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“I have been surfing Lake Michigan since I was three years old.”

“While traveling through the daily path of life, have you ever stumbled upon a hidden pocket of the universe?”

“I almost didn’t live through September 11th, 2001.”

Intrigued? So was the Stanford University admissions staff who read these opening personal statement lines (later published by Stanford Magazine). Unique, personal and engaging, these opening lines made the admissions committee want to learn more about the applicant.

If you’re one of many parents unsure of how to leverage the college application essays as the writers above did, you’re not alone. What many families don’t realize, however, is that the application essays and personal statement are in fact a student’s biggest opportunity to shine on the college application. This is the one element of the application where your student takes the driver’s seat and is able to sell themselves.

Help your student write a standout essay with these tips from InsideTrack’s team of College Admissions Coaches. Then, sign your student up for a FREE month of College Admissions Coaching to support them in developing their essays and applications as a whole (a $94 value!)

1. Topic matters. An interesting, unique essay topic will make a reader want to learn more about the writer.  Have your student quickly brainstorm 3 personal interests, 3 interesting/unique facts about them, and 3 things they might want to do or accomplish one day.  The key here is to not get hung up on whether something is “worthy” of being written about – almost any topic that is true to your student can be an effective topic.
2. But, topic will only get you so far. An interesting topic will hook a reader’s interest, but ultimately admissions committees aren’t evaluating your student on what topic they select. Admissions committees are looking for an essay to illustrate the way a student thinks and the level of enthusiasm and curiosity they will bring to their campus.  A topic should be used as a device to introduce who a student is and what he or she will contribute to the university’s student body.
3. Open strong. Encourage your student to be creative, especially in selecting the essay’s opening lines.  An interesting essay very rarely begins with the words “I want to go to your college because,” but instead opens with a personal anecdote or intriguing statement that will introduce the topic.  The essay openings above showcase how a single line can set the tone for a coming essay and make the reader instantly want to learn more.

InsideTrack’s team of College Admissions Coaches help students craft stellar college applications, from developing a standout personal statement to acing the in-person interview.  As a Zinch newsletter subscriber, you’ll receive a free month of College Admissions Coaching to prepare your student for the application process – a $94 value!

You may have recently invested in a new PC for your college-bound son or daughter, but it’s also a good time to refresh your own computer at back-to-school prices.  Think your current computer is good enough for what you do?  You don’t know what you’re missing:

The Phone Just Isn’t Enough – Sure, you can text, email or talk to your children while they’re living on campus, but you could also be taking advantage of FREE video conferencing technology such as Skype, Oovoo and Vsee.  Your student’s laptop probably includes a webcam and microphone, so they’re already set on their end. By refreshing your computer to one with a webcam and microphone, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to see and speak with your loved ones virtually.

Ready to Retire Your Old Stereo? – If you can’t remember the last time you purchased a physical CD, welcome to the club.  Many people download music on their PC and mp3 devices making them the new stereo.  And with free online services like Pandora, which stream a custom music selection based on your personal preference, your new PC could be your replacement stereo.   You can easily connect to your existing amp and speakers and HP’s new Beats Audio system on select PC’s like the Envy (pictured to the right) brings studio quality sound.

What About All Those Photos and Videos? – So you have a digital camera, but what are you doing with all of those photos you’ve taken?  How about your camcorder…do you still record to tape or have you also made the switch to digital videos?  Snapfish and other online photo sites offer the ability to do some minor editing and unique printing projects.  But if you want to store all of those pictures and videos securely at home or edit them using powerful software like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere, you’ll want a computer with much more storage, more processing power as well as a large screen.

Windows 7….It’s Time – If you’re still running Windows XP at home, consider that you’re running an operating system first launched in 2001.  Windows 7 has been proven as a strong and reliable operating system and there are many advantages for the casual computer user.   Speed, performance and boot-up time are greatly improved.  Plus, the overall design is much more user-friendly making it easier to create and manage a home network, find and organize files on your computer, and even use touch integration that’s available on HP Tablet PCs and touch-screen desktops such as the TM2T (pictured to the left) and TouchSmart 300z.

As a parent, you can take advantage of the education discount offered by HP Academy.   We offer most of the products mentioned in this article at a special discounted price for you! Visit our website or call (800) 632-8251 to get expert advice on the best solution for your needs!

As a parent, seeing your son or daughter happy and successful is paramount. You spent the last 18 years imparting your wisdom, nurturing their talents, and fostering their independence. Now they are off to college, where even the most accomplished high school student will encounter new challenges.  In fact, studies show that college is challenging for almost all students:

• 85% feel stressed on a daily basis, mostly about school work and grades
• 87% don’t get enough sleep to feel rested
• 60% take 4.5 to 7 years to graduate, costing tens of thousands of dollars

The good news is that there are steps you can take to help your student adjust to college life and make sure they get the most out of the experience.

