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The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions -
College Admissions Consulting

Military Academy Application Timelines; Building a Preliminary College List; Deciphering Financial Aid Award Letters, Part 2

Eager to start the college process but not sure how to begin? We have a framework you can use to build your preliminary list, and we’re sharing details. For those interested in pursuing admission to a military academy, we have a timeline for that application process. And in part two of our two-part series on financial aid award letters, we cover comparing offers, addressing changes in the financial situation since applying, and asking for more.

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March 3, 2021by College Coach
College Admissions Consulting

Affirmative Action in Admissions; Deciphering Financial Aid Award Letters; Not Too Late to Apply to College

There have been a few recent court cases related to the use of affirmative action in college admissions. But what is affirmative action in this case, and how is it really used in admissions? Jamiere Abney, Coordinator of Outreach for Opportunity & Inclusion at Colgate University joins us to share more. If you’re worried that it’s too late to apply to college this year, you’re in luck—it’s definitely not! We have advice and information on your options. Finally, in part one of a two-part series, we’re talking all things financial aid award letters, including and especially, how to decipher the information.

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February 17, 2021by College Coach
Applying for Financial Aid

[Video] What If Your College Financial Aid Isn’t Enough?

As admission decisions start to roll in, students across the country are receiving both good (accepted) and bad (denied) news. And along with these clear-cut outcomes, many students are receiving some ambiguous news: yes, you’ve been accepted, but no, we are not awarding you enough financial aid to actually allow you to attend. This type of result can be the worst of all for families, as it often puts parents in the heartbreaking position of having to say no to their child’s dream school. Is there, however, any other option?

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February 9, 2021by Shannon Vasconcelos
How to Pay for College

Colleges that Offer the Most Financial Aid

searching for scholarships

by Shannon Vasconcelos, former financial aid officer at Tufts University

For rising high school seniors who are finalizing their college lists—or juniors who are just starting to get serious about their college search—one feature you may be looking for in a college is generosity.  Specifically, how generous is a college with their need-based financial aid programs?

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July 21, 2020by Shannon Vasconcelos
Applying for Financial Aid

[Video] Financial Aid Offer Not Enough?

COVID is causing even the most financially stable families to take a hard second (or third, or fourth) look at the price of college. Though we’re past May 1, many colleges have extended commitment deadlines and are working with families to make college more affordable. Listen in as former Tufts and Boston University financial aid officer Shannon Vasconcelos offers guidance for families seeking to negotiate merit scholarships with their prospective schools.

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May 19, 2020by College Coach
College Admissions Consulting

COVID-19: Things to Do While Your Student is Home and One Senior Making Her Decision; Comparing Financial Aid Awards

Congrats seniors: admissions season is in the homestretch. But just when you thought you would cross the finish line with no more issues, here comes COVID-19! We’re interviewing a senior who is in the middle of receiving admissions decisions and trying to figure out her next steps when she can’t visit any colleges to help her make her final choice. Another topic that’s top of mind this and all years are financial aid awards. We’ll take a look at how to compare them across different schools. Finally, for those underclassmen who are unexpectedly at home right now, we have thoughts on how to use some of this time to get ahead in the process.

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April 2, 2020by College Coach
Applying for Financial Aid

[Video] Who Qualifies for College Financial Aid?

If you ask about costs while visiting a college campus, you will likely be told something to the effect of, “Don’t worry about it—you can get financial aid!” And while that statement holds true for many students, not everyone is eligible for financial aid. How can you determine whether your family will qualify for financial aid? Check out the latest installment of our video series, We Can Explain.

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April 25, 2019by Shannon Vasconcelos
College Admissions Consulting

Trends in Merit and Financial Aid Packages; Listener Questions

In previous shows we’ve covered how to negotiate for more merit money and appeal financial aid packages. We thought you might be interested in the trends we’re seeing in this year’s student packaging. In Office Hours, we’re answering your college admissions and finance questions.

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April 24, 2019by College Coach
Choosing the Right College

Making Your College Decision: the Numbers You Need to Know

Making Your College Decision

Guest Post by Sabrina Manville, Co-Founder of Edmit

It’s decision season! After all the time you’ve spent figuring out where to apply, submitting applications, doing interviews, and… waiting, most families now know where they stand at the colleges they applied to. And that means you have to decide where you put down your deposit.

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April 16, 2019by Sabrina Manville
College Admissions Consulting

Appealing Financial Aid Offers, Demonstrated Interest, and Communicating with Colleges

communicating

On the latest episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, guest host Sally Ganga covers three timely and informative topics: how to make demonstrated interest work for you in the college application process, the best way to communicate with colleges, and appealing the financial aid awards that high school seniors are starting to receive.

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February 13, 2019by Julia Jones
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The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.

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