College Information Session

Please feel free to take a look at our presentation regarding preparing and navigating the college admissions process by clicking the link below. 

College Information Session Presentation

FREE PROGRAM

College Information Presentation

Sylvan knows that the admissions process can be very intimidating. With different tests, application options; not to mention financial aid, scholarships and plenty of deadlines, one can easily get overwhelmed. The FREE College Information Session will help you figure it all out and get your application process on track.

Braintree Public Library (Thayer Library)

Monday , May 3rd

6:00-7:30 pm

Act Now For Less Stress and More Success!

Tests, Tests and More Tests

I know it might seem that all you do these days is take tests. Tests in schools, tests to get into colleges, and now tests to try and earn college credit before you even arrive at your dream school. That’s right! This time of year ushers in a whole new set of standardized tests, the AP exams.

AP tests stand for Advanced Placement Tests and are usually taken after a year of high level rigorous course work. Regarded as college level classes, AP students are able to sign up and potentially test out of lower level college classes. With close to 30 different tests and more than 90% of four year colleges accepting AP scores, taking and scoring well on these tests can and will provide you more flexibility during your college years. Furthermore, doing well on a number of AP tests can even help reduce the number of semester you have to spend in school, which can save you not only time but money.

Even if you do not do so great on the tests, taking AP classes is a great way to stand out when your application is being reviewed. It shows that you are willing to challenge yourself and do college level work, as well as gain great study habits and tools to succeed in the real college world.

To see this years AP Bulletin click here.

For more general information about AP exams click here.

Spring College Fairs

While most college fairs take place early in the fall semester, spring fairs are a great opportunity to take some time and start your college search. Now if you go in with no idea about what to expect or what you are looking it can easily be a little overwhelming. Sometimes hundreds of colleges are present all vying for your attention. Talking to college representatives at these fairs can really help you learn about different schools and what they offer and can help you figure out what you think you might like out of a school.

The best way to make the most out of your college fair experience is to be prepared. Before you even leave your house there are a few things to think about: how far away from home you want to be, what time of environment do you like best, how large of a school are you interested in, and what you might possibly want to major in. Now this I’m not saying that you cannot change your criteria along the way, but by having a basic understanding of what you are looking for you can better spend your time at the fair. It does not make sense to spend time chit-chatting at a school that does not offer you’re major, is to far away, or does not offer the activities you are interested in. Instead you should want to use your time talking to schools you may potentially apply to later on.

Apart from knowing what you want it is a great idea to know some specifics you are interested in. It makes talking with representatives easier if you have some questions prepared.

Lastly, one of the best tips I ever got was to print mailing stickers (or something similar) with your contact information. Almost any school you talk to will want your contact information and having something pre-made will save you a lot of time and writers cramp.

For a list of college fair questions or other tips click here.

Choosing a Class Schedule

It is that time of year that I used to get really excited about…but maybe it is causing you a little bit of anxiety. Picking your class schedule for next semester can become a daunting task when you start to worry about what college admissions counselors are going to see later down the road. Hopefully common sense has kicked in and you have decided to take at least a few challenging classes.

If you go to a school that does not offer AP or honors classes, there is no need to panic. There are hundreds of students in your same boat, and admissions counselors know that. Some schools offer lots of advanced classes while some schools offer few to none. This does not mean you are at a disadvantage. Rather, colleges and universities work really hard to learn about each school an applicant is coming from. Whether it is APs or a really strong curriculum the college can usually figure it out.

At the same time, many students speak about hurting their gpa because of the number of honors classes they are taking. They suggest that it would be easy to get an A in a regular level class but that the B they earned in an honors or AP class represents a lot of hard work that they do not want to go unnoticed. Again, colleges and universities have been doing this long enough to figure this one out. A student who has a 4.0 gpa but has not taken any challenging classes most probably would not be considered to be as strong academically as a student with say a 3.5 gpa who has maxed out their curriculum.

So have no fear, when registering for your classes make sure you challenge yourself and you shall be dutifully rewarded come admissions season.

