NextStepU College Planning Fall 2018 by NextStepU

COLLEGE PLANNING MAGAZINE

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Issue #04 Fall 2018

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JAIMI FOSTER

Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree Abroad

Changes in College Applications 10 DR. EMMA SEPPÄLÄ

Happiness Counts:

CHOOSING SELF-CARE FOR SUCCESS

DR. DARA GHAHREMANI

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DETECT AND TAME TEST ANXIETY

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CONTENTS / FALL 2018

Featured Articles >>> CHOOSING A COLLEGE THAT WILL LAND YOU A JOB - By Jim Paterson

It was not long ago that the path to choose a college was defined by three relatively straightforward steps...

HAPPINESS COUNTS: Choosing Self-Care for Success - By Kate Alexander

The cult classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, may not be the most current movie about high school, but it’s...

on the cover

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08 Publisher’s Note 09 Editor’s Letter

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29 Life Hacks 32 College Calendar 35 Ad index

EMMA SEPPÄLÄ

Author, Speaker & Research Scientist, EMMA SEPPÄLÄ, Ph.D, is Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Co-Director Wellness at Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence, and the author of The Happiness Track.

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Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

TO REGISTER:

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CONTENTS

Inside the Mag >>> COLLEGE PLANNING

10 Changes in College 10 Applications:

- By Jim Paterson

14 Detect and Tame Test Anxiety

many advantages and a couple of potential drawbacks There are

- By Dawn Marie Barhyte

16 Getting Your Bachelor’s 16

JAIMI FOSTER UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Degree Abroad

to consider

- By Amelia Mezrahi

MONEY – PAY FOR COLLEGE 25 Life Hacks 29

CAREER LIFE 24 Happiness Counts: 20 Choosing a College That 24 20 Will Land You a Job

- By Jim Paterson

22 Job Report Update for class of 2018

- By Amelia Mezrahi

Choosing Self-Care For Success - By Kate Alexander

26 The Impact of

For School:

8 Tips for Saving for College - By Amelia Mezrahi

Smartphone and Social Media Use by Students - By Mila Sanchez

30 Undergraduate Scholarships

- Audrey Rutherford

SOCIAL MEDIA

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NO ESSAY, NO MINIMUM GPA Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

[7]

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

hat a year this has been! Since our issue last fall, we have seen acts of empowerment and bravery in several movements across the country. From #MeToo to the students at Parkland High School, people came out to speak up for justice, equality and change. These acts of bravery have given us hope and courage, but at the same we are receiving news of an alarming rise in the number of students who are suffering from anxiety and depression whether in middle school, high school or college. As counselors, parents, students, educators and administrators, we all need to be aware of this trend and collectively work on ideas and strategies to combat these problems. However, ultimately it is up to the individual student to take self-care and create happiness in order to balance the daily demands and stress of school and life. As someone who experienced these kinds of stress, albeit many years ago and in a different setting than schools today, I can also relate to the importance of learning to deal with challenges that are in one’s way. The triggers and causes of stress are very different today and present challenges past generations never faced that can easily throw someone into a state of despair and isolation. While the situation for today’s students is different, the good news is that there are some timeless techniques for dealing with stress, anxiety and depression that we have highlighted in some of our articles in this issue. In despair, there is always hope. If you feel that there is no way to solve something you find yourself in, talk yourself into removing yourself from that #23418f kind of thinking and seek help or solace in things or people that give you joy. In college, I would sometimes find myself really down and then I would run into a friend and we would just talk and laugh and that would change my mindset. Sometimes it was as simple as going for a walk and treating myself to a bagel to change my entire mood. The key lesson I found was that a bad situation can be made to be better. What can you do? Try to see all the examples of bravery around you and find inspiration. Recognize school is only one stage of your long life. Balance hard work and social pressure by seeking out the simple joys in life. Remember you are amazing in so many ways and the experiences you have in life will make you stronger and will carry you forward. Toward this goal, some of our articles in this issue offer practical advice for students under stress. Our featured article on finding happiness has interviews with the author of the “The Happiness Track”, Dr. Emma Seppälä, and Dr. Dara Ghahremani, Associate Research Neuroscientist at UCLA, and explores techniques you can use every day. We have also included some practical help on test anxiety and the impact of social media and cell phone use on students. For the start of the new school year, we also have articles discussing new trends in college admissions and application process as well as whether you should consider getting your college degree at a foreign university. We explore how to factor in career considerations when choosing a college and how colleges themselves are becoming more career oriented. We would love for you to do and be your best. If there are some challenges along the way, remember to take a deep breath and try to look beyond the current situation. You will be better and more experienced in life and live the life that is meant to be. So enjoy, have an awesome year, and most importantly have fun! As always, please get in touch and let us know how things are going. With warmest thanks, Amelia Mezrahi CEO/Publisher Next Step Universe

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Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

Publisher/CEO: Amelia Mezrahi | Amelia@NextStepU.com Chief Revenue Officer: Rob Aronson | rob.aronson08@gmail.com Founder/Adviser: David Mammano | David@NextStepU.com Editor: Kate Alexander l Editor@NextStepU.com Art Director: Silvio Del Monaco | Info@BrainBleachMedia.com Advertising Sales: Rob Aronson | sales@nextstepu.com Lisa Mietelski | Lisa@NextStepU.com Editorial and Contributions: Kate Alexander, Joseph Aoun, Dawn Marie Barhyte, Michael Bettersworth, Dr. Michele Borba, Mike Cartney, Alison Cashin, Beverly Woodson Day, Rich Feller, Jaimi Foster, Sara Garcia, Tanya Garcia, Dr. Dara Ghahremani, Robert Massa, Adam Metcalf, Amelia Mezrahi, Daniel Obregon, Dr. Mort Orman, James Paterson, #168fce Annie Reznik, Audrey Rutherford, Mila Sanchez, Edward Seargent, Dr. Emma Seppälä Cover photography: Photos provided by Dr. Emma Seppälä, Dr. Dara Ghahremani, Jaimi Foster For questions, comments or advertising information, Please contact us at Info@NextStepU.com or through NextStepU.com. Next Step Universe is a proud member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. For advertising information email us at Sales@NextStepU. com. Some inside photos from iStock.com ©Copyright 2018 by Next Step Universe. All rights reserved. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Copying, reproduction or transmittal of this publication by any means is strictly prohibited without the permission of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to edit or omit all materials submitted for publication, including advertisements, article contributions and event listings. Although this publication is thoroughly edited, the publisher is not liable for any damages due to editing, changes, cancellations, errors, and omissions. All corrections should be directed to our editor. All work submitted for publication is assumed to be the provider’s original work, and the publisher accepts no liability as a result of publishing such works. NextStepU® is a nationally registered trademark. Unauthorized use of the Next Step names, logos, or indicia is prohibited. We strive to make sure the information and advice is accurate, but it is up to you to do your own research. Good luck!

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Hello, Next Steppers!

e are excited to welcome you into a new school year with all of its opportunities and experiences! This issue features articles to encourage and propel you on the way to success. We want you to not only live to rack up a long list of accomplishments, but to find genuine happiness, freedom and joy. Our goal is for you to live life fully and well! To simplify some key decisions in your school search, Jim Paterson leads us through choosing a college that prepares you for a job in an age where career paths are changing rapidly. In our College Planning section, Paterson examines how college applications are evolving, with shifts in priorities and application formats. Our Publisher Amelia Mezrahi’s article focuses on how to expand your horizons for undergraduate education by considering a bachelor’s degree abroad. With our daily lives increasingly affected by stress created by technology, pressures to succeed, and test anxiety, NextStep lined up a list of experts to guide you. Your well-being comes first, not last, during these key years. Mila Sanchez reports on how social media and cell phone use impact students’ lives, and Dawn Marie Barhyte shares tips on how to identify and squash dreaded test anxiety.

