I remember some of my high school friends asking what's the point of going to college in the early 1990s. Many of them wanted to skip college and continue being a teen-ager forever. Where are they now?
COMPLETING a college education is important for many reasons. First, a graduate from a four-year university can expect to earn almost 75% more over a 40 year period than a high school graduate earns over the same period. If money is important to your happiness, than college should be in the picture. Second, college affords you the opportunity to attain knowledge. Do you want to be ignorant or informed on various matters surrounding your daily life? Third, college introduces you to people outside of your hometown. Why is this important? It gives you another perspective and interaction with people from different backgrounds and circumstances. Fourth, college empowers you to communicate. What are the most important skills in life? Reading, writing, speaking, and thinking. College helps build and refine these skills. Finallly, college is fun. What other time in your life do you have to interact with people your same age and learn for the sake of learning?
Fifty-two percent of students at a four year college or university either drop out or transfer before earning an undergraduate degree. Do you want to be part of the statistic or do you want to select a school wisely before enrolling?
College is important and if you plan on going, strongly consider your action plan.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Showing posts with label College Admission Help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College Admission Help. Show all posts
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Good News! The FAFSA Application Will Be Easier
Students and/or their parents dread filling out the long list of questions to apply/reapply for financial aid from the government every year. Well, the current administration is hoping that'll be a thing of the past.
The government is changing FAFSA questions this January for many reasons (read here for the WSJ article). The two main reasons are to make it easier for families to fill-out the application and to decrease the amount of private students loans being taken out. What strikes me the most from reading the article is that 1.5 million students may be losing out on grant money from the government!
The government and colleges know that it's not easy funding a college education. At least the new administration is attempting to take away some of the stress from the process of getting aid to help fund students' educations.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
The government is changing FAFSA questions this January for many reasons (read here for the WSJ article). The two main reasons are to make it easier for families to fill-out the application and to decrease the amount of private students loans being taken out. What strikes me the most from reading the article is that 1.5 million students may be losing out on grant money from the government!
The government and colleges know that it's not easy funding a college education. At least the new administration is attempting to take away some of the stress from the process of getting aid to help fund students' educations.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
U.S. Accredited
There are also fully accredited U.S. Colleges located outside of the United States and fully recognized in the United States and in other countries. These are founded upon the American model of liberal arts education. Not only do these universities enroll U.S. citizens, the majority of students enrolled at these American accredited universities hold passports from countries other than the United States. No one country has a majority. Instruction is in English and the faculty have been educated all over the world. Their own educational experiences, grounded in the tutorial and coupled with the traditional U.S. model, provides a unique opportunity for learning. Such an educational opportunity will solidify skills needed for the ever changing and fast moving global economy of the 21st Century. At an American international university, you will enroll as a citizen of one country, but graduate as a citizen of the world.
Brian E. Davis
University Advisors
Brian E. Davis
University Advisors
Monday, June 1, 2009
Study Abroad: Part 1 of 4
This week I attended the annual conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in Los Angeles, CA. While being involved with International Admissions for almost three decades, I am always encouraging students to look beyond the U.S. boarder and seek a global education.
Having worked for Universities in London, England and Rome, Italy for over twenty years, I have seen these two cities be an extension of the classroom not only for Study Abroad/Semester programs, but also for students seeking to complete their entire degree outside of the U.S.
With the rapid globalization of society and the many educational options available to you worldwide, studying abroad should be an integral part of your college education. And this option may not be just for a semester or a year. You may end up choosing to complete your entire university degree abroad!
The reasons for studying abroad differ for everyone---the chance to travel to another country for the first time, an opportunity to return to a country you visited in high school, or to immerse yourself into a language and culture you have always wanted to experience.
Your trip abroad in high school gave you a taste of what it would be like, but to actually live and study in another culture is truly an educational opportunity that should not be missed. Attending a university overseas will allow you to develop a sense of relationship to other cultures while still embracing your own.
