Boating, paddle boarding, shopping, farmer’s markets, festivals… The list of fun summer activities in the Lowcountry is endless.  Not to mention, this season is a prime time for front porch sitting and iced tea sipping.  After all, for those of us who live in Summerville, this is the “Birthplace of Sweet Tea!”

While the summer is meant to be enjoyed, students (particularly high school seniors) cannot indulge in all play and no work.  This is a crucial time for college prep. So have lots of fun, but also make sure college planning is on your to-do list.

The Independent Educational Consultants Association has put together a list of the Top 10 actions rising high school seniors can take to get a jump start on the college search during the summer months.  For many seniors, after recently completing a challenging junior year, the last thing they want to think about during their summer break is school, particularly the college admission process, which can seem like a huge mountain to climb.  But starting the planning early will get them to “Basecamp One” by the end of the summer.  Plus, when they look back on everything they’ve accomplished, they will have gained confidence regarding the college admission process.

Check out IECA’s suggestions:

1)     Write a generic admission essay

Applying for college can take up as much time as a regular class during the senior year. By preparing a generic essay in advance that can be tailored to different applications, the student can spend more time on studies and extracurricular activities once school begins.

2)     Complete one college admission application

This application can serve as the prototype for all other applications. The Common Application is accepted by hundreds of colleges and may be a good place to start.

3)     Collect reference letters

Normally reference letters come from junior year teachers who have taught the student for the last full year. Teachers usually appreciate having the extra time over the summer to write a reference when the memory of the student’s achievements is fresh.

4)     Visit (or plan to visit) campuses

While summer is not the ideal time to visit campuses because there aren’t many students there, this is the time high school students are free and parents’ schedules are usually more flexible. These visits can also be made in the early fall and should include sitting in on a class, looking at the dorm rooms, eating in the cafeteria, and meeting with coaches and professors in areas of interest.

5)     Develop preliminary list of colleges

Call, write or use the Internet to request information. Some colleges may even give out names of alumnus in the student’s neighborhood who may be willing to share experiences. Use this information to create a list of colleges to consider.

6)     Participate in interesting activities

Summer is a time to act on interests through internships, volunteer work, clubs or paid positions. Try something productive and creative, preferably in an area of interest.

7)     Keep a summer journal

A journal can help students chronicle their activities as well as determine what they want and need for the next few years. Journals also serve to help improve communication skills, critical for later success.

8)     Plan to take SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests

Rising seniors should have taken SATs and ACTs at least once by this point but may want to look at when they’re offered again in the fall. Those taking SAT Subject Tests will need to decide which subjects to take. If SAT prep courses are planned, sign up now for early fall.

9)     Begin scholarship search

Use books and web-based services to begin a search for private money.

10) READ!

IECA experts point to reading as the best way to improve vocabulary and prepare for standardized tests. While reading, have a dictionary handy to look up unfamiliar words.

Setting aside a few hours one night each week will give students a chance to tackle this list, and by the time the first school bell rings in August, though the temperatures will have cooled off a bit, students’ college searches will be heating up… and they will be better prepared.  Senior year will be a busy time and will bring a whole new set of to-do’s.  Contact Landmark 12 Consulting, and we will be happy to sit down with both parents and students to discuss how to stay on track during senior year and best prepare for college.

In the meantime, students, we are not suggesting this summer should be all work and no play (though we don’t encourage all play and no work, either!).  Hit the beach, go on vacation with your family, and make sure you enjoy this special time in your lives.  And don’t forget to raise your glass of sweet tea to the college experience that is right around the corner!  Cheers!

The dilemma: You have your heart set on getting a particular degree, but no in-state colleges offer your chosen field of study.  Out-of-state schools offer the program, but you can’t afford the tuition. 

What do you do?  Kiss your professional dreams good-bye and settle for attending an in-state college?  Or break the bank at an out-of-state school but earn the degree you want?

Preferably neither.

