Checking Out College Cuisine

If you're visiting colleges this summer, one question you might want to ask is: how's the food?

While the phrase "college dining hall" may conjure up images of tasteless, mass-produced "mystery meat" meals, many colleges and universities have made a concerted effort in recent years to beef up (pun intended) their dining hall menus. Even students with unique or unusual food preferences can find something to eat at most colleges these days. An Associated Press article notes that many colleges have added exotic menu choices, special food items, and even organic vegetable gardens to their meal plans. Some colleges are even offering cooking classes and in-dorm kitches to allow students to customize their meals. However, there is still wide variety amongst colleges when it comes to dining hall fare, so it's a good idea to ask about the food as well as the classes when you visit colleges -- After all, it's hard to think on an empty stomach!

Some questions to ask:

1. What are your meal plan options? Do they include unlimited food, or do students pay by the item?

2. Where can your meal plan be used? (Some college meal plans let students eat in certain local restaurants or in the campus food court.)

2. What hours are your dining halls open during the week? On the weekends? What are the options if you miss a meal?

3. Ask several students: What's your favorite item in the dining hall? How often is it offered?

4. Ask several students: What's your least favorite item in the dining hall? How often is it offered?

5. How much variety is there in the day to day fare in the dining hall? Are there special meals from time to time to break up the routine?

6. Does the school try to use fresh local ingredients?

7. Can the school meet your individual food needs (i.e., kosher meals, vegetarian meals, health concerns)? How complicated is the process of having your individual needs met? (For instance, some colleges say they offer kosher meals, but in reality what is offered are frozen meals. Most colleges say they offer vegetarian options, but the salad bar can start looking pretty old quickly if that is the school's only definition of "vegetarian food.")

Alert: California State University Transfers Winter/Spring 2010

If you're hoping to apply to the California State University system for the Winter or Spring 2010 quarters, there's important breaking news.

Due to the unprecendented California state budget crisis, the California State University System announced yesterday that it will no longer be accepting applications for the Winter and Spring 2010 quarters.

Students who applied for the Winter 2010 quarter by July 6 will still be considered for admission, but the California State campuses will not accept additional applications after that date.

The University will not accept any applications for admission, nor admit any new students, for the Spring quarter 2010.

The University will begin accepting applications for Fall 2010 on October 1, 2009. The priority application deadline will be November 30.

This news has already generated a lot of anxious phone calls to my office from worried students and parents, especially from community college students who had been planning to transfer for the Spring quarter. I have also heard from some recent high school grads and their parents who plan to start at community college in the fall, wondering how this news may affect their transfer chances down the road.

If you were planning to transfer to a Cal State for the Winter or Spring quarter, my advice is to reassess your options as quickly as possible. If you haven't looked beyond the California State University System for transfer possibilities, and you are set on transferring in the Spring, now is the time to broaden your sights. At this point, the University of California has not announced plans to close admissions for the Winter/Spring quarters, but, to play it safe, it would be wise to add some private colleges and universities to the mix if you want to transfer next Winter or Spring. I'd also encourage you to try to include some colleges outside of California on your list, since it is likely that Cal State's move will increase the application pools of other California institutions for Winter/Spring transfer applicants. For starters, check out transfer possibilities among colleges which belong to the Western Undergraduate Exchange. This is an exchange agreement between California and many public institutions in other Western states that allows California students to attend at a reduced rate over the usual out of state cost. Some of the WUE participants also offer merit scholarships to WUE applicants.

If you plan to also apply for transfer to the Cal State System for Fall 2010, note that the priority application deadline is October 1 through November 30. Many of the Cal States operate on a rolling admissions basis, so it is always a good idea to get your application for transfer in as soon as possible after October 1. That will be more true this year than ever, so plan accordingly.

Other students may decide to delay transferring until Fall 2010. The extra time could be used to finish up lower division requirements at California community colleges, gaining employment or internship experience, or perhaps participating in a short-term "gap year" program. However, one caution. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred to a Cal State campus are 70 semester units or 105 quarter units, so take that into consideration if continuing at your current college is your decision.

