The topic of today’s blog post is comparing a school’s reputation versus cost and majors – extremely important factors that go into making your college choices.

With nearly 6000 higher education institutions in the United States, college-bound seniors have quite a few choices of colleges and universities to sift through to pare down their choices to a (relatively) manageable number. Nobody wants to write a hundred different essays. Save that for your writing courses (kidding, but not really).

I can unequivocally say that the importance of your school’s reputation depends on many factors. While there is always a certain amount of pride being able to put down on your resume (insert Ivy League, Duke, Stanford, MIT…), the question is, is it worth it? Chances are that twenty or thirty years down the road, the college you went to will only matter to you. Your success at 40 won’t depend much on what college you went to – it’s up to your own ingenuity, ambition, hard work with a little luck sprinkled throughout (isn’t it always?). However, are bragging rights worth having student loans at 40? The average student today graduates with nearly $30,000 of undergraduate debt, and this can take decades to pay off.

Our goal is not to say whether an Ivy is better than a top ranked state school like UC-Berkeley – rather it’s to show you that with each you can accomplish great things and further that you absolutely should consider all three: cost, majors and reputation of a college.

What’s the difference between a private institution that costs upwards of $40,000 per year and a public one about 10-15 per year? Some of you live in states with phenomenal state schools that can compete with the very best Ivies or just a fraction of their cost – like Virginia, Texas, California, (begrudgingly) North Carolina and Michigan, to name a few. To those who live in those states, if you can get into those respective schools, then more power to you.

There are certain majors and fields where reputation matters more, though more applicable for graduate program reputation like PhDs, MBAs, JDs and MDs. And those exactly are the fields where reputation might come into play – business, law, and medicine. The graduate program you went to will be more important in getting that first job. However, that isn’t to say that where you go to college doesn’t matter – it’ll help you get into the dream graduate program (applications will never end). There are a number of things that come into play with your undergraduate “stepping stone” into good business, law or medical schools. Above all, you need to do well. Remember that if you go to one of the top tier schools, you’ll have pretty stiff competition – we’re talking about the top 1% of students from all over the country. Can you compete? A 4.0 and good ranking in your class is valuable no matter where you went. A mediocre 2.0 from an Ivy? How do you (or an employer, or graduate school) begin to interpret that? You always take the chance.

Ivy institutions and their brethren have resources. And generally speaking, lots of it. But while they have some of the nicest buildings and newest toys, that doesn’t mean YOU get to use them. Having a cast of Nobel Laureates on faculty sound great, but I guarantee you they didn’t get a Nobel based on their teaching ability. Fun (or sad) fact – many of them find teaching bothersome because it gets in the way of their ability to secure research grants and conduct the research that they are passionate about.

Go to the best school you feel confident that you can get good or preferably great, grades. Go on college visits, sit in on a class or two in your potential field of interest (seminars and big lectures). Preferably go during fall or spring semesters (the summers tend to be average representations at best) to see if you can hack it. See what student engagement is like, and whether you feel like you’d fit in.

We recommend you think about a school’s value on the whole – considering reputation alongside cost and majors. Hope that helps you when choosing a college.

****
Verne wrote this essay; he’s an admissions counselor and private tutor at Top Test Prep. For more information on getting into top schools, call (800) 501-7737 today.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Experts, College Counseling // View Comments

As old man winter approaches in many parts of the country, it isn’t too early to start thinking about summer pre-college programs (also known as summer enrichment programs) for junior and rising senior high school students. Many programs are booked by February or March so if you wish to find a good program for summer 2012, register as soon as possible.

What Are They
Summer programs are typically two to six weeks in length. Some offer scholarships, while others have costs ranging from $1,500 to $7,500. Students attending these programs experience college level work and a preview of college life. They choose their classes and live on campus. Pre-college programs may include courses taught by professors for college credit, themes of language and cultural immersion, or community service programs. Afternoons include leisure activities and weekends often include excursions to local areas of interest. Participation in these summer programs can assist students in making decisions about suitable colleges. You can also display the discipline and focus necessary to do the high level academic work which colleges look upon favorably.

How to Apply
If interested, research college web-sites or contact of college of your choice in the few weeks to see if they offer pre-college summer programs. It could be a summer to remember, and a road to your higher education goals.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep which offers expert private tutoring and test preparation who will help you gain admission to your top schools. Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more about admissions programs.

Tags: College Counseling, Education Expert // View Comments

Here are some numbers for the 2012 – 2013 early decision/early action admissions cycle:

As the deadlines approach for early decision and early action applicants at America’s most competitive universities, a few institutions have released application figures. They indicate significant increases in applications over previous years. Early decision university applicants are contractually required to attend that school, whereas early action applicants can apply to additional schools early action or regular decision. Early decision and early action applicants at elite schools have an acceptance rate which is, on average, two to two and a half times higher than regular admissions applicants.

Early decision applications to Duke this fall have increased 23 percent over last year’s early decision applications.

Johns Hopkins early decision applications have experienced an eight percent increase over this period, and Dartmouth’s applications in this area are up two percent.

Princeton, which just re-instituted its early admissions option after a four year hiatus along with Harvard, revealed that 3,547 students had applied by its early November deadline, nearly triple the size of its freshman class.

