If anybody is interested in checking out a webinar that I did earlier this week on shrinking the cost of college — a favorite topic of mine — you can watch it now.
I pulled together the webinar for Kaplan Test Prep and it was free and open to the public. I spoke for about 45 minutes on these sorts of topics:
- It’s not always the most financially needy students or the smartest teenagers who get the biggest price cuts.
- Published college price tags are meaningless. Some people will pay $50,000 for a pricey school and some will pay a fraction.
- When evaluating schools, one of the important statistics to look at is the average percentage of financial need a college typically meets .
- What the largest sources of college money are. Hint: it’s not private scholarships folks.
I’ve you’re interested in seeing my presentation, the link is below. The introductory remarks by a Kaplan instructor take about three minutes so please be patient.
Shrinking the Cost of College Webinar
If you listen to the webinar, I’d love to hear what you think.
Need Your Help…..
Also I could use your advice as I develop college planning webinars for families with teenagers throughout the country via the extension service at University of California San Diego. I want to make the webinars as helpful as possible so I’m eager to hear what topics teenagers and parents would like me to cover. Any thoughts? Please share.
New York Appearances
Finally, I’m going to be a guest on The Early Show tomorrow on CBS talking about college. The spot is supposed to be on at about 8:30 a.m. So please check it out if you can.
Oh…..and I’ll be speaking about making college more affordable at an event tonight in NYC for The ArtsEdge, a college consulting firm for students in the visual and performing arts.
Lynn O’Shaughnessy is the author of Shrinking the Cost of College. She also writes a college blog for CBSMoneyWatch and US News. Follow her on Twitter.
Hi Lynn,
Even though I’ve been following your blog now for several months — and it’s been very enlightening — I learned even more in your webinar. Thanks!
You made a brief comment about athletes having a 40% greater chance of admission at a Division III school. Could you expand on that? Is there any way to judge how likely a student is to qualify at that level? Or is this something that’s determined on a college-by-college basis?
I’ve heard very little about student resumes. Aside from creating a resume to get a student focused on tracking accomplishments, how would one be used? Just as fodder for the application, or do schools like to see them?
And my last question: Like many parents, I have limited funds for pre-college enrichment and I’m wondering where and when does it make sense to use those funds? For example, if for test prep, does it make sense to see how my junior does on the PSAT in Oct. and then seek tutoring for the first SAT in the spring? Or is it better to seek help ASAP? LIkewise, would a college consultant be best engaged early in the college planning process, or is this type of advice most helpful during the application process.
Denise
Hi Denise,
Glad you liked the webinar. Thanks for watching! Actually, it isn’t Div. III schools where you will have a 40% greater chance of admission if you are a recruited athlete, it’s the Ivy Leagues. Of course, the Ivy Leagues are nearly impossible to penetrate. Recruited athletes at the Ivies still have to have stellar records, but they don’t have to be quite as accomplished as other students.
I’d wait to see how your child does on the PSAT before using any SAT tutoring. There are also a lot of inexpensive online resources — you don’t have to just use the expensive classroom instruction. As for hiring a counselor it depends on what you are looking for. Do you want someone to recommend schools or simply help with the applications and essays. I’d also find someone who knows how to evaluate schools academically too.
Good luck.
Lynn O’Shaughnessy