By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Some students see college as a chance to experience life in a different part of the country. Others rather stay close to home to be near family or save money. Then there's a set of students who don't give much thought at all to the location of the college - they just care about getting in.
No matter what attitude you have about where you're going to school, you can't ignore the fact that location plays a major role in your overall college experience. Here are 3 ways how the location of the campus can impact your college choice:
1. The cost of attendance.
You can save a decent amount of money by choosing to commute to a college near you - even if it's only for a year or two. Relocating to a school far away from home can add up in travel and moving expenses. The cost of student housing varies on the surrounding area's cost of living. For example in Boston it's not uncommon to hear college students paying $1,000 a month to live in a dorm or off-campus apartment - that's over $9,000 on housing alone for the school year. Schools in more rural locations tend to have much less expensive housing for both on and off campus.
2. Your rural vs. urban campus lifestyle preference.
It's quite common that students want to get adventurous and use college as an outlet to live the "opposite" lifestyle from the one they're familiar with. Students who grew up in the city might want to head to the country while students who grew up far away from urban centers want to get a feel for city living.
While cities can offer tons of off-campus opportunities such as internships and a variety of entertainment options, city life can have its drawbacks. In StudentAdvisor's college reviews, many students from city schools report dissatisfaction in a lack of engagement in on campus life, high crime rates, and higher costs of living. Students who go to rural schools often complain about being stuck in a "bubble" and not having many options for off campus fun. But more often than not rural schools place a higher emphasis on campus activities and fueling school spirit.
3. Climate and weather influencing your attitude and wardrobe.
Some food for thought if you're thinking about schools up North and you're used to the snowless winters of the South. One of the dirty secrets of college marketing is that you rarely see pictures of a snowy campus in viewbooks from Northern schools. But guess what? Most of the academic school year happens during the coldest months of the year! And schools in places that normally get a lot of snowfall like upstate New York rarely cancel class.
Seasonal affective disorder is also common for students up North since the farther up from the equator you go in the US, the less daylight you have during the academic year. If your dream schools are all up North be sure to invest in some good cold weather gear. Also if you'll be commuting to a school in tundra-like conditions it's a not a bad idea to prep your car for the elements with snow tires, an ice scrape, and shovel.
Photo: b r e n t
By Sam Coren and Megan Kenslea
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Obama Announces New Federal Student Loan Relief Plan
President Obama announced a new federal plan for student loan repayment that would make
it easier for students to repay federal loans. The new "Know Before You Owe" plan, which the president enacted through executive order, would allow graduates to limit federal loanrepayments to 10 percent of discretionary income beginning in January. President Obama unveiled the plan Wednesday in a speech at the University of Colorado - Denver.
The president told students that both he and Michelle Obama could empathize with their struggles repaying loans. “We were paying more on our student loans than we were paying on our mortgage each month,” President Obama said. “How do we make college more affordable, and how do we reduce your burden?” While the plan will help out students with federal loans, private loans remain unchanged.
Smith College Professors "Punk" Campus
Rumors that Smith College would go completley locovore and vegetarian flooded campus last week, leading students to protest to the administration - until it was revealed that two logic professors had planted the rumor. For a class on rhetoric and argumen, logic professors instructed students to feed the rumor by splitting into two groups, one for the move and one against.
Students got creative in their efforts to spread the rumor, even sending a representative from the Smith Healthy Living Club - which does not actually exist - to a the school television station to speak about the move. By the time word got out about the prank, the administration decided to join in on the fun, and Smith College President Carol Christ visited the class pretending to fire the two tenured professors.
Optional SAT Subject Tests Confuse U.C. Applicants
Students applying to colleges in California's UC system have mixed feelings on a new admissions policy change for Fall 2012. In a bold move, the schools in the U.C. System announced this week that it will make SAT Subject tests optional for admissions. Previously, applicants to UC schools including University of California - Los Angeles and University of California - Berkeley were required to submit SAT Subject test scores if they were applying to specific majors. Now the majors which previously required the tests will "recommend" the tests, which has resulted in concerns about the advantages and disadvantages of taking the tests.
Colleges Launch Midnight Classes
Colleges across the country have begun offering midnight classes catering to students with children and inflexible jobs, USA Today reports. Midnight classes first took shape at an overcrowded Bunker Hill Community College in Boston, when a professor volunteered to teach a course at midnight. "We found out there are many more folks than we'd imagined in the Boston area who are working third shifts," said Bunker Hill president Mary Fifield. "It's a population that we didn't know existed." Some community colleges around the country have followed suit.
New NCAA Rule Could Shut UConn Out of March Madness
A new NCAA rule passed this week could shut out men's basketball defending champions University of Connecticut from the 2013 college tournament. Changes adopted Thursday require athletes to meet a two-year average score of 930 or a four-year average academic score of 900 on the NCAA Academic Progress Rate. UConn scored 826 for the 2009-2010 acaemic year, and is expected to score 975 for the 2010-2011 academic year, which would give the school a two-year average of 900.5, and a four-year average of 888.5.
UConn President Susan Herbst said in an email that while she supports the new rules, she hopes the NCAA can find a way to institute in the current season, rather than during later seasons. "Students who have enjoyed academic success should not suffer because of the shortcomings of individuals who played in prior seasons," Herbst said in an email.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
So you've always dreamed of becoming a doctor? Congrats! The world certainly needs more of them. Hopefully you won't end up a cranky old kook like Dr. House or Dr. Cox from Scrubs. But being a doctor in real life is much harder than playing one on TV and getting into med school is no walk in the park either.
So what can you do if you're a college student planning to go to medical school after you get your Bachelor's? Here are 7 things you should be doing to prime yourself for med school applications:
1. Get good grades in your medical school pre-requisite courses.
If you're not sure what classes to take, go talk to your academic advisor about it - chances are your school has a pre-med program that you can elect to take that will give you "priority" at course selection for these courses depending on your school. Another good thing to do is check out the requirements pages of medical schools you're thinking about applying to and go over the required coursework for applicants just to be safe.
