Category Archives: college guidance

college guidance, dorm life, parenting, Uncategorized

5 ways to go green on campus

 

green campusIf there’s one thing that’s almost universally true about teenagers it’s that they’re fairly self-involved, and getting them interested in altruistic pursuits can be a chore. But as they get older and start to figure out who they are and what drives them, it may become easier to get them fired up about social and environmental challenges. Most young adults are full of energy and they want to do their part to make the world a better place. If you want to give your own college student some direction, you might suggest that he join the ongoing crusade to make the Earth a cleaner, greener place for all of humanity through his eco-friendly efforts. And here are just a few ways that you can get him on board with doing his part for the environment, and hopefully urging others to go green on campus.

Continue reading 5 ways to go green on campus →

college guidance, college planning, online learning

What if your student wants to attend an online university?

 

online universityYou’ve probably dreamed of sending your child off to your own alma mater, not to mention watching him walk to the stage to receive his diploma. Even if your kid is the first generation in your family to attend an institution of higher learning, you probably want him to have the college experience, including living in dorms, participating in Greek life, and so on. But times are changing, and more and more students these days are looking to save time and money by attending online schools to earn their degree.

You might be understandably concerned about the ramifications of going this route. What will it mean for your student and his prospects of gainful employment? If your teen tells you he’d rather attend an online school, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before you agree.

Check the accreditation

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing an online college is the status it holds; you want to make sure your student attends an accredited school. Luckily, many online universities these days are accredited, and they enjoy the same accreditation status as their brick-and-mortar counterparts. You can find such institutions online via the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education (ope.ed.gov/accreditation/), which is required by law to compile a list of qualified institutions (even though they don’t themselves offer accreditation). But why is choosing such a school so important?

A school that has gained accreditation has proven that it meets certain standards for excellence in academia, and this means that other schools are far more likely to accept students coming out of such an institution. Many employers might question the validity of an online degree as well. Offering accreditation communicates that the courses offered are beneficial as they apply to your work preparation.

Weigh the financial savings

Of course, there could be other issues, as well. If your teen stays home he will certainly save money on tuition and living expenses, and the flexible schedule offered by an online university will allow him to continue working part-time. He won’t get the opportunity to socialize as much; and while this might not sound so terrible, consider that the peers he meets in college could one day be his colleagues. In short, he’s missing out on a prime chance to network with others who will eventually be in his industry. This is a big loss. He also won’t have access to internships and job placement.

Online education can also be costly. Many online universities attract students by offering student loans. Which can seem appealing at first, but later down the road, upon graduation, the debt is unsurmountable. If your son has applied for scholarships and won, verify that they can be used at an oline university.

So while attending University of Phoenix or WSU online might certainly be easier and more cost-effective, it’s important to impress upon your teen all that he might be missing by remaining at home instead of heading to campus. If he’s set on staying home, he needs to consider all of his options before making a choice that could affect the rest of his life.

college guidance, parenting

How to set expectations for your soon-to-be college freshman

 

college freshmanIt seems like just yesterday that you brought your little bundle of joy home from the hospital, and now he’s a teenager preparing to leave home and head off to college. Luckily, you’ve done your job well, preparing him for the many trials that he’ll face when you’re not present to guide him. You’ve taught him to respect authority and treat others with kindness and compassion, although you’ve also instilled in him a healthy sense of caution, common sense, and self-preservation. He is confident and capable of caring for himself. So while you no doubt feel sad about his departure, you know that he is well-equipped to handle himself like an adult during his time in school. And yet, he may not be entirely prepared for some of the stresses and pressures he’ll encounter on campus as a college freshman. So as your last lesson before he leaves home, you might want to figure out how to help him set his expectations accordingly so that he’s not blindsided.

Academics

The first area you’ll probably want to address is academics, and they’ll likely be a bit more demanding than high school. Hopefully your teen has taken some AP classes, which are much closer to college-level requirements than standard high school courses. With any luck, the college he attends will accept some of these courses in lieu of general education credits, allowing your child a couple of light semesters to start off. Either way, though, he’ll be better prepared if he has taken AP coursework. However, he needs to understand that the onus is on him to attend class, study, and turn in his homework in a timely manner. This means setting a schedule that includes blocking out classes and study time and sticking to them. As a rule of thumb, every hour spent in class should coincide with approximately three hours of homework/study time.

