Summer is finally here, and I can't help but feel the excitement in the air. It's a time for sunshine, relaxation, and making memories. But as parents of high school students, it's essential to consider how your teenager spends their summer and how it can positively impact their college admissions journey. 

In this blog post, I'll shed light on the significance of productive summer activities, how they influence college applications, and why it's crucial to strike a balance between enjoying life and preparing for the future. Let's dive in!

The Power of Productive Summers 

While it's tempting for teenagers to indulge in carefree summer days, it's equally important for them to engage in...

Hey there! This week, I want to continue our discussion on college admissions and shed light on how resumes and essays can work together to create a compelling application. Did you know that a staggering 80% of colleges no longer require standardized testing? This shift puts a greater emphasis on essays and activities resumes, allowing students to showcase their true potential. In this blog post, I'll explain how your child's essays and resumes should align and amplify their unique stories. So, let's dive in!

The Impact of No Standardized Testing 

With colleges moving away from standardized testing, the weight placed on essays and activities resumes has significantly increased. Admissions...

It's crucial for parents to understand the importance of resumes for high school students. While I've been talking about essays in the past few weeks, let's shift our focus to resumes and activity sheets. I've received numerous requests for templates and formatting tips, so let's dive right in!

What is a Resume? 

A resume or activities list is a compilation of your child's accomplishments and involvements outside the classroom. It's essential to present these activities in an exciting and engaging manner. Using active verbs and listing the most significant activities at the top, you can highlight how your child spends their time and showcase their interests and strengths. Colleges are interested...

If you're a parent with a high school student, do you think your teen needs a resume to apply to college? I get this question a lot, and the answer I always give is a resounding yes! Let me explain why having a resume is crucial for college applications and how it can make a significant impact on your child's chances of admission. 

 Highlighting Activities Beyond the Classroom

A resume for college applications is not the same as a job resume. Instead, it serves as a snapshot of how your child spends their time outside the classroom. While many colleges provide an activity sheet, they often give students the option to upload a resume as well. Although it may seem repetitive, having both can...

As the founder and Chief Education Officer of Strategic Admissions Advice, I often hear from parents about how our work together positively shaped the future path for their son or daughter as they navigated the complex and overwhelming path of the college admissions process.

Our company is dedicated to providing personalized coaching, strategy, and support for parents and their teens throughout the college admissions process.

Today, I would like to share a recent success story with you, which I believe is a testament to the level of service and personal attention we provide.

One of our clients, Brent, a father of a high schooler applying for college, shared his concerns and experiences with us:

"A...

I want to address a common concern among parents with high school students—the challenge of brainstorming for college application essays. Crafting a compelling essay is crucial to the college admissions process, and as parents, we want to support our children in this important endeavor.

Last week, I shared some insights on kickstarting the brainstorming process when your teen feels stuck and doesn't know what to write about. Many parents reached out to me, expressing gratitude for permission to assist their kids. However, I understand the concerns about striking a balance between parental involvement and allowing students to take ownership of their essays. Every family is unique, but rest...

Avoid These Common Pitfalls

It's important to steer clear of certain topics that may hinder your teen's chances of making a strong impression through their essay. Here are a few key points to remember:

1. No Romance, Please: Encourage your child to keep their personal relationships out of their essay. Intimate details of their love life are better left unsaid, as colleges are primarily interested in learning about their character, values, and achievements.
2. Complaining is a No-Go: Remind your teen that the personal statement is not the platform for airing grievances about teachers, curriculum, or a bad grade. There's a separate section in the application to address any exceptional circumstances....

I know talking about college essays may not be what you had in mind for this summer, but trust me, understanding the significance of supplemental essays is crucial. Many people focus solely on the personal statement and overlook the importance of brainstorming effectively for supplemental essays. I want to emphasize why these supplemental essays matter and how they can significantly impact your child's college application. 

Understanding Supplemental Essays:

Supplemental essays are institution-specific essays that colleges and universities require in addition to the personal statement. While the personal statement often offers various prompts through platforms like the Common Application,...

As a high school student, writing college essays can be one of the most daunting tasks. It's a crucial aspect of the college application process that requires students to showcase their unique qualities and experiences. Why? Well, because many colleges rely upon essays more than they do scores (test-optional schools) and with the rise of artificial intelligence, colleges want to know your student as much as they can.

The Importance of the Student Voice

Parents should be involved in the brainstorming process, but not to the point where the student's unique voice is lost. A student's writing style is different from that of a 40 or 50-year-old. The essay is an opportunity for students to showcase their...