So you think you want to be an engineer?  But, based on your overall goals and strengths, you may be happier as an engineering technologist.  Or perhaps an engineering technician.  What’s the difference?  Learn all about the nuances of these three professions, including what classes to take in high school AND which colleges offer these different degrees in the latest post on the College Coach Insider Blog at blog.getintocollege.com.

In our School Spotlight this week, we take a closer look at Wellesley College.  “But, I’m not interested in an all-girls school.” you think.  Before you make up your mind, learn 8 surprising reasons why you should at least consider it in the latest School Spotlight on the College Coach Insider Blog at blog.getintocollege.com.

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. In this week’s Scholarship Spotlight, we look at the National Potato Council Scholarship. Are you passionate about potatoes? Not eating them mashed or fried, but researching them? The National Potato Council (NPC) awards this scholarship to a graduate student whose research benefits the potato industry. For more information on this scholarship, links to member institutions, and how to apply, check out the College Coach Insider blog at blog.getintocollege.com.

If the COVID-19 outbreak and its repercussions have thrown a wrench into your college planning, make sure that you’re subscribed to the College Coach Insider blog at blog.getintocollege.com.  In the past week, we’ve put out articles on:
Demonstrating Interest without Visiting Campus, Top Tips for College Interviews by Skype, Saving and Paying for College in a Market Downturn, The President’s Suspension of Student Loan Interest, How To Visit Colleges Remotely, Keeping the College Application Process Moving from Home, Online AP Exams, And Resources for International Students on COVID-19.
More articles will be coming, so subscribe and stay informed. And hang in there! We’ll all get through this together (though properly socially distanced!).

Years ago, College Coach Robyn Stewart worked as an International Student Advisor at an independent English language school in Boston. Her students ranged in their language skills and abilities; some simply hoped to improve their conversational English while other students, university-bound hopefuls, studied hard to improve their TOEFL scores. Their goal was to enroll at one of the many universities in the area. If you’re considering an intensive English program, it takes time to narrow down options and do your research. For many international students who want to pursue a degree in the United States, an English language school (ELS) is often the first step.

In thinking about what program is “best” you will want to consider your short term and long term goals. Programs are either run by independent English language schools or offered directly by a U.S. college or university. Some programs focus on basic language learning and some provide more of a cultural experience to students. Since there are so many available options, the challenge falls to each student to make decisions that will best meet their personal and professional goals.

If you are considering a program directly offered by a U.S. university, there are several factors to consider, like the size of an institution and its setting (urban, suburban, or rural). Also, what resources will be available on campus to help with the adjustment to your new environment? For the college-minded international student, enrolling in an ELS program may be a good option as you continue your education, especially for students with lower TOEFL scores who eventually want that U.S. college experience.

Robyn breaks down a few specific ELS programs, and covers considerations (including costs) that students should take under advisement, in the latest post on the College Coach Insider blog at blog.getintocollege.com.

Computer science programs and majors grow in popularity every year. In the latest episode of our podcast, we explain what they are, who they are for, and what they look for in applicants. And in our Office Hours segment, we’re talking through questions to ask on campus tours, whether you’re collecting information to determine which schools should end up on your college list or to figure out how you can afford to pay for them. To listen to the show, say, “Alexa, play Getting In: A College Coach Conversation.”

Can a Parent PLUS Loan be forgiven?

The short answer is yes.

And no.

Confused yet?

You’re not alone. Among the myriad of confusing steps along the journey of paying for college, the forgiveness of loans borrowed by parents to pay for their children’s education is one of the most perplexing. It may also be one of the most critical questions for many families. With undergraduate federal student loans capped at $31,000, far short of the total cost of most four-year colleges, parents are required to bear much of the borrowing responsibility for college, and many are left wondering if there are avenues available to them for debt relief.

Learn the steps necessary to access PLUS Loan forgiveness on the College Coach Insider blog at blog.getintocollege.com.

There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges, including this week’s School Spotlight, the University of Virginia. Founded by Thomas Jefferson to nurture future leaders, the University of Virginia is among the most selective public universities in the country. Undergrads can choose from among a range of professional degrees, such as architecture, nursing, and engineering, as well as programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Across all of UVA’s undergraduate divisions, the most popular majors include engineering, economics, commerce, and biology. The University has introduced a number of new majors in recent years, including Youth & Social Innovation (in the School of Education) and Public Policy & Leadership (in the School of Leadership & Public Policy). While the campus currently supports 16,800 undergraduates, approximately 30 percent of students are Virginia natives, meaning that competition for out-of-state students remains fierce. The University of Virginia has more than 800 registered student organizations, including the Ballroom Dance Club, Latinx Student Alliance, The Filmmakers Society, and the Virginia Chess Club. Sports fans have a lot to cheer about at UVA. Wahoos (or Hoos, as they’re also known) compete in 27 D1 sports, and the men’s basketball team won the national championship in 2019! Good to know: Rather unique among institutions of higher education, UVA guarantees to meet 100 percent of a student’s demonstrated need through a combination of grants, work-study, and loans.

There is a scholarship (or many scholarships) out there for everyone. In this week’s Scholarship Spotlight, we look at the Scholarship for Aggressive Scholarship Applicants. Do you think that if you don’t have a 4.0 GPA, you won’t win any scholarships? Do you feel like it’s not even worth the effort to apply? Well, here is a scholarship that is available for being persistent and not giving up in the face of scholarship rejections. Keep on fighting the good fight toward financial independence, and it may just end up paying off in the form of this scholarship for aggressive applicants. For more information on this scholarship, links to member institutions, and how to apply, check out the College Coach Insider blog at blog.getintocollege.com.

Finding a job can be tough at the best of times, but what if you are a teen looking for your first job with no experience? In this video, our college admissions experts will provide some helpful tips to help first time job hunters land an interview! Tune in to the latest installment of the Bright Horizons College Coach video series, We Can Explain, to learn how. Head over to the College Coach YouTube channel to watch the video.