SAGE Scholars Monthly Newsletter | October 2023

Southern Adventist University Joins The SAGE Scholars College Consortium

Nestled in the scenic region of Collegedale, Tennessee, Southern Adventist University has emerged as a premier institution of higher learning, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. Since its establishment, Southern Adventist University has strived to provide its students with a vibrant campus life, a supportive community, and exceptional degree programs. We're proud to welcome Southern Adventist University — their notable accomplishments, awards, campus highlights, and degree offerings — to our growing SAGE Scholars Consortium.

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St. Lawrence Ranked as One of the Nation's Most Economically Diverse Colleges by The New York Times

The New York Times has once again included St. Lawrence University in its most recent edition of the College Access Index, a list of the nation's most selective universities ranked in order of economic diversity. St. Lawrence is ranked 100 out of 286 public and private institutions. It also is the sixth most economically diverse liberal arts college in New York State and the 20th among national liberal arts colleges. To compile its 2023 list, The New York Times measured economic diversity by analyzing the share of students receiving Pell Grants, which are typically awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Twenty-two percent of incoming first-years at St. Lawrence received Pell Grants in 2021, which is 3% higher than 2011 and higher than the national average of 21%, according to The New York Times.

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The College Freshman Guidebook: Navigating the Path to Success

By Justina Thompson

College marks a significant milestone in the journey towards adulthood. As a freshman, you are about to embark on an exciting and transformative chapter in your life. It can be both invigorating and overwhelming, navigating new territories and encountering new experiences. To help you thrive during this critical transition, we've compiled a college freshman guidebook, utilizing existing Newsroom articles as a beneficial resource for students to revisit throughout freshman year. In it, we will explore the essential tips and advice every freshman needs to maximize their potential and make the most out of their college years. Read More

Career Alignment, Putting Your Values First

By Norrell Edwards

In a recent interview with a friend for my career series, I realized how little I knew about the military as a viable career path. I realized that most of my academic and activist circles are ideologically opposed to the U.S. Military Complex, and thus, could never imagine themselves working within it. However, I've known for a while now that the military often serves as a ladder for social mobility for many who otherwise cannot afford higher education or have any other pathway to earning more capital and eventually wealth. Read More

How To Get Writing Experience in College

By Ceanna Hayes Daniels

Some students enter university eager to read and write as much as is humanly possible. Whether they're poets, aspiring authors, or investigative journalists in the making, they seek out every opportunity they can find to try their hands at a new genre or improve their editing skills. If you're one of these students, you might already have some leads on the opportunities there are to get writing experience in college, but you also might wonder if there are any you're missing. Here are a few ideas you can look into as you get settled into your dorm and begin the new semester! Read More

COA Ranks High For Financial Aid, LGBTQ Friendliness, Classroom Experience

College of the Atlantic is among the top 25 colleges and universities nationwide for best financial aid, best quality of life, and LGBTQ friendliness, among other categories, according to the Princeton Review's The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition. With high marks for best classroom experience, caring about conservation, and engagement in governance and community service, COA is "a community that is welcoming and kind and rooted in compassion... for people, plants, animals, and the planet," the review reports.

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Understanding Your RA

By Xavier Royer

I was never a Resident Assistant, more commonly referred to as an RA, during my time as an undergraduate. However, I did share a dorm with an RA, whose girlfriend was also an RA, and so was the girl I happened to be dating at the time. So, while I was not an RA myself, the people in my social circle, those who I interacted with most, were. I got to experience university living as a normal student, but also got to see behind the curtain at the work RA's do, and how they prioritize their time and responsibilities. This article will share a bit of what I learned, and, just maybe, help you get along better with your RA. Read More

How to Ace Your First College Essay, Part 1

By Ceanna Hayes Daniels

Many freshmen feel apprehensive about their first writing assignments in college. Despite their desire to succeed, they have limited experience writing at a university level or for a university audience. As a result, they may not know what strategies to use to complete the project, or even where to start. Read More

Don't Slip Through the Cracks

By Xavier Royer

"Slipping through the cracks" is an unfortunate situation where students end up in a bad situation because something important went unnoticed for too long. Thus creating a problem too great for them to overcome. Slipping through the cracks might show up as something like an undisclosed learning disability that prevents a student from achieving academic success. By the time said student gets the help they need, they are too far behind to catch up. Another example might be a student or advisor missing a required class until it is time to apply for graduation, when it finally becomes uncovered. I tend to put the responsibility of students slipping through the cracks on faculty and staff, as they usually are the gatekeepers to information and have much more experience dealing with issues. That said, students can vigilantly advocate for themselves, make sure they stay on track and do not slip through. Read More

UIndy Psychology, Engineering Programs Ranked by U.S. News and World Report

The University of Indianapolis once again ranked as one of the best colleges by the U.S. News and World Report. UIndy's undergraduate psychology and engineering programs also earned places on the 2023-2024 Best Colleges Ranking for the first time in each program's history. UIndy was one of ten colleges and universities in Indiana to be ranked this year by U.S. News and World Report. Out of 1,500 U.S. colleges and universities, UIndy ranked 304th due in part to being a top performer in social mobility (285 out of 434). The U.S. News and World Report based each ranking on 19 factors, including graduation rates, faculty research, and first-generation student graduation rates, and placed a special emphasis on social mobility for the 2023-2024 rankings. Read More

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Introversion and College Socializing

By Ceanna Hayes Daniels

If you identify as an introvert or ambivert, you might be heading into freshman year feeling apprehensive about how to balance all the socializing opportunities that college life offers with your need for time alone. Luckily, however, you can be very introverted and still have a rich, rewarding social life in college — it might just look different from that of your extroverted peers. Read More

Pre-College Summer Programs and Competitions: Nurturing Theater Arts and Playwriting Talents

By Justina Thompson

Aspiring actors and playwrights, seeking to hone their skills and ignite their passion for theater, have found a new avenue for exploration in pre-summer college programs and competitions. These programs offer a unique opportunity to delve into the world of theater arts while gaining valuable experience and guidance from industry professionals. In this article, we will explore the significance and potential benefits of these pre-summer programs, focusing specifically on theater arts and playwriting. Read More

Gameday Guide: The Case for Going to the Game

By Xavier Royer

Every year, there is always a special week or two where there is a buzz around campus. The big game is coming to campus. This is a special, and for many, sacred, time of year. What is the big game? There are many types of big games, but they all have in common a special significance to the relevant sports team that will likely change how that season is viewed. This almost always includes when a big rival comes to town—especially the case if the rival is evenly matched with your team and/or the game will have a significant impact on the overall success of the season. Read More

The SAGE Scholars Newsroom

Your Educational Resource Library For Every Step Of The College Process

The SAGE Scholars Newsroom is a curated resource for multi-generational audiences navigating the college process and investment. The Newsroom's expert team of contributors includes educators, admissions officers, Ph.D.'s, current students, and even professional athletes. With over fifty articles published monthly, families have access to the most up-to-date information on all things college.