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Fall 2008
College Connection Newsletter
for Today's Student 


As discussions prior to the holiday are full of economic moans and groans, parents and students are wise to plan ahead for college expenses. In this quarterly eNewsletter we'll keep you "in the know" with  tips to help you weather the economic storm, some great books for holiday reading, news from the world of standardized testing, and advice for student athletes.
 
Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends and family who you believe will benefit.
 
We wish for you some quiet time over the holidays to appreciate all that is meaningful.
 
 
 
              Money Talk - It's time to make your plan.  
                                                                                              by Nikki Mathews 
    
As the nation's economic crisis hits an all time low, you may find yourself scrambling for money for college.  Last year two-thirds of graduates completed their four year degrees with over $19,000 in student debt.  The credit card companies are wildly marketing to college students with offers of free ipods and more!
 
Here are a few tips to avoid the pitfalls of student debt:
  1. Make a budget. A budget is a spending plan to help control expenses. Come up with different categories like food, clothes, and fun. Then, estimate a monthly spending amount for each one.
  2. Get a job. Having a job will help you learn responsibility, gain professional skills and experience, and put some spending money in your pocket.
  3. Write down everything you spend for one week. Then add it all up at the end of the week. If your total was a positive number then keep doing what you are doing. If your total was a negative number try to cut down spending or work more hours.
  4. Open a Checking account. This is a great way to learn about careful money management, handling credit cards, and paying bills on time.
  5. Learn about federal financial student aid: get an early estimate of your eligibility at 
    http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/


                                    Start implementing your fiscal plan today!

 
 
 
In the Know...  
 
     The College Board just announced a new policy called "Score Choice".  Beginning in 2009, high school students will be able to choose whick SAT scores colleges get to see. Check out the article on usnews.comcalled "Kids Can Pick Which SAT Scores a College Sees', by Lucia Graves.  The new policy is designed to reduce the stress that students experience, knowing that if you have a bad test day - college admissions offices don't need to find out about it!   The new policy states that students will optionally have the ability to choose test scores by sitting day to send off to schools.
 
Next SAT Test 
December 6th - Late fees will be required after November 5th

Next ACT Test
December 13th -- Lates fees will be required after November 7th
 
Register now to avoid penalties!
 
 
 
 
"Three Books" Program

 Stanford University sponsors an interesting program each year for incoming Freshman, called the "Three Books" Program. 
 
This year, the program  included an eclectic mix of coming-of-age  stories:

One! Hundred! Demons! by Barry

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by Packer
 
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
by Diaz
 
 
Students were surprised to find a comic book among their required reading, One! Hundred! Demons! is a series of seventeen cartoons.  A grahic novel that the author claims "creates a poignant mix of what makes our lives both comical and sad".
 
Great gift ideas or perfect for curling up by the fireplace over your well deserved holiday break.
 
ENJOY!
 
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baseball player

    • Student Athletes:

Get your game on!

 

There is a common myth    that if you are good enough at your sport, that college coaches will find you.  In today's economic times, college coaches have experienced budget cuts just like the rest of the academic world, and rarely have the luxury of traveling to high schools to recruit students.  They just don't have the time or money to invest in a player that has not shown interest in their school. 

Student -athletes need to remember that they are first students, and second, athletes!  If you don't have the grades and standardized test scores to qualify for NCAA or specific college admissions - your athletic prowess won't matter!  College coaches need to know that they can get you through the admissions office and that you will not only add value to their team, but that you will academically succeed on their campus as well.

 Here are a couple of tips:

  •  If you find yourself falling behind in a class - get help early!  
  • Second, log onto the NCAA Clearinghouse site to register if you think there is any chance that you may want to participate in your sport in college.   

NCAA Website 
  • And third, begin to develop your personal Sports Recruitment Strategy in an effort to gain visibility with College Coaches.  

  • There are over 400,000 student athletes participating in 23 different NCAA sports in colleges - if you want to be one of them - you need a plan!

     
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