CompleteSchools Education Blog

News reports about the SATs

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:58:00 -0600

There have been a lot of reports recently regarding findings about the SATs and their recently added essay section. The basic story is that the new (and longer) SAT test doesn't provide a much better predictor of an applicant's college success than the older version without the essay section. Here is a link to the Newsday writeup of the story.
While we all know that admissions tests are long and boring (and don't do a good job of predicting college success), they are still a very important part of the admissions process and a part that colleges still take very seriously. If you are getting ready to apply for college, don't let these reports slow down your preparation for the admissions exams. It would even be a good idea to get a practice book for the exam that you are preparing for. Finally, if you are going to take the SAT, I would recommend doing several practice essays, as few students have done a lot of this type of work in high school. It is important to learn to quickly brainstorm and organize your ideas and then put them on paper.
While these reports may slow down other students' preparations, the SATs and the essay section are likely here to stay, so make sure that you are prepared for them.

Have a Productive Summer

Wed, 28 May 2008 14:23:32 -0600

Just because you plan on having a fun summer away from classes, doesn't mean that it can't be a productive one. One of the best ways to have fun and still learn a lot is to learn a new language while traveling abroad.
The easiest (and cheapest) way for college students from the U.S. to do this is to learn Spanish in Central or South America. The flights aren't too expensive and there are Spanish schools in most of the towns that tourists would go to. And the schools are very inexpensive compared to taking classes in the U.S. Most schools charge $100 or less for a week of one-on-one training. Many of these schools also have families that you can stay with for very little money. Staying with one of these families will also give you an opportunity to really get to know what it is like to live in these countries. You can even bounce from town to town spending a week in each place at a different school. A quick Google search can get you on the way to finding a place where you can learn another language and another culture.

The evils of Wikipedia

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:23:07 -0600

Most people in academia tell students that they should avoid Wikipedia because its content can't be trusted. This is obviously sound advice given the fact that anyone can make edits to Wikipedia. However, many of these people take a view that I consider is a bit too hardline.
While no student should ever reference Wikipedia in a paper or take its entries as gospel, it can be a very helpful tool in getting an overview on a subject. Also, since Wikipedia entries usually have a great deal of references, it can direct the student to these other sites very quickly. (Something that is not always as easy when just doing a Google search.) Finally, reading a quick overview of a subject in Wikipedia can help students when they are not sure what direction to go with a paper, so they spend less time thinking and more time writing.
Obviously, the bulk of the research will need to be done in other places, but Wikipedia can be a good first step to writing a better paper.

New College Search Feature

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:38:09 -0600

Completeschools.com, announces their newest feature College Questions and Answers, which can match prospective students - and their parents - with answers to all their questions from people attending the schools they are interested in. Powered by Yahoo Answers, this new feature provides some of the most important information that students need when deciding on a college or university.

As any high school senior will tell you, everybody from your grandmother to the guy behind the counter at McDonald's seems to have an opinion about what college will be perfect for you. Skip all of the unhelpful (and unwanted) advice and go straight to the source: the people who attend the college(s) you are considering. Beside the comprehensive data on over 6,500 colleges and universities, Completeschools.com has added a new section with college questions and answers regarding many of these schools from the students who go to them.

While where to apply is the first question, there are many more questions that need answering. With all of the news lately about college loan scams, finding the right loan can be as scary as any decision parents and students need to make. Completeschools.com includes a large section on student loans with over 300 related answers from other students and parents. There are also comprehensive sections with answers and advice on admission exams, scholarships, and admission essays.

With new online degree programs seeming to pop up every day and many people interested in continuing their education via distance learning, high school seniors are not the only people with serious questions about college. This new preponderance of distance learning programs makes it very difficult for people to know which one is right for them. How does Western Governors University compare to the University of Phoenix? Does the local college offer a night program in the field I am looking for?

Once again, the completeschools.com College Questions and Answers section provides an invaluable service for these prospective students. While researching the costs of attending the University of Phoenix compared to Western Governors University, you are one click away from answers from attending students about how these schools - and their different degree programs - compare.

Distance Learning School Choice

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:26:22 -0600

Distance learning seems like the Holy Grail to workers who are held back at their jobs because they lack a degree. But some online degrees aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

Many institutions are getting labeled as "degree factories" that don't provide their students with any of the skills that employers are looking for, and some employers are starting to look skeptically at online degrees. So how does a prospective online student find the right school for them? A great place to start is www.completeschools.com, one of the most comprehensive guides to distance learning programs at colleges and universities in the country.

As recently as twenty years ago, earning a college degree while working full-time was a near impossibility. Slowly, a handful of colleges and universities started offering degree programs at night and on weekends, but choices were very limited and you still had to attend classes - usually at their campus. Now, thanks to the Internet, distance learning has become the saving grace for people who need to get a college degree after joining the workplace.

Do your research before applying to any institution offering online degrees. First, find out if there are any schools in your area that offer degree programs at night or on the weekend. These should be evaluated at the same time you research distance learning programs. The most important thing you need to know about any online program is whether the school is accredited. A non-accredited school shouldn't be considered - employers won't consider such a degree meaningful.

Next, find out what degrees they offer and how comprehensive the coursework is. (While prospective students may like the idea of easy coursework, a program that is too easy won't provide the skills required for career success.) Finally, find out what prior students think of the school and the degrees they received. If they were able to go places with the degree, you can feel confident that you will too.