SAGE Scholars Monthly Newsletter | August 2023

The SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation Celebrates Winners of The Fifth Annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Competition

The SAGE Scholars Educational Foundation is excited to announce the winners of the highly anticipated Fifth Annual Dr. James B. Johnston Scholarship Competition. This year's competition yielded an exceptional response from gifted SAGE Scholars students across the nation, each illuminating their unique potential and unwavering commitment to academic achievement. Join us in celebrating their accomplishments and learn more about these inspiring scholars and the foundation's mission to assist in making higher education more accessible and affordable.

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Introducing SAGE Scholars Student Loan Marketplace

At SAGE Scholars, we believe in empowering students to achieve their educational dreams. We've partnered with Sparrow to create a cutting-edge student loan marketplace designed to help you find the best student loan in minutes. Ready to take the next step toward your education goals? Discover the benefits of our SAGE Scholars student loan marketplace today!

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The Most Important Tips for Decorating Your Dorm Room

By Ceanna Hayes Daniels

If you're a recent high school graduate planning your college packing list, odds are that you've come across multiple posts and articles full of photoshoot-ready dorm rooms and long lists of "must-have" items for your dorm room. While posts like these can be fun sources of inspiration, they rarely provide a helpful rubric for planning your dorm's set-up. In addition, they can cause students anxiety by implying that the only way to succeed in college is to spend the summer before your freshman year buying everything they advertise and carefully curating a niche aesthetic. Rather than wondering what you need to buy to make your dorm look like the ideal living space, ask yourself one simple question: "what do I want my living space to do for me?" Once you have your answer, the most important tip for decorating your dorm room is to organize your space to achieve that goal. Read More

Ways To Offer Emotional Support to Your First-Year College Student

By Sharon Callender

When your child begins college, it can feel like an emotional tug of war. You want them to flourish and spread their wings, but you also may have moments when you struggle with the idea of them leaving and starting a new journey without you. It is a season of profound change where parents usually experience loss and sadness. Every parent wants to see their child thrive independently, be confident and succeed as they adjust to college life. But how do parents provide empowering support that does not undermine their development as young adults, and acknowledges their self-reliance? It is directly related to supporting their internal buoyancy. Read More

Understanding the R1 R2 R3 Research Classification at Universities: An In-depth Analysis

By Justina Thompson

In the realm of higher education, one of the most important factors to consider when exploring a college or university is the research footprint and resources the university provides. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a well-recognized authority in American higher education establishments, introduces a tier-based research classification system, namely the R1 R2, and R3 classification, to evaluate research activity at universities. This system is pivotal to researchers, educators, and students alike as it illuminates the depth and breadth of a university's commitment to research. Read More

St. John's College Joins SAGE Scholars College Consortium

SAGE Scholars is delighted to announce the addition of St. John's College to its esteemed consortium of private colleges and universities. With a rich history and an unwavering commitment to liberal arts education, St. John's College brings a unique offering to students seeking to explore the depths of knowledge and cultivate critical thinking skills. As a top-ranked Liberal Arts College, St. John's is renowned for its rigorous programs and its ability to prepare students for advanced studies, where 70% of undergraduate students go on to graduate advanced degrees.

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Pros and Cons of Being an RA

By Jessica Dickenson

Resident advisors (RAs), also known as resident assistants, are college-aged mentors who help create a supportive and safe environment for students living in dorms and other student housing. As with most jobs, you must apply to become an RA for your college campus. Each college has its unique requirements for applying. Along with submitting a formal application, you may be asked to submit references or write an essay and attend an information session. Being an RA can be an extremely rewarding and exciting experience, but there are a lot of questions to ask yourself and requirements to consider. If you are interested in becoming an RA for your college, here are some common pros and cons to consider. Read More

Tips on How to Write a Personal Statement for Ph.D. Applications

By Melissa Ortiz

Applying to a Ph.D. program is a big life decision and commitment. If you've reached this stage, you've likely already explored the programs and faculty members whose research interests align with yours. The next step now is to apply! The application process is a huge undertaking, and it will take several months to complete all the required components and do the necessary research. While every program, field, and university are different and may prioritize different aspects of an application, the personal statement is arguably the most critical (and time-consuming) piece of any Ph.D. application. Read More

