College Admissions Help Blog

Hi everyone! I bet you are surprised to see me a little bit early this week! However, I have a question that I want to answer urgently…

This one actually makes me a little bit sad. Has anyone ever hear of Senioritis? I have and I can tell you it is not pretty. This is the time of year when many high school seniors receive their college acceptance letters. I often hear student ask, “since I have already been accepted to college do I have to do well during my last semester of high school? Or can I just coast?”

Let me make this very clear; you cannot just coast. It is extremely important to keep your grades up during your final semester of college. First of all, many college acceptances are conditional upon successful completion of your high school career. Your final grades are sent to your chosen school and if they feel like they are not sufficient they can rescind your acceptance.

Secondly, if you want to be considered for any merit-based scholarships you need to maintain your grades until the end. Scholarships are a great way to pay for college because they do not have to be repaid. The best way to get scholarships is to do well in school.

Finally, your grades still count towards your overall high school GPA. If you are even thinking about vying for a top spot in your graduating class your final grades could make all the difference in the world. Additionally, college is not going to be easier than high school so it is important to maintain good study habits and keep your brain sharp.

Ok, now that I really sound like your mother, get back to the books! You are in the home stretch of your high school career now so do not let senioritis set in. I would hate for anyone to lose an acceptance or a scholarship because of a few high school grades. Trust me, when it is over it will all be worth it!

ScholarshipPoints Bonus Code: AAGWEEK14

Happy Wednesday everyone! This week we are talking about everyone’s favorite way to pay for college: scholarships.  Every student turns to scholarships before considering loans because scholarships do not need to be paid back. Some students think that scholarships are very hard to find, but in reality they are everywhere. Looking for scholarships that you qualify for can take a little bit of time however there are a ton of resources that can help you.

The first place to turn to when looking for scholarships is your high school’s guidance department. They usually have scholarship resources from your local community.  They will be able to provide you will applications for scholarships given out by churches, the local rotary club, chamber of commerce and various scholarship foundations.

Another place to look for scholarships is online. StudentScholarshipSearch.com is a website that aggregates scholarships from a variety of different sources. Every student can find scholarships that they qualify for on this site.  New scholarships are posted every day so make sure you check back often!

ScholarshipPoints.com is a website that gives away free scholarships every month. On the site you can earn points for reading blogs, listening to podcasts and doing various other activities. You can then use these points to enter $500, $1,000 and $10,000 scholarship drawings.

So there you have it; three great ways to get free money for college. Even if you are not attending college until next fall a lot of scholarship deadlines are early in the year so definitely make sure you star exploring these options now.

ScholarshipPoints Bonus Code: AAGWEEK6

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone is spending some quality time with family and friends this week! In the spirit of the holiday, today we are talking about giving back.

High school students often ask me what they can do to make their college applications stand out and what kind of activities colleges like to see. Doing well on standardized tests like the SATs and ACTs is important as is getting good grades, but nowadays college admissions officers like to see applicants who are extremely well rounded. Volunteering and giving back to the community is a huge part of that.

Volunteer work has become a standard at many high schools across the country. Some students have to complete a certain number of community service hours to even graduate. However, even if it is not required every student should do something to give back and make a difference. It is rewarding, it makes you feel good about yourself, and it can help you get in to your first choice school.

The best part of volunteering is that everyone can find something that they like to do.  If you are an animal lover you can volunteer with your local MSPCA. If you are passionate about cancer research you can volunteer with the American Cancer Society. If you want to be a teacher you can volunteer at a local elementary school. There is a need for people with all different talents so find a cause that you can really feel good about helping out.

Volunteering is also extremely helpful when applying for scholarships. There are thousands and thousands of scholarships out there for students who play an active role in helping their community. You can find some of these scholarships on StudentScholarshipSearch.com and through your high school’s guidance department. Many organizations, like churches, even give out scholarships to students who do a lot of volunteer work for them.

So this Thanksgiving I challenge every student to take on a new community service project whether it is required or not. I guarantee that is will give you a lot more to be thankful for.

ScholarshipPoints Bonus Code: AAGWEEK5

Most people know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is the number one form you need to fill out to receive any kind of federal financial aid. However, there is another important financial aid form that every prospective college student should know about. The College Scholarship Service Profile, or the CSS Profile, is an application put out by the College Board. Over 600 colleges and universities use the information collected by the profile to determine student eligibility for nonfederal student aid. This application is much more detailed than the FAFSA and it gives financial aid officers  a closer look at the details of a student’s family finances.

This form is most useful for colleges with early decision and early action programs. These schools use the CSS Profile to make preliminary financial aid decisions for students because they cannot file a FAFSA until after January 1. Unfortunately, unlike the FAFSA there is a fee associated with filing the CSS Profile. The application fee is $9 and a $16 fee is charged for every school the information is sent to.

Make sure you find out if the school you are applying to require or accept this application!

