C.S. of Cedarhurst writes:

 

My husband and I are Orthodox Jews. I lean a bit more toward modern views on life, particularly as concerns the role of women in society. My husband, on the other hand, is very much of the traditional mindset, believing, among other things, that girls, whose role is marriage and place is in the home, have no need to go to college. I would like your opinion on the subject, as my daughter will be entering her senior year of high school in the fall.

 ...

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James A. Boyle of College Parents of America writes:

How aware do you think students and parents are of tuition refund policies? College Parents of America recently began to offer tuition insurance and I hope to get a read on the perception of need.

The College Whisperer Responds:

Jim, clearly the need for tuition refund insurance is there. The knowledge regarding tuition refund polices? Not so much.

Not many parents I work with (and even fewer students) are aware of the tuition refund policies o...
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D.G. of Mineola writes:

My son will be a high school senior this fall. He's an A student and is considering taking several AP courses, as recommended by his guidance counselor. Are AP courses really worth the extra time, work and effort?

The College Whisperer responds:

To paraphrase the GEICO commercial, Does Elmer Fudd really have trouble with the letter "R"?

AP -- Advanced Placement -- courses do a whole lot more than set the stage for college, preparing young minds for the rigors and challenge...
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M.B. of West Hempstead (by way of Binghamton) writes:

I just completed my Junior year in college (doing very well, thank you), and am preparing to take the GRE this summer. I bought the review book (did I really have a choice?), and find it so perplexing to not recognize so many of the vocabulary words, let alone to not find them in Webster's dictionary. I understand that graduate schools want to admit only the cream of the crop, but is the GRE really necessary? [By the way, I'm an English maj...
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G.P. of Williston Park writes:

I am starting college in the fall and will not be applying for scholarships or loans. Should I still complete and submit the FAFSA?

The College Whisperer responds:

Let me think about this for a second. DUH! Yes, you should file the FAFSA, and, given that most colleges have already made or are in the process of making financial aid decisions for the fall, do it today!

FAFSA, as its full moniker more than implies (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is FREE. No ...
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F.B. of West Hempstead writes:

Hey Dad. Mom would like you to stop off at the store and pick up milk, fruit, and veggies.

Also, the car is making a funky noise, and I think a pair of my socks fell behind the clothes dryer.

Love ya!

The College Whisperer responds:

Ahhhh! The work of The College Whisperer is never done...

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of The College Whisperer.

* * *
Comments? Questions for The College Whisperer?
Write us at info@TheCollegeWhisperer.c...

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Rebecca of Lawrence, NY writes:

I'm the parent of a high school junior and want to know when we can get started on college applications.

The College Whisperer responds:

That would be the editorial "we," right? LOL

The Common Application, which is the starting point for the admission process at most colleges and universities, does not go "live" until August 1.

That said, high school juniors and their parents (as well as counselors and advisers) can get a sneak preview of the complete Common App, in...
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E.L. of Jericho, NY writes:

Are these expensive SAT prep courses worth the money?

The College Whisperer responds:

Funny you should ask.

An article just came over the wires from Associated Press in which it is reported that Princeton Review, one of the big boys in SAT/ACT prepdom, is "voluntarily" removing language in their advertising that offers a "guarantee" of a score increase if you take their review course.

Take a look at SAT prep company stops claiming 255-point boost.

Pay Princeton Review o...
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Who Will Be Finding Out What About YOU Through Facebook, MySpace, And The Emerging Social Networks?

A week doesn't pass when Facebook isn't in the news, and not necessarily in a good way.

Cyberbullying. Stalking. And that perennial tale of woe wherein a college acceptance becomes a college rejection, the visions of a high school applicant, drinking and partying, dancing in the head of an admission's officer, courtesy of those tagged photos posted on someone's Wall.

The world, if not Big Brother ...
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Steve of Rockville Centre, NY writes: 

What's the story with IB programs?  In 2006 if my daughter had picked a State college, she would have gotten 32 credits for her IB diploma (that's one whole year of college).   She chose a private university and had to fight for the 1...

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Shhh! Tell Everyone.

The College Whisperer writes: 

Ushering in a new era in college planning, College Connection, Long Island’s one-stop source for college planning, guidance and support, is pleased to introduce The College Whisperer.

Questions about going to college, planning for college, getting into college, or paying for college?

The College Whisperer has the answers (or will po...

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B.R. of Old Westbury, NY writes:

Simple question. Should my child take the ACT or the SAT? Which do colleges prefer?

The College Whisperer responds:

If only the answers were that simple.

I remember, way back when in elementary school in Bayside, New York, having to take a standardized exam known as the Iowa Test, leaving me to wonder whether students in Iowa were, at the same time, taking New York Tests.

We've gone from way too much testing, and unfounded reliance thereon, to teaching solely to t...
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P.L. of Plainview, NY writes:

There are quite a few college planning books on the shelves (not to mention what an Internet search reveals). Are they worthwhile? If so, which books do I buy?

The College Whisperer responds:

Ahh. So many books. So little time!

Indeed, visit any Barnes & Nobles and you will no doubt find an entire section filled with books on college selection, college preparation, college planning, college life, and the all-important "how to" pay for college.

At my last visit to the...
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B.L. of Oceanside, NY writes:

When is the best time to begin planning for college?

The College Whisperer responds:

Right out of the womb, or as soon thereafter one can secure a Social Security number for the newborn. At least in terms of saving for college, the sooner the better.

With college costs rising into the hundreds of thousands of dollars -- and that's just for meal plans ;-) -- parents are well advised to save early and save often.

With New York's 529 College Savings Plan -- www.nysaves.o...
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P.N. of Manhasset, NY writes:

My son will be a senior in high school this year, and we are considering enrolling him in an online college planning seminar. The price seems right ($299), and a set of CDs is also available for an additional sum. Any thoughts?

The College Whisperer responds:

It seems that nowadays, almost anything can be done online, including college itself. [When online dentistry arrives, count me in!]

Call me old-fashioned, but when it comes to college planning, there's absolutel...
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