Check out this short video about how to choose a college major.

Should You Study Business in the Ivy League–Or Anywhere Else?

If your goal is to go to Wall Street and spend for first few years post-undergrad working for one of the bulge bracket investment banks, then, yes, studying business in the Ivy League makes a lot of sense. The Ivy League is where these banks recruit from. There are so many alumni network connections you will make as you start down the internship and job search process. There will also be multiple opportunities in areas like finance to work for hedge funds, private equity, and large multinational corporations. 

But will it be your ticket to riches and success? Possibly if this is all you care about rather than work/life balance. But there are no certainties here. A business major–by itself–will not make you more money than that philosophy major across the dormitory hall from you. Similarly, going to an Ivy League school will not necessarily make you more money than if you went to a liberal arts college or a state school. Average salaries published by colleges and third party sites are not indicative of your potential success. They should not determine your interests and they definitely do not reflect your aptitudes or abilities.

As you decide what to major in, think about what keeps you engaged, what interests, you, and where your abilities are the strongest. Also remember that no matter what field you go into in today’s economy, you will be “in business.” At some point, you’ll probably have to learn some of the fundamentals of business. Maybe you’ll learn them in college. Maybe you’ll even learn them in the Ivy League. Or somewhere else.

But to put it in Yoda speak, “learn you will.”

Need help with the college admissions process?

If you need assistance in the college admissions process, please contact us for a complimentary consultation. At Great College Advice, we provide personalized college consulting focused on helping make the process of preparing, selecting, and applying to college more successful, less stressful, and more fun.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other.

So, studying business in the Ivy League is your dream? If you want to major in business at an Ivy League university, you may need to broaden your horizons as only Penn and Cornell offer undergraduate degrees in business.

First, a Bit of History

The Ivy League universities are among the oldest in the country. Five of the eight are among the 10 oldest universities in the country:

• Harvard – 1636
• Yale – 1702
• Penn – 1740
• Princeton – 1746
• Columbia – 1754

Brown and Dartmouth were founded a little bit later (in 1746 and 1769, respectively). Cornell is the outlier: it was started in 1846–almost a century and a half after Harvard. As we shall see, this is part of the reason that Cornell looks so very, very different from the other schools with which it plays football.

And that’s the key here: the “Ivy League” is a relatively recent creation. Eight schools got together and created a sports league. So the “league” in Ivy League has nothing to do with academics whatsoever. Like so much in America’s university system, sports is sort of the tail that wags the dog.

The Liberal Arts Focus of the Ivy League

The traditional curricular focus of all the Ivy League schools harkens back to the traditional academic subjects that people like John Adams and Benjamin Franklin studied: philosophy, law, and theology. At the time, of course, “science” was more or less an outgrowth of philosophy, or the inquiry into knowledge. The same was true of mathematics: it was all sort of rolled into the study of the current state of mankind’s knowledge of the world.

So, it wasn’t until the 19th century that Europeans and Americans began thinking of teaching university courses that were directly relevant to both agriculture (where most Americans were employed at the time) and to the advances of the Industrial Age (and the rise of engineering as a discipline). Cornell, for example, still has a solid agricultural program, as well as a veterinary school. A large part of Cornell’s mission was (and still is, to an extent) to improve the agricultural yield of our farmers. (This was true of all the so-called “land grant” universities).

A Professional Focus is Relatively New for the Ivy League

So it wasn’t until much later that universities began teaching subjects directly related to the economic development of the country and to the professional development of individuals. Prior to this, education at Ivy League schools was limited to the economic and political elites. Then, the subjects taught were considered most relevant to being an “educated person.” Graduates of the Ivies might very well go on to take their place (by birthright, mostly) in the upper-class establishment of American society.

Business: Today’s Educational Imperative?

Fast forward to today. The educational priorities of the American public have shifted. There are a lot of reasons for the shift.

• College has become so expensive–especially at selective institutions–that families are more conscious of the “return on investment or ROI”: what will be the short and long-term economic payoff of earning this degree?
• A continuing national philosophy that is best expressed by the words of Calvin Coolidge: “The business of America is business.”
• Majors like history, English, and philosophy are now considered “useless” by most Americans. In other words, even elites are looking askance at the idea that these disciplines can train the mind, improve one’s ability to think analytically and to tap into a knowledge of history and culture as a way to guide humanity forward.
• Americans have an increasing skepticism about knowledge and elitism in general (even though the majority of our presidents and many of our political leaders are graduates of Ivy League institutions).

Today, the most popular and common major in American universities is business. Over half of Americans graduate with a business degree of some sort.

Can You Study Business in the Ivy League?

6 of the 8 Ivies do not offer undergraduate majors in business – Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. However, Penn (Wharton) and Cornell offer undergraduate degrees in business. Of course, some of these do offer MBAs (Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Columbia, Penn (Wharton) and Cornell). 

Study Business in the Ivy League at the University of Pennsylvania

The Wharton School of Business at Penn offers degrees in business. Interested students submit an application direction to Wharton. While there are some joint programs that link liberal arts majors with business, there is not a lot of intellectual or curricular cross-over between Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School.

Along with that, it’s also important to note that Penn also has a School of Nursing and a School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The Wharton School Concentrations

• Accounting
• AI for Business
• Behavioral Economics
• Business Economics and Public Policy
• Business Analytics
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Environmental Management and Policy
• Finance
• Health Care Management and Policy
• Leading Across Differences
• Legal Studies and Business Ethics
• Management 
• Marketing
• Marketing and Communication
• Operations, Information, and Decisions
• Marketing and Operations Management
• Real Estate
• Retailing
• Statistics

Each concentration above requires only four courses, so it’s easy to switch around or pursue more than one. Clearly, Penn has a wide range of business offerings, which makes it even more attractive to students who want to get study business in the Ivy League.

Study business in the Ivy League at Cornell

Cornell is the other school at which you can study business in the Ivy League. Cornell now has the SC Johnson College of Business, which is a unification of two other programs at Cornell – The Dyson School and the Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

The Dyson School

The first program is the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, which offers (naturally enough) a BS in Applied Economics and Management. Despite its history and anomalous institutional structure, the curriculum at Dyson mirrors more or less what one would find at any college of business for undergrad. The core requirements are supplemented by at least one concentration.