One possible solution: Check out the Academic Common Market.  This program allows you to study a specialized field at an out-of-state college while paying in-state tuition. 

Sounds great, right? 

While there are a few catches, overall, the Academic Common Market is worth looking into if an out-of-state school wouldn’t ordinarily be financially possible for you.  This program allows you to accomplish your academic goals without worrying about that out-of-state price tag.

The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program offered by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).  More than 1,900 undergraduate and graduate programs are available for residents of SREB’s 15 participating states (everything from anthropology and biotechnology to cinematography and industrial design), and more than 100 colleges and universities participate. 

The program is a win-win for both the states that participate and their students. States do not have to provide costly, specialized programs that are available to their residents through the Academic Common Market, and students who enroll in other states’ programs do not have to pay the higher tuition rates usually charged to out-of-state students.

The first step is to check out SREB’s website for information about applying to see if this program is a good fit for you.  You can also see a list of the colleges that participate and the degree programs that are offered.

The ACM program is not competitive or merit-based, but applicants must meet state residency and college program requirements.  Those requirements can also be found on SREB’s website.

Here are the basics to qualify:

1)     Be a resident of an SREB member state.

2)     Select a participating program that is approved for the Academic Common Market for their state.  (To qualify, no public college or university in the student’s home state can offer a degree program in his or her chosen field of study).

3)     Be admitted unconditionally into that program, and be certified as a resident of his or her home state.

The new dilemma: You’re interested in this program but have questions or need help with the process.

The solution: Call Landmark 12 Consulting.

Right now, there are countless soon-to-be college graduates contemplating life after graduation. Most of them think college opens the door to their futures.  But what happens when that door closes and you’re stuck in the hallway for a minute wondering which way to go next?

In other words, here’s the dilemma: You graduate college (Yay!), but you don’t have a job lined up yet and you aren’t sure if grad school is the right choice.

College does open a lot of doors, but not necessarily right away.  Don’t feel guilty or embarrassed if you have to take some time to figure out your next move.  As a college consultant, I don’t just help students trying to get into college.  I also assist students who know they want to go to grad school with the application process, and I help students in the situation I’m currently describing to navigate toward their next adventure.

The issue of what to do until you land a job or until graduate school starts is common.  Of course, to most parents, this isn’t an issue at all… They just want you to get a job and get out of their house!  But there are some beneficial alternatives to working.  (So enjoy it while you can, kids!)

1)     Volunteer.  If you decide to take a reprieve from working, volunteer in the field you hope to eventually work.  You’ll get invaluable hands-on experience, and it will hopefully solidify your decision to start your career in that field.  It may also show you the field isn’t the right fit, in which case it’s better to find out sooner rather than later.  It’s often considered easier to land a volunteer gig over an internship because some organizations and companies don’t offer internships but accept help from volunteers. Volunteers are needed in virtually every subject area, which is another advantage to volunteering over interning. Interning is still a worthwhile option (and one that I routinely encourage), but I just wanted to remind you about volunteering.  Most students only consider working or interning… Remember that volunteering is an option, too.

2)     Participate in professional development workshops. If you can’t commit to a strict volunteer schedule, but want to increase your knowledge in a particular subject area, consider attending a workshop.  They can range in length from one day to several weeks and are designed to provide continuing education to graduates and professionals.  These are also great networking opportunities for eventual employment or admission to graduate school.  To get started, do a quick Internet search of local, national and international professional organizations related to your chosen career field.  These organizations often host workshops and conferences.  Be sure to bring several copies of your resume!

3)     Speaking of your resume, polish it.  Start with your most recent achievements and work your way backward.  Make sure to only add positions and accomplishments relevant to the jobs or graduate programs you plan to apply to.  It’s also important to have several people proof-read the resume.  If you’re unsure about its quality, seeking the help of a professional resume writer can be well worth the cost.  An impressive resume is essential.

