College Application Season is Coming Up Soon!  

July 15, 2024

College Application Season is Coming Up Soon!  

In the Essay & Application class we covered the different application deadlines.

One of the first major deadlines is October 15 (Clemson University, Early Action application submission deadline). Many colleges that have a Non-Restrictive Early Action deadline of November 1. Ideally submit all applications well before the deadline.

The AZ College Planning deadlines are as follows:

  1. Submit All Applications that do not require any essays on or before August 15
  2. Submit Applications that require only the general Common App essay on or before August 30
  3. Submit Applications that have additional supplemental essays on or before October 10
  4. Submit All Cal State and UCs (California public colleges) on or before November 5 (Cal State and UC applications open October 1)

In mid to late August, I will send an email and text message with instructions to prepare for the FAFSA and CSS Profile financial aid forms. The financial aid forms open in October. Ideally the financial aid forms are submitted before the end of October.

CommonApp.org is going to close around July 25 and will relaunch with the updated software on August 1. I will send out an email and text reminder about this.

For the colleges that have supplemental essays, if you have not reached out to the college admissions office, do that now and ask if the prompts will remain the same or if there are new prompts what are the new prompts. New prompts will be on the CommonApp when it is relaunched on August 1.

The application process is:

  1. Go to the college’s website and fill out the Request for Information form. (Extremely Important to Demonstrate Interest)
  2. Email and call the college’s admission recruiter and ask questions (this continues to Demonstrate Interest)
  3. Submit the application well before any college deadlines (On of the first college’s major deadline is November 1) Submitting applications well before the deadline Demonstrates Interest.
  4. Immediately after submitting the college application, send an email to the college admission recruiter that says you submitted the application, include a PDF attachment of your resume. This step continues to Demonstrate Interest.
  5. Periodically through the senior year, update the college on any new accolades, accomplishments or anything that is newsworthy that you want the college to know. i.e. new job, won spelling bee, made first chair in orchestra, etc. Yes, this continues to Demonstrate Interest.
  6. Demonstrating Interest and continuing to Demonstrate Interest is Extremely Important. Demonstrating Interest increases your chances of admission and scholarships.

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When is the FAFSA opening for 2023?

November 10, 2023

Sorry to say, no one really knows when the 2024-2025 season FAFSA will open. According to law, the FAFSA must open by January 1. However, they are not sure they will make that deadline especially if the government shuts down as they are warning.

So what do we parents & students do? This FAFSA delay is a bigger deal for colleges than it is for us, parents and students.

Hang tight... for now...

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Phoenix College Fair Oct 15, 2023

September 25, 2023

The BIG college fair is back. There will be about 200 colleges at this fair. Plan on going.

In-person college fairs are BACK!

Location:
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Time: 11:00am - 3:00pm MST (Arizona time)
Location: Phoenix Convention Center 100 N 3rd St, Phoenix , AZ 85004

The purpose of the college fair is two things

  1. Get information about the college and the college programs which will help you decide if you will apply and attend the college
  2. Develop Rapport with the recruiter because it will be the recruiter or the recruiter and a panel that make admission decisions. If they know you and like you the probability of admission goes up.

Remember to take some notes as you visit each college.

Sign up for the fair with this link

https://www.nacacattend.org/23greaterphoenix/begin

Print out the sign-in form or save it to your phone to make it easy for college recruiters to capture your contact information. Then use your custom barcode so that colleges can capture your contact information and send you flyers, brochures, emails and more.

Remember to get the admissions recruiter’s business card.

