It’s no secret that students are held to an almost-impossible standard of perfection. This comes from many areas: parents, teachers and, mostly society. The pressure to succeed can become unbearable because, after all, nobody’s perfect.

If you don’t think it’s a trend, you may want to open your eyes. Even in researching this article, it was amazing how many students commented that the use of Adderall and other prescription stimulant drugs shouldn’t be news, because it’s a norm; nothing new. It’s what students do. But that doesn’t make it ok. It’s gone far enough that it’s the go-to common-but-highly-illegal practice among college students to abuse stimulant drugs. Why? The pursuit of perfection, of course.

As with most things in life, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. [gate]

The National Library of Medicine defines Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurological disorder, as “a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination.”

Other medical conditions, such as depression, lack of sleep, learning disabilities, tic disorders and behavioral issues may be mistaken or, even present in conjunction with ADHD.

Adderall and other drugs usually prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (some of the other common drugs are Ritalin and Vyvanse) are some of the most widely prescribed–and widely abused–prescription medications in America. Studies estimate anywhere from ten to 35 percent of college students abuse prescription drug stimulants, like Adderall, to boost their academic focus and achievement. The numbers increase with older students, as many as 80 percent of upperclassmen at one university.

Statistics resulting from studies have shown that students at highly competitive schools, especially in the Northeast, are more likely to abuse the prescription stimulants. Interestingly enough, Caucasian male undergraduates were most prevalent in usage, as well as students who are members of fraternities or sororities, usually with GPA’s of 3.0 or below.

Such students are said to be seeking a means to supplement their academic achievement levels through the usage and abuse through “study drugs” while maintaining active in other aspects of life. In other words, these students are supplementing natural energy and focus with drugs to accommodate the “do-it-all” lifestyle.
The statistics, however, do not include the countless number of students that have prescriptions for the drugs by faking or exaggerating the symptoms of ADHD.

These drugs are prevalent on college campuses, though are immensely popular amongst high school students as well, likely due to extensive media coverage. A study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that “full-time college students, between the ages of 18 and 22, were twice as likely to abuse Adderall than those of the same age not in college.”

Students take the drugs to give them the capability to study or work for long periods of time, often hours on end, without sleeping, eating or interruption in focus. For many, it’s simple. What do students do when it’s necessary to pull an all-nighter? They simply pop an “Addie,” a commonly referred to pet name for the pill.

Also known as “smart drugs,” the pills are comprised of a mix of amphetamine salts and sold for anywhere from two to ten dollars a pill, on the low end of the scale – a relatively cheap alternative to studying the old fashioned way.
It’s important to note that students find access to the medications through friends or acquaintances – not your stereotypical street corner drug dealers. One study found that Adderall and other drugs like it is abused more than marijuana and far easier to obtain. While many students utilize the medications for performance-enhancing academic pursuits, others that have access to the pills see it as a money-making goldmine.

A very dangerous-to-your-health, federal offense of a goldmine. If that sounds like an oxymoron, that’s because it is. Adderall, one of the most common stimulants, is dangerous and, as a result, is considered a Class 2 controlled substance. Drugs within the category, according to U.S. law, have “the highest abuse potential and dependence profile of all drugs that have medical utility.” To put the classification in perspective, it’s categorized within the same class as cocaine.

What may sound like a wonder-drug may be – for those who need it. It seems as if the quest to better one’s performance outweighs the serious health risks. Students that take the drugs illegally often describe themselves as “unstoppable” or “driven” while on the medication. The effects are compared to drugs like cocaine or speed.
Researchers link the pressure to succeed, overloads of work and students’ resulting competitive mentalities to the abuse. But many students who illicitly take prescription stimulants don’t take the time to learn about and consider the many dangerous, life-threatening risks associated with the medications. After all, it is a drug.

In addition to being a federal crime to possess the pills without a prescription, usage of such stimulants has a high level of abuse and can lead to frightening side effects. Anxiety, depression, dependency, extreme anxiety levels, nervous breakdowns, sleep disorders, suicidal thoughts, psychosis—a mental disorder that causes a loss of grip with reality—and a variety of other mental illnesses. These are just a few of the common complaints associated with taking the drug.

Less serious symptoms include nervousness, jitters, stomach problems, headaches, sleeplessness and a decrease in appetite. Contrary to popular belief, sudden death has been attributed to the use of performance-enhancing stimulants.

What’s most alarming is that the abuse is so common that it’s not perceived by students as abnormal or dangerous. One study by Dr. Raymond Kotwicki, the medical director at the Skyland Trail mental health treatment facility and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Emory University’s school of medicine, found that students classify taking performance-enhancing stimulants as “slightly more dangerous than the soft drink Mountain Dew and nowhere near as dangerous as drinking beer and smoking.”

Though students are aware that taking the drugs without a prescription is illegal, many shrug it off as a technicality and ignore the fact that they could face prosecution if caught. It’s thought of as socially acceptable, if not normal, to use as long as it’s for academic achievement.

Students justify taking the drugs as a means to an end and consider it a different type of drug because they’re not taking it to get high; they’re taking it to get smarter. Since they’re ultimately using it for a positive outcome, like good grades, they think it’s not as bad as your run-of-the-mill street drugs. In reality, if you don’t have a medical condition making it necessary to take the prescription pills, it’s all the same.

What may seem like a solution to achieving it all has significant long term effects in the way people think, develops mood disorders and can even impair the ability to function normally. Students also complain that once they begin taking the drug to study, they no longer have the ability to study without it.

Part of issue in solving the abuse is that these are not your average junkies. Those that commonly abuse the drugs are highly functioning (even without the drug), often well-educated contributors to society. It’s easy to spot someone battling a drug addiction from seemingly more extreme drugs, say, meth or heroine, because of the physical and mental toll it takes. But with performance-enhancing stimulants, they effects are less noticeable because most people can function normally while on it. That is, until they’re negatively affected by side-effects or a variety of other medical conditions, and that’s just the list of short-term effects.

On the flip side, life on campus can be difficult for those that are rightfully prescribed stimulants. Students have experienced pressure from friends and acquaintances aware of their prescription, asking to purchase the pills. It’s awkward and uncomfortable, but it’s become the culture of college.

