Should Everyone Go To College?

Numerous studies have shown that people who attend college earn much more over their working lives on average than those who never attend college. Compared to those with a high school diploma, college graduates reportedly earn approximately one million dollars more over the course of their economic lifetimes. Numerous economists and educators have called this oft-cited “million dollar figure” into question; however it is certainly clear that a substantial “wage premium” exists for those who complete college. 
 

There is an even larger lifetime earning gap between those who earn a graduate degree and those who only have a high school education. These statistics would seem to indicate that a college degree is a must in today's world because what one learns contributes to what he or she earns.  The question must be asked as a result: Should everyone go to college? Given the undeniable economic premium associated with college, the question would appear to answer itself. However, is college attendance – and to a greater extent completion – truly the causal factor of the supposed wage premium? Might college actually not be for everyone, despite the definite economic advantages of degree holders?

Many colleges are open enrollment, which means that the only requirement for admission is a working respiratory system. These colleges will take just about anyone. They will also take money from these unsuspecting souls. However, these open enrollment colleges are not alone; even the more selective schools are more than willing to take tuition money, often in the form of student loans, from students. Some people will benefit immensely from the work that they do in college for their degrees. Others will not.

Some people are not cut out for college and some may actually do better without a four-year degree. Here are a few examples of people who should not go to college.

Party Animals

Those who think that partying is the main major in college may want to think twice about attending college or at least wait a while before taking the plunge.  Some fraternities and sororities use just about any excuse to start partying and with this partying there is usually quite a bit of drinking. Have an exam in the morning? It's not exactly a good idea to take a final while coming off a hangover.

The Academically Lazy

Some people just do not like to study or do school work. These people could have a problem succeeding in school because people tend to excel at tasks they enjoy. If a student did not like studying in high school, it is quite probable that she will not like spending late hours in a library studying.

Those Merely Looking for a Significant Other

Those who think that men or women are the only reason to attend college might be better served sitting out after high school. A significant other or significant others can detract from the concentration that would be necessary to completely succeed in school. Focusing upon a boyfriend or girlfriend too much can take away from studies and waste time and money.

People Who Only Need Vocational Training

It may be beneficial for some people to sit out college and focus upon vocational school. Many states provide some level of vocational training for high school students. People who want to become welders do not need a bachelor's degree in philosophy or business. They merely need a welding certificate and some experience to make a decent salary. The same can be said for those who want to become electricians or plumbers. A vocational education can open doors to successful careers in these instances.

The Undecided Millions

Some people may have no idea what they want to study. There is always the option of taking general education classes for a year or two, but it may be more beneficial for such students to go to work. Perhaps they will find something that interests them and they will be ready to go to college later.

It is not necessary to be exceptionally brilliant to succeed in college, but there are some people who may want to think twice about going, at least for a while. There are plenty of satisfying career paths for those who do not have a college degree. Why go to college if being a master welder is a your career goal?  

This article was written by Karl Stockton for the team at Civil Engineering Careers.

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Transitioning into College

For most of their student careers, children are told about the transition from high school to college. When they are in high school, they are inundated with college preparation exams and the college application process. It is so much, but it can often be helpful for high school students to truly understand the transition from high school to college.

Moving up to college changes your entire life. You will experience things you have never experienced before and you will be asked to grow up in the company of other people your age who are also trying to grow up. There are some significant differences between high school and college that will shape a person's life.

Personal Changes

Most high school students decide to dorm on campus when they go off to college. While this can seem like a very exciting time for most college students, it winds up being quite a shock.

The first thing that you realize when your parents have left and you are in your dorm room is that you are now living with people you have never met before in your life. Your entire environment prior to college was spent with people you were familiar and comfortable with. Now you have to suddenly shift to trusting people you have never met.

This change leads many new college students to experience problems with personal relationships. It has been a long time since a high school student has had to make new friends in an uncomfortable setting, and now he has to do it or be an outcast.

As a high school student adjusts to these new relationship changes, he will need someone to confide in and talk to. That is why so many young college students spend so much time calling home after years of trying to avoid talking to their parents.
 

Academic Changes

The intensity of a college education is unlike anything experienced in high school. Your college professors expect you to have a certain educational foundation that you were supposed to get in high school. If you did not get that foundation, then you will start falling behind.

