News, Resources, & Musings
Making the most of college visits
As COVID-19 vaccinations rise (thanks, science!), more colleges are re-opening to visitors. If you’re able to get on the road, the summer offers an opportunity to make up for lost time and visit schools. Visiting colleges in person matters to get an overall feel for...
On unsolicited advice and tuning out chatter
It was the start of a relaxing evening when a panicked series of texts came in from one of our students. A parent from their school had approached them at a school event and offered unsolicited advice about scheduling, college admissions, and what colleges want to...
Does prestige REALLY matter?
One of the biggest concerns parents bring to us is that they want their child to go to a "good" school. When pressed to define what "good" means, name recognition-- prestige-- tends to emerge. "Top" schools with impressive alumni, well-manicured lawns, the whole...
Yes, you should apply for that $500 scholarship
"It's only $500. I'm not even going to bother applying. It's not worth my time." Sigh. These predictable words make college counselors cry a single tear. Here's why you SHOULD apply for that low-dollar scholarship: Have you noticed that many lower-value...
Facing Admission Bummers
I was talking with a friend tonight, and she said although she was prepared, it really stung when her kid was waitlisted at a highly selective university. She felt her child, a 4.0 student active in several activities who is genuinely just a great human, deserved to...
Know Your Financial Aid Terms
Tuition vs. Cost of Attendance- Tuition is the basic money paid for your academics at a college. Don’t look at tuition alone with examining costs, though. Cost of attendance includes all the other expenses that come up: room and board, books, other school fees,...
Know Your College Admission Terms
The admissions process brings some confusing terminology. Educate yourself with our handy guide. Regular Decision (RD)- Choose this if you need the most time to complete your application before the deadline. Early Action (EA)- Students applying EA usually must...
College Counseling by the Numbers
According to the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the average high school student only receives about 38 minutes a year in college planning time with their high school counselor. How can that be? you might be thinking. They should be...
College Counseling for Underclassmen
College applications have become more holistic over the past decade, which means it has changed dramatically from a generation ago. Today, schools don’t just care about your GPA and test scores. They want to know so much more about you, what makes you tick, and how...