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The Benefits of Today’s College Co-Op Programs
These days, the “college internship” can often be viewed as the maximum amount of real-world job experience a college student will get before graduation.
In many cases internships are unpaid, and the level of work interns do is a step below the real-world experience an internship is made out to be.
For too long, students were forced to accept these internships as a best-case scenario. But now they have options. And one of the best is college cooperative education programs (“co-ops” for short) – which are redefining the college work experience.
College co-op program weaves “real world” work experience into a program’s curriculum. Typically you begin working at selected placements during your sophomore year. Each year, the workload and level of learning increases until you graduate.
Co-ops are always paid positions. Always.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have 18 months of experience working at a handful of positions related to your field of choice. Not only is that 18 months of wages in your pocket while in college, it’s an impressive amount of experience that a recent college graduate can boast on their résumé.
More than 500 U.S. colleges and universities have co-op programs. All totaled, more than 300,000 students are working paid co-op positions. These students are getting a first-hand, boots-on-the-ground preview of their career path in a way their textbooks and professors cannot fully describe.
The National Commission for Cooperative Education reports that 60 percent of co-op students accept jobs from their co-op employers upon graduation. What’s more, 95 percent of co-op students find jobs after graduating.
There are plenty more benefits to co-op programs, and we’ll get to them, but by now you are probably wondering: OK, what’s the catch?
There’s just one: All this extra cash and experience requires you spend an extra year in school.
So if you can get past that, here is by far the biggest benefit of co-op programs.
Co-op earnings – which range from $1,000 to $2,500 per month – are typically not included in the financial aid formula. What that means is that a co-op student filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could still be eligible for a sizable portion of financial aid.
Compare that with a student working an unpaid internship and a part-time job on the side, either during the school year or in the summer. This student’s income will be included in the financial aid formula on the FAFSA application, and that can reduce the amount of grants, scholarships and student loans they could receive.
To apply for a co-op program, you first must check if any schools on your list of colleges have them. It’s likely that they do, but not always in the program of your choice.
If they do, you apply through your program. Each school and each program is different, but a typical co-op application involves filling out an application and submitting a resume. If you are accepted into the co-op program, you’ll schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to discuss career goals and interests.
If you have any other questions about selecting a college, or the admissions process, feel free to contact me through my website at www.Prep4collegeNow.com or call me at 760.877.7200. I’d love to answer your questions!
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Article excepted from Scott Weingold, College Planning Network, LLC
How to Get Off the College Wait List
Each year, many students are disappointed because they are wait listed at a favorite school. It happens to a lot of students. A year ago Stanford and Yale each put nearly 1,000 students on wait list. Duke put more than 3,000…
Why does it happen? Well in some instances colleges do feel the need to fill quotas. An we’re not just talking race or nationality. Athletes, musicians, artists and scientists… more than anything colleges and universities like to have well-rounded classes. And sometimes that variety can lead one student to receive acceptance while another equally qualified applicant is sent to the wait list.
There’s also the fact that more students are applying to college these days. And top schools simply can’t fit all the kids who would like to attend.
But the good news is that those applicants are also applying to a wider variety of schools, which means many of them will decline admission. And that’s when the wait list comes into play.
If you’re on it, you could be next in line for consideration.
Now while the discouragement of not getting into a college right away can cause you to adopt a “there’s nothing I can do about it now” attitude – there are actually a few things you CAN do to turn that wait list spot into a spot on campus in the Fall.
- If you do get wait listed, respond quickly to the school. How long it takes you to get back to them is a big indicator of how eager you are to attend if offered admission down the line.
- If a school is your first choice, make sure the school knows that. Colleges want students who want them. There’s no better way to show them that than letting them know they’re #1 on your list.
- If you receive a new set of grades after you get wait listed, make sure you send them along, provided they’ll help your cause. A great set of final semester marks can be a real eye opener.
- If you’ve got a “hook” you can contribute to the class (you’re a great lacrosse player… you’re leading a community service trip… you just got the lead in the spring musical), let them know. Colleges want students who are going to stand out and contribute something to the school. Show them what you can bring.
- If you have a good relationship already with a coach or faculty member at the school, get in touch and ask for advice. Don’t ask for a favor, because this will likely rub them the wrong way and look like you’re trying for special treatment. But asking politely for any wisdom they can share on some good ways to get yourself front and center to the admissions committee certainly can’t hurt.
- Keep in touch but don’t be a pest. An email or two or a phone call to your admissions contact or recruiter will keep you at the forefront of their mind. But don’t overdo it. A little goes a long way here.
- Make sure the college knows what you can afford to pay. The wait listing could have been a financial decision. Be positive they have all your numbers correct and everyone is on the same page money-wise.
