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Last night I had the privilege of attending commencement ceremonies for the Xceed Preparatory Class of 2023! And I’m not gonna lie, I got a little emotional. You see, we’ve been advising Xceed families since the school’s inception 6 years ago and we were so thrilled to celebrate with the students, to help shine a light on their varied talents…and to showcase their many successes. This Xceed class was the largest one yet with 39 graduates honored. Congratulations to Xceed seniors and to all seniors who are reaching this milestone!

At YCC specifically, it is long-term relationships (like these) that we forge with all of our college-bound families that is our greatest source of pride. If you think about it, you get it: we’re working with people’s most precious ‘assets’, their children, and their money (hopefully in that order)…and we’re tasked with helping guide the former into adulthood while protecting the latter. It is a tremendous responsibility, one we take very seriously.

So candidly, I feel blessed to be invited to witness graduations like last night’s and to be entrusted by so many for so long — most of our families are with us for years. It’s not uncommon for us to advise a family all the way through their oldest child’s entire college experience, and to then work with multiple younger siblings, cousins and even nieces/nephews. And yet, as every parent knows, no two children — even those with the exact same genetics — are alike. Thus no two college plans are alike.

And though this is indisputable, there is, however, one common denominator to all of our students successes. Preparation. Actually, advanced preparation.

Which brings me to today’s point (admit it, you were beginning to wonder if I had one?)! We have a saying in our firm:

In order to…GET AHEAD, it helps to GET A HEAD START.

Even as we process what we learned in the last admissions cycle, we’re already starting to prepare our next class.

Hey 11th graders: (and the parents who love them), time to get serious about applying to college.

Actually if you have a child in high school – of any year – you should probably pay attention. You’re likely already receiving a fair share of college-related ‘literature’.  And by the end of 11th grade, it’s easy it is for you/your child to become overwhelmed by this constant barrage of information and misinformation from every source imaginable about the college application process. So if you think it’s a nuisance now, once your student begins 12th grade, it can get a whole lot worse. 

But it doesn’t have to be. Applying to college can be systemized, stress-free, efficient, even ‘enjoyable’… and… gaining admission to school that you’ll love and paying a reasonable price you can afford without dipping into your life savings or taking on onerous student loan debt is achievable! That is…if you start early, get good advice and act upon it.

The most widely accepted college application, The Common Application, officially goes live on August 1st, BUT you can actually create an account now and begin filling out the basics. Which is a very good idea. You can also get a preview of the essay prompts and begin putting together a resume outlining your extra-curricular activities, awards and honors, community service and volunteer activities, etc., as this info will need to be entered on the application. 

Here are some other college-related activities you should be considering this summer:

• Building (if you’re in 9th/10th grade) and/or Finalizing (if you’re in 11th)  Your College List – Though many students reflexively apply to as many as 20 schools, an ideal list is perhaps half that size and is a focused one that includes a balance of reach, target, and safety schools.

• Visiting Colleges – While summer is not always the optimal time to see colleges at their most vibrant, it is convenient for families.  Not surprisingly, colleges expect many visitors during summer months, so there will be frequent tours and info sessions. Visiting is the best way to express interest in a college, which can sometimes help in securing an offer of admission.

• Preparing for Fall Standardized Tests – We recommend that all students take the SAT or ACT before the end of 11th grade. The Fall dates (September – November) represent the last opportunity for many students to secure the score they want for the EA/ED deadlines. Summer is a great time to prepare for these exams.  Get yourself a tutor or private class (call us for a recommendation).

•  Putting your finances in order – Make sure that you look up the priority financial aid filing deadlines for every school on your child’s list. You will definitely want to complete everything ahead of those deadlines. To that point, make sure you complete any financial planning or strategic changes now, or well in advance of the end of the year. In this regard, 10th grade parents, you are already half-way into what is called your ‘first base income year’ year – the tax return year that will be utilized by the government and the colleges to determine how much you may warrant in need-based grants and scholarships. Also, don’t forget that there are some big changes coming to the world of financial aid this fall (click here to see my review of these changes and how it could affect your family).

• For 11th graders, specifically! This is a true game changer: Registering for our College Application Boot Camp (First class is June 15) – This 6 week live-taught program is exclusively for rising 12th grade students (parents are invited to the orientation on June 15). The best part is that by the end of the class, ALL enrolled students will have a completed college application, including a fine-tuned college list, a well written/edited Common APP essay, application resume and activities list. Guaranteed!  NOTE: This is the 17th year we are offering this class and we guarantee a seat for our Platinum and Gold clients. We deliberately keep class size low so that each student receives the kind of individual guidance to ensure their success. We are reaching our capacity, so claim your spot here. Our Early Bird savings will expire on Monday, May 29, so we urge you to take action today!

Finally, on behalf of our firm, on this Memorial Day weekend we remember those who have lost their lives in service to our country and extend our gratitude to all those who have and continue to serve. And to all, we wish you  a safe and enjoyable start to the summer season.

Our offices are open all summer and we are here to answer any college planning related question you may have.

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I’m guessing that you’ve heard about last month’s Supreme Court decision to reverse Affirmative Action. But just in case you’ve been on an extended summer vacation sans technology (lucky you) and didn’t get the memo, the June 29 ruling effectively forbids colleges from utilizing ‘race-conscious’ admissions practices to diversify their campuses.

Now as you might imagine, I’ve been receiving a ton of questions and requests for insight about the Court’s decision from both my students as well as other educators. But before explaining how I think you (or your children) may be affected by the recent ruling, I wanted to provide a few caveats as well as a little history, and hopefully some perspective.

First the caveats: I am most definitely not a constitutional law scholar and therefore I will not offer any opinion on the court’s reasoning. Furthermore, while I am human and therefore have a personal opinion, my professional obligation in this article is to offer you my insight into how this change might affect you/your child’s admissions chances and overall admissions strategy.

Now for a little history: In 1978 the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of using ‘affirmative action’ as a specific tool for colleges and universities to increase diversity on their campuses. And, for nearly 50 years, this ruling has stood. That said, how states and universities have utilized affirmative action in its admissions practices has varied school-to-school, state-to-state and over time. For example, California banned Affirmative Action at its state universities in 1996 (Proposition 209). So for schools like UCLA or Berkeley, the Court’s decision won’t really affect anything. Truth is Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Washington had also previously banned Affirmative Action… so… theoretically not much will change in public universities’ admissions practices in these states either. Private Universities are another matter. For them — as well as at public universities in states where Affirmative Action has stood — things will change (assuming they wish to continue receiving federal support). How much remains to be seen.

As is often the case in major legislation, the Court did leave some room for interpretation in how the ruling gets implemented.  While direct, race-conscious admissions is now prohibited, admissions offices can consider race in the personal statement as it relates to the applicant’s experience. It’s important to understand that the overwhelming majority of  universities will wish to build a multi-cultural student body and will utilize other criteria — such as personal interviews, additional writing supplements (see below), a high school’s profile (or location) — to do so. There are likely quite a few changes to come – some easier to implement (hence, to anticipate), others less easy to project – and thus remain to be seen. 

That said below is a summary of a some changes we might expect to see immediately – as in with this upcoming admissions cycle (as well as in years to come):

1. The application process will become even more difficult – as in both longer to complete and more subjective to evaluate. There will likely be more and a greater emphasis on written supplements and alumni interviews
Today, most colleges require a personal statement, or essay, as part of the application. Students have wide latitude in how they may respond. The personal statement is an important part of the process today, and it may take on an even greater role as admissions offices place even more emphasis on a student’s ability to write his or her story, where race can be a significant factor. Or, schools will seek additional essays, or supplements, where applicants can more directly express their story as it relates to their race, ethnicity, or cultural background. Students applying to universities in California where, as previously mentioned, Affirmative Action has been banned for years, have to write four additional essay supplements. Yikes.

