More from student interviews on High School "To Do" Lists:
Sam:
In high school I wish I had known how to set a schedule for myself. In high school it was you got up in the morning, I got up 5 minutes before I had to leave for school, went to school, every single class was run on a bell schedule, and then I came home, did my homework, hang out with my friends, and that was my day. In college it is … I drive to school so I commute in, so it was the having to learn how much time to schedule for myself to get to school so I don’t show up late at school. It’s the freedom of saying well, yes my schedule today is I must be at class at 11 o’clock, however I’m really, really tired so I think I’m gonna sleep in. It’s the homework is no longer scheduled in after school because your classes can run back to back all day, or you can have 3 hours here, 3 hours there. So it’s the making a time for yourself to sit down and get what you need to get done, done.
James:
You definitely want to be able to take notes while a professor is talking, your teacher is talking, so you need to practice taking notes in class and finding out the best way that you learn before going to college because once you get into that environment, you can be put in a lecture room and you have to … it’s better to figure out the best way for you to get information before going to college instead of getting there and having to learn from there.
Maria:
I wish my disability support service worker - love her to death, she was a great woman - would have told me more about how to speak to professors or teachers or maybe taking me along when she went to tell my teachers what I had, just so I would have felt more comfortable explaining what my disability was and how it’s supposed to be dealt with because I really only had the explanation from my mom and then reading the wording in the disability support services letter that I got to help me to formulate how I was gonna tell a professor, well these are my accommodations and this is what I need. So I would have liked in high school for someone, I guess who is in that area at the high school, to have explained to me well, this is how you can go up to your teacher or professor in the future.
Jenna:
Once I hit my junior year, I wanted to become a more well rounded student so I started participating in a lot of different organizations, I started volunteering because a lot of colleges love seeing someone who is out there volunteering, someone who’s out there in an organization or working. It’s not always all about having the highest grades, but more colleges focus on a well rounded student, someone who takes charge in life, participates, and can improve their school by participating in a lot of activities; and at the end of my junior year once I started getting the applications together, I started focusing more on my school work. I knew that college was gonna be a little bit more intense, especially in the classes so I asked teachers for help, asked them what could I do to improve in this area before I get to college.
Amy:
By taking classes in high school that challenged me, I was able to deal a lot easier with the workload; just because I knew what I was getting myself into and I already knew what I needed to do in order to succeed. One of the other things I did was start learning how to get a rapport with your teachers in high school, because high school teachers tend to be a lot more approachable than college professors do, and if you’re already in the habit of talking to your teacher, of asking them questions, going in after class, going in before class, it’s a lot easier to pick those habits up when you’re in college.
Showing posts with label Financial Aid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Financial Aid. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Getting Financial Aid Part 2
Getting financial aid
First, you need to determine your expenses for college such as tuition, books, transportation, housing costs and food. Then you need to determine how much you and your family are able to contribute to your education. The difference between these amounts is considered your financial need.
Applying for financial aid requires effort and determination. Each college has a financial aid office. When you are visiting schools, it is a good idea to stop by this office, ask questions and pick up the paperwork necessary for application. Some colleges offer need-based financial assistance. In these situations, the less money you or your family has, the greater the chance that you can receive financial assistance from the college.
It’s also important to find out how each school defines part-time and full-time students. Your financial awards could be affected by how many courses you take each semester. For example, allowances for room and board may be eliminated entirely for students enrolled less than half time. Be sure to check with the financial aid office about all options available at the college.
You can count on having to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form that is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many libraries and financial aid offices also have a hard copy. Start looking into this your senior year and check your college’s due date. You will also need your tax return from the previous year and your pay stubs. Additional information may be required. You can send this application to six schools. Being early and accurate in your application is considered to be one of the most important steps in securing aid.
Check with your guidance office to see if there is a specific person that works with students on financial aid options. Often schools will hold meetings during the evening or at other times for students and families to learn how to complete a FAFSA form, or the guidance office will provide Web sites for you to explore various scholarship or loan programs.
Scholarships
There are several ways to locate scholarships. Each scholarship has different criteria, application processes and deadlines.
1. Check the College Board Web site to search scholarships.
2. Ask at your high school for information about local scholarships.
3. For scholarships for persons with disabilities, see pages 15-19 of Creating Options: 2007 Financial Aid for Individuals with Disabilities [PDF].
Budgeting your money
Learning to manage your money goes hand in hand with getting financial assistance. You may be surprised how many credit card companies are willing to issue a card to you. Many times, you will be walking around campus and you’ll find a credit card representative wanting you to sign up for a credit card. Usually they will try and entice you with a freebie like a T-shirt. It is important to talk with a family member or someone who knows you well to discuss obtaining a credit card. If you are not a good money manager, it is not recommended to accept and use these cards while at school. Many companies charge high interest on unpaid balances.
First, you need to determine your expenses for college such as tuition, books, transportation, housing costs and food. Then you need to determine how much you and your family are able to contribute to your education. The difference between these amounts is considered your financial need.
Applying for financial aid requires effort and determination. Each college has a financial aid office. When you are visiting schools, it is a good idea to stop by this office, ask questions and pick up the paperwork necessary for application. Some colleges offer need-based financial assistance. In these situations, the less money you or your family has, the greater the chance that you can receive financial assistance from the college.
It’s also important to find out how each school defines part-time and full-time students. Your financial awards could be affected by how many courses you take each semester. For example, allowances for room and board may be eliminated entirely for students enrolled less than half time. Be sure to check with the financial aid office about all options available at the college.
You can count on having to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form that is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Many libraries and financial aid offices also have a hard copy. Start looking into this your senior year and check your college’s due date. You will also need your tax return from the previous year and your pay stubs. Additional information may be required. You can send this application to six schools. Being early and accurate in your application is considered to be one of the most important steps in securing aid.
Check with your guidance office to see if there is a specific person that works with students on financial aid options. Often schools will hold meetings during the evening or at other times for students and families to learn how to complete a FAFSA form, or the guidance office will provide Web sites for you to explore various scholarship or loan programs.
Scholarships
There are several ways to locate scholarships. Each scholarship has different criteria, application processes and deadlines.
