Understand Your Financial Award Letter

Many students are still trying to decide which college to attend, with the deposit deadline of May 1 fast approaching!  For many, one of the most important factors is the cost of college.  At this very moment, many families are evaluating the various financial aid offers they have received.  When you review a college’s financial aid offer, make sure you understand exactly what it means. 

Total Cost

Do you know what the total cost of attendance is?  Look closely at the figure listed on the financial aid letter.  Some schools only include tuition, room, and board, while others will also include other expenses such as books or lab fees.  However, there are additional costs that may not be reflected in the amount shown on the award letter, including personal expenses (such as toiletries, clothes, entertainment), transportation, parking, health insurance, fraternity/sorority fees, technology fees, recreation fees, club or other activity fees, orientation programs, and more. 

The Offer

When you evaluate the financial aid package itself, note how much is in the form of grants or scholarships and how much is in the form of loans.  Also be sure you understand what types of loans are included and what the terms are (when does repayment begin, how long is the repayment period, what is the interest rate).  Is work-study included as part of the package, and if so, will your student be able to work the number of hours necessary to receive the maximum work-study amount?

Other Financial Aid Considerations

If your student is receiving private scholarships, find out how that might affect the financial aid offer.  For example, some schools reduce grants by the amount of the private scholarship, while others will reduce the loan portion of the offer.  For some colleges, outside scholarships may have no effect on the financial aid package.

Also consider the fact that tuition and other education expenses are likely to go up each year.  In addition, the school may not offer the same financial aid package to your student after freshman year.  To determine whether a particular college or university typically reduces aid to upperclassmen, visit CollegeData.  Search for the school, and then compare the financial aid information for freshmen with the information for all undergraduates.

Don’t forget – you can always call the financial aid office to discuss your concerns. 

The Final Decision

Besides cost, there are other ways to make a college decision.  Compare graduation rates; you can find these at College Results Online.  Talk to students, and read reviews on Unigo and College Prowler.  Look at the list of majors/minors.  Does the school offer programs your student may be interested in?  How easy is it to switch between programs of study in the event your student changes his or her mind?  By examining these and other questions, you can make an informed choice!

What if Your Child Has Been Waitlisted?

Spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming, and we all know what that means (well at least those of us with high school seniors do) -- college decisions are arriving daily.  What if your student has been waitlisted at the school of his or her dreams?  Here are some tips for your teen:

• Find out if the wait list is ranked and if so, what your position is.

• Ask what percent of students have been accepted from the wait list in recent years. 

• Ask about the college’s policies regarding financial aid and housing for students admitted from the wait list.  Will these services be available later on?

• Try to find out what your application was lacking.

• If you want to remain active on the wait list, return the reply postcard indicating your intention.  (You should not be asked for a deposit at this time.)

• Write a letter to the dean of admissions affirming your desire to attend.  If it is your first choice, say so.

• Include any significant new information in your letter, such as grades, awards, activities, or anything else that addresses areas that might have been initially lacking.

• Ask your counselor to send a similar note conveying your enthusiasm and desire to attend.

• Consider sending an additional recommendation from someone who knows you well

• Don’t overdo it – restate your strong interest and provide relevant data, but don’t harass the admissions office.

• Send your end-of-year grades if the wait list has not yet been closed.

• Make sure you send a deposit to one of the colleges where you have been accepted to secure your spot. 

 

Typically, students are not notified that they have been accepted from the wait list until after May 1.  This is why you must send a deposit to another college or university.  This also means that if you are accepted from the wait list, you will most likely lose the deposit you already made to the other school.

Please note that the rate of acceptance from a wait list is often relatively low.  To see the wait list statistics for a particular school, visit CollegeBoard.  Search for the school, and click on the tab labeled “Applying.”

Remember, even if you are not admitted to your “dream” school, there are plenty of opportunities to have a great college experience!

Smart Phone Apps for College Bound Students

Are you or your student looking for college search or prep tools you can use on-the-go?!  If so, here are 3 mobile phone applications that will help you continue your progress even when you are away from your home computer or laptop.

ACT College Search App:  This smartphone app allows you to search over 2,000 colleges and universities. One of the features is a college search filter that enables you to create a college list based on such factors as location, type, major, size, admission requirements, and cost. Students can view basic information about each school, link to each school’s website, and save “matches” in a “favorites” file.