In our cover article, we feature two noted experts on happiness, Dr. Emma Seppälä, Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education , and author of The Happiness Track, and Dr. Dara Ghahremani, Associate Research Neuroscientist at UCLA. Through counterintuitive approaches and mindfulness techniques, they share how to combat the rise of anxiety and depression during high school, college and beyond. We hope these articles help you navigate the days ahead with confidence and courage. Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and on our digital platform, www.NextStepU.com, for content that will keep your days energized for the future! Your dreams matter. With a focus on your well-being, we hope this issue inspires you to go for your goals with growth in mind. Enjoy! All the best, Kate Alexander Editor NextStepU Magazine Editor@NextStepU.com

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Register online at www.NextStepU.com/Match for profiles of colleges and universities, and www.NextStepU.com/ Scholarships for access to more than 2.2 million scholarships to help pay for college! Visit our new and improved blog at blog.NextStepU.com for college planning, careers, student life, study abroad, STEM, and Gifts & Contests. Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

[9]

COLLEGE PLANNING

Changes in

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

By Jim Paterson

ven with so much change in higher education, many experts say colleges often still look for the same fundamental things in applicants: good citizens with solid academics who will fit in on their campus. But the process a student will use to find the right college, connect with it and apply – that’s changing. After years when the system stayed pretty much the same, in the last decade we’ve seen a variety of new initiatives. This includes efforts to obtain diversity on campus or make certain that enrollees are leaders in extracurricular activities, to social media access and application platforms with new technological advantages that allow students to explore colleges more easily and more thoroughly, or provide the school more detailed information in new ways. The biggest changes seem to be in

[ 10 ]

two areas: academic numbers and technology. “I think the current trends will continue and we’ll see colleges deemphasize standardized test scores and other traditional academic markers of success,” says Sara Garcia, a policy analyst for postsecondary education with the Center for American Progress. “In the meantime, technology will keep changing the process.” She believes colleges will move away from relying on grades and SAT and ACT test scores, and even away from expecting lists of extracurricular activities or a family connection at the school. That’s also the view of Robert Massa, senior vice president for enrollment and institutional planning at Drew University near New York City and formerly head of enrollment for Johns Hopkins and Dickinson, and one of the founders

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

of a group of college officials hoping to move them away from a heavy reliance on academics. “Perseverance, diligence, self discipline, determination, decency and kindness to others – these types of traits help students adapt to their environment, deal with set-backs, overcome frustrations, relate to others and enjoy being part of a campus,” he says. “Colleges are starting to recognize that students with those values are a good fit– and they stay.” Other experts, however, say competitive colleges will continue to emphasize student academic success because it is a good way to screen candidates and they believe a reliable gauge of a student’s success in college. A detailed article in the New York Times (https://nyti.ms/2yklYI7) recently about the application process concluded that any shifts in priorities,

COLLEGE PLANNING bit.ly/2NqsS56) for college credit and some high schools are dropping.

THE COMMON APPLICATION

for the most part, will be slow, especially among competitive colleges. “Even as colleges consider innovation, it’s worth asking which fixtures of the admissions process, if any, they are willing to discard. Some prevalent practices seem to stand in the way of meaningful change,” the article says. “Generally, colleges are risk-averse. Rocking the boat with a newfangled admissions process could hurt their reputations.”

TEST OPTIONAL

Garcia says that more than 1,000 colleges have stopped requiring standardized tests, the latest being the University of Chicago, the first big-name research university to do so. George Washington University, Bates College, University of Iowa and Wake Forest University are among the other schools that make the tests optional. She notes that a few schools have abandoned the test altogether, and most who have made a change allow the student to decide if they want to have their scores considered. She believes that trend will continue, though experts say that students should consult their counselor or representatives from the schools they are considering before skipping the SAT or the ACT (both of which also change each year). A good performance may still be helpful to students who want to submit scores where they are an option, and some will continue to require them into the future. Garcia also notes that students should pay attention to changes in the AP test, which some colleges aren’t accepting as readily (https://

This online platform (www.com monapp.org) is now used broadly by colleges (750 used it last year, officials there report) and more than 3 million students and counselors. It underwent changes last year that included making transferring documents and certain other designations easier, while adding to personal essay prompts and the ability to make the account accessible to an adviser. Daniel Obregon, senior director of marketing at The Common Application, says this year there are changes that include a “targeted application experience through the Extended Profile that includes pathways and programs based on age, goals, degree status, and credits earned”. He says a great deal of the information can be presented more easily, including prerequisite coursework and other documents and transcripts for transferring students. Changes to the course and grades section make it easier to determine whether a student needs to complete a section. Obregon also said that security has been enhanced to protect student data and other improvements make the

transfer application more user friendly. There is more information on this blog post (https://bit.ly/2mEwtha).

OTHER SYSTEMS

Students can apply online at the websites for many schools (some require it, like Georgetown and MIT) and some states have unified systems for the process across all their state schools. Texas has had a statewide system for submitting applications, though some Texas schools also accept the Common Application. One other platform is now being used by about 148 colleges from the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success. (https://bit.ly/1KG54AJ) It’s goal, says Annie Reznik, executive director, is to make the process easier and more accessible, while asking participating colleges to meet certain criteria. The platform offers a “locker” where students can store documents or video – anything that they have accomplished or might need in the college application process. In addition, the student can ask others to collaborate with them, so advisers, mentors, bosses or counselors can access the information

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

[ 11 ]

COLLEGE PLANNING and comment about it. The coalition’s fee waiver also allows students to have their application fee waived without a secondary verification process. “It allows students to start the work of applying to college in 9th grade, and spread that experience over the course of high school, then plan for college easily,” Reznik said. “Many students lack a college counselor or adult mentor to shepherd them through the college process and so the members of the Coalition felt strongly that the application and tools would need to be self-service.” Another relatively new organization that sometimes collaborates with the Coalition and is hoping to change the process is Harvard-based Turning the Tide (https://bit.ly/2wPFFoi), which is urging admissions deans to rethink the qualities they consider in applicants, according to Alison Cashin, director of the program, and “recognize that not just high academic achievement is important in college admissions”. It has developed a good reputation for getting organizations involved in the admission process to examine and change recruitment, scholarships, es-

say questions, admissions criteria and the application itself.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Just exploring colleges involves a lot more technology now. College web sites have virtual tours, videos by enrolled students from their perspective, chat functions and social media connections where prospects can link up with the college and others who might attend. Various systems exist for exploring colleges, including the government’s College Scorecard (https:// collegescorecard.ed.gov), which the Trump administration says it will enhance.

Video applications are being accepted at an increasing number of colleges. Goucher College in Maryland was one of the first universities to give students that option “At Goucher, we understand that the traditional admissions process – while great for many students – does not showcase everyone’s true talents and abilities,” the college says. “We believe access to higher education should be about potential, not just previous achievement. We still accept the Common Application, but we created the Goucher Video App (https://bit. ly/2NmmGv7) to provide another opportunity for students to show us what makes them unique, why they would flourish at Goucher, and how they will fit into our community of learners.” Beverly Woodson Day, past president of the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors and director of admissions at the University of Texas San Antonio, like several other admissions officials, says her school isn’t receiving or reviewing video material, but she thinks it “is going to happen in the future.” ZeeMee offers one other option for a more high-tech format (https://bit. ly/2CqzFb2) that gives students an opportunity to put various personal data and accomplishments (including video) together in a presentation that can accompany The Common Application. The platform can also be used when applying to internships and jobs, says Adam Metcalf, a co-founder and it has new features that allow users to chat with students on campus. Some schools also expect students to submit portfolios about music, art or STEM projects using their own platform or SlideRoom (https://bit.ly/2CsdjWs), which is accessible through the common application and college sites.

James Paterson is a writer for many education publications and websites and lives in Lewes, DE. He has written broadly on career exploration and education related topics for several national and trade publications.

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Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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COLLEGE PLANNING

“Detect and Tame Test Anxiety!” By Dawn Marie Barhyte

t is no secret that even the most confident student can feel nervous come test day, interfering with their focus. For those with test anxiety you may have debilitating anxiety even if you are well prepared for the exam. You experience physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms. Between 10% and 40% of the population are affected by this performance anxiety. Test anxiety is very real and can be crippling, manifesting in very uncomfortable symptoms. But it is treatable. Mort Orman, medical doctor and author of The Test Anxiety Cure: How to Overcome Exam Anxiety, explains “the physical symptoms of anxiety are due to excess amounts of stimulating hormones like epinephrine being released in the body. This produces rapid heart rate, sweating, lightheadedness and increased blood pressure. When people become alarmed by these physical symptoms their cognitive functions, including ability to focus and concentrate, can be temporarily decreased.” If you have a good grasp of the material, but then fail to produce results, suspect test anxiety. Dr. Orman says avoid ingesting large amounts of caffeine, especially via energy drinks, as it makes you jittery and can cause or worsen an internal sense of anxiety. Only a small number of test anxious students ever receive adequate anxiety reduction training. With no intervention students will show minimal improvement on their scores. Although non-pharmalogical methods are the first line of treatment if anxiety is incapacitating, medications can be helpful for short-term relief. For long-term relief you need to deal with the source of anxiety. The goal is not to eradicate anxiety altogether, but to reduce it to a manageable level and make it work for you. While there is no magic cure, there are surefire ways of reducing that debilitating apprehension so you do your best. Even if you have test anxiety you can augment your scores and do well when the pressure is on.