Early decision and early action applications by students with their early deadlines, not only increase the odds of getting into the most competitive universities, but often increase the probability of receiving financial assistance.

The total pool of available money diminishes by the regular admissions deadlines at the start of the calendar year.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor at Top Test Prep which offers private tutoring and test preparation prep. Call (800) 501-Prep today.

Tags: Admissions Experts, College Counseling, Early Decision Applications // View Comments

The following is an article on the Ten Most Environmentally Conscious Universities…

Here’s the college ranking:

1. University of Washington, Seattle
The hydro-powered campus runs three farms, an extensive recycling program, and the conservation-research hotbed Pack Forest.

2. Green Mountain College, Poultney, VT
The school’s agricultural projects are an experiment in fossil-free farming. Instead of tractors, draft animals do much of the work.

3. University of California, San Diego
The institution’s cogeneration plant provides up to 85 percent of the school’s electricity, and heats more than 6 million square feet of building interiors.

4. Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC
Students grow trees, alfalfa, and corn and raise cows, pigs, and chickens on the school’s 250-acre farm.

5. Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Almost two-thirds of Stanford’s 8, 180-acre campus is undeveloped open space, including the 1,200 acre Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, where students and faculty learn how climate change affects local biodiversity.

6. University of California, Irvine
One of America’s most energy efficient campuses has a cogeneration facility that produces heat and electricity that meets most of its power needs.

7. University of California, Santa Cruz
The fight against trash includes eschewing dining trays and bottled water, contributing to a water diversion rate of 84 percent.

8. University of California, San Diego
The university excels in nurturing sustainable methods of food production and has a new Brewery, Winery, and Food Science Laboratory.

9. Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
With a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2020, students pay a self-imposed fee of $1 each academic quarter to buy renewable-energy credits to offset the college’s electricity consumption.

10. Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
As part of its plan to be carbon neutral by 2016, the school installed a woodchip-powered cogeneration system that halved its oil consumption.

****
David Dickson is a writer and admissions counselor for Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep offers exclusive private tutoring programs that helps students gain admission to top schools through private admissions counseling.

(credit also to: The Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy group, has released its list of the ten most environmentally conscious universities)

Tags: College Counseling, College Rankings, Colleges // View Comments

[This article discusses how to approach getting the best college recommendations]

College recommendations are an important part of your college application package. Recommendations can set you apart from other applicants and provide the admissions committee with personalized insights. How should you approach them?

1. Read the Fine Print
The number of letters required and the positions of those who are to write them can vary from one school to another. Some schools provide hard copies of the recommendations forms, while others encourage online recommendations.

2. Plan Ahead
Know your deadlines and give as much time as possible. At least three or four weeks prior to the application deadline would be preferable.

3. Ask, Don’t Assume
Ask recommenders whether they can write a strong recommendation on your behalf and meet the deadline.

4. Assist Your Recommenders with the Process
Provide recommenders with a copy of your transcript and an information sheet, known as a brag sheet, which lists your honors, and extra-curricular and community activities.

5. Simplify the Process

Supply recommenders with stamped envelopes addressed to the college admissions office if they are not doing them online.

6. Consider Your Future Major
Solicit recommendations from teachers in your future major.

7. Evaluate Who Can Help You Most
It may be a teacher in a course in which you excelled or where you struggled initially but then turned things around. A teacher in the latter course could testify to your perseverance.

8. Reconnect with Your Recommenders
A week prior to the deadline, get in touch with your recommenders to confirm that the letters have been mailed.

9. Confirm Receipt
Follow up with colleges to ensure that your application folder is complete. If the college recommendations are being submitted online, note your user name and password for each college.

10. Express Thanks to the Recommenders
Send a handwritten note to your recommenders once all materials are in and provide them with the results of your college applications.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep offers private tutoring and test prep to help students gain admission to top prep schools, colleges and grad schools. Call (800) 501-7737 to learn more.

Tags: Admissions Advice, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

[This article helps students understand the right and wrong reasons for selecting a college.]

As a college faculty member and administrator for more than a generation and the father of a college student, I have seen too many families choose colleges for the wrong reasons. Here are a few common mistakes students make in choosing a college:

1. My Friends Are Going There
College is an opportunity to meet new people and have learning experiences outside as well as inside of the classroom. Broaden your horizons and avoid the temptation to replicate your high school social circle in college.

2. I Like the Climate
Few relish cold weather, but you can do Club Med during your vacation time or following college. Your focus should be on a school’s academics. Moreover, it is not regional prejudice to observe that a disproportionate percentage of America’s strongest colleges are in the relatively cold northeast, upper mid-west, and northwest regions. Freeze now and thrive later!

3. They Have Great Sports Teams
As an ardent college sports fan this is a difficult one for me to concede, but college is an investment in the rest of your life and academic quality must be prioritized. Besides, every sporting event you could desire is only a click away on ESPN or on your computer.

4. It Is Cheaper Than Other Schools
While one must have a consciousness of finances, cheaper can often mean fewer student and faculty resources and academic inferiority. It may be in your interest to make a short-term financial sacrifice so you can go to a more expensive but better school. The payoff will be superior graduate school opportunities and better paying jobs for the rest of your life. Moreover, elite private schools have more generous financial aid programs than their less expensive public or private counterparts. You might even ultimately end up paying less.
***

What should you look for in a college? A short list of factors would include student selectivity, faculty and student resources, retention and graduation rates, and average class size, all of which can be found in US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue. Additional factors such as class size in your possible major, and placement rates in strong graduate programs and good jobs will require you to make inquiries with faculty and staff members.

