Admit it. The new rules of the engagement

Admit it, the college admission process continues to change. With most undergraduate applications due this week, it is important to identify several trends that continue to change the admission process.  These will heavily affect applicants in the new application cycle where tuition prices continue to climb, spots in the freshman class become more coveted and the digital age becomes the application norm.  Put simply. the game has change and Crisp Consulting + Coaching would like to identify a few of the new rules of engagement.

Rule No. 1. The Tide is High. The children of the Baby Boomers are entering college in increasing numbers. In 2006 there were approximately 2.5 million high school graduates.  In 2011 there are more than 3.3 million and the number is expected to rise over the next few years.  Only 50 percent of the parents of 2011 graduates applied to college.  More than 75 percent of the class of 2011 applied to college A record number of graduates coupled with a greater percentage applying to college has caused an onslaught of college admission applications.

Rule No. 2. More is More. Students are applying to more schools. A few years ago applying to more than three or four schools was considered absurd. In fact, in 1975 less than 3 percent of students applied to more than seven schools.  Today more than 25 percent of students are applying to seven or more schools with many students submitting applications to 15 or more colleges. According to a recent article in the New York Times,  UCLA, Brown and Stanford are experiencing an annual 7-10 percent growth in applications.  This can result in almost 60,000 applicants vying for just a few thousand spots.

Rule No. 3. Demand and Supply. The number of applicants and applications continue to rise at a rate that is unmatched by enrollment growth.  Providing new courses can be expensive and opening a new college is basically unheard of.  A substantial growing pool of applicants for a basic fixed number of spots is making the admission process more competitive and difficult.

Rule No. 4. The Road More Common. The Common Application has made it accessible to point, click and submit applications.  According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling research, four-year colleges received an average of 43 percent of their applications online in 2004. This number increased to 68 percent in 2007 and 80 percent in 2009.

These trends and how well you understand their impacts will affect your applications. Yet, with a thorough focus on academic, financial and social fit there is no need for frenzy and anxiety. There are some factors that will serve you well in the college admission process. Plan ahead, strive for the best academic performance, get involved in your school and community and seek successful strategies adn seasoned counsel in the admission process.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. Prevention is the best medicine

Admit it.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of medicine.  We grew up hearing our wise North Carolinian grandmother’s adage frequently.  This axiom rings true on many occasions but especially when applied to financing a college education.  In our initial meetings with parents we discuss myriad ways to prepare for a  boarding school, independent school and college education.  Crisp Consulting + Coaching would like to share two ways to guarantee a penny saved is truly a penny earned for education.

529 College Savings Plan.  The 529 is a tax-advantage investment  plan that is used for post-secondary education expenses of a designated beneficiary.  Each state has a 529 plan that has two avenues:  prepaid tuition and savings.  Although a thorough conversation is needed to determine which plan would best suit your educational needs, the overall benefit is that distributions  for qualified higher education expenses are exempt from federal income tax.

Education IRAs.  These plans, such as the Coverdale Education Savings account, can be used for qualifying elementary, secondary and college education expenses.  Contributions to these accounts are nondeductible. The advantage of the  account, besides that fact it can be used for independent school, boarding school or college, is that the earnings are tax-free and remain so if utilized for education. 

Crisp Consulting + Coaching  has more information on saving for an education.  To learn more about  admission, education, financial aid and school options contact Crisp Consulting + Coaching or visit our YouTube Channel.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. State of shock

Admit it.  With prices of selective public universities reaching the tuition mark of $50,000, we are all experiencing sticker shock.  The price of the school coupled with the average graduate’s $25,000 debt can make the dream of college feel more like a nightmare. 

Crisp Consulting + Coaching wants to continue the conversations about wise financial decision for education.  We applaud the sound advice Forrest Stuart of Furman University provides for interested families.  When it comes to the price featured in the catalogue or on the website, there are some guidelines to which families should pay attention.

Pay attention to the difference between price and cost.  The sticker price is the dollar amount needed to educate a student.  The cost is what your family is expected to pay after financial aid.  These, for most families, are often very different.

Pay attention to all your choices. Do no discard any school because of the sticker price.  The awarded financial aid will be different from each school and the selective private school could end up costing less than the public university.

Pay attention to fit. When making your final decision, consider the financial burden of the present and future.  The less debt you carry, the easier it will be for you to succeed in the college environment.



