The FAFSA—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—opens in three weeks. No one enjoys collecting all the required documents and information, which includes IRS tax returns for the previous two years; current bank statement balances; investment balances (including stocks, bonds, and trusts); K-1 documents; corporate...
Did your son or daughter spend their summer reading novels or writing for fun? If so, they may be in great shape to return to school and pick up where they left off. Other students—whether they are starting or returning to high school or college—may...
As college admissions becomes more competitive, students frequently look for ways to “distinguish” themselves from their peers. One increasingly common choice: research. Research has become so popular in recent years that many companies have sprung up offering to match high school students with graduate students,...
Academically talented and ambitious high school students are flocking to honors colleges and honors programs at large universities as their top choice for college. Not surprisingly, many public and private universities have honors colleges and honors programs for this very reason—to attract and retain exceptional...
What is going to college really like? Many high school students get their “information” about college by following their favorite college sports team or watching movies such as Animal House or Pitch Perfect or visiting their parents’ alma maters during Homecoming weekends or reunions. Fun...
High school guidance counselors and independent college consultants often talk with students about finding colleges that are good “fits” for them. The message behind “fit” is that students should choose colleges where they will be challenged academically, engaged in extracurricular activities, and happy socially rather...
Many high school seniors have just submitted their early applications. While exciting, this can also be anxiety producing - hitting “submit” for the first time means letting go of the application and turning the process over to colleges. It’s impossible to eliminate all stress and...
In the next few weeks, students will decide whether to apply to colleges “early.” This can be a confusing decision, so to help cut through the chatter here are some basics that can help students and families clarify whether an early option is the right...
Paying for college may be my least favorite topic in college admissions, but it may also be the most important. When finding colleges that are good fits for my students, we always address affordability – because a college that is a great academic and social...
As the summer turns to fall, and high school students are fully immersed in classes and activities, parents often ask what their students should be doing “for college” at each grade level. The first two years of high school are an important time for students. Students...