Category Archives: college guidance

admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, college visits

Lessons I Learned During the College Search

college search

The college search is easily stressful for both parents and students. The amount of knowledge a parent needs to help their student navigate through college prep can be overwhelming. From choosing the college, to deciding how to pay for it, to making the final decision, it’s hard not to become stressed and frustrated.

Both my children attended college but took different paths. One entered college straight out of high school and the other after four years of military service. Even though the college search for each of them was different, during their individual searches I learned some valuable lessons.

Expand your search beyond the usual perimeters

When you begin the college search, you should cast a wide net. Many students limit themselves to state colleges, colleges with prestigious names and even nearby schools. There are over 4000 institutions of higher learning in the United States and even more if you expand your search beyond our borders—Canada and even internationally. Canadian colleges offer excellent educations and are often a better financial fit than many U.S. colleges.

Moving outside your comfort zone might help you and your student find a better fit. My daughter had her heart set on a large university and while doing a college search, we unearthed a small private college in the same city that was a better academic, social and financial fit for her. Keep an open mind and don’t discount a college simply because of name, location, or lack of notoriety.

Do the leg work

Do your research before narrowing down the final college list. Look at statistics. They will tell you so much about a college. You should compare graduation rates, financial aid award percentages, freshman retention rates, admissions acceptance rates and more. Make your choices based on your research statistics and whether or not the college fits your student’s academic and social needs.

These websites that can help with your research: College Navigator, Cost of Learning, Big Future, and the Department of Education.

College visits can be highly emotional

College visits for you are fact-finding missions. College visits for your teen are highly emotional. You can expect to hear words like “I’m just not feeling it”, “I won’t get out of the car”, “I don’t like the look for the campus/buildings”, and other irrational comments. Just remember that feelings are a part of the final college choice. You can’t expect your student to make their new home at a college they don’t like, for whatever reason.

I experienced this with my daughter. She received an offer of admission and a full-ride scholarship from a college we applied to but never visited. Based on the website, location and academic offerings she felt it would be a good fit. When we arrived on campus in early April for our first visit, she refused to get out of the car. She didn’t like the look or the size of the campus. Of course, I was completely frustrated with her, but she just instinctively knew it was not the college for her. Looking back, even though it seemed emotional, she knew what she wanted and ultimately chose the perfect college she felt was a good fit.

Organization is critical

You will be bombarded with information during your college search. The key to keeping track of it all and staying on top of all the deadlines is to stay organized. Your teen should set up an email purely for college information and correspondence. Make it official by using firstname_lastname @gmail.com. All college correspondence will come to this address and your teen can set up folders to help organize it.

You should also maintain a filing system for organizing paper. This might be anything from college brochures to scholarship materials and applications, to keeping track of accomplishments for the resume. Keep all college-related materials in one place—a college landing zone.

Ask for help if necessary

Some parents like me choose to work alone and guide their student through the college process, while others choose to hire a professional college consultant. Choose what is best for your family and its own financial resources. If you choose to work alone, there is a wealth of information online from blogs and social media. If you have a question, leave a post on a Facebook page, comment on a blog or DM someone on Twitter. Most professionals are happy to help with anything that might stump you.

You can also seek advice from your high school counselor, teachers or even college admissions staff. You don’t have to flounder around hoping you have the right information. Approach the college search with knowledge and determination and your student will succeed!

admissions, college guidance, college majors, college planning, college prep

Attending an Urban College

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urban college
New York Film and Acting School

I just returned from a visit to New York City and am always amazed by the college opportunities available in such a small space. Manhattan is a mere 23 square miles and there are hundreds of colleges for any interest beckoning for the adventurous student. From focused studies in film, acting, music and fashion, to the traditional four-year college, Manhattan offers a wide variety of secondary education choices.

Is your student craving for an urban experience at college? If so, there are a few things to consider.

What is an urban college environment like?

