Hey Juniors, It’s 2025! The year you will apply to college! Let’s go!

This is your year to apply to college. Here is a short list of items to either keep working on or to get started on.

 1.     Junior year grades and activities: This year is the most important for your grades and activities. If your transcript shows an improvement in your grades during 11th grade, it will be looked upon highly. Keep up your studies.

2. Time management and taking ownership of understanding course content is the student’s responsibility. Make sure to stay on top of both of these items by using a planner or app, meeting with teachers before or after school hours, lunchtime or during ‘drop’ class sessions to make sure you understand what will be asked of you on the next test or quiz.

3. ASK QUESTIONS if you are struggling in a course. Show initiative. It builds character and good interpersonal skills too.

4.     In April or May, you will need to ask 2 teachers for letters of recommendation.

a.     Ask in person

b.     Say thank you

c.      Share with them why you are asking

d.     Ask a teacher that has had you in their class preferably during junior or sophomore year(s).

5.     Standardized Tests: Do you know which test you are taking? SAT or ACT? Create a plan on when to take it and either take a prep class or hire a tutor to help you prepare. Test strategy is KEY to succeeding on either test. (And by all means, do not register for the June ACT if your Junior Prom is the night before.)

6.     Also plan time to visit campuses and research schools with your parents. Spring break is a great time in April as colleges are still in session. Many offer open houses on the weekends too.

7. Follow colleges’ TikTok and Instagram accounts. You will learn a lot about the school through their social media accounts!

8.     Summer plans: Working, going to camp, going on a big vacation? Regardless, please plan on writing your common app essay during the summer months. You will not regret this.  

If you would like to learn more about the college admissions journey, contact Suzanne for a free consultation.

Next steps if you are deferred from early decision or early action…

When a student gets deferred from either applying early decision or early action, your application gets moved to regular decision. If you applied early decision and your application gets moved to regular decision, your admission is no longer binding.

You are still in the running for admission. There are many reasons why a student’s application may be deferred to regular admission. The admissions committee may want to see the student’s mid-semester grades, review most recent standardized test scores, or compare the applicant to the regular decision applicant pool.

I highly recommend that you write a letter of continued interest (LOCI) if the school is your first choice and if they accept a LOCI. This will communicate to the college that you are set to attend if granted admission. You should also express a deep interest in the college. Describe your visit to the college, mention a club or activity you would get involved in upon matriculating, discuss your intended major or delve into an area of study you’d like to pursue while attending this university. Make sure you clearly state that you will attend if granted admission to the college or university so there is no doubt that you will attend.

If you would like to learn more about the college admissions journey, contact Suzanne for a free consultation.

How to make a balanced college list…

There are many factors to consider when creating a college list. Here are some thoughts on what to focus on from the beginning.

1. During your junior year, you will meet with your school counselor in late winter or early spring to discuss your courses for senior year and to also discuss a potential college list. This list is the beginning of what you can call a ‘work in progress’ list. It will be a work in progress up until you actually apply the following fall.

2. There are many factors to consider and since every human is unique, these factors will vary in type, style and importance. Here’s a brief list of what to think about:

   1. Location: How far from home would you like to be? Urban, suburban, college town, rural, study abroad: These are the type of location categories you need to consider.

   2. Size of School: Under 1,000, or over 20,000? The size of school can help you determine which schools to consider.

   3. Academics: Is there a certain field of study that you are interested in or do you have no idea? Think about which type of school and which degree(s) you may want to pursue. Did you have an IEP in high school? Inquire about the Accessibility Resource Center at each school. This will help you decide where to consider applying to.

   4. Extracurriculars: Are you looking for a strong theatre department? A big rah-rah sports team to cheer for? Strong LGBTQ+ community? What about Greek life? Are you interested in pledging for a certain fraternity? It’s important to visit as many campuses as possible so you can determine what type of campus life fits your personality.

3. By the beginning of your senior year, you should have visited a few schools and made your list as final as possible as it’s time to apply. 12-14 schools is your target number. Consider the following aspects while making the list:

   1. Your list should have a range of ‘likely’-’target’-’reach’ schools.

      1. Likely schools: An applicant falls well above the 50th percentile of all applicants.

      2. Target schools: An applicant falls in the middle of the 50th percentile of all applicants.

      3. Reach school: An applicant falls well below the 50th percentile of all applicants.

      4. Read online, follow colleges’ social media accounts and attend local college fairs. This will help you firm up your college list.

