How to Create an Impressive College Essay!

Check out our article in NYMetroParents Magazine on how to write an essay that sets you apart!

https://www.nymetroparents.com/article/tips-for-writing-a-college-essay

How Colleges Evaluate Applicants

Women Owned Business Club Magazine: 

Check out our article on how colleges view applicant files during the competitive admissions process; find out what is important and what is not!  https://bit.ly/2GnyTx6

Spring 2018 College Planning Workshops!

Register to learn crucial college planning research tools and tips to help your child find a great college match.
Bring your questions and concerns about this often confusing and challenging process!

Programs will be held in the following districts for Spring 2018:
Sachem, West Islip, Three Village and Half Hollow Hills.

Find registration information here:
http://parentingfromyoursoul.blogspot.com/p/news-announcements.html

Interview Tips

             

Will you have an interview with an Admissions Officer?
If so, check out some tips here:

Do 
• Find out whether the college recommends that students come for an interview. • Inquire as to whether the interview is informative or evaluative. • See if an alumni representative in your area can grant an interview if you cannot travel to the school. • Arrive 10 minutes early and dress the part. Know where the interview will be held and dress on the conservative side. • Demonstrate what you will bring to the campus community through examples. • Reveal who you really are. Admissions officers want to get to know you as a person, not a set of statistics. • Highlight your passions and interests – discuss why your accomplishments were meaningful and what you got out of them.
• Review a list of frequently asked questions and think through the issues ahead of time. • Review your application materials before you go. They may reference something that you wrote – make sure it is fresh in your mind. • Be true to yourself, who you really are and what you believe in. • Ask the interviewer about their experiences at the college.

Don’t
• Show up unannounced and expect an interview. • Be too early. • Sound like you have rehearsed a speech. The interview should be like a conversation. Be natural, be yourself and be optimistic. • Be afraid to show your sense of humor. • Show up with no knowledge of the school and it’s programs.
• Come unprepared without questions & impressions about the college. • Forget to get the name and title of the person interviewing you and follow-up with a well-written thank you note, not an email.
• Tell the interviewer why the college will be lucky to have a brilliant student, such as you. • Overdo the makeup, cologne, or jewelry and don’t chew gum. • Answer questions with just a yes or no. Try to keep your answers as conversational as possible. • Focus on your negatives. Remember that problems can be viewed as challenges – demonstrate how you overcame adversity if necessary. • Ask general questions that can be found on the website.

Be yourself and enjoy the process!

Financial Aid Tips

It is important out fill out all financial aid forms early and completely. Now that the financial aid timeline has been moved up, file early and adjust the information later as need be. Even if you doubt that you will receive financial aid, some colleges require that you complete the forms for scholarship consideration.

Here are some financial aid websites to refer to:

FAFSA: https://fafsa.ed.gov
CSS Profile: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org
NYS STEM Scholarship: http://on.ny.gov/1CXvrSi
NYS Excelsior Scholarship: http://on.ny.gov/2o6ZOzL

Make Your College Search Productive!

The college application process is just around the corner. Summer is the time to prep for the SAT and ACT exams in the fall. Consistent timed practice sessions and identifying incorrect responses with an understanding of why your answers were incorrect are the key to improving your score. Check out our website for a list of recommended preparation resources found on our book list page: http://www.yourjourneytocollege.com/Books.html 

Don't forget to check colleges at www.fairtest.org for a list of schools that place less emphasis on testing scores for admission. 

Summer is also a time to apply for scholarships and there are many available! On our Products page, you will find a comprehensive scholarship article outlining internet resources as well as relevant books. We highly recommend The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2016:  (http://www.ultimatescholarshipbook.com) which contains thousands of up to date scholarship resources with application links. While applying does take time and dedication, it can pay off! You can also check out www.meritaid.com for specific scholarships available at colleges you are applying to. 

We also recommend using this summer to outline an essay or two and create some drafts. The essay is an important part of the application and can either make or break a candidate. Read through our essay advice at: http://www.yourjourneytocollege.com/uploads/YJTC_The_College_Essay.pdf

Don't forget to create a comprehensive activity resume that will outline your strengths, interests and talents! Participation in community service activities is highly recommended. Check out: www.longislandvolunteercenter.org for organizations that are looking for volunteers on Long Island.

Contact us if we can be of assistance with the upcoming process! We offer           comprehensive packages which are outlined on our website as well as hourly services.

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Websites for Parents

There is a lot of information available about college planning however it can be overwhelming. Below are some helpful college planning websites for parents:

Campus Security Statistics, US Department of Education
http://ope.ed.gov/security A direct link to reported crimes at over 6000 colleges and universities.

Saving for College - www.savingforcollege.com offers a comprehensive list of state-sponsored college savings plans, also known as 529 plans, for families of all income levels.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities - www.HBCUConnect.com provides free information and services for HBCU students, parents and faculty and serves as a cohesive link for colleges.

Education Resources from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute -www.chci.org provides a directory of internships, fellowships, and scholarships for Latino youth.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams - www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0082-scholarship-and-financial-aid-scams The Federal Trade Commission shows students how to identify fraudulent programs.

Information for students with learning disabilities - www.ldonline.comprovides an overview of what to look for in a college, how to prepare your child and identifies colleges with good programs.

Career development sites: Here are two useful resources:
www.nycareerzpne.org has a free career assessment and links to research on specific careers
www.careeronestop.org A US Department of Labor job search site.