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.

When should we start planning for college? The answer to this question can be confusing, because there are so many moving parts to the college planning process. So let me just say this: It is terribly stressful to start at the beginning of the senior year. With all of the activities going on, students who have not started preparing will find themselves with too little time to show off “their best self” not to mention the stress level!  It is not too early to start having discussions about college in middle school or even elementary school (see www.soarscholars.com). So let’s make a little timeline of things to do at different grade levels.

Hopefully, before middle school, parents have started some kind of college savings program, and have started talking in general terms about what college is and why it is important.  One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to encourage reading, reading and more reading.  Make sure your student is getting a firm foundation in the academics. In high school, the academics and test scores will be the primary determining factor about where your student will attend college as well as how much merit money he/she will receive. The colleges also like to see a great resume with a variety of activities and community service. Helping middle school students find a “passion” can help them develop a sustainable activity to pursue throughout high school. Middle school students need to know what lies ahead!

So you are thinking, “Okay. So when do we get serious about the actual college stuff”? Assuming your student has already set up an academic plan for high school, some other things should be addressed during the sophomore year.  The financial decisions made by the colleges will be based on the family financials two years prior to graduation. However, it is never too late to make financial decisions that pertain to cash flow and tax advantage scholarships-even once the student is in college! So if you will not qualify for need-based financial aid, don’t be discouraged! There is plenty that can be done to get more money to pay for college. You just have to know how to do it!! Want to know more? Check out the book, Never Pay Retail for College written by Beth Walker. 

During the sophomore year, the student should start thinking about what kind of college they might like to attend, and what field of study they might be most interested in studying. They should also be taking a rigorous course of study and getting good grades.  By the junior year, students should have their testing schedule in place and know if they will focus on SAT or ACT (colleges will accept either).  They should begin narrowing down their college list and potential majors. By the summer before the senior year the student should be writing their college application and essays, putting together their activity list, and preparing to fill out applications early in the senior year. By this time, their portfolio/resume should be robust and consistent. 

If you start early enough, then Fall of the senior year should simply require fine tuning!

Where should I go to college? Most students do not spend much time thinking about this question since they assume that all colleges are the same and they just choose a college they are familiar with.  There are many factors that should go into choosing a “good fit” college. And why does a “good fit” matter? If students are going to be successful, they should be at a place that matches his/her learning style, and environmental needs. Educational needs can be met in a variety of ways, but for a student to experience maximum success, it is important that he/she chooses a college that fits his/her needs. 

So how does a student do that? There are many factors to consider as you select the best fit college. Probably the most important is finding a school that provides you with an academic program that you need and a style of instruction that suits your learning style. For example, would you prefer to be in a lecture hall with 300-500 other students taking notes and listening, or in a seminar-style environment with 20-30 students? Would you rather take a bubble-in test or do a project or write a paper? Do you enjoy class discussions where you can ask questions or to you prefer to remain anonymous? 

A second factor to consider is the environment. The environment can mean climate, extracurricular, sports and political. If you do not like cold weather, then you should probably stay away from the far north. If you want the “big time” sports atmosphere, then you probably won’t find that at some of the smaller colleges. Some students want to join a fraternity or sorority and others prefer to be involved in a campus ministry group. A student who is ultra conservative may not feel comfortable in an atmosphere that leans to the far left.  Another environmental factor might be the actual location of the college. Some students love access to the big city life with all of its hustle and bustle. Others want to go skiing or hike the nearest mountain. 

Although there are many other factors to consider, the last one I will discuss today is the financial fit. There is nothing more devastating to a student than finding out AFTER he/she has applied and been accepted, that the family cannot afford the school. It is important that you figure this out before the student goes through all the work involved in filing an application. Some families exclude a private college when they see the total cost of attendance. This is a big mistake!! The private colleges have endowment money that allows them to offset the total cost and many times the private school can be cheaper than the public university!! I often tell my students, “It is not how much the college costs, it is how much you have to pay”!

Finding the right college can be a lot of work, but it is a very important part of the college application process.  Students have to figure out what they need first and then they have to find it!

“What’s in a name?” is a familiar quote by William Shakespeare in which Juliet suggests that Romeo’s name does not matter. Perhaps this would be a good quote for us to consider when choosing a great college as well. Now although there is some truth to the value of the name, it can be argued that the name of the college is not as important as whether the college is a good “fit” and what the student does while attending. 

So as school gets underway, and a new senior class begins to search for the perfect college, we have to address the value of rankings as a criteria for choice. Did you know that the US News rankings are based on how other college administrators rank them? Sometimes those administrators know very little about the school that they are ranking. Clearly in California, for many people, UCLA would be ranked higher than Pomona Pitzer simply because many people have not heard of the latter. It is difficult to compare schools with different activities and cultures anyway.  Money magazine has also gotten involved in the ranking game and it ranks based on affordability, quality of education and alumni success. Of course “success” in their book is measured by income.  Other rankings may be based on graduation rates, which will clearly be higher at more competitive schools, humanistic research, and how the college reaches out to low income students. 

