College MatchPoint

I’m proud that I’ve been selected to be a member of the Unigo Expert Network, along with some of the top admissions experts throughout the US. As a member of this network, my advice will be featured each month in media outlets including US News & World Report, McGraw-Hill, The Huffington Post, AOL, Seventeen Magazine, and more.

To see the first column, discussing the importance of college rankings, visit: www.unigo.com/expertnetwork.

Finally, this is an interactive column. We will be answering questions sent in from high school students and parents like you, each week. If you have a question you’d like to see answered by the nation’s top admissions experts, please send it in at www.unigo.com/expertquestions

Happy New Year!  I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year full of learning and adventure.  I encourage you to set some goals for the coming year.

If you are a senior, what do you want to accomplish in your final semester of high school?  Most of you will probably say you want to get out.  However, is there a class that you’d like to make in A that may help you in college?  Is there a classmate that you never took the time to get to know?  Enjoy this final semester and don’t forget to study!

If you are a college freshman, you just finished a whirlwind semester. How did it go?  Take heart, most of us find the first semester challenging.  Now is a good time to take stock of what changes you will make for next semester.  Maybe set the alarm a little earlier two days a week or find your way to the library more often.  Perhaps, you may also want to join some organizations on campus.

For all of you, make the most of the coming year and may it be full of joy and wonder.

Keep In Touch,

Lisa

Read the SmartMoney article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/education/21college.html

Check out this article which talks about how to pay in state tuition even if you live out of state.

http://www.examiner.com/x-20753-DC-College-Admissions-Examiner~y2010m2d3-4-more-ways-to-pay-instate-tuition-at-outofstate-colleges

I am thrilled to open an office in Cedar Park- 201 S Bell Blvd.  #109; 243-6181.  We had a great Open House last night!  What I love about the office is that I have a room big enough to offer workshops and classes.  I’m offering a number of kick off events and hope you can join us! Continue reading »

Good news out of Rice University- they are raising the income threshold for families to receive financial aid.  This is change will help middle income families.  It is wonderful to see colleges and universities responding proactively to the financial crisis.  Now more than ever, it is critical for families to research the financial aid policies of the schools their children are applying to.  If you haven’t done so, go to www.finaid.com, and find out your Expected Family Contribution (how much you are expected to pay).

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/12/15/daily24.html

For many high-school seniors, fall is a time fraught with college applications, interviews and campus tours.

For students, it’s also a time of unknowns: how will they afford school, can they get into their top choice, will they be happy once they get there?

Manage College-Application Anxiety

I am thrilled that you have stopped by the MatchPoint Blog.  I hope you will stop by often.  I plan to post articles and reflections on this site.  I’ll also link to other blogs.  It is my hope that this blog will provide you with up to date information on the college selection process.