if your college offered you a Federal Work Study).

● Go to the financial aid office to make sure all your finances are in order and to sign for your scholarships and grants.

● Go to the bookstore and pick up your pre-ordered textbooks, or select and purchase your textbooks.

● Attend information seminars for students and parents. Between seminars, many student organizations will have information tables or booths where you can ask questions about their activities. If interested, you may be able to sign up to join these organizations.

● Say goodbye to your parents.

Make a list of things you expect to do on move-in day and be prepared!

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

15 College Degrees You May Not Know Exist

2011-08-11T14:59:00.021-04:00

With everything from the most liberal of arts to the most serious of sciences being taught in baccalaureate degrees, it feels like there is a degree for just about everything. Even little known majors or needed majors, such as art history and philosophy, can compel someone to ask the question “what do you do with a degree in that?” And there are even lesser known degrees than these that are available to students who have a true passion for what they study or those who study what isn’t even widely known.

In order to demonstrate this, we have researched 15 college degrees you may not know exist below. They include everything from preparing a delectable dessert to seeing the future in the stars.

College Degrees You May Not Know Exist but Love Anyway
If you love these rare and unusual jobs, why not learn more about a college degree in it?

1. Winemaking
If you love drinking and sampling wines, there is a degree for you. Not only thought to be offered in the Napa Valley and surrounding areas, there are other colleges offering this degree. In fact, the practice is so recognized, Cornell University has created a special winemaking degree for undergraduates.

2. Beer Brewing
For those who like to do their drinking with their pinky finger down, there are degrees available in brewing. Just this year, Appalachian State University began pursuing efforts to establish a university-run brewery and academic program in fermentation science for students. They will learn the science and art of brewing in order to get jobs at distilleries, breweries, and even vineyards.

3. Pastry
Who doesn’t love a baked goodie every now and then? This cooking degree actually focuses on baking, specifically pastries. This specific school offers both a certificate and associates degree in the cooking art. Advanced classes include cake formula and assembly, cake decorating and even tempering chocolate.

4. Golf
We may have heard of students going to school on a golf scholarship, but did you know there is actually a degree in golfing? This one offered by Ferris State University in Michigan teaches golf course management as a major. Before you dismiss this degree you may not have heard of, they also have an internship program in which students work in a facility with a PGA certified professional.

5. Bowling
When one thinks “bowling,” they often associate it with beloved characters such as Archie Bunker and Homer Simpson who make their bowling team the subject of this week’s adventure. However, for those who truly love bowling, there is this degree offered by Vincennes University in Indiana. It teaches everything you need to know about managing your own bowling business and includes such classes as Lane & Pinsetter Maintenance, Pro Shop Operations, and even First Aid.

6. Comic Book Art
Are you one of those kids who had a huge comic book collection and could recount your favorite issues by heart? There’s a degree for that. Several, in fact. Any degree in design can be a starting point for comic book artists, but this program from Academy of Art University in San Francisco offers an illustration degree with several classes on how to draw comic book art.

7. Flowers
Although arranging flowers can be an art, there is actually formal training in the field. The American Institute of Floral Designers has chapters in 13 colleges and universities throughout the United States that offer accreditation in floral design. In addition, students can earn a floral degree through a community college or vocational school.

8. Pop Culture
Do you know everything about popular culture from the latest “American Idol” stats to the history of The Oscars? Then check out a degree such as the ones from the Department of Popular Culture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. They offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees on the subject and include courses such as Pop Culture Theory and Methodology as well as Folklore and Folklife.
College Degrees You May Not Know Exist and are a Thing
You may or may not have heard of the subjects taught in these degrees, but there are colleges that offer them.

9. Astrology
Not to be confused with astronomy, or the science of the stars, astrology is associated with horoscopes, card reading, etc. The Kepler College in Washington specializes in teaching their students many different practices in astrology. With both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees available, students can study astrology in various styles from Hellenistic Greece to Western Medieval.

10. Astrobiology
Less commonly known than the above, this is an actual NASA accredited science. It is the study of life throughout the universe, including the stars and beyond. Although NASA itself has a special area of astrobiology, the common degree path for a career here is to take a degree in one of the more traditional scientific paths and get a specialization in astrobiology.

11. Sports Ministry
This college degree combines teaching sports with teaching the word of God into one degree. Graduates go onto become recreation directors at churches or sports evangelists. Even those going into seminary studies can pursue this degree as a stepping stone.

12. Aromatherapy
Can the cure or treatment for a disease be a scented candle? Find out in this certificate program from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. Graduates earn certificates in aromatherapy and are able to use herbs and essential oils to manufacture natural products Many programs are offered online and include the science behind aromatherapy and even items such as aromatherapy massage.

13. Herbology
With legalization laws surrounding a certain herb, this degree may be better known in the future. For the present, those studying to become herbalists, or those who use herbs as medicine, can learn more about a degree in herbology like this one offered by the East West School of Planetary Herbology. There are several classes to take, such as Anatomy and Physiology, along with 400 minimum clinical hours that are required to earn the degree.

14. Organic Agriculture
In the future, this might be required learning for anyone looking to get a degree in agriculture. But for those who think the organic craze may just be a fad, this is one college degree you might not know exists. Washington State University offers a major in organic agriculture systems and allows students to work on their own certified organic farm as part of their studies.

15. Medical Clowning
Remember the movie “Patch Adams” where Robin Williams stars as one of those clowns who go from room to room in hospitals to cheer up patients? This actually isn’t a Hollywood fabrication and there is even an academic program that teaches it. The University of Haifa in Israel offers the dual major degree which teaches therapy – including nursing, developmental psychology, and the history of medicine – as well as theatrical skills that are necessary for clowning, such as comedy acting, improvisation, street theatre, and juggling.

And there are many other strange degrees not listed in the above 15 college degrees you may not know exist. With future trends driving everything right down to how we study, what we study is likely to change as well.

This is a guest post by Candice Walker for BaccalaureateDegree.org.

A Few Things To Learn Before Moving To College

2011-08-10T10:38:00.004-04:00

Incoming college freshmen will most likely know how to do most of the everyday tasks to be successful at college, however, there are a few tasks they MUST know how to do BEFORE leaving to start their independent life away from home. These tasks are described below; students need to make the time to learn these and to be ready to use them when they are on their own in college.

Incoming freshmen: Learn these basic tasks BEFORE you leave home for college.

1. Balancing your checkbook. It is crucial to learn how to track money in your checking account. Whether you use a debit card or write checks, you MUST record your transactions as soon as they are complete or at least file your receipts. If you don’t keep track of your spending and deposits, you won’t have an accurate balance of your account. At the end of each month, you need to sum all of your debit receipts, ATM withdrawal receipts, and checks written from your account and subtract that total from your deposits for the month. Compare the total to the monthly bank statement and contact your bank if there are discrepancies between your records and the monthly bank statement.

2. Laundry. Ask your parent(s) to show you how to do laundry . It’s really easy, but you need some direction if you have never done it before. NOTE: The washers and dryers at home may differ slightly from the machines at school, but getting the basic idea of how to do laundry before you leave for college is the smart thing to do.

3. Using a planner. Planning is crucial in college. Using a planner to help you schedule time to prepare for tests, complete papers, remember important meetings with professors, go to sporting and social events, and to meet all deadlines will be invaluable to you during your college career.

4. Sharing. This is important (even though it sounds like elementary school), because you’ll be living in a small dorm room with another person for almost an entire year. You must share many of the larger items in your dorm room (such as microwaves (if allowed), refrigerators, and TV’s); there just isn’t enough room for two of everything. Be prepared to be understanding and to share things with your college roommate. Remember, you don’t want to double up on the larger items in your room, so talk to your roommate before you move to college to see who will bring which items.

Learning these and other tasks is crucial to your success as a college student. If you need more information or advice, talk with your parents, relatives, teachers, brothers or sisters, friends who are current college students, or other trusted friends.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Gear Up, Seniors! Don’t Procrastinate!

2011-08-09T11:00:00.004-04:00

Every year, the majority of college-bound high school seniors procrastinate when it comes to starting the college application process. And who can blame them? After all, the application process is a daunting task everyone dreads. However, students and parents MUST realize procrastination could cost them dearly in terms of success with getting accepted to colleges of their choice and receiving substantial scholarships and grants.

Students who submit application materials to meet early action or early decision deadlines (in late October through mid-December) have a distinct advantage over students who submit regular application materials in January-February. This is because colleges and universities believe early applicants demonstrate true interest in enrolling into their school and reward these students with greater acceptance rates and larger scholarships. A summary table of the various types of college admission is provided.

Starting this week, I advise college-bound seniors to set aside several hours to begin planning the steps to apply to colleges and to complete scholarship applications. Don’t be one of the ordinary students who submit applications using the regular admission process or one that throws together last-minute, low-quality early applications. To help with the process, MyCollegeCalendar.org has the complete set of early application tasks and deadlines presented on a step-by-step, day-by-day system using easy-to-follow 30-day calendars.
To further assist students, parents, and educators, MyCollegeCalendar.org provides both an extremely useful “Get Started” page and an Early Application Process Flowchart. These guidance documents provide invaluable instructions in both text and graphic form on how to start the college application and financial aid processes along with the tasks required to successfully complete them.

The Common Application and Universal Application both are currently available, along with the majority of individual college application supplements. Therefore, students have no excuse to procrastinate starting the college application process.

Summer is almost over, high school is fast approaching, and college application deadlines will arrive much sooner than anticipated. Students should prepare to apply early and submit the highest quality applications possible.

Seniors, you’ve been put on notice. No excuses. Gear up, get started, and achieve success.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

5 Move-in Mistakes That Rob You of Space

2011-08-08T07:23:00.000-04:00

Losing sleep over the dimensions of your dorm room? Rest assured, you can survive -- and thrive -- in close living quarters. We tell you how.

Unless you were raised in a jail cell, your dorm room is going to seem way too small for storing all your stuff -- and yourself -- without frequent fits of claustrophobia. Upon moving in, you’ll inevitably find that your closet is too small and that you have to make hard decisions about what will actually fit in your room this semester (big-screen TV or roommate? Hmmm ...).

Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when stuffing your stuff into a small space:

1. Leaving furniture as is. By far, the biggest mistake you can make on move-in day is to leave the furniture where it is. You are totally allowed -- with your roommate’s blessings, of course -- to move it! And don’t be shy about trying out a few different arrangements. Often, there is a better way to position your furniture to at least give the illusion of more space and even privacy. Typically, pushing your bed and desk against the walls leaves an open area in the center of the room. Pushing bureaus back to back can create private nooks for dressing or sleeping (so you never have to wake up to eye contact with your creepy roommate).

2. Not using vertical space. The sky (OK, ceiling) is the limit when you are organizing your room. Even if your desk doesn’t come with shelves, you can pick up cost-effective shelving units at places like Kmart and Target. Be sure your shelves are durable enough to support the considerable weight of your textbooks or whatever else you plan to keep on them -- clothes, shoes or even people if the shelves are waist-high. If you have room, a full-out bookcase is great for storing groceries, cooking supplies and other dorm miscellanea. Or opt for wall shelves, which free up floor space but might not be as sturdy. Hint: Buildable cube shelving gives you sturdy flexibility and can be recycled for whatever space you find yourself living in next year. And you can shove a single cube at the bottom of your closet or on your desk for additional organization.

3. Overlooking under-the-bed space. Don’t underestimate the amount of stuff you can store simply by cramming it under your bed. Baskets, plastic drawers and crates may help with organizing, but your best investment by far is a set of bed risers (aka sturdy stilts for your bed posts). These raise the bed so you can cram even more crap under there. Gotta love ’em.