4)     Take a free online course.  If you want to continue your formal education but in a less stressful and less costly way, consider Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).  These courses are offered through online course platforms like Coursera and edX, often for no cost.  They are offered in countless fields on nearly every topic imaginable.

5)     Travel.   Here’s some advice from a recent USA Today article about traveling: “If, after graduating, you feel you need a change of scenery, consider traveling. Traveling does not necessarily entail learning in a traditional classroom sense, but it can teach you much about what it means to be a good global citizen, which is essential in today’s highly connected world. Travel can also lead to personal growth and inspiration, perhaps helping you to decide what it is you truly wish to do with your future.”

The key to navigating through this uncertain time is to remember there’s no set path.  There’s no right way to get to your goal.  You have options (isn’t that liberating?!).  So start exploring, experimenting and learning.  You may be in the hallway, but you have many, many doors ahead of you that will lead to great things.

“Tell me about yourself.”

 It’s a staple in most interviews… college interviews included.  But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easy to answer.  And just because students may be expecting this prompt doesn’t mean the entire interview will be a breeze. A meaningful response will require some preparation.  In fact, preparation for the entire interview will be what separates the successful applicants from the not-so-successful ones. 

At this point in senior year, interviews are a hot topic of conversation because they’re commonly part of the college and scholarship application process. In fact, just this week, two students reached out to me asking for advice about interviews; one student was asked by Duke University to interview with an alumni representative (in an effort to learn more about the student), and the other client is applying for a full-ride scholarship at Regent University (and interviews are part of that process).

So, what’s the best way for them to prepare for their interviews? I always suggest doing mock interviews before the real deal. In a mock interview, students will come to my office dressed as if they were walking into the actual interview and answer my questions as if I were the real interviewer. I throw many questions at them– standard ones and curveballs– and when the session is finished, I discuss their performance, highlighting the stellar parts of the interview as well as giving them tips for improvement.

I want to emphasize that practicing for an interview like this is extremely important– but an interviewee should never sound rehearsed. It’s a fine line.  If done correctly, an interview is a chance to give the college representative or scholarship committee a lasting, positive impression of a student. I recommend researching the college by checking out its website, brochure and course catalog.  Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer.  Act interested.  Students need to be prepared to explain why they’ve applied to that particular college (or scholarship) and what they will contribute to its campus. 

 Students also need to be prepared by jotting down notes about their academic backgrounds, high school activities, and hobbies so that these experiences are fresh in their minds and can be easily discussed during the interview. Also, bring copies of your resume to give to the interviewer(s). And, don’t assume he/she has memorized your resume; in other words, when discussing your accomplishments, don’t skim over the important information.

 In addition to not being prepared, being “fake” is another common mistake students make.  They try to come up with answers that they believe the interviewer wants to hear, and oftentimes, that answer isn’t genuine.  And it shows.  Representatives expect to hear answers from a 17-year-old…not a 17-year-old pretending to have the resume or experience of a 37-year-old.

 Also, the following list of mistakes may seem like no-brainers, but students repeatedly make them:  Don’t be rude. This includes a student checking his or her cell phone, checking a watch or doing anything else distracting during the interview.  Even if the college isn’t a student’s top choice, the interviewer still deserves the student’s full attention and respect.

 Don’t dress inappropriately.  This means no jeans.  Dress to impress.

 Don’t show immaturity.  It’s not a good look for students to have their parents sitting in the interview with them.  If the parents have questions, they should ask them afterward.  College is a time of demonstrating independence…and it should start in the interview room.

Finally, I’ve compiled a list of questions, recently asked of my clients during college and scholarship interviews:

 ·        What three adjectives best describe you?

·        What are your strengths and weaknesses?

·        Tell me about a challenge you’ve had to overcome.

·        What activities do you find most rewarding?

·        What do you do in your free time?

·        What is your favorite book?

·        What do you want to do after graduating from college?

·        Why do you want to major in ______?

·        Who in your life has most influenced you?

