SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
This excerpt discusses how colleges are now using social networking sites, such as "Facebook", to try and recruit students by posting pages about their university. However, many of these same colleges may be looking at YOUR social networking page (Facebook, MySpace, etc...) to get a better idea about YOU as a candidate for their school.
Just remember to keep this in mind when posting things (comments, pictures, etc...) to your Facebook/MySpace pages.
Just like you may be doing research on the college on these sites.... the college can be doing the same to you!!! A good rule of thumb is don’t post anything on your social networking pages that you wouldn’t want you grandmother to see!
"THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE FINDS FACEBOOK" - With an eye on the demographics, schools are seeking applicants through social networking sites
- Courtesy of Alison Damast of Business Week
A few months ago, Steven Price logged onto his Facebook page one evening to do his usual check-in with family and friends before going to bed. He was surprised when he found a "friend" request from Scott Minto, the director of the admissions office at San Diego State University's Sports Management Program sitting in his in-box.
"I was blown away," said Price, 22, a recent college graduate who is applying to business schools this fall and is currently interning with the Minnesota Vikings. "I'd been in touch with other schools through e-mails and phone calls, but I'd never had any schools contact me through Facebook."
Minto is part of a small but growing number of graduate school and college admissions officers who are aggressively using Facebook to recruit students for their programs. Many have built their own Facebook fan pages, which they are using as a tool to display videos, pictures and news articles about their schools. Others are using the site as a marketing tool, purchasing advertisements and targeting them towards certain demographic of students, based on their age and location. By drawing students to Facebook, schools hope to keep in constant touch with potential students, as well as provide them with important updates on the school, without bombarding them with dozens of e-mails and mass mailings.
Where the Boys and Girls Are
"College and graduate school admissions officers are on the cutting edge of this," said Nora Ganim Barnes, director for the Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, who recently conducted a study that found that 29% of university admissions departments surveyed used social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace (NWS)--a level higher than fast-growing Inc. 500 corporate respondents.
"If you're an undergraduate or graduate institution and you're looking to attract people 35 and under, then I think you have to go to Facebook because that's where your opportunity is," she said.
This is the case for Minto, 27, who estimates that he spends several hours a day updating the page and communicating with the students who send him questions via the page. The school also spends some of its advertising dollars on other areas of Facebook, placing ads that are targeted to the student audience Minto is seeking: college graduates 24 to 34.
San Diego State's Facebook page is filled with pictures and videos of campus events, ranging from footage of the school's involvement in the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, Calif., to students' visit to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. He invites students via Facebook to the admissions open house events that he hosts in different cities around the country and also maintains a blog on the site. The community of applicants interested in the program online has become so active that he communicates with some of them now exclusively on Facebook.
The number of schools diving into social networking sites like Facebook is still small: there are only about 60 schools that currently have official sites on Facebook, Ganim Barnes said. Among graduate programs, she said that smaller schools and programs appear to be more active.
By Popular Demand
At the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, the school launched a Facebook admissions page last fall, mostly in response to student demand, said Richard Powers, Rotman's assistant dean and director of MBA programs.
"The students kept asking: 'Do you have a Facebook page,'" Powers said.
"It came up so often that we tried it, and it was just a phenomenal success. We use it all the time now." The school uses its Facebook admissions page to hold question-and-answer sessions for prospective students, led by the school's director of admissions, Cheryl Millington. The first chat, held just a few days before the school's first application deadline last fall, attracted 90 participants, and recent ones have attracted as many as 117 participants.
Niki Healey, director of MBA Admissions at the University of Western Ontario's Richard Ivey School of Business, said her school launched a Facebook site in February to draw more students to the school. The site gets several hundred hits a day, mostly from prospective students who are checking out posting such as video
of the 2008 valedictorian's speech or pictures from last year's MBA formal.
Students post messages on the page's "Wall", asking about registration deadlines or when they can come to campus to visit a class.
Risky for Tradition
"They're probably not visiting our Web site every day, but they are most likely checking their Facebook page every day," Healey said. "We decided, let's be where they are, instead of trying to change their behavior." Of course, running an official Facebook page is not something that every school is embracing. In order to have a page that will appeal to students, a school needs someone to update it daily and answers students' questions in a timely manner, Healey said. Schools also need to be comfortable with the back and forth -- and public -- interaction between students and admissions officers, she said.
