Whether it’s summer camp or school at any level you’re considering, this post is for you especially if you’ve made it to the end of the article. Three factors will be looked at: levels of academic support, social support, and financial resources.
To find academic support, I looked on the school’s website to find the academics tab on their website. My school had it and then within that tab, there was a tab called academic resources. Under the academics tab, I searched for anything that could be useful for me to achieve my goals. For example; if you’re goal is academic prowess look for resources that could be useful to you in achieving this goal at the school you’re interested in. At Stony Brook University, there is free quality tutoring available in any subject area and professors are mostly happy to help during office hours. Professors answer questions at the end and during office hours.
To find social support, look for a tab called “campus life” on your school’s website. Look under this tab to see if there are any things or resources that appeal to you or that you could find most useful. Explore the tabs on the school’s website to see if you like what it offers you and brainstorm briefly how it can help you make the most of your time there. For example; there are many social clubs to participate in at Stony Brook.
To find financial resources nowadays, you can find other schools’ recommended scholarship lists to apply for on Google.
Apply for Pell and TAP and any financial aid at your college as well as other scholarships offered on campus. While in college, some colleges have meal plans. Budget your meal plan points to ensure you spent what you have.
Look for jobs on campus that pay for your room & board on campus and food. For example; RA positions or Research positions.
How do I know if my college has research opportunities? Perused your school’s website once again to find research opportunities. See the above screenshot for example. Email the professors with your credentials and express interest in their research. If you’re lucky, you will get an interview.
I would also recommend searching to see if the school publicizes when it receives large monetary gifts. If it does, you will know it likely grants some of its funds for students and/or have abundant quality resources available to students. Stony Brook offers both before accepting your admissions offers.
Your connections formed in college with colleagues and professors alike can lead to jobs or recommendation letters for your future jobs.
Additionally, word-of-mouth insights on any type of resource can be very powerful. You could learn lots of things on school tours before attending the school.
Going the distance before applying to a school you’re interested in, searching for social, financial, and academic support beforehand if you have time can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Visit the school and tour it.