In high school, you could probably get by without a lot of studying or paying attention in class. In college, the density of the material is much thicker than it is in high school. A college curriculum is very focused on specific topics. You will be faced with information you did not know, and you will be asked to apply that information to solve problems.

In college. most classes center around mid-term exams and final exams. In high school, you could spread your grades out over several quizzes, tests and projects. In college, you either pass the exams or you do not pass the class.
 

Environmental Changes

When you live at home and go to high school, you tend to take some things from granted. When you open the refrigerator or cupboards at home, you expect food to be there. When you put your laundry in your hamper as you are told, you expect your laundry to be done for you.

One of the first things that college life teaches you is to learn to rely on yourself or go hungry and wear unwashed clothes. College is where you learn how important it is to juggle a class schedule and do all of the things that used to get done for you at home.

College is a great experience and an important step in your life. But the transition from high school to college can often catch new students off guard. Don’t let that be you!

-This article was written by Karl Stockton for the team at kendall.edu; click here to learn about their culinary arts school degree programs.

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College Dean on Admissions Process with Tips

A special thanks to Dean Lisa Meyer, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Lewis and Clark College, for participating in our Admissions Spotlight Series  Joseph Fernandez from Parliament Tutors conducted this interview.

As the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
One of the things I most enjoy about my profession is that my responsibilities greatly vary from day to day and month to month.  On a macro level, fall is devoted to getting the word out about the College.  My staff and I are visiting high schools, interviewing students, attending college fairs, and generally communicating with as many interested students as possible.  December through March is devoted to reading admissions applications and creating financial aid awards.  In April, admissions decisions are sent, and the campus hosts visitors who are making their college choices.  Summer allows a little time for planning, and then we start all over again.

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
The student's transcript is the most significant factor in an application. This is not something that can be "prepared" as the student is filing the application, but what appears on the transcript is certainly driven by student choices.  Many students think that the Admissions Committee only cares about the grade point average.  While a GPA is certainly calculated, the committee looks closely at the rigor of courses the student took and the trends in grades (do they steadily go up over the years, or is this student record on the decline?).  One common mistake on the part of students is to take a very light load during the senior year.  This is the year that will prepare them for their first year in college.  The Admissions Committee wants to know that students will be ready to do college level work upon their arrival.


Is there anything you frequently see on an application that you hope to never see again?
Typos.  In a time when Spell Check is as easy as the push of a button, I see no reason for typos.

What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Don't try to complete applications at the last minute.  This means writing the college essay in advance, asking someone to proof it, and revising it as you would an important classroom essay.  It also means thoughtfully answering the application questions, giving your recommenders enough notice to write something meaningful about you, and completing the application without errors or omissions.

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
There is no one perfect application that if submitted would guarantee admission to every college.  The admissions process is about finding a good fit between a student and a college.  A student can be a wonderful person and a great student, but not the right fit for a particular college or university.  Likewise, a college can offer terrific educational opportunities for many, but not be the right choice for a particular student.

What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant extra-curricular experience?
Not everyone will have the "average" test scores for an institution.  By definition, some scores will fall above the average and others below it.  If your scores are within the range of scores found at that institution, it will be your job to make a case to the Admissions Committee as to why you should be admitted.  Remember, the Committee is putting a community together, and they are looking for people who will bring positive influences to the college.  Your strengths might lie in your extra-curricular experiences.  Make certain to outline these experiences in your application.  You may choose to write about one or more of them in your application so the Admissions Committee will understand how they have prepared you to be a positive contributor to college life.  Your application is your opportunity to share who you are and what you bring to the college.  Make the effort to make your case.

Do you frequently have to turn away applicants whom you wish you could admit? If so, what could those applicants do to be admitted?
Nobody enjoys denying admission to an applicant, but that is certainly part of the job.  Most often, the students I have to turn away are those who have not prepared themselves for the rigors of my college.  This is demonstrated in the courses in which they enrolled, their grades, their writing samples, and myriad other factors.  As I stated above, really good people are not always a really good match for every college.  Take the time in your application to present yourself in the best light and allow the admissions process to unfold.  Even if you are not admitted to one particular college, chances are good you will find another match.

