The class of 2017 has had it rough. First they were told there would be a brand new SAT launching in spring of 2016. Then they were informed that the ACT would undergo a few changes too. Next, a new FAFSA would launch in the fall of 2016. Oh… and a new application called the Coalition would come into play. Then, surprise! The UC’s announced new essays this year. Current high school juniors have had a ton of gargantuan changes to their college admissions process this year. So what do these changes mean for you? Most families had plenty of time to deal with the new SAT option. Some families opted for the ACT to avoid change. Even though the ACT had a…
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4 Tips to Write an Incredible College Essay
Sitting down to write a college admissions essay is tough. For many high school students, this is the first time they will write an autobiographical piece. Instead of writing a book review or a analytical piece about a theory, they have to talk about themselves. Trying to get creative when discussing your life can be difficult. Many students question: what have I done in my 16 years that is essay worthy? These 4 tips will help you figure that out. 4 Tips to Write an Incredible College Essay 1.- Brainstorm. Your essay needs to show a reader who you are as a person. So, who are you? What are your strengths? What do your family members or friends say when they talk about…
Recruiting International Students
There was an interesting article in the New York Times today concerning the recruitment tactics that U.S. colleges are using to attract international students. The article found that in many cases colleges are lowering their standards to recruit these students who are more than willing to pay top dollar to attend college in the United States. The trouble is that “educators worry that students may be victimized by high-pressure sales tactics, and that universities are trading away academic standards by recruiting less qualified students who pay higher tuition,” (Saul, NY Times, April 19, 2016). It is a difficult situation. What once started as a recruitment effort aimed at making a more “global community” on college campuses has shifted. It is turning more towards…
Costco Admissions Essay
In case you missed it, Brittany Stinson was recently admitted to 5 Ivy League colleges and the most selective college in the country, Stanford. She had what most applicants for those schools had–great grades, impressive test scores, solid community involvement, documented interests… but what she had that was unique was a different admissions essay. An important part in college admissions is standing out. You need to be personable, smart, and passionate. These things are hard to show on an application that is merely a reflection of your course history and activities. The essay can set you apart. Stinson’s essay focused on her growth and discovery–against the backdrop of Costco. She grew up visiting this massive hub of consumerism, and there her curiosity grew….
Tips to Pick Your Best Fit Colleges
Creating your ideal college list can be a challenge. There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States. That is a lot of schools with which to become familiar! It is a big reason why families hire professionals to help them make these decisions, but you can start the process on your own. If you follow these different areas then you can begin comprising your perfect college list. Geographic Location One of the first things you can do to cut down a large list of 4,000 schools is limit your geographic area. Is it important for you to be a day’s drive from home? Do you want to be somewhere warm? Do you want to be somewhere with seasons? Think about the geographic…
How to Negotiate for a Better Financial Aid Award
It’s that time of year again. Families are beginning to hear from colleges regarding financial aid. For a few families, this is exciting as they are getting more in aid than originally anticipated. For most though… it can be a stressful and frustrating experience. When you aren’t getting the type of financial aid for which you believe you deserve, you may be left to question if college is even an option. Let me tell you… it is! You just need to know next steps. Most parents don’t consider negotiation with financial aid at all, and they figure that whatever the schools offer them will be the best that they will get. Let me tell you something… this belief is false. FALSE. When you…
Brian Talks Financial Aid on CCTV!
Brian discusses financial aid on CCTV- With the average cost of an in-state college education hovering around $23,000 per year and the average cost of a private college education hovering around $42,000 per year it is safe to say… college is expensive. College prices have soared over the last 40 years, and many question why. More importantly, many have been left wondering how they will afford college for their own children. Our owner, Brian Safadri, was featured on CCTV this week as a resource explaining this phenomenon. In his segment he also chats with two of our clients, Kelly & Jake Mattinson. We helped them through this process, and we can help you too. Check out his interview below!
How to Create Your College List
How to Create Your Perfect College List! Creating your ideal college list can be a challenge. There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States. That is a lot of schools with which to become familiar! It is a big reason why families hire professionals to help them make these decisions, but you can start the process on your own. If you follow these different areas then you can begin comprising your perfect college list. Geographic Location One of the first things you can do to cut down a large list of 4,000 schools is limit your geographic area. Is it important for you to be a day’s drive from home? Do you want to be somewhere warm? Do you want to…
10 Steps to Start Your College Plan
10 Easy Steps to Start Your College Plan! Time and time again we are asked to give families a “how to” book for preparing for college. Well we thought we’d do just that! Below is a quick, 10-step planning process for you to begin your college plans. 1.) You need a destination to create a map. Do you ever get on the freeway to drive to an unknown destination? Do you get in your car and say, “I’m going to start driving, and I am sure I’ll end up where I need to be today,”? I’m going to say, probably not. You typically start a journey with an end goal in mind. College is the same thing. If you don’t know where…
California Residents: Is College Admissions Harder?
For all of you California residents is college admissions harder? A blog post recently made on HuffingtonPost.com paints the picture that higher education is a bigger challenge for students living in California. In the article we learn that college admissions for California students at UC schools has slipped form 63% to 60% this year. That means 40% of those students attending our in-state schools are non-residents of California. That is shocking when you consider that our tax dollars are what fund the UC system. But should we be surprised? When budget cuts come we often take money away from public education. The bulk of those cuts go to higher education services. That is to say that California community colleges, California State Universities, and…