1. Check the College Board Web site to search scholarships.
2. Ask at your high school for information about local scholarships.
3. For scholarships for persons with disabilities, see pages 15-19 of Creating Options: 2007 Financial Aid for Individuals with Disabilities [PDF].
Budgeting your money
Learning to manage your money goes hand in hand with getting financial assistance. You may be surprised how many credit card companies are willing to issue a card to you. Many times, you will be walking around campus and you’ll find a credit card representative wanting you to sign up for a credit card. Usually they will try and entice you with a freebie like a T-shirt. It is important to talk with a family member or someone who knows you well to discuss obtaining a credit card. If you are not a good money manager, it is not recommended to accept and use these cards while at school. Many companies charge high interest on unpaid balances.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Getting Financial Aid Part 1
Money matters
Going to college is expensive, but you do have some financial options. Generally, community colleges are the least expensive, followed by four-year public colleges, with the most expensive being the four-year private universities. Don’t rule out an expensive college of your choice until you have researched the array of financial aid options available to you. Most people will create their own financial aid packages that include dollars that their family can contribute, personal savings, awarded scholarships and federal loans.
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is monetary assistance that allows individuals to pay the costs of attending college when their own resources are not enough. Some aid, such as scholarships, does not need to be repaid, while other assistance, like loans, does need to be repaid.
There are four types of financial aid (Heath Resource Center, 2007):
1. Grants – Aid that generally does not have to be repaid.
2. Loans – Money borrowed to cover school costs, which must be repaid, usually with interest, over a specified period of time, typically after the student has graduated or left school. The interest on these loans is often reduced from general public rates.
3. Work-study – Employment that enables a student to earn money toward a portion of school costs during or between periods of enrollment. These usually on-campus positions are supplemented by the federal government. Students are awarded work-study positions through the Federal Student Aid application. However, a student must interview and be hired for each position that is worked.
4. Scholarships – Gifts and awards based on a student’s academic achievement, background or other criteria. Sometimes scholarships are one time only; others require the student to maintain a specific GPA to be entitled for renewal.
Going to college is expensive, but you do have some financial options. Generally, community colleges are the least expensive, followed by four-year public colleges, with the most expensive being the four-year private universities. Don’t rule out an expensive college of your choice until you have researched the array of financial aid options available to you. Most people will create their own financial aid packages that include dollars that their family can contribute, personal savings, awarded scholarships and federal loans.
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is monetary assistance that allows individuals to pay the costs of attending college when their own resources are not enough. Some aid, such as scholarships, does not need to be repaid, while other assistance, like loans, does need to be repaid.
There are four types of financial aid (Heath Resource Center, 2007):
1. Grants – Aid that generally does not have to be repaid.
2. Loans – Money borrowed to cover school costs, which must be repaid, usually with interest, over a specified period of time, typically after the student has graduated or left school. The interest on these loans is often reduced from general public rates.
3. Work-study – Employment that enables a student to earn money toward a portion of school costs during or between periods of enrollment. These usually on-campus positions are supplemented by the federal government. Students are awarded work-study positions through the Federal Student Aid application. However, a student must interview and be hired for each position that is worked.
4. Scholarships – Gifts and awards based on a student’s academic achievement, background or other criteria. Sometimes scholarships are one time only; others require the student to maintain a specific GPA to be entitled for renewal.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Going to College
The following are from interviews with reals students about choosing a college:
Lisa:
Take your time and research the college you’re going to, make sure you know what it’s about, take the time to visit the school, spend the night there if you can, spend a weekend there if you can, if you know people that go there already, ask their opinions on it.
Maria:
I was looking at their disability support services centers. Every time I went to visit I would go to the disability support services center to see how comfortable I felt with the staff, how helpful they seemed to be on that day, if they were willing to talk to me or not. I would definitely take a tour of … I took a tour of every campus that I applied to, just to see if I felt comfortable there. I also looked at what majors they offered, what my interests need, what the requirements were because I knew if there were a school that required that for some reason, I wouldn’t know why, I needed four years of a foreign language, that was a turn off to me due to my disability. So things like that, something … just a good feeling on the campus as well as the technical requirements to actually get the degree.
Manisha:
I also looked at the criteria of how the schools are ranked to help me pick which school I liked best for me. I did music so it was important to have a good music program, as well as strong programs in other aspects of the school because you never know when you have to take classes outside of your department and that’s important to know that you’re still getting a really good education outside of your department.
Andrea:
Cast a wide net, list all the schools you think you might want to go to and start there. And then … then you can start narrowing it down by reading more about it, contacting people at the university disability support services. I think it also can be really helpful to talk to other students at the university, even if you call disability support services and ask, do you have any student that’s affiliated with your office who might be willing to talk to someone who is considering the college, to give me a sense of what their experience has been like?
Manisha:
I also picked a school which happened to be located where my doctors are located, so for me that also helped instead of picking a different school because if I needed anything my doctors are right there, a couple of miles down.
Amy:
I knew going in that I wanted a school with smaller classes, when you got into your core classes, because I really enjoy learning but I’m a very interactive learner. So I wanted to be able to interact with the professors and ask the professors questions … and it was setting, I never thought I would end up at an urban school. I always thought I was gonna end up at a rural school with tons of trees and country and horses and dogs, because my family has a farm and I’ve just grown up with all the trees around me and everything. But when it came down to it, especially going in with an international focus, it came down to who has the most diverse student population.
Lisa:
Take your time and research the college you’re going to, make sure you know what it’s about, take the time to visit the school, spend the night there if you can, spend a weekend there if you can, if you know people that go there already, ask their opinions on it.
Maria:
I was looking at their disability support services centers. Every time I went to visit I would go to the disability support services center to see how comfortable I felt with the staff, how helpful they seemed to be on that day, if they were willing to talk to me or not. I would definitely take a tour of … I took a tour of every campus that I applied to, just to see if I felt comfortable there. I also looked at what majors they offered, what my interests need, what the requirements were because I knew if there were a school that required that for some reason, I wouldn’t know why, I needed four years of a foreign language, that was a turn off to me due to my disability. So things like that, something … just a good feeling on the campus as well as the technical requirements to actually get the degree.