Crisp Consulting + Coaching  has information on other tuition-free and tuition-reduced colleges and universities.  To learn more about  admission, education, financial aid and school options visit  our YouTube Channel.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. Less is more

Admit it.  When it comes to prices, less is more.  College costs invoke a sticker shock parallel to an expensive German automobile.  Although the prices printed in the college catalogs do not factor in the components of financial aid, seeing the annual cost of $50,000 can give your senses a quick jolt.  What if you could go to college tuition free?  If you’re willing to expand beyond your regional knowledge of schools, Crisp Consulting + Coaching knows first-hand about the outstanding education offered at some of the nation’s tuition-free institutions.  If the fit is right, the price is perfect.

Alice-Lloyd College.  Located in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, Alice-Lloyd College is a four-year liberal arts college with approximately 600 students.  A strong academic program combines with the school’s commitment to character development, community outreach and work ethic.  Every student, regardless of financial status, works on campus.  Tuition is guaranteed for students from the central Appalachians of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Berea College.  Berea College offers more than the tuition scholarship extended to all enrolled students. The school’s challenging curriculum supports its commitment to diversity and character.  A high number of students continue to graduate education.  Admission is determined by demonstrated need on the FAFSA.  Admitted students receive a four-year tuition scholarship that is currently worth $102,000.

College of the Ozarks.  After a story printed in the Wall Street Journal,  the College of the Ozarks began referring to itself as “Work Hard U.” The liberal arts college requires all of its 1,500 students to work 10 hours on campus during the semester and two 40-hour work weeks during breaks. Nestled in Point Lookout, Missouri, students concentrate on academic rigor and character education without the worry of tuition.
 
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.  Cooper Union is desirable to those interested in architecture, fine arts and engineering and boasts an acceptance rate of less that 8 percent.  If the academic and social fit are congruent with the student, the worry will stop after admission since Cooper Union offers all undergraduate students a full-tuition scholarship  currently valued at $140,000.

Deep Springs College.  Deep Springs only receives 200 applications a year and if you are one of the 26 enrolled in the all-male student body, not only will there be no tuition, but you will work on the school’s fully operating ranch and serve on committees that decide the curriculum and course of the school.  Truly an alternative, Deep Springs offers a two-year curriculum in the high desert of California with its students going on to Harvard, University of Chicago and other renowned universities.  Along with acceptance comes a full-tuition scholarship valued at more than $50,000 a year.

Webb Institute.  If you want a Bachelor of Science in naval architecture and marine science, then Webb Institute is the place.  The 90 students on the Glen Cove, NY campus experience an intense curriculum with individualized attention.  Although you will have room  and board expenses, currently valued at over $150,000, is free for all accepted and enrolled U.S. Citizens.

Crisp Consulting + Coaching  has information on other tuition-free and tuition-reduced colleges and universities.  To learn more about  admission, education, financial aid and school options visit  our YouTube Channel.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. It's all about the fit

Admit it.  As a society, we are obsessed with the perfect fit.  From a hand-tailored suit to the prefect running shoes, fit is a critical and non-negotiable factor.  Crisp Consulting + Coaching believes families should consider the academic, social and financial fit of independent day schools, boarding schools and colleges. 

Determining academic and social fit is easy for families to discuss.  Yet, when conversations turn to finance, many families grow silent and have little context for determining the factors of financial fit. Financial fit considers the sticker price and the debt that can come with an education.  Financial fit should not be a stressor.  In fact, it should be the opposite and serve as a factor that enhances your educational endeavors.

Although the Free Application for Standard Aid, FAFSA,  and other institutional forms are not due until January, we would like to offer the basics of financial fit from Forrest M. Stuart, Director of Financial Aid at Furman University.




Crisp Consulting + Coaching  has information regarding admission, education and school options on our YouTube Channel.


Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. Mind the gap

Admit it. Education is becoming increasingly expensive  and many families are falling into an unspeakable and undesirable gap. This gap is the difficult space between meeting rigorous admission requirements and the sizable financial aid packages required to make enrollment realistic.  Inside Higher Education followed the recent conversation about gapping at the College Board Forum, “Not So Need Blind.”

In the current economy, more students are falling into the gap created by financial aid packages.  Many colleges claiming their admission is “need blind,” a process where admission decisions are made without reference to a student's financial aid request, do not offer financial awards to cover the needs.  These needs are determined by the Free Application For Student Aid and the Expected Family Contribution.

