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It's High School Course Selection Time!
"Honors or AP"?"Can I drop my Foreign Language?""Do I really need to take math next year?"I hear these questions and more as current 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders select courses for next year. For...
View ArticlePlan Now for College Fairs
Attending college fairs can be a great way to check out a bunch of schools at one time. NACAC maintains a list of national college fairs. You can find local college fairs through your high school...
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Tax Benefits When You've Got Students in College
Save Money on CollegePaying for college is tough enough, so be sure you are getting any of the tax benefits that you may be eligible to receive. NACAC, National Association for College Admission...
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Student Rights in Choosing a College
The Statement of Principles of Good Practices, established by NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), is a Code of Ethics "to ensure principled conduct among professionals in...
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Universal College Acceptance Deadline is this Week
Choosing your CollegeMay 1 looms large in the minds of high school seniors and their parents. It is by this date that students must commit to their college of choice by submitting an enrollment...
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FAFSA PIN Replaced with New FSA ID
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will no longer use the Personal Identification Number (PIN) system. It has been replaced with the new FSA ID, which is comprised of a user-selected...
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Common Application Essay Prompts for 2015-16 Announced
Nearly 6000 professionals (including yours truly:) responded to a survey issued by the Common App asking for suggestions for essay prompts for the upcoming year. The most notable change is the complete...
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The Verdict is in: Start College Planning Early!
Graduation is here!I'm wrapping up my closing interviews with my seniors as they transition from high school students to college freshmen. I always ask if they have some advice to younger students-...
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High School Graduation Gift Ideas
We've got multiple graduation parties on the calendar this summer. Finding a meaningful gift to give a high school student heading to college can be tough. While money of any amount is always welcome,...
View ArticleFinding College Textbooks for Less
Fall tuition bills will be arriving shortly, but families soon find that it's the "extra costs" that can add up quickly over the coming months. For students entering college this fall, and for high...
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The Common Application is Open for Business
The Common Application, accepted by nearly 560 colleges, went live on August 1. The website has a brand new look and there are a few noticeable changes:Not all member colleges require the Common App...
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The Other College Admission Test: SAT Subject Tests
Most students and parents are aware of SAT's and ACT's as college admission tests, but many are not familiar with the SAT Subject test. These are one-hour tests that are usually only required by highly...
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What You Need to Know About THIS Year's PSAT
Many sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT's this month. This test offers a practice opportunity for the SAT's, and this year it is our first look at the revised questions and format. Here are the...
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Get Prepared for College Financial Aid Filing
Parents of current high school seniors entering college in the Fall of 2016, as well as parents of college students who will still be in college next fall, should gather the necessary documents in the...
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Five College Myths- BUSTED!
There are many myths about the current state of college admissions and college costs. These myths can lead students and parents in the wrong direction, resulting in costly, and even life-altering,...
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Great Gift Ideas for College-Bound Students
Need a few last minute gifts for your older teen? Consider some of these ideas:Board Games- Party games are great for college students to have on-hand for quick dorm room fun.Dorm Room Essentials- a...
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Independent Scholarships for Colleges
Students can begin earning college scholarship money in their elementary years (check FinAid under 13) and even more opportunities become available during the high school and college years. I recommend...
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Finding Colleges With Unique Programs
One of my favorite parts about visiting colleges is uncovering hidden gems. These are the unique degrees like Viticulture (that's the study of grapes) and Wine Technology or Turf Management Studies....
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How Financial Aid is Changing in 2016
If you haven't heard the news, an executive order by President Obama this past fall has changed the timeline for college financial aid. This is the final year that families will file the federal form,...
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Time to Think About Summer!
Yes, I know we are still in the season of winter, but students interested in more formal summer program opportunities will find application deadlines as early as March. Summer is a great time to...
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