Early birds catch worms: College application trends
The phrase, “The early bird catches the worm,” as defined by Dictionary.com, highlights “One who arrives first has the best chance for success.”
Don’t leave college applications to chance
The Monopoly board game has the infamous “Go to Jail” corner space and Chance and Community Chest cards. The player is at a crossroads to pay $50 now, delay and hope to toss the dice for doubles to get out of jail free
There’s more to college rankings than meets the eye
Buying a house and paying for college are two of the biggest expenses for families. To help people decide, there are various rankings; however, each list typically focuses on different criteria.
Get in gear for back to school
The “Ready for School” advertising campaigns for supplies, clothing and dorm gear are full steam ahead across all media. However, following this year of untraditional learning, returning to the classroom and cafeteria does not have the same buzz as in the past.
Lights, camera, move in!
Back to school already? With colleges opening in a month or so, now is the time to develop your campus checklist. Use colorful pens, add doodles and create thought bubbles to later put your list in your scrapbook.
You’re on the wait list, now what?
Because nearly all colleges have gone test-optional, students are expanding their college lists. This is resulting in more students being placed on wait lists. If a student is waitlisted at colleges, what does this mean and how can families respond?
Gap year option appeal increases during pandemic
When President Obama’s oldest daughter, Malia, took a gap year after high school graduation in 2016, many wondered, “What is a gap year and why take it?”
College course roadmap: Evolving academic interests
By the end of March, colleges will be notifying high school seniors of their acceptances, while college students will be registering for their fall 2021 classes. Having an academic road map can help the student develop a plan to take a range of courses that can influence their future success.
College app assessments are changing, but writing isn’t going away
During this recent 2020–21 application season, all colleges have become test-optional, and many are already announcing that they will continue being test-optional for the upcoming 2021–22 application year.
Hitting the road from home: College visits during a pandemic
With the start of the new year, the tradition of college road trips during February break should be on the radar. How can road trips continue during the pandemic?
VSAC webinar assists in financial aid offer appeals
Vermont Student Assistance Corp. is offering a free online webinar on how to appeal financial aid offers. It will take place on June 24 at 6 p.m. Students and families can participate via Zoom by registering or by visiting VSAC’s Facebook page. The webinar will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date.
“The world is mine oyster”
William Shakespeare captured the combined feeling of opportunity and gumption when Pistol, in Act 2 of The Merry Wives of Windsor, declared “The world is mine oyster!” Opportunity and gumption are just what it takes for a student to alter the predetermined plan to go straight from high school to college and instead add a self-designed gap year.
The college-bound master timeline
Thinking about college? Here’s a schedule to help you get your applications done on a timely basis without losing your sanity.
CVU hosts Chittenden County’s Spring College Fair
The 18th Annual Spring College Fair at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg is happening this year on Monday, April 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. College representatives from across the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions and Canada will be available to speak with both students and parents.
The special sauce
Getting those college applications to rise to the top of the pile. Students and parents are always asking: what’s the secret ingredient, that special sauce, that will allow a college application to rise to the top of the pile?
Vermont’s 529 college savings plan tops $350 million in assets
Vermonters are giving the gift of education and earning tax credits too. Investments in Vermont’s 529 college savings plan now top $350 million, the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. announced on Nov. 29. Vermont’s plan, the Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan, or VHEIP, has paid out over $143 million to help more than 5,800 students over the years to continue their education.
What should rising seniors be doing now to prepare for the fall?
Prepare for college with expert Sarah Soule