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how much does college counseling cost

College Counseling: How Much Does College Counseling Cost?

Private college counselors help students and families navigate the increasingly complicated and confusing process of preparing, selecting, and applying to colleges. But what do they really do? How much does college counseling cost? Is the price worth it? An admissions expert explains how college counseling can help your family and to understand the costs–and benefits–of hiring a professional.

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questions to ask a college admissions counselor

Top Questions to Ask a College Admissions Counselor

One of the best ways to learn about a college is to talk to a college admissions counselor. That person represents the college and is responsible for communicating everything about the college to you–the prospective applicant. How do you take best advantage of this opportunity? What are the questions to ask a college admissions counselor? An expert college advisor provides a comprehensive list of questions that will help you get the most out of the conversations.

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college counseling for international students

College Counseling for International Students

International students who want to do their undergraduate studies in the United States may need professional advice and guidance. The university admissions process in the US is quite different from that in most other countries. If you seek college counseling for international students, you will want to read this post about the kinds of advice you might receive, and to help you find the right advisor for you.

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does volunteer work matter for college admissions

Does Volunteer Work Matter for College Admissions?

College applicants everywhere want to know, does volunteer matter for college admissions? The answer is yes. But it isn’t about the number of hours or even the place where you volunteer. Rather, it’s about how dedicated you are to helping those whom you serve, as well as the impact you make in that volunteer position. It’s not so much what you do or where you do it. Instead, the college admissions officers care about how well you do something, and whether it had a lasting effect on the organization you served.

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Study at University of St. Andrews in Scotland as an American

How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

How many applications is the magic number to submit for admission? Many experts come up with a formula to answer this question. I hear counselors say something like this all the time: 3 “stretches”, 5 “targets,” and 2 “safeties.” But the number of applications depends entirely on who you are and what you want. If you think things through carefully, perhaps you will need to apply to only one!

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best college essay

What Do College Admissions Look For in an Essay?

What does college admission look for in an essay? It’s a difficult question, because every essay is different–and every applicant is different. However, an expert college admissions advisor offers tips on what your college essay should contain.

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get scholarships for college

Get Accepted–with Scholarships

Mark Montgomery, expert educational consultant, uses his insider knowledge of the college admissions process to help you navigate the world of scholarships and save money on tuition.
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School’s Out! Top 10 Summertime Tips for College Admission

Summer is a good time to relax and recharge--and prepare for the college admissions process. Learn what you can do to give yourself an edge (and have fun, too!).
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How to Choose the Best College For You?

With over 4,000 colleges in the USA, how do you know which one is the perfect fit for you? College admissions expert Mark Montgomery will use his encyclopedic knowledge of
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Get Into the Best Colleges For You

College admissions expert Mark Montgomery can help you find the college of your dreams, and will use his insider knowledge to guide you through the admissions process.
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Getting Into Top Universities

Mark Montgomery is a college admissions insider: that means he knows the ropes, and can offer invaluable help in your college search.
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teacher and students in a classroom

The Student-to-Faculty Ratio: A Bogus Statistic You Should Ignore

Student-to-faculty ratios mislead. While they are oft-cited indicators of teaching quality, these ratios have no bearing on an individual student's educational experience.
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do I need a college counselor

Financial Aid Timeline for High School Seniors

Applying for financial aid in a timely manner is a critical part of the college admissions process. Follow Great College Advice’s timeline for staying on track.
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applying for financial aid hurt my college admissions chances

Choosing A College: Don’t Ignore The Cost

Great College Advice shares tips on how to research the actual cost of a college.
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Grades and Course Rigor Matter the Most in College Admissions

What factors carry the most weight when college admissions officers are evaluating applicants? The team at Great College Advice analyzes recent survey data to see what colleges deem most important
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group of college students standing

Why the ‘Community’ Essay has Become More Important in College Admissions

The 'Community' Supplemental Essay is an opportunity for you to provide insight into your unique background and how you will contribute to a campus community.
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What Do College Admissions Look For in an Essay?

What do college admissions officers look for in an essay? It’s a difficult question, because every essay is different–and every applicant is different. However, Great College Advice's Sarah Farbman offers
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How to Write a Great ‘Why This College?’ Essay

Great College Advice’s Andrea Aronson discusses the do’s and don’ts for crafting the 'Why Our College?' supplemental essay.
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