Higher Education 10-22-2020

October 22, 2020

Higher Education Enabling a brightEr FuturE

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MOLLOY

IS THE

RIGHT COLLEGE.

Molloy College PrePs for NoveMber oPeN House

RIGHT

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olloy recently announced its plans for a fall open house, scheduled to be held virtually on Sunday, November 15. More details will soon be available at molloy.edu or by calling 516323-4000. The College held a number of virtual events over the spring and summer, enabling prospective students and their parents to meet faculty, admissions and financial aid staff and current students.

NOW.

Molloy College Continues to Earn National Honors

College-bound students and their parents are always looking for an academic environment that offers the best fit and the best value for their tuition dollars. Last year Molloy was ranked the #18 “value added” college in the U.S.

by The Wall Street Journal, arguably the nation’s premier financial publication.

Molloy has also earned other honors, including being ranked the #10 best value among Catholic colleges nationwide

by College Values Online.

One of the nation’s top values in higher education, Molloy is close to home but far from ordinary.

With career-focused programs, real-world connections and personal guidance, we’re open and here for you – in person or online – for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.

“

We are dedicated to providing our students with the best possible value.

If you come to Molloy, you graduate with a job in your field at a salary that’s significantly higher than average.

MOLLOY COLLEGE. THE RIGHT CHOICE. RIGHT NOW.

A small student-to-faculty ratio (10:1) means that students are more than a number to our professors, who provide input and guidance that enable students to “live their story” and pursue their dreams.

Virtual Open House Sunday, November 15 at 1PM

Molloy.edu/OpenHouse

Drawing on the Strength of the New York Metropolitan Region

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-James Lentini President, Molloy College

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One of the many strengths of Molloy is its proximity to New York City. Nestled in

the Long Island suburbs just minutes from Manhattan, Molloy takes advantage of the NYC metro region to provide its students with the highest quality internships and clinical placements.

Graduate Programs Fuel Careers

Molloy offers a variety of graduate and doctoral programs that provide the opportunity for students to further enhance their career or take a new direction while pursuing a passion. The College’s graduate programs include a variety of M.B.A. options, as well as programs in clinical mental health counseling, criminal justice, music therapy, speech-language pathology, education and nursing.

What’s New

Molloy, home to approximately 4,900 undergraduate and graduate students, recently opened its new facility at 50 Broadway in lower Manhattan. The space serves as the home of the nationally ranked Molloy/CAP21 B.F.A. in musical theatre, and also hosts other academic programs and special events. Additionally, last year Molloy opened its newest residence hall, the College’s third.

The College continues to expand its flexible learning options for many of its programs, so that students can take night, weekend, hybrid or online classes. Some of Molloy’s newer offerings include an online M.B.A., as well as a new degree completion program that will enable returning students to easily complete their undergraduate degree.

Virtual Open House: Sunday, November 15 at 1 p.m.

Visit molloy.edu/openhouse to learn more.

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Stand out when applying for scholarships

Getting into college in the era of Covid-19 From the college search through arriving on campus, it’s all a bit different in the ‘new normal’ Will it be harder to get into college because of Covid-19? That’s the question being asked by seniors all over America. And the simple answer is — well, no one knows for sure.

So many aspects of college admissions are being affected by the pandemic that it is hard to know the overall effect on acceptances.

Becoming test optional This is without a doubt the biggest change being felt by students across the country. While some (usually smaller) colleges had already switched to being testoptional before this year (ie. Sarah Lawrence College went test optional in 2012), the majority of colleges and universities, whether private or public, have up until now required all applicants to submit either an SAT or ACT score, but because of the pandemic the spring and summer test dates this year had to be canceled.

So, many colleges and universities simply said students won’t need to submit test scores at all. Some schools have decided to make this change permanent, while others have decided to just forgo the testing requirement for this year’s applicants only (ie. Cornell University). It doesn’t really matter to you if the change is temporary or permanent because you are applying this year and the beneficiary of the change!

