1. ParentsCountdowntoCollegeCoach.com–You will find the MOST information here on our blog: college guidance, college planning, college coaching, and college news. Come here first to find the latest and best tools to help you navigate the college maze.
2. UniversityParent.com–A site where parents can ask questions, gather information, and download and view college guides and campus newsletters.
3. Fastweb.com–An extensive scholarship search website with a massive database of scholarships, along with articles and helps designed specifically for parents.
4. Zinch.com–A free service for students and parents where students can showcase themselves, connect with colleges, and search for scholarships.
5. Cappex.com–A site created for students to help them simplify their college search, create a profile and search for scholarships.
6. MeritAid.com–The place to go to find merit scholarships and academic scholarships from colleges across the country.
7. SmartCollegeVisit.com–Created to provide information about college visits, help parents and students plan, and view personal accounts from both parents and students.
8. MyCollegeCalendar.org–Interactive college admissions counseling program designed for both high school students and their parents.
9. Scholarships.com–An extensive scholarship search engine that helps you search and schedule alerts for deadlines.
10. MyUSearch.com–An excellent blog with tips for parents and students about college; also provides college matching and scholarship searches.
11. FindTuition.com–Help finding money to pay for college, along with articles related to college financing.
12. EntrepreneurEdu.org–This is an excellent resource for students who are interested in colleges who offer entrepreneurial programs.
13. ElizabethOnline.com–An SAT expert and coach offering tips to help your college-bound teen improve their SAT/ACT scores.
14. Bookrenter.com–Rent college textbooks and save up to 75% over purchasing them new.
15. TheCollegeSolutionBlog.com–An excellent resource for college-bound teens and their parents: admissions, testing, and financial aid.
16. ReduceMyCollegeCosts.com–Everything you need to know about financing a college education and saving money.
17. UniversityLanguage.com/blog–Great blog articles about everything related to college admissions geared toward students.
18. CollegeWeekLive.com–A virtual college fair that sponsors free LIVE events with archived presentations, student chats, and college booths.
19. BetterGrads.org–A network of college student peer advisers and a resource filled website presenting honest accounts of the college experience geared toward high school students.
20. Youniversitytv.com–Learn about colleges by watching video tours, chat with students on campus forums, post questions and get answers.
21. Unigo.com/wsj–A partnership with Unigo and The Wall Street Journal providing articles and videos to help with college admissions, decisions and choices.
22. NYTimes-TheChoiceBlog–Demystifying college admissions and financial aid by providing articles and Q&A by experts in the field.
23. GreatCollegeAdvice.com/blog–An excellent resource about the college admissions process providing expert advice helping students map their college journey.
24. CollegeGrazing.com–A resource for parents and students providing 13 interactive college surveys to help students find their perfect fit college.
25. USNews.com/Education–The education channel of U.S. News and World Reports providing the latest news and information related to college.
26. Fafsa.ed.gov–The official government website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
27. CommonApp.org–The common application site used by 400 colleges and universities across the country.
28. PrincetonReview.com–The best value colleges list for public and private institutions across the country.
29. NCSASports.org–The college recruiting site for athletes.
30. FairTest.org–The site for the National Center for fair and open testing providing information about colleges who do not use the SAT/ACT for admissions decisions.
31. SallieMae.com/plan–A FREE education investment planner that will help determine college costs, compare college costs, and provides information about student loan repayments.
32. UPromise.com–UPromise partners return a portion of eligible purchase money back to you. Those earnings accumulate in your Upromise account until you decide to use it to invest in a 529 plan, help pay down eligible student loans or assist with college expenses—all tax-free!
33. SavingForCollege.com–Everything you need to know about financing a college education.
34. CollegeBoard.com–It’s here you’ll find the CSS Profile application (required by many private colleges), register for the SAT, and read articles about planning for college.
35. CollegeBasics.com–An excellent resource for information about college essays, college applications and high school resumes.
36. InsideHigherEd.com/blogs–Several different blogs related to higher education.
37. InsideCollege.com–A search site that groups colleges in categories and provides college “hot” lists (i.e. top college for late bloomers, colleges for students needing a second chance)
38. ECampus.com–Find textbooks, sell textbooks, search for college supplies and college apparel all on this one site.
39. TheRealCollegeGuide.com–Four blogs about college life: the dorm, lifestyle, academics and heath and fitness.
40. GlobalQuad.com–Find a college, a professor, other college students, and even admissions advisers who are on Twitter.
41. DesignYourDorm.com–A free online, interactive resource for designing and organizing your college-bound teen’s dorm room.