How much faith do you have in the ability of the SAT to predict success at in college?
The SAT is only one of many factors considered in an admissions application.  It is a measure that can be used to compare students who are applying from very different high schools from across the country.  When I look at a student's SAT score, I look for a score that makes sense given the other pieces of the application.  Does this score seem congruent with the grades this student has received?  Is this score in accordance with the kinds of scores produced by this high school?  If the SAT score seems reasonable given these other factors, I'll move on to looking at other elements of the application.  If the scores seem discordant, I am likely to look for more information.  That information may come from a counselor recommendation, a note from the student, or a comment by a teacher.  Remember, the test score is not the sole factor used in making admissions decisions.  It was not designed for this purpose, and it would not be wise to expect any one score to predict college success.

What do you look for in a recommendation letter?
The recommendation gives the Admissions Committee insight into the intellectual development and character of a student.  Recommendations often help us to understand how a student has developed over the years, what ways he or she contributes to the classroom experience, and how he or she adds to the intellectual and community environment at the school.  Letters of recommendation are an important tool in better understanding the applicant's strengths and challenges.

Joseph Fernandez is a private tutor with Parliament Tutors.

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Saving Yourself From a Computer Crash

--> An Ounce of Preparation

Almost everyone has heard stories about a student who has a paper due the next day and is burning the midnight oil to finish it, only to lose the whole thing at the last minute due to a computer crash. Thankfully, there are things to do ahead of time to protect yourself in case of an untimely computer failure. All of your data can be backed up, and getting the methods in place before sending a computer off to college can make the backup process more likely to happen on a regular basis at college.

External Hard Drive

Backing up data somewhere other than the computer's main hard drive is essential because it will allow you to restore data, even if the hard drive isn’t functioning at all. All students should have an external hard drive with a capacity at least as large as the computer itself. This makes it possible to do a full backup of the system on a regular basis. Choosing a hard drive that connects through something faster than a USB cable will increase the speed of the backups and make it more likely that they'll happen in the midst of a busy college schedule.

Backup Software

Using backup software to create the backups makes it easier to restore data. Both Windows and Mac operating systems have a backup utility built right in, and using this simplifies everything because the operating system will help schedule backups, implement them, and store the data in a way that's easy to access if there's a data loss. Try Time Machine on a Mac or Backup Utility on a Windows system. Scheduling backups weekly throughout the school year (and daily during finals), will prevent major losses.

Outlook Recovery

Students often rely on communication with one another for group projects, and having a computer crash in the middle of a project can be disastrous if all of the communication was stored in Outlook. Thankfully, Outlook recovery tools can back up messages and attachments and restore them after a crash. Another solution is for students to rely on web-based email instead, which makes it easy to access all messages and attachments from any computer connected to the Internet.

Photo Recovery

College isn't just about the classwork, and many students create huge libraries of photos documenting their time on campus. However, these photos can be lost, and corrupted data can quickly erase hundreds, or thousands, of memorable photos. PhotoRec is one of the best options to have on hand for restoring photos and other files. It can get them either from a computer hard disk or from the camera's memory card, even after they appear to be gone. Although PhotoRec can't guarantee that your photos won't be lost, it is a good option to try.

An ounce of preparation before heading to college can save you from tons of headaches later. Setting up habits of saving documents to multiple places and establishing automated backups ensures that data will be recoverable. Students can also carry a memory stick and save important documents to that as well for one more layer of security, especially during finals. Losing even just an hour of work can make the difference during finals, so you should be careful to back up data in a secure location.

Contributed by Joe Baker

You can reach him at josephbker@gmail.com 

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Preparing for the Big Day

Seize the Day: How to Give Your Best on College Test Day

Summer, and the dreaded college applications, tests and exam season might not seem too close yet, but they’re coming. For sure. By now, you’ll probably be starting to think about your revision program. However, in all that frenzy of work, have you thoughts about how you will cope with the big day itself? Sitting that college test, interview or exam?

