This past year was chock-full of bad boys and girls making headlines. (Then again, isn’t every year that way?) We here at CollegeBound enjoy some juicy celebrity gossip just as much as you, but the scandal makers of 2009 made us a bit sad. Why? Because with the right amount of guidance, these folks could have mended their ways—or avoided their behavior altogether.
Check out our 2009 Celebrity Hall of Shame honorees and see if you don’t agree that all of these notables could have done better with a little—um—class.
Tiger Woods:Oh, Tiger. You made us love a sport as boring as golf. You have more money than you can spend in a lifetime, and you are married to a former swimsuit model. But noooo—you had to go seek out greener courses, didn’t you? By last count, there were more than a dozen “ladies” coming forward from around the globe with reports of dalliances. Just revolting.
Had Tiger taken a class in physics at one of the nearby campuses of University of Central Florida, he would have learned that for every cause, there is an effect. For example, cheating on his wife would make her upset, and she may or may not chase after him with one of his golf clubs. Or that his affairs would cause PGA sponsors to lose billions of dollars this year. Or that his hiatus from golf would make people once again realize what a snoozer golf can be.
Jon Gosselin: To be completely fair, those who followed “Jon and Kate Plus 8” know that Kate Gosselin wasn’t always the easiest person to live with. But her mood swings are forgiven now that we’ve been treated to the train wreck that is her ex-husband. From cavorting on boats with a friend’s 20-something daughter and staging paparazzi shoots with Michael Lohan to the most recent debacle of a reported break-in at his New York City apartment, this guy is a mess. Our hearts break eight times over for each his children.
We suggest that Jon immediately enroll in some online courses in the Human Studies program at Marylhurst College in Oregon. There, according to the program’s description, he will obtain “an intellectual awareness of relationships with the self and with others” and “explore what it means to be ‘human.’” Because clearly, Jon needs a refresher course in living life outside of “reality” television.
Serena Williams:It hurts to add Williams to the list, since she has always been a great athlete and fashion trendsetter. But her temper tantrum after a foot fault during this year’s U.S. Open, in which she threatened to slam a tennis ball down the umpire’s throat, surprised tennis fans and even Williams herself, who admits to being caught up in the moment. The result? A $10,000 fine and countless videos on YouTube of William’s colorful rant.
Avoidable? Completely, says Josh Salcam, president and co-founder of Virtual Nerd, an online math and science tutoring service. “Being a star tennis player, she probably wouldn’t need Wikipedia to know a tennis ball’s diameter is 2.7 inches,” says Salcam. He suggests that had Williams taken a class in anatomy and physiology, she would have held her tongue and avoided a forfeit. “It turns out that the average diameter of the trachea is just around 1 inch, and even a world-class athlete can’t fit a 2.7 inch diameter ball into a 1 inch diameter pipe,” advises Salcam.
Lindsay Lohan: It’s hard to figure out where to begin with this starlet, who was just adorable as a preteen and is now, as Perez Hilton eloquently refers to her, complete “Lindsanity.”
Back when she was still a fresh-faced child star (remember Mean Girls?), CBN interviewed Lohan for its now-defunct CollegeBound Teen magazine. She mentioned having a really great history teacher in high school who helped her view the subject in a way that really spoke to her. We think that Lindsay could get back on track if she began studying history—any kind of history—and understand that while everyone makes mistakes, the only way we can move forward is by learning from them. Otherwise, history is doomed to repeat itself—and the world does not need repeats of her DUI, her unladylike dressing habits, or the fashion tragedy that was the Ungaro collection.
Richard and Mayumi Heene, a.k.a. The Balloon Boy’s parents: As the nation continues to wag its collective finger at these wannabe-reality TV stars—Richard will serve a short jail sentence in 2010—we can’t help but wonder how they thought they could actually pull their balloon hoax off. Clearly, “conscience” is not part of their vocabulary, but we’d be willing to wager that should they enroll in a media ethics course, it’s a word that they might eventually learn.
