Category Archives: admissions

admissions, college planning, essays, Uncategorized

5 Things Admissions Officers Look For in the Application Essay

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essayWithin your college application, your personal statement is your one opportunity for the admissions officer to “meet you”, to visualize the person behind the numbers. While no essay can save an unqualified application, an outstanding essay can push an otherwise mediocre application into the “yes” pile.

However, writing a good application essay is hard. Many students write essays that are too cliché or too shallow; others write essays that are impersonal and uninformative; some are even unfortunate enough to write essays that cause their own rejection.

This isn’t surprising. The application essay is drastically different from the typical high school assignment—deeply personal, rather than merely informative.

Well, let me give you a glimpse through the eyes of an admissions officer. Working for the admissions office of a university with single-digit admission rates, I have reviewed numerous applications and “graded” a wide variety of application essays. Here are five things a college admissions officer looks for:

1. Can the applicant write?

The first thing the application essay does is to prove that you can write well. In college, you are going to write, write, write and write—and the application essay allows the admission officer to judge whether you will be able to cope.

On a structural level, your essay should be well organized and coherent. It should have a well-thought-out idea development and be properly paragraphed.

Your writing should be engaging and expressive. A big part of this depends on your personal style, but in general, you should use the active voice and vary your sentence structures. A note though: essays on both ends of the extreme usually don’t work—essays which are too gimmicky and stylized, or too academic, rigid and formal.

Lastly, of course, your essay should be free of grammar and spelling mistakes.

2. What does the essay say about the applicant?

This seems like an obvious point, but many applicants end up writing essays that do not actually shed much light on themselves. No matter how beautiful your descriptions are, or how emotionally moving your content is, if you do not relate these thoughts back to yourself as an individual, your essay will be ineffective.

A strong application essay allows us to visualize the applicant behind the numbers, and to know exactly what type of person you are. The essay should make us feel that we have gotten to know you on a personal level, as if we have met you face-to-face.

3. Are there deep, personal reflections?

To allow the admissions officer to get to know you, your writing needs to include reflections that are deep and personal. Without these reflections, an essay will seem shallow or even generic. Conversely, mature reflections will bring personality and depth to a topic that might seem commonplace at first (for example, community service).

To put it another way, the most important thing in the essay is not the “what”, but the “why”. We have the “what” from the list of your extracurriculars, scores and awards. We now want to know the “why”, the motivations that drive you.

This is also why it is a bad idea to try to cover too much in your essay. To put it yet another way, while the other sections of your application focuses on describing the breadth of your activities, in your personal statement, you should aim to reveal depth in one area.

4. What will the applicant bring to the community?

So what should you highlight about yourself? Well, the admission officer wants to discover what you can contribute to the college. If your application allows the reader to visualize you as an active, contributing and successful member of the community, you are in.

This does not mean that you need to be mind-blowingly unique. The qualities you can most effectively highlight are the genuine ones. A good essay requires a good deal of introspection, to arrive at a keen self-knowledge of what your strong points are, and how to best portray them.

On the flip side, you should avoid topics (and writing tone) that portrays you in a negative light. Be careful of writing about failures that highlight negative characteristics. Stay away from more controversial and potentially offensive topics. Avoid sounding naïve, lacking in self-awareness, or patronizing (a major problem, especially in essays about community service).

5. Do the qualities represented in the essay resonate with the rest of the application?

The advice goes that you should not rehash the rest of your application in your essay. For example, if you have already included multiple debate activities and awards, your essay should not be about debate.

The caveat to this is that while the specific activities should vary, there should be a consistent portrayal of personal qualities. If your essay represents you as a boundary-pushing activist, but the other parts of your application portrays you as respectful and soft-spoken, flags will be raised.

An application is a lens into a single person, so consistency is important. You should thus consider your application holistically, and put some thought into how you want to represent yourself, and what characteristics you want to highlight. Good luck!

