Web-Savvy Tips On How
To Get Into And Pay For Any College
 Chuck
the typewriter and zap your application over the Net. Those are some recommendations
for students to harness the power of the Internet in selecting, applying,
and paying for their dream college, according to the leading college-oriented
Web site.
"The
Internet has made fundamental changes in the college applications process
and has helped to save parents and students tons of time and money. Students
can now go Online for virtual college tours or to search for scholarships
that they may not have known even existed," said Gen and Kelly Tanabe,
publishers and founders of the Power Students Network (www.powerstudents.com),
a resource-packed Web site that helps students get into, pay for, and succeed
at college.
The
Tanabes literally wrote the book on the topic, having authored the award
winning book, "Get Into Any College: Secrets of Harvard Students."
The husband and wife team also pen the column, "Ask the College Experts"
appearing in 200+ newspapers nationwide.
Costing
just $731 in 1962, private college tuition is expected to jump to $268,000
in 2012. (Figures from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
and The College Board.) "With college costs soaring and ever-increasing
pressure to go to a `good' school, students are turning to the Internet
to provide an advantage," the duo continued.
Below
are guidelines from the Tanabes for using the Internet in the college admissions
process.
1.
Visit colleges Online. From the
comfort of your room, you can "virtually" visit many college campuses.
While most schools' .edu Web sites have Online tours, they are often buried
deep within the site. To get to the goodies quickly, head to www.collegeview.com
and www.campustours.com.
2.
Get the inside story from actual students. The Internet can put you in direct contact with actual students
at schools you are considering. Look for college sites that offer student
chat rooms. Also, check out campus organization homepages and students'
personal Web pages. Often the owners of these pages will be happy to answer
questions. On the Power Students Network, www.powerstudents.com, you can
submit questions to a panel of experts and read diaries of real students.
3.
Once you know where you want to go, find out how to get in. After you've identified your dream schools, learn
how to get accepted. The following sites provide great tips on everything
from crafting killer applications to acing the interviews: www.collegexpress.com,
www.jayi.com, and www.supercollege.com. You'll find advice from both experts
and college students.
4.
Chuck the typewriter and apply to college Online. Why waste time painstakingly typing the same information on eight
applications when you can use technology to automate the process. Two Online
application sites that have gained the trust and popularity of students
are www.collegeboard.org and www.collegeedge.com.
5.
Get test taking tips before you take the test. Since numbers count in admissions, learn how to improve scores
on standardized tests by learning strategies and taking practice tests.
Both www.kaplan.com and www.tpr.com offer solid advice. Additional free
advice and practice can be found at www.gocollege.com and www.supercollege.com.
6.
Find free cash for college. Getting
in is only half the battle. Now you need to find a way to pay for your education.
Use the Internet's vast databases of scholarships to find the ones right
for you. To search Online databases, you'll need to complete short forms
answering questions about your educational goals, accomplishments, and background.
Presto! The database will find scholarships matching your profile. Both
www.freshinfo.com and www.fastaid.com offer extensive databases that you
can search at no charge.
The
Power Students Network (www.powerstudents.com) is the #1 destination for
anyone who wants to maximize their student experience. The network provides
vital information and enriching communities to high school, college, grade
school, and career-seeking students. Updated daily, the Power Students Network
combines original content with an unprecedented alliance of over 20 leading
independent Web sites. Students can peek into the private diaries of other
students, learn admissions and financial aid strategies, search databases
of scholarships, college profiles, and job listings, and share their thoughts
on today's headlines. The Power Students Network is owned by Affiliation
Networks, Inc. (www.affiliation.com), a private company located in San Francisco,
CA.
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