College Humor among first 3-D video offerings on Nintendo 3DS (Digital Trends)

Late last week, Nintendo Video service officially launched on the Nintendo 3DS, allowing users to start downloading and watching exclusive videos on the handheld gaming device. Now, just a few days later, the first crop of 3-D video has become available through the service, and it includes some choice segments from one of the Internet’s most popular comedy sites.

The animated short “Dinosaur Office” from CollegeHumor.com was one of several 3-D videos that became available recently, which also saw the arrival of more 2-D video via the Nintendo Video service and the recently launched Netflix on 3DS.

According to CNN, College Humor has created four more animated, 3-D shorts exclusively for the 3DS, and plans to make a regular series out of at least one of them. Nintendo also indicated that 3-D videos from rock groups OK Go and Foster the People are also expected to arrive on the 3DS soon.

We reported on the arrival of Netflix on the 3DS just a few weeks ago, a move that offers yet another way to use the streaming video service. Nintendo and Netflix promised to make a library of 3-D video available via Netflix in the future, too.

While sales of the Nintendo’s 3-D gaming device haven’t exactly met with the company’s expectations, the company appears to be betting that development of more games and other services that take advantage of the system’s unique capabilities will pay off in the long run.

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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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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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CA college students brace for state budget cuts (AP)

SAN FRANCISCO – California college students are bracing for higher tuition bills and fewer courses and campus services under a new state budget that once again slashes spending on higher education.

The budget signed Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown inflicts the latest blow to California's renowned higher education system, which has helped make the state an economic powerhouse and served as a model for other states and countries.

Over the past three years, California's public colleges and universities have seen deep cuts in state funding that have dramatically raised the cost of attendance, forced campuses to turn away qualified students and eroded the quality of classroom instruction.

Under the newly approved state budget, the 10-campus University of California and 23-campus California State University will each lose at least $650 million in state funding, a cut of more than 20 percent. The two systems could each face another $100 million cut if the state takes in less revenue than expected.

The 112-campus community college system will lose $400 million in state funding and fees will increase from $26 to $36 per unit. The system could lose another $72 million and raise fees to $46 per unit if revenue projections fall short.

UC officials said Friday they will recommend that the Board of Regents consider raising undergraduate tuition by an additional 9.6 percent to offset the deeper-than-expected funding cut. Tuition is already set to rise 8 percent this fall to about $12,000, about three times what students paid a decade ago.

In an interview with The Associated Press, UC President Mark Yudof said higher tuition will cause hardship for many students, but he sees little choice when the university faces a $1 billion budget shortfall driven by rising costs and shrinking public support.

His biggest worry is losing the academic talent that has made UC one of the world's top research universities, Yudof said. UC San Diego recently lost three star scientists to Rice University, a deep-pocketed private institution in Houston.

"You can't starve this university for many years without there being consequences," Yudof said. "There's going to be a lot of pain. I don't deny that. But on my watch we're not going to see a dilution of the quality of the University of California."

The prospect of rising tuition is weighing heavily on students like Dior Sweeney, a UC Berkeley senior who works two jobs while going to school but still expects to graduate with more than $20,000 in student loans to repay.

"I'm really worried about how I'm going to pay for rent, transportation and food," said Sweeney, a liberal arts major. "It's definitely stressful, especially with the economy the way it is. So many people I know can't even get jobs with a B.A. What kind of job am I going to get to pay off all these loans?"

California State University students are also bracing for another tuition hike — on top of a previously approved 10 percent increase that will bring in-state tuition to $4,884, more than three times what CSU charged 10 years ago.

When it meets July 12, the CSU Board of Trustees will vote on raising tuition by an additional 10 to 15 percent this fall, said university spokesman Mike Uhlenkamp. Campuses may also have to reduce their teaching staffs and turn away more students to save money.

Sadaf Malik, a biology student at San Francisco State University, said she and her father are working as many hours as they can to pay for her school bills. She has been taking summer classes at a local community college because she wasn't able to get the courses she needs to graduate at SF State.

"I'm paying more for a poorer quality of education and fewer classes," said Malik, 20, who hopes to go to medical school. "It seems every year I'm getting less and less for my money."

The state budget cuts means California's community colleges, which serve 2.75 million students, will be reducing course offerings despite record demand from high school graduates, returning war veterans and unemployed workers trying to learn new skills, said Dan Troy, the system's vice chancellor for fiscal policy.

"The state has to get real about its priorities," Troy said. "If we're serious about ensuring a bright economic future, funding higher education is a huge part of that."

Democrats blamed Republicans for the deep cuts to higher education and other public services because they refused to support the governor's proposal to extend temporary increases to the sales, vehicle and income taxes the Legislature approved two years ago.