But in addition to the sheer increase in volume, there’s also likely to be some nuanced changes to the content required. Students have always been allowed to share stories about their racial or ethnic background, and schools have been allowed to consider how race may have impacted their life experience. This will continue – and is likely to be expanded to include specific prompts encouraging students to talk about their background. As Chief Justice Roberts wrote in his majority opinion, “nothing in today’s opinion prohibits universities from considering a student’s essay that explains how race affected [that student’s] life.”

2. This will further expedite the trend to make test-optional or test-flexible admissions policies more permanent.
A movement to lessen the importance of standardized tests in admissions practices has been underway for over a decade. This movement was accelerated during Covid and many of the schools that had ‘temporarily’ eliminated the test requirement have continued to de-emphasize test scores in admissions. There numerous reasons why this movement has grown, which I’ve previously written extensively about so I’ll forgo them for now. What I will say is that I expect the Court’s ruling to further solidify the existing test-optional admissions practices. It’s been well-researched that students with greater resources and who have access to test prep tend to perform better on standardized tests (there’s a surprise!). By adopting test-optional admissions, colleges put greater emphasis on other aspects of the application (see above), which should create opportunities for students with fewer resources and access.

3. Though the Court ruling allows for preferential Legacy Admissions practices to continue, many Universities will face pressure to eliminate this practice
There are still a number of colleges that give preference to Legacy Admissions, which benefits applicants whose parents attended the school, or who are significant donors. Colleges argue that legacy preferences help create a sense of community and encourage alumni giving, which schools naturally want to both preserve and boost. This is one reason why legacy admissions persists at many elite colleges such as Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale. Tufts, my alma mater, continues to offer legacy preference. One benefit of attending these schools is to be surrounded by students of privilege who may offer access to elite opportunities later in life – the very students who benefit from legacy admissions practices. That said, research has shown that legacy preference can adversely affect campus diversity. Some schools (like Amherst College, Johns Hopkins, MIT)  have eliminated their legacy policies with the express objective of helping to create more equity and diversity on campus. Look for other schools to similarly eliminate the practice in the face of public pressure to do so.

4. More State Universities may adopt percent-based admissions policies 
Some states, such as Texas, Illinois and Colorado, already guarantee admissions to eligible in-state applicants (often in the top 10% of their high school class) by statute. Florida offers students in the top 20% of their class access to a state university (not necessarily the flagship, University of Florida). By extending percent-based admissions, colleges create access to applicants who come from high schools that are more racially diverse. While I do not expect many state governments to codify such policies, it would not surprise me if specific universities begin to implement percent-based admissions guarantees/requirements to in-state students (as in the top 10% of a class is guaranteed admission). It remains to be seen as to whether this could create a rush of students transferring to ‘traditionally poorer performing’ high schools (not likely) – or to parents reconsidering whether an uber-competitive, pricey private high school is the right choice when they can encourage their children to become a top performer at the local public high school and secure a spot at a top, in-state university.

5. Colleges may place greater scrutiny on a student’s zip code in order to promote diversity
While the Common App will no longer send data on race and ethnicity, they will still share address information about the student. Admissions offices could use this information in an effort to admit a more diversified freshman class.

6. Schools will face pressure to eliminate scholarship programs that target students of color
The Supreme Court’s decision in both the Harvard and UNC cases focused specifically on admissions, and not on financial aid or scholarship. However, many colleges offer scholarship or aid programs that target specific groups, including minority groups, thereby allocating spots in the class to people of color. An example is FSU’s CARE Program, which provides scholarships to first-generation students from minority populations (in this case, first-generation means the student is the first in the family to attend college). In Missouri just last week, the state attorney general ordered all colleges in that state to eliminate race-based scholarship programs. Such practices could be adopted by other states as well. But, new programs will rise in their place…ones that may benefit your child if you know where to find them.

With that in mind, I’ll leave you with this: the Court’s recent decision to overturn decades of precedent will actually impact only a small percentage of colleges, mostly the very elite/selective. And while these universities can give students access to the top graduate programs and positions at leading financial institutions, they are not the only — or even the most desirable– path for MOST students. Fact is that the majority of universities in the United States admit well over 50% of their applicants -and at many of these schools, affirmative action is a nonfactor in their admissions practices.

But, college admissions (including financial aid) was already a complex exercise. With the elimination of affirmative action, elite universities will likely implement new methods to evaluate applicants in an effort to maintain a diverse student body. Other universities will follow their lead (that’s just what happens). We’re ready for that and encourage you to become ready as well.  At the end of the day, the college application is an opportunity to share something about yourself that is NOT necessarily obvious from your transcript and resume. It’s your chance to tell your unique story, which may include your race, ethnicity or cultural background, but most certainly includes your experiences. Do that well and regardless of the macro-changes, you will have a positive application experience and a number of great admissions options to choose among!

If you feel that your child would benefit from additional guidance in tackling college admissions, or if you are looking for help in understand how financial aid works, then reach out to us and let’s get connected.

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We’re in the 2nd half of July, which means we are closer to the first day of the ‘next’ school year than we are to the last day of ‘last’ year. And that means that too many soon-to-be 12th graders (or more likely, Moms and Dads who love them), are entering a code red, heightened state of college anxiety. This is especially true if you haven’t made much (or any) headway on your college applications this summer.

I hope this isn’t you, but if it is…know that you’re not alone (I promise) — and that you still have about 3 months before the first priority deadline hits. But, also know that the only antidote to this type of anxiety is to take action. My students (and my own kids for that matter), know that I say this ALL the time, but I’m gonna say it again here:  Progress begets more progress. To finish something, you first have to start!!

The Common App doesn’t open officially until August 1, and it will close for a few days beginning on July 27. Before this happens (one week from today), all rising 12th graders can (and should) make major progress, which will…  yep… beget more progress.

Here’s what can easily be accomplished (low hanging fruit, if you will):

1. Your rising 12th grade child can, at a minimum, go to Commonapp.org, create an account (WRITE DOWN their password), and complete the College Search Section (where they can add schools). They can also work on several sections, including the Profile, Family, Education, Testing, Activities, and yes, the Writing Section. Most of these are basic data entry fields (except the Activities and Writing – more on that below) so there’s no reason NOT to fill them out over the next 7 days.

NOTE: they should not complete the individual college sections as they will reset when the Common App reopens on August 1.

Now as far as the more complex, nuanced components of the college application (namely, the Writing section), Carla and I have been working with our students on their apps since mid-May…and last week one of them said something to me about a draft essay that was very simple, yet quite profound:

“The most important part of a draft is that it exists.”

How true this is! Writing a college essay is difficult. Writing multiple college essays as most students will now have to do can be overwhelming. But it need not be. Yes, some students have a knack for it and they can churn out words with aplomb (rare). Most students struggle to come up with a topic much less write a specific story that supports what they want to convey to an admissions officer. That’s why it’s so important for kids to get started early…which brings me to the second action students can take before school starts up.