Remember, colleges and universities will still look at your SAT/ACT score if you already took

the exam and you choose to submit it, and you will want to submit your score if it strengthens your application.

Showing demonstrated interest Are you aware that many colleges and universities keep a record of whether or not you have shown an interest in their institution before you have applied? This is called tracking “demonstrated interest,” and while it isn’t a large factor in the acceptance decision, it can be helpful if the school is on the fence about accepting you.

The biggest way to demonstrate that you are interested in a particular school before you apply, of course, is if you have actually gone to the campus, listened to their information presentation, and taken a tour. Pre-Covid-19, it was common to travel to college campuses for tours.

The pandemic this past spring meant college campuses had to close, so most colleges and universities started doing “virtual information sessions” and “virtual tours” of their institutions. That means the playing field in terms of demonstrated interest has been leveled. (Remember when you apply to college, they’ll be able to see if you bothered to participate in their virtual info sessions and tours.)

Plus because you are home more, you also now have more time to do all of those other things that colleges use to track demonstrated interests. Did you sign up for their mailing list? Do you open and read all of the emails they send you?

Have you followed and interacted with them on social media? All of those things are tracked by the colleges. You can also show tremendous interest in a college by applying to them through binding early decision (and fewer students are expected to apply early decision this coming year), but make sure you only apply this way if you are 100 percent certain that you will attend that college, regardless of the financial aid package, if accepted.

Personal statement/essays increase in importance Colleges are going to be less dependent on standardized test scores than in the past. That means your personal statement and answers to the college-specific essay questions are going to increase in importance for college admissions decisions.

Some advice: Don’t use your personal statement to write about the impact of Covid-19 on you if you can help it. Save that for the new part of the Common App that specifically asks you about the pandemic. Keep in mind that admissions officers are going to be reading thousands of personal statements by students writing about the virus, so your creative personal statement is going to really stand out. . n Above photo: Parents and students are wondering what to expect from the college application process during the coronavirus pandemic.

When it comes to scholarship opportunities for college, everyone is applying for the same reason: to receive the scholarship money to help pay tuition costs. Depending on the scholarship you’re applying for, you may be one out of hundreds of applicants.

Many students are joining the scholarship search to look for ways to pay for college besides taking out student loans. You may be wondering what makes you stand out from every other scholarship applicant. Here are ways to do just that.

Prepare And Stay Organized Organization is key when applying for scholarships and financial aid. Whether it is an athletic based scholarship, merit based scholarship, or a grant for college, you will likely need to provide multiple documents for submission.

Scholarships usually require documents such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and perhaps an essay. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete applications, and try creating a calendar to stay informed on scholarship deadlines. Have a list of your volunteer involvement, extracurricular activities, and transcripts ready for when it’s time to apply. Continue to update the list throughout the year to ensure that everything is accurate for your scholarship applications.

Request Letters Of Recommendation In Advance When requesting letters of recommendation from teachers, advisors, coaches, bosses, peers, or others, make sure to ask the person at least four weeks in advance. This will give them plenty of time to complete it. To make the process easy on them, you’ll want to give them a file with all your personal information, activities, awards, information about the scholarship, leadership involvement, and a mistake-free resume.

Even if the scholarship doesn’t require a letter of recommendation, it may give you the option to attach extra relevant documents. A good letter of recommendation can boost your chances of making a better impression on the scholarship committee.

Don’t Copy And Paste Past Essays Every scholarship essay is different, and each prompt will vary. That is why it is important to not reuse your scholarship essays. Essays are going to need to reflect your different goals and who you are. Even if you make tweaks here and there to existing essays, like changing names and dates, the judges may still be able to tell that you didn’t write something fresh just for them.

Emphasize What Makes You Unique Many scholarships are based on an applicant’s individuality. Putting your unique interests and perspectives on the page will go a long way toward creating a memorable essay. Share the experiences and activities that make YOU unique.

