College Selection and Financial Aid in the Age of Rising College Tuition: Part Two

We continue our series on college selection and financial aid, by discussing the clash between the demand–and even right to attend college–and the dawning reality that rising tuitions (at a rate greater than inflation), alongside  average student debt increasing at an unsustainable rate, are beginning to price some deserving candidates out of the college marketplace.…

Continue Reading

College Applications: Beware of Hidden Obstacles

Stress and seniors.  For us, at this time of year, the two words are synonymous. Senior teachers are marching forward with their curriculum and homework assignments, seemingly without regard for the time, effort and mental space required to focus on college applications, especially essays. Seniors, in their typical teenage wisdom, are continuing to attend EVERY…

Continue Reading

Defining Claremont McKenna: Understanding the Supplement Essay Prompt

The Supplement questions of the Common Application are not only another opportunity for applicants to state WHY s/he is a strong candidate for admissions to ________ university, they reveal more about the college’s values and academic environment the student may join, eventually.    As previously stated in earlier posts, competitive essays start with a thorough…

Continue Reading

Financial Aid Reality Check (That Won’t Cost Your Checkbook)

We’re hearing from parents of seniors, who’re looking through their check registers and not seeing $30,000 to $60,000 available for next year’s college expenses, nor in their savings or investments.   Actually, we’re hearing from parents of juniors, parents of sophomores, parents of freshmen and parents of pre-schoolers about the continued rise in costs and…

Continue Reading

The Inside Scoop about the University of California Essay Prompt #1

126,000 single applications received by the University of California (UC) system for Fall 2012 Freshman admissions.  That means at least 252,000 essays were written and included within those applications.   (Mind you: These numbers are only for unduplicated applications, and DO NOT include that each application may have ben considered by multiple UC campuses.)  …

Continue Reading

Unlocking the University of California Application Essay Prompt #2

The most effective communication model yet may be when all parties involved are actively participating. When clarifications are needed, it is naturally asked and answered as many times deemed necessary. Now best communication practices aside, what happens when person A, someone from someplace–an admissions officer–with his/her sum of experiences, is to read person B’s essay,…

Continue Reading

Guest Post: The Savings for College Challenge: Part Two – Choosing a 529 Plan

About the authors: For over 25 years, Cynthia S. Meyers, CFP®, MBA, has assisted people with their Lifetime Financial Planning–helping to build and preserve wealth in every area of life.  Jenny Hood, CFP® has been a paraplanner with Cynthia S. Meyers for five years and enjoys being a part of the financial planning process.  They offer…

Continue Reading

How to Write Competitive College Essays Without Losing (Too Much) Sleep

Seniors (and their parents) who’re unsure about where to start writing their college application essays should start at the beginning of the writing process. The writing process doesn’t change; the challenge is most students aren’t often taught the writing process or have developed their own process to write essays for class assignments, that don’t fit…

Continue Reading