Follow these tips before the test to lessen anxiety:

>>>>>>>>>>>> [ 14 ]

Be Current!

Inquiring Minds

Stay up to date on assignments, learn material and review as you go along! If you fall behind or do not understand something, do not wait until test day to ask questions! Talk with your teacher immediately so you have things figured out before the test! Summarize what you have read by saying it or writing it in your own words. Also, make note of any questions as you read.

For an upcoming test, ask the teacher about what format it will be and practice taking it in that format. Ask yourself, what was stressed in the text and lectures and focus on them while studying. Test anxiety feeds on the unknown. The more you know about the test and the more you are aware of your anxieties, the easier it is to conquer your anxiety!

Dawn Marie Barhyte is a former educator and widely published freelance writer who resides in Warwick, NY

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

COLLEGE PLANNING

3 Apply STRESS

management techniques to cope with test anxiety! Dr. Borba recommends you take a deep breath and try repeating a relaxing phrase such as “it’s only a test”, “I don’t have to be perfect” or “I’ll worry later, but now I am going to focus on the test.” Try to visualize completing the test despite anxiety using vivid images. Using Apps can be very helpful such as Head Space which is a mindfulness app that can help you get in a relaxed state. Try freewriting before tests - write for 10 minutes about your fears and worries. By unloading before an exam, you will free up brainpower normally occupied by worries to complete the test successfully.

4 Attitude adjustment

Be confident in you ability to do well. If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts like “OMG, I am going to fail” say and repeat “I am smart and know the material” Even if you do not completely believe it, when you are saying it your brain will respond positively to the statements and help you feel better. Do a reality check and do not let your results have the power to define you. Doing so will train your brain so that perfectionism takes a backseat! Avoid letting your self worth be dependent on your grades. You are so much more than a grade!

Take the Quiz to Determine If You Have Test Anxiety

Mostly A’s test anxiety needs attention and you should seek support, mostly B’s you could benefit from some work and mostly C’s you are able to test confidently.

I worry that I am not well prepared even though I have studied diligently. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

Before a test I feel confident I know the material. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

When I get in the classroom I am so nervous I forget everything I learned. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

When my teacher hands out tests I feel panic and overwhelmed. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

During a test all I can think about is what if I fail. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

During a test I sweat, feel nauseous, my hands shake and my pulse races. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

My grades don’t reflect the effort I put into studying. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

Before a test I feel confident I will do well. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

5 Promise yourself

a reward later! During the test, tell yourself that once you are done you will watch your favorite videos, hang with your BFFs or go to your favorite café!

6 Seek professional help

If nothing seems to lessen your fears, take a big leap and seek treatment to figure out why you are so stressed and how you can cope. Seeking mental health assistance is not a sign of weakness. If you are diagnosed with test anxiety, you may get approval to receive special accommodations such as additional time to complete the exam, because anxiety disorders are protected under the American Disabilities Act. During a test I make careless mistakes. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely Before a test I am so worried about worst-case scenarios that I procrastinate in studying. A. always B. sometimes C. rarely

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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COLLEGE PLANNING

GETTING YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE ABROAD

ne college option of increasing interest to students is earning a bachelor’s degree at a foreign university. By getting a foreign degree we do not mean studying in another country for a semester or two, but actually entering and eventually graduating from a foreign college. Currently, about 45,000 American students are enrolled in programs to get their degrees abroad (see recent Forbes article, https://bit.ly/2KUlxWk). Europe alone has more than 300 schools offering programs taught in English and countless more in local languages. In Asia, Australia and Singapore there are a number of well-established programs while newer options are being offered

A FEW

POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS TO CONSIDER

While there are many advantages to getting your degree abroad, there are also a few potential issues to consider

[ 16 ]

THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES AND A COUPLE OF POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS TO CONSIDER up at Chinese and Southeast Asian schools in recent years (https://nyti. ms/2Piic6P). There are also programs across Latin America and in countries like South Africa, Turkey and Israel to offer a few more examples. But is an international BA degree right for you?

REASONS WHY YOU MIGHT WANT A DEGREE ABROAD COST

College in the U.S. is expensive and becomes costlier each year. Foreign schools, whether private or public, can have tuition substantially lower than many American universities. Many European universities for example are heavily subsidized or even free. German

By Amelia Mezrahi

or Scandinavian universities, many of which rank among the top in the world, typically are either completely free or have tuition under $5,000 a year. At British universities, tuition is higher and starts around £10,000 (~US$14,130) https://bit.ly/2lCrRcP, and can also be higher if you study certain subjects in the sciences and engineering. Tuition varies more widely in Asia, but is again typically far lower than in the U.S. Some international schools will also let you finish your bachelor’s degree in three years rather than four, saving on a year’s tuition. As an added bonus, U.S. government financial aid can be used at some international schools as well. Be sure to research individual country fees as they can vary by the type of

STUDENT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

Foreign universities stress more student independence than U.S. schools. As a student, you will often be expected to pick your own classes and make sure you are meeting the requirements of your program. Do not expect extensive orientation programs lasting weeks like we see in U.S. universities, though many international schools are expanding their student services in recent years. Jaimi Foster, an American student studying at the University of Toronto, argued that, “the most significant benefit is having to learn to be independent. This can be quite an obstacle to navigate, even for someone like myself who I feel was raised to be quite independent… and why not take advantage of this chance to challenge yourself, especially when university is supposed to be a huge step towards self- dependence anyways!” Foreign schools have fewer of the creature comforts of U.S. schools (e.g. large student life offices, expensive student rec centers with climbing walls or extensive advising offices). Greek life does not exist and sports offerings are more limited at international schools. Foreign schools stress academics and self-reliance. Classes often have less homework and few assignments and instead may focus on a single large paper or exam at the end of the term or year. It is up to you to attend classes and do the academic work. Foreign universities take the attitude that you are the one primarily responsible for your own education. Indeed, this is a big attraction for many more independent students, but it may not be right for everyone.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

COLLEGE PLANNING school, degree and location.

CULTURAL AND GLOBAL EXPOSURE

Foreign universities will offer you amazing international exposure and the ability to operate in different cultural environments. Every day at school, there will be a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet students and faculty with very different life experiences and see how different schooling and the rhythms of daily life can be. This kind of opportunity for personal development can be hard to find in the U.S. Edward Seargent, VP of International at University of Toronto, said in an interview with Inside Higher Ed (https://bit. ly/2qYTDP2) that “…Toronto appeals to Americans and also those from other countries since they see a cosmopolitan city where more than half of the residents were born outside of Canada.”

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

You can also take advantage of work opportunities abroad, usually via internships. Spending time in an office can often teach you far more about foreign cultures and business practices than you can ever learn in the classroom. And it looks great on a resume. Many leading foreign universities are in major cities that serve as the headquarters for

large international companies, banks and consulting firms as well as nongovernmental organizations, museums and cultural institutions.

SEE THE WORLD

school, nothing works better than local immersion. Combining daily life in a foreign language with some coursework will help you to achieve fluency well before graduating.

Study abroad offers unparalleled travel opportunities. Enroll in any school in Europe and you are often just a quick train ride away from a new country. Both Asian and European discount airlines offer very cheap airfares for students and those that are flexible in their travel schedules. Almost every weekend or study break becomes an opportunity to explore someplace new and you can easily graduate in a few years having seen much of the world. This of course means you will need to budget for both trips during the school year as well as your travel costs getting to and from the U.S., cutting a little bit into some of those tuition savings.

INTERNATIONAL RESUME

LANGUAGE SKILLS

International schools typically accept U.S. test scores along with a personal statement of interest and perhaps a recommendation or two, which chances are you have already put together for U.S. schools. There is little or no focus on putting together the list of activities and accomplishments that you had during high school that are a staple of American college applications.

You can hone your language skills depending on the school and program you choose. Some foreign schools offer all their classes in English and many other programs offer you a blend of English and local languages depending on your language skills and comfort level. For those of us who have struggled to pick up a language in high

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS

Second, for a handful of degrees, for example in fields like accounting or nursing, you need to check whether your foreign coursework is recognized by U.S. institutions to get your professional credentials to work in the U.S. or gain easy admission to an American grad school. More generally, and just as you would with any U.S. university, if you are interested in grad school then you should check the reputation of the school and its professors (who will likely be writing you letters of recommendation).

