U Sphere Blog

YES, you will still be able to get a student loan if you need one

2008-10-07T07:39:00.003-05:00

Scary financial times, including a reporter telling CNN's Glenn Beck "no way" you can get a student loan if you need one.

Huh?

IF you're going to be in the market for a student loan -- or a parent loan -- you'll want to take a look at the widget on the front of our site.

Click here for loan info.

Hang in there!

Gov. Palin Wants You to Save for College

2008-09-22T16:56:00.003-05:00

Or so I can assume after receiving the mailing from John Hancock.

It was an interesting mailing, in that it was not personalized (no biggie) but apologized for a previous non-personalized mailing that I received. Specifically:

"You recently completed a questionnaire on our website and requested to receive additional information regarding college savings. Due to a processing error on our end, you received a non-personalized cover letter with a copy of our Promise of Tomorrow Guide. What we intended to send you was a personalized letter that would reflect our regard for you as a valued potential customer."

It then was signed "Sincerely," then the name of the person along with absolutely no way of getting in touch with him/her.

Now the guide they sent, "The Promise of Tomorrow," is pretty good. Nice in that they tell me different things I should be doing to save for college.

The coloring book that came with was okay -- except the map of the US only had states identified that, I assume, are ones where John Hancock does business. AK, CA, HI, MO, TX, WI, NY, DC. Last one isn't a state, but that's okay.

We'll give them a hearty B+ for their materials, but a C+ for customer service. So far.

BTW, 529 Sphere still there for you to check out if you're late in the savings game. Or even if you're early: John Hancock's guide tells me that parents of a middle-schooler still can save $21K by starting with $5K and adding 125 bucks a month. Past performance does not indicate future results....

Best Schools in Chicago....

2008-09-11T20:02:00.002-05:00

Let the battle begin...

Funny that I was chatting with a colleague today about the difference between Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University. You can argue back and forth about which one's better -- I have my own theory, but I'll hang tight for now.

DePaul, tho, fired this salvo yesterday...here's a University announcement.

DePaul University’s entrepreneurship program opened the new academic year on a high note Sept. 10 with news that it has again been recognized among the finest in the United States in Entrepreneur magazine/Princeton Review’s annual “Best Schools for Entrepreneurs” ranking.

DePaul moved up three places to second on the list of best rated graduate entrepreneur programs in the national rankings, which are posted on Entrepreneur’s Web site and will appear in the October issue of the magazine. The university placed seventh in the undergraduate entrepreneur education category and was the only Illinois university ranked in that category.

“DePaul offers students exposure to thousands of successful entrepreneurs in a large urban setting with sophisticated financing services available,” the magazine noted. “Entrepreneurial supporters are extremely active in sharing knowledge, resources, contacts and expertise. The program provides very supportive administration and infrastructure through the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center.”

Entrepreneur partnered with the Princeton Review, a leading educational services provider, to solicit surveys from 2,300 undergraduate and graduate program administrators to determine the rankings. The survey covered three areas: academic offerings and requirements; student enrollment and faculty quality; and “outside the classroom,” which examined student organization, mentorship and scholarship opportunities. An advisory board of entrepreneurship educators also provided evaluations of the surveyed programs. Based on the data and review, a total of 50 programs (25 undergraduate and 25 graduate programs) made the list of the best.

“DePaul’s rankings are a tribute to the academic excellence of our program and the quality of our faculty,” said Harold Welsch, Coleman Entrepreneurship Chair at DePaul, who founded the program. “Using their education and start-up experiences, faculty members help students look to the future and identify viable business opportunities. They share their experiences with the students willingly and with great enthusiasm.”

Founded in 1982 at the College of Commerce, DePaul’s entrepreneurship program has grown to encompass 12 undergraduate and graduate courses taught by 16 faculty members. The faculty represents a mix of distinguished scholars of entrepreneurship and successful entrepreneurs.

Courses cover business plan development, entrepreneurial strategy and management, new venture financing, business growth, creativity, innovation and technological change, among other topics. More than 600 students take undergraduate and graduate courses in the program annually. Students have opportunities to participate in a number of mentorship and internship programs, as well as entrepreneur organizations, including Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, MBA Entrepreneurs Club, Social Entrepreneurship Club and Students for Entrepreneurs.

