Your browser is outdated. Please use a modern or updated browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

Taming The High Cost of College

Late Stage College Planning

college application

THCC107- Majoring in Hospitality- A Case Study with Lisa Sturgeon, Adjunct Professor at Husson University and Communications & Resource Manager at Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company

by

Majoring in hospitality can open many different doors to amazing jobs. ”It’s not just managers or hotel operators. It is all-encompassing of other industries and professions,” notes today’s guest Lisa Sturgeon. She is now the communications and resource manager at Geaghan Brothers Brewing Company and has returned to her alma mater Husson University in Maine as a professor. In this episode, Lisa shares her personal journey through undergraduate and graduate school to tailor her experience to achieve her dream career.

Questions Answered Today:

What was Lisa’s experience like?

Lisa was able to participate in several internships, even though they were outside of her comfort zone, such as a four month experience at an airport working in marketing. She wasn’t sure how it fit with her degree, but she kept an open mind and went with it.
Some schools have internship programs available and will even assign them as part of your curriculum. It is also possible to solicit your own internship.
Some internships are paid, and others are not. If you are an employer, be aware of the tax laws applicable to your situation.
Also available are job shadow experiences where you can spend the day with someone in your chosen profession to do what Lisa describes as, “See what a day in the life is like.” It can be as simple as calling a professional in your field and seeing if they would be interested in allowing you to shadow them for a day.
Before Lisa began applying to colleges, she started by applying to scholarships. During her study hall period of her junior year in high school, she spent the entire time filling out scholarship applications instead of talking or sleeping like some of her classmates.
She won an academic based scholarship from Husson and an additional five other scholarships to cover the costs of her first two years of undergraduate study in full.
Lisa recommends checking all the possible scholarships that do not have an application fee. Your counselor can help you pinpoint specific and unique ones to apply to.

What should parents of high school students be aware of?

“Time management is huge and the transition from life in high school to life in college is completely different,” says Sturgeon.
This is something many freshmen college students will struggle with.
Lisa recommends breaking down the hours over the course of a week, hour by hour and day by day, to budget your time appropriately.
This will help students have some breathing room.
“You can either pay now and play later, or play now and pay later,” warns Sturgeon. Time management is crucial because there isn’t extra credit in real life.
You do not want to fail classes and have to pay for the same class again! This puts a stop on your educational process because you can’t move forward without certain prerequisites complete.
“You get what you put into it,” Sturgeon describes about a college degree, “it should be more than just a piece of paper.”

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BRAD RECOMMENDS:

Core Area #3 Building a team
Every family is going to have to build a team. Who will be on this team? Will you add a professional or two? Your team could include:

  • Parents
  • Student
  • Coaches
  • Teachers
  • Other Family
  • School Counselor
  • Financial Planner/Tax or Investment Advisor
  • Specialist
    • College Funding Advisor
  • College Admissions Counselors
  • Test Prep Experts
  • Athletic Recruiting Experts

Some things they might help with are finding scholarships, maybe help with athletic recruiting, and those with financial qualifications can guide you through finding financial aid, the tax process, and student loans.
Episode 21: Is Your Financial Advisor Ready For College
https://www.higherscorestestprep.com/
Episode 33: Test Prep for High Scores
Episode 85: Should Your Student Test Again As a Senior?
Episode 79: What is Your Test Strategy?
Episode 78: 3 Ways to Make the Most of Your College Visit
Episode 66: Tips on How Undecided Students Can Choose a Major
“Put College to Work” by Kat Clowes
Episode 20: The Write Stuff- Acing The College Essay
Episode 40: How to Get Into and Afford Ivy League Schools
Episode 24: Game Plan: Athletic Scholarships

Optional Area- Pre Med

There are many families out there with students considering a profession in the medical field, which requires an advanced degree.
A lot of these majors are on a path where you need to really understand what you are getting into. What you do in late high school will lead into what you do in college, which will lead you to medical school.
Episode 52: Successful Planning for Pre-Med and Medical School Students

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

We’d like to extend an invitation to our listeners to share their feedback and questions. Contact us to submit a question to our email.
If you find our podcasts helpful, please share us on social media and tell your friends!
The bottom line is that we care what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on iTunes or on Spotify. And even better, receive automatic updates by subscribing to the show on iTunes or Spotify.

