This week, we are talking about merit aid and how to build a college list with affordability in mind. If you missed it, we encourage you to listen to episode 11 first, where we talk about the cost of college and provide a foundation for this discussion of merit aid. And if you want to learn more about need-based financial aid, take a listen to episode 13. 

Whitney and Katelyn talk about the reasons behind the increasing use of merit awards, or scholarships, to recruit students and address 4 big myths around merit aid.

Myth number 1: You are going to get merit aid at every college where you are a competitive application and you have received admission. We want you to be aware of the limitations a student may face in merit aid at an out-of-state public university. There are also several dozen selective universities that do not provide merit aid to any accepted students (though they are very generous with need-based aid).

Myth number 2: The perception that athletic scholarships are among the most common type of merit aid, when in fact last year, athletic scholarships represented less than 7% of all university granted scholarships.

Myth number 3: Merit aid and scholarships are only for straight A students. We have good news for you here!

Myth number 4: Private scholarships are the best way to decrease the cost of college. Again, as a percentage of all scholarship money granted every year, private scholarships represent less than 12% of the total amount awarded.

Time Stamps:

1:16 What Are We Learning This Week?  Katelyn is learning about her students’ favorite meals and treats after asking them to choose an application filing celebration treat. In a busy senior year fall, it’s a good time to reflect on all of your hard work. 

3:30 Big Picture: We discuss 4 big myths around merit aid.

15:05  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  Whitney guesses which selective university scholarship requires an essay before invitation to move on in the selection process.

19:55 Tips and Strategies for building affordability into your college search, including a review of some of our favorite resources. 

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

How do I start the college search process if I don’t know what I want to study? 

Don’t let this question stall out your college search. An increasing number of colleges are capping enrollment in popular majors which feels to many families that choice of major is more important than it used to be and perhaps vital to securing a job. 

With increasing costs, universities are focused on improving retention rates and focusing students on direct paths as soon as possible. We know that the majority of students, however, still change their major at least once during their college career. 

Whitney and Katelyn talk about decoupling the idea that major-equals-career, and suggest ways to think about your education more broadly. The choices of a large university setting can sometimes overwhelm an undecided student, so don’t discount the personalized attention that a smaller college can provide.

Our big message, however, is that you shouldn’t delay your college search simply because you are undecided about your major. Focus on the other important elements to a good fit college environment while you narrow your choices. 

It’s also helpful to zero in on exactly how undecided you are. If you can eliminate some big-bucket academic areas, then it will be easier to identify the colleges with programs that will be your eventual needs. Think about the problems and topics that intrigue you the most! 

If you are undecided when you apply and then enroll in college, we offer some tips to help you evaluate how each college on your list guides undeclared students. Be critical of advising structures and general education structures - choose what fits the student’s engagement level and learning preferences.

Time Stamps:

1:10 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney is back out on college tours this fall. What are the new trends that she is picking up on during these visits? We are both noticing more emphasis than ever on outcomes, and as always, how important individual conversations with students and staff can be to really understanding a campus.

5:30 Big Picture: There has been a steady shift over 30 years away from  the notion of finding your focus and passion in college due primarily to increasing costs and ROI concerns for a career after college. Our big message is that you shouldn’t delay your college search simply because you are undecided about your major. Focus on the other important elements to a good fit college environment while you narrow your choices.

17:50  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”  There are only a few colleges named after colors. Can you guess the universities named after this particular color hue? 

20:24 Tips and Strategies for exploring possible majors while you are in high school. If you are undecided when you apply and then enroll in college, we also offer some tips to help you evaluate how each college on your list guides undeclared students. 

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

This is the second in our three-part series on paying for college. In this episode we give you an introduction to need-based financial aid: what is need-based aid, how do you apply for it, and what can you expect from a college that you are admitted to?

How does a family determine if they have “need” for college aid? It’s not a question of what you want to pay, but based on a needs analysis that considers your income, your savings and your ability to borrow. This analysis determines what is called  the Student Aid Index (SAI), which  is actually a family assessment, looking at both student and parent income and assets. 

We offer an overview of the two primary forms used in college needs assessment, the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, and then discuss what you might find in your student aid package if you have need. We look at grants/scholarships, loans and work study.

