Financial planning

Make Your List, Check it Twice.

December 9, 2025

If you’re a high school senior, now is a great time to review your college list to make sure you end up with some good choices. And if you’re not a senior, you’ll still want to keep an eye out for these topics as you build your college list. Make sure you know the answers to these questions for all the colleges you have applied to. Good news: If the answers you get don’t work, you still have time to find another college or two to send your Common App to.

  • Have you done the net price calculator to get an estimate of costs? Make sure you have applied to at least one– and ideally more than one– affordable choice.
  • Have you checked each school’s scholarship requirements to see if any require additional applications? Have you researched departmental scholarships or other scholarships for which you’re eligible?
  • If you’re taking AP, IB or other college credit courses, what’s the school’s credit policy? Do you get credit for those classes, placement without credit, or nothing? If credit is offered, is it credit towards your major or just gen ed credit? Is there a minimum test score for credit?
  • Did your FAFSA and CSS Profile get sent to each school?
  • For test-optional schools, are your test scores good relative to the college’s student body? (Look up test score ranges for each school at Collegedata.com.) If so, you’re probably better off submitting them.

While you’re at it, check each admissions portal to make sure you’ve submitted everything: supplemental essays, letters of rec, any required portfolio items, housing application (if applicable), application fee or fee waiver request.

Need more help?
Contact The Mather Group, your advisor, health insurance professional, or your state’s health insurance assistance program (SHIP) for additional information. SHIP is a national program that offers one-on-one Medicare counseling and assistance to individuals and their families.

If you’re a high school senior, now is a great time to review your college list to make sure you end up with some good choices. And if you’re not a senior, you’ll still want to keep an eye out for these topics as you build your college list. Make sure you know the answers to these questions for all the colleges you have applied to. Good news: If the answers you get don’t work, you still have time to find another college or two to send your Common App to.

  • Have you done the net price calculator to get an estimate of costs? Make sure you have applied to at least one– and ideally more than one– affordable choice.
  • Have you checked each school’s scholarship requirements to see if any require additional applications? Have you researched departmental scholarships or other scholarships for which you’re eligible?
  • If you’re taking AP, IB or other college credit courses, what’s the school’s credit policy? Do you get credit for those classes, placement without credit, or nothing? If credit is offered, is it credit towards your major or just gen ed credit? Is there a minimum test score for credit?
  • Did your FAFSA and CSS Profile get sent to each school?
  • For test-optional schools, are your test scores good relative to the college’s student body? (Look up test score ranges for each school at Collegedata.com.) If so, you’re probably better off submitting them.

While you’re at it, check each admissions portal to make sure you’ve submitted everything: supplemental essays, letters of rec, any required portfolio items, housing application (if applicable), application fee or fee waiver request.

Need more help?
Contact The Mather Group, your advisor, health insurance professional, or your state’s health insurance assistance program (SHIP) for additional information. SHIP is a national program that offers one-on-one Medicare counseling and assistance to individuals and their families.
Let’s build your financial future today.
Experience purpose-driven financial management designed around you and your family. Get a free investment audit today to discover the TMG difference.
Start with a free financial consultation.
Financial planning

Make Your List, Check it Twice.

December 9, 2025

If you’re a high school senior, now is a great time to review your college list to make sure you end up with some good choices. And if you’re not a senior, you’ll still want to keep an eye out for these topics as you build your college list. Make sure you know the answers to these questions for all the colleges you have applied to. Good news: If the answers you get don’t work, you still have time to find another college or two to send your Common App to.

  • Have you done the net price calculator to get an estimate of costs? Make sure you have applied to at least one– and ideally more than one– affordable choice.
  • Have you checked each school’s scholarship requirements to see if any require additional applications? Have you researched departmental scholarships or other scholarships for which you’re eligible?
  • If you’re taking AP, IB or other college credit courses, what’s the school’s credit policy? Do you get credit for those classes, placement without credit, or nothing? If credit is offered, is it credit towards your major or just gen ed credit? Is there a minimum test score for credit?
  • Did your FAFSA and CSS Profile get sent to each school?
  • For test-optional schools, are your test scores good relative to the college’s student body? (Look up test score ranges for each school at Collegedata.com.) If so, you’re probably better off submitting them.

While you’re at it, check each admissions portal to make sure you’ve submitted everything: supplemental essays, letters of rec, any required portfolio items, housing application (if applicable), application fee or fee waiver request.

Need more help?
Contact The Mather Group, your advisor, health insurance professional, or your state’s health insurance assistance program (SHIP) for additional information. SHIP is a national program that offers one-on-one Medicare counseling and assistance to individuals and their families.

If you’re a high school senior, now is a great time to review your college list to make sure you end up with some good choices. And if you’re not a senior, you’ll still want to keep an eye out for these topics as you build your college list. Make sure you know the answers to these questions for all the colleges you have applied to. Good news: If the answers you get don’t work, you still have time to find another college or two to send your Common App to.

  • Have you done the net price calculator to get an estimate of costs? Make sure you have applied to at least one– and ideally more than one– affordable choice.
  • Have you checked each school’s scholarship requirements to see if any require additional applications? Have you researched departmental scholarships or other scholarships for which you’re eligible?
  • If you’re taking AP, IB or other college credit courses, what’s the school’s credit policy? Do you get credit for those classes, placement without credit, or nothing? If credit is offered, is it credit towards your major or just gen ed credit? Is there a minimum test score for credit?
  • Did your FAFSA and CSS Profile get sent to each school?
  • For test-optional schools, are your test scores good relative to the college’s student body? (Look up test score ranges for each school at Collegedata.com.) If so, you’re probably better off submitting them.

While you’re at it, check each admissions portal to make sure you’ve submitted everything: supplemental essays, letters of rec, any required portfolio items, housing application (if applicable), application fee or fee waiver request.

Need more help?
Contact The Mather Group, your advisor, health insurance professional, or your state’s health insurance assistance program (SHIP) for additional information. SHIP is a national program that offers one-on-one Medicare counseling and assistance to individuals and their families.
Let’s build your
financial future today.
Experience purpose-driven financial management designed around you and your family. Get a free investment audit today to discover the TMG difference.
Start with a free financial consultation.