Are You Following The Right Chain To College?

Online College Directories Help You Find the Right School

Community College - Is It The Right Place For You?

Are Online Colleges Right For You?

So, you've been thinking about advancing your education so that you can gain that extra earning power that college graduates enjoy. It is well known that college graduates have a lower risk of unemployment, enjoy better job quality, are more likely to be in high-level positions and have much greater promotion prospects because of their advanced level of education. Perhaps you already have your bachelors and want to get your masters so that you are ready for greater opportunities that come your way. No matter what degree level you want to pursue, you can do it all from the comfort of your home through online degree programs offered by online colleges.

If you are considering studying for an online college degree, then you are not alone. Online colleges and universities are becoming very popular as more and more people are realizing the benefits of online learning. Pursuing a college degree online is an advantageous way to study as you can learn at your own pace and on your own time. But even with all the advantages of pursing an online college degree, is an online college right for you?

Pursuing an online college degree is not for everyone. You need to have the right characteristics to study for an online college degree. Some of the characteristics needed when pursuing an online college degree are:

Self-motivation & Self-discipline
Ability to prioritize
Ability to set your own goals
Good reading comprehension

Self-Motivation & Self-Discipline

You need to be highly self-motivated and self-disciplined and thus, be able to work without supervision. Since you don't have a set class times at online colleges, it will be up to you to set your own studying times. It will help if you plan out your day and carve the same specific time each day to study. Self-discipline is required so you resist the urge of other distractions in your home such as doing the laundry, washing the dishes or watching TV. Self-discipline will also help you stick to your deadlines.

Ability to Prioritize

If you are choosing to pursue an online college degree, then it is probably because you have many other commitments to juggle such as work and family. Once you have made the commitment to attend an online college, then you must keep in mind that your education is just as an important of a commitment. With that mentioned, you should possess the ability to prioritize your schedule.

Just because online college degree programs are flexible, this does not mean the courses are easy, nor does it mean you can procrastinate class assignments and projects. With the many other commitments you have, it is important to prioritize your schedule, set deadlines, and as mentioned above, stick to the deadlines you set.

Ability to Set Your Own Goals

As with getting a degree through a traditional campus college, it is easy to fall off track without clear goals. Thus it is important to set both short-term and long-term goals when you pursue an online college degree. Some online colleges allow you to get a degree at your own pace and your pace will determine whether you get your online college degree in two years or ten years. When you pursue an online college degree you should set reasonable short-term goals such as taking 6-8 units (or as much as you can take) per quarter or semester. These short-term goals will help you reach your long-term goal with ease and will show the progress you are making towards achieving your long-term goal.

Good Reading Comprehension

A good level of reading comprehension is needed as online colleges teach primarily through written material written at college level. While you may have interaction with your classmates and/or instructor, the interaction will be done primarily through e-mail, chat rooms, and message boards.

If you find it difficult to attend college courses on campus, attending an online college is a great way to earn your degree. With online colleges and universities, you now have the opportunity to advance your education without having to push aside previous commitments. Just keep these characteristics in mind and you can be successful in advancing your education by earning your college degree online.

Kimberly Diane, now a frequent contributor to EducationAdvancementOnline.com, previously served as a direct consultant to numerous accredited online colleges and universities for several years. Education Advancement Online, which promotes higher education for non-traditional students seeking an online college degree or certification program, is a premier online education directory that is a one-stop shop for available degree programs from institutions all over the United States. For more information on Education Advancement Online or to search for degree programs, please visit EducationAdvancementOnline.com

The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price

“The College Solution helps readers look beyond over-hyped admission rankings to discover schools that offer a quality education at affordable prices. Taking the guesswork out of saving and finding money for college, this is a practical and insightful must-have guide for every parent!”

—Jaye J. Fenderson, Seventeen’s College Columnist and Author, Seventeen’s Guide to Getting into College

 

“This book is a must read in an era of rising tuition and falling admission rates. O’Shaughnessy offers good advice with blessed clarity and brevity.”

—Jay Mathews, Washington Post Education Writer and Columnist

 

“I would recommend any parent of a college-bound student read The College Solution.”

—Kal Chany, Author, The Princeton Review’s Paying for College Without Going Broke

 

“The College Solution goes beyond other guidebooks in providing an abundance of information about how to afford college, in addition to how to approach the selection process by putting the student first.”

—Martha “Marty” O’Connell, Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives

 

“Lynn O’Shaughnessy always focuses on what’s in the consumer’s best interest, telling families how to save money and avoid making costly mistakes.”

—Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher, FinAid.org and Author, FastWeb College Gold

 

“An antidote to the hype and hysteria about getting in and paying for college! O’Shaughnessy has produced an excellent overview that demystifies the college planning process for students and families.”

—Barmak Nassirian, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

 

For millions of families, the college planning experience has become extremely stressful. And, unless your child is an elite student in the academic top 1%, most books on the subject won’t help you.

Now, however, there’s a college guide for everyone. In The College Solution, top personal finance journalist Lynn O’Shaughnessy presents an easy-to-use roadmap to finding the right college program (not just the most hyped) and dramatically reducing the cost of college, too.

Forget the rankings! Discover what really matters: the quality and value of the programs your child wants and deserves.

O’Shaughnessy uncovers “industry secrets” on how colleges actually parcel out financial aid—and how even “average” students can maximize their share. Learn how to send your kids to expensive private schools for virtually the cost of an in-state public college...and how promising students can pay significantly less than the “sticker price” even at the best state universities.

No other book offers this much practical guidance on choosing a college...and no other book will save you as much money!