2. Start practicing now for the MCAT.
The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a computer–based standardized test designed to predict how well you'll do in medical school. It tests physical and biological sciences, verbal reasoning, and writing skills. Medical school admissions are fiercely competitive and even students with a glowing transcript and letters of recommendation can be turned down if their MCAT score fails to make the cut. Might be a good idea to pick up a few practice books now to prepare yourself.
3. Choose extracurriculars that relate to science, health services, medicine, nutrition, fitness, etc.
You don't have to be in every single possible thing your school offers (and I doubt you'll have time to), but find one or two student activities you really enjoy doing and stick with them. Try to find a leadership position in the one your most interested in when you're an upperclassmen. If there's no current group at your college that fits the bill, then start your own or consider doing volunteer work.
4. Scout out undergraduate research opportunities.
If your school offers undergraduate research opportunities find out how you can get involved. Many schools offer programs and resources to facilitate research projects initiated by students. If your school doesn't have a formal undergrad research option, ask your professors if they're doing research or know someone who needs help.
5. Take internships!
If you were to make a resume right now and the experience section is almost blank then chances are you're not going to impress the med school admissions office. Even if it doesn't relate to medicine directly, having real-world, professional experience is invaluable not just only for grad school admissions but your post-college life in general.
6. Connect with alumni at your school that are currently in med school or practicing medicine.
Typically your school's alumni relations office or a professor can hook you up with someone. Having a mentor is invaluable and most alumni are willing to talk about their career with undergrads from their alma mater. Additionally if you establish an ongoing relationship with them while you're an undergrad they might be a good candidate to ask for a letter of recommendation. Or you may find out from talking to them that this whole med school thing might not be the right path for you.
7. Find your purpose for being a doctor beyond heritage, prestige or money.
Med school admissions officers read countless admissions essays. Just because everyone in your family is a doctor doesn't mean you've got a guaranteed a ticket into med school. Medical school is long, hard and expensive - even after you graduate you aren't going to be making "bank" for several years. Find out what your underlying passion is in wanting to go into medicine and let that shine through in your applications.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
So you've decided to apply to college early? Great! But what's the deal with the different options? Every year students get stuck trying to figure out if early decision or early action applications are worth doing. While both application types will let you know about your admissions decision earlier than the regular applicant pool, they both have different implications for students. Did you know that you can only apply to one college as early decision? Or that you can apply to multiple schools early action?
For those of you weighing the pros and cons of early decision vs early action you're in luck! This morning on NECN StudentAdvisor's Editor-in-Chief Dean Tsouvalas gave an excellent rundown on the differences between early action and early decision applications.
Find out which one is the better choice for you in the video below:
By Carol Barash
For StudentAdvisor.com
You’ve heard it over and over – from college admissions, your English teacher and guidance counselor, not to mention how many times your parents tell you, “Your application essays are REALLY important; you need to finish them NOW!”
The truth is if you could finish them, you would. But really, “What matters to you and why?” It’s one thing to talk about the meaning of life with your friends late at night, but to total strangers and in writing? It’s exhausting and debilitating and sometimes you want to throw in the towel.
But wait…
If you’re applying Early Anything, November 1st or 15th is show time. And even December 31st is getting closer by the day. To help you crank those essays out and send them in with confidence, here are 12 Tips you can use to amp up any essay that’s causing you stress (and even the ones that aren’t):
1. Refresh
Before you start writing, take a few deep breaths, let go of your doubts and distractions – just put all of that to the side – and write with your mind open to whatever you discover.
2. Create a bridge.
Make your dreams palpable based on what you have already done. That means in each essay, for each college, use your past experience to show readers who you will be as a member of that college community.
3. Turn scripts into stories.
Anyone can say, “The environment matters to me,” or even, “I joined the Environmental Club with my best friend and stayed after she left.” Replace those generic scripts with specific details that only you can tell. For instance, “I worked with 15 local eighth graders. We planned and planted a garden in Orange where an old hat factory was torn down. Three years later it’s an overgrown jungle of purple, yellow and green.”
4. Choose a moment.
Most students try to pack everything into each essay. Instead, make a list of your defining moments – the moments when you learned, grew, changed or made a difference. Use each essay to show your reader one moment of change and transformation.
5. Focus in.
Pay close attention to the activities, achievements, people and work that have influenced you. What changed? Who did what? Who said what to whom? Spend time remembering the details, and write them all down.
6. Map it!
What do you want the reader to learn about you in each essay? Which experiences reveal the unique qualities you bring to a college community? Use a story to organize your essay, so the reader gets it without you having to say, “That was the day I learned…” or some other cliché.
7. Perform out loud.
Whenever you are stuck in your own mind, ideas running amok and very little on paper, tell your story to another person and record it. Even talking aloud into your phone or computer helps to get the juices flowing and activates your voice.
8. Write it out.
Now take your recording and write it out word for word; that’s your first draft. If telling the story out loud is too weird for you, get out a pen and paper and write your story out by hand as if you are talking to another person, someone you can really trust.
9. Magnet + Flash
The first sentence needs to draw the reader in – so no preambles or explanations; get right into the story. And the last sentence is the last thing they will remember, so you want to end with something that sticks.
10. Explore perspectives.
Now to the guts of your essay. Everyone says, “The essay needs to be about you.” And it’s true. But how can you show that you understand and appreciate others’ points of view? In that moment where you changed, who else was there? What did they experience? What can another perspective bring to your story?
11. Raise the stakes.
Does your essay feel like it just doesn’t matter enough? Take some time to imagine your experience on a bigger stage – what if everyone did what you did? What if no one did? Why is this important to you? What can you do to show the bigger picture?
12. Own the space.
Imagine you have gotten in to the college of your dreams, and write from that place. Go there – what will you study? What kind of roommate will you be? What clubs will you join or start from scratch? You deserve it; write each word with that knowledge in your heart. Proofread it carefully, take a deep breath, and then press send.
There are many great colleges. You will thrive and make a difference at one of them. And then you will tell those stories to get into your first fabulous job. Good luck!
Carol Barash, PhD is the founder and CEO of Story To College, a NYC-based company that teaches high school and college students how to perform the stories of their own experience in applications, interviews, and all of life.
Read about the Top 3 College Application Essay Mistakes You Can't Afford to Make.
Photo: susi.bsu
By Megan Kenslea
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Want to blog your way to $1000?
