Have a Plan - Choosing a School

Waiting to the last moment to choose a college or university is not the best idea. These days’ college-bound students begin their search early. Juniors and seniors in high school are trying to find the right institution for them. There are a lot of considerations that factor into this type of choice. This is one of the reasons that parents and students must work together to make this decision.

The location of the school may be one of the largest factors in your choice. Some families, however, will focus on the cost of the college or university. These types of considerations coupled with degree programs offered are all a part of the process. Having a plan is a great way to make the best decision for your student. Here are some of the things that should make your list:

Prepare for Admissions

The admissions process is essential to attending an institution of higher learning. Each school will have its own criteria. Most often this will include entrance testing, applications, and general admissions. Students feel more comfortable with this process when they know what to expect. Parents and guidance counselors can be good resources for these students.

List Colleges

There are bound to be a group of colleges that your student is interested in. Not all of these schools will make your short list of possibilities. It is important to know that every college has a criterion for applying for entrance. Students should consider what that school has to offer them and their futures. It is also important to think about things like distance from home, cost of tuition and board. Students must also consider the degree programs being offered from a school before making a final decision.

The transition involved in going to college can be smooth or rocky. Families that set a plan and prepare ahead of time actually enjoy this process. Planning for the day that your child goes off to college is about more than finances. Things like campus life, budgeting time and money are included here. Listing important factors will help you and your student to prepare for the experience.

Campus Life - The First Weeks

There is always a lot of hustle and bustle when it’s time for students to go away to college for the first time. Parents are bogged down in preparations and students have plans too. Students usually are struck by the real implications of being on their own once they’re settled in. This doesn’t have to be a tremendous change. Preparing ahead of time for the first weeks away can be a big help.

Some colleges offer an orientation program for freshmen. This is a terrific opportunity for students to get accustomed to their new surroundings. Campus life is different from living at home. Parents can play a big role in easing students concerns about being independent. Making a list of important factors is a good way to prepare for the first weeks of college. Let’s take a look at a few of these factors.

Residence Living

It doesn’t matter, whether a student has siblings or not. Living in a dorm requires a bit of adjustment. Sharing living spaces with other people is a part of the process. Dorms are separated into suites, depending on their size. There could be 5-10 students living in one suite on your campus. Factors like noise, shared facilities, and room sizes may be a source of conversation.

Dining Options

Students living on campus are immediately responsible for their own dining arrangements. Campuses are generally equipped with a variety of locations where students can purchase meals. Meal plans usually determine which locations are available to a student. It is important to know where meals are served and at what time.

Budgeting Time

Campus life holds a lot of intriguing locations and activities. These can be fun to enjoy and participate in. Students must remember to budget their time wisely. Being able to incorporate fun and work is critical to student success.

After the first few weeks on campus, most students are able to adjust easily. There are many new things happening at once. This is a part of the excitement of being at a college or university. It can be unsettling, however, if the student doesn’t know what to expect. Getting ready to be independent and a college student is important. With a little preparation, your college student will be well on their way.

Volunteering Benefits for the College Admission Process

Volunteerism has a positive and meaningful effect on the community and is well-received on college applications.  Volunteering allows students to break down barriers and give back to society, while college admissions professionals take notice and use this experience to determine the potential acceptance of applicants. 

Those that will decide your fate understand the many reasons students choose to volunteer.  Whether doing mailers for a local politician or building houses for the homeless, students gain valuable life experiences and skills via hands-on work.  Many times these experiences help the student explore their career interests and potential major.  The networking involved could prove advantageous in the future, while some students even earn academic credit. 

Along with other extracurricular actives, volunteering sends a signal to colleges that you are serious about growing as a person by increasing your life experiences.  That is what education is all about.  However, do not feel the need to have an extensive list of different groups and causes.  Focusing more time with one or two volunteering endeavors will show college admissions professionals a strong commitment without spreading yourself too thin.  They realize that type of focus and time management are the keys to a successful college career.

When listing such experiences on the application make sure to provide more than a list of organizations and dates.  Provide an overall picture of your efforts supported by real examples of commitment and dedication.  Volunteering will enhance your life and prove to be one of the most memorable aspects of your educational journey.

Almost every type of organization is looking for volunteers.  Before you volunteer, it is important to find the type of service that you can provide and is of interest to insure you can stick with it.  Look for programs online or around your area of town.  These may include arts associations, the local library or children's organization.  Inquire with religious organizations and community colleges about potential opportunities on-campus and have fun!

Make Smart School Selections to Save

It is important for parents and children to work together when it comes to selecting a college. There are a number of factors that influence this choice. Parents often what to find a school that offers a quality education at a reasonable cost. Students may be more concerned with finding a college or university that offers a specific type of program.

They may even want to choose a school because of where classmates are going. Compromise is essential when selecting an institution of higher learning. This is true whether tuition is being paid by parents or through financial aid. Researching individual schools is a part of making this decision. It is also a good way to save money while finding a good college.

Local Educational Opportunities

The most economic option for earning a degree may be in your local area. This ultimately depends on what city you live in. There are schools in many areas that provide students with ways to save on their college education. High school guidance counselors are often a good resource for this information. Even colleges that are within a short distance from home can be a viable opportunity.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants can open many doors for students. These can provide for an education within the state that they live in. In some instances, these resources allow students to travel away for their education. Applying for scholarships and grants is very important. Juniors and seniors in high school should begin finding these opportunities. Eligibility is generally a part of this process and is essential to qualifying.

