7 Reasons to Hire an Experienced College Counselor:

• Help find the right college fit
• Invest educational dollars wisely
• Play the admissions game like a pro
• Get your college choice right the first time
• Fewer arguments at the dinner table
• Save money on the cost of college
• Reduce stress in the college admissions process

Do I need a college counselor?

FIND THE RIGHT COLLEGE FIT

With over 3,000 colleges and universities in the US, how do you know which is the best match for you? With first-hand knowledge of colleges and access to the admission profession, an experienced college counselor can provide in-depth, personalized advice that no guidebook or website can. A good educational consultant will take the time to get to know you, and then will help create a balanced college list of schools where you will thrive during your college years. 

INVEST EDUCATIONAL DOLLARS WISELY

Aside from a home, a college education is the biggest investment that most families will ever make. And yet most would never think of selling their home without the advice of a professional real estate agent. When you consider that the cost of a private 4-year college (tuition, fees, room, and board) ranges from $120,000 to over $400,000, hiring a professional to help you make a sound investment makes good sense. 

PLAY THE ADMISSIONS GAME LIKE A PRO

Colleges and universities compete for students. And then they deny admission to apparently strong applicants. Colleges market their educational services the way companies sell toothpaste. Many manipulate the game in a way to favor their rankings rather than individual students. With expertise on how different colleges play the admissions game, an experienced college counselor can shed light on what can be a very opaque and confusing process. At the same time, good counselors maintain a sharp focus on individual student needs and aspirations. 

GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME

On average, the percentage of students who enroll in a college who actually graduate from that same college is over 50%. This means that many students transfer to other schools after having made the wrong choice. Worse, some students will drop out of college entirely. By guiding you toward colleges that are the best fit for your academic interests, extracurricular pursuits, and personality, a good college counselor increases your odds of graduating from a school that fits your needs from start to finish.

FEWER ARGUMENTS AT THE DINNER TABLE

The college admissions process can be stressful for everyone involved. For many students, the thought of starting this process can be overwhelming and result in procrastination. And yes, the tasks seem endless: choosing appropriate courses, registering and studying for standardized tests, researching colleges, completing applications, writing essays, filling out financial aid forms…the list goes on and on. With all the tension in the air, some families yearn for a way to remove the stress and reestablish equilibrium. An excellent college counselor won’t let the college admissions process get you down. In fact, they’ll help you enjoy the discoveries along the way.

SAVE MONEY

Sometimes in order to save money you need to invest in the right services. This is why people hire accountants, lawyers, and financial planners:  their expertise and experience can actually save multiples of the fees paid for these services.  Similarly, educational consultants can help you set a budget and stick to it. While the price of higher education keeps going up, that doesn’t mean that there are not excellent strategies that you and your family can employ to save on the overall cost of college. Invest time, energy, and money up front, and you could save tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on education. Identifying colleges where your student will likely receive an attractive merit aid offer can result in a terrific return on investment (ROI) on the cost of a college consultant.

ALLEVIATE STRESS

The college admissions rat race is constantly changing. The process seems so competitive, so opaque, so uncontrollable, and so random. Parents get caught up in the exaggerated fear that if their kids do not achieve a certain outcome, they will be doomed to a life as a barista. Students internalize the pressure and develop low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. A good college counselor cannot eliminate the external pressures bearing down on families and students these days. But the counselor can help empower families to focus on the things that are within their control and to let go of the things that are not. A good counselor does not elevate the stress, but instead reduces it by providing solid information, reassurance, and a zen-like presence that all will turn out well in the end. 

Where do I go if I need a college counselor?

The counselors at Great College Advice have both the experience and expertise to help you optimize your admissions outcome.  While we can neither eliminate uncertainty nor rewrite the rules of the college admissions game, we empower students and families with the information and perspective necessary to help them prepare, select, and apply to colleges that will provide them with the educational opportunities they want and deserve.  

We started in business in 2007 with the vision that high school students and their families deserve clear insight into the complicated world of college admission. Our process has been developed by educators to provide students with the information and tools they need to take full control of their own educational and professional futures. While we cannot control a process that is controlled by the colleges themselves, we can optimize outcomes for students and focus on their intellectual, emotional, and social well-being. 

As a national practice, we have worked with students in all 50 states and nearly 50 different countries. Each year, over 95% of our students are accepted to one of their top three choices. Many of our students are accepted to the Top 25 universities each year. 

We invite you to review some of our testimonials to understand that we deliver a process that is healthy, happy, and rewarding.

Great College Advice can keep you focused on what is truly important

Further, we are happy to share our core values.  These five lodestars guide us in our work with students and their families.

INTEGRITY  The Great College Advice team demystifies the often ambiguous college preparation, selection, and application process and delivers our guidance with thoughtfulness, honesty, and professionalism.

PERSONALIZATION  Great College Advice provides counseling tailored to each student and family. We share our advice in a positive way that encourages students to embrace their educational futures with optimism and an open mind.

EXPERTISE  The Great College Advice team shares our knowledge, expertise, and constant curiosity to empower students to maximize their educational opportunities.

LEARNING  Our process encourages students to learn more about their academic interests, their professional possibilities, themselves as human beings, and the world around them.  We strive to inspire them to expand their horizons and their love of learning.

TRANSFORMATION  We guide our students through a transformational experience.  We help them articulate their needs, desires, and aspirations so as to pursue them in college and beyond.

Still wondering if you need a college counselor?

If you want to explore professional college counseling and want to discuss how Great College Advice can make the process more successful and less stressful, reach out to us for a free consultation. We look forward to getting acquainted.