Your Local Security is offering a blogging scholarship to the best blog post that tackles the following prompt:
"As the nation approaches its 57th Presidential Election, we're asking the future leaders of this country, students, to define the single most important political issue in this election. Tell us not only what that issue is, but also tell us why and how you propose we come to a solution that benefits the majority?"
The winner will be judged not only on the creativity and thoughtfulness of their response, but also the social support they recieve online. Support will be measured through tweets, Facebook likes, and +1s, said Derek Dasher of Your Local Security. After students have written their blog post, they may submit it to the application site until Dec. 31, 2011.
Who's Eligible
To be elibile for the Your Local Security Blogging Scholarship, you must:
- Be a full-time or part-time college student attending an undergraduate institute located in the United States or Canada pursuing a bachelor's degree or similar, or be an incoming freshman.
- Be a legal resident of the United States (including D.C.) or Canada
How to apply:
Students must submit a 500-600 word published blog post responding to the prompt to Your Local Security by Dec. 31, 2011.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Every week StudentAdvisor compiles the top stories in college news. Here are some of the biggest stories that made the headlines this week:
Sierra Nevada College President resigns to save money.
With much concern about the rising costs of college tuition, the high compensation of school administrators such as college presidents is a hot topic of debate. But for one college in Nevada, this may no longer be an issue. After analyzing the financial situation of his school, Richard Rubsamen, President of Sierra Nevada College, has decided to throw in the towel. "I was tasked by the board with planning for financial sustainability in order to (ensure) the long term health of the college. It was clear to me where reductions had to occur. While the idea of leaving the college is very difficult, it is the right thing to do. I need to lead by example and practice what we teach," explained Rubsamen in a statement released earlier this month.
Notre Dame tells Kansas high school to stop using Fighting Irish logo.
The students and administration in one Kansas high school are learning a tough lesson in copyright infringement. Chapman High School, which was nearly destroyed by a tornado in 2008, has been told by the University of Notre Dame to stop using the famous Fighting Irish logo. It's a common occurrence for high schools to adopt popular professional and college sports mascot logos as their own without going through the official licensing steps. Chapman is currently running a contest to find a new a logo.
Indiana University study reveals non-traditional students can expect notable wage increase if they continue their studies.
A new study released by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University - Bloomington reveals that non-traditional college students (those over the age of 25) who continue their education past high school experience significant increases in earnings. According to the research findings, "those who enroll in postsecondary institutions when they are 25 years or older - earned $1,000 more in annual wages after attempting 25 to 36 college credit hours, compared to those who attempted fewer than 12 college credit hours." The IU researchers have also pointed out that the amount of wage increase is also dependent on a student's course of study. Those who pursue industrial arts and consumer service programs tend to experience the largest increase.
Courtesy of Indiana University.
Michigan Rep. John Conyers urges hearings on college sports.
After recent NCAA conference shakeups from Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Texas A&M at least one member of congress fed up. Michigan Rep. John Conyers is urging the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on antitrust in college sports. Conyers wants the committee examine other pressing issues in college sports as well. These include athletic scholarship limitations, the due process for athletes, the use of athletes' likenesses in NCAA video games without compensation, and the costs to injured student athletes.
Have a college news story that you think should be featured on This Week in College News? Send stories to content[at]studentadvisor.com.
By Dean Tsouvalas
StudentAdvisor.com Editor-in-Chief
Admissions outreach is in full swing right now -- so there's a good chance your local high school gym is being converted into a college fair filled with anxious students and overwhelmed parents. You make the rounds for quick greetings with college reps, leave with bagfuls of catalogs and paperwork, and sometimes with more questions than answers.
Parents we talk to at these fairs tell us they feel overwhelmed. It's easy to see why, as the conversations come and go in such a short amount of time that it can be easy to forget to make sure any of it even makes sense.
Beware of Rotten Advice
As a parent and Editor-in-Chief of StudentAdvisor I strive to make sure that all of the free college search resources we provide in our magazines and on our site are not only helpful but honestly accurate. Often I'll check out some of this printed material that students and parents take home. Some of these so-called guides that are not from trusted colleges are just plain garbage.
I found one this week that made me yell and jump around the office. It was promoted as a "Fall 2011 college search guide" and after opening the pages I quickly realized it was filled with full-page ads (everyone’s got to make a living) but very, very little content.
What caught my eye was a graphic called the “The College Finder” for students to answer a question and go to the next point in the chart. Among the questions:
- Are you a high achieving, self-motivated person?
- Do you prefer structure of the freedom to be creative?
- Do you enjoy working with your hands?
Hardly the insightful tool for making a life-changing decision.
And then this loaded question and answer set me off:
Do you like solving complex problems with new, creative solutions?
If NO – it says “look into a liberal arts degree.”
I am not making this up. Seriously. So if someone likes solving complex problems with new creative solutions they should avoid a liberal arts degree? This is insulting and aggravating on multiple levels –this is an example of the misleading and rotten information that is freely distributed to students, parents and school counselors.
In Defense of Liberal Arts
Yes, I went to a liberal arts college and earned a liberal arts degree, but to put me and my collegic peers in a bucket like that is outrageous, insulting and infuriating. Life is full of complex problems and a liberal arts education shouldn’t be viewed as a “cop out” for students who want nothing to do with them. Statements like this increase the divide in higher education between those in the liberal arts and those in technical fields of study.
One of the most complex problems high school students have to face is choosing a college and figuring out what they’d like to persue in their adult lives. For many of my fellow liberal arts grads, their college experience gave them the opportunities to become the CEOs, army officers, lawyers, politicians, educators, and scientists that they are today.
Don't just take my word for it: A recent employer survey that the National Association of Colleges and Employers released indicates that workplaces most value these three skills that a liberal arts education can impart: teamwork, analytical reasoning, and communication.
What complex problems have ever been solved without those three things?
Do you have a bad college advice horror story? Please feel free to share yours in the comments.
Photo: Inkyhack
By Allison Sylte
For StudentAdvisor.com
The day I moved into my residence hall, literally the first thing my roommate said to me was, “Dude… I haven’t smoked in like three days and it’s a serious buzz kill. Do you know where I can score some weed down here?” I had absolutely no clue. I told her to go ask our RA. I still have no idea why I said that.