• Accounting
• Applied Economics and Management
• Business Analytics
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Food Business Management
• International Markets and Development
• Marketing
• Strategy  
• Sustainable Business and Economic Policy

The other alternative for studying business at Cornell is to zero in on a particular business–one in which Cornell has particular strength: hotel administration. Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration offers a BS in Hotel Administration. 

Studying Business in the Ivy League: Some Alternatives

If you decide not to attend either Penn’s Wharton School or Cornell’s Johnson School, then how else might you study business in the Ivy League? Here are some ideas.

Study economics

Perhaps the best alternative–academically speaking–if you want to study something somewhat related to business, then you could take up the “dismal science” of economics. In fact, a larger and larger proportion of Ivy League students are studying economics these days. 

Join business-oriented clubs and societies

Most of the Ivy League colleges have a variety of business-oriented activities on campus, from incubators for entrepreneurs to investment and finance clubs, to marketing and communications. Look for these on the student activities pages of the college’s website.

Become a leader in any club or association

Becoming a business leader is about exercising leadership in a particular context. But leadership is something one can learn in a variety of contexts. So don’t pass up an opportunity to develop that leadership in any way you can. Whether you lead groups of students in sports, the arts, community service, religious organizations, or any other sort of club or association, you will be cultivating the sort of skills and habits that can make you a leader in the business world. And most clubs will need certain kinds of abilities, including accounting and management. So if you are particularly excited about those activities, step up and lead!

Check out this short video about how to choose a college major.

Should You Study Business in the Ivy League–Or Anywhere Else?

If your goal is to go to Wall Street and spend for first few years post-undergrad working for one of the bulge bracket investment banks, then, yes, studying business in the Ivy League makes a lot of sense. The Ivy League is where these banks recruit from. There are so many alumni network connections you will make as you start down the internship and job search process. There will also be multiple opportunities in areas like finance to work for hedge funds, private equity, and large multinational corporations. 

But will it be your ticket to riches and success? Possibly if this is all you care about rather than work/life balance. But there are no certainties here. A business major–by itself–will not make you more money than that philosophy major across the dormitory hall from you. Similarly, going to an Ivy League school will not necessarily make you more money than if you went to a liberal arts college or a state school. Average salaries published by colleges and third party sites are not indicative of your potential success. They should not determine your interests and they definitely do not reflect your aptitudes or abilities.

As you decide what to major in, think about what keeps you engaged, what interests, you, and where your abilities are the strongest. Also remember that no matter what field you go into in today’s economy, you will be “in business.” At some point, you’ll probably have to learn some of the fundamentals of business. Maybe you’ll learn them in college. Maybe you’ll even learn them in the Ivy League. Or somewhere else.

But to put it in Yoda speak, “learn you will.”

Need help with the college admissions process?

If you need assistance in the college admissions process, please contact us for a complimentary consultation. At Great College Advice, we provide personalized college consulting focused on helping make the process of preparing, selecting, and applying to college more successful, less stressful, and more fun.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other.

The post Studying Business in the Ivy League first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Choosing an engineering major

Right now I’m on the campus of RPI, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Which is located in Troy, New York. Not far from Albany which is the state capital, north of New York City about two or three hours. I want to talk to you a little bit about engineering as a major and how that plays out.

This is a technical institute, engineering, also the pure sciences, applied sciences. And when people who are interested in engineering approach me for advice. They usually start off by telling me, “This is the major I want. I want computer engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering,” whatever. Environmental engineering. All different types of engineering and they’re thinking about the program because engineers are very Cartesian. Systematic, you know. They’re thinkers that are no-nonsense, very practical. And they tend to think that engineering is, well, it’s all the same. It’s engineering, teach me the stuff, I want to learn it.

Different environments for an engineering major 

But the interesting thing about engineering is you still have a lot of different kinds of choices in terms of the environment. The kinds of institutions that you want to. Where you want to actually learn this engineering stuff. So you could go to great big huge public universities, most of which have an engineering department. Or you could go to a smaller technical institute.

MIT being the most famous, but also RPI, Wooster Polytech, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Stevens Institute. And then many others around the country, those smaller schools, some of which are private, some of which are public. So even the Colorado School of Mines in my home state is a relatively small public technical institute.

Private versus Public universities for engineering

So you have the private versus public, you have small versus large. Then you also have, do you want to go to do your engineering in a place that is like RPI. Almost exclusively engineering and science, where everyone, as one of my students put it, is “from my planet.” They’re all people right out of central casting at The Big Bang Theory. Do you want to go to school with people that are all like you?

Or are you interested in going to school with people who are not like you? Who has varied interests? You have the poets and the psychologists and the people interested in sociology or political science or whatever. So you could pick a school where engineering is one facet of the overall university, like Princeton, like Swarthmore, one of the smallest liberal arts colleges that also have engineering or Lehigh (whose mascot used to be the Engineers), Lafayette, and Union College.

Surround Yourself with a Variety of People

There are ways for you to have that technical background but to have a variety of people at your doorstep. I sometimes ask my students, “Think about it, who do you want your boyfriend or your girlfriend to be? Do you want it to be someone like you, interested in the same things? Or do you want it to be someone who is totally different in their interests and backgrounds and curiosities?” So that’s another thing to think about.

I think one of the interesting things to think about, too, is how important is it at the beginning when you enter that you have that decision made about which kind of engineering: chemical, industrial, mechanical, electrical. Or do you just want that really solid foundation? Places like Harvey Mudd College, another very small place, everyone studies plain old vanilla foundational engineering.

So all of this is to say that even though engineers tend to focus on “Just give me the program that I want,” there are still a lot of decisions to be made. In terms of what kind of school you want, what kind of environment, what kind of social scene you’re interested in having for your undergraduate experience. So make sure if you are an engineer and you’re a systematic thinker, please put all of these other things into your rational computer so that you can come with the best engineering program for you.

Need help putting your engineering college list together?