The following colleges will attend the Phoenix 2023 Fall College Fair

Institution NameInstitution StateInstitution Country
McGill University Canada
Duke Kunshan University China
John Cabot University Italy
Temple University - Japan Campus Japan
Franklin University Switzerland Switzerland
Leeds Beckett University United Kingdom
Queen Mary University of London United Kingdom
Richmond American University London United Kingdom
The University of Manchester United Kingdom
University of Exeter United Kingdom
Alaska Pacific UniversityAlaskaUnited States
Alliant International University - San DiegoCaliforniaUnited States
Arizona State UniversityArizonaUnited States
Augustana CollegeIllinoisUnited States
Azusa Pacific UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Babson CollegeMassachusettsUnited States
Bard CollegeNew YorkUnited States
Berklee College of Music & Boston Conservatory at BerkleeMassachusettsUnited States
Bethel UniversityMinnesotaUnited States
Binghamton UniversityNew YorkUnited States
Biola UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
California Aeronautical UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
California Lutheran UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
California Polytechnic State UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Carroll CollegeMontanaUnited States
Carroll UniversityWisconsinUnited States
Chaminade University of HonoluluHawaiiUnited States
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaUnited States
Coe CollegeIowaUnited States
College for Creative StudiesMichiganUnited States
Colorado Mesa UniversityColoradoUnited States
Colorado School of MinesColoradoUnited States
Colorado State UniversityColoradoUnited States
Colorado State University-PuebloColoradoUnited States
Columbia CollegeMissouriUnited States
Columbia College ChicagoIllinoisUnited States
Corban UniversityOregonUnited States
Cornish College of the ArtsWashingtonUnited States
Creighton UniversityNebraskaUnited States
DigiPen Institute of TechnologyWashingtonUnited States
Earlham CollegeIndianaUnited States
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityArizonaUnited States
Emerson CollegeMassachusettsUnited States
Florida Institute of TechnologyFloridaUnited States
Fort Lewis CollegeColoradoUnited States
Gonzaga UniversityWashingtonUnited States
Hampden-Sydney CollegeVirginiaUnited States
Hawaii Pacific UniversityHawaiiUnited States
High Point UniversityNorth CarolinaUnited States
Hofstra UniversityNew YorkUnited States
Houston Christian UniversityTexasUnited States
Jessup UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Lafayette CollegePennsylvaniaUnited States
Lawrence UniversityWisconsinUnited States
Life Pacific UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Linfield UniversityOregonUnited States
Long Island UniversityNew YorkUnited States
Loyola Marymount UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Loyola University ChicagoIllinoisUnited States
Macalester CollegeMinnesotaUnited States
Marist CollegeNew YorkUnited States
Marquette UniversityWisconsinUnited States
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesMassachusettsUnited States
Miami UniversityOhioUnited States
Michigan State UniversityMichiganUnited States
Minot State UniversityNorth DakotaUnited States
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiUnited States
Missouri University of Science and TechnologyMissouriUnited States
Mitchell CollegeConnecticutUnited States
Montana State UniversityMontanaUnited States
Morehouse CollegeGeorgiaUnited States
Musicians InstituteCaliforniaUnited States
Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityNebraskaUnited States
New Mexico Military InstituteNew MexicoUnited States
New Mexico State UniversityNew MexicoUnited States
New Mexico TechNew MexicoUnited States
New York School of Interior DesignNew YorkUnited States
North Dakota State UniversityNorth DakotaUnited States
Northern Arizona UniversityArizonaUnited States
Northwest College of Art and DesignWashingtonUnited States
Norwich UniversityVermontUnited States
Nova Southeastern UniversityFloridaUnited States
Olivet Nazarene UniversityIllinoisUnited States
Oregon State University-CascadesOregonUnited States
Pacific University OregonOregonUnited States
Penn State UniversityPennsylvaniaUnited States
Pepperdine UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Portland State UniversityOregonUnited States
Reed CollegeOregonUnited States
