Category Archives: 2018 Articles

Most families are terrified about trying to pay for college. And that is understandable since 4 year colleges and universities can cost over $70,000 per year!  With multiple college-bound students in the family,  this amount can be staggering. 

Many families do not believe they will be eligible for financial aid, but the truth is that most families with incomes ranging from $50,000-$150,000 per year who own homes are eligible for some form of financial aid. There is over $150 billion available each year from a variety of sources; you just have to know where to look! You would be surprised how many high-six and seven digit income earners are eligible for some kind of financial aid. Many families become obsessed with searching for scholarships, but the fact is that private scholarships only make up  5%-7% of the money available to help pay for your child’s college education.  So it is best to focus on getting the other 95% that comes from other sources. So how do we do that?

First of all you need to find out if you will qualify for need-based aid. You can use an EFC calculator on the College Board website to calculate your expected family contribution (EFC). Subtract that number from the total cost of attendance at the colleges you are looking at and you will know if you are eligible for any need based financial aid.  For example: If your EFC is $15,000 and the cost of attendance is $55,000, you will be eligible for $40,000 in need based aid.

Next, find out what % of your need each college will meet. Most do not meet 100% of your need. Ask if each college has a ceiling on the maximum amount of financial aid a student can qualify for? Find out if the financial aid package remains the same all 4 years and what are the  specific requirements to maintain that amount.  There are usually GPA requirements. One last thing to find out is how they treat private scholarships. In other words, if you get an outside private scholarship (say from the Rotary Club), will they subtract that amount from your need based aid? It is also important that if the student will be eligible for need based aid, that the family file the FAFSA as early as possible. The early bird gets the worm; that is to say that need based aid is doled out on a first come first served basis! 

So what of you find out that you will not be receiving any need-based aid? Then it is up to the student to be sure grades and test scores are high, and that he/she is academically in the top 25% of applicants at the schools where he/she will apply. Colleges can be very generous with merit-based financial aid. Merit aid is not typically based on family income or assets. If you will not be eligible for need-based aid, then applying for private scholarships can help! It is a lot of work and takes several years of searching since the private scholarships are typically only for one year. 

And finally, much to the dismay of many, California colleges are expensive! So if the student is willing to get out of California, there may be many more affordable options! Sorry Mom!

Paying for college puts the anxiety butterflies into the stomach of many parents. Rightfully so! Paying for college is like buying a house and having to pay it off in 10 years or less! So let’s talk about ways to help make this a little less painful. 

First of all, it is important to understand how the college will calculate the minimum amount they will expect you to pay. This is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). You can calculate this by going to the College Board Big Future EFC Calculator web site. You can also to the college website and search for Net Price Calculator. Some of these calculators are good and some are not so good. But all of the colleges are required to have them. This will give you an estimate of the cost of the college.

The cost of the college should play a role in the college selection process. If you are not going to get need-based aid, and your student wants to attend Stanford, then be prepared to pay somewhere in the $70,000 per year range. Don’t want to do that? Then if you will not get need based aid, don’t apply to Stanford since they do not give merit aid.  Another tip: California schools are notoriously more expensive than many out of state schools. Check out the out of state possibilities (sorry, Mom).

In the college search, try to find schools where the student is in the academic top 25% of applicants. Colleges tend to give more scholarships based on GPA and test scores. But be careful! Sometimes need based aid is taken away if the student earns private scholarships. Check with the financial aid office about their policy on private scholarships and how they treat them in the financial aid office. 

Finally, apply for private scholarships. Start in the high school you attend. They usually sponsor many local scholarships students can apply for. Begin in the Fall of the senior year if not sooner.  Students should begin by collecting information about the scholarship including requirements, criteria and deadlines. Websites such as Fastweb.com, Cappex.com, Unigo.com and Scholarships.com are good places to start the search. Students can apply for scholarships while attending college as well. Develop a system for keeping track of information and deadlines. Scholarship applications should become a job. Apply for smaller scholarships that require essays. There will be less competition. Chances are students will not “win” most of the scholarships they apply for. The secret is to keep applying. Set up a schedule. Be tenacious. Don’t give up when you are declined. 

Paying for college is not easy. Be knowledgeable in all the steps to get the most affordable net cost to your family!

Most everyone knows that to get into a great college, good grades are essential. What most people do not know is that all aspects of the application are not treated equally.  In a recent survey conducted by the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), over 2000 independent educational consultants found that many colleges are more interested in rigor of curriculum than they are GPA. So let’s take a look at what else matters most.

