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3 tips for having the college money talk
In our work of helping families navigate the college process. it continually shocks me how few have not had the “money talk,” either between the parents and/or between parents and child. Given the cost of college today, this is highly irresponsible at best, if not downright dangerous. I haven’t heard of many married couples not…
SAT changes come as more colleges become test optional
College Inside Track President Chris Wills was featured on KARE 11 television discussing the new SAT changes. Here are the most significant changes to the test: Starting in 2024, the SAT will be taken online Test takers will be allowed to use calculators for the math section The test will be cut down from three…
Insider tips for the week of January 10, 2022
3 tips for having the scary college money talk – I’ve been shocked at how many families with HS students we’ve been meeting with lately have not talked about what they are willing or able to spend on college, both between the parents and with the student. We naturally avoid things that are scary,…
Insider tips for the week of December 6, 2021
5 blunt truths about college – Marybeth Bock shares important insights every parent with a HS student should read (my favorite: not all professors are skilled teachers). As a bonus, she also recommends 5 books to check out that expand on her points. Maximizing your campus visit – Consider making a college visit…
Insider tips for the week of November 8, 2021
How to find good schools…for you – Rick Clark writes an excellent article about how to find right-fit schools. Click here to read some questions you should answer while determining if a college is a good school for you (and see a picture of a crazy-flexible 10-year-old). Big changes to financial aid and…
Insider tips for the week of October 4, 2021
10 things to know about getting into your dream college – Eric Hoover shares 10 takeaways from his hundreds of interviews with admission deans. Our favorites: Express your authentic self, don’t take rejection personally because admissions officers aren’t looking for students that just fit one description, and colleges want to be your first choice.…
Insider tips for the week of September 6, 2021
Mission drives admission – Rick Clark writes a wonderful piece explaining why certain students get admitted when others don’t, and encourages students to consider what their mission in admission is before applying anywhere. An important read to share and discuss with your student. Why undecided is a great college major – Dr. Deborah…
Jay Benanav Q and A: Your High School Senior and Imminent Financial Aid Tasks
College Inside Track founder and nationally recognized college admissions financial aid expert Jay Benanav responds to a few of the moment’s most pressing financial aid issues, in this wide-ranging interview: The need for conscious student responses to financial aid questions on college applications, how need- and merit based aid configure with financial form (FAFSA…
Insider tips for the week of August 2, 2021
3 college statistics to know if you want to pay less – Many families only look at college statistics in terms of getting into college, when they are just as important in determining how much they pay for college. DIY College Rankings covers three big ones to understand. 5 best essays – The…
Insider tips for the week of June 28, 2021
FAFSA changes delayed – The significant FAFSA changes recently approved by Congress will be delayed by year, due to the complexity of overhauling the entire system. Federal Student Aid (FSA), the agency in charge of implementing the changes, said they will now be rolled out for the 2024-25 school year. The earliest families can…