Top college admissions consultant? While some students first take the PSAT in October of their sophomore year, it is important to know that only the junior year administration of the exam counts for National Merit Scholarship consideration. More importantly, taking the PSAT will allow you to see where you stand and which areas you will need to address through extra study prior to taking the real deal. Speaking of the genuine test, you’ll want to register for the March, May, or June administration of the SAT or the April or June testing dates for the ACT (Hopefully this spring’s test dates will be less impacted by COVID-19 than in 2020). Taking the exam as a junior will allow you to engage in targeted study over the summer prior to retaking the test in the fall of your senior year. Students who take the SAT in spring of their junior year and elect to retake the test the following fall improve their overall score by an average of 40 points on the SAT; those who put in 20 hours studying on Kahn Academy increase their scores by an average of 115 points. This can be immensely beneficial, especially in light of what is known as Superscoring — where colleges take the best combined subject scores across multiple test administrations.

Check out our 10 ways to jumpstart college planning below to help you feel a little less stressed about what you need to do before applying – and getting into – college, and browse through our site for helpful information and tips on every step of the college and financial aid application process. Getting ready for college isn’t all work. Find something you really like doing, then dive into it. Maybe you’re drawn to sports, student council, music, art … you get the picture. You’ll develop skills and be more appealing to colleges (they like students who’ll add something to campus life).

There are over 4,000 college options to choose from! It can be extremely difficult to make the right decision on your own. And, the truth is, most school advisors and counselors simply don’t have enough time to give individual guidance for the large number of students they have. The United States has an average student-to-counselor ratio of 482:1, nearly double the American School Counselor Association’s recommendation of 250-to-1. Find additional details at https://www.cardinalcollegeplanning.com/.

I also assist students and families with college planning on an hourly basis at $199 an hour. This time can be used for any of the services listed in the Essential or Optimal packages, but not funding guidance. This does not include the personalized portal or ongoing communication. “Tonica is seriously the best person I could think of to help walk students and parents through the whole college planning process. Her passion for the students and truly helping to guide them in the right direction is one of her best qualities. For me, I would only want to work with someone who honestly cares about what they do and the people they are serving and Cardinal College Planning is just that type of business. My younger cousin is in the midst of figuring out her future and Tonica has given me so much advice and wisdom with how to help her navigate what is to come and what steps she should take. If you’re unsure of what to do next you’re in the right place!”- Nichole F.

I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. As a professional Educational Consultant, I believe in maintaining a positive mindset, creating partnerships with a purpose, and always striving for significant outcomes. Contact me today for an initial consultation, and find out more about how I can create a custom college plan to fit your needs. Find additional info at cardinalcollegeplanning.com.