If you would like to learn more about the college planning process, contact Suzanne for a free consultation.

How to make the most of a College Admissions Rep visit to your high school

During the fall months, many college admission officers are out traveling from high school to high school meeting with students to discuss their college. These officers are making the rounds in a designated area of the country.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when attending a college rep visit:

1. Shake their hand. Introduce yourself and say hello. It’s a great way to practice your professional skills and adults remember students who go the extra mile.

2. Listen and take notes while the College Rep is giving his summary about the school. You won’t remember everything that is said and you can look back on what was told to you later on.

3. Ask a question or two. Ask about whether or not you must declare a major on your application and if so can you switch your major upon matriculating? Or what about housing? Is it guranteed all four years or do students live off campus after freshman year?

4. Do not look at your phone during the meeting. Silence it and don’t snap or text while in the meeting.

5. Say thank you and get their business card. You can email them after the meeting and thank them for coming to your high school.

10 Tips for College Visits

10 Essential Tips: All you need to know when visiting college campuses.

There’s no substitute for visiting a college. Here are some tips on what to do before, during and after your visit. It’s up to you to make the most of a campus visit. You’ve got this!

1. Gather Information and plan out your visit.

a. Students should research the college’s website and register via the Admissions website page for a formal visit. The school wants to gain the student’s contact information, not the parents. Formal visits are necessary for a prospective student to gain ‘demonstrated interest’ which is what some schools factor into their admissions criteria.

b. You can email the admissions office to ask if you can arrange to sit in on a class, eat in one of their cafeterias and arrange to meet a coach if you are interested in pursuing a sport.

c. Arrive on campus early so you can make sure to find parking and have time to arrive at the admissions office without rushing.

2. Explore and visit the campus:

a. Typically, a visit includes a student-led tour, an admissions information session and/or a financial aid information session. Whatever they offer, attend! You are already on campus and the more you learn of the school, the better feel you will gain from the visit.

b. Schools offer discovery days and open house events throughout the year. These events typically provide more exposure to certain areas of study or offer tours led by specific students who are studying in a certain major (engineering, pre-med, etc.)

c. Ask the student tour guide questions

d. Check out first-year dorms and ask about whether or not you can choose your roommate during your first year and how housing works, in general.

3. Check out campus media:

a. Listen to the college radio station

b. Grab a copy of their student newspaper, follow their paper on twitter, Instagram, TikoTok etc. The student newspaper tells you a lot about campus!

c. Read other student publications, such as department newsletters, alternative newspapers and literary reviews.

d. Scan bulletin boards to see what daily student life is like.

4. If you have any specific needs or questions about a specific resource- ask about what resources the college provides and go and visit the office such as:

a. Disability/Accessibility  Resource Center: If you had an IEP or 504 accommodation, inquire about the school’s resource center. How many people work there? Do they provide training for faculty? Timeline for working with the DRC prior to enrolling and during each term, etc.

b. Mental Health Office: What type of services does the college provide? Does it provide a wide range of programming and services? Where is it located on campus? What are their office hours? How do they work in tandem with the university health center?

c. Housing needs: If you have specific housing questions ask them during your visit and go check out the office for residential life etc.

d. Campus Safety: Crime statistics, safety in classroom buildings, campus security patrol

5. Financial Aid: This is the time to ask about:

a. If the school is need-blind or need-aware?

b. Is there a work-study program?

c. What kind of academic and need-based scholarships are offered?

d. What percentage of students, not just how many students, receive financial aid?

6. Career center: This is an office that the admissions office and tour guides will talk about. Here are some questions to ask:

a. Where have students interned and are there formal internship arrangements with local companies?

b. What’s the job placement rate for the past few years?

c. How long does it typically take recent grads to find a full-time job in their career field?

d. What career advising services are offered, and how long are they available to graduates?

e. What networking and career fairs are held each year?

f. How accessible and involved are alumni?

g. What kinds of on-campus or local part-time jobs are available?

7. Here are a list of questions to ask your tour guide and/or students you meet during your visit:

a. What are the best reasons to go to this college?

b. What’s it like to transition from high school to college?

c. What do you do in your free time? On the weekends?

d. What do you love about this college?

e. What would you like to change about this college?

f. What’s it like to live here?

8. Get the business cards and names of the people you met during your visit and write a quick thank you note after returning home.