_____________________________

Today’s Guest Blogger 

David works for the admission office of a university with a single-digit acceptance rate. In his spare time, he provides expert coaching to students on their college application essays. Visit his website, www.essayscoach.com to learn more about how to write outstanding essays.

admissions, college planning, mom approved tips, organization

Mom-Approved Tips: 7 Most Common Organizational Mistakes During the College Application Process

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college prepGaining admission to your college of choice is going to take some time and effort. However, with so much else happening in your life, making sure that you stay on top of the college application process can be a challenge. Avoid these seven common pitfalls so that you can beat the last minute rush.

1. Not Having a Plan

Basic as this may sound, you need to know when your deadlines are and when you are going to make time to complete each step of the application process. OK, so you know that you need to write your essays. When are you going to brainstorm? When are you going to create an outline? Don’t simply write down that you need to have it completed “no later than” a particular date. Dedicate time within your schedule to get these things accomplished and stick to it.

2. Assuming That You Have All the Information You Need

As you complete the application process, you’ll probably need to look up some information that you may not have readily available. What is the physical address of your employer or place of volunteer service? Do they want your immediate supervisor’s phone number or should you use the phone number of a central office that can verify your information? What was the name of that youth director — who no longer attends your church — who coordinated your service trip to Guatemala? It may take a few phone calls and some time for people to get back to you, so start now.

3. Not Knowing All of the Steps

Strong as your reading comprehension skills may be, read through the application again and make sure that you understand all of the steps you need to complete it. If you overlook a step and wait until the last minute, you may not be able to submit your application because pieces are missing. Double-checking now can save you a lot of stress in the long run.

4. Not Asking for Recommendations Early

As stated above, it may take you some time to get into contact with people. Also, they’re going to need to find time in their busy schedules to write a recommendation for you. Moreover, the people you want to write your recommendation are probably going to get quite a few requests and not be able to accept them all. Improve your odds by asking early. Expecting that a person will help you and expecting them to help you at the last minute could leave you a recommendation short.

5. Procrastinating on the Essays

This is probably the most famous of the mistakes that applicants make in the college admissions process. Don’t fall into this stereotype or this trap. Exciting as it might be to complete your essays just in the nick of time, quality will suffer. Good essays take time.

6. Thinking Everything Will Go Smoothly

It won’t. You might get turned down by a potential recommender. You might get saddled with an extra project the same week you planned to write your essays. The very day you had hoped to work on gathering information might be the day that you come down with the flu. Life will continue to happen as you progress through the application process, so create a cushion in your schedule for when things don’t go according to plan.

7. Not Reaching Out

Bring everyone possible in on your goal: family, friends, guidance counselors, supervisors, etc. Let the people in your life know where you’re at in the process and seek help immediately if you feel lost or get behind. The longer you wait, the worse it will be when you finally do reach out to others. There’s nothing wrong with saying that you don’t understand a certain step in the process or don’t know how to complete a step. Finally, discussing the process and the personal milestones you have set will help keep you focused and on track.

________________

Today’s Guest Blogger 
Ryan Hickey is the Managing Editor of Peterson’s & EssayEdge and is an expert in many aspects of college, graduate, and professional admissions. A graduate of Yale University, Ryan has worked in various admissions capacities for nearly a decade, including writing test-prep material for the SAT, AP exams, and TOEFL, editing essays and personal statements, and consulting directly with applicants.

admissions, college guidance, college planning, social networks

Mom-Approved Tips: Dressing Up for a College

 

When my kids were little, Halloween was for them. They dressed up in costumes and went trick or treating door to door. My how times have changed. It’s become a family event. Parties are planned, events are scheduled for the kids, and parents get involved in the festivities. Dressing up is part of the fun and also a necessary component of the Halloween celebration.

When applying to colleges, “dressing up” for a college is more than fun–it’s necessary. What do I mean when I talk about dressing up for a college? 