·        Does your high school record accurately reflect your effort and ability?

·        If you could do one thing differently in high school, what would it be?

If you’re preparing for an upcoming interview and need assistance beyond these tips, give Landmark 12 at call!

 

It feels like the college planning process is never-ending, doesn’t it? In addition to being smack-dab in the middle of application season, it’s also almost time to complete another important to-do: FAFSA. (After all, applying, and being accepted, to college is only half the battle; Students and parents must also figure out how to pay for it).

The first step in figuring out what grants, work study programs, and loans they are eligible for is filling out the FAFSA. The Free Application for Student Financial Aid, or the FAFSA, is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution.  FAFSA is used by most states and colleges as part of the student aid process. The form requests financial and personal information from both students and their parents.

FAFSA will became available online October 1, and it’s important to complete it as soon as possible because that will increase a student’s chances of getting the best financial aid packages available.  Students who submit the FAFSA early receive about twice the grant money as those who file later.

Another important reason to submit the FAFSA early is because many colleges have fast-approaching deadlines for certain financial aid packages. Because of the variation in state and college deadlines, it is highly recommended that you fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can after October 1st to ensure that you do not miss out on available aid. Also, some state grant programs distribute funds on a first-come, first-served basis, and those students who wait to apply may miss out, even if they qualified for aid. To determine the deadlines for each college on their lists, students can visit this page on FAFSA’s website: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

As a college consultant, I’m routinely asked about FAFSA, and I thought I’d share some of the most frequently asked questions to help all students, not just my clients, avoid the FAFSA filing frenzy:

1. What is the FSA ID and will I need it to complete the FAFSA?

The FSA ID allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access Federal Student Aid Web sites. The FSA ID, which consists of a user-created username and password, replaced the PIN effective May 2015. It allows users to electronically access personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites as well as electronically sign a FAFSA.

While you are not required to have an FSA ID to complete and submit a FAFSA on the Web application, it is the fastest way to sign your application and have it processed. It is also the only way to access or correct your information online, or to pre-fill a FAFSA on the Web application with information from your previous year’s FAFSA.

    2. Is the FAFSA the only financial aid form I need to file?

Some states may require additional information, and some selective private colleges and universities require applicants to submit a CSS/Financial Aid Profile, which may ask for more financial details for nonfederal aid.

    3. Will I need to fill out the FAFSA each year?

Yes. Because eligibility for federal student aid does not carry over from one award year to the next, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each award year in which you are or plan to be a student.

Your eligibility for financial aid can differ from year to year for various reasons, including your family’s financial situation and the number of your family members enrolled in college.

    4. How much financial aid am I eligible to receive?

The financial aid office at your college will determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive. Your eligibility for most federal student aid depends on a variety of factors, including your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your year in college, your enrollment status, and the cost of attendance at the college you will be attending.

    5. I filed FAFSA but didn’t receive a Student Aid Report. What should I do?

If you haven’t received a Student Aid Report (SAR), call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (toll free) or 1-319-337-5665. You must provide them with your Social Security number and date of birth as verification.

Even thought the new school year just begun, it’s college application season, which means high school seniors are having to juggle their classroom requirements with their college planning. And for many of them, they’re already starting to feel like they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.

It’s a cliché—“biting off more than you can chew”—but it’s true. And it’s also very fitting for this blog because I’m writing about avoiding clichés when it comes to college application essays.

My opening line would’ve been much more memorable and attention-grabbing had I used something original. And that’s the point I’m trying to make. When sitting down to write those essays, students need to put a lot of thought into the topic to avoid making their entries sound just like everyone else’s.

I know students are overwhelmed—I see it week after week: My clients are juggling their high school coursework in addition to filling out multiple college applications. The applications themselves are time-consuming enough, but add on the essays and personal statements, and the requirements can quickly become stressful.

Here’s a mistake I often see: By the time students get to the essays, they are exhausted with the entire application process and want to rush through them. They write about the first topic that comes to mind, not pausing to question if that topic is original and creative.

