Happy Holidays

I'll be taking a break for the holidays from December 22 until January 2. In the meantime, I hope readers will take this opportunity to scroll back through the hundreds of useful links and resources on college admissions I've posted here over the past two years. However, don't spend too much time here - Enjoy the holiday season and school break with your families! See you in 2007!

New Year's Resolution for Juniors: Ace the SAT/ACT

If you're a junior, you've probably just received your scores from the October PSAT. Good, bad or indifferent, your PSAT scores are the signal that it's time to start active planning for taking either the SAT, the ACT, or both. In fact, make acing the SAT and/or ACT your New Year's resolution, and you'll be off to a good start with your college applications for next fall.

First, when should you take the SAT or the ACT? The answer is simple: As soon as you feel ready to do well. Many juniors take the SAT for the first time in March, and the ACT in April, but there's no set time period. You do, however, want to allow enough time to retake the exams if you feel you can do better.

The best time to take the SAT Subject exams is generally going to be at the end of the highest level course in the subject you plan to take. However, keep in mind that only a small percentage of colleges and universities actually require Subject exams (see this link for a list), and some will accept the ACT instead.

Once you've decided which exams you'll be taking, plan ahead. Check the calendars for the SAT and subject exams and the ACT, so you can be sure to register on time and avoid paying late fees.

With test dates marked on your calendar, kick preparing for the exams into high gear. Your PSAT score report contains useful clues as to which sections on the SAT you'll need to pay extra attention to preparing for. Some students will opt for taking a formal SAT prep class or getting private tutoring, but, in truth, motivated students can often accomplish just as much on their own. The key is to set up a dedicated study schedule, and stick to it.

Both the College Board and the ACT have compiled real exams into two excellent study guides that should form the cornerstone of any test prep program. I recommend that juniors purchase two books, the College Board's The Official SAT Study Guide and the ACT's The Real ACT Prep Guide. Use the sample tests in these books to practice and review on a regular basis.

However, there are many other free online resources that can help supplement your test prep program. Here are some of the best:

1. For students who just took the PSAT, The College Board's new My College QuickStart website is a great place to start. It includes a free personalized planning kit based on your test results, an online PSAT score report which includes projected SAT score ranges and information about state percentiles, a customized SAT study plan, and personalized lists of colleges, majors and careers.You'll need to register with the site, and will need the access code from your PSAT score report.

2. The College Board website itself is a good source for some free test preparation materials, as well as excellent recources on applying to and paying for college.

3. The ACT website also has some free ACT prep materials, as well as great information and resources to help you find and apply to colleges.

4. Number2.com is a great free site for test prep. After registering, you can take free practice exams for the SAT and ACT here, and access other helpful materials to help you prepare.


4. The Princeton Review is a test prep company that offers some free test study tools for the PSAT, SAT, subject exams, and ACT. Click on the “practice tools” section for each test.

5. Kaplan is another test prep firm that offers some free study materials on its website. You can, for instance, access free test banks of sample SAT and ACT practice exams.

6. Test Prep Review also offers free practice test questions and tips in a modular format for both the SAT and the ACT.

Sites for Scholarship Hunting

Yesterday, I mentioned that, although merit scholarships given directly by colleges are often the largest source of merit money, students who are willing to put time and effort into the process can find other sources of merit scholarships as well. Today, I thought I'd list some great websites to help you get started with your search.

Before I give the list, however, here's an important caveat: Beware of scholarship scams! You should never have to pay to apply for a scholarship or to find a scholarship. If you receive an unsolicited letter or email "guaranteeing" you a scholarship once you pay a fee, it is most likely a scam, according to the FTC and the Better Business Bureau. There are no "hidden" scholarships -- reliable search engines and lists like the ones below are your best way of finding scholarships.


1. Federal Government Career Net Scholarship Search Engine This search engine, sponsored by the Federal government, offers an exctensive searchable database of scholarships. No registration is required. The scholarships listed are for study at a variety of levels, so in addition to searching before you start college, return here next year to find more scholarship opportunities for students already enrolled in college.

