FAFSA HELP on College Goal Sunday(or Saturday)

Don't be fooled by the name College Goal Sunday! Here in Columbia, South Carolina, our College Goal Sunday will actually be held on a Saturday! So if you want some help getting that FAFSA completed then put this date on the calendar. There will be assistance available on Saturday, February 27 at the Downtown Richland County Public Library on Assembly Street. Help available from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Assistance available at site:

• Adult/Non-Traditional Student Concerns

• FAFSA on the Web

• Financial Literacy

• Foster & Homeless Youth

• Grants/Scholarships

Go here to see the list of items you need to bring with you. If you don't live in Columbia, SC, find out where you can get this assistance in a location close to you!

Preparation for College part II

Friday, we looked at the first three ingredients in the recipe for a strong college application. Today, let's take a look at another.

Colleges and universities are interested in putting together a diverse student population. When a college talks about diversity, they are talking about a make-up of students who bring a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and skills. So adding to the diversity of the college campus may include your years of cello playing. Or the perfect score on the math portion of your SAT. Or your intensity, passion, and skill in a particular academic or extracurricular area. So grab a piece of paper. Go and get it, I'll wait.

OK, now that you are back, write down three talents that you have spent time developing. Don't have three? Then write down one. Do you play an instrument? Do you sing? Do you write poetry? Do you excel in math or science or english. Do you play a sport? All of these matter.

Now, how have you used those talents to serve others? How can you use that talent to serve others? Can you tutor? Can you lead a basketball clinic for the kids in your community? Can you organize a food drive to help your out-of-work neighbors? Students who are strong candidates take initiative, look for service opportunities, and show that they use what they know to benefit others. Colleges want to be able to say with pride that "FILL IN YOUR NAME is an alumnus" of their school and "look what they are doing to change the world." Therefore, if you are already changing your community, then chances are, you will later make them proud to call you a graduate of their school.

Now you know why colleges ask you to list your clubs, jobs, leadership, and community service. Don't let this intimidate you. Colleges want to see what you can bring to their campus and what their campus has that will be good for you. It is all part of making sure that the college is a good fit. They are not looking for a long extensive list. They are looking for depth of interest and leadership opportunities taken. If you haven't already, expand your horizons to include development of your strengths! Who knows? One day, some college or university will proudly say, " she/he is one of ours!"

Preparation for College

We are talking this month about doing the work necessary to make sure you are ready to go to college. So let's start taking apart what a strong college application looks like.

Academics: Did you take a challenging curriculum? Did you do well in your classes? If you faltered early with grades, did you consistently improve over the years?
*Did you know that students who take math higher than Algebra II have a much higher rate of bachelors degree completion than those who do not?

Class rank: Compared to the students in your class who had the same educational class offerings, where do you stand?

Test Scores: Take the ACT or SAT. If you want your scores to be strong, take challenging courses. Read, read, read. The more you read, the more likely it is that you will be able to do well on the Critical reading and writing portions of the SAT. By all means, take advantage of test preparation opportunities. There are some links in the sidebar of this blog that may be helpful. Saturday, January 23, Kaplan is offering a free full length practice SAT test. Take advantage!

We will continue breaking apart a strong college application in the coming days. Stay tuned!

First Generation College Bound Students

Navigating the college process can be difficult. Navigating the process when you are the first in your family to go to college, or first generation, can feel nearly impossible. But it isn't. It just requires a little deciding.

First, as we discussed before, decide that you will go. Sounds easy, doesn't it? But it actually requires a settling in your mind ahead of time. "I will go to college. Somehow, some way, I will go." It means facing the unknowns, the fears, and the nearly infinite possibliities head on.

Second, decide that you will find the necessary resources to tackle all those unknowns. Identify those in your life who may be able to help you. Although you may be the first in your family, there are many you come in contact with on a day-to-day basis who have already traveled this road. Find them. It may be a guidance counselor, or your pastor, or a neighbor. Begin asking them questions. Ask them about test taking and college applications and dorm life. Ask them about their major and their career and their favorite college. And don't be afraid to ask them if they would be willing to walk through this process with you.

Finally, you must decide to act upon the information you have learned. Start planning early. Take the SAT or ACT early. Apply to college early. Apply for financial aid and fill out the FAFSA early. You get the point. When it comes to the college process, early is good. You can consult timelines found here to see what should be and when things should be completed. You will also want to communicate with the colleges you are intersted in. If possible, visit the campus and talk with the students, eat lunch in the dining hall, and perhaps spend the night in a residence hall. Look into programs designed to assist "first generation" college bound students. And if you have more questions, then keep asking.

If you are a "first generation" student, then congratulations! Reading this blog and exploring publications shows that you are already taking the first steps in this process. Continue pressing forward. Your decisions today can change not only your future but the future of the generations to follow.

Knowing Why You Should Go to College

Did you know that over a lifetime, a college graduate makes almost $1 million dollars MORE than someone without a college education?

According to the Census Bureau*, over an adult's working life:
-high school graduates earn an average of $1.2 million
-associate's degree holders earn about $1.6 million
-bachelor's degree holders earn about $2.1 million

Money is not the only benefit.
Here is a partial list of additional benefits:
-higher levels of saving
-increased personal/professional mobility
-improved quality of life for their offspring
-better consumer decision making
-more hobbies and leisure activities
-positive correlation between completion of higher education and good health


Part of getting ready to go to college is knowing WHY you want to go. Hope the previous information helps convince you!



*Porter, K.(2002) “The Value of a College Degree”. Retrieved January 21, 2009, from ERIC Digest Web site: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-3/value.htm

Preparing for College

Want to go to college? If I ask this question in a classroom, nearly 100 percent of students will answer yes. But when it gets down to it, not all students that give an affirmative answer take any further steps to prepare themselves for the opportunity. Going to college requires a decision, but simply deciding you want to go will not get you into college. Going to college is a process. And the earlier you begin in the process, the better.

