This article is a brief summary of the method of college advising used at St. Albans. It is in the form of a letter from an "old pro" to a neophyte. The author feels it is a useful checklist for college counselors, particularly those new to the business. It might also serve as a yardstick for experienced counselors who can measure their…

The first of two articles on the psychological dimensions of the school-to-college transition looks at the rising anxiety of high school seniors applying to and selecting colleges, at the importance of rituals in the transition process, the stress of decision-making about the future, and the changes occurring during the senior year in high school.…

A prototype computerized expert system was designed to advise high school or first-year college students who are uncertain about a particular college or major. On-demand consultation gathers information about student grades, interests, test scores, and aptitudes, assesses admission qualifications for a variety of majors, then recommends curricula…

This article focuses on the Web-based resources available to low-income students as they build their perceptions, make their decisions, and engage in financial aid activities. Data are gathered from the results of six focus groups with low-income high school students attending urban high schools. Findings suggest that low-income students do have…

In North Carolina as part of Central Piedmont Community College's (CPCC's) efforts to identify the training needs of the local service area and determine future directions for planning, a survey was conducted of 6,601 students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg high school system regarding their plans and perceptions of the college. Study findings,…

This paper was developed to help counselors of students with learning disabilities plan for college, by answering common student questions and providing sources of additional information. Sections of the paper discuss: (1) developing self knowledge (using compensatory learning strategies, knowing one's own strengths and weaknesses, and practicing…

This study used a logistic probability model to investigate the effects of variables relating student characteristics and institutional factors on the decision to apply to a large land-grant research university. The study used the entire data set from American College Testing (ACT) program test-takers in the fall of 1995 and institutional data on…

This study compared 4,594 student responses from three different surveys of incoming students at the University of South Florida (USF) with data from Florida's State University System (SUS) admissions files to determine what proportion of error occurs in the survey responses. Specifically, the study investigated the amount of measurement error in…

The results of the City University of New York's 1988 Prefreshman Summer Program are presented, noting that the program provides small group instruction, peer tutoring, and counseling in an effort to offer both effective instruction in one or more of the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics and to facilitate students' transition from…

Focusing primarily on students with above-average ability, this study tries to measure the extent to which these students, or subgroups of them, are discouraged from applying to high-priced institutions by purely financial considerations. Questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 8,000 students selected randomly from the list of…

Six essays submitted to Harvard University (Massachusetts) by applicants for the class of 2000 are presented. Topics include a refugee's experiences, a football player's passion for musical theater, the death of a sister, a mother's influence, living in China, and a renaissance-English poetic lament about being a dog. (MSE)

Intended for gifted students and their parents from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, this monograph provides guidance on preparing for college, including the college search process, college application, and applying for financial aid. Sections of the guide address: (1) self-awareness (the essential starting point); (2) academic awareness…

This report presents the results of a study examining the effects of rapidly rising tuitions at the nation's "elite" private colleges and universities, and the impact on the enrollment of middle-income students. The paper traces the income background of Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE) schools and shows how students from…

This study used data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS) to analyze critical issues affecting the preparation and diversity of the postsecondary applicant pool. Participants were 14,914 respondents, including 1,685 African Americans, who completed all four waves of the NELS. Overall, about two-thirds of all students expected to…

The Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education, a consortium of 10 colleges serving Appalachian Ohio, provides grants to school districts that design innovative projects to encourage students to enroll in college. The area's college-going rate has increased substantially. Approaches used include demystifying the application process, home visits,…