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Build on AP, IB Exams to Prepare for College

By U.S. News & World Report

If you sat for an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam this year, you have achieved an important milestone in your academic career. You may now be ready to take the summer off before college.

But before you do, it is important to consider whether you are truly ready for college — and all that takes is a bit of self-reflection.

AP and IB exams simulate the skills and content of entry-level university courses. Beyond the desire to earn a good score on these tests, you should be sure that you have fully mastered their challenges.

A full college workload can be intimidating. As such, it is valuable to spend the summer before freshman year focusing on improving areas where your AP or IB performance may have slipped. Review your exams in these four subject areas.

[Check out 10 ways to prepare for your freshman year of college.]

1. Writing: According to the College Board’s 2013 data, AP English Language and Composition is the exam student most commonly took. The ability to write a strong essay is also an important skill for college — regardless of major, most students will compose multiple papers during their college careers.

Many college students seek help only when they are in panic mode: Their essay is due in a day or two and they realize that their draft is not up to par. If your performance on AP English Language and Composition suggests a similar tendency, the best solution is to request additional instruction from a teacher and begin improving your writing now.

Developing stronger writing skills is a process. Learning how to brainstorm, plan and research is crucial to your success in higher education. Through tutoring over the summer, you can enter college prepared for any writing challenges that may come. You can also review Harvard College Writing Center’s student writing guide for additional writing tips.

2. Math and science literacy: Having a solid foundation in math and science will help any freshman fare better in their general education courses. Without this, you may struggle more in these classes and have less time and energy to devote to other classes. And if you plan to pursue a science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — major, it is even more important that you address any areas of weakness on the AP Calculus AB, AP Biology or AP Statistics course, which are the three most common AP tests in math and science.

If you don’t feel completely confident in your skills in these areas, you may wish to take a comparable summer course at a community college. Conversely, you might consider a program like the Academic Courses and Precollege Summer Institutes offered through the University of California–Los Angeles.

Or spend the summer trying different STEM activities. STEM-Works, for example, offers a variety of ideas to get you started, or look for STEM-related summer programs offered in your community or through your local library.

If possible, you can also choose an option that focuses most closely on your largest weaknesses. For instance, if you struggled with experimental design in AP Biology, select a summer program that includes lab work.

[Learn how to find the right pre-college summer program.]

3. Historical analysis: Take advantage of opportunities to reflect on the skills you encountered in the AP U.S. History exam, because you will likely take a history class or two as part of your general education courses in college. If you aren’t majoring in a history-related field, you’ll want to ensure you have some foundation of the subject to avoid struggling with or overextending yourself on the course.

Consider a field trip with family or friends to one of America’s many historical landmarks to engage with history in a more hands-on approach. Then, write short responses after your visit to reflect upon what you have learned and how it connects to issues discussed in class.

Every state has rich history. For example, you could visit Gettysburg National Military Park or the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. You could also use a digital study guide to review our nation’s history through photographs or videos or reread several of the foundational texts referenced in AP U.S. History, like Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.”

4. English language: If you are an international student who speaks English as a second language and plan to study in the U.S. , you may have used IB courses to strengthen your English language skills. If you also struggled with your end-of-year IB tests, consider whether English as your secondary language created obstacles to your success.

[Explore ways to improve academic English skills before arriving at a U.S. college.]

In that case , use the summer to strengthen your English skills. This will help you succeed in college, from understanding college lectures to comprehending academic texts, even in the face of specialized jargon or denser materials that are found in college courses.

Find a native English speaker to practice conversing with or seek out English-speaking international students at a local university. You can likewise pair up and study with a friend who is also planning to earn a degree in the U.S. and together study and practice conversational English together. IB’s “Guide for IB Students Applying to US Institutions” also offers tips on preparing to attend U.S. universities.

More from U.S. News

3 Study Techniques for the Chemistry SAT Subject Test

How to Juggle Multiple AP Exams

College-Bound Students Shouldn’t Always Test Out of Classes

Build on AP, IB Exams to Prepare for College originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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