Friday, August 31, 2012

Worrying about College Essays?

I have been to a lot of informational discussions that talk about the "good old college essay", and I always come away feeling always  the same.....EMPTY---   no one REALLY can explain the core of the essay, and everyone wanted to hear something they could sink their teeth into.  For me,  it is really sad because it is the MOST important, Most Crucial, and MOST time consuming part of the entire process and worse, one essay is not enough!

The process of preparing for college  really needs to start in the 9th grade.  This is the time when a student should be mapping out their plans.  It might sound early, but it is not.  It does not mean you can not go if you dont start in the 9th grade, it just means that the longer you wait, the mose stress it will cost you and your family.

By the end of the 11th grade the ideal student should have taken all of their SATs, ACTs, AP Subject Tests, and be ready to look to college apps.  Doing this in the 12th grade like in the old days is too lateApplications start around the 15th of September if not a little sooner.

Right now, High School Seniors should be have their essays complete and be on the application process.  Schools have deadlines, and if you miss the deadline, you are our out till the next year, so deadlines are critical.

I can promise you that many students have not begun their essays, are not sure which schools are right.  I hear a lot of students say,  "I want to go to college, but I dont think I could get in".  Waiting is not going to help.  If you think you have learning issues, talk to someone.  If you are looking to play a sport and have not been recruited, talk to someone.  If you dont know what to do next, talk to someone.

If you are one of these students and you are beginning to sweat bullets about the admissions process, we are here to help you.  We work with students and create strategies on how to get in, and get through college.  Not every student is right for the big Ivy or California Schools, but that does not mean that college is out of the question, it means that you have to find the school that will meet your needs. But he is some advice... rule out FOR PROFIT schools.  They love to mislead you.

FOR PROFIT schoosls, like the University of Phoemix, National Univ ersity, etc. are schools to avoid because they costs more than the most expensive school in the country... George Washington University in Washington DC, and they offer you a 4th tier education.

Schools you want to look at are NON-Profits.  There are schools that have admissions officers who are in admissions, not sales reps.

If you need help and can not find the answers, consider talking to us.  We have fees too, but they are about 1% -2% of what a 4 year education will cost you.  We help you on different levels, and help to make your college experience a positive one.

Visit our website at www.thecollegeadmissionsconsltant.com if you feel you need guidance.  We are here to help you.  We offer a FREE 1/2 hour consultation.


NACAC's FALL SCHEDULE FOR COLLEGE FAIRS

If you are thinking about going to a college fair, NACAC has just published their dates for 2012....

Fall 2012 Calendar


Some college fairs may be offered on multiple days or have more than one session available to provide more flexible hours for students. ​Click on each fair name to display detailed date and time information.
  • September
    16
    September
    16
    Birmingham National College Fair
    Birmingham, AL
  • September
    29
    September
    29
    Chicago National College Fair
    Chicago, IL
  • September
    30
    September
    30
    Long Island National College Fair
    Uniondale, NY
  • September
    30
    September
    30
    Milwaukee National College Fair
    Milwaukee, WI
  • October
    02
    October
    02
    Indianapolis National College Fair
    Indianapolis, IN
  • October
    07
    October
    07
    Denver National College Fair
    Denver, CO
  • October
    09
    October
    09
    New Orleans National College Fair
    New Orleans, LA
  • October
    09
    October
    10
    Minnesota National College Fair
    Minneapolis, MN
  • October
    10
    October
    10
    Baton Rouge National College Fair
    Baton Rouge, LA
  • October
    13
    October
    13
    Jacksonville National College Fair
    Jacksonville, FL
  • October
    14
    October
    14
    Cincinnati National College Fair
    Cincinnati, OH
  • October
    14
    October
    14
    Greater Phoenix National College Fair
    Phoenix, AZ
  • October
    21
    October
    21
    St. Louis National College Fair
    St. Louis, MO
  • October
    26
    October
    27
    Portland National College Fair
    Portland, OR
  • October
    29
    October
    30
    Baltimore National College Fair
    Baltimore, MD
  • October
    30
    October
    30
    Boise National College Fair
    Boise, ID
  • November
    01
    November
    01
    Atlantic City National College Fair
    Atlantic City, NJ
  • November
    01
    November
    01
    Greater Ft. Lauderdale National College Fair
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  • November
    02
    November
    03
    Seattle National College Fair
    Seattle, WA
  • November
    04
    November
    04
    Philadelphia National College Fair
    Philadelpha, PA
  • November
    06
    November
    06
    Spokane National College Fair
    Spokane, WA
  • November
    07
    November
    07
    Greater Washington D.C. National College Fair
    Washington, D.C.
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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Check Early Policies Carefully and Maximize your Chance

