CAPlus Monthly - Dec/Jan

Blogs are everywhere on the Internet today. Especially prevalent among high school and college students are networking blog sites such as Facebook, Xanga, and MySpace. Kids can log on, leave comments for friends, post pictures, and blog about their activities. They have the ability to customize their pages to reflect their personalities, and many sites include music, links, videos, and photos.

Many parents worry that their children are exposing too much personal information on the Internet, and it's a valid concern. It's easy to post just about anything online now. A new concern is also rising among parents and students: high schools and college admissions officers are using these blog sites to monitor kids' behavior and determine whether the students are acceptable for admission.

Imagine if you arrived at your college admission interview, and the interviewer said, "In your application

essay, you said that you wanted to come to this school because of its diversity and urban location. But on your MySpace page, you wrote a blog about the 'loser immigrants' who come to the US looking for handouts. Can you explain the discrepancy to me?"

It's a made-up scenario, but it's happening at colleges across the country. If you want to get into college, be careful about what you post online. Remove any objectionable content from your blog, such as racial comments, descriptions of parties, photos of underage drinking, etc. Keep yourself consistent. If you tell the college that you enjoy community service, make sure that nothing in your blog (or even comments to other friends) contradicts that. Don't post anything on your MySpace that you wouldn't want a college admissions officer to see.

Prospective college students are not the only ones who should be aware that others are looking at their pages. College administrators are searching networking sites (Facebook in particular) and calling students in when they see evidence of illegal or improper activity. Job recruiters are signing up for Facebook accounts and Googling potential employers' names, and they are not afraid to turn down job offers after they see objectionable content on an online blog.

The truth of the matter is that the Internet is not a private place. When students set up these sites, they often feel that they are invisible. They mistakenly believe that the only people who will see their pages are their friends. It is important to remember that anyone can make a MySpace or Facebook account, and your page is NOT your private place. What you post there is public, and anyone could have access to it.

If parents want to find out more about MySpace and Facebook in particular, there is some very good information available. Learn more about MySpace here and more about Facebook here.

CAPlus news

CAPlus was featured in last month's New York Times in an article entitled, "The Business of Negotiating for More College Aid." In the article the author discussed the ability of businesses like ours to obtain more money for college students.

College Assistance Plus is franchising! We now have franchises in Delaware and northern Pennsylvania. 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

If you know any high school seniors or parents of seniors, you might notice that they seem stressed. College selection is a stressful process for both students and parents, and it can drive a wedge in between family members. The sooner you begin the process for yourself, the easier it will be down the road. Look at colleges. Think about where the student might want to be and what he or she wants to do. Save money. But remember not to panic. You have a lot of time, but it is good to get the ball rolling to take some of the pressure off yourself later.

At this point in their high school career, students should be participating in career profiles and college searches to begin getting an idea of what is available for them.

Students need to 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. The software that College Assistance Plus provides is 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.

Taking AP classes may help with the student's college applications later. Talk to the guidance counselor when it is time to select classes for next semester so that you can take courses that will help build a strong transcript. Colleges want to see strong, challenging work, and they would often rather see a student taking an AP course and receiving a B than a student taking an easy class and earning an A. Colleges also use a 5-point scale to weigh AP classes instead of the usual 4 points for regular high school classes.

High school juniors

The student will receive results of the PSAT sometime in the next two months. Read your score report and talk with your school guidance counselor to determine how you could improve on future standardized tests. Continue studying for SAT/ACT tests. Focusing on doing well in these tests and in school will help enhance your chances of receiving a good financial package. Depending on the SAT or ACT scores, colleges often knock thousands of dollars off the price of tuition for certain students. The study software that College Assistance Plus provides is 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!

Taking AP classes may help with the student's college applications later. Colleges want to see that the student is capable of doing challenging work, and they would often rather see a student receiving a B in an AP course than an A in an easy high school class. Talk to your guidance counselor when it is time to select classes for next semester so that the student can take courses that will help build a strong transcript.

If you plan to take the ACT, register now for the February 10 exam. Registration is due by January 5, and late registration (which requires a late fee) is accepted until January 19th. Students from New York should note that this exam is not being offered in New York state in February. The next SAT exam is January 27; regular registration is due by December 26 and late registration is due January 4th. Visit www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com for more information and to find testing sites near you.

You should identify schools where the student is in the top 25% of the admitting freshman class. If you want to increase your chances of receiving more scholarships/aid, find schools where the student is in the top 20%. Students in this category tend to receive more free college scholarship/grant money and need less money from student loans. Look on your CAPlus Junior Guide for more information on this subject.

Continue to refine your lists of potential colleges. Contact the admissions and financial aid offices at any colleges in which you are interested so that you can get information now on admission, scholarships, and financial aid.

Talk with your parents about the colleges in which you are interested; parents often have wise insights and suggestions.

Athletes who play spring sports (such as track and field, baseball, softball, etc.) should plan to compile photographs and video of themselves from the upcoming 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.

We suggest that students make an effort to learn their social security numbers. They are required on many college applications, and it is good to have it in your memory bank. If you were never issued a Social Security card, go to Social Security Online for information on finding a local Social Security office and obtaining a card.

Keep looking for any scholarship programs that might help. You may need to have specific classes for some scholarships; looking for grants and scholarships now may make choosing classes for the next semester a little easier and more helpful in the long run.

Stay focused on schoolwork during the end of the fall 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.

High school seniors

While students may be feeling pressured by colleges and guidance counselors to make a commitment, relax! There is time until you need to apply. You may be told that you need to have all your applications in before Christmas, but in reality, you just need to make sure that you apply before the colleges' deadlines. Check the admissions deadlines for all the colleges that you are interested in applying to so that you don't miss a deadline!

Students who have not put much thought into their college selection need to start thinking about it! Take some time over Christmas break to visit college websites and find schools that you'd like to apply to. Again, check the application deadlines so you don't miss out. If you want to get a good financial package, you should get your applications in as soon as you can.

If you have not yet done so, narrow down your list of schools that you are interested in applying to. Talk with your CAPlus representative about our Personalized Needs Analysis Report, which will help you get an idea of your actual out-of-pocket cost at each of the colleges. With this information, you may be better prepared to choose five or six schools to apply to.

By now the due dates for recommendation letters may be approaching. Recommendations are very important when applying to colleges, so be sure to ask for recommendation letters if you know they have not yet been sent to the school. This is an important step in the application process! If the person who is writing the letter does not turn it in on time, you do have the right to ask them about it. It is also appropriate to tell the person writing the letter what you have already told the college and what you hope to see in his or her letter. This often gives the writer a strong foundation on which to write.

Parents and students need to collect the following financial records to complete the financial aid forms: W-2 forms, bank statements and records of benefits from the Social Security Administration, Department of Veteran's Affairs, and other agencies. Keep these for your College Assistance Plus representative, who will be able to answer any questions while you are filling out your FAFSA or other financial aid forms.

If students are not happy with their previous SAT/ACT scores, register to retake these tests. The highest combination of scores is always used, so taking the tests again won't hurt. If you plan to take the ACT, register now for the February 10 exam. Registration is due by January 5, and late registration (which requires a late fee) is accepted until January 19th. Students from New York should note that this exam is not being offered in New York state in February.

The next SAT exam is January 27; regular registration is due by December 26 and late registration is due January 4th. Visit www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com for more information and to find testing sites near you.

CAPlus clients who are preparing for the SAT exam are eligible to receive a special discount on Grammatix, a study program that helps students develop unique test-taking skills and strategies. To get this 10% discount through CAPlus, click here.

Once parents receive W-2 forms in January, you will be able to fill out your tax forms. You will also need to file your FAFSA for next year. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to have your taxes completed in order to file a FAFSA. You can file an estimated FAFSA based on last year's taxes as soon as possible; when you finish your taxes, go back to the FAFSA website and make corrections to update your information. The sooner you file your FAFSA, the more aid you may be eligible for.

Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the colleges to which the student wants to apply. Although most deadlines are after January 1, they do vary from school to school. It is essential to meet all deadlines! When you apply, check with the guidance counselor to make sure your transcript/test scores have been or will be sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

By the middle of January, you should have filed your FAFSA, either in hard copy or online. (We suggest filing online if possible, as an estimated 8% of paper forms are returned due to errors, and it takes longer to process through the mail.) It is easy to make a mistake on your FAFSA, so have your CAPlus representative review your form before you submit it. We are trained to spot mistakes and have helped many clients submit correct FAFSA forms.

If you are a male and over the age of 18, you must register with Selective Services before you can file your FAFSA. There is a box you can check on the FAFSA form that will register you, but if you do not choose that option, you will need to take steps to register yourself. Note that this only applies to boys who are over age 18.