In New York City, the colleges have become part of the city itself. They are mingled within the skyscrapers and citywide neighborhoods. In other cities, the college is more self-contained in in their own little neighborhoods. Since this type of environment can be overwhelming, especially for students who come from small towns or rural areas. Don’t fool yourself into thinking just because you want to escape the small-town mentality, that an urban environment will be easy to navigate.

It takes some tenacity and fortitude to navigate the subway system in New York, along with the millions of people who live on Manhattan. The same is true for colleges in Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and other large metropolitan areas.

What are the benefits of attending an urban college?

Urban colleges, like those in New York, offer a wide range of cultural off-campus experiences and a variety of entertainment like museums, concerts, plays and more. In addition, urban colleges offer students a larger pool of possible internship opportunities since many companies operate within these large cities. For instance, if your student is studying film, acting, fashion or music, a college on Manhattan will put them in close proximity to many opportunities to hon their craft and get advice from those currently working in these areas.

For example, in New York City, there is a restaurant called Ellen’s Stardust Diner that offers budding Broadway hopefuls the opportunity to perform each day live in front of an audience of diners while earning wages as servers. In addition, the establishment pays for additional acting, singing and dancing classes for its employees. This year alone, 17 of its employees have joined Broadway productions.

Is an urban college the right choice for your student?

Urban colleges are good environments for outgoing students who have a spirit of adventure and who like to interact with people of different cultures and backgrounds. There will always be something going on in the city and it will be easy to access any activity that interests you.  

It’s easy to get around an urban college because you will have access to a large public transportation system. It likely won’t be necessary to have a car while attending college because of the easy accessibility of transportation.

If a certain city is a hot sport for your student’s chosen career field, like Broadway theater is in New York, they might consider attending a college within the city. It will be easier to do networking and make connections while attending school.

Tomorrow, I will explore the advantages of attending a suburban college. Stay tuned!

admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep

Busting 5 college myths

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college myths

Have you ever heard someone say, “College is a waste of time and money”? Or, “There’s no way I could afford to go to college”? These are some common college myths that many people believe to be true. But the reality is that neither of these statements is true.

Following are some common myths about college, examining the reality of each of them:

Myth #1: College is a waste of time and money.

College is only a waste of time and money if you waste your time and your money. Choose the right college at the right price and you will recoup your investment ten-fold. Choose the wrong college and incur a tremendous amount of debt and the myth could become a reality. Waste your time drinking and partying without devoting time to academics and that tuition money could fly out the window.

Myth #2: There’s no way I could afford to go to college.

Many students and parents believe that financial aid is only for the extremely poor or highly gifted students. That’s simply not true. Everyone qualifies for some form of financial aid and there is an affordable college solution for everyone. Community college is an affordable option. Winning scholarships can decrease your college costs as well. Working during college can also help defer some of the costs. If college is your dream, there is a way to finance it.

Myth #3: The college with the lowest price is the most affordable.

This is not necessarily true. Colleges with high sticker prices often give the most financial aid based on alumni contributions and generous donors. After taking financial aid into consideration, a seemingly more expensive college may be more affordable than one with a lower sticker price.

Myth #4: The only good degree comes from a 4-year college.

Nothing could be further from the truth. There are many satisfying and good paying jobs that require 2-year or technical degrees. If those type of careers interest you, then you should not discount that type of education. Getting the degree you need for the career you want is more important than graduating from a 4-year college.

Myth #5: Small colleges offer limited opportunities.

The size of a college isn’t enough to make a complete judgment. Small colleges and large universities all offer unique opportunities for the students who are looking for that perfect fit. The philosophy and vision of the college and its leadership is much more important that the size of the student body or campus.

Don’t believe everything people say about college. Do your own research and evaluate using the information you gather. Separate the myths from the realities.

college guidance, college planning, college visits

Looking toward college decision day

college decision day

The middle of April is here and students who have been accepted to college are weighing their options and finalizing their choice on or before college decision day. Since this is a life decision and a difficult choice for you and your student, these five tips can help you make that final college choice.