Figure out what matters most: Ask your student what they hope to get out of college and you’ll likely be met with a shoulder shrug. Freshmen lack the perspective you have, so encourage them to ask the tough questions.  Getting clarity on what they want out of college will help them focus on what matters most. Is international experience, and thus study abroad, important? Are varsity sports and club leadership top priority? Clarity can be hard for students to achieve, but conversations that focus on your student’s core strengths, values and vision for the future are a good starting point.

Develop a plan for success: Your student wants to do it all and will be tempted to overload their calendar with exciting new activities. Help your student develop a plan that maps out their goals – even at a high level - the paths to achieve them and milestones along the way.  If they do bite off too much, the plan can serve as a guide to prioritize efforts. You can jump start this process with them before school starts, but may need to hand-off the planning to another trusted resource.

Find someone to be a sounding board: You will continue to be an important outlet for your student, but most freshmen also need someone they can turn to for unbiased advice and support. Help identify this sounding board in your student’s life – it could be a friend, coach, mentor or other relative. Encourage them to reach out for support frequently.

You want the best for your student but guiding them from afar can be a challenge.  Consider organizations with expertise in student coaching, such as InsideTrack.  InsideTrack has worked with over 250,000 college students nationwide and is the nation’s most comprehensive program for ensuring student happiness and success in college and beyond. Their staff of College Experts will work with your student one-on-one to develop a tailor-made plan for success, identify what matters most and find balance in the first year.  Learn more and get a free session with a College Expert.

A computer is a significant purchase and an important tool for your child.  It’s important to ensure your investment is protected, four critical things to consider:

Backup Services & Devices – Viruses can damage or destroy crucial files like term papers and other important documents.  Online backup sites such as Carbonite (www.carbonite.com) and Norton Online Backup (http://www.symantec.com/norton/online-backup) automatically back up files and protect them online for about $5 a month.  A flash drive or pocket media drive can also be used to back up files and start at under $20.

System Recovery DVD – Windows encourages you to create a “recovery” disc that will allow you to reboot from that DVD in the event your operating system has a problem. Unfortunately, many people don’t take that extra step. When you order your new PC, you can often order the recovery DVD included with your purchase for under $20. It’s a one-time inexpensive purchase that will more than pay for itself when you have a problem.

Extended Warranty – No matter how careful you are accidents happen.  You can fully protect your HP PC from damage and drops with an extended warranty.  HP will arrange for shipping to and from the home or campus for necessary repairs.

CompuTrace LoJack for Laptops – Unfortunately, crime is an issue on every campus, CompuTrace is Lo-Jack for your computer.  Once a student reports their computer stolen, CompuTrace will track that computer once it connects to the internet and contact local police to alert them to the stolen device.

HP Academy has a peace of mind bundle on sale now through September 28, just in time for back to school, that includes two of these four services.  2yr HP Care Pack Accidental Damage Protection Services with LoJack for Laptops (product code on website HC688B):  You can save up to 54% when purchased with an HP Compaq, G-series, Pavilion, TouchSmart, or Envy laptop.

HP Academy provides an exclusive education discount on PC’s, printers, and a wide variety of supplies and accessories including many of the products mentioned here.  HP Academy also has knowledgeable real people available to help you choose your PC and to walk you through the specs, call 800-632-8251 today to get a great deal on a computer and also the peace of mind that your investment will be protected.

You know your student needs a new computer for college, but you’re not sure what to get.  Do you need a desktop or a laptop?

A few things to consider:

Major – Some majors require extra processing power like engineering, graphic design, computer science, etc.  Call our advisors for help figuring it all out 866-433-2018.  A desktop or laptop can be configured to meet your student’s specific needs.

Screen Size – If a large screen is needed for games, photos, movies, etc. then a desktop is probably best.

Portability—Laptops are made to be portable for your student on the move.  They come in a wide range of sizes and in light or ultra-portable models with extended battery life options.

Usage – If your student will just use their PC for email, the internet and writing papers a laptop might be all that’s needed.  If they download lots of music, games and video then a desktop may be a better choice.

Price—Sometimes a desktop is less than a laptop because a laptops’ smaller components are more complex and costly to manufacture. However, with laptops’ all-in-one design, you won’t have to buy additional components like a monitor and keyboard separately.

