Making Harvard More Affordable

Harvard recently announced they will be replacing all loans with grants. Prior, families making less than $60,000 were already receiving free tuition. Now, they are targeting middle to upper-middle class families, offering a reduction in tuition. Click here to read the entire article.

Virtual College Fair - Sept 17 and Nov 4-7

Don't have time or the resources to attend a college fair? Check out College Week Live September 17, 2009 and November 4-7, 2009.

With hundreds of colleges and universities participating you can watch presentations from college representatives on college admissions and financial aid information. Don't forget to register! Best of all, it's FREE!

Here's what College Week Live is saying about this event:

CollegeWeekLive is the world’s biggest virtual college fair, with hundreds of colleges and universities from around the world exhibiting and tens of thousands of attendees. CollegeWeekLive events revolutionize college admissions, making the process easier and more cost-effective by bringing together students, parents, counselors and colleges online to interact, transcending time and distance. CollegeWeekLive is completely free to attendees.

CollegeWeekLive attendees can watch admissions experts speak on topics such as how to prepare for the SAT, how to write a winning application essay or how to pay for college and have questions answered via live chat. Attendees can also video chat with college students and learn what campus life is really like.

The event features scholarships and special promotions available only to those who attend.

Building a College List

One of the first critical steps in the college application is deciding where to apply. What are you looking for in your colleges? This is a very personalized process. Below are some examples of criteria that may help you decide what types of college area good fit for you:

- Public or Private
- Tuition
- Majors offered on campus
- Location of campus (rural, urban, suburban)
- Size of campus (large = 10k or more, medium = between 5k and 10k, small = 5k or less)
- Size of classrooms
- Student to Teacher ratio
- Demographic of campus
- Housing
- Clubs/Extracurricular Activities
- Collegiate sports or Intramural sports
- Academic Resources
- Research/Internship opportunities
- Financial Aid/Scholarship opportunities
- Religion
- Accessible transportation on/around campus
- Safety
- Liberal Arts or a specific type of training (such as Art school)
- Campus culture (liberal, conservative, traditional, non-conforming, etc)
- Single Sex campuses
- Distance from home (most of you are thinking as far away as possible but what if you want to come home for a weekend? Think about the logistics about getting to/from your respective college - especially if you're in a rural campus on the east coast in the dead of winter...)
- What are my chances of getting in? Be sure to have a balanced list of colleges, meaning some will be a reach, some will be right on target, and some you're confident you'll get an acceptance letter.

Obama's American Graduation Initiative

At Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, President Obama unveiled the American Graduation Initiative, a 10-year, $12 billion plan to invest in community colleges.

The President stated, "By 2020, this nation will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. We used to have that. We're going to have it again. And we've begun to take historic steps to achieve this goal. Already we've increased Pell grants by $500. We've created a $2,500 tax credit for four years of college tuition. We've simplified student aid applications and ensured that aid is not based on the income of a job that you just lost. A new GI Bill of Rights for the 21st century is beginning to help soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan to begin a new life -- in a new economy. And the recovery plan has helped close state budget shortfalls -- which put enormous pressure on public universities and community colleges -- at the same time making historic investments in school libraries and classrooms and facilities all across America. So we've already taken some steps that are building the foundation for a 21st century education system here in America, one that will allow us to compete with China and India and everybody else all around the world."

To read his entire speech, click here.

Planning for Senior year

Senior year is difficult to manage with rigorous classes, AP exams, extra curricular activities, and college planning and applications. Here are four things you can do now to make your senior year less overwhelming:

1. Research colleges of interest and begin building a list. Not sure where to start? Check out this resource page for recommended books and websites.


2. If you have not taken your standardized tests, determine when you will take them in the fall. Click on these links for the 2009/2010 test dates SAT or ACT (be sure to tab over to the 2009-2010 dates).


3. Visit colleges. Even if your not sure where you want to apply, by seeing colleges, it will help you determine what type of campus fits with your personal and academic needs. Refer back to this previous blog posting and scroll down to "Visiting Colleges".
   
4. Begin developing essays. The Common Application, used by over 300 colleges and universities provides the following six prompts:

• Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.


• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.


• Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.


• 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.


• 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.


• Topic of your choice.
  

Changes to the Common Application

The Common Application, a universal college application used by over 300 colleges and universities is scheduled to "go live" on July 1st.

Click here to see the changes being made to this year's application. Yellow highlighting indicates changes to the paper (and online) application, and pink highlighting indicates new "dropdown menu" choices will be available online.