2. Put down the video games and instead put words on the screen (I used to say “put pen to paper”, but that’s a relic of a bygone era).  Any words. Over the next week, commit one hour every day to put away the video games, or the Netflix, or Tik Tok, and write…anything. If you need a prompt, try this: What’s the worst thing that’s happened to you so far and what did you do to survive it? Motivation is nice…but discipline is critical: The only way your child can complete their first draft is to have the discipline to write it – set aside one hour every day to write and they’ll have a first draft, which can turn into a 2nd draft, which can ultimately turn into a final essay. Again, progress begets progress. Motivation is good – discipline is the key.

Yes, these are the dog days of summer, which is something I wrote about a couple of years ago. At this point in the calendar, some students may feel a bit burned out by the monotony of summer, especially if whatever summer activities they were pursuing are winding down, so the following suggestions would benefit all kids (regardless of school year), both generally for college AND to help get them ready for the next school year. While I would bet that not a single student at this point is eager for the first day of school (28 and 32 to days from today in Dade and Broward Counties, respectively), we all do benefit from a reason to get up in the morning and to have a purpose.

Here are some ways that students can take advantage of the last weeks of summer, if you’re not already occupied with a job, class, travel experience, internship, SAT prep or volunteer work. And even if you are, these suggestions are still  worthwhile:

Read a book (or 5, or more!): There is no better way to exercise the brain than to read. Reading also helps with SAT prep because the test itself is mostly a reading test. Some colleges (i.e. Columbia, Wake Forest) ask on their application what books you have read recently. Some interviewers may ask the same question. I frequently ask students what they are reading. As for me, I’m a history dork and like to read historical biographies – I recently finished Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, the book that inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to write a musical that you may have heard of or seen recently. Right now I’m getting ready for the year and reading a great book about higher ed called Poison Ivy: How Elite Colleges Divide Us. I know, it sounds riveting. You should read what inspires you.

Reach Out to A College Admissions Officer or Visit a local college – Summertime is a great opportunity to visit campus and meet with your regional admissions officer. College Admissions Officers, in particular, are the human faces of your dream school. Emphasis on the human – they are generally young, enthusiastic about the school they represent – and fairly extroverted. And, they will likely be reading your application and are thus influential in whatever decision is made about your fate. Don’t let the first time they see your name to be when they read your application. Reach out this summer, introduce yourself and let them know when you’ll be visiting (if you will be) or ask them if they’ll be visiting your area this fall. Note: parents, stay out of this part – Only students should interact with the Admissions Officers. If you are able to visit a school in the next couple of weeks (local or otherwise), the admissions office will most certainly be open and eager to receive you. If you are not able to hop on a plane and travel a long distance, then at the very least try to visit a local campus and take the official tour. This is something that all high school students and parents can (and should) do, not just rising seniors.

Last night we finished our Summer College Application Bootcamp. Congratulations to our participating students – you’re almost there! As for those of you who may still have teens struggling with where to apply, or how to put together a stand-out application that boosts their chances (or if you’re like most of us who want to pay LESS than the sticker price for college), we can help. Now is the time to reach out…before school starts and before my roster becomes full for 12th graders. There is no worse feeling than having to turn away a 12th grade family in October. So, if you’re the parent of a high school student, and you believe your child will benefit from guidance on the college admissions and application process, then reach out to us. And if you’d like to tackle the complex financial aid process so that your child will maximize opportunities for grants and scholarships, then let’s connect. This is your opportunity as a parent of a 10th or 11th grader to still take action this summer so that you will make progress before summer ends (and of course, progress begets progress).

Literally thousands of other families have utilized our services, and they have benefited both by having multiple admissions options and by receiving multiple scholarship offers for their children to choose among!  I invite you to do the same for your family. Reach out to me and we can discuss your child’s goals, your concerns and how we can meet the former and alleviate the latter.

Oh, and one footnote: yesterday Wesleyan University and the University of Minnesota both joined a small but growing number of schools that have ended their practice of Legacy Admissions. This fits with a trend that I predicted in my commentary about the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Affirmative Action. I expect more colleges to follow suit.

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Happy Monday… and… you might want to sit down for this.

I’m just kidding… you can definitely stand. However, the new data I’m about to discuss, or at least how I’m using it, might be a little – albeit unintentionally – controversial.

Anyhow, last week, there was a shocking (tongue firmly in cheek) study released by Opportunity Insights. In it, Harvard researchers confirmed that – wait for it – students from very wealthy families (.1-1% income brackets) are over-represented on elite college campuses, like at Harvard, for example.  So, we now have concrete evidence that students from high income families (the top 1%) have been twice as likely to be admitted to, and therefore graduate from, Ivy-Plus schools, when compared with students with similar academic credentials from regular middle class families (like most of our families).

Gee Pete, thanks for the update, but a) wealthy kids at elite schools is not exactly earth shattering news, and b) I’m not in the 1% and I don’t care about Ivies, per se… so.. why does this study matter to me?

I get it… I realize that many of you assumed this AND I (as well as you) already KNOW that individual success is definitely not exclusively limited to students who attend Ivy-Plus schools. We all have multiple examples of people who have attended all kinds of post-high school public and private places of higher learning who have achieved extraordinary success. And yes, I know and have repeatedly argued for years (and with great proof) that it’s not necessarily where you go after high school that defines your identity; rather it’s what you do once there that is the greatest determinant of your ultimate success.

All true, but here’s why I wanted to talk about this data. The Ivy-Plus schools in this report are not specifically basing their admissions decisions on income or family wealth. Not at all. They are, however, using a more ‘subtle’ selection criteria, and more importantly, it’s the same ‘covert’ criteria used by the vast majority of colleges. This study puts empirical data behind this assertion. Finally. And therein lies the importance of the study to you – this is information that can help you strategically choose, get into, and pay less for your education, regardless of your family background or college aspirations.

Never forget that college admissions AND funding are both complex and uber competitive games. When you know the ‘written’ and more importantly, the IMPLIED rules (as highlighted in this report)…then you can know how best to operate within them to win this game. Without this knowledge, you’re at a significant disadvantage.

Good news is that whether intended or not, this study has given us more insight into the unwritten rules that determine an applicant’s prospects at all colleges, not just the Ivy-Plus that were cited.

Here is what the study indicated was clandestinely, empirically important:

1. Legacy preferences for children of alumni
2. Non-academic factors such as extensive extra-curricular records, personality traits, leadership (in other words, what’s on the application but not necessarily on the transcript)
3. Recruitment of athletes in sports other than football, basketball or baseball (think crew, fencing, sailing, water polo, lacrosse, squash). 

So, legacy preferences. Children of alumni can often enjoy a significant admissions advantage at the schools – often expensive ones – from which their parents or grandparents have graduated. Hence, the subtle advantage towards wealthy students in the findings. Ok, let’s say this is true at some schools, for now at least (see also below). BUT legacy preferential admissions is NOT the case at most large, public universities (as in there is no legacy advantage at UF and similar schools, for example). In fact, the Harvard study determined absolutely no correlation between legacy or enjoying 1% level wealth when it came to admits at public universities. And, that’s an important consideration when building an options-advantaged college list!

Also important is that this study (like most studies) is backwards leaning in that the findings reflect the past. And preferential legacy admissions practices are becoming a thing of the past. Just this summer, some notable schools, including Wesleyan University, Carnegie Mellon and University of Minnesota announced an end to their legacy preferences. They join Amherst College and Johns Hopkins as two other elite universities that have ended their legacy preferences in recent years. More will follow suit, so this is an area worth paying attention to, especially when considering early admissions options.