If you're starting at a community college in the fall, and you're wondering how this news might affect you, the truth isthat it remains to be seen. Right now, the Cal States are only closing applications for Winter and Spring 2010. In future years, it's very probable that year-round transfer admissions will be reinstated. However, because of uncertainty about how the economy may affect institutions over the next few years, I would urge students heading to community college this fall to be particularly careful about fulfilling the course requirements for UC/CSU transfer articulation agreements. It would also be a good idea to make full use of the academic and transfer advising services available at your community college right from the very start. That is good advice for any student starting at community college, even in the best of times.

The College Quest: Learn From Others

Sometimes, the best knowledge comes from experience. That's why I encourage students to ask their older siblings and peers, as well as the adults in their lives, about what the process of applying to college was like, and how they made their final college choice. You can often learn more from someone who's already been down the trail than you can from any book or website.

That's why, if you'll be a high school junior or sophomore this year (or the parent of one), I'd recommend checking out the College Quest series on the Cincinnati Enquirer website. They're following 12 high school seniors as they make their way through the college search and admissions process. The latest article in the series takes a look at campus visit trips and is packed with insights on the value of college road trips, and how to get the most out of them. But, the College Quest site also includes tons of great articles on finding the right college, financial aid, and college applications. It's definitely worth visiting on a regular basis.

Inside View: Stanford University

Stanford University doesn't need much introduction. It's one of the most visible universities in the U.S., and also one of the most competitive in terms of admissions. What's it like to be a student at Stanford? I asked Michael Tubbs, who just completed his freshman year at Stanford, for an insider's review.

When you were looking at colleges, what were the three most important things you were looking for?

Prestige, social life, and minority percentage

What other schools did you consider or apply to?

Columbia, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of California-Los Angeles, University of Southern California, University of California-Berkeley, University of Virginia, American University, Morehouse, and the University of Pennsylvania

What were the main reasons you decided to go to Stanford over other schools where you were admitted?

Location-Stanford is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from where I live, but is still a top-notch university with unrivaled academics, an international student body, and sunny weather.

Minority Communities- At some prestigious universities, minorities are marginalized, but that's not the case at Stanford University. Additionally, Stanford has amazing support systems for minority students with community centers and ethnic theme dorms.

What has been your biggest surprise about Stanford, something you either didn’t know about before you started, or that you expected but that didn’t prove true?

The people at Stanford. I came in thinking they would be all brilliant, rich, and somewhat pompous. Although all are brilliant, they aren’t socially awkward nor conceited. The majority of the students that I have interacted with are passionate about something and it’s contagious. Additionally, the atmosphere here is collaborative, everyone wants to help everyone. Furthermore, although the work is challenging the resources here make it impossible to fail! Finally, Stanford is a serious university that doesn’t take itself too seriously; our traditions really illustrate this- Full Moon on the Quad, Gaieties, Fountain Hopping, and Wacky Walk!

How would you describe the "typical” Stanford student to a prospective student who hasn’t had the chance to visit?

Stanford students work hard, play hard, and enthrall themselves in extracurricular activities. They are all amazingly accomplished, talented, and for the most part social. Stanford students are those that enjoy debating philosophy, world issues, and the latest pop culture gossip. Additionally, Stanford students for the most part are concerned about using whatever their thing might be to better the world. Public service is such a huge thing here that we have the Haas Center for Public Service, which provides all kinds of public service resources including organizations to get involved with, fellowships, leadership development courses, and opportunities to write a public service honors thesis.

Can you discuss in greater detail what the environment at Stanford is like for minority and students from low-income families?

Stanford is very serious about its commitment to maintaining undergraduate diversity in socio-economics status and ethnicity. To that end, the environment is great for low-income students. There is an employee who is assigned to work low-income/first-generation college students, there’s a mailing list to avail the students of opportunities or resources peculiar to them, and there is also is a student group called Next Generation that helps support low-income and first generation students during the college process. Additionally, there are community centers that every minority group has (including women and LGBT students) that provide counseling, leadership opportunities, programming, and support. To be low-income or first generation at Stanford is to be empowered to bring your experience with you and to grow!

How would you describe the academic climate at Stanford?

