Parents

Parents

Jane Manley
June 14, 2013

Student Loans Set to Increase July 1

Tags: Blog, Financial Aid, General, News, Parents, Students
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There are two new bills in Congress that affect student loans, with ramifications for parents as well as students who are using federally funded student loans to pay for college.   H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, sponsored by Rep. John Kline (Republican from MN), was passed by the House of June 3, 2013.  S.B 682, the Student Loan Fairness Act is still pending in the Senate.  Both Bills have implications regarding the rate of interest of students loans that are set to hike on July 1, 2013.  US News and World Report Education section offers an explanation of the new student loan proposals.

Jane Manley
June 14, 2013

Transitioning from High School to College

Tags: , Blog, Colleges, General, Parents, Students, Uncategorized
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As graduating seniors head off to college this fall, they will receive all kinds of advice from well-meaning loved ones. Who should the new college freshman listen to? One of the best pieces of advice is offered from perfect strangers at the New York Times in an article entitled 7 Things Graduating Seniors Should Know About College, written by Lynn Jacobs and Jeremy Hyman.

Jane Manley
June 11, 2013

Space Still Available for Fall of 2013

Application, Blog, Colleges, General, Information, News, Parents, Scholarships, Students, Uncategorized
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The National Association of College Admissions Counseling [NACAC] keeps a running list of colleges and universities with spaces available for admission, for financial aid, and for housing for both freshmen and for transfer students.  This sight will be active through June 28 on the NACAC website.  This list, composed of approximately 72% private and 28% public institutions, is significantly lower that the number available last year and the lowest in the history of the survey.

Jane Manley
June 4, 2013

New Program at DePaul Saves Students Time and Money

Blog, Colleges, Information, Parents, Students
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DePaul University announces  new programs entitled the 3+4 Pathways programs in Pharmacy and Podiatric Medicine, which allow students to become practicing professionals a year earlier than usual.

These programs enable highly qualified and motivated students the opportunity to accelerate their pursuit of a career in health. Students in the 3+4 programs will spend three years of undergraduate study at DePaul. If accepted for early admission to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, they complete their fourth year at Rosalind Franklin University while simultaneously beginning their graduate studies. Students will earn their bachelor’s degree from DePaul and their professional degree from Rosalind Franklin. Read More

Jane Manley
May 28, 2013

Widespread Cheating – All May SAT Scores Nullified in South Korea

Blog, Colleges, General, Information, News, Parents, Students, Testing, Uncategorized
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All SAT scores for May 2013 test taken in South Korea have been cancelled in response to widespread cheating. This is a first for the CollegeBoard. “The cancellation has thrown college-entrance preparations for thousands of students into disarray. Some students now plan to travel to other countries in the region to ensure they are able to take the next test in the summer.”  Read more in the Wall Street Journal.

Jane Manley
May 22, 2013

Resist the Velcro Essay

Tags: , , , Application, Blog, Colleges, General, News, Parents, Students, Uncategorized
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Members of the high school class of 2014 would do well devoting time this summer crafting essays that are specifically written to speak to each university to which they will apply, especially if they plan to apply to highly competitive colleges.  Paul Levy of the Star Tribune posts an article illustrating the importance of the essay.  The bottom line – resist the temptation to write a one-size fits all essay.  When writing the “Why I am a good fit for XYZ University” be sure that you could not simply replace the name of the school to have a brand new essay.  Take the opportunity to reveal who you are, what you bring to that specific community, as well as specifics about why you would thrive in that environment.

Jane Manley
May 7, 2013

ACT to Move Toward Computer-Based Testing

Application, Blog, Colleges, News, Parents, Students, Testing
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Tamar Lewin of the New York Times with the following announcement.  “We are moving to a computer-based version, but for the foreseeable future, we will also have the paper and pencil test as an option for schools that don’t have the technological capability,” said Jon Erickson, the president of ACT’s Education Division. “We will probably have the option for students to choose paper and pencil, as well. But all the anecdotal evidence is that students prefer the computer.” [read more]

Jane Manley
May 7, 2013

Colleges Cut Prices by Providing More Financial Aid

Application, Blog, Colleges, Financial Aid, General, News, Parents, Students
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The Wall Street Journal posts an article today addressing the tuition rates for many private colleges across the country and the move to adjust the financial aid packages in such a way as to help make their college more affordable.  “‘It’s a buyer’s market’ for all but the most select private colleges and flagship public universities, said Jim Scannell, president of Scannell & Kurz, a consulting firm in Pittsford, N.Y., that works with colleges on pricing and financial-aid strategies.” [read more]