As for non-transcript student information, we already know that admissions officers across the country frequently tout their “holistic” approach to admissions, which means that they don’t consider one factor alone, such as GPA, when making decisions. The holistic approach gives admissions officers some cover when faced with questions about why certain students with top grades and/or scores are not admitted. Consider that some estimates suggest that anywhere between 70-92% of applicants at any particular school will have similar grades, rigor and test scores. So how do they really differentiate one qualified candidate from another? They do so by analyzing two specific areas: 1) the student’s extra-curricular record, and (2) how well the student’s application reflects ‘personality traits and leadership potential’, often exclusively gleaned from their essays.

Not surprising that these two factors tend to favor students with means. Students who come private high schools or who live in financially advantaged communities will have greater opportunity and community financial wherewithal to participate in extensive (and sometimes expensive) extra-curricular activities that Ivy-Plus schools value, as well as travel to and from competitions (read: expensive). Holistic admissions ‘save spots’ for students who are successful in niche areas like these, including non-mainstream athletics like crew or fencing (see more on this below), speech and debate, Model UN, robotics, etc.

The other differentiator, i.e., how well a child’s application tells their story, is very a much a function of how much access a student has to college-admissions type guidance and training (yes, test prep included). Great students at large public high schools where the ratios are often upwards of 500 students to one guidance counselor, or whose parents did not themselves go through the US college application process are often at a significantly unfair advantage to their counterparts who get earlier and more frequent access to personalized, college-specific guidance.

Empirically, guidance really matters – both in life, and especially in college admissions success. Tests scores correlate positively with test prep. We knew this already. Now, we also know from this study that we can draw a direct line between students who have a knowledgeable person (whether at home, in their school or independently) to help with the college process and their success with admissions. More specifically, assistance with how a student expresses themself on the application and in their personal statement creates an advantage in the admissions office at elite schools. And frankly, at all schools, this is one area that now has a demonstrable return on the investment.

And finally, as the study suggested, athletic recruiting benefits wealthier applicants. That may surprise many, but it’s important to understand that if you examine all athletic teams on a campus, and not just football and basketball, you’ll see that the rosters of the teams are often comprised of students from wealthier families. That’s because all colleges save spaces on these teams… and the entry fees into high school or club sports like travel lacrosse, hockey, crew, equestrian, tennis, golf, even soccer can be steep. The average fee to join a rowing club, for example, is $5,000 per year, and then parents must pay for travel to attend regattas and other events. The recruitment of athletes falls outside of traditional admissions, which gives such applicants an inherent advantage in the process. This is another area where, if interest were to align with ability, then the investment could certainly show a return, especially at smaller, Division 3 colleges. At many schools, there are spots to be filled by wealthy students, even if their grades and/or scores are lower than average…for example if the student is a great goalie and the lacrosse team needs a goalie.

As always, we can choose to react to information like this in one of two ways. On the one hand, we can see only the challenges. We can get annoyed by the lack of transparency, lack of perceived fairness, and do nothing about it but complain. Not my preference. On the other hand, we can read into the data, look for the opportunities, inflection points, and patterns that can help inform the actions we take. I’ve been doing this type of Applied Research with similar data for nearly two decades, with 1000’s of unique families who have benefited. Just because you’re not in the ‘1%’ does not mean you’re not getting into Harvard – or more importantly – it also doesn’t mean that Harvard is even where you should apply (did you know that there are better schools with better outcome for engineers and business students, for example?).  Frankly, there are very few investments like the one you’ll make in higher education, and the choices and effort you make in high school won’t only affect the next four years of your life, but more like the next forty. Understanding your individual opportunities now can reap significant dividends for years to come. And that requires that you take a customized approach for each child.

So, if you take nothing else away from this study, please take this: there is a college seat for every child (more than one), regardless of financial or family circumstance. The key is to understand the ‘game’ and to have a customized strategy for you/your child that helps you ensure a level playing field. With the Common Application opening tomorrow, we are already in the next admissions cycle. Now – before school starts in a couple of weeks – is the time for you to learn where your best opportunities lie.

If you want are entering 11th or 12th grade especially, and you/your child want to enjoy every fair advantage that they deserve, and you’re wondering where the hidden advantages may lie, then let’s have a chat. While I cannot make any admissions guarantees, I can confirm that over the years, we have supported students who have been admitted to every single one of the Ivy-Plus schools, as well as each of the top state flagships like UF, Michigan, UNC, UVA, UC-Berkeley, UCLA and others. This doesn’t happen without enormous effort, dedication, and commitment, both on our part and that of our students and their parents.

If you’re up to the challenge, then I’ll be happy to show you how we operate. I look forward to that opportunity.

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Each fall, as you may already know, the US News produces its ubiquitous ranking of American colleges and universities. And not surprisingly, each fall, the heads of admissions of said colleges and universities, wait with bated breath to beat their chests (hopefully) – or spin their narratives (if not so fortunate) – to the media, their bosses, high school counselors, prospective college recruits, alum, bond holders (yes, I said bond holders) and other similar financial stakeholders. Now, I’ve spent much of my days (and nights) of the last month buried neck-deep in college essays…so, when one of my clients (thanks, Serge!) sent me the latest US News College Rankings, I knew it was time to emerge from my desk and remind my students (and especially, the parents who love them) of the rankings folly. This year, as in nearly every year prior, the US News board made a few ‘small tweaks’ to the top secret ‘formulas’ it utilizes to determine said rankings. This year, one of those ‘tweaks’ included a few changes that have uniquely benefited larger, public universities (e.g., the omission of class size ratios as a consideration). Thus we saw quite a bit of jostling both at the top and in the middle, with larger universities the beneficiaries. Some notable schools that fell, for example, include UChicago, WashU, Wake Forest and Tulane; while conversely,  Fresno State (CA) and Florida Atlantic jumped up quite a bit. Naturally, the risers had great praise for the new ranking system; the ‘losers’ not so much. While the new formula was a boon for some, it’s very important to point out that the quality of a university does not change dramatically in any single academic year. I assure you that UChicago wasn’t twice as good a school last year when it was ranked 6th than it is today (ranked 12th). And Tulane, which was 44th last year and plunged to 73 this year, didn’t  become ‘less than’ as a university; just as Fresno State, now ranked 64 spots higher than last year, didn’t become particularly ‘better than.’ These changes reflect a formulaic change as opposed to any educational or operational changes that took place at that school. They are subject to change year-to-year, sometimes quite dramatically, based only on a ‘tweak’ to the algorithm. As a measure of what will make a great school for you or your child, the rankings have very short-term, very limited value. And still, these new numbers are important because they will impact how students and parents, fundraisers, and Wall Street, perceive these colleges and thus will impact where students apply, how much the university’s fund raising coffers will grow and at what rate those schools can borrow money to fund growth. They are not, however, an effective way to produce a college list. For starters, the National Universities are not even compared to Liberal Arts Colleges – these schools are rightfully ranked separately, as they often have completely different missions. National Universities tend to have a wider range of majors, they dedicate more resources to research, and they also have masters and doctorate programs. Liberal Arts Colleges focus almost exclusively on undergraduate education and they award over 50% of their degrees in arts and sciences. A deeper examination of this year’s formula reveals even better analysis as to why some colleges rose and others fell. While some of the changes may be noble, like a greater emphasis on graduation rates among students receiving Pell Grants, or on first-generation college students, they have little to do with the school’s actual academic performance, like in the classroom. Many public universities do have a higher percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, and those students are progressing to graduation. Which is good. The system is working. What’s also true is that private universities have a smaller number of Pell Grant recipients, and the new formula penalizes these universities for that fact. We can argue whether private universities should or shouldn’t be more aggressive in targeting Pell-eligible students, but I just can’t say that the prevalence of Pell-eligible students necessarily strengthens that university’s academic profile. Thus I can’t necessarily support its weight in an ‘academic’ ranking criteria. As I mentioned above, class size was removed from this year’s formula, which hurt smaller often private colleges. While I’m not here to advocate any one category of school (i.e. private over public), I do believe that class size often correlates with educational quality. Notice I said correlates. Small class size doesn’t cause an improvement in educational quality. But smaller classes do offer students a better opportunity to connect with professors, to speak up and contribute to class discussion, to interact with and be a part of the curriculum rather than simply sit back and take notes. This can translate to a better educational product, guidance and mentorship. Please note there are MANY metrics in the US News formula that don’t directly contribute to educational quality, which is why I’m not a fan of the rankings. Alumni giving, for example, does not make a school “better”; we can only infer that the graduates had a positive experience as students and therefore feel the urge to contribute to their alma mater. SAT scores or high school GPA does not make a school “better”, it just means that the student body is made up of more accomplished high school students. And reputation, or peer voting among presidents, provosts and deans has little to do with educational quality, yet this metric accounts for 18% of the overall ranking. Not to be entirely negative, there are two things I do like about the US News rankings. First of all, it’s helpful to have a collection of college data assembled in one place. Granted, there are other sources to gather college data such as the NCES College Navigator or the College Board, but US News offers another well-known platform. A second reason I like the US News Rankings is that, when a student comes into my office and reads to me a college list that sounds like all the others, I can make a recommendation that the student may not have considered. Often these recommendations come from the list of Liberal Arts colleges such as Swarthmore, Wesleyan or Richmond. That said, the best way for students and parents to build a great college list starts by looking much deeper than a school’s ranking to determine whether a school is a “good fit”. You see, what’s most important is not whether a school is “good” based on a ranking, but rather whether a school is a “good-fit” for you/your child. Answering this question requires, among other things, an understanding of you/your child’s learning style and whether that style matches a college’s philosophy, mission and profile. Not everyone is cut out for the Ivy League, or the University of Florida, or Swarthmore College. A great education is largely dependent on academic fit which may include access to faculty and appropriate majors of study. A great college experience is influenced by both the academic and non-academic opportunities that are available to students. Often these non-academic opportunities are not measured by rankings such as US News. Finally, an important measure of a “good fit” must include affordability. A college that is highly ranked but unable or unwilling to meet your budget has no place on you/your child’s list. Affordability is measured not by sticker price, but by what we call University Generosity, and not all schools are equally generous. Some colleges award substantial merit scholarships, while others (Ivies, for example) only offer need-based aid. Understanding your financial aid eligibility is a critical exercise that should be completed while your child is in 10th grade. If you are interested in going beyond the ‘rankings’ and learning more about how college admissions, institutional merit and financial aid intersect, or you want to have a frank discussion about your child’s credentials, your financials and what might make a “good fit”, then let’s connect. Sooner is always better than later.

