How Does Geography Affect My College Search?

29 11 2007

281.jpg

Colleges and universities want to make their campuses more diverse. This means geographic diversity.

What you may not recognize in geographic diversity is how it affects college admissions. Getting into a college on the other side of the country is easier than getting admitted to the state school in your hometown. Going to school in-state has a lot of appeals. Students have the home comfort. You may already know the campus before you pay your official visit. The biggest part of your friends can also attend the college, and cheaper in-state tuition is the main thing. But if you live in Georgia and want to go to Georgia you are opposing with students from across the state. If you are standard student with good marks and typical high school activities your request will be almost identical from others.

Studying at the out-of-state school can mean more main tuition payments, but as an out-of-state student you may meet the criteria for more college scholarships. As a student from abroad you are a rarer gem.

Attending a school far from home has its own challenges beyond adjusting to a new setting. Climate and customs are different. The safety net of family will not be there if things get rough and a familiar ring of friends would not be nearby at the start of the first term. But adjust and challenge type opportunity for growth. Now is a good time to study how to do your own laundry. You could pick up the skills necessary to heat in the kitchen and clean in the bathroom. You will be a self-governing adult.

Of course, it is possible to do all of these things close to home, too. The most important thing in your search of college is weighing your options and trying to make a decision what situation is best for you.



The Letter of Recommendation

29 11 2007

A letter of recommendation is not always needed to get into a college or get a scholarship, but sooner or later in your college investigation you are going to need one. Before writing the letter of recommendation, it is necessary to some rules of its writing.

The first pace in the letter of recommendation process is finding a buddy. Is there a teacher whose class you predominantly enjoy? Do you have good marks and history of taking part in a class? This can be the teacher to ask. If you are lively in a school club perhaps you are close up to the sponsor. Some teachers would not write a letter if they do not have any idea of you. Do not feel prickly asking a teacher for a recommendation. You are most probable not the first to ask.

Secondly, ask well firstly of your deadline. You may drag an all-nighter for your projects, but do not wait for the same when you are asking a favor. In addition, one teacher may be asked to write letters for more than a few students. If you wait until late in the university admissions calendar a teacher may be engaged to write or may be rushed when composing the letter.

Thirdly, remember that a letter’s idea when you ask for a recommendation. One teacher can better qualify to tell about your academic ability, while a coach may be able to talk about your management or community participation. Tell the teacher the letter’s main aim. Do not be afraid to ask the writer to emphasize on certain attributes. Moreover, tell the writer if this letter is for a precise school or scholarships or if the letter will be used with all of your applications. You may remain one or two standard letters of recommendation for applications. And finally, be sure a teacher realizes your deadlines. If a teacher is mailing the letter directly to the school you should give an addressed and stamped envelope.