5 Things High School Seniors Should Be Doing Now (U.S. News & World Report)

If you are a rising high school senior, you probably thought you had all summer to get prepared for the upcoming college admission frenzy. But guess what? You're running out of time.

To avoid the time crunch in the fall, here are five things you can do now:

1. Examine school prices: I think it's reckless to apply to a school if you don't have some sense of what kind of price you would have to pay. Sticker prices, however, are often meaningless. At private colleges and universities, for instance, 88 percent of students receive some type of price break.

The good news is that it's becoming much easier to determine what the tab will be in advance by using federally mandated net price calculators. These calculators will provide you with a good idea of what the price will be at an institution based on your academic profile and your parents' finance data. With the exception of the super rich, I don't think anyone should apply to colleges without using these calculators first.

While the federal deadline to install these calculators on school websites is late October, lots of schools already have their calculators up and running.

[Read more about net price calculators.]

2. Check deadlines: Use a calendar to keep track of deadlines for applications and financial aid. When there is a choice, you'll have to decide whether to apply early decision, early action or regular decision. When you apply early, the school might require that you submit your financial aid application far in advance.

[Learn about overlooked ways to pay for college.]

3. Get started on the essay: Writing the college essay is one of the most nerve-wracking chores that face high school seniors. If you start now, you're more likely to be able to devote the time to do a superb job.

If you are applying to a school that uses the Common Application, you can obtain a list of the six essay questions by visiting the organization's website. My favorite is "Topic of your choice."

While you can often use the same essay for multiple schools, be prepared to answer a college's supplemental questions. A biggie goes something like this: "Why do you want to attend our school?" You won't be able to ace this question unless you really understand the college, and that requires research.

[See 10 tips for writing college admission essays.]

4. Don't overlook the supplemental materials: If you are an artist, musician, or actor, applying to colleges can be even more time consuming. You typically will have to send a resume noting your artistic background and accomplishments, as well as a portfolio that can be captured on a CD or DVD. If your portfolio isn't finished, start now.

[Get more tips about the college application process.]

5. Research: If you haven't begun researching schools, get started now. An easy first step is to request admission materials from school websites. In addition, spend time on the college's admission website, where you will often find academic profiles of the freshmen class, notable facts about the school, information on financial aid and scholarships. Plenty of schools will also offer virtual tour and opportunities for online chats.

[Find more statistics and details about colleges.]

Equally important, you should poke around online at a school's relevant academic departments.

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Yale's 'World Fellows' program a melting pot of elites (AFP)

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AFP) – A Tunisian cyberdissident and a Russian blogger may not appear to have much in common, but they were brought together at Yale University in a program drawing elites from around the globe.

Established 10 years ago, Yale's "World Fellows" initiative has lured a diverse group of mid-career professionals deemed to be "emerging leaders" to the prestigious Ivy League school northeast of New York.

Each year, 14-18 people earn the right to spend a semester on the leafy campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Fellows -- whose fees and living expenses are fully funded by the university -- take classes but also offer guest lectures to undergraduates and meet with students to share their experiences.

Program veterans include prominent Chinese AIDS activist Wan Yanhai, who is now living in the United States due to fears for his safety; Lebanese gallery owner Saleh Barakat; and Venezuelan opposition lawmaker Maria Corina Machado.

"We receive 3,800 applications from the six regions of the world," program director Michael Cappello, an expert on infectious diseases, told AFP.

"Selection is a four-month process. The criteria are flexible -- the most important criterion is our belief that in the next five to 10 years, the candidate will have a national impact as a leader in some field."

Russian blogger Alexei Navalny, an anti-corruption whistleblower, took classes on corporate law but also gave lectures about his homeland.

Tunisian cyber-activist Fares Mabrouk said he came to Yale to learn how to launch a "democracy think tank" in his country, but also took a music appreciation course.

"People who will be leaders need to better understand the world globally," Cappello said.

Valerie Rose Belanger, the program's director of partnerships, added: "These are brilliant people in various fields, and the most important thing is they would never have met."

She said the fellows become "role models" for the regular students, who are eager to meet people "who take risks and are practitioners... not academicians as we are here."

Mabrouk lived at Yale late last year, returning to Tunisia in December 2010 -- just before the eruption of the popular revolution that would topple President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and spark uprisings across the Arab world.

"I made friends from India, Indonesia, from all over -- they wrote to me during the revolution, and we're still in contact," said Mabrouk, who is now working with a group of bloggers ahead of October polls to elect a constituent assembly.

