College Prep Guide Fall 2017 by Billings Gazette

COLLEGE PREP GUIDE

FALL 2017

CHECKLIST FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY FAFSA: FINANCIAL AID OVERVIEW SAVE ON COLLEGE HOUSING COSTS TIPS FOR STUDYING ABROAD

SEPTEMBER 2017

20 things to know

INSIDE

Green Shoot Media

20 things to know..................................2 How to ask for a letter of recommendation....................................3 Choosing a university............................ 4 Choosing a major.................................. 4 FAFSA: financial aid overview...............5 Checklist for high school seniors...........6 Educational benefits for veterans.........7 More than a degree...............................8 Finding balance with extracurricular activities.................................................8 Expert advice for college-bound grads.......................................................9 Pack smart, pack less..........................10 How to save on college housing costs......................................................10

Every student who attends a university desires a “successful” college experience. While successful means different things to different people, there are certain pieces of advice that are universal. Here are twenty things you need to know:

The television lied. Dorm rooms are nothing like Dawson’s Creek and Gilmore Girls. They are more like matchstick boxes with scary use of vertical space.

Always get the warranty. Even if you think you won’t need it. You probably will.

Cheating isn’t worth the risk. This applies to tests and relationships. You will get caught. Also, the instinct to cheat is telling you something. Listen.

Tips for grads considering studying abroad...................................................11

General Manager Dave Worstell

Advertising Director Ryan Brosseau Advertising Manager Arcadea Scott Special Sections Coordinator Spencyr Knatterud

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Food is expensive. All food. Be forewarned. Use the meal plan. You will have no money. You have no idea how much living with your parents saves you.

Learning where the “specials” are can fund your social life. Figure out where the food specials are in town and make the rounds for at least half the cost.

You have the time. Everyone has to manage their time. It’s all in how you use it. Own how you choose to use your time. It’s a life skill.

Avoid extensions. They breed laziness. Plus, procrastinators will always procrastinate, no matter the deadline.

18 19

9 10

You will get lonely.

The College Prep Guide is a special advertising publication of The Billings Gazette.

College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

You will get bored.

You don’t have to buy all your books. Learn which books to buy and which to borrow or rent.

Don’t fully depend on your advisor. Ultimately, it’s up to you to fully understand where you are in your program. Go to the review sessions. This is where professors reveal what you should focus on (read: what will be on the exam).

Plan communication with your parents. Set up a weekly time to chat so they can catch up on your college life. Companies are already looking at you. Keep this in mind as you post about Friday night on social media.

Don’t be one of those students whose parents fund their entire existence. Find a job to at least make your own spending money. A scholarship is like a job. Athletic, academic — it doesn’t matter. Treat it with the respect it deserves. Study abroad if at all possible.

University health centers are one of the best healthcare options for the price. Take advantage of $6 teeth cleanings while you have them.

Get to the gym. You won’t want to. You will make excuses. But you have access to state-of-the-art equipment that, once you’ve graduated, you won’t have without an expensive gym membership.

How to ask for a letter of recommendation Metro Services Choose wisely when selecting teachers to write letters of recommendation. Knowledge, skills and personality can get students far, but having the right people in their corners can open doors for new opportunities that students might otherwise never have considered. Perhaps this is why recommendations are so coveted when applying to schools. Asking for a letter of recommendation is something that should be done with forethought. The correct approach and proper timing can mean the difference between receiving a recommendation or not.

Who to ask The first step for students is to decide who they want to ask for a recommendation. Select those teachers who know you well or can validate how you performed or im-

proved in class. Opt for a teacher whose class you recently took so the recommendation reflects the student you are today and not the student you might have been when you were younger. It can also help to ask for a recommendation from teachers or staff who have sufficient experience. Their input may carry more weight than someone whose career is less accomplished. A wellestablished teacher who leads a class that pertains to your academic goals is a good fit. Remember to consider the requirements of a college or university as well. Schools frequently ask for recommendations from specific people, such as a teacher in a certain subject.

of time than to put teachers under pressure. The same rule applies to Ask early anyone else you’re asking to write Teachers may be inundated you a recommendation. with college letter recommendation requests around application Request in person deadlines and at the end of seUnderscore the importance of mesters. It’s better to leave plenty

that exemplifies your skills. Speaking face-to-face shows respect and gives you the advantage to make your points personally, rather than through email.

