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 PRESENTING THE 2022
GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
We know that college admissions can be education and beyond. We’ll walk through
overwhelming. Applications, essays, schol- every step in detail, citing exclusive articles
arships, tours and more can be intimidating from college prep experts and including
for both students and parents alike, and can’t-miss resources along the way.
sometimes the whole process can feel
frustrating and never-ending. And that’s College admissions can be scary, but
before the letters of acceptance even with TeenLife's help it doesn’t have to be.
start to roll in. Whether you’re looking for the college of
your dreams, a summer experience that
With this in mind, we’ve designed the will boost your high school resume, or an
TeenLife 2022 Guide to College Admissions admissions expert who can help you get to
GOT QUESTIONS with the intention to make the college prep where you want to be, you’re sure to find it
OR SUGGESTIONS? experience as easy and seamless as possi- in the pages of this guide. We can’t wait to
ble. In the pages of this guide, students will see what you do next!
be taken on a journey through their entire
college admissions process: from preparing Marie Schwartz
Email me at for college in high school, to writing their CEO and Founder
TeenLife Media
mschwartz@teenlife. essays and applying, to paying for higher
com.

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Marie Schwartz, [email protected]

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Published by:
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2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 2

 Contents
2022 GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

PART I: PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

1.
5 Start Your Future with Self-Discovery in High School
7 7 Tips For Getting Great Letters of Recommendation
8 Your Go-To Guide for Test Prep and Planning
10 Competitions for High School Students
11 Find Your College Fit: How to Look Beyond Size, Location, and Rankings

PART II: APPLYING TO COLLEGE

14 What Did the 2021-22 College Admissions Cycle Teach Us?
16 4 Steps to Writing a Great College Essay
18 Common App vs Coalition App: Which Should You Choose

PART III: PAYING FOR COLLEGE

21 High School Parents: Plan Ahead to Pay Less for College
23 Everything You Need to Know About College Scholarships
25 Arts, Business, Healthcare and STEM Scholarships for Teens
27 What You Need to Know About Student Loans
29 Paying for College: Useful Links

PART IV: GOING TO COLLEGE

31 How to Prepare Your Teen for College
33 Packing for College? Here’s 6 Tips to Help
35 What to Expect At College Orientation

DESCRIPTIVE LISTINGS

3 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 PART I

PREPARING
FOR COLLEGE

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 4

PART I: PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

Start Your Future with

SELF-DISCOVERY IN HIGH SCHOOL

BY TIM KENNEDY

hat do you want to be when THE VALUE OF SELF-ASSESSMENTS

you grow up?” FOR SELF-DISCOVERY IN HIGH SCHOOL
Parents ask it. Students wonder Students who start with an assessment find this question
about it. And most of us have much easier to tackle. With the right self-assessment, you:
asked ourselves this question • Learn about yourself. When you know more about
more than once. When you’re younger, the answers yourself, you can find new ways to describe yourself on
take a predictable route, influenced most by what college admissions ent gets you out of your head and
and who you know. causes you to look at things from another angle. This
naturally makes you think about what matters to you
In middle school and high school this question gets and where you want your future path to take you.
more real. In college, most of us get serious about • Reinforce your career choice or empower yourself with
finding answers, only to realize that the stakes and new options. The best assessments include career
costs are higher. There’s a reason 80% of college matches based on what’s being assessed, whether
students change majors at least once, some as personality, interest, aptitudes, or all of these. That can
many as six times. Today, many students stay in reinforce what you’ve always wanted to be when you
college longer than needed and pay more for the grow up. It can also expose you to careers you may
experience — mentally and financially. have never thought about, didn’t think you could do, or
maybe never heard of.
There’s a better time and approach to answering There’s really no reason not to self-assess in high school.
this question. And it begins with understanding But which assessment do you choose? There are three
you. primary types of college and career assessments avail-

5 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

able — personality assessments, interest assess- based choices, 70% of female high school students
ments, and aptitude assessments. A few assess two showed interest in arts, education, social work, and
or more of these. life sciences careers. But only 20% had the natural
aptitude for those careers. 50% of those students
PERSONALITY AND INTEREST ASSESSMENTS weren’t wired to do well in those careers yet were
ARE BETTER THAN NO ASSESSMENT considering them. If pursued, they would likely find
those careers difficult and unsatisfying.
A personality test assesses your basic motivations,
emotional make up, and how you interact with Reasons to choose an aptitude-based assessment:
people — things like openness, conscientiousness,
• According to the research from The University of
extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Missouri, interests are influenced by perceived “so-
Understanding your personality is important when
cietal norms” that limit the scope of students’ career
thinking about careers. For instance, if you are an
exploration.
introvert you may struggle to find satisfaction in a
• Aptitude assessment that includes matching careers
career in sales. This will save you a lot of time and
cut through social noise and biases and show you
frustration.
careers you’re wired to do well — ones you may have
never considered or even heard about.
An interest test assesses preferences. Understanding
• Having a solid idea of what you can do and explor-
your interests can be useful to a degree. But there
ing career options before college can save you time,
are risks in aligning your career choices to interests.
wasted money, and wasted college credits when you
For example, you can only have an interest in some-
start and end with the same major.
thing you’re exposed to. Let’s say you would make an
amazing informatics nurse specialist. If you’ve never
heard of it, you’re not likely going to pursue it. KNOW YOURSELF
Many schools have different assessments, such as
Many adults used personality and interest tests to YouScience Discovery. If your school offers one, take it.
guide their career choices, only to realize mid-career Once you’ve taken it, get with your counselor or teach-
that they’re unhappy and stuck. What’s the secret? er to help understand and apply your results to both
Start by basing your choice on something more solid classes and post-high school planning. If your school
than personality or interests. Start with aptitudes. doesn’t offer one, find an aptitude assessment and
take it on your own. The cost is low, the value high.
WHY APTITUDES ARE A BETTER FOUNDATION
These tests should measure your aptitudes as they re-
An aptitude is the natural ability to perform or learn
late to job performance and satisfaction. The best ones
in a given area. Your aptitudes matter because,
use proven methods to uncover your aptitudes, inter-
unlike your interests, aptitudes are hard wired.
ests, and personality and show you matching careers
Interests change based on what you’re exposed to.
along with why those careers are a match for you.
Aptitudes solidify by age 14.
There is no reason to struggle with the answer to,
An aptitude assessment taken during high school
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” When
and used for college and career guidance uncov-
you know yourself, you have a clearer path and the
ers your natural abilities and shows career options
confidence to pursue it.
you may have never considered. In one study that
compared aptitude-based career choices to interest-

Tim Kennedy is the VP of marketing for YouScience, a company that’s revolutionizing how individuals, education and
industries connect and achieve success. Using psychometrically valid brain games to measure performance-based
aptitudes, YouScience Discovery connects students to careers they’ll naturally perform well in and industry-recognized
certifications and education pathways to attain those careers. Students can access the YouScience aptitude-based
college and career guidance solutions through schools nationwide or take it individually.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 6

PART I: PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

7 Tips For
GETTING GREAT
LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
BY: STEPHEN FRIEDFELD

f you’re a rising senior, it is extremely important to 3. Try to ask teachers who know you best (and in
make getting letters of recommendation a top pri- upper-year courses). You want teachers to evaluate
ority. How many will you need? Whom should you who you are as you head into college. But if you’ve
ask and when? What should they say about you? had a teacher more than once, then they are a
great resource too.
Typically, large public institutions don’t require any
letters. Admissions decisions are based on students’ 4. Request letters from teachers in academic subjects
grades, standardized test scores, essays, and extra- that match your interests. If you are considering a
curricular activities. But for most private colleges and major in engineering, request at least one letter from
universities, you’ll likely need one to three. The more a science or math teacher. And, if you’re undecided
selective the college, the more letters you’ll need. but leaning towards a particular major, it’s wise to
ask teachers in those areas.
Here’s 7 tips for high schoolers on getting great
letters of recommendation: 5. Provide your recommendation letter writers with a
1. Your school or counselor will typically write your resume and paragraph of your academic interests
primary letter of recommendation. It should pro- and achievements. Even if they know you well, they
vide your class rank, your rigor of curriculum com- will be writing lots of other letters, so they might
pared to classmates, and an evaluation of several need some reminders about your character and
criteria about you: your academic achievement, what you want to study (and why).
extracurricular accomplishments, and personal
character. This is a more objective letter, so be 6. Timing is everything. If you’ve requested them before
sure to finish your senior year strong. the school year ended, terrific—but be sure to follow
up when you return to school. If you haven’t yet, send
2. Submit the required number of recommendation an email over the summer or right away in the fall.
letters. If a college asks for three letters, then You certainly don’t want to hold up your applications.
submit three (or, at most, four). Admissions
officers can get a sense of how terrific you are 7. Say thanks with a hand-written note! Many students
with just a few. forget to recognize their appreciation.

Stephen Friedfeld was an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Cornell University for four years and an Associate Dean at
Princeton University for six years. He has worked as an independent college consultant for five plus years.

