Archive for November, 2010
You’ve heard of “Girls Gone Wild,” right? Well, I’m convinced that the next big thing will be “College Grads Gone Stupid.”
I though it was bad enough when I heard about Trina Thompson, who sued her school, Monroe College, because she couldn’t get hired after graduation. But during our #collegebound chat yesterday (here’s the transcript), I learned about the Boston College law student who has asked for his money back because the job market is slow and he doesn’t want to be a lawyer any more.
Really? Because when you consider the fact that BC Law is one of the best law schools in the country and runs about $60,000 per year in tuition, one would think this student thought long and hard about becoming a lawyer.
Here’s my two cents on the issue: Boo hoo, people. There are no takesies-backsies in higher education. And guess what? Life doesn’t always go the way we plan. But you keep trying and you leave out the sorry excuses for when things don’t go your way.
What are your thoughts? Was Forrest Gump right when he said, “Stupid is as stupid does,” or am I being too harsh? Weigh in with a comment below, or tweet me at @CollegeBoundNet.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 30th, 2010
It’s Cyber Monday, and my head feels like it is about to explode as a result of all the great shopping deals that I’m seeing on Twitter, Facebook, and just about everywhere else on the Internet.
If only colleges and universities had Cyber Monday, when they could slash their tuition prices for one absolutely crazy 24-hour period of time. Or give a buy one year, get one free deal. Forget my head exploding—the Internet itself would probably self destruct!
While at least for now the only “coupon” for college is a scholarship, it’s clear that colleges at least have the “cyber” part of Cyber Monday down pat any day of the week. From Kindles and iPads to all those other gadgets that make up the Web 3.0 classroom, the college classroom has gone way beyond the traditional chalkboards and notebooks that were staples of 20th century education.
Today, why not take a break from all the pre-holiday mayhem and join us for our #collegebound chat today at 4PM ET. We’ll be talking all things college, from learning in cyberspace to footing the bill for all those new toys and gadgets students will be needing experience it all. Are you in? Find us at @CollegeBoundNet on Twitter and get ready to add your two cents.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 29th, 2010
If you’re asking for an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad for Christmas, or if you already have one of those, you’ll want to check out the college-focused phone apps to make your college search, application process, and even waiting to hear about admission a little easier.
Here’s a look at just a few of the types of apps colleges and companies are creating to get their information into your hands.
Campus Tours
No more pulling out a big ol’ campus map and making it known to everyone on campus that you’re a lost little high school student. Schools like University of New Haven (see screenshot at right), College of Charleston, Stanford University, University of Florida, and University of Oregon put campus maps and contact info available in a free app. The virtual college tours offer a great way for juniors to get their feet wet or for seniors to reaffirm their choice.
Also, maps of more than 400 campuses are available by Logical Dimension, for 99 cents on iTunes. You can find out how long it takes to drive, walk or take public transit to spots on campus with the apps as well. The popular University of New Haven app was created by YourCampus360, which also has apps for Syracuse, Wellesley, University of North Dakota, and many other schools.
Application Status
Instead of waiting by the computer for an e-mail acceptance notice (or by the mailbox, like I had to do), there are no-cost admission apps offered by schools such as the University of Georgia. Participating schools allow you to check your application status and more from the palm of your hand, but you’ll need to resist the temptation to do it every minute!
Campus Life
Newsweek’s list of cool apps for college students includes Apartments.com, a free app which can help make the rental search easier.
Interviewing Help
If you’re preparing for college or already in school, an app by Career Services at Texas Christian University provides career-focused assistance related to interviews, etiquette, and more. And some of the information could help as you’re going through scholarship interviews, too! The TCU app has more than possible interview questions and possible responses, along with a breakdown of dining etiquette, too (remember, no elbows on the table!).
Expect more apps to be more available as more schools try to get information out to students in as many ways possible.
—Lori Johnston (Delaney Young contributed)
November 24th, 2010
The annual list of most dangerous cities in the U.S. was released yesterday, and the Internet is abuzz today about the validity of the list, which features St. Louis, MO in the top spot.
