Let’s talk about Glimpse.

If you haven’t heard of it, Glimpse is a new-ish way for students to add a 60-90 second video to their college application. Think of it as a curated “What’s up? Here’s who I am” moment not a polished film project, but more like a confident selfie on a mission.

Some colleges (like Boston University) are dipping their toes in and offering students this optional space to share something that doesn’t show up in the application. It’s not required. It won’t hurt you if you don’t submit one. But if you do it right? It might just help.

🎥 What Is Glimpse?

Glimpse is a platform developed by InitialView to give applicants an informal but thoughtful video moment. It’s not a recorded in...

The Panic is Real

I get it. Every September and October, my inbox starts to fill with nervous messages from parents of juniors. And honestly? You’re not wrong to be stressed. Junior year isn’t just another lap in the high school race. It’s the lap where strategy matters most.

If freshman year is about starting off strong and sophomore year is about finding rhythm, junior year is where the stakes climb sky-high. College admissions officers are going to scrutinize your teen’s transcript, their extracurricular choices, and yeswhether they’ve even stepped foot on a college campus or sat through a Saturday morning standardized test.

But here’s the good news: there is a system. And if you follow it, you’ll...

The college application season can feel like riding an emotional roller coaster  exciting, stressful, confusing, and overwhelming all at once. As a parent, you want to support your teen without losing your cool or getting caught in the chaos. If you’re wondering how to keep calm, stay organized, and actually enjoy the ride, this post is for you.

In the next 90 days, your family will face senior photos, pranks, scheduling changes, standardized tests, and the real challenge  the college application deadlines. The good news? You don’t have to do this alone. By the end of this post, you’ll have a game plan to handle the season with less stress and more success.

The Emotional Roller Coaster Is Real

I...

Welcome, parents.

It’s officially August, and if you're anything like most families of rising seniors, you're feeling a mix of excitement, panic, and deep confusion. I get it. The Common Application is now live, and your teen is technically supposed to start applying to college. But there’s a new twist in 2025: Artificial Intelligence. Yes, we need to talk about it.

As a college admissions professional with over 20 years of experience (and someone who now leads a company helping families just like yours), I want to help you cut through the noise and give you real, actionable advice.

This is about how your teen can ethically and effectively use tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and other AI programs wit...

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...