Article by Yaerin Wallenberger We all know that Maine is a great place to go to college, but maybe you’re looking for a new adventure as you apply to colleges. If you’re looking for a fun and affordable college experience in one of the other five New England states, I have great news for you! The New England Regional Students Program (RSP) is an agreement between public colleges in New England that lets you apply to programs outside of Maine, and get a significant tuition break in the process. Today, we’ll dive a little deeper into how the RSP works, so that you can have the best of New England at your fingertips when you apply to college. What sorts of programs does RSP offer?RSP offers both associate (two-year) degrees and bachelor’s (four-year) degrees. Within each degree, you can study basically anything you can imagine. For students like you whose home state is Maine, you could choose any of over two hundred associate programs and over two hundred and fifty bachelor’s programs. Particularly if the UMaine system doesn’t offer a program you’re interested in, RSP could be great for you. Have no idea what sorts of programs you’re interested in yet? Check out this past article on ideas for what you could major in! How much of a tuition break can I get through rsp?On average, RSP students get $8,200 off their college tuition, although the individual amount varies based on the specific college and program you’re applying to. So instead of paying the yearly average of $19,000 that out-of-state students would otherwise pay to attend a New England public college, you’d be paying something more like $9,800 a year. $9,800 a year still sounds like a lot. Can RSP students also fill out the Fafsa?You betcha! You’re encouraged to fill out the FAFSA so that you can make the experience even more affordable. For tips on filling out your FAFSA, you can check out some of our past newsletters. Wow, this all sounds great, and I'd like to get started right now!If you already have ideas about what state, degree, or program you want to pursue, you can try using the New England Board Of Higher Education (NEBHE) interactive search tool to look for colleges that fit your interests. Once you find a college and program that interests you, you can get ready to submit an application to that college. I'm excited, but I still have questions. Where can I find more info?The NEBHE website is the single best place to look, particularly at the Frequently Asked Questions page and the Maine residents page. In addition, each participating college will have a page of their own about the RSP, so if you have specific colleges in mind, it’s also great to look at those. Finally, if you’d prefer to hear someone talk about the RSP instead of just reading about it, NEBHE has a YouTube channel.
If you have any questions, or are excited to talk about any of the RSP-eligible colleges you’re considering, feel free to leave a comment down below, or to shoot an email to me or to any of the other Maine College Circle members. Now, go forth and conquer New England (in the most academic way possible)!
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Article by Yaerin Wallenberger When you think of “college”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it a lot of studying? Is it going to clubs and meeting so many awesome people? Is your first thought about college not even about college, but about the cool jobs you’re going to be able to get once you have a college degree? All of these are important parts of what goes on at college, and regardless of what your goals are, colleges have a lot of resources to help you along the way! In this article, we’ll have a quick look at just a few of the resources your college will make available to you during your time as a student (and beyond)! 1. Health centerIt goes without saying that colleges care a lot about all their students staying healthy! Each college will each have some type of health center, where you can go to get some of the most basic health necessities— Bowdoin has a little counter where you can grab little “self-care kits”, which include ear plugs, ibuprofen, aspirin, and cough drops. They’ll also have trained healthcare professionals, and you can make appointments with them to chat about your health. They’re super nice, and anything you say to them stays confidential— that means they won’t tell anyone else about your conversation without your permission. 2. Counseling servicesBesides resources that help promote physical health, colleges will also have resources to help you to maintain good mental health. If you ever need to talk things out with someone, colleges also have counseling centers, where you can schedule a meeting with a licensed counselor. You can go to counseling if you’re having a hard time in school or with your friends, or if you want a safe place to learn and practice new life skills. Like people working at the health center, counselors will keep what you talked about confidential. Counselors at college are some of the nicest, least-judgemental people ever, and they’re always there for you if you need them. 3. athletic facilitiesIf you’re looking for proactive ways to stay healthy, your college will definitely have some athletic facilities. Usually, they’ll have a gym, a field, and a pool, and many colleges have far more than that. (Fun fact: Bowdoin football players have their own special hot tub that they use after their practices!) Getting lots of exercise is helpful for both physical and mental health, so your athletic facilities are a great resource to take advantage of while you’re at college. 