Top Test Prep’s academic counselors can assist you in finding and getting into your top colleges, and its private tutors and admissions programs can assist you in your test preparation.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; Call (800) 501-7737 or visit Top Test Prep education and test prep programs.

Tags: Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Counseling, Education Expert // View Comments

In the competitive world of college recruiting, colleges are increasingly supplementing the traditional printed recruitment mailer with emerging technologies. Five illustrations of this development follow and some discussion of new ways colleges are using social media as a way to recruit students to their campuses:

1. Quick Response Codes
Colleges are experimenting with posting Quick Response (QR) codes in recruitment mailers. A QR code is a barcode that sends users to a web address with the snap of a smart phone’s camera. Hamilton College in New York created an admissions poster with a giant QR code which leads visitors to a custom welcome page from the school. The poster resulted in 1,200 visits to the Hamilton web-site.

2. Video-Chats
During the academic year, Ohio Wesleyan hosts four or five video chats for students and their parents on topics ranging from admissions counselors discussing the application process to current students sharing their study abroad experiences. According to administrators, 220 of the 260 students who participated in a video chat last year applied to the university and 92 enrolled.

3. Facebook contests
To reach prospective students, Misericordia University in Pennsylvania offered university bookstore gift certificates as prizes to incoming freshmen who replaced their Facebook profile pictures with the university logo. About one-sixth of incoming Misericordia freshmen participated during the two week summer contest.

4. Tweeting Behind the Scenes
To add depth to the printed materials, Texas Tech used Twitter to cover a story included in the annual recruiting mailer on a student lab named by Popular Science as one of the country’s “Most Awesome College Labs.”

5. College Admissions/YouTube Video Series
The New School in New York City has created “Are You New School” recruiting videos featuring students discussing topics from the dating scene to life in the city.

While dynamic new technologies are being integrated into college recruitment, the admissions acceptance process still relies predominately on the traditional staples of GPA and standardized test scores. Top Test Prep is a private tutoring and admissions expert company that helps students get into top private schools, colleges and graduate schools.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; call TTP today at 1-800-501-7737 to learn more, or visit private tutoring and admissions experts.

Tags: Admissions Office, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

Here is a helpful list of SAT test dates if you are taking the SAT Exam in 2011 or 2012:

SAT Exam Test Dates, Registration Closes, Late Registration Closes
Nov. 5, 2011, 7-Oct-11, 21-Oct-11
December 3, 2011, 8-Nov-11, 20-Nov-11
January 28, 2012, 30-Dec-11, 13-Jan-12
March 10, 2012, 10-Feb-12, 24-Feb-12
May 5, 2012, 6-Apr-12, 20-Apr-12
June 2, 2012, 8-May-12, 22-May-12

*****

Need help with SAT Tutoring and Prep? Give us a call at (800) 501-7737, or complete our contact form.

Tags: College Counseling, College Readiness, SAT Prep // View Comments

This article discusses the best liberal arts colleges and topics like costs, admissions, and other topics like tuition.

The Challenge:
This is seemingly the best of times for the most competitive small liberal arts colleges such as Williams, Middlebury, Bowdoin, and Smith as applications soar and acceptance rates descend to the low double digits. Endowments have also bounced back since the onset of the recession. Presidents and financial officers at these institutions, however, are sounding the alarm on the longer-term repercussions of escalating costs. Tuition at four-year colleges and universities rose 28 percent over the past decade. At Williams, Middlebury, Bowdoin and Smith total costs including tuition, room, board, and student fees are significantly more than $50,000 a year.

Moreover, with high levels of financial aid and per-student spending, the elite colleges face the prospect of dramatically increased costs placing financial strain on even the best managed institutions. For instance, Smith College spent $61,655 per student in 2009, $47,113 of which went to education-related expenses. By comparison, the nearby University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a public research university, spent $31,762 per student in 2009, $18,048 of which went to education-related expenses. As the sticker price of competitive small liberal arts colleges continues to grow, admitted students may increasingly be scared away and qualified students discouraged from even applying. Short of becoming an exclusive preserve of the wealthy at home and abroad, how can America’s elite liberal arts schools address this dilemma? Achieving financial solvency, maintaining diverse student bodies, and not abandoning their mission of a broad interdisciplinary liberal arts education is a tall order.

Solutions
In the short-term, tuition adjustments are an option at some schools. The president of Middlebury College announced last year that the college would cap tuition increases at 1 percent more than the rate of inflation. The vice-chancellor at the University of the South recently announced that the university would cut tuition by 10 percent and focus on need based aid as opposed to merit aid. In the longer-term new revenue sources must be found, however. In 2010, Middlebury college acquired the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Smith College, according to an internal report, is considering the establishment of a task force to explore post-baccalaureate educational offerings and other programs that enhance the college’s “reputation and revenue structure.” Colleges are expanding partnerships and consortiums with other institutions to expand course offerings to enhance their appeal to prospective students, without a commensurate increase in overall costs. The most wrenching change, however, would be an alteration of the liberal arts curricular model to incorporate more explicitly professional and vocational programs for students focused on the bottom line once they leave school. Non-elite liberal arts colleges have already begun to move in this direction.

