In my experience counseling high school seniors, I often hear the question, “Hey, how important–really–are test scores?” That’s a good question, especially in light of all the schools these days that have opted out of the mandatory test score submission arena.

There are varying opinions about the relative importance of the SAT I and ACT. In my professional view, however, I think that colleges are loathe to admit just how important they view test scores, even the test-optional schools. Why? Well, professing too much emphasis on scores makes them look somewhat mono-dimensional and detracts from their contention that they use a “holistic methodology” (wow, cool phrase there, huh?) to give their applicants a fair-shake, broad-swath look.

Anyway, our test-prep friends over at IvyBound.net have issued an interesting statement about the importance of test scores. Here are some excerpts: Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve already seen here the list of most expensive colleges for 2008-2009. Now, from Campus Grotto.com, we have the list for 2009-2010.

There have been a few changes in the rankings: Read the rest of this entry »

For those of you Early Decision or Early Action applicants who are fortunate enough to be admitted this fall, your estimated financial aid packages will be arriving in mid-December either with or soon after that fat envelope. That’s the good news.

The bad news may be that you’ll find yourself needing more money to pay for your dream school. Where can you turn? What can you do?

Well, one of my favorite Web sites, Consumerist.com, has some answers in its Big List of Student Loan Resources. Here it is: Read the rest of this entry »

“It costs how much per year?!”

Hey, kids. Ever heard that from your parents concerning your college picks? The cost of going to college has reached astronomical heights and promises to keep on going. Right about now, high school seniors across the land are making their college lists and parents, like Santa, are checking them twice. Why?

Well, this article from Campus Grotto gives us a healthy hint: Read the rest of this entry »

“How much will college cost this family?”

That may be the most asked, or at least pondered, question for any parents doing some serious thinking about their high schooler’s higher education. Enter the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and the EFC Calculator.

What is the EFC? Here’s how fafsa.org defines it: Read the rest of this entry »

Things must be worse than we thought with Harvard’s endowment. This has been a terrible year for colleges across the land, thanks to the recession (some even called it a “depression”). Endowment investments went south faster than a scared flock of Canada geese in October.

As you no doubt know, college endowments provide a significant portion of a school’s ability to provide financial aid to its students. Thus, when the endowment shrinks, much pressure comes to bear on the administration and keepers of the cash to maintain a competitive aid position.

Well, the big brains at Harvard University have found a creative solution to augmenting their financial aid coffers: a new clothing line called Harvard Yard. Here are some details: Read the rest of this entry »

Debt.  That one concept has put America into precarious territory. That’s the Big Picture. The Small Picture is you and me. How’s our debt profile?

When it comes to paying for higher education, things can get a bit hairy, especially these days. There is a real concern for those who need financing, as this news item reveals [excerpts]: Read the rest of this entry »

I get lots of press releases about college-related issues. I read them but don’t consider them for posting here in my blog since most are rather self-serving. However, this one deserves some attention, I believe.

FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION

AWARDS OVER 360 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2009

TO CHILDREN AND SPOUSES OF MILITARY MEMBERS

KILLED AND DISABLED IN ACTION

***

Second Annual Awards Are a Promise Kept to Fulfill Dreams of Families

Click here for a PDF version of the release Read the rest of this entry »

I scour the Web for new and interesting college admissions news and information for my little blog here. Today I found a very interesting item from Jay Mathews’ Washington Post blog. It contains both news and a challenge.

In a very interesting post entitled Do You Know a High-Achieving Student Kept From College Because of Money? Mathews points out what appears to be a commonly accepted misconception about paying for college and then issues what I think is a pretty amazing challenge for someone who writes from such a high-profile platform. See for yourself: Read the rest of this entry »

As a former college student who borrowed to pay for my education and as a parent whose children borrowed to pay for their educations, I was heartened to see this news item:

Student Loan Measure Clears House Panel

Here’s the scoop: Read the rest of this entry »