cost - College Admission Counseling

Get Into the Best Colleges For You

Jared Hobson — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 15:15:18 +0000

How do I get into college? How do I write the best college essay? How do I write a winning college essay? College admission expert Mark Montgomery can help you succeed and get into a dream college. As a college admission consultant in Denver, Colorado, he can help you with selective college admission, whether it is the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, or a top liberal arts college. He can help you define success for you, and then help you get college scholarships, reduce the cost of tuition, and develop a winning college admission strategy. Mark’s partner, Andrea Aronson, who is also a college admission expert in New Jersey, can help all families, no matter what their goals, be successful in the college admission process. Students with bad grades can get into college. Students with learning disabilities can be successful in college admission. Students who want to play sports in college can go through athletic recruiting. All students can be successful and get a quality college education. Check out their college admission blog at https://greatcollegeadvice.com.

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Getting Into Top Universities

Jared Hobson — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 15:27:02 +0000

When selecting the right college for you, an insider’s view can be helpful. We visit colleges and universities all over the country in order to give us first-hand, up-close-and-personal understanding of each campus, its vibe, its academic strengths, and its resources.
We use this knowledge to help you pick the right colleges for you.
Check out this short video to get an idea of what we do for our clients.

The post Getting Into Top Universities first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

International Student Immigration Issues #4: Maintaining the F-1 Visa While Studying In the United States

Andrea Aronson — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:30:39 +0000

Laurie Woog, our guest-blogging immigration attorney from the Woog Law Office, LLC, returns to the Great College Advice blog with more important information about the F-1 Visa. Now that you’ve got one, how can you make sure you keep it?

Previous blog posts explained how to prepare and what to expect when you interview for an F-1 visa at the United States consulate or embassy abroad. Did you know that once you obtain your visa, any violation of the F-1 regulations can result in the revocation of your status or denial of a new visa?

Here is a list of some of the most important things to remember while you study in the United States so that you don’t find yourself faced with a violation of the F-1 regulations:

Make sure that your data is always current in the SEVIS system. What is SEVIS? SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database maintained by the U.S. government that holds information on all international students in the United States, including their addresses, school programs, work authorizations, and other data. While the school’s Designated Student Officer (DSO) is responsible for entering information into the SEVIS system. To keep your record in order, you are responsible for getting that information to the DSO.
Always have a current paper copy of your I-20. An I-20 is a SEVIS-generated document issued by your school which contains your personal, financial and academic information, and is signed by you and the DSO.
Do NOT engage in employment off-campus without proper authorization. F-1 Visa students are not allowed to work, except in very limited circumstances. (We’ll explore this topic in more detail in a future blog post.)
Maintain a full course load; “full-time” means 12 credit hours for undergraduates and 9 credit hours for graduates during the entire fall and spring semesters.
Keep your school and USCIS informed of any address changes. International students must report any change of address within 10 days. Since some students move frequently, it is easy to forget this rule, but it is very important. There is no reason to risk an interruption or premature conclusion to your studies in the U.S. because you forgot to tell USCIS you moved into a new apartment.

Before going overseas, always make sure you are allowed to travel and that you have proper documentation to return to the U.S. Remember to check with your DSO about travel regulations, particularly during the summer. You must carry an original I-20 with a recent travel signature, and a passport valid for at least 6 months. The F-1 visa in your passport must be valid. If not, you will need to make an appointment to apply for a new F-1 Visa if you are still eligible.

When travelling, you should also carry the following:

Your SEVIS fee receipt;
Documentation of your financial support in the United States;
Personal identification;
Evidence of ties to your home country in the form of family associations, bank accounts, etc.;
Your student ID card;
Schedule of classes;
Contact information for your school and/or DSO.
If you changed status to F-1 while in the United States, then you should also maintain your I-797 approval form from USCIS.

Remembering these rules will help you maintain your status in the United States. If you have any questions about changing your course load, school, work, or any other matter. It is best to seek advice from someone familiar with student immigration issues before making a decision.