"I think social media can be risky for the tradition of business school recruiting because it is such an open forum," Healey said. "People can post information, and we have no control."
Indeed, this is an issue that admissions officers all over the country are struggling with in relation to social networking sites, said David Hawkins, the director of public policy for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, an Alexandria (Va.) group that represents more than 20,000 secondary school counselors and college-admissions officers.
"I think most colleges are just in the period of trial and error, where they want to have a presence, but they are still feeling their way around in terms of what is most appropriate," Hawkins said. "If you jump into this medium, how do you appeal to students and come off as being tech-savvy enough to get their attention and not appear corny or forced."
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
Friday, August 28, 2009
TIP OF THE WEEK - August 17, 2009
SO WHEN SHOULD I ACTUALLY APPLY TO A COLLEGE???
We have heard some crazy rumors going around about when to send in the applications,
but here is the bottom line: Only schools with rolling admission consider applications as they come in. It does give you an advantage in such schools to send your materials in early, so that your credentials can be evaluated before the class is filled.
As for early decision, early action and regular applications: as long as your application is in before the deadline, it will be considered at exactly the same time as others. When a deadline date is published, you must make sure to have your application in on time. Applications which arrive after the deadline will not be considered.
Admissions Officers do not regularly discard applications which come into the office on Tuesdays, or dance on a pile of late Friday arrivals. Schools establish deadlines so that they can have enough time to have admissions people read and consider every application.
Relax and comply with the deadline, and then find a creative way to deflect anxiety until you hear from your school of choice.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
We have heard some crazy rumors going around about when to send in the applications,
but here is the bottom line: Only schools with rolling admission consider applications as they come in. It does give you an advantage in such schools to send your materials in early, so that your credentials can be evaluated before the class is filled.
As for early decision, early action and regular applications: as long as your application is in before the deadline, it will be considered at exactly the same time as others. When a deadline date is published, you must make sure to have your application in on time. Applications which arrive after the deadline will not be considered.
Admissions Officers do not regularly discard applications which come into the office on Tuesdays, or dance on a pile of late Friday arrivals. Schools establish deadlines so that they can have enough time to have admissions people read and consider every application.
Relax and comply with the deadline, and then find a creative way to deflect anxiety until you hear from your school of choice.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
TIP OF THE WEEK - August 10, 2009
Creating Competition For A Student:
We recommend that students apply to upwards of six colleges. The reason is that this
helps create competition for the student. For a Student to create the maximum amount of competition between schools, they should include the following types of schools in the list of colleges that they wish to attend:
1. An in-state public school
2. A private college that is known to give good award offers
3. A college in the same athletic conference
4. A comparable college that is out of the student’s region of residency
(colleges encourage cultural diversity in their enrollments)
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
We recommend that students apply to upwards of six colleges. The reason is that this
helps create competition for the student. For a Student to create the maximum amount of competition between schools, they should include the following types of schools in the list of colleges that they wish to attend:
1. An in-state public school
2. A private college that is known to give good award offers
3. A college in the same athletic conference
4. A comparable college that is out of the student’s region of residency
(colleges encourage cultural diversity in their enrollments)
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
TIP OF THE WEEK - August 3, 2009
As a parent of a college-bound student, make sure you:
* Offer help and support in the application process… but don’t micromanage or impose when you’re told to back off.
* Spell out your family budgetary constraints from the get-go… but expect to work together in looking for strategies to increase your financial aid.
* Listen and advise when problems arise… and at the same time, encourage your student to find their own solutions, enlisting resources on campus.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
* Offer help and support in the application process… but don’t micromanage or impose when you’re told to back off.
* Spell out your family budgetary constraints from the get-go… but expect to work together in looking for strategies to increase your financial aid.
* Listen and advise when problems arise… and at the same time, encourage your student to find their own solutions, enlisting resources on campus.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
TIP OF THE WEEK - July 27, 2009
Early Decision vs. Early Action
As you begin to complete your college applications, you should be aware of the
differences between early decision and early action. The exact rules may vary
somewhat by college. Check with your counselor to make sure you understand
your rights and obligations.
