The College Whisperer™ | Navigating The Road To College

Showing Tag: " college" (Show all posts)

Applying To College In The Age Of The Corona Virus

Posted by Seth Bykofsky on Thursday, March 19, 2020, In : College Planning 

***FREE TELEPHONE CONSULTATION - 516-345-8766 | Call Us!***

Here at
College Connection, we’re hunkering down, ready to offer some sage advice for high school students as they march forward - socially distanced, of course - on their journey to college.

First and foremost, of course, would be to STAY HOME. Help to flatten the curve of the Corona Virus, not only to keep yourself healthy, but to avoid infecting others, particularly the most vulnerable. Socialize online (teens are experts at that)...


Continue reading ...
 

College Counseling In The Time Of The Corona Virus

Posted by Seth Bykofsky on Monday, March 16, 2020, In : College Planning 



Don't let the Corona Virus, with attendant quarantines, pauses, and time outs, hamper your college admission plans.


Whether you're in Great Neck or in Guam, time constraints, logistics, social distancing, or simply dollars and cents may make face-to-face, in-person counseling impractical, if not impossible.

That's why College Connection offers
 E-Planning
, a comprehensive combo of online, e-mail, telephonic, and virtual counseling, with a real-live college planning counselor on hand and on call,...


Continue reading ...
 

FREE College Planning Workshop | April 20

Posted by Seth Bykofsky on Monday, February 10, 2020, In : College Planning 



Colleges once considered “safety” schools have become “reach.” The application process, seemingly simple back in the day, is now overwhelming. And the cost of college, well, let’s just say that arm and leg may not cover it. What’s a high school student (or parent) to do?

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:30 PM, the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island will play host to a free college planning workshop, where high school students and their parents will get the inside scoop on how to...


Continue reading ...
 

A Spring Break "To Do" List

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 18, 2019, In : College Planning 
Wondering What To Do Over Spring Break? Read On...
Remember, college application and admissions season is closer than it appears in the rear view mirror. Check out College Connection's College Planning Packages (or create one of your own). Then, give us a call (516-345-8766) with your questions, concerns, or to schedule a college planning & counseling session in the comfort of your home (Long Island, NY and environs) or remotely. 
At College Connection, we've got ...

Continue reading ...
 

The College Whisperer 4.0™

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, In : College Planning 

Pssst! Got College Plans? Then you need this guy. . . The College Whisperer™ - That warm and fuzzy teddy bear who comforts you from angst, anxiety, and stress.
The College Whisperer™ - That ferocious pit bull, tenacious in getting you into the right college, and helping you find the money to pay for it. The College Whisperer™ - At six pounds four ounces (weight may vary)


If this is how applications, admissions, paying for college, an...
Continue reading ...
 

Prelude To College Applications: A Primer On Getting Started

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, June 9, 2018, In : College Planning 


If there is a single question The College Whisperer™ is asked most about the college application process, it is, "Where do I begin?"

My typical response is, "At the beginning, of course!" ;-)

Seriously, though, getting started down that long and winding road to college admissions, as it is with many things in life, is often the most difficult part of the journey.

So, what will follow below is a basic (very basic, as in, just to give you a push) primer -- a "To Do" list, if you will -- to set y...


Continue reading ...
 

The Knowledge Of College In Black, White, And Shades Of Gray

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, May 22, 2018,

College is closer than it appears in the rearview mirror!

That said, here is a short list of required reading as we prepare for yet another exciting college application season:






And, for those who are absolutely enamored...

Continue reading ...
 

Free College Planning Workshop

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, January 11, 2018, In : College Planning 



College Planning 101 | The Knowledge of College

Monday, May 21 2018 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island

38 Old Country Road, Garden City, New York 11530

    Space Is Limited | REGISTER TODAY at www.tfaforms.com/319156

...
Continue reading ...
 

What High School Juniors (and even Sophs) Should Be Doing Now!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, In : College Planning 

At College Connection, we help you navigate the college application, admissions, and financial aid maze. We welcome the opportunity to work with you, should you choose to use our college planning and counseling services.
 
Meanwhile, you can get a jump start on those college plans.

It's not too early to start planning and preparing for college. In fact, the time is just right...

READ, High School Juniors: This Is Your Moment! 

Questions? Concerns? Leftover turkey and trimmings? Give a holler. We a...


Continue reading ...
 

On Turkeys, Tuition, & Trolling For Scholarships

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, In : Paying for College 

Almost time to stick that Thanksgiving turkey in the oven (and can that Christmas music be far behind?). [By all rights, if the heralding of Christmas (1 day) begins the day after Halloween, the festivities for Chanukah (8 days) should start right after Valentine's Day. Just sayin'... ]

Early Action. Early Action II (like hitting the snooze button?]. Regular Decision.Now is the time to put those finishing touches on the yet unsubmitted applications. Dot the i's. Cross the t's. Answer the optio...


Continue reading ...
 

In Search Of A "Best" Fit College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, In : College Planning 



There are many superlatives bantered about these days. “Best” seems to trump all. “Best” hotels. “Best” restaurants. “Best” haircut. [I once knew a man who only frequented what he believed to be the “best” of everything. He died. As I recall, he had the “best” funeral.] And then, there are those best of the “best” -- “Best” colleges. Ahh, yes. The “Best” Colleges In America (or the world. The Universe?) Rankings of the “best” 100, the “top” 25, an...
Continue reading ...
 

Free College Planning Workshop | Garden City, NY | October 26

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 5, 2017, In : College Planning 



WHAT: College Planning Forum For High School Students & Parents

WHEN: Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 7:30 PM

WHERE: Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island | 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 

WHY: Because the more you know, the better prepared you'll be!


Whether planning for college, applying to college, paying for college, or just thinking about college, this workshop is a must attend for high school students and their parents.

Seth Bykofsky, a/k/a The College Whispere...


Continue reading ...
 

Info On FAFSA for 2018-19

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 14, 2017, In : Paying for College 



The FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the 2018-19 school year launches on October 1. [Just like Common App went "live" on August 1, that doesn't mean you should complete and submit the first day, or even the first couple of weeks. Give FAFSA time to work out the kinks, like the issues with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which was hacked last year.]

YES, you WILL be submitting the FAFSA, regardless of income and assets, real or perceived. Colleges use the FAFSA to calculate...


Continue reading ...
 

Finding Your Niche In The Rankings Of Everything

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 14, 2017, In : College Planning 

Rankings. The best of the best. Top dog. Number one seed. Whether of colleges, basketball teams, tennis players, or pizza parlors, somebody is ranking them, and everyone is reading about them. Suspect as they are -- and they are, on so many levels -- we are drawn to rankings like so many moths to a flame (or was that, so many flies to... you get the idea). Rankings give us a sense -- often a non-sense -- of someone else’s idea of which school, which restaurant, which airline, which dry c...


Continue reading ...
 

So Many College Applications. So Little Time...

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, In : College Applications 


Just when you thought it was safe to start your college applications, you have to decide where to start them, how to submit them, and who will truly give you the easiest access, the most bang for your buck, and the greatest likelihood of success.

Most of those applying to colleges are familiar, for better and for worse, with the
 Common Application (with 600+ colleges), replete with it's spinning wheels of death, initializing bars of doom, and the very antithesis of commonality, college-specifi...


Continue reading ...
 

Essential Reading On The Road To College

Posted by College Connection on Friday, May 12, 2017, In : College Planning 

College is closer than it appears in the rearview mirror!

That said, here is a short list of required reading as we prepare for yet another exciting college application season:






And, for those who are absolutely enamore...

Continue reading ...
 

College Planning & Counseling | Now's The Time!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 24, 2017, In : College Planning 

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY:
 Save $500 on our Ultimate College Planning Package! Just $4000 complete, now through April 28. [Payable in 8 monthly installments of $500.]
 
Don't wait until the beginning of your Senior year to begin the college application and admissions process. Get started NOW!
 
Here's just some of what our college planning and counseling package includes*:
 
 
      ·         Comprehensive college plan customized to student’s needs and           goals                               ...

Continue reading ...
 

Tips For Students (and their parents) Applying To College

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, March 11, 2017, In : College Planning 


1. Five top tips for college bound students

- Seek out colleges that are the "best" fit for the student, rather than what is "best" for Forbes, U.S. News, or The Princeton Review. Rankings make for fun reading and can offer valuable insight, but students need to do their homework to find colleges that are right for them, and not merely popular or trendy to others.

- Apply early. If a college offers Early Action (non-binding), and the student is motivated to have a complete, accurate, and read-w...

Continue reading ...
 

BREAKING: Common App Essay Prompts for 2017-18

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, In : College Applications 

BIG NEWS! 

Okay. Not so big news. But still a heck of a lot better than fake news, right?

The folks at Common App have announced the essay prompts for 2017-18. Something new. Something old. Something reworded. And, back by popular demand, the topic of your choice!

For a good read on what's in store for that all-important personal statement, read on...

The Common App Essay Prompts Are Changing. Here's Why It Doesn't Matter.

For those who like their essay prompts without commentary, here they are, s...

Continue reading ...
 

Ethical Humanists of Long Island to host The College Whisperer™

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 20, 2017, In : College Planning 

Seldom are the words “ethics” and “humanity” heard in the same breath as “college admissions,” but on Wednesday, March 22nd at 7:30 PM, the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island will play host to a college planning workshop, where high school students and their parents will get the inside scoop of how to choose the “best” colleges, the ins and outs of the application and admissions process, writing persuasive essays, and navigating the maze of financial aid ...


Continue reading ...
 

The Road To College Starts Here!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, In : College Planning 

FREE COLLEGE PLANNING WORKSHOP

Navigating The Application Process ~ Admission Strategies
Persuasive Essays ~ Financial Aid Essentials
Wednesday, March 22, 2017  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
at the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island
38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS

College Connection, Official Sponsor of College Admission Success™, offers a FREE College Planning & Admissions Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore...

Continue reading ...
 

College Planning | High School Juniors

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, In : College Planning 

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!

Why wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Save $500 on our Ultimate College Planning Package! Only $4000 complete, now through January 15. [Payable in 8 monthly installments of $500.]
 
Don't wait until the end of your Junior year to begin the college application and admissions process. Get started in January!
 
Here's just some of what our college planning and counseling package includes*:
 
 
      ·         Comprehensive college plan customized to student’s needs and     ...

Continue reading ...
 

FAFSA | Don't Pay For College Without It!

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, October 1, 2016, In : Paying for College 

Yes, FAFSA! Required by every college, not only for student loans, Work-Study, and federal grants, but, in many instances, for institutional aid, including the colleges' own scholarships and merit awards!

FAFSA FACTUAL

FAFSA COMES EARLY FOR 2017-2018! Launch is October 1 of current year, rather than January 1 of next year.

Who must submit FAFSA?
 YOU must submit FAFSA!

Incoming freshmen/Current high school seniors.
 Complete and submit your first FAFSA for the 2017-18 school year on or after Octobe...


Continue reading ...
 

Advice To College Freshmen (Batteries Sold Separately)

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 6, 2016, In : College Life 

Every once in a while, we could all use sage and sound advice from those who have been there and done that.

Here are a few cues that newly-minted college students may well be wise to take, courtesy of The College Whisperer
™ -

1. Find your comfort zones, on campus and in the community beyond, becoming involved in and out of the classroom. Then, step out of those comfort zones with an open mind, understanding that, in the real world, there are no "safe spaces" and few "trigger warnings."

2. Get ...

Continue reading ...
 

Early Action. Don't Miss It!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, August 10, 2016, In : College Applications 

Just a quick reminder that Early Action deadlines for many colleges and universities are quickly approaching, with some only days away (UNC-Chapel Hill and the Georgia Tech, for instance, have Early Action deadlines of October 15th).

Most Early Action Deadline fall between November 1 and November 15.

Some schools have what is known as Priority Deadlines. While not Early Action, in the traditional sense, apply by the Priority Deadline for your application to receive the most favorable considerat...

Continue reading ...
 

The Best Fit For Your College Plans!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, July 4, 2016, In : Just for Fun 

COLLEGE CONNECTION VOTED "BEST COLLEGE PLANNER & COUNSELOR OF THE NORTH SHORE." [Of course, our students, and their parents, already knew that! SEE, What They're Saying]

How do you like that? For the second year running, College Connection, home of The College Whisperer , is tops in the category of "College Planning & Counseling," in  Blank Slate Media's Best of The North Shore (Long Island) 2016.

Who's the best college planner and counselor on the north shore? C'est Moi! 

Okay. We know. Thes...


Continue reading ...
 

Whose College Applications Are They, Anyway?

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, In : College Applications 

Just when you thought it was safe to start your college applications, you have to decide where to start them, how to submit them, and who will truly give you the easiest access, the most bang for your buck, and the greatest likelihood of success.

Most of those applying to colleges are familiar, for better and for worse, with the Common Application (with 600+ colleges), replete with it's spinning wheels of death, initializing bars of doom, and the very antithesis of commonality, college-speci...


Continue reading ...
 

In College Applications, Truth Matters

Posted by College Connection on Monday, June 6, 2016, In : College Applications 

Truth: Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. 
                                                                        --Webster's Dictionary

The truth.
 Seems so hard to come by these days, particularly for those of us who closely follow the political circus in which we are now center ring (enter the clowns in that funny little car).
The truth. Often supplanted by half-truths, untruths, innuendo, misstatements and out and out lies.
The truth....
Continue reading ...
 

Jump Start Your College Applications! | May 25 | Garden City, NY

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, In : College Planning 

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS
• Choosing Colleges That Are “Best” For You
• Navigating The Application Process
• Admission Strategies
• Engaging Essays
• Financial Aid Essentials & Scholarship Sourcing

College ConnectionOfficial Sponsor of College Admission Success™, offers aFREE College Planning & Admissions Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore such topics as choosing a college that’s a “best” fit for you, the intricaci...


