Archive for November 25th, 2009

Writing a College Essay 101

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Daniel Millions asked:


If you are an individual who is trying to get accepted into a particular college, you will soon need to carefully prepare a college essay that you will be submitting to the College Board for review. The college essay that you will submit can ultimately be of great benefit to you, in regards to your chances of being accepted to the particular college of your choice. The choice of topic on this particular essay is one that is extremely important to your admission, so you will want to take great care that you consider the topic you plan to use, and choose it wisely.

College essays can be very significant in helping the College Board to be able to determine a particular individual’s characteristics in the style in which they portray in their writing. Important details will be considered, such as their own value systems, sense of humor, preferences, morals, and a number of other factors that can be very important to your admission into college.

There is a large amount of helpful information that the school officials will be able to learn through the writing and information that is contained in a student’s college essay. This very important essay will inform the College Board of a great deal of helpful information concerning a specific individual who is a prospective student to their particular college. They are also able to view the extent of the quality within the essay, as well as the depth of knowledge that the person has in their creative and critical writing skills.

When it is time for you to begin the very important task of writing a college essay, you will want to be sure to include information as to why you have decided to choose the particular college that you will be submitting the essay to.

Just as you would when you need to write a regular essay for various types of class projects that are often required in school, you will want to take special care that your college essay is divided into proper paragraphs. Within each paragraph, you will have the opportunity to elaborate on any special points that you would like to discuss.

When you have completed the important project of writing your college essay, you will want to take the extra time that is necessary to proofread the material very carefully. You could also find it to be very beneficial to you, if you will have another person look over the writing style you have used in your essay, and proofread it for you as well. One very important step you will not want to forget is that it is imperative to make sure you are very careful to pay special attention to any errors that might have been made. Fix all of the spelling, typo, and grammatical errors before you submit your college essay. Another important factor to take into consideration is you will want to make sure that your essay is easy to read, and that it is read with enthusiasm and creativity.

Deciding on a choice of which college you would like to attend is perhaps one of the most important decisions that has to be made throughout individuals life. The important things you will be learning, as well as the life lessons you will learn during your college years are very important to a person’s future. Because of this, you will want to make sure that your college of choice is not a decision that you have rushed into. This is also true when it comes time to prepare the college essay you will be submitting to the college you plan to attend.



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How To Find The Right College Program

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Paul Hata asked:


There are all kinds of college programs that are available today for those seeking higher education and degrees in a wide variety of fields. The problem often lies in finding the type of education that is appropriate for your specific needs.

We all learn best through different methods and identifying your learning method is a great way to understand what learning environment will work best for you.

The common learning environments for college level studies are the following: community colleges, universities, and online or distance learning opportunities. Community colleges tend to offer smaller classrooms with more discussion-oriented styles of learning and discourse.

Universities tend to be more lecture oriented while distance and online learning opportunities are quite often self-directed learning opportunities that require a great deal of discipline in order to be successful.

When trying to identify the college that will work best for you, you should keep in mind your personal learning style. Beyond that you should also consider the type of environment you expect from your college education and the amount of time you wish to devote to the pursuit of your education and degree.

Some people find that university life is far too distracting while others find that the solitude of online and distance learning is a distraction in and of itself.

You will find all kinds of cultural opportunities at a university that you will not find through home studies or on the community college level. For some students, these opportunities are icing on the cake and an important part of the learning experience as you delve into other cultures, art, music, and history.

Others find these opportunities to be far too plentiful and far too distracting for their study needs. Whichever student you tend to be will make a huge difference in the best situation for your learning needs.

Another important consideration is housing. Most universities have ample on campus housing for their students while a few campuses experience on campus housing shortages and rely on housing that is located in and around the college area in order to fill in the gaps.

Some universities will even offer limiting housing opportunities to students who have spouses and children. While housing on community college is seen, particularly in rural areas where there is limited housing available in and around the schools, these are more often the exception rather than the rule.