The thing is, I was a total nerd in high school. The most rebellious thing I did was call myself out of health class so I could do homework for AP Stats. My friends and I spent our Friday nights doing wholesome activities, like playing Apples to Apples or studying while drinking a nice cup of hot chocolate.
I had absolutely no clue people still smoked marijuana. I thought that went out of style in, like, the ’70s or something. I told myself that I would “get cool,” when I came to college…you know, like Olivia Newton-John at the end of Grease. But when I moved into my residence hall, I realized that it just wasn’t going to happen.
You don't need to pretend that you're a different person now that you've started college.
For one thing, I had a propensity for actually attending class, which meant that at midnight, rather than “pre-gaming,” I went to bed. I was too socially awkward to attend parties. One of the first times I attempted to get drunk was on Halloween during my freshman year. After drinking too much Orange Burnett’s and fruit punch during a “Saturday Night Live” drinking game (what can I say, I was an amateur), I ended up letting the RA into our room and getting everyone written up – all while wearing a 1980s spandex workout costume, circa Olivia Newton-John when she got physical.
Not my finest moment.
What confounded me more than anything was how it seemed like every other freshman had joined some sort of pack, walking up and down the sidewalks between the dorms with a new kind of swagger, smoking cigarettes and talking about how college was so much better than high school.
Well yeah, because they were the cool kids. For the nerds like me, though, I thought nothing really changed.
Clinging to the past will only put up walls.
I filled my time studying, going to the gym and Facebook-ing my high school friends about how nearly all of the people at Colorado State were alcoholics and juvenile delinquents. For a while, I desperately wanted to transfer to the University of Colorado-Boulder (our bitter in-state rival).
While I’m glad that I didn’t get whipped into that frenzy of partying and debauchery, I do realize that during my first year of college, I didn’t really experience everything college has to offer.
Being quick to judge prevents you from getting to really know people.
College is the time to grow up before you enter the real world, where not everyone fits into black and white categories like “band geek” or “stoner.”
I’m not the best person to give advice, but what I learned that year is simple: don’t judge. Sure, my roommate began our relationship by asking me for weed, but it turns out she wasn’t a bad person.
I had to take myself out of the box I put myself in, where I only respected people who I thought were just like me. After I started making an effort to get to know people from different walks of life, I actually met some pretty cool people.
This summer, a lot of my old high school buddies have told me that I’ve become a radically different person since my glory days as a high school band geek. While they think it’s a bad thing, I definitely do not. At some point, you’ve got to grow up and become a member of society, not a member of some sort of niche or subcategory.
Because for me anyway, that’s when college became the best experience of my life — even better than the Celine Dion concert I went to my senior year.
Allison Sylte is a junior journalism major at Colorado State University. Sylte, an avid skier, runner and hiker, has also worked as an editorial intern at Skiing Business magazine. She can be followed on Twitter at @AllisonSylte.
Photo: Lafayette College
By Dean Tsouvalas
StudentAdvisor Editor-in-Chief
One of the most amazing things about asking questions about college on StudentAdvisor is that you get incredible advice from our Verified Advisors. What's a Verified Advisor? When you see that green check mark badge on someone's StudentAdvisor profile it means that they've been approved by the StudentAdvisor team as being an expert in an area pertaining to college. Our Verified Advisors bring transparency to getting information online about getting in and staying in college. The Verified Advisor community plays a huge role in making StudentAdvisor the home of trusted college conversations.
Many of our Verified Advisors work in college admissions offices around the country and offer tremendously helpful insights. Today we wanted to feature one of our Verified Advisors who's always giving top notch advice to college-bound students. Get to know more about Harrisburg University's Timothy Dawson in his Featured Advisor profile below:
Verified Advisor Name:
Timothy Dawson
Occupation:
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Systems at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Colleges Attended:
Messiah College
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Activity on StudentAdvisor:
Member of StudentAdvisor Groups:
Go to Harrisburg University? Write a review on your school.
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
For every high schooler in America who's had their smartphone whisked away by angry teachers during study hall your time for vindication has come. Developers at Purdue University have just launched an exciting new mobile learning platform called JetPack. The free app will allow students to download course material called "packs" right to their phones. Packs can act as a replacement to traditional paper handouts and in some cases even textbooks. Once the packs are downloaded, students can run them natively on their mobile devices without the need to be connected to the Internet.
But the coolness doesn't just stop at cutting down the weight in your backpack form those heavy textbooks and paper course packs. JetPack will allow teachers to instantly give students access to more interactive learning materials at their fingertips. The JetPack platform has support for video, specialized calculators, audio, Google maps, quizzes and self-assesment tests. Talk about the ultimate study tool!
In the upcoming spring semester, Purdue will conduct a pilot test of the JetPack software in a few classes. Currently, the JetPack reader is available for iPhone as a free download in the iTunes store. The release of JetPack that's currently up in iTunes is a preview version that includes a few sample packs, including a pack on one-time Purdue staff member Amelia Earhart, two textbook samples and a volume of an academic journal. Purdue plans to release versions for iPad and Android in 2012.
So what's the catch? If you're an educator and can't wait to start putting your course material on JetPack for students you have to wait. According to Kyle Bowen, director of informatics for Information Technology at Purdue, the authoring software, which will allow users to build their own JetPacks will be available in the summer of 2012. Until then check out the video below and download the preview version in iTunes to start getting "pack" ideas for your classes!
Photo: Purdue University News Service
By Megan Kenslea
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Every week StudentAdvisor compiles the top stories in college news. Here are some of the biggest stories that made the headlines this week:
Schools Pulling the Plug on College Radio Stations
College radio stations around the country are at risk to lose their FCC licensing
due to tightened University budgets. University officials have begun selling off radio licensing to non-student affiliated stations, in part due to financial constraints. On Tuesday, over 350 college radio stations around the country participated in "College Radio Day," to promote the benefits of college radio stations. "When you've got an FM license, it's a huge blow to have it taken away from you," said Rob Quicke, a communication professor at William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey who organized the event. "They are silencing their students' voices forever."