Continue reading ...
 

Spring Break's "Top Ten" List

Posted by College Connection on Monday, March 21, 2016, In : College Planning 

In case you were wondering what to do over Spring Break, we’ve come up with a definitive list of the “Top Ten” things high school students (particularly juniors) should be doing to prepare for the coming college application and admission season.

So, in between soaking up the sun on the beach, hitting the slopes, or sleeping until 2 PM, pick up the iPad or Android and have a go at one (and more) of these:

10. Search for “Best” Fit Colleges[And if you do nothing else in this endeavor,...


Continue reading ...
 

Why Wait? Jump Start Your College Applications!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 11, 2016, In : College Applications 


High school junior? Sophomore? Even freshman? Why wait until you're a rising senior to start your college applications? With the new "Rollover" of the Common Application (see, you can teach an old dog new tricks), students may start the common aspects of the Common App (just not the supplements), and data will be saved and carried over from the 2015-16 application to the 2016-17 application. [And, at least in theory, to subsequent years.] No more "wipeout" of data prior to the Common App goin...


Continue reading ...
 

Share The Knowledge Of College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, February 10, 2016, In : College Planning 

Continue reading ...
 

2016-17 Common App Essay Prompts

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 29, 2016, In : College Applications 

"Second verse, same as the first..."
 
A heads up on the essay prompts for the 2016-17 Common Application (the ones this year's high school juniors will be pondering). They will remain the same as the 2015-16 essay prompts. [Click HERE to read the release from the folks at Common App.]
 
Good news, indeed, as high school juniors can now begin to work on -- or at least give serious thought to -- their Common App essay. And since you can create your Common App account NOW for 2016-17 (for students ...

Continue reading ...
 

Got College Plans? Get A College Plan!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 15, 2016, In : College Planning 

COLLEGE CONNECTION, Home of The College Whisperer and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success, offers comprehensive college planning and counseling. Guidance and support in choosing a college, getting in to college, and finding the money to pay for college, all while taking the stress, the worry, the frustration and the madness out of college applications and admissions.

At COLLEGE CONNECTION, we’ve not only got your back, we’ve got your best moves forward!

From college mat...


Continue reading ...
 

Before You Say YES To Any College. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, In : Paying for College 

A word to the wise regarding those college acceptances -- wait until AFTER you receive your financial aid awards from ALL colleges you've been accepted to, BEFORE you say YES to any college!

The next step in the college admissions game (after you've submitted the last of your applications) is to get the money you need to pay for college. 

If you have received that coveted letter (or email, text, Tweet) and you've been accepted to the college of your choice, congrats! Now sit back, relax, an...


Continue reading ...
 

FREE College Admissions Workshop | March 14 | Garden City, NY

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 16, 2015, In : College Planning 

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & PARENTS

  • Choosing Colleges That Are “Best” For You
  • Navigating The Application Process
  • Admission Strategies
  • Winning Essays
  • Financial Aid Essentials & Scholarship Sourcing

College ConnectionOfficial Sponsor of College Admission Success™, offers a FREE College Planning & Admissions Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore such topics as choosing a college that’s a “best” fit for you, the intricacies and nuances of...


Continue reading ...
 

FAFSA | Just Do It!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, December 3, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Yes, FAFSA! [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] Required by every college, not only for student loans, Work-Study, and federal grants, but, in many instances, for institutional aid, including the colleges' own scholarships and merit awards!

FAFSA FACTUAL

Who must submit FAFSA? YOU must submit FAFSA!

Incoming college freshmen/Current high school seniors. Complete and submit your first FAFSA for the 2016-17 school year on or after January 1, 2016*.

Those already in college. Graduate students...


Continue reading ...
 

A Fall Guide For The College Bound

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, In : College Admissions 

WELCOME TO NOVEMBER!

Almost time to stick that Thanksgiving turkey in the oven (and can that Christmas music be far behind?). [By all rights, if the heralding of Christmas (1 day) begins the day after Halloween, the festivities for Chanukah (8 days) should start right after Valentine's Day. Just sayin'... Wink]

Anyway...

Early Action. Early Action II (like hitting the snooze button?]. Regular Decision. Now is the time to put those finishing touches on the yet unsubmitted applications. Dot the i's. C...

Continue reading ...
 

On That Path To College: No Stone Unturned!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 22, 2015, In : College Planning 

Just the other day, The College Whisperer -- also known as "Current Occupant" in certain postal circles, received a piece of unsolicited mail. Not email, mind you, but actual snail mail, at bulk rate, no less.

Keeping with my practice of opening every piece of mail that crosses my desk -- and actually reading it -- I sliced off the top of the envelope and pulled out what I soon realized was an invitation to take a survey. Innocuous, and otherwise destined for the circular file, until I saw,...
Continue reading ...
 

Early Action Deadlines Are Closer Than They Appear In The Rear View Mirror!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 8, 2015, In : College Applications 

Just a quick reminder that Early Action deadlines for many colleges and universities are quickly approaching, with some only days away (UNC-Chapel Hill and the Georgia Tech, for instance, have Early Action deadlines of October 15th. That's next Thursday!).

Most Early Action Deadline fall between November 1 and November 15.

Some schools, such as the University of Maryland (November 1), have what is known as Priority Deadlines. While not Early Action, in the traditional sense, apply by the Priori...

Continue reading ...
 

A Guide To The Common Application

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, July 30, 2015, In : College Applications 


Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that The Common Application,home to some 600 college applications, goes "live" for 2015-16 on August 1 (that's this coming Saturday, for those who may be calendar adverse). 

And so, courtesy of our friends and colleagues at The Prospect, here's a Step-by-step guide to filling out the common app

Okay, so this guide presumes that Hogwarts is your first choice (is that school even on Common App?), and it is based on the 2014-15 version of The Comm...


Continue reading ...
 

The Early Bird May Catch The Worm. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, In : College Applications 


...But The Second Mouse Usually Gets The Cheese!


Yes, 
Common App, portal to more than 600 college applications, goes "live" on August 1. And so, the college application season officially begins. Or so you thought...

As my colleague, Nancy Griesemer, reports inThe Examiner, some colleges are willing to accept your applications even earlier.
READ, Colleges ready and willing to accept applications for fall 2016

Yes, it's like doing your Christmas/Chanukah shopping in July. You'll buy those presents ...


Continue reading ...
 

Prelude To The Common App: A Primer On "Getting Started"

Posted by College Connection on Monday, June 22, 2015, In : College Applications 


If there is a single question The College Whisperer is asked most about the college application process, it is, “Where do I begin?”

My typical response is, “At the beginning, of course!” ;-)

Seriously, though, getting started down that long and winding road to college admissions, as it is with many things in life, is often the most difficult part of the journey.

So, what will follow below is a basic (very basic, as in, just to give you a push) primer -- a “To Do” list, if you will...


Continue reading ...
 

FREE College Planning Workshop July 15th | REGISTER TODAY!

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, June 21, 2015, In : College Planning 


The college admissions process, from application to financing, is confusing, confounding, complex, and often overwhelming. Getting in the admissions game is one thing. Understanding the rules (where there are rules), and actually getting in to a college that is “best” for you, is quite another!

Common App or proprietary college application? Early Action, Early Decision, Restricted Early Action, Regular Decision or Rolling Admissions? ACT, SAT, Test Optional? Deferral or Waitlist? CSS Profi...


Continue reading ...
 

Only The Best!

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, June 21, 2015, In : Just for Fun 


UPDATE: COLLEGE CONNECTION VOTED "BEST COLLEGE PLANNER & COUNSELOR OF THE NORTH SHORE. [Of course, our students, and their parents, already knew that! SEE, What They're Saying]

How do you like that?

College Connection, home of The College Whisperer , has been nominated in the category of "College Planning & Counseling," in Blank Slate Media's Best of The North Shore (Long Island).

Who's the best college planner and counselor on the north shore? C'est Moi! 

Okay. We know. These "best of" deals ...


Continue reading ...
 

New Meaning To "Safety School?"

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, June 21, 2015, In : College Planning 


Not all that long ago, college counselors talked about Target Schools, Reach Schools, and Safety Schools.

For those who need a refresher in the terminology:

Target School -- You have the grades, the scores, and pretty much fit right in with what the college is looking for.

Reach School -- Not quite there academically, and perhaps a longshot. A toss of the dice. Why the heck not?

Safety School -- You are breathing and have a pulse at the time of application. Congratulations. You're in!

Fast forward...


Continue reading ...
 

Common App -- Turn On The Dark!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, June 18, 2015, In : College Applications 


It's pretty much common knowledge to anyone familiar with the college application process: The Common Application, commonly known as Common App, goes "live" for 2015-16 on August 1. [One might argue as to the definition of "life" in the world of college applications and admissions, but, as Mr. Spock might say, "It is life, Captain, but not as we know it!"]

What most folks do not know is that the current year's online applications, now available on Common App's platform, go dark on July 23rd.

Wi...


Continue reading ...
 

Enrollment Management Is The New College Admissions

Posted by College Connection on Monday, June 8, 2015, In : College Admissions 

For most graduating high school seniors, the tale has been told. You've applied and been accepted to college, made your final decision, and, hopefully, searched for and found an abundance of scholarship money to pay for that degree.

There are of course those, who, waking up to the fact that high school is now coming to an end, have yet to apply to college. The procrastinators. The "hiding under a rock" gang. The "I only applied to one school and didn't get in" bunch.

Out of luck? Too late? Afte...


Continue reading ...
 

Hit The Ground Running In The College Admissions Race!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, May 29, 2015, In : College Admissions 

The college application season approaches (and waits for no one)!

Just a brief, yet important, overview as to what high school juniors/rising seniors should be doing at this stage of the college admissions game (batteries sold separately):

1. Naviance - Build that Resume (in the About Me section). Every activity, in school and out; every award, honor, citation, and pat on the back; basically, anything you have done during waking hours from the 9th grade on. [Include senior year activities, etc....


Continue reading ...
 

Top Ten Tidbits Of Advice For Those About To Embark On The Road To College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, In : College Planning 


This is the time of year when everyone doles out advice – to graduates of high school and college, to the newly minted and soon-to-be-initiated, to sun-worshippers, everywhere.

And so, I thought it appropriate to hand out a few gems of my own, gratis, for those still bright-eyed high school juniors/rising seniors, as well as their already angst-ridden parental units, just now beginning the journey through the college application and admissions maze.

 So, without further, and in no particular ...


Continue reading ...
 

None So Need-Blind: The College Fin Aid Conundrum

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Much has been bantered about, in social media, on campus, and around the family dinner table, on the subject of paying for college. Rightfully so, at a time when college seems out of reach for all but the uber-wealthy and those living in abject poverty.

So the question is often asked, "Do colleges consider financial need when making admission decisions?"

Many colleges, in fact, most, boast that they are "need-blind" in the admissions process, meaning that they do not consider whether you will n...


Continue reading ...
 

The Sherpa's Guide To College Admissions

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 30, 2015, In : College Planning 


M.S. of East Williston, NY writes: 

Do I really need a college planning counselor for my child? Aren’t the resources available through her high school guidance counselor, the colleges, and the Internet, sufficient? It all seems so expensive. 

The College Whisperer  responds: 

Back in the day, when the earth was young, and college applications were written by hand and mailed to one or two schools along with a check for $15, a visit to your guidance counselor, along with a thumb-through of th...

Continue reading ...
 

MAY DAY! MAY DAY!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, In : College Admissions 


No, not a 
distress call. [Though there were many, throughout the college application and admissions season, from students and parents alike.] Not International Workers’ Day. [Though we do celebrate the labors of the college-bound in their studies and pursuits which have taken them to the ivy-covered gates.] Not Beltane, the ancient Celtic feast ushering in summer. [Though what student doesn’t look forward to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer?] 

May 1
 is, indeed, May Day -- with a uniq...

Continue reading ...
 

Who Doesn't Like FREE?

Posted by College Connection on Friday, April 17, 2015, In : College Planning 
Free College Planning Workshop  
               April 28, 2015 | 
Garden City, NY  
     Register TODAY!


College Connection
, Official Sponsor of College Admission Success™, hosts a free College Planning Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore such topics as choosing a college that’s “best” for you, the intricacies of the college application and admissions process, creating a winning college essay, and paying for that college degree.

When: Tuesday, April 28, 20...


Continue reading ...
 

Rankings Matter To Colleges: They Should To You, Too!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, April 10, 2015, In : College Admissions 

“’You can love us or hate us, but we’re not going away,’ says U.S. News editor Brian Kelly. ’University officials realized we’re much more valuable to them than not.’ He deflects criticism, saying, ’It’s not up to us to solve problems. We’re just putting data out there.’ He does, however, admit that the rankings system can be gamed.” - Boston Magazine, How To Game The College Rankings

Colleges care about rankings. A lot.

In fact, they care so much for those seemingly inn...


Continue reading ...
 

Paying For College: The Financial Aid Shell Game

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 9, 2015, In : Paying for College 

“...How can I be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes? First.. get a million dollars...” -- Steve Martin

The financial aid “gurus” love to tell you that they can lower college costs, get you more money for college, and find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Everything from shifting assets to Aunt Dottie and Uncle Moe, to deferring contributions to your retirement accounts, in the collegiate equivalent of the street corner shell game. Now you see money for college. Now you don’t!...


Continue reading ...
 

