The College Game Plan with Coach Uni
By Ashley Johnson
The College Game Plan with Coach UniFeb 25, 2020
A Message For The Graduates!
Today's episode is the last episode of Season 1 and is a heartfelt message/send off for all of the graduates of the class of 2020! I have four key points that I would tell my younger self and wanted to share it with all of you! The book I referenced is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Follow me on Instagram: @Coach.Uni and Twitter @Coach_Uni.
Options to Consider If You Want to Change Your Plans
In today episode, I am addressing four options for you to consider if you are thinking about changing your plans for going to college as we approach Fall 2020. This episode is great for high school seniors and juniors who are still trying to sort everything out despite the uncertain times that we are currently living in. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Opening Update Survey: https://www.nacacnet.org/collegeopenings. Follow me on Instagram: @Coach.Uni and Twitter @Coach_Uni for updates and ongoing information.
Feeling Meh? I Hope This Helps!
Today's episode addresses how to get through feeling "meh"/uninspired/unmotivated. With the progression of a world wide pandemic, we could all probably use some encouragement and tips for how to best get through this. This episode is more of a wellbeing check-in instead of advice for preparing for college. I am providing a few tips that I think could be helpful! Follow me on Instagram: @Coach.Uni and Twitter: @Coach_Uni for updates and ongoing information.
The Unconventional Spring 2020 Semester: Survival Tips
In today's episode, I am talking about ways to survive spring semester 2020 despite all that is happening due to the spread of COVID-19. With all that is happening and changing all over the world, there are some things that you as a student or parent can do to continue moving forward as best as possible. Today's episode is discussing what high school seniors, juniors, and underclassmen can be doing to manage this very devastating time. For virtual campus tours, visit sites like: www.campustours.com & www.youvisit.com. For updates on ACT & SAT cancelled dates and rescheduling, visit www.collegeboard.org and act.org. For updates regarding federal student loan repayment changes, visit www.studentaid.gov. Follow me on Instagram: @Coach.Uni and Twitter: @Coach_Uni for more updates and and ongoing information.
We Need To Talk
In today's episode, I am addressing ways parents can have the "money" talk with students regarding being able to afford their college education. This time of the year is super exciting for students as they start to receive their college acceptance letters, but what do you do when your child gets accepted to their #1 choice, but the financial aid package does not offer enough money? I give you some tips on how to have this conversation with your child and some helpful insights that you can start thinking about and discussing well before senior year! Helpful resources include: https://collegecost.ed.gov/ to run the Net Price Calculator at every school your child is thinking about. Helpful Facebook group that you may want to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PayingForCollege101/. Excellent book recommendation: How To Graduate Debt Free by Kristina Ellis: https://www.amazon.com/How-Graduate-Debt-Free-Strategies-NotGoingBroke/dp/1617957437/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=how+to+graduate+debt+free&qid=1583757929&sr=8-2. Follow me on Instagram @Coach.Uni and Twitter: @Coach_Uni
**Bonus Episode** SAT & ACT Fee Waivers
Check with your school counselor about seeing if you are eligible to receive an SAT & ACT fee waiver. Students can receive 2 waivers for each test and they come with lots of other benefits. SAT information: https://blog.collegeboard.org/guide-to-sat-fee-waivers ACT information: https://mysuccess.act.org/resource/fee-waiver-program/?_ga=2.15748147.486653840.1582863740-1559219876.1582478525 SAT Subject Tests information, test dates, and registration deadlines: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/register/test-dates-deadlines. If you are not sure which test is best for you to take, take this short quiz: https://www.kaptest.com/sat/sat-vs-act
Follow me on Instagram @Coach.Uni & Twitter @Coach_Uni
What Juniors Can Do Now To Prepare For Senior Year
In today's episode, Coach Uni is providing tips for high school juniors that they can start doing during the spring semester of junior year to be prepared for senior year. Getting a head start on preparing will help make senior year less stressful and easier to get everything done. Juniors should take the SAT or ACT at least once before finishing this year. Test dates can be found at www.collegeboard.org for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT. Both sites offer free test prep for students. Students who take the SAT can link their PSAT scores to their Khan Academy account (www.khanacademy.org) for free personalized test prep. The second tip is for students to start asking for letters of recommendation from teachers. Ask early and also provide teachers with a student resume or activity sheet of all the activities that you have participated in throughout your high school career. Students can build a student resume on their Naviance account or use this example and free resume builder: https://resumecompanion.com/resume-examples/high-school-student-resume-sample/. Students can use Big Future by the College Board: bigfuture.collegeboard.org; College Navigator by the US Department of Education: nces.ed.gov, or Naviance www.naviance.com to build their college list. You can use filters on Big Future's website to narrow down your list to things that you are particularly looking for in a college. Parents, your 2019 tax return will be used to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here is the link of all of the documents you will need to file this application when it opens on October 1, 2020: https://fafsa.ed.gov/help/before003.htm
About Me & What To Expect
This episode gives you some background information about me and what you can expect from the podcast. My name is Ashley Johnson and I am a school counselor who has a passion for helping families and students navigate the college admissions & financing process with ease. I am a graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Psychology and Virginia Commonwealth University with a M.Ed. in Counselor Education. I share my philosophy on preparing for college and why I think starting as early as possible will yield better results. I also have an Instagram page where I share helpful tips and knowledge on the ever changing college admissions world and you can follow me at @Coach.Uni. Thank you for listening!
Welcome to the Podcast
This is my very first podcast episode to welcome you all to the show and tell you what I will be talking about here. I will be discussing all things related to preparing for, applying to, and paying for college with an emphasis on the student loan borrowing process to help people make more informed decisions before they borrow. In addition to my Instagram page @Coach.Uni, I will share more information with you all that I am so passionate about and hope you enjoy the show!