Unveiling the Importance of Essays

Essays, the true gems of college applications, offer your teen a unique opportunity to stand out in the highly competitive admissions landscape. In this week’s blog post, we'll explore three essential tips to guide your teen through the essay-writing process, ensuring they maximize this golden opportunity.

Tip #1: Collaborative Brainstorming

Parents, you hold a wealth of knowledge about your teen's experiences, aspirations, and uniqueness. Seize this knowledge by delving into the essay prompts during relaxed moments, perhaps during a long drive or over dinner. Initiate discussions illuminating aspects of their lives, helping them identify compelling stories to sh...

Today, let's delve into the evolution of standardized testing and how it impacts your teen's journey toward higher education.

Understanding the Digital Shift

The SAT® and PSAT-related assessments are going fully digital. As part of that shift, the tests will also be adaptive.  In adaptive testing, the questions a student encounters as they move through the test depends on how they answered the prior questions. The introduction of the digital SAT begins tomorrow, March 9, and signals a shift in testing methods. This transition brings challenges and opportunities for students navigating the college admissions process.

The SAT and PSAT-related assessments use a multistage adaptive design. Each tes...

As we approach the crucial time of year for high school students – the course selection period – it's essential for you to dive into the intricacies of your teen's academic journey. Whether your teen is a freshman, sophomore, or junior, understanding the dynamics of course sequencing is pivotal for their success in gaining admission to the best colleges.

Decoding GPA: More Than Just Numbers

Let's start by demystifying the GPA puzzle. While it holds significance, it's not the sole determinant of your teen's academic prowess. Every school has its own grading scale, and colleges recalibrate grades based on their rules. So, what does this mean for your teen? It means focusing on the appropriate level o...

Now more than ever, I'm committed to guiding you through the crucial process of building a college list for your high school student. In our previous discussions, we've explored the foundations of a solid college list, covering aspects like cost, location, and possible majors. Today, let's delve into the fourth key pillar – potential careers.

The Importance of Considering Possible Careers
When approaching the college decision with your teen, it's crucial to discuss the academic aspects and potential career paths. Recognizing that teenagers might not have a clear vision of their future, informed conversations about possible careers can be immensely beneficial. Strategic Admissions Advice offers person...

Today, let's delve into a crucial aspect of the college search process: discovering your high school teen's possible college major.

Understanding the Four Pillars:

As we've discussed before, the college search process at Strategic Admissions Advice revolves around four key pillars. While cost and location are essential considerations, today, we focus on the third pillar: possible major.

Why Your Teen's Major Matters:

Do you know your teen's true strengths and academic interests? It's crucial for students to approach college with intentionality, understanding why they want to attend and, ideally, what they want to study. At Strategic Admissions, we utilize assessments to help identify strengths and i...

Parents play a pivotal role in guiding their teen toward a successful future, and it all begins with understanding the fundamental pillars of college list building: cost, location, possible major, and possible career. In this blog post, we'll delve into the first pillar: cost. Remember, this is just one part of the larger college search process, and we'll cover the other pillars in subsequent posts.

Cost: The Cornerstone of College List Building:

In the realm of college search, cost stands tall as the number one pillar. The reality is, no matter your financial background, it's crucial to consider how much it will cost to educate your teen. The landscape of college expenses has evolved, and it's ess...

Welcome, parents of the Class of 2025! As your teen inches closer to the exciting journey of college admissions, it's crucial to shift gears and establish a strong partnership with your school counselor. 

Understanding the Role of Your School Counselor:

Your school counselor plays a pivotal role in guiding your teen through the college admissions process. As a former school counselor and college admissions officer, I always emphasize the importance of appreciating the procedures and protocols followed by the school's college counseling office. It's essential to view your school counselor as a valuable ally rather than pointing fingers for perceived shortcomings.

Building a Connection:

To make the...

Today, I want to address the parents of current juniors – the class of 2025 – about a crucial aspect of their high school experience: academic planning.

Do you know what classes your teen is set to take next year? This seemingly simple question holds immense importance. Understanding your teen's academic path and its implications for the college process is a pivotal step in ensuring their future success. Join me as I share insights into why academic planning during junior year is vital and how it can significantly impact your teen's college applications.

The Reverse Evaluation Process: Understanding the College Perspective

Colleges often begin their evaluation process by looking at the first se...

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 Extracurricular...

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 g...