While most seniors are happily done (or almost happily done) with completing and submitting their college applications, now it’s time for juniors to get engaged. Below is a checklist of some of the things that juniors and their families should be thinking about, discussing and doing over the next few months. Start talking! If you haven't already, now is the time to start conversations about the next steps after high school. … [Read more...]
Timeline for Taking the SAT or ACT
The SAT and the ACT are very different college entrance exams and most colleges are now accepting both. This has led to most students taking both the SAT and the ACT tests, although that is not required or suggested by many professionals in the college admissions field. Junior and senior year of high school are already very busy times so planning ahead really helps! When should my child take the SAT or ACT? While it looks like there are … [Read more...]
Does the PSAT Matter? Should You Prepare?
The PSAT will be given to area high school juniors (and younger students in some districts) on Wednesday, October 16. But does this test really matter? Should you take it seriously? Is it something students should prepare for so that you do well? Do Colleges Care About the PSAT? The PSAT is not used directly by colleges and universities when they make their college admissions decisions. Your acceptance or rejection into college … [Read more...]
Creating Your Student Resume for College Admissions
When you apply to college, admission officers look at more than just your grades — they also take note of what you have done outside the classroom. Your extracurricular activities, such as jobs, sports, clubs and volunteer work, give colleges a better sense of who you are and show them what you can bring to their campus community. Remember that college folder you were supposed to be collecting throughout high school? The one stuffed with … [Read more...]
10 Things to See and Do on a College Tour
Students and parents should plan college tours starting in 9th grade. That should give high school students enough time during freshmen, sophomore and junior years to visit several different college campuses, take the official college tour, and narrow down their preferences and final college list before senior year. Most colleges offer daily walking campus tours during the week and some also offer these on weekends. You can search "visit" plus … [Read more...]
Law School Applications Surge
The number of admissions applications to law schools in the U.S. this year has increased 28% from last year, according to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Applications this year were at their highest level since 2011, and that’s creating difficulty for students facing more competition in admissions. It’s also complicating admissions for law school admissions professionals, which in some cases have resorted to asking accepted students to … [Read more...]
After College Applications
Congratulations! You're done submitting your college applications! Now what? Unfortunately, the upcoming time period of waiting for admissions decisions can be stressful. But you can't just sit back and wait! Here are a few things to work on while waiting.... Create College Portal Accounts Many colleges offer student applicants an account online to check their application status. Often called Application Information Systems or Portals, … [Read more...]
Open House Days at Texas Colleges
Open houses, like campus tours, provide students with a unique opportunity to get information so they can decide whether or not to apply to the school. A college open house is an event where visitors are allowed access to a campus in order to learn more about it. During open houses, you can expect to see a number of important and knowledgeable people associated with a college. Deans, professors, coaches, admissions counselors, safety … [Read more...]
Personal Insight Questions for UC application
Thinking about applying to one of the nine campuses within the University of California system? Then you'll need the UC application. It's open for Class of 2022 students and due November 30. Instead of essays, the UC application has Personal Insight Questions for applicants. Students write 4 short answers out of the 8 topics given. Directions You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.Each … [Read more...]
Study Abroad Campuses
97% of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. That means they were twice as likely to find a job. 84% of study abroad alumni felt their studies abroad helped them build valuable skills for the job market. 80% of study abroad students reported that study abroad allowed them to better adapt better to … [Read more...]
5 Things to Do the Summer Before Going Off To College
Congratulations! You've just graduated from high school and have been accepted to a university (or several!) You've worked hard and should enjoy your last summer at home before going off to college. You may feel like being "lazy" before classes and your busy freshmen year begins; by all means, relax, but there are several things that you should concentrate on over the summer, while you still have time! 1. Get organized. If you don't already … [Read more...]
Parent Quiz: Are You Financially Prepared for College?
Students are going back to school and parents are again thinking about the future. Between AP classes, sports, extracurricular activities, and community service kids, these days are very busy. Parents are also worried about how to pay for all of those things plus the upcoming college costs. Are you preparing your family correctly? Take this quiz to see! 1. Have you set up a 529 or college savings plan? 2. Have you calculated the future college … [Read more...]
How to File the FAFSA
8 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA Form Need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form but don’t know where to start? I’m here to help. Let’s walk through the process step by step. 1. Create an account (FSA ID). Student: An FSA ID is a username and password you need to sign the FAFSA form online. If you don’t have an FSA ID, get an FSA ID here. It takes about 10 minutes to create an FSA ID. If this will be your … [Read more...]
Rising “Hidden Costs” for College
More and more Americans are going to college. According to data from the Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 1980, 50% of high school graduates between the ages of 16 and 24 were enrolled in college; in 2016, it was 70%. In 2016, 19.3 million undergraduate students were enrolled in higher education institutions. 70% were enrolled at public schools, 23% at private non-profits schools and 7% at private … [Read more...]
Expanded Student Resume for University of Texas
An expanded, detailed student resume is strongly recommended for student applying to the University of Texas. It is also required for application to the UT Honors Program. College student résumés are not professional one- or two-page résumés that applicants typically submit for jobs. College résumés are different. For UT, and for most universities that allow for a paper résumé, the résumé can be as long as the applicant chooses. The … [Read more...]