Manisha:
I also looked at the criteria of how the schools are ranked to help me pick which school I liked best for me. I did music so it was important to have a good music program, as well as strong programs in other aspects of the school because you never know when you have to take classes outside of your department and that’s important to know that you’re still getting a really good education outside of your department.
Andrea:
Cast a wide net, list all the schools you think you might want to go to and start there. And then … then you can start narrowing it down by reading more about it, contacting people at the university disability support services. I think it also can be really helpful to talk to other students at the university, even if you call disability support services and ask, do you have any student that’s affiliated with your office who might be willing to talk to someone who is considering the college, to give me a sense of what their experience has been like?
Manisha:
I also picked a school which happened to be located where my doctors are located, so for me that also helped instead of picking a different school because if I needed anything my doctors are right there, a couple of miles down.
Amy:
I knew going in that I wanted a school with smaller classes, when you got into your core classes, because I really enjoy learning but I’m a very interactive learner. So I wanted to be able to interact with the professors and ask the professors questions … and it was setting, I never thought I would end up at an urban school. I always thought I was gonna end up at a rural school with tons of trees and country and horses and dogs, because my family has a farm and I’ve just grown up with all the trees around me and everything. But when it came down to it, especially going in with an international focus, it came down to who has the most diverse student population.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Online Resources - Scholarships
Scholarship Searches
FastWeb
http://www.fastweb.com/
Free Scholarship Search
http://www.freschinfo.com/
Scholarship Resource Network Express
http://www.srnexpress.com/
Scholarships.com
http://www.scholarships.com/
Peterson’s
http://www.petersons.com/finaid/
FastWeb
http://www.fastweb.com/
Free Scholarship Search
http://www.freschinfo.com/
Scholarship Resource Network Express
http://www.srnexpress.com/
Scholarships.com
http://www.scholarships.com/
Peterson’s
http://www.petersons.com/finaid/
Monday, August 16, 2010
Online Resources - General/Financial Aid
General/Financial Aid
Mapping Your Future
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/
FAFSA on the Web
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
PIN Registration
http://www.pin.ed.gov/
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.students.gov/
The Financial Aid Information Page
http://www.finaid.org/
NCAA Guide for the Student Athlete
http://www.ncaa.org/cbsa
Black Excel: The College Help Network
http://www.blackexcel.org/
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
http://www.hsf.net/
Mapping Your Future
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/
FAFSA on the Web
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
PIN Registration
http://www.pin.ed.gov/
U.S. Department of Education
http://www.students.gov/
The Financial Aid Information Page
http://www.finaid.org/
NCAA Guide for the Student Athlete
http://www.ncaa.org/cbsa
Black Excel: The College Help Network
http://www.blackexcel.org/
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
http://www.hsf.net/
Thursday, July 22, 2010
A Better Way: Part 7
The following, in my view, are top-value colleges. In addition to a relatively low sticker price, they score well, on average, on these criteria: student quality, location, a campus culture that welcomes true diversity of ideas (not just politically correct ones), and a name that opens career doors. The larger institutions, which I've starred, do suffer from being research-first/students-second institutions, but their low price and desirability on other factors justifies their inclusion.
* Rice: A Big-Oil endowment has created an Ivy-clone college at half the price.
* UCLA: The honors program is a patch of Ivy at a State U price.
Mary Washington College: Like a small private college at a public price--in a Jeffersonian setting an hour from D.C.
* McGill: A great city (Montreal), strong students, and the Canadian 69-cent dollar makes McGill a deal.
* University of Toronto: Easier to get into than McGill.
* Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. California weather, excellent students in its strong majors (e.g., architecture, engineering), $1,500 annual tuition. Safe, quaint town.
* University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Good students, ideal location, great basketball tradition, bargain price.
* University of Virginia: Top students in a Jeffersonian setting replete with colonnades and rolling lawns.
* Santa Monica College: A nearly free two-year college that feeds many students to UCLA and Berkeley. Near the beach and L.A.
You can save the money on undergraduate education without shortchanging the child. That way you'll have money left for graduate school.
* Rice: A Big-Oil endowment has created an Ivy-clone college at half the price.
* UCLA: The honors program is a patch of Ivy at a State U price.
Mary Washington College: Like a small private college at a public price--in a Jeffersonian setting an hour from D.C.
* McGill: A great city (Montreal), strong students, and the Canadian 69-cent dollar makes McGill a deal.
* University of Toronto: Easier to get into than McGill.
* Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. California weather, excellent students in its strong majors (e.g., architecture, engineering), $1,500 annual tuition. Safe, quaint town.
* University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: Good students, ideal location, great basketball tradition, bargain price.
* University of Virginia: Top students in a Jeffersonian setting replete with colonnades and rolling lawns.
* Santa Monica College: A nearly free two-year college that feeds many students to UCLA and Berkeley. Near the beach and L.A.
You can save the money on undergraduate education without shortchanging the child. That way you'll have money left for graduate school.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Better Way: Part 6
What to Do in the Meantime
An expensive college simply isn't worth the money. The definitive review of the literature (Astin, 1997) finds absolutely no relationship between a college's cost and the amount of learning that accrues. And a study in the American Economic Review concluded that even in terms of earnings, "What matters most is not which college you attend, but what you did while you were there. (That means choosing a strong major, choosing professors carefully, getting involved in leadership activities, getting to know professors)...Measured college effects are small, explaining just one to two percent of the variance in earnings." A more recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (Krueger & Dale, 1999) produced similar findings: when controlling for student input variables, an Ivy League education confers no economic advantage on its graduates.
This makes sense. Sure the designer-label on an Ivy diploma opens career doors, but put an Ivy-caliber student at Podunk College, and she can accrue benefits that fully compensate. For example, although my daughter was admitted to prestigious Williams College, she turned it down in favor of an easier-to-get into public institution that cost 70% less. There, the honors program functioned as a patch of Ivy, small classes with Ivy-caliber students taught by top professors. Honors extracurriculars extended the elite experience beyond the classroom. Perhaps more important, as a top student, she was taken under wing by professors, got appointed to university-wide governance committees, and got touted for terrific post-college opportunities--she spent a year in the White House writing Hillary Clinton's daily briefings. If she had attended Williams, she would likely have been lost among its many top students--and we would have been nearly $100,000 poorer.