There are several different types of educational opportunities available to you abroad as an American college student. Most students have a more traditional view of study abroad which is synonymous with Junior Year or semester abroad. Studying abroad can also mean enrolling at a foreign, non-American institution. And for others, it is studying abroad for all four years. For some of them it is enrolling and receiving an American accredited degree at a college overseas.
Whatever the international educational experience you decide to pursue, you will be making the world a part of you. As a result of the cross-cultural/multi-cultural skills required, the linguistic ability needed, the broad knowledge base acquired, and the sense of self-reliance needed to survive internationally, you will develop an expanded world view called globalism.
You will come away with an ability to observe without judgment and communicate across differences as a result of your new global perspective. A life changing and diverse challenge awaits you in what ever international educational experience you choose. With the world becoming smaller a global educational is something that should be part of your college curriculum.
Brian E. Davis
University Advisor
Having worked for Universities in London, England and Rome, Italy for over twenty years, I have seen these two cities be an extension of the classroom not only for Study Abroad/Semester programs, but also for students seeking to complete their entire degree outside of the U.S.
With the rapid globalization of society and the many educational options available to you worldwide, studying abroad should be an integral part of your college education. And this option may not be just for a semester or a year. You may end up choosing to complete your entire university degree abroad!
The reasons for studying abroad differ for everyone---the chance to travel to another country for the first time, an opportunity to return to a country you visited in high school, or to immerse yourself into a language and culture you have always wanted to experience.
Your trip abroad in high school gave you a taste of what it would be like, but to actually live and study in another culture is truly an educational opportunity that should not be missed. Attending a university overseas will allow you to develop a sense of relationship to other cultures while still embracing your own.
There are several different types of educational opportunities available to you abroad as an American college student. Most students have a more traditional view of study abroad which is synonymous with Junior Year or semester abroad. Studying abroad can also mean enrolling at a foreign, non-American institution. And for others, it is studying abroad for all four years. For some of them it is enrolling and receiving an American accredited degree at a college overseas.
Whatever the international educational experience you decide to pursue, you will be making the world a part of you. As a result of the cross-cultural/multi-cultural skills required, the linguistic ability needed, the broad knowledge base acquired, and the sense of self-reliance needed to survive internationally, you will develop an expanded world view called globalism.
You will come away with an ability to observe without judgment and communicate across differences as a result of your new global perspective. A life changing and diverse challenge awaits you in what ever international educational experience you choose. With the world becoming smaller a global educational is something that should be part of your college curriculum.
Brian E. Davis
University Advisor
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Things to do in the summer before senior year
Work for the summer is not only great for your wallet but also great for your resume. The more work experience you have the better as it shows responsibility and maturity. Volunteering or doing some type of community service is always a good idea as well. Get involved in your community talk to a counselor for suggestions they will suit your strengths and abilities. Camps are another great addition to your summer as you can build a lot of strong skills whether you’re attending or working at the camp.
Take the SAT/ACT at least 2 times, but you should take it at least ones in the summer and at least one more time in the beginning of the fall, as each college will give you the best on each part as your total score. Most colleges are still only looking at your Reading and Math sections and basing their average on a 1600 not a 2400 with the writing portion added in, this a great question to ask of the Admission office at each college your applying to. Talk to a counselor to find out what may be a better test for you to take either the SAT or ACT, and find out the differences between them.
Touring college campuses – a great time to meet with coaches as they are not in season and have time to meet, call the Admission office at least 2 weeks ahead of time to schedule visit and then contact coaches to let them know of your scheduled day and time and that you would like to meet before or after your scheduled tour time if they are available. Also any other special programs that you might be interested in are great to visit in the summer as this tends to be the college’s down time.
Start preparing your paperwork for the fall by outlining your resume from the past 3 years and add your senior year later when applicable. Make sure to include all your extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, work experience, community service or volunteering, anything you do outside of school that will help to show your maturity, responsibility, and willingness for getting involved.