Affordable Tuition & Board

Making a list of certain schools that interest you is a great way to make a selection. While you are listing these schools, you should also look at the costs associated with each institution. Those that have the most affordable tuition, room and board, and other essentials are good candidates. These schools must also offer degree programs that fit students’ goals.

An economical education has a host of benefits. This means that they can be paid for with little or no concern. Parents and students working together can find institutions that fit into this category. Taking advantage of opportunities that are available to them, students can acquire an excellent education and save at the same time.

Social Media in College Admissions

Getting into college can be tedious work with researching potential schools, editing essays, collecting positive recommendations, studying for standardized tests and possibly even preparing for a campus interview.  The goal throughout this process is to make a great impression as a very promising college student. 

But, most students born after the rise of mass technology cannot remember life without Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  Social media outlets that many college admissions professionals have had to learn in the past few years, current incoming college students find as commonplace.  This presents challenges for both higher education institutions and students during the admissions process.

While admissions Counselors are making their best effort to engage students seeking acceptance at their institution, they find some are averse to communicating about college admission via social media outlets.  These student's feelings are not without merit.  Most higher education admissions professionals do not search out information on their recruits via social media, but there are many issues that can arise from social media during the college admissions process with most not improving the student's chances for acceptance.  Anything from questionable blogs, status updates, photos and links could make an admissions professional take pause enough to reflect negatively on the application.

Because students never know when their information will be viewed by admissions professionals is the is best to regulate any future outgoing messages or activities concerning social media to reflect a positive light. One tip is to apply the 'Grandma Test' by determining if it would be appropriate for a grandmother to view the content.  With social media like Facebook, review older posts on the Timeline to either change the privacy setting for non-public viewing or erase the inappropriate communications.

3 Important College Deadlines You Should Know

There are a number of important deadlines related to making a choice of colleges. Juniors and seniors in high school begin early to look at colleges and universities. Some will choose their school based upon its proximity from home. Other students will select their institution of higher learning based upon the programs that it offers. It doesn’t matter, how you choose the right college.

Following the guidelines for admissions and other college components are essential for every school. There are deadlines for admissions, scholarships, financial aid and other things. These deadlines will differ depending on the school. If you are interested in attending a particular university, you need to know what the deadlines are for everything that affects you. This information is easy to get. College websites are a wealth of information for potential students. Here are 3 reasons to stay on top of the deadlines of your school:

1 - Getting Admitted

Some schools have relaxed rules when it comes to the admission process. Others however are a bit more complex. Either way, admission deadlines each year will impact you. Most students are interested in beginning school during the fall semester. This is normally the month of August or the month of September. In order to take classes in the fall, you will usually need to be admitted by the spring.

2 - Receiving Aid

Many students around the country are going to need financial assistance for college. This means applying for help before the end of deadlines. Depending on your school there may be one form required for financial aid and scholarships. This aid is based upon the application process, which has a time period for consideration. Students should consider this a priority when they want to attend school in the fall of the year.

3 - Boarding

Not every college or university has enough rooms for students who need them. This is often a matter of first-come, first-served. Considering this it is important for students to meet deadlines for dorm space. Some schools have lotteries for students of each year. Freshmen are often shown priority when it comes to room and board. There are no guarantees when it comes to getting dorm space on some campuses.

4 Tips for Completing the FAFSA

It is the time of year that college-bound students and families start to look beyond what school they may attend to what the financial aspect of the investment will look like. 

All students requesting financial assistance from institutions of higher learning must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to begin the process of determining how much aid specific colleges can offer the incoming student.  A paper version of the form is usually available in any high school guidance counselor or local college financial aid office.  However, most current applicants submit the FAFSA online.

Provide an accurate household size.  This figure is often mistakenly submitted on the application as families have confusion on who qualifies as an actual member of the household.  It has nothing to do with relation, but pertains to anyone two which the student's parents (or the actual student) provide more than half of their financial support.  This can be siblings or other family members (possibly elderly) that spend part of their time away but still are supported over 50% by the household. 

Choose the right parent.  Those students with divorced parents face additional confusion when completing the FAFSA.  The regulations dictate that the students submit financial information for the parent (and any new spouse) that provides over 50% of support to the student.  It does not matter which parent claims the child on their tax return or who has greater court-determined custody.

Proofread for accuracy.  Numerical errors and misunderstanding the instructions are very common mistakes that can delay or greatly alter the ease of the application process.  The line that produces a great deal of mistaken answers is the question regarding income tax.  This is not Adjusted Gross Income or the amount of taxes withheld.  It is the number of tax owed, which is only found on IRS Form 1040 (line 55), 1040A (line 35) or 1040EZ (line 11).  It is also important to make sure any names listed are full names that appear on the person's U. S. Social Security card.

Stating Actual Wealth.  Application answers are to be stated as they are on the day the form is signed.  Therefore, if there are major financial situations on the horizon consider how they will affect potential financial aid eligibility.  Pay any large up-coming expenses or submit the form before any anticipated large monetary or real estate gifts.