So, unless your annual income is under $40,000, which would make you likely to get significant cash (not loan) financial aid, or are too wealthy to care, your child should apply to colleges with a low sticker price. He will learn as much, you'll save a fortune, and you will spare your child the inordinate stress and waste of time (studying for the SAT, waking at 3 AM to do crew because it will look good on college applications) of trying to get into designer-label colleges that well may not be worth the money and effort.
An expensive college simply isn't worth the money. The definitive review of the literature (Astin, 1997) finds absolutely no relationship between a college's cost and the amount of learning that accrues. And a study in the American Economic Review concluded that even in terms of earnings, "What matters most is not which college you attend, but what you did while you were there. (That means choosing a strong major, choosing professors carefully, getting involved in leadership activities, getting to know professors)...Measured college effects are small, explaining just one to two percent of the variance in earnings." A more recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (Krueger & Dale, 1999) produced similar findings: when controlling for student input variables, an Ivy League education confers no economic advantage on its graduates.
This makes sense. Sure the designer-label on an Ivy diploma opens career doors, but put an Ivy-caliber student at Podunk College, and she can accrue benefits that fully compensate. For example, although my daughter was admitted to prestigious Williams College, she turned it down in favor of an easier-to-get into public institution that cost 70% less. There, the honors program functioned as a patch of Ivy, small classes with Ivy-caliber students taught by top professors. Honors extracurriculars extended the elite experience beyond the classroom. Perhaps more important, as a top student, she was taken under wing by professors, got appointed to university-wide governance committees, and got touted for terrific post-college opportunities--she spent a year in the White House writing Hillary Clinton's daily briefings. If she had attended Williams, she would likely have been lost among its many top students--and we would have been nearly $100,000 poorer.
So, unless your annual income is under $40,000, which would make you likely to get significant cash (not loan) financial aid, or are too wealthy to care, your child should apply to colleges with a low sticker price. He will learn as much, you'll save a fortune, and you will spare your child the inordinate stress and waste of time (studying for the SAT, waking at 3 AM to do crew because it will look good on college applications) of trying to get into designer-label colleges that well may not be worth the money and effort.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
A Better Way: Part 5
Instill Integrity in Admissions
Today's brochures and Web pages for a college's prospective students are little more than advertising. Colleges, which hold themselves out as icons of integrity, need to start acting that way. Each college brochure and Web site should be required to offer consumer information that would enable prospective students to compare colleges:
* The four-, five- and six-year graduation rate, with separate statistics for students with excellent, good, and fair high school records. (You may be surprised to know that nationwide, only 40% of freshmen at four-year colleges make it to graduation, even when given six years. Few other businesses would survive if 60% of their products fell off the assembly line before reaching the end.)
* The amount of growth from freshman year to graduation in writing, reading, math, computing, and information literacy. Again, separate statistics should be provided for students with excellent, good, and fair high school records.
* A grid showing the average cash and loan financial aid for students with different family income, assets, and high school record.
*As Lloyd Thatcher, in "College Admission: Profession or Industry," suggests, "No college, student or school is perfect. Let's be open and upfront with weaknesses as well as strengths."
* It is absurd that a student who wants to apply to Columbia, Northwestern, Penn, Georgetown, Stanford, Yale, and Cornell, must complete seven separate, extremely time-consuming applications. Most colleges are looking for the same thing: academic potential, extracurricular depth, and the ability to contribute to the campus and larger community. A student should be able to apply to any seven schools s/he wishes with one essay, listing of extracurriculars, transcript, and set of test scores submitted to the high school counselor's office on a nationally-agreed on date. The packet would then be e-mailed to any seven colleges designated by the student.
Today's brochures and Web pages for a college's prospective students are little more than advertising. Colleges, which hold themselves out as icons of integrity, need to start acting that way. Each college brochure and Web site should be required to offer consumer information that would enable prospective students to compare colleges:
* The four-, five- and six-year graduation rate, with separate statistics for students with excellent, good, and fair high school records. (You may be surprised to know that nationwide, only 40% of freshmen at four-year colleges make it to graduation, even when given six years. Few other businesses would survive if 60% of their products fell off the assembly line before reaching the end.)
* The amount of growth from freshman year to graduation in writing, reading, math, computing, and information literacy. Again, separate statistics should be provided for students with excellent, good, and fair high school records.
* A grid showing the average cash and loan financial aid for students with different family income, assets, and high school record.
*As Lloyd Thatcher, in "College Admission: Profession or Industry," suggests, "No college, student or school is perfect. Let's be open and upfront with weaknesses as well as strengths."
* It is absurd that a student who wants to apply to Columbia, Northwestern, Penn, Georgetown, Stanford, Yale, and Cornell, must complete seven separate, extremely time-consuming applications. Most colleges are looking for the same thing: academic potential, extracurricular depth, and the ability to contribute to the campus and larger community. A student should be able to apply to any seven schools s/he wishes with one essay, listing of extracurriculars, transcript, and set of test scores submitted to the high school counselor's office on a nationally-agreed on date. The packet would then be e-mailed to any seven colleges designated by the student.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Step #7: Paying for College
A college education costs quite a bit of money and is often one of the biggest expenses parents and college students have to incur. You can, however, receive help for college costs. This help comes in the form of grants, scholarships and student loans. While, it may take some time paying off a college degree, it is the finest investment anyone can make.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Getting Into College Overview
Getting a college degree is one of the best goals a teen can have. It is, however, also one of the hardest goals to achieve. Here are the steps you can take that will help you achieve the goal of going to college:
• Getting Into College Step #1: Make the Decision
• Getting Into College Step #2: Taking the Right Courses for College
• Getting Into College Step #3: Making the Grade
• Getting Into College Step #4: Choose Which Colleges to Apply
• Getting Into College Step #5: Acing the SAT and SAT II
• Getting Into College Step #6: Filling Out a Successful Application
• Getting Into College Step #7: Paying for a College Degree
Come back each day for another step...
