Student-Education-Loan Blog

Some of the advice I found out as I was navigating through the college admissions process with middle-tier test scores and an average but unspectacular GPA.

Some of the advice I didn’t discover out until many years later - when working as an admissions representative for more than 2 years at a Top 20 university.

This advice falls into the second group - I simply discovered it way too late for it to be helpful during the application process. I ended up being lucky - but I see examples all the time of:

1) Distinctive students who have bad high school counselors that offer poorly informed and sometimes outright wrong advice about Ivy League colleges

2) Superior students who haven’t built a thorough relationship with their class counselor (after all, you hardly see them right?) and as a result, those same counselors write mediocre recommendation letters and boring evaluations in the secondary school report, the midyear report, and so forth

That last point is incredibly hurtful. Because you can fix number 1 by finding out the truth on your own. But it’s almost impossible to fix number 2 until its really too late.

That said, here are some suggestions on how you can manage that relationship and steer away from mistake #2:

1) Schedule meetings with your guidance counselor on a periodic basis from 9th grade . In some schools, counselors follow their classes from year-to-year. At most schools, you’ll have a different guidance counselor each year. Whatever the system - make sure you meet with them at least 3 times a year (once in the middle of a semester, once at the end) to chat about things like:

-Scheduled course schedule

-Extracurricular commitments

-College admissions plans

The last point is the most important. The earlier you can get on the guidance counselor’s radar that you’re applying to schools like Harvard and Stanford and really CARE about the process, the more they’ll respect your goals and assist you

2) Schedule a parent-counselor conference. Just like my earlier post about parent-teacher conferences, parent-counselor conferences when done well are a really effective way for parents to discuss pertinent issues, advocate for their child’s interests, and make the guidance counselor know that he/she can’t slack off. Because counselors can be lazy, just like everyone else. Polite but demonstrated parental oversight can be a very effective accountability tool

3) Schedule application run-throughs with them starting at the end of junior year and at the start of senior year. Two goals: one, get on their radar early regarding the admissions process and two, give them thorough insight into your academic and extracurricular successes. Many counselors simply don’t know what’s going on at the high school - what clubs you’re in, what sports teams you start on, what you did during the summer. Arranging these 15-30 minute review sessions provides you that opportunity

4) Give them materials in the same way you would for teacher recommendations - a polished resume, and a letter explaining your dream schools, your story, and your proudest achievements

Of these four steps, Step #3 is probably the most critical. Do this at least two times before they need to submit the Common App secondary school report. Do it once more before they send in the midyear update.

If you’re too shy to do so, don’t forget: this is your life goal thus far. Go out there and achieve your dreams!.

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Take care of your school GPA from 9th grade/freshman year

Some students like to slack-off after middle school - it’s a new environment, you may not know where the water fountains are, you’re still getting use to the teachers. But a poor 9th grade GPA can kill your chances to get into Ivy League schools.

You may think that a few C’s can be made up later by strong AP and Honors grades, but Harvard pays attention to your FULL TRANSCRIPT. A few C’s and 70’s in easy courses like World Geography will make Ivy League schools think that you can’t handle basic academic material. Your high school GPA matters - all four years.

Get ready for and take the SAT as soon as you can

In an earlier article on how to conquer the SAT for Ivy League admissions, I explain the “minimum” score necessary for top schools.

My overall advice is that you should shoot for a perfect score but be happy with a “good score” (anything above 2100). Don’t take the test too many times - anything more than 2 or 3 without huge 100+ strides each time just makes you look desperate and incapable.

You should start taking it early - take the Duke TIP in middle school, take the PSAT in sophomore year at least once before the real PSAT. Don’t worry, it won’t go on your permanent record and Stanford won’t be mad that you got a 1800 as a freshman high school student.

It’s a great opportunity for practice that is without risk. Why would you not do that?

Get involved in clubs from day one

Notice my advice here - an early start is necessary for Ivy League admissions. By joining different clubs early in high school, you show Stanford that you are committed to specific interests/passions.

