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.

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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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/

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.

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.

Is “Senioritis” a Myth?

Is “senioritis” a myth? Every year students across the country struggle with a change in attitude. Many have applied to college and may have been accepted. My recommendation is to beware of the “senior slide.”  High school seniors try to balance responsibilities including academics, extracurricular activities, a social life, college admission, and perhaps a part-time job. Somewhere along the way, homework begins to seem less important. Then they get accepted to college, and after that, high school seems even less important. The students’ grades begin to slide—and so does their motivation.

Read about the danger signs and symptoms of

What Is A Gap Year?

According to the University of Delaware, the definition of “Gap Year” is a “temporary position (1 – 3 years) between college, graduate school or a full time job.” Many students are interested in “taking a year off” before buckling down to a “serious” job or graduate school. These temporary “in-the-meantime” jobs can provide experience, direction, emotional and cognitive growth, and satisfy curiosity about the real world.

Ask yourself these five questions:

  1. Do you enjoy traveling?
  2. Do you like learning new languages?
  3. Are you a hands-on learner?
  4. Do you like making new friends?
  5. Are you open to new ideas and challenges? For more questions to consider click here.