Don't Be Afraid to Ask

There is a lot of data available to families during the college search process - student to faculty ratios, acceptance rates, graduation rates, freshmen retention percentages -- and the list goes on. Although the relevance of these statistics is a topic for a separate blog post, I want to focus on data that can be difficult to find but important to seek out.  Families looking ahead to the cost of four years of tuition recognize that educating their children is a large investment. Yet, in many cases, important financial information of the underlying institution to which you are writing large tuition checks isn’t included in the glossy brochures and marketing presentations.  You wouldn’t buy stock in a company that was fiscally irresponsible, nor should you risk investing in an educational institution that mismanages its money.  After all, a degree from a college that was insolvent and had to close its doors has little value.  So, when colleges talk about all of the new construction happening on campus, I think it is fair to ask about their long-term bond rating. While the credit agencies aren’t perfect at predicting financial troubles, they at least give us a sense of a college’s financial health.  In addition, the federal government releases a financial responsibility scorecard every spring that assesses private colleges’ financial strength.  Although the purpose of this is to protect federal student loan money from disbursement to students at colleges that will ultimately close their doors, this tool can also be helpful to parents in gauging the overall financial stability of private colleges.  If you do any research on the federal financial responsibly scorecard, you will soon realize that the metrics used and their predictive nature is certainly flawed.  However, it is better than nothing. What about the public universities that aren’t assessed under the federal scorecard?  The federal government assumes that the state governments keep tabs on the universities in their state, so they are excluded.

There are many interesting shifts in higher education to monitor. Fewer students will be applying to college in the near future, several states are struggling with budget deficits which are impacting budgets at state universities, and many colleges are becoming heavily tuition reliant depending on the health of their endowments.  This is not lost on the colleges and universities that, in many cases, are preparing for the changing landscape.  The reality is most will be just fine.  At the same time, I think it is an important time to do your research, ask appropriate questions, and choose colleges wisely.  After all, it is a significant investment.

The Right Way to Do a Campus Visit

Now is the time for juniors to plan visits to college campuses.  Try to carve out time this spring to see a few schools on your list while students are there so that you get a real sense of the campus culture. Inevitably, you will run out of time and have to schedule some visits for over the summer when there are few, if any, students on campus, but seeing as many campuses as you can while classes are in session is most valuable.  And don’t forget to take a few notes on things that strike you while you’re there, especially about specific programs or characteristics that appeal to you. This information will be key as you consider which colleges you want to apply to in the fall and for writing the supplemental essay about why you want to attend this particular school - a commonly required application question.  It’s easy to forget or confuse details after visiting several schools in a row! Also, many schools track “demonstrated interest” and a campus visit confirms that you are a serious candidate, so be sure to check in at the Admissions Office.

 

Low-Income Families Can Now Send Test Scores for Free

Both College Board and ACT changed their policies to enable low-income families to send their standardized test scores free of charge.  ACT was the first to announce that students qualifying for a fee-waiver would be allowed to send their scores to as many as 24 colleges without incurring a fee.  In response, the College Board followed suit, allowing low-income students to send their SAT scores to as many colleges as they want free of charge. 

Smith College Takes a Different Approach During Protests

In the wake of the most recent school shooting in Parkland Florida, high school students across the country are speaking up. Protests, school walk-outs, and demonstrations are being organized. 

Deb Shaver, Dean of Admission at Smith College, wanted applicants to know that students who participate in protests and receive disciplinary violations at their high schools will not be penalized in the admission process in any way. Other colleges and universities have followed suit. The growing list of colleges that have altered their disciplinary policies with regards to student activism can be found here: 

https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/college-and-university-update-on-disciplinary-actions/

The Benefits of Changing Your Major

With the cost of a college education continuing to climb, many parents are counting on their children graduating in four years.  It would seem logical that students declaring their academic major as freshmen would have the highest likelihood of graduating on time.  However, the data indicates otherwise. A study done by the Education Advisory Board found that college students declaring their major early and sticking with it are 4% less likely to graduate on-time relative to their counterparts that changed majors in the second semester or later. A possible explanation is that students that switch majors are likely to be more academically engaged in their major of choice versus the students who are simply sticking it out.  With as many as 80% of undergraduate students switching their majors at some point in their college experience it doesn’t necessarily mean an extra semester or year of tuition for parents.

Will There Be Less Competition After 2025?

2025! That's when experts say that the bubble will burst. Fewer babies born after the 2008 recession, especially in New England, will lead to a decrease in college-going students after 2025. 

Ask the Consultant: Gap Year

Q: I've been thinking about taking a gap year. What kinds of things do students do?

A: While many students choose a structured gap year program that offers travel, service, and adventure, there are other options -- many at a far lower cost!

Apprentice: Undecided about your college major? Your future career goals? Your gap year can be a great time to explore a variety of areas. It can also be a wonderful time to gain a skill. Carpentry, glass blowing, filmmaking, fashion design... you may not have this opportunity again! 

Intern: Working for a business or a non-profit agency can help inform your direction for the future as well. Don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone a bit and try something different. Sometimes learning what you don't enjoy can be as illuminating as learning what you do. Besides, you might surprise yourself! 

Study: Many college-bound high school seniors graduate wishing that they had more time to explore electives and other academic areas of interest. If that is you, your gap year can be a great time to learn a new language, discover the joys of web design, or try your hand at blogging. However, if you have deferred your college acceptance for a year, as most students taking a gap year do, you will need to read the fine print of the deferral agreement. Most colleges prohibit you from taking credit-granting courses during your year off. 

Travel: Seeing the world, immersing yourself in a new culture, remains the most popular gap year plan. “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” — American-British writer Bill Bryson

Volunteer: Whether it is a formal volunteer program like City Year, The Student Conservation Association or Habitat for Humanity or pitching in to help a group in your community, volunteering can nourish the mind and the soul.

Work: Want to start putting some cash away for your college years? Get a job! 

New Allowance In Effect for 529 Plans

You can now use your 529 college savings plan to pay for private school -- from elementary to high school.  This bill was signed into law in December 2017 and could have interesting financial implications for your family. So I would talk to your financial planner or accountant to learn more.

Finish Strong

As seniors enter their final semester of high school, they may be tempted to coast to the finish line.  After a busy fall with college applications, I understand the need to catch your breath.  At the same time, don’t let your academic performance falter.  We have had students whose offers of admission have been revoked due to a dramatic change in grades.  Although not common, it can (and has) happened.  You have worked hard to get this far, don’t trip up at the finish.

Summer Here We Come!

Despite the colder temperatures, it is not too early to start planning your summer experiences.  Many students use their summer to explore a possible career path, volunteer, get a job, further their foreign language skills, or explore an interest, to name just a few.  Keep in mind that many summer programs have deadlines in the winter or early spring.  It would be unfortunate to find the perfect opportunity only to realize you missed the deadline.  So, dress for winter but start thinking about summer.