Have an adult conversation with your parents if you have not already about your family’s financial situation and what you will be able to afford. A term to start to know is your Family’s Estimated Contribution or FEC. When working with colleges’ financial aid office they will be using this term often.
Athletes start gathering up all your sports coverage for a highlight film to have to show college coaches, get signed up on athletic recruiting web-sites, and talk to you high school coaches of club team coaches to get signed up for showcase tournaments in your area. If you are planning on playing Division I or II and looking for scholarship information you need to sign up with the NCAA clearinghouse and for Division III you only need to contact the college coaches.
Aaron Smith
University Advisors
Take the SAT/ACT at least 2 times, but you should take it at least ones in the summer and at least one more time in the beginning of the fall, as each college will give you the best on each part as your total score. Most colleges are still only looking at your Reading and Math sections and basing their average on a 1600 not a 2400 with the writing portion added in, this a great question to ask of the Admission office at each college your applying to. Talk to a counselor to find out what may be a better test for you to take either the SAT or ACT, and find out the differences between them.
Touring college campuses – a great time to meet with coaches as they are not in season and have time to meet, call the Admission office at least 2 weeks ahead of time to schedule visit and then contact coaches to let them know of your scheduled day and time and that you would like to meet before or after your scheduled tour time if they are available. Also any other special programs that you might be interested in are great to visit in the summer as this tends to be the college’s down time.
Start preparing your paperwork for the fall by outlining your resume from the past 3 years and add your senior year later when applicable. Make sure to include all your extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, work experience, community service or volunteering, anything you do outside of school that will help to show your maturity, responsibility, and willingness for getting involved.
Have an adult conversation with your parents if you have not already about your family’s financial situation and what you will be able to afford. A term to start to know is your Family’s Estimated Contribution or FEC. When working with colleges’ financial aid office they will be using this term often.
Athletes start gathering up all your sports coverage for a highlight film to have to show college coaches, get signed up on athletic recruiting web-sites, and talk to you high school coaches of club team coaches to get signed up for showcase tournaments in your area. If you are planning on playing Division I or II and looking for scholarship information you need to sign up with the NCAA clearinghouse and for Division III you only need to contact the college coaches.
Aaron Smith
University Advisors
Monday, May 11, 2009
For High School Juniors – Snapshot Time
Your junior year will be ending in a few short weeks. Now is the time to do a “college admission self-assessment.”
A few key questions suffice:
1. What is your three-year grade point average?
2. What are your junior-year SAT I or ACT scores?
3. What are your senior-year courses?
4. What is your tentative list of colleges as I enter the summer?
5. Are my grades and scores consistent with the academic and admission requirements of the colleges on my tentative list?
You have very specific answers for the first three questions. The next two pose a greater challenge.
If your tentative list is short – perhaps very short – then now is the time to check with your guidance counselor for additional suggestions. Or perhaps it is time to think about consulting with a private college advisor. Or both!
June is the time to check out college web sites for visitation schedules and summer day programs for rising seniors and their families. June also is the time to plan day or longer trips with your family to visit as many of your tentative choices as possible. Most colleges now encourage students to register for their visits online.
While on the web site you also should be looking for an answer to the last question: is my academic record consistent with the profile of students my colleges usually accept? Look on the admission section of the colleges’ web sites and heed the requirements and the entering class profile (most colleges list both).
If you judge your qualifications to be “in the ballpark” with recently enrolled students, then plan your visits! If your qualifications do not appear to be reflective of your colleges’ expectations, your self-assessment should result in developing a different and more appropriate list.
Will Dunfey
University Advisors
A few key questions suffice:
1. What is your three-year grade point average?
2. What are your junior-year SAT I or ACT scores?
3. What are your senior-year courses?
4. What is your tentative list of colleges as I enter the summer?
5. Are my grades and scores consistent with the academic and admission requirements of the colleges on my tentative list?