Read More

THCC106 – Charting a Path through College For Every Student Interview with Amy Greene, Program Supervisor of Continuing Education at the University of New Mexico

by

Not everyone is a high-flyer that has been dreaming of college. “The thing I wish I had known,” described Green about her own experience, “was that there were so many options out there.” What’s the secret to a successful college experience? According to our expert guest today Amy Greene, you have to take advantage of the relationships and network building. Listen in today to hear exactly how to do that- no matter what college you go to or what GPA you have.

Questions Answered Today:

What can parents do to help pick the perfect college and major?

If your child isn’t sure yet of what college or major they want to pursue, don’t worry. “I’d tell parents that it’s ok,” says Greene. There are so many schools out there and there will be a right fit that matches the unique talents of your child.
Being undecided is NOT a bad thing!
Greene encourages families to consider the range of options such as state schools, private institutions, and community college. “The sticker price you see right off the bat isn’t what you are going to pay out of pocket,” warns Greene. You have to research and see what kind of financial aid is available.
All schools are working on enrollment goals and not every school has the same target market.
Something to look for at a university is the community service office. This usually has community-based work study jobs available which offer great experience. The personnel are also generally quite good at matching students to help their career development and help their community.
To find this “match-maker”, you should start by looking for the academic coordinator or with student activities. This person is there to help YOU!
These experiences often lead students to discovering a true passion and can begin as early as freshmen year.

What is out there to help kids decide if they should go to college and what major to select?

“If you are really unsure about your major or type of institution you want to pursue, there are tons of programs out there,” notes Greene.
She recommends to get onto the internet and look for ‘outreach’, ‘pre-college’, or ‘college experience camp’. Check local schools first.
These are usually offered by the actual college and take place on campus. It is a great way to sample the major you are considering and to find out if it is really the right path for you.
If you have your heart set on a big brand name ivy league school, they offer these as well which can look pretty good on your resume and college applications.
These generally have a tuition from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on length and if you get to stay on campus.
You can also apply for free, low-cost, or targeted programs based on your income and interests.
“I do still think those are a great investment considering what you are going to save from making a four year investment that maybe isn’t a good fit,” adds Greene.
Also available are other pathways, such as certificate programs. These are short-term and a fraction of the cost of full-time tuition, but keep students engaged and working towards a goal. There are also quite a few options available online.
Some such topics include:

  • Personal training
  • Paralegal
  • Leadership
    • Beneficial to all students and particularly those ‘B’ students.
  • Social Science
  • Business
  • Architecture
  • Entrepreneurship
  • International Travel/Study Abroad
    • Some are organized around service where you can travel and teach English, for example.

Green strongly recommends these opportunities, especially for those ‘B’ or undecided students, to help find that passion to carry through into their college experience.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BRAD RECOMMENDS:

Core Area #3 Essays
Essays are usually required as part of the application process. They can be short, just 4 or 5 sentences, or they can require much more.
You will also see these required for scholarships.
Students pursuing different schools and scholarships will possibly need to write upwards of 5 or 6 different essays.
Essays are something families will need to really focus on, potentially. You must understand how many essays are going to be required and what it will take to get those essays done, and done well.
You can seek assistance from family members or from the counselor at your high school
Episode 65: Writing Quality Essays
Episode 60: How to Stand Out When Writing Your College Essay
Episode 20: The Write Stuff- Acing The College Essay
Episode 16: Es(say) It Right! College Essay Writing Tips
Episode 19: Surviving the College Application Process
Episode 63: Understanding the Admissions Process

