The Dreaded Wait List 0
Being placed on the college wait-list is not uncommon these days. If that happens, the college should provide a history that describes the number of students on the wait-list and how many have been selected from it in the past, as well as the availability of financial aid and housing. Because of the enormous increase in applications, more colleges are putting well qualified students on the wait-list.
But there are other reasons. It is sometimes because those strong students have not shown enough evidence that demonstrates to the admissions folks that he or she is seriously interested in their college. One giveaway is when a student applies to a cluster of schools that are not related to one another, or maybe in the same athletic league but culturally quite separate. Brown and Dartmouth are both very competitive Ivy League colleges but quite different in educational philosophy and culture.
In guiding our students through this process, we go over the strategies to avoid this perception and outcome. In fact, I probably become quite tiresome in my continual emphasis on the AAA method of due diligence. But it works. The students who take the few minutes to collect this information have no regrets.
Finally, if you are placed on a wait-list and genuinely want to go to that college, let them know in writing. 
Provide them with another recommendation and your latest spring grades. Follow their policies, however. But if you have had some good communication with the regional admissions representative at that college, now is the time to reconnect. Talk to him or her for suggestions.
Colleges will often say they do not have a priority pecking order from the wait-list, but play it safe and you will be in a better position by making it clear that you will attend if accepted.
Making Your Final Decision 0
Countdown to National Deposit Day!
At this time of year high school seniors have heard from the colleges to which they applied. The most competitive colleges and universities are finished reviewing applications from all of the country and the world. April 1 is the date that all colleges will have sent out letters to anxiously awaiting seniors.
There will be just one month from then until “National Deposit Day”. May 1 is the day by which all college bound seniors must decide where to enroll in the fall of 2024. Some colleges have extended that date to May 15 because of the delay in the processing of the newly designed Federal financial aid form, the FAFSA. Making the final decision may not be easy unless students have done certain things in the year or two prior to the spring of the senior year. Most students are usually presented with at least two positive alternatives from which to choose. The pandemic has made it much harder for students to do their best work over the years from 2020 through 2023, In addition, colleges have had a much more difficult time during the application reading and selection process. Trying to measure college readiness or candidates without standardized test scores in many cases and differing grading systems instituted in the junior year when distant leaning was in full effect.
So how does one go about making an effective decision ~ a decision that allows the entire family to win? The following steps are what we advise our students. Think about these even if you will not be facing such a decision for a few years.
The overall goal, I believe, is to integrate the academic decision with financial considerations. That is particularly important when there is more than one college bound child in the household.
First ~ Think about the academic reasons those colleges were on your list in the first place. Review the departmental majors and using the second “A” of the AAA process learn more about student outcomes with that major at that college. Read my essay “What is College For” and follow the links.
Second ~ Make an objective evaluation of each financial aid award. Determine how much aid the college is awarding in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Most colleges do not include adequate amounts in the cost of attendance (C.O.A.) to include personal expenses. These are books, supplies, personal sundries, and transportation. If you have done a Dry Run with us prior to your students application you will see that we often add $4,500 to the direct expenses. The direct expenses are the fixed billable costs, tuition, fees and room and board. You should too.
Keep in mind that college work-study is not a direct credit toward billable costs. Do not include that in your calculations. If there is a loan offer in the award (other than a Stafford), do not include that either. Subtract all the other awards from your C.O.A. and you will close to knowing what the real out of pocket cost is for that college. Do this for each college and make an objective comparison.
Latest News 0
Spring Into Action!
We are told that March 20th is the first day of spring. Can you smell the flowers yet? Our students in California, particularly the ones who have never experienced snow beyond Big Bear or Yosemite may not understand why we live in New England. For myself, I love the history of the region and the beauty each season offers. Experiencing the changing seasons is like living in four places without moving. There is always something to look forward to and seeing things with a fresh perspective.
Speaking of looking forward, many highs school seniors are waiting to hear from the colleges to which they applied. If they have followed the steps we have laid out for them, they will hopefully get the news they are hoping for and will decide by May 1 which college they will attend. But if they are put on the dreaded waitlist at their first choice colleges they will need to adjust and consider their options.
Meanwhile, current juniors and sophomores should be looking at the steps they need to be taking if they too have college aspirations. One is to take advantage of college visits while students are still on campus and attending college fairs that will be at cities around the country starting in May and continuing through the fall of the year. 
If you are a client with whom we have not had a winter/spring review as of yet, call us today to arrange a good time for your update review. If you are just beginning the process of preparing a realistic college list and would like some suggestions. Call us for a “get acquainted” no obligation consultation; plan on 75’ for that conversation. It does not matter where you live. We are presently working with students in Shanghai, China and Stuttgart, Germany.
Spring Into Action 0
We are told that March 20th is the first day of spring. Can you smell the flowers yet? Our students in California, particularly the ones who have never experienced snow beyond Big Bear or Yosemite may not understand why we live in New England. For myself, I love the history of the region and the beauty each season offers. Experiencing the changing seasons is like living in four places without moving. There is always something to look forward to and seeing things with a fresh perspective.
Speaking of looking forward, many highs school seniors are waiting to hear from the colleges to which they applied. If they have followed the steps we have laid out for them, they will hopefully get the news they are hoping for and will decide by May 1 which college they will attend. But if they are put on the dreaded waitlist at their first choice colleges they will need to adjust and consider their options.
Meanwhile, current juniors and sophomores should be looking at the steps they need to be taking if they too have college aspirations. One is to take advantage of college visits while students are still on campus and attending college fairs that will be at cities around the country starting in May and continuing through the fall of the year.
If you are a client with whom we have not had a winter/spring review as of yet, call us today to arrange a good time for your update review. If you are just beginning the process of preparing a realistic college list and would like some suggestions. Call us for a get acquainted, no obligation consultation; plan on 75 minutes for that conversation. It does not matter where you live. We are presently working with students in Shanghai, China and Stuttgart, Germany.