According to Compass Education Group, grades, test scores and strength of curriculum have been the most important factors in college admissions for over 20 years. I am often asked if it is better for a student to take an AP course and get a B or a non-AP course and get an A.  Mark Sklarow, CEO of IECA said, “Grades and scores are important, but it is far better to accept a challenge, show some grit, and earn a slightly lower grade if necessary than to breeze through high school with easy courses and straight A’s.” Colleges want to know that students can handle the rigorous college curriculum and not be scared away but the level of challenge. Each student is evaluated on the offerings at their own high school, so a school that offers 20 AP courses is not compared to a school that only offers 4. They will look to see that the student has taken the most challenging schedule available to them at their own high school.

 Students spend 4 years taking rigorous courses, studying late into the night, writing papers, reading literature, and working on projects so that they might get the best possible grades in their coursework. And yet, many students do not prepare to take the ACT or SAT at all, and many others study for a few hours and hope for the best. According to one test prep company, at some colleges, the ACT or SAT may count up to 40% on the admissions scale! For students who have their eye on a competitive college, test prep is essential. How much time should be spent preparing for the test depends on each student and their target colleges. This can be determined by finding the target score and looking at the student’s schedule to determine a realistic study schedule.  Students spend thousands of dollars on test prep. Many states and/or school districts offer test prep in their high schools. Some states even use the SAT or ACT as their state test and teachers are trained to teach the material. 

There is currently a bill (Assembly Bill 1951) that would make the SAT or ACT an alternative to Smarter Balanced starting in 2019-20. There is some opposition to the bill, but whether it passes or not, I hope our local high schools will adopt a test prep program that can diagnose and prepare our students to perform better on these important standardized tests. There are several programs currently available to high schools.  Although there are many test prep programs available, studying  would be much more time-and-cost-efficient if busy students could study during school time; when AP testing is done would be an ideal time. Rigor, grades and test scores: the top 3 for college admissions!

Summer is upon us, and many students are trying to think about what they can do to strengthen their college applications. The fact is, there are lots of things students can do besides the relaxing and having some fun they all look forward to. So let’s talk about how to plan your summer activities so that you can have fun and still enhance your college applications.

First of all, decide what activities you have been involved in so far and see if you can find a way to take them to a deeper level. For example, if you are a high school swimmer, get a job as a lifeguard or teach swim lessons out of your home. If you are a dancer, teach dance lessons or get involved in a community performing project. Tulare County Office of Education, Enchanted Playhouse, or Encore Theater in Tulare have programs for students. Colleges like to see depth of involvement in your activities, rather than how many activities you can list on your application. 

Next, think about opportunities that will allow you to be a leader. If you are involved in your church, organize a fundraiser for a good cause-one that you believe in. Maybe you could sponsor a younger student for church camp. Or perhaps if you are a singer, you could organize a group of friends and put together a little show and go to assisted living homes and entertain the residents. Find a local project you and some friends would enjoy doing together and commit some time to it over the summer. How having a yard sale after you gather items from your neighborhoods. Decide together what you might like to do with the money you earn. 

Try to find something to do that you are passionate (a hobby or favorite activity) about and that can impact others in a positive way. A quick note of caution: Colleges like sustainability; that is, they like to see students who stick to an activity for the entire time they are in high school, so if you are going to start something new, be sure it is relevant to something you are already doing (ie. if you start a photography business, be sure you have been involved in photography before)

There are plenty of other things to do in the summer. Here are some ideas: 

• Take a college class that interests you or will free up your schedule next year.
• Take an online class for fun. Udemy.com has lots of short interesting courses to offer.
• Get a job, or internship, or volunteer or job shadow. Be sure it is in something you are interested in either as a hobby, for fun, or as a future career.
• Travel.
• Start a business 
• Don’t forget to make some college visits.
• Oh, and one of the most important things you can do if you are in high school is to study for the SAT or ACT. This one breaks the rules on fun! 

Have fun over the summer, but also be productive in a positive way!

There are many steps in choosing which college to attend. There is a lot of research to do when making the college list, and it can play an important role in making the final decision. The college visit gives students a chance to determine whether or not they will fit into that college environment. Remember that you will be spending the next 4 (maybe more) years of your life at the college you choose, so be sure you are sure! 

The best time to visit is when the college is in session so you get a realistic view of “college life”. Clearly this is not the best time for you since you too are in session, and missing  a day or two of your AP Physics class could be problematic for you. So you just have to go visit when you are able to do so and make the most of it. A campus visit is usually a half day with an information session and a campus tour. However, if you want to make a day of it, you can also  arrange to meet with a specific  department or professor, attend a class, or club meeting, and meet with admissions or financial aid officer.  You can arrange your visit by calling the school or going to their website and searching for “Campus Tours”.  Always give your name when calling since some colleges will keep track of your “demonstrated interest” in their college. 

