Advice for Parents

January College Expert Newsletter

Jan 2024 College Expert Newsletter
Preparing for college involves more than academics. Giving your student some freedom in high school will ease their transition after they graduate. Read five tips for how to get started. Other articles include: Focus on Majors/Social Work – Passionate about helping others? Explore this alternative to psychology. Financial Matters – Considerations when applying for scholarships. Admiss...
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What is the True Cost of College? Read Sue’s Interview in the Star Tribune

Star Tribune headline and image of dollars flowing out of graduation cap
College costs far exceed tuition, books and room and board. What’s the true cost of college? Sue was interviewed for a recent Star Tribune article addressing hidden costs that can add up to thousands of dollars. Read the article for budgeting and spending advice and learn why “who pays for what” should be addressed in advance.
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March College Expert Newsletter

Want to really get to know a campus? Here are some tips for your next college visit. Other articles include: Focus on Majors/International Business – Cultural competence is in demand. Financial Matters – How to compare your financial aid packages. Navigating the Waitlist – Increasing your chance of acceptance while waiting.    College Visit Tips for Parents – Your to...
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October 2022 College Expert Newsletter

October 2022 College Expert Newsletter
You want to provide a complete picture, but should you address low grades or a learning disability in your application? Here are some guidelines to help you decide. Other articles include: Focus on Majors/Kinesiology – A field for those interested in science, health and exercise. Financial Matters: It’s Time for the FAFSA. Avoiding College Application Mistakes – How to avoid careless mis...
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10 Tips for Planning Your Fall College Visit

If you’re planning to tour colleges during the long MEA weekend, good for you! It’s a great time to experience campus while school is in full swing and bustling with students. However, to get a thorough experience so you can truly weigh if it’s a good fit for you, you want to do more than just check out the library and dining hall. A meaningful visit involves a little planning before you go. ...
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March 2022 College Expert Newsletter

March 2022 College Expert Newsletter
Upcoming changes to the SAT include a shorter, online format and the use of calculators. Read about the College Board’s updates to this standardized test. Other articles include: Focus on Molecular Biology – An in-demand degree for science enthusiasts. Financial Matters – College majors with the best ROI. Waitlist Purgatory – How to be proactive when placed on a waitlist. Read the March issu...
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February 2022 College Expert Newsletter

Just like with love, there is more than one college match out there if you’re open to possibilities. Read more in our February issue. Other articles include:  Focus on Film Studies – A major for dreamers, activists and storytellers. Financial Matters: Your ROI – Assessing the costs and benefits of college. Should You Take AP Tests? – College credit is only one...
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May 2021 College Expert Newsletter

The true benefit of a summer program? It isn’t gaining points with selective schools. Read more in this issue. Other articles include: Majoring in Visual Arts – A creative path with many options. Financial Matters – Staying informed after your student turns 18. Brainstorming Your College Essay – Tips to kickstart the writing process. Takeaways from 2021 –...
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College Decisions and a Challenging Year

Most college decisions are in or will be very soon, and it’s a season of mixed emotions. The college application process is a rollercoaster, and late March to early April can either be a high, a low or somewhere in between. Between a pandemic and surge of test optional applicants, this has been one of the strangest and most unpredictable application seasons we’ve ever seen,   Reg...
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March 2021 College Expert Newsletter

A parent's response can help turn a college rejection into a new opportunity. Learn how to support your student in our March issue. Other articles include: Majoring in the Fine Arts – Deciding between college or an art institute. Financial Matters – Appealing your financial aid award. Wallowing on the Waitlist – What to do when you're left in limbo.
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The United Kingdom (UK) Offers Opportunity for Medical School as Undergraduate Degree

Kris Olson at University of Bristol By Kris Olson, Essay Expert The United Kingdom has some of the top accredited medical universities in the world. From Imperial College London, to University of Bristol in the southwest, to Newcastle University in the north, among others, the UK offers a variety of medical degrees and courses, including dental school and veterinary medicine. One of the ...
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January 2021 College Expert Newsletter