The post Do I Need a College Counselor? 7 Factors to Consider first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Here are few things to consider in the college transfer process:

Start Early: The sooner you contact the institution you are thinking of transferring to the better.

• Ask what courses you should currently be enrolled in. Some schools want you to have completed as many general education courses as possible.
• What are the transfer admission policies? Do they admit January transfer students? Can you transfer in your first-year or do you have to wait until you are a sophomore?
• What are the statistics for admitted transfer applicants? Make sure you meet the average college GPA and standardized test requirements. What do you need to do to improve your profile? What is the transfer acceptance rate? The transfer admission process at some colleges can be more competitive than the first-year application process.
• Completing a transfer application can be just as extensive as completing a first-year application. Find out if the college or university you are interested in uses transfer Common App or do they have a separate application process. What credentials do you need to submit for the transfer application process?

Show Me The Money:

• Ask about the availability of financial aid for transfer students. Some schools do have special scholarships available.
• Transferring academic credits can have a huge financial impact on your decision to transfer. If all of your current credits are not accepted, you may have to delay your graduation timeline. Find out if your current institution has any credit transfer agreements with schools you are interested in. If not, contact the school you are interested in and see if they have any courses from your current institution that have been previously accepted for credit. This may save you in the long run!
• Find out if there is on-campus housing available for transfer students.  If not, what is the cost difference for living off campus?

Deciding to transfer is a big decision, but it does not mean that it is the end of your college career. US News & World Report wrote a great article way back in 2009 on President Obama’s transfer experience. The article talks about how transferring may not be for everyone, but it may also take you places you never imagined!

Need assistance with the college transfer process?

The team at Great College Advice has helped many students transfer to the college that ultimately is the best fit for them. Schedule your complimentary consultation today to learn more.

Great College Advice

The post The College Transfer Process first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Winter break is not the best time for college tours

We do not recommend scheduling campus tours over your winter holiday break. When students head back home for a month, many campus offices also close up. Dorms are locked up tightly while students are away.  The library may be on limited hours if it is open at all. Faculty leave town and go on their own vacations.

Most colleges may be completely closed from December 23rd to January 2nd. If you venture to a college right before Christmas, a few admission counselors may still be in their offices, but they will more than likely be knee-deep in reading college applications. So, unless all you want to do is see a bunch of locked and empty buildings, the winter holiday is not a great time for college tours.

What about summer for a college tour?

For many families, summer is the ideal time for a college tour. High school students are no longer wrapped up in the demands of the academic year and campus visits can often be coordinated as part of a family vacation. While summer is not a perfect time to visit a college campus, it is better than winter break of even Thanksgiving. Some colleges and universities do have summer sessions, and most will have some sort of activities going on–even if they are not set up for their regular student bodies. Offices are generally open, as are most facilities. During the summer, you may not see the campus operating as it does during the academic year, but at least the admissions office is set up to show you the best of what the campus has to offer. While you’ll find it harder to have conversations with current students, at least you’ll get a general sense of the campus vibe.

Thanksgiving is not the best time for college tours

During the week of Thanksgiving, colleges are often open, but the students have already ventured home to be with their families. College admissions officers, too, are very often out of the office entirely–finally getting a few days to spend with their families following a demanding fall travel season. Colleges rarely even offer tours and information sessions during Thanksgiving week. You may be able to meet with someone in the admissions office, but it will be difficult to get a feel for the college culture with no students around. On many campuses, all dining facilities and campus amenities will be completely shut down as staff are given a few days off for the holidays.

Schedule your college tours during February, Spring, or Fall Break

Unsurprisingly, the best time to visit a college campus is during the school year. This is when you will see the college or university in actual operation. As my wife likes to say, this is the time when you can spot ‘students in the wild!’ Streets, sidewalks and walking paths will be bustling with students going to and from class, dining halls will be packed, and the campus will be alive. This will allow you to gain a better sense of whether you can see yourself attending this college.

Try to pick a time, such as February, spring or fall break, but be careful not to overlap with the college’s own spring or fall break if possible (once again, the college just won’t look or feel the same when the students are not around). Make sure you do your research and look at the school’s campus tour calendar where you can sign up in advance.

Need help building that college list?

Let the experts at Great College Advice help you create a well balanced college list as part of your college visit plans. Book your complimentary session now and start your college admissions journey today! 

The post When is the Best Time for College Tours? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Here are few things you can do over winter break to work on your college search process:
1.  Start doing some college research.  There are so many college websites out there, it is hard to know where to begin.  These days, high schoolers are inundated with information about colleges on TikTok or other social media platforms. But, we often suggest that students begin with a simple college match survey.  You can find these on CollegeBoard.org or Princeton Review.  Once you find some colleges that you are interested in learning more about, visit CollegeData.com.  This site provides a wealth of information about size, academics and the competitiveness of the application process.  Another site to check out is Unigo.com.  This site can answer many questions you may have about the college application process.
2.  Volunteer.  Winter break is a great time to get in some volunteer hours.  You may work at an animal shelter or see if you can help with a holiday program at a local hospital.  Volunteering not only looks great on your college applications, but it is beneficial for your mental health and a great way to give back to your community. It may also be a great opportunity for you to explore some different careers.
3.  Begin thinking about next summer.  Now is the time to begin thinking about your plans for the summer.  Look into possible enrichment programs or camps that will help you explore an interest. You may want to start putting together your resume as you begin exploring potential summer job or internship opportunities.
4.  Network.  There are lots of gatherings during the holidays, which provide great opportunities for networking.  Before you attend your next holiday event, brainstorm some questions you may have from the people you know will be there.  Ask about career paths and college experiences. This is a great way to learn more about college from multiple perspectives.
5.  Read.  Reading is one of the best ways to improve your SAT scores, so take some time to dive into a good book or two or three!