You don’t have to limit the experiences you share to only your senior year. Lots of students participate in sports in high school, but maybe you volunteered to help coach children. Many students have a part-time job, but maybe you started a charitable donation program at work. Consider what you can say about yourself that most others will not be able to say. ” n Above photo: If you’re debating on when to start applying, the time is now. You can apply for scholarships you qualify for as early as you’d like and the rule of thumb is always the earlier, the better.

October 22, 2020 — HIGHER EDUCATION - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Find the money

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ERASING THE LIMITS When she enrolled at JMU, Megan Guzzardi knew she loved science.

Then she eventually met Dr. Kyle Seifert, and the undergraduate research sparks began to fly.

A Pittsburgh native, Guzzardi came to JMU to play intercollegiate field hockey and hopefully find some way to connect her passions for science and helping her fellow man. In short order and through lots of hard work on her part and support from those around her, all her dreams began to come true.

“I want to work hand-in-hand with doctors and nurse practitioners and nurses to solve complex problems and, ultimately, to help people.”

Getting to do scientific research as a undergraduate has been life-changing, Guzzardi says. “It’s just so awesome to be a part of something bigger than yourself. We need a solution to only using antibiotics, and our research is looking for an effective alternative, especially in a hospital setting,” she says, adding, ”You’re able to go into the lab each day

and do your part that is contributing to the overall answers of science.”

For Guzzardi, amazing classes and extraordinary professors have been the norm at JMU. Anyone who is looking for chances to shine— especially during their undergraduate years— should consider JMU, Guzzardi says.

“It feels as if there are millions of opportunities and resources that the school offers to undergraduate students,” she says. “I am involved in independent undergraduate research and work as a teaching assistant in the biology department. If you want more out of your experience, JMU is the way to go.”

It’s completely by design that JMU provides so many varied choices for undergraduates to conduct real research.

The immediate outcome for Guzzardi? A coveted spot in the master of physician’s assistant program at Chatham University in her hometown.

Reflecting on her undergraduate walk, Guzzardi adds, “JMU provided me with a platform for me to create my identity. And I think one of the coolest things about being at JMU is that everyone wants to help you and see you succeed.”

MEGAN GUZZARDI

Major: Health Sciences/pre-physician assistant Minor: Biology

BEING THE CHANGE®

Harrisonburg, Virginia

We are more committed than ever to helping you find your way to JMU. It’s all about connections, so connect with us today. n

n n n n

Schedule a one-on-one conversation with your JMU admissions counselor j.mu/talk Meet current students on jmyou.jmu.edu Call our office at 540-568-5681 Visit jmu.edu/visit Start your application jmu.edu/apply

If you have questions, we have answers. jmu.edu/admissions

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October 22, 2020 — HIGHER EDUCATION - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Nassau CommuNity College

Take control of your education with an affordable, high-quality education from NCC!

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ith over 80 fields of study, 62-degree programs and 20 certificate programs Nassau Community College provides an opportunity for all students to take control and prepare themselves for a successful future.

NCC’s affordable tuition and high-quality academic programs provides for a personalized academic experience.

From the faculty, to the alumni, to the administrators our dedicated College community is committed to equitable educational access, completion, and post-completion success, which ultimately leads to credentials with economic

value and jobs with impact that support the current and future job demands of our region and further.

Our award-winning faculty encourage our students to explore academically, unlock their potential, and prepare themselves for the future by finding them exciting research opportunities and providing them with the encouragement and guidance they need to succeed.

Our Alumni provide opportunity for our students to obtain unique internships, develop mentor relationships, as well as explore exciting employment opportunities.

Also, our Workforce Development program partners with major employers to provide training both to current students and alumni to ensure they are prepared for success in the workforce.

Our students leave NCC with a credential of economic value that helps them become civically engaged, intellectually curious, contributing, and critically thinking members of their communities. We encourage them to discover and explore academically,

and unlock their full-potential as we provide them with a personalized academic experience that lays the groundwork for success. Our students are our future!

