admissions

Tips to Prevent Having an Offer of Admission Withdrawn

admission withdrawn

Towards the end of high school, it’s normal for students to look forward to college life with excitement. Preparation for admission by students and their parents commences around this period. Withdrawing a college admission offer is uncommon, but it occurs. It can crush a student’s spirit and lead to starting the admission process all over again.

Here are some ways to ensure that you can avoid having an offer of admission withdrawn.

Maintain good grades

One of the top reasons why an offer of admission may be revoked is a significant drop in a student’s grade during the second semester of the final year. Students can be tempted to relax a bit when they are about to finish high school or find it difficult to handle stress and this negatively affects their grades. Strive to maintain consistency in your grades and put in extra effort. In case the unexpected happens like having to deal with a serious illness, the admission committee will consider such student if a letter is forwarded to them in time. Before a college decides to revoke a student’s admission, a warning letter will be issued and an explanation is always required. 

Be of good conduct

Most students are influenced by their peers to engage in activities that are wrong. Colleges are not interested in admitting students with a tainted record; therefore students should try as much as possible to have high standards. Illegal activities like drugs or alcohol related offenses, theft, violence and cheating during examinations must be avoided at all costs. All these acts can lead to expulsion in high school and once the college you are applying to gets to know, you may forfeit your admission. During student’s weekend, behave properly as you are being watched.

Add correct information to your admission essay

In a bid to impress the admission committee, it’s common for students to fill up their admission letters with false information. It’s true that the committee members are interested in you, but the part they are concerned with is the real you. Another thing is that you should not engage in plagiarism. Certain software has been developed that instantly detects plagiarism in essays and admission letters and most colleges make use of it. Considering the fact that admission into universities has become highly competitive, it’s easier to control the process with this tool. If it was later discovered that fake letter of references was submitted, the university will not take it lightly with such students.

Most of the time, colleges don’t withdraw their offer of admission without tangible reasons. In this case, parents have a great role to play in guiding and encouraging so that they finally get into college.

Once students are finally admitted into their various colleges, writing essays becomes a necessity. Only high quality essays can guarantee good grades. Due to one reason or the other, crafting an outstanding essay may be a daunting task. You can easily Buy College Essays at onlinecollegeessay.com and get nothing short of the best.

Uncategorized

How to Succeed in College Interviews

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college interviews

College Interview Counselors / Career Interview Coaches, LLC has just released a book, College Interview Essentials, which is available for purchase on Amazon.com.  In this first publication, authors and founders of CIC, Peggy Nash Marx and Kyrie O’Connor, discuss how a young, texting generation has lost the art of verbal communication and needs to prepare in order to have an impressive interview.

An interview write-up (what the interviewer writes about you post- interview) is included in the college admissions file.  When an applicant’s file is up for review and is decided upon – whether the applicant will be accepted to the schools of choice or not – the interview write up is reviewed along with the written application, complete with transcripts, essays, resumes.  Furthermore, interviewing is a life skill – the sooner a young person learns how to have an impressive interview, the better one is prepared for interviews associated with internships, scholarships, jobs and careers.

Often, by the time a candidate is asked to set a date for a school interview – whether the event is conducted by an alumni interviewer or admissions staff representative – the candidate is exhausted from the process.  However, just like a football game where the applicant is in the end zone, the applicant must persevere and not give a college a reason to say NO!  Having an impressive interview is key to completing an application.  In spite of stellar grades, extracurricular activities and the superlative essays, the applicant must prepare for the interview through research and practice.

Here are some tips which CIC offers for your college interviews:

  • Arrive early to the appointed venue. Make sure you have the proper destination in mind and allow for traffic and Murphy’s Law.
  • Dress neutrally – that means dress as if you are visiting an elderly relative.
  • Know what you want to communicate to your interviewer which will add personality and relevant information (not a repeat of your scores, GPA, etc.) to your application.  Have 3 – 4 elements of your conversation in mind so that you are able to communicate these concepts no matter which questions arise.
  • Try to research your interviewer before you arrive at the venue.  In this day and age of the internet, one can often find out something about the interviewer online.
  • Know as much as you can about the school to which you are applying. Research areas of study, what is unique about the school, and why you believe you will be a perfect fit for that college or university.
  • Have questions ready for your interviewer on subjects that are not available on the school’s website.

