Did you take an SAT or ACT prep course in high school? Do you think it helped? A new report says probably not … at least not as much as you’d like to think.

Tamara Keith from American Public Media reports that preparing for the SAT is a good idea, but you’d probably get the same benefit from a $30 at-home study guide as a multi-thousand dollar test-prep course.

David Hawkins from The National Association of College Admissions Counseling says “There needs to be a buyer-beware notice for students and families who are thinking about commercial test preparation.” The group pulled together a report that says the average score increase as a result of prep courses is only 30 points. Out of 2,400.

Hmm … while that might be enough to make or break an Ivy League acceptance for a few people, it’s probably not worth it to the rest of us.

Whether you took an SAT prep course or not, what if your score didn’t turn out quite as high as you’d like? Don’t worry! Standardized tests aren’t for everyone – we know that.

Not all schools require an ACT/SAT score for admission. Schools that don’t often offer a more targeted education, building practical skills rather than general knowledge. Career colleges and technical schools around the country realize that your priorities are different – that test scores don’t matter to you as much as starting a stable career.

First of all, what is a reverse-transfer? Many school administrators define reverse-transfers as students who transfer from four-year institutions to community colleges to complete part or all of their educations. Today, education professionals are seeking to better understand these students and their motivations for transferring.

A recent issue of Sociology of Education – an American Sociological Association journal – features a report that explores the socioeconomic differences among college transfer students. The sample of students followed in this report began their postsecondary education at a four-year institution. From this group, 33 percent transferred at least once within eight years of graduating from high school. Another 20 percent transferred “laterally,” from one four-year institution to another, and 15 percent transferred in “reverse” to a community college.

Among all these different transfer students, lateral transfers were much more likely than reverse transfers to complete their bachelor’s degree – 69 percent compared to 22 percent. However, both of these figures are lower than the graduation rate of students who don’t transfer at all. They completed their bachelor’s degrees at a rate of 79 percent.

So, if graduation rates are lower for reverse-transfer students, why do some students choose this route? Many education experts assumed that a student’s income, or the income of his or her family would be the deciding factor, but this was actually not the strongest indicator of a transfer decision. According to this study, the strongest indicator of a student’s transfer status is his or her parents’ education level.

Most often, students whose parents had more than a bachelor’s degree were some of the least likely to reverse-transfer. But on the other end of this spectrum, students whose parents had not completed high school were most likely to transfer to a community college.

What could be some reasons behind these trends? Sara Goldrick-Rob, a professor of education policy studies and sociology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, believes first-generation college students face unique challenges and struggle academically during their first year of college. But Professor Goldrick-Rob does have ideas for how to better support these students. In her opinion, four-year colleges have the responsibility to offer these students extra resources to help them succeed. Opportunities for extra advising and information could make the difference in these students’ lives and educations.

So, depending on your situation, leaving your four-year college for community colleges or online colleges might be a better choice. But if you’re thinking about it, explore some of the resources available at your current school. Sticking it out might be the better choice in the long run.

A mysterious superhero has descended upon several Universities throughout the United States.

Recently, at least nine college institutions have received gifts totaling over $45 million from a mystery donor. What’s unusual is no one, not even the universities, knows where the money came from.

Typically when an educational institution receives an anonymous donation – they are allowed to know the identity of the donor.  In the recent donation sweep, however – lawyers and middlemen have cornered academic institutions into signed agreements not only disallowing them to know the identity of the donor, but promising not to try and find out.

Some of the schools that received the donations are the University of Iowa colleges receiving 7 million, the University of Southern Mississippi college receiving 6 million, and Purdue’s Indiana college receiving 8 million. It’s not clear whether the gifts come from an individual, organization or group of people with similar interests.

All donations were given on March 1st. Each came with the stipulation that most of the money must go to student scholarships.
Donations have dwindled at several colleges, and many schools have been trying to make ends meet during this economic downturn. These gifts show that someone recognizes the importance of higher education and truly wants to make a difference in the lives of students.  Historically speaking, and only exempting some of the Ivy League institutions – a larger endowment is a typical prelude to enrollment increase.

I would certainly be on the lookout at these specific universities enrollment metrics over the next academic year – as opportunity might arise for those looking to attend one of their programs.

Jonathan Liebman, the CEO of Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, wrote in the September/October 2008 issue of Career College Central  about the fear many students have of success. He points out that many students are the first in their families to graduate from college. Naturally, these students often second guess themselves. What will life be like in this new career? What will change? Do I deserve to be more successful than my parents? Will success cause resentment and pull me away from my childhood friends?

The opportunities an education gives you will introduce you to new people and new experiences. Venturing into uncharted waters can be intimidating but, with a little bravery, you can create a better life for yourself. There is no easy answer to make it through the tough times. Each situation has its own complexities and needs to be addressed in a unique way. But there are some tips that can help you through tough times.

