Q&A: The “Best of the Best” from #CampusChat
What makes the Best of the Best from #CampusChat?
Last night we shared some “best of the best” tweets from past #CampusChat guests. Our guests have made #CampusChat one of the longest running higher-ed chats on Twitter. Last night’s Q&A demonstrates the reason for our success!
Scholarship Tips Galore
Q1. What are your 3 very best college scholarship tips? #CampusChat
A1 Print out the guidelines & read them over several times, check off materials as they are gathered & included. #CampusChat
A1 Never assume a student will not qualify for scholarships. High income? Apply for ones w/o financial need requirements. #CampusChat
A1 Search EVERYWHERE for scholarships (not just the net!) & have friends/family help you. More eyes find more scholarships! #CampusChat
Understanding the new SAT and ACT
Q2 How will these changes affect test prep in general? #CampusChat
A2 The changes will impact test prep and students the say way as the Jets getting a new quarterback does…not much #campuschat
A2 The changes are more an issue for adults than for kids. For most kids the “new” test will be the only test they know. #CampusChat
A2 Anything that can be tested can be prepped for, so they’ll be no real changes in prep. #CampusChat
A2 Changes always cause some hiccups for those slow to adapt, libraries or schools with old books might be a problem.#CampusChat
A2 Other than residual old materials messing up some students prep, I don’t think that changes will have much impact. #CampusChat
A2 I wrote a blog about The no-newer-than-any-other-test-you’ve-never-taken SAT http://akilbello.com/?p=262#campusChat
College Rankings
Q3 How can parents help their students use college rankings? #CampusChat
A3 Rankings are a game. Played by colleges to get more apps and by mags to get more readers. Period.#campuschat
A3 Just as students need to know that they are more than numbers – GPA, SAT, shoe size – colleges are more than rankings. #campuschat
A3 Think outside the rankings. Explore all options. Consider colleges that may not be on your radar – or any list.#campuschat
A3 On the positive, rankings of, say, ‘best theater program,’ ‘best dining hall food,’ though subjective, may hold sway. #campuschat
A3 Rankings may give you a feel for what a school wants you to believe it is “best” in or at. Again, grain of salt. #campuschat
A3 At best (there’s that word again), rankings are a guide, not the Gospel! #campuschat
The Value of a Liberal Arts Education
Q4 What should parents know about the value of a liberal arts education? #CampusChat
A4 It is the most complete education! It prepares a student for the job market and for life! #CampusChat
A4 You will be amazed at how your student has changed – for the better! – when she or he makes their first trip home! #CampusChat
A4 If you are interested in learning more about the value of the #liberalarts, follow @SmartColleges. They are great! #CampusChat
The College Essay
Q5 What makes a great college essay? #CampusChat
A5 Quality #1: The story is unusual in either content, structure or both. #CampusChat
A5 #2. The essay needs a “wow” moment. #3. The ending should be both surprising and inevitable.#CampusChat
A5 #4. The ending makes the reader do a little bit of work. #CampusChat
A5 Note that these aren’t my tips for ALL essays, just common qualities I’ve seen in amazing essays. #CampusChat
A5 Here are Four Qualities of an Amazing College Essay: http://tinyurl.com/ozano3o #CampusChat
Social media and college prep
Q6 How may students best use their social media for college prep
A6 Proactively engage with colleges on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn so they can get to know you thru social media
A6 Photos of students having fun holding red solo cups will likely be tolerated by most colleges…but don’t overdo it
A6 Becoming totally transparent on social media is liberating. Hiding or using an alias will raise red flags
Career choice
Q7 How does career choice fit into college planning? #CampusChat
A7 #CampusChat Starting the career discovery process in high school can help you pick a college that supports your career ambitions
A7 #CampusChat College is a big investment, so choose schools with programs and opportunities that help you refine your plans as you go.
A7 #CampusChat You don’t want to switch schools because your school lacks the right majors, faculty or facilities for your new ambitions.
A7 #CampusChat If you want to pursue advertising, you might want a school located in a major media market with professors in the industry.
Financial Aid
Q8 What 3 things should families understand about college finance before applying for financial aid? #CampusChat
A8 Parents and students need to use a Net Price Calculator to understand the cost of college and financial aid available #CampusChat
A8 Evaluate funds available to pay for college! This could be a combination of financial aid, personal savings and loans #CampusChat
A8 Have an honest money talk. Be transparent about what you can/cannot afford & create college list reflecting financial fit #CampusChat
A8 Going to college is either a 2-year or 4-year plan. Create your college budget accordingly! #CollegeCash
College visits
Q9 How can college visits be used to help make the final college choice #CampusChat
A9 Web, video, & social media can only do so much; visit campus if you can to see first-hand what the college is like #campuschat
A9 Campus visits are the best way to get your Qs answered. These guides can help! http://bit.ly/colvisit #campuschat
A9 Many students say the campus visit is the game-changer when it comes to knowing where to apply or attend #campuschat
A9 Find out what students attending that college think. “Ask the Natives” these questions http://bit.ly/b5qUuH #campuchat
Parenting a college-bound senior
Q10 What are the dos and don’ts of parenting a college-bound senior? #CampusChat
A10 DO help them tune out the buzz/chatter/pressure from the world around them. Stay calm! #CampusChat
A10 DON’T fill out the Common App or write essays for them. DO help with deadlines, etc. #CampusChat
A10 DO read the essay if they ask. Tips for helping them edit: http://tiny.cc/rbb9yx #CampusChat
A10 DON’T ask their friends where they are applying. DO value/show interest in the lives they’re living now. #CampusChat
For more great content from past guests, follow these links:
Scholarship Tips Galore
Understanding the new SAT and ACT
College Rankings
The Value of a Liberal Arts Education
The College Essay
Social media and college prep
Career choice
Financial Aid
College visits
Parenting a college-bound senior
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