For some fellows like Wan, the United States becomes their adopted homeland; for others like Mabrouk, a stay at Yale marks a professional turning point.

In 2007, after his time as a World Fellow, Barakat -- who had owned a gallery since 1991 -- organized Lebanon's first-ever pavilion at the prestigious Venice Biennale contemporary art festival.

He has also worked with the Tate Modern in London and opened a second gallery.

Turkey's Hakan Altinay launched a project on global civics instruction -- what started as a news article became a book translated into several languages. A documentary is in the works.

And Machado, elected to Venezuela's national assembly in 2010, has been tipped as a potential candidate to battle Hugo Chavez for the presidency in 2012.

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LinkedIn Offers New Options for Students (U.S. News & World Report)

A competitive job market that continues to show minimal growth has added to the doubts and frustrations some students and recent graduates have about life after college. In an effort to aid young professionals in their job searches, LinkedIn--the social network of more than 100 million members and recognized for connecting professionals--has added new sections to its profiles that allow students and graduates with limited professional experience to highlight successes in the classroom. These new sections allow students to post information regarding projects, honors and awards, involvement in organizations, test scores, and courses.

Laurie Boettcher, a social media speaker and trainer, believes the new sections will give students and graduates a leg up in the job search. "I think it's definitely going to make them more competitive," Boettcher says. "Employers spend so much money on training new employees and, if they know you've already had some experience in doing some of this type of work, that's going to be a big deal."

[Learn why college students should join LinkedIn.]

With the revamped profile choices, users have the ability to reorder sections to highlight and prioritize their strongest attributes. According to Eric Stoller, a higher education consultant, students should understand that adding positive information won't necessarily make them stand out from the crowd. "With today's millennial generation, everybody's getting honors and awards," Stoller says. "It seems like you come in 7th place [and] you get a medal. Same thing with test scores, with grade inflation, everyone could have a 4.0 GPA, because who's going to check it?"

Stoller suggests highlighting "tangible items" such as projects or organizational involvement, which better relate to your professional potential. "What have you done [on campus] and how did you go about doing it?" Stoller notes. "Showcase your leadership ability, your ability to work with other people, [and] your decision-making ability."

Although providing information on participation in projects and organizations can be beneficial, students must be aware that the job search does not end there. Abhishek Seth, a rising senior at Boston University and active user of the social platform, fears students may use the sections for the wrong reasons. "I'm a little afraid that it's giving false hope to students because they think they can just post their credentials on their wall and get a job," Seth says. "I think one thing I learned quickly [on LinkedIn] was that people wouldn't just come to me. I had to reach out to others."

[Find 10 paying college jobs that look good on your resume.]

Seth also believes the stigma of being a college student could carry over to a user's LinkedIn profile, causing them to lose ground to other more experienced workers. "It pigeonholes them as a student by talking about what organizations or fraternities they're working for," he notes. "Automatically they're thrown into a student category. Big companies don't want students. They want real professionals."

While highlighting your academic achievements can strengthen your profile, employers are still primarily interested in the internship or work experience that students and recent graduates attained during college, notes Lindsey Sparks, a senior PR specialist at American Fidelity Assurance Company, an insurance provider.

"When you have a stack of 70 resumes for a position, and half of them have internship experience, they're immediately going to go above all of the people who don't list that," Sparks says. "So it's really hard for people to stand out if they don't have professional experience to go along with it.

[Discover the 10 universities producing the most interns.]

While many students are aware of the importance of displaying professional experience on LinkedIn, some are encouraged by the option to add classroom successes to their profiles. Andi Enns, a rising junior at Park University, says that these new sections will likely motivate students to be more active on campus. "It will remind them that it is really important to get involved and have the type of experiences we may not be able to have in an entry-level job," Enns notes. "These new sections give me the opportunity to show potential employers that I do more than study on campus."

It remains to be seen whether the new LinkedIn sections will improve college students' and recent graduates' chances of landing jobs, but higher education consultant Stoller believes the social network has given them the opportunity to leave college more prepared for the challenge of securing employment. "Everyone talks about higher ed not preparing students for the real world, and I think LinkedIn has offered a chance for students to get more connected to the real world earlier in their academic careers."

Have you found success on LinkedIn? Share your stories with us on our Best Colleges Facebook page.

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What Are Some Common College Admissions Myths? (U.S. News & World Report)

For something as complex as the college admissions process, it's important to make sure you have all of the right information when it comes to dispelling myths. Donald J. from Park City, Utah, is helping everyone out with his question this week:

Q: In your experience, what are three of the most accepted or exaggerated myths in the college admissions process?

