What is admissions?
If you want to get into a college, university, community college or vocational school, you have to go through the admissions process. Admissions is the process of a college or trade school looking over your application. They use the provided information to decide if you are eligible for that particular school. The criteria differ from school to school.
Here are some deciding factors for 2- and 4-year colleges or universities:
• Test scores (ACT or SAT)
• Grade point average (GPA)
• Activities and accomplishments
• Essays and recommendations
There are other factors as well. For example, if your mother or grandfather went to that school, you might have a greater chance getting in.
What are my chances?
Acceptance rates differ from school to school. If you pick a more selective school, like Harvard or Princeton, your chances of getting in are slim. In 2004, Ivy League schools accepted on average about 10% to 13% of the applicants. And, about 83% of 4-year not-for-profit colleges and universities accepted more than half of the applicants, according to USA Today.
Better your chances
Early preparation is key for getting accepted to your college of choice. You can start preparing for college as early as junior high, especially if you are looking to enter an Ivy League university. Most students start preparing for college in high school. You can start with taking the necessary entrance exams, like the SAT or ACT. Applying to more than 1 college or university helps your odds of being accepted. You can narrow down your search by campus visits and learning more about the schools’ programs. Decide where you want to go and then apply.
Filling out the application
After you have decided on the schools you want to apply to, you have to fill out the application. Depending on the school, some applications can be as a little as 2 pages. However, some applications look more like a 20-page research project.
Here are some important things to remember when filling out your application:
• Fill out the entire application
• Be neat
• Include all materials (letters of recommendation and essay, if required)
• Make copies
• Turn the application in on time
• Be yourself
It is never too late to go to college. Whether you are in high school or want to improve your life, you can start your college career by filling out an application.

You see the advertisements for University of Phoenix – Online everywhere, but what is the school really about? Ever since the for-profit school made the early decision to organize an online learning program in a successful effort to propel its growth and widen its outreach to students, they have come up against many myths and stereotypes.

Some people think that online learning is inferior to classroom learning, that the University is little more than a diploma mill or that graduating with a degree from University of Phoenix won’t get you anywhere. In truth, however, according to student surveys, there is very high satisfaction among students who have earned an online degree from University of Phoenix.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common myths about online learning:

Myth: Earning an online degree is easier than earning a degree in the classroom.
Many students find that the course material taught online is relevant and on track with the work their peers are completing in their educations at traditional institutions. The coursework for some classes will be more difficult than others, and you may come across some professors that you can communicate with better than others.

Because online learning requires an incredible amount of discipline and independence, some students may even find getting an online degree more difficult.

Myth: Online learning offers little personal attention and no communication with other students.
This is not the case. Most classes at University of Phoenix enroll no more than 15 students, which is much more personal than at a traditional university.

You can sign onto classes anytime during the day and participate in class discussions through forums or ask questions that your professors will respond to as soon as they can. Assignment due dates do go by the professor’s time, so if the professor is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone, your assignment will due in EST, which can take some adjusting. This can also be a challenge when you complete schoolwork with a classmate (which happens often). Professors usually try to pair students who are in similar time zones, but this is not always possible, so you must communicate regularly and be willing to work around your classmates’ schedules!

Many students find the tech support and counselors at University of Phoenix to be excellent. They often call and e-mail regularly and are extremely willing to help with any questions or concerns.

Myth: An online degree isn’t as respectable as a traditional degree.
While this may have once been the truth, online degrees are gaining prestige around the world. Established in 1989, University of Phoenix was the first accredited online university. Today, the University boasts over 57,000 enrollments, making it the largest accredited, for-profit online university in the United States.

University of Phoenix provides a respectable outlet for working adults to earn a higher education. Like many other things, you will only get as much out of your online education as you put into it, so if you take advantage of the resources provided, you can get a valuable education that employers will respect.

However, online education at University of Phoenix may not be for everyone. First-time college students with no family responsibilities and no full-time jobs may feel the desire to leave home, become independent, attend school with peers and learn how to manage their own lives.

