The New Digital SAT
College Board is on its way to a fully-digital replacement of the SAT. This post shares what is currently known about the new exam and also offers discussion of the unknowns that will become clear over the next 18 months.
Category: College OpenSource Blog
College OpenSource Blog – admissions, applications and higher education news and advice
Three Messages Parents of High School Students Need to Hear About College Admission
After watching this cycle repeat itself for over two decades, I’m convinced there are a few messages most parents of high school students need to hear-and hopefully will listen to also.
New Books to Read on Higher Education
Here are a few 2022 releases I look forward to reading this year:
How to Survive your First Semester at College!
I’ve just finished my first semester of college, and I’ve grown a lot in the short three months that I’ve been gone. I’d like to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up, so you don’t make some of the mistakes I have.
Building a college list that works
Our focus as a society is usually on the reach schools, but the target and safety categories are actually just as, if not more, important because those provide the best opportunities for a debt free education.
Tips and Resources for a Local or Virtual Gap Year
You do not need to leave the country – or your home – to have a meaningful gap year.
College Trends to Consider for 2022
√ Here are some early trends.
3 Steps to Acing the “Why us?” Essay
It’s important to understand that this essay isn’t just asking what you like about the college but why you’ve decided the college is the best fit for you.
When it comes to paying for college, parents sometimes expect a magic wand
“Get into the best college you can, and we’ll figure it out” Or “We’ll decide after we have all of the #financialaid information” It’s a common approach to #collegeplanning and #collegeadmissions. And on the surface, it seems really logical. Of course, it’s the exact opposite approach of how we buy houses, cars or any other […]
When a College Says their Offer is “Just Between Us”
If there’s one thing you need to know before you start down the college search road, that would be it. Know that colleges are businesses selling a product that they want you to want enough to pay a lot for it.
The 11 Best Engineering Schools in the South: Important Facts and Figures
Learn about the top engineering schools in the South and which one is perfect for you
It’s March 2020 COVID deja vu for UC students as the new term begins
The start of 2022 at the University of California feels like March 2020 deja vu for some students.
Update on test-optional admissions
With the bulk of universities currently allowing applicants to choose whether or not to submit test scores, it can be tricky to figure out whether it’s worth taking the test or not. Capstone’s general advice for those applicants is to take the test if you can, but there are some exceptions, noted below.
Award letter appeals drive college costs down to the absolute minimum
how financial aid appeals really work
10 Financial Aid Terms Every Parent Should Know
When finding colleges that are good fits for my students, we always address affordability – because a college that is a great academic and social fit is no fit at all if it’s not affordable.
Early Decision Isn’t Binding. Let Us Explain.
If you can’t afford the price a college quotes you, you don’t have to go. We corrected an N.Y.U. blog post and rewrote the Common App for you.
The more I’m out visiting colleges, the more I’m reminded of the benefits of small liberal arts colleges
The more I’m out visiting colleges, the more I’m reminded of the benefits of small liberal arts colleges.
UC dumped college entrance exams. Big mistake
UC has decided it will not use any entrance exam. Not the state’s standardized test for 11th graders. Not an exam that UC designs itself.
Conned into Buying Something You’ll Never Need
In 2019, Gallup surveyed 5,100 college graduates and asked them to judge how helpful their alumni network had been in their career so far.
Creating competition between colleges maximizes merit aid
Use competition to leverage your merit award offer
What to Do After Submitting Your College Apps: 7 Important Tasks
Discover what important next steps to take so you can increase your admissions chances
Big FAFSA Changes and the New Student Aid Index
Big changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in 2023, and the changes could dramatically affect how much parents and families end up paying for college
What’s Demonstrated Interest?
In order to understand why colleges consider what we call “demonstrated interest,” you’ll need to take a big step from a few beliefs you probably hold.
Does applying for financial aid affect admissions decisions?
On today’s College Planning Tip of the Week, Jack Wang discusses need-blind versus need-aware policies among colleges and universities.
