14 Unique Reasons to Attend SEC Schools Besides Sports

Quarterback representing bigtime sports at SEC Schools

If big-time college sports are an important consideration for your college list, you’ll need to take a look at the Southeast Conference (SEC) schools. If I have to tell you why you should consider SEC schools for big-time sports, then we are definitely working with different definitions or you have been living under a rock … Read more

3 Things You Need to Know Before You Submit Your Early Decision Application

Student considering applying early deicsion

The first of the Early Decision college admissions deadlines are approaching and students are nervously revising their college application essays. However, before they submit their applications, they need to remember that there are reasons why people criticize Early Decision as primarily benefiting rich kids. As students make one final review of their application, they should make sure … Read more

FAQ: What is the Common Data Set

What is the Common Data Set

Whenever you search for colleges using the College Board, College Data, or US News & World Report, you are using data based on the common data set (CDS). This survey captures some information that isn’t available through the government’s Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data Set (IPEDS) used for the College Navigator search website and others.

DIY College Rankings: Where to Start

As I went through the college search process with my son, I was constantly amazed at the way numbers are and are not used in the process. Everyone talks about student’s GPA, class rank, test scores, and college acceptance rates but no one seemed to know anything about their Expected Financial Contribution (EFC), four-year college … Read more

Colleges Most Likely to Meet Financial Need List

Notepad with financial aid written on it

This is a list of over 200 colleges most likely to provide need-based aid (not based on academic merit) to students. I include schools on the list if they meet one of the following requirements: Meet 95% or more of freshman financial need according to the Common Data Set (CDS) The Average Net Price for … Read more

Why People Waste Their College Visits-Part 2

students walking on campus representing college visits

In the first part of Why People Waste Their College Campus Visits, I discussed how students and families don’t make the most of college visits because they don’t understand there are different types of campus visits and don’t prepare appropriately. I covered some common issues regarding campus visits and listed one of three types of … Read more