It’s never too early to start the college planning process. In fact, the spring and summer months are a perfect time for high school freshmen and sophomores to initiate a plan and start working toward their goals. Although it may seem like there is plenty of time, the sooner students begin to focus on their future, the less stressed they will be when senior year rolls around. The final year of high school is filled with college admission applications, essays, entrance exams and final college visits, all while trying to maintain a solid grade point average and complete the required credits to graduate on time. To avoid being overwhelmed, students can begin to chip away at their college to-do list and stay ahead of the game by starting these seven tasks now. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: College Planning for Freshmen, College Planning for Sophomores, College Tips for Underclassmen
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If you ask many high school seniors, the ultimate college dream is to attend an Ivy League school, such as Harvard University or Yale University. These schools represent the highest pinnacle in a college education and many students would be willing to do whatever it takes just to get a ‘golden ticket’ to any of them. Unfortunately, that dream also comes at a price. It’s no secret that a private college can run $40,000, $50,000 or even $60,000 a year in tuition, books and other fees, but is it really worth it? For some, the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’ Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Private Colleges, Private vs. Public, Public Colleges
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Each year, I am surprised by the number of underclassmen that put off starting their college search and financial aid planning because they’re not seniors yet. With the abundance of resources available to students (on the Internet and in their schools), the message should have been loud and clear by now – the earlier students start the process, the more prepared they will be. Even more troubling, many students still believe the myth that scholarships are only available to high school seniors, which means they are letting free money for college slip through their fingers. But students aren’t the only ones wasting valuable time in the college planning (and funding) process; parents also seem unaware of what steps they can be taking right now to help their child find the right college and create a plan to help pay for it, too. Here are a few tasks parents and students should be working on right now, if students plan to attend college within the next four years.
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Tags: college planning tips, college scholarships, Paying for College
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There has been much debate over the importance of college entrance exams and whether they should be required as part of the college admission process. Some argue that students who have test anxiety, learning disabilities, or come from low-income families may be at an unfair disadvantage. Others argue that college entrance exams do not adequately represent a student’s ability to succeed in a college setting, though many college admission officers may disagree with that assessment. Regardless of where one may stand on this issue, the fact remains that the majority of colleges still use the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or ACT (formerly known as the American College Testing Program) when determining which students will be accepted, and will probably continue to use it as a benchmark for admissions for some time. So, where does this leave those students who perform well in school, but have difficulty conquering those tests? Here are some college options to consider. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Colleges for Students with Low Test Scores, Private Colleges, Test-Optional Colleges
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Not too long ago, colleges would send students text-heavy brochures and fliers urging them to come for a visit or apply. Thankfully, many colleges have scaled back their printed marketing efforts and have started to concentrate on a much more lucrative realm – social media. Although most colleges now have a Facebook page, Twitter account, or Google+ page, not all are created equal. Some colleges still don’t embrace social media as a way to engage with prospective students to peak their interests.  Colleges can no longer expect to increase their admissions through brochures alone.  It takes the right combination of educational tidbits, mixed with some fun and fashion, and then sprinkled with a good heaping of team spirit to really capture a student’s interest. Not everyone can create that winning recipe, but here are 10 colleges that get social media right. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Best College Social Media Pages, Colleges and Social Media, Colleges on Social Media
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The process of choosing a college major can be very daunting. It not only determines which classes you should be taking in college, but it also sets the stage for your future career choices. With several potential majors to consider, it may seem like an impossible task. The important thing to remember is that you are not confined to any one degree. In fact, you might choose to double or even triple major, or you may even decide to change your major at some point before you graduate from college. Keep in mind that if you do change majors, you may have to take additional classes, which may extend your time in college and increase your total college costs. Another thing to remember is that many colleges do not require you to declare a major until your sophomore year, so you have some time to figure out what may work best for you. When exploring potential college majors, keep these tips in mind:
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Tags: choosing a college major, college majors and careers, Picking a College Major
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One of the toughest decisions you may face as a high school senior is whether to attend an in-state or an out-of-state college. Although you may have envisioned yourself at a school far away, affordability may ultimately be the deciding factor. It’s important to discuss your expectations for college with your family and understand what you can realistically afford. Once you determine your budget, the next step is narrowing down your list of schools. Even if you dreamed of going to an out-of-state college, don’t overlook in-state schools that may provide the same (or better) options for your college degree. It often helps to look at the pros and cons of both sides before making your final decision.
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Tags: Benefits of In-state Colleges, Benefits of Out-of-State Colleges, In-state v. Out-of-State
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College may seem far away at this point, but it will be here before you know it. In fact, your junior year is one of the most critical when planning for college. It is very important to maintain a strong GPA and keep your grades up during your junior year.  Why?  Because even though you may not apply to college until your senior year, colleges will look closely at your most recent work – your grades and course selection from your junior year. Even if you are still undecided about which career or college major may be best for you, there’s still plenty you can do right now to prepare. Just think of your junior year as a time to explore and research your possibilities. But, as any talented explorer will tell you, you should never venture out without a plan. To ensure you don’t lose your way, we have created this helpful college planning list that will guide you to your ultimate destination – college. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: college planning calendar, college planning for high school juniors, college planning tips
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Are you counting down the days until you leave for college next fall? If you are like many high school seniors, you’re going through a rollercoaster of emotions right now. Which colleges do you apply for? How will you afford it? Do you move far away or stay close to home? It seems like there’s an endless list of things to accomplish and even more decisions to make every day. First, take a deep breath. Although it may seem a bit overwhelming, there’s actually plenty of time between now and graduation to get everything accomplished. A good way to get a handle on everything is to develop a plan and stick to it. Luckily, you have us to help you. By following this easy guideline, you won’t miss anything on your college planning list. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: college planning calendar, college planning help, college planning list for seniors
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The fall is an exciting time of year. Freshmen are eagerly anticipating what life in high school will be like, while seniors are counting down the days until graduation. Students will soon be immersed with information regarding college applications, scholarship opportunities, and college entrance exams. It can be a bit overwhelming, especially for those who have put off their college planning tasks, such as deciding where to apply and which major to choose. This is why it is important to start researching colleges as early as your freshman year of high school. The earlier you can narrow down your top choices, the more time you will have to create an effective action plan to get you closer to your goals. One of the best ways to help you decide which colleges may be perfect for you is to attend a local or regional college fair.
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Tags: College Fair Checklist, College Fairs, Tips for college fairs
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