Parents: What Your College Bound Students Should Know
As high school seniors count the days until their long-awaited college independence arrives, parents are left wondering: Have I taught them everything they need to know? No matter how hard parents try, college freshman always realize there were a few things they should have learned before they left home. We can’t teach our children everything, and in fact, it’s best not to. Nevertheless, the following is a list of things all college students should know:
Photo by Auzigog
Dual Enrollment: Does it Hurt or Help to Take College Classes in High School?
If you’re looking to graduate from college early, add some edge to your applications, or get a little taste of the college experience before fully diving in, then you might consider dual enrollment programs, where a student takes college courses for both college and high school credit. This could mean anything from literally taking a class on the college campus to a professor coming in to the high school or even having honors high school courses signed off for credit.
Although many state systems are expanding dual enrollment programs as a way to decrease drop-out rates, encourage more students to go on to college, and save on higher education funding, other schools won’t even glance at those credits. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to do dual enrollment.
photo by Robert S. Donovan
College is closing in: It’s the summer before your senior year— do something!
With another school year down and a new one just lurking around the corner, it is important for high school seniors to begin their college application process now. No, we’re not doing this to fuel the fire of competitive college admissions. And we’re certainly not doing this to pile on more stress and anxiety to the already-hectic life of a teen. What we’re doing is actually trying to alleviate some of that by planning — creating a timetable of sorts to make your life more orderly. Let’s face it, the junior year was tough because that’s what the junior year is supposed to be. Your senior year is equally as difficult in the classroom. Do you really want to add to that by doing nothing the summer before? So let’s figure out what you can do now that will save you time and worry during your last hoorah in high school.
The Countdown: A College Freshman’s Guide to the 10 Weeks Before College
Many of you will be starting college in about ten weeks. These can be some of the most exciting and nerve-wracking times of your life. You’re probably wondering when you should start packing, whether or not you should contact your future roommate or wait for him or her to contact you first, and how many posters you need for your dorm room. Here’s a week by week guide for the ten week countdown. Follow this advice and it will make the mad rush before college a little easier.
Photo by lastyearsgirl
Does the SAT/ACT Measure Me? The Students’ Perspective
We got a lot of great responses from students who entered our recent scholarship contest, Why the SAT/ACT Doesn’t Measure Me. Chelsea Lorimor (who will be a freshman at Mesa State in the fall) won the scholarship but many of the essays had some great advice, suggestions and opinions on the SAT and ACT. Check out what some high school seniors had to say about the test that could affect their futures.
Photo by The Master Shake Signal. Read the rest of this entry →
I Got In! Now Which School Do I Choose?
Congratulations! You worked hard, got involved, and did a great job on your applications. You have good reason to be proud, but now you also have a bit of a dilemma: you were accepted to more than one college that you thought would be a good fit for you. So, how do you choose? Read the rest of this entry →
Meet Our Scholarship Winner, Chelsea Lorimor!
Chelsea Lorimor recently won our scholarship contest, Why the SAT/ACT Doesn’t Measure Me. She is going to be a freshman at Mesa State in Colorado. She hopes to become a teacher and move back to her hometown Palisade, Colorado.
Undocumented Students: Is Education and Employment just a DREAM?
The DREAM Act
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (a.k.a. DREAM Act) is a piece of proposed federal legislation that, if passed, would provide certain undocumented immigrant students who graduate from U.S. high schools the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. In order to be eligible, the students would:
Dream Act photo by dreamactivist
Summer Before College: A Time for Work and Exploration
It’s hard to believe that a year ago I was getting ready to leave for college. In many ways, it seems like years ago and I can’t imagine not having the friends I’ve met in the past year. I can’t even imagine having a curfew! I spent my summer before college working eight hours a day, seven days a week, and even though it left little time for summertime escapades, I was happy to keep busy and even happier not to have to work during the school year. This may not be the best way for every incoming freshman to spend his or her summer, but looking back, I recommend a couple things everyone should do the summer before they start college.
Summer outside my hometown in Alamosa, Colorado by teepoole
Finding College Funding Outside the Box
You applied, you got in, you packed your car and you’re all ready to go off to college. But what about tuition? What about books? And you can’t forget room and board. You’ve sent in your FAFSA form and received a small scholarship, but it still seems like the college price tag might be more than you can bargained for. Where do you go from here?
