Applying to College
Insider Tips for the week of September 7, 2020
Important financial aid info – College Inside Track’s Jay Benanav provides answers to important financial aid questions. Take a few minutes to read his advice. 9 tips for communicating with your teen – Connecting with your teenager was tough enough before the stresses of COVID-19. Rachel Ehmke shares valuable tips on an important…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of August 10, 2020
Hundreds of college deans explain what they want to see from applicants in the COVID-19 era – The Washington Post writes about a statement signed by over 300 college deans about what they do — and do not — want to see in applicants for Fall 2021. The process is different this year due…
Read MoreUnderstanding the 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. The addition of the questions is clearly designed to provide a separate space other than general essay sections for students to write…
Read MoreACT canceled – What am I supposed to do?
Your high school junior wants to apply to Flagship U, which despite the growing list of test optional colleges and universities, still requires the ACT. She was registered for the April test, but a global pandemic rudely interrupted our lives and the ACT got canceled. Okay, you thought, we’ll just sign up for the June…
Read MoreInsider 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…
Read MoreInsider 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…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreInsider tips for the week of April 6, 2020
5 ways to evaluate a college in the COVID-19 world – Campuses are closed for visits, so how does a family evaluate a college in the new COVID-19 world? College Inside Track President Chris Wills goes beyond the normal advice and recommends 5 excellent tips. 9 important adulting skills to teach your captive…
Read MoreInsider tips for the week of March 2, 2020
FAFSA says how much you can pay for college, but it’s often wrong – The NY Times explains what the FAFSA says you can afford is usually less than you will end up paying, which comes as a big surprise to many families. This is an important read as you plan how to make the…
Read MoreInsider tips for the week of January 13, 2020
College savings cheat sheet – Financial aid guru Mark Kantrowitz shares some tremendous advice with Katie Couric on how parents can best approach the financial aspect of college. Among my favorites: Parents overestimate eligibility for merit aid, underestimate eligibility for need-based aid, and aren’t aware that most colleges meet financial need with loans, not…
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