4. Keeping a messy closet. Accept that you will not have sufficient closet space, especially if you go to school in a climate where bulky layers are necessary. With this in mind, mess management is a must. First off, get a shoe rack. There is nothing more frustrating than being late for class because you spent five precious minutes hopping around your room in an epic search of your missing shoe. Your best bet for a shoe rack is one that hangs over the closet door. Stuff it with shoes and other random stuff like hats, gloves and toiletries. With shoes and accessories off the floor, you may be able to fit an extra bar for hanging or a small shelving unit for folded stuff. (By the way, don’t forget to bring -- or pack your clothes on -- clothes hangers. Your room won’t come with them.)

5. Bringing big stuff. Be flexible about bringing larger items like couches, bikes and kayaks. These are nice amenities but may find a better home in your parents’ garage. If you’re able -- and your roommate is willing -- to bunk beds, some larger furniture may fit. Some schools let you loft your bed above your desk -- an ingenius way to conserve space. If you’re looking into a loft, however, find out how high and sturdy it is before buying so you know it will fit and won’t fall. As for your bike, keep it locked outside on a bike rack. We’ve seen kayaks stored that way as well. Really.

This is a guest post by Maria Moy for The Real College Guide.

Assistance with Scheduling SAT and ACT Test Dates in 2011-2012

2011-08-05T10:42:00.004-04:00

The majority of college-bound high school juniors and seniors will take both the ACT and SAT this academic year. Juniors typically will take the tests in spring 2012 while seniors may re-take the tests in fall 2011 in an attempt to improve their scores. Other students may take the tests multiple times this academic year to try to achieve the highest possible test scores.

To assist students and parents with scheduling test dates, MyCollegeCalendar provides a table with both ACT and SAT test dates displayed side-by-side. This table allows students and parents to view the alternating test dates and to create a personalized schedule for taking the ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests. In addition, MyCollegeCalendar provides tables with registration deadlines for each ACT test date and for each SAT/SAT Subject Test date.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Arrive Fully Prepared to Apply for the Best On-Campus Jobs

2011-08-04T00:05:00.000-04:00

In a previous blog post, I recommended incoming college freshmen research on-campus jobs before they arrive at college. This is sound advice, but is only the first step in maximizing a student’s potential for getting the best on-campus jobs. This blog post describes the second step: Complete required employment forms ahead of time so students will be ready to “pounce” on the best job opportunities.

Students should complete the required employment documents and forms before leaving home. Once students arrive at college, they will be so busy settling into their new living environment, making new friends, and preparing for classes, it may be difficult to find the time to complete job-related forms. Having the following documents filled out and ready to hand into the college’s employment office, as well as a completed employment résumé, means a student serious about getting a job, can respond instantly to any job announcement, and ensures making a positive impression with on-campus job interviewers.

The documents to have completed before arriving on campus include:

 Employment résumé
 Form W-4
 Form I-9

Example Employment Résumé

There are different résumé formats; students should use the best one for them. An example of a student employment résumé is provided.

Forms W-4 and I-9

There are two employment forms required for all on-campus jobs (and virtually all off-campus jobs). These include:

Form W-4 – Employee's Withholding Allowance Form
Form I-9 – Employment Eligibility Verification Form

These forms are relatively simple to complete. Be sure to bring the types of personal identification listed on the Form I-9 with you to college (you must show your identification to a supervisor in the college’s employment office).

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The 2011-2012 Universal College Application is Live!

2011-08-02T12:12:00.003-04:00

The 2011-2012 Universal College Application for first-year and transfer student applicants is now available online. To view the PDF version of the 2011-2012 application, click here. To register for completing the online 2011-2012 the Universal College Application, click here.

The 2011-2012 Universal College Application is accepted by 61 colleges and universities. It is intended for use by first-year applicants (incoming college freshmen) and transfer students who wish to enroll into a four-year college or university in the spring or fall of 2012. College-bound students should print the PDF version and familiarize themselves with the information requested on the Universal College Application. This way they will be better prepared to complete on the online version in the weeks ahead.

The Universal College Application is unique in that allows student applicants to use multimedia to showcase their passion and talent to colleges. The multimedia link in the Universal College Application is within the application itself; not in a supplement. It is easy for student applicants to use and eliminates the burden of storing, sorting, and managing the clutter of CDs, DVDs, and portfolios for their prospective colleges. Admissions application readers can open the content directly from the submitted form.

Furthermore, the multimedia link simplifies the process of including content with an application for both students and colleges. Artistic candidates may link to their portfolios; athletes may choose videos displaying their skill; and young scientists might link to a research paper or publication in which they were involved. Examples of other student information that may be included in the Application are blog postings, band recordings, news/magazine articles, and business ventures.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The 2011-2012 Common Application Is Live!

2011-08-01T14:45:00.004-04:00

The 2011-2012 Common Application for first-year applicants (i.e., high school seniors) is now live. To view the PDF version of the 2011-2012 application, click here. To register for completing the online 2011-2012 Common Application, click here.

The 2011-2012 Common Application is to be used by first-year applicants (incoming college freshmen) who wish to enroll into a four-year college or university in the spring or fall of 2012. It is a good idea for college-bound students to print the PDF version and familiarize themselves with the information requested on the Common Application. This way they will be better prepared to complete on the online version in the weeks ahead.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Incoming College Freshman Should Research On-Campus Jobs Before Arriving At School

2011-08-01T02:47:00.006-04:00

First-time college students entering school this fall should research on-campus jobs before leaving home. They should go to their college’s website and search for “student employment” opportunities. On-campus student jobs should be posted online 1-to-3 weeks before the start of the fall semester/quarter.

Students - When searching your college's website, if there is a job that looks interesting, see if there is contact information and call or e-mail the contact person. Express your interest in the job and ask if you can interview for it when you arrive on campus. Also, ask if you can e-mail your résumé to the contact person in the next few days.

There are distinct advantages to working on campus. For instance, transportation is never an issue and on-campus employers are flexible with work schedules because they know school is the priority (employers know students have tests and final exams and that class schedules will change from one semester to the next).

Also, despite getting paid minimum wage (or slightly higher), the networking aspect of the job is the most valuable part of working on campus. For instance, a student may get a job in the college’s financial aid office and learn about a new scholarship. As a result, that student may be one of the few students applying for the scholarship because no one else knows about it. Or, a student may work in the office of the Dean of their department major and when they need a letter of recommendation for graduate school or a job, the Dean will provide a very valuable recommendation because they know the student and the student's work ethic very well.

Students that work off-campus should find a job near the campus for ease of walking or driving to work. They should take into consideration whether an off-campus job is located in a safe part of town before they accept employment.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Parents: Don’t Make The Mistake Of Having Your Child Face The College Admission Process Alone

2011-07-27T11:11:00.006-04:00

College-bound students need help from their parents. The parental assistance I’m talking about doesn’t include parents completing their child’s college application, rather, parents should help with the simple, time-consuming tasks; tasks I like to call “tedious but necessary.”

Examples of these tasks include assisting with the search for colleges and scholarships, helping to schedule events (i.e., campus visits and SAT/ACT testing) and driving their student to those events, downloading college application materials, writing required information on draft paper copies of college applications (i.e., student address information, family household data, name and address of current high school, etc.), proof reading application essays, driving to the post office to mail paper college application materials (if there are any to mail), monitoring completion of college applications, being timely with submitting parental financial aid forms and tax information, and similar tasks.

Parents who assist their son or daughter with the college application and financial aid processes give their student the advantage of extra time; the extra time needed to complete superior applications, write great essays, create outstanding student résumés, and secure excellent letters of recommendation. Students who attempt the application process on their own face the potential of “throwing together” their applications, writing average essays, and missing crucial deadlines . . . all of which can lead to rejection by colleges.

While helpful parents reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the college application process and increase their child’s potential for college admission, they MUST keep in mind their child is going to college, not them; they should be supportive but not overbearing. Parents must avoid becoming a “helicopter” parent who is constantly hovering over their child to manage them and give instructions.

The clear majority of students have too many responsibilities to effectively and efficiently complete the college admission process by themselves. A collaborative effort between college-bound students and parents is a win-win situation for everyone.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Top 10: Things to Do Before You Bolt

2011-07-25T13:23:00.001-04:00

Hasta la vista, Mom and Dad. Hello, independence … but wait! Not so fast. Before you hit the road and leave your parentals behind, make sure you’re fully prepared for your new life of unwavering autonomy by spending your summer days wisely. Here, 10 things to do before you bolt. Ready, set …

1. Check up on your computer
New computers rarely come with programs like Microsoft Office, which you’ll definitely need, so be sure to purchase before you’re stuck handwriting your first assignment. And if you’re using an older comp, make sure it’s ready to take the heat: Since you will be on it all the time, install any updates or think about an upgrade. Also, find out if your school offers wireless Internet access (and if your computer is compatible) or whether you’ll need an Ethernet cable. Note: Some schools prohibit users without spyware or virus protection from connecting to the network. So, seriously, get the deets!

2. Make nice with your new dorm mate
As if you need us to tell you, check out her Facebook or MySpace page so you can get a feel for what you’re in for. Then buckle down and dial her digits for a quick chat to break the ice. Ask if there’s anything you should be aware of (like her fatal allergy to dusk or fear of the dark) and let her know of any immediate concerns you might have (like the fact that you can’t live without cable, and you’re relying on her to bring the big screen).

3. Do it up at a discount department store
Knock out the staples on your to-buy list before the selection is sold out: sheets, towels, toiletries and storage containers. But also pick up the following often-forgotten items you do not want to leave home without:
• One-cup coffeemaker. Brew your own instead of wasting a whole meal swipe for a cup o’ joe from the dining hall or blowing wads of money at Starbucks.
• Mattress pad. Make your dorm cot as comfy as the cushy oasis you’re used to at home while protecting yourself from whatever lived on your bed before you.
• Rubber flip-flops. Save yourself from the foot infections, clumps of hair and other mysterious masses that live in your communal shower.
• Power strip. Surge-protect your PC while hooking up your iPod station and hair dryer all at once.

4. Secure your class schedule
Enrollment deadlines are not meant to be ignored. In fact, the earlier you sit down to set your schedule, the better your course selection will be -- so definitely don’t wait until the last minute. Also, pay attention to class restrictions, since some courses may require department approval ahead of time.

5. Plan your budget
Living costs at college range from campus to campus -- the amount of money you’ll need largely depends on the location of your campus (cities can be more expensive) and the choices you make (like ordering in instead of suffering one more dining hall meal). Extra expenses will include social costs (movies, concerts, game tickets, cover for some parties), toiletries, food and drink beyond your meal plan, and transportation. Ask an upperclassman or student advisor how much cash she spends on average each week. Then pool your summer savings to determine whether you can cover your own expenses. If you need help, ask your parents or start looking for a part-time job on campus -- before you get there.

6. Visit your school’s Web site
Your university may offer registration guides, campus news and summertime get-to-know-each-other sessions that you definitely do not want to miss out on -- especially if you’re in the habit of throwing college junk mail in the trash (which is where important info may very well be). Plus, seeing your campus colors on the screen will psych you up -- or at the very least, calm your nerves and get you into the spirit.

7. Get packing
Whether you’re shipping all your stuff UPS or loading up the car and driving cross-country, don’t leave packing to the last minute, when you’ll want to laze around and hang out with friends you won’t be seeing for a while. Designate an area of your house or bedroom to stow things you buy especially for college or things you don’t use daily but know you’ll need to take. Do not overpack! The amount of space you will have in your new room is likely much smaller than your current living quarters. Only bring what’s necessary, as your parents can always mail any left-behind belongings.