Luckily, many clinics and pharmacies have strict practices on early medication refills and replacing lost medication to help combat the issue of medication misuse. This creates an issue for those that actually need the drug to function normally in daily life, as the abuse causes anyone, regardless of condition, to need to jump through hoops for access to their medication.

Many campuses are cracking down on their health care professionals prescribing stimulants without the necessary testing and procedure to confirm the diagnosis. But before media attention and a slew of lawsuits, it was a lot easier to get prescription. College students are bright and know what to say to get doctors to oblige with prescriptions. This led to questionable diagnostic practices, with many students manipulating the system for years.

Now wise to the situation, schools have finally taken precautionary measures by changing policies for diagnosis, which can take a significant amount of testing and time. When policies were updated, the requests for the drugs remained high at schools like Fresno State, among many others across the country. The school was literally unable to handle the volume of requests and chose to no longer make diagnoses, referring students to medical health care professionals outside of the university.

For students that actually need the drugs, this long process can become cumbersome. However, most students that have experience with the drug understand the necessity of precautions like signing contracts that promise not to misuse or distribute the medication, waivers that allow physicians to contact a student’s parents to confirm symptoms and extensive testing, which can take months to complete.

Sure, college is intensely competitive and most student’s want to excel in academics. But, as with anything, one must balance risk and reward. Is it worth becoming dependent on a drug, risking a federal offense and experiencing mood-altering and, perhaps, life-threatening side effects? Have we, as a nation, given up on hard work and ethics? When laid out so clearly, the answer should seem quite obvious. (It’s a “no,” by the way.)

If you or someone you know is abusing stimulants like those mentioned in this article, you’re clearly not alone. Many struggle with addiction but, the good news is, there is help available. Acknowledging the issue means recovery is in sight.

For help with addiction or to learn about helping someone dealing with drug abuse, contact the Coalition Against Drug Abuse, go to your university’s health center or contact a medical health care professional.

Why do you feel there is such a prevalence of stimulant usage amongst students?

For students in college, the ultimate goal upon graduation is nearly always to land a great job. Whether you’ve graduated, are set to graduate or still in college, the job search is an inevitable reality.

As soon as you find yourself ready for the hunt, it’s difficult to decide where to begin. The job market can be tricky and it’s always helpful to have an idea about what types of jobs are both lucrative and available.

When you begin the search, here are some great options in the job market to consider, according to Salary.com, complete with median salary estimates. [gate]

1. Biomedical Engineer

Annual Salary: $49,804

Though it may not seem like the best salary from the start compared to other engineering positions, Biomedical Engineers tend to have a steady salary growth that’s faster than most.

Plus, according to the Bureau of Labor’s statistics, there’s a likely 62 percent increase in positions for Biomedical Engineers. It certainly sounds like it’s going to a bright future for those interested in medical research and innovation.

2. Chemical Engineer

Annual Salary: $64, 089

The beauty of being a Chemical Engineer is that they’re needed around various industries. Translation: more opportunities for those in the field, across all fields.

3. Meeting/Event Assistant

Annual Salary: $44,189

For non-science minded folks, a Meeting/Event Assistant positioncan be quite enticing.

Though the salary is pretty average, applicants should consider that the field has numerous other perks like travel and rubbing elbows with higher-ups, which creates invaluable networking potential.

4. Pathology Assistant

Annual Salary: $72,263

Afraid of the morgue? You may get over your fears quicker than you can say “stable future.”

Plus, being faced with post-mortem job tasks is only a small percentage of a Pathology Assistant’s job description.

While specialized training and certification is necessary, the rewards make it worthwhile: think more money and more career stability.

5. Petroleum Geologist

Annual Salary: $79,307

Nearly $80k as a median salary? While money isn’t everything, it sure makes a difference in daily life. Keep in mind, though, that the more advanced the degree, the more advanced the salary.

Additionally, the increasing opportunities within the oil industry make it a smart career choice, with ample job openings now and projected for the future.

6. Software Developer

Annual Salary: $57,916

Despite many companies outsourcing software development overseas, the Bureau of Labor’s statistics predicts demand for develops will continue to rise through 2020 due to the an ever-increasing demand for the creation and support of computer programs.

Software Developers also have faster than average salary increases, in addition to a great starting salary. If you’ve got the technical skills, trying out a career in software development may just help you break bank in the future.

7. Ultrasound Technologist

Annual Salary: $65,339

Like any lucrative position, becoming an Ultrasound Technologist can require a small amount of hoop-jumping since the job requires a degree plus training and, perhaps, registering with the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

For those that do qualify or decide to pursue a job within the field, the starting salary is certainly something to write home about. Not to mention amazing job security. There’s a projected 44 percent increase in available job positionsin the next eight years alone. In a tough economy, that’s music to any applicant’s ears.

Don’t love these job position prospects? There are plenty more out there! Check out Monster as a resource for your job search!

Most people will agree that one of the most frustrating things in life is waiting for an answer. Yes, patience is a virtue, but what about when you’re waiting to hear about your own future and you receive a “maybe?”

Many students find themselves in this difficult position after being wait-listed by the college of their choice. You can sit back and wait to hear whether or not you’ve been accepted or take your acceptance into your own hands, a growing trend. [gate]

Determination is key - many students set their sights on their prize college and do whatever it takes to get noticed. From writing letters and sending gifts to personalizing their application with photos or videos, students are getting increasingly creative in attempts to become noticed in the admissions process.

One student, for example, planned a Twitter campaign, tweeting at his college daily, until he was finally accepted. Others send baked goods, high-school projects and, even, personalized gifts to admissions officials.

Colleges claim it doesn't affecting the decision-making process, but some students seem to believe it makes a difference. For many, it’s merely a matter of doing something versus doing nothing.

Some applicants feel helpless and act out of resentment for not being accepted in the first place. Applicants or sometimes an applicant’s family will hound admissions departments demanding an interview, insulting the department’s judgment or the process. These actions can seriously impact a student’s chances of acceptance.

Students that are wait listed are better off sending in a letter that indicated their continued interest in attending the school, however, other items and materials often become cumbersome to an admissions department. Admissions officials agree that reaching out to indicate interest after learning about being wait listed is important – as long as it’s done in a professional, mature manner.

What works the most? Focusing on the academics offered, rather than how much you love the school in general. At the end of the day, you’re applying to educational institutions and they want to know that you desire to participate and learn from their programs.

After all, nobody likes a pest. While sending other items may seem fun and creative, admissions departments swear it won’t make a bit of difference in their decision.