Revisit every college on the list

You can’t know if a college is a good fit without visiting it. Even if you’ve already visited before you were offered admission, revisiting brings a new perspective. Can you see yourself there? Do you fit in with the student body? Does it feel like your new home for the next four years? Revisit with these questions in mind. If you didn’t visit before you apply, this visit is crucial. Never choose a college sight unseen!

Take a hard look at the financial awards

For many students, it comes down to “showing the money”. Compare financial aid awards side by side and use them to weigh your decision. If a college offers admission but doesn’t back it up with financial aid, you should consider a college who did. Why? Because offering aid is a sign of how badly the college wants you to attend.

Determine what your deal-breakers are

Every student has those deal-breakers: Greek life, a specific major, a dorm amenity, location, alumni network and others. A college that doesn’t have that one item on the list, might not be the college for you.

Connect with current students and alumni again

If your student is still unsure, it might help to connect with current students and/or alumni. This group can provide an honest assessment of the college and campus life. Your student can ask questions of each group and will most likely receive an honest answer (one that isn’t on the tour or in the college brochure).

Listen, discuss and decide

Once you and your student have compared colleges, revisited campuses and looked at financial aid, it’s time to listen and discuss. Talk through the decision-making process and voice any concerns either of you might have. Remember–listening is key. Don’t force a college on your student if he’s “just not feeling it.” There’s usually a reason.

The May 1st deadline does put pressure on students to make a decision, especially if there is more than one college that is in the running. You can always use the old trick–flip a coin for heads or tails and whichever your student hopes it lands on that’s the college to choose!

admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, essays, financial aid, scholarships, test prep

Everything You Need to Know About College from 5 of the Best Experts

college

It’s a jungle out there–cluttered with all kinds of college advice. How does a parent hack through the massive amounts of advice and find what they need with confidence? It’s not easy. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of college help websites, Facebook groups, YouTube channels and more offering paid and unpaid advice about college.

There are five experts I turn to when I need added advice about all things college:

Debbie Schwartz-admissions/financial aid

Debbie Schwartz founded Road2College in 2016 to educate families about college admissions and empower smarter college financial decisions. Her facebook group has a huge following with parents and experts sharing advice about paying for college and finding colleges with the best merit aid.

Website: https://www.road2college.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/payingforcollege/

Monica Matthews-scholarships

With all the scholarship search sites and information out there, you need someone to help your student WIN the scholarships they are eligible for. Monica fits that bill. She successfully helped her son graduate debt-free with $100,000 worth of scholarships by using her unique method of packaging the scholarship application. She knows her stuff and she knows what you need to know to make the scholarship application process successful.

Website: https://how2winscholarships.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/How.To.Win.College.Scholarships/

Jodi Okun-financial aid

Perhaps the most complicated aspect of the college application process is financial aid. Jodi has experience in this area from working in a college’s financial aid department. She has advice related to the FAFSA, student loans, financing college and helping your student budget for college. If you have a financial aid question, Jodi knows the answer.

Website: http://collegefinancialaidadvisors.com/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/374562589403896/

Ethan Sawyer-college essays

I love Ethan’s information because he knows what he is talking about and much of it is free to anyone who takes the time to browse his website. He offers samples of essays, tips for writing them, brainstorming ideas and more. He also provides personalized help with the essay and web training for students as well. You can’t go wrong by using Ethan’s expertise and he even has a “pay what you can afford” option for his seminars. What could be better?

Website: www.collegeessayguy.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CollegeEssayGuy/

Jenn Cohen-test prep

If you have a learning disabled student or simply a student who can’t seem to focus on preparing for standardized tests, Jenn is the expert. Her unique method of coaching not only helps prepare your student for the test, but she helps them learn study habits to help with more than test prep. Jenn has the training and the experience to help your student do their best on any of the standardized tests. Plus, she’s a Duke alumini and proud of it!

