Rick is a high school English teacher from Michigan and the father of two children, one college junior and a high school senior. Rick has a lot of experience helping his students write college essays and find scholarships for college that he can now share with his son.
Articles by Rick
Two kids, two tuition bills
My wife and I thought we had prepared ourselves for all that college life could throw at us with two kids at separate universities. We had planned financially for the trip we would embark on last fall and felt relatively… More »
Deciding to double major
In my role as both the father of two college-aged kids and a high school English teacher, the direction of majors and minors as a college student gets plenty of "air time" both at home and in classroom discussions. While… More »
College study abroad costs
With careful planning, an overseas opportunity for college students can become an adventure!
With two kids in college, second semester bills approaching and fixed budgets, my wife and I wouldn't have envisioned even broaching the subject of "Study Abroad." While… More »
A two month perspective on empty-nesting
My wife and I have now been 'empty nesters' for two months, but the excitement and wonder of how clean our house can actually be has not worn off yet. It is amazing to us that we now have at… More »
On-campus jobs help financially and socially
Last month during freshman parents’ orientation day at my son's university, a group of upper classmen were recruited to answer questions that some parents might have. One mother asked, “Is getting a job was wise for a freshman?” The bottom… More »
Gas hike means accounting for yet another college cost
The junior year has ended for my daughter, but after a ten-day break, it's back for the spring session for her. In the meantime, my wife and I are prepping for our senior son's high school graduation. In less then… More »
Don’t risk losing scholarship money
The seniors I teach on a daily basis have heard me continually ranting about keeping "on top of things" even though 'you've been accepted at the college of your choice'. My own children have endured my constant harping and have… More »
What we learned from college student #1, We hope will benefit college student #2
With the end of our daughter's junior year of college approaching quickly, my wife and I have asked ourselves what did we learn (at least monetarily speaking) from her first three years at college that can help our soon-to-be college… More »
College choices and the costs after financial aid
My son's first choice wasn't necessary his parent's first choice but are we glad now he opted the way he did. The difference monetarily between his choice and ours was $45,000 over the course of four years. However, that sum… More »
Never give up in the pursuit of scholarships
With one college student (a junior) and my soon-to-be-high school graduate heading to a state university, my wife and I have been encouraging both children to keep applying for scholarships. However, my seemingly well-based declaration for more work came to… More »
