Category Archives: college planning

admissions, college guidance, college planning

5 tips for finding the “right fit” college

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If you are reading this article, then you can probably relate to the saying “time flies”. One day, you were taking your child to their first day of school and now it’s time to help them start filling out applications for college. In what probably feels like a matter of just a few moments, your son or daughter has reached a huge milestone that requires a great amount of preparation.

We’re hoping that we can help the process by providing you with a list of some things that you can do to support your teen in finding the “right fit” college. Check out these five tips below:

1. Steer them away from peer pressure. According to US News & World Report, there was a report that was conducted a few years ago citing that a whopping 79 percent of high school students selected the college they would attend based on where their friends were going. It is important to discuss with your teen that college is a time of fun and learning a new level of independence, but it’s also a season of preparing for their career as an adult. Therefore, going somewhere to follow their best friend should not be considered a good enough reason.

2. Know what you’re working with. Say that your child has a particular school in mind but either they don’t have the right grades or it’s something that’s close to impossible to afford (even with a particular scholarship or financial aid). Before they put a lot of time and energy into applying, it’s a good idea to first sit down and discuss what schools will accept them based on their grades, ACT/SAT test scores and yes, what is financially feasible.

3. Discuss living arrangements. Once you know the realm of what you have to work with, it’s then time to discuss things like living arrangements. Do they want to stay at home? Do they want to live on campus? And if they do want to live in the dorm, how far away from home are they interested in attending? Also, is studying aboard an option? The reason why this is so important is because your child needs to feel comfortable and safe wherever they are; feeling secure will only help them to progress academically.

4. Make sure it complements their core values. If the best resume writer could provide your teen with some good advice on filling out their college applications, one of the things they would probably tell them is that it’s just as important to select a college that complements their values as it is to write a stellar college application essay. That is why some people go to a college that is based on a certain religion or is all-male or all-female. Definitely knowing what’s important to you, both in and outside of the classroom, is important when picking the right college.

5. Tour a few college campuses. Thanks to the power of technology, there are many college websites that offer interactive tours, but that doesn’t come close to personally going on some college campuses and seeing what they have to offer. So, if your teen does want to live on campus and/or doesn’t mind living in another state, take out a few weekends during their senior year to visit some schools. Talk to the administration, visit some of the dorms, discuss with your child is they feel better on a large or small campus. All of these things will help them in deciding which school will prove to be the most beneficial to them over the next several years of their academic life.

college guidance, college planning, parenting

Legal rights for college students with disabilities

students with disabilitiesMost college students with disabilities have a strong desire to be treated just like everyone else. They don’t want special treatment or attention that will single them out and make them an oddity amongst their peer group. This is often true whether the disability is obvious, such as paraplegia, blindness, deafness, and so on, or it is one that other students can’t readily identify, including learning disorders like dyslexia and ADD. And yet, college students with disabilities have certain legal rights when it comes to special services provided on campus (although they may vary by state).

These laws are meant to protect those who must live with disabilities from suffering discriminatory treatment, and they also aim to level the playing field so that every student might receive the same opportunities and education. Even if your disabled children aren’t keen to take advantage of laws that pertain to them during their time in college, you should still take the time to do your research and make them aware of the laws out there that protect them and further their interests. We will discuss just a few legal rights that every parent of disabled children should know about before sending them off to college.

The main federal law in place to protect students with disabilities is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (with amendments made in 2008). The ADA is ostensibly a law to protect any American with a disability from discrimination. It is more commonly referred to for instances of discrimination in the workplace, but there are also sections of the law that protect disabled students from discrimination at all state, local, and private institutions of higher learning. Students are also protected by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; specifically Section 504, which states that any program that receives financial assistance from the federal government is prohibited from discriminating against persons with disabilities.

These laws not only mean that there can be no discrimination in the admissions process, but they also require campuses to provide for reasonable accessibility. This could mean adding ramps or elevators in buildings to accommodate students with disabilities that limit their mobility, or providing sign language translators for students that are deaf and note-takers for those that are visually impaired. However, these laws also apply to students with learning disabilities, which means campuses have to make adjustments for college kids that have issues like reading or math disorders, ADHD, and in some cases emotional problems like anxiety or depression. In these cases, additional services like tutors are provided, or students are allowed additional time to take tests, for example.