"Yes, you may have a little bit more money in your pocket, but at the same time, look at the impact on access for young people throughout California to be able to get a higher education," said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento.

Republicans fault Democrats for their unwillingness to go against union-controlled education spending, roll back public employee pensions and make colleges more efficient.

"The Democrats have never offered any reform on any level of the education spectrum," said Assemblyman Jeff Miller, R-Corona, a member of the Assembly higher education committee.

William Tierney, director of the Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis at the University of Southern California, said the budget cuts to colleges and universities could have a lasting impact on California's economy and future.

Without a major expansion of higher education, Tierney said, "We're going to have an uneducated work force. The jobs will go elsewhere. Clearly an uneducated work force doesn't generate as much tax revenue."

____

Associated Press Writers Don Thompson and Adam Weintraub in Sacramento contributed to this report

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Court strikes Michigan ban on use of race in college admissions (Reuters)

CHICAGO (Reuters) – A federal appeals court on Friday struck down a Michigan law that banned affirmative action in college admissions, creating the possibility of a Supreme Court battle.

The 6th U.S. Circuit of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, found that Proposal 2, a 2006 amendment to the Michigan constitution, "unconstitutionally alters Michigan's political structure by impermissibly burdening racial minorities."

The Michigan Attorney General's office was not immediately available for comment. It is possible the office could ask the entire 6th Circuit to review the case.

Appellate Court Judge R. Guy Cole wrote in the majority decision that the U.S. Supreme Court has twice held that the equal protection clause in the U.S. Constitution does not permit the kind of political restructuring caused by the Michigan law.

In her dissent, Appellate Judge Julia Smith Gibbons wrote that Proposal 2 does not draw distinctions on the basis of race but "in fact, it prohibits them."

The fight over affirmative action policies at Michigan's public colleges and universities began in the 1960s and 1970s, when African-American and other minority students first successfully lobbied for the policies' adoption.

The U.S. Supreme Court held in 2003 that universities cannot establish quotas for members of certain racial groups, but may consider race or ethnicity as a "plus" factor along with other factors.

Proposal 2 banned sex and race-based preferences in public education, public employment and public contracting.

(Writing by Mary Wisniewski, Editing by Jerry Norton)

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Mich. ban on race in college admissions illegal (AP)

DETROIT – A federal appeals court on Friday struck down Michigan's ban on the consideration of race and gender in college admissions, saying it burdens minorities and violates the U.S. Constitution.

The 2-1 decision upends a sweeping law that forced the University of Michigan and other public schools to change admission policies. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the law, approved by voters in 2006, violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

The court mostly was concerned about how the affirmative action ban was created. Because it was passed as an amendment to the state constitution, it can only be changed with another statewide vote. This places a big burden on minorities who object to it, judges R. Guy Cole Jr. and Martha Craig Daughtrey said.

The ban's supporters could have chosen "less onerous avenues to effect political change," the judges said in the court's opinion.

Arizona, California, Nebraska and Washington state have similar bans, but they won't be affected by the Michigan decision. The court ruling is limited to Michigan and other states in the 6th Circuit: Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.

The judges cited two U.S. Supreme Court cases, one in 1969 involving the repeal of a fair housing law in Akron, Ohio, and the other in 1982 involving an effort to stop racial integration in Seattle schools.

"They provide the benchmark for when the majority has not only won, but also rigged the game to reproduce its success indefinitely," Cole and Daughtrey said.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which was part of a coalition that challenged the Michigan ban, hailed the court's decision.

The "ruling has kept the door open for thousands of academically qualified students of color to continue to pursue the American dream through our state's colleges and universities," said Kary Moss, an ACLU spokeswoman in Detroit.

A dissenting judge, Julia Smith Gibbons, said there was nothing wrong with the ban or the way it passed.

"The Michigan voters have ... not restructured the political process in their state by amending their state constitution; they have merely employed it," she said.

A message seeking comment was left with the Michigan attorney general's office, which defended the law and could ask the full appeals court to take the case. Such requests are rarely granted. Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican who has said he opposed the 2006 constitutional amendment, had no immediate comment. He was elected last year.

The ban, which also affected government hiring, was approved by 58 percent of voters. In 2008, a federal judge in Detroit upheld it, saying it was race-neutral because no single race can benefit.

Jennifer Gratz, a Michigan native who successfully sued the University of Michigan over racial preferences before the 2006 referendum, predicted Friday's decision eventually will be thrown out.

"It's just a blip. The full 6th Circuit or the Supreme Court will take it," Gratz said. "Judges are not supreme rulers. The people voted."

A business group, Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, praised the ruling.

"This is one place where government should be acting more like a business, and the 6th Circuit court decision gives governments and universities the tools they need to improve diversity and inclusion," said Debbie Dingell, a former General Motors executive.

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