The Huffington Post listed seven cliché college application essays students should avoid:

1. A service project shows your passion for helping others.

“Many students choose to write about their participation in a community service project or a church mission trip,” says Marie Schofer, director of admission at Cornell College. “These are fantastic experiences that are personally meaningful and reflect on your character. The only problem: Regardless of where you traveled or what type of service you performed, the conclusion is always the same. You like to help people. This is great,” she explains, “but unfortunately, it won’t differentiate you from other applications.”

2. Your family’s history in a specific profession.

“Being proud of family heritage is a wonderful thing, but expanding on family and the roots the family may have in a specific profession is not helpful in selling [yourself],” says Christopher Hall, associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. “Mick Jagger may be a fantastic performer and singer,” he adds, “but this does not mean that his children will have the same potential. [You] should discuss personal talents and abilities and not the legacy of talents and abilities of [your] great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers.”

3. Overcoming an athletic injury.

As Drew Nichols, director of freshman admission at St. Edward’s University, explains, “Most university applicant pools are diverse, and many include prospective students who have overcome substantial hardships such as growing up in poverty, difficult family situations or serious illness. The ‘athletic injury’ essay often indicates a lack of self-awareness on behalf of the applicant regarding their own privilege. If not being able to play soccer for a semester is the most difficult thing [you have] had to encounter,” he says, then it “doesn’t serve to demonstrate significant resilience or an understanding of the considerable challenges some of [your] peers have faced.”

4. A rundown of a national disaster.

“The point of a college essay is to get to know you, which gets lost when current events are the main focus, says Michelle Curtis-Bailey, senior admissions advisor and Educational Opportunity Program coordinator at Stony Brook University. After Hurricane Sandy hit New York in 2012, she says, “Many students in the application cycle wrote about the hurricane, as it occurred in late October, peak college application time. Once again, the message is lost as the whole focus was more like a journal entry recounting what happened in the life of the students and their family without a clear connection to the individual. On a whole, we are aware of the impact that disasters have on the lives of our applicants,” she says, but “the full scope of the college essay shouldn’t recount those types of experiences.”

5. A mission trip helped you to understand the struggles of impoverished youth in the U.S.

“We often get essays which describe wonderful experiences working in impoverished international countries doing such things as building houses, helping community members learn English and so on,” says Hall. “But as soon as a connection is made by applicants that this experience can help them understand the plight of inner-city youth of America, or that that they have acquired special skills through these experiences to emotionally connect with impoverished U.S. youth, the power of their service work is diminished.” Hall says, “Comparing U.S. inner-city youth and communities to Third World or impoverished countries demonstrates a lack of empathy and understanding of the differences in culture.”

6. The sports game highlight reel.

“The game-winning catch or other sports highlight is another popular essay topic,” Schofer says. “It is important to understand that the admission counselor reading your essay may not be familiar with your sport and will probably have no emotional attachment to the outcome of the District 5 semi-final game.” If you do choose to write about a sports topic, Schofer recommends “an essay that debates the merits of the baseball’s infield fly rule or a descriptive essay of your warm-up routine.”

7. Talking about your role model.

“The challenge with this topic is that we often see essays written about the parent, grandparent, teacher, or coach,” says Curtis-Bailey, adding that “most of these essays are written solely about the ‘other person’ with no reference to the student.” She suggests avoiding this topic if you “are unable to show the connection of how the traits and characteristics of that individual are similar or even a model of tangible action that [you desire to take] or have taken.”
“While it might be true that a grandparent has been of great influence to the applicant,” Nichols points out that “this essay has been written hundreds of times over. When you’re competing against hundreds of other students who have submitted the same answer to the prompt,” he says, “it becomes more difficult to make your essay distinctive and to really stand out.”