7 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 Your Go-To Guide for

TEST PREP AND PLANNING

BY CASEY LOALBO, INSPIRICA PROS

here’s absolutely, positively no doubt issue a second thought. Now that both tests are much
that the college process and all that more widely available, students all over have access to
comes along with it can feel overwhelm- either test. Still, it’s easy to feel like colleges might have
ing. The ever-changing landscape of a “favorite.” But we promise– colleges accept either
higher education is intimidating. The test and do not prefer one over the other.
goal of this guide is to simplify the
standardized testing portion of the college The best way to determine which test is best for you
admissions process by breaking it down into is to take a practice SAT and a practice ACT. Students
easy to follow steps. should take practice tests under real-life testing condi-
tions. We want you to be able to get a clear and ac-
1. DETERMINE WHICH TEST IS BEST FOR YOU. curate picture of which test is best for you, and that
means taking real tests created by the makers of SAT
As recently as 10 years ago, almost no one won-
and ACT. Once you’ve experienced taking both tests
dered if they should take the SAT or ACT. Instead, in
and once you’ve received your score reports, you’ll
some parts of the country, you took the ACT. In oth-
have a good idea of which test is best for you. »
ers, you took the SAT, and almost no one gave the

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 8

PART I: PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

2. REGISTER FOR A TEST DATE

Once you’ve decided which test you will take, it’s
time to register for a test date. You can register for
the SAT here and the ACT here. When choosing a
date, be sure to give yourself enough time to prepare.
Now is a great time to begin to familiarize yourself
with the look, feel, and format of the test you will
be taking. The SAT has 2 sections—Evidence-
Based Reading and Writing (broken down into
two subsections: Reading and Writing) and Math
(55-minute calculator-optional section and 25-minute
no-calculator section). The ACT has English, Reading,
Math and Science as well as an optional writing test.

Many students under-perform the first time they take

3. SET A GOAL SCORE the test, and if you’re prone to test anxiety, knowing
Your practice test results will give you a baseline that you only have one chance to do well will make
score. From here, you’ll set a goal score. You should that anxiety even worse.
make sure your goal score is realistic given the time
you have to prepare. Most schools "superscore" the SAT and a growing
number super score the ACT. Superscoring means that
4. DEVELOP A PREPARATION PLAN schools will mix and match results from multiple test
Once you’ve chosen a date to take the test and you’ve dates to give you the best overall score. So, for example,
set a goal score, it’s time to develop a study schedule if you scored 640 Math and 550 Reading on one SAT and
or “prep plan.” Depending on your score goal, you then scored 560 Math and 660 Reading on the next, your
may decide that you need to study for 40 hours be- super score would be 640 Math and 660 Reading, and
fore the test. If you have 10 weeks until the test, that’s the SAT score most schools would use when
you’ll want to dedicate 4 hours per week to studying. weighing your college application. The same is true
for ACT scores.
5. DETERMINE THE BEST STUDY METHOD FOR YOU
7. KEEP DEADLINES IN MIND
Next, you’ll need to pinpoint exactly how you will
study and prepare for the test. For some students, Finally, you’ll want to take into account the Early Decision/
self-studying works well, but many students need a Early Action deadlines for the schools that you’re inter-
bit more structure. One-on-one tutoring is the best ested in applying to. Ideally, you want to give yourself the
way to optimize your preparation and achieve your option to apply early to one or more schools. The latest
potential on the SAT or ACT. qualifying test dates for the ACT and SAT are the October
test dates of senior year in high school so this means
you’ll want to be sure to get in all of your test-sittings
6. REMEMBER: YOU CAN TAKE THE TEST
prior to these deadlines.
MULTIPLE TIMES
It’s important to give yourself an opportunity to take With these seven tips in mind, you’re sure to get the
the SAT or ACT 2-3 times during your testing journey. score you want on that next standardized test!

For more than 30 years, Inspirca Pros has provided expert 1:1 tutoring to clients across the globe. Their team of experts
then analyzes the results and recommends the test that fits you the best. They offer proctored practice tests and help
you interpret your results. Click here to learn more, or learn more about their SAT/ACT PathFinder–a 3-hour diagnostic
exam that measures your testing strengths & weaknesses relative to the unique characteristics of the SAT and ACT!
Connect with an Inspirica Pros tutor today!

9 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 30 STUDENT COMPETITIONS
for High Schoolers
BY JOHNATHAN D. KINDALL

ne of the best ways to make your high school resume stand out is to participate in and/or win a
student competition. Contests, competitions and awards programs look great to college admis-
sions officials, and they can also bring all sorts of other benefits like scholarships, trophies, recog-
nition and cash prizes! For this reason, it's important to consider entering a few student competi-
tions as you go through high school and prepare for your college application.

There are all sorts of competitions for high school students out there to explore. In fact, there's contests in
art, writing, design, business, STEM and more. We've collected just a few of our favorites here, but, with all of
those options, there's sure to be a student competition out there that matches your skills
and interests.

Be sure and pay attention to the criteria and eligibility requirements of each student competition listed
below. Many of them have deadlines that either vary by region or are quickly approaching. Some may have
even already passed. However, since most of the competitions listed here are annual events, we’ve included
them here for you to make note of in the upcoming years! Bookmark this page on our website for up to date
information on student competitions near you.

ARTS COMPETITIONS STEM COMPETITIONS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

▸ Congressional Art Competition ▸ 3M Young Scientist Challenge
▸ Cool Science Art Competition on ▸ Clean Tech Competition
Extreme Weather ▸ Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge
▸ Hong Kong Visual Arts Education Festival: ▸ International BioGENEius Challenge
Mail Art Competition
▸ International Space Settlement Design Competition
▸ LEO Art Challenge
▸ Microsoft Imagine Cup
▸ National Poetry Month Poster Contest
▸ Junior Science and Humanities Symposia
for Students Competitions
▸ Reflections Arts Program: National PTA
▸ Math League Competitions
▸ Ocean Awareness Contest
▸ MIT Think Scholars Program
▸ Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
▸ Regeneron Science Talent Search
▸ YoungArts National Arts Competition
▸ Space Settlement Contest
▸ spUN Student Debates at ISDC
BUSINESS COMPETITIONS
▸ The Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition WRITING COMPETITIONS
▸ Diamond Challenge for High School
▸ Baen Fantasy Adventure Award
Entrepreneurs
▸ Columbia Scholastic Press Association
▸ High School Fed Challenge Crown Awards
▸ Wharton Global High School Investment
▸ The Emerson Prize
Competition
▸ Jim Baen Memorial Writing Contest
▸ National Scholastic Press Association Awards
PART I: PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

FIND YOUR COLLEGE FIT:

How to Look Beyond Size, Location, and Rankings
BY: LAUREN LINDSTROM, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AT CORSAVA

ith more than 3,000 colleges kind of students are coming out. So, when families rely
and universities in the U.S. alone, on rankings alone, they may be setting themselves up for
it can sometimes feel impos- disaster. There is still no proven link between the
sible to even start your college selectivity of a school and the earnings, learning, or
search. Maybe you’re thinking well-being of its students.
about a large university that of-
fers more than 150 majors for you to choose from. But, if size, location, or prestige don’t matter, what does?
Maybe you’re considering a school in a city so that How do you choose a college that really fits?
you never get bored. In the end though, you’re only
going to major in one (maybe two) subjects, and an A good place to start is by asking why you are even going
urban campus may leave you feeling lost without to college in the first place. Are you eager to challenge
a grassy quad. Perhaps size and location aren’t all yourself intellectually? Meet people whose high school
that important then. years were nothing like your own? Are you dead set on
your career path, or would you like a little more time to
It’s no wonder that families often turn to sources decide? These are the questions that will lead you to the
that rank schools from best to worst to help. university that’s right for you.
However, rankings like the Princeton Review or
U.S. News & World Report tells you much more Once you’ve started answering those questions, consider
about who is coming into the university, not what evaluating your college list by the following criteria:

11 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

YOUR PROFESSORS Private schools aren’t as expensive as you think.
When it comes to career and lifetime satisfaction, the Colleges know that paying up to $75,000/year on
relationships you develop in college do much more tuition is not feasible for most Americans, so they
than the university name on your diploma. Find a figure out how to cut down the cost for almost all
teacher that makes learning exciting and cares about of their students. If you have limited resources, that
you personally. Look for schools where the profes- means meeting your Expected Family Contribution
sors are interested in teaching (not just research) (EFC), which you can calculate on any college’s Net
and will invite you over for Friday night discussions Price Calculator. If you don’t meet the income cutoffs,
at their place. there is still money out there. Many excellent colleges
will give scholarship packages of $40,000 or more,
especially if they're in regions you haven’t considered
YOUR PEOPLE or accept more than 20% of their applicants.
Who you surround yourself with matters more than
you think. They could push you to be your best self Don’t discount in-state education. One of the
by getting you out for a hike or talking through your public institutions nearby might have exactly the
research proposal. Later in life, they might be the program you’re looking for. Be sure to check out the
ones to land you that CFO position or the reason Honors College, which allows ambitious young adults
you got to travel through Africa. to get the discussion classes and close professor
nteraction of a small college with the big school
Beyond your inner circle, what do you want the experience and price tag. There are also several
personality of your community to be? Will they fight inter-state agreements, such as WUE (the Western
for social justice and try to correct inequalities on Undergraduate Exchange), that discount in-state
campus? Will they compete over the number of tuition for their neighbors.
classes and activities they’re involved in?
CONCLUSION
YOUR OPPORTUNITIES Hopefully by now you’ve picked up a few more ways
In terms of the number of choices in front of you, to evaluate your colleges. It’s fine to think about the
bigger isn’t always better. Your state’s flagship insti- number of students or part of the country that would
tution may offer those 150 majors and 200 student- suit you best - but these might not be the first place to
run organizations you were eyeing, but they may start. Identifying your deeper preferences for cam-
also be harder to access due to fierce competition. pus culture, educational opportunities, and financial
At a school with closer to 2,000 students, you could parameters will likely lead to your very best fit.
be the star of the musical and the football team - just
a couple perks of being the big fish in a small pond. If you save space for reflection in your college search,
you will easily build a list of 9-12 schools that you
Check out your options off-campus: those provided know and love. In the end, though, it is not the college
by the school and others you could create nearby. you attend that determines your success; it’s what
Do you want a career counselor to send internship you do with your time there that counts.
opportunities for the summer, or will you naturally
seek those out yourself? Be honest. This isn’t about
who you wish you could be, but who you are now Corsava introduces students to a broad scope of
and what you will need to succeed in the future. college characteristics, helping families understand
student preferences and encouraging them to find a
YOUR COST college that truly resonates with their wants and needs.
What you will ultimately pay for an education can be An easy way to figure out what’s important to you is to
hard to figure out. The posted ‘sticker price’ might do a Corsava Card Sort, placing qualities like
look astronomical, but don’t let that scare you away. Collaborative Environment or Hands-On Learning
Here are a few money-saving secrets that might into piles of what you ‘Must Have,’ ‘Would be Nice,’
surprise you. and ‘No Way’ want at your school.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 12

 PART II

APPLYING
TO COLLEGE

13 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 What Did the 2021-22
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
CYCLE TEACH US?
he numbers from the 2021-22 College WHERE DID THIS APPLICATION SPIKE COME FROM?
Admissions cycle are in, and they can tell
There are a few influential factors that pushed this
us a lot about what to expect this upcom-
application spike, leading to an increased selectivity
ing year. So, let’s take a closer look at the
in the college admissions process this past year.
information on this past admission cycle,
how applicants fared, and what this all means for
First, test optional policies that were put into place
applicants this year.
during COVID remained widely unchanged. Many
schools still allowed for students to choose whether
APPLICATION STATISTICS AT THE their test scores would be considered as part of their
IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS application, which means one less hoop for appli-
Let’s examine the numbers for applicants to four Ivy cants to jump through. This increase in accessibility
League Schools: Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Brown. at schools is one of the biggest causes for the overall
application spike.
This past year, Harvard University saw an applica-
tion increase of 7% at 61,220 total applicants. That For example, Vanderbilt University is one school
caused an acceptance rate of just 3.19%. This is the that has promised to remain rest optional through
lowest acceptance rate in school history. 2028. This past year, only about 60% of applicants
submitted their test scores. Conversely, MIT
Another Ivy League school that saw its lowest accep- announced they were returning to mandatory
tance rate in school history was Brown University. test score submissions included in applications.
Their acceptance rate for the 2021-2022 admissions However, prior to this announcement, MIT applica-
cycle was just 5%. This was due to an application in- tions were up 66% compared to pre-pandemic.
crease of 9%. Brown fielded 50,649 total applicants. That’s a huge jump!

Similar to Brown and Harvard, Yale University also Another factor that may have contributed to the ap-
saw a stark increase in applications. Yale received plication spike is the economy. Unfortunately, shaky
50,015 applicants, which put their application economic conditions lead to an increase in college ap-
increase rate at 6.6%. Not as high as Harvard or plications. So, if the economy remains on its current
Brown, but certainly significant. This led to a 4.46% trajectory, we may continue to see this application
acceptance rate, which is the lowest the school has spike for the upcoming admissions cycle.
seen in three years.
The final factor which could be contributing to the ap-
Finally, Columbia is one Ivy League that did not see plication spike at colleges is changing financial aid poli-
a significant increase in applicants, fielding 60,377 cies. Schools’ Need Blind and Need Aware policies are
hopeful students. Out of that number, only 3.73% evolving, in order to make college more accessible for
were accepted, which puts Columbia’s admissions all students. This may be the reason why Dartmouth
rate below both Brown and Yale. saw a 2% increase in international applications. »

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 14

PART II: APPLYING TO COLLEGE

WHAT ELSE INFLUENCES SELECTIVITY AT One thing this may eventually lead to is more
THESE SCHOOLS? independent movement between colleges. We can
perhaps expect to see admissions practices that will
Other than the above factors, which contribute
become more differentiated by school, which may
to the application spike and subsequent low
make the application process more complicated for
admissions rates, what else causes an increase
students applying to many schools. Also, the return of
in selectivity at colleges? Well, there are several
testing requirements will lead to temporary dips for
factors to look at.
certain institutions, which may ultimately spur a new
focus on mid-tier schools that remain test optional in
The first is departmental needs. If you’ve been doing
the coming years.
your research on the college admissions process,
you know that applying for certain majors at certain
Finally, this tells us that unique applications are
schools can be much more selective than apply-
increasingly important in upcoming application cycles.
ing for other majors at the same college. If certain
Pressure will continue to be placed on applicants to
departments or programs are seeing an influx of
establish their “fit” at a school, so the school can feel
applicants but are limited to the number of students
confident that the student will be an asset to
they can accept due to the size of the program or
the school environment.
teaching staff, then that school will ultimately have
to turn away more applicants.
WHAT TO DO NEXT TO PLAN FOR
Schools also have relationships with third party pro- COLLEGE ADMISSIONS:
grams, which can increase selectivity for other ap- 1. Start Building an Application Strategy NOW!
plicants. Furthermore, there are enrollment caps at Time is your greatest asset, so schedule application
some schools for students from certain geographic prep time throughout your high school career and
locations. And finally, tuition dependency can affect use time off effectively.
the selectivity of a school. If a school cannot support
its students with the income from tuition, dona- 2. Follow the Data
tions, etc., then they may need to just accept fewer Do you know how your applicant profile has fared
applicants. in the most recent admission cycles?

WHAT DOES THIS DATA MEAN FOR THE 3. Verify Information

UPCOMING APPLICATION CYCLE? Rumors kill applications, so be sure to double
check everything you hear about a school on
So, we’ve gone through what the data is and why
its website.
it’s happening, but what does this mean for future
applicants? Well, it seems unlikely that application
4. Build your Brand
numbers will suddenly swing in the opposite direc-
Develop and share your passion - colleges want
tion. It’s safe to predict that demand will continue
students who are bright, motivated, and inspired!
to increase for a college education, especially at a
prestigious or elite university. Applications may slow
5. Get Help
but will ultimately continue to rise, perhaps not at
Nearly half of all applicants are getting third party
the current rate, but this data indicates that they
assistance with their college applications today.
likely will not drop back to pre-pandemic levels any
This is the biggest decision of your life, so why
time soon.
risk it?

With over 300 former Admissions Officers and Admissions Experts at the ready, CollegeAdvisor.com can provide
you personalized college admissions advising to help you and your family navigate all parts of the college application
process. Not only does professional college guidance save you time, it can also lower stress and anxiety for the whole
family. Click here to increase your admissions odds with CollegeAdvisor.com.

15 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 4 Steps to Writing a

GREAT COLLEGE ESSAY

t’s normal to be stressed out at the very idea Now, what are they looking for in those 10 minutes (or
of writing a college essay. Normal — but not less)? They’re looking for proof you’ll be successful in
necessary. college and beyond. What do they do when they see such
evidence? As they read your essays/activity list/recom-
This article will help you cut out the worry that trips mendations, their notes will become one score — the
up most students when it comes to this vital part personal score — that summarizes how much potential
of your application. We’ll steer you clear of these they think you have. Just one number for all those essays
time-sucks: you’ve worked so hard on!

