Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do…

It’s that time of year, folks! Summer is winding down, inner tubes and flip-flops are making their way into storage, and college-bound students are attending end-of-summer parties before setting sail for their dream schools. But this season is more sweet than bitter: With tips on everything from maximizing test scores to exploring the upside of going Greek, this month’s PUNCH shows you how to keep that summertime feeling all year round.

• Tips for Parents: The Transition from High School Ho-Hum to College Cool
• Juniors, College Confidential Has the Goods on Your Fall Testing Schedule

International students: Do you want to study in the USA? Check out our Free Virtual Student Fairs in India (August 27), Latin America (September 10), or Asia (September 17). Plus, register to win USD3,000 in scholarships!

• Register for the Fair and Start Chatting Live with U.S. College Experts
• College Admissions Interview Tips You Can Use

Fall planning calls for every academic resource you’ve got—and rest assured you’ve got a lot! Kick the year off right by meeting with your high school counselor or college admissions rep. They can provide a wealth of advice on subjects like maximizing your SAT/ACT scores, choosing a career-specific major, and much more.

• Are Colleges Racist in their Admissions? CC Users Are On the Case
• School Counselor, Advisor, Matchmaker: Helping Students through the College Search

Short List Blues got you down? Choosing the right school—out of, like, a million possibilities—is certainly no easy task, but we can help. Check out the new features in SuperMatch at CollegeConfidential.com/college_search. You can now compare schools and share your favorites via Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail! If word-of-mouth advice is what you need, the CC Mobile App’s new CampusVibe section gives you firsthand campus visit accounts from fellow students!

• More than Keggers: Exploring the Real Benefits of Going Greek
• Got First-Year Dorm Jitters? Check Out Our A-Z Guide to Campus Life

The awesome Parents of the College Class of 2015 and beyond!
In Parents Forum by kathiep

2011 Mailed Scores (post when your state gets it!)
In AP Tests Preparation by theeboy3

Should college be a right?
In High School Life by Doratheexploree

Will Low SATs Keep Me Out of My Dream College?

Question::I am a black female with an SAT score of 810 (math/reading) and 1200 (math/reading/writing). I take IB classes and I’m involved in extracurricular activities. I want to get into a really good college like NYU, Fordham, Albany University, etc. When I look at these schools’ SAT requirements I feel like I shouldn’t even waste my time applying. I’m normally an optimistic person, but when it comes to finding that special college for me, it seems bad luck is written all over me. Do I have a chance of getting into any of these schools?  Find out what the dean said...

Moving-to-College Tips

I was looking through some old photographs the other day and came upon one that made me laugh out loud. We were moving our daughter to college for her first year and after we had finished loading up the old ’85 Honda Accord, I took a picture of the car. It was ridiculous. Not only was the inside crammed to the point where there was barely enough room for Mom, Dad, and daughter, but the massive cargo on the roof was lucky to be able to pass beneath Interstate overpasses. In fact, things were stacked so high that I called the state police and asked them if there was a height restriction for piles of stuff atop car roofs. Read more...

FREE for iPhone and Android! While on the go, you can now: - Browse colleges based on your location, or search by name/state - Read visit reports and swap notes with fellow college-hunters - Maintain a list of your top prospective schools - Explore the CC message boards - Be notified when your favorite threads are updated - Stay up to date with Ask the Dean, School Spotlight, and other CC blogs - Check your private messages, and more!