So how do students avoid submitting a cliché essay? The Huffington Post writer suggests, and I agree, that when it comes to these essays, authenticity matters most. Students need to consider what makes them unique and what makes their stories distinctive. They need to remember to always paint themselves in an accurate light and not pretend to be someone they aren’t.

Of course, this is all easier said than done. Landmark 12 Consulting can help students brainstorm essay topics (and avoid the clichés). We also assist with the entire application process from start to finish, so give us a call today.

After all, students, it’s time to bite the bullet, break a leg and get down to business. Don’t just sit there like a bump on a log– the clock is ticking. Let’s get this ball rolling. It’s sink or swim. And calling Landmark 12 is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Catch my drift?

We are officially experiencing the “dog days” of summer, which means temperatures are soaring into the 90s, and that familiar Lowcountry humidity is hanging over us.  Whether this has you heading for the air-conditioned indoors or searching for cooling ocean breezes, there’s no doubt the Charleston area offers a lot to do, both indoors and outdoors, during the summer months.

Boating, paddle boarding, museums, shopping, farmer’s markets, festivals… the list goes on and on.  Not to mention, this season is a prime time for front porch sitting and iced tea sipping.  After all, for those of us who live in Summerville, this is the “Birthplace of Sweet Tea!”

While the summer is meant to be enjoyed, whether you prefer doing that at a slower or faster pace, students, particularly high school seniors, cannot indulge in all play and no work.  This is a crucial time for important college prep. So once you find some relief from the heat, make sure college planning is next on your to-do list.

The Independent Educational Consultants Association has put together a list of the Top 10 actions rising high school seniors can take to get a jump start on the college search during the summer months.  For many seniors, after recently completing a challenging junior year, the last thing they want to think about during their summer break is school, particularly the college admission process, which can seem like a huge mountain to climb.  But starting the planning early will get them to “Basecamp One” by the end of the summer.  Plus, when they look back on everything they’ve accomplished, they will have gained confidence regarding the college admission process.

Check out IECA’s suggestions:

1)     Write a generic admission essay

Applying for college can take up as much time as a regular class during the senior year. By preparing a generic essay in advance that can be tailored to different applications, the student can spend more time on studies and extracurricular activities once school begins.

2)     Complete one college admission application

This application can serve as the prototype for all other applications. The Common Application is accepted by hundreds of colleges and may be a good place to start.

3)     Collect reference letters

Normally reference letters come from junior year teachers who have taught the student for the last full year. Teachers usually appreciate having the extra time over the summer to write a reference when the memory of the student’s achievements is fresh.

4)     Visit (or plan to visit) campuses

While summer is not the ideal time to visit campuses because there aren’t many students there, this is the time high school students are free and parents’ schedules are usually more flexible. These visits can also be made in the early fall and should include sitting in on a class, looking at the dorm rooms, eating in the cafeteria, and meeting with coaches and professors in areas of interest.

5)     Finalize your college list.

Once senior year begins, application deadlines will be quickly approaching. Having a game plan and knowing where to apply BEFORE school starts is key.

6)     Participate in interesting activities

Summer is a time to act on interests through internships, volunteer work, clubs or paid positions. Try something productive and creative, preferably in an area of interest.

7)     Keep a summer journal

A journal can help students chronicle their activities as well as determine what they want and need for the next few years. Journals also serve to help improve communication skills, critical for later success.

8)     Plan to take SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests

Rising seniors should have taken SATs and ACTs at least once by this point but may want to look at when they’re offered again in the fall. Those taking SAT Subject Tests will need to decide which subjects to take. If SAT prep courses are planned, sign up now for early fall.

9)     Begin scholarship search

Use books and web-based services to begin a search for private money.

10) READ!

IECA experts point to reading as the best way to improve vocabulary and prepare for standardized tests. While reading, have a dictionary handy to look up unfamiliar words.