• Writing beautiful prose. Finding brilliant But how exactly do you prove you’ll be successful in col-
metaphors. Being a “good writer.” lege and beyond? How do you get a high personal score?
• Capturing your “soul” so that the admissions
officers can “get to know you.” STEP 2: EXPERIENCES THAT DEMONSTRATE THE
• The agony of the blank page — our method “5 TRAITS” ARE THE BEST WAY TO SHOW YOU’LL
doesn’t wait on the muse to come to you.
BE SUCCESSFUL
Instead of flailing around those murky waters, let’s People who are successful generally have one or more of
orient you to what really matters: impressing your these 5 traits — we call them The 5 Traits Colleges Look
audience. Who is your audience? If you guessed for in Applicants:
“admission officers,” you are correct. 1. Drive
2. Initiative
STEP 1: SHOW ADMISSIONS OFFICERS THAT 3. Contribution
YOU’LL BE SUCCESSFUL IN COLLEGE AND BEYOND 4. Intellectual Curiosity
5. Diversity of Experiences
Let’s go on a little tour. It’s a tour of the college
admissions office. Ugh. What is this atmosphere? It’s
Your first order of business, before you start on any
an atmosphere of stress and hurry. Where are the
essay - even the personal statement - is to think about
officers? They’re hidden beneath massive piles of
your high school experiences:
applications. They have so many to read that they
generally spend less than 10 minutes reading the • In class
entire file. • In your extracurriculars

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 16

PART II: APPLYING TO COLLEGE

• At your job The Theme: For showing either (a) how you developed
• In your family/friend life one trait over many experiences or (b) one meaning-
• During your summers ful passion over time. Here, again start with a vivid
• Learning/reading/pursuing knowledge/crafts/ anecdote or intro that introduces the positive trait or
independent artistic pursuits. meaningful passion. Next, illustrate this theme with a
few experiences that each demonstrate one or more
In a massive brainstorming session (or a few of the 5 traits (ideally, cohesively).
smaller sessions), get all your experiences out
on paper. Next, think about which ones exemplify Finally, remember that your reader is going fast. Score
any of the 5 traits. You’ll get a sense of the 1-3 traits points by being direct, clear, and to the point. Don’t
that best define you (ex: initiative and intellectual confuse them or lose them in florid language.
curiosity) and can start building your application
around those. STEP 4: REVISE YOUR ESSAY FOR CLARITY AND FOR
THE 5 TRAITS
Your application is a spotlight. Your job is to shine
it on the experiences that best demonstrate the We know it’s predictable, but we’re saying it anyway:
5 traits and your potential to succeed. For each great writing is all about revision. So take this last step
college you apply to, you need to use every essay seriously.
and question they give you to highlight as many
of the very best experiences that you can to show There are two ways to revise (1) by yourself (or with a
off your potential. writing coach), and (2) with a trusted adult.

We recommend that you go college-by-college with As you revise, or if you have a coach who knows
this process so that each application is cohesive admissions well, stay focused on the 5 traits. Which
and makes the best use of supplemental essays traits are you demonstrating? Can you strengthen any
to spotlight your potential. of them by adding a sentence? By swapping out one
experience for a better one? By cutting fluff to make
room for more action?
STEP 3: STRUCTURE YOUR ESSAY SO THAT IT
IS FOCUSED ON YOU AND THE ACTIONS YOU’VE But if you have, say, a parent revising, it is very impor-
TAKEN tant that you not let them derail you from your laser
Remember the admissions officer, looking for one focus on those 5 traits that resonate with admissions.
thing only: evidence of potential. Don’t squander (We often see parents want kids to mention some cool
that opportunity by waxing philosophical, setting award, for example.)
the scene, talking about your love of music, or sport,
or algebra. Keep everything focused on actions Ask these revisers to read for clarity. Ask them to circle
you’ve taken because not much else demonstrates bits that are unclear. Ask them what questions they
things that matter to admission officers. are left with. What more do they want to know?

In addition, for longer essays, we have two struc- If, after this process, your essays shine a crisp light
tures that can set you up for success (and as a onto your top traits and are crystal-clear, your
bonus cut down on the time it takes to write): chances of getting in will be hugely improved.

The Journey: For showing a clear progression or

Prompt is a world leader in writing education, supporting
personal growth through a specific experience (ie: a
more than 50,000 learners. Prompt provides fully-inte-
Before You, and an After You). Here, you start with a
grated writing education solutions, combining instruction,
vivid anecdote or intro. Then describe “Before You,”
curriculum, and feedback. Prompt supports learners of
and the actions you took to overcome an obstacle,
all ages, working directly with educational institutions,
learn, or grow. Finally, spend a good third of the
companies, and individuals. Feeling inspired? A great
essay on “After You:” what actions you take now
place to start is at their College Essay Help Center.
as a result of this growth.

17 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 COMMON APP VS COALITION APP:
Which Should You Choose?
BY JOHNATHAN D. KINDALL

t’s best practice to apply to a number of dif-

ferent schools when you’re going through the THE COMMON APPLICATION
college application process. Doing so not only The Common App was founded in 1975 and serves nearly
1,000 colleges worldwide. It is older and larger than the
increases your chances of getting into a school
Coalition App, and is many schools' centralized applica-
of your choice, but it also opens up your
tion service of choice.
options when taking cost, financial aid and
a whole other host of factors into consideration.
In addition to servicing schools in the US and abroad, The
Common App allows students to apply to up to 20 col-
However, manually applying to dozens of different
leges at a time. Students will fill out all of their personal
schools can be exhausting. Writing a new essay,
information and write one short essay, which will be
filling out your accomplishments and awards, and
submitted to each of the colleges they choose.
submitting all of your personal information over
and over again can be tiring and tedious. Luckily,
Most colleges will require further supplemental informa-
there are a few different solutions that collect your
tion like test scores, additional essays, and recommen-
applications and allow you to send your information
dations, but the general information will not have to be
to a number of schools at once - all with the same
repeated for each school. While there is no cost to use
standardized application.
the Common Application site, many schools charge an
individual application fee.
The Common Application (Common App) and the
Coalition Application (Coalition App) are the two
There are a few other benefits to the Common App.
of the most popular college application aggregators
Resources like college search allow for students to use
used in the United States today. While very similar,
the application portal not just for admissions but for re-
the two applications are not exactly the same,
search and brainstorming as well. Additionally, since the
and one may be better for you or your
Common Application is large and well-established, teach-
students' needs.
ers, counselors and parents probably already have some
familiarity with the service and its interface.
In this article, we’ll look at the details of both the
Common App and Coalition App and help you
Other advantages of the Common App include a robust
decide which is best for you!
support staff, a wide range of essay prompts, and the
ability to start your application early.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 18

PART II: APPLYING TO COLLEGE

THE COALITION APPLICATION universities do not prefer one application method over
The Coalition Application is a newer tool for students another. Schools offer different application methods
that was launched in 2016 by the Coalition for Access, to allow accessibility and flexibility to students, and the
Affordability, and Success. It shares many similarities method by which you submit your application has no
with the Common App, like the ability to submit one bearing on its consideration or its strength.
essay to a number of colleges, though there are a few
key differences. So how do you decide which application to use? First,
make a list of all the schools you’re interested in. Then
For one, the Coalition App services fewer schools than mark whether they take the Common App, the Coalition
the Common App, about 140 as of this school year. App, neither or both.
Many colleges, including all eight Ivy league schools,
accept both the Common and the Coalition App. How- If all the schools on your list accept the Common App,
ever, there are some popular schools like Rutgers, but only some take the Coalition App, then choose the
the University of New Mexico, and the University of Common App. Vice versa, if they all take the Coalition
Washington that accept the Coalition App only. App, but only some accept the Common, then choose
the Coalition App.
Other differences? The Coalition App offers a “locker”
feature that lets students keep track of their personal If the schools you’re interested in accept both, then
and creative material as early as ninth grade. It also pick the one that you feel most comfortable using.
allows students to “invite” teachers, parents and Under-represented students may choose the Coalition
counselors to their application space, making it more App in this case, if for no other reason than that it
of a resource hub for application materials than an offers resources to underserved groups, but again,
application portal only. the decision is ultimately up to you.