8. Put together a tool kit
Once you’re at school on your own, you’ll be shocked how often you’ll need a pair of scissors or a screwdriver -- even if you’ve never used one. If you need to hang a poster or fix a loose screw, a simple, handy kit will be of great use when you least expect it. Bring a little box with a screwdriver (both Phillips and flathead), hammer, pliers, nails and screws. An inexpensive small cordless drill/screw gun is a good investment too. Pack scissors as well as adhesives, like sticky tack and tape, with your desk stuff.

9. Get protection
There’s no harm in being prepared for safe sex even if you have no particular plan or person in mind with whom to have it.

10. Hang with your high school pals
You know you’re going to miss your hometown friends, especially during the first few weeks you are apart. Yeah, you’ll make a whole slew of new friends. But make some memories first by hanging with the crew this summer.

This is a guest post by Lauren Joffe for The Real College Guide.

Top 50 Dot-Edu Resources for School Counselors

2011-07-22T12:05:00.007-04:00

A recent article written for Masters in School Counseling provides worthwhile online resources for school counselors. This article provides 50 dot-edu (.edu) links that should be of value to the counselor and parent readership of the MyCollegeCalendar blog. This article is summarized below (with permission).

One of the most rewarding jobs is being a school counselor. You have the opportunity to guide students on a path to a successful life. This can be a great source of pride in yourself. You can help students overcome problems, and prepare for the world.

Of course, a school counseling job isn’t always easy. You have to deal with deep issues, and sometimes counsel students with serious problems. You need all the help you can get when you are a school counselor. If you are looking for helpful information on dealing with school-age children, you can turn to solid resources offered by various educational institutions. Here are 50 dot-edu resources that school counselors can use:

Developmental and Child Psychology
A basic understanding of how the mind develops can help you as you help students. You should understand developmental psychology. Additionally, child psychology — and adolescent psychology — resources can help you gain valuable insight into the ways your students’ minds work. Nine dot-edu resources are provided.

Depression and Mental Health
Understanding the basics of mental health, especially depression, can be useful for school counselors. Children and teenagers are dealing with a number of pressures in this age, and being able to help them with their mental health outcomes can be a true life-saver. Six dot-edu resources are provided.

Body Image, Sexuality and Physical Health
Body image is a big deal for most teenagers. Even younger children are being affected by body image problems. Learn more about helping young people improve their self-image and live healthier. Ten dot-edu resources are provided.

Drugs and Other Addictions
Substance abuse can be a very real issue for many young people. You should have a working understanding of the signs of an addiction, as well as some ideas for what you can do to treat the problem, or find someone who can help. Nine dot-edu resources are provided.

Bullying
Resources on bullying can help you keep tabs on students, and help them overcome problems. It is important to remember that bullying is more than just physical altercations. Verbal and emotional bullying can be devastating, and digital forms of bullying (cell phones or the Internet) are on the rise.
Eight dot-edu resources are provided.

Child Abuse
Many children and teenagers are subject to child abuse. You need to recognize the signs that someone is being abused physically, emotionally or sexually, and be prepared to provide support and assistance to the abused. Eight dot-edu resources are provided.

Don't Be Alarmed By Incorrect Invoices From Your College

2011-07-21T11:57:00.003-04:00

In mid-to-late summer, colleges will send families of incoming freshmen an invoice for tuition and fees. The invoice you receive may show payment is due for many thousands of dollars more than you expected. But don’t be alarmed; this is standard procedure.

Colleges will send invoices for the amount families owe even though the schools have not yet received all of a student’s financial aid awards.

Typically, the amount due shown on these preliminary invoices does not reflect all the financial aid students have been awarded from the federal government, state government, and private scholarship foundations because the college has not yet received money from those sources. Government and private scholarship money are sent to colleges 7-to-10 days before the beginning of the semester/quarter, and once a college receives this money, they will send a corrected invoice with the proper amount of payment due.

You may receive multiple invoices during July and August. Each time a scholarship or grant is received by your college, they will issue a new invoice. Only after ALL sources of financial aid are received will a final invoice be issued showing the correct amount of payment due.

If you have any questions about tuition, housing costs or miscellaneous fees, call the office of financial aid at your college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

A Practical List of Items to Take to College

2011-07-20T10:41:00.007-04:00

If you’re a new freshman entering college for the first time this fall, there are numerous items you need to take with you to make your college resident life easier and more productive.

To help you with this process, MyCollegeCalendar provides a list of recommended items for college, updated for 2011. The list is very complete; it is doubtful that any student will take everything on the list with them, but it serves as a reminder of things to consider. It is recommended to print the list and mark the items you pack them. Page 1 of 5 is displayed in miniature below.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Be Sure to Clean-Up All Language and Photographs on Facebook.com

2011-07-19T12:23:00.003-04:00

In the next few weeks, rising high school seniors should complete the important task of cleaning-up all personal information posted on Facebook.com and other social networking sites; this should be done before the college application process gets into full swing in August. Students should remove all “questionable” language and photographs posted anywhere on the internet that involves them.

Many colleges and universities review social networking sites (i.e., Facebook.com) on which student applicants have posted information. If students have profanity, pornography, or immoral, disgusting or vulgar language and photographs on their internet social network accounts, and this information is discovered by college admission officers, the student may be denied admission to college.

In addition, students should scan their friends’ pages. Photographs and text posted by their friends may be “tagged” with the student’s name and may be found just as easily as if the student posted the information themselves. Student should not be afraid to ask their friends to remove potentially damaging material that involves them.

Furthermore, students should set their privacy settings so anyone they don’t wish to view their social networking account is unable to see it. A good reference is the article, “The 10 Facebook Privacy Setting You Need To Know.”

Students don’t know which college admission officers have the time to conduct internet searches to find information about them, but it’s smart to play it safe and remove all potentially damaging information.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Parents – Important Health-Related Forms To Complete Before Your Child Leaves For College

2011-07-18T01:04:00.007-04:00

Parents – there are 2 important health-related forms that should be completed by your student before they leave home for college. These forms are described below:

1. First, you and your college-bound student should complete an Advance Health Care Directive (or Health Care Proxy) if your student is 18 years of age or older. An Advance Health Care Directive is a medical power of attorney that allows the person appointed by the student (presumably the parents) to be their health care agent. The appointed agent is authorized to make medical decisions on the student's behalf if the student is severely injured or rendered unconscious.

If your child is hospitalized while away at college and is unable to make his/her own medical decisions, the hospital medical staff will not share any information over the telephone about your child’s condition because of your child’s right to privacy as an adult. With a signed and notarized Advance Health Care Directive, parents can fax the form to the hospital and doctors will inform you of the nature of the injury or illness. You can then give directions regarding your son or daughter’s medical care while making plans to travel to see him or her in the hospital.

2. Secondly, you and your student should complete a Medical Information Release Form. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) prohibits the release of personal health information (medical records – written, oral, and electronic) without patient consent. So, if parents need access to their students’ current medical records to share with medical professionals in an emergency situation (for student blood type, allergies, vaccinations, past medical procedures, etc.) parents must have a Medical Information Release Form signed by their student.

Therefore, it is recommended that parents get a signed and notarized Advance Health Care Directive and Medical Information Release Form before their student moves to college.

To obtain an Advance Health Care Directive, click here. Scroll to the page bottom and select the appropriate State, print the form and fill it out. Have it signed and notarized; file the form in a safe place. It is advisable to complete an Advance Health Care Directive for both your student’s home state, as well as the state in which he/she will attend college.

To obtain a Medical Information Release Form, click here.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Have The Courage To Be A Leader

2011-07-15T14:37:00.003-04:00

Not everyone is a leader, but college-bound high school students should seek leadership roles whenever possible. The reason? College admission officers love students with leadership skills; listing such activities on college applications is very impressive and will increase students’ odds for both admission to college and receiving scholarships. Remember, college admission officers consider leadership to be one of the most important student qualifications and, therefore, students with leadership experience are the most sought-after by college admission officers.

Therefore, this coming school year take on leadership roles – lead a team, be an officer in a club, start your own project, be on student council, run for a class office, or be a student leader in a volunteer organization. Being a leader is very appealing to admission officers because colleges need leaders in every field of interest.

The importance of leadership for college-bound students is skillfully explained by Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D (Advice for College Applicants: Why Leadership is a Big Deal, Psychology Today , March 2010). Dr. Riggio explains how leadership helps college admission officers identify students who are motivated, socially engaged, and “good citizens.” Students with these traits are very desirable to college admission officers.
This is best summarized in the following three paragraphs taken from Dr. Riggio’s article.

“College admissions officers can't accurately measure motivation, so instead they look at accomplishments that go beyond mere academics. An easy way to get some sense of that is to see how active (and motivated) students have been in extracurricular activities. In other words, have they held key positions - leadership positions - in clubs, sports teams, community groups, etc.?”

“Another reason why leadership is a big deal is that colleges and universities want students to be actively engaged in campus life. They invest in the students they admit, and they want them to succeed. Research on college student success shows that students need to be both academically engaged (i.e., do well in and enjoy classes), but also socially engaged (be active in and enjoy the college scene). Students who have been active in leadership positions in high school are socially engaged.”

“But why is it focused on leadership? Our definition of the term leadership has changed in the past few decades. It used to be reserved for only those in the highest-level positions of power and authority. But as organizations (and society) become "flatter," with less emphasis on authority, we look for leadership at all levels. Leadership is a term that is used as a substitute for "good citizenship" or to indicate people who are motivated, actively engaged in groups and organizations, and accomplishing things.”

College-bound students should take this advice to heart and become a leader in their activities whenever possible. College admission officers look for students with long-term commitment to their activities to progress from simple participation to leadership

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

What to Bring on Your Campus Visit

2011-07-14T10:41:00.000-04:00

It is strongly recommended students bring the following items with them on campus visits. Being fully prepared for campus visits by bringing along the right "tools" will allow families to get the most out of their visits as well as document the impressions of each college.

• A copy of your campus visit itinerary.

• A campus map printed from the college’s website. This will be a document you will refer to all day during your campus visit.

• Bring a notebook in which to take notes; write down things you notice and things you like and dislike. Write down all your impressions.

• Bring your camera; photos will help you remember the details of the campus.

• A separate copy of the attached Campus Visits – Possible Questions list. This list of questions is designed to be answered by parents and students who carry the list with them throughout their campus visit. This is an extensive list in which not all questions can be answered in one visit, but an attempt should be made to answer as many questions as possible. Answers to these campus-related questions can be written on the printed list itself; there is plenty of blank space after each question. After visiting your colleges, you’ll be able to compare and contrast each school’s characteristics by referring to your written answers.

• A separate copy of the College Campus Visit Checklist for each college you plan to visit.

• A separate copy of the College Campus Visit Summary Sheet for each college you plan to visit. This summary sheet is optional, but should be filled out immediately after each college visit to document your impressions. After visiting all of your colleges, you’ll be able to compare the different responses, scores and grades you assign to each college.

• Bring a backpack and walk around campus like you’re a current student. This will definitely give you a feel for the campus and a chance to talk with current students.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

What to See and Do During Free Time on Your Campus Visit

2011-07-13T10:58:00.000-04:00

My previous blog posts recommended what to do and see during a formal campus visits.

But what should students and parents see and do during their free time while visiting a college campus? Below is some time-proven, sound advice; if you have any free time during your day on a college campus, try to do some of the following. It will give you increased insight into what the college is truly like.

• Review the College Campus Visit Checklist for things to see and do.