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNew YorkUnited States
Rocky Mountain CollegeMontanaUnited States
Saint Louis UniversityMissouriUnited States
Saint Mary's CollegeIndianaUnited States
Saint Mary's College of CaliforniaCaliforniaUnited States
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaMinnesotaUnited States
Salem CollegeNorth CarolinaUnited States
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Santa Clara UniversityCaliforniaUnited States
Savannah College of Art and DesignGeorgiaUnited States
Seattle UniversityWashingtonUnited States
Seton Hall UniversityNew JerseyUnited States
Simmons UniversityMassachusettsUnited States
Snow CollegeUtahUnited States
Soka University of AmericaCaliforniaUnited States
Southern Utah UniversityUtahUnited States
Stevens Institute of TechnologyNew JerseyUnited States
St. Mary's UniversityTexasUnited States
St. Olaf CollegeMinnesotaUnited States
Sweet Briar CollegeVirginiaUnited States
Temple UniversityPennsylvaniaUnited States
Texas A&M University-College StationTexasUnited States
Texas A&M University-San AntonioTexasUnited States
Texas Christian UniversityTexasUnited States
The Evergreen State CollegeWashingtonUnited States
The University of AlabamaAlabamaUnited States
The University of ArizonaArizonaUnited States
The University of MontanaMontanaUnited States
The University of New MexicoNew MexicoUnited States
Tulane UniversityLouisianaUnited States
Union CollegeNew YorkUnited States
United States Coast Guard AcademyConnecticutUnited States
United States Merchant Marine AcademyNew YorkUnited States
United States Naval AcademyMarylandUnited States
Unity CollegeMaineUnited States
University of Advancing TechnologyArizonaUnited States
University of California-DavisCaliforniaUnited States
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaUnited States
University of California-RiversideCaliforniaUnited States
University of California-San DiegoCaliforniaUnited States
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoUnited States
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColoradoUnited States
University of Colorado DenverColoradoUnited States
University of ConnecticutConnecticutUnited States
University of FloridaFloridaUnited States
University of HoustonTexasUnited States
University of IdahoIdahoUnited States
University of IowaIowaUnited States
University of KansasKansasUnited States
University of La VerneCaliforniaUnited States
University of Maryland Eastern ShoreMarylandUnited States
University of Massachusetts AmherstMassachusettsUnited States
University of MiamiFloridaUnited States
University of MichiganMichiganUnited States
University of MississippiMississippiUnited States
University of MissouriMissouriUnited States
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaUnited States
University of Nevada-Las VegasNevadaUnited States
University of Nevada, RenoNevadaUnited States
University of North DakotaNorth DakotaUnited States
University of Northern ColoradoColoradoUnited States
University of OklahomaOklahomaUnited States
University of OregonOregonUnited States
University of PittsburghPennsylvaniaUnited States
University of PortlandOregonUnited States
University of RedlandsCaliforniaUnited States
University of RichmondVirginiaUnited States
University of San DiegoCaliforniaUnited States
University of San FranciscoCaliforniaUnited States
University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeUnited States
University of the PacificCaliforniaUnited States
University of UtahUtahUnited States
University of WyomingWyomingUnited States
Utah State UniversityUtahUnited States
Utah Tech UniversityUtahUnited States
Utah Valley UniversityUtahUnited States
Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCaliforniaUnited States
Virginia Military InstituteVirginiaUnited States
Virginia TechVirginiaUnited States
Washington State UniversityWashingtonUnited States
Washington University in St. LouisMissouriUnited States
Weber State UniversityUtahUnited States
Wentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsUnited States
Western Colorado UniversityColoradoUnited States
Western Michigan UniversityMichiganUnited States
Western Washington UniversityWashingtonUnited States
Westminster UniversityUtahUnited States
Whittier CollegeCaliforniaUnited States
Whitworth UniversityWashingtonUnited States
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University of California Essay Prompts for 2024

