I’ve decided that I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with exam weeks. On the one hand, there’s a lot less required class time, since we only meet once this week for the exam. On the other hand, I have to do about twice as much time outside of class for studying, just by virtue of it being exam week. Or at least I should do that much extra time, I suppose you’ll have to ask me next week about the time and effort I wind up putting into my studies compared to the results that I get out of them. But we are in the middle of another set of finals, and I’ve come to realize that I’m starting to live my life in semesters. I don’t think of it in years, or count months, it’s like my year is made up of two 16-week halves with a surprise break every summer.
Finals week also means book buy-back, which is also usually nice. Again, I suppose you’ll have to ask me next week, as I’m still using three of my textbooks and don’t know how much they’re worth. On top of that, I may keep one of the books. My capstone class has been pretty difficult, but also very educating, so I may keep that one for future reference. Still, it’s money that I didn’t have before, so I’m not complaining. Another nice bonus of finals week is the 24-hour schedule for the library; it’s certainly not the only study-spot on campus, but I would go as far as to say that it’s the best. Though I do wind up spending a lot more time in the Grand Rapids campus library, rather than the Allendale location.
Finals week also usually feels kind of odd, in that there’s only this week left in the semester. Maybe I’m strange, but I don’t usually count down the days until class is out, so I feel like I’m always surprised when one session is over and the next begins. Speaking of which, after this week there’s going to be a week of nothing, followed by spring classes. Spring/summer semesters are always really interesting; I’ve only taken classes during this period once and didn’t mind it, but the accelerated 6-week semester is a lot more fast paced than a usual period. Also, it’s pleasant to get out of class and then consider going to the beach.
But I had probably better get going, after I finish up work I’ve still got three exams to study for and a final paper to review. Let me know if anybody has any concerns.
-Kyle
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Week before finals
Well, this “big thing” I mentioned a couple weeks back is kind of taking longer than I thought, so for the time being it’s on the back burner. Have I dropped the idea altogether? No, I’ve still got something special planned, but we may not see it here for a couple more weeks.
So what is going on at the moment? Quite a lot. It’s the week before finals, so everybody is busy in classes with final projects and exam reviews. I’ve got an easier exam schedule this semester; four, as opposed to the six I had last semester. That doesn’t mean the classes are easier or I have fewer final deliverables to take care of, it just means I only have four exams next week. Final papers and the like are being taken care of this week, I’m just happy that next week is a little bit lower stress than previous semesters.
I do also have a pretty important update for you guys: if anyone will be visiting here from the east side of the state, you’re going to want to leave yourself a little extra time when driving to Allendale. Whether or not you’ve noticed, I-196 is under heavy construction, and the entire segment between Fuller Ave. and US 131 is completely closed down, so we’re encouraging visitors to leave an extra half hour or so to get here. The best way to do so is probably to either continue along I-96, past the 196 onramp until you reach 131, or else to avoid the entire thing by taking M-6. But then again, I’ve gotten myself lost before on a straight road, so you probably don’t want to take directions from me.
Hope everybody’s ready for nice weather, because it certainly seems to be on its way. But as always, don’t hesitate to ask any questions,
-Kyle
So what is going on at the moment? Quite a lot. It’s the week before finals, so everybody is busy in classes with final projects and exam reviews. I’ve got an easier exam schedule this semester; four, as opposed to the six I had last semester. That doesn’t mean the classes are easier or I have fewer final deliverables to take care of, it just means I only have four exams next week. Final papers and the like are being taken care of this week, I’m just happy that next week is a little bit lower stress than previous semesters.
I do also have a pretty important update for you guys: if anyone will be visiting here from the east side of the state, you’re going to want to leave yourself a little extra time when driving to Allendale. Whether or not you’ve noticed, I-196 is under heavy construction, and the entire segment between Fuller Ave. and US 131 is completely closed down, so we’re encouraging visitors to leave an extra half hour or so to get here. The best way to do so is probably to either continue along I-96, past the 196 onramp until you reach 131, or else to avoid the entire thing by taking M-6. But then again, I’ve gotten myself lost before on a straight road, so you probably don’t want to take directions from me.
Hope everybody’s ready for nice weather, because it certainly seems to be on its way. But as always, don’t hesitate to ask any questions,
-Kyle
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Common college application myths
Given that we have a quiet moment this Saturday, now’s a great time for an update. What’s today’s topic, you ask? Common college application myths sounds like a good subject, so let’s go with that.
