Richard O’Brien wasn’t sure he wanted to attend a community college. “Most of my friends were going straight to four-year schools and there is some negative stigma attached to attending community colleges,” he says. After considering the pros and cons, O’Brien decided to attend Danville Area Community College and then transfer to complete his engineering degree at the University of Illinois. ...

After the past few posts on test scores, I’m pretty bored with the subject. Nevertheless, amid reports that ACT scores are down this year (overstated - they’re just down 0.1, and that’s equal to 2006 scores), I hear again the question about whether the SAT or the ACT is better. Before I answer, I’ll remind readers that, as I’ve mentioned before, ...

Then you get to your applications, and you get to the part where you answer some questions and ask some people to say stuff about you, and you realize this is the place you have the MOST control of the process. Then the panic starts. Let’s put this in some context. Essays and recommendations are WAY less important than your ...

Will a business degree get me a job? And if so, what types of business degrees should I look into? Answer: No degree will get you a job all by itself. It will most certainly HELP you get a job; it just won't GUARANTEE you a job. If you're already in college -- or you soon will be -- this is ...

As a college-bound student, I will admit that preparing for the college process takes more than good grades and activities. While students strive to find a place in the realm of academia, I believe that scholarships are a crucial element. Universally, most people concur that a decent education doesn’t come cheaply. Indeed, knowledge is power, but obtaining that power costs a ...

After all the stuff I shared about how college admissions committees function, you begin to get the idea that the essay isn’t getting NEARLY as much attention as the stress levels on the subject would lead you to believe. That’s mostly true, but the truth is you never know how much your essay might influence the decision, positively or negatively, so ...

There are a lot of reasons students choose to transfer colleges. Some plan from the start to save money by starting at a community college and finishing at a four-year college. Others are simply not happy with their choice and want to explore other options. Whatever the reason, if you're thinking of transferring, you need to plan ahead to make sure ...

Colleges and universities hit by state and federal funding cuts are shocking students with mid-year tuition hikes. How can students, already squeezed for money, cope with such unexpected sticker shock? Don't Panic Don’t panic, experts say. Students should discuss the situation with their families first, said Seamus Harreys, dean of student financial services at Northeastern University in Boston. “Many families have ...

Join us on today, November 12, 2009 ALL day for EducationXpo! EducationXpo, the premier virtual college and career fair, for students and parents. EducationXpo offers potential students of all ages access to the essentials involved in the college planning process. Talk live with admissions experts, and job recruiters, take virtual campus tours, get financial aid information and more – 100% FREE ...

Essays seem to cause a lot of stress. It seems strange to me, but the stress seems to increase when the topic is broader. When they ask about specific books you’ve read or people that influenced you, somehow that seems easier than the “tell us about yourself” questions. This seems especially odd since most applicants I met spend much of the ...

After you research your next car, book a flight and find a scholarship, why not do one more thing online -- earn a degree. Lots of busy people are trying out this new alternative to the traditional college career. All Kinds of Programs The number of online education options has grown tremendously over the past several years. There are schools that ...

When the question is open-ended (”Tell us about yourself”), stress levels seem to increase. Bear in mind that no one knows for sure what any individual reader will want or get from an essay. That being said, I suggest you try to include two main points: Why the school wants to have you there, and why you want to go there. ...

Some simple suggestions to round out my series on your admissions essay. Do: Write multiple drafts, get help with reviewing your document, and proofread. Allow TIME for revisions and reflection. Be especially careful of how your document cuts and pastes into online applications - with many you may have a perfect essay transformed into (in technical terms) gobbleygook. Keep the length ...

FastWeb users share their schools! The size and location of your campus can make a big difference on your college experience. FastWeb users attend all types of schools—from big urban universities to small rural colleges. They share what they love about their schools. “I attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE. This is a small school maybe a bit ...

Have you ever wanted to explore a campus from your living room couch? Now you can! FastWeb and YOUniversity TV are teaming up to make the college search process easier for students and parents. We know you have a busy, demanding schedule and sometimes, college visits simply aren’t feasible, especially if the college is far away. First, check out the school’s ...

Many college students choose a major simply because it interests them. Others decide on a major that will guide them toward a specific career. But what if you want to do more? Depending on your school, you may have more options than you think. Adding a minor or a double or dual major can enhance your academic experience and give you ...

I promised I’d get around to writing about recommendations, and at long last I have. Colleges look at recommendations, first and foremost, to get additional information about what kind of student you have been and will be. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, then, that the most important recommendations are usually from teachers. There are, of course, exceptions. If your ...

OK, I’m back. Sorry to be gone so long right when you all were in the midst of your applications, but hey, it happens. I was off in Japan and Korea where Mason is incredibly popular, and came back to a FLOOD of early action applicants screaming for attention. Also, thanks to over 4,000 of you who attended our Fall Showcase ...

Have you ever wanted to explore a campus from your living room couch? Now you can! FastWeb and YOUniversity TV are teaming up to make the college search process easier for students and parents. We know you have a busy, demanding schedule and sometimes, college visits simply aren’t feasible, especially if the college is far away. First, check out the ...

Have you ever wanted to explore a campus from your living room couch? Now you can! FastWeb and YOUniversity TV are teaming up to make the college search process easier for students and parents. We know you have a busy, demanding schedule and sometimes, college visits simply aren’t feasible, especially if the college is far away. First, check out the school’s ...