Similar to the Princeton Review or Collegeboard.com, Unigo.com and Campusdirt.com are two college search engines designed to help parents and students find the best match for college. Although the sites have the same purpose in mind, the two vary in several ways.

Campusdirt.com has a more direct approach gearing their site towards parents. The site provides information on important topics that many parents are looking to learn more about such as campus safety, college loans, and admissions processes. Campusdirt is easy to navigate and is separated into direct categories making it easier for parents to find what they are looking for. The articles from this site are straight forward, and provide to-the-point information on the topic at hand.

While Campusdirt is a more parent based site, Unigo.com, gears its' site towards the potential and current college student. This website not only provides information about colleges but also incorporates more social aspects that circulate college campuses. The site includes information on laptops, provides photos, and has open forums for potential and current students to discuss anything college related.  Unigo also contains more informational aspects such as a list of top ranked colleges, a personal college matchmaker, as well as in-depth explanations of the college admission process.

Within the financial aid section students can compare and buy text books online from over 10 different sites - definitely a quick and easy economical way to purchase text books. A large portion of the site includes tips for students on how to save money- whether it be where to find student loans, scholarships, application fees waived, etc. All of the information provided can be useful for parents but letting the high school junior or senior in on some of the future responsibilities.

The two sites do an excellent job of providing information about college and its surrounding aspects. Campusdirt.com supplies its users with a simple and informative site, while Unigo.com allows for a more broad view of the college experience.

For information on Campus Bound's services, visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

As the school year approaches and students are preparing to enter college we thought it would be good timing to provide advice from a current student for students just entering college.  This blog entry was written by Cara, a senior at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.

SOON TO BE FRESHMEN

Starting college is a new and exhilarating experience.  Leaving behind your family and friends, your room, the comfort of your mom’s home cooking, or even your favorite pizza shop will most likely leave you feeling homesick and lonely at some point in the year. But college also presents a chance to reinvent yourself, to meet and make friends with people unlike anyone you have ever met, and to learn to be self-sufficient, or at least somewhat more independent.  In addition to preparing mentally for the excitement of freshman year, there are plenty of things you can do to make your transition into life as a college student a smooth one.

One of the most important things to remember is that your four years of college go by faster than you could ever imagine.  Before you know it, you will be a senior, so you want to make the most of every minute, both academically and socially.

Before you get to college and get distracted and caught up in the excitement of dorm life, try to think about what you want to gain from your college experience. While taking the easiest classes might seem like a good idea freshman year, chances are that, in retrospect, by senior year, or even midway through the semester, you will come to regret it. Instead, sign up for the classes that interest you because those classes will be infinitely more fulfilling.

Additionally, think about what kinds of careers you might be interested in and what activities, clubs, and classes would be helpful in making that decision. College presents a diverse array of opportunities, more than high school, and possibly more than any other time in your life.  There are few other times in your life that you will have so many opportunities at your fingertips and so much freedom to take advantage of them. Although it is important to think about your future, you don’t want to let yourself feel tied down to the familiar. Leave yourself the freedom to participate in whatever you want because you never know what experiences will change your life.  Before school starts, take some time to look at your school’s website and think about what interests you. Don’t worry if you have no experience in that area or know little to nothing about it. If it sparks your interest, go, participate, learn. College, and especially freshman year, is about exploration.

College is also all about balance - finding a good balance between the academic and the social.  The friends you make in college will probably, and hopefully, be a part of the rest of your life and an important factor in your college experience. Your friends in college will get you through the tough times; they will be your family. They will be the ones eating pizza with you at 4am helping you study for an exam, bringing you food from the cafeteria when you’re sick, calming you down when you’re stressed, and making you forget about how challenging college can be.

There is no need to be someone you are not. Take advantage of the fact that you are starting with a clean slate.  No one knows you or your friends from high school and no one has prejudgments.  Let that knowledge set you free.

Above all, remember that this is a time for you.  It’s a time to grow up, to find out who you really are and a time to be somewhat adventurous.  You will have no real responsibilities other than to learn, to find out who you are, and to think about you future and that is an amazing gift. Take advantage of it!

For information on Campus Bound's services, visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

Fantastic prizes including $5,000 are on the line in Sallie Mae's Saving for College Video Contest.  But the entry period ends on 8/1.  So take a peek at the videos that have been posted so far and ask yourself if you can take down the competition.

Here's the full scoop from Sallie Mae:

Do you have creative ways of saving for college? Tell us about it - in a 30-second video. From turning down the air conditioning to biking to work, show us your best and brightest ideas on how to spend less now to save more for future college costs. Sallie Mae^® wants to hear how you are saving to achieve the dream of higher education - whether it's for yourself, your children, grandchildren, niece, nephew, or family friend.

With our Saving for College Video Contest, one grand prize winner will be awarded $5,000, one second place winner will be awarded $1,000, and eight semi-finalists will receive $250 each. Share your video with us and you could be one of them!

The public will help choose 10 finalists by voting up to once a day between now and the Aug. 1 deadline. Entries will also be judged on quality, creativity, and fit to theme. Once the finalists have been selected, America will again be invited to vote for the grand prize winner between Aug. 10 and 25. Winners will be announced in early September as part of National College Savings Month.