August 23, 2023

The University of California college system personal insight essay prompts for the 2024 application are here.

The UC system opens in August. In August you can create an account, then you can submit applications to the UC colleges starting October 1.

The hard deadline for the UC applications is November 30.

There are 8 questions to choose form, respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.

Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

Personal insight questions

Imagine UC was a person. If we met face-to-face, what would you want us to know about you? These personal insight questions allow you to tell us. You could write about your creative side. Your thoughts on leadership. A challenge you’ve faced. Whatever questions you answer, make sure you show us your personality—just as you would in real life.

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?

2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today?

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family?

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Things to consider: If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Do you need help with writing an AMAZING essay? Give our essay team a call now. 1-888-237-2087 x2

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/personal-insight-questions.html

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ASU Barrett Application Essay Prompt for 2024

August 10, 2023

Arizona State University, ASU Barrett application opens September 6, 2023. The first priority deadline is November 1. To increase your chances of admission to Barrett, submit your Barrett application BEFORE November 1,

The Barrett application essay allows you to address our admissions committee in your own voice. We have a deep interest in knowing why you are considering Barrett, The Honors College, and your essay will let us better see you as a future scholar in our honors community.

Keep the following in mind:

Your essay should closely examine your ideas about your education and about the Barrett experience

Your essay may take creative and intellectual risks, but be sure to address and integrate all elements of the prompt

Your essay should give the admissions committee insight into how you reason and what you value

The essay will also contribute to our assessment of your ability to write effectively and think critically, key skills for success in the honors curriculum. Essays that are general, impersonal, journalistic, or encyclopedic are less successful. There is never a correct answer nor a preferred response to a prompt.

Applicants choose from one of three essay prompts to compose a 300 - 500 word essay.

Discuss how a specific piece of art (painting, literature, photograph, etc.) or popular culture (song, comic book, etc.) helped you realize something new about yourself or the world. What was that realization, and how did the piece of art or pop culture bring about this change in your thinking? Describe the piece of art or pop culture only briefly, and focus instead on its effect on you and how it makes you a good fit for the Barrett Honors College experience.

What do you hope we learn about you from the Beyond the Classroom section of the application, and what would you like to expand upon? This is not another opportunity to summarize or list your achievements. Instead, how do your activities make you a good fit, specifically, for the Barrett community of scholars?

Barrett’s core values are Community and Belonging, Leadership and Agency, Courage and Curiosity. All three pairs are important to who we are, but which of these couplings most resonate with you - and why?  In answering the why, be specific by reflecting on both your lived experiences and the ways Barrett will be foundational to your time at ASU and beyond.

Need help with essays? Contact us now 1-888-237-2087 x2

See for more info

https://barretthonors.asu.edu/about/faqs#accordion-content-1703

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Phoenix Spring College Fair April 2, 2023

February 22, 2023

The Phoenix Arizona spring college fair is April 2, 2023 from 12:00pm - 2:00pm at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Fitness Complex, in Tempe, AZ.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT https://app.strivescan.com/registration

Plan on attending this amazing event. Learn, Discover and Attend.

These are the colleges that will be represented at the Phoenix Spring College Fair on April 2, 2023.

(Additional institutions will be added regularly as registrations are received. Last updated: 02/21/23)