2. The College Board Scholarship search. Like the site above, this site does not require registration. Enter your specific characteristics and you'll get a list of scholarships you might qualify for -- applying is up to you!

3. Free Scholarship Search Information Website. Although this site is a little less professional looking than the first two, it's search engine does a good job of matching students with scholarships. Some great advice about applying for scholarships is here as well. No registration.
Searchable database, no registration required

4. Broke Scholar
This is a nice search engine for finding scholarships, but you must register to access it.

5. GoCollege.com. Another nice database that you must register to access. The database is located under the financial aid link.

7. FastWeb. One of the most popular scholarship search engines. It will automatically alert you, via email, to approaching scholarship deadlines. You must register to access.


8. Black Excel’s List of 200 Free Scholarships for Minorities Not a search engine, but rather an excellent list of various scholarships. Some are not minority specific.


9. ScienceNet Minority Scholarships This is an extensive list of links to science-oriented scholarships for minority students.

10. Scholarships for college bound high school seniors A nice list of links.

In addition, if you have a specific major in mind, try googling to find trade or professional associations related to the major. Often, they offer undergraduate scholarships as well.

Do you know of any other great resources on the Internet to search for merit scholarships? If so, please share them by clicking on the "comments" link below.

Hunting For Merit Scholarships

With some colleges looking for ways to reel in spending on merit scholarships, seniors will need to work extra hard this year if they're hoping for merit awards. Although institutional awards given by colleges themselves still remain the largest source of merit scholarships, smart students will also look for other sources as well. It does take time to find and apply for independent scholarships, but students who devote the effort can find that even small awards can add up and help foot the bill. If you're looking for some advice on how to get started, this article has some great tips and website links.

If the Early Decision News Isn't What You Hoped For...

This week, thousands of high school students are approaching their mailboxes with a mix of anticipation and dread, anxious for news of Early Decision and Early Action results. I have some advice for every student waiting: No matter what the results, remember that you will still be the same person after you open the envelope or click on to the admissions website. Whether you receive an acceptance, a denial, or a deferral, your worth and value as a person has not changed one iota. You are no better or worse than you were when you sent off your application in November.

If the Early Decision news isn't what you hoped for, be kind to yourself. Yes, it stings that you didn't get in. But, don't dwell too long on the disappointment. As quickly as possible, review the rest of your college list and your application to see if either needs to be fine-tuned, and then finish sending out your applications as quickly as possible.

If you've been deferred into the regular pool, your first instinct may be to figure out ways to improve your chances when your application is read a second time. I'd suggest a different approach. Focus first on taking a second look at your list and finetuning your applications to other colleges. Then, get those applications out. Once that is taken care of, you can return to the deferral. Make sure your mid-year report will be sent as soon as possible, send in any supplemental materials that you think might strengthen your case, and send a letter to the deferral school reiterating why it is still your first choice, and, more importantly, what you will contribute to the campus community. But, don't obsess too much. Give yourself permission to fall in love with the other colleges on your list.

If you've been admitted through Early Decision, you may find you have some second thoughts about the college now that you're committed to attending. You may wonder if you might have done better, or even worry that perhaps the college isn't the right school. This is normal. It's called buyer's remorse, the tendency to second-guess a choice once it can not be reversed. Try to remind yourself that you had very good reasons for applying Early Decision to this particular college, and remember that the grass always has a tendency to look greener on the other side after the fence gate is closed.

If you've been admitted thorugh Early Decision or Early Action, and you are thrilled beyond belief, congratulations! May I suggest, however, that you be sensitive to those around you who may not have received the news they'd hoped for? Offer your support and friendship to them. They still have a long road before April.

Finally, while it may seem to everyone opening envelopes this week that this is the most important event in the world, it truly isn't. No matter what the news is, life will go on. Try to find time to relax and enjoy it.

Searching for Colleges? Think Paris, Switzerland or Greece

Are you looking for something a little more exotic for college than a school the next state over? Have you always had an adverturous streak? Then you may want to consider some colleges and universities outside the U.S. Finding and evaluating non-US options will require a bit more effort, but the rewards can be many. Imagine attending college in Paris, or Switzerland or Greece.