Since today is the first day in the new year, it is as good a day as any to make resolutions. How about resolving to do more than just decide you want to go, and take the steps to prepare you TO go to college. If you are ready, join me all month as we explore how to make going to college a reality.

The (Increasing) Cost of College

The price of college has increased at both private and public schools again this year. The average cost of attendance at a 4 year in-state college or university is $15,213 , an increase of 5.9%. Private colleges and universities charge an average of $35,636, an increase of 4.3% over the past year. There are now over fifty colleges with a price of over $50,000 per year. The ever-rising price tag is leading many students and families to look for alternative ways to reduce their expenses. This Washington Post article shares some interesting insights into how some families are adjusting to the budget buster called college.

Explanation Needed: When to explain a deficiency in a transcript

Your test scores are stellar. You took rigorous courses. Your grades are superb....except for that one semester. So you ask yourself, "do I tell the admissions office why?" When should you explain the low grade or the semester of low grades? Let's take a look at when you should explain and when you should not.

The following may be included in reasons you should explain.
You suffered from an extended illness or injury that kept you out of school.
Your home life was significantly changed, either through divorce or the death of a parent or sibling.
You moved and changed schools in the middle of a semester.


Just as important as knowing when to account for a deficiency, is knowing when to avoid clarification. Never use excuses. Never try to blame others. Justifications that include "the teacher was unfair, " "I broke up with my boyfriend/girlfriend," or "the class was boring" are best left unspoken.

Use these guidelines to help you decide whether to expound on your transcript! Happy searching!

College Resource

US News and World Report has published their newest edition of America's Best Colleges 2010. As with any ranking, please use this in conjunction with a variety of resources to find the best college fit for you.

Prospective College Athlete Information

Think you may possibly grace the front of a Wheaties cereal box? For most the answer is probably "no" but, for many of you out there, college athletics IS in your future. Here is information that may help you as you pursue your dream of playing at the next level.

Whether you are a freshman or nearing the completion of your high school years, one of the most important resources for information in college athletics is the NCAA. This site can give you information on initial eligibility and how to make sure you are taking appropriate classes in high school.

For a free guide to the NCAA Publication 2009/2010 Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete, call 1 800 638-3731 or download from the NCAA student site.

All potential athletes should be familiar with and follow recruiting regulations.

Freshmen and Sophomores:

• Check out the ncaaclearinghouse.net website to make sure you are taking approved courses that keep you on track for participating in NCAA college athletics.
• Keep in mind, you must graduate from high school in 8 semesters.
• Keep records of all athletic awards, newspaper clippings, video throughout high school athletic participation.

Juniors:

• Register at the beginning of your junior year with ncaaclearinghouse and fill out the amateurism questionnaire.
• Take SAT or ACT or both and have official scores sent by the testing agency to the NCAA. The code on the SAT or ACT registration is 9999.
• Ask guidance counselor to send transcript after completing junior year to the clearinghouse. This can't be faxed.
• Review core courses with counselor.
• Make a list of schools that you are interested in and talk with high school coach about potential to play in Div. I, II, or III college level.

Seniors:

• Take SAT or ACT again if necessary-send to NCAA Clearinghouse.
• Review all coursework and pass all classes.
• After April 1, ask for final amateurism certification.
• Ask guidance counselor to send final transcript with proof of graduation to NCAA clearinghouse.
• Fill out recruiting forms or have your high school coach contact college coaches for you.

There is a wealth of information at from the NCAA. Don't wait too long to explore this site!

The clock is ticking.

Abraham Lincoln once said "If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." What a reminder that what we want to do, and what we want to do well, we need to spend time preparing for. Are you planning on attending college? Then begin preparing today. The clock is ticking.


Rising Freshmen:
Begin by knowing that your GPA (Grade Point Average) in your freshman year is very important. It is not impossible to overcome bad grades from your first semester, but good grades from the get-go sets the tone for the remainder of your high school years. Did you know that when you apply to college, your application is based on your grades through the end of your junior year. That means that the one-third of all the grades they have to base admission on comes from your first year in high school. Make it count. Begin, and end, strong!


Rising Sophomores:
You now have one year of high school under your belt. Look over the past year. What did you do well? What do you still need to work on? Take time to plan out the remainder of your high school plan. What activities are you involved in? Have you taken on any leadership roles? What about community service? What are you reading? Will you work this summer? Use your answers to help you as you prepare for the future.

Rising Juniors:
This is the year you will be busy formulating a list of colleges that you can narrow down as the year goes by. Most students apply to between 5 to 7 colleges in the senior year. Begin with a large list and use visits to campuses, web materials, recommendations from your counselor, books, and your personal preferences to narrow the list. You can also fill out the Fafsa4Caster to get an idea of how much federal aid you and your family will be eligible for.

Rising Seniors:
Well, this is it. This the last summer you will use to narrow down that long list of colleges. The list you will use to determine where you will send your applications. Make sure you use your summer well, practicing essays, filling out practice applications, requesting information from colleges, visiting. September will be here before you know it.

Plan well. Prepare well. The clock is ticking.

Change of Address

Are you getting ready to write an admissions office requesting information? Apply to college? Write a note to a teacher requesting a recommendation? Then take a look at your email address. Email addresses like "Iwearshortshorts" just may tell an admissions counselor more than they want to know. Applying for college or for a job requires that you put forth your best and most professional impression. Take a look at your email address today and make a change if necessary. It will also help keep you organized if you use one address specifically for your college search and application process. Google Gmail is one source of free email addresses.