These are only a few of the secrets to having an Impressive Interview.

College Interview Essentials offers greater insight into the college interview process. CIC – www.collegeinterviewcounselors.com – also offers interview training and college application assistance through workshops and one on one consultations .

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Today’s guest post was contributed by Peggy Nash Marx and Kyrie O’Connor.

A Producer of multi-media business meetings, Peggy Nash Marx trained executives on how to speak from the podium and answer employee and client queries with sincerity, but with a direct purpose in mind.  As Chairperson of a top New England interview committee for more than 15 years, Peggy has managed the interview process for hundreds of diverse applicants.  She utilizes her editorial and communication skills to fine tune applicants’ positioning in and identification with specific opportunities. Peggy is the owner/founder of Mon Amie and CIC, consulting groups dedicated to enhancing individuals’ potential. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University. Her family members have attended Princeton, Tufts, USC and the U of R and have participated in both the public and private school systems.

A branding and marketing expert, Kyrie O’Connor has spent her career launching and building brands and businesses.  She developed her entrepreneurial approach through classic brand management training at Kraft/General Foods and further honed her skills at Cuisinart, Corning, London Fog, Bally Shoes, Switzerland and BhS, London. In 2006, Kyrie founded the business strategy firm, The Opportunity Team.  Her marketing acumen and abilities to identify and maximize talent are put to good use in preparing applicants for admission and employment positions.  Kyrie interviewed hundreds of students as Co-Chair of a top New England college interview committee.  She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and earned an MBA with distinction from NYU/Stern Graduate School of Business.  Family members were graduated from the public school system, having participated in the I.B program abroad, and attended Dartmouth, Tufts, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Harvard.

academics, Guest Posts

What is Plagiarism and How Do You Avoid It?

 

This article is timely, considering all the discussion about Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention.

plagiarism

We always use the word “ethical” if we want to describe something that is right, made or done according to rules and involves some moral values. Why then should we refer plagiarism to ethical issues too? Let us specify what plagiarism is. There are several activities that are referred to the notion: substantial copy-paste, intentional paraphrasing, use of one’s ideas representing them as your own ones, avoidance of crediting the source etc. All these actions are immoral and can be considered to be a violation of widely accepted ethical rules, consequently, plagiarism is one of the main ethical issues nowadays. At the same time, there are such cases that can’t be called unethical. Think only about self-plagiarism or accidental one: these issues can be hardly called intentional, so plagiarism remains a rather controversial term.

Gray areas or inability to give a definite answer

Is it always possible to answer the question: is it plagiarized? Despite the number of various software like Noplag.com Plagiarism Checker, for example, it is always difficult to give the only right answer to this question. The standards of plagiarism depend on many different points: this might be a genre of writing, the field of writing (lawyers are allowed to copy some pieces into their speeches, while politicians are not), a person, who has written the text (a school graduate or an experienced philologist) etc. Many people will admit that some of these cases can’t be called unethical, but in reality, everything must be decided only in the court. And if the situation is recognized to be a fraud or even a crime, the punishment will be rather severe. On the other side, plagiarism does not belong to the list of crimes and copyright does not cover all the misdeeds that are regarded to be this illegal activity. That is why it is extremely important to draw a line between what plagiarism is and where its ethical boundaries are located. Let us look at the gray areas of this notion that despite being extremely controversial are not considered to be plagiarized:

