Why You Should Know Your Guidance Counselor, Part II
Most students know that their high school guidance counselors provide resources for financial aid assistance, such as locating scholarships for college or understanding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). But many students don’t take full advantage of what a guidance counselor has to offer. As discussed in Part I, guidance counselors can help you select the right academic classes to ensure you are completing the courses required for college admission; they can also get you on the right track for college admissions testing.
Here are some additional reasons why you should be planning a trip to see your high school guidance counselor… Read the rest of this entry »
Why You Should Know Your Guidance Counselor, Part I
We know that high school is hectic and you barely have time to sleep. You may not want to add another meeting to your schedule, but your guidance counselor is someone you should know from the very start of your high school career. He or she will be a valuable resource for everything related to college, as well as someone you can turn to for any issues you may be having at school. Don’t wait until the beginning of your senior year to pop in for a friendly visit, as you may find yourself waiting in line with a bunch of other seniors who didn’t take the time to plan ahead.
Here’s why you should make the time NOW to get to know your high school guidance counselor…
Get on the Right Track. Read the rest of this entry »
Early Decision – Is It Right for You?
October is the beginning of the early decision period for many schools. While the option to apply for early decision may seem attractive, there are many things to consider before taking this route in the college admission process.
Are you 100% confident the school you are applying to is your best fit?
Remember, you can only apply to one college for early decision, and if you are accepted, you are contractually bound to attend that school next fall. You’ll be required to withdraw any outstanding admission applications from other institutions and may need to put down a substantial deposit, as well. Once you are accepted, that’s it. Read the rest of this entry »
Women of Achievement
To celebrate Women’s Achievement Month, we would like to recognize the Seven Sisters Colleges: Barnard College, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Radcliffe College, Smith College, Vassar College and Wellesley College. These historical women’s colleges (Vassar College is now co-ed and Radcliffe College merged with Harvard College) opened between 1837 and 1889, and have some pretty amazing alumnae. When considering where you may attend college, don’t rule out the same-sex campuses. Just consider some of the women of achievement who have received degrees from these all-women colleges.
Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. This successful entrepreneur is a graduate of Barnard College, class of 1964, with a double major in History and Architectural History. Martha runs a successful business that includes books, magazines, television and retail product lines. Forbes estimates her net worth at $970 million. Read the rest of this entry »
The New Graduation Guarantee
It’s no secret that many college students are finding it difficult to finish a degree in just four years. Sometimes students are primarily to blame in requiring extra time to graduate: they miss, drop or fail too many classes; they decide to take a semester off; or they decide, rather late in the game, to change majors or pursue different degrees. In some cases, however, the time it takes for students to earn their degrees increases primarily because of the colleges themselves. How many times have we heard about a student who tried to get into a required class only to find out the class is enrolled beyond capacity and will not be available until a later date? And, even worse, what about the student who learns a required class isn’t being offered at all, and it’s the final class he needs to take in order to graduate? Both instances can set graduation back a semester, a year or even longer.
Many times, students who take a long time to graduate end up paying more for their degrees than originally anticipated, and sometimes they are even required to pay additional ”per credit hour” fees if they go beyond the expected graduation timeline. But things may be changing in the student’s favor. Read the rest of this entry »
Narrowing Your Field of Dreams for College
Deciding where to attend college is one of the hardest (and most important) decisions of your life; the choice should not be made lightly or at the last minute. There are several things to consider before settling on a specific campus. Plus, you may be making this decision with your parents. Yes, that’s right; mom and dad will likely want to have a say in this part of your life, too. And let’s face it: whether they pay for your college or not, they’ll want to know you’re making an informed decision.
It’s important to remember that students and parents might look at and evaluate prospective colleges differently. Parents may want to know the hard facts about a school and, of course, how much it costs. Students are more likely to be interested in location and the social scene. So, how do you find colleges that are right for you and ones that please your parents, too? Follow these tips for narrowing your field of dreams to ensure your college choice doesn’t become a nightmare. Read the rest of this entry »
New Debt Deal Brings Changes for Student Borrowers
Part of the Budget Control Act of 2011 calls for the end of federally subsidized student loans for graduate and doctorate students. As it is now, the government pays the interest on eligible loans while the student is still attending school. After the reforms take effect on July 1, 2012, all federal student loans made to graduate students will begin accumulating interest as soon as the loans are disbursed. With student debt already on the rise, these changes will add to an already unwieldy cost of education for post-baccalaureate students. Critics of the cuts to the loan subsidies argue that the move serves to place graduate and post-grad degrees that much further out of the reach of middle and lower income families. Also include in the debt deal is the termination of a payment incentive that rewards borrowers who make their first 12 payments on time. Read the rest of this entry »
Educating Students About Loans
One of the myriad of consequences for families affected by the economic downturn in the last few years is the lack of money to help pay for college. As a result, many incoming college freshmen turn to student loans to help cover the cost of tuition, boarding, and other expenses.
For the majority of these borrowers, paying for their education will be their first major purchase, and their first major exposure to the lending and payback process. The average student who utilizes student loans will borrow an average of over $20,000 to pay for their educational expenses, according to a recent report by The Project on Student Debt. While taking out student loans is a necessity for many students, how educated are these young people about the responsibility they are taking on? For example, how many students know the APR rate for the loans they apply for, or take the time to calculate what their payment amounts will be when they graduate and enter the repayment period? Read the rest of this entry »
Summer Checklist for Parents of Graduating Seniors
What can you do to ensure your child’s success after high school?
Congratulations! Now that May 1st has passed, and your student has decided where to go to college, you should be proud that your child is on the brink of a new life stage! Soon it will be time for your graduating high school senior to step across that magical threshold into the new and wonderful world of college. Take a few moments to read and think about the things listed below that you can do this summer to make the next three months a time of successful transition for the entire family.
[ ] Verbally recognize your child’s accomplishments to‐date…not every student completes high school and not every student decides to pursue higher education. You have a lot to be proud of, so communicate that to your child. Read the rest of this entry »
NACAC Encourages Flexibility on May 1 Universal Reply Date
Sunday, May 1st is the National Candidate Reply Date, the deadline for most students to enroll for school, make a deposit, or formally accept scholarship offers from the schools they will be attending in the fall. In the wake of the tragic tornado outbreaks in several states throughout the southeastern United States, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling is asking for flexibility from college admissions offices with regard to the May 1st deadline for student deposits and commitments. NACAC is hoping schools will understand that there may be delays in receiving replies from students in the affected areas. Already, the University of Alabama has suspended normal operations, postponed commencement exercises, and extended the scholarship acceptance date. Any students affected by the recent tornadoes are encouraged to contact the admissions offices at their schools if possible to request an extension of the acceptance deadline.
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