Myth: The credits you earn online won’t transfer to traditional colleges.
A growing number of colleges and universities do accept transfer credits from University of Phoenix – Online! Still, it’s always a good idea to do some research before you enroll in a program. Check with your state and any educational institution you might want to enroll in later to make sure that credits and certifications will transfer.

Myth: Employers won’t take an online degree seriously.
A large percentage of alumnae from University of Phoenix – Online have seen an increase in their marketability. They have been able to secure jobs that they desired or have received promotions in their present jobs.

Plus, many University of Phoenix – Online faculty members are executives at reputed companies when they are not mentoring students in the classrooms, lending even more credibility to their instruction!

Myth: You must be a computer genius to earn an online degree.
The first course required of University of Phoenix – Online students is actually a course that teaches you how to be a successful online student. It can teach you how to search the databases, how to use the UoP online library, how to work in a learning team, how to use APA writing style and more. Additionally, this first course is often waived and free of charge! Even if not, there are often coupons for it.

The majority of classes are offered in Outlook Express, which most users find very easy to set up and use.

Myth: You’ll never set foot on a college campus.
While concentrated time spent on a college campus can be a great way to learn, the advent of technology has made physical presence unnecessary! In fact, because attending class is not possible for every student, University of Phoenix is one of the best options available. We can provide the flexibility of time and place while you receive a quality education. Additionally, online learning can be a great option for students with disabilities.
Plus, you don’t have to feel like you aren’t a part of a college environment – University of Phoenix has over 70 campus locations across the country! As a University of Phoenix – Online graduate, you are invited to participate in the graduation ceremony at the campus most convenient for you.

Four-year colleges aren’t right for everyone! In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that one out of three college students drop out!

But if you’ve dropped out of college - or decided college wasn’t the right choice for you in the first place - a higher education is still one of the most valuable assets you can have in today’s world. Fortunately, there’s no need to lose hope - a four-year degree isn’t the only kind of education available!

Some students who drop out of four-year universities switch to local colleges, in search of two-year Associate degrees. Two-year degrees can prepare students for a number of entry-level positions, as well as provide a good base if a student decides to go back to college in search of a Bachelor’s degree. They also have the advantage of often being far cheaper, which can be a great help if monetary considerations are one of the reasons a student felt that a four-year university wasn’t right for them!

In addition to local community colleges, career colleges can also be a good choice for students looking to further their education. With career colleges, students receive a very targeted education, specific to their wants and goals. Programs are usually completed in a far faster time than a four-year university and consist of very practical education, which makes a career college great option for someone who wants to move right into the workforce.

If a four-year college isn’t the best choice for you, learn more about your alternatives! Don’t let money discourage you - financial aid is often available. Many programs are also flexible enough to work around your work schedule or family responsibilities, and the rewards for your efforts are well worth it. No matter what option you go with - education is the best way to achieve future success.

Popular search engine Google has had its share of headline moments recently. First with a successful IPO, and now with the announcement that it is taking the libraries of Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan, the University of Oxford and the New York Public Library on a ride through virtual reality.

“Even before we started Google, we dreamed of making the incredible breadth of information that librarians so lovingly organize searchable online,” said Larry Page, Google co-founder and president of products.

Google made the announcement late last year that it was working with these prestigious libraries to digitally scan books from their collections so users worldwide can search them in Google. Copyrighted material will have only an excerpt online, while all others will be on the Web cover to cover. Although the project has a long journey before it is complete (one USA Today article projected a five- to ten-year time frame), the announcement alone has raised questions about the future role of libraries.

“The idea that the world’s knowledge, as held through books and libraries, is opening up to all via a Web browser cannot be understated,” said John Battelle, professor at the University of California - Berkeley.

Google’s virtual library does more than make millions of books available online. It introduces Web users to millions of books they didn’t know existed, especially books that are no longer in print. But because of the copyright laws, users will still have to visit libraries to actually read any books they find.

According to Rob Enderle, an independent analyst with The Enderle Group, “search engines will be where more readers will find out about books, instead of at the bookstore.” Others see the Google library as a way to rejuvenate traditional library use.

Dean of Libraries at the University of Kentucky, Carol Pitts Diedrichs, hopes that Google’s new program to put thousands of texts online will drive readers back to where they once started: the library. “People don’t sit at a computer and read a book much,” Diedrichs said. “What we hope it [Google library] will do is drive users to us to use our collections.”

