College Questions

What is the likelihood of an athlete making the sports team as a walk-on?

In regards to an athlete desiring to apply to a top Division I or II team, the chances of filling an open spot is very slim especially if the coaches haven’t reached out. Despite being enrolled in the college, the aspired athlete must have the skill, attributes, and what they’ll  bring to the team. Communicating with the coaches early-on is key as they’ll be more inclined to ask you to try-out for the team.

How do meal plans work in college? Do I have to qualify for something to receive a reduced or free meal?

At GWU (George Washington University), the student acquires Dining Cash which is dependent on the student’s class year and a couple other things. Dining cash crash decreases with each year the student attends the school: “First-Year Dining Plan: $4,100 Dining Cash ($2,050 per semester)

• Second-Year Dining Plan: $2,700 Dining Cash ($1,350 per semester)
• Third-Year Dining Plan: $2,200 Dining Cash ($1,100 per semester)
• Fourth-Year Dining Plan: $1,200 Dining Cash ($600 per semester)”

So it depends on the school whether there are any special qualifications for meal plans or not. It should definitely be looked into especially if you plan to eat from your college cafeteria.

Questions about college

What if my college or university doesn’t offer a study abroad program?

No worries! Just because your college or university does not offer any study abroad program does not mean you cannot do it. You can always talk to a neighboring college or university to arrange to be a part of their program to still receive credit from your institution as well. In fact, every student should do this in order to shop around for the best study abroad program relevant to their academic needs and desires.

How Long Does it Take to Earn an RN to BSN? 

With the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) coming to be considered the standard in the nursing profession, many nurses want to learn more about RN to BSN programs. These accelerated programs offer already practicing RNs the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work. One advantage of these programs is that they typically do not take as long to complete as a traditional BSN degree.

Q: What are some benefits from studying abroad? 

A: It expands your horizons. You will be able to experience new cultures, new types of studies, and possibly find new interest. Studying abroad will benefit the most because it will impress any future employers as they will see you have obtained many knew skills from different areas of the world.

Need Help + Food Options

What resources exist for college students who are struggling with their classes?

College is expensive and there are bound to be classes that are difficult for me, but I want to be able to pass the class and not waste money and time.  As a college student, you need to take the initiative to approach your professors, establish study groups, or find a tutor if you need help.  Some colleges make this easier than others.  Grand Canyon University, where I plan to attend next school year offers what is essentially a free tutoring program that is easily accessible.  The professors at GCU also have extended office hours so as to help their students.

I'm a picky eater; cafeteria food isn't something I'm comfortable with.  Do colleges have other options?

Well it depends on the college, and Grand Canyon does have a minimum required meal plan for freshmen.  But, GCU doesn't have a cafeteria per say.  There are restaurants on campus and our "meal plan" is basically a Visa you can use at the restaurants on campus.  So there are plenty of great options!

As a senior getting ready for college, I have many questions about my future. For example:
1.  What are the RN programs that your school provides? (LBCC)
- Associate degree (RN) program
2. Who should I contact to find out information about your women's track program? (LBCC)
- The head of the LBCC Women's Track program, Karen Vigilant.

What is the difference between a college and a university?

The difference between colleges and universities is that colleges grant bachelor degrees in one specific area of study. On the other hand, universities grant undergraduate studies, and they encompass graduate and professional schooling.

What is the difference between a Major degree and a Minor degree?

A Major degree is where you mainly focus your studies and concentration on one specific area of study, on the other hand, a Minor degree is considered as your second choice for specializing in a particular area of study. In addition, Minor degrees take fewer credits to fulfill.

How can you decide which college is the best for you?

Everyone has personal preferences. Some people want to attend college somewhere far away from home to experience a different surrounding. Or they might choose a college known for the good programs of a desired major. Students should consider different major offers, the area, student life, housing, and tuition. 

Why choose community college over a traditional four year university?

Some students go to community college to get an associate's degree to take general education classes for an affordable price. It's also easier to transfer to university from community. Others aren't even sure what they want to major in yet. Some community colleges also offer four year programs for a certain major. Attending community college is good for students to learn at their own pace. 

Are sports and other extracurricular activities important in College?

High School students understand that sports, volunteering, and other extracurricular activities are very important to make it into college.  A lot people tend to sway away from sports to focus on their classes once they are in college.  Many students see all of these activities as a distraction to their learning.  Most students on financial aid have to meet a certain GPA requirement so many of them tend to just worry about school.  However, if you ever do find yourself too stressed out from college, a sport can take some stress away and add some additional memories than just studying to your college experience.

Can I bring my pet with me on campus?

