College Admissions Guidance
  • Home
  • Advising
  • The App
  • The Book
  • About
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Results
  • Contact
Expert college Admissions Advice

Changes to the 2016-7 FAFSA Application

8/22/2016

0 Comments

 
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now based on tax returns from two years ago instead of the prior year.  This should be a welcome change for families that file tax return extensions.  As soon as your child is done with her applications, your family should focus on applying for financial aid to all of the schools she applies to. 
 
Many private colleges offer surprisingly generous need-based financial aid packages including grants the cover the full cost of tuition for families making up to $150,000 per year.  Some colleges have a first come, first serve financial aid policies, so it is important to complete the financial aid applications on time.  Check each college’s financial aid website for instructions for applying for financial aid.  Each school can have a different policy and application procedure.  
0 Comments

More and More Selective Colleges Are Dropping the SAT II  

8/13/2016

0 Comments

 
​Parents and students can rejoice as more selective colleges, like Columbia, Penn, and the University of California system, continue to drop the SAT II as a requirement for their applications.
 
Regardless of whether the colleges your child applies to require the SAT II, they will still require the SAT I or the ACT as part of their applications.  Applicants should still prioritize SAT and ACT prep as one of the main components of a college application that they can use to improve their odds of admission. 
 
Students enrolled in AP or IB classes, or those that speak a foreign language at home should consider taking SAT II subject tests in those areas.  Just because SAT II tests are not required, does not mean that a strong score in a SAT II subject test will not help your child earn admission to her dream college.  Use SAT II subject tests to your child’s advantage if your child is in a position to score well on them.  If the SAT II’s are a source of anxiety or a struggle for your child, then avoid them if they are not required.   
0 Comments

Back to School College Admissions Checklist

8/5/2016

0 Comments

 
As we approach the start of a new school year, it is a great time to assess whether your child is on track to earn admission to the college she would like to attend.  Take stock of the following:
 
  1. SAT/ACT: September and October are popular times to take the SAT or ACT as the school year is just ramping up.  It is crucial that your child has her scores by the time she applies (read: no later than December if your child is a senior).  If your child is not a senior, consider an SAT/ACT prep program to learn strategies for achieving the highest score possible. 
  2. Required classes: many selective colleges have stringent class requirements that include foreign language and science classes.  Make sure your child is on track to complete the classes she needs to be eligible to attend the colleges she would like to attend.
  3. Extracurricular activities: it is important your child is involved in activities she is passionate about, whether it is a sport, volunteering, or the arts.  Your child should seek leadership opportunities wherever possible.  Encourage your child to adopt the mantra of quality over quantity for the activities she participates in and to develop value for college admissions officers. 
  4. Keep track of accomplishments: big or small, it is important to write down any of your child’s accomplishments to refer to when completing the applications.
 
 
0 Comments

    Archives

    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© COPYRIGHT 2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Advising
  • The App
  • The Book
  • About
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Results
  • Contact