Whether or not you believe them is up to you.

What do you think about reaching out to colleges in pursuit of acceptance?

Is there anything this guy can’t do right? His global fame spans from his rapping, record producing, acting, writing and his superstar wife, Beyonce. As if that weren't enough, JAY Z is also a philanthropist who has started a foundation that awards students a brighter future.

The opportunities are available through the Shawn Carter Foundation, a charitable organization that was officially established in 2003 by Shawn and Gloria Carter.

As with most of his projects, JAY Z (Shawn Carter) goes all out to ensure that the foundation bearing his name is a success. [gate]

Gloria Carter, also known as JAY Z's mom, was the originator of the idea. “I sat down and talked to my son and I said listen, there are a lot of urban kids whose issues are not being addressed. You have kids who do have a high GPA and a lot of them have a desire to continue their education. Let us be unique and do what no one else does. It is not just about getting into college; it is about getting through it. He said, ‘okay, let’s do it,’” she said.

What began as a foundation granting one student full college tuition in 2002, the organization has grown exponentially through the years, awarding students a total of more than $1.3 million dollars.

His take? “Sometimes, people just need the opportunity to be great. We created the scholarship foundation to be an opening of a door; the first step in a new direction. No one should be cheated out a chance at success just because they can’t continue their education. I want to do my part so anyone that really wants it has a chance to achieve their dream,” said JAY Z.

According to the foundation’s web site, the mission of the Shawn Carter Foundation “is to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at institutions of higher learning.”

The foundation also offers Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation College Tours, an initiative that began in 2005. Out of the college tour applicants, more than 73 percent will be the first generation college students.

Scholarships are awarded to all types of students, from single mothers to the previously incarcerated. The main qualification is desiring a higher education. Other qualifications are pretty lenient, too. In order to be eligible, one must be a high school or college students or be between the ages of 18-25 and have personal or socio-economic setbacks.

Students chosen as Shawn Carter Scholars are given financial support from admission to graduation. The support even includes financial support for books and other college expenses, in hopes that students’ college plans remain on track if their finances are provided.

Shawn Carter Scholars attend more than 100 institutions throughout the United States and more than 750 students have received awards from the foundation since it was created.

Click here to learn more about scholarship opportunities with the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation or to apply to become a Shawn Carter Scholar.

According to a survey, graduating students have unrealistic expectations regarding their post-graduation jobs.

The students currently enrolled in college that are set to graduate in 2013, as reported by Accenture’s survey, over estimate the likelihood of gaining a well-paid, full-time position within their area of expertise. [gate]

The survey was conducted by polling more than 1,000 students who are graduating this year in addition to nearly 1,000 students who graduated in 2011 and 2012 in order to get data on expectations of those out of college and those almost ready to graduate and compare the results.

The survey found that those graduating this year had expectations that were far removed from the realities of the current job market.

In other words, the survey compares those who know how the real world works because of experience versus those who think they know how the real world works but haven’t experienced it yet to find out for themselves.

For example, 15 percent of those about to graduate in 2013 believed they’d make less than $25k per year, compared to 32 percent of 2011 and 2012 graduates who actually earn $25 or less annually.

There’s also a difference in expectations of employment: nearly two-thirds of 2013 graduates expect to be employed full-time in their field post-graduation, while barely half of those who graduated in 2011 or 2012 have full-time jobs in their fields of study.

There also seems to be a large amount of misunderstanding regarding the expectations of job training. More than three quarters of 2013’s graduates polled said they expected formal job training, however, less than half of 2011 and 2012 graduates reported actually receiving training in their first professional position.

In terms of continuing schooling, less than a quarter of 2013 graduates believed they would need to pursue a graduate degree in order to further their careers, but 42 percent of the 2011 and 2012 graduates indicated they would need a graduate degree to do so.

“A solution is sorely needed to bridge the disconnect between employers that are concerned about college graduates being unprepared for available jobs and the graduates who feel overqualified for them,” said the senior managing director of Accenture’s talent and organization practice, David Smith.

This was in reference to the results, as indicated by the creators of the poll, which clearly show that employers need to reevaluate hiring and training programs, in addition to reassessing their partnerships with universities in order to help better prepare students for the job market.

What do you think could remedy the issues between potential employers and upcoming graduates?

Still unsure about your college plans? Don’t worry – it’s not too late to pursue attending a college this fall!

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, more than 200 schools still have spots for incoming freshman or transfers during the fall 2013 semester. [gate]

Additionally, more than 99 percent still have available housing options and all schools are still offering financial aid options.

The National Association for College Admission Counseling, known as the NACAC, conveniently lists schools within their Space Availability Survey.

Although the survey is voluntary and does not include all colleges, it’s a helpful tool in gaining insight about your current college options.

The 2013 Space Availability Survey is now available through June 28 for those still looking for fall semester placement. The list also has the capability of being filtered by location, which is helpful for those looking for colleges within a specific area that still have availability.

As time advances, more space will fill up so try to apply as early as possible to ensure they still have availability.

Keep in mind that the colleges that are not NACAC members (estimated to be near 900 schools) are not included in the survey. This means that if a college is not listed, they still may have space available for students to attend this fall.

Curious if people actually win scholarships through Fastweb? They absolutely do and here’s another $40k winner to prove it!

Daniel Guerriero, 19, is going into his sophomore year at University of South Carolina who won GotChosen's GotScholarship $40k Give Away. [gate]

How many scholarships did you apply for before you won this one?

I only applied to a few, around 4 or 5.

So, tell us a little about your application process for the scholarship you won.

I was with my friend and he was looking on Fastweb. I didn't know what it was and asked him. He explained what Fastweb was and said I should try it out – he had gotten some opportunities through Fastweb and thought I could use it too.

If someone that sponsors you, they have the choice of transferring it to me or keeping it for themselves.

After receiving his invitation to become a sponsor, Daniel’s cousin, Carmela, signed up. Her name was chosen at random as the winner the second scholarship offered by GotChosen, Inc.

Though Carmela is currently pursuing her Masters, she selflessly decided to transfer the scholarship to Daniel instead of keeping it for herself.

What scholarship advice would you give to other students?

“Just apply! It doesn't take too much time and it really helps out. You might not get everything but you never know - you might get something.”

