With the announcement of the new digital SAT, College Board has left some key details out, especially regarding how the exam will be scored. The typical message has been somewhat dismissive, assuring us that the scoring is handled by their finely tuned algorithm and that it’s complicated. Through analysis of the new SAT’s scoring, it was found that each test question is weighted, with some questions having a greater impact on scores than others do.…
While different schools put different stock in extracurriculars, almost every college considers them when deciding which students to admit. For example, the University of South Florida ranks extracurricular activities just behind grades, difficulty of coursework, and standardized test scores in terms of importance. The right high school activities can make a big difference during the admissions process. According to a study by California State University, Sacramento, extracurricular activities are positively correlated with attendance, GPA, test…
For those families applying for financial aid, you should plan to fill out the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, and the 2023-2024 CSS Profile. Both applications open on October 1, 2022. While the FAFSA and CSS Profile help determine need-based financial aid, some colleges may require them to be considered for non-need-based merit scholarships as well. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, is a…
Scholarship opportunities in the state of Massachusetts are available across a range of academic disciplines and vocational outcomes. There are grants and scholarships for those applicants whose needs are based on financial factors. There are also funds available for those with outstanding grades or test scores. Follow any of the links below to continue exploring the many possibilities behind Massachusetts scholarships. GFWC Massachusetts Scholarships The Massachusetts chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs offers…
It’s essential for students to like and be a good fit for the school they attend. No matter where students find themselves in their college journeys, they may need help navigating the search and application process to ensure students end up at an institution where they can truly thrive. Nearly a quarter of American college students who start at one four-year institution will transfer to a different one to finish their degree. So, if you’re…
Attention, high school juniors: keep the momentum going this summer. You’ve made it this far, and now is not the time to lose steam. Use your time wisely to get ahead. What you do this summer could be the factor that pushes your application from a no or maybe to a yes. Here’s your college to do list for the summer. 1. Draft your college essay. By starting your college essay over the summer, you…
The College Scorecard has gotten a makeover. And no, this has nothing to do with your March Madness bracket. The Scorecard is an online trove of federal data that can help prospective students choose the college that’s right for them – and, just maybe, avoid a lifetime of student debt and heartache. The site, collegescorecard.ed.gov, can tell you a lot about a school – from its graduation rate and the earnings of former students, to how much…
Are you one click away from sabotaging your admission to college? According to a recent survey, you could be. For over a decade, Kaplan, the educational services company, has been conducting an annual survey of admission officers to track trends in policies and practices. Since 2008, it has explored the role of your digital footprint in application review, and not surprisingly, it has been growing every year. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of admission officers in the…
Now and for the next couple of weeks, millions of students will report to their classrooms and computer screens to take the AP exams. After taking one of the many exams, students usually feel one of three ways: Great! Good. Or awful. Because you don’t know how you will feel after taking an AP exam, do not request that your scores be sent to any college when filling out the answer sheet. If this is…
Waiting lists are the great fear of applicants this year. With more students than ever applying to highly competitive colleges, many institutions are lengthening their already long lists, resulting in more students being wait listed. Art & Science Group, a consulting firm that advises colleges on their admissions strategies, conducted a survey of high school seniors now — when they know what the colleges they applied to have said, but before the students have told…