The program is supported by the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, which manages education and outreach programs designed to stimulate the start-up and growth of entrepreneurial firms. The center also sponsors Launch DePaul, an annual year-long business plan competition that awards cash prizes and business start-up services for the most promising business plans submitted by students and alumni.

“We believe that today’s students need practical learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom,” said Raman Chadha, director of the center and a member of the entrepreneurship program faculty. “The Coleman Center creates these opportunities by working with faculty to connect DePaul students with successful entrepreneurs, help them launch ventures and provide real-world experiences. Students are able to immediately apply what they learn in the classroom, acquiring wisdom that only comes with these opportunities. The entrepreneurial spirit at DePaul has never been stronger.”

The magazine’s “Best Schools for Entrepreneurs” top 10 graduate programs were:

1. Babson College
2. DePaul University
3. University of Southern California
4. The University of Arizona
5. University of South Florida
6. University of Illinois, Chicago
7. University of California, Los Angeles 8. Drexel University 9. Chapman University 10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The top undergraduate entrepreneur programs were:

1. University of Houston
2. Babson College
3. Drexel University
4. University of Dayton
5. University of Arizona
6. Temple University
7. DePaul University
8. University of Oklahoma
9. University of Southern California
10. Chapman University

To view the full rankings, go to: http://www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges/

-- Editor's Note: you should check out Loyola's web page. And their new "Ignation" campaign.

Blogging for Student Loans

2008-08-27T08:26:00.003-05:00

Okay, not exactly accurate, but we have forged a relationship with the folks at Savvy Tuition -- and I've mentioned that before, but it's worth a look-see for a couple reasons:

1. You're a High School Senior and you want to know what these loan things are all about. Good idea -- best to know at least the basics so you can tell Mom & Dad what's up. For instance, using the widget at the front of the U Sphere site, here are the results we got for an undergraduate loan...

2. You're a parent...gotta know what you can afford.

3. You're starting school or returning to school this fall -- or you're starting a graduate program, or even starting college online.

It's a crazy world of finance -- pays off to figure it out before you jump in.

Here's a site you'll like if you're thinking of med school...

2008-08-11T15:14:00.002-05:00

U Sphere has a long relationship with "Dr. Mark" -- Atul Mark Kaushal, MD, is his real name -- and has always thought that they're doing some really interesting things.

He pioneered the concept of getting an English-language medical degree, right out of high school, in the EU. And, as he expands his firm's offerings, he's also re-launched a new web page. You can see it here: Medical Education Pathways.

What's really interesting, and paradigm-shifting, is the concept of going straight into medical school right after graduation from high school. It's not for everyone -- but, as students continue to think globally and look for new and interesting ways to learn, the idea of studying in Hungary and getting two years' jump on the rest of your life...well, we like that a lot.

Be sure to check out the video from University of Debrecen on the site.

And to see and hear from Dr. Mark, take a look at his company's Facebook page -- where you can see a video.

Front Page U Sphere Tweaks

2008-08-06T06:59:00.002-05:00

Hi gang,

We've got a new front page -- The College Connection Portal -- and we'd love to get feedback from you...

We're also adding a couple things to the mix that you'll find pretty interesting...

First of all, we have the Birkman First Step product up and running. Great way to learn whether you're headed down the right path...

AND we're featuring some "how to pay" widgets from our friends at Savvy Tuition. We like these lots...See the loan widget here.

Happy hunting!

BU web page easily the best...

2008-07-25T11:02:00.002-05:00

Getting back from a gathering of University Marketing Types...and without question the school whose web page has the most buzz: Boston University.

www.bu.edu.

While you're there, get a load of the video that talks about the class on "Movie Physics." Makes me want to look twice...

U Sphere Weighs in on Upscale Dorms - AP Story

2008-07-18T10:28:00.001-05:00

Here's the piece that ran in today's Daily Camera in Boulder, CO. (c) 2008 Associated Press...

Country Club U.
IS IT A UNIVERSITY OR A RESORT?

