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The SMART Way to Build a College List

A good plan of attack for the first task in the admissions process — building the college list — decreases stress and makes the rest of the process less difficult. The best tips from parents’ experiences, workshops, professionals and articles are in SMART, MeritMore’s easy to remember action plan for building a well-considered and balanced …

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8 Pro Tips for Creating a Winning Resume

We found this delightfully straightforward and valuable list of tips for  resumes from Sara Mohr, Program Manager at Global University. We slightly adapted her tips for students who want to send their resumes to colleges during the application process. You can find Sara on twitter at @slizagna. Tell a College Who You Are Many colleges will allow you …

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How to Get a Great Letter of Recommendation

Trust us when we tell you that your favorite teacher isn’t just your favorite teacher. Inspiring teachers usually have a big student fan base. This means that they’re popular targets when it comes to asking for letters of recommendation. If you ask early enough and provide good information highlighting your accomplishments, you can get a …

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5 Reasons to Talk About How to Pay for College with Your Kids

Talking about money is never easy. And it’s even harder when you have to talk about financial concerns with your kids. For most families, one of the biggest financial hurdles is how to pay for college. Having a clear and calm discussion about the cost of college at the beginning of the admissions process is …

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4 tools to Help Families Successfully Appeal for More Aid

Your Aid Package is Based on What The College Thinks You Need Financial aid award letters have arrived! Families who have a clear understanding of their offers and then thoughtfully appeal for more financial aid money can receive thousands of dollars more in aid each year.  In an admissions season full of unknowns, schools are on the hunt …

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7 Easy Steps to Appeal Your Financial Aid Package

Appealing for more financial aid is an excellent way to make college more affordable. A college education is the second biggest purchase—the first is buying a house—that a family will make in a lifetime. As a buyer, your main goal should be to negotiate for a lower price. Asking for more financial aid makes good …

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