You Visit:  This smartphone app offers students and parents the opportunity to “visit” college campuses around the country without traveling.  In addition to virtual tours, you have the opportunity to learn about each school’s academic programs.

ACT Student App:  Much like their online test prep program, the ACT Student mobile app allows users to practice different portions of the ACT exam wherever they are.  Students can also view ACT registration and score information.

More and more colleges and universities are developing their own mobile apps to reach prospective students.  Some schools already have apps that allow students to contact the admissions office, get news, schedule campus visits, find other information, and even submit applications from their smartphones.  This is certainly a trend that is only likely to grow.

Spring Break is a Great Time to Visit Colleges

Does your teenager have a spring break coming up in March or April?  This is a great time to visit colleges and universities.  Your student doesn’t have to miss school, the weather is generally mild, and most colleges are still in session. You can incorporate some fun activities and excursions along the way, too.

To figure out where to begin, here are some tips on how to start developing a college list. 

College Search Engines

You can begin to identify potential schools with federal college search engines like College Navigator.  This is a massive database that allows you to search for schools based on certain criteria.  You can also look up information about a particular school, such as admission requirements, cost, financial aid, graduation rates, and more.  Other helpful search engines for creating a college list include CollegeData and CollegeBoard.

Special Lists of Colleges

Some colleges have been singled out for their ability to provide a unique approach to education.  Try Colleges That Change Lives and Colleges of Distinction for some ideas.  Inside College provides numerous lists based on a variety of characteristics. For a list of schools that provide a good value, check out Kiplinger’s Best College Values.

College Rankings

Although all rankings must be taken with a grain of salt, they do provide a starting point and can be used as one of many reference sources.  You have probably heard of the US News and World Report Rankings.  Another ranking list that uses a completely different methodology is Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges.

Student Reviews

You or your teen can get the inside scoop by reading reviews by actual students.  The two sites I recommend most are Unigo and College Prowler.

Searching by Major

 

If you or your teen want to know more about a particular major, or have a major in mind and want to find colleges and universities that offer a program of study for that major, try College Majors 101,  MyMajors, or CollegeBoard.  You can also consult the Book of Majors, published by CollegeBoard.

Guide Books

 A lot of great information can be found within standard reference guides such as the Fiske Guide to Colleges, Princeton Review’s Best 376 Colleges, and The College Handbook, which is published by CollegeBoard.  Your high school guidance office may have these books, or you can purchase them in bookstores or online.

About College Visits

Once you decide where you would like to visit, make sure to sign up in advance.  Some schools have limited spaces on any given day. Find out what visit options are available – information session, student-led tour, interview, open house, attend a class, or overnight stay with a student.  If you know someone who attends the school you are planning to visit, reach out for a personal tour or a conversation over coffee.   Think ahead about what questions you will ask.  If possible, look up the name of the admission representative for your high school and either introduce yourself when you are there or send a quick note after your visit.  And finally, have fun exploring the campus and surrounding community!

Going to College With a Learning Disability

Going to college is a rite of passage for many teenagers.  Years ago, students with learning differences were often excluded from this exciting journey.  Today, more and more students with learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism are pursuing higher education.  If you have a child with a learning difference, it is important to understand the variety of options that are available to your student and the factors that lead to success.

First of all, the disability laws governing college students are different from the laws that apply in K through 12.  In high school, all students have a right to receive an education, the school is obligated to identify and evaluate students with learning differences, teachers reach out to students, there is an IEP, educational requirements must be altered if necessary, services are free, and families have a right to due process.

In college, there are no IEPs, schools are not required to identify or test students with disabilities, services do not have to be provided free of charge, students are responsible for self-identifying and advocating for themselves, only necessary accommodations have to be provided, and admission, course, and graduation requirements do not have to be changed to accommodate students with disabilities.  However, some colleges and universities offer disability services above and beyond what is required by law.

For these reasons, it is key for students with learning differences who want to go to college to understand their disability, know their strengths and weaknesses, and be able to articulate what accommodations they need to achieve success.  If your student has an IEP, he or she should be participating in IEP meetings and have a Transition Plan in place by the age of 16.  The Transition Plan sets forth your child’s post-secondary goals and what steps need to be taken in order to achieve those goals.  In addition, when you and your child begin to investigate colleges, you should ask certain questions to determine whether his or her academic and social needs can be met.

