CAPlus Monthly - Apr/May

Visiting a college before you apply or make a final decision can be a critical part of making the right choice. You may hit it off with the admissions counselor who visits your school or like the way it looks online, but you won't know what you're getting into until you see the campus in person.

With spring approaching and summer right behind, this is a perfect opportunity to visit colleges. Start planning your trips now! It is best to visit while school is still in session so you can get a true picture of campus life, but if you can't take time off from school or work, summer is also a great time to visit. (Just remember that many colleges do maintenance work during the summer, so the campus might look different than normal.)

When you do decide to schedule campus visits, keep the following things in mind:

• Before you visit, make a list of things that are important to you to learn about the college. Visit the school's website and be prepared. Write down a list of questions that you would like professors, students, or admissions counselors to answer for you. It is a good idea to use the same list of questions and comments for each school so that you can compare. Before you leave, make detailed notes about the visit so you will remember later.

• At the very least, you should try to schedule a meeting with an admissions counselor while you are there. You will be able to ask questions and get a feel for the school. It would be even better to schedule a visit with a professor in the student's field of interest as well. This will give the student the chance to ask questions about that particular field and how the college will help him or her in that area.

• Take a campus tour! Most campuses offer tours that you can schedule in advance if you know when you will be there. This gives the entire family the opportunity to walk around campus and listen to a tour guide (usually a student from the college) talk about the good qualities of the school.

• Finally, make sure you ask lots of questions! It is best to do this while you are at the college and in contact with people who can answer questions for you. You could still call them after you leave, but this is a great opportunity to find out what students and professors think of the college, what they do off campus, and what a typical day might be like. You need to find out whether you will fit in at the school and if you could see yourself spending four (or more) years there.

One other simple thing to do after you leave is write a thank-you note to everyone who took time out of their day to help you during your visit. Sending a note may help you get noticed by the college and may help with acceptance or a better financial package later.

CAPlus news

College Assistance Plus of Rochester was a platinum sponsor of the Miss Greater Rochester Scholarship pageant in the month of February. CAPlus founder Phil James participated as a judge of the contest, and David Mabee offered a seminar to all of the contestants. Congratulations to Vanria Glenn, winner of the contest!

An article about CAPlus was published in Go! Magazine, the in-flight publication of AirTran airlines. To read the article, click here.

College Assistance Plus is franchising! Visit our franchise website to read more about this exciting adventure. If you or someone you know is interested in this new opportunity, email franchise@collegeassistanceplus.com.

High school sophomores

You should start thinking now about which colleges you might want to visit during the summer. Spring and summer are great times to visit schools, so you should begin planning these trips now. If your family takes a vacation together in the summer, try to fit a few college visits in while you are at it. Make informed, educated decisions on which colleges to visit. Remember, don't visit schools that you know you can't afford!

Parents and students need to be saving money for the student's college education. If the student has a job lined up for the summer, plan on putting the money into the parents' account(s) rather than in the student's name. This shields the money from the federal formulas that determine how much the family can afford.

Continue studying for the SAT and ACT tests for at least one hour a week. It is important to treat this test as homework to ensure that the student receives the highest score possible. Colleges often knock down tuition prices by thousands of dollars depending on SAT/ACT scores. Study software is often very helpful in preparing for these tests. You can also take advantage of our exclusive offer of 10% off the Grammatix SAT study guide by clicking here!

If your student is active in community work or volunteer projects with adults, it may be a good idea to ask for recommendation letters now. Getting a head start is a great idea, and it is important to get recommendations from people while the experiences are still fresh in their minds.

Top athletic students should make sure to compile video highlights of their games and to keep together any newspaper clippings about themselves. Most student athletes won't get a full ride to college, but they can pick up a few thousand dollars at many schools if they have the talent (and if their talent is well-documented!).

Continue to work hard in school to finish up the final stretch before the year is over. You may feel like taking it easy and coasting through until the end of the year, but it will do you more harm than good in the long run. Colleges will most definitely be looking at your grades from this year!