Enter your video by August 1 at Tuition Tales and you could be a winner!

I recently commented on colleges misusing SATs in the admissions process and on families over-valuing the U.S. News & World Report rankings (among others) when selecting colleges.  What appropriate timing, then for this article from Inside Higher Ed.

Read it closely.  It tells the story of how one university has prioritized the goal to move up in the U.S. News rankings and has allowed that goal to drive major decisions throughout campus.  Some of the adjustments have helped students, like admitting students who have performed better in high school and creating more classes with fewer than 20 students to ensure closer faculty interaction.  However, other choices don't provide the same positive results, for example automatically rating other colleges as "below average" on the U.S. News & World Report surveys, or admitting students with higher SAT scores over those who might bring cultural and ethnic diversity to campus.

While I hope many people would be concerned about the extent to which the rankings have affected the administrative decisions at this university, this is sadly not a unique situation.  Colleges everywhere are constantly pondering ways to improve their rankings or manipulate the system.

If nothing else, I hope this points out that the rankings that are available to families may involve some arbitrary distinctions.  A college might be able to change their rank simply by using a different system for reporting faculty salaries.  If your goal is simply to graduate from a highly ranked college, by all means use the rankings heavily in your search.  But if you want to experience a rich, diverse, and engaging college community, be sure to look beyond the numbers to find the best fit for you.

For information on Campus Bound's services, visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

A recent article in USA Today brings up some interesting concerns about the use of standardized tests in admissions.  It appears that many colleges may be ignoring important statistics when reviewing applications.

As with any test, scores from the SATs and ACTs can only be accurate to within a certain range-within that range, fluctuation can occur due to factors outside of the student's control, such as scoring error.  USA Today reports that a 30-point fluctuation in the SAT is insignificant statistically, yet colleges admit that even 10 or 20 points difference can play a large role in a student's chances for admission.

This highlights the importance of being as prepared as possible for all parts of the college admission process.  If SAT tutoring can help your score even a tiny bit, perhaps it is worth it.  If your essay can be just a bit better with advice from an expert, seek help.  If colleges are making admissions decisions on statistically insignificant data, you need to make sure you are putting your best foot forward at every opportunity.

As an aside, it would be shortsighted to not comment on this as a reflection of how number driven our society has become.  On the flip side of this issue is another big one-students selecting colleges by "rank."  Whether in US News & World Report or any other magazine's college issue, students and families often tout the ranking associated with a college and assume that a higher ranking means a school is better.  In fact, I wonder what the range of error is in that system - 2 places?  5?  10?

Springtime-it's the time for high school juniors and their parents to visit colleges, take tours of campuses, and meet with admissions officers.  All too often, however, students are caught off guard when asked by an admissions counselor, "Do you have any questions for me?"  As juniors across the country continue visiting colleges throughout the spring and summer, the following questions are ones that you might want to consider asking.  In addition, really think about what matters to you, develop a few questions of your own, jot them down and if it is appropriate, ask them.  Remember that it is important to read as much about the college as you can before visiting.  Don't ask the admissions officer or tour guide questions that are obviously answered in the literature produced by the college.

Every dean remembers a few questions they've been asked; here is a sampling of their favorites.

How would you describe the relationship between your college and the local community?

Answers to this question will tell students much about the world that borders the campus and the opportunities for a life away from the daily academic regimen.  Are there jobs available?  Do eating establishments have any biases against college students?  Do they offer student discounts?  Are students welcomed in local churches and temples?  Can students become involved with social service organizations?  What about cultural or recreational outlets that supplement what is available on campus?

Does the undergraduate program take a back seat to the graduate and professional schools? 

Once again, this question has several subparts.  Are resources being channeled away from freshman courses and into doctoral programs?  Do graduate students teach undergraduate courses? 

Why do students leave this college? 

Why do some people fail to stay until graduation?  What do they discover about their choice that they did not realize before matriculating?  Is there a particular personality type that might not be suited to this environment?  Is there extra help for students having academic difficulties?  In all fairness, keep in mind that approximately 40% of all college freshmen do not finish their undergraduate program in four years.

What percentage of students support the school financially after graduation? 

The answer to this question reveals how satisfied students are with their academic and social experience.  It also tells you much about the financial health of the institution.  After all, if alumni don't support a school, why should anyone else?

What is your student/faculty ratio? 

This is a question with which to be careful, as a straight answer may be misleading.  For example, a high number of faculty members per student might mean that enrollment was dropping rapidly or the school was being mismanaged.  What you really need to know is how many faculty members actually teach and are accessible to the students?  How many primarily do research?  How many are on sabbatical?  What is the average size of a seminar?  How large are the survey courses in most departments?  What is the average size of a lecture class?

Preparing a few of these questions in advance of a college tour may be wise.  What are some of the most valuable questions you've heard while on a campus tour? 