What High School Students Should Be Doing Now

Posted by College Connection on Monday, April 6, 2015, In : College Planning 

While applying to college -- let alone actually going -- may seem far away, now is the time to start planning, preparing, and gearing up, way before the madness of the senior year of high school.

So, what can high school juniors (and, in many instances, sophomores), and their parents, start to do now to get ready for the college application and admissions process?

Well, here is a short “To Do” list to get the ball rolling:

-Check out the college planning calendar to get an idea of where you ...


Continue reading ...
 

2015-16 Common App Essay Prompts

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, In : College Applications 

We are pleased to share the 2015-2016 Common Application Essay Prompts with you. New language appears in italics:


1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn fr...


Continue reading ...
 

Finding Your Niche In The Ranking Of Everything

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 27, 2015, In : College Planning 

Rankings. The best of the best. Top dog. Number one seed.

Whether of colleges, basketball teams, tennis players, or pizza parlors, somebody is ranking them, and everyone is reading about them.

Suspect as they are -- and they are, on so many levels -- we are drawn to rankings like so many moths to a flame (or was that, so many flies to... you get the idea).

Rankings give us a sense -- often a non-sense -- of someone else’s idea of which school, which restaurant, which airline, which dry cleaner...


Continue reading ...
 

What You Don't Know About College Admissions Can Hurt You!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 13, 2015, In : College Planning 

Test prep and fees for APs, SATs and ACTs: $1500
College Application fees: $1000
College tuition, room & board: $60,000

Knowing how to navigate the college application, admissions & financial aid process? PRICELESS!

Okay, so we’re mixing Farmer’s Insurance with MasterCard, but surely you get the message.

The college admissions process, from application to financing, is confusing, confounding, complex, and overwhelming. Getting in the admissions game is one thing. Understanding the rules (where...


Continue reading ...
 

In Search Of A "Best" Fit College

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, March 12, 2015, In : College Planning 

There are many superaltives bantered about these days. “Best” seems to trump all. “Best” hotels. “Best” restaurants. “Best” haircut. [I once knew a man who only frequented what he believed to be the “best” of everything. He died. As I recall, he had the “best” funeral.]

And then, there are those best of the “best” -- “Best” colleges.

Ahh, yes. The “Best” Colleges In America (or the world. The Universe?) Rankings of the “best” 100, the “top” 25, and th...


Continue reading ...
 

Just Because You've Been Accepted. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, In : College Admissions 

. . .Doesn’t Mean There’s Not More To Be Done!

Access Your College Web Portals -- Colleges give you web portals for a reason: So you may log on and get additional information, complete forms, check your status, find and accept (or decline) your financial aid award, and so much more. Check the web portal for every college you’ve been accepted to, and do so often!

Update FAFSA -- Submitting your initial FAFSA early is good. Submitting your “Corrected” FAFSA, after you file your tax retu...


Continue reading ...
 

Do You Want To Build A Snowman? How About That High School Resume?

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 6, 2015, In : College Applications 

Build that Snowman yet?

Well, snow or no snow, this is the perfect time to begin to build your high school Resume, both on Naviance and on paper.

NAVIANCE:
 While many college applications have an activities section, most are extremely limited in the number of activities you may list. [ Common App limits you to 10.]

That’s why it is so important to have a “paper” (Word Doc) Resume that may either be uploaded to your college application or sent under separate cover to Admissions.

Naviance all...


Continue reading ...
 

And The College Acceptance Letter Goes To. . .

Posted by College Connection on Monday, February 23, 2015, In : College Admissions 

While watching the Academy Awards, trying to second-guess who would win the Oscar and who would get snubbed, slighted, or sacked, it dawned on me -- the awarding of the Oscars is very much like college admissions: Arbitrary, capricious, and pretty much anybody’s guess, educated or otherwise.

Was Birdman really more worthy than The Budapest Hotel? Eddie Redmayne truly a better actor than, say, Benedict Cumberbatch? Why was Feast the “best” animated short film, and not The Bigger Picture? ...


Continue reading ...
 

A Tale Of Two College Applicants

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 19, 2015, In : College Admissions 

It is not always -- or even often -- about the story. How you tell it. What it imparts. Where you’ve come from. Where you hope to go. At least not in college admissions, where the difference between acceptance and denial (or deferment and waitlist) is frequently a random act rather than a conscious effort.

Take the case of two students I worked with this year. Both from a prestigious Long Island high school. One with stellar grades, scores, community service, extracurriculars, and an essay t...


Continue reading ...
 

Jump Start Your College Scholarship Search!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, In : Paying for College 

College scholarships. Read as, FREE money for college!

You’ve read about them. You’ve heard about them. You may even get emails, texts, and Tweets to apply for them. But what are you doing to actually get a college scholarship -- or two, or three, or four?

In all likelihood, not much, if anything at all.

“Oh, no one every wins those.” “You have to be poor to get a scholarship.” “Too much work.” “Wait. There are scholarships?”

You’ve heard the excuses. And no, it may not be e...


Continue reading ...
 

10 Things I Hate About 10 Things!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, February 9, 2015, In : College Admissions 

You’ve seen them. In the newspapers and magazines. On Internet search engines and online tutorials. Even on your Twitter feed.

“10 Things You Must Do Before Applying To College”

“7 Myths About FAFSA”

“8 Reasons Why Your SAT Score Matters”

“The 5 Best College Dining Halls”

Yes, along with those inane college rankings (the ones that prompt colleges to extend their application deadlines, so they can have more applications to deny, thus decreasing the acceptance rate, and moving them...


Continue reading ...
 

Tying Up Loose Ends On The Financial Aid Front

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 5, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Welcome to February! The Ground Hog has seen your college application and... Okay, you tell me what the Ground Hog said. 

Meanwhile, on the financial aid front, a few tips and critical reminders:

- You MUST submit a “CORRECTED” FAFSA once you have filed your 2014 income tax returns. [The FAFSA Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is now available. It may be utilized approximately 10-days after you file your federal tax return, if filed electronically.]

- If you will be attending a college physically lo...


Continue reading ...
 

Heads You're In. Tails You're Out.

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, January 31, 2015, In : College Admissions 

The following posts should be of interest as college admissions decisions begin to roll in:

The Truth About Admissions

For Anyone Who Has Ever Received A College Rejection Letter

Beware Monkeys Throwing Darts!

Remember, very often, it’s not you... It’s them!

Plan. Prepare. PREVAIL!

College Connection on Twitter download.php?rand=270925&folder=INBOX.Se Follow Us

The College Whisperer download.php?rand=394537&folder=INBOX.Se Like Us On Facebook

Call us at COLLEGE CONNECTION for all of your college planning needs! 516-345-8766.


Continue reading ...
 

High School Juniors: Get A Jump Start On The Road To College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, In : College Planning 

As you head down that long and winding road toward college (try to stay behind the salt spreader :-), take advantage of College Connection’s College Cafe.

Information is updated regularly, so check back frequently at College Cafe!

To Do List:

Nag. Nag. Nag. Yup, it’s what we do! LOL

Here are a few things high school juniors should be working on as we move toward the Spring --

1. Naviance -- Begin building/updating your Resume (Under About Me);

2. Take the SAT and the ACT. Repeat the test on whi...


Continue reading ...
 

Get To Know The College Whisperer™

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, January 22, 2015, In : College Planning 

Just Who Is The College Whisperer?

The College Whisperer
™ is Seth Bykofsky. [Or is it the other way around? No matter! :-)]

Born on the cusp of a new century (1 B.C.), his mother, Frances, was first runner-up to Miss Alternate Universe, while his father, Irving, served as counsel to the Czars. Orphaned at a tender age by the tragic sinking of the Titantic, Bykofsky was home-schooled until the age of 13, at which time he was summarily expelled. 

Joining the French Foreign Legion and rising t...
Continue reading ...
 

In Memory of MLK; In Honor of Dreams, Everywhere

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, January 18, 2015, In : College Life 

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."  -- Martin Luther King, Jr.



- - - 
Plan. Prepare. Prevail! 
- - - 
Questions about anything and everything college? Email COLLEGE CONNECTION at info@CollegeConnect.info, or give us a call at 516-345-8766.

Find Us on the web at College Connection
Check out The College Whisperer blog
College Connection on Twitter icon_sm_twitter.gif Follow Us
The College Whisperer...


Continue reading ...
 

Free College. An Idea Whose Time Has Come -- Again!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 12, 2015, In : Paying for College 

Back in the day, when I was a student at Queens College, the jewel in the crown of the City University of New York (CUNY), there was no tuition. A college education was, in fact, “free.”

I remember, when during the course of my tenure at QC, CUNY administrators instituted what they believed to be a modest “consolidated fee” of $250. Oh, the tumult created on campus. The near hysteria. The protests on the quad, orchestrated, as I recall, by the then president of the University Senate, J...


Continue reading ...
 

The College Whisperer™ Speaks. . .

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 5, 2015, In : College Planning 

We were going to title this post, Seth Speaks. . ., but we didn't want to confuse our readers with that great transcendental guru of the 60s, Seth Speaks, as channeled by psychic Jane Roberts, or, for that matter, the truly amaaazing guru of Broadway, Seth Rudetsky, who not only speaks, but sings, acts, and plays the piano with aplumb.

So, we'll just leave it as The College Whisperer Speaks... and ask that you pull up a chair, sit back and relax, and listen up for a good measure of sage wis...

Continue reading ...
 

What To Do Over Winter Break

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, December 27, 2014, In : College Planning 

Yes, school is out. HOORAY!

But before (or after) you hit the beach -- or the slopes -- here are a few things “To Do” during the break:

1. High school Seniors: Put the finishing touches on those college applications still waiting to be submitted, and, by all means, SUBMIT! [Be aware of those deadlines. They mean it!]

2. Follow up on submitted applications (most colleges have Application Trackers on their web portals) to make certain they are complete. [Transcripts, letters of recommendation,...


Continue reading ...
 

Turning Winter Break Into Money For College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 24, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Be productive during your winter break from high school or college. Search and apply for college scholarships! [Scholarships are not just for high school seniors, or students already in college. Yes, there are scholarships open to high school juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen.] Check out fastweb.commeritaid.com, and zinch.com, for starters. 

College Prowler
one of the premier college scholarship search engines, is now Niche. More scholarship opportunities. Better matches. Increased opp...


Continue reading ...
 

Haven't Applied To College Yet? There's Still Time!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, December 18, 2014, In : College Applications 

While many a college application deadline has long ago passed (or is about to), there are literally hundreds of colleges out there still accepting applications for the fall of 2015.

Here are but a few of the ways you can find colleges that have late application deadlines and/or offer "rolling" admissions:

  1. Common Application member institutions still open to new applicants may be found by going to the Common App website, scrolling down Member Colleges & Universities, and clicking College Search....

Continue reading ...
 

Earning Scholarship Money For College (While You're Still In High School)

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Getting in to the college of your choice (yes, we'll help you do that) is one thing. Finding the money to pay for college can be quite another matter (and we'll help you there, as well)!

Most high school seniors -- at least the ones we work with -- understand that the bulk of scholarship (read as,
 FREE) money does not come from either the colleges or the government, but rather, from outside sources such as corporations, foundations, community-based organizations, and the like....


Continue reading ...
 

Next Up, FAFSA!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, December 8, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Applying to college for the fall of 2015? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, can be completed and submitted on or after January 1.]

Already in college and planning to attend college or grad school in the fall of 2015?
 
YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [Yes, FAFSA MUST be submitted each year for the following school year.]

Been awarded a scholarship from a college or want to apply for scholarships offered by a college? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Vying for merit...

Continue reading ...
 

What High School Juniors (and even Sophomores) Should Be Doing Now

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, In : College Planning 

While applying to college -- let alone actually going -- may seem far away, now is the time to start planning, preparing, and gearing up, way before the madness of the senior year of high school. 

So, what can high school juniors (and, in many instances, sophomores), and their parents, start to do now to get ready for the college application and admissions process? 

Well, here is a short "To Do" list to get the ball rolling: 

-Check out the college planning calendar to get an idea of where you s...

Continue reading ...
 

Up Close and Personal with The College Whisperer™

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 17, 2014, In : College Planning 

Just Who Is The College Whisperer?

The College Whisperer
 is Seth Bykofsky. [Or is it the other way around? No matter! :-)]

Born on the cusp of a new century (1 B.C.), his mother, Frances, was first runner-up to Miss Alternate Universe, while his father, Irving, served as counsel to the Czars. Orphaned at a tender age by the tragic sinking of the Titantic, Bykofsky was home-schooled until the age of 13, at which time he was summarily expelled. 

Joining the French Foreign Legion and rising t...

Continue reading ...
 

What Cost, College?

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, November 15, 2014, In : Paying for College 

Factored into what colleges you should apply to, and, ultimately, which college to attend, must be the cost of four or more years of higher education. [How's that money tree doing?]

So, how does one cut through that seemingly bottomless pit of calculating the true cost of college, let alone comparing the bottom line of one college to another? And, once the cost of college is revealed, where does one find the funds to foot the bill?

First Step, College Cost Calculators.
 All coll...


Continue reading ...
 

It's Only College!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, In : College Admissions 

The one word I hear most in my college planning and counseling adventures is "overwhelmed." Followed, in many instances, by "frustrated," "frightened," and "flabbergasted." [The latter probably being a good SAT word! :-)]

How something so seemingly simply (it actually was just that, back in the days when applications were written by hand and submitted via the United States Postal Service) could be turned into something so complex, complicated, costly, and, in almost every respect, inane.

The in...


Continue reading ...
 

When Clicking "Submit" Is Not Submit

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, November 9, 2014, In : College Applications 

Shopping online? [Don't forget to use Ebates, where you get cashback -- for college and anything else.]

