College Fair 2014

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News and bangordailynews.com l Thursday, September 18, 2014

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

University of Maine lists 2014 College Fair lineup Courtesy of University of Maine

The University of Maine will hold its College Fair 7-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, and 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the New Balance Student Recreation Center.

A Financial Aid Workshop will be held 6-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at 137 Bennett Hall.

The College Fair is sponsored by the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) and hosted by the Office of Admission at the University of Maine.

Representatives from these colleges will be at the fair: California • University of California-Davis Washington, D.C • American University Connecticut • Albertus Magnus College • Mitchell College • Sacred Heart University • Trinity College • University of Connecticut • University of New Haven • University of Saint Joseph Florida • Eckerd College • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Florida Institute of Technology Illinois • Columbia College Chicago Indiana • Purdue University (RR) Maine • Bates College • Beal College • Bowdoin College • Central Maine Community College • Colby College • College of the Atlantic • Eastern Maine Community College • Finance Authority of Maine • Grace Evangelical College & Seminary • Husson University • Kennebec Valley Community College • Maine College of Art • Maine College of Health Professions

• Maine Education Services • Maine Maritime Academy • Northern Maine Community College • Saint Joseph’s College of Maine • Southern Maine Community College • Thomas College • Unity College • University of Maine • University of Maine at Augusta • University of Maine at Farmington • University of Maine at Fort Kent • University of Maine at Machias • University of New England • University of Southern Maine • Washington County Community College Massachusetts • Bay State College • Becker College • Clark University • Curry College • Eastern Nazarene College • Emerson College • Emmanuel College • Endicott College • Gordon College • Lasell College • MCPHS University (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences) • Merrimack College • Mount Ida College • New England Board of Higher Education • Newbury College • Nichols College • Regis College • Salem State University • Simmons College • Springfield College

• Stonehill College • Suffolk University • University of Massachusetts Amherst • University of Massachusetts Boston • Wellesley College • Wentworth Institute of Technology • Western New England University • Wheaton College • Wheelock College • Worcester Polytechnic Institute Montanta • Montana State University New Hampshire • Colby Sawyer College • Daniel Webster College • New England College • New Hampshire Institute of Art • Plymouth State University • Saint Anselm College • Southern New Hampshire University • University of New Hampshire New Jersey • Drew University • Seton Hall University

Rhode Island • Bryant University • Johnson & Wales University • Roger Williams University • Salve Regina University • University of Rhode Island Vermont • Bennington College • Burlington College • Castleton State College • Green Mountain College • Johnson State College • Lyndon State College • Marlboro College • Norwich University • University of Vermont • Vermont Technical College Virginia • George Mason University • Liberty University Canada • Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia

New York • Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences • Alfred University • Clarkson University • Elmira College • Hofstra University • Paul Smith’s College • University of Rochester • Xavier University School of Medicine North Carolina • Warren Wilson College Ohio • University of Dayton • Xavier University Pennsylvania • Carnegie Mellon University • Juniata College • Mercyhurst University • Saint Joseph’s University

BDN File Photo by Caleb Raynor

COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

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University Credit Union – Prepare, Progress, Achieve al-

courtesy university credit union

How am I going to pay for college? What’s a credit score? Finances are often confusing, and University Credit Union [UCU] understands. Having served an educational demographic since 1967, UCU is well-versed in the ins and outs of helping start, grow and enjoy a healthy financial life. From budgeting basics to the complexities of mortgages, UCU offers products and services that will aid in advancing the financial well-being of their members, whether they are students or alumni. Serving a large student population, UCU is on the leading cusp of technology options. Being one of the first credit unions in the state to offer Mobile Deposit, UCU prides itself on offering state-of-the-art online and mobile services that make completing financial transactions simple.

Whether it is paying bills or applying for a loan online, UCU has in-person or online options!

With eight branches across the state (Orono, Bangor, Farmington, Portland and Presque Isle), UCU offers added convenience by participating in the Co-op Financial Services Network, also

photo courtesy university credit union

University Credit Union’s new Orono location. known as Shared Branching. Through Shared ways close to a branch they can use.