So let’s talk about the things that really matter that may not be included in the rankings. How about the weather? What is great for one student may be terrible for another. How about access to professors? The small liberal arts colleges will likely give more access than the large research universities.  The quality of instruction is rarely addressed in these rankings because it is so difficult to assess. Some students like the idea of crazy football spirit while others prefer low key school pride. And all students need to be sure that the major they want is offered at the school they choose to attend. I know of many students who have selected their college based on whether or not it is near the beach only to find out that the major they wanted is not offered. It is okay to figure that out before you enroll, but it can be a costly mistake if you enroll in the school BEFORE you figure it out.

Maybe rankings give parents bragging rights or a sense of security. Maybe the rankings  reassure the family that they are getting the “best”. Just understand that what is “best” for one student may not be “best” for another student. So focus on what matters instead of the rankings; focus on things that give a student a happy, and satisfying college experience.  

Writing the college application essay is one of the most difficult things students have to do in preparing their college application essays. Most of the required essays are a very different style than students are used to writing in their high school English classes. Their Personal Statement for the Common Application is probably the most widely required essay that the students I work with have to write.  Don’t worry about the prompts yet. We have found that almost any well-written essay can be matched to an appropriate prompt. So let’s get started:

1. Choose a topic-One of the most challenging things for students is figuring out what to write about. The best way to start is to brainstorm ideas about yourself that you would want the college to know. This should be something not too apparent when looking at the rest of your application. It should be something unique about you that makes you different than other applicants. I once had a student who wrote about doing the Funky Chicken on the pier at Pismo. Of course, there was more to the story.

2. Show, don’t tell– Once you have a topic, take the reader to the peak of the action by telling a short anecdote. Write it in first person so the reader can “see” what you experienced. One of my favorite anecdotes was about a dance audition. The twist was that it was written by a male athlete who had never danced before. 

3. Develop the body-Once you have shown the readers the peak of the action, take them back to where the story started and tell how it unfolded. The dancer/athlete went back to the time when his friends nagged at him to audition for their school musical. Of course he had no idea he would be chosen for a lead that required a solo dance. See how that worked? They should be able to see the problem the athlete faced.

4. Explain why your story matters– This is perhaps the most important part of your personal statement. The college wants to know what you learned from this story, and why it matters. The dancer-athlete who was a 4.0+ student, learned that if he worked hard enough, he could learn to do something that was difficult for him to do. It matters because he was facing a long and difficult path to medical school but he knows he can do it. And he will!

5. Conclusion-Although all personal statements do not need a “formal” conclusion, I always love an ending that makes the reader think…”Wow! That was not expected”. Or, “Wow! That was an amazing twist”. Or  something else that will make the reader remember the student. I like to compare it to what the judges always say in America’s Got Talent. If the judges love the candidate, they give them a “yes”  and they say because “I will remember you”. If the candidate gets a “no” it is because their performance is not memorable. 

Students need to use their own voice in the essays they write for their college applications. They need to tell the reader something they cannot find anywhere else in the application.  It should focus on a short “slice of life” and it must make the student memorable!

A frequent question that I get from families is, “Where is the cutoff when we will not get financial aid”? The answer to this is simple: There is no cutoff. Everyone is eligible for financial aid. Now relax. I am going to explain just how that works.

There are two kinds of financial aid: need-based and merit. Not everyone is eligible for need based aid because your need is based primarily on income and assets. But even here, there is not an income “cutoff” for determining how much  need-based aid you might be eligible for. There are many other factors involved. 

The second type of financial aid is merit aid. Merit aid is based on the merit of the student with grades and test scores typically being the primary factors considered. Athletes and artists may also receive merit aid because of their skills.  But colleges are looking for an eclectic group of freshmen each year, so any talents that make the student more desirable may motivate the college to award a merit scholarship.

But there is another way that families who will not likely get need based aid can pay for college. In her book Never Pay Retail for College, my friend Beth Walker explains that families can have more money available to pay for college with a proper tax strategy. Ideally during the student’s sophomore year, with an analysis of potential tax strategies, a plan to keep more money that has been going to the IRS is developed. There are also strategies for a household to qualify for education tax credits that you may not be taking advantage of because of income limits.

In addition, Beth teaches how to solve the cash flow riddle that many parents face when trying to navigate the challenge of paying for college. By analyzing what comes in and what goes out (financial perspective)she is able to help families construct a plan that maximizes cash flow for college.  

In her book Beth, compares herself to a general contractor managing a building project. She explains, “I’m an experienced project manager that approaches the project called college with the heart of a mother and the mind of a financial planner.Most parents I work with come to me with an existing board of advisors – investment advisors, CPAs, insurance agents, family and friends who have gone through this process before.  

My job is to step back, see the BIG picture, coordinate the efforts of every family’s current roster of expert sub-contractors and integrate their knowledge and experience in a manner that reduces stress, improves efficiencies and saves the family both time and money on their college project”.

So if you think you make too much money to get financial aid for college, think again. With good grades and test scores, choosing a college that “wants” them, and getting tax advantages and a good cash flow plan, you CAN get financial support to pay for college.