Our tips segment covers recommendations for getting ready to file the financial aid forms, including applying for a FSA ID prior to sitting down to submit your FAFSA. College financial aid offices can be a great resource for families, and in particular if your financial situation is in flux or has changed considerably after you have filed for aid. We encourage families to also use a preliminary SAI calculator to get an indication of your possible need, depending on the price of each college.

Tune back in for Episode 15 when we talk about merit aid and how to build a college list with affordability in mind.

Time Stamps:

1:20 What Are We Learning This Week?  How do the shifts in English language usage impact editorial choices in college essays? We talk about the line between spoken word and grammatically correct choices. Sometimes, it’s okay to break the rules. 

5:04 Big Picture: Need-based financial aid is complex and we try to distill it down to the basics: what is need-based aid, how do you apply for it, and how do colleges grant these awards?

16:00 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Do you know when the first college football game was played in the United States? 

20:30 Tips and Strategies Tips on applying for financial aid including timelines, preparing to file and then considerations for comparing financial aid packages that you receive after and admission.

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

Fall has become the default college admissions season for many high school seniors, which is a significant shift from when their parents went to college. 

We dive into the difference between early action, early decision and rolling admission (which also carries the benefit of an earlier timeline if applicants want). 

The big hot-button early decision issue? As they try to manage their yield numbers, many more selective schools now fill as much as half of their class with early decision, which makes the urgency to choose this option even greater. Long the sole option of private universities, the pressure to commit to a binding early admission, through an early decision application, has now extended to some flagship public universities as well, like the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia.

An early admission in senior year can take a lot of pressure off and give families more time to evaluate choices if the student did not choose a binding admissions plan. In our tips segment we discuss the pros and sometimes the cons associated with applying to college in an early round.

In addition to having an impact on financial choices, applying early decision, in particular, may not be the best solution for every student. There are many students who may benefit from the later regular decision deadlines to focus on an upwards trending academic record or to spend more time evaluating their college decisions. Not every student is “late” if they choose not to apply early.

Time Stamps:

0:37 What Are We Learning This Week?  Whitney tells us about preparing for and evaluating pre-veterinary programs for undergraduates.  

6:34 Big Picture: We discuss the variation in early application plans and the differences between early action, early decision, and rolling admission plans.

22:40  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” How long has early decision been a part of college admissions?  When and where did early decision start?

26:51 Tips and Strategies to help you evaluate if early application options are right for you. 

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to our 3-part series on paying for college. In this episode we are talking about the cost of college. In future segments we will review the financial aid (need-based) process and then we will look at what affordability planning means and how to find scholarships and merit aid as you build your college list. 

Do you know what college costs include and what the industry-wide assumptions are around how families approach paying for college?  

We start with some goal setting scenarios. Are you considering not just your saving plan, but what you will pull from your budget in the college years as well as the possibility of borrowing? These are the three legs of the college funding model that colleges and government resources look at. 

We talk about the disconnect that comes between what a parent wants to pay and their ability to pay. Where does your child’s obligation come in as you consider your own family financing strategy? 

College is expensive!  Consumer expectations among other factors have contributed to the rising costs of college, especially at the high end. We go behind the headlines of escalating college price tags and look at the realities of both public and private college options. We look at tuition, fees, room, and board, and how varied these elements can be at the variety of institutions across the U.S. 

In our tips segment we offer suggestions for researching college costs, beginning with the public institutions in your own state and your options for in-state tuition and fees. Then, look at private college options as well and use each school’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your own possible price tag. Did you know that college merit aid, or academic recruitment grants, actually represent approximately 80% of all scholarship money (over athletics and other talent-based awards?). 

On the other end of the spectrum however, we want you to be aware of the number of highly selective schools (70+) that do not provide merit awards or scholarships that are not based on need.

Time Stamps:

0:38 What Are We Learning This Week? Whitney talks about her recent “goal-cation” and  the benefits of goal setting when you are planning for college and trying  to stick to your college saving plans.

4:47 Big Picture: We encourage you to rip off the bandaid and face the realities of college costs and understand the assumptions around a family’s role in paying for college in the U.S.

