TIP OF THE WEEK- August 22, 2011

2014 and Above: Social Networking Sites: 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 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 pages.  Just like you may be doing research on the college on these sites.... the college can be doing the same to you! If you have a Facebook account and are worried about what others may see, you can set the privacy settings on your profile so only your friends can view most details. 

Also, if you have a Facebook account, be sure visit CPN's page. You can talk with other college bound families and stay up to date on all the latest CPN news! Please click on this link (or copy and paste in your browser) to join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/College-Planning-Network/183253475044175?ref=ts.

2013: The junior year is THE time to get organized for handling the onslaught of college material that will be coming your way -- in the mail, in your email, and from college fairs and visits to your high school. The whole college search can be a little unnerving, a bit daunting, so just relax and take your time during this year and the summer that follows to really focus on finding the right mix of colleges for you. Ideally, by the end of your junior year you'll have a list of no more than 10 to 15 colleges where you plan to apply.

2012: Scholarship Tip - Watch out for deadlines... and make copies before sending! To help keep yourself on track, impose a deadline on yourself that is at least two weeks before the stated deadline.  Use this time to proofread your application before you send it off.  Before sending your application, make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file in case your application goes astray.  Make sure your name (and social security number, if applicable) appears on each page of your application to ensure that nothing is lost.