Or would they? Ethics expert Jeffrey Seglin, author of “The Right Thing” for the New York Times Syndicate and a professor at Emerson College, says that some people will never learn their lesson, even in his own Professional Ethics class.
“But alas, my feeling has always been that while I can try to teach people about ethical decision-making and to give them some necessary tools to making such ethical choices, I can’t change the personal values they bring into the class,” he wrote in an email to CBN. “Sadly, Richard and Mayumi Heene’s values may have been such that no class could have kept them from adhering to whatever values that drove them to fake the “Balloon Boy” incident that, among other things, resulted in having their children lie in public.”
The CollegeBound Network wishes you and yours a happy, healthy, and ethical new year. See you in 2010!
You’ve visited the campus and you’ve interviewed with an admissions counselor. You’ve even sat in on a class and spent the night in one of the dorms. But if you are still looking for a way to get a real glimpse of where you’ll be spending the next four years, pick up a newspaper—the campus newspaper, that is.
College newspapers have long been a hotbed of controversy for students, professors, and administrators. Depending on the level of campus involvement, the publications can range from a monthly volume to a daily issue with online updates. In general, colleges and universities that have strong journalism programs also have good campus publications. However, even more of a prerequisite is having an active student population that has something to say on a regular basis. Consider the Harvard Crimson, a media giant that is read not only by students, but residents of Cambridge and surrounding neighborhoods, thanks to its news coverage.
Why should you read campus newspapers? Because in addition to their news stories, they are full of opinions. Those opinions come from people who will be your future classmates and friends on campus. Do you agree with most of what they are saying? Then perhaps you have succeeded in choosing a campus that is right for you. Do you find yourself getting hot under the collar when you read the articles? It could mean that you are in for some interesting class discussions when you get to campus. But before you write off a campus as being ill-suited to your point of view, be aware that some large campuses have different publications with different staffs of conservative and liberal students—as well as those in between the two extremes. For example, Boston College publishes both the conservative The Observer and the more liberalThe Heights, both of which combine to give a better snapshot of what matters to students.
College newspapers hand down some weighty opinions and have been known to drag their own students through the mud in some cases. You may recall the 2006 Harvard scandal in which it was discovered that then-sophomore Kaavya Viswanathan lifted passages from novels of her favorite authors to fill the pages of her own novel, How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life. The Crimson reported on it every step of the way, and it wasn’t pretty.
Most colleges and universities will have a link to their newspapers on their website, although some schools have websites that function fully and separately from the college site. Here’s a handful of some top college newspapers from across the country. Happy reading!
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town
Not a blogger was stirring, not even at CollegeBound…
Christmas is almost here, and the staff at the CollegeBound Network is sending you warm and festive wishes for a wonderful holiday.
If you are a college-bound student, take some time out to rest and recharge your batteries before diving back into the mix of college applications. It’s completely normal to be stressed out about college, but remember to take some time out for yourself and do something that’s fun and completely unrelated to school.
Need a distraction? Here’s a quick clip from “Saturday Night Live” that’s sure to become a Christmas classic. We promise, it has NOTHING to do with school, but it is in honor of our editorial director, Gina LaGuardia, and her affinity for Mark Wahlberg—even it if it Andy Samberg’s take on him.
Family holiday dinners and parties can be fun, but what happens if you let the S-word, F-bomb, or another swear word slip?
Holding back your cursing at family gatherings is good practice for your admissions interview. Why? How you talk in front of those deciding your college fate could impact your ability to get into that school. Some may take offense to your swearing, and even if they don’t, it doesn’t help your case when your colorful language overshadows your answer to an important question about yourself and your college dreams.
His book and Web site–home of the Cuss Control Academy (yes, that’s what it’s called!)–gives plenty of tips on dealing with swearing, including ways to find alternative words. I like these tips:
Look for exclamations to replace the nasty ones you use.
Look for descriptive adjectives.