Make the process easier

the recommendation by making it a personal request. Schedule an appointment with the individual and discuss why you believe he or she would be the right person to provide the recommendation. Remind the person of your attributes and point out something

Provide all of the necessary items to help the person along. This can include a brief resumé, academic progress report, required forms, and so on. Also offer any college- or employer-directed requests. As the deadline looms, offer concise reminders that you will need the recommendation. Offer to pick it up personally. Make copies or scan and save the original just in case a mix-up in the admissions office occurs. Recommendations are a key part of landing a job or being offered acceptance into a college or university. Asking the right people early will translate into recommendations that paint an accurate picture of applicants.

College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY Green Shoot Media You’ve applied to a list of colleges and now acceptance letters are rolling in. Congratulations! The question of “Will I get in?” has been answered, but now a whole new question has presented itself, “Where should I go?” The college you choose will have a big impact on your success in school. To choose a university that fits your needs well, you first need to figure out what is important to you. What do you want? The basic criteria you should consider are location, size and cost.

Location - geography  Are you ready to live in a part of the country that is completely different from where you live now?  Is it important for you to go to school within a day’s drive of home so you don’t have to incur the cost of a flight in case of an emergency?  Is year-round sunshine important for your mental health?

Location - setting  Is it important for you to have cultural experiences outside of university life? Are you always eager to see the latest live show or enjoy great nightlife? (Think city!)  Do you love the outdoors, and want access to outdoor sports and trails? (Think rural areas!)

you learn best with more individualized attention?  Large universities tend to have more of everything - more classes, more activities and more student services.

Cost  Cost can be a weighty determining factor in choosing a college. Did you receive any scholarships?  What is the yearly tuition without factoring in scholarships or grants?  What are the financial aid options available to you?  How much student debt are you comfortable taking on?

Additional considerations Think about how you will move (and what you will want to move) when choosing a location. Also think about how different it would be from your

Size  Are you used to a large high school or a small one?  Do you prefer it when everyone knows you and you know everyone? Or do you like having anonymity and the opportunity to meet new people every day?  Size also affects studentteacher ratio. Do

College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

current atmosphere. Striking a balance between new and familiar is ideal - otherwise you might find yourself homesick a lot quicker than you think.

Choosing a major Green Shoot Media Choosing a major can be overwhelming because it feels as if you are deciding on the rest of your life. Remember that college is about exploring your interests, so take the pressure off yourself. Here are a few pieces of advice to help you navigate your way to your college major.

Dare to be undeclared While you might think you need to know what you want to study as soon as you start college (or even before you get there) remember that college is the place to discover all your options. You have many required classes to take, so you are fine studying for a year or more before choosing a major. Fill your electives with classes that sound interesting. This allows you to envision many different paths for yourself.

Test it out Before you decide you are “pre-med,” test it out. Take a few science and math classes and make sure you don’t hate it. If you do, be ready to change things up. Approximately 80 percent of college students in the United States change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That doesn’t mean you have wasted your time. Every class adds value to your education, and you never know what might end up being useful down the road.

Know what’s important to you They say money can’t buy happiness, but it can provide security and peace of mind. See if you can balance doing what you love with your future earning potential. If you envision a certain lifestyle for yourself, make sure your chosen major can provide it.

Your major is not the end According to the United States Department of Labor, the average young professional switches jobs every three years and the average person changes career fields at least two or three times in their lifetime. Even most graduate programs and professional degrees are seeking applicants with diverse educational backgrounds. Just because you get a degree in one thing doesn’t mean you won’t have a profession in something else.

FAFSA: financial aid overview By MARY HOWARD, Reach Higher Montana Outreach Director The process of applying for financial aid (funding to help pay for college) can be a lot like a corn maze – confusing and scary. Unmasking the basics about the FAFSA and available funding can take some of the fear out of the college process. First, let’s talk “FAFSA.” The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is the most important step in applying for federal funding for college. Beginning October 1, students planning to start college in the fall of 2018 can begin the FAFSA application process. Don’t get tricked! There is only one site to use when submitting the FAFSA: www.fafsa.gov – the official Department of Education website. Other sites charge a fee to submit this free federal application. Creepy! For low to middle income families, it is especially impor-