Financial planning is a critical part of the college admission process. Families should fully understand their options and responsibilities for financing an education.  A mishap or mistake could determine whether you receive a financial aid award that meets your need.

In other words, you may get in–but be unable to pay the price demanded.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. We all have needs

Admit it.  We all have needs.  We need to eat.  We need to breathe.  We need to exercise.  When it comes to education, we need to find a  school fit that corresponds to who we are intellectually, socially and financially.  This week, Hamilton College in upstate New York announced a need-blind admission policy.  The first step to financial aid success in the boarding school, independent school or college admission process is to research a school’s admission policy.  Crisp Consulting + Coaching believes you should be aware of the two basic school admission needs.

Need Blind.  A need-blind school does not consider the applicant’s financial situation during the admission decision.  Schools with substantial endowments are able to support this policy.  Need-blind admission is not equated with full-need financial aid.  In most cases, the majority of college aid will go to students who prove financial need, but the school may also award scholarships, such as athletic scholarships.

Need Sensitive(Aware). A need-sensitive, or need-aware, school makes most of its admissions decisions without considering the student’s financial situation. In order to fulfill budgetary obligations, there are reserved spaces for students who are able to meet the college program’s full cost of attendance without the need of loans, grants or scholarships.

Needed Responsibility. You need to investigate the admission policy.  If a school’s web site does not explicitly say it practices need-blind admission, it most likely practices need-sensitive admission.  If a school practices need-blind admission but doesn’t state it has a full-need financial aid policy, you financial aid package may not be what you expect.  During your independent school, boarding school or college visits, make appointments with the financial aid office to discuss these policies, explain your financial circumstances, and academic qualifications.  A positive supportive relationship is critical to success.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit It. Money is hush-hush

Admit it. When applying to colleges and universities, families will discuss almost anything: core curriculum, co-ed dormitories, cafeterias with grass-fed beef options. The most difficult subject for most families is money. The price of an education is often one of the biggest expenses a family will undertake. According to a recent study done by Cappex, two thirds of students are concerned about the debt an education could incur. We are skilled at worry but we are not so skilled at discussing financial planning.

The majority of seniors only find out the total cost upon receiving their admission letter and financial aid package. Coming in the late spring, this gives family little time to make a sound decision before May1 enrollment deadlines. Crisp Consulting + Coaching believes you shouldn’t wait to financially plan for your college education and has three strategies for success.

Don’t wait to know the numbers. Financial planning can start with the college search. During this process, examine the full cost of the college. This includes tuition, room and board, book costs and traveling expenses. A realistic version of these costs will need guidance as many private schools have large endowments that make their actual costs much less than a sticker price. An initial search can be aided with two tools from The College Board: The College Cost Calculator and The College Finance Calculator.

Don’t wait to fill out the forms. The Free Application for Financial Student Aid, or FAFSA, takes submissions from January 1 until June 30 of the enrollment year. Submit these forms early. Some schools work on a “first come, first served” basis and have priority deadlines of January 20. FAFSA provides a Web Worksheet that can prepare you for the application process.

Don’t wait to ask for help. Ask colleges for a Financial Pre-Read. Most offices of admission and financial aid will provide families with an estimate of expected assistance. The school will ask for the student’s grade point average, test scores if applicable, and community activities along with targeted information about family finance. This is only an estimate but a useful tool for identifying a school for financial fit. Only ask a college’s financial aid office for a financial pre-read in the late spring of the junior year or early fall of the senior year. The office will be too involved with admission in the late fall and winter compiling financial aid packages for freshmen or returning students.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah  to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success. As a former professor, administrator, and teacher, Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.

Admit it. You’d like a financial aid primer

Admit it. The financial aid process can contribute to the stress of college admission.  Crisp Consulting + Coaching thinks the right educational guidance can detour such frustrations.  Although the Free Application for Standard Aid, FAFSA, is not due until January 1, we would like to share this basic financial aid primer from Douglas Christiansen, Associate Provost and Dean of Admission at Vanderbilt University.

Crisp Consulting + Coaching  has information regarding admission, education and school options and  on our YouTube Channel.

Brian D. Crisp is an independent educational consultant working with families in Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah to optimize and realize their unique educational fit and admission success.  As a former professor, administrator, and teacher,  Brian has the knowledge and skills to counsel families in all aspects of educational planning.