NYPD Infiltration Of Colleges Raises Privacy Fears
As part of an investigation of Muslim communities, New York City Police infiltrated Muslim student groups at city colleges, the Associated Press reported this week. Investigators monitored online chatrooms and undercover officials infiltrated student groups and prayer rooms. Officials at the colleges that have been infiltrated, including CUNY Law School and Brooklyn College, have issued statements saying that students civil rights may have been violated. "The government, through the police department, is working privately to destroy the private lives of Muslim citizens," said Moustafa Bayoumi, an English professor at Brooklyn College.
NCAA exploring scholarship cut for several sports
The NCAA is considering a reduction in the number of scholarships it offers in an attempt to reallocate resources among its member schools. The measure, which would potentially go into effect in Fall 2012, would impart significant change on Division I athletics. Football, men's basketball, and women's basketball scholarships may be reduced in an effort to move towards full-cost scholarships that may also go into effect next fall. The group is expected to present its proposals, as well as other cost-reducing proposals, at an NCAA board meeting in January.
Norwich University Allows LGBTQ Group to Form After Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal
After several failed attempts to form under DADT, an LGBTQ group has successfully formed at Norwich University, the home of the ROTC program. Students at the school, which educates both citizens and future officers, attempted to form an LGBTQ several times before DADT was repealed. Now that DADT has been repealed, the group has been more successful. “It’s not a surprise that after 'don't ask, don't tell' you’re going to see a lot of military-based institutions creating LGBT organizations, much as they have done on other campuses,” said Shane Windmeyer, the founder and director of Campus Pride. “These students are seeking support and visibility – possibly resources – on their campus, so one way to do that is to mobilize.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
If you have a child who just started high school, one thing is for sure: college is the last thing on their minds. As they start acclimating to high school life, it can be easy for them to forget that preparing for college starts in 9th grade. While it’s not necessary to be a “Tiger Mom” and stress them out about every little detail, it is important to begin the discussion about college early. When both you and your child are on the same page about expectations, there will be less drama when application time rolls around.
Here are a few ideas to get the conversation started:
1. Explain the importance of keeping grades up.
Some students experience difficulty making the transition to high school coursework. When it comes to admissions, GPA is one of the most important factors in acceptance. Even if your child isn’t pining for the Ivy League or other highly selective schools, many well-regarded public colleges have strict GPA cut-offs in their admissions requirements.
Course selection is another big factor. While many competitive students will try to bite their teeth on all Honors-level or AP coursework, not all students can handle the workload. If your child is struggling in a certain subject and seems overly stressed by the demanding course load, it may be wise to tell them to take a lower level course to prevent them from burning out.
2. Be open about how much you can financially contribute to college expenses.
As tuition costs continue to climb, you may find that you haven’t saved as much as you should’ve. It’s not easy for every parent to talk to their child about money, but it’s important. If your family makes over $150,000 gross income, your child is unlikely to receive financial aid or need-based scholarships. Finances can be tight even for more well-off families, especially if you’re going to have more than one child in college at the same time.
I had the good fortune of starting college before the “great recession,” however when I graduated in 2009 I couldn’t help but feel guilty about the high tuition bills my parents paid on my behalf. If life had a “reset” button, I would have chosen a less expensive school. While I managed to graduate debt-free (barely), not all students are as lucky. Even if you think you’ve got all your bases covered financially, you should still talk about college costs before your child starts applying to schools.
3. Make sure they know it’s “okay” to not know what they want to do after high school yet.
During the college application process I had a tough time figuring out what I really wanted to do for a living. While many of my high school classmates had it in their heads that they wanted to be doctors, lawyers, teachers or Wall Street tycoons, I was left juggling a million ideas and feeling very discouraged. The thing I didn’t realize at the time was that college is an excellent place for self-exploration – even if it means changing your major a few times and working a few internships to find your path.
If your child hasn’t figured out their passion yet, encourage them to keep exposing themselves to new learning opportunities. Many colleges offer summer programs for high school students based on a wide variety of fields of study. Not only does this expose your child to a taste of college life, but it also helps them determine if any of their interests could lead into a possible career.
Talking to your child about college doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking as long as you start the conversation early and keep the lines of communication open. And don’t forget that when you and your child are ready to start looking into schools together, StudentAdvisor’s free college comparison tool is an excellent way to evaluate college costs and admissions requirements.
By Wendy David-Gaines
For StudentAdvisor.com
There are many ways to estimate college costs but the most accurate relies on realistic factors to make a successful college list. Good intentions can lead to unintended consequences and this is what is happening with the new Net Price Calculator (NPC) mandated by the federal government to be available on a college’s website by October 29, 2011. Projections can be off by thousands, hindering the making of a successful college list.
Already appearing on many college sites, prospective college students and their parents are invited to estimate their college costs by entering data. They can use this financial info to determine whether or not the school remains on the college list and the student should apply for admission.
The basic Net Price Calculation is:
Price of attendance – estimated financial aid = out-of-pocket college costs
Calculation problems occur because there is no uniform NPC that all schools use. Additionally the price of attendance underestimates all college costs to the family by excluding hidden costs. Financial aid estimates are off because the actual amount will be determined by filing one or more financial aid forms such as the FAFSA that are required by the college. When both factors of an equation are wrong, families can’t expect the result to be accurate.
Here are 3 unintended consequences that occur when students base their college search around the Net Price Calculator:
1. Excluding the right fit colleges.
There are high priced colleges that meet 100% financial need of their students. If the NPC calculation is off, it may look like the college is unaffordable. Excluding colleges (that otherwise may be a good college match) based on price without taking into account their financial aid policy can mislead families about out-of-pocket college costs.
2. Including the wrong fit colleges.
Including colleges based on price alone can raise college costs in the long run. If a student isn’t happy, it can’t be expected that they will do their best and take full advantage of this educational opportunity. Failing or dropping out can lead to a waste of time and money. When students transfer to other schools they risk not having all their academic credits transferring over and have to spend additional tuition money making them up.