  1. Self-plagiarism: a situation, when a writer uses his thought or statement, which has already been published in the different source, in his next text. It is impossible to convict the writer as it is his own idea, but it is always advisable to recycle the content.
  2. Patchwriting: composing a text of passages from various sources. It can be called a unique style of writing, though it can’t be called an original piece of writing.
  3. Paraphrasing: rewriting some piece using your own words. Though this point has some connection with stealing ideas or viewpoints, all of us are taught to paraphrase at schools, so consequently, it might be called a criminal activity.
  4. Allusion: offering another source as an example is a very tricky thing, but it is also a good way to clear off the accusations of plagiarism.
  5. Ghostwriting: the process of creating some content under the another author’s name can’t be called plagiarism too as you still create something new even calling yourself a different person.
  6. Collaborative writing: if a book or article has several authors, it does not mean that all of them are credited the same and each of these representatives can pull a suitable part from other works.

All these issues can’t be evaluated only as completely right or completely wrong ones, so our relation to them is the only right answer for us personally.

How to spot plagiarizing

There are several indicators to help you to recognize a plagiarist:

  1. Intentional omission of citations and references;
  2. Figures of a completely different style than previous ones;
  3. Very old researches and information according to which there have been no other ones conducted recently;
  4. Sentences are not connected by content;
  5. Abrupt changes of writing style etc.

At the same time, the best thing that may help you to spot plagiarizing is a free online checker such as Noplag.com, for example. It will show you all the parts that were copied from other writers or intentionally paraphrased. By checking each your text your moral state will be always perfect and you will never suffer from self-reproach.

Plagiarism: ethics of stealing

In any case, if you make intentional efforts to use one’s work, idea or statement and avoid citing it, this action can be considered a literary theft. You commit an immoral illegal crime, which is known to everyone as a theft. Each original work is protected by copyright laws and violating intellectual property you commit a crime. As a result, if to speak about ethics, you must realize that plagiarism is the ethics of stealing and it may result in not very good consequences both for a plagiarist and the author of the original text.

__________________________

Lesia Kovtun is an ex English teacher who helps parents/students and organizations with educational planning. She is tech savvy, loves education and technology that makes studying process more convenient and collaborative. She currently works with Noplag.com team as a consultant.

parenting, social networks

What Lessons Can Your Teen Learn from the 2016 Election?

 

2016 election

This has been an emotionally charged 2016 election process. Most of us are ready for all of it to be over—from the talking heads, to the vicious mud-slinging, to the hate speak on social media. But within every negative experience, there are always teaching moments for our children.

At some point, your student will be leaving home for college as an adult. Before she goes, use this election to discuss some key values in hopes she will take them with her. These values are more important than grades, essays, and college applications.

Don’t exaggerate, bloviate, or inflate

My how both candidates have ranted, yelled, name-called and gone on and on without saying anything relevant. We’ve heard lies from both sides and attempts to cover them up or minimize them. The lesson here is simple: speak the truth. Use your words to “say what you mean and mean what you say”.

Social media is a game changer

This election has been driven by social media. Tweets from both candidates and from Wikileaks,  blasting one another on Facebook, posting videos, newspaper articles, and memes about each of the candidates. If you think no one pays attention to what you post, think again. This election was played out online this time and could very well be won or lost because of it.

The poor choices you make always have consequences

Each candidate has been embarrassed by some of the poor choices they made in the past. Their actions came back to haunt them. Their choices had consequences. This is perhaps the most important lesson to teach your college-bound teen—think before you act. Are you willing to accept the consequences of your actions?

Think before you post, tweet or email

Everything, and I mean everything, you put online will come back to haunt you. Social media is your resume and everyone is reading it—college admissions officers, future employers, family, and friends. Before you hit the “submit” button, consider the ramifications of what you are saying.

Respect has to be earned

The country has little respect for either candidate. This is an election where most people will tell you they are choosing the “lesser of two evils.” Respect is earned when you exhibit truthful, honest, moral behavior, kindness to others, and respect for authority. You have to earn respect by your actions.

And lastly, “decisions are made by those who show up”.