Plan visits to any colleges and set up interviews if you did not get to them during the summer or if you would like to return to a campus for a second time. Read bulletin boards and the college newspaper while you are there; also, talk to current students and professors about their experiences. Be sure that you have talked with your College Assistance Plus representative and know the cost of the colleges before you go. We have College Visit packets available to help you narrow down your college search.

Students should meet with their guidance counselors to discuss their college plans. Go over previous SAT and ACT scores to determine if you should retake either of these tests. Discuss whether the colleges to which you want to apply are appropriate, considering your academic and personal records. Request that your counselor send the transcripts of your first-semester grades to the colleges to which you applied (or plan to apply), if necessary.

If your student applied for early decision, you will probably have an answer soon if you have not yet received one. If you were accepted, follow the instructions for admitted students. If the college's decision is deferred until spring or you are denied, talk with your CAPlus representative, who will help you locate other colleges that are a good fit for you. It is always good to have other options when trying to obtain the best financial package.

College freshmen and sophomores

If your student has a car and will be traveling home for Christmas/winter break, parents might want to check their insurance policies to see if they have towing/roadside service. If the insurance policy does not include this, consider purchasing AAA for peace of mind.

By the middle of January, you should have filed your renewal FAFSA, either in hard copy or online. (We suggest filing online if possible, as an estimated 8% of paper forms are returned due to errors, and it takes longer to process through the mail.) It is easy to make a mistake on your FAFSA, so have your CAPlus representative review your form before you submit it. We are trained to spot mistakes and have helped many clients submit correct FAFSA forms.

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!

Avoid buying books from the campus bookstore if you can. Buying used books from other students or online is much cheaper than buying new books from the campus bookstore. You may be able to get up to 40% off new and used books through College Assistance Plus at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble Online.

If you have transferred to a new school in between semesters or quarters, be sure you meet with your academic advisor and figure out what requirements you still need in order to graduate. Be sure that you are on target; if you are behind, look into taking summer classes at a community college to get any extra credits that you may not be able to fit in before you graduate. Don't forget to give yourself a bit of time to get accustomed to new surroundings, new people, new professors, and new expectations. Talk to other students to get an idea of professors' expectations, and work hard (especially in the first month) to make sure you start off strong at your new school!

College juniors

Next summer seems like a long time from now, but if you want a job in your field of study, it can't hurt to start thinking about it now. Visit your career services center and discuss with a career counselor how to start looking for a job or internship over the summer.

While the student is home for winter break, talk to friends/relatives/acquaintances about any job connections those people might have. In order to ensure that you have a job when you graduate, it's good to find an internship or job in your field during the summer. Flipping burgers at McDonald's won't make your resume look better, even if it is easier to arrange than a "real" job. Networking is the best way to find jobs, so talk about your job search with everyone you know!

Avoid buying books from the campus bookstore if possible. Buying used books from other students or online is much cheaper than buying new books from the campus bookstore. You may be able to get up to 40% off new and used books through College Assistance Plus at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble Online.

College seniors

Take advantage of being home for winter break to talk to friends about jobs or internships after you graduate. Parents usually have many friends and contacts who may be helpful. Try to meet with anyone who might be able to help you so you have as many people as possible looking for job opportunities for you. Remember that most jobs aren't posted on Web sites or in the newspaper. Don't rely on your college to find you a job, either; networking is the best way!

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 would be happy to talk with you about your career possibilities.

Strategic Suggestions

High school seniors need to remember not to make rash decisions right now. You don't have to make a commitment at this point; just apply to as many schools as you can, and wait to see what kind of financial packages you will receive. Remember that 33% of students transfer after the first 24 months, and the average student changes his or her major at least three times. You need to take your time and choose the school that is the best for you. Don't choose a college because your boyfriend or girlfriend is going there; relationships don't always work out, and one or the other of you may decide to transfer for academic and/or financial reasons.

High school students, especially juniors and seniors, need to spend time studying for the SAT and ACT tests. Unless you got a nearly perfect score, retake the test! The highest combination of scores is kept, so there is no way for you to hurt yourself by taking the exams 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.

College students should work hard to get good grades, for getting excellent grades greatly enhances the ability to get extra money from the college. Even if you can't maintain a 3.5 GPA, don't be discouraged! If you work hard and raise your GPA, the college will notice. Also, if the student ends up transferring, a good GPA is extremely beneficial in getting a good financial aid package.

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.

Could MySpace affect your admission chances?