The Compass Academics Blog
Our blog is designed to educate and inform students and their parents in all subjects related to college planning.
ACT, SAT, or Both?
Which college admissions test should you take? It is that time of the year when rising Seniors are considering taking their college placement tests at least one more time before they submit their college applications. If they did not do as well as they had hoped...
Admissions Essay Tips
Overcoming college essay writer’s block The College Admissions Essay is a genre unto itself and, arguably, the most anxiety inducing component of college applications. In an era dominated by tweets and status updates, you would think that this generation is...
Forward-Thinking Majors
What’s your major? Recent estimates suggest that over five million jobs will be lost by 2020 due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, the following are the top 10 skills that employees will need to be...
The Early Bird Gets the Worm?
Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Admission. What the difference? Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Admission. These terms can be confusing and it is important to understand the difference between them. Both Early Action and Early Decision...
Leaving Money on the Table?
The higher cost of higher education It is not uncommon to hear that thousands of dollars in scholarship money goes unclaimed every year. Most experts agree this is a myth based on a dated calculation of the amount of employer-based scholarship money unclaimed by...
Are AP Classes Worth It?
Should you take AP classes? A recent article in Inside Higher Ed discusses the pressure high school students feel to take as many AP courses as possible to be competitive for admission to their college of choice. The article cites a 2013 research study of...
The Higher Cost of Higher Ed
How much should you pay for college? Everyone knows that higher education does not come with a low sticker price. Most articles that offer advice on how to afford college summarize well-known methods: the 529, FAFSA, financial aid programs, grants, and...
Too Many Choices?
College Selection In a recent opinion piece, "College Choice Overload," Nicholas Soodik discusses the trend of growing numbers of applications as students throw their hat into every ring they can find. Citing a Washington...
Early Decisions: To Commit or Not Commit
When should you apply to college? In "Popularity of Early Admissions Grows and Grows," Scott Jaschik explains that Early Admissions have seen an average increase of 10% among both public and private institutions. Many critics argue that Early Admission programs...
College Competition: Selectivity Spotlight
Should selectivity be a factor? Business Insider recently published its spotlight on selectivity article: "The Hardest Colleges to Get Into In Every State." The article does not focus on the most inclusive campus...
Need Direction?
Get Started With Us Today
Make the right decision for your future. Your first consultation is free!