Part of our service is to help young people map their college journeys. Some students know exactly what they want to major in, and others are completely undecided. Others are in between: they know they are interested in engineering, but not sure which type of engineering would suit them best.

We help students make these decisions, and then to create an educational plan that revolves around these decisions. If you’re interested in getting some Great College Advice, please reach out. 
 

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post College Advice for an Engineering Major first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

The timeline is presented by season. One of the misconceptions of the college planning process is that everything happens according to a pre-ordained, consistent timeline. While there are aspects to the process that are tied to specific dates, the fact is that no two students undertake and complete the process in exactly the same way.

Thus the Great College Advice timeline is organized in a way to help you stay on track without creating a feeling that you are somehow always late with every aspect of the process. Our role in this process is to empower you to manage the process in the way that is best for you. Everything you’ll find on this list is something you should consider to be part of the process. But frankly, with very few exceptions, you’ll also find that the items can be done in an order that suits you best.

So have confidence! Take control of the process! Use this document as a way to ensure that you get it all done–with time to spare. But don’t be tied to this timeline. Adapt it to suit the individual that you are.

College Timeline for Juniors in the Fall and Winter

Make sure you’re in the right classes

11th grade is your last real chance to impress with the classes you’re taking, so make it count! Work with your counselor to make sure you’re not taking on too much, but that you’re also challenging yourself. If you’re unsure whether to take a tough course because you’re worried about your GPA, have a look at our post here.  Keep studying to make sure your grades stay up!

Continue your extracurricular interests

Colleges want students who are engaged and active. They want students who will animate their campuses and make them interesting places to work and play. Consider stepping into a leadership role.  Find ways to expand and deepen your commitments to the areas in which you already excel. The more achievements you can rack up in the next year, the better. And remember, the quality of your commitments is much more important than the quantity. Colleges will be looking for your achievements first. Being a participant is great, but learning to lead and excel is better.

Make a standardized testing plan

If you haven’t already, fall is the time to map our your testing plan. Take full-scale diagnostics on both the SAT and the ACT to understand which test suits you best. Many test prep companies, such as ArborBridge, will offer a free diagnostic and recommendation as to which test would be better for you. Armed with this evidence, you can plan how to prepare and choose dates that work best for you.

We strongly recommend that you schedule at least one “real” test in your junior year, and have another date as a “back up plan.” We generally recommend that you try to take your first test in the fall or winter of junior year, with spring as a fall back option if you need to retake. Senior year is going to be super busy, so don’t leave the testing until the last minute. Plan!

Take the PSAT in October

Even if you took it last year, this is the one that counts! The PSAT is used to qualify people for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Even if you don’t think you’ll score high enough to qualify for the scholarship, the PSAT is a great way to acclimate yourself to the fun of taking standardized college entrance exams (just kidding!). You will sign up for the PSAT at your school, so look for announcements from your guidance office.

Prepare for the ACT and/or SAT

We generally recommend one-on-one tutoring for our students. While the per-hour cost is more, a really good tutor can help you raise your score, which not only increases your chances for admission but can really boost your chances of a merit scholarship. If private tutoring is impossible, try to attend an ACT/SAT class or workshop. Some high schools will even offer these workshops for free, so look for announcements from your guidance office. If you can’t, there are books and websites you can use. Strongly consider signing up for the ACT/SAT during the spring semester at the very latest.  Follow these links to sign up for the SAT and the ACT. 

Research possible college majors

Now is the time to really focus in on what you want your major to be. Identify your interests and look up online what careers and majors are associated with them. Some websites offer free tests that assess things you like and dislike and offer possible major choices, which could help you if you’re not sure where to start. Check out MyMajors.com as an example. You can also talk to your counselor about choices and to see if they offer a career test as well.

Make a college list

It’s time to start making a list of schools you want to apply to. Keep in mind that you should have safety, target, and reach schools on your list—don’t just apply to one Ivy League! Gather information on admission criteria and deadlines. Make sure the schools you’re interested in have the major you want to study. Consider things like size and location as well as academics. Will you be happy at a rural school, or do you want to be in the city? Do large lectures seem like the way to go, or would you rather have a school with small classes?

Attend more college fairs

Now that you have a list of schools you’re interested in, visit their booths at a college fair near you. Introduce yourself, talk to the admissions representative, and ask questions. Sign up for their email list. Your high school guidance office will likely be sending out information about these fairs. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has numerous college fairs scheduled across the country beginning in September. 

Talk to your family

Let your family know which colleges interest you. Listen to their questions and concerns; they might be things that didn’t occur to you, or they might ask you questions things you can already answer. Now that will impress them that you’ve got this process under control! If, however, you’re feeling hounded by your parents about the college process, suggest to them that you make a set time every week to discuss college stuff. This way you keep the family discussion going, but you can avoid the constant nagging: “Hey, Mom, thanks for reminding me about this college stuff; let’s talk on Wednesday after dinner at our appointed time.” Sometimes creating boundaries are as important as creating a college admissions timeline.

College Timeline for Juniors in the Spring

Schedule college visits

Try to do as many visits as you can while the campus is holding classes. Spring break could be an ideal time for these visits. You’ll get a much better idea of what it’s really like there during classes than you will while the school is on break. Take a campus tour, go to an information session, and see if you can meet with an admissions officer or a faculty member in your intended major. Make sure you go prepared with questions to ask! Keep in mind that some schools offer admissions fee waivers when you visit, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Download this comprehensive e-book to learn how to get the most from your campus visits.

Demonstrate interest

Colleges want to know that you are interested in them. College visits are one sure-fire way to demonstrate that interest. However, if you’re unable to visit for any reason, you should still let the admissions office know that you are seriously considering their college. Fill out the form on their admissions website to request more information. Write a short note to an admissions officer asking for specific information about a program or major that interests you.

Follow the school’s account on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media (believe me…this sounds crazy, but it helps). Think of each of these contacts as a “brownie point” in the admissions process. And who doesn’t need more brownie points?

Take the ACT and/or the SAT

Even if you plan to take these tests during your senior year, it can be helpful to take them now, too. Make sure you sign up by the deadline and arrive with all required materials and nothing else.

