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SMART COLLEGE VISIT ARTICLES
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‘Test Optional’ Equals ‘Extra Credit Possible’
Many, if not most, colleges are enacting “test optional” policies for applicants for the 2020 (and in some cases 2021) admission cycle. …
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How COVID-19 Will Change Higher Education for the Better (If They Let It)
In 1995, I was a graduate student in English, writing a thesis about Henry V. I was also completely enamored of the…
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Remote School: Inexpensive Office Pieces for Home Learning
School is back in session! And there are some localities in the U.S. where students are learning from home still. Some students…
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2024 Marist Mindset List: A New Perspective, New Kindness
UPDATE 9/8/2020: As predicted, the new Marist Mindset List is a forward thinking snapshot of "how" the Class of 2024 thinks, not…
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Online Drivers Ed: How to Maneuver the Schedule
My teenage son finally looked at his sophomore year schedule the other day. Finally. And he discovered that he had 10th Grade…
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What Student-Athletes Need to Know: NCAA August Round-Up
While these have been unprecedented times, the NCAA is working to get back to not only some semblance of normalcy, but to…
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An Ode to the Second Monitor: Remote Learning Tips
It's back to school time! And most of America is starting to settle into the groove of remote or virtual education, Some…
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Virtual College Tours: The Future of Campus Visits With Campus 360
https://www.facebook.com/SmartCollegeVisit/videos/606596533388984 Did your summer college visit plans get a little sidelined? Not a lot of visit travel going on in quarantine? The…
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In Defense of the Mediocre High School Schedule
After a nearly two decade college admissions stint, I took a step away from the full-time rat race last year. I wanted…
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College Move-In Fall 2020: The COVID-19 Edition CampusChat Live
It's time to head to college, students. It's college move-in time! Yes, there's still a pandemic on, but your colleges and universities…
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College and COVID-19: Four Reasons Students Should Play By the Rules
If your college has created a plan to have in-person or on-campus instruction or even, gasp, life, and you're able to return…
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Considering Online High School: 8 Questions to Ask
A month or so ago many of us were still dreaming of August Back to School shopping. I love images of kids…
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No, Universities Aren’t Going to Cut Tuition for Online Classes
Find your tape. You're going to need that $100. As a parent of a college student, I'm very much attuned to the…
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Want to Lodge a College Complaint? Here’s Who to Call on Campus
There's a lot of scary information being thrown around regarding colleges reopening this fall. And a lot of students and parents want…
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Class of 2021 College Admissions: What Colleges Want You to Know
It's your turn, seniors. The country has focused a lot of attention on the class of 2020 in the last six months.…
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Is That Honor Society Legitimate?
It's officially summer! School is out for real (not just for COVID-19)! And now that your student has officially moved up in…
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Sending Your Freshman to College During Coronavirus: One Professor’s Opinion
Mask up, Dad. Parents, sending your freshman to college during a pandemic probably wasn't on your to-do list this year. As colleges…
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COVID-19: 5 Things That Will Be Different on Campus This Year
The elbow bump. It's a thing! As freshmen and upperclassmen start thinking (dreaming?) about heading to college this fall. They're going to…
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What ‘Test Optional’ Really Means: CampusChat Live with Lauren Gaggioli
https://www.facebook.com/SmartCollegeVisit/videos/281087213094535/ "To test... or NOT to test?" is actually the question on a lot of juniors and seniors' minds right now! What…
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Online High School: When ‘Logging In’ Is a Better Fit Than ‘Going To’
Do you have a kid who thrived with online learning during the big COVID closure? Is the idea of going "back" to…
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Empty Nest During A Pandemic: Facing Your Fear and Grief in 2020
If you're a parent facing an "empty nest" this fall -- your child or children are heading off to college or even…
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COVID College Search: Tours, Student Panels, and Fairs In Your PJs
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, rising high school seniors would likely be spending some time during the summer and fall visiting prospective colleges,…
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Who Is Liable If Your Student Gets COVID-19 on Campus?