If career profiling is available to your student through the high school guidance office, take advantage of it! Attend college fairs at schools and local malls. Begin searching for colleges now, because it will make your life much less stressful in the upcoming years.

Students who are involved in clubs and organizations should try to apply for leadership roles for next year. College admission officers love student leaders, which will give you leverage in obtaining a better financial package. If there are clubs or organizations that the student would like to join, do it!

Students need to talk to their guidance counselors about adding AP classes to their schedules for the coming year. Many colleges accept these classes for credit, and it also shows the college that the student is able to handle a heavier course load. When a student has a good academic transcript, he or she will have a better chance to receive a good financial package from the college.

High school juniors

Juniors should stay focused on their schoolwork during the end of the spring semester. Junior-year grades are especially important because they show to the college what kind of work the student can do in advanced, upper-level courses. Grades are also used to determine scholarship and grant eligibility.

Check local community colleges to see if there are any summer courses that may be of interest to you. Look for courses in the major you are interested in pursuing; also look for any general courses that may count toward general education credits when you get to college. Community college usually costs less than a public or private college, so this can save you from having to pay more for those credits later.

If you plan to take the ACT, register now for the June 9 exam. Registration is due by May 4, and late registration (which requires a late fee) is accepted until May 18th. The next SAT test is May 5; regular registration is due by April 3, and late registration is due April 11. The following SAT test is June 2; regular registration is due by April 27, and late registration is due May 9th. Visit www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com for more information and to find testing sites.

Students should continue to refine their lists of potential colleges. Contact the admissions and financial aid offices at the colleges you are interested in so that you can get information on admission, scholarships, and financial aid. Talk to your parents about the colleges; parents can help with this process! Collect information about college application procedures, entrance requirements, tuition and other fees, room and board costs, student activities, and course offerings. The Internet is a good way to find this kind of information. Begin comparing schools by factors that you find most important. This will save you time later.

Spring and summer months are often great times to visit colleges,

so plan any summer visit trips now. Make informed, educated decisions on which colleges to visit; don't visit colleges that you know you are unable to afford. This may save you from emotional attachment from a college that is too expensive. You don't want to waste your time and gas money visiting colleges that you just can't afford.

If the student is planning on having a job during the summer, parents should sit down with him or her and go over the importance of having a budget to plan where the money is going to go. Also, keep the money that the student earns in a parental account instead of an account in the student's name.

Athletes who play spring sports (such as track and field, baseball, softball, etc.) should be compiling photographs and video clips of themselves from the current season. By the time you are a senior and participating in the sport, you will have already made your college decision. Now is the time to emphasize what you have done in the sport.

Students should continue to save papers, projects, or any other good work that they are doing in school. Having these things on hand will be helpful during the admissions process (and can serve as portfolios or references later!).

High school seniors

You should have finished filling out applications for colleges by now, or you should be close to having applied to every school you are interested in. Many schools have deadlines in March and April, though some have rolling admission deadlines (meaning that you can apply at any time). If you have missed deadlines, look for colleges with later deadlines to which you can apply. We suggest applying to six or more of your favorite colleges so you have a lot of financial options. Once you have applied, follow up with the admissions office to make sure that they have received all of the necessary information from you and your high school.

Don't make any decisions about where to attend college until you have received financial aid packages from all of the schools. You need to compare the offers and determine which school gives you the best package; do the math carefully so you know which school is giving you the most aid. Don't count loans as aid, because you will have to pay all that money back.

If you are a CAPlus client, keep your CAPlus advisor informed whenever you receive an acceptance/rejection letter or a financial aid package letter. Send photocopies of all financial aid packages so we can help you understand how much money the college is really going to give you. Tell us what you're thinking about where you'd like to go so we can help negotiate a better deal for you.