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We are in the peak of college application season, and I wanted to take a quick minute to remind you of three key early action deadlines coming up a week from Sunday, October 15 for FSU, UGA, and UNC.  In addition, many other schools have early deadlines of November 1 or November 15. And still other universities – like Alabama, for example, have open ‘rolling’ admissions and are already actively reading applications AND admitting qualified applicants.

In other equally critical news, the CSS Profile opened last week. This important financial aid application is the key to being awarded the vast majority of big time, 5-figure grants from most selective private, ‘expensive on paper’ schools like the Ivies, Duke, Stanford, UChicago, and others. I’m sure many readers have heard of The FAFSA  (the financial aid application required by all schools), but it is the more complex, invasive CSS Profile that is arguably more important to middle and upper middle class families looking for a real tuition discount.

And finally, at this time of year I receive several questions every day from parents and students who are uncertain about how the process works. Since the questions are often similar, I’ve offered responses to the more frequently asked ones.

Without further ado, here are my answers to your FAQs:

Should I apply Early Decision?
Early Decision (ED) is different than the Early Action (EA) mentioned in the intro of this blog post. The difference is that ED is binding, which means that if you are admitted to that school you are making a commitment to attend. Generally, early action has no such stipulations.

It’s important to note that you can only apply ED to one school and the deadline is usually November 1. Of course, if you’re deferred or denied (you should hear around mid-December) you can throw your effort behind ED2 (at a different school), which is also binding and usually has a January 1 deadline. A limited number of schools offer ED1 or ED2 – it’s not available everywhere. But the advantage is mostly twofold: 1. You typically have a better chance at admission since you are making a commitment to attend. Schools love to boost their yield, and with ED the yield is just about 100%. Some schools have an ED boost where the admission rate is double the rate than their overall pool. So there can be a significant admissions advantage; 2. You learn of the decision by Christmas for ED1 and by February 1 for ED2. It’s great to know where you’ll be attending before the Holidays.

Some things to consider with Early Decision: Are you (the student) 100% sure that this is your first choice school? This is an important consideration for students who may be somewhat fickle and not sure of where they want to spend the next 4 years. If you are not certain, then I would advise against Early Decision. Be sure to visit campus before making this ED commitment. Another consideration is the financial picture. With Early Decision you will not have the opportunity to compare financial aid awards. I tell parents that it’s critical to either know your Student Aid Index (SAI) before applying so that you know whether the award you receive is a fair award. Of course, if you are prepared to pay the entire cost of attendance then the financial question is irrelevant.

Should I apply for financial aid?
I usually advise all families to apply for aid regardless of income or net worth, because some schools want to see a FAFSA and CSS Profile before awarding merit scholarships. There is little harm in applying for aid, and your financial aid application should not impact the admissions process in any negative way. Some parents, especially those who are high earners or have a very high net worth, just don’t want to go through the trouble of completing the forms. and yes, it can be a hassle (the CSS Profile has 17 sections!). But I think it’s the smart thing to do, especially if your adjusted gross income is below $225,000. If you’re above that number you should still apply, you just have to manage your  expectations (depending on the school) regarding a tuition discount.  

Should I apply for scholarships?
I would never discourage any students from ever applying for private scholarships. Having said that, most of the big scholarship money rests with the colleges themselves as opposed to private entities who offer scholarship money via a contested process (read: contests). For example, a top applicant to UM or Northeastern can expect a $20,000 renewable merit scholarship in addition to other possible aid. That’s $80K over a 4-year period! That same student would have to scramble to apply to hundreds of small scholarships to secure a similar amount, and they may not be renewable. I tell students at this time of year to prioritize their applications and essays; they can work on scholarships next month, once they have met their Early Action deadlines. Check out www.GoingMerry.com for a good collection of private scholarships. Note I do encourage most, if not all, of my students to apply in time to meet a school’s EA deadline (if one exists)

Should I submit my SAT/ACT scores?
With so many schools now test optional, it’s possible to submit your application without including your test scores. Many more schools adopted test-optional admissions during Covid, and they have continued this policy for the time being (I expect more schools to go back to requiring test scores in the years ahead). When deciding whether to send your scores, you should know the mid range score for that particular school. If your scores fall within the range or above, consider sending your scores. If you are below the range, then I would usually advise against sending scores. Some colleges, like the Florida public schools, Georgetown and MIT all require test scores. You’ll want to check with each school to learn their requirements for reporting scores. Some colleges want official score reports from the College Board or ACT, while many other schools allow you to self-report your scores at their application status portal.

