Hi College Bound friends!

Seniors- May 1st is your big day to commit to your chosen school AND to contact the schools you're turning down and notify them you will not be attending.  Also, it's classy and appropriate to jot a note to your recommendation writers and any other adults who helped you through this process.  Thank them for their assistance and let them know of your decision.  

Juniors- Over the summer you want to finalize your list of colleges you plan to pursue (5-8 is typical), prepare for your fall SAT or ACT exams, work on your application essays, do some volunteer work and attend any pre-college camps that appeal to you.  The Common Application will be re-opened on August 1st, allowing you to start your applications even before school starts.

Sophomores and Freshmen- Use your summers to pursue your hobbies and interests, to volunteer, travel, start your own small business and perhaps attend some pre-college camps.  What you choose to do over your summers can really add that extra pizazz to your applications and set you apart from the students who just used their summers to hang out at the pool and play x-box!  Sophomores also need to prep for the PSAT they will take in Oct of their junior year since so many outstanding scholarships are offered to students who score well.  

Heath Walters, of Safe College Funding, has put together a powerful and informative workshop that will demystify and explain how financial aid works and how to maximize your aid from the college, state, and federal sources.  What you don't know can cost you a lot!  

Heath is our family's own go-to guru for the nitty gritty of navigating financial aid.  While I focus on admissions and scholarships, he's the one I defer to on this important topic.  So, if you want to navigate this process with confidence, try his class!

Each year US News and Forbes release their rankings of the top colleges and universities in the US.  I enjoy reviewing the rankings and seeing who moved up and down from the previous year.  While I don't dispute that the top schools have some excellent academic track records, I encourage students and parents to not get too caught up in them.  What makes a school the best fit for you may not be a criterium used in the rankings.  

I think it is very important to consider the track record of a college you're considering to make sure it has a pattern of serving its students well.  Ask about its freshman retention rate (i.e.- how many freshmen come back to be sophomores), how many graduate in four years, the average class size and the student-to-faculty ratio (lower is better). 

Beyond that, you should consider how well a school fits your personality, aligns with your beliefs and faith, is located in an area that appeals to you, connects students with great internships and job placement, and offers majors your are interested in studying

Ultimately, the right school for your best friend doesn't make it the right school for you.  This is your future. Get informed and make the decision that is right for you.

To view the current ranking by US News, click here.  

Upcoming Classes! 

This class covers all of the essential topics for planning and positioning for admissions, scholarships and financial aid.  The workshop fee is just for the student but parents are strongly encouraged to come along at no extra charge.  When signing up, just enroll the student- no need to sign up the parents.  I'll just assume they are coming along.