Courtesy of Reach Higher Montana

Mary Howard, Outreach Director

tant to apply as early as possible; there are additional priority funds for early applicants with lower incomes, but these priority awards dry up quickly. Additionally, many schools use FAFSA re-

sults to determine eligibility for need-based scholarships available at their campus – another reason to file the FAFSA early. Federal funding includes grants (no repayment), loans (repayment), and work-study opportunities (earn while you learn). The largest grant program is the Pell Grant; for a full-time student, the maximum Pell Grant is $5,920 per academic year. Because Pell awards depend on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment plans, and because the Pell award is adjusted annually by Congress, amounts awarded will vary. Beginning July 1, 2017, Pell grants will be available for summer school attendance as well as the regular academic year, so students can attend college year-round with Pell funding. Students can earn their degrees faster, which may help lower student debt. Federal student loans are awarded to students regard-

less of credit history or credit worthiness, and in most cases are a better bargain than private student loans. The interest rate on federal student loans is currently 4.45% and is adjusted by Congress each July 1. In addition to a favorable interest rate available to all borrowers of federal loans, borrowers may be eligible for income-based repayment options. Private student loans are usually available only to those with excellent credit histories, and rarely offer repayment options based on income. Work study awards provide students with an opportunity to earn money to pay for college. Work study programs help minimize borrowing, but beware: work study is one of the “priority” awards - which means a student must be eligible and apply early for a chance at these limited funds. For the 2018-2019 academic year, families completing the

FAFSA will report 2016 income along with other information which will be used to determine eligibility for all types of federal funding. Besides federal funds, students need to apply for scholarships – money provided by private donors to help with expenses. Scholarships are awarded for many reasons – not just for high grades or test scores. Many are based on need, athletic ability, community service, or special talents. Students should apply for local scholarships (check with a school counselor), institutional scholarships (check with the college students will attend) and national scholarships (use a free scholarship search tool such as Scholly*). Scholarships are a valuable supplement to federal financial aid and provide an additional source of free funding for college. *Access Scholly for free at www.ReachHigherMontana.org

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College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

Checklist for high school seniors “Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”

By MARY HOWARD, Reach Higher Montana Outreach Director

Seniors – welcome to your “Golden Years!” No, we aren’t talking about senior - Jim Bishop citizens and their golden years; we’re talking high school seniors who will need some “gold” (aka financial assistance) to help pay that you find a program and a school to best you plan to apply for federal aid. for college. In addition, there are many steps meet YOUR needs. to take to be ready for college next fall. 4. Complete the FAFSA 2. Apply for admission The Free Application for Federal Student A good strategy is to apply for admis- Aid (“FAFSA”) is the starting point to apply sion to at least three schools. Apply at your for federal student aid; your FAFSA deter“dream” or “reach” school, an in-state mines your eligibility for grants, loans and school that offers your degree program, and work study opportunities. Many schools always include a “safety” school – such as also use the FAFSA to determine your eli1. Find your path a local community college where you know gibility for need-based scholarships. Some Unsure what you want to do? Check out you can meet admission requirements. federal funding is limited and is awarded the Montana Career Information System only to early applicants with high financial (MCIS) at mtcis.intocareers.org. You can need. To maximize funding opportunities, take interest assessments to help you decide 3. Get your FSA ID complete the FAFSA as soon as possible The Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID) is a after October 1 at fafsa.gov. Do not use any on a major and career, find schools that meet your needs, and more. “College” can take username and password you create; it acts other sites as some may be fraudulent, or many forms - a traditional four-year college as a legal signature for online federal forms charge a fee to fill out this free federal form. experience, a two-year community college such as the FAFSA and Federal student loan Complete the FAFSA each October while or technical school, an apprenticeship or Master Promissory Notes. Get your FSA ID you are attending school; the earlier you apworkforce training. What matters most is at fsaid.ed.gov. You have to have a FSA ID if ply, the better.

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5. Search for scholarships

Scholarships are awarded for many activities besides high grades or test scores. Always apply for scholarships offered at the colleges you are considering. Local scholarships are available your senior year and offer the best chance at an award; check with your school counselor for information. Use free scholarship search tools such as Scholly® any time to search for national scholarships. Scholly® is a free scholarship search engine; create an account at ReachHigherMontana.org. Make scholarship searching a part-time job before you enter college and every year you attend college.

6. Get free help!

Reach Higher Montana advisors are located across Montana to provide free assistance with the college process. Go to reachhighermontana.org/advisors to find an advisor near you.

