Star-Ledger Interviews Complete College Planning Solutions
June 29, 2010
A nice thing happened to us this past Sunday, June 27…
We were featured in the Sunday Star-Ledger Business section.
If you have the paper, you can find us on page 2 of the Sunday Business section in an article titled, “College dreams can be a reality,” by Rhea Bernard.
If you were at the beach, on vacation [...]
Lessons on How NOT to Pay for College
June 2, 2010
Did you see Ron Lieber’s “Your Money” column in the New York Times on Saturday? If not, I’ve included a link to it below.
This is important for all parents of collegebound students to see. The article tells the tale of a recent New York University graduate who amassed $100,000 in student loans, and her struggle [...]
College Can be Difficult, Even For a Harry Potter Heroine
May 27, 2010
When Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, decided to attend university, she didn’t select Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Instead she chose a school even harder to get in: Brown University.
The second oldest college in the Ivy League (behind Harvard), Brown has a history of well-known underclassmen, including John [...]
Some Colleges Now Promoting Value Over Prestige
May 25, 2010
For a number of years now, publications such as Kiplingers and U.S. News and World Report have been promoting their annual lists of “Best Value Colleges.” Frankly, I’ve always been suspicious of these lists, especially when a college like Harvard makes the “best value” list. Sure, Harvard is outstanding, but really, how can a $52,000-a-year [...]
The SAT vs. ACT Debate – Are You Leveraging Your Strengths or Following the Herd?
May 20, 2010
I want to go on record: I’m for less testing of high school students, not more. Between classroom tests, state tests, PSATs, ACTs, SATs, SAT II’s, AP exams, etc., this is the most tested generation in history. I don’t think it’s necessary – or particularly healthy.
However, I’m about to contradict myself. But bear with me [...]
Pay In-State College Tuition Even If You’re From Out of State? Here’s How
May 10, 2010
As we’ve recently reported in this blog, the trend among the most popular public universities is to accept more out-of-state students. The reasons why are simple:
many states are drowning in debt and out-of-staters pay more
the reputation of schools such as the University of Virginia, Michigan and a few choice others is so high that there’s [...]
How to Pay For College When Your Economic Recovery Hasn’t Kicked in Yet
April 26, 2010
Reading the newspaper and watching the news lately, one would think happy economic days are here again. Banks and Wall Street firms report fat profits. (Weren’t these the same guys we gave billions to?) A national magazine giddily declares victory over the recession. Squawk Box talking heads predict the stock market is going up-up-up.
Meanwhile, the [...]
More Students Stuck in College Wait List Purgatory
April 21, 2010
Is your child in wait list purgatory? She’s not alone. 2010 is a record year for students placed on the waiting list, wondering where they will attend classes next fall. Duke University has 3,382 applicants on its wait list — 856 more than a year ago—a number almost equal to the total number of students [...]
Can I Negotiate College Scholarships and Financial Aid Amounts?
April 20, 2010
Many families wonder if it is possible to negotiate college financial aid and scholarships. The answer is yes— if you do so very carefully.
Last year 600 families appealed their financial aid award at Boston University. Half saw their award increased.
The best way to negotiate is to follow a few simple tips: be prepared, be organized, [...]
Thinking About a Dream School? Here’s What NOT to do
April 19, 2010
Every year at this time, it seems parents hear one version or another of the following tale of woe: “That Suzie Jones is so smart. How could she not get accepted at [fill in the blank – Stanford, Duke, MIT, Yale, Georgetown, etc.]?”
This year—with an all-time record of college applications made and with more “can’t [...]
