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Imagine a world where a graduating high school senior with a 4.0+ not only isn’t the class valedictorian… but not even in the top 25% of their class! Is this happening in some distant, parallel universe?   Nope, it’s probably happening in your hometown.

This trend towards better grades for less work seems to be seeping into the collegiate environment as well.  Professors who teach their students less receive the most positive feedback, while professors with higher academic rank and educational experience tend to receive lower marks.

While more than 45 percent of recent high school graduates boasted an “A” average, a study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA shows that entering college freshmen are studying less and less every year.

Studies have shown that the grade inflation epidemic is even hitting elite American universities.  Between 1986 and 2001, the percentage of “A’s” given to Harvard undergraduates increased from 23% to 49%.  Harvey Mansfield, professor of government at Harvard,  says, “Grade inflation compresses all grades at the top, making it difficult to discriminate the best from the very good… and the good from the mediocre.”

Some academics and institutions set out to fight the practice of grade inflation.  For many years now, Mansfield has issued his students two sets of grades: one for the official Harvard transcript, and another representing what he believes the student really deserves on a non-inflated grading scale.

Princeton University’s faculty senate has issued a set of guidelines as to the expected number of “A’s” for undergraduate courses.  Thanks in part to an extensive publicity program explaining the new “grade deflation” policy, the number of students securing jobs, and being offered admission into prestigious graduate programs, both rose in the years immediately following implementation of the policies.

The question remains:  Will other high schools and post-secondary education institutions follow suit and move away from sky high GPA’s being the norm?  Only time will tell.

In today’s 24/7 news cycle, and new studies being published daily, we’re all vulnerable to information overload.  Academic Earth makes it easier to gain meaningful knowledge.  With a goal of  “giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education,”  Academic Earth offers free and full degrees, certificates, and courses from highly-respected universities and colleges.

Say you wanted to hear a lecture from an accomplished professor at Stanford University — all you need is internet access to listen in.  Maybe your daughter is studying business at Yale and you want to know a little more about her classes and what her lectures are like — at Academic Earth, you can.  Video lectures from some of the best and most well-known colleges are available online for free.

If you have extra time, or you’ve always been fascinated by astrophysics and never had the chance to take a class — put your study hat back on and spend a couple of hours learning something new.  Given the opportunity, wouldn’t you want to continue your education in some way?

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.

As a parent with a teenager preparing to go off to college there is plenty of advice I am sure you are anxious to give. However according to Suzanne Shaffer from the blog Parents Countdown to College Coach there are 10 concepts that your teen should know before they ever step foot onto a college campus.

1. Consequences: Actions have consequences whether they are good or bad.
2. Self Respect: If teens respect themselves they are less likely to seek approval from others.
3. Rules: Following the rules is a source of protection not a restriction.
4. Communication: Open communication is the key to good relationships.
5. Self Reliance: When given responsibly teens have a greater opportunity to learn how to make wise choices.
6. Gratitude: Teach your child to work for what they want; they will be more productive adults.
7. Boundaries: Help your child to know what is expected of them. Boundaries give them a feeling of stability and a feeling of safety.
8. Self-Control: Having the ability to stay calm in a frustrating situation will greatly help your teen with their interactions with others.
9. Consistency: With actions there are consequences be sure to be consistent with your teen to help them to know what to expect.
10. Praise: Give praise liberally; less frequently than criticism.

Teaching your teens these concepts will allow them a much more positive experience as they enter college. They will be able to transition much more easily into the world of being an adult.

If you would like to read more about these concepts then be sure to check out this article.