• Wander around campus by yourself. Eavesdrop on students to hear what they’re talking about. Ask students questions, they won’t lie. Are they happy? Stressed out? Bored? Enthusiastic?

• Investigate the spirit of the student body – are they pleasant and helpful or cold and uncaring? As you walk around campus ask directions frequently. A good way to measure the attitude of the student body is to stand in front of the library and ask, “Where’s the library?”

• Talk with students and hang out at the student center building. Look at the way students are dressed and the cars they drive to get an idea of the type of students at each campus – are they people with whom you are compatible?

• Wander the hallways where professors have their offices. Are their doors open? Are students nearby or talking with professors? Are office hours posted?

• Speak with students who are members in clubs you want to join or students who participate in activities in which you’re interested. Find out about Greek life – are there sororities and fraternities at the college?

• Have lunch on campus. Observe students and check out the quality of the food. The admissions office usually gives visiting high school students and their parents free lunch passes.

• Look at notices posted on the bulletin boards around campus. Read the bulletin board in the student center to see what’s happening on a daily basis – guest lectures, plays, parties, weekend events, etc.

• Read the campus newspaper to find out what the day-to-day student life is like on campus. Read letters to the editor in the college newspaper; this is where you’ll find out about the real issues on campus. What topics are the columnists concerned with? How are the movie and music reviews? Do they match your likes or dislikes? Read the advertisements. Try to find other student publications, such as department newsletters, “underground” newspapers, etc.

• Talk with a student or counselor in the career center.

• Talk with coaches of sports in which you may participate.

• Drive around the area surrounding the campus. Does it appeal to you? Notice the businesses, restaurants, available public transportation, entertainment spots, shopping centers, grocery stores, movie theaters, etc. in the area surrounding the campus.

• Read the local community newspaper to see what’s happening in the city or town outside the college campus.

• Listen to the college radio station.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Getting the Most Out of Your SAT Prep Course

2011-07-12T10:00:00.002-04:00

So, you’ve made the right decision and enrolled in an SAT prep course. Pat yourself on the back because you’ve taken the first step toward pursuing a quality college education. You must realize, though, that paying for test prep does not guarantee a score improvement. Just as signing up with a trainer does not guarantee weight loss, signing up for SAT training does not guarantee you the score you desire—you have to work for it. Below are a few tips to help you get the most out of your SAT prep course, so you can actually see results.

1. Participate

Unfortunately, many students do not treat test prep classes as seriously as high school classes. Indeed, test prep classes do not affect your high school GPA, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention and participate in them. It is up to you to get your money’s worth in a test prep class, and that means active participation—ask questions when you have them, volunteer to solve problems, and answer questions about testing strategy. The more you participate, the better you will retain the information you learn.

2. Do the Homework

Every test prep class should include weekly homework assignments. In most cases, doing the homework is just as important, if not more important, than the class lesson itself. Effective studying requires repetition. Learning a concept in class does not mean you can apply that concept to the testing environment. You must test your knowledge through practice.

3. Come Prepared with Questions

As you might’ve guessed, doing the assigned homework is not enough. Always come to class with questions about problems you found difficult or failed to understand. Your test prep instructor is most valuable when he or she answers your particular questions about a strategy or a practice problem.

4. Go Above and Beyond

This final step is probably the one most neglected by students. Students who score best on the SAT generally study on their own in addition to completing the test prep course. This does not mean do the homework over and over. While taking the class and doing homework, pay attention to which types of problems give you trouble. Do you ace algebra questions but falter with geometry? Are you good at reading comprehension but have trouble with sentence completions? Most students will notice certain problem areas. Classes, unlike individual tutoring, are not designed to be tailored to your needs, so it is up to you to supplement your classwork with some practice of your own. Websites like Grockit.com, for example, not only offer tons of practice questions in an interactive virtual environment, but they assess your strengths and weaknesses for tailored study plans. Take active control of your test prep by using the surplus of online and written test prep materials to your advantage.

This is a guest post by Jordan Schonig, an ACT/SAT/GRE tutor for Grockit.com.

About Grockit: Grockit is a fun and engaging learning community that encourages students to learn from group study, game play, expert tutorials and solo study. Students that prepare with Grockit have proven to achieve higher scores on college admissions tests.

This Year’s “Summer Melt” May Be Worth Thousands of Dollars to College-Bound Students

2011-07-11T11:05:00.003-04:00

Each summer, many well-intended, first-time college freshmen change their mind about attending the school they committed to enroll into on May 1st. This is foremost on the minds of college admission officers this summer, as many colleges expect an unusually large number of students to change their minds and decline enrollment due to a lack of financial resources.

In college financial aid circles, this phenomena is commonly referred to as the “summer melt”. Whether a student changes their mind due to the realization that their family truly cannot afford the expenses of college, or if they simply get “cold feet”, this late decision causes their scholarship and grant money to return to the college’s pool of financial resources and the money becomes available for students who know to ask for it.

During the next few weeks, students interested in obtaining money (or additional money) for college should call their college’s financial aid office to politely ask if any additional scholarship money has recently become available and express how they (the student) wish to be considered for any of the newly available scholarships. Students should thank the financial aid office for any financial aid awards they have already received and say any additional scholarship money would really help their family’s financial situation.

Students should follow-up this phone call with a letter or e-mail to the financial aid administrator they spoke with thanking them for their time and to again politely request to be considered for any scholarship money that has recently become available or will become available in the weeks before college begins. Students should also express enthusiasm about moving to college and becoming part of the college community in August or September.

Students interested in new opportunities for financial aid should contact their college using the guidelines outlined above; this will take a minimum of time and effort, but could result in additional financial aid awards worth thousands of dollars.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Connect With College Professors To Increase Your Chances For Admission

2011-07-07T11:15:00.005-04:00

One of the goals of campus visits is to connect with college professors who will actively support your admission. If you know your college major, or have an idea of the subject you intend to concentrate on in college, schedule a meeting at each college you visit with a professor who teaches a class in that major. Holding intelligent, informed conversations with a college professor will show your interest and enthusiasm and will make that professor an advocate for your admission.

Before meeting with a professor, collect information about your college major department. Go to the department’s home page and conduct research about the faculty, department course specialties and emphases, number of students studying in that department, ongoing student research projects, etc. When you visit with a professor, try to demonstrate knowledge of a few of these key pieces of information. Sharing knowledge about the professor’s department demonstrates great initiative and seriousness on your part. The more informed you are the more knowledgeable and “intelligent” your conversations will be. Try to understand the direction, strengths and weaknesses of the department. Read about meeting strategies and possible questions to ask professors.
Also, read professors’ résumés if they are posted online. Learn if the professor you meet has a specialty course or lab he/she teaches and if there are topics he/she is actively researching. You’ll leave a lasting impression if you share some facts about specific current teaching and research activities.

When visiting with professors, be confident, poised, and well spoken. Read about appropriate manners and etiquette.

Making a positive connection with a professor may create the influence you need to get accepted to your college of choice and to receive department scholarships.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Develop Your Student Theme

2011-07-06T17:33:00.005-04:00

Summer is a great time for college-bound high school students to develop a student theme. Students – A student theme is a clear, consistent and compelling picture of your personality and character. It is a portrait of WHO you are and what interests you. Your theme should show how your interests, strengths and character relate to your goals and achievements; it should clearly link (1) your interests, (2) your activities and (3) your college/career goals.

Your theme should be included (to the extent possible) in every part of the application including:

• Student Résumé
• Essays
• Letters of recommendations from adults
• The application itself (include the most important aspects of your student theme into the list of extracurricular activities, short answer questions, and leadership questions on the application).

Incorporating your student theme into all application materials will help college admissions officers focus on your key characteristics and strong points; a student theme will highlight what makes you unique and what assets you will bring to a college community. Having a consistent student theme in all application materials will increase the odds of you getting accepted to college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Send Your Student To College Healthy

2011-07-06T12:41:00.005-04:00

This blog post was previously published on MyCollegeCalendar.org in April 2010 by Dr. Debi Yohn, Counseling Psychologist and President/Founder of CollegeWorks101.com. It is republished here due to the importance of its content and relevance for families preparing to send a son or daughter to college this fall.

Don’t forget:

• A complete physical
• Vision exam
• Dental exam
• Allergy medication
• Contact lenses
• Prescriptions
• Supportive care arranged for any chronic medical condition

Also, vaccinations should be up to date. Encourage your student to get a flu shot.

If your student takes daily medications, have them become responsible for taking their meds while they are living at home, during their senior year of high school.

This way you can supervise them. Develop good habits before they leave home.
With a complete physical, eye exam and dental exam, your student will not be surprised by any condition that is waiting to show up under stress.

Dr. Debi Yohn
Counseling Psychologist
President/Founder of CollegeWorks101.com
This entry was originally posted on CollegeWorks101.com on April 9, 2010.

Posted with permission on MyCollegeCalendar.org – July 6, 2011

College Student Banking Needs

2011-07-05T23:56:00.002-04:00

Ensuring the banking needs of first-time college students are set up properly is of paramount importance. Bank accounts and access money should be set up to maximize convenience and to minimize costs. It is recommended that families have all student banking needs in-place before leaving for college. This includes:

1. Set up a checking account with an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card.

Set up a checking account in the name of the student with their parents listed on the account, too. Having parents on the account will allow them to conveniently deposit money into the student’s account when needed. Be sure to ask for a “student checking account”; this type of checking account usually has no monthly fees. The checking account should be set up with the bank that owns the ATM on the student’s college campus.

Obtain an ATM card with the bank that owns the on-campus ATM. There will be many times when students will need quick cash and it’s much easier to go to the on-campus ATM rather than run to an off-campus ATM (especially if the student doesn’t have a car). In addition, having a card for the on-campus ATM will allow students use that ATM free of charge as many times as they wish. Call the student’s college’s admissions office and find which bank is affiliated with the on-campus ATM.

2. Apply for a credit card in the student’s name; credit cards are a must for emergency situations and convenient for occasional miscellaneous purchases.

A credit card is handy for students to cover some expenses while waiting for money from a job or from their parents (and makes it easy to purchase online items such as airline tickets). However, students need to be careful not to use their credit card excessively and build up loan balances that are difficult to repay.

Most banking institutions will offer students a major credit card when setting up a checking or savings account. Make sure this card is separate from your bank ATM card. Many families get students a credit card with a maximum charge limit of $1,000-$2,000.

NOTE: In the past, students could easily obtain credit cards, but with the passage of the Credit Card Act, students must have a parent or other adult co-sign the credit card application if they are under the age of 21.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Formal College Campus Visits

2011-07-01T11:37:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I wrote about the benefits of visiting college campuses this summer. While both formal and informal campus visits are of value, it’s the formal visits that offer the greatest advantages because families receive more information about the college, learn the application procedures and what the college is looking for in student applicants, as well as the available financial aid opportunities and how to apply for them.

The complete suite of activities involved with the ideal formal college campus visit includes the following:

• Arrive on-campus and walk around to learn layout of campus.
• Take the campus guided tour.
• Attend an information session.
• Have lunch in the dining hall.
• Interview with admission officer.
• Interview with professor or attend a class.
• Walk around campus to investigate unseen areas and to talk with students.
• Drive through areas surrounding campus, check out stores and restaurants.

Also, if receiving financial aid is important to a prospective student, families should schedule a brief meeting with a financial aid administrator at each college to discuss available financial opportunities offered the college.