Of course, before students can claim these rights they must first be identified as having a qualifying disability. Such a diagnosis can be obtained through trained medical professionals. But if you think your student suffers from a learning disorder, for example, many colleges also provide testing meant to identify issues like dyslexia and dyscalculia (in case you can’t afford outside examination). Once your kids qualify as students with disabilities, they should be eligible for consideration under the law as such, which means any discrimination they encounter during their time on campus is illegal. Although you might not want to hire a leading law firm (like http://www.gullands.com) to go after the school, knowing the legal protections available to your kids can certainly help you to ensure fair treatment during their time in college.

college guidance, college planning, financial aid, parenting

The best tax breaks for college students

images-3As a parent, you have a lot of knowledge and experience that your kids in college still lack. And when it comes to taxes you are light years ahead of them. Even if you’re not a tax expert of some sort, chances are good that you know the basics, such as when taxes must be filed in order to avoid penalty, how to file an extension (or just that you CAN file an extension), and how to ensure that you get the most money back by maximizing deductions. However, the college students in your family likely have no way of knowing even these simple facts related to their annual income tax filings. So it may fall to you to do your research when it comes to tax breaks for college students so that you can inform them and ensure that they’re getting all the breaks they’re due.

So what are some of the best tax breaks for students? The vast majority won’t be able to take advantage of mortgage interest payments on their side, and many won’t enjoy the advantages that fall under the “married filing jointly” banner. And while some students work freelance during their time on campus to make ends meet, thus earning them the right to deduct business expenses, this situation might not apply to most students. However, there are a few write-offs related to education that could greatly benefit the college students in your family; but they may need to take advantage of some of them quickly in order to ensure that they aren’t over-taxed.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is a good place to begin because it allows students (and/or parents) to claim as much as $2,000 in expenses related to education (on the stipulation that eligible students earn less than $60,000 annually for singles or less than $120,000 for married couples). However, there are a couple of options that may serve them better. For example, the American Opportunity Credit allows students earning a single income of $80,000 or less per year (or $120,000 for married) to claim up to $2,500 a year for the first four years of an undergrad degree, with a maximum refund of $1,000. Qualifying expenses could include tuition, fees, books, and more. Students may also be eligible for tuition and fees deductions of up to $4,000 per year, although this particular credit is slated to expire at the end of 2013, so students should make sure to use it this year if possible.

Finally, students that begin paying off their loans can deduct any interest payments made throughout the course of the tax year. Since most students don’t start paying this bill until they graduate, it may not apply. But for those students willing to put a windfall towards their student loan debt, up to $2,500 in interest payments may be deducted. Students that take a gap year and work abroad may be able to claim a tax rebate when leaving the country. But if they travel abroad through a school-run program they will likely continue to pay tuition to their institution of higher learning stateside, making them eligible for the tax breaks that will give them the best chance to come out ahead financially.

college planning, file storage, organization

Tech essentials for your college-bound student’s dorm room

images-2When you send your student off to college, you will no doubt equip him with the tech essentials you assume he needs. A decent PC or Mac setup for his dorm room is a must so that he can do homework and write papers, and a printer goes along with the package. Of course, you probably also want to provide him with a webcam so that you can stay in touch via video chats on Skype. And for these basic purposes a laptop will work just as well with the added bonus of portability. Plus, your student can save some space by storing it in a drawer when not in use.

But while this type of hardware is certainly handy, it won’t come close to providing for the many technological needs of the modern student. So here are just a few other crucial pieces of tech you might want to consider sending along with your child when he leaves for college.

  1. Clocky Robotic Alarm. If your teen has trouble waking up even when you’re shaking him and pulling off the covers, then you might be a bit nervous about his chances of getting to class on time, making a good impression on his professors, and soaking up all the information he needs to pass his classes. But there is a solution out there that could help: the Clocky Robotic Alarm. This ingenious and dastardly invention is meant to get users up and moving, and it does so by running away with the alarm going off so that anyone who wants it to stop blaring must get up and chase it. Thanks to two wheels and the ability to change direction, this device should help even the deepest of sleepers to get up on time.
  2. Portable hard drive. Most kids are media hounds, soaking up music, books, movies, and TV shows, and since you don’t want them cluttering up their computer hard drive with anything besides classwork, a portable hard drive could provide the solution that lets your student store his favorite movies, his music collection, and even his textbooks in one place for easy recall.
  3. Noise cancelling headphones. Living in close quarters with another student will be made no easier by a roommate that snores or refuses to turn down the volume on a movie. So if your student wants to preserve the peace and catch a few zees in the process, noise cancelling headphones are essential to his sanity.
  4. Smartphone. Aside from the ability to call home, smartphones can provide students with a slew of mobile solutions. This general usefulness could manifest through the ability to set up a WiFi hotspot from anywhere. But students are more likely to enjoy the many amazing apps that allow them to access files saved in cloud storage (like Dropbox), take notes in class (Evernote), and manage their schedule (iStudiez Pro), just for example.
  5. Tablet. There’s really no better tech tool on the market today for the average college student than a tablet. It can act as a multimedia device, allowing your student to download and access movies, music, and even textbooks. It can handle the many tasks associated with computing (file creation, email, even faxes via a service like www.onlinefaxservice.com). And of course, front and rear-facing cameras will let him talk with you face-to-face, as well as capture his time on campus through pictures and videos that will jog his memory in years to come.

