Thursday, October 25, 2012

Which Type of College is Right for You!

Which Type of College is Right for You!

 
There are a variety of different types of colleges available, so narrowing down the right one for you may seem like a daunting task. But, it doesn’t have to be! The below explanation of the different categories of colleges may help you find the one that seems best suited to your individual academic, social and financial needs.


Military
Military Colleges, like the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, teach their students in a unique style with a focus on military history and tradition.


Public
A public university is funded and paid for by public means. These schools are often, though not always, state schools, and they tend to have lower tuition rates than private universities. Towson University in Towson, Maryland (17,517 undergrads) would be an example.


State Schools
A state school is one that is paid for and run by the state. State schools, which are usually public, often have a large student population. For example, the University of Maryland-College Park has 26,775 undergrads.


Private
A private university is not run by the government. These institutions are run as educational nonprofit organizations. Private universities tend to have higher fees than public and state schools. An example would be the University of Richmond in Richmond Virginia.


Religious Affiliated
Religiously affiliated institutions are founded and supported by a specific religion. Because of their basis in religion, they may be a good choice for those with a strong faith. The Catholic-based Loyola University in Baltimore Maryland is an example of this.


Liberal Arts
A liberal arts university focuses on education in the field of liberal arts. Liberal arts include subjects like literature, psychology, and philosophy. As such, these schools would be a good choice for someone with an interest in the humanities. Hood College in Frederick, Maryland is an example of one such school.


Tech Schools
Tech or technical schools provide education in areas of trained labor. Technical schools can prepare students for careers as medical assistants, cooks, electrical technicians, and much more. An example of a technical school would be ITT Technical Institute, which has campuses across the country.


Ivy League
Ivy League universities are a group of academically elite educational institutions. They are private, and have high tuition rates. These universities are very selective. An example of an Ivy League university is Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. The term “Ivy League” is an athletic designation rather than an academic one.

We hope this list will make it easier for you to find the colleges that match your needs and interests! For more help in selecting the college that is the best fit for you, and that will result in an exciting and rewarding experience that leads to a satisfying career, contact Charlotte Klaar at 301-834-6888 or
Charlotte@cklaar.com.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Letter of Recommendation: Explained



The Letter of Recommendation: Explained

The letter of recommendation has long since been one of the key components of a college application. As such, it can be a major concern for high school students, raising questions such as: Who should you ask to write your letter of recommendation? How much time should they have to write it? What should they say to make you stand out? Is it even really necessary?
Below, we’ll help answer these questions in the hopes of demystifying the fabled letter of recommendation.

  • Who are the best people to ask to write a recommendation?
Standard letters of recommendation: Guidance counselors and teachers from your junior or senior years.
Supplemental letters of recommendation: Coaches, employers, religious leaders, and other respected adults who know you well

  • How much time should you give the person to write the recommendation letter?
Approximately three weeks

  • What should the person writing the letter say in order to make you stand out?
Focus on leadership abilities, extracurricular activities, highlights from your resume, intellectual curiosity, and other abilities/activities that enhance your in-classroom performance

  • Is the recommendation letter even necessary?
Most colleges do require at least one standard letter of recommendation
Hopefully, these answers will be helpful in your search for the perfect letter of recommendation.

As an additional note, students should be aware that counselors do not have to alert students as to whether or not they will send a recommendation letter on the student’s behalf. That makes it important that you follow up with your counselor to find out whether they have sent a letter.  If not, it’s doubly important that you get a letter from a teacher or other adult as per above!