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Evaluating public university rankings

October 22, 2020 — HIGHER EDUCATION - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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Understanding the criteria

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ollege guides that rank universities on factors such as academic offerings, athletics, cost, financial aid, location, and student life can help you identify the public university that will meet your academic, social, and personal needs and interests.

Two of the most well-known publishers of college rankings are “U.S. News and World Report” and “The Princeton Review.” Although each publisher’s goals are to provide information that helps students and families choose the best public universities and colleges, their ranking methodologies are quite different.

Using academic indicators to rank a public university “U.S. News and World Report” uses quantitative measures and “unbiased views” on the most important factors in higher education to rank public universities. First, it categorizes schools by mission such as national universities, liberal arts colleges, universities-master’s schools, and baccalaureate colleges.

Next, it gathers data on up to 15 indicators of academic excellence for each public college. Indicators receive a weight based on the publishers’ judgment about the significance of these measures. Finally, it creates a composite weighted score that is compared to the other schools in its category.

Data are gathered from various sources including peer assessments from top ranking school officials, student retention rates, faculty resources, students’ abilities, per-student spending, and graduation and alumni giving rates.

Using student opinion to rank public college To create its rankings, “The Princeton Review” surveys thousands of students from hundreds of private and public colleges and universities; 99 percent of the surveys are com-

pleted online. Its survey contains over 80 questions in 4 sections: “About Yourself,” “Life at your School,” “Students,” and “Your School’s Academics/Administration.”

Most questions provide a 5-point rating scale ranging from “excellent” to “awful,” but some questions are open-ended so students can elaborate on their answers. The results of the ratings are tallied and each university receives a score that is similar to a GPA. These scores are compared to determine each school’s rank.

The next step in the ranking process is to send write-ups to the private and public colleges and universities; thus, giving them the opportunity to make comments and corrections.

The schools’ suggestions are compared to the survey data and

changes are made when warranted. Finally, the publisher asks survey takers to review their schools’ write-ups from the previous year and grade them on accuracy and validity.

College guides can help narrow your search Rankings may not be your sole determinant for choosing a public university, but they might help you narrow your search and determine the most ideal school for you.

Above photo: Ranking public universities is far more than the cost, financial aid, location or academics. Learning what’s involved can help determine the best fit for you.

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October 22, 2020 — HIGHER EDUCATION - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Train to become a medical assistant or registered nurse at St Paul’s

Your future is waiting at st. Paul’s

I

An important part of the application process

By Sally Wood Many college and scholarship applications require recommendation letters. Some specify the recommenders-teachers, employers, or personal acquaintances; others simply indicate the number of recommendations required. Selection committees want to know as much as possible about you. They have objective information-grades, classes, and test scores. They have your application form, résumé, and essay(s). They also want to know how others see you.

Select recommenders who know you well and who can write competently. Wellmeaning friends may write glowing comments, but poor grammar and unprofessional appearances make negative impressions.

Choose recommenders who will write specific statements about you-not remarks that could apply to any student. Generic comments reflect little about you and do not help you stand out among the applicants.

Solicit college recommendation letters politely and appreciatively. Allow your recommender plenty of time; requesting a recommendation at the last minute is inconsiderate. People who write the best recommendations are usually very busy. You don’t want one written by someone who feels hurried or is irritated with you.

Provide relevant information so the letter of recommendation will be specifically about you and your qualifications.

Indicate the purpose of the recommendation letter. If it is to accompany your college application, provide the college’s name and background information so the recommender can discuss how you are an appropriate candidate. If it is for a scholarship, provide a copy of the application or a description of the scholarship and the sponsoring organization’s mission. Supply a copy of your résumé listing

your GPA, activities, leadership roles, awards, community service, employment experience, and special skills.

