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SMART COLLEGE VISIT ARTICLES
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Test Optional? Coronavirus Pushes More Colleges to Drop SAT, ACT
High school juniors are trying to figure out what to do with recently cancelled SAT and ACT dates. due to coronavirus. As…
Colleges Change Decision Deadlines Due to Coronavirus
In our article, College Admissions and Coronavirus: How Should You Make a Decision?, we recommended that students who have received offers of…
College Admissions and Coronavirus: How Should You Make a Decision?
High school seniors are currently sitting at home, wondering when it's going to be "normal" again... just like the rest of us.…
Coronavirus Cancellations: Is This the Time for a Gap Year?
There has never been in recent history a year like this for high school seniors. World pandemics have little respect for tradition.…
Virtual Graduation Party Ideas: Get Grandma On Zoom, Order Decorations, and More
Due to the cancellations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., many states and thousands of schools systems and universities have been…
Senior Year Coronavirus Cancellations: Supporting Your Grieving Student
High schools and colleges all over the country have closed due to the risk of Coronavirus transmission -- some for a few…
Virtual College Tours: How to Visit a ‘Closed for Coronavirus’ Campus
Are you a high school junior planning college visits... to a closed for Coronavirus campus? Or a senior who is now dealing…
College While Quarantined: Best Practices for Learning Online
Due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the majority of U.S. colleges and universities have shifted, or will shift, to primarily…
Quarantined Teenager Stuck in the House? 8 Things to Do for College Now
What I’ve heard from many of my mom-friends is that no one is actually fearful of the coronavirus itself. But many are…
Campuses Close Due to COVID-19; Classes, Visits Move Online
If you're an admitted student or a high school junior planning spring college visits, chances are the college or university you plan…
International SAT, TOEFL, ACT Tests Postponed Due to Coronavirus Fears
International students in China, Iran, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and other areas have put their educational plans on hold. Due to coronavirus…
The Scholarship Secret: There Is No Secret
We get a good amount of calls and emails at SCV asking for help finding and applying for scholarships. About half of…
Coronavirus and Your College Student
Are you talking or thinking about the coronavirus, or COVID-19? Join the hand-washing club! And there are a lot of college students…
Ending the Community College Stigma
It's time to stop making community college a second choice or a fallback option. It's time to look at community college as…
Admissions Counselors and Social Media: Are They Checking You Out?
There's nothing like a well-curated 'Gram, right? Gen Z is top dog in content creation. What those content monsters may not be…
College Recruiting: Big Changes Made By the DOJ and What That Means For You
In mid-December, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) was sued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the alleged violation…
3 Things to Do While Waiting for College Decisions
Are you playing the Waiting Game waiting for college decisions to be made? While many colleges do rolling admissions now (meaning they…
Public vs Private: Why Do Private Schools Offer Huge Scholarships?
You've applied to a variety of schools, and you're getting their decisions. You're realizing that the private universities are offering you huge…
What is the Elusive Admissions Committee?
If you ever saw the movie "Admission" with Tina Fey, you might have an image in your mind of what an admissions…
Brazilian Universities vs American: What Are the Differences?
Have you ever wondered what going to college is like in other countries? Universities are pretty much the same, right? A place…
How Well Do You Know Your Teen? 21 Questions to Ask the College-Bound Student
We’ve all seen those surveys on social media. You know, the ones where you answer how you THINK the other person would…
Five Scholarship Application Tips to Get and Keep Yourself on Track
"Have you applied for any scholarships this week?" - Me, to my student "Sad emoji face." - My student This conversation happens…
‘Star Wars’ Notebooks Perfect for College Notes, Journals, or Rebellion Planning
Credit: Disney "Do or do not. There is no try"...ing to deny you love "Star Wars." But what's a college student to…
What Happens If Your Roommate Drops Out
It's the start of the semester, and across the country, college students are locating all of their belongings (all over the place),…
10 ‘Harry Potter’ College Necessities
Credit: Warner Bros Hello, Harry Potter fans and Potterhead friends! Do you need a couple of magical items to show your allegiance…
Perspectives on Dorm Life from an International Student
The trees, the people, the colors on the walls, everything can impact our perception of a place (especially when choosing a university).…
Top Universities for Online Courses 2019
There are lots of "best of" lists at the end of every year, and we have a new favorite for 2019! In…
Let’s Talk FAFSA Video: EFC, Separate Accounts, Dates, and More
https://youtu.be/6OoMjMl5VhQ Trillions of photos and videos are taken every day. Did you know that? Literally trillions. Billions of videos are watched on…
12 Great Holiday Gifts for Students Who Have Everything
The holidays are upon us! We all want to find the perfect gift for our loved ones, whether it's a friend or…
Getting Into College: Moving School Districts?
