Posts by Chris Wills
Visiting Colleges Checklist
The folks at collegetrends.org have put together a nice and detailed checklist to use when visiting colleges; we suggest filling this out for each of your visits and then using it as a basis for comparison: Visiting_Colleges_Checklist
Read More5 Steps to a Successful College Essay
Write your essays in five easy steps 1. Get Started Decide on a deadline and mark it on your calendar. Break the task down into smaller parts: starting date, completion date, and working dates in between when you will write. Decide what you want the college admissions office to know about you that isn’t spelled out in…
Read More3 Key Questions to Determine When to Take Standardized Tests
Most families don’t realize that timing should be a consideration when taking standardized tests, and Lauren Gaggioli of HigherScoresTestPrep.com shares 3 main criteria she uses to determine whether students should take their first test in the fall or the spring. Question #1: What level math is your student in? If your student is…
Read MoreWhat Every Parent Should Know
Most teens start thinking about college in junior and senior year of high school. For many students this is too late! It is important for parents to understand that college admissions requirements have taken a major shift since they went to college. Schools are still looking for students with good grades and high standardized test scores – that…
Read MoreCalculate Your Chance of Admission
Curious if you have what it takes to get admitted to certain universities? Check out the College Chanculator tool courtesy of Veritas Prep. Note that you will have to create an account to view the results and you can opt-in if you would like to have your info shared with colleges.
Read MoreBetter Start Saving Now as College Costs Climb
Lee Schafer from the StarTribune in an article entitled, “Better start saving now as college costs climb”: Everyone with kids under the age of 18 should take a spin through the net price calculator that all colleges now have on their websites. Maybe have a glass of wine handy. And keep the bottle nearby. Just…
Read MoreJay on The College Checklist Podcast
In this recent episode of The College Checklist Podcast, our founder, Jay Benanav, shared an overview of how he helps students choose good fit schools and then a “deep dive” in to the cost of college. Jay shared his expertise regarding different ways to pay for college, including the various types of financial aid and loans available to families today. Download the podcast
Read MoreCommunity Service Scholarships
Community service scholarships reward you for helping others. It’s a nice way of doing well by doing good. In addition to the resources listed below, students who are involved in volunteering and community service should ask whether there are any awards available at the location where they perform their community service. It is quite common…
Read MoreJob Shadow Questions
From an article by Jodi Walder-Biesanz, College Admission Coach How long have you been working in this career? Why did you choose it? What kind of education did you need to get started? What types of continuing education have you had as your career progressed? What do you like best about your work? What do…
Read MoreTough College Visit Questions to Ask
Article By Making It Count and FastWeb About Academics What academic elements are considered in the admissions process, for example: courses, grades, test scores, rank, interests, institutional needs, essays, recommendations, and interviews? How important are each of these factors? Is the college/university accredited? How many students return after their freshman year? What percentage of students…
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