Columns

May 31, 2007 - Organizing your College Selection Process

June 7, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. Besides the standard campus tour, what can I do when I visit a college campus?, 2. Those admission application fees are pretty high, and my family can’t afford me applying to more than one school.  Is there a way to get some of them waived?, 3. I hear colleges have tons of computer labs, and lots are open 24/7.  Am I going to be okay if I don’t have a computer to bring to college?

June 14, 2007 - Money for College

June 21, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. Why are some schools so much more expensive than others?  Does the amount of tuition reflect the quality of education? 2. When should I be making all those visits to college campuses? 3. I hear people talking about it all the time, but I have no idea what they’re talking about.  What’s the Student Union?

June 28, 2007 - Choosing a Major

July 5, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. Freshman Orientation class is offered at my school, but it isn’t required.  Since it may not count toward my degree, should I still take it? 2. I’m still undecided between two or three colleges and I just received a scholarship offer from one of them?  Is it wrong to accept the scholarship if I’m not certain I’m going to school there? 3. Are fraternities and sororities really just for the rich, snobby kids?  It seems like joining one might be kinda fun…

July 12, 2007 - Making the Most of your Relationship with your High School Counselor

July 19, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. I have the opportunity to join the Honors College/Program at my school.  Is that likely to just be harder and more work, like it was in high school? 2. I’m planning on coming home from college every weekend to see my friends and family, but my teacher doesn’t think that’s a good idea.  What do you think?  3. Can I really not wear my high school letter jacket at college?  I just got it! 4. How much am I really going to have to study in college?  I’ve heard people say they hardly ever study, and others who say they do nothing but study…

July 26, 2007 - Interview with a College Student

August 2, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. It IS okay for my Mom to fill out my college applications, isn’t it? 2. What’s a GA?  And what’s the difference between a GA and a TA? 3. Whose responsibility is it to fill out the FAFSA?  I thought it was my parents’, but they keep telling me to fill out “my part”… 4. My friend and I are going to the same college, and she wants to room together.  But I’ve heard rooming with a friend is a sure way to ruin your friendship, and I don’t want that to happen.  What do you think?

August 9, 2007 - Do's and Don'ts for Parents

August 16, 2007 - College Q and A Special Edition - Special Edition about "helicopter parents"

August 23, 2007 - Securing Scholarships

August 30, 2007 - College Q and A - I went to college for a while several years ago, and let’s just say I wasn’t very focused on school!  Is there a way to get into college again, and maybe have them ignore some of those grades?  

September 6, 2007 - 5 Facts about Financial Aid

September 13, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. What’s a credit hour?  2. Is a suite the same thing as a dorm room (my parents keep saying “dorm”, but the school calls them suites)?

September 20, 2007 - Standardized Testing

September 27, 2007 -College Q and A - My daughter called home from college the other night crying and saying she hates it.  I want to go pick her up and bring her home, but I also want her to stay and be successful.  What should I do?

October 4, 2007 - Differences - this column is my take on what you should learn outside the classroom while you're in college, about other people, their cultures and the way they live their lives that may be different from what you've seen before.

October 11, 2007 - How do I become a Video Game Developer?

October 18, 2007 - College Q and A - 1. What are CLEP and AP?  2. Do I really need to visit and apply to other colleges even if I pretty much know where I'm going to go to school?

October 25, 2007 - Early College Preparation (part 1) - What parents of young children can do to help prepare their children for college.  In two parts.  Part 2 next week - Nov. 1.

November 1, 2007 - Early College Preparation (part 2) - What parents of young children can do to help prepare their children for college. Second of two parts.

November 8, 2007 - Random Thoughts - Random suggestions for new college students and those planning to go to college from a higher education professional with 18 years experience.

November 15, 2007 - College Q and A - What's a Cognitive Assessment?  Should college students be required to work freshman year?

November 22, 2007 - Your Academic Advisor

November 29, 2007 - College Q and A - Announcement of the availability of a new book by The College Answer Guy - College Prep 101.  Available at www.collegeprep101.com.  Answering the following questions - Do I really need a car at college? and What's the difference between admitted and enrolled?

December 6, 2007 - Transferring Between Colleges (Part 1)  - Information and advice for those considering transferring credits from one higher education institution to another.

December 13, 2007 - Transferring Between Colleges (Part 2) - Information and advice for those considering transferring credits from one higher education institution to another.

December 20, 2007 - Middle School/Junior High College Prep - Information and suggestions on how middle school and junior high students can begin to prepare for college.

December 27, 2007 - Organizing Your College Selection Process - re-print of the 5-31-07 column so I can take the holidays off.

January 3, 2008 - Earning College Credit by Examination - suggestions and advice about CLEP, AP, and IB credits and "testing out" of college credits.

January 10, 2008 - Earning Concurrent College Credit - suggestions and advice about taking college classes while still in high school

January 17, 2008 - College Q and A - When am I supposed to do all this college prep stuff? and Where can I find SAT Prep teachers for my program?

January 24, 2008 - College Q and A - What if I drop were to drop out?

January 31, 2008 - College Q and A - What do the letters and numbers associated with classes mean?  Do I have to pay all of college's expenses up front?

February 7, 2008 - What Should I be Doing Right Now (Spring)? - Description of what individuals should be doing as part of the college preparation/planning process from middle school to high school, plus parents.

February 14, 2008 - HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Admission Question? - A question posed by an African American senior with not-so-good grades, about admission to an HBCU.

February 21, 2008 - Studying Advice from College Freshmen - Recounting of advice shared by college freshmen about how to successfully study in college.

February 28, 2008 - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions - Discussion of how to help students make the right decisions while they're in college.

March 6, 2008 - Where Should I Buy Textbooks? - Lists pros and cons of purchasing books online versus bricks and mortar bookstores.