Winter break is coming up, and your teen may have grand plans to live on the couch while binging reality TV. As fun as that may be, winter break is a really good small chunk of time to do some specific college prep. Encourage your teen to take the occasional break from doing nothing to make some gains on planning for the future. Read my latest blog for suggestions on how to do college prep during winter break by high school grade.

The Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this summer regarding affirmative action opens the door for additional consideration and debate, but it will not likely turn college admissions on its head for this cycle. Read my last blog to learn more.

Among my high school student clients, choosing a college major is considered a serious milestone. This single decision will determine many of their plans for the next several years, and it may have a profound impact on the rest of their lives.

The most successful people are generally very self-aware. They know what makes them tick, what they are good at, where they need to delegate, and what motivates them. That kind of self-knowledge is powerful!

There are literally hundreds of millions of dollars available to students in the form of private scholarships, but it takes time and effort to apply. Read my latest blog for some tips to help you prepare successful scholarship applications.

Divorced, or never-married, parents of college-bound students often wonder how financial aid will be determined. It’s common for families to ask me if one or both parents need to complete the financial aid applications, including FAFSA and CSS Profile. The answer is actually a bit more involved than one might expect so let’s walk through it.

I’ve been working in academia or college coaching for my entire career, so a big part of my role has always been to interpret all of the new terms until my clients are equally fluent. The most common terms we need to define in this context are: Need-blind vs. need-aware admissions and Need-based vs. merit-based financial aid. Learn the differences in this article.

Many people confuse work-study programs with on-campus part-time jobs. While work-study may involve working in a campus role, there’s much more to it than that.

One of the major applications strategies I work through with most students involves application timing. Should you apply for Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), or Regular Decision (RD)? Let’s review each type of application and what they mean.

The purpose of the Common Application essay — the main college essay — is for the admissions officer to get to know you. This essay sets the stage for the supplemental essays that help admissions readers recognize what makes you a great fit for their university. Before you settle on a prompt, take a personal inventory.

SAT, ACT, and AP — The alphabet soup of college prep testing can be confusing and overwhelming. Know which standardized exams you need and when.

An often overlooked component to seeking scholarships is calculating your financial eligibility. Your total student aid, including federal or state need-based aid, subsidized loans, and scholarships cannot exceed your total cost of college.

When is the last time you failed at something? Did you try something similar again? How did it turn out? Have you ever allowed fear of failure to prevent you from something? I get it; I really do.

College is expensive, and most of the cost is up to the student and their family to pay. Part of your financial aid package will include the availability of federal loans. Before you apply for a student loan, it’s important to look into scholarship opportunities.

Remote job interviews were a common occurrence long before 2020. In fact, they may be one of the few things that companies didn’t have to scramble to manage in the new way of doing business. Learn four tips to master your next virtual interview.

Volunteering, whether on the frontlines of an organization’s mission, or in a more administrative or research role, provides valuable work experience that may help you develop your career goals and interests. When looking for a volunteer opportunity, step outside your comfort zone.

It’s vital to remember that people are always watching your online life, have access to your online history, and will judge you based on what you present. Take stock of your social media habits and personality to make sure that you’re not causing yourself potential problems.

As colleges and universities around the country are re-opening to students and live classes, they are also beginning to offer prospective student tours again. Visiting the schools you’re applying to is a fun and educational rite of passage, so take advantage of school visits before you commit to a top choice.

On October 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and College Board CSS Profile will open for the 2022/2023 academic year. Colleges use these forms to determine aid eligibility. For teens and families, these forms may seem intimidating, but with the right preparation, it’s extremely manageable!

While your essay might be on any number of topics, customizing it to the school of your choice will not only attract admissions officers to your application, but it will also help you solidify your belief that this school will be a good fit for you.