Because UCU serves such a vast and diverse Branching, UCU members are able to visit over 5,000 participating credit unions nationwide. demographic, its products and services are This makes UCU able to continue to serve its complementary to that. From Free4ME student members whether they are traveling on spring checking, private education loans and mobilebreak or have moved away. With Shared Branch- friendly applications, to mortgages, auto loans ing locations in every state, UCU members are and share certificates, UCU offers products and

services to satisfy members’ needs at every stage of their lives.

University Credit Union has proudly served the University of Maine System since 1967. What many people may not realize is that this membership is extended to family members. For example, if your son, daughter, father or mother is eligible for membership, you are eligible too! UCU was formed by, and for, the students, employees and alumni of the University of Maine System. This includes not only the System’s Office, but all the University of Maine campuses. Over the years of serving this demographic, UCU has expanded to serve Maine Maritime Academy, Northeast Technical Institute, The Landing School and Cosmotech. UCU has a long history of serving the students, employees and alumni of the previously listed schools and it has remained UCU’s focus since their inception.

For more information about University Credit Union, visit ucu.maine.edu or call 800-696-8628.

University Credit Union is Federally Insured

by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS # 407658.

Experience Prepare for your financial journey with UCU! • • • • •

Tunes+ checking® & Free4ME checking Private Education Loans Personalized Photo Debit Cards Online & Mobile Services with Mobile Deposit And much more!

• Home, Auto and Personal Loan options • rewardU® checking & saver • eAlerts & eStatements • Online Bill Pay • And much more!

Open your account online today at ucu.maine.edu!

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

Stressed? Study shows your teen is, too Help them get through a year of homework, college visits and still have some fun

By Amanda Eisenberg McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Teenagers are known for their angst.

They’re also expected to go to school for 40 hours a week and perform well enough to get into a top college, along with playing sports, leading the debate team and volunteering at various community service events. And don’t forget homework time.

When it feels like there aren’t enough hours in a day to get everything done, the stress level increases. In fact, they’re more stressed out than you are.

During the school year, teens reported unhealthy stress levels of 5.8 on a 10-point scale, compared to the healthy stress level of 3.9, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. Thirtyone percent of those students reported they felt overwhelmed, and another 30

percent reported they felt sad or depressed.

“It is alarming that the teen stress experience is so similar to that of adults. It is even more concerning that they seem to underestimate the potential impact that stress has on their physical and mental health,” said APA CEO and Executive Vice President Norman B. Anderson.

To help your teen reduce his or her stress, establish a bedtime. Teenagers need eight to nine hours of sleep each night, recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Most students are getting much less, and have reported feeling more irritable and stressed the next morning.

Exercise is one of the most effective methods for reducing stress, and can combat fatigue caused from not sleeping. Invite

your teen to join you at the gym, or suggest going for a walk for 10 minutes. The small break to exercise may help relieve their stress in the middle of a long stretch of homework.

Unhealthy eating patterns are a common side effect of stress. Twenty-three percent of teens reported skipping a meal due to stress, and 39 percent of those reported they do this weekly or more. If your teen does their homework at the kitchen table, leave out a bowl of fruit or other healthy snacks. They’ll be more likely to munch on what’s in front of them rather than go to the pantry for chips.

The American Psychological Association also suggests establishing routines at home, which can be comforting to your teen during stressful periods. Eating dinner together every night is a great way to make sure

they’re eating healthy, and allows your teen to open up about any problems. Remember to listen to what your teen is saying, and focus on their decision-making process rather than give advice. Sharing positive thoughts or feelings will help keep the lines of conversation open between you and your teen.

The second-biggest source of tension for teenagers is the prospect of getting into a good college, or deciding what to do after high school, according to the American Psychological Association in a news release. Ask your teen less frequently about college plans and focus on the present. Day trips to local colleges can turn into a fun experience for you and your teen, and help open up a tricky conversation.

Distributed by MCT Information Services

COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

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Unity College recieves $2.9M grant for mathematics and biology education A collaboration between a Unity College professor and colleagues at other institutions has attracted significant support from the National Science Foundation.

