Applying Archives - College Inside Track

Common App student wearing mask for COVID

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…

ACT canceled woman showing frustration on her face

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Check out this great article by Katherine Cohen I recently came across; it is a little long but worth the read! — Jay 9 Things I Wish People Understood About Getting Into College By Katherine Cohen As an independent college counselor, I get questions every day about the college admissions process and what it takes…

Applying

Understanding the Common App COVID question

ACT canceled – What am I supposed to do?

Insider Tips for the week of May 4, 2020

Paying for college – 3 new strategies

What does test-optional really mean?

9 Things I Wish People Understood About Getting Into College