myUsearch blog

Today we have a guest post from S.B. Bryan, a writer and non-traditional college student attending Texas State University. His blog, 30-Year-Old Freshman, details the crazy world of a 30-year-old in a 20-year-old’s world, provides tips for surviving and thriving in college and at work, and explores the fascinating inner lives of llamas.

Will people like me? Will I be the oldest one in my classes? Will I have anything in common with my classmates? These are some of the questions facing non-traditional students returning to school. Going back to school can be intimidating, but you are not alone. Thousands of older students are returning to universities and community colleges across the nation, and you can too. Here are a few tips to help the older-than-average college student overcome the challenge of going back to school:

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This year’s U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 Best Colleges issue, at 296 pages, is quite a piece of work. To give credit to the editors, a lot has been changed this year. Colleges that grant postgraduate degrees are no longer ranked alongside the schools that offer only undergraduate programs. And for the first time, high school guidance counselors helped create a new “Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index.” 

But the central problem remains. It’s the claim that these US college rankings will help students identify the “best colleges” in America. That claim – both implied and stated openly – is what makes students, parents and even grandparents plop down $9.95 for this year’s issue. And it just doesn’t make any sense.

Photo by jrossol

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The American people love to rank things.  From cars to coffee, there are rankings for almost everything. Why do we like them so much?  I think it may be because it is an easy way to get a quick overview of what can be very complex information. So it only makes sense that lists of US college rankings would be among the most popular rankings.  They seem like the perfect way to choose which schools to apply to.  After all, if a school doesn’t make the list, it means they’re not very good, right?  Wrong.

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Today we have a guest post from Kimberly Bowen from NorthOrion.

You’ve known yourself your whole life, but it’s very possible you don’t recognize what makes you unique. You may assume your interests and talents are things everyone can do when, in fact, they are skills that can set you apart in the workforce. So, if you do have this unique set of skills and qualities that can help you be successful, how can you determine what they are and translate them into a successful career? These tips may help you find your passion and select a career that incorporates them.

Photo by Edyourdon

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Today we have a guest post from S.B. Bryan, a writer and non-traditional college student attending Texas State University. His blog, 30-Year-Old Freshman, details the crazy world of a 30-year-old in a 20-year-old’s world, provides tips for surviving and thriving in college and at work, and explores the fascinating inner lives of llamas.

Disabled students are often referred to as “challenged.” Well, no place can better challenge a person with disabilities or ‘diffabilities,’ than a college or university. Whether you have physical, cognitive, or learning disabilities (or any combination of the three,) you will find unique challenges both inside and outside the classroom that may affect your college choice.

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Picking the wrong college can cost a fortune today. Consider these comments from StudentsReview.com, a website where students review hundreds of American colleges . . .

• “This place is definitely not worth your parents’ 45K/year . . . The resources here are average at best. The labs are small and clearly cannot accommodate the growing number of science students each year . . . The dorms are pitiful: small, dark, and poorly kept . . . Our medical center doesn’t have a doctor on staff.”
•  “Worst two years of my life. Can’t wait to transfer next year. People here suck. Classes are not stimulating. DO NOT GO HERE. IT IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY.”
• “Do not go here! My one friend here just graduated in the top ten and cannot get a job! [Employers] always say they are sorry but they don’t trust the school’s credentials.”
• “Tens of thousands of dollars in debt and I doubt my professors read my [papers].”

Because unfortunate experiences like those cost $50,000 or more, it’s critical to make college decisions that minimize the damage if things don’t work out. Here are five questions to ask before you make your college choice. . .

Photo by adronicusmax

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When it comes to making their college choice, LGBT students have more to consider than just location and major.  Having often been the target of bullying in high school, they can be acutely aware of the need to find a campus where they can be themselves without constantly worrying about their safety.  Taking extra time to investigate the campus climate toward LGBT students is essential in finding a campus where they can truly thrive. (more…)

Most colleges claim to be accredited by state, regional, or national governing bodies. But what do those ratings mean, and who stands behind them? And what is the difference between regional vs. national accreditation? Let’s take a closer look . . .

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Today we have a guest post contributed by Carrie Oakley who writes on the topic of online colleges. 