A: Get the facts straight before applying to college.
Katherine Cohen, founder and CEO, IvyWise and ApplyWise.com

Myth #1: Your SAT/ACT score is the most important thing in your application.

Your academic transcript is most important. In fact, there is nothing more important to an admissions officer than your grades and performance in the classroom. A high SAT or ACT score may keep you in the applicant pool, but alone, it will not guarantee admission.

Myth #2: You want to get recommendations from teachers who have given you A's.

Not necessarily. You want to get recommendations from those teachers who know you best, perhaps someone who has taught you over several years or knows you in multiple capacities. Hopefully, you also did well in their classes!

Myth #3: You can start the application process in 12th grade.

Everything from ninth grade on counts, including summers. Students need a four-year plan to chart their academic coursework, select meaningful activities, etc.

[Get more tips from U.S. News's Applying 101 guide.]

A: You don't need to move to Mississippi, Wyoming, or South Dakota.
James Montoya, vice president of higher education, The College Board

Myth #1: Most universities accept only a small percentage of their applicants.

The vast majority of colleges and universities accept more than half of their applicants. It may seem otherwise, largely because the media tends to focus its stories on the nation's most selective institutions, which simply doesn't tell the full admissions story.

Myth #2: A great interview can make up for a so-so academic record.

A student's high school academic record and SAT or ACT scores remain the most important factors in selective college admissions. Having a great interview certainly doesn't hurt, but don't expect it to make up for a lackluster performance in high school.

Myth #3: Moving to Wyoming or Mississippi will increase chances of getting accepted.

Your academic accomplishments and life experiences are much more important than the state in which you live.

[Avoid 4 common financial aid myths.]

A: You don't need to be a jack of all trades.
Michele Hernandez, president and founder, HernandezCollegeConsulting.com and ApplicationBootCamp.com

Myth #1: Colleges are looking for well-rounded students.

This is simply no longer the case. Colleges are looking for a well-rounded class filled with musicians, singers, classicists, debaters, etc.--but that does not mean they need every student to be a jack of all trades. They much prefer depth and level of expertise in a few key areas than someone who is spread out all over the map.

Myth #2: Colleges want to see a detailed resume.

Resumes are for jobs, not for college applications. Sending a resume instead of an activity list rubs admissions officers the wrong way because colleges are academic/scholarly institutions, not investment banks, and it smacks of hubris to even have a resume at age 16. Stick to the Common App format by using an activity list and elaborate in a separate attachment, if necessary, on a few of the activities you've spent a ton of time on.

Myth #3: Colleges won't care if I'm a few days late.

Don't count on it! Though some colleges may accept your application, we've seen colleges reject applications that were sent late. It's a risk on your part and not the kind of action that shows that you are the top student they are looking for. Be mindful of deadlines and aim to get your essays done over the summer so you can submit applications on time.

[Get tips on what high school juniors should do to prepare for college.]

A: There are no magical numbers.
Stacey Kostell, director of admissions, University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign

Myth #1: You have to have a certain standardized test score to be admitted.

Universities that practice holistic admissions consider many aspects of an applicant before making an admissions decision. Test scores are considered but are not the most important factor in the decision process and are rarely the make-or-break factor.

Myth #2: We only accept a certain number of students from each high school.

Many colleges build their classes to include students with different interests and backgrounds. However, at most schools, including flagship universities, the number of applications admitted from a school is not limited.

Myth #3: Admission committees can't tell if the applicant wrote the essays themselves.

Admissions staff read thousands of essays each year and can tell when an applicant has received excessive assistance. Just remember to do your best work and get involved in activities you enjoy. You'll find the right college.

[Get tips on writing the college application essay.]

A: Try, apply, and never look back.
Steve Loflin, founder and CEO, National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Parents and advisers should never discourage students from applying to any school they wish to attend. The biggest myths may be "I can't afford to go" or "I will never get in." Affordability is only an issue if the student applies and actually gets accepted. An employer once told me he always asks students where they applied to go to college. By applying to a top-tier school, students demonstrate ambition and self-confidence, regardless of whether or not they get in.

These individuals don't get lured into believing they're not worthy. They try, they apply, and they move on from whatever the final answer is. And sometimes by taking a chance and believing it possible, they get to attend the school of their dreams! You never know if you don't try--you'll only wonder "if," and that's no way to live a fulfilling and worthwhile life.

Visit the Unigo Expert Network for 30 more experts dispelling admissions myths, and to have your own questions answered.

