College Corner

Northern Virginia Tutoring Service introduces College Corner to give college bound families more information about the college prep, application and funding process.

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  Understanding the Differences: SAT vs. ACT

  Students and parents are often confused about the differences between the SAT and ACT examinations. This essay examines the differences and some similarities between the SAT and ACT; the vexing issue of the writing sections associated with each exam and places the importance of these examinations in some much needed perspective.
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  Maneuvering the College Funding Maze

  With college costs increasing at nearly 9 percent per year, while scholarships and grants comprise a mere 3 percent of available funding for students, and sources of loans are drying up, “Maneuvering the College Funding Maze” addresses the many options still available to parents as they look for affordable ways to send their children to college. This essay provides a framework within which parents can maneuver the college funding process.
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  The Changing Face of Higher Education

  Higher education in America is experiencing an enormous economic, sociological, and demographic transformation. The traditional model associated with the pursuit of a college degree as we know it may no longer exist as this generation of elementary school students enters college. A combination of fiscal, technological, sociological and demographic factors is changing the way Americans will pursue higher education in the future. This compelling essay examines the way in which future generations will “go to college.”
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  Early Admission: Elitist or Not?

  Early Admission has come under increasing scrutiny and criticism in recent years. This essay discusses the pros and cons of Early Admission and its impact on students and institutions.
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  Community College: An Option Not to Be Ignored in College Planning

  This essay offers some compelling financial and professional reasons why students should consider the community college option. The article also provides some responses to several long-held myths regarding the quality and scope of programs and services offered by community colleges.
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  Tax Financing Help

  Education weighs in as a big personal and family investment. Some of that expensive investment can be recovered through the federal tax system thanks to several options made available by Congress. This essay examines three subsidies available for education that can be claimed on Form 1040 for Tax Year 2008.
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  Facts Regarding Financial Aid

  This essay examines a variety of Federal financial aid options.
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  College Job Review

  This month’s featured job using college degree skills is in Graphic Design. America employs Graphic Designers to design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. Designers may use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. Just over 201,000 work as graphic designers using BA degree skills.
  Graphic Design is just one of 114 entry level jobs using BA degree skills. For other degrees and other jobs see The College Review
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  Virginia Colleges Fit Into 8 Categories

  There are eight different categories of Virginia post secondary colleges and universities and a total of 139 college opportunities in the commonwealth of Virginia. NVTS has posted all Virginia colleges by category with their web addresses.
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  Generation Debt: Why Now is a Terrible Time to Be Young

  College Corner offers a review of a relevant book entitled Generation Debt: Why Now is a Terrible Time to Be Young, by Anya Kamenetz. The author is a 2002 college graduate of Yale University who discusses the current difficulties for young people in their twenties trying to make their way into self supporting career employment.

I wanted to let you know that my son came up 200 points on the SAT. Please convey to Ellen, his tutor, our gratitude. His score in critical reading improved greatly. He now feels good about himself and this experience has helped build his self-confidence