3. Not taking into account temporary tuition discounts.
Colleges can offer scholarships and grants from their own funds to supplement federal and state financial aid, to reward students for their merit, (academic, athletic, artistic, musical, leadership abilities) and to attract students to their campus. However, the NPC does not disclose any strings that may be attached to these awards. What happens if the student fails to maintain a certain grade point average or stops playing on the team? College costs have been rising at the rate of 5% a year. Will scholarships also rise to keep pace with the increased costs? Is the scholarship renewable every year of college attendance?
Wendy David-Gaines, author of Parents Of College Students survival stories, is known as POCSmom. She writes and lectures about the college process from forming a college list to attending college graduation. Wendy is also a College Insights expert on College Expert Panel. For more about POCSmom Wendy go to www.pocsmom.com for links to her blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+.
By Megan Kenslea
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Every year, I try to come up with creative costume ideas, but every October 31, without fail, I can be found dusting off my cat ears, throwing on a black dress, and drawing on some whiskers. Most costumes aren’t quite as boring as mine, but I do typically see the same recycled costumes each year: the same pirate, the same cheetah and the same superheroes. Yawn.
The best costumes are the ones influenced by the headlines – be it pop culture or politics. So this year, I've scoured the news to find some more creative choices than my typical ones.
Here are the StudentAdvisor team’s top picks:
Out of Work NBA Player
The two-week delay of the NBA season got us wondering: what’s an out-of-work NBA player to do?
Level of Difficulty: Easy
What you’ll need:
- NBA jersey (any current player will do)
- Empty Starbucks cup (to collect spare change)
- Cardboard sign detailing your plight (“Can dunk for food,” perhaps?)
Occupy Wall Street Protestor
We’ve seen the headlines, and now that the Occupy protests have hit college campuses, the costume is even easier.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
What you’ll need:
- A college sweatshirt
- Picket Sign (We are the 99%)
Charlie Sheen
He may have redeemed himself at the Emmys, but Charlie Sheen is too good to pass up. Dress as the man himself, or choose one of his many hashtags. Goddesses optional but an added bonus.
Level of Difficulty: Medium
What you’ll need:
- Dark blue dress shirt, unbuttoned
- Dark sunglasses
- Vials for "Tiger Blood"
Whitey Bulger
This month, iParty issued a limited edition personalized orange jumpsuit just for those hampering to dress as the notorious gangster. We think it's the accessories that will make you stand out from the crowd. A word of caution to Boston area college students - some of the families of Bulger's victims find it offensive, while other's don't mind.
Level of difficulty: Medium
What you’ll need:
- Orange jumpsuit (with or without “Whitey” emblazoned on the back)
- Handcuffs
- Boston Red Sox hat
Want to make it a group costume? Throw in an FBI agent or two, a woman dressed in curlers (Catherine Greig), and “Miss Iceland" (the woman who tipped off the Feds).
Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night”
I wish I could get this song out of my head, but I love a good 80’s costume more than anyone, so I may just be dressing as Katy Perry this year.
Level of difficulty: Medium
What you’ll need:
- Hot pink off-shoulder top
- Lime Green mini skirt
- Neon pumps
- Plastic earrings
Check back later in the week for StudentAdvisor’s favorite group costumes!
Photos: justaufo thepartycow
By Purvi S. Mody
For StudentAdvisor.com
Colleges don’t expect that you know exactly what you want to do with your life by the time you are seventeen. They do, however, expect that you have some sense of direction when you apply. The entire purpose of college is to get exposure to a wide range of fields and to also develop a set of skills that you will be able to use in the working world. Many students agonize over which intended major to select on the application itself; some hoping that this click of a button will make the difference between an acceptance and a denial.
So let’s clear up the confusion around how your choice of major can impact admissions:
What does your major choice tell the admissions office about you?
Colleges want to know about your interests and aspirations for a couple of reasons. One, from a selfish standpoint, they need to be sure that they are able to provide the right resources to students across interests. Most schools want a well-balanced incoming class with a diversity of goals.
Two, admissions officers are trying to get to know you better and do this by getting a sense of what you have so far accomplished in your life and what you hope to accomplish in the future. This does not mean that every activity must revolve around your intended major. But if you are passionate about French Literature, you should have taken French. If you are keen on conducting research in college, it is a good idea to show an interest in science beyond the minimum requirements to graduate. If you are interested in the cosmos, a developed awareness of astronomy is a must.
For certain universities, the college you choose can impact your chances of admissions.
Within a large university, there are several colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Performing Arts, College of Business are examples. And each college will then house more specific majors. For example, if you apply to the Stern School of Business at New York University, NYU Admissions will simply view your application in the context of Stern. If you are not admitted to Stern, you cannot be admitted to NYU; the school will not consider an alternate choice.
This is true for many, but not all, business programs and a few engineering programs. UC Berkeley, for example, will only consider you for the Engineering program if that is what you mark as your intended major. For students applying to these schools, my advice is this: you have to decide what is your priority – the school or the major. If your'e having a tough time deciding, reading college reviews from students can help.
Picking a less popular major does not improve your chances of getting in.
This is where it also gets tricky. Many students have asked if they can put down some random, less popular and less rigorous major and then switch into the more difficult major once their child is enrolled. The chances of doing so are slim to none in some cases. So putting down Agricultural Science or Pomology as your major is alone not going to improve your chances. And remember your application has to make sense.
If there is no indication of an interest in the major you chose on your application, admissions officers are going to wonder if you are trying to pull the wool over their eyes. If you truly want to study business, engineering, or some other selective subject, make sure that your application supports this interest and that you have the experiences to back it up.
Remember that you aren't "stuck" in the major you pick on your applications.
Colleges are also very well aware that you might change your major once you get there, but with a strong application, they will have faith that you will continue to create and achieve your goals successfully. Some universities may even ask you for your intended major but will also consider you for an alternate major or an undecided option because they believe you are a strong fit for the university.
Sometimes there just isn't not enough space to admit you initially into your first choice major. At many of these schools, you should be able to get into your desired major after your first semester/quarter or year there. And other universities will ask you about your interests without tying you down to a specific major until you are nearing the end of your sophomore year in college. This is the point at which all colleges will ask you to select a major.
Purvi S. Mody is co-owner of Insight Education, an educational consulting firm that helps students throughout the country and internationally to achieve their educational goals. Get in touch with her via email at purvi@insight-education.net or follow her on Twitter @InsightEduc.
