One of the biggest mistakes that parents and students make when looking at colleges is trying to pack in too many schools on a single visit. Having just returned from looking at schools on the East Coast, I am sympathetic to their plight. Since most of us have limited time to see a number of schools, it appears reasonable to think that we can cover two schools in a day. I see parents who feel triumphant when they time the admission meetings and tours in such a way that they can attend a 10 o’clock meeting at one school and high-tail over to another in time for its 2 o’clock session.
Question: How can I find scholarship money?
Question: I can’t think of a topic for my college essay.
Question: I just got back my SAT scores, and they are worse than I expected. I don’t think I am a good tester. Now I am worried that I cannot get into a good college. Any ideas for me?
Question: My son is on the wait list for the college of his choice. He was accepted into his second choice. Should he move on and be glad he got into his No. 2 school?
Question: I am trying to figure out how to help my son, who is a junior, with the whole college-planning process without spending a lot of money.
I have the same gut-wrenching feeling that I remember experiencing 10 years ago when my daughter started kindergarten, as I realize that I have hit another milestone in her life. Today, she takes her first SAT that actually counts. I had counseled her to take the January test as a junior because I understood at the time that she would have the benefit of Score Choice. Score Choice is a practice readopted by the College Board that would allow students to take the SAT I reasoning and subjects tests multiple times with the option to submit only the scores from the test date (or sitting) that represent the highest scores. While this practice existed in previous years, it was not available as an option for current high school students until this past June. I rejoiced in learning about Score Choice being revisited, as I remember the benefit that my eldest daughter had when she could hide all evidence of her poor scores in history and chemistry, and submit only those scores that portrayed her in a favorable light.
Question: My son was told that he needs to fill out the Common Application for the private schools on his list. What exactly is this, and how can I help him?
Question: I am trying to come up with a college list for my son who is a junior. Can you give me any ideas of resources that I could use?