42. CollegeAdmissionsPartners.com/blog–An expert blog dedicated to helping students find the right college.
43. GradeFund.com–Students invite their friends and family to sponsor their drive for good grades. Sponsors choose grade levels and sponsorship amounts for each grade (as low as $5) to help students raise money for their college education.
44. CollegeParentCentral.com–A blog created to give parents useful information about college and the college admissions process.
45. Number2.com–Free online test prep (SAT/ACT) with vocabulary exercises and help.
46. VolunteerMatch.org–Find local volunteer opportunities for your college-bound teen and teach them about the importance of giving back to their community with the added bonus of adding that service to their high school resume.
47. KnowHow2Go.com–A college planning site for college-bound students providing helps and aids from middle school to senior year: interactive and fun!
48. BeRecruited.com–If you have a teen that’s a student athlete, they can create an online profile here and help colleges and coaches find them and be recruited.
49. FinAid.org–An excellent resource for the answers to all your questions regarding college financial aid.
50. TheCampusBuzz.com–An online clearinghouse for national college news; find all the college news in one place!
A few weeks ago I attended a virtual college event at CollegeWeekLive. I was impressed with the simplicity of the information and wanted to pass it along to all my readers who might not have had the opportunity to attend. This particular session was conducted by Kim Clark, staff writer for U.S. News and World Reports. She outlined some simple steps to raise $15,000 for college:
The bottom line: $15,000 or MORE! Here’s how it all adds up:
By piecing together all these separate components, there is no limit on how much you can raise for college costs. At the very least you can raise $15,000, at the very most, the sky is the limit!
You can check out U.S. News and World Reports education section: Paying For College for more information and tips.
When my son was a young boy, he talked often about going to Harvard. Where he got that notion in his head, I will never know. It was so ingrained, that he wanted a Harvard sweatshirt. Funny thing…my daughter still has that sweatshirt today and has grown quite fond of it.
Did my son attend Harvard? No. He opted to join the Marines and attend college later on the GI Bill. Perhaps a wiser and more logical choice in the grand scheme of things. But…I’ve often wondered whether or not the cost of those Ivy League colleges is worth the education you receive.
A recent article from Unigo/WSJ on Campus explored that question in depth. It explored the current economic climate, the state of colleges and universities, and the overall thought process in making those college decisions. The article begins by stating:
Old dreams of adult children earning degrees from elite, door-opening colleges or “legacy” schools attended by relatives are falling away in some families, in favor of a new pragmatism. Other parents and students are doing a tougher cost-benefit analysis of the true value of a pricey undergraduate degree. As parents wrestle privately with such emotional issues, many say they wish they’d begun years earlier to assess their values and priorities, long before their children’s college-decision deadline was upon them.
That’s ALWAYS been my philosophy: START EARLY. Do your research and learn about the college’s financial aid footprint. Do a benefit-cost analysis and weigh ALL of your options before you make that final decision.
The overall tone of the article is that parents and college-bound teens are opting for the more logical college choices that keep them close to home and ensure they graduate without debt.
But, I would have to add an additional comment: find that “perfect fit” college. It’s not about the rank, or the prestige, or even completely about the cost. It’s about finding a place where your teen feels at home and is valued. And discounting Harvard, or any Ivy League college because of the pricetag might not be the BEST advice. An admissions consultant offers this advice:
Depending on the financial aid package offered, the out-of-pocket cost of attending a private college can often be lower than that of a public university. In a simplistic example, a $25,000 bill at a state college would be reduced to $20,000 with $5,000 of financial aid, but a private liberal arts college with a sticker price of $50,000 would cost $15,000 if the financial aid package totaled $35,000, making it cheaper than the state college. Of course, financial aid is more complicated than this, but private colleges with strong endowments often offer generous merit and need-based scholarships. In the end, award offers must be weighed against each other carefully, taking into account whether the award is made up of loans (which must be paid back) or grants/scholarships (which do not get paid back). The bottom line? Research the possibility of financial aid before eliminating a college from your list just because it sounds too expensive.
Take some time and read the original article. It will help you in the planning process and give you some “real-life” examples of parents and teens making those difficult college admissions decisions.
