OCTOBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

Majoring in English can open up pathways to new fields of knowledge, exciting academic opportunities, and a variety of career options. Although many discount English as being too general and less vocational of a major, the flexibility that it offers in terms of job opportunities is broad and plentiful.

In the age of technological growth, it is easy to discount the relevance of English in our world. However, English-related domains are all around us. We are constantly reading on our devices and tablets, hearing stories passed on from family and friends, and even writing birthday cards to our loved ones. There are so many skills that English majors focus on during their studies that contribute to our daily lives in ways we are not always aware of.

Furthermore, the English major can open doors to a plethora of career options. Not only do these careers include writing and teaching, but there are also many opportunities for English majors in the world of technology. Our society’s demand for high-tech and science related ventures should in fact encourage English majors.

Careers that English majors pursue include technical writing, journalism, editing, and creative advertising. Technical writers craft user manuals, instruction guides, and other technical documents. Journalists and news reporters investigate and write articles for news outlets such as online newspapers, television stations, and print newspapers. Managing editors run news departments, with recent job growth occurring in online forums for those possessing a strong knowledge of web design and electronic publishing methods. Those who work in creative advertising are responsible for coming up with new ways to launch products and write advertising material.

Writers can find work in a variety of fields. Direct response copywriting involves writing fundraising letters, business offers, and other mail-based marketing. Grant and proposal writers develop applications and informational materials for organizations seeking funding. Freelance writers work for magazines, newsletters, and websites. Writers also create material for the media.

English majors can also pursue PR roles in private companies or the government to shape their image through media. Press secretaries are employed by government agencies to inform the public about the agency’s activities, work on political campaigns, and write press releases.

Students who are interested in becoming professors and teaching college-level English should plan on pursuing a PhD, which takes approximately five to nine years. Teaching at the high school level requires a bachelor’s degree plus a teaching certificate, which takes one to two years if it is not included in an undergraduate degree program.

While course offerings vary amongst universities, English majors can expect to take classes in English, American Literature, creative writing, and history. Different genres, historical periods, and international literary works may also be covered. The English major can be paired with numerous concentrations and other majors/minors, such as linguistics, communications, business, and marketing.

A degree in English prepares students for graduate studies, as well as careers in business, communication, and education. Gaining real world experience, through an internship or volunteer position, will help you decide what career paths you want to explore. The skills you acquire while pursuing this degree are invaluable to any future job.

FINANCIAL MATTERS: IMPORTANT, SIMPLIFYING CHANGES TO FAFSA

For many families, financial aid is crucial to affording college. The first step in applying for college aid, including college work-study, scholarships, and grants—funds that do not have to be repaid—is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This year, a new, simplified FAFSA application will roll out. Among the important changes to be aware of is the new FAFSA will be released in December 2023 for the academic year 2024-2025.

Despite the two-month delay (FAFSA enrollment usually begins on October 1st), families are encouraged to complete the form as soon as possible because financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Most years, billions of dollars in federal grants go unawarded because families incorrectly assume they won’t qualify for aid. Also, in the past, many have been discouraged from applying due to the complexity of the FAFSA application.

Fortunately, the new FAFSA has been simplified. While many expect a few rollout hiccups, the changes will be less complicated, beginning with a simpler calculation to determine student aid eligibility.
Additional simplifications include:

● Reducing the number of questions from 108 to about 36.

●Eliminating the requirement that students register for the selective services and automatic disqualification if a student had a drug-related conviction.

●The application will be translated into at least 11 languages.

●Automatic transfer of IRS (tax return) data to FAFSA will eliminate complicated asset disclosures for many

●Increasing aid eligibility for single parents.

●Expanding Pell Grant eligibility.

●More need-based aid.

While FAFSA previously considered the number of children attending college and other household financial commitments, such considerations have been eliminated, likely impacting more middle- and higher-income families. For more information, visit: https://studentaid.gov/

DIGITAL PSAT

In October of 2023, the PSAT will be fully digital (as opposed to paper-and-pencil) for the first time. Though this change may feel drastic, you can become fully equipped for this pivot by knowing what to expect.

What is the PSAT? The PSAT is an exam that is a less difficult version of the SAT. Taking the PSAT this year is important as it will allow students to practice the new digital format. Even though some schools allow 10th graders to take the exam, it is in 11th grade that a high score on the PSAT can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship.

Changes: The digital PSAT will be an adaptive test, meaning that a student’s performance on the first set of questions will determine the difficulty of the second set of questions.

A calculator will now be permitted on all math sections, instead of just one section as was the case in the previous PSAT.

The Math section, which was once broken down into two different modules, will now be streamlined into one, as will be the Reading & Writing section, which also was previously two different modules.

The digital PSAT will now be 2 hours instead of 2 hours and 45 minutes, with more time allotted per question.

The digital PSAT will offer accommo dations of larger text size, extended time, and a paper version for those who qualify.

Scores will be received faster than before. If you take the test in the first half of October, you can expect your results in early November. If you take the test in the second half of October, you can expect your results in mid-November.

What will stay the same: The scoring of the test will remain the same, with scores calculated out of a total of 1520. You will also still be able to review questions that you’ve previously answered within each module.

The PSAT will be taken at school. If you are allowed to use your personal device you can download Bluebook to practice (https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/student

s/download-bluebook) or if a school device is used, you will need to wait until the school gives you access to the app.

How to prepare: Since the digital PSAT and the SAT are so similar, it is recommended that you use the PSAT as a benchmark if you plan on taking the SAT. It is important to fully familiarize yourself with the format so that you are acquainted with the changes and similarities between the old and new test. Also, make sure you know what to bring on test day.

For more information: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt

Prepared especially for our clients and their families. The information included in this newsletter is general and does not constitute educational, financial, accounting, legal, or other professional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on the material contained herein. Copyright © 20223 by The College Advisor, Inc. All rights reserved.