Chester from Dutchess County, NY

Chester from Dutchess County, NY

Student Success

Chester, a student from Dutchess County, New York, came to us with a 3.2 GPA and a Regents-level curriculum. He was interested in studying Business and had dedicated much of his high school experience to competitive soccer.

Amelia from the Hudson County NJ Area

Amelia from the Hudson County NJ Area

Student Success

Amelia, a student from Hudson County, New Jersey, came to us with an exceptional weighted GPA of 100.55 and the most rigorous curriculum available at her private parochial high school, which did not offer AP or IB courses.

Gabby From the Bergen County NJ Area

Gabby From the Bergen County NJ Area

Student Success

Gabby, a student from Bergen County, New Jersey, came to Signature College Counseling with a 4.0 recalculated GPA and an exceptionally rigorous academic record that included 20+ Honors and AP courses.

College Consultants Essex County NJ Area - Montclair, Maplewood, Milburn, Nutley

Vicky from the Essex County NJ Area

Student Success

Vicky, a student from Essex County, New Jersey, came to us with a strong 3.9 GPA and a rigorous course load that included more than six advanced classes. Interested in Health Sciences and actively involved in their school’s Health Sciences pathway and related clubs, Vicky was motivated, curious, and eager to explore environments where they could grow academically and socially.

University of Maryland Signature College Counseling Success Story

Jordan from the Hudson Valley NY Area

Student Success

Jordan, a student from New York’s Hudson Valley, came to us with an exceptional weighted GPA of 99.8 and a solid academic foundation that included AP coursework, dual enrollment classes, and three years of a foreign language. He was exploring engineering as a potential major and brought a strong record of involvement, including earning his Eagle Scout rank, working as a retail associate throughout senior year, serving as a sleepaway camp counselor, and maintaining a consistent weight-lifting regimen.

Yana from the Rockland County NY Area

Yana from the Rockland County NY Area

Student Success

Yana, a public high school student from Rockland County, New York, came to us with a 3.0 GPA and a Regents-level curriculum, earning membership in the National Honor Society through consistent effort and commitment.

What Is a Marketing Major?

What Is a Marketing Major?

College Planning
When you think of marketing, you may picture commercials, social media campaigns, or flashy product launches. But marketing is more than that. It’s the art and science of understanding what…
Should I Go to College in the UK?

Should I Go to College in the UK?

College Planning
In response to more of our clients asking us this question, we decided to immerse ourselves to learn more. By attending professional development sessions specific to universities within the United…
International flags flying to represent What is a Political Science Major article

What is a Political Science Major?

College Planning
Do you find yourself intrigued by elections, fascinated by political debates, or curious about how laws are made and enforced? A degree in political science could help you explore these…
What Is Urban Planning Major

What Is Urban Planning Major

College Planning
A degree in urban planning gives you the tools to help build smarter, more livable cities. It’s a hands-on, creative major that combines topics like design, sustainability, and community to…
What Is the Common App Used For?

What Is the Common App Used For?

If you’re starting to think about college applications, you’ve probably heard the term “Common App” tossed around. This online college application platform, which is accepted by over 1,000 colleges and…
Paul-Levine-Race-Car

Paul Levine’s Race Car Dream

College Planning
Signature College Counseling is best know for bringing students and colleges together. Our goal is to create a path for every student to enjoy their college experience, and thrive and…

Melissa from Chicago, Illinois

Student Success

Melissa is a brilliant, humble, kind, and diligent young lady who attended a public school in Chicago, IL. She wants to become a pediatric physician; this has been her desire and focus most of her life, which is of no surprise. Although she has struggled with some health issues, anyone who meets and gets to know her would never know, as she manages her life from commuting to and from school via the subway each day, takes the most rigorous classes offered, and is successful at everything she does.

Can I Ask for More Financial Aid?

Financial Aid
Opening your college acceptance letter is an exhilarating moment, but the financial award offered may leave you feeling let down. Not aligning with your expectations or needs, you may ask…
How to Plan a College Visit

How to Plan a College Visit

College Planning
You’ve done your research and compiled a list of schools in which you are interested based on your strengths and interests, the academic and social life you desire, and ideal…
A Peek Into Our Future

A Peek Into Our Future

College Planning
My business allows me to take a peek into the future. I am happy to report that our future looks bright with students that are caring, kind, courageous, independent, brilliant,…
When Does FAFSA Open?

When Does FAFSA Open?