When you work the phones in college admissions, you get some pretty crazy calls. A favorite was from a father asking if…
Visiting College Libraries: Why All of the Books Are Gone
If you haven't read Electric Lit's article, Librarians Are Secretly the Funnest People Alive, you should! It made me laugh and also…
Virtual Assistants Make Great Holiday Gifts for Students, Parents
This article originally appeared in our newsletter, CampusChat, on December 3, 2019. If you are not already a subscriber, become one here.…
What to Say During the Holidays If You’ve Hated Freshman Year at College
For many college freshmen, the breaks around the holidays mark the first time you’ll be back home. Many of you will excitedly…
What Not to Ask at Holiday Dinners: Quick Refresher for Relatives of High School Seniors
We're kicking off the holiday season, and all those holiday dinners. You’ll likely be seeing some form of teenage relative to whom…
SAT Blues? Not a ‘Good Test-Taker’? Meet Khan Academy
Did you recently get your SAT score? For some of you, it may have been the first time you ever took the…
You Didn’t Get in Early Decision. Now What?
I understand the advantage (at some schools) of applying Early Decision. But I’ve never been an advocate of encouraging kids to get…
Admissions and Education Companies: What are Naviance, Scoir, BigFuture, Khan Academy?
"Back in my day," I tell my kids, "we got a college application at a fair, maybe two in case we made…
Building Credit With FICO: Sallie Mae Facebook Live
Part of becoming an adult is learning how to wisely manage your money. From that skill, you'll responsibly build credit, and in…
‘Your AP Test Was Lost’: One Student’s Nightmare Situation and Resolution
Lots of articles and posts come with trigger warnings. If you've ever had nightmares of something going horrendously wrong with your transcript…
FAFSA Tips and Answers: Sallie Mae Facebook Live
It's almost FAFSA time! The FAFSA for 2020-2021 (yes, that's the correct year) will open on October 1. To kick off the…
FAFSA and Divorced Parents: Who Fills It Out?
It's almost October 1, and that means one thing for college and college-bound students: FAFSA season. FAFSA rules require students under the…
College Safety and Hard Questions: ‘Will I Be Safe On Your Campus?’
Credit: Getty Images We're thankful for our contributor Kelly Rawlings' personal and touching perspective on college and university safety. We hope it…
Why It’s Sometimes Easier to ‘Get In’ to an Out-Of-State College
When I worked as a college recruiter, I can’t tell you the number of times I talked to students who assumed that…
How to Help Your Sick College Student
It's getting a little chillier outside. All of those happy, excited college freshmen who moved into their new residence halls a month…
College Admissions Fairs: Top 10 Questions to Ask and Also Avoid
It's pumpkin spice season, and that also means it’s time for college admissions fairs! In the world of college admissions, it’s also…
2023 Mindset List: Marist College Now Publishes the Old Beloit Favorite
It's that time of year... again... for the ubiquitous "I can't believe they're that young/I'm that old" viral post. It's time for…
College Board Adversity Score Being Replaced; Old Idea Was ‘Mistake’
In May 2019, the College Board announced plans to create an "adversity score," a socio-economic number based on fifteen factors including neighborhood,…
Adulting: The Game
I moved my daughter to college last weekend. It was joyous, scary, exciting, and sad all at the same time, and I'm…
Fall College Visits: Plan Them Early Before Summer Ends
One might think that the nastiest phone calls a college admissions counselor fields are the ones from students not offered admission. Nope.…
College Admissions Talk: What Is Demonstrated Interest?
If you’re new to the college admissions world, whether as a student, parent, or professional, sometimes the lingo alone might make you…
Should You Disclose Learning Disabilities on College Applications?
