Success After High School Begins During High School
by Hanan Abdallah, M. Ed.
Principal, Universal School
An education is an investment in life, and an education gives young adults an opportunity to gain knowledge, support a family and work with or lead others to a better life that they otherwise may not have had.
In our seminar on October 17th at the MFCC, Brother Mustafa Dafallah, a recent graduate from MIT, and I were able to discuss the importance of preparing for college.
Universities not only like to invest in students with excellent grades and test scores, but also in students who have a good extracurricular transcript and/or who volunteer regularly. They are seeking well- rounded individuals.
Deciding which college may be the best choice is an important process long before the student graduates from High School. The student's Grade Point Average, standardized exam scores, aspirations, as well as factors like family income and whether or not a student will dorm are also decisions that a family, (not just an individual) will be asked to make.
Another point to keep in mind when looking at colleges is the financial aid available through government programs like FAFSA, as well as the many scholarships available. A visit to the financial aid website for a university, or a scholarship search engine like www.fastweb.com can provide beneficial information. Always remember that an authentic scholarship application does not ask you to send a fee.
Lastly, students should keep in mind that they should not rush through a college application but complete it early, then have someone review it for advice on correcting the application and required essays. Ask for recommendation letters early in the fall, and request transcripts from academic counselors. These are all important factors that cannot be left to the last minute.
Insha- Allah the path our young adults choose will lead them to great success, may Allah bless and guide all of our children in making the right choices in life and in their future.
11 Tips to Get a Job
Special guest speaker experienced in Fortune 500 Companies, Jehad Abedelal, presented a free workshop at MFCC on Friday, October 23rd, offering tips on finding employment in today's tough job market. 
Surviving the Teen Years
Sister Jeanean Othman spoke to an attentive audience of mothers and their daughters at MFCC on Saturday, October 24th. She emphasized that Islam teaches the ideal family balance for parents and children to make it through the difficult changes which come with adolescence. 