Today, we are delving into a topic of utmost importance for high school students: the significance of connecting with college admissions offices. This engagement isn't for parents; it’s for your teen to actively communicate with colleges regarding their academic journey and aspirations.

At this critical stage, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their interest in prospective colleges, get their questions answered, and form relationships with admissions officers. Many colleges even track this interest as part of their admission process. As we enter the bustling college application season, it's crucial to encourage your teen to sign up for webinars, attend receptions, and make the most...

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 your...

Whatever you call the school counselor at your child’s high school -- guidance counselor, college counselor, etc -- please know that they are an integral part of the college application process. A few elements of their job are: 

• to offer college advice to you and your child

• weigh in on the selection of courses for each year

• write a school counselor recommendation on behalf of your child

• send the transcript

• communicate with colleges about your child’s application and interest

Some school counselors do this better than others, and usually, it depends on their caseload of students. 

As a parent, you should attend any college preparation presentations that your school...

Figuring Out Freshman Year

Here are some tips. Please share with your kids!

• Start to document activities, academic and extracurricular accomplishments, summer and work experiences.

• Focus on time management skills: When will you do homework? How much time does it take you to complete homework thoroughly? What are you doing with your free time?

• Discuss summer opportunities (e.g., a job or a summer course) with your school counselor and parents and research them on your own.

Strategies for Sophomore Year

Has your child taken the PSAT yet? Pre-ACT? Does your school offer either one or both?

https://parents.collegeboard.org/college-board-programs/psat-10

...

As parents, we all have a lot on our plates. Now that the school year is starting, we’re juggling more than we were 60 days ago. While routine is good, we cannot allow the schools that we send our kids to dictate their futures. We must step in, be present, ask questions and be clear of what we want as the end goal of the high school experience for our children. Yes, health and happiness trump all, but we also want to make sure our children have college options and in order to do that we must do the three things below.

#1 Review the classes and understand the sequence of courses for upcoming years
Too many parents are frustrated at the beginning of their child’s senior year when they learn...

I’ll keep this one very simple and easy. I’m sure many of you have long “to do” lists for the school year. I know I do. Instead of making your life harder, I want to make it easier and offer only one thing. Here goes. 

Class of 2022 

Make sure your kid is writing their essay(s). This is not an easy task and it’s critically important given that many schools do not need standardized testing this year. I’m offering an essay writing course that can help them to brainstorm and revise AND I will read the essay and offer constructive feedback. Click Here To Learn More

Class of 2023

What’s the plan for testing? ACT or SAT? When and how are they prepping?...

If your kid is self-motivated and reading all the instructions on how to complete their applications and essays, consider yourself blessed. It takes mental strength and stamina to decipher all that needs to be done for the college process and execute it at a high level. For the rest of us, we need help. Tips to figure out how best to help our kids to help themselves.

Here’s three to start. 

Carve out time for them
Discuss exactly when they’re going to work on their applications and essays and make it non-negotiable. I think an hour or two three days a week during the month of August is solid. 

Help them with their Common Application
Actually sit down and review the...

With so many admissions options, when should a student apply? I’ll start with my favorite: 

Rolling Admissions
Under Rolling Admissions, applications to the schools are reviewed as they are completed and colleges accept eligible candidates until all freshmen spots are filled.  This means, applying early to the school has a great advantage. Applications may even be accepted as early as the summer before the senior year. A number of schools, particularly big state schools, use rolling admissions. Check each school's rolling admissions start date. Students typically receive the decision within two months after the completed application is sent in. Applying rolling admissions is...

The key to a college interview is preparation. There are three types of interviews. There's the on-campus interview, one via video conferencing like Zoom, or one with an alumnus in your local area. It's always important for your child to show their  best self, and to ask questions, and share thoughts or concerns about the school or overall college process. 

#1: On-campus interviews are usually conducted by admissions officers and they talk to your child for 25 to 30 minutes about who they are, and what they know about the college they’re meeting with. To schedule an interview, you can usually select a time on a school's website.

#2: Local alumni interviews are conducted by alumni who...

I love my children dearly. As a father of four, there are only a few things I would not do for them to ensure their happiness. Would I choose their friends? No. Would I choose their political affiliations? No. Would I choose their college? Absolutely not. Now remember, “choose” and “influence” are very different and I hope my model of how I live my life helps them to make wise decisions, but I would never outright choose any of the above for them. 

I would, however, help them with their college application process. As a company, we are gearing up to help the Class of 2022 with their essays and applications throughout the summer. If you and your child need help, we can do...