Not everyone sees an online library as a boost for traditional library use. For those who rely on time in the library, such as students, the prospect of a virtual library means greater ease with studying and accessing needed materials.

“If it was possible to access things online without leaving my room, that would be a huge help,” said senior Stanford student, Will Oremus. “For research papers, there are lots of books you can only get at the library. It would be really cool to get them on your computer.” Making it to the library has proven difficult for him, as he is usually not free to hit the library until well after it closes.

The $150 million project will change the face of information on the Internet no matter what role it plays in the future of promoting libraries or making them obsolete. An online library brings credibility to the massive amounts of information found on the Internet. Not many can successfully argue against more reliable search results.

Susan Wojcicki, Google’s director of product management, believes indexing library books is a plus for everyone, and an advantage for Google. “If we offer a better search engine, that will lead to more users,” Wojcicki said.

That is exactly what Google hopes will happen as it forges ahead in the quest to digitize the most popular and the most obscure books for the world to share.

You have some schools in mind. You have the will. You have good grades. You even have that sweatshirt that has “COLLEGE” on it. But in the money department, there’s much to be done. It has become obvious that you’re going to need financial help.
Is there any chance you could get a free ride to college? It’s not easy, says Barry W. Simmons, director of the office of scholarships and financial aid at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

“Unless you can score a 1600 on the SAT or can run faster and jump higher than anyone else, there aren’t many ‘full rides’ out there,” he says. “It’s a matter of supply and demand.”

Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of FinAid.org and co-author of The Prentice Hall Guide to Scholarships and Fellowships for Math and Science Students, agrees by saying that true full rides to college are very rare, and because of this, the people who are “in it to win it” are fierce competitors for the rewards.

How do you start?
Your best bet is to make a potent financial combination from a variety of aid, including scholarships, grants and financial awards. You’re going to have to search for quite a while and work your charm, but it can pay off. “If a student has been thorough in their research and used scholarship search tools, they will find many opportunities,” Simmons says. Another tip he has is that “too much is never enough.” Check to see if you can “bank” any excess awards for future years, Simmons says. Many come in lump sums that can be tucked away into savings accounts to make the long haul much easier during your education experience.

But Ben Kaplan, who is an author of scholarship application tip books, believes that students with initiative, resolve and creativity can cut their college costs tremendously. He knows what he’s talking about. Kaplan won $90,000 in scholarships from a large collection of programs after applying for more than 30 different awards. “Colleges are giving more and more aid to ’special’ students, including merit scholarships and preferential packages of need-based aid,” he says.

Where is a scholarship an average joe can earn?
In case it wasn’t stated clearly enough before, there are lots of places for you to look. Great scholarships are easier to find these days, thanks to the Web. The flip side of this is that there are more of your competitors using these tools as well. So get started!

Community service based scholarships:
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/service.phtml
Scholarships for average students:
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/average.phtml
Unusual scholarships:
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/unusual.phtml
Full tuition scholarships (So you’re an average joe. You can dream big!):
http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/academicscholarships.phtml

The Planning Stage

Most families pay for college using a combination of savings, current earnings and financial aid. How do you reduce financial worries and save money?
Start saving early!

• Saving early and regularly gives compound interest time to accumulate to your benefit.
• By starting early, you can save smaller amounts over a longer period of time.
• Early planning allows you to save for both education and retirement.
• Early investing helps students complete college with less debt.
• Having a larger college fund gives students a broader range of college choices.

When searching for scholarships, contact:
• Clubs
• Businesses
• Churches
• Social organizations

Usually, the above types of scholarships are not widely publicized. This means they have fewer applicants, which equals higher odds of winning for you! Don’t forget to ask your local high school counselor, librarian and college financial aid office for direction. Remember – helping students locate financial aid is part of their job, and they help people like you every day. They can be your best source of help!