Show interest

Colleges want to know you are interested in attending. They don’t want to be just another name on your college list. They want to know that if you apply, and are offered admission, there is a good chance you will accept and attend. You can show interest by taking an official campus tour, connecting on social media, and meeting with admissions officer for an interview. Colleges keep track of how many times you have showed interest.

Market yourself

You’re basically saying “pick me” to the colleges. Although you are the consumer, the ball is in their court for the first phase of this process. Take every opportunity to market yourself to them. They want to know you and see what you have to offer their college community.

Make a positive impression on social media

Use all avenues of social media positively. Post pictures of your volunteer activities on Facebook and Instagram. Converse with colleges on Twitter. Set up a profile on LinkedIn and connect with colleges there. The key word here is POSITIVE.

Unlike Halloween, you do not want to wear a costume and pretend to be someone you are not. Colleges want to see the real you underneath the costume, not a version of a person you think they want to see.

academics, admissions, college costs, college majors

Payscale’s 2015 College Salary Report

 

salary reportWith college costs rising, along with student debt, it’s more important than ever for parents and students to look carefully at college ROI (return on investment) when creating the college list. Payscale recognizes the importance of choosing a college major that will be a good return on investment and has released their 2015 College Salary Report.

Following are just a few of the categories covered in the data:

Majors That Pay You Back (Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees)

When somebody tells you they are headed to a college or university, whether it’s for an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, MBA or PhD, the first question out of everybody’s mouth is “Where are you going to school?” In reality though, the choice of major can have a much bigger impact on your future earnings than the school you attend. PayScale ranks the top college majors by salary to help you figure out how much you can earn after graduation.

Most Recommended Majors (by alumni)

What makes graduates recommend their major to students trying to pick a major today? One look at this list of most recommended majors shows us that the majors that people rave about are the ones that allow them to easily find a job in their intended field. It’s not necessarily how much money a person makes, but the likelihood that they can find work doing what they want to do.

Best schools for particular majors (by earning potential)

Choosing a college and deciding to get a degree are big decisions, so do your homework and choose the degree and school that will set you up for the career of your dreams. PayScale’s 2015 College Salary Report ranks undergraduate and 2-year colleges by the highest earning graduates.

Common jobs for particular majors

Choosing a college and deciding to get a degree are big decisions, so do your homework and choose the degree and school that will set you up for the career of your dreams. PayScale’s 2015 College Salary Report ranks undergraduate and 2-year colleges by the highest earning graduates.

College Comparison Tool (compare up to 5 colleges side by side)

Trying to decide which college or university to attend? PayScale has alumni salary data about more than 1,000 schools. Select up to five schools and see how they compare based on earning potential and more.

Most Meaningful Majors

When it comes to choosing a career and picking a college major that will help you achieve your goals, money isn’t everything. Job meaning counts for a lot too. That’s why PayScale asks everybody who takes our survey if they feel like their job makes the world a better place. This list ranks 207 college majors by the percentage of graduates in each major who answer that question with a resounding “yes.”

Here’s an article published in Money Magazine, “Choosing a College Major by Age 16 Pays Off”, proposing that students should think about choosing a major early to avoid spending more for the college education than necessary.

A college choices isn’t all about the money, but it should certainly factor into such a large financial investment. Parents and students should do their homework, just as they would if purchasing any other big ticket item.

admissions, college guidance, college planning, Guest Posts

Mom-Approved Tips: How to Choose a College

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Today I’ve opted to post an article written by a young woman who has worked as a financial aid officer and wants to spread the word about financial literacy and money management skills for college-bound teens. She has witnessed parents and students make some unwise decisions about college. She offers some excellent advice on how to choose a college.

__________________

Choosing which college to attend is a family decision.  Rather, it should be a family decision.  Especially if the family (i.e. parents!) will commit to covering the college expenses.

