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Insider Tips for the week of May 2, 2024

Why student engagement matters – College is much more than your classes and major, and CIT’s Heather McCowen explains the importance of student engagement and how to make the most of the college experience. An important read to discuss with your child. The importance of the HS activities list for health science majors – CIT’s Kim Koffi explains…

Congratulations to Martin Guzenda, Purdue Engineering Class of 2028!

Congratulations to Martin Guzenda, Purdue Engineering Class of 2028! Martin is a student at Vandegrift High School in Austin, TX. In addition to his highly rigorous course load, he was involved in robotics on the CAD and hardware teams, played trumpet in his high school’s state championship varsity marching band, and spent two terms as…

Cozy Wittman on Wicked Pissah Podcast: College Planning

College Planning with Cozy Wittman: Wicked Pissah Podcast, Episode 191 In this episode, Brad Wright and Jeff Tomaneng are joined by Cozy Wittman. Cozy is an education and partnership leader at College Inside Track. Cozy speaks nationally about college search, educating families and training financial advisors and other professionals who work with families with high…

High Point Looks to the Future

By CIT Consultant Lessa Scherrer “The “great disruption” in skills is underway. According to BCG and Emsi Burning Glass, over one-third of the top 20 skills in job postings for the average job has changed since 2016. … while technical skills remain highly valued, the top five most sought-after skills that employers are seeking today…

Insider Tips for the week of April 6, 2024

Additional college expenses you should plan for – Most families are prepared for the basics of tuition, room, board, books and “fees”. In fact, this basic list is what college websites use to publish their Cost of Attendance. But there are other expenses you need to know about and plan for. Pre-health undergrad options for students – Many incoming college students…

grandparent happy about fafsa changes

College Planning Changes for Grandparents

  Contributing to college has become more attractive for grandparents after a number of significant changes to how grandparent contributions are treated on the FAFSA. According to financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz, cash contributions from grandparents, including distributions from grandparent-owned 529 plans and direct tuition payments to colleges, will no longer hurt a student’s eligibility…

Why Student Engagement Matters, and Why College Is WAY More Than Your Classes and Major

Heather V McCowen, PhD College Consultant College Inside Track March 2024 What is Student Engagement? Why is it important? Student engagement is a multifaceted concept strongly associated with student learning, persistence, and attainment. Research has shown that student engagement can positively impact student learning communities, influencing student grades and course completion rates. For example, a…

Wellness Resources For Your College-Bound Child

CIT Consultant Stephanie George discusses how to help your college-bound child plan for wellness   Q. Nationally, there has been a strong uptick in students reporting depression and anxiety as a function of the transition to college.  What’s your best advice for parents, including advice about resources? Before your child heads to college, I suggest…

List Building for LGBTQ+ Students: Living-Learning Communities, with CIT Consultant Stephanie George

To create an especially comfortable, safe, and hospitable environment for LGBTQ+ students, some colleges have created  LGBTQ+ living-learning communities. I’ve written about the strong beneficial qualities of living-learning communities (LLCs) in other posts, but here I want to offer five great LGBTQ+ examples that offer particularly inclusive, gender-neutral environments with compelling academic and social opportunities. …

unhappy college student

Mental Health and Your College Student: Things You Can Do To Help Your Child Now

  Written by CIT Consultant Susan Whalen We’ve all heard the grim news: mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, and more are steeply rising among high school and college age students.  Coping effectively with these issues can be sufficiently challenging when your teenage child is at home with you, but once your child…