Wait listing can certainly be disappointing, especially if it’s coming from a school you’re intent on going to. But it’s not the end of the world.
Remember, it’s not a “no.” You may have to do just a bit more work to get to your goal, but that goal is still attainable.
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Excerpted from Scott Weingold, College Planning Network, LLC.
Consider These 4 Unique College Scholarships
Parents and students are looking for ways to keep the cost of college tuition down. While researching this topic on the web for my blog post, I came upon this web post by Matt Conrad from Scholarship America. Read below to learn about four very different scholarship opportunities available from some unusual sources.
Generally, we think about college scholarships and financial aid as pretty serious business. You spend precious hours searching out opportunities, crafting perfect essays, finding the ideal recommendations, and making sure your application is up to par—and the cost of college is certainly no joke.
But that’s not to say you can’t have some fun in the midst of your scholarship search. For every hyper-competitive national scholarship, there are dozens of options geared toward uncommon pursuits, unusual interests, and unlikely skills. These four scholarships may not appeal to everyone, but if you fit their criteria they can mean real money toward your college education.
One of the most ubiquitous elements of any student’s college life is the lofted bed. When dorms are as small as they often are, every bit of space counts, and one of the easiest unusual scholarships to apply for is the OP Loftbed $500 Scholarship.
Sponsored by one of the leading manufacturers of bed lofts, this scholarship competition’s unique twist comes via the application. Rather than asking about your grades, goals, or achievements, the judges are looking for the most creative short answers to a set of nontraditional questions. These range from “What song would you want to play every time you walked in a room and why?” to “What should be celebrated with a new holiday every year?” OP Loftbed runs the contest a few times a year; if you have a little time to think creatively, it’s well worth submitting an application next time.
If it’s hard to imagine college life without a bed loft, it’s even harder to imagine everyday life without duct tape—and everyone’s favorite adhesive can mean up to $5,000 in college cash for a creative couple. The Duck Brand Stuck At Prom Scholarship Contest, now in its 12th year, challenges high school prom goers to create entire outfits out of duct tape for the chance to win scholarships. Duck will choose its top 10, and then the public will vote for the first-, second- and third-place winners (who win scholarship funds for themselves and their schools).
You can start submitting your entries on March 7, but before you start planning, be warned that this is a little more intense than your average duct tape wallet project: Last year’s grand prize winners didn’t just make a suit and a dress from duct tape; they constructed flowers, lace and a vest and tie combo that, frankly, was nicer than the tux I wore to my prom.
While we’re on the subject of ducks, did you know you can turn your passion for duck calling into scholarship dollars? Every November, the city of Stuttgart, Ark., hosts the World’s Champion Duck Calling Contest; in conjunction with the main contest, any high school senior is eligible to enter the Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest, which awards scholarships to the top four finishers. Over the past 36 years, the memorial contest has given out $60,000 in scholarship funds; 2011 winner Gavin Roberts received a $2,000 award. If you’re a skilled caller and will be graduating from high school in spring 2013, bookmark the contest page, and you might just find yourself on stage with next year’s Queen Mallard.
Last but not least is one of the highest-paying unusual scholarships out there: the Ursinus College Creative Writing Award. The award may not actually sound that unusual, until you learn that it was formerly known as the J.D. Salinger Creative Writing Award—and that the writer receiving the award not only gets $30,000 per year, but also the chance to spend his or her freshman year living in the former dorm room of the reclusive Catcher in the Rye author.
While this scholarship is a big and competitive award, the college does treat it with the appropriate sense of humor as well: “In the spirit of Holden Caulfield … we are looking for an unusual perspective, for quirky brilliance, for a voice, not necessarily the kind that can be measured by conventional standards. Mr. Salinger never graduated, but we like to think that if his genius had been recognized with an award like this, he might have.” If you’re serious about writing, this unusual scholarship could be the ticket to a bright future.
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Matt Konrad, Scholarship America
How Do I Thank the College Interviewer?
College Interview Thank You Letter
This is the time of year of the “college interview”. My last two blog posts spoke about how to prepare for the interview. Today’s blog post speaks to how to “follow up” after the interview. It is very important to leave a good impression with the interviewer. Peggy Wallace, founder of Making Conversation, presents an excellent article on the reasons why you should write a thank you note to the interviewer immediately after the interview. Her article is reproduced in its entirety below.
The world is fast-paced. Take the time to stand out from the crowd and maximize your chances for admission with a written “Thank You.”
You likely spent quite a bit of time worrying about and preparing for the interview. Hopefully, more of the latter than the former — the better prepared you are, the less worried you will be. When the interview is complete and you have thanked them for their time and parted with another handshake, do you just exhale a sigh of relief, “Whew, that’s done” and escape? You could. However, I strongly recommend that you take the extra time to thank the interviewer again in writing. Yes, in writing. This does not mean that you go overboard and send a gift, flowers, candy, bottle of Champagne or anything which could be misinterpreted.
