We often mention the difference between being competitive in a highly selective applicant pool versus being compelling, which is the difference between who gets in and who does not. We’re sharing actual examples of compelling students we’ve worked with recently who have had success at this level. For those finding college too expensive even with scholarships and financial aid or those who want a different college experience, we have information about options to have your degree funded by your employer. We’re also discussing who qualifies for in-state tuition, who doesn’t, and some options for ways in which you might qualify even if you technically live in another state.

A guest post from Sabrina Manville, Co-founder and COO of Edmit

This fall, students of all ages have transitioned to virtual online learning in some format as a result of the global COVID pandemic—some by choice, and some not. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, which is tracking college reopening plans, 44% of colleges are fully or primarily online whereas only 27% are operating fully or primarily in-person (as of the time of writing). The remaining colleges are offering a mix of hybrid or blended options.

Southern New Hampshire University President Dr. Paul LeBlanc joined the show this week to offer his thoughts on how SNHU is responding to COVID-19, tips for online learning, and what he sees as the overall disruption to higher ed and the potential positive outcomes to that disruption. For those with college savings plans, we’ll discuss how to maximize those plans to pay the college tuition bill when it arrives.

For most people, writing a check for the tuition bill is a frightening prospect. What if you could spread those payments out? We have information on tuition payment plans offering an installment plan. We’ll also take a close look at the Common App essay topics and offer suggestions for approaching those. Finally, Bright Horizons’ director of learning and development services will join us to share data on strengths-based coaching.

With next fall’s plans pretty a giant question mark, many families are trying to understand what online study versus on-campus study will do to their costs. We’ll share what you need to know about funding an online education. In other segments, we’ll offer some standardized testing advice as test dates are cancelled and more colleges opt to go test optional in the coming year. Finally, we’ll revisit computer science, this time with Rick Bischoff of Case Western offering the college perspective.

There are a lot of early admissions deadline options: early action, early decision one and two, priority admissions, restrictive early action, etc. How do you know which, if any, is the right choice for you? We’ll help you figure that out. We’ll also help you figure out the college bill that’s coming your way, and discuss what makes a college a safety, i.e., a school where you have a better than 90% chance of being admitted.

Colleges tend to be more relaxed environments over the summer. Without the typical school-year pressure on students, professors, and administrators, these campus community-members are often more available to answer questions from prospective students and their parents. What questions, however, are best to ask? Find out on the Edmit blog, where former Boston University and Tufts University financial aid officer, Shannon Vasconcelos, advises you to dig deeper than the information that can be easily accessed on a college’s website and ask the questions that get to the heart of whether a particular college will be a good financial fit for your family.

Guest Post from Jeremy Silverstein, Vice President of Operations and Vehicle Dispatching at Veteran Car Donations

As we celebrate Independence Day this 4^th of July, it’s important to remember the sacrifice that members of the armed forces make willingly in order to serve their country. The impact service can have on soldiers’ lives is far-reaching and takes numerous forms. One of the most significant ways military service can alter a person’s life, for example, is by changing the course of his or her career path. Unlike many civilians, servicepeople may not complete their educations on the usual schedule. Once they finish their active duty, they may lack the formal schooling that would benefit their careers and resumption of their normal lives. If you’re a veteran, education is crucial for getting a job and re-entering the civilian world.

Its summer! Time for ice cream, blockbuster movies, and college visits and essays! Join us for insight into making the most of your college visits in preparation for writing supplemental essays in the fall. Speaking of essays, we’re taking you through the Common App essay prompts for fall 2019. And finally, we have suggestions for how to research information about paying for college on those institutions’ websites.

Guest Post by Sabrina Manville, Co-Founder of Edmit

College graduates earn $1 million more in their careers than the average high school graduate. Since college costs (for now) less than $1 million, paying for a college degree seems—on its face—to be worth it. But not all degrees are created equal: each college and major has a different return on investment.