Making the Grade: Expert Tips for Getting Into College with Laura Georgieva

On this episode, Jill chats with Lora Georgieva to discuss the complexities of college admissions and financial aid. Lora shares her journey from financial advising to college planning, emphasizing the importance of understanding financial aid options and the emotional aspects of college selection. They explore strategies for reducing college costs, identifying predatory loan scams, and the significance of SAT scores and essays in the admissions process. Lora also highlights the value of extracurricular activities, the impact of social issues on college choices, and the importance of finding the right fit for students academically and financially.More about Jill & Go Long:⁠⁠⁠Sign-up for Go Long’s newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Go Long⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠More about Lora:⁠⁠⁠Destination-College.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠Jump to:00:00 - Introduction to College Planning and Financial Aid02:22 - Navigating Financial Aid Options06:42 - Identifying Predatory Loan Scams08:32 - Understanding College Financial Aid Distribution12:14 - The Admissions Process: When to Seek Help14:40 - The Importance of SATs and Test Scores18:00 - Crafting a Compelling College Essay20:49 - The Role of Extracurricular Activities22:45 - Addressing Safety and Social Issues in College24:07 - Standing Out Without Privilege27:52 - Characteristics of Must-Admit Students31:34 - Choosing the Right Courses in High School36:57 - Underrated vs. Overrated Colleges40:17 - Narrowing Down College Applications44:30 - Understanding Early Decision and Financial Aid