Conclusion
America’s most prestigious small liberal arts schools will be with us for the foreseeable future. The manner in which they adjust to an increasingly cost conscious and vocationally oriented public, however, will determine what a liberal arts education will mean for future generations.

David Dickson wrote this article as an admissions counselor and expert for Top Test Prep.

Top Test Prep offers admissions experts and private tutoring programs to help students get into the best private schools, colleges and grad schools. Call 1-800-501-7737 to learn more.

Tags: Admissions Data, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

College interviews are often an integral part of the application process at colleges with competitive admissions processes. College admissions interviews don’t have to be tough! Here’s some help for that all important admissions interview.

Four ideas for a successful admissions interview follow.

1. Be an Interesting Interviewee by Getting Out of the Typical Teen-Age Comfort Zone
Check current events for a week or two prior to your interview, read a great book, and see a worthwhile film. You will be speaking to an adult who will be evaluating your maturity and perspective on life.

2. Research the College You Will Be Interviewing With
Look into prospective majors, college internship and exchange programs, and what makes the college you are interested in unique.

3. Have Specific Questions prepared for the Interviewer
Be prepared with three to five questions on the college which can’t be addressed by looking at the college web-site. Academics, student activities, and post graduation opportunities are legitimate areas of inquiry.

4. Be Prepared to Discuss Your Academic and Non-Academic Achievements
Reciting information from your transcript is not enough. Be prepared to discuss why you had a passion for certain courses and why a non-academic activity or experience was meaningful in your life.

Conclusion
Strong colleges are interested in thoughtful students who have a perspective on life and can explain how their institution will facilitate your goals. Careful preparation for you interview is a necessity if you are to excel!

David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep which offers test preparation and tutoring with admissions experts who will help you gain admission to your top schools. Or you can call (800) 501-7737 to learn more about college admissions counseling programs with experts.

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Experts, College Counseling // View Comments

Recommendations for a Successful College Fair Visit
As we transition into the fall, the college fair season is also upon us. How can you make the most of this opportunity? The following recommendations should be of assistance in this area.

1. Organize Before You Go
Review a list of the participating schools, usually available online or at your high school guidance office. A reasonable approach would be to target two to three schools in each of three categories: stretch schools, reasonable schools, and back-ups.

2. Prepare Questions for College Representatives Ahead of Time
Examine college web-sites to help you formulate questions on a variety of topics including your major, financial aid, internships, and graduate school and job placement rates.

3. Print Pre-Addressed Labels to Bring With You
Save time filling out interest cards by using pre-printed address labels with your name, address, e-mail address, high school, possible majors, and when you will start college.

4. Collect Business Cards from College Representatives
This will give you the opportunity for follow-up questions and a personal contact as you consider the institution.

5. Strategize With a Map of the College Tables
Pick up your map as you enter the fair so that you can use your time productively.

6. Arrive Early
If you get there early, before it gets crowded, you will have more time with the college representatives.

7. Review College Materials Carefully
Highlight what you like about schools, and write down questions to e-mail to college representatives.

8. Place Schools You Are Still Considering in a File
Add additional information to your files as it becomes available.

Conclusion
The college fair is only one stage in your college search, but an important one. Take advantage of this opportunity. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who will help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep. Call Top Test Prep at (800) 501-Prep or contact our team today.

Tags: Admissions Experts, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

Top Test Prep is excited to be part of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). Please join us at Booth 1149.

We look forward to seeing everyone in New Orleans for the NACAC event.

Tags: College Counseling // View Comments

Want a four year plan for getting into the best colleges? If you wait until your junior or senior years in high school to prepare for college, you’re behind the curve and the challenge of finding the right institution can be elusive. A four year plan for getting into college and maximizing your potential follows.

What do do Freshman Year
-Enroll in rigorous courses. Generally, colleges recommend a minimum of four years of a foreign language, science, math, and history. Go beyond the call of duty and consider honors, and eventually advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course.
- Look into SAT Subject Tests shortly after you have finished a subject. Some colleges require them.
- Conduct an informal visit to a college to get a feel for college life.
-Make a commitment to an extra-curricular activity and community service. The depth of your commitment over a sustained period of time is looked upon more favorably by colleges than a laundry list of activities.
-Explore how scholarships work and what the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is.
- Consider a test preparation and college counseling firm. Top Test Prep offers tutoring with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools.

What to do Sophomore Year
-Think about when to take the practice SAT or ACT college entrance exams. The preliminary SAT, called the PSAT, is given in October and is combined with the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
- Start to explore what you might want to study in college.
- Bolster your transcript with strong grades and continue with your extra-curricular activities.

