Captain Howard is a public affairs officer who works for the U.S. Army Cadet Command, which includes:

* Junior ROTC for high school students

* Senior ROTC for college students

* Senior program is available at more than 1,000 colleges

However, Howard did not go through the ROTC program. “I wasn’t aware of the program when I went to college,” Howard said. So he had a lot of loan debt from college.

Then, he applied to become an Army officer because he wanted more responsibility and wanted to lead at a higher level. He now works to make people aware of what the ROTC program is all about and how students can benefit from ROTC.

What is ROTC?

ROTC is a leadership development program in the country. It is the equivalent of taking one lab and one elective per semester. The education focuses on leadership training:

* Tactics

* Military theory

* Applications

* Management

* Decision making techniques

* Cultural awareness

* Problem-solving skills

“All of those things contribute to developing and educating a competent leader that can perform as an Army officer but also as a viable civilian leader,” said Howard.

You can still have the normal college life, yet you have this opportunity as well!

Commitment & Benefits:

Initially, there is no commitment when in the ROTC program. However, students will incur a service obligation after completing the ROTC program and graduating college. The time period for service depends on various factors.

“There is a possibility of all service members at some point being called to a particular mission,” Howard said. However, this is viewed as an opportunity to serve and make a substantial contribution to your country.

Benefits to participating in the program include:

* Become an Army officer

* Scholarships awarded

Scholarships are available by participating in the ROTC program. Students who want to participate in the program and possibly receive a scholarship should:

* Have a good academic background

* Want to lead

Scholarship Process:

To find information about ROTC scholarships, contact local ROTC offices or visit www.armyrotc.com. The site includes:

* Testimonials

* List of participating colleges

* Applications

* And much more!

What kind of students are right for ROTC?

The ROTC program is open to all majors. “It is really important that it be open to all majors because we like a broad range of perspectives,” said Howard.

However, students with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background are encouraged. Also, ROTC seeks scholar athlete leader (SAL) students:

* Study and learn things quickly

* Have a good work ethic

* Have athletic ability to build resilience

* Want to lead

“That’s what we are looking for when it comes to those students,” said Howard.

Physical Requirements:

All students interested in the ROTC program have to undergo a medical review and physical assessment.

Once in the program, students will go through cadet initial training to provide a baseline for all ROTC cadets to learn fundamental skills such as:

* Rifle training

* Land navigation

Then, they will go through a cadet leader course, which reinforces and further trains cadets in a complex environment.

Career in the Military

Once students complete the ROTC program, they can go on to have a part-time or full-time career in the military if they prefer.

“You can serve as long as you please, as long as you remain qualified and competitive,” said Howard.

Justin Gaither is the founder of Roomsurf and Textsurf, which connects college students with roommates and textbooks. Also, he is the co-founder of eCampus Ventures.

Gaither went to high school in Long Island, New York. But he decided to go to college at the University of Miami. That is when his entrepreneurial mindset was sparked. As a student, he started a couple ventures.

• Maximize space in dorm rooms by building loft beds to elevate the bed for space to add other items (sofa, TV, etc.).
• Roomsurf.com: Incoming college freshmen were trying to find compatible roommates via Facebook messages. So Justin created a much easier system for students to find roommates.

Justin Gaither is the founder of Roomsurf and Textsurf, which connects college students with roommates and textbooks. Also, he is the co-founder of eCampus Ventures.

Gaither went to high school in Long Island, New York. But he decided to go to college at the University of Miami. That is when his entrepreneurial mindset was sparked. As a student, he started a couple ventures.

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Maximize space in dorm rooms by building loft beds to elevate the bed for space to add other items (sofa, TV, etc.).

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Roomsurf.com: Incoming college freshmen were trying to find compatible roommates via Facebook messages. So Justin created a much easier system for students to find roommates.

Roomsurf

Roomsurf uses questions to help find and match compatible roommates. Questions include:

* How outgoing are you?

* What’s your policy on guests and visitors?

* What time do you go to bed?

* Are you a smoker or non-smoker?

These things matter when living with another person in small quarters. The questions relate to the student as well as who they would consider to be their ideal roommate.

