The College Whisperer™ | Navigating The Road To College

Showing Tag: " scholarships" (Show all posts)

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...


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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 ...

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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...
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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...


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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...

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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

...
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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...


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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...


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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...


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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                               ...

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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 ...


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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...

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Guide To FAFSA | FAFSA Deadlines

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, In : Paying for College 

FAFSA COMES EARLY FOR 2017-18!
 
Two important reads regarding the completion and submission of the FAFSA, the starting point for college financial aid...
 
Filing The FAFSA: The Edvisors' Guide to Completing The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
 
3 Types of FAFSA Deadlines You Should Pay Attention To
 
And for those who are applying to colleges that require the submission of the CSS Profile (in addition to FAFSA, required by all colleges, every year), read on:

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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...


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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,...


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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...


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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...


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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...


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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...


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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...

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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...


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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....


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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 ...


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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...


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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!...


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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...


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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...


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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...


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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...

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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,...


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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...


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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....


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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...


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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...

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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

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...
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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,...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...


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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...


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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...
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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...
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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...


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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...

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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 ...


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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...
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CSS Profile, FAFSA, and Financial Aid

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, September 26, 2013, In : Paying for College 

Part and parcel of the college planning and counseling process is helping you find -- and apply for -- the money to pay for college.

Some have already started searching and applying for "outside" scholarships (bravo!), while others will do so over the course on the ensuing weeks and months. [Alas, most will never bother to mine for the money, and many who do, without an assist, will be looking to chisel in to the mother load with a toothpick!] 

Aside from scholarship searches (and actually ...


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

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, July 16, 2013, 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?"

Our 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 ...
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Scholarships: The Antidote To Rising Student Loan Debt

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, In : Paying for College 

While the folks in Congress have done absolutely nothing to stop the interest rates on subsidized student loans from doubling (yes, we said DOUBLING, from 3.4% to 6.8% on July 1), students can help themselves reduce, and even eliminate student debt by diligently searching and applying for college scholarships.

Start while you're still in high school (there are even college scholarships that high school freshman can qualify for), and continue throughout your college career (after all, that tuit...
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What High School Students Should Do During Spring Break

Posted by College Connection on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, In : College Admissions 

Assuming the beaches of Cancun aren't on the agenda for the coming Spring Break, high school students are likely to have some free time on their hands.

Here's a few things high schoolers (and not just Seniors) can -- and should -- do to prepare for college:

1. Visit Colleges. Seniors should visit or revisit colleges to which they were accepted, with a view toward deciding which school(s) would be the best fit. Sit in on a class. Stay overnight in a dorm. Check out the library (you may as well k...
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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...


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Scholarships? Yup, There's An App For That!

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, February 7, 2013, In : Paying for College 

Nowadays, it seems as though there's an App for almost everything. Shopping. Banking. Restaurants. You name it.

So, it should come as no surprise that, in addition to those Apps that help you search for colleges (among them, College Confidential), there are Apps that let you find, match, save and share college scholarships. Why, there's even an App to help you find parking on campus! [Clearly, they never looked for parking at Queens College. :-)

For anyone who visits the Apple Store online, or ...
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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...
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Show Me The Money (For College)!

Posted by College Connection on Friday, January 4, 2013, In : Paying for College 

It's time once again to apply for the College Prowler "No Essay" $2000 Scholarship! [Actually, it's that time once every month!]

And speaking of scholarships...

Whether you're in college, applying to college or only beginning to think about college, you should be searching and applying for scholarships, grants and other "free" money via scholarship search engines such as fastweb, MeritAid and Zinch. Remember, you've got to be in it to win it! [There are many other avenues for college gelt shoul...
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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 ...


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Just Because You're Already In College. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, In : Paying for College 

. . .Doesn't Mean You Should Stop looking For Money To Pay For It!

Unless you have a full ride, or a money tree in the backyard that wasn't felled by Hurricane Sandy/Nor'Easter Athena, those tuition bills and related college expenses keep on coming -- after the freshman year, sophomore year and senior year (and sometimes well beyond that)!
 
So, too, should (MUST) the strident search for scholarships, grants and other sources of financial aid continue once you are in college.
 
That sa...

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If A College Isn't Offering You Money...

Posted by College Connection on Friday, October 19, 2012, In : Paying for College 

...Why Should You Give Them Yours?

We all know that college is expensive (some more expensive than others), with tuition and related costs rising nearly every year (this past year, by about 3% on average). As for college debt -- as they say in Brooklyn, fuggetaboutit!