Seniorisits can cause rescinded acceptances

It's not uncommon for high school seniors to want slow their pace and let a grade or two slip now that college acceptance letters have been received. After four fast-paced years of studying, it seems fair to relax a bit.


Think again.


At the University of Colorado at Boulder, about 50 acceptances get rescinded per year. Click here to read the full article and watch the side video. And in case you're still not convinced, here's an article from the Washington Post

Standardized Tests: Which one to take? How about neither!

Not sure if the SAT or the ACT is more suitable to your learning and test-taking style? Check out this recent posting from Ellen Richards that charts out the key areas of the SAT and the ACT.

Did you know that there are hundreds of colleges that are standardized tests optional? One in particular is Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY (notable alumni: broadcast journalist Barbara Walters, producer/creator of "Fringe" and "Lost" J.J. Abrams, and fashion designer Vera Wang - to name a few). Here is a list of test optional colleges compiled by Fairtest.org

It takes a community to educate a child

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I'd go even further to say it takes a community to educate a child. Education is vital in keeping our country and its people a powerful force in this world. Education should not be a privliedge for those who can afford it but rather an opportunity for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

After reading this article about nine universities receiving over $45 million in anonymous donations, and am reminded that even in the worst of economic times, there are people in our communities who continue to believe in the power of education and in the belief that ALL should have the opportunity to pursue higher education.

We'll probably never find out who these donors are (or perhaps it was just one donor?), but think of the impact they have made to these nine campuses and to the students who will benefit from their generous donations.

As an advocate for education, I can only hope that others will be inspired and give back to their local universities and to their communities. Not all donations need be monetary. Volunteering your time is just as valuable and every community needs help.

Good School

"I WANT TO APPLY TO A "GOOD SCHOOL"

I'm always baffled by this statement. What does "good school" mean?

Is there such a thing as a bad school? I doubt it.

Is there such a thing as a bad fit? Absolutely.

How does one define "good school"?
To some, defining a "good school" is solely based on rankings and reputation. Oftentimes if a school is well known students will apply. In 2008, UCLA received over 55,000 freshman applications. They admitted 12,660 freshman and about 4,700 enrolled. Why is it that historically UCLA is the most popular college to apply to? Look at their reputation: great weather, great sports, great academics. If these criteria are important to you, why wouldn't you apply?

For others a "good school" might be the unique academic curriculum. For example, Colorado College offers block scheduling (e.g., you take one class at a time. Each class is about 3.5 weeks long). Students that are in block scheduling programs would agree that it works for their style of learning. If your learning style is similar, this might be an important academic fit in your college search.

Not sure where or how to start? College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You is loaded with worksheets and exercises to help you define your interests. The book will not tell you where to apply, but that is where a college counselor can help.

Shhh, I have a secret that could reduce your college costs.

After reading this article and learning that more than 70% of prospective college students will be altering their college plans this year because of the economy, I felt compelled to spread some hope by sharing in on my little secret. Well, it's not much of a secret to college counselors, but I'm always surprised by the response of students and families - they had no idea!?!

There are a handful of 4-year colleges in the United States that offer FREE tuition! In most instances, the college guarantees tuition but will require "other" fees such as room and board. Many of the colleges are specialized (e.g., Engineering, Music, Military, or all-male), some have mandatory work-study programs, and others offer free tuition in exchange for five years of service (military) after graduation.

There's relief in knowing that there are affordable colleges out there; you just need to find them. And if you're reading this blog posting, eureka! You just found them.

Let me warn you though, these are not easy institutions to get into. Your academic profile is carefully reviewed, as it would be at any college you apply to. Treat this application as you would any other. Additionally,with some of these colleges, a desire to become a teacher, possessing an artistic talent, or having a committment to serve in the military is required. Explore your personal and academic goals to ensure the school(s) listed below are a fit before applying just to apply because of the free tuition.

Here is the list of 4-year colleges that offer guaranteed or heavily reduced tuition:
Alice Lloyd College
Berea College

College of the Ozarks
Curtis Institute of Music
Deep Springs College
Olin College of Engineering
The Cooper Union
The Teacher Academy (CUNY) Scholarship
US Air Force Academy
US Coast Guard Academy

US Merchant Marine Academy

US Military Academy (West Point)
US Naval Academy

I'm not a senior. What should I be doing right now?