9. Upon getting home, write down your thoughts about the college: Your memory of each college visit will fade and blend into one another so writing down your thoughts upon returning home is helpful!

10 . Here is a list of questions to NOT ask during your visit:

a. Do you think I’ll be admitted?

b. How much financial aid do you think I’ll get?

c. Don’t ask your tour guide personal questions. They may offer information but don’t put them on the spot.

d. Don’ waste your time asking questions a 4 second Google search could provide you such as:

i. What’s the weather like here?

ii. How many students attend this college?

iii. How much is tuition?

A campus visit should help you:

Try to envision whether you would like to be on campus or not: class size, attentive professors, social and athletic activities, Greek life, etc.

Remember: It’s up to you to make the most of a campus visit. Have fun!!

Six tips for nailing your college admissions interview!

Colleges and universities that offer or require an interview as a factor in the admissions process view the opportunity to hear and speak with you as an essential factor in their decision-making. 

Colleges and universities take a more holistic approach to admitting students when they include an interview. It is a great indicator that this college or university sees all qualities of an applicant, not just grades and standardized tests. It can give the student a chance to explain their application and for you and the school to get acquainted. The interview can really help a marginal student’s application, too. 

If a school states that their interviews are evaluative, do it, whether or not it is recommended or required. If a college or university merely recommends interviews, whether or not it is evaluative, it is still highly recommended. 

The college is looking to answer some of the following items:

·      Student’s level of enthusiasm and motivation for attending the school. 

·      Who you are beyond your grades and test scores.

·      Your intellectual promise, leadership, personality and sense of humor. 

6 tips to prepare for the interview:

1.   Know about Yourself

Why do you want to go to college?

Why do you want to attend ( ) college in particular?

Why are you a good match with ( ) college?

2. Be prepared to talk about High School   

Chance to talk about your school community and what/how you were involved

Statistics: Know your GPA and how many students are graduating in your class

This also gives you a chance to mention any loop holes in your studies.

3. Be prepared to talk about Extracurricular Activities

Know the organizations in which you participate.

What has been the most important to you and why?

What might you continue in college?

Have you risen to any leadership positions?

Be sure to talk about activities outside of school too.

4. Dress appropriate: Wear a business-smart look. 

5. What NOT to do during an Interview:

 Avoid yes-and-no answers.

Chew gum

Have your cell phone with you and/or on. Silence it!

Don’t be late.

Don’t over-share

Don’t swear

Don’t put your family down

6. What TO do during an interview:

Relax: There really is no way to bomb the interview.  It’s merely a conversation. 

Dress appropriately

Listen carefully. Be attentive. Smile

Ask questions. It shows you are interested. 

Write a thank you note. Always follow up with a thank you note to the person who interviewed you. 

Be confident! You got this!!

Juniors and Seniors- attend your college admission rep visits at your high school this fall

During the fall months, many college admission officers are out traveling from high school to high school meeting with students to discuss their college. These officers are making the rounds in a designated area of the country. This admissions rep may very well be the person(s) who reviews your application when you apply.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when attending a college rep visit:

1. Shake their hand. Introduce yourself and say hello. It’s a great way to practice your professional skills and adults remember students who go the extra mile. If you know you are applying, tell them.

2. Listen and take notes while the College Rep is giving their summary about the school. You won’t remember everything that is said and you can look back on what was told to you later on.

3. Ask a question or two. Ask about whether or not you must declare a major on your application and if so can you switch your major upon matriculating? Or what about housing? Is it guaranteed all four years or do students live off campus after freshman year?

4. Do not look at your phone during the meeting. Silence it and don’t snap or text while in the meeting.

5. Say thank you and get their business card. You can email them after the meeting and thank them for coming to your high school.

10 tips for completing the common application

The Common App is convenient as it allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities at once with the same inputted information and college essay.

As convenient as the Common App may be, many students make mistakes inputting their information. Here are some tips on how to avoid typical mistakes.

1. Deadlines: The Common App goes live on August 1st of each year. So a student can start to submit any time after that especially for a school that has rolling admissions or early decision or early action. Keep track of deadlines. It is very important to not miss a deadline or you will miss out on submitting your Common App.

2. Personal Information: A student must input their personal information about basic information. It is important that the student ask a parent or guardian for any information they may need to complete this section accurately. (Typically, a student doesn’t know when their parent graduated from college, for example.)

