College Admissions Consulting Summer Test Prep, Tips for Younger Students on Break, and Loan Forbearance Written by Emily Toffelmireon June 21st, 2018 I came to College Coach after working for many years in college admissions and high school counseling. As a school counselor, I assisted students in the college application process and wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation, while also helping them and their families cope with any emotional, social, and academic concerns throughout the year. I transitioned from the high school setting to the admissions office when I joined the University of Southern California as an assistant director, reading freshmen and transfer applications and collaborating on admission decisions for over 150 majors, including the liberal arts, engineering, business, cinema, and the fine and performing arts. I subsequently took on the role of senior assistant director in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where I coordinated the division's Mork, Stamps, Trustee, Presidential and Dean's merit scholarship selection process, as well as recruitment publications and outreach, and traveled everywhere from Honolulu to Miami presenting to and interviewing hundreds of applicants each year. Learn More About Emily standardized testing, standardized tests, student loans, summer activities, On this week’s episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, guest host Ian Fisher talks all things summer. From test prep for rising seniors to self-reflection exercises for future ninth graders, he’s got you covered for ways to keep students occupied during the off-season. He also delves into the world of loan forbearance with a guest college finance educator. First up, Ian is joined by Dr. Megan Stubbendeck, Senior Director of Instruction at ArborBridge, College Coach’s test preparation partner, to discuss the pros and cons of summer SAT and ACT prep. They also tackle other common test-related questions: When is it too early for prep? When is the ideal time to take the official SAT or ACT? What’s the deal with the new summer test dates (and why did some states get left out)? After this week’s School Spotlight on central New York’s Hamilton College, Ian hears from Abigail Anderson, a former admission officer at Reed College and the Emma Willard School. Abigail has great advice for younger students on how to use the summer to best prepare for next year; the off-season provides the perfect opportunity for rising freshmen to plan ahead to ensure the smoothest transition possible to high school. Abigail provides tips on how to spend July and August reflecting on past successes—and less stellar moments—in order to hit the ground running in ninth grade. Meanwhile, rising sophomores can use their newfound free time to brainstorm new ways to build their involvement and deepen their commitment to extracurricular activities. Next up, Ian is joined by Beth Feinberg Keenan, former financial aid officer at Northeastern University, who educates us on the topic of loan forbearance. This option may be under consideration by graduates who are facing hardship, unemployment, or a return to education but, as Beth explains, it’s more of a temporary fix than a miracle worker. Tune in to learn the ins and outs of this lesser known alternative to loan deferment. Tune in next week when guest host Sally Ganga and her guests will talk about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) programs in universities, beginning your post-secondary education at a two-year institution, and how to teach your soon-to-be-college-student how to set a budget. Related Resources Read | Posted on April 16th, 2024 Understanding Direct Admission: A Pathway to Success Read | Posted on April 10th, 2024 Acceptance by Emi Nietfeld; Why You Should Fill out the FAFSA Read | Posted on April 9th, 2024 Community Colleges with Campus Housing
