College Planning

The College Board: More Than The SAT

Many of us remember taking the SATs, perhaps with a nostalgic mixture of pain and pride. That rite of passage is a hallmark of growing into adulthood, but there's lots to know about the College Board and many parents could benefit by a refresher course as their child approaches their own SAT-taking.

The College Board, headquartered in Manhattan, was first launched in 1900 as the College Entrance Examination Board. Today, it is comprised of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and educational organizations and it is best known for the standardized tests that measure aptitude and ability, which it creates, scores and tracks.

Among the tests that the College Board administers are the the Scholastic Aptitude Test or later the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) which provides students of any age the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement, and Advanced Placement Program (AP), which offers high school students a chance to gain college credit through advanced classes and test scores. The College Board also offers the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, a financial aid application service that many private schools use for financial aid screening. 

Perhaps lesser known are the various initiatives the College Board operates to increase achievement in underperforming schools, particularly in New York City public schools, but also in Washington, DC, Jacksonville and Chicago. So these days, it's important to know that this is not your grandfather's SATs.

Photo courtesy of the US Navy via Wikimedia Commons.

The ABCs of the FAFSA

FAFSA? What’s Thatsa? Yes, it may sound like the latest influenza, but, for the uninitiated, FAFSA is actually the acronym for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the official application used by all colleges to determine eligibility for federal aid.

It sounds scarier than it really is. FAFSA is the universal application used by American colleges and universities each year to gauge a family’s financial resources and their ability to contribute to a child’s college education. I say family because it is not only the parent’s income and assets that are reviewed, but also the child’s.

 

The FAFSA application can be completed online and submitted directly via the web for consideration for federal aid. There is a portion that asks for the student’s financial information and another section that surveys the parents’ financial information. To submit the FAFSA online does require a PIN (personal identification number) which can also be applied for online but takes several days to process.

The FAFSA website is user-friendly and the process of filling out the questionnaire can be as easy as A, B, C. The information can be saved online, which streamlines the process for the following year, particularly helpful since it’s an exercise that has to be done each year with up to date financial information. High school seniors have to submit their FAFSA application for regular decision by the end of January of the student’s senior year and those applying early decision should have forms submitted between November 15 and December 15 of the student’s senior year.

However, parents who feel confused or intimidated should try and find professional help since even though the website is designed to be easy to follow, mistakes can be literally costly.

Photo by joshuaheller via Flickr.

Preparing parents for the college selection process

One of the first things any successful student learns is that the best way to ace a test is to prepare for it. The same is true for parents of college-bound students: the best way they can help their child pass the grade from high school to college is to prepare for that transition.

What does that mean, exactly? I often find that the parents I work with underestimate what is involved in getting their child off to a college that will meet his or her needs and fit the family’s finances. In fact, one couple told me, “We tackled our oldest son’s financial aid forms ourselves his freshman year at college. We were certain we knew what we were doing only to find out that we had many concerns, guesses, and unanswered questions. We soon realized that there were probably steps we could have taken and other options available to us that would have helped us financially.”

It’s never wise to overpay for anything and it’s seldom a good idea to make an ill-informed decision. So parents can become a student themselves by becoming informed about the college selection and financial aid process and help their child ace their future.

Photo by casey sterin via Flickr.

How to Ace the College Application Process

Here’s the go-to list that every college applicant should read (and follow). Yes, parents, you can read it, but be sure to pass it along to your prospective college student son or daughter.

1.    Challenge yourself. You may be tempted to slack off in high school, but this is exactly the time when you should be pushing yourself. Don’t shrug off the AP or the honors classes. And, yes, college admissions offices look at all your high school grades.

2.    Get to know your teachers. When it comes to college recommendations, having a strong relationship with a teacher who believes in you goes a long way to convincing a college admissions officer you’re a worthy candidate.

3.    Show your depth. A lot of random extra-curricular activities just show you’re busy; it doesn’t show a depth of commitment. Find your passion and stick with it. This is good advice for life too.

4.    Build your confidence for exams. Whether you boost your self-assurance with SAT prep courses or practice sessions, try to walk into those ACT or SAT exams with poise and aplomb of a winner.

5.    Prepare for interviews.  Interviewing with alumni or admissions officers can feel a little unnerving, unless of course, you go in prepared and with the right attitude. Learn about the school beforehand and anticipate what kinds of questions might be asked. Then relax and be yourself.

6.    Take your time on applications. Don’t rush. Haste makes mistakes. Be thorough, read over your applications and be sure to save a copy.

7.    Start researching colleges early. Beginning the process of finding the right-fitting college can begin in your sophomore or junior year online. That’s a good start before you begin visiting campuses and scheduling admissions office interviews.

8.    Ask early for Letters of Recommendation. Teachers are inundated with requests to write recommendations, so be sure to ask in the spring rather than wait until fall. That gives him or her plenty of time to write a quality recommendation.

9.    Make the best case for yourself. Spend some time to identify your strengths and figure out the best way to showcase them. Maybe consider creating a video college essay to best spotlight your filmmaking, animation or creative skills. Or create a portfolio of your best community service projects.

10.  Ask for help when you need it. Your parents are there to support and guide you, but they’re not the only ones who have your back. Guidance counselors, college coaches and high school teachers all want you to succeed and are willing to share their expertise to help get you there.

Photo by katmere via Flickr.