Earlier this month, Cappex was happy to announce Ilya K. from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, as the winner of the 2013 $5,000 Rock Star Scholarship.

This fall, Ilya will attend the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a dual-degree in Biology and Finance and a minor in Mathematics, and continue his studies until achieving a PhD in Microbiology. His clear passion for science has driven his aspiration of working as a scientific researcher to explore how microbes can be used to produce industrial materials that do not further damage the environment – quite a noble ambition for a much needed cause.

Ilya graciously took some time to share how he approached the college search process:

What factors did you consider as you were making your college decision?

I considered the geographical area along with the strength of the college in my areas of interest and I checked to see if the university had any special programs combining my interests. For example, one of the reasons that I chose the University of Pennsylvania is because they have a dual degree program in business and life sciences, two areas that interest me. In addition, I considered the size of the university and the university’s philosophy on education. Some colleges emphasize theory and rigor and some, such as Penn, emphasize practical and multidisciplinary education.

Which features of Cappex helped you with your decision and why?

I found the admissions trends and the “My Chances” section to be very informative as a starting point in deciding whether I was a competitive applicant for the college. In addition, the scholarships section of Cappex proved to be a great resource. It not only matched me with scholarships that are suited to my profile, but also provided more information about the scholarship in question, such as the deadline, the length of the application, and the number of other people applying for the scholarship. This allowed me to budget my time accordingly and maximize my chances of earning scholarship money.

If you could share any piece of advice for students just beginning the college search process, what would it be?

I would advise students to first make an inventory of the characteristics of colleges that are most important to them. Examples include geographical area, size, price, majors offered, etc. Then I would use a college search tool, such as the one offered by Cappex. These tools will help narrow down the list of colleges that are good fits and then I would suggest that the student explore the websites of the selected colleges to see if they may be interested in applying.

What are you looking forward to the most about college?

I am looking forward to the wide array of activities and academic opportunities that the University of Pennsylvania offers, particularly the unique courses that are available as part of the dual degree program that I was accepted into.

Thanks again to Ilya for his helpful college search tips and insights!

As the heat of the summer begins to set in, you may be tempted to spend all your free time out in the warm sun. Don’t forget that there are plenty of scholarships that expire throughout the summer. Don’t lose your chance to apply for these scholarships with deadlines in July!

Proof-Reading.com Scholarship Program
Deadline: July 1      Award: $1,500
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to the stock market.

Castle Ink Paperless Scholarship
Deadline: July 1      Award: $1,000
Applicants must explain how they reduce, reuse, and recycle in the form of a YouTube video clip, tweet, photo, blog entry, or Facebook post.

Ashley Soule Conroy Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: July 1      Award: $3,000
Applicants must plan to participate in full-time stud abroad for at least one full semester.

AT&T Savings Technology for Tuition Scholarship
Deadline: July 1      Award: $1,000
Applicants must submit an outline or article answering the question, “Will increased DVR use cut into TV advertising revenue?”

IP Video Contest
Deadline: July 1      Award: $5,000
Applicants must create a video showing why they think the patent system is important.

ALBA George Watt Essay Contest
Deadline: July 1      Award: $250
Applicants must submit an essay or thesis chapter on a given topic related to the Spanish Civil War or the global struggles in the 1920s and 1930s.

‘Krill Oil – Educate Your Heart’ Scholarship
Deadline: July 5      Award: $1,000
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to heart health.

Media Fellows Program
Deadline: July 13      Award: $2,500
Applicants must be majoring or minoring in an area that prepares them for a career in strategic public policy, advertising research, management, planning, or buying.

StraightForward Media Nursing School Scholarship
Deadline: July 14      Award: $500
Applicants must be pursuing post-secondary education in nursing.

Women in Service to Our Communities Scholarship
Deadline: July 15      Award: $500
Applicants must be women who are actively involved in community service.

Console & Hollawell Legal Leaders Scholarship
Deadline: July 15      Award: $1,000
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in pre-law or paralegal studies or working towards their juris doctorate in any concentration of the law.

Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
Deadline: July 22      Award: $200 – $1,000
Applicants must submit a blog about their community and why tourists should visit there.

