This month

Planning your future

• Feature — Excuses, excuses
• Did you know? — FAFSA questions answered
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Excuses, excuses

How many of these have you heard? The following are the top excuses that high school students have given for not continuing their education after high school, as identified by the College Board (the folks that bring you the SAT):

1. No one in my family has ever gone to college.
   Why not be the first? A college experience gives you more opportunities and helps you build a more successful future. Your loved ones want the best for you, and you'll be able to do more for others if you complete some type of higher education.
2. I've been in school for 12 years. That's enough. I just want a good job.
   Think again. Most "good jobs" — those that are more interesting, pay more, and offer better opportunities — require some sort of education beyond high school. Many of the jobs that were available for high school graduates no longer exist due to the increasing use of computer automation.
3. I can't afford it.
   The truth is, with the many options available these days, college is affordable to anyone. Grants, scholarships, college Work-Study programs, and student loans with low interest rates and long-term repayment options enable you to get a good education and a prosperous future so that you can pay for it.
4. I don't know what I want to do with my life.
   Most students who continue their education beyond high school don't know at first either. At least, they haven't settled on a single field or career. It's OK if you don't have definite plans yet. By taking on higher education, you can keep all of your options open.
5. I won't fit in.
   Colleges are dynamic places filled with people of different backgrounds, from different places, with different hopes and dreams. The higher education environment is for everyone — that's what makes it so exciting and fun.
6. College is too hard.
   In some cases, programs can be challenging, but no school will admit you unless they've reviewed your background and are confident you can meet the challenge — that's what the folks in admissions offices do every day. And once you're accepted, everyone on that campus, from your fellow students to the faculty and your resident assistants, will work hard to help you succeed.
7. I don't know how to apply or where I want to go.
   There are books, Web sites, teachers and counselors who attended colleges — way too many sources of information available for this excuse. Talk to your parents, visit with your guidance counselor, or do some research on the Web. Your goal should be to figure out what you like and what you don't like, and to explore the possibilities. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way.

So get going already.

Adapted from: College Board's "Seven Excuses Not to Go to College and Why They're Lame"   (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/starting-points/141.html)

Back to top

It's a Fact

FAFSA questions answered

Did you know you can view video clips from the annual FAFSA Made Easy (www.AIE.org/FAFSAMadeEasy) video program? The program simplifies the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your counselors and teachers can also order free DVDs and video tapes of the program.

Back to top

Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

There are several good reasons why you should develop leadership skills by working on a project committee. Here are a few:

• Chairing a committee for a short-term project is a good way to get experience in a leadership role.
• You will have a chance to plan an activity from beginning to end.
• You will probably develop a timeline for the project.
• You will gain experience in learning to coordinate with others to meet a goal.
• You may learn to stay within a budget.

You can develop your leadership skills and enhance your college resume by donating your time and effort to any one of the following organizations or activities:

• Any school-sponsored clubs such as an art, drama, science, math, or service club
• Your school newspaper or yearbook
• Peer mediation club
• Athletic teams
• Pep squad
• Church youth groups
• Local community center
• Local Goodwill or homeless shelter
• Retirement homes and assisted living facilities

For sophomores

Summer pre-college programs are a good way to learn about a prospective college. Here's the scoop:

• A summer pre-college program allows high school students to experience college courses in a college environment.
• Programs will vary in the length and type of activities available.
• There is a fee for these programs, but frequently scholarships are available.
• There are several places where you can get information about which colleges provide summer programs.
• Ask or go to your local bookstore to find out more.
• If you have a specific college in mind, you can call that college's admissions office or check out the school's Web site.

Common pre-college programs that colleges offer to students include:

• Computer and Web programming
• Mathematics and engineering
• Architecture and design
• Natural sciences
• Marine biology
• Social sciences
• Business and economics
• Humanities
• Creative writing, poetry, and journalism
• Theatre and performing arts
• Language exposure and immersion
• Research with mentors
• ESL and TOEFL preparation
• SAT and PSAT preparation
• College application and interview preparation
• College reviews and visits
• College credit

For juniors

As you research prospective colleges, make use of these resources:

• The Internet
  The Web is a great source for current college information. Most colleges maintain Web sites that contain a wealth of information. For example, visit AIE's "Choose Your College" section (www.AIE.org/HighSchool/hs_find.cfm), or the College Board's college search (apps.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp).
• Books
  Your school library, school guidance office, or local bookstore will have books that describe thousands of colleges.
• Counseling office
  Most counseling offices have files full of literature from colleges. You can usually pick up books, course catalogs, and sometimes even videos.

For seniors

College campus visits are a critical step in making that final decision. Here are a few key components for a helpful campus visit:

• Call the college's admissions office prior to your visit. The staff will help you make the most of your time on campus. They usually have suggestions on what to do and where to go.
• Take a tour, even if you have been on the campus before. The tour provides you with a thorough view of the campus and the tour guide is usually a great source of information.
• Meet with an admissions representative to have any lingering questions answered.
• If the college permits, take the time and opportunity to visit a class.
• Ask to see the inside of a residence hall.
• When you return home, you may want to make notes about your observations. Also, if a college admissions representative or other advisor was especially helpful, it is appropriate to write that person a note of thanks.

For parents

There are many sources for college information, a few of which are listed here:

• The Internet
  The Web is a great source for current college information. Most colleges maintain Web sites that contain a wealth of information. For example, visit AIE's "Choose Your College" section (www.AIE.org/HighSchool/hs_find.cfm), or the College Board's college search (apps.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp).
• Books
  The school library, school guidance office, or local bookstore will have books that describe thousands of colleges.
• Counseling office
  Most counseling offices have files full of college literature. You can usually pick up books, course catalogs, and sometimes even videos.
• Summer pre-college programs
  These programs allow high school students to experience college courses in a college environment. For more information about which colleges offer summer programs, contact your child's counselor or the prospective college's admissions office.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

All about AIEmail

Subscribe, suggest, review

• To change your e-mail address, change the format in which you receive AIEmail, or cancel your subscription, please visit the AIEmail subscription area (www.AIE.org/AIEmail/subscribe.cfm).
• If you have problems stopping your subscription or have comments about AIEmail, please send a message to webmaster@tgslc.org.
• Visit the AIEmail Archive (www.AIE.org/AIEmail/archive.cfm) for past issues.

Bookmark & Share:

AIE is a free public service of TG.
©2008 Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (www.tgslc.org)