Can you help me?
Yes, I get this question a lot, especially this time of year. If you are a 12th grader looking for guidance on the application process and essays, unfortunately it’s too late for us to help you. If you’re a 12th grade parent looking for help with the financial aid process, then we can still definitely help. But, if you’re a 10th or 11th family, now is the optimal time for us to connect and get started. Don’t be one of those 12th grade families who waited and delayed getting help, thinking you could do this on your own. There is so much planning that goes into college admissions and financial aid, so an early start is definitely better. 

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I received an email today from a mom who is a client with an 11th grader, asking about our plans for next summer. This made me so happy!

You see, we just passed a key college deadline (November 1) – my 12th grade students were so ready — and are already reaping the benefits of planning and acting early (see below)!

The key to great college planning is to… wait for it…plan, and then act on that plan. The earlier that plan is formulated, the greater the options will be for your child for college admissions, for your family’s financial well-being and for all of your sanity.

Often the best antidote to anxiety is engaging in the right activity. This is true in college planning and frankly, in life. In fact, I had a mentor early on who was famous for saying sh*t happens, but success doesn’t. What he meant was that you can — and actually have to — force good things to happen for you. It’s a philosophy I’ve taken to heart, especially in my business, and with 17 years as an independent counselor, I’ve been able to create success.

Ideally we start planning with our families by the second semester of 10th grade. This allows us to look ahead — and position your student academically and your family financially —  so that you are not scrambling at the end and so that you are maximizing every institutional scholarship opportunity available.

When we start early enough, we can optimize your child’s academic plan and help them select the right high school courses for their aspirations and abilities. We can advise you when and whether your child should take the SAT or ACT; when to take it again; when to build an initial list of potential admissions targets; when to reach out to those colleges to establish a relationship; when to visit colleges; how to properly pare that list to Best-Fits academically, socially and financially. We can advise on the building blocks of a great and stand-out college application while there’s still enough time to influence that application. We’ll tell you when to start writing the essay – and it’s often way before you think but not too early because your child isn’t ready. We can help your child decide whether and how to start a new club, join the track team, or turn their interests into an internship or research experience.

That’s why I loved the email I got from the mom I mentioned above. She is a planner who got started with us when her son was in 10th grade with a twin focus on admissions and early financial planning. We both want her son to be prepared for the college admissions maelstrom that will come between now and next November, when his early applications will be due. And we both sleep better at night knowing that he will be! The next few months (for all 11th graders) are heavy lifting – as in uber stressful- academic months. Having a college plan in place is reassuring to all. When the maelstrom strikes, this family, at least, has shelter from the stress that will come with it.

As a counselor and higher education consultant, managing stress is definitely part of the job description: parents and students stressed about their chances of getting into first choice school; students who worry about their SAT/ACT scores; whether that B- in AP US History will permanently blemish their transcript; whether they have enough (or the right) extra-curricular activities; if they drop from AP Physics can they still study engineering. It certainly helps to have a plan and regular access to a real life human to help adjust that plan as necessary!

We just finished a typically stressful application season. Yes I said finished (more or less) – note that this is well before some (stressed out) students have even started. Most of our students planned ahead and completed their essays over the summer, but even so, when human nature has a way of procrastinating until the last minute, our kids stayed  on plan and many are already enjoying returns. Consider that it’s not even Thanksgiving and many of our kids already have at least one acceptance to be thankful for (Alabama, Michigan State, Missouri, UCF, LSU, FAU, Pitt to name a few).

The college admissions calendar can be cruel – typical deadlines are on November 1 and January 1, which means the procrastinating high school senior might be spending Halloween Night, or even New Years Eve, scrambling to rewrite that last supplement on how their experience at University of Texas will help them improve the world; or how a particular artifact represents learning in action for University of Michigan; or that letter to your future Stanford or Harvard roommate; or the thank you note for the University of Pennsylvania, expressing gratitude to someone in your life.

As cruel as these deadlines might be, they’re no secret. Your delay, and the consequences that come with it, belongs to you. That same mentor also had this to say when discussing our role in shaping our future (I’m paraphrasing): ‘No successful fisherman sits on a dock watching his boat roll out with the tide and then is disappointed when the tide rolls back in and his net is empty.’ And by this analysis, it might be true that it’s the students who bear the ultimate responsibility (after all, it’s their future we’re talking about) for planning, while our job as parents and adult counselors, professionals and mentors is to assist by creating the right conditions for their success. My team and I take this responsibility very seriously, and so we have a stake in this, too.

By planning ahead, your chances at success not only exponentially improve, but the student experience is far more rewarding, with growth and maturity, ownership and accountability becoming visibly apparent. And as a counselor, seeing these characteristics develop in a young man or woman brings a silent joy that cannot be quantified. Indeed, much of what we do is transactional – either you get admitted to a particular college or you don’t (OK, you could get waitlisted or deferred, but that’s another conversation). That’s the hard truth. But if your student approaches this exercise the right way, and at the end of it there is growth, maturity, ownership and accountability, then it won’t really matter where s/he enrolls in college, because they’re already successful. And you will very likely even enjoy the benefit of receiving an early scholarship offer like the one you see below.

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For those of you who took the PSAT last month, you may have been surprised to see your score reports on your College Board Accounts earlier this week. I was – they’re usually late, so it’s clear that the long-awaited digital transition of this particular rite of passage is having at least one positive impact.

So now what? Well, since this report has a lot of data and can be a tad confusing, I have some critical advice to help you interpret and appropriately consider the importance of these scores.  

First of all, to access scores online, you will need to have your (or your child’s) College Board ID/PW. Once you’re in the account you can find your scores, and if you’re in 11th grade, you’ll want to look for your selection index. This index ranges between 48 – 228 and will determine your potential National Merit Scholar standing. Though the index numbers vary year-to-year and are evaluated on an intra-state basis, a good – as in potentially qualifying score – is around 218 or higher. I’m happy to explain the exact formula to anyone interested, but please reach out personally for that level of detail AND please note that fewer than 1% of test-takers will become National Merit Semi-finalists, so it should only be a concern for a handful of students – see below for more info on that.

Ok, once you’ve accessed and presumably reviewed your (your child’s) report, you may then wonder whether and how your results will affect your college admissions chances.

Here’s my answer. THEY WON’T. Period. Full Stop!

Now, there is one exception to this rule, sort- of. If you’re in 11th grade and you are in a very small, 1% minority of top scorers, you may qualify to become one of the aforementioned National Merit Semifinalists, which allows you to compete for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship award (after completing additional requirements). While this honor is a huge accomplishment, it still has limited, if any, bearing on your admissions prospects. I know National Merit Finalists who did not get accepted to their state’s flagship universities. 

So, please put the PSAT in proper perspective. It’s a practice test and nothing more. Colleges will not ask for, nor will they care about, your PSAT score. The PSAT merely serves as an early indicator of test performance. Parents and students should view PSAT results as the minimum possible SAT score, since results will improve with time, maturity, and practice. And more practice. For real!!

What the scores will be used for by colleges is marketing.

That’s right, marketing… If you (your child) took the PSAT this Fall, schools will now begin treating you as if your college admissions process has officially begun – particularly if you are in 11th grade!

Within a few weeks (if this hasn’t already started), you’ll become inundated with college literature. Emails (or brochures) with bright, shining pictures of bucolic landscapes and beautiful, happy students of every race and creed will entice you to fall in love with their school.

DON’T.