Indicate the person to whom a recommendation letter should be addressed. If you don’t know the name, the letter may begin “Dear Selection Committee.” Offer an addressed, stamped envelope with each request. If the recommendation must be mailed in an official envelope from the recommender’s institution, supply a postage stamp.

A letter that is to be submitted with the application should be returned to you in a sealed envelope.

Many applications allow you to waive the right to see recommendations. Despite your legal right to see referrals, committees are impressed by those written with no concerns about the applicant’s reaction. Select your recommender(s) carefully, and you’ll have no reason to worry; most will say if they aren’t comfortable writing a college recommendation letter or don’t believe they can write positive statements about you.

Thank your recommender, preferably in writing! Surprisingly, few students express their appreciation for recommendations.

Expressing your gratitude is appropriate and advisable. If you weren’t appreciative the first time, the recommender may be reluctant to help you when you ask for another college recommendation letter. If you receive the acceptance or the award, thank the recommender again, for contributing to your success. n Above photo: Approaching a counselor or teacher and asking them to write a recommendation can be an intimidating task, and many students will put it off — making the process even more difficult for both the student and the recommender. Just like with any other college application element, it’s important to start planning early and get a head start to make the process of gathering recommendation letters quick and easy.

St. Paul’s experienced instructors have the passion and skills to teach students the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Medical Assistant upon graduation from the program.

Not sure that Medical Assisting is for you? In addition to the Associate Degree program for Medical Assisting, St Paul’s also offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program to prepare to you to become a Registered Nurse (RN).

Visit www.StPaulsSchoolOfNursing.edu to learn more and to get started on your new healthcare career. New students can enroll 100% online and begin their education via virtual classroom learning until the pandemic eases and on-campus instruction can resume in New York.

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Writing a college recommendation letter

nvest in your future by earning an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting from St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Queens. This career path in healthcare offers opportunities for success and professional growth for those with the education, skills and desire to succeed.

As key members of the healthcare team, Medical Assistants perform clinical and administrative duties in medical offices as well as in other healthcare settings such as hospitals and outpatient clinics. Medical Assistants help physicians with patient examinations, measuring vital signs, drawing and preparing blood samples for testing, recording patient history, scheduling appointments, entering patient information into Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and more.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment growth for MAs is growing and that the demand for skilled Medical Assistants will continue to rise as the population ages and the focus on preventative medicine grows.

DISCOVER

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October 22, 2020 — HIGHER EDUCATION - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

YOU DISCOVER YOU @HOFSTRA @HOFSTRA

own educational and career Shape your Shape ownyour educational and career path at a nationally ranked university in path at a nationally university in the heart of ranked Nassau County. the heart of Nassau County.

•

• Staying on the Island or transferring back home?

Hofstra’s more than 165 undergraduate programs in arts and science, business, communication, engineering and applied science, and health care Staying on the Island or transferring back home? will give you an edge when it comes to your college career.

Hofstra’s more than 165 undergraduate programs

in arts and science, business, communication, • Connect with the real world through experiential learning. engineering and applied science, and health care Participate in service thatto your will give you an• edge when it projects comes give back to the community. college career.

• Work in cutting-edge facilities and research labs.

• Connect with the real world through experiential learning.

Virtual Fall Open House Weeks: October 25-29, 2020 and November 15-19, 2020

Virtual Fall Open House Weeks: Join us for one or more October 25-29, 2020 and of our programs to learn about the things that November 15-19, 2020 most interest you! Register

at hofstra.edu/openhouse

Join us for one or more of our programs to learn about the things that most interest you! Register at hofstra.edu/openhouse

Can’t make an Open House event? Our admission • Participate in service projects that counselors are available for virtual visits that fit your Learn more at hofstra.edu/visit give back to theschedule! community.

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Can’t make an Open House event? Our admission counselors are available for virtual visits that fit your schedule! Learn more at hofstra.edu/visit

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• Work in cutting-edge facilities and research labs.