As an admissions counselor, I fielded anonymous phone calls from parents asking if their student should disclose learning disabilities or differences on…
How Telemedicine Services Can Help the College Student
Editor's Note: This article originally ran before fall semester 2019. Now, with cancellations and new standards in place due to the Coronavirus…
Dorm Room Appliances: Items to Complete Your Tiny Kitchen Area
We recently shared 73 easy-for-a-student-to-make recipes. But what good is that list without the dorm room appliances you need (or want) to…
My Favorite College Admissions Application Essay Ever
Last week you heard my tips regarding your essays for your college application. This week I thought I’d share with you my…
Why I Didn’t Ask My College Student to Sign the FERPA Waiver
My daughter and I just returned from her freshman college orientation. We had a great, informative, jam-packed day and a half. She…
Easy Student Meals: 73 Dorm Room Recipes for New College Cooks
Ok, we get it. Ramen is the stereotypical college student food. And we're not saying it's not good. It is... but in…
College Board Explained: What is the SAT Student Questionnaire and Student Search Service?
Once upon a time, I served as an SAT Test Center Administrator. Part of my duties included hiring proctors to help with…
Last-Minute Paying for College Info: Sallie Mae Facebook Live
College bills are being generated, and as such, college costs have turned from estimates to actuals. How to pay for college is…
Essay Tips From an Essay Reader
I’ve read a lot of essays in my life. I've probably read tens of thousands of essays. In what feels like a…
Independence Day: Which Founding Fathers Didn’t Attend College?
It's July 4th! Happy Independence Day, America! Get your grills going and your fireworks ready! It's a national party day! As a…
Weighted GPA: Why a 4.0 Doesn’t Always Equal 4.0
Have you ever been at a party with friends when someone says, “I can’t believe SuchAndSuch didn’t get into XYZ State University.…
‘PG Year’ Explained: How a Post-Graduate Year Can Help
Have you ever heard of a PG or post-graduate year? Not many people have. And in some cases, a PG year can…
Holistic Admissions: The Meaning and Reasons
Attend any information session delivered by admissions employees at any competitive college or university and you’re almost guaranteed to hear that application…
FERPA vs FAFSA: What I Learned at College Orientation
I just returned from my student's college orientation. And boy am I tired! Jokes aside, you might think, after working in higher…
A B in AP or an A in Regular Class?
For many high school students, summer means turning in a list of requested courses for the next year. Admission offices often get…
Summer College Visits: Sallie Mae Facebook Live with Smart College Visit
Are you trying to figure out how and when to do college visits during the summer? Well, you're in luck. Smart College…
Buying a Computer for College
Trying to figure out about buying a computer for college? One of the things I did not realize we'd do at my…
Frugal Dorm Room Ideas: College Essentials On a Budget
It's the summer before your freshman year of college. Need some dorm room ideas? You're moving into a small room in a…
10 Things to Expect from Your College Orientation
At many colleges and universities, Orientation looks a bit different these days. It's been proven if you help students with the transition…
Your College Student and Social Media: Creating Communities Before Move-In
Worried about your new college student and social media? Now that it's summer, phones are lifelines to their friends. They're not seeing…
Summer College Visit Checklist
It's time to jump in the car and crank the A/C. Are you ready for summer college visits? We have an extensive…
What Summer Experiences Look Best On College Applications?
What's one of the most popular questions admissions representatives get? I can’t tell you how often a student would ask me what…
D-Day: Their Average Age Was 20
Today (June 6) is the anniversary of the Operation Overlord landing operations during World War II, more commonly known as D-Day. The…
Need College Loans? These Are Companies the Experts Recommend
All of the excitement of college acceptance letters have faded away, and the realization of actually paying for college is probably sinking…
FERPA Facts: Waivers, Parental Rights, and Exceptions
As students are getting to know their way around their new university dashboards, we hear a lot of questions about FERPA. What…
Can You Change Your College Decision After May 1?
After years of planning, months of applications, weeks of college visits, and waiting for those emails to come through before April 1,…
SAT Adversity Score Will Lead to Impersonal University Admissions
By now you’ve likely heard of the new SAT “adversity score.” This score will be reported to college admissions offices for applicants…
SAT Adversity Score: College Board Announces New Student Socioeconomic Measure
The College Board has announced a new score will be added to students' SAT records. According to The Wall Street Journal, fifteen…
The Double Deposit: When You Accept More Than One School
May 1 is the day that screams anxiety for a lot of high school seniors. If you're holding a bunch of acceptances,…
Summer Bucket List: 10 Things New College Freshmen Should Do
Prom is over. Finals and AP Exams are over. And graduation is over. And for the first time in your life, you're…
Curbing Senioritis: How Colleges Review Final Grades
Seniors! Got a bad case of senioritis? Is dragging yourself to high school like a punishment right now? You’ve (hopefully) read the…
Everything You Need to Know about Creating Homeschool Transcripts
Creating a transcript for a homeschooled student is perhaps one of the hardest tasks for homeschooling families. After reviewing thousands of homeschool…
AP Exam Advice: Take the Credit or Leave It?