To start your search, check out the member schools of the Association of International American Colleges and Universities (AIACU). AIACU schools are international in location, but American in curriculum and structure. They are all accredited by U.S. accrediting organizations, and most have a large percentage of Americans in their student bodies.

Colleges and universities in the UK are also attractive options for many American students. However, be forewarned that UK colleges and universities aren't perfect mirrors of their American cousins. Students focus on a major earlier in their education, and the educational approach is often very different than that used in American colleges and universities.

Closer to home, Canadian colleges and universities are attracting a growing number of American students. Often Canadian colleges offer a price break over comparable US institutions, and most students find it easy to adjust to life up North.

Good College Planning Resource

If you're a sophomore or junior student or parent just getting started trying to figure out what matters when it comes to college planning, an excellent overview is provided on the eGuidanceCounselor.com website. Written by an independent college counseling firm, the site focuses on the "need to know" basics, such as the factors colleges weigh in the admissions decision, standardized test planning, and getting organized for the college search. It's a nice starting point.

Comparisons of College/University Faculty

When you hit campus as a freshman, how many of your professors will be full-time faculty members? How many will be tenured, and thus likely to be around when you're looking for someone to be your advisor or write recommendations for graduate school? How many graduate students instead of Ph.D's will be teaching undergraduates? What percentage of the school's staff listed as "faculty" actually teaches?

A new study just published by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the Contingent Faculty Index, can help you find the answers to these important questions. The study lets you check faculty statistics for over 2,600 colleges and universities, showing the number of non-tenured teachers ("contingent" faculty), part-time teachers, graduate students, and faculty members focused exclusively on research.

"Students expect the same professors they had as freshmen and sophomores to be available when they are applying for scholarship funding, to study abroad, or to continue their education in graduate schools. However, part- and full-time contingent faculty are lsess likely to be in the same place several semesters later, which leaves an increasing number of students with no faculty who know them well enough to recommend them for anything," notes the study. "...Contingent faculty members are also less familiar with the overall curriculum oof the university or their department, primarily because tehy are rarely involved in constructing course offerings or programs of study...Perhaps most importantly, contingent faculty members are less likely to challenge their students because they are often reliant on student evaluations for their continued employment..."

There are several factors to keep in mind when looking at the study and individual college numbers, however. Obviously, the AAUP has a vested interest in pushing for greater numbers of tenured and tenure-track faculty. Additionally, some might argue that the use of contingent and part-time faculty can have a positive side as well, allowing a college or university to offer a larger number of courses in the most cost-efficient manner.

Still, there are enough differences in the numbers between individual institutions to give college hunters an important data point that has not been available in such a centralized place before. As you compare colleges, the faculty breakdowns give a sense of the differences between the schools you may be considering, what they value, and how they operate. All are important datapoints for further research.

10 Financial Aid Tips You Need to Know

Many seniors and their parents are feeling pretty good right about now. The applications are done, or almost done. Winter break is right around the corner. Time to relax and enjoy life. Not quite. Now is the time for students and parents to be particularly diligent about getting ready to apply for financial aid and scholarships. Actually, now is also a great time for the parents of juniors, sophomores, and freshman to start thinking about college financial planning as well. It's never too early to start learning the in's and out's of paying for college. What do you need to know? Here's a great article that lays out the basics, 10 Things College Financial Aid Officers Won't Tell You

Studying Science at Liberal Arts Colleges

Interested in majoring in science? Don't assume that your only college option is a large research university. Liberal arts colleges can provide excellent undergraduate science educations too, according to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In a 2004 report entitled A Wellspring of Scientists, the Howard Huges Medical Institute examined the science programs offered at liberal arts colleges and found that many excell at preparing future scientists. "Liberal arts colleges have a long, prolific history of sending students on to graduate school and careers in science, both as front-line researchers and to serve as the next generation of faculty," the report noted. "They enroll about 1 in 12 undergraduates, but turn out almost 1 in 6 furutre Ph.D's in science and engineering."

