Keep Calm, You're a HS Senior!

Class is back in session and seniors will soon start to apply to colleges for the 2017-2018 school year. Endless questions will certainly over-flood their minds; Community College or University? Dorm or Commute? In state or Out of state? This all may seem very confusing and overwhelming.Although decisions still need to be made and  situations may get a little stressful, there are a few things you can do to make the experience  go a little smoother.

1. Visit your guidance counselor at the beginning of the year and frequently through out the the remainder of the school year. By doing this you prevent missing any critical deadlines for graduation and college applications.

2. Get a notebook and label it "College Process". Write down important deadlines for college applications, FAFSA and scholarships. Also include a check list of  things that you need to get done and update it regularly. You may also want include important websites and contacts that are crucial for your success during your college process.

3. Go check out a few college campuses (if accessible). Get a group to go and make it a fun trip to hang out with friends. Explore the different campuses, it may help you decide which college environment fits your needs best.

4. Begin asking for recommendation letters, ask for them to be generalized( if possible), and ask for a few copies. This will ensure that you have compatible letters for those last minute applications. 
 
5. Get familiar with websites such as College Board, Common Application, Petersons, Federal Student Aid, and  of course The Young Christian Leaders Scholarship.

This year is going to be a year of decisions but don't forget to enjoy all the pep rallies, senior activities and senior trips. Spend time with friends and make lasting memories. Congratulations on making it this far, make this year a year to remember!

Back To School Supplies

School is almost in session and its time to get prepared!Are you looking to get the most bang for your buck this school year? Whether its school supplies, dorm furniture or dorm accessories  this list of the  websites and stores will help you get all your back to school needs.

Online:

1. www.Amazon.com 

2. www.Groupon.com

3. www.Ebay.com

4. www.Ocm.com

5. www.Dormco.com

In Store:

1.Walmart

2.Target

3.Kohl's

4. Staple's

5.Dollar Tree

6. Five Below

7. Office Depot

8. Bed Bath & Beyond

9. Marshall's

10. TJ Maxx

If there are other great places to shop for back to school that you know of, please tell us in the comments below! 

     

Note: We are not affiliated with any of these companies.

 

Productive Summers

Summer vacation is almost here and most of us can’t wait to hit the beach. Although for college students or those soon to be, you may be thinking of how to make your summers more productive. Tanning, the beach and outdoor actives are great too but below are 5 ways to make the best of your summer and prepare for your future career.


#1. Take Classes

Taking summer classes can help, speed up your degree. The best part is you can choose to take them at a community college for less money. This also gives the advantage of take electives that may not be offered at your current college .Just make sure you check with your college to make sure the credits are transferable.

# 2. Intern:

Internships are a great way to be productive during summer months. They provide experience that will look great on your resume and also builds connections with the internship provider and people already in the industry you’re thinking of entering. Some even offer stipends through out, or at the end of completion so they might make you a few shekels. Opportunities like these can help establish an on going internship throughout the years and even potentially lead to a job when you graduate college.

#3. Get a Job:

Getting a summer job is a great way to gain experience. It is also a great way to save up for text books for the upcoming fall semester. Check your local camps, YMCA, civic, or municipalities for openings. These are great summer jobs since they only last through the summer months and can be an ongoing gig for the next few summers.

#4. Volunteer:

Volunteering is an easy way to gain experience. This is a great opportunity because you can volunteer at multiple places, experiencing different environment while testing out how you will enjoy working in potential work environments. So if you get bored easily and like to change things up this would be great for you. It is also a great way to help out and give back to your local community.



#5. Go on a Mission Trip:

If finances allow, meaningful mission trips are a great experience. If your future career doesn’t allow time for month long mission trips, this is the perfect time to do so. This gives you an opportunity to use and learn different skills to help those who need it the most. For example if you are great at woodwork, teaching, first aid, and innovation etc., this might be a great opportunity to use those skills.

Overall, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the warm days this summer, plan ahead and make the best of your time. Like they say, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Visit the Campus Before You Choose!

      Choosing the college you’ll attend is a lot like buying a new house: it’s an expensive investment and it will be your home for the next few years. Surely you’d want to feel comfortable in a new home and be certain that it meets all your needs. The best way to do that would be to visit the house to check it out in person. If you’d do that for a new house, shouldn’t you also do it for your potential college?

      Of course, not everyone will have the opportunity to go to the college campus prior to enrolling. But if it’s within your means, you should certainly make a visit. Actually stepping foot on the campus before you submit your deposit will help make the decision a lot easier. You want to reduce the chances of enrolling in a college and not liking the environment there.

     By making a campus visit, you get a first-hand look at the campus, the classrooms, and the dorms – a college brochure or website can’t show you these things in detail. In addition, you’ll get the opportunity to talk to current students, professors, and admissions faculty, who can give you personal answers to important questions. Before you go, be sure to make a checklist of specific things to be looking for and questions to ask. By doing so, you give yourself the best chance to find the college of your dreams.

Scholarship "Red Flags"

With rising costs for higher education, more and more families are looking to scholarships.  Fortunately, there are tons of amazing resources available that are ready and willing to help.  Yet at the same time different scams and frauds exist as pitfalls for students.  How can you tell which scholarhsips are legitimate and which ones are not?  Here are some scholarship "red flags" to be on  the lookout for that will be able to help you discern...

Request for Personal Information

Always be wary of a scholarship that demands personal information such as your Social Security number, credit card information, and bank account information in order to apply.

Need to Pay or Buy in Order to Qualify

If you have to pay a fee or buy something or attend anything in order to apply for the scholarship, that is a definite red flag.

Promises "Guaranteed" Results

If a scholarship is saying you already won without having done anything, that is very suspect. All scholarships have eligibility requirements and is based on merit, so if you do not have to do anything to win their money, be very cautious for no scholarship is ever "guaranteed".

Information about the Scholarship is Missing or Inconsistent

If there is no contact information available for the scholarship, then that is a red flag.  Also if information about this scholarship is not found anywhere else or mentioned anywhere else, that is a concern.  Another big red flag is if there is no history of any past winners.

Issues with Website

If the scholarship's website is filled with constant advertisements and pop-ups, that is a definite concern.