College Rankings: What Are They Worth?

College rankings and lists are not lacking–Forbes, US News & World Report, Washington Monthly, Newsweek–just to name a few.   And, for families already wondering about a kid’s chances of college acceptance, after 12 years of thinking and re-thinking every class, homework assignment and academic opportunity, not to mention the hours spent at sports practices, dance…

Continue Reading

Prudent Fiscal Planning (Part 5): What I Am Worth

Now that we understand income,  expense and net income–which we arrive at by subtracting expenses from income in any given period–we are now ready to look at the balance sheet, which few understand, but is essential when trying to get a truer understanding of one’s net worth. Everyone’s fiscal interactions with others, which happens everyday…

Continue Reading

Guest Post: Parent to Parent Advice about College Applications

Norman’s daughter will be starting her Freshman year at the University of Washington in Fall 2012.    He offers the following perspective, having just completing the college application process: _________________________ Applying for college is an exciting time for every family.  It represents all the hopes and dreams that your student has had since he or she…

Continue Reading

Before Choosing Transfer Admissions…

The Community College Transfer option to a 4 Year College, while seeming to save money in the short term, can include other costs.   Currently, community colleges in California are challenged to service their students, given the budget reductions from the state.    At the same time demand is rising for space in California community colleges–300,000 students…

Continue Reading

You Can Dish It. Can You Take It?

Opening up to outside review of one’s work, including college essays, can create a wincing-eyes-jaw-clenching-fidgeting reaction to the surely unfounded criticism anticipated to be unleashed.  While the ultimate reward of such perspective can be a sharper argument and greater understanding, the human tendency to prevent humiliation can get the best of us.  (Incidentally, as humans…

Continue Reading