Womenetics Advancing Aspirations Global Scholarship
Deadline: July 26      Award: $1,500 – $5,000
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic about an issue affecting women in business today.

Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest
Deadline: July 31      Award: $500 – $1,500
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to Lincoln and Gettysburg.

Sonic Electronix’s Audiophile Scholarship
Deadline: July 31      Award: $1,000
Applicants must plan to pursue a career in the audio industry.

“My Mentor Was Me” Scholarship Video Challenge
Deadline: July 31      Award: $1,000
Applicants must submit a short video that identifies and describes the impact a mentor has had on their pursuit of success and the importance of mentor-mentee relationships.

CouponCommunity.com Scholarship Program
Deadline: July 31      Award: $2,000
Applicants must submit an essay about how to save money in college.

Find these and many more scholarships on Cappex.com!

First of all: Congratulations! This is the culmination of 12 years of hard work (I don’t count kindergarten) even if you didn’t realize you were working hard. Honestly, you were probably only working really hard for the past four years. Regardless, you earned these moments. You know the ones: moving your tassel from right to left, walking across that stage, throwing your cap into the air….

Perhaps these moments happened just yesterday, a week ago, or even a month ago. I don’t mean to rush you but do you have any idea what comes next? If you’ve submitted your intent-to-enroll forms, then you’re probably well on your way to finding a roommate, shopping for your dorm, and registering for classes. What if you didn’t get accepted to any of the schools you applied for? Uh-oh….

Really, it’s not the end of the world. I promise. If you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree but you are uncertain of your options, here are some to consider:

Take the year off. Okay, maybe this doesn’t appear to be the most proactive thing to do. However, if you’re on the fence about what you want to study, need some extra time to get your finances in order, or have no idea where you would even want to go to school, this is certainly a feasible option. Make sure you’re not just sitting around for a year though! Find a part-time job, do some volunteer work, pick up some extra hobbies, and keep yourself busy. You’ll be surprised by the experiences you have that might even come in handy in a personal statement next year.

Sign up for online classes. There are many self-education materials all over the internet, especially in technical areas like computer programming. This is a great way to get a head start on some college-level courses without having to leave home. Although not all classes transfer over to college credit, many of them might get you through a placement exam. The worst case scenario is that you have to retake a similar class when you decide on your college, but think of how much easier that class will be now that you’ve aced it once!

Register at the community college. Most community colleges have open enrollment, meaning that you can register as long as there is space available in the classes that you’re interested in. This is a good option, especially if you know which four-year school and program you’d like to apply for next year. Get the details of what your program or major covers in the first year, find the community college equivalents, and sign up! This is a great way to get ahead at a fraction of the price. Also, many community colleges offer online courses.

Any combination of the above. Maybe you only want to take a couple community college classes and do some volunteer work. Or maybe you’ll be working and taking online classes. The key is to be proactive and keep learning. It demonstrates that you’re determined to learn and your actions may just speak for themselves on your next college application.

Don’t know which four-year school would be right for you? Let us help you find your dream school.

Worried about how you are going to pay for a four-year degree? Have no fear! You now have a whole extra year to apply for many scholarships at Cappex.com.

Are you graduating without an acceptance letter? Tell us about your plans in the comments!

Is running a struggle? Gave the ball to the other team so much that they considered giving you one of their jerseys? It’s okay. We feel you. We know it’s hard to be active when you feel that you can’t perform well on a team. Luckily for you though, there are plenty of ways to get moving without having to be an athletic superstar.

Martial Arts

Always dreamed of being a ninja? There are plenty of forms of martial arts, including tae kwon do, karate, and jujitsu. Not only do martial arts build up your ninja skills, they get your heart pumping and improve your coordination. They are also great mind-balancers and can greatly improve your outlook on life!

Hiking

Grab a buddy or spend some quality time by yourself in nature. Almost every town or city has a walking or hiking trail of some sort, and it gives you a chance to exercise your adventurous side. Hiking is great for learning about the environment around you, personal safety, and your own independence.

Canoeing and Kayaking

If you love the outdoors, it’s almost guaranteed that canoeing and kayaking will bring joy to your life, as well as a great upper body workout. Not sure how to get started? Look for lessons in your area that cover basic strokes and water safety.