You have very specific answers for the first three questions. The next two pose a greater challenge.
If your tentative list is short – perhaps very short – then now is the time to check with your guidance counselor for additional suggestions. Or perhaps it is time to think about consulting with a private college advisor. Or both!
June is the time to check out college web sites for visitation schedules and summer day programs for rising seniors and their families. June also is the time to plan day or longer trips with your family to visit as many of your tentative choices as possible. Most colleges now encourage students to register for their visits online.
While on the web site you also should be looking for an answer to the last question: is my academic record consistent with the profile of students my colleges usually accept? Look on the admission section of the colleges’ web sites and heed the requirements and the entering class profile (most colleges list both).
If you judge your qualifications to be “in the ballpark” with recently enrolled students, then plan your visits! If your qualifications do not appear to be reflective of your colleges’ expectations, your self-assessment should result in developing a different and more appropriate list.
Will Dunfey
University Advisors
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What Does Your Ideal College Look Like?
Where will your college be? Will you look for colleges in your hometown, your home state, or out of state? Will you search for in the city, the country, or colleges in the suburbs? Do you want to live at home, on campus in the dormitories, or in an off-campus apartment? What type of college are you looking for; a technical or trade school, two year or four year colleges? Also will you pick a public (state) or private college, or a liberal arts college?
What are you looking for in a student body size? Would you like a men or women’s only college or a co-educational college? Are you looking for a large (more than 10,000) medium (4,000-10,000) or small (less than 4,000) college? Does ethnic or religious breakdown or affiliation make a difference to you? Do you know any family, friends, or other students from your school or community that attend the college you’re looking into? What types of majors and/or programs are offered and what are you looking for?
What is the college’s academic reputation for teaching styles (hands-on, lecture, seminar)? Are the classes taught by actual professors or teachers assistants? What are the average class sizes of the college, and are you able to study evening, weekend or part time or full time only? What are the qualifications of the average student that is accepted? What is the average GPA, SAT/ACT, and class rank?
What type of non academic activities are you looking for; things like sports (Division I, II or III) both collegiate and intramural, clubs, music, arts, SGA, fraternities or sororities, jobs on campus and all extracurricular activities. What types of internships, career services, community service, and study abroad options are there for you?
Another very important component to ask about that most don’t think about is the support services or programs the college offers? Do they have counseling and tutoring and is it free, and who is the tutor a student or a professional? The next really important thing to consider is the cost of the total tuition, room and board. Do they offer in-state or out of state tuition? What is the percentage of students that receive financial aid and what is the opportunity to renew financial aid after the first year?
How to find out this information? Talk to people – family, friends, teachers, and guidance counselors. Attend college fairs at your school, local schools, or national NACAC fairs.
Use the Internet to research colleges and have them send you information. Finally, schedule campus tours, visit campuses, and engage admission staff.
Aaron Smith
University Advisors
What are you looking for in a student body size? Would you like a men or women’s only college or a co-educational college? Are you looking for a large (more than 10,000) medium (4,000-10,000) or small (less than 4,000) college? Does ethnic or religious breakdown or affiliation make a difference to you? Do you know any family, friends, or other students from your school or community that attend the college you’re looking into? What types of majors and/or programs are offered and what are you looking for?
What is the college’s academic reputation for teaching styles (hands-on, lecture, seminar)? Are the classes taught by actual professors or teachers assistants? What are the average class sizes of the college, and are you able to study evening, weekend or part time or full time only? What are the qualifications of the average student that is accepted? What is the average GPA, SAT/ACT, and class rank?
What type of non academic activities are you looking for; things like sports (Division I, II or III) both collegiate and intramural, clubs, music, arts, SGA, fraternities or sororities, jobs on campus and all extracurricular activities. What types of internships, career services, community service, and study abroad options are there for you?
