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#CollegeChat Transcript: How to Evaluate Colleges Financially with Lynn O’Shaughnessy

May 16, 2012 By 2 Comments

Last night, Lynn O’Shaughnessy, a bestselling author and higher education journalist, shared  advice from her newly published book The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price (2nd Edition) during #CollegeChat on Twitter.

We had an interesting discussion revolving around how to find the right school at the right price. We covered the following topics:

  • What are the biggest sources of college money.
  • How can you increase your chances of qualifying for merit scholarships.
  • How can you evaluate the generosity of a school before applying.
  • Where to find the best online tools to evaluate colleges.
  • What do families of divorce need to know about financial aid.
  • How to use net price calculators.

You can read the entire 34 page transcript here Collegeblogs Transcript 5-15-12

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Social Networking Sites Breakdown: Whose Using Which Network

May 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

User Activity Comparison Of Popular Social Networking Sites
Infographic by- GO-Gulf.com Web Design Company

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Best Selling Higher Education Author Lynn O’Shaughnessy to Provide Advice on How to Evaluate Colleges #CollegeChat May 15th

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

O’Shaughnessy to discuss advice from her new book “The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right price (2nd Edition)

Lynn O’Shaughnessy, a bestselling author and higher education journalist, will share advice from her newly published book The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price (2nd Edition) during #CollegeChat on Twitter, May 15, 2012 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

O’Shaughnessy wrote the second edition of her book “so you too can become an empowered consumer.” During #Collegechat, O’Shaughnessy, https://twitter.com/#!/collegeblogs , will discuss key information parents and students need to know including:

  • What are the biggest sources of college money.
  • How can you increase your chances of qualifying for merit scholarships.
  • How you can evaluate the generosity of a school before applying.
  • Where to find the best online tools to evaluate colleges.
  • What do families of divorce need to know about financial aid.
  • What are a teen’s options if he/she does poorly on the ACT or SAT.
  • What is the real story behind athletic scholarships.

About Lynn O’Shaughnessy

Lynn O’Shaughnessy is a nationally recognized higher-ed author, journalist, and speaker. She is the author of numerous books including her Amazon bestseller: The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price. She also wrote Shrinking the Cost of College, a workbook available only on her website, that helps families make smart and affordable college choices. O’Shaughnessy writes frequently about college issues for her CBS MoneyWatch column and for her popular college blog TheCollegeSolution.com. O’Shaughnessy is the consulting director of college planning, K-12, at the University of California, San Diego Extension. She is also a frequent speaker on how families can find and afford great schools.

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. #CollegeChat takes place on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat, by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page or by email. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and participating in #Collegechat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat

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Making Summer Count: Internships, Volunteering and Summer School

April 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson CityFor many high school students the countdown to summer and their impending AP exams is in full swing. But, if these students want to squeeze in even more enrichment opportunities into their summer plans they need to get going now.

Mark Babbitt, CEO of You Tern, and Jessica Hertz, Manager of Online Services, for University Language Services, discussed with #CollegeChat attendees how to enrich their summer through internships, volunteering, and summer school. Both believe that by pursuing enrichment opportunities students will be benefitting themselves in the long term. According to Hertz, “College admissions officers want to see applicants who are involved in extracurricular. Plus you can explore new interests and try new things.”

Babbitt concurs.”In today’s ultra competitive job market, job seekers need an advantage. Good grades, even a degree, won’t cut it for most.”

How to Research Summer Enrichment Opportunities

Start your search locally. Babbitt recommends students interested in internships, job shadowing or volunteering should start their search at their high school. He recommends students look into what local businesses and non profits already have relationships with their school. Hertz added, “If there is an organization that you love, ask them if they have internships and or volunteer opportunities.”

Sam Coren, tweeting for Student Advisor, a Washington Post site for all things college, suggests students check out Teen Life and their “excellent listing of college summer programs.” Another source to check out is on the College Board web site at “5 Ways to Stay on Track in Summer.”

