College admissions committees are swamped with qualified applicants. Many students apply with the same test scores and GPAs (there are only so many combinations of numbers!). So how do you help your teen stand out? Learning how to present a college application package will make your child more competitive to admissions officers, as well as […]
Many students will feel an emerging sense of independence as they forge ahead in the direction of their aspirations for higher education. Surprisingly, the realization of the ongoing need for family support throughout the college financial planning process becomes an unexpected revelation. How does college tuition get paid? What length of time are parents obligated […]
The SAT and ACT tests are important pieces of the college application puzzle. Even “test optional” schools will consider scores, if submitted, meaning less weight (and pressure) on the other parts of the application (like GPA and essay). There are colleges that do not use these tests as part of their application process, but it […]
The University of California Application or UC Application is the common application for all 8 universities in the University of California system: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. Whether you are applying to one UC university or all 8, you will complete a single UC application. All […]
Depending on where you live, you will either take the TASC test in a paper-based or computer-based format. If you take it in a paper-based format, you will be given an answer sheet to fill in: this will be a page with circles, or bubbles, for the answer choices for each question, that you will fill […]
What are the best things for a high school student to do this summer, to prepare for the shifting realities of college and career that await them down the road? Summer vacation is one of the most misunderstood parts of the admissions process. While students think they need to do something truly amazing—hike Kilimanjaro, study […]
In this introduction to need-based financial aid, you will learn about the necessary terms, forms, and tools that you need to know about to pay for college. Need-based financial aid includes financial support, including grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and student loans. A father raised his hand in the back of the room–”what’s a FAFSA?” I […]
TASC stands for “Test Assessing Secondary Completion.” The TASC is an exam that measures whether you have achieved a level of academic accomplishment equivalent to having graduated from high school. Your state may require you to take the TASC if you are seeking a high school equivalency degree. You may have heard people refer to […]
Whether you take the computer or pen-and-paper TASC, you’ll come across a few different question types. Read on to learn more about each. Whether you take the TASC test on paper or on a computer, most of the questions you see will be multiple-choice questions, with four options. For each of those questions, only […]
Early Decision (or ED) is an early admissions process where students make a binding commitment to attend the college if accepted. This commitment includes signing an Early Decision agreement form (which your guidance counselor and parents also must sign). This is different from Early Action (or EA), which is a non-binding process that allows students […]