Harry Truman said, “Decisions are made by those who show up.” Teach your children that voting is a crucial freedom and they should exercise their right to vote in every election. And once the decision has been made, they can rest assured they did their part to express what they feel and believe.

social networks

Social Media is Your Resume

 

HubSpot recently published their 2016 Social Media Conduct eBook based on a recent studies on social media conduct. The study focused on employers and their use of social media. This applies to college applicants as well, hoping to be admitted to a college or university based on their resume. The bad news for some, according to HubSpot, is “social media is your resume”.

______________________

According to a survey by careerbuilder.com, 41% of employers say they are less likely to interview job candidates if they are unable to find information about that person online. Job seekers should think of social media as an integral piece of their resumes and each should use social media to establish and showcase his or her personal brand. Employers aren’t necessarily scanning your social media profiles to look for problems, they’re looking for insight into how you’re living your day to day life. Val Matta, vice president of business development at CareerShift, describes it like this:

“What candidates do in their spare time and broadcast to the world through social media speaks volumes about their personal values and culture. The hiring manager knows that, in hiring that person, they’ll likely bring those values and culture into the office. So it must align with, or contribute positively to, the organization’s current culture.”

There are some positive aspects to the trend of connecting social media to employment. According to Jobvite, one in three employers who research candidates on social media have found content that made them more likely to hire a candidate. And, 23% found content that directly led to hiring the candidate. The trick is, then, to not avoid social media, but to be on social media and be thoughtful about what you post.

Your social media profiles, or lack thereof, tell employers so much about you. JobVite found that 55% of recruiters have reconsidered candidates based on their social media profiles. 61% of those reconsiderations were negative. That means 39% were positive. Those who got a positive reconsideration likely put some care and consideration into their personal brand. Make sure you’re controlling your personal brand and building up your social media profiles so they tell your story the way you want it to be told.

Related: Social Media: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Facebook Privacy Pitfalls

In an article called “Watch Your Mouth on Social Media,” Scott Kleinberg, nationally syndicated columnist and the former social media editor at the Chicago Tribune, wrote:

“I read a story not too long ago where someone tired of being the subject of abusive Facebook comments reached out and complained to that person’s boss. The company subsequently fired the person.” How did that happen? Kleinberg explains: “Your place of employment shows up next to your name on a Facebook comment when a website uses the Facebook commenting plug-in. So if you’ve ever seen a story online and noticed the comments look like Facebook, that’s why. But even outside of the plug-in, hovering over your name or anyone else’s name on Facebook proper can reveal the same information.”

“Nine times out of 10, what you say is being read by a much wider audience and information about the person saying it is more widely shared than you’d ever imagine.”

The advice in Mr. Kleinberg’s article is a must-read for anyone who uses social media.

 

social media
photo Courtesy of HubSpot

Harsh Judgements

A social media page that makes your life look like a non-stop party is probably going to be judged harshly.

A study conducted by North Carolina State University concluded that:

A lot of employers and companies don’t really understand online behavior and many Facebook users aren’t getting hired as a result…Companies often scan a job applicant’s Facebook profile to see whether there is evidence of drug or alcohol use, believing that such behavior means the applicant is not ‘conscientious,’ or responsible and self-disciplined. However, the researchers found no significant correlation between conscientiousness and an individual’s willingness to post content on Facebook about alcohol or drug use. Will Stoughton, Ph.D. and lead author of the paper added, “This means companies are eliminating some conscientious job applicants based on erroneous assumptions regarding what social media behavior tells us about the applicants.”

Slang and Text Speak

The use of internet slang, texting language, poor grammar and misspellings is ubiquitous on social media and can signify poor communication skills. According to careerbuilder.com 29% of employers do not like to see posts that demonstrate poor communication skills.

Though 29% of employers are turned off by poor communication skills, the careerbuilder.com survey also found that 37% are more likely to hire a candidate whose social media profiles indicate great communication skills.

