Monthly Notes, October 2019
College Admissions Updates for Parents & Students
In the Headlines

  • Harvard's Affirmative Action Policy UPHELD


The "Other" College Essays
Compared to the lengthy and open-ended personal statement, the school-specific supplements can seem easier and more straightforward. While often the case, this doesn’t mean they don't warrant careful attention—some admissions officers report that they read the supplements even more carefully than the personal statements, making them an important component of your overall application. Be sure to check out our tips for tackling the most common supplemental essay topic here.
File Your FAFSA!
The FAFSA filing period opened on October 1, and waiting to file your request for federal student aid may mean missing out on funds, as disbursement is first-come, first-serve. This step-by-step FAFSA guide can help you gather everything you need to complete the application. Many parents skip completing the form, thinking they make too much to qualify, but there are other things to consider beyond income alone.

Consider Completing the FAFSA If:

  • You need--or are hoping to get--federal aid for college (this includes anyone who thinks they may need it at any point during their student's college years, as many schools will not let you apply for aid later if you didn't complete the FAFSA as a freshman)
  • Your will have more than one child in college at the same time, as the thresholds for aid are much lower
  • Your student is applying for merit aid at schools that require the FAFSA for eligibility (school websites will specify this)
Still not convinced? Check out this argument for why everyone should complete the FAFSA, even if you think it's a waste of time.
Best Value Colleges
More than ever, students and parents are looking for schools that offer the best value, whether in terms of potential income after graduation or the amount of student loans (or lack thereof) with which students are burdened. Forbes has compiled a list of the nation's best value colleges with detailed stats outlining their methodology and rationale. And since that list contains plenty of schools that will remain out of reach for the vast majority of students, here's another that focuses on public colleges that pay off the most.
Developing Your College Criteria
First the good news: there isn’t just one school that will be a great fit for you. With nearly 3,000 schools in the US alone, there will be a number of schools that will offer everything you are looking for in a college experience. Second, to help you narrow down your college search list, we recommend that students identify a list of the criteria that matter most when it comes to choosing a college. Creating this list will help you break free from the “best colleges” publications and help create a more personalized “best colleges for me” list of options.
Upcoming Test Dates

December 7, 2019 (Register by Nov 8)
March 14, 2020 (Register by Feb 14)
May 2, 2020 (Register by April 3
June 6, 2020 (Register by May 8)


December 14, 2019 (Register by Nov 8)
February 8, 2020 (Register by Jan 10)
April 4, 2020 (Register by Feb 29)
June 13, 2020 (Register by May 8)
July 18, 2020 (Register by June 19)
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