There are nearly 4000 2-year, 4-year and vocational schools out there. In other words, there is a seat for every tush! Please please don’t fall for a school’s marketing until you have first fully explored your academic interests, post-high school plans and your budget. The key to having a meaningful and affordable post high school education is planning for that prior to falling in love with one destination or path.

For now, you should take the posting of the PSAT scores as a signal that it’s time to start to educate yourself on the college admissions and scholarship process. Especially if you’re in 10th and definitely if you’re in 11th grade (or you’re the parents who love a 10th or 11th grader), November marks the beginning of the college journey for college-bound, high school students!

If for years this has been something you’ve looked at as a crossroads in the distant future, let this serve as a reminder that it’s about to get real. You are at the crossroads. The light just turned green and it’s go time!

Families of 10th and 11th graders should be prepared for the reality that life after high school – more specifically college, both applying and PAYING for it  – will very soon become a central part of your regular dining table discussion (and kitchen discussion, and carpool discussion, etc.).

Here’s a snapshot of possible future dinner conversations:

CONCERNED PARENT: Have you thought about where you want to apply to college and when you would like to take the SAT or ACT?
FRUSTRTAED STUDENT: Do we have to talk about this now?
CONCERNED PARENT: Well, yes! We need to make plans to visit schools, sign you up for testing, arrange for tutoring, and meet your counselor. So?
FRUSTRATED STUDENT: May I please be excused?

Please know, however, that this does NOT have to become your dinner table. Yes, we know that right now, this entire process can seem daunting, and you’re likely feeling anxious just reading about it. And I recognize that there’s so much misinformation, dates, deadlines, not to mention, unsolicited advice (and needless pressure) from everywhere and everyone that what should be an exciting experience can throw even the most balanced and relaxed family into a minor tizzy.

But it doesn’t have to be like this!

We can help you dial back the pressure. We’re here and able to provide you with the right information for you and your family with personalized coaching and support. We’ve helped thousands of families with all kinds of  academic prospects and economic circumstances navigate the process, identify the right path for their child/family, keep their sanity AND their life savings.

The college process is increasingly fueled by a higher ed industry that is creating and perpetuating the mania. We never want to add to this pressure. Our goal – and our program – is intentionally designed to alleviate it.

Getting started with some accurate information can go a long way to keeping the process in perspective. It’s a little cathartic and healthy to recognize and then begin planning and researching. It all starts with the right strategy…choosing colleges that are right for your child to apply to can mean that your child will be choosing among a number of different options (and scholarships) that will make college much more affordable than you may think. 

And it’s a very personalized strategy. You see, the right schools for your neighbor’s kid, or your best friend’s kid, or your niece and nephew may not be the right schools for your child, and I’m not just talking about academic qualifications. Perhaps State U was right for your first child, but maybe your second offspring just doesn’t fit into that same round hole. Or vice versa.

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Usually at this time of year, I’m neck deep in preparing and submitting financial aid documents on behalf of my students (note: these documents must be re-filed each year your child is in college – like a tax return but based on an entirely different and complex set of rules, regulations and formulas).

Typically both financial aid applications — the FAFSA which is required by all colleges, and the CSS Profile, required by some colleges and mostly private ones — become available on Oct 1. This year, however, we’re still waiting for the federal government to release the ‘new’  FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Note that although they are very different forms, and utilize a different set of financial rules and calculations to determine eligibility, you want to ensure that the data you enter is the same on each AND that your contribution is as low as legally possible according to the formulas.

But this year the FAFSA won’t open until December. When, exactly, in December we still don’t know because the Department of Education, which manages the application, hasn’t confirmed publicly when the FAFSA will launch. They only said “December”. Today they confirmed that it will launch “by December 31”. Again, December. Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m thinking the 2nd half of the month, perhaps even after Christmas. That’s because the government is completely overhauling the FAFSA, and with budget cuts at the Department of Ed., they’re working overtime to deliver before the ball drops on New Years Eve.

With this delay will come a condensed preparation and submission process – colleges will likely not be offering filing extensions. High School seniors (and the parents who love them) should still plan to submit these applications in advance of priority deadlines (see below)! Financial aid can be a first-in, first-awarded proposition. Note that the CSS Profile, which must also be accompanied by the aforementioned FAFSA, in particular, is the gateway to the largest institutional scholarship awards –  five figures in many cases. I have 17 years of multiple offers from all types of colleges to demonstrate. If you’re a middle and upper middle class parent with a college-bound teenager at home, and you’d like to pay substantially less than the sticker price for college, you’ll want to carefully and accurately prepare these documents and submit them as early in the process as possible.

As a preparer I’ve had a chance to preview the new FAFSA, and though I’ve covered FAFSA Simplification before, I’d like to revisit those changes again now to help not only current 12th grade families who may be scrambling soon, but to offer some proactive advice for younger families as well. All families should know that the income year considered on these applications (and in the scholarship formulas) begins January of 10th grade and runs through December of 11th grade.

That said, here’s a little background in this year’s FAFSA delay. It’s  connected to the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020, a piece of legislation that was attached to a Covid relief bill and, at the time, received scant attention outside of higher education. But now, with Covid mostly a memory, it’s time for that FAFSA legislation to go into effect.

As the name on the legislation suggests, the FAFSA is being simplified (at least in theory), streamlined from 108 to about 36 questions. Truth is the form remains rather complicated; and it’s more than 36 questions, and now, depending on your marital status and/or tax filing status, it can get even more complicated. I won’t bore you with those details.

Once again, although the FAFSA will not be open until next month, the Financial Aid deadlines will not change. As mentioned, the FAFSA will open sometime in December. If the launch is early in the month, it should still give families ample time to meet financial aid deadlines. These can be as early as January 1, but more commonly February 1 or even March 1. If the FAFSA launches later in December, then families will feel more pressure with deadlines looming. While there is no need to panic, families should be prepared for the launch of FAFSA and begin working on their applications soon after. (There’s nothing like filing a FAFSA in your Christmas PJs with a glass of eggnog, with Bing Crosby or Mariah Carey singing in the background).  Even if there is some flexibility on the part of colleges when it comes to submitting the FAFSA by financial aid deadlines, for many colleges, especially the private schools, financial aid season “opened” on October 1 with the CSS Profile. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile has not changed much since last year, and it remains a lengthy and intrusive financial aid form. You should check to see if the schools on your (or your child’s) list require the CSS Profile — and if so, you should already be preparing it. As well, you can begin to put together your FAFSA information so it’s ready to go. To do so, you’ll need to understand some of the key changes, so here they are:

Key Changes to the FAFSA formulas 

1. The new formula emphasizes wealth over cash flow

There are some key changes to the FAFSA formula which will impact who is considered “needy” and therefore eligible for financial aid. The income protection allowance is increasing, which will reduce the impact that income has on the Student Aid Index (SAI). I should also mention that the SAI is replacing the EFC (expected family contribution) as the key acronym which defines how much a family can afford to pay for college, according to the new government formula. An increase in the income protection allowance combined with some key changes to asset protections, places a greater emphasis on wealth relative to income. For example, in the past small business owners and farmers did not have to disclose the net worth of their businesses or farms, respectively. That’s no longer the case for families with an Adjusted Gross Income over $60,000.

2. The new formula no longer takes into account the number of children in college at the same time

This change is a huge detriment to families with multiple children in school simultaneously. In the past, for such a family with multiple children in college, the expected family contribution was proportionally reduced. That’s no longer the case, as if suddenly these families have more to spend on higher education (NOT!). The CSS Profile formula (known as the Institutional Methodology) has not changed on this issue, which will create major confusion come spring time when financial aid is awarded. Some schools will hide behind the new federal formula and decline additional aid, while others may be more flexible. This is where a proper, well-prepared and well-executed admissions strategy can prove to be favorable in delivering a more generous aid package.

