Comparison-shopping for Colleges

With Hanukkah winding down and Christmas right around the corner, newspapers across the country this week have highlighted some cool websites and mobile phone applications that can make comparison shopping a lot easier. One product that caught my eye, was the mobile application, ShopSavvy, created by Big in Japan, a development company based out of Dallas, TX. Mentioned in the Wall Street Journal , and in the New York Times, the app allows people to take pictures of barcodes, upload them to ShopSavvy, and have ShopSavvy compare the price of that item across various retailers. Now, if Bettergrads had any input regarding how this app would function, I think our team would want the app to be able compare the cost of attending various colleges. Imagine being able to hold up an iPhone to any text document where the name of a college appears, and with the simple click of [...]

COLLEGE IS HOGWARTS!?

College reputations are never a reality – or never a complete reality, at least. Prospective college students would be very well advised to spend less time “drink[ing] in the tour guide’s every word” – on claims of Hogwarts or otherwise – and more time asking tough questions, doing extensive research and introspection, and, most importantly, engaging as many current college students and young professionals for their insights and actual experiences as they can.

BetterGrads Week(s) in Review #2

With many exciting recent developments to share, including the first (inter)national BetterGrads team meeting, a presentation to the Rotary Club of Pleasanton North, upcoming presentations at Oakland Tech, initial feedback from GHS, it’s time for another update on BetterGrads!

BetterGrads Week(s) in Review #1 + Video

BetterGrads week in review #1: Community Initiatives meeting and Granada High School College 101 Presentations to over 600 students and parents.

Academic Support

When struggling with a subject in high school, you might have looked for a local tutor to help clear up the confusion. And it was safe to say that the tutor was either a local college student, or recent college graduate. So, what happens in college when you are struggling with your coursework? Who tutors the college kids? Who offers to the opportunity to proofread your 20-page research paper a few days before you need to turn it in? Who offers the opportunity to take un-timed exams if you have a documented learning disorder? All of these things happen when you take advantage of your college’s Center for Academic Excellence / Writing Center. These places are usually located somewhere within the caverns of your school’s library (which should become one of your top-5 places you could be found, during any given day, while in college), and should be put to [...]

Big Week for BetterGrads: 800 Students, 7 “College 101″ Presentations, 2 Days

This week, members of our national team and local college student peer advisors will deliver our first series of “College 101″ presentations.

The semester’s started; now get to work!

10 reasons to get an on-campus job

What prevents a school’s culture from being “college going”?

Is it even possible to create a college going culture at a high school if one does not exist already? This article highlights three of the barriers that inhibit a school’s ability to promote a college going culture.

Our Teaser!

A link to our teaser video.

Inspiration: San Lorenzo High School College Going Culture Site Visit

Part 1/3: Overview of San Lorenzo High School College Going Culture Site Visit