22:38  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)”: Katelyn is keeping score (and she’s behind after our first ten episodes!). Can Whitney name the only college in the nation that provides a half-tuition scholarship to all students who enroll?

26:39  Tips and Strategies for learning about the range of college price tags and how to use Net Price Calculators to begin understanding your family’s eligibility for either need-based or merit-based awards.

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

The college essay! The last in our series on the “big five” elements in college applications is a discussion of how to approach what is often the most stressful piece of college applications.

This series of five episodes is focused on the primary elements of a college application and geared towards students who are applying to college in the fall.

While not every college will use all five elements, it’s important to understand how to make the most of this opportunity to share who you are and what is important to you as part of your overall college application story. 

How do students feel about the fact that there are really no absolutes when thinking about the right way to approach writing the college essay? Maybe pretty anxious, because “no rules” might make some students feel less certain about this important  piece of writing, especially when they feel they are being judged.  

We talk about balancing being vulnerable and authentic while still selling yourself to the colleges you are applying to.

In our tips segment we offer suggestions regardless of your approach. Does your essay sound like you? Proofread carefully and ask someone else to review for copy edits as well, but be cautious of too much help or too many reviewers. Yes, too many cooks DO spoil the essay soup! 

Time Stamps:

0:41 What Are We Learning This Week? Katelyn and Whitney discuss the emerging use of AI in college admissions offices for the review of application essays. 

4:21 Big Picture: Learn about the objectives of the primary essay in your application and what to consider when approaching the most creative and reflective piece of a college application.

17:23  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Mascot madness: can you name the college, founded by Quakers, with a poet for a team  mascot?

19:45  Tips and Strategies to help you tackle the college essay while maintaining your voice and message.

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

Episode Summary

What do your activities say about your interests, priorities and contributions to your community? Number four in our series on the “big five” elements in college applications is a discussion of high school activities. 

This series of five episodes is focused on the primary elements of a college application and geared towards students who are applying to college in the fall.

While not every college will use all five elements, it’s important to understand how to make the most of describing your extracurricular experiences if you are asked to include them in your applications. 

Colleges use activities to help them shape a class. We talk about depth of commitment, leadership roles, your responsibilities, and what counts as an extracurricular activity. Don’t forget to include activities like self-paced learning, hobbies and summer programs! 

 Big hot-button activity issue? How much volunteering and community service is enough?

In our tips segment we offer suggestions around how to maximize your activities descriptions, including using powerful results-oriented words. Remember, results can include not just those that impact others but also results that impact you! 

Time Stamps:

0:38 What Are We Learning This Week? Inspired by her students, Whitney tells us about her 340-day streak using Duolingo to learn Spanish. This kind of self-instruction is a great addition to your activities listing.

6:00 Big Picture: Learn about the role of activities in your application and how to frame them within the context of a holistic admissions review.

15:31  “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Mascot madness: can you name the university whose sport teams share the name of this popular admissions application activity?

16:53 Tips and Strategies to help you make the most of the limited space in your activities descriptions on your college applications. 

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

Next up in our series on the “big five” elements in college applications is a discussion of recommendations. This series of five episodes is focused on the primary elements of a college application and geared towards students who are applying to college in the fall.

While not every college will use all five elements, it’s important to understand your options for recommendations if you are asked to include them in your applications.

We begin with an overview of discussions in college admissions around how recommendations can contribute to a student’s application, the issues related to accessing recommendations in some high schools, and the evolution in the ways recommendations are generated for colleges.  

We ask students to consider how recommendations can help them to develop a 360-degree view of who they are in their applications. Learn about the goals of these letters and how those goals shift subtly depending on whether it is a counselor, teacher, or “other” recommender who is writing your letter. 

In our tips segment, we offer suggestions around how to choose the best recommenders for you - those voices that will help to share your story. We have our own preferences too for the best way to approach a recommender with your request, and how to follow up with information that can help your recommender write more nuanced letters. Finally, it’s always important to thank your recommenders, in the moment, but also after you have received your admissions answers and picked your final destination. Your teachers, counselors, and other supporters are all routing for you and appreciate hearing your good news!