Great College Advice

The post Things To Do Over Winter Break for Freshmen and Sophomores first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

What is Early Decision 2 (ED2)? 

Early Decision 2 application deadlines are usually January 1st or January 15th. You make the same promise to attend this university as you did in the ED1 round if you are accepted. When you apply ED2, you will receive a response from the college around mid-February. And if you are accepted in ED2, you must withdraw all other applications to other schools. Many selective colleges have adopted the ED2 round because it helps them manage enrollment better by increasing their yield rate.  

The yield rate is the percentage of students who receive an offer of admission who actually enroll in that college. Colleges want high yield rates. The elite universities generally yield above 50% of accepted students, with Harvard, MIT, Princeton and Yale’s yield rate typically above 70%. However, selective liberal arts colleges may have yield rates only in the 20-25% range. By accepting more students in the early decision rounds, a college’s yield rate will increase as the promise students make under binding ED programs means that the yield rate is 100% for these ED1 and ED2 students. 

Should I apply Early Decision 2? 

If you have a clear second choice school that you are genuinely excited about attending then definitely apply ED2 to this college. In general, ED2 gives you a statistically better shot at admission than if you go into the regular decision (RD) pool. Although colleges disclose overall ED acceptance rates, almost all do not break out the specific ED1 and ED 2 acceptance rates. However, ED2 acceptance rates will be lower vs. ED1 for various reasons, including ED1 athletic recruiting applications. But, ED2 acceptance rates are typically higher than RD acceptance rates.

Also, if you have applied Early Action (EA) to your clear second favorite choice and they happen to also offer the ED2 round, reach out to the admissions office and request that your application be moved into the ED2 pile. 

Mistakes to avoid in the Early Decision 2 round: 

• Did you overshoot in ED1 by applying to your dream college even though your grades, course rigor, etc. were well below that school’s typical accepted student profile? Don’t make this same mistake in ED2 as you are unlikely to be accepted. 

• Are you not excited about your ED2 choice but have been told that you need to apply ED2 anyway because it increases your admissions odds? Don’t do this. You need to be excited about this college as this is a binding commitment. If there is no clear #2 choice, then continue with your EA and RD application gameplan.

ED2 and Financial Aid 

Just as in the ED1 round, if you apply ED2 and need merit-based aid, it is possible that the financial offer will be lower than you had anticipated. Colleges swear that the offer just as much merit aid in the early rounds as they do in the regular rounds. But this is hard to prove one way or another. Colleges just aren’t that transparent about how they award financial aid. Learn more about applying for financial aid in this blog post.

However, if a financial aid award just isn’t enough (and assuming you did the research in advance using Net Price Calculators and the various federal and institutional financial aid calculators), tell the financial aid office of your Early Decision 2 college that you either need more money or you will have to be released from your binding agreement. Take the time to identify colleges in the RD round that are likely to offer financial aid packages that will come in at or under budget.   

Read more about calculating the real cost of college in our blog post.

Do you need help with the college admissions process?   

Just beginning the college admissions process but don’t know where to start? Please reach out to us for a complimentary consultation and learn how Great College Advice can make the process more successful and less stressful. We look forward to getting acquainted. 

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post Should I Apply ED2?  first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Being deferred can be disappointing and confusing, but here is our Great College Advice on what to do if deferred. Email a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to your admissions rep with the following:

• Updated first semester senior year grades if they will help your case;
• Submit relevant additional materials like awards and honors;
• Emphasize that you continue to be interested in attending this college.

Email a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) if your college application is deferred 

Some schools may have specifically asked you not to contact them. If that is the case then there is likely not a specific reason why you were deferred. There may be little you can do to increase your chances for acceptance during the regular decision round. Some colleges do not want you to send letters. Instead, they want you to update information in their admissions portal. These updates may include checking a box that you still want your application to be reviewed in the Regular Decision round as well as space for more information. However, for many colleges, you should send a Letter of Continued Interest to the regional admissions representative in charge of your application. Here is what you should include in your LOCI: 

Send updated grades if it will help your case 

Most colleges will require you to submit an official semester grade report. If you did have a low grade on your first quarter grade report and your grade has improved, then certainly let your colleges know. If you are still struggling in the class ask the teacher to write you a letter of recommendation. The letter should illustrate the steps you have taken to improve your grade (i.e. tutoring, seeking help with questions outside of class, etc.). 

Submit additional materials that are relevant 

Some colleges may ask you not to submit additional materials. Some colleges will encourage additional letters of recommendation, as well as updates on awards and activities and further information on the student’s interest in the school. It is fine to ask teachers, counselors, employers, etc. to send additional letters of recommendation to the college.  

If you have received an award or recognition since you submitted your application, tell them about it. This is not the time to be modest! Perhaps you have been cast as the lead in the musical, appointed to a community board, or you did a bunch of volunteering over the holidays. Please share whatever information you can give to colleges that is new since you submitted your application.   

Inquire as to why you were deferred 

Whether in the letter or through a call to the admissions representation, reach out and politely ask if any detail can be provided as to why you were deferred. This admissions officer will have the most accurate account of why you were deferred. The admissions rep may have a question about a specific grade, or your application may have been incomplete.  

Demonstrate your continued interest in attending this college 

Colleges also want to admit students who will definitely enroll in their institution. So, it is important to continue to show interest in the school even though you are disappointed. You will clearly show interest by taking the initiative to find out why you were deferred. Also, submit additional materials before the college asks you to.  