Look for witty similes and metaphors that soften insults and complaints.
Look for words that have a ring to them that you like.
Thinking about this could help ease some of the tension created. Why not practice some of these while hanging out with your family during holidays – and get a jump-start on impressing that admissions panel.
Christmas is just a few days away, and if you are applying to college, the holiday break might be the much-needed reprieve that you’ve been waiting for. Or is it?
I distinctly remember editing my college essay by the glow of my family’s Christmas tree. Crunching on candy canes as I leafed through college viewbooks. Sipping hot chocolate as I discussed college options with my parents. Come to think of it, Christmas during my senior year of high school was less merry and a lot more hectic.
The good news is that if you are a little crazed during the holiday break, you are in very good company. There are many seniors with visions of college acceptances dancing in their heads this season, and they aren’t just enrolled at your high school, either. If you have a Twitter account, you’ll notice that there are many tweets about college in the stream these days. From rants about the SAT to musings about campus life, it’s all happening on Twitter.
Heard of a show called “Entourage”? Ari Gold, a high-powered Hollywood agent played by Jeremy Piven, has a favorite catch phrase for when stress gets the better of his peeps: “Let’s hug it out.” But when stress gets the better of your tweeps, there’s only one thing to do: Let’s TWEET it out.
So how do you find Twitter users who are in the same boat as you? Log onto an easy-to-use Twitter platform, like Tweetdeck, and do a search for something like “college applications” or “taking the SAT.” (You get the idea.) Within seconds, your screen will be filled with tweets from college-bound students from around the country. So dive in. “Meet” some new people. Kvetch about rewriting your college essay—again. Talk smack about application deadlines. You’ll be surprised how many sympathetic ears you’ll find.
Check out some of these recent tweets (Twitter handles withheld):
I had another dream. This time it told me what I needed to write about on my college applications. And, I think I’m actually going to do it.
filling out college and scholarship applications kind of suckkk. It’s a never ending pile of whatever.
… and i gotta do extra essays for my college applications!!!! what a bore!!
Complaining to yourself is no fun. But when you vent to others—even if they are thousands of miles away—it makes you feel a lot better to know that you are in the same boat as a lot of people. And don’t worry—you’ll get through it.
Follow us on Twitter @CollegeBoundNet. Tweet us–we’re really good listeners.
There’s just a few shopping left before Christmas, but thanks to fast shipping options and Part II of CollegeBound’s Holiday Gift Guide featuring five more hot items, you’ll be all set with presents for those last few people on your shopping list. Again, some of these great gifts are cheap at twice the price, so you won’t exactly be naughty if you pick up one for yourself, too!
Despite campuses being overrun by iPods, PDAs, and laptops, there are still many students who prefer to take notes by hand. With the Penagain, your old-school friends will now be among the trendsetters. This wishbone-shaped pen is light as a feather and its ergonomic grip will keep them writing comfortably for pages and pages. It comes in fun colors for just $4.99 each. For the more discerning writer on your list, there’s a sleek chrome version for $17.99. Check out www.penagain.com for various locations where you can purchase
New England is home to hundreds of colleges and universities. It’s also home to Red Sox Nation, arguably one of the most rabid sports fan bases in the world. Want to spice up the life of a Sox fan on your list? Get them Big Papi’s En Fuego Hot Sauce and even the most mundane cafeteria meal will be a hit. Big Papi (David Ortiz) is known for his love of the hot stuff almost as much as he is known for his batting prowess, so you’ll hit a home run with this gift. Plus, part of the proceeds go to support David Ortiz’s Children’s Fund, which helps children in need throughout New England, as well as in Ortiz’s home country, the Dominican Republic. Buy some of the mini bottles (four for $10.99) at www.bigpapienfuego.com.
Have any music lovers on your list? Let them in on the backstories of their favorite lyrics with Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song (Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, $14.95). True to its title, this book brings together some of the most popular singers and songwriters, along with the inspirational stories that made them write those lyrics. From Paul Anka to Kanye West to Christina Aguilera, this book is an eclectic mix of music and musings. Find it at a bookstore near you.