Questions are weighed based on importance. That way, deal breakers can be established.

Matches

Once incoming students complete the questionnaire, their answers are processed and they receive a list of matches based on those who participate in the Roomsurf program.

The matches are ranked from best to worst and include compatibility percentages. The students can filter matches based on:

* Preferred housing preferences

* Area of Study

* Planned campus activities

“They can then browse profiles and communicate directly with potential matches and kind of figure out who they would like to live with,” said Gaither.

Students submit mutual requests to live together.

Once a student has found someone and they decide to become roommates, they submit a mutual request on their housing application to live together. Depending on the school, this request can be processed via:

* Email

* Application

* Online system

* Roomsurf website

The Good ‘Ol Days vs. Today

Before there was the Internet, college roommates did not know or meet their roommates until they arrived at school.

Now, for those who do not use the Roomsurf program or have mutual agreements, schools typical send out a brief questionnaire (not nearly as detailed as Roomsurf’s version). Then the schools’ housing department matches roommates by hand based on preferences.

“Now, there’s a social network where people can look each other up. So students were kind of checking out their roommate assignments and finding things they didn’t like about them,” said Gaither.

The students then contact their school and ask to be reassigned. Fortunately, Gaither’s Roomsurf allows students to self-select and avoid these issues.

Timeline for Roommate Selection Process

As early as November the year before a student goes to college, they could receive acceptance letters. As soon as a student gets their acceptance letter, they should try to identify a way to connect with potential roommates:

Class Facebook groups

Roomsurf

Roommate-type research

Roommate Assignments

Schools typically send out roommate assignments during the summer before college starts. Therefore, students often start looking for their own roommate beforehand, sometimes even before they are accepted to a school.

Accommodations

Roomsurf typically helps with roommate assignments for just two people for on-campus housing. However, Gaither plans to expand Roomsurf’s services to match three or more students for larger accommodations on and off campus.

Paying the price for the perfect roommate!

Elizabeth is considered an educational pathfinder! She is a(n):

• College consultant
• SAT tutor
• Admission expert

Elizabeth attended Wellesley College, where she was one of the top writing tutors. As a result, people asked her to help others with writing. Then she was asked to teach the SAT. "The kids were getting great scores," she said of those she taught.

Next, she was asked to help with the college application process. "I just kind of taught myself the process. I had only applied to one school – Wellesley – when I applied to college. So I wasn't the typical, sort of high school to college student. But I learned the process, and the kids were getting really good results – getting into the really tough schools like Harvard and MIT and Cal Tech."

Elizabeth works with families that have students trying to attend elite colleges. She discusses information and resources available to those families.

Elizabeth Dankoski – What She Does and How She Does It

Elizabeth is considered an educational pathfinder! She is a(n):

* College consultant

* SAT tutor

* Admission expert

Elizabeth attended Wellesley College, where she was one of the top writing tutors. As a result, people asked her to help others with writing. Then she was asked to teach the SAT. “The kids were getting great scores,” she said of those she taught.

Next, she was asked to help with the college application process. “I just kind of taught myself the process. I had only applied to one school – Wellesley – when I applied to college. So I wasn’t the typical, sort of high school to college student. But I learned the process, and the kids were getting really good results – getting into the really tough schools like Harvard and MIT and Cal Tech.”

Elizabeth works with families that have students trying to attend elite colleges.

She discusses information and resources available to those families.

Changing Trends:

About three to four years ago, people were following the typical formula when applying to colleges:

* Top SAT scores

* Top grade point average (GPA)

* Numerous extra-curricular activities

* Outstanding essays

Elizabeth was following that typical formula, but then things changed. Some of the students she helped were not getting into the top colleges.

“I was curious – what is the difference? They look the same on paper,” said Elizabeth. She realized that the difference was that those who were getting into the top colleges had a strong, distinguishing factor.

“It really came down to having a unique project or a unique undertaking or some way that expressed how they were different,” she said.

Students and Stress Levels

“I was really concerned about the level of stress that the kids were dealing with,” said Elizabeth. They were overworked and exhausted, but thought that all they were doing would help them to get into the top colleges (Ivy League schools like Cornell, Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, etc.). When that did not happen for some, it felt unfair.

