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Is Hiring a College Admissions Consultant Worth It? How to Choose a Good College Consultant?

Spark Admissions

They feel beholden to inscrutable college admissions officers or the expectations of their peers and parents. With thousands of colleges in the United States, how could anyone hope to find the perfect fit? The college admissions process is one of the biggest sources of stress for high school students and their families.

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Colleges Respond to FAFSA Delays

Discovery College Consulting

Furthermore, although the Department of Education said in December that colleges would receive students’ FAFSA information in late January, it announced on January 30 that colleges would not receive this information until March. But only a few hundred colleges, most of which are selective private schools, require the Profile.

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Grades and Course Rigor Matter the Most in College Admissions

Great College Advice

One of the most-asked questions we receive from families is some version of this: “What do colleges look for these days in a student?” Why are grades the most important factor in college admissions? Well, the answer is pretty simple, really. And they are recorded and presented to college admissions officers on your transcript.

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‘Exclusion U’ Documentary Exposes Ivy League Elitism

BestColleges

Despite enrolling less than 1% of college students nationwide, the Ivies "have an outsized influence on the popular imagination," Gentile said. Student testimonials bear this out, at least anecdotally. Ivy Colleges Remain Exclusive, Hoard Wealth Not only are the students by and large wealthy, but the colleges themselves are as well.

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$100,000 per Year! Rising College Costs and Student Loans

Discovery College Consulting

In 2016, when my first child started college, Harvey Mudd College in California was the most expensive college in the country, with a total cost of attendance of just over $70,000 per year. In fact, several colleges have now crossed the $90,000 per year threshold and some are approaching an eye-popping $100,000 per year.

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More Applications, More Competition

Discovery College Consulting

Many colleges, especially the most selective ones, have reported record numbers of applications year after year. We can see evidence of these trends by looking at data from the Common Application, which is now accepted by over 1,000 colleges. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, far more colleges became test-optional.

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Spring To Do List For Juniors

Brand College Consulting

While most seniors are happily done (or almost happily done) with completing and submitting their college applications, now it’s time for juniors to get engaged. Remember that financial aid can bring the cost of a college down, so don’t only look at the Sticker Price, but consider financial aid options as well. Start talking!