What Does Facebook Have to Do with College Admissions?

Facebook probably has more to do with college admissions than most students realize.  In fact, it has changed college admissions in many ways.  Students can connect with colleges and universities on Facebook as never before, and colleges can find out a lot of personal information about potential college applicants that more than likely will not be on their application.  For an interesting visual on the subject, check out http://www.schools.com/visuals/facebook-and-college.html.

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What If Your Family Can’t Make College Visits to a Campus?

We don’t have time or money to visit some schools I’m really interested in. What can I do?  There is an iPhone application that will allow you to take a student led tour with a look around the campus, dorms, and dining halls at many colleges.  You can use twitter and facebook to interact with admission counselors and get your questions answers.  You can look at YouTube videos to access information about different colleges that interest you.   You can go to social networking sites to read comments from students who have visited schools and find out what they think.  While a college visit is important, it isn’t the only way to find out which schools might be a good fit for you.

Let’s Find Ways to Pay for College

Now that most high school students are finished with their college applications, many are busy looking for ways to pay for college.  Hopefully, the FAFSA has been filled out and is ready to submit.  If a CSS application needs to be filled out, don’t waste another minute.  And there isn’t a better time to start applying for scholarships, so get started.  There are some good scholarships searches that will email you anything that looks like a good fit.  I also thought you might enjoy this article.  It is a new approach to scholarships.

.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mtvu/an-easier-way-to-find-fin_b_1214047.html

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Expert Tips for College Planning

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/16/5-expert-tips-a-winning-college-admissions-plan-for-your-child/2/

Too many families start their college planning too late.  If your child is already a senior in high school, it is difficult to do too much to help improve their chances for college admissions.  This is a great article to read when you are just beginning the college planning process.  Hopefully, it is sometime during your child’s junior year of high school.

 

FAFSA: First Step to Take for Financial Aid

FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is an online form which determines which students are eligible for federal financial assistance. No one should be intimidated by the FAFSA form and everyone who feels they might qualify for federal, state, or institutional grants or loans should definitely apply.

Applying for financial aid is not as overwhelming as it used to be, but it does require time and accurate answers to allow the government to determine what your Expected Family Contribution toward college will be. This is known as your EFC. The FAFSA form is filled out by the parents of prospective and continuing students on an annual basis. There are about 130 questions on the online form. They are both personal and financial. Paying for college is one of the biggest concerns parents have today. Last year more than 80% of the parents who had students applying or returning to college filled out the FAFSA form. You have nothing to lose by filling out the free form and some families are pleasantly surprised that they actually qualify for at least some financial assistance. Every little bit helps

Tim Tebow: Three Lessons College Applicants Can Learn from the Football Phenomenon

Tim Tebow: Three Lessons College Applicants Can Learn from the Football Phenomenon.

Whether you are a football fan or not, most people have heard about Tim Tebow.  On the field and off, one can learn some important lessons from the football star.  This advice is particularly important for college applicants as they go through the college admissions process.

Want to Get Into College? Volunteer.

Want to Get Into College? Volunteer..

As a private college counselor, I know that community service and volunteering are important factors in the college admission process. Schools want to see applicants who find the time to give to others.  They are not just interested in having a freshman class of high academic achieving students, but want to have students who also will participate on the college campus and in the surrounding community.  If you heading for college, now is the time to start volunteering

Is a Gap Year Good for Your Student?

Many American students feel that a gap year between high school and college could be an exciting experience.  It might even help with college admissions.   Many parents believe that their students may not go to college if they do take a gap year.  Gap years are wonderful opportunities for students to experience the world and utilize their talents and abilities volunteering, performing vital community service, or traveling to give themselves a better appreciation of diversity and global awareness.  Read this article and see what you think.

 

http://www.yearoutgroup.org/news-events/gap-year-news/q/date/2012/01/04/American-students-starting-to-embrace-gap-years-801254685/