Wiredscholar.com Offers Valuable Interactive Tools And
Information for College Preparation and Financing;
Experts Available to Discuss Steps College-Bound Students
Need to Take This Fall
RESTON, Va., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With the pomp and circumstance less
than one academic year away, it's time for high school seniors to focus on
their post-graduation plans. If they are planning to attend college next
year, there are things to be done and decisions to be made this fall -- the
first of which is deciding where to apply. With thousands of post-secondary
institutions to choose from, students often need help narrowing down their
choices. Wiredscholar.com, a division of Sallie Mae and the foremost online
"going-to-college" resource, has interactive tools and information to help
students and families prepare for and select a college.
"The first big step in the planning and paying for college process is
determining where to apply," said David Cooper, managing director of e-
commerce for Sallie Mae. "Wiredscholar.com's interactive tools and
calculators help college-bound students narrow down their choices and apply to
schools that best meet their needs."
Among the Web site's features, the school comparison tool allows students
to get detailed information about their target schools at the click of a
mouse. They can view information on admissions, campus environments,
enrollment, freshmen admissions profiles, school expenses and financial aid
for schools they are considering. Students even can input their own criteria
and search for schools that best meet their needs and search for schools based
on state, entrance difficulty, public versus private, SAT/ACT test score
ranges, campus settings, undergraduate student enrollment, combined tuition,
room and board fees and majors. They can view up to three schools at once,
side-by-side, from wiredscholar.com's database of nearly 4,000 schools.
Information for up to five schools can be saved for review at a later time.
Another feature is the school affordability calculator, which helps
students and families determine how much out-of-pocket expense they can
realistically afford. This tool quickly finds the average cost of attending
the schools students are interested in, the average financial aid awards
offered by each, and how much families might be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
Once students and families have a general idea of their financial need, the
tool highlights the various financing options at their disposal, including
student loan programs. The calculator will even tell students how much they
can expect their monthly payments to be if they choose a loan program to help
pay for the cost of their education. Even families of high school freshmen
and sophomores can use this tool to give them an idea of how much they can
expect to pay in the future.
Wiredscholar.com offers other interactive tools and information to guide
students and their families through the college preparation and selection
process, allowing them to prepare, evaluate, select, apply for and finance an
education entirely online. Additional resources include:
* Online test preparation;
* Scholarship database including tips on how to apply for them and avoid
scholarship scams;
* Interactive savings, budgeting and loan repayment calculators; and
* Online loan application capability and information about financial aid.
To arrange an interview with a college-preparation and financing expert,
please call 703-810-7136.
Back-to-School: Wiredscholar.com Offers
"Cliff's Notes" for Getting in and Paying for the Right College
Wiredscholar.com, the most comprehensive online resource for "going-to-
college" information, contains information and tools to assist with college
preparation, selection, evaluation, application and financing. As high school
seniors begin to focus on their post-graduation plans, wiredscholar.com has
tips and checklists to help them apply to the right colleges. Following are
the basics on college evaluation, visiting campuses, taking standardized exams
and applying to school.
College Evaluation
Students may consider the following when choosing where to apply:
* Curriculum
* Quality of education
* Size
* Admission requirements
* Location
* Retention and graduation rates
* Facilities and services
* Campus life
* Campus security
* Athletics
* Housing and resources
Finally, while cost is something to consider when applying to college,
students should not rule out a college that fits his or her criteria based on
cost alone. There are a number of financial aid programs available to
students, including need-based and non-need-based aid. Students can search
for scholarships on wiredscholar.com, which also contains scholarship
application advice and tips on avoiding scholarship scams. In addition,
students may qualify for a federal or university grant, which do not need to
be repaid. There are also a number of low-cost, federal and private education
loan programs for which students may qualify.
Wiredscholar.com's School Comparison Tool
* Allows students to get detailed information about their target schools
at the click of a mouse.
* View information on admissions, campus environments, enrollment,
freshmen admissions profiles, school expenses and financial aid for
schools they are considering.
* Input students' own criteria and search for schools that best meet
their needs and search for schools based on state, entrance difficulty,
public versus private, SAT/ACT test score ranges, campus settings,
undergraduate student enrollment, combined tuition, room and board fees
and majors.