So, a serious job candidate who showcases his or her strong communication skills by submitting a professional resume undermines that effort when his or her social profiles are littered with internet slang, poor grammar, and misspellings.

It may not be a bad idea to keep up with trending internet slang words because today’s teenagers will soon be in charge. Gavin Hammar, CEO of Sendible.com, believes that “As this language becomes more allowed in educational settings, it will leave a lasting impact on the future generations. The young adults that are in high school right now are being directly affected by social media slang. These are the same people that will become the next business professionals, politicians and leaders of our world.”

Bottom line: if your student is applying to college and wants to be gainfully employed after graduation, it’s a good idea for them to “mind their manners” on social media.

tech gadgets, technology

Tips for Buying a Laptop for Your Student

 

buying a laptop

Access to computing power is an essential for any scholar heading to college. When those Black Friday sales begin to show up, then, you may be inspired to act quickly, and pick up a deal. It might work out well. There’s plenty of room for mistakes, however. It’s important to do your homework before you commit yourself to buying a laptop.

First, talk to the school

When a student uses a computer at college, he or she needs it to connect to the school’s network, and the network at the library. When there is a problem connecting, the tech support department at the college needs to be able to help.

With a view to keeping the tech support complexities involved to a minimum, educational institutions tend to limit themselves to providing support for one operating system. Should a student come in with an operating system that the school isn’t prepared for, there is little support likely to be available.

College courses can come with special computing requirements, as well. It’s important to keep those in mind.

Talking to the school can come with practical benefits, as well. You may learn that the school has a discount program for its students. You could get both the laptop and all the software needed, at low, negotiated prices. School-sourced computers come with easy-to use warranties, as well.

 If what the college supplies isn’t good, get your own

When colleges offer deals, they tend to be on good models. Sometimes, however, colleges do lose the plot. Whatever model the college offers, you want to look through the specifications, and make sure that there’s nothing wrong with them. If they seem less than adequate, there are always plenty of quality, cheap laptops available online. You only need to make sure that what you get is compatible with the school’s needs and abilities.

Here’s what you should look for

If the school asks for a Windows or Linux laptop, these come cheaper now than ever before, and you can get astounding quality and performance at no more than a few hundred dollars. If you can afford it, you want to choose nothing less than a 1080p, IPS LED screen that offers sharp resolution and wide viewing angles. An Intel Core i5 processor for processing power, 8 GB RAM for speed, a 2 GB graphics card that keeps up with moderate demands, a 1 TB hard drive for storage, and a backlit keyboard for nighttime work. A capacious battery is a great plus. If it’s a Mac that’s required, the choices tend to be clearly stated.

Ask the student that you’re buying for

The school’s recommendations may help you learn about the minimum requirements for the course. Such a computer may not meet the minimum requirements that the kid has in mind, however. If it’s a gaming enthusiast that you’re buying for, it’s a whole other ballgame.

Many students heading out to college decide to buy two computers: a light, inexpensive laptop for everyday work at college, and a powerful desktop for gaming purposes. Only a desktop can handle a gaming-level graphics card, after all. In some cases, a desktop maybe all a student wants.

Buying a fine laptop isn’t hard work. You only need to head in armed with information.

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Today’s guest post is from Aimee Kirk. She has some extra time on her hands now the kids are grown, her youngest now at college. So she is spending that time writing articles and has taken up a new hobby in the form of digital art.

financial aid, scholarships

Crowdfunding to Pay for College

 

crowdfunding

Crowdfunding. It’s the new way to raise money for all kinds of worthwhile endeavors. But did you know that your student can use it to raise money for college? In the spirit of the famous quote, “It takes a village to raise a child”, crowdfunding takes college savings to a whole new level.

Though it might seem awkward asking for money for college, crowdfunding sites act as intermediaries. These sites allow students to submit a personal appeal for funds. Much like wedding registries that everyone is familiar with, crowdfunding sits act as a college registry to seek money to pay for college.