Ideally, you’d stay involved in those same clubs over at least a few years. However, if you find that the French Club is really not where you’d prefer spending Tuesday afternoon, that’s ok too - just make sure you’re not using the time watch reruns of the Simpsons.

Diversify a little bit

I usually say it’s more about unique stories than it is about being good at everything. After all, Princeton and Stanford admissions want diverse and well-rounded student bodies but don’t need everyone to be an early Renaissance man.

Build a core passion

By having a clear theme - for instance, a passion for inner city issues or a love of music (as expressed through your participation in the String Orchestra and involvement in music-related charities and the like) is a great way to build a CLEAR IDENTITY that, if strong enough, is your best shot at getting into the Ivy Leagues.

Visit campus

By visiting schools, you show a clear and demonstrated interest. Plus, you’ll meet people on that visit that will help you determine if you’re a better fit for Princeton or Yale, Dartmouth or Brown.

Prepare for college interviews

DON’T FORGET to start doing this early. If you have a strong shot, this isn’t something that you wait until the last second to study for.

The best way to get ready for alumni interviews is to practice interviews with family and older people - not your twin brother. Have them ask questions about your accomplishments, your life story, your reasons for wanting to go to Yale.

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Student Loans and Student Loan Consolidation - How to Borrow Less.
By Koz Huseyin

Getting a student loan is not an easy task. Soon you find yourself in a position where you have debt. As you get more federal student loans, you may even have to go for student loan consolidation to reduce the burden. Is there any other way, where you can borrow less? In this article, you will discover some tips that can do just that.

You don’t have to get into debt, just to have a good education. Though it will be hard to have no student loans through college, you still can do it in a way, where it doesn’t have to be so large or cause so much of a burden in the future.

To begin, it is important to anticipate the student loans that you need. How much do you need to borrow? The point of this exercise is not to tell you how much you are allowed to borrow, but how much you need to get through your education. Don’t worry; you don’t have to show this to anyone else!

A great way to reduce the need to get student loans or consolidate student loans is by first looking at ways to reduce the necessities. For example you may find a cheaper place to leave, rather than on campus.

More and more students are using credit cards today; everyone is. But, this is the first way to cause all the money problems. Credit cards come with such high rates of interest. So, that meal you just decided to put on the credit card could cost you double or even several times more, with all the interest added, till you pay.

A great way to circumvent this and not have to use up your student loan or student loan consolidation money is to use cash when you can, and when you can’t, wait till you can! It may seem mundane at first, but it will save potentially thousands in interest, every year.

Another way to save on having to take up as big student loan consolidation loan is by looking at your savings. Some people have savings, and some don’t. Sometimes we may not know we have savings held in a bank, possibly stocks and bonds, etc.

These can be a great way to not have to borrow so much in student loans. Another way is by getting a part time job through college. This can be a great way to live a student lifestyle to the full, without compromising your student loans.

The above point can not be stressed enough. And though many students go and get a part time job, it does not give them the full benefits they could have. For example, if you were studying medicine, a part time job at McDonald’s may give money, but be useless for the future. Whereas a part time job in a pharmacy could help you more, when you decide to get a job in that field, after graduating.

To find out more about the various student loans available and student loan consolidation loans visit: [http://www.onlinestudentloanconsolidation.info]student loan consolidation loans | [http://www.comparestudentloanconsolidationprograms.info]student loan.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Koz_Huseyin http://EzineArticles.com/?Student-Loans-and-Student-Loan-Consolidation—How-to-Borrow-Less&id=1341413

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Student Loans & Financial Aid.
By Melvin Le

Student loans easy? The hard part about how to get a student loan is “getting a good rate.” Some people spend years with student loan payments. I bet they never imagined
how long it would take to to repay their student loans.

Applying for a Student Loan

It is so easy to apply for a student loan these days. You can be approved for a student loan in a matter of 24 hrs or less. It is just like applying for a credit card and if your reading this article you probably already know how easy that was.

Also you probably have received some spam mail saying you qualify or you are already pre-approved for a student loan.

