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So Many Colleges, So Little Time

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Beginning your college career is an exciting and often terrifying time. Trying to decide where to go to college is a decision that will in many ways determine the course of your life. By carefully considering a few areas, it may become easier to make this all important decision.

It is a good idea to first have an idea of what area of education interests you. In many cases, there are specific schools or universities that cater to these degree programs. If you are not sure what you would like to study, consider schools that offer a solid liberal arts education. This will allow you to make a choice later on.

Next, think about where you would like to study. To far away from home may lead to homesickness and the inability to visit during breaks. To close to home and you will end up feeling like there is no freedom. Additionally, consider the sizes of the colleges as it will impact your education experience. To large or too small of a class will make your learning experience less than ideal.

Finances should, of course, be carefully considered. Be sure to investigate how much an average year at each of your possible schools will cost. Determine what, if any, financial aid is available to you.

Finally, once you have the list narrowed down a bit, you should take the time to visit the schools you are considering. Spend a day talking to teachers and students. Walk around the campus. Check out the dorms. All of this information will play a big role in where you finally end up.

Picking a school is hard. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone once you have performed your research.

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Preparing for Your College Admission Interview

The college admission process is different for every college. Some colleges require you to write lengthy essays on what you plan on doing in the future or a life changing experience, while others require you to attend an interview session with the board to determine if you are a good fit for that particular college. While writing an essay sounds easy, an interview can be a little intimidating. Luckily, there are things you can do to make that college interview less intimidating.

Here’s a look at how you can prepare for that college interview so you aren’t so intimidated and nervous.

Practice Your Interview

While you won’t know exactly what questions will be asked you can practice your college interview with family and friends. Have your friends and family members interview you as if you were participating in your college interview. This will help you get a feel for how the interview speed will flow and will help you come up with answers to questions quickly.

Do Your Research

Some college interview questions will have to do with the school and activities that are offered on campus. Make sure you do  your research and can answer these questions to the best of your ability. It wouldn’t look good to go into an interview at a school you want to attend and not know anything about the school’s history, courses or activities that are offered.

Practicing your interview and doing your research before you head to your college admission interview will help you prepare yourself for the experience and allow you to give a good first impression.

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Admission Requirements

Each college has their own admission requirements for their institution. This means that some may require an essay while others simply need a drivers licence. For the most part, as perspective student should be prepared to invest some time into the admissions process for a university, and this could mean not spending time writing, but also physically spending time on the campus to investigate all the offering of the school. Many schools find that when students spend time on the campus, that they are able to gain a sense of ownership with the school and are able to feel whether or not this would be a place that they would want to stay at and learn. This also means that students are required to prove up front that they are willing to invest the time and effort to ensure that this is the proper place. After this exercise is completed, many universities will ask perspective students to write an essay for entrance. Many times they will ask a student to write 10 pages on their experience while on the campus. This can be a difficult task for many students, but most find that the challenge is an expectation of college life and that they should be used to the demands.

Another admission requirement that some colleges have is the oath aspect to value and cherish their school as their personal Alma mater. This is not intended to be creepy, but rather allow students to be fully committed to their school of choice, and to be devoted to the philosophies that are associated with the school, and with the academic approach that the school has adopted. This is an important step in proving your level of commitment as a student, and as a member of the academic body. Many high level schools are insistent on this approach, and it brings positive notice when a new student agrees.

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Conducting Research

Scholarly research is what many colleges expect students to be able to conduct. In doing research many schools expect students to understand the difference between basic research and scholarly or journal research. Here are a couple of differences that a student may come across in completing their work for their college classes. First, professors will always state the type of format that they would like their papers to be written. This means that is could be APA, MLA, Turabian, or Chicago style. It is always important to notice the edition of the format so that there is not confusion. Some professors will hand back papers with an “F” grade if they find flaws with the formatting before they even read the paper. The second thing to notice is if the professor asks for scholarly writing. This means that if the paper asks for documented writing or works from experts, then do not go running to Wikipedia. This means that you are to find study cases and documented works that have been scrutinized using the scientific method.

This process sounds much scarier than it truly is, and there is no need for alarm. There are specific things that you can plug into a search engine to find certain topics that are scholarly. Typing in “scholarly…” then the topic the best way to find what you need. This will provide a list of sources that are listed in scholarly journals. Also, your school library should have a section that is dedicated to just scholarly material, and this should also be accessible on the web. If you are still have issues finding scholarly works, refer to your list of reading materials for the class. Many times a professor will provide a basic guide on what to look for, and even provide one or two items that would qualify. From this point you should be able to locate materials on your own, and then complete your research assignment.

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Debt Consolidation for Student Loans

Attending college can be a wonderful experience. Full of personal growth, friendships, and moments that will stay in your mind forever. One special moment that students may have is six months after they have left college they receive their first student loan bill. This can be a moment of true shock and horror, but there is hope. Student loan servicers offer many government regulated repayment programs to help graduates get on their feet after college before making those big payments.