Swimming

Don’t like to sweat? No prob. Dive into your local pool! Swimming is a great, full-body workout that builds muscle and cardiovascular strength. Don’t know how to swim? See if your community pool offers swimming lessons. Whether you are swimming laps or splashing around with friends, swimming is a fun way to sneak in some exercise.

Bowling

Head to your local alley and knock down some pins! Did you know that bowling has the potential to burn 105-285 calories, depending on your weight? Bowling balls are heavy, often weighing 10 pounds or more, so carrying one up to the lane, lunging to throw, and slinging it down the lane all help to build strength. It can also improve flexibility and requires only a small amount of energy, making it a great way to spend time with some friends after a long day at school.

Have any other ideas? Share in the comments below!

Throughout your college career, it’s essential to correspond with professors and prospective employers through the convenient and easily accessible wonders of email. With the popularity of text messaging and social media like Twitter and Facebook, email messages with shorthand expressions have managed to infiltrate in-boxes. Slow down! Think of email as a chance for you to showcase your communication skills. For incoming freshmen especially, it’s essential to learn the importance of a polished email. If you send your professor or boss vague, typo-ridden emails, do you think they’d be likely to write you a good reference in the future? Unlike on Twitter, you don’t have a limited amount of characters to get your message across in an email, so get it right by following these tips.

Greeting. “Dear/Hi/Hello [insert name here]” are all appropriate salutations. Avoid “Hey,” as it can come off as a bit informal.

Identify yourself. This should be a no-brainer, but be sure to identify your first and last name. If you’re emailing a professor, let him or her know which class of theirs you are a student of, including its name and the time of day it normally meets.

Be professional. When corresponding with a professor or working professional, it’s best to use your school email account rather than “pizzalover789@ovenmitt.com.” Not only will it be less likely that it will go straight to the junk mail, but you’re inquiry will be taken more seriously. If you haven’t already, set up a professional email for all school and business matters.

Create a signature. You also might want to create a basic signature with your contact information to appear at the end of each of your emails – it should include your first and last name, phone number, and email address.

Stay concise. As you are aware, life can be fast-paced, so get to the point of your email as quickly as possible. The email should be clear and thorough, yet not novel-length.

Always use the subject line. Don’t make the rookie mistake of overlooking the subject line. It’s the first thing the recipient sees, so make sure it’s brief but accurately alludes to the contents of the email.

Double check before hitting Send. When you’re done writing your message, don’t just rely on spell check. Read it out loud to ensure that it makes sense. It will allow you to catch any spelling errors and assess if the tone is right: it should be respectful and friendly, never demanding. Extra Tip: Don’t fill in the “To” field until you are finished proofreading.

Respond in a timely fashion. If you receive an email that requires a response, be attentive and reply as soon as possible. A simple “Thank you, this information is helpful!” will acknowledge that you received the email. Also don’t be afraid to be honest and admit “I’m still not clear on…” if you need further explanation about the matter.

Has summer break finally arrived for you? If so, take advantage of all your free time to apply for some scholarships! We’ve gone through our database and picked out 22 great ones that are expiring in June. Check them out!

Charles Shafae’ Scholarship Fund
Award: $500      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must submit an essay on a topic related to gun control.

ExceptionalNurse.com College Scholarships
Award: $250 – $500      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must be nursing majors with a documented disability.

Kor Memorial Scholarship
Award: $500      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must be enrolled in a program leading to a degree in a field of language study.

Copyright Awareness Scholarship
Award: $5,000      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must submit a creative video presentation that would be used to educate their peers on the importance of intellectual property and copyright law.

Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship
Award: $1,000      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must be applying to or enrolled in a cosmetology/barber program.

John D. Spurling OBE Scholarship for Responsible Pet Ownership Education
Award: $2,000      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must be enrolled in educational programs that include responsible pet ownership in their curriculum.

CEO of Tomorrow Scholarship
Award: $2,500      Deadline: June 1
Applicants must be interested in business leadership and/or entrepreneurship.

CBC Spouses Education Scholarship
Award: varies      Deadline: June 3
Applicants must be preparing to or be currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Duck Tape Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest
Award: $500 – $5,000      Deadline: June 5
Applicants must make their high school prom attire out of Duck brand duct tape.