Early decision plans are usually binding. Meaning, you agree to attend the college
if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can
apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges through
the regular admissions process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.
College Planning Network does not recommend you apply early decision if your
ability to attend college depends on the financial aid package you receive.
Applying early action makes appealing for additional financial aid much more difficult because you cannot use other college’s offers or your choice to not attend as leverage for additional financial aid.
Early action plans are similar but are not binding, unlike early decision. If you’ve
been accepted, you can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the
spring. Under these plans, you may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, you have until the late spring to let the college know your decision. This allows you time to consider all the financial aid packages offered to you before committing to enroll in a college.
Single-choice early action is a new option offered by a few colleges. This plan
works the same way as other early action plans, but candidates may not apply early
(either early action or early decision) to any other school. You can still apply to other schools and are not required to give your final answer of acceptance until the regular decision deadline.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
As you begin to complete your college applications, you should be aware of the
differences between early decision and early action. The exact rules may vary
somewhat by college. Check with your counselor to make sure you understand
your rights and obligations.
Early decision plans are usually binding. Meaning, you agree to attend the college
if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can
apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges through
the regular admissions process. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.
College Planning Network does not recommend you apply early decision if your
ability to attend college depends on the financial aid package you receive.
Applying early action makes appealing for additional financial aid much more difficult because you cannot use other college’s offers or your choice to not attend as leverage for additional financial aid.
Early action plans are similar but are not binding, unlike early decision. If you’ve
been accepted, you can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the
spring. Under these plans, you may also apply early action to other colleges. Usually, you have until the late spring to let the college know your decision. This allows you time to consider all the financial aid packages offered to you before committing to enroll in a college.
Single-choice early action is a new option offered by a few colleges. This plan
works the same way as other early action plans, but candidates may not apply early
(either early action or early decision) to any other school. You can still apply to other schools and are not required to give your final answer of acceptance until the regular decision deadline.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
TIP OF THE WEEK - July 20, 2009
Fast Fact ~ College Distance from Home How far do students typically travel to enroll in college?
The annual American College Freshman Study this past year found first year student distance from their permanent home varied as follows:
Distance from home - Percentage of college freshman
(2007-2008)
0 - 50 miles 35.4%
51 - 100 miles 17.9%
101 - 500 miles 33.3%
500 + miles 13.4%
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
The annual American College Freshman Study this past year found first year student distance from their permanent home varied as follows:
Distance from home - Percentage of college freshman
(2007-2008)
0 - 50 miles 35.4%
51 - 100 miles 17.9%
101 - 500 miles 33.3%
500 + miles 13.4%
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
TIP OF THE WEEK - July 6, 2009
Top Paying Degrees
Whether you are in college or a prospective student, not all majors earn you the same salary. Of course, you should never choose a major just for the money. If you don’t enjoy the work, then all that money will never equal the dissatisfaction you have for your job. Luckily, there are many majors in numerous fields of studies to choose from that will pay high starting salaries to recent graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), here are the 10 top paying degrees and their starting salaries (as of 2008):
1. Chemical Engineering ($59,218)
2. Electrical Engineering ($55,333)
3. Mechanical Engineering ($54,057)
4. Computer Science ($53,051)
5. Civil Engineering ($48,998)
6. Economics ($47,782)
7. Management Information Systems ($47,407)
8. Finance ($46,442)
9. Accounting ($46,292)
10. Business Administration/Management ($43,256)
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
Whether you are in college or a prospective student, not all majors earn you the same salary. Of course, you should never choose a major just for the money. If you don’t enjoy the work, then all that money will never equal the dissatisfaction you have for your job. Luckily, there are many majors in numerous fields of studies to choose from that will pay high starting salaries to recent graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), here are the 10 top paying degrees and their starting salaries (as of 2008):
1. Chemical Engineering ($59,218)
2. Electrical Engineering ($55,333)
3. Mechanical Engineering ($54,057)
4. Computer Science ($53,051)
5. Civil Engineering ($48,998)
6. Economics ($47,782)
7. Management Information Systems ($47,407)
8. Finance ($46,442)
9. Accounting ($46,292)
10. Business Administration/Management ($43,256)
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
TIP OF THE WEEK - June 29, 2009
Sports Recruitment:
If you’re planning to play a sport in college, make sure you are on track to be recruited. Remember to keep your grades up too! You can be recruited by your number one school, but if your grades do not meet minimum admissions requirements you will not be able to attend or play for that school regardless of your athletic ability. Keep in mind that out of 169 billion dollars available in financial aid. Only 3.7 % comes from scholarships. Out of the 3.7% less than 1 % comes from athletic aid. Coaches have limited budgets and cannot give athletic scholarships to
all athletes (and some colleges aren’t allowed to give athletic scholarships). Good grades and high test scores will qualify you for academic scholarships which make up a majority of the scholarships awarded each year. To ensure you are not over looked follow the steps below each year:
Freshmen and Sophomores
• Start planning now!
