Research Opportunities
Ralph Becker
The Importance of High School Research

Many applicants to the most selective university programs share high grades, high test scores, solid recommendations and generous doses of community service and volunteer activities. Yet, if they want to set themselves apart from the pool of exceptional students, a significant research experience in STEM or the social sciences helps.

The Importance of High School Research

Georgetown

Alumni Interviews

Alumni Interviews

This year the alumni interviews at a number of schools were a touch more stressful than usual.

Usually an alumni interview is a relatively relaxed exchange done to gain a sense of how applicants present themselves, engage in conversation, and express their curiosities across a range of subjects. If it weren’t for the fact that it’s an element, a small one, of the college admissions process, these interviews could be one of the more enjoyable and interesting conversations a student might have about a college of interest. It often rewards an applicant with a unique perspective of the school.

Major Confusion

Major Confusion

The path to success rarely depends on selecting the right major.

Nor is a job assured by studying a given discipline. Nonetheless, when discussion of majors arises ‘be practical’ and study something ‘relevant to the workplace’ are constant refrains. Yet, what is ‘practical’ and ‘relevant’ in the workplace?  The practical and relevant today might become dross in just a matter of years.

Majors and Salaries: the Economic Value of a Major

Majors and Salaries: the Economic Value of a Major

A new study about the earning power of recent undergraduates was just published by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce: “What’s it Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors”. The study can be found complete at: http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf.  

A Question of Financial Aid

A Question of Financial Aid

As your acceptances begin to pour in, it’s critical to review each school’s financial aid package. The best way of evaluating the offers is by placing them on a spreadsheet, or a big piece of paper, and writing down the following information for each of your schools:

Line 1: The Total Cost of Attending (tuition + room & board + books + any fees + any projected travel) [COA]

Line 2: Your Effective Family Contribution (calculated by the FAFSA form) [EFC]

Line 3: Your Need (calculated by: Line 1 – Line 2)

Line 4: The detailed financial package you’ve been offered.

The above is the fundamental financial aid formula. If you hate formulas, please read on anyway; the information might prove useful.

Unfolding the Common Application

Unfolding the Common Application

The college admissions process creates untold stress. Just the effort to get organized is tough. There are numerous details and losing track of any one of them might lead to a sleepless night: teacher recommendations, counselor recommendation, transcripts, test scores, mid-year reports, secondary school reports, art portfolios and, athletic information. This is a lot to keep track of.

Catholic Colleges Considered

Catholic Colleges Considered

When exploring potential colleges, many students start with their state schools or the more prestigious independent colleges, such as Duke, Haverford, Stanford, or the Ivies. Some students, however, are attracted to the Catholic universities and colleges. With over a 180 scattered across the United States, there are a number to choose among