Talk about college sticker shock! I just read an article about a company that charges $14,000 for a 4-day Application Bootcamp. The camp sells out every year and boasts a waiting list. The statistics are posted about the students who attend and the results of their admissions applications. The stats are impressive, but I had to ask myself if that price tag was worth the results. Perhaps it is, if your teen’s heart is set on a specific school and you have the cash on hand. But most parents are scrambling just to pay tuition, let alone come up with $14,000 to pay for an application coaching camp.
If you’re one of those parents whose teen wants to be accepted into a top-tiered college or university and you don’t want to drop 14 grand for admissions coaching, what can you do? Will that price tag assure your teen an acceptance letter?
If that cost sends you running in the opposite direction, try this instead:
Granted, there are those parents who can afford and are willing to pay hefty prices for admissions counseling. But the bulk of most parents are on a budget, scrimping and saving to be able to send their kids to college. The Parents Countdown to College Toolkit is an affordable and effective alternative!
For my loyal readers, I thought I would post the links to some posts I have done on other websites and blogs. All offer valuable information for parents of college bound teens.
Preparing Your Student for the Future If your child is just starting high school, you’re probably not thinking about college yet…but should you be?
It’s Test Time! The SATs and ACTs… Are these standardized tests striking fear and dread in your home? Suzanne Shaffer of Parents Countdown to College says the key to success is practice and she shows you where to find FREE help!
Searching for Scholarships
The best advice I can give any parent of a college-bound teen is to start the scholarship process EARLY. Don’t wait until senior year and scramble around trying to find scholarships. Here are 10 tips on searching for scholarships.
Visit these sites and gather some valuable information. Sign up and join GalTime for even more valuable parenting advice. Encourage your teen to enter Diploframe’s scholarship.
I spent some time today surfing. Not at the beach (I never learned to surf after living on the Gulf for over 30 years). I was surfing around doing some “follow the yellow brick road” path. I like to call it that because one link, leads to another, leads to another and you find an Emerald City at the end! That’s the great thing about following links: you never know where they will take you and what adventures you will have along the way. These are the jewels I found today. I couldn’t help but pass them along to all my parent readers (and fans!):
http://www.knowhow2go.org/ This is an amazing website for college planning. It’s interactive and tons of fun. It’s not your typical boring college information site. It’s a fun place to start the search for middle schoolers with schedules and tips all the way through high school. Whaz up dudes and dudettes…check this one out! (I know I’m not hip but I try)
http://www.youniversitytv.com Wow. This is NOT your avearage college tour site. This one has moxy and some genuine off the wall creativity. There are video tours that ROCK, a message board, cool 3D maps, games, career videos and ways to connect with other college students. Check this one out and get in the “mood for college”! http://www.savingforcollege.com/ I had to plop one in just for the parents. This is the BEST, I said BEST, site for everything you want to know about financing that college education but were afraid to ask. Remember guys: DENIAL is NOT a river in Egypt. Knowledge is power. The more you know the more prepared you will be. So take a deep breath and jump in! http://www.theclic.net/ As my daughter would say…”cool beans”. This is a site where you can find and be found by colleges, scholarships and other college programs. A GREAT networking site and a place to connect and set up an online presence.
http://globalquad.com/ This site is Twitterific! Yes, I did say that. Keep up with college life on Twitter: students, colleges, faculty, clubs, and more. Stay on top of the latest college and student news via all the great Twitter links. And, there’s an option to “follow all” if you are so possessed. Whew…I’ll just follow…EVERYONE!
No “yellow brick road” search would be complete without unearthing a scholarship. And this one is a great one. Here is how you enter to win…Submit a creation that shares with us what you want to achieve in your personal and professional life after college. Your entry can be a photograph, collage, poem, drawing, painting, graphic design piece, short typed explanation, or anything YOU can create in an image! Your entry should communicate: This is how I “Frame My Future.”
That ends my search for today. I think I can safely say I found the “Emerald City” because every one of those links can take your teen closer to their dream of a college education.
But right now, I’m OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!
Create
Submit a 1-3 minute video describing/showing/depicting “Why you deserve a scholarship”. Video must be in a compressed Quicktime, Flash or Windows Media format. Be sure to include a title and description for your video.
Upload
Post finished video at WhyIDeserveAScholarship.com. Videos must be original and created by you. Your entry means that your work is not the work of others.
Vote
Voting begins September 8, 2009 and ends September 15, 2009. Members may vote only once each day on the following criteria:
1/3 Need, 1/3 Creativity, 1/3 Originality
And that’s not all, ONE lucky voter will receive a $1000 Scholarship just for voting!