What to do Junior Year
-You should have a list of ten to 20 colleges that you would like to find out more about and to tour. On-line virtual tours will suffice for some, but plan selective college visits with your family.
- Request information packets from schools on your list.
- Communicate with students or alumni from schools which provoke your interest through friends, family members, or recruiter visits to your area.
-Schedule the SAT (October, November, December, January, March, May, or June) or ACT (September, October, December, February, April, and June)
-Keep a journal focused on what makes you distinctive to assist you with your application essay. Consider formulating a rough draft of the essay.
- Continue your research on financial aid including merit based and need based aid as well as accessing grants and loans

What to do Senior Year
-Make a master calendar to keep track of test dates, fees, and deadlines for Advanced Placement courses and retakes of the SAT and ACT.
- Flesh out your college essays.
- Follow-up on scholarships and complete the FAFSA form.
- Determine whether you will be applying to schools early decision (binding if you’re accepted) or early action (non-binding, but a preference).
– Even as you complete the items on your master calendar, don’t celebrate prematurely. Your grades still count and even poor second semester grades could convince a school to rescind their acceptance.

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; David also help with the overall admissions expert team with private school, college and graduate admissions advice.

For more information on Top Test Prep, go to our Quick Contact and Request a Free Consultation. You can also call 1-800-501-7737.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Experts, College Counseling // View Comments

Families are bombarded these days with fancy brochures, slick web-sites, and savvy college representatives singing the praises of their institutions. How do you separate hype from reality and focus on what is really important in a college education? Seven recommendations for choosing colleges the right way follow.

1. Avoid Official Campus Tours and Class-room Visits, and Take Student Comments with a Grain of Salt
You want to be in charge of your own college investigation so there are common approaches to college visits to be avoided or placed in context. The official campus tour is just that, and is designed to manipulate your perception of the college. Skip it, and while you’re at it don’t bother to visit classes since colleges will steer you to those which shed the best light on them. Talk to students, faculty, and staff but keep in mind that they may be unrepresentative of the college as a whole.

2. Find out About Availability of Faculty Members
Look into the number of weekly faculty office hours set aside for students, and survey students on whether they have a faculty mentor. If you can’t meet with professors with regularity outside of the class-room, you are being robbed of the intimacy which is vital to an effective education.

3. Make Inquiries about the Advising System
Ask how often and comprehensively academic advisors discuss course options and academic concerns with their advisees. You don’t want to flounder as you search for the right major or combination of courses.

4. Scrutinize Student and Alumni Satisfaction Levels with Academics and the College Climate
Most institutions survey students and alumni about the quality of education and college life. Request this data including the NSSE(National Survey of Student Engagement:nsse.iub.edu/html/annual_results.cfm) or similar surveys. Moreover, ask about the CLA (Collegiate Learning Assessment: facwww.collegiatelearningassessment.org), which measures whether students’ analytical reasoning skills improve between their freshman and senior years.

5. Look into Campus Health Facilities
We all get sick so make inquiries about health facilities, including those addressing mental health issues. Ask how long it takes to get a routine medical appointment?

6. Examine How Satisfied Faculty Are
How collegial are faculty members and how committed are they to the institution’s missions and values? You can tap into this data through the HERI (Higher Education Research Institute: www.heri.ucla.edu) survey of faculty attitudes. A satisfied faculty will often bring positive energy into the classroom. Morever, scrutinize whether the college has a “learning and teaching center” to help young and seasoned faculty improve their teaching.

7. Request Graduate School and Job Placement Data
You’ll be amazed at how fast four years of college fly. The college should have data for post graduation placement in graduate and professional programs and jobs. Also examine how alumni are faring five, ten, and even twenty years beyond graduation.

Conclusion
If you are stonewalled on any of the inquiries just delineated, then the institution is overlooking a crucial component of the undergraduate experience or the well-being of its alumni. This is a bad sign and it’s time to move on. With strong teaching, advising, health support facilities, and job and graduate school placement, an institution is meeting its student obligations. Without them, your school experience may prove to be an unsatisfying one. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and expert test prep with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; visit Top Test Prep’s contact page and request more information today or call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

The College Board, which administers the SAT and Advanced Placement(AP) exams, posed questions to 1,507 students who finished high school in 2010 to see how they were doing a year later. Almost half of the students stated that they wish they had taken more difficult writing, math, and science courses. An overwhelming majority of students who did take AP or International Baccalaureate courses-39 percent of those surveyed- felt the challenge was worth it. The inadequate preparation for college was illustrated by the 54 percent of graduates who observed that their freshman year courses were more difficult than expected. A quarter of freshmen were compelled to take remedial courses during their first year. About one in seven students did not make it through the year. The wisdom of taking AP and international baccalaureate courses in high school is borne out by the survey results. Taking more challenging courses not only will help you gain admission to the your top choice school, but will also make you feel more fulfilled after graduating high school.

***

David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep. Top Test Prep is an elite private tutoring and test preparation company that helps students gain admission to the best private schools (K-12), colleges and graduate schools. For more information, call (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: College Board, College Counseling, Education Expert // View Comments

Background to the Trend and How Families Can Take Advantage of It…

Students and families seeking an edge in the increasing competitive world of college admissions should take note of an emerging trend which has received little publicity. In response to diminishing support from financially strapped state legislatures, many of America’s top public universities have been steadily increasing their admission of higher tuition paying out-of-state students in recent years. Families with the financial wherewithal might consider applying to these institutions whose tuition are still lower than their private counterparts. Moreover, a sizable number of them also exercise rolling admissions policies where applications are reviewed as soon as they are submitted, increasing the odds of acceptance for early applicants.

