College and Guidance

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Palmetto Fellow and LIFE scholarship

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education recently announced Palmetto Fellow and LIFE scholarship enhancements that go into effect following the freshman year for students in specified math and science majors at approved institutions. For more information visit the SC CHE website at www.che.sc.gov .

"The College Admission Game"
Seven-Part Series by NPR

The frenzy surrounding college admissions is intense and, according to some college deans, out of control. In a seven-part series, NPR explores the alternatives. Check out NPR's extra tips and reports online...

College/Career Search

For those interested in executing a web-based college search, check out the following websites:

www.collegeboard.org
www.nacacnet.com
www.petersons.com
www.princetonreview.com

www.ctcl.com
www.collegenet.com
www.collegesofdistinction.com
www.actstudent.org

•Today's women's colleges offer vital and compelling options to consider as you undertake your important college search process. If you are ready for the challenges and opportunities of being a woman in the 21st Century, explore the benefits that women's colleges offer. Visit the Women’s College Coalition website at www.womenscolleges.org for more information.

•College cooperative education is a unique academic program combining classroom studies with professional work experience in a field related to your education and career goals. Almost 50,000 employers participate in cooperative education, including multi-national corporations, small businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. For more information on Co-Op programs, visit the National Commission for Cooperative Education website at www.co-op.edu .

•The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities recently launched its new website at www.ucan-network.org .U-CAN offers a wealth of information on NAICU’s 950 member institutions and offers prospective students an opportunity to see what sets each college or university apart in nature, mission, and academic and student life features.

•Students interested in exploring Christian colleges will find the North American Coalition for Christian Admission Professionals website at www.naccap.org especially helpful. Over 230 institutions have come together to promote the vision of Christian higher education and are working to integrate faith and learning in higher education.

•National Unified Audition member universities conduct simultaneous auditions and interviews for entry into their undergraduate (B.F.A.) theater programs. For information on member institutions and National Unified Auditions, go to http://unifiedauditions.com.

•NACAC National College Fairs: Since 1972, the National College Fairs (NCF) program has aided students in fulfilling their educational aspirations. Free and open to the public, the fairs allow students to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of postsecondary institutions to discuss course offerings, admission and financial aid requirements, college life in general, and other information pertinent to the college selection process Visit http://www.nacacnet.org/memberportal/Events/CollegeFairs/ for more information on National College Fairs hosted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

•The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) hosts Performing and Visual Arts fairs throughout the country. The Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) College Fairs are designed for students interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate study in the areas of music, dance, theater, visual arts, graphic design, and other related disciplines. Held each fall, attendees learn about educational opportunities, admission and financial aid, portfolio days, audition and entrance requirements, and much more by meeting with representatives from colleges, universities, conservatories, festivals and other educational institutions with specialized programs in the visual and performing arts. More information on NACAC’s PVA fairs is available at http://www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/Events/CollegeFairs/PVA/default.htm.

•The American Society of Landscape Architects encourages student interested in art, science, and the environment to explore a creative and rewarding career in landscape architecture. Landscape architects have the distinction of being the fastest growing of all design professions according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, go to http://www.laprofession.org/ or http://www.asla.org/.

•The National Center for Fair and Open Testing list includes colleges and universities that deemphasize the use of standardized tests by making admission decisions about substantial numbers of applicants without using the SAT or ACT. Visit http://www.fairtest.org for more information.

•Interested in a career in healthcare management? Explore the American College of Healthcare Executives website at www.HealthManagementCareers.org for information concerning job opportunities in the field.

•Colleges of Distinction is a college guide with a unique approach. Instead of looking for the richest or the most famous schools, it asks about what really matters: Which colleges are the best places to learn, to grow, and to succeed? The answers may surprise you. You'll find both prominent names and "hidden gems" on their list. Go to www.collegesofdistinction.com for more information.

•Computer Degrees and Careers: The need for computing professionals and executives in the US is growing as companies become more global. Almost every major challenge facing our world is turning to computing for a solution, from conquering disease to eliminating hunger, from improving education to protecting the environment. To explore majors, careers, and options in computing, go to http://computingcareers.acm.org.

•Can't find your major at an in-state school? Explore other options through the Academic Common Market. The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for college students in the 16 SREB member states who want to pursue degrees in fields that are not offered by their in-state institutions. These students enroll in out-of-state universities that offer the specialized degree programs, and they pay only the in-state tuition rates. Explore the AMC at http://www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.asp

•College Search Update:
Check out the COOL website offered by the National Center for Education Statistics at: http://www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/

•Many of South Carolina's independent colleges and universities are excellent alternatives to larger state institutions. Download a free college guide at www.scicu.org .

•Thinking Early Action or Early Decision might be in your future? Check out the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) website http://www.nacac.com/earlyadmission.html. The NACAC website at http://www.nacacnet.org offers a wealth of information for students involved in the college search and application process. Explore the links under Student Resources.