The report acknowledges that most cutting-edge science research is done at major universities, but notes that undergraduates at liberal arts students typically benefit from easier access to faculty and often have superior opportunities to do independent research.

The report includes profiles of science programs at selected liberal arts colleges and also provides details of the National Science Foundation's Survey of Earned Doctorates which shows the undergraduate origins of PH.d.'s in a broad array of science and engineering fields, including both liberal arts colleges and research universities.

Now, does this mean everyone interested in majoring in science should run out and apply to liberal arts colleges? Of course not. What it does mean, however, is that future science majors should not assume that the best and only option for them will be a research university. As with all college searchers, they should start their college hunt by examining their individual preferences and needs, and then looking for the best matches, whether they are found at UC Berkeley or Oberlin.

Colleges Selected for "Community Engagement" Classification

Many college students complain that they often feel cut off from the world while they're on campus. If you're interested in finding colleges that seek out and foster relationships with the broader community beyond the edge of campus, you may want to check out the 76 colleges and universities that the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has identified as being particularly adept at engaging the community.

A total of 88 colleges applied for the elective classification. Each was required to document ways in which the campus interacted with and fostered partnerships with the community. The 76 institutions chosen were then classified into three categories: curricullar engagement (teaching, learning and scholarship which engage faculty, students and community), outreach and parenterships (programs and interactions that benefit both campus and community), and curricular engagement/outreach and partnerships (institutions that have made substantial commitments to both of the above areas).

The institutions selected cut across a broad landscape of higher education, and include well-known private universities, state institutions, community colleges, and liberal arts colleges.

Related link: A New Carnegie Classification

Helpful Tool For Finding Engineering Programs

If you're thinking of majoring in engineering or computer science, start your search at the excellent Try Engineering website. Here you'll find a wealth of information about careers in engineering and computer science, different engineering specialities, and, best of all, a university search function that is one of the best I've found on the Internet. Specify the type of engineering program you're looking for and your geographic, size and price requirements, and the search engine will give you a nifty list of schools to explore. One particularly nice feature that is often lacking in other search engines, is that the list of schools generated by the Try Engineering search engine includes a capsule summary of each school's size, cost, and admissions requirements. This makes it easy to sort through the list without having to go back and forth to individual profiles or college websites. It would be wonderful if similar search engines existed for other fields of study.

Look Beyond College Stereotypes

With over 2,500 four year colleges and universities in the United States, sorting out options can be challenging. Perhaps that's why college searchers are so prone to stereotyping entire institutions. How often have you heard (or thought yourself) statements like: "Most students at Johns Hopkins are pre-med" or "No one at the University of Chicago has any fun because they're too busy studying" or "The University of Southern California is full of rich white kids"?

As the author of a book on popular culture has noted, "Stereotypes are 'mental cookie cutters' -- they force a simple pattern upon a complex mass and assign a limited number of characteristics to all members of a group'." Unfortunately, when it comes to college stereotyping, they also tend to shut down the college search process before it begins, stopping us from even considering schools because we've been blinded by a stereotype. That's unfortunate because sometimes what lies behind the stereotype may be exactly what we want or need. For example, if you only see Johns Hopkins as "a school for pre-med," you'll never discover that Johns Hopkins also has strong programs in history, English, and Political Science. If you dismiss the University of Chicago as "not being fun" you'll never discover the multitude of student organizations on campus or all the exciting things there are to do in Chicago. And, if you look no farther than the University of Southern California's "rich and white" stereotype, you'll never learn that only 50 percent of its student body is actually white and that almost one in five USC students qualify for Pell Grants.

College stereotypes aren't limited just to specific institutions. Sometimes entire groups of schools get lumped together as well. Take, for instance, these common college stereotypes:

1. All public universities are enormous. While there certainly are some giant public universities, there are many more moderately sized ones, and even some, like St. Mary's College of Maryland, that are about the same size as a typical liberal arts college.