Bruce Lee Foundation Scholarship
Award: $1,000      Deadline: June 14
Applicants must be attending a two-year college, four-year university, or licensed trade or vocational school in the United States. 

Collegiate Inventors Competition
Award: $5,000 – $15,000      Deadline: June 14
Working in a team, applicants must submit an invention idea.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Award: $5,000 – $10,000      Deadline: June 15
Applicants must be pursuing a career in the health care industry.

Interactive Marketing Scholarship
Award: $2,500      Deadline: June 15
Applicants must be interested in creative marketing in relation to online business.

Shop Smart Scholarship
Award: $2,000      Deadline: June 16
Applicants must submit an essay explaining how their experience has been/will be defined by remarkable frugality, ingenuity, effort, or thrift.

Teens Drive Smart Video Contest
Award: $10,000 – $25,000      Deadline: June 20
Applicants must submit an original short video on a topic related to automobile safety.

BigSun Scholarship
Award: $500      Deadline: June 21
Applicants must be student athletes.

Automotive Hall of Fame Scholarships
Award: $200 – $2,000      Deadline: June 30
Applicants must have a sincere interest in an automotive career.

JUST POETRY!!! Scholarship Awards
Award: $100 – $500      Deadline: June 30
Applicants must submit an original piece of poetry.

Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship
Award: $500      Deadline: June 30
Applicants must wish to participate in a dance education program.

Crime Prevention Essay Scholarship
Award: $1,000 – $2,500      Deadline: June 30
Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to crime prevention.

BBG Communications Scholarship
Award: $1,000      Deadline: June 30
Applicants must submit one essay on a topic related to communications technology and another on the importance of a college education.

Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award
Award: $1,500      Deadline: June 30
Applicants must submit an essay on a topic related to cyberbullying.

Don’t forget that our database of thousands of scholarships is available to you! All you have to do is create a free Cappex account. Good luck!

The end of the yet another semester is quickly approaching, meaning many students are bound to begin to feel the pressure of final exams and projects. Whether you’re in high school, college, or graduate school, it’s easy to succumb to distractions or become completely overwhelmed. Don’t let finals get the best of your mind; it should be the other way around! The following tips will help you stay energetic, alert, and stress-free.

Exercise

Take a break from focusing nonstop on your books, move around, and get fresh air. Try hitting the gym for a quick workout to clear your head. Other than the more obvious health benefits, exercise can affect certain chemical levels in the body that can reduce stress. Regular exercise also releases endorphins, which can boost your mood. So get moving with running, jogging, dance, or yoga. Even walking can give your brain the boost it needs.

Eat Healthy

The key to reducing stress can be as easy as making more nutritious food choices.  Put down the pizza, chips, and energy drinks and instead fill yourself with more fruits, vegetable, and water to give yourself energy and keep your mind sharp.  It might be near impossible, but make an attempt to cut back on caffeine; too much of it might make you jittery.

Sleep

Procrastination and all-night cram sessions pave the way for sleep-deprivation, a common and unpleasant side effect of finals week. On average, students may only sleep three to four hours a night. Make an effort to manage your time to allow for you to study in the daytime and aim to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep to feel well-rested. Come exam time you’ll be ready to think more clearly and creatively.

Catch Up with Family and Friends

Nothing will clear your mind better than taking some time to talk with friends and family about anything unrelated to school. It’s good to take yourself out of the college exam bubble and realize that life still exists outside of finals. Share summer plans with one another or any exciting upcoming events.

Just Smile

Relax by doing activities that you consider fun! Listen to your favorite music, watch funny videos or a movie, play video games, eat a yummy dessert, or any other uplifting activities. The pressure from exams you’ll experience is only temporary, so do your best to stay upbeat and lighthearted.

CappexConnect™ provides a way for students to experience colleges and universities from their home or school no matter where they live.

Cappex announced today that its new virtual events platform, CappexConnect, is now available to higher ed institutions to help them meet enrollment challenges. The CappexConnect platform allows schools to connect live online with prospective and admitted students. Through the platform, institutions can augment their on-campus engagement and build relationships with students at home or school in their hometowns across the country.