Is this something that interests you and your student? Here’s a list of crowdfunding sites to explore and help you get the ball rolling:

Acentive

Acentive, is a unique crowdfunding platform designed to help students raise money for college from their community, allows pledges to actually incentivize students to excel academically. Pledges from family, friends, and the community are tied to academic performance (such as $25 for every A earned); this means the better the grades, the better the payout.

Other crowdfunding platforms generically ask donors for money. Acentive provides a way for donors to set academic targets and reward students for success so they feel good knowing students had to work hard to earn those donations.

The company believes that monetary rewards are a great way to incentivize academic performance and have found that family and friends are excited to offer support when it gives students a goal. The short-term rewards help students focus on short-term performance, particularly during freshman year when the pressures of college are high. According to co-founder Jeremy Bolian, “Acentive is the best way to raise money for college because it leverages community support in a way that actually incentivizes students to excel in school.”

YouCaring

Is the cost of college standing in the way of your educational goals? Every year, the cost of education rises twice as fast as medical care costs! College costs show no signs of slowing. In your lifetime, the price of attending college has increased over 1100%. Student loan debt has doubled in the last 10 years. YouCaring makes raising money for college tuition fast, easy—and free. Students on our fundraising platform get the tools they need to offset the rising costs of getting a quality education, absolutely free.

Indiegogo

Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform that doesn’t decide who does or does not get funded – it’s all in the hands of the public. With it, you can raise money for college.

Gift of College

If you’re reluctant to solicit gifts for their children’s college funds, Gift of College would be an excellent crowdfunding source. With this unique offering, friends and relatives have an option to contribute to a 529 saving account by purchasing a gift card for special occasions and holidays.

The cards offer a tangible way to contribute to a college fund, rather than simply writing a check. You can purchase these gift cards online at their website or at various merchants to use as gifts.

GreenNote

You may not realize it, but there are lots of people out there rooting for you. Friends, family, friends of family and your community. Even people you may not know directly. People want you to get an education, they want you to graduate and they want you to have a successful career.

So why not consider asking them for help? Using the GreenNote online service, you can request donations from your social network and provide them with a really simple and convenient way to send funds just when you need them the most!

Go Fund Me

GoFundMe is a popular fundraising/crowdfunding site. Why not use it to raise money for college? College is expensive. Ease the financial burden by fundraising for higher education costs, including those not covered by financial aid or scholarships, such as room and board or study abroad trips.

PigIt

PigIt’s co-founder describes the site as “education’s entrepreneurial piggy bank.” On the site, students are able to offer their personal skills, abilities or products in exchange for financial contributions. It’s a great way for students to actively gain control of their current debt situation, without the temptation of spending the funding elsewhere.

Rally

Rally.org makes it easy for individuals, groups, social causes and non-profits to fundraise online with no tipping points or hassle. It’s easy to create a beautiful, inspiring, online-fundraising page with Rally.org. Simply upload a photo or video with your fundraising story and you’re ready to go! Their expert team has designed a fundraising website with your goals in mind.

Uncategorized

Don’t Be Afraid of College Prep

 

college prep

What lurks in the dark—the unknown? We have so many things to be afraid of these days. Parents live with fear every day. Who knew clowns would be at the top of the list? Can you believe the violence these once happy characters are responsible for? I long for the days of Ronald McDonald.

One thing you do not have to fear is college prep. As with any goal, it’s important to remember the only way to remove the fear and anxiety is to be prepared and organized, know the facts, and have the conversations. Once you do these things, you can enjoy the experience.

Be prepared

Stay organized and prepare for senior year. College prep begins early in high school and culminates with senior year college applications. Create a college landing zone early, set up files (either in a file cabinet or on a zip drive), and start collecting information on test prep dates, AP test dates, volunteer opportunities and any other aspects of college prep.

