The Tak Team Blog

Whether you are a senior in high school or a parent whose teen is about to graduate, there is no doubt that you are in the middle of the process of trying to choose a college that is best. Is the process overwhelming you and your family? Are you finding it hard to find a school that fits all of the things you and your family are hoping for? There are countless issues to consider when searching for colleges, not the least of which is money. I’m confident that you are well aware that college is going to be expensive no matter how you look at it, but have you taken the time to consider what college scholarships might mean for you?

For many people, choosing the college they would like best is hindered simply by the expense of going there. Life is expensive and sometimes parents and teens cannot come up with enough to make it happen. College scholarships can be the answer for many families and they do not even know it.

If you or your teen is in the midst of searching for colleges that might fit well, make search that inquiring about college scholarships that are offered is a top priority in your search. Most schools offer at least a few college scholarships each new year. Sometimes these scholarships are based on a student’s high school grades. But - fear not - not all college scholarships are based on grades! You will be surprised at how many different kinds of college scholarships are given for a variety of reasons.

So, your first step to finding financial relief from the huge expense of college is to research, research, research. Take your time and be thorough. Call counselors at each prospective school and see what college scholarships may not be advertised in their information. Visit a local library or do an internet search and you will be shocked at the amount of information that is available about college scholarships. College scholarships can be given through the college or your choice of through a variety of other institutions and organizations, so do not be too discouraged if your top choice does not have a lot to offer. Look for ways to earn college scholarships from every source you can think of. There are often local businesses that will partner with students in a work-and-study kind of deal. Some employeers will even offer college scholarships to the children of their employees, so be sure to check that out.

In your search for the perfect college some schools may end up too expensive to consider. But, if you take the time to really research college scholarships, you may be surprised at what kind of school you can afford to attend. Your top choice might be just a couple of college scholarships away!

Hallidae Thomason has become an advisor to families about to send children to college. Learn more about how college scholarships can make your child’s dreams come true at www.collegescholarshipshelp.info

Medical Coding training can be acquired from several different sources, but it is not always easy to locate a reputable, quality program. Virtually the entire training curriculum deals with the academic training. This is a very necessary part of the training, but the best program is one that facilitates strenuous hands-on, realistic training. This is of utmost importance when prepping students for their new career.
We highly recommend looking for a program that permits a person to attain a medical coding education at their own pace from home, without having to give up their current job.
This training requires an investment of time and money, and although not for everyone, it is the best way to attain a medical coding education and become eligible for a satisfying job in the field.
A Medical Coding training program can cost you a great deal in terms of both time and money, so which program you choose is a critical decision. One of the most frustrating aspects of committing to a program can be the time and expense incurred if you change your mind and decide to withdraw and start over with another program. So how can you decide if a Medical Coding program is any good, and what sets quality schools apart from the rest? Realistically, the only thing that matters is your ability to get the job that you desire upon completion of your training. Desirable coding abilities depend upon your personal effort in a reliable course of training. If you put 100% of your effort into a respectable program, you will learn to be a competent Medical Coder.

Getting into college is a stressful experience for most high school students. However, there are steps that parents can take to help alleviate the stress and make the experience more positive. To begin with, parents should make the process about “you” not “we” when discussing college choices, allowing the student to have a sense of empowerment or independence over the college selection and application process.

Parents should NEVER fill out applications, call schools or schedule appointments for their children with guidance counselors or admissions officers. High School students are quite capable of doing the work necessary for “getting in” to college. Parents should be open to the schools that their children are leaning toward and not fall into the “one school only” trap as the ultimate prize and reward. Always remember that the emphasis is on enjoying the learning experience, not winning. There are over 3,500 colleges in the US and only 200 of them accept fewer than _ of their applicants.

It is less important to push your child towards a prestigious school than it is to focus on the school that provides the proper match for successful learning and a meaningful college experience. Encourage your child to research schools early and make several visits to college campuses. Plan to accompany your child on these visits, but allow your child the freedom to explore and ask questions independently. Be supportive and encourage your child to do mock interviews with other adults to prepare for the college visits.

If possible, begin the college planning process in the 9th grade, so that your child can proceed in “baby steps” instead of at a fast-paced schedule. Parents need to remind their children that there are many colleges and many options and that it is “okay” if students don’t get into their first choice selections.

–Katherine Cohen, President & CEO IvyWise LLC
http://www.ivywise.com

Katherie Cohen, Ph.D. is the founder and CEO of IvyWise, http://www.ivywise.com a comprehensive educational consulting company. Dr. Cohen graduated from Brown University in 1989 and continued her studies at Yale University, receiving Masters degrees in 1992 and 1994, and a Ph.D. in 1997. She received certification in College Admissions Counseling from U.C.L.A.

Dr. Cohen is the author of two books on college admissions. The Truth About Getting In, which serves as a detailed manual for approaching the college admissions application process and Rock Hard Apps: How to Write a Killer College Application, which follows three students through the college application process and uses dozens of other real applications to illustrate what’s effective in a college application, and what’s not.