• Getting Into College Step #1: Make the Decision
• Getting Into College Step #2: Taking the Right Courses for College
• Getting Into College Step #3: Making the Grade
• Getting Into College Step #4: Choose Which Colleges to Apply
• Getting Into College Step #5: Acing the SAT and SAT II
• Getting Into College Step #6: Filling Out a Successful Application
• Getting Into College Step #7: Paying for a College Degree
Come back each day for another step...
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Maximizing Your College Education Investment
The price of four years at a brand-name state university is approaching $75,000. At a brand-name private college, close to $200,000. And most students take more than four years.With the possible exception of your home, your child’s college education is the largest purchase you’ll probably ever make, especially if you have two or more children. How do you maximize the value of your investment?
Choosing a College
These recommendations integrate the research findings from the Carnegie Foundation combined with my own years of experience as a college and career counselor.
If your child is Ivy caliber and aspires to a career that insists on a designer-label diploma such as investment banking or corporate law, it’s worth paying even the sticker price of an elite private college such as an Ivy or Stanford and certainly the price of an elite public institution such as Berkeley, UCLA, or the University of Virginia. While these schools have large classes taught by research- rather than teaching-focused professors, and these schools can be pressure cookers, the lifetime income and status gains are typically worth it. In addition, students grow a great deal from spending four years around the nation’s best and brightest.
For most other Ivy-caliber students, for example, those aspiring to be physicians, executives, public-interest attorneys, or other careers in a non-profit or government agency, the best payback probably comes from attending an elite public university. There are ample opportunities for challenge by taking difficult classes and honors programs, and the Ivy-caliber student at these institutions will stand out and thus be tapped for campus leadership positions, opportunities to work one-on-one with professors, which in turn, leads to great recommendations and leads on good jobs.
One client I had, for example, turned down Williams College, one of the nation’s most selective to attend UCLA that cost 75 percent less. There, as a brighter star among lesser lights, she stood out and so got leads into a job working for the White House. If she were at Williams, she probably would not have reaped such an opportunity.
If, however, your family income is less than $50,000 a year and are admitted to an elite private college, your child should probably go. In that case, you’ll probably get enough financial aid to justify it.
If your child is not Ivy caliber and your family income is under $70,000, a small private college probably is the wisest choice. You would get little financial aid at a public university and significant aid from the better and well-endowed privates such as Grinnell, Santa Clara, Guilford, Beloit, College of Wooster, and St. Johns (MD and NM). At such institutions, your child will be taught by dedicated accessible teachers in classes small enough to provide detailed feedback on writing assignments, and to require your child to be prepared for class lest he be called on and left dumbfounded. The campus culture at these institutions is also good for promoting student growth as human beings.
If you have a not-Ivy-caliber child and your family income is much more than $70,000, the balance generally tips in favor of attending one of your state’s well-regarded public universities such as Indiana University, Wisconsin-Madison, Penn State, Oregon State, and the Universities of North Carolina and Washington. Consider in-state schools because out-of-state tuition is usually usurious. Why State U? Because for families earning more than around $70,000, the private colleges will offer little aid, and there are ample benefits of the public university: larger choice of courses and professors, more clubs, library and athletic resources, a bigger alumni network. You might ask, “But shouldn’t we decide whether our child should to a large versus small college based on whether he’d feel comfortable in a large college? With a bit of guidance (provided below) it is easy to make a large university feel small and homey enough.
A word about large non-elite private universities such as the Universities of Southern California and Miami, and Boston, Syracuse, and Tulane Universities. These are rarely worth the money. Not only are they nearly as expensive as an Ivy without the prestige, the most frequently taken classes are usually large and taught by research- rather than teaching-oriented professors. If you’re going to spring for the money for a non-elite private college, small one are usually wiser choices.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Be a Smart College Consumer
Consider the following information about a school before you enroll:• Keep copies of all forms that you submit to the school in a safe place.
• Read and be aware of the implications of all forms before you sign them. Remember -- loans must be repaid and grants are free.
• Financial aid applications are available starting every January 1 -- the earlier you apply for financial aid and scholarships, the more money you may receive.
• Notify your school and lender(s) of any changes in your name, address, or enrollment status.
• Ask for help when you need it. Write down the date and the name of the person who helped you.
• Have your academic and financial aid transcripts sent from the school that you previously attended to the school that you are going to attend.
• If you are denied admission to a college or financial aid, you can appeal. You may also decline any portion of your financial aid offer.
• If you have student loans, you must attend a financial aid exit interview.
• Be certain to contact your lender if you are having difficulty repaying your loans. They may allow you to postpone or reduce your payments.
• Be aware - fees are taken out of your student loans before any loan monies are disbursed.
• Depending on the cost of the school, all of your financial aid may be used to cover tuition and fees.
• Be familiar with the policies of the school regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and fee payments. This information can be found in your college catalog.
• If you plan to transfer to another school, you need to check with that institution to verify the acceptance of the credits you are now taking. Some schools participate in articulation agreements with other institutions to ensure smooth transfer for students.
• When the need arises, look for outside resources to help you understand the financial aid, admissions, and scholarship processes.
• Borrow only what you need. Be realistic about what you can repay when you graduate. A repayment calculator can help you decide how much money you can afford to borrow.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
College Planning For the First in the Family
For students who are first in the family to attend college, the planning process can be particularly emotional and challenging. Several resources exist to help first families throughout the decision-making process. Family Firsts, a series of booklets from ACT, was created for first-generation college students and their families to assist with college planning. To access the booklets, visit www.act.org/path/secondary/resources.html.
A key to the process is learning about the college planning calendar. Most two-year and four-year schools follow approximately the same admissions schedule. ACT offers online checklists for keeping all students on track to a college education. Visit actstudent.org to see the steps you should be taking in each year of high school.
Many potential first generation students and their families believe that funding is unattainable. However, several websites are available to help explain financial aid and other resources for paying for college. Learn more by visiting:
• www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp – A list of federally funded scholarships, fellowships, grants and internships geared to high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
• www.fafsa.ed.gov – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. This is where you start when you are ready to apply for financial aid.
• www.eCampusTours.com/payingforcollege/default.htm – Features a free scholarship search as well as information on grants, scholarships, savings programs, and loans.
• www.act.org/fane – A financial aid need estimator.