By MEGAN K. SCOTT Associated Press Writer
Originally published 08:46 p.m., July 17, 2008
Updated 08:46 p.m., July 17, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) -- If Chelsea Johnson wanted, she could get an automated wake-up call in the morning, leave her clothes at the concierge desk for dry cleaning, grab some free pretzels and a banana from a snack cart and then unwind in a hot tub with several of her friends.No Johnson is not living in a high-end condo.

Rather, she is one of the 2,800 undergrad students at High Point University, "where every student gets an extraordinary education in a fun environment with caring people."

At High Point in North Carolina, that means an ice cream truck with free frozen treats, part-time valet parking, live music in the cafeteria, and a birthday card signed by the president with a Starbucks gift card tucked inside on a student's special day. Freshmen don't have to live in dorms with long corridors of bunks beds and communal baths: they live in apartment-like housing.

High Point may be the extreme when it comes to pampering students, but a growing number of schools are offering resort-like amenities: private rooms and private baths with double beds, cleaning service, free laundry, HDTV and 24-hour dining halls with bagels, pizza and fresh fruit, as students and their parents demand more.

With many millenials coming from homes with their own rooms and bathrooms, high-speed Internet, satellite/digital television -- and helicopter parents who took care of cooking and cleaning -- some colleges are finding Spartan dorms just don't cut it.

Parents are also seeking more bang for their buck, as the price of tuition and room and board continues to rise, says Jeannie Borin, founder and president of College Connections.

Colleges are also becoming more competitive with each other, says Dave Van de Walle, president of U Sphere, which works with students to match them to colleges and universities. Some high schoolers apply to 15 schools.

"You don't know what will give you the edge," says Van de Walle. "Harvard or Yale, that's one thing. If you're everyone else, every little edge helps."

At Purdue, there is always a waiting list for single rooms, says Tom Paczolt, general manager of a new private room, private bathroom residence hall under construction, adding that most of the university housing is shared rooms with communal baths.

The school is constructing the 365-bed residence hall for upperclass students. Students want the privacy of their own room with the benefits of campus living -- secure environment, meal plans, cleaning services (the bathroom will be cleaned once a week) and social activities, he says.

Echo Montgomery Garrett, an author in Marietta, Ga., says she was blown away by the amenities at the University of Montana, Missoula. Her son is going to be a freshman there. Garrett graduated from Auburn University in 1982.

"I remember subsisting on Tab and grilled cheese sandwiches," she says. "Frankly the food choices were pretty disgusting. You had a lot of mystery meat dishes. Now the salad bar alone at the main cafeteria, goodness gracious, it was long and expansive."

Then there was the gym.

"We had a small weight room, you could go run around the gym at the basketball court when I was at school. They had a full luxury gym, with this incredible climbing wall my son can't wait to take advantage of," she says.

Hiromi Makiuchi, 20, a senior at Soka University of America, says her parents were really impressed with the residence halls. She lives in a single, sharing a bathroom with only one other person.

"There's more privacy but you can still connect with your roommate," she says. "I like that better than sharing a room. I think I need my own space."

But while the high life is nice, experts say there is a down side.

Shared rooms, at least for the first year, are an integral part of campus life, says Susan Elsass, vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Daniel Webster College, adding that students in traditional residence halls really get a chance to know each other. The living arrangement also teaches communication and negotiation skills, she says.

Students in single rooms with private baths can become reclusive, spending their spare time talking to high school friends on Facebook, she says. Small colleges also may not be able to afford such nice amenities, she adds.

Marc Scheer, author of "No Sucker Left Behind: Avoiding the Great College Rip-Off," worries that the amenities can increase the price of college. Including room and board for students living on campus, charges for public four-year colleges were $13,589, or 5.9 percent higher in 2007 than the previous year, according to the College Board. At private four-year schools, total charges rose by the same percentage to $32,307.

And students are footing more and more of the bill with private loans from banks and student loan companies.

"Rather than spending lots of money on new amenities, I'd like to see schools lower their costs and debt," says Scheer. "To be fair, some wealthy schools are both adding new amenities and lowering student debt, and that's wonderful. But too many schools are not."