Just because you're not a senior in high school doesn't mean you shouldn't be planning ahead. Here are some tips on areas you can concentrate on right now that will help you prepare for your college application process:

* Are you taking challenging courses in school?
Speak with your school counselor about your course load and find a realistic yet challenging balance in your academic schedule.

* Will you apply to a UC or CSU?
Visit the University of California's A-G website or California State University Mentor to cross-reference class requirements.

* Do you have any extra curricular activities?
Any type of activity you do outside of the classroom will help you learn more about your personal interests. So not only are you gaining an understanding of your self, but when you fill out your college applications and write your essays, you can speak about your activities and why they are meaningful to you. Some examples of extra curricular activities are:

- Working a part-time job

- Volunteering in your community

- Getting involved on campus in various clubs or activities

- Club or high school sports

- Taking personal growth classes (e.g., art, music, etc.)

- Starting a club on campus

- Starting a campaign to raise awareness for a cause/issue that is important to you


* What are your summer plans?
Because your summer schedule is typically less hectic, concentrate on other activities you find interesting but might not have time to participate in during a normal school year. For example, you could volunteer or find a part time job in your community. Or, you could take a class for either academic or personal enrichment. Some students even participate in pre-college programs. Regardless of what you decide, plan in advance. Now is the time to begin speaking to organizations about volunteer work, applying for pre-college programs, planning summer school schedules, and applying for summer jobs.

* Visiting Colleges.
College may be the furthest thing from your mind right now but the sooner you can determine what kind of college is a good fit for you, the easier your college application process will be. If you have local colleges in your area, check them out. For example in the Bay Area, you can visit UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco, Notre Dame de Namur, Menlo College, Foothill College, Canada College, and Mills College, to name a few. When on these campuses, look at their size (30k students, 10k students, 2k students, etc.) the location (city, suburban, rural, etc.) and type of college (public, private, religious affiliated, all women's, etc.). With over 3,000 colleges in the United States, determining the size, location, and type of college that works best for you will help narrow your search.

UC San Diego's Admit Day email blunder

After spending grueling hours last fall researching colleges, writing essays, seeking letter of recommendations, and filling out applications, most high school seniors would agree that right now all they can think about is whether or not their colleges have accepted them. This is an emotional time for students. There's the thrill of being accepted and the pain of being rejected.

Earlier this week, UCSD erroneously sent out an email to 28,000 students welcoming them to the campus for Admit Day (new student orientation) - after already being rejected. This email was intended to be sent to about 18,000 students who were already accepted, of the more than 46,000 applicants.

As painful this was for many students, UCSD is not the first or only campus to have made this type of administrative error. Cornell University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Northwestern University's prestigious Kellogg School of Management have made similar admission notification mistakes in the last five years, but UCSD's mistake was by far the biggest.

To read more about UCSD's blunder, click here. If you want to continue reading about this topic, view these related articles.

How the economy is affecting college choices: New survey findings reported

Jack Maguire of Maguire Associates is conducting a national survey on student and parent attitudes on the economy and how those attitudes are affecting colleges choices. The survey includes responses from 30,000 students and 6,000 parents.


Click here to view the interview and learn about his findings.

You've been accepted! Now what?

As April quickly approaches, high school seniors will have a list of which colleges they've been admitted and now must decide where to commit. This article for students and parents provides advice on 10 Things to Do once you've been admitted.

Making standardized tests optional?

A new research study has concluded that if the SAT or ACT tests were optional, there would be an increase in racial and socioeconomic diversity at competitive colleges. The findings appear to confirm what SAT critics have said for years: that reliance on the SAT in college admissions favors applicants who are white and/or wealthier than other applicants.


To date, there is only one college, Sarah Lawrence College, who has dropped the standardized test requirement all together. Their admissions website states, " Sarah Lawrence College feels that standardized testing is not effective in evaluating a student's ability to succeed in a writing-based curriculum such as ours."


Click on the link to read the article from Inside Higher Ed.

Want to learn more about test optional colleges? Visit is fairtest.org. They provide a list with over 800 test optional colleges.

Understanding Finanical Aid

What does all this mean?

FinAid.org has compiled a glossary of terms to help you understand their terms and acronyms.

Not sure how to plan for college financially?

The Department of Education and Federal Student Aid created the FAFSA4caster which provides tools for families get an estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. This is a handy tool for sophomores and juniors, in particular.

What does financial aid look like for today's entering freshman?

Forbes.com posted an article recently that explains how colleges are making changes to accomodate students and families.

