College Planning Blog
Stay up to date on college planning opportunities.
Help More Students and Expand Access
Our mantra here at 360 Planner is HELP EVERY STUDENT. It is the principle that guides our business and the goal that motivates us to create new ways to support both college advisers and their clients. And now, it is at the heart of a new program designed to...
The Simplified FAFSA 2021
It’s true! The economic chaos initiated by the pandemic has inspired an overhaul of the burdensome FAFSA under the COVID-19 relief legislation included within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The new form has been streamlined from 108 questions down to...
Looking Toward Spring – “Flexible Instructional Modes”
With the fall semester well underway, colleges and universities across the country have been hoping to keep COVID infection rates to a minimum. However, despite rigorous viral testing regimens, intensive sanitizing, and drastic reductions in student presence,...
360 Planner Can Help Independent Educational Consultants
Life has been full of gloom and doom for months now; between the pandemic and massive unemployment, 2020 has been an upsetting and confusing time across the globe. IECs have certainly felt the impact of the financial downturn, as nearly every segment of the economy touches their business in some way. There is fear that the uncertainty surrounding higher education will lead to a precipitous decline in new clients and that this temporary decrease in students could lead to the demise of their businesses.
College Applications: What Part Do Extracurricular Activities Play During a Pandemic?
Every prospective college student understands that extracurricular activities have traditionally played a pivotal role in boosting an applicant’s status in the competition for college admission. Institutions of higher learning are looking for well-rounded individuals, students who are motivated to devote time to pursuits beyond academia. These are the students who represent their colleges well, and who become steadfast alumni.
Colleges Move to Virtual and Hybrid Instruction for Fall 2020
With so much at stake, schools are already announcing plans to continue either virtual or hybrid classes for the foreseeable future.
College Admissions in the Time of Pandemic
At this point in the academic year, IECs typically have their hands full – reviewing mid-year transcripts, awaiting SAT scores, sometimes visiting schools where they hope to place a student – but not in 2020. With the shadow of COVID-19 hovering over the nation, K-12 schools are closed, and only “essential” staff is on the job at most higher learning institutions. As a result, preparations for the 2021 college admission cycle have ground to a halt virtually overnight.
How to be Successful in the Game of College Planning: Why You Should Begin No Later Than Your Junior Year
College planning can sometimes feel like a high-stakes game – a couple of wrong moves, and you get benched without warning. When it comes to choosing a college, there’s a lot riding on your decisions, but there’s no need to panic. The secret to scoring a win is TIME. Being proactive with your college planning during junior year is a smart move; read on to find out WHY and HOW.
College Planning Strategies for Winter Break
Winter break is almost upon us. As much as you need (and deserve) some downtime, consider dedicating part of your free time to college planning. A few hours wisely invested now can prevent a lot of aggravation down the road. Whether you are deep into college planning already or just beginning that journey, following these suggestions, specifically timed to coincide with the college application schedule, will help you reap the maximum benefit from your efforts.