Failure to prepare for the actual day when you will be sitting the college test can cause real stress. The trauma of a bad interview or application experience can stay with us our whole lives leading some to eventually need help for depression or addiction. Especially if we have spent weeks and months working really hard to prepare for it. Tripping up at the final hurdle would be terrible after that. Yet it can be avoided. Here are a few tips to help keep you cool on the big day.

Cometh the Dawn

After getting a good night’s sleep (you have done that, right?) the most important thing to sort is a good, healthy breakfast that’s packed with protein and complex carbohydrates. Sounds obvious. Yet nerves or the desire to cram that final five minutes of preparation in before you leave the house must not get in the way of this vital meal. Choose something that will give you long-lasting energy, such as eggs, fruit or oatmeal cereal. Try to avoid caffeine and sugar. Dress in as comfortable clothes as is appropriate and check the weather forecast so you won’t be too hot or too cold.

Then, do your last few preparations. Hopefully, you’ll have already worked out when the interview, test or exam starts, where it is being held and how long it will take you to get there. If you haven’t done that yet, DO IT NOW! Avoid a panicked, last-minute rush to the college at all costs. It will really put you off. Have you got everything that you need ready? Spare pens, interview notes etc (lucky charms and candy optional…).

Once more unto the Breach

After getting to college, there’s still time to make some final preparations. Turn off your cell phone, or even better, see if you can leave it somewhere safe. Chances are you won’t be allowed to have it with you during a test in any case and it avoids the embarrassment of it ringing mid-process.

Go to the bathroom and try to keep calm. Try not to speak to anyone else outside the test hall about the amount of preparation you, or they, have done. Instead, take six deep breaths and tell yourself you are going to succeed. Be confident. After all, you’ve already done the hard work. Now it’s time to show ‘em what you know and why you deserve to go to their college.

Knowledge is Power

You’re in the room; test paper in front of you; pen in hand. Time for some more deep breaths before you dive in. Concentrate on your own paper - don’t be put off by other candidates scribbling furiously around you. Read each question carefully then read it again. Know how many marks each question carries and whether it divides into sections. Work out your timings so that you leave room for all the questions you need to tackle in the time allowed. The same applies to an oral interview. Consider what you're being asked carefully before replying.

When you do start your response, make sure you answer the question posed and don’t just regurgitate your knowledge regardless. There won’t be any marks or credit for deviating from the instructions, however impressive your alternative answer might have been. Don’t worry if you get stuck on something and don’t waste time fretting. Take some more deep breaths and move on to the next question. You can always try to come back to the troublesome one later.

Finally, if you are running out of time in a written test and still have questions to answer, make notes on the paper giving details of how you would have answered the question if you had had time to do so. Include argument ideas or equations if relevant, or make a list of bullets giving your key points. It’s much better than leaving the question blank and you might get a few extra marks that could make the crucial difference to your application.

Aftermath

After the interview or test, don’t indulge in post-mortems with other candidates. They will only stress you out with speculation. Try to wait patiently for the results and then, hopefully, you can start celebrating. Don’t dwell on it after it’s over – what’s done is done. Have something nice lined up to do straight away afterwards – and no, we don’t mean going on a drinking binge. How about a trip to the movies or a family meal out instead?

Best of luck!

----

Janine Hardy is a freelance writer from England who specializes in life coaching and self improvement writing for a number of local publications. She works with many good causes including helping and advising students at local colleges and writing on behalf of an alcohol addiction center.

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Admissions Officer Tells Secrets

As an Admissions Counselor, what are your day-to-day responsibilities?
Meeting 1-on-1 with prospective students and their families through our admissions interview process, follow-up with students, parents, coaches, campus constituents, etc. through email, mail, phone correspondence, first-year application review (400+ applicants in my territory), closing calls to admitted students who receive a financial aid package, admissions recruitment travel (college fairs, high school visits, classroom/community presentations, etc.), campus recruitment event planning/coordination/implementation/assessment, other duties as assigned :)

What do you consider the most significant parts of an application, the parts which applicants should prepare the most carefully?
Rigor of course-load (i.e. Advanced, Honors, AP, dual-credit courses & core course involvement), an active co- and extra-curricular schedule, and showing the ability to adapt well socially to the college community

What common pitfalls should applicants be careful to avoid?
Using another college or university's name in the application essay (i.e. "..and that is why I think I'd be a good fit at the University of Illinois" when they are applying to Augustana),

Are there any myths about the application process which you would like to dispel?
"Admissions offices ignore senior year grades" (on the contrary, we typically look at trends in a students academic record to recommend admission, scholarship, etc.)