Nido R. Qubein, president of High Point, says the school has invested $250 million, most of it in academics: constructing new academic buildings, renovating classrooms and the library, introducing new majors and fields of study. The University has hired 36 faculty members for the 2008-09 school year.

Johnson, a sophomore, says she's getting more than just creature comforts for her $31,000-a-year bill."HPU is no ordinary University by any shot of the imagination and that is why I love it here so much," says Johnson, 19. There are top-notch academic programs, a low student teacher ratio (14:1) and lessons in generosity and service, she says.

"Those amenities are the things that grab the attention of visitors to campus," she says. "But when you are here you realize that there is so much more and it makes you go 'wow.'"

That's the point, Qubein says.

"When you provide all these services, they love it," he says. "And when they love it, they reward us in the classroom. My message to our students is very, very balanced. There is time to play.

There is a time to study. There is a time to be in the classroom and be attentive."

This undated photo provided by Miami University shows students dining at Panache, an upscale student restaurant at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. With colleges looking to one up each other and millenials coming from a much more cushy home life, some college campuses are becoming more like resorts.

Miami University, Sam Cooper/AP Photo

NOT what you would expect on the web...

2008-07-16T09:47:00.002-05:00

From time to time we point out web sites of schools that serve as a frying pan to the face of conventional wisdom.

For instance...there's a school that the world has heard of that could just stick to the tried and true web formula and put up a site that relies entirely on its name.

BUT...

Well, check this one out...

www.nd.edu.

Certainly not what we were expecting.

Apply in July? Is it too early?

2008-07-01T10:44:00.003-05:00

One neato Midwestern school thinks July is the right time.

Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois suggests you should apply in July...

"Because you don't want to worry about filling out applications when practice starts. Or rehearsals. Or finals. Or Thanksgiving and Christmas."

That's from the official Apply in July facebook page.

Makes your Senior Year of High School a little easier to stomach if you've already got at least one application out of the way.

First Switzerland, then Monterey: Check this out while you plan

2008-06-24T13:08:00.003-05:00

We bumped into this info from Franklin College Switzerland, one of our fave "off the beaten path" schools.

Franklin College recently entered into an agreement with the Graduate School of International Policy Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) of California.

As a result of the agreement, qualified Franklin graduates may enter MIIS graduate programs with advanced entry status. This is the first such agreement between MIIS and an undergraduate institution.

This agreement recognizes Franklin's global focus and its reputation in educating some of the best and brightest undergraduates who seek careers as global public policy professionals, as well as the skills Franklin students have acquired such as fluency in a second language, intercultural competence and policy knowledge. Under the agreement, qualified Franklin students selected for the program may have their MIIS language requirement waived, receive credit for courses taken at Franklin and be given preferential consideration for Monterey Institute Merit Scholarships ranging from $7,000 - $14,000 per academic year.

While many courses of study at Franklin can be applied towards advanced degrees at GSIPS, students majoring in International Communications, International Economics, International Management and International Relations will receive highest priority. Armando Zanecchia, Dean of the faculty of Natural and Social Sciences stated, “This is a wonderful opportunity for Franklin graduates. It has been made possible in great part by former Franklin students who have excelled in degree programs at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.”

For more information about the selection criteria you can download a PDF that provides an overview, as well as contact Armando Zanecchia azanecchia@fc.edu, Dean of Natural and Social Sciences.

Upshot: the option of getting your undergrad degree outside of the USA can pay dividends if you choose to come back to the USA afterwards.

Walla Walla U: A Best College for Vegetarians

2008-06-19T13:07:00.002-05:00

Selective Walla Walla University, near (but not in) the lovely town of Walla Walla, Washington, has this nugget on the "about us" page of their website:

Health and well-being are another important aspect of our lifestyle principles. To promote a healthy diet, our campus dining room serves only vegetarian food and students are asked not to drink alcohol or use tobacco, and of course, other harmful drugs. To promote well-being, entertainment options focus on positive, uplifting events that bring students, faculty and staff together for social interaction.

This is more than a nod to vegetarians: Walla Walla U is a Seventh-Day Adventist school, and thus keeps a vegetarian diet in line with church teachings. See more on the SDA Vegetarian lifestyle here.

Food for (your college search) thought.

