What Activities Get you into College?

A study called, Chess Cheerleading Chopin, What gets you into College, sizes up the impact certain activities can have on college admissions. The study reveals that students who have parents who visit art museums increase their probability of attending an elite college. Additionally, the study concluded that students involved in yearbook, the school newspaper, and/or "hobby clubs" tend to be more likely to attend an elite college.

How do I find an Arts College?

The Washington Post has a very insightful article on How to Find a Great Arts College.

High SAT scores can come at a cost

The competitive climate of college admissions has many students enrolled in SAT prep courses that can cost hundreds of dollars. The SAT does require students to become familiar with test, so each student needs to consider how they can prepare for the SAT in a timely manner. There are affordable alternatives for test preparation; Number 2 offers free online test prep and The College Board, the authors of the SAT offer an online testing program for 69.95.

Parents Fear Paying for College

A survey of 300 parents ranking their greatest fears revealed that paying for college was their top fear. The increase of tuition weighs heavily on the minds of parents, but financial planning can alleviate some of the stress.

Two competitive college announce the SAT will be optional for some students

This week Gustaus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota and George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia announced new admissions standards that may make submission of ACT and SAT scores optional for some students.

Colleges are beginning to rethink admission policies and find alternatives to relying on the SAT and ACT as indicators of academic potential. There are currently 735 institutions that do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.

Should Middle School Students take the SAT?

More than 120,000 students from 7th-8th grade took the SAT this year. If students decide to take the SAT they need to take into consideration that the SAT has content that they have not covered in their school curriculum and their scores will be lower.

Few Students are Being Admitted off the Wait List

The increase in college applicants this year has led to colleges accepting few students off their wait lists. For example, Harvard will probably take five to ten student versus the 28 students they admitted last year off their wait list.

Here are some tips to help you improve your chances of getting in:
1) Let them know that you are interested in their college
2)Provide new information
3) Don't annoy the admissions office

The SAT can cause Fatigue

The dip in SAT score has led some people to believe that the increase in time required for the new SAT is a strain on students. The SAT allows three hours and forty five minutes to complete the three sections, which is more time both the GMAT and GRE. Students are being stretched thin in the close to four hour SAT and scores are reflecting the change.