Ergonomics—In general, desktop PCs lend themselves to better ergonomics.   A desktop’s adjustable monitor, full-size keyboard and position helps minimize strain on the eyes, neck, back, wrists and hands. Laptops can also be set up with ergonomics in mind using a docking station, external monitor, keyboard and mouse.

You can’t go wrong with these two recommendations, and they are both on sale now:

Desktop – HP’s All-In-One TouchSmart 300z – Powered by AMD Athlon™ II Dual-Core Processor.  Featuring a combined monitor and CPU for a sleek, space-saving design, plus wireless connectivity.

Laptop – HP’s DV6z – Powered by AMD.  Striking the right balance between mobility, size, and performance, this full-featured 15.6″ high-def laptop will expertly handle your daily computing and media needs.

HP Academy provides an exclusive education discount on PC’s, printer, and a wide variety of supplies and accessories.  HP Academy also has knowledgeable real people available to help you choose your PC and to walk you through the specs, 866-433-2018.

Before you send your son or daughter off to college without a backward glance, check out this list of ten things you should probably do before they take off for college.

1. Check up on your child’s computer. Be sure your child’s computer has all the proper programs needed for classes such as Microsoft Office. Some schools require a specific computer with certain specifications for each student, so double check with your child’s college for any details.
2. Have your child find out a little about their soon to be roommate. Have them find out some of the basics like where they’re from, what they like to do and what they are planning to study. This will ease the transition from home to college dorm.
3. Get all your needed dorm room essentials at a discount department store. Make sure that you coordinate with the other roommates on who is bringing what, that way you won’t end up with two microwaves and no TV.
4. Secure the semester’s class schedule. Ensure that your child gets into the classes they want to take by reminding them of the enrollment deadlines. Nothing ruins freshman year more than having a full schedule of classes you have no interest in.
5. Create a budget. Living away from home for the first time can be very hard for some students. Establish a budget with your son or daughter so that they can start off on the right foot with managing their money.
6. Visit the school’s web site. Get more information about the school traditions, campus, classes, and the social life by checking out the website of your student’s college. Having your child know more about the school may help them feel more comfortable.
7. Get packing. Don’t put off packing to the last day! There is always going to be something your student forgets to pack or never thought to pack, so make a list early on and remember to double check before they take off.
8. Put together a tool kit. Things are bound to break or need some tuning up, so put a small tool or emergency kit together so your student is never stuck without a way to fix a problem.
9. Get protection. Talk to your son or daughter about safe sex and making smart decisions.
10. Allow your student to hang out with their high school pals. Your student is not only going to miss home, but also the friends they have spent the last four years making memories with. You will be in their life forever, but some of these friends they will lose touch with, so be sure to let them spend some time saying goodbyes and making the last few memories they can.

These suggestions came from Lauren Joffe, of The Real College Guide, and you can read the full article here.

One critical aspect of the college application are volunteer hours a student has participated in previous to their application to college. With this portion of the application being so critical and potentially a stand out point students should look to use their summer to add a few volunteer hours to their resume.

On the Parents Countdown to College Coach Blog, Chris Noble listed some great resources that you and your student can look into. Check them out below!

Hands On Network: With 250 action centers around the country, it’s easy to connect and get started with a volunteer opportunity that fits your schedule and location.  Plus, they’ll occasionally partner with corporations like Disney to offer special incentives for volunteering.

Do Something: Focused more on teen activism and engagement with causes, their site offers “Virtual Volunteer” opportunities so you can take action without leaving your couch!

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Interested in volunteering in our National Parks?  For the Smithsonian?  Start here.   You’ll find a host of ways to volunteer alongside existing government programs.  The HUD site also lists opportunities to provide technology access and job training to those who need it on a volunteer basis.

VolunteerMatch: One of the largest online databases for volunteering, where over 71,000 nonprofits have listed local and regional events and projects.

Go Abroad: Want to volunteer on vacation?  Fulfill your travel bug and your need to do good at the same time by applying for one of the nearly 6,000 “Volunteer Abroad” opportunities from more than 1,300 organizations around the world.

iParticipate: Follow the stars.  Literally.  The Entertainment Industry Foundation launched this project with Ashton Kutcher, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Katie Couric (and many others) in a campaign designed to encourage Americans to consider volunteering as an integral part of our national identity.

Serve.Gov: One year old this month, this site and associated initiatives were created by the Serve America Act.  One of its purposes is to help Americans get back to work by building skills and connections through volunteer opportunities.

To read the original article, check it out here.

As a parent you may think that your student knows all there is to know about social media but what you may not realize is that many students aren’t using social media to their advantage.

