Benchmark Associates

Washington DC College Visits

Washington, DC, offers a myriad of choices for students who are interested in studying in this vibrant urban setting. While many universities boast internships as a way to entice students, accessibility during the school year can be problematic. On the other hand, Washington, DC, provides endless opportunities for research and internships in a wide [...]

Update on California Public Universities

Students in the California State Public University System are experiencing cuts in programs and furlough days that are causing unprecedented impact. In addition, many programs are designated as “impacted”, meaning there are more applications than openings in a particular program. Students applying to impacted programs may be required to file supplemental information and also may [...]

The Changing Architecture Degree

Students who are interested in studying architecture as undergraduates may want to read this article to learn more about the changes being made to programs around the country.

College of Wooster Presentation

Benchmark recently hosted our area representative for The College of Wooster (COW) and heard updates on programs on this small, liberal arts campus in Ohio. The College of Wooster is known for their strong Independent Study Program, where freshmen begin research right away, and classes are small and discussion-based. The largest class offered is an [...]

Update on Washington Colleges and Universities

I recently attended The Washington Council Fall Counselor Workshop which included presentations from representatives of many of Washington State’s private and public colleges. The following is a brief summary of some of the key points addressed at the workshop:

WSU has posted the Fall 2010 application and for the first time this year will not require [...]

Useful Resources When Assembling Your College List

To help students begin their search for colleges, consider some of these interesting sources:

www.unigo.com provides an unbiased look at popular colleges with student comments.
The 2009-10 College Destinations Index identifies the 75 best places in America for college study, ranked according to academic environment, quality of life and professional opportunities. Washington, DC is near the top [...]

Tour of Western Colleges

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program for students who are residents of WICHE states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming ) that offers enrollment in reduced-tuition programs at participating colleges outside of a student’s home state. After receiving increased requests [...]

The Value of a Liberal Arts Education

Due to mounting concerns about college costs and jobs, I am often asked about the value of a liberal arts education. This article from the Yale Daily News provides an excellent overview for families. A top administrator at Stanford University, who is often asked this question, recently reminded parents that the iPhone was developed by [...]

Colleges Still Accepting Applications for Fall 2009

There are several ways to determine which colleges are still open for applications for the Fall of 2010. The Common Application provides a  to determine if schools are still accepting applications. The National Association of College Admissions Counseling also offers an  of colleges with space available.
There are a couple ways to find colleges that are [...]

Update on Admissions

Many private colleges continue to offer excellent financial and merit aid for students, often making the private school choice a good alternative to the public schools which are facing cutbacks. Business Week has recently published an article that highlights various schools and their approaches to recent economic pressures. Representatives for the Washington State System have [...]