Learn about what it means to have a weighted GPA, how colleges recalculate applicants' GPAs, and what college admissions offices are looking for when it comes to course rigor.…

Learn about the holistic approach to college admissions, the benefits for the institution and the student, how students can see if a school will actually be a good fit, and how to maximize your chances of getting in.…

A counselor shares why this is an important topic, what she is hearing from students, how she helps her students navigate this and find additional colleges, how she motivates students, tricky situations she encounters, and what parents can do to help. …

Differences include size, the inclusion of smaller colleges, types of degrees, and programs offered. …

Topics include how to share hobbies that are not official groups or clubs, finding full-need schools, college interviews, the cost of admissions applications, and applying to out-of-state colleges. …

Steps include finalizing your list, getting your letters of recommendation, finishing your essay, making sure you've sent official test scores, meeting with your school counselor, and hitting submit. …

The key to standing out is writing a college essay that demonstrates your values, personality, and intellectual maturity while communicating ideas effectively with a bit of a story-telling flair. …

Topics include share your cause, think about who you admire, reflect on how you've grown, talk about a challenge, describe something you love, brag a bit, and share something new. …

Tools include the College Navigator, the College Scorecard, and Net Price Calculators.…

Three MEFA employees who have helped their own children through the college planning process provide advice on looking at schools, staying organized, keeping calm and staying balanced, applying, and paying. …