Amy Bennington Buist, M.Ed.

How to Write a Winning College and Scholarship Application Essay: Pro Tips from an Expert

Hi Parents and Students:

This is hot off the press! I want to thank the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund for interviewing me regarding college application essays for their blog. Please pass this link on to any student or family it may assist! Thank you, Amy

How to Write a Winning College and Scholarship Application Essay: Pro Tips from an Expert - Meeting Street Scholarship Fund The Meeting Street Scholarship fund is available to hard-working, high-achieving students in South Carolina who have been accepted at one of the state’s qualifying colleges or universities.

Hi Parents and Students:

It has been another whirlwind college admissions season. Below I have linked a recent Forbes article that explains the current climate well. In a nutshell-- as based on Common Application data-- applications for the 2023 Fall admission season are up 20% over the 2019-20 pre-COVID class. Another visible trend is a disproportionate increase in applications to public institutions. Those applications have gone up 39% vs. 13% for private schools-- a difference likely attributable to relative affordability. In effect, college admissions are as competitive as ever.

For my students, it has been a banner year thus far with acceptances and scholarships, and I am so very proud! Given the likely continuation of a highly competitive admissions environment, early planning and preparation are worth their weight in gold. If you would like assistance, I am currently accepting new clients. Feel free to reach out to me to discuss.

Congratulations again to my dear students in the 2023 class! Your hard work has paid off!

Hugs, Mrs. B

The Common App Reports College Applications Are Up - Way Up Largely overlooked, The Common App, our largest and best source of data on college applications, is reporting an application surge for 2023.

Direct Admission - What is this?

Hi Parents and Students, It has been a busy year, and we are now in the thick of admission season. It was a banner year last year, and looking to be the same this year. I am so proud of my students!

What exactly is direct admission, and how can your student take part? Direct admission is, in short, a way for colleges to boost their enrollment by offering admission to students that have shown interest in their institution and meet specific criteria based on GPA, geographical information, academic interest areas, and whatever else the college deems essential. It is also said to be an attempt to make the admission process less cumbersome and to help make college more accessible. Often included are scholarships and a way for students to increase their potential college options by participating in this process.

Niche.com partnered with two colleges this past year and is partnering with 14 this year. Students can create a profile on Niche.com and add schools to their list for direct admission. In addition, the Common Application, SAGE Scholars, the state of Minnesota and Concourse have also launched or expanded direct-admit programs with colleges and universities.

Also noted, the path could be long for some direct-admission applicants as they may be flagged to complete the entire admissions process. I recommend creating a profile on Niche.com and seeking out other direct-admission opportunities to expand potential offers that may suit an individual student. In today's competitive admission environment, a student will be best served by a personalized approach that allows the college admission process to become a springboard for their future academic and career success. In my nearly 30 years of experience, that investment has shown time after time to yield the best results. If I can help, don't hesitate to contact me at (843) 345-6799. Happy Thanksgiving!

More Colleges Offering Admission to Students Who Never Applied Direct admissions allows colleges to send offers to students based just on their GPAs or a few other criteria, without the hassle of essays, recommendation letters and months of uncertainty.

SAT is going digital in 2024 for US students

Hi Parents and Students: I hope your admissions season is going well! It has been a busy one on my end and for my students! Here is an article that details a recent announcement from the College Board. The SAT in 2024 will be two hours and digital. International students will be offered this version in 2023. I want to keep my students and families up to date. Please let me know if I can help with anything. I am accepting students graduating in 2023 and beyond. Have a great day! Amy

The SAT will be shorter and is going digital, the College Board announces The digital SAT will be easier and more relevant, Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of College Readiness Assessments at the College Board, said.

Dear Parents and Students:

It is almost time for the 2022-23 CSS Profile to open on Oct. 1st, 2021. The FAFSA is required for all federal aid, and in some instances, state and institutional scholarships like SC Lottery Scholarships. The CSS Profile is only required by schools that require it. This will be stated on a college's website listed under their financial aid process. As I mentioned with the FAFSA, some colleges require/strongly prefer both the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile to be submitted for merit aid as well, so be sure to check!