Unity College Associate Professor Dr. Carrie Diaz Eaton and collaborators from five other colleges and universities were awarded in August a 5-year, $2.9 million National Science Foundation grant. The grant will support coordinated initiatives of the Quantitative Undergraduate Biology Education and Synthesis (QUBES) Consortium. The product of an earlier NSF incubator grant, the QUBES Consortium is an alliance of professional societies and academic institutions united around common goals in quantitative biology education. Their first initiative was to articulate a vision for a collaborative workspace – QUBES Hub – that will be the virtual site of the larger project.

“This National Science Foundation grant marks an impressive achievement for a group of faculty members who are quite literally on the leading-edge of reframing higher education to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said Unity College President Stephen Mulkey. “Dr.

Diaz Eaton and her colleagues have worked diligently to remove barriers between the disciplines. She has brought distinction to Unity College, just as her colleagues involved in this NSF grant have distinguished themselves as scholars at the top of their profession.”

Dr. Michael Evans, provost and vice president for academic affairs, says that Dr. Diaz Eaton and her colleagues are creating numerous opportunities for students to participate in their research.

“Undergraduates are excited to learn because they see the value of collaborative scholarship and what it can become, this NSF grant being a perfect example of that concept,” Evans said.

The most recent award will enable the QUBES Consortium to build a framework for improving undergraduate biology education through five major initiatives: Coordinating effort and resources among disparate communities for promoting quantitative biology education; supporting faculty; increasing the visibility, utility, and adoption of existing educational materials; quantifying and tracking faculty contribution in the scholarship of teaching and learning; and studying and dis-

seminating the features of QUBES that increase implementation success.

“Unity College is not only offering a curriculum that prepares graduates to become the environmental leaders of this century, but faculty like Dr. Diaz Eaton are pushing the boundaries of their fields,” said Dr. Melik Peter Khoury, executive vice president and board liaison.

Dr. Carrie Diaz Eaton will continue to lead and grow the QUBES Consortium, which currently includes groups such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Biology Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America, the National Institute for Mathematical Biology and Synthesis, and the BioQUEST Consortium. The new Director of Education at Unity College, Dr. Jennifer Cartier, will join the QUBES leadership team as an assessment expert, and Secondary Education students will have opportunities to utilize the materials available on QUBES Hub to forge connections with other educators around the world. The expanded leadership team will also

include Sam Donovan (University of Pittsburgh), M. Drew LaMar (College of William and Mary), DorothyBelle Poli (Roanoke College), Jeremy Wojdak and Robert Sheehy (Radford University), and Stith (Tom) Gower and Kristin Jenkins (University of Wisconsin-Madison).

The QUBES leadership team is optimistic that by lowering the participation barrier and fostering a national valuation and promotion system for teaching, this project will encourage faculty to implement curricular reform and integrate quantitative skills into biological science programs.

“We are pleased that Unity College has the opportunity to take a leadership role on such an important issue facing not only biology education, but sustainability science education,” said Diaz Eaton.

Through the framework of sustainability science, Unity College provides a liberal arts education that emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Through experiential and collaborative learning, our graduates emerge as responsible citizens, environmental stewards and visionary leaders.

Environmental Leadership for the Real World Choose from 16 majors in fields that specializein serving others and protecting the environment, such as Marine Biology, Conservation Law Enforcement, and Adventure Therapy.

We Engage the World.

We Empower Students.

We Educate Sustainably.

America's Environmental College 800.624.1024 www.unity.edu

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

Beal College trains students for careers

sutherland weston photo

Beal College students receive some of the most comprehensive hands-on training in Maine. dents for employment after graduation courtesy of beal college Established in 1891 and located in Bangor, through our Career Services Office. We have Beal College is a small, private, locally-owned a great relationship with local employers who career college with over 123 years of service to frequently visit campus to meet our students Maine citizens. Accredited by the Accrediting and help them prepare for their dream career.

Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, We host an annual career fair for our students Beal believes in building careers one student and 79 percent of students who completed at a time. Choose from our accredited one- their programs between July 1, 2012 and June year programs, or enroll in a two-year degree 30, 2013 were placed in their field of study or program and get started sooner on your ca- in a related field -- a figure that has increased reer. Our programs align with some of today’s steadily over the years. Beal College gradumost popular and in-demand career paths, ates truly see the results of their education!

