By: Lisa Dalton, parent of a senior at the University of Oregon, and sophomore at Washington State University CMC Note: There are alternatives to “studying” abroad, including service projects that many universities arrange, as well. _______________________ If you are in the midst of college tours with your high school senior, or you have a student…
Tag: College selection
How Are Middle & Upper Income Families Affording College?
For families with $94,000 to $205,000 in yearly income, the percentage of debt is increasing. The Wall Street Journal reports, 25.6% of these middle-upper income families incurred student-loan debt in 2010, up from 19.5% in 2007. With the costs of college increasing and use of debt is increasing, will families begin making college decisions with…
College Rankings: What Are They Worth?
College rankings and lists are not lacking–Forbes, US News & World Report, Washington Monthly, Newsweek–just to name a few. And, for families already wondering about a kid’s chances of college acceptance, after 12 years of thinking and re-thinking every class, homework assignment and academic opportunity, not to mention the hours spent at sports practices, dance…
Location, Location, Location: Keystone to College Selection
To tour or not to tour? What activities should be arranged when visiting colleges and new cities? These questions and more are answered by Art Baird & Julie Nguyen, Creative Marbles CEO & CFO respectively, in the following podcast, after their return from visiting Chicago area universities. For more information, listen to our previous podcast.
Who’s Responsible for College Bills?
Why do parents expect to pay the entire bill for college? Often, parents tell us that they want their kids to apply for scholarships and are frustrated, if that doesn’t happen. Yet, they’ll move forward with paying for college. Is it a parents’ responsibility to ensure the bills are paid for college, without at least…
Before Choosing Transfer Admissions…
The Community College Transfer option to a 4 Year College, while seeming to save money in the short term, can include other costs. Currently, community colleges in California are challenged to service their students, given the budget reductions from the state. At the same time demand is rising for space in California community colleges–300,000 students…
UC Tuition and Fees: Up, Up and Away
Anyone involved in the University of California over the past thirty years knows one thing for sure: The tuition and fees for the UC has gone in one direction–UP.
Rising Seniors: Talk is Cheap
Why invest many dollars, actual or borrowed, into a college that will expect students to learn, yet holds itself to another standard when it comes to expanding horizons? Rising seniors and their parents who seek a valuable degree, consistently ask us questions about the value of a degree from X college or university over another.…
“No Student Loans”: Is that possible?
Don’t want to borrow for college expenses? Some universities across the U.S. are implementing financial aid policies, where no (or limited amounts) of loans will be offered in the financial aid award letter. Knowing the financial aid policy of colleges–before applying–can help a family have dollar amounts to determine the value of a college, given…
To Transfer or Not to Transfer: The Community College Dilemma
Parents (and increasingly students) are asking us about transferring from a community college to a 4 year university from early in their high school careers and making transfer a primary option, rather than a Plan B. Community college transfer became a more serious option when families were uncertain about admissions chances. Now, younger students and…
You Can’t Divorce Your College Degree
The reputation of a college and its alumni is no small consideration in choosing schools for application. Networks of professionals and access to opportunities all can be gained with an institution’s name attached to your resume. (Of course, you still have to earn a position and perform consistently to stay in that position.) Yet, the…
Thomas Jefferson for the Twenty-First Century American
Many years ago, in my role as a high school teacher of U.S. Government, I had the unique opportunity that allowed me to experiment–teach one and only one concept, one document to one group of kids for the entire school year. We studied the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson–attempting to understand and apply…
High School = College Tours “Invade” Family Vacations
Once students enter high school, parents start planning summer vacations to coordinate with college campus visits (often wondering where all the time went). More exposure to college life helps students make informed decisions about applications and eventually enrollment. Listen to our tips that will help make time on campus more productive: Starting tours early also…
College = Personal & Intellectual Independence?
Here’s proof that computer science and creative arts are not opposite pursuits. Will the prospective colleges you’re investigating allow you the room to think outside the box? Many students tell us they’re seeking greater independence by going to college. Doesn’t the freedom to innovate AND be nurtured for realizing something previously unimagined qualify, as “independence”?…
House & Senate Approve Student Loan Interest Rate Freeze
Today, the House approved the bill to keep student loan interest rates at 3.4% for the 2012-13 school year. The Senate approved the freeze on Tuesday. President Obama has been campaigning for the continued lower rate, over the scheduled 6.8% increase, as we reported earlier this spring. See The Washington Post for more details