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Are you wondering, "What the heck is a portfolio?" or "OMG! Here's another thing I have to add to my to-do list!"? Let me put your mind at ease: a portfolio is not necessary for every student. A portfolio is generally used for students planning to pursue the Fine Arts or Performing Arts field at the college level! If you fit into one of the two categories listed above, let's explore further on how a portfolio can actually compliment your college applications.

Summer is right around the corner and you are probably itching to get out of the classroom to sit back, relax, and soak up some sun.  But, just because school is about to be out doesn't mean you should leave your college planning by the wayside. Seniors should keep an eye on their mailboxes for important information from their colleges and should focus on saving up for college by finding a summer job. Juniors should find teachers willing to write their letter of recommendation and work to contribute to their college fund. Check out our full list of college planning tips for June below!

If you are serious about landing a job, you need to dress the part. The way you present yourself is someone's very first impression of you, so show people you're serious about the work you are doing. According to Business Insider, a person's first impression of you is formed within 7 to 17 seconds of first meeting you, and those 7 to 17 seconds will account for 55% of that person's opinion of you.

It may seem that this school year has taken forever but, you'll be basking in the sun before you know it. Just because summer is coming doesn't mean you should put off  thinking about the next steps to take for college. Seniors and their families should begin to crunch numbers and determine how much they will need to borrow for school, if any. Juniors, on the other hand, should continue to build a list of colleges they are interested in attending and visit the schools. Get all our college planning tips for May below.

"Always remember that interviewing is a two-way street. As much as the company is trying to learn about you, you are trying to learn about them, and whether the company is the right fit for you. This gives you more control in the process." -Kevin Jankowski, Director of the Career Center at Rhode Island School of Design.

RISLA is excited to announce that it has lowered interest rates for the 2018/19 academic year and has launched a new, streamlined application with pre-qualification that won't impact applicants' credit scores. 

Are you suffering from college enrollment decision analysis paralysis? Analysis paralysis is referred to as the over analyzing of a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, paralyzing the outcome. Not sure if you have college enrollment analysis paralysis? Ask yourself a couple of these questions.

Crafting a good resume is an art form. Think of your resume as a snapshot of your entire professional and academic existence. Consider the work that people put into selecting a profile photo on Facebook or Instagram. They want to look physically attractive, sure - but perhaps they would also like to demonstrate interest in a particular hobby, or show off an important relationship. Maybe they include a pet or beautiful outdoor scenery. Just as that photo is intended to convey nuance and detail in a single image, so should your resume.

Internships are a way for young professionals to develop the skills that they learned in the classroom and then apply them in the workplace. And what better way to spend your summer than gaining knowledge that will benefit your future? The best part about internships are that 72% of internships turn into full-time job offers. Yes, you heard me right, 72%! There is a good chance that you will be offered a position at the conclusion of your internship. This statistic from the National Association of Colleges and Employers alone makes getting an internship worth it!

Mother nature thought that our April showers meant snow here in RI, but that won't get in the way of us helping you plan for college. Seniors have a lot on their plate this month. Top among their stresses: which school they are going to attend in the fall. Juniors, on the other hand, are starting to explore colleges and figuring out what they want in a school. Check out our college planing tips for April below!

Seniors

This is a big time of year for high school seniors! College decisions must be made! A big deciding factor for students when deciding which school to attend is how much each school awarded to you in financial aid. Comparing those award letters is never an easy task which is why the RISLA College Planning Center is here to help. Schedule an appointment with us to get help comparing your award letters!