When one thinks of top colleges, one might think of Harvard, Princeton, Yale, or any of the other ivies. It might come as a surprise to many, then, that Forbes recently ranked The United States Military Acadamy at West Point as the number 1 school in the country.

The venerable institution has produced sine a few presidents, a ton of engineers, a number of astronauts (not too many schools produce astronauts), and very many captains of industry. While a career in the military might not be for everyone (though officers coming out of any of the service academies do have decent starting salaries at ~$62,000 that increase with every promotion), the leadership taught at the academies, as well as the great brand name, certainly make any job candidate with West Point on their resume extremely promising. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the schooling is entirely free, with the government picking up the tab. In fact, not only is it free, but each cadet at the academies are given a monthly stipend. And, of course, they have a gauranteed job lined up for them upon graduation, for five years at that.

Not everyone is fit for the rigorous discipline of the military academies. But, if you feel that you’re up to the physical, mental, and emotional stress that being in college AND the military at the same time places on you, West Point and the other military academies may be good colleges to look into.

View the Forbes article here

Do you want to have a head start in college applications? Does the admissions process seem daunting? Do you want to learn more about college life? Come join us at College Admissions: an Afternoon with the Experts to have your questions answered by students and professionals!

College Admissions: an Afternoon with the Experts will provide students and parents with unique insight and invaluable information on getting accepted. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from admissions officers, alumni interviewers, college counselors, financial aid representatives, and current college students from top universities.

By attending the event, you will be able to…

* Listen to expert opinions on what it means to be a well-rounded student
* Listen to admissions officers talk about the application and financial aid process
* Interact with student representatives from top schools including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Columbia, and more
* Learn about college majors and college life from university students

College Admissions: an Afternoon with the Experts will take place from 2:00pm – 5:00pm on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Brooklyn Technical High School at 29 Fort Greene Place in Brooklyn, NY.

The event is FREE and open to everyone. All attendees will receive a free gift bag and Newsweek Magazine while supplies last.

For more information and event registration, please visit www.myCollegeSTAT.com/event
Join the Facebook event group http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=121290891969

One major factor college admissions officers take into account in choosing future students is the SAT. Whether or not one scores well on the test can make or break the chances of getting in to a particular college. Although the definition of “doing well” varies depending on the student asked, many would agree it is best to score as high as possible.

To make sure they do “well” on the SAT, many of my peers are turning to test preparation classes, books, private tutors and even private counselors. Out of those 4 methods of preparation, the popular choice seems to be test preparation classes. When it comes to the pricing of these classes, the majority is expensive; but most students and parents do not seem to even flinch at the proposition of the major dent in their savings accounts. That indifference to spending anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and a reliance on possibly ineffective methods, results from an inescapable desire to gain admittance to an ideal university.

Usually, entrance into test preparation classes is suggested to, if not forced upon, the student by parents. Although the parents will not be going to college for their son or daughter, their influence on the student’s participation in prep classes is still large and sometimes even domineering. I, myself, have been “persuaded” by my mother to take expensive SAT preparation classes and would have much preferred private tutoring, which is actually cheaper than the classes in which I am currently enrolled.

For 4 hours a day and 5 days a week, I sit in a cramped room with either excessive or no air conditioning on. Similar to the school’s random ventilation, is the sometimes present – sometimes not absence policy that seems to resonate well with the majority of students. There are those who never come to class, those who come to English but not Math or Writing and vice versa, those who come on time everyday to play Mario Kart on their Nintendo DS’s and those who should be commemorated for their tenacious efforts in finishing their daily practice test and paying attention in class.

I would consider myself a part of the last group of students, even though my attendance is not necessarily perfect. How I and my fellow classmates manage to bring ourselves to this boot camp, I am not quite sure – but one thing is for certain, it is definitely not our love for standardized tests.

My primary reason for attending class everyday and completing the cartload of homework is simply the fact that I am living for the future. I guess on some bright, pleasant morning I finally stopped throwing tantrums and complaining and woke up. I realized that this has helped me and will continue to help me in my future endeavors. Also, I consider my teachers to be very helpful, likeable and savvy in what they teach; and I find pleasing my parents quite cheering.