Laurie Woog
Practice Devoted to Immigration and Naturalization Law
The Woog Law Office, LLC
www.wooglaw.com

Blog post brought to you by:
Andrea Aronson
College Admissions Counselor
Westfield, NJ

The post International Student Immigration Issues #4: Maintaining the F-1 Visa While Studying In the United States first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

It’s Not Too Late to Apply for Fall 2012 Admission at Some Great Schools!

Andrea Aronson — Sun, 06 May 2012 12:30:17 +0000

Are you still looking for a place to attend college this upcoming fall? Were you unhappy with the outcome of the college application decisions that you just received? Then, here’s some good news!
Every year after the May 1st National Response Deadline, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) conducts a survey of colleges in which it asks colleges and universities whether they still have space available to accept students for the fall of the upcoming school year. The first round of responses is in (colleges continue to respond for several more days/weeks), and, as of May 2nd, over 375 schools have space for either freshmen or transfer students, and they continue to accept applications. Here’s the breakdown of the space availability:

Freshman space available: 362 colleges
Transfer space available: 374 colleges

Although it may seem that there are fewer and fewer slots available for students trying to get into college, this year had more schools reporting that they had space still available after May 1 than in the previous 12 years!
Also, if you think that you can’t afford to apply to school as a late applicant because financial aid resources will be all gone, think again! Over 370 schools reported that they had institutional financial aid still available for late applicants.
One caveat, is that you still must be considered a “qualified applicant” to gain admission at these schools. In other words, just because they have space, and you apply, this does not mean that you will get accepted. If you had no chance of gaining admission during the regular admissions period, you won’t get accepted during this late application period, either.
Here’s just a very small sampling of schools who are still accepting applicants:

Albright College, PA
Albion College, MI
University of Arizona, AZ
College of the Atlantic, ME
Drew University, NJ
Eckerd College, FL
Elizabethtown College, PA
Evergreen State, WA
Gordon College, MA
Guilford College, NC
Hofstra University, NY
Hood College, MD
Juniata College, PA
Kalamazoo College, MI
Knox College, IL
Lawrence University, WI
Loyola University, MD
Manhattanville College, NY
University of Maryland-Baltimore County, MD
Mills College, CA
New College, FL
Oglethorpe University, GA
Seton Hall University, NJ
Stetson University, FL
Smith College, MA
Susquehanna University, PA
University of San Diego, CA
University of Tampa, FL
Villanova University, PA
Wheaton College, MA

To see the whole list of over 350 schools, check out the NACAC site by clicking here. The list is available and updated through the end of June.
If you’re interested in applying to any of the space available schools for the Fall of 2012, you should contact the school admissions office directly to ask them how to best do that. But, do it soon. Space is available for now, but may be gone quickly!
Andrea Aronson
College Admissions Specialist
Westfield, NJ

The post It’s Not Too Late to Apply for Fall 2012 Admission at Some Great Schools! first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

There are no SAT Tests in the Summer!

Jared Hobson — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:52:19 +0000

It often comes as a surprise when parents and students realize there are no SAT tests offered over the summer.
Given that the College Board offers tests practically all year long, it makes little sense that there are no standardized tests offered during the one time of year when students actually have more time to study for them!
May 8th is the deadline for signing up for the June SAT test – aka the last test before summer.
Of course if you’d like to give the College Board an more money, go ahead and wait for the late registration deadline so that instead of $49, you can give them $75. Personally, I have better ways of spending $26 and I’m guessing you do too.
On June 2nd, students can take either the SAT Reasoning Tests (ie, the main SAT) or they can take selected SAT Subject Tests.
BUT- Students can’t take both the SAT Reasoning test and the Subject Tests at the same time. They must be taken on different test dates.
If you take your SAT in June, you’ll have online results in less than three weeks. If you’re not happy with your scores, you can always take the test again in October and/or November and/or December.
Many Seniors see their SAT scores go up in their Senior Fall. Why? Because they are more mature.

Great College Advice

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Seniors, Are You Ready For May 1st?