Most community colleges are largely commuter campuses with very limited if any housing opportunities. Online and distance learning programs offer no housing to students.

Another concern that most also be considered carefully is the distance between classes and any special needs you may have. Universities tend to be large and spread out. It is quite possible to need to get from one end of campus to another (a mile or more in some cases) with a 10-minute window in which to get it done.

For students with special needs or physical disabilities this can be quite problematic, especially on days of in climate weather. Community colleges tend to have smaller campuses, which mean less real estate to cover in between classes.

Online and distance learning classes go with you wherever you have access to a computer. This means that they are as portable as you need them to be if you have your own laptop and wireless Internet access.

You must consider all these things and so much more when narrowing down your college choices. Do you really want to take the personal responsibility required in order to succeed in online and distant learning courses?

Do you want to be limited by the meager offerings of coursework available at the community college level? Is it worth it to you to pay the high price involved in a university education? These are all questions that you need to consider carefully before making the decision as to which college environment is the most desirable for you.



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Getting In the Door: Finding the College of Your Choice

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Michael Fleischner asked:


Applying for college is an intimidating task for any student. Unlike high school, where classes and curriculum are relatively simple and straightforward, college attendance is a drastic and often frightening change for both parents and students. The first step is to start discussions with high school counselors and teachers. Is there a particular field of interest? Those already in the academic world will likely have beneficial advice and recommendations that make this process easier.

It’s always a good idea for any potential student to visit their campus of choice prior to applying. Not only will you see the student body as it will be when you attend, you will meet advisers, faculty, and develop a better idea of the facility’s layout. Ask many questions and find the answers to your questions. This saves you from applying to a facility that might not be what you assume.

The first details to discuss are standard considerations. Do you already have a specific institution in mind? It is recommended that any applicant have several colleges in mind. Is there a location that most interests you? Do you want to commute to a local institution or are you looking for a major facility with full dormitories?

Many colleges have detailed web sites that even tell the ratio of students to faculty as well as the average size of classes. If a student wants a college with a smaller number of students per class, they should investigate their facilities of choice prior to applying.

What about the student body? Is there a diverse array of students and backgrounds? Will this enrich your experience in college? Naturally, study the curriculum offered and ensure the classes will interest your particular student.

Admission counselors expect a number of things from a student. Is there a particular field of interest? Are there letters of recommendation? These are letters from previous teachers and there are some things to know before requesting such materials from teachers. First, select only teachers with whom you’ve had positive experiences. Ensure the letter is well-written; as a poorly created letter of recommendation reflects negatively on the student.

It is always impressive to choose a teacher in the field that interests you. For example, if you intend on pursuing a degree in journalism, one of your letters of recommendation should come from an English or literature instructor.

After you’ve chosen who will write the best quality letters, give the teacher plenty of advanced notice. Supply documentation on the college, applicable deadlines, and provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each letter.

Extracurricular activities make a legitimate and lasting impression upon admission officers. They show commitment, responsibility, and initiative. It is imperative to understand that advisers are not looking for quantity, but rather quality. If you belonged to ten clubs or organizations and were not active, it doesn’t count for much. Active participation in one or two activities, however, makes a much better impression.

When listing such activities, highlight any leadership experience and a list the most important events in which the student participated. Were you in school plays? Were you involved in special projects or fund raising activities for a local charity? Did you participate in band or drama classes? What about community services such as your local “meals-on-wheels,” or humane shelter?

Cost is a major factor in attending college, but it shouldn’t dictate where you apply. Even if the tuition and costs make a college seem prohibitive, there are always financial resources available to help. Some colleges offer sponsorship programs, state or Federal grants, and a host of other resources are available for students in need.

If possible, take both the SAT and ACT tests prior to applying for college. Universities differ widely in their preferences. Some facilities want the results from one and others prefer results from both.

Applying for college is often a daunting task, but it isn’t impossible. The process is difficult for the majority of students, but rewards you with a bright and promising future.



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