We are in the thick of application season. November 1 has passed, and many families are catching their breath after those early deadlines. But before you relax, there is something incredibly important that needs your attention right now the college application portal.

If your teen has already applied to college, they should have received a message from each school with instructions to create a username and password to access their application portal. This step is not optional. It is essential.

Today, I want to explain why the application portal matters and how parents can help their children stay on track.

1. The Portal Tracks Progress

Once your teen applies, the portal becomes the main place to t...

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 ...

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...

Let’s talk about one of the most overlooked — but most important — parts of the college process: location.

Not just “how far from home?”
Not just “what state is it in?”
But really… who will your kid become because of where they go?

Every month at Strategic Admissions Advice, we focus on one critical element of the college admissions journey. This month is all about college list building — and location is one of the big four factors (along with cost, major, and career goals).

But this week? We’re zooming in on why location deserves more than a passing glance.

🧠 Environment = Mental Health = Motivation

Let’s be honest: college is a transition. It’s exciting, sure — but it’s also tough. So where you...

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’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...

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...