Another very important component to ask about that most don’t think about is the support services or programs the college offers? Do they have counseling and tutoring and is it free, and who is the tutor a student or a professional? The next really important thing to consider is the cost of the total tuition, room and board. Do they offer in-state or out of state tuition? What is the percentage of students that receive financial aid and what is the opportunity to renew financial aid after the first year?
How to find out this information? Talk to people – family, friends, teachers, and guidance counselors. Attend college fairs at your school, local schools, or national NACAC fairs.
Use the Internet to research colleges and have them send you information. Finally, schedule campus tours, visit campuses, and engage admission staff.
Aaron Smith
University Advisors
Monday, March 30, 2009
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
So, you’ve been accepted to several schools and you have a decision to make before May 1. What are you going to do?
1. Create a spreadsheet and write down all the pros and cons of the schools.
2. If cost is a factor, estimate how much it will cost over four years and if you have the money and/or are prepared to incur debt. No matter what, college is an investment in your future!
3. Visit the campuses. Many schools have admitted student receptions or open houses. Some may even have an overnight program to better acquaint you to the academic and campus culture.
4. Talk with current students, alumni, and faculty. Find out what’s going on with their campus by picking-up the student newspaper or reading it online.
5. Be patient and wait till you are ready to make a decision. This is an important decision, and needs to be carefully considered. Talk with people that know you the best – family, friends, and mentors.
Happy thinking!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
1. Create a spreadsheet and write down all the pros and cons of the schools.
2. If cost is a factor, estimate how much it will cost over four years and if you have the money and/or are prepared to incur debt. No matter what, college is an investment in your future!
3. Visit the campuses. Many schools have admitted student receptions or open houses. Some may even have an overnight program to better acquaint you to the academic and campus culture.
4. Talk with current students, alumni, and faculty. Find out what’s going on with their campus by picking-up the student newspaper or reading it online.
5. Be patient and wait till you are ready to make a decision. This is an important decision, and needs to be carefully considered. Talk with people that know you the best – family, friends, and mentors.
Happy thinking!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, March 23, 2009
New Loan Policy from Sallie Mae
Last week, Sallie Mae announced that it’s changing its lending rules for its signature loan for the 2009-10 academic year. Here are the pros and cons:
I always like starting out with the cons and ending with the pros so the last thing the reader remembers is positive J
Cons
-Interest payments on the loan start while you’re in school.
-It just got harder for families to get a private loan and in the tough credit market, that’s not good news.
Pros
-Value of loan payment will be cut up to 40% over its life!
-Loan payments will be 5 to 15 years instead of 15 to 30.
Why did Sallie Mae make this change? It’s a cash flow issue – they get the money back faster and don’t have to wait till the student graduates.
A higher education is an investment and loans will continue to be a part of the process.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
I always like starting out with the cons and ending with the pros so the last thing the reader remembers is positive J
Cons
-Interest payments on the loan start while you’re in school.
-It just got harder for families to get a private loan and in the tough credit market, that’s not good news.
Pros
-Value of loan payment will be cut up to 40% over its life!
-Loan payments will be 5 to 15 years instead of 15 to 30.
Why did Sallie Mae make this change? It’s a cash flow issue – they get the money back faster and don’t have to wait till the student graduates.
A higher education is an investment and loans will continue to be a part of the process.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, March 16, 2009
Spring NACAC College Fairs
It’s mid-March and for juniors in metropolitan areas around the U.S., there’s a pretty good chance they’ll be a NACAC college fair in your region. NACAC fairs give students the opportunity to visit various college booths and learn more about higher education opportunities available. College representatives are friendly, informative, and can be an advocate for you in the admission process. You’ll notice some familiar college names, but many of the institutions represented will be out of your region, out of your state, and in some cases, international!
I’ve heard many students ask why going to college fairs is important since all the information is available online. Well, the information is online, but learning about other college possibilities, engaging people, and taking an active first step in the college search is productive. Parents should allow their son(s)/daughter(s) to drive the process when you arrive at the fair (after all, it’s the student that will be enrolling in college, not the parent!). Come prepared with some questions that may not be found online and with an adhesive address labels so you don’t have to fill out college inquiry cards repeatedly. Admission Officers will be impressed with good questions. You may even want to take their card for follow-up purposes down the road.