Specifically, a lot of students have objections to applying based on myths they’ve heard, so why don’t we clear the air on a few of those. Three of the more common concerns are the cost of applying, essays and letters of recommendation, and grades. First off, the application process is a pretty low cost endeavor; there’s a $30 one-time application fee that is nonrefundable, but if a high school counselor can show financial need, that fee can be waived. The other major fees, $150 for housing and $95 for orientation, are both refundable up until May 1. Other student worry that their grades aren’t high enough or they don’t have the proper high school schedule, and while we do have recommendations for incoming students, they are not carved in stone. The admissions counselor’s take a very holistic approach to reviewing applications, which kind of goes hand in hand with myth #3. Students will often ask if there is a letter of recommendation or an essay required for the application. Nope, it’s a pretty pain free application, just about four pages of questions. That being said, if there is any other information or materials you want to provide us with (including an essay, should you wish) to help inform us of a larger picture we will accept and review it with your application. A rigorous schedule, lots of extracurriculars, if you let us know about any of these, they will play a part in your application.
Another objection is “it’s too early for me to apply.” Not always true; students are able to apply as soon as they finish their junior year, and the earlier a student applies the better. Applications are reviewed beginning at about mid-September, but when students are admitted early, they are able to apply for housing earlier and (if they applied before December 31) have access to a number of scholarships, depending upon GPA and ACT. And again, most deposits can be refunded should a student change their mind on colleges.
Finally, I wanted to address a pretty big and very damaging myth about first generation college students. A lot of these students believe that there’s no point in attending a university, either because they feel that they can’t or because those around them haven’t. Fortunately, one of our student employees in the office, Cortney, is a first generation student, and she said the following:
“If you’re the first student in your family thinking about college, it’s all the more reason to go. You have an opportunity to not only influence those around you to achieve more now, but to set a precedent for everyone else in your family to continue your hard work. Especially if other people tell you that you can’t do it; there were a few individuals in my life who said I wouldn’t be able to make it, but with some help from scholarships I have a lot more doors opening for me now and in the future. I’ve met people and had experience that I wouldn’t have been able to without attending college.”
So there you have it, I tried to avoid Mythbusters jokes, but hopefully that enlightens you guys as to the truth about some common college myths, clearing out some negative misconceptions, and hopefully encouraging some students who may not have been thinking about applying to submit an application. But not all college myths are false; that one about Transformational Links on the Allendale Campus? Totally true, it’s bad luck to walk underneath it.
-Kyle
Specifically, a lot of students have objections to applying based on myths they’ve heard, so why don’t we clear the air on a few of those. Three of the more common concerns are the cost of applying, essays and letters of recommendation, and grades. First off, the application process is a pretty low cost endeavor; there’s a $30 one-time application fee that is nonrefundable, but if a high school counselor can show financial need, that fee can be waived. The other major fees, $150 for housing and $95 for orientation, are both refundable up until May 1. Other student worry that their grades aren’t high enough or they don’t have the proper high school schedule, and while we do have recommendations for incoming students, they are not carved in stone. The admissions counselor’s take a very holistic approach to reviewing applications, which kind of goes hand in hand with myth #3. Students will often ask if there is a letter of recommendation or an essay required for the application. Nope, it’s a pretty pain free application, just about four pages of questions. That being said, if there is any other information or materials you want to provide us with (including an essay, should you wish) to help inform us of a larger picture we will accept and review it with your application. A rigorous schedule, lots of extracurriculars, if you let us know about any of these, they will play a part in your application.
Another objection is “it’s too early for me to apply.” Not always true; students are able to apply as soon as they finish their junior year, and the earlier a student applies the better. Applications are reviewed beginning at about mid-September, but when students are admitted early, they are able to apply for housing earlier and (if they applied before December 31) have access to a number of scholarships, depending upon GPA and ACT. And again, most deposits can be refunded should a student change their mind on colleges.
Finally, I wanted to address a pretty big and very damaging myth about first generation college students. A lot of these students believe that there’s no point in attending a university, either because they feel that they can’t or because those around them haven’t. Fortunately, one of our student employees in the office, Cortney, is a first generation student, and she said the following:
“If you’re the first student in your family thinking about college, it’s all the more reason to go. You have an opportunity to not only influence those around you to achieve more now, but to set a precedent for everyone else in your family to continue your hard work. Especially if other people tell you that you can’t do it; there were a few individuals in my life who said I wouldn’t be able to make it, but with some help from scholarships I have a lot more doors opening for me now and in the future. I’ve met people and had experience that I wouldn’t have been able to without attending college.”
