Scholarships & Financial Aid | Great College Advice

Great College Advice Blog

Does Applying for Financial Aid Hurt My College Admissions Chances?

October 6, 2023

New Jersey Educational Consultant gives her take on the relationship between applying for financial aid and getting accepted to college. Should you check that “YES” box for financial aid or not?

Merit-Based Financial Aid Explained

July 21, 2023

Merit-based financial aid can reduce the cost of college significantly. However, colleges are selective about how they award merit aid. And some are more selective than others.

A hundred dollar bill roll to indicate the cost of college

Choosing A College: Don’t Ignore The Cost

July 21, 2023

The prospect of college is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. This is the first in a series of posts that will help you avoid some basic mistakes when choosing where to apply and attend. Read on to find out how the cost of college should be on your radar right from the beginning.

need blind admission vs need aware admission and how to win a scholarship

Financial Aid, Admissions, and “Need Blind” Policies

June 22, 2023

What is Need Blind Admission to College? Clients have asked me repeatedly to explain the relationship between the financial aid and admissions offices. To help

Get Accepted–with Scholarships

December 14, 2022

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.

Is Early Decision Binding or Not?

December 8, 2022

Applying early decision is not a good idea for every college applicant. For some, sending out a single application could be financially foolish because it carries a binding agreement to attend that school no matter what. And for others, the binding nature of early decision can lead to some uncomfortable situations. Read this and contact us for more guidance.

College Tuition–Is It Worth It?

October 14, 2022

Generally speaking, investing in yourself is a smart idea. More education usually leads to more opportunities, better jobs, and higher income. However, many students have

Test Optional Admissions and Diversity on Campus: What’s the Deal?

September 6, 2022

If a college goes test optional, will it increase diversity? Announcements from admissions indicate that it might. But announcements to diversify the applicant pool are not the same as changes to the complexion of the campus community. Let’s see what happens.

Financial Aid Timeline for High School Seniors

May 24, 2022

Financial aid planning for high school seniors is vital. Students and parents must work together to ensure that college is affordable. Read this guide.

Why Student Debt Is So Excessive – And How You Can Avoid It

January 7, 2021

Student debt in the US weighs down young people as they chase their personal & professional dreams. A college admissions consultant shares his tips for families to help them stay out of debt and find colleges that won’t break the bank…and will create future opportunity for students.

Get Accepted–with Scholarships

December 14, 2022 / Jared Hobson

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.

School’s Out! Top 10 Summertime Tips for College Admission

January 29, 2019 / Jared Hobson

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!).

How to Choose the Best College For You?

December 21, 2015 / Jared Hobson

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

Get Into the Best Colleges For You

December 11, 2015 / Jared Hobson

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.

university building in the back of tress

Getting Into Top Universities

December 9, 2015 / Jared Hobson

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

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

May 13, 2009 / Jared Hobson

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.

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

October 31, 2024 / Jared Hobson

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.

What Do College Admissions Look For in an Essay?

October 23, 2024 / Sarah Farbman

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

How to Write a Great ‘Why This College?’ Essay

October 16, 2024 / Andrea Aronson

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

Don’t Sleep on the Supplemental Essays!

October 7, 2024 / Jared Hobson

Be sure to carve out time to craft thoughtful supplemental essays as part of the college application process. In this post, Great College Advice offers tips on how these short

essay word written by black pen on a dairy

Common App Essay Prompt #5: Personal Growth

October 2, 2024 / Jared Hobson

In this post, Great College Advice provides insight in how to best address the personal growth Common App essay prompt.

Tips for Prompt #3 of the Common App Essay: Questioning or Challenging a Belief or Idea

September 25, 2024 / Jared Hobson

How do your beliefs and ideas shape who you are as a person? The Common App essay prompt #3 focuses on how those beliefs or ideas being challenged can reveal

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Great College Advice Blog

Does Applying for Financial Aid Hurt My College Admissions Chances?

Merit-Based Financial Aid Explained

Choosing A College: Don’t Ignore The Cost

Financial Aid, Admissions, and “Need Blind” Policies

Get Accepted–with Scholarships

Is Early Decision Binding or Not?

College Tuition–Is It Worth It?

Test Optional Admissions and Diversity on Campus: What’s the Deal?

Financial Aid Timeline for High School Seniors

Why Student Debt Is So Excessive – And How You Can Avoid It

Get Accepted–with Scholarships

School’s Out! Top 10 Summertime Tips for College Admission

How to Choose the Best College For You?

Get Into the Best Colleges For You

Getting Into Top Universities

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

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

What Do College Admissions Look For in an Essay?

How to Write a Great ‘Why This College?’ Essay

Don’t Sleep on the Supplemental Essays!

Common App Essay Prompt #5: Personal Growth

Tips for Prompt #3 of the Common App Essay: Questioning or Challenging a Belief or Idea

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