FAQ

Is an Arizona college consultant worth it?

A truly exceptional college admissions consultant will be able to advise you through every aspect of the college planning process. This will ensure that you are two steps ahead of the rest of the students applying to their dream schools. This carefully and strategically planned process improves the overall experience for the students, but also improves the results of the admissions process. AZ College Planning is America’s premier college planning firm. Typically, AZ College Planning can help students earn 2x to 10x more in scholarships and grants than the cost of the investment fee to hire AZ College Planning team. A strong educational consultant can help student get admitted to colleges they never thought they could and earn scholarships greater than they thought they could.

 

How long does it take students at colleges and universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees?

The average college graduate takes six years to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics NCES, 60% of the students are earning a bachelor’s degree in 65 months (5 years 5 months.) And according to The National Student Clearinghouse, 31% of the students polled took 6 years or longer to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Truth be told, these students who took longer to graduate than 4 years flip-flopped between majors. An exceptional college consulting firm like AZ College Planning can help students choose a major and career before the student attends college, so they can graduate in four years or less and not end up being a six-year college graduate statistic.

 

What Is FAFSA, is it loans or free money scholarships or grants?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid the FAFSA is a website and federal government financial aid calculator, it is not the financial aid. However, the FAFSA assists students to potentially qualify for a variety of financial aid from several sources. Some of this money is free grant money, some must be earned through work-study, and some of this aid must be repaid in loans. Some colleges will call loans “aid”. Filling out and submitting the FAFSA, can unlock PELL Grants, other federal grants and the federal student loans, including the federal Parent PLUS loan.

 

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $200,000?

The short answer is yes, if, and that is a big if, if you plan accordingly and apply to the right types of colleges. AZ College Planning has helped many families that have strong six figure incomes. If your family makes multiple six figures a year, yes, you can still get financial aid. Be cautious because not all financial aid is created equal. Ideally, you the student want free scholarship money, or grants which do not need to be paid back. Despite earning a six-figure household income, many parents struggle to pay for their children’s education without going into debt.

 

What is the CSS Profile for?

The College Scholarship Search Service or CSS Profile by CollegeBoard.org is an application for institutional financial aid required by more 300 plus colleges, universities and scholarship organizations. Certain colleges require the CSS Profile as part of the application process. AZ College Planning has proven strategies to maximize financial aid at colleges and universities across the United States of America. While the FAFSA does not have a fee for submission, the CSS Profile has a fee for each college. There are some exceptions in which students can obtain a fee waiver.

 

Which Is it better to attend a private college or a public college?

The most important question to ask is, does the college that I am considering have the major and program that I need and is that college a good fit? If the answer is yes, then consider applying to that college. Some parents and students have considered applying to only in-state colleges with the thought that in-state colleges and in-state universities are cheaper, less expensive than a private college. This is not always the case. Some private colleges are very generous with scholarships and grants and some private colleges are not or at least not generous to the a specific student but will be very generous to a certain student. AZ College Planning can help you and your student identify colleges that would be very eager to admit your student with very generous scholarships.

 

What is the difference between a private college and a state college?

Public colleges and universities such as Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University are government-funded colleges. Private schools such as Stanford University, Harvard College and Yale University rely on tuition and endowments. When one looks at the cost of a state college with its in-state and out-of-state tuition, the reality is that the state college is being subsidized by the government. Collectively we through our taxes are offsetting the cost of in-state tuition.

While it appears that private colleges are costlier; these private schools may offer generous financial aid. Some public universities are generous with scholarships and grant aid. AZ College Planning recommends applying to a variety of colleges, some in-state, some out-of-state, and some private colleges.

 

Do the college ranking criteria really matter?

The short answer is no. Please let me explain. Too many high school students and their parents are captivated by the college rankings system, but college rankings do not help students find the right college for them. When the first college ranking article was published in the late 80s and early 90s, colleges found a way to leverage the ranking system to make more money. As an example, because UCLA is ranked in the top 5, UCLA attracts a lot of attention. With more attention there are more application fees. For the fall of 2023, UCLA had 145,910 applications. With an application fee of $80 for each UC campus ($95 for international and non-immigrant applicants). Do the math 145,910 X $80 = $11,672,800. ELEVEN MILLION DOLLARS! So, of course colleges want higher rankings so that they can make more money. One can look at the rankings but that should not be a reason to choose a specific college because colleges have been known to manipulate the rankings. Some colleges have been caught falsifying the data just so they could be ranked higher.

 

What is a study abroad in university and should it matter to me?

Studying abroad in college or a studying abroad university is a very common way for students to explore a new country while working earing credits towards their degree. Interning abroad, however, is growing in popularity and gives the student a unique opportunity to gain real-world work experience in a foreign nation. Study Abroad is not unique to one college. In fact, many colleges have partnerships with the same foreign entity, the same foreign university. For example, if a student wanted to study abroad in Peking China many US colleges could send the student to the same location, the same program and the same sister college regardless of which US college the student attended. AZ College Planning encourages study abroad if the student has the option and desire to study abroad. Some colleges will give a student a study abroad specific scholarship and grant. AZ College Planning can help your students find these incredible opportunities.

