SAT Scores for 2012
According to the College Board, the average SAT score for 2012 was 1498 out of a possible 2400. This breaks down to 514 for Math, 496 in Critical Reading, and 488 in Writing. The post SAT Scores for...
View ArticleNew Year Resolutions for High School Students
1. Find the purpose of high school education: although you may never need to know the time two trains traveling distance Y at speed X pass each other, you do need to learn how to study, problem solve,...
View ArticleWhat Parents of High School Freshmen Need to Know
Now that your student has had a chance to acclimate to high school, it’s already time to start planning for college. Financing college, making sure your student is taking the right courses, and...
View ArticleWacky College Essay Topics Gaining Popularity
“”So where is Waldo, really?” That’s not the kind of question most high school seniors expect to find on their college admission applications. But it is one of the essay options that applicants to the...
View ArticleFinancial Aid – filling out the FAFSA
College Board has a wealth of information on financial aid. Here is a recent article concerning filing out the FAFSA: “To apply for most financial aid — including federal and state student grants,...
View ArticleChicano-Latino Largest Ethnic Group Applying to UCs
The number of California students applying to the UCs reached record highs this year, growing by 6.2%. Chicano-Latino applicants comprised 32.1% of those applying, making them the largest ethnic group...
View ArticleTen Things Colleges Look for in High School Students
According to a survey of IECA member educational consultants the following are the 10 most sought after attributes in a student: 1. A rigorous high school curriculum 2. Grades that represent a strong...
View ArticleJuniors – Plan Your College Visits
Spring Break is the traditional time to see colleges, but all too often students fail to take full advantage of their visits. All too often I see students on a tour silently following the guide,...
View ArticleHow to Get Merit Aid
Merit aid, which is broadly defined as all financial aid that is not tied to need, is one way to lessen the financial burden of sending a child to college. The first step in acquiring merit aid is for...
View ArticleEdRev 2013
This weekend I volunteered at the EdRev Conference at AT&T Park, an event put on by the Parent’s Education Network. Sir Ken Robinson, author of “The Element” and Dr. Todd Rose, author of “Square...
View Article5 Ways to Start the Year Off Right
1. Get organized. How are you going to keep track of assignments? School Planner or computer or smart phone, choose one and stick to it. 2. Where are you going to do you homework? Studies show that...
View ArticleTop Strengths and Experiences Colleges Look For in Students
A national survey of IECA members found that the number one thing colleges look for is a rigorous high school curriculum. Next in importance are grades and test scores, and the fourth most important...
View ArticleStudent Success Tips for College
Start day one determined never to miss a class. Establish a time and place for studying that will be distraction-free. Keep focused and engaged in your work, ask a question the first day of each class,...
View ArticleSocial Media and College
I attended a college luncheon this week where the VP of Admissions discussed the impact of social media on the admissions process. Although her institution does not make a practice of checking out...
View ArticleTHE FAFSA GOES LIVE JANUARY 1
The first step in getting financial aid is filling out the FAFSA, and since the money is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, get organized and ready to file on January 1st! You will need a...
View ArticleWait Lists
Last year 48% of colleges used a wait list, and these schools tended to be on the more selective side, most of them accepting less than 50% of their applicants. When a school does move to accept...
View ArticleAcceptances and Rejections
Many students have already heard from a number of schools and as acceptances and rejections climb students have to reconcile aspirations with reality. If you did not get into your dream school and it...
View ArticleLatest Update From UC Admissions
Fall 2014 application news The university received 183,272 undergraduate application submissions from prospective students, an increase of 4.9 percent over last year, with all campuses seeing gains....
View ArticleCommon App Essays Stay the Same for 2014-2015
It has just been announced that there will be no changes in the Common App essay prompts for the coming application cycle. For those of you who would like to get a jump on writing your college essays...
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College Affordability
What happens when your family doesn’t qualify for need-based aid, but having to pay $50,000 to $60,000 a year for higher education will put you on a diet of peanut butter and jelly? Are you really...
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