The Compass Academics Blog
Our blog is designed to educate and inform students and their parents in all subjects related to college planning.
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 everything from acceptance to scholarship opportunities. College admissions...
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 textbook lists to class registration to finding the right sheets to fit dorm...
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 assume they’ll never be able to afford it. While it’s true that these...
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 provide advice on how to make the most of the experience. Ideally,...
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 home purchase, it would be nice if the total cost of the college...
College List Building
There are approximately 5,300 college and universities in the United States. When looking at the rest of the globe, that number increases fourfold. No wonder so many high school students feel paralyzed when asked to build a college list. Questions immediately arise:...
Big SAT News
The College Board made a big announcement this week. They will be eliminating their Subject tests and optional Essay test. Even though we prepare high school students for college admissions tests, that does not mean we endorse the practice of increased hoop-jumping...
Will the College you Choose be Closing?
COVID isn’t the only factor that has wreaked havoc on college enrollment. Recent and forecasted demographic shifts are causing colleges to eliminate programs, reduce class offerings, and, in some cases, close campuses. In a recent Money magazine article, “Before...
Extracurriculars During Quarantine?
If you are a high school student already anxious about the college admissions process in the age of COVID, there is no doubt that you are struggling with the idea of how to engage in extracurricular activities during quarantine. Having a well-rounded college...
The College Costs of COVID
Lines of cars, piles of boxes, weepy parents, anxious students, packed quads, and an atmosphere of anticipation are all common sights on college campuses this time of year. Since the arrival of COVID-19, conversations about which roommate will bring the refrigerator...
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