How To Research Scholarships As A Junior In High School

February 5, 2022
Paige Buttels
Scholarships

When it comes to scholarships, your junior in high school can never start the search too early. It's a great idea to help them put a plan in place now, especially if the pandemic has left them with extra time in their schedule. But they could also start the process this summer when they have more downtime. Their scholarship plan should include a calendar where they can set reminders about starting tasks and alerts for due dates. Alerts on a…

7 Ways to Choose a College If You’re Undecided About Your Major

December 6, 2021
Paige Buttels
College Search

High school students who already have a college major in mind can choose a college that has a strong program for their desired field of study. But for the many students who are undecided about their college major, choosing a college can feel more difficult. However, it’s totally fine to go into college without a declared major. At many colleges, students don’t have to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year. If your student is undecided about…

The after effects of the pandemic on students and their mental health

December 1, 2021
Wilda Tutol
Resources

Most families were happy to have their kids back in school full time this year, but many also had anxiety about their kids getting sick. Trying to balance everything mentally has been a struggle for most families. But, most importantly, how about the anxiety of students? Some kids were fully remote last year or hybrid and their lives changed drastically - emotionally and socially. Sure, being nervous the first day of school is normal, but is there anxiety that’s not…

3 Things To Do If You’re Waitlisted

Your student may have dreamed of attending a certain university for several years, believing it to be a perfect fit, only to receive notification of being waitlisted. When you have high hopes of a smooth transition and entrance into college, being waitlisted can feel very discouraging. Do not panic. Although it can be difficult, you do have some control over how you handle this news. What does it mean? Earning the status of waitlist is not a decline of admission,…

The Cost of Friendship – the Expenses you Need to Know About Before Going Greek

November 17, 2021
Abby Gergits
Campus Life

Can you put a price on friendship? That is the question many families grapple with when considering whether or not their son or daughter should join a fraternity or sorority. Before proudly displaying those Greek letters on everything you wear, these are the costs you should be aware of: After rush is over and you’ve selected a house, payment is due for your fully booked social calendar: the average per semester cost for a traditional Panhellenic sorority or fraternity as…

How to Access Educational Accommodations in College

November 10, 2021
Julie Bortoli
Campus Life

Transitioning to college for the first time can be a challenging time for anyone, especially in the first few weeks of classes. Between the adjusted living arrangements, the classroom environment, and the differences in learning expectations, many students are bound to feel overwhelmed. Students who received educational accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act or through an IEP under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have a responsibility to request educational support on their own behalf…

What most parents don’t know about the 529 Plan!

Anyone can contribute Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends often want to help out with college expenses, frequently in the form of savings bonds. Although bonds can be saved and used for school, 529 contributions are often an option as well. Parents own 529 accounts and set their child as the beneficiary, but for most plans, anyone can make a contribution to the account. Reported as a parent asset on the FAFSA The 529 is reported on the FAFSA as a…

How to Manage College Stress

October 27, 2021
Julie Bortoli
Resources

Our fast-paced, technology-driven world coupled with the recent global pandemic has pushed our student’s mental stress levels to the limits. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health and learning to manage stress will serve you well throughout life. The college experience is chock full of stressors and major life decisions. The lengthy reading, research, studying, exams, and deadlines can all be extremely stress-inducing. Develop strong coping skills Coping skills involve the management and regulation of your…

Test-Optional Applications: Too Good to be True?

October 21, 2021
Shane Cole
Applying to College

There are many factors to consider when applying test-optional. Over the last several years as a counselor, an increasing number of my students are asking if they should apply test-optional. Do they submit an ACT or SAT score for admissions, or do they follow the college's criteria to apply without an ACT/SAT? Even before the pandemic took hold in March of 2020, many colleges and universities across the country were turning to test-optional admissions incoming freshmen. I believe this was…

The Graduate Mindset: 4 Things To Expect While Pursuing Your Master’s

October 13, 2021
Brooke Bernstein
Academics

Graduate school isn’t for everyone. For some, going to grad school is a must depending on career paths such as medicine or law. For others, grad school may be a stepping stone to further your degree or the start of a career change. For those of you considering immersing yourself in the world of graduate school, it’s important to know exactly what to expect and how it may differ from your undergraduate experience. Virtual or not, it’s a good idea…