But I digress... When you shop online, what is the protocol? You browse. You select the items you want to buy, placing them in your shopping cart. You complete all required information pertinent to your order. And, last but not least, you PAY.

Simple, right? Logical.

In almost every online purchase, the final step is PAYMENT. Not so with your college applications, or at least those you attempt...

Continue reading ...
 

So, You Missed The Early Action Deadline

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, November 2, 2014, In : College Applications 

No Big Deal!

Sure, somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% of prospective college students will be accepted via Early Action/Early Decision. Yes, had you applied Early Action, (a) most or all of your college applications would have been completed and submitted before Thanksgiving, (b) you would have increased your chances, though only slightly in most instances, of being accepted by the college of your choice, and (c) you'd typically have an admission decision in hand (or in your email inbox) som...

Continue reading ...
 

SAT Scores; Early Action; Financial Aid; Upping The Ante

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, In : College Admissions 

SAT Scores: A reminder that scores for the October SAT are now posted at www.CollegeBoard.org. Official scores must be sent to those colleges requiring same via the College Board website. [Note: If the Early Action Deadline is November 1, scores should be sent "RUSH" (additional fee applies).] 

Early Action Deadlines: Be aware of Early Action (EA) Deadline dates. Do NOT wait until the actual deadline date(s) to submit your applications. 

Naviance: For those high schools utilizing Naviance, be s...

Continue reading ...
 

I'm The College Whisperer™ And I Approved This Message

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, October 21, 2014, In : College Planning 

VOTED "BEST" In COLLEGE PLANNING AND COUNSELING
BY
THOSE WHO MATTER MOST!



* * *
At COLLEGE CONNECTION, We've Got Your Back. And Your Best Moves Forward!

Find Us on the web at
 College Connection
Check out The College Whisperer blog
College Connection on Twitter icon_sm_twitter.gif Follow Us
The College Whispereron Facebook icon_sm_facebook.gif Like Us On Facebook

Continue reading ...
 

The College Essay - Owning The 650

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 16, 2014, In : College Applications 


Ah, the college essay. Those 250-650 words on the Common App that try the souls of high school seniors (not to mention their already overwhelmed parental units).

First, a few (okay, many) thoughts on the college admissions process, in general, and the college essay, in particular. 

Did you know that the average time spent by an admissions officer reviewing a college application is but 7 1/2 minutes? That’s the ENTIRE application. NOT just the essays and supplemental writings! [when it comes t...


Continue reading ...
 

SAT Scores, ACT Scores: AP Scores; Scoring $100

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, In : College Applications 

As college application deadlines loom on the horizon, here are a few pointers to help you complete the process. Remember, there's more to applying to college than simply clicking "Review and Submit" on Common App!

Test Scores --
 Nothwithstanding the unofficial reporting of test scores to colleges via Common App, prorietary applications, and SSAR (where required), the ONLY test scores considered for admission by colleges are the ones officially submitted via College Board (SAT, SAT II, AP) and ...

Continue reading ...
 

Early Action Deadlines Are Closer Than They Appear In The Rearview Mirror!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, October 10, 2014, In : College Applications 

Just a quick reminder that Early Action deadlines for many colleges and universities are quickly approaching, with some only days away (UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Georgia, for instance, have Early Action deadlines of October 15th. That's next Wednesday!).


Most Early Action Deadlines fall between November 1 and November 15.


Some schools, such as the University of Maryland (November 1), have what is known as Priority Deadlines. While not Early Action, in the traditional sense, apply by...


Continue reading ...
 

College Fair, Revisited

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, October 5, 2014, In : College Planning 

Hours (even days) after the Long Island National College Fair at the Nassau Coliseum, I can still see the glazed looks in the eyes of parents and high school students. You know. That deer-in-the-headlights glare as they attempted to traverse the aisles, packed in like sardines, swimming upstream against the current as if salmons on their way to spawn. [How's that for mixed metaphors?The College Whisperer ™ wants to give equal time to all species. Cue the reptiles! ;-)]

Yes, if you attended t...

Continue reading ...
 

College Connection Update - October, 2014

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 2, 2014, In : College Planning 

Welcome to October!

A new month means that it is time, once again, to enter College Prowler's $2000 "No Essay" Scholarship Contest. [And while you are on the College Prowler site, be sure to check out the many other scholarship opportunities!] REMEMBER: If you don't apply, you won't get money! (And scholarships are NOT just for high school seniors!!!)

In other news, an "on point" article on college rankings, as appeared a couple of years ago in The New York Times, is just as relevant today. Che...

Continue reading ...
 

Shofar, So Good!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, In : College Planning 

As Jews the world over usher in the year 5775 (where does the time go?), The College Whisperer pauses to reflect, to refresh, and to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

Next year in college!


Don't leave college admissions to prayer alone!

Call College Connection (516-345-8766) after the holidays for the competitive edge in this most selective college market.

College Matching ~ Application Enhancement ~ Essay Development 
Admission Strategies ~ Scholarship & Financial Aid Sou...

Continue reading ...
 

For The Love Of Money!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, In : College Admissions 

Typically, when we mention "money" here at The College Whisperer, we're talking scholarships -- free money for college. Where to search for it and how to get your hands on it. After all, financial freedom beats student debt every time!

Today, however, we are constrained to blog about the megabucks that is the world of college applications and admissions. A tale of collusion and conspiracy, piracy and profiteering, patting you on the back with one hand, while picking your pockets with the ot...

Continue reading ...
 

The College Essay: Keep It Simple. Keep It Real. Keep It About You!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 18, 2014, In : College Applications 

First piece of advice when setting out to write your college essay: Keep Calm and Just Write -- It's Only An Essay!

Seems there's nothing more unnerving to students (and, by extension, their parents) than the college essay. What to write? How do I say it? Will it be good enough? Can I tell my "story" in 650 words or less? And what about Naomi?

Indeed, with all the hype and hyperbolae surrounding the college essay (as to form, content, style, and overuse of SAT words), it w...


Continue reading ...
 

Ten Things The College Admissions Office Won't Tell You

Posted by College Connection on Monday, September 15, 2014, In : College Applications 

Just when you thought it was safe to get into the college admissions game... [Cue the theme from Jaws!] What you know. What you think you know. What they tell you and, sometimes, what they don’t tell you. Let the college applicant beware! 

1. Your Application Is Incomplete. Yes, most colleges have so-called “Application Checkers” which allow you to see (though not always in real-time) what, if anything is missing from your application. Test scores. High school transcript. Supplements. Re...

Continue reading ...
 

To The College Fair -- Or Not!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, September 12, 2014, In : College Planning 

A few years ago, a reader inquired as to whether it was worth going to the National College Fair. A number of errant links (they tend to break or disappear over time) aside, the advice on the Fair is certainly as valid today as it was then, and well worth repeating.

L.B. of North Merrick, NY writes: 

There's a College Fair coming up at the Nassau Coliseum. Is it worth attending, for college-bound students and/or their parents?

The College Whisperer responds:

A definite maybe. ;-)

In days of old...

Continue reading ...
 

Are You Going To The Long Island College Fair?

Posted by College Connection on Friday, September 12, 2014, In : College Planning 

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Long Island College Fair

Sunday, October 5, 2014

11 AM - 3 PM

Nassau Coliseum

Uniondale, NY

For more information, click HERE

For student registration, click HERE

- - -
At COLLEGE CONNECTION, We've Got Your Back. And Your Best Moves Forward!

Find Us on the web at 
College Connection
Check out The College Whisperer blog
College Connection on Twitter icon_sm_twitter.gif Follow Us
The College Whispereron Facebook icon_sm_facebook.gif Like Us On Facebook

...
Continue reading ...
 

Guest Post: Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, In : Paying for College 

From time to time, we present guest posts here on The College Whispererblog, offering viewpoints, insights and opinions that may complement or even differ from our own.

Today, we are pleased to bring you a guest post written by Jocelyn Paonita, a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina ("debt free," we might add), and author of The Scholarship System: 6 Simple Steps on How to Win Scholarships and Secure Financial Aid, with some essential pointers on acing that scholarship applic...

Continue reading ...
 

Your Sherpa Guide To College Admissions

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, September 6, 2014, In : College Admissions 

M.S. of East Williston, NY writes: 
Do I really need a college planning counselor for my child? Aren’t the resources available through her high school guidance counselor, the colleges, and the Internet, sufficient? It all seems so expensive. 

The College Whisperer
™ responds:
 
Back in the day, when the earth was young, and college applications were written by hand and mailed to one or two schools along with a check for $15, a visit to your guidance counselor, along with a thumb-through of the...
Continue reading ...
 

School's Open: Strive Carefully!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, In : College Planning 

Wow, another school year begins. [Where did the summer go?]

That means a full and hopefully rigorous courseload for high school seniors, aside from dealing with the trials and trbulations of the college application and admissions process.

Yes, senior year is a whole lot more than planning for prom and putting together that high school yearbook. After all, colleges to which you will apply shall see what courses you are taking, your mid-year grades, and the activities you're engaged in this year ...

Continue reading ...
 

Expect The Unexpected!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, August 28, 2014, In : College Planning 

Summer draws to a close, and college application season is now upon us.

Along with the usual angst and anxiety that accompanies the madness of the application and admissions process, the twists and turns, minefields and detours, you must be prepared for the unexpected.

Be forewarned that Murphy's Law ("whatever can go wrong, will go wrong") is in full force and effect!

But what could possibly go wrong? 

Famous last words...

Last year, it was the foibles and follies of Common App. Log in fails. For...

Continue reading ...
 

College Applications: "Early" Is The New "Regular"

Posted by College Connection on Friday, August 22, 2014, In : College Applications 

It is said that "the early bird catches the worm." However, more often than not, the second mouse gets the cheese!" [Think about it...]

As college-bound high school seniors seriously begin work on their college applications -- inclusive of the Common App -- two questions invariably arise: "What is the difference between 'Early Decision' and 'Early Action,' and should I apply under either?"

"Early Decision," simply put, is binding. The end all of decisions. You will go to no other college. If th...
Continue reading ...
 

Please Release Me, Let Me Go (To College)

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, August 21, 2014,

As if applying and getting in to college weren't challenging enough, the law can even stand in your way.

Yes, there is a federal law, commonly known as FERPA (short for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), intended to protect student information from prying eyes, that could, if you are not diligent, actually keep school records out of the hands of college admissions officers.

As silly as it may seem, even though you are applying to colleges, your high school cannot send transcripts or re...

Continue reading ...
 

A High School Resume Speaks Volumes

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, In : College Applications 

While the "common" section of the Common App no longer provides for the upload of a formal Resume, most colleges continue to welcome same, and many, including those on Common App, provide the opportunity to upload a Resume, either via the Common App Writing Supplement, or their own proprietary applications.

READ, Common App members and others welcome your resume.

If you would like a sample high school resume, simply email us at info@CollegeConnect.info, and we will wisk one off to you. Feel fre...

Continue reading ...
 

Live from The Common App

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, In : College Applications 

It's time to apply to college!

Common App is up and running, as is the Universal College Application. Proprietary college applications are coming online.

Are you ready to apply to college? 
Now is the time to plan and prepare. 
Appointments are being scheduled. 

Questions? Concerns? Ready to get started? Call Us! 
516-345-8766 
COLLEGE CONNECTION 
Home of The College Whisperer™ 
www.CollegeConnect.info 
www.TheCollegeWhisperer.com 
@GetCollege

Continue reading ...
 

Nothing Beats Up Close And Personal

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, August 7, 2014, In : College Planning 

L.N. of Manhasset, NY writes:

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

The College Whispererresponds:

Good for you for wanting to start college planning early. Too many high school students, waiting until the start of their senior year, wish they had gotten a head start in their junior year!

With respect to the...


Continue reading ...
 

Common App Goes "Live"

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, August 2, 2014, In : College Applications 

"It is life, but not as we know it!" - Dr. Leonard McCoy, Star Trek

The Common Application is up and running (for now). Are you ready to start your college applications?

Before the Common App gets to you, you need to get to us!

COLLEGE CONNECTION. The cure for the Common App.


- - -
Plan. Prepare.
PREVAIL! 

The College Whisperer™ is the Trademark of COLLEGE CONNECTION,Official Sponsor of College Admission Success. The road to college begins at COLLEGE CONNECTION! Whether you are applying to colleg...

Continue reading ...
 

Prelude To The Common App: A Primer On "Getting Started"

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, In : College Applications 

If there is a single question The College Whisperer is asked most about the college application process, it is, "Where do I begin?"

My typical response is, "At the beginning, of course!" ;-)

Seriously, though, getting started down that long and winding road to college admissions, as it is with many things in life, is often the most difficult part of the journey.

So, what will follow below is a basic (very basic, as in, just to give you a push) primer -- a "To Do" list, if you will -- to set y...
Continue reading ...
 

The College Whisperer™ 4.0

Posted by College Connection on Monday, June 16, 2014, In : College Planning 
Pssst! Got College Plans? Then you need this guy. . . The College Whisperer™ - That warm and fuzzy teddy bear who comforts you from angst, anxiety, and stress.
The College Whisperer™ - That ferocious pit bull, tenacious in getting you into the right college, and helping you find the money to pay for it.
The College Whisperer™ - At six pounds four ounces (weight may vary)



If this is how applications, admissions, paying for college,...
Continue reading ...
 

As Exciting As Watching Paint Dry

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, In : College Planning 

Helping students get into colleges that are the best fit for them is Job 1 at College Connection. And right alongside is an endeavor of near-equal import: helping students find the money to actually pay for the colleges they've worked so hard to get into!

