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cOllEGE WIThOUT STUdENT lOANS

Accessing this additional money at selective and elite schools may re-
quire more effort but is certainly worth it. The keys to properly position
your student includes them having achieved strong scores on the SAT
or ACT, maintaining contact with the Department Chairman at their se-
lected schools, and demonstrating their direction and focus along with
the other qualities potential schools are searching for.

exeCUtIon

Now that you have an inside look at how desirable schools will compete
for your student, it’s time to use that information to your student’s best
advantage. It’s time to implement the plan that hopefully has been in
place since your student’s sophomore year in high school.

Applying early is a form of demonstrable interest and typically results
in a favorable review from admissions. It is a great strategy and can be
used as leverage against other schools with attractive offers. In essence
the longer your student waits to apply, the fiercer the competition be-
comes for the remaining seats. With an admissions process that is both
objective and subjective in a highly competitive environment, the odds
of success increase dramatically as your student ferrets out the ideal fit
from the good fits that we discussed in the Selection section.

Working ahead of schedule allows your student time to fine tune the ap-
plications and get valuable unhurried input from counselors or profes-
sionals. Requesting high school transcripts, letters of recommendation,
and SAT/ACT scores all take time to coordinate. Exceeding deadlines
can work wonders in getting a school’s attention and it also takes the last
minute pressure off you and your student.

timeline:

• Freshman & Sophomore Year – Focus on SAT/ACT prepara-
  tion and fine tune career interests.


• Junior Year – Continue preparation for SAT/ACT. Participate in
  volunteer and extracurricular activities that will strengthen their
  overall profile.
  o January through May – Refine list of schools to apply to and
  ensure a good fit.
  o Summer – Obtain requirements plus all admission applications
  and begin to complete them and work on the required essays.