“We know that open houses help colleges and universities convert inquiries to applicants and also have a significant impact on yield, though many students simply do not attend them because of distance, travel costs, and busy schedules,” said Tammy Willis, general manager of CappexConnect. “With CappexConnect Virtual Open Houses, schools can now extend the reach and impact of their campus open houses to students no matter where they live.”

On CappexConnect, students can develop richer impressions of campuses than they can through other online means via live video presentations from faculty members, alumni, and current students. There’s also the opportunity for students to ask questions and get immediate answers through video chat, text-based chat and email.

CappexConnect will also be holding several virtual college fairs for students, parents and high school counselors later in the year focused on college planning, financial aid and scholarships.

For more information on CappexConnect, please email sales@cappex.com.

The end of the semester is in sight! But you’ve taken a look at your grade so far and you aren’t pleased. You don’t want to fail, so how do you salvage your grade before it’s too late? Here are some tips that will help you bump up your grade.

Re-Prioritize

If you haven’t already, the first thing you must do is get serious about your school work. Part of the reason why students’ grades start slipping is because they lose focus. It’s easy to get distracted by the end of the year approaching and other commitments like clubs and sports, but with a failing grade on the line, you need to re-prioritize and make school your top priority.

Meet with Your Professor

Talk to your professor. This should be at the top of your to-do list. Visit your professor during their visiting hours or try to catch him or her before leaving after class. Discuss your performance on your past tests and assignments and let him or her know that you are aware you haven’t done your best work. Your professor may help you identify what exactly you need to improve upon and can help you work on it. He or she can also recommend tutors who can assist you.

Seek Outside Help

Seeking out a tutor or going to a place that offers essay services, such as a writing center, can help you. A writing center can help you with your essay skills. A tutor that specializes in your subject can help you as well. The library is another good source to work on improving your essay and research skills.

Two Heads are Better than One

You don’t have to work alone on improving your grade. Ask your friends for their help. You can form a study group in your class. The more help you receive, the better chance you have of improving your grade. If you don’t like working independently, working with a group will help you study better.

Go the Extra Mile

If it’s possible, check with your professor to see if there are any extra assignments you can do to earn extra credit. If you did badly on a past exam or essay, ask if you can re-write it for a better grade.

If you are an animal-lover, you better believe that there are scholarships out there just for you! We’ve gone through our database and put together a list of animal-friendly scholarships. Not all of these scholarships require you to major in a veterinary-related field, so check them out!

John D. Spurling OBE Scholarship for Responsible Pet Ownership Education

This scholarship is offered by the American Kennel Club Humane Fund. It is targeted to high school seniors and college students who are enrolled in an education program that includes responsible pet ownership in the curriculum. If you are pursuing studies in veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, physical therapy, animal care, grooming, and training, you may be eligible.

Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the Humane Society of the United States. To qualify, you must be a high school senior in New England and demonstrate a deep respect for animals. You also must have made a meaningful contribution to animal protection over a significant period of time.

A Voice for Animals Contest

This scholarship, offered by the Humane Education Network, is for high school and home-schooled students worldwide. To qualify, you must have actively participated in projects that promote the humane treatment of animals. To enter the contest, you must establish a new project or become involved with an existing project that addresses the mistreatment of one animal species or one cause of animal suffering, or the preservation of one species threatened with extinction. You must participate in this project for at least three months and then create a submission that documents your experience.

Campbell Family Scholarships

This scholarship is offered by the Banfield Charitable Trust. To qualify, you must be a high school senior or college student and be pursuing education in a field that will broaden your ability to improve the lives of pets and their families, such as pre-veterinary sciences, veterinary technology, and other academic fields that will lead you to a pet-focused career.

Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program

This scholarship is offered by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. To qualify, you must be a second- or third-year veterinary student attending a school in the United States or the Caribbean.

American Kennel Club Veterinary Student Scholarship Program

This scholarship is offered by the American Kennel Club. To qualify, you must be enrolled full-time at a US veterinary medical school.

American Veterinary Medical Foundation Veterinary Scholarship Program

This scholarship is offered by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. To qualify, you must be a current first-, second-, or third-year student at an accredited college of veterinary medicine in the United States.

Be sure to visit Cappex for access to many more scholarship opportunities!