Online classes or some modified version of schooling at home is the new reality for a large majority of students in the country.  The coronavirus pandemic has created a huge education adjustment for everyone involved – students, parents, and teachers.  Many are now worried – especially juniors – about how this new version of school

Students have been anxiously waiting for the CollegeBoard to provide new information related to exam rescheduling.  Read below the email sent by the CollegeBoard answering all the questions about the 2020 AP exams. “We recently shared information about our commitment to provide free, remote learning resources and a new at-home testing option for this year’s AP

Coronavirus cancelations seem to be coming in from all directions – schools, weddings, concerts, even the Olympics have either been canceled or rescheduled.  The SAT and ACT are no exception.  It’s likely that your spring test schedule (along with your other schedules) looks very different now than it did a week ago.  With updates coming

The coronavirus has drastically altered life around the world, and while college admission isn’t life and death, it’s safe to say that the admissions process has been upended.  Colleges around the country have canceled in-person classes and most have adopted an online format for the remainder of the semester.  With that, it’s certain that spring

Here are five common myths about paying for college that counselors often hear.  Don’t fall victim to these myths! 1. My family makes too much money to qualify for financial aid. This is one of the biggest myths out there. You may not qualify for aid at one school, and qualify for lots of money at another

Very recently, the Common Application announced that the essay prompts for 2020-2021 will remain the same as they were in the 2019-2020 application.  So, what are you waiting for?  Now is a great time to start brainstorming topics for your Common App essay. 2020-2021 Common Application Essay Prompts  Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent

By now, application decisions should be rolling in to your inbox/mailbox.  If you haven’t already heard back from all your schools, the wait is almost over.  Most colleges aim to have final decisions sent to all applicants before April 1.  But what if your “final” decision isn’t so final?…  What does it mean to be on

So Many Questions… Have you signed up to take the SAT yet?  Or maybe you’ve already taken the PSAT? Did you notice that there are questions about your grades, your interests, your intended college major, etc. in the registration?  What’s up with all those questions? The CollegeBoard Student Search Service These questions are part of the SAT Questionnaire. 

You got into the top schools on your list.  Each has sent you a financial aid award.  One offer looks better than the other, but is it really?  It’s important to compare apples to apples when looking at financial aid offers.  Here are 6 questions to ask: What is the Student Budget?  Does the college list

As you explore which colleges are the right match for you, consider the size of the student body.  How many undergraduates attend college?  This can make a big difference in your experience on a college campus.  Think of college sizes in these four categories (based on undergraduate student attendance only). Boutique Size (<2000) Over 500 colleges in the

Receiving your letter or email of admission is a time for celebration!  What’s your next step? Many colleges will be inviting you to visit the campus as an admitted student. These visits can be: A designated day event on campus A designated weekend or overnight event on campus A designated window of time to visit A scholarship

The College Visit Depending on your time and interest level, plan one of the following types of college visits: Basic Visit Attend an information session.  Ask questions about admissions, financial aid, choice of majors.  IMPORTANT: Get a business card from an admissions person. Do a college and dorm tour.  What does the campus look like?  Where do freshmen live? What are

Every year, the Common Application provides seven essay options for students to select one in order to convey your story beyond their grades and test scores. However, some colleges require supplemental essays, asking students to write your thoughts on some “very creative” topics. Some colleges ask “Why [their] University?” or “Tell us about an extracurricular activity.” However, others go well-beyond

For many students, high school is like a second home.  It’s a place where you feel comfortable.  You know where to find your friends and know your favorite places to hang out.  Now, you’re getting ready to embark on a new adventure – college.  This will be unlike any experience you’ve had in the past.  How

Did you start your college application process late? Or perhaps you just got your December test scores and you are reconsidering what colleges should you apply to? Don’t worry! There are many colleges that you can still apply to in January and after (even some through August). Here are a few tips for finding colleges/universities with open applications:

You may have thought you were done with writing essays and sending applications, but not quite yet.  Now is the time to look for scholarships.  And don’t get discouraged.  In this case, one more essay or scholarship application could mean a big pay-off for you.  A few more hours of your time could turn into hundreds

Using your spring break to visit colleges is a great idea, but be aware of spring break schedules for the colleges you wish to visit. It’s best to see a college when students are on campus. Here are a few tips to prepare for your spring college visits. Create a College Visit Itinerary. Using a map, look at

Are you a procrastinator?  Tim Urban, writer and blogger, thinks that deep down maybe all of us are procrastinators in some way.  In this funny TedTalk, Tim explains what’s going on inside the mind of a procrastinator and why we all need to take hold of our instant gratification monkey and get moving toward our goals.