2. It's always cheaper to attend a public university than a private one. According to the College Board, the national average published price for attending a public college is about $8,000 less than the cost of attending a private college, so there is some truth to this stereotype. But, many students find that when they compare financial aid packages and merit scholarship incentives between individual choices, sometimes it is indeed less expensive to go the private route.

3. The more expensive a college is, the better its academic quality. A close cousin to stereotype number 2, this stereotype is also not always true. The price of college doesn't always correlate with the academic experience. There are some great low price schools, and some not-so-great high priced ones.

4. You'll always be stuck in large classes if you go to a large university. As with all stereotypes, this is not always true. Class sizes vary from school to school, and from major to major. And, even at large universities, classes typically get smaller once you get beyond introductory courses. Honors programs at large universities can also help make a large university seem more intimate.

5. The best place to study science is a large research university. Many small liberal arts colleges have exceptional undergraduate science programs. Indeed, in studies of where science doctoral students did their undergraduate research, liberal arts colleges are well represented.

6. If your college is not in a major city, you'll be bored out of your mind. Again, it depends on the college. Many students at colleges in the "middle of no where" find there's more than enough to do on campus, while many students at colleges in the center of major metropolitan areas find it hard to make social connections because everyone is busy off campus.

7. Higher ranked colleges are always better than lower ranked colleges. The only ranking that matters, of course, is how well different colleges will serve your individual needs. Plenty of students have indeed received excellent educations from highly "ranked" schools, but plenty of students have also received excellent educations from schools not at the top of the ranking pile.

As you can see, when it comes to the college search, stereotypes don't always tell the whole story. Sometimes there can indeed be an element of truth in a stereotype - Johns Hopkins does attract many pre-med students - but if you only stop at the stereotype, and don't investigate further, you may be cutting yourself off from discovering a college or university that is just what you're looking for.

Careers In Forensic Science

Television shows like "C.S.I." and "Law and Order" offer intriguing glimpses into the workings of forensic scientists. Perhaps due to the popularity of shows like these, more students are interested in investigating careers related to forensic science.

If you have strong science skills, and like the idea of helping to solve crimes through science, forensic science can be a rewarding career choice. There are actually many sub-specialties within forensic science, and the educational requirements for each specialty do differ. Luckily, there are several excellent sources of information on the Internet to help you track down this information and find colleges that can help you reach your goals.

A good place to start is the career center of the State of Minneosota, which has a terrific career information website of the Minnesota Department of Education. Click on find careers, then look for the link to the Forensic Science Fact Sheet which describes the job of forensic technicians, complete with an online video.

The main professional organization for those in forensic careers is the American Academy of Forensic Science. At the website, click on the "resources" link to find a good explanation of the different career options in forensic science, as well as a complete list of college forensic science programs in the U.S.

Finally, there's a wealth of information on forensic science and forensic science careers at Forensic Education, including many relevant links to additional resources.

Don't Forget The Financial Side

In the rush to get applications out the door, students and parents sometimes forget about what comes next: Applying for financial aid. There's a nice summary of all aspects of planning for the financial side of things here. One of the reasons I like this article is because it includes something that many other college financial planning articles neglect, and that is the importance of finding out just how much attending the college will end up costing. While every school can give you an estimate of the cost of attendance (COA), few are 100% accurate for freshman year because freshmen typically have higher costs just getting set up for college. I would estimate that we spent over $1,000 last year getting all the essentials for our daughter before she went off to college. So, don't forget to factor in the cost of items such as clothing for a different climate, travel to and from the campus to get your freshman settled, dorm room essentials (linens, decorative accessories, even a garbage can!), and electronic equipment such as a laptop. If you're going to be on a tight budget, it is a good idea to begin putting away some cash for all of these "extras" now.

Common Sense College Advice

Peruse the college section of any bookstore and it's clear that there is no shortage of people willing to give college advice. However, I believe that not all college advice is created equal: Some sources of information on colleges and college applications seem prone with inaccuracies while others appear to be pushing a particular agenda that may or may not be in the college seeker's best interest. That's actually one of the main reasons I started this blog: To help students and parents sort through the available sources of college information in order to make better-informed college choices.

