Test Preparation Expert to Detail SAT and ACT Action Plan for High School Students
Akil Bello, a college and graduate test preparation expert and owner of Bell Curves, LLC , (http://www.bellcurves.com/), a socially responsible educational services company, will detail what steps college bound high school students should take to prepare successfully for the SAT and the ACT during #CollegeChat on Twitter on January 18, 2011 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
During #CollegeChat, Bello, (http://twitter.com/akilbello ), will discuss with attendees how to construct a self study program for the SAT and the ACT. Items Bello will discuss include:
- When should a college bound high school sophomore or junior take the exams
- How much time to devote to test preparation
- How to develop a timeline
- How to construct a study program
- Online resources
- Books and other helpful resources
- How to determine which test is best for each student
Akil Bello is an expert in test preparation and is the vice president of Educational Development for Bell Curves. Bello oversees all aspects of the development of programs and materials, as well as the training of teachers. He has worked as a teacher trainer and materials developer at three different test prep companies, bringing his unique humor and intelligence to every endeavor. After spending 15 years teaching every standardized test in the known universe, he joined his brother and father in founding Bell Curves.
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 Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. Pacific/ 9 p.m. Eastern. 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 .CollegeChat can also be found on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/collegechat .
Should You Go to Graduate School? 7 Steps to Consider
photo credit: divemasterking2000
Whether or not to attend graduate school is a question that many college students and graduates grapple with. During the great recession many students have opted to attend graduate school instead of face a difficult job market. And according to a recent survey conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council that strategy may be paying off for some 2010 MBA graduates. The survey reports an increase in hiring of MBA graduates compared to 2009. In addition, according to the Census Bureau, in 2008 college graduates between 25 and 29 with a master’s degree made on average $7,954 more annually than those with only a bachelor’s degree.
But before signing up for tutoring for the GRE exam, Linda Abraham, a graduate school admissions expert and president of Accepted.com (http://www.accepted.com/ ), recommends that students carefully consider the following steps:
Do the math. Before deciding on whether to pursue graduate school, Abraham recommends that students determine whether graduate school makes sense financially. Specifically, students need to research what are the job opportunities in your chosen field. How much more can students expect to make with your graduate degree than without it? Students also need to find out what are the out-of-pocket costs as well as the cost of lost income to pursue an advanced degree. Once a student has collected all the information, they are then in a good position to do the math. “A” should exceed “B” or this degree may be enjoyable and fun but ultimately not profitable.
Prepare for graduate school while an undergraduate. The first step students should take to prepare for graduate school is to get good grades as an undergraduate. As undergraduates, students should volunteer, work or intern in areas of interest to them. Students need to get experience that tells them if they like the field. The third step is to minimize debt as much as possible. Abraham also recommends that students should assume leadership roles as an undergraduate.
Have a purpose for your studies. Most academic programs require a statement of purpose. Simply put, that means you need a purpose for your studies. Medical school, business school and most academic graduate programs expect you to know why you want to attend graduate school. Students need to research their intended fields or they can easily make mistakes. “Don’t go to graduate school because you like school and don’t know what else to do,” said Abraham.
Take test once if possible. Abraham also recommends that students take graduate school admission tests only once if possible. “Try to take one time and make it your best,” said Abraham. “Don’t take it on a lark.” Most business schools and law schools take the highest score. Graduate schools and medical schools policies vary. Abraham recommends students research the policies of the schools they are interested in.
Use graduate school rankings as a data source not as a bible. According to Abraham, the rankings themselves contain data that is useful but the “rankings themselves are for lazy minds who don’t want to think. The rankings that count are the one that the individual applicant should create.” Students should research graduate school programs on school web sites and they should also talk to people in the fields they want to join. Students should also review professional associations and web sites such as http://www.accepted.com/.
Work first if possible. Depending on the graduate degree, it might be helpful for students to work first full time instead of going directly to graduate school from college. Abraham recommends that students interested in pursuing an MBA degree work 2 to 6 years before graduate school. She also reports that a couple of years of full time work is helpful before medical school and law school but is not required.
Use Gap year productively. Gap years can be seen positively by graduate schools provided the year is spent productively according to Abraham. “Sitting on the beach won’t cut it,” said Abraham. Extensive travel, working full-time, Teach for America, Peace Corps, and significant volunteer responsibly during a Gap year can only help reports Abraham.