Ask for letters of recommendation

Many schools will require you to have letters of recommendation from teachers or guidance counselors. Ask those individuals towards the end of your junior year, when they’ve just had you in class or in the office. This way, they’ll remember you better, and will be able to write a compelling letter telling everyone how wonderful you are. If you wait, you might get a more generic letter, which won’t help as much in the admissions process. To learn how you can get great letters of recommendation, check out this article. Recommendations are an important aspect of your college admissions timeline.

College Timeline For Juniors in the Summer

Strategize your application strategy

Early action? Early decision? Regular decision? Figure out which admission programs you’re going to apply under for each school. We generally recommend that you apply early to as many schools as possible. Make sure to check and see if there are any special early deadlines for scholarships or for certain programs. Mark the dates on your calendar, and make sure to give yourself enough time to complete all of your applications.

Work on application essays

Many colleges release their essay prompts well in advance of when the Common App actually opens in August. Starting your essays well before they’re due gives you the chance to put a lot of thought into them, which will help your essay stand out more.

The hardest part of the entire essay process is landing on a topic that will make you shine. It also gives you plenty of time to edit so your essay is perfect. Also note that many colleges require additional, or supplemental, essays as part of their applications. You will need to look these up and create a document that contains all the prompts you will have to address on your various applications.

College Admissions Timeline for Junior Parents

Visit nearby schools

Arrange a day trip to a few nearby colleges. They don’t have to be ones that your student is interested in; check out a big school vs. a small school or a public university vs. a liberal arts college. Visit places with differences so you can start a conversation about what your student is really looking for in a school.

Help your student narrow down the college list

Ask your student to explain why each school is on their list. Help them think of pros and cons for each school so they can really narrow it down. (This will help later, too, when they have to write a supplemental essay on the topic, “Why do you want to go to this school?”). Attend college fairs with your student, if possible, and help arrange college visits for you and your student.

Ask about scholarships

Make sure your student is looking into potential scholarship opportunities. Ask at work if they have a scholarship program for employees’ children. Find out about local scholarships for which your student can apply.

The college planning timeline summary

So there you have it–a college planning timeline for juniors. This to-do list contains the things you need to stay on track and take control of the college planning process. However, if you feel as though you need some personal guidance in through this process so that you can blaze your trail toward college success, give us a call (after all, it’s much more than a college admissions timeline). The team at Great College Advice is here to help you stay on track entering your junior year. Sign up for a free consultation to find out whether our college counseling services can help you make the process of preparing, selecting, and applying to college more successful, less stressful, and more fun.

As you review this college admissions timeline, remember that college planning rarely evolves according to a strict timeline. Keeping up your grades is not exactly something you can schedule: it’s something you have to work on every day. Similarly, your record of extracurricular achievement depends on a lot of factors that are hard to slot into particular days of the week or months of the year. Even developing a test prep calendar can be difficult, and plans can change depending on how hard you prepare and the score you get on your first attempt. 

Great College Advice

The post College Timeline for Juniors first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Here are 6 ways a parent can help with college admissions:

• High school academics and activities;
• Help build the college list;
• Maximize the college visits;
• Help show demonstrated interest;
• Assist with the college application where needed;
• Help with financial aid information.

High school academics and activities  

Familiarize yourself with the high school graduation requirements  

Every high school requires students to take a minimum number of core classes and may also require courses like arts or physical education. In general, high school guidance counselors are keeping track of these graduation requirements, but parents should doublecheck to make sure your student is on track meeting these requirements.  

Recognize your student’s strengths, weaknesses, and passions when choosing high school classes  

While there are some general guidelines in planning the high school course path, your student is unique. Your job is to help encourage and develop your child’s interests and talents. So, if French is more intellectually stimulating than physics, then find ways to extend and expand that interest and proficiency in French while perhaps pulling back a bit in science. Yes, colleges do look at high school transcripts for the level of academic rigor. But, you also want your student to be successful and gain confidence so optimize this level of rigor so as not to add too much stress to your child. 

Help your student identify activities to explore  

Your student’s high school may offer many activities in which your student has not yet had the opportunity to participate. Many schools hold an activities fair at the beginning of the school year; others simply publish a list of activities offered. You can encourage your student to attend the fair and/or review the list of activities to determine which ones might be of interest. You also can help your student find out how to sign up or otherwise get involved. 

How parents can help build the college list 

Help identify reliable sources of information and opinion  

As you know, teenagers are acutely aware of others’ opinions but typically they place more weight on the opinions of their friends and social media than you. This will also occur when it comes time to build the college list. Schools may be added or subtracted based on which friends and classmates may be interested in a particular college or what they heard second-hand. Help your student identify whose opinion she should value in this process whether it be someone who truly knows your child, is knowledgeable about today’s college admissions process, or can be corroborated by a more trustworthy source. Rather than shooting down ideas, help your child develop the skills to gather and assess information they collect. The development of these skills is critical to success in making difficult choices in adulthood. 

Bring discussions about applying to a college back to what is important  

Discussions during the list building process will inevitably focus on a particular school and what they “like” or “dislike” about it. However, whenever possible, try to bring the discussion back to the student’s criteria of what they want in a college. Ask questions about how well the school reflects those priorities whether it be the strength of a particular major, the existence of a desired activity, the characteristics of the student body, or location. If your student cannot adequately answer the like/dislike question, gently suggest she investigate how well the college satisfies the selection criteria.  

Listen before you provide an opinion  

Your student will inevitably change his mind numerous times when building the college list. That is why parents should not immediately give negative feedback every time a student adds, deletes, or re-ranks schools that makes you uncomfortable. Instead, discuss why he is interested in particular aspects of different schools and be excited about these new discoveries—even if temporarily. After a few days, wait to see if he is still as excited then add your perspective. 

Don’t push your college views too hard  

Researching colleges is a stress-ridden process and will take effort on your student’s part. Parents should allow the student to do the work and form their own opinions of schools. If you do find schools that you feel would be of interest to your student, share that information with your child. But also remind yourself that teenagers often run in the opposite direction their parents are trying to steer them. So, even though you have probably done a lot of your own college research, be sure to downplay this when you discuss your thoughts and preferences.  