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Interim Chief Begins Cleaning up Atlanta Public Schools (U.S. News & World Report)

Three year-round elementary schools in the Atlanta Public School system opened this morning, including two implicated in one of the largest cheating scandals in K-12 public education.

Boyd Elementary and Hutchinson Elementary both hired new principals earlier this week after their former principals were removed. Interim schools chief Erroll Davis Jr. has started cleaning up a district in which 178 teachers and principals were found to be cheating on standardized tests according to an investigative report by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. Last week, the Atlanta school board gave Davis a yearlong term to help the district navigate through the scandal.

[Learn more about the Atlanta cheating scandal.]

Shake-ups in the beleaguered school district continued on Tuesday. Millicent Few, who served as human resources chief of the system since 1999, resigned after a state report claimed she "ordered the destruction of documents related to cheating."

"It is not compassionate to allow someone who has cheated to remain on payroll," Davis told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "A major mistake leaders make is they show too much compassion for people and not the institution. I was hired to protect the institution and I will do it."

Davis began removing officials earlier this week, starting with area superintendents Tamara Cotman, Michael Pitts, Sharon Davis-Williams, and Robin Hall. Their status with Atlanta Public Schools is pending. The four were replaced with principals from schools that weren't implicated in the governor's report.

Former school board chairman Khaatim Sherrer El also resigned earlier this week. "I failed to protect thousands of children who come from homes like mine," he said. El was one of the first school board officials to put pressure on the government to investigate cheating allegations. He will take a job with a nonprofit in Newark, N.J. In his departing note to the community, El wrote that Atlanta made "a deal with the Devil that sold out a generation of children for the sake of the city's image."

Other cities have faced mysteriously high test scores, including Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Cheating has also been suspected in districts in Ohio, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and California. Bob Schaeffer, public education director of FairTest, a national organization that tracks cheating, wrote in a USA Today opinion piece that cheating is to be expected because standardized tests play such an important role in the U.S. education system.

"The cheating spike is the predictable fallout from the pervasive misuse of standardized tests in public schools. When test results are all that matter in evaluating students, teachers and schools, educators feel pressured to boost scores by hook or by crook," he wrote. "Just as in other professions, some will cross the ethical line."

See how your school stacks up in our rankings of Best High Schools. Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.

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Don't Apply to Medical School Without a Purpose (U.S. News & World Report)

Applying to medial school? Take a moment to consider some of the short-term consequences of your enrollment: an intense curriculum coupled with a steep reduction in social and leisure activities, enormous tuition bills with correspondingly large debt, and concerns regarding long-term financial security and medico-legal dangers. It's enough to make any would-be medical student fall prey to at least a few moments of self-doubt.

Admissions committee members know this and are looking for applications that convey a sense of motivation and enthusiasm durable enough to withstand the various assaults (and insults) a medical education will invariably deliver.

[See which healthcare jobs are on the rise.]

While the personal statement is the figurative "heart" of the application and the component most conducive to relaying your passion for medicine, it is merely a part of the "package" you are presenting. The personal statement should function as the narrative commentary on the rest of your application, creating a "theme" or a "story" that coherently pulls together your education (including things like your choice of school/major and comments about extraordinary or extraordinarily poor grades), extracurricular activities, research experience, volunteer and/or community activities, etc.

Think carefully--and honestly--about why you want to be a doctor; ideally this should be done early in your undergraduate years (or earlier), but it must be done before you begin preparing your application. Then think about how and why the things you have spent your time and energy pursuing fit with this motivation and the larger story of who you are. Many, if not most, people don't take such a strategic approach to their lives, such as choosing what hobbies to pursue by consciously considering which might be most appropriate for a career in medicine.

But, almost every applicant I have met and application I have reviewed can be "packaged" to fit a more central theme related to career aspirations with some careful thought and consideration. The year you spent as a waitress helped fund your purchase of premed textbooks; your proclivity for bungee-jumping derives from the same need for excitement and thrills that are drawing you to a career in surgery or emergency medicine; or your incarceration for drug possession led to an epiphany that translated into a future in psychiatry and substance abuse treatment. (OK, maybe that last one needs a little more work.)

[See the 10 most popular medical schools.]

A majority of applications will cite a few broad categories of motivation. For example:

1. I want to help people: It's probably the most common story being told--and it's a good one. But if you have a sincere and deep desire to help your fellow human beings, you should have found some way to act on this by the time you're applying to med school. Volunteer work, community service, humanitarian experiences abroad, and other similar activities are essential in this kind of application and should be highlighted accordingly in your personal statement.