Before you go on your visit, you should thoroughly research the college website and list any questions you may have. If you have a specific major in mind, read up on it so that you aren’t starting from scratch when you visit.  Be sure the questions you ask are not easy to find on the website or with a Google search. “Follow” or “Like” the college on Twitter or Facebook. Here are a few questions for you to think about asking pertaining to academics:

• How often do TAs teach classes?
• How accessible are my professors?
• Do you accept AP tests for credit? Do you have a limit?
• How many students are in a freshman class? How about upper -level classes?
• Is your approach more lecture based, discussion-based or  hands on?
• Do you have an honors college?
• Do you have research opportunities for under classmen?
• How many students participate in an internship program?

You can find an extensive list of questions here: https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/campus-visits/articles/campus-visit-tips/essential-campus-visit-question-list/

While you are on campus, also try to ask a student what he/she likes and does not like about the school. Check out brochures and be sure to pick up a copy of the campus newspaper. It will give you a great picture of what is happening on campus. Visit campus facilities that interest you (science and computer labs, recreation center, etc), and be sure to check out the dorms and the food (eat it)! Also take pictures of the campus and keep notes. You will be surprised how quickly you will forget if you do not keep track. 

When you have completed your visit, write down the pros and cons from your perspective. Give the college a grade so that you can compare when you are making your final decision. Can’t make a visit? Try a virtual tour. 

The College Board provides a great campus visit checklist. Check it out here: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/campus-visit-guide/campus-visit-checklist

Have fun! You are about to begin an important new chapter of your life!

One of the top reasons students drop out of college is because the college is not a good “fit” for them.  Finding the right fit is an overlooked part of the college search and application process. Most students choose their college because it is close to home, or they think it is most affordable. The fact is, that most students  do not know how to evaluate a college for “best fit”. So let’s take a look at some things you can do in the search for the “right” college.

Once it is determined that you are interested in going away to a 4 year college there are several things to decide. Do you want to go to a private or public college? Many families bypass the search for the private college because they look at the sticker price and decide that is much too expensive. That is not always the case, since the private schools are the most generous. So do not rule them out based on total cost of attendance. 

Size and location are the next factors to consider. Many times students have a very narrow view of their options. Students who are willing to go further from home have more choices. Students who want “big time” athletics will typically need to choose a large public university and students who want a more personal relationships with other students and their professors may prefer a smaller, private college.  Students who will feel lost in a class of 300-800 may find comfort when they pass by a professor who knows them by name. Students who prefer small group discussions to lectures will likely feel better at a smaller school.

The campus setting can also be an important factor in the search. Some students want to be in a more rural setting where they can participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, or skiing. Whereas others prefer the urban environment where they can participate in the action of city life. 

Applying to colleges that are an academic fit is also a very important part of the college selection. Some students prefer an academic challenge and others prefer a more  level playing field. It is important for students to evaluate their academic status at each school to which they will apply. It is devastating to get multiple denial letters and also a waste of an application fee (which can be as much as $90)  to apply to a college where you will likely not be accepted.  So it is important to be sure that you are going to have a good chance for admission based primarily on academics before you apply.  In addition, it is important to choose a college that has the major you want and also a back up major in case you change your mind. Contrary to what many students believe, every college does not offer every major. 

Most students are not really sure about which of these factors matter most to them and this is when the college visit can pay big dividends. Watch for next month’s article, “Making the Most of Your College Visit”

So it is second semester and seniors are getting acceptance letters and starting to think about which college they will choose to attend. What a great feeling!! Unfortunately, the acceptance letter often gives a false sense of security to seniors who think that once they are admitted, what they do second semester doesn’t really matter! WRONG! Colleges can, and do, rescind acceptance letters every year.  If you are a senior feeling pretty good about your acceptance letters and where you will attend, take warning!  It is important that you do not suffer the crippling disease known as Senioritis. 

Senioritis is a serious condition that afflicts seniors during their last semester of high school. Symptoms include lack of motivation, procrastination, cutting class, being satisfied with a barely -passing grade, extreme lack of interest in course work, skipping homework, daydreaming, and wearing sweat pants to school more often than usual. 

If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, then beware. There are consequences! Every year, colleges revoke their offers to students who did not maintain their grades or complete what they reported they were going to do in their applications. Case in point; when I was a high school counselor, I had a student who was accepted to Cal Berkeley. He wasn’t doing well in Physics second semester so he quit going to class (classic senioritis symptoms). When his final transcript was sent in at the end of the year, he received a “Dear John” letter telling him that they were breaking up  because he reported that he was taking Physics but he dropped it second semester. They could no longer honor their offer of admission! Tragic! So it is June, he has already told all his other schools “Thanks but I am going somewhere else”. Now he has lost his spot at the college of his choice and  has nowhere to go! 

