If you're a parent of a high school student, especially a rising senior, it’s go-time. August 1 marks the day when the Common Application goes live—and with it, the official start of college application season.

Even if your teen hasn't picked their dream school yet or hasn’t thought about essay drafts, now is the moment to act. And yes, I know it's still technically summer, but in the college admissions world, it’s game time.

Let’s break down what you need to know, what your teen should be doing, and how you can help them without causing World War III in your household.

📅 Why August 1 Is So Important

August isn’t just about back-to-school sales or squeezing in that last beach trip. It’s when the Com...

 Parents ~ 

This might surprise you, but it needs to be said. Community college can be a brilliant first step in your teen’s college journey.

Many parents immediately picture a traditional four-year university when thinking about college. Dorms, dining halls, football games, long drives for Parent Weekend. But here's the truth. In today's economy and academic landscape, starting at a community college can provide real advantages for many students and families.

This is not a downgrade. It's a strategic move.

Let's take a closer look at why community colleges deserve serious attention as you build your teen’s college list.

🎓 What Is the Real Purpose of College You May Ask?

Before we get caught up in...

Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood topics in the college admissions process. Early Decision.

It sounds efficient. It sounds strategic. It even sounds like it might reduce stress for your entire household. However, for many families, it is a decision made too quickly and with insufficient clarity.

As someone who has helped families through this process for over two decades, I am here to tell you this. Early Decision is not for everyone. And without a smart plan, it can become a costly mistake.

Let’s walk through what you need to know, and why making the right decision starts with understanding the full picture.

What Early Decision Actually Means
Early Decision is a binding agreement. If y...

If you’re the parent of a high school student staring down the barrel of college applications, you might be wondering, do interviews still matter?

It’s a fair question, and the answer isn’t simple

Colleges are constantly shifting their admissions strategies. In this test-optional world where essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations take center stage, interviews can feel like a relic

But not so fast

A mom recently asked me this very question about her daughter who’s applying to small liberal arts colleges. Here’s how I broke it down for her

🎯 Yes, some interviews still matter
But the type of interview matters even more

🎓 Informative vs Evaluative Interviews

Let’s define terms

💡 Informative I...

When families discuss college, the conversation almost always begins with the cost. And that makes sense. College is expensive. However, what is often overlooked is the actual return on investment (ROI). The ROI isn’t just about tuition, room, and board—it’s about whether your teen leaves college prepared for a meaningful, sustainable career.

Let me be clear: college is not the destination. It serves as a training ground for a future career. And too often, families are so focused on "getting in" that they fail to consider what comes after college. That needs to change.

As you help your high school student build their college list, I want to shift your mindset. It's time to think beyond name brands and...

I work with families across the country to create personalized, thoughtful college application strategies. And today, I want to talk to you, not your teen, for just a moment about something that matters more than it may seem at first:

👉🏽 Your teen’s intended college major.

Before you eye-roll and say, “We’ll figure that out later,” hear me out.

🎥 Here's Why I’m Talking About Majors Right Now

When students start listing schools, their “intended major” is often an afterthought—or worse, a reaction to social media trends. But majors matter. In fact, they’re one of the core four elements we use at Strategic Admissions Advice to build strong college lists:
📍 Cost
📍 Location
📍 Major
📍 Career goals

🚫 Th...

Despite summer being in full bloom, we still have to think about college planning and what’s ahead. I know you care deeply about your child’s future, thus I want to gently remind you of something that can sneak up on families: standardized testing.

I get it—there’s so much conflicting information out there right now. Some schools are test-optional. Others are bringing tests back. And everyone seems to have an opinion.

Here’s the truth: tests like the ACT and SAT still matter, and in many cases, they can be the very thing that helps your child stand out or unlock merit aid. But the key is not waiting until the last minute to decide whether or not to take them.

Let’s break it down by grade and give you...

Let’s talk about one of the most overlooked — but most important — parts of the college process: location.

Not just “how far from home?”
Not just “what state is it in?”
But really… who will your kid become because of where they go?

Every month at Strategic Admissions Advice, we focus on one critical element of the college admissions journey. This month is all about college list building — and location is one of the big four factors (along with cost, major, and career goals).

But this week? We’re zooming in on why location deserves more than a passing glance.

🧠 Environment = Mental Health = Motivation

Let’s be honest: college is a transition. It’s exciting, sure — but it’s also tough. So where you...

When it comes to the college process, I need you to hear me clearly: cost is not just a number—it’s a strategy. If you're the parent of a high school student, especially a sophomore or junior, now is the time to have real, open conversations about money with your teen.

And if you're working with me through College List Builder, this conversation isn't optional—it’s essential.

June Is The Time To Build Your Teen’s College List 

If you’ve been following along with this month’s focus, you know I’ve emphasized one non-negotiable: get your child's transcript. This is the starting point for building a solid college list—one that reflects your student’s academic reality and your family’s financial reality...

It’s finally summer. The alarm clocks are off, the school lunch-making grind is over, and your kid has officially entered full summer mode—which probably involves snacks, screens, and sleeping in.

But if you’re a parent of a high school student, I’m asking you to do one important thing before you check out completely:

📄 Get your teen’s transcript.

I know, I know. You’re thinking: “It’s summer. Can’t this wait?”

Nope. Not if you care about your child’s college future.\

Why the Transcript Is So Important (Even Now)

Colleges don’t guess. They evaluate. And the transcript is the first thing they use to do it.

Whether your child is in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, that document holds the key to:
🔍 Underst...