College Mentors

Much as I blanch at the thought of using advertising terms, such as branding, to describe something so deeply individual and human as the entire college process,  I read an article today that struck me in its honesty and validity...Michael Szarek, a college counselor from New Jersey reminds us (to remind our young people): You are what you post. Michael's advice to sign up for a service (free) like Google alerts in the name of the student and the parent makes a lot of sense--in fact, let me list all of Michael's suggestions: Sign up for “Google Alerts” in your name and your child’s name.  They come in as daily emails listing references to that name or phrase.  If your name is John Smith, it may be a bit laborious, but it’s worth it. “Google” the names of your family members on a regular basis.  Google alerts doesn’t catch everything.  And you can do a google search at any time. Allow your child at least one social media outlet to build his or her “brand”, but monitor

By now most, if not all, of your college applications are in, and you're beginning to get your responses...but in order to make an informed decision on which college to attend, you also need to know what your financial aid package will be.  So, time to file your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)...and if you're applying to Private Universities, most likely you'll need to file a CSS Profile. There is NO cost to file the FAFSA, so be sure to go to the official government site: www.fafsa.gov   It's fairly easy to fill out these days--basically asking for your parents' financial information from their tax forms and your financial information from your tax form (if any).  The good news is that now, if you've already filed your forms, you can opt to have much of the information pulled automatically from the IRS. If you haven't filed your taxes yet, you should estimate based on your taxes from last year and then update the FAFSA after you've

How can I write a killer personal statement?  Do I have to come up with something I've done that no one else has done—what if I'm just a 'normal' kid? These are just a few of the questions that students are asking this time of year. Let's take them one at a time. You will write a killer personal statement by being yourself!  Unlike all the other types of writing you have done throughout your high school career, this one really IS personal—not academic.  For once, using "I" is fine, really.  Think of the personal statement as a page or two from your memoirs; somehow, you need, purely through the written word, to let someone know who you are and why they should want you at their college. You want to use vivid language—verbs that pop, maybe a metaphor or two, or other figurative language, even a bit of humor.   Some colleges are even posting sample essays from successful students, helping to demystify the essay jitters.  Check out Connecticut College an

Hey Juniors, think about signing up for the SAT in May or June—just to try it out—then, if you're not thrilled with your scores, you'll have the whole summer to study for another go in the Fall.  The deadline to register for the May 1st exam is March 31. The deadline to register for the June 5th exam is May 5th. Sign up at the College Board web site: www.collegeboard.com

By now, you've received many acceptances, and in some cases have already received your financial aid offers. How do you determine which offer is the best financial deal for you? Most colleges to promise to meet your need—defined as the difference between your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the "total cost of attendance." However,  colleges have options for HOW they meet your need, including grants, scholarships, loans, and so on.  Also, not every college includes the same elements in "total cost of attendance."  So, since you want to maximize the amount of free money you're receiving, let's break down the elements of an award letter. Cost of attendance --this section tells you how much it costs to attend the university. It always includes tuition, room and board, any mandatory student fees (e.g. health, registration, etc.). Most colleges will also list an amount for books, travel, and incidentals, but some will not list all of these.  Whe

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday!  It's now time to apply for financial aid, which means filling out your FAFSA.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the base requirement for receiving all need-based college aid, whether grants, scholarships, or loans. So, time to get started. To fill in the FAFSA, go to http://www.fafsa.gov   It is KEY to make sure you're at the .gov site, and not to go to a .com address. There are many FAFSA scam sites out there that will charge you for submitting the FAFSA, but remember the first F in FAFSA stands for FREE. You can submit your FAFSA any time up through March 2nd in California (other states may have different deadlines),  but some colleges will have earlier deadlines for "priority" consideration or for specific scholarships. What information/records will you need when filling out the FAFSA form? Social Security Number (student/parents-if parents do not have SSN, use all zeroes) Driver's License Number