Back to College 2013

• Most Popular Majors • How to Get Better Grades • Get Involved • Student Loan Debt • Continuing Education

Thursday, January 31, 2013

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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013

Most Popular College Majors Thousands of high schoolers will be graduating and many will be going on to college in the fall, a decision that may have been difficult to make.

When pondering their futures, high schoolers may wonder whether college is necessary and a smart choice for success. Although every student is different and there are scenarios that can affect anyone’s future, the decision to attend college is generally beneficial. It often opens up doors and opportunities in the workplace that a high school diploma alone cannot.

Here are some things to consider: * Ours is a global economy with many job applicants being pooled from all over the world. A higher education becomes a necessity rather than a luxury. * College may open up opportunities for internships, which offer hands-on experience in particular fields. * College can help develop social skills that are a benefit in and out of the workplace. * Generally college graduates earn higher salaries than those who only have a high school diploma.

When students go on to college, there are some majors that prove more popular than others. But the most popular majors don’t always ensure the best-paying or most rewarding jobs. According to CareerBuilder.com, here are the more popular college majors and what they generally pay in salary. * Biology: A biology degree is often the first step in a career in medicine. Biologists may specialize in biochemistry and pharmaceuticals, which may offer careers that pay a little more. Biology majors can expect to earn between $39,000 to $45,000. * Business Administration: These graduates are often in the right path for careers in real estate and

The College Admissions Process

infrastructure of big companies. These grads often go on to get MBAs and eventually become executives, some even CEOs. Starting salaries are among the more lucrative at around $57,000. * Communications: These majors are often in competition with English majors for the same jobs, which can include interpreting visual and verbal messages, advertising, journalism, public relations, and speech writing. Salaries may start around $31,000. * Criminal Justice: These graduates have a number of options at their disposal, but tend to gravitate to law enforcement. Government jobs can be stable and lucrative, and a good option for criminal justice majors. Starting salaries average about $38,000. * Elementary education: Education is one of the few careers that continues to grow and provide good options for applicants. Although good teachers are an asset to future students and workers, a teacher earns the lowest starting salary of the most popular majors, averaging just $29,500. * Nursing: Nursing is one of the largest industries inside of the health care niche and continues to add workers. Nurses have a wide range of options in jobs.

Salaries begin around $41,000. * Psychology: This is the second most popular major, usually for students who are unsure as to where they want to go in college. Psychology students often combine their major with others to have a specific concentration, such as adolescent counseling or teaching. Starting salaries are around $46,000.

College can unlock doors in the career world.

Depending on what students want to earn after graduation, college majors should be based on interests and earning potential.

By EducationQuest Foundation If you haven’t already visited your top colleges, plan to visit early in your senior year. A campus visit can help you narrow your choices and get started on the admissions process. Along with a campus tour, visit admissions and financial aid offices to learn more about the school and get personal help.

In October and November, contact your top colleges to learn about admission requirements and deadlines to apply for admission, college-based scholarships and financial aid.

If possible, meet with college representatives who visit your school, or find this information on the colleges’ websites.

Most colleges require the following items with your application: Your high school transcript with class rank; ACT/SAT scores; List of extracurricular activities; Application fee.

Some colleges also require an essay and letters of recommendation. See your guidance counselor for tips on writing the college admissions essay. If you need letters of recommendation, ask your teachers or counselor for them well in advance.

Stay Organized- Keep a calendar with deadlines for each school, and create a folder for each school to store correspondence, brochures, and other information.

Get Help- You don’t need to tackle the college admissions process alone. There are many resources available to help you through. Parents can help keep track of deadlines, gather required records, visit campuses with you, and give you encouragement and feedback. You’ll need your parents’ help with planning finances and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Guidance counselors can help you articulate your academic goals and match you to appropriate schools and programs.

Admissions representatives can help you get to know the campus and keep you on track with deadlines.

EducationQuest Foundation provides free college planning services and can answer your financial aid questions. Call the Kearney office at 800-666-3721, Lincoln office at 800-303-3745, or Omaha office at 888357-6300.

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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013

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What to Consider When Choosing a College How to Get Better Grades in High School for your college education.

By EducationQuest Foundation

Start narrowing your college choices during your junior year so you have plenty of time to select the best school for you.

Following are questions to help you start, and common mistakes to avoid.

What do you want to study?

If you know what you want to study, research schools that offer programs in that area. If you don’t know what to study, it’s okay - many students begin college undeclared and some pursue academic transfer programs at community colleges.

What kind of school do you want to attend?

Do you prefer a large university or a small college? Are you interested in a community college? What kind of student/ teacher ratio do you want?

What can you afford?

