This month

Understanding college admissions

• Feature — All about your college application: part 2
• It's a fact — College may be cheaper than you think
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

All about your college application: part 2

Here are some more tips for students who are gearing up for admissions applications.

Should students include other attachments like portfolios or resumes if they might help the application?

Only send schools what they are asking for. Many times, students try to get creative in submitting their applications. If schools need an essay on paper to scan and you send it to them on a football, then it is hard to manage.

Pictures are not necessary. If you are spending hundreds of dollars on portfolios to mail in with your admissions application, then you just wasted hundreds of dollars. Pictures are usually removed from applications before they are considered.

If the school needs additional information, like portfolios or resumes, they will either list it or contact you for further information. Focus on what is required, rather than how to supplement your application.

What method is better — submitting your applications on paper or electronically?

The best method is to follow what the school suggests. In today's electronic world, most schools are set up to handle both.

If a deadline passes, should students still apply?

You should still apply. Some schools have wait lists that you can be included on. It is not a guarantee, but sometimes slots open up and schools pull from their waitlists. Contact your admissions representative for details.

Where should students go if they need more help?

If you can't get help from your high school counselor, use the Internet. Log on to school admissions Web sites and get contact information. Admissions counselors are there to help you out. Their job is to recruit for universities, and they expect that their students will call upon them for help. Don't be afraid to ask!

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It's a fact

College may be cheaper than you think

The steady increase of college costs has long been one of the few certainties of life — every year, a new class of first-year students emerges to face ever steeper payments at the nation's colleges and universities. This was true in academic year 2005-2006 as well: tuition at public four-year universities went up seven percent in the U.S.

Despite this continuing increase, however, recent reports show that college students are actually paying less for tuition, fees, room, and board than it might seem. About 60 percent of undergraduates receive some form of grant aid; for these students, the actual cost of attendance is less than the published cost. In 2004-05, the net amount paid by students for tuition, fees, room, and board at public two-year colleges after receiving grant aid and education tax benefits was about $1,800 less than the advertised price; at public four-year colleges, the net amount was about $3,300 less; and at private four-year colleges, the net amount was about $9,600 less.

Sources: College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2005

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

• Concentrate on doing well on your schoolwork.
• Participate in class discussions.
• Seek a tutor if you need help.
• Seek out clubs, organizations, and projects of interest.
• Read regularly.

For sophomores

• Take the PSAT; Check with your counselor for details.
• Take the PLAN, a practice test for the ACT.
• Do all your homework.
• Seek out clubs, organizations, and projects of interest.
• Use your time constructively.

For juniors

• Take the PSAT; Check with your counselor for details.
• Keep a list of after school and work activities; record your time involved.
• Attend any sessions held by colleges that visit your school.
• Find out about and attend college nights and fairs; ask your counselor for information.
• If you are considering the military, visit with recruiters when they come to your campus.
• Keep your grades up!

For seniors

• Register for and take the SAT and ACT.
• Find out about holidays this semester and plan to visit colleges during those days.
• Keep working on college and scholarship applications.
• Find out about and attend "preview days" at your local colleges.

For parents

• If your student is taking college entrance exams, help with registration payments.
• Attend college nights and fairs with your student.
• Review progress reports and report cards; if you haven't seen anything, ask!
• Talk to your student about managing time; adjust social schedules if necessary.
• If you have a senior, call your school counselor and ask about the FAFSA and for more information about obtaining financial aid.
• Keep track of your yearly tax information; it will be needed for the FAFSA.
• Sort through and organize college materials arriving through the mail.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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