Tuesday, December 08, 2009

How to Prepare for College Correctly -- Please Share!!!

I wanted to take the time to release information that will make a difference in preparing students along with their parents for college. I believe that information should be shared with all and that it must be obtainable in a way that people can have access to it. I am haunted by the quotes of Harriet Tubman that says:

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
"If I could have convinced more slaves that they were slaves, I could have freed thousands more."

The key to receiving the information that I provide you is to learn how to understand it. I am currently using the information with my youngest child, who is 12 years old.

My son has learned how to use and access the computer to research information he needs, be it a book report, gaining knowledge or playing games on the Internet. He not only uses Consoles games such as the WII for entertainment, but also for enhancing his sports or artistic skills. For instance, my son volunteered for the Special Olympics Bowling Event and bowled hitting 3 strikes and 1 spare consecutively. He credited the bowling to him practicing on the WII Sports. He has taught himself how to be an Anime artist. He is currently teaching himself how to read, write and speak Japanese. He loves reading books and when he goes to the Library to check them out he checks out 15 to 20 books and read them all within the 21 days allowed to keep the books. He has so far received awards from “Who’s Who Among Middle School Students”, Outstanding African American Student, Memphis Urban League’s “Do the Right Thing” Award, and Kohl’s Kids Who Care (Store level) for volunteering as a human shield during the 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death.

Below are the links that will make a difference: (click links to retrieve the information)

College Preparation

How to create a College Portfolio (Learn how to create Business Cards, Resume and Portfolio)

College Preparation TimeLines

Preparing for the ACT/SAT Exams

FAFSA Process Starts on January 1

January 1, is the start date for applying for the FAFSA for the 2010-2011 college school year.



PIN Registration for FAFSA

In order to register for FAFSA online, you must get a PIN number. The Pin Registration URL is:

http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

or click the URL below that will take you to the PIN Application page and then follow the instructions:

http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/appinstr.jsp

For frequent asked questions related to the PIN, click the URL below:

http://www.pin.ed.gov/pinfaqs.htm

The FAFSA application is available online on January 1nd. The URL is listed below:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator:

http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml

Monday, December 07, 2009

The Common Application Overview

The Common Application process is becoming popular for students applying for college.  Many students who are applying to various colleges and don't want to keep creating duplication of information, difference essays, short answers, etc are using the process.  The Common App provides an extensive searching tool for you to search for and research information on each of the 400+ member institutions. This searching tool is available from the main Common App website http://www.commonapp.org/. It can also be accessed by clicking on the 'Search for Colleges' link in the left-hand menu or from the ‘My Colleges’ page of the site.

Click here for a video tutorial on how the online system works.

Click here to retrieve the list of the Colleges/Universities

The purpose of the Common Application is to serve students by facilitating and simplifying the college application process for those seeking admission tomember institutions. In so doing, the Common Application introduces candidates to a broader range of institutions than they might otherwise consider, provides immediate access to application forms, and may be used as an educational tool in preparingstudents for the college selection and application process.

If you have already applied at a particular college or universities do not duplicate the process on the common application website. You only need one application submitted per student to a college.

TRANSCRIPTS, LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS, etc:


High School Transcripts, Letters of Recommendations, Counselor Report, Secondary Report, need to be submitted to the colleges/universities prior or by theregistration or scholarship deadline. If you have not done so already, students should request them from the necessary persons or institutions ASAP. The clock isticking and coming to a fast end. Please remember that you are competing with students from across the country or state and your letters should reflect you in a verystrong way or not be average in meaning or tone.

Supplements:

Many Common App member institutions require supplemental forms. These supplements may be available online on this site or on the institution's website. If an institution that you have selected requires a supplement, this will be available in the 'Supplements' section. If a supplement is required, you must complete and submit this before your application package will be complete.


Some member institutions require that you submit the supplement prior to submitting the Common App. If that is the case, you will see information about that requirement on the Future Plans and My Colleges pages for those institutions.

College Application Fee Waivers:


Below are the eligibility guidelines for college application fee waivers. Many colleges do allow fee waivers under the listed condition. The following URL listed some of the colleges that will allow fee waivers. You may also contact the individual college/university to see if they allow waivers and the procedure for obtaining a waiver. Sample list of college participating in the SAT College applicationfee waivers. The URL is:

Fee Waivers

NACAC Fee Waiver Request
College Board Fee Waiver Request
Other Fee Waiver Request

Eligibility Guidelines for High School Seniors

Must meet at least one of the following indicators of economic need:

Family receives public assistance. Student is a ward of the state. Student resides in foster home. Student participates in free or reduced-price lunch program at school. Financial Hardship (must be approved by the guidance counselor or principal)

Deadlines:

Each member institution has a specific deadline for when they will accept your Common Application and supplement. Once a deadline has passed, you will no longer be able to submit your forms to this institution. Deadlines can be viewed on both the ‘Future Plans’ and ‘My Colleges’ sections.

Please note that some institutions have a supplement deadline before their Common Application deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to submit your forms.

The Common Black Application Overview



EDU, Inc. has been developed to augment the recruitment efforts of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and to increase the number of educational opportunities for students nationwide. Complete the EDU, Inc. Online Common Black College Application and have it delivered to all 34 Member Institutions below for only $35. All Member Institutions have agreed to waive their application fee.

MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ST. UNIV., ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, BENNETT COLLEGE, MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE,
BENEDICT COLLEGE, NORFOLK SATE UNIVERSITY, CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY, PAINE COLLEGE,
COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY, PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE, CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY, SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY, CHEYNEY STATE UNIVERSITY, SAINT AUGUSTINE'S COLLEGE, DILLARD UNIVERSITY, SOUTH CAROLINA STAT UNIV., FISK UNIVERSITY, TOUGALOO COLLEGE, FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, TEXAS COLLEGE, FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIV. OF ARK. PINE BLUFF, HUSTON-TILLOTSON UNIVERSITY, VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, VOORHEES COLLEGE, LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY, LeMOYNE-OWEN COLLEGE, and WILEY COLLEGE

Please contact EDU, Inc office at (770) 716-0616 if you have questions.

Accreditation of Colleges and Universities

Most people don't take into account the accreditation of a school when applying, but it can play a big role in terms of employment beyond college, in terms of financial aid, transferability of credits, etc. The link provides information about institutions that are accredited by accrediting agencies that are recognized by the US Dept. of Educ:

Accreditation

Other useful sites include:
Ed Picks
Accreditation List
Financial Aid
http://www.chea.org/
Submitted by: Devon L. Hill