Network, Network, Network to Find Internships

Most people think of college students when they think of internships. But according to Babbitt, internships aren’t just for college students anymore. You Tern has helped many high school students find internships. He also recommends that students check out Idealist.org. Once a student finds a company to intern for Babbitt recommends the student make sure to check out the company’s Facebook page, Twitter account, and what is being said about that company on social media sites LinkedIn and Glassdoor.com. Babbitt believes it is more important about what is being said about a company in social media than what a company is saying about itself in its annual report.

“The best way to find internships is to ask around and be persistent,” said Hertz.  “Find a company or organization you love and ask.” Shonda Goward, a college admissions advisor and founder of First Generation University, agreed. “Don’t forget to ask your high school administrators. If they see you’re motivated they may help you find an internship.”  And don’t forget your family and friends. High school internships typically come from family and friends according to Goward.

“Networking, networking, networking,” said Babbitt. “And shoot for a paid internship versus working at Target or Taco Bell.” Once you have an internship offer “ask for expectations, hours and the job description before accepting,” recommended Priscilla from Weekend in Paris.

And if a student ends up in a bad internship he should leave advised John Carpenter, an educational consultant.

Check Locally First for Volunteering

The same tactics that students use to find internships can also be used to find volunteering opportunities. Look to those you know, to your school and then your local community.  “Think about what matters to you and volunteer in that,” advises Hertz. “Are you an animal lover? Try the humane society. Is art your thing? Be a docent at a gallery. Are you a math whiz? Try volunteering to tutor young kids.”

Coren recommends high school students check out Charity Navigator to find well run non-profit organizations to volunteer at. Don’t worry too much about how much time you have to volunteer. “If you only have five hours a week to volunteer and the organization is ok with that, than five hours it is. If you can do ten hours a week even better,” said Hertz.

Check out Summer School Programs Close by, Online and at Dream School

High school students have a multitude of options for summer school. Check out high school summer school classes, junior college classes, online classes offered by junior colleges, four year schools and even online colleges. Hertz added, “Community college will usually be the most economical. Taking college classes can be a great way to try a subject your high school doesn’t offer. However, students need to be wary of online programs. Some are good but many are not.”

High School students should also look into summer programs that are offered by colleges they are interested in attending says Fuji Fulgueras, a college admissions counselor. However, Babbitt added, “Consider the needs and type of student first. Sending a high school junior off to Stanford can be intimidating and bad for confidence.”

If earning credits in summer school is important, students need to make sure they can either get credits approved by their high school or the class is accepted by the four year college they are interested in attending. Coren advised, “If transferring credits is important than stay general; calculus isn’t as sexy as a foreign film class but every college has it.”

However, if credits aren’t important, “take a class act that interests you and don’t worry about the credit,” said Hertz. For as Carpenter pointed out, “Good summer experiences don’t have to be expensive. Volunteer work, shadowing, four weeks on a job with a mentor all can be great.”

What suggestions do you have for teens looking to make their summer count?

Filed Under: CollegeChat, Education Tagged With: , , , , ,

#CollegeChat Transcript: SAT/ACT Accomodations for ADD/ADHD High School Students

April 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jenn Cohen, a college test preparation expert for the SAT, PSAT and ACT, specializing in ADD/ADHD and special needs students, was a recent expert guest on #CollegeChat and provided tips for high school students with ADD/ADHD and other learning disabilities how to maximize their SAT and ACT scores through test preparation and making sure to secure test accomodations. During the one hour discussion, Jenn covered a number of topics including what types of accomodations are available and how to research them, how to determine which test is best for each student, how long to prepare for the test, and how to construct a test preparation plan. Jenn had a lot of great suggestions and you can read through the 31 page transcript  here : adhd_transcript.

