You are signed up and ready to take the ACT or SAT test!  Here are five tips to make getting ready for the test easy. 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. Five Test Day Tips

The essay portion of the SAT is not to be feared, nor, does it need to receive an inordinate attention in the preparation process. It counts for only part of the score on the SAT Writing. The bulk of the score is in multiple choice questions. These questions cover improving sentences, improving paragraphs and identifying

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 as a National Merit Scholarship finalist is your junior year.  You have to take the PSAT to even get in the running to be

As you are researching colleges, you will hear comments about how one campus is “very liberal” or another is “extremely conservative”, or another is “middle of the road”: These are references to the political leanings of a college campus. Is it red, blue or somewhere in between? Are all students of the same persuasion? How

You said it when you were growing up, “I can’t wait to be an adult”. Your parents yelled it at you, “We can’t wait until you are an adult!”. How do you know when you are an adult? Take this quiz to see what your grade is as an “adult”. Answer each question with a

Know the difference between the two standardized tests. It is to your advantage to pick the one that works best for you.  Research show 33% of students do better on ACT, 33% do better on SAT, and 33% do equally on both tests.  So which one are you? Learn about the difference between the two tests. EduPlan is

You have probably heard this term a lot already. Your counselor talks about it, your parents are looking for it.  What is it?  What is college fit? Think of fit as a picture of college that brings four elements together to make the best fit for you. Consider Academic, Social, Physical and Financial perspectives. YOUR

What is the AP exam score scale? There is no “pass” or “fail” on the AP tests.  It’s important to understand the definitions of the AP scores. 5 = extremely well qualified    | This will get you  college credit at some universities 4 = well qualified  |  This will get you college credit at some

You did it!  You are now officially a freshman again- but in college.  You are now out of high school!  Now is the time to: Pat yourself on the back!  Congratulations on a job well done. High five your friends!  You fought, lived, loved each other. You did it together. Hug your parents or loved ones! You could

Wondering what to look for and how to find colleges? Here are some of the factors to consider when comparing colleges: General Information- Where is it located? Is it public or private? How many students go to school here? Academic- Check out the acceptance rate. How hard is it to get in? What are the FISKE academic

Many colleges use activities to understand you more as a person. Remember this goal when you make your list. Tips for getting an edge in your application with activities: Make a master list of all your activities in high school, starting with 9thgrade. Write down everything – you can prioritize later. Ask parents and friends

It’s not too early to register for SAT or ACT tests if you are going to start taking them in the fall. Register in the summer to get best choice of locations, as some locations will fill up. Register to take the ACT as early as September.   www.actstudent.org/ Register to take the SAT in August.  www.sat.collegeboard.org/register/

Which college essay type are you? I know what I want to study AND I have had a significant life experience. I don’t know what I want to study AND I have had a significant life experience. I know what I want to study AND I have not had a significant life experience. I don’t

Enjoy this summer and start thinking about what you like, and what is important to you. Summer is a good time to do as much preparing for next year as you can. Here is an activity you can do with your friends. It is fun to compare notes and learn about each other. Start thinking

It’s officially summer now!  What are your goals for next year? Looking back at this year; Are you happy with how your grades turned out? Did you enjoy your classes? Did you spend enough time in extra-curricular activities? Are there activities or classes you did not spend enough time on? What is the number one

“Warm, welcoming, smart, and unpretentious– our university is filled with a bunch of student who are driven to be the best students they can be without striving to do so at the expense of others….[our students] excel at allowing everyone to be comfortable with who they are, and not having to a certain type of

Marketplace APM: The Common Application gets an update. Hear the full story from NPR here: http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwjYHt_jQ

You are almost there!  What are your next steps? Finish Strong!  Strive to get your best grades this semester. All college acceptances are CONDITIONAL. They are based on the expectation you will finish strong. If you do not, your admissions offer can be rescinded. Plan your room and board.  Complete the forms to request a

Standardized testing can be daunting!  Follow these tips to reduce your stress and help you do best on your tests. 1.         4 Times is The MAXIMUM! Plan to take the SAT/ACT no more than 4 times each (and preferably 3). You should be done testing by fall of your senior year.

How do you describe where you live?  City? Suburb? Country?  As you explore colleges, one thing to look at is the location of the college.  Think about where you want to go to school.  The location has a significant impact on your college experience. Here are terms used in college “locations” with definitions: Major City:

“None of us got to where we are alone.  Whether the assistance we received was obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone’s help is a big part of understanding the importance of saying thank you.”  Harvey Mackay As you finish your senior year, take time to acknowledge the people who have made a difference in your life. These

Here are 3 tips to building relationships with your teachers and counselors. Show up!  Make sure your counselor or teachers know you personally by showing up for class, for appointments and for school activities.  Drop by the teacher’s room or your counselor’s office during lunch, breaks or after school. Get to know your teachers/counselor and

Each student has a certain style of learning or performing in class and on the high school campus. Think about your three favorite classes on campus. Answer the following questions about yourself and how you have performed in each class: What have you demonstrated in class that this teacher could praise?  Describe ways you have

Worried about your upcoming finals or AP tests? Reduce stress and ace your tests by using these study tips from a graduate student. 1. Find a study space that suits you. For students who need a bit of chaos while they work, coffee houses usually have the perfect amount of chatter and noise while also

Deadlines to Register for SAT Subject Tests Soon! Deadlines to register for SAT Subject tests are soon. How do you know if you need to take College Board SAT Subject tests?  Make your decision by: Reviewing the test requirements of the college you are interested in or plan to apply to. Planning to take the

Looking for answers to some of life’s challenging questions?  Ted Talks feature speakers addressing life’s challenges and how to deal with them. TED talks are 18 minutes or less, provided by leaders from across the globe. Turn to these for inspiration when you need it. 1. What about the inner me? Embracing otherness, embracing myself:  Thandie