The college major as part of list building 

Beware of articles you may read in the press that focus on the economic value of certain majors, or that list the average salaries of graduates. Remember that these are statistical analyses that cannot take your student’s life choices into account. Remind yourself that any individual’s experience—including your own—may or may not adhere to norms and averages. Focus on what subjects and possible career paths will likely make your student both happy and successful rather than merely statistical studies.  

Also, in this age of AI, consider the other skills and knowledge that might be important to your student’s future. Consider the job prospects of the architect who speaks Chinese, the doctor who understands economics, the engineer who has a passion for art, and the lawyer who understands psychology. No profession in the 21st century stands in isolation from all other domains of knowledge, and skills developed in learning one discipline are easily transferred to another. For some students, it may be more helpful to develop a short list of possible majors based on aptitude and interest than to attempt to pinpoint a specific career path before the end of high school. 

College visit advice for parents 

Given what’s at stake (that is, the money you will eventually spend on tuition, not to mention your student’s happiness), carve out enough time at each campus to allow your student to determine whether this school would be a good fit. It takes time to get beyond the superficial aspects of a campus to learn about that community of people. Plan a college visit itinerary that will help your student—and you—get the most out of the visit. Read our blog post on how to maximize your college visits.

Let your student take charge of the visit  

We know it is tempting to take charge of the visit but let your student show independence. Have them check in at the admissions office when you arrive and fill out the contact card. Try and restrain yourself from asking a lot of questions during the information session and tour. Your student may be quiet at first and simply be taking time to soak it all in. Don’t try to fill the silence by asking lots of questions. You may turn your student off from a college if you push too hard.  

We know there are certain questions you will have as a parent that your student will not likely ask. Your questions about campus safety or financial aid are perfectly appropriate to ask—go for it. But don’t forget the tips above. Let your student take the lead! Consider, too, that there may be other ways to get the answer to your question—perhaps in a way that doesn’t step on your student’s toes. 

Let your student give the first impression of a college 

Note what your student is thinking and feeling, and encourage them to communicate these thoughts and feelings. In our experience, every child wants and needs parental input into the decision of which college to attend. However, the experience can be more productive for the student if the parent starts out in listening mode.  

Encourage your student to take notes during or after the campus visit  

We understand that each college can look the same after you have done a few college visit trips. It becomes hard to remember all the detail that was provided during the informational session and campus tour. So, encourage your student to take notes (and maybe even some pictures) during the visit. At a minimum, have her jot down some observations right after the visit. Her thoughts may be helpful in not only deciding whether she wants to apply, but it may come in handy when it comes time to write the ‘Why College X’ supplemental essay. You should also take a few notes because these may be different or complementary to what your student notices when you compare notes later.  

How parents can help show demonstrated interest 

Should I demonstrate interest as a parent?  

The colleges want students who can advocate for themselves during the process. It is absolutely fine to let a college know that you love their school as a parent, but the communication surrounding demonstrated interest should come directly from your student. Here is how your student should show demonstrated interest.

However, in recent years some colleges have begun to track parent interaction as part of their enrollment strategy. These schools will send out emails and texts to the parents of prospective students currently in their pipeline. By providing information directly to parents, the goal is to get parents (i.e., the nudgers) to feel valued and nudge their child to apply to their institution. The data apparently shows that parents who click on and interact with these communications improves the odds of not only their students applying to that college but also ultimately deciding to enroll.  

What can I do to help encourage my student to demonstrate interest?  

Help plan campus visits, attend information sessions when colleges visit your community, remind your student to visit the college’s website and request a brochure, take your student to a college fair, and help them figure out when to schedule an interview. Also, many high schools have colleges come to visit. Make sure your student knows when admissions officers are visiting and how to sign up for those visits. 

How parents can help with college applications 

Remember that this is your student’s application 

As difficult as it is to let go, you have to remember that this process belongs to your student. Do not complete the applications yourself and more importantly, do not write the essay. Your student’s application needs to be a reflection of them and, therefore, needs to be their work.   

Know how the high school process works for the transmission of recommendations and transcripts  

Many students will hear a presentation from their high school counselor about how the transcript and letters of recommendation process works but good luck getting that information from your student. You should confirm the steps for each to help your student meet these deadlines.   

College essays  

The primary rule for parents is to avoid exerting too much influence. Parents can be very helpful in brainstorming topics, engaging in conversations to refine or expand upon a student’s ideas, and reading over drafts and offering suggestions for improvement. But be careful when editing. Sometimes parents will get too involved in restructuring paragraphs, rewording entire phrases, or otherwise putting so much of their own adult voice into the essay that it no longer is an accurate reflection of the applicant. It’s critical that the admissions officer is hearing your student’s voice as they read through the essay rather than a 50-year-old. Believe me, admissions officers can tell.

Help your student organize and prioritize  

As noted in our recent blog post, have your rising senior get started with various parts of the college application during the summer. If your student has decided to apply Early Decision (ED), make sure they are prioritizing this application. The same applies to Early Application (EA) colleges. Help them keep track of deadlines and (gently) remind them of these timelines. Students who are applying to more competitive schools and have additional essays to write will likely need to get started earlier.  

Financial aid advice for parents 

Know your budget  

Before your student even considers applying to college, take stock of your family’s financial situation. Ask yourself, how much do I have available to spend for a college education, and how much am I willing to spend and sacrifice? If possible, talk to an accountant or financial planner and ask them to provide you with some thoughts on what you can and cannot afford and how you will fund college.  

Discuss your perspective on college costs and financial aid with your student  

Since it is your student who will be the beneficiary of the college education that you are purchasing for them, make sure they understand what you are able and willing to spend and how you will pay for college. Your student should be involved right from the beginning of the college process. If student loans are in your financial aid future, then it is the student who will be responsible for repayment of them. If work-study is part of a package that your student receives, then it is your student who will have to seek out and do the work. By including your student in discussions about college funding, they will have a greater appreciation for the sacrifice that you are making as a family to send them to school. Hopefully, this will help your student to be even more focused on achieving when they reach college.  