 

Setting aside a few hours one night each week will give students a chance to tackle this list, and by the time the first school bell rings in August, though the temperatures will have cooled off a bit, students’ college planning will be heating up… and they will be better prepared.  Senior year will be a busy time and will bring a whole new set of to-do’s.  Contact Landmark 12 Consulting, and we will be happy to sit down with both parents and students to discuss how to stay on track during senior year and best prepare for college

In the meantime, students, we are not suggesting this summer should be all work and no play (though we don’t encourage all play and no work, either!).  Hit the beach, go on vacation with your family, and make sure you enjoy this special time in your lives.  And don’t forget to raise your glass of sweet tea to the college experience that is right around the corner!  Cheers!

Beaches, bathing suits, and beautiful weather. That’s how most teenagers are hoping to spend their summer vacations.

But for those who are about to graduate high school, the real world is quickly approaching. In fact, many students find themselves faced with their first professional decision this summer: Whether to get a job or internship.

Either option will provide great learning opportunities, but making the decision will come down to a few factors: Money, skills and goals.

One big question to ask yourself is if you need to make money. If so, a job may be the way to go. While certain internships are paid, many are not. Even if you find a paid internship, it may not offer the same amount of money a job would. So if you need to start making (and saving!) money for college in the fall, explore the job opportunities that are available.

That brings me to my second point: Skills. If you decide that a job is the best choice for you, it would be ideal to find one in your chosen career field. While most jobs will teach you responsibility, time management and communication skills (and those are all very valuable), if you can land a job that allows you to discover and develop skills within an area that interests you, you will be that much further ahead. Getting exposure to a field, no matter how low on the totem pole your job is, will help you to decide if it’s a career path you want to continue pursuing. If it’s not, at this stage of the game, you still have plenty of time to explore other options.

It is oftentimes easier to find an internship in your chosen field. However, some internships are often considered watered-down versions of the actual jobs offered at a particular company or in a particular field. My advice is to make the most of your experience. If your responsibilities include making copies and coffee, make sure you also come in early and stay late to shadow employees or ask questions.

Last but not least: Goals. Now’s the time to figure out what yours are. You don’t have to map out the next 50 years, but you should have an idea of what you’d like to see happen in the next five to 10. If you’re still trying to choose between a job and an internship, ask yourself which one is more likely to get you closer to achieving your goals. It’s like a puzzle: Ask yourself which puzzle piece (job or internship) will help the big picture to come together.

One other important factor to note relates to students who are already in college but faced with this decision. Those students need to consider college credits. Though many internships require that you work for free, they can offer college credits. If you’re in need of credit hours, and money isn’t a major priority, an internship may be your best option.

With that being said… Cheers to the summer! (And cheers to making your first professional decision).

At this point in the semester, high school seniors have their eyes on the prize– Graduation. The college application process is over, and most students have committed to a school. Now, they’re trying to relax until graduation (and before they embark on their college journeys).

There’s one problem, though: College applications may be finished, but scholarship applications are not. In fact, many local scholarships continue through May and even throughout the summer months. Therefore, it’s not time to relax quite yet.

With college costs on the rise, it’s best to search early and often for scholarships because the competition can be stiff. Most parents don’t realize that students can begin applying to some scholarships in their freshman year of high school. If they begin the process early, and start racking up scholarships, that can take a lot of financial pressure off of senior year. Many students, though, find the scholarship search confusing and overwhelming, and they end up just doing the bare minimum of filling out FAFSA and submitting scholarship applications at the colleges to which they’ve applied. They aren’t utilizing all the resources out there, and trust me, there are a lot of opportunities if you’re willing to search.

Landmark 12 Consulting can take the guess work, and the grunt work, out of the search. We offer service packages that include assistance with scholarships. We’ll locate the ones you’re eligible for, help you with the applications, alert you to deadlines, and edit your essays.

But, as a college consultant, I want to make sure all students, not just my clients, get assistance, so I’ve come up with some tips for where to begin the scholarship search:

1) High Schools. Students should check with their guidance counselors to see if their schools offer any scholarships.