Optional Area- Internships

These are a great way to pay for college and get experience in your field! There are colleges out there that advertise internships that not only give you coursework credit, but provide the actual opportunities and connections for internships.
You have to understand how they work and if they are applicable to your field. If it is something you are interested in, will you pursue an internship independent of your college or will you choose a college that requires internships?
Episode 71: How to Find a College Internship to Supercharge Your Career
Episode 77: Why College Students Should Work

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

We’d like to extend an invitation to our listeners to share their feedback and questions. Contact us to submit a question to our email.
If you find our podcasts helpful, please share us on social media and tell your friends!
The bottom line is that we care what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on iTunes or on Spotify. And even better, receive automatic updates by subscribing to the show on iTunes or Spotify.

Read More

THCC101 – Joining Forces with the Military to Cover the Cost of College Interview with Rob Aeschbach, Retired Marine and Financial Planner

by

Looking for another college option? Rob Aeschbach swings by our show to share his personal military experience and how that impacts financial planning and paying for college. “Although it is a dangerous job in a lot of ways, it isn’t like that all the time,” notes Aeschbach. His father was in the Navy, and that inspired him to pursue attending a military academy after high school. By enlisting after graduation, he was able to attend a prestigious college with a fantastic education FOR FREE!

Questions Answered Today:

How can the military help pay for college?

Most officers are going to be college graduates. There are some military academies that only service members can attend. You will graduate with no tuition bill or any student loans, but have a commitment to serve in the military for five more years. These are very competitive to get into and will usually require a nomination from your congressman or senator.
Another way to pay for college is toearn ROTC scholarships. You can join the college group and then serve in the military for 5 years after graduation.
Additionally, students can enlist in the military right out of high school and serve 4 years, then be eligible for the G.I. Bill to go to college for free.
“I definitely would not say to join the military just to have college paid for,” states Aeschbach. Make sure to ask advice from people you know and trust that have experience with the military. It is also critical to consider what it is you would like to get out of this experience and what branch of the military might suit you the best. What is it that attracts you to it? How does the military lifestyle fit you?

How do you work on getting into a military academy?

This is the same timeframe as applying to any other college and should begin in the junior year of high school. It requires good test scores and everything else needed in order to apply to college.
Senators and congressmen usually advertise when they are accepting applications for recommendations to these academies. They will then take and refer the top 10 or so applicants to the academies and the academies themselves decide from there.
The military is usually looking for:

  • Good test scores/grades
  • Physically fit people
  • Leadership experiences
    • Team captains, group leaders, etc.

You can leave during the first two years of the military academy WITHOUT a commitment to serving later.
ROTC scholarships are generally very competitive.

What is the difference between an officer and being enlisted?

“The leadership, for the most part, are the officers that are coming in after college and are trained in a particular skill (like a pilot),” describes Aeschbach.
Enlisted ranks are usually very young and are on their first tour. The average age is under 25.
Most service members are in their 20’s or early 30’s and aren’t used to having a steady paycheck yet. This impacts saving for retirement and big ticket items like buying a car or house. Once you are commissioned as an officer, you get a pay increase. Be sure to visit Rob Aeschbach’s web site and the links to get advice on military member finances if you are considering joining the military.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BRAD RECOMMENDS:

Episode 42: ROTC Scholarships and Careers
Episode 46: Benefits of the GI Bill to Pay for College
Episode 90: The Untapped Goldmine of College Fairs
Episode 95: How to be More Successful in College

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

We’d like to extend an invitation to our listeners to share their feedback and questions. Contact us to submit a question to our email.
If you find our podcasts helpful, please share us on social media and tell your friends!
The bottom line is that we care what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on iTunes or on Spotify. And even better, receive automatic updates by subscribing to the show on iTunes or Spotify.

Read More

THCC100 – What Parents of Juniors Need to Be Doing Now! Interview with Brad Baldridge

by

We have our host Brad Baldridge leading the show today and giving you the tips he usually charges money for! Want this free advice? Of course you do! In our 100th episode, Brad breaks down a quick outline of what parents must be doing in order to prepare for college. The college planning process starts, at a minimum, early in the junior year of high school. You will need a test plan, scholarship plan, visit plan, and a financial plan in order to have the best strategy to get your student off to college successfully. What are these key areas all about? Brad has the knowledge and know-how right here!