2. Furthering medical science: This is popular amongst science majors, especially if the applicant has significant research experience. But if you're a liberal arts major who has never set foot in a lab, this is likely not the best route. And if it is, your essay must present a reasonable story for how and why you have decided to make such a drastic departure from the course of study you have pursued thus far, and what skills you will be able to bring with you from the humanities as you pursue your medical or scientific career. (See this recent New York Times op-ed for an eloquent example.)

3. Transformative experience: Often, this experience relates to a personal or family illness. While these applications are often conducive to writing a compelling, even inspirational, personal statement, one must be careful not to dissociate the "motivation" from the rest of your application. For example, after your six-month ICU stay and miraculous recovery from debilitating spinal cord injury, did you go on to create a charity or support group for survivors of spinal cord injuries? Did you pursue research or advanced coursework in neurology or stem cell biology? You need to demonstrate how this amazing story led you to build a solid premed resume.

[See U.S. News's rankings of Best Medical Schools.]

Connecting the dots between your experiences and your motivation for applying to medical school will help you stand out among other applicants. Then, all you'll have to worry about is the coursework, lack of free time, debt, and potential legal issues...Happy applying!

Joshua Klein is a Board Certified OB/GYN and a Clinical and Research Fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. After earning his medical degree at Harvard Medical School, he completed residency at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Answering Readers' College Search Questions (U.S. News & World Report)

In recent weeks, readers of The College Admissions Insider have raised questions in the comment box of posted blogs. Many of the questions are personal in nature or request feedback regarding specific colleges. As a general rule, I do not publicly make qualitative or comparative assessments regarding colleges or groups of colleges nor do I think it's appropriate to respond to personal questions in a public forum.

I am interested in studying in the United States. Where can I find information about college costs and financial aid for international students?

The best place to check for information about college costs as well as financial aid is the website for the college in question. With regard to costs, make sure you are seeing the whole picture: tuition, room, board, fees, and expenses. The actual total cost--the amount you need to budget for the first year of study at that college--may be higher for international students given projected travel expenses.

The Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC) provides a list of "American Institutions with Financial Aid for International Undergraduates" that can be a valuable resource in determining the availability of financial aid at U.S. colleges and universities.

[Learn more about scholarship sources for international students.]

How can I find out more about courses of study, admissions requirements, and acceptance rates at specific U.S. colleges?

While there is an abundance of information available on websites and in guidebooks, the best sources are the institutions themselves. Whereas the information about courses of study might be pretty straightforward, admissions requirements and acceptance rates will vary across academic programs within many universities--and that's why you need to inquire directly with the institution.

Good points of contact are the admissions staff person responsible for international recruitment and the international student adviser. You should be able to find their E-mail addresses on the institutions' websites.

[Get more advice on finding the right school.]

My daughter was placed on the wait list at her first choice college but it appears she is not going to be accepted. I am a single parent and am concerned that her need of financial aid is a factor in the decision making. Is there anything we can do to help her chances?

The situation you describe is both unfortunate and unfair. It is quite possible, if not likely, that your financial circumstances were indeed a determining factor in the outcome of your daughter's application. You like to believe that your student will be evaluated solely on the merit of her record. Unfortunately, institutions are often faced with more qualified and interesting candidates than they can admit and support with the financial aid they need in order to enroll. While they might have tens of millions of dollars to award in financial aid, the amount is still finite. As a result, they have to make hard decisions with regard to where and how they will invest their funds.

Short of winning the lottery--in which case your daughter's "need" of financial support goes away--it is hard to imagine a scenario in which the institution will change its position regarding your daughter's status. Hopefully, she has been admitted at other schools that value her attendance such that they have extended the financial aid she will need to address her college expenses.

[Use 6 tips to get off of college wait lists.]

We are looking at high schools, both public and private, for our children. Which will give them a better chance of getting into the colleges they desire?

This is a question I get fairly often as parents seek a strategic advantage for their children as they anticipate the college admissions process. Frankly, it's impossible to provide an answer that is foolproof, as the options in public and private secondary education run the gamut from the exceptional to the "extremely challenged."

As you research the possibilities, be sensitive to environments in which your children will be comfortably engaged, appropriately challenged, and knowledgeably supported in college planning. They are likely to do their best work at such places. Ultimately, it is what each does with the experience, wherever and however it is defined, that will make the greatest difference with regard to outcomes.

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Prediction Tools Gauge College Admissions Chances (U.S. News & World Report)

As a high school senior in New York City, Taylor Florio was set on his future college destination. "I always knew that I wanted to go to a California school," he says. "That was the main factor in what schools I looked at."