When it comes to college admission, most students tell me they are most afraid of "not getting in."  If students have done a thorough, careful college search they will have options, but the fear of rejection is daunting for everyone.  For example, take this article from The Boston Globe about Harvard graduates being turned down for jobs.  Many high-achieving Ivy League grads may not have experienced much rejection in their lives, and perhaps the job search is the first time it hits home for them.  For others of us, it happened long ago when we weren't selected first (or second, or third) for the popular dodgeball team or when we tried out for the school musical only to learn we were "tone deaf." 

No matter the reason, rejection hurts.  So should we avoid it?  Should students only apply to schools they are sure to be accepted to?  When my students get into every school they applied to, the inevitable question is, "Should I have reached higher?"  It seems we don't want rejection, but neither are we content with complete acceptance either.

And without sounding too cliché, we do learn something from rejection.  Maybe we learn who our true friends are-they'd pick us for that dodgeball team even if we don't move very fast.  Or perhaps as an alternative to the school musical we take a photography class and discover a new passion.  And maybe, just maybe, we end up at a college that is a better fit for us than the place that dazzled us with its tough admissions standards.  Maybe that place turns out to be a college where we can excel in the classroom, make a difference in campus life, and meet our lifelong friends.

When all is said and done, maybe rejection isn't so bad after all.

While high school seniors are making final decisions about which college to attend, juniors are beginning the admissions process and are filled with questions.  As a college counselor, one of the questions I am asked most frequently by students and parents is this:  What can I do to improve my chances for college admission? 

Often people hear rumors of activities that will make a difference-volunteering through several community service organizations, traveling to assist children in developing countries, helping victims of natural disasters.  Or maybe they've heard that athletic involvement is the key to admission at selective schools because a coach can push the admissions office to see a student's ability to contribute.  Still others report of the value of musicianship, international travel, or membership in various honor societies.

Meanwhile, legacies benefit from their parents' connection to a school, and those with family friends on a college's Board of Trustees are confident in their candidacy.  Students who ace standardized tests like the SAT or ACT have it made.  And those from under-represented populations or families who can pay the full fare must have an edge, right?

While there may be some truth to these rumors, every college is different in their handlings of the above situations.  At some schools, the athlete, legacy, or naturally gifted tester may have a real advantage.  Other schools might prioritize geographic or ethnic diversity, artistic talent, or volunteerism.  A college admissions professional can let you know which schools prioritize certain talents based on current trends.  For example, in recent years, Tulane University has strongly valued community service and UNH has deemphasized the role that SATs play in their evaluation process.  However, regardless of what schools you consider, there's one sure-fire way to improve your chances at every school to which you eventually apply: earn the best grades you can in the most challenging courses you can manage.

College admissions professionals have repeated this advice over and over again:  take the most challenging curriculum that you can handle and earn the best grades you can.  Should a student take Honors or Advanced Placement classes and earn Cs or Ds in them?  Probably not.  Alternatively, should a student take easy classes and breeze through, requiring little effort?  Again the answer is no.  Instead, take courses that are challenging for you and earn good grades in those classes.

While many aspects of the college admission process are out of your control, spend your time and energy focusing on the things you can change.  You can study harder for that test.  You can choose courses carefully.  And the energy you expend to improve your grades has a direct impact on your GPA, which has a direct impact on your chances for admission.  The high school transcript is the most important part of a student's application.  Not sometimes, not occasionally, and not just at some schools-everywhere and all the time.  Invest your energy toward improving it and you'll have more college choices.

Already doing your best to earn good grades in a strong curriculum?  If so, focus on the areas mentioned earlier.  Get involved in things you enjoy, participate in your community, and do a thorough college search.  Be sure your list of schools is balanced and includes reach schools as well as target schools and places you are pretty sure will admit you.  Make sure you like all the schools on your list-not just the reach schools-and get advice from a college counseling professional who can realistically assess your chances for admission.  Write the best admissions essays you can and make sure your applications will dazzle even the toughest admissions officer. 

All these things can improve your chances for college admission, but none more so than improving your coursework and grades.  So, as the weather gets warmer and summer approaches, refocus your energies towards school.  Don't let the final quarter of the year be a struggle-put forth your best efforts in the homestretch.  Then you can focus on the rest of your application components-such as essays, resumes, and interviews-with the confidence that your transcript is the best it can be.

Want admissions and financial aid tips, advice, and insider information?

Check out our twitter feed at www.twitter.com/campusbound.

For information on Campus Bound's services,

visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

In this year of economic turmoil, I hear different predictions about college admissions trends.  Some think that private colleges will have received fewer applications, due to their steep price tags and will therefore be easier to get into.  Others think that students will have filed more applications and cast a wider net, in order to compare offers, and therefore colleges will become more selective when choosing from larger applicant pools.

Well, with most colleges releasing admissions decisions by April 1st, the answers are here.  In this article by the New York Times, it seems there isn't yet one clear trend.  Ivy League colleges are reporting more applications than last year and lower acceptance rates.  Other private colleges are split between those with fewer applications than last year and those with more.

While there may not be a clear trend when it comes to application numbers and acceptance rates, the real heart of the matter will center on financial aid and yield-how many students who have been accepted to the most expensive colleges in the country will actually enroll?  It seems that now the decisions are in the hands of the families, and the colleges are the ones who are anxiously checking their mailboxes.

