If you’ve been paying attention to college trends lately, you might have noticed a surge of interest in Southern schools, especially large public universities in the Southeast. Think University of Texas, University of Georgia, University of Florida, Clemson, and University of South Carolina.

You’ve probably heard it in passing, maybe in the Wall Street Journal, about kids saying “move over Harvard, the South is the new thing.” And honestly, I get it. The weather, the vibe, the energy. It is magnetic. But here’s the thing: popularity alone shouldn’t be the reason your teen applies to a school.

I want to unpack why these schools are so appealing, what parents need to know, and how you can help your chil...

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, 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...

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...

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...

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...

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 college admissions process is filled with stress, uncertainty, and endless information. Parents and students alike often feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks they must complete—researching schools, writing essays, securing recommendations, and strategizing for success. It’s easy to get lost in the chaos.

But what if there was a way to simplify it all? What if, instead of more stress, you could focus on just four key elements that actually matter? We’ve created a simple yet powerful framework: L.E.S.S.—List, Essay, Story, and Strategy. By focusing on these essentials, you can help your teen not only survive the process but thrive in it.

1. The Power of a Balanced College List
   The foundation...

Want Your Teen to Stand Out? You Need a Story and a Strategy. 

Welcome to the College Application Action Plan (CAAP)!

Let’s be real—college admissions is wild right now. Acceptance rates are plummeting, competition is fierce, and schools are looking for students who don’t just check boxes but stand out in meaningful ways. The problem? Most students (and parents) don’t know how to tell that story effectively. 

That’s why I created the College Application Action Plan (CAAP)—a program designed to help families cut through the noise, get strategic, and make sure their teen stands out.

For $47/month, families gain access to expert advice, structured guidance, and real-world strategies that turn the chaot...