It is definitely rare for people to bring their pets to live with them on campus but now it's possible.  More and more campuses are welcoming pets to live with students and pets can really help you feel less home sick.  Before you bring your pet to the college you are applying to I recommend you take a look at your school's policy on pets.

How do I decide which major to go for?
I love computers and I want to learn more how program and build them. I have been in computer classes for the past 3 years and I still can't decide between the two and which one would be best for me. I want to make a career out of programming and make custom computers for myself and others. Any advice would be nice.

Military after highschool

2) Is it a good idea to go into the military after high school? 
             - It depends on the person. not everyone is made for the military, just like not everyone is destined to go to college. One upside to joining the military after high school is the financial weight it will lift afterwards. If you plan on going to college after the military, you can go virtually debt free. The military also helps prepare you for life challenges you wouldn't learn otherwise, and travel the world while doing something you like

Financial Aid for Overseas

1) If we apply for financial help in the U.S but end up going to school in another country, can we still use that money?
             -Whether you plan to study abroad for a semester or get your entire degree outside the United States, you may be able to use financial aid to pay your expenses. The type of aid you can get—and the process you must follow—will depend on the type of program (study-abroad or full degree) you plan to enter. Your status as an undergraduate or graduate student also affects the type of aid for which you’re eligible, just as it does at schools in the U.S.  

Blog Post Assignment

1. Can anyone receive financial aids for colleges? 

In order to receive financial aids, you must be a United States citizen, have a valid Social Security Number, have a high school diploma, and be enrolled in an eligible program. Also, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress, not owe a refund on a federal student grant, register with the Selective Service, and do not have a conviction for the possession of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid.

2. How long do I have to pay off my student loan? 

For most student loans, you have a six month grace period, meaning that you won't have to start making payments until six months after you graduate. Furthermore, the grace period is meant to give you a chance to find a job and begin earning an income before you’re swamped with bills. There are varieties of tips to help you to prepare for student loan payment. Like such, create a budget built around your student loans, prioritize paying off student loans, communicate with your loan servicer, set up automatic payments to avoid late fees and be able to know the exact date when you expect to pay off the loan give yourself a target ahead of that to shoot for it. 

What is the difference between Christian colleges and Non-Christian colleges?
There are many factors that need to be considered when choosing a Christian college or a Non-Christian college. The social atmosphere is one of the factors. Some colleges require the students to sign a contract restraining them to drink, go to parties, and such things like that. The professors are also more friendly. They keep their emails open and give out their phone numbers for any questions. You aren't just a number to them, you're a person and they care about you. Usually private Christian colleges are a lot more expensive than regular colleges but, many colleges of course offer financial aid, scholarships, and many more ways to get money for the college you want to attend.
What is the life of a student athlete in college?
In high school, the life of a student athlete is easy compared to the life of a student athlete in college. Not everyone you ply with in high school is getting a scholarship to a college to play that specific sport. Only a few select athletes are chosen to continue their journey. Usually your summer break isn't three months, it's 10 days. You have "optional workouts" which means that you usually have to stay on campus in the summer working hard preparing for the upcoming season. Waking up for weight room with your team at five A.M. then going straight back to your dorm to shower and then go off to all your classes for the day. Then ending your day with a two hours practice only to come back to your dorm with all your homework to do. Keep in mind it's like this every day and some weekends your traveling to play games. But, if you really love the sport you're going to play then you will enjoy college and the experience. It may be difficult at times but if it were easy then everyone would do it!

Goals in College/ Life in College

In college, is it worth trying to get the best grade?

Throughout high school, the idea is usually to get A's. However, the purpose behind this is so that it can look good on your transcript so it can help your college application. But once in college, is the goal really to get A's? Is the goal to just pass the courses to get a degree? Does it really matter in college whether you got a degree with a 4.0 or a degree with a 3.0?

Will college really be "the best time of your life"?

People often express how fun college was for them. There is also a lot of work given in college, so is college fun enough for people to still love it despite all the work? Is college only fun because the parties? Because I don't view myself as much of a party person so I'm not sure if I will have all the fun college is praised for.

Blog Post #1

As college comes closer, I am constantly asking myself questions about it, such as:
1. Do my SAT and ACT  scores really matter in the process of getting into college?
    - It really just depends on the school you want to attend. Checking to see how selective the school you are interested in is the first step. Some schools that accept around 10-20 percent of applicants are more likely to look at everything closely. The average college accepts 63.8 percent of their applicants. Open acceptance schools will accept almost everyone. Many open acceptance schools are community colleges but some are "four-year" schools. Colleges and universities look more for well-rounded students. Those who are in extracurricular activities. Many colleges tend to look at your grades and course load more than they look at your test scores. This is because they realize that some students are really smart but are just bad test takers. As long as you aren’t applying to a super selective school, you should be more worried about things that show how much effort you put into your work, such as grades and the difficulty of your classes.

