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