myUsearch blog

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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There’s a common misconception that you have no control over college recommendation letters. You ask people to write them for you, and then you tiptoe away and hope for the best, right? No, wrong! You have more control over the process than you think.The first step is to understand that there are three different kinds of recommendation letters, and that they should each accomplish something different for you. Let’s take a closer look.

Photo by Pink Sherbet 

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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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The bar of higher education has been set … at an all-time low by the regents of the university system for the State of Georgia. The system which runs all of Georgia’s public universities and colleges, has decided to not admit any illegal immigrants, or anyone for that matter, who cannot show proper paperwork.

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Today we have a guest post by Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com, a great resource for SAT and PSAT vocabulary prep.

500 word college essays are the bane of high school seniors everywhere.  You’re expected to make yourself sound brilliant, athletic, interesting and downright cool without coming across as pompous or silly.  Add in the 500-word length limit many colleges impose, and the task escalates from challenging to daunting.  You may be tempted to give up and send in a picture of you and your dog instead (everyone loves pictures of dogs, right?), but don’t throw in the towel yet!  Here are a few tips to get you started:

Photo by largerich

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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. Read the rest of this entry →

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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He was 18 months old when his parents brought him across the border in the dead of night, for what they considered a chance for a better life.  At eighteen months old, he could not persuade his parents to choose a different means to enter the United States.  His choices came later and those choices qualified him for admission to college.  It’s those choices and the motivation behind those choices, that I believe we need to look at when discussing whether or not to bar undocumented students from admission to college.

Photo by SAT Guru 

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Today we are taking a short hiatus from our normal college advice blogging to participate in Blog Action Day, an annual event that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on a single day. This year’s topic: WATER.  

Which kills more people; lack of clean water, or war? That’s right, it’s water. What’s the most common cause of death resulting from unclean water? Diarrhea.

Photo by hdptcar 

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With the cost of college continuing to rise every year, it’s never too soon to start looking for ways to begin securing aid for college.  For too many people, college seems to sneak up on them and they find themselves with few options other than to keep taking out loans.  While it’s difficult to avoid loans completely, taking steps early on to secure different types of aid for college may enable you to keep your student debt at a manageable level.

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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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The application and college selection process is extremely time-consuming, yet without the appropriate financial aid package, this could very well be time wasted. Therefore, it is important to have an idea of the best scholarship sites in order to find that critical component. So, without further adieu, let me show you the money!

Photo my Borman818

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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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With the competition to get into the most selective US colleges being what it is, many people are looking for that “edge” that will get them into their dream school.  Some families see hiring a consultant as that “edge”, but the truth is that while a consultant may be able to guide you through the process, it takes more than that to get into a top US college. Read the rest of this entry →

Today we have a guest post from Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com SAT Vocabulary Prep.

College entrance exams require a great investment of time, effort and money, so choosing which one to take is no small task.  The SAT and ACT are similar in some ways, but very different in others.  Rumors tend to make their way through high schools regarding the difficulty and desirability of one test over the other.  Here’s some straightforward information to set the record straight.

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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. Read the rest of this entry →

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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Last week we covered what NOT to bring to college, so now it’s time to reveal our college must haves list.

(Photo by kosmonautica.)

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