Most kids are excited, though somewhat nervous, about the college application and admissions process. Once they start getting into it -- Common App, personal essays, supplements, and all -- most find that what they thought would be an ordeal ...
Continue reading ...
 

Who's Got Your Back?

Posted by College Connection on Friday, April 18, 2014, In : College Planning 

As we stare down the barrel of yet another college application and admissions season [where does the time fly?], The College Whisperer asks the age-old question: Who's Got Your Back?

Yes, who is looking out for you on that long, winding, sometimes treacherous, and too often nerve-wracking road to college? Well, let's see.

College Board? Sorry. The folks who would have you take a test to get in to the shower may say they're looking out for your best interests (after all, to say otherwise migh...

Continue reading ...
 

Don't Be Frightened By The Numbers. Or Fooled By The Stats.

Posted by College Connection on Friday, April 11, 2014, In : College Admissions 

They used to say, "there are lies, damned lies, and then there are statistics..."

Today, the code words are Metrics and analytics.

You hear those words often these days. Well, you do, if you watch professional baseball games, or do almost any reading -- or browsing -- of how data-driven we have become in everything from "the shift" to deciding who gets in to college.

Yes, data. The stuff that pushes high stakes standardized test scores to the fore in the minds of the mindless, and takes the mana...

Continue reading ...
 

The World According To Common App

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 3, 2014, In : College Applications 

Or why moving to Iowa (or Bangladesh) may actually improve your chances of getting in to your college of choice!


Common Application: Inside the Numbers
Of course, the numbers don't tell the whole story. While the folks at Common App pat themselves on the back, touting the many successes of this online college portal, for CA4, as the 2013-14 version was called, failure may have actually been their thing.

Failure to launch. Failure to load. Failure to upload Supplements. Failure to permit log on. Failure to paginate. Failure to produc...

Continue reading ...
 

The Waitlist

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, March 29, 2014, In : College Admissions 

The waitlist, more often than not, is that great void known as the Black Hole of college admissions, where applications go to die.

You, as the applicant, must get your applications in by deadline, or else. You must file for financial aid and scholarships by dates certain, or else. You must notify colleges of your acceptance decisions by May 1, or else.

Colleges, on the other hand, are not so much bound by deadlines. Apply Early Action, expecting a definitive answer sometime bet...


Continue reading ...
 

Fifty Shades of... Huh?

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, March 29, 2014, In : College Prep 

I came across a website recently, by way of Twitter. Suffice it to say it was one of the many SAT preppies out there – an SAT Dude, in fact -- touting the benefits of preparing for the dreaded standardized test. In this instance, MATH. The tricks of the trade disclosed, so to speak.

The title to the particular post intrigued me, as did the post’s content. It was called, How To Solve “Shaded Region” Questions.

Finally. Someone who could show me just how to find the solution to those conf...


Continue reading ...
 

REJECTED!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, March 27, 2014, In : College Admissions 

Forlorn? Depressed? Inconsolable?

Read this article by journalist and author Joan Didion on being denied admission to Stanford in 1952. As timely today as it was when first published in 1968 in the Saturday Evening Post!

On Being Unchosen by the College of One’s Choice

“Dear Joan,” the letter begins, although the writer did not know me at all. The letter is dated April 25, 1952, and for a long time now it has been in a drawer in my mother’s house, the kind of back-bedroom drawer given ov...


Continue reading ...
 

Educate America First!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, March 24, 2014, In : College Admissions 

Recently, I spent the better part of a day assembling furniture that was “Made in China.” Leaving aside the fact that the instructions were clearly lost in translation, and the pictures of the nuts, bolts and assorted parts looked nothing like the content of the carton (not even the ones that were left over after final assembly), I got to thinking about why we can’t – or simply won’t – make things like tables, chairs, and dressers here in this country.

Could it be, as we are told...


Continue reading ...
 

On The Air

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, In : College Planning 

Seth Bykofsky, better known as The College Whisperer, takes to the airwaves on Long Island Money & Business (WLIE 540 AM) to discuss college admissions and the application process.

Click HERE to join the conversation. Click HERE to read The College Whisperer blog. Click HERE to get started down the road to college admission success!

- - -   
Plan. Prepare. Prevail!  

          FREE College Planning Workshop, March 26th

 When college applications get to you, you need to get to us! 

Contact us ...


Continue reading ...
 

Learning Disabilities: Taboo, No More

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 14, 2014, In : College Planning 

It wasn't long ago that high school students, diagnosed with a Learning Disability -- such as ADHD or Dyslexia -- would go out of their way to avoid any reference to their educational challenges when applying to college. Indeed, many students, throughout their elementary and secondary school careers, would not even seek out professional help, this for fear of being labeled as "LD."

My, how things have changed, and dare I say, for the better.

In this age of transparency and candor -- not to ment...

Continue reading ...
 

College Scholarships: Sweeter Than The Sweet Sixteen

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, In : Paying for College 

The brackets will soon be set in stone for college basketball's 64, with the March Madness countdown to the Sweet 16 and the Final Four, but how about the money you need to foot that tuition bill?

Now that the college acceptance letters are beginning to roll in, The College Whisperer is amazed by just how many college-bound students abandon the search for money to pay for college.

Sure, you've filed your FAFSA (hopefully), and registered at Fastweb and other scholarship search engines, but h...
Continue reading ...
 

FREE College Planning Workshop, March 26

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, March 8, 2014, In : College Planning 
Jump Start Your College Applications!

When
:
 Wednesday, March 26, 2014,  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Where: Ethical Humanist Society -- Auditorium
             38 Old Country Road
             Garden City, New York 11530

WhyBecause getting in to college has become more competitive than ever, and the application process increasingly complex. You need to be in the know and prepared to go!

College ConnectionOfficial Sponsor of College Admission Success™, hosts a free College Planning Workshop. Open to stud...
Continue reading ...
 

Back To The Past: The SAT Morphs Yet Again!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, March 7, 2014, In : College Prep 

Here they come. Changes to the SAT. 

A New SAT Aims to Realign With Schoolwork

The Story Behind the SAT Overhaul

College President: SAT Is Part Hoax, Part Fraud

Once upon a time, College Board (the folks who stick a No. 2 pencil in one hand, and pick your pockets with the other) owned the field. Now, with market share down around 50%, they're looking to get back in the game.

Yes, it was all fun and games until the folks at College Board, The Once Great and Powerful, realized they weren't making qu...

Continue reading ...
 

Workshops, Forums, And Fairs. Oh My!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, March 3, 2014, In : College Planning 

When it comes to planning for college, and getting a jump start on those college applications, there are few things -- well, other than that pint of Forbidden Chocolate ice cream -- that can help ease the journey and lighten that burden than college planning workshops, community forums (often in your own school or local library), and, of course, those college fairs that help you sort out which colleges are "best" for you.

Here's a sampling of what's coming up on Long Island and in our own back...

Continue reading ...
 

Take Your College Applications Seriously

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, In : Just for Fun 

The college application and admissions process and the entire collegiate industrial complex? Not so much!



Going to college is a great experience. Shouldn't getting there be at least half as much fun?
- - -

Plan. Prepare. Prevail!  

Before college applications, the Common App, CSS Profile, FAFSA, financial aid forms, and the whole college application and admissions process get to you, you need to get to us! 

Whether applying to college, paying for college, planning for college, or just thinking a...


Continue reading ...
 

Common App Pats Self On Back; Breaks Arm In Process

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, February 12, 2014, In : College Applications 

Well, at least the essay prompts will remain the same on Common App for the 2014-15 college application season!

High school Juniors take note. Begin to think about your Common App essay, and how you will answer those three critical questions inherent in each prompt: (1) Who are you? (2) Who do you hope to become over the next four years? (3) What will you bring to campus, and to the community beyond?

And now, from the folks who brought you the Common App-ocalypse of 2013-14:


THE COMMON APPLICATI...


Continue reading ...
 

"He Once Sat In The Front Seat While His Daughter Learned To Parallel Park The Car..."

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, In : College Planning 

One-upping The Most Interesting Man In The World...

The College Whisperer
™ is Seth Bykofsky. [Or is it the other way around? No matter! :-)]

Born on the cusp of a new century (1 B.C.), his mother, Frances, was first runner-up to Miss Alternate Universe, while his father, Irving, served as counsel to the Czars. Orphaned at a tender age by the tragic sinking of the Titantic, Bykofsky was home-schooled until the age of 13, at which time he was summarily expelled. 

Joining the French Foreign Legio...
Continue reading ...
 

Beware Monkeys Throwing Darts!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 31, 2014, In : College Admissions 

Ever wonder how college admission decisions are really made? Think the difference between getting in and that rejection letter is skewed toward grades? Could it have been too few hours in the soup kitchen, or that college essay that echoed so little emotion, it wouldn't even have brought a tear to John Boehner's watery eyes?

And who's making those decisions, anyway? A committee (so no one individual will have to own it)? A college admissions officer, barely out of college herself? A monkey thr...
Continue reading ...
 

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, January 30, 2014, In : College Planning 

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Turn college dreams into college reality, with the help of College Connection and The College Whisperer

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. S...


Continue reading ...
 

Still Haven't Applied To College? You're Not Too Late!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, In : College Applications 

While many a college application deadline has long ago passed, there are literally hundreds of colleges out there still accepting applications for the fall of 2014.
Here are but a few of the ways you can find colleges that have late application deadlines and/or offer "rolling" admissions:
  1. Common Application member institutions still open to new applicants may be found by going to the Common App website, scrolling down Member Colleges & Universities, and clicking College Search. Indicate that yo...

Continue reading ...
 

From The Folks Who Brought You The Dreaded SAT. . .

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 13, 2014, In : Just for Fun 


Maybe it's time to consider Test Optional Colleges
- - -
Plan. Prepare. Prevail! 

When college applications, the Common App, CSS Profile, FAFSA, financial aid forms, and the whole college application and admissions process get to you, you need to get to us! 

Whether applying to college, paying for college, planning for college, or just thinking about college, contact us at
 COLLEGE CONNECTION, home of The College Whisperer™ and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success™...


Continue reading ...
 

A Shopping List Of College Costs

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 13, 2014, In : Paying for College 

First came the Net Price Calculator. Then came the College Score Card. Means of comparing and contrasting college costs, which, all too often, turned out to be akin to comparing the cost of apples to the cost of a brand new Ferrari.

And now, enter the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet, a tool designed to inform students, and their parents, as to the details of their financial aid awards. 

Ahh. Could it be that after slogging through the CSS Profile (enough to make a financial analyst's head spin) an...
Continue reading ...
 

Got College? Get A (529) Plan!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 6, 2014, In : Paying for College 

We all know just how important it is to plan for college. Choosing the right colleges to apply to, and, ultimately, that one college that is the right fit for you. Developing and writing a compelling essay. Finessing those college applications and supplement. Conquering the Common App. Avoiding the pitfalls. Navigating the detours. Handling the stress and anxiety. Keeping from being overwhelmed by that crazy whirlwind of a ride they call the college application and admissions game. [Of course...
Continue reading ...
 

It's FAFSA Time!

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, January 4, 2014, In : Paying for College 

College Connection
, your one-stop source for college planning, counseling, guidance and support, is now scheduling appointments for the preparation and submission of FAFSAthe Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Applying to college for the fall of 2014? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Already in college and planning to attend college or grad school in the fall of 2014? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [Yes, FAFSA MUST be submitted each year for the following school year.]

Been awarded a scholarship fr...
Continue reading ...
 

Send In The Drones. . .

Posted by College Connection on Monday, December 30, 2013, In : College Applications 

With all the buzz surrounding talk of Amazon making deliveries by drone, The College Whisperer figured, well, why not deliver college applications -- and, for that matter, college acceptances -- by drone?

Given the disastrous year had by Common App, and all of the wild twists, turns, and machinations of the college application and admissions process, the delivery of college applications by unmanned drone could only be an improvement, right? And with all the droning on and on and on during t...
Continue reading ...
 

"Congratulations! You've Been Accepted To College." Or Not!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, December 13, 2013, In : College Admissions 

Well, folks, They've done it again! Sending out letters of acceptance to prospective college students, when they meant to say, "deferred," or worse still, "denied." Ooops!

This time, it was Fordham University, which, through a third party contractor, mailed out 2,500 letters to applicants telling them they had been accepted, when, in fact, they had not.

READ, 2,500 Applicants Get False News of Acceptance to Fordham 


Bummer!


First of all, a third part contractor? Since when do colleges outsource a...

Continue reading ...
 

When "Submit" Doesn't Mean "Submit"

Posted by College Connection on Friday, December 13, 2013, In : College Applications 

We've posted on this blog before -- months ago -- about Common App's misleading interface. You know. Where PAYING is the first step. To PAY you hit SUBMIT. And after paying, you hit FINAL. After that, a nonexistent SIGNATURE screen to complete the submission process is supposed to appear, but often does not. [If Amazon worked this way, they would have had to file for bankruptcy protection years ago!]

Now, as the college application season winds down for many high school seniors, Common App, in...

Continue reading ...
 

What High School Juniors (and Sophomores) Should Be Doing Now

Posted by College Connection on Monday, December 9, 2013, In : College Planning 

While applying to college -- let alone actually going -- may seem far away, now is the time to start planning, preparing and gearing up, way before the madness of the senior year of high school. 

So, what can high school juniors (and, in many instances, sophomores), and their parents, start to do now to get ready for the college application and admissions process? 

Well, here is a short "To Do" list to get the ball rolling: 

-Check out the college planning calendar to get an idea...


Continue reading ...
 

"It's Not The End Of The World. . ."

