The beginning of the school year is often a great time to stop by your guidance counselor’s office and schedule a visit. For new students, this is the perfect time to introduce yourself to someone who may become very important in helping you reach your academic goals. If you are a returning student, take this time to update your counselor on any changes in your college plans or activities you may have participated in over the summer. Just remember, he/she may have limited time with you (depending on the size of your high school), so come to the meeting prepared. If you’re not sure what to ask, consider these questions.

1. What courses do I need to complete for college? Most colleges require a minimum number of years in several subjects. Your counselor should be able to assist you in creating a plan to meet or exceed these requirements. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: college planning tips, high school guidance counselor
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A recent article in U.S. News and World Report noted that 62 percent of 1,000 parents surveyed did not know what a 529 plan was or how it worked. That’s not surprising, considering there are over 100 individual options available and plans can vary greatly from state to state. It can be intimidating and confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with financial investments. But when you consider the average student will leave college with approximately $24,000 in student loan debt, it makes sense to take a look at some of the college saving plans available and other creative ways parents can start saving now for their child’s education. Here is a quick look at some available options.
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Tags: 529 plans, college saving plans, saving for college
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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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A few weeks ago, there was a lot of chatter on Facebook and Twitter concerning Justin Combs (son of Sean “Diddy” Combs) and the large scholarship he received from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Many students were outraged that the child of a wealthy rap star was given so much money when there are so many students struggling to pay for college. Although it may seem unfair to some, the truth is Justin earned his scholarship and should enjoy the rewards of his hard work. I think part of the problem with this particular situation is that many people are still confused about scholarships and believe many of the myths that have lingered for years. So, let’s set the record straight by tackling some of the most common scholarship myths still in circulation. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: free scholarship search tool, Scholarship Myths, scholarship 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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In a few short weeks, a new flock of college freshmen will arrive on campus; many will be ready to soar, but others may not be ready to leave the nest just yet. Transitioning from high school to college is a major step in anyone’s life. It’s the first step toward adulthood and it can be a bit scary for some students. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone! Many students have the same fears and concerns when heading off to college. So, before you kiss your parents goodbye and spend your first night on campus alone, check out these helpful tips on tackling your freshman fears.
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Tags: College Freshmen, college life, Freshman Fears
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There’s been a lot of chatter on community forums about whether it is better to enroll your child in an Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. First, it helps to know how each program is unique. The Honors program basically offers students the chance to take regular courses at an accelerated pace, allowing them to cover more of the subject matter than an average student. It may include some additional work and writing, but colleges like to see that students challenged themselves academically.  The AP and IB programs both offer college-level courses with the opportunity to receive college credit, if the student scores high enough on the exams taken at the end of the year. Students working toward an IB diploma may also take AP courses and AP exams, but only those students who were accepted into an IB program can take IB courses. Those in the IB program will also follow a specific set of courses and must complete the Theory of Knowledge course, a 4,000-word extended essay, and 150 service hours.

Determining which program is best for your child depends on many factors. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: AP Courses, Honors Program, IB Diploma
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If you are an incoming high school senior, you’re probably already thinking about your college admission applications. As summer winds down and students get ready to head back to school, now is a good time to start narrowing down your list of potential schools and start working on your admission essays. While some of the college admission applications will have similar requirements, be sure to treat each as a separate entity, carefully reviewing all necessary documentation and deadlines required for admissions. Unfortunately, some students rush through the process, making simple mistakes that may mean the difference between being denied or being accepted. Here are 10 of the most common college application mistakes that you should try to avoid. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: college appication errors, college application mistakes, college application tips
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