Senioritis--Why Avoid It? We often joke about Senioritis. Technically it means the pain of being a Senior but for most, it’s not exactly painful. It’s that time when students are so close to finishing up and want to coast their way to the finish line. After all, there is so much going on with prom, upcoming graduation parties, the taste of their new college life and that impending freedom from parents. Students have worked so hard and just want a…
High school juniors are deep into college visits right now. Summer break will see those college visits increase by leaps and bounds. If you are starting now to explore colleges, you have just a few months to learn a lot about your colleges. Make the most of those visits by following these suggestions. Get an Idea of What You Are Looking For Obviously, one of the reasons you are visiting colleges is to learn what matches you, but you want…
Unbeknownst to many who are struggling to pay for college, the current loopholes in the Parent Plus Loan rules allow some families to receive full forgiveness on a boat load of college debt. It’s not a viable strategy for everyone, it’s not a recommendation by any means, and there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding it, but there is a way to banish the bills from your Parent Plus Loan for good. But should you? Parent Plus Loans…
May 1, the widely known "College Decision" Deadline, is looming. If you haven't yet decided, we have listed below some questions to consider before saying "Yes". Social Fit Questions May I talk with a current student from my part of the state/country so I can get a student's perspective? What do students do on the weekends? Are parties the primary form of entertainment? Does the college provide lots of speakers, films, concerts (big and small), outdoor activities, indoor activities, that appeal to…
So, you've finally made your college decision -- where you will spend your next few years. Tough College Decision How difficult that decision can be! If the choice was not made crystal clear by your own love for one school over the other, or for a significantly better financial offer, you may be feeling a bit sad about having to choose the “better” of two or more great options. Doesn’t it remind you of the Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken? Two roads…
Congratulations! You are about to make your final college decision, and about where you will spend the next 4 to 5 years of your life. Yes, it is an important decision because if you change your mind, it will likely cost you valuable time and money. So now, it is all about how to compare your choices. Compare College Value This is a good time to compare the value of each college. Not every college can be evaluated on its “face…
I’ve been reading Susan Cain lately. She’s the author of "Not Leadership Material" in the New York Times, and she’s become known as a cheerleader for quiet people, the introverts, and those who are often unnoticed. Cain says that our society has outwardly rewarded and valued those who are the opposite of quiet, the extroverts, the noisy ones, those who talk first in a group, those who are often viewed as “the leaders”. I recommend her book, Quiet: The Power of…
Written by MCPT Guest Blogger, Kristina L. Dooley, CEP, Independent Educational Consultant/Certified Educational Planner at Estrela Consulting, originally published on March 24, 2016 1 in 9.2 QUINTILLION. According to mathematicians around the world, those are your odds of picking a perfect NCAA tournament bracket. You’re more likely to win a Powerball jackpot, become President of the United States, or be cast in a recurring role on Real Housewives of Easter Island than to correctly predict the outcomes of 100% of…
You’ve just received your Financial Aid Award Letter from your favorite college, and it just isn’t enough. Besides the thud of your disappointed heart hitting the floor, you hear a small voice in your head, “I’ve heard you can negotiate your college costs!!” Whoa there! Take a step back. That’s not quite true. Accepting or declining a financial aid award is not like negotiating on a used car! Prepare for a bit more courteous and considerate approach, and read on.…
Your local college fair is one of the best chances for juniors to visit with admissions representatives from a variety of colleges all at once. For sophomores, it is a great time to begin looking. I highly recommend that you attend! Here are my tips to make your college fair well worth your time: Arrive Early so that you can use all the time you have productively. Parking is a bear! Allow for the extra time! Admissions counselors get exhausted talking to…