What advice would you give to an applicant with below-average test scores but significant work experience?
Utilize our test-optional policy which allows you to submit a graded paper and conduct an official admissions interview. This can help students show through a different indicator their ability to be an effective problem solver, critical thinker, etc.

What do you look for in a letter of recommendation?
The mention of our colleges name because that typically means the student spoke with the teacher/coach/director about us individually -- also reading about the students ability to overcome an adverse situation or be a leader among his or her peers

How much faith do you have in the ability of the SAT or ACT to predict success in college?
It can be a great or extremely bad indicator. That is why we have our test-optional policy. Math & Science scores stick out if a student is looking for a career in the health field; low reading scores can also raise a red flag.

Suppose an applicant has little or no experience relevant to your program, but has significant experience in other fields.  What can that applicant do to distinguish himself or herself as a good candidate for your program?

Candidates who we feel are "on the bubble" or just can't get a good "read" on can typically strengthen their case by visiting campus and meeting with a counselor one-on-one. This typically is one of the most influential factors for a student during the application process.

Thank you to Mike Pettis for participating in the Admissions Spotlight Series.  Mr. Pettis is an Admissions Counselor at Augustana College in Davenport, IA.  In this interview he give us a behind-the-scenes look at the undergraduate admissions process.
 
--------
This interview was conducted by Joseph Fernandez, a New York Tutor with Parliament Tutors.  Joseph specializes in SAT Tutoring.

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Answering the Question "Why Do You Want to go to our College?"

If you have just started applying for college, you may have noticed that many college applications ask similar types of questions in their application essays. A question that many colleges ask is "why do you want to go to our college?"

This may seem like a complicated question to answer. Why are they asking you this? Why do they care? What kind of answers are they looking for? If you say the wrong things, will they reject your application? If all of these stressful concerns are running through your head, it will be very difficult to start writing. As with almost all personal essays, the easiest way to write a solid paper is to be informed about the topic before you start writing and to be honest as you write.

With this in mind, the first step you should take is to thoroughly research the college. Find out every single detail that will matter to you. Which majors does the college offer? How big are the class sizes? Does the school have the kind of extracurricular or social setting that you are looking for? What kind of housing do they offer? How much money will it cost to attend the college each semester? What kind of financial aid options are offered? How far away is the campus from your current home? Is the campus located in a city that you like?

Once you have a good understanding of what it will be like to attend this particular college, think about all of its aspects that suit you best. Maybe you really like their attitude toward learning. Maybe their art program is one of the best in the country. Perhaps the city in which the college is located is perfectly fitting for your tastes and lifestyle. Maybe the tuition is incredibly low and will save you tons of money. Make a list of everything you like about the college.

Now, add more information to the list. Next to each item that you like, write down why you like it. Your list should be honest and personal. You should also write down why you want to attend college at all. Next, take another look at the website or brochure for the college. Take a note of all of the adjectives that are used to attract students to the college. If these adjectives describe what you are looking for in the college, write them down.

Begin your essay. Explain who you are, where you are in life and what you hope to accomplish by attending college. Explain what kind of degree or major you plan to pursue and why. If you have not yet chosen an area of study, explain the aspects of the college that you think will lead you toward finding yourself and what you want to do with your life. Be concise, but also honest, personable and, if appropriate, passionate.

Using your list, describe everything about the college that you like and explain why it is a perfect fit for you specifically. If applicable, try to use some of the adjectives that you found in the college brochure or on its website.

If you are still having a really hard time with this and cannot find good reasons for attending this college, perhaps you should rethink even applying in the first place. There are so many wonderful colleges in the United States. Try to find schools that are actually a good fit for you. Imagine getting an acceptance letter in the mail from each college to which you apply. If you cannot picture yourself getting excited about attending this school, then it probably is not the right school for you.