3. For divorced families, the parent who provides more financial support should complete the FAFSA, as opposed to the parent where the child lives over 50% of the time

In the past, the FAFSA was usually completed by the parent whose household the student lived in over 50% of the time. That has changed, so that now it’s the parent who provides “more financial support”. If such support is equal, then it’s the parent who earns more or has more wealth. But what if one parent has a higher income and the other has more net worth? The new formula isn’t clear, creating both confusion and an opening for interpretation. I expect more confusion, delay, and opportunity for financial aid appeal on this question.

4. The definition of “untaxed income” will change

Untaxed income used to be a killer when it came to the financial aid formula. This included contributions to retirement plans (i.e. 401K, etc.), child support, untaxed social security, and military/clergy housing benefits, all of which were added back to the adjusted gross income to determine “available income”. Going forward, 401K contributions are exempt but IRA contributions are not; military/clergy housing benefits are exempt, and child support is now treated as an asset, with a reduced impact on the formula. Overall, these changes to untaxed income should benefit most families.

If you’re the parent of a high school student, these changes and more may impact how much you will pay for college. The time to get educated on this is NOT when your child is a 12th grader. By then it’s almost too late.

You need to wake up to this in 10th grade, because that’s when you’re “on the clock”. The first base income year, or the tax year under examination by colleges for your child’s freshman year, is referred to as the “prior prior” year return, or two years before your child graduates high school. So if your child is in the Class of 2026 (hello, 10th grade parents!), then the first base income year is 2024, which is just six weeks away (I can hear Auld Lang Syne already). And remember, you apply for financial aid each year your child is in college, using the “prior prior” tax return. We have software that can run projections on your contributions for each school on your list. Often the earlier you start in the process, the greater your financial (scholarship/grant) opportunities.

If you have questions about paying for college, applying for financial aid, or the complex and competitive college admissions process, we’re only a phone call or email away. This isn’t an exercise where you can just wing it, nor should you. A four year college education can cost anywhere from $90,000 to $360,000 depending on the school. But most families don’t pay this, and the average discount rate is 56% according to the latest NACUBO data. We can help you increase your chances at such a discount.

As you’re building your holiday shopping lists, consider this an opportunity where you can save a bundle. I look forward to chatting!

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With Thanksgiving just days away, I wanted to re-impart a message to high school students (and the relatives who love them) about how best to handle inevitable, often uncomfortable, conversations surrounding college admissions and post-high school plans. I first wrote this message in 2015 to help my own niece and daughter navigate our family’s Thanksgiving Day table talk when they were in 11th grade.

Like my own family’s gathering, I know that between the delicious food, the beverages, the football, Thanksgiving traditions and the reconnection with extended relatives, these get-togethers can also be uber-stressful for high school students who are applying or who plan to apply to college. Once you’re through the initial greetings, Uncle Billy or Aunt Cathy will eventually get to The Question… the one that can leave a teenager teetering on edge.

“So, where are you applying to college?”

It seems like such a simple question, and from an adult’s point of view it is. But the answer, and the conversation that follows, can come with so much emotion, stress, and pressure for students, most of whom would rather pet the dog, or watch the football game, or play on the Xbox. Over the break, especially for students in the throes of the application or standardized testing cycle, college is the last thing most teens want to discuss over turkey and stuffing. But it’s largely unavoidable, so herein lies the potential conflict that awaits – and more importantly, how to sidestep it effectively:

Kids, please be patient. Uncle Billy and Aunt Cathy have life experience and opinions, and they want to express them. They want to tell you their stories…and they also just want to have a good conversation with their tight-lipped, teenage relatives. To most adults, what happens after high school seems like an obvious, safe and easy conversation starter. The best way to deflect this question AND have a meaningful interaction with your family is to ask them about above-referenced life experiences.  Like, for example, when Uncle Billy asks about your plans for after high school or what you’re thinking about studying, be curious. Respond to his query by respectfully asking him about what his college or post-high school life was like. Ask him if he would do something different today and why? And then, listen – I’m sure he has some valuable nuggets he’d really like to impart.

Remember, Uncle Billy and Aunt Cathy mean no harm by their questions, or the comments that follow. They’re just being conversational and expressing their interest in you. After years of helping families navigate these types of conversations, I’m confident that with an appropriate response to your family’s interest, you can ease your emotional burden and shift the focus back onto Uncle Billy or Aunt Cathy.

So, when asked this year, try saying the following:

“I’m considering lots of college options. So tell me, Aunt Cathy…where did YOU go to college?”

In some ways, this is exactly what Aunt Cathy wants to talk about anyway. Get her to start talking about her own post-high school or college experience, and before you know it you’ll be finished with your sweet potatoes and ready for dessert, or to watch the 2nd half of the football game. Aunt Cathy doesn’t mean any harm by her line of questioning. Uncle Billy just wants to start the conversation. Try not to be defensive, and instead try to enjoy your family’s company.

Now to Aunt Cathy and Uncle Billy and all of our older (read: more experienced) folks. Please see above, and be inquisitive and open-ended with your questioning — and try to keep it to something they are currently doing (other than completing tests or college apps). Keep in mind it’s much easier for a teenager to discuss the tangible, as in what they’re doing in the moment than what they’re considering for their future.

If you want to inquire, perhaps start with, ‘what are you liking in school these days? Any particular project or activity you’re enjoying?’ instead of of where do you want to go to college (or what do you want to do after high school). To many High school students, any questions about their future feel fraught with judgment and may engage a knee-jerk, fight or flight fear response. They fear that you’ll find their choices or indecision about their choices – or their inability to articulate what they’re really thinking — to be lacking — either in ideas or ambition or ability.

And even if they do engage and name several colleges they’re considering or articulate their most recent post-high school plans, keep the conversation going by avoiding the ‘Whys’ in your follow-up. Like, instead of “Why are or aren’t you applying to {Fill in Blank} University? Your cousin Frank went there and now he works on Wall Street!”, try saying something like, ‘Oh that’s interesting, tell me more about XY or Z’.. or try responding without a follow up question at all and talk instead about your own recollection of the pressure and experiences as a teenager with planning your post-high school life — good and bad.

Also please take note of other very uncomfortable questions that teens despise hearing from loving relatives, including:

“What did you get on the SAT (or ACT)?”

Or

“What do you want to major in?” Followed by the Most Dreaded, “What do you intend to do with that?”

If you’re an Uncle Billy or Aunt Cathy, and you want to have a productive conversation with your nephew or niece, try to steer the conversation towards something that the teen enjoys doing. Ask about what they do OUTSIDE of school. After all, these kids are on vacation. They would rather sit in the dentist chair than discuss their grades, GPA, test scores, or college admissions with you.

We know that Thanksgiving can be a stressful family event, especially with teenagers, but it can also be full of joy, love, and of course apple pie. My wish for our students at this Thanksgiving holiday is to embrace their family and their inquisitiveness. It typically comes from a place of love, so view it through that prism.

And to my older readers (parents and other adult relatives), be sensitive to the pressure that your younger teenage relatives may be feeling and try to both embrace whatever they give you while sharing a little piece of your life with them.

Be confident in their ultimate success. You are your family’s own best subject matter expert, so approach these gatherings as an opportunity to connect with those who care most about you.

May we all make lasting, loving memories this holiday season.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Be sure to save room for dessert.

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