Check out my Summer College Prep tasks below to get started

Tips For All students 9th-12th Grade

Read as much as you can. It will help your writing skills and make reading passages during standardized exams like the PSAT/SAT/ACT a piece of cake.

Participate in a community service activity or volunteer your time. Colleges like students who give back and there are tons of scholarship programs that have this as a requirement. So be a good human and get on out there.

Practice your basic skills, folks. You cannot afford to fall behind. The work will only get harder. Practice makes perfect.

Practice for SAT/ACT or both.

Research careers…. I suggest doing this before building your college list. Why? Because knowing what you want to do can help you narrow your search and make it more likely for you to choose a college that has your career interests in mind. Thank me later!

Research colleges you may be interested in attending. Start by answering the following: What is the requirements to get in? How much will it cost? Does it have anything I would be interested in? *Remember, college visits count as research. Start with local colleges in your area and branch out so you can compare. 

Tips For Rising High School Seniors

College application season will be here before you know it. If you use this time to knock some things off your list, the fall will be way easier. Try getting these things done ASAP!

Finalize your brag sheet and resume. These documents are used to showcase your skills for recommendations and future opportunities. Think of 3 core content teachers who would write the best letter for you and give both documents to them when school starts. Check the On Track Hub for access to my Brag Sheet Generator to get started.

Finalize your college list. What schools do you envision yourself going to? Make sure to check their requirements and tuition costs before adding them to your list.

Start on your essay. The essay portion takes the longest amount of time to complete. Check each college website for instructions/prompts and get started ASAP. 

Study for the SAT/ACT. You want to get the highest score you can possibly get. Start studying ASAP!

Want a spot to organize all this information? Get the On Track Playbook to move your plans forward.

Tips For High School Juniors

Think of activities you want to be a part of this year. Sports, arts, clubs, student government will be a great look for your high school resume.

Start drafting your resume. Think of all the activities, jobs, and accomplishments you’ve had throughout your high school career, and write them all down. This will help you in the future.

Tips For Parents

Have a conversation with your child about their future plans. What is it that they want to do? What schools are they considering? How far is too far? 

Sit down WITH your child to do some research so you don’t get blindsided by high costs or unrealistic expectations. This step is super important. (Trust me on this one).

Create a budget and start saving! College is expensive….So are applications, test fees, deposits, and other costs associated with senior year. Don’t get caught out there. Sort out your finances and put some cash aside to help you meet your family’s need.

Need help to get things right?

Jump back into the On Track Hub to see how else I can help and check out My Amazon Storefront for my favorite College Planning Tools, including my On Track For College Workbooks: https://amzn.to/3NCdxg2

About the author: Mizz P. is a College & Career Strategist from The Bronx on a mission to help students Plan Smart, Pay Less, and Succeed. With 17+ years in the game, she knows the system — and how to work it in your favor. Learn more about Mizz P. here.

The post Summer College Prep: Must-Do Tasks for High School Students appeared first on On Track with Mizz P..

The summer melt is the Boogeyman of college-bound students and strikes fear into the hearts of college access professionals everywhere. You’d think that with all the tech tools and constant emails, we’d have it under control. But nope, the summer melt is still lurking, affecting about 40% of students who plan to go to college and disproportionately affecting low-income students and students of color the hardest.

So, what is causing all the chaos? It could be anything from missing information, incomplete paperwork, or just plain old procrastination. But don’t worry—I’ve got a plan to help you beat the summer melt and make sure you’re sitting in your first class this fall instead of being stuck at home wondering what went wrong.

Here’s your summer melt survival checklist to stay calm, cool, and On Track:

Check Your Email DAILY

Your chosen college might have a specific set of tasks to complete or opportunities you can take advantage of by a certain deadline. Not checking your email means you’ll miss out on a lot, so start every day by checking your email.

Secure Your Housing

Going away for school? Make sure you complete all housing forms and drop that deposit to secure your spot. Nothing melts away dreams faster than losing your home away from home because of a missed deadline.

