Must Know College Checklist | Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
July 11, 2023 by Leave a Comment

must know college checklistMust Know College Checklist with Jean Burk

When you are ready to visit a college do you know what to look for?  Here is the must know college checklist of important information to find the very best college for your child.

Celebrate with us! Jean Burk is a Fox News Contributor – she was recently a guest on Fox and Family with Lisa Brady!

 

Visit our sponsor – College Prep Genius 

Podcast #54

 

Must Know College Checklist Show Notes

  • Visit top two schools,
  • Ask yourself questions; Am I comfortable walking around? Can I be friends with these people?
  • Make a checklist to compare colleges
  • Apply to 5-6 schools, safe schools, reach schools, and dream schools

Links we discussed:

 

Remember there is no perfect college

  1. Check the school website for visit dates
  2. Contact the admissions counselor for a personal date
  3. Go on a weekday to get a feel for the campus
  4. Try to schedule an interview while you are there
  5. Ask if the school offers reimbursement for travel fees
  6. Make travel arrangements as soon as you can
  7. Arrange for an excused absence to take college visits
  8. Try to talk to the dean or professors
  9. Sit in on one or more classes
  10. Take a tour of the campus
  11. Visit the bookstore student center or library
  12. Spend the night in a dorm to get a feel for the housing
  13. Eat in the cafeteria to see if you like it
  14. Meet with the admissions counselor face to face
  15. Wander around the campus by yourself
  16. Talk to students at the college and ask about their experience
  17. Visit around the school to get a feel of the area

Questions to Ask Academic Advisor –

  1. What is the average class size for the freshman
  2. How many of those students returned the following year
  3. What makes this college program special
  4. How easy is it to switch majors
  5. How does the school help the student adjust to college life
  6. Is there Greek life or social groups at this school
  7. Is the Greek System important to this school
  8. What organizations are the school partnered with
  9. What does the tuition cover
  10. Are there hidden fees
  11. Work-study jobs
  12. How safe is the campus
  13. What does the housing scene look life
  14. Are freshmen allowed to live off campus
  15. Are freshmen allowed to have their own car
  16. Campus parking situation
  17. Does the school offer campus-wide tutoring
  18. How big is the average class size

Things to ask the students at the college

  1. Thing they like most about the college
  2. The worst thing about this college
  3. Why did they pick this college
  4. Would you pick this school again if you had the chance
  5. If I need help how acceptable are the professors here
  6. Are the professors down to earth
  7. What do you like about your department
  8. Do you like the professors
  9. Are the professors teaching the classes themselves or is it done by a TA
  10. How diverse is the student body
  11. How is the cafeteria
  12. What do you do for fun here
  13. How close are the shopping center
  14. How are the dorms
  15. Which dorm is best
  16. Are the dorms nice
  17. What is the one thing you wish you knew ahead of time

 

 

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Navigating College Prep in the Digital Age

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June 14, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Navigating College Prep in the Digital Era

234: Navigating College Prep in the Digital Age

This podcast discusses many different aspects to navigating college prep in the digital age.

Until June 30, 2023, the coupon POD5 will give you a $5 (20%) discount on the self-paced College Prep class / contest (High School Challenge) from show sponsor FundaFunda.

Previous podcast episodes mentioned in this podcast are:

Episode 117: Tips for Completing Online Scholarship Applications
Episode 179: Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities

College prep resources mentioned in this podcast are:

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Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

Navigating College Prep in the Digital Era

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Special Replay: Rethinking College

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
April 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment

But whether you and/or your student have a clear plan or not, CLEP-ing out of their gen-eds is always the wisest way to go. Rethinking College

Welcome to this episode of Life Skills 101! This week the topic of this podcast is Rethinking College.

With the rising cost of college, it’s important for parents to take time to evaluate with their students, the academic, financial and world view Return on their Investment (ROI) of college costs and debt. The average college graduate (does not include students who do not graduate but still have debt), takes 6 years, not 4 to graduate, with an average of over $35,000 in debt

A college degree is no longer necessary for a rewarding career or to ensure an upwardly mobile life-style. In fact, crippling college debt can make the American Dream an impossibility!

As parents, how do we guide and direct our young adults as they plan for the future?

In this episode, we explore ways that students can get a head start on college, by starting by taking CLEP or  Dual Enrollment courses, specifically targeting Gen Ed Courses.

General Education Requirements:

    • 6 credits of English.
    • 3-6 of Math
    • 3-9 of Science
    • 3-6 of Social Science
    • 3-6 of Diversity
    • You can get an associate’s or even a bachelor’s from the Big Three of the CLEP world. These are
      • Thomas Edison
      • Excelsior
      • Charter Oaks

It makes good sense for young adults to learn how to navigate the digital world. Starting an online business in high school can set them up for future success; setting up an online educational business is even better as the online education market is estimated to be an over $350 billion dollar market by 2025.

