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 … [Read more...]
Common Application Essays for Class of 2020
The Common Application is a website that allows over 2 million students to apply to over 480 colleges each year, using one platform. It requires one general Common App essay that is then sent to any colleges using the app. Students chose from seven different prompts to write this one essay, which needs to be between 250 and 650 words. This word length should be sufficient for most students and most topics, but be aware of the application … [Read more...]
Spring To Do List For Juniors
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. It is … [Read more...]
National College Fairs Scheduled for 2019
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) released its list of dates and cities for National College Fairs. These College Fairs are free to the public and designed for information-seeking college-bound students and parents. 2019 National College Fairs: Dallas/ Ft Worth: March 23 Austin: March 26 Houston: March 28 Related Articles: College Fair Tips by eCampusTours Joining the Crowd at a … [Read more...]
PSAT Scores Release Dates
What to Do When Your PSAT Scores Come In Have you gotten your PSAT scores back? Scores from the October 2018 PSAT will be released for different days, depending on the area of the country. Texas and Arizona students should get their scores on December 10, while Florida students will get their scores on December 11. No matter what your scores are, now is not the time to gloat, panic, or feel indifferent. Your scores can give you an insight … [Read more...]
Assured and Automatic Admissions at Texas Colleges
In 1997, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 588 – also known as the Texas Top Ten Percent Law – guaranteeing automatic admission to all state-funded universities for Texas students in the top ten percent of their public high school class. This law was later amended to allow universities to cap their admissions to the Top Ten Percent students as 75% of their freshmen 'seats'. This has allowed University of Texas Austin campus to restrict … [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. If you are the parent read, The Parent’s Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA Form. Ready to fill out the FAFSA form? Make sure you avoid these 12 common FAFSA mistakes. 1. Create an account (FSA ID). Student: An FSA ID is a username … [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 10. 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 is much more … [Read more...]
Jolyn was interviewed for U.S. News Education
Jolyn Brand was interviewed by U.S. News Education reporter for her article titled "Use AP Credits to Graduate from College in 3 Years" Public institutions tend to be more flexible in allowing AP credits. "I have found that public universities are more accepting of AP and dual credit courses for credit than private universities," says Jolyn Brand, a Houston-based educational consultant. Brand also has a son at Purdue … [Read more...]
UT Austin Changes Admissions Requirements
UT Austin announced changes to its admissions process and requirements for students in the class of 2019. These students can begin applying August 1, 2018 using the ApplyTexas application. Essay Requirements All freshman applicants will be required to submit one essay -- Topic A -- in ApplyTexas. Other long-form essays in ApplyTexas (B, C, D, S, etc.) will no longer be needed for freshman applicants to UT (but may be required for other … [Read more...]
Can my ACT score get me a scholarship?
Guest post by: David Recine, Magoosh The link between ACT scores and getting accepted into school is obvious. Meet a school’s expectations, and you’ll get in. But what about the connection between ACT scores and paying for school once you’re accepted? That is never quite so obvious. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how your ACT score can translate into money in your pocket… or at least, money applied to your tuition bill. Which … [Read more...]
When should you submit those college applications?
The short answer: as soon as possible. Most colleges start accepting applications August 1 or during the Fall semester of senior year. Even for colleges with Spring deadlines, it is strongly encouraged to submit applications during the Fall semester in order to be considered for scholarships. Plus, students who apply early are usually the ones who get a decision early! New Announcement: The Apply Texas application will open July 1st instead … [Read more...]
Apply Texas College Essay Prompts for Class of 2019
The Apply Texas application is a common application form for most Texas public universities. It allows students to input their information for several different colleges at once. ApplyTexas college essay prompts for class of 2017 are: Essay A: What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person. Essay B: Some students have an identity, an … [Read more...]
Houston College Search Series
College Search Series will be in the Houston area on June 19, 20, 21, and 25 to speak with high school students about colleges. … [Read more...]
College Acceptances for Class of 2018
Yay! All of our college admissions decisions are in and all of our clients have selected their college for next school year. We assisted 24 current seniors, class of 2018, through the college admissions process. They received a total of 112 college acceptances. Some great stand-outs at out of state universities include: Two admits to Case Western University One accepted at Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, and NYU Two students accepted to … [Read more...]