To help families get an idea of what an ideal, multi-day campus tour schedule looks like, MyCollegeCalendar provides an Example College Campus Visit Itinerary. Families may not be able to do everything shown on this example itinerary, but is does shows the value of planning campus visit trips and what can be done to maximize the benefit of formal campus visits.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Summer College Campus Visits

2011-06-30T10:18:00.004-04:00

College campus visits are best conducted during normal school days when classes are in session and the campus is full of student activities. However, visiting colleges during summer months does provide significant benefits to families because students and parents are able to see college campus settings and the areas surrounding each campus, students have the opportunity to interview with admission officers, parents can attend information settings, and families can get an overall impression of a variety of college campuses.

There are two types of campus visits: Informal campus visits and formal campus visits. Informal campus visits involve wandering around a college campus on your own when students and parents drop by for a casual walk-around. There also are formal campus visits, which include guided campus tours, interviews, information sessions, and much more.

Both types of campus visits require families plan their travel. Students and parents should discuss the number of schools they wish to see during one trip; evaluate the location and distances between schools and plan a route that will allow visits to two campuses located near one another on the same day. If schools are located within a 2-hour drive to one another (or less), families you should be able to visit two colleges in a single-day trip. It’s a good idea to visit no more that five schools in three days.

Regardless of the type of campus visits families plan, MyCollegeCalendar provides a Campus Visit Checklist of the most important tasks to complete and locations/buildings to see during campus visits. Families should print a separate Campus Visit Checklist for each campus they visit and mark the tasks completed and campus locations observed.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

U.S. Passports – A Necessity for Students Studying Abroad AND Their Parents

2011-06-28T11:37:00.002-04:00

This summer is a good time for incoming college freshmen and their parents to apply for U.S. passports. Most of these first-time college students will study abroad for one or two semesters/quarters during their sophomore or junior years and passports will be required for these students. Equally important, parents must have current passports in case their son or daughter is injured or becomes ill while studying abroad and parents need to make an emergency trip to a foreign country. It is very important for each parent to have their own passport.

This summer is a convenient time for both students and parents to apply for passports together. This way when the student travels to study abroad in one or two years, the requirement of having current passports will not be an issue.

To read a helpful summary of how and where to apply for passports, click here. Links to both a passport facility search page and instructions for first time applicants are provided.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The Student Résumé – College-Bound Students' Most Versatile Document

2011-06-27T11:24:00.003-04:00

This fall’s high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors should be planning their activities for the 2011-2012 academic year with the idea of building a student résumé to impress college admission officers. The competition for college admission is incredibly tough and college-bound students should seize every possible opportunity to create advantages over other student applicants. One way to get noticed by college admission officers and to take the lead in earning an available admission slot is to create a professional student résumé.

Students who create a résumé show they are willing to go beyond the required application materials to demonstrate the initiative that college admission officers like to see. Résumés allow students to present themselves in the best possible manner; they can emphasize their strengths, highlight accomplishments, and present information in the order that best shows their college potential and overall personality. On college applications, students are forced to complete information as it is displayed on the application form; résumés give the freedom to present accomplishments in ways that best suit each student and for them to better shine in the eyes of college admission officers.

Additionally, the student résumé can be used effectively beyond simply including it with college applications. For example, during campus visits when students meet with college professors who teach classes in their major, providing a copy of a résumé for the professor’s consideration will make a tremendous impression. This typically results in professors becoming advocates for the student’s admission. Furthermore, scholarship applications are greatly enhanced by including a professional résumé; doing so will increase the odds of the student winning the award.

Also, it’s important to provide a copy of a student résumé to each adult writing a recommendation on the student’s behalf. With a copy of the student résumé in hand, recommenders can write outstanding letters of recommendation by using some of the details provided on the student’s résumé.

Creating a great student résumé demonstrates a student’s drive and enthusiasm to college representatives and scholarship sponsors. A well-written résumé creates the advantage a student may need to gain admission to their college of choice and to win significant scholarships.

Take the time to create a detailed student résumé this summer; it will be worth the effort.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

New Report, Same Old Story: Key to College Admission Success – Start Early, Don’t Procrastinate

2011-06-24T11:51:00.004-04:00

On June 19, 2011, the News Telegram reported the advice given by recent high school graduates on how to succeed with the college application process. The single, most valuable piece of advice from these graduates is, “Start early. Don’t procrastinate.”

Likewise, every year I speak with several recent high school graduates and almost universally, the single-most valuable piece of advice they give is, “Start applying EARLY!” In addition, for years I have posted blogs, given presentations, and talked directly with families advising both students and parents of the importance of starting the college application process early.

This resounding advice is given by high school graduates and me because every aspect of the college and financial aid application process takes longer than students can imagine . . . much longer. High school graduates who have lived through the sometimes brutal application process now know there is a lot more to do than students realize; filling out and submitting multi-page applications with multiple essays, completion of application supplements to the Common Application, requesting recommendation letters, requesting and receiving official copies of grade transcripts, finalizing student résumés, writing cover letters, mailing paper documents, and more.

This is why MyCollegeCalendar.org provides 30-day, step-by-step calendars for both high school juniors and seniors that start June 1st. This guidance allows college-bound students and their parents to see what can be done during summer months to get a head start on the admission and application processes. Moreover, students and parents can look into the tasks due throughout the 2011-2012 academic year to anticipate what needs to be done and when do complete crucial tasks and submit applications.

MyCollegeCalendar.org provides a Get Started page and an Early Application Process Flowchart to help families “jump start” the college processes. This information provides instructions and timelines in both text and graphics on how to start the process and what tasks are required to successfully reach completion.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

New Pre-Enrollment Task Calendar for First-Time College Freshmen

2011-06-23T10:57:00.001-04:00

MyCollegeCalendar has developed a new task-list calendar for students entering college for the first-time in fall 2011. This calendar lays out tasks for students and parents to complete in the summer months of June, July, and August, with recommended dates for completing tasks, brief instructions, links to detailed task descriptions, and crucial forms and documents.

The College-Bound Students Pre-Enrollment Task Calendar includes recommendations for everything new freshman students and their parents must do to successfully prepare for college enrollment. The more important recommended tasks include insurance considerations (health, auto, and personal property), pre-registering for college classes, creating a budget for the first year of college, setting up student banking needs local student’s college, completing an Advance Health Care Directive and Medical Information Release Form to manage long-distance student health and emergency care issues, providing a list of items to take to college, and being ready for college move-in day. Other recommended tasks include arriving at college fully prepared to apply for on-campus jobs, how to handle the inevitable tuition billing errors, making travel arrangements for Thanksgiving and winter break, and several other tasks.

Following the timelines and recommendations on the College-Bound Students Pre-Enrollment Task Calendar will allow families to systematically prepare for their student to leave home and for their son or daughter to arrive on campus fully prepared to start a new and exciting phase of their life.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

New College Freshmen - Create a Budget Plan for Next Year

2011-06-21T15:37:00.002-04:00

With college only two-to-three months away, it is a good idea for incoming college freshmen to create a budget plan for next year. Students should work with their parents to compare and contrast all costs associated with attending college with all sources of financial aid (sources of financial aid include gift-aid from scholarships and grants, self-help aid from loans, and personal finances).

To help families determine their financial situation and calculate if additional money is needed for college (money beyond what their student currently has available to him/her), MyCollegeCalendar has created a complete, yet simple, College Cost Spreadsheet.

Families can use this spreadsheet to enter all costs associated with college and all sources of financial support available to their student. After entering college costs, student financial aid awards, and personal finance information, families immediately can see if their student has adequate financial support for college or if additional money is needed.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Connect With College Professors During Campus Visits This Summer

2011-06-20T00:22:00.003-04:00

One of the goals of college campus visits is to connect with professors who will likely support your admission. If you know your college major, or have an idea of what subject you intend to focus on in college, schedule a meeting with a professor who teaches a class in that major at each college you will visit. Holding an intelligent, informed conversation with a college professor will show your interest and enthusiasm and will make that professor an advocate for your admission.

To prepare for a meeting with a professor, collect information about your major department at the college you plan to visit. Go to the department’s home page and conduct research about the faculty, department course specialties and emphases, number of students studying in that department, ongoing student research projects, etc. Also, read the professor’s résumé if it is posted online.

Try to get an understanding of the direction, strengths and weaknesses of the department.

Then, during your meeting, try to demonstrate knowledge of a few pieces of information about the department with the professor. Sharing knowledge about the professor’s department will demonstrate great initiative and seriousness on your part. The more informed you are, the more knowledgeable and “intelligent” your conversations will be.

When visiting with professors, be confident, poised, and well spoken. Read about appropriate manners and etiquette to use during meetings.

Being informed and sharing pertinent information with a professor will leave a lasting impression with a college representative who may become a strong advocate for your admission to their college. Making a positive connection with a professor may create the influence you need to get accepted to your college of choice and to receive department scholarships.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Be Professional With College Representatives

2011-06-18T12:56:00.004-04:00

Many students (and their parents) will visit colleges this summer and many of those students will interview with college admission officers as part of their campus visit. It is important for college-bound students to act professionally in all interactions with college and university representatives. Student’s professionalism (or lack thereof) will be noted and factored into the college’s admission decision made later this year.

Students MUST give a professional impression during ALL contacts with colleges and universities. This includes E-mails, telephone and face-to-face conversations, written correspondence, Tweets, Facebook postings, and blogs. This also includes being courteous and respectful to the receptionist in the admissions office, the student tour guide, and all other college personnel. Colleges are a close-knit community and if a student is rude or disrespectful to anyone in a written communication or during their campus visit, you can be sure word of student’s poor behavior will make to the admissions officer handling their file.

In addition, parents must be courteous and respectful in all interactions with college and university personnel, too.

Lastly, proper etiquette must be exercised with e-mail correspondence. When writing e-mails, students may be tempted use language that has no place in professional correspondence; use of unprofessional language can affect an admissions officer’s decision regarding a student’s acceptance. Furthermore, student’s e-mail account should be appropriate. Receiving an e-mail from a prospective student with an e-mail address of wildandcrazy@gmail.com or love2party@yahoo.com will only raise doubts about the student in the minds of admission officers.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

How Does Health Care Reform Impact College Students?

2011-06-17T11:23:00.004-04:00

After much heated debate, back-and-forth bickering and political concessions, the Obama administration and Congress finally reached a consensus that allowed for the passing of a sweeping health care reform bill in March 2010. So, how will this bill affect you? We break it down. …

1. Health Care Reform Keeps Young Adults Insured Longer
Young adults form a huge chunk of uninsured Americans, largely because they’re kicked off their parents’ plans right after college (or even sooner for those who aren’t enrolled full time). The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reports that around 30 percent of people 26 and younger lack health insurance.

College students kissed that bummer statistic goodbye on Sept. 23, 2010, when the law extended health insurance coverage to policyholders’ children up to age 26 -- no matter if the kids attend college, live at home or are listed as dependents. Many insurers offered coverage ahead of the September deadline, and HHS estimated that over a million 20-somethings were able to remain on a parent’s health plan in 2011.

“I had never really considered the gravity of getting taken off of my parents’ insurance plan before this bill got passed,” says Katelynn McFarland, rising senior at the University of Virginia. “It’s a relief that I won’t have to worry about it for a few more years.”

2. Health Care Reform Reduces Discrimination
There’s more good news for the under-26 age group: Under the new law, insurers are now banned from denying health coverage based on age -- which means not having to deal with jacked-up costs or restricted coverage.

“The bill’s provisions against age discrimination are helpful to the elderly, of course, but they help the young population even more,” says a registered nurse at UVA’s Elson Student Health Center. “This is the group that isn’t as familiar with the complicated insurance system and can get easily ripped off by companies. This bill should bring a definitive stop to that.”

3. Health Care Reform Takes Some Stress off Job Seekers
Face it, the current job market is the pits. Economic wounds will take time to heal, and students at both undergraduate and graduate levels are struggling to find jobs. But since young adults can now stay on parents’ plans longer, there isn’t nearly as much pressure on the jobless.