8 Tips for College Students Interested in Studying Abroad
photo credit: geoftheref
Studying abroad continues to be one of the top five interests of college bound students according to Brooke Roberts, an expert in international education and founder of http://insidestudyabroad.com. According to the Open Doors 2010 Report on International Education Exchange, an annual report published by the Institute of International Education with funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 260,327 students studied abroad for credit during the academic year 2008/2009.
“Studying abroad is right for just about any student barring any health or physical restrictions. The real question is what program is right for you,” said Roberts. “Students need to think about the why, what, where and how of study abroad.”
In order to help students prepare for a successful study abroad experience, Roberts recommended the following tips for students during #CollegeChat.
1. Contact your university’s study abroad office. According to Roberts, a student’s study abroad office should be their primary source for study abroad information. After you research opportunities with your school’s study abroad office you should also research programs through online directories like GoAbroad.com.
2. Make sure to investigate the full range of study abroad programs. College students have a multitude of study abroad programs available to choose from ranging from two weeks to a full calendar year. According to the Open Doors 2010 Report, 55 percent of U.S. students choose short term programs, 41 percent choose mid length programs while a little more than 4 percent choose a full academic or calendar year program. Short term programs are the most popular, according to the report, because they offer the greatest financial and academic flexibility.
3. Select a study abroad program that is on your university’s approved list. Most universities’ study abroad offices maintain a list of university approved programs that guarantee students academic credit if attended and requirements met. “Don’t get stuck paying for a program that your university won’t recognize for credit. It’s a huge headache,” reports Roberts.
Also make sure that the program you are interested in has also been approved by your school for financial aid. “Universities typically limit the number of study abroad programs to which students can apply federal and institutional aid. By selecting a program that is approved for credit and financial aid students can save buckets of money,” said Roberts.
4. Check in with your financial aid office. Once you have narrowed down your choices make sure to review them with your financial aid office. Make sure you understand how your financial aid award will apply to the program. In addition, check that your financial aid award factors in any other expenses you may have while studying abroad. “Students should also make sure to complete the FAFSA before studying abroad –even if they don’t think they will qualify. Since studying abroad is often more expensive than staying on campus, students will often qualify for more aid,” explained Roberts.
5. Consider exchange programs especially if finances are a concern. Exchange programs can often be the best financial deal for students according to Robert. Exchange programs are agreements between a American university and a university abroad. The agreement calls for students to swap places but continue to pay their home school costs. Exchange programs are best for independent, driven students since there is less support available to them.
6. Talk with students who have participated in study abroad program you are interested in. A fellow student that has already been on the program you are interested in is generally a good place for advice. Make sure to find out about their experience and whether they would recommend the program.
7. Search for scholarships. Study abroad scholarships are typically for students going to non- traditional locations such as South America, Africa, the Middle East, Russia and Asia. According to Roberts, it is more difficult to find scholarships for Europe since it’s the most popular destination. Robert recommends students check out GoAbroad.com for scholarships at http://scholarships.goabroad.com/index.cfm. Students need to begin looking for scholarships at least nine months before they plan to go abroad. Most scholarships have a deadline to apply a semester before the student plans to study abroad.
8. Consider adding an internship to your study abroad program. Many study abroad programs that last at least a semester include an internship. “Interning abroad can be the one two punch that helps land a student a job after graduation,” said Roberts.
Twitter Followers or Facebook Fans: Which is better?
photo credit: Franco Bouly
The answer is Twitter according to research from ExactTarget. According to the study and reported on by Social Media Today, “Twitter followers are more likely to induce advocacy and future purchases” than those on Facebook. Social Media Today reported that “according to their data, 37% of respondents were more likely to purchase from a brand after following them on Twitter as opposed to only 17% of those that “like” a brand on Facebook.”
When the respondents were asked if they were more likely to recommend a Brand after following them on Twitter, 33% of Twitter followers were more likely to recommend a Brand compared to 21% of Facebook fans.
What has been your experience?
