Parents of 11th Graders,

As an educator and parent,  I understand the importance of researching and visiting colleges with your soon-to-be-senior-in-high-school. With spring break just around the corner, I assume many of you are starting to plan your college visits.

GREAT!

But, did you know that some colleges may have spring break at the same time as yours? Visiting colleges when students are not on campus is not ideal.  It can impact your teen’s initial college visit experience in a negative way. 

Given this, I recommend that you check out each school’s website and find out when they’re on spring break and make sure information sessions and tours are being offered...

Class of 2024 Parents,

Did you know that you will be starting the college application process in only nine months? 

It’s right around the corner.

Click here to watch my new video about choosing a college major.

And, if you’re wondering if you might be ready (or not) I’m curious if you can answer these four important questions: 

1. Do you know what your teen’s major is going to be? 
2. Do you know their gifts?
3. Do you know their strengths?
4. Do you know their interests?

Asking yourself (and having a conversation with your teen) about these topics will start to shape their path and choices when it comes to choosing a college major.

I would be remiss if I did not bring...

Parents of 11th graders, now that the semester or trimester is in full swing, I have a question for you:

Have you and your junior met with the school’s college counselor?

This is a critical step in the college admissions process at this time of year. Why?

This is a critical step in the college admissions process at this time of year. Why?

Without their school supporting your teen and understanding more about who they are and where they want to go to college - you could be losing valuable time, information and resources that your college counseling office provides.

Before I started Strategic Admissions AdviceI was a school guidance counselor. I understand firsthand what students and parents go...

Parents of current 11th graders, I have a question for you:

Does your kid have a plan for this summer? 

 Are they going to volunteer?

 Do they have some kind of internship?

 Do they have a job?

In our experience we have seen a lot of students benefit in the college admissions process by doing something advantageous - such as volunteering, having a part-time job or internship to help bolster their application.

If you want your current junior to succeed in the college admissions game next year - they need to do something besides just lounging at the beach or hangin’ with friends between June and August in order to help their college applications.

So what should they do?

...

Parents, it’s the start of the new year. Time to get serious. Time for a plan.

In my new video this week, I have a question for you:

Do you know what classes your teen is taking their senior  year or is projected to take? 

It is very important that you understand how classes affect the college admissions process. 

In today's video, we're going to discuss the three reasons why your teen’s senior year schedule matters.

1. Do you know what math class your teen is going to take next year?
   For example, certain colleges don't even read applications if they don't have the word “calculus” on it. Please ensure your teen is at least pre-calculus or calculus or AB...

If a college student is unhappy at their current institution and wants to transfer to another college, there are several steps they can take to make the process as smooth as possible.

1. First, the student should research and identify potential colleges that align with their academic and career goals. This can include looking at colleges with programs in their desired field of study, as well as schools with a good track record of helping students transfer credits.

2.  Next, the student should contact the admissions office at the colleges they are interested in and ask about their transfer policies and requirements. This can include information on how many credits can be transferred, any GPA...

First, let’s define what it means to be “deferred.” With an admissions deferral, the college has decided to postpone your child’s admission decision to a later date and will reconsider or review the application with the Regular Decision applicant pool. In the meantime, you and your child need to reassess their college list in preparation for the “worst”: a rejection. As hard and evil as that sounds, it is often for the better. When a student gets rejected, it’s like a band-aid getting swiftly ripped off. It’s painful at first, but then it’s over. When a student gets deferred, the band-aid gradually gets peeled back and every single scab and pinch...

Did you know, on average, an admissions officer may spend 4-7 minutes reading your kid’s application the first time through?

Writing a college essay is hard. Very few students go into the writing process “pumped” to sit in front of a computer to tell a story. It's part laborious, oftentimes frustrating and occasionally embarrassing. The most common thing I hear is “I don't know what to write!” and then it becomes my job to help the student to brainstorm and believe in the idea that we have thought of together. 

Know what's far easier? Documenting life. Instead of trying to devise some cleverly creative epiphany that they think will change the landscape of college...

College application requirements have changed a lot since you applied to college. Even more so since Covid. Gather accurate information and cross reference it with what your child knows.

You must partner with your teen during this process!

Also do these three things immediately, if you haven't already………

#1 : Talk about money.

College is expensive. Be honest with your Senior about how much you have and/or willing to spend. Help your student to investigate need-based aid and merit scholarships.

#2: Anticipate the emotional roller coaster.

What you may want for your child may not be what they want for themself. If your child is not developmentally...

Myth: Athletic scholarships are full rides offered in the senior year of high school.

Not true. In fact, most athletic scholarships are partial (or equivalency) scholarships, as each team’s coach has a limited number of scholarships to offer each entering class. Other than football and basketball—the biggest athletic money generators for most institutions—only Division I tennis, gymnastics, and volleyball can offer full-ride scholarships for athletics. In recruiting athletes, a college coach can make a verbal offer as early as middle school, but it usually happens during freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school, depending on the sport and...