Season 1/Episode 12: The ABCs of Early Application Plans

Fall has become the default college admissions season for many high school seniors, which is a significant shift from when their parents went to college. 

We dive into the difference between early action, early decision and rolling admission (which also carries the benefit of an earlier timeline if applicants want). 

The big hot-button early decision issue? As they try to manage their yield numbers, many more selective schools now fill as much as half of their class with early decision, which makes the urgency to choose this option even greater. Long the sole option of private universities, the pressure to commit to a binding early admission, through an early decision application, has now extended to some flagship public universities as well, like the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia.

An early admission in senior year can take a lot of pressure off and give families more time to evaluate choices if the student did not choose a binding admissions plan. In our tips segment we discuss the pros and sometimes the cons associated with applying to college in an early round.

In addition to having an impact on financial choices, applying early decision, in particular, may not be the best solution for every student. There are many students who may benefit from the later regular decision deadlines to focus on an upwards trending academic record or to spend more time evaluating their college decisions. Not every student is “late” if they choose not to apply early.

Time Stamps:

0:37 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney tells us about preparing for and evaluating pre-veterinary programs for undergraduates.  

6:34 Big Picture: We discuss the variation in early application plans and the differences between early action, early decision, and rolling admission plans.

22:40  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” How long has early decision been a part of college admissions?  When and where did early decision start?

26:51 Tips and Strategies to help you evaluate if early application options are right for you. 

Season 1/Episode 11: Paying for College Series, Part 1: Understanding the Cost of College

Welcome to our 3-part series on paying for college. In this episode we are talking about the cost of college. In future segments we will review the financial aid (need-based) process and then we will look at what affordability planning means and how to find scholarships and merit aid as you build your college list. 

Do you know what college costs include and what the industry-wide assumptions are around how families approach paying for college?  

We start with some goal setting scenarios. Are you considering not just your saving plan, but what you will pull from your budget in the college years as well as the possibility of borrowing? These are the three legs of the college funding model that colleges and government resources look at. 

We talk about the disconnect that comes between what a parent wants to pay and their ability to pay. Where does your child’s obligation come in as you consider your own family financing strategy? 

College is expensive!  Consumer expectations among other factors have contributed to the rising costs of college, especially at the high end. We go behind the headlines of escalating college price tags and look at the realities of both public and private college options. We look at tuition, fees, room, and board, and how varied these elements can be at the variety of institutions across the U.S. 

In our tips segment we offer suggestions for researching college costs, beginning with the public institutions in your own state and your options for in-state tuition and fees. Then, look at private college options as well and use each school’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your own possible price tag. Did you know that college merit aid, or academic recruitment grants, actually represent approximately 80% of all scholarship money (over athletics and other talent-based awards?). 

On the other end of the spectrum however, we want you to be aware of the number of highly selective schools (70+) that do not provide merit awards or scholarships that are not based on need.

Time Stamps:

0:38 What Are We Learning This Week? Whitney talks about her recent “goal-cation” and  the benefits of goal setting when you are planning for college and trying  to stick to your college saving plans.

4:47 Big Picture: We encourage you to rip off the bandaid and face the realities of college costs and understand the assumptions around a family’s role in paying for college in the U.S.

22:38  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”: Katelyn is keeping score (and she’s behind after our first ten episodes!). Can Whitney name the only college in the nation that provides a half-tuition scholarship to all students who enroll?

26:39  Tips and Strategies for learning about the range of college price tags and how to use Net Price Calculators to begin understanding your family’s eligibility for either need-based or merit-based awards.

Season 1/Episode 10: College Application Big 5 Series: Part 5, The Essay

The college essay! The last in our series on the “big five” elements in college applications is a discussion of how to approach what is often the most stressful piece of college applications.

This series of five episodes is focused on the primary elements of a college application and geared towards students who are applying to college in the fall.

While not every college will use all five elements, it’s important to understand how to make the most of this opportunity to share who you are and what is important to you as part of your overall college application story. 

How do students feel about the fact that there are really no absolutes when thinking about the right way to approach writing the college essay? Maybe pretty anxious, because “no rules” might make some students feel less certain about this important  piece of writing, especially when they feel they are being judged.  

We talk about balancing being vulnerable and authentic while still selling yourself to the colleges you are applying to.

In our tips segment we offer suggestions regardless of your approach. Does your essay sound like you? Proofread carefully and ask someone else to review for copy edits as well, but be cautious of too much help or too many reviewers. Yes, too many cooks DO spoil the essay soup! 

Time Stamps:

0:41 What Are We Learning This Week? Katelyn and Whitney discuss the emerging use of AI in college admissions offices for the review of application essays. 

4:21 Big Picture: Learn about the objectives of the primary essay in your application and what to consider when approaching the most creative and reflective piece of a college application.

17:23  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Mascot madness: can you name the college, founded by Quakers, with a poet for a team  mascot?

19:45  Tips and Strategies to help you tackle the college essay while maintaining your voice and message.