 

college guidance, college planning

How do college exams differ from high school exams?

When your kids get to college they’ll no doubt notice a few changes from high school. For one thing, they won’t have to spend seven straight hours a day in class. Depending on how many credits they’re taking they may have several hours in class on a given day, but generally they’ll have breaks in between classes and they can likely schedule their actual class attendance to just two or three days per week. In addition, they may notice a bump in homework. It is estimated that every hour spent in class equates to three hours of homework (including class work, study time, research, essays, and so on). But what can your students expect on the exam front? How will their tests and finals at the college level compare to those they took in high school?

In general, students can expect that college exams are going to be more difficult in general, and there are a couple of reasons why. The main reason is that college exams tend to demand more thought than the average true/false or multiple choice type of test that high school students are accustomed to. No doubt there will be some amount of multiple choice just to get through the rote learning portion of the testing process, but most college exams also include sections for short answers (usually expected to be anywhere from one sentence to a paragraph in length) as well as essays (which may be up to a page in length).

images-1Although the majority of high school students are familiar with the essay writing process, they may not be entirely prepared for the pressure of writing under a strict time limit. In some cases the final exam will be nothing but essay questions, or students will have to turn in a 5-10 page paper that they’ve been working on all semester. Either can come as a shock to the high school grad that is unprepared.

The other difference is a little more difficult to categorize. Professors at the college level not only expect students to portray a greater depth of knowledge, gathered from lectures (and labs, if applicable), reading, and supplemental materials, but they also want to see independent thought. This means that students can’t get away with simply regurgitating knowledge if they want any hope of getting a passing grade, much less an A. They must demonstrate their knowledge of the course materials in such a way that the professor sees that they understand what they have learned and that they can go beyond what has been taught in order to find some sort of insight, whether it relates to their own lives, to history, or life in general, for example.

Kids today tend to harbor an attitude of entitlement brought on by the instant gratification of a “click here and you shall receive” mentality. As a result, their experience in college may provide them with a rude awakening when they learn that they actually have to work for their grade. However, by preparing them for the changes that they’re bound to face when it comes to homework and especially testing, you can help to ensure that they head to campus with a strong work ethic so that they can buckle down and ace every exam.

admissions, college planning, essays

5 tips for writing college essays

UnknownSeniors are welcoming offers of admission; high school juniors are gearing up for college applications in the fall. They have begun college visits, crafting a list of colleges they are interested in attending, and looking toward completing those applications.

A key part of the application is the college essay. This task causes much stress among students (and even parents) desiring to craft the best possible essay to make the best possible impression on admissions. As with any task, however, knowing some tips and applying those tips can help relieve some of the stress.

Here are 5 tips for writing college essays:

1. Give yourself plenty of time

This is the number one tip for writing a successful college essay–start now! Waiting until the last minute will cause you to produce shoddy work. Begin early so that you can craft a work you will be proud to attach to your application. Once the essay is out of the way, you can concentrate on the rest of the application.

2. Be truthful

There is no need to embellish your achievements or exaggerate your accomplishments. Honesty is a character trait that admissions officers look for in an applicant. They can spot embellishments easily in an essay and wonder what else you are stretching the truth about.

3. Make it personal

Talk about what you love and find a way to distinguish yourself from other applicants. Admissions officers want to know who you are and what you can contribute to their college student body. The essay is an opportunity for them to see you beyond the test scores and the GPA.

4. Stick to the point

Don’t ramble to increase your word count. Say what you need to say and stick to the point. The longer the essay, the less interested the reader becomes. Remember they have many essays to read and you need to capture their interest and keep it.

5. Proofread and proofread again

This does not mean spellcheck only. Look at your use of punctuation and other good writing mechanics. Spell names properly. Ask teachers, parents and friends to read the essay. Many times they can find errors that you do not see. While you can find sites that offer online essay writing and custom essays, remember this should be YOUR work and presented from YOUR point of view.

Bottom line

The essay is your chance to shine. You should use it as an opportunity to help the college get to know you; and see you apart from the facts, figures and statistics you present about yourself.

Don’t hesitate to read more about online essay writing with EssayLib.com – professional service that is always ready to help students with college essays.

