Happy Memorial Day!

The ultimate sacrifice – we thank you. God bless our military, their families, & our Nation. We remember & honor you.

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10 Tips to Help You Pick a College Major

collegemajor[1]Have you spent hours sifting through college websites, touring campuses (both in person and virtually), and deciding where to apply for college?  Have you thought about what you want to study before choosing a college? As you weigh the pros and cons of every college or university you consider, think about which institution would be the best fit for you.

So what will you major in? Don’t panic! This is your time to test the waters. There are no wrong decisions. Some students know what they want to study and while others must try to figure out what career track fits.  Many undergrads change their majors during college, and even more graduates change careers throughout their professional lives.

Here are some tips to help you sort through the major selection process. Click here!

New Net Price Calculator!

This year each institution will have a Net Price Calculator on their website. The estimate provided by the calculator does not represent a final determination, or actual award of financial assistance, or a final net price; it is an estimate based on price of attendance and financial aid provided to students in a previous year. Price of attendance and financial aid availability often change year to year. The estimates shall not be binding on the Secretary of Education, the institution of higher education, or the State. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible for, and receive, an actual financial aid award that includes Federal grant, loan, or work-study assistance. For more information on applying for Federal student aid, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Reinventing Yourself is a Lifelong Process

Getting into the college of your dreams is a great adventure. Once there, studying hard, applying your talents, and using the skills you have learned up to that time will be exactly what you should be doing. Then you will graduate, and start on a career path that will be much different than the one your parents traveled. Your career will evolve as the world around you evolves through science, technology, and the changes in culture. You will need to evolve with it, and on the way you will become an expert. Just don’t be surprised if that expertise turns out to be in a different area than when you started.

You may be an expert at something right now. Maybe you are an inventor, an artist, a writer of short stories. A great accomplishment and strong credential to add to your college application is “author.” If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, write one as an expert and tell someone how to do what you do Then self-publish. A new book by Amy Lorenti – writer, designer and digital media marketing expert – tells you how in A Writer’s Guide to Fame and Fortune – Get the respect you deserve, the work you want, and the money you’re worth. Check it out (available at Amazon.com in paperback and in Kindle books). Writing a book as a subject matter expert may just be the boost your application needs to get you into the college of your dreams.

Why Do I Need a Resume of Activities?

Involvement in extracurricular activities can make you stand out in the college application process. Are you a leader?  Have you achieved a noteworthy level of achievement?  How does the activity make you distinctly different from others with similar interest?

This same resume will also be helpful for teachers and counselors whom you may ask to write your letter of recommendation. So gather the following information:  name, address, professional email address, cell phone/home phone number, objective or summary, education, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, awards and certificates, skills/academic achievement, music /artistic achievements, references, and other information.

Think about your qualities: Time management; teamwork; goal-oriented; competitiveness; confidence; persistence/endurance, loyalty;  discipline; taking criticism; dealing with setbacks; leadership; and flexibility/adaptability.

I Need a Letter of Recommendation – How Do I Request One?

Colleges may require a letter of recommendation, or they may not. You will need to review what each school requires as part of the application. There are several people who may need to write on your behalf including your counselor and/or a teacher. Sometimes colleges will specify what they are looking for more specifically, like a letter from a teacher who taught you your junior year or one who taught you in a core course like English, math, science, history or foreign language. Review the following tips to help you get an effective letter of recommendation:

The letter should be from someone who knows you well.  He or she will need to be able to produce a well-written piece that will help the admissions office learn something new about you. Read more tips on how to request a letter of recommendation.

Internships for High School Students

Internships are a great way to get experience in a certain field of study.  So why intern in high school?

Work experience in a field of study you want to pursue in college can give you a jump up in the college application process.  It is a way to stand out in a crowd. An internship will also allow you to understand more details about your major of interest and help you to understand how organizations operate.

So, how do you find an internship? First identify your passion. Some companies offer formal internship opportunities to high school students in particular. Some pay, some are unpaid, and some you’ll pay for. Research companies in the industry that interests you.  Start by asking around at local business associations. Use CareerOneStop’s Employer Locator to help you identify companies in your local area. Next, talk to the Human Resource representative or manager to see if positions are available.  Check out local organizations like the newspapers, museums, and hospitals.  You may use your contacts on Facebook or Twitter to find openings in your specific area of interest. Try websites like Internships.com, Indeed.com. , or  Jobs.change.org. For more on how to apply, click here.