Related Quick Facts

• Sixty-three percent of all undergraduates enrolled in 2003–04 received some type of financial aid.
• Undergraduates were more likely to receive grants than student loans in 2003–04, but the average grant amount was less than the average student loan amount.
• About one-half (51 percent) of undergraduates received grants and about one-third (35 percent) took out student loans.
• The average amount of grants received was $4,000, and the average amount borrowed by undergraduates in 2003–04 was $5,800.
• Undergraduates enrolled in 2003–04 were more likely to receive federal grants than grants from any other source.
• An alternative source for grants can come from employers, parents’ employers or private foundations.

Finding Scholarships and Grants

• Your prospective school may award scholarships based on academic performance, but this doesn’t have to be the only measurement of worth.
• Ethnic heritage organizations often provide scholarships to exceptional students sharing their ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
• Employers will many times offer scholarships to their employees or to children or spouses of employees.
• Churches, synagogues, temples and religious denominations offer scholarships for students who are a part of their congregations or are planning a career in the clergy.
• Trade and research organizations sponsor scholarships to attract students to a field of study facing a worker shortage or to encourage returning, international or minority students to work toward a specific degree.

If you’re taking a look at this article because you just chose a new educational program at a nearby technical college, congratulations. You took the first step in making yourself more marketable and successful. There are a few more things you have to consider now to keep you headed in the right direction.

What should I consider when choosing a program?

• Accreditation, ranking and reputation of the college program
Accreditation can help with more than just the quality of the education you’ll be receiving. If your school is fully accredited, this will help because it also means your school participates in the Title IV student aid program. If you want to find out more about your school’s accreditation, you can find this at the web sites for the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report or Kiplinger.

• Financing
What kind of financial aid is available? Does your school offer any specific scholarships targeted toward adult students? Even if your school isn’t fully accredited for federal aid programs, your particular school might have other options that will ease the burden as you concentrate on your studies. Schedule an appointment to speak with your school’s financial aid office to find out the details. Are the college’s tuition and expenses affordable? It may sound complicated, but it is very important.

• Transfer Credits
Does your college accept all transfer credits?
How many and what kind?
Does it provide options for receiving college credit by examination or prior learning?

Transfer credits are especially important if you are interested in graduate school or an advanced degree. Speak with your admissions counselor immediately to make sure the program is fully transferable and meets all requirements. This can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

• Scheduling
Make certain that all your courses are presented at acceptable times for your schedule. Working adults, especially adults with family obligations, should seek out available night and weekend courses. The most convenient option for busy adults is the online degree program. These programs can be done in your home (or wherever you have an Internet connection), and many allow you to finish on your schedule. Is an online program for you? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you sign up for one.

• Staff
Does your chosen school require your instructors to be available for questions or extra help for a specific amount of time each week? Your admissions office should be able to tell you when your professors are available after class hours. Use your admissions office as a frequent source of information.

• Childcare
The college offers a community and support for adult students, but do they offer other convenient services such as childcare? Many technical and community colleges these days recognize the needs of the large returning-student population and will cater to their needs to keep them in class.

If you’re taking a look at this article because you just chose a new educational program at a nearby technical college, congratulations. You took the first step in making yourself more marketable and successful. There are a few more things you have to consider now to keep you headed in the right direction.

What should I consider when choosing a program?

• Accreditation, ranking and reputation of the college program
Accreditation can help with more than just the quality of the education you’ll be receiving. If your school is fully accredited, this will help because it also means your school participates in the Title IV student aid program. If you want to find out more about your school’s accreditation, you can find this at the web sites for the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report or Kiplinger.

• Financing
What kind of financial aid is available? Does your school offer any specific scholarships targeted toward adult students? Even if your school isn’t fully accredited for federal aid programs, your particular school might have other options that will ease the burden as you concentrate on your studies. Schedule an appointment to speak with your school’s financial aid office to find out the details. Are the college’s tuition and expenses affordable? It may sound complicated, but it is very important.

• Transfer Credits
Does your college accept all transfer credits?
How many and what kind?
Does it provide options for receiving college credit by examination or prior learning?

