What Is The CSS Profile?

Some participating institutions use the CSS Profile in addition to other forms such as the FAFSA to determine a financial aid package for students applying to their school.

The College Board notes the following information about the Profile:

WHAT is the PROFILE? The PROFILE is an online application that collects information used by certain colleges and scholarship programs to award institutional aid funds. (All federal funds are awarded based on the FAFSA, available after Jan. 1 at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Some colleges may require additional information, such as tax returns or an institutional application. If your parents are divorced, some colleges will also require your noncustodial parent to complete the Noncustodial PROFILE. Continue reading What Is The CSS Profile?

Start Your New Year Right! College Bound Now Available in eBook on Amazon!

It’s here! Over 1,200 active links now available in College Bound!

I wrote “College Bound: Proven Ways to Plan and Prepare for Getting Into the College of Your Dreams” as a guide to help parents and students prepare for what comes after graduation. “College Bound” is written so it will be like having a professional college counselor beside you every step of the way.

“College Bound” guides you through the college planning timeline, the search and application process, and campus visits, with additional tips and resources. It will show ways to approach counselors, teachers, or moderators to request an effective letter of recommendation, give tips on self-marketing through the essay, provide suggestions for a top-notch resume of extracurricular activities, and offer advice for taking standardized tests.

  • If you are a budding artist, a competitive athlete, or interested in a military career, or transitioning from being homeschooled to college, this book is for you.
  • If you have special needs or a disability, this book is for you.
  • If you are thinking about learning a trade or attending community college, this book is for you.
  • Interested in understanding the “nuts and bolts” of financial aid and where to find scholarships? This book is for you.
  • Looking for an extensive list of publications and internet resources that is beyond compare? “College Bound” is for you – giving you all these resources and more.
  • I hope you will find this must-read guide helpful and informative, and I wish you all the best as you plan a path to an exciting future.

I hope you find it helpful! Want the companion workbook, check out “My College Bound Plan“!

Other books available to help you with the college planning process include:  A Book of Questions to Jumpstart Your Career Search; Your College Planning Survival Guide – Tips from Students, Parents and Professional Who Made it Through; Paying for Collge Without Breaking the Bank — The Ultimate Student, Parent and Educator Guide to Over 500 Verified Links to Financial Aid and Scholarhip Resources; and How to Impress Your Instructor Online:  Quick Tips to Success for the Virtual Student

Dispelling the Myths About the College Selection Process

There are many myths about the college selection process, a few of which follow: 1) there is one perfect college for each student; 2) investigating colleges is an unpleasant chore; 3) a prestigious college education is a necessity for a successful career; 4) you can only afford a low-priced college; and 5) if you’ve never heard of a college, it can’t be good. These ideas frequently interfere with the primary goal of college admissions – to help students and colleges find the best possible match. We often associate exclusivity with higher value, but the fact is that “more selective” does not necessarily mean “better”. A student should not simply attend the most competitive college that accepts him or her. It is a mistake to narrow your sights to only one college, or to steer away from certain colleges because of higher costs. Keep your options open. Looking at colleges is an exciting and interesting activity that often leads to important self-discovery and new direction for the future. Let your enthusiasm and optimism shine and have fun with the process.

How to Impress Your Instructor Online: Quick Tips to Success for the Virtual Student

How to Impress Your Instructor Online: Quick Tips to Success for the Virtual Student by Harold T. Gonzales, Jr. Ed.D., is the essential resource guide for online students and educators working with students in higher education settings. The author offers an overview of the keys to success for the virtual student as they delve into their online learning experience and provides tips to impressing their online instructor. The book covers a broad range of topics including learning styles, time management techniques, online etiquette and communication skills, evaluation, and the challenging problems of plagiarism and cheating.

This must-read guide for any student considering online learning! Available for $4.99 in the College-Path.com Bookstore. Also on Amazon for the Kindle and Barnes and Noble Nook versions!

 

What is “Demonstrated Interest” and Can It Affect College Admissions?

There are many factors that are considered in the college’s admissions decision. Some factors such as grade point average, standardized test scores, and rigor of course curriculum can be measured. Other factors, such as the college visit, attending an information session, having a positive attitude about the opportunity to attend a particular college or university, and social networking might be considered “demonstrated interest” and are not measurable. Attending college fairs and local events, completing supplemental essays, contacting admissions personal for more information about programs, sending a thank-you note, and completing and early admissions application can all be considered to be showing a high degree of interest in the institution. When you are making the decision to apply to a college, find out whether “demonstrated interest” is a factor in the application process.

 

Grade 12, Senior Year Action Plan

Fall Semester

September

Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into your college(s) of choice. Find out from the colleges to which you are applying whether or not they need official copies of your transcripts (sent directly from your high school) at the time of application.

Register for October/November SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and ACT (with writing) tests.

Take another look at your list of colleges, and make sure that they still satisfy your requirements. Add and/or remove colleges as necessary.

Make sure you meet the requirements (including any transcript requirements) for all the colleges to which you want to apply. Double-check the deadlines, and apply.

Give any recommendation forms to the appropriate teachers or counselors with stamped, college-addressed, envelopes making certain that your portion of the forms are filled out completely and accurately.  Be sure to give them a resume of your activities.

Most early decision and early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1. Keep this in mind if you intend to take advantage of these options and remember to request that your high school send your official transcripts to the college to which you are applying. Read what seniors should be doing during the application process each month of their senior year.

Saying Goodbye to Your High School Graduate

Seniors, you are counting down the days until the end of the school year. You wait in anticipation of packing up the car and heading down the road to your new life at college. Everything seems to be the last – the last dance, the last pep rally, the last set of finals, and lastly, saying goodbye to friends and family.

This summer you will be busy packing, texting your new roommate to coordinate what to bring, registering for classes, and spending time with close friends. Meanwhile, your parents are starting to feel neglected. This time is bittersweet for them. Though they are happy to see you pursuing your dreams, they can’t imagine their home without you.

Knowing the bird has to leave the nest, there are a few things you and your parents can do to help each other during this time of transition. Let one another know you love each other and they will be missed, your relationship has been meaningful, and the transition to the next stage of life with be weathered. You are only a phone call or text message away. Read more guidelines to making the most of your time together.

Action Plan for Junior Year – Grade 11

Fall Semester

Maintaining your grades during your junior year is especially important. You should be doing at least two hours of homework each night and participating in study groups. Using a computer can be a great tool for organizing your activities and achieving the grades you want.

Talk to your guidance counselor (or teachers, if you don’t have access to a guidance counselor) about the following: Availability of and enrollment in Advanced Placement classes.

Schedules and registration for the PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Test, ACT with Writing, and AP exams. Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Achievement Program and the National Merit Scholarship Program (and it is good practice for the SAT Reasoning Test). Read more on the action plan for students each semester of their junior year.