College Planning: Articles and Advice

 
Your Education Plan: Save Money with Community College

Would starting out at a community college be a smart choice for you? While community college may not even be on your radar, don't dismiss it without considering all the facts.

How to Put Financial Aid to Work for You

Paying for college is no easy thing. However, financial aid through the federal government or even private banking institutions can help you advance your academic goals.

Get Ready for an Awesome Career With Technical College

Technical college can provide you with all the training that you need to find a well-paying job in a satisfying career field.

Follow Your Passion to Success in Art, Culinary or Music School

Sometimes finding your passion is the easy part, but how to follow it can be less clear. Art, culinary and music schools offer you an in-depth education in your field, but you'll have to make some significant choices.

Not Always Black and White: Deciding between as Associate and Bachelor's Degree

There's not just one way to seek an education these days. A bachelor's degree is usually a way to higher earned wages over a lifetime, but an associate degree can also lead to opportunities in high growth fields. With an associate degree, you could also find an employer that might be willing to pay for you to complete your bachelor's degree.

Have a Blast with Summer Reading

Looking for late-summer additions to your reading list? Try some of these fun reads, from classic sci-fi to groundbreaking graphic novel. And learn where to find more great recs.

Dialing Your Number: Use College Rankings to Find the Right School for You

Overwhelmed by the numbers thrown around in college rankings? Find out how to use them to figure out whether a school is right for you.

Survival of the Most Prepared: Rocking your College Interview

A little preparation can go a long way during a college interview. Find out how to make an impression on the interviewer, and also gain meaningful information for yourself.

Put Your Summer Job To Work for You

That boring old summer job can lead you to new insights and motivations about who you want to be.

To Attend Summer School or Not? That Is the Question.

Find out if it's worth it to hit the books and go back to class over the summer, whether it's repeating Algebra I or taking classes at a college campus. 

Making the Most of Your College Visit

Here's some advice for high school students planning a college visit: Be prepared. Plan to go when students will be on campus and also take advantage of a campus tour. And make sure to ask the right questions!

Why You Want an Accredited School

Choosing the school where you will pursue your undergraduate degree or diploma is a big decision. To ensure that your degree is worth its weight on the marketplace and useful for potential future studies, the school must be accredited.

Why Vocational Schools Are Making a Comeback

Traditional universities aren't for everyone. Vocational schools are an increasingly popular alternative for students who prefer to gain hands-on skills in their chosen profession, whether that be construction or nursing. Read on to learn why vocational schools might be a good educational choice for you.

College vs. Vocational School: 5 Tips on How to Choose

After graduating from high school, many students face a crucial decision: college or vocational school? Read on for differences, similiarities and guidelines on how to choose your educational path.

On-Campus vs. Online Degrees: How Do You Choose?

Online and campus programs both have advantages: It just depends on what you're looking for.

Top 5 myths about college: Why aren't you getting an education?

There are many myths about college -- don't let a misunderstanding keep you from getting an education that could lead to better jobs, more money and a better quality of life.

Top 7 Reasons Everyone Should Get a College Degree

If you think college isn't for you, think again. Going to college is your ticket to a higher salary, better chance of employment and much more. Read on for the top seven reasons to head to college this fall.

The Stress of the College Quest: A Parent and Student Primer

If your household contains a college-bound senior, you may feel the ground shifting beneath you. Relations between high-school seniors and their parents can be tricky: here are some tips for surviving as you work together to plan the path to college.

Planning for College: Letters of Recommendation

Tips for lining up letters of recommendation. Most schools ask for one to three letters. Examine the forms carefully to see what each school requires, then make a plan

Getting Ready to Go to College: A Timeline

Planning for college is a two-year process. And unless a rich uncle is going to write a big check for you, your college planning will involve acquiring and submitting financial aid forms, scholarship applications, and grant applications

Before Writing Your College Admission Essay, Know Who You Are

Mine Your Identity! When colleges ask you to "Tell us about yourself," it may sound simple, but it is not

Grad School: Go for the Goals in Your Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is one of the best ways that you can demonstrate your intellectual development, ability to write and think clearly, and knowledge of your field. Graduate admissions committees want to know that you understand what you're getting into

Law School Admission Essay: Personal Statement

Law school applications are steadily on the rise, and your personal statement is the best place to make yourself stand out from the wannabe attorney crowd. What should you include in your essay to convince the admissions committee to stand up and take notice?

