Nest Is Evolving

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” * There you have it! The future of From Nest To Wings in one sentence. We are in the midst of change, and yet how you can learn from Nest is going to stay the same.

No matter the other things that will change, From Nest To Wings will continue to produce definition and subject-matter videos on all things high school and college. We will continue to publish an excellent monthly newsletter available via our website and through free subscription.

From Nest To Wings will continue to focus on six specific areas: maximizing high school, the college education process, making the most of your college experience, financing your education, topics that help you grow as a person, and information for parents and guardians of students. From Nest To Wings considers ANY form of education after high school to be college, including community, career or work college, apprenticeships, and colleges and universities.

All of our videos will continue to be available on our From Nest to Wings YouTube page. You can search by topic to find information specific to your needs, or subscribe to see what we highlight in our regular postings. You can also find some of our posts on social media.

We will also continue to accept suggestions for topics you would like covered or for words and phrases you would like defined. Just use the comment section on our videos to share your suggestions or ask any questions.

However, the funding and administrative structure of From Nest To Wings will change. As of December 31st, 2026, we will surrender our nonprofit status. We will no longer be a 501(c)(3) organization as of January 2027. The necessary funding will come from the two individuals who will continue From Nest To Wings’ work.

Our most exciting announcement is that From Nest to Wings will sponsor a scholarship for students in the St. Vrain Valley School District through our work with the St. Vrain Education Foundation. This award is called the “Spread Your Wings” scholarship. If you are a senior in the SVVSD district, ask your counselor how to access the scholarship application.

If you would like to support From Nest To Wings through our awards, please visit our website for donation instructions.

With the creation of the scholarship and the shift in our funding, we are changing, but our services will remain the same. We promise!

* Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

Kick the Tires

Let’s assume that you want to buy a new car. There are a couple of ways to approach it.

You can go to the dealership when it’s closed. You can wander around at your leisure, with no salespeople bothering you. You can get a feel for the different varieties. SUV? Sedan? Get an idea of the different colors available. Who appears to have the best head/leg room.

Or you can go when the dealership is open. You’ll be able to talk cost, financing, availability; all the details. And the ultimate test. You can actually drive the car.

Checking out colleges is a bit like that. Many people travel over the holidays. If you’re going to be among them, pay attention to the schools that will be available to see. If you’re driving, you might pass a number of colleges on the way. If you’re flying, you might be constrained to the schools that are within a reasonable distance from Grandma’s house.

Either way, take advantage of whatever possibilities present themselves. Build the time into your trip to allow you to spend a few hours investigating. The campus will be quiet. Lots of buildings will probably be closed. Check with the school ahead of time and see what options you will have. (Even if there isn’t anyone that you can meet with, the school will note your interest. Schools keep track of that sort of thing. It can make a difference when you apply.) You may only be able to walk around the campus. Even so, you can get a lot out of that. Does it seem like a place where you could be happy? Is it too big? Too small? Drive around the nearby town. If it’s a big city, does that feel exciting or intimidating? If it’s a small town, does it feel cozy or claustrophobic? A quick visit like that can help you manage a big list of possibilities. If the school remains on your list afterwards, you can try to visit again when school is back in session. Then you will be able to really get the feel of the place when it’s full of students.

Upcoming Events

November 6th: Regular registration deadline for the December 12th ACT

November 20th: Regular registration deadline for the December 5th SAT

November 24th: Deadline for late registration for the December 5th SAT

November 29th: Deadline for late registration for the December 12th ACT

Want to Go Farther Than Out-of-State?

If you’re interested in attending college outside of the U.S., you may face more hurdles than you do in the U.S. A great many of these have less to do with getting into college and more to do with life away from the States. Do you speak the language well enough to navigate in a college setting? Beyond that, do you speak it well enough to actually live in another country? What are the passport/visa requirements for moving to your chosen country? It can take 6 to 12 months to get your first passport. How are the customs and laws different where you’re going?

Actually getting into school overseas is different as well. You will find that they tend not to care about your extracurricular activities, like sports. They’re not much interested in your personal struggles. They’re looking at grades. They want to see AP classes. There’s much less hand-holding. You need to be prepared to teach yourself. A lot!

High school in other countries can be very different. Some countries require students to choose their career path much earlier, so your peers in college may be further ahead in subjects than you are. You might need to take extra classes to catch up with the other students. Or, on the other hand, you might find that you are ahead of your peers.

Some degrees lend themselves to global study better than others. Be sure that the degree you receive abroad will be accepted back home. A degree in business is more universal, as opposed to medicine or law.

If you want to study in a foreign country, but still have a more conventional U.S. education, there are schools such as the American University in Paris or Temple University in Japan.

Your expenses have to factor in the cost of travel; not just the cost of going back home occasionally. What about all of the weekend trips you will want to take? Studying in Paris? You’re going to want to see Italy while you’re there. Maybe Octoberfest in Munich?

While going to school in another country may sound exciting, take a hard look at yourself before you start down that path. Students who are best suited for college abroad tend to share some characteristics:

• Have a real interest in living immersed in another culture. "To embrace a new culture is to open yourself up to new experiences, sometimes on a daily basis," says Jo Turner, a liaison and recruitment manager for international students at University College London. "Things may work differently to what you are used to. Behaviors and mores may be unfamiliar. But for those willing to take the plunge, the potential rewards are considerable."

• Have a clear major and career path in mind. Sometimes a school in another country can offer stronger education in a particular field, such as research opportunities.

• Be comfortable with constant challenges. "Students who are adventurous, independent and want a challenge are ideal candidates for studying their full degree abroad," Turner says. "Courage, maturity and adaptability are required to study overseas."

If you’re up to those challenges, there are a lot of good reasons to study abroad.

• A global perspective is getting to be more valuable every day

• Earning a degree abroad can reduce cost. Tuition at U.S. universities has skyrocketed in the last 20 years. Some overseas schools are free, regardless of citizenship, with the exception of some administrative fees.

• It can reduce the time required to get a degree. Many schools abroad skip the general studies classes required during freshman year at most American schools and go straight to those classes required for the major area of study.

• It will force you to be independent. Colleges in other countries often do not offer room and board. You would have to find your own housing, etc.

• Immersion in another language is the best way to become truly fluent.

• Get an excellent education. Oxford in the UK, Tsinghua University in China, and the University of Melbourne in Australia rank among the top 30 universities in the world, according to data from U.S. News & World Report.

• Expose yourself to a different method of education. You might call your professor by their first name, or be asked to collaborate with other students to obtain a grade. Maybe the final exam is for all the marbles.

• Your everyday life would be an education in itself!

• End up with friends and professional contacts all over the world.

• Make yourself more interesting to employers. According to a study done by the Institute of International Education, international students develop skills necessary for the workforce like communication, tolerance for ambiguity, and problem-solving.

• Last but not least, travel. Many times, while attending an international university, other countries are much more easily accessible. Weekends and holiday breaks can be pretty exciting!

It’s important to know that if you want to earn your degree abroad, it’s important to start early. Experts suggest starting at least two years before high school graduation.

The links below are packed with good information, plus links to other great articles.

If It Walks Like a Duck and Quacks Like a Duck

…it could be worth $5,000. If you’re lucky enough to live within travel distance of Stuttgart, Arkansas, and you’re a master of the art of duck calling, beat feet to the contest on November 27th and 28th at 507 S. Main Street for the live competition.. The prizes are:

• $5,000 for 1st place

• $2,000 for 2nd place

• $1,250 for 3rd place

• $750 for 4th place

Click below to register and start practicing!