3. Activities Section: The goal of the activities section is to share with the Admissions Committee your involvement in extracurricular involvement. Activities should be organized from the most important to the least important. There are ten spots to list activities. Use these spots wisely. A student only has a limited space to describe each activity. Write your description clearly.

4. Common App Essay: The student will submit a 650 word essay answering one of the prompts listed on the Common App. Copy/paste the essay into your common app. Do not attach a document. This does not always work. The essay should be a non-fiction personal narrative. The essay should share a part of you that is not found anywhere else on the application and that only you can write.

5. Resume: Not all schools ask for a resume to be submitted but if a school does, definitely submit one. It will help explain your activities, honors and accomplishments in more detail than the activities section of the Common App.

6. Standardized Tests: Most colleges and universities have stayed test optional. But if you decide to submit your SAT or ACT score, it should be within the 50% percentile of what the college looks for. Average test scores have gone up due to schools being test optional so be wise about whether you submit your score.

7. Supplemental Essays: Students will be able to review whether or not a college or university asks students to respond to a supplemental essay prompt(s). These are specific to each school. Be sure that if a school says it’s optional to submit anyway. Be as specific as possible when answering supplemental essay questions. Stay on point.

8. Proofread: Make sure to proofread your Common App answers. Have a parent, teacher or school counselor read through your application.

9. Email Address: Please use an appropriate email address when applying to college. Do not use your high school email address. If you need to create a new address, please do so. This is how admissions offices communicate with you; they will send you an email to check your admissions portal/account.

10. Last, make sure to hit submit! Some students forget to make the time to submit their Common App. Set time aside to submit your Common App. Good Luck!

Parenting tips to get you through the college admissions 2025 cycle.

Many parents reach out to me seeking guidance and advice on how to navigate parenting through the college admissions process. Here is what you, as a parent, can focus on. I, too, will be a parent for this cycle, so I need to take my own advice this year as well.

1. If you are positive about your teen, then your teen will be positive about themself. Focus on helping guide your teen, not tell them, what they need to do, should do, or must change to become a valid applicant to a reputable college. How you talk to your teen, talk about your teen in front of them and how you react to your teen’s mistakes directly effects how they feel about themself. Your teen is not an outcome or trophy. The student is a human.

2. If you attempt to be too involved in the college application process, then your teen will feel like they are not capable of handling it themself. Don’t be a snowplow parent. Do not ask too many questions and nag. You are not applying to college, they are. Do not re-write their essays. Let them write. Admissions representatives can certainly tell if a 17-year old or a 50-year-old wrote the essays.

3. Assist your teen in creating a balanced college list with equal number of likely, target and reach schools. This will give them the best opportunity of having multiple options to choose from once decisions arrive. A list with too many reach schools is unrealistic and does not work.

4. Do not read social media ‘college admissions’ accounts on Facebook. That’s essentially falling down a rabbit hole of wrong information. It will cause you added stress which will then cause your student stress too.

5. Don’t make every conversation about college admissions. Enjoy your last year with your teen at home. Enjoy senior year and let the college admissions process happen naturally.

6. Help your teen create a calendar so they have their time organized for when to do everything in a timely manner. Timelines help both the parent and teen feel grounded.

7. Let your teen make mistakes. He needs to learn how to build character, problem solve and build self-confidence.

8. When your teen lands on a college campus, he will inevitably face new problems in life. How will they have the needed skills to problem solve, deal with homesickness and/or approach a teacher about a question if they never had the chance to do so in high school? There is no perfect teen. There is no perfect applicant. There is no perfect parent.

Finding your GPA

Summer is here and school is out! High schools should have your final grades for the year and you should be able to look up your final grades. But you should, also, look up your most updated grade point average (GPA). If your high school uses Naviance or Scoir, you should be able to find it there, if not, contact your school counselor and inquire as to where you can find your most updated GPA. Sometimes it can be found on your official transcript which you can also request from your school counselor as well.

Some high schools use a weighed GPA, some use unweighted GPAs and some calculate both. What does your high school use? It is important to know as you will need to input your GPA (weighted or unweighted or both) into your college applications.

Weighted GPA means that the high school factors in the level of difficulty of each core class (history, foreign language, science, math, English). Unweighted GPA does not factor in the level of difficulty of each core class. Typically, IB (international baccalaureate) , AP (advanced placement) and Honors courses are weighted more than CP (college prep) courses in high school.

It is especially important for rising high school seniors to look up their most updated GPA, after their junior year of high school ends because this is the GPA they will use to apply to college.