Why a College-Bound Student Should Apply to at Least 10 Colleges

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1. Your student's chances of getting in are improved. The chances are good of getting into some college, but your choice of a right-fit college  must consider these critical elements: location, costs, major, costs, size, costs, academics, and costs. The more right-fit colleges you apply to, the better your chances of getting accepted.

2. More financial aid is available. By contrast imagine a student who applies to 5 colleges: at best the student gets maybe 2 decent offers, each of which will be different. That means you only have 2 buckets of money (read: discounts) to pick from. On the other hand, if you have 4 buckets to pick from, that's doubling your buckets which makes your choice more attractive and easier.

3. You're in control. college  marketing strategies are very good at making you think they are in control. The fewer colleges you apply to means the more control you have given to the application process; the more colleges you apply to means the more control you have: you have a far greater variety of options that you don't have with fewer colleges.

4. Take an offensive posture. No, I don't mean that you ought to be nasty, but to take the attitude that you don't need any one particular college as the be-all and end-all; that's a dangerous approach to selecting colleges. Just as you don't need any one particular college to meet life's challenges and survive, having ten to choose from makes the choosing of a college on your terms, not on someone else's. This is taking real ownership of the process, something admission people love to see in an applicant.




Tag: college

College in a Recession - Community College and Online Learning Alternatives

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With the average cost of a private 4-year college  topping out at over 25-thousand dollars a year, many would-be students and their families are scrambling to figure out how they can afford a degree. The traditional vision of college includes coeds and ivy-covered buildings, but getting a college education today doesn't necessarily have to include dormitories and dining halls.

Today's recession is bringing more and more students - young and old -- to the campuses of community and technical college  and the world of online learning. For high school grads that can't afford the traditional college experience these options are a great alternative. They're also good choices for those who've recently lost a job or want to make a career change.

Community College
Many people who wouldn't have considered community college before, are now looking at the schools with a fresh eye. The option makes sense for families on a tight budget since the national average tuition is under 3-thousand dollars. The cost of community college also appeals to students who cringe at the thought of graduating with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans.

Actually, community college can serve a variety of purposes. Some families choose to use it as a bridge between high school and a 4-year institution. If you didn't get into your college of choice or just aren't ready to leave home yet, a community college can be a great transition. It gives everyone a breather and the student more time to mature and figure out the best course of action.




Tag: college