College Life
University of Chicago’s Ego
I had lunch today with a dear friend whose son hopes to be attending the University of Chicago in the fall. This is a kid from Southern California who fell in love with the institution when he visited. Taylor, I changed his name, applied early action to the University of Chicago and he remains optimistic […]
11Nov2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
A Lovely Empty Nest Dinner
I’ve been an empty nester since mid August when my youngest child headed off to college. Most of the time, I can handle both of my kids being far away at their colleges, but I do feel like an empty nester at dinner time. I think that’s because dinner at our house was often the […]
10Nov2010 | Lynn | 2 comments | Continued
Should You Apply for Financial Aid?
Are you wondering if you should apply for financial aid? For most families, the answer will be yes. You should file for financial aid. Here are three key reasons why families of any income level should apply for aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid: 1. The FAFSA is free. The FAFSA […]
8Nov2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
Why State Universities Love Rich Teenagers
Nearly one out of every three students who attends a flagship state university is affluent. Thirty percent of students at these top universities have parents with incomes in the top 20% of all American households. This is just one of the findings of a study from the Education Trust, which is a nonprofit that promotes […]
7Nov2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
Grockit: Can Studying for the SAT or ACT Be Fun?
Studying for the SAT or ACT isn’t fun. But Grockit is trying hard to make it entertaining. Grockit, whose motto on its homepage is “Get addicted to studying,” bills itself as a social networking site for learning. With Grockit, teenagers can improve their test skills, in part, by learning from and competing against thousands of […]
5Nov2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
Should You Apply to a Reach School?
Do you know what a reach school is? I’ve been surprised recently to find out that many parents and teenagers don’t understand what the term means. I discovered just how elusive a concept it is during college talks that I occasionally give at high schools and other settings. When I ask, “Who knows what a […]
2Nov2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
Beware of Universities Dishing Out Compliments
Has your teenager received flattering email or literature from universities or even VIP college applications from schools that are already prefilled? If your child has gotten any of these communications, let me make this quite clear, it doesn’t mean anything. Despite all the collegiate flirting, the schools may not be interested in your child. Flattering […]
1Nov2010 | Lynn | 4 comments | Continued
Fighting Back Against Rising College Costs
College costs continue to rise (surprise, surprise), according to the latest statistics released by the College Board. The news is depressing, but not as awful as you might assume. As I’ve discussed in previous college blog posts, roughly two-thirds of college students receive scholarships or other price breaks so the sticker prices are meaningless. 2010-2011 […]
31Oct2010 | Lynn | 2 comments | ContinuedAnswers to College Recruiting Questions
I’ve gotten questions lately from parents whose children are being recruited by college coaches. I wanted to share the questions because it might help other families who are or will be navigating the Byzantine world of college athletics. I talked to Karen Weaver, my go-to-expert on college athletics. Weaver is the director of athletics at […]
28Oct2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
Qualifying as an Independent Student
I periodically get emails from teenagers, who are freaking out because their parents plan to contribute little if anything to their college education. Many of these kids are from affluent families, who could afford to kick in far more than they are planning. I don’t understand parents with good paying jobs who have no problem […]
27Oct2010 | Lynn | 0 comments | Continued