Students were so stressed and worried about being accepted to specific colleges. So Elizabeth explained to the students that besides following the typical formula, they also had to figure out their distinguishing factor.

“So that’s really become my mission,” she said. “Every student needs to have a purpose, have a passion, have something that lights them up.”

Top and Mid-Tier Schools:

Elizabeth helps students who want to go to Ivy League schools or mid-tier schools, including Duke and Notre Dame. She helps them identify:

* Where do they want to go? Where are they going to thrive?

* What kind of environment do they need to get the resources they need?

* Do they need to be in a large university?

* Do they need a smaller, liberal arts environment?

“It really is a very individual experience, and I look at it holistically with my students,” said Elizabeth.

Parents of high achieving students:

Parents often do not know how to help their children or the steps they should take. So Elizabeth offered some advice:

* Read Cal Newport’s book, How to Be a High School Superstar.

* Help students identify their passion and purpose – their distinguishing factor.

* Have students complete Elizabeth’s free college readiness assessment quiz, which is available on her Web site.

Price Tags:

Attending the top schools can be costly. But parents and students need to consider the following:

* Most top schools have large endowments, so they can give out a lot of financial aid.

* Price tags are usually less than what is marketed.

* If they are able to pay, then they will most likely have to pay and not receive scholarships or merit awards.

Divorced parents need to be on the same page when it comes to college planning and finance for their children.

Sandy Durst is the founding partner of the Durst Firm, a law firm that deals with family law and divorce.

• 99 percent of the practice is devoted exclusively to divorce and family law matters in New Jersey.
• Sandy has about 16 years of experience.

Laws have become complicated, so such experience and focus helps clients with divorce and related issues.

Durst shares his knowledge and experience when it comes to divorce laws in New Jersey, but every state's laws vary. If you have questions, please contact an attorney in your state for individualized guidance and advice.

Divorced parents need to be on the same page when it comes to college planning and finance for their children.

Sandy Durst is the founding partner of the Durst Firm, a law firm that deals with family law and divorce.

* 99 percent of the practice is devoted exclusively to divorce and family law matters in New Jersey.

* Sandy has about 16 years of experience.

Laws have become complicated, so such experience and focus helps clients with divorce and related issues.

Durst shares his knowledge and experience when it comes to divorce laws in New Jersey, but every state’s laws vary. If you have questions, please contact an attorney in your state for individualized guidance and advice.

New Jersey Cases

Durst provides background on cases in New Jersey that have hit the news, including ones where children suing their parents to help pay for college.

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Rachel Canning: Her parents were married but had a disagreement about how much or if they would pay for college. So, Rachel sued her parents to compel them to pay for her college education.

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Another New Jersey Student: Sued her divorced parents to compel them to pay for her college education. Although the parents were divorced, they shared a same position about their child’s college education. But that did not match their child’s position – getting funded by grandparents. “The family dynamic there is strained – to say the least,” said Durst.

New Jersey is somewhat unique. It is only one of four to six states that can, as part of a divorce process, impose upon the parents to be responsible for their child’s college expenses.

“If you’re getting divorced in New Jersey, whether it is fair or not or whether you like it or not, the obligation to pay for college can be opposed upon you (the parents),” said Durst.

Parents and Financial Aid

College is costly. When students apply for financial aid, the amount they are given (if anything) often depends on how much money their parents make. Plus, the parents have the choice to not pay for their children’s college education. Then, funding for college can become an issue.

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Not providing funding does not mean that the parents do not love their children.

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Instead, it can come down to feasibility and means due to the high cost of college.

The more you can plan and layout the expectations and rules in the divorce process, the better position parents will be in when it comes to their children’s college education.

Scenarios:

There are various scenarios that come into play with divorce and college:

* Parents have been divorced for a while, and their child is about to go to college.

* Parents getting divorced in parallel to when their child is ready to go to college.

* Parents are getting divorced while their child is already in college.

