In this episode you will hear:   (12:25) In this week’s “In the news” segment, a November 9th, 2021 article by Emma Whitford of “Inside Higher Ed”, “A New push to create a 3-year degree option”. Mark and Dave discuss a new 3-year degree. Is this a good idea or not? Which students are likely to take advantage of this? Mark and Dave discuss this and so much more.   Part 2 of 2       (20:18) Mark was asked in our questionnaire what trends he is observing for the future concerning college admissions, Mark and Lisa discuss 15 different observations Mark has made about where he sees admissions trending over the next 5-10 years.  In Part 4 of 4 Mark and Lisa discuss the final four trends.   (01:00:35) Mark interviews two financial aid experts: Michael Ireland, Associate Director of Financial Aid and Courtney Hatch Blauvett, the Director of College Counseling at Miss Hall’s school and the former financial aid officer at four different colleges. Michael and Courtney answer 13 questions that listeners to YCBK sent in over the last three months on all topics related to paying for college, financial aid, scholarships, etc. This is part 4 of 5.     Preview Part 4-preview   Courtney takes the lead on the following question: Some schools like Franklin and Marshall offer an Early Estimate to students who apply Early Decision, is this different from a Net Price Calculator? Will a school stand by their Early Estimate and is this something other schools my child is considering will do if we ask them for an Early Estimate. Courtney explains how the Early estimate is different from the net price calculators and she shares two other schools that do this Michael answers the question, how would you respond if someone said, Smith, other schools are doing an Early Estimate, will you do an Early Estimate?   Michael takes the lead on the following question: My child is applying to colleges that require the CSS PROFILE. I am divorced and the CSS PROFILE is asking for my ex to complete a non-custodial parent profile, but he has never been reliable, I know he just will not complete this, is there any option for my child or does she need to apply to schools that do not require this? Michael talks about the process they take at Smith when these dilemmas arise to try to work it out so the student isn’t hurt Courtney speaks up about her experience Courtney answers the following question: My child was approved for Work-Study? How does she actually get a work-study job and can she get a job that is related to her major? She plans on majoring in Biology Courtney shares how work-study has worked at the schools she has worked and and Michael chimes in and shares how work-study has worked at the schools he has worked at Michael takes the lead on the following question-What are some common mistakes you see students and parents make on either the FAFSA or the CSS PROFILE? Michael and Courtney start this question on part four and finish up answering it on our final segment next week   (01:11:55) Our recommended resource for episode 205 is a great source for understanding how colleges look at and interpret an application. It is a case Study that two experienced Rice admission officers lead. If you want to know how the sausage is made: watch this 46 minute video:   (01:25:37) Our College Spotlight is University College London (UCL) and Kevin Newton (our international university specialist) delivers the Spotlight. Part 2 of 2   Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news,  and updates about the podcast before they go live:     To access our transcripts, click: Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans Every word in that episode when the words loans is used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episo