Know the facts

Get expert advice when you need it. Parents can take advantage of all the social media outlets to educate themselves about college prep. Experts abound on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Once you connect, sign up for their mailing lists and follow their blogs. If you have a question, just ask. Most will be willing to help. Need to know where to find them? Check out these lists from my blog:

50 College Info Websites

50 More College Prep Websites

56 College Info Websites

Have the conversations

Don’t let fear of the unknown cause you added stress during the process. Have conversations about money before they leave for college. Once your student knows what you can afford to pay and what you expect him to pay, the college search becomes more focused. This alleviates any surprises when the offers of admission arrive and it’s too expensive to attend. Discuss budgeting as well.

Don’t forget the conversations about risky behavior. This will be the first time your student is living on their own and there will be many temptations to participate in this behavior. Explain the consequences for each and devise a plan to avoid these dangers.

Enjoy the experience

Lurking in the shadows is the inevitable moment of saying goodbye. Focus on the positive and embrace each and every experience. This is a monumental moment in your child’s life (and yours). It’s the biggest “treat” of all. Don’t let fear and anxiety about the future rob you of the joy of the journey.

For many parents, college prep is scary. They wonder if their student will make the right decisions, be ready for this future step, and how they, as parents, will respond to all these emotions. But don’t be afraid. Get help, talk to other parents, and ask questions. We’re here to help!

financial aid

5 Ways to Save Money for College

2 Comments

 

save money

Saving money for school is getting more and more difficult as the prices of school tuition get higher and higher. While some students are given a free ride with an academic or athletic scholarship, others rely on their parents or grandparents to pay for school.

For the rest, it is becoming a common occurrence for students to live at home with their parents for the first year while living frugally and trying to save up for the following semesters. While these students may save a lot of money, it is still possible to get private alternative loans to help cover the expense. Here are five ways to frugally save money for school and contribute to paying for room and board, books and tuition.

1. Save change in a bucket at the finish of each day. Never take it out to spend. Roll the coins periodically with free wrappers from the bank. Do not use a coin conversion machine. It removes a small percentage. Every coin counts.

2. Enroll in a 529 tax deferment plan. The student may be able to shop at certain stores and use their coupons to save money. A percentage of the money will go into a college savings account.

3. Pick up a part-time job. Any earnings will be directly deposited into an individual bank account used only for school. If the student already has one, this could be a second income set aside only for higher learning.

4. Spend less money on fun activities. Rather than going out bowling or to a movie, go to a free concert at the local park or go for a bike ride. Rather than going out with friends, invite them over instead.

5. Use coupons. Clip or download coupons on food, auto repair, and restaurants. Do not spend more money to save more, simply spend less. Using coupons to save money on clothes such as stores like even Jet.com can be of great deal and also using coupons for stores like Target.com; You can save a lot of money.

Those looking to increase their financial well-being and savings should check out these money saving tips.

essays, Guest Posts

How to Write a Personal Statement

personal statement

If a private university or college is in your future, the Common App is your one-way ticket. You’ve got one shot at a winning application, and Ethan Sawyer, the College Essay Guy, is here to help!

How to Write a Personal Statement: A 3-Day Live Online Course is the ultimate course for students and counselors to help you knock out your Common App in one weekend.

Throughout the weekend, you’ll have access to:

  • Over 10 hours of LIVE sessions with Ethan, the College Essay Guy
  • Everything you need to write (or help a student write) a beautiful personal statement
  • Daily Q&A sessions to ask ANY questions you like
  • A chance to get feedback on your essay during Ethan’s live workshops
  • Links to recordings of the lessons so you can go back and watch them for a full year
  • The feeling of having completed your Common App essay. #nice
  • So much more goodness.

Click here for more info.

Can’t make a particular session? No worries: You’ll have video recordings of EVERYTHING.

Can’t afford it? Don’t worry, there’s a pay-what-you-can option.

Are you a counselor? You’re invited too!

Click here to reserve your spot.

Helping parents navigate the college maze