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...

The school year is winding down—AP exams, finals, and the countdown to summer break. But if you're the parent of a high school student, this time of year is more than just wrapping things up—it's an opportunity to get ahead in the college admissions process.

We’ve worked with thousands of families, and we can tell you this: May and June are some of the most important months to plan ahead.

Here are three key things to focus on before your teen logs off for summer.

📆 1. Have a Clear Testing Plan

Standardized testing is changing, but it’s still relevant. Whether your teen is gearing up for the SAT, ACT, PSAT—or hasn’t decided yet—this is the time to map it out.

Ask yourself:

• 🧠 What tests should my
...

I’ve seen it firsthand.

Another admissions cycle has wrapped.
More frustration.
More confusion.
More heartbreak.

If you're a parent of a high school student, I want to tell you the truth.

This process?
It’s not fair.
It’s not always logical.
And it’s definitely not built with your child’s best interest in mind.

Let’s break it down.

#1: Remember that rejection isn’t about your teen’s worth

Your child might get rejected from a dream school—even with great grades, test scores, and extracurriculars.

That doesn’t mean they failed.
It means the system is flawed.

One of my students had:

• A 1570 SAT
  

• Straight A’s
  

• Dual enrollment courses
  

• Stellar extracurriculars
  
  

Still rejected from multip...

Let me be clear about something right away—your teen doesn’t need to win a national award or cure a disease for their extracurricular activities to matter on a college application.

What do they need? To show up, follow through, and reflect on what they’ve learned along the way. That’s where YOU come in.

I’ve worked with thousands of high school students over the years, and I can confidently say this: the most overlooked part of the college application is the activity list—and it’s where families miss a huge opportunity to stand out.

Here’s why extracurriculars matter more than you think.

When colleges review applications, they aren’t just looking at grades and test scores. They want to know what k...

I’m not here to bash school counselors. They’re doing important work under tough conditions. But as a parent, you deserve to know what your teen should be receiving from their school counselor this spring.

And if you're not getting it, it’s okay to ask for more.

Here’s what I want you to look for—especially if you have an 11th grader.

1. You Should Have a Timeline Right Now

It’s April. That means decisions need to be made, and actions need to be taken.

You should have a clear timeline from your school:

• When is your child taking the SAT or ACT?
  
• When are teacher recommendations due?
  
• When should you start the personal statement?
  
• What are your summer visit plans?
  

Ask yourself:
Have you se...

I talk to parents every day who want what’s best for their kids. You want security. Stability. A solid career.

So what do we tell them?

Go pre-med. Get into business. Study engineering. Learn computer science.

But here's the truth:

Those majors aren't the right fit for every student. And pushing them into one “just to be safe” can backfire.

I've seen it happen.

A student applies to a top college for computer science. Strong GPA. Good extracurriculars. Rejected.

Another student applies for psychology or environmental studies at the same school. Accepted.

Same GPA. Similar background. But the choice of major made a huge difference.

Why? Because some majors are way more competitive.

The 4 Majors ...

The cost of college is skyrocketing. The admissions process is a maze. And parents like you are being left to figure it all out on your own.

It’s frustrating, stressful, and unfair. But here’s the truth: You don’t have to do this alone.

What’s Happening to College Admissions?

If you’ve been paying attention, you know that major changes are happening in higher education. Federal policies are shifting, financial aid programs are in jeopardy, and colleges are making admissions decisions in ways that feel unpredictable.

Here are some key challenges families are facing right now:

• Soaring Tuition Costs: Many private colleges now cost over $75,000 per year. Even public universities are becoming more e...

When it comes to choosing a college, the allure of a prestigious name can be hard to resist. As parents, we want the best for our children, and it’s easy to assume that a well-known university automatically translates to success. But let’s be real—prestige doesn’t pay the bills.

In today’s economy, college costs are soaring, student debt is crippling families, and financial security is more important than ever. That’s why smart parents are choosing price over prestige when building their teen’s college list.

The Harsh Reality of College Costs

I recently worked with a family whose daughter was accepted into an elite private university with an annual price tag of over $70,000. They were thrilled—unti...