Jessie's Blog

nutsANDbolts

Links Worth Sharing: Who Should I Ask to Write my Recommendation?

One of the questions that I am currently fielding from my juniors is who they should ask to write their recommendations. And, yes, the time to line up your recommenders is the end of your junior year. This recent opinion piece by admissions officer from Dartmouth is a beautiful reminder that the most powerful recommendations come from those that know your best self well.

Check This Box if You're a Good Person

by: Rebecca Sabky

Published NY Times, April 4th, 2017, Opinion Pages

Take me to the link!…

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The One Thing Every Admissions Officer is Looking For

Image Source: Public Domain Images At a recent college admissions event, a prospective student got up, and a bit nervously asked a panel of admissions officers, “What do you look for in a college admissions essay? What makes one application stand apart from others?” I could feel this teen’s heart beating in his rib cage, the look on his face that begged the panel to help him hone in on which of all of his experiences he should write about, what he should share, to make these people see he was a…

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Links Worth Sharing: 4 Tips for Negotiating a Better Financial Aid Package

  Sticker Shock! I hear it every day. My husband and I are living it with two kids in college, every day. And if you have a senior and are comparing offers it may be worth your while to ask the question. There are absolutely no guarantees, however, if you don't ask the question the answer is a resounding, "NO!"                  

  1. Don't Storm the Financial Aid Office (These are some of the hardest working folks on campus, so be nice. They get it.)
  2. For More Need-Based Aid, Be Specific — and Ha…

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Wading Through the Middle: What to do while waiting on admissions news

Maybe. Maybe not. Source: Bitmoji “I’m not good with this waiting business.” “What if I don’t get in?” “I just want to know.” “When will I find out?” “Why does it have to take so long?”   The above is a sampling of text messages I received from both students and parents over the past eight weeks. Applications to college are out the door, and we now wade through the dark, often angst-ridden middle, what some may consider the most difficult, and perhaps the most nerve-wracking, part. During the w…

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A Student Named Liv That Contracted an Acute Case of Senioritis

Did you know that college acceptances are "contingent" on your performance?

After the rush of applications and push to bump up your GPA, some may succumb to the lure of leisure, of showing up a little less academically. Of posting on social media sites sharing about your "in-school" staycation.

A few years back a student named Liv shrieked with excitement when she received her acceptance letter to Super Selective College. She had taken the hardest classes, written dozens of papers, prepped for…

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Wrestling With Creating an FSA-ID? (If you're applying for financial aid, you'll need one of these.)

fafsavideo   NEW this year! You will need to create an FSA_ID to apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA). Even if you don't qualify for need-based financial aid, but are planning to have your student take out an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, you will need to file a FAFSA. Click here to watch the video.

  • Instructions for creating your FSA_ID. Here.
  • FAQ's. Here and Here.
  • PITFALLS & PROBLEMS to avoid. Learn more from this post by Mark Kantrowitz on Cappex.
  • Acronyms prompting scrambled brain? FAFSA, CSS, E…

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EFC, CSS, FAFSA — Three Acronyms That Add Up

fsa-idLast weekend, the FAFSA went live and Prior-Prior is here.

Ok, but wait a minute--what do all of these CAPS stand for? EFC. CSS. FAFSA. These three acronyms add up--to what can be a sum greater than what you paid for your home and maybe your pop-up camper, as well. And, while my children will tell you that there are many topics I love to talk about, money and how much of it my husband and I are spending on educating our children is not one of them. Yet, Bertha (that rather larger financial elepha…

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The ACT evolves: harder science and math

Founder Jed Applerouth of applerouth, a trusted test prep firm, recently posted this blog. SOURCE: applerouth.com Founder Jed Applerouth of applerouth, a trusted test prep firm, recently posted this blog. SOURCE: applerouth.com Applerouth is a test prep firm with which many of our students have had success. Founder Jed Applerouth, recently posted this blog detailing how the SAT is not the only test to undergo recent and significant changes. In the May 2016 testing date the ACT was found to have upped the rigor on the science and math sections. If your student is preparing for the ACT they need study accord…

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FAQ's — Working with Jessie & CompassU

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child define a path to success?

The path to success for your student leads to the college that will provide them with the best academic and personal experience, all at a cost that makes financial sense. Jessie and her team at CompassU work with you and your student to find their best match.

What are some of the ways you can help my family navigate this process?
  • Identification of Personality Traits and Potential Career Paths
  • High School Course Selection
  • Standardized Testing…

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