Picture of gold trophy with star on blue base that says "College"
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College Admissions Competition (Who Are Students Really Competing Against?)

As admissions decisions have come in this year, like every year, families will try to figure out why one applicant got admitted and another did not.  The perception is that there is indeed a college admissions competition among applicants.  But applicants are usually not competing for admission against who they think they are competing against. …

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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…

close up of woman wearing hospital mask
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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,…

college gates behind fall tree
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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…

empty bench with fall leaves and coronavirus image
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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…

empty college dorm room
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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…