This fall, Beal College will host an open plus we’ve got transfer agreements with other Maine colleges. Choosing Beal College in Ban- house 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at its 99 gor means choosing the best in local, hands- Farm Road location in Bangor. One of the benefits of attending an open house is that on education.

Our convenient eight-week Mod System you get to see and experience all that Beal makes fitting college classes into your busy College has to offer. Campus tours will be life so much easier. The best part? No Friday available and application fees will be waived classes! Each Mod, full-time students take for those who wish to apply. Visit bealcolfive or six credits (typically two classes) and lege.edu/openhouse to register for this event.

Beal College offers the following majors: Acpart-time students take just one class. Six Mods are offered each year. Many students counting, Administrative Office programs, attend school just two days or nights per Business Management, Criminal Justice (Conweek. With a student population of 500, stu- servation Law Enforcement and Law Enforcedents benefit from the caring atmosphere ment concentrations available), Health Inforwhere student success and personal atten- mation Management, Human Resource Mantion is everyone’s goal. With an average class agement (new), Medical Administrative Spesize of 13, when we say classes are small, we cialist, Medical Assisting, Social/Human Sermean it. Choose from one of six start dates to vices Assisting, Substance Abuse Counseling, begin your studies, rather than having to and Welding Technology. Recently, Beal Colwait for the traditional September/January lege rolled out three new Business Managestarts. Tuition at Beal is affordable at just ment concentrations: Entrepreneurship, Mar$208 per credit and financial aid is available keting & Sales, and Business Administration.

For program details or to apply online, to those who qualify. Our friendly admissions team will help you through every step visit bealcollege.edu. Walk-ins are welcome and you may schedule a personal campus of the enrollment process.

Beal College works hard to prepare stu- tour by calling Admissions at 1-800-660-7351.

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

Save your money: 10 things not to buy for college creating your own meal plan (and late-night mozzarella sticks in the dining hall) can lead to weight gain. That’s why it’s better not to invest in a whole new wardrobe that may not fit after the first semester.

By Alison Bernicker Newsday

College is expensive. Between tuition, room and board, and decking out your dorm room, your budget can seem completely blown. Looking to save money as you head back to school? One way is to stick to buying the essentials. According to dealnews.com, here are 10 things college-bound kids can leave off of their lists.

An HDTV

A Printer

In an age where nearly everything is going digital, and being environmentally conscious is a trend, many professors prefer students to submit projects via email rather than printing and stapling a stack of paper. If you ever do need to print anything, most campuses have student printers you can use for free or for a small fee.

between classes, they’re not great for research papers and other major projects. It’s best to stick with a laptop and switch to a tablet after graduation.

While tablets may be perfect for browsing social media and playing games to kill time

While it may not happen to everyone, the “Freshman 15” is a real thing. Adjusting to

A Tablet

Clothes

An external hard drive Instead of buying a hard drive to store and save your work, use free cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive.

A High-End Laptop

Most inexpensive laptops have all of the tools you’ll need to get your work done, so there’s no One word: Netflix. With tons of movies and shows to watch on affordable streaming ser- need to invest in a high-end model. vices, and most other primetime shows availA Mini Fridge able online on demand, a TV is really a waste This may seem like a dorm room staple, but of space and an unnecessary hit to your bud- most students tend to chose the dining hall get. over the food store during freshman year, leaving the mini fridge empty for much of the An Iron Most college students don’t have the time, semester. Skip it. If you do wind up needing space or energy to iron anything. Instead, opt one, most dorms have a common room with a for a wrinkle-release spray like Downy Wrin- fridge to share. kle Releaser. iPhone Expensive bedding New iPhone models are usually released right after school begins, so it’s best to leave it off your Dorms have limited seating, so it’s likely your bed will double as a study area, kitch- back-to-school shopping list. Even if you don’t en table and couch for guests. Stick to inex- want the newest model, the release will likely pensive bedding that you won’t mind get- cause earlier versions to drop in price.

Distributed by MCT Information Services ting dirty, ripped or ruined.

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You’re invited! OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

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Exciting changes at KVCC mean opportunities for students courtesy kvcc

Ranked among the best two-year colleges in America, Kennebec Valley Community College offers more than 35 programs of study in trades and technology, healthcare, liberal studies, sustainable agriculture, business, education, culinary arts, mental health, renewable energy, and computer systems integration.