“I wish the bill had been passed sooner,” says Hillary Jackson, who graduated from Lynchburg College in 2005. “The first couple of years after college are stressful for everyone, and for a lot of reasons. Trying to find a solid insurance plan is just one of them."

For those lucky enough to nail down a job, companies with at least 50 employees are now required to provide health insurance to all workers. And employees earning $88,000 or less a year will be eligible to receive generous subsidies.

4. Health Care Reform Could Create More Jobs
The bill offers tax credits to small businesses with health insurance, in addition to reducing labor costs within those companies. However, the changes are modest at best. “We’d all love to see the effects of it through rose-colored lenses,” says Eric Yaverbaum, education expert and author of Life’s Little College Admissions Insights, “but in reality, the economic situation is bad for everyone. The new generation of college graduates is, unfortunately, a bit unlucky.”

While health care reform might mean more job openings in medical-related fields, Yaverbaum stresses that students should follow their passion. Instead of switching your major, stick with your gut. “If you’re asking, ‘Should I change my career path?’ in light of the new health care bill, I think it’s too early to tell what effects it will have. It will take years to know the repercussions. If you’re not interested in the health care industry, then don’t feel the need to make any big-time adjustments. Do what you love."

5. Health Care Reform Revolutionizes the Student Loan System … Huh?
That’s right. Even though the health care reform bill essentially has nothing to do with education, it will nonetheless dramatically change the way Americans pay for college education. Taking advantage of the health care bill to highlight another one of President Obama’s domestic platforms, House Democrats tacked on an amendment that eliminates the middleman -- private bankers -- in the student loan system. Now, students will borrow directly from the government, saving taxpayers and the feds $61 billion over the next decade.

The savings will be used to help community colleges and universities with heavy minority populations, and more than half of that amount -- $36 billion -- will be awarded to the foundering federal Pell Grant program, which thousands of low-income students use to finance their college education.

Bobby Paulini, a rising junior at Shepherd University, doesn’t get why these changes were included in a bill concerning health care: “The two issues are completely different, and the amendments should have been done separately. It seems like political theater to me.”

But White House officials are optimistic about the new provisions. In an interview with National Public Radio, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that the government is done with banks and is now investing in students.

This is a guest post by David Replogle for The Real College Guide.

No Major? No Worries . . .

2011-06-16T02:23:00.001-04:00

Though it’s always good to have a plan, and some colleges and universities do require a declaration of major before enrollment, not knowing what you want to do when you get to school is not always a major concern.

At most colleges and universities, the freshman year – and even some of the sophomore year – is spent meeting general education requirements. If you’re heading off to school, and you’re just not sure where you should put your focus, don’t fret. Load your schedule up with gen. ed. courses, and then, once you’ve had a chance to settle in, start to think about which courses you’re enjoying most, and look into the different options within each potential major you may want to consider.

There’s a lot to do on campus: Newspapers, radio stations, community outreach programs, intramural sports, etc. Get acclimated with your surroundings, meet some people, and let time help you figure out where your interests lie.

For me, I went off to school not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I thought I may be interested in Sports Journalism, so I enrolled in the Communications program at my small college. I played baseball, intramural football, and had an hour long, weekly radio show. I enjoyed being a freshman, but by the beginning of my sophomore year, I realized I had more interest in Creative Writing than Journalism, so I turned my focus in that direction. I changed my major to Media Studies with a concentration in Creative Writing. I attended writers’ workshops through my university, and soon discovered an affinity for Screenwriting.

Today, I am a professional screenwriter. My first movie, Deep in the Heart, is in the final stages of editing with my second film underway and scheduled to go into production sometime in the next year.

So, if you’re a high school senior having trouble deciding what you want to do with your college life, don’t worry. You’ll figure it out. You have time. Let yourself enjoy being a freshman, and open yourself up to the endless possibilities your new school provides. Before you know it, you’re major will come to you!

- Josh F
MCC Guest Blogger
B.A., University of Southern Maine, Class of 2001

How to Choose a College Major

2011-06-13T13:57:00.006-04:00

College-bound students should have a college major selected when searching for colleges of interest and, in particular, when applying for admission to college. Although it is not absolutely necessary to have a college major chosen, it is helpful to have one selected for the following reasons:

1. Students searching for colleges of interest will be able to eliminate colleges and universities not offering their college major. This will save significant time because there will be a reduced number of schools to investigate in detail before selecting the 10 (+ or -) schools to which to apply.

2. Students who apply for admission to college with a decided major are able to write about how the school they are applying to is a good match because it offers both a major department with a good reputation and courses that meet the student’s academic goals. Students applying with an intended major appear more focused and more goal-oriented, which appeals to many college admission officers.

But how do you start the process of selecting a college major if you don’t have any idea of what you want to study?

For these students, MyCollegeCalendar.org provides a Get Started – Select a College Major page, along with the visual tool of the College Major Research and Selection Flowchart. To view a legible flowchart, click here.

Students struggling with choosing a college major will find these MyCollegeCalendar.org tools extremely helpful.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

“Visualize” the Financial Aid Process

2011-06-10T12:07:00.008-04:00

The financial aid process is complex and confusing. There are so many different types of scholarships and grants, each with separate applications and application deadlines, that families are hard-pressed to understand how and when to apply.

MyCollegeCalendar.org provides an all-in-one flowchart of the financial aid process for students, parents, and educators. Using this flowchart, students and parents are able to visualize the process and plan ahead to complete financial aid applications in a timely manner. Educators can share this information with students so they can plan accordingly and bring the information home to parents for discussion.

This single-page flowchart can printed for future reference and is excellent way to convey the steps in the complex financial aid process and corresponding crucial deadlines.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Universal College Application – Preview for 2011-2012

2011-06-08T01:07:00.004-04:00

The 2011-2012 Universal College Application is now available for preview. The Universal College Application is accepted by more than 70 colleges and universities and will add several new member schools this coming fall. A preview of the application can be seen by clicking here.

The online Universal College Application goes “live” on August 1, 2011 and, similar to other online college applications, is intended for use by first-year applicants (i.e., high school seniors) who wish to enroll into a four-year college or university in the spring or fall of 2012. As stated in my previous posting, it is a good idea for college-bound students to print and familiarize themselves with the information requested on preview applications; doing so will allow them to fill out those applications during the summer months.

The Universal College Application is unique in that allows student applicants to use multimedia to showcase their passion and talent to a college. The multimedia link in the Universal College Application is within the application; not in a supplement. It is easy for student applicants to use and eliminates the burden of storing, sorting, and managing the clutter of CDs, DVDs, and portfolios for their prospective colleges. Admissions application readers can open the content directly from the submitted form.

Furthermore, the multimedia link simplifies the process of including content with an application for both students and colleges. Artistic candidates may link to their portfolios; athletes may choose videos displaying their skill; and young scientists might link to a research paper or publication in which they were involved. Other examples include blogs, band recordings, news/magazine articles, and business ventures.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Preview of the 2011-2012 Common Application

2011-06-07T03:07:00.007-04:00

My previous blog shared essay prompts for the 2011-2012 Common Application, Universal College Application, and application for the University of California. With this blog posting, I would like to share a preview the 2011-2012 Common Application itself.

To see a preview of the 2011-2012 Common Application for first-year applicants (i.e., high school seniors), click here. The official, final version of the 2011-2012 Common Application is not available until August 1, 2011.

The 2011-2012 Common Application is to be used by first-year applicants (incoming college freshmen) who wish to enroll into a four-year college or university in the spring or fall of 2012. It is a good idea for college-bound students to print and familiarize themselves with the information requested on the Common Application; over the next two-to-three months, students should take advantage of any free time to fill out this preview version of the application. This way they will be prepared to enter their information into the online Common Application and to submit the application in time to meet all 2011 application deadlines.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The Song Remains The Same: Application Essay Prompts Are Unchanged for Fall 2011

2011-06-06T02:09:00.007-04:00

College-bound students who will submit applications for admission this coming fall should begin thinking about writing application essays. Typically, students find writing essays the most difficult and time consuming part of the entire application process. It may seem too early to begin thinking about this, but believe me, it’s not. Using the summer months to write (or to begin writing) essays will reduce the stress families will experience during September and October.

Below are the essay prompts for this fall’s Common Application, Universal College Application, and for those students interested in California, the University of California Application.

2011-2012 Common Application Short and Long Essays - For Fall 2011 Applications

Short Answer:

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (150 words or fewer).

Personal Essay:

Please write an essay of 250-500 words on a topic of your choice or on one of the options listed below, and attach it to your application before submission. Please indicate your topic by checking the appropriate box. This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you as a person and student, apart from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will also demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself.

Note: Your Common Application essay should be the same for all colleges. Do not customize it in any way for individual colleges. Colleges that want customized essay response will ask for them on a supplement form.

1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
4. Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
6. Topic of your choice.

2011-2012 Universal College Application Short and Long Essays – For Fall 2011 Applications

Short Answer:

Tell us more about one of your extracurricular, volunteer, or employment activities (100-150 words).

Personal Statement:

Please write an essay (500 words or fewer) that demonstrates your ability to develop and communicate your thoughts. Some ideas include: a person you admire; a life-changing experience; or your viewpoint on a particular current event.

2011-2012 University of California Personal Statement Essays - For Fall 2011 Applications

Personal statement (2 parts):

- Respond to both questions, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.
- You may allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less than 250 words.
- Stay within the word limit as closely as you can. A little over — 1,012 words, for example — is fine.

Prompt #1 – Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Prompt #2 – Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Have the Best Graduation Party (on a Budget)

2011-06-02T13:48:00.014-04:00

Think you need a ton of money to host a decent graduation party? Not necessarily. Here, we give you awesome -- and inexpensive! -- ideas for having the best graduation party on a budget … so start planning, party monster!

Free Graduation Party Invitations
Give a shout-out! Since you’re looking to save money, consider creating an Evite invitation or Facebook event page to spread the news of your graduation party. This is much cheaper (as in, it’s free!) and less time-consuming than paper invites. Plus, it shows a little bit o’ love to Mama Earth.

Best Graduation Party Venue
In his song “The Best of What’s Around,” Dave Matthews sings, “Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters. …”

There’s no place like home. According to Laura Schroyer, sales rep at Lasting Impressions Event Rentals in Columbus, Ohio, the majority of graduation parties the company services are held at the graduate’s house. Opening up your home can seem daunting, but it’s better than forking out beaucoup bucks to the country club.

Consider the city. Contact your local city or county recreation department and ask if they offer any places for hosting get-togethers. Many have parks, pavilions or halls available to reserve free of charge or rent for a reasonable fee. These locations often include amenities, such as use of kitchens or outdoor grills, existing tables and seating, and various sports courts.

Bonus money-saving tip: Before renting tables and chairs from a rental company, Jason Rickey, University of Dayton junior and co-owner of Omar’s Party Tents, recommends asking a local church if you can borrow some in exchange for a small donation.

Best Graduation Party Decorations
Schroyer says decorating with school colors is a popular grad party trend: “They use a lot of colors from that college or different items associated with their college.”

Hit up discount chains and dollar stores. You’ll find inexpensive decor, like streamers and balloons, as well as color-coordinated paper plates, napkins and plastic utensils. Schroyer mentions that a simple way to make the decor pop is to use tablecloths in complementing colors.

Enlist the help of friends. Have any artistic kids in your crew? Pick up some poster board and paints, and have them create one-of-a-kind wall hangings. Your roomie has a knack for interesting dorm decorating on the cheap? Put her in charge of coming up with unique centerpieces.