Some colleges offer comprehensive, structured programs that support students with learning differences.  Typically, there is an additional fee for such programs but a few schools do not charge extra.  Sometimes, there is a separate application for the program, and sometimes there isn’t.  Some schools will consider students for admission through the learning disability program that might not otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for general admission.   One issue when applying to college with a learning disability is how and when to disclose it.

Depending on the school, your student may be eligible to receive a wide variety of services including tutoring, skills workshops, note-takers, oral exams, extended time for tests, a distraction-free environment, housing accommodations, priority registration, and special advising.  In addition, assistive technology may be available and training on how to use this technology might be included.

Two colleges that are dedicated exclusively to students with learning differences are Landmark College in Vermont and Beacon College in Florida.  Below is a partial list of colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive disability support program:

Adelphi University

American University

Barry University

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Gannon University

Hofstra University

Lynn University

Manhattanville College

Marist College

Marshall University

Marymount Manhattan College

Mercyhurst College

Mitchell College

Northeastern University

University of Arizona

University of Denver

In addition to these schools, there are many other colleges and universities that provide a level of coordinated services above and beyond what is required by law.  Contact Precision Admission for more information!

Famous People and Their Majors

Did you ever wonder where some of the most accomplished figures in American society went to college and what they studied?  Think your major has to relate directly to a specific career?


In the case of some famous people, their majors come as no surprise.  Take Joe Biden, Tina Fey, and Madonna for example.  Joe Biden graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Political Science.  Tina Fey graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in drama.  Madonna attended the University of Michigan on a dance scholarship (although she left to pursue her career before graduating).


Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor for the New York Times, took this to the extreme.  He is the only person ever to graduate with a degree in Enigmatology  (the study of puzzles).  He designed his own major through Indiana University’s individualized major program.


Most people’s majors, however, don’t correlate directly to their current careers. And famous people are no exception.


Joe Paterno majored in English at Brown University.  At one point, he planned on becoming a lawyer.  When he accepted his first job as a football coach instead, his father wondered what he went to college for!


Bob Barker received a degree in Economics from Drury College (now University).  Maybe that’s what got him the gig on “The Price is Right”!


Katie Couric graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in American Studies.  The first woman to solo anchor an evening news show on a major network did NOT study broadcasting or journalism!


Chad Meredith Hurley, co-founder and CEO of YouTube, graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Fine Art.  In 2006, he sold YouTube to Google for $1.65 billion.


Going to college is the beginning of a journey -- one that should not only provide you with an education, but broaden your horizons, develop your skills, teach you how to learn, expose you to new ideas, introduce you to different kinds of people, and provide avenues for self-discovery.

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Liberal Arts Studies or Pre-Professional Program?

Should a student pursue a liberal arts education or enroll in a pre-professional program?  The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the student’s interests, resources and goals.

There are multiple benefits to a liberal arts education.  Many of the jobs college graduates will want and the companies they will work for in the future have not yet been created.  In addition, the average career typically entails a number of job changes.  For these reasons, the best way to prepare for a lifetime of work may be to have a variety of skills and the ability to learn new ones.  Creative thinking, problem solving, written communication, oral presentation, interpersonal, and other skills are imperative to succeeding over the long haul.  Even in the areas of science and business, a liberal arts education can be invaluable.  It was not only Steve Jobs’ technical expertise that propelled him to the top – it was his creative imagination that made the difference.  This is why some companies intentionally hire humanities majors.  In addition, a liberal arts education can prepare you extremely well for graduate school.


On the other hand, a pre-professional track is the right choice for some students, especially those who are pretty sure what they want to pursue and are anxious to get started.  Sometimes an undergraduate pre-professional curriculum can reduce or eliminate the number of years of post-graduate education you need.  A career-oriented program may also better suit the student’s financial resources and/or learning style.  Graduates of pre-professional programs often start out with higher salaries.


Liberal arts studies and pre-professional training are not always mutually exclusive.  Some liberal arts colleges may offer internships or other opportunities for hands on experience.  Conversely, even schools that offer multiple pre-professional programs may include arts and humanities classes in their curriculum.   There are many paths to success and plenty of opportunities to learn along the way.  Your college admissions search should take into account your personal situation and the pros and cons of various programs


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