Consider the overall cost: tuition, room and board, books, transportation and personal expenses. Determine what you and your parents can afford to pay out-ofpocket and plan to apply for financial aid to make up the difference. Calculate the loan debt your family may need to incur

Where do you want to go to college?

Do you want to live close to home and commute? Do you want to be in a major city or a small town? How big of a factor is out-of-state or private school tuition? If you want to go out of state, investigate reciprocity programs such as the Midwest Student Exchange Program.

Avoid these college search mistakes Don’t limit your search to familiar institutions. Just because your parents or siblings went to a certain college doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

Don’t limit your search to colleges you think you can afford. The more expensive the school, the more financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

Don’t choose a college just because it’s near your boyfriend or girlfriend. The school may not be a good match for you.

Don’t insist on an out-of-state school just because you want to “get away.” Even if you attend college in your hometown, you can still “get away” by staying on campus most weekends.

Most of the editorial content for this section was provided by EducationQuest Foundation.

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By EducationQuest Foundation

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) says a lot about the effort you put into school -- which translates into how well you’ll do in college and in a career.

Follow these tips to earn the best grades possible: Use a planner or assignment notebook. It’s a great way to keep up with homework assignments and extracurricular activities.

Take careful notes in class and while you’re reading. This will help you retain information and keep your mind from wandering.

Review your notes each evening. This will help keep the information fresh in your mind and will make it easier to study for tests.

Ask questions when you don’t understand something. If you don’t want to ask during class, set up a time after class to meet with your teacher or send your teacher an email.

Set aside time after school for studying. By late evening, you’ll be too tired to absorb information.

Limit distractions. Find a quiet place to study and avoid TV, your cell phone and social networking websites.

Ask your teacher how you can improve your grades. He or she may offer extra credit opportunities or provide strategies to help you succeed in that class.

Form or join a study group. Setting up a time to study with others will help ensure that you get the work done.

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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013

Getting Involved Can Pave the Way to College

By EducationQuest Foundation

Getting involved in high school is an important part of college planning. When considering your application, a college looks at more than your grades—they want to know who you are when you’re not in class.

Involvement in extracurricular activities also increases your chances of earning scholarships.

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ENGLISH, MATH, READING, SCIENCE, REASONING, WRITING AND MORE!

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Volunteer and paid work, community service, clubs, sports, music and church activities are all considered extracurricular activities. Choose activities that utilize your strengths or help you develop new skills. Your activities may even help you decide on a college major and career path.

Find an activity you can stick with and take an active role to develop leadership skills. Colleges will notice your commitment and contribution to your school or community.

Here’s how to get started:

Ask your classmates what activities they enjoy Talk to your guidance counselor about school-based activities Consider joining a youth group at church Contact local service organizations such as your church or the United Way Visit your city’s website for a list of volunteer activities If there isn’t an organized activity that suits you, create one!

Talk to the appropriate person at your school or church, and ask for their help in forming a group. In the process, you will demonstrate leadership and organizational skills, and get to meet others who share your interests.

To keep a written record of all of your activities, including your paid jobs, use the Activities Resume at EducationQuest.org. This tool will help you build a resume for college admissions and scholarship applications.

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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013

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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013

Answering Questions About Continuing Education Adults go back to school for a variety of reasons. They may have personal accomplishment goals or their motivation could be purely financial. Unemployment has recently led many individuals back to the classroom.

Many colleges and universities report that re-entry or adult students are the new majority on campus. Adults ages 25 to 69 are increasingly enrolling in courses around the country.

Going back to school is a serious undertaking. Not only is it an investment of time, but it is also an investment of money. For those thinking about going back to school, consider these questions.

1. Is now the right time? Those going back to school because they think it might provide better job prospects or yield higher salaries could be mistaken. Many employers are cutting continuingeducation grants and scaling back on hires with advanced degrees. That’s because companies are feeling the heat of the recession as well. Advanced degrees generally mean having to pay an employee a higher salary, something many companies are not in a position to do right now. Therefore, an advanced degree might prove a hindrance in today’s job market and not become the financial windfall some students expect. If this is the case, delaying an advanced degree for a few years may be a more financially sound idea.

2. What are your goals? Individuals

need to examine their long and short-term goals regarding education. Goals should include whether time is available to complete the degree. Some degrees can take months or years to finish, depending on how many credits a person already has.

Is the goal to receive a completely different degree and begin a new career? If so, adults should put it down on paper so they have a definite goal in sight.

3. Are the finances available?

Attending school is no small undertaking.

Whether a public, private or online school, tuition can cost several thousand dollars per year. Tests taken to be accepted to school can cost money, and books will be needed for coursework. If money is tight right now, continuing school may not be the best option, especially if highinterest loans are the only viable means to continuing education. However, if the finances are there and school won’t detract from other bills, then school might be the right choice.