Best Graduation Party Food
“Food is the main reason I go to graduation parties,” jokes Ohio State University sophomore Alex Huegle. Forget the caterer and go with some of these less pricey menu suggestions:

Cookout fare Tossing burgers and dogs on the grill is an efficient way to keep the food coming. And it’s not a cop-out to ask each guest to bring a side dish to share. Just make sure you know who’s bringing what so you have a variety and don’t end up trying to unload five buckets of potato salad.

Ethnic dishes Did you study abroad during college? Recreate dishes you enjoyed during your trek. If you traveled through Spain, serve gazpacho and paella (substitute expensive shellfish with just-as-delicious chorizo sausage and chicken -- or even beans for a vegetarian option).

Dippity do’s Put out an assortment of dips, like artichoke, nacho or hummus, for guests to munch on. Be sure to provide chips, pretzels and cut-up veggies for dipping. This is the best way to go if you have limited seating, since guests can easily consume these foods while standing.

Also, don’t space on the drinks. Fill coolers (or a baby pool) with plenty of ice and bottled water or soft drinks.

And finally, no grad party is complete without a cake. If you’re feeling creative and want to forgo ordering the traditional sheet cake, be your own “cake boss”: Buy fondant and colored icings online or at craft stores. Or whip up cupcakes!

Best Graduation Party Entertainment
No need to hire a DJ to keep grad party guests entertained …

Turn up the tunes. Personalize your playlist by projecting your iTunes from computer speakers or your iPod from an iHome. Or try Web sites like Pandora.com or Grooveshark.com to personalize live streaming playlists. If you’re really going for the “wow” factor, ask your musician friends to perform as a graduation gift to you.

Play some games. To break the monotony of mingling, offer games for your graduation party guests. Set up a volleyball net, use your basketball hoop for some one on one or dust off the cornhole boards.

Create a slideshow. To save money on printing photos, scan old ones to your computer and combine with photos you already have. Make your slideshow using such software as PowerPoint or Movie Maker (look for free downloads), then connect your computer to a projector and let the good times roll!

Talk It up! Ever been to a particularly awesome graduation party? Share the highlights below!

This is a guest post by Nicole Frie for The Real College Guide

Juniors – Don’t Toss Out All of This Year’s Tests and Papers Just Yet

2011-05-30T20:11:00.003-04:00

High school juniors should save their best papers, essays, and reports from this year. This is because some colleges and universities REQUIRE submittal of graded writing samples from junior or senior years with college applications. Students should apply for college early, in October and November of their senior year; consequently, there may not be ample opportunity to write an outstanding paper next fall before applying to college. Therefore, it is best for high school juniors to play it safe and save samples of their best work from this academic year.

An example of this graded writing sample requirement is taken from Scripps College in southern California. Scripps requires submittal of a graded, analytical writing assignment from student’s junior or senior year, preferably 3-to-7 pages in length. This paper is must be “analytical”; it should make an argument or analyze an issue or work of literature and is not creative, nor is it primarily descriptive.

In summary, juniors should save all “A” graded writing assignments (essays, term papers, laboratory projects, and any other top graded paper) from this year just in case one of their colleges requires submittal of a particular type of writing assignment with the college application.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Be the First to Ask: RSVP For Next Fall’s Letters of Recommendation

2011-05-27T02:07:00.007-04:00

Before leaving school for the summer, college-bound high school juniors should approach teachers and counselor(s) to write letters of recommendation for college applications. Juniors should talk with their teachers and counselor(s) and ask if they are able to write STRONG letters of recommendation on their behalf this coming fall; asking now for letters due in September-October is the courteous thing to do and shows a student’s maturity and the ability to plan ahead.

Furthermore, asking for recommendations now will impress adult recommenders and should help to ensure the letters they write will be superior. In addition, asking before the start of summer will give recommenders plenty of time to compose letters that can be easily attached to paper recommendation forms or copied and pasted into electronic forms used by the Common Application and Universal Application in the fall.

Students should ask teachers and counselor(s) who know them well and their excellent academic work. These adult recommenders should know students well enough to write about their best qualities, achievements, talents, and abilities.

My advice for juniors is to demonstrate courtesy, maturity, and ability to plan by asking for letters of recommendation before school dismisses for the year and teachers and counselors become focused on their summer vacation.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Anyone Can Tell You When To Start - But We Get You Started AND Guide You Through The Next Four Years

2011-05-26T23:26:00.003-04:00

Recent articles on the top trends in college admissions for 2011 discuss the importance of students AND parents starting early with the process. The concept of starting early with the college application and financial aid process has been the subject of several of my blog postings over the past years, but with the increased complexity and competition associated with college admissions, other authors are jumping into the mix of writers promoting an early start.

On May 15, 2011, TheTimesNews.com wrote how ,”Starting Early Can Take Fear Out of College Planning” and the freshman year of high school is the best time to start. TheTimesNews emphasizes how college planning is a “big task” and reminds students that colleges look at grades beginning in ninth grade.

Earlier in May, GoLocalProv.com discussed the best strategy for families with high school students is to, “. . . start strong in 9th grade with a high GPA, take some honors and AP courses as you progress, and demonstrate a consistent dedication to several extra-curricular activities (including leadership roles)”. Furthermore, students should select colleges to apply to and visit those colleges during their junior year in high school; seniors should apply for admission early to increase their chances for admission.

But where are families to find all the pertinent information for their students to be successful with the college preparation and application steps? The answer is: MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Starting next month, families can follow the MyCollegeCalendar Freshman Year calendar and heed the advice so high school students can become the most sought after student colleges are looking for. Families are able to the same for student’s sophomore year, but for juniors and seniors, the tasks are so numerous and timely that MyCollegeCalendar provides 30-day calendars for the entire junior and senior academic years (soon to be updated for 2011-2012). By following the calendars, guidance steps, task-by-task instructions, example documents and important internet links over the next four years, families are able to stay on-target with tasks and deadlines and maximize students’ opportunities for admission to college with the maximum amount of scholarships and grants.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

More Data Supporting Students Should Apply to Private Universities This Coming Fall

2011-05-20T19:54:00.006-04:00

As a follow-up to my April 15th blog posting, recent findings summarized by The Chronicle of Higher Education strongly supports the viability of more expensive private universities for financially-strapped college-bound students. The findings are detailed in the "2010 Tuition Discounting Study Report," authored by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, which is based on responses from 303 small institutions with enrollments under 4,000; 49 comprehensive and doctoral institutions; and 29 research universities.

The Chronicle of Higher Education states that private colleges spent an amount equivalent to about 37 percent of all of their tuition and fee revenue on scholarships for students in the fall of 2010, an all-time high. Additionally, the estimated tuition-discount rate for first-time freshmen—42.4 percent—was also a record high. Many of the college and universities included in the recent findings, . . . "said they had upped their discount rates to help more students from families suffering from the economic slowdown."

Once again, I strongly recommend students include private colleges and universities in their list of colleges of interest and apply to both private and public institutions this coming fall.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Use the Summer Months to Your Advantage

2011-05-17T11:17:00.002-04:00

College-bound high school students should use the summer months ahead to build their qualifications and become the kind of student most sought after by college admission officers. Students should engage in the “right” activities to build their résumé and enhance their student qualifications. Being a participant and/or leader in suitable summer activities will allow students to create superior college applications.

The question is will certain activities help or hurt student chances for getting accepted to their college of choice. Whether students plan to apply for college admission this coming fall or in the fall of 2012 or 2013, participating in the “right” activities could make the difference between acceptance and rejection in the minds of college admission officers.

But which activities are the “right” ones? The answer is any activity is “right” as long as there is a clear demonstration of commitment. Ideally, summer activities should reflect meaningful and continued involvement in the things students are passionate about and have been involved with for years. Students should not choose activities based on what they think colleges are looking for on an application; colleges and universities DON’T CARE WHAT ACTIVITIES STUDENTS CHOOSE.

Colleges don’t care which activities students dedicate themselves to because each school tries to build a well-rounded incoming class of students (which includes all kinds of students: science and math whizzes, talented musicians and artists, athletes, student-body leaders, theater actors and actresses, community-minded volunteers, computer and engineering enthusiasts, and other interesting people). Admission offices want college communities composed of diverse and interesting students - nothing would be more boring than having a campus filled only with academic geniuses who spend 100% of their time studying. Colleges want a student body filled with variety and diversity to make their campus come alive with interest and excitement.

As a result, colleges want students who demonstrate in-depth, long-term involvement in activities they are passionate about, regardless of the type of activities. Colleges need committed students and leaders in every field of interest.

Despite the recession’s challenging job market, students can find something to do to build their résumé and qualifications. There are opportunities for unpaid internships, local community volunteer programs, domestic or foreign volunteer programs, community college courses, high school advanced credit courses, and other pursuits. Students (and parents) need to keep in mind that many college admission officers assume students are lazy and unmotivated if no worthwhile activities are shown on their résumés.

College-bound students need to make use of their summer vacation to gain every advantage possible in the super competitive world of college admissions. They should participate and take on leadership roles in activities they enjoy AND activities that will increase their chances for admission to college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Juniors – Start Here (A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words)

2011-05-13T13:34:00.007-04:00

For high school juniors, the feeling of joy of a fast-approaching summer is mixed with fear and panic of the looming college application process. But juniors (and their parents) have the MyCollegeCalendar Application Process Flowchart and Get Started page as premiere guidance references on what to do to complete the college and financial aid processes . . . starting now.

The Application Process Flowchart is essentially a picture of all application and financial aid steps displayed with a schedule to meet November 15 early action and early decision application deadlines.
November 15 is the most common early application deadline, however, it is important to note each college and university has its own specific deadline; note application deadlines for each college you plan to apply to and adjust the steps shown on the Application Process Flowchart accordingly.

Also, MyCollegeCalendar provides a text version of the Flowchart on the Get Started page. This page lists the steps in chronologic order with links to specific instructions on how to complete each step.

Print the Application Process Flowchart and post in a conspicuous place in your home or high school classroom. It will serve as an invaluable reminder of tasks to complete and deadlines to meet. Bookmark the Get Started page on your computer for future reference.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Foreign Language Findings: Top Languages to Study Now

2011-05-10T11:29:00.000-04:00

We live in a fast-paced world in which many careers and businesses involve traveling to other countries or communicating with people from different nations. Knowing more than one language can be extremely beneficial in many areas of life, including not only travel and business relations, but also being able to see the world from a different perspective. Look below for the top languages to study now.

Spanish
While learning a language is beneficial when traveling to other countries, learning Spanish is helpful right in our own country. Currently, the United States is the fifth largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world. Nations with Spanish-speaking populations are rapidly growing. Furthermore, the U.S. government has required many official documents and notices to be in both English and Spanish, as you may have probably seen on a public bus, restaurant, etc.

Chinese
Currently, China has the second largest economy in the world. More than 1.3 billion people speak this language. In order to increase your economic opportunities, learning to speak the Chinese language can give you a great upper hand. Furthermore, China has become of the United States’ largest trading partners. The world is becoming a global economy and it is important to take advantage of this rapid change by learning Chinese.

Arabic
Arabic is spoken throughout most nations in the Middle East, making it the 5th most spoken language and one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Numerous nations in the Middle East are rapidly expanding economically, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, etc. Furthermore, Arabic is the language of Islam and is understood by Muslims throughout the entire world. With the growing demand and low supply of Arabic speakers in the United States, learning Arabic will open up numerous career opportunities.

