Admissions Academy Blog

College Tuition: Avoid paying sticker price

•  Posted by Lori McCormick on June 6th, 2008 in Admissions
•  

Many believe that the cost of attending a private college is reason alone not to apply. The reality is that oftentimes private college can be more affordable than attending a public college. View this article for more information on avoiding paying sticker price for college.

•  
•  0 Comments »
•  

Gender and Education

•  Posted by Lori McCormick on June 3rd, 2008 in Academics, Articles of Interest
•  

A new study on gender equity in education concludes that a “boys crisis” in U.S. schools is a myth and that both sexes have stayed the same or improved on standardized tests in the past decade.

A report written by the nonprofit American Association of University Women (AAUW), which promotes education and equity for women, reviewed nearly 40 years of data on achievement from fourth grade to college and for the first time analyzed gender differences within economic and ethnic categories. The report has concluded that academic success is more closely associated with family income than with gender.

Click to view this interesting article about gender equity in education .

•  
•  0 Comments »
•  

Gap Year – A Growing Trend

•  Posted by Lori McCormick on June 3rd, 2008 in Articles of Interest
•  

Myth: A gap year will make me lazy and mentally rusty, and I won’t be as ready to study when I start college.

Truth: On the contrary, most students who take a year off say they were more prepared for school as a result of the break. They acquired experiences that gave them a fresh perspective on life. The year helped them to refocus after the craziness of high school and allowed time to develop life and career goals. In many cases, students felt they matured and grew during the break. Everyone is different and some students might view the break as an unnecessary distraction. But the gap year is a once in a lifetime opportunity – an opportunity for preparation, discovery and self-exploration – and can be perfect for some students.

Prince William and Prince Harry did it. So do most graduating teens in England. Now, more and more American high school graduates are taking a year off before starting college. If your student is thinking about taking a “gap year,” consider the following pros and cons.

PROS
Allows teens to get a taste of real life before college. A gap year spent traveling, volunteering or working can drastically widen a teen’s outlook and perspective on life. Many students who have taken gap years say the year off significantly contributed to their personal growth and maturity, which better prepared them for college.

Helps students to discover themselves. Many first time freshmen have little or no idea what they want to do in life. A year off can provide students with time to reflect, try different things, and develop personal goals.

Life away from home may be tough, and many students do poorly during their first terms in college. From managing personal finances to prioritizing tasks, a gap year may help students develop independent skills.

CONS
A deferment may result in loss of academic scholarships. Contact the college regarding their policies before planning to take a gap year.
Gap year activities may be expensive. While many live-abroad or travel programs may cost thousands of dollars, there are equally as many affordable activities. Research and plan wisely. Some of the best gap year experiences do not involve participation in expensive programs.
Some programs are not as described. The majority of gap year participants only have good things to say about how they spent their year. There are a few cases, however, when things don’t go as planned or expectations are not met. Research programs and sponsors thoroughly.

TIPS
If your student is planning to take a gap year, apply for college first and then seek a deferment. As long as your student shows he or she is serious about college and is using the gap year for self-exploration, many schools will provide support and resources.

If you’re using the services of a sponsoring organization, conduct research. Make sure a company representative can be easily reached at all times. Check references and contact past participants.

Encourage your student to finance the year him or herself. This will develop his/her money management skills.

Obtain insurance, especially if your student is traveling or living abroad. Most sponsoring organizations will offer insurance options.

The gap year is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t spend it lounging at the beach! Be creative. Plan ahead but allow room for spontaneous activities. This will be a year your student will cherish for the rest of his/her life!

For more information on taking a Gap Year, read this interesting article

•  
•  0 Comments »
•