KVCC’s small class sizes, affordability, excellent support services, job placement rate, and flexible scheduling appeal to students seeking a better future in comfortable surroundings.

KVCC’s Fairfield campus is located three miles north of Waterville, just off Interstate 95. It features classroom and laboratory buildings, a library, gymnasium, student lounge, and café.

In late August 2014, KVCC opened a second campus -- the new 600-acre Harold Alfond Campus in Hinckley. This new campus provides an ideal environment for KVCC’s innovative farm-to-table programs, as well as a new home for existing programs including business, early childhood

image courtesy of kvcc

An architectural rendering of a new building at Kennebec Valley Community College’s new Harold Alfond Campus in Hinckley. under cultivation, two greenhouses, and a education, mental health, and liberal studies.

Acquired in 2012 with support from the Har- major renovation of one historic barn due to be old Alfond Foundation, the former campus of the completed this academic year. In its first seaGood Will-Hinckley School included a large aca- son, the farm produced more than 30 varieties demic building, recreation center, chapel, nu- of vegetables, fruits, and herbs in addition to organic eggs. Livestock including cows, sheep, merous smaller structures, and 120-acre farm.

Development of the new campus began pigs, and chickens are now being raised there.

In November 2013, KVCC broke ground on a with the farm, with classes in sustainable agriculture launched in fall 2013, while the 16,500 square-foot classroom and laboratory campus underwent renovations, infrastruc- building that is expected to be completed late in the fall semester. The new building will contain ture upgrades, and construction.

The farm now has more than an acre of land classrooms, faculty offices, laboratories, an audi-

torium, and a student lounge.

Designed to achieve net zero energy status, the new building will incorporate geothermal wells and other renewable energy technologies. It also will be strongly focused on farmto-table programs including sustainable agriculture and culinary arts.

The new campus began serving more than 500 students for the fall 2014 semester, with the majority of classes and offices in the Averill Building.

Among the upgrades to that building -- a new, state-of-the-art culinary kitchen, which places KVCC at the forefront of culinary arts education in Maine and offers unprecedented opportunities for students.

With hundreds of acres of woods and fields, the new campus offers opportunities for recreation and potential for exciting new academic programs. The shift of several existing KVCC programs to the new campus means the Fairfield campus now has more space for popular programs in technical trades and health professions. KVCC will also be able to expand its business and industry training in Fairfield.

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

Kaplan University: Engaging students through innovation courtesy kaplan university

Innovation. It’s a term that has become synonymous with higher education over recent years. An increasing number of students – both traditional and non-traditional – are seeking online options so as to earn degrees while working and balancing other commitments. Kaplan University is leading the way in innovating to meet the needs of Maine’s citizens and employers. Over a decade ago, Kaplan was one of the first regionally accredited universities to deliver online degree programs. Since then, Kaplan has been relentlessly enhancing the learning environment and student experience.

Kaplan University-Maine is leveraging its campuses in Augusta, Lewiston, and South Portland to build strong relationships with learners – a trusted student advisor or professor is always just a short drive, video chat or IM away. KU-Maine offers online courses and programs that include weekly live seminars in which students can engage with their in-

to participate in courses taught from the three campus locations. A track-camera streams video of an instructor teaching in a classroom with campus attendees. Online students access the session through the web platform and are able to communicate with peers and the instructor through live chat, webcams, and microphones. This delivery style reduces the differences between campus-based and online education, and allows students to customize photo courtesy kaplan university-maine their learning experience. Academic Dean Benjamin Luce adds, “A/V technology comKaplan University-Maine Director of Nursbines the convenience of distance learning ing Dr. Colleen Dutile runs a simulation exercise in spring 2014 for Prelicensure Bach- with a level of accountability and interactivity via video, a combination of the best eleelor of Science in Nursing students in the ments of online and campus learning.”

Nursing Lab at the KU Augusta Campus.

