For me, the most exhausting part of these uncertain times is trying to make a plan for the future only to have that plan upended with the next news cycle. If you're tired of spinning around in circles trying to decide if you should take advantage of the new test optional policies that some colleges have announced in the face of the Coronavirus crisis, this video is for you.
Before you say “the test are optional now, I don’t need this,” I want to invite you to:
- remember that not every college has created a test optional policy, and
- consider some of the hidden implications of choosing to opt not to test even at test optional colleges.
It could cost you thousands of dollars if you don’t take the time to consider this now.
My goal is to help you enter into these uncertain times armed with the facts to make the right decision for you and your family.
Every family and every student is different. I'll be helping you ask the right questions so you can come up with your perfect game plan while taking the whole context of test optional policies into account both at established and new test optional schools.
Here are a few of the resources I'll be mentioning in this video...
- What's a good ACT score?
- What's a good SAT score?
- For more about how test scores and merit aid intersect, sign up for my free eBook here.
This video is going to be helpful mostly to today’s juniors - Class of 2021 - but it will also be helpful if you’re a sophomore since Coronavirus is certainly going to have a trickle down effect on college admissions policies for future classes.
By the end of this conversation, you’ll be able to put together a plan that will hold up no matter what changes come to us down the line.
Let's dive in!
I start by sharing the 2 reasons that your ACT & SAT score is important to a college admissions officer and the financial aid office.
At 8:42, we move into some of the good and bad that can come from test optional policies in normal times.
At 13:10, we discuss the FAFSA and a quirk that can impact how much need-based aid that your family will qualify for if your income has been negatively impacted by Coronavirus.
Lastly, at 17:16, I share the 4 steps you can take today to determine if you should avoid or take the ACT or SAT this coming fall.
Step 4 - The Rejection Test - is the clincher. Make sure you check it out @ 21:21 in the video.
The best part about these 4 steps is that, if you complete them today, you can have a firm plan that won't change with every shift in the Coronavirus landscape.