Navigating the Wait List

Colleges continue to increase the use of wait lists in order to manage their enrollment. Formerly, the wait list served as a safety net for colleges assuring them of extra candidates if the number of students who accepted their offer of admission fell below their expectations. Now, however, colleges appear to be using the wait list as a way of increasing their yields and thus their rankings.

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Need to Relieve Stress? There's an App for That

As a high school student applying to college, it's natural to feel stressed and overwhelmed. There are so many things to keep track of: school work, extracurricular activities, college applications, and more. Fortunately, there are ways to relieve stress and improve your mental health, such as meditation. In this blog post, we'll explore how meditation apps like Insight Timer and Ten Percent Happier can help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being.

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College and Your Taxes

College is expensive, but educational tax benefits can help U.S. students offset the cost of college by reducing their or their parents’ federal tax obligations. Many American families aren’t aware that these programs exist. In fact, the U.S. Government Accounting Office estimates that 14 million eligible families miss out each year. The following are key benefits to be aware of as your child plans for college.

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Understanding the New World of Admissions

The college admission process wasn’t nearly as anxiety-producing thirty years ago. Parents who haven’t been through it yet have heard horror stories from friends and relatives, but they don’t understand why things are so different now. Here’s a look at how applying for college today is different than it was even just a few years ago.

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Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay

Scholarships are a great way to pay for college, and a well-written scholarship essay can help you stand out from the competition. Whether you are a high school student just starting to think about college or a current college student applying for a scholarship, writing a winning essay requires careful planning, thoughtful writing, and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you write a scholarship essay that will impress the judges.

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Conquering Senioritis

For many high school seniors, the end of the academic year brings a sense of relief and excitement. The stress of the college application process is over, and the long-awaited college admissions offer has finally arrived. However, this newfound freedom can also lead to a dangerous phenomenon known as senioritis. Senioritis is defined as a decline in motivation and focus in one's academic performance during their senior year of high school. While it may seem like a harmless way to celebrate the end of a long and demanding academic journey, senioritis can have serious consequences, especially when it comes to your college admissions offer.

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Selective Summer Programs: Fact vs. Fiction

Summer is the time when high school students can break away from the academic routine and explore new interests and opportunities. It’s also the time when many selective summer programs start sending out their fancy mailings to students. The mailings may claim that the student has been “nominated” or “identified as a strong candidate” for the program, which may leave the student feeling impressed and flattered. However, before you get too carried away, it’s important to understand the reality behind these selective summer programs and what they can actually do for you.

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What You Need to Know About College Honors Programs

For high school seniors who are reviewing their college options, the decision between a small liberal arts college and a large university can be a difficult one. However, many universities offer honors programs that can provide students with the best of both worlds - a rigorous academic program with a tight-knit community and access to resources and opportunities found at larger universities. In this article, we will discuss what college honors programs are, the benefits they offer, and what students should know about them.

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Financial Aid for College

Paying for college can be a daunting task for many families, but fortunately, there are various types of financial aid available to help cover the costs. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loans, each with its own eligibility criteria, application process, and terms and conditions. In this article, we will discuss each type of financial aid in detail and what students and their families should know as they apply to college.

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Character Counts (Seriously)

College admission officials are not only looking at a student's academic achievements but also their overall character and personality. They are looking for students who will not only excel academically but also contribute positively to the college community. A student's character and behavior can make a significant impact on their chances of being admitted to the college of their choice.

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Disclosing Information in College Applications: How Much is Too Much?

When it comes to filling out college applications, many students struggle with the question of how much personal information they should share. On the one hand, they want to give the admission officers a complete picture of who they are and what they have experienced. On the other hand, they don't want to include anything that might hurt their chances of getting into the college of their choice. It's a delicate balance, but with a little bit of guidance, it's possible to strike the right balance and create a compelling application.

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MAJOR SPOTLIGHT: Visual Arts

If you are interested in pursuing a career in visual arts, attending college can be an important step in achieving your goals. However, with so many different programs and degrees to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this article, we'll take a look at the two main types of visual arts degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Both degrees offer unique benefits, and it's important to understand the differences between them to determine which one is the best fit for your interests and goals.

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Choosing an SAT or ACT Test Prep Course? Ask These Questions First

Preparing for college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT can be a daunting task, and many students feel anxious about taking these exams. Choosing the right test prep course or tutor can help alleviate some of this anxiety by allowing students to become familiar with the exams and test-taking strategies. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start when shopping for a test prep class. As you evaluate your options, keep in mind these key questions.

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ChatGPT: What It Is, How It Could Change College Admissions, and How to Talk to Your Kids About It

Everywhere on the internet, people are talking about ChatGPT, which just got a major investment from Microsoft to the tune of $10 billion. Seriously. And we’re starting to get a lot of questions about it: what it is, how students are using it, how it might change the college admissions process, and how parents should be talking to their kids about it. 

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Getting College-ed: January 2023

Every month, College Solutions features a new edition of Getting College-ed, an editorial cartoon created by College Solutions’ own Lee Ann Gun. Check out this month’s edition below, and sign up to get future editions straight to your inbox.

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