Summertime

The 4th of July is a few days away and it's time to celebrate our country's birthday. The dog days of summer are here! Once the fireworks are out and your weekend with family and friends is over, there are a few things senior bound students should be doing preparation for college. Here's my advice, in order of priority:

1. Set-up some college visits and a parent or mentor along. The fall will be really busy
2. Find a job or valuable work experience. Pick up some extra money and build some new skills.
3. Retake any courses where you know you can earn a higher grade(s)
4. Start thinking about your strategies for test prep. You can master the SAT and/or ACT!

Summer is a time for fun, sun, and relaxation. In between, there is so much you can do to get ahead in your college search.

Liam Dunfey, M.A.
University Advisors

Putting A Value On Science

In his final days as president of the University of California, Richard Atkinson marveled at the system’s impact on society. Read more about it here.

Plagiarism at its Best

Adam Wheeler, a former Harvard University student, pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of fraud in a plagiarism case. Wheeler, who submitted references and applications for the Rhodes and Fulbright scholarships, was caught with falsified information. A Harvard professor who was reviewing his application noticed that many of Wheeler’s “completed” works was similar to that of another professor. After further investigation, the professor discovered that the majority of Wheeler’s application had been plagiarized. Following this discovery, Wheeler’s file was under scrutiny by officials and new accounts of plagiarism were found out. Wheeler had allegedly fabricated teacher recommendations, college transcripts, lectures he supposedly taught. Furthermore, Wheeler had received over $45,000 in grants, scholarship, and financial aid money when at Harvard using false information.

This case shows the growing problem of students using false information or plagiarizing on applications. When applying for college, one should always be honest because once the real truth has been discovered, there’s no going back.

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Common College Application Mistakes

Common College Application Mistakes

When filling out any form, one should always be careful and double check for any errors before submitting. But, what if you were to make a mistake on your college application? Here are some of the most common college application mistakes:

1. Submitting the application online: Remember to always check if the college did receive your application. Sometimes, students believe they have submitted the application but in actuality, the application was not received by the university.

2. Grammar and spelling mistakes: Never submit an application with grammar or spelling mistakes. The admission officer will assume that you don’t care enough to check or that your grammar/spelling is bad. Either way, it leaves a bad impression.

3. Print illegibly: Always use nice handwriting when filling out any part of the application. The more legible, the better.

4. Using your cool funky e-mail address from middle school: When putting down an e-mail address, use a professional one.

5. Relying on Mom and Dad: You are the one applying to college, not you parents. Hence, you should be filling out the application and not depend on your parents to do all the work.

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Logging online for class

This past year has been a tumultuous one for University of California. The system has been victim to budget cuts and increased tuition. Students and staff alike are feeling the effects of UC’s economic situation. The solution, however, for these problems is an unlikely one. The UC system is considering offering the completion of undergraduate degrees online. Having courses online will allow for greater revenue and also access for the students. Professors will receive a grant, structure the class’s syllabus, and evaluate the students’ progress. Still, the administrators are unsure of how successful the online courses may be. The initial courses offered online will be lower division courses, typically taken by freshmen to fulfill general education requirements. It can lessen the amount of time spent battling the waitlist for overcrowded courses, and also reduce the time needed to graduate. The UC system hopes to have online courses offered in Fall 2011.

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Deadline gone! Now what?

Many high school seniors are letting out a sigh of relief. After months of stress and contemplation during the college admission process, seniors have finally submitted their letter of intent. But what should seniors do now?

Relax.

The letters have been sent and it’s time to enjoy the last year few weeks of high school. Remember to maintain the certain grade point average required by the selected college. In addition, finish off strong in all academic areas including AP tests, which could count for college credit. Also, be aware of deposits and housing information associated with your college. Finally, be proud of your achievements and look forward to the opportunities that await you. You've earned them.

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May 1st Deposit Deadline

The annual undergraduate admission deposit deadline is a few days away. Have you made a decision? If not, here are some things to consider.

Fit over brand

Students are choosing higher education institutions for their name, and not neccesarily for the opportunities that are available. Since one university may be more famous or “prestigious” students are more willing to submit a letter of enrollment intention. Although not all students are simply going for the name, this trend in selecting a university is worrisome. An informed choice based on your college criteria is better than selecting a university based on name and exclusivity. Students should research what the specific university has to offer—such as academic programs or social opportunities. It is these things — academic offerings and overall college life — that will shape a young person’s experience in college. The name and reputation of a university can only hold so much. Be smart about picking a university that is well suited for your needs and goals.

Cost and Time

Let's face it, what it costs to attend over four years will play a role in your decision. Keep in mind, though, that your education should be viewed as an investment in your future. It's better to spend the money now and graduate on-time than go somewhere where you'll pay less and not graduate.

Making a decision shouldn't be taken lightly. Remember, this is your life and your decision. Take the next few days and consider your options.

University Advisors