Start Your College Planning Now For 2022!
Will Colleges Remain Test-Optional?
Happy New Year! Have you started tackling your New Year’s resolutions yet? If you are like most parents of college-bound students, finances may be your top priority. Let’s work together to manage the upcoming changes and make this year easier on you.
2020 was an unprecedented year for colleges. Colleges were scrambling to balance admission requirements with COVID-19 limitations. Many colleges chose NOT to require standardized SAT or ACT test results (i.e., they were “test-optional”). How will that affect future years? Lisa Marker-Robbins of LEAP shares with us what you should expect regarding test-optional colleges for the class of 2022.
With the start of a new year, we hope to see a return to something resembling normal in 2021. The college experience may be changed forever, though, and you may need to rethink how you plan for college into 2021 and beyond.
At Westface College Planning, we’re here to help guide you through ever-changing college, saving selection and funding strategies. If you have questions about mapping a clear path for your family’s college planning journey, give me a call at 360-818-7728 or sign up for a complimentary consultation today.
~ Trixie
Beatrice Schultz, CFP®
Westface College Planning
WA: (360) 818-7728
CA: (650) 587-1559
www.WestfaceCollegePlanning.com
College News
College Planning Post-Pandemic
Planning, by definition, requires looking ahead. As we prepare for a post-pandemic future, it’s time to think about how that might affect the college experience and, more importantly, college planning. The only thing certain is uncertainty, but there are still steps you can take to prepare for what that future is likely to look like.
Contact us if you need help planning for what may lie ahead!
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Tips By Trix
Tip #1: Think about the big picture. Preparing for college isn’t only about schoolwork. If there’s something your student loves doing, encourage them. Whether it’s sports, music, art or student government, extracurricular activities develop skills and make students more appealing to colleges. Not only will those activities add something to your student’s life now, they’ll add to campus life in college and their adult life for years to come!
Tip #2: Encourage them to read. Often. Reading at least 30 minutes every day – magazines, novels, nonfiction and whatever else might interest your student – is shown to improve critical thinking and all-important scores on the ACT and SAT tests, as well.
Tip #3: Apply for everything available. Sometimes in life, we truly are our own worst enemy; we often put up obstacles in our own paths without realizing it. Students could unwittingly be creating roadblocks simply by overlooking opportunities, especially for financial aid and other valuable funding resources. Often, high schools have a resource center available to help students identify postsecondary options, including financial planning. A scholarship coordinator or even a guidance counselor can help identify opportunities students might otherwise overlook.
Want more helpful tips on how to plan for college? Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!
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Fun Facts
- College enrollment was down 4% in 2020 because of COVID-19, mostly from students deciding to wait to begin their college careers.
- First-year enrollment at America’s colleges and universities was down even further in 2020, resulting in a 16% drop in new incoming freshmen.
Because of declining enrollment numbers during COVID-19, colleges and universities are fighting hard to attract new students. From stringent health and safety measures to increases in both student housing and remote learning options, the result will be a drastically different college landscape; one that presents more opportunities to more students. Don’t miss out!
Tips For Parents
What Is The Future Of “Test-Optional?”
In an effort to attract students during the global COVID-19 outbreak, many colleges decided to make submitting traditional test scores optional. Students who tested well were still encouraged to submit their ACT and SAT scores, but not doing so was seen as understandable.
For the graduating class of 2022, however, we’re advising that all students be prepared; they may be required to submit test scores, and they may want to even if not required. Lisa Marker-Robbins of LEAP shares why.
As always, Westface College Planning is here to help ensure your planning is where it needs to be. Contact us with any questions you might have for the years to come!
Ready for your own success story?
If you’re a typical parent with college-bound students, you’re probably overwhelmed. You want to help your sons and daughters make the right choices and prevent overpaying for their education. You’re not alone! We’re here to help. Schedule your free consultation today – click below to get started!
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How to Survive Paying for College
Join Beatrice Schultz, CFP® for our on-demand webinar, where she provides parents with the exact steps that often greatly lower the cost of college, even if there’s little time to prepare.