Florio's guidance counselor suggested he use a college predictor tool to gauge admissions chances for each school. What he came to realize was that the majority of universities he was considering were deemed reach schools. Now a rising senior at Chapman University in California--one of his reach schools according to the admissions chances calculator--Florio says that, while it did not impact his application decisions, this tool affected many of his friends' college plans.

"I think that I'm someone who stands out who didn't let these predictors hinder my decisions," he notes. "[But] a lot of my friends didn't even apply to schools outside of New York because of them."

[Discover the risks of applying to a reach school.]

It is one of the most important-and stressful--decisions for a student, and narrowing a list of potential colleges is often a daunting process. Many families, confused and overwhelmed by the challenge, rely on outside assistance to ease the burden.

A Google search for "chances I get into this college" garners 252 million results, including MyChances.net, which claims its prediction tool will "correctly predict college admission over 90% of the time." AdmissionSplash, an app built for use on Facebook, determines a student's chances, offering ranges from "very poor" to "very good." Both programs use basic information including test scores, addresses, and extracurricular activities to determine a student's likelihood of getting into a particular college.

While these tools may be one way to start a college search, they can't determine a student's chances on a case-by-case basis as precisely as admissions professionals can, says Tom Delahunt, vice president of admission and financial aid at Drake University.

"How data is collected [for these tools] is sometimes an issue and schools change from year to year," Delahunt says. "They don't know what schools are looking for any specific year."

[Get tips and advice to finding the right school for you.]

Matt Munson, the founder and CEO of the college admissions consulting site Acceptly, says that many of the college predictor tools available to the public create a disservice because they do not look at all aspects of the student. Instead of helping them improve their candidate profiles and inspiring them to be ambitious with their college search, Munson states that some prediction tools may return results for just a few schools--and those may not be good fits for the student.

"They're looking at so few elements of a student's profile that there's no way that they are providing informed decisions for students," he says. "In our view, that's very dangerous."

It is important for a site to be honest with its users when a tool does not have enough data from the school or student to make a confident calculation, says Chris Long, president of the college matching service Cappex.com, whose site features a college admissions chances calculator. "If we don't have a lot of data, we specifically will tell the student that our confidence in that prediction is lower than if we had a lot of data on the college and on the student," Long says.

The goal of these tools is not to deter students from applying to particular schools when providing admissions predictions, but to "set their expectations properly," Long acknowledges.

"We never communicate to a student that you shouldn't bother applying," he says. "But, rather, when you make that application you need to understand that there are certain aspects of your background that may not be as competitive at that school."

[Learn more about applying to college.]

While Drake's Delahunt sees benefits in admissions prediction tools, he firmly believes that making a physical visit to campus and meeting with faculty is the best way to make a decision about where to apply. "[College] is too big an investment to depend on a data model."

Although rising college senior Florio may not agree with the use of predictor tools as a means to determine which colleges to consider, he sees the potential utility. "A lot of guidance counselors use them to prepare students," Florio says. "When you get rejected from a college, it's pretty heartbreaking. So I think [these tools] are there to give us a realistic point of view."

What do you think about this story? Visit our Best Colleges Facebook page and share your thoughts with us.

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U.S. News to Collect Online Education Data (U.S. News & World Report)

Robert J. Morse Robert J. Morse – Wed Jun 29, 3:03 pm ET

As early as mid-July, U.S.News & World Report will begin a first-ever effort to collect in depth data from all online bachelor's and five master's degree level education programs in the United States. To that end, U.S. News Editor Brian Kelly reached out to college presidents to inform them about the new and exciting online education project and to urge them to help facilitate a response from their campuses. Below is the full text of the letter:

Dear ________,

I'd like to ask for your help. Later this year, U.S.News & World Report will be publishing an expanded directory of online education programs with more detailed information including rankings and other searchable data. With the rapid growth of online programs in higher education, prospective students are asking for more, and more useful, data to make informed choices. We are creating a site that will bring the same quality of information to online consumers, and the same opportunity for schools to connect with those students, that we've brought to brick and mortar institutions over the last three decades. I'd like to make sure that we're able to represent your school with the most accurate, updated information.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be sending surveys about the makeup, requirements, and quality of your online education programs. Each discipline-specific survey will be sent to the appropriate departments at private, public, and for-profit regionally accredited higher education institutions in the United States.