It’s also important to take notes about the specific schools so you remember what you heard and/or learned. The college search can sometimes be a maze and with thousands of schools out there, you want to have the information documented in a systematic way that works for you.
Good luck beginning your college search! You will not be disappointed by the NACAC Fair in your area.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
I’ve heard many students ask why going to college fairs is important since all the information is available online. Well, the information is online, but learning about other college possibilities, engaging people, and taking an active first step in the college search is productive. Parents should allow their son(s)/daughter(s) to drive the process when you arrive at the fair (after all, it’s the student that will be enrolling in college, not the parent!). Come prepared with some questions that may not be found online and with an adhesive address labels so you don’t have to fill out college inquiry cards repeatedly. Admission Officers will be impressed with good questions. You may even want to take their card for follow-up purposes down the road.
It’s also important to take notes about the specific schools so you remember what you heard and/or learned. The college search can sometimes be a maze and with thousands of schools out there, you want to have the information documented in a systematic way that works for you.
Good luck beginning your college search! You will not be disappointed by the NACAC Fair in your area.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, March 9, 2009
College Admission Status Letters in the Mail
March is typically the month where many students will be notified of their admission status. For some, the letters bring and for others, disappointment. Some will be on wait lists. If students have done their college homework and applied to six to eight schools that are their "first choice" schools, they won't be in despair if they're only accepted to one school.
Students might be in a situation where they're accepted to more than one "first choice" school. Over the next six to seven weeks, you'll have the time to think through the pros and cons of what those particular institutions can offer you. Perhaps you'd like to revisit the campus? Or spend some time in a class, or in a residence hall. Choosing a college is an important decision, and students need to take the time and make an informed decision. A good fit over brand name is always a wiser choice.
No matter if you are accepted, wait listed, or denied, stay positive this spring. You will have a choice.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Students might be in a situation where they're accepted to more than one "first choice" school. Over the next six to seven weeks, you'll have the time to think through the pros and cons of what those particular institutions can offer you. Perhaps you'd like to revisit the campus? Or spend some time in a class, or in a residence hall. Choosing a college is an important decision, and students need to take the time and make an informed decision. A good fit over brand name is always a wiser choice.
No matter if you are accepted, wait listed, or denied, stay positive this spring. You will have a choice.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, March 2, 2009
Stimulating Accessibility to Higher Education
A higher education is a life-long investment. It's nice to know that the federal government feels the same way. If you watched Obama's speech to congress, he gave us sobering news about how less than 50% of students who enroll in college actually finish. The reasons are many - money, timing, family, fit, etc. By 2020, he wants an american workforce where at least 50% are college educated. Here's how his administration will help meet that goal.
The federal government will spend approximately $13 billion in stimulus funds on improving the accessibility of financial aid to college students around the country. It is predicted that the stimulus will offset about $2,500 in college costs on average for millions of lower class and middle class families. In addition, Pell Grant and College Work Study allocations are set to increase.
Pell Grant funding will increase its maximum award by $500 next school year, to $5,350. Additionally, taxpayers earning up to $80,000 for single filers or $160,000 for joint filers will be reimbursed for the first $2,000 of tuition and books. Unlike previous student financial policy, college students who file separately from their parents and who don’t make enough money to pay taxes will be eligible for a rebate. The bill will also allow families to spend money from over 500 college savings plans on computers.
What does all this really mean for families? This doesn't mean that tuition for higher education will stop or that it'll be easier to get into the more competitive schools. What it does mean is the federal government is doing what it can at this point to fund american's higher education aspirations. I'm still advising families to save for college, apply for outside scholarship money, and to look for the best possible loans.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
The federal government will spend approximately $13 billion in stimulus funds on improving the accessibility of financial aid to college students around the country. It is predicted that the stimulus will offset about $2,500 in college costs on average for millions of lower class and middle class families. In addition, Pell Grant and College Work Study allocations are set to increase.
