Insider tips for the week of May 31, 2021

College magic – Forbes has an excellent article on how college, if done right, can be a life-altering experience with lifelong benefits. Not enough students experience the most important elements of college, what researchers call the “Big Six.” The elements fall into two categories of relationship-rich and work-integrated. This is an important read as you prepare to send your child off to school.

Expand your college horizons – Georgia Tech’s Rick Clark encourages families to see a bigger, more accurate picture of the college search process, broaden their understanding of the amazing choices and options they have, and commit to navigating a unique path through their college admission experience. Read and share with your student.

Divorced families may now qualify for less financial aid – A recent FAFSA change will result in many divorced families qualifying for significantly less financial aid. The timing of the change also means that certain families will qualify for wildly different amounts of financial aid for different years while their child is in college. A must-read if your family is in this situation.

New Common App essay prompts – The Common App has released its essay prompts for 2022 HS grads and they are replacing a seldom used option about solving a problem and replacing it with a prompt related to gratitude. An optional question about the impact of COVID-19 will also remain.