 

college guidance, college planning

5 Ways for college-bound students to relieve stress

imagesFeeling stressed in those hectic teen years is the most natural thing in the world, but that doesn’t make it any less disheartening. College-bound students are preparing to make many significant life changes, and that can make this a frightening time of life. There are many ways to deal with this kind of stress, some more healthy than others. Consider these five ways to relieve stress and prepare yourself for the future in the best possible ways.

  1. Maintain a Healthy Diet
    Eating healthy is more important than you’d imagine. Good life begins with good food because you are, after all, what you eat. If you’re eating healthy, your body will be well nourished and you’ll have the energy you need to deal with all of life’s obstacles. A diet of junk food will leave you feeling sluggish and sap your motivation, causing problems to pile up. Many students try to offset this lack of energy with lots of sugar and caffeine, which can disrupt their sleep cycles and lead them to become even more exhausted. Start relieving your stress naturally by eating healthy.
  2. Exercise Regularly
    Sometimes the best way to deal with stress in your life is to find an outlet for your pent up energy, and exercise is the best way to let off steam. Exercising regularly will help you stay fit, work negative energy out of your body, and release endorphins to promote a natural sense of well-being. When stress seems to be piling up to impossibly high levels, sometimes the best thing to do is hit the gym or go for a jog to clear your head.
  3. Manage Time Effectively
    One of the biggest stress-related problems for college bound students is time management. If you don’t know how to manage your time effectively, you won’t be able to deal with the challenges that come up in your life in a timely fashion. Start using a daily planner to keep track of important assignments. Prioritize your activities to make the best use of the limited time you have every day. Soon you’ll realize that there are enough hours in the day–you just need to learn how to use them.
  4. Cultivate a Hobby
    We all know what happens when life is all work and no play. Take a break from your studies and worries every once in a while to cultivate a hobby. If you don’t have something in your life that makes you happy, your life is going to be infinitely more stressful. Read your favorite books, paint, participate in a sport, listen to your favorite Conor Maynard songs–whatever it is that makes you happy. Find a hobby that you enjoy and try to make time for it every day.
  5. Be Positive About the Future
    Worrying about the future is natural, but it doesn’t do you any good. The future is always going to be there, and it will always be uncertain. The best thing you can do is pursue something that brings out your passion, and do so positively. Be confident in your choices and chase your dreams. You’ll find that life has a way of working itself out when you apply yourself; so work hard, be positive, and try not to worry about the future.

Always remember my motto–preparation prevents panic.

admissions, college guidance, college planning, parenting, tutoring

5 Ways to help a student who is struggling academically

imagesWhen your child is in their junior and senior year of high school, one of the most exciting things about that time in their life is knowing that they are just several months away from going away to college. But sometimes, even amidst all of the planning and excitement, it can be challenging to maintain the kind of grades that are needed to be accepted into the school of their choice.

If you have a college bound kid who appears to be struggling academically and you’re looking for some tips on how to help them, we have five proven ones that will have them ready to receive their college acceptance letter sooner than you might think:

Encourage them. Whether it’s been while we were in school or on our jobs, we all have experienced moments when we were simply burned out. That’s why, even in the midst of all of the hustle and bustle that comes with the everyday demands of life, it’s important check in with your child and keep them encouraged. Oftentimes a little pep talk can go a long way toward getting them back on track.

Suggest that they to get into study groups. In college, it’s nothing out of the ordinary for students to get together and have study sessions. So, in preparation for campus life, why not encourage your child to either become a part of a study session or to start one in high school? Having the support of their peers can also be a very effective tool.

Be willing to assist them. Yes, for many of us, it’s been years since we were in high school or college, but you might be surprised by the amount of information that you’ve retained. It doesn’t hurt to at least sit down with your child and ask them about the areas where they are having trouble and then offering your assistance where you can. If that doesn’t work, then there’s also the next suggestion.

Get them a tutor. There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your child a tutor. As a matter of fact, it could prove to be one of the best things that you could do for them if their grades are truly suffering. A wonderful thing about this particular option is that there are private tutors who can come to your home, or you can enroll them in something like a Sylvan’s Learning Center program, or there are even free online tutoring options available. Some of them include Khan Academy, Free-Tutoring-Online and LearnToBe.org. If your child is comfortable with a tutor now, they will be less hesitant to get one later should they need something like a GMAT tutor to prepare them for an MBA or law school entrance exams down the road.

