You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again—colleges like to see their applicants do more than just excel in academics. They like to see involvement in extracurriculars, participation in the community, an active volunteering streak…maybe even a combination of all three! It can get exhausting to try to get all of these bases covered, […]
How is the ACT Scored and What’s on My ACT Student Report?
One of the most nerve-wracking things about applying to college is taking standardized tests. The ACT can stress anyone out! And waiting to get your scores can be even more stressful than taking the tests in the first place. Once you get your scores, though, it’s all about deciphering exactly what all those numbers, percentiles, and […]
How to Ask for More Financial Aid for College
When it comes to college, the most stressful thing you’re likely going to go through is figuring out how to pay for it. Filling out form after form, completing the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE, submitting tax returns, getting everything sent off and certified–it can be quite the experience.
Top 5 Tasks if You are Wait-Listed for College
If you’re like most college applicants, you would almost rather see a rejection letter than a waitlist letter. While the rejection letter may hurt more, you at least have closure. With a waitlist letter, you have…well, not closure. And a whole lot of waiting, to boot. So what should you do if you’re waitlisted at […]
5 Ways to Not Start Your College Application Essays
When it comes to applying to college, perhaps one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the whole process is writing those darn essays. No one likes to talk about themselves, and people like talking about themselves even less when what they say could possibly cost them acceptance into their dream school. However, writing those pesky […]
Reading List for Those Taking the SAT/ACT and Applying to College
Looking for further reading? Try one of these titles for more information on standardized testing, admissions, and financial aid. SAT and ACT Testing The Official SAT Study Guide, by The College Board In-depth test-taking strategies and eight practice tests. The Real ACT Prep Guide, by ACT Extensive test review and three practice tests with detailed […]
9 Essential Resources for College Applicants
Whether you’re currently applying to college, or are just starting to think about the process, having resources available is something that all students can benefit from. I know that I constantly rely on information and guidance from multiple sources (both online and off) to help me as I counsel students–and, often, the information I get […]
Inflated GPAs: When Test Scores and Grades Collide
On the day SAT scores are released, I wait for the one phone call that never fails: that from a distraught parent who cannot understand why her daughter with a 4.5 GPA received a 1350 on the SAT. Teachers and administrators at her daughter’s school may be quick to jump on the test anxiety bandwagon, […]
Should you Submit Both ACT and SAT Scores to Colleges?
It’s something that we’re hearing more and more of recently–students who are submitting both ACT and SAT score to the colleges to which they are applying. It seems to be a fairly new phenomenon; it’s something that’s become particularly prevalent (and that we’ve been asked more and more about) in the last couple of years.
Who Should Write Your College Recommendation Letters?
This week’s College Admissions Tip of the Week comes from Lauren Rudick, one of our SAT instructors and college admissions counselors. Letters of recommendation are the one part of your college applications that you don’t do yourself and don’t have direct control over. But you can still influence this part of your applications by choosing […]