French
French is the 4th most spoken language in the United States and is widely offered throughout most high schools and universities throughout our country. French is also the 3rd most common language on the Internet. In addition to gaining lots of insight into French culture, art, fashion, etc., French also provides the base for more than half of the English vocabulary, which means learning French will also improve your English.

Hindi
Throughout the past 1000 years, Hindi has grown to become the 4th most spoken language in the entire world. India’s growth as a global economy has generated a lot of American interest in the South Asian region. Besides gaining insight into the Indian culture, learning how to speak Hindi can give you a boost in the economic realm. Furthermore, Indian music is becoming increasingly influential in the Western world and may soon also move into the film industry.

This guest contribution was submitted by Ripley Daniels, who works as an editor at Without The Stress, a Los Angeles firm focused on assisting citizens with difficult government processes such as obtaining green cards, applying for passports, and meeting citizenship requirements.

Searchable List Of Colleges Still Accepting Applications

2011-05-04T11:08:00.004-04:00

Today, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) published a list of colleges and universities still accepting applications for admission. The list includes 282 four-year colleges and universities, all of which report both financial aid and housing are available for additional freshman and/or transfer applicants for the fall 2011 semester/quarter. To see the list, click here.

This searchable list will be available through July 1. Many colleges and universities update their listings as space availability changes. Students and parents are able to check the list periodically to see which schools are continuing to accept student applications.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The College Application Process is Complete! Now Begins the College Pre-Enrollment Steps

2011-05-02T16:31:00.006-04:00

The May 1 deadline for students to accept admission to their college of choice has come and gone. Students have sent enrollment and housing deposits to secure their place in class of 2015 and feel the joy of freedom from the grueling college application process. But as high school graduation approaches, college-bound seniors and their parents will begin to wonder about the next steps to prepare for college enrollment and moving onto campus this fall.

Over the next months, colleges will send information on the steps required of incoming students to prepare for residence hall living and coursework registration, but there is a lot more to consider. But rest assured MyCollegeCalendar is ready to help with the pre-college enrollment tasks as outlined on the Post-High School/Pre-College Checklist. Tasks with how-to instructions can be found instantly by using the MyCollegeCalendar website search engine.

Some of the more important pre-college enrollment tasks include:

- Scheduling and attending freshman orientation and parent orientation this summer.

- Taking required college math and foreign language placement tests.

- Pre-registering for fall 2011 classes.

- Ordering textbooks online after class pre-registration is approved.

- Completing on-campus housing forms.

- Completing roommate questionnaires.

- Selecting a health insurance plan and considering other insurance needs.

- Analyzing and selecting a dining meal plan.

- Analyzing college campus transportation options.

- Finding and preparing to apply for on-campus jobs.

- Arranging personal banking needs.

- Purchasing all items to take to college.

Families should follow the MyCollegeCalendar online guidance in the months ahead to prepare for the eventful day of leaving home and moving into college.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Still Interested In Applying For College? A List Of Colleges Continuing To Accept Applications Will Be Available Next Week.

2011-04-28T11:04:00.003-04:00

On May 4, 2011, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will publish their annual “Space Availability” list of colleges and universities. This is a searchable list of colleges and universities still accepting applications for admission from prospective freshman and transfer students (for the fall 2011 semester/quarter).

These schools will likely continue to accept student applications well into May and June or until all of their enrollment space for freshmen and transfer students is filled. Many of these colleges and universities report to have institutional financial aid and housing available.

The list will be available through July 1. Many colleges update their listings as space availability changes. Students and parents are able to check the list periodically to see which schools are continuing to accept student applications.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

Big, Beautiful and Hidden in the Pacific Northwest

2011-04-25T13:34:00.018-04:00

Northwest Washington possesses a relatively lesser known four-year university that exhibits natural beauty and impressive campus character that is likely the envy of many colleges throughout the country. This college is Western Washington University. This is not a small institution; the campus includes a comfortable 215 acres and its undergraduate and graduate enrollment includes 14,979 students (13,809 undergraduate and 1,170 graduate students). The campus overlooks spectacular Bellingham Bay and several of the San Juan Islands and is bounded on the east by Sehome Hill Park, approximately 300 acres of natural forest which includes the 38-acre Sehome Arboretum. Located on the southern edge of the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is located in a suburban setting only 55 miles from Vancouver, British Columbia, and 90 miles from Seattle.

Last week, my wife and I had the opportunity to conduct an informal campus visit to Western Washington University. We were pleasantly surprised by the prestigious campus buildings which were a blend of established collegiate brick architecture and modern, state-of-the-art structures.

This slightly hilly campus has plenty of open green space in which several interesting and attractive sculptures are located. There appears to be ample housing for students, both on campus and off campus. The University is easily accessible from the state’s major throughway, Interstate 5.

The students we encountered were warm, friendly and helpful. Those we spoke with “loved” their school and enjoyed the learning experience at Western Washington University. They also take advantage of the activities and events at the nearby cities of Vancouver and Seattle, as well as the natural amenities of beautiful Lake Whatcom (only four miles from the campus) and skiing/snowboarding at the Mt. Baker Ski Area (55 miles to the east).

Western Washington University has seven colleges and 63 academic departments. For the past 13 years, U.S. News and World Report ranked the university as the #1 regional public university in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, the Princeton Review has named Western Washington University one of the “greenest” universities and the school has received the Green Power Leadership Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

If you’re interested in attending a medium sized university focused on teaching undergraduate students (92% of enrolled students are undergraduates) with ample research opportunities and reasonable tuition costs, located in gorgeous on-campus and off-campus settings, you may want to check out Western Washington University

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The Importance of Sending Non-Acceptance Letters – Courtesy and Economic Cents

2011-04-19T17:25:00.002-04:00

For high school seniors, the May 1st deadline to confirm college enrollment is fast approaching. Seniors who have already made their final college selection and submitted an enrollment confirmation form are rejoicing in the aftermath of completing the college application process; they are experiencing a sense of relief words cannot explain. Students who are still deciding which college to attend have less than two weeks to make their final decision and to be finished with this phase of the college admission and enrollment process.

However, students are not completely finished with their acceptance of admission until they send letters of non-acceptance. Letters of non-acceptance are letters addressed to the colleges and universities that accepted students for admission, but they have chosen not to attend. Students can easily accomplish this by sending a short letter to each admissions office informing them of their enrollment decision with another college. Letters should express appreciation for being considered worthy of acceptance and a word of thanks for offering admission.

Sending letters of non-acceptance may seem like a trivial and unnecessary task, however, it could be the most important “insurance” you can have to ensure your success at earning a college education. Here’s why.

Many colleges that receive courteous letters of non-acceptance from students keep those students’ records on file for one year, INCLUDING STUDENTS’ ADMISSION STATUS AND OFFERS OF FINANCIAL AID. This means if a student discovers next fall he/she doesn’t care for the college he/she is attending (and wishes to enroll at another school), the admission doors to those other schools may still be open without having to submit any application materials. Upon request, the other colleges may automatically admit that student as a transfer student in the spring or fall of 2012. Furthermore, as a transfer student many schools will honor the financial aid offered to students in spring 2011 and apply that aid to student’s sophomore, junior and senior years.

Sending letters of non-acceptance is important because it demonstrates professionalism and courtesy; equally important, letters may hold open offers of admission and financial aid at colleges that accepted students for admission if that student wishes to transfer within 12 months time.

My advice: Students should leave nothing to chance. After submitting an enrollment confirmation form to the college of choice, students should send letters of non-acceptance to the other colleges and universities that accepted them.

For more information visit MyCollgeCalendar.org.

Now More Than Ever, Consider Private Colleges and Universities

2011-04-15T11:45:00.005-04:00

Many high school sophomores and juniors will be visiting college campuses next week during their high school spring break. As students and their parents travel to different campuses to learn about colleges and to observe the atmosphere and culture of each campus first-hand, they should keep in mind, now more than ever, private colleges and universities should be included on their list of schools to which to apply.

In my opinion, families looking for the most affordable colleges and universities for their college-bound student MUST consider private colleges and universities as an option. Why am I so adamant about this topic? Because State colleges and universities continue to raise the cost of tuition and make other cost cutting decisions that dramatically affect students and their families.

Most recently, there has been announcements by universities in the State of California system that their tuition rates for 2011-2012 may raise between 8 percent and 100 percent. Additionally, State universities in Washington and Colorado have announced steep increases in tuition for next year. It is obvious that State colleges and universities across the country are feeling the pinch of budget cuts and are passing their economic woes onto students.

In contrast, announcements of tuition increases at private colleges and universities are few, and for schools increasing tuition rates, increases typically are between 2 to 4 percent. More importantly, numerous students who apply to private schools receive significant scholarships and grants which, in effect, make the cost of attendance less than that of public colleges and universities. Regardless of a family’s financial situation, no one should rule out applying to private schools. The best strategy is to apply to several schools, including both public and private.

In addition, college-bound students who attend private colleges or universities have a greater opportunity to graduate in four years. Receiving scholarships, grants, and graduating in four years can be the most affordable option for many students.

While there are no guarantees with the college admission process, the financial challenges associated with public colleges and universities, as well as the competitive admissions situation and potentially longer graduation times (not to mention the certainties of huge class sizes and reduced contact with professors), should make college-bound students seriously think about applying to private colleges and universities. Students applying to college this coming fall need to hedge their bets by applying to several schools, including both public State schools and private college and universities.

For more information visit MyCollegeCalendar.org.

The Freshman Perspective: Spring of Freshman Year!

2011-04-13T02:59:00.001-04:00

It has really been a really long time since I wrote my last blog, but I have been so consumed with school and sports that I haven’t had much spare time. School has been going very well and I finished the first of two terms in the 4 x 4 block schedule with a great GPA. I joined the high school track team and enjoy practicing every day for at least two hours - I love it! We have had a lot of invitational meets as well as regular league meets against local high schools and I have made it to all of the invitational meets except for one in almost all four of my events.

I plan to compete on the track team all four years of high school and I am very excited to keep improving the times and distances in my events. Playing a sport is extremely time consuming, but I have been able to maintain an “A” in all of my classes. It seems like playing sports or doing an extracurricular activity of that sort helps a lot with my academics. I have better grades this term (despite having harder classes) than I did last term because consistently doing track has forced me to learn excellent time-management habits. I also sleep better and I enjoy my classes more than I used to. Earning excellent grades, contributing to the high school track team, and developing time management skills are helping me build my qualifications for applying to college in fall 2013 – just 2 ½ years away!

It’s not easy keeping an “A” average. With it comes a lot of work, but if it means I can get into a good college, it is definitely worth all the effort. This term, my most difficult classes are Spanish 2 and Biology. Biology is usually a sophomore required class, but I like science and want to excel in that field as much as I can. This way I will be better prepared for the science classes I would like to take in college. I want to understand science so I can take the more challenging classes in college and eventually get into an interesting job dealing with science.

It was only about six weeks into this spring term that I had to decide which classes to take my sophomore year. This is the first year I am eligible for AP and Honors classes and I understand colleges like to see students take as many Honors and AP classes as possible. Also, these classes are based on 5 points, instead of 4 points, so an “A” would earn an extra point toward my GPA. I know that these classes will be very challenging, which is intimidating.

It was a hard to decide on which math class to take my sophomore year. I could choose statistics which would put me in Calculus my senior year, or choose Pre-Calculus which would mean I would take Calculus my junior year. I ended up signing up for more difficult classes including an Honors class and I feel that by doing this I will have more options for classes in my junior and senior years.

Freshman year has been really fun and exciting and I think I am ready for the next three difficult years. It’s been really incredible to see how far I have come along and how much I have improved in school and sports. I am anxious to see what the next few years will bring!

Meghan T.

PHS Class of 2014