Fall 2020 plans are barreling ahead. Students are packing up their computers, XL twin sheets, and... masks. And everyone is asking "but…
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COVID-19 and Colleges: FAQs
Finally, colleges and universities have started sharing their plans for fall 2020. SCV is distilling some of the basic strategies into an…
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Student Athletes: Three Key Points to Know During COVID-19 (And Always)
On Thursday, June 4, Smart College Visit hosted a CampusChat Live on Facebook, focusing specifically on student athletes and college admissions. Chad…
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Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire: Cheating in College Admissions
Like any profession, if you work in college admissions long enough you have stories. Given that your target population falls in the…
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Student Mental Health: Finding Help
Student mental health has, thankfully, become a hot topic on college campuses. Administrations have grown to realize that young adults can benefit…
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Dorm Needs 2020: Cleaning Supplies, Masks, Hand Sanitizer
In whatever shape or form, students will be moving into dorms and apartments in the fall of 2020. Will it be for…
Read MoreThe Best Virtual College Tours Online
They can't see a thing. Wave your hands in front of their faces. If you're a rising senior this summer, you've hopefully…
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Reopening Colleges: Dr. Fauci Weighs In
The leading expert on all things COVID-19, Dr. Anthony Fauci, discussed possible scenarios related to reopening colleges and universities in a recent…
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The Shakeup of Standardized Testing: CampusChat Live with Akil Bello
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkIs37a2JE Very, very rarely does "breaking news" happen in college admissions. It's a pretty predictable kind of news beat. However, it happened…
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Students and Money: How COVID-19 Is Changing Financial Planning
How has the coronavirus changed college students' financial planning and preparedness? WalletHub recently conducted a national survey, asking about students and money.…
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The Coming ‘Hybrid’ College Education
Hey, elephant. We can't hear the professor. Please put yourself on mute. Higher education is preparing itself for the change it knew…
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Coronavirus Impact: Online AP Exams Begin, Problems and Lawsuits Follow
Update 5/21/2020: A class action lawsuit has now been filed on behalf of the students who had problems with the AP tests.…
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Still Undecided for Fall 2020? These Colleges Have Available Spaces
This spring is definitely not the typical admissions cycle. With the uncertainty of final grades, travel, and finances, choosing a college or…
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Share Your Virtual Graduation Party to Win an Amazon Gift Card
Let's throw that virtual graduation party, shall we? Are you planning a virtual graduation party? We've heard from a lot of students…
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Rising Seniors: Research Your College List During COVID-19
Colleges and universities across the country closed down entirely in the spring of 2020. Professors and instructors pivoted, creating new online classes…
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New York, Gates Team Up to ‘Reimagine’ Remote Learning
As we continue to navigate what the during and post-pandemic "normal" is, states are figuring out how to safely reopen K-12 schools…
Read MoreCoronavirus Impact: Why the Class of 2021 Should Be Worried
We all feel for our Class of 2020 seniors right now. They're missing out on many of the traditional milestones and rights…
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Taking A Gap Year or Leave of Absence: CampusChat Live
https://www.facebook.com/SmartCollegeVisit/videos/230912354855147/ On Thursday, April 30, the Smart College Visit team celebrated "National Decision Day" Eve on Facebook Live. We're usually celebrating all…
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Coronavirus Impact: What Has Your College Decided to Do for Fall 2020?
Update: The California State University system is planning to cancel nearly all in-person classes until spring semester 2021, according to its chancellor,…
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How Ricky Bobby Helped Get a Kid Into College: Calculating Risk With College Essays
Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby in 'Talladega Nights' Copyright Sony Pictures I had to chuckle today when Facebook reminded me of my…
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College Essays in the Time of COVID-19: CampusChat Live
On Wednesday, April 15, the Smart College Visit team tried something new... for the second time. We went live on Facebook with…
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Refunding Tuition: Is Online College Not Worth Full Price?
Colleges around the country closed their campuses in March, moving thousands of college students home, and their classes online. As a result,…
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Online SAT Test Coming This Fall
In response to school and testing centers closings due to the coronavirus, COVID-19, the College Board announced new online SAT test options…
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Coronavirus Impact: Choosing to Take a Semester or Year Off of College
As more colleges start to consider staying online for fall 2020, we're reading more advice and news about what students should do.…
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Coronavirus Impact: What Do You Do If Your College Closes?
One thing is for certain - the COVID-19 pandemic has most certainly left many families in limbo. There are too many decisions,…
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Coronavirus Impact: Will Colleges Reopen for Fall 2020 Semester?
The spring semester of 2020 will be very memorable for college students across the country. As campuses closed, students pivoted into becoming…
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Coronavirus Impact: Navigating Virtual Online College Orientation
To all the high school students graduating this spring of 2020, congratulations. You've done a great job. And you've dealt with a…
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International College Admissions: Tips and Organization
Choosing what to eat for lunch is tough, but selecting colleges you want to go to is a challenge of its own…
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When Life Isn’t Fair: Coronavirus, Rejections, WiFi, and More
One of my part-time jobs is working as a writing coach for students who are applying to colleges. This past year I…
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Coronavirus Impact: Financial Losses Hitting Colleges Hard
Colleges and universities across the country are reeling from all aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, some schools fear being forced to…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
Read MoreInternational 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
Read More3 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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‘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…
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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),…
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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…
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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).…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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‘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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Dorm Room Appliances: Items to Complete Your Tiny Kitchen Area
Updated June 3, 2020 Photo: Amazon We recently shared 73 easy-for-a-student-to-make recipes. But what good is that list without the dorm room…
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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…
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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…
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Easy Student Meals: 73 Dorm Room Recipes for New College Cooks
Updated: June 3, 2020 Ok, we get it. Ramen is the stereotypical college student food. And we're not saying it's not good.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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‘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…
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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…
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FERPA vs FAFSA: What I Learned at College Orientation
June 18, 2020 Update: Orientation this year is going to look very different. A lot of these points, from last year's article,…
Read MoreA 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…
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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…
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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…
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Frugal Dorm Room Ideas: College Essentials On a Budget
Updated June 3, 2020 It's the summer before your freshman year of college. Need some dorm room ideas? You're moving into a…
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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…
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Your College Student and Social Media: Creating Communities Before Move-In
Updated June 3, 2020 Worried about your new college student and social media? Now that it's summer, phones are lifelines to their…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Can You Change Your College Decision After May 1?
Editor's Note: With the current coronavirus pandemic, many students are wondering what to do in regard to the May 1 deadline. We've…
Read MoreSAT 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…
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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…
Read MoreThe 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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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...…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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‘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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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...…
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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…
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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…
Read MoreAP 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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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‘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.…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
Read MoreReport: 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…
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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…
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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…
Read MoreSAT 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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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?”…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
Read MoreWhen 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…
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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…
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