So, if you’re after that coveted seat in the university of your choice, and you are either considering test preparation or are forced to go through it, just remember that it will all pay off in the end. Better yet, find that driving force that will keep you committed and focused on whatever hell you may have to go through and make sure to never lose it. Perseverance is key and if you happen to have that on your key ring, you are sure to achieve your goals – whatever they may be.

As the school year comes to an end, high school students are left with roughly 2 months of free time. This summer vacation can be spent in a myriad of ways; whether one chooses to embark on a vacation, enlist in test preparation classes or summer school, slave over the deep fryer at the local McDonalds, intern in a business suit or commit to obtaining the next best gear in World of Warcraft, there will always be something to do.

For those who have chosen to reject all of those possible activities in hopes of finding a pastime more interesting or appealing, there are many summer programs targeting high schoolers with specific interests.

Business minded students can participate in various camps and classes focusing on the many aspects of the industry. I, myself, plan to attend a free two-week business camp hosted by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), where I will be developing a business plan for my entrepreneurial venture.

Students with a particular interest in science can apply to the competitive Columbia University Science Honor Program (SHP). At this program, students conduct extensive and graduate level research on primarily physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences.

Artsy and creative students also may consider several different options in terms of summer programs, ranging from film production, photography, studio design, fashion and many more. There is a wide array of such programs listed, mainly in New York, which can be found here.

But if you’re looking for more than just a cabin to lodge in or a daily commute to class, going abroad to study a specific curriculum is always an option. These programs can take you over seas to foreign countries and faraway places such as Beijing, Germany, France, and Brazil.

So when contemplating over how to spend your summer, why not consider studying abroad? Get your community service hours by building houses in Vietnam, discover the secrets of global business in Dubai, or even study marine biology on the coasts of Costa Rica instead of in a lab.

Several organizations specializing in this field of study are listed here. Although most programs require a, usually, large sum of money, the experience is definitely one of a kind and worthwhile. So if you get the opportunity to attend a study abroad program, I’d say take it and run with it.

More than a year ago, when I was researching colleges as a high school senior, I chose only to apply to private institutions. My mother assured me that, as long as I was happy with my school, she would find a way to cover the price tag.

I graduated high school in June 2008, just a few months before the economy started crashing and burning. Would I have received the same reassurance from her today, if I was applying to college again? I highly doubt it.

Undeniably, financial aid becomes an important, and often decisive, factor for many parents and for most students in choosing a college. After all, with the current state of the economy, the high unemployment rate, and the dwindling endowments, it’s hard to swallow $200,000 worth of debt for an undergraduate education.

So how exactly should you go about seeking and requesting more financial aid, given that crying, stealing, and begging are not options? Here are some tips I’ve picked up as a college student:

Work Early and Work Fast

- File your taxes as soon as the W4 arrives. This applies to your parents’ earnings and your own earnings.
- Once your taxes are complete, complete your FAFSA and CSS profiles. They’re long, tedious, and often redundant, but do not procrastinate on submitting them!
- FAFSA offers you federal aid, but your state may also support your educational endeavors. For example, in New York, the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) offers state financial aid on top of federal financial aid. If you’re given such an offer, do not wait on completing their applications and requests.

When the Government’s Pot of Gold is Empty

- If you don’t receive enough financial aid through FAFSA, try turning to your school for help. E-mails are not enough. Phone calls allow you to convey your emotion to an actual person. And if you live within driving distance to your school, ask for an in-person meeting.
- If you’re still choosing between schools but are conflicted because of different financial aid packages, tell your top choice school. It’s not a threat if you say, “I need more money from you or else I’m going to X University instead.”
- Tell your story. Financial aid officers need to work fast to process a ton of paperwork and thus often only see numbers. If there is a situation you are experiencing that numbers can’t explain, don’t keep it a secret.