Students should consider what kind of lifestyle do they want to have as adults and work backwards from there. What kind of training, income and skills will they need to attain that? The future will demand that our young adults have Critical Thinking Skills, Adaptability and Flexibility and the ability to Collaborate.

Below are resources offered by True North to help families navigate the rapidly changing world of college.

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Get Ahead of the Class app

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June 22, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Get Ahead of the Class app

186: Get Ahead of the Class app

Denise Thomas from Get Ahead of the Class has created an app with the same name to help parents and teens navigate the college application process.

The app is free and available on iPhone and Android.

You can start using it from middle school up. It will help students know what to expect when they apply to colleges and will help them learn how to pay for college without ending up in a lot of debt.

Listen to the episode to find out more about what is in the app. Be sure not to miss the tip at the end about the one feature in the app you don’t want to miss!

Don’t forget to sign up your homeschooled high schoolers for sponsor FundaFunda’s annual summer High School Challenge for homeschoolers in rising 9th – 12th grade. This contest gamifies the learning and offers gift card rewards – as well as an overall cash prize.

—————————————————————————————————————-
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

Get Ahead of the Class app

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Digital College Prep

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
May 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Digital College Prep

131: Digital College Prep

These are the websites I mention in this episode on Digital College Prep. If your high schoolers participate in the High School Challenge offered annually in the summer by show sponsor FundaFunda Academy, they will participate in assignments using websites like these, as well as many more.

Every summer, show sponsor FundaFunda Academy runs a College Prep contest during June and July. Students use online resources and games to learn about college prep – and also earn points that can win them prizes. Learn about the High School Challenge here (it is for rising 9th -12th graders and only for homeschoolers)

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Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode.

Digital College Prep

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MOOCs – how to use them for yourself and your teens

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
May 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment

MOOCs How to use them for you and your teen

Episode 32: MOOCs – how to use them for yourself and your teens

 

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast

And visit our sponsor FundaFunda Academy to see the classes they are offering for high school credit this summer.

MOOC = Massive Open Online Courses

The start of MOOCs is typically accepted to be in 2011 when Sebastian Thrun and Peter Norvig from Stanford offered an online course on artificial intelligence. Over 160 000 people from all over the world registered (including my younger son). There were a few MOOCs before this but this is the one that set MOOCs on the map.

Characteristics of MOOCs

  • Usually taught by college professors at a university level
  • Initially, they were typically free, but that is no longer the case though many are still free to audit, you will pay to get a certificate
  • Most start and end on specific dates, but some are self-paced
  • Tuition is via streamed videos but some classes will also have reading material and some live hangouts
  • Many will have automatically graded quizzes. Some also use peer reviews
  • Students can interact with classmates and teaching assistants in online forums

What are the main MOOCs?

EdX – started by Harvard and MIT offers some AP and high school classes as well as college-level classes.

Coursera – many of their short courses are grouped together to offer a “microcredential.” They monetize by a monthly subscription model. But they do still offer many courses that are free to audit.

Futurelearn is UK-based and owned by The Open University. Exams are behind a paywall and you have to pay for certificates but quizzes are usually accessible free.

Udacity is the MOOC provider that grew out of that first MOOC, but isn’t allied to any university. It offers “Nanodegrees” related to Information Technology which consists of a number of courses with human-graded projects, some mentorship and assistance finding a job afterward (ie an alternative to college). But they also still have individual free courses with basic quizzes and interactive coding assignments.

Best way to find a MOOC?

Visit Class Central and search for a topic you are interested in. This website clearly shows all the opttions, if a class is free, when it starts and how it has been rated by students.

Why parents should consider MOOCs

  • It’s a way for you to keep up with whatever you studied in college
  • You can expand your interests to new fields
  • You provide a role model for your children as they see you sticking to deadlines, not giving up with hard work etc

Why teens should consider MOOCs

  • They can get access to classes that will stretch them academically
  • You can use them as interesting electives (provide credit based on how many hours your child spends on the course)
  • See them as college-prep. Teens will get a taste of what college-level work is like.
  • Be sure they add them to their LinkedIn profiles or digital portfolios
  • They might use their experience taking a MOOC in a college admissions essay as it shows they want to be challenged academically and are ready for higher-level work.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on meryl@mediaangels.com or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

MOOCs How to use them for you and your teen #homeschoolonline #homeschoolhighschool #homeschoolpodcast #MOOC

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College Success

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
April 15, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #087, College Success with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio NetworkCollege Success

In College Success, episode #087, Meredith Curtis talks about how to thrive, not just survive in college. Whether you are dual enrolling, commuting, or moving to another state for your college years, you will appreciate this practical, encouraging advice. You can excel academically and stay strong in your faith!

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 1:5 by Laura Nolette and Powerline Productions, Inc.

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

We offer books and ebooks to help you homeschool to the Glory of God!