Questions Answered Today:

What is a test plan?

This is all about planning for the ACT/SAT test that will be needed to get into college. Test prep usually leads to better scores. “The reality, of course, is that everyone is looking for that edge,” explains Baldridge. These better scores can lead to more opportunities.
Some important questions to consider include:

  • Should we take the ACT or the SAT?
  • When can we schedule and take the test?
    • Make sure it doesn’t conflict with other activities and that you have plenty of time to prepare.
  • How many times will you be taking it?
  • What kind of prep will you be doing for that?

The test plan ties into your school selection and visit plan.
If you are planning to apply to a more competitive school or follow athletic dreams, then you will need the best scores you can get. “Better scores are always better,” notes Baldridge.
Test prep is 100% on the student. Parents can’t study for them! If a student is dragging their feet that might dictate how much time and money parents spend on test prep.
By the end of the junior year, your goal is to have a test score you are proud of.

What is the visit plan?

There are multiple types of visits on a college campus. There is the stealth visit, where you just surprise show up on a campus (such as when you are on vacation) and check out the buildings and keep it simple. This is great for freshmen and sophomores.
There is also a more in-depth visit plan that considers:

  • How many schools do you need to visit?
  • Are they local or far away?
  • How can we get there?
    • Airfare, traveling plans, scheduling, etc.
  • Where do we start?

If you aren’t sure where to begin, start with the local schools as test visits. Some people complain they don’t know what schools to visit because they don’t know what they are looking for. Brad suggests seeing nearby schools to start, so you can pinpoint things you like and things you don’t like in order to figure out what is important to you. This also gives you a chance to practice what questions you want to ask and think about what you really want to see.
Once you understand what is important to your student that will help you to start customizing your visits.
If you have a junior, pull out your calendar for school and your calendar for work in order to plan visit days now. You might not know where you are visiting yet, but schedule those days or weekends now and you can choose later.
Some colleges offer open houses, only schedule appointments, or can give you a tour anytime. You will need to call and scout out what information is available at the colleges you are interested in.
On a college visit, it is important to find out:

  • What it takes to be admitted
  • What test type or score is ideal
  • The price of the school
  • Scholarships and financial aid available

This is where you get your first layer of information about the school. It is best to visit while classes are in session to get an idea of what the school is like when in full swing.

How do I create a scholarship plan?

Of course everyone wants scholarships, but you need to think about how you will win them. “A lot of families talk about scholarships, but in the end, only a few families pursue and win scholarships because it takes a lot of work, effort, and it has a learning curve,” says Baldridge.
Check out “The Scholarship Guide for Busy Parents” in the resources. It contains 4 quick videos to help teach you about scholarships and help you decide how much time and effort you would like to put into chasing them.
Scholarships should be done during the junior and senior years. Depending how many you will be applying to, you should be sure to schedule those in your calendar because they do take time.

How am I going to pay for college and create a financial plan?

This is the last plan, but it is revised as you visit schools and figure out where you want to go and what you can afford.
You don’t want to get to the end of the process and realize that all of the colleges you are considering are very expensive!
Things to be working on for the financial plan include:

  • Figuring out if you qualify for need-based aid
  • Determining how much money parents will be paying towards college and how much students will be contributing
  • Savings and cash flow availability
  • Loan options

The financial plan is the last plan to come together because you have to know which schools you are going to be applying to in order to consider how much they will cost as well as how much financial aid you will be pursuing.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BRAD RECOMMENDS:

Episode 90: The Untapped Gold Mine of College Fairs
Episode 85: Should Your Student Test Again As a Senior?
Episode 81: Four Fatal Errors Families Make When Planning For College
Episode 33: Test Prep For a Higher Score
Episode 18: Virtual Campus Tours, Real Benefits!
Episode 13: 8 Components of College Planning & Test Case

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

We’d like to extend an invitation to our listeners to share their feedback and questions. Contact us to submit a question to our email.
If you find our podcasts helpful, please share us on social media and tell your friends!
The bottom line is that we care what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on iTunes or on Spotify. And even better, receive automatic updates by subscribing to the show on iTunes or Spotify.