Website: http://www.launchpadeducation.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LaunchPadEducation/

Disclaimer: I don’t receive any fee or commission for recommending these experts. These are simply my own “go to” experts when I have a question or need to collaborate in any of these areas of college prep. I trust them implicitly and you can too!

admissions, college guidance, college planning

5 Tips to Avoid Being a College Dropout

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college dropout

The National Center for Education Statistics requisitioned a study that followed the attainment and persistence rates of a nationally representative sample of 19,000 American students, following them over the past six years.

The report found that within six years of enrollment:

  • 35 percent of students had not received any type of degree and were no longer enrolled at any institution
  • 46 percent of students who initially enrolled in two-year institutions did not receive any type of degree and were no longer enrolled at any institution
  • 50 percent of students who enrolled in a four-year college did not attain a degree from that college

These statistics show that there is a significant amount of students who enter college and do not attain a degree. What can be done to assure that you don’t become one of those college dropout statistics?

1. Research colleges and majors before applying—It’s just plain smart to do the research and know why and where you want to go to college. Refine your list of choices to include the colleges that offer the academic program that suits your interests and the college setting and faculty that you feel most comfortable with and could see yourself flourishing in that environment.

2. Study the cost of attendance and know your financial aid options—Before you choose a college, make sure you can pay for it and that you’re comfortable with repaying any loans you secure to finance it. Verify that your scholarships will be available for the course of your enrollment and what requirements need to be met to keep them. Do some calculations that show you the true cost of attendance using college cost calculators.

3. Find the “perfect fit” college—If you feel like you fit at the college you are attending, you will be more likely to stay and complete your degree. That perfect fit means that you want to be there AND the college values you and wants you there as well.

4. Be invested in the process—If college is your goal, you need to be invested in the process. Contribute to the education financially and you will be more likely to stay invested and complete the process. Going just for the sake of going or because you think it’s what you are supposed to do will not keep you there.

5. Be realistic about obstacles and get help if necessary—College, like life, will have its own set of obstacles. When you encounter them, get help. Seek advice from a mentor or another student. Get tutoring if you find you’re struggling with your classes. Speak with a professor if you need clarification or assistance on projects. Use your RA (Resident Assistant) to help resolve roommate conflicts.

Before you make such a large investment, the wise consumer will do the research and be realistic about what is required to finance the education, while admitting that you will face obstacles along the way.

college guidance, dorm life, parenting

Life Lessons Your Student Will Learn in College

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collegeDo you remember the days of being in college? For the most part, it’s full of so many happy memories, life lessons, and ways of creating a future for yourself. While college is still a place to grow independently without the supervision of parents, there is still the thought in the back of their minds about what the future holds for them, and what they need to do to ensure they get the right career. Among all of this pressure, there are still life lessons to learn in college.

The Big Money Problem

Your kids won’t really understand the value of money until they reach college.  As they get older and start college, the things that they have to pay for grow and grow, and they aren’t always going to be able to rely on the bank of mom and dad to help them out. They really do need to learn the skill of managing money, and they’re never going to be able to do that if they know they’ve always got something to fall back on from you. You could even help them with their money management.  As hard as college is on the finances, it definitely does help to teach a lesson or two.

Solo Living

They will have to learn to do things for themselves. Washing and drying, and perhaps even ironing. Keeping the room clean so that it doesn’t start to smell, and generally caring for themselves. You wouldn’t believe how many college kids hygiene levels drop in the first couple of months because they just can’t look after themselves. They have the stress of making new friends, getting used to college, and getting used to living on their own to deal with. So sometimes because of all of this stress, hygiene levels do drop! They also learn to enjoy their own company, which we really do think is an important life lesson. You can’t always rely on people to be around you, so being content being alone is an important life lesson.