Jared Hobson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:07:10 +0000

We are closing in quickly on the May 1, national confirmation deadline for colleges and universities. This is the date that students must let the college or university know that you will be attending. Typically, this requires that you submit a signed confirmation form as well as an enrollment deposit. Often, you can think of this enrollment deposit like a security deposit for a house, it holds your spot.

Are you ready to make your commitment? How are you spending these last few days leading up to May 1 deciding?

– Flipping a coin?
– Trying that t-shirt with the college name on the front on one more time?
– Getting feedback from the people you trust?
– Reading the fine print on the financial aid forms once again?
– Chatting online with current students to get your final questions answered?
– Writing pro and con lists?
Everyone makes their final decision in a different way. My advice? It echoes that of our NACAC 2011 keynote speaker, Jonah Lehrer. Go with your gut.
Go with what your instinct tells you. You’ve visited the campuses, spent the time researching, read all of the brochures, gone on the website hundreds of times and now the time has come to take the next step. Listen to what your gut is telling you and ask yourself, “Will I be happy here?” Is the answer yes? Then sign your name on the dotted line and start getting excited for this new adventure you are about to embark on!

The post Seniors, Are You Ready For May 1st? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Looking for a College Focused on Sustainability?

Jared Hobson — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:36:54 +0000

Do you consider yourself an environmentalist? Are sustainable efforts important to you? In honor of Earth Day I thought I would take a look at colleges with sustainable practices.
Colleges across the country are rolling out new sustainable practices. Take the time to learn about them when you do your campus visit! Check out some examples of colleges who are taking “being green” to new heights.
The University of Vermont announced this winter that they will become one of the first institutions nationwide to end the sale of bottled water on campus and mandate that at least one-third of the drinks that are in the vending machines on campus be healthy options.
Colorado College offers an organic food buying coop where each week students, faculty, and administrators have the option of buying a box of fruit, vegetables, or meats from local farmers in Southern Colorado and New Mexico. They also have an impressive composting program!
Colby College recently did a light bulb exchange where they distributed dozens of compact fluorescent bulbs to faculty and staff in exchange for their energy inefficient bulbs.
At the University of Minnesota they have at least 200 alternative fuel vehicles, offer preferable parking to carpoolers and give public transit discounts to students and employees.
The University of Michigan operates a natural gas facility that meets 50 percent of campus energy needs. Their campus also features a solar hot water system and a 35-kilowatt solar array.
At the University of Colorado Boulder they have five LEED Gold buildings, use only non-VOC paints and green cleaning products on campus. They also employ ten full time sustainability staff and department eco-leaders.

These are just a few highlights. There are lots more out there to explore!

Great College Advice

The post Looking for a College Focused on Sustainability? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Tips for Filling Out Your Housing Application

Jared Hobson — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:18:50 +0000

Once you have decided where you are going to attend college there are lots of “next steps” to take. One of the big ones is to filling out your housing application to determine where you are going to live on campus. Who you are going to live with? Each college and university has a slightly different process for how they do this. So make sure to pay attention to the information you receive in the mail, or via email, from the housing office.

Video Recap:

After a visit to the University of Northern Colorado, I had a chance to connect with one of my graduate school friends who now works in residence life. She shared a few tips about filling out the housing application.

1) Be honest on the housing application. Students, please please please – fill it out yourself! Whether you are messy or clean, a late riser or an early-to-bed kind of person, or a smoker/nonsmoker. You want to let the housing office know so they can match you with a roommate who will complement your style.

2) Look for living and learning communities. Living and learning communities are great ways to connect with students who share a common interest. There are often extra perks such as taking classes right in your residence hall, access to special field trips, guest lectures, proximity to your classes, etc.

3) You are going to be sharing space. Be ready to learn how to compromise! Sharing your room can be a challenging experience. If it is your first time doing so. Set up a contract with your roommate and certain guidelines you want to follow to be respectful of one another.