Pell Grant funding will increase its maximum award by $500 next school year, to $5,350. Additionally, taxpayers earning up to $80,000 for single filers or $160,000 for joint filers will be reimbursed for the first $2,000 of tuition and books. Unlike previous student financial policy, college students who file separately from their parents and who don’t make enough money to pay taxes will be eligible for a rebate. The bill will also allow families to spend money from over 500 college savings plans on computers.
What does all this really mean for families? This doesn't mean that tuition for higher education will stop or that it'll be easier to get into the more competitive schools. What it does mean is the federal government is doing what it can at this point to fund american's higher education aspirations. I'm still advising families to save for college, apply for outside scholarship money, and to look for the best possible loans.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hitting College Application Deadlines
It’s that time of year again when regular admission deadlines are looming. Students will sometimes wait till the last minute to upload their essays, or request transcripts, or ask teachers for letters of recommendation. There’s no point in procrastinating till the last day when you have months of planning time to make sure all necessary documents are received well before the deadline.
During these challenging economic times, there are some advantages to submitting your application before the deadline. The first is that many institutions are sending acceptance letters faster than in previous years because they want you to strongly consider them as an attractive option. Second, for students’ and parents’ sake, there is no need to compound the stress of waiting till the last minute when one missed item can cause a delay in an institution making a decision, or even worse, not considering the student at all because there are missing components to the application.
The college search can be stressful, but taking the anxiety out of it is very easy, especially at this time of the admission cycle. If students find themselves in the precarious position of missing a deadline, they should consider strongly calling the institution and asking what their options are. It never hurts to ask!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
During these challenging economic times, there are some advantages to submitting your application before the deadline. The first is that many institutions are sending acceptance letters faster than in previous years because they want you to strongly consider them as an attractive option. Second, for students’ and parents’ sake, there is no need to compound the stress of waiting till the last minute when one missed item can cause a delay in an institution making a decision, or even worse, not considering the student at all because there are missing components to the application.
The college search can be stressful, but taking the anxiety out of it is very easy, especially at this time of the admission cycle. If students find themselves in the precarious position of missing a deadline, they should consider strongly calling the institution and asking what their options are. It never hurts to ask!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Friday, January 23, 2009
Ten Financial Aid Questions
Let's face the fact that financial aid can make or break a decision about attending a particular institution. Here are ten questions that I recently read about from the latest HECA e-newsletter that you can ask an admission officer about financial aid before making an informed decision:
1. What is the average four-year graduation rate? What are some reasons why students don’t graduate in four years?
2. What is the average loan debt of a graduating senior?
3. How do you handle outside scholarship awards? Some colleges will reduce loan and/or grant awards.
4. What are the projected tuition increases over the next four years? What’s been the rate over the last five years compared to inflation?
5. Do you offer both merit and need based aid?
6. When packaging financial aid awards, do you meet full need or gap students?
7. Is institutional aid available, and if so, is it re-evaluated annually based on a family’s circumstances?
8. Does applying to financial aid impact admission decisions?
9. What are the criteria for merit aid?
10. Which need analysis methodology do you use?
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
1. What is the average four-year graduation rate? What are some reasons why students don’t graduate in four years?
2. What is the average loan debt of a graduating senior?
3. How do you handle outside scholarship awards? Some colleges will reduce loan and/or grant awards.
4. What are the projected tuition increases over the next four years? What’s been the rate over the last five years compared to inflation?
5. Do you offer both merit and need based aid?
6. When packaging financial aid awards, do you meet full need or gap students?
7. Is institutional aid available, and if so, is it re-evaluated annually based on a family’s circumstances?
8. Does applying to financial aid impact admission decisions?
9. What are the criteria for merit aid?
10. Which need analysis methodology do you use?
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Friday, January 9, 2009
Online Admission Interviews
Many students have and/or will cast a wide net when applying to colleges and universities for fall 2009 admission. Some small to mid-size schools require an interview, whether it’s on-campus or remotely with a regional admission officer or alum. However, a few schools are trying a different approach – online interviews.