Illustrations of the Admissions Trend

Elite public institutions across the country have been soliciting out-of-state students. In 2010, out-of- state students made up 20 percent of the University of California, Berkeley’s freshman class, up from five percent five years ago. Moreover, 39 percent of out-of-state applicants were accepted versus 24 percent of in-state applicants. Out-of-state students made up 40 percent of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor’s most recent freshman class, an increase of three percent from five years ago. The University of Virginia, Charlottesville’s percentage of out of state freshman increased to 33 percent from 30 percent the previous year. Notable increases in out-of-state students also included the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign where 27 percent of freshman had this status versus 19 percent five years ago and The University of Washington, Seattle with a comparable upswing over a three year period.

The Ten Public Universities with the Highest Proportion of Out of State Students
The following public universities have the highest percentage of out-of-state students.
***

University of Vermont, Burlington 66%
Indiana University, Bloomington 45%
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 40%
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 35%
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 35%
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 35%
University of Wisconsin, Madison 35%
Penn State University, University Park, PA 34%
University of Virginia, Charlottesville 33%
Auburn University, Montgomery, AL 33%

Conclusion:

Students and families interested in quality public universities should explore out-of-state institutions which are eager to both broaden their geographical base and enhance their financial status. Top Test Prep offers elite private tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools, whether private or public.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, College Applications, College Counseling // View Comments

A just released Pew Research Center Survey highlights a growing gender gap on how female and male college graduates view their college experience. Selective survey results follow.

Is A College Education Money Well Spent?
50% of women say yes versus 37% of men

Did College Help You Mature and Grow As a Person?
74% of women say yes versus 64% of men

Did College Increase Your Knowledge and Help You Grow Intellectually?
81% of women said it was very useful in this regard versus 67% of men

Conclusion
Disparate gender attitudes on higher education are manifested in a growing disparity in college completion rates. As of 2010, 36 percent of women 25 to 29 years of age had achieved a bachelor’s degree whereas 28 percent of men in this age bracket had done so, a gap which has increased since 1992. In an era in which a college education is increasingly a precondition for a middle class life-style, the repercussions of this discrepancy are far-reaching for family stability and national prosperity.

David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep which offers tutoring and test preparation with admission experts who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call 800-501-7737 or visit TopTestPrep.com today to learn more.

Tags: Admissions Experts, College Board, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

Ten Factors to Consider in Your College Search

High School juniors should be picking up their college search and seniors should be putting it into high gear. What should you be looking for? Important factors in your search follow for those applying to colleges.

Factors in Your College Search

1. Liberal Arts College or Research University: Do you want a liberal arts institution with a teaching mission or a research university which may offer more majors and course options? US News and World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue offers this breakdown. It is important, however, to assess individual institutions since a growing number of research universities have honors colleges where teaching is a priority.

2. Region and Climate: This is worthy of attention, but keep in mind that some of the best institutions are in colder climates. You are applying to school for an education, not a locale for a spring vacation.

3. Type of Environment: Urban, small town, or rural.

4. Academic Profile of Freshman Class: Are their GPA’s and standardized test scores comparable to yours?

5. Composition of Student Body: Are you comfortable with the gender, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the school?

6. Attrition and Four Year Graduation Rates: Stronger institutions will retain a high percentage of their student body beyond the freshman year, and the vast majority of their students will finish in four years. This important statistic is chronicled in US News and World Report’s “Best Colleges” issue and provides insights into institutional support services and the quality of the student body.

7. Class Sizes in Your Possible Areas of Study: It is important that you go beyond institutional averages in class size since there may be departmental variations. Contact the departments of possible majors as you narrow down your search. Ask about class size in required courses.

8. Institutional Financial Aid Options

9. The Types of Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities are Available on Campus

10. Post Graduation Placements in Professional/Graduate Schools and Jobs: Make an inquiry with the Career Counseling and Placement Office about the percentage of students who enter quality higher degree programs and jobs. It is legitimate to ask about the types of jobs and salaries of graduates.

Conclusion

It is in your interest to go well beyond a virtual college search and to visit campuses where you can talk to students, staff, and preferably professors in your possible majors. Arrange for class-room visits and drop by the cafeteria and campus hangouts to get a feel for the institution. Set up interviews where they are recommended. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who can assist you in gaining admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; for more information on Top Test Prep, call (800) 501-Prep today.

Tags: College Applications, College Counseling, The Common App // View Comments

A Ranking of Best Classroom Experience across All Colleges:

Based on student assessment of professor’s teaching abilities and recognition in their fields, the integration of new practices in the curricula, and the intellectual level of their classes.

1. US Military Academy, West Point, NY
2. Stanford University, Stanford, CA
3. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA
4. Reed College, Portland, OR
5. University of Richmond, Richmond, VA
6. Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
7. Mt Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
8. Bard College, Annandale on Hudson, NY
9. Williams College, Williamstown, MA
10. Pomona College, Claremont, CA

Where Professor’s Get High Marks:
1. Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
2. Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
3. Reed College, Portland OR
4. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, Needham, MA
5. Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
6. Colby College, Waterville, ME
7. Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY
8. Millsapps College, Jackson, MS
9. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN
10. Hamilton College, Clinton NY

***

David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep which offers Job Application and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

If you’re applying to the best colleges in the country, get in touch with Top Test Prep’s team – (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Counselor, College Counseling, College Rankings // View Comments

Researchers Kevin Carey and Eric Dillon from the think tank Education Sector have come up with a new way of measuring college success using a “borrowing to credential ratio” which sheds light on the dual problems of dropouts and debt. For each college they take US Department of Education data showing the total amount of money borrowed by undergraduates and divide that by the total number of degrees awarded.