The person with whom you interviewed took time from his or her day to meet you. Even if it is an interviewer’s job or a volunteer’s pleasure to do the interviews, people like to have their effort appreciated. It may not be what you say, do, or wear that makes the lasting impression. How you made the interviewer feel (I recommend respected), makes the big difference.
The Basics
A meaningful thank you note, one that contains substantive references to the specifics of the conversation (one or two, if you have them, is sufficient) and reiterates your enthusiasm about the school, will reinforce that positive impression you worked so hard to present. To be most effective, it must be sent promptly.
E-mailed Thank You Note
An e-mailed thank you is perfectly appropriate. But, wait until you leave their parking lot, so it can appear to reflect some careful, considered thought expressing gratitude. If you want to attach a file or reference something relevant, so much the better, e.g. some recordings of your original songs or a reprint copy of an article that was published. However, send the e-mail before the end of that day, or certainly within 24 hours. Most interviewers, including regional alums, try to write up their interviews right away. You want them to feel especially good about you, before they press “send” on their report of your interview.
Snail Mail Thank You Note
If you decide to send a note through snail mail, make sure they get it by the next day. A handwritten note makes a standout impression. It can be sent in addition to the e-mail thank you. Make sure that both notes reference different observations or impressions of the topics discussed during the interview and highlight different aspects of your enthusiasm about the school. If the interview was with someone at the school, your handwritten note may go into your file, assuming they are not TOTALLY electronic. If they are online only, they may scan in your handwritten note! The recipient is likely to fondly remember your extra effort when he or she is discussing the merits of your application with the admissions committee and, hopefully, advocating for your admission. I ask my clients to travel with stationery and stamps, so they can mail the thank you note before they leave town! You might want to avoid a postmark from your next location, particularly if it is a city with a rival school. Some additional snail mail tips include the following.
• Use conservative, quality blank note cards. A cutesy, funny or satirical card may be misinterpreted. If you want to add your personal style, get something with a quiet border or tasteful design.
• You do not have to go to their bookstore and buy stationery with the school logo on it. Some clients like this, but to me it seems a bit presumptuous. You most certainly are not expected to have formal stationery engraved with your monogram.
• Do an outline of the points you wish to make in the thank you note. Then do a rough draft so you have the time to review the word choice and sentence structure.
• If you are not used to writing on a blank note card, do a test run on a lined piece of paper and then put a blank lined piece of paper under the stationery. If it is cardstock, you will not be able to see the lines underneath, so mark every other line showing on the sides as a guideline so you can make sure your writing stays horizontal.
Of course, any gratitude would be appreciated by the interviewer. As a volunteer regional alum for University of Pennsylvania for over 25 years, I interviewed many applicants for admission. I can count on one hand the number of thank you notes I received during all those years.
Show the good manners you learned when you were a child. Thank the interviewer in writing.
Present your best self by being authentic and enthusiastically showing your own unique personality; open doors by winning with words.
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Article by Peggy Wallace, founder, Making Conversation
College Interview Questions You Can Expect
Most college interviewers ask similar questions. Some questions will refer to something of interest in your resume that stands out. Other questions will not be familiar. These are the wild cards in the interview, and they demand preparation. A few practice rounds with parents, with the following questions thrown in, will go a long way in helping you to maintain composure and demeanor during the interview. By the way, these are the same kinds of wild card questions you may get in a job interview.
- If you could do one thing differently in high school, what would that thing be? Is there a second thing you would do differently?
- Can you explain, in detail, a specific challenge that you’ve overcome?
- Is there something you’ve read within the past year or two that has special meaning or significance to you?
- Who has been the most important person in your own self-development?
- What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now? 20 years from now?
Another Way To Prepare Well In Advance of Your College Interview
This cannot be stressed enough: extracurricular activities matter. Involvement in sports, clubs, groups, and other school activities are definitely factored into the college admissions process.
One reason for that is because college interviewers are usually trying to get a feel for who a student is, above and beyond a GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Extracurricular activities are one of the best windows, and you can expect an interview to include a good amount of time on the topic.
Remember, it’s not that important in which extracurricular activities you’re involved. What does matter is that you can speak about it with passion and sincerity.
Another thing interviewers will try to discover is your study habits. Keep in mind — It’s not just about your GPA; interviewers want to know you will be able to handle the responsibility of monitoring your own studies, once away at school.
If you have any other questions about selecting a college, or the admissions process, feel free to contact me through my website at www.Prep4collegeNow.com or call me at 760.877.7200. I’d love to answer your questions!
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Excepted from Scott Weingold, College Planning Network, LLC