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3 Tips for Making the Most Out of a College Visit

MovingInsider — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:30:32 +0000

College is a big deal. All the years of academic study, from grade school through high school, will culminate with your acceptance into college. It’s a place where you’ll live and become educated at the highest level for four years, totaling nearly $90,000 (for the average in-state public college), according to a College Board report out last October. The goal, of course, is for you to leave fully equipped with everything you need to pursue a successful career in your area of study. If you really take a moment to contemplate the magnitude of this commitment—four years, $90k in college savings, preparation for the rest of your life— then it’s clear why selecting the right college likely will be the most significant decision of your young life. At this point, you’ve probably carefully reviewed the program and campus information online, and read all the informational pieces sent to your home. Now, you are ready to enter the final stage—the campus visit. Here are three tips that can help you make the most out of your college visit.

Schedule Your Visit Like a Pro.

Advance planning is important. Why? Well, in addition to reserving a campus tour, you also should arrange for several other engagements. For instance, it is recommended that you meet with an admissions officer and professor in your area of interest, attend a lecture, participate in a student club activity and perhaps even spend the night in campus housing. The best time to schedule your visit is when classes are in session, and the campus is bustling with activity. This will give you the most authentic taste of the daily university profile.

Don’t Be Shy. Go Explore.

Standard campus tours are great for learning about the basics. But if you really want to peel back the layers and tap into true student experiences, you must venture out on your own. Hang out in a campus gathering area and ask students questions you might have about programs, campus life, extracurricular activities, facilities, housing, summer storage, etc. Their responses will be genuine and non-scripted, providing you with great insider information. After speaking with students, continue to explore your surroundings: Eat in the dining hall, visit facilities/buildings you weren't shown during the general tour, read bulletin boards and the school newspaper, attend an on-campus event and also make sure to check out the area just outside the campus perimeter.

Create a Campus Portrait.

It’s also a good idea to create a record of your trip. The easiest way to do this, of course, is by taking pictures. Snap photos of anything and everything that interests you. This will help you recall the sights and activities of your trip with complete accuracy. Also, carry a small notepad (or use the note application in your phone) so you can write down your thoughts during your tour, the responses of students, or any lingering questions you would like answered before you leave. After visiting several campuses, you will have a nice collection of photos and recorded thoughts, allowing you to effectively compare your college visits. Attending college is a cherished opportunity, valued privilege and a worthy responsibility. Many people say their college years were some of the best of their lives, a time when they experienced fundamental self-discovery, made lifelong friends, and built the beginnings of what would become their future careers. You should now be prepared to make the most out of your college visits. Before you know it, you will be packing for college and setting out to have the time of your life. This post is brought to you by the editors of MovingInsider blog, the DIY Experts in moving, storage and organization. Recommended by the editors:

How to Go to College for Less

Sue — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:00:07 +0000

Outside-the-box strategies for saving money on college.

As the mother of two teenagers, news of rapidly increasing college tuition and the threat of high interest rates on student loans have me thinking about how to afford to pay for their education. Juggling the costs of a mortgage, a car payment, the needs of two growing children and various other expenses makes it hard to save for college, too. I don’t want my kids to start their young adult lives with a large burden of debt, and I also don’t want them to have to pay more than they have to as they strive for that all-important university diploma. After doing some research, here are some outside-the-box ideas on how to go to college for less:

Keep an open mind about private vs. state schools

Private schools seem synonymous with expensive tuition, so I thought they may be out of the question – but that’s not necessarily the case. Kevin Campbell, president of College Planning Authority, a college planning company based inTexas, says shying away from private schools because of the sticker price could be a mistake. “If you have a high-performing student who can get into the higher-end schools, they often have excellent financial aid,” he says. “We often send students to private schools for the same or less than a state school.” In comparing financial aid packages, be sure to ask if the aid is renewable or has any grade-point average requirements so you won’t be caught off guard later on. On the other hand, Zac Bissonnette, author of “Debt-Free U: How I Paid for an Outstanding College Education Without Loans, Scholarships, or Mooching off My Parents,” says students are most likely to get merit-based aid at schools where they’re in the top 10 percent of the incoming class, which some students wouldn’t want to attend. “If you get into a school that’s sort of a reach for you academically, you’re not going to get much merit aid,” he says. “For most families, the best thing to do will be to pick an affordable, in-state college.”

Consider studying outside of the United States

As tough as it might be to consider being an ocean away from one of my kids for four years, it could be a good way to reduce college expenses. Since college tuition in this country has risen faster than in other parts of the world, some students now choose to attend college in places likeEngland,ScotlandorCanada. “Particularly for students looking at international business, I think it starts to make a lot of sense,” saysCampbell. But, he adds, it might not be the best option if your student’s chosen career requires professional certification in theUnited States. “For instance, if you’re an engineering student, make sure the licensing agency will accept your education from out of the country.” Plus, if you want to be able to visit often or fly home for Christmas, Bissonnette cautions that travel costs back and forth could also add up quickly while attending school in another country.

Lower your expected family contribution (EFC)

Your EFC is calculated based on your answers to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and deducted from the cost of attendance at a given school. If the COA exceeds your EFC, then your student is considered to have financial need, which could boost eligibility for grants, loans and scholarships. Campbell suggests using an online EFC calculator or working with a college planner who can explain “what assets count against you and which ones don’t.” For instance, investing in a qualified retirement account such as an IRA or 401(k) could lower your EFC, as could having more than one student in college at the same time.