Progression has reached federal student aid as news that the FAFSA form will now recognize parents that are also same-sex couples.

Currently, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid referred to “mother/stepmother” and “father/stepfather” in reference to obtaining information about an applicant’s parents.

As a result, applicants with same-sex parents had no choice but to either choose to classify parents at random in the “mother” and “father” categories or exclude one parent from the form all together. [gate]

This creates problems because the children of same sex parents are forced to create applications where their family structure is not correctly represented, thus making the form inaccurate. Students will be able to accurately claim their financial status and reflect their true financial needs since both parents will be represented on the form.

Beginning on the 2014-2015 FAFSA form, applicants will be able to accurately list their parentage under “Parent 1” and “Parent 2,” marking the first time that the department will be collecting data for same-sex parents the same way as heterosexual parents.

In a press release, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stated that the form changes would, “ensure taxpayer dollars are better targeted toward those students who have the most need” and “provide an inclusive form that reflects the diversity of American families.”

Duncan also stated that the percentage of affected families or the monetary amount resulting from any award reductions were not taken into consideration when deciding to update the FAFSA form.

“We don’t know whether it will cost more or less. We just think it’s more accurate, more inclusive, more fair, and better reflects the reality of young people’s family circumstances,” said Duncan.

The change allowing all families to be treated equally on the document will also ensure that the process is not delayed for students that are children of same-sex parents, which has been an issue in the past.

In addition, this change will likely lead to progression throughout the entire financial aid system, since many organizations, non-profits and government agencies create their applications while referencing the well-known FAFSA document.

While only a small percentage of applicants will be affected, the April 29th announcement was a huge step forward, as far as the LGBTQ community is concerned, even though it could actually reduce the amount of aid granted to children of same-sex couples because both parents’ income will be eligible for consideration.

Why do the government and colleges use last year's income to determine
financial aid for the current year? Our financial situation has
changed, my husband was laid off last year but our FAFSA looks
okay because of his severance pay. We need financial aid help in order
to help our daughter who wants to attend college in the fall.
How can we qualify for a Pell Grant when last year's income is used to
determine our eligibility?
— Anonymous

Financial aid application forms start with the previous year's income
because this information is verifiable. It can be compared with
information reported to the IRS on W-2 and 1099 statements and the
taxpayer's federal income tax return. It is also a reasonably accurate
proxy for the family's income during the award year.

However, sometimes there are unusual circumstances that can cause the
previous year's income to not reflect the family's ability to
pay. These can include one time events, such as a special bonus or
inheritance. These can also include job loss and salary reductions,
high unreimbursed medical and dental care expenses, high dependent
care costs for a special needs child or elderly parent and private
K-12 tuition for the student's siblings. Unusual circumstances can
include anything that has changed since the start of the previous tax
year and anything that distinguishes the family from the typical
family.

Families who are affected by an unusual circumstance should ask the
college financial aid administrator for a professional judgment review
(PJ). Some colleges call it a special circumstances review or a
financial aid appeal.

Families can appeal for more aid at any time, not just at the start of
the financial aid application season. If a job loss occurs in the
middle of the year, the family can and should ask for PJ then and not
wait until the next year.

Ask the college financial aid administrator about the college's
procedures for a professional judgment review. Some colleges ask the
family to complete a special form that is designed to elicit details
about the family's financial situation. Others ask the family to write
a letter summarizing the unusual circumstances.

In both cases the process is driven by independent, third party
documentation. For example, if a primary wage-earner lost his or her
job, supply the college with a copy of the layoff notice and a copy of
a recent letter showing the receipt of unemployment benefits within
the last 90 days.

When a family is affected by job loss, often the college will switch
from the previous year's income to an estimate of the current year's
income. This estimate will take severance pay and unemployment
benefits into account.

Do you feel like you’re constantly job searching without results? Don’t put in time without payoff – there is a better way!

Your search shouldn't be consuming all of your time and efforts. With a little organization and effort, you can restore balance into your life.

Follow the below guidelines, courtesy of Yahoo! Finance, to take back control of your job hunt. [gate]

1. Look at your job search as a job.

Determine your “working” hours (the time you’ll be looking for jobs) and stick to the schedule you’ve created for yourself. That way, you can work hard when you’re scheduled to, but have guilt-free time when you’re not scheduled also. Remember, it’s all about balance!

2. Organize and allot your time.

Decide how much time should be devoted to each task, focusing on one aspect at a time. Studies have shown that multi-tasking, despite the rumors, does not help efficiency.

3. Prioritize.

Determine which tasks put you closest to gaining a job offer and focus on those first. Your priorities should be preparing for and following up on job interviews – those get you closest to landing an actual position.

Next, utilize and create networking opportunities. Speaking with actual people should always be prioritized over any internet search activities.

Lastly, create time for researching new companies, job leads and potential networking opportunities. Make sure to include building your personal brand in your job hunt, especially taking interest in your LinkedIn profile.

4. Organize your work space.

Organize all of your job search documents into files and folders. Nothing will get finished in a messy environment where you consistently feel overwhelmed by paperwork!

At the end of your daily “work” hours, clean up your work space so that you are able to start fresh the following day.

5. Organize your computer.

Determine what type of filing system works for you and then utilize it. Create folders for various tasks such as research, applying, applied, recruiters, etc. Once you have a filing system organized on your computer, it will be easy for you to access any documents you may need for your search in the future.

6. Automate repetitive tasks.

You will find that searching for jobs can be a repetitive process. Organizing and creating file systems will likely also save a lot of time and effort since a lot of documents can be slightly edited and repurposed, rather than constantly going back to the drawing board.

Automate notifications like on Monster, Google Alerts and other job boards to follow people you’ve networked with or companies that may have potential job openings. If you set up automatic alerts, you won’t have to worry about searching for them, the notifications will come right to your inbox.

Save past search results by hyper-linking a cell within a spreadsheet. Make sure you add details of what the search was created for and repeat the searches by clicking on the links regularly. The new results will automatically come up and you don’t have to sift through a long list of search results you’ve already seen.

These efforts can seem intensive, but once they become habitual will aid your search tremendously. However, nothing can compensate for commitment and motivation, so make sure to review how much more productive your new processes are so that you’ll continue the practices throughout your entire search.

Have you found other ways to make your job search more efficient?