Time Stamps:

0:37 What Are We Learning This Week? Direct Admit admission programs: what they are, where to find them, and why or why not they may be a good option for you.

5:14 Big Picture: The role of recommendations in your application and the different goals for the insights from a teacher, counselor or outside recommender.

22:22 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Mascot madness: universities with tree-associated mascots.

25:00 Tips and Strategies to help you make the best choices for recommendations and how to follow up and confirm.

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

Standardized testing is the second stop on our college application safari. This series of five episodes is focused on the primary elements of a college application and geared towards students who are applying to college in the fall.

These “Big 5” application components are what colleges use to assess a student's application as they make admissions decisions. Not every college will use all 5 elements, and in an age of testing ambiguities it’s important to understand your options for standardized testing and for sharing your scores with colleges. 

We begin with a look at the history of college admission testing, and the hows and whys of their use in the application review process. College testing options are more flexible than they have ever been and there is a lot you should think about in terms of choosing, preparing for, and using testing in your own admissions process.

Our perspectives here are not as test-prep experts, but are based firmly in the application advising that we do with our students. How to pick the best test, considerations for timing and test-preparation, and how to determine whether you will use test scores, or not, in your application. 

This week's tips focus on helping you to better understand the alphabet soup of standardized tests. We orient you to the test requirement language used by colleges and we discuss the slowly growing number of schools that are moving from the test-optional days of COVID, back to requiring test scores of all applicants. Finally, we dip into how to determine if you should share your scores and what your options are for reporting your test scores.

Time Stamps:

0:37 What Are We Learning This Week?  A brief discussion of highly-specialized undergraduate degree programs and movements by some universities to re-organize these offerings back under larger degree categories.

6:59 Big Picture: Standardized tests! What role do they play in the admissions process and how has testing evolved over the last decade, in particular.

17:25 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Can Katelyn name the 5 most popular Advanced Placement (AP) exams? It’s a surprising list for one important reason.

21:04 Tips and Strategies to help you better understand your testing options, how to pick a test, considerations for test prep and timing, and finally how to determine whether or not to submit your test scores with your application - it’s not always the same strategy choice for all of the colleges on your list.

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!

Join us for the first in our series on the “big five” elements in college applications - a college application safari of sorts.

These are the application components that colleges use to assess a student's application as they make admissions decisions. Not every college will use all 5 elements, and, ironically, while we firmly believe that every student is more than a transcript, the transcript remains the most important component of a student's college application at all colleges. Holistic review of applications refers not only to all elements of your application, but to the multiple factors inherent in interpreting a transcript!

We begin with a look at the variation of high school transcripts across the US, which generally look different than your report cards.  We touch briefly on weighted and unweighted GPAs, the rigor of your academic courses, grade trends, and the tools, like a high school profile, that admissions readers use to build context for the courses and grades that are on YOUR transcript. 

Our episode tips focus on helping you to better understand your transcript and how your high school describes the curriculum that has been available to you. We want you to learn more about your high school’s GPA scale, rank in class policies, and to think about course planning over four years, but most importantly in junior and senior year. We also touch on classes, perhaps from a summer program or an online program, that may or may not be official pieces of your high school transcript. 

Lastly, we address the growing trend of self-reported transcripts in the admissions process and what to expect if a college you apply to asks for your academic history in this way.

Application Safari Stop 1: The Transcript!

Time Stamps:

0:37 What Are We Learning This Week?  Katelyn discusses the admissions review practice known as committee-based evaluation, which helps to build a preview of what happens in the application review process.

6:06  Big Picture: transcript variations and building context for your courses and grades.

18:10 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” - Colleges with narrative evaluations rather than letter grades!

22:52 Tips and Strategies: learn how to better understand your transcript and GPA, plan your 4-year curriculum and prepare for self-reported transcripts on some of your applications.

More Than A Transcript © is a production of Whitney Bruce College Consulting and College Options, LLC. It is supported by Susan Lanigan and Katie Bruce, with artwork by Heidi Rehbock and original music by Will Morrow.

Visit our website at www.morethanatranscript.com for resources or to ask questions.

Thanks for listening!