Unpredictable Year for College Admissions

In years past, statistical models aided college admissions departments in determining the number of students that would accept their offers. But this year, with the economy in disarray, colleges can't rely on their usual models for admitting students. They are trying to figure out how many students to accept, and how many students will accept them.

More students are opting to stay in-state and attend public colleges because typically they are more affordable. In response, public universities are seeing more applicants than usual and with state budget cuts, are capping enrollment (in California in particular). Private colleges are reporting less applicants but are offering more generous financial aid to help ease the stress of parents who are reluctant to commit four years of expensive private school tuition.

Click here to read the full article from the New York Times.

Education in America

On February 24, 2009, during President Obama's Address to Joint Sessions of Congress, he discussed the importance of post-secondary education in America.

"It is our responsibility as lawmakers and educators to make this system work. But it is the responsibility of every citizen to participate in it. And so tonight, I ask every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be community college or a four-year school; vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It’s not just quitting on yourself, it’s quitting on your country – and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world."

It's been confirmed repeatedly that college graduates can expect significantly higher wages over their lifetime than those with a high school diploma. But what is all too often left unaddressed is the non-monetary value of an education. Inside Higher Ed published an article in 2007 on the Non-Monetary Value of a College Degree that enlightens readers on just how significant a college degree can be. People who advance their lives through education tend to have a more positive outlook on themselves and their role in society. They become more civic minded, volunteer in their community, and in general lead healthier lives.

It is our mission at University Admissions Counseling to help people develop personalized and manageable paths to academic and vocational success. Whether you are earning a certificate program, taking a course for personal enrichment or professional development, obtaining a 4-year degree, or building your career, University Admissions Counseling can help.

Invest in yourself and you invest in a better tomorrow.

Is college the best fit for me?

For some, earning a four-year degree is necessary to gain employment in your career of choice. For others, however, a trade school or some form of higher education is a better path to help you accomplish your career goals.

So how do you know which path is best for you? Ask yourself these questions, then weigh the pros and cons of each. In the end, hopefully you'll have a clearer vision towards your path to success.

1. Academic goals

• Am I willing (and able) to spend at least four years of hard work and financial commitment to earning my degree?
• Will a college degree help me advance in my career?
• Does my career of choice require a degree, a certification, a license, or training?

2. Career Type

• Have I spent time researching types of careers I might be interested?
• What type of academic path do I need in order to pursue my career goals?
• Have I set up informational interviews with people currently working in the field(s) I am interested in?
• Have I conducted web searches on career and higher education opportunities? (UAC recommends visiting the Department of Education's website- it's loaded with resources!)
• Have I visited my school's College and Career center for additional information?
• Have I applied for internships to learn and explore my various field(s) of interest?

3. Lifestyle

• Do I really want to go to college? Does it fit with my lifestyle?
• Am I a traditional classroom student?
• Do I work better in an online classroom environment?
• Am I a hands-on learner?
• Would I prefer a short program focused only on my career field?
• Would I prefer a longer program where I learn various academic interests with a concentration on my career field?

College Timeline

Not sure when or how to begin this crazy college application roller coaster ride? Look no further than this college timeline. Be sure to research your specific areas of interest (e.g., sports or an activity you want to pursue in college) and include that information to your guideline.

JUNIOR YEAR

• Attend College Fairs (visit http://www.nacacnet.org for a list of
  college fairs in your area)


• Plan your summer (visit colleges, part-time job, summer school, etc.)


• Begin researching colleges to include on your list


• Confirm teachers to write your letters of recommendations


• Take the SAT, ACT, or SAT II's (if applicable)

SUMMER

• Begin writing essays (visit your college websites for prompts)


• Finalize your college list


• Study for SAT, ACT, SAT II's

SENIOR YEAR (Fall)

• Determine if you are applying early (REA, EA, ED)


• Take the SAT, ACT or SAT II's


• Gather requested materials for teacher recommendation letters


• Attend College Day/Night events at school. Attend local
  college fairs


• Schedule admissions interviews (optional)


• Order and send transcripts, test scores, and mid-year reports

If you are applying early (REA, EA, ED)

• Confirm application deadline with your college(s)


• Complete your application early in the semester


• Order and send transcripts and test scores

SENIOR YEAR (Spring)

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  forms http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/


• Research and apply for scholarships

Lessons learned from the Roofer

A few months ago, in anticipation of the rainy season, I hired a roofer to patch up any potential leaks on my roof. After we signed the contract, the crew came in and patched things up. I welcomed the rain with worry-free arms...or so I thought.