Don’t rule out getting them tested. Sometimes, you can find yourself doing all of the “right things” and your child is still not excelling. If you sense that they are doing their best and you’re still not getting the kind of results that you would like, don’t be closed to the idea of having them professionally tested. If they do have some kind of learning disability, it’s better to know as soon as possible so that you can get them the appropriate help that they need before they get to college.

 

campus security, college guidance, college planning, in the news

Are you concerned about campus security?

UnknownAlthough the thought of your child attending college brings forth feelings of pride and anticipation, if they are going to be living on campus, it’s understandable why it may also evoke a certain amount of concern. We all have read the news stories of unfortunate crimes that have happened at various colleges and universities across the country prompting you to investigate the security and safety of your child’s prospective colleges.

As matter of fact, just this past January, the Huffington Post published an article that featured the “Top 10 safest colleges within the United States”. Some of the schools on that list included Southern University at New Orleans, Virginia Western Community College and Erkskin College and Seminary in Due West, South Carolina. However, if your child is planning to attend another school, thanks to the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education, there is something called the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool that provides up-to-date information on alleged criminal offenses that have been reported to campus security offices across the country (you can read more about this at Ope.Ed.Gov/security).

But, if you would like a checklist of things to inquire about as it relates to your child’s college campus and its level of security, we have provided you with five things that can help to put your mind at ease below:

Ask if there is 24-hour campus security. Every college campus has security officers and most of them have patrol cars, but not all of them necessarily have 24-hour security that is available should your child need to be escorted to their car or dorm room very late at night. Therefore, it’s important to not assume that there is this kind of assistance available. Make sure to ask.

Look to see if the campus is well-lit (at all times). Something as simple as a broken light in a parking lot or in an alley in between builds can lead to a criminal act. That’s why it’s vital that you tell your child to make sure that the campus is well-lit at night and if they see any broken lights to immediately report it to campus security or the administration.

Inquire about self-defense classes. One wonderful thing about college is that there tends to be classes for just about anything that your student can think of. So, encourage them to see if there are self-defense classes that are offered on campus and if so, let them know how smart it would be of them to take a few.

Mention Safe Place USA. There is a a great deal of petty theft that tends to happen on college campuses. While paying the cost of a home security system for a dorm room doesn’t make the most logical sense, there is an alternative. If your child needs a place to store expensive jewelry and other really valuable items, one option to consider is Safe Place USA. It’s a company that specializes in providing in-room safes for universities. (SafePlace-USA.com)

Ask if it is mandatory to wear student/staff IDs. Another thing that sometimes leads to criminal activity is when people who are not students or staff are hanging out, constantly, on campus. One way to determine who is supposed to be on the grounds and who is not is for students and staff to have their ID on their person at all times. It might seem a bit tedious to do, but if it can help to keep people safe by making everyone aware of who is entitled to be on campus and who is not.

college guidance, college housing, college planning, dorm life, parenting

Should your college student live on or off campus?

imagesThe time has finally come for your son or daughter to enter into the next phase of their educational careers. In just a few short months, they will be enrolled into college as they prepare to earn their degree so that they can be successful in the career of their choosing.

Although all of this time they have been living with you, and as we all know, one of the major transitions that come with going to college is that students are able to live on campus (or even in an apartment). If you’ve been trying to figure out if that is an option that is most suitable for your son or daughter, we have a few things for you to consider before making a final decision whether to live on or off campus.

The Pros of Living on Campus

One of the main benefits of living on campus is that it’s convenient for your child to get to their classes. There’s no traffic or weather conditions that could make it challenging for them to either get to class, or to get to class on time. Another bonus is that great memories are made from living among other students who are also learning in a college environment. There are college roommates (and suite mates) who end up being friends for a lifetime. Still, another benefit is that it gives college students a sense of independence. While they may have relied on you to wake them up to class or to help them budget their own money, living on campus helps them to learn how to make many decisions on their own on a daily basis.

The Pros of Living Off Campus

If they live with you, an immediate benefit is that it saves you money on either room and board or assisting with their rent and other living expenses. Plus, you have the peace of mind of them coming home every day. If they live in an apartment, this even further prepares them for “the real world”, plus it provides them with the privacy that they may need in order to study. One thing to consider with this particular option, however, is if they do live in an apartment or even if they are looking into house rentals in order to rent with a few friends, they are going to need some reliable transportation in order to get back and forth to school.

So when it comes to making the ultimate decision on what is best for your college student, there are three main questions that you should ask yourself: “Would my child thrive more living on campus or off?”, “Is my child emotionally mature enough to live outside of the home?” and “What makes the most financial sense?” Once you have taken these various pros into consideration and then answered those questions, undoubtedly, you will come to the resolve that is best for your son or daughter (and for you).