* View up to three schools at once, side-by-side, from wiredscholar.com's
database of nearly 4,000 schools. Information for up to five schools
can be saved for review at a later time.
Wiredscholar.com's School Affordability Calculator
* Helps students and families determine how much out-of-pocket expense
they can realistically afford.
* Quickly finds the average cost of attending the schools students are
interested in, the average financial aid awards offered by each, and
how much families might be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
* Highlights the various financing options at their disposal, including
student loan programs. The calculator will tell students how much they
can expect their monthly payments to be if they choose a loan program
to help pay for the cost of their education.
Visiting College Campuses
* Do some prep work
* Visit while classes are in session
* Schedule visits at least two weeks in advance
* Schedule interviews with faculty and admissions staff
* Take the campus tour
* Attend information sessions, if they're offered
* Ask lots of questions
* Trust their instincts and take notes
* Send a thank-you note
Taking Standardized College Entrance Exams
* Be equipped: admission ticket, valid form of photo identification,
several No. 2 pencils, calculator with fresh batteries, watch and a
high-energy snack
* Do not cram
* Dress in layers
* Do not spend too much time on one question
* Guess aggressively
Applying to College
* Deadlines. Check for the schools' deadlines and leave plenty of time
for getting forms and transcripts, obtaining letters of recommendation
and writing essays. Mark a calendar with the schools' key dates to
ensure applications are timely and complete. Find a sample application
timeline to get a general idea of the application process.
* Application forms. There are four types of applications:
* Customized: Many schools have authorized forms that must be requested
by telephone, mail, or possibly from the school web site. Be sure to
follow directions as explained on each form.
* Common application: If a school is one of the more than 200 schools
using this form, a copy can be obtained from a guidance office. Make
additional copies, if needed, and send the completed form to each
school.
* Two-part application: If the school uses a two-part application,
submit Part I (mostly name and address information) as soon as
possible. September is not too early. The school will send Part II
after it receives Part I. Contact the school to get started.
* Online: Schools are moving to the web in handling applications. Use
wiredscholar.com's Online Application Search to see if a school's
form is online.
* Official Transcripts. Check with the guidance counselor to find what
is needed when sending transcripts to selected schools.
* Test Scores. Students usually list the names of several schools when
taking standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. The testing
organization then sends the scores directly to those schools.
* Recommendations. Two letters of recommendation are usually required
for an application. Students should request recommendations from
people who know their strengths. Teachers and counselors are usually
the best choices. Give your recommender a deadline, allowing at least
two weeks to complete the letter.
* Essays. The essay questions on applications help admissions officers
understand your motivations, creativity and personality. Highlight
strengths beyond the facts and numbers in the application. Students
should choose a topic they feel passionate about and that reveals
something about who they are.
What schools want:
Academics
* Most schools look for similar types of academic criteria. Look in the
school's catalog to find its requirements.
* Schools also evaluate a student's choice of electives. Choosing an
additional course in math, science or your field of interest may not
only increase a student's knowledge, but it may place the student
ahead of applicants who have the minimum credits.
Non-academics
* When it comes to extracurricular activities and other student
involvement, schools generally look at the scope and depth of your
experience, rather than relying on sheer numbers. A student does not
necessarily need a list of 15 clubs and organizations to impress a
school. It is usually better to show that the student was truly
committed and grew within a few organizations (either in school or in
your community) or worked hard to develop a skill such as chess or
playing the piano.
For more information about college preparation, evaluation, application,
selection and financing, visit http://www.wiredscholar.com .
About wiredscholar.com
Launched in spring 2000, wiredscholar.com is the most comprehensive and
objective resource on the Web for information and interactive tools to assist
with college preparation, evaluation, selection, application and financing,
all in one online location. The site is a four-time "Forbes Favorite" in the
college-planning category in Forbes.com's "Best of the Web." Wiredscholar.com
is an independent brand of Sallie Mae, the nation's largest source of
education funding, which extends the company's commitment to helping students
achieve a higher education.
SOURCE Wiredscholar.com
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.wiredscholar.com
CONTACT:
Erin Love of Wiredscholar.com,
+1-703-810-7136, or erin.b.love@slma.com
|
