If I had to describe my first year of college in one word, it would have to be “freedom.” At this point, you’re probably groaning since everyone is always telling you about how much freedom you have in college and how great it is, but hear me out. Before I graduated, my parents gave me free reign and I was allowed to do pretty much whatever I wanted, so I didn’t think college would be that big of an adjustment; I was wrong. First, you have to realize that you’re living at your school 24/7. This may sound blatantly obvious and somewhat redundant, but there are a few things this fact entails that should definitely be addressed. For example, you’ll […]

In the face of mounting student debt, pressure from political leaders to rein in the cost of attending college, and the rising number of years undergraduates are taking to finish their degrees, Indiana State University has announced a program that guarantees that students will finish their degree in four years. If the student meets all stated requirements and cannot graduate in the allotted time, the University itself will cover the cost of the courses the student needs to finish his or her degree. Indiana State isn’t the first university to offer such a guarantee to its students, which requires that participants sign a contract, have frequent advisor meetings to discuss progress, etc. But it is the most recent addition to […]

Navigating the first year of college seems to be one big hurdle after the next.  Many high school seniors have finally decided on which college they will attend, but are unprepared for what other steps they must take in order to have a successful freshman year.  Orientation sign-ups, housing preference forms, meal plans and placement exams all must be done prior to the start of classes.  Another major decision a student must make is what classes to take and when. First year students are given detailed advisement in course selection to get them on the right track in their program of study.  What they generally don’t realize is they have the power to choose the time of day they take […]

The amount of people using social media is staggering. Over 500 million people are on Facebook, and there are over 200 million tweets sent every single day. The barriers between individuals are crumbling, but with such an extended community able to interact on a personal basis, the need for a responsible online presence is paramount, especially for students. We’re not advocating that students should whitewash their online presence. Certainly, colleges are looking for students who have their own personality and who are cognizant of the world around them. That said, speech that you might consider inside joke between friends, when viewed from the outside, could be construed as offensive, and could be detrimental to your chances at acceptance. We encourage […]

Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? Are sustainable efforts important to you? In honor of the recently passed Earth Day I thought I would take a look at colleges with sustainable practices. Colleges across the country are rolling out new sustainable practices and initiatives. Take the time to learn about them when you visit campuses! Check out some examples of colleges who are taking “being green” to new heights. The University of Vermont announced this winter that they will become one of the first instituions nationwide to end the sale of bottled water on campus and mandate that at least one-third of the drinks that are in the vending machines on campus be healthy options. Colorado College offers an organic food buying co-op […]

Our company has a longstanding commitment to assisting individuals with learning differences achieve success in the college admissions process. Often, individuals and families are uncertain of which colleges will best support and cater to their personalized needs. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce two informational seminars – both on Saturday, June 9 – that we hope will help to clear away some of the perceived obstacles in the college admissions process for individuals with learning differences. The seminars will be held at the Holiday Inn in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The first will start at 10AM and the second will start at 2PM, and tickets for each are $10. After both hour-long sessions there will be the opportunity […]

May 1st has a special significance in my line of business. For most colleges, May 1st was the last day accepted students could enroll at their school, and reserve a seat for their fall class. For me, I look on May 1st with triumph. 53 high school seniors have used my services this year, and all of them are happy with the choices they had when deciding on enrollment. Some may have taken more time to realize what was the best school for them, but all are educated consumers of higher education, and all now in places where they can grow academically and personally. Of course, each of my students selects schools differently. One student, Benjamin Avanzato, chose a particular school based on […]