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College Inside Track Alumni Newsletter – July 2020
4 tips on what to do about fall – CIT”s Cozy Wittman has been working through the uncertainties of returning to college in the fall with her daughter and shares 4 tips for working through the decisions you have to make. 3 ways families can lose financial aid – As if it isn’t…
Insider Tips for the week of July 6, 2020
Understanding the new Common App COVID question – The Common App has added new, optional COVID-related writing sections for students and their school counselors to allow them to share with colleges and universities how they have been affected by the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know. 15 reasons to ignore college rankings…
What to do about Fall – 4 tips for families with students already in college
Kansas City in the fall is a beautiful place to hang out, the leaves change over a period of weeks, it is generally warm and it is just a cool city. It is also the city my daughter made home during the last 3 years at the Conservatory at UMKC. Like many…
Insider tips for the week of June 8, 2020
College admissions advice and helpful tips to help you navigate the process: My ACT keeps getting canceled – What am I supposed to do? – Recommendations on what to do if your ACT is canceled, how it will affect the college admissions process, and a list of test center cancellations. 3 tips…
Federal student loan rates fall to lowest on record
For some good news amidst the current pandemic, the federal direct student loan rates are falling to the lowest interest rates on record for families taking on federal student loans this year. Undergraduate rates for the 2020-2021 school year will be 2.75%. This is a reduction of 1.78% as compared to the 2019-20…
Insider Tips for the week of May 4, 2020
3 new paying for college strategies in the COVID-19 world – COVID-19 has massively disrupted the college planning process, which has created new opportunities for families to potentially reduce their cost. Check out 3 new college financial planning strategies to consider (as always, please consult with a financial professional to determine if any are…
Paying for college – 3 new strategies
COVID-19 has massively disrupted the college planning and paying for college process, which has created new opportunities for families to potentially reduce their cost. Here are three new college financial planning strategies to consider (as always, please consult with a financial professional to determine if any are a fit): Take advantage of low…
What does test-optional really mean?
The list of test-optional schools has expanded quite a bit recently, mostly because of the difficulties students are facing for test opportunities. ACT and SAT cancellations have been rampant due to COVID-19. Colleges, not wanting students to have to exclude them from their college lists, have decided to go “test-optional;” some as a…
Expert Tips: Three Tips to Engage Your Teen While They Are Stuck At Home with You
By Dr. Susan Whalen, College Inside Track Consultant The news is in: high schools across the country in strong numbers have closed down for all but virtual business, for the rest of the semester. Too, many summer programs that teens were counting on to develop their interests and their college resumes are now…
Should High School Seniors Enroll in College This Fall?
The answer, like so many other college-related questions, is “It depends.” As COVID-19 continues to disrupt our lives and stay-at-home directives extend into May, speculation has been rising about how colleges are going to handle the fall semester if the pandemic…