Read More

THCC95 – How to Be More Successful in College Interview with Brian Robben, Founder of www.TakeYourSuccess.com and Author “How To College”

by

Congratulations! Your college manual is now available.

Yes, Brian Robben has written the college manual you need. “It’s for any college student before they are entering or already in college,” describes Robben. He took everything he himself learned in college, and advice he was constantly asked for by his friends, and then compiled it into an 80 page manual.

“The reason I wrote the book is because I felt a ton of college students had this misconception that they have to choose between having fun or locking themselves in the library trying to ensure their future success,” says Robben. This manual teaches you how to have the best of both worlds!

Questions Answered Today:

Who is this book for?

“My advice applies to all college students,” notes Robben. He also has a blog available with great articles that touch on topics for all kinds of college students, even quiet and less motivated students.

“How to College” covers important life skills, such as time management, that will be useful for everyone.

Are there any misconceptions out there?

Ambitious students will latch onto their grades and social students will focus on activities. You do not have to choose! You can have a better, more balanced life and it doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Scholarships also don’t stop once you enter college. You can continue to apply for more each and every year.

How is the book organized?

There are a few chapters in “How to College”, but some topics included are:

  • When to do laundry
  • Dorm life, including how to handle roommate relationships
  • Class hacks
  • Study strategies
  • How to write papers
  • Scheduling freetime
  • Stress relief
  • Career advice

What is on your blog?

There is a lot that coordinates between the book and the blog. Check out the articles, advice, and fun activities for both students and parents on http://www.takeyoursuccess.com

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

BRAD RECOMMENDS:

Episode 34: Financial Advice for Teens

Episode 14: What is a Scholarship?

Episode 5: Scholarships: Tips, Timelines, and Where You Can Find Them

Episode 3: Need Based Financial Aid Part 2

Episode 2: Need Based Financial Aid Part 1

THANKS FOR JOINING US!

We’d like to extend an invitation to our listeners to share their feedback and questions. Contact us to submit a question to our email.

If you find our podcasts helpful, please share us on social media and tell your friends!

The bottom line is that we care what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on iTunes or on Spotify. And even better, receive automatic updates by subscribing to the show on iTunes or Spotify.

Brad is not affiliated with Brian Robben.

Read More

THCC73 – What it Takes to Get Into the Ivy League Interview with Elizabeth Heaton, Vice President and Educational Consultant at College Coach

by

The admissions process for college can be intimidating, especially if you are considering an ivy league school. Former admissions officer, and current Vice President and educational consultant for College Coach, Elizabeth Heaton helps you understand the process of how to get into a school and what school to go for in this interview.

Applying to an Elite School

If you are thinking about applying to an elite school, be prepared to go elsewhere. “Make sure you have a balanced list because it is very difficult to get in,” recommends Heaton. These top tier schools are very competitive with about 5% of applicants getting in.
If you are thinking of pursuing ivy league schools, parents should take an honest look at your child’s accomplishments and consider the following:

  • Stellar academics across the board.
    • Room for a B or two, sure, but a C is really less likely to be accepted.
    • Rigor of curriculum.
      • Challenging in the most rigorous classes available.
    • Starts in 9th grade.
  • Great test scores
    • ACT 33 minimum, more like 34 or 35 out of 36.
  • Sat scores 750 or above.
    • Bare minimum is a 700 in each section of the SATs.
  • Achievement tests in different subject areas.
    • Most schools ask for 2 subject tests with a bare minimum of 700 in those sections.