Besides withdrawing their offer for admissions, some students may lose financial aid that is based on merit. A significant drop in class rank, or GPA can have a detrimental effect. Some colleges may still admit the student but place them on academic probation. That simply adds more stress on the student as they make this enormous transition from high school to college. 

A few tips: 

• Keep your head in the game for just a few more months.
• If you have already been accepted and have decided where you will go, read the fine print in the acceptance letter. Be sure to do what they say.
• Once you get your financial aid award letter, read it carefully so you understand requirements to keep the awards (money).
• If anything happens to change what you reported in your application, contact the admissions office and let them know. 

So Seniors, remember that you are on the last lap. Keep the goal in mind and don’t forget that graduation cures Senioritis!

“What is the income cutoff when I do not need to file the FAFSA” (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)? This is a question I am frequently asked by families I work with, and unfortunately, there is not a cut-and-dry answer.  There is sometimes a debate about who should file the FAFSA when applying to college. Some independent advisors do not recommend that everyone files a FAFSA. Then there are those of us who believe that most everyone should file the FAFSA regardless of income level. So let’s discuss the reasons why even families who are “well off” financially should file the FAFSA.

It is true that many students do not fill out the FAFSA because they do not believe they will qualify for need-based aid. However, what they fail to recognize is that most families are entitled to some type of aid. The FAFSA is required for any student who wants to be eligible for Direct Loans from the Federal Government. I am a believer that students should have a little “skin in the game” and that student loans are not a bad thing, even if the family can afford to write a check for college! But if a student does not submit the FAFSA, they are not eligible for these loans. 

In addition, the private schools are very generous with financial aid and even wealthy families can sometimes be eligible for financial aid at the more expensive colleges. Some colleges even require the FAFSA in order to award students with merit aid (merit aid is based on the merit of the student, NOT on the family income and assets). Some of the more generous private colleges may give need-based financial aid to families making more than $200,000 per year!

There are some other less obvious reasons to file the FAFSA. Financial situations may change from one year to the next. So just because you do not get need-based aid one year does not mean you will not get it the next year. If your situation changes (illness, lost job, etc) you can always appeal if you filed the FAFSA. Did you know that the amount you are expected to pay for college can drop by 50% when you have two students in college? And it can drop even more if you have 3 in college. And yes, you can count students when they are in graduate school! This is another reason why all students should file the FAFSA. 

It is not too late for seniors to file. Although need-based aid is distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, the deadline in California is not until March 2nd. Although there are some exceptions, for the most part, we recommend that everyone file the FAFSA. Many parents underestimate their eligibility for need-based aid. According to Edvisors www.edvisors.com) …” unless the parents earn more than $350,000 a year, have more than $1 million in reportable net assets, have only one child in college and that child is enrolled at a public college, they should still file the FAFSA…. regardless of their income and assets.” 

As everyone knows well, social media has become the king of communications in today’s digital world. But many people don’t know the impact it can have on the college admissions process.  Students often forget that everything they post is permanent and can be seen by anyone who has an interest in finding it.  While all college admissions officers do not check social media during the admissions process, many do. Therefore, if one who does happens to be a college you are applying to, you want to be sure you project the image you would want them to see. 

So let’s begin with the “don’ts”. This is relatively simple: avoid bad language, bullying, violence-including brandishing of weapons, any kind of “hate” towards others, sexually suggestive posts, offensive images, use of drugs, alcohol, or anything illegal, and be very careful before you post a meme that ridicules human behavior, even if it is meant to be funny.  It may be a surprise to you, but the colleges are not typically looking to dig up dirt, but rather they are looking for things that will enhance your application. They are trying to get to know you better and the unstructured nature of social media gives them a more realistic view . Unfortunately, sometimes they do find things that make them question whether or not they want that student on their campus.

But let’s talk about what you can do to make a positive impression on the admissions officer. It’s not hard. First and foremost, do not post anything you would not want a college admissions officer to see. Include things that colleges are looking for in a student: teamwork, leadership, time management, community service, and a positive demeanor.  Use a professional, simple name and check your privacy settings. Google yourself to see what others might see. While you cannot always delete a negative find, it can make you more conscious of what you post.  Follow your target schools. This can help you learn more about the college and if you make comments or ask questions, they may get  name recognition in your digital footprint. 

Most importantly, remember that your social media may become part of your college application “interview”. This gives the college an opportunity to see the real you. So post your successes. Maybe you have written an article for the school newspaper or won an award for community service. Post a video of your dance recital or piano concert. If you won Valley in your sport, post a picture of your team. If you have a passion for your hobby, post articles that you have found that help you grow your knowledge and interest about  the subject. If you are an artist or photographer, create a portfolio that you can link to your application. 

While it certainly doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what kinds of things would be appropriate and positive on your social media websites, students often forget who might be looking at them.  Think of your social media as a job interview, and always put your best foot forward.