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Community service is a piece of cake for CIT client Kate Spence, a 17-year-old Minnesotan and high school senior with a passion for baking

College Inside Track’s “Pick Two” Program has provided the impetus for some inspired, and inspiring, projects.  We’re particularly encouraged by the effort made by 17 year old baker-entrepreneur Kate Spence.  Read about her community service in support of front line COVID-19 caregivers and patients.   Community service is a piece of cake for Minnesotan Kate…

Common App student wearing mask for COVID

Understanding the Common App COVID question

The Common App has added 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. The addition of the questions is clearly designed to provide a separate space other than general essay sections for students to write about…

uncertain college student

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…

College Inside Track student

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…

college campus in fall

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…

teen rejecting parent

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…

happy about federal student loan rates dropping

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 - stock market

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…