College Fund photo by djukami
Campus Visits: How to Spot a Good Fit
When choosing a college, college view books, campus videos and college reviews can help, but nothing can replace the experience of actually setting foot on campus. Unfortunately visiting colleges can be expensive, so if you take the time to visit your college of choice, make sure to prepare before you go. How do you make sure you get the most out of your campus visit? And how do you know when a college is a good fit? Well…… today our very own student blogger Jillianne Hamilton is a guest writer over at campuscompare.com. Check out her article: “How to Spot a Good Fit on a Campus Visit”
Let us know what you think!
Photo of UC Berkeley Campus Tour by Raymond Yee
Distance Education Enrollments On the Rise
A report was recently published by the American Association of Community Colleges on the topic of distance education through community college institutions. The report said that enrollment rates for distance education have increased by 11.3% from fall 2006 to fall 2007 and an increase of 18 % over the previous year.
Photo by Chris Radcliff.
Affordability and Flexibility: Two Great Reasons to Pursue Online Education
Whether you’re looking to jumpstart your higher education or enhance your career, an online education may be the way to go. Does college seem too expensive? Do you live far away from a college or university and can’t commute or move at this point in your life? Does the nearest school not offer the type of courses you need? There are many advantages to an online education, and thanks to the Internet, almost anyone can pursue a college degree. Read on to find out why an online education might be the best option for you.
First Generation Students: Get a Job to Cover Your College Cost
College is expensive. That is a declarative statement. It is expensive and, for any teen who understands the value of a dollar, the staggering numbers are intimidating. For those who are the first ones in their family to undergo the process of pursuing a 4-year college/university education in the U.S., these numbers can be utterly debilitating. This is why, for first generation students especially, working while is a must.
The Big Benefits of Small Colleges
As you are trying to figure out what type of college to attend, size should be a part of your consideration. Large universities and small colleges are different in many ways, and either option might work well for you depending on what you’re wanting out of your college experience. It’s really up to you and your interests. Considering that I work at a small liberal arts college, I’m admittedly biased toward the small college experience. Even so, I think it sensible to think about all the benefits that small colleges can offer you. Let’s take a look…
Photo of William and Mary Campus by geopollock
Not Just a Hobby: Outdoors Degrees in the Real World
Today’s post is from our newest guest blogger, Sara Fowler, and admissions insider from Colorado Mountain College.
I grew up in the mountains of Colorado, in a town that draws crowds year-round for pretty much any outdoor activity you can imagine – tourists came to ski, hike, kayak and bike in my backyard.
I worked, like most of my friends, in the coffee houses, restaurants and shops in Glenwood Springs throughout high school. And when I talked to visitors in our area, they often mentioned that they wished they could live their outdoor vacation lifestyle forever. I guess no one ever told them they could.
Picture of Hanging Lake, Colorado by Rob Lee
Summer Jobs: Looking in All the Right Places
Hope for Summer 2009!
Many students are anticipating the hunt for a summer job to be more challenging this year. While a weak economy means fewer businesses are hiring and high unemployment means there are more applicants per position, do not give up hope! Read the rest of this entry →
Borderline College Applications: How Do Colleges Decide?
Last week I attended the RMACAC conference in Colorado Springs and attended a presentation given from college admissions insiders from three different selective colleges across the country. Jared Cash, Associate Dean of Admissions, Bates College; Todd Rinehart, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of Admission, University of Denver; and Abby Noel, Assistant Director of Admission, Vanderbilt University shared some inside information about how they determine who is accepted or denied admission to their colleges. This is what I found out……..
Photo of the University of Denver by Velotech
Affording College in a Recession, or Any Economy – A Few Tricks
Today’s guest post was contributed by Eugene Aronsky from wecomparebooks.com
College is expensive. (I am sorry to be so blunt, but this is true). What’s more, given the state of the current economy getting funding for college is far more difficult, and for those of us who are able to get loans to pay for school, paying those loans back will not be easy. On this note, I would like to talk to you about some things that you might do to make college more affordable.
Photo by Steve Wampler