Experiences that come with an international education can make you potentially very attractive to employers. In additional to your cultural savvy and international experience, you are very clearly signaling your ability to deal with diverse and challenging environments. Compared to your classmates who stayed in the U.S., your matriculation abroad also demonstrates a willingness to take risks, get out of your comfort zone and deal with ambiguous situations daily. This is certainly the kind of resume that will stand out from a crowd.

SIMPLIFIED ADMISSION

CAREER FAIRS AND RESOURCES

While as noted you are likely to be attractive to many employers, you will lose out on the campus recruiting system that you get at some U.S. schools. This is less relevant for most fields, but you should research if this matters for your potential career interests.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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COLLEGE PLANNING

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A DEGREE ABROAD

5 steps to take

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NEXT? CHECK OUT ONLINE RESOURCES

Two online resources for study abroad can serve as a useful starting point. Studyportals (https://www.studyportals.com) and GoAbroad (https://www.goabroad.com). You should look carefully at the academic reputations of the schools as there is a lot of variance in quality. The World University Rankings by the Times Higher Education is one such place to look into https://www. timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings and you can also look at the QS World University Rankings: https://www.topuniversities.com.

EXPLORE MAJORS

Consider what your likely major will be. Just like their American counterparts, foreign universities may have significant differences in the reputations and strengths of various departments.

ASSESS YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS

What are your current language skills? Are you ready now - or will be ready later - to take courses in a foreign language at your new school? As noted, classes are often in English, but it varies by program and you will want to consider language offerings in how you plan your course of study.

LOOK AT THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

There can be large differences in terms of the level of resources and support that colleges offer their international students. Some schools have only small offices while others have invested a lot more effort. At the University of Toronto, Jaimi Foster found many resources for international students. “There are mentorship programs and clubs, and a variety of other programs designed specifically to help international students succeed. There is also an entire institution dedicated to international students - the Centre for International Experience. They do weekly programming - hosting events, support group and various talks for the international student population.”

DO RESEARCH AND NETWORK

Try to find students currently at those schools via social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn) to get the inside scoop on their class offerings, the quality of instruction and institutional support. It may not be possible to visit a school in advance, but you should certainly do your homework if you are going to be spending the next several years there.

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Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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CAREER

Choosing a college

>>>

By Jim Paterson

THAT WILL LAND YOU A JOB t was not long ago that the path to choose a college was defined by three relatively straightforward steps: pick a likely major, choose a college and figure out how to pay for it. Now that process has become more complicated as the value of college is questioned due to rapid changes in career paths. As the college application grows more high tech, finding the right college “fit” for both the applicants and schools becomes much more complex. In an era when even the viability of some universities is questioned and concerns over student debt are so prominent, there are many more factors to consider, leaving students and their families easily confused. Perhaps most importantly, students are giving a lot more attention to a key reason why they attend college in the first place – getting a job. “Of course this really should be the primary thought of most students considering the enormous investment they are making,” says Michael Bettersworth, vice chancellor and head of an innovative center for college-career coordination at Texas State Technical College, where his group’s work (http:// www.c4eo.org/) is being used statewide and getting attention nationally. “I’d say that colleges that aren’t providing these students with real job skills and helping them find jobs might as well be committing fraud. And students

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are increasingly demanding it.” Bettersworth and other experts say the discussion around job skills has been focused on two areas that are likely to be critical in future: (1) soft skills and (2) specific tech skills. Employers increasingly say they need soft skills– things like the ability to communicate, solve problems, show persistence and collaborate in teams. A new report (https://bit.ly/2lcfVw8) calls for higher education to do a better job of training graduates in these areas and makes a series of recommendations about how institutions will move toward “demand driven education”, which it claims will be the third wave of higher education reform. A recent The Future of Skills (https://bit.ly/2IyWzLY) research report provides some insights into skills that go beyond technology and automation and are likely to be critical in the coming decades. Some experts concerned about jobs say graduates need specific career-related training (https://mck. co/2sWHuht), with less emphasis on a traditional liberal arts education, while other experts say that such a liberal arts degree is just what employers want – workers who know how to think. In reality, many experts say there is a strong middle ground that is the sweet spot. For instance, Northeastern University President Joseph Aoun, author of the book “Robot-Proof: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intel-

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

ligence” (https://amzn.to/2KVWNC9), suggests that students need to be trained to be life-long learners with a good grounding in both traditional subjects as well as exposure to technology. He calls it “humanics”. “It achieves this by fostering purposeful integration of technical literacies, such as coding and data literacy, with human literacies, such as creativity, ethics, cultural agility, and entrepreneurship,” he told Forbes Magazine (https://bit.ly/2M8IyFE). “When students combine these literacies with experiential components, they integrate their knowledge with real life settings, leading to deep learning. Experiential learning is a powerful delivery system for the humanics curriculum.”

FIRST, FIND YOUR INTERESTS AND APTITUDES

So, what does all this mean for a high school student exploring colleges and moving into the higher education experience, especially given that 90 percent of them (according to one survey https://ti.me/29CFVMM) are acutely aware that college is expensive and expect it to pay off in a job? Tanya Garcia, co-author of a recent report (https://bit.ly/2tbuD8k) about career pathways from Georgetown University and a researcher at its Center on Education and the Workforce, says students may see that they are given more opportunity to explore careers in depth.

CAREER Her report highlights ways that is happening not only at different points in high school, but even in middle school. Rich Feller, a professor of counseling and career development at Colorado State University and past president of the National Career Development Association (https://bit.ly/2QcpWrG), says that exploration in the future should go “beyond interest and look at aptitude.” “Unfortunately, aptitudes are overlooked and very infrequently measured in schools. They focus on achievement tests, class rank, and GPA, which are all greatly influenced by income, parental involvement, and school quality, along with student motivation. So, talent gets left on the sidelines, both wasted and failing to connect to a learner’s internal motivation.” Garcia and Feller both note that students in high school and even earlier grades should be given more sophisticated tools to explore careers, find their interests and their aptitude. And if they aren’t, they should seek them out – asking their school or college counselor. Garcia’s report provides a number of online tools for such exploration, as does NCDA (https://bit.ly/2NSgMis), and they are compiled in other locations https://bit.ly/2wNPQZL.

HOW COLLEGES ARE TACKLING THE CHALLENGE

Bettersworth says that colleges will also adjust, getting better information about the job market to advise their students

about career choices, help give them a direction, and then train their students better to fill those positions. There are several efforts underway among employers and in higher education to close that loop and increase communications between employers and colleges. Experts say savvy high school students and their parents will ask colleges they are considering about the connections they have to the job market in their careers of interest. They also want to know how the institution uses real employers to design their curriculum, keep it up-to-date and connect their students with jobs. “They should be able to tell them specifically what they are doing in this regard,” Bettersworth says. Community colleges (https://bit. ly/13RCuL9) have often been the focus of this effort. At Onondaga Community College (https://bit.ly/2QaxPO8) school officials have put in place a variety of programs that help train students in restaurant management skills, but also about how they might be entrepreneurs in the food service business. Piedmont Community College (https://bit.ly/2NPHOH4) in North Carolina offers a direct link to employers in its training programs and Lake Community College in Utah has students work together with a skilled faculty member and often someone from the business community in a collaborative tech education program that teaches them both the hard and soft skills as they work in

teams on projects. Lake Area Technical Institute (https://bit.ly/2ECodou) officials say the college, located in Watertown, South Dakota, puts 99 percent of its graduates into high income jobs by focusing on “hire” education and working with a stream of industry representatives to make certain its students have job skills employers seek. “Although we are student focused, we are mostly what I call industry facing,” says College President Mike Cartney. “We take our lead, set our goals, and find successful strategies based on industry needs. We have about 400 industry partners helping make sure our product is what our graduates need in the workplace.” Even traditional liberal arts colleges are focusing on the job skills they must provide their graduates, according to the Wall Street Journal (https://on.wsj.com/2oo8nul), citing examples at Mount Holyoke College, Hanover College and Ivy League schools like Dartmouth. Many colleges are offering “bootcamps” (https://tcrn. ch/2NmEGp3) that began as a way for companies to train workers, but which a range of schools have now adopted and some believe (https://cnb.cx/2QcrIsQ) are likely to proliferate. And the business community is stepping in directly, sometimes working with colleges (https://bit.ly/2AQFaua) (or even in the case of IBM and several other companies) starting even earlier and linking up with high schools (https://ibm.co/2vPjn6j). Some firms are also doing more training independently (https://bit.ly/2E8aB4K) by connecting to students via online platforms. Microsoft and Linux are among several companies offering courses through edX (https://www.edx.org/), a Harvard and MIT collaboration designed to provide online education that is easier to develop and more flexible than traditional programs. Wired magazine has reviewed a number of these initiatives (https://bit.ly/2AQFaua) showing how corporations are training young people in creative new ways, citing a “big gap” between the number of tech job positions and trained people to fill them.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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CAREER