Last week, as the rain dumped on northern California, I watched my ceiling begin to bubble at the seam of the very spot I had asked the roofer to patch. Disappointed, I asked him come back to double-check his work. Sure enough, the area that bubbled hadn't been patched. At this point, the roofer had two options; he could have told me that this patch would be an additional charge explaining that this particular leak was not covered in the terms of the contract or, he could provide exceptional customer service and patch up the one additional area at no charge.

You're probably wondering, "Why is this tale of your dilapidated roof relevant to my college application process?" Well, it is. In anything you do in life, it's your reputation on the line. Do it right; give it your all.

When it comes time to apply for colleges, will you be able to reflect on the process knowing you gave it your all? Have you done everything you could have done for the past four years to prepare you for this moment?

Have you taken advantage of opportunities to learn, discover, and grow as an academic and as a person? In school, are you confident that you submitt the best work possible? Are you proud of your grades? Have you left no doubt that you could have done better? Have you spent time giving back to your school, your neighborhood, or your community? What about your activities? Do you faithfully rehearse your piece or your lines for that flawless performance? Do you show up on time for each practice ready to give it your all? Are you respectful to your coaches, teammates, and the opposing teams?

The college admissions process is no easy feat. In addition to your classes, extra curricular activities, and personal committments, you have to also factor in countless hours of "college application stuff" such as essay writing, researching colleges and majors, procuring teacher recommendtion letters, and the literal act of completing the application.

When it's time to begin your "college application stuff", how will you handle this task? Will you haphazardly complete the process with minimal effort or will you dive in determined to do your best? Even with all of the pushing, encouraging, guidance, and negotiations your parents, counselors, and teachers do it's up to you to make this process your own.

It's your reputation, it's your future, and it's your job to get it done. Are you ready?

Oh, and by the way, in case you were wondering, the roofer patched up the leak at no charge and with amazing customer service. He explained to me that his committment to excellent customer service is what separates him from his competition. If he didn't do everything he could in his power to accomodate his customers, maintain a respecful reputation, and always put 100% effort into his work, then he'd be out of a job.

SAT? ACT? Neither?

SAT:
If you are planning on taking the SAT, you'll want to register through the College Board.
Test dates and locations vary so be sure to check the website and register for the test date most convenient for you.

ACT:
If you are taking the ACT, visit the official ACT website for information on how to register.
While the ACT does not require you take the writing portion, when applying to colleges, you will find that most will require it, so, do yourself a favor and take the optional writing portion.

TEST PREP:

Whether you decide to take the SAT or the ACT, it's important to be prepared. The three main ways in which you can prepare for your test is to self-study, take classes, or hire a private tutor. Only you can determine which method is best for you.

Not sure which method is best for you? Begin with a test prep self-study guide. It's the least expensive option and you'll need a guide regardless of which method you choose.

Here are links to two of many test prep books available:

ACT: The Real ACT Prep Guide

SAT: Official SAT Study Guide

NEITHER:
Do you feel that test scores are not a true reflection of your academic ability or that standardized tests are a tool to disadvantage students of college admissions? If so, there are colleges that do not require a student to submit test scores when applying to their campuses. Here is a list with over 700 colleges that are test score optional .

The Princeton Review's Top 10 Majors for 2009

The Princeton Review's latest edition of the book Guide to College Majors is a helpful tool for students who want to begin researching majors before entering college or for current college students in the process of selecting their major.

Below are the top 10 majors for 2009. These majors are not representative of income or job availability but rather based on the majors with the highest undergraduate enrollment:
1. Business administration and management
2. Psychology
3. Elementary education and teaching
4. Nursing (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
5. Biology/biological sciences
6. Education
7. English language and literature
8. Political science and government
9. Economics
10. Marketing/marketing management

Purchase The Princeton Review's "Guide to College Majors" to learn more about college majors.

Happy Researching!

Transferring or Applying to California State University

Did you know?
The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country.

Trivia Question:
Which are the oldest and the youngest California State University campuses?

If you are planning on applying to California State University, visit CSUMentor for information on the 23 campuses, major finders, and financial aid.

Admissions Requirements:
For answers to frequently asked admissions questons, click here.

Trivia Answer:
San Jose State University (founded in 1857) and CSU, Channel Islands (founded in 2002)