President Obama Pledges DREAM Act Not Over: Calls Failure of Legislation “Biggest Disappointment”
Today President Obama pledged the “DREAM Act” was not over because “it is the right thing to do”. On December 7, 2010 I moderated a chat on Twitter and discussed whether the Senate should pass the DREAM Act. Perhaps what was most interesting to me were the conversations I had with #CollegeChat participants the day following the chat. I came to realize that a number of attendees were hesitant to share their thoughts on the “DREAM Act” in public. What became clear to me is how charged this proposed legislation has become to the point that if you feel strongly one way or other you may be afraid to stand up for your beliefs publicly. The “DREAM Act” has become another polarized issue where the facts don’t seem to matter. This “dream” for so many illegal immigrant children will now have to wait a bit longer.
8 Tips for Applying for Financial Aid for College Bound High School Seniors
While January 1, 2011 marks the deadline to apply to college for many colleges across the country it also signals the beginning of the financial aid process for the 2011-2012 school year. Increasingly, for many college bound high school seniors, what they are able to get for financial aid will largely determine what college they attend. During #CollegeChat, Sharon McLaughlin, a college planning consultant and financial aid expert and founder of McLaughlin Education Consulting (http://www.headforcollege.com) provided her best tips for college bound high school seniors to ensure the best financial aid package.
1. Apply for Financial Aid early. In order to have the best chance to receive the best financial aid package possible, students need to make sure they apply for financial aid as soon as possible. College Financial Aid Offices have a fixed amount of institutional aid to dispense each year. In addition, many states have their own deadlines for students to complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible for state funds.
2. Understand what falls underneath Financial Aid. Grants, loans, institutional scholarships, and work study make up a typical financial aid package. Grants and scholarships are not paid back so are generally considered the most desirable forms of financial aid.
3. Fill out the FAFSA. In order to begin the financial aid process you must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). In order to be considered for any financial aid—even institution based scholarships as well as merit aid scholarships—families must fill out this form. Although the 2011-2012 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet isn’t available yet you can review the 2010-2011 worksheet to review the materials you will need to have to apply.
4. Find out your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is what the government says a family and student should pay based on family income and assets. The EFC is determined by the information a family reports on the FAFSA application. Families and students need to understand that the EFC is merely a starting point and colleges can award money however they want. If you haven’t filled out the FAFSA yet, you can get an estimate of your EFC through CollegeBoard.com online EFC calculator at http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp?noload=Y . FinAid.com provides both a federal and institutional calculator at http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml.
5. Find out if you need to complete the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE. A number of private colleges and universities require students to fill out a CSS Financial Aid PROFILE. You should be able to easily determine whether the college you have applied to does by going to their financial aid section on their web site. If in doubt, contact the college financial aid office directly.
6. Remember all students are eligible for financial aid regardless of income. “One of the biggest myths about financial aid is that my parents make too much,” said McLaughlin. “All students are eligible for financial aid even if it’s only Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Families that make over $200,000 per year may qualify for loans and non need based scholarships and grants.”
7. What can you do if your parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA. “Parents who refuse to file the FAFSA only hurt the student,” said McLaughlin. “No FAFSA means no aid in most circumstances. Students should not try to get parent information on the sly. A parent signature is needed in order to file the FAFSA and falsifying the FAFSA is a federal crime.”
According to the FAFSA web site, “Under very limited circumstances, an otherwise dependent student may be able to submit the FAFSA without parental information due to special circumstances.” To find out if you fall under special circumstances you can review http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/faq002.htm#faq002_3 .
8. How to appeal a financial aid decision. In the event a family’s situation has changed financially due to a job loss or other reasons, a student should appeal to the financial aid office for a review. McLaughlin recommends the first step should be to call the financial aid office and explain what has happened and how to go about appealing the financial aid package.
Sharon McLaughlin is a former college administrator with more than twenty years of experience in student enrollment services. Sharon draws her expertise from her work at private and public colleges in New England, both as a college admissions and financial aid administrator. Sharon holds a MEd in Adult Education and was the first professional college planning consultant in Central Massachusetts the designation of Certified College Planning Specialist (CPPS) from the National Institute of Certified College Planers (NICCP).
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 pm Pacific/ 9 pm Eastern. 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 .CollegeChat can also be found on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/collegechat .
Think Tank Night December 7, 2010 on #CollegeChat
On the December 7, 2010 edition of #CollegeChat (at 6 pm Pacific and 9 pm Eastern via Twitter) we will be discussing:
- Whether the lame-duck Senate should pass the DREAM Act.