Sticker Shock

Just when you thought the emotional rollercoaster was about to return to the station you realize there is one last big hump to overcome: Sticker Shock. Perhaps you have spent the last four years taking the right classes, participating in a vareity of activities, doing community service and so forth in order to have your pick of college admissions offers. After you have spent hours working hard to fill out applications, collect recommendations, tour multiple schools and wait around for a counselor to render a decision you finally get your financial aid package and what a surprise that can be!

It is no secret that college cost are on the rise and that it can be a real challenge to make college affordable. Even still it is not uncommon to underestimate the bottom line. Even students and families who are looking to typically cheaper public state schools instead of a private school still might be shocked by the cost of tuition, board and fees. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education reported that “the nation’s colleges and universities have become less affordable for students and their families since the earl 1990s.” That is a staggering statistic when you consider that “the cost of attending college has risen nrearly three times the rate of the cost of living.”

Unfortunately it does not seem that there is any relief on the horizon. In times of budget crisis, states and other lenders typically tighten the purse strings, leaving schools and studetns to make up the difference.

To learn more about the increasing cost of college tuition check out these links.

US News and World Report
CNN
For information on how to help pay for the rising cost of college:
Students 
Parents

MARK YOUR CALANDERS

Do you want a chance to meet with and talk to admissions counselors from all over the country?  Then mark your calendars for April 27th and 28th.  The National Association for College Admissions Counselors will be hosting the 2010 Spring Boston National College Fair. The World Trade Center will play host to 350+ schools.  Additionally financial aid and other workshops will be offered. It is a great way for any High School Junior to kick off his or her college search.

To get all the details click here.

Students can register ahead of time to avoid long lines by clicking here.

SAT Deadline Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to sign up for the May 1st SAT is this FRIDAY March 25th.

To sign up, take a practice, or get more information on the SAT click here.

College Sports

You can thank the Red Sox’s spring training game last night for my inspiration of today’s blog post. College and sports. While I realize that most high school students are or have been involved in some sport at sometime during there lives, most of us are not hoping college will be our ticket to the big time. Even still the world of college athletics offers the opportunity for all different types of students to become involved in sports. Let me break it down for you…

First off we have Division I schools. Schools within the Big Ten conference such as Penn State and Purdue as well as in the Big 12 as with Texas A&M, or Nebraska are all about BIG sports (as you might have guessed from their conference names). These schools along with many others are considered the highest level of intercollegiate sports. Consequently these schools tend to have larger athletics budgets, facilities, and a larger number of scholarships. Division one schools must follow strict bylaws and regulation to ensure fairness in competition.

Division II schools fall right behind the top tier of college athletics. These schools put a greater emphasis on academic achievement in tandem with athletic success. Unlike Division I schools the financial aid caps are smaller and therefore students typically do not receive full scholarships for athletics. Schools within the Division II classification can offer high levels of competition while still allowing students to put their academics first.

Finally Division III schools operate differently than Division I and II. At this level students do not receive financial aid for their participation in athletic programs. Consequently, the emphasis is on the athletes experience as opposed to the spectators. Furthermore this is achieved by emphasizing regional, in-season conference competition.

To learn more about the different divisions check out the NCAA student’s website.

Last but certainly not least is club intramural sports. Offered at most colleges and universities club and intramural athletics allows non varsity students the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports. Depending on the school the offerings can be many or few. In any case club and intramural sports ensures there is something for everyone in the world of college athletics.

Upcoming ACT Deadline

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to sign up for the April 10th ACT  is this FRIDAY March 5th.

To sign up or take a practice or get more information on the ACT click here.

The Dreaded Waitlist

It is that time of year when students who have applied regular decision start to hear back about admissions decisions. While it can be stressful deciding between the schools to which you have been admitted, receiving a notification that you have been placed on the waitlist can make the final decision process that much harder.

Students who are placed on the waitlist typically are students whose applications were good, but not as great as some others. When a school places an application on the waitlist it does not mean that they think you are not qualified to attend, but rather there is just not enough spots given the applicant pool. It is easy to see how upsetting it might be to be placed on the waitlist of your first choice school. There are some steps to take to better your chances of making it off the waitlist.