 

How Do I Start Applying to Colleges?

The application process starts with identifying what you want to study in college, then create a list of colleges that offer the major and programs that you want to study. Most applications open August 1st at the beginning of your senior year of high school. Each college has a deadline. Create a spreadsheet with these deadlines. Some colleges will require SAT or ACT test scores, some colleges will require an admissions essay or multiple essays. Some colleges will require Recommendation Letters. Knowing what a college wants before you start applying will make the process less stressful. Every college will ask for your high school transcript. Double check everything, spelling, grammar etc. BEFORE you click the submit button. AZCollegePlanning.com can help with all of this and make the process easier, less stressful and more successful.

 

What’s a good college application?

A good college application is one that gets a student admitted. A great college application is one that gets a student admitted with scholarships. Do things the college values. Write essays and resumes around what the college values. Strong grades, strong GPA and strong test scores are important. Use all the real estate on the college application. Don’t skip over optional or recommended sections.

 

What GPA do I put on my college application?

Put your best foot forward. On your application, include all of your best grades. If your weighted GPA is best, use those grades. Remember to send your official transcripts to all the colleges that you applied. Some colleges only want your unweighted core classes GPA. Give the college what they ask for.

 

Can you apply to college without an essay?

Yes, some colleges do not require an essay. Some require one essay, and some colleges may require multiple essays. Some colleges will call the essay a “Personal Statement” and other colleges may call it an admissions essay. Don’t let an essay requirement shy you away from a college. AZCollegePlanning.com can help with essays.

 

Do all colleges require an SAT?

2020-2023 caused pandemonium with the college application season. During this time, many students were not able to take the SAT nor the ACT because of mass cancellations. For 2024, 2025 and beyond many colleges that were test optional or even test blind are requiring the SAT and or the ACT tests for admission and for scholarships. The tests are not going to go away because these tests are fantastic ways for colleges to get lists of names of hopeful college candidates. Plus the SAT and the ACT are benchmarks for the academic rigors of college life. A student who meets or exceeds the benchmark shows a college that he/she has the academic ability to take and pass college level classes. Check each college that you will apply to see what their admission requirements are, do they require SAT or ACT or not.

 

What happens if no college accepts you?

You will get admitted, if you apply to the right set of colleges. It is not advised to apply to only highly selective or Ivy League colleges. Play the field. Apply to a good mix of colleges. Some four-year universities have an open admission policy in which that college will accept 100% of all college applicants. For some students it might be a good start to start at a community college. Get your academic feet wet, prove yourself academically. One of AZCollegePlanning.com clients started as a high school dropout, went back and earned her GED, and ultimately graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Harvard. There is a path for everyone. Give us a call and we can help you draw a map of your path.

 

What is the easiest type of scholarship to get?

The easiest and biggest scholarships are based on merit grades. Earning the best grades, the best GPA can unlock scholarships at certain colleges. If you have athletic talent, you could get an athletic scholarship. An Athletic scholarship and a Merit scholarship can equate to big scholarship dollars. Usually submitting your college application, high school transcript and test scores is all that is needed to unlock scholarships. Some scholarships require a separate application form.

 

Is there a difference between weighted GPA and unweighted GPA and Core GPA?

Yes. Some high schools offer different levels of classes. For example a student might have the option to take Regular English, Honors English, AP English, Dual Credit English, IB English and a variety of other levels. Traditionally an “A” grade in Regular English is worth 4.0 on the GPA scale, while an Honors, AP, Dual Credit or IB English “A” is worth 5.0 on the GPA scale. Some colleges will ask for a “Weighted GPA” which is based on the 5.0 scale. Some colleges will ask for an “Unweighted GPA” which is based on a 4.0 scale regardless of if the student took Honors, AP, Dual Credit or IB level classes. A college that asks for a Core GPA only looks at the Core Classes, English, Science, Math, Social Studies, History and Foreign Language. Earning an “A” in band, choir, art or other non-core classes has no impact on the Core GPA.

 

What is the #1 way to increase your chances for a scholarship?

The number one way to increase your chances of scholarships is get the best grades, best GPA that you can, submit your application at the beginning of application season. If you are considering applying for private scholarships, The more scholarships you apply to the better the chances you will win. If you apply to one private scholarship, good luck. If you apply to 40-50 or more, you are more likely to win a scholarship.

 

Should I start planning for college?

Yes, the sooner you plan and the sooner you implement a plan, the greater your chances of success. Discover what a college wants, then do the things necessary to impress the college. Some students start college planning as early as 7th, 8th or 9th grades. Starting early and implementing activities, grades, courses and volunteer work increases your chances of getting that YES You Are Admitted letter.

 

How to get letters of recommendation if you don’t know anyone?

Who is the best person to get college recommendation letters from? Traditionally it is your junior year core teacher who will write your recommendation letter. As you progress though your junior year of high school, ask yourself which teacher likes me the most, that is who you should ask. Some colleges may require additional recommendation letters from a boss, coach, mentor or faith community. It is important to make a good positive impression early on, so that you can get that amazing Recommendation Letter.