Lastly, the member schools that accept the Coalition If some of your schools only accept the Common App but
App have committed to the Coalition’s overall mis- others only take the Coalition App, you’ll unfortunately
sion to support lower-income, under-resourced, and/ need to use both. Some schools may take neither, very
or first-generation students. Applying to a coalition possible as there are a number of public school systems
school with a Coalition app guarantees nothing, but that do not accept outside applications. In this case,
if you’re applying to a school that accepts it, you can you’ll need to apply to those schools directly.
be fairly certain that they are committed to providing
students with robust financial aid. CONCLUSION
There’s enough to worry about during the college appli-
However, since the Coalition App is still new and cation process, but which application aggregator to use
unfamiliar to many students and administrators, its should not be one of those things. Though there are ben-
interface may be more difficult to navigate and un- efits and differences between the Common App and Coali-
derstand for some. Additionally, if the top schools tion App yes, but, ultimately, the only thing that should
on your list don’t accept the Coalition App, its many influence your decision to use one app over the other is
supplemental resources are ultimately unhelpful. the schools that you’re interested in attending. Create a
free account on both sites, explore the schools they serve
COMMON APP OR COALITION APP: WHICH SHOULD and the resources they offer, and start applying today!
I CHOOSE?
While the Coalition and Common App do have their Johnathan Kindall is the Content Editor at TeenLife Media.
differences – essay prompts, number of extracurricu- He attended Boston University’s College of Communica-
lar activities allowed, user interfaces and support staff tions, graduating in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in
– they are undeniably very similar. In the end, the Journalism. Johnathan is dedicated to launching teens
choice of which to use should ultimately come only into life by providing them with resources that help them
down to which colleges you’re planning to apply to. navigate the often intimidating world of college applica-
tions and higher education. You can find more of his work
Perhaps that seems like too straightforward or easy at the regularly updated TeenLife Blog.
of an answer. However, the truth is that colleges and
19 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
 PART III

PAYING
FOR COLLEGE

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 20

PART III: PAYING FOR COLLEGE

High School Parents:

PLAN AHEAD TO PAY LESS FOR COLLEGE
BY CYNDI MENEGAZ, NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
AT SMARTTRACK® COLLEGE FUNDING

e get asked every day by middle Parents should ask themselves these questions:
and upper-middle income par- • How much can we comfortably afford?
ents if there is anything they • Have we saved enough for all our children?
can do to make college more • Will my child’s college choices be limited by cost?
affordable. The problem for • Which of our financial resources should we draw upon?
these families is that they don’t
expect to see much in the way of financial aid but It’s OK if you don’t have all the answers just yet, but
they will definitely be challenged by the high cost of delaying the conversation could cost you tens of
college. If they have more than one child to educate thousands of dollars.
- oh boy - their concerns multiply.
The full retail cost of attendance for a four-year under-
The short answer is to start thinking strategically graduate education currently runs between $80,000 to
about your funding plans when your child is still 1-4 $320,000 or more. Most families have not saved that
years from going to college - 9th grade is optimal; much or don’t have enough cash flow to cover it. Many
10th grade acceptable; 11th grade is 911! also believe that the Financial Aid system is for lower in-
come families, so they don’t engage in the process at all.
21 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
The reality is that the Financial Aid system is much MORE TO IT THAN FINANCIAL AID
larger and more inclusive than most families real- How you pay for college will impact how much you
ize, even for those in the middle and upper-middle pay for college. When you use your resources in the
income ranges. most tax-advantaged, cost efficient way possible,
you can potentially save yourself tens of thousands
EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION of dollars. For example, let’s say you withdraw from
When you submit your information during the finan- your retirement account to help cover costs for fresh-
cial aid process, the schools and government will man year. When you submit financial aid forms for
determine the minimum amount they’ll expect you sophomore year, they’ll assess those funds as income
to pay out of pocket - this calculation is called your which will reduce your aid eligibility. So now you’ve
Expected Family Contribution (aka Student Aid Index). damaged your retirement and reduced your financial
aid package.
We have rarely met a middle or upper-middle in-
come parent who got their EFC estimate and said, But when you learn to leverage your income
“No problem, this is what we can reasonably afford.” and assets to maximize what’s available from the
No, it’s usually more like, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME? government and the colleges, it will reduce the
This is ridiculous, why is it so high???” amount you may have to borrow, which will save
you mightily.
The reason is simple - for many middle and upper-
middle income families, how they have their financial COLLEGE GENEROSITY
life organized can artificially inflate their EFCs. It is Another big factor in maximizing your savings is to
critical for parents to review their profile in the years include good-fit schools likely to be generous with
before their child applies to college and mitigate any your student and family. A generous school is one
red flags inadvertently elevating their Expected Fam- that can meet your family’s financial need with more
ily Contribution calculations. When you give yourself grants and scholarships (free money) and that has
the time to organize your finances - including how the resources to provide merit aid to incentivize your
your income is derived, how your assets are config- student to accept their offer of admission. A school is
ured, how your taxes are structured, etc - you put not considered generous if they fill your aid package
yourself in a position to be more favorably assessed. with nothing but loan offers. Many families will miss
Your tax return offers the best analogy - you’ll pay the boat here because they’re deterred by the high
more in taxes if you don’t take every legitimate de- price tag of private schools that might actually be very
duction available to you, right? generous, making those institutions more affordable
than expected.
TIMING IS KEY
The tax year that will become your base-year for BOTTOM LINE
financial aid consideration is not last year’s, but the For middle and upper middle income families with
year before that. Referred to as your “prior-prior students heading to college in the next 1-4 years,
year,” it means that your tax return from the year now is the time to get your financial house in order.
your student is a sophomore or first-semester This will help you maximize your eligibility for grants,
junior in high school will become the basis for future scholarships and financial aid, and set you on a path
grants, scholarships and loan offers! You have the to paying for college in the most affordable way
power to impact that tax return but only if you start possible given your personal circumstances.
thinking strategically in advance.

For over 20 years, nearly 400,000 families have trusted SMARTTRACK® College Funding to help them better pay for
college, pay less for college, and protect retirement in the process. Cyndi Menegaz is SMARTTRACK’s National Program
Director. She is a popular speaker and conducts workshops across the country, educating and empowering parents and
professional colleagues on the critically important financial piece of college planning. Prior to joining SMARTTRACK®,
she had a successful career in the video business and received a degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern
University. Cyndi is also the proud mom of twins who recently graduated from college debt free!

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 22

PART III: PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Everything You Need to Know About

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
BY AMANDA MADENBERG

id you know you could win money year degree. Merit aid is provided to students who
for showing generosity to others? For meet particular requirements of merit, whether
surviving tough family circumstances? that is academic, athletic, or other kind of merit.
For getting good grades? For demon-
strating interest in a particular area of Scholarships are one of the most common forms of
study, even if you have not yet been merit-based financial aid, though some scholarships do
admitted to college? Did you know you could win have some need-based components that consider stu-
money for being you? dent and family financial circumstances. Scholarships can
range from smaller amounts of money that students can
Finances are one of students’ and families’ biggest put towards any college-related cost, such as purchasing
concerns when thinking about the college process. textbooks, to awards that cover a student’s entire tuition
Many colleges are very expensive, and this fact can for four years. Some scholarships target specific groups
seem daunting when considering college options. of students, such as students who will be the first genera-
Fortunately, there are several resources to help stu- tion in their family to go to college or students in particu-
dents and families pay for college, including many lar racial or ethnic groups. Other scholarships are open
forms of financial aid. to all students.

There are two overarching types of financial aid for Institutions sometimes automatically consider their ap-
college: need-based aid and merit aid. Need-based plicants for scholarships in the college admissions pro-
aid is provided by the government and/or institu- cess if they meet particular GPA or other requirements,
tions to students whose families demonstrate finan- and other schools ask that students apply separately to
cial “need” in order to cover the cost of a two or four scholarships.

23 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Scholarships can be awarded from the particular scholarship to which you’re applying requires docu-
school that a student attends or from a separate mentation from your school, ask your school coun-
group, such as religious or nonprofit organizations. selor for anything you need with enough advanced
Scholarship application requirements vary; some notice to make the deadline. If you think you may
ask for short essays or personal statements, a have missed the deadline for a scholarship competi-
letter of recommendation or referral from a school tion, explore the website: it’s possible that there are
setting, a GPA and/or standardized test score, or multiple deadlines for submission.
sometimes nothing at all except for providing
personal information. • Save essays that you write for scholarships. You
may be able to use the same essay for multiple
Students can be eligible for scholarships at many competitions!
points in their high school careers. While many
scholarships target seniors in high school specifically, • Stay positive, even if you experience some rejection.
there are big scholarships to which juniors can apply Some scholarships are competitive, whether that’s
and receive even before they have any idea where due to the number of applicants, the qualifications,
they are headed to college. or the reward at stake. Similar to the college admis-
sions process, applying to scholarships might sub-
Here are some tips for high school students who ject you to feelings of disappointment if you don’t
want to consider scholarships: win. Keep applying!
• Create a profile on Fastweb, Cappex, and Student
Scholarships. You can create an account at any Applying to scholarships may not only benefit you
point. These three websites allow students to cre- if you win the scholarship and money that comes
ate profiles with any identification information and along with it. The application process can also help
select academic and extracurricular areas of inter- you when applying to colleges. For instance, when
est in order to filter scholarships that may peak applying to college, you will need to write a personal
special interest. statement with the goal of sharing anything with col-
leges that demonstrates who you are outside of the
• As a senior in high school, if you want to make data that colleges will already receive from your high
applying to scholarships a priority, set a weekly school. The personal statement might be an easier
reminder to check the websites above. New schol- task if you have already done some thinking about
arships are added to the above sites all the time! what sets you apart as a student and as a person.
Throughout high school, you can ask your school
counselor and/or college counselor, if you have Additionally, some scholarships require the submis-
one, for a list of scholarships. There are times sion of a resume of extracurricular impact, and this
when schools are asked to nominate a particular is a document that can significantly help you when
number of students for a scholarship, so it can’t completing the Activity Section of the Common App.
hurt for your counselor to know you are interested
in opportunities. We know that applying to scholarships can sometimes
be just as intimidating as applying to colleges and uni-
• Plan ahead. Many scholarships have hard versities, but with this information in this article you
deadlines, meaning you will not be able to submit can get a head start on making college affordable and
applications once the window closes. If the worthwhile. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Amanda Madenberg recently graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a Master's in Education and
Master of Arts in Counseling, along with an Advanced Certificate in College Advising. Amanda co-authored a book with
her mom, a college counselor, called Love the Journey to College. Amanda worked in three Undergraduate Admissions
offices at Cornell University during her time as a student there, completing her Bachelor's degree in Human Develop-
ment. While in graduate school, Amanda interned as a College Counselor at the NYC iSchool, and she also served as a
Course Assistant for the College Advising Program at TC and The American College Student course.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 24

PART III: PAYING FOR COLLEGE

Arts, Business, Healthcare and STEM

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEENS

id you know that, in addition to need and merit based scholarships, many colleges offer financial aid
to students who are studying specific topics or majoring in a certain field? That’s right! You can get
paid just for studying a certain subject that you’re passionate about.