You can also ask to do a phone interview, visit the school (only if you live close enough for it not be a great expense) and send an email or two (don’t send too many) to the admissions officer in charge of your application. Resist the temptation to engage in gimmicky, silly things like sending cookies to the admissions office.  

By the end of January, you should check in again with the college and make sure they have all the information they need to make a final decision on your application.  Again, this is best done through the admissions officer who is directly in charge of your file. 

See this Wake Forest admissions blog post to not only see their advice to students that have been deferred. Here’s an excerpt:

…you can — and should! — share with us updates to your grades; we want to know how you’re doing in your classes and how your year has progressed since clicking that “Submit” button. You’re also welcome to send additional recommendation letters too, especially if you feel they will add significant value to your application or include something of which we weren’t initially aware. And one more directive: please be in touch with your admissions representative. Each of our Admissions Deans reviews applications according to where you attend school; this individual not only knows the most about your school but is also best equipped to advocate for you. I wouldn’t say that you should necessarily reach out to them every week, but please do let us know that you’re still interested and why.

Also, explore Wake Forest in more detail from our recent campus visit in this blog post.

Does being deferred mean I have a better chance of being admitted later?  

Not necessarily. While most colleges try to defer applicants who they think have a good shot at admission in the regular round, reality is that some colleges are using the deferred status as a security blanket. They don’t want to reject qualified applicants until the last possible moment. This also means that, unfortunately, you could be put on the waiting list.  

Should I apply to additional schools if my application is deferred?  

If you did not have a balanced college list before receiving your deferral, then you should definitely apply to additional schools. If you were deferred from this school, it is possible that you may not be admitted to schools with a similar profile. Review your list to ensure that you have an adequate number of “target” and “likely” schools. 

Remember that this decision is not permanent. A deferral just means you will have to wait a bit longer. You will eventually receive a final decision on your application. We are hoping you receive the answer you desire!

Ready to begin the college admissions journey?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college.  If you’d like more information about our services, contact us for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call us at 720.279.7577.  We’d be happy to chat with you. 

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post What to Do If Deferred first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Why you should apply for financial aid no matter your family’s situation:

• Obviously, if you qualify for aid, apply.   
• If you’re unsure whether you qualify, apply for financial aid anyway.    
• And if you’re a high-income family, apply as well. You might make yourself eligible for merit-based scholarships.   

But if you want to get into the nitty gritty to understand more about risks and rewards of applying to college and asking for financial aid, read on! 

Does applying for financial aid hurt my admissions chances? 

This is a bit of a complicated question. The actual act of applying for financial aid should have absolutely no bearing on whether a student gains admission to just about any college. Admissions officers don’t simply look at the fact that you are applying for financial aid, assume that you will need lots of it, and then deny you admission.  

Rather admissions officers review your application based on your merits. If you’re a good candidate, they put you in the “accept” pile. So, you should feel free to check that box and send in your forms! Just applying for aid will not hurt you. If the college professes to be “need blind,” then you’re likely to sail through the rest of the process at this point and be awarded the financial aid you deserve.   

The situation is slightly different if you are applying to colleges that are not “need blind” (i.e. schools that consider your ability to pay in the admissions decision). At these “need aware” schools, your financial need could impact your ability to gain admission, especially if your grades and other credentials do not stand out. Think about it: if a school has only so much aid to hand out, to whom would they be most likely to give it?  Students with the best grades, test scores, and extracurricular achievements are likely to get the most money.   

Still, the prospect of not getting into a school should not stop you from applying for financial aid. If a certain college is not going to accept you because you need financial assistance, then you don’t want to attend that college anyway. You want to go to a school that you can get in and that your family can afford. 

Run a Net Price Calculator for Every College

Colleges are required to make online Net Price Calculators (NPC) available to the public. NPCs allow prospective students to input some basic financial information about themselves and then the NPC calculates approximately how much financial aid they are eligible for and how much it will consequently cost them to attend that school – the “net price”. Net Price Calculators can be found at a college’s website, and The College Board also provides an NPC for the hundreds of colleges that utilize its NPC tool. 

Beware that the NPCs provide only an estimate of your likely cost, and sometimes a very loose one at that. The information captured isn’t as thorough as on an actual financial aid application, and the NPCs don’t take into account either special circumstances or your potential eligibility for merit aid (which is based on student performance rather than financial strength). So, the output of the NPC is likely not what you expect to receive. 

Still, by going through the Net Price Calculator process for each school on your list, you’ll get a directional sense of what the school will cost you. The bottom line is that if finances are an issue when you are first considering where to apply consider your budget, school COA, and financial aid in the calculation. By doing so, you just may save yourself a little heartache and a whole lot of money. 

Read more about calculating the real cost of college in our blog post.

If my family makes too much money, will applying for financial aid hurt my college admissions chances? 

What if your family makes a high level of income and therefore is unlikely to qualify for financial aid? Would your admission odds decline by applying for financial aid? 

No. If the student is a compelling candidate, it is actually more likely that he or she will be accepted. The evidence provided in the financial aid forms will demonstrate your ability to pay. A well-qualified applicant who can pay full price is a highly desirable one for most colleges.   

There are two more reasons why a high net worth family might complete the financial aid forms: 

• First, completing the financial aid forms could be a requirement for a student to receive merit-based scholarships. Without the forms, you might leave money on the table and not receive a scholarship that you might otherwise deserve.   

• Second, completing the financial aid forms might make your family eligible for the Federal student loan program, thereby enabling you to borrow some money (albeit a relatively small amount). Some families like their kids to take out such loans as a way to ensure that the student has “skin in the game” and appreciates the value of a college education.   