A recent blog post on US News and World Report gave suggestions to college students on how to use social media. The author gives some do’s and don’ts, when it comes to social media. As a parent you may need to share these tips with your student to help them use social media wisely.

One of the tips included “Do create positive content” and “Don’t post negatives status updates or tweets.” This means that students should post links to articles that interest them, join conversations on topics related to their future career and befriend (Facebook) or follow (Twitter) professionals already working in that career field. On the other hand, students should not complain about professors, jobs, coworkers, etc on their social networks.

Students should not post “questionable photos” of themselves. Whether it be on Facebook, Twitpic, Myspace, or their blog. It is a well-known fact that both possible employers and college admissions counselors have been turning to the web to find out more information on their applicants. Some employers even admit to enlisting their employees to use whatever resources necessary to find out information on an applicant that includes checking out Facebook profiles, no matter the strength of the privacy settings.

Another great tip is to have your student Google themselves so that they know what others are seeing when they type your name into the search engine. If you know what information is accessible, it is easier to find out how to improve what information others see.

Finally, do not make “your online presence all about you.” Your student can avoid doing this by not posting pointless updates having to do with what they are eating, random happenings or anything only your student would care to read.

Social media can do a great amount of good in displaying the excellent qualities your student possess but take these tips and remind your student of the kind of impact their online actions can have on their future.

You can read the original article here.

As a parent you want to see your college student succeed but chances are there are going to be a few bumps along the way, including difficulties with professors. Although you want to do all you can to help your student succeed, contacting your child’s professor is not the answer. The following reasons will help you have insight into why staying out of things will be much better for your student.

1. No one does this. It’s really not something most people do and often makes your student look bad and makes you look like you need some serious help.
2. It annoys the professor. No one wants to be bullied into doing something, especially grown men and women.
3. The student loses the pity factor. When a student comes to a professor on their hands and knees, it’s nearly impossible to say that nothing can be done. By bringing yourself into the situation, you are only taking away that bond between the student and professor.
4. The professor puts up his or her guard. Professors are often very willing to help if a student admits defeat, but when you bring in an angry parent, their only reaction is to defend themselves. Suddenly, the professor is no longer interested in what they can do to help your student.
5. As a parent you could really go overboard. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you say something you don’t mean and when you pile on top of anger the frustration of college tuition costs and admissions process, it tends to happen a little more often.
6. You could really embarrass your child. When you’re in a position where you are having a one-on-one conversation with someone in your student’s life but not a main player, it is easy to accidentally drop some information about your son or daughter that the other person doesn’t know. This causes for embarrassment on your end as well as your student’s.
7. By calling you are coming in the middle of the game and might mess up the situation more. You don’t know all the details and by coming in and trying to play ruler, you could really cause more harm than good to the situation.
8. The intervention brands the student as a child. By having their “Mommy” or “Daddy” call in and complain, you are officially saying that your son or daughter is incapable of doing what needs to be done and working things out on their own.
9. It exposes a family problem. If you go crazy on your student’s professor, it’s only going to give said professor an excuse to assume your son or daughter is just as messed up.
10. It shows that you-not your student-don’t really understand what college is. High school and college are very different. In high school, your student might need some assistance and they have every right to ask for it as they are still children. College, on the other hand, is where they become adults. You have to understand that line.

This post was derived from a U.S. News article which you can read here.

High school graduation is upon us and many bright eyed seniors are looking forward to that day when they will officially no longer be in high school. Upon the horizon? College.

Many high school students have it set in their minds what they are planning to major in. That particular topic that one day will provide them a lucrative career.

The key word there is “lucrative.”

With the state of the current economy many high school students are changing their intended majors because they feel that what they originally wanted to pursue won’t earn them enough money or be as secure as another profession.

Susan Posluszny, the founder of OPTIONS for Career & Life Planning posed a number of questions that you should ask your graduating senior in order to see “if this decision was made based on accurate career information and reflection about personal priorities or based on a knee jerk reaction to current economic conditions.”

Below are just a few of the questions that Posluszny suggests you ask your teen.

• What was it that drew you to your original college major choice of political science?
• What kind of work were you thinking of getting into related to political science and did you ever speak with anyone employed in this area of interest?
• How do those who work in political science careers deal with the instability that comes with unpredictable voting outcomes and job market fluctuations?

Posluszny states that if from the answers to these questions you determine that your teen isn’t as informed as they should be steer them to find out if their assumptions about specific careers is accurate. Encourage your teen to “consider scenarios that support exploration of these two interest areas over time.” This may include a major in one interest but taking a few classes from another interest.

If you want to read the rest of the questions that Posluszny suggests you ask check out this article.