College and University Blog
Resources, help, and insight for your college experience
Transitioning from High School to College
Colleges and high schools are both institutions that exist to educate students, but there are a lot of differences between the two.
Making the transition from high school to college is a big step for everyone and it involves a lot more than getting used to living in a dorm or studying more often.
Staying Safe at College: 10 Campus Safety Tips
An on-campus stabbing occurred around 2 AM at Boston College on September 25, 2010— just one day after two people were stabbed at Regis College in nearby Weston, Massachusetts.
The two unrelated assaults have caused college safety concerns on both campuses and in the Boston area, causing students and parents to wonder about campus safety.
Female College Students with Heavier Roommates Gain Less Weight
A recent study by the University of Michigan found that college women with roommates who weigh more than average gain less weight during their freshman year than women with slimmer roommates.
Female students with heavier roommates gained an average of half a pound, as opposed to females with thinner roommates, who gained an average of two and a half pounds.
Student Health Plans and Health Insurance for College Students
The largest group of Americans without health insurance is comprised of young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years old, many of them college students, but things may be looking up for some.
The recent health care reform has caused quite a bit of controversy among Americans, but Section 2714—which went into effect earlier this week— is an extension of dependent coverage which states that a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides dependent coverage of children shall continue to make such coverage available for an adult child (who is not married) until the child turns 26 years of age.
College Legacy Admissions: Children of Alumni Get Special Treatment
High school students are taught from early on that good grades, decent SAT scores and talent at extracurricular activities is essential for getting into college. Four years of dedication and hard work will pay off when it’s time to fill out college applications.
Well, maybe.
iPads Aren’t as Popular as Colleges had Hoped
Apple has sold over 3 million iPads since the device’s release this past April. The touch screen tablet computer is smaller than a laptop and larger than a smart phone, and it’s been touted as a must-have for today’s successful college student.
The iPad has been promoted as a textbook reader comparable to the Amazon Kindle, an alternative to carrying a laptop to class, and so much more, but apparently it isn’t doing as well in academic circles as Apple had hoped.
College Freshmen want Advice from Campus Career Centers
Once considered a place where college seniors approaching graduation could meet with career counselors, campus career services centers are being visited by more college freshmen than ever before.
Community College Enrollment on the Rise
Enrollment is on the rise at community colleges across the United States.
In many cases state budget cuts have made hiring new faculty next to impossible, causing crowded classes to become the norm. Waiting lists for courses include nearly one student for every two actually enrolled in the course.
National Student Loan Default on the Rise
New statistics released by the U.S. Department of Education on Monday, September 13th show that the number of college students that have defaulted on student loans has increased since the previous year.
The Department of Education releases official cohort default rates once per year; cohort default rates are the percentage of borrowers who enter repayment in a fiscal year and default by the end of the next fiscal year.
College Libraries: On the Way Out?
College libraries are gradually housing fewer and fewer books. In many cases the volumes that remain are dusty and uncirculated, almost acting as “decorations” to remind students what libraries used to look like.
Should College Athletes Be Paid?
Should college athletes be paid to play? The argument over whether or not college athletes should be compensated for their talents has generated a widespread and rather heated debate in recent months.
National Collegiate Athletic Association investigations found that improper benefits were given to New Orleans Saints player Reggie Bush while he was a student athlete at the University of Southern California.
2010 SAT Scores Report Released by the College Board
A report issued by the College Board on Monday, September 13 announced that more students in the class of 2010 took the SAT than any other high school graduating class in the exam’s history. Nearly 1.6 million high school students from the class of 2010 sat for the popular college admissions test.
Best College Towns and Best College Cities
If you were given the opportunity to live absolutely anywhere in the United States, do you know where you’d live? It’s not a trick question, but it’s a good issue to think about when you start researching colleges. Finding the right college for you and your needs can be a daunting process, and a university’s location plays a big part in the decision for many students.
Cool College Courses: Take a Class on Lady Gaga or Study Zombies
Back in May my father told me that his cousin’s son was taking a few summer college courses. He rolled his eyes when explaining that one of the classes was golf. I didn’t think anything of it and I couldn’t understand why my dad did— after all, I’m his daughter and I earned a degree in music!
College Students Commemorate 9/11 on Campuses across the US
College football was on the minds of many today, but September 11th memorial services were held in remembrance of lives lost in the terrorist attacks nine years ago—friends and family members of 9/11 victims gathered at the World Trade Center site in New York City, and President Barack Obama attended a service in Washington, D.C. Additionally, various 9/11 events were held at colleges and universities across the United States.
Student Loans, Scholarships and Financial Aid: Is a College Degree Worth it?
Lately it seems that I can’t turn on the TV or read the news without hearing or seeing something about the rising cost of a college education. All this talk of massive student loan debt, dwindling financial aid programs, and a lackluster job market have a lot of people wondering … is a college degree even worth it?
First Muslim College Opens in United States
The first Muslim college in the United States began classes earlier this week.
The inaugural freshmen class of the non-profit Islamic institution known as Zaytuna College has just fifteen students, yet the school is making headlines across the globe. Zaytuna College wants to become the first fully accredited Muslim institution of higher education and its students are excited to be a part of history.
Part Time Jobs for Students: Being Broke in College is No Fun!
In recent months the media has been chock full of grim tales about job-hunting new college graduates, making it easy to overlook another group of job seekers: current college students! Their situations may not be the same, but the semester is in full swing and a lot of students are already watching their summer savings dwindle. I speak from experience when I say that being broke during college is definitely not fun, and a lot of college students are already looking for part time jobs.
10 Common Myths about College
Choosing the college or university that will benefit you the most in the long run is what’s important, and below you will find a list of 10 common myths about college—as well as a bit of information that might help clear things up.
Go to College Without Student Loans and Other Debt
The majority of students planning to attend college after high school are concerned about covering the costs involved. Students born into wealthy families—students that never had to worry about money while growing up—may be an exception to the generalization, but most families across the country are being faced with the difficulties of financing a college education in today’s weak economy.
College Textbooks: Are Schools Really Providing the ISBN Upfront?
College textbooks have been in the news a lot lately—I’ve written about it here on the State University blog on more than one occasion!
A recent provision of the Higher Education Opportunity Act mandates that institutions of higher education which receive federal financial assistance must provide students with information on textbook pricing.
The GI Bill: College and the Military
If you’re contemplating joining the military but also want to attend college, you may be able to do both and have your college education paid by the government. Ever since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 into law following the Second World War, the United States government has helped millions of Americans go to college.
Budget Cuts: Public Colleges are Cutting Back
Some financial experts feel that the country’s failing economy is finally beginning to recover, but state budget crises are still causing drastic educational budget cuts. Unless government officials in the troubled states are able to find new tax dollars to support their colleges and universities, school administrators will have to increase tuition rates and resort to reducing the classes and services offered on campus.