The bottom line: colleges are expensive to run, and they need students who can pay full price. If you can show that you are able to fund your education, this could tip the admissions scales in your favor. If you are in this favorable position, it won’t matter whether you fill out the financial aid forms. 

Be aware of any potential funding gap 

One of the most misunderstood aspects of financial aid is that just because you qualify for need-based financial aid doesn’t mean you will receive everything you deserve from the colleges. Without getting into the details of where financial aid comes from, just remember that colleges’ financial aid budgets are not infinite. As businesses, they must protect the bottom line. They cannot give away more aid than what is available. 

While some schools have enough money to meet the full financial need of all accepted students, other schools do not have this luxury. These colleges try to stretch their budgets by spreading the aid around more thinly. The trouble with this is that the college’s budget limitations can have a very negative impact on your own family budget. What does this mean? 

A funding gap illustration

An example can clarify:

Let’s say that according to the FAFSA, you have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $20,000–meaning that your family should pay no more than $20,000 for college. Let’s also say that the cost of attendance is $60,000, including tuition, fees, room, board, insurance, travel, books, and a bit of spending money. 

So you would expect, since you have demonstrated financial need, that you would be given enough financial aid from a college to reduce your bill to no more than $20,000. This is the expectation. But the college is not obligated to meet that SAI. The college can give you a different offer. For example, it might say, “you’re accepted, but you will need to pay $40,000 to attend.” They are giving you $20,000 dollars in aid, and you should be able to pay (according to the FAFSA formula) $20,000. But the total cost, remember, is $60,000. 

This leaves you with a “gap” of $20,000.  How will you fill this gap? Most likely it will come from taking out loans. But loans are just your money, with the difference being that you will pay it back at a later date (and more of it, with the interest payments).  

But be careful! Too many loans can be a bad thing. Owing a ton of money upon college graduation can actually reduce or restrict your future opportunities. Paying off those loans must come before you do anything else, such as rent an apartment, buy a car, or take your significant other out for a nice dinner for your anniversary.  

So, really, will filling out the FAFSA hurt my college admissions chances? 

Our answer: if you qualify for aid, apply.  You need money to pay for college, so apply. If you are denied admission, then that means they didn’t find you a strong enough candidate for that school. But if you are accepted and are offered an aid package with a significant “gap” that will need to be filled through loans, turn your attention to more generous offers from other colleges. 

And if you’re not sure whether you qualify, apply anyway.  At the very least, you’ll make yourself eligible for federal student loans, which (in small amounts) could help ease the financial burden.  

And if you’re a high-income family, apply anyway. You might make yourself eligible for merit-based scholarships. You may also get access to those federal loans should you want to avail yourself of those.  

The bottom line is that no matter who you are, there are compelling reasons to check “YES” for financial aid and apply. Colleges won’t hold the fact that you applied for aid against you in the admissions process. 

And in the long run, the outcome of this process–when based on an honest assessment of your ability to pay for college–could help you much more than it could harm you. 

Need Help with the College Admissions Process?   

If you’re ready to start the college admissions journey, please contact us for a complimentary consultation. At Great College Advice, we provide personalized college consulting focused on helping make the process of preparing, selecting, and applying to college more successful, less stressful, and more fun.    

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post Does Applying for Financial Aid Lower Your College Acceptance Odds? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

What is legacy admissions? Legacy college admissions is a policy that grants preferences to the children of alumni. The policy has been particularly important in the Ivy League and other elite, private schools. The logic has been that children of alumni may be among the most eager applicants, as they have learned a lot about a school literally at their parent’s knee.

Legacy admissions pays the bills

Legacy admissions is an important of business strategy. At these private, elite universities, alumni represent a huge chunk of the donors who regularly and generously give to the college. It makes sense, from a business perspective, to cultivate these donors with the abstract promise that their children will be given special consideration when they eventually apply for admission. It also makes sense that satisfied parents who see their progeny running around the campus of their alma mater will continue to give–and perhaps give so that their grandchildren, too, might be given the same sorts of preferences.

According to a 2023 study by some Harvard researchers, the real boost for admission is not legacy status, but wealth. Raj Chetty, who has done a lot to dispel myths about how higher education really works in this country, and his colleagues have shown that more than any other factor, wealth of the student’s family is the best predictor of admission. Families in the top one-percent of income have a better chance of admission.

Legacy admissions increases a college’s yield rate

Colleges are very protective of their “yield rate”: the percentage of offers of admission that are accepted by students.  Harvard has a high yield rate above 80%.  Less selective universities have yield rates that hover in the 20% range. In other words, only 1 in 5 accepted students end up attending these universities.

Many families unfairly believe that the higher the yield rate, the better the college. But, the fact is that even at not-so-selective schools, children of alumni have a higher propensity to accept an offer of admission than a kid whose parents did not attend.  And what is true at the not-so-selective schools is also true at the very selective schools.

However, some of this link between yield and legacy has disappeared, as the Ivies have tended to show a clear preference to admit legacies in the Early Decision round–when the nominal yield rate is already 100 percent. The University of Pennsylvania used to make it quite clear–on their admissions website–that legacies would need to apply ED if they wanted the legacy “bump” in admissions. Interestingly, such language no longer exists on the Penn website but it still buries a paragraph for legacies at the bottom of its ‘preparing your application’ page.

The future of legacy admissions

A number of highly selective, private colleges have eliminated legacy preferences over the last several years:  Wesleyan University, Amherst College, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University were among the first to eliminate legacy status in admissions. A few public universities have done away with it, too, but legacy admission was never as important at public universities as at the elite private schools.