• Work hard to get the best grades possible.
Take classes that match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
• You can receive your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/.
Juniors
• At the beginning of your junior year, register at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ and complete the amateurism questionnaire.
• Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the Eligibility Center code (9999) as a score recipient.
• Double check to make sure the courses you have taken match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
• Ask your guidance counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing your junior year. (The Eligibility Centerdoes NOT accept faxed transcripts or test scores.)
• Prior to registration for classes for your senior year, check with your guidance counselor to determine the amount of core courses that you need to complete your senior year.
Seniors
• Take the SAT and/or ACT again. The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score.
• Continue to take college-prep courses.
• Check the courses you have taken to match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
• Review your amateurism questionnaire responses and request final amateurism certification on or after April 1 (for fall enrollees) or October 1 (for spring enrollees).
• Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible.
• Graduate on time (in eight academic semesters). If you fall behind, use summer school sessions prior to graduation to catch up.
• After graduation, ask your guidance counselor to send your final transcript with proof of graduation.
Recruiting Calendars
To see recruiting calendars for all sports, go to http://www.ncaa.org/.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
If you’re planning to play a sport in college, make sure you are on track to be recruited. Remember to keep your grades up too! You can be recruited by your number one school, but if your grades do not meet minimum admissions requirements you will not be able to attend or play for that school regardless of your athletic ability. Keep in mind that out of 169 billion dollars available in financial aid. Only 3.7 % comes from scholarships. Out of the 3.7% less than 1 % comes from athletic aid. Coaches have limited budgets and cannot give athletic scholarships to
all athletes (and some colleges aren’t allowed to give athletic scholarships). Good grades and high test scores will qualify you for academic scholarships which make up a majority of the scholarships awarded each year. To ensure you are not over looked follow the steps below each year:
Freshmen and Sophomores
• Start planning now!
• Work hard to get the best grades possible.
Take classes that match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
• You can receive your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/.
Juniors
• At the beginning of your junior year, register at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ and complete the amateurism questionnaire.
• Register to take the ACT, SAT or both and use the Eligibility Center code (9999) as a score recipient.
• Double check to make sure the courses you have taken match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
• Ask your guidance counselor to send an official transcript to the Eligibility Center after completing your junior year. (The Eligibility Centerdoes NOT accept faxed transcripts or test scores.)
• Prior to registration for classes for your senior year, check with your guidance counselor to determine the amount of core courses that you need to complete your senior year.
Seniors
• Take the SAT and/or ACT again. The Eligibility Center will use the best scores from each section of the ACT or SAT to determine your best cumulative score.
• Continue to take college-prep courses.
• Check the courses you have taken to match your school’s NCAA list of approved core courses.
• Review your amateurism questionnaire responses and request final amateurism certification on or after April 1 (for fall enrollees) or October 1 (for spring enrollees).
• Continue to work hard to get the best grades possible.
• Graduate on time (in eight academic semesters). If you fall behind, use summer school sessions prior to graduation to catch up.
• After graduation, ask your guidance counselor to send your final transcript with proof of graduation.
Recruiting Calendars
To see recruiting calendars for all sports, go to http://www.ncaa.org/.
Hope you found our "Tip of the Week" to be informative and helpful.
Until next week...
Your Friends At The College Planning Network
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