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The Value of AP Classes

Almost everyone hates AP classes. Parents hate them, students hate them, schools hate them, even colleges are wary of them. In high school, these AP classes add a significant amount of work to the regular student schedule. Active students who play sports and are involved in their community are often forced to sacrifice leisure time or hours otherwise spend sleeping in order to finish their AP work.

Then the AP test comes in May, and the last 2 or 3 weeks in April are an endless cramming session. For students who take multiple AP tests, it seems like the work will never end. I know because I went through it just like every other high school student. It does, however, pay off.

As a college student right now, I am very happy that I took AP classes. First off, I started my freshman year with 17 AP credits; a standard college semester is only 16. I have friends with over 20 AP credit. This can mean many things depending on how you look at it. If I decide to graduate a semester early using my AP credits to fulfill electives, then I can save a lot of money, somewhere around $20,000. My particular school requires 4 years of study to graduate, but many others will let students graduate early.

What AP credits mean for me is that I can pursue minors and/or take other classes that interest me besides those in my major. I could also take a slightly easier workload every semester and still graduate on time. With this approach, I could dedicate more time to running this website along with others, and possibly find other jobs. There will be more time to socialize as well, but that is not everything. Knowing that I will be able to graduate in 4 years takes off a lot of stress.

My particular credits also mean that I can spend time studying abroad without fear of falling behind. Some classes in foreign universities might not be recognized at my university, but with credits already stacked up, I won’t need to worry.

Finally, there is the value of taking a college “level” class in high school. Although college classes are nothing like high school classes, there is no question that AP better prepares students for the vigor of college. 100 pages of reading per class seems like nothing after doing it for years in high school. Additionally, much of the knowledge learned in AP classes can be directly applied to college. I draw upon knowledge from AP History, Gov, and English classes every day because it makes a substantial part of my academic core. Science and Math classes act the same way for engineers and physicists.

Hopefully, you will think differently about AP classes in the future. Yes, they are a lot of hard work but the work will come sooner or later. Is it not better to get accustomed to it early on? In hindsight, even though I hated the work at the time, I am very glad that I took so many AP’s in high school. My words of wisdom to all students are this: It gets better.

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2012 College Rankings

It is that time of year again, the time to start worrying about college. US News and World Report released their 2012 college rankings a few weeks ago, and for anyone who follows the admissions game, this is a big deal.

Colleges often compete with one another to improve their rankings and become even more exclusive. This results in more students applying to top notch universities, creating a larger pool of applicants. The university then gets to reject a larger number of applicants, lowering acceptance rate and adding to the "exclusive" feeling one gets at being at such a university. Acceptance becomes more difficult and students must work even harder in high school. It is a terrible cycle, but the rankings do have some value for quickly judging the caliper of a school. They give students and parents a basic and easy way to compare schools and see what is a reasonable college goal.

Here are the top 20 schools in the 2012 rankings for national universities:
(If more than one school has the same number, they are tied for that rank.)

1. Harvard
1. Princeton
3. Yale
4. Columbia
5. Cal Tech
5. MIT
5. Stanford
5. University of Chicago
5. University of Pennsylvania
10. Duke
11. Dartmouth
12. Northwestern
13. Johns Hopkins
14. Washington University in St. Louis
15. Brown
15. Cornell
17. Rice
17. Vanderbilt
19. University of Notre Dame
20. Emory

Here are the top 10 liberal arts colleges for 2012:

1. Williams
2. Amherst
3. Swarthmore
4. Pomona
5. Middlebury
6. Bowdoin
6. Carleton
6. Wellesley
9. Claremont MnKenna
10. Haverford

The full list of rankings for both national universities and liberal arts colleges can be found here.

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Retaking the SAT: Should You Take the SAT Again?

“1,597,329 million college-bound seniors in the class of 2010 took the SAT.”

Resource:  2010 College-Bound Seniors Profile Report issued by the College Board.

Despite the impressive number of participants, the standardized college testing experience is very personal. Results are commonly used in higher education admissions decision-making processes, as well as determining eligibility and awarding of scholarships.  Each student who takes the SAT is directly impacted by the scores achieved on the test. That said, the statistics of who takes the test and the variance in scores are significant and a good place to start when considering your decision to retake the SAT.

If you’ve taken the SAT and didn’t get a perfect score or the score you wanted, you may be thinking about taking the test again.

