Making Sense of College Rankings

Lists of colleges rankings are one tool for students compiling their list of colleges or seniors homing in on 'the one,' – and can be particularly useful this year as applicants cannot make in-person campus visits. These ranked lists should be kept in context, though.

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Sarah DohlComment
ACT/SAT and COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted students’ ability to take the SAT/ACT. College Board, the firm that administers the SAT, reports that 69% of students registered for the November 7th SAT were able to take the test. That is an increase over August (when only 56% could), September (45%), and October (58%).

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The College Transfer Process Is Messy

Most college students are not happy with the “College experience” in the fall of 2020. It doesn’t matter if they are learning online at home, in the dorm, remotely, or even if they have in-person classes. No one is having the experience they expected. The idea that it must be better somewhere else is appealing, but again, no one is having the college experience from the past. Entertaining the idea of transferring is fine, just understand what it entails.

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Financial Aid: What You Need to Know

Some state schools have a cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) of about $35,000, while some private schools coat $80,000 a year. Many times, the list price of a college is not what your student may be paying. Some colleges offer very generous amounts of free money.

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Do I Need A Resume?

The number of colleges requesting resumes has exploded in the last few years. Historically, colleges did not want resumes because it repeated what was already in the application’s activity section. Admission officers only spend 8 minutes reading the complete file. Yes, you read that right, eight minutes to read one to three recommendations, review the transcript, the high school profile, and the rest student’s application with one to eight essays!

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Test Optional--What Now?

Now that most colleges are not requiring SAT/ACT tests, families are wondering how colleges make admissions decisions? This is a question that many in the admissions office still don’t know how to answer. The truth is colleges will still value the SAT/ACT if you are above the mean, but many students haven’t been able to take the SAT/ACT.

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Exotic Study Spaces

One-way college students have decided to leverage this online learning experience is by relocating to vacation areas. This trend of “collab housing” is based on the idea is that they and a few friends attend online classes while social distancing in exotic locations.

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Coparenting, COVID, and College Admissions

Helping your child navigate the college selection process can be a daunting task, more so with COVID-19 making the territory even more unknown. Add to the mix being separated and/or divorced parents and sometimes the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty can be overwhelming for everyone, especially your child. Whether you share physical custody with the other parent or whether one parent has primary physical custody, working together to support your child during an important stage of life is invaluable. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind during this pivotal time.

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Sarah DohlComment
Student Perspective: Ivey Chaney

Looking back on it, the college application process was most definitely one of the most stressful times that I can remember. Whether it’s taking all the hardest classes you can take, trying to get into the most clubs and organizations, and filling out applications and essays, there is definitely no shortage of hard work. Even when the decisions come out, you can still feel like you could have done more.

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Sarah Dohl
Student Perspective: Grace Tabor

As a high school senior, I had no intention of actually attending the schools that my parents went to. I had visited both, attended some football and basketball games, and owned a t-shirt or two, but felt strongly about charting my own path. When it came time to actually apply to schools, I began to compile a huge list of the places I was considering.

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Sarah DohlComment
Family Perspective: The Kinter Family

Our family found Margaret three years ago when our older son was a junior in high school. It was by chance that we found her, and it has turned into one of the greatest blessings of our lives. You see, Margaret is not only an advocate for your child during the high school years and the college application process, but she has also turned into a much-needed friend and listening ear for us as parents.

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Sarah DohlComment
Well What Now? Navigating College Auditions During a Pandemic

Well, guys, this is strange, right? The world changed so quickly and took with it a lot of important moments, celebrations and normalcy for us all. We are adjusting to online learning, making the most of quarantine and wondering how this is going to affect the next year. So, on the count of three, let’s take a collective inhale and exhale together. 1… 2… 3. Okay, now let’s get real, together.

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