A Liberal Arts Education

Eighty percent of children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2007 will eventually hold types of jobs that don’t exist right now. That, at least, is what the US Department of Labor predicts. To a slightly lesser degree, the same holds true for the average senior graduating from college. Twenty years from now, thanks to developing technology, changing demographics, and cultural shifts, the job market in which you’ll be competing will look a whole lot different from the job market you’ll be entering after college.

So how can you prepare now for a career that no one has yet to imagine? It’s simple. Get a liberal arts education.

Colleges and universities with strong liberal arts programs—core curriculums with classes in literature, history, the natural sciences, and the social sciences—foster creative thinking, problem-solving skills, analytical abilities, and clear communication. Those are skills all employers look for and that can help you succeed in any field. Most importantly, those are skills that help you lead a more rich, more rewarding, and more human life.

So, when choosing a college, look for one that offers you more that just training for the job. Look for one that offers you training for life.

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Aim High

Do you want to get into the college of your choice? Then make sure to abide by the do’s and don’ts of taking the ACT and SAT.

DO take a prep course for one of these standardized tests. Most high schools offer them free of charge, and there are also private classes available online and in most major cities.

DO take practice versions of these tests on your own. The more familiar you are with the format, the better you will do.

DO take both the ACT and the SAT. Most schools accept either test. Since most students do better with one format over the other, you’ll be able to submit the test on which you did the best to the colleges to which you’re applying.

DON’T stay up late the night before the test, skip breakfast, or do anything else that might impair your ability to think clearly and quickly. A big part of test taking is acting smart

DON’T give up. If you don’t score as high as you’d like the first time, take the test again. Many students take the ACT or SAT two or three times in order to get the score they need.

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The Write Way

It takes more to get accepted by America’s top colleges than just good grades and high test scores. It also takes a well-written college essay. Your essay is where you get the chance to show admissions counselors who you are and what matters most to you. It also makes your application more personal, and can sometimes make or break your chances of admission. With that in mind, here are a few tips for writing the perfect college essay:

Have someone you trust proofread the essay. Better yet, have two people proofread it. An essay filled with spelling and grammar mistakes is not the best way to impress an admissions counselor.

Answer the question. If they ask you what your favorite book is, don’t spend two paragraphs talking about your time on the basketball team.

Keep it simple. A clear, concise answer is always more effective than a long, complicated one.

Finally, be honest. Remember, the essay is about showing a school who you are, not who you think they want you to be.