The following is a list of scholarships for students interested in the arts, STEM, business and healthcare. This
is far from a comprehensive list - so be sure to do your own research into any major specific scholarships in
your areas of interest!

Many of the scholarships listed below have application deadlines that are either rapidly approaching or
already past. However, as the majority of these scholarships are annual awards, we’ve included them here so
that you can make note of them for the coming years. For up to date information on special interest scholar-
ships for high school students, be sure to check out the regularly updated TeenLife Blog.

ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS ▸ Congressional Black Caucus Visual Arts

Scholarship
▸ Creative Innovation in Education Scholarship
▸ Frame My Future Scholarship ▸ Congressional Black Caucus Performing Arts
Scholarship
▸ Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
▸ Educational Theatre Association Scholarships
▸ Greater Than Gatsby Annual Scholarship
and Grants
▸ Ocean Awareness Art Contest
▸ SAG-AFTRA Scholarship Programs
▸ Against The Grain Scholarship

25 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

▸ Kennedy Center Playwright Discovery HEALTHCARE SCHOLARSHIPS
Competition
▸ American Psychological Association Scholarship
▸ Joan Meyers Brown Equity Scholarship Fund Database
▸ New York City Dance Alliance Scholarship ▸ American Physiological Association Summer
Program Undergraduate Research Fellowships
▸ Cynthia and Alan Baran FIne Arts and Music ▸ A Nurse I Am Scholarship
Scholarship
▸ Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship
▸ Associated Male Choruses of America
▸ James “Rhio” O’Connor Mesothelioma
Scholarship Scholarship Fund
▸ Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Music
▸ National Black Nurses Association
Scholarship Competition
▸ National Institutes of Health Undergraduate
▸ BMI’s John Lennon Scholarships Scholarship Program
▸ Women Band Directors International
▸ Nurses Educational Funds, Inc
Scholarships
▸ Sunshine Behavioral Health’s Opioid Awareness
Scholarship
BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIPS ▸ Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
▸ A&F Business Consultants Scholarship ▸ U.S. Air Force ROTC Nursing Scholarship Program
▸ Adore Me Scholarship
▸ AfterCollege Business Student Scholarship STEM SCHOLARSHIPS
▸ The Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition
▸ American Society of Mechanical Engineers
▸ Breanden Beneschott Ambitious Entrepreneurs Scholarships
Scholarship
▸ Association of State Dam Safety Officials
▸ Cargill Global Scholars Program for U.S. Students Scholarship Program
▸ David R. Parsley Scholarship Fund for Supply Chain ▸ Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Management
▸ Employment BOOST STEM Scholarships
▸ Diamond Challenge for High School Entrepreneurs
▸ Great Minds in STEM Scholars Program
▸ Future of Business Scholarship
▸ Google SVA Scholarship
▸ High School Fed Challenge
▸ Herbert Levy Memorial Physics Scholarship
▸ LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship Program
▸ LabRoots STEM Scholarships
▸ Mildred C. Hanson SIOR Memorial Scholarship
▸ Latinas in STEM Scholarships
▸ Party Headphones Business-Forward Student
▸ Lockheed Martin Scholarships
Scholarship
▸ Microsoft STEM Tuition Scholarship
▸ Paul S. Mills Scholarship
▸ NACME Minority Engineering Scholarship
▸ Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship
▸ Out to Innovate LGBTQ+ STEM Scholarship
▸ Robert J. Yourzak Project Management Scholarship
▸ Pixel-Plex Bi-Annual STEM Scholarship
Award
▸ SILA Postsecondary College Scholarship
▸ Peggy Dixon Two-Year Physics Scholarship

▸ Washington Media Scholars Foundation Media

▸ Steinmen Engineering Scholarship
Fellows Scholarship ▸ UNCF STEM Scholars Program

▸ Wharton Global High School Investment ▸ Universities Space Research Associations (URSA)
Competition Awards

▸ Women in Public Finance Scholarship

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 26

PART III: PAYING FOR COLLEGE

What You Need to Know About

STUDENT LOANS
BY JOHNATHAN D. KINDALL

ollege is expensive, and while scholar- are a fact of higher education. It's estimated that about
ships, savings, aid and other awards 55% of Bachelor’s Degree recipients graduating from
are great, they unfortunately don’t four-year public and private nonprofit colleges in 2020
cover the full cost for many students had some form of student loan debt when they gradu-
out there. That’s why, in the United ated, and that number is only going up.
States and elsewhere, student loans are
a common way to supplement the cost of higher So, if more than half of all college students will interface
education. with student loans during their time in college, it’s impor-
tant to TeenLife to make sure that students know what
We know that committing to a student loan is a big they’re getting into and how to best prepare themselves
decision to make while you’re still in high school. for college and beyond. Remember: student loans, no
However – for better or for worse – student loans matter the type, consist of money that you borrow and
must pay

27 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

back with interest, so be sure to consider your loans have flexible maximum amounts and can
options carefully before committing to a loan or be used to cover education costs not covered by
to a college. other financial aid.

Below, you’ll find a brief overview of the different • Direct Consolidation Loans: Many students who
types of student loans that are available to students take out student loans will receive them from a dif-
and their families. It’s meant to be an introduction to ferent borrower depending on the year or semester.
the topic – not a comprehensive guide. Once you’ve This results in some students having up to a dozen
taken a look at the different kinds of loans available different loan payments due every month after
then, talk with family, friends or even a financial graduation. A direct consolidation loan is a way to
advisor to do more research on what kind of student simplify the repayment process for students who
loan, if any, is right for you. have already graduated. As the name implies, these
loans let students make one payment to one
FEDERAL LOANS servicer every month.
A majority of student loans in the United States are
handled by the U.S. government. These loans are PRIVATE LOANS
made with the U.S. Department of Education as the If more assistance is needed, students and their
lender, and almost always have better terms and families may consider a private student loan, also
benefits than private student loans. To qualify and referred to as an alternative education loan. These
apply for federal student loans and other types of loans do not come from the government and are in-
federal aid, students must complete the Free Appli- stead offered through various banks or credit unions.
cation for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, each year. Familiar names in this space include Sallie Mae and
There are a few different types of federal student Citizens Bank.
loans to know about:
• Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized): Private education loans require a credit check for
Commonly referred to as Stafford Loans, money for eligibility, resembling other types of personal loans
these loans comes directly from the United States more than they do federal ones. Private education
government. In a subsidized loan students are not loans have higher interest rates and are never sub-
required to make payment until six months after sidized – meaning that students are responsible for
they graduate college, and the federal govern-ment paying any and all accumulated interest. Some re-
pays the interest on the loan for that period. In an quire payments while students are still in school, and
unsubsidized loan, payments are still not due until deferment and forbearance options are limited. For
after graduation, but the student, not the these reasons, private education loans should typi-
government, is responsible for the accumulated cally only be considered once all federal options
interest on the loan. The maximum amounts, inter- have been exhausted.
est rate, and repayment plans for direct federal
student loans varies based on need, income and a That being said, the industry is growing, and many
whole host of other factors. students might not have other options. Right now
private student loans only account for about 9% of
• PLUS Loans: PLUS loans are available to parents of all student loans debt, but since 2012 the industry
dependent undergraduate students as well gradu- has outpaced credit cards, automobiles and almost all
ate students. These two types of loans are referred other forms of consumer loans. If you are considering
to as Parent PLUS Loans and Grad PLUS Loans a private student loan, be sure to do your research on
respectively. Unlike direct student loans, PLUS interest rates, repayment plans and more.

Johnathan Kindall is the Content Editor at TeenLife Media. He attended Boston University’s College of Communications,
graduating in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Journalism. Johnathan is dedicated to launching teens into life by
providing them with resources that help them navigate the often intimidating world of college applications and higher
education. You can find more of his work at the regularly updated TeenLife Blog.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 22

PART III: PAYING FOR COLLEGE

LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES

TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE WORLD
OF PAYING FOR COLLEGE?
Check out the links below!