Parents may have differing opinions on college and whether they should pay for it or not. One may believe in the value and importance of college, while the other does not. Legally, however, they may be forced to pay for their children’s college education. Again, it depends on individual state laws.

Child Support:

Child support money may become questioned when it comes to college:

* Parent who provides child support: Why wasn’t some of the child support money saved for college?

* Other parent: Used the child support to pay for immediate day-to-day needs; did not have any extra leftover to save. My ex makes a lot of money, why can’t he pay for it?

Parents who do not identify rules during the divorce process and when the children are young are setting themselves up for vast misunderstandings.

“I think it needs to be addressed some way,” said Durst. “Leaving it out is a bad practice.

Alexis Amarante is a senior studying theatre at James Madison University in Virginia. "I have been interested in performing arts my whole life," she said. "Right now, I am looking into what I am going to be doing after college. So, I am pretty excited about that!"

At school, she has been focusing on performing arts. However, her studies also include:

• Stage management
• Costume design
• Scenic design

Alexis Amarante is a senior studying theatre at James Madison University in Virginia. “I have been interested in performing arts my whole life,” she said. “Right now, I am looking into what I am going to be doing after college. So, I am pretty excited about that!”

At school, she has been focusing on performing arts. However, her studies also include:

* Stage management

* Costume design

* Scenic design

Passion for Performing Arts:

She had visited James Madison University and fell in love with it. She decided to come into the school with an undeclared major. “I wanted to pursue the arts,” she said. However, many people tried to dissuade her from an acting career – telling her:

* It was a very difficult career

* There was no money to be made

* It was impossible to make it in that world

“That’s probably my biggest mistake,” she said, letting others influence her degree and career decisions. After seeing one show at the university, she decided: “I was like, I need to be doing this. This is what I love. This is what I want to do.”

So she auditioned into the university’s performing arts program as a sophomore. But she started theatre while still in elementary school. “I feel in love with theatre then,” she said.

* She continued to pursue theatre through middle and high school.

* By the time she graduated high school, she had been a part of 13 choirs and 12 shows.

Auditioning Process for University’s Performing Arts Program:

Alexis had to audition for the performing arts program, even though she was a sophomore. She described the audition process as:

* Long – due to the amount of preparation needed.

* Had to prepare two separate monologues equaling a minute each.

* Required to bring in a headshot, resume, and letter of recommendation.

* Needed to write a letter to the school about why she wanted to be a part of the program.

After the audition, she had an interview with some of the university theatre staff. Dennis Beck, Roger Hall, and Wolf Sherrill made up the panel that decided whether Alexis would become part of the program.

“It’s quite competitive here,” Alexis said. As a transfer, it was a little different. Out of 15 of those who auditioned, only about three made it into the program – including Alexis. But auditions are held year-round. During a typical audition, there are about 300-400 competing – vying for about 30 spots. “There are a lot of people, and we don’t have a very large class.”

What does it take to be accepted into the performing arts program?

There are various requirements, but here are a few that are needed and others that are not:

* It is primarily based on talent

* GPA – good grades don’t mean you will be accepted!

“You could be the best student in the world, but if you can’t act – I don’t think your GPA has a bearing on it,” Alexis said. However, grades do come into play – just to gain admission to the university!

Classes and Day-to-day Process:

For Alexis, her focus is on performance classes. A typical day for her is:

* Go to an acting or performance analysis class

* Go to a dance class

* Serve as a teacher’s assistant (TA) for various classes

* Attend general studies classes – English, math, science, history, etc.

“It really varies depending on what your interests are, what you’re doing …” Alexis said.

Performances and Productions:

Besides attending classes, Alexis also participates in the university’s performances and productions. Currently, she is in production for a show called, Shipwrecked – where she plays 15+ different types of characters. She has rehearsals every night. She is also in production for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

“So, it is a very busy day. I have a full class load,

This episode features an interview with Audrey, a student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and her father Kurt. They share their advice and experience regarding gap years.

Audrey took a year off after high school to pursue additional learning opportunities in Africa.

A gap year is something your children may consider in the future. Most of those who study abroad or participate in a gap year program discover that it is the best thing they ever did!