If you’ve been paying attention to college trends lately, you might have noticed a surge of interest in Southern schools, especially large public universities in the Southeast. Think University of Texas, University of Georgia, University of Florida, Clemson, and University of South Carolina.

You’ve probably heard it in passing, maybe in the Wall Street Journal, about kids saying “move over Harvard, the South is the new thing.” And honestly, I get it. The weather, the vibe, the energy. It is magnetic. But here’s the thing: popularity alone shouldn’t be the reason your teen applies to a school.

I want to unpack why these schools are so appealing, what parents need to know, and how you can help your chil...

Hi parents ~ 

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know this time of year is what I call “game time.” September, October, November. Three months that will make a massive difference in your teen’s college journey, whether they are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior.

This is not about adding pressure. It is about adding clarity. The reality is, the next 90 days set the tone for the rest of the year. Let’s talk about what each grade should focus on right now, and how you, as parents, can play a supportive (but not overbearing) role.

Seniors: This Is Your Super Bowl Season

🎯 Finalize and balance your college list
Make sure your teen has a realistic mix of reach, target, and safety school...

If your child wants to be a candidate at selective colleges in a few years, here are some important things to do:

Select challenging courses. It is imperative that students take courses that will appropriately “stretch” them. Getting good grades is paramount, but if your child takes easier courses than they can probably handle, colleges will know and not be impressed. 

Encourage them to get involved with a variety of activities. 

Do not allow your child to become a “two-stop” (home and school) kind of kid. Colleges want students who will contribute to their college communities. The best way to show that is for them to contribute to their high school community. 

Understanding the testing timeline...

Most kids have been in school for a month now - if not more - and should all be “settled” into a routine that includes waking up early, staying up later than we want them to and, of course, contemplating the all-important college admissions question:

“What should I be doing now, to get into college later?”

Every month or every year of high school counts towards having more or less college options. Whether it’s grades or activities or visits or essays, high school students who want selective schools are putting in the work now. 

Is your kid putting in the work? 

If you have no clue on what your child should be doing this month as it relates to getting into college, I’ve made it easy for you. See belo...

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 offers, especially now during...