▸ The College Investor ▸ FinAid

▸ College Scholarships ▸ The Penny Hoarder
▸ College Scholarship Service Profile ▸ Student Loan Hero
▸ Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ▸ U.S. Department of Education:
▸ Debt.org Financial Aid Information
▸ Edvisors ▸ U.S. News and World Report
▸ Fastweb

29 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 PART IV

GOING
TO COLLEGE
PART IV: GOING TO COLLEGE

How To Prepare

YOUR TEEN FOR COLLEGE

BY MONICA REYNOSO

fter years of your child spending count- The National Center for Education Statistics reports that
less hours studying for exams, SATs, around 11 million students enrolled in 4-year institu-
and writing up college admission essays, tions every year. As the numbers increase for U.S.
they have finally been accepted to a students and international students attending four-year
4-year university. universities, so do the uncertainties that come with
parents transitioning their students into college.

31 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Before the first semester of college starts in the fall, 3. SECURE A PLACE TO LIVE FOR YOUR STUDENT
students are to already have solidified their place Over the years, on-campus housing has become
of residence, purchase their books for classes, and increasingly expensive. To top it off, a majority of
have an understanding of what classes need to be universities expect that you buy a meal plan to
taken for their major. accompany the dorm-housing as well. Having your
student live off-campus can be cost-effective. Rent-
Is your student ready for college? Find out how you ing an apartment with other students can provide
can help your college-bound student prepare and them with a dorm-like experience. Students who
succeed for their four-year university experience. live off-campus will also learn the skills they need to
cooperate with others. Shared responsibilities such
1. EDUCATE YOUR STUDENT ON FINANCES as cleaning the kitchen, buying the toilet paper, or
Most of the time, students who begin college, have speaking to the landlord about a leak in the ceiling,
only had experience handling money from their will help your young adult mature and gain the life
allowance. It can be easy for a new high-school skills they will need outside of college.
graduate to throw caution to the wind and spend
money without taking a step back. Parents need to 4. INTRODUCE THEM TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
teach their students how to budget and categorize First-year students usually do not have access to
their expenses. Before sending your young adult to a car. Many college-bound students choose to live
school, teach them how to set up a bank account. out of state and do not bring a car with them from
After, teach them what expenses to prioritize and home. When introduced to the public transportation
how much money they should put in each category. system, college-bound students will be more aware
Categories for budgeting and spending can include of their college town and rely on themselves rather
going-out money, groceries, school supplies, and than others who have a vehicle. Another advantage
laundry. If your college student has received their of utilizing public transportation is that it is cheaper
first credit card, make sure they keep track of bill than having a vehicle, as parking on-campus can
due dates and have a basic understanding of be expensive and cost anywhere from $40 up to
interest rates. $2,500 per semester, depending on where the
school is located.
2. STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN HOW TO
PREPARE QUICK, EASY DISHES 5. STAY CONNECTED
Eating out can not only be costly, but it can also be One of the most important actions you can take as
unhealthy. On the other end of the spectrum, if your a parent is to stay connected to your college-bound
child is constantly eating instant noodles, although student. Just because they are attending a school far
they may be saving money, their health could be away does not mean that communication with each
the ultimate price they could be paying. Teaching other needs to come to a complete halt. In fact, the
your child to adopt a well-balanced diet can aid older your young adult becomes, the more they may
them physically and mentally. When educating your need your advice. If your young adult feels the need
child on how to cook quick, healthy meals, start with to, block out some time out of your day to routinely
substitutes. For example, instead of eating instant speak to them. Remember, at times, no news is
noodles that contain a large amount of sodium, good news. They may be finally having the healthy
teach your young adult to substitute that for pasta and happy college experience you had always
with different types of seasoning. wanted for them.

Monica Reynoso obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications. She is passionate about spreading
awareness about educational topics that aid teachers, students, and parents in preparing their children for a higher
education. Ms. Reynoso believes that every student should have access to the knowledge they need to succeed in
a classroom.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 32

PART IV: GOING TO COLLEGE

PACKING FOR COLLEGE?

Here’s 6 Tips to Help
BY EVAN BERKOWITZ

’m headed off to college in a week and a half, so college aisle of the big box stores, make a thorough
these past few weekends have been spent scour- list of what items the student needs, what items
ing stores for the best buys in dorm room neces- the student already has, and what the student
sities and…not-so necessities. Quite the pile has needs to buy.
sprung up in the front hallway, and the prospect
of leaving is, by sheer volume of possessions, In fact, many colleges and universities publish lists
becoming a great deal clearer. like these on their websites or with move-in day ma-
terials. Use this list as a baseline: cross out what you
But, as fun as this packing process has been and can might not need and add what you will. If you want
be for everyone, it must be undertaken with rhyme, your own list, make sure that all the required items
reason, and careful planning. Hopefully, these tips will of the college’s list are present. That being said…
help your or your soon-to-be-college student’s transi-
tion be all that much smoother. Good luck! 2. DON’T OVERDO IT.
Perusing the aisles of [Insert Store Here] with a
1. MAKE A LIST AND CHECK IT TWICE. double-wide cart of dorm room goodies (or doing
When planning and buying the items that will come the same virtually on Amazon et al), it can be all too
with you or your student to college, don’t just rely on tempting for a student or their parents to buy an
spur-of-the-moment decisions on what should and insanely exorbitant amount of stuff - more than could
shouldn’t go. Before you even consider going to the ever hope to fit in a dorm room closet or bureau.

33 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

The cause of this is twofold. First, the stuff that At four in the morning during finals week when your
might seem necessary, fun, or super cool in the calculator’s batteries die, that Phillips-head screw-
moment may not be so thought of with the benefit driver is going to fall like manna from Heaven on
of hindsight. Second, in an effort to mentally delay your desk. When a loose button jumps ship of your
the concept of their child leaving, a parent might try nicest blouse or button-down the day of an inter-
to duplicate home, with all the trappings, at college. view, that needle and thread will be heralded as
A student, of course, might do the same. While the the Greek gods themselves.
intention surely springs from a place of love, this
practice is by no means practical. Dorms are 5. CHOOSE A STYLE SET.
smaller, not to mention shared. That being said…
I am not an interior designer, and a college dorm
is certainly not the pinnacle of the craft, but when
3. DON’T UNDERDO IT EITHER. things look alike and, more importantly, seem to
This is different from forgetting things (as in belong with each-other, it can make a space cleaner,
number one). This is the situation where you go so sleeker, and more comfortable to be in. I’m not say-
far away from number two that your dorm begins ing you have to create an HGTV-style masterpiece,
to look less like a room and more like a cell. Like it but when your hot pink desk lamp and green cam-
or not, this is going to be the student’s home more ouflage pencil box are at odds with each-other, you’ll
than any other place over the next year and it know what I mean and you’ll want to make a change.
should feel like it. In today’s world of countless styles, each available
online or in-store in all 256 colors, this shouldn’t be
Whether this means dressing the room to the nines too hard.
with bedazzled block letters and sparkling, sequin-
spotted photo frames like some dorms I’ve seen, or 6. PLAN AHEAD FOR BIG-TICKET ITEMS.
simply laying out a few pictures and some familiar
This is an important way to avoid tricky situations.
objects, it’s an invaluable step toward making the
Weeks before move-in day, contact your roommates
drastic transition from high school to college a little
and decide on who will bring and who will buy large,
easier for all involved. Take some time to pick out a
pricey items like televisions or small appliances like
few (preferably small) things that mean a lot to you
vacuums, irons, or the aforementioned microfridge.
or your student and find a place for them. These
If you and your roommate agree they are neces-
little things can make a big difference on a rainy,
sary, plan ahead for how they will physically get into
homesick day. That being said…
your dorm room and how they will be paid for and
shared after the fact.
4. DON’T FORGET THE BARE NECESSITIES.
Focusing on all the fun new things that you get to CONCLUSION
buy and bring (a shower caddy, dearie me!), it’s no
Hopefully you will take or have already taken some
wonder college-supplied move-in lists (including my
of these tips to heart and will have the smoothest
own) are peppered with warnings of commonly-for-
possible transition to college living. Sure, no list
gotten, no-brainer items. Pillowcases, for example,
can eliminate the anxiety over a new environment,
or laundry detergent.
the homesickness, or the distance itself, but being
as prepared as can be in a simple area like posses-
Band-aids, Advil, and a sewing kit can fall by the
sions themselves can leave extra room to make
wayside when everyone’s bigger concern is the
new friends, have new experiences, and generally
now-famous “micro-fridge.”
eliminate some of that ubiquitous sadness.