So there you have it, I tried to avoid Mythbusters jokes, but hopefully that enlightens you guys as to the truth about some common college myths, clearing out some negative misconceptions, and hopefully encouraging some students who may not have been thinking about applying to submit an application. But not all college myths are false; that one about Transformational Links on the Allendale Campus? Totally true, it’s bad luck to walk underneath it.
-Kyle
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Spring break pt. 2
Being the first of April, I was sorely tempted to write something along the lines of “I will no longer be writing for this blog,” but then I realized that I was going to be posting something new in the near future, so I’d rather hold on to any readership available. Still, I’ve yet to see a good April 1st joke today, so we’ll have to wait and see.
Most high schools will be taking Spring Break next week, which means that we are quite busy; a lot op people want a chance to get in for tours and meetings at times that they won’t have to skip school. And if you’re leaving Michigan for the break, you would seem to be less fortunate than spring breakers normally are. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous for over a week, so it’s not as if you’re escaping something bad. Staying home and relaxing would not be a bad decision this year. Speaking of which, does anyone have any special plans for break? Cruises, overseas travel, or inter-state vacations?
So you may have picked up on it from above, but I do have something new in mind for this blog. I won’t say anything right now, because I’m not totally sure if it will come together, but just keep your eye out here in the next couple weeks, you may see something a little different.
But in the meantime, that’s all, and I’ll see all of you next time.
-Kyle
Most high schools will be taking Spring Break next week, which means that we are quite busy; a lot op people want a chance to get in for tours and meetings at times that they won’t have to skip school. And if you’re leaving Michigan for the break, you would seem to be less fortunate than spring breakers normally are. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous for over a week, so it’s not as if you’re escaping something bad. Staying home and relaxing would not be a bad decision this year. Speaking of which, does anyone have any special plans for break? Cruises, overseas travel, or inter-state vacations?
So you may have picked up on it from above, but I do have something new in mind for this blog. I won’t say anything right now, because I’m not totally sure if it will come together, but just keep your eye out here in the next couple weeks, you may see something a little different.
But in the meantime, that’s all, and I’ll see all of you next time.
-Kyle
Friday, March 19, 2010
Studying overseas
I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather, at least those of us in West Michigan, because it definitely feels as though winter is over. I wanted to write about studying abroad today, and, since it’s a lengthy subject, I figured I’d just dive right into it. I have not gone overseas myself, so I’m not speaking from experience here. Actually, the truth is that I have the study abroad brochure open in front of me, so just about anything that you’re about to read can be found elsewhere. Not that I don’t appreciate your readership, but seriously, this isn’t exactly a point of expertise for me. And that is actually something that I do regret to some extent; I feel as though I’ve missed out on a pretty fundamental experience in college. Especially because so many of the other admissions employees have spent time overseas, in Spain, France, and Belize, to name a few.
There are always a lot of objections that students sometimes have for studying abroad, all of which may be well intended, many of which are easily avoided. The first two are always cost and the impact on graduation date. It is true that some overseas programs will carry a higher cost than a semester at Grand Valley (a fact that is also true on the other side of that coin; some programs are less expensive), but in most cases a majority of scholarships and financial aid received to attend GVSU can be applied to a program abroad. This is in addition to grants and scholarships available specifically for studying abroad, both GVSU financed and privately funded. As far as the second concern goes, studying overseas will not set a student behind if they organize their courses carefully. Credit earned abroad can be applied to a major or minor, general ed. requirements, or be part of a student’s theme. In fact, one of the advantages of studying overseas is that students can use the opportunity to create their own theme, taking all three of the courses abroad or taking some at GVSU and some overseas, effectively catering their theme to the experience. Another frequent concern is the time commitment required, and students should understand that they can take programs as short as a couple of weeks or as long as a year.
As far as the programs offered by the Grand Valley, there are essentially three forms. Partnership Programs are what people traditionally think of as studying abroad, where students take courses over a summer, a semester, or a year. Faculty Led Programs are generally done over the summer, and can last anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months. With this option, students will travel with a GVSU faculty member and a handful of students. The third option is an overseas Internship Program, where students can gain work experience abroad. There is additionally a fourth option: if GVSU can’t offer a program that will meet your needs, it is possible to partner with non-GVSU institutions to set up an experience that works for you. In terms of choices, according to the International Center, there are 17 different nations students can visit, in six of the seven continents (my apologies to penguin enthusiasts, Antarctica isn’t an opportunity), and many of these countries have more than one university students can choose to attend.