Transfer credits are especially important if you are interested in graduate school or an advanced degree. Speak with your admissions counselor immediately to make sure the program is fully transferable and meets all requirements. This can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

• Scheduling
Make certain that all your courses are presented at acceptable times for your schedule. Working adults, especially adults with family obligations, should seek out available night and weekend courses. The most convenient option for busy adults is the online degree program. These programs can be done in your home (or wherever you have an Internet connection), and many allow you to finish on your schedule. Is an online program for you? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you sign up for one.

• Staff
Does your chosen school require your instructors to be available for questions or extra help for a specific amount of time each week? Your admissions office should be able to tell you when your professors are available after class hours. Use your admissions office as a frequent source of information.

• Childcare
The college offers a community and support for adult students, but do they offer other convenient services such as childcare? Many technical and community colleges these days recognize the needs of the large returning-student population and will cater to their needs to keep them in class.

If you have a busy or unpredictable schedule or limited transportation options or you simply don’t live near a school that offers a program you’re interested in, an online education can be a great solution! But before you take that step, make sure you do your research and consider the following questions:

Is the program you’re interested in available online?

Some schools offer a mixture of online and face-to-face classes. Some schools even offer the bulk of classes online, but might require one or two weeks in person or want you to take tests at an official testing center. Make sure the program you’re interested in fits your schedule!

Do you have all of the equipment you’ll need?

When taking an online class, it’s important to make sure that your computer and Internet access meet the minimum requirements! Find out if you’ll need to run any special programs or software, and if they suggest a broadband connection to the Internet or if dial-up is sufficient. If you’re planning on doing your coursework from a library or other public space, make sure that you’ll have both sufficient access and the time that you’ll need and that you allow enough time.

Do you have a clear idea of how classes and discussions will be conducted?

Every online program has its own methods of dealing with the issue of how to present material in a non-traditional setting. Whether it’s through streaming video, downloadable lectures, written material or real-time chats, each method has its own strengths and works well for different people. Find out how material is presented and in what ways you’ll be expected to interact with your classmates – and use that information to find a program that’s most comfortable for you and your learning style.

Achieving an education online is not only possible – it’s probably easier than you think! The important thing is to make sure that the education and program you choose is one that’s right for you!

In years past, high school graduates had to choose from one of two paths: either enter the world of higher education by going to college, or put education aside and enter the workforce. Now a third option is emerging: entering the workforce only to attend college years later as a non-traditional student.

The percentage of non-traditional students is rising across the nation, as more and more adults decide to continue their education. Non-traditional students nearly equal traditional students among U.S. undergraduates today according to the National Center of Education Statistics.

The reasons these adults become non-traditional students vary. Some are laid off from their jobs and must acquire new skills to enter a new career. Some are retired or divorced and seeking to start a new chapter in their lives. Some simply do it for themselves, seeking to enrich their lives in new and rewarding ways.

For some adults, going back to school can be a scary time. They can be afraid of entering classrooms with much younger classmates who are just out of high school. They can have self-doubts as to whether or not they can accomplish their goal of getting a degree. They can be nervous about term papers, pop quizzes, tests and final exams. They can worry about where this new adventure is going to take them.

For these reasons, here is a list of the top five tips for adults as non-traditional students:

5. People are inherently good. Your classmates, even if they are younger, will likely be willing to help you study and will explain concepts you don’t understand. Teachers may be authority figures in the classroom, but most are happy to take their own time to help students with the subjects they are studying.

4. Develop a college support network. Make sure your friends and family understand why you are returning to college and why you feel this is something that will be a healthy new adventure for you. They will form a great support group around you, and you may need to lean on a shoulder every now and again.

3. Financial aid is out there. School is expensive - there’s no way around that. No one is trying to tell you it isn’t. But with a little investigation (including phone calls to your university), you will likely find there are scholarships available for non-traditional students. Don’t think twice about calling the financial aid office; it’s what they are there for.

2. Time management is key. Non-traditional students typically have spouses, children and jobs to worry about in addition to their school work. Make yourself a schedule and follow it religiously. Make sure you have back-up plans in place in case you need to juggle multiple activities (homework and picking the kids up for soccer practice, for example).

1. Be yourself and have fun. Teachers don’t want to educate drones. Speak up in class. Share your valuable life experience with younger students. Challenge ideas that you may question. Remember, you are paying for your education. You will only get out of it what you put in.