    Do you dream of spending less time studying and still getting great grades? Turn your phone or device into a study machine. With finals just around the corner, now is the time to learn how to use some of these great resources.  You may find a favorite that you’ll continue to use in

Many colleges offer the students the opportunity to play sports – either at the varsity level, or in clubs and intramurals.  Do you have what it takes to play sports in college? Student athletes often report more stress than non-athletes. They have more responsibilities and may not get enough sleep.   However, athletes are more

Many students dream of studying not only in a different state, but in a different country. If you have dreamed of going to a school like Prince William met Kate, (St. Andrews in Scotland), or an ancient school such as Oxford, consider attending college in the United Kingdom. There are several advantages to studying in

One of the biggest questions you have as a student (and your parents too) is ‘Where will I be living next year?” This is a big decision. Be sure to explore all your options. Check out the housing choices on campus. Learn which choices are available to you. Housing Styles Traditional Residence Halls:  This the

Getting a rejection letter from a college can be quite a devastating blow. Learning your first choice college does not want you can be heart-wrenching. Why doesn’t the college want you as much as you want to be a student there? You wonder, “What more could I have done?” The answer is “nothing”.  College Admissions

As you explore which colleges are the right match for you, consider the size of the campus. How many undergraduates attend the 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 students attendance only). Boutique Size (<2000) Over 500

Plan to use your spring break to visit colleges. Their spring breaks are often different than your spring break. Take advantage of seeing a college campus when students are on campus. Here is how you prepare for your spring college visits. Preparing for the visit Create a College Visit Itinerary. Using a map, look at

Take this quick questionnaire, pass it around, compare your answers with your friends- everything is better in pairs! Then let’s talk about the outcome! What are: 2 things in my room that are important to me. 2 words that I would use to describe myself. 2 people who are important in my life. 2 things

Depending on your time and interest, plan one of the following types of college visits: Basic Visit – Mostly for Freshman, Sophomore and Junior High School Students: 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.

You got into the three top schools on your list.  Each has sent you a financial aid award. One offer looks better than the other two, but is it really?  It’s important to compare financial aid offers.  Here are 6 questions to ask: 1.      What is the Student Budget?  Does the college list all the

Now is the time to look for scholarships! College scholarships come from three sources: Colleges you applied to Scholarships from your community National or larger regional organizations At your College Most scholarships come from the school you have applied to.  Request information on possible awards, evaluate if you qualify, and send requirements as requested! Start

What are your plans for summer?  Now is the time to find programs for next summer to participate in. Do it this month!  Many programs fill up early.  Many have deadlines as early as February. What types of summer programs are there? Educational Want to take an AP government class or a Biology AP class

Juniors, believe it or not, we can start writing right away! Here are the essay prompts for the 2017-18 Commonapp! Some have not changed from last year, others are revised, and some are new. We have 7 options now! It’s time to start brainstorming! 2017-2018 Common Application Essay Prompts 1. Some students have a background,

How can you ace the SAT? Here are 7 tips for you:   1. Test Day Checklist.  Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Be sure you arrive at the SAT prepared with the right tools. See TEST DAY CHECKLIST. Be sure to bring a protein snack, a watch, and an approved calculator. 2.

Many states have connected their scholarship programs to the FAFSA. It makes it easy to apply for a state scholarship through the FAFSA, as long as you make the deadline. Review the 2016-2017 document to see the deadlines for your state.  Don’t miss out! Set your calendar to submit by due dates. Finding the Due Dates

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 school (see blog How Do You Get Money for College?)   2. It costs more to go

Many changes were made to the October PSAT. A test for sophomores (the PSAT 10) will be offered by some schools between the end of February and early March.  Now your PSAT/NMSQT  scores are made available online.   To make the most of the PSAT, here are your next steps: Click here to set up your

When you complete and file a FAFSA, you include which colleges to send your FAFSA to. Then the colleges will download your financial information, using it to make a financial or merit award decision. Therefore it is important to get the information to the colleges as soon and orderly as possible. To maximize your options,

It is financial aid forms time. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to complete the FAFSA (FREE Application for Federal Student Aid).  You might also be completing a College Board Profile or other college financial aid forms too. Check on Requirements! Check on FAFSA codes for colleges Check for requirements for

Did you know sometimes you can SAVE your family money when attending a Private College.  How is that possible? See Jack’s story below.   Jack Awesome Jack is a student living in Los Angeles. He has applied to several colleges, both in state and out of state.  He has applied to CSU Los Angeles because

Juniors! The college admissions process is closer than you think… January equals the mid-point of your junior year. NOW is the time to review your MID-YEAR JUNIOR CHECKLIST. This is an exciting but busy year for you. 1. Meet with High School counselor Review PSAT scores with counselor and parents Ask for recommendations for summer

January equals the mid-point of your senior year.  Depending on how you feel about it, it’s exciting or depressing! NOW is the time to review your MID-YEAR SENIOR CHECKLIST. Don’t postpone- there are a lot of time sensitive deadlines in the next few weeks. 1. Meet with High school counselor Request copy of your seventh semester

Did you take the PSAT in October? Interested in learning how you did? You can now access your scores from the Oct. PSAT. Here are the directions for viewing your scores: 1.  View your scores on the My Score Reports webpage for CollegeBoard. 2.  You will need to login to see your results. 3.  The attached image is a

Start the New Year with these New Year’s resolutions: 1.  Make it a date on your phone!  Use your phone to track your school and personal life deadlines. 2.  Learn about yourself.  Take a personality or learning styles survey.  Find free online or ask your counselor for links to surveys. 3. Use social media responsibly.