Make the Most of Your College Visit

College visits are a great way to help you decide which schools you want to attend. The college visit is your chance to get a feel for the school and to determine if it's right for you.

During your college visit, you'll tour the campus and have the opportunity to speak with an admission officer and/or financial aid officer. This is your chance to get answers to your questions, such as:

What is the average class size?
Are classes taught by professors or by teaching assistants?
What is the make-up of the current freshman class?
How many students are residents/commuters?
How safe is the campus?
What is your financial aid priority date?
Do you offer merit scholarships?

If possible, sit in on a class or two and talk to a professor in your chosen major. It's also a good idea to wander around the campus, check out the library, read the student newspaper, listen to the college radio station, visit the student union, browse through the bookstore and scan the bulletin boards in the academic department you're interested in. Talk to current college students. . .they can tell what they like and dislike about the college, what the social scene is like, what the cafeteria food is like, what type of clubs and societies are represented on campus. . .you get the idea. If possible, spend a night in a dorm with a current student. . . it will give you a better feel for college life!

During your visit, listen to and trust your instincts. . . you're the only one who can decide if a school is right for you.

Financial Aid 101

Financial aid carries with it responsibilities you'll have to manage throughout your college career. . .and beyond. You and your parents should take the time to learn about your student aid options before signing anything on the dotted line.

There are four types of aid available, which can be combined to create your financial aid package: scholarships, grants, work- study and student loans.

Scholarships are considered gift aid, because they do not have to be paid back. You should actively research scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are often based on academic achievement, athletic ability or special talent, such as skill in music, dance or writing. Local scholarships are also available through public service organizations like the Lions Club, Rotary Club or NAACP chapters and local businesses. You can start your scholarship search on EducationPlanner.org, our award-winning career and college planning site. The free scholarship search on EducationPlanner offers 1.8 million scholarships, grants and awards worth nearly $8 billion.

Grants typically come in three forms; state- and federal- sponsored grant programs and institution-sponsored grant programs. State- and federal-sponsored grants are usually based on financial need, as demonstrated on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Institution-sponsored grants can be based on financial need and/or merit. You should check with the colleges you're interested in attending for information on their institutional grants.

Work-study awards provide students with on-campus or off-campus employment to help pay college costs, while gaining career- related, hands-on work experience.

Student loans are a type of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest. There are federal student loans that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education and private loans, also referred to as alternative loans.

Federal Perkins Loans and subsidized Stafford Loans are need- based government-subsidized loans. Students who borrow under these programs do not pay interest on the loans until after they leave school. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are awarded without regard for need; students are responsible for paying the accrued interest on unsubsidized loans as soon as the funds are disbursed.

A Parent PLUS Loan is a federally-guaranteed loan for parents who want to help pay for their child's education. Parents can borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any financial aid awarded to the student.

Private student loans typically have higher interest rates, more fees and less flexible repayment options than federal student loan programs. Loan terms and limits on private student loans vary substantially by lender. You should consider private loans only if you need additional funds after obtaining aid through scholarships, grants and federal loan programs.

You can learn more about financial aid in the 'Paying' section of EducationPlanner.org.

Choosing Your High School Electives

Preparing for college is more than deciding which college to attend, choosing a major and determining how you and your family are going to pay for it. You can take charge of your education in high school. Most schools offer a variety of elective classes; generally, the higher your high school grade level, the more electives you have to choose from.

You should have a thorough background in six specific subject areas:

The Arts - Music, theater and studio art enrich our appreciation and understanding of the world. Research also indicates that students who take courses in the visual and performing arts do better in school and on standardized tests. You should take at least two semesters of classes in the arts.
Foreign Languages - Knowledge of a second language is an important gateway to understanding people and cultures other than our own. Most colleges require two years of the same foreign language; some colleges prefer three or four.
Literature - Literature gives eloquence and expression to the major problems in life. You should have a broad knowledge of literary genres with four years of literature classes.
History - You can understand local and world events by studying the culture and history that has shaped them. You should take at least two semesters of U.S. history, one semester of U.S. government and one semester of world history.
Natural Sciences - You should be familiar with the basic natural sciences: earth science, biology, chemistry and physics. Most colleges recommend that you take three science courses with related laboratory classes.
Mathematics - You need algebra and geometry to succeed on college entrance exams and college math classes. You should take as many advanced classes as your ability and school curriculum permit, like trigonometry, statistics and calculus.

Writing plays a critical role in every subject area. If you want to succeed in college, you should take advantage of any elective writing classes your high school offers. You should also take electives that provide diversity on your transcript. Admission officers at college like to see well-rounded applicants who have pursued a challenging high school curriculum. So consider taking electives in the arts, languages and literature to show that you are so much more than an engineering or computer science major.

Career Highlight: Chiropractor

Chiropractors treat people suffering from headaches, back and neck pain and sports injuries.

Chiropractic medicine is based on the principle that spinal joint misalignments interfere with the nervous system and can result in lower resistance to disease. Chiropractors provide natural, drugless and nonsurgical treatments. Many treatments deal specifically with the spine and manipulation of the spine. Some chiropractors use alternative therapies in their practice, including water, light, massage, ultrasound, electric, acupuncture and heat. Chiropractors counsel patients about health issues like nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes and stress management.

Chiropractors earn a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree from a four-year chiropractic college after finishing an undergraduate degree. All States and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of chiropractors and grant licenses to those who meet the educational and examination requirements established by the State.

Chiropractors can go into private practice or into a group practice. A chiropractor who chooses to go into private practice must take on administrative responsibilities and client building activities.

The average salary for chiropractors is $80,686.

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