THE CLASS OF 2018

Job Market UPDATE

OVERALL LABOR MARKET FOR YOUNG COLLEGE GRADS AGES 21-24: MOST YOUNG COLLEGE GRADUATES ARE WORKING Employment and enrollment outcomes of young college graduates (ages 21-24), by gender and race/ethnicity 2018 Source: https:// bit.ly/2QxEDWu epi.org

2018 VS. 2008: Unemployment is back to the same level before the recession whereas underemployment is still significantly higher

2008

2018

Unemployment rate overall

5.5% (May)

3.9% (April)

Unemployment rate for young college grads

5.4%*

5.3%*

Underemployment rate for young college grads

9.3%*

11.1%*

$18.84/hr*

$20.37/hr*

Average student debt at graduation

$23,228

$41,810**

Average tuition price per year for 4-year college

$7,280

$9,970

Average starting wage

* For the year ended February 2008/2018, young college grads ages 21-24 not enrolled in further schooling: source https://bit.ly/2QxEDWu ** Projected Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics; The College Board; Billboard; Economic Policy Institute;

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS/RECRUITERS SAY: RECRUITERS ESTIMATE $56,532 ON AVERAGE PAY FOR ENTRY-LEVEL EMPLOYEES

RECRUITERS ARE MOST INTERESTED IN HIRING STEM AND BUSINESS MAJORS This represents students who graduated with a bachelors degree in 2015, 2016, or 2017 and were hired for a job since January 2017 Source: 2018 iCIMS Inc. https://bit.ly/2p7yXFZ

Source: 2018 iCIMS Inc. https://bit.ly/2p7yXFZ WHAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS RECRUITERS/EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR - Source: 2018 iCIMS Inc. https://bit.ly/2p7yXFZ

iCIMS Survey Methodology: The survey was conducted among 400 U.S. college seniors and 400 U.S. HR/recruiting professionals, between March 7 and March 19, 2018, using an email invitation and an online survey.

[ 22 ]

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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LIFE

HAPPINESS COUNTS: Choosing Self-Care for Success

By Kate Alexander

he cult classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, may not be the most current movie about high school, but it’s a classic about leaving the stresses of high school behind. Sadly, in today’s world, high school and college students are anxious, not lazy. Instead of trying to find creative ways to avoid school, students today suffer from record levels of depression and anxiety from the demands of their studies. To examine this issue and find guidance, Next Step Magazine interviewed Dr. Dara Ghahremani, Associate Research Neuroscientist at UCLA, and consulted Dr. Emma Seppälä, author of The Happiness Track, and Co-Director Wellness at the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence (https://emmaseppala.com). So why are students experiencing such stress? Dr. Ghahremani points to the role social media plays (check out the related article on impact of social media in the same issue of this magazine), leading students to compare

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themselves more to their peers, leading to feeling worse or left out. Other factors include “increased pressure to perform academically and to be careerminded at an early age.” Sometimes, students may know they are anxious, but not understand the level of their stress or the ways stress is interfering in their everyday lives. The warning signs can be “indifference, aggression, fatigue, irritability, and withdrawal” or even “fogginess” and “emotional bluntness,” Ghahremani explains. Trouble sleeping - either waking up or falling asleep? Issues with appetite? These can all be signals that stress is at play. To reduce stress, Ghahremani finds that “having balance is critical. Balancing academic and social life along with the basics of developing healthy eating and sleeping habits with exercise are important.” He adds, though, that students can push beyond even these basics to develop “practical tools for managing stress and negative emotions.” When we asked Dr. Ghahremani one piece of advice that he could tell stu-

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

dents to alleviate anxiety or depression, he wisely suggests to keep the bigger picture in mind. “Emotions are always changing and will pass sooner or later. Knowing this, you can be sure that any anxiety or depression that you feel now will not be there all of the time, in the same way that hunger and the feeling of being full comes and goes.” The key then is to “be present with emotions, instead of trying to push them away.” If so ”they will change more quickly,” he clarifies. And, if you want to prevent or cope even more proactively, he suggests that you can use a mindfulness or meditation technique to help. Two programs have successfully addressed the issue, and there may be resources at your school as well. For instance, the Yesplus program (www. yesplus.org) and YES! For Schools (http://youthempowermentseminar. org) help students by teaching breathing techniques to aid in calmness and provide games to “help develop selfawareness,” Ghahremani explains. Programs have become increasingly more important as the emotional and psychological pressures of school

LIFE

create more anxiety and depression. The YES! For Schools stemmed from “a series of suicides among students,” he shares. It works by calming impulsivity, “a core behavior” that correlates with “substance use and other behaviors related to depression and anxiety.” The Yesplus program helps with overall wellbeing, including learning how to improve sleep. Several leading universities have made this into a course, including at Stanford, MIT, Harvard, UCLA and USC. It focuses on increasing awareness of the overall health, balance, fostering a “sense of belonging amongst students” and creating “a powerful sense of community,” Ghahremani shares. “The programs also empower them individually to overcome negative beliefs about themselves to achieve the goals they are passionate about.” Although not all schools will have courses designed to help students in this way, young adults should look for extracurricular outlets that improve well-being, mindfulness, meditation and relaxation. In her TedX Sacramento talk, “Breathing Happiness” (https://bit. ly/1TWdPwb), Dr. Emma Seppälä explains that her “field of research is the science of happiness, of well-being, of fulfillment, and also of resilience.” Author of The Happiness Track, she is a leading authority and speaker as well as Science Director of the Stanford Center for Compassion

and Altruism Research and Education. She describes how the simple process of using breathing to control our bodies, emotions, and reactions can dramatically alter our lives and wellbeing, even in the most stressful and desperate situations. Her article “6 Pieces of Bad Advice We Give Our Kids - And What to Do Instead” (https://bit.ly/2oMx80S), outlines the false expectations society and parents may place on young adults and, ironically, how detrimental these traditional ways of pushing young students may be. Instead of paving the way for success, these methods of “encouragement” may actually discourage it. For instance, instead of “focus on the future. Keep your eyes on the prize,” parents should encourage their children to “live (or work) in the moment.” Likewise, instead of “stay busy” as a sign of doing well, parents should teach their kids to “have fun doing nothing.” Students need to learn how to fail and that mistakes are ok, rather than only learning to “play to … strengths.” By motivating students through these countercultural methods, parents will nurture behaviors and mindsets that program students to have a better life, which in turn, will translate to greater productivity, impact, and effectiveness. By reversing the usual approach, students will adapt the perspective to “treat” themselves “well”, rather than being hard on themselves, like “know your weaknesses, and don’t be soft.”

The more parents allow their children to practice self-care and compassion, embrace failures and challenges, the more they will lay a foundation for resilience and happiness. In her research for The Happiness Track, Seppälä found that this mindset allows a shift towards self-care and leads to greater creativity, which in turn is “the number-one attribute that CEOs look for in employees,” a phenomena she describes in a Quartz article about Ivy League students (https://bit. ly/2qAYCbY). The article, “Overachieving Ivy League Students are Learning the Wrong Lesson About What It Takes to Be Successful,” Seppälä describes how many of the very practices students undertake to achieve - “skipping lunch, racing from meeting to meeting, and relying on endless cups of coffee to stay awake” - lead to more burn out and lower overall achievement - for students and adults in general. Yale’s Emotional Intelligence Project (http:// ei.yale.edu/ruler/) helps students see how health and happiness don’t have to be laid down on the altar of success. So, what should students do? By choosing to approach success from the standpoint of self-care and compassion, the creativity, productivity and happiness of students will increase. In other words, happiness is a choice you can make by developing habits that support a growth mindset. If you do, it will pay endless dividends in work and life.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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LIFE

The Impact of Smartphone>>>>>>>>>>>>> and Social Media Use by Students By Mila Sanchez

martphones and social media are so ingrained into our everyday lives, it’s hard to believe that just 15 years ago these industry giants weren’t really around yet. But for today’s high school and college students, social media has been integrated into nearly every aspect of their lives and has had a heavy impact on their development. Parents and professionals all have their own opinions on whether all this constant connection and technology use is beneficial or detrimental. Some say smartphones are killing face-toface interaction, while others say they allow for even more communication than before, just through different avenues. Whether smart phones and social media are good or bad, the fact of the matter is that they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Let’s take a look at their impact on today’s students, how they can be utilized for good, and how we can minimize their more detrimental aspects.

