Blog – Page 2 – Elite4usa.com

Three conditions that tell you whether your family can commit to Early Decision, what USC's new ED plan and the disappearing supplemental essays change this year, and a week-by-week roadmap from August 1 to the November 1 deadline.

College Admissions | Early Applications

Early Decision Is a Contract, Not a Strategy: Decide in August, Submit November 1

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 30, 2026

Every college is required to post a Net Price Calculator. Run it before you apply. Here's how to read the numbers, why the new Parent PLUS caps change your list, and how to build in a financial safety — a step-by-step August guide for families of rising seniors.

College Admissions | Paying for College

Ignore the Sticker Price: Build Your College List Around What You’ll Actually Pay

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 29, 2026

Did the computer science job market really collapse in 2026? A data-driven look at CS unemployment and starting salaries, how AI reshaped entry-level hiring, the specializations that are still hiring, and exactly what 9th, 10th, and 11th graders should be doing now.

Choosing a Major | College Admissions

Is Computer Science Still Worth It in the AI Era? An Honest Guide for Parents of 9th–11th Graders

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

The 2026-27 FAFSA opened earlier than ever, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act rewrote federal aid — a first-ever Parent PLUS cap ($20K/year, $65K lifetime), Grad PLUS eliminated, a new lifetime borrowing limit, and SAI asset changes. A 2027 planning guide for families of rising seniors.

College Admissions | Financial Aid

The 2027 Financial Aid Shake-Up — Parent PLUS Loans Now Have a Cap

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 26, 2026July 26, 2026

With Columbia as the last to reinstate testing, all eight Ivy League schools now require the SAT/ACT. Here's exactly which grade level it applies to, how to plan test dates backward from your deadlines, and why the test-optional mindset is now a risk. A 2026 standardized-testing guide for parents of rising 11th and 12th graders.

Standardized Testing | US College Admissions

All 8 Ivies Now Require the SAT — When Does It Apply to Your Child?

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 24, 2026July 24, 2026

The Common App opens August 1, but the race is decided before that. Your personal statement draft, activities list, recommendation requests, testing plan, and college list — a practical summer checklist for parents of rising seniors.

Application Prep | US College Admissions

The Rising Senior Summer Checklist — 5 Things to Finish Before August 1

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 20, 2026July 20, 2026

Why the essay matters more than ever this admissions cycle, a full breakdown of the 2026-2027 Common App prompts, the truth about the 650-word limit, how to find your student's story, a week-by-week summer writing roadmap, and the most common essay mistakes families make. The complete Common App essay guide for parents of rising seniors.

College Essays | US College Admissions

Finish Your Common App Essay This Summer — The Complete Guide for Parents of Rising Seniors

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 11, 2026

The Complete Parent’s Guide to Pennsylvania State University Admissions and Financial Aid

Colleges Analysis

The Complete Parent’s Guide to Pennsylvania State University Admissions and Financial Aid

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee July 2, 2026July 2, 2026

The Complete Parent’s Guide to George Washington University Admissions and Financial Aid

Colleges Analysis

The Complete Parent’s Guide to George Washington University Admissions and Financial Aid

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee June 30, 2026

【William & Mary】 The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Elite American College Admissions and Financial Aid

Colleges Analysis

【William & Mary】 The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Elite American College Admissions and Financial Aid

ByAndy Lee | Elite Prep Suwanee June 26, 2026June 26, 2026