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 is much more … [Read more...]
7 Tips to Start the High School Year Off Right
All high school students, from anxious new freshman to confident seniors, set their minds to making the most of the year. Four years may sound like a lot, but it's a short time considering you're setting the groundwork for the rest of your life. Goal: College! Here are 7 ways to ensure this school year provides the best support for your future choices and opportunities: 1. School course choices Consider your courses and teachers and decide … [Read more...]
What AP Score Do I Need?
Many students who take AP classes and exams are asking this question: Is my AP score good enough? The answer is complicated. AP scores are on a simple 5 point scale, but colleges are allowed to decide for themselves what score is required to get credit. The College Board defines the scores as follows: 5 - Extremely well qualified to receive college credit 4 - Well qualified to receive college credit 3 - Qualified to receive college … [Read more...]
Student’s and Parent’s Responsibilities in College Planning
Responsibilities of Students and Families While working with the college consultant, families and students have certain responsibilities in order to help the process run smoothly. The consultant's job includes guiding the student and family through selecting colleges, applying to those college, through the financial aid process, and to assist with college essays and scholarships. It is not within the consultant's services to write essays, … [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...]
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...]
10 Most Important College Financial Aid Terms
Your college education is an extremely important and expensive investment. Before you shell out thousands of dollars for an advanced education, you need to give yourself a basic education in the financial aid process. Navigating the college financial aid process can be hard enough even for the most highly educated people. So to help, I’ve put together a quick reference guide on the 12 most common financial aid terms used. 1. FAFSA (Free … [Read more...]
The 20 Biggest Colleges in the United States
Many students want to attend a large national university, with a strong football team and all of the perks that come along with it. But what size is too large? Some schools have over 40,000 undergraduates, making them the size of a small city. These schools can provide great opportunities to students, but they may also be a little overwhelming. Why So Many Students? Many of the colleges on this list are public state universities, which … [Read more...]
Average ACT Scores for Texas Universities
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...]
New College Application: The Coalition App
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...]
