Today, let's delve into a crucial aspect often underestimated in the college admissions process – service. As we celebrate the founding day of the esteemed Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. let's explore how service can not only enrich your teen's life, but also significantly impact their college applications.

In this blog post, we'll discuss why service matters in the eyes of college admissions officers and how it can set your teen apart from the competition.

Today, colleges seek more than just academic prowess. They are looking for students who go beyond the classroom, contribute to their communities, and exhibit a genuine spirit of service. Colleges are not only interested in grades and test...

As the acceptance letters start pouring in, I'm thrilled to share the success stories of our 17 proactive students who recently secured their spots at incredible colleges. The key? Being ahead of the curve and submitting applications six weeks ago.

In the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions, time is of the essence. The application process is moving swiftly, and with deadlines looming, it's crucial for parents and students alike to stay proactive. In this week’s blog post, I'll provide three essential tips to ensure your teen's college applications are not only complete but also stand out in the competitive pool.

Tip 1: Reassess Your College List 

As parents, your involvement in...

Today, let's delve into a crucial aspect of the college decision-making process—considering distance when researching colleges. As sophomores, juniors, and even seniors embark on the journey of exploring potential schools, understanding the impact of distance is essential. Join me as we uncover the key factors that can influence your decision and ensure a well-informed college choice.

The Significance of College Visits:

Before we dive into the specifics of distance, let's reiterate the importance of college visits. Whether in person or virtual, exploring campuses allows you to gather valuable insights into academics, activities, and admission requirements. As we progress through fall and...

Greetings, parents! 

Last week, we delved into the essentials of college visits, emphasizing academics, activities, and admission requirements. 

This week, let's explore the X factors—the unique elements that can make or break your teen's college experience.

Understanding the Core Elements:

Before we dive into the X factors, let's recap the fundamentals—academics, activities, and admission requirements. These are the pillars that provide a solid foundation for your college exploration.

The X-Factors Unveiled:

1. Culinary Considerations:

My colleague Tim shares a fascinating story about a prospective student at Emory University. This young man was fixated on food...

Hey there, parents! It's fall, the air is getting crisp, and many of you are heading back to your college campuses for homecoming. It's a nostalgic time, but more importantly, it's an opportunity to share your own college experiences with your high school teen.

Why Visit College Campuses:

1. Understanding Academics (The First "A"):

Begin the journey by helping your teen understand the academics of different colleges. Is it a liberal arts school or one with a focus on business and engineering? What specialties does it offer? How does it support students academically on a day-to-day basis? Remind them that academics should be the cornerstone of their college experience. 

2. Exploring...

Parents, 

Today, we're delving into a crucial aspect of the college application process that often goes unnoticed—the peril of selective and rejected colleges. In a world dominated by rankings and percentages, it's essential to guide teens away from colleges that too often take very few students.  

The Rejected School Conundrum: Unveiling the Odds

In a recent discussion, the prevalence of anxiety among parents about the US News and World Report rankings came to light. What exactly is a rejective school? It's a school that admits only 5% to 20% of its applicants, meaning the majority face rejection. While aiming high is admirable, it's crucial to understand the staggering odds and...

Welcome, concerned parents of the Class of 2024! It's a pleasure to have your attention once again. I'm Shereem Herndon-Brown, the founder and president of Strategic Admission Advice. 

Today, I want to emphasize a crucial aspect of the college application process – meeting deadlines.

In this fast-paced world of college applications, there's one universal truth: deadlines are everything. They can make or break your teen's chances of getting into their dream school. So, let's dive into why deadlines are crucial and how you, as parents, can help your teen succeed in meeting them.

The Significance of Deadlines:

Let's start by acknowledging the elephant in the room – college application...

Are you ready for a journey that will shape your teen's future? It's a question that every parent of a high school junior, sophomore, or freshman should be asking themselves. As the founder and president of Strategic Admissions Advice, I've dedicated my career to helping students and parents navigate the complex and ever-changing college admissions process. Today, I want to focus on the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027, because it's never too early to start planning for college success.

In this blog post, we'll explore key steps you can take to ensure your teen's success in the college admissions process. From understanding the shift to digital testing to the importance of campus visits and creating a...

Today, we are delving into a topic of utmost importance for high school students: the significance of connecting with college admissions offices. This engagement isn't for parents; it’s for your teen to actively communicate with colleges regarding their academic journey and aspirations.

At this critical stage, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their interest in prospective colleges, get their questions answered, and form relationships with admissions officers. Many colleges even track this interest as part of their admission process. As we enter the bustling college application season, it's crucial to encourage your teen to sign up for webinars, attend receptions, and make the most...

If you know me, you know I love writing. Teaching writing, reading writing and yes, simply writing is how I spend most of my day. We're here in September, right in the heart of college essay writing season, and if your teen has not already started their essay, it's crucial not to delay any further. Let's ensure that the wheels are in motion for the college essay process because, now more than ever, the college essay can make or break a college application.

To assist your teen effectively, let's break down the college essay process into four essential steps:

1. Brainstorming

The first step, brainstorming, is a collaborative effort. Both you and your teen have ideas, and it's important to discuss them...