The Compass Academics Blog
Our blog is designed to educate and inform students and their parents in all subjects related to college planning.
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...
ACT 2020
The ACT will implement significant changes starting in Fall 2020 and current high school students should take note. Starting with the September 2020 administration, students will have more options to improve their scores. Here are the highlights: Section...
The SAT, Selling Students, and Selectivity: A Numbers Game
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The ACT Superscore
Starting in September 2020, high school students will be able to retake only sections (reading, math, science, English, and the optional writing section) of the ACT when they seek to improve their scores rather than sitting through the three-hour test for the second,...
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