SAT tips

Getting ready to take the SAT this weekend? Check out this checklist and tip sheet provided by College Board.

Be an Insider!

20 Insider Strategies to Save Money on College Now available through MeritAid.com. Take a look and see if there is a strategy that would be helpful to you!

Tips for Visiting Colleges

Many of you are taking time to visit college campuses. That is a great idea! More than any other college exploration tool, this can be one of the most valuable! When you tour a campus, keep the following tips in mind:

• Call or email ahead to see when tours are offered. Be sure to sign up for the admissions office information session often offered with tours. These will fill up fast


• Try and schedule your visit when classes are in session. If you want a true feel for campus life then being there with current students is the only option. It allows you to ask questions of students on campus, to see bulletin boards loaded with advertisements for clubs and activities, and it affords you the opportunity for reading a college newspaper over a meal in the dining hall. If you are going to spend four or more years living somewhere, you want to make sure it is a good fit.


• If you want to schedule a class visit or want to talk with a department head, arrange this ahead of time.


• Arrive early. Sometimes parking on or near a college campus can be scarce.


• Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. Cute heels or sandals may not cut it on a 90 minute walking tour.


• Ask questions. Ask them of your tour guide. Ask them of students you meet. Ask them of faculty and staff. You are there to decide if this is worth $50,000-200,000 of your money, so don't be afraid to ask a question.Some questions to think about may be:


• What is campus life like on the weekend?


• Is Greek life present on campus and what percentage of students participate?


• Ask your tour guide about walking on campus. Does he/she feel safe? Are there campus police available to walk you home from the library at night?


• Do professors meet with you outside of class?


• Are there services or centers for tutoring or help in writing a paper? Do they cost money?


• Do most students live on campus all four years?


• You may want an overnight visit. There are some things you learn spending the night in a dorm that you will never see otherwise. What are the bathrooms like? Are there enough showers available? Do hallmates spend time with each other?

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when you tour. Go ahead. Schedule a tour now! If you can't do a physical tour because of distance, money, or time try a virtual tour.

Summertime's Calling Me

"Tell us how you spent your summer?" A question on many college applications that some students don't put much thought into. But you should. So how will you spend your summers during high school? Tanning by the pool or getting experiences that will help your future?

Here are a few links to help you find great ways to spend some of your summer!

Summer math programs

State by State listings

Summer at Harvard

Career Internships

Lifeguard Jobs in Columbia

Don't forget the opportunities in your own neighborhood! How about volunteering at a local library? Or a park? Ask your parents for opportunities to complete an internship at their place of employment! Go on...summertime's calling!

Frugal SAT/ACT Preparation

Can't make it to an SAT or ACT prep class? Check out this economical way to prepare for either test at Number2.com . This site is an excellent resource, but only if you actually use it! Take advantage of this free website to help you increase your test scores!

State's financial aid information

Looking for financial aid information for states other than South Carolina? Take a look at this website with links to each state.

Great Resource

The newest edition of Funding Your Education is now available online. This resource explains the ins and outs of funding a college education. Need a paper copy? Paper copies will be available in the Career and College Information Center in late April.

College Search

Beginning your college search? Check out this free college profile at Cappex.com.

How much should we borrow?

Wondering what is a reasonable amount to borrow in student loans? Check out this calculator that allows you to estimate what your salary should be to handle a certain debt load.