Palo Alto University still accepting applications

Most colleges have closed their doors to new students for the fall 2014 term. However, if a student is looking for a college to attend this fall, there is still an option. Palo Alto University (PAU), a not-for-profit institution in the Bay Area, has space in the fall for new undergraduate students. PAU was founded in 1975 and is a private institution with class locations in Palo Alto and Los Altos, as well as at Foothill College, College of San Mateo, and DeAnza College. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), PAU offers bachelors, masters and doctoral programs in social psychology and mental health services. The institution was previously called Pacific Graduate School of Psychology before it became known as Palo Alto University in 2009. Graduates of PAU have gone on to have successful careers in a variety of industry sectors.

PAU is accepting applications until September 22 for its two-year bachelor degree completion programs in psychology and business. The two programs that are offered are Psychology and Social Action and Business Psychology. These programs were specifically designed for students who have completed two years of college or are transferring from a California community college. In celebration of PAU’s 40th anniversary, students who enroll and attend in the fall 2014 term will receive a $1,000 scholarship. There are also other financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students who qualify.

PAU offers an online application for interested applicants. In addition to the application, applicants must submit a personal statement and official college transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted to initially process the application, but the official transcript must be submitted soon after submitting the application.

According to Paul J. Marcille, Ph.D., PAU’s director of undergraduate programs, PAU “programs meet the educational, professional, and lifestyle needs of students with classes offered during the day, evenings, and online. They are highly structured, allowing students to graduate in two years.” The degree programs at PAU could be a great option for students wanting to start working towards their bachelor degree this fall but were either turned away from other institutions or recently decided to continue their education. Interested applicants should apply soon as classes start September 22.

University of Oregon now offering a running tour


Do you like running? Are you interested in the University of Oregon and want to see the campus? Now you can do both at the same time. The University of Oregon started offering a running tour on September 5 for prospective students and others interested in seeing campus.

The running tour is offered at 8:30 a.m. on the first and third Friday of each month, excluding campus closures. The tour is lead by a University of Oregon student ambassador and takes approximately an hour to complete. In addition to learning about the University of Oregon, the tour also covers the running history of Eugene and the culture of track and field at the university. The tour also shows visitors why Eugene is nicknamed TrackTown USA.

To read the entire article, click here.

Questions to ask at the college fair

One of the first steps in the college admissions process is attending the college fair. Many colleges can seem cool and interesting, but not all colleges will be the right fit for a student. The college fair is a great opportunity for students to start adding or taking colleges off of their list of possible colleges they want to attend in the future. The college fair is a lot like window-shopping; there is no commitment for students. The college fair is all about learning more about colleges and figuring out what they like and dislike.

Some college fairs will have a few hundred colleges in attendance. This can be very intimidating. However, preparing before the fair can take some of the intimidation factor away. After doing the initial research, students should write down a list of questions that they would like to ask college representatives. Students should ask questions that are important to them. Below is a sample list of questions students can ask the college representative to learn more about the college.

To read the entire article, including the questions you should ask college representatives at the college fair, click here.

What NOT to do at a college fair

Attending a college fair is an important part of the college admissions process. The college fair is a great opportunity to jump-start college research. Students can pick-up information about colleges and have their questions answered by college representatives. The college fair is also an opportunity to make an impression on the college.

As the admissions process at colleges becomes more competitive, anything can come into play when admissions officers make decisions. This can include the impression students make on the college representatives, good or bad. Depending on the college, some representatives may be taking mental notes about the students they meet at college fairs. Therefore, students should do their best to impress the representative. A positive and memorable impression could be the thing that pushes the student over the top for admission to the institution.

To read the full article and get the list of things NOT to do at a college fair, click here.

Tips for successful college fair attendance

Attending a college fair can be intimidating for students and their parents, especially if they come unprepared. Depending on the college fair, there could be anywhere from ten to hundreds of colleges in attendance. Where should one start? If students come unprepared, they may miss out on opportunities to talk to colleges that could be great options. Therefore, students should prepare before the college fair to ensure they get the most out of the event. Here are some tips for a successful college fair:

Get to know yourself and what you want in a college.
Depending on the size of the college fair, students will not be able to visit every table. Students should get to know what type of colleges they would enjoy attending. Students must ask themselves the following questions:

  • What locations would you consider? Do you only want to be a certain amount of miles away from home? Do you only want to consider colleges in certain states?
  • What majors are you interested in studying? It is okay to have multiple interests or not know at all. If students have multiple interests they should search for colleges that offer all of the majors they are interested in studying.
  • What size college do you want to attend? There are colleges that have only a few hundred students to colleges that have 50,000 students.
  • Do you want to attend a college with religious affiliation?
  • Is there an extracurricular activity that is very important to you?

To read the full article, click here.