What the Experts Say

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a college.  Some experts suggest  considering the national college rankings.   Others recommend choosing a college by the potential debt it might incur.  The College Board’s Big Future suggests a number of factors to consider when choosing a college, including size and location.  Some experts recommend visiting the college, speaking to students, alumni and faculty. Others recommend getting to know the resources available at the college and speaking to the admissions officers.  There are TONS of things to consider when choosing a college!

Almost all of the advice out there suggest that the decision should be based on information gathered by researching – and there’s not much of an emphasis on getting input from the family.

choose a collegeTaking a Different Approach

During my time as a financial aid counselor I helped many families learn about the college costs – AFTER the student had already enrolled in the college.  At that point, the student is already invested in the school and so is the family.

Also at this point many of the families (both parents and students) had regrets about their decisions and felt that it was too late to change course – it was the middle of the semester after all.  They had regrets about not evaluating their ability and willingness to pay for the college costs BEFORE having made the decision to attend.  Ability to pay is important – but even if a family has the ability to pay, doesn’t necessarily mean they have the willingness to pay.  Are they willing to pay $65,000/year for a private college?  Are they willing to take on the debt?

In many cases, by the time families came to me to explore their options about how to finance the college costs, they learned that they had very few options to make it work:

  • Borrowing Federal Parent PLUS Loans
  • Taking out home equity loans
  • Using credit cards
  • Dipping into their retirement accounts

The families were able to move forward with these decisions, but they had many hesitations about doing so.  Taking out a home equity loan, for example, was a common option that families chose.  But they were very uncomfortable with the decision.  The result?  Families ended up compromising their financial goals.

I recall some families would come up with other creative options like selling their cars or getting a second job.  I especially remember speaking to a father who admitted that he “sold the family gold” (I had no idea this was common practice!) to pay for his son’s education!

These families didn’t realize what they were getting into. Parents wanted to accommodate their student’s decisions, but I could tell that they were uncomfortable with the limited options.

This is why I strongly believe that choosing a college is a family decision. Because, like it or not, this decision affects the entire family – especially if there’s an expensive private college on your student’s radar.  It’s best to stay involved in this part of the process; and to make this decision together and compromise if necessary.

Does this make you feel uncomfortable?

It’s weird, right?  You’re probably thinking that choosing a college should be the student’s choice, not yours.  You don’t want them to feel guilty about wanting to choose an expensive college over a more affordable one that would make your life easier.  And you definitely don’t want to stand in the way of your child’s dream college.  It might even feel like you’re overstepping your boundaries by wanting to be involved in the final decision-making process.

This is normal.  In fact, it’s so normal that we forget that this is even a thing!  It’s called individualism and it places more value on the individual rather than the collective.  Merriam-Webster defines it as, “the belief that the needs of each person are more important than the needs of the whole society or group.”  Individualism is so deeply ingrained in our culture, that we don’t even question it.  Today, I want you to be critical of this deeply ingrained mindset.

Think about the differences between Eastern and Western philosophies.  In Western cultures, we place more value on the self, on our individual talents and accomplishments.  Eastern cultures place more value on collectivism which emphasizes the importance of groups, like the family, community, state, or country.

I believe that there is value in both Eastern and Western perspectives – and it’s important to balance between individualism and collectivism.

Individualism is a philosophy that we live by everyday and we don’t even notice it.  I want you to notice it today.  And when the time comes, I want you to notice it as it relates to choosing which college to attend.

How to Have the Conversation

I’d like to offer just ONE tip for you to work towards making this family decision: Next time you’re discussing college plans, you can say something like, “You can go to any college you want, but there may need to be some compromises.  We’re a team and we’re going to have to work together to make this decision work.”  Bottom line: the best thing to do is be direct, honest, and offer your support.