 

 

Show Notes

My College Story

  • New Christian
  • First Bad Grade
  • Nursing Major (starting new curriculum junior year)
  • IV, Christian Fellowship, Making Disciples
  • Close Relationship with my Grandparents

What is College Success to You?

Picture Yourself at the End of College.

Priorities

Your Life Reflects Your Priorities.

Your Priorities Reflect Your Purpose.

What are you living for?

What does your life say?

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

  • Put God first always. Matthew 6:33, Psalm 127.
  • Stay plugged into a local church. Never neglect your family. College is one season; family lasts forever.
  • Connect with godly, genuine Christians on campus.
  • Stay pure; constantly cleanse your mind. Set your standards now and refuse to lower them.
  • Know the Word and Biblical Truth.
  • Know why you believe what you believe.
  • Know the world’s philosophies and learn to evaluate everything by the Truth.

Ruling and Reigning in Academics

Time Management and Scheduling are probably the biggest factors to academic success…even more than brains!!!!

Study Time and Study Habits

Make the Most of this Opportunity. Get the Best Education You Can.

Keys to Success

  • Working hard pays off.
  • Write Well:clear arguments, analysis, organization, complete sentences
  • Read Well: find main points, underline, take notes in margins
  • Take advantage of all your professors offer.

More Than Just Classes

  • Life Preparation & Career Exploration
  • Lifelong friendships!
  • Athletics, clubs, etc.: Choose wisely!
  • Build relationships with your professors.
  • Seize academic opportunities
  • Internships
  • Study Abroad
  • Workshops, networking, and more

Making Disciples in College

Witnessing in the Classroom

They are falling away like flies. Maybe just need to hear one person speak up.

Don’t be intimidated. Walk in your authority in Christ.

Gospel first; everything else second.

Remember they are broken sinners inside for all their pride.

Always learn from your mistakes.

Win them over. C.S. Lewis tactic: start from their side and lead to yours. Live your faith WELL! Respect others.

Pray for those who will be in your class!!! I have done this every single semester.

Outside the Classroom

Intentional relationships for evangelism.

Sit with new people at lunch and share the Gospel.

Pursue with love. Serve. Text. Pray for them.

Invite to coffee or lunch.

Join groups specifically for evangelism.

Learn how to turn conversations to Christ. Know some good questions!

Learn a basic Gospel presentation or two and get comfortable with it.

Be part of a VIBRANT CHURCH to be your net!!!

Start Now Being the Kind of Person You Need to Be

 

Worldview Podcasts

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #070, What Is Your Worldview?

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #070, What Is Your Worldview?

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #071, When Worldviews Collide

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #071, When Worldviews Collide

Resources

Unlocking the Mystery of Homeschooling High School by Meredith Curtis and Laura NoletteCareer Choices and the College Decision by Meredith CurtisCommunications 101:Essays and Speeches High School ClassAmerican Literature & ResearchWorldview Understanding the Times by Meredith CurtisGreat Commission Course by Meredith CurtisReal Men 103: LeadershipA Wise Woman Builds by Meredith Curtis

 

 

 

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Tech skills teens need before they graduate

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
January 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Tech Skills Teens Need

Episode 18: Tech skills teens need before they graduate

1. Computer basics

  • Saving / Copying / Uploading files
  • How to take a screenshot
  • Typing skills
  • Troubleshooting

2. Familiarity with different types of software

3. Online etiquette

  • Emails
  • Social media

4. Online research skills

  • Identifying credible sources
  • How to use Google Scholar
  • How to create bibliographies

5. Basic coding

  • STEM fields will require it
  • Many others will use it for manipulating data etc.

How do you do this?

  • Start young and incorporate tech into your daily homeschool life
  • Keep listening to this podcast and play earlier episodes that help you do this
  • If your kids are already in high school and have some catching up to do, our sponsor, FundaFunda Academy has some classes to help you. Take a look at Computer Applications which covers everything mentioned above except programming (their 5-week or full semester Python class will cover that)

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review!

Contact Meryl via email on meryl@mediaangels.com or connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook

Tech Skills Teens Need Before they Graduate

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College and your Roadschooler

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
May 16, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Screen Shot 2016-05-22 at 8.53.36 PMIs preparing your children for a college education one of your goals as a Roadschool mom?  Does a college education hold the weight it did in our parent’s generation?  Does the cost of a college education guarantee a return on the investment for your child’s future?  On this episode, Mary Beth and Kimberly reconnect with former guest, Jay Forte, of Get Your Kids Ready for Life.  Jay is a coach, a motivational speaker and a mentor found on college campuses and he shares with us his incite on higher education.

You can find the Parents and Students Assessment test we discuss on the broadcast here: http://ready4life.me/3aboutme-free-talent-assessment/

And you can tune into Jay’s podcast here: http://ready4life.me/podcast/

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Time4Learning_Share_Images_03This episode is sponsored by Time4Learning, Online Curriculum.  To start your free trial go to www.time4learning.com and enter promo code “ROADSCHOOLER”

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