Here is a link to a general overview for 2021-22. I cannot imagine much will change, and it is a good idea to have an overview before starting.

https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/pdf/css-profile-student-guide.pdf

Here is also a link to the most helpful resources compiled for completing the CSS Profile given parents will likely be completing this information with their students: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/getting-started-your-css-profile-application

Here is to making Oct. 1st and the financial aid and, in some instances, the merit process a bit easier!

Getting Started - CSS Profile Helpful tips and resources for students and families before they start the CSS Profile Application.

Hi Parents and Students: October 1st is quickly approaching, and the FAFSA for 2022-23 will be available to begin. The CSS Profile is also available to start on October 1st. I will do an upcoming post on that.

If you are a resident of SC and your student qualifies to receive SC Lottery funds, you must complete the FAFSA. And, if you are applying for need-based aid, the FAFSA is required. Additionally, schools can require the FAFSA for merit aid in some instances, so check with your college of interest. Below is an article for parents about completing the FAFSA for your student in 8 easy steps. First, you can pursue getting a Parent FSA ID and FSA Student ID now so that the process will be smoother when the FAFSA is available on October 1st.

Students are encouraged to apply early for the best chance of aid. When filling out the FAFSA, if the student is a dependent, it is beneficial for a parent to assist given the financial information required. In closing, you must meet the individual school's FAFSA deadline when completing the FAFSA for lottery funds and need-based aid.

Hoping everyone is enjoying a great school year so far! I will be posting more on this topic in the weeks to come!

8 Easy Steps for Parents Completing the FAFSA® Form – Federal Student Aid 8 Easy Steps for Parents Completing the FAFSA® Form FAFSA® Tips9 minutes SHARE FAFSAGuide Parents Parents completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form for the first time can follow eight simple steps to helping their children obtain federal student aid. These include crea...

Hi Parents and Students: Clemson in-person visits are open for scheduling for September, October, November, and the beginning of December. Act quickly!

https://admissions.clemson.edu/portal/summer21visit

Move the arrow to September and beyond and look for green availability to register.

Hi Parents and Students: The National Association for Admission Counseling (NACAC) is holding a Signature Virtual College Fair on Sunday, August 29th, from 1:00 pm-6:00 pm EST. This is an exciting event and one that hosts 283 colleges and universities from the US and around the globe. Parents and students alike will be able to interact with the representatives from these colleges and universities and gather lots of information. Given that colleges have had their tours largely interrupted with COVID-19, this is a great way to experience what these colleges and universities have to offer. You will need to register for this free event, and here below is the link to do that. This is a wonderful opportunity and one I greatly encourage! Reach out if I can answer any questions or help in any way!

virtualcollegefairs.org

Hi Parents: Here is an upcoming webinar hosted by U.S. News on Borrowing Smart for College. You can sign up for free at the link below.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the student lending landscape? How can prospective college students and families navigate the financial aid process in a forward-looking way? What tools, resources, and new strategies are available to help potential borrowers ensure that they set themselves up for manageable (or no) debt?

In this webinar from U.S. News, hear from a variety of higher education experts and advisers about how to approach borrowing for college in 2021 and beyond.

Hear insights from:

-Jose A. Aguilar, Director of the Office of Financial Aid at the University of California–Riverside
-Rachel Gentry, Assistant Director of Federal Relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
-Harrison Hochman, Chief Executive Officer of Sparrow
-Anna Sheufelt, Assistant Director of Educational Programming in the Office of Student Loans and Personal Finance at Duke University

Can’t make it live? Register to ensure you receive a link to the video after the event.

https://usnews.zoom.us/webinar/register/7316279139741/WN_QxZEZoF4QOOawVj5eczz1g--

Choosing Which Test to Take? SAT or ACT, or Both

Hi Parents and Students:

Given that we have seen a move towards test-optional admissions with COVID-19, deciding what test to take can be even more challenging in an admissions period that many consider less transparent. One article I read recently stated admissions should be called test optional with an asterisk. In general, test scores are the second most important factor in admissions (2nd to grades); unless a school is test-blind; or promises that there is no disadvantage when not submitting scores. Even then, if you have strong scores, you'd be remiss not to submit them. To date, there are 75+ colleges and universities that comprise the FairTest.org Test-Blind list. Here is the link:https://www.fairtest.org/sites/default/files/Test-Blind-Admissions-List.pdf

I believe in a holistic admissions process. Until I see scores not associated with admissions, scholarships, and the like, I think it is prudent to give them the attention they deserve. Each young person has a unique situation and should be treated as such. The goal is to advise them to the best one's abilities so that each student has an edge in the admissions process no matter what the situation.