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Katie's HeadshotAs a financial aid counselor, Katie has witnessed the lack of financial literacy among college students. That’s why she’s a big believer in learning money management skills early in life. Sign up for her newsletter where she shares tips about how to prepare your teen to make smart financial decisions: http://planningwithpoise.com/

admissions, college planning, infographics

Infographic: How College Rankings Work

 

College rankings are important to millions of incoming students a year, yet few actually know how the rankings are compiled. To give viewers a more clear look at what’s involved with compiling college rankings at the top rankings organizations, the editors at College Choice have created this graphic to explain methodologies.

 

How College Rankings Work
Source: CollegeChoice.net

admissions, college guidance, tutoring

3 Tips to Help Your Child Prepare and Get Accepted to a Great College

 

collegeMost parents are thinking about their child’s collegiate future from the moment they enter high school, if not before. Some students are proactive about choosing a dream college and back-up options, while others need extra guidance from their parents to make those decisions. And regardless of whether your child is applying to one school or ten, the application process and months leading up to it are probably stressful for you as well!

You want to make sure they do their best work throughout their high school years, building up the knowledge and experience that will serve them in college, plus that they’ll put their best foot forward with the application process to increase their chances of being accepted. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, here are some helpful tips you can follow to help your child prepare and be successful.

1.  Find a volunteering opportunity to share with your child.

The benefits of volunteerism are plentiful. Kids who volunteer learn about an important social cause and that they have the ability to make a positive impact on the world around them, even in a small way. It’s a great bonding experience for parents and children to do together. It also makes a meaningful addition to any resume.

2. Help your child raise low grades.

Tutoring is a great resource for students of all ages. Tutors are trained to help students study and learn specific subject matter plus develop learning strategies that they can employ in the future. Students who partner with a tutor not only have the opportunity to bring up their grades, but to value the importance of working to overcome difficulties. They also learn that they are capable and competent learners, even in subjects that don’t come naturally to them.

3. Encourage your child to pursue a passion.

High school students have a lot to focus on as they prepare for college life. Many juggle schoolwork with part-time jobs, obligations at home, and time with friends. They can improve their quality of life and maybe even open the door for new opportunities in the future by pursuing a hobby with fervor and merging it with their academic interests. For example, if they love skateboarding, help them look for opportunities to take that interest to the next level. Are there any local competitions at which they can volunteer their time or a skate shop where they can work a day or two a week? If they’re an aspiring writer, can they volunteer to write an article for a local publication about the skating community where you live? Your child will appreciate the support you provide and feel empowered to pursue things that are of interest to them.

Most parents will attest to the fact that the best approach to take as you help your child prepare for college is to be their partner in the process. Consider their natural talents and interests, and help them get the support they need to excel in those areas that they find more challenging. By being a strong support system for them, you’ll be able to give them the extra tools and guidance they need to choose and be accepted into an excellent college.

______________________________

 dusty foxDusty Fox is a full-time world traveler and freelance writer who contributes to the Ivy Trainers network. Visit the Ivy Trainers website to learn more about the services they offer.

 

admissions, interviews

Mom-Approved Tips: Preparing for the College Interview

 

college interviewCollege visits in the fall mean scheduling college interviews. The college interview is important for the student to learn more about the college and for the college to learn more about the student.

When my daughter was in the midst of her college search, she was interviewed by a representative of Boston University. Since this was her first choice college, she was nervous. She wanted to make a good impression and appear intelligent and confident. She prepared for some interview questions. Not all of them were asked, but it helped her go into the interview more relaxed. Although she wasn’t a top candidate according to their applicant statistics, the interview resulted in an offer of admission.

You can ace the college interview with preparation–the key word here is “preparation”. Recently, I wrote two posts for TeenLife Magazine: Can You Answer These 10 College Interview Questions and 5 Questions You Should Ask on a College Interview. In them I pointed out that students need to remember that they are interviewing colleges just as much as the colleges are interviewing them. Knowing this will help ease the stress of the interview and help your student take charge of the process.