This graphic uses data from the 2010 College-Bound Seniors Profile Report issued by the College Board and illustrates the score distribution of the college-bound seniors in the class of 2010 who took the SAT. If you didn’t get a perfect score on your SAT, you clearly are not alone. 

Data from the Effects of Repeating the SAT®, Percentage of Students with Senior-Year Score Gain or Loss (2010 Cohort) by College Board indicates that in all parts of the test, the lower your score, the better your chances are of improving your scores by taking the test again. This may seem obvious, but is worth remembering when making the decision to take the SAT again.

If you are still considering taking the SAT again, answer these questions before you sign up:

Have you gained more experience and/or have more applicable coursework “under your belt” since the last time you took the SAT?

If you have since taken additional coursework or gained experience that has increased your knowledge in areas covered in the SAT, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Are you in a “better place” mentally and/or physically than you were the last time you took the SAT?

If your circumstances, either physically or mentally, were not ideal for your best performance the last time, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Are you, or will you be, better prepared to take the SAT than the last time you took it?

If you are willing to study, take practice tests, and/or take advantage of tutoring resources in order to set the stage for the best possible testing outcome, you should definitely consider taking the SAT again.

What is your ultimate goal for taking the SAT? Does this goal require a higher score?

Once you determine your goal for taking the SAT, if you find that your previous score does not meet the standards needed to achieve that goal, you should consider taking the SAT again.

Answering “yes” to one or more of these questions is justification and motivation for taking the SAT test again. 

One more thing…

If you make the decision to take the SAT again, set the stage for success by consciously making a personal commitment to prepare yourself so you can perform to the best of your abilities. Like an athlete, you must “train” for this challenge.  Take advantage of preparatory resources and practice, practice, practice!  If you make this commitment and follow through, you increase the odds that your score will improve and will find that the decision to take the SAT again was a good choice.

Good luck and have a great testing experience!

Anne N. is a SAT Tutor for Parliament Tutors in Des Moines, IA.

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How to Avoid Overbearing Parents

“How can parents help students with the college search and application process?”—Vanessa K., Boise, ID.

A: Five things parents can do to help with college admissions

It’s not easy for parents to know if they are doing too much or too little regarding their child’s college admissions. A little advice about testing is a good start. 1) Become educated about the various tests. 2) Remind your student about test registration deadlines and test dates; put them on a visible family calendar. 3) Help him/her complete the test registration forms. 4) If it fits your budget, pay for test prep books or tutoring. 5) Provide your child with chauffeur services on the day of a test so he/she doesn’t have to locate the test center and find a parking space.

• Marjorie Shaevitz—Author, Founder - adMISSION POSSIBLE

A: The three C's of parent college coaching

The hardest part of parenting a teen is coaching them to do things themselves and attain increased levels of independence. As far as the college process goes, you have three roles as a parent. I call them the 3 C’s. Chart the course by helping them plan for the future. Catalog the journey by keeping track of the details. Cheer them on by encouraging them to study hard, volunteer and get involved in extracurricular activities. Be a coach, not a taskmaster, by following the three C’s: Chart, Catalog and Cheer. Your teen will be happy, well-rounded and prepared for college.

• Suzanne Shaffer—Founder - Parents Countdown to College Coach

A: Parents should serve as mentors in the college search process

It’s been said that the relationship between the parent and child changes when the child goes to college.  As children begin to assert their independence and their ability to make decisions without parental involvement; parents must take on the role of mentor/supporter.  The college application process is a great time for parents to lay the foundation for this type of relationship.  The primary role for parents throughout the college admissions process is to encourage their child by consistently reminding them of their confidence in his/her ability to complete the application process and to choose the college with the best fit.

Dorothy Styles–Director for College Readiness Programs & Initiatives - Project GRAD Atlanta

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.
Don’t miss answers by the Dean of Admissions at Sweet Briar College, Associate Dean of Admissions at University of Delaware, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.

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College Myths: Are they Real or Fake?