When the May 1 National Decision Deadline date comes and goes, you might think high school seniors can finally sigh a breath…
Homeschooling and College Admissions: SATs, ACTs, Letters and Essays
In our third and final article in our three-part series on college admissions and homeschooling, we focus on standardized testing and paperwork...…
Homeschooling and College Admissions: Grades and Transcripts
In our first of three articles about homeschooling and college admissions, we discussed reporting about your schooling and teachers. This installment covers…
What to Do When You’ve Made a Mistake on the FAFSA
I wasn't sure what to do first: throw up or have a heart attack. My student's financial aid package read "errors." I'd…
Homeschooling and College Admissions: Reporting About Your School and Teachers
Homeschooling is a great option for many students, but what happens when you start looking at going to college? How do you…
Changing Your Mind and Choosing Your Heart: One Student’s Story
Smart College Visit features real life student stories, of choice, hard decisions, taking chances, and becoming the best versions of who they…
Caught With Fireball at Prom: Am I Going to Lose My Offer of Admission?
When you’ve worked in college admissions for two decades, you’ve heard it all! Oh, the stories I could share. Someone leaves a…
‘Saturday Night Live’ Takes On College Admissions
Post "Operation Varsity Blues," nothing is sacred. "Saturday Night Live" took on the college admissions game on March 31, 2019 during their…
When to Accept the College Offer: Why You Should Play Hard to Get
It’s April. You’ve received multiple acceptance letters from universities, maybe even one from your dream school. You know May 1st is national…
What Is Yield? Inside the College Admissions Process
Ever wonder why, really WHY, admissions does what it does? How does the admissions process work? Here’s some insider info: The admissions…
Why Turning Down Your Acceptance Offer Won’t Get Your Friend Off the Waitlist
Here's a situation playing out all over the country right now. You have an acceptance letter from a university that you're not…
Operation Varsity Blues Fallout: How the College Admissions Scam Will Hurt All Students
Unless you've been on vacation or under a rock, you heard the story about a group of wealthy parents who paid a…
Understanding Your Financial Aid Letters
The acceptance letters are rolling in! Like the Oscars and Golden Globes, it's "award season!" It's a happy time. But tempering that…
Why You Shouldn’t Trust College Acceptance Prediction Calculators
As hard-working students, you've spent years cultivating your high school transcript. You've done community service. You've figured and refigured your weighted and…
The College Admissions Scandal: What It Could Mean for Future Students
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, news broke of the arrests of 50 people, including SAT exam administrators, coaches at elite schools such…
How to Choose the Best College Acceptance Offer for You
The emails and fat envelopes are coming in. You're getting into colleges! Maybe even all of the ones you applied to! First...…
Is It OK to Change Majors in College?
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" As a college senior, you've more than likely heard that questions a…
Paying for College: Talking Practically About an Emotional Subject
Money. It's a difficult subject. And having a frank discussion about money and finances with your student as they plan for college…
AP Exam Changes: New Deadlines, Penalties Mean New Pros and Cons for Taking the Tests
The College Board announced some significant AP exam changes effective August 2019, and they're not minor to your planning or your wallet.…
University of California… Dreaming? or Arizona or Florida? 5 Warm College Campuses to Beat the Cold Weather
Are the words "polar vortex" scarier than "financial aid" and "SAT scores"? Are you looking to ditch your parka, and escape to…
What to Put In Your 500 Word College Application Essay
A guest post by Ed Weathers These days, most colleges require that your application essay be no more than 500 words. In that…
When the FAFSA Isn’t Enough: What Is the CSS Profile?