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, In : College Admissions 

For all those with "end of the world" anxieties, here are just a few things that the college-bound shouldn't worry about:

-You missed the Early Action deadline. "It's not the end of the world..." There are literally hundreds of colleges and universities with regular decision deadlines yet to come, not to mention (though we always do) the legion of schools with rolling admissions.

-Your Common App essay lacks formatting and pagination. "It's not the end of the world..." No worries here. If y...


Continue reading ...
 

Deck The Turkey With Bows Of Challah

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 25, 2013, In : Just for Fun 

HAPPY THANKSGIVUKKAH FROM COLLEGE CONNECTION,
HOME OF THE COLLEGE WHISPERER



- - -
Plan. Prepare. Prevail!  

When college applications (and the Common App) get to you, 
you need to get to us! Whether you're planning for college, applying to college, paying for college, or just thinking about college, COLLEGE CONNECTION can help! 

Contact us at
 COLLEGE CONNECTION, home of The College Whisperer™ and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success™, for all of your college planning and counseling...

Continue reading ...
 

Be A Participant, Not A Spectator

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, November 21, 2013, In : College Life 

Continue reading ...
 

Don't Leave Scholarship Money On The Table!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 18, 2013, In : Paying for College 

You've been accepted by the college of your choice. Congrats!

They've even offered you a handsome scholarship (that's free money, folks), if only you'd say yes. Neat!

You consider all offers from the colleges you've applied to, weigh the financial aid awards, and you accept. Way to go!

Come August, as you are packing your belongings for the trip to campus, that tuition bill arrives in the mail (or, more likely, by way of email alert advising that your semester invoice is available for viewing vi...

Continue reading ...
 

It's Complicated!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, November 14, 2013, In : College Planning 

That's what is being said about applying to college, getting in to college, paying for college.

It's complicated!

What once was accomplished with relative ease, and without undue burden upon either psyche or pocketbook, has now de-evolved into a seemingly endless charade of convoluted online protocols, mind-numbing contortions of clicks and spinning wheels, and "brother can you spare about $160,000 to help put my kid through college."

It's complicated!

Heck, it used to be easy. Then again, what w...
Continue reading ...
 

How The Glitch Stole Common App (and Crippled Obamacare)

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, In : College Applications 

Glitches continue to plague CommonApp.org, the private, not-for-profit web portal millions of high school students rely upon to access applications to more than 500 colleges and universities. [READ, Common App Glitches Frustrate Students...]

At the same time, HealthCare.gov, the government website intended to give millions of Americans access to affordable health insurance exchanges, has been crippled by glitches. [SEE, Who's Fixing HealthCare.gov?]

Both sites compete for the dubious distinctio...
Continue reading ...
 

CA4 Where Are You?

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, October 27, 2013, In : College Applications 

If comic legend Oliver Hardy was a high school senior, no doubt he'd be admonishing Stan Laurel, standing in as the now plaintive Common App, with those famous words, "That's another fine mess you've gotten us into, Stanley!" (or was it, Simon?)

Well, we don't have Laurel & Hardy with us (and do high school kids even know of this iconic comedy duo?), but when it comes to CA4, the latest incarnation of the floundering Common App, if we don't laugh, we will surely cry.

So, with profound apologies...
Continue reading ...
 

Dates To Remember

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, In : College Prep 

SAT 
Test Dates
Registration
Deadline
Late Reg
Deadline
Details
DEC
7
Nov 8Nov 25Register
Jan
25
Dec 27Jan 14Register

ACT Test
Dates

Registration
Deadline

Late Reg
Deadline

Details

DEC
14
Nov 8
Nov 9-22
Register
FEB
8
Jan 10
Jan 11-24
Register

Continue reading ...
 

Not Too Late To Apply Early!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, October 21, 2013, In : College Applications 

While the dates to apply Early Action to a few colleges (UNC-Chapel Hill, Georgia Tech - both extended to 10/21) may have passed, most are yet to come (typically, November 1 - December 15), and quite a few deadlines have been or are likely to be extended as a result of the continuing Common App fiasco. [Check college websites for actual deadline dates and extensions, if any.]

So, if you can get your applications ready (not just done, but complete, accurate, and showing you at your scholastic b...
Continue reading ...
 

The Coming College Application Apocalypse

Posted by College Connection on Friday, October 18, 2013, In : College Applications 

Not long after the dawn of the nuclear age, with foreboding prospects of mutually assured annihilation looming on an uncertain horizon, Albert Einstein was asked what weapons he thought would be used to fight the next war. Einstein responded, "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Perhaps a prophesy, yet to unfold...

On a less weighty front (after all, it's only college), and given the flaws, foibles and incomprehens...
Continue reading ...
 

Until There's A Cure For The Common App. . .

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 10, 2013, In : College Planning 

Are you and your parental units confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed by the college application and admissions process? Do you break out in a cold sweat at the mere mention of the Common App? Is having to write that college essay a fate worse than a sudden outbreak of acne?

You, and your unsuspecting parents, may be suffering from that dreaded and most feared malady known as CAS (College Application Syndrome), and not even know it. And yet, you need not suffer the debilitating side effects of ...


Continue reading ...
 

Meet The College Whisperer™ October 16th

Posted by College Connection on Monday, October 7, 2013, In : College Planning 

FREE College Planning Workshop [And who doesn't like FREE?]


When: Wednesday, October 16, 7 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn, NY

Why: Because getting in to college has become more competitive than ever, and the application process increasingly complex. You need to be in the know and prepared to go!

Harborfields Public Library hosts a free College Planning Workshop. Open to students and parents alike, this forum will explore such topics as choosing a college t...
Continue reading ...
 

Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Submit Your College Applications. . .

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 3, 2013, In : College Applications 

If you thought last year's Common App made submitting college applications second in difficulty only to a quadruple backward flip off the uneven parallel bars while sticking the landing from 1000 feet above the ground (Check out,
 So, You Think You Submitted The Common App. . .), read on... 

For anyone attempting to submit a college application through the new and congenitally defective 
Common Application, please read the following --

As you watch that spinning wheel spin (with due respect to th...

Continue reading ...
 

The Best College Essay Ever!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, In : College Applications 

First piece of advice when setting out to write your college essay: Keep Calm and Just Write -- It's Only An Essay!

Seems there's nothing more unnerving to students (and, by extension, their parents) than the college essay. What to write? How do I say it? Will it be good enough? Can I tell my "story" in 650 words or less? And what about Naomi?

Indeed, with all the hype and hyperbolae surrounding the college essay (as to form, content, style, and overuse of SAT words), it would seem to be a...


Continue reading ...
 

As Seen On Common App's Facebook Timeline...

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, In : College Applications 

Not that we would have this blog become a diatribe against the Common App, but we couldn't help chuckle out loud when we read the following on Common App's Facebook timeline:

"APPLICANTS: Do not try to trick the system into letting you create two accounts. If you succeed, you have no idea of the potential mess that awaits you: confused colleges, confused counselors and teachers, mismatched records, incomplete applications....and that's just the beginning. For your own good, please don't go dow...
Continue reading ...
 

BEFORE You Submit The Common App

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 24, 2013, In : College Applications 

Our friends and colleagues at College Admission Book (you don't have to buy the book. You have The College Whisperer and College Connection! :-) have created a step-by-step guide to completing and submitting the Common Application. [Click HERE to view.]

Yes, it is lengthy. True, some of the advice must be taken with that proverbial grain of salt. Agreed, that the round "How To" does not always fit neatly into the square holes of Common App. And yes (sigh), most folks (especially teens apply...


Continue reading ...
 

Long Island Medium vs. The College Whisperer™

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, In : College Planning 

In the grand quest to find the college that's the right fit for you, to gain a foothold (if not the upper hand) in the application and admissions process, to develop that winning college essay, and, once accepted, to find the money to pay for it all, who would be best suited to guide, coach and de-stress students and parents alike -- the Long Island Medium or The College Whisperer?

We asked a panel of experts, comprised of noted academics, intellectuals, rocket scientists, and the intern fr...
Continue reading ...
 

Oops! Common App Has Done It Again!!!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 12, 2013, In : College Applications 

For those familiar with the Common Application, portal to more than 500 college applications, the flaws and foibles of a most imperfect tool are self evident.

To the unsuspecting and newly initiated -- as almost all high school seniors are, it being their first foray into the wild and crazy world of college admissions -- Common App is fraught with pitfalls and hazards, not to mention the occasional stealth essay.

Take, for instance, the Activities section, where a simple click to open, without ...
Continue reading ...
 

Four And A Half Minutes

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, In : College Applications 

Four and a half minutes.

No, not the time you spent actually studying for that recent math test. Not the time it takes to cook instant oatmeal or Uncle Ben's converted rice. Not the time you ran the mile in.

So, what is this four and a half minutes?

Actually, it is the average (as opposed to mean?) time spent by admissions officers reading the typical college essay. Yup. That's it, folks. All of four and a half minutes.

What? You spend weeks, if not months, contemplating. What do I write about? W...
Continue reading ...
 

College Connection featured on "Top Resources on How to Get Into College"

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, In : College Planning 

Not to pat ourselves on the back -- then again, if you don't toot your own horn, who will? -- College Connection, home of The College Whisperer™, and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success, has received yet another feather in its proverbial cap. 

Recognized among the 101 Top Resources on How to Get Into College, and coming in at number 25 (Casey Kasem would be proud), College Connection is privileged to be listed among those college resources designed to "help students of all ages ...

Continue reading ...
 

What The Heck Is Water?

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, In : College Life 
A commencement address with meaning, not just for the Class of 2013 (or for the Kenyon College Class of 2005, to which it was presented by the late David Foster Wallace), but for all of us. . .



Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2013!


Plan. Prepare. Prevail!

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

Who knows what peril lurks in the college application and admissions process? The College Whisperer knows. . .

* * *
Comments? Quest...


Continue reading ...
 

How To Choose The Perfect College

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, April 7, 2013, In : College Planning 
 

Choosing that "perfect" college -- whether to apply or to attend -- is no easy task. The College Whisperer™ offers some advice on how to find the college that's best for you. 


Lily Herman, college student at Wesleyan University and Co-Founder of The Prospect, writes:   


What do you think is the most important thing for a student to look at when choosing a college? Or, what's an important aspect that many students don't look at or think about but they should?  

The College Whisperer
...


Continue reading ...
 

Speaking of College Essays. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, In : College Admissions 

Our good friend and most knowledgeable colleague, Randy Levin of WriteToCollege.com will be offering FREE (yes, we said FREE) workshops on writing that perfect college essay.

Believe me, The College Whisperer™, in the scheme of what's critical in the college application and admissions process, the college essay is right up there with the Common App and FAFSA. And when it comes to what to write on those college essays, and how to write it, few people can put it all together like Randy Levin....
Continue reading ...
 

Free College Counseling for Long Island Vets

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, In : College Planning 

College Connection, home of The College Whisperer and Official Sponsor of College Admission Success, is offering free, one (1) hour college planning consultations with an independent college counselor to Long Island’s veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their immediate families. Services include college matching, admission strategies, the application process, essay development, as well as scholarship and financial aid sourcing.

Understanding the unique needs and special circumstance...
Continue reading ...
 

BREAKING NEWS: The Most Selective College In America

Posted by College Connection on Monday, April 1, 2013, In : Just for Fun 

Special to The College Whisperer

Hot off the presses comes news of the most selective among the nation's highly selective colleges and universities.

Princeton? Nope. Harvard? Uh uh. Stanford, perhaps? Go fish!

No, this year's most selective college in America, hands down, is none other than Maza State, a small, liberal arts college in the town (formerly city) of Maza, North Dakota.

Ah yes. Maza State. Not on every student's tip of the Common App. Or any student’s, for that matter. And yet...


Continue reading ...
 

Deciding On A College, And Finding The Money To Pay For It

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, In : College Admissions 

As college acceptances (beyond those already in hand) begin to trickle in by snail mail and email, thoughts turn from "applying to college" to "which offer of admission do I accept?"

Decisions. Decisions. And all of them good!

Before making any decision [National College Decision Day is May 1], consider your options, giving weight to factors that are important to you and your family (including financial aid, academic programs, home or away), and give a read to an interesting and informativ...


Continue reading ...
 

Watch The Webinar: "How To Finance College"

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, In : Paying for College 

Did you miss the Newsday webinar on how to pay for your college education?

No worries. Watch it right here, via the link below.

Use the COLLEGE CONNECTION email address -- info@CollegeConnect.info -- as your login.
- - -
Newsday College Prep Talk Free Webinar on "How To Finance College"
The original event was broadcast on:
Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Duration: 60-minutes

http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=561393&s=1&k=CE474C5C5481AED2DF6FF6ECDDD9CB49 

Plan. Prepare. Prevail!

The...


Continue reading ...
 

College Scorecard Debuts on White House Website

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, In : College Planning 

Keeping to his State of the Union promise to provide accountability and transparency, and to help families determine “where you can get the most bang for your educational buck,” President Obama has unveiled the so-called "College Scorecard."

The College Scorecard creates a new universal system to rank the educational value of the nation’s colleges and universities, and allows parents and students to view a college’s cost, graduation rate, loan default rate, median borrowing, and employ...
Continue reading ...
 

"Far From The Madding Crowd"

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, In : College Applications 

With the release of Common App's new essay prompts comes the opportunity for high school Juniors to begin thinking about their college application personal statement and assorted (or was that, sordid?) essays. [Note that we said, "thinking about," not stressing over.]

As we've suggested, quite strongly, in past posts, the essay is your opportunity -- perhaps the best opportunity -- to truly set yourself apart from the legion of college applicants soon to join you on the front lines of college ...
Continue reading ...
 

How To Finance College -- Free Webinar

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, February 3, 2013, In : Paying for College 

Getting into college is a challenge. Paying for it?