Financial Aid, Videos
If you are looking to receive financial aid, or even simply the Federal Direct Student Loan or a Federal Parent PLUS Loan, you will need to fill out the Free…

Audrey from Brookfield, Connecticut

Student Success

Audrey was a straight-A student in high school with very strong course rigor. She was diligent, focused, humble, and completely enveloped with our environment. It was clear to me from the start that she would make a positive change in our world one day.

Ideas for Summer Break

College Planning
There are so many ways for high school students to engage in summer activities that can have a huge impact on them personally, and on a college or university admission…
Making Sense of College Rankings

Making Sense of College Rankings

College Search
Although this article is directed to students just beginning their college search, it will also be useful to seniors in making their final choice of college to attend. This is…
Franklin & Marshall

Jessica from Washingtonville, New York

Student Success

Jessica was a straight A student in high school, diligent, bubbly, friends with many, and completely into dance, music and theater. She was unsure what she wanted to major in (which is completely fine for anyone who is 17 years old!) but knew she wanted to be surrounded by the arts and continue her passion, in an extracurricular forum, through her college years.

Brody from Florida, New York

Student Success

Brody, who attended Seward High School in Florida, NY, is a reserved, analytical and intellectual young man who had an interest in computer science, but also was exploring a myriad of other majors.

Anita from Princeton, New Jersey

Alexa from Princeton, New Jersey

Student Success

Alexa, who attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School near Princeton, NJ, is a quiet, mature, diligent, independent, and expressive young lady who wanted to major in economics and possibly computer science at a school that had a strong liberal arts curriculum.

Why Do Colleges Defer Students?

Videos
It’s that time of year. The responses to your early action and early decision college applications are starting to roll in. While you are hoping for a yes, you open…
Anita from Warwick NY, Northeastern-University

Anita from Warwick, New York

Student Success

Anita came to us in the middle of her junior year. From Warwick, in Orange County, she attended Warwick Valley High School. A hard working, diligent, respectful and focused young lady, Anita excelled in her math classes and knew that she wanted to apply to college as a business major. Her grades were solid, in the low to mid 90’s, taking some challenging courses throughout high school, including AP’s and honors classes.

Do Colleges Care More About GPA or SAT?

Videos
GPA or SAT – which is more important to college admissions counselors? We are often – actually almost always – asked this question by students and parents throughout the college…

Aubrey from Carmel, New York

Student Success

Aubrey, who attended Carmel High School in Putnam County, is a diligent, energetic young lady who wanted to major in business. Her transcript was solid with grades being in the 90’s throughout high school with a couple of grades in the 80’s mixed in. Her parents are divorced and it was important that she receive funding to assist her parents in putting her through college.

Northeastern-University

Joshua from Suffern, NY

Student Success

With 5000+ colleges and universities in the United States, the college selection and application journey is surely daunting to both students and their families. Our consultants streamline the process by helping to identify the schools that would be a best fit, breaking the application process down into manageable steps, and keeping students on top of upcoming deadlines.

Who Fills Out the FAFSA-Parent or Student?

Videos
If you want to receive any financial aid from the federal government for college, including federal student loans, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed. But…

How to Request Transcripts on Naviance

Videos
Each high school determines which features of Naviance they want to implement for their school and students. Although there are some high schools that allow you to request transcripts through…
Does Everyone Get Financial Aid?

Does Everyone Get Financial Aid?

Financial Aid
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room that we all wonder and worry about when we are going through our child’s college admissions journey. Does everyone get financial aid?…

How to Track College Application Status

Videos
You’ve submitted your college applications. Congratulations! The hard work is finished, but there is still work to be done. You need to make sure the application was received and that…

Is It Better To Apply Early Decision

Videos
For those of you wondering if it is better to apply early decision over regular decision, it is important to note that for many schools, applying early decision can increase…

How Many Colleges Can You Apply To?

Videos
Our students and families always ask: • How many colleges should I apply to? • How many college applications is too many? • How many reach schools should I have…

Can I Apply Early Decision and Early Action?

Videos
Generally, you can apply early decision to one school and early action to other schools; however, there are some caveats. Remember, early decision is binding, it is contractual. You can…

What Colleges Use the Coalition Application

Videos
Today, there are about 135 schools and colleges that are members of the Coalition for College, using their application for admission. You can find the complete list of schools that…

How Does Early Decision Work

Videos
There are several ways you can apply to a college – depending, of course, upon the type of options they offer. Our article Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling…
Syracuse-University

Charlotte from Wappinger’s Falls

Student Success

Charlotte, who attended Roy C. Ketchum High School in the heart of Dutchess County, came to us in the middle of her junior year after we had worked with her older brother a few years prior. A high-achieving student with excellent course rigor, Charlotte is incredibly diligent and a deep thinker.