The Problem with College Debt
The American education system is plagued by high levels of dropouts and debt. Only half of the students who start college get a degree within six years, and graduation levels at less-selective colleges often hover at 25 percent of less. In addition, student loan debt is at an all-time high with rapidly rising loan default rates. America is falling behind its international competitors in educating its populace and creating productive citizens.

Results
-Nationwide, the overall borrowing to credential ratio has increased sharply in recent years
-Certain sectors of the higher education industry-in particular, for-profit colleges- are racking up far more student debt per degree than others. For profit universities generated $43,383 in debt for every degree.
-State policies matter a great deal, with different public university systems achieving disparate results for students. The ratio of debt to degrees at public four year universities was $16,247.
-Among elite colleges and universities, some are faring well on their pledge to help low and middle-income students graduate without major financial burdens while others are riding a wave of student debt to fame and fortune. Private non-profit colleges and universities produced $21,827 in debt for every degree. Princeton was at the low end among elite private institutions with a borrowing to credential ratio of $2,385. In contrast, New York University’s ratio of borrowing to debt was $25,886.

Solutions to College Debt
States and colleges can direct their financial aid policies toward the neediest students. More attention to counseling and support for students who are at risk of dropping out is imperative. States who have managed student debt poorly like Iowa can learn from more successful states as Florida. Moreover, regulations like the “gainful employment” rules implemented by the Department of Education can curb the excesses of for-profit colleges that place students in financial jeopardy.

***
David Dickson is an admissions expert with Top Test Prep, which offers private tutoring and test preparation with admissions counselors who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Counselor, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

Change in Question on Test Scores on the Common Application

The Common Application, now accepted by 415 schools, provides students with the opportunity to submit one application as opposed to individual applications for each school. This year’s version of the Common Application went live on the web on July 31 and includes a change in the section in which applicants are asked to self-report their standardized test scores to the colleges to which they are applying.
Applicants will now be given the option on the Common Application to report only their “best scores (so far)” as opposed to being compelled as in the past to report all scores.

The change was made in response to a feature introduced last year by the College Board called “Score Choice.” Through Score Choice, applicants can direct the College Board to withhold some SAT scores from the colleges they are applying to as long as those colleges do not require the submission of all scores. The administrators of the Common Application didn’t create Score Choice, but they have to deal with much of the confusion generated by the policy. One source of confusion is the all-inclusive way the question was phrased in the Common Application, which was seemingly at odds with the philosophy of Score Choice. Colleges use applicant’s answers on test scores to speed the processing of their applications before official scores arrive. Applicants have the right to leave this section of the form blank and the form will still go through.

***
David Dickson is counselor with Top Test Prep which provides Ivy League Admissions Counseling as well as private tutoring and test preparation to help you gain admission to your top schools. Call (800) 501-Prep for more information today.

Tags: Admissions Advice, admissions consulting, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

According to a national study conducted by UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute this past academic year, American college freshman have a favorable view of their academic and social skills. Their confidence falters only in a few select areas.

Student Self-Assessments

Students rated self as “Highest 10%” or “Above Average” as compared with the average person their age in:

Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people 77.7%
Drive to achieve 75.8%
Tolerance of others with different beliefs 72.2%
Cooperativeness 71.8%
Ability to see the world from someone else’s perspective 66.5%
Understanding of others 66.4%
Ability to discuss and negotiate controversial issues 62.4%
Leadership ability 60.4%
Self-confidence (intellectual) 59.3%
Openness to having my own views challenged 57.9%
Self-understanding 57.1%
Computer skills 37.2%
Spirituality 35.7%
Artistic ability 29.2%

Conclusion
Self-confidence that doesn’t evolve into arrogance is a positive trait. Top Test Prep with its test and admissions specialists can enhance your confidence that you will gain admission to your top schools.
David Dickson is an admissions expert with Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep provides private tutoring, test prep and one-on-one admissions counseling for students. Call 800-501-7737 to learn more.

Tags: College Counseling, College Rankings, Colleges // View Comments

A just released study by the Center for Education Statistics provides a profile of American college students. Selective results of the study entitled, “2008-09 Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study” follow.
Majors Twenty-three percent of 2007-08 first time bachelor’s degree recipients majored in a business-related field; 16 percent in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics; 16 percent in a social science; and 12 percent in the humanities.

Education After College
As of the 2009 interview date, 30 percent of 2007-08 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients had enrolled in another education program or had been accepted to a program and would enroll in the 2009-10 academic year following the interview date. Three percent had entered or were entering a program leading to another undergraduate certificate or degree, and the remainder had entered or were entering a graduate or first professional certificate or degree program.

