ACADEMY MOUNT HOLYOKE IS A RESIDENTIAL CAMP FOR GIRLS, GRADES 7-11

Summer Programs for Teens are a very important as it will lead to helping students define themselves when it comes time to apply to colleges across the country.

The Summer Academy Mount Holyoke (SAMH) is a summer academic program for girls from across the country and around the world. Located on the campus of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts.   This two-week program offers girls in grades 7–11 an opportunity to immerse themselves in a subject they love. Classes include creative arts, veterinary science, fashion design, forensic science, documentary filmmaking, equestrian studies, and leadership and service.

Check this out.

TIPS ON HOW STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES CAN FIND THE RIGHT COLLEGE

Each year, more and more colleges and universities are adjusting their campuses  to accommodate students with a diverse array of needs.  Unfortunately, students with learning or physical disabilities may have to do a little bit more research and browsing before finding the college that best suits their individual needs.

One question that we constantly are asked is, How do students with disabilites  find the right school for them?

As we tell all students, Be your own advocate anduse the your difference in a positive way to separate yourself from the rest.

It seems like those students who are "angular" have a distinct advantage in the college application process, especially amongst highly selective and elite institutions. Athletes, males, females, musicians, leaders, minorities,international students, US students living abroad all have a  little advantage depending upon the "current" needs of the specific college or university, which is why a student's research on colleges is so important. 

Students with learning or physical differences should regard themselves in this category, because they, too, will bring a slightly different perspective to the academic table as well as to the formation of a community.  These students have so much to teach your peers about character, perseverance, flexibility, and patience, and so it is important for these students to evaluate themselves from a positive light,  advocate themselves   as the glass half full, not half empty.

Secondly, when a students with these issues fall into and finds the right college fit, they will be expected to do all the same work as their counterparts in addition to the extra category of accommodations. Not every campus will address these needs as well as others.  All campuses across America are required today by federal mandates to do so, but most will only do the minimal required to meed the state and federal requirements imposed on them.  If you are in need of more assistance, they much more work is required to find the right school.  One place to start your research is to locate the campuses which will excel in addressing the needs of students with either the learning or physical differences, like your counterparts, visiting the campuses will be very important.  Students should try to arrange an overnight stay (preferably with a student who shares your differences), and then shadow that student in a "typical day." on that campus. 

Here is a link where you might start the process.--  http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges       If you feel overwhelmed, contact our office as we work with students who face these issues, and a trained consultant can make your journey of finding the right school a little less stressful.
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WATCH OUT FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID SCAMS

After months of worry,  college acceptances are going to be soon arriving in mail boxes.  Some will say "accepted", some will say "rejected" and some might say "wait listed".  If you are accepted to at least one of your top three choices, you don't have a lot to worry about.   If you are rejected from schools in your top three, you might want to consider an appeal, and if you are wait listed,  you should try to see what you to get into the school in the fall.

Seniors are tired about now, "senioritis" is setting im after all the application stress, as are their families, and to just get that letter of acceptance is such a relief.  Don't let your hair down just yet though... we know applying to and getting to college can be a challenge for many students, you need to see it through till you graduate.  We know you are excited about what you future holds and you want to take a break.

But wait, there is the financial aid issues that are now going to have to be addresses, and those award letters will be coming as well if you filled your FAFSA and remember your verification by March 2, 2012 ( just make sure you get a proof of mailing or send it certified mail so you have proof of mailing it).

As these letters begin to arrive, so will the college admission and financial aid phone or mail scams running around.   The process of getting to your chosen college just gotten a little trickier. Whether you choose a typical brick-and-mortar school or "For Profit schools" * ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_for-profit_universities_and_colleges )  the risk of getting caught up in these scams is just as high.

In order to protect yourself from such things, it’s important to arm yourself with information. To help you, here are some of the most common college admissions scams to look out for.

College Application Fee Scam

This is one of the most popular college application scams. . Students are asked to pay a processing fee on their college application.    The truth is it’s rare for colleges and universities to request for any processing fee over the phone since all fees are already declared on their application form. Students are either required to visit the school for payments or send the money directly to the school admission council.

Financial Aid Scam

Both online and offline, there’s no shortage of scams related to financial aid  ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_financial_aid_in_the_United_States)   These scams entice students with their lucrative offer with several financial benefits that will solve all their school-related financial worries. Here the catch is - students must first pay some fees before you get the aid, or they are sent a letter with a code and number to call.   Stay away from this offer at all times, and report these scams to either the US post master or your local police dept)

College Scholarship Scam

Just like what mentioned above, offers of lucrative or free college scholarships that are too good to be true are most likely scams. One of their  "modus operandi"  is to call up students and say that they won scholarship from some organization. If you’ve never heard or applied in that organization, don’t deal with them because they’re most likely a scam.  If you do talk to them, get their name, the organization, the address, and call back number --  they might hang up on you.  Beware as they may try to call a second or third time

College Application Redemption Fee Scam

A college application redemption fee  ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_fund_fees_and_expenses)   is another phone scam that students should be aware of. These scammers sometimes quote legit information to convince you they are from the college and then ask for a processing fee when you decide to avail of it. Keep in mind that schools usually release their usual application fees outright for the student’s benefit.  When you ask questions, you will see that they break down.




*  We do want to make a comment about for profit schools.  I have nothing against them, however, you need to be VERY VERY careful before you sign on,  We get a lot of horror stories once the student signs on and is in the program.  


1.  If the school goes belly up, and it does happen, you are not only out of pocket the money, but there is no paper to go with it either.


2.  These schools have "admissions directors", but they are really "sales people".  They are not apart of any educational organization, they have no training, and they make promises long enough to get you into the school.  