Here’s a smart gift for sleepy students: the Neverlate Alarm Clock ($34.95 www.americaninnovative.com). Now, there will be (almost) no excuse for oversleeping, thanks to seven separate alarm settings, one for each day of the week. Set a week’s worth of alarms at a time—from early morning practices to lazy weekend mornings–and you are good to go. Nappers will also enjoy the power nap setting, which allows them to catch some shut-eye during the day without messing up their morning settings.
If they were to rewrite the lyrics the song “My Favorite Things,” there would definitely be a line about n-a-p® socks. Slip on these socks—which come in a pack of three pairs–and slip into your own slice of heavenly fleecy comfort and warmth. They come in pretty pink, blue, and cream for women, and while the patterns for the men are a bit garish (green, red, and brown!), these socks are meant to be worn indoors, preferably when cuddled up under a n-a-p® blanket. Find them at Brookstone or on www.brookstone.com: $20 for the socks (2 for $30 in time for the holidays) and $39.95 for the blanket.
It has long been said that education is a recession-proof industry. No matter how badly the economy is tanking, college always remains a priority for students, particularly those who have been laid off from their jobs and are looking for ways to add new skills to their resume. Therefore, it’s no surprise that colleges and universities are seeing applications pour in at the same rate or better than those received last year.
What is a surprise, however, is the fact that early decision applications are still coming in to admissions offices in droves. Early decision applicants are bound to that particular school should they be accepted, and in better economic times, applying early decision was a great way for students to wrap up their college plans early on in senior year. However, in a harsher economy, early decision means that students will be strapped to schools that have a $50,000+ price tag per year.
The New York Times recently reported on early decision college applications, noting that there were some A-list schools that received even more early decision applications than last year. For colleges that did see a drop in early applicants, the margin was still not as big as would be expected during a recession.
So why are high school students still applying early admission? Probably because the idea of getting rejected by their top-choice college is scarier than having to shoulder the burden of a six-figure student loan. And while merit scholarships will always be awarded to the best and brightest incoming freshmen, colleges know that early admission applicants will be on campus in the fall—scholarship or no scholarship.
Are you a senior who has applied for early admission for the 2010-2011 semester? Submit a comment below and let us know the thought process behind your decision. You can also find us on Twitter at @CollegeBoundNet.
The PGA Tour will never be the same now that Tiger Woods has announced his “indefinite break” from pro golf. “Saturday Night Live” even had its own spin on what Woods’ absence will mean for the golf organization:
But in the face of scandal, there’s always something positive: Tiger Woods’ hiatus means that there’s room for a new up-and-comer to take the golf world by storm. Sure, someone else in the PGA can step into his spot, but it would be really exciting to see a college golfer climb the ranks to greatness.
Men
Peter Uihlein, Oklahoma State University
Bud Cauley, University of Alabama
Russell Henley, University of Georgia
Diego Velasquez, Oregon State University
Hunter Hamrick, University of Alabama
Women
Jennifer Song, USC
Cydney Clanton, Auburn University
Maude Aimee Leblanc, Purdue University
Marina Alex, Vanderbilt University
Sydnee Michaels, UCLA
Notice a trend? Except for Maude Aimee Leblanc, who will have to brave the Indiana winter to hit the links, all of these golfers attend colleges in California or the South. Is a warm climate necessary to become the next big thing in golf? It certainly seems to help.
If you’ve got the goods when it comes to golf, start your search for golf scholarships and be sure to let your golf coach or instructor know that you are interested in playing golf on the college level–they can help point you in the right direction for recruitment. After all, someone needs to remove the black cloud that is hovering over professional golf right now—why not you?
Just think about all the time you’re spending on researching colleges, applying for admission, and doing everything it takes to get accepted. Then once you get there and classes start, there’s a chance you could become overwhelmed by the stress of school and want to call it quits.