1.) Send new materials such as awards or additional recommendations. These might helps counselors get an even better picture about the type of student you are. Additionally, academic honors and awards show them you are continuing to dedicate yourself to your studies.

2.) Maintain contact with the admissions office and individual review your application. Talking with the person who reviewed your application may provide insight into why you were placed on the waiting list. Staying in contact also reassures schools that you are truly interested in the school and would enroll if given the opportunity.

Even after taking these steps it is important to be realistic; there is no guarantee you will end up with a spot by the time school starts. This means that it is important to deposit at another school and plan on attending there. This way you will know that you have a place to attend in the fall. If you are accepted off the waitlist and choose to attend there, the school you have already deposited at will certainly understand.

Lastly, if you have been placed on the waitlist at a school and decide to matriculate someplace else and do now wish to remain on the waitlist for a possible slot, it is considered proper etiquette to notify the school that you do not wish to remain on their waitlist.

Whether you decide to remain on a waitlist in hopes of getting in, or decide to attend someplace else; sometimes making the final decision of where to attend is the hardest. To learn more about waitlisted admissions visit collegeboard.comcollegeboard.com or to read “How to get off the Waitlist and into College” by U.S. News and World Report.

Two vs. Four Years

Perhaps you took my advice and checked out a few colleges and universities over February beak. Even if you didn’t that’s ok, now is still a great time to begin thinking about what type of school your student may be interested in attending. As you may have noticed there is a lot of variety out there. So let’s break it down. The two most common are 4 year colleges and universities, and 2 years programs, typically known as community colleges.

While community colleges and similar programs can sometimes get a bad wrap, they are a great option for many students. For individuals who are interested in vocational careers, two year programs a great opportunity for them to quickly get the schooling they need. Two year schools can also be a great option for students who are not sure what degree program they are interested in or for students who lack a strong high school transcript. Most two year schools allow students to complete pre-requisite courses that can easily transfer to larger four year institutions. Not to mention the well know fact that two year programs are often much much cheaper than traditional four year programs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition and fees at a two-year school is just $1,935, approximately one-third of the cost for a year at a four-year public institution.

While community colleges offer a great option for many students, a majority of graduating seniors will choose four year colleges and universities. Students who chose to attend four year programs are often times looking for a broader range of courses, and ultimately hope to graduate with a degree they can apply to careers in the real world. At most four year colleges and universities students will spend the first few years taking generalized courses before delving into courses for their major in their junior and senior years. Additionally, larger four year institutions typical offer a wider ranger of cultural, lecture, sporting, club and organization opportunities, as well as internships and study abroad opportunities. Unfortunately, more activities and services typically lead to a higher price tag. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average cost of one year of tuition, fees, room, and board at a public four-year school costs you an average yearly bill of $12,108, which can easily double or triple at private institutions.

Keep in mind these are just the most basic categories. Other options within these include Liberal Arts, military, technical, and business schools. While they follow the general guidelines of most two and four year institutions, there can be a wide variety in the types of curriculum and opportunities offered, as well as the price tag attached.

To read more on the differences between two year and four year institutions click here.

Don't Break the Piggy Bank

A few weeks ago I talked about the FAFSA and CSS Profile and how important they are to securing financial aid. While I hope you are well on your way to having those both completed, you may have already realized that a college education does not usually come without a big price tag. Statistics tell us that the average college student is graduating with almost $25,000 in debt, and that number is not expected to decrease anytime soon. With an average financial aid package of around $9,000, most students and families will have to seek additional sources of income to help pay for college costs without breaking the bank.

If you are in the boat of balancing college expenses with reality do not fret. There are tons of great resources for tracking down FREE money. That’s right I said FREE money. Now I’m not saying that getting this money is easy, but if your student is willing to work for it, the world of scholarships and grants can be your ticket to a debt free college experience (or at the very least, decrease the amount one has to borrow.)

Any of the websites below offer students the opportunity to browse through scholarships they may qualify for. By putting in simple information these websites will search and generate lists of scholarships your student may be able to apply for. Keep in mind that small scholarships add up, and any amount, no matter how small can really help in the long run!

