Many schools, especially the very prestigious ones, will schedule an interview with applicants before approving them for admission. This is an important opportunity for you to impress the school and tell them about strengths that aren’t revealed in grades and test scores. Here are some tips to a good interview.

Don’t be late. It’s very important to be on time as this is a sign of responsibility. You should be there, seated outside the office, at least 10 minutes before your interview slot. So you know you won’t get lost, always find out where the interview will be held (not just the campus address but where that particular building is). Ask how long it will take you to get there and leave allowances for delays and emergencies.

Practice. Think of questions they may ask and practice your answers. Don’t cram this the night before. Think of it at least a week in advance and rehearse. The more times you practice your answers the less nervous and more confident you will be.

Dress appropriately. Don’t wear jeans and a rugged t shirt. You should dress conservatively. Don’t wear heavy makeup or strong perfumes and hide those tattooes and nose rings!

Turn off your cell phone when you enter the office. It is rude to take calls in the middle of the interview.

Know who your interviewer is. Greet the interviewer by his last name and title. Obviously, “Hey dude, how’s it going” is not the best way to make an impression. Do turn off your cell phone or better yet, don’t take it into the interview. Shake his hand (keep your handshake firm) and smile. Be sure to make eye contact.

Don’t sit down unless he offers a chair. When you sit down, make sure you have good posture. Don’t slouch or kick off your shoes, and don’t grasp the handrails in an anxious death grip. Instead, put your hands on your lap so you don’t unconsciously fidget.

When you talk, stress your achievements. This is the most important part of the interview: you are there to sell yourself and to make the interviewer think that you will be an asset to the school.

Ask intelligent and relevant questions about the school, its faculty, and its programs. Go to the school’s website so you have a clear idea of its course offerings. You need to appear knowledgeable about the school. Do close the interview by verifying your interest in the school.

There are so many colleges and universities where you can complete your undergraduate degree. Each school has a different set of strengths. Some are well known for their small classes and individualized instruction, others pride themselves on their extra curricular activities ,and still others are famous for their esteemed faculty members.

But how do you know that a college or university is right for you? You shouldn’t just pick one based on whether or not your friends will be there. It’s crucial that you choose a school that can really match your personality and needs.

Finding a college that matches your needs is extremely important. When you enroll in a school that is very appropriate for your academic and career goals, you have a much higher chance of getting in. Plus, once you are inside, you will be able to get a lot more from the whole college experience and will learn more and enjoy yourself more.

It can sometimes be overwhelming to look at the thick pile of college brochures and decide which one will be best for you. Here are some tips and guidelines to trimming down your list.

Invest in College Guides

These guides give very specific information about the college and you can easily compare them according to criteria. Common facts include the kinds of programs offered, how much the tuition costs, the kind of campus culture you can expect, and much more.

Visit the School’s Website

Nearly all schools have a website. You can take a virtual tour of the college by clicking on it and going through the information there. You’ll be able to see the programs they offer, see photos of the campus, and read about their academic thrust. Some schools will also let you read the profiles of their faculty and the type of extra curricular programs that they offer.

Talk to College Students

Do you know anyone who graduated from that school? Talk to him about what it was like to study there and if he was happy with the way it prepared him for his profession.

One of the things that college freshmen have to learn is how to live independently. For the first time in their lives they are on their own, miles away from their parents. While some may see this as an opportunity to party, party, party, what many don’t realize is that it involves many responsibilities—one of which is budgeting appropriately.

For most of their life their parents were the ones who took care of financial decisions. They never had to worry about running out of cash. But now that they’re on their own they have to compute how much to spend on food, essential bills like rent and electricity, and clothes and entertainment. Without any kind of money sense college students will find themselves broke in the middle of the week with no money for a meal or the books they need for school! Here are some tips on budget management for college freshmen.

Create a Budget

Record all your expenses. This includes big items like rent and small items like gas or food. Keep all your notes in one notebook and file receipts. If you are overspending set a maximum amount you can spend per category and see where you can cut down. Or, if you can’t see yourself giving up on something that’s important to you, get an after-school job.

Stay organized

Bills, receipts, tax records and other financial documents should be kept in files. An expandable file folder will do the trick .Don’t just dump receipts in one box. You’ll never be able to find anything. Clean up your files once a month so that you’re not stuck with too much paper.

Buy used books

Many books are in good condition and you benefit from the notes made by the previous owner! They are also cheaper by half the price. Also use the library resources. It’s free and you can find excellent books.

Don’t take the car!

If you live on the campus then you don’t really need a car. Think about what you’ll spend on parking, insurance premiums, gas and maintenance. You’ll also have to deal with worry of theft. Besides the walking will be good for you.

Look for discounts

Where are the bargain places? You don’t have to buy your clothes in a boutique when there’s a vintage store or other place that has great clothes at lower prices. Also avoid buying from convenience stores as the prices are much higher. Buy your food at a grocery or from the local market.

Don’t Burn the Plastic

The credit card is for emergencies, and when you use them, remember that you are essentially taking out a loan with an obligation to repay.