Evan Berkowitz is a freshman at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park.
He is a graduate of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, where he was Managing Editor of the student newspaper,
The Forum. He is a contributor at TeenLife and the now-defunct Boston Globe GreenBlog. He is also a staff reporter
for the University of Maryland Writers' Bloc, a literary and arts-focused news website.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 34

PART IV: GOING TO COLLEGE

What to Expect At

COLLEGE ORIENTATION
BY SUZANNE SHAFFER

olleges instituted orientation for incom- to your major and get an idea of which classes you need
ing students to ease the transition into to take and which you will choose as electives. Advisors
college. Freshman orientation is a way for will be available to help but if you aren’t going into the
students to meet other students, become process blindly, it will make registration easier.
familiar with campus services, and register
for fall classes. Every student attending What Will You Do at Orientation?
college in the fall should add orientation to their The most important task you want to complete at
to-do list this summer. orientation is to get acquainted with college life. You
will attend “getting to know you” sessions, informational
While orientation has been traditionally for students, sessions, and advising sessions. You will learn about
in the last 10 years, colleges have recognized the fact school policies, general rules, the honor code and more.
that parents need help dealing with the transition. In You will be given a wealth of information in a short pe-
addition to the traditional student orientation, they riod of time. During the evening, most colleges offer fun
have added parent orientation. If you have a teen activities like parties, sports competitions and games.
heading to college in the fall, parents should consider
attending if it’s offered by the college. The college’s goal is for you to immerse yourself in col-
lege life so that when you arrive on campus in the fall
STUDENT ORIENTATION you can hit the ground running. Orientation gives you
the opportunity to make friends, get acquainted with
High school graduation has passed and it’s time to
roommates, purchase textbooks, and become comfort-
look toward the future. The summer before college is
able with navigating the campus.
not only a time to enjoy your family and friends, but
a time to move toward your life in college. Student
What Else Does Orientation Offer You?
orientation will be your first real college experience.
Colleges provide incoming freshmen with information
Even if you’ve visited the campus in the past, it will be
about the different clubs and organizations available on
the first time you go there as an official student. For
campus. It’s a great opportunity to investigate and learn
many schools, like Texas A&M’s Fish Camp, orientation
about each one and determine what you would like to
is mandatory. But even if it’s not, you should make
be involved in. Whether you want to be part of a service
plans to attend.
organization, play intramural sports, be active politically,
write for the campus paper, work at the campus radio
How Should You Prepare?
station or volunteer, this is the time to get information
You can certainly attend orientation expecting to learn
on each.
what you need to know there, but it’s helpful to do
some research beforehand. Read all the information
If the college has Greek life, orientation will probably
the college sends you, read their online publications
have some informal rush activities and you will be able
and information, especially the details of freshman
to speak with representatives from the sorority and/or
orientation. You should bring any documentation or
fraternity. This is a good way to decide if Greek life is right
paperwork you will need such as vaccination records.
for you and which groups you feel comfortable with.
Many colleges also have you register for classes while
Sign up for emails from any club/organization you’re
at orientation. Look at the course catalog as it pertains
remotely interested in, ask for contact information from

35 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

representatives and ask about the organization’s How Should Your Prepare?
social media presence as well. Doing this helps you Try to think of yourself as both a parent and a student
stay in the loop and make a decision once you arrive during your orientation. Bring paper and pencil or an
on campus. iPad to take notes with, make sure to ask questions and
introduce yourself to parents and school officials. Es-
Is It Easy to Make Friends at Orientation? pecially at a large institution, it can be helpful to get to
If it’s an option, stay overnight in the dorms instead know a couple of contacts personally or at least to know
of staying overnight with your parents. This is the who to talk to if you have a question about financial aid
best way to immerse yourself in campus life and get or your child’s academic record. In addition to taking care
to know other students. You may not make lifelong of the practical details, you will also benefit more from
friends at orientation, but you should still socialize the experience if you allow yourself to enjoy it.
with as many people as possible.
Is Orientation Helpful?
Remember that everyone is in the same boat--they In recent years, more and more colleges and universities
are just as new as you are and probably just as ner- have offered orientation events specifically geared to-
vous. Try starting a conversation in the dining hall ward parents during the days, weeks, or months before
with someone you have never met. Participate in all school starts. The Boston Globe reports that most par-
the social activities provided by the orientation lead- ents found the events to be more than worthwhile. With
ers. This will help you get to know one another. Once events ranging from “Meet the Dean” to model classes
you are out socializing, talk to lots of people instead and seminars on “Letting Go,” parent orientations offer
of just clinging to one person. an in-depth understanding of today’s college experience.
Colleges also offer sessions on student health, campus
PARENT ORIENTATION safety and security, financial aid and Q&A sessions.
Parents may experience this education phase as a
What Should You Do if Orientation Isn’t Offered?
cause for relief, a cause for worry, or, more than likely,
While parent orientations have become the standard at
both. It’s no wonder that many would like a little guid-
large colleges and universities, some smaller schools still
ance. College orientation for parents can provide some
do not offer these events. If this is the case, you should
of that guidance, as well as equipping parents with a
check with both the school and your child about whether
more accurate mental picture of what their child’s
it is appropriate for you to attend student orientation
new life will be like.
events. Spending time on campus, meeting a few other
students and parents, and helping your student to settle
Why Does Orientation Matter?
into his or her dorm are generally very positive experi-
College orientation offers students and parents a
ences — but it is also important to recognize the bound-
glimpse of the school that will play a defining role in
aries around your student’s new life outside your home.
the whole family’s life for the next four years, and in
Remember: If the school doesn’t offer a seminar on
that sense, it should be just as important to parents as
“Letting Go,” you still have to.
students. Becoming familiar with the physical campus
and the school culture will make it easier for parents
to understand their children’s lives and have informed CONCLUSION
conversations with them in the coming years. Learning It’s clear that orientation is the first college activity that
about rules, campus safety and the academic calendar students (and parents) should make a priority to attend.
will also be of practical value to many parents for obvi- Parents should remember to maintain your boundaries
ous reasons. Meeting other parents will also provide a and ask questions to ease your mind. Students should
feeling of community, as well as the potential for be sure to embrace this new experience by taking
long-lasting friendships. advantage of every aspect of the event.

Suzanne Shaffer counsels parents and students in the college admissions process and the importance of early college
preparation. Her Parenting for College blog offers timely college tips for parents and students, as well as providing
parents with the resources necessary to help their college-bound teens navigate the college maze.

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 36

DESCRIPTIVE LISTINGS www.teenlife.com/request-college-admissions

EMPOWERU: Mental Health & Resiliency Course

empoweru.education/parents-individuals

The evidence is clear–social and emotional learning (SEL plays a vital role in
college readiness. Through EmpowerU's self-paced online program, which
combines evidence-based resilience-building lessons with virtual coaching
from a licensed professional, students develop the necessary skills to
thrive in college. Students who take the course will learn to set and
achieve self-identified goals, regulate emotions, develop the tools to estab-
lish meaningful social connections, and increase academic performance
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Learn more »

Cost: $189 | Program Delivery: Online | Program Type: Service

LIFELAUNCHR lifelaunchr.com
LifeLaunchr provides expert coaching to help students find their
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We use intensively researched templates for every step of the process:

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LION’S HEART TEEN VOLUNTEERS

AND LEADERS
lionsheartservice.org

Lion’s Heart is a national nonprofit organization connecting 6th-12th

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Cost: $65 for one-time enrollment, $94 for yearly dues

Program Delivery: Online | Program Type: Community Service

37 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

 www.teenlife.com/request-college-admissions

STRATEGIC ACADEMIC SUCCESS

strategicacademicsuccess.com

SAS college consulting takes a personalized approach to every

student and aims to strategically help them tackle the difficult
realities of the college admissions process. From making school lists
to taking standardized tests, organizing leadership projects, conduct-
ing interviews, and writing essays, a student's life in these few years
will shape them more than the decade that came before it. With this
in mind, our college consultants carefully mentor each student and
their families through all stages of the application process.
Learn more »

Cost: Varies | Program Delivery: Online | Program Type: Service

TALLO tallo.com
Use Tallo to showcase your interests, experiences, and goals. Tallo
will connect you with meaningful educational and career-related
opportunities. Colleges and companies use Tallo to recruit talented
students and career seekers just like you. This is the platform
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UC SAN DIEGO EXTENSION: TEST PREP

extendedstudies.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/test-preparation

ACT Test Prep: Students will take two practice tests and learn exclusive
test-taking tactics specifically designed to increase their scores. They
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SAT Test Prep: Students will take two practice tests and learn the skills
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focus on their areas of strength and weakness by referencing data
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Cost: $450 | Program Delivery: Online | Program Type: Service

2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS | 38

DESCRIPTIVE LISTINGS www.teenlife.com/request-college-admissions

WRITE THE WORLD

writetheworldworkshops.com/college-essay/
complete-your-college-essay

Write the World has been dedicated to fostering and improving teens'
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Our on-demand Complete Your College Essay Course offers students
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SUMMER
PROGRAM
& GAP YEAR
FAIRS! REGISTER FOR UPCOMING
TEENLIFE LIVE EVENTS
Gap Fair on November 17th
39 | 2022 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Summer Opportunities Fair on December 15th