Start the financial aid process early  

Students can begin filing both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile on October 1 of the year before they matriculate. You should begin to educate yourself about financial aid as early in your student’s high school career as you can. The sooner you understand what you are dealing with, the better you will be able to plan an approach to the process.   

Feeling overwhelmed with the college admissions process? 

The team at Great College Advice has years of experience working with thousands of students as they navigate the college admissions process.  We can help you prepare, select, and apply to colleges to give you the best chance of being accepted to your top choices.  Of course we can help with demonstrating interest, but we will also help you with every other aspect of this process. Want to learn more?  Please contact us and we’ll set up a no-cost, no-obligation meeting so we can learn more about you and discuss how we can help make the college admissions process more successful and less stressful. 

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With nearly 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post 6 Ways a Parent Can Help with College Admissions first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

It is also when you should carve out time in your already busy schedule to begin exploring college admissions. At Great College Advice, our goal is to empower students to manage this journey in a way that works best for you. Although there is no cookie-cutter approach, here is the Great College Advice guide for college admissions planning for juniors: 

• Balance academic rigor with good grades;
• Focus activities on those that interest you and where you can make the most impact;
• Make a plan around SAT or ACT testing;
• Begin to ask what you are looking for in a college;
• Plan college visits;
• Develop relationships with your teachers;
• Have FUN!

Make sure you’re in the right classes 

Your junior year is the last real chance to impress college admissions officers with the classes you’re taking, so make it count! Work with your counselor to make sure you’re not taking on too much but that you’re also challenging yourself. If your high school offers a number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes then your junior year is when you should begin taking a handful of them. If you’re unsure whether to take a tough course because you’re worried about your GPA, discuss it with your counselor and parents. But, colleges want to see you challenge yourself so err on the side of taking that AP course as long as you’re not completely overwhelmed and stressed.  Keep studying to make sure your grades stay up! 

Continue your extracurricular interests 

Colleges are interested in students who are engaged and active in extracurricular activities. They want students who will animate their campuses and make them interesting places to work and play. Your junior year of high school is a great time to step into a leadership role in an activity that you have enjoyed during your freshman and/or sophomore year. Rather than quantity, focus on the quality of your extracurriculars. These activities could be as part of the school such as academic clubs and sports or could be a passion outside of school. But, either way, focus on the interests that you truly care about and deepen your commitments to those areas. If possible, spend time identifying ways to enhance the club or organization and bring these ideas to life. Being a participant is great, but learning to lead and make a difference outside the classroom is an accomplishment that colleges truly value.  

Make a plan around SAT/ACT testing 

If you haven’t already, fall of your junior year is the time to map out your standardized testing plan. Although most colleges remain test optional following COVID, we recommend studying and sitting for the SAT or ACT at least once. Some of the most selective colleges have begun to once again require standardized test score submissions. Also, even though many colleges truly are test optional, your admission odds may increase with a test result above a certain threshold. In terms of which test to take, you may want to take a practice exam for each. Many test prep companies will provide free resources as well. We strongly recommend that you schedule at least one “real” test in your junior year and have another date as a “back up plan.” We generally recommend that you try to take your first test in the fall or winter of junior year, with spring as a fall back option if you need to retake. Senior year is going to be super busy, so don’t leave the testing until the last minute. Plan! 

Take the PSAT in October 

Even if you took the PSAT during your sophomore year, this is the one that counts! The PSAT is used to qualify people for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Even if you don’t think you’ll score high enough to qualify for the scholarship, the PSAT is a great way to acclimate yourself to the fun of taking standardized college entrance exams (just kidding!). You will sign up for the PSAT at your school, so look for announcements from your guidance office. 

Begin researching colleges and majors 

The first semester of your junior year is a good time to begin exploring what colleges have to offer. The Fiske Guide to Colleges is an invaluable resource to get a comprehensive overview of hundreds of colleges and be introduced to potential college fits that you never knew existed. Compile a list of schools to explore further and visit their websites to learn more. Most colleges now offer virtual tours which is a great way to learn more about majors, dorm life, athletics, dining, and the social scene. For those colleges that appeal to you, sign up to their email distribution lists.

As you explore, ask yourself questions along the way. Will you be happy at a rural school, or do you want to be in the city? Do large lectures seem like the way to go, or would you rather have a school with small classes? Based on your academic interests, does this college have the major(s) that you may pursue? Can you see yourself at this school? Make a list of the attributes important to you and what colleges pique your interest. This is the building block of what will eventually become your college list, which will get refined over the course of the next year. 

Visit a college(s) and/or attend a college fair near you 

Now that you have a sense of the type of school you’re interested in, it’s time to do a test drive! Rather than jetting off to what you think is your dream school for a visit, we recommend exploring local options first. If you have a day or two off for fall break, plan a visit to a few nearby colleges. They don’t have to be ones at the top of your list. Rather, aim for diversity; check out a big school vs. a small school or a public university vs. a liberal arts college. Sign up in advance through the respective admissions offices for a tour. When you’re on campus, think about whether you can envision yourself at a school like this. By starting local and thinking more thoughtfully about what is important to you, you will be able to become more strategic when it comes to future college trips.  

Also, use the first semester of your junior year to attend college fairs in the area. Visiting college booths and talking to admissions representatives is a great way to learn more about potential colleges of interest. As this will be your first time in front of admissions officers, you may be nervous. But admissions reps are not to be feared! They want you to succeed and are happy to answer questions about their university. Your guidance counselor will likely provide more information at the beginning of the school year. For example, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has 34 college fairs going on throughout the country this fall.   

Build relationships with teachers  

You will ask teachers for letters of recommendation near the end of your junior year. Keep this in mind as you begin your junior year. Hopefully there will be classes that you find truly interesting, and you come to class every day eager to learn. By coming in prepared, with a positive attitude, willing to collaborate with peers, and actively participating in discussions, your teacher will appreciate your intellectual curiosity. As an invaluable and respected member of the classroom, your teacher will eagerly write a letter of recommendation on your behalf entering your senior year.  