Stanford is a top tier academic university on a quarter system so the work is indeed challenging, but nothing too difficult unless you’re an engineer or pre-med. The quarter system is 10 weeks though so every 3 weeks it’s a paper, a midterm, or a final for your classes. Although it moves quickly the quarter system has definitely been my favorite part about academic life at Stanford because it allows me to take up to 15 classes a year so I get depth as well as breadth of knowledge.

How are the dorms at Stanford? How's the food?

The dorms at Stanford are being renovated this year, so they’ll all be big and spacious. Last year, my freshman year, I lived in Ujaama, a four-class dorm and the African American theme dorm, and it was a great learning experience because all of Stanford’s theme dorms can only be 50% one ethnicity. The dining hall food is not bad and every dorm has a dining hall. Besides the dining hall, there is Subway, Jamba Juice, the Coffee House, The Tree House, and The Axe and Palm.

What is your favorite place on campus?

My favorite place on campus has to be the Claw across from the bookstore and the HAAS Center for Public Service.

What do people do at Stanford do for fun?

For fun, Stanford students party and do extracuriculars! For example I’m involved with the Black Student Union as the High School Conference Coordinator, the NAACP, the Associate Student Body as Co-Chair of Diversity and Tolerance Initiatives, serve on the University Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid, do admissions panels for the admissions office, am a Tutor Coordinator for Stanford College Prep (tutors at EPA High Schools), and am an Oral Communication Tutor. Stanford also has many traditions, but it is better to wait until you get here to find out!

What do you like best about Stanford? What would you change?

Stanford is an all around great institution, especially when compared to other top colleges. The weather is amazing, the academics are top notch, the people are wonderful, and the atmosphere is one of, “Yes, I’m going to change the world but I’m going to have fun in these next four years while doing so!” The only thing I would change is the advising system, although upperclassmen are great resources for that as well.

Do you have any advice for high school students about the college search and admissions process?

Research, Research, Research! Write a compelling personal statement! Apply to a range of schools, and if you don’t get into your first choice (I didn’t!), trust that you WILL find the college that is right for you.

Free Book To Help Find Scholarships

I've mentioned the Financial Aid Podcast here before. It's a terrific Internet radio show that covers news and trends related to financial aid and a great way to get up to speed quickly on financial aid issues.

Christopher Penn, the creator of the Financial Aid Podcast, has also put together a great, FREE e-book about finding college scholarships, Scholarship Search Secrets. This 40-page book walks students (and parents) through finding scholarship leads on the Internet, and is packed with useful tips to help boost the odds of winning college scholarships. It's never too early -- or too late -- to look for college scholarships, and this free book is a must read for anyone looking for money for college.

A Summer College Admissions "To Do" List For High School Seniors

School's out for summer...but if you're a rising senior, the summer before senior year can be a good time to start laying the foundation for your college applications.

However, before I give you some suggestions on things you can do over the summer to prepare for the application crunch, I want to take a moment to give the parents of rising seniors some advice first. Simply put: Don't expect your child to have all of their essays written, their applications filled out, and their college list finalized by September 1! While there's certainly nothing wrong if your child decides, on their own, to jump start the process over the summer, chances are, it ain't gonna to happen that way in most homes. And, really, that's fine! Regular decision deadlines don't start full force until early January, so there is plenty of time for your child to get into the swing of college applications. So, don't stress if your child still seems to be in the "what me worry?" phase of college applications. This too will pass. Keep repeating that phrase until you believe it. It will serve you well in the months ahead.

OK, with that said, back to any students who may be reading this blog. Here's a "To Do" list of five things you can do over the summer to help smooth the process next fall.

1. Make time for self-reflection. The process of applying to college, when done correctly, is really a process of self-discovery. Unfortunately, in the hysteria that has built up around college admissions in recent years, self-discovery often gets lost in the mad dash to accumulate the most AP classes, the highest test scores, the best grades, and the "right" extracurriculars. Too few students take time to think about who they really are, beyond their list of accomplishments, or to evaluate what really matters most to them, beyond "getting into a good college." That's truly unfortunate, because if you don't have a clear sense of self, you will have trouble making the many important decisions that lie ahead, not just in senior year, but in life. So, spend some time reflecting on the ways you've grown and changed over the past few years, the experiences that have shaped you into who you are today, and the person you hope to become as you venture forth into your future.