One of the most difficult and daunting tasks after graduating from college is creating your first post-college resume. You may not have the job experience you’d like or, perhaps, you just aren't sure how to get across your experiences all together.

Experts agree that most students underestimate how much experience they actually have and often don’t include many valuable aspects on their post-college resumes. Don’t let this become you! It’s always best to put everything applicable to your experiences on your resume, no matter how big or small the experience seems.

Your final resume should end at a one-page document, with a brief job goal that gives the person reviewing your resume an idea of your previous experience by assessing your expertise.

The following are guidelines, per Forbes online, to consider when creating a resume fresh out of college, one of the most inquired about tasks by college grads today: [gate]

1. List a career objective.

Do this only if you’re sure of what you want to do or if you’re applying to a specific job that you can tailor the objective to (in which case, you should).

If you are unsure about your career goals, don’t put an objective. It’s likely you will hinder yourself more than help if you put placeholder text that’s vague and lacks targeting like, “Seeking a promising career within a progressive company.”

2. List the details of your education.

This includes your school and the year you obtained your degree. Make sure to include any honors, if possible, as well as your grade point average if it’s high.

3. List relevant coursework (outside of your specified major).

If you took courses specifically tailored to your career that didn't necessarily fit into your major’s curriculum, your potential employer will likely be interested in seeing your experiences. You can list such courses under the education section of your resume.

For example, if you majored in Journalism but want to specifically write about nutrition, you could add a line to the education section of your resume that states, “Coursework included nutritional development, public health and wellness and the relation between society and food.”

4. Reevaluate all of your job experiences.

While you may consider a prior job to be mundane, low-level or irrelevant, that may not necessarily be the case.

Think about what you’ve done from a broader perspective: did you manage anyone? Interact with customers or clients? Were you responsible for your own small business, such as babysitting or lawn-care? All of these are valuable skills that should not be left off your resume since employers would find candidates with such skills highly employable.

5. Determine how your extracurriculars might relate to your career.

Being active in clubs, sports or other activities can demonstrate your dedication and responsibility. Don’t count out activities just because they weren't performed within a traditional job or internship setting.

For example, if you’re going into fundraising for the nonprofit sector, and you were the philanthropy chair of your sorority, organizing events and fundraisers, this is valuable experience to your employer.

Make sure you list your current job as a full-time student and under, with bullet points, you can detail any positions or details that may be of value to a potential employer.

6. Determine whether your coursework could be qualified as job experience.

Many college students handle coursework that is demanding enough to equate to a full-time position. The experiences that are relevant to your career goals can be listed as job experience.

Again, make sure to list your current job as a full-time student and under, with bullet points, you can detail any coursework or studies completed that are relevant to your objective.

For example, assume you’re a journalism major and one of your courses required articles to be researched, written and then sent out to potential publications. If any of your coursework was published, it would benefit you to list under the course to list the articles you had published and where as a result of taking the course.

This ultimately translates into real-world experience and is just as valuable to an employer as any other work experience you may have.

7. Pay attention to verbiage and tense.

When writing a resume, it’s always best to use active verbs and language. Rather than “worked on,” used collaborate.

Use past tense unless you’re currently involved in a project. If you’re currently working on a project, use present tense but try to avoid using verbs ending in “ing” since they tend to be passive.

8. Use detailed descriptions and numbers.

This can easily help you translate a job you find to be a placeholder into impressive resume-worthy experience.

For example, if you worked a retail job in the fall, it may not sound that impressive to you. However, if you taken into consideration that your store was one of the highest grossing within the company, had $45,000 in sales daily and you were assisting 10,000 customers daily – that sounds much more remarkable.

Consider how your detailed job description may have been different from your colleagues. Were you the go-to employee for customer service issues because you handle conflict well? Did you train new hires because you work well with others?

All of these are key aspects to taking previous job experience from ordinary to extraordinary – without lying or exaggeration, just elaboration on details and numbers.

9. Try a “brain dump” exercise.

Talk over all work, schooling and experiences with someone, including the pros and cons of each experience and what you found memorable. Be sure to include as many details as possible in the conversation.

The goal is to talk through everything that could possibly be listed on your resume – even experiences that you may not have considered. Think about your courses, extra-curricular activities, volunteer work and participation in sports.

This will help you sort through what is valuable to include on your resume and what’s worth leaving off the page.

In addition, listing what you found enjoyable about each experience will likely help shape your career objective, since it can help you see what types of experiences you tend to enjoy and what conditions you thrive under.

10. Consider alternative resume formats.

There is no correct format for a resume, though there is a standard. The standard layout is objective, education, experience and skills.

However, an individual must determine which resume format works best with their content.

With added experience and as your needs, goals or opportunities change and develop, your resume will change. Edit it to reflect those changes as often as possible so that you’re always submitting an updated version of yourself to your potential employer.

The ultimate goal is to give the potential employer a picture of who you are as an employee, not a person, so only job-relevant information is necessary.

In the end, the finest resumes are clear and concise with details, descriptions and relevant information. Utilize the aforementioned tips to help build the strongest resume version of you-as-an-employee possible.

Do you have any helpful resume writing tips?

Many students are involved in sports these days. If you walk down the halls of your high school, or your college campus, there is an extremely good chance that you will see more than a handful of students involved in some type of sport.

Those of us who are involved in sports understand how time-consuming they can be, but we also know how worth it they are. That feeling you get when you are out there on the field or court—you’re sweating and your muscles are sore—but you can feel victory inches from your grasp; there is no other feeling like it.

There are also countless students who are involved in more than one sport; some even have three or four. Participating in sports give us a feeling that very few other things can give us, a feeling of getting into shape, putting 100% into something larger than just you, and belonging to a team, that feeling is priceless.

Sports help us develop a sense of identity and belonging, they bring us out of our shells and we sometimes fall in love with them. Sports can even sometimes become our entire lives and the only thing we care about, participate in and excel in.

That extreme love of sports can sometimes hurt our grades. You may be someone who is top of your class and is extremely gifted academically, but when your sports season rolls around, your mind diverges onto a new path. Sports become a large portion of your life and you dedicate yourself to after school practices and games.

Especially this time of year, at the height of the spring sports season, our grades begin to suffer. I've learned a couple things that have helped me keep up with my grades without letting my athletics suffer either.

