Archive | 2011

Preparing to write your college admissions essay

October 18, 2011

A college admissions essay is one of the most important aspects of the application process, and it is one of the few ways that a college can get to know about you outside of your transcript. But this isn't something you're going to sit down and crank out in a few hours - it will require significant research, adherence to the prompt and a few drafts before it's ready to go.…

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Investigating the social scene of your prospective college

October 18, 2011

While academics should be your primary concern when choosing a college, you probably don't want to spend four years of your life in a place that has nothing fun to do. Community plays an important role in your time at school, so checking out the social scene should be one of the things you look out for when visiting a campus.…

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Extended repayment may be an option for those grappling with student loan debt

October 17, 2011

While many students seek out college scholarships and grants as a means of reducing the cost of their tuition, turning to student loans may be the only way for some individuals to cover the expenses of a degree program. Unfortunately, some people will be paying off these loans for years to come, so an extended repayment plan may be the ideal choice to give them time to find a job and a means of paying these loans back.…

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The importance of scheduling a college interview

October 17, 2011

College interviews may seem a bit old-fashioned, and many students who get into college may never need to set foot in an admissions office. If you're putting the final touches on your college applications and there's a school or two at the top of your list, an interview may make or break your chances of being accepted.
According to HowToGetIn.com, most colleges conduct in January and February when they are preparing to make their final decisions on applications.…

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Clean up your Facebook page before sending out those college applications

October 14, 2011

According to a recent study by Kaplan Test Prep, an increasing number of college admissions offices are looking to the internet as a means of finding out more about prospective students. A survey of 359 of the nation's top 500 colleges has found that 24 percent of colleges check Facebook or other social networking pages to learn more about an applicant.…

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Extracurricular activities play an important role in your college application

October 14, 2011

When a college admissions office reviews an application, staff members will pay close attention to a prospective student's grades, letters of recommendation and other academic accomplishments. Extracurricular activities are another major aspect in this process, and it can be a real application killer if there aren't enough of these listed.
Colleges are looking for well-rounded individuals, so it would behoove students to join an academic club, a sports team or participate in theatre during their junior and senior years.…

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Federal Work-Study programs are ideal for students with significant financial need

October 13, 2011

There are many financial aid programs that can assist prospective students in their educational needs ranging from college scholarships to federal and state grants. For low-income students who want to realize their career aspirations, the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) could be an ideal addition.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the FWS program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment, predominantly through on-campus jobs.…

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Consider a state school branch that is closer to home to cut costs

October 13, 2011

High school students who are worried about the potential cost of their higher education have a number of ways to reduce the cost of college. From college scholarships to federal and state grants, there are a number of vital ways to reduce the cost of tuition. If you're considering going to a state school, one way to reduce your costs is to pick a campus that is closer to home and transfer to the larger school later down the line.…

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Teach your high school student about responsible credit card use before college

October 12, 2011

High school students who are headed off to college may be strapped with student loan payments for the duration of their stay, so it's vital that parents teach their kids about financial responsibility before they head off to school. A credit card may be a necessary addition to a student's financial planning, but allowing debt to accrue may lead to bigger problems down the road.…

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Choosing the right person to write a letter of recommendation

October 12, 2011

As a high school student, one of the most important parts of the college application process is finding someone to write you a letter of recommendation. You shouldn't look for someone with name recognition or with an elegant writing style, rather, it should be a person who can speak to your talents and give an admissions office a view into your scholarly accomplishments.…

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