Parents, it’s the start of the new year. Time to get serious. Time for a plan.

In my new video this week, I have a question for you:

Do you know what classes your teen is taking their senior  year or is projected to take? 

It is very important that you understand how classes affect the college admissions process. 

In today's video, we're going to discuss the three reasons why your teen’s senior year schedule matters.

1. Do you know what math class your teen is going to take next year?
   For example, certain colleges don't even read applications if they don't have the word “calculus” on it. Please ensure your teen is at least pre-calculus or calculus or AB or BC is critical.
2. Your teen should st...

If a college student is unhappy at their current institution and wants to transfer to another college, there are several steps they can take to make the process as smooth as possible.

1. First, the student should research and identify potential colleges that align with their academic and career goals. This can include looking at colleges with programs in their desired field of study, as well as schools with a good track record of helping students transfer credits.

2.  Next, the student should contact the admissions office at the colleges they are interested in and ask about their transfer policies and requirements. This can include information on how many credits can be transferred, any GPA requirem...

First, let’s define what it means to be “deferred.” With an admissions deferral, the college has decided to postpone your child’s admission decision to a later date and will reconsider or review the application with the Regular Decision applicant pool. In the meantime, you and your child need to reassess their college list in preparation for the “worst”: a rejection. As hard and evil as that sounds, it is often for the better. When a student gets rejected, it’s like a band-aid getting swiftly ripped off. It’s painful at first, but then it’s over. When a student gets deferred, the band-aid gradually gets peeled back and every single scab and pinch of skin can be felt. In short, it takes too long. 

When ...

Did you know, on average, an admissions officer may spend 4-7 minutes reading your kid’s application the first time through?

Writing a college essay is hard. Very few students go into the writing process “pumped” to sit in front of a computer to tell a story. It's part laborious, oftentimes frustrating and occasionally embarrassing. The most common thing I hear is “I don't know what to write!” and then it becomes my job to help the student to brainstorm and believe in the idea that we have thought of together. 

Know what's far easier? Documenting life. Instead of trying to devise some cleverly creative epiphany that they think will change the landscape of college admissions and help them get into the ...

College application requirements have changed a lot since you applied to college. Even more so since Covid. Gather accurate information and cross reference it with what your child knows.

You must partner with your teen during this process!

Also do these three things immediately, if you haven't already………

#1 : Talk about money.

College is expensive. Be honest with your Senior about how much you have and/or willing to spend. Help your student to investigate need-based aid and merit scholarships.

#2: Anticipate the emotional roller coaster.

What you may want for your child may not be what they want for themself. If your child is not developmentally ready, discuss other options such as ga...

Myth: Athletic scholarships are full rides offered in the senior year of high school.

Not true. In fact, most athletic scholarships are partial (or equivalency) scholarships, as each team’s coach has a limited number of scholarships to offer each entering class. Other than football and basketball—the biggest athletic money generators for most institutions—only Division I tennis, gymnastics, and volleyball can offer full-ride scholarships for athletics. In recruiting athletes, a college coach can make a verbal offer as early as middle school, but it usually happens during freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school, depending on the sport and the athlete’s ability.

Please note the word verbal. I...

Below are a few questions that your teen can ask and questions they can be expected to be asked during their college interview. Give this to them!

QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING IN AN INTERVIEW

• What is the average class-size (especially in my field of study?) And how does it change from freshman to upper-class years?

• What are the internship opportunities?

• What happens here on weekends?

• How about current campus issues?

• What do students like best about this school?

• What do they complain about?

• What kind of student is most successful here? What kind is not?

SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• How did you learn about ____________ college?

• What are you looking for in a colle...

The short answer is yes. Colleges want to know what your child does beyond the classroom. Since the transcript tells them what the grades are -- what happens in the classroom -- the next question is “how else do they spend their time.”

Both the Common Application and the Coalition Application -- the two primary ways students apply to college online -- have dedicated places for students to list their extracurricular activities. While this is the preferred and required place for students to list their athletics, arts, community service, religious or summer activities, many colleges also offer the opportunity to upload a Word or PDF resume. I suggest that your child do this even though their activities...

Fall Timeline for High School Students and Parents : Grades 9-12 

12th

Please review this with your child and adjust it appropriately for their learning style.

• The Common Application “rolls over” and can be submitted as early as August 1.

• Start the Coalition Application, if necessary.

• Revise personal statement and supplemental essays.

• Register for interviews, if applicable.

• Ask summer employers or mentors for an additional recommendation, if applicable.

• Continue with standardized test prep, if necessary.

• Take standardized test, if applicable.

Parents

• Review (but do not revise) your student’s essay(s) and share feedback.

11th

Please review this with ...

My answer....VERY!!!! Colleges rarely admit this in public. That's not to say that a super high score is necessary, but it's more than likely that your child will need to take it. Your son or daughter should be willing to give up a few Saturday mornings as a small sacrifice to make their future great. 

How many times should he/she take the test?
The standard answer is at least twice. 

When should they start taking the tests?
Increasingly, I am recommending that students take a diagnostic ACT and SAT at the end of sophomore year (June) or at the beginning of junior year (August). 

What score should my kid aim for?
Your child needs to do the best they can do. They need to prepare with a tutor. Yes, elite ...