Want admissions and financial aid tips, advice, and insider information?  Check out our twitter feed at www.twitter.com/campusbound.

For information on Campus Bound's services,

visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

Recently, one of our clients was accepted Early Decision to a fairly selective and expensive college.  At first glance, the financial aid award was a little underwhelming and the parents fretted that the downturn in their business and lower projected income for 2009 was going to make paying the balance extremely difficult.  They appealed their aid award to the college and received an additional $34,000 over 4 years!  Certainly, appeals don't always work this well, but here are 3 reasons why I feel they had success.

1)  Research:  The parents understood the financial aid language and what they should reasonably expect for a merit-based and need-based award.  This helped them to identify the opportunity to ask for more and to know how best to make their case. 

2) Tone:  The parents were not argumentative or demanding in their request.  Instead, they explained the situation and asked for help.  Their polite and carefully worded letter and follow-up phone call were appreciated by the financial aid officers.

3) Facts:  The family presented clear and quantifiable information about their true situation and income projections.  Even though the financial aid applications are extensive and painful, they are still limited in their ability to present a true financial picture in many cases.  In this family's appeal process, they provided quality supportive information as to why the college should extend their award.

Preparation and presentation can be crucial when it comes to maximizing your financial aid and making the cost of college just a little more reasonable.

For information on Campus Bound's services,

visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

The College Board recently introduced "Score Choice," a new policy that allows students to select which SAT scores they want to send to schools.  At first, the new policy sounds like a great move on behalf of the College Board and a win-win situation for all students who can afford to take the test multiple times, right?  Well, take a closer look at how this new policy has caused a lot of controversy in the world of higher education. 

First, let's be sure you understand the actual policy change.  In the simplest of terms, here's a description of the "old" policy:  until now, seniors applying to colleges which require SAT scores have had no choice but to send all of their scores.  That is, if a student took the SATs three different times, the College Board would send the college all three Critical Reading scores, all three Math scores, and all three Writing scores.  More often than not, colleges mix and match the student's scores, counting the highest score in each section towards their admissions decision. 

And now for the "new" policy:  beginning with the Class of 2010, students may now select which set of scores they would like to send to the colleges.  For example, if a student takes the March, June, and October scores, a student can decide to send all of their March scores along with all of their October scores.  In turn, the college will see two Critical Reading scores, two Math scores, and two Writing scores.  Again, the college will mix and match the scores to the student's benefit.  If the student happens to score lower on the June exam in each of the three sections, he or she never has to send along those scores. 

While this new policy will hopefully reduce a student's anxiety about the SAT knowing that they don't have to send a particular set of scores, the most controversial component of this new policy is that some families cannot afford to take the SATs multiple times.  While most families can afford the $45 fee to take the test once, students taking the test four times will have to shell out nearly $200-money that could be used to pay the family's household expenses. 

What do you think?  Will the new reporting policy for the SATs help or hurt your child?

For information on Campus Bound's services,

visit www.upromise.com/campusbound.

In reviewing recent articles, I came across this one in the Huffington Post from a parent who has just gone through the college application process with his high school senior.  The author, Peter Schwartz, provides a detailed account of the trials and tribulations of today's college admissions process and infuses the article with much humor and sarcasm.

A few things I noticed in his article are worthy of comment.  I appreciated his comments about the stress, tension, nagging, and conflict between him and his son, "Daniel," throughout the application process.  While this extreme is not necessarily the case with every family, the college search is certainly a time when many families come under great stress and relationships can suffer as a result.  Often an objective third-party, like a college counselor, can offer provide assistance allowing parents to take a step back.  This can allow for improved communication between students and parents, less tension, and improved applications as well.

I also liked that Mr. Schwartz commented on how different the application process is now than when he was applying to college in the 1970s.  Not only is it more complicated to apply and harder to be admitted than it was 40 years ago, it has changed significantly from even 5-10 years ago!  This is an important perspective for parents to understand.  Therefore, forget about other students you know who had lower grades than your child but were admitted to certain colleges-times have changed and each student and application is unique.  Be sure your child puts his/her best foot forward and hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst and be sure your college list includes schools with different levels of selectivity.

Most seniors have recently finished filing their applications for college admissions (or are nearly finished with them) and after months of working toward this moment they wonder, "Now what do I do?"  Here are a few tips:

1. Relax.  Congratulate yourself on a job well done and celebrate for a moment.  Enjoy the fact that you no longer have admissions essays to write in addition to your homework and spend some free time doing things other than college applications.  You've worked hard - enjoy a bit of a break.
2. Follow through.  Don't forget that submitting your applications is only a small part of the process-be sure that all of your supporting documents including standardized test scores, grades, and recommendations are received by the admissions offices.  Colleges usually notify you if something is missing, but it is ultimately your responsibility to be sure that all your application materials are received.
3. Complete scholarship or financial aid paperwork.  If you are applying for need-based financial aid or merit scholarships, be sure that the required forms are completed accurately and on time.  Deadlines are often in early February and late applicants often are the last ones to receive aid, if available.  Be sure to complete all required forms accurately and mistakes can be very costly.  Seek out local merit scholarships and apply to those where you meet the qualifications.
4. Keep working hard in school.  Whether you have already been accepted under an early admissions plan or not, it is essential to maintain your academic achievement throughout the entirety of your senior year.  College acceptances are contingent upon the completion of your senior year at the same or better level of achievement.  In other words, colleges can rescind their acceptances after they see your final grades!  Also keep in mind that if you are eventually wait-listed at any colleges they will be looking closely at your semester and third quarter grades before deciding whether or not to offer you admission.  Good grades throughout your entire senior year will position you best for admission to your school of choice.
5. Share your advice.  High school juniors are just beginning the process and many are unsure of where to start or what to do.  Share your advice with them and pass along any tips that you found useful.

