Texas Campus Carry- Guns on College and Universities Campuses in Texas 2016 Update March 2016- Dallas News Publishes Campus Carry Tracker, which provides an interactive that shows where on each camps that guns are allowed. Update February 2016- UT Releases Gun Policy and UH Faculty Hold Safety Seminar and told to alter curriculum and limit access to students to avoid being shot. Senate Bill 11, passed in 2015, allows for the possession … [Read more...]
Four Texas Universities Earn Tier One Status
The top Texas colleges, with the Carnegie designation of Tier One status, are Rice University, UT, Texas A&M, and UH. The Carnegie ranking- one of the most prestigious- is updated every five years and only lists 115 universities in the top category. In Spring 2016, four more Texas universities were added to the list: University of Texas at Dallas University of Texas at Arlington Texas Tech University University of North … [Read more...]
Is College Worth the Investment?
Is that fancy, expensive college degree really worth the cost of several years of tuition, room and board and books? Everyone knows that the cost of education is skyrocketing, but the answer is still YES! Wondering which colleges have the best ROI? Return on investment is the "financial return" from any investment of money, or in this case, the income amount above and beyond what a high school graduate would make. The investment is the cost of … [Read more...]
3 Steps To Take Before the End of 2015 for FAFSA
Applying for financial aid will soon be less of a headache for college students and their families. Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—used to determine financial aid from the government as well as colleges—can be filed three months earlier, or as early as October 1, nearly a year before a student would start classes the following fall. This change in timing will allow completed tax … [Read more...]
Best Colleges for Engineering
Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Scientists and inventors often get the credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but it is engineers who are instrumental in making those innovations available to the world. Engineering is one of the cornerstones of STEM education, an interdisciplinary curriculum designed … [Read more...]
Texas College Crime
Parents are always asking about college and student safety. Unfortunately, many families only base their information on the reputation of the college, its location, or rumors. To help families make more informed decisions, we conducted a data search of Texas 4- year universities with student bodies of more than 5,000 students, excluding for-profit colleges and those without residential housing. We also compiled the data for years 2012, 2013 and … [Read more...]
The New ACT Essay
The ACT Writing section (aka the essay) is new for the 2015-2016 school year. What’s the difference between the old and new ACT essay question? The old essay prompt was relevant to teenage issues and asked students to consider issues such as student dress code, curfew, whether or not students should be required to take PE or arts classes, or even whether or not texting while driving laws should be enforced. In other words, as the ACT puts it, … [Read more...]
Comparing University of Texas and Texas A&M: A Look at the Numbers
University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M at College Station are the best public universities in Texas. Many families have a strong preference for one college over the other. Whether it's the football team, the academics or the legacy, students usually favor one as well. To help families decide which college is right for their students, we'll take a look at the college's statistics and admissions data. University of Texas- … [Read more...]
Changes to the PSAT
Do you graduate in 2017 or after? If so, you’ll be taking the new redesigned PSAT, starting in October 2015, the new PSAT will be given to all juniors across the country. Some 9th-10th graders take this test as well. So what's new about the PSAT? Let’s dive into the changes being made to the redesigned PSAT. Changes in Format The new redesigned PSAT is 35 minutes longer than the old PSAT. It clocks in at 2 hours and 45 minutes, rather than … [Read more...]
Dept of Ed Announces Change Simplifying Application for Federal Financial Aid
Two weeks ago, President Obama announced a significant policy shift that will help low-income students access college financial aid by making the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) simpler to complete. This key administrative change will allow applicants to complete the FAFSA using income tax data from two years prior to the current year. This change is a major win for students, significantly simplifying the aid application … [Read more...]
