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What is the PSAT 8/9?

October 6, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

The College Board now offers the PSAT 8/9 to eighth graders and high school freshmen as the first test in a group of tests they call the “SAT Suite of Assessments”. This test is a practice for the PSAT 10 (for 10th graders), the PSAT/NMSQT (for 11th graders) and the SAT (the test for college admissions). For more information directly from the College Board, click here. So, What Is the PSAT 8/9? The PSAT 8/9 is the first test in the College … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's Tagged With: 8th graders, college admissions, PSAT, PSAT 8/9, SAT changes, University And College Admissions

Texas Colleges on New Best Colleges Rankings

September 13, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Sept. 13, 2016 – U.S. News & World Report today announced the 2017 Best Colleges rankings to help students worldwide compare the academic quality of more than 1,800 U.S.-based schools. Princeton University remains No. 1 in the Best National Universities category. For the 14th consecutive year, Williams College takes the top spot on the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. California schools and military academies make a strong … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's Tagged With: best colleges, college rankings, Texas A&M, University of Houston, University of Texas

9 Texas Colleges on the “Shame List”

August 31, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Campus Pride is a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe learning environments for LGBQT students nationwide, which has jut released a “Shame List” of colleges and universities it calls the “absolute worst for LGBQT youth.” Nine Texas colleges, all with religious ties, were among the 102 schools on the list. Arlington Baptist College Criswell College in Dallas University of Dallas (Irving) East Texas Baptist University (Marshall) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Upcoming Events Tagged With: college counselor, Texas colleges

3 Things to Know About the 2016-17 Common Application

August 1, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

The 2016-17 Common Application opened on August 1. For those of you eager to get started, here are three key pieces of information to help you begin. And for those of you who aren’t quite ready to give up on summer, don’t worry. These tips will be just as useful in September. Your Account- If you previously created an account, it should rollover. Log in with your email address and password (be sure to write it down!), answer a few … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Seniors Tagged With: college acceptance, college admissions, college advice, Common App, Common Application, Common Application supplements

Admissions Information for Universities in Arizona

July 21, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Tuition and admissions information for Arizona Universities for University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Embry Riddle University, Arizona Christian University, and Northern Arizona University: What is required to be accepted to ASU? ASU wants freshmen applicants who have completed the basic high school core requirements (see details below) and who are also in the top quarter of their class or who have earned certain test scores on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's Tagged With: Arizona colleges, Arizona State University, ASU, University of Arizona

Average ACT Scores for Texas Universities

April 26, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Colleges admissions offices evaluate each student individually based on: SAT or ACT scores GPA/Class Rank Strength of Curriculum (courses chosen, including AP classes) Extracurricular activities, including leadership roles Community service Others, including essays, teacher recommendations and achievements/awards Each column lists the ACT score for the 25-75% of accepted students in 2015 admissions process.  Keep in mind … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ACT and SAT, FAQ's, For Juniors, For Seniors Tagged With: ACT at Texas, ACT for UT, ACT scores, average ACT, average ACT English, Texas colleges, Texas universities

New College Application: The Coalition App

April 23, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

The Coalition Application is brand new for class of 2017. Because it's not been tested or reviewed, my professional suggestion is only to use this application if necessary. If your college takes another application, use it instead. If you must use Coalition Application, your high school counselor might not understand how to upload transcripts orletters of recommendation. The application is supposed to open in July for students to apply for the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, For Juniors, For Seniors Tagged With: coalition app, coalition application, colleges using coalition app

Best Colleges for Computer Science

April 13, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

If you've ever wanted to build a robot or create a computer you can have a conversation with, Computer Science might be the major for you. Computer Science majors analyze the way computers and humans interact so they can build programs or systems that aid people in solving problems. Classes in calculus, data logic, information management, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and data structures and algorithms among others will give … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, For Juniors Tagged With: best colleges, college acceptance, computer science, computer science colleges, Texas A&M, University of Texas

You Got Accepted! Now What?

April 12, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

  Many seniors are getting college acceptance letters and emails this time of year. Some are still waiting to hear from a college or two that they are really hoping for. It’s a time of anxiety, worry and celebration! Once you have heard from the majority of colleges you applied to, it’s time to make a selection. Many students think this will be an easy decision: just go to your "top pick". But what if your #1 choice college doesn't … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Seniors Tagged With: college acceptance, college letters, deciding on college, financial aid

50 Colleges That Create Futures

April 12, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

The college search is complicated and confusing. There are hundreds of ranking list, but many include student happiness as a factor. Parents and students want to know which colleges will actually prepare students for the real world, for employment, and which colleges go beyond the classroom. A new book by Princeton Review, Colleges That Create Futures: 50 Schools That Launch Careers By Going Beyond the Classroom is aiming to do just … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's Tagged With: Arizona State University, ASU, college acceptance, college advice, college applications, college consultant, Colorado colleges, Rice University, UH, University of Houston, University of Texas