From one sports addict to another, I’m willing to share my strategies: [gate]

1. Take homework with you.

We all know how long our matches can get, especially if they’re away, so I've started taking my homework with me on the bus and doing as much as I can there. I know what you’re thinking, “Homework on the bus? Loser.” Trust me, I know. That’s why I was so reluctant to do it at first, but once I started and realized how much less I had to stress about it later when I got home. I was home, I was exhausted, and my homework was done, so I passed out. This is a small step that many people don’t want to do, but you’d be surprised at its efficiency.

2. Prioritize.

So just picture it: you’re under the lights of a big game and your adrenaline is pumping, you go to score a point/goal and you get it and it puts your team in the lead. It’s a fantastic feeling that I believe everyone should experience, but they can’t all be big games. Sometimes when your grades and rank are dropping, something needs to give somewhere.

Coaches will understand if you have to miss a couple practices in order to study for the biggest test of the year. They may not like it and they may argue, but if you show them that you have the incentive and drive to do well academically, they’ll appreciate and respect that (at least most coaches will).

3. Study at practice.

I know this seems like a ridiculous concept but I’m not talking about running around the field with flashcards and a notebook, that’s a little too much, even for me.

No, what I’m saying is when you’re running or doing training exercises, there isn't too much going through your mind in most cases. If you are running and you can just briefly run over a lesson or a few key points from a lesson to help you remember them for the test, do it.

I started doing that at tennis practices when we were doing our insane amounts of running, and I found myself having to actually study less and be able to spend more time doing other important things.

This has been said a lot through the generations, as well as from every adult ever (probably a slight exaggeration, but why not?) - it’s all about balance.

If you can find one or two things that work for you during the sports season to help maintain your grades, stick with them.

They may not be my techniques, but if you can find time to play sports, study and do well academically during those sports AND still get a reasonable amount of sleep, I’d say you are winning at life (or at least beating most people at the game).

Other states might want to take a lesson from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Impressively up with the times, the state is now offering prospective college students a college planning application, which is available via phones and tablets on Facebook or as a mobile application.

Within the application, a toolkit is available to students to browse college options in Minnesota in addition to aiding students in the process of preparing to apply and applying to college. Plus, it's much easier to use than the recent College Scorecard released by President Obama. [gate]

Special features students will find especially useful include the College Planner and the Task List.

The College Planner allows students to browse Minnesota colleges, which can be sorted by size, location, price and major. In addition, students are able to set up campus visits and track their favorite schools.

The Task List allows students to begin planning and staying on the college track from as early as 8th grade. The Task List will keep track of and remind students of important upcoming events such as SAT/ACT testing, when it’s time to fill out FAFSA forms and important deadline reminders for the application process.

All of the data and information obtained by the application remains on a secure server to maintain the privacy of students.

Since the application process can be overwhelming and confusing, this type of application can be very helpful for students to stay organized and on the right track in terms of financial aid, testing and the college application process.

If interested in using Minnesota’s application, students can use their phone to visit the application web site here to download the College Planner.

Imagine if all states adopted this useful tool – it would revolutionize the entire application process, making it easier for students and their families to keep track of their goals within the college admissions process.

Hopefully, this is the start of something nationwide.

If all states adopted this type of application, would you utilize it?

I am trying to advise two students whose mother died four years ago
and their father died last week, unfortunately. The girls' grandmother
is now taking care of them (a 9th and 10th grader) and we are
concerned about the possible college financial ramifications. They
are in the process of determining the Social Security benefits from
their father's contributions. Once that amount is established (depends
on claims), it may be advantageous financially for the grandmom to
adopt them. However, will it be an advantage on college financial
award/need-based aid to be an orphan or the adopted "child" of a
"mother" who will be 70+ at the time they apply for college.
— D.P.

An orphan is a child both of whose parents are dead. But is a child
who is adopted after the death of both biological parents still
considered an orphan? How does a student's status as an orphan affect
eligibility for need-based financial aid?

The Higher Education Act of 1965 specifies that a student who was an
orphan at any time since reaching age 13 or older is considered an
independent student even if the student is subsequently adopted. This
definition was enacted by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of
2007 (P.L. 110-84), effective July 1, 2009.

The current statutory language appears in 20 USC 1087vv(d)(1)(B):

The term "independent", when used with respect to a student, means any
individual who —

...

is an orphan, in foster care, or a ward of the court, or was an
orphan, in foster care, or a ward of the court at any time when the
individual was 13 years of age or older;

The previous language appeared in 20 USC 1087vv(d)(2) and read "is an
orphan or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until the
individual reached the age of 18."

The dependency status of each girl is determined separately from the
other.

(A student can also qualify as an independent student if the student
is in a court-ordered legal guardianship, or was in a court-ordered
legal guardianship prior to reaching the age of majority. The legal
guardianship must have been determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction in the student's state of legal residence.)

So if the orphaned girls are age 13 or older at the time of their
adoption, their adoption by the grandmother will not affect their
status as independent students. (Placing the girls into a
court-ordered legal guardianship before they reach the age of majority
will also cause them to be considered independent students.) An
independent student does not report the income and assets of the
student's biological or adoptive parents on the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

But if a student is an independent student, any financial support
provided by the grandparents to the student will be counted as untaxed
income to the student on her financial aid application forms.

[page]

If the girls are adopted before reaching age 13, they will be
considered dependent students and the income and assets of the
adoptive parents must be reported on the FAFSA. But then the support
the student receives from her adoptive parents is not reported as
untaxed income to the student.

Whether independent student status yields more or less financial aid
will depend on the tradeoff between counting the income of the
adoptive grandparent versus counting the financial support from the
grandparent.

Generally, if the grandparent's sole source of financial support is
Social Security retirement benefits, the student might qualify for
more financial aid as a dependent student, since most of the
grandparent's income will be sheltered by the income protection
allowance and various tax allowances. Otherwise the students will
likely qualify for more financial aid as independent students.

There are other aspects of the financial aid formulas that may affect
the amount of financial aid the student receives. Life insurance
proceeds are reported as an asset on the FAFSA and may affect
eligibility for need-based aid. However, if an independent student's
income was less than $50,000 and the student filed or was eligible to
file an IRS Form 1040A or 1040EZ, the student will qualify for the
simplified needs test, which causes assets to be
disregarded. The student can also qualify for the simplified needs
test by having anyone in the student's household receive certain
means-tested federal benefits, such as SSI, SNAP, free and reduced
price school lunch, TANF or WIC, instead of the income tax return
requirement. (For a dependent student, the income and tax return
criteria apply to the student's parents and the parent's household.)