You hear us talk about the FAFSA a lot on SCV. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a…
Winter College Visits: Why You Should Hit the Road Over Winter and Spring Breaks
Brrrr. It's cold out there. Just want to hunker down under some blankets and... wait. Nope. It might be winter, but January…
‘But You Just Got Home!’: Living With Your Returning College Student
It's mid-December. All over the country, masses of returning college students are pouring back home, with full laundry bags, and dark eye bags.…
8 Test Prep Books To Help Improve Your SAT and ACT Scores
Here's a secret a lot of people seem to have forgotten: Books work. And SAT and ACT test prep books work too.…
10 Gift Ideas for Your College Student They Actually Want
Updated May 6, 2019 What should you give a graduating senior / almost college student (besides cash?) There are actually things that…
Weighted or Unweighted GPA: Don’t Freak Out Over the Numbers
During the college admissions process, you might take a long hard look at your transcript. You might notice the "weighted" GPA and…
How Your Effort Can Equal Money: The New College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Work hard and it'll pay off, right? That's what everyone (including us!) will tell you. But what if you could qualify for…
College Housing Planning: On- or Off-Campus, and What Is Best For You
Students at universities across the country have finally gotten settled into their dorm rooms and apartments! So good news! It's time to…
Move Over, Helicopter Parents: Lawnmower Parents Have Taken Over
Are you a helicopter parent? Do you hover over your child? Well, you're out of fashion. The helicopter parent has come back…
myStudentAid: The FAFSA Mobile App and How It Can Help You
Good news to everyone who fills out a FAFSA... and that should be all of you! The Department of Education has rolled…
Report: August 25 SAT Test Leaked Online
Reports surfaced on Monday, August 27 that the SAT exam taken by thousands of students on Saturday, August 25 may have been…
Smart Definitions: College Admission Application Types
If you are a high school senior and you're applying to colleges, you should know there are several different college admission application…
Five College Planning Research Sites to Bookmark
It's Finally Here My daughter is a senior in high school. The year we've been preparing for is finally here: Her last…
SAT and ACT Test Dates: Mark Your Calendars
Are you ready to take the SAT and/or the ACT? Get the test dates (and registration dates!) on your calendars now. Make…
Because It’s Going to Happen: How to Drink Safely In College
Drink safely if you're going to drink at all College is a time for self discovery and exploration. For some, this means…
High School Friends: Out With The Old, In With The New
Moving into a dorm, leaving your high school friends, adjusting to classes, being on your own for the first time – your…
Rank the College Before the Campus Visit
It was simple really. I wanted to get a sense of what my college-bound teen thought about a particular college before we went on the campus…
GPA: Does It Actually Matter?
GPA. Grade Point Average. The one number can dominate your life from the start of high school and to the job application…
College Dating: Four Smart Online Tips
College is a time to explore who you are as a person. For a lot of people, that means online dating in…
Finding The Perfect College Roommate
Looking for the perfect roommate can feel a lot like you’re on an awkward dating show. “What do you like to eat?”…
Honors College: Is It Worth It?
I was never accepted into honors at college, but I had a fair amount of friends who were. While there are some…
Cracking The Code: How to Pay for College
Whether you’re a student or a parent, financing a degree can be one of the most daunting parts of a college experience.…
The Fight Against the Freshman 15
Before I even set foot on my college's campus, I had heard the spooky "Freshman 15" rumors. I wrote it off as…
How to Land Your First Internship
Summer internship – an excellent way to get job experience while still in college The comfort and safety of winter break has…
Preparing For The Unexpected: Birth Control
Planning ahead for college includes thinking about birth control. Being informed before you go is the way to go. Preparing for college…
Choosing A Major: Striking the Balance Between Inspiration and Reality
Your major choice should be what interests you - with a backup plan I had always been intrigued by the thought of…
How to Survive Your First Finals Season
You’ve heard the horror stories about that one guy who spent 27 hours straight in the library. No matter what you do,…
Do More Than Graduate. Get Involved.