Social activity

Next you should discuss social pursuits. College is not only a great time to make a new and diverse group of friends and participate in social activities and clubs, but it also provides myriad opportunities to network. However, your student should be prepared for the whirlwind that is social life on nearly every college campus. He could easily get sucked into partying and skipping class, and it’s not a bad idea to discuss the drinking and drug culture that seem to go hand-in-hand with college living. The hope is that your teen will stay away from these activities, which could easily derail his academic progress, but you’re fooling yourself if you think he won’t at least be confronted with such options. Talking it out ahead of time can help him to understand what’s out there and come up with a plan to have fun without hurting himself or others.

Consequences

College is a great time for students to test their independence. But it is also possible that those independent choices, right or wrong, will bring consequences. Remind your soon-to-be college freshman to think before they act and weigh the pros and cons of their decision. Help them understand that they will have to face the consequences of their actions and these consequences often affect their future.

The pressure to succeed in college is high, and it can definitely get to the average college freshman that has left familiar surroundings and a solid support network behind for the first time in his life. He may have his heart set on eventually attending criminal justice graduate programs or obtaining a PhD in medicine, but he’ll first have to make it through the stresses of freshman year. And the best way for you to help your student is to prepare him as best you can for what he’ll face in college. Armed with a plan of action he is more likely to proceed with confidence and go the distance.

college guidance, college majors, college planning, parenting

Should your student attend a public or private university?

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public or private universityThe student in your household has many schools to choose from when it comes to deciding where to attend college. And while you can definitely use college rankings and other resources to narrow down the list of possibilities, it might help to consider beforehand whether or not a public or private university is better suited to provide the coursework and degree your student needs.

However, you may not necessarily know the differences that separate a public institution from a private one. For all you know, they might offer exactly the same education. In truth, it could depend largely on the school in question, but there are some general features that can help you to differentiate a public university from a private one. Here are some things you’ll probably want to consider before you push the teen in your household to apply to one or the other.

The cost vs the benefits

The first thing you’ll no doubt notice is that private universities tend to be more expensive than public ones, all things considered. This is partially because they offer a certain amount of exclusivity, not to mention everything that comes with it. However, it is noteable that many private universities offer more merit aid because of generous alumni donors. This type of funding allows private institutions to be more selective when it comes to admittance, meaning they may require a better GPA or more extracurriculars or volunteer work than the average university. As you might imagine, the payoffs of getting accepted to one of these schools can be great. Class sizes tend to be smaller so that students receive more individual attention. If your student needs a bit more supervision to stay on track, this could definitely be a benefit of choosing a private institution.

Religious affiliation

In addition, some private universities are also religious in nature. So if it’s important to you that your child continues to receive religious instruction, a private institution, and specifically one that caters to your religion, may be in order. On the other hand, you’ll almost certainly want to make sure that your choice is based primarily on the academic features the school has to offer since the main goal of attending college is to earn a degree that leads to a fruitful career. All the same, many families are drawn to private schools that offer a religious aspect, and this could definitely play a role in the university you opt to send your child to.

Academic programs

Of course, you’ll also have to consider which universities offer the most highly rated programs for the type of career your student is interested in, and you might be surprised to learn that in some cases the public institutions beat out their private counterparts. You should also keep in mind that some schools have clout or connections within specific industries, which means they’re better equipped to offer internships, job opportunities, and even job placement in some cases. For instance, Texas A&M is infamous for their engineering network and the fact that alumni Aggies tend to hire Aggie graduates. Checking these stats ahead of time could help you to determine not only which type of university is better for your student, but which schools, in particular, are preferable.

Whether your student is looking to study medicine in California or head to a Vermont law institution, you need to look into both public and private universities in order to find the school that will provide the best education and the most opportunities. In some cases a public institution can provide just what you’re looking for, and probably at less expense. But often, private institutions offer the benefits of more merit aid, small class sizes, and an extensive alumni network. That’s why it’s important for parents and students to evaluate each university separately and determine which college is the best fit.

admissions, college apps, college costs, college guidance, college housing, college majors, college planning, college visits, dorm life, financial aid, parenting, scholarships, student loans, test prep, tutoring, Uncategorized, websites

Comprehensive List of College Info Websites

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college planning

Here’s a current comprehensive list of my picks for college info websites. Do you have any additional suggestions?

COLLEGE BLOGS

ParentingforCollege.com–You will find the MOST information ere olege news. Come here first to find the latest and bhest tools to hn our blog: college guidance, college planning, college coaching, and colelp you navigate the college maze.