Your final task, of course, is to wait patiently for the final admissions decisions which will likely arrive in late March.  If you've already received some acceptances, start to think about which school/s you like better than others and begin to eliminate some places from consideration.  Plan campus visits to places you'd like to see before making a final decision.  Most importantly, take a break from the college process and forget about it for awhile.  Remember what life was like before the craziness began and have faith that in a few short months you will know where you will embark on the next phase of your education.

As Early Action and Early Decision deadlines approach and pass, Campus Bound counselors have fielded many questions from anxious parents and students.

If I applied Early Action, what does it mean to be deferred?

When you apply Early Action, three outcomes can occur.  You can be accepted, rejected, or deferred.  While the first two are more clear-cut, many students and parents often have questions about the latter.  When students are deferred it means that their applications are put into the Regular Decision pool. In essence, the college is going to make final decisions on these applications after they compare them to the rest of the applicant pool.  This is by no means a negative response; it simply signifies that the admission officers would like to see the students’ current and future grades.  Being deferred is very common, and students should take it as a good sign that colleges are at least somewhat interested in them.

If I get accepted to my Early Action colleges in December, but won’t hear from my other schools until April, I am worried that I will be forced to make a decision of where to enroll before I know all my options. When do I have to make a final decision?

Most colleges and universities have an enrollment deadline of May 1st. This means that you must let them know of your decision to enroll and you must send in a deposit to hold your place by that date. While some schools may offer the opportunity to place your deposit earlier, in most cases (except for binding Early Decision programs) you will have until May 1st to make your final decision.

If a college notifies me that they are missing my SAT/ACT scores, transcript, or recommendations, does it hurt my chances if those items do not get there before the deadline?

Don’t panic.  With information coming from so many different sources at different times it may take time for the colleges to process the information.  Colleges understand that there are numerous components to make a file complete.  Most schools create a file for each applicant—and simply keep adding to it until it is complete. Generally, colleges require that the application (forms, supplements, essays, etc.) be submitted by the deadline, but they understand that items such as SAT scores, recommendations, and transcripts may take longer to arrive. Colleges do not penalize students for this in any way; they simply notify the student of what is still missing and wait to review the file until it is complete.  That being said, always remember to check in with the appropriate source to confirm that transcripts and recommendations have been sent.

After reading last week’s blog on college rankings, my colleague, Meredith Eastman, had some thoughts to add:

Gregg brought out some important points about college rankings last week; it is essential to research colleges yourself and not simply rely on magazine rankings to determine which school is best for you.  I want to share one example of why it is important to look beyond the rankings.

I was recently helping a student research undergraduate engineering programs.  He wanted a list of colleges in rank order so he could be sure to apply to and ultimately attend the best school for his academic interest.  Cautioning him not to rely entirely on rankings, I helped him find the US News and World Report’s ranking of the best undergraduate engineering schools.

What schools would you expect to see on a list of the best undergraduate engineering programs?  MIT?  CalTech or UC Berkeley? Carnegie Mellon?  Cornell, Duke, or Johns Hopkins?  No, in fact none of those schools were on the list.  Upon closer inspection, this ranking included only those schools that did not offer doctorate degrees.  Turns out, US News and World Report publishes two separate sets of engineering rankings – one for schools with doctorate programs and one for those without.

This is just one example of why it is important to read the fine print and know the methodology behind the rankings.  While many people know that a list of the best engineering schools in the country should include MIT, what if this hadn’t been such an obvious oversight?  What if you were researching the best business, theater, or journalism programs?  Would you know if a ranked list were missing a leading school in your field of interest?

Take Gregg’s comments to heart and be sure to fully understand rankings before making them a part of your college search. 

There are few topics in the world of college admissions that garner more controversy than the ranking of colleges, particularly in the US News and World Report.  Those who argue the value of the ranking systems point to the fact that consumers (high school students and their families) crave information—and these rankings are a way to sort out the confusing options that exist.  Opponents, on the other hand, argue that the methods used to rank these colleges are flawed.

Last week I saw a piece on CNN.com by David Hawkins, the Director of Public Policy and Research for the National Association for College Admission Counseling—the leading organization of college admissions officers and high school counselors.

Mr. Hawkins argues that  the “Misuse of test scores as college ranking criteria creates undue pressure on admission offices to pursue increasingly high test scores and fuels the tests' disproportionate influence.”