2. Play with the possibilities. You already know that your parents and guidance counselor will be bugging you come September 1st for your "final" list of colleges. It may be tempting to take the easy way out, and just list five or ten (or twenty!) colleges that you know they'll approve of as a way to simply appease them. But, don't sell yourself short. This summer is a time to play with the possibilities. Instead of making a list of college names, let yourself dream about what you'd like your life at college to be like -- what qualities and characteristics would your "dream college" really have? What would it be like to spend four years living in different parts of the country? Think outside the box. Chances are you can probably name only a handful of the more than 2,400 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.. Investigate some schools that haven't yet crossed your radar, and do some research to see if they might be good matches for you.

3. Have the "money talk" with your parents. Some families are squeamish about discussing how financial matters might affect college choices. Other families immediately assume that certain colleges will be out of reach and set premature limits on the college search. And, sometimes families put off learning about how financial aid and merit scholarships work until it is too late. This year, more than ever, it's important to have "the money talk" well before you tie down your final list. Do some research on the money side of things (I have provided many resources in this blog) and then ask your parents to sit down and have a heart-to-heart honest talk about where you and they stand when it comes to paying for college. Even if your parents don't seem interested, it is important to also educate yourself about the financial side of going to college. A good starting point: ask your parents to help you complete the FAFSA Forecaster to get an idea of your family's Estimated Family Contribution, the basic amount colleges will use to determine your eligibility for Federal sources of need-based aid. You can also run the numbers through the Financial Aid Calculators at FindAid.org and the College Board's website.

4. Get organized. Although most students apply online, you'll be surprised at just how much paper you'll still accumulate and need to keep track of as you move through the process of applying to college and for financial aid. Set up a "command central" space in your home and stock it with whatever organizational materials you think will help you stay on top of things. Some essentials to get now: stamps, envelopes, storage folders, and a safe place to keep all of your college application materials. Remember: applying to college is stressful enough; you don't need the extra stress of madly searching for that missing application piece at Midnight the night before deadline day. And, here's another important part of getting organized: take a few hours to write down all of the pertinent information about yourself you're likely to need when applying to college. Which extracurriculars have you participated in and when were you involved? What did you contribute to the organizations and clubs you participated in? What awards have you won since ninth grade? What hobbies do you have that might be of interest to an admissions committee? What's your social security number? What are your passwords for the College Board and ACT websites? What's your high school's address? Your counselor's email? Use a spiral bound notebook to start tracking this, and other, information you'll need again and again as you apply to college.

5. Have fun and try to relax! Applying to college is a marathon, not a sprint. You'll need plenty of energy to tackle everything involved in applying to college over the coming year. While you shouldn't entirely blow off the college application process this summer, it is OK to allow yourself to have some fun and relaxation. In fact, this summer is a good time to start developing save and smart stress-reduction methods for the inevitable anxiety you'll feel at some point during the college admissions process. A little fun and relaxation now can go a long way towards helping you deal better with what lies ahead --- so, even if you are one of those rare kids who will have their college applications finished and ready to go come September 1st, make sure you also enjoy the summer!

Laughing At The Absurdity of College Admissions

Are you entering your senior year in high school? Or, are you the parent of one?

If so, take an hour this summer to watch one of the funniest videos I've ever seen on the subject of college admissions, Do or Die, The College Admissions Process. Made as a senior project by two Scarsdale High School Students, this film had me laughing out loud. It follows the senior year of three students: a high achieving nerd who sleeps with his SAT Study Guide, a star athlete who can't pronounced "accepted" when the fat envelope arrives, and a slacker, who takes his own route in life.

However, it's the parents in this video who make it laugh-out-loud funny. They stress about finding just the right extracurriculars for their kids ("She'll never get into an Ivy with that," one parent tells another. "But maybe she can get into Middlebury"). Another mother obsesses about her daughter's alumni interview, holding a sign in the window where her daughter is interviewing that reads "Have a good interview - or find a new family." Clearly, these parents are all worried about getting their kids into "the university of MY dreams."