Law School Application: Supplementary Materials

If your law school application offers optional opportunities for submitting supplementary materials, you are wise to take advantage and give the admissions committee members more information about their most desirable applicant: you!

Applying to Executive MBA Programs

Although EMBA programs tend to have higher admission rates than regular MBA programs, there are fewer to choose from. To ensure admission, you must prepare a compelling profile by distinguishing yourself from other accomplished applicants.

Applying to MBA Programs With Low Numbers

A low score on the GMAT or low GPA can jeopardize your chances of getting into the MBA program of your choice. But how low is too low? It depends on your circumstances. Here are some things you can do to balance them out.

Challenges for Chinese MBA Applicants

Hundreds of Chinese apply for coveted spots in the top U.S. business programs each year. What are those programs looking for in their applications?

If Your First MBA Application Doesn't Succeed...Re-apply!

Rejected before? Try, try again -- but know that many others are taking the same approach, and business schools are getting pickier. By following these three steps you can beat the growing competition for re-application spots.

MBA Applications: Tips for Indian Applicants

Elite MBA programs receive tons of applications from Indians who want to gain the business education that will enable them to get ahead in India's fast-growing economy. Here's how to distinguish yourself from the rest.

MBA Applications: Tips for Younger Applicants

Should you apply to an MBA program with only 1.5 years of work experience, when most MBA programs prefer three or four? Yes, if you target the right schools and prove that you have the right experience and attributes.

MBA Applications: Tips for Investment Bankers

If you're applying to an MBA program as an investment banker, you're not alone. Find out how to distinguish yourself from the hordes of other applicants in your field.

MBA Essay Strategies for the Career Changer

The MBA applicant pursuing career change carries a burden spared other applicants: the need to show that you understand the new industry and/or function in practical terms.

MBA Programs: Advice for IT Applicants

Are you applying to business school from a traditional information technology (IT) background? If so, you likely already know that you face special challenges. Find out how to distinguish yourself from the pack.

Tips for Older Med School Applicants

Med school applicants who are making a midcareer change can draw on a wealth of experience, but they need to show the admissions committee how it's relevant to being a doctor, and that they have the drive to start from the beginning.

Med School Personal Statements for Non-Science Majors

An undergraduate degree in English or economics can be an advantage when the time comes to apply for medical school -- and you should leverage it.

Beyond Med School: Residency Personal Statements

To get into medical school, you explained why you wanted to be a physician. Now that you're an M.D., you need to secure that critical residency interview so you can show what you've got. Your personal statement is key in gaining the interest of the residency committee.

Med School Personal Statements: Applicants with Research Backgrounds

When applying to medical school, a background in research can be a double-edged sword. While your science background is strong, you may be viewed as myopic and detail-obsessed.

Scholarship Search 101: Find Scholarships Online

Okay, so you are ready to tackle the daunting task of finding scholarships to pay for college. And you want to use the Internet to expedite your search process. But there are so many scholarship services out there: which ones should you use?

How to Win Scholarships and Awards

How to win scholarships ... Applying for scholarships can be time consuming and takes dedication and motivation. But the thousands of dollars you could receive makes the effort worthwhile. Here are some hints to help you apply for and win scholarships

Scholarships: Find Scholarships Online

Okay, you're ready to tackle the task to find scholarships to pay for college. And you want to use the Internet in your search process. But there are so many scholarship services out there: which ones should you use? How do you know what qualities and features to look for in a scholarship service? Should you use a fee-based service or a free one?

College Planning Tips