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Build Your Network and Influence through Twitter Chats

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you have been here before you probably know that I am a very enthusiastic participant on Twitter. So enthusiastic in fact that twice a month I moderate #CollegeChat on Twitter. Recently, Up and Running asked me to write “How can Twitter chat help your business?”  to help guide startups and small businesses on how to participate in Twitter chats to help build influence and enhance engagement in your targeted market. You can read the entire post at Up and Running. An excerpt follows below.

One of the best ways for small businesses to build their networks and increase their influence is by participating in Twitter Chats. Twitter chats are Twitter based conversations that anyone can participate in and are kept on track through the use of a #hashtag, a topic with a hash symbol (“#”) at the start to identify it. There are currently more than 600 ongoing Twitter Chats, ranging from weekly to monthly discussions on a wide variety of topics. You can review an exhaustive list of ongoing chats maintained at the Twitter Chat Schedule.

Participating in a Twitter chat is a great way to network and interact with other people who may also share your professional and personal passions. It is also a great way to introduce yourself and your business to key influencers whom you want to connect with.

Be Strategic

Look for a chat where you can bring value to the conversation. For example, I moderate #CollegeChat twice a month on Tuesday evenings. Most of the chats I moderate are in question and answer format and include an “expert” guest on a particular topic. The majority of guests I first met by their attending and participating in #CollegeChat. My guests have included professors, authors, independent higher education experts and business owners targeting the higher education market.

With hundreds of ongoing Twitter chats, you should be able to find a number of chats that are ideal for both networking and for your business. Perhaps you have developed a business tool, application or book that you are targeting to business to business marketers? Then you might want to check out #B2Bchat. A recent #B2Bchat focused on “Facebook for B2B -The Times They Are a-Changin’.

Expand your Knowledge

Also consider joining in Twitter chats just to expand your knowledge. Have you been considering adding a blog to your website but really don’t know where to start? Consider checking out #Blogchat on Sunday evenings to get fresh ideas from blogging experts. Recently Brian Solis, a thought leader in new media and a best-selling author, was a guest for #Blogchat and discussed with attendees how to use blogs as tools to build influence.

Do you need some new ideas for your start-up or small business?  #Smallbizchat is a great chat for small businesses since its focus is on helping small businesses to succeed as they start to grow. Recently on #Smallbizchat, Dina Dwyer-Owen, a certified franchise executive with more than 30 years of industry experience and a recent guest on the television program “Undercover Boss”, shared with attendees “How to Live Rich in Your Small Business”. #Smallbizchat is hosted weekly by Melinda Emerson, a noted small business expert, coach and author.

How to Participate

In order to participate in a Twitter chat, attendees will need to have a Twitter account.  To sign up for a Twitter account, go to http:// twitter.com. Once you have your Twitter account, you are ready to go.

There are a number of formats to use to follow a Twitter chat but the easiest way I have found to participate is by using TweetChat, a platform designed to make “Twitter chats” run easily.

Don’t be a Bystander

In order to get the most out of any Twitter chat is to make sure you join in. Most moderators ask attendees to go ahead and introduce themselves. Your introduction is a great way to begin meeting others.

By joining in a chat you are not only sharing your ideas with the attendees but also with the attendees’ followers. Don’t be surprised if you pick up a number of new followers after the chat based on comments and interactions you had during the chat.  Every time you write a tweet that is then re-tweeted – quoted or rebroadcast by other attendees – your tweet is not only repeated across the chat but also to the followers of the person who re-tweeted you, thereby expanding your reach exponentially.

And, the best parts about participating in Twitter chats are the people you meet and the network you build.

