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.

Graduate Program Transfer Question

Here is a question from one of my readers...

Question: Is it possible to transfer from one college or university to another without starting my program over?

Answer: It is quite common for students to transfer from one school to another at the undergraduate level. In fact, some schools (many 2-year colleges) are designed to be transfer schools and offer only the first two years of undergraduate study. Their graduates often go on to do the last two years of a bachelor’s degree at another school.

The situation regarding graduate programs is more complicated due to the nature of graduate education. It is sometimes possible to transfer to another university after beginning a graduate program in the U.S. The policies, however, will vary by individual school; therefore, it is important that you inquire of the university where you plan to transfer as to exactly what courses they will accept for transfer. You should make sure to inquire about the general transfer policy as well as the specific policy which pertains to the school from which you will be transferring. It is likely that some of your previous graduate credit will not be accepted. You should choose the school you are transferring to carefully, and you should probably discuss this with your current graduate advisor.

Transitioning from a Community College to a Four-Year School

If you want to start out at a community college (or are already enrolled in one) and then transfer to a four-year school, make sure you have a plan. If you try to make the switch without mapping out your steps, then your transition will be harder. Here are the steps you should take to transition from a community college to a four-year school.

Make a list. Come up with a list of objectives to help you determine the right path for you. Think about where you see yourself in five or ten years. Here are some questions to consider:
• What career would you like to pursue?
• What academic preparation is required to enter this career field?
• Which four-year institution has a good academic program for your field of interest?
• What are some of the characteristics you are looking for in a four-year school?

Choose a transfer school. The earlier you can select a four-year institution to attend, the better off you will be. Universities and colleges differ widely in the courses they accept for transfer. By choosing a transfer school as early as possible, you will save a lot of time and effort because you will know in advance which courses will transfer to your selected school. When choosing a transfer school, check to see which schools have articulation agreements. Articulation agreements provide specific transfer policies that make it easier to transfer from one school to another. Be sure to visit schools and take virtual tours of campuses to help you pick a four-year school.

Meet with transfer advisors. Because not all universities and colleges accept the same courses for transfer, it is critical that you work with a transfer advisor at your community college as well as one at the school to which you want to transfer. These advisors will help you map out courses to meet graduation requirements at your community college and transfer requirements for your chosen four-year institution.

Focus on academics and extracurricular activities. Most community colleges operate under an "open admissions" policy, which means that anyone with a high school diploma or GED may attend, regardless of prior academic performance and extracurricular involvement. However, to be accepted into your four-year school of choice, you need to stay focused on academics, achievements, and extracurricular activities. Keep your grades up and become involved in your community. Your transfer school wants well-rounded students.

Research financial aid options. Four-year institutions are more expensive than community colleges, so be sure to look into your financial aid options. Look for scholarships by performing a free scholarship search (never pay for that service). You should also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for state, federal, and institutional aid. Even if you don't think you'll qualify for need-based financial aid, you should still complete the FAFSA to be eligible for low-interest student loans. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1st of the year for which you are requesting aid.

For more specific information on transferring to a four-year school, contact your community college transfer advisor.

Pros and Cons of Community Colleges

If the idea of going to a four-year college or university seems a bit daunting, you may want to consider a community college. Take into account the following pros and cons of community colleges to help you make a decision.

Pros

Small class sizes – Because classes at community colleges are smaller, you would have the opportunity to interact more with your classmates than you would at a larger, four-year college or university. Small classes allow for small-group discussions where active participation and hands-on learning is encouraged. This may be beneficial to you if that kind of interaction helps you learn more information than if you were just listening to a lecture.

Interaction with professors – Since professors at community colleges have fewer students than those at larger colleges, they have more time to get to know each student individually. They will be more involved in helping you make the most of your college experience. Furthermore, small school courses are usually taught by the actual professor. This is in contrast to larger universities where classes are sometimes taught by teaching assistants.

Gives you time to try again – If you are unable to meet initial entrance standards required by the four-year school of your choice, a community college can give you a second chance. If your ultimate goal is to go to a four-year school, you can transfer after you have improved as a student. Going to a community college will give you the opportunity to improve your grade point average, score higher on standardized test scores, and have a broader knowledge of specific academic subjects. Once you have enhanced your academic record, you will have a better chance of being accepted at the four-year school of your choice.

Spend less money – Community colleges are cheaper than four-year colleges and universities. If you want to get a four-year degree, but you're not exactly sure what you want to major in, it may be beneficial for you to go to a community college for the first two years. That way you can take all of your core classes (just make sure they will transfer) and not spend as much money as you would if you went to a four-year school for all four years.

Cons

Smaller variety of courses/majors – Since community colleges are two-year schools, they don't offer the range of courses and majors that a four-year school offers. If you want to go to a school with a variety of classes and majors to choose from, a community college may not be your best option.

Miss experience of living on-campus – This may be a pro to some. Most community colleges do not offer the option of living on-campus. By not living on campus, you miss out on many college experiences such as sharing a dorm room and many living-on-campus conveniences such as rolling out of bed ten minutes before your class starts.

Not as socially involved – Because many community colleges do not offer as much when it comes to campus life, you may find it harder to be socially involved with fellow students. Community colleges offer less in terms of big sporting events and other social opportunities. If you want a college with an abundance of social activities, a community college may not be for you.

Difficulty transferring credits – If you decide to transfer from a community college to a four-year school, keep in mind that some credits may not be transferable. Sometimes when you transfer from a two-year school to a four-year school, you may be required to retake courses that you have already completed at the community college. This may delay your graduation date. Before you decide to attend a community college, you should find out what courses are transferable between your community college and the four-year school that you want to attend.

Before you make a decision about whether or not to attend a community college, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Just remember that in order for you to be content during your time in college, you need to pick the kind of school where you are most comfortable and the kind of school that is most conducive to your needs. Good luck!

AP Test Advantages

Did you know there are more than 30 Advanced Placement classes and test you could take in order to get college credit while still in high school?

Taking AP exams can potentially save you (or your family) thousands of dollars in tuition bills depending on where you go to college, how well you score on the tests, and the number of test you pass. Some students will even enter college as a Sophomore due to AP credits – putting you further ahead in the registration cue, getting into more advanced classes earlier, or letting you enter that "Just of Majors" course long before others that started college with you…


Here is a list of potential courses:

Art History
Biology
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Chinese Language and Culture
Computer Science A
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
English Language
English Literature
Environmental Science
European History
French Language
German Language
Comp Government & Politics
U.S. Government & Politics
Human Geography
Japanese Language and Culture
Latin: Vergil
Music Theory
Physics B
Physics C
Psychology
Spanish Language
Spanish Literature
Statistics
Studio Art
U.S. History
World History

Check with you counselor or instructors to see which classes are offered at your school. Remember to check with your potential college or area universities what the AP credits would count for (electives, GEN ED courses, etc) depending on your score. Some college will give you credit for English 101 if you get a 4 or 5, but only an English elective credit if you get a 3.

Also, remember that you generally don’t have to take the AP class in order to sign up for the test. So if you’re a history buff but your school doesn’t offer that class you may be able to take the test elsewhere (another high school or testing center) and try for credit. Each test does cost money but $86 (or $56 if you show financial need) now is better than hundreds in tuition later… Plus, depending on your state and your financial need you may even be able to take multiple AP exams for free or at very low cost. See this website for more information on your state.