Answers to Your College Questions

Are you prepared for the SAT writing test? Learn the strategies that will help you get your best possible score with Gruber’s Complete SAT Guide 2014.

Being that the plane was grounded, we stayed over until the next morning so that we could get the first flight out.

Summer is a great time to head to college campuses for a visit. Not only can you learn more about schools and get a feel for whether they’re a good fit for you, but campus visits are also an ideal opportunity to speak to admissions representatives and financial aid officers one-on-one about college costs and financial aid. When speaking to these college representatives, consider asking these ten questions to ensure you find the school that fits you best in every way, including financially.

1. What is the current cost of tuition and fees? Room and board?

Some colleges know what their listed charges (sticker prices) will be years in advance. Most don’t, but obtaining the current sticker price will at minimum provide you with an initial starting point for determining the affordability of the institution. If you intend to live in university housing for more than one year, be sure to ask how room and board plans typically fluctuate from year to year. Are all room prices the same? How about meal plan prices?

It’s no secret that most colleges and universities, especially the selective ones, have to deal with more academically qualified applicants than they can possibly admit. By academically qualified, I mean your test scores, rigor of courses you take, and the grades you receive in those courses. But many colleges take it a step further and look for something else.

What is the “Something Else” that colleges look for?

Colleges are really interested in understanding you as a person. Who are you? What have you done outside of school that gives them a clue as to your interests and talents? Colleges care about the kinds of people they admit, so they look to see what you do after school, during weekends, and especially during the summers. You see, what you do tells them a lot about how you might act on their campuses.

If you’re like most rising seniors, you’ve been getting quite a few questions about college lately that you don’t have the answers to yet. Now is a great time for you to take control of your college application process and continue on your journey to college.

For rising juniors, summer break is the perfect time to think about your journey from high school to college admission. Here are a few things you should be sure to focus on in the months ahead.

With finals just around the corner, the end of the semester can be a very stressful time. But never fear! By following these ten easy tips, you can enjoy the end of your term and still ace your exams.

Community college is a very popular topic right now. And with popularity comes rumors and misconceptions. Selecting an educational path is a big decision, and before you make that decision (or help someone to make that decision) it’s important to have a clear understanding of the alternatives. So, to put an end to some of these misconceptions, here is a list of the most common myths about community colleges!

Myth #1: Community College Students Can’t Transfer into Ivy League Institutions

False! While I can’t quote exact numbers (to my knowledge this data is not tracked), I can tell you anecdotally that Ivy League transfer is not only possible, but probable with the right guidance. Community college transfer students are proven, mature students and are more likely to graduate than incoming freshmen. Don’t take my word for it, UCLA’s Alfred Herrera said this to the College Board on the topic of transfers:

Can you answer this month's SAT Question? Learn the strategies to solve any SAT problem in Gruber's Complete SAT Guide 2013.

By Todd Weaver

How much of your financial aid award is “gift aid” versus “self-help?” Does it matter? How can you tell a good award from a bad one?

If you were fortunate enough to have been accepted to multiple colleges, you may have a difficult decision ahead of you: choosing which school to attend. Here’s what three of our experts believe you should consider when narrowing your choices and ultimately making your final college decision.

Keep cost in mind.

Frank Palmasani, author of Right College, Right Price