Jessica Velasco, Author at College Raptor | Page 2 of 2

Jessica Velasco is an independent college counselor and founder of JLV College Counseling. She uses her prior experience and knowledge as an admission counselor and director to provide guidance to students and their parents as they go through the college admissions process.

A student writing in a notebook with an orange pen.

questions & answers

Should I Take IB Classes in High School? How to Determine if International Baccalaureate Courses Are Right For You

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

International Baccalaureate, or IB, classes, are a bit like AP classes, but not entirely. It depends on a lot of factors if you should take an IB class in high school. We’ll highlight those factors below. Students may be confused when they have the opportunity to choose between IB and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Here …

Rows of beige desks and blue chairs in a high school.

questions & answers

Should I Take AP Classes? How to Decide if Advanced Placement Courses Are Right for You

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

If college is a possibility for you, you should consider taking Advanced Placement courses (AP) if your high school offers them. There are many advantages to taking more challenging classes. In addition to possibly giving you an edge in college admissions, the courses could also have a positive effect on your college life. It can …

Prospective students take a walking tour of MIT's campus during a college visit.

college search

Junior Prep for College: 10 Easy Tips

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on May 24, 2023

As a third-year student in high school, it’s a great time to start thinking: What should juniors do to prepare for college? Instead of stressing about the process during the fall of your senior year, get ahead of the game, and start planning now. If you’re wondering what should juniors do to prepare for college, …

University of Wisconsin campus sculpture of Abraham Lincoln statue.

college search

Pros and Cons: Deciding Whether to Attend a State School as an Out-of-State Student

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

Many students want to go college far away from home. At first thought, many students think attending a state school will be cheaper. However, attending a state school as an out-of-state student is often much more expensive. There are pros and cons of attending a state school as an out-of-state student. Before making the decision …

A red brick campus building with trees surrounding it.

financial advice & planning

How to Reduce Tuition Costs for Out-of-State Students

By Jessica VelascoLast updated on December 22, 2022

The biggest drawback of attending an out-of-state public institution for many students is that you will be paying a higher price tag than your classmates who are from the state. So, how to reduce tuition costs you might ask? While attending a state school as an out-of-state student isn’t right for every student, if the …

Jessica Velasco

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