Regarding additional technological innovastructors and other classmates. Combined with asynchronous discussion boards and col- tions, students pursuing a Bachelor of Science laborative assignments, the live seminars cre- Degree in Nursing benefit from advanced ate an environment in which students feel simulation technology that allows them to exconnected within the online platform and can perience hundreds of hands-on medical scenarios, including treating a patient in the insucceed through a variety learning styles.

In early 2014, KU-Maine invested in audio/ tensive care unit and delivering a baby in the video technology that allows online students maternity suite. The Criminal Justice Pro-

gram uses a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) in many of its courses. The FATS technology allows students to experience various law enforcement scenarios within a controlled environment, from routine traffic stops to more serious life-and-death scenarios that force students to make split-second decisions under instructor supervision. Simulations prepare students by engaging them in low probability, high consequence scenarios in a safe environment.

KU-Maine also takes an innovative approach to student support, with Student Advisors who works with the same students from admission to graduation, which fosters strong relationships and robust communication. Advisors use live video chat to engage online students and provide them with the same bestin-class support that students receive on campus. Department Chairs, Directors of Academic Success, and Faculty also regularly contribute to student support, which increases the opportunities for student achievement across all programs.

COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

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Countdown to College: Dare to be different Start early and stretch yourself when it comes to applications

By Lee Bierer The Charlotte Observer

Be different in the activities you choose.

If I could give every family only one piece of advice about college admissions and the college application process it would be this: Dare to be different.

Don’t wait like so many other people until the summer after junior year, or even worse, the fall of senior year to begin this process. Starting early will alleviate much of the stress that you might be witnessing in seniors who are crunching to create lists, visit schools, write essays and complete applications.

Don’t join the Spanish Club if the only reason you want be there is to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Follow your interests, not your friends. Find something, almost anything, that matters to you; something you care about. It could be tutoring, the environment, Boy Scouts, dance, writing a blog, starting your own business, etc., but participate for the right reasons.

Your activities should tell a story about who you are and what you care about.

Make them meaningful.

Be different in how you prepare your college list.

Be different in what you choose to write about.

Don’t assume a college is a great fit until you’ve done your due diligence. Stretch yourself to consider colleges beyond the “usual suspects.”

Colleges read all the applications from each high school together. That means they are comparing students from the same high school with the same measuring stick. The understanding is that you’ve all had the same opportunity to take the same classes over your high school career.

If hundreds of students are applying to a college from your high school and the rigor of your coursework and your test scores don’t measure up to the competition, it’s obviously going to be more challenging to be accepted.

However, if you are one of a handful of students applying to a certain college, your credentials will still be compared, but your leadership or special talents may carry more weight.

Your essay is your best opportunity to set yourself apart in the application. It is the one area where you maintain total control. It can be a powerful tool, so use it wisely.

Don’t write what you think college admissions people want to read; write what you want them to know about you. Brainstorming your essay topic is a soul-searching process.

Stay away from cliched topics that anyone could write and identify something that is uniquely you.

Be different from the beginning.

Lee Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies.

Distributed by MCT Information Services

metrocreativeconnection.com

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

Many resources available for financing a college education By wanda curtis special section writer

According to the National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov, for the 2011-2012 academic year, annual current dollar prices for undergraduate tuition, room, and board were estimated at $14,300 for public institutions, $37,800 for private nonprofit institutions, and $23,300 for private for-profit institutions. NCES data re-

• Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds; • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school; • Sign statements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) stating that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant and you will use federal student aid only for educa-

Seaboard Federal Credit Union is offering private education loans again this year to assist Maine students with the skyrocketing costs of college education. veals that prices increased 40 percent for undergraduate tuition, room, and board at public institutions and 28 percent at private nonprofit institutions between the 2001-2002 and 2011-2012 school years.

Brad Hughes, vice president of lending at Seaboard, explained recently that a student’s first step in applying for financial aid should be to visit the FAFSA website at fafsa.ed.gov.

Hughes said students can apply online through that website to determine if they qualify for any type of federal assistance (grants, loans, or work-study funds).

The website, studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/basic-criteria states that to be eligible for federal financial aid, a student must meet the following criteria: • Demonstrate financial need (for most programs); • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen; • Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau); • Be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25); • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;

tional purposes; and • Show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law.