Crime rankings are not as easy to overlook as college rankings are. After all, we’re not talking about the quality of dorm rooms or student-faculty ratios here; when it comes to crime, we’ve got theft, rape, and murder to contend with. So while we all have the right to question the formulae used to come up with the stats to make up the most dangerous list, one has to realize that wherever a city ends up on the list, this is NOT a case in which it is an honor just to be nominated.
Why am I talking about crime today? Well, it just so happens that quite a few of the cities on the list are college towns. And not just small ones, either. That’s right, I’m looking at you, New Haven, CT, home of Yale University. And you, too, Washington, DC, home of Georgetown, American, and Catholic universities.
Should you reconsider applying to schools in dangerous cities? In a word: no. While it is certainly disconcerting that these cities have achieved notoriety for crime, it’s not like Yale is going to see a dip in applications for the freshmen class. That’s probably because the university itself, like others in metropolitan areas, are among the safest places in the city.
When it comes to the war on crime, colleges and universities take care of their students and keep them safe. That doesn’t mean that campuses are immune to problems, and it certainly doesn’t mean that incidents happen only on urban campuses. The sad truth is that crime can happen anywhere, so if you are going off to college next year in a new city, follow these tips to keep yourself safe:
1. Travel in groups, especially after dark. Sure, you’ve probably heard this a million times, but that’s because it works. Predators often work alone, and groups will scare them off. If you can’t stick with a group, at least be aware of your surroundings. In other words, turn off your iPod and stay off your cell phone. Distracted people are prime targets for an attack.
2. Carry emergency car fare. Public transportation is great during the day, but during the wee hours of the evening, buses and subways can be pretty shady, especially if you are traveling alone. If you are traveling back to campus alone late at night, splurge on a cab that can drive you safely back. Also, don’t be shy–ask for a campus escort to accompany you back to your dorm.
3. Use common sense. In other words, don’t be stupid. Don’t take your wallet out in the middle of a city street. Don’t advertise the fact that you have an expensive laptop in your backpack. Pay attention to your surroundings, especially when you are alone.
Again, bad things can happen to people anywhere. So while your dream school might indeed appear on this year’s list, that’s not a reason to change your mind about applying–but it is a very good reason to be smart about keeping yourself safe.
–Barbara Bellesi
November 23rd, 2010
When you’re in college, Thanksgiving may be a time you look forward to: the chance to get a home-cooked meal and a break from college classes. You’ll also be back home, maybe away the freedom of staying out late and being independent, and you’ll have to deal with certain behaviors expected of you. (Um, dare we say curfew?)
But consider that some college students don’t get to go home for the holidays. Sometimes it’s because the students have work schedules that don’t allow them to leave town, if home is more than a day’s drive away.
University of Georgia student Ling Rao makes her first pumpkin pie with friend Mary Negley
Or the students are attending college too far away from home and it’s too costly of a trip. That’s often the case for international students, who not only may be new to the country but also unfamiliar with our American traditions. Some schools, like Smith College in Massachusetts, even try to match up international students with staff members who share their holidays with them.
You could add to the experience of an international student you meet on campus by letting them experience American culture – and all the turkey and trimmings on Thanksgiving Day, too. I know of a college student from China who had never had turkey, pumpkin pie, or other yummy holiday fare, though this is a common situation for international students. She learned to make a pumpkin pie at an American friends’ apartment, and the friend also invited her go home with her for Thanksgiving to be part of the holiday celebration. The pumpkin pie wasn’t as sugary sweet as she expected, which is just one of the surprising things she learned during the Thanksgiving holidays.
Maybe seeing some people experience the holiday for the first time will teach you something, too!
–Lori Johnston
November 22nd, 2010
Thanksgiving is one week from today, though it might have slipped your mind since department stores have already been playing Christmas music for weeks. It seems as though the holiday season has been thrust upon us, whether we are ready or not. And no matter if you’re feeling like Scrooge or Buddy the Elf this year, one thing is for sure–the rest of the year is going to fly by. Which begs the question:
How are ya doing with those college applications?
We don’t mean to stress you out, but here are a few things to think about:
– The Early Decision deadline has already passed, which means the regular deadline is looming.
- Admission committees do not wait until the deadline to start reading applications. In fact, there’s a good chance that they have started making decisions on apps already received for the 2011 school year–and not just early decision apps, either.