Of course, there are other options such as applying to outside scholarships from private organizations, picking up a summer job or two, and asking relatives for contributions. In the end, if you still can’t afford your dream school, don’t fret. Keep in mind that though undergraduate studies are important, they most likely don’t mark the end of your educational pursuits. From there on, the price for even higher education (e.g.: master’s degree, doctoral degree) only increases while the financial assistance becomes practically nonexistent. So if you have to make the heartbreaking decision of rejecting your dream school because of financial concerns, consider it a thoughtful investment in your future.

Best of luck bargaining.

The list of high quality colleges and universities in the United States is anything but brief. Yet, among the many, eight stand out. They are perceived bastions of academic excellence. They have substantial endowments and a rock star line-up of professors on tenure. They have been around, in some cases, longer than America itself. They are ladder rungs in social hierarchy, stepping stones to career success, and in a league of their own. They are the Ivies.

Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale are eight of the most respected schools in the country. For most students, they represent the ultimate achievement in college admissions. Yet are they truly deserving of this regard or are they in reality simply an intellectual feedlot for the offspring of America’s wealthy and influential? Is there more to the Ivy League than money and pretense?

Brown, Penn, Wesleyan, Pomona, WashU?

After a frustrating year spent at the wrong university for me, I was lucky enough to receive five thick envelopes in the mail in exchange for the significant toil of transfer applications. Eventually, I chose to decline offers of admission from Pomona, Washington University in St Louis, and Penn, and my choice narrowed to Wesleyan and Brown. In originally applying, I had my heart set on Wesleyan, a small liberal arts focused university in suburban Connecticut. Wesleyan, affectionately called ‘Wes’ among students, is known for its liberal, hippy-hipster attitude. Their tight-knit, inclusive community seemed a dream after wandering the anonymous, labyrinthine halls of my former place of education. After a long visit on campus with a friend, I felt at home there.

My parents, however, were applying considerable pressure to further explore my acceptance to Brown. After having had a negative experience with their precollege program three years prior, I could hardly manage to remember why I had applied to transfer there in the first place. I certainly could not fathom my own attendance when my Brown letter of admission initially arrived. The pro-con, Wes vs. Brown list began to formulate in my mind. Though Wesleyan started out ahead, the scale quickly shifted.

I knew I felt at home at Wes, in the moment. I knew I would be happy there and feel the stress of anonymity dissipate with a satisfying immediacy. Wes offered instant social gratification in addition to excellent academics. But I have always wanted to enter the legal field following the completion of my formal education. 92 – 95% of Brown graduates are accepted to one of their top three choices of law school. That success rate is nearly 100% in the case of business school applications. Wesleyan, though a university of an extremely high caliber, does not hold Ivy clout with top law schools in the same way Brown does. I noted a team list of United States Supreme Court justices that read like a Division 1 roster, and I had to admit the obvious Ivy home field advantage.

While there were countless other points that eventually tipped the scale to Brown, including considerable parental influence, it was the Ivy name as weighted factor that was most difficult to accept. Simple facts were much less morally challenging; Wesleyan’s endowment was dwarfed by that of Brown. Brown has a larger student body, and is a research university, allowing me access to a wider range of classes, albeit at the expense of a certain degree of community. These quantifiable truths were reassuring of my decision, unlike the selling point of name.

The Value of Prestige

As uncomfortable as it may make me to admit it, the shiny Ivy name factored in my college choice. I am unsure why I find such difficultly in admitting I want a spot in that exclusive league. The benefits seem obvious, and the connections endless. Yet in this economic downturn, Ivy League endowments are dropping in double-digit percentages, and some perks, services, and visiting professors are being dropped along with them. Yet even if the tangible benefits received in return for hefty tuition costs wane, esteem does not.

Many students are fortunate enough to have a choice between schools when the letters come in, whether they applied for freshman or transfer admission. That decision will likely be influenced, even to the smallest degree, by perceptions of prestige. When a student pays in excess of $200,000 for college, they aren’t just purchasing four years of classes and parties. College is, in a way, a drawn-out transaction by which a student buys their degree. For the money, it seems logical that a student should want the name above theirs on that very valuable piece of paper to be recognizable and respected. But at the end of the day, prestige is just another puzzle piece in the admissions game.