4. Recreational facilitiesEvery college will have slightly different recreational facilities, but regardless of where you end up going, you’ll be able to find all sorts of cool places on campus to explore all of your hobbies. Colleges typically have a student center where you can hang out with your friends, art and music studios where you can participate in creative activities. If you want to explore doing outdoor activities, many colleges will also have clubs that can loan you equipment and help you find the best spots to explore. College is a great time to continue developing interests that you already have, and to discover new ones. 5. Academic assistanceNow that we’ve covered the basics of staying healthy and happy at college, there are also tons of resources to help you to do well in class. To start off with, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor— they’re usually a professor who will help you to pick classes and to adjust to the new academic expectations at college. There are also tutoring centers; some colleges will have professional tutors, while other colleges will promote peer-mentoring, where older students will help you. If you’re a more independent learner, your college will also have at least one library where you can go and read up on any subject that you’d like to know more about. 6. career planningColleges also want you to be able to get a good job, so they’ll have a career center to help you figure out what you want to do after you graduate. People who work at the career center at your college can help you to apply for internships and jobs, write all the documents you need for job applications, and more! Each college also has an alumni network, which means that even after you graduate, other people who went to your college can help you in your job search. Your college is a lifelong community that will continue to support you long after you graduate. 7. ConclusionTo summarize, college is far more than just a place where you take your classes— it’s a place where you can unlock your potential in many aspects of your life. Your college’s resources are there for you to use, and you definitely shouldn’t be shy about using them. Here’s to happy, healthy, and exciting college years in your future!
If you have any questions about resources at college or any other general college questions, you can drop a comment down below— you can also write an email to [email protected] or to any one of us! Article by Yaerin Wallenberger Who’s the smartest person in your class? Is it the person who’s constantly raising their hand to answer the teacher’s questions? The person who gets straight As in every subject? The person who’s always ready to help you when you’re stuck? Could you be the smartest in your class, or are you convinced that you’re definitely not? Surprise — those are all trick questions! According to Howard Gardner, a famous psychologist, we’re all smart in different ways. Gardner proposed that there are many different types of intelligence, which we each have to varying degrees. Knowing what your strongest intelligences are can help you develop a sense of confidence in your own abilities, and it can also help you to choose what you’re going to study in college. In no particular order, here’s a quick summary of each type of intelligence, and some college majors that you might enjoy if that’s a strong intelligence for you. 1. Logical-Mathematical intelligenceYou’re great at understanding how numbers work, you enjoy conducting scientific experiments, and you like reasoning through complex and abstract problems. People often describe you as logical, precise, and practical. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high logical-mathematical intelligence. Your ideal area of study would involve challenging concepts and coming up with effective solutions, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
2. Linguistic-verbal intelligenceYou’re great at working with the written and/or spoken word, you love telling stories, and you love curling up in your bed with a good book. People often describe you as witty, creative, and having a big vocabulary. Sound familiar? If so, you probably have high linguistic-verbal intelligence. Your ideal area of study would allow you to put all your words to good use in expressing yourself, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
3. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligenceOn the dance floor, you’re always the one with the best moves. If you play a sport, you’re one of the star players on your team. You love being active, and people generally describe you as being in-tune with the things going on around you. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence. Your ideal area of study would allow you to work hands-on and interact with the world around you, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
4. Musical intelligenceYou have an instrument you play— maybe more than one— and you love listening to music. Often, you find yourself mentally humming along to any tune playing in the background. Perhaps you’ve even written or considered writing a song of your own. People often remark that you have a good sense of pitch and rhythm. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high Musical intelligence. Your ideal area of study allows you to experience the melody of the world around you, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
5. Visual-spatial intelligenceYou’re great at picturing things in your mind, you have a good sense of direction, and you like working with maps, pictures, and graphs. You may enjoy doing visual arts, such as drawing, painting, or sculpture. People often remark that you’re very observant. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high Visual-Spatial intelligence. Your ideal area of study allows you to interact with visual stimuli in new and engaging ways, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
6. Interpersonal intelligenceYou constantly find yourself fascinated by people, and you enjoy helping others however you can. Others often remark that you’re good at understanding others’ motives and perspectives, and that you are empathetic and easy to communicate with. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high Interpersonal intelligence. Your ideal area of study allows you to spend time around people, and to further your understanding of others, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