Finding A Love For Travel

So, we’ve spoke about financial management and the stress of juggling living solo, so how on earth do they fit travel in!? Many colleges actually organize a couple of trips relating to sports, or the course they’re studying. A school trip company would organize the location and perhaps the itinerary, and all your kids would have to do is pay the fee to go. Trips or studying abroad teaches your student to enjoy other parts of the world, and be aware of world problems. Travel really does help to broaden then mind in other ways, and it’s such a good way to fill a life with memories, especially at college

The Real World

We would like to think that the biggest lesson they learn, is about the real world. Although they might not be in it just yet, they know it’s looming, and hopefully they understand how stressful it’s going to be. During high school, kids are sort of shielded from the realities of what adult life is going to be like, but during college, they really start to drum it in about the hardships out there. So, the lessons to be learned will involve the importance of finding and keeping a good job, and how to look after themselves.

The Importance Of Family

Finally, a big lesson they will hopefully learn is the importance of family. Family time is something that will become hard to come by while. But hopefully this lack of contact, but influx of support, teaches them why parents and family are the best people in their lives!

college guidance

The Pros and Cons of Moving Away to College

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collegeOne of the biggest decisions a young person has to make is what college to go to. Do you spread your wings and go to a school further out from where you live, or even overseas? Or do you stay home and keep your focus under the watchful eye of your parents? Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros: access to the best schools and/ or courses

One of the biggest advantages to moving away to university is to go and study at the best school or course that you can. Different universities are renowned for different things, and if you’re able to get accepted then it makes sense that you’d choose the best school that you can. Do your research, and apply to the schools that offer what you’re looking for with your expected grades. You will receive an instant rejection, or a offer based on you achieving the results you’ve stated.

Cons: homesickness

Even though you’re officially an adult when you go away to university, some students can experience serious homesickness. This can impact your mental health as well as your studies. It’s always worth giving these things a go, you might surprise yourself and with communication these days being so good you can always video call back home. Just be aware that if things get

Pros: learning independence

Going away to university isn’t just about earning a qualification. While of course this is the most important thing, moving to university helps you to learn about yourself as well as improve your education and job prospects. For most young people, moving away to college is the first time they’ve lived away from home. Being away from the security and regulation of your parents home can help you discover more about yourself, it helps you to grow up and learn responsibility since it’s the opportunity to stand on your own two feet. You’ll need to be able to organize your time, your finances, you’ll need to learn how to keep your accommodation clean, your clothes clean, you’ll need to learn to feed yourself. Moving to university is like a crash course in adulthood, and having these skills when you graduate can really set you on a good path for the rest of your life.

Cons: lack of life skills

No young person is going to know it all before moving away, and learning as you go is the key to success. However, some people lack the fundamental skills to make this work in the first place. If you’ve always relied on parents to cook, clean, budget and know none of the basics then going off to a new place can leave you feeling like you’ve been totally thrown in at the deep end. If you know you’re off to college in the future, work on building up some of these skills now. Find a budgeting app that suits you, even if you only have to pay for your own car and phone while you’re living at home it will get you used to managing money. Learn some simple yet healthy budget recipes that could keep you going if you moved away.

college guidance, college planning, college prep, extracurricular activities, financial aid, financial planning, organization, scholarships

Getting In to Your First Choice College

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first choiceWhile many students are busy packing their bags and getting ready to leave for their first year at college, still others are working on their applications for the next round of admissions. Of course, if your child fits the latter category, it’s likely that they already have a college in mind that they wish to attend. Happily, by reading the post below you can find out about the tactics that will help them get into their first choice. Keep reading to discover more.

Address any study or subject issues

Number one of the list tactics is dealing with grades, as this is the base level that a college application will address. Happily, this is something that you can definitely help your child with, without micromanaging them as well. Firstly, it’s vital that you take a keen interest in their progress with their studies, without being overbearing and demanding.

Then, if they or their teachers flag up an issue on a particular topic, it will be much easier to address this constructively. It may be that your child is struggling with a specific subject, or that something is going on in their life that creating a distraction for them. However, as long as you are able to have an honest two-way conversation, you will ultimately be able to get them the support or help they need to ensure that their grades remain on target to get into the college of their choice.

