State Chief encourages online tool to search for colleges

From State Supt. desk:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today encouraged families with college-bound students to take advantage of CollegeWeekLive - a free, online resource to help students search for an appropriate college or university.

           "In these tough economic times, families may have a difficult time visiting all the colleges or universities across the country that their children are interested in attending," said O'Connell. "Now they can narrow their search and save a lot of time and money by using a free, online resource called CollegeWeekLive. I encourage families to consider using this Web resource in addition to searching the Internet or visiting higher education facilities to get information, so they may compare facilities."

CollegeWeekLive is like a virtual college fair that is connected to hundreds of colleges and universities that exhibit on its Web portal. CollegeWeekLive may make the search for a facility easier and more cost-effective by bringing students, parents, counselors, and colleges together online, overcoming cost and distance. CollegeWeekLive is free service for students and parents who often register by the thousands to participate in their live, online events.

The next online event is November 4-7, 2009 at http://www.collegeweeklive.com. Online speakers will tell families what they need to know about attending college next year, college entrance exams, how to write a winning college application essay, and test preparation strategies. Registrants may also get information on how to pay for college, get scholarships, take virtual tours of campuses, talk online with college admission counselors, and choose the right school. During the live event, families may visit virtual exhibit booths, where they may access electronic brochures and course catalogs; view campus images, videos, and podcasts; participate in real-time Instant Messaging and video chats between students and school representatives; see scheduled school-specific presentations by admissions officials; find resources for students and parents; and network with other attendees. If families miss the live event, the information is searchable through the CollegeWeekLive archive.

To register for the next CollegeWeekLive, please visit http://www.CollegeWeekLive.com.