What do successful people have in common?  Is it brains, talent, fame or fortune?  No!  Arel Moodie, bestselling author and speaker, has a different idea.  In this TedTalk, Arel explains the secret to student success and how you don’t have to be the smartest or the most talented to be successful. Arel’s secret – effort –

Alan Katzman, founder and CEO of Social Assurity, guides students on creating a winning social media presence. He is a pioneer in developing and advancing techniques to teach students how to use social media to build a compelling and reflective digital presence as a game-changing tool for creating academic and career success at all educational levels.  We’re giving

It’s the start of a new year and a new decade (possibly – there’s a debate about that).  However, there’s no denying that January 1, 2020 is an opportunity to take on new challenges.  Start the New Year with these resolutions:    Use your phone for something more than social media.  Get organized in 2020 by trying a

The college application process has become increasingly strategic for both students and colleges.  With students applying to more colleges and colleges receiving more applications than ever, there’s increased pressure on both sides.  Students want to know “Will the college accept me?”  Colleges want to know “Will the student enroll here?”  That’s where the early deadline comes

First semester of senior year is over or winding down.  The holiday break and the new year are here.  Are you finished with your college applications?  There are multiple steps before you can submit a COMPLETE application to the college of your choice.  Use the following checklist to see where you are in the process. College

It’s that time of the year when you make lists and recheck them.  And no – we’re not talking about a Santa list.  Now is a good time to begin thinking about your college list.  Spend some of your time during this winter break to get a jump start on your college list.  The steps

Seniors, the end of the application process is in sight. Early application deadlines are approaching and some have even passed. Much of the application work is already done – SAT taken, essays written, and recommendations requested. Hopefully, you can spend your winter break relaxing with family and friends. A rest from the college application process is

School can be busy, even overwhelming at times. You are probably grateful for the Thanksgiving holiday, and for the time to relax with family and friends. Hopefully, your teachers spared you from any holiday homework! During the break, why not take a minute or two of your time to write a gratitude list? Start small

If you took the PSAT earlier this fall, you should expect to receive your scores sometime next week. The CollegeBoard says scores will be released to students between Dec 9-11 (the exact date depends on where you live). Your counselor can access the scores on Dec 2 through the K-12 reporting portal. Use your PSAT score report

It’s December! Holidays, family, days off from school – and college decisions?! That’s right, if you applied to any of the schools in the first round of early action or early decision, you’ll probably be receiving decisions soon (if you haven’t already). This month be sure to: Watch out for admission emails or letters from colleges. Decide

Up to this point, the college application process has been all about you. However, if you are considered a dependent student, then completing the FAFSA application will be a team effort. Before you dive in to fill out the form, be sure that everyone involved has gathered the required information (social security numbers, tax information, FSA

A Novel Idea It’s high season for college applications. Students are polishing off college essays, waiting on final test scores, and pushing for that last GPA point. Meanwhile, parents are biting their nails and wrestling with financial aid forms. So, let’s talk about postponing college. What? Isn’t that insane?! Not at all. This is the perfect moment

SAT Subject Tests are based on the curriculum you have in class. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of a particular subject. According to the College Board, “The SAT Subject Tests offer you an additional opportunity to show colleges what you know and what you know you can do. Many colleges use the SAT

How much will I pay for College? Paying for college is often compared to paying for airline tickets. No two people pay the same price. So how much will you pay? That depends on many factors. Knowing what those factors are, and how each college will look at your family’s financial situation, will help you determine the expected cost for college.