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SMARTPHONE IMPACT

You rarely see a student these days without a smartphone in their hands. Texting, playing games, surfing the web — just about anything can be done on a smartphone. With students constantly staring at their phone and other mobile devices, they could be damaging their eyes (https://bbc.in/1FEa32m), making their vision weaker and potentially causing early onset of macular degeneration. Too much screen time can also cause more frequent headaches and migraines, as well as contribute to sleeplessness and insomnia. Since there is often a propensity to sit and shuffle through apps and feeds for hours at a time, the prolonged sitting time can harm the body (https://bit. ly/2wRAcNQ) by causing weight gain and muscle atrophy, as well as increase the chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Of course, for every negative aspect of smartphones, there is an app to help combat it. Therein lies the benefit of smartphones and other mobile devices — they make our lives easier with convenient and useful apps accessible

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

anywhere. There are apps to track exercise, food intake, sleep schedules, and even to lock apps for specific amounts of time to limit use. The convenience of apps is especially beneficial to students; education and technology are completely intertwined these days, and with smartphones, students have access to school apps for submitting assignments and tracking classes, as well as apps to help with studying (https:// bit.ly/2CtYLFV). In fact, technology use has significantly changed the face of the American classroom in just the last 10 years. According to a survey of 1,000 teachers performed by MidAmerica Nazarene University, (https://bit.ly/2KPptML) 73 percent of the teachers agreed that technology has dramatically changed classrooms in recent years, and 82 percent say that technology has enhanced teaching and learning overall. Despite the positive aspects of the integration of technology in education, 70 percent of teachers say that smartphone use by students still causes tension and distractions in the classroom.

LIFE

Balance SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT

Since the first days of MySpace, social media has become bigger than anyone could have imagined. While MySpace seems to be a distant memory, platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat rule the social media realm today. You would be hardpressed to find a student who doesn’t have at least one of these apps on their phone, if not all of them. The ever-present nature of social media can have a profound effect on a student’s well-being. It can be a wonderful outlet for connection and creativity. As students graduate from high school and go on to college in different areas of the country — maybe even the world — social media offers easy and interactive ways to keep in touch with old friends and connect with new ones. It’s also a great way for creative students to express themselves and showcase their work. Of course, social media can also be extremely detrimental. Even with the benefits, there are some serious drawbacks. A problem that runs rampant among students — especially of high school age — is cyberbullying. It’s primarily carried out on social media platforms, where a wide audience and the permanent nature of the internet have taken bullying and harassment to a whole new level that no longer ends with dismissal bell. In addition to cyberbullying, the constant pressure to “keep up appearances” and a whole

world of people to compare to, have caused self-image issues and depression among young people, especially girls (https://bit.ly/2zHrggz), in greater numbers than ever before. Social media is also an easy distraction for students, making it a huge productivity killer when there is homework to be done; this can cause chronic stress and insomnia for students who can’t keep focused.

HOW TO BALANCE THE NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE

Since smartphones and social media are here to stay, and they do offer many benefits, it’s important that students know how to balance their usage. Taking advantage of the best parts of these tools while staving off the detrimental aspects will ensure that their physical and mental well-beings are taken care of. When it comes to screen time, limiting use is the best way to combat the damaging effects it can have on eyes and the risk of headaches. When long screen sessions can’t be avoided due to studying and homework, students should keep eye health in mind (https://bit.ly/2oNmE1j) and do things like eye exercises and take scheduled screen breaks. Screen breaks are great times to get in some movement

as well and keep those long sessions from getting too sedentary. Students can use those times to do some quick exercises like jumping jacks, get in some stretches, or take a walk around the block. There are apps that can give movement reminders and track steps, so even when taking a screen break, smartphones are still offering benefits. Limiting social media use is important for both productivity and mental well-being. While electronics and phones are bound to be a part of an average student’s everyday life, social media doesn’t have to be. While one doesn’t have to give up social media completely, taking conscious breaks from it can do wonders for keeping mental health and overall well-being in check. Students can limit everyday use by deleting the apps off their phones and reserving social media checks to just when on a computer. For those who don’t want to delete apps — especially for more smartphone-specific apps like Snapchat and Instagram — stash the apps away in a folder on the last page of apps, making them harder to access and thus removing the ability to constantly check them. Every once in a while, taking a week-long break, or even longer, can be a wonderful social media detox when things feel especially heavy and hopeless. Students with iPhones will soon be able to benefit from new features that will control app and screen time, (https://nyti.ms/2ulJdwB) which will help those who struggle to disengage on their own. Smartphones and social media have been a big feature in the lives of today’s students, and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. As with any technological advancements adopted by younger generations, there are both benefits and detriments. With careful consideration and mindful use, the benefits of smartphones and social media can outweigh the negative aspects. The key to balance is to limit use where possible, and to stay present in the moment when engaging.

Mila Sanchez is a writer with a BA in English Linguistics. Her ambitions include traveling the world, studying languages, and taking pictures of her dog, Baymax. Connect with her on Twitter and Instagram! Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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Student LifeHacks Series: 1

By Amelia Mezrahi

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(it’s never too early to start)

SAVE ON TESTING AND COLLEGE APPLICATION FEES.

Testing and application fees add up and can be well over a $1,000 in some cases. But most colleges will waive application fees if you demonstrate financial need. If you get an SAT or ACT waiver, you should be automatically eligible. For the SAT Waiver, you can look up on the fee waiver service on the College Board. You can also request a fee waiver on the Common Application form. There are also several other forms that you can usually get from your high school guidance counselor’s office.

You will want to get the very best rates before school starts and it is best to shop around now when you have the time to do the research. Government loans offer the best rates and the most flexibility. Private loans vary more widely on the terms and many require a cosigner. The stronger the credit rating of your cosigner, the lower the rate you may get.

Most schools will require freshman to be on meal plan and some require all students living on campus to have one. These meal plans can cost thousands of dollars a year. And virtually no students will make full use of their plan, so it is usually much cheaper to cook for yourself and/or eat on your own. You know your own habits. Are you the type to occasionally skip breakfast or lunch (or just grab an energy bar, smoothie or some fruit)? Then you are probably already losing money on the plan. So, before school starts, you should make sure you are signed up for the minimal plan that fits your needs and the school will let you get away with selecting.

#23418f

SET UP A STUDENT BANK ACCOUNT AND SEARCH FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARD DEALS.

Two of the first student offerings you should check out are the ones for bank accounts and new credit cards. In both cases, the fees they charge on student accounts are often substantially lower than what they will charge other customers. Credit cards may also give students extra reward points on a lot of their spending on food, merchandise and entertainment.

LOOK FOR DISCOUNTS.

for School

TIPS FOR SAVING

SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST STUDENT LOAN RATES.

MONEY Life Hacks

As a student you are eligible for lots of discounts at retailers, movie theaters and even for travel. Apps like Retailmenot, scour the web and show the discounts at big brand stores. It can be surprising how many special offers or coupons are out there for a particular store at a given time that you can find online. Unlike Groupon or Living Social, you do not need to purchase anything, just be sure to check online for discounts before walking up to the register. And with an app, there is no need to hold onto physical coupons.

CONTROL YOUR SPENDING.

Getting a handle on your spending will not only help you save for college now, but also helps instill the discipline to keep your costs down in college and beyond. First, analyze what are your recurring monthly costs. For example, looking at your cell phone service, can you save by switching to a plan with less data/fewer minutes (especially as chances are at school Wi-Fi should be present almost everywhere)? What about switching cellular providers altogether? Second, some of the biggest savings come from discretionary purchases. A $3 latte may feel good at the time, but buy one every day and its $1,000 at the end of year. Consider using a spending management app. Cutting back is hard, but apps can help. For example, Mint and Clarity Money analyze all of your financial activities across your various accounts and develop a budget from your spending patterns. Other apps like Qapital round up the bill any time you use your debit card and deposit the difference in a savings account for you.

USE CASH.

The easiest way to discipline your spending is to use cash rather than credit cards. You can dole out your budget in advance daily or weekly, making it harder to exceed your budget. Take a fixed amount of cash out of each paycheck for spending and save the rest.