One such offering is the eligibility to defer your loans. Deferment is a process in which a student does not have to make any payments on his or her student loans for a period of time. For instance, it is a given that a student will have six months of deferment time after graduation, and deferment is active while a student is currently enrolled as a part time student. However, there are hardship deferments that can last up to three years.

Another option that is available if student loan payments are too high is to request a forbearance

. This is a reduced amount that is paid in lieu of a full payment every month on the student loan. This reduced amount is intended to aid with hardships, and makes the payment easier to manage for students.

Finally, another option for student loans is to consolidate all of the loans into one, assisted by a debt consolidation service. When students are in college they are not awarded a lump sum of money for school, rather they are awarded student loan amounts every semester. These separate amounts are individual loans that are collecting interest. By consolidating the loans, students can save nearly half the amount they would spend on a payment otherwise because now it is one loans collecting interest, not 12. A debt consolidation service is the best way for students to save money, and to pay off their debt.

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How Going Back to School Fits into a Traditional Work Schedule

As a full-time professional working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week, it may seem impossible to try and go back to school. But perhaps you want to increase your education through a Master’s degree or even switch professions and obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in an entirely different field. Or maybe you desire your very first Bachelor’s degree. This task may seem impossible since you work 40 hours or more in a given week. Whatever your educational goal, it is achievable through much planning and dedication.

First you must decide how to attend class. Traditional universities offer night and weekend classes to accommodate working professionals. Online colleges offer degree programs that you can take at your leisure. This may seem more advantageous since you can take class whenever you like. The danger lies in possible procrastination. Will you actually study after work and on the weekends or take that time to relax and forget about class work?

In-person classes make you more accountable for actually doing the class work. The challenge then lies in how you can make your work schedule accommodate more than one class. If you plan on getting a Bachelor’s, you will need to take a minimum of four classes a semester on average to complete the program in four years. This is challenging if you only have nights and weekends to dedicate to class time. Consider taking a mix of in-person and virtual classes if you want to obtain your degree from a traditional school.

Another important aspect is fitting in study time. Do not block your free time with all classes. Otherwise you will not have time to study for tests and write term papers. Take enough classes so that the workload is challenging but not impossible to complete. You do not want a lack of sleep to interfere with your job.

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How to Prepare for College during High School

Picking a college is a major decision. There are thousands of schools to choose from within your state, out-of-state, and even abroad. Some offer a variety of majors while some are more tailored to specific types of degrees. Some colleges are also more competitive than others.

There are many variables in finding a college. Therefore, the search for your preferred schools should start well in advance, preferably during your sophomore year of high school. Your college search should not begin during your senior year. Here is a break down of steps you should take throughout your high school career.

Freshman Year:

• Start with good study habits and keep your grades up. A college will look at all four years’ worth of transcripts, not just your final two years of high school.
• Pick extracurricular activities that interest you. As college admissions increase in competitiveness, you will need to add point out things about your life that make you stand out.
• Begin thinking about what type of career you might like to have. If possible, shadow a professional during career day.

Sophomore Year:

• Research what schools offer degrees you might be interested in.
• Start narrowing down career possibilities.
• Begin studying for the ACT and SAT.

Junior Year:

• Take the ACT and SAT. Some schools require both and will take the better score of the two.
• Visit schools of your interest, in possible.
• Consider applying early. If you do not get accepted into a particular school, this will give you more time to start finding one that is a better fit.

Senior Year:

• Re-take the ACT and SAT if you were not satisfied with your previous scores.
• Finish applying to colleges by late fall.
• Begin searching for scholarships.
• Apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as January.

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The Impact of Stafford Loans on Your College Career and Beyond

The first method of financial aid that students aim for is grants and scholarships. Grants are mostly based on income and scholarships are generally based on GPAs. There are many other variables in terms of scholarship awards. You may have gotten no scholarships are not enough to cover your tuition, books, and housing fees. In such a case, you may opt for a Stafford loan.

Stafford loans are offered to students based on the information filled out on a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You fill this form out every year to determine your eligibility for grants and student loans. Unlike regular loans, Stafford loans do not require any credit. This is especially beneficial if you are just coming out of high school, as you are likely to not have any credit whatsoever. Stafford loans also carry fixed interest rates that are reasonably low.

Bank loans often require you to make monthly payments almost immediately after the money has been awarded to you. Stafford loans, on the other hand, do not require you to pay back any money until six months after your graduation date. In cases where you cannot find a job or hit an economic hardship, the lender might temporarily defer payments. Keep in mind that while you are under deferment, interest will still accrue.

Stafford loans are a beneficial way to help you pay for school. However, there are some downsides. Depending on the amount of money you take out, you could be stuck repaying them for years to come. This is especially true of students that take loans out all four years of college for an out-of-state school. Also keep in mind that the money is not paid directly to you, but to your college for books, tuition, and on-campus housing. If there is money left over, the college issues you a refund check. This is not free money; you will eventually have to pay it back after college.

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