If you’re the parent of a high school junior in the Class of 2027, you’ve probably already felt it: college admissions is more competitive than ever.

Acceptance rates are shrinking, stress levels are rising, and families are left wondering: How do we make sure our teen stands out?

The truth is, great grades and test scores aren’t enough anymore. Colleges want students who know how to tell their story and present themselves strategically.

That’s exactly why I created The College Application Action Plan (CAAP).

CAAP is designed to help families cut through the noise, reduce stress, and give students the tools they need to shine in this process without the overwhelm.

For just $47/month, you’ll get the...

If your teen is a high school sophomore—a member of the Class of 2027—you’ve already felt the competitive pressure. The truth is, building a profile that earns admission to top colleges doesn’t begin with the application forms; it begins with strategic decisions made during sophomore year.

Waiting is the #1 mistake, costing your family valuable opportunities in course selection, extracurricular focus, and summer planning. To win in today’s admissions environment, you need an actionable plan now.

The Problem: Your High School Counselor is Overwhelmed 

We know you want to rely on your high school guidance counselor, but most are spread too thin—juggling hundreds of students and unable to provide the de...

When it comes to college applications, every detail counts. Parents often focus on essays, extracurriculars, and test scores. But one element that can make a significant difference is first quarter (or first trimester) senior year grades. These grades are often the first glimpse colleges get of your teen’s maturity, consistency, and readiness for college.

Here's Why First Quarter Grades Are Critical

Colleges want students who show academic consistency and progression. Admissions officers often review applications backwards, starting with senior year, then junior year, followed by sophomore and freshman years.

🎓 Academic Trajectory: Colleges look for upward trends and consistency
💡 Maturity & Readiness...

When it comes to college applications, grades and test scores get a lot of attention. But there’s one element that can truly set your teen apart: recommendation letters. These letters help admissions officers see your child as more than numbers on a transcript. They add depth and context to an application.

In this post, we break down counselor, teacher, additional, and peer recommendations, and provide actionable advice for parents.

Here's Why Recommendations Matter

Colleges receive thousands of applications each year. Many students have strong grades, test scores, and extracurriculars. Recommendations show who your teen is beyond the numbers.

🎓 They demonstrate your teen’s character and contributio...

Parents, let’s be honest for a moment. When you applied to college 20 or 30 years ago, the process looked very different than it does today. Maybe you filled out a single paper application, wrote a short essay, and mailed it in. You probably relied on your guidance counselor, family friends, or brochures to make your decisions. Fast forward to today, and the landscape is nearly unrecognizable.

If you’ve started to help your teen explore colleges, you’ve likely realized just how much has changed. Selectivity has increased. Requirements have shifted. Testing policies are in flux. Costs have skyrocketed. At the same time, new technology and societal shifts are shaping the way schools evaluate applicants.

Visiting colleges is one of the most powerful steps families can take to help high school students picture themselves in their future. But when is the best time to make these visits? While any visit is better than none, fall has some unique advantages that make it the ideal season to explore campuses.

If your family has a high school student, whether a sophomore just starting to think about college or a senior making final decisions, planning college visits during the fall months offers energy, access, and insight that are hard to replicate at other times of year. Let’s break down why.

The Power of Campus Energy in the Fall

When you step onto a college campus in September or October, you’ll notice ...

Football season is back, and for many teens, Saturdays are now about game-day hype, rankings, and highlight reels. Parents often roll their eyes, but here’s the truth:

College football can spark powerful conversations about your teen’s college future.

When your child says, “I want to go to Penn State!” after watching a big game, don’t dismiss it. Instead, lean into the curiosity. Use it as a way to ask deeper questions about what they want in a school.

Over the years, I’ve seen how football culture reflects campus energy, school spirit, and community. And whether your student is an athlete or not, those things matter.

That’s why I encourage every parent to use this season to guide their teen with th...

Hi parents ~ 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know this time of year is what I call “game time.” September, October, November. Three months that will make a massive difference in your teen’s college journey, whether they are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.

This is not about adding pressure. It is about adding clarity. The reality is, the next 90 days set the tone for the rest of the year. Let’s talk about what each grade should focus on right now, and how you, as parents, can play a supportive (but not overbearing) role.

Seniors: This Is Your Super Bowl Season

🎯 Finalize and balance your college list
Make sure your teen has a realistic mix of reach, target, and safety school...

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...