Tag: college (Page 3 of 3)

According to a TIME report, women have surpassed men “in terms of college enrollment and competition,” but according to a new Pew Center Research survey, they are also “more likely than men to say college is a valuable experience.”

The survey results, released August 17, show that when asked to rate the job the U.S. higher education system is doing in terms of providing value for the money spent by students and their families, 50% of women who graduated from college say the experience was money well spent, while only 37% of men feel the same.

In addition to the divergent opinions over the value of college, the survey found more women than men reported feeling positively about their personal growth while enrolled. Seventy-three percent of women said college helped them grow and mature as a person, while 64% of men said the same.

The nationwide study also uncovered opinions about college affordability and intellectual growth.

Eighty-one percent of college-educated women say college was “very useful” in increasing their knowledge and helping them grow intellectually compared to 67% of men. One of the only areas where men topped women was in terms of college affordability: 14% of women agreed with the statement that most people can afford college today, compared with 26% of men.

The study surveyed 2,142 adults ages 18 and older between March 15 and March 29 of 2011. A year earlier, Pew also reported that a record 36% of women ages 25 to 29 had a bachelor’s degree, compared to 28% of men in the same age group.

One of the biggest myths about college is you have to have straight A’s to get into a good one. True, straight A’s can be come in handy when competing for the most competitive academic scholarships, but many college admission boards understand that some of the best students don’t always perform to their full potential in high school. In fact, they feel that less than perfect grades don’t represent who you are as a person or how well you will do in college. This means, if you’re a B student, don’t worry. All you have to do is create a list of colleges you might be interested in—many are probably on our list of best colleges for b students, and create an excellent application package to get your foot in the door. If you follow the advice below, you will be well on your way to being accepted into one of America’s best colleges for B students.

Getting In: Moving Past the Application Form

Once you have filled in all of the basic information on your application form, its time to begin adding test scores, essays, awards, and other credentials to your application packet. While it is important to include copies of your ACT and SAT scores as well as your high school transcripts, it is even more important to highlight your accomplishments and write an excellent essay. Many of the colleges on our list welcome (and encourage) resumes, which is a great place to organize and convey your biggest accomplishments. On your resume you should include:

• -Your full name
• -Current address
• -Telephone number
• -Email address
• -All awards and honors you have earned
• -All forms of community service
• -All part or full-time jobs
• -References
• -Sports and extracurricular involvement, whether inside or outside of school
• -Volunteer service

When it comes to writing essays, the most heartfelt and honest essays usually score big points over essays that “whine” and “place blame.” So here are some common dos and don’t’s to keep in mind when writing your essay and/or attending an entrance interview. You should explain any circumstances that could have affected your academic performance and/or test scores. Admissions staff members do understand that frequent moves, learning disabilities, part-time jobs, test anxiety or health issues, and extenuating personal or family circumstances can distract from learning. It’s best not to complain or whine, or blame teachers, parents, and others for your performance. Avoid being too emotional and try not adopt a “poor me” attitude. Admissions boards are much more receptive to those who take responsibility than those that seem to have one too many excuses.

Once you have all of your application materials in order, proofread the materials at least three times. Grammatical errors and careless mistakes won’t help matters at all. Once you feel that your application packet is in order, make a copy for your records and mail the original. That’s it!

Before we move onto the list of best schools for B students, keep in mind that that the colleges on our list are not looking for slackers. The entry requirements a bit more open-minded than some institutions, but they are not as relaxed as you think they are. These colleges still hold students to the highest standards from the time your application is submitted to graduation day.

Best Colleges for B Students

The following list represents just a small number of some of the best colleges for B students. Visit Petersons.com for a full directory of college and university websites.

• Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
• Ana Maria College, Paxton, MA
• Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
• Augusta State University, Augusta, GA
• Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
• Bradley University, Peoria, IL
• University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA
• Champlain College, Burlington, VT
• University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• Cornell College, Mount Vernon IA
• DePaul University, Chicago, IL
• Elmira College, Elmira, NY
• Fisk University, Nashville, TN
• Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
• Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
• Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ
• Hampton University, Hampton, VA
• High Point University, High Point NC
• University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
• University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
• University of Houston, Houston, TX
• Howard University, Washington, DC
• University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
• Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
• University of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA
• University of Maine, Orono, ME
• University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
• Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
• College of Notre Dame, Baltimore MD
• Ohio University, Athens, OH
• University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
• University of Portland, Portland OR
• University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
• University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
• Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
• University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
• Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
• Washington State University, Pullman WA
• West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV