News & Updates

Every fall, I meet with parents who apologize for their child's B average before we've even discussed what makes that student special. They've internalized a damaging narrative: if you're not pulling straight A's, you don't deserve a great college outcome. Here's what I tell them: some of the most successful, fulfilled college graduates I've worked with were B students in high school. And the college admissions landscape has more room for them than anxious parents realize. Th

Freshman year can feel like a whirlwind. It's a time packed with excitement, new experiences, and challenges, but many students also feel overwhelmed. Some find it hard to keep up academically, while others navigate the complex social landscape of high school. In this post, we'll share the experiences of two students: Sarah, who encountered significant struggles, and Emily, who excelled through planning and dedication. We'll also offer practical strategies for 9th graders to

Navigating the college application process can be overwhelming, especially when aiming for prestigious institutions like Stanford University. Understanding the nuances of the admissions process can seriously enhance your chances of acceptance. In this blog post, we'll discuss the interview format, share insights from a former admissions officer, and provide actionable strategies on how applications are reviewed, common mistakes to avoid, and tips to make your application shin

In today's competitive college admissions landscape, focusing solely on grades and standardized test scores can lead many students and parents astray. To illustrate this, let's look at the journey of "Alex," a high school senior with a GPA of 3.8 and a respectable 1350 SAT score . Despite these impressive numbers, Alex's application didn't make the grade for his dream school. Why? His application lacked depth; while he excelled academically, he hadn't engaged in meaningful e

Have you ever thought about how much financial aid goes unclaimed every year? It’s a staggering $3 billion , illustrating a significant gap in awareness among students about the financial opportunities available to them. Often, these missed opportunities stem from not starting the college prep process early enough. This post will discuss two students, Sarah and Jake, to reveal the substantial differences in their college preparation journeys and the hidden costs of starting t

The 9th Grade Mistake That Ruins College Chances (And How to Fix It) A colleague recently shared a story with me about a mother who...

The "So What?" Test: How This Simple Question Transforms College Essays In my 15+ years of guiding students through college applications,...

How to Build a Strong College List One of the most important steps in the college admissions process is creating a well-balanced college...

Understanding the Common Application The Common Application is a standardized college application that over 1,000 schools accept. It...

Cost of College Education To say that a college education can be expensive is an understatement! On average, cost of attendance for a...

While it's not always possible to do one in person, college visits can be a great way to further hone your college list. When you visit a...

Introduction to the new digital SAT There have been many changes in standardized testing over the past few years, and the latest, and...

There are over 5,000 colleges currently in the United States. While this is exciting is some respects, as the possibilities available to...