Get involved! That means more than just eating at some restaurants in town. Moving to a college town is exciting. There are…
10 Ways Parents Can Leave a Negative Impression With the Admissions Office
As someone who has worked in or directly with admissions offices for nearly 20 years, I've learned there are guaranteed ways you…
The High School Senior Countdown
Attention High School Seniors: Sorry. There's no time for senioritis! For most high school seniors, the next 6-9 months are packed with deadlines…
Fiscal Responsibility: The Neglected Student Lesson
Fiscal responsibility – it’s one of those concepts that students are rarely taught in a classroom, but are just expected to understand.…
Three Questions You Should Ask On Every College Tour
When my parents and I were touring universities a few years back, we were all completely lost. Neither of my parents had…
College Application Organizing Tips for Tackling Senior Year
by Leslie Josel, Principal, Order Out of Chaos When you are a senior your time is managed pretty well—by everyone else! Here…
When Helicopter Parents Go Too Far: Enough Is Enough
When helicopter parents go too far, it makes the news almost daily, like in this article, or in this post. So I'm…
College Cost Saving
Here's a college cost saving tip: See your advisor. College cost saving is a top concern of parents and college-bound students. When…
College Reading List Scary Stories
Scary Stories on the College Reading List Updated 10/25/2018 Do you want to fit in a couple of scary stories, but feel…
Surprise Reaction to the Empty Nest
True confession time: I had a surprise reaction to the empty nest. As someone who worked for more than a decade at…
Why Your College Student’s First Aid Kit Should Include Condoms
When we sent our son off to college, I researched what to put into a first aid kit knowing that he was…
Missing The Familiar: How to Parent Your Homesick College Student
This month many students headed off to college and, for many of them it is their first time away from home. Along…
Maybe We’re Not As Old As We Thought: Why the Beloit College Mindset List Needs New Authors
Because we're college admissions geeks, we eagerly await the new, annual "oh my gosh, we're so old" Beloit College Mindset List each…
10 Important Things to Bring for Move-In Day (and Then Leave Behind)
Updated July 1, 2019 It's almost here, parents. And students. It's almost time to head off for college move-in day. The boxes…
College Twins: Finding Our Own Paths
Hi, my name is Olivia and I was born on a summer day around 18 years ago. Oh, did I mention that…
Getting Ready to Pay for College? Read This First by Sallie Mae®
Getting ready to pay for college? Did you know scholarships and grants cover 35% of college costs? That’s the largest share in…
Packing for College? What NOT to Bring
Packing for college? Leave these things at home. Everyone is always worried about what they need to be packing for college to…
Smart College Visiting: Checking Out Three Urban Campuses in Two Days
It's July. School is out. And with a rising junior in the house, we're taking every chance to visit college campuses (even…
E.T. Phoned Home… You Can Do It Too
By Valerie McGinnis, 2011 Liberty University graduate When I started college I was looking forward to exactly three things: Friends Living in a…
Freshmen: Should I Bring My Car to Campus?
A question frequently asked during a college visit information session is "Can I bring my car to campus?" The answer to this…
The Bare Necessities (For a College Dorm)
The first semester of college is quickly approaching for soon-to-be college freshmen. Parents everywhere are fretting over sending their students off to…
Dorm Items You Actually Need
10 dorm items that will make life easier Important: Before you run out and buy a bunch of dorm items, make sure you check your…
Four Tips You Need to Know Before You Visit Colleges by Sallie Mae®
For high school students, especially rising juniors and seniors, the summer months aren’t just for vacations and seasonal jobs. They’re also…
Why Choose a Women’s College?
Go to a Women’s College?! Why? I was put on the college search path from a fairly young age. I was an…
Good Graduation Gifts
Graduation gifts that aren't totally lame Are you about to give up and buy a stuffed animal holding a diploma as your…
Freak Out: What to Tell The Sophomore Who Just Realized They Only Have Two Years Left
Reality set in for my sophomore at dinner the other night. I like to call it the Sophomore Freak Out. Let's set the…
When Your Child Turns 18 and Goes to College: What Parents Need to Know
Updated May 28, 2019 Yes, it happened in the blink of an eye. Your baby has morphed overnight into an adult. In reality,…
Scholarships: Free Money for College from Sallie Mae®
SPONSORED: Smart College Visit is proud to partner with Sallie Mae® to provide more opportunities for our readers! Enter to win $1,000…
Oscar Nominees 2017
Oscar nominees 2017 come from a variety of backgrounds, and are honored for more than just acting. From college to career to…
From Over-Parenting to Hands-Off Parenting