2) Online resources. Websites such as FastWeb.com, Finaid.org and CollegeBoard.com can be very helpful. When searching, it’s important to remember that what makes you unique may be what scores you a scholarship. Look for ones that are geared toward your academic or athletic achievements.

3) Community organizations. Students should check with any organizations they’re associated with because many offer scholarships. These scholarships tend to be small, which is why a lot of students decide not to apply (making it a little less competitive for those who do). However, smaller scholarships will quickly add up.

4) Religious organizations. A lot of religious organizations offer some form of assistance, and they’re a good potential source of college funding.

5) College majors. When looking for scholarships at individual colleges, students who know what they want to major in should check for scholarships in that particular field of study. Because many incoming freshmen are undecided, this type of scholarship tends to be less competitive.

6) Work. Parents, ask your employer if they offer scholarships for children of employees.

Need more advice? Landmark 12 is just a phone call away. Students have invested so much time and energy into the college application process, and we don’t want to see them cheat themselves out of tuition assistance by not investing that same time and energy into the scholarship application process. We’re here to help on this last leg of the college planning journey.

Juniors—Come on down!

If you have friends who are seniors, you see that their chaotic and stressful yet amazing and exciting 12^th grade experiences are coming to a close… and yours is about to begin.  I’m sure if those seniors had one piece of advice to give you about the college admissions process, they’d say to start early.

So, juniors, it’s your turn. 

As a college planner, I see many students who wait until the beginning of their senior years to think about college.  Then, they call me in a panic, overwhelmed by the mountain of work that lies ahead of them.  For those students, I reassure them that it’s not too late to begin the college search and admission process.  However, I believe it makes a world of difference if juniors start now and use their time off in the summer to start climbing that mountain.

If you read my blogs, or know me personally, you know I’m a huge fan of to-do lists.  They keep me on track, keep me motivated and keep me aware of my goals.  I’ve come up with a to-do list for juniors that, if started early, will relieve a lot of stress and pressure from senior year.

First, use this time now to set up an internship, job shadowing opportunity or summer job that will allow you to experience a career field that you’re interested in.  If you don’t know where to look for those opportunities, I can certainly help, or you can reach out to the career specialist or guidance counselors in your school.  Getting first-hand knowledge about a career field is extremely beneficial because it will confirm your desire to choose it as a major when applying to colleges in the fall, or if you discover you don’t like that field, it gives you time to explore other options.

Second, start looking over college applications to get an idea of what they require.  While many deadlines for the 2018-2019 application period have not yet been announced, you can look at the 2017-2018 dates to get an idea of a timeline.  Look over essay topics.  Brainstorm ideas.  Write a practice essay.  Then, this summer, fill out an application to get ahead of the game.  The Common Application is accepted by hundreds of colleges and is a good place to start.

Third, if you haven’t already done so, start making a college list.  Research the schools.  Read reviews.  See if they offer the major you’re interested in.  Learn as much as you can about that program.  Many colleges will give out names of alumnus in your area who will share their experiences.

Once you’ve started that college list, then it’ll be time to visit campuses.  I suggest visiting as many campuses before the summer begins as possible.  If you go now, you’ll be able to see what the campus is like with an entire student body.  Take a tour.  Talk to students.  Sit in on a class.  Eat in the cafeteria.  Meet with professors in your field of interest.

Before school lets out for the summer, start collecting reference letters from teachers who are familiar with your work and character.  These will be required for many college applications and if you get them now, it’ll be one less thing you have to do in the fall.

The summer is also a great time to build your student resume by participating in extracurricular activities, to take the ACT/SAT, and to begin the scholarship search.  

Landmark 12 Consulting assists with everything I’ve just mentioned.  Our goal is to make the college admissions process as stress-free as possible, no matter where you are in that process.

With that being said, as Bob Barker would say: Juniors, come on down!  But instead of The Price is Right, I’m changing it to The Time is Right (Now).  So get started!