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to everyone who has served and is serving our country in the United Stated Armed Forces. Today we are talking about what is being done to make the transition from active service to college easier for veterans. Recently there has been a lot of talk about the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. This bill, which was signed last year, provides veterans who served on or after September 11^th 2001 with financial aid for education and housing.

This bill is the largest veterans benefit bill since World War II and since it went into effect in August it has achieved a high level of popularity. A overwhelming  275,000 veterans have applied for education benefits so far. Although this number has been hard for the Department of Veterans Affairs to keep up with many schools are being lenient with when payments come in and the problems are expected to work themselves out with time.

Many young veterans returning from tours of duty have a lot more to deal with than the average undergraduate student. Many times these people already have families to support which makes obtaining an education extremely difficult. The hope is that this bill will make education more accessible to more veterans and that if will ease any doubt that they may have about returning to school.

ScholarshipPoints Bonus Code: AAGWEEK3

Today I am starting something new. Every Wednesday I will be answering your most common college admissions questions.

This week we are talking about choosing the right school. Recently I had someone ask me “how do I know that I am picking the right college to attend?” This is a tough one. The truth is you can never know for sure until you get there, start taking classes and immerse yourself in the campus culture, but if you follow this advice you can come pretty close to making a flawless decision.

1: Determine a location that suites you. Some people are city people and some people are rural people. Some people like a self-contained campus and some people like a campus that is spread out. You need to figure out where you think you will be comfortable. You also need to figure out how far away from home you want to go. Maybe you cannot wait to move to the opposite coast or maybe you would prefer to be able to go home on the weekends.

2: Make sure the schools you are looking at have the academics that suite your needs. If science is your thing try not to fall in love with a business school no matter how fun it looks. Additionally, you may think you know what you want to do now, but if you change your mind and go to a school with limited options you might have to go through the hassle of transferring.

3: Do an exhausting amount of online research. There are so many websites out there that connect you with college that might fit your needs. How To get In even has its own college and university search engine that allows you to do all of you preliminary investigation.  If you are considering the online education route Edvisors.com can help you learn everything you need to know about online courses and degrees.

4: Visit the top ten schools on your list. You cannot make an educated school choice without visiting schools first. Colleges are extremely visitor friendly especially during college application season.  Colleges and Universities schedule and extensive number of tours, group information sessions, and even overnights. While you are visiting schools make sure you see what the residence halls look like, eat in the dining hall, visit the classrooms take a tour of the athletic facilities. The more information you can get the better.

5: Make sure you have safety, target and reach schools that you are interested in. If all of your favorite schools are admissions long shots and you do not end up getting into any of them, you will probably end up having to make a choice you are unhappy with. Have at least one safety school that thrills you.

6: Do not limit yourself to only looking at schools you think you can afford. Usually you will have people tell you the opposite, but I believe that if you find the perfect school there are ways to make it work. The Student Loan Network can help you determine what all of your financial aid options are.

In the end the college you choose is a decision that will stick with you for the rest of your life. If you know yourself and your own personal needs you cannot go wrong.

There is one thing that every college student experiences at least once a semester; sticker shock at the bookstore. Textbooks are an added cost that most first year students are not prepared for. Textbooks cost some college students thousands of dollars annually and paying for them dries up months of summer paychecks and years of savings.

Although many students have their textbooks subsidized by student loans and scholarships, the upfront costs for $190 biology books and $98 statistics books comes out of their pockets. Students sometimes wait months to see that money back in their wallet. After all of the other costs associated with college paying for books, even temporarily, is painful. However, one Massachusetts school is making paying for textbooks a lot easier. Williams College has adopted a policy that will allow students who receive financial aid to swipe their college ID and get their books for free. The costs are then assigned to the student’s bill and paid directly by college grants. Hopefully, after recognizing the benefits of this policy other schools will follow William’s lead.

If you do not attend a school with this procedure there are other ways to save on textbooks. Buying used books is one way to save. Although these books may be already marked or highlighted they are significantly cheaper. Another way to save is to split the cost of the book with a friend.  If you know you do not have the same study schedule as another person in your class you might be able to get away with one book between two people. Finally, you can usually sell you books back at the end of the semester and then use the cash you get back to buy your next set of books.

Search for Cheap College Text Books

With the current state of the US economy, the task of financing a college education is increasingly difficult. Because of this, many students are forced to let go of their dreams of attending their number one school. After years of picturing themselves writing for the Harvard Crimson or attending UConn basketball games, senior year comes with a dose of financial reality. This is when many high school students realize that getting into their school of choice will not be a problem, but paying for it will be.

After you have passed the SATs with flying colors, received recommendations from the best teachers at your school, and have acceptance letters in hand, settling for the number two or three school on your list can be heartbreaking. However, if you are set on attending your dream school you can, and should, make it work.

