624 | The Rules of College Have Changed | Brian Eufinger

The college your teenager attends today could be the difference between an eight-figure net worth by age 30 and six figures of crushing debt. One student turned down MIT for a full ride at Georgia Tech, used the savings to buy rental properties, and achieved financial independence before most people finish paying off their loans. That's the stakes—and the rules just changed. Key Topics Discussed 00:00:00 Introduction and Landscape ChangesBrad Barrett introduces Brian Eufinger from Edison Prep to discuss sweeping changes in college admissions, financial aid, and why assumptions from even five years ago are now dangerously outdated. 00:03:45 The Test Optional ReversalThe pendulum has swung back hard. Seventy-five of the top 100 colleges now require or strongly prefer SAT/ACT scores, reversing the COVID-era test-optional trend. At Duke, 93% of admitted students submitted scores. For merit aid especially, testing matters more than ever. 00:06:30 Grade Inflation and Course RigorGrade inflation has reached absurd levels. The bottom 25% of UCLA admits held a 3.95 unweighted GPA. The average University of Georgia applicant now completes nine AP courses by graduation—up from 4-7 being exceptional just years ago. Taking rigorous courses (AP, IB, dual enrollment) isn't optional for competitive schools. 00:09:15 The UC System Math CrisisA UCSD report revealed that 25% of students couldn't solve elementary problems like "6+3=7+?" Brian's seven-year-old daughters aced the same quiz. California professors are now demanding the return of mandatory testing because test-optional policies masked profound skill gaps. 00:15:20 Merit Aid Grids and Automatic ScholarshipsMerit aid remains alive and well. Many universities publish automatic scholarship grids: if your GPA is X and test score is Y, you're guaranteed specific amounts. Check meritaidgrids.com for comprehensive lists. Schools are also expanding need-based aid for families earning under $200K-$250K. 00:18:40 Financial Aid for FI FamiliesThe fine print matters. "Typical assets" language in aid offers refers to families with retirement accounts—not significant taxable investments or rental properties. Money in retirement accounts generally doesn't count against you. If you have substantial non-retirement assets, consult a fee-only financial planner about restructuring strategies. 00:22:10 Personal Finance Education RevolutionMandatory personal finance education has exploded from 8 states in 2019 to 33 states today. The new AP Business and Personal Finance course combines entrepreneurship (Shark Tank-style) with money management skills like compound interest and budgeting. 00:26:50 Three Essential Financial ConceptsBrian identifies the most important money concepts for graduating seniors: compound interest (retirement accounts), side hustles (entrepreneurship), and understanding how one college decision ripples across decades of wealth building. 00:28:30 The MIT vs Georgia Tech DecisionReal example: a student declined MIT for a full ride at Georgia Tech, used the $140K savings to buy rental properties, and built an eight-figure net worth by age 30. One strategic choice, generational wealth impact. 00:30:15 Sticker Price vs Net PricePrivate school sticker prices aren't what families actually pay. Deep endowments at schools like Vanderbilt, Washington University, or Emory often result in lower net costs than flagship public universities. Google "average net cost" for any school on your list. 00:33:00 College Closures and Financial HealthColleges are closing at roughly one per week. Before enrolling, check Forbes or Wall Street Journal rankings that include financial health metrics and days-cash-on-hand reports. Your degree's value depends on the institution surviving through graduation and beyond. 00:35:40 SAT and ACT Testing StrategyStart testing after completing Algebra 2 (typically sophomore year). The tests are now shorter but score ranges are more volatile. Plan to take the test 3-4 times. …