But I’ve pretty much exhausted my slender knowledge on this topic, though I still can’t stress enough that any student should at least consider spending some time abroad, or at least more than I did. All the same, if you’ve got questions regarding overseas opportunities, feel free to post them and I can do some research to find an answer, or definitely feel free to drop by the International Center’s website.
-Kyle
There are always a lot of objections that students sometimes have for studying abroad, all of which may be well intended, many of which are easily avoided. The first two are always cost and the impact on graduation date. It is true that some overseas programs will carry a higher cost than a semester at Grand Valley (a fact that is also true on the other side of that coin; some programs are less expensive), but in most cases a majority of scholarships and financial aid received to attend GVSU can be applied to a program abroad. This is in addition to grants and scholarships available specifically for studying abroad, both GVSU financed and privately funded. As far as the second concern goes, studying overseas will not set a student behind if they organize their courses carefully. Credit earned abroad can be applied to a major or minor, general ed. requirements, or be part of a student’s theme. In fact, one of the advantages of studying overseas is that students can use the opportunity to create their own theme, taking all three of the courses abroad or taking some at GVSU and some overseas, effectively catering their theme to the experience. Another frequent concern is the time commitment required, and students should understand that they can take programs as short as a couple of weeks or as long as a year.
As far as the programs offered by the Grand Valley, there are essentially three forms. Partnership Programs are what people traditionally think of as studying abroad, where students take courses over a summer, a semester, or a year. Faculty Led Programs are generally done over the summer, and can last anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months. With this option, students will travel with a GVSU faculty member and a handful of students. The third option is an overseas Internship Program, where students can gain work experience abroad. There is additionally a fourth option: if GVSU can’t offer a program that will meet your needs, it is possible to partner with non-GVSU institutions to set up an experience that works for you. In terms of choices, according to the International Center, there are 17 different nations students can visit, in six of the seven continents (my apologies to penguin enthusiasts, Antarctica isn’t an opportunity), and many of these countries have more than one university students can choose to attend.
But I’ve pretty much exhausted my slender knowledge on this topic, though I still can’t stress enough that any student should at least consider spending some time abroad, or at least more than I did. All the same, if you’ve got questions regarding overseas opportunities, feel free to post them and I can do some research to find an answer, or definitely feel free to drop by the International Center’s website.
-Kyle
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Spring Break
Well, it has certainly not been busy this past week. Not that I’m one to complain about having it easy, it’s just a little unusual to go from the hustle of normal life on campus to Spring Break, with hardly anything going on. On the bright side, everything’s back to normal on Monday, and this is a great chance to recharge from a half semester of school work thus far. Plus, we’ve had great weather so far; it looks like it’s about to rain, but the temperature is at least warm.
I don’t have particularly much to say at the moment, but figured it might be worthwhile to bring up Student Visitation Days. We have two dates coming up when students can drop by the campus for what is essentially a morning long sequence of information sessions. The event begins at 9:30 (check in is shortly beforehand), and goes until about 1:00 if I recall correctly. It’s a great chance to hear some presentations from the admissions office, financial aid, housing, and a couple of different academic departments. It definitely represents a larger group visit (I think somewhere between 150 to 200 visitors are expected), so there is less opportunity for individual questions, but that doesn’t mean that the opportunity is gone altogether. We do like to make sure that visitors leave without any questions in their minds, so don’t hesitate to ask us either before or after the sessions on that day. Currently, there are two scheduled for this spring: March 26 and April 9. This is a great event for high school juniors to attend, since many of them may not quite be sure what to look for yet in a college, but are still interested in what features a university might have. As for seniors, I might encourage you to give our office a call and set up an individual appointment. With some of the important deadlines approaching or already behind us, it might be a good idea to have a more “one-on-one” type of meeting. Though if you feel as though one or the other might serve your needs more, feel free to ignore my advice; you guys certainly know your situations better than I do. But give us a call if you want to reserve a spot for either type of event. And, as always, don’t hesitate to post questions.