Photo: Joe_T_Chicago
By Megan Kenslea
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Every week StudentAdvisor compiles the top stories in college news. Here are the some of the biggest stories that made the headlines this week:
Occupy Wall Street Movement Hits Colleges
The Occupy Wall Street movement that is sweeping the nation this week has now made its way to college campuses. From schools including Brown, Harvard, Northeastern and SUNY at Purchase, and many others, students frustrated with the national debt, job market, and general state of the economy have taken to the streets to join the movement. "I don’t know anybody who feels secure about their economic future," said Victoria Porell, a Northeastern third year who helped organize her campus walk-out. “Students don’t have lobbyists. We work hard. We pay our taxes. We are the future. Who’s going to look out for our interests other than us? We don’t have anyone else on our side and that’s pretty much been proven.”
Maine Community College Enrollment at its highest ever
Enrollment in the Maine Community College System has increased so much in recent years that thousands of students have been placed on waiting lists this fall, officials say. Since 2003, enrollment has increased by over 83 percent, and this fall, 84 occupational programs at the seven schools in the system are over capacity, system president John Fitzsimmons said. About 1.5 percent of the state population is enrolled in the Community College system, half of the national 3 percent average. "The cloud over the good news is that we’re turning away thousands of good students who want to come in," Fitzsimmons said.
Pictures of Alcohol on Facebook May Signal Larger Problem
Facebook photos of drinking or status updates about alcohol could signify a student has a serious drinking problem, a study published this week found. The Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine published a study this week that found that college students who post photos on Facebook of themselves holding drinks, or post statuses about drinking are four times more likely to develop a drinking problem than those who do not.
The California Department of Education announced this week that 75 percent of all high school graduates in California go to college. Nationally, about 39 percent of high school graduates attend college. A new data tracking system allows the state to cross reference high school graduates with students enrolled in U.S. universities. 50 percent of high school grads move on to in-state public universities. The system does not track the college graduation rate.
Have a college news story that you think should be featured on This Week in College News? Send stories to content[at]studentadvisor.com.
Photo: Bob Jagendorf
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Whether you're BFF with your parents or can't stand to be in the same room as them, you can't ignore the fact that they play a huge role in your college search. And there's nothing that screams "quality time" more than going on college tours with mom and pops in tow, is there?
Parents embarrassing you on your college tours is one of those last awkward teenage rites of passage. At the end of the day you need to remember: they only do it because they care. Before you know it you'll be half way through your first semester of college and dying for a home cooked meal.
So before you set out campus hopping with your parents, brace yourself for some of the most embarrassing questions that parents ask on college tours:
Where are the best parties?
Yes, dad, because you'll be going to all the keggers as my wingman. While many parents do this to try to sound cool, it tends to backfire by putting the tour guide on the spot. Do they be honest and tell you the best place to go for weekend ragers? Or do they play it safe and tell you about all the squeaky clean on-campus activities they have every weekend in the student union? Sure it breaks up the monotony of a tour that's gone stale.
But when it comes down to it, this question is one that's better for you to ask another student personally rather than let your parents ask on your behalf. If that's not an option, you can snoop around for college reviews of the schools you're visiting to get an idea.
Tell me about the drug scene.
Ok mom - I get that you were "cool" back in college and experimented with drugs, but that doesn't need to be brought up on the tour. Even parents who don't have an experimental past ask this one. Parents should understand that despite school policy and the law, drugs tend to find their way onto almost any college campus.
While this might not be an appropriate topic to bring up during a college tour, it's probably a good idea to talk to your parents privately about their thoughts on college drug use if you haven't had that chat already. No matter what stance they take in the end you'll find that they just want you to be safe and stay out of trouble.
Where do the hot girls hang out?
You're pushing it with this one, aren't you, dad? Aside from wasting everyone's time on a pointless question, it's not fun having the tour group feel sorry for you that your father's a dirty old man. You want to know where the hot girls hang out, pops? Far away from you.
Are overnight visitors of the opposite sex allowed?
College dorms, fortunately, are typically not run like your parents household. Unless you're touring a school with a strong religious affiliation or strict housing policies such as curfews, most colleges don't have rules that discriminate against the gender of your "slumber party" guests. However, when you do move into your first dorm, it's a good idea to make sure your roommate has fair warning that someone (regardless of their gender) will be spending the night.
How do I keep my daughter from having sex?
When college tour guides hear questions like this it's a red flag that this is the type of parent that has a hard time trusting their child. It's also a red flag that the parent has no qualms with making their child die of embarrassment.
Your high school to college transition can be just as hard for your parents to adjust to as it is for you. It's important to maintain open lines of communication and talk about each other's expectations before you cut loose from the nest. Remember, when it comes to parents it's better to work with them, then fight them - you'll miss them soon enough once you start college.
Photo: Peter Gene
By Megan Kenslea
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Halloween is a great time to test the boundaries of acceptable attire. Want to walk around sans pants like Lady Gaga for a day? Perfectly fine. Perhaps smear yourself with fake blood and Cheerios to dress as a “Cereal Killer”? Totally acceptable.
However, there are plenty of costumes that cross the line from humorous to offensive, and college-age kids throughout the country (and even across the pond) have caused national outrage with some of their seemingly innocent costumes.
Here are some of the headline-grabbing costumes that you shouldn’t replicate:
Blackface Costumes
Bob Marley is a popular Halloween costume among college students, but a Northwestern University student took his costume too far, adding blackface to his wig and Rastafarian clothing. Another female student dressed as a tennis player also wore blackface, and photos of the pair made national headlines on Gawker and other news sites. As a result, the school, which had also been accused of racial profiling, held a community forum to discuss race on campus.
Prince Harry and the Swastika
In his college years, Prince Harry was known for his wild side, and he became the subject of an international scandal in 2005 at age 20, when he wore a swastika on his arm to a costume party. Although the prince quickly issued an apology, Jewish leaders around the globe criticized his choice of costume, and the press continued to report on the costume long after the party was over.