Filed Under: CollegeChat, How to, public relations, social media, twitter Tagged With: ,

Transcript for #CollegeChat with Public Agenda on “Hiring and Higher Education”

April 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last night Allison Rizzolo, a communications professional for Public Agenda, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps communities and the nation solve tough public problems, discussed findings from a recent report “Hiring and Higher Education” conducted in conjunction with Committee for Economic Development (CED), during #CollegeChat.  Allison provided us with detailed background from the research on why U.S. Business Leaders worry that skyrocketing tuition and a growing skills gap could have serious consequences for the nation’s economic future. Our discussion centered on the following questions:

  • Business leaders cite cost of higher education as one of the major weaknesses.  Why is this a weakness and what do they say causes these high costs?
  • Executives also cited a shortage of graduates in STEM fields and their inability to fill many of these positions. Why is this a potential challenge for the nation’s economy?
  • Some business leaders expressed concern that we over-emphasize 4-year degrees. What are their specific concerns and why is this a weakness?
  • Executives reported unease about workers’ interpersonal skills.  Why is this finding significant?
  • Business leaders worried that higher education is too slow to recognize and implement needed changes, and not as accountable as it needs to be. What recommendations did they have to effect change? Q5
  • What are the opinions regarding online education? Why is it significant that their attitudes are changing in respect to online education?
  • How will the Public Agenda use these findings moving forward? What are the next steps?
  • How did business leaders conceptualize they can be more involved in higher education?

You can read the entire transcript PublicAgendattranscript.

 

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#CollegeChat: Public Agenda to Discuss U.S. Business Leaders Concern that Higher Ed’s Resistance to Change is Widening Skills Gap

April 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

New Research finds that U.S. Business Leaders worry that skyrocketing tuition and a growing skills gap could have serious consequences for the nation’s economic future

Royce HallAllison Rizzolo, a communications professional for Public Agenda, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps communities and the nation solve tough public problems, will discuss findings from a recent report “Hiring and Higher Education” conducted in conjunction with Committee for Economic Development (CED), during #CollegeChat on Twitter, April 17, 2012 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

THE CED and Public Agenda undertook this research “to explore the attitudes of business leaders toward higher education.”  Rizzolo, https://twitter.com/#!/publicagenda , will discuss key findings from the report with #CollegeChat participants including:

  • Cost of higher education is a major concern. The business leaders interviewed described the escalating cost as one of the major weaknesses of higher education.
  • Shortage of graduates in STEM fields. The report found that business leaders cited a serious shortage in science, technology, engineering and math.
  • Unease about workers’ interpersonal skills. Business leaders were uneasy about graduates’ lack of basic interpersonal skills. Executives complained about the character, interpersonal skills and comportment of young people they encountered.
  • Resistance to change. Business leaders worried that higher education is too slow to recognize and implement needed changes, and not as accountable as it needs to be.

About Public Agenda

Public Agenda is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps communities and the nation solve tough public problems. It does this by illuminating people’s views and values, getting them working together on solutions, and building momentum for change. Public Agenda is fostering progress on a wide variety of critical issues, including K-12 and higher education, climate change and health care. Its goal is to contribute to a democracy in which problem solving triumphs over gridlock and inertia, and where public policy reflects the deliberations and values of the citizenry.

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. #CollegeChat takes place on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat , by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page at http://ht.ly/1XIqV , or by email. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and participating in #Collegechat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat .

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SAT and ACT Test Expert to Discuss Test Accommodations and Preparation for ADD/ADHD High School Students during #CollegeChat

April 1, 2012 By 2 Comments

Jenn Cohen, college test preparation expert and owner of Jenn Cohen Tutoring, will provide tips for ADD/ADHD high school students to maximize their PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores during #CollegeChat April 3, 2012 at 9 p.m. Eastern

Jenn Cohen

Jenn Cohen, a college test preparation expert for the SAT, PSAT and ACT, specializing in ADD/ADHD and special needs students, will discuss how high school students with ADD/ADHD and other learning disabilities, can maximize their college admission testing scores by carefully researching test accommodations and creating and implementing an effective test preparation plan during #CollegeChat on Twitter, April 3, 2012 at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Cohen, https://twitter.com/#!/satprepforadhd, the owner and founder of Jenn Cohen Tutoring and president of chief word nerd of Word-Nerd.com, an SAT vocabulary website, will discuss with #CollegeChat participants:

  • What kind of test accommodations is available for high school students with ADD/ADHD or other learning disabilities?
  • How do students research what test accommodations are available? How far in advance should they research?
  • How should students determine which is the best test for them?
  • Why might the ACT be a smarter choice for ADHD students?
  • How far in advance should an ADD/ADHD student plan to prepare for college admission tests?
  • Ideally, when should students take the first test and how many times do you recommend?
  • If a student can’t afford tutoring services, how do you recommend they construct a test preparation plan?
  • Are there websites you recommend for test preparation? Are there apps you recommend?
  • Are there specific SAT and ACT test preparation books for students with ADD/ADHD you recommend?

Jenn Cohen has been in test prep since 1997 and has been a private tutor for the SAT and PSAT, specializing in ADHD/learning disability students. Cohen is also president of Word-Nerd.com, an SAT vocabulary tutorial website which she created with her husband, Gary. Cohen has a blog, The Fat Envelope, which covers all things college admissions.  A Duke University graduate, Cohen currently serves on the alumni admissions interviewing committee as well as the Duke Dallas Women’s Forum steering committee. Cohen’s graduate work in clinical psychology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center provided her with extensive knowledge of attention deficit and learning disorders.

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. #CollegeChat takes place on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat , by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page at http://ht.ly/1XIqV , or by email. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and participating in #Collegechat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat .



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College Mental Health Expert to Discuss Relationship Violence on College Campuses

March 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dr. Lee Keyes, Executive Director of the University of Alabama Counseling Center, will discuss signs of college relationship abuse, possible triggers, and resources for students to get help

Front of The Rotunda, University of Virginia

The recent conviction of George Huguely V, a former University of Virginia star lacrosse player, in the beating death of his ex girlfriend Yeardley Love, a student athlete at the University of Virginia, has turned the spotlight on relationship violence on college campuses across the country. Tomorrow evening, Dr. Lee Keyes, the Executive Director of the University of Alabama Counseling Center, will discuss with Twitter attendees relationship violence on college campuses, the possible triggers  and warning signs, and resources for students to get help at 9 p.m. ET.

During #CollegeChat, Dr. Keyes will discuss with attendees:

  • Should the trial and verdict of George Huguely V serve as a wake-up call that relationship violence happens on all colleges
  • How wide spread is relationship violence in college?
  • What are the symptoms of relationship violence?
  • What are possible triggers? Do drug use, alcohol abuse, stress and depression play a role?
  • Should outsiders intervene if they believe a student is in a violent relationship?
  • How should they intervene?
  • What kinds of resources are available for students to get help?

Lee N. Keyes, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M University. Dr. Keyes has been employed by The University of Alabama since 1991.  Dr. Keyes has interests in the administration of college mental health services, late adolescent and adult general psychotherapy, stress and adjustment of college students, anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention and reduction.  He is also involved in providing outreach services regarding the emotional health of college students, and consultation services for those who are concerned about the well-being of college students and the development of college mental health services.

Dr. Keyes has served as an Annual Review Officer and currently as Vice Chair for the IACS Board of Accreditation, and as a member of the IACS Board of Directors.  He is a member of the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors and the Association for Psychological Science.  He served as Secretary of the Alabama Psychological Association from 2004 to 2007, and as President of the Association for 2009-2010.  He has published and presented conference programs with both regional and national professional organizations, and teaches in the Department of Psychology at The University of Alabama.  He also has experience operating a private practice and consulting with a psychiatric inpatient facility in Northport, Alabama.  In 2009, Dr. Keyes was recognized with the John L. Baier Award for exceptional leadership and service in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Alabama.

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. #CollegeChat takes place on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat , by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page at http://ht.ly/1XIqV , or by email. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and participating in #Collegechat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat .

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