He points to a specific example at Baylor University in which the university provided financial incentives to first-year students to re-take the SAT in order to artificially inflate their rankings.   I am guessing that other universities have also developed creative ways to enhance their rankings.

Going to college is far too important and expensive to be left to chance.  In the absence of reliable rankings, however, what can you do?

1) Look within.  Reflect on what is really important to you in a college.

2) Research.  Once you figure out what is important to you, visit colleges and do not be afraid to ask tough questions as they relate to your goals.  Talk to people you trust and who know you well; this is where an independent expert can help.

3) Keep an open mind.  Certain colleges have reputations; before you believe rumors or perceptions based on minimal data, check it out for yourself

What criteria do you think should be used to evaluate colleges?

You are not alone if the economic downturn is causing you to fret about how you will pay for your child’s college education and still retire at a reasonable age.  Never before have people’s savings lost value so much from day to day as with this volatile stock market.   Depending on how close your child is to starting college, the credit crunch and presidential politics will likely have a direct impact on you.

So what are you to do?

I thought that this article in the Wall Street Journal was worth a read.  It comments on both long and short term considerations and recommendations. 

One point that the article makes is to “apply to many schools.”  I wouldn’t stop there—I would extend the message to apply to the ‘right’ schools.  Find schools that fit your academic and non-academic needs that are also more likely to provide need or merit-based grants and scholarships.  This could save you tens of thousands of dollars on college over the course of 4 years. 

In other words, if cost is a concern, become a picky shopper.  Find value, look for discounts, and determine what is important to you as well as what your financial limits are.

When you bought your home you probably didn’t select merely on lowest price, reputation of the high school, or size of the master bedroom.  Most people look at the overall value compared to what they can reasonably afford and are willing to finance.   It’s not a bargain to pick a college because of a low price if the student is likely to drop out or transfer; nor does it make sense to select a highly ranked college if the price isn’t right for you.  Considering the rising cost of college and the murky forecast on the economy, you should shop the same way for a college that you do for other large investments.

In a conversation with Erika, a recent Simmons College graduate, she mentioned that she is often asked about the college process.  As we discussed her experience further, she had a variety of insights worth sharing.

Q. What was the hardest part about the college search?

A. For me, it was deciding what I really wanted to go to college for. I had an idea in my head about what I was interested in and what I possibly wanted to do after graduation, but I wasn’t exactly sure where those interests might take me. So I started thinking about my options and found out what types of majors were available that corresponded with my interests. As soon as I figured out what I wanted to major it, the search became easier and I was able to narrow down where I wanted to apply. Already knowing what college setting I was looking for (in the city, small, and private) helped the search even further.

Q. Do you think you got the right educational experience for what you paid?

A. Yes, I do. Even though it was expensive, I knew that I wanted to make my time worthwhile. You are only in college for four years, and it flies by! I was pretty busy my entire time at college, but I know that I got a great education from my dedicated professors, made some great friends, gained experience to add to my resume, and made memories I will always treasure. Even though I will probably be paying off my loans for years to come, I know that the money I spent was well worth it.

Q. If you had the chance to go back and do it all over again, is there anything you would change?

A. I wouldn’t have stressed out so much over the small things. My freshman year I was taking my first ever Spanish class and I thought I was the only one in the class who was struggling. I was convinced that I was going to fail and that everyone else would get an A. But as the semester went on, I met students in my class who were struggling just as much as me. We worked together and helped each other master as much as we could, and by the time finals came around, we were all confident that we would get passing grades. From then on, I knew not to be as stressed about classes and finals, especially knowing that there are other people in the same situation and if I needed help, I could find it.

Q. If you could tell a high school junior or senior one thing, what would it be?

A. Start thinking about the application process early. The summer before my senior year, my mom convinced me I needed to start visiting colleges, even though I thought she was crazy and it was far too early to be considering that. But, we went on several tours and by the time classes started in September I had a pretty good idea what colleges I would be applying to. Believe it or not, I had all my applications in by October 31st and I knew where I would be attending college by the middle of December. When winter break came around, I wasn’t stressed or even concerned about the application process anymore, yet all of my friends were still trying to visit schools and figure out where to apply. I got to sit back, relax and enjoy my winter break, while everyone else stressed and worried. Plus, I got to brag to my friends every time I got an acceptance letter when they haven’t even started applied to any schools yet!

 “I hear that millions of dollars of unclaimed scholarships are out there, is this true?  Where can I find them?”

The vast majority of financial aid comes from two sources—the government and colleges.  As a result, your first priority should be to pursue those areas fully.  Completing the necessary financial aid forms on time is a must.  In addition, be sure to apply to schools that are likely to give you scholarship money based on your academic and non-academic credentials.

Beyond that, there are other scholarships that are achievable.  Our suggestion when it comes to third party scholarships is to “think local.”  Local not only means geographically local, but also something that is unique to you.  Your high school guidance office is a great starting point; often they will maintain a list of local scholarships.  By concentrating on local scholarships, students are competing against a small number of applicants.  Employers, religious organizations, community groups, and athletic organizations are some other places to look for relevant scholarships.  One example of this is a specific scholarship geared towards students that are struggling with Cystic Fibrosis.  This is a $2500 scholarship with reasonable application retirements and one winner will receive up to $10,000!