Virginia Tech Shooting Victims
Just seven months after the Virginia Tech Massacre, two Penn State – University Park students dressed as Virginia Tech shooting victims. The costume choice incited outrage within the Penn State and Virginia Tech communities, and Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon publicly stated the costumes were “appalling.” One good thing that came out of the controversy? The following year, Greek life leaders at Penn State took out an ad in the university newspaper urging students to use tact when selecting Halloween costumes.
Suicide Bomber
After a University of Pennsylvania student dressed as a suicide bomber for University President Amy Gutmann’s Halloween party, both the student and Gutmann, who posed with the student for a photograph, were criticized by the Penn community. While the student said he did not intend to offend anyone, he later apologized on his site for any unintentional harm his costume may have caused.
So, what’s the lesson you should take away from these costume controversies? Take a page out of the Penn State Greek community book and “take a minute to think about what kind of response the costume may elicit from others.” Dressing like Casey Anthony might seem like an innocent joke in the privacy of your dorm room, but others might be deeply offended by your costume choice.
Stay tuned next week for some creative - and politically correct - costume ideas.
Photo: San Diego Shooter
By Sam Coren
StudentAdvisor.com Staff
Having a tough time choosing a major? Finding out what degrees new grads are earning that are most popular with employers may be a good place to start. Each year, through the Job Outlook survey, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys its employer members about their hiring plans and other employment-related issues in order to project the job market for new college graduates for the current class and to assess a variety of conditions that may influence that market.
Accounting, Engineering, & Computer Science Top the List
Data for NACE's latest Job Outlook survey was collected from NACE employer members from mid-August through October 15, 2010. Based on the survey results nearly 62 percent of the organizations taking part cited plans to hire accounting graduates. Other popular Bachelor's degrees amongst recruiters included finance (57 percent of respondents), electrical engineering (53.5 percent ), computer science (53 percent), mechanical engineering (53 percent), and business administration/management (52 percent).
According to Marilyn Mackes, the executive director of NACE, “The results are not surprising. These degrees are consistently cited by organizations involved in college recruiting and hiring as among the most sought-after.” Find out which industries are looking to hire these new grads the most in the table below:
|
|
Major
|
Most Interested
Industries
|
Percentage of
Industry Respondents
|
|
Accounting
|
Accounting Services
|
100%
|
|
|
Government
|
88%
|
|
|
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
|
85%
|
|
Finance
|
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
|
95%
|
|
|
Management Consulting
|
89%
|
|
|
Food & Beverage Mfg.
|
70%
|
|
Electrical Engineering
|
Utilities
|
100%
|
|
|
Computer & Electronics Mfg.
|
92%
|
|
|
Miscellaneous Mfg.
|
72%
|
|
Computer Science
|
Information
|
100%
|
|
|
Computer & Electronics Mfg.
|
85%
|
|
|
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
|
85%
|
|
Mechanical Engineering
|
Utilities
|
100%
|
|
|
Chemical (Pharmaceutical Mfg.)
|
95%
|
|
|
Food & Beverage Mfg.
|
90%
|
|
Business Administration/Management
|
Food & Beverage Mfg.
|
90%
|
|
|
Retail Trade
|
88%
|
| |
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
|
80%
|
Source: Job Outlook 2011, National Association of Colleges and Employers. All data are for bachelor’s degree graduates.
|
Remember: Whether you've decided what you'd like to major in or not you can use StudentAdvisor's college match tool to find schools that may interest you.
Photo: Mays Business School
By Purvi S. Mody
For StudentAdvisor.com
High school seniors across the world are now embarking on the daunting yet exciting task of writing the all important college essays. For many, this is the first time that they have ever had to write a personal statement. But luckily the subject matter is one that you are completely familiar with. Below are some tips to help you find the best topic and the best format to convey who you are and what you will contribute to the college community.
1. Ask yourself this question, “If I could tell an admissions officer anything, what would that be?”
The personal statement is your opportunity to answer just that question. College essays are a place for you convey something about yourself that is not already evident in other parts of your application.
2. "Show" not "Tell".
This might seem obvious, but it can be harder to do than it seems. You may have an impressive list of extracurricular activities, but colleges want more than a reiteration of those activities in your essay. Your essay is the chance to show what you have gained from your different experiences. Did you learn about yourself or others? Did your perspective change? Or how has had your family background influenced your goals.
3. Stay true to your own voice.
As tempted as you might be to use your online Thesaurus, refrain from trying to pull in vocabulary that you do not normally use. Try not to be overly humorous. If you are naturally humorous, that will come through. Forcing humor can often backfire and an essay can feel contrived. It is important to have your essay read by one or two others that you trust, but the wording and style should always be yours.
4. Find the balance between Confident and Arrogant.
It is important to be proud of your accomplishments, but try not to cross the line and come across as too boastful. At the same time, you don’t want to appear insecure or unsure about your abilities. The best way to do this is to focus not on what you have done but rather on what you learned.
5. Balance your application.
Most applications will ask for 2-4 essays. Think about your application holistically before you dive into writing. Contemplate what you want to convey in each part of your application. And if an essay topic asks you about why you want to attend a given school, make sure that you research that school. This is not just about telling the school what it wants to hear, but rather conveying why you are a strong fit for the school. But you cannot do this if you don’t do the required work.
6. Follow directions and length recommendations.
If a college asks you for a 300 word essay, keep your essay to that length. And don’t feel compelled to write 300 words if adding words will cause your essay to be weaker. Remember that admissions officers are reading thousands of essays. Asking them to read your lengthy essay, especially when other applicants stayed within the limits, can suggest that you don’t follow directions well. And make sure your essay answers the question. Even if you have a beautifully worded essay from another application that you want to send in, if it does not answer the essay prompt, admissions officers will easily discern what happened.
7. Start early. (This means start now.)
It takes time to really think about what you want your application to say about you. Start brainstorming and drafting now. This will give you ample time to go back to the drawing board or revise until your essays are perfectly you.
More than anything remember that these essays and applications are yours. Your applications should show your strengths, vulnerabilities, and aspirations. Good Luck!
Purvi S. Mody is co-owner of Insight Education, an educational consulting firm that helps students throughout the country and internationally to achieve their educational goals. Get in touch with her via email at purvi@insight-education.net or follow her on Twitter @InsightEduc.
