Fall Enrollment Up 10 Percent at Maine’s Community Colleges!
October 21, 2024
AUGUSTA, ME — Fall enrollment is up 10% at Maine’s community colleges, breaking 20,000 students for the first time and marking another historic high enrollment for the seven colleges.
“This is what happens when you intentionally and strategically make college affordable, relevant, and accessible,” said David Daigler, president of the Maine Community College System (MCCS). “This last year has been a period of tremendous growth for us, made possible by the dedication and excellence of our incredible employees and partners. Together, we’re expanding opportunities for Mainers through Free College, early college, job skills training in a breadth of industries, and excellent transfer pathways to four-year colleges.” Read on…
Creating the Perfect Study Space
Does your teen have a dedicated study space? Having a productive and organized area can significantly boost their focus, help them manage stress, and even improve their academic performance.
In my free guide, Creating the Perfect Study Space for Your Teen, I share step-by-step strategies to help your teen get the most out of their study sessions, all while keeping their space functional and clutter-free.
Download the guide to learn how:
Comfortable seating and good lighting can enhance focus.
A clutter-free environment reduces distractions.
Smart storage and organization encourage productivity.
Click below to download your guide and set your teen up for success.
Creating The Perfect Study Space.pdf
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TIPS BEFORE PRESSING THE SUBMIT BUTTON
Many early applications are due on November 1st. Congratulations to seniors who who have completed their college applications in time for this deadline! Before you hit the submit button, see our tips below.
1. Read the preview PDF very carefully. Students are often so close to completion that they choose to skip this step. However, the preview shows exactly what admissions counselors will see on their screens and reviewing it often reveals errors that can be fixed before submitting the application.
2. Correct the extra space that the Common Application adds to each paragraph of your college essay. Your essay will look more polished without this unnecessary space.
3. Some colleges require the writing supplement to be submitted after the main application is submitted. Don't forget this step.
4. Look for an email from each college you apply to. This email will contain instructions for creating an account or portal. Do so right away and review the information, noting any outstanding parts of the application or additional opportunities such as honors programs or scholarships.
More tips can be found in the recording of last week's presentation, 10 Tips Before Submitting Your College Application.
WHAT SHOULD JUNIORS BE DOING RIGHT NOW?
Juniors should be focusing on:
1. Keeping their grades as high as possible. Colleges will look closely at the GPA and especially how students did junior year. If your grades have been solid throughout high school, keep it up. If you struggled in the first year or two, remember that an upward trend on the transcript is noted and commendable.
2. Learning about colleges. Don't wait until the spring to visit. Start this fall. Not sure what you should be looking for on campus? This resource will help.
Kennebec Valley Community College Adds Student Lodging Option!
October 23, 2024
FAIRFIELD, MAINE – Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is excited to announce that for the first time in its 55-year history, lodging will be available for 50 first-time, full-time students beginning in fall 2025.
“We are pleased to offer an option for room and board close to campus. More and more students have been asking for local housing and are seeking to increase their community engagement,” KVCC President Karen Normandin said. “The Kennebec Valley is a great place to live, and local lodging will provide students with the complete college experience they are seeking. I expect this will be a highly desirable option for many of our students.”
With KVCC’s announcement, all seven community colleges in Maine now offer on-campus residential housing or nearby lodging options. Systemwide, the colleges currently provide housing and lodging for more than 1,600 students, out of a total enrollment of 21,385 students.
The KVCC student lodging will be located at the Best Western Plus Waterville Grand Hotel, a two-mile, five-minute drive from the main campus, located in Fairfield. In addition to lodging, a meal plan and shuttle bus service will be available to lodging students, and a resident director will be available, living alongside students.
Student rooms will have two queen-size beds, cable TV, mini-fridge, microwave, and a full bathroom. Lodging students will have access to the hotel’s indoor pool, fitness center, and lounge areas. Additional information is available online on the college’s website at kvcc.me.edu/life-at-kvcc/kvcc-lodging.
Don’t Helicopter Parent Your Kid to College. Let Them Take the Lead
As a high school senior in 1986, I applied to one college. One. So it’s ironic that I’m now a college admissions advisor, helping high school students navigate the murky waters of today’s admissions process. I am a luxury for the parents who hire me: Some do it to alleviate household stress and to protect intrafamily relationships, while others simply want help managing the logistics of it all. All of them want their kids to be successful. But success is a complicated word.
I live in an area of Massachusetts that oozes prestigious degrees. Our elementary school PTO leadership is stacked with as many MBAs and JDs as a Fortune 500 boardroom, and youth soccer sidelines are showcases of college sweatshirts, hats and travel cups (any chance to subliminally indoctrinate kids). On paper, these parents are wildly successful. They went to excellent schools. Lots went to Ivys. And many of them don’t realize how their success places burdensome expectations on their children. Or how much college admissions has changed. Read on
8 College Application Myths Debunked
Myth 1: Colleges Only Want Students With Straight As
While it is important to get good grades, it's not an application killer if you have a B in a rigorous course; admissions officers look at the bigger picture. In the 2023-24 application cycle, 10% of students accepted into the University of Pennsylvania graduated high school with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.74. A further 31% had a high school GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. Read on…
What Happens to Students Who Back Out of Early Decision Offers?
Key takeaways:
Most early decision deadlines are in November, some as early as mid-October.
You can apply early decision to only one school.
Don't apply early decision if you're unsure where to attend college.
A Little Appreciation Goes a Long Way
Every educator that you know has a “hall of fame” stash of appreciation notes that were particularly meaningful for them and have stood the test of time.
We’ve got a challenge for the Class of 2025. Buy or make a box of 24 to 36 thank you notes to give to educators that they appreciate prior to graduation. It’s a win-win for everybody when appreciation is demonstrated!
Top Essay Scholarships for Students