- You know you’re going to want to sleep in every day during your holiday break–not get up early and finish applications.
In short, though the calendar says you’ve still got time before (some) regular deadlines, life has a way of playing tricks with us–slowing down when we’re bored senseless and speeding up when we’re pressed for time to begin with. So if your apps are still unfinished, take a deep breath and FINISH THEM.
Remember, you might think your chances for getting into a certain school are slim, but there is NO CHANCE that you’ll get in anywhere if you don’t apply.
–The CollegeBound Network
November 18th, 2010
Imagine a world in which we Muggles would be competing with the boy wizard and his friends seeking a post-Hogwarts education. Don’t tell J. K. Rowling we have the idea for a way to continue the series – a book that fills in the years with Harry, Hermione and Ron as college students in the U.S.!
With “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” in theaters on Friday, it made me wonder what all three could have focused on as their strengths during the college admissions process.
So take a brief break from the stress of your college applications and consider how their strengths could help you determine what you want to focus on in your application and essay.
Harry Potter
Harry (portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe) could easily focus his admissions essay on the loss of his parents at such an early age – and being pursued by the Dark Lord for years afterward. But let’s look beyond those facts and think about what it took for Harry to handle those circumstances in his life: he’s a natural born leader, as seen during his time in Hogwarts; he’s had to deal with fame and celebrity as a teenager, though he doubted himself amid the expectations of others; and he has used his quick-thinking skills to keep himself and (most of) his friends safe. If I were him, I would leave out the stuff about his temper, though. He also could share with admissions folks how Professor Dumbledore was the perfect mentor and how he needs that same type of mentor as a college student, too.
Hermione Granger
This bossy brainiac’s (portrayed by now-Brown University student Emma Watson) high test scores would probably catch the eye of admissions officials at any school, but we all know applicants need more than book smarts. Even Rowling once described her as “borderline genius.” The amazing thing is how she turned her innate knowledge of the wizarding world to help Harry and others, which again would make for an interesting admissions essay. It’s not enough to just know how to perform the spells, but she could discuss the situations in which she used them and how they prevailed for good, when so many others used them for evil. The wizarding world may not have what we think of as community service, but Hermione could capture people’s attention, too, because of her compassion for the House-Elves and others who are oppressed.
Ron Weasley
Ron (portrayed by Rupert Grint) could focus on his admissions essay on what he learned about himself on the way to becoming a Quidditch star, which would show his school spirit beyond his repeated scowls for getting hand-me-down robes, sweaters, brooms, and pets over the years. Or, he could talk about being in the shadow of older brothers–something that might resonate with many a college-bound student. But instead, he’s the perfect example of doing anything for a friend, as he and Hermione were so vital in searching for the missing Horcruxes and destroying them so Harry could kill Voldemort.
And don’t worry, although the college admissions staff may seem to hold your future in their hands, it’s nothing like Harry having to face He Who Must Not Be Named.
–Lori Johnston
November 16th, 2010
College is basically High School the Sequel: In the words of the immortal Elle Woods (“Legally Blonde”), “It’s gonna be just like senior year, except for funner!”
Continue Reading November 15th, 2010
Our service men and women deserve more than just one day of gratitude per year, but Veterans’ Day is the day when we, as a country, offer our official thanks to the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.
If you are a college-bound student who is thinking of joining the esteemed ranks of the Armed Forces one day, then we salute you, too. But it’s not a decision to be made lightly, so we hope that you are carefully researching your military options, whether you are looking to enter a military academy or a school with a noted ROTC program.
Here are a few websites to help you out. Don’t forget we’ve also got articles on military schools as well, so be sure to read all the info and ask questions. Good luck!
Army www.goarmy.com
Navy www.navy.com
Air Force www.airforce.com
Marines www.marines.com
Coast Guard www.gocoastguard.com
National Guard www.nationalguard.com
–The CollegeBound Network
November 11th, 2010
Sustainable choices are as close as your college parking lot.
Continue Reading November 10th, 2010
Previous Posts
You’ve heard of “Girls Gone Wild,” right? Well, I’m convinced that the next big thing will be “College Grads Gone Stupid.”