Alaska Pacific University | Anchorage, AK
Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ
Babson College | Babson Park, MA
California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA
Clemson University | Clemson, SC
Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO
Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO
Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO
Cornish College of the Arts | Seattle, WA
Creighton University | Omaha, NE
Drake University | Des Moines, IA
Elon University | Elon, NC
Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO
Franklin & Marshall College | Lancaster, PA
Gonzaga University | Spokane, WA
Hastings College | Hastings, NE
Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY
Iowa State University | Ames, IA
John Cabot University | Rome, Italy
Lawrence University | Appleton, WI
Linfield University | McMinnville, OR
Loyola University - New Orleans | New Orleans, LA
Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN
Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | Boston, MA
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences | Rochester, MN
Miami University | Oxford, OH
Minot State University | Minot, SD
Mississippi State University | Starkville, MS
Missouri University of Science and Technology | Rolla, MO
Montana State University | Bozeman, MT
New Mexico State University | Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico Tech | Socorro, NM
Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff, AZ **
Northern Michigan University | Marquette, MI
Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR
Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma, WA
Pacific University Oregon | Forest Grove, OR
Penn State University | State College, PA
Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA
Prescott College | Prescott, AZ
Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN
Regis University | Denver, CO
Rocky Mountain College | Billings, MT
Saint Louis University | Saint Louis, MO
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | Winona, MN
Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA
Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA
Seattle University | Seattle, WA
Southern Utah University Aviation | Cedar City, UT
Temple University - Japan Campus | Tokyo, Japan
Texas A&M University | College Station, TX
The Catholic University of America - Tucson | Tucson, AZ
The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences | Gilbert, AZ
The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL
The University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ
The University of Arizona - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Tucson, AZ
The University of Arizona - College of Engineering | Tucson, AZ
The University of Arizona - W.A. Franke Honors College | Tucson, AZ
The University of New Mexico | Albuquerque, NM
The University of Tampa | Tampa, FL
University of California, Riverside | Riverside, CA
University of Chicago | Chicago, IL
University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO
University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO
University of Colorado Denver | Denver, CO
University of Denver | Denver, CO
University of Idaho | Moscow, ID
University of Missouri | Columbia, MO
University of Montana | Missoula, MT
University of Nebraska, Lincoln | Lincoln, NE
University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Las Vegas, NV
University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO
University of Oregon | Eugene, OR
University of Portland | Portland, OR
University of Providence | Great Falls, MT
University of Redlands | Redlands, CA
University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA
University of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN
University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT
University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY
Utah State University | Logan, UT
Vanguard University | Costa Mesa, CA
Wabash College | Crawfordsville, IN
Weber State University | Ogden, UT
Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO
Western New Mexico University | Silver City, NM
Westminster College | Salt Lake City, UT
Whittier College | Whittier, CA
Whitworth University | Spokane, WA
Willamette University | Salem, OR
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Worcester, MA

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2023 FAFSA delays

February 9, 2023

Whenever I hear that the FAFSA is going to be updated or hear that the FAFSA updates will make it easier, I cringe.

The current rumors about the redesigned FAFSA is that they won't make the October 1 deadline and FAFSA may open as late as January 2024.

Here are a few highlights from the Insider Higher Ed article.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2023/02/08/education-department-hints-possible-delay-new-fafsa

"The new version of the Free Application of Student Aid might not be ready by Oct. 1, Federal Student Aid officials."

"Melanie Storey, deputy director of policy implementation and oversight for the Office of Federal Student Aid, told attendees at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ leadership conference that the agency wouldn’t commit to a launch date this fall, though it is working aggressively toward an Oct. 1 launch. Tuesday’s conference was the first time officials publicly disclosed that the application might not open Oct. 1, as it has since 2016. Legally, the agency has until Jan. 1 to release the application."

"Storey said at the conference that she hoped that FSA would be able to share a more concrete launch date in the next couple of months."

Need help navigating the #FAFSA ? Give us a call 1-888-237-2087 x2

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Best Practice to Get the Best Test Score

February 9, 2023

9 minute video

Best Practice for SAT ACT Prep and Study

Do not use the free score reports to send to any college. While it can be tempting, if you don’t know what the scores is then don’t blindly send the scores to any college.

After you get your scores and you feel that it is a strong score, then and only then, send your scores.

Links http://www.SATPractice.org Khan Academy

https://academy.act.org/ Academy.ACT

Link your SAT or PSAT score to Khan Academy https://youtu.be/patbkNnnAQ4

• To register for the SAT go to: http://sat.collegeboard.org/register

• To register for the ACT go to: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/

Call now 888-237-2087 x2 AZCollegePlanning.com How to use Khan Academy for SAT prep How to use Academy ACT for ACT prep #sat #act #financialaid #ivy

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Is the Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Going to be a Disaster?

September 12, 2022

You have probably heard about the government’s plan to forgive federal student loans. The amount forgiven will be $10,000 and up to $20,000 (if the student qualified for a PELL Grant).

Let’s assume a student has $13,400 in federal student loans. If this student did not qualify for a PELL grant then the federal government will forgive $10,000 leaving a remaining balance of $3,400.