It is April, so you should have filled out your FAFSA by now, either in hard copy or online. If you completed it based on tax forms from the previous year, make sure you resubmit a corrected form based on your new tax information. If you did file your FAFSA, watch the mail for your SAR (Student Aid Report). If you have not received it, call 1-800-4-FED-AID or visit www.fafsaed.gov. This report summarizes your financial aid eligibility, so read it carefully. If there are any inconsistencies or errors, make the changes necessary and either send the packet back or update the information online. If you have questions, feel free to contact your CAPlus representative for help.

Students and parents may be getting nervous if they have not received financial package information yet. Many selective schools aren't even sending out the financial packages until mid to late April, so don't panic! Remember that acceptances don't mean much until you get your packages to compare the schools. Once you get financial aid information from all of the colleges, contact your CAPlus representative, who will work with you on choosing the best school for you.

If you haven't received acceptance or rejection letters from the colleges you applied to, follow up to make sure that they have received all application information, including your FAFSA, recommendation letters, and test scores.

Don't make rash decisions. This is the most important thing that you can remember right now. Don't make a commitment to a school until you have received your financial packages. Remember that many students transfer after their first year, and the average student changes his or her major at least 3 times in the course of their undergraduate education. Changing a major costs money because you may have to take different courses and spend more time in school. Take your time and choose a school that you really would want to be at. Also, don't choose a school because of a boyfriend or girlfriend. The brutal truth is that high school relationships don't usually last throughout college, and one or the other of you may decide to transfer for academic or financial reasons.

Don't focus in on a technical school unless you are certain that you will not be

changing majors. Students who are planning on going to college for pre-med, for example, should keep in mind that 80% of pre-med students drop out of that program and change to another major in their first year of college. Liberal arts schools or community colleges are often good choices because they have a variety of programs that students can switch to if they find they do not like their original major. Talk to your College Assistance Plus representative to determine what exactly you are looking for, and they will help you narrow in on the colleges that will best meet your needs.

If the student is taking any AP courses for college credit, begin preparing for the tests in May. If there is an AP preparation class available, consider taking it. These courses can give you college credit that you will not have to pay for later, so better grades are more beneficial.

If you have made your college choice, congratulations! It's a tough decision to make. Don't forget to send in your tuition deposit, and notify your CAPlus representative so we can update our records.

College freshmen and sophomores

By this time in April, you should have filled out your renewal FAFSA, either in hard copy or online. If you did this this based on estimates from last year's tax forms, be sure to resubmit your update information once you have filed your taxes. If you have not filed your FAFSA yet, you need to do this right away. Timing is everything!

Good grades mean higher incentive for the college to give you scholarships for the following year and years after that. Keep studying and working hard; you're in the home stretch of the school year! 30% of students transfer after their first or second year of college, so if you transfer to another school, higher grades will give you the ability to negotiate a better deal for the next year. Parents should remember that their student is on their own as far as school is concerned, but it can be good to ask how the student is doing academically or giving encouragement over the phone.

It is very important for any students who received academic scholarships to keep their GPAs at the required level. Many students lose their scholarship benefits because of low GPAs, causing them to lose thousands of dollars the next year because of a lack of effort. Have fun at college, but don't lose your focus on performing well academically.

When students meet with their academic advisors to discuss plans for the upcoming semester, make it a point to talk about whether you are on track to complete your degree in four years. If you have not declared a major yet, determine which general classes you can get out of the way now. Don't get trapped into an extra semester by being indecisive!

It is a good idea for parents to sit down with their students and outline a budget for the summer and the upcoming school year. Students need to be prudent about spending money instead of using loan money for pizza and CDs.

Even though the pizza costs $15 now, it will cost about $65 when you add on all the interest!

If you are planning to work during the summer, focus on finding a job that will enhance your resume. Service jobs are plentiful, but you should look for one in your field of study! Not only will this give you experience, but it will also help you determine if you really do want to be in this field. Network around and get some interviews if possible. School is almost out for the summer, and you should plan on having something lined up before the semester ends.

