Before choosing a college in the U.S. understand not only the educational and academic experience, understand the social environment of the university and its location. Understanding how the local community will support and incorporate international diversity can help students transition and focus on their academic pursuits. U.S. students consider the same issues when choosing colleges…
Category: Education
ACT & SAT Test Prep is Not Like Studying for a Regular Test
Preparing for the ACT or SAT is two fold: content review and building test taking skills. The ACT and SAT are unlike other tests students regularly take for high school classes. For example, rarely does a math or science teacher give a multiple choice exam, so students need to be familiar with solving math problems…
The Journey of our Youth
I recently watched the movie, White Squall, directed by Ridley Scott and stars Jeff Bridges as the captain. The movie is based on the real events of the people involved in the year-long school-at-sea program on the brigantine, Albatross. The program is set up to provide students with sailing lessons, alongside college preparatory courses. Besides…
Working With Financial Aid
Financial aid from the university doesn’t work like mom & dad’s checkbook. Although mom & dad may share their concerns, generally they’ll continue sending money when kids ask or need. However, financial aid offices may not be so lenient.
ALERT: Common App Change for Counselor Recommendation
The Common Application is allowing counselors to opt out of submitting a personal recommendation, as part of the Secondary School Report (i.e. the Counselor Recommendation) for Fall 2013 applications. Why is this change significant?
When a Letter of Recommendation Isn’t Just a Letter of Recommendation
Now, that school’s back in session (or about to be back in session), and the excitement of choosing colleges for application can be wearing thin (given that everyone who discovers or knows you’re a senior is asking where you’re applying), so what’s next? Well, parents, since about July have been asking us about letters of…
How to Make the Most of A Campus Tour: Creative Marbles in Chicago
All colleges have basic features: classrooms, residence halls and dining commons, people. How education happens at a college depends on history and culture (i.e. the attitudes, beliefs and values–which can be shaped by history.) Exploring colleges from multiple perspectives–academics, social life and the culture–will help students and parents make more confident choices about where…
“Why Do You Want to Go To College?” Has New Meaning
“How do employers look at college names?” is a typical question parents ask us, when trying to narrow their senior’s choices for application. Two meanings emerge from this question: What’s the value of a college degree? How, if at all, is value different for different colleges? The value in college question will be answered differently…
Changes to Subsidized Direct Student Loans for Fall 2012
For Fall 2012 and future Fall 2013 Subsidized Direct Loan Borrowers: The Federal Government will no longer withhold interest during the six-month grace period before loans go into repayment. According to Federal Student Aid, “the interest will be capitalized (added to the principal amount of your loan) when the grace period ends.” Borrowers do not need…
Enjoy Yourself While You Can: The Story of the Little Fir Tree
My son, who loves fairy tales, recites in this podcast a timeless fable from memory for all who care to listen. I hope you enjoy and take this cautionary tale to heart, as your lives continue unfolding and you seek the peace and prosperity you deserve. Photo Credit: Art Baird, Creative Marbles Consultancy 2012
Technology + Creativity = Digital Art
From a team of collaborators, led by the visionary creator, Antonin Fourneau, was born a creative work that recently lit up the city of Poitiers, France. Who would’ve imagined that one could combine water and LED lights to create an art canvas? Artistic night owls, rejoice!
“We’re Not Going to Get Any Financial Aid”
Financial aid from a university (you know the kind every family wants) is separated into two forms: need based aid and merit aid. Need based aid is the one that families–typically professional, middle/upper class families, comfortable, yet not abundant in extra cash–worry about being qualified to receive.
Who’s Choosing Transfer Admissions?
The students who choose transfer admissions over starting at a 4 year college right after high school graduation is changing. While money has been a factor in choosing transfer admissions in the past, it’s been more like, “Well, Junior doesn’t know what he wants to do (i.e. declare as his major or job he wants…
Guilt? I Didn’t See that On My College Bill
Without understanding the value of a college degree, students can sense, what they often term, “guilt.” They may not confidently understand why their families, and increasingly themselves (in the form of student loans), are paying the thousands of dollars (and rising each year) that a college degree costs. Listen to the following podcast, featuring Julie…
CA College Tuition = UP; College Value = ?
California ranks among the top five states in the nation for the greatest tuition increases in their public universities. (Wall Street Journal, 8/14/2012) Not only do current UC students face a possible additional 20% increase mid-school year, if the November tax increase does not pass, the budget reductions can mean more cuts to courses…