I’ll be visiting colleges in Houston, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, DC in the next two months!
Seniors Wrap Up Apps; Juniors Start Search!
Seniors have mostly wrapped up their college applications and are eagerly awaiting results. If you are applying for need-based financial aid, you must submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before March 2. Some private colleges also require you to submit the CSS Profile; you can find out here if you need to file this form. Let us know if we can help you fill out either the FAFSA or the Profile.
And as seniors wait for their acceptances, juniors’ college search begins in earnest!
Here’s a short Q & A for juniors and their parents:
How many colleges should I apply to next fall/winter? –> Most California high school seniors apply to about 15 colleges, including a combination of UC and CSU schools, plus private and out-of-state colleges.
How many colleges should I look at before narrowing it down to the final list? –> Magellan clients explore between 40 and 50 colleges before they determine where they will apply! With 2,200 four-year colleges in the U.S., we have tons of options. We like to explore broadly and we feel there are many options that could be right for each student.
Should I visit every college to which I apply? –> Unless you are committed to staying within California, you don’t have to visit every college to which you apply. If you are working with your school counselor or an independent counselor, ask what colleges they have visited, as they may be able to share with you their feel for each college.
When should I take the SAT? –> Consider taking the SAT in March or in May if you don’t have multiple AP tests. You can take it again in June, and in the fall if you feel your scores will improve. If you are interested in SAT/ACT test prep courses or in-home tutoring, please contact me for a referral.
Is a summer program on a college campus better than a job or an internship at home? –> Any of these would be great for your summer plan. If you are looking for an internship, see if you can find something where your duties will be more substantive than administrative, so that you can use the opportunity to explore a possible career path. Jobs and academic programs are great too!
Quick Tips
Print out a sheet of labels with your name, address, year of high school graduation and e-mail address to stick on response postcards at COLLEGE FAIRS, so you don’t have to write the same information dozens of times!
Keep track of how much time you spend on all of your extra-curricular activities, including school clubs, music, art lessons, sports and volunteer activities.
Start thinking about how you will spend your summer – more on this next month!
Magellan Offers Financial Aid Assistance
Need help with your FAFSA or CSS Profile? Dana Klitzner is Magellan’s financial aid specialist, available for hourly consultation and assistance with financial aid forms. The FAFSA deadline is March 2nd.
Host a College Admissions Seminar for Friends!
Are your kids in 9th, 10th or 11th grades? I am available to give a free “College Admissions 101”seminar for you and your friends who with college admissions anxiety! You provide the location and a dozen (or more) parents. Your friends will thank you for the opportunity to learn more about the process. Call or e-mail for more information.
Free Initial Consultation policy: I am happy to meet with students and families for a free 60-minute consultation. All subsequent meetings will be subject to hourly rates, which will be credited back for those who sign up for Magellan’s comprehensive college counseling plan.