• www.hsf.net – A Hispanic Scholarship Fund website that features scholarships for Hispanic students and research reports on the education of Hispanic students.
• www.studentaidalliance.org – Student success stories and descriptions of need-based financial aid programs.
A key to the process is learning about the college planning calendar. Most two-year and four-year schools follow approximately the same admissions schedule. ACT offers online checklists for keeping all students on track to a college education. Visit actstudent.org to see the steps you should be taking in each year of high school.
Many potential first generation students and their families believe that funding is unattainable. However, several websites are available to help explain financial aid and other resources for paying for college. Learn more by visiting:
• www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp – A list of federally funded scholarships, fellowships, grants and internships geared to high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
• www.fafsa.ed.gov – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. This is where you start when you are ready to apply for financial aid.
• www.eCampusTours.com/payingforcollege/default.htm – Features a free scholarship search as well as information on grants, scholarships, savings programs, and loans.
• www.act.org/fane – A financial aid need estimator.
• www.hsf.net – A Hispanic Scholarship Fund website that features scholarships for Hispanic students and research reports on the education of Hispanic students.
• www.studentaidalliance.org – Student success stories and descriptions of need-based financial aid programs.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tips for First Generation College Students
Being the first person in your immediate family to attend a postsecondary institution may seem daunting. Without help from family members, you may not even know where to begin the college planning process, much less know what to expect once you get to college. The following info should give you a better understanding of the postsecondary route and help ease your anxiety of being a first generation college student.College Planning
Planning for college is often more difficult for first generation college students because they probably don't have assistance from a knowledgeable family member. If you need help with the college planning process, here are some tips:
Get acquainted with your high school counselor. As someone who wants to be a first generation college student, you will need a lot of help from your school counselor. Throughout your four years of high school, your counselor will be there to answer any questions about the different aspects of college planning, so be sure to utilize him or her as a valuable source.
Look for outreach programs that can provide mentoring services to help you prepare for college. Your high school may even offer this service as an after-school program.
Get your parents involved in the college planning process. Since planning for college will be a new experience for them as well, you should try to keep them informed about what needs to be done. Encourage them to meet with your high school counselor too. Often, a parent's biggest concern is how to pay for college, so try to get your parents to attend a financial aid workshop in your area. Keep in mind that if you are a dependent student, your parents will have to sign the FAFSA (Free application for Federal Student Aid) in order for it to be processed. The FAFSA is the form you and your parents must fill out in order for you to be eligible for state and federal financial aid. It is very important to fill this form out as soon as possible after January 1st of your senior year of high school. And remember: you must reapply for financial aid as soon as possible after January 1st each year that you are in college by filling out a renewal FAFSA.
Stay on track. Make sure to do each of the following so you stay on the postsecondary path:
• Register for appropriate classes. Meet with your school counselor during your freshman year of high school (preferably earlier) to discuss what classes you should be taking for all four years.
• Keep your grades up.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities.
• Research colleges and careers.
• Take the PSAT.
• Take the SAT and/or the ACT.
• Attend college fairs.
• Visit college campuses.
• Attend a financial aid workshop.
• Research/apply for scholarships.
• Submit your college admissions applications. Watch out for deadlines.
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st of the year for which you are requesting aid.
• Review your financial aid award letter and accept the awards you would like to receive.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Helpful Website for Your College Planning 3 of 5
Planning for college can be overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Here are some helpful websites that should make planning for college a little easier.
FAFSA.ed.gov
The first and most important step in getting money for college is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is the form you need to complete in order to see if you are eligible for any kind of federal financial aid, such as grants, student loans, and work-study. Even if you don't think you are eligible for financial aid, you should still fill it out because many states and schools also use it to award non-federal aid. You should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st of the year for which you need aid. When filing the FAFSA be sure to use fafsa.ed.gov because other similar sites may charge a fee to submit the form. Use this site to get information about the following:
1. Before Beginning a FAFSA
2. Filling Out a FAFSA
3. FAFSA Follow-Up
For more information about planning for college, please contact your high school counselor or an expert, like me.
FAFSA.ed.gov
The first and most important step in getting money for college is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is the form you need to complete in order to see if you are eligible for any kind of federal financial aid, such as grants, student loans, and work-study. Even if you don't think you are eligible for financial aid, you should still fill it out because many states and schools also use it to award non-federal aid. You should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st of the year for which you need aid. When filing the FAFSA be sure to use fafsa.ed.gov because other similar sites may charge a fee to submit the form. Use this site to get information about the following:
1. Before Beginning a FAFSA
2. Filling Out a FAFSA
3. FAFSA Follow-Up
For more information about planning for college, please contact your high school counselor or an expert, like me.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Helpful Website for Your College Planning 1 of 5
Planning for college can be overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Here are some helpful websites that should make planning for college a little easier.
eCampusTours.com
Obviously you are somewhat familiar with eCampusTours.com since you are reading this article, but you may not know about all the resources this site has to offer. All of our services are completely free of charge, and we don't distribute your information to any companies or schools unless requested by you. Just register for an account to enjoy the full benefits of this site:
• Virtual tours. eCampusTours features 360° x 360° virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses. From dorm rooms to classrooms, these tours allow you to see what college life is really like. If you like what you see in the virtual campus tour, you can search the college website, contact the college's admission office, or save the virtual college tour in your eCampusTours portfolio.
• Book-It-Now. You can schedule actual campus visits online with participating schools via Book-It-Now. Just search for the school to see if it has the option for online scheduling.
• Edadvisor. A monthly college planning e-newsletter, Edadvisor features articles about choosing a college, student financial aid, campus life, career exploration, student loans, scholarships, and more. It also provides monthly reminders for high school and college students.
• Scholarship opportunities. eCampusTours offers a free scholarship search to help you find money for college. You can also register for our $1,000 scholarship giveaway.
College funding guide. You can download a copy of "How to Get Money for College" and get updated financial aid information about Federal Pell Grants, amounts of aid, state aid, veteran affairs, vocational rehabilitation, student loan deductibility, and more.