#168fce GET A JOB.

Earning spending money and showing personal responsibility are always important. Getting a job can also give you a chance to start saving. If you are able to balance work and school, great. One popular choice to consider is tutoring. Hours are flexible, which makes it easier to work while in high school. It is also something you can continue when you are in college. Or try babysitting. Companies like Sittercity can let you post your availability to babysit when it works for your schedule and build your reputation over time. But even if you are about to graduate, it is time to spend that first summer after high school with a job, any job. Not only will that money prove very useful later in college, but it will help instill discipline for you to be motivated when school starts. Once at college, you can look at work-study opportunities. Work-studies often work in academic departments doing light office work.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

[ 29 ]

MONEY

>>> Don’t assume that you can’t win any scholarships as an undergraduate—you just have to know where to look

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UNDERGRADUATE

SCHOLARSHIPS

eed money for college? Student loans might be the first thing that comes into your head, but you should start looking for undergraduate scholarships first. Also called “gift aid”, or “tuition aid”, undergraduate scholarships are funds that don’t need to be paid back.

START YOUR UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH

Start your search with a visit to your local public library, high school counselor and prospective college’s financial-aid office website. Also search scholarship databases online (three good places to start are www. supercollege.com, www.fastweb.com and www.DoSomething.org). Don’t forget to contact local businesses about potential scholarship opportunities, including your workplace and community, religious and civic organizations. Though some undergraduate scholarships are reserved for students with special skills and qualifications, you don’t need to be a star athlete or gifted artist to qualify for this free money.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

Awards also can be based on your hobbies, organizational affiliations, career goals, geographic area, ethnicity and financial need. There are also many unusual scholarships (https:// bit.ly/2Lg7N8r) out there, such as one for left-handed students or for designing your prom attire using duct tape! The bottom line is: Don’t assume you’re ineligible for undergraduate scholarships. If you start your search early enough and search often enough, you have an excellent chance of finding free money.

SEARCH AND APPLICATION TIPS

The scholarship search and application process can be overwhelming. Thousands of undergraduate scholarships are available, and you’re not going to be eligible for every single one. But if you start looking as early as possible (now is perfect), stay organized and keep on searching even when you feel like you’ve exhausted all your leads, you have a better chance of scoring a scholarship.

MONEY

OTHER TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND DURING YOUR SEARCH INCLUDE: Prioritize awards by how closely you meet the applicant requirements. Put the deadline and priority of each award on a calendar so you know which applications to complete first. Request scholarship information as early as possible, and be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. List the materials you will need for each scholarship application so you’ll know how many transcripts and letters of recommendation you will need.

Make your application stand out. Scholarship committees (and college admissions officers) look favorably on candidates who participate in extracurricular activities or do volunteer work. Get involved in your school if you aren’t already.

Include a cover letter with your application that highlights your college plans and career goals, as well as any personal information you might want considered during the scholarship committee’s decision process.

When it’s time to submit your completed application, be sure to send all required documents with your application. Otherwise, your application could be considered incomplete. Also, you might want to send it via certified mail so you can ensure the documents are received.

Make copies of every application you submit for your records. Send a thank-you note once your application has been received. This gesture can only better your chances with the committee.

BE SCAM SAVVY! Be wary of undergraduate scholarship scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Here are a few common examples: Sketchy free seminars—Although some hosting organizations are legitimate, a number are disguised sales pitches for fee-based scholarship searches or high-interest-rate loans.

Fee-based scholarship searches—Be wary if an organization asks for an up-front fee for scholarship matching/searching services. Many of these companies will just take your money and disappear without helping you. Paying fees to get an edge over other scholarship seekers doesn’t work, but diligent searching, good organization and use of free resources do.

Scholarships requiring an application fee—Multiply a $10 fee times 2,000 applicants for just one $1,000 scholarship, and companies requiring you to pay for a chance at a scholarship have already made a huge profit. There are thousands of legitimate scholarships available each year that don’t cost a dime for you to apply!

Random scholarship prize—Exercise caution if someone contacts you and says you’ve won a scholarship for which you never applied. And if these organizations request a redemption fee or bank account information in order to hold your scholarship money, exercise extreme caution and contact the authorities.

By Audrey Rutherford- she has extensive experience with communications and content within consulting and financial services industry. This article first appeared on https://www.nextstepu.com/undergraduate-scholarships.art. Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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“SENIOR” COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

2018 / 2019

SEPTEMBER 2018

JANUARY 2019

Make sure that you have by now thought through your educations goals and developed a list of colleges

Develop a system to track scholarships and continue the search

Continue to take a full course load and work on your grades. They do matter in the senior year. Develop a system to organize and track material, due dates and actions Research all application, testing, financial aid and scholarship deadlines and tasks Meet with your counselors and teachers to review your plans Talk to your counselors to see if you are eligible for fee waivers for applications Check your transcript so far for accuracy If you need to take/retake ACT or SAT, check the dates for registration and prepare for them Go to school’s information sessions or any scheduled college rep visits Start on your applications, Common App., or any college specific applications Make a list of those you want to work on your recommendation letters and prepare folders for each one Determine if Early Action or Early Decision is for you

OCTOBER 2018

Complete and file applications that are due by January 15th Make copies of the application for your record Complete school-specific financial aid forms Make sure any updated test scores from exam retakes have been sent to colleges If you have not completed the college application by January 15th, speak with your counselors. There are still college choices to consider

FEBRUARY 2019 Most college-specific financial aid deadlines are in February File all federal financial aid forms, filing date is usually February 15th Make sure that your first semester grades have been sent to colleges If you filed early for FAFSA, you should receive your student aid report (SAR) and a similar document from the CSS PROFILE Stay on track with your grades and extracurricular activities

MARCH 2019 Decision letters will begin to arrive!

Thank those who have provided recommendation letters for you

Review your financial aid packages closely and determine the best financial plan

Make sure you fill out FAFSA and if you need to file CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE as many private schools require this. Both are available starting on October 1st.

Consider a plan for visiting campuses

Make sure you have all your application material ready if you are applying for Early Action or Early Decision, in order to complete this by November 1-15. Check your schools’ deadline. If you are an athlete make sure you are registered with the NCAA Start your search for scholarships early

Tell your counselors on the responses you get from schools Review student aid report for accuracy and notify FAFSA and colleges of any inaccuracies

APRIL 2019 Follow up with schools that you were wait-listed

Work on your application essay if colleges on your list require them

Determine any strategies for financial aid and scholarships for the schools you have been accepted to

NOVEMBER 2018

Write thank you letters to teachers and advisors who wrote recommendation letters and helped you

Complete and file early action or early decision applications if you are considering these Take or re-take any ACT, SAT or SAT subject tests (if they are needed)

Prepare to notify your college of choice by the National Decision Day of May 1

Complete your FAFSA if you haven’t already

MAY 2019

Follow up to make sure test scores have been sent to colleges

Acceptance letters are due by May 1st, the National Decision Day

Email or contact colleges to check the status of your application material

Send deposits to the accepted school

Check with colleges to see if additional financial forms are required

Notify schools that accepted you that you will not be attending

Speak with students, college ambassadors and others in schools you are applying to

Complete the final transcript request form with your school

If using dual enrollment, contact the college for your transcripts

DECEMBER 2018 ROTC application is due by December 1st Continue to work on your applications and complete all necessary documents for the main January application deadline Use your winter break to plan out the second term and the remaining months Make sure test scores have been sent to colleges Send out mid-year grade reports to colleges

If applicable, take IB and AP tests; AP exam week 1 and 2 Dual enrollment students must complete their transcript request in order to transfer their college credits

JUNE 2019 Confirm that the final transcript is sent to your college Notify college of any private scholarship received Graduate from high school!!! Make a plan for summer activities including visiting schools and taking pre-college courses Keep track of any college summer mailings. Most have deadlines or require action such as orientation, housing forms and scholarships.