I don’t have particularly much to say at the moment, but figured it might be worthwhile to bring up Student Visitation Days. We have two dates coming up when students can drop by the campus for what is essentially a morning long sequence of information sessions. The event begins at 9:30 (check in is shortly beforehand), and goes until about 1:00 if I recall correctly. It’s a great chance to hear some presentations from the admissions office, financial aid, housing, and a couple of different academic departments. It definitely represents a larger group visit (I think somewhere between 150 to 200 visitors are expected), so there is less opportunity for individual questions, but that doesn’t mean that the opportunity is gone altogether. We do like to make sure that visitors leave without any questions in their minds, so don’t hesitate to ask us either before or after the sessions on that day. Currently, there are two scheduled for this spring: March 26 and April 9. This is a great event for high school juniors to attend, since many of them may not quite be sure what to look for yet in a college, but are still interested in what features a university might have. As for seniors, I might encourage you to give our office a call and set up an individual appointment. With some of the important deadlines approaching or already behind us, it might be a good idea to have a more “one-on-one” type of meeting. Though if you feel as though one or the other might serve your needs more, feel free to ignore my advice; you guys certainly know your situations better than I do. But give us a call if you want to reserve a spot for either type of event. And, as always, don’t hesitate to post questions.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Quiet Friday
Wow, hectic is an understatement at this point. I apologize for the lack of updates in recent history; time is a commodity that I don’t seem to have enough of lately. But, on the bright side, we’re now at the start of Spring Break, so I have an entire week relaxation. Except for the fact that I’m still working all week. Which isn’t a complaint, seeing as I have no serious schoolwork for the week, but it is a humorous statement that I’d rather stay home and work than go somewhere nice. In all fairness, though, the weather has a bit of a push in that respect. We’ve had about a week of gorgeous weather, which is a welcome change from the up-and-down unpredictability of Michigan Winters.
So, getting back to business, I’m mostly updating to remind High School seniors that they should definitely start making decisions on colleges at this point. Nothing has to be finalized just yet, but there are a few deadlines that are either coming up or already past. The housing deadline, for instance, was this last Monday, March 1st. If you missed that, and haven’t signed up for housing yet, it doesn’t mean that you can’t live on campus, it just means that we can no longer guarantee a spot for you in the freshman living centers. March 1st is the date before which we know we can fit all of our admitted students into housing, so if you haven’t signed up for housing, don’t panic just yet, but I would still encourage getting your choice and deposit in soon. Housing will start filling up relatively quickly, but we can still refund your deposit up to May 1st.
I don’t have the same deadlines to worry about that a lot of you readers do, but there are still a few dates keen on my mind. Most of the ones lately have been for tests; I’ve had a fair few in the last couple of weeks, not to mention presentations and group projects. Long story short, it’s most definitely “crunch time” in terms of school work. It’s kind of strange, but the bus ride to and from the downtown has more or less become my time to “decompress.” It’s kind of therapeutic to have that half hour to myself, with no worries until I make it to Grand Rapids. Not that my life is all that stressful, but this last week in particular has been quite a whirlwind. I’ll try to make sure to give an update next week, to fill you guys in on Breaks here on campus, but until then, don’t hesitate to post questions or comments.
-Kyle
So, getting back to business, I’m mostly updating to remind High School seniors that they should definitely start making decisions on colleges at this point. Nothing has to be finalized just yet, but there are a few deadlines that are either coming up or already past. The housing deadline, for instance, was this last Monday, March 1st. If you missed that, and haven’t signed up for housing yet, it doesn’t mean that you can’t live on campus, it just means that we can no longer guarantee a spot for you in the freshman living centers. March 1st is the date before which we know we can fit all of our admitted students into housing, so if you haven’t signed up for housing, don’t panic just yet, but I would still encourage getting your choice and deposit in soon. Housing will start filling up relatively quickly, but we can still refund your deposit up to May 1st.
I don’t have the same deadlines to worry about that a lot of you readers do, but there are still a few dates keen on my mind. Most of the ones lately have been for tests; I’ve had a fair few in the last couple of weeks, not to mention presentations and group projects. Long story short, it’s most definitely “crunch time” in terms of school work. It’s kind of strange, but the bus ride to and from the downtown has more or less become my time to “decompress.” It’s kind of therapeutic to have that half hour to myself, with no worries until I make it to Grand Rapids. Not that my life is all that stressful, but this last week in particular has been quite a whirlwind. I’ll try to make sure to give an update next week, to fill you guys in on Breaks here on campus, but until then, don’t hesitate to post questions or comments.
-Kyle
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