Well, when it comes to the money you need to cover tuition, room and board, books, not to mention Fraternity or Sorority dues (we never said a word :-), unless you've got a money tree in the backyard, or have saved since your high school kid was in vitro (and even then), you need all the expert guidance and advice you can get.

And so, aside from that which you may glean from The College Whisperer blog, or through our independent college co...
Continue reading ...
 

Hofstra University To Host College Expo April 23rd

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, January 24, 2013, In : College Planning 

Tuesday, April 23 - Spring College EXPO - sponsored by Nassau Counselors' Association. Mack Sports Complex, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY: 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

Now is the time for high school juniors (as well as sophomores) and their parents to get a jump start on college planning.

Hofstra University in Uniondale (Long Island) will play host to the 2013 Spring College Expo, sponsored by the Nassau Counselors' Association.

Beat the crowds. Meet with representatives from more than 300 colleges a...
Continue reading ...
 

How NOT To Get Money For College

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, In : Paying for College 

With billions of dollars of scholarship and grant money (read as, "free money you never have to pay back") out there for the taking, and everyone from Guidance Counselors to financial planners telling you how to get your hands on a good chunk of it (not that you listen :-), we figured we'd tell you how to go about NOT getting any money for college.

That's right. Here's the consummate "How NOT To" when it comes to paying for college!

Just follow these simple steps and you will be guaranteed to g...
Continue reading ...
 

High School Juniors: This Is Your Moment!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, In : College Planning 

While most high school seniors are submitting FAFSA, and some are putting the finishing touches on the last of their college applications, high school juniors, waiting in the wings, are busy, er, ah, um, busy doing, hmmm... What exactly are high school juniors busy doing?

Dollars to doughnuts (who says that anymore?), while juniors -- and the parents of same -- may have much on their respective plates, preparing for the madness of college applications and admissions (and we mean seriously prep...
Continue reading ...
 

College Admissions - The Exciting Game Without Any Rules

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, January 3, 2013, In : College Admissions 

For those of us old enough to remember the movie, Bang The Drum Slowly, or, for that matter, the crafty card games of The Sting, TEGWAR is a familiar, if but somewhat unsettling, word.

Yes, TEGWAR -- The Exciting Game Without Any Rules -- where a good old game of Poker turns into a time-honored way of separating suckers from their money.

Oddly enough (and quite the perfect segue, really), that brings us to college admissions. A process where suckers, if not (yet) to be separated from their mon...
Continue reading ...
 

Need Money For College? Think FAFSA!

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, December 23, 2012, In : Paying for College 

FAFSA. It's where the money is!

Applying to college for the fall of 2013? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Already in college and planning to attend in the fall of 2013? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA! [Yes, FAFSA MUST be submitted each year for the following school year.]

Been awarded a scholarship from a college or want to apply for many of the scholarships offered? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Vying for merit aid or looking for need-based aid? YOU NEED TO SUBMIT FAFSA!

Simply put, when it comes ...


Continue reading ...
 

Look Ma, No College Application Fee!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, November 22, 2012, In : College Applications 

While most of us know just how expensive college has become, it is not until we are embroiled in the long and tedious application and admissions process that many of us begin to realize just how expensive simply applying to college can be.

Aside from the cost of sending SAT and/or ACT scores to each college you apply to, there is typically a fee, ranging in price from $25 to more than $100, for each college you submit an application to. Holy cow! You can go broke even before you are accepted!

T...
Continue reading ...
 

On Election Day, Only One College Matters

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 5, 2012, In : College Life 

The Electoral College!


Continue reading ...
 

National College Affordability Week

Posted by College Connection on Monday, October 8, 2012, In : Paying for College 

An important message from our friends at StudentDebtCrisis.org:

This week is National College Affordability Week! From October 8th-12th we’re joining
Young Invinciblesand partners across the country to participate in rallies, town hall meetings, panel discussions and online chats to talk about the cost of higher education.


Follow us @DebtCrisisOrgand @YI_Care all week to voice your opinion!

Monday: The Tuition's Too Damn High

A Facebook video challenge where you answer the question: "What is...


Continue reading ...
 

Miss The College Fair? No Worries!

Posted by College Connection on Monday, October 1, 2012, In : College Planning 

The critical information and minutia gained at the College Fair lives on!

Check out the Long Island College Conference Manual, and find out what you need to know before you go -- to college.

- - -
Plan. Prepare. Prevail!

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

Who knows what peril lurks in the college application and admissions process? The College Whisperer knows. . .

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


Continue reading ...
 

To The College Fair -- Or Not!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, September 21, 2012, In : College Planning 

Long Island National College Fair
Sunday, September 30, 11 AM - 3 PM
Nassau Coliseum
Check out the Long Island College Conference Manual

A couple of years ago, a reader inquired as to whether it was worth going to the National College Fair. A number of errant links (they tend to break or disappear over time) aside, the advice on the Fair is certainly as valid today as it was then, and well worth repeating.

L.B. of North Merrick, NY writes:

There's a College Fair coming up at the Nassau Coliseum. I...
Continue reading ...
 

So, You Think You've Completed The Common App

Posted by College Connection on Monday, September 10, 2012, In : College Applications 

As the frenzy to complete and submit college applications before deadline (be it Early Decision, Early Action or Regular Decision) heightens, that finger drawers perilously close to the dreaded "submit" button.

With the Common App serving as the very foundation of your foray into college admissiondom, you scrutinize every word, each digit, all the dotted "i"s and crossed "t"s. You pore over your personal statement, short answers and supplemental essays, making sure they give voice to the very ...


Continue reading ...
 

Now More Than Ever, You Need A 529 Plan

Posted by College Connection on Friday, September 7, 2012, In : Paying for College 

College Savings Plans -- so-called 529 Plans -- were all the rage a decade ago. A tax-advantaged, low-cost vehicle to save money for college.

Then, the bottom fell out of the economy, and suddenly, or so it would seem, folks stopped saving for college. And now, they're paying the price -- literally and figuratively.

That's too bad, because those who started saving, and those who have continued to save, have, in most instances, even in a fluctuating and sometimes volatile market, seen their inv...
Continue reading ...
 

Guns Don't Kill College Kids. . .

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, August 23, 2012, In : College Life 

M.S. of Syosset, NY writes:

What do you think of the recent decision in Colorado allowing students to carry concealed weapons on campus?

The College Whisperer replies:

Try as we might to stay above the political fray -- or at least close enough to the middle to avoid being hit by the shrapnel -- that darned celebration of ignorance keeps dragging us back in. Now, we not only have to dodge vitriolic comments, acerbic Tweets and off the wall emails, but bullets, as well!

We presume you are talking ...

Continue reading ...
 

BREAKING NEWS: College Board Corners Market On No. 2 Pencils

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, August 16, 2012, In : College Planning 


Students taking SAT to be charged $25 per filled-in oval

Would this surprise you? Maybe. Maybe not.

You would be surprised, however, at the wealth of information you will find -- on the ins and outs, ups and downs, DOs and DON'Ts of the college application process, the intricacies of college admissions, the abundance of scholarship money ripe for the picking, and just about everything college -- when you follow us on Twitter @GetCollege.

Simply sign up (it's free), log in, and click follow to jo...


Continue reading ...
 

No Stone Unturned

Posted by College Connection on Monday, August 13, 2012, In : College Planning 

Just the other day, The College Whisperer -- also known as "Current Occupant" in certain postal circles, received a piece of unsolicited mail. Not email, mind you, but actual snail mail, at bulk rate, no less.

Keeping with my practice of opening every piece of mail that crosses my desk -- and actually reading it -- I sliced off the top of the envelope and pulled out what I soon realized was an invitation to take a survey. Innocuous, and otherwise destined for the circular file, until I saw, tu...

Continue reading ...
 

The Cure for College Debt?

Posted by College Connection on Monday, August 6, 2012, In : Paying for College 

We said it before, and we'll say it again. The best way to get out of college debt is to avoid it in the first place! Fewer (if any) loans. More grants and scholarships. Attending colleges that are within reach, both academically and financially.

Of course, until there's a cure for college debt, with colleges assessing reasonable, common sense tuition, financing that college education is a significant undertaking, and a major worry.

Though certainly no panacea in eliminating college debt in its...
Continue reading ...
 

Popular. You're Gonna Be Popular!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, In : Just for Fun 



Oh, they're at it again. Those pesky lists of "Best" colleges in America. This time, as it does every year in the battle to win popularity ratings (as in, "it sells magazines"), Forbes comes out with its List of America's Top Colleges ("Top" simply being a euphamism for "Best," we suppose).

Interesting how this "list" just happened to come out on the very same day the Common App went "live." Hmmm. Design or coincidence? You decide.

Yes, right alongside those other winners of popularity contes...


Continue reading ...
 

Faster, Higher, Stronger.

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, July 26, 2012, In : College Planning 

With the 2012 summer Olympic games about to get underway in London (Go USA!), The College Whisperer has been giving some thought to the benefits (okay, absolute necessity) of having a coach as students wend their way along that long, winding and often treacherous road toward college admissions.

After all, name just one successful Olympic athlete who went for the gold without a comparably winning coach. Odds are, you cannot.

Where would Nadia Comaneci have been in pursuit of the perfect 10 witho...
Continue reading ...
 

Target Your Scholarship Search

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, July 25, 2012, In : Paying for College 

Okay, so you've started to look for the big bucks in college scholarship money. Good for you! But don't overlook the small change -- or even the loose change hidden behind the cushions of the sofa. It all adds up!

Yes, the tedium of the search. The burden of the essays. The agony of defeat. Oh, ye of little faith...

Sure, it's summer. Who wants to apply for countless scholarships? [You do!] Who needs to spend hours on end mining the scholarship search engines? [Again, that would be you!] Who ne...
Continue reading ...
 

The Best Time To Apply For College Scholarships

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, July 19, 2012, In : Paying for College 

Michelle of Mineola, NY asks: My daughter is going into her Junior year in high school. When is the best time to apply for college scholarships?

The College Whisperer replies: Great question, Carolyn. Answer? NOW!

Yes, it is rarely too soon to begin that scholarship search, and never too early to start saving for college.

While many students wait until they are in the throes of the college application process to even inquire about scholarships, grants and financial aid in general (and, unfort...
Continue reading ...
 

Once Safe Colleges Now Out Of Reach

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, May 24, 2012, In : College Admissions 

Acceptance rates at many colleges are lower this year than in the past, and the prediction is for those percentages to drop further still next year.

College-bound students, and their parents, are scratching their heads. Why is a college that was a "safety" school, just a few short years ago, now a "reach," or even beyond?

Are college applicants becoming smarter? Are colleges recruiting too many international students? [Colleges spend millions each year recruiting foreign students, and while In...
Continue reading ...
 

Till College Debt Do Us Part?

Posted by College Connection on Monday, May 14, 2012, In : Paying for College 

The New York Times reports that which most college students -- and their parents -- already know too well: Student loan debt is out of control! [Read, A Generation Hobbled by the Soaring Cost of College.]

More than $1 trillion in outstanding student debt, and that number is rising.

Of course, with tuition alone topping $50,000 at some colleges, and rising every year, despite an ailing and stagnant economy, and internal scholarship dollars as awarded by these same institutions shrinking, is it a...
Continue reading ...
 

You Still Haven't Applied To College???

Posted by College Connection on Friday, May 4, 2012, In : College Admissions 


You're a high school senior, about to graduate, and the Common App is about as uncommon to you as 365 consecutive days of sunshine are to the rain forest.

Somehow, for reasons only known to, um, well, who knows -- you are just now starting down that long and winding road that leads to the ivy-covered gates known as college. Game Over, or good things come to those who wait?

As The Choice, The New York Times' informative college admissions blog attests, Many Colleges Are Still Taking Applications...


Continue reading ...
 

"POPULAR! You're Gonna Be Popular!"

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, In : College Admissions 

Hold onto your hats, boys and girls. Here's another list to add to your list of lists: The Most Popular Colleges In America.

Yes, U.S. News & World Report is at it again. Now it's a popularity contest. [Wasn't it always?]

It was Albert Einstein (though the quote is often misattributed to everyone from the late Senator Everett Dirkson to Muhammed Ali) who once said, “What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.”

How very true!

So, a college that may be extremel...
Continue reading ...
 

"Best Values" In Public Colleges?

Posted by College Connection on Monday, January 9, 2012, In : Paying for College 

Perhaps. Then again, "best," let alone "value," is in the eye -- and wallet -- of the beholder!

Yes, it's time to take that large grain of salt again, as those lists of "bests" are being compiled and disseminated.

Starting the year off is Kiplinger Magazine (because, we suppose, publishing lists sells magazines) with its Best Values in Public Colleges.

Dare we ask the question, Best for whom? Best programs? Best courses? Best endowments? Best in research? Best dining options? Best underground b...
Continue reading ...
 

It's Not Too Late To Apply To College!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, In : College Applications 

Ah, yes. The high school senior who, just now, is waking up to the realization that he or she actually has to apply to college in order to start classes in the fall! So much for Early Decision, Early Action and, in many instances, Regular Decision, the deadlines having come and gone.

On the other hand, look at it this way: by waiting to apply to college until later in the game, you unwittingly managed to pare down the list from nearly 4000 accredited colleges and universities to several hundre...
Continue reading ...
 

Free FAFSA Webinar December 7th

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, November 20, 2011, In : Paying for College 

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) will host a FREE Webinar on Wednesday, December 7 on the essentials of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), while also highlighting application and program changes to the 2012-13 FAFSA.
 
