Social Networking Tips for Students – More on Facebook!

The Intended College Use is Not the High School Reality

Keeping connected to friends and family across the world is comforting. Social networking is a great way to find a job, network, and stay in touch with those who matter most. But how do you protect yourself while on the Internet?

Facebook was the first large scale networking site made specifically for college students. Though it still requires a valid email address to signup, anyone can now join and network in regions such as a major city, workplaces, colleges, and high schools.

Social Networking Tips for  Students

It is a student’s responsibility to protect his or her online accounts. Click here to view more tips.

How Can a Rising Senior Make the Best of Their Summer?

If you are smart, you will follow an action plan!

Build your foundation list. You may have created a foundation list of schools at this point. The list may include 2-4 double reach or dream schools, 2-4 target schools, and 1-2 sure-thing/safety schools of which one should be a “financial safety.”

Start your campus visits. Devise a schedule to visit the campuses for the summer and fall. Remember, visiting the college during the summer will feel different than visiting during the fall when all the students are back from summer break. If you can’t visit, take a virtual tour on http://www.youvisit.com/  or attend an online college fair through http://www.collegeweeklive.com/.

Build your resume! Have you finished your resume of activities? This resume may come in handy for interviews, scholarship applications, college applications and letters of recommendation. Include leadership in activities, summer jobs, community service, as well as awards and honors. Check out Microsoft’s free resume templates at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010104337.aspx. Read more about planning for senior year by clicking here!

A Book of Questions to Jumpstart Your Career Search – Get It Now!

boq-cvr-half-szLooking for a career and a new job? Need a career change but you don’t know where to start? Are you ready for an encore career? Stuck in a rut?

“A Book of Questions To Jumpstart Your Career Search” was written as a resource to help students, parents, educators, and anyone entering or re-entering the job workforce. This ultimate resource tool is like having a professional career counselor beside you every step of the way. It will make you think about questions that may be important to you in your career search such as: How Do I Get Started? What Do I Do Next? Who Can Help Me? Where Do I Look For Information? What Kind of Training Do I Need? What Questions Do I Ask Before Choosing a Major? What if I Change My Mind About My Career Track? Where Do I Find Reliable Online Resources? This book of questions is meant to be fun and thought provoking. So, discover how you really feel about your interests, skills, talents, and goals in life. One question will lead to another.

Available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com and the College Path Bookstore – http://tinyurl.com/nevnr5n.

Click here for free down­loads Read­ing Apps from Ama­zon for PC, Mac, iPad, and other devices for Kin­dle Ver­sion. Click here for free down­load Read­ing Apps from Barnes and Noble for PC, Mac, iPad and other devices for Nook Version.

 

What to Do While On a College Wait List

Re-evaluate your list. Prioritize those wait-list schools.

wailistA Speedy Response. Hopefully you responded quickly and honestly as some schools look at response time to be on their wait-list. Did you tell your college why they would be a good fit for you and why you want to be there?

Be Realistic. Some schools will respond to those on the waitlist and some will not so keep in touch, but don’t overdo it. If you have something substantive and new which has taken place since you last wrote, mention it.  It’s not in your best interest to send weekly or daily emails.

Know that the decision is out of your hands.

Make the best of your situation.

Embrace the acceptances. It’s tough when a dream school defers a student, but being placed on the wait list might be a signal to move on. While there is a chance that a student may be admitted in the late spring or summer, it is best for students to embrace the schools that have accepted them.

A Wild Card. Once your letter is off to the school, focus with all your heart on making your best choice among the places you have been admitted. It is best to treat the wait-list school as a “wild card;” deal with it when you receive it.

How to Handle College Rejection

Handling rejection is never easy. As a matter of fact, it can be pretty devastating unless you prepare yourself ahead of time. Many students apply to a variety of schools. Some shoot for the stars while also applying to realistic colleges they would also be happy at; ones that are in-line with their abilities.

This month, the majority of college decisions will arrive home. While there might be jubilant celebration for admittance to an institution, there also might be disappointment. The college application process is a time of transition and growth, and rejection may be part of the process.

If you receive a rejection letter there are several ways to work through the disappointment. Read more about how to cope with the letter of rejection.

Can I Appeal the Admissions Decision?

You may be asking yourself if you can appeal a decision of denial from a college.  There may be a chance you can.  Some colleges have very strict policies stating if you were denied acceptance to their institution, the decision stands and there is no appeal process. Other colleges will allow for an appeal. My suggestion would be to contact the college directly to see if this is an option. Check their website or speak directly to the admissions office.

If you have a legitimate reason to appeal you may want to discuss this with you admissions representative.  Some of the circumstances that might warrant a review could include:

Were You Denied At One of Your Colleges? Think About the Transfer Option

If you’ve been denied by your top choice college, the key may be to consider transferring in at a later date.  If you spend a year at another college and do well, that shows college admission officers that you’re motivated and ready for college-level work at their institution.

So the question remains, are you thinking about transferring from one college to another in the future? Answering the following questions will help you decide your next move:

• Take enough time to adjust to the academics and social life at your present college. Do you know why you are making the change – homesickness, monetary needs, family issues?
• Do you understand the transfer process to the college you would like to attend?
• Have you gotten advice from your present school? They may be able to address credit transfer issues that will be important in the admission to the next school. See more about transfer planning.

You Are Accepted to College…Now How Do You Decide Where To Go?

Congratulations, you have been accepted into your colleges, now how do you decide where to send your deposit? You are at a crossroad and choosing a college can be a difficult task. It’s time to make your well-researched and well-matched decision.

Here are common mistakes that are made when choosing a college:

  • Choosing a college because your high school sweetheart or best friend is going there.
  • Your parents are alumni and you want to please them, but will it be the right choice for you?
  • The website or brochure look great and you have not visited. Don’t just rely on online matching. When possible, check it out first hand.
  • Choosing a school solely on prestige and reputation. Look at fit, major, and opportunities while defining your criteria. See more reasons to choose or not choose a college.