Need help kickstarting your junior year college admissions journey?  

This to-do list contains recommendations to stay on track and take control of the college planning process entering your junior year. However, if you feel as though you need some personal guidance so that you can blaze your trail toward college success, please contact us for a free consultation. The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college. We provide personalized college consulting focused on helping make the process of preparing, selecting, and applying to college more successful, less stressful, and more fun. Here’s to a great start to your junior year!

Follow the Great College Advice Guide to College Admissions:

• Guide Through Every Year of High School
• Freshman Year: 9th Grade College Admissions Guide
• Sophomore Year: 10th Grade College Admissions Guide and 10th Grade College Admissions Guide for 2nd Semester
• Junior Year: 11th Grade College Admissions Guide 2nd Semester
• 12th Grade College Admissions Guide

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post College Admissions Planning for Juniors  first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

What Is the Foreign Language Requirement for College Admission?

Spanish. French. German. Italian. Chinese. Russian. While for some high school students learning a foreign language can come quite naturally, for others it can be a painful struggle. So, do you really need to take a foreign language in high school? Will colleges require you to have studied a second language in order to attend their institution? As with so many other aspects of the college process, the answer is: Yes and No.

Deciding Factors

When deciding whether or not to pursue a foreign language in high school, you should ask the following:

• Does the state that I live in require me to study a foreign language for a certain amount of time in order to graduate?
• Does my school district require me to study a foreign language for a certain amount of time in order to graduate?
• Do the colleges to which I wish to apply require me to have studied a foreign language for a certain amount of time in order to be admitted? If so, what are those foreign language requirements for that college?

State Foreign Language Requirements For College Admission

Every state in the U.S. has a different policy on how world languages fit into the educational system. Some require that a foreign language be taught as early as elementary school. Others mandate that students must study a foreign language for a certain number of credits to be able to graduate. This is usually 1-2 years’ worth of classes. Still, others have no language requirement at all.

School District

Individual school districts may also be able to set their own policies on foreign language requirements. However, they must be sure that their requirements meet at least the state’s minimum standards. That means that even if you’ve met your state’s requirements for a foreign language. If you haven’t completed those dictated by your school district, you still may not be able to graduate.

Colleges

While many colleges do require that the student have at least 2 or more years of a foreign language to gain admission, others will only “recommend” this. Others don’t see the need for it at all. So, even if you achieve both your state and school district requirements for world languages. You may still not meet the criteria for admission to some schools if you don’t complete a few years of language study. High School foreign language requirements for most colleges can typically be found on the school’s website. You can also find the school’s requirements for other subject areas on their website.

The more selective the school, the more likely that it will have a foreign language requirement for college admission, and the more likely that the requirement will be for more years of study. And, even if you meet the minimum foreign language requirement indicated by the school, at the more competitive institutions, going above and beyond the minimum with consistent study in a given language is seen as a desirable credential in the admissions process.

Ultimately, before making any final decisions about whether to drop that French class that you’ve been sweating through, or trying to figure out if you should take that third year of Chinese, you should double-check your state and school district policies, first, and then look into the requirements of some colleges which you may be considering. After all, you want to be sure that whatever your course selection strategy is for foreign languages in high school, you are not shutting any doors that you’d rather keep open.

Are You Still Confused About Foreign Language Requirements for College Admission?

Let’s face it:  the process of preparing for college admission can be very confusing, frustrating, and anxiety-inducing. The counselors at Great College Advice can help clarify things for you by taking these general principles and applying them to your particular circumstance.  Because every student is different and every student has different goals and priorities, we take the time to get to know the student and family so that we can provide individually tailored advice. We can help you navigate the college admissions process so that you can achieve your educational objectives. 

Call us or contact us via our website today!  We look forward to talking you you.

Andrea Aronson

College Admissions Consultant

Westfield, NJ

The post Foreign Language Requirements For College Admissions Explained first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

A client of mine is a budding architect. He is taking an independent study in architecture at his high school. He has become very enthusiastic about the possibility of turning his interest into a career. But he is unsure about what road to take as an undergraduate. Should he look for universities that offer a Bachelors degree in architecture. Or should he opt for a liberal arts degree. What classes should he take to be an architect? Then, head for graduate school to get his Masters in Architecture and his license to practice?

Not being an architect myself, I asked a college classmate, Cary Bernstein, who has her own successful architecture practice in San Francisco, if she would mind fielding a few questions from my student. She agreed. She also agreed to let me share her answers with our readers. So here is her case for why the liberal arts provide excellent preparation for a career in architecture.  (I’ve reproduced it here in a “Q&A” format to make it more readable).

Question 1: What Should I Study to Be an Architect?

I am extremely interested in pursuing architecture as a profession. But, I don’t want to commit to something that I may later realize I don’t want to do halfway through college. What would you recommend I study in college so that I can study architecture but I can still make changes if I decide that I want to take a different direction?

Response: You should study things that interest you. You are more likely to do well at subjects that keep you engaged.  It is important to develop your writing, research and analytical skills. You can do that in almost any subject within the humanities or social sciences.  You should take as many drawing or shop (i.e. wood shop, metal shop) classes as possible, but you do not need to major in art. 

I majored in Philosophy and have found it to be extremely useful for understanding theory, intellectual history, interpreting text and constructing positions in (unfortunately) adversarial situations.  But mostly, I just love Philosophy.  You should have some basic computer skills because so much work is done on the computer and the programs keep changing all the time.

Question 2: Which Is More Important, Design or Engineering?

If I were to go straight into architecture, what classes would you advise to someone who is much more interested in the design aspects of a structure instead of the engineering that goes into it?

Response:  Take as much painting, drawing and other studio art as possible.  But also take as many humanities  – where you will have to write papers and do research – as possible.  The people who do poorly in the profession are those whose verbal skills are weak – you need to be able to talk about your project as well as design it.  You would think this is just about design, but architectural practice requires verbal as well as visual skills – which is what makes architecture the coolest profession ever.

Question 3: What Has Made You a Successful Architect?

Being a professional architect, what did you gain the most out of your college studies and what classes were the most valuable to your future in architecture?