Help your child to present a rounded application

Please do remember though that while grades are essential for college, they are not the only thing that the application board with be looking at. In fact, lately, there has been a definite move towards reviewing the whole person and looking at their extracurricular activities as well as their academic ones.

What this means is that you can quickly help your child by encouraging them to engage in activities outside of the home. These may include sports such as basketball, football, and athletics, as well as getting them involved in community projects like food banks, reading programs, and soup kitchens. Even having a part-time job, or getting some work experience in a firm that is related to their studies can go a long way to helping them stand out amounts all the other candidates. Something that can help them secure that much-needed place in their first choice school.

Seek additional help

It’s also wise to remember as a parent that there is plenty of help out there both for you and your child when it comes to making a successful college application. First off there is lots of advice online that can take you through the process step by step, and also help you hone your child’s particular application documents.

Although, if your child is aiming at one of the top schools in the country it can be helpful to approach specialists like Ivy Select admission consulting for some additional help. After all, as they have been through the process of being accepted to an ivy league college, they are the best people to know all the little tips and tweaks to make to your child’s application for the best chance of them getting into their first choice.

Explore financial aid and scholarship options

Lastly, it is important to remember that it may be finance and scholarship issues that are standing in the way of your child getting into their first choice college. In fact, as university fees have risen so sharply in recent times, it is widespread for students to pick the more economically viable options, rather than where they genuinely want to go.

Luckily you can assist your child in dealing with this, by going through the costs of their course with them, and showing them what sort of budget they will be working on. You can even help them by demonstrating how this will affect their income when they are qualified and have to pay any loans back.

It’s obviously also important to openly discuss how much, if any financial help you will be providing to them, and not leave them guessing. After all, this may have a significant impact on whether they end up applying for the genuine first choice or not.

Lastly, it’s crucial that you also go over the options for scholarships with your child as well, and make sure that they understand these entirely before they make their applications. After all, the can be complicated and confusing and they may even need to start working on things like their grades or other requirements before it gets to application time. Something that you can support them with and that can ultimately help them get into their first choice college.

college guidance, college majors, college planning

How to Choose the Right College Courses

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college coursesIf you are thinking about choosing your next college courses, you will need to make sure that you are not making a mistake that will cost you time and money. While online education is generally cheaper and more flexible than campus-based programs, you will have to be diligent and check out the accreditation level and quality of the degree before you sign up and part with your money. Below you will find a few tips on how to find the right course for your career goals.

Read Online Reviews

If you are interested in a course, you might want to read online reviews. There are plenty of college students blogging about their experience with the teachers and the course material, you just have to find their publications. Alternatively, you can read feedback on popular review sites and social media pages to find out whether or not the course curriculum is for you.

Test Drive Courses

In case you are still undecided which course to sign up for, you can test drive university courses. You might sign up for a free trial online and check out the quality of support provided for clients and find out whether or not you will be able to cope. You can find out how much coursework you will get each term and how complicated the exams are before you commit to completing a course.

Check Out Industry Growth

In case you are looking for further education to improve your employability, you will need to do your research and find out the rate your chosen industry is predicted to grow in the next few years. If your future role is going to be replaced by artificial intelligence, you might be better off choosing another route now instead of trying to change your career further down the line.

Build On Your Current Skills

It might also be a good idea to save time and money, choosing a future course that gives you credit for your previous courses. This will allow you to complete the course faster and gain a qualification so you can start your career. You might have a hospitality business and want to get a masters in hotel management degree  so you can secure a management position and improve your chances of advancing your career.

Know Your Limitations

It is crucial that you consider the time and energy you have to complete your course. If you are working part or full time, you will need to improve your time management skills. You might now think that you can study during the night, but if you don’t get enough sleep, your work and your college assignments will suffer, not to mention your health and wellbeing.

Making an informed decision about your college course is important to get a good job and a secure career. Consider your existing qualifications, your free time, your other commitments, and the industry growth predictions, so you can avoid spending time and money on courses you will not benefit from.