Katy Jane Tull of Austin, Texas, dreaded an overwhelming college experience after breezing through high school. So she took a year off to pursue other interests instead. You’ll be surprised, and maybe relieved, to learn that the European tradition of a "gap year" is gaining ground in the United States. "Gap year changed my life in ways I don’t even know ...

Applying to college online can save you time and money. Online applications make submitting your application easy, but don't take them less seriously. Here's what you need to know about online applications. Good for Students, Good for Colleges When you apply online you get what you need instantaneously. Depending on the school, you might submit the required information directly through the ...

Don't let the college admissions essay intimidate you. Remember, it's the part of your application that is fully under your control. Make it work to your advantage! Don't recycle essays. Nothing will land your essay in the circular file faster than an obviously recycled or "near match" essay. Be yourself. Choose a topic that is meaningful to you. Write in ...

I recently had the great privilege of serving on a select panel in Webster, NY for the presentation of Mr. Bob Bigelow.  Bob is a former first-round draft choice who played four years in the NBA.   [widget:1577] He competed collegiately at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. More recently, Bob co-authored the book Just Let Kids Play, and he has conducted more ...

Clinging to the narrow railing, I eagerly waited for my turn to mount the remaining steps of the dilapidated book mobile. My seven-year-old eyes scanned the narrow shelves lining the trailer looking for the perfect book to borrow. As I glanced around, my eye was drawn to one particular book. Propped up in the back window and illuminated by a single ...

Ah yes, the college admissions process can be considered a full-time job in itself. Between the deadlines, filling out the applications and deciding which school to go to — not to mention taking the SATs – prepping for college can be overwhelming to say the least. Surviving college is one thing. Surviving the college admissions and application process is a whole other ballgame. CampusCompare’s ...

You found it! The college of your dreams looks perfect ... in the catalog. But you can't find all the answers about your school in brochures. Contacting the school and asking the right questions will give you a better idea if this is the college for you. Academics and Life After College Your college should help you reach your goals in ...

1. Take it again. Some colleges will accept the higher score. Some will combine your scores for the best possible number. If you didn’t do as well as you could have on the SAT or ACT, call your prospective college for advice: Should you retake it? If the college rep says you may be eligible for more scholarships or a better ...

All the terms you need to know to help you get into college. American College Test (ACT) : One of the most common college entrance exams. The exam consists of four sections including math, science, English, and reading. There is an optional writing section that is usually taken for the first time in the spring of the junior year and again ...

The process of finding the right college can be as exhilarating as it is exhausting, just as any high school competition can be. Find the right fit academically, athletically, socially, and financially. It may sound simple, but I assure you it is not. I recommend that my clients look at the entire process as though it were a 4-quarter game—9th and ...

Picking out the school that's right for you isn't always easy. If you're a student with a disability, you want to find out if the school provides the accommodations and resources to make your educational experience a success. Here are some questions to ask up front to make sure a college can meet your needs: Academics and Life After College Does ...

If your roommate dies, you’ll get a 4.0. You know you’ve heard that rumor—and wondered if maybe, just maybe, it’s true. What about other college rumors? Our experts debunk these myths and give you the real scoop. Rumor: I can’t afford college.Busted: With scholarships and grants, few students pay the entire advertised sticker price of college. And with a little thought ...

“If there’s one mistake my students make [when choosing a college], it’s not listening to their parents,” says Bruce Hammond, director of college counseling at Sandia Preparatory School in Albuquerque, N.M., contributing editor to the The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2006 and author of Discounts and Deals at the Nation's 360 Best Colleges. Parents can often balance the excitement students ...

So many schools! So many choices! Take it step by step to find the right college for you. Step 1: Develop your ideal college profile You can't find your perfect college until you figure out what you want. Start by breaking it down. Make a list of the characteristics you want in a college. Think about: Size: Large schools can offer ...

Hopefully, you’ve already been studying for your upcoming standardized tests for many weeks and months. But even hours of preparation can be undone on test day by forgetting a calculator or losing the testing center’s address. Mapping out the details beforehand (i.e. what to bring and what not to bring) will ensure you do your very best on test day. Here’s a ...

Over the last decade, colleges enjoyed double-digit increases in their endowments. A college’s endowment is not only a sign of an institution’s financial strength, but it also allows the institution to fund new projects. With alumni donations, many colleges expanded academic programs, refurbished campus facilities, and improved financial aid awards. College endowments, however, are not immune to the drastic downturn in ...

It’s March Madness! As we fill in our brackets and enjoy buzzer beaters and Cinderella stories, it’s easy to forget that our favorite college basketball players are students first and foremost. Over the years, I’ve worked with a number of students looking for schools with a rigorous curriculum and successful sports teams. Colleges are often known for one or the other—rarely ...

Freshmen are like snowflakes. They all look the same, but each one of them is unique. They come to college with their unique dreams and fears, goals and ambitions, fears and anxieties. One size does not fit all, although many universities are now providing customized advising and helping freshmen transition through freshmen initiatives and programs. [widget:1577]   Here are a ...

Closing Time: You Don't Have to Go Home, but You Can't Stay Here Feb. 17, 2006 Hola, ladies and gents. The good people at FastWeb have informed me that my contract is up! No more blogs from yours truly. Dry your eyes. It'll be okay, I promise. You can still believe in Santa. The past six months have gone by really ...

Although Halloween usually marks the start of the holiday season for America’s retailers, if you are a Senior applying to college, the day signals the unofficial start of the college application season. Regardless of your grades or test scores, you will likely struggle writing your personal statement, commonly known as “the college essay.” Here are six tips that will help you ...