Students may want to schedule a meeting with a career counselor at college. Talking with someone may help you figure out what you can do with your degree and where you might look for a summer job. Don't count on someone else to find you a job, however.

College juniors

By this time in April, you should have filled out your renewal FAFSA, either in hard copy or online. If you did this this based on estimates from last year's tax forms, be sure to resubmit your update information once you have filed your taxes. If you have not filed your FAFSA, you need to do this right away. Timing is everything! The longer you wait, the more of a chance there will be that your application for aid will end up at the bottom of a pile.

Students should be sure they have met with their academic advisors to work out schedules for the next semester. Make sure you are on schedule to graduate on time! Also, talk with advisors or professors about helping to find an internship or summer job. Don't expect that someone else will find you a job, however; this is your responsibility.

It is very important for any students who received academic scholarships to keep their GPAs at the required level. Many students lose

their scholarship benefits because of low GPAs, causing them to lose thousands of dollars the next year because of a lack of effort. Have fun at college, but don't lose your focus on performing well academically.

Students who plan on attending a summer session at college should make sure that they have applied. Make sure to stay on top of the work and do well in the course; if your grades are exceptional, your CAPlus representative may be able to leverage more aid for your senior year.

Continue talking to friends/relatives/acquaintances about any job connections those people may have. In order to ensure that you find a job when you graduate, it's good to find an internship or job in your field during the summer. Networking is the best way!

Do not hesitate to call or email your College Assistance Plus representative if you are uncertain about how to use your degree. We are here to help, and sometimes it is beneficial to have a third party with whom you can talk about this issue.

College seniors

It's almost the end of your college career! Keep pushing to keep your grades up until you graduate. Parents, if you are planning to celebrate after your student graduates, remember to keep it within your budget.

Many campuses hold career fairs near the end of the year. This is a great opportunity to talk to some people in different fields and perhaps even have some interviews. If you get an opportunity to attend any of these fairs, take it! You never know what kinds of leads you might get.

Continue looking for jobs and internships, and talk to friends and family for ideas or contacts. Network like crazy and stay focused. Parents usually have many friends and contacts who might be helpful. Remember that most jobs aren't posted on newspapers on websites. Getting a job is all about networking! Don't be shy about telling people that you need a job or asking if they know anyone who is hiring.

Do not hesitate to call your College Assistance Plus representative if you are uncertain about how to use your degree. We are here to help, and sometimes it is beneficial to have a third party with whom you can talk about this issue.

If you are graduating and aren't sure what you'll be able to do with your degree, give your CAPlus representative a call. We work with students all over the country, and we know what kinds of jobs are available. We can help you learn what might be available in your field and what kind of job you would like to have.

Strategic Suggestions

Those students who are in college should finish the year with a strong academic showing. The best way to get more financial aid next year is to bring value to the college. Keep your grades up and contact your CAPlus representative, who may be able to find a way to get you some more aid for next year.

It is extremely important for high school students, especially juniors and sophomores, to spend time studying for the SAT and ACT tests. Unless you got a nearly perfect score, retake the tests! The highest combination of scores is kept, so there is no way for you to hurt yourself by taking the tests again. Some schools automatically reduce the costs of tuition by 50% or more if the student's SAT score is 1100 (by the old standard) or above! There are also many scholarships that students can qualify for based only on their SAT/ACT scores.

High school students should do some volunteer and community service during the summer. If you are going to get a summer job, try to find one in a field you might be interested in pursuing. Flipping burgers at a local fast food joint is easy, but it won't help your résumé. You may also learn more about what you really want to do with your life if you get some relevant work experience. When you understand the job market and what you will be getting yourself into, it will be easier to choose a major in a field that you will stick with.

If there has been some circumstance in your family that has suddenly created financial hardship, write a letter to the college's Financial Aid Director explaining the situation. Make sure that he or she understands that you are not looking for loans but gifts/grants/hardship dollars directly from the college or university. If you call or email your CAPlus representative, he or she will assist you in drafting this letter.

When should I visit colleges?