Research Opportunities
Ralph Becker
The Importance of High School Research

Many applicants to the most selective university programs share high grades, high test scores, solid recommendations and generous doses of community service and volunteer activities. Yet, if they want to set themselves apart from the pool of exceptional students, a significant research experience in STEM or the social sciences helps.

The Importance of High School Research

Debt-Free U

A Question of Financial Aid

A Question of Financial Aid

As your acceptances begin to pour in, it’s critical to review each school’s financial aid package. The best way of evaluating the offers is by placing them on a spreadsheet, or a big piece of paper, and writing down the following information for each of your schools:

Line 1: The Total Cost of Attending (tuition + room & board + books + any fees + any projected travel) [COA]

Line 2: Your Effective Family Contribution (calculated by the FAFSA form) [EFC]

Line 3: Your Need (calculated by: Line 1 – Line 2)

Line 4: The detailed financial package you’ve been offered.

The above is the fundamental financial aid formula. If you hate formulas, please read on anyway; the information might prove useful.