Gone are the days when studying online meant that you were at the mercy of diploma mills and shysters who “sold” degrees for a price. Today, thanks to the entry of major players like MIT into this field, online education’s reputation and respectability has grown by leaps and bounds. More and more people are signing up for distance online learning because it’s cost effective, convenient, allows flexible schedules, and lets you continue with your job even as you learn. So if you’re considering going down this route and wondering what kind of degree you should choose, here are a few tips to help you along:

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Today we have a guest post from S.B. Bryan, a writer and non-traditional college student attending Texas State University. His blog, 30-Year-Old Freshman, details the crazy world of a 30-year-old in a 20-year-old’s world, provides tips for surviving and thriving in college and at work, and explores the fascinating inner lives of llamas.

The world economy is in flux. Not only are many nations in the depths of a deep recession, but there are several industries — automotive manufacture, new home construction, and even administrative support services — undergoing changes that will leave many unemployed and facing the harsh reality that their specialized training is no longer needed. This means that more and more non-traditionally aged college students will be enrolling in colleges across the nation, but how can these students make sure to make the right college choice? There few things non-traditional students need to consider before choosing a college:

Photo by tim (the enchanter) 

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College counselors have a huge job to do, especially in larger high schools where they may be responsible for hundreds of students. Helping students get into college is often just one small part of a college counselor’s job. Think of it as being a 3-sport athlete while playing in the orchestra, taking five AP courses and doing ballet.  So, anything you can do to make their job easier helps both you and them. (more…)

Fall is the season for college fairs.  These events, which are held in cities throughout the country, are an excellent resource when it comes to narrowing your college choice. These fairs are usually attended by a large number of college representatives, all there to answer your questions and help you figure out whether their school should be on your final list.

Photo by calmenda 

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As many students are relaxing, more than satisfied with their college selection and the prospects of a transformational freshman year, some still reel. It is always good to utilize the allotted time in order to make the most informed and positive college choice, but unless new information is coming to light or a visit is happening in the coming week or two, this decision should be very close to done.

 photo by velotech

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Every year, people spend a good deal of money to check out colleges, but rather than returning home with the information they were seeking, they often find themselves exhausted and more confused than before.  This is especially disheartening for students who will  have the opportunity to visit colleges that are far from home only once. 

Photo by Raymond Yee 

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Congratulations, the schools you thought would be a good fit for you have accepted you.  Now you are faced with the challenge of deciding which one of those “good fit” colleges is actually the right college choice for you. (more…)

Does this scenario sound familiar?  You get home from school and grab the mail out of the mailbox in front of your home to bring inside.  It’s the usual junk mail, catalog or two, bill for your Mom or Dad.  But then you notice something different.  Something addressed to you!

Let’s be honest.  You are probably only used to getting a card from Grandma on your birthday and maybe a cell phone bill (but you probably get that online).  Something addressed to you that isn’t one of those two things must demand your attention, right?

The next day you get home … and there are 2 things addressed to you.  The next day 5.  The day after 10.  What are these wonderful pieces of mail I am talking about?  Well if you are a high school junior or senior you know … I’m talking about the mounds and mounds of brochures from colleges that you are probably getting on a daily basis.

Photo by gerlos  

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If you’re considering online schools for a college degree, you probably have a lot of questions. One of the things prospective students find most confusing is college accreditation. What is the difference between regional and national accreditation? Is college accreditation really necessary? And what does it all mean to you? (more…)

From wind turbines that provide power to their campuses, to student-run organic farms that provide the produce you find in the dining commons; colleges all over the country are stepping up to the challenge of making their campuses more sustainable.  But where do the colleges you are considering rank when it comes to their overall commitment to sustainability?

 Photo by The Truth About… 

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It may seem like there’s already too much to keep in mind when you are looking at colleges, but there’s one more very important thing you need to consider: university accreditation.  It’s not something you may hear a lot about, but it’s definitely a factor you need to pay attention to. (more…)

A lot is said about US College Rankings and if they are in fact relevant to the college search.  As a representative for a small, comprehensive, liberal-arts based university in Connecticut, I am constantly encountered with questions about how the University of New Haven “ranks” against other schools. As you begin (or even conclude) your college search, it is important to concentrate on a different word than “rank” … That word is “fit”.  

 Photo by Geo Pollack

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