When you think about “Perfect College,” what comes to your mind? Bucolic hills, palm trees or urban energy? Classes with 12 students or with 120? Going to a football game, a political debate, an art show or all of the above? You need to know what is important for YOU to decide which colleges suit you

Many college applications require you to select a major or state that you are “undeclared”. What is the best way to choose a major? Here are five ideas to guide you. Start exploring. It is never too early or too late to start exploring your interests and connecting them to majors or careers. Learn about yourself. Take advantage

Seniors, the process of applying to college has become increasingly strategic for both students and colleges. Gone are the days of mailing a paper application to one or two schools and waiting for a “big envelope” to come back in return. Students are now applying to many more colleges. According to the Higher Education Research

Seniors, by now application decisions should be rolling in to your inbox/mailbox.  If you haven’t already heard back from all your schools, the wait is almost over.  Most colleges aim to have final decisions to everyone who applied before April 1.  But what if your “final” decision isn’t so final?…  What does it mean to

You are on your way! You’ve got your college list finalized, common app essay completed and recommendations requested. With the application deadlines around the corner, you’ll soon be finished with the college application process. These five tips will help you stay organized and on track. Set up Application Plans. Know what is needed to complete each college application.

By now you’ve received financial aid awards from the schools that have offered you admission.  But interpreting those awards might seems a bit like reading a foreign language.  Here are six common terms that you will see on a financial aid award.  Cost of Attendance – The Cost of Attendance is more than just tuition, it is an estimate of

What are your chances for admission at a given school? College admissions are based on several factors, some of which can be measured more objectively than others. These include: Your GPA Your tests scores on ACT, SAT, Subject Tests and AP Other less measurable but important factors include: Quality (rigor) of your course schedule Your resume of activities, work and

PAST/NMSQT: Taking the PSAT/NMSQT is important as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Why? It is your opportunity to take a standardized test and see how you do, without having to worry that colleges or programs will see your scores (they don’t).It’s also a great way to prepare for the regular SAT and juniors it is your opportunity to qualify for

SAT or ACT Test: You are signed up and ready to take the ACT or SAT test! Here are 5 test day tips to help you ace the test by starting off on the right foot. Have everything you need ready when you leave to take your test on a Saturday morning. 5 Test Day Tips: 1)

Finding a College: Finding a college is a bit like finding a date to homecoming. You are both trying to get to know each other and size up your chances. Scoping each other out online, liking a post on Instagram, talking to friends, going on a “group date” (aka a college tour). You want to apply to colleges that you like and

College Essay General Do’s and Don’ts It’s September, time to finalize your college essays. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to guide you. Do’s: Be concise and write about something you know. Be open and authentic. Reveal something about your identity in your essay. Show rather than tell. Giving specific examples for your topic brings it to life. Write

What should you be prepared for on the PSAT? Guessing allowed. Remember, no deductions are made for incorrect answers on the PSAT. So – guess away! Prepare to read for content. PSAT uses long reading passages, with questions based on content not vocabulary. Be ready to read and understand the passages. The PSAT scoring is the same as the

College Fairs are great place to start your college search! So, what’s a college fair and what can you expect? Think “science fair” for colleges. College fairs are events where colleges from around the country will gather to provide students with information.  College representatives (usually admission staff or college alumni) are available at tables to answer

Do you know the entire name of the PSAT test?   It is officially the PSAT/ NMSQT test. “NMSQT” stands for “National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test”. The only time you can be considered for the National Merit Scholarship is during your junior year. Taking the PSAT is the only way to be considered. Taking the PSAT by grade

Seniors, Although senior year may be just getting started, college application season is already here! Many colleges are accepting applications even now, and some have deadlines as early as mid-October. Should you apply now? It’s important to know the different types of college deadlines so you can map out a timeline for your applications. Here

GPA or Rigor-Which is more important? When applying to colleges, which is better, a higher GPA or harder classes (rigor)? What are colleges really looking for and how do they decide who to admit? Challenge yourself! Of course, having good grades and rigor in your courses is the best goal. But if the choice is

Asking for recommendations? You might find this easy, or awkward, or somewhere in between. How do you get the best recommendations for your college applications? Follow these three steps:   Step 1: Get Ready- Before you start asking teachers, counselor or others for a letter of recommendation, do your homework. Focus on familiarity: Teachers who know you best

Knowing the differences between the SAT and ACT may help you decide which test works best for you.  Research shows a third of students do better on ACT, a third do better on SAT, and the remainder do equally well on both tests.  So, which one is best for you? View the full PDF from Applerouth Test Prep to learn