7. Intrapersonal intelligence“Know thyself”, as many say— well, nobody knows you better than you do! You’re in-tune with your own thoughts and feelings, and you’re typically motivated to do things that will help you feel personally fulfilled. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high Intrapersonal intelligence. Your ideal area of study allows you to feel more connected to yourself, and to express your feelings, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
8. Naturalistic intelligenceWhenever you get the chance, you like to be outside. You feel the most at home in the forest, or on top of a tall mountain, or on the beach. You love animals, and they often love you back. Sound like you? If so, you probably have high Naturalist intelligence. Your ideal area of study allows you to stay connected to the natural world, so you may enjoy something similar to one of these majors:
Did you notice that some of the majors were repeated more than once? That’s because there are many ways to be good at one major. Regardless of what you think your highest intelligence is, you should study something that you find inspiring and fun. What are your highest intelligence(s), and what are you thinking of majoring in? Comment down below, or send any of us an email at [email protected] or our personal emails! Resources Free Multiple Intelligences test: https://www.mentalup.co/blog/multiple-intelligence-test Further descriptions and career ideas based on multiple intelligences: https://www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-2795161 Article by Yaerin Wallenberger Did someone just say “I love Maine?” Me too! If you’re thinking about going to college, considering the options near home is a great place to start. With unique campuses all across the state, a wide spread of majors (with the chance to design your own), and built-in measures to make your college experience accessible and affordable, the University of Maine system might just have the perfect college experience waiting for you. Below, in no particular order, I’ve collected some of the highlights from each of the seven UMaine colleges— you can read them all now, or you can come back to the article when you need it later. 1. University of maine flagshipAre you really excited to attend a big university, learn from professors who produce incredible research, and possibly participate in research while you’re still in college? If so, you might like the original University of Maine flagship research university in Orono:
2. University of maine at augustaAre you interested in studying flexibly, perhaps from near home or maybe even right from the comfort of your own house? If so, you might want to check out the University of Maine in Augusta:
3. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FarmingtonAre you looking for a smaller and cozier college experience? Do you like to study a wide variety of topics, or do you have a special interest in becoming a teacher? If so, the University of Maine in Farmington might be the place for you:
4. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT Fort kentAre you excited to have a more rural college experience that allows you to focus on taking responsibility for the environment? Do you want to consider getting a two-year Associate’s Degree? If so, you might like the University of Maine at Fort Kent:
5. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT machiasDo you want to attend a college with close ties to its community and has an emphasis on community service? If so, consider the University of Maine at Machias:
6. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT Presque isleDo you want a college experience that meets your needs, both academically and financially? Are you interested in gaining hands-on experience that will help you find a job after college? If so, you should check out the University of Maine at Presque Isle:
7. UNIVERSITY OF southern maineIf you read all of this in one go, you’re a real trooper, and you might also be a great fit for the University of Southern Maine, which offers a lot of cool study options for motivated students like you:
8. ConclusionTo summarize everything written up there, there’s a lot to love about the University of Maine colleges— they’re exciting, affordable, and unique! So, where should you go from here? If it’s application season for you, you could consider visiting any of these websites I used for this article to find out more: General UMaine website: https://www.maine.edu/universities/ Flagship: https://umaine.edu Augusta: https://www.uma.edu/ Farmington: https://www.umf.maine.edu/ Fort Kent: https://www.umfk.edu/programs/ Machias: https://machias.edu/ Presque Isle: https://www.umpi.edu/ Southern Maine: https://usm.maine.edu/ Additional resources: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-maine-machias-2055#:~:text=University%20of%20Maine%2D%2DMachias%20admissions%20is%20least%20selective%20with,score%20of%2018%20and%2020. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-maine-machias-2055#:~:text=University%20of%20Maine%2D%2DMachias%20admissions%20is%20least%20selective%20with,score%20of%2018%20and%2020. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-maine https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-southern-maine/majors/ https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-maine-presque-isle-2033/academics If it’s still not quite time for you to be submitting your applications, consider showing this article to your parents, an older sibling, or another mentor figure and having a conversation about what excites you as you learn more about the college process. Regardless of where you’re at in the application process, feel free to go to the “Who Are We” page and write an email to anyone at Maine College Circle, or to the Maine College Circle general email with your questions, comments, or anything else. We’d love to hear from you! |
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