Calming Parental Fears: How to Approach the College Selection Process

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Calming Parental Fears: How to Approach the College Selection Process

Choosing a college is a momentous decision: one that will have an enormous impact on where you’ll be and what you’ll do for the next four years of your life. It feels like it should be entirely personal, like the only one really impacted by your decision is you.

Of course, if your parents are helping you pay for school, they (quite accurately) feel like they have a considerable stake in the decision as well.

Here are some strategies for managing the college search profess in a way that will make everything far smoother, less conflict-prone, and more comfortable for everyone involved. 

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Why I Majored in Sociology

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Why I Majored in Sociology

Sociology is all about understanding human interactions and social institutions, and examining why they work the way they do (and how to change them). It's one of the major branches of social sciences, and is a popular option with students (like me) who want to understand inequality and (hopefully) work for positive change. 

I chose sociology through a combination of investigation and gut feelings. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my choice. Here's why. 

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The Benefits of an Honors College

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The Benefits of an Honors College

Choosing a college is an incredibly exciting and (often) stressful process. For high-flying high school students, private schools and liberal arts colleges often seem like the logical choice. However, an Honors College at a large public university can offer incredible opportunities and benefits for academics, social life, and broader opportunities. 

I was a student at the University of Oregon's Honors College. Here's why that was a great fit for me (and why an Honors College could be a great fit for you, too). 

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Choosing an Engineering Major--An Unconventional Method (Guest Post by Destenie Nock)

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Choosing an Engineering Major--An Unconventional Method (Guest Post by Destenie Nock)

Sometimes even the path to engineering isn't a straightforward one... 

I was 16 when it came time to apply to Universities. Like most teenagers I had no idea what I wanted to do. People love having choices in life, but at that point I felt like the infinite possibilities was almost paralyzing. I felt overwhelmed by the choices and the different outcomes that each outcome presented. Trying to make the right decision in terms of career, my future family, and everything all felt like it was riding on which college I chose to go to. That was a lot of pressure on a single decision for my 16-year old self.

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The Benefits of a Community College Education: Guest Post by Mark Rothenmeyer

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The Benefits of a Community College Education: Guest Post by Mark Rothenmeyer

The low cost of tuition allows you, the student, to fulfill courses required for graduation while also taking classes to broaden your perspective, pursue your interests, and determine your future major. Many students arrive at expensive, four year institutions with the “undecided” block checked and spend a great deal of money trying to find their passion when they could have spent dramatically less had their search began at a community college.

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Things I Had to Learn in College: Grocery Shopping

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Things I Had to Learn in College: Grocery Shopping

One of the weird things about leaving home to go to college is that there’s an awful lot you have to learn and acclimatize to all at once. Not only do you have to adapt to a new style of teaching and learning, but you also are thrown into being in charge of maintaining your own life. I grew up doing chores, but my folks did a lot of looking after me. So I arrived at college knowing how to vacuum and wash dishes, but not how to do a myriad of other “grown up” things. I had to learn on the fly… and with varying degrees of success.

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Styling Your College Essay: Advice from a High School Language Arts Teacher

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Styling Your College Essay: Advice from a High School Language Arts Teacher

This advice for crafting a college essay comes from a high school language arts teacher, who speaks from many years of helping high school students prepare for college. As you write your college application personal essay, keep this question in mind:  Are you able to get beyond voiceless reporting to an engaging description which makes use of various stylistic devices so as to persuade?

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High School Graduation: What Next?

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High School Graduation: What Next?

Graduation can be a bit of a jolt. Suddenly you’re not a high school student anymore, and you’re not a college student yet. You’ve just accomplished one of life’s big milestones, and you have the next on the horizon. It’s the short-term future that’s tricky: it’s filling these next few months.

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The 5 Books to Read Before College, According to Professor X

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The 5 Books to Read Before College, According to Professor X

This list of the five books you should read before college builds on two previous lists: one from me and another list by former philosophy major and frequent contributor to My College Advice, Miles Raymer. Professor X has more than 20 years of science teaching experience at the University of Oregon, and has previously written contributed an article entitled "The Transition From High School to College" on this site. Enjoy!

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The Transition from High School to College: Guest Post from "Professor X"

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The Transition from High School to College: Guest Post from "Professor X"

 The transition from high school to college is certainly different now than it was 20-30 years ago and thus represents an evolutionary process.   While the high school experience has probably not changed much in the last 100 years, the college experience is now different in new and fundamental ways, and most incoming freshmen are unprepared to deal with this new way of life and new mode of educational performance. By far the biggest of the transitions is the realization that now you, the college freshmen, are suddenly personally responsible for your own successes and failures.

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Choosing a College: Gut Feelings and Pro/Con Lists

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Choosing a College: Gut Feelings and Pro/Con Lists

This decision really could be the most important one you have ever made. That being said, I am also of the opinion that most people can thrive at a whole range of colleges. I think you can happily settle into many different environments, pick from a variety of majors, and develop an active and satisfying undergraduate college experience.

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The 5 Books All Students Should Read BEFORE Freshman Year of College

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The 5 Books All Students Should Read BEFORE Freshman Year of College

Worried about being prepared for college? I was. In fact, I wrote an email to a professor during the summer before my freshman year, requesting a list of books to be read before I showed up for the first day of class. 

This is my list of suggested readings for incoming college students, regardless of their major or interests. This represents a well-rounded and ambitious list... 

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The Gap Year

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The Gap Year

A gap year, if taken seriously and strategically, could lead to a much better college experience in both intangible and practical ways. The time might leave you feeling more adventurous, confident, and prepared, while also providing a way to stand out from your peers in college. When applying for scholarships, internships, or jobs, this gap year could be an important part of an overall narrative that adds depth and difference to your resume and skills.

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