The U.S. Department of Education has compiled a list of courses for the college-bound student that is recommended by higher education associations and guidance counselors. These courses are specifically recommended for students that want to attend a four-year college. Even if your teen is leaning toward community college, junior college, or a technical college, they should still consider these courses. They provide the preparation necessary for all types of postsecondary education. Although academic requirements differ among colleges, the admissions requirements listed below are typical for four-year colleges. The specific classes listed here are examples of the types of courses students can take.
English–4 Years (American Literature, English Composition, English Literature, World Literature (many schools offer English I, II, III and IV which combines all these within the yearly offerings) Mathematics–3-4 Years (Algebra I, Algebra II, Calculus, Geometry, Precalculus, Trigonometry) History/Geography–2-3 years (Civics, Geography, U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, World Cultures, World Geography) Science–2-4 years (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Marine Science) Visual/Performing Arts–1 year (Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Band, Orchestra) Foreign Language–2-4 years Challenging Electives–1-3 years (Communications, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, Statistics)
English–4 Years (American Literature, English Composition, English Literature, World Literature (many schools offer English I, II, III and IV which combines all these within the yearly offerings)
Mathematics–3-4 Years (Algebra I, Algebra II, Calculus, Geometry, Precalculus, Trigonometry)
History/Geography–2-3 years (Civics, Geography, U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, World Cultures, World Geography)
Science–2-4 years (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Marine Science)
Visual/Performing Arts–1 year (Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Band, Orchestra)
Foreign Language–2-4 years
Challenging Electives–1-3 years (Communications, Computer Science, Economics, Psychology, Statistics)
Mathematical skills and scientific concepts and skills learned in challenging math classes are used in many disciplines outside of these specific courses.
Traditional English courses will help students improve their reading comprehension and also their writing skills and vocabulary. All of these skills are part of the SAT and ACT college aptitude tests.
History and geography help your teen better understand their society as well as other societies and governments around the world. Learning from history is a valuable tool in teaching your teen that there are consequences to all of our actions.
Encourage your teen to participate in the arts disciplines (visual or performing). Studies show that students who do often do better in school and on standardized tests. The arts also give them a richer understanding of history, science, literature and math, as well as helping to spur their creativity and ignite their passion. Many college admissions staff view participation in the arts as a valuable experience that broadens student’s understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
It’s official! I’m taking early bird orders for my Parents Countdown to College Toolkit. Save 30% off the final price if you order now. The toolkit will be available September 1st.
Click HERE to find out what is included and HERE to go directly to the order page.
It doesn’t matter how close you were before they entered high school, the tension always mounts and the temptation is to drift apart. It takes a concerted effort on your part to stay in touch with their world. They are naturally moving toward independence and we are naturally grasping to keep them from growing up. And thus begins the ying and yang of parent/teenager relationships.
During high school your teens will experience every form of human emotion: joy, sadness, rejection, fear of failure, excitement, disappointment, heartache, love, and the list goes on and on. Most of the emotions are extreme and always seem like the end of the world to them. It’s hard to convey to them that “this too shall pass” and they will realize as they get older that their life is just beginning.
They are looking ahead to the future while living in the present. Keeping on track and keeping their eyes on the prize (graduation and college) can be challenging. As their parent coach and encourager, and the all-knowing, all-wise adult in their life, it’s up to you to stay connected and help them maintain their focus.
Here are a few of my own tips to help you stay connected with your teen:
Find that time when you can sit with them and listen. This is not easy, because many teens rarely sit still for very long to have a conversation. I would sit in my daughter’s room while she picked out her clothes and dressed to go out. You’ll be amazed at how much information you can gather if you simply listen.
Share something they enjoy. It might not be your choice of activities, but if you share a common interest it gives you something to talk about. An activity as simple as watching their favorite television show with them, or making a trip to the mall to search for the all-important clothing purchase will offer opportunities for you to listen and for them to open up to you about their lives.
Let them make mistakes, but be there when they do. Allowing them to make choices and experience the consequences of those choices will prepare them for those times when you aren’t there to tell them what to do.
Pick your battles. It’s easy as a parent to constantly give advice, even to the point of overly controlling their lives. Save those showdowns for the biggies: drinking, smoking, drugs, and sex. Don’t stress so much over their clothing choices or their hair styles. They are teenagers. They want to fit in. If you’re not always battling them over the small things, they will be more receptive when you do put your foot down.
Staying connected with your teen can be challenging, but the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. When your teen turns to you and finally says, “thanks Mom” or “thanks Dad”, it’s all worth it!