Response:  I never worried about how my undergraduate classes would be directly “useful” in graduate school.  In college, in addition to Philosophy, I studied languages (Russian, Italian and French). They have been useful in so many ways (how to think about different systems of communication, different cultures, exposure to other parts of the world) and have led to an interesting life.  Philosophy, as mentioned above, has been incredibly useful. But it’s a dense subject so if you don’t like it don’t study it. 

I wish I took more courses in History and Literature but there just wasn’t any more room in my schedule.  Architecture is the “mother of the arts” – it encompasses everything (art, science, history, economics, psychology). So most subjects feed it well but I would steer you towards history, literature and language studies first and foremost.  The more time you can spend making things and drawing things the better. But you’ll get plenty of this in a graduate program.  Classes in art/architectural history are also helpful – you should know the history within these subjects.

Question 4: How Can I Decide Whether to Study Architecture?

What would be the best way for me to discover if I really want to pursue architecture? I am already in an architecture class but I feel I could be doing more to truly know if this is what I want to do.

Response:  There are summer classes, such as the Harvard Career Discovery Program (also known as “Career Disco”) which many people find helpful.  I believe Columbia University also has one.  You should also try to get an internship in an architecture firm (do anything). Or, if you can get a job in construction spend the summer building something.  Work for Habitat for Humanity or other community groups that build things.  I hope this is helpful.  Architecture is an incredible pursuit – I wish you the very best for your future.
 
Clearly, Cary Bernstein is very content with her educational trajectory. What is your educational trajectory? How can I help you choose the college–and major–that fits you best?

Great College Advice

The post Want To Be An Architect? Study the Liberal Arts! first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

What summertime activity in high school will help you explore careers, as well as majors you might like to pursue in high school?

While much has been stated on this blog about the importance and the insignificance of choosing a major prior to attending college, it is still somewhat easier to narrow down your college list if you have some idea of your academic and career interests. You don’t have to sign on the dotted line and say, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” however, it is a good idea to have some general direction or even just rule a few things out.

One way to do this is to test the waters a bit. The long summer vacation provides a great opportunity. Do a little exploration of careers that may be connected to majors you are thinking about.  

Here are some ways to investigate different career paths as a summertime activity in high school.

Looking for a way to take best advantage of your summer? Need help in identifying which summertime activity would help you explore your career options or to get accepted to top universities? Connect with us! Our professional college admissions consultants are eager to help.

Research via the internet

Do you really know what a financial planner does? What does it really mean to be architect? Research some of the backgrounds of some professionals that you have heard of or respect. Look up the executive board members of a company you think you might want to work for. Then and Google their names. Where did they go to school? What did they major in? What former positions have they held? LinkedIn can be a great resource in this regard. 

Learn about job titles

Now that you have some job titles from the fields you may have an interest in, find out what those jobs actually require. Hit LinkedIn and view job postings for those specific titles. You might be surprised to learn about what is really required.

Talk to someone in the field

Let’s face it, everyone likes to talk about what they do. Conducting informational interviews is a great way to find out more about a career. Ask your parents or teachers if they know anyone who may be the fields you are interested in. Once you have the contact information for potential interviews, politely ask them if you can meet with them to ask them questions about their profession.  

Here are some potential questions to consider:

– How did you become interested in this profession?

– What previous jobs have you held that lead you to your current position?

– What did you study in college and how did you pick your major?

– What courses in your major have helped you in your career?

– What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your profession?

– Is there anyone else I can talk to who may be willing to provide me with more information on this profession?

– Are their any opportunities to intern at your company so I can learn more about your business?

For more about summertime planning in high school to prepare for college admissions, watch this video.

Summer programs

Many college campuses host career exploration programs for high school students. Some of these may last a few days, while others may last for a week or two or even longer. Some programs can be surprisingly cheap and even free. Others may be relatively expensive. We generally like these programs–especially when they are inexpensive and located close to home. We don’t think it necessary to spend more on these programs just because they are offered by a prestigious university.

Often these sorts of programs are completely disconnected from the admissions office. As well as general administration of the university, and your attendance will have no impact on admissions down the road. We like these programs because they allow students to make connections between academic choices and career opportunities. So look for programs in your state. Or nearby where you can cut your teeth on some new and exciting learning. And, consider potential career options down the road.

Learn by doing

Jobs and internships are another great summertime activity in high school. These will help you learn whether you would like a certain career. When I was in college, I spent an entire summer running a camp for 5 to 8 year olds. I took the position because I was considering being a teacher. I wanted to see if I enjoyed working with large groups of children. I did everything from curriculum planning to first aid. Then, when the summer was over, I knew elementary education was not for me. Without that hands-on experience, I may have entered a major and future profession that I really did not enjoy.

A great way to find potential jobs or internships is through the informational interviews. One of the things you can ask people is what summer activity in high school might they recommend for someone who is interested in their field. While you are meeting with professionals, it does not hurt to ask if they have summer internships available for high school students.

Don’t forget that when you are researching colleges, it is also a good idea to connect with the Center for Career Development. Last week’s blog post on career questions to ask during the college admissions process will help you further explore if the colleges you are interested in are offering career development opportunities.

We hope this guide will help you find a suitable summertime activity in high school that will allow you to explore careers and potential academic majors.

Great College Advice

The post Summertime Activity in High School: Career Exploration first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

The post Great Information on Careers in Engineering first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

• How easy is it to change majors?
• How will changing majors delay your graduation timeline?
• What kinds of jobs and internships are students getting in each particular major?
• What are you interested in studying?
• Are there other ways (besides academics) you can add to your “secondary skills”?

I have seen the decision to choose major completely stress students out.  In the end, it is about what is important to you and what you think you can be good at.  Everyone says you should “do what you love” but for some people that is a difficult quest to master.  Just remember that there is probably not a “perfect” job out there.  Every job is going to have some requirement that you don’t want to do, therefore there may be some “secondary skills” that you have to acquire even though you are not particularly interested in them.
 
Katherine Price
Educational Consultant

The post Majors and the Jobs of the Future first appeared on College Admission Counseling.