For more information about planning for college, please contact your high school counselor or an expert, like me.
eCampusTours.com
Obviously you are somewhat familiar with eCampusTours.com since you are reading this article, but you may not know about all the resources this site has to offer. All of our services are completely free of charge, and we don't distribute your information to any companies or schools unless requested by you. Just register for an account to enjoy the full benefits of this site:
• Virtual tours. eCampusTours features 360° x 360° virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses. From dorm rooms to classrooms, these tours allow you to see what college life is really like. If you like what you see in the virtual campus tour, you can search the college website, contact the college's admission office, or save the virtual college tour in your eCampusTours portfolio.
• Book-It-Now. You can schedule actual campus visits online with participating schools via Book-It-Now. Just search for the school to see if it has the option for online scheduling.
• Edadvisor. A monthly college planning e-newsletter, Edadvisor features articles about choosing a college, student financial aid, campus life, career exploration, student loans, scholarships, and more. It also provides monthly reminders for high school and college students.
• Scholarship opportunities. eCampusTours offers a free scholarship search to help you find money for college. You can also register for our $1,000 scholarship giveaway.
College funding guide. You can download a copy of "How to Get Money for College" and get updated financial aid information about Federal Pell Grants, amounts of aid, state aid, veteran affairs, vocational rehabilitation, student loan deductibility, and more.
For more information about planning for college, please contact your high school counselor or an expert, like me.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
When Should I Apply to College?
Too many times, students wait too late to apply to their college or university of choice. So when should you apply? Here are some tips.
* Talk to the school as early as possible to get all the information you can.
* Many schools only consider your grades cumulative through your junior year for admission. They look at your final grades to decide whether or not you can still attend.
* Apply early. The application itself is usually the most extensive process for both you and the school.
* Take your ACT and/or SAT in your junior year of high school. Due to deadlines, the October administrations (during your senior year) of the exams may be your last chance at certain institutions.
* Do not miss the final deadline. College application deadlines are non-negotiable.
* Make sure you have submitted ALL applications and required documents to your college or university.
* Keep copies of everything you submit - including the dates that transcripts were mailed by your high school.
* GET THE INFORMATION FIRST-HAND! So many things are different from one school to the next and even from one year to the next. In other words - DO NOT ASSUME.
* The application process is different at different types of schools. Not all schools require essays, lists of activities, or interviews for example.
* Above all else, do not be afraid to ask questions. This is your first time going through this process.
Try to take steps one at a time and get an early start on gathering applications and information on your colleges. Beginning all of this in October of your senior year is WAY too late.
* Talk to the school as early as possible to get all the information you can.
* Many schools only consider your grades cumulative through your junior year for admission. They look at your final grades to decide whether or not you can still attend.
* Apply early. The application itself is usually the most extensive process for both you and the school.
* Take your ACT and/or SAT in your junior year of high school. Due to deadlines, the October administrations (during your senior year) of the exams may be your last chance at certain institutions.
* Do not miss the final deadline. College application deadlines are non-negotiable.
* Make sure you have submitted ALL applications and required documents to your college or university.
* Keep copies of everything you submit - including the dates that transcripts were mailed by your high school.
* GET THE INFORMATION FIRST-HAND! So many things are different from one school to the next and even from one year to the next. In other words - DO NOT ASSUME.
* The application process is different at different types of schools. Not all schools require essays, lists of activities, or interviews for example.
* Above all else, do not be afraid to ask questions. This is your first time going through this process.
Try to take steps one at a time and get an early start on gathering applications and information on your colleges. Beginning all of this in October of your senior year is WAY too late.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Not Ready for College? What Now?
It’s May, and if you are the parent of a college-bound high school student, you are either recovering from, or in the midst of, the college search process. During this time, it might become clear to you that your child might not be entirely ready to embark on this next step in their education. This should not be immediate cause for concern, however, but rather conversation. There is another option for the wary pre-freshman: the gap year.
A gap year, or “year out”, is the British tradition of deferring college in favor of a year spent traveling, volunteering, interning and engaging in other forms of experiential learning. Recently, the trend of taking a gap year has been gaining popularity stateside, with more and more opting to take a year off before college. Colleges and universities are supporting this opportunity by making deferring school easier and in some cases, like Princeton, offering their own in-house gap year programs. In most cases, a simple letter to your child’s school of choice explaining their reasoning for taking a gap year is enough to secure their spot for the following school year.
There are many benefits for a student taking a gap year. Parents often list the following as changes they see in their children over the course of a year out:
• Maturation, self reliance and independence
• Recovery from academic burnout / Renewal in eagerness to learn
• Wider world view and global perspective
• Discovery of interests and passions through firsthand experience
• Ridding themselves of the travel bug or the desire to “do some things” before college
• Learning or gaining proficiency in a foreign language
• Real world experience before college
• Better avoid the risk of first year drop/fail out by providing the opportunity to refocus priorities and gain maturity
In this economic climate, taking a gap year can also be a wise financial decision. A gap year allows you more time to let your college savings mature, reapply for better financial aid packages and allow the federal stimulus money time to enter the bloodstream of the college aid programs.
So let’s assume your child is well suited for a gap year. “What now?” you may ask. In short: communication and research. Sit down with your child and speak to them about why they want to do a gap year and where they might want to spend their time. It also helps to have them write down a list of goals to help them focus.
Next, you and your child should look for reliable, structured volunteer or travel opportunities designed for young people. Idealist.org and TransitionsAbroad.com can be good resources for finding both domestic and international organizations. Be sure to research an organization carefully by personally speaking with the volunteer coordinator and asking for references. This will give you peace of mind as well as improve your child’s safety. You can also seek the help of guidance counselors or independent consultants (such as myself) who specialize in helping students and their families choose reputable gap year programs.
Set a budget, keeping in mind students are usually asked to pay a fee for volunteering overseas with organized programs. Be sure to factor in the “extras” like vaccinations, airfare, travel money and international health insurance. Don’t be shy in asking your child to contribute a certain portion of the budget themselves; either through a summer job or fundraising. This gives them a financial stake in their activities.
Try to guide your child without pressing upon them what you think they should do. Set some ground rules i.e. “You may not go to the Congo,” but be sure to allow your child the freedom to make their own decisions about how they want to structure their year out. This will not only empower them to be deliberate but will let them know you trust them to make adult choices.