 

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The surprising ways colleges have changed how they do business

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Be a “fly on the wall” inside the college financial aid office

•  U.S. News & World Report: clueless about your child

Beyond one-size-fits-all rankings: finding the right program for your teenager

• The best bargains in higher education

Overlooked academic choices that just might be perfect for you

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College Admissions - How to Select the Right College

Getting into college, and choosing the right college to apply to, is not a mystery. But it does seem overwhelming unless you have a plan that gives you a road-map and strategy to choose the right colleges to apply to.

But how do you do that? There are almost four thousand colleges to apply to. How do you narrow your college search down to just three or ten colleges? Since you know that you want to go to college, how do you find the right one, the college that is the perfect fit for you?

Every year there are students who do not get accepted into any college. That's because they did not know how to find the right colleges to apply to. They did not have a sound plan or strategy when they made their college application list. One student I know only applied to one college. When that college said no, the student had to scramble to get accepted somewhere. So how do you make your list?

Choosing the right college is a big decision for your entire family. Education is a lifetime investment of time, money and effort. This is a tough and important decision.

First, you must ask yourself some important questions. If you don't ask yourself these questions now, you may be asking yourself the same questions as a freshman looking at finding a college to transfer to. Don't apply to a college simply because your best friend applied there or it's a prestigious school. Choose wisely. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

o Location - Where do I want to go to college? Do I want to go far from home or stay close? Large campus or a small campus, city or small town?

o Type of Institution - What kind of college do I want to attend? Two year community college or four year institution.

o Housing - Where do I want to live? On campus, off campus, at home, single room or double?

o Enrollment - Do I want large classes or small classes? Am I comfortable in a student body of thousands or just hundreds?

o Student Body - Do I want to go to a coed school or a same sex college?

o Academics - Majors or course offerings. Does the college offer my major? Or if I don't know what I want to major in, does the college have a strong liberal arts curriculum that offers me lots of majors to look at?

o Campus Life - Sports, intramural sports, clubs, band, theater. Are athletic and recreational facilities available?

o Costs -Can my family afford the cost of the college? What percentage of students receive financial aid? Does the college offer scholarships? Am I eligible for federal or state based financial aid?

o Criteria - What criteria does the college use in making their admission decisions?

After you have complied your list of schools that meet the criteria you have selected, you can narrow your list even further by ranking your list. Which colleges are your reach colleges-(those that you may have a hard time to get into) reasonably attainable colleges (those that you have a reasonable chance of getting accepted to and (3) sure-shot colleges (those that you know you'll be admitted to). Make sure that your list has all three categories.

You may have more than one favorite college. But if you take the time now to carefully consider your choices, you'll be happy wherever you go. You will be comfortable with your decisions because you asked yourself the right questions when you applied.

Deborah Battle Pointer is co-founder and co-executive producer of the Peabody award winning television show Def Poetry. She is the former Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Cornell University, former Director of Engineering at Columbia University School of Engineering and and former Director of Financial Aid at Columbia College, Columbia University.

Selecting the Right Junior College For You

First off, Congratulations! You either just graduated from High School and are ready to take the next step in your education, or you are heading back to school to enhance your education. Either way, you are probably looking at your different Junior College or Community College options . You may be trying to weigh the differences between attending a University or a Junior College for the first two years of your education as well.

For most, this is big decision that should not be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider before you make a formal decision on moving forward such as Financial costs, location, Career choices, Credit transfer opportunities, Specialties, and athletics.

Below we will walk through some of the items that should be considered when selecting the correct Junior College for you.

Financial Considerations

One of the many considerations for most is the cost of a college education. The difference most times in cost between a University and a Junior College can be significant. The costs can be decreased further if you stay in your local area to attend Junior or Community College. The in state rate for most residents is typically very affordable.

On option that most students consider is attending a Junior or Community College for the first two years and meet all the initial requirements prior to transferring to a four year institution. Economically this makes a lot of sense. In addition, many also reduce their expenses further by staying at home for these first two years to offset some of the living expenses related to the first two years of college.

Before taking this route, make sure to research the different options for transferring your credits from the Junior College or Community College of choice. Many times this is relatively straight forward unless you are attending a very specialized College.

Location , Location, Location

It is very common for most to consider those Junior Colleges in their immediate area. While the financial decision there is a no brainer, there are other factors to consider.

Take a good long look at where you want to be in 5 years. What industry and career are you leaning towards? What is your passion?

Often times the Junior College search does not include Junior Colleges outside the student home state. That could be a mistake. You need to consider what industry your are pursuing and seek out those Colleges in those regions. These regions may have internship opportunities, or other entry level positions that can assist in getting to where you want to be. Yes, the cost is often more for out of state residents, but if it accelerates your career forward even better.

Career Choices

Before you finalize on a Junior College, make sure you are getting the best education possible for your area of interest. Many Junior Colleges have strong programs that get you started on the right foot while gaining credits towards your BA degree.

You can find Junior Colleges that have strong Computer Science and Nursing programs. Many of these are highly regarded and can assist in getting your foot in the door at a four year institution. Make sure to ask the College Counselors specifically about your area of interest and your Career goals. If they are honest they may direct you to a more suitable Junior or Community College that fits you.

Athletic Choices

Are you an athlete looking to compete at the collegiate level? If so, many have had success at starting their collegiate athletic career in a Junior College and transferring to a University. Often times the University athletic programs are superior in quality and depth.

Why not start at the Junior College level and work your way up. Often, University coaches will recruit from local Community and Junior Colleges. This is a great way to stay competitive and work your way up. Many Junior Colleges also provide athletic scholarships for Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball etc..

Don't overlook these opportunities if you want to continue competing in College.

Matt D Murren owns and operates http://www.junior-college-advisor.com Junior Colleges