Register for Classes

Make sure you get advised to know what classes to take and register to get your schedule locked in so you’re ready to roll.

Accept Your Financial Aid Awards ASAP

You can’t pay for school if you don’t have any money, so hit that “accept” button on your awards to secure your cash before it’s too late. (Have a conversation about what is provided with your family before you complete this step.)

Get Through Verification

If you’re selected for verification, don’t panic—it’s just the school wanting to double-check your FAFSA info. This process can drag on, so get your paperwork done and handed in like, yesterday!!! Waiting too long can delay your financial aid, and trust me, you don’t want that.

Take Your Placement Exams

No one wants to hear the word “exam” in the summer, but placement tests are a must. Schools use these to decide if you need any extra help or if you’re ready for college-level courses. If you put this off, you might get bumped to the next semester. So, make it a priority!

Submit All Paperwork

Immunization records, residency forms—you name it, they need it. These documents are standard but super important. Turn them in on time to avoid any last-minute enrollment issues.

Attend Orientation

Orientation is your chance to get familiar with campus life, meet your new friends, and learn the ropes. Plus, it’s usually required, so don’t skip it!

Settle Your Bill 

Discuss how you are going to pay your bill with your family and give up the cash by the deadline the school sets. Whether it’s a payment plan, loan, or the “bank of mom and dad,” make sure it’s all sorted out. No money, no classes—it’s that simple.

Ready to go off to college?
Check out my Amazon Storefront for my college must-haves: https://amzn.to/4bsooSM

And get the On Track College Survival Cheat Sheet to make sure you don’t go into this whole college thing blind. Get it here for $5 →

About the author: Mizz P. is a College & Career Strategist from The Bronx on a mission to help students Plan Smart, Pay Less, and Succeed. With 17+ years in the game, she knows the system — and how to work it in your favor. Learn more about Mizz P. here.

The post How to Beat the Summer Melt appeared first on On Track with Mizz P..

College can be an expensive mistake if you are not careful!

Yeah I said it! And I am not taking it back either!!!! 

Let’s be clear, debt is not a rite of passage and can be completely unavoidable if we just take a moment to plan. Daddy Warbucks isn’t coming to save us so we have to stop with the wishful thinking and start getting real.

Did you know:

The average college student can take anywhere from 4-6 years to graduate?  That means 4-6 years of tuition, fees, food, supplies, deposits, emergency funds, etc. Very few people highlight this in their presentations so it’s important to me that you know what you are really up against.

Right now student debt is hovering around $1.72 trillion dollars and get this… only 43.2 million people have contributed to this number. Crazy right? That means a lot of these folks are out here struggling instead of thriving like so many have promised but this does not have to be your story!

So, how can you game plan to avoid a debt-filled future?

Well first, it starts with positioning. Having a solid portfolio and student profile (track record of good grades, test scores, and involvement) can increase marketability and make it possible to achieve more scholarship opportunities (even in college). Free money is always a blessing but you can’t get it if you don’t qualify!

Next is creating a smart list of colleges that considers the costs, pros, and cons of each choice. Finances should be included in the decision-making process! If your family will be at a disadvantage financially then the plan needs to be revamped. Check all other available options that won’t break the bank. There are plenty of them out there.

Last but not least, you MUST create a savings plan to ensure that you are able to meet the costs associated over time. Financial aid doesn’t always cover everything and college is much more than just tuition and fees. Create the plan and work it. You got this!

Before you go, check out this video I found on BuzzFeed. Hopefully, Brittany’s very real and common experience can help you understand why it is so important to be proactive with your planning efforts. Watch it and let me know what you think.

Need help setting up your financial strategy? Check out the On Track College Money Hub for tips, tricks, and strategies to lower your college costs and find additional funding. Get Access Here

About the author: Mizz P. is a College & Career Strategist from The Bronx on a mission to help students Plan Smart, Pay Less, and Succeed. With 17+ years in the game, she knows the system — and how to work it in your favor. Learn more about Mizz P. here.

The post 🤔Is College An Investment or Expensive Mistake??? appeared first on On Track with Mizz P..