2. How do I find scholarships?

    - If you’ve already selected the college you’ll be attending, their financial aid office is an excellent place to start researching scholarship awards that may be available. Most colleges have specific funds that are bench marked for students in various programs, of certain ethnicity, or other criteria. If you’re not sure where you’ll be going yet and are still in high school, check in with your guidance counselor. One good place to start is USA Today’s list of the top sites to search for scholarship awards, accessible online. Your community may have scholarship funds earmarked for exceptional students from local schools. Look into any possibilities offered by community groups, the PTA, and religious organizations. In addition, parents should find out whether their employer offers scholarship opportunities and whether their child qualifies. If you’ve already chosen a major, look into opportunities offered by professional organizations in that field. If you’ve already chosen a major, look into opportunities offered by professional organizations in that field.

What Am I Called To Do?

How do I know what I want to major in?

To really know what you want to do in college, you have to ask yourself many questions.  The main question you should be asking yourself is, "What am I truly passionate about?"  Making a decision about college is scary in it of itself but its main purpose is for growth. How will you make a life you're proud of post-graduation?  It's difficult coming to terms with something that will affect the course of your journey but that is what life is all about.  We often have to take risks to find out what we really enjoy.  Broadening your horizons is the foundation of a college education.  Creating better work habits, learning more, and experience is all a college education should be about and more. So when deciding what you want to major in, what do you enjoy? Have you set goals for yourself? Will you follow in someone's direction or will you make your own path? Bottom line, everybody is different. Major in a subject that you will enjoy doing; if we do everything in our life without passion or drive, then why do it at all.  All in all, consider your options, lay them out in front of you, and decide on something that will make you a better learner and innovative thinker. The sky is the limit. The amount of majors that are offered at particular colleges is often limited.  Finding your major is one thing, searching for colleges that specialize in that concentration, is often times difficult.

Can I change my major down the road if I lose interest? Will I be able to account for the loss of time?

What's great about college is that it provides students with opportunities to branch out and learn new things! If we stay in the same lane riding out life, will we ever see the sights we didn't know we needed to see? Things change and plans alter but life continues to go on. Making the decision to change your major down the road should never be looked down upon but encouraged. When you take specific courses in the efforts to receive a degree in the end run and don't enjoy what you're doing, change it. However, if the time comes where you feel that there needs to be a change in your direction, do it early. You don't want too much of your time wasted! "Time is money," spend it wisely. Also, when entering college, you don't have to have it all figured it out right when you walk through the campus gate. The purpose of your enrollment is to learn more about yourself as a person. What do you like and dislike? How do you want to impact the world once you graduate? It's important to ask yourself a series of questions. All in all, yes, you will be able to make up for the lost time, but the experience will make or break you. Keep it positive, make your experience a notable one.

       What are the advantages of going to a private college?

The advantages of going to a private college is getting personal attention, more opportunities, and life long benefits. It can be possible that some students can pay less than they would play elsewhere because private universities tend to pass on their savings to their students.

       Why do students like to choose a University instead of a Community college?

A lot of people think that community colleges are a waste of time, but they really aren't. The classes that you will take your first 2 years at a community college are the same classes you will take at a university. Depending on your GPA and the amount of money you would like to pay the cheaper way is a community college.

College Curiosity

Do you have to major in religion if you go to a Christian college?

Christian universities in no way require students to major in religion. Attendees can choose to major in a secular subject or a religious major such as Biblical Studies. Regardless of the degree or program, class content and curriculum will be reinforced through positive values and core Christian beliefs.


What are some advantages for going to an out of state university?

Plenty of universities and colleges offer scholarships and lower tuition for out of state students. Attending an out of state also means being farther away from home, so this allows for a lot ore growth and independence.

Studying Abroad

How much should you save up if you plan to study abroad?

Depending on the country, you will generally want to have $200 a week for personal needs like food and school materials. It would also be a good idea to have some emergency money saved up in the currency of the country you are studying in. The cost of housing and schooling depends on the program you are enrolling in.
  

What should you take with you if you study abroad? 

 It is a smart idea to pack at last 10 days worth of clothes with about two pairs of shoes. It is also necessary to bring all important documents such as a passport or visa. While you do want to make sure you have everything, it is important that you do not over pack. There is only so much you can bring on a plane.

 

 

[KC]: Peter Elbow Reflection Instructions

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