The questions are based on academic and industry literature reviews, as well as consultation with numerous heads of online degree programs in multiple disciplines. The questions will be categorized among six distinct program-specific surveys: the master's levels in business, computer information technology, education, engineering, and nursing, as well as an online bachelor's degree program survey. These program and degree levels were chosen because they are among the highest enrollments in online education. We'll be expanding the list of programs in coming versions. In addition, this will be the first initiative to collect program level data from all online degree programs in these disciplines. With your help, the rankings will become much more sophisticated in each succeeding year.

The data we collect will be part of a redesigned online education section at usnews.com. As with our Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools sites, we see this as an essential starting point for students looking to find the best online programs for them. We'll be including profiles of online degree programs, advanced online program searches, and online program rankings or evaluative lists.

Our education rankings have attracted many millions of users over the years because people trust and value the information we provide. At the same time, many schools have benefited from the exposure our coverage has given them. With your help, we will maintain that same credibility and value for the online education community.

For more information about the data surveys, online program rankings or new online education site, please check our Morse Code blog for updates or contact OnlineEd-Official@usnews.com. We look forward to continued collaboration and cooperation with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Brian Kelly

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5 Tips to Use the Summer Before College Wisely (U.S. News & World Report)

After running a 12-year marathon, many high school seniors cross a long-awaited finish line with both a diploma and a college acceptance letter in hand. And between that race and the next lay three warm summer months, often devoid of responsibility.

How should students fill that time? Should they rest up for the oncoming academic rigors of college, keep their minds active by revisiting old study materials, work, or travel? A little of each, experts say. Overall, the worst thing that students can do is allow the malaise of so-called "senioritis" that plagues so many in the spring to stretch into the summer and subsequently the fall. Then, the consequences of lethargy could be dire--and expensive. Instead, students should use the five tips below to successfully manage the summer before their freshman year of college.

[Get tips on getting along with your roommate.]

1. Don't stop reading: Experts universally agree that students must, above anything else, make sure they read during the summer. Some schools, like Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., and Kansas State University, have summer reading programs. Even if such a program isn't in place, experts say, be sure to keep your mind engaged by reading carefully, not merely cruising through a modern page-turner.

"Practice reading like a college student," says Brandon Miller, assistant vice president for student success at Baylor University. "Take notes for yourself. It will help give you feedback on how you're comprehending the reading material versus just thinking, 'I'm going to highlight it. Look, I'm studying.'"

2. Recharge your batteries: Students can read and relax simultaneously--and they should, experts say. Though it's important for students to keep their minds and bodies active during the summer lull, making time to relax is paramount before they're greeted by months of what is likely the most difficult coursework and demanding tests they've ever faced. "If you want to be competitive, downtime to recharge yourself is as critical as peak performance," says management consultant Nick Vaidya. "It is hard to get one without the other."

[See 5 ways to make a jobless summer productive.]

3. Try something new: Students who may feel daunted by jumping into a new environment this fall should take the plunge a little early, experts say. Students could volunteer or immerse themselves in a program overseas so that they can grow comfortable with adapting to new environments and activities. Josh Irons, director of product marketing at StudyAbroad.com, touts the benefits of foreign language immersion programs in which students live in another country for a few weeks in hopes of learning a new language through osmosis. Some programs--including trips to Brazil and Costa Rica--offered by organizations such as Global Semesters and schools like New York University don't start until late July or early August, so interested students can still sign up.

"These opportunities can often ease the transition, especially for students that haven't spent much time away from home in an unfamiliar environment," Irons says. "Participants have to find common ground with others that may come from very different backgrounds so that they can work together to be successful-a situation they are likely to encounter in college."

[See how to avoid depression in college.]

4. Earn some cash: The cafeteria food may seem enticing at first, especially given that most freshmen's parents shoulder the cost, but many students will spend more on dining out than they think, college officials say. And other expenses, such as tickets to events and shopping, can add up quickly. While students are still under their parents' roofs, they should get a part-time summer job that allows them to stockpile some cash in advance of the semester.

5. Go to orientation: Some schools require students to attend orientations that last a week or more. Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., for instance, has a monthlong Autumn Term for freshmen that couples orientation with a reading-intensive course before the traditional fall semester starts. On the other end of the spectrum, many large state institutions make their one- or two-day orientations optional.

Though it's not a requirement, college officials agree students should sacrifice their free time and take part so that they can familiarize themselves with the campus and meet their new classmates. "If they have an orientation, go to it," says Greg Eiselein, an English professor at Kansas State University and co-director of the school's program that helps freshmen transition to college life. "All of the research shows that if a student attends orientation, they'll do better in college."