Before you know it, your child will be off to school, matured from a year of unique experiences and ready to take full advantage of their college years!
A gap year, or “year out”, is the British tradition of deferring college in favor of a year spent traveling, volunteering, interning and engaging in other forms of experiential learning. Recently, the trend of taking a gap year has been gaining popularity stateside, with more and more opting to take a year off before college. Colleges and universities are supporting this opportunity by making deferring school easier and in some cases, like Princeton, offering their own in-house gap year programs. In most cases, a simple letter to your child’s school of choice explaining their reasoning for taking a gap year is enough to secure their spot for the following school year.There are many benefits for a student taking a gap year. Parents often list the following as changes they see in their children over the course of a year out:
• Maturation, self reliance and independence
• Recovery from academic burnout / Renewal in eagerness to learn
• Wider world view and global perspective
• Discovery of interests and passions through firsthand experience
• Ridding themselves of the travel bug or the desire to “do some things” before college
• Learning or gaining proficiency in a foreign language
• Real world experience before college
• Better avoid the risk of first year drop/fail out by providing the opportunity to refocus priorities and gain maturity
In this economic climate, taking a gap year can also be a wise financial decision. A gap year allows you more time to let your college savings mature, reapply for better financial aid packages and allow the federal stimulus money time to enter the bloodstream of the college aid programs.
So let’s assume your child is well suited for a gap year. “What now?” you may ask. In short: communication and research. Sit down with your child and speak to them about why they want to do a gap year and where they might want to spend their time. It also helps to have them write down a list of goals to help them focus.
Next, you and your child should look for reliable, structured volunteer or travel opportunities designed for young people. Idealist.org and TransitionsAbroad.com can be good resources for finding both domestic and international organizations. Be sure to research an organization carefully by personally speaking with the volunteer coordinator and asking for references. This will give you peace of mind as well as improve your child’s safety. You can also seek the help of guidance counselors or independent consultants (such as myself) who specialize in helping students and their families choose reputable gap year programs.
Set a budget, keeping in mind students are usually asked to pay a fee for volunteering overseas with organized programs. Be sure to factor in the “extras” like vaccinations, airfare, travel money and international health insurance. Don’t be shy in asking your child to contribute a certain portion of the budget themselves; either through a summer job or fundraising. This gives them a financial stake in their activities.
Try to guide your child without pressing upon them what you think they should do. Set some ground rules i.e. “You may not go to the Congo,” but be sure to allow your child the freedom to make their own decisions about how they want to structure their year out. This will not only empower them to be deliberate but will let them know you trust them to make adult choices.
Before you know it, your child will be off to school, matured from a year of unique experiences and ready to take full advantage of their college years!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Why take AP Classes?
If you’re planning to go to college and your high school offers AP classes, you should take advantage of the opportunity. The successful completion of Advanced Placement classes has benefits during both the college application process and undergraduate life. Below are six of the biggest advantages to taking AP classes.
1. Impress College Admission Counselors
At nearly every college in the country, your academic record is the most important part of your college application. The folks in the admissions office want to see that you’ve taken the most challenging courses available to you. Success in difficult courses is the surest sign of your preparedness for college. The most challenging courses, of course, are college-level Advanced Placement classes.
2. Develop College-Level Academic Skills
AP classes require the type of high-level calculating and critical thinking that you’ll encounter in your first year of college. If you can write essays and solve problems successfully for an AP class, you’ve reached the level of many of the skills that will lead to success in college.
3. Save Money
If you take enough Advanced Placement classes, you can potentially graduate from college a semester or even a year early. Early graduation isn’t always a good idea, but for a student who isn’t receiving financial aid, it can save tens of thousands of dollars...
4. Choose a Major Sooner
AP classes can help with your selection of a major in two ways. First, each course provides an in-depth introduction to a specific subject area. Second, a high score on an AP exam often fulfills one of a college’s general education requirements. This means you’ll have more room in your schedule to explore different academic fields early in your undergraduate career.
5. Take More Elective Classes in College
Not only do AP classes help you zero in on a major sooner, but they also free up your schedule so you can take more elective classes (college classes that are not required for graduation). For many students, a college’s general education requirements and major requirements leave little room for fun and exploratory classes. If you want to take that interesting class on glass blowing or dance, AP credits will make it much easier to fit the course in your schedule.
6. Add a Minor or Second Major More Easily
If you’re particularly driven and have multiple interests, AP credits can make it more feasible to add a minor (or two) or even a second major to your undergraduate academic plan. With a standard work load and no AP credits, you might find it impossible to complete the requirements for two majors in four years.
1. Impress College Admission Counselors
At nearly every college in the country, your academic record is the most important part of your college application. The folks in the admissions office want to see that you’ve taken the most challenging courses available to you. Success in difficult courses is the surest sign of your preparedness for college. The most challenging courses, of course, are college-level Advanced Placement classes.
2. Develop College-Level Academic Skills
AP classes require the type of high-level calculating and critical thinking that you’ll encounter in your first year of college. If you can write essays and solve problems successfully for an AP class, you’ve reached the level of many of the skills that will lead to success in college.
3. Save Money
If you take enough Advanced Placement classes, you can potentially graduate from college a semester or even a year early. Early graduation isn’t always a good idea, but for a student who isn’t receiving financial aid, it can save tens of thousands of dollars...
4. Choose a Major Sooner
AP classes can help with your selection of a major in two ways. First, each course provides an in-depth introduction to a specific subject area. Second, a high score on an AP exam often fulfills one of a college’s general education requirements. This means you’ll have more room in your schedule to explore different academic fields early in your undergraduate career.
5. Take More Elective Classes in College
Not only do AP classes help you zero in on a major sooner, but they also free up your schedule so you can take more elective classes (college classes that are not required for graduation). For many students, a college’s general education requirements and major requirements leave little room for fun and exploratory classes. If you want to take that interesting class on glass blowing or dance, AP credits will make it much easier to fit the course in your schedule.
6. Add a Minor or Second Major More Easily
If you’re particularly driven and have multiple interests, AP credits can make it more feasible to add a minor (or two) or even a second major to your undergraduate academic plan. With a standard work load and no AP credits, you might find it impossible to complete the requirements for two majors in four years.
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