TheCollegeSolutionBlog.com–An excellent resource for college-bound teens and their parents: admissions, testing, and financial aid.

UniversityLanguage.com/blog–Great blog articles about everything related to college admissions geared toward students.

GreatCollegeAdvice.com/blog–An excellent resource about the college admissions process providing expert advice helping students map their college journey.

USNews.com/Education–The education channel of U.S. News and World Reports providing the latest news and information related to college.

CollegeBasics.com–An excellent resource for information about college essays, college applications and high school resumes.

InsideHigherEd.com/blogs–Several different blogs related to higher education.

CollegeAdmissionsPartners.com/blog–An expert blog dedicated to helping students find the right college.

CollegeFocus.com/colleges–A virtual clearinghouse of blogs related to college life, parenting, college searches, etc.

Road2College.com–You can find just about any topic related to college prep at this site: financial aid, college planning, student loans, test prep, and more.

PARENT SITES

UniversityParent.com–A site where parents can ask questions, gather information, and download and view college guides and campus newsletters.

CollegeParentCentral.com–A blog created to give parents useful information about college and the college admissions process.

YourCollegeKid.com–A site with parent forums and other college prep tools.

CollegiateParent.com-A site dedicated to providing parents with information for their college students.

FINANCIAL AID

Fafsa.ed.gov–The official government website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

SallieMae.com/plan–A FREE education investment planner that will help determine college costs, compare college costs, and provides information about student loan repayments.

SavingForCollege.com–Everything you need to know about financing a college education.

FinAid.org–An excellent resource for the answers to all your questions regarding college financial aid.

CollegeFinancialAidAdvisors.com–Help with the college financial aid process.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Fastweb.com–An extensive scholarship search website with a massive database of scholarships, along with articles and helps designed specifically for parents.

Chegg.com–A free service for students and parents where students can showcase themselves, connect with colleges, and search for scholarships.

Cappex.com–The place to go to find merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.

Scholarships.com–An extensive scholarship search engine that helps you search and schedule alerts for deadlines.

How2winscholarships.com–A guide for parents and students on how to effectively apply to and win scholarships.

COLLEGE VISITS

SmartCollegeVisit.com–Created to provide information about college visits, help parents and students plan, and view personal accounts from both parents and students.

CollegeWeekLive.com–A virtual college fair that sponsors free LIVE events with archived presentations, student chats, and college booths.

Youniversitytv.com–Learn about colleges by watching video tours, chat with students on campus forums, post questions and get answers.
CustomCollegeVisits.com–Offer custom tailored to your family’s needs, whether you’re visiting college & university campuses close to home, across the country or from overseas.

COLLEGE PLANNING

Cappex.com–A site created for students to help them simplify their college search, create a profile and search for scholarships.

CommonApp.org–The common application site used by 400 colleges and universities across the country.

PrincetonReview.com–The best value colleges list for public and private institutions across the country.

UPromise.com–UPromise partners return a portion of eligible purchase money back to you. Those earnings accumulate in your Upromise account until you decide to use it to invest in a 529 plan, help pay down eligible student loans or assist with college expenses—all tax-free!

CollegeBoard.com–It’s here you’ll find the CSS Profile application (required by many private colleges), register for the SAT, and read articles about planning for college.

CollegeXpress.com–A search site that groups colleges in categories and provides college “hot” lists (i.e. top college for late bloomers, colleges for students needing a second chance)

VolunteerMatch.org–Find local volunteer opportunities for your college-bound teen and teach them about the importance of giving back to their community with the added bonus of adding that service to their high school resume.

KnowHow2Go.com–A college planning site for college-bound students providing helps and aids from middle school to senior year: interactive and fun!

 BigFuture.collegeboard.org–A planning tool to help parents and students get ready for college.

TEST PREP / TUTORING

TutorsForTestPrep.com–An SAT expert and coach offering tips to help your college-bound teen improve their SAT/ACT scores.

FairTest.org–The site for the National Center for fair and open testing providing information about colleges who do not use the SAT/ACT for admissions decisions.

QuincyTutoring.com–A resource to find a tutor and schedule a tutoring session.

LaunchpadEducation.com–Tutoring to help students with learning disabilities and ADHD.

TEXTBOOKS

ECampus.com—Find textbooks, sell textbooks, search for college supplies and college apparel all on this one site.

Chegg.com–A hub for students to compare textbook prices, study for exams, and choose the right courses.