The annual completion and submission of FAFSA is required by almost every college and university in order to be considered for scholarships, grants, Work-Study and Federal Loans (including Stafford Loans).
 
Learn more a...

Continue reading ...
 

College Financing: The Bonds That Tie

Posted by College Connection on Monday, October 31, 2011, In : Paying for College 

To read the full page ad in Sunday's The New York Times, one would think that the Ohio State University, home of the Buckeyes, was issung 100-year bonds (they reach maturity in a century) to help students pay for their college educations.

"BUT FOR OHIO STATE," touts the ad's headline, "a new standard would not have been set for financing public education."

While it is not unusual for public universities to issue bonds to pay for both short and long term capital projects -- dormatories, classroo...
Continue reading ...
 

Calculating The Real Cost Of College

Posted by College Connection on Monday, October 24, 2011, In : Paying for College 

Tuition. Room & Board. Books. Transportation. Incidentals. [Ah yes. Incidentals. Didn't think of those, did ya?]

What is the REAL cost of attending college? How close were those "guesstimates" to financial reality?

For years, many colleges, and a host of college-related websites, have posted so-called college cost calculators, aimed at helping the confused and tormented become even more so.

Calculations, often skewed and seldom accurate, were of little use in determining what money would be made...
Continue reading ...
 

Meet The College Whisperer™

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, In : College Planning 

Just Who Is The College Whisperer?

The College Whisperer
 is Seth Bykofsky. [Or is it the other way around? No matter! :-)]

Born on the cusp of a new century (1 B.C.), his mother, Frances, was first runner-up to Miss Alternate Universe, while his father, Irving, served as counsel to the Czars. Orphaned at a tender age by the tragic sinking of the Titantic, Bykofsky was home-schooled until the age of 13, at which time he was summarily expelled. 

Joining the French Foreign Legion and rising t...
Continue reading ...
 

Are You On "Target" For The Colleges You're Applying To?

Posted by College Connection on Saturday, October 1, 2011, In : College Admissions 

See Who Got In, Who Didn't, and How You Compare


No, it isn't foolproof, and it won't guarantee that your "target" school is a sure thing, or that "reach" school is beyond yours. Still...

Would you like to see the qualifications of thousands of real students who applied to college? See who got in, and who didn't? How about an inside look at the students applying this year?
Now you can, with the College Admissions Tracker, a free tool from COLLEGEdata.com
With the Admissions Tracker, you ca...

Continue reading ...
 

The Gerber Baby Goes To College

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, June 15, 2011, In : Paying for College 

L.B. of Sea Cliff, NY writes:

As the new mother of a bouncing baby boy, I would like to start saving for college, especially given the rising costs for both public and private universities. Can only imagine what four years of tuition, fees, room and board will cost in 18 years! Having heard about the Gerber Life College Plan, I was wondering whether this would be a good way to save ...


Continue reading ...
 

The Perfect Calm Through The College Admissions Storm

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, May 19, 2011, In : College Planning 

Circumventing the gales and high seas of the college admissions process can be treacherous. If the forces of the SAT/ACT don't sink you, the wake of the Common App just might.

So many things to do. So many essays to write. So little time to meet the Early Action deadlines. So much info out there, much of it just plain wrong.

And yet, out on the horizon (dare you raise your head from that Dramamine-induced stupor), there is hope. The perfect calm. That troika of inspiration. The very essence of ...
Continue reading ...
 

100% Acceptance Rate for College Connection Students

Posted by College Connection on Monday, May 9, 2011, In : College Planning 

The numbers are in, and they speak volumes about this year's crop of college-bound students. [Well, at least the ones that chose College Connection to help them successfully navigate the road to college!]

100% of students who used the planning and counseling services of College Connection were accepted by one or more of their top three college choices. 98% were accepted to their colleges of first choice.

Congrats to all of our students, who have been making the right choices from the get-go!

And...
Continue reading ...
 

You're In! Now What?

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, In : College Admissions 

WOW! You made the cut. You've gotten into college - several of them, actually. Congrats! Now comes what you thought would be the easy part: deciding where to spend the next four years of your life.

Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions...

Our friends at University Language Services have some sound advice to help you make that all-important decision. Read on...

The daunting application process has paid off, and now you can relax - sort of.

These colleges may have chosen you, but how do you choose a colleg...


Continue reading ...
 

FREE Webinar: How To Finance College

Posted by College Connection on Monday, April 4, 2011, In : Paying for College 

There are lots of "How To" books, courses, videos, etc. on getting into and paying for college, but how many of them are FREE? Many, to be sure, aren't worth the cost of the paper they're written on -- or, for that matter, the cost of the blank DVD. But who could argue about free?

Newsday, home of College PrepTalk, is offering a FREE Webinar, entitled, "GET THEM THERE!", a "How To" on financing that college education.

Date: Thursday, April 7
Time: 8 PM


Registration for the How To Finance College...
Continue reading ...
 

Deadlines, Priority Deadlines and Missed Deadlines

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 10, 2011, In : Paying for College 

J.K. of Lake Success, NY writes:

We're working on our college financial aid applications and notice that there are all kinds of deadlines, in addition to all kinds of forms from so many sources. We've even come across something called "Priority Deadline." How do we find out what these deadlines are, as well as the best possible sources for aid, giving ourselves the best shot at money for college?

The College Whisperer responds:

And there you were, applications for admission submitted, thinki...

Continue reading ...
 

When FAFSA Isn't Free

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, In : Paying for College 

Which Part Of "Free" Don't They Understand?


FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Required by almost every college and university in the nation as a prerequisite for consideration for scholarships, grants, work-study, and, yes, even loans.

And did we mention that the application is FREE? Free to complete. Free to submit. Absolutely FREE! [Hence, the word "Free" in "Free Application for Federal Student Aid.]

So, why are folks paying "as little as $79.99" (and sometimes more than $1...
Continue reading ...
 

College Chit Chat Live On Twitter @GetCollege

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, November 11, 2010, In : Just for Fun 

The College Whisperer
, renowned for his wit and witticism on all things college, will host an open forum (sponsored by College Connection, the one-stop source for college planning, counseling and support) on Twitter (@GetCollege), answering your questions about college applications, the admissions process, personal statements and essays, the how and where of finding and getting the big bucks you need to pay for college, and, really, any aspect (well, almost ;-) of college life.

When: Friday, N...
Continue reading ...
 

Another Month, Another Ranking

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 8, 2010, In : College Planning 

Kiplinger Magazine, in its upcoming December issue, takes a look at "values" in private colleges. As with most rankings, the findings should be taken with both a grain of salt and a hand on your wallet. "Value," too, is subjective, given the price tags attached to most of these institutions of higher learning.

Of value to the college bound (and, most certainly, their parents) is Kiplinger's reporting on the availability of financial aid at the ranked colleges, including averages (in dollars) f...
Continue reading ...
 

The State of College Admission

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 28, 2010, In : College Admissions 

While frustrated high school students and their nervous parents often find themselves in a state of confusion, as the college application process wends its way down that circuitous and sometimes precarious road toward the admissions office, our friends at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) have compiled a comprehensive report on the State of College Admission.

For those still trying to figure out why colleges on the Common App can't agree on seemingly simple mat...
Continue reading ...
 

Support The Pathways To College Act

Posted by College Connection on Friday, October 22, 2010, In : College Admissions 

As if getting into and paying for college weren't difficult enough!

From our friends at National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC):

Background
The primary policy goal of NACAC members is the improvement of college access for all students. NACAC’s recommendations for solving the college access crisis fall under three research-based policy principles: access to college preparatory coursework, investment in need-based student aid, and access to quality school counseling. NACAC...
Continue reading ...
 

The Cure for the Common App

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 21, 2010, In : College Applications 

COLLEGE CONNECTION

Planning ~ Guidance ~ Support

College Matching ~ Admission Strategies ~ Application Enhancement 
Essay Development ~ Scholarship and Financial Aid Sourcing


DON'T JUST APPLY TO COLLEGE. GET IN!

CALL TODAY 516-345-8766


Empowering Students. De-Stressing Parents.

FREE, no obligation telephone consultation.

www.CollegeConnect.info

COLLEGE CONNECTION
Helping To Successfully Navigate The Road To College

Continue reading ...
 

College "Best Buys"

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, October 7, 2010, In : Paying for College 

While reluctant to call most college tuition, "bargains," there are, to be sure, great values to be had, even schools that charge no tuition at all. [Now that's a bargain!]

Check out the Forbes' list of America's Best College Buys, which includes both private and public colleges:

...
Rank Name State
1 United States Military Academy NY
2 United States Air Force Academy

Continue reading ...
 

Get Your FREE College Planning Here

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, In : College Planning 

Planning for college can be expensive. College Connection, Long Island's one-stop source for college planning, counseling and support, helps keep costs in check with its Referral Rewards Program. Earn credit toward FREE college counseling.

Now that the school year is underway, friends and classmates are starting to think about applying to college. Many have already started the process. Bravo!

At College Connection, we want to help you reduce the cost of college planning, while helping other stu...
Continue reading ...
 

The College Essay: Striving To Distance Yourself From The Madding Crowd

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, In : College Admissions 

Two high school seniors, college bound. One from an affluent school district on Long Island. The other from a small town nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Both with stellar academic records, sufficiently proficient SAT and ACT scores, exemplary extracurricular activities, and abundant community service.

What distinguishes these two students, one from the other, in the eyes of the all and powerful college admissions officer at XYZ University?

Demographics, yes. All things being equal ...
Continue reading ...
 

Public vs. Private. Hey, It's Your Money.

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, In : College Planning 
M.K. of North Hills, NY writes:

My son, a high school senior, will be applying for admission to colleges this fall. He has several prestigious, and expensive, private colleges in mind. His father and I were thinking more along the lines of one of the university centers of our state university. Your thoughts?

The College Whisperer responds:

When it comes to public universities versus private colleges, it would seem we think alike, M.K.

Too many folks -- particularly impressionable students who thi...
Continue reading ...
 

How To Pay For College? Write A Book!

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, In : Paying for College 
Seems that every time you turn around, someone -- usually an enterprising college student who needs the cash to pay that tuition bill -- is writing a book on how to pay for college. Add on the perfunctory, Without Going Broke, Without Mooching Off Your Parents, Without Going Into Debt, and you've got a best seller.

Saunter (a good SAT word) into your local Barnes & Nobles and you'll find at least a half dozen books dedicated to paying for colleges, the profits from any one of which likely to b...
Continue reading ...
 

Rank and File

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, In : College Planning 
When "Best" May Not Be "Best" for You

The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges for 2011 (but it's only 2010) has hit the street (and, no doubt, the desktops of America's college-bound students).

Harvard and Princeton duking it out for top honors. Poor Yale, always in the show position. Not to mention Duke.

List upon list of "Bests." Best National Universities. Best Regional Universities. Best Public Universities. Best for Engineering (of all sorts). Best Business Schools. And the lists go on a...
Continue reading ...
 

College Matching? Yes, there's an App for that!

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, August 11, 2010, In : College Planning 
The college search goes iTech!

You knew this one was coming. Actually, it's here. An App for iPads, iPhones, and similar devices that allows the college-bound to match themselves with colleges. It's called CollegeApp®, the brainchild of The College Whisperer's college counseling colleague, Erin Avery of Avery Educational Resources.

I've (or is it, i'Ve?) yet to test this app, but it does seem rather interesting as a 21st Century approach for matching students with colleges, and vice versa.

As...
Continue reading ...
 

Common Application, Common Mistakes

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, In : College Applications 
For those who may not have noticed, or are new to the game of college admissions (which probably accounts for 99.9% of those reading The College Whisperer's blog), the Common App has changed for the next class of applicants.

Some of the changes are obvious -- such as the reformatting of choices available in reporting SAT and/or ACT scores -- while others are more nuanced, making them all the more likely to lead to mistakes by the applicant, with often unintended, and, sometimes undesirable ...

Continue reading ...
 

Common Question; Universal Concern

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, July 22, 2010, In : College Applications 
R.J. of East Rockaway, NY writes:

What's the difference between the Common Application and the Universal College Application? Is it better to use the college's own application, when offered? I'm growing more confused and frustrated by the minute. Where do I start?

The College Whisperer responds:

It is always best to start at the beginning, which, lucky for you, is right here at College Connection's blog. ;-)

Simply put, both the Common Application (Common App, to it's friends and admirers) and th...
Continue reading ...
 

So Many College Websites, So Little Time

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, June 17, 2010, In : College Planning 
The Internet is a tangled web, indeed, particularly when it comes to the plethora (SAT word ;-) of college websites, each professing to be the best, to offer the most, and to be the last word in all things college.

Some college websites are great. Others less so. And everyone has an opinion on where to click when researching colleges, developing admission strategies, looking for college planning advice, or hunting down scholarship money.

Higher ed journalist, speaker, consultant, author of The ...
Continue reading ...
 

College Admission Boot Camp?

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, In : College Admissions 
J.R. of Great Neck, NY writes:

I saw an ad in The New York Times for what is being billed as a college application boot camp -- an intensive 4-day "event" where students may complete their college applications with "leading admission pros." The cost is $14,000 for the 4 days, not including food or lodging.

My daughter will be a high school senior this fall, and I was wondering whether a boot camp such as this would be a wise investment?

The College Whisperer responds:

The Few. The Proud. The Angs...

Continue reading ...
 
 
blog comments powered by Disqus

The College Whisperer™


Sponsored by College Connection Answering your questions about college planning, the application process, and college life while unlocking the secrets to college admission success

Ask a question of The College Whisperer info@TheCollegeWhisperer.com 

Follow The College Whisperer on Twitter www.twitter.com/WeGetCollege

Make a free website with Yola