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Comparing Financial Aid Award Letters compare cost of college comparing financial aid award letters cost of attendance expected family contribution gap grants net price parent loans paying for college plus loans schoalrships student loans

You got into the top three schools on your list.  Each has sent you a financial aid award. One offer looks better than the other two, but is it really?  It’s important to compare financial aid offers.  Here are 6 questions to ask: 

  1. What is your Cost of...
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5 Tips for Spring Break College Visits college visit itinerary college visits drive through college visit good college fit official college visit questions to ask colleges virtual college tours

Use your spring break to visit colleges but be aware of spring break schedules for the colleges you wish to visit. It's best to see a college when students are on campus. Here are a few tips to prepare for your spring college...

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7 Tips To Ace The SAT act sat sat essay test day checklist test optional testing schedule

 How can you ace the SAT? Here are 7 tips for you: 

  1. Test Day Checklist. Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Be sure you arrive at the SAT prepared with the right tools. See TEST DAY CHECKLIST. Be sure to bring a protein snack, a watch, and an approved...
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Top 5 Myths about Paying for College college money myths financial aid financial aid myths in-state college money for college out of pocket college cost out-of-state college outside scholarships private colleges public colleges

Don’t fall victim to these myths! 

1 My family makes too much money to qualify for financial aid.  
  
This is one of the biggest myths out there. You may not qualify for aid at one school, and qualify for lots of money at another school (see blog - How Do...

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4 Tips If You Are Still Applying To Colleges applying to college late adamission late application late college applications public universities regular decision religious affiliated colleges rolling admission

Did you get started late on applying to colleges? Got your December test scores back and you're reconsidering what colleges you are applying to?  
 
Don’t worry! There are many colleges that you can apply to in January and after (even some through August)....

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How To Decipher Your PSAT Score Report nmqts psat psat/nmqts sat study for sat

Taking PSAT is one step in preparing for the SAT.  It's also the test used to determine if you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.  A test for sophomores (the PSAT 10) will be offered by some schools between the end of February and early March....

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MID-YEAR CHECKLIST checklist high school counselor letters of recommendation new year psat standardized test summer planning

January equals the mid-point of your school year. NOW is the time to review your MID YEAR CHECKLIST. This is an exciting but busy time for you.
 
1. Meet with your high school counselor 

  • Review PSAT scores with counselor and parents (if...
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Why Consider a Gap Year college gap year high school time off timeline

Considering taking a Gap Year?

If you’re considering taking a “pause” from your studies, go through the college application process, but ask about deferral policies both for academics and financial aid. Thinking about those things now provides time to decide if a gap is a...

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Singing the Senioritus Blues college college planning gpa grades high school second semester senior in high school senioritus university

What do I need to focus on in my second semester?

Now that your first semester is under your belt, it is tempting to take it easy during your second semester. Why does it matter if some of my grades slip this semester?

What You Do Now Matters

Colleges are going to ask the following questions of...

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How Do You Know How Much You Will Pay for Your College? college board efc expected family contribution fafsa financial aid financial aid forms need based aid paying for college profile form

Paying for college is often compared to paying for airline tickets. No two people pay the same price. What will your costs be at college? How much you pay for college depends on so many factors.  Knowing what those factors are, and how college will look at your family’s financial...

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SAT Subject Based Test Questions & Answers act college applications college board college planning college timeline sat ii sat subject based test standardized test standardized testing

SAT Subject tests are based on the curriculum you have in class.  It's an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of a particular subject. According to the College Board,

"The SAT Subject Tests offer you an additional opportunity to show colleges what you know and what you know you can do....

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Top 10 Factors to Consider for Your “Perfect” College academics campus activities climate college college visits factors to consider for college financial aid housing location narrowing college list school spirit size social scene student body

Here are the Top 10 factors to consider for your “Perfect” college:

Academics: How important is this factor to you? If you know your major, that should be a requirement What about special programs such as honors, study abroad, senior projects? Also consider the learning...

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