RECRUITING

NCSASports.org–The college recruiting site for athletes.

BeRecruited.com–If you have a teen that’s a student athlete, they can create an online profile here and help colleges and coaches find them and be recruited.

college guidance, college majors, college planning, community college

Should your teen attend community college first?

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community college

Higher education is a complicated issue for many students and parents today. College education is a necessity for finding success and prosperity in many career paths, but rising concerns about student loan debt and graduate unemployment are making the process of pursuing education more stressful and uncertain than ever before. Community colleges are becoming increasingly popular options for students everywhere, as a means of securing foundation credits before transferring to a university. Is this a path that your teen should be considering?

Community college gets a bad rap

Community colleges are often viewed as being stigmatized in many academic circles. Students and parents alike disdain the idea of a community college education because they believe that more prestigious institutions will look down upon them. Worries about how an employer will view community college education on a resume are disconcerting as well. However, you shouldn’t be concerned about such fallacies. Your teen can study at a community college before transferring to another school, and still have access to all the same opportunities as every other student.

Community college will save you money

Many students are uncertain about their futures, and the prospect of choosing a college can be very daunting for them. A college education is a very expensive investment, and students should be going into their college years with both high confidence and defined goals. Students entering college without a goal in mind tend to spend up to two years exploring different lines of study in an effort to find the right path. While this is a healthy process, college is not the best place to do it. If your teens go into college without goals, they will take longer to finish their degree programs and incur more debt. This is where community college can be very beneficial.

You’ll quickly find that community colleges are, with almost no exceptions, much less expensive than any other school. Community colleges draw on local populations for their student bodies, and they offer education with much lower tuition rates than even public universities. Studying at a community college allows your teen to gain important foundation education in key subject areas without spending full price on college tuition. This can be a life saver, especially for families with tight budgets.

Community college will help develop career interests

While studying key academic subjects like writing and mathematics at a community college, your teen will also have the opportunity to explore other lines of study through elective courses. This helps students to find the paths that will lead them to prosperous careers. Exposure to philosophy in community college could spur an interest in law studies for your teen. A course in the arts or writing could unlock a previously concealed passion for creative work that leads to a prosperous and fulfilling career. Community colleges give students the opportunity to explore a variety of subjects without the financial stress that comes from university study.

Your teen may have his or her heart set on a four-year university like Howard University, but attending a community college first is often a very smart choice. Give your teens the option of exploring several academic possibilities without incurring debt, and help them find the paths that will lead them to success in college and beyond.

college guidance, college majors, college planning

How to help your student set long-term goals

 

goalsMany students headed for college have never had to deal with long-term goals. You provide them with a roof over their heads, a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear, and food on the table. They barely have to set short-term goals, much less those that take time and concentrated effort to accomplish. So when they leave home to pursue a college degree, they might not have the first idea how to go about creating and reaching goals that will take longer than a semester to complete. And this short-sighted attitude could make for some very serious problems.

Take a major, for example. Although students spend the majority of their freshman and sophomore years finishing general education credits, most also begin taking prerequisite courses for their major. If your student hasn’t decided on a major, any additional classes they take during this time could end up being a waste (of time and money). But you can give your teens the tools they need to make a solid, long-term plan. Here are a few tips to get them on track for setting and reaching overarching goals.

The first thing you’ll want to do is sit down with your teens to talk about a 5- or 10-year plan. This might sound like a long time to your teens, and it is. Throughout their late teens and twenties, most people develop and change in a variety of ways, which can make it extremely difficult to lay out a long-term life plan. But you don’t necessarily have to start with a college major and a career, which are extremely finite goals. You can begin by discussing more general plans. For example, you might ask your teens what they’re interested in and what they enjoy. Do they like helping others, working in groups, or being responsible for only themselves? Are they concerned about the environment, the economy, human rights, gun control, or any other current issues? Do they want to have a home, children, and money for vacations or are they happy having no commitments to tie them down?

Believe it or not, the answers to these questions can help your college-bound students to narrow their focus and come up with a major that will help them to reach certain life goals, rather than those that are simply career-oriented. Knowing what we want from life can help us to determine the types of jobs that will lead to happiness and fulfillment on a personal level. From there you can start to discuss more targeted issues like a career, a major, schools and programs, and even specific coursework. You can talk about which clubs and activities are going to contribute to successes in a chosen field. You can look into growth in particular job markets, types of jobs available, and even the prospect of benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan.

