College Admissions Competition (Who Are Students Really Competing Against?)
The perception is that it’s a college admissions competition among applicants. But applicants are not competing against who they think they are.
How Do Colleges Use Preferential Financial Aid Packaging in Admissions?
Colleges will use preferential financial aid packages as a tool to help them shape the incoming class. How can your student benefit?
Is Senioritis Real?
Is Senioritis real? Ask any parent of a high school senior this question during the second half of senior year!
Making the Final College Choice
You’re on the homestretch of your teen’s senior year in high school. You’ve survived a tough year that likely included virtual and in-person college tours and time spent nagging about college essays, on top of your student’s usual academic load. Acceptances are beginning to roll in. Maybe more than even anticipated (yay!). Or maybe there…
After the College Early Admission Result: What Next?
After your student receives their early admission result, there are a few steps that families need to take, no matter the result.
What You Need to Know About a College Financial Aid Appeal Letter
Did your teen receive a disappointing financial aid award from their “dream school,” after you were celebrating their acceptance just days before? Not receiving the anticipated financial aid award feels like a blow – this could put that college out of reach financially, and no parent wants to disappoint their child, especially now. If this…
Eight Big Questions for Colleges Planning to Re-Open
As the list of colleges planning to re-open grows daily, I have questions. I’m guessing I’m not alone. Some might be so happy that their teen will get to move to campus as planned, that they have not yet stayed awake half the night thinking up all the questions. But, as an expert level over-thinker,…
Is It a Good Time to Consider a Gap Year?
(Updated 2/21) The class of 2020 had a difficult and disappointing end to their senior year. And so far, the class of 2021 has not fared any better. The disappointing senior years have left families wondering whether maybe their students should consider a gap year? Last year, the idea was so prevalent that juniors were…
Will Colleges Be Open As Usual Next Fall?
Now that we have mostly gotten answers to our earliest questions about the Covid-19 impact on college admissions, this big one remains – will colleges be open next fall? Cornell University recently released a preprint of a study that showed that nearly every student on campus (98 – 99% depending on the size of the…
Coronavirus and College Admissions – 7 Impacts
As we are currently immersed 24/7 in news about COVID-19 here in the United States, I considered whether anyone could stand to read one more word about it. But, I also know that the families I work with have questions about coronavirus and college admissions impacts. And, as I sit in my home like many…