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Tips for Cutting Costs on Textbooks to Save Money
Many college students are concerned about the rising cost of tuition but there is another price that rises with each passing year - textbooks. Keep reading to learn some simple ways to save on textbooks next semester.

There is no denying that college is becoming more and more expensive with each passing year. According to a recent study, the average annual cost for tuition at a 4-year college is more than $30,000 – and that doesn’t even cover everything! Paying for college is like signing a contract with a new cable service provider. After doing the research you finally choose a provider based on a specific published price. But when it comes time to sign the contract you find out that there are all of these unexpected fees involved – service fees, taxes, etc. And then the price for service skyrockets after the first year!

With college, hidden costs are everywhere. The amount you pay the school each semester (or each year) probably only covers your tuition, maybe even room and board. But there are so many other things you are going to need to make it through the year – basic school supplies, clothing, transportation and, of course, textbooks. Many students underestimate the cost of textbooks but they actually end up being a significant expense for many students. Keep reading to learn just how much you should expect to pay for textbooks during school and how you can cost those costs a little bit.

How Much Do Textbooks Really Cost?

Though there are certainly some college classes that do not require them, most classes are based around one or more textbooks.

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The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College

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The Pros and Cons of On-Campus Housing for Community College
Can you really have an authentic college experience while living off-campus? This article explores the pros and cons of campus housing for community college students.

Many people who enter college become preoccupied with having an authentic college experience. They imagine late nights spent poring over textbooks, engaging in classroom discussions, and even wild parties on the weekend. But the truth is that there is no one true college experience. Each college and each student is unique. However, certain things about college can enhance or detract from your experience. One of them is on-campus housing.

The price differential between a four-year school versus a two-year school is staggering. But you may not realize that much of that price difference isn’t related to tuition or education fees. It is for housing. For many colleges, room and board is just as expensive (or more so) than tuition costs and fees. Going to a community college can save you a lot of money, but do you have to forgo the opportunity to live in on-campus housing? Maybe not.

How Many Community Colleges Offer Housing?

According to a recent American Association of Community Colleges poll, about 25% of community colleges in the United States offer their students on-campus housing. This number has risen dramatically since 2000, and it continues to rise. Among the latest community colleges to open on-campus residence halls for students are Jefferson Community College in New York, Rose State College in Oklahoma, and Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, to name a few.

Below, you will find a list of other community

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Things to Include in Your College Application Essay

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Things to Include in Your College Application Essay
Most colleges and universities require an essay as part of the application process, but how important is the essay really and what can you do to make sure yours stands out?

Deciding which colleges to apply to is difficult enough, but you add to that the stress of writing a personal essay for each of your applications. Your personal essay is supposed to give college admissions teams a snapshot of who you are as a person and who you hope to become but you don’t have to spill your guts or transcribe your whole life story. To increase your chances of getting accepted, first learn just how important your essay is, and then take the time to learn the Dos and Don’ts of college application essays.

How Important is Your Application Essay?

Every year, colleges and universities receive hundreds or even thousands of applications. Many of those applications are virtually identical in terms of GPA, class load, and test scores – so how do you make yourself stand out in a crowd? The college application essay is designed to give you a chance to speak directly to the admissions committee, to tell them who you are and why you want to go to their school. But is your application essay more important than the rest of your application or is it just one factor that admissions committees weigh evenly with your GPA and test scores?

According to an article published on Time.com, college application essays aren’t as important as they are cracked up to be. In fact, Stanford sociologist Mitchell Stevens worked alongside admissions officers at numerous top-tier liberal arts schools for 18 months and he discovered that in

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Getting into Law School with a Community College Degree

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Getting into Law School with a Community College Degree
You don't have to be a pre-law major to get into law school, but how will your application be impacted by your community college degree?

Community college appeals to people from all walks of life for several reasons. For some, community college offers a degree of flexibility that can’t be had at some colleges and universities, and for others, it is a way to save money on tuition. But will graduating from a community college instead of a traditional college or university hurt your chances of success in pursuing a career in certain fields? Keep reading to learn valuable tips for applying to law school with a community college degree.

When Should You Apply to Law School?

Many students successfully admitted into law school agree that applying early is always best. Many law schools accept applications on a rolling basis, releasing their decisions over the course of several months. While applying early will not guarantee your admission, applying closer to the deadline means fewer spaces may be left to fill, which could hurt your chances of getting in. Remember that most schools will not even begin to review your application until they have received all the necessary documents to be proactive about making your requests for recommendations and writing your essays. Take the LSAT as soon as possible without compromising your score – if you are fully prepared, take the test at the first available sitting. You should also remember that even if you are not accepted during the first round of admissions, there may still be hope. Many schools put students on a waitlist, offering priority acceptance to one set of students

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Do You Need to Pick a Major Before Starting Community College?

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Do You Need to Pick a Major Before Starting Community College?
Picking a major is a big decision. You shouldn't rush, but there are benefits to making your choice early. Keep reading to receive tips for choosing a major.

When you set foot on a college campus for the first time and start to meet other students, the question you are most likely to be asked first is, “What’s your major?” For some, this question rears its ugly head even earlier, during high school before you even decide where (or if) you are going to college. Choosing a major is a big decision and one that will have a serious impact on the rest of your life. This being the case, it is not something you should take lightly.

But just how important is it to pick a major before you start college? Or can you wait until you have a few classes under your belt to see what you really like? If you are still undecided, it isn’t the end of the world – you can still graduate with the major of your choice and enter the “real world” in your chosen field. Keep reading to learn more about which majors offer the best chances for success and to receive tips for choosing a major that suits your interests.

What Exactly is a Major?

A college major is simply a specialized area of study. When you choose a major, you are choosing the direction of your academic career. In addition to taking any general education requirements your school might have, you will also be taking classes that are relevant to your major. Most community colleges and traditional universities offer a wide variety of

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