Employment After College and Earnings
When interviewed about a year after completing their degree requirements, 84 percent of 2007-2008 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients were working; 9 percent were unemployed ( i.e. looking for work, but not working); and 7 percent were not in the labor force.
Among 2007-08 first-time bachelor’s degree recipients who were employed full-time, one quarter earned less than $27, 457 while another quarter earned more than $49,200 in 2009. The median earned income was $36,000.

Conclusion
Students who attend nationally competitive institutions of higher learning earn incomes beyond the median, and have the opportunity to enter highly ranked graduate and professional programs with a commensurate increase in opportunity and earning potential. Top Test Prep will assist you in gaining admission to your top schools – call today to learn more – (800) 501-Prep.

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; Top Test Prep provides private tutoring and expert admissions counseling for students applying to the best schools.

Tags: admissions consultants, Admissions Data, College Counseling, Colleges // View Comments

How Foreign Language Study Can Help Students Get Into College and Launch A Career

About 44 percent of US High School students are taking a language. Spanish with 69 percent of students engaged in language study and French with 18 percent far outpace the less than one percent of students enrolled in languages the government characterizes as crucial to national security. These languages include Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

What are the benefits of language study?

(1) Language Study Leads to Higher Cognitive and Analytical Skills

Wilburn Robinson (1992) reviewing 144 research studies over three decades on the relationship between second language learning and cognitive skills observes that experience with two languages leaves students “with a mental flexibility, a superiority in concept formation, and a more diversified set of mental abilities.”

(2) Language Study Contributes to Higher Standardized Test Scores

A study by Armstrong and Rogers (1997) demonstrated that students taking a language for only one semester displayed significant gains in math achievement. Thomas Cooper in 1987 found that high school students who studied a foreign language scored significantly higher on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude test than peers who did not enroll in language classes.

(3) Languages Broaden Your Understanding of Foreign Cultures In A Shrinking World

Languages offer a window into the nuances of other cultures. Through language study, students gain insights into world societies which cannot be fully understood through other academic disciplines.

(4) Colleges and Work Places Seek Out Individuals Who Display Intellectual Curiosity Beyond Their Immediate Environment

In a world with widespread cultural cross-fertilization, students with foreign language competencies are seen as assets by universities and work places. Private sector economic competition and public sector security interests are enhanced by workers who have immersed themselves in foreign language and cultures.

Conclusion

China, Korea, and many of the European Union countries mindful of the future and the need for a cosmopolitan and informed citizenry mandate school language instruction. The US government isn’t likely to take that step, but proactive families and students can take advantage of language study programs. The earlier the better, but it is never too late. The benefits will extend from the class-room to the work-place and beyond as students prepare for what is becoming a world without borders.

***

David Dickson is a college admission counselor at Top Test Prep which offer tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call Top Test Prep today to learn more at (800) 501-Prep.

Tags: Admissions Counselor, College Counseling // View Comments

Things to know about this college transfer admissions strategies…

As a long-term university employee and the parent of a college student, I have often seen parents adopt an application strategy of starting students off at a less competitive college on the assumption that they can transfer to a better one. The goals are often to save money and/or improve their academic performance and admissions chances. Does this admissions strategy really work?

First: Transfer policies vary from college to college, and some have more selective admissions.

While saving money at a time of economic uncertainty is understandable, families should be aware that admissions prospects for transfers still depend on the selectivity of a school’s admissions. In short, a state university or private college with moderate admissions standards may be accessible from a school with lower standards, but the most competitive ones probably won’t be. For instance, Williams ranked number one among national liberal arts colleges in 2010 by US News and World Report admitted 20% of applicants overall, but only 13% of its transfer applications. Yale which was number three among national universities accepted 9% of applicants overall, but only 4% of transfer applicants. Attrition rates are low at the most selective institutions freeing up few slots for aspiring transfer students. In contrast, Lewis and Clark, a liberal arts school accepted 65% of applicants overall and 44% of transfers in 2010 and the University of Iowa had an overall admissions rate of 83% and 69% for transfer students.

Second: A transfer strategy can still be justified if finances leave no options and grades/test scores need to be improved.

Two circumstances can justify a “get in first” and “transfer later” strategy. If finances are short, and student aid and loans can’t be found to bridge that college transition, one may have little choice but to initially apply to a less expensive and less competitive school. Keep in mind, however, that the most competitive schools in admissions are often the wealthiest with the best financial aid programs. Moreover, a grade point average or test scores which need to be improved may require an initial prioritization of less rigorous schools. Test preparation services, while taking courses or during a vacation break may be in order, prior to new applications.

Third: There is no substitute for early college financial planning and attention to grades/test scores earlier, than later.

Seed money for a college fund should be established as early in a child’s life as possible. Academic discipline and a consciousness of the joys of achievement should be imbued at the beginning of schooling so that they are second nature by the time high school rolls around. Find a reputable private college counseling and test preparation service as early as middle school to map out a plan to maximize your child’s academic potential.

Conclusion

Late academic bloomers should be commended for their renewed focus and efforts. In some circumstances, a college transfer strategy may be the best application option available. The reality, however, is that the more selective the school, the less accessible and receptive it is to this group. The best approach is to get on the academic fast track and stay there, despite the challenges, thereby making a transfer strategy unnecessary.

*****
David Dickson is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep. Top Test Prep offers private tutoring and admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools.
Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Tags: admissions consulting, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, College Counseling // View Comments