We don’t want you to drop out, and if you’re not even in college yet or have just started your studies, an interesting new report by Public Agenda (created for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) sheds some light on the reasons that students call it quits at college. The “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them” study has asked for American’s views on completing college.
Knowing that these issues are facing students could help you make it through to graduate from college if you are dealing with these difficulties, too.
Finding 1: Young people who fail to finish college are often going it alone financially. They’re essentially putting themselves through school.
Take it to heart: Be proud that even though you are responsible for paying for school, you have made a commitment to college. The cost of college is rising, which can be frustrating if you are having to take out larger loans, but use spare time during holidays and breaks to search for and apply for scholarships. That could give you the added financial help to survive school.
Finding 2: Most students leave college because they are working to support themselves and/or a family at the same time. At some point, the stress of work and study just becomes too difficult.
Take it to heart: The balance between school and work does make it tough to enjoy what should be one of the best times of your life. Look for a job that connects in some way to your future career. That way, it will not only pay the bills, but give you crucial experience that could land you a better-paying job in your field after graduation.
Finding 3: Students who leave college realize that a diploma is an asset, but they may not fully recognize the impact dropping out of school will have on their future.
Take it to heart: Look down the road, and you’ll find that most employers require a college degree from their job candidates. Making the decision to leave college may lessen the pain in the short term, but it will impact your ability to find meaningful employment in the long term. Even though you think opportunities will exist to try college again, it could be even tougher for financial and personal reasons in the future.
Whatever happen to simply chanting, “Go team!” from the sidelines?
College sports have always been known for their ongoing rivalries, especially in football and basketball, but at a recent squash game against Harvard, Dartmouth resorted to some vulgar heckling in their efforts to support their team. The Dartmouth fans in question, including members of the men’s soccer team and brothers of the Alpha Delta fraternity (the inspiration behind the louts in Animal House), peppered their cheers with off-color rants that included misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-Semitic remarks.
Showing school spirit is one thing, but insults of the nature reported by the Valley Newspretty much destroy the idea of sportsmanship. And while these comments would be unwelcome at any athletic competition, they seem even more out of place at a squash match, a sport that is played in an enclosed court similar to that of racquetball. It would be similar to a fight breaking out at a golf match, although with Tiger Woods and his recent shenanigans, I suppose anything is possible in the world of sports.
Dartmouth has been a hotbed of controversial student comments and actions over the years, and university president Jim Yong Kim reached out to Harvard president Drew Gilpin Faust to offer his apologies on behalf of the Dartmouth community. Also apologetic were the captain of the soccer team and the president of Alpha Delta fraternity, a brotherhood that continues to have trouble shaking off its Animal House persona. (Gee guys, wonder why?)
In the end, Harvard won both matches in men’s and women’s squash. Good for the Crimson. And it’s a good thing those Dartmouth hecklers are still in school. It seems like they all have a lot to learn.
Find out more about the popular Twitter chat, #CollegeBound, which can connect you with college respresentatives and others who have the same goals, struggles, and questions you have. Every Monday at 4 p.m. EST on Twitter. Get detailed info here.
Who We Are
Follow our smart and savvy CBN bloggers as they guide you through every step of your quest to find the right college. Whether it’s figuring out that FAFSA, making sense of the SAT, or simply dishing gossip about celebrity smarty pants, they’ve got you covered. But be warned—these bloggers are fully caffeinated and know how to use their social media powers for both good and evil! So, whaddya’ say — do they get an A+?
Tiger Woods: Oh, Tiger. You made us love a sport as boring as golf. You have more money than you can spend in a lifetime, and you are married to a former swimsuit model. But noooo—you had to go seek out greener courses, didn’t you? By last count, there were more than a dozen “ladies” coming forward from around the globe with reports of dalliances. Just revolting.
