15 Picturesque College Campuses Across The Country

College bound students have the unique opportunity of choosing a new home for the next four years of their lives, and potentially even longer. While many factors play into a student’s college choice, the appeal of its campus is likely one of those criteria.   

Students certainly need to consider their choice of major.  But many of the most popular majors, including business, nursing, psychology, and biology, are offered at hundreds, if not thousands, of colleges across the country. This gives students a great deal of leeway in allowing other factors to impact their decision. One of those factors is often campus beauty.

 

While beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, certain campuses have been particularly noted for their visual appeal. Fifteen colleges were singled out by U.S. News & World Report for touting such attributes as “stunning architecture, a picturesque setting or eye-popping landscaping.” The schools gracing this list, which represent twelve states throughout the country, are Baylor University, (TX), Flagler College (FL), Harvard University (MA), Indiana University: Bloomington (IN), Kenyon College (OH), Pepperdine University (CA), Salve Regina University (RI), San Diego State University (CA), Stanford University (CA), Swarthmore College (PA), University of Colorado: Boulder, University of Notre Dame (IN), University of Vermont, University of Virginia, and University of Washington.

High School Course Selection Effect on College Applications

Throughout their high school years, students are making decisions that will ultimately impact the success of their college applications. Most notably, they are choosing the high school courses they will take, and the level of difficulty of those courses.   

There are certainly guidelines required by the State of New Jersey, including four years of English and Physical Education/Health, three years of Math, Science and Social Studies, and an array of courses in World Languages, Visual or Performing Arts, and Financial Literacy. But students are given great latitude as to the specific courses taken within these fields and the level of rigorousness of these courses.  Also, students with the goal of enrolling in an elite college or university should seek to surpass the minimum high school graduation requirements.  

 

Regarding Math, for example, students are required to take Algebra I, Geometry, and one higher level course. But many colleges strongly favor students who have studied both Pre-Calculus and Calculus during their high school years, particularly if they will be pursuing a major in Business, Engineering, Architecture, or other math-intensive field. Such students need to carefully plan their four-year course of study, as they may need to double-up on Math during one high school year, or take a summer course for which they will be given credit.  

Strategies to Cover College Costs with Merit Money

 

Students seeking to cover their college costs without taking on significant debt should focus on securing merit money. This is scholarship money awarded for academic accomplishments or a specific talent that is not tied to a family’s financial assets and does not get paid back.  

 

One impressive source of merit money is based on students’ scores on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which is taken in October of one’s junior year.  This test is also referred to as the PSAT. More than $35 million dollars will be awarded next year to some 8,000 students who earn impressive scores on this exam.    

 

Many more students will earn merit money based on their SAT scores.  The majority of colleges award merit money – which is renewable each year – to applicants who score higher than the median score for their student body.  Colleges want to attract students who raise the reputation of the school, and awarding merit scholarship money is an effective tool.  Since students can take the SAT as many times as they choose during their high school years, and then submit only their highest scores, this is typically the easiest way to earn merit scholarships.    

 

To have the best chance of receiving substantial merit money, students should apply to colleges a tier below those to which they could likely gain acceptance. For example, students expecting to be admitted to NYU’s Stern School of Business (where annual tuition, room and board fees exceeds $75,000) would have a great chance of being awarded substantial merit money by St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and St. John’s University in NYC. Both host impressive business colleges with lower tuition rates and more generous scholarship packages. 

 

Students should be proactive and reach out to all colleges of interest to learn about potential merit scholarships, as some schools are particularly generous. Fairfield University in Connecticut, for example, offered merit aid averaging $17,388 to more than half of its students this academic year, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

 

Students should also be aware that many public universities offer out-of-state students more merit aid than they offer in-state students, to help compensate for the different tuition fees. This may help New Jersey students who are eager to attend such popular schools as Penn State University, University of Delaware, and the many SUNY campuses.

 

It's beneficial for students to start their merit scholarship search during their junior year as applications frequently require essays, recommendation letters, or other materials. Upon receiving merit money, it’s vital for students to be aware of the requirements for renewing that aid for the remainder of their college years.  Usually, students need to maintain a minimum GPA, but other stipulations may also apply.    

 

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review which offers PSAT/SAT^® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362

250 Colleges With Openings for Current Seniors

May 1^st has now passed, offering a slew of options to high school seniors who have not yet honed their post-graduation plans.  May 1^st is known as National Response Day, by which time college bound students need to accept a seat (and pay a deposit) to the college they have chosen to attend.

Since most students apply to a multitude of colleges, it’s impossible for schools to know in advance exactly how many of those whom they’ve accepted will actually enroll.  Once May 1^st rolls around, colleges find out if they have met their target enrollment. If not, their name is likely be added to a list cultivated by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) offering a last chance for high school seniors.

Sometimes, students plan to attend a community college after high school or to take a gap year to explore their interests. As they approach graduation and realize the majority of their friends are leaving town for college, they may have a change of heart. 

Fortunately, the list just released by the NACAC includes more than 250 colleges that are still accepting applications for the fall semester of 2023.  Included are two New Jersey schools that have openings for both incoming freshmen and transfer students and are still offering housing and financial aid. They are Caldwell University and Rider University. 

 

New York currently has 19 schools still accepting applications, including Adelphi University, Hofstra University, Ithaca College, and Pace University. Pennsylvania lists 22 schools, including Penn State University, Duquesne University, Moravian University and St. Joseph’s University. Three schools in Connecticut are still accepting applications: Mitchell College, University of New Haven, and University of Saint Joseph. Maryland lists 6 schools, including Goucher College, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Salisbury University. 

 

As the list is frequently updated, interested students should visit nacacnet.org/openings for the most current information.

 

At this point, students interested in a particular college should file an application promptly and touch base with the admissions office to verbalize their strong interest in attending the school. If all goes well, they may end up purchasing their college gear sooner than expected!

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review which offers PSAT/SAT^® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362

Passion Project Advantage on College Applications

Years ago, college admissions officers were in search of well-rounded students who seemed to have it all: academic success, athletic prowess, and a resume full of extracurricular activities.  That’s no longer the case.  Colleges are no longer seeking “Renaissance people,” but rather students with a specialty. By admitting thousands of talented students, each with their own niche, colleges are able to create a diverse, and accomplished student body.

 

On their applications, students should emphasize the talent they would bring to the school – and the more unique the better.  While colleges typically have thousands of applicants eager to play football, baseball, soccer, and basketball, they have many fewer seeking a spot for fencing, golf, crew, squash, sailing, and polo.  

 

Students with a talent for music might benefit from the words of a conductor who referred to as “scholarship row” the section that included students playing oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, baritone saxophones, and tubas.