In addition to the simplified needs test, there is automatic zero
EFC, which substitutes a lower income threshold ($24,000 in
2013-14). If a student qualifies for automatic zero EFC, the student's
EFC is set to zero and the student will receive a full Pell Grant. But
automatic zero EFC is available only for dependent students and for
independent students who have a dependent other than a spouse. An
independent student who does not have a dependent other than a spouse
is not eligible.

There are a variety of scholarships for orphans, which can be found by
searching the Fastweb scholarship database. Some of these scholarships
treat an adopted child differently than an unadopted orphan. But
usually the distinction is drawn between children who are in foster
care versus children who are not in foster care.

Who are Millennials, really?

Teenagers, students, twenty-somethings. While a generation is difficult to define and categorize as a whole, that certainly hasn't stopped the media from trying.

According to Yahoo! News, nine classifications of the Millennial generation have emerged, painting both flattering and unflattering portraits of those born in the 1980's and 90's.

The below classifications describe Millennials from various aspects. Do you think that they’re correct in their assumptions? Note: If you’re a student, they’re most likely talking about you. [gate]

1. Entrepreneurs

Millennials are great at starting small businesses and branding themselves, perhaps as a result of heroes like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg, in addition to the trend of distrusting large corporations and organizations.

According to the Yahoo! News article, Milliennials view entrepreneurship and small businesses as "the idealized social form of our time."

2. Lazy Entrepreneurs?

For placing such a high value on small business and entrepreneurship, Milliennials’ participation in such business initiatives is surprisingly lower than expected.

In 2012, only 230 start-ups were created for every 100,000 adults – a six-year low. The numbers are significantly higher for older generations. The article states that, “American entrepreneurs are now 30 percent more common than younger ones.”

3. Consumers

Shopaholics, unite! Millennials are notorious for emptying their pockets when it comes to goods, like technology and other luxury items.

Studies have also shown that the generation values (or as the article stated, is addicted to) instant gratification and has blurred the line between wants and needs. Most millennials view their purchases of new gadgets as needs, whereas elders understand them as wants.

4. Broke

Perhaps partially as a result of their desire to buy goods, Millennials generally have bank accounts that are less than impressive since they are constantly trying to keep up with new consumer goods.

In addition, the student debt rate is higher than ever, causing Millennials to suffer the consequences of being burdened by debt for years to come.

The generation also has a reputation for being financially irresponsible which, some believe, is a cause for concern in terms of society.

5. Socialists

According to the article, 49 percent of the Millennial generation view socialism in a favorable light, compared to 43 percent who view it in an unfavorable light. This has impacted recent generational movements, such as Occupy Wall Street, as well as the dislike for corporations, capitalism and big business.

6. Narcissistic

Many have characterized Millennials as socially conscious and environmentally aware, however, a recent study indicated that Millennials are narcissistic, at least more so than older generations.

In addition, the study found that Millennials place a high emphasis on “money, image and fame” rather than other, more traditional principles like community.

The number one concern for Millennials today is financial stability, which has jump from the number eight concern for college students in 1971.

7. Politically Involved

President Obama must love Millennials – their support absolutely aided both of his presidential victories. Millennials are showing their passion for politics as they continue to vote in increasing numbers.

8. Less Religious

While Millennials understand the value of religion, they've separated themselves from their childhood beliefs.

This may be a partial result of their social consciousness – about 64 of Millennials object to modern Christianity because they view and object to the church being “anti-gay.”

A quarter of Millennials who were raised with religious values are not currently affiliated with any religion, which has risen from 11 percent.

9. Stressed

Millennials are considered to be more stressed than prior generations, the biggest sources being finances, work and housing costs.

Additionally, Millennials seek out stress-relieving options more than past generations.

A recent study also found relationships a key source of stress for Millennials, perhaps as a result of Millennials being less likely "to express their feelings in their relationships."




Do you agree with the findings of the studies mentioned in the article?

The time has finally come – graduation! Which also means it's time to celebrate.

We know you want to celebrate in style, which is why we've searched the web for everything you need for the best bash around.

You’ll simply adore these party ideas, chosen for all types of personalities. It’s up to you to put a personal spin on it, though!

Check out these fun and festive party planning ideas: [gate]

• Vintage Grad Party

• Mad Hatter Grad Party

• Sail Away Graduation Party

• Neon-Themed Graduation Party

• Girly Grad Party

• Beach Bound Grad Party

• Oh the Places You’ll Go Party

• Party Ideas and Printables

• Soccer/Football Grad Party

• SEN10R Graduation Party

• Daisy Graduation Party

• Shabby Chic Grad Party

• Color-themed Grad Party

• Smart Cookie Grad Party

• Nerdy Grad Party

Do you have more ideas? We’d love to hear them!

The time has come – your baby is graduating and headed off to college!

We know you want to celebrate in style, which is why we've scoured the web for everything you need to give your grad the most thoughtful and useful gifts around.

Your grad will simply adore going off to college, prepared with the best - although, when in doubt, cash is always a great back up! Note: If you are planning on giving cash, check out the last item on the list - it's a clever DIY way to give cash that beats an envelope any day.

This list is full of fun gift ideas as unique and special as your grad – well, almost.

We've chosen gifts that are low to moderately-priced and are actually useful (what a concept!) for your future college student.

At any rate, we think these college-bound gift ideas are pretty great: [gate]

• Dorm Survival Kit, $25.00

• The Worst-Case Scenario Handbook: College, $14.95

• The Smart Student's Guide to Healthy Dorm Living: How to Survive Stress, Late Nights, and the College Cafeteria, $10.95

• Knock Knock Paper Mousepads, $12

• Simple Still Message Board, $14.99

• MINI Plus Brewing System, $100.00

• Scrabble Alphabet Mug, $11.50

• Pictorial Webster’s: A Visual Dictionary of Curiosities, $23.57

• Personalized Shower Caddy, $22.45

• Leslie Barnes Mousepad, $15

• "Master of My Fate" Necklace, $68.00

• Kristina Collantes Mousepad, $15

• Yiddish Proverb Money Clip, $18.00

• Bullhorn Speaker, $10.00

• Bike Light, $30.00

• Julie West Mousepad, $15

• Striped Fleece Backback, $38

• 5-Year Diary, $24.95

• Laptop Messenger Bag, $29.99

• Canvas Messenger Bag, $24.99

• ”In It to Win It” Brass Money Clip, $40.00

• DIY Grad Gift

Do you have any great grad gift suggestions? If so, we'd love for you to share!