We are often asked to explain the many application options.  It’s confusing and changes every year. Hard to know what the difference is between “early action” and “early action single choice.”  Figuring out the difference between Early Decision 1 or 2 can be confusing. Now, as you probably know, UVA, Princeton, and Harvard have gone back to an early option (restricted) meaning students can NOT apply to Harvard in the early round AND a binding early decision school. 
 
You do not want to get caught violating these policies so be sure to read the fine print at each school. Here is a quick reference list of the main types of early policies with SAMPLE schools in each category:
 
Types of Applications*
 
* Double check application deadlines as they can vary year to year
** MIT’s Early Action Program is available only to citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
 
The moral of the story is, the rules have changed; in recent years and it is your responsibility to read the fine print carefully and stay within the guidelines for every school you choose.

We do, however, urge students to apply with an early strategy. In case you haven't noticed, the general trend has been that MORE kids are applying not just to Ivies, but to Ivy overflow schools like Middlebury, Connecticut College, Haverford, etc. If you love a school, apply EARLY. Middlebury for example fills 40% of its class early. Keep in mind that the top liberal arts colleges are experiencing the same rise in applicants as top Ivies and bigger schools. You don’t want to be in the regular pool – especially at the Ivies as admissions drops to under 10% in regular – see our chart below!
 
Ivy League — Class of 2016

 

COLLEGE³, THE FREE COLLEGE FAIR EVENT FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS, ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD PROGRA

LOS ANGELES – COLLEGE³ (www.MyCollege3.com), a free one day college fair event to help students and parents learn everything about the college application process, has announced the details of the scholarship and award program, according to Sophia Berkley, Executive Director of Celebration of Education and a member of the organizing committee.
“We are very excited about the scholarship and award program,” said Berkley. “With the rise of college costs, and the decline in funding, this is the perfect opportunity to help students in their quest to go to college.”
As part of the essay writing educational scholarship and award competition, students are asked: “In 500 words or less, “Explore, Educate, Empower – How Will Your College Education Help Further These Ideals?”
Award winners will be announced on the day of the event. Awards include: educational scholarship; a full dorm room setup including a free laptop courtesy of Celebration of Education; a complete College Application Mastery Program (CAMP), which is a 6-8 week course that covers each component of the college application process from College Application Training; and more. Essays can be submitted at CollegeE3@gmail.com.
COLLEGE³ is an interactive event, where attendees have access to colleges, universities, and other exhibitors, such as college counselors, financial aid experts and more, that will provide students and parents with valuable information about the college application process including SAT/ACT Test scores, essay writing, financial aid, enrollment, attendance and more.
COLLEGE³ is a one day “college fair” event to benefit college bound high school students and parents by educating them about the college application process. By the end of the day, attendees will know how to get into college by raising their SAT/ACT Test scores, how to create a winning college application, how to succeed once in college, and even how to pay for college. In addition, the event will help assist at-risk and foster families address the specific challenges facing them in the college application process, and offer educational information for adults who want to return to college or training after an extended layoff.
BASICS:
WHERE: 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, CA 90230 (Agape International Center)
WHEN: Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 9am to 5pm.
WHO: High school students and their parents. Teachers and school administrations working with high school students. Adults returning to college after an extended layoff.
Sponsorships opportunities are available starting at only $200. Financial support is strongly needed! Details available at www.MyCollege3.com/Sponsorships.html.
Registration is open to the public. There is no fee for admission but advanced registration is encouraged as the event will sellout. Attendees may register at www.MyCollege3.com, or at CollegeE3@gmail.com

