A College Choice Blog

The college applicant's Twelve Days of Christmas

2009-12-23T19:50:00.001-05:00

The college applicant's Twelve Days of Christmas

Posted using ShareThis

College board changes AP Tests

2009-12-23T19:49:00.001-05:00

College board changes AP Tests

Posted using ShareThis

What to do if your early application is deferred

2009-12-18T03:51:00.001-05:00

What to do if your early application is deferred

Posted using ShareThis

FLIPSIDE: Five tips for college admission test suc ... - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports

2009-12-18T03:50:00.000-05:00

FLIPSIDE: Five tips for college admission test suc ... - News - The Charleston Gazette - West Virginia News and Sports

Ask Miriam: Writing College Essays

2009-12-18T03:49:00.001-05:00

Ask Miriam: Writing College Essays

Posted using ShareThis

10 Ways for Parents to Reduce the Cost of College - CollegeTimes™

2009-12-16T01:24:00.000-05:00

10 Ways for Parents to Reduce the Cost of College - CollegeTimes™

PhillyBurbs.com: College interview advice from an admissions director

2009-12-16T01:21:00.001-05:00

PhillyBurbs.com: College interview advice from an admissions director

Posted using ShareThis

College admission secrets revealed: Still a mystery to me

2009-12-16T01:19:00.001-05:00

College admission secrets revealed: Still a mystery to me

Posted using ShareThis

THE IECA CONFERENCE IN CHARLOTTE, NC

2009-11-21T16:18:00.013-05:00

The 2nd week in November I attended the IECA Fall Conference. There were numerous educational and networking opportunities. The School Showcase sessions gave me the opportunity to become acquainted with 14 boarding schools and 12 colleges in the Southeastern region of the U.S. I also attended a financial aid workshop that gave insight into the psychology of money and how it relates to one's spending habits. It was very eye-opening.

There was a college/school fair in Conference Central. I definitely needed more time to visit the different representatives.

The member dinner was held at the Charlotte campus of Johnson & Wales. Right in the heart of downtown Charlotte, the student's prepared a delicious meal for us. Being a native Marylander, I do have to compliment them on their crabcakes. They were delic!!! Their state-of-the-art demonstration labs were amazing.

Prior to the official start of the conference there were school and college tours. Despite the torrents of rain and walking uphill in downhill streams of water, the day was worth the wading. This was the first time that I can ever remember my shoes virtually falling apart in the rain. I won't mention the brand, but they were growing on me as they fell apart.

The first school that I visited was Davidson. Situated in a lovely college town, this is truly one of the Southern elite schools. They have 1700 undergrads with 80% participating in volunteer work and/or study abroad. The Honor Code is an integral part of this campus. The Davidson Trust is making it possible for their graduates to complete their studies debt free. This is a truly amazing, one-of-a-kind opportunities that you will find at no other college.

UNC Charlotte is set among rolling hills in suburban Charlotte. They have 18,000 undergraduates with a representation from 46 states. The School of Architecture is one of only two available in a North Carolina state institution. The other program is at NC State. Recommendation letters and essays are NOT required with their application.

Queens University is situated in a lovely residential section of Charlotte. This Presbyterian college was originally founded as the female counterpart to Davidson. The population is 70% female. They alsways rank highly on the National Student Satisfaction Survey and the National Survey for Student Engagement. There are new buildings in the planning stages. Students with learning issues will find a very supportive atmosphere here.

Winthrop University is located in Rock Hill, SC, approximately 20 miles south of Charlotte. Founded as a women's state college it is now coed with 5,000 undergraduates. The President of this campus is a dynamic individual. This is one of a handful of state institutions that offer a learning environment that you would find at a private college. All of their programs are nationally accredited. They offer art, design, music, dance and theatre; as well as many other majors.