Just when you thought it was safe to start your college applications, you have to decide where to start them, how to submit them, and who will truly give you the easiest access, the most bang for your buck, and the greatest likelihood of success.

Most of those applying to colleges are familiar, for better and for worse, with the Common Application (with 600+ colleges), replete with it's spinning wheels of death, initializing bars of doom, and the very antithesis of commonality, college-speci...

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Truth: Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. 
                                                                        --Webster's Dictionary

The truth. Seems so hard to come by these days, particularly for those of us who closely follow the political circus in which we are now center ring (enter the clowns in that funny little car).
The truth. Often supplanted by half-truths, untruths, innuendo, misstatements and out and out lies.
The truth....
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There are many superaltives bantered about these days. “Best” seems to trump all. “Best” hotels. “Best” restaurants. “Best” haircut. [I once knew a man who only frequented what he believed to be the “best” of everything. He died. As I recall, he had the “best” funeral.]

And then, there are those best of the “best” -- “Best” colleges.

Ahh, yes. The “Best” Colleges In America (or the world. The Universe?) Rankings of the “best” 100, the “top” 25, and th...

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As you head down that long and winding road toward college (try to stay behind the salt spreader :-), take advantage of College Connection’s College Cafe.

Information is updated regularly, so check back frequently at College Cafe!

To Do List:

Nag. Nag. Nag. Yup, it’s what we do! LOL

Here are a few things high school juniors should be working on as we move toward the Spring --

1. Naviance -- Begin building/updating your Resume (Under About Me);

2. Take the SAT and the ACT. Repeat the test on whi...

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Yes, school is out. HOORAY!

But before (or after) you hit the beach -- or the slopes -- here are a few things “To Do” during the break:

1. High school Seniors: Put the finishing touches on those college applications still waiting to be submitted, and, by all means, SUBMIT! [Be aware of those deadlines. They mean it!]

2. Follow up on submitted applications (most colleges have Application Trackers on their web portals) to make certain they are complete. [Transcripts, letters of recommendation,...

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While many a college application deadline has long ago passed (or is about to), there are literally hundreds of colleges out there still accepting applications for the fall of 2015.

Here are but a few of the ways you can find colleges that have late application deadlines and/or offer "rolling" admissions:

1. Common Application member institutions still open to new applicants may be found by going to the Common App website, scrolling down Member Colleges & Universities, and clicking College Search....

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Typically, when we mention "money" here at The College Whisperer™, we're talking scholarships -- free money for college. Where to search for it and how to get your hands on it. After all, financial freedom beats student debt every time!

Today, however, we are constrained to blog about the megabucks that is the world of college applications and admissions. A tale of collusion and conspiracy, piracy and profiteering, patting you on the back with one hand, while picking your pockets with the ot...
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A few years ago, a reader inquired as to whether it was worth going to the National College Fair. A number of errant links (they tend to break or disappear over time) aside, the advice on the Fair is certainly as valid today as it was then, and well worth repeating.

L.B. of North Merrick, NY writes: 

There's a College Fair coming up at the Nassau Coliseum. Is it worth attending, for college-bound students and/or their parents?

The College Whisperer™ responds:

A definite maybe. ;-)

In days of old...
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L.N. of Manhasset, NY writes:

My son will be a junior in high school this year, and we are considering enrolling him in an online college planning course. The price seems right ($299), and a set of CDs is also available for an additional sum. Any thoughts?

The College Whisperer™responds:

Good for you for wanting to start college planning early. Too many high school students, waiting until the start of their senior year, wish they had gotten a head start in their junior year!

With respect to the...

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Seth Bykofsky, better known as The College Whisperer™, takes to the airwaves on Long Island Money & Business (WLIE 540 AM) to discuss college admissions and the application process.

Click HERE to join the conversation. Click HERE to read The College Whisperer™ blog. Click HERE to get started down the road to college admission success!

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Plan. Prepare. Prevail!  

          FREE College Planning Workshop, March 26th

 When college applications get to you, you need to get to us! 

Contact us ...

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1. Your Application Is Incomplete. Yes, most colleges have so-called "Application Checkers" which allow you to see (though not always in real-time) what, if anything is missing from your application. Test scores. High school transcript. Supplements. Recommendations. Colleges will not even review your application until it is deemed complete, and it is entirely up to you to make sure it is -- as in, "signed, sealed and delivered."

2. You Missed The Application Deadline. A candidate for Early Act...
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Ever notice how every company, from the largest corporation in America to the smallest Mom and Pop store on Main Street, has relinquished control of their telephone to the relentlessly annoying and endlessly mind-boggling automated answering systems?

"For billing, press 6." "To check the status of your order, press 7." "For repairs and technical support, press 9."

Assuming you have figured out the correct menu item (which, by the way, has never really changed), you are, more often than not, no ...
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J.R. of Great Neck, NY writes:

I saw an ad in The New York Times for what is being billed as a college application boot camp -- an intensive 4-day "event" where students may complete their college applications with "leading admission pros." The cost is $14,000 for the 4 days, not including food or lodging.

My daughter will be a high school senior this fall, and I was wondering whether a boot camp such as this would be a wise investment?

The College Whisperer responds:

The Few. The Proud. The Angs...
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