As you are researching colleges, you will hear comments about how one campus is “very liberal” or another is “conservative”, or another is “middle of the road”.  These are references to the political leanings of a college campus.  Is it red (conservative), blue (liberal), or somewhere in between?  How do you know? 

Here are some tips for exploring the political atmosphere on a college campus: 

1. Check out the list of college clubs.  What kinds of clubs are available? 
2. Look at the campus newspaper or campus news sites online?  What are the issues?  Are the issues balanced, or slanted more toward a liberal or conservative viewpoint? 
3. Review the mission statement.  Does the college have core beliefs that favor one political perspective over another?  
4. Check the school’s social media.  What is the Twitter and Facebook chatter covering? 
5. ...

Are you worried about your upcoming finals or AP tests?  Reduce stress and ace your tests by using these study tips from a graduate student. 

1. Find a study space that suits you.
   For students who need a bit of chaos while they work, coffee houses usually have the perfect amount of chatter and noise while also having private study nooks.  For students who want freedom from distraction, a room with the door closed and a white noise playing (like simplynoise.com) are ideal.  Study rooms in your school or public library also make great quiet spaces.  Be sure your surroundings are comfortable with you before settling in for studying.

    

2. Enjoy your favorite snacks or drinks while you study.
   Cheese and crackers, granola bars, vegetables with dip, or peanut M&M’s are a great treat to keep you awake and focused through long study sessions.  Coffee, tea, or soda may sound like a good idea but...

Hoping to get a great recommendation letter for college admission or a scholarship or even a summer program?  It’s hard to write a recommendation for someone you don’t know.  You need to have strong relationships with your teachers and counselor.  Here are 3 tips for building good relationships. 

1. Face Time!  No – not that kind of FaceTime.  This face time is the time you spend in face-to-face contact with your teacher/counselor.  Make sure your counselor or teachers know you personally by being present and on time for class, appointments, or school activities.  Drop by the teacher’s room or your counselor’s office during lunch, breaks or after school.  Get to know your teachers/counselor and give them opportunities to get to know you. 
2. Speak up!  Make your voice heard by asking questions in class.  Share thoughts...

How do you know if you need to take College Board SAT Subject tests?  Some colleges require or strongly recommend that you submit subject test scores (often two tests in subjects related to the major you are interested in – i.e. Math and Science for Engineering majors).  Review the requirements of the colleges you are interested in.

You can take a Subject test at any time in your high school career but it makes sense to take SAT Subject tests right after you finish that course in school. Plan your tests based on your high school schedule. You can choose up to 3 subject tests to take on one day. Check the College Board website to learn more about what content each test covers.

Language Tests

Note there are more language tests offered in June.  Make your choices of test dates based on availability of tests. The May and June language tests do not include the “listening” component (this option is only available in November).

Take Action

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Do you dream of spending less time studying and still getting great grades? Turn your phone or device into a study machine!  There are great resources available to turn all that time you spend on your phone into something productive.  You may find a favorite that you’ll continue to use in college!

Here are 10 apps you can use to be a better student! 

1. Evernote: place to keep and record notes (desktop, online and mobile app) 
2. ScannerPro: an add-on to Evernote, this allows you to “scan” documents with your phone and upload them to Evernote or the cloud.  (mobile app) 
3. Trello: create and track projects (online and mobile app) 
4. Khan Academy: lots of subjects covered in a way you can relate to (online) 
5. GoConqr: create mind maps for projects, make flash cards, create your own quizzes (online and mobile app) 
6. Wunderlist: organize and share your to-do, work, grocery, movies and household lists...

Getting a rejection letter from a college can be a painful blow.  Especially this year with a college admissions scandal in every major newspaper, it may seem that the process is rigged or unfair to the core.  You may wonder, “Why was I not accepted? What else could I have done?”  

The answer – nothing.  College admission is competitive, and some rejections are part of the process.  Although the recent exposure of an admissions scandal has shocked the country, at its heart the college admissions process is made up of individuals who care deeply about students and the universities they represent.  You put your best foot forward with your application, and admission officers have done their best job to choose a class that fills the needs of the college.  Unfortunately, not everyone who applies will be accepted, but that doesn’t mean that your application wasn’t given a thorough...

Have you considered studying abroad?  What if you could study abroad for your entire college experience rather than just one semester?  Studying in the United Kingdom could be a great way for you to experience another culture for college without worrying about a language barrier.  

The UK has some of the most prestigious universities in the world – Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College of London all rank among the top 10 – along with over 160 colleges and universities across the country.  Just like in the U.S., you can find a university that fits your style. 

There are several advantages to studying in the United Kingdom: 

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in 3 years.  You can finish your bachelor’s degree in 3 years (in England, Ireland, and Wales – still 4yrs in Scotland) which means moving on to graduate school or a career sooner than at an American university.  And a 3-year degree means less...

Watch and learn from Seth Kodikara all about the Park Scholarship from a Park Scholarship Finalist.

• The Park ScharlshScholarshiption Process
• Insight on the Interviews
• Advice for underclassman on their extracurricular activities to improve their resume
• And much more.

The College Visit 

Depending on your time and interest level, plan one of the following types of college visits: 

Basic Visit 

1. Attend an information session.  Ask questions about admissions, financial aid, choice of majors.  IMPORTANT: Get a business card from an admissions person. 
2. Do a college and dorm tour.  What does the campus look like?  Where do freshman live? What are the housing options? 
3. Eat a meal on campus.  Go to the dining hall or coffee shop and eat.  Introduce yourself to some students and ask questions.  You will be surprised at how much they want to share about the college. 

Extended Visit 

In addition to the basic visit schedule – an information session, a campus tour, and a meal on campus – ask if you can add the following appointments at the schools that you are most interested in:  

1. Meet individually with an admissions...

Using your spring break to visit colleges is a great idea, but be aware of spring break schedules for the colleges you wish to visit. It’s best to see a college when students are on campus. Here are a few tips to prepare for your spring college visits.  

• Create a College Visit Itinerary. Using a map, look at college locations and decide on an itinerary that fits within your given time.  Don’t worry if you can’t see all of the colleges on your list. Focus on some of your top choices and then plan other school visits that are within the same geographic area. 
• Register for college visits online. Once you have a list of colleges to visit, register for campus tours online with the admissions office.  Resist the urge to plan “drive through” visits. An official campus tour takes more time but gives you a better feel for the...