Pay Attention to Details With College Applications

Tis the season for College applications. It is time to pay attention to details. Every school has deadlines--for completed applications with recommendations, test scores and essays. Don't wait until the last minute to ask for recommendations. Don't wait for the last minute to tell your college advisor you need a transcript sent to a particular school. Make sure when you write an essay about how much you love the University of Pennsylvania and that you are a big fan of its founder William Penn--only to find out later that UPenn was founded by Benjamin Franklin!!!!!! Get your facts straight. Laziness with the old word processor will get you in trouble with admissions departments.

5 Tips For Applying to College in a Recession

Many families of High School Seniors are nervous. They are nervous because they don't know how they will pay for college. The economy has changed drastically in the past month. Many did not properly plan for this financial "rainy day" Those that did plan have seen the value of 529 college funds plummet if those assets were tied to the stock market. At the same time, college costs relentlessly increase faster than the rate of inflation. I have written a common sense article titled 5 Tips For Applying to College in a Recession. Click on the title of this post and you will be directed to the article. The time for decisive action is now.

College Choices In Tough Economic Times

The economy is front and center of breakfast conversation, television, newspapers and other media. People are worried. Values of 529 College Savings Plans are dwindling. Parents can no longer tap the equity in their homes. The availability of credit is tight. College loan programs are shrinking. Household budgets have been turned upside down....... This scenario plays into the hands of State Universities. There are many terrific public universities and colleges. Many offer tremendous value to in state residents. Naturally, these public institutions will become intensely competitive because of their affordability. There will be an avalanche of applications to state universities in the fall of 2008. State universities will have to raise their standards and reject tons of applicants who would normally be well qualified in other years. High School seniors should carefully research their state university systems and prepare to apply to several first second and third tier state schools.

Go To a College Fair Near Your Home

A college fair is coming to your area soon. This is the season for High School Juniors and Seniors to get serious about putting together a list of suitable colleges. A cost effective way to obtain the necessary information on colleges and universities is to visit a college fair. Hundreds of schools attend these showcases. Its a convenient chance to do some "one stop shopping" without laying out the huge travel expenses to visit each school individually. Use these fairs to speak with representatives, ask questions and compare schools side by side. To find a fair near you, click on the title of this post and get the 2008 schedule.

4 Things to do for High School Seniors

Its back to school for the last time at high school. September is a time to focus on the following to do list before classes get too hectic:

1. Register for the fall SAT or ACT. Go to the websites and be aware of their deadlines;
2. Meet with your guidance counselor and make a list of colleges you want to apply to.
3. Most colleges have online applications; for those who don't order those applications by mail.
4. Get a job. Your parents will be impressed. It will put some money in your pocket and keep you off the street.

U.S. News Best Colleges 2009

The annual U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges list for 2009 is out. Schools are listed in many ways--national universities, liberal arts colleges, business schools, engineering schools, masters programs and by geographic locations--north, south, east and west. There are plenty of statistics to go through including acceptance rate and the composition of incoming freshmen. To access this list please click on the Title of this post. For an additional $14.95 you can get a year of the all access web service which is an invaluable tool for high school juniors and seniors seriously considering college.

Video Chat With Your Child

A must have for the parent who wants to stay in touch with their child living away from home for the first time is the Video Chat. Chances are your child has a laptop computer with a built in camera. If he or she is computer savvy, they can easily explain how to set up a video chat session via AOL AIM or Skype. If the computer you use at home does not have a video camera, purchase one for about $50 from your local Staples, Best Buy or Circuit City. Personally, I prefer the video cameras made by Logitech. Once your camera is up and running you will be amazed how clear the picture is and how good the sound quality is. As a parent, having the ability to talk and to see your child at the same time is great reassurance and it will make your day!