In this introduction to need-based financial aid, you will learn about the necessary terms, forms, and tools that you need to know about to pay for college. Need-based financial aid includes financial support, including grants, scholarships, federal work-study, and student loans. A father raised his hand in the back of the room–”what’s a FAFSA?” I […]
TASC stands for “Test Assessing Secondary Completion.” The TASC is an exam that measures whether you have achieved a level of academic accomplishment equivalent to having graduated from high school. Your state may require you to take the TASC if you are seeking a high school equivalency degree. You may have heard people refer to […]
Whether you take the computer or pen-and-paper TASC, you’ll come across a few different question types. Read on to learn more about each. Whether you take the TASC test on paper or on a computer, most of the questions you see will be multiple-choice questions, with four options. For each of those questions, only […]
Early Decision (or ED) is an early admissions process where students make a binding commitment to attend the college if accepted. This commitment includes signing an Early Decision agreement form (which your guidance counselor and parents also must sign). This is different from Early Action (or EA), which is a non-binding process that allows students […]
Back in high school, I knew the following about AP tests: 1. They looked good on college apps. 2. They could give college credit. It’s the latter I didn’t fully appreciate at the time. Looking back, I wish somebody had grabbed me by the shoulders, shaken me and said, “Serious, AP tests are really amazing […]
Whether you are a freshman just starting high school or a junior getting ready to apply to college, getting involved in extracurriculars and volunteering is always the way to go. It is never too early/late to get involved! Here are some helpful tips that can help you learn why, when, and how you should pursue extracurriculars at your high school: Why? Learn […]
Joining high school clubs is a great way to jump start your professional and academic success. Don’t underestimate the importance of high school clubs and extracurriculars when it comes to getting experience that will help you in high school, college, and beyond. There’s a wide range of extracurriculars available at most high schools, from sports […]
It can be quite disheartening to study like crazy for finals only to receive a lower grade than you hoped for. But rather than getting discouraged, don’t let final grades have the final say. Even though you may be feeling discouraged right now, knowing how to learn from your mistakes can bring major positive change […]
Seniors, this is it—your final year of high school. Except now, you’re not only focusing on managing your course load, but college admissions as well. There’s a lot to juggle, from college applications and essay-writing to collecting letters of recommendation and possibly studying for the SAT or ACT one last time. And this is on […]
At some point in your high school development, you may have been told to follow your dreams—but it can be a challenge to know exactly how to do that. It’s easy to get lost in the ambient noise and forget how to listen to your own instincts. I’ve spent most of my academic life pursuing goals I didn’t even […]