By starting with broad likes, interests, and desires you can begin to focus in on long-term professional goals. And when you make your teens consider their answers carefully, you are giving them the skills they need to objectively approach their goals in order to lay out a path to success on their own. Of course, they may still change their minds along the way, hopping from political science to arts and humanities to CNA certification training. Who knows how they will grow and change when they’re out on their own? But the hope is that they will eventually settle on something they love in order to enter a profession that is challenging and fulfilling, and that the process will teach them how to set and achieve long-term goals on their own.

college guidance, college planning, parenting

Exploring career options with your college-bound teen

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Kids either know what they want to do with their lives or they don’t. Some kids might even know what they want to do with their lives at an extremely early age, which makes it a lot easier for parents. However, a lot of kids have no idea. In this case, it is up to the parents to work with their teen to start exploring career options and even gauge what some of their interests might be. It is crucial for parents to start before the child enters their first year of college, because this will determine what classes they should be taking and even what major they should declare. Here are some ways to explore career options with your college bound teen.

Assess their strong points

First off, assess what some of their strong points are. If they are good at writing and they are interested in language, there are a plethora of jobs tailored for them. If they are good at writing, this doesn’t immediately mean that they have to become a novelist or English professor, but they can also land a job in communications, advertising and any other field where having a grasp of language makes them an asset. So make sure you find out what your teen’s strengths are in order to go through the list of available job positions within a certain field – some of which they might not even know about. Moreover, if they are interested in a specific field, it is important to make sure you dispel any myths or rumors about the field.

Determine their passion

Next, what is your teenager passionate about? If they are passionate about politics you should encourage them to pursue their studies towards this particular field. If they are interested in the healthcare field, there are a number of degrees they can acquire to have a sustainable and fulfilling career in the healthcare field. After getting their undergraduate degree, they can acquire a health care management MBA to land a position in careers ranging from finance, to biopharmaceuticals, to insurance and beyond. If they are interested in current events, they might pursue a career in journalism, television or radio media.

Analyze Job Market Trends

In addition to exploring personal interests and strengths, it’s vital to consider the demand in your teen’s chosen career field. A practical approach is to look at trends in job availability and growth projections in various industries. For example, unfilled residency positions 2024 is quite common, indicating a potentially high demand in certain healthcare specialties. This insight can guide your teen toward professions with greater long-term stability and opportunity. By analysing these market trends, you and your teen can make more informed decisions about selecting a major and planning their educational path, ensuring that they not only pursue a career aligned with their passions but also one with promising future prospects.

Take a career test

Another way to explore career options with your teen is to find out what they are good at by having them take a standardized test. There are a number of tests your teen can take that will determine what they have a natural inclination for. This option is usually best for those teens that are really struggling with what they want to do with their lives. For instance, a test in math will determine whether or not they are good with numbers and another test might be able to determine that they are more inclined towards abstract modes of thinking. Either way, this is a great way to get quantitative proof of your child’s strengths and weaknesses, which can motivate your teen to really start thinking about their career aspirations.

At the end of the day, it is important to not get frustrated with your child and let them come to their own conclusions, especially if they are going off to college. They might need a few years to think about it and in the meantime they might even go undeclared. However, after a few years of college, your teenager will eventually realize what they want to do with their lives, which can be an incredibly relieving moment for most parents and well worth the wait.

book reviews, college guidance, parenting, Uncategorized

Getting the best college advice: POCSMom

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One of the joys of posting on this blog is that I get to recommend other college prep professionals. Over the course of the last few years, I have gotten to know Wendy David-Gaines (aka ParentsOfCollegeStudentMom). She offers some of the best college advice from the parent community. I’ve read her book, Parents of College Students: Survival Stories, and I’ve collaborated with her on blog posts. Not only is she a wonderful person, but her knowledge of the college-prep process and issues that occur once your student enters college is second to none.

college survivalWendy is famous for exposing the cliches about college. After giving the cliche, she gives you the “POCS reality”. In her book, Wendy does this effectively by compiling actual parent stories. The stories (both from pre-POCS and POCS) are simple, light-hearted, often humorous and an easy read. But here’s the clincher–they provide parents with added insight into each individual situtation. For instance, Wendy has a story about college touring in her book. The cliche: different strokes for different folks. The POCS Reality: just because a parent likes a college does not mean his student will. The story tells about the often-experienced reality of a college-bound teen not “feeling” a campus like his parent does. If you haven’t experienced it yet, you will.