The post Tips for Filling Out Your Housing Application first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

International Student Immigration Issues #3: Frequently Asked Questions About the Student Visa

Andrea Aronson — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:00:43 +0000

Laurie Woog, our guest-blogging immigration attorney from the Woog Law Office, LLC, answers the most common questions asked about the international student visa:
Even if you have reviewed the U.S. Embassy’s website 50 times, and you have assembled all your documents, paid your fees, put all your old passports in chronological order, and made travel arrangements, you may still have some worries or questions about obtaining your student visa.

Here are some of the questions we encounter most often from international students.

Q. What is the “presumption of immigrant intent” that I keep hearing about?

A. This means that the United States government, and therefore the embassy or consular staff, assumes that every visa applicant wants to stay in the U.S. permanently. Even if you are applying for a temporary visa, you must prove that you intend to return home after your authorized period of stay concludes. See our previous blog about the type of proof you will need to show this intent.

Q. How long will it take for me to obtain my visa?

A. There are various factors that affect the waiting process, such as an applicant’s country of origin, age, name, marital status or field of study. For example, applicants who study or have worked in sensitive areas may be subject to extended security checks. Some of these fields include munitions; nuclear technology; rocket systems; chemical, biotechnology and biomedical engineering; advanced computer/ microelectronic technology; information security; sensor technology; etc. To allow time to overcome any unforeseen problems that might arise, students are encouraged to apply for their visas several weeks before they plan to travel, or more, depending on the country.

Q. Can I bring my wife and child with me to the U.S. while I am on a student visa?

A. Yes, you may bring dependents. They will need visa interviews as well and should receive F-2 visas. You should make sure you have proof of your relationship to your spouse and/or children such as marriage and birth certificates, family registers, etc. It is best for families to apply for their visas at the same time. However, if your spouse and children must apply later, they should bring a copy of your passport and visa, along with all other required documents. F-2 visa holders are not allowed to work in the U.S.

Q. What if my application for a visa is denied? What can I do?

A. Consular officials have a great deal of discretion to approve or deny a visa. Their decisions are not normally subject to review or appeal. However, it may be possible to ask the chief of the consulate to reconsider the decision, or to ask for an advisory opinion at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. on a legal issue. If your visa application is denied, you may want to consult an attorney for assistance in describing all the facts of the case, any additional evidence, and to try to obtain a different decision.

Q. Do I have to have an interview if I apply to change my status in the U.S. from visitor (B-2) to student (F-1)?

A. No, you do not. If you request a “change of status” from one category to another while remaining in the U.S., you send your request to USCIS, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, on Form I-539. There is no interview for this process. However, you will need to maintain valid nonimmigrant (temporary) status in order to effect this change. This means that you cannot apply to change status after your authorized stay expires. Also, in some cases, USCIS will not approve a change to student status unless you informed the consulate at your B-2 interview that you were thinking about eventually studying in the U.S.

Let us know if you have any more questions that we haven’t addressed here!
Andrea Aronson
College Admissions Specialist
Westfield, NJ

The post International Student Immigration Issues #3: Frequently Asked Questions About the Student Visa first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

College Bookstores – Not Just for Books Anymore

Jared Hobson — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:12:04 +0000

How many college tours have you been on where the campus tour ended at the bookstore? Did you take the time to go inside and look around?
One of my favorite things to do when visiting a college campus is to visit the college bookstore – not necessarily to buy anything- just to see what they have in stock, how easily accessibly everything is, and to see a little bit of the spirit of the school.
College bookstores have changed significantly over the past few years. While they used to be the go-to spot for text books, many students are now ordering books online through Amazon for cheaper prices, renting textbooks, or purchasing copies on their tablet device. College bookstores have also had a strong hold on college apparel for many years as a place for prospective students to buy the sweatshirt of their dream school or current students to stock up on clothing for the big game…but what else can you find there besides books and clothing?
A recent visit to the University of Colorado’s bookstore had some fun surprises including: pasta, rubik’s cubes, cowboy boots, dog treats and more! In addition, there were art materials, dorm decorations, grill sets, chairs, calendars, computers, snacks, along with all of the textbooks and clothing items.

Take the time to check out the bookstore on your next college visit, you never know what you might find!

Mark Montgomery
Expert Educational Consultant

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