Jon Gosselin: To be completely fair, those who followed “Jon and Kate Plus 8” know that Kate Gosselin wasn’t always the easiest person to live with. But her mood swings are forgiven now that we’ve been treated to the train wreck that is her ex-husband. From cavorting on boats with a friend’s 20-something daughter and staging paparazzi shoots with Michael Lohan to the most recent debacle of a reported break-in at his New York City apartment, this guy is a mess. Our hearts break eight times over for each his children.
Serena Williams: It hurts to add Williams to the list, since she has always been a great athlete and fashion trendsetter. But her temper tantrum after a foot fault during this year’s U.S. Open, in which she threatened to slam a tennis ball down the umpire’s throat, surprised tennis fans and even Williams herself, who admits to being caught up in the moment. The result? A $10,000 fine and countless videos on YouTube of William’s colorful rant.
Lindsay Lohan: It’s hard to figure out where to begin with this starlet, who was just adorable as a preteen and is now, as Perez Hilton eloquently refers to her, complete “Lindsanity.”
Richard and Mayumi Heene, a.k.a. The Balloon Boy’s parents: As the nation continues to wag its collective finger at these wannabe-reality TV stars—Richard will serve a short jail sentence in 2010—we can’t help but wonder how they thought they could actually pull their balloon hoax off. Clearly, “conscience” is not part of their vocabulary, but we’d be willing to wager that should they enroll in a media ethics course, it’s a word that they might eventually learn.
You’ve visited the campus and you’ve interviewed with an admissions counselor. You’ve even sat in on a class and spent the night in one of the dorms. But if you are still looking for a way to get a real glimpse of where you’ll be spending the next four years, pick up a newspaper—the campus newspaper, that is.
Holding back your cursing at family gatherings is good practice for 
Despite campuses being overrun by iPods, PDAs, and laptops, there are still many students who prefer to take notes by hand. With the Penagain, your old-school friends will now be among the trendsetters. This wishbone-shaped pen is light as a feather and its ergonomic grip will keep them writing comfortably for pages and pages. It comes in fun colors for just $4.99 each. For the more discerning writer on your list, there’s a sleek chrome version for $17.99. Check out 
New England is home to hundreds of colleges and universities. It’s also home to Red Sox Nation, arguably one of the most rabid sports fan bases in the world. Want to spice up the life of a Sox fan on your list? Get them Big Papi’s En Fuego Hot Sauce and even the most mundane cafeteria meal will be a hit. Big Papi (David Ortiz) is known for his love of the hot stuff almost as much as he is known for his batting prowess, so you’ll hit a home run with this gift. Plus, part of the proceeds go to support David Ortiz’s Children’s Fund, which helps children in need throughout New England, as well as in Ortiz’s home country, the Dominican Republic. Buy some of the mini bottles (four for $10.99) at 
Have any music lovers on your list? Let them in on the backstories of their favorite lyrics with Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song (Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, $14.95). True to its title, this book brings together some of the most popular singers and songwriters, along with the inspirational stories that made them write those lyrics. From Paul Anka to Kanye West to Christina Aguilera, this book is an eclectic mix of music and musings. Find it at a bookstore near you.
Here’s a smart gift for sleepy students: the Neverlate Alarm Clock ($34.95 
If they were to rewrite the lyrics the song “My Favorite Things,” there would definitely be a line about n-a-p® socks. Slip on these socks—which come in a pack of three pairs–and slip into your own slice of heavenly fleecy comfort and warmth. They come in pretty pink, blue, and cream for women, and while the patterns for the men are a bit garish (green, red, and brown!), these socks are meant to be worn indoors, preferably when cuddled up under a n-a-p® blanket. Find them at Brookstone or on 
It has long been said that education is a recession-proof industry. No matter how badly the economy is tanking, college always remains a priority for students, particularly those who have been 
We don’t want you to drop out, and if you’re not even in college yet or have just started your studies, an interesting new report by 
College sports have always been known for their ongoing rivalries, especially in football and basketball, but at a recent squash game against Harvard, 
Showing school spirit is one thing, but insults of the nature 