College Planning Solutions, Inc. blogs

What About Starting in Spring?

Drew Mayer — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:56:31 +0000

“Where there is an open mind, there will always be a new frontier.” ~Kettering

In the ever-evolving world of college admissions, a new admissions option has emerged in recent years that has raised completely new questions and decision options for high school seniors – the Spring Start time.

When most students think about college, they are thinking of the “traditional” college experience – graduate from high school in May or June, have a great last summer with high school friends and family and start at your dream college in August or September. The Spring Start time admissions option has thrown a curve-ball to many students who were thinking of this more “traditional” path. What if you gained admission to your dream college, but were not able to start there until the following January? This Spring Start option begs the question – just how badly do you want to go to your dream college?

Second of 10 Most Important Factors for Success in College Admission And Beyond (Series)

Bob Mahmoudi — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 04:08:21 +0000

Number TWO: Visit Colleges To Identify Best-Fit Undergraduate Programs and Overcome Brand Names

In the first post of this series, I emphasized the importance of finding and choosing the student’s best-fit colleges. One way to identify the best fit colleges is through organized, objective college visits. A first-hand campus visit is the most important tool for students and their parents to gain perspective regarding what they like and hope for at the undergraduate program the student will attend.

Study Abroad Options

Kevin Miller — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:41:19 +0000

Is study abroad for everyone?

Most colleges appear to be proud of their study abroad programs. At info sessions, admissions officers brag about how connected their college is to various places around the globe. College websites and alumni magazines show pictures of happy students walking the streets of Rome, paddling down a river in Vietnam, or playing soccer in the street with kids in Chile’. Most colleges include study abroad expenses in their tuition charges. At some colleges the student may be required to pay the air fare and some incidental expenses. But Is study abroad for everyone?

The fact is, depending on the student’s major, study abroad programs may not work for a student. Engineering majors and others are discouraged from interrupting a required sequence of courses in pursuit of study abroad. Those students might be best served by taking advantage of study abroad opportunities in the second semester of their freshman year or during their sophomore year.

One of 10 Most Important Factors for Success in College Admission And Beyond

Bob Mahmoudi — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:01:12 +0000

Come to the edge, he said.
They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, he
Said. They came. He pushed them,
And they flew. . .
Guillaume Apollinaire

The Waiting Game

Drew Mayer — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:46:57 +0000

College Admission Limbo

It’s that tension-filled time of year when high school seniors anxiously walk out to the mailbox to see whether the much-desired “big envelope” is waiting for them with a college admission acceptance, or rather the dreaded “small envelope” that contains a college admission rejection. What about the “medium-sized envelope” that contains an offer to be placed on a school’s Waiting List and thorough instructions on how to proceed with this process if interested?