Throughout your college search, one excellent source of information is always close at hand but, unfortunately, is sometimes ignored or not used to full advantage. That source is your school counseling office. I know that it is popular for students and parents to complain about school counselors who don't seem up to snuff about college information, or who don't seem to have time to address individual needs and concerns. But, the truth is your school's counseling office actually has one critical part of the information puzzle that you need in order to make informed decisions, and that is data about how similar students from your school have faired in college admissions in the past. Your school counselor is also the "go-to" person when it comes to writing your school recommendation, seeing that your transcripts are sent on time, and solving the inevitable last minute application crises. If you're a junior or sophomore and haven't yet established a relationship with your high school counseling office, now it the time to do so. They can be your best ally in the college application process. If you're a current senior, I hope you'll take a moment or two to thank your counselor in the coming weeks. Regardless of how effective you feel they have been at helping you, there is a good chance that they have assisted you in ways you will never know of, so they deserve a thank you for their efforts.

Students and parents who want or need more assistance and hand-holding than their school counselor is able to provide can turn to hired counselors to fill in the gaps. As an independent counselor, I see my job as more of an adjunct to the school counselor than a total replacement. Any independent counselor who tells you otherwise should be avoided. I also would suggest walking away from any independent counselor who seems more interested in "packaging" you or your child than in helping your child. That's one of the reasons why I like the approach offered by Dodge Johnson, an independent counselor in Pennsylvania, who makes it clear to his clients that he's part of a three-way team that also includes the student and the school counselor. Johnson has also written some terrific columns on college planning for the Philadelphia Inquirer, which you can read on his website.

Of course, there's another partner in the college search and admissions process that is often vilified, and that's the college admissions officer. In my heart of hearts, I believe that most college admissions officers truly are in their profession because they want to help students make the right choice. Unfortunately, with today's ever-increasing emphasis on enrollment management, sometimes it may not seem that way. Which is why I am recommending that every parent of a child about to start looking at colleges buy Less Stress, More Success: A New Approach to Guiding Your Teen Through College Admissions and Beyond, which was co-authored by Marilee Jones, the dean of admissions at MIT.

Jones, and her co-author, pedatrician Kenneth Ginsburg, are alarmed at the growing stress rushing after the college admissions prize is putting on teens. Their book turns away from the prevailing wisdom that every child needs to be pushed, pulled, and packaged into a super college applicant. Jones and Ginsburg suggest that we have created a generation of human doings rather than human beings, and offer advice on how to forgive our children - and ourselves - for not being perfect.
While some may question the dean of one of the most competitive schools in the country writing against the current admissions mania, I recently had the opportunity to talk with Merilee Jones in person, and I can assure you she is making every effort to walk the talk herself, both as a parent, and an admissions dean.

So, if you only buy one college admissions book, or if you're looking for a holiday gift for someone who's trapped in the admissions frenzy, I strongly recommend it be this book. Jones' and Ginsburg's message is truly one that needs to be heard by more parents and teens.

Avoiding Errors on College Applications

Before you hit the "send" button for your electronic college applications, take a moment to make sure your application is error free. If you're looking for a good list of things to double-check before you release your application into cyberspace, here are some tips for error free applications.

College Center Helps First Generation College Students

Will you be the first in your family to attend college? If so, and you're looking for colleges that are interested in recruiting first generation college students, check out the resources available at CSO College Center.

An initiative of the Center for Student Opportunity, a non-profit organization with a mission to promote college access and opportunity for first-generation college students, the CSO College Center has a wealth of information. There's an excellent college search engine that lets you match your interests and talents with hundreds of private schools who'd like to recruit first generation students. There's a complete profile for each school that explains special programs designed to support first generation students on campus, financial aid, merit scholarships, and application procedures. You can even ask the system to forward your contact information to colleges that particularly interest you. There is also an extensive library of excellent articles on finding, applying, and financing the right college, many with information specifically geared to the questions of first generation college students and their parents.

Overall, an excellent reference site, and well worth a look if you're trying to sort through the options for first generation students.