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The Student Loan Ranger's Mailbag Express: Consolidation and Repayment (U.S. News & World Report)

Another month, another payment closer to loan forgiveness for the Student Loan Ranger. That's right: We don't just talk the talk; we walk the walk and we pay the debt.

Onto the Mailbag Express: As always, our responses are not meant to provide specific legal or financial advice. Your situation is unique, and we encourage you to reflect carefully on your options and to consult a financial adviser.

Dear Student Loan Ranger: I just observed your student loan webinar, but I wasn't able to access it until 15 minutes after the start time. Did you say that in order to use Income-Based Repayment (IBR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), you must first consolidate Stafford and Grad PLUS loans into one loan? If they are Federal Direct, isn't it better to keep them separate as they have different interest rates? Great webinar, by the way--I feel a bit better about managing my student loans.

Dear Latecomer: I'm glad you found the webinar useful! You do not need to consolidate as long as your Stafford and Grad PLUS are indeed Federal Direct loans. If they are FFEL loans, however, they are not eligible for PSLF and you will want to consolidate them into a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan. (You have a right to consolidate them for that purpose.) If you don't know which type of loans you have, you can find out by signing into the National Student Loan Data System.

If all your loans are Federal Direct, the decision about whether to consolidate them will depend on the relative interest rates of the loans and the convenience of having one loan to pay instead of several. That is a decision for you and your financial adviser to make.

[Get tips and tools for managing student loans.]

Dear Student Loan Ranger: I graduated from law school in 2008 and consolidated all my federal loans into the Federal Direct Consolidation Loan. My current repayment plan is IBR, which, by the way, is awesome! I have been working in public interest or in government work since I graduated, with the goal of qualifying for PSLF. I have two questions:

1. My spouse and I file our taxes as married filing separately in order to lower my monthly loan payments under IBR. As my income increases, we're wondering at what point the tax benefits of filing separate outweigh the benefits of splitting our income under IBR.

2. I heard that your income for IBR purposes is either your current income or your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your most recent taxes. I currently make more than the AGI that my IBR is based on, and would like to know which amount I should be paying based on.

Dear Married Filing Separately: It is good to know you are benefitting from IBR and working toward PSLF. Congratulations!

Let's start with your first question: Figuring out if filing jointly or separately is better depends on a host of factors, including your spouse's income and federal educational debt, your family size, and the tax benefits you will be eligible for if you file jointly. The Department of Education has an IBR repayment calculator on its website that will at least help you estimate your IBR payments if you file jointly or separately. However, I encourage you to consult a tax or financial professional to help you with this decision.

Regarding your second question, your monthly repayment under IBR is adjusted annually based on your most recent tax filings. You have a right to contact the servicer of your loans and request an adjustment if you are making less than your previously calculated AGI. This can happen, for example, if you experience a loss in income or receive a one-time bonus.

In your case, it appears that your AGI is now greater and a recalculation would result in you paying more monthly. If that is the case, you may contact the servicer of your loans to request a recalculation, but rest assured that your annual adjustment after your next tax filings will ensure your monthly payments reflect your current AGI.

[Read the 6 advantages of federal student loans.]

Dear Student Loan Ranger: I will be utilizing PSLF and IBR and was wondering if you know the best timing to consolidate my loans and choose the IBR repayment plan. I don't want to lose the six month grace period on my loans. Can I select IBR and then consolidate? Or do I need to consolidate first?

Dear Fleeting Grace Period: As you correctly noted, consolidating while still in school or before your grace period is over may result in losing it. If you have either FFEL or Federal Direct loans (or a combination of both) you can choose IBR as your repayment plan right away and consolidate later. (As I noted earlier, you can access the National Student Loan Data System to find out which kind of loans you have.) If you choose this option, you should not lose your grace period.

One additional consideration, however, is that only Federal Direct loans qualify for PSLF. If you have FFEL loans, you may want to consolidate all your loans into a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan sooner rather than later to ensure all your payments count toward PSLF. To find out how long consolidation might take, contact the Department of Education's loan consolidation center at (800) 557-7392.

I hope everyone is looking forward to a great summer! Please continue to send questions to debtrelief@equaljusticeworks.org. And sign up for our Friday, July 8 webinar: Drowning in Debt? Learn How Government and Nonprofit Workers Can Earn Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Isaac Bowers is the senior program manager for Educational Debt Relief and Outreach at Equal Justice Works. He was previously an attorney at Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP in San Francisco, where he focused on environmental, land use, and planning issues. A graduate of the New York University School of Law, Bowers also has extensive experience in nonprofit advocacy and outreach.

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