Which college is the best choice? The answer isn't in rankings. Read our January cover article and learn how to personalize your search based on what's important to you. Other articles include: Majoring in Psychology – A degree with diverse paths, from human resources to counseling.Financial Matters: Money for College – Five sources for financial aid.Avoiding Senior Slu...
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December 2020 College Expert Newsletter

College interview jitters? Read our December cover article to learn what interviews are really like and set your mind at ease. Other articles include: Majoring in Civil Engineering – A field with diverse paths for students who like to design and build. Searching for Scholarships – Online resources you can trust. The Five P's of Choosing Colleges – A great starting ...
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November 2020 College Expert Newsletter

Virtual tours and college websites can help you make connections with your colleges. Learn how in our November newsletter.This month's articles include: Taking a Deep Dive into a College Website – In the age of COVID, online resources are everything.Majoring in Communications – An option for students who enjoy language and technology.Financial Matters: The CSS Profile&n...
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Update: College Planning and Admissions During the Coronavirus

Dear Students & Parents,  Coronavirus remains on all of our minds. As soon as one question about its impact on college planning is answered, two more seem to take its place. At College Expert, we are working hard to keep up with all these changes and believe now more than ever, it’s important to have expert help to guide you through the process. Since we have been to over 400 coll...
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May 2020 College Expert Newsletter

Our May issue includes these timely topics: Choosing a Gap Year - With the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of colleges in the fall of 2020, a greater number of students than usual are contemplating taking a gap year. Read about the pros and cons of taking a gap year and the process needed to do this.Majoring in Biotechnology -  Because biotechnology is used in many fields and b...
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How Does The COVID-19 Pandemic Affect The College Application Process?

Jason DeRusha spoke with Sue Luse, an education consultant, about how colleges and testing organizations are responding to the outbreak (2:43) WCCO This Morning -- March 31, 2020 Sue was interviewed by WCCO's Jason DeRusha via video chat on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college testing and college tours, and she also gave advice on college acceptances during this time of uncertainty. ...
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Top 10 College Admissions Announcements This Week

The COVID-19 outbreak has added a new level of stress to the already emotional college application and decision process. As a result of the pandemic, students are worried about fast-approaching decision deadlines, the impact of remote learning on their GPAs and transcripts, and access to ACT and SAT tests, which they were hoping to take -- or take one more time to improve their scores. ...
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Ten ways to learn about a college when your visit has been canceled

This has been a disappointing couple of weeks for college-bound students. Juniors have had to cancel their spring break visits and seniors, hoping to attend admitted student events, are concerned they won’t be able to revisit their top colleges before making a final decision. We feel for you and understand this isn’t quite how you expected this process to look. The current health crisi...
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College Expert Addresses Coronavirus Concerns

Dear Students & Parents,  Coronavirus is on all of our minds.  Along with everything else, this has certainly impacted the college planning process. We want to send out some practical talking points and recommendations during this unpredictable time. Obviously, please stay home if there are any symptoms. Remember that symptoms have been negligible among teens, but they can...
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What to Look For When Hiring a College Consultant

College consultant
US News & World Report recently published an article on what to look for when hiring a college consultant. In the article, Mark Sklarow, CEO at Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA), discusses how IECA members (like Sue & Ryan) must undergo background checks and adhere to ethical standards and practices. In addition to IECA membership, Sklarow also says to look for a c...
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Spring Break College Visits: What to Know Before You Go

For those students not hitting the beach this spring break, college visits might be on the docket. But walking around campus and checking out the library and dining hall aren’t the only things you should do to make the most of your school stopover. A school visit requires a little planning before you go. Evaluating a college isn’t just about the campus exterior, but whether it’s a good match...
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Focus on the Future – Ferguson Tutoring Open House

LEARN MORE 6 pm: Countdown to College Presented by Sue Luse and Ryan Luse Bring your Notebooks! Parents and students are encouraged to attend this workshop. College Expert® will outline the admissions process, provide you with a college prep timeline you can start as early as freshman year, and so much more! Parents, better understand your role in this process. Read more details abo...
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