The catch is the rate. They don’t spend much time explaining the rate, they just want to lock you in and they hope that their clients will worry about the rate when it is time for repaying their loans.

Paying Student Loans

The amount of students struggling with payments on their student loans is at an all time high. Most likely because of this scenario you get out of college and get a good paying job. Now you want to move out of your parents house, and now you want a new car to further show your independence. Not a good move but a move that many college graduates are making within 1 -2 years of their graduation.

Now I’m not telling you to stay at home with your parents until your 30 but just think logically, think student loan debt relief. You want to pay back your student loans; not turn the payments into a mortgage.

Student Loan Payment Options

Some students have graduated and overlooked their options during
their grace period. This is very common because of the lack of information. You can deffer your payments temporarily- stop making payments.

You can default your student loans - stop paying your loans altogether or in some cases you can consolidate your student loan.

Student Loan debt relief or Mortgage

With the lenders financial security being so great they don’t mind extending your repayment time while reducing your payments. They know that they are going to get their money regardless. What you don’t realize is that you most likely will pay more money over time with these low monthly long term payments. With ridiculous loan repayment plans you will never achieve student education loan debt relief. Some loan repayment plans now allow you to extend your payments for 15-30 years. Sounds like a mortgage doesn’t it? Exactly stay away.

Student Loans - Recap

1. If you need a student loan apply for it and examine the terms closely

2. Make repaying your student loans a priority when you graduate and look into grace period options.

3. Shop around for the best repayment terms and don’t by any means turn your student loan into a mortgage.

4. Consider all of your Payment Options.

5. Achieve student loan debt relief before you buy that car of your dreams. You want to enjoy it don’t you? [http://www.how-to-get-a-student-loan.com]How to Get a Student Loan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melvin_Le http://EzineArticles.com/?Student-Loans-and–Financial-Aid&id=1107561

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College Student Loans - Financing Your Education.
By A Procos

A college student loan has given many people all over the United States a chance to further their education, even if they are not making a lot of money. Education student loans can be a big help in paying for college. You’ll find most of these federal student loans offer a low interest rate and a generous repayment terms. Of course, all direct student loans, federal student loans and private student loans must still be repaid, usually with interest, although some educational student loans have provisions for cancellation if the borrower performs a program-related service.

If you are looking for a loan, be aware that there are many different types of loans. Try to find the student loan that suits your needs best. For example, there is a government student loan called the Federal Stafford Loan, This loan is the most widely used student loan in the student education loan program. Federal guidelines limit the maximum interest rate to no more than 8.25% and outline repayment terms of up to 10 years. Also remember that if you ever need help or are falling behind on payments, consider a consolidate student loan.

Tips on getting a deferment for your College Student Loan.

If for some reason you are unable to meet your monthly payments, consider a college student loan deferment. A deferment is a suspension of payments for special reasons. Usually, those who borrowed their first Stafford Loans after July 1, 1993, are eligible to defer payments if they are enrolled in at least half-time at an eligible school, unemployed, in a graduate fellowship program, in a rehabilitation training program for people with disabilities, or suffering economic hardship.

A college education is expensive, but with the right student loan you will be attending class without financial worry in no time at all! A deferment is basically a privilege if you are planning to continue your academic studies, make sure you contact and get all your correspondence to the student loan company informing them of your deferment plans. If you defer, the federal government will maintain the interest payments on your subsidized Stafford student loan. Please note though that the interest on your student loans will continue to accrue during your studies, this being capitalized when you graduate. If you have an unsubsidized student loan and your budget allows it make regular payments on your unsubsidized loans during your studies, this will help you in the long term.

A Procos specializes in the student loan industry, i.e. government student loans, private student loans, Canadian student loans, bad credit student loans. For more information regarding Student Loans visit http://www.studentloanssites.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Procos [http://ezinearticles.com/?College-Student-Loans---Financing-Your-Education!&id=426572 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?College-Student-Loans—Financing-Your-Education!&id=426572

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