Still, colleges and universities that still cling to legacy admissions policies are on notice that the public at large is not all that happy with those preferences. Kids on campuses are protesting against these policies. It’s hard for Boards of Trustees to defend the policies. However, the Trump administration’s Department of Education has yet to weigh in on legacy admissions.

Legacy Admissions Trends

Education Reform Now updates its ‘The Future of Fair Admissions: Legacy Admissions‘ on an annual basis. The highlights of its 2025 report include:

• Just 24% of four-year colleges now consider legacy status, down from 29% in 2022 and 49% in 2015;
• Since 2015, 452 colleges and universities have stopped considering legacy status in admissions;
• Only 11% of public institutions, but 30% of private universities still consider legacy in the admissions process;
• In 24 states, there are no public or private colleges that consider legacy;
• States that have banned legacy admissions in recent years include California, Virginia (public only), Illinois and Maryland.

Education Reform Now even includes a list of colleges and universities that still consider legacy admissions according to the most recent data submitted to the US government.

Many Highly Selective Universities Still Consider Legacy Status in Admissions

According to the 2025 legacy admissions report by Education Reform Now, 56% of highly selective universities, defined as <25% acceptance rate, still consider legacy status in their admissions process.

A big reason why parents are willing to shell out so much money to pay full price for these elite schools is the “connections” they will make with the movers and shakers of America. They know that what they are paying for is not so much a classroom education where one learns from particularly brilliant professors. Rather, they are paying for access to the elite of America as well as the ‘elite’ corporations that hire at these universities including McKinsey and Goldman Sachs.  Doing away with legacy admissions altogether could fundamentally change the Ivy League universities.

Second, if legacy preferences were entirely eliminated, along with all other non-academic, non-merit factors in admission (including the wealth of the family), would these institutions have the allure that they do now?  We all cannot be rich, but maybe we can rub shoulders with them?  We can’t all be from American dynastic families, but maybe we can hang out and drink beer with them, and maybe have one as a lab partner? If admission to the top private universities were simply a matter of academic merit alone, would everyone still want to go to them?

Example of Legacy Admissions: Yale

While many things have changed in the admissions offices in the Ivy League, legacy admissions has remained an important part of the Ivy League and other elite, private colleges and universities. We might also want to keep some perspective. Back in 1980, 24% of Yale’s freshman class were legacies.  The most recent data point for the Yale Class of 2027 was that it had decreased to 11%. Of course, 11% is still significant: about 180 students out of this 1647 in the first year class.

Does it help to be a legacy when applying to college?

Sure, it helps to be a legacy if you’re applying to the college to which your parents attended–if you’re applying to one of those schools that still exercises legacy preferences.  At least as so far as we know, right now.

But it also helps if you’re an athlete, or a musician, or an artist.

It also helps if you want to study Portuguese and the college is desperately looking for students to fill Portuguese classes.

And it certainly helps if your parents can shell out the full price for the cost of four years of tuition, room, board, fees, and beer money.

You get the idea. Being a legacy is just one hook amongst many when it comes to applying to college. And that hook may be disappearing. Or it may not.

But being a legacy at the top Ivies, aka, “the holy trinity or HYP” – Harvard, Yale, Princeton) – isn’t what it used to be.

Need help with the college admissions process?

If you want to chat about the possibilities and the pitfalls of exercising your legacy status, give us a call.  There is no right or wrong answer to this question–at least not at the moment. What you need to do is examine your goals, your preferences, and your own moral compass.  We can help you sort through the issues to come up with your own approach. So don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us on our website.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post The Future of Legacy Admissions first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

A reader recently wrote in to ask our opinion about dual enrollment courses. She wanted to compare them to the Advanced Placement (AP) options at her son’s school. The question came from a post we wrote analyzing AP courses in the college admissions process. Since she is not the only one to pose the question, let’s dive into the differences of dual enrollment and AP programs and compare them as best we can–with an eye to their relative importance in college admissions. Here is why AP courses (and the IB curriculum) are preferred by selective universities:

Also, see our blog post on What is Dual Enrollment? and the benefits of dual enrollment classes.

Advantages of Dual Enrollment

The advantages of dual enrollment courses in college admissions include:

• High schools can offer honors-level courses without hiring new staff
• Districts can save money by partnering with community colleges
• Parents can save on college tuition because these college credits are transferable to most state universities
• Students demonstrate that they can handle college-level work
• Students who doubt their own abilities to succeed in college experience success and are more likely to apply to college–and eventually graduate
• Community colleges and 4-year institutions build a pipeline of students moving from high school to college
• State governments and local governments appreciate the collaboration between K-12 and higher education

Which is Better: AP or Dual Enrollment for college prep? 

The answer is: it depends.

First, some schools are unable to offer both AP and dual enrollment courses. In fact, rural high schools are much more likely to rely on dual enrollment courses than AP, because dual enrollment is less expensive to the school district–especially if there is not enough demand to fill a complete AP course. But, International Baccalaureate, or IB programs are rare because this program is both expensive and affects the entire curriculum offerings at a school that adopts the program. So if there is no AP or IB option in your school, you should definitely consider dual enrollment options. (If you want to dig into whether you should select an AP or IB curriculum, check out this post that compares the IB and AP programs.)

Second, if your goal is to reduce the costs of attending a state university, dual enrollment credits are a guaranteed discount. Because states automatically require these courses to transfer, any DE course you take will reduce the number of credits you must complete (and pay for!) while in college. As long you dually enroll in a college prep course and you get a C- or better, you get the college credit.