May 1, National Decision Day, has finally arrived meaning the next four or five years of your life have to be figured out. At this point, you probably have a lot of questions tumbling around your head, along with calculus equations, scholarship essay answers and graduation plans.

Where will you attend? What will you major in? Will you fit in? Will you miss home? How often will you get lost on campus? Will classes be hard?

These questions are totally normal, and to be perfectly honest, it’s ok to experience a little bit of doubt in your first choice school or in going to college altogether. It’s one of the biggest steps you’ve had to take so far in life, so it’s supposed to be scary.

If you’re having trouble determining if your first choice is truly “the one,” consider these five factors to help push you to making that final decision and starting the next phase of your life!
[gate]
Are there fields that interest you outside of your major? According to Dr. Fitz Group, founder of MyMajors.com, in an interview with MSNBC, 50% of college students switch majors at some point in their college career. While you may think you have your pre-law major determined now, a Poetry seminar could shift your attention to Creative Writing or an Intro to Cell Biology course could lead you down a pre-med path instead.

Essentially, it’s important that your first choice school not only have the major you’re interested in now, but other fields of study that interest you as well in the event that you decide the major you fell in love with at 18 isn’t the direction you want to go in at age 20.

Not a high school senior yet? Start your college search on Fastweb.

Can you see yourself on campus, in the dorms, in the food hall? Most students are making their final decisions based on first impressions, so realistically visualizing yourself somewhere can be difficult. But reflect back to your campus tour – what did you notice about the students? Did they seem like people you’d like to get to know?

Picturing yourself on campus is not only an easy way to help make the final decision but it also helps the transition of your life at home to your new home away from home in the fall. The more you picture yourself on campus, the sooner you’ll begin to feel like a real student at the college.

Do you see opportunity for growth as a person? This is the hardest question to answer at this stage in the process, but it’s the most vital to helping you take the plunge and commit to a college. Go back to the college’s website and look at their major offerings, extracurricular activities, study abroad programs and career center help.

Can you identify academic fields that interest you that you’ve never had the opportunity to explore in high school? Are there student life organizations that entice you to push the boundaries of the social involvement you’ve known as a high school student? Does the career center seem equipped to help you find internships, teach you to properly format your resume and provide you with other opportunities to help ensure you’ll find a job after college?

Looking at the course and campus offerings will help you envision the student and person you hope to become at school.

And if you’re still having trouble making that final decision, do the following:

• Schedule one last campus visit where you can sit in on a class, talk with current students and meet with an admissions officer


• Get your parents’ opinion on where they see you and how they feel about your final choices


• Talk with your guidance counselor, teacher or mentor about your feelings and questions

National Decision Day, May 1st, is right around the corner. As seniors make that final college decision and close the strenuous college admissions process, there’s plenty of cause for celebration.

To help mark the occasion, the National College Advising Corps (NCAC) is hosting National Decision Day events and activities across the country from April 29th to May 29th, according to a press release from NCAC. These events will work to commemorate the success of the senior class as well as support a college-going culture within the school and outlying community.
[gate]
You can still win scholarships in college. Apply now.

High school seniors are encouraged to wear t-shirts and sweatshirts from the college or military branch they chose while educators are asked to wear clothing representing their alma mater.

“Decision Day is a great way for schools and communities to celebrate the future of its senior class,” says Nicole Hurd, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of the Advising Corps in the press release. “The purpose of this event is to promote the accomplishments of our high school seniors and to launch them on a path to degree attainment and life-long success.”

Since 2004, NCAC has been working to help underrepresented, first-generation, low-income students through the college search and financial aid processes. The program hires recent college graduates from participating institutions and provides them with careers as college advisers in underserved high schools throughout the U.S. In this position, they help high school seniors prepare for standardized tests, fill out college applications and navigate financial aid negotiations.

Follow us on Twitter. Everyone is doing it.

Whether your school is officially participating in NCAC’s Decision Day or not, you can still celebrate making the final college decision. Ask your guidance counselor to designate a specific day for all students and faculty to wear their college gear.

Believe it or not, summer internship application deadlines are already passing you by, and if you’re looking for an opportunity that is a little more competitive, you need to start your applications ASAP.

Here are four places to start your internship search right now:
[gate]
Fastweb

Not to toot our own horn, but in addition to supplying you with scholarships that match your qualifications and interests, we provide you with internship matches too. Essentially, we take the “search” out of your internship search and deliver a plethora of summer internship options, meaning you never have to touch an Internet search engine.

These internships are targeted toward college and graduate students as well as graduates who may need an internship to bridge the gap between their past work experience and their first entry-level job. They cover quite a range of fields too, from career development programs with AT&T to a Newsroom Internship with MSNBC.

Applying is simple. Just click the internship you’re interested in on your internship matches page, read the description and click the link to the internship provider’s website if you wish to apply.

Start applying for your internship matches today.

College Career Center

Didn’t even know your school had one? Here’s your chance to discover how much this facility can do for you. Typically, college career centers keep a database of internships that students at the school have previously worked.

From these past opportunities, the school works with employers to develop a further relationship, meaning future internships for students like you. Visit with a consultant at your college career center. They’ll gauge your interests, career aspirations and ideal location and help you find an opportunity that’s perfect for you.

Friends and Family

Ask your friends about internships they did this summer – do they have an opportunity they could recommend to you? Consider questioning your family members too. Chances are, they have internship opportunities at their place of business looking for hard-working, motivated interns like you next summer.

Additionally, friends and family that suggest internship opportunities to you may be able to provide a recommendation, which could go a long way in helping you stand out from the growing potential intern pool.

Local Companies

This last opportunity will take a bit of cold calling on your part. Identify local businesses and corporations in your hometown or college town that have career paths that might interest you, and call the human resources office about internship opportunities. Even if they don’t have a structured program, they may be able to customize an internship experience for you.

Calling at this point in the year shows that you’re not only interested in an internship but in their company as well. And flattery can go a long way in this game.

Looking for more internship search advice? You’ve come to the right place -- learn more.