Kids: Want a Lesson in How to Act With Class? See Pro Golfers...

2008-06-17T07:28:00.004-05:00

I'll often get questions from parents about role models. With Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, it's tough to find the right kind of people to point to as professionals to emulate.

Unless you look at professional golf. I'll pick three golfers out of the scores who play professionally and, with the US Open having just concluded (in memorable fashion), you can learn a ton by watching these guys.

Tiger Woods: winner of the tournament. Did it on a bad knee. Hit memorable shots.

Ignore that for a second, and pay attention to how he conducts himself off the course. Watch next time how he treats reporters with dignity and respect -- even the reporters who ask really goofy questions.

Rocco Mediate: the surprise runner-up. Class act who didn't buckle under pressure and just wanted to give the fans "a good show." Now legendary for his grin. (Doubled his fans on Facebook overnight.

Phil Mickelson: nowhere near the leaders. BUT...You see, Phil grew up in San Diego (where the tournament was played) and practically grew up on Torrey Pines, the Open course. He had an average week, punctuated by a YouTube-esque video of him hitting the same shot three times in succession and scoring a 9 on a hole.

Asked when the tournament was done about his thoughts on his own play, he preferred to credit the USGA for doing "their best job ever" in setting up the course, and said he was proud to have been from San Diego after the way the fans and area treated people during the tournament.

We haven't even begun to talk about the class acts in Women's golf -- Lorena Ochoa, the greatest female golfer now (and perhaps ever) may be the most humble as well.

Parents with teenagers who are looking to give their kids a gentle nudge toward role models should look no further than pro golf.

What the Democratic Primaries Tell Us About Sending Kids to College

2008-06-06T13:27:00.002-05:00

Is there a connection? I mean, beyond the "where did the candidates go to school" or the "who's got the better plan for student loans" stuff?

Yes. The future will not be televised: it's online.

Barack Obama scored what some are calling a huge upset -- in fact, I'd put it up there with the most recent Super Bowl. (18-1 has become an iconic set of numbers.) Not supposed to be on the same field with the presumptive nominee, young, inexperienced. Overmatched.

It's what Senator Obama did online to organize, recruit, keep people engaged, and stay on message -- that's where the upset really wasn't an upset.

The Democratic Nominee's camp knows what some colleges and universities know too well: it's never over, this recruiting cycle. He got the youth mobilized online and kept them energized online. Their "CRM" was constant, personalized and, above all, relevant.

Sen. Obama's strategy was ignored by all other Dems. In fact, dare I say it was ignored by all other candidates -- save for Ron Paul, a subject for another day.

And, as of today, there are close to 1 Million Fans of Obama on Facebook.

Ignore the Internet at your own peril, o college bound student, parent, and administrator.

What About the Boarding School Search?

2008-06-04T07:17:00.004-05:00

Another great resource to point out comes from the folks at Admissions Quest, whose tools can help those in search of the right boarding school find out which ones make sense for them.

Anyone who lives in a big city, for instance, knows how competitive the magnet schools and even public high school admissions can be. (Chicago, as an example...filling out the application for an 8th grader can be an onerous task.

We like Admissions Quest's approach, and you can get tons of information from the site. Check it out!

U Sphere Trolls the Interwebs and Finds...

2008-05-29T14:52:00.002-05:00

We bumped into a site today that has an interesting business proposition for college kids -- it's called Youbunk and we happen to like the name, too.

Here's a link.

It's got a nice feel to it and is attached to the college experience, so we give it a thumbs-up.

In case you were looking for a U Sphere competitor

2008-05-28T11:30:00.003-05:00

One of the groups we've met along the way, College Partnership, is now out of business. This appears to be a pretty recent development, as the firm now has the following announcement on its front page:

ANNOUNCEMENT

After 10 years of service to America's college bound students, College Partnership must close its doors. Our many thanks to our customer service department who spent countless hours around the clock to assist our remaining customers. We wish all College Partnership families the best of luck in their quest for a college education.

Wake Forest goes test optional, and City of Chicago's cramming for the ACT...