3.  These schools will have you fill out financial aid papers like a regular school, and then you find that a parent or other person must CO SIGN...... this should be a BIG RED FLAG.  The only person who signs legitimate financial aid papers is the school and the student.. there is no co-signers, unless your parents are taking a loan to cover their contribution share. 


4. For profit schools can be more expensive that a 4 year private school, and the degree is on a 4th tier level.  You never make enough to compensate yourself on these plans.




SENIORS, COLLEGE TRANSFERS, and THOSE LOOKING TO VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS...  get a college consultant to assist you.  We are trained.  We know the scams and programs, we visit the schools, and while we all have fees, they are a lot less and can save you thousands of dollars in financial mistakes.

YALE IS TO ARGUE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT THAT RACE MUST BE A FACTOR IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

"In the 2003 matter of Grutter v. Bollinger, the United States Supreme Court held that colleges and universities could consider race and ethnicity in their admissions decisions.  . However, the court on recently moved from that previous position which could ultimately reverse that decision — ending race-based affirmative action policies at Yale and other higher education institutions across the country." reports the Yale Times


Last Tuesday, February 21, 2912,  the Supreme Court announce that  it would hear Fisher v. University of Texas — a case filed by a white student, Abigail Fisher, who said she was denied admission to the University of Texas’s Austin campus because of her race.

Since the ruling on Grutter v. Bollinger ruling in 2003, education experts said the argument over affirmative action policies at colleges and universities has calmed, but news of the court’s decision to hear another affirmative action case has reignited debate between supporters and opponents of the policy.

To read more on this controversy,  go to 

http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2012/feb/24/supreme-court-to-rule-on-race-in-college/

TO SENIORS LOOKING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Many Student who feel that they can not get funds for school because their families make too much money, or at least the government feels they make too much money,  should look into EACH school that they are are applying to.

Sometimes within the department where a student is applying to their are scholarships available or within alumni/ae groups and individual alumus cab make some significant donations because they have made far more than they can ever spend and they have the need to give back----------  or perhaps they want to make a bet!

Several years ago, George Lucas, maker of some amazing pictures, and Steven Spielberg . an owner of "Dream Works Pictures" made a met.  The loser was to buy the winner'scollege a building --   USC or Cal State Long Beach.    Lucas won, so today when you visit USC, you will see the Spielberg School of Television and Film.


This past month, there have been some significant donations. to some of the larger schools, and so we would like to share these stories so seniors who are looking for additional funds to pay for college might have a new place to explore.

Here are some stories about major donations where students should look for scholarships:

 

 

 

Harvard University:

 Student organizations receive vital financial support from alumni/ae and private contributors as well as corporate donations each year.

April 27, 2011

John Mork, a USC alumnus and trustee who made a fortune in the oil industry,donates $110 million for USC undergraduate scholarships and says the gift will 'allow the very best kids to get a degree at USC, whether they can afford it or not.' 

February 14, 2012

'Simpsons" creator,  Matt Groening has donated $500,000 to the University of California, Los Angeles' (UCLA) School of Theatre, Film and Television to enable professionals to teach students in the educational facility's animation program.

Check out the school you select for additional financial aid opportunities! 

LATE SPRING SAT/ACT TEST DATES, REGISTER NOW!

Students in the 10th & 11th grades who are looking to take the SAT or ACT this spring can register from here.  If you need assistance in preparing for your college applicatons and essays, check out our "One on One" and "Applica-phobia Bootcamp" summer workshops now.  We are taking reservations for a limited number of spaces available now!

Upcoming Tests Dates   

ACT

4/14/12

Register

6/9/12

Register

SAT/Subject Tests

3/10/12

Late Registration

5/5/12

Register

HIGH SCHOLERS SHOULD PLAN THEIR SUMMER NOW!

Colleges look for kids who are active learners, and for those  who spend their free time pursuing fresh intellectual ideas in their academic area.

This  summer, students should think about how to not only build on their academi or/scholarly interests, but should go above that benchmark.

Perhaps you are a  student who loves research and has a specific science interest that might mean five weeks doing research in a lab,  a student who is a taelnted artist  who  might build a great portfolio in a artist  camp.

The  key is not the "brand name"  of the program (Harvard Summer School or Yale for instance) but rather the way the academic aspect ties into the your own  scholarly niche.

Students falsely assume that attending Harvard summer school will help them get into Harvard – it won’t!  In fact, these summer programs are huge money makers for top colleges who charge a premium for the name brand of attending  don’t even use their own professors to teach the summer courses.

The sad and crazy part of some of these programs is that they accept almost anyone who applies which  is not true for all top college level programs—

So the bottom line is this.... follow your dreams, goals, and talents, and do something this summer to enrich your life that you enjoy.  You don't know what will come out of it, and in the end, the generic stuff you do might win out.

WHY SAT OR ACT PREP IS NECESSARY

One of the most misunderstood philosophies that produce anxiety ridden fear in many parents is the thinking they completely understand the SAT or ACT testing process;  assuming that their children are smart and therefore will do well on standardized tests. While many students do well, and indeed do so without assistance, the truth is that    even the most brilliant students might not have the ability to "crack the SAT code"   The test has been designed it appears to trip up kids with their way of designing the questions.

We recommend that you introduce a few sample tests early on to your son or daughter. Let them become detectives and figure out the way questions are formatted, the rhythm of the test, etc.... Rather than memorize 500 new vocabulary words, for instance, they would be much better off simply taking practice tests at home.

When we work with students, we work to put them in SAT or ACT prep programs that will not only work with their pocketbooks, but with the needs of the student.  

We are offering a FREE 1/2 hour session to you and your family to allow us a chance to show you how we can help your family navigate the college admissions process, find the schools that fit your situation and goals, along with financial aid.

Our fees are within the industry norm, and a fraction of what the costs of mistakes will cost you.