How to Write a Student Testimonial

By Jessica Dickenson

We take student testimonials for granted. When we first decide to go to a specific college, we will read stories about current and previous students to get insights into their experiences. Whether you sought them out or if they were included in marketing campaigns during your application process, you probably learned something about your college from these testimonials. These testimonials don't happen automatically! Many colleges and universities will solicit current students and recent graduates to write up these stories. Sometimes they come in targeted emails, or it may be by personal request, but a lot of colleges will have a page dedicated to these stories so that admissions teams can use the resource. It's a great way for colleges to get real experience and for you to share your story. Here are three qualities that every truly fantastic testimonial includes. Read More

U of O Recognized by Best-in-Class Colleges

University of the Ozarks has been recognized by Best-In-Class Colleges as one of the best baccalaureate colleges in the United States for 2023. The new Best-In-Class Colleges ranking considers a range of essential metrics, including student retention, on-time graduation, earnings after college, low debt, and more. U of O was one of the universities recognized in the category of "Best in the United States: Baccalaureate Colleges with Diverse Fields," which, according to the publication, "pays homage to the institutions at the forefront of their class and region in providing exceptional higher education. The classification of Baccalaureate Colleges — Diverse Fields underscores the significance of a well-rounded college education that embraces diverse fields of study. It highlights the colleges' commitment to nurturing a broad range of academic disciplines, promoting intellectual growth, critical thinking, and a comprehensive understanding of various domains." Read More

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Welcome Back: Campus Leadership Qualities

By Justina Thompson

Qualities of a good leader, while having the same core principles such as communication, organization, and adaptability, may look different depending on the specific environment that one leads. Some college students may already be back on campus and in classes. For others, the big move-in week is on the way. For those in leadership positions, planning has been underway for quite some time, especially in preparation for welcoming a new class of first-year students to the campus! If you've played the role of resident assistant or student orientation advisor/ coordinator, you've likely already heard a staff person tell you that the first four to six weeks of a student's time on campus can really impact their transition into college life, especially in their first year at school. As someone who's been in a multitude of campus leadership positions, I want to share some leadership qualities that might be helpful when preparing for the new school year. Specifically, I offer ways to set up a supportive beginning to the school year for your peers. Read More

Know Your Rights as A Resident!

By Jessica Dickenson

As you prepare to move into your dorm room, you are probably not thinking about researching your legal rights as a college resident. While it is an afterthought for many students as they move in for the first time, it is as important as the rights of a renter or a homeowner. Students may have erroneous perceptions of what their college and they are allowed to do, and it can get them into trouble. You don't have to be a lawyer to research or understand what your rights are. As a resident in a college dorm room, your rights and responsibilities are typically outlined in the housing agreement or contract you sign with the college or university. While specific rules and policies may vary between institutions, here are some common rights that students typically have as dorm residents. Read More

What is Happening with Student Loan Forgiveness Now?

By Al Dickenson

In the last few weeks, there have been countless headlines about student loan forgiveness. Most of them are centered around questions like the following: What is happening with the program? Is it legal or authorized? When will student loan payments resume? Are there other options for forgiveness, and, if so, are the action items for me to take on or the federal government? With all of that, it is understandable why people could be confused. Before diving into some of the answers to the above questions, a little context may be beneficial. Read More

Join SAGE Scholars' First Cohort of

Student Ambassadors

Our new Student Ambassador Program is a community dedicated to helping students make informed decisions during their first year of college. The Ambassador Program offers expert guidance and assistance, helping students develop new skills, refine study habits, and build connections with peers and faculty. Student Ambassadors will have access to resources such as webinars, newsletters, and networking while becoming part of a national cohort of high-achieving college freshmen. Interested in joining our community? Apply now to become a member of the 1st SAGE Scholars Ambassador cohort!