In addition to federal funds, students may be eligible for local scholarships. To find out more about scholarships speak to a high school guidance counselor or financial aid officer at a college of your choice. Also, google college scholarships to find websites with suggestions for locating scholarship funds.

Seaboard Federal Credit Union is offering private education loans again this year to assist Maine students with the skyrocketing costs of college education.

Their private loans are designed to bridge the gap between savings and financial aid and the total cost of college. Once a determination’s been made whether students qualify for federal assistance, they can visit Seaboard’s website at www.seaboardfcu. com to apply for a private education loan, if needed.

“All other financial resources should be exhausted before applying for a private education loan,” Hughes said.

COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

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Maine College of Art receives $3M gift from Bob Crewe Foundation Courtesy maine college of art

The Bob Crewe Foundation has awarded a $3,000,000 gift to Maine College of Art (MECA) to develop a new program that focuses on the study of contemporary music and its relation to visual art.

The curriculum will explore a wide range of topics and subject matter relating to the interplay between music and art. A sampling of courses for the new minor include History of Contemporary Music, Applied Theory Through Composition, Music Business and Management, Ethnomusicology, and experimental courses like Sound and Color.

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Anderson believes that by creating curricular and co-curricular experiences for students in art and music, MECA can be the first art college to explicitly engage in combing the study of contemporary art and design with music.

He said “MECA is uniquely positioned to develop this area because of our size, history and willingness to experiment,” Anderson said. “One of the things that makes MECA unique is its ability to combine, integrate, and synthesize multiple disciplines. I see ways in which all of our eleven undergraduate majors and two graduate programs will overlap and integrate with The Bob Crewe Program in Art and Music.

This is an exciting period of growth and innovation here at the college.”

MECA’s mission is to educate artists for life. MECA’s educational philosophy recognizes the growing demand for creative problem solvers by combining a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum, immersive studio practice, and wealth of professional development opportunities to provide an educational experience that embodies artistic excellence, creative entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Each year, MECA attracts over 2,000 students to the BFA, MFA, MAT, Continuing Studies, and PreCollege curriculum. MECA is also home to the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA) and the Joanne Waxman Library.

Considered one of the first Public Engage-

maine college of art

Maine College of Art 2014 Spring Music Festival. ment programs of its kind in the entire country, MECA students gain the necessary entrepreneurial skills and confidence to positively impact their communities and themselves.

Located in the heart of Portland, Maine, MECA is uniquely situated in the epicenter of perfectly sized city that blends historic charm with all the personality and vibrancy of a creative urban center.

Upcoming Fall 2014 Open House Dates:

• Saturday, Oct. 25 • Saturday, Nov. 15 • Saturday, Dec. 13 Meet the faculty, staff and BFA students, make art in the studios, tour the campus and residence halls, have lunch, get your portfolio reviewed and have an opportunity to explore downtown Portland.

If you can’t make it on an Open House date, please contact Admissions to schedule an individual campus visit. We encourage you and your family to come tour our facilities and talk with our students and faculty.

Campus tours, personal interviews, and portfolio reviews are available Monday-Friday.

To schedule your visit, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ MECA.edu, or by phone at 800.699.1509.

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

The Value of the University of Southern Maine, Maine’s Metropolitan University™ courtesy university of southern maine

The University of Southern Maine offers campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston and an increasingly robust selection of online degree programs and courses. Though our designation as a Metropolitan University by the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities was made only recently, our significant presence in the diverse communities we serve has been longstanding. As Maine’s Metropolitan University™ we will continue to help shape the future of our region and the diverse communities we serve.

As a Metropolitan University, our faculty continually put theory into practice through their dedicated involvement in community issues. Their areas of expertise, commitment to excellence and innovation provides a strong foundation to community members looking to solve complex issues, regionally, nationally and even globally. Our students bring curiosity, a strong work ethic, intelligence and a desire to succeed. This close-knit collaboration of talent has created and supported an in-depth network of alumni and public and private community partners across Maine.

A USM education emphasizes internships and service learning. Internships help students transition from college to being a professional. Students also benefit by gaining experience in chosen career paths and by exploring different career choices. These experiences have become a valuable part of many graduates’ resumes.

