Insider Archives - College Inside Track

FAFSA changes – The COVID relief bill passed at the end of 2020 also included some significant changes to the FAFSA, including how multiple students in college are treated and how divorced parents complete it. While the changes do not go into effect until the 2023-24 school year, that year’s FAFSA will use tax…

The COVID relief bill passed at the end of 2020 also included some significant changes to the FAFSA. While the changes do not go into effect until the 2023-24 school year, that year’s FAFSA will use tax information from 2021, so there are current day considerations. And because the FAFSA is completed each year…

Deferred at your highly selective school, with an option to choose Early Decision II? Here’s what you need to know. Colleges have seen record numbers of qualified applicants during the 2020/2021 application cycle, upwards of 25% at many Highly/Most Selective Colleges. Admissions officers have speculated a number of reasons for this much higher rate of…

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire – In our new “Liar Liar Pants on Fire” series, College Inside Track consultants debunk some of the claims we’re hearing about college admissions. We would love to address some that YOU’RE hearing, too! Tell us yours in the Comments section. We will respond with specific and factual info,…

By Dr. Matthew Andrews Should I take the CLEP? Is it better than SAT, ACT, and AP? A parent asked our team, “Should my child take a CLEP exam?” What is CLEP? The CLEP is the College Level Examination Program from the College Board. CLEP is similar to other College Board exams, such as: AP…

A simple way to start the college conversation with your teen – Bestselling author Jacques Steinberg and Eric Furda, dean of admissions at UPenn, have developed a practical exercise for parents and students to undertake together. They recommend using simple index cards to begin the process of looking inward at the specific attributes of…

The already complicated college process just became more challenging for families in the wake of COVID-19. Campus visits are cancelled, ACT test dates are postponed and more changes every day. How does a family conduct a search and choose a college in this new environment? College Inside Track is here to help and below is…

When you get the text “I don’t feel well…” – Scott Sager writes about the challenging moment parents of college students face of not being right around the corner anymore when your son or daughter is sick. Check out his 5 suggestions in the moment and 4 recommendations for the next time your student…

Expert tips on getting the most scholarships – Suzy Fallon from College Inside Track shares the secret sauce for how families can maximize scholarship dollars. Key takeaway: Each college has its own financial aid philosophy and you want to find those that match with your student’s profile. Take a few minutes to read this…

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…

Insider

FAFSA changes

Deferred at your Highly Selective School, Encouraged to Choose Early Decision II? Here’s What To Do

Should I take the CLEP exam?

Coronavirus College Resources For Families

Insider tips for the week of October 5, 2020