Here are just a few comments from parents who have read her book:

“The cliches used in this story don’t seem like cliches anymore. The way David-Gaines reinterprets them makes these cliches into lessons that may otherwise be overlooked for parents who are about to send their children off to college. The short stories are quick, easy reads. I read the book through from beginning to end, but you could start with any particular chapter or even open to a random page for a good lesson and laugh. I recommend this as a fun, enjoyable, helpful read for parents who are starting or already involved in the college process.”

“Being the Parent of a College Student (POCS) is hard work and can be very frustrating. I felt like Wendy had been with me on my journey through the college admission’s maze. Her book is very entertaining and packed with lots of helpful information whether you are just starting the process or have a student in college. I thought I would skim through it, but I was hooked after the first story. I wholeheartedly recommend it!”

Wendy doesn’t stop with her book, however. She authors a blog on her website, and she also writes for Examiner.com on a regular basis. Do yourself a favor and check her out on Twitter (@pocsmom) as well because she tweets great information for both pre-POCS and POCS.

Get your copy of her book, Parent of College Students: Survival Stories today!

 

admissions, college guidance, college planning, websites

Choosing the right college

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choosing the right college
photo courtesy of esc1.net

Choosing which college to attend is an incredibly exciting, yet trying adventure.  With hundreds of universities to choose from, it can be frightening and overwhelming at times.  However, with proper planning and a great deal or research, choosing the right college is easier than you think .  Keep these tips in mind as you embark on this journey.

Identify what qualities you look for in a college

Incoming freshmen don’t necessarily need to have a specific major in mind, but it doesn’t hurt to have some ideas.  Knowing what major you want to pursue will help narrow down your college choices

Location and environment are two very important factors.  Do you want to attend a large university, or will you thrive better at a smaller university?  What environment are you looking for?  Is Greek Life an important part of the decision process?  Know what you’re looking for ahead of time.

Financial aid, tuition and other expenses are also an important consideration to keep in mind.  If you’re on a tight budget, it’s wise to consider an in-state university.  Another option is attending a community college for two years and then transferring to another university.  And don’t forget admission requirements.  Research the universities you’re interested in, and make sure that you meet their admissions requirements.

List, compare, and visit your college choices.

It’s important to do your research before applying to colleges.  Make sure the colleges you apply to cater towards your needs.  Don’t apply to a college that doesn’t offer the major you want to pursue simply because it’s been labeled as a party school or a cool school.  Go to as many college fairs as you can.  Most high schools will offer a few throughout the school year.  There are also college fairs in most major cities throughout the year that are often bigger than the ones put on by your high school, so make a point of attending at least one of these as well.

Make a pros and cons list of all your colleges, and then compare what each one has to offer.  This is an easy way to narrow down your selection.  Once you’ve weeded out the less appealing choices, it’s imperative that you visit as many of these colleges as possible.  College visits offer you a chance to experience campus life, tour the school, and learn more about what each college has to offer.

Make sure your grades are in check.

It never hurts to do well in school.  A high GPA will look a lot more impressive on your college applications than a mediocre one.  Remember, you want your application to stand out among the rest. A high GPA will also give you a better chance of receiving scholarships, so if tuition cost is a factor in your decision making process, picking up the books will work in your favor.

college culture
photo courtesy of youvisit.com

You’ll definitely want to take an SAT prep class, and, if your college choices require it, take an ACT prep course too.  Prep classes are known to increase your score by at least 200 points. The Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Sylvan Learning Center all offer a variety of SAT and ACT prep courses to students.  Whether you prefer a private tutor or a classroom setting, these programs offer a method for everyone, so research which classes are offered near you.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a college.  Be thorough with each of your choices, and make sure that the college you pick fits your needs to a tee.  Having good grades and doing well on the SAT and ACT will go a long way, so remember to hit the books.

________________

You can follow CollegeFocus on Twitter at @CollegeFocus101 and Facebook at www.fb.com/collegefocus. Choosing which college to attend is an incredibly exciting, yet trying adventure.  With hundreds of universities to choose from, it can be frightening and overwhelming at times.  However, with proper planning and a great deal or research, it’s easier than you think to find the perfect college for you.  Keep these tips in mind as you embark on this journey.

collegefocusAbout the author: Kirstin Le Grice is a recent graduate of University of Colorado and a staff writer for CollegeFocus, a website dedicated to helping students deal with the challenges of college, including housing, finance, style, health, relationships, and transferring from a community college to a four-year university.