The eNotes Blog How to Pick the Right College forYou

How to Pick the Right College forYou Congratulations high schoolers! Another school year is over and summer has just begun! While were certain that youre all out to have a good time and unwind, the summer is also an opportune time to start thinking about next steps, and its likely that a good number of your summer vacations revolve around  touring college campuses. Do you know where life will take you after high school, and what might be the right college for you? If the answer to that question still eludes you, we know a great resource to help you figure it all out. Imagine if there was one simple  infographic that pointed you to the exact college for you: one in the right state, that  offers the right major, and comes at a great price. Choosing the right campus would be a breeze, right? Well, youre in luck! Because Affordable Colleges Online  is just that: Affordable Colleges Online is a free resource  with the mission to direct  you to the best higher education possible at a price that you and your family can actually afford.  From any  page of AC Onlines  website you can search their vast database of US colleges for the school that matches the specific major, location, and degree level youre looking for. For instance, a search for nursing programs brings up not only online  classes that are currently open for enrollment, but the internships and scholarships available to prospective nursing students, too: With the wealth of information AC Online offers on online degrees, your college education could start right away. But is online learning right for you? Its steadily becoming more and more popular: Initially on the fringes of formal education, online courses and degree programs have quickly become mainstream. Colleges and universities of all types have incorporated online learning into their curricula. In 2013, seven million college students - nearly 50 percent of all those enrolled - took at least one online class, with an estimated 20 percent earning an entire degree program remotely. And the decision is a wise one; if you could have the same education for less in tuition fees and minus the cost of campus living, wouldnt you consider it? Of course, there will always be the draw to the campus lifestyle, and AC Online knows that. Thats why theyve also compiled lists of the most affordable universities across three categories: community, public, and private colleges. Interested in which US colleges offer the highest return on investment? The website has that information too. Essentially, any criteria you can come up with to find the perfect college for you, its on there. AC Online will even help you file for financial aid once youve made your choice! So, if youre still looking for  the right college for you, or if youre ready to tackle prerequisite courses online to save yourself time and money, head to affordablecollegesonline.org  for the easiest campus search on the web. Trust us your parents will thank you!

How to Ask for a Graduate School Letter of Recommendation

How to Ask for a Graduate School Letter of Recommendation Recommendation letters are a critical component of your graduate school application, yet are entirely dependent on other people―your professors. How you request a letter influences professors responses and ultimately the quality of your recommendation. How to Request a Recommendation Letter Dont request a recommendation letter by email.Dont spring it on the faculty member. Dont ask before or after class, in the hall, or at any other seemingly random time.Arrange an appointment, explaining that you wish to discuss your plans to apply to graduate school. This gives the professor a heads up and a chance to think about whether he or she can write a helpful letter on your behalf.Don’t ask, â€Å"could you write a letter?† Instead ask, â€Å"Do you feel that you are able to write a helpful letter supporting my application to graduate school? Ask whether the faculty member feels that he or she can write a helpful letter. You don’t need any old letter―you need a good letter.Prepare. Be prepared to discuss the type of degree you seek, programs to which you are applying, how you arrived at your choices, goals for graduate study, future aspirations, and why you believe the faculty member is a good candidate to write a letter of your behalf.Remember to tell the professor the application due date. This may influence his or her decision. What Your Professor Needs to Write Your Letter Time.  Give the faculty member enough time to write a good letter. Writing a letter of recommendation isnt easy. Ask at least a month before the due date. Earlier is better given that faculty need to adjust their schedule.Don’t make faculty rush as it will result in an average or even mediocre letter. When every recommendation letter an admissions committee receives is stellar, an  average letter will hurt your application.Understand that even if you give a professor a month to write your recommendation letter he or she might not submit it until just before the deadline. Its a sad reality: Profs procrastinate too.Give the professor what he or she needs to write an informed letter, including recommendation forms, transcript, essays, and other essential information. Dont forget to include relevant links and emails for online applications.If your prof requests hard copies, print out information for each program so that faculty member has the information they need to tailor th eir letter of recommendation to the program (very effective, if they choose that route). Be neat. Place all of your documentation in a folder and neatly label each item. Clip each recommendation form to supporting documentation, relevant admissions essays, and a stamped envelope. Use a sticky note to mark the deadline on each. Neatness counts because it makes professors’ jobs easier and sends the message that you are organized.If your prof requests electronic documents, place all files into one folder and organize them by using descriptive titles. Again, be neat. Seek Advice and Pay Attention Ask for input on your choices and overall advice. If the faculty member offers to review your admissions essay, take him or her up on it―and use their advice to improve your essay.Pay attention to signals that a faculty member does not want to write a letter on your behalf. Anything other than a glowing letter can harm your application. You dont want a lukewarm letter―it’s the kiss of death.Take no for an answer. If a faculty declines to write you a recommendation letter, dont push. He or she is actually doing you a favor.