Admissions Representative Visit with Students

College admissions representatives begin their fall visits in August and conclude sometime in November. Your high school counselor is probably busy scheduling these visits right now. The representatives share information with prospective applicants and allow students time to ask pertinent questions about the search and application process.  This is a great time for seniors and juniors, who are interested in gathering data, to meet the representatives face-to-face.  The admissions officer may be the one who will eventually read your college application.

Here’s a list of places you may be able to meet with admissions representatives:

What’s “Your College Bound Plan?” Get Organized Now!

STAY ORGANIZED WITH THIS COMPANION WORKBOOK  TO “COLLEGE BOUND” INTERACTIVE GUIDE

“My College Bound Plan” by Christine M. Hand Gonzales, Ed.D.

mcbp-2016-17-cvr-only-72dpiA complete companion workbook to the College Bound interactive e-book with all the forms and checklists found in College Bound ready to use.

Now available in paperback on Amazon for $14.95 – great for keeping notes on your college plan – just click here!

Reviews:

“College Bound has everything! The first place I went was how to figure out what to major in. The links to O*NET and the career and major profiles really helped. Then I used the link to College Navigator to match majors with colleges. Testing, essay ideas, asking for letters of recommendation, and finding money are all important topics to me. There’s so much in this book. No matter what I needed, I found it in College Bound! There’s nothing else like it – and I know it helped me get into USC.” Jessica – University of South Carolina Freshman

“College Bound is awesome! I began my search for a college my junior year when I was interested in playing sports at the Division II or III level and Dr. Chris’s book helped a lot. The step-by-step instructions made the process for a student-athlete easy to understand. It also answered all my other questions about visits, the interviews, and the application process. Thanks, Dr. Chris!” Brian, High School Senior – Connecticut!–more– Read more reviews – click here.

cb-2016-17-cvr-only-72dpi“College Bound has been an amazing resource for our family! With one child in college and another who will graduate in two years, this book is a wealth of information! We are using it to help our daughter prepare for getting into the right school, and we’re using it to find additional financing for our son. I would have loved to have this book when he was in high school.” RM, Mother to a High School Junior and College Sophomore

“College Bound has been an amazing resource for our family! With one child in college and another who will graduate in two years, this book is a wealth of information! We are using it to help our daughter prepare for getting into the right school, and we’re using it to find additional financing for our son. I would have loved to have this book when he was in high school.” RM, Mother to a High School Junior and College Sophomore

“As a high school college counselor and a private consultant, ‘College Bound’ and the My College Bound Plan workbook have become essential tools in working with my students. The step by step process details every piece of important information needed to for your student to be successful in the college search and with the challenge of applications. I use the workbook with my students and have College Bound on my iPad as an instant resource.  I have recommended both of these books to my students and their parents.” Christine Carriuolo, M.S., College Counselor

For “College Bound” in eBook or paperback, click here!

Starting Early: 5 Reasons to Start Your Scholarship Search In Your Sophomore Year

Guest blogger, Felicia Gopaul, is the President of College Fundingbouquet flowers felicia Resource (CFR), teaches families how the financial aid system works. She shared the following article about getting a jump start on the the scholarship search.

Smart students don’t wait to start looking for scholarships until the fall of their senior year in high school (or later).  They get started much earlier than that.  In fact, many successful scholarship recipients start looking for scholarships as early as the spring semester of their sophomore year in high school.

Why start your scholarship search so early?

Starting your scholarship search early is smart.  It allows you time to get organized and leisurely put together a list of scholarships you want to apply for in your senior year.  It also allows you to complete any summer programs that you might have to attend in order to qualify for a scholarship.

For example, the New Jersey chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants has a summer Accounting Awareness Program (ACAP) that a student must complete in order to be eligible for a scholarship later.  By starting your scholarship search early, you have a few more summers to find and fulfill the requirements for programs like ACAP.  Starting early means you won’t find yourself ineligible for a scholarship because you did not know or have time to complete the requirements for qualification. Read more tips – click here!

Important Financial Aid Forms for College Bound Students

How do colleges calculate financial aid awards for students who have applied to their institution?  Each college has its own set of requirements so the student should be sure to check with the financial aid offices of the schools.  Along with forms that may be required, there are important deadlines to follow too.  Paying For College CoverRemember to apply for additional financial aid from your state government and outside scholarships.
Here are financial aid applications you may have to complete:

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – a federal financial aid application form required by all colleges for federal financial aid including grants, loans, and work/study. In addition, some colleges use the FAFSA to award money from its own endowment funds and others require additional forms.

Verification Worksheet is to be completed if a student’s FAFSA was selected for review by the college.

State – Visit your state’s department of education site for information on state-sponsor on state financial aid programs for state residents.

Institutional – Email colleges on your list for additional institutional forms that the school may require before awarding money from its own endowment funds for financial aid.. Click here to read more!

Can’t Get to a College Campus? Why Not Visit from Home?

Visiting the campus is probably one of the most important steps in actually choosing your college. After all, you may be choosing where you would like to live for the next four years.  If you do not have the opportunity to visit, or have a chance to meet an admissions officer at a college fair in your hometown, it will be important for you to take a virtual visit:

  • Do your research about the college online.
  • Know your own goals and what questions you would like answered.
  • Know your PSAT, SAT and/or ACT scores, and GPA.
  • Understand your own strengths in the academic arena as well as in extracurricular activities.
  • Focus more on academic and student life opportunities.
  • Be honest on with yourself and what you are looking for.
  • Never underestimate the value of a tour whether online or in person. Click here to visit college virtual tour websites.

10 Ways to Start Saving for Your College Education

There are multiple ways to prepare to start saving for your college education.

1.  A 529 Plan is a state-sponsored program designed to help parents finance education expenses. They are administered by certain investment companies and subject to contribution requirements and guidelines. Withdrawals from the account are taxed at the child’s tax rate, and anyone can contribute to a Section 529 plan, regardless of their income level. In most cases, the money is invested in a portfolio of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. The proceeds can be used only for education withdrawals for non-educational purposes trigger taxes and a 10% penalty. The investment company administering the account will be in control of how the money is invested, and will charge an ongoing fee for its services. Read 9 more ways to save for college.

What is “Demonstrated Interest” and Can It Affect College Admissions?

There are many factors that are considered in the college’s admissions decision. Some factors such as grade point average, standardized test scores, and rigor of course curriculum can be measured. Other factors, such as the college visit, attending an information session, having a positive attitude about the opportunity to attend a particular college or university, and social networking might be considered “demonstrated interest” and are not measurable. Attending college fairs and local events, completing supplemental essays, contacting admissions personal for more information about programs, sending a thank-you note, and completing and early admissions application can all be considered to be showing a high degree of interest in the institution. When you are making the decision to apply to a college, find out whether “demonstrated interest” is a factor in the application process.

 

What Military Options Are Available?

Every year thousands of young men and women make the choice to serve their country. They enjoy a military career by enlisting in one of the following branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, US Merchant Marine Academy, and National Guard. Some individuals will apply directly to a four year service academy such as U.S. Military Academy-West Point, New York; U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the Air Force Academy in Denver, Colorado; and the Coast Guard Academy in Groton, Connecticut. Completing your education at one of these programs will earn you a bachelor’s degree, commissioned reserve officer status, and a commitment to the military for a number of years. Another option is applying to a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship program at a college. These are two, three, and four year scholarship programs which help you decide which direction you would like to pursue (ROTC College Profiles). You graduate with a degree and serve in the U.S. Military as a commissioned Officer.Your commitment for service will range from 2-5 years depending on the time your scholarship was in effect during your college education. Click here for more information.