The internet is a great place to start looking.  The most popular scholarship search site is FastWeb, but a simple Google search may also turn up some great awards.

Good Luck!!

Many high school seniors and their families are stressed right now.  Really stressed.  College application deadlines are right around the corner, essays need to be written and perfected, and some students are even still deciding where to apply.  Meanwhile, parents are wondering, “How are we going to pay for all this?” 

If you are among these stressed out families, you are not alone.  Here are some tips for reducing the stress related to this difficult time of year:

1. Make a plan.  Look ahead at the calendar and work your way backwards from the college deadlines.  Plan out a timeline for applications, essays, and other tasks to be completed allowing plenty of time to accomplish things before important deadlines.
2. Schedule some “college free” days.  Most students and/or parents can’t help but talk about the college process at this time of year, but too much becomes overwhelming and pervasive.  Set some “college free” days—maybe once or twice a week—when no one is allowed to even mention colleges or applications.  This will give everyone a break from the tension and encourage conversations about other, less stressful activities.
3. Get help.  If you are overwhelmed by application deadlines, get help from a college counselor.  If you can’t figure out how you are going to finance college, ask an expert about financial aid, payment plans, and loan options.  You don’t have to go through this process alone—seek help from an expert who helps others go through it each year and knows the landscape already.
4. Focus on what is best for you and your family.  Much of the anxiety about the college process comes from the rumors and gossip that moves from student to student and from parent to parent.  Try your best to steer clear of the local grapevine and instead learn about what is right for you and your family.  It shouldn’t matter what everyone else is doing, only what is best for your individual situation.
5. Remember that it is going to be okay.  Thousands of students make it through the college application process each year.  Some students get into their first choice college; some don’t.  In most situations, however, things turn out okay.  Students often end up happy at the college they ultimately attend.  If not, they can transfer to a place that represents a better fit for them.  While everyone hopes to be happy with their initial college choices, no one needs to feel stuck in a bad situation. 

Following the above suggestions can help you ease the stress of the college application and financing process.  Remember that this is an important time, but it should also be exciting and even fun.  Rather than allowing yourself to be paralyzed with stress, step back and remember the big picture once in awhile—it’s a time filled with possibilities, hope, and new beginnings.  Enjoy it!

Writing the Perfect Essay: Don’t Let Your Child’s Become a McEssay!

Without a doubt, one of the most daunting aspects of the college admissions process can be writing the college essay. Many students struggle from the very beginning to pick the perfect topic, while other challenges include being creative, writing succinctly, and making sure the piece is entirely grammatically correct.

The Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at the University of Virginia, Parke Muth, posted some helpful hints to students about writing their essays. He notes that the majority of essays that come in are what he calls, “McEssays”—or essays that are all are technically and grammatically correct, but are quite simply, uninteresting. His explanation follows:

 Ninety percent of the applications I read contain what I call McEssays— usually five-paragraph essays that consist primarily of abstractions and unsupported generalization. They are technically correct in that they are organized and have the correct sentence structure and spelling, but they are boring. Sort of like a Big Mac. I have nothing against Big Macs, but the one I eat in Charlottesville is not going to be fundamentally different from the one I eat in Paris, Peoria, or Palm Springs. I am not going to rage about the quality of a particular Big Mac. The same can be said about the generic essay.
Click here to read the rest of Parke Muth’s piece on the college essay

How can you make your essay stand out among all these McEssays?
Essays that stick out in the mind of an admissions officer start with a specific story, interesting line, or “a hook.”  An interesting start pulls the reader in instantly and doesn’t reveal the entire essay all in the first paragraph.  In addition, all too often students think that if they haven’t had a life-changing experience, then their essay is doomed to be categorized as a “McEssay”—but this is not necessarily true.  Admissions officers have shared that some of the best essays are often about some of the more mundane and silly topics that occur in life.  To get an idea of some interesting college essay topics, check out some of the essays written last year by students who were accepted to Tufts University. 

In the end, admissions officers are reading a student’s college essay for two reasons. The first is to make certain that the applicant can write coherently and logically, and the second reason (which is far more important!) is to learn about THE STUDENT! So while it’s temping to write about the typical topics, students shouldn’t be afraid to take a risk or to write about a personal subject that truly makes them unique. 

Valuable Information from a College Website

This is the second entry in a series of technology related blogs… look for more each month.

I spend a lot of time each week visiting college websites.  Though college websites have a lot in common, some schools stand out in the way they harness internet technology to communicate with students.  Most recently I have been impressed with the website for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.   I like it because a prospective student can really gain a flavor for what life at the college is going to be like.

When you visit the MIT website, there are a few things that stand out right away:  the MIT homepage changes every day, the undergraduate admissions site is maintained by both staff and students, and MIT has opted to make their student blogs central to their admissions website.  The MIT bloggers write on a variety of topics, from serious and informational to fun and light-hearted.  One favorite of mine is this one by Paul B who writes about “MITese,” the unique language that MIT students adopt rapidly after a few months on campus.  Other topics range from international math and science Olympiads to MIT admissions statistics and from what one student misses about home to the campus events during Hispanic Heritage Month.  One alumna even wrote a blog entry about her wedding--photos included.  MIT is doing their best to provide vast amounts of candid information for their prospective students to access from anywhere in the world.