Remember that moment when you first held your baby and you were overwhelmed by love, joy, hope and aspirations for that child? I…
Denied College Admission? It’s Nothing Personal
College admissions - it's decision time. Updated January 29, 2020 Like most college-bound high school seniors, you spent the last 12 months…
Admitted Early Decision? Don’t Lose Your Offer
Updated January 29, 2020 So, you've been admitted early decision. Good job! Now don't lose your offer. (What?!) Think you're all set…
No Day But Today: Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities
"What else is there to do here?" This is often a question on the minds of college-bound students when they visit a…
Scholarship Searches Don’t Take a Holiday
by Monica Matthews, Scholarship Editor As the long break approaches, high school and college students everywhere are looking forward to kicking back, sleeping…
Transferring Colleges Mid-Year
Thinking about transferring colleges mid-year? Did the fall semester at your current school leave you at a breaking point? Are you thinking…
Four Red Flags To Help You Avoid College Scholarship Scams
If you search the word “scholarships," you will instantly have access to hundreds of pages sharing college scholarships for students. But which…
College Prep Tips for Winter Break – Next on CampusChat
CampusChat happens on Thursdays on Twitter! 9PM, Eastern | 8PM Central |7 PM Mountain | 6 PM Pacific Next #CampusChat - December 8, 2016 Ashley…
5 College Scholarships with December Deadlines
by Monica Matthews, Scholarship Editor Don't let the holiday rush keep you from winning scholarships! Capitalize on the holiday break and…
Sallie Mae Scholarship Chat
The November 17, 2016 Sallie Mae Scholarship Chat on #CampusChat was full of good information for students looking for free money for…
Scholarships – Free College Money
Does free college money sound good to you? Scholarships: Free Money for College Enter to win free college money college in…
Trusted Eyes Find College Scholarship Mistakes
Find college scholarship mistakes before you submit. Today wraps up my series on applying for college scholarships using the S-M-A-R-T method with…
What is ZeeMee? Everything You Need to Know About The Admissions-Friendly Social Media
Are you on ZeeMee? Have you even heard of ZeeMee? ZeeMee is a college admissions specific social media tool, allowing a student to…
Dough4Degrees Scholarship Chat: Danielle Jeffers
Updated 12/2/2019 Dough4Degrees founder, Danielle Jeffers, graduated from Virginia Tech DEBT-FREE in May of 2019. Her knowledge about finding and applying for…
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec elementum augue vitae mauris accumsan, eu ultrices nisi luctus. Vivamus iaculis molestie scelerisque.…
Reviewing Guidelines Can Make or Break Scholarship Applications
by Monica Matthews, Scholarship Editor This week’s scholarship tip continues the S-M-A-R-T method of applying for scholarships with the “R.” R =…
4 Times ‘Gilmore Girls’ Lorelai Made Rory’s College Career Harder
Unless you've been hiding under a social media rock for the last decade, you've probably heard about the much-beloved TV show "Gilmore…
What Happens When You Miss the Financial Aid Deadline?
Image credit: ABC We admit it. We're fans of the TV show "The Middle." And we've learned some great parenting lessons from the…
The SMART Method: A = Answer the Essay Question Completely
When writing your scholarship essay, make sure you answer the essay question completely. This is another way to be S-M-A-R-T when applying!…
Scholarships Provide Freedom
by Danielle Jeffers, Student Scholarship Editor “We can’t afford to send you to college, but you still have to go.” My parents…
5 Parenting Lessons from “The Middle”
Editor's Note: It was recently announced that "The Middle" would be going off of the air after the 2017-2018 season, with an…
The SMART Method: M = Market Yourself Wisely
When writing your scholarship essay, use these tips to market yourself wisely. This is a great way to be S-M-A-R-T when applying!…
#CampusChat is moving!
by Kiley Thompson, Vice President, Marketing Smart College Visit's long-running Twitter chat, #CampusChat, is the go-to weekly discussion for all things admissions…
Teachable Moments from the 2016 Presidential Election
by Suzanne Shaffer, Parent Editor It doesn’t matter which side of the political aisle you are on in this Presidential election, your teen…
The SMART Method: S = Share Personal Details
When writing your scholarship essay, share personal details. This is a great way to be S-M-A-R-T when applying! by Monica Matthews, Scholarship…
Talk to Your Teen About Financing College
by Suzanne Shafer, Parent Editor If you have a college-bound teen you’re well aware of the cost of college – it’s high.…
Win More College Scholarships with The SMART Method
It's smart to apply for scholarships and how you apply can be smart, too! by Monica Matthews, Scholarship Editor In my never-ending…
Campus Leaf Off! Vote for the Most Beautiful Autumn Leaves
Which college campus has the most beautiful autumn leaves? Brrrr! It's getting chilly outside! The bright green leaves of…