Recently, Princeton Review came out with a list of the ten schools with the worst financial aid packages. On the flip side of the proverbial coin are colleges that are said to offer the best financial aid awards, which, by the way...
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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...
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Scholarships Are Not Just For High School Seniors

Posted by College Connection on Sunday, January 15, 2012, In : Paying for College 

If you know a high school senior, well then, you are well aware of their hectic schedules applying to colleges, searching for scholarships, and biting their nails waiting for admission decisions. [High school seniors should also be preparing their financial aid forms, including FAFSA.]
 
But what about high school juniors?
 
Even though they are not applying, they should be preparing. That means lining up engaging courses to take in the senior year, embarking on those meaningful extracur...

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Getting Into College Isn't Rocket Science*

Posted by College Connection on Monday, November 28, 2011, In : College Admissions 

*It's actually more difficult!

Rocket Science.
More appropriately, aerospace engineering. The time-honored term used to describe a task or idea as being easy as compared to rocket science, which is perceived as a very difficult field. Usually used as a statement such as "It's not rocket science!"

So, why even attempt to make a connection between, say, the science of putting a man on the moon and the college application and admissions process?

Let's put it this way. The former deals with the desi...
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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...

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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...
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Thoughts On College Planning, Redux

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, August 25, 2011, In : College Planning 

Some advice is well worth repeating. These mental meanderings, from a prior post by The College Whisperer, among them:

A Sherpa's Guide to College Admissions

Excerpted from TheCollegeWhisperer.com

 

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,...


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Get More Money From The College Of Your Choice

Posted by College Connection on Thursday, April 21, 2011, In : Paying for College 

M.G. of Glen Head, NY writes:

My daughter got into her first choice college [Yea!]. Her financial aid award, however, left much to be desired. Can we -- and should we -- ask the college for more money?

The College Whisperer responds:

There's an old adage, as true in college financing as it is in fundraising: "If you don't ask, you won't get."

Most schools base financial aid awards on a number of factors, which could include merit (i.e., GPA, test scores) and, more often than not, need.

There are...
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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...

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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...
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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...
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Scholarships, Grants and the CSS Profile

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, In : Paying for College 

If you haven't started looking for money to pay for college (assuming that tree you planted in the backyard last spring has yet to bear fruit), now is definitely the time.

The following websites are great places to start:


Be sure you complete the profiles in each scholarship search engine, and then search and apply for all scholarships you may qualify for. Check for new scholarship opportunities regularly. Read all e-mails carefully. And keep at it, r...

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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

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Don't Even Think About Submitting That College Application. . .

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, October 13, 2010, In : College Planning 

. . .Until You Speak With A COLLEGE CONNECTION Counselor!


Overwhelmed!

That’s what parents and high school students alike tell us about the college application and admissions process.

It’s the perfect storm. The confluence of conflicting deadlines, endless paperwork, constant pressure, and information overload.

Wondering which college is right for you or your child? Has the Common Application left you asking yourself, “where do I start?” Is the personal statement cause for terminal wr...
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Profiles In College Money

Posted by College Connection on Monday, September 27, 2010, In : Paying for College 
FAFSA versus CSS-Profile: The Battle of the Financial Aid Forms

Most people believe that FAFSA -- Free Application for Federal Student Aid -- is the end-all when it comes to looking for money for college.

Not so!

In fact, if you do nothing more than file your FAFSA online (which can be done on or after January 1, 2011), you're not likely to see a dime in scholarship and grant money, other than that which the school itself may provide (including work-study and loans) as part of your financial aid...
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A Sweet, Joyous and Peaceful New Year

Posted by College Connection on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, In : Just for Fun 

As Jews the world over usher in the year 5771 (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 Sourci...

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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...
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Other People's Money

Posted by College Connection on Monday, August 23, 2010, In : Paying for College 
The New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs) touts itself, on ads seen on buses and heard on radio, as "bridging the gap" in college financing.

After exhausting federal grants and loans, scholarships from colleges, and State programs, such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) [itself an extremely limited resource, particularly for the financially hard-squeezed middle class, being quietly phased out in NY (TAP, that is. Not the middle class. Then again, with property taxes what they ...
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Shark Week

Posted by College Connection on Monday, August 2, 2010, In : Paying for College 

Shark Week
and the Common Application going "live" at the very same time. Coincidence, or calculated by design to strike fear in the hearts and minds of swimmers and college-bound students alike? Hmmm. The College Whisperer reports. You decide. Is it me, or does anyone else hear the theme from Jaws playing in their heads? Oh well...

Anyway, speaking of sharks, has anyone looked at the cost of tuition these days, not to mention room and board? Cue the Great White...

D.G. of Sea Clff, NY writes: ...

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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 ...
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