Articles, posts and topics of interest from The College Spy, an independent college consultant and college coach, and its founder Michelle McAnaney. The College Spy offers Expert, personalized college and university search, selection, admissions, and financial aid advice for parents and college-bound students. The College Spy provides its services online and via phone. The College Spy works with both US and international students.
College students who apply for financial aid are likely to receive an aid package that includes at least some federal student loans. There are three types of federal loans that could be listed on the financial aid award: Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS loans. It is important to understand the differences between these three types of loans in order to decide if you want to accept them.
Read MoreYou’ve taken countless SAT practice tests, and in the last few you’ve managed to hit - or even exceed - your goal score. Then on test day something goes wrong and your score doesn’t come close to matching how well you’ve done on your practice tests. This situation isn’t uncommon, but there are ways to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Read MoreCollege admissions professionals often cite grades and academic rigor as the best predictors of academic success on the college level. But these two predictors do not tell the whole story. Grades and courses do not provide information about a student’s strengths, challenges, personality, character and work ethic. Letters of recommendation provide this valuable, contextual information.
Read MoreYour daughter is hoping for acceptance to her first-choice college, one that was chosen carefully after an exhausting college search. Here is what you should do if a rejection letter arrives.
Read MoreA dual enrollment course is a single course that provides a student with both high school and college credit. Dual enrollment courses are unique educational opportunities that can offer significant advantages for the right student. When deciding whether to take a dual enrollment course, students should think about their college goals, compare the courses available to them at their high school and discuss their options with their school counselor.
Read MoreThe key to getting the most out of a summer job is to think ahead about what the job will do for you aside from providing you with spending money. A summer job can also boost your self-esteem, introduce you to a potential future career and help you get into college. Before you run out and take the first job you can find, here are some things to consider when choosing your summer job.
Read MoreA parent’s perspective: The college search process was an unexpected avenue into my daughter’s mind and heart. By the end of it, I knew that wherever she ended up, she’d be okay.
Read MoreColleges are increasingly and strategically sending letters to students who have applied regular decision suggesting that they consider converting their application to early decision or “ED” status. Your student should do these 3 things if they receive one of those letters.
Read MorePSAT Scores Are Out. What you and your student need to know now.
Read MoreI started my day in second grade. Then I went to college. Tomorrow, I am going to work -- The College Spy’s top reasons to visit colleges before junior year of high school.
Read MoreWhen setting up the “guardrails” around your student’s college search, consider that a short flight, rather than a long drive could result in your student finding the college match of his or her dreams.
Read MoreChoosing a college is about finding the right chemistry, feeling comfortable on campus and excited about the programs and opportunities offered. When you are there, you just know.
Read MoreMy college admissions story starts in 1992. I am a junior sitting in the high school auditorium with 400 fellow students. Six guidance counselors take turns telling us what we need to do to apply to college.
Read MoreThe College Spy is a college coach and educational consultant. The College Spy offers expert one-on-one college and university planning, selection, essay, admissions and financial aid advice for college-bound high school students and their families. The College Spy provides its services online and via phone. The College Spy works with both US and international students.
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