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College Planning
College affordability is on the front burner in today’s tough economy. The estimated total annual cost of attending a private college can exceed $50,000, and for out-of-state students, the price tag for a year at a public university can surpass $40,000. While “sticker prices” are out of reach for most families, robust financial aid programs (grants, scholarships, loans), available at some schools, can radically improve the economics.
Today, most high school counselors’ student-teacher ratios can be 800 to 1. Simply said, counselors don't have enough time to devote to each and every student. Our tools and resources offer a step-by-step “how to” proven approach so your family can develop a personal “action plan” that fits your son or daughters academic and or athletic pursuits.
Check out The E-College Counselor, designed to help families make the most of the college search. With the E-College Counselor students have resources available starting in grade 9 to help them achieve their collegiate pursuits with FREE mentor support to help each step of the way.
Ideally, students should have a college admissions plan that's completely personalized to their background, budget, and academic interests by the junior year of High School. When you purchase access to our E-College Counselor you are supported by a team of mentors lead by Charlie Kadupski, founder and CEO. Daily our staff works with high school counselors, teachers, administrators and athletic directors in the United States and Canada regarding the admissions process, financial aid, campus life and more to ensure all kids who can make it in college, makes it to college.
The College Admission Process
Communication is essential to success. Students and their parents should take a proactive approach to the college recruitment process. We encourage the use of role-playing, to help build self-esteem, confidence so students learn how to discuss their unique qualities and why they would be a great fit for a particular college or university.
Top College Planning Tips
Everyone knows schools that are top of mind in awareness. Someone has had a parent or a friend or a friend of a friend who attend a particular school. Now it is up to you to figure out which school is right for you. Here are a few things to consider when you choose to apply to a college.
Location
There are 5,800 colleges in the United States, from tiny towns in Iowa to major metropolitan cities like California to choose from. Choosing one college over another can cause panic and anxiety and it can be an adventure. We suggest students take “un-official” campus visits. Talk to the students, tour the campus, see the city, and spend a couple of days. Finding the right college or university is based on individual goals so follow your dreams and you will be happy no matter what city or state you choose.
Size
Colleges come in all sizes, from a school in New York like Hartwick College that enrolls 2,500 students to schools like Pennsylvania State, which can enroll 30,000 or more. Which one is better? Well, that depends on you and what you want. Ask yourself, do you like being places where everybody knows you, or do you like the anonymity of a crowd? Once you evaluate your goals, then making a clear and concise choice will be easy.
Type
All colleges are not the same. Some have large graduate programs and devote much of their time and resources to research while others are small Liberal Arts schools with various programs of study offered. Some schools have a specialty while other schools might be best known for giving their students a broad education. Either way, list factors that are important to your family, the options are almost limitless. Taking “un-official” campus visits will help you choose the perfect place to pursue a college education and graduate with a meaningful degree.
Distance
Ever hear the kids say, "I can’t wait to go away to school"? In many cases the parents are ready for them to go. The bottom line in how likely you are to get homesick, and how much money you can afford to spend in travel.
While location and distance are similar issues, how far from home you want to be just might be as important. For some going to college is a chance to explore a different part of the country. For other students and their parents having dinner with their family once a week may also be important. Don’t worry about going home to do your laundry, most college and university campuses have a laundry facility and others offer personal services and assistants to do your laundry for you.
Tuition/Scholarships & Financial Aid
Have you ever heard your parents say “Study and get good grades it will mean something”. They were actually right! While cost is a top consideration that most parents think about when the topic of paying for college comes up, remember not all colleges cost the same. Also there are different types of financial aid programs at different schools and with so many scholarships available, paying for college can be easier than you might think. Did you know.... Excellent grades can equal scholarship money? Did you know, your athletic ability could equal money? Half the battle is asking and applying for scholarships at each college or university.
Athletics and Events
If you are an athlete and are being recruited, this may also improve your chances of getting admitted to your choice of schools. Are you a sports fan? The sound of a marching band and the sight of a football uniform just might make the difference. At some schools, sports are the order of the day, the main social activity on most students' calendars. Maybe you're really into going to live concerts, or you love nothing better than to go hiking in the woods. Finding the right opportunity is all about finding the right balance.
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