A key thing to remember is that the college decision is your decision. Colleges seem to have the power during the interview process, but the interview is also your opportunity to clarify your choices and learn more about the college. Approaching this interview with this in mind will help you relax and be more confident. Asking questions shows the colleges that you are strong, independent and will be making an informed decision.

 

admissions, college planning, college prep

Is Military College Right for Your Student?

 

military college
Texas A&M Corps of Cadets

I recently had a discussion with an admissions officer regarding military colleges. The conversation arose because he had read my blog post “Motivating an Unmotivated Student”. In it I discussed my son’s college journey from high school, to the Marines, to college. He expressed his concern that many students are choosing the military as an option after high school when students who aspire to college can get the best of both worlds—a military college.

Twenty years ago, my son was in NJROTC and I was well acquainted with the service academies, but no information was given to him or to us about military colleges. The recruiters, however, were a constant presence in the unit. They have the cadets take the ASVAB test and use the test to draw them into military service. For some students, the military is an excellence choice. For others, a military college might be a better option.

What is a military college?

According to The Association of Military Colleges and Schools, “Military schools have a unique culture that is built on tradition and proven practices.  Students wear uniforms and participate in ceremonies that develop self-discipline and foster pride. Most are boarding (residential) schools where the students live together and are part of a student-lead organization that helps each student develop competencies as a follower, team member, and leader. Students learn the importance of self-discipline, time management, and to work together with others as part of a team.”

What types of colleges are available?

There are Senior Military Colleges (4 year), colleges that offer ROTC programs, and Military Junior Colleges (2 year). Cadets have formation, physical training and wear their uniforms. For more information about the specific programs, you can check out these sites:

What is the military service obligation?

Two-year colleges, colleges and universities all offer programs leading to commissioning that include a service obligation. However, none of these programs are mandatory and many students participate in the school’s Corps of Cadets without incurring an obligation. The decisions whether to accept a commission is normally made at the beginning of the junior year.

Where can I get help or ask questions about military colleges?

As with any college information, going to the source is the best practice. Contact the admissions offices of each individual college for information, schedule a visit, and speak with an admissions officer.

Another excellent source for information is the Service Academy Forums. You can browse the FAQs, view the questions and answers already posted, and even post a question. Often these forums provide parents with answers to all of their questions.

The military can be an excellent choice for anyone desiring to serve their country. But you might want to consider a military college, giving students the military experience along with a strong education.

 

admissions, websites

50 More College Prep Websites

19 Comments

 

college prep websites
Recently I posted an updated version of 56 college info websites. Following are 50 more college prep websites to help with college prep and more.

Financial Aid

1. http://www.howtopayforcollegehq.com – Weekly podcast to help parents pay for college using debt free strategies.
2. https://collegeabacus.com – A financial aid calculator to help compare college net price calculators and determine the cost of college.
3. http://costoflearning.com – This tool gives college applicants and their families insight and clarity into understanding the TRUE cost of college.
4. http://www.collegemoneyman.com – A podcast with information for parents and students about financial aid and scholarships.
5. http://www.financialaidletter.com – Read real college financial aid award letters and get tips on decoding and translating them.
6. http://www.customcollegerankings.com – A powerful yet easy-to-use tool to help find and compare colleges.

College Searches

7. http://www.collegemeasures.org – Makes available key data through websites enabling users to make smarter college decisions.
8. https://statfuse.com – This tool helps students determine their chances of getting in to a specific college.
9. http://www.ctcl.org – College That Change Lives supports a student-centered college search process providing information on colleges that indeed change lives.
10. http://collegelists.pbworks.com/ – Wiki lists of all kinds of search criteria about the college search.
11. http://www.collegedata.com – An online tool to search for colleges, calculate your chances, track admissions, search for scholarships and more.
12. http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ – Get all the data and information on colleges before you make your college list.
13. http://www.collegeview.com/index.jsp – A search engine allowing you to choose specific categories related to college and gather information for the college list.
14. http://www.collegefactual.com – Find a college and a major that fits your student with an affordable degree you can use.
15. http://www.ratemyprofessors.com – Search and rate professors and scope out new ones for the upcoming semester; explore comprehensive database for school ratings, reviews and more.