By Risa Stein

Going off to college may mean leaving behind Mom and Dad, but it does mean picking up a new, mysterious cohabitant, your roommate. College freshmen overwhelmingly either choose to, or are required to, live in dorms. At some schools there exists the option of single inhabitant rooms, but these are few and far between. For the majority of freshmen, then, the move to college includes a transition into shared space. The type of room shared, however, can vary greatly.

Different Dorm Options

At some well-known schools, for example NYU, students are given a choice between ‘traditional’ and ‘apartment style’ dorming. The former is the classic set-up students usually envision when college housing is mentioned. Two x-long twin beds, two desks, and massive shared bathrooms down a long hall of doorways that each lead to another identical room. The traditional style dorm hall is known for creating a social atmosphere, particularly in schools where an open door policy is in effect. Students may find this style creates a stronger sense of community, even if it does come at the cost of braving public restrooms.

An alternative, apartment-style housing, may be offered for an additional charge beyond the usual price of traditional dorming. Apartment housing offers the benefits of a small kitchen and private bathroom usually shared between two to four bedrooms, housing a total of four to ten students. Apartment style housing allows more privacy, and freedom from an expensive meal plan, and the dreaded dining hall food. However, some students may feel isolated, as open-door policies are less effective and fewer connections are made between floormates.

Roommate Relations

Very few freshmen room with someone they know during their first year in college. Most are randomly paired with another student based on a housing survey that usually asks basic questions such as, “Do you smoke?”, “How neat are you?” and “Can you study with loud music?” Housing surveys make sure roommates have similar living habits, but that’s about it. It doesn’t take into account potential roommates’ personalities or idiosyncrasies. This is why, in the first few weeks, a roommate is really a stranger you live with.

Because of the highly random process of roommate pairing, roommate relations vary enormously. Some will find that they were paired with their future best friends, while others will learn to hate their roommates eternally. But those are extreme cases. A lot of the time a roommate is just someone you get along, but have conflicts with once in a while because of different living preferences. This is not necessarily a bad thing—roommates force you to learn how to share and respect others.

Since roommate relations help define your college experience, it’s important to keep them healthy. Below are 2 essential things to consider in order to maintain a smooth relationship with your roommate.

1. Bring up problems early—don’t bottle it up and hope it will go away. Developing a forum where you and your roommate can openly talk about issues is important. Whether the problem is your roommate’s significant other coming over too much or her dirty sneakers being on your bed, bring it up and remember to be courteous about it.

2. Compromise, even if it hurts a little. My roommate and I had very different temperature preferences. She was comfortable at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. I consider anything below 65 degrees freezing. We compromised in the 60s, and took turns being too cold and too hot.

Remember that you don’t need to love your roommate (although that is a bonus)—you just need to learn how to live with them.

By Risa Stein and Lukiih Cuan

Students looking to stay within their home state for college generally have a strong selection of state-sponsored schools to choose from. Residents of New York have the largest selection of state-supported system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the world, through the State University of New York (SUNY). They also have the third largest university system, behind SUNY and the California State University system, with the City University of New York (CUNY). CUNY and SUNY are totally separate and independently run systems, though both receive funding from New York with CUNY also getting funding from New York City.

So What’s The Difference?

Well, for starters, the cost. CUNY, because it is sponsored by both the State of New York and the City of New York, has a lower base tuition. CUNY tuition and fees are about ~$4,500 a year, before financial aid. SUNY tuition and fees are about $7,300 a year, before financial aid or room and board. These figures are for New York State residents.

Readers will note that room and board was not mentioned for CUNY. That’s because it is an entirely commuter school (with 2 minor exceptions). SUNY, on the other hand, is known for its campuses and all the positives and negatives associated of dorm housing that come with that.

While CUNY does not provide the traditional college experience, and indeed feels more like high school with adults at times, it does have its benefits. The cost is certainly one of them. Total tuition for a CUNY student is less than one year at most private schools, and a semester at some of the more costly schools. It also benefits from being in New York City. This is a rather important benefit. Students have access to one of the largest cities in the world and all the opportunity it holds. Students have many of the world’s financial, media, advertising, marketing, fashion, and entertainment companies all headquartered in New York City offering internships, networking, mentorship, and eventually, job offers. This is part of the trade off that comes with commuting daily from home, or renting an apartment in New York City (which can easily cost more than the tuition).

