Preparing for college requires the same amount of work as taking an extra class, or picking up a second job. Students must save money, organize paperwork and transcripts, continue to excel in academics and extra circulars, and prepare for standardized tests. When the application process begins, the work load increases with filling out the Common Application, writing essays, and filing for financial aid packages. Fortunately, these organization skills will simplify your next round of decisions, like choosing a major and maintaining academic excellence throughout your career.
Start Planning Early
We cannot stress enough the importance of scholarships and grants. College-based awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Still, most students need to supplement their financial aid package. If possible, apply for early admission so you can compare awards and determine if you need to apply for other scholarships.
Major Decisions
Some students already know their intended major, and others wait to make that decision. Regardless of when you choose your major, and what major you choose, consider taking classes outside your field of study. Having experience outside your major will make you a more marketable job applicant. Being versatile will also make changing career paths an easy task.
Harvard students and alumni will testify in support of Harvard during the admissions trial this week, defending its "race-conscious admissions policy" against claims that it discriminates against Asian-American applicants. The trial is the latest chapter in a lawsuit filed in 2014 by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA).
Harvard University has been accused of "balancing its undergraduate classes to ensure that it had admitted its desired share of students of each race and ethnicity" and also for penalizing Asian-American applicants by "systematically giving them lower scores on a metric admissions officers use to measure personality." Adam Mortara, a lawyer representing SFFA, stated that the university scores applicants in four categories: academic achievement, athletic ability, extracurriculars, and personality. While referencing admissions data, he concluded that, despite their higher academic performance, Asian-Americans are admitted at lower rates. [...]
An associate professor in security studies at Georgetown University who, last week, wished "death and castration" to GOP senators supporting confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is no longer teaching but will be "traveling internationally for university research." [...]
The official 2019-2020 college financial aid season began yesterday, October 1st, so it is critical that you file your Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) ASAP! Whether you are headed to college for the first time next fall, or you plan on attending college next year, you will want to complete your FAFSA as soon as possible, as many states and colleges award financial aid on a first come, first served basis. [...]