The AP tests and the IB diploma program, by contrast, come with high-stakes tests:  take the course and then take the test. If you pass an AP test with a score of 3, 4, or 5, you might get college credit. The amount of credit would depend on the policy in place at a particular college or university.  But note that your grade in the AP course has no bearing on whether you get college credit.  The credit you receive depends on your score on the exam.  Thus you could get an A+ in your AP US History class, but get a 2 on the test–in which was you would receive no credit anywhere (well, you’d get the high school credit that leads to your high school diploma, but it would not give you any benefit once you arrive at college). 

The Benefit of IB and AP Exam Standardized Testing

IB and AP exams are standardized. They are normed tests. Thus, presumably, a score of 5 on the AP Chemistry means the same thing, no matter whether student attended a private school in Connecticut, a rural public school in Alabama, or an international school in Uruguay.  Similarly, a perfect 7 on the IB English A exam would be considered the same no matter where in the world the student attended secondary school. 

By contrast, an A in that dual enrollment chemistry class might or might not be the educational equivalent of a chemistry class in another location. Some high schools have higher standards than others, some community colleges have higher standards than others, and some individual teachers have higher standards than others (a fact that every high school student everywhere understands). Dual enrollment courses are not standardized. There is no “norm.” An A in one place could be different from an A in another.  

AP or Dual Enrollment for college prep? Highly selective universities tend to prefer IB and AP over dual enrollment

Thus, highly selective universities in the United States tend to favor AP and IB exam results over dual enrollment credits because they are standardized. Not only are the highly selective less likely to grant you the credits you receive in dual enrollment courses, they are more likely to discount the value of those courses, especially if you had the opportunity to take those rigorous AP or IB courses in your school or community. 

Third, if your school has a strong AP program that has a history of success in helping students earn 4s and 5s on the AP test, you might want to consider the AP courses if you plan to attend a highly selective college or university. The reason is this: the AP test is a demonstration of proficiency and competence in a subject matter.

While credit is a demonstration that you did what the teacher or professor required of you, the AP test is a nationally-normed test (and the IB is globally-normed). A score of 5 on an AP test communicates that are you a good student who can handle college-level work, that you are capable of performing well on cumulative examinations, and that you have demonstrated a high degree of mastery of the subject matter. This is why selective colleges and universities strongly prefer AP and IB results over grades in dual enrollment courses.

See our blog post discussing whether to take AP or IB classes in high school.

So Should You Take an AP or Dual Enrollment for college prep?

Again, it depends. Remember that not every student has a choice, as not every school offers AP courses while most public high schools are able to offer dual enrollment options. 

If your goal is to reduce the cost of your college education and you plan to go to a public university in-state, there is no doubt that dual enrollment options are going to save you money and reduce the time necessary to earn your college degree. For the vast majority of Americans, the dual enrollment option is the smartest choice.  No high stakes exams.  No doubts as to the ability to transfer credits to college. Take those dual enrollment courses, get good grades, and get through college more quickly and more cheaply.

If you want to attend one of the most selective colleges and universities in the United States–and your high school offers them–then take the AP or IB courses on offer.  They are considered by admissions offers at these universities to be more rigorous, and the cumulative examinations at the end of the course demonstrate clearly how you stack up against other students taking the same subject across the country (or across the world). 

What should I do if I don’t have a good AP teacher?

Standardized tests, despite their flaws, do help admissions officers compare apples to apples. They help to separate grades from proficiency. High scores provide external verification that the grades a student earns are an expression of content mastery. 

However, as we have noted, not all teachers are the same. The AP curriculum is challenging and rigorous. Not every teacher is either trained or experienced in delivering this curriculum. For example, there is a low-performing high school nearby where nearly 80% of the teachers are first-year teachers–every year! AP courses at this school are being taught by very, very inexperienced teachers. 

Therefore if you are considering AP courses offered at your school, ask questions and do some investigating. Some schools have very low pass rates on the AP exams. Even students who get high grades in their AP courses core only 1 or 2 on the exams. (In other words, these students fail and will absolutely not receive any college credit, nor will they be able to brag about their high scores on their college applications). 

Just because a course is labeled AP does not mean that it is a good course. Nor does the label mean that a student will achieve the level of mastery required to score a 5 on the AP exam. Many, many schools across the country offer AP courses that are very poorly taught. Many teachers simply do not have the content background or pedagogical skills to prepare students for these rigorous exams.

A Student Vouches for the Value of Dual Enrollment Courses

Over the years, students have read our blog and written to share their own experiences and insights. A young woman who attended the College of William and Mary read this post a while back and took the time to write to advocate for dual enrollment courses. She attended a high school in Virginia and then enrolled at the selective, public liberal arts college in that state. It’s worth quoting this letter in full, because it speaks to the priorities and choices students face as they choose the right path for themselves. There is no right and wrong answer to the question, “which is better, an AP course or dual enrollment classes?”.  Each student and family must make decide what makes the most sense given their values, priorities, and preferences. 

So thank you, Sarah, for writing in with your opinion, and we’re happy to share it below.

As a current college student, I vouch for the dual enrollment option when high school students are looking through their course options. I went to a very small, rural high school in Virginia, and had the opportunity to take DE credit classes through local community colleges. I finished at the top of my class and I am currently an academic junior at the College of William and Mary.

During my freshman year in college, I came to find that a majority of my friends took AP classes, got an A or a high B in the class, but couldn’t get a 4 or 5 on their AP exam (mind you, these students came from great private and public high schools all over the country, each with its own long-standing AP track). William and Mary requires a score of 4 or 5 to get credit from an AP course. I can’t tell you how many of my friends got burned by taking AP. All 39 of my dual enrollment credits transferred and I am graduating in 3 years.

