Launching Your College Search During COVID-19

For rising high school seniors preparing for college admissions season, the summer before senior year is a busy one. Campus visits, standardized tests, and college fairs are usually part of the plan. But with the current environment of COVID-19, preparation for applying to college will look slightly different. In this webinar you will hear from a panel of admissions experts representing WPI, Worcester State University, Brandeis University, and Olin College as they share their advice on how to launch a college search in today's quarantined world.

Researching Colleges When You Can’t Visit Campus

Two UMass Professors, Dr. Tim Poynton and Dr. Richard Lapan, share advice on conducting the college search when it must be done virtually. Learn about helpful online tools that can help you gather information about schools and assist you in creating your personal college list.

Components of the College Application

Ready to apply to college? Find out everything you need to know about the college application, including the different forms schools use and the components required, including standardized tests, activity lists, essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews. Download the webinar slides to follow along.

Researching Colleges and Building the College List

When deciding where to apply to college, it's important to research thoroughly. This webinar presented by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) will walk you through several different tools available to help you learn about schools and build your college list. You'll learn the factors to consider when looking at schools and helpful tips about campus visits and college fairs. Download the webinar slides to follow along.

School Counselor Webinar Series: College Admissions

The college search and application process can be overwhelming for students. This webinar for school counselors will provide key information that will help you guide students through applying to college. Topics will include current trends in admissions, building a balanced list of colleges, and the different components of the college application including transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation. Download a copy of the webinar slides to follow along.

College Planning for Families With High School Juniors

Junior year of high school is the perfect time to start seriously planning for college application season. And this webinar will give you the steps to get your family started, including tips for college fairs, what to know about campus visits, and how to build the college list. We'll share plenty of resources that can help your family as you plan, and explain what to expect as you prepare for the admissions and financial aid applications. Download the webinar slides to follow along.

Applying Early Decision

Is your child thinking of applying to college early? Don't miss guidance from Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Holy Cross Andrew Carter. He talks with MEFA's Julie Shields-Rutyna about the difference between Early Decision and Early Action, and what families should think about before beginning either process.

The Admissions Process: How to Get Started

Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Holy Cross Andrew Carter shares with MEFA's Julie Shields-Rutyna how parents can help their children throughout the college admissions process develop the skills and attributes that will benefit them in higher education and the real world.

Connecting Undocumented Students to College Access Opportunities

While undocumented students face many barriers to college, it is still possible for them to get a college education. The first part of this webinar addresses up-to-date immigration policies and statuses eligible and ineligible for Federal Student Aid. It also examines the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) application process and its benefits. You will be exposed to admissions standards at both public and private universities, leading into a discussion about how to maximize credits and time for DACA and undocumented students through dual-enrollment and concurrent enrollment opportunities across states, high schools, and community colleges. Scholarship resources are shared, pointing you directly to both state and national organizations at the forefront of this highly discussed topic.

Setting up Yourself to Get Accepted into College With Extracurricular Activities

Academics matter, especially when students are in middle school, as it's the time when students can set themselves up well for high school. Hear about how students in middle school should spend some time thinking about what classes and subjects they enjoy and what extracurricular activities they want to get involved in during high school so they're better prepared to succeed in high school and beyond.