First of all, apply for federal financial aid by completing your FAFSA. The FAFASA is the most important financial aid form you can complete. Without it you will not be eligible for the Stafford loan, PLUS loan or Pell grant. Many students qualify for this type of aid; even student who do not think they will be eligible at all. Visit FAFSAOnline.com to find out more about the FAFSA and apply.

Secondly, if you were accepted to your dream school you must have done a few great things to get there. Because of your achievements, there are thousands and thousands of scholarships out there that you are eligible for. StudentScholarshipSearch.com can help connect you with scholarships you should apply for.

Finally, if you need additional funds after federal financial aid and scholarships apply for private student loans. Private student loans can help you pay for expenses beyond tuition including room and board, and transportation. You can also apply for these loans at any time during the semester if unforeseen expenses come up. PrivateStudentLoans.com can tell you more about your private student loan options and even help you apply.

As juniors and seniors in high school you are probably well on your way to planning your college career. Getting ready for college can be extremely stressful on top of everything else you have to worry about, but luckily most high schools have resources to make the search and apply process a lot easier.

Many high schools host college information nights for juniors and seniors, and their families. Information nights give students and parents a broad overview of the college application process. Guidance counselors are on hand to provide direction and answer questions. Sometimes a school will even bring in a college admissions counselor to lend advice from their perspective. These events are particularly helpful to families who are sending their first child to college, but everyone should consider attending since things change so frequently.

The following is a list of topics that are usually covered at college information nights:

SATs and ACTs: All of your questions about when and where to take the SATs or ACTs will be answered. You will find out what the test dates are, where they are being offered, where to send your scores, what scores you should aim for and how many times you should take a particular test.

Visiting Colleges: You will learn how to schedule college visits and when the best times to visit are. You will find out what questions you should ask when you take a tour and how many schools you should visit to make the right decisions.

The Application Process: College applications are more than just pieces of paper. Someone from the guidance department will outline everything you need to include with your applications from the essay to the application fee.

The College Essay: Someone will go over the basics of writing a college essay. They will cover how to choose a topic, how long the essay should be and who should see your essay before you send it off.

Letters of Recommendation: Most colleges require that you submit letters of recommendation with your application. A guidance counselor will explain who these recommendations should come from, how many you should submit, and what they should say about you and your achievements .

FAFSA and Financial Aid: Financial aid can be the most confusing part of applying to college. Someone from the guidance department will go over when and how to fill out your FAFSA, what kinds of federal student loans and alternative student loans exist, and how to search for scholarships.

Fall serves as the perfect transition between summer and winter while playing host to Halloween, the start of the NFL season, and of course the start of a new school year. Growing up in New England I also enjoyed the foliage and smell of warm apple pie wafting down from the dorms as I walked to class.  But I wouldn’t have enjoyed those sweet sights and smells on campus had I not done my homework over the summer.

I was a first generation college student, and had little help with the enrollment process from Mom and Dad when I went to school back in the early 90’s. My parents were very supportive in my pursuit of Higher Education, they were just a bit naive to the whole process. As crazy as this sounds I actually found getting my enrollment credentials in order more challenging than my micro and macroeconomics classes. It was truly awful, and I don’t want anyone to feel as overwhelmed and confused as me.  So lets make sure you’re using your time leading up to the fall judiciously. Time, as well all know, can either be your foe or ally depending how you use it.

Here are 5 smart tips to make sure you stay on course.

Free Money: These summer months are a great time to surf the net for scholarship opportunities, which of course would decrease the amount of funds you need to borrow.  There are many scholarships to be had ranging from merit based opportunities to free scholarships with minimal requirements.

Class Availability/Schedule: When you’re the new kid on the block you often get the shaft when it comes to your schedule.  Check for updates on class enrollment numbers.  You should be able to access those details online.  I used to check the Red Sox website daily which is how I would score great seats for face value as they would release some from time to time.  The same principle applies for your classes.  Your diligence over the summer may make for a better fall.

Loan Order: Your awards letter from the school will highlight your loan options.  The most common loan type, which students secure first, is a Stafford loan.  The Stafford loan is listed in the students name with modest maximum allotments.  The second most common loan type is a Parent Plus loan, which is in a parents name and listed on behalf of the student.  Third is a private student loan which lists the students name first with the parent listed as the co-signer.  The Plus loan and private option are sometimes switched around pending the circumstance and the market.  Right now favorable rates in the marketplace have made private loans more enticing for some than Parent Plus loans.

Waiting List Update: If you didn’t get into your dream school and were relegated to the much maligned waiting list – check back with them.  Write a letter to the regional admissions officer concerning what that school means to you and keep them apprised of anything new going on in your life that may showcase you in a different light.

Smell the Roses:  You made it happen.  You scored the marks in High School, fared well on the entrance exam(s), and are ready for this next exciting chapter in your life.  It’s ok to allow yourself some indulgences from time to time.  After all, all work an no play makes Jack a dull boy.