Why Visiting Colleges Matters

Campus visits provide an unparalleled opportunity to experience a school firsthand. Brochures and online tours are helpful, but nothing compares to walking the campus, interacting with current students, and getting a feel for the culture and environment.

These visits allow your teen to envision themselves at the school and assess whether it aligns with their academic, social, and personal goals. Visiting also gives you a chance to assess logistics, like travel distance, nearby amenities, and cost of living.

But visiting colleges without a plan can lead to stress, frustration, and wasted time. Let’s talk about how to make this process work for you and your family.

Hello and Happy New Year to all the parents out there! 

As we usher in the new year, I want to extend my warm wishes, especially to parents of high school seniors. With graduation on the horizon, it's crucial to ensure that your child's college application journey is on the right track. 

In this week’s blog post, we'll discuss the importance of checking application portals and delve into the revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Let's make 2025 a year of informed decisions and financial planning for your child's higher education.

The Application Portal Check

As parents, it's essential to play an active role in your child's college application process. Many...

Happy New Year, parents! By now, you might be tired of hearing it, but let me be the first to wish you a happy, focused, and productive 2025 when it comes to your teen’s college admissions journey. I’m Shereem Herndon-Brown, Chief Education Officer and founder of Strategic Admissions Advice, and I’m here to ensure that parents of the Class of 2026 know exactly what they need to do now to set their teenren up for success.

January may feel far from college applications, but trust me—being proactive now will make all the difference later. Every year, I encounter families who come to us in August, September, or even October, wishing they’d started sooner. This doesn’t...

1. Reassess the College List

If your teen was deferred or rejected, one of the most immediate questions to ask is this: Were we realistic in our list of schools?

Many families shoot for the stars when it comes to their child’s college list—and that’s okay! Ambition is a great thing. But the truth is, the admissions process is extremely competitive. Top-tier schools are rejecting more students every year, including those who are incredibly qualified.

If your list leaned heavily on reach schools, now is the time to regroup and ensure there’s a better balance. A strong list includes reach schools, target schools, and safety schools.

Here are a few key questions to consider:

• Did...

What is Early Decision 2, and Why Does It Matter?

Early Decision 2 is a second opportunity for students to commit to a college as their top choice. While ED1 deadlines are typically in November, ED2 deadlines fall in early January. Colleges that offer ED2 use it as a way to fill more of their incoming class with highly committed students.

Here’s why this matters:

• Colleges prioritize their yield rate. The yield rate is the percentage of students who accept offers of admission. ED applicants—whether in round one or two—are 100% committed to attending if admitted. This makes them more appealing to colleges than regular decision (RD) applicants, who may be less likely to enroll.
• ...

The holiday season is upon us, and while many are focused on family, festivities, and football, I know that for parents of high school seniors, there’s an added layer of stress: college admissions decisions. As early decision (ED), early action (EA), and rolling admission results roll in, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Whether your teen is celebrating acceptance or facing disappointment, there are critical next steps that cannot wait.

The next few weeks are pivotal in shaping your teen’s college journey—and I want to ensure you’re prepared. Let’s break it down, step by step, so you and your child can move forward confidently.

1. Reassess the College List (Yes,...

Don't Let College Talk Take Over Thanksgiving: Strategies for Parents of High School and College Students

Thanksgiving is here—my favorite holiday. Family, friends, food, and the warmth of gratitude make this season magical. But Thanksgiving can also be a minefield of college-related questions and unsolicited advice for families with high school seniors, juniors, or even college students returning home.

If you're the parent of a teen or young adult, you know what I'm talking about. Family members, with all the best intentions, love to chime in about college admissions, applications, or the possibility of transferring schools. These conversations can quickly go from harmless to anxiety-inducing...

As we enter the final stretch of college application season, many high school seniors and their families are focused on getting every detail right. If you're a parent of a senior, you're likely feeling the pressure, too, as each aspect of the application—essays, recommendation letters, college lists—comes together in what feels like the blink of an eye. But here’s an important question: Are you truly confident that your teen’s application reflects their best potential?

I know from years of guiding families just like yours that college application review sessions provide an essential opportunity to make sure every component of the application is complete, accurate, and...

If you’ve ever felt the warm, nostalgic glow of homecoming season, reminiscing about your college days and dreaming of your child walking those same halls, you’re not alone. We know this season well — schools buzzing with alumni and families reconnecting with college memories. But let me get real with you: as much as these alma mater connections feel powerful, they’re undergoing a huge shift in college admissions, and it’s time to address what that means for your child’s future.

 Do you know what legacy admissions used to mean vs what it means now? Legacy admissions — the practice of giving preference to applicants with family ties to a college —...

For over two decades, I’ve been guiding families through the college admissions maze. I’ve seen it all—from the highs of acceptance letters to the heartbreak of dashed hopes. Today, I want to speak directly to you, parents of high school seniors. Right now, your involvement is crucial, and a few key actions can make all the difference in your child's college journey.

If you’re a 12th-grade parent, I know you’ve put in time, effort, and likely a fair share of stress into this process. But don’t let your foot off the gas just yet. There are three things you must focus on right now to ensure your child’s success and finish strong. Whether you're balancing...