“Those are just the quantitative side of things, so if you see holes in this quantitative effort that’s an indication that the most elite schools are not going to be a possibility or an option,” states Heaton stressing, “There might be exceptions whom academic expectations might be slightly less, but really the quantitative piece needs to be there.”
All applications must have these great academics. Because of this, Heaton describes the places where decisions really get made are:

  • Letters of recommendation.
  • Student essays.
  • Extracurricular activities.
    • Goes beyond average high school student activities (sports, school paper, etc.).
    • Has one area really emerged as a strength with “distinguishing excellence”.
      • Think of it as being the top in that area or passion.
      • Go above and beyond “If you’re going to be involved in something, you need to be involved with it in a lot of different ways,” explains Heaton.

      Elite colleges are looking for diversity of geography, perspective, socioeconomic situations, interests, experiences, and activities.
      “All of these elite schools are very different,” cautions Heaton, “Each school has a very different personality, things they are looking for, and applicant pool to stand out against.”
      Being admitted to one highly selective school does not mean you will be admitted to another just as being denied at one school does not mean you will be denied at another.

      Where to Apply since Ivy Schools Are Unlikely

      Heaton shares, “79% of colleges accept more students than they turn away.” If your student isn’t quite measuring up to these higher ranked and name-brand schools, there are still plenty of good choices.
      There is no official way to divide up schools by exclusivity.
      “Find the best fit school and don’t focus just on prestige,” says Heaton. When considering what school to apply to, she suggests considering the individual student including:

      • Personal accomplishments.
      • Area of interest.
      • What they want to study.
      • The purpose of college.
        • To get an education, explore areas of interest, and get a degree for a career you love.

      If you are focused on only ivy league schools, figure out why. “The idea that going to an ivy school guarantees you will go on to a career you love is a total and utter fallacy,” states Heaton. “There are other options out there.”
      The best name school doesn’t necessarily equal the best experience or opportunity.

      What to Consider About a College

      Some things to do before applying to a college are:

      • Make a list of what is most important to a student and what they must have (programs, facilities, etc.).
      • What to possibly study.
      • Be exposed to various colleges.
        • If on vacation, go visit a campus even when children are young. Students won’t know what they like about a school if they haven’t seen anything.
        • Visit local schools.
        • It’s not about if you are really going to go to that school, it just gives you a sense of what it would be like to attend that kind of school.
      • What can you afford?
      • Make a list of schools you like equally and try not to fall in love with just one.
      • You can plan visits in advance and try to set up a meeting with someone in a department you are really interested in.
      • Check school websites.
        • Research professors.
        • See course catalogs.
        • Check activities available.
      • Do NOT wait to visit a school until after you are accepted!

      “Make sure this is a place you would fit and why and be sure you can articulate that,” notes Heaton. A great name isn’t enough.
      Have students really share why they are choosing a school to apply to before you apply there.
      About College Coach
      Everyone employed is a former admissions officer. There are blogs and lots of information on the website.
      Heaton hosts a radio show on VoiceAmerica- “Getting In: A College Coach Conversation”.
      Check with your company’s benefits program- lots of companies purchase this service that you could access for free.

      LINKS AND RESOURCES:

      THANKS FOR JOINING US!

      We are starting a new video series called, “The Scholarship Guide for Busy Par-ents.” It is going to be 4 videos that are 12 minutes or less complete with cheat sheets and other resources to help you find and win scholarships. If you are inter-ested in learning more about scholarships please visit:
      tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/scholarships

      We’d like to extend an invitation to our listeners to share their feedback and questions. Our website offers a couple of ways for you to share your questions with us, and we’d love to hear from you.
      Contact Us to submit a question to our email.

      If you find our podcasts helpful, please share us on social media and tell your friends.

      The bottom line is that we care what you think and want to help you out, so we’d appreciate you reviewing us on iTunes or on Spotify. And even better, receive automatic updates by subscribing to the show on iTunes or Spotify.

      Brad is not affiliated with the College Coach or VoiceAmerica..

Read More