Monday, August 27, 2012

OUR WEBSITE

Please bare with us as we upload a new and improved website for you to navigate through.  It may take up to 72 hours to make the provider switch, so please come back soon!

JUST RELEASED! USC NOW HAS ON LINE GRADUATE PROGRAMS NOW

Just minutes ago, Max, Nikias, President of USC just announced to the alumni association that USC has developed a global online graduate education enterprise that features academic breadth and economic viability-one that expands educational access broadly, while maintaining all-important standards of academic rigor, integrity, and quality.

Today, roughly 4,800 persons from around the world are enrolled in accredited USC online master's degree programs that span nine different USC schools. Altogether, USC's online education programs reach 5,500 remote students through graduate-level degree programs and executive and continuing education programs. USC faculty have embraced the potential of online graduate education and have
eagerly explored and experimented with models that can engage learners and spark powerful
ideas, fresh insights, and new knowledge. As we continue to implement our economically viable
online education model that was developed a few years ago, we expect to double our enrollment
and degree offerings within the next five years.

The "online degree programs" will use USC's normal admissions standards and charge
regular tuition rates. Other universities are increasingly offering online courses for free, with
scant concern for whether enrollees ever complete a course. Our goal, by contrast, is to ensure
that the educational experience is reserved for only those students with the requisite interest and
ability to meet our faculty's high expectations. Every remote student seeking to pursue a degree
program must meet the regular admissions criteria of the USC School offering the diploma. In
addition, there shall be a careful monitoring of student progress.

USC will not offer online degrees at the undergraduate level. This university does
not intend to join the growing ranks of institutions that seek to franchise undergraduate education
through the Internet or through smaller satellite campuses abroad. The years between 17 and 22,
which coincide with the traditional undergraduate experience, represent a corridor of
transformation, one in which much of a student's identity and many of her lifelong affiliations
are formed. Face-to-face intellectual and creative encounters, inside and outside the classroom,
create the greatest impact. This immersive, undergraduate approach is performed best on a broad
and comprehensive research university campus such as ours, where knowledge is continually
created, tested, and challenged within a dynamic residential community. Technology will
enhance, but not replace, the traditional campus undergraduate educational experience.

USC Rossier's Master of Arts inTeaching online program, which received the 2011 International Award for Innovative Practices in Higher Education in Washington, D. C., successfully places some 90 percent of its graduates inmeaningful employment positions or advanced study. Spouses of military service-members areexpressing gratitude for the ability to pursue quality graduate education in social work despitethe prospect of frequent relocation.

About 200 persons have signed up for the special health insurance program we established last year for remote students. Online and hybrid program students are creating their own USC student organizations, affiliating with on-campus organizations, and even trying out for the Trojan Marching Band.  In addition, hundreds of online students and their families now proudly participate in our spring commencement ceremonies.They are becoming, in all respects, full and valued members of the Trojan Family.



If you are interested in these programs, contact the university. or look on line at www.usc.edu

FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE


As colleges and universities gear up for another school year, new freshmen are anxious and nervous as well as excited about their new ventures.  Parents, if this is their first child going off to college are quickly learning that YOUR CHILD IS AN ADULT, and parents have to sit under a tree while little Johnny who is now an adult, can register for his classes alone without any help.  It's a maddening experience, yet we all see the good in it, and as parents we try to quickly adjust.

Here are 10 Wonderful Tips for Freshmen to consider as they move into their new dorm rooms.   Best Wishes to the new freshmen and their parents in this first year.

 10 Tips for College Freshmen