1. Be confident – People trust and react positively to those who are confident, but not cocky. Hold your head high and take pride in what you’ve accomplished. Not feeling very confident in your new role? Fake it. Soon enough, you’ll find that your confidence is sincere.
2. Think of your kids – If your parents did not go to college, it can feel like you are rejecting the life they worked hard to provide. Pretend that you decide that, out of respect for your parents, you decide to not go to school. Fifteen or twenty years from now, your children would be in the same position you are in now. What would you want them to do – have the same challenges you faced without an education, or would you like them to go to college and have a successful career? Most parents strive to provide a better life for their children than they had. It is honoring their sacrifices to take advantage of the opportunities you have.
3. Let go – In order to get what you want out of life, sometimes you need to cut ties with things that are holding you back. If a loved one is not encouraging you to be successful and talking to them about the situation doesn’t help, consider cutting back on the time you spend with them. That can be very tough to do, but if they truly have your best interest at heart, they’d want to help you succeed.

Change can be scary, but success shouldn’t be. Be brave, and don’t let temporary setbacks keep you from the life you want for you and your family.

Are you questioning whether or not college is for you? Do you have concerns or doubts?  When I made the decision to attend college, finance was my number one concern. Other fears included wondering if I could handle the the college workload, if I was choosing the right program or the right school, if my family would support my decision and and many more. 

This kind of fear and self-doubt can prohibit many people from going to a college which can vastly improve their lives.  A new website, www.college.gov identifies these common concerns and shows ways to overcome them. There are testimonials from students across the country that have triumphed over challenges such as peer pressure, lack of family support, and financial barriers. Against the odds, these students made college a reality.

More features of the website:

• Create your own roadmap.  No matter what year you are in high school, www.college.gov can create a personalized road map that will layout detailed steps necessary for getting to college.  You can keep the roadmap on your computer, or print it out and put it on your wall or in you locker.  Either way, this roadmap can put you on the path towards college!
• Find the school for you.  Universities, community colleges, or vocational schools, whatever you are looking for, this website can help you find a school to fit your lifestyle.
• Why go? What to do? How to pay?  www.college.gov  helps you realize reasons for going to school such as, increasing your income, finding your passion, proving your potential, growing with help and support, and lifting your family.  It also shows you the step for getting into college and payment options.
• Information for everyone. The website is geared towards high school students but also gives information to parents, families, teachers and counselors.

What sets this website apart from other education sites is that it was made by students for students.  The creators of this website have pinpointed real concerns that high school students have about going to college.  Through their college roadmap, they give us the tools to overcome those obstacles. 

Anyone can make their dream of attending college a reality.  www.college.gov is one tool that can help.

Are you struggling to make a decision about your future? Luckily there are people out there who are more than willing to help you make a smart decision. Keep in mind, there are also people out there who are more than willing to give you their two cents worth of advice when it may not be worth a penny. Who’s opinion counts?

KEY Colleges writer Michael Mackie provides a “semi-comprehensive list of people to avoid when making life-changing college decisions” in his article “The Five Worst People to Listen to … About a College Education.”

In every student’s life there comes a time when they ask themselves, “Am I doing the right thing?!” High school is an exciting time, but it’s also a time to be mindful of the future. Figuring out the who/what/when/where of college can be daunting, especially when everyone and their brother has an opinion on what school is best for you.

Find out whose advice you SHOULD’NT take into consideration on KEY Colleges.

A high school senior was fighting back tears in her guidance counselor’s office. Despite her 92 average, the girl had been rejected by her top three college choices. Another senior, already clad in a new Northwestern T-shirt, interrupted to give his counselor a thumbs-up. He was in.

And so it has gone over the last few weeks, as colleges send their decisions and counselors console, cheer up and otherwise try to help this year’s seniors navigate the end of the admissions process.

“It’s a bittersweet time,” said Susan Buchman, a counselor at Byram Hills High School in Armonk. “You get some kids who are ecstatic because they got into their first choice school, and then there are disappointments. And you get parents who are very upset. They were hoping their kid was going to get into a certain school so that they could put the sticker on the car.” Read the rest of this entry »

Social networking sites are constantly adapting to fit the needs of both high school and college students and now colleges are using these online communities as a resource as well. In The New York Times article Make New Friends Online, and You Won’t Start College Friendless,” Robert Alexander, assistant vice president of enrollment management at Tulane, said reading the group discussions in Facebook was a good way for the university to learn students interests and concerns. Tulane has created its own online group for admitted and prospective students as well.
Read the rest of this entry »

Will colleges continue to award merit-based aid in the years to come? Some schools believe the increasing numbers of low-income students will spur a shift in the use of institutional dollars. USA TODAY’s article “Colleges taking another look at value of merit-based aid,” discusses the potential change in scholarship recipients, as well as how some schools are only rewarding need-based aid already.

By Mary Beth Marklein, USA TODAY

Good grades and high test scores still matter a lot to many colleges as they award financial aid.

But with low-income students projected to make up an ever-larger share of the college-bound population in coming years, some schools are re-examining whether that aid, typically known as merit aid, is the most effective use of precious institutional dollars. Read the rest of this entry »

As mentioned on MSN Careers in the article Job Outlook for Class of 2007, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) predicts college hiring will increase by 17.4 percent in 2007. This is the fourth straight year that new graduate hiring is expected to grow by a double-digit percentage.

According to the fall preview of NACE’s “Job Outlook 2007″ survey, employers cite company growth, retiring employees and high job turnover as key reasons for the rise in hiring.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “2004-2014 Job Outlook for College Graduates” identifies seven prominent career fields that will have significant openings in the years ahead two of which tie in closely to school guidance counseling. Read the rest of this entry »