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College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

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Educational benefits for veterans By CULLEN GILBREATH, Reach Higher Montana Advisor

Courtesy of Reach Higher Montana

Cullen Gilbreath, Advisor

Most military veterans know that they qualify for some educational assistance based on the nature and time they served. Some do not realize that those earned benefits through the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill can be transferred to a qualifying dependent. Benefits from the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill can be used to pay tuition, get a monthly housing allowance, and a book stipend. There are some special provisions to make sure you are an eligible individual. Most important is that the service member must transfer all or remaining educational benefits while on active duty. The following bullet points from the Veterans Administration dive into greater detail on the child’s eligibility

based on his or her parents’ service.  May start to use the benefit only after the individual making the transfer has completed at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces.  May use the benefit while the eligible individual remains in the Armed Forces or after separation from active duty.  May not use the benefit until he/she has attained a secondary school diploma (or equivalency certificate), or reached 18 years of age.  Is not subject to the 15year delimiting date, but may not use the benefit after reaching 26 years of age. The education benefits earned through the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill can take a lot of the financial stress out of attending college; however, working

with a large government entity like the Department of Veterans Affairs can be a confusing and time-consuming process. Knowing that the process can take at least a month to get required certifications means that it is best to begin the process as early as possible. For high school seniors, that means now. Visiting the Veterans Administration website listed earlier is the best place to start, but there are ways to get help in person or over the phone. Talking with a School Certifying Official (SCO) at your college of choice can also be helpful. They usually know what information you need to submit to the Veterans Administration and definitely know what information you need to submit to their school to start receiving your transferred benefit.

Discover

On the

GO?

Also worth mentioning are two other programs available through the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill for survivors and dependents assistance. The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship is available to children and surviving spouses of an active duty member of the Armed Forces who died on or after September 11th, 2001. The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Program can be used by the children or spouse of a Veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. Those eligible for both the Fry Scholarship and DEA can only use one of the two. Additional information and a place to begin the application process can be found at benefits. va.gov/gibill.

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College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

Finding balance with extracurricular activities Metro Services

MORE THAN A DEGREE Green Shoot Media College is about much more than earning a degree. You will be learning skills that are essential to your success past college and making lifelong memories. It is a time to learn, but also a time of growth. Here are five musthave experiences you should enjoy and five must-have skills you should develop before graduation day.

Experiences These experiences will not only enrich your college experience, but will serve as lessons you will take with you, helping you long after you’ve graduated.  Reading as much as possible. Anything. All the time.  Volunteering. Volunteer experience does look good on a resume, but it also is about being a part of something that is bigger than yourself. Find a cause you care

College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

ter what your profession, you will need to network to be successful.  Understanding how you work best. This allows you to create an effective routine so you can easily set and achieve your goals.  Learning how to make your money work for you. Know how to set up and stick to a budget. This might seem like an easy task, but it will help you understand financial language, as well as the options available to you later on when you want to buy a car or a home.  Figuring out what your personal brand is. Companies are constantly screening prospective employees. How do you want to look? Google yourself and see what pops up. This is what companies see.  Incidental technical skills. Photo editing might not be particularly relevant to your career field, Skills but it comes in handy in many jobs. No matter what you majored in, You’ll appreciate it in your personal some skills are universal. life as well. Soak up the opportunity  Strong people skills. No mat- to diversify. about and give back.  Getting work experience. Jobs teach responsibility. They provide us with an income and show us that we can collaborate with people of all different backgrounds and personalities.  Taking at least one class just because. Because you’ve always been interested in modern architecture, because you wouldn’t mind knowing a bit more about drawing, because the astronomy class takes a field trip into the desert in November and it sounds awesome. Just because.  Studying abroad (if possible). It combines travel with studying. And there is almost always a way to obtain at least a few course credits for it, if not an entire semester.

Many high schools, colleges and universities emphasize their goals of producing well-rounded students. Extracurricular activities teach students important life lessons, provide them opportunities to socialize and often stimulate their minds and bodies in ways that differ from the stimulation provided in the classroom. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau states that, in 2014, 57 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 17 participate in at least one after-school extracurricular activity. Children are more likely to participate in sports than clubs or lessons, such as music, dance and language, but each of these activities can be beneficial to students’ development. Students who participate in extracurricular activities may want to limit their participation to 20 hours per week. This is according to a group of professors from Stanford University and Villanova University who have been collecting data on the issue since 2007. In their report “Extracurricular Activity in High-Performing School Contexts: Stress Buster, Booster or Buffer?”, Jerusha Conner and Sarah Miles found that 87 percent of kids who would be considered to have packed schedules were perfectly happy unless they were doing more than four hours a day. The “over-scheduling hypothesis” may be overhyped. This is the concern that too much organized activity participation leads to poor developmental outcomes. This hypothesis also suggests that hectic schedules also undermine family functioning, detract from schoolwork and possibly increase the risk of copycat behaviors and excessive