Most recently, Michael Havlin (Spring 2014), a double major in economics and business completed a summer internship in the office of Portland Mayor Michael Brennan.

He assisted Mayor Brennan with his 26-member Minimum Wage Advisory Committee. In addition to working with community members, Michael worked with several USM faculty who also were committee members.

While an undergraduate student, USM alum Amanda Pleau (2013), wrote about the importance of her internships in a column for USM’s student newspaper, “The Free Press.” With experience writing for the campus newspaper and an on-campus internship under her belt, she said her internship expe-

riences at USM would be very helpful in searching for employment. She was right.

Tom’s of Maine, a Maine-based natural products company and subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive, hired her just before her graduation.

USM student interns and volunteers have become an important part of the southern Maine community and USM is striving to increase its impact on the region. In 2012, nearly 5,000 USM students provided more than 370,000 hours of service to area businesses and nonprofits, valued at more than $6.2 million. These hours were provided through internships, volunteerism, and service learning, which is when students participate in community projects as part of a class. But, over and above the estimated monetary benefit to the region, our students have gained incalculable benefits in terms of awareness of opportunities, opening career paths, and workplace experience.

Many of USM’s popular majors — nursing, engineering, communication, media studies, business, sport management, occupational therapy, art and social work have practicums or internships available through the departments. Additionally, USM’s Office of Internships and Career Placement can ensure that any student in any major can enjoy the invaluable experience that an internship with a local non-profit organization or business provides.

The University of Southern Maine has received national recognition. USM was named the safest college in Maine by StateUniversity.com, which stated that, “Colleges and universities are ranked for campus safety on a scale that accounts for severity of a crime as well as frequency of a crime.” StateUniversity.com also named USM among Maine’s “Top 10” colleges, using ACT/SAT scores, student retention, faculty/student ratio and faculty salaries as criteria. The Princeton Review repeatedly names USM one of its “Best in the Northeast,” while also including USM’s School of Business in its annual guidebook, “The Best 296 Business Schools.”

Learn more about how a degree from Maine’s Metropolitan University™ can provide to value to your future by visiting one of USM’s campuses. Register for a tour at usm.maine.edu/admit or call us at 207-7805670.

COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014

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College application season has begun Courtesy Maine Education Services, mesfoundation.org

With the release of the 2014-2015 Common Application and the start of the 2015 school year, so too begins the start of college application season. For high school seniors, the upcoming year will also mean that the time to apply to college is here.

We want to help make this important year as easy as possible by providing you with a few simple steps towards easing into your college applications. It’s important to do your best to stay on track with your college applications.

Completing these few tasks now help get you started.

Complete your college essay You should have a few drafts ready when the school year starts. It’s always a good idea to have someone proofread

in our resource library at mesfoundation. org/plan-for-college/resource-library with worksheets to help you track the information and deadlines that you’ll need.

The next few months may be filled with lots of anxiety and stress as you start narrowing down the colleges to which you’ll apply and finalizing those applications. Support and resources are here for you along the way.

Feel free to contact us at crave@mesfoundation.org or 800-922-6352 with any questions.

your essay. Having your essay prepared at the start of the school year gives you and your proofreader ample time to have your essay in perfect shape before it’s due.

Begin your Common Application The 2014-2015 Common Application has recently been launched. Create an account today so that you can start working on the various sections. Don’t feel like you have to complete the application all in one session.

Your progress is saved as you complete the application so start now and take steps to complete it before your application deadlines.

Organize yourself Applications deadlines, standardized test deadlines, scholarship deadlines… if you haven’t started tracking these important dates yet, you’ll certainly need to do so soon. We have resources available for you

metrocreativeconnection.com

MES is a non-profit devoted to expanding access to higher education for all Maine students. Maine’s one-stop resource for college planning, MES provides free assistance including one-on-one planning sessions, financial aid and student loan counseling, as well as career exploration tools.

Their website offers a wide range of resources, timely blog articles, information on local scholarships, and much more. Visit www.mesfoundation.org for details.

FALL PREVIEW DAY

SEPTEMBER 27 & OCTOBER 24

Live and Learn on the Edge!

machias.edu | 1-888-468-6866

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COLLEGE FAIR PREVIEW • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • September 18, 2014