A lot of really great colleges and universities require high AP scores. So it is very important to do your research on the school you wish to attend. Taking an AP class may look good on a transcript. But how good will it look when the student doesn’t pass the exam with the necessary score? I feel like AP is put up on this pedestal as being the best of the best. However, there is nothing wrong with dual enrollment classes, and taking DE doesn’t mean that one could not handle the supposed “harder” AP course load. I can assure you, the classes I took through my governor’s school were more than challenging.

Best of luck,

Sarah

Do you need help with the college admissions process?

If you have the option of choosing an AP course or dual enrollment, the choice can be difficult. The path you choose has a huge impact on your academic life in high school, and can also affect your extracurricular life. So it’s important to choose wisely. 

The college prep experts at Great College Advice have loads of experience in guiding students in this big decision. We can help by asking questions to elicit your true feelings and your rational priorities. Either of these curricular programs can be pathways to college success. Both are respected by college admissions officers. But which is right for you?

If you need to talk through these priorities and preferences, give us a call or contact us on our website. We’d be delighted to help you map your college journey.

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post AP or Dual Enrollment for College Prep? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

Whether you are a “blue chip” NCAA Division 1 athletic recruit, or whether you are hoping to play in the NAIA, or whether you’re interested in a NCAA Division 3 team, these questions can help you determine whether this team, this coach, and this athletic program are right for you.

Why are these questions important? Because they help you stay in control. Often high school athletes are in awe of the college coach. This is especially true if the coach is recruiting the student heavily. What young athlete wouldn’t feel great to know that a coach in a far-off university was interested in having her play for his team? It’s flattering. It’s exciting.

But you don’t want to be star-struck or tongue-tied. You want to be ready to gather the information you need to be sure that the coach, the team, and the university are the right fit for you. So be ready with questions to ask in those conversations you have with coaches.

What questions to ask college coaches about athletic recruiting

Questions to ask college coaches about your athletic career

• What position will I play on your team?
• Have you personally watched me play? Or have you watch my video highlights? If so, why do you think my skills fit into your program?
• Describe the current players competing at the same position. What skills do they possess?
• How many freshmen are being recruited for my position?
• Where do you see me fitting in the program this year? Years 2, 3 and 4?
• What chance do I have to win playing time as a freshman?
• I know you have a list of potential recruits for this position. Where am I on that list?
• Can I “redshirt” my first year? Under what conditions do you typically redshirt players?
• What are the physical requirements each year? (training commitments, weight, etc.)
• Will I receive a written contract or tender?
• What are your expectations of me as a player? As a person?
• How has NIL impacted your recruiting process?

Questions about the college coach and coaching staff

• How would you best describe your coaching style?
• Where do you place your emphasis (offense, defense) during training and games or matches?
• When does your head coaching contract end?
• What is each of the assistant coaches responsible for?
• How does your team treat walk-ons?
• What is the typical year like for your student athletes? (off-season training program)
• What is the typical day like for your student athletes during the season? During the off-season?
• How important is this particular sport to your school’s athletic director?

Questions to ask college coaches about sports and academics

• What is the admissions process for a recruited athlete?
• What percentage of your players on scholarship graduate in four years?
• What is the team’s GPA from last year?
• What do you do to academically support your players? (Tutors, study hall requirements, staff, class load)
• Am I allowed time to make up classes and tests missed because of the competition schedule?
• Are tutors provided for athletes?
• How do students make up for time out of the classroom?
• What are your policies for missed practices or being late due to class commitments?
• Do you have a solid academic advising center? How many players take advantage of it?
• How many credits are required for me to be eligible to compete?
• How many credits are required for me to keep my financial aid?

Questions to ask college coaches about the team

• Do the players on the team all live in the same dorm?
• Will I be required to live on campus all four years?
• What state/region do most of your players come from?
• Are there any unique team-building activities you do in your program?
• How much travel do you have in a typical year?
• What are the most impressive accomplishments of your program in the past five years?
• What are your team’s conduct rules? Are they the college’s minimums or are they tougher?
• Am I expected to stay in town during the summer?
• What are my off-season responsibilities?

Questions to ask coaches about finances and scholarships

• Specifically, what expenses does the financial aid and/or scholarship package cover? (Tuition, room, board, books, special assessments, supplies)?
• If I’m injured, what happens to my financial aid/scholarship?
• What conditions are used to determine the annual renewal of the scholarship?
• Do I need medical insurance? What medical expenses does the college cover? 

Summary

The most important thing to keep in mind as you formulate questions to ask college coaches is that you are in control. Playing sports in college is a big commitment. When you are signing a contract for a scholarship, you have to do your due diligence. In essence, you are trading your athletic abilities for a college education. Your experience playing your sport in college should be a fun and rewarding one.

You want to make sure that the coach is someone you respect and someone who can train you to be a better athlete and team member. You want to ensure that your teammates have a similar approach to the sport and that you will find your place among the other players. Moreover, you want to be confident that the university whose uniform you wear will provide you with the educational opportunities you want and need, both during your four-year undergraduate experience and well beyond graduation.

So whether you are talking to a coach on the phone or in person during an official team visit, be ready to ask questions that will help you discern whether this is the right athletic–and educational–opportunity for you. Use this handy reference of questions to ask college coaches to help you get the information you need to make the right decision.

Need help with athletic recruiting as part of your college admissions process?

The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college.  If you’d like more information about our services, contact us for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call us at 720.279.7577.  We’d be happy to chat with you. 

Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.  

In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other. 

The post What Questions to Ask College Coaches When Being Recruited? first appeared on College Admission Counseling.