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“In your experience, what are three of the most accepted or exaggerated myths in the college admissions process?”—Donald J., Park City, UT

A: Community college is a great option for many high-schooler graduates

Myth: Community college is a consolation prize for students who aren’t academically ready for a four-year college. Truth: Community colleges can help students learn important academic and organizational skills that will prepare them to succeed in upper division courses at four-year colleges. Myth: Community colleges deprive students of the rich social experiences that a four-year college can provide. Truth: Community College students can take advantage of theater, athletics, clubs or student government, in many cases with no prior experience. Myth: Community Colleges are a dead-end. Truth: The best way to ensure a successful transfer to a four-year college is to enter community college with clearly defined goals and a well-crafted transfer plan.

• Joanne Levy-Prewitt— Creator & Founder - CollegeMapp

A: Admissions myths debunked

Myths: (1) a Pulitzer Prize essay, (2) killer teacher recommendations, and (3) superhero extracurricular activities. This myth distracts families from the essential ingredient in a winning college candidacy: academics. 87 percent of colleges attribute “considerable importance” to the impact of “college prep grades” on the admission decision, 71 percent to “strength of curriculum”, and 58 percent to “admissions test scores”. By contrast, only 26 percent of institutions attribute “considerable importance” to essays, 17 percent to teacher recommendations, and a measly 9 percent to extracurricular activities. (NACAC, 2010) Do your best on these three elements of the application, but throughout high school, focus on academic performance.

• Kris Hintz—Founder - Position U 4 College LLC

A: No need for essays, standardized tests, or stress

While the most competitive colleges have extremely rigorous admission standards that include earning high grades, completing several essays, taking a number of challenging standardized tests, and pursuing a variety of extracurricular activities, the vast majority of America’s four-year colleges have far more modest admissions requirements. In fact, despite what you may have heard, many colleges require no admission essays, and a growing number of colleges are easing their admission requirements, as evidenced by the number of schools becoming ACT- and SAT-optional. If you want to attend a four-year college, stay calm and you will find one that will admit you.

• Craig Meister– President - Tactical College Consulting

Don’t miss answers by the Director of Admissions at University of Washington, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.  To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions  

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3 Admissions Mistakes You Can Avoid

The Unigo Expert Network is a group of top education experts from across the US answering questions submitted by students and parents about college admissions and succeeding after high school.

“In your experience, what are three of the most significant and avoidable mistakes students make throughout the admissions process?”—Elizabeth R., Omaha, NE.

A: Fit, follow-up and folly

FIT: Students must do the self-analysis necessary to determine what kind of school will be the best match for them.  Too often, they are swayed by the opinions of others – parents, friends, rankings, etc.  FOLLOW UP: Many students assume that their documents have arrived at admissions offices. If they have not received confirmation that their file is complete, they should contact the school to verify. FOLLY: Too many students believe that “senioritis” is a privilege/right.  It is not.  Schools will be reviewing final senior grades and reserve the right to revoke admission if there are significant declines in performance.

Alison Almasian— Director of Admissions - St. Lawrence University

A: Proofread, proofread, and proofread again

Much like the rules for hair care in the movie Legally Blonde, there are three simple and finite rules that will keep you from making the most egregious application mistakes:  Proofread, proofread and proofread again!  You do not want your essay to stand out because of an outrageous spelling error or a naïve double entendre. Before any item is matched with an envelope, email address or upload site, double and triple check that you are sending the right item to the right college. Nothing makes you look more disorganized and silly than sending an essay about why you love Carol Stack’s College to Faber College. Deadlines do matter! 

Carol Stack—Principal - Hardwick Day Inc.

A: 3 significant and avoidable mistakes

1) Shopping by "brand name." Some students (and their parents) are way too focused on the prestige of the college name, rather than whether the college is a suitable intellectual and social match. 2) Under-utilizing the opportunity offered by the "personal statement." Admissions officers would rather hear about a typical day in an applicant's life or how a quirky relative affected the student, than about the applicant's plans to stop global warming. 3) Resume-building instead of enjoying a healthy balance of activities. If the fulfilling activities also look impressive, that’s great, but simply piling up activities with college in mind cheats many students out of enjoying high school.

Jane Gabin– College Counselor - New York City

Don’t miss answers by the Director of Admissions at St. Lawrence University, and more – at www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.  To send your question to our experts, visit www.unigo.com/expertquestions

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