College Acceptances for Clients- Class of 2016

March 29, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Yay! Almost all of our college admissions decisions are in and all of our clients have some great options! They received a total of 138 college acceptances, for a group of 25 students, that's an average of 5.5 each. The majority of college acceptances are clustered in a few select colleges: 13 clients were offered admissions to University of Texas, with 7 of these being offered the CAP program. One admit direct into highly competitive … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, Testimonials

New PreACT Will Debut This Year

March 22, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

ACT Inc. will offer a new multiple-choice examination for 10th graders this fall, the Iowa-based organization announced on Tuesday. The new practice test, the PreACT, was designed to help students prepare for the ACT exam, and will test students in the same sections as the ACT: English, mathematics, reading, and science. But it will not include a writing or essay section.   Last year, College Board, the maker of the SAT announced … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ACT and SAT, FAQ's Tagged With: new ACT, PACT, practice ACT, PreACT

College Dorm or Apartment?

March 21, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

The choice between living on- or off-campus can be as difficult as choosing which college to attend. Just as you debated the pros and cons of each college campus and how each one best served your academic needs, similar consideration should be given to your housing choice. For incoming freshmen, the choice will probably be made for you; many colleges require first-year students to live on-campus. But if you are a sophomore or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Seniors Tagged With: college admissions, college advice, college consultant, college dorms

When Are Admission Decisions Released?

March 18, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Here's When Colleges Are Releasing Regular Admissions Decisions for the Class of 2016 It’s March and there’s finally a light at the end of the admissions tunnel for anxious high school seniors – colleges will soon start releasing their regular admissions decisions! Here are regular application decision notification dates for current seniors, class of 2016, or soon to be- the Class of 2020. Expect these dates to change as we draw closer to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, For Seniors Tagged With: college acceptance, college admissions, college advice, college consultant, college counselor, college help, regular admissions, University And College Admissions

Top 50 Master’s Degrees with the Highest Salaries

March 8, 2016 By Jolyn Brand

Considering going back to earn your Master's degree but don't know if it's worth it? Payscale.com searched data of more than 200 Master's degrees and ranked them according to salaries. These first top 25 Master's degrees are packed with STEM subjects and high salaries.  The second group of 25 job titles are Master's in Business (MBAs).   Related Articles: Best Colleges for Engineering Comparing UT and Texas … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, For Juniors Tagged With: college acceptance, college help, college majors, college students, major in engineering

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Joel Delgado
Joel Delgado
16:37 27 Sep 19
Our experience with Jolly Brand was exceptional.
Jacob Gunter
Jacob Gunter
04:27 06 Jul 19
Shannon Robbins
Shannon Robbins
16:26 14 Apr 17
Our experience with Jolyn Brand was exceptional. She was very responsive to us and offered valuable guidance throughout the college preparation and application process. My daughter got in to all of the schools in which she applied, even her stretch school. We credit Jolyn with helping us to make sure her resume, application and essays were top notch.
Marylee Olson
Marylee Olson
00:29 08 Mar 17
Brand College Consulting was GREAT for our son! We met Ms. Brand when my son was in 7th grade! We saw her for an hour consult yearly to help him select his classes, plus a little algebra tutoring in high school. He was ahead of others course-wise and we were able to get 21 hours dual credit in high school, he made the Dean's List, Phi Theta Kappa, and Natl Society of High School Scholars. We are a family of Texas State Bobcats and it's very competitive now to get in but he did and we are thrilled! I recommend Ms. Brand and her services! Marylee Olson, Silverlake, Pearland (Dawson High School)
Chaplain Forever
Chaplain Forever
23:49 05 Oct 16
My youngest daughter attended tutorial services with Ms. Brand. Due to the exemplary, SAT preparation services, my daughter was accepted into several top colleges including the University of Houston, Texas State, Lamar University, and Sam Houston. As a college student, she received scholarships and has been on the Dean's list every semester. Ms. Brand instilled confidence in my daughter. I will be forever grateful.
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Client Testimonials

avatarWe originally hired "College Authority" to guide us through the complex trail of financial aid and all other college related questions. They have proven to be a completely inadequate source for help. We then started working with Jolyn and she has been absolutely great with her advice and guidance. She has always answered every question we’ve had clearly so that we had the best information to make a choice (and we had a lot of questions for her).

Ertan Zanager
Dallas area parent, class of 2015
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About Jolyn Brand

Jolyn is a certified teacher who holds a Doctorate in Higher Education from Northeastern University. After years of experience teaching high school and college students, she began assisting with the college process. She's the founder of Brand College Consulting and works with families across the country virtually. A note from Jolyn: I started working with low-income high school students in … More...

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