Equally impressive are the comments from readers—an entire community of prospective students, current students, and even parents of students has developed online here.  Take a moment and read some of the comments.  MIT’s innovative and technologically advanced website has allowed a community of prospective students and parents to feel an emotional connection with MIT from any location in the world.

Naturally, one would expect a quality website and high-tech features from MIT, but many other colleges are beginning to take a lesson from MIT—and I anticipate more will follow.  These blogs are well-written and well-read and MIT’s use of technology has created a powerful admissions tool.

Have you come across any great college websites?  Please share your favorites with us!

Is the school with the higher price tag worth the investment?

Is my child going to benefit from a liberal arts degree or should he or she choose a specific career field?

Which colleges are the best when it comes to starting salary and long term earning potential?

An Education on Financial Matters

In this week’s “US News and World Report”, there is an interesting and alarming article on how college students handle their finances and the troubles that often result from mismanagement.

The story tends to focus on anecdotes of students spending irrationally and the fallout from financial mismanagement.  These tales will leave you shaking your head but it also leaves the question unanswered: What can parents do to help their children from falling into financial difficulties?

In our experience, students that fare better are ones who are brought into the discussion of college expenses during their high school years.   Here are a few opportunities to educate them:

• If you are concerned about the cost of college, let them know that it is part of the equation when it comes to deciding where to apply and eventually attend.   As you are evaluating schools on their academic and non-academic merits, it is also a good idea to discuss the cost, financial aid, and scholarship possibilities.
• Encourage them to become involved in the financial aid process.   Completing the financial aid forms may be too complex for your student (even most parents struggle) but at least make sure that they are aware of how the system works.   Encourage them to ask questions about scholarships during college visits.
• Allow them to complete the requirements to secure loans such as the Master Promissory Note for the Stafford Loan.   If you are worried that your student will not follow through, then at least take the time to use an available loan calculator that will allow them to see how much loan they will be able to support based on their projected salary.

By engaging your student early in the process, it will increase the likelihood that your student will “get it” when it comes to financial matters when they are on their own.

What have you done to help educate your child on financial matters?

This is the first entry in a series of technology related blogs... look for additional entries each month.

Among many things that students need to consider when applying to college is how technology can help, or hinder, their admissions chances.  Most high school students have email addresses and are frequent users of IM, the internet, and various social networks like Facebook or MySpace.  Technology provides incredible access to information, college research, and social networking.  However, students must remember that technology can work against them if they aren’t careful.

Consider the many social networking sites that students use to keep in touch with their friends.  Many post photos of themselves and others on sites like Facebook, without thinking about who might eventually be looking at these photos.  Students should be sure to check their privacy settings on these sites and not only restrict photo visibility, but remove any potentially inappropriate photos.  Admissions officers sometimes check these sites and one “party scene” photo could be the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.  Similarly, students should review their photos to be sure there aren’t any that are easily misinterpreted.  For example, one recent student reviewed her photos with her mother and noticed that a picture of her holding a bag of white, “rock candy” could very easily be mistaken for something much less innocent!

Additionally, many students should consider creating a new, appropriate email address to use on college applications.  Email addresses can raise red flags to admissions folks—would you want to admit students with screen-names of "sexychica," "meathead226," or even "xoteddybearxo?"  An email address might seem like a minor piece of identification, but even something as insignificant as a username can cause an admissions officer to pre-judge a student before even reviewing the transcript and other application materials.

Have you thought about ways in which today’s technology can help or hurt students in the college application process?  We’d love to hear any stories you’d like to share!

Need-based financial aid – it is based on more than just finances.

I recently came across survey results indicating just how much academic merit influences need-based financial aid packages. According to the U.S. News and World Report , an analysis of more than 300 award letters sent out by over 100 public and private colleges around the nation reveals a strategy likely to improve a student's chances for merit aid. No matter what the student's SAT score, those who applied to schools in which their scores put them in the top 25 percent of the school's student body tended to get more and bigger grants. On average, letters to students who were in the top 25 percent contained grants averaging $11,144, meeting 81 percent of the student's need. Award letters to students whose SAT scores were at least 200 points below the top 25 percent floor offered grants totaling only $7,800, meeting just 64 percent of need.

Regardless of a family’s financial need, we have witnessed this same trend over the past couple of years—many colleges award better need-based and merit-based packages to students with higher GPAs, higher SAT/ACT scores, and higher class rankings.   As a result, families worried about the cost of college should proactively seek colleges that not only fit your child’s academic and social needs but will be more inclined to reach out to your student financially in the form of a merit award or a better need-based award.    Each family should assess their priorities early on and continue to evaluate what makes a good “fit”.

Regardless, by building a strong academic record throughout high school, maximizing standardized test scores and developing compelling admissions applications, not only will you be helping your chances for admissions, but you will also increase your chances of receiving better financial aid packages at many institutions.