Online interviews are not a new phenomenon, but they are not commonplace in higher education. I see that changing, though. Most macintosh computers have built in cameras or students can purchase webcams for $30 at your local target. But, is the online interview a better option than in-person? If you can’t get to the campus or have scheduling problems, yes, it is. If you can do the former, face-to-face is always the way to go. I’ve conducted face-to-face interviews and on the telephone, but never online. I have, however, used gmail’s video chat, which is a compelling option to stay in touch with family and friends on the other side of the country.
Colleges have been slow to integrate the online interview option. Perhaps savvy prospective students could broach the subject of having an online interview with their admission officer? That would catch my attention as the interviewer and make me aware of the assertiveness of the student and his/her interest in my institution.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Online interviews are not a new phenomenon, but they are not commonplace in higher education. I see that changing, though. Most macintosh computers have built in cameras or students can purchase webcams for $30 at your local target. But, is the online interview a better option than in-person? If you can’t get to the campus or have scheduling problems, yes, it is. If you can do the former, face-to-face is always the way to go. I’ve conducted face-to-face interviews and on the telephone, but never online. I have, however, used gmail’s video chat, which is a compelling option to stay in touch with family and friends on the other side of the country.
Colleges have been slow to integrate the online interview option. Perhaps savvy prospective students could broach the subject of having an online interview with their admission officer? That would catch my attention as the interviewer and make me aware of the assertiveness of the student and his/her interest in my institution.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, January 5, 2009
College Campus Trips/Tours
I’m always amazed at how students choose colleges Most times, it’s the brand name, or a family member attended, or a high school friend is going, or it’s in-state/close to home (perception that tuition will be cheaper). I rarely hear a student say: I’m interested in X school because I visited the campus when I went on a college campus trip/tour. Students that go on college campus trips/tours are the ones I enjoy working with because someone (their parents, their guidance counselor, or perhaps themself?) took the initiative to learn more about the “lived experience” of a school. In this age of facebook and google searches, it’s comforting to know that students will look outside their limited view and focus on the possibilities, which are initially found on the campus itself.
There are many college campus trips available to students in the United States. One that I know well and recommend is College Campus Trips. I met with their owner, Ron Denaro, after the NACAC conference this past year, and learned more about the unique experiences that his company provides – hassle free – so that students can focus on observing and living the campus experience. Without going into all the details, it just made sense for me as an admission consultant to want my students involved with this opportunity.
Many juniors are just beginning their college search and should consider scheduling a college campus tour experience this spring/summer/fall. Don’t rely on hearsay, the default of going to the local school, or following in someone else’s footsteps just because you’re supposed to. College is a major investment of your time and money. Take the time as a high school student and visit campuses you don’t know about or want to investigate. It will broaden your viewpoint on college itself. Additionally, traveling is such a fun experience to begin with, so why not do it while you can!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
There are many college campus trips available to students in the United States. One that I know well and recommend is College Campus Trips. I met with their owner, Ron Denaro, after the NACAC conference this past year, and learned more about the unique experiences that his company provides – hassle free – so that students can focus on observing and living the campus experience. Without going into all the details, it just made sense for me as an admission consultant to want my students involved with this opportunity.
Many juniors are just beginning their college search and should consider scheduling a college campus tour experience this spring/summer/fall. Don’t rely on hearsay, the default of going to the local school, or following in someone else’s footsteps just because you’re supposed to. College is a major investment of your time and money. Take the time as a high school student and visit campuses you don’t know about or want to investigate. It will broaden your viewpoint on college itself. Additionally, traveling is such a fun experience to begin with, so why not do it while you can!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
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