College Planning

16. http://www.parenttoolkit.com – A toolkit that helps parents keep track of their child’s educational journey from PreK through high school.
17. http://www.sreducationgroup.org – Comprehensive information for students about their options for school.
18. http://www.ubind.co – A site where you can tour universities, bind with recruiters and plan for college.
19. http://www.college-connections.com – Expert college advice and educational consulting services to empower students for admissions success.
20. http://collegeappwizard.com – This tool walks you through each step of the college planning process and helps you organize all the information in one location.
21. http://collegeprepready.com – A college success coach that helps parents and students transition into college, providing them with tools to enter college prep with a competitive edge.
22. http://jlvcollegecounseling.com – College counselor who helps families through the college admission process.
23. http://www.collegeright.com – Helps students become savvy college shoppers and empower them to take control of the application process.
24. http://collegeconnect.info – Personalized college planning, guidance and support.
25. http://www.ivywise.com – Admissions counseling empowering students to reach their academic goals.
26. http://www.sixstepcollegeapplication.com – Admissions counseling with free downloads for parents and an excellent blog.
27. http://internationalcollegecounselors.com – Personalized college advice and counseling.
28. http://www.bestcollegefit.com – Advice for parents and students from an expert offering a blog, events and workshops.

Test Prep / Tutors

29. http://directhitseducation.com – Books and course to help prepare you for standardized tests.
30. http://www.edupath.com – An online test prep service that lets parents follow their teen’s training and progress.
31. http://www.mytowntutors.com – A tutoring resource for parents and a place where tutors can register.
32. http://preppedandpolished.com – In person or online tutoring and test prep to help with college admissions.
33. https://grockit.com – An online test prep service for students with personalized learning and analysis.
34. https://benchprep.com – Test prep platform offering interactive courses and personalized learning.

Scholarship Searches

35. http://scholarshipopportunity.org – A series of books and a search tool that features a comprehensive list of scholarships, internships, and fellowships for all demographics.
36. https://www.scholarshipexperts.com – A scholarship directory and search engine to help parents and students find free college money.

Essays

37. http://www.collegeessayorganizer.com – A search tool that delivers essay topics and helps students organize all essay questions in one place.
38. http://www.collegeessayguy.com – Free resources, one-on-one essay sessions, online webinars, and in-person workshops to help with the college essay.

Social Media

39. http://www.socialassurity.com – Helps teens, college students and athletes optimize their online presence.

Parent Information, Advice and Blogs

40. http://www.road2college.com – A blog for parents giving the scoop on college admissions and financing.
41. http://teenlife.com – Their mission is to help teens and their parents find and participate in meaningful learning opportunities (also provide an excellent blog with topics related to college prep)
42. http://knowsymoms.com – A place for college parents and pre-college parents to gather and read stories and advice from other parents. and get college advice.
43. http://www.collegeadmissionbook.com – Great information for parents and students about college admissions.
44. http://www.pocsmom.com – Expert insider advice from a parent on college prep and the parent role in the process.
45. http://www.morethanatestscore.com – A must read blog from Zinch for parents and students who are heading to college.
46. http://blog.thecollegeplanninggroup.com – Excellent blog with information for parents and students about college admissions.
47. http://www.collegeparents.org – A place for parents of the college-bound to ask and find answers about the college prep process.
48. http://www.harlancohen.com – Get advice from the author of several books about college and a mini-course for parents.

Textbooks

49. http://simplebookswap.com – Buy, sell and swap used  textbooks with local students.

Study Abroad

50. http://www.semesteratsea.org – A multiple country study abroad program with credits that transfer to college.