4. What is the right school? Those who have a full-time job can look into a school the offers evening or weekend classes.

Many schools now offer online courses that allow individuals to take classes remotely. There is a growing interest in schools that specifically specialize in online degrees, such schools enable students to take classes on their own time and complete assignments in a manner that’s less time-specific. Continuing students who may not have a spouse or children can move around to the school of choice. once again, finances figure to play a major role when deciding on a school.

5. Is a college degree really necessary?

For many, continuing education doesn’t mean heading to a college campus. It can involve taking certificate programs and vocational training.

By EducationQuest Foundation

After a six-year college career and $30,000 in student loan debt, Brad from Lincoln finally has his teaching degree – but there’s a problem. He can’t afford to be a teacher. Not with a $400 a month student loan payment on top of his other expenses.

Brad, who now works construction to earn a living, had to rely on student loans to finance much of his education. As he looks back, he sees how he could have ended up with less debt. Follow his advice to avoid a similar situation: Carefully research your college to make sure it’s a good fit. Brad transferred to three different schools adding two additional years of school and loan debt.

Compare your future estimated salary to your estimated college debt. Work while you go to college and use that money to pay living expenses. Use your student loan money only for tuition, books and fees.

Keep track of your student loan debt throughout college at www.nslds.ed.gov (use your Department of Education PIN to access your data). Brad didn’t realize how much he had accumulated until his senior year of college.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

By EducationQuest Foundation

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Realities of Student Loan Debt

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for federal, state, and college-specific financial aid. Typically, you apply after January 1 of your senior year and every year you’re in college. Follow these steps to apply: 1. Ask your prospective colleges for their FAFSA priority date. Since some financial aid is awarded first-come firstserved, plan to complete the FAFSA before the priority date.

2. Request a PIN Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for you and a parent at http://www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN is your signature for the electronic FAFSA and is used to track your financial aid application.

3. Complete and file the FAFSA Complete and submit the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. The results will be sent to the colleges listed on your application. If you need help with the FAFSA, see the FAFSA Demo at EducationQuest.org or make an appointment with EducationQuest.

4. Expect your SAR and award notifications After submitting your FAFSA, expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) that acknowledges your form was processed, and can be used to make corrections to your FAFSA. The colleges will then send financial aid award notification detailing the assistance they’re offering. You might

receive a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans.

5. Compare and accept award notifications Compare financial aid awards from the colleges. Calculate your out-of-pocket expenses for each school to get the entire financial picture. Accept and return the award notifications so you can keep your options open until you make your final college selection.

6. Apply for student and parent loans, if necessary After you select a college, inform the other schools of your decision and then work with your college to apply for student loans, if you need them. The college will provide the required documents.

Financial Aid Formula All colleges use this formula to calculate financial aid eligibility.

Financial Aid Formula Annual cost of college - Expected family contribution (FAFSA results) Financial need The college will come as close as possible to meeting your financial need with scholarships, grants, work-study and student loans.

NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013

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What to Expect Your Freshman Year of College

By EducationQuest Foundation

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the differences between high school and college. There are a lot of new things to learn and adjustments to make in a short amount of time. Here are some of the challenges you might face, and some tips on how to manage them.

Homesickness. When you go to college, you leave your home, your parents, and probably your friends. It’s natural to feel a sense of loss. To help get you through this and gain a sense of belonging, attend freshmen orientation activities, get involved in extracurricular activities, and find a part-time job. It’s important to stay busy and be in situations where you’ll meet new people.

Roommates. It’s possible that you’ll be sharing your living space with a complete stranger.

This can be a challenge if, for example, one of you is messy and the other a neat-freak. You’ll also have to deal with each other’s friends and significant others.

Be respectful, considerate, and learn to compromise.

A multi- cultural environment.

Not only is college itself a different culture, it’s a community of different cultures. You will be in a learning environment with students from all over the world. Take advantage of this and learn as much as you can about how

other people live and think.

Time management. You’ll spend less time in class than you did in high school. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll have more time. You are expected to work harder and manage your own time. Use time between classes to study and find a balance between studying and socializing.

Weight gain. People joke about it, but the truth is you may gain some weight when you go to college. Dorm meal plans are generous, vending machines and fast food restaurants are always near. The best way to manage the “freshman fifteen� is to hit the gym and avoid the late-night snacks.

Academic expectations.

In college, you’re expected to express ideas and opinions, not simply learn and recite what the professor has told you.

Participate in classroom discussion, and if necessary, visit with your professors during their office hours.

Remember, you’re not alone. You don’t have to figure all of this out by yourself. Join activities and make new friends, get to know your academic advisor and professors, and ask questions. Before you know it, the stress of starting college will melt away and you may experience some of the best times of your life.

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NORFOLK DAILY NEWS, Thursday, January 31, 2013