Now if this same student qualified for the PELL Grant, then the federal government would forgive the entire amount. The student would not get the full $20,000 but would get $13,400.

It the words “up to” that count in this equation.  

Here is where I am concerned.

According to the Department of Education’s website it says the following:

What do I need to do in order to receive loan forgiveness?

  • Nearly 8 million borrowers may be eligible to receive relief automatically because relevant income data is already available to the U.S. Department of Education.
  • If the U.S. Department of Education doesn't have your income data, the Administration will launch a simple application which will be available by early October.
  • Once a borrower completes the application, they can expect relief within 4-6 weeks.

This last line has me a little concerned “can expect relief within 4-6 weeks”. My concern is that these students may get a check for $10,000 plus or minus, cash it and not use it to pay off the student loans. Or will the government pay the servicing companies directly?

If you or your student had a federal student loan, be on the lookout for an announcement from the federal government. If the government sends checks, the check will be made out in the name of the student. Let your student know that this money is not to put a down payment on a car or anything else. It is ONLY to be used to pay off or pay down the federal student loan.

Some states are taxing the student loan forgiveness as income. $10,000 could mean $500 in state taxes. Arizona is not one of those states.

As always, when I hear anything related to college admission, student loans or college in general, I’ll let you know.

Need help with college selection, applications, essays, financial aid, paying for college? We can help call now 1-888-237-2087 x2

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Flinn Essay Prompts and Requirements for 2023-2024

August 25, 2022

The Class of 2023 application is scheduled to open in mid-September. The deadline to submit the Flinn Scholars application is October 19, 2022.

Components of the Flinn Scholarship Application

The Flinn Scholarship application is comprised of:

  • Forms that collect biographical and family data; information about current studies, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, and employment;
  • Three essay prompts and five short-answer questions; 300-word maximum per essay question;
  • Two teacher recommendations;
  • A report from your high school’s academic counselor, submitted separately by your counselor (and, optionally, a recommendation—only if the counselor knows you well enough to provide one); and
  • A copy of your transcript, uploaded by your counselor in conjunction with your counselor report.

For Class of 2023 Flinn Scholarship applicants, the submission of SAT or ACT scores is required.

The essay prompts are:

  1. Tell us your story
  2. The Flinn Scholars Program encourages student leaders to remain in Arizona and contribute to their university and civic communities. How would awarding the scholarship to you make Arizona stronger in the long term?
  3. "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change," wrote Albert Einstein. What is the most significant change you've experienced in high school?

Remember to send us your essays for review and feedback.

September, Senior Year

Your journey to becoming a Flinn Scholar officially begins in September with the opening of the application. For the Class of 2023, the application is scheduled to open in mid-September. You will have several weeks to complete the application, including the essays and short-answer questions, and identify two teachers to write recommendations. A counselor’s report is also a required application component.

October

After the application deadline (the Class of 2023 deadline will be Oct. 19), and before you dive back into one of your many projects, take a deep breath, smile, and acknowledge all that you have accomplished. It is now time to make sure your teacher recommendations have been submitted by Oct. 28 to officially complete your application.

January and February

By mid-January, you will learn whether you have advanced to become one of about 80 Flinn Scholarship Semifinalists who are interviewed by three-person panels. Being named a Semifinalist is a great honor—your name and high school are announced, and you will qualify for a special scholarship from one of Arizona’s three public universities.

Following the Semifinalists interviews in February, about 40 Flinn Scholarship Finalists are announced. Typically, Arizona’s universities plan personalized campus visits for Finalists, including opportunities to meet professors, administrators, and current students in the Honors colleges.

March

Flinn Scholarship Finalists interview in March with a five-person selection committee. A short time later, about 20 Finalists are offered the Flinn Scholarship. Its value, including funding for tuition, housing, meals, and study abroad, exceeds $130,000.

April and May

The Flinn Foundation makes a public announcement in April after the new class is finalized and celebrates the Flinn Scholars at the annual Recognition Celebration in May.

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