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Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

TIMELINE

“JUNIOR” COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

2018 / 2019

FALL 2018

WINTER 2018

Begin understanding college planning timeline for junior and senior years

Conduct scholarship search for local, state and federal levels Prepare for SAT and ACT by taking practice tests Check out test dates and register for SAT/ACT or both which is administered in the spring If you are considering IB or AP, register for them as they are administered in May Consider taking CLEP exams to earn college credit for courses that are not included in the AP exam

Create a system to collect information on colleges, testing, applications and financial aid Start making a list of what you want to study in college and majors or interests you would like to pursue. Remember majors can be highly specialized these days. Meet with your counselor for a plan of action and strategies Check out any local college fairs or college rep visits Start searching financial aid options and check out sources such as StudentAid.ed.gov See if you want to take PSAT administered in October Determine any material that is needed for special interests such as sports, music, art, or jobs you have had. Determine if you want to take pre-college and college prep classes in the summer and determine the deadline for applying to them

SPRING 2019

SUMMER 2019

Make a list of 15-20 colleges you are interested in and your strategy Make final plans for the summer pre-college, college prep and supplementary courses you want to take in the summer Speak with your counselor if you are interested in ROTC or military academies Begin the 4- year ROTC scholarship application if applicable Check with your counselor on your college plan and activities to prep for in the summer and senior year

Visit colleges and speak to students and ambassadors Download all application material for colleges you are interested in applying to Complete your summer college program or the job you have landed Take workshops online or in your local community on writing essays and creating your resume Put together your academic, extracurricular and work accomplishments portfolio Relax and enjoy your summer as you will need to be energized for your senior year.

Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

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GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT COLLEGE-RELATED TERMS ACT The ACT is a multiple-choice standardized test that is designed to measure knowledge in four academic areas – English, math, reading, and science reasoning. The minimum score is 1 and the maximum is 36 for each area. The composite score is an average of the four individual scores. Most colleges accept the ACT in place of the SAT and recommend that students take the optional writing test as well. (actstudent.org) ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) AP courses are college-level classes taught in the high school following guidelines and covering material that will instruct students in AP subject areas and should prepare them to take Advanced Placement tests offered by The College Board. ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE An Associate’s Degree is a two-year degree earned in a specific subject (often at a community college). AWARD LETTER An award letter from a school states the type and amount of financial aid the school is willing to provide the student, if s/he accepts admission and registers as a full-time student. BACHELOR’S DEGREE A Bachelor’s Degree (B.A., B.S., B.F.A.) is typically a four-year degree earned in a specific subject. This degree is offered by all four-year colleges. COMMUNITY COLLEGE Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, technical colleges, or city colleges, are primarily two-year public institutions providing higher education and lower-level courses, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees. Many also offer continuing and adult education. After graduating from a community college, some students transfer to a four-year liberal arts college or university for two to three years to complete a bachelor's degree. COLLEGE FAIR An event at which colleges, universities, and other organizations related to higher education present themselves in an exposition atmosphere for the purpose of attracting and identifying potential applicants.

FAFSA FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You will need to complete this form in order to be considered for financial aid. The information you provide on this form is sent to the college, which, in turn, generates your financial aid package. Visit fafsa.gov for more information. FEE WAIVER Students who receive free or reduced-price lunch, and/or whose family income meets certain financial guidelines, are eligible to take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT for free (two test administrations each). Most colleges will also accept application fee waivers in these circumstances. Some fee waivers for college applications are limited - check in the College Office for availability. Be sure to complete your lunch forms every year, since they are used to determine fee waiver eligibility. GAP-YEAR PROGRAM Year-long programs designed for high school graduates who wish to defer enrollment in college while engaging in meaningful activities, such as academic programs, structured travel, community service, etc. GPA (GRADE POINT AVERAGE) A system used by many colleges for evaluating the overall academic performance of students. It is calculated by first determining the number of grade points a student has earned in each course completed and then dividing the sum of all grade points by the number of hours of course work carried. Grade points are found by multiplying the number of hours completed in a course by the student’s grade in the course. The most common system of numerical values for grades is A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0. HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCU) Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community. There are more than100 HBCUs today, including public and private, two-year and four-year institutions, medical schools and community colleges. INSTATE (RESIDENT) STUDENT A student whose permanent residence is in the same state as the college or university he or she attends or hopes to attend. In-state students pay lower tuition than do out-of-state students.

COMMON APPLICATION A generic application form which is used by over 600 private and public colleges. It may be completed and submitted online. Students may send the same application to multiple colleges, however, college-specific supplements are often required as well. (commonapp.org)

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE High school athletes who plan to play Division I or II in college, must complete NCAA eligibility forms prior to attending college to ensure that they have met certain GPA and SAT/ACT requirements. Visit eligibilitycenter.org for more information. Fee waivers are available.

CSS PROFILE The College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE is an online application that collects information used by almost 300 colleges and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government. After you fill out the application, the College Board sends it to the colleges and scholarship programs you have chosen. Only certain colleges require this form, so visit collegeboard.org for more information.

OUT-OF-STATE (NON-RESIDENT) STUDENT Student whose permanent residence is in a different state than that of the college or university which he or she attends or hopes to attend. Out-of-state students generally pay higher tuition than do instate students.

DEFERRED ADMISSION A category of admission used in conjunction with early (action, decision, notification, or acceptance) plans to indicate that a student has not been admitted early but will remain in the applicant pool for reconsideration during the review of applications for regular admissions. DEMONSTRATED INTEREST This includes a student’s expression of his or her desire to attend a particular college through campus visits, contact with admissions officers, and other actions that attract the attention of college admissions personnel. While not all institutions use this as a factor in accepting students for admissions, studies have shown that many schools do consider demonstrated interest in their admissions decisions. EARLY ACTION The Early Action Plan follows the same application and notification timetable as the Early Decision Plan but allows the accepted candidates until May 1 to accept or decline the offer of admission. If you are applying to a school under the Early Action Plan, you may still apply to other colleges that interest you. Under the Early Action Plan, it is possible for an applicant to be denied admission and not automatically be deferred for later consideration. Unless your credentials are truly superior, you must be careful about applying under a plan that may not be advantageous to your chance for admission. EARLY DECISION Some colleges allow students to apply to their first choice colleges early in the fall term (usually by November 1 or 15) and receive an admissions decision in mid-December. This program is desirable for students who have strong academic credentials and a preference for one particular college. The student agrees by contract to enter that college if offered admission and must withdraw all other applications. The student must accept whatever financial aid package he or she is offered and is not able to compare packages offered by different colleges. If a student is not accepted under the Early Decision Plan and is “deferred,” the student will be reconsidered later in the year with the regular application pool. A student may apply to only one school under the Early Decision Plan. Check the college website to see if Early Decision is offered. It is important to plan ahead so you can complete all of the required SAT/ACT and SAT Subject tests by October of your senior year. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Extracurricular activities are simply anything you do that is not a high school course or paid employment (but note that paid work experience is of interest to colleges and can substitute for some extracurricular activities). You should define your extracurricular activities in broad terms including school-sponsored groups such as yearbook, band or football as well as community and family activities.

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Magazine • Fall 2018 • www.nextstepu.com

PSAT/NMSQT The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a two-hour examination containing both critical reading and mathematical questions. This test may be taken by sophomores and juniors; however, only your junior year score will be submitted to the National Merit Scholarship Competition. The PSAT/NMSQT is offered only once each year. ROLLING ADMISSIONS A rolling admissions procedure means that the college’s admissions office will review an applicant’s file (which includes the student’s application and all supporting data such as high school transcript, SAT/ACT and SAT Subject test scores, and teacher recommendations) as soon as possible after the completed application is received. It is in the student’s best interest that his/her application is submitted as early as possible before degree programs fill up. Decisions are issued within a few weeks after they are made. Students should consult college websites for priority filing dates. Many city and state universities, as well as some private colleges, use the rolling admissions process. However, in many cases your chances of admission are improved considerably by applying as early as possible before academic programs are filled to capacity. There is no implied commitment on your part to attend. SAFETY SCHOOL A college or university where you clearly meet the admission requirements: minimum GPA, test scores, etc. It’s important, though, that the school also be one that you would want to attend, should you not gain admission to more selective colleges. SAT The SAT is a standardized test composed of two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. There is also an optional essay section. The score range for each section is 200800. These scores are used by colleges as a predictor of a student’s ability to master academic subjects, and are used in making admissions decisions. The exam should be taken in the spring of junior year, and again in the fall of senior year. (collegeboard.org) SAT SUBJECT TESTS The SAT Subject Tests are approximately one hour in length. They are designed to measure your knowledge of a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge. Many selective colleges require or recommend one or more subject tests for admission and/or placement. Some colleges leave the choice of subject tests up to the applicant, while others have specific requirements. Be sure to consult individual college catalogs to determine the requirements of the colleges you are considering. TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL) Students whose native language is not English and who have received low critical reading scores on the SAT or ACT may be required (by certain colleges) to take the TOEFL exam, which is designed to assess foreign-born students’ proficiency in English.

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