PSA: the FAFSA and College Board PROFILE

After painstakingly filling out the FAFSA for the first time (as I mentioned in this article, we had to update it later), my family and I moved on to the CSS/Financial Aid Profile on the College Board website. Both require a massive amount of information (but don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll put that DNA sample to good use).

So.. we finish the PROFILE, hit Submit, and a screen comes up telling us that we can now use this info to fill in the FAFSA. Had we known that, we could have saved several hours and a few grains of our sanity. But I suppose, as they say, you live and learn.

This is my PSA- Learn from my mistakes. If you are filling out both the CSS/Financial Aid Profile and the FAFSA, save yourself a lot of heartache and do the Profile first. Then you can use that info to prefill your FAFSA.

Exciting news and more updates soon

Things have been pretty mum around here, at least in the college department, until this weekend, which explains the lack of updates. With a trip to Chapel Hill, a research paper, and an interview for one of my other colleges, there should be plenty to write about for a while.

Until then, I have some exciting news. I just found out today that I made finalist standing for the National Merit Scholarship. This is big for me because it means 1) I look better to the colleges who are still looking at my application, and 2) I might get free money.

Semifinalists were picked based on their PSAT scores, and then had to complete an application and write an essay. Right now, I’m 1 of about 15,000 who made it this far.

How I Picked my College List

The hardest part of deciding which colleges to apply to is.. well, deciding. Some people know from an early age what their ‘dream college’ is, whether it’s because of a family tradition, loyalty to a sports team, or some other motivation. Some of us aren’t so lucky. When I started I had no idea where I wanted to apply. I found that a good place to start is the college board website. They have a college finder, and you can search and compare colleges based on a lot of different aspects. But even before that, you may want to start deciding what you do and don’t want in a college. These things can help you narrow down your options.

Q: How do Southerners deal with winter weather?

A: They don’t.

It’s a fact. We just don’t know how to cope.

Tonight we’re expecting some sleet and/or freezing rain, and everyone is freaking out. The school system already has plans for like, four different scenarios. I’m pretty sure everyone up north is laughing at us as we scramble around the grocery store, emptying the shelves of milk, eggs and bread.. I guess it’s so we can at least make french toast while we’re trapped in our houses.

Seriously though, things could get pretty bad. It’s always when we’re not expecting much that we get piles of ice (never snow, we wouldn’t be that lucky). I’m holding my fingers for a delay tomorrow, but nothing major.

Applications- Starting and Keeping a Resume

Gil over at aletheology has a post about college applications. He makes a really good point about keeping track of all your extra-curriculars, honors and awards. I’d tell anyone in high school who plans on going to college to start a resume listing any and all activities that are application-worthy. My resume got me through all of my college applications, plus scholarship stuff. It also gave me something to hand my teachers when I asked them for letters of recommendation to tell them even more about myself. Like Gil says, make sure you have the dates (years should work for most activities), and any offices you held or special recognitions you received.

I’d suggest starting on this now, rather than later, because it can be hard to think back and remember everything you’ve done, and you might forget something.

Gathering my things- Part 2: Are You Packed Yet?

I got something in the mail yesterday from one of the local universities, a sort of half-advertisement for the school, half-magazine. One of the things that caught my eye was a list called ‘Are You Packed Yet?’ It’s a list of the top 20 things new students said they recommended putting on a college packing list. It caught my eye mainly because I wrote about the same thing a couple days ago. I’m posting this list for comparison (with commentary), and because they listed some things I completely missed, or just wasn’t thinking about at the time.

-Driver’s license and vehicle registration
-Prescriptions and insurance ID card
-Important phone numbers and addresses
-Cell phone or phone card
-Electronics: computer, TV, DVD, iPod
(about the TV: I don’t plan on taking one, b/c my laptop plays DVDs, I can catch up with most of my favorite shows online, and there in the dorms I’ve been in, there’s a lounge with a shared TV. I didn’t miss mine at all this summer.)
-Artwork, posters, photos
-Linens, towels
-Laundry basket, detergent
-School supplies
-Calender, day planner
-Change for vending machines
-Favorite munchies
-Room supplies such as hangers, extension cords, surge-protector, alarm clock, message board with markers
-Personal items such as shower caddy, coffee mug
-Cleaning supplies
-Clothing (I really didn’t think I had to mention this one, honestly)
-Raincoat, umbrella
-Sports/recreational gear
-Camera
-Favorite books and CDs

Getting In!

Just thought I’d update to say that.. I got in! To UNC Chapel Hill this time. I’m really very excited about this one. Chapel Hill is a good school, and they have research opportunities like I want. It’s also in the Research Triangle part of the state, and has that nice ‘college town’ feel to it that I love.

Which reminds me, soon I’ll be posting about what went into choosing my college list. There’s a lot of stuff to consider. Also coming soon, hopefully, something I’d like to call “Why you should never procrastinate” (a Learn From My Mistakes Production). Stay Tuned!

Financial Aid: Part 1 (looking for loose change)

It’s shortly after the new year, when a lot of people have their college applications in. That stress is finally gone, and now I have a pile of financial aid stuff to do. I’ll be honest, my family isn’t exactly wealthy, and while I have a small savings account to help pay for college, if I want to go to my school of choice, I’m going to be relying pretty heavily on scholarships and loans. I’m hoping to maximize the former and minimize the latter. So it’s time to get busy.

Where I’m at so far:

Gathering my things- Part 1

Christmas is over and done with at my house, but I’m still in that weird post-holiday stage where I haven’t quite found a place for my new stuff. It’s even harder this year, because as I take inventory, I notice that a lot of things people gave me can’t be used immediately, they’ll do me a lot more good in seven or eight months when I’m moving into a dorm room.

So.. I had a thought. I thought that I’d start a list here documenting all the things I plan on taking with me next year. Luckily, my experience this summer, plus numerous dorm-tours, have helped me to figure out what I will and won’t need/want. Maybe it’ll help me stay organized.. though it’s not likely.

the resident Gadget Geek couldn’t be happier

I’ve been playing with my new Bluetooth USB adaptor, and just figured out how to use my cellphone to control the desktop. It’s not very efficient, but the novelty is incredible. Look Ma! I’m posting this from the other side of the room!