2008-05-27T08:28:00.002-05:00

Two interesting items today showing that test scores may indeed be overrated:

Wake Forest University has gone "test-optional." Read more at one of our favorite sites, Inside Higher Ed.

And the City of Chicago's Public Schools are learning first-hand that cramming for these tests just doesn't help. See the article here.

So now what? Don't take the test? Take the test, don't cram?

We can't blame you if you're confused...but odds are that the SAT and ACT tests won't go away soon. However, their importance, as shown by the growing numbers of universities that don't require them, is diminishing.

Parent Forum Gets Off the Ground (Still in Beta) - Submit Questions Today

2008-05-26T09:24:00.003-05:00

U Sphere's Parent Portal is pleased to add a Forum for Q & A from parents -- concerned about how to pay for college, or confused about the process of helping their kids' find the right one.

You can take a look here: Parents Forum.

Note that it's still in Beta, so there's not going to be a ton of commentary there (yet) -- we're relying on you to help us out there.

One last thing -- CrunchBase, the team behind TechCrunch, has listed our Parent Portal on their site. You can link here: CrunchBase.

Buzz keeps rolling for U Sphere and the stuff we're providing for students, parents, counselors and colleges as part of this "going to college" process.

Stay tuned!

IUPUI's Coach Puts School on the Map by Going Barefoot

2008-05-22T12:40:00.003-05:00

While this post is not entirely about "going to college" we can imagine some aspect of the Flutie effect here:

Wouldn't you be at least a little interested in a school whose basketball coach went to a game barefoot to get people to bring shoes?

Here's the wrap-up, from AP via Yahoo!

IUPUI coach, players will take shoes to Africa

By CLIFF BRUNT, AP Sports Writer May 19, 6:38 pm EDT

*
Buzz Up
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Print

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—IUPUI coach Ron Hunter and his players are going to Nigeria in July to deliver some of the nearly 200,000 pairs of shoes that were donated after he went barefoot during a basketball game to help poor children.

Samaritan’s Feet, a charitable organization based in Charlotte, N.C., convinced Hunter to go barefoot for a Jan. 24 game against Oakland, and Hunter set a pregame goal of collecting 40,000 pairs of shoes in honor of the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By tip-off, he’d already raised 110,000 pairs, counting those that had been pledged on the Samaritan’s Feet Web site.

“Ron used the influence he has as a basketball coach and really helped us put a face to the cause,” said Emmanuel “Manny” Ohonme, a native of Nigeria who founded the charity four years ago.

The mission of the Christian-based charity is to send 10 million shoes in 10 years to children living in poverty. This year’s goal is 1 million pairs.

Besides about 20 from IUPUI, the group heading to Nigeria will also include about 30 people from Samaritan’s Feet. They will leave the U.S. on July 25 and fly into Abuja, the capital, before busing to Jos.

Before returning on Aug. 8, they will visit orphanages, schools and hospitals, and the IUPUI contingent will hold basketball clinics.

“We are really going to be exposing the athletes to the culture in that area of the world,” Ohonme said. “It’s not just about going there for humanitarian purposes and ministry. It’s so they can also learn and see a world that’s bigger than theirs.”

Ohonme hopes the players understand that responsibility comes with their status as Division I basketball players.

“As we’ve been given greater platforms in life, we need to use those to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves,” he said.

Many of the shoes already have been delivered. Some have gone to Liberia and the Darfur region of Sudan. Others have been delivered to kids in Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

Samaritan’s Feet plans to send shoes to Uganda and Mozambique in Africa, and Guyana and Peru in South America later this year.

“I’m more excited about my kids doing this than if they were going to the NCAA tournament,” Hunter said. “This will have a direct effect on the rest of their lives. They will always remember this.”

The cause got a lift from the NBA on TNT when studio hosts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson went barefoot for their May 11 telecast.

Hunter wants coaches across the country, regardless of sport, to go barefoot on a yet-to-be-named Saturday in 2009.

“If it’s just about wins and losses, we’ve lost what coaching is all about,” he said.

On the Net: Samaritan’s Feet Web site: http://www.samaritansfeet.org.

(Note from U Sphere - IUPUI is in Indianapolis; Indiana and Purdue's joint campus there.)

