The 2024-25 financial aid cycle has brought significant challenges, primarily due to technical glitches and delays associated with the redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Numerous initiatives have been launched to support students and families during this tumultuous period, and by understanding these challenges and the steps taken to address them, we can better prepare for future cycles and ensure smoother experiences for all. Navigating Technical Delays The rollout of the new FAFSA faced significant delays and technical problems from the start. The FAFSA Simplificatio ..read more

In recent years, there has been a significant evolution in the landscape of college admissions policies, particularly regarding the role of standardized testing. What began as a movement towards “test optional” or “test flexible” policies has recently seen a shift back towards emphasizing standardized test scores in admissions decisions. But what does “test optional” really mean, and how does it affect students? The Rise of Test Optional Policies: At its core, a “test optional” policy means that submitting standardized test scores is not required for admission. Instead, students have the choic ..read more

Let’s talk about supplemental essays. Those extra essays colleges love to ask you to write up alongside your personal statement. These colleges do not simply ask for your personal statement; no, they also want you to answer an extra essay question or two that they’ve come up with. These essay prompts range from the normal (“Why do you want to come to our college?”) to the bizarre (“What color crayon would you describe yourself as?”). 1 Here is an example of some common and unique supplemental essay questions. No one wants to save their college applications for the last moment but it ha ..read more

The arrival of COVID-19 changed the college admissions game, but even before the pandemic, there was already a clear trend: the expectations of admissions officers had risen considerably. A solid GPA was no longer enough, as colleges caught on that some districts were inflating GPAs. You’d need a high standardized test score, too. But wait! You’d also have to write several supplemental application essays.Just a few short years ago, you would see online lists with titles like “The Schools that Ask for Supplemental Essays.” Now? You’d be more likely to see lists titled “The Schools that DON’T As ..read more

I was recently teaching a college prep class when one of my students asked me, “Is it true that [college] admissions this season were a bloodbath?” Interesting word usage, I thought! But she wasn’t wrong to sound so dour. The message from juniors I spoke with this year was consistent: students in the class above theirs were not gaining admission to the schools they anticipated getting into. The unspoken worry from the juniors was clear: will the same happen to me? The Impact of COVID-19 on College Admissions The arrival of COVID-19 changed the college admissions game, but even before the pa ..read more

If students knew that one major results in higher salaries than others – or that graduates from one university earn more than those with that exact same degree from another – wouldn’t they make the higher paying choice? According to David Troutman of the University of Texas, apparently not. ” What we find is that they’re not changing their majors, they’re following their passions.” -David Troutman Of course, we want our children to follow their dreams. But, we should make them aware that earnings vary widely among graduates, even when they have identical degrees from different universit ..read more

After your student applies to college, emails are regularly sent from admissions and financial aid offices. Many seem vague, and result in confusion and even panic. One thing that really upsets parents is admissions telling you that your student should apply for aid. The problem is that if you have already filed your FAFSA, this implies you haven’t. The email SHOULD include, “If you haven’t already applied for aid… or, If you have already applied for aid ignore this email.” This is when parents call us, gravely concerned. We have to remind them that the forms were already filed, and they have ..read more

With summer quickly approaching, it is the time of the year that families begin to look towards visiting colleges. It is extremely important that you visit the colleges you are interested in. There are two primary reasons for this. First, while some schools may look great on paper, they may not meet your expectations or simply not be a good fit for you. We have seen too many students who accept a spot, only to transfer after the first semester because it was not what they expected. When asked, “Did you visit?”, most readily admit they did not.  Second, many colleges look at a student visi ..read more

Over the past decade, there have been shifts in the way that students study. More important is the length of time they spend on their studies. According to an American Interest article College Students Are Studying Less Than You Think, students today are studying 40% less than they did 50 years ago. Even more surprising, they study less than they did as high school students! This begs the question, “If students aren’t learning as much, what am I as a parent paying for?” The majority of college students want to go to college for job stability, career satisfaction, and success/status outside the ..read more

In our partnership with Method Test Prep, we are happy to help parents and students navigate the challenges of standardized testing. Read on, and check back regularly for updates: When to Start Preparing for the ACT and SAT View Article What a Test Prep Expert Advises for the Class of 2022 View Article ACT and SAT Myths and Misconceptions View Article 7 Things Parents Need to know about the ACT and SAT View Article Five Tips for Preventing Careless Errors on the ACT and SAT View Article The post Standardized Testing: The Ins and Outs of the ACT and SAT appeared first on Ecliptic Financial Ad ..read more