FAFSA Expected Family Contribution Going Away?

Videos
There recently have been articles about the upcoming changes related to the Expected Family Contribution, which is part of the financial aid calculation. Our article Changes To The FAFSA: Student…

How Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest

Videos
Colleges want to know which students have a significant interest in attending their school – and they go to great lengths to find out. They carefully track students that show…

How Does a 529 Affect Financial Aid?

Videos
In short, even though a 529 account is for a child, it is considered a parental asset and is figured into the Expected Family Contribution, which affects financial aid awards.…

Does Financial Aid Cover Books?

Videos
In short, yes, financial aid does cover the cost of books. Financial aid covers anything that falls under the cost of attendance, which includes: • Tuition • Room and Board…

What Is the High School Code?

Videos
Throughout your college admissions journey, you will be asked to provide your High School Code. If you’re like most students, you may be confused as to what that even is.…

What Is the Deadline for FAFSA?

Videos
All FAFSA forms/applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. central time on June 30th of the academic year for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for…

How to Accept a College Admission

Videos
The college acceptances have arrived. You’ve narrowed down the options and made your decision. You know which school you want to attend. Now you just need to let them know…

How to Turn Down a College Coach

Videos
You’ve worked hard, put in the time and commitment, and now it’s paid off. You have a group of college coaches wanting you to come play for them. They have…

College Waitlist Chances

Videos
When March rolls around, so do the final college admissions decisions. In addition to acceptances and rejections, you could possibly receive a notification that you have been put on a…

How to Prepare for College as a Sophomore

Videos
The college search and application process is incredibly important. The sooner you start preparing, the more successful and enjoyable this journey will be. There are plenty of things sophomores can…

When Should You Start Visiting Colleges?

Videos
Visiting colleges is a really important piece of your college journey. You want to get a true feel for the school’s personality, and stepping foot on campus will help you…

Can You Appeal a College Rejection?

Videos
While you may be able to appeal a college rejection, the chances are incredibly slim that the school’s admission decision will change for the positive. Every so often, I am…

Do Colleges Look at Disciplinary Records?

Videos
College admissions officers will look at disciplinary records IF a high school provides them. Most college applications, including the Common App, inquire about disciplinary information. By disciplinary records, we mean…
Tulane-University

Jared from Cornwall NY

Student Success

Jared, from Cornwall, NY is one of the nicest young men you will ever meet. Respectful, sociable, hard working, incredibly diligent in everything that he undertakes. During high school, he took all of the most challenging courses.

University of Vermont

Elona from Cold Spring NY

Student Success

Elona came to us over the winter break holidays of her junior year, attending Haldane High School in the small community of Cold Spring, NY, where her graduating class is less than 80 students. Her quiet yet open persona warmed me to her immediately.

Can You Get Student Loans Without FAFSA?

Videos
Let’s face it, the FAFSA is time consuming and can be overwhelming. So, it’s quite tempting to skip filling out the federal government’s financial aid application if possible. While you…

College Admissions Deferred vs. Waitlist

Videos
Being deferred from a college versus being put on a waitlist are two totally different college admissions responses. Let’s say you applied early action or early decision and you get…

How Important Are College Interviews?

Videos
In short, college interviews can be a very important part of your admissions process. They are a way to bring your application to life for the school’s admissions officers. Interviews…

How Do You Set Up a College Visit?

Videos
Just Follow these 3 Simple Steps Setting up a college visit is fairly simple. It really hinges on knowing where to go online to schedule your visit. Practically all colleges…
Sophomore College Checklist

Sophomore College Checklist

College Planning
The college selection and application process is a journey that starts during your early high school years. Picking a college is going to be the biggest decision you will most…

What Is a Regular Decision Deadline?

Videos
The regular decision deadline is the last day that you can submit your application for admission to that particular college or university for the following school year (unless there is…
College Visit

College Visit Checklist

College Planning
Are you getting ready to visit colleges in person or plan on “visiting” them virtually? Wondering how you approach and prepare for this? As with so many things in life,…

Do Colleges Look at Weighted GPA?

Videos
This is a question that typically weighs heavily on every student’s mind. You’re taking more difficult classes – honors, AP, courses offered through colleges. These more difficult classes require more…