SUNY, with the exception of the Fashion Institute of Technology, does not have any campuses in New York City. Most of the SUNY campuses have a suburban environment, with some bordering on totally rural. The majority of SUNY students are New York state residents who benefit from a relatively low tuition and still get a “real” college experience.

Though most of the colleges in the SUNY or CUNY system do not have nationwide name recognition (though SUNY does financially support four of the colleges at Cornell University), many of the schools are widely known and respected within the state and city, respectively. This might matter to an out of state student competing for jobs outside of New York.

With the economy the way it is today, students should pay more attention than ever to the state-sponsored schools available to them. New York students should especially look into SUNY and CUNY as viable college paths that can offer a great education that won’t break the bank.

By Awad Sayeed

The fall of senior year is an eventful time for high school students. They have to take standardized tests, write their college essays, ask for letters of recommendation, and finish college and scholarship applications. It is a time full of decisions, and one of the biggest decisions a student has to make is whether or not he or she should apply to college through an early admissions program.

Most Common Early Admissions Programs

There are two common types of early application program: early decision and early action. Early decision is a binding commitment where students are obligated to attend the school if accepted. A choice to apply early decision usually has to be made in October because students must finish their application, ask for recommendations, and write their essays by the November 1 (the most common ED deadline). Some schools that offer an early decision program are Columbia University, New York University, and Georgetown University.

Early action, on the other hand, is more like a priority deadline; it is nonbinding and students are allowed to apply to multiple schools before the early November 1 deadline. Applicants receive their admissions decision in December and have until May 1 to decide whether or not to attend. Schools like Northeastern University, University of Connecticut, and Boston College are currently admitting students through early action programs.

Recently there has been a growth in single choice early action (SCEA) programs, which allow students to apply through the early admissions period, but restrict applicants from applying to other school’s early programs. Stanford University and Yale University have recently implemented single choice early action programs, which make up for about one third of their incoming classes.

Why Colleges Use Early Admissions

Put yourself in the position of a college admissions officer. You spend hours reviewing many stellar applications and argue with your colleagues to accept students who you think would be a great addition to the school. In addition, you are forced to deny admissions to many qualified applicants—most of whom would have also been great at your school. You do all this to find out that some of the stellar applicants that you accepted are not attending.

Yield, the rate at which accepted applicants attend a school, is a figure that many admissions counselors are conscious of. When accepting students, they want qualified applicants that want to attend, and early admissions, especially early decision, reduces the guessing involved in the admissions decision. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, “In most early decision programs, students promise they will enroll in the college if they get in. The pledge eliminates some of the guess-work that characterizes the spring admission season, when a college might lose to competitors half or three-fourths of the people it admits.”

Author Recommendations and Personal Input

Early Decision: Applying early decision does have some advantages because a student clearly demonstrates to the college that the school is his number one choice. In my opinion, if you have any questions what so ever if a college is right for you, then you should not apply early decision because it is a binding commitment. I had some friends who got in early decision to a school that was not their first choice and they were unhappy with their college choice. However, if you have a distinct number one choice and financial aid is not a major concern, then applying early decision can relieve some anxiety during your senior year—especially during the spring decisions period.

Early Action: Applying early action can have some great benefits depending on your admissions decision. An early acceptance may allow you to become more aggressive with your college applications by providing a “back up” school. Students who apply early action are generally well qualified because they do not need to take any more standardized tests and because another semester of grades, extracurricular activities, and awards would not benefit their application greatly.

Single choice early action: I applied to Stanford single choice early action. Stanford does not have an early decision program but it has an sing choice early action program. Stanford was my top choice and I was pretty committed to attending. However, I still applied to other schools because I was uncertain about how my Stanford financial aid package would turn out. Since the program was considered early action and was non-binding, I was able to do so without penalty. Had the program been early decision, Stanford would have expected that I attend unless there were financial concerns.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this post are those of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of myCollegeSTAT.com.