Regarding which test a student should take, let's go over a few guidelines that will help you decide. If you are a student that struggles with timing, the SAT will give you more time per question. If you are a student who loves math, the SAT will provide you with a score comprised of half math. Finally, if you have a leaning towards science, the ACT will allow you to demonstrate this. Though, as a whole, the Science section does not assume knowledge of any specific area of science, it is actually more of a reading comprehension test. For more details on this, please see the below Forbes article.

All of this being said, what is my advice to students? I recommend taking SAT and ACT practice tests at a similar juncture in time and see which test better reflects a student's potential. You can also use a PSAT and Pre-ACT if completed around the same time. What happens if the student is not a tester, has prepped, etc.? In this case, I would advise the student to the best of my abilities and help comprise an admissions package that is second to none. Most colleges and universities are test-optional for 2022. Given the near 25% increase in applications across the board in the 2020-2021 admissions season, I see it difficult for colleges to give that bounty up in the future. So the bottom line, each student has a unique situation and should be advised as such. For more information, please read my testimonials and Google reviews.

If I can help you in any way, please reach out. I am accepting a limited number of seniors at this time, as well as students in the Classes of 2023 and Beyond. You can reach me at [email protected], AmyBenningtonBuist.com, or directly at (843) 345-6799.

ACT Vs. SAT: How To Choose Which Standardized Test To Take Both the SAT and ACT are standardized tests that many colleges use to determine whether to accept a student for admission. In some cases, companies and nonprofits also use these scores to award merit-based scholarships. A record number of colleges stopped requiring the SAT or ACT for admission in

Hi Parents and Students: Here is an excellent athletic recruitment resource passed on by Beth Niemyer Maynor. Thank you, Beth!

Coach Renee Lopez is a seventeen-year coaching veteran, and her website offers much guidance on the athletic recruitment process.

I enjoy working alongside families managing the athletic recruitment piece. We work in concert together, and I assist with all other admissions pieces that help position students for success in admissions, scholarships, navigating the college transition, and their upcoming career paths. Currently, I am accepting students for the Classes of 2023 and Beyond. I can be reached at (843) 345-6799 or AmyBenningtonBuist.com.

https://rlopezcoaching.com/

Coach Renee Lopez - Recruiting Educator & Consultant Across the USA/International Coach Renee Lopez - Recruiting Educator & Consultant- As a 17 year coaching veteran, Renee Lopez is an expert in the college recruiting process...

COVID-19 and its impact on early decision admissions decisions and what you can do to be proactive about 2021-22 and beyond

Hi Parents and Students: The 2021 admissions cycle has been unprecedented. More selective colleges and universities have had a record number of early applications, with the number of seats available having decreased due to COVID deferments thus, lowering acceptance rates- in some cases, significantly.

MIT had a 62% increase in applications over the previous year. Harvard had a 57% increase. The University of Virginia saw a 38% increase, and the University of Georgia's early applications increased by 27%.

Brown admitted 16% of its early applicants compared to 22% in 2019. Duke's early acceptance rate fell from 21% to 17%. Penn's dropped from 20% to 15%. Harvard's acceptance rate was cut in half to 7% from 14%, and MIT's acceptance rate declined from 6.7% to 4.8%. Regular decision statistics will be forthcoming, but I do not expect the data to be very different.

What does all this mean? It means that in an upcoming admissions season that is shaping up to be very similar to the 2020-2021 season, students will benefit significantly from an individualized admissions plan that positively differentiates them in an overall more competitive applicant pool. I am accepting new clients starting in mid-March, and I would be happy to talk to you to see if I can help. These statistics do not worry me as I have nearly 30 years of experience, and I am confident in my ability to help your young adults forge their ideal path, beat the odds, and achieve their dreams! Please see my website AmyBenningtonBuist.com and Google reviews, for more information.

Opinion: COVID-19 is changing college application strategies — and lowering the odds of getting into top schools Applications for early admission, long seen as the easier path to elite schools, soar, and so do rejections.