They say that the best humor always holds a seed of truth.

Link: Do or Die, The College Application Process

The Mother Lode of College Admissions Information

It's been a while since I mentioned Martha Wiseman's list of links, but with summer upon us, it's worth mentioning again. Ms. Wiseman is a retired guidance counselor, who has compiled the motherload of website links to college admissions and financial aid information and resources. Although she started it primarily as a resource for guidance counselors, if you're a student or parent looking for information on colleges, college applications, college essays, standardized tests, and financial aid, you'll find lots there to keep you busy and well informed as you plan for college. Happy researching!

Link: Guidance Resource Homepage

Bryn Mawr College Adopts New "Flexible" Admissions Test Policy

Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania has announced a new standardized testing policy, effective for students applying this fall.

Under the new policy, applicants will be able to select the standardized tests they feel best represent their academic potential and submit one of the following:

1. The SAT Reasoning Test and a combination of two different SAT Subject exams and/or two AP tests OR

2. The ACT OR

3. A combination of three Subject Tests and/or AP tests that include one test in English, history or languages, one test in math or science, and a third exam in the student's choice that is in a different subject from the other two tests

Bryn Mawr's new "test flexible" policy is similar to policies recently adopted by New York University, Colby College, and Hamilton College. Additionally, over 800 colleges and universities have now instituted test optional admissions policies in admissions.

Over 100 Colleges Fail Financial "Stress Test"

Call it the college financial "stress test." Each year, the U.S. Department of Education asks private colleges receiving federal financial aid funds to undergo what is known as the fiscal responsibility test, designed to check financial stability.

According to figures obtained by the Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required), over 114 colleges failed the test this year.

The test is based on each college's audited financial statement, and examines factors such as net worth, operating losses, and the school's assets to liabilities ratio. The Department of Education assigns a score from 3 to minus 1 for each college. Colleges scoring 1.5 or above "pass" the test. Those below 1.5 receive closer scrutiny from the Department of Education, and must meet criteria of improvement.

Colleges with scores below 1.5 can still offer Federal financial aid to their students, but they face added scrutiny and regulation of their operations that may pose a further financial burden to the institution. Those that earn a score of below 1.0 are required to post a letter of credit equal to 10 percent of the amount of Federal student aid they receive.

The majority of the 114 colleges with scores below 1.5 are small institutions and many are religiously-affiliated institutions drawing a self-selecting, and mainly regional, student body. However, there are some colleges on the list that AdmissionsAdvice.com readers may have on their radar, so I will post them here.

Colleges scoring below 1.0 included:

San Francisco Art Institute
St. Andrews Presbyterian (NC)
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (NH)
Concordia College (CA)
Daniel Webster College (NH)
Newbury College (MA)
Paul Quinn College (TX)
Pine Manor College (MA)
Waldorf College (IA)
Dana College (NE)
Wells College (NY)
Dominican College of Blauvelt (NY)

Colleges scoring above 1.0, but below 1.5 include:

Utica College (NY)
Mount Olive College (NC)
Benedict College (SC)
Elms College (MA)
Concordia College (IL)
Eureka College (IL)
Tiffin (OH)

Although 114 colleges are just a small percentage of the more than 2,600 colleges and universities in the U.S., the results underscore the importance of asking questions about the financial stability of every college you are considering. As we've seen in recent months, even large, well-funded institutions are feeling the pinch of a troubled economy, and the situation for some schools is quite fluid.

All colleges are required to prepare annual financial statements. Some colleges post their full statements on their websites, but all colleges should be willing to provide a copy to prospective students and parents who ask for it. Pay particular attention to whether or not the institution is operating at a deficit. If so, ask more questions. How long has the institution been in the red, and why?

A college that is experiencing a temporary cash flow due to the economic downturn is likely in better shape than one who has been running a deficit for several years before the economy soured. Colleges that have large endowments may be better prepared to deal with an extended downturn than one that depends mainly on student tuition to operate, although there are many variables involved. In short, avoid jumping to conclusions about any college's finances, especially in today's economic climate, but by the same token, don't assume that you shouldn't ask questions about an institution's financial health. That has always been an important part of college shopping, and it is even more so today.