When it comes to the ACT, colleges come in two varieties: those that require or recommend that you take the optional ACT Writing Test, and those that say that the test is not needed. How is it used, and how will it affect how your ACT score is viewed?
How to Beat Senioritis and Make Your Last Year of High School Count
Ah, Senior Year. You’ve waited for it, pined for it, ached for it—and now it’s almost here! That last year before you go off to college; those last few months before you get to be on your own. Understandably, it will feel like it drags on forever. And ever. After a while, you may lose […]
Paying for College 101: What You Need to Know About 529s
This is a guest post by financial planner Todd Rhine. If you have been looking to save for college, you have probably heard of a 529. Simply defined, a 529 is a college savings plan that allows the owner to avoid Federal capital gains tax on the growth in savings when the funds are used […]
Positive Thinking and the ACT
As an ACT instructor, I have heard negative comments in every ACT class I have ever taught:“I am terrible at taking tests.” “I am bad at math.” “I am going to fail miserably.” These words are toxic and quite often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you are bad at math, how can you ever […]
How do I Cancel my SAT Score?
So you took the SAT, and you have a sinking feeling that you didn’t do as well as you wanted to. In fact, you’re so sure you didn’t well that you want to make sure no one ever sees your score–not even you. You can’t travel back in time and tell your past self not […]
Fun Ways to Prepare for your ACT or SAT This Summer
When schools across the country start to let out for summer break, the last think you want to talk about is your upcoming test, right? We understand! Vacation is an important and well-deserved break. It’s okay if you need a couple of weeks to unwind, but we need to come to a compromise. Going forward […]
Positive Thinking and the SAT
As an SAT instructor, I have heard negative comments in every SAT class I have ever taught: “I am terrible at taking tests.” “I am bad at math.” “I am going to fail miserably.” These words are toxic and quite often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you are bad at math, how can […]
5 Steps You Need to Take Before Senior Year Starts
That last summer before senior year is a great one–full of excitement, expectation, and possibility. It’s the summer before your last year of high school, and your last “real” summer before college. Even though it’s a magical time, though, you still need to be planning ahead, particularly if applying to college is on the horizon. […]
Paying for College 101: The CSS Curve Ball
If you have been keeping up with our prior posts, you now understand the importance of properly positioning your assets when you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should now understand how the student and parent’s income(s) and assets affect the FAFSA calculation and how these calculations dictate the Estimated Family […]
Paying for College 101: When Your Hard Work Works Against You
The point of working hard and saving for college shouldn’t be having your efforts work against you, yet that is exactly what can happen when you diligently work and save without understanding how the FAFSA works. In a previous post, I described how the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is impacted by your income and where […]