The Takeaway Wk of 2/15

HomeCurated ArticlesThe Takeaway Wk of 2/15This page may contain affiliate links.Feb 22, 2015Here’s a summary of important articles  from the week of 2/15/15 that may give you more insight into the world of college life, admissions, financing, and parenting. How Scholarship App SCHOLLY Sparked A Big Fight On Shark Tank The  R2C  Takeaway:  Drexel University undergrad  Christopher Gray, founder of scholarship app  Scholly, caused a catfight on  ABC’s â€Å"Shark Tank† after two investors —  Lori Greiner  and  Daymond John  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  aggressively pursued a $40,000 investment before Gray could answer many questions about his business plan. AP Courses: Parents Perspective The R2C  Takeaway: While many parents and students wrestle with the decisions surrounding AP courses, the consensus is that they do enhance not only a students resume in the eyes of college admissions officials, but in addition, they provide both an intellectual challenge and a valuable learning experience. Regarding how many, three to five AP courses during the course of a students high school years is more than acceptable.    Colleges Use Bag of Tricks to Juice Application Numbers The R2C  Takeaway:  In order to up their applicant numbers and thereby seemingly enhance their reputation, many universities are resorting to things like lowering their application fees and decreasing the number of   required essays. Experts  advise students to keep in mind that selectivity rates no longer mean what they meant in the past, so they should not let these numbers sway them. College Students Facing Depression Need More Than Just a List of Doctors to Call The  R2C  Takeaway:  Keeping in mind that many students have their first experience with mental illness during their college years, colleges need to be better equipped to handle these issues when they arise. College students and their parents should remember to check out mental health facilities as carefully as they investigate dorms and recreational facilities when they go on college tours, and not be hesitant to ask hard, probing questions regarding the services schools offer. Students Encouraged to Apply to College, While in Class The R2C  Takeaway: Its no secret that students who dont apply have zero chance of getting into colleges, so there is a growing campaign in many high schools to help those students who are most hampered by either disinterest, lack of parental involvement or access to a home computer apply during school hours.  Organizers estimate the campaign last fall helped 153,000 students from 2,500 high schools apply to college.    Colleges Priceless Value The R2C  Takeaway: With the high cost of college and the competition to get a lucrative job once you graduate, it would be very irresponsible to think that you shouldnt focus on the practical reasons for attending. But students should also take advantage of the opportunity to broaden their horizons both intellectually and for the common good. College can be a steppingstone for all of that and when schools encourage the inclusion of one with the exclusion of the other, they are doing a huge disservice to society.    Fitting in on Campus: Challenges for First-Generation Students The R2C  Takeaway:  Students who are the first ones in their family to attend college often lack having someone close to turn to for experiential advice and guidance. Colleges should be making an effort to reach out and mentor those students who may not have as easy a time of fitting in as others. Campus Bike Recycling Programs Give Cash-Strapped Students a Ride The  R2C  Takeaway:  In an example of one mans treasure being another mans treasure,  bicycles that have been abandoned on college campuses are being given a second life as many campus groups are refurbishing and giving them to students who would otherwise have no means of transportation. Road2College Road2College is dedicated to providing families with trustworthy information about college admissions and paying for college. We recognize the two processes are intertwined and our goal is to educate families on all aspects of admissions and funding so they can make smarter college financial decisions. View all posts CATEGORIES Curated Articles TAGS First Generation StudentsMental healthScholarshipsNEWER POSTThe Takeaway: Week of 2/22OLDER POSTIts FAFSA Time Dont Leave Money on the Table