Fast Web
College.gov
Federal Student Aid
US Department of Education
Mass. Department of Higher Education
College Board

Don't forget that many high schools may compile their own list of more local scholarships for students to apply to. This along with checking with clubs and organizations, in which students are involved in, may turn up even more scholarship opportunities.

Happy Hunting!

Campus Visits

With February vacation approaching from many area students, colleges are gearing up to welcome hundreds of perspective students and their families onto campus. Whether you have already been accepted to the college or are just starting your college searching, school breaks are a great time to get a lot of visiting done. Of course depending on where you are in your college selection process will have a big impact on the type of visit you have.

For students and families who have already applied or know they have been accepted February break is a great time to go visit some of the schools you have not yet gotten to see. You want to make sure the school is everything you hoped it would be, and that all the things that led you to apply are actually a reality. Take the opportunity to talk to current students, eat in the dinning hall, and maybe even take in a sporting event or theater production. A little planning ahead can go a long ways in getting to see and experience everything you want to.

If you are a junior just getting your college search underway, February break offers the opportunity to do a few ‘scouting missions’ if you will. See if you can check out a few different schools to help you figure out what exactly you do and don’t like. It will help you figure out a list of perspective schools later on. Plus, at the very least starting to visit schools will hopefully begin getting you excited for the upcoming year.

For parents who might be a little intimidated or stressed out about the college visit situation, relax, take a deep breath and know that in the end it will all be ok. College visits should not only be informative for you and your student but also FUN! To help you figure it all out and have a n enjoyable experience check out Eileen Ogintz’s CNN article “Taking the Kids: Touring College Campuses” for some greats tips and advice.

Enjoy!

Upcoming SAT Deadline

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to sign up for the March 13th SAT is this THURSDAY Feburary 4th.

To sign up, take a practice test or get more information on the SAT click here.

Figuring Out Financial Aid

It is that time of year again, most college application deadlines have come and gone, and the waiting game begins. Most high school seniors consider this the worst part of the whole process…waiting to see where you got in and where you did not. Regardless, of which school becomes your fist choice to matriculate at, most of us have to face the reality of paying for the next 2-4 years of schooling.

The two forms to become familiar with are the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the CSS Profile (operated by Collegeboard.com). While the FAFSA is required to be eligible for federal aid, some schools may also require the CSS profile to help determine qualifications for private institution aid. Deadlines for FAFSA and the CSS Profile often come up fast after application deadlines because schools want to begin assembling financial aid packages. Consequently, deadlines may fall before last years taxes are even filed. This is one of the most common questions of frazzled parents scrambling to get all their tax information together in time. Fear not, Both the FAFSA and CSS profile allow parents and students to estimate tax figures for the current year, based on the previous years taxes. You can use these figures to fill out both forms before the deadline, and make changes later if needed.

For the FAFSA you will need to sign up for a PIN and keep track of it for the next 4 years to avoid headaches further down the road. After that you will be able to enter in all your tax information. FAFSA then takes this information and generates a Student Aid Report which you should receive within 3-5 days. This report is important because it will give you and Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This number will be very important in understanding how much aid you may be eligible for.

The CSS Profile works much in the same way as the FAFSA. Applicants are asked a variety of income and tax related questions. Unlike the FAFSA the Profile customizes each individual’s application, asking only questions pertaining to you. If any additional or supplement information is requested by the college that will be added to your Profile. Once everything is complete the information is sent you the schools which you provided. These schools then apply their own analysis and determine an individual’s need.

It can all sound confusing, but both the FAFSA and CSS Profile websites have really detailed FAQ pages that can answer a lot of lingering questions. It never hurts to check them out if you have a unique situation or even just to get more information before you get started.


To go to the FAFSA website click here.
To visit College Board's CSS Profile page click here.

WELCOME!!

Hi, and welcome to College Help 101.  Whether you have already started your college admissions journey or will be soon, you have probably realized that the world of college admissions can be quite confusing.  Hopefully this blog will help you find some great tips, advice, and reminders all about the college admissions process.  Once a week I'll be posting something new and useful for you to check out.  There are a lot of things to cover and I'll do my best to touch on some of the hot ticket issues in college admissions.