A “gap year” has been a popular concept for far longer than the COVID-19 pandemic has been around, but the uncertainty and tumult of the last few years has definitely made a gap year more appealing...
The Compass Academics Blog
Resources Designed for Academic Growth
Will My Social Media Posts Keep Me Out of College?
Good grades, a stunning resume filled with extracurricular activities, and a stack of letters of recommendation may not be enough to overcome the challenge of a past social media misstep. These...
Switching Schools? What College Transfer Applicants Need to Know
For some students, transferring was part of the plan from the very beginning. Whether moving from a community college to a four-year school or trying out something closer to home before transferring...
Dorms vs. Off-Campus Living: Pros and Cons of College Housing
College is a time for growth and change — academically but also personally. College students are often living away from their families for the first time, and this chance for independence and...
What Student Athletes Need to Know about Athletic Scholarships
The myth of the college athlete gives the impression that tons of sporty students are coasting their way through school on the merits of their abilities on the field or the court. We’ve seen plenty...
What to Know about Test-Optional Schools
For a long time, taking the SAT or ACT was just a standard step in applying for colleges, and many students began prepping for them years in advance. After all, these tests could determine...
College Freshman To-Do List: Get a Covid Vaccine?
Getting ready for the first year of college is equal parts exciting and hectic. As families gear up for this big transition, there’s plenty to do. From...
FAFSA and Financial Aid
How the FAFSA can make college more affordable. It’s no secret that the average cost of college has been on the rise for years, and many people take a look at the stated cost of a year’s tuition and...
Campus Visit Tips
With COVID vaccines widely available and many high school students vaccinated, physical campus tours are coming back. Many families are hitting the road to visit colleges this summer, and we want to...
The Costs of College
Before college, the most expensive purchase for most students is a cell phone or a car. For their parents, it is most likely a home. Given that the cost of an undergraduate degree often equates to a...