Graduate Early

Spending less time in college can reduce the cost – so it may be worth encouraging your kids to do what they can to earn university credits before they even graduate high school. According to theNationalCenterfor Education Statistics, the median time it took for 2008 bachelor’s degree recipients to graduate was just over four years. Almost a third of first-time bachelor’s degree recipients took 49 to 72 months to complete their degrees, so graduating early (or at least on time) could help save money. “One of the ways to graduate early is to take summer classes through your local community college and transfer those credits,” suggests Bissonnette. Earning Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits during high school can also help, depending on the college’s policies. Taking fewer credits each semester might allow your student to work his or her way through school and spread out the tuition burden, but unless they’re living at home, room and board could still account for a large portion of college costs. So, while heading off to college will undoubtedly come with a large price tag, taking a unique approach to funding your kids’ college education could reduce the debt load they have to pay back once they’ve got their diplomas in hand. Are you planning for your child’s education – or your own? Visit myallstatefinancial.com for information on starting a college savings account.

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Concerned About Paying for College? Take Action!

Brendan — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:42:52 +0000

Many Chicago parents share a dream of seeing their children attend college and receive a quality education that can help set the foundation for a successful career. But some fear that paying for college will be difficult. "The important part is that parents do something," says Sedrik Newbern, a Libertyville-based Allstate Insurance agent. There are many college savings programs available from various sources that can help develop a savings plan tailored specifically to your situation. There are Illinois-specific 529 savings plans, as well as all sorts of grants, financial aid plans and even life insurance packages that provide college-funding options. The issue for many parents is choosing a strategy and taking action. “I recommend to just do something. Sometimes there's this 'analysis by paralysis'," Newbern says. "[Have] a conversation with your insurance agent or financial specialist to figure out ways that you can accumulate money in a way that doesn't put much of a tax burden on you and allows you to grow your money, so when your child is of college age, you’ll have money to pay for it.” Newbern admits that while having a plan in place and taking action is important, the dramatic increases in the cost of college may be exceeding the amount of assistance available through traditional financial aid vehicles. Costs Are on the Rise Last October, The Washington Post reported that financial aid is not keeping pace with the rising cost of college, citing a study by the College Board Advocacy and Policy Center. According to the story, the cost of college has risen faster than inflation for some time, and “Many states have slashed funding for higher education. The [College Board] report found state appropriations per student dropped 10 percent in 2011-12, a fourth straight year of decline.” According to a Wall Street Journal report on the same topic, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's 2012 tuition and fees were $14,522 for residents in 2012, which amounts to a 47 percent increase since 2006. That said, parents must still find ways to pay for their child’s education, because as Newbern says, “Not all kids are scholars or athletes and they won’t be eligible for scholarships. Who knows what options will be available or what those options will look like in 10 years.” Quotes for Education Which is precisely where companies like Allstate can--and do--step in. Since 2008, Allstate has offered its Quotes for Education program that is designed to help students of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) finance their education. Working with partners such as the Tom Joyner Foundation, the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and the Thurgood Marshall Foundation, the program has provided consumers a quick and easy way to support HBCU students. This year, the Quotes for Education program raised $141,120 for The Tom Joyner Foundation to support HBCU students. These donations help form the Allstate/Tom Joyner Foundation Scholarship, which is awarded to financially in-need HBCU students each year. [CTA: agent for college savings plan]

3 Must-Know Dorm Room Security and Fire Safety Tips

Frank Rivera, ADT — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:00:09 +0000

Safety in the dorm room may not be the first thought on a new college student’s mind, but as a parent it should be your main concern. While dormitories are a great place to meet new friends and socialize, they can also be dangerous if the proper precautions aren’t taken. With a solid security plan and some safeguards in place, you can prepare your child to stay safe in their home away from home.

Have a Personal Security Plan

Every college has campus security and you should make sure your child knows exactly how to get in touch with them. Most schools offer orientation and guided tours of the campus. With a personal security plan in mind, make this a perfect opportunity to discover the fastest routes to the security office and to make sure you get the correct emergency numbers to dial. Once your child knows their schedule, it’s very important that they share that information with you and someone they really trust as part of the security plan. Planning different walking routes between classes and their dorm is a great way to protect your child from being followed. Security awareness is crucial. Dorm rooms have a lot of visitor traffic. Explain to your child that if they feel unsafe or see anything suspicious happening, it is better for them to contact campus security immediately rather than let the issue go on.

Doom Room Security Products

Freshmen don’t always have the luxury of knowing who they will be rooming with. In order to protect against this uncertainty you may need some dorm room security products such as room safes, insurance, and laptop locks to keep your things safe. Room safes can be as inconspicuous as a book or can blend in to a drawer without notice. Locking up jewelry, checkbooks, and other valuables when not around can deter would-be snatch and grab thieves. If your student is a musician or has expensive jewelry or sporting equipment, insurance can help recover the value of stolen or destroyed items and costs much less than replacing them yourself. Valuables that don’t fit in a safe or are uninsurable could benefit from something as simple as labeling. Labeled items help solve ownership disputes and act as a simple but effective theft deterrent.

Fire Safety

Accidents in crowded dorms can often lead to fire mishaps. Smoke alarms should be working and checked regularly. Hairdryers, curling irons and straighteners should be unplugged when not in use and should never be left unattended. In some older buildings, replacing high wattage light bulbs with energy efficient or lower wattage light bulbs can prevent overheating and fire. Candles can be the most dangerous item in a dorm room. A lot of colleges do not allow the use of candles in dorm rooms but for those that do, watch and wait for an extra second or two to ensure that the blown out candle doesn’t reignite. Extinguish all flames when not in the room or before going to bed. Some simple, common-sense fire safety precautions can keep everyone safe from common accidents. We can never be 100 percent certain that our kids will be safe in the dorm room, but with proper planning and the right conversations, we can ensure they will have the tools for basic safety when away at school.

Frank Rivera is the director of digital marketing for ADT Security Systems.

Photo courtesy of collegelifestyles.org