College Connection Portal for Parents -- Take a Look

2008-05-15T08:54:00.003-05:00

May 15, 2008 - Exciting News from U Sphere HQ - We're going live with with our Parent Portal.

Take a look at parents.usphere.com.

What you'll find here:

How to save for college (no matter what your kid's age)...

How to plan for college (picking the right one, finding a consultant if you need one, looking at options if you want to be a doctor or play a sport)...

529 Plans (all of them) and even some local links to enrichment programs and the like (sorry if you're not around Chicagoland, we're working on the rest of the world).

Take a look!

"Don't be well-rounded, be well-lopsided"

2008-04-28T18:20:00.002-05:00

That advice comes from Steve Goodman, who works with students AND parents as a college admissions consultant. (Steve's the guy in the picture; he spoke at a bookstore because, well, he co-authored a book called "College Admissions Together." Read more about it on U Sphere's site. Click here.

Steve held a session yesterday (Sunday, April 27) in Winnetka, Illinois. It's one of Chicago's North Shore suburbs and the audience was a great cross-section of parents who are new to this college search game, parents who have gone through it already, counselors, and innocent bystanders. (And me.)

The question posed: are colleges looking for the well-rounded STUDENT or the well-rounded CLASS.

"You should be well-lopsided as a student. Find that thing you do well and do it often."

The upshot here is this: if you are the best badminton player ever, hone that skill at the expense of trying to join every club just for the sake of your admissions resume.

What about essays?

Well, they are read at most selective schools. But not all. And not at all of the not-too-selective schools.

Are you sensing it's a crazy process? Guys like Steve -- and of course some of the other admissions consultants out there, but not all of them -- can add some sense and sensibility to this crazy admissions game.

Great event, great to hear the advice up close, and thanks to Steve for letting U Sphere tag along.

The start of something bigger: the 529 Sphere Directory

2008-04-16T21:12:00.002-05:00

Hey all,

When asked to comment about the "how do you pay for college" question, it's a lot more complex than you'd think.

But, for those with young kids -- increasingly, the web stats tell us, for U Sphere visitors -- the 529 plan is the way to go. Tax-advantaged investment programs that are like 401(k)s used to be: still new, mysterious, not widely understood, etc.

HOWEVER...

We've begun the process of making a little sense of all this on one of our sites:

www.529sphere.com/directory

Take a look and we'd love to hear what you think.

We'll be hanging out in Winnetka, IL in a couple weeks...

2008-04-14T13:58:00.003-05:00

This one's more for the parents in the crowd:

You are invited to a discussion at Book Stall:

THE TOP 100 COLLEGES: HOW YOUR FAMILY CAN PEACEFULLY PREPARE

Sunday, April 27, 2008
11:30 a.m.

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
811 Elm Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
(847) 446-8880

Educational consultant and author Steve Goodman will talk about the college search in the context of your child’s passage to adulthood and will answer questions about preparations for the top 100 colleges and universities. Dave Van de Walle, president of USphere, will moderate the program.

The Chicago Tribune cited Steve's book, COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TOGETHER: IT TAKES A FAMILY (Capital Books, $17.95), a few weeks ago.

Come join us!

Senator Clinton, Visiting My Old High School on Friday, Wasn't Totally Right...

2008-03-29T17:19:00.002-05:00

Monumental day on Friday, March 28, as Senator Hillary Clinton was in Mishawaka, Indiana -- the town yours truly grew up in -- to speak about a whole bunch of things.

College access came up and here's a link to what she had to say:

www.wndu.com (you'll have to visit the TV screen thing on the right-hand side).

Most of what she said about college centered around the generalities that are easy to spout during an election year:

College is too expensive (thus tuition should come down).

Student loan companies charge too much (thus interest rates should come down).

Grant dollars should be increased.

Ah yes, if it were only that simple.

How bout this novel idea: equipping students (and parents) with the right tools so they can be successful in high school, so that college choices are more plentiful, scholarship dollars are flowing, and loans aren't necessary. (Mishawaka students are pretty bright.)

She also failed to mention that No Child Left Behind is a joke and should be repealed by Executive Order on Day One.

But it was nice to see she made the trip to visit the home of the Cavemen.