You Must Be This Tall to Ride…

It’s summertime in PUNCH-ville, which means your focus is on just about everything but academics. And rightly so! But before you hop aboard that carnival train for good, remember—especially if you’re college-bound this fall—important tasks and deadlines can really sneak up on you. This summer we’re all about staying the college course without expending too much precious energy.

• Fall Starts in August?! Summer Advice for Getting Your Rears in Gear
• Juniors, Plot a Course for Senior Year NOW

Social networking is the way of the modern world, and there’s no better way to get the scoop on a prospective school than by rubbing elbows with those who’ve visited. With CampusVibe you can read recent visit reports, watch campus videos, and even upload your own stuff. You’ll be like Mark Zuckerberg, David Lynch, and Samantha Bee all in one!

• Get in the Know with Campus Vibe
• Browse Nearly 3,000 College Visit Reports By Students Like You

It’s a family affair this summer, and speaking of rollercoaster rides, students and parents alike must rely on each other—taking deep breaths and counting to 10 are recommended—to weather the ups and downs of the college enrollment process.

• A Professional Weighs in on College-Bound Stress and its Effects on Families
• CC Moms and Dads Discuss Every Parent’s Nightmare

After all those summer barbecues and beach bumming, getting back in shape—both mentally and physically—should be high priority. Get in the mood for school with movies that scream college, and get moving with a few simple fitness tips for the most important student body—your own.

• Beat the “Freshman 15” with Practical Fitness Tips
• Your Summer Must-Watch List: Classic College Movies

Weight Loss for Dummies
In Parent Cafe by EPTR

ACT June 11th 2011 Scores
In ACT Preparation by mrsoccer1448

June SAT U.S. History Post Test Discussion
In SAT Subject Tests Preparation by Practical

Help! My Parents Can’t Pay for College and Financial Aid Deadline Passed

Question:: I will be a freshman at USC in January 2012. I never applied for financial aid because my parents said not to. However, recently my parents told me that their finances are running short and that I should apply for financial aid. The deadline has passed, so what should I do?  Find out what the dean said...

Early Decision: The Stacked Deck

I’ve always maintained that colleges hold most of the cards in the admissions poker game. If you’re a high school senior applying to a so-called “elite,” “top-tier,” or plain old “prestigious” school, then be prepared to enter a Wal-Mart Super Center-sized seller’s market. You badly want what these colleges are selling, and they know it. Thus, they have interesting ways to persuade you to commit to enrolling. That is, if you’re good enough. Read more...

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