Caroline Winter recently reported for BusinessWeek in her article “Harry Reid’s Dream Act: Help for Undocumented Workers” that Reid’s proposed legislation “would allow students who arrived in the U.S. before age 16, have been in the country at least five years, and have a high school or equivalent degree, to apply for permanent residency after two years of college or military service.”
According to Winter, “Of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. today, about 65,000 complete high school each year, according to the Urban Institute. Of those, about 5 percent to 10 percent go to college. The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, estimates that less than half of 2.1 million eligible youth would meet the act’s requirements.
For students in the U.S. illegally, the soaring cost of tuition is a near-insurmountable barrier. They are ineligible for federal loans and, in most cases, in-state tuition. For those accomplished enough to make it to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Dartmouth, admission means a full ride—tuition, fees, room, and board—if they are needy. Some non-Ivies, including Amherst College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have similar policies. Brown and Cornell offer full rides for needy U.S. students only, but often help non-U.S. students, too.”
In a December 4, 2010 editorial the Los Angeles Times wrote, “The reasons to support the DREAM Act are moral, pragmatic and economic. Young people go where their parents take them, and it is unjust to punish them for being brought into the country illegally.”
Furthermore, the Los Angeles Times also reported that “the Congressional Budget Office said that, to the contrary, the DREAM Act would result in revenues of $2.3 billion annually, mainly from the income and corporate taxes paid by all the newly legal workers.”
- Are colleges –most recently Notre Dame—doing a good job of protecting, reporting and pursuing justice for students who have been victimized by other students.
Notre Dame is the latest college to come under the microscope for the way it has handled the investigation into a freshman student’s allegation of sexual abuse at the hands of a Notre Dame Football player that may have led to the freshman’s suicide.
Roger Canaff, a special victims prosecutor, recently wrote an article for the Huffington Post commenting on the case titled “Elizabeth Seeberg Could Not Have Done More.”
Canaff wrote, “A freshman at St. Mary’s, a sister school to Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, she (Elizabeth Seeberg) reported a sexual assault by a ND football player the day after the incident, and followed through with everything asked of her by law enforcement and supportive professionals. Ten days later she was dead, an apparent suicide.”
In his article he goes on to write, “That’s why I’m trying to understand why Notre Dame, the world-class institution where she reported being attacked, has reacted the way it has. Why, for instance, did ND campus police wait more than 10 weeks — only after the Chicago Tribune began to demand answers — to turn a file over to the St. Joseph’s County District Attorney’s Office, the prosecutorial authority that actually has a Special Victims Unit? And what’s behind the school’s refusal to release police records about this incident, even to Lizzy’s parents? Police records are an exception to privacy laws that guard educational records.
Finally, and most disturbingly, I don’t know why the man Lizzy reported against has played an entire season of football. While it’s true that he is and should be considered innocent until proven otherwise, his privilege to play football isn’t in any way related to his legal rights as a citizen. The fact is, a young woman reported swiftly and completely a serious crime to the proper authorities that control this man’s ability to play football, and she followed through with evidence collection, counseling and cooperation. But ND has yet to even acknowledge her complaint, let alone bar him from playing at least until the investigation is completed. Coach Brian Kelly won’t state whether he’s even spoken to the accused player about the incident. He’s stated he stresses respect for women in his program, that he’s a father himself, and wants “the right kind of guys” on his team. Well, the player hasn’t been benched in three months; from this we can fairly deduce that Coach Kelly supports him as someone worthy of wearing the uniform. If that’s so, why won’t he give his reasons?”
Additional background reading for #CollegeChat:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/04/opinion/la-ed-dream-20101204
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204037354156.htm
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dream-act-20101128,0,5057601.story?track=rss
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/22/notre-dame-sex-attack-pro_n_787185.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roger-canaff/elizabeth-seeberg-could-n_b_790725.html
New to Twitter?
In order to participate in the chat, attendees will need to have a Twitter account. To sign up for a Twitter account, go to http:// twitter.com. The easiest way to follow the chat is to use TweetChat (http://tweetchat.com). Simply log in to TweetChat with your Twitter information (email or username followed by password) and then enter in CollegeChat without the “#” and you will be placed into the chat room with only those participating in #CollegeChat. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and using TweetChat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat .
About #CollegeChat
#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. 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. CollegeChat can also be found on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/collegechat .