competitiveness. However, in the study “The OverScheduling Hypothesis Revisited: Intensity of Organized Activity Participation During Adolescence and Young Adult Outcomes,” researchers J.L. Mahoney and Andrea Vest determined that, controlling for demographic factors and baseline adjustment, extracurricular intensity was a significant predictor of positive outcomes and unrelated to indicators of problematic adjustment (e.g., psychological distress, substance use, antisocial behavior) at young adulthood. Even though extracurricular activities are largely positive - even when schedules are packed - parents need to be aware of the diminishing returns of too many activities. This is something called the “threshold effect.” Benefits from extracurriculars can level off when too many activities are being juggled. If a child is experiencing anxiety, sleeplessness or depression, or seems overly stressed, it could be time to reduce students’ time spent doing structured activities. It’s essential that families use the cues given by kids to assess what students can handle. And children should be encouraged to be honest with their parents about their extracurricular activities as well.

Expert advice for college-bound grads Metro Services Only 60 percent of college freshmen will graduate within 6 years according to the latest report from the National Center for Educational Statistics. That’s pretty scary stuff for college-bound students and their tuition-paying parents - especially if loans are part of the financial formula. Even for those students who make it to graduation, there may be some question as to whether they made the most of their time on campus. As this Northern Michigan University senior reflects, “There I was, about to graduate with some random degree and feeling like I’d wasted my parents money.” And from a University of Florida senior: “The problem with college is that you figure it out about the time you’re ready to graduate.” Helping college students “figure it out” sooner rather than later is what the latest edition of the awarding-winning “Been There, Should’ve Done That - 995+ Tips for Making the Most of College,” (Front Porch Press) continues to do. The 4th edition again draws from interviews with seasoned collegians across the U.S. According

to author, Suzette Tyler, a former academic adviser at Michigan State University, “their ‘expert’ advice is refreshingly insightful and often more encompassing than might be found in an adviser’s office.” “I could talk until I was blue in the face about things like time-management and self-discipline,” Tyler explains, “but when a fellow student says, ‘I got great grades and I never missed a party and here’s how to do it,’ it has far more impact. Here are some tips from ‘the experts’: “The first few weeks are great. You’re meeting people, partying ... no tests, no papers. Then ...WHAM! Everything’s due in the same week! If you weren’t hitting the books right along, you’ll spend the rest of the term digging yourself out!” - Senior, University of California, Santa Cruz “Gather all the syllabi during the first week of classes and write down the due date for every single paper, project, test or whatever. You’ll see instantly which weeks are potential killers.” - Junior, Wake Forest “Sitting in a classroom is the easiest part of college and it cuts study time in half. Why make it hard on yourself? GO!” - Senior, University of Iowa “What separated me from the mass-

es was ‘connecting’ with a faculty member. I didn’t even know what the possibilities were until he laid out a ‘roadmap’ and showed me a few shortcuts to get there. When my confidence was shaky, he reminded me that I could do it.” - Graduate, University of Michigan. “Pick the professor, not the time of day.” - Junior, Duke University “Get a job in the office of your major. You’ll get to know everyone from the secretaries to the dean, all of whom can be very helpful. If any great opportunities come along, you’ll be the first to know.” - Senior, Indiana University “There’s no reason to fail! There are people here to help and it’s free. Actually, you’ve paid for it so you might as well use it.” - Senior, Michigan State University “The students who make the most of their college experience aren’t necessarily the smartest ones. It’s often the average kids who know how to utilize the system, connect with the professors, take advantage of extracurricular activities, and manage their time well who reap the rewards,” Tyler says. “Been There, Should’ve Done That” can help students get all they can out of the next four years.

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College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

Pack smart, pack less Green Shoot Media Packing is hard work. It can feel difficult to pack for vacation, much less packing to move. Moving away from home for the first time can be daunting and you may feel compelled to pack as much of your stuff to take with you as possible. This is a natural feeling. But you need to resist it. What you think you’ll need and what you will actually need will be at odds in the first few weeks of your new journey. Consider the following tips as you make your packing lists:

These are times to bring items home that you don’t need and swap out for the items you do. Remember that space will be at a premium and you won’t have all the room in the world to store extra clothing. Also, remember laundry — that chore you will be doing all by yourself now. You won’t have room for dirty laundry to pile up without looking like a serious slob, which means you will be doing it more often. So there is no need to have a month’s worth of outfits with you.

Packing less

When in doubt, leave it behind

Don’t bring all of your clothing when you move in the fall. You will most likely go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas break.

If you are on the fence about an item, then leave it. This is especially true when it comes to décor – as well as any memorabilia from high school.

College is a new experience and its own experience. As for T-shirts, bring a handful. You will get free T-shirts thrown at you through orientation, signing up for clubs and at sporting events.

Plan to shop Instead of going out and purchasing things you need before you set off for college, consider purchasing a majority of what you need when you get there. Shop once with your parents when they drop you off, but also plan to shop with a group of friends within the first week. You will not be the only person who has forgotten something and a late-night trip to your local downtown shopping scene can be a real bonding experience.

How to save on college housing costs Metro Services College is expensive, and the costs are only rising. Scholarships and grants can help mitigate the costs of higher education, but even students who receive such aid could find themselves scrambling for ways to make college more affordable. Housing is one of the more expensive costs for college students and their families. According to the College Board, the average cost for room and board during the 2016-2017 school year was $10,440 at four-year public schools and $11,890 at private colleges and universities. And those costs typically cover housing for just the school year, which may last anywhere from six to eight months. However, there are ways for students and their families to reduce those costs.  Examine your dormitory

options. Many schools assign students to dormitories for their freshman years, giving students little say with regard to where they will live. However, students might have more input in their housing come their sophomore,

College Prep Guide – Fall 2017

junior and senior years. Some dorms might be more attractive and offer more amenities than others, but students and families looking to save money on housing costs should opt to live in the most budget-friendly dorms

available to them. In addition, choose to live with a roommate rather than in a single room, as singles tend to cost substantially more than double rooms.  Sign up to be a resident advisor. Resident advisors, or RAs, often receive free housing in exchange for living in dormitories when they are upperclassmen or graduate students. RAs help newly enrolled or younger students adjust to campus life while also ensuring nothing untoward happens on the floors they’re tasked with looking after. Students who may want to apply for RA positions should first confirm if serving as an RA will affect their overall financial aid package and how great that impact might be.  Live with roommates even after leaving the dorms. Due to limited space, many colleges insist dorm residents live with roommates. Upperclassmen

who are moving out of the dorms and into university or off-campus apartments can save money by continuing to live with roommates. This can be especially beneficial to students who will be living in off-campus housing where amenities such as electricity, cable television and water are unlikely to be included in the cost of the rent.  Commute to school. While it might not be ideal, commuting to school can save college students and their families substantial amounts of money. Public university students who did so during the 2016-2017 school year might have saved nearly $11,000, or $44,000 in four years. That’s money that can be used to pay tuition or finance postgraduate educations. College housing costs can be considerable. But budget-conscious students and families can save on such costs in various ways.

Tips for grads considering studying abroad Metro Services

more exclusive programs that include only a handful of students. Large programs provide a built-in social network, and students may feel safer exploring foreign cities in large groups made up of fellow students than going it alone or traveling in small groups.

Study abroad programs give students unique opportunities to experience other cultures while pursuing their degrees. Such programs appeal to students who want to see the world without interrupting their studies, and many students who study abroad develop an affinity for travel that remains with them for the rest of their lives. When considering studying abroad programs or attending college overseas, recent high school graduates or current high school students should consider a few factors before committing to a program.

Documentation

Language barrier Students, particularly those who are not fluent in a foreign language, may find it easier to live in countries where English is the primary language. While study abroad students can expect to work with professors who speak English regardless of where they go, life outside the classroom can be difficult for young students who do not understand the primary language spoken in the country where they will be studying.

time overseas may benefit by first studying through a study abroad program before committing to a two- or four-year program in another country. This gives students a chance to get a feel for a country and its culture and lifestyle Life overseas before making a long-term commitment to Students who want to attend school full- living and studying there.

Program size The safety in numbers philosophy is applicable for all travelers, but it can be especially beneficial for young students studying abroad. Students may feel more safe and comfortable when signing up for programs that include many students as opposed to

Students should speak with program directors about the documentation they may need to make the most of their time overseas. CEA Study Abroad recommends that students bring photocopies of all important documents, including passports, driver’s licenses, airline tickets, health insurance cards, and student